Levi raised his hand for one final salute to his fallen comrades of the Survey Corps. His vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. For decades, he had endured endless suffering, clawing forward through a seemingly bottomless abyss with no light in sight—only death and despair. Every step, every kill, every drop of blood… it was all for them. To make sure their sacrifices weren't in vain.
And now, at long last, he could finally lay them to rest.
"This is it… the end," Levi thought as a tear slid down his cheek.
He blinked, trying to wipe the wetness away. But the moment his eyes closed—he felt it. A strange pull. A force dragging him downward.
When his eyes opened again, the world was gone.
There was no sky. No ground. Nothing but an endless void of darkness stretching in every direction.
"What… is this place?" Levi whispered, his voice trembling despite himself. His instincts screamed danger, yet he couldn't see a single thing.
Then, out of the void, a faint glow appeared. A single, white light flickering in the distance.
Levi hesitated, every muscle tense. But doing nothing was never in his nature. Gritting his teeth, he started toward it.
Step by step.
The closer he got, the brighter it became—until suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Levi…"
His eyes widened. His body reacted before his brain could catch up. His hand shot to his hip—where his blades should be.
Empty.
"My sword—where is it?!" Levi's breath quickened. He spun, scanning the darkness, heart pounding. That light… is it a new kind of Titan? And I'm unarmed?
"Shit," he hissed. What am I supposed to do now? Am I really going to die here? Like this?
He shut his eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. Fine… if this is it, then so be it. At least… at least I fulfilled my duty.
But nothing happened. No attack. No death.
Cautiously, Levi cracked one eye open. The light was still there, unchanged. Waiting.
And then the voice returned—calm, melodic, almost amused.
"Yes, boy. It is I."
Levi stiffened. Is the light… talking to me?
"Yes."
His eyes narrowed. "You—how the hell did you get in my head?! Stop reading my thoughts!" His voice rose, sharp with frustration.
"Relax, boy," the voice soothed gently. "There's no need for hostility."
"Don't tell me to relax! Who the hell are you?!" Levi snapped.
The light pulsed… and began to change. Slowly, its shape shifted—soft curves forming a silhouette. Then color. Flesh. Hair. Until standing before him was a woman so beautiful it made him forget how to breathe.
Her long pink hair shimmered like silk. Her eyes, a deep royal purple, pierced through the void. Her skin was pale and flawless, almost glowing under the ethereal light. She carried an elegance that seemed to command the very darkness.
"I am Izanami no Mikoto," she said simply, her voice like a song.
Levi blinked. "Izanami… the one who invites?" He'd heard the name before—an old god from a long-forgotten myth.
She tilted her head, smiling faintly. "You could say that."
"Then what the hell am I doing here?" Levi demanded. His tone was calmer now, but his eyes stayed sharp.
Her answer was soft, almost sorrowful. "You died, boy."
"…What?" Levi froze. "What did you just say?"
"You're dead."
His chest tightened. "No… no, that doesn't make sense. How?! How did I die?!"
"Exhaustion," Izanami replied gently. "Your body couldn't endure any longer."
"Liar!" Levi roared. "Me? Die of exhaustion? Don't screw with me!"
"I thought you were ready to accept your death," she said, her voice calm even in the face of his fury. "You've fulfilled your duty. You made sure their lives meant something."
"No… no, I'm not ready!" Levi's voice cracked. His fists trembled as the truth clawed at him. He could feel the tears burning his eyes again. Not like this… not now…
A single tear slid down his cheek, landing on his finger. He stared at it, almost surprised. Am I… crying?
Izanami watched him silently for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You're not ready to accept it, are you?"
"Of course not," Levi spat, his voice raw. "Who the hell would be?"
She tilted her head, her smile deepening. "…I think you'll suffice."
"What…?" Levi blinked, confused.
"I shall give you a second chance," she said simply, her tone as casual as if she were offering a cup of tea.
Levi stared at her. "What the hell are you talking about…?"
"Try not to have any regrets this time, okay?" Izanami said softly, her lips curving into a serene smile.
"Wait—" Levi began, but the world was already fading. His vision blurred, his body grew heavy, and before he could demand answers—
Darkness swallowed him whole.