Aftermath

Levi slumped against the roadside, the gritty earth offering scant comfort beneath him. 

Beside him, Lydia remained in a peaceful repose, her breaths soft whispers against the backdrop of nature bringing Levi solace.

A searing ache pulsed across Levi's cheek, a lingering reminder of Thunder's punishing blow.

"You sure you don't want a potion?" asked Thunder standing before Levi.

"I'll be fine," replied Levi.

Levi stared at the ground, while Thunder stood in silence. 

His smile was back, but it looked like a disappointed one.

"Do you understand why?" Thunder's voice was a stern whisper, cutting through the silence like a blade.

"I attacked her."

Thunder frowned while keeping his smile.

Levi's domain had vanished, turning the scenery back to normal.

The sun was still up, while the refreshing wind went through Levi's hair.

It would've been a good moment if it wasn't for the bodies around.

"You don't understand," said Thunder.

"What is there to understand?! I was upset, wanted revenge, and I hurt someone on my side."

"And why do you think you did that?" asked Thunder.

While they talked, the boy who lost his brother softly cried in the background.

Between birds chirping and the wind blowing through leaves, the hushed sobs added weight to their shoulders.

Lowering his voice, Levi continued, "How could you stay calm if this happened in front of you?"

"She was trying to protect you."

"By stopping me? I could've taken them on, I might not beat you or Grant, but here I would've been fine."

Levi's gaze remained on the ground, while Thunder sighed once more.

"The man with the staff was B tier. You lack experience, and you think you're better than you are. You're not strong, Levi."

Levi sprung up and took a step toward Thunder. Levi's fists were clenched, as he got in Thunder's face.

"What is your problem?!" yelled Levi.

He hit Thunder's chest plate.

"Your world is the ugliest. Do you think you're better? You nobles are no better than the church. You're here flaunting your stupid smile, acting like you're better than me."

Levi repeatedly hit the plate while he talked, his fist now red.

"If you guys did your job this injustice wouldn't happen. Whether it's in the throne room or out in the streets... His brother would still be alive if you did something..."

Thunder caught Levi's fist as it was about to hit once more.

Levi glared at Thunder, but his unwavering smile destabilized him. 

Thunder's warmth reached him, despite him staying silent and taking everything in.

Levi's expression softened as the anger slowly dissipated. 

Still holding his fist, Thunder put his other hand on Levi's shoulder.

A few tears slid down Levi's face. 

"What can I do, Thunder? What should I do?"

Thunder let go of Levi's fist, placing both hands on Levi's shoulder as he stared into his eyes. 

"You're right. The royals killed my parents when I was still young. Aya and I were lucky to make it out of this political move alive. I've lived my whole life not knowing when the next assassins would show up and finish the job."

Levi arched his eyebrows as he learned about his past for the first time.

His parents were killed by the people he's serving now? How can he protect them? thought Levi.

"I can see it on your face," said Thunder, "Like you said, no side is better than the other. They're both horrible, and things need to change. To change things, Levi, we need to become stronger. I didn't bring you to the royals to make you one of 'us', I wanted you close to me, on the 'Thunder' side."

"Wh..what..." stuttered Levi.

"And Lydia here is on the 'Leviathan' side. I know I'm not perfect, and one day my judgment may falter. If I were to die tomorrow or even turn evil-"

"-There's no way you would," interjected Levi.

"You don't know me. The thought crossed my mind a few times. Just like I wanted you to be on my side, I wanted someone on yours," he said as he nodded in Lydia's direction.

Levi's gaze drifted to Lydia, her form sprawled across the verdant carpet of grass. A serene tranquility enveloped her sleeping visage, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within Levi's own heart.

"Her story isn't better than mine or yours," continued Thunder, "With everything she's lost and everything she's endured, giving her life meaning is the least you can do. Just, whatever the 'Levi' side is, make sure you don't regret it later."

Thunder withdrew his hands from Levi's shoulder. They both sat down a bit further, still in eyesight of Lydia.

Thunder tilted his head backward for a moment, losing his smile and taking a deep breath. 

Levi tried to do the same, closing his eyes and focusing on the moment.

Thunder's voice brought him back.

"You know, she wasn't protecting you from those guys. She was protecting you from yourself," he said.

Levi opened his eyes, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"It's like I told you last time. You can't let the Goddess out. Not yet, at least. You're not strong enough, and the time you spend unconscious is a mystery. Who knows if you'll ever wake up next time?"

She didn't try to stop me, but protect me? And I just attacked her... he thought.

Levi started pulling grass, as regret filled his mind.

"Just make it up to her next time, I know she likes this 'ramen' dish some apostles introduced to the city some years ago."

"I definitely will."

Something approaching on the road grabbed Thunder's attention.

"Ah, that must be Aya," observed Thunder.

"What is she doing here?"

"You'll go with her, she'll escort you to the adventurer's guild. It sadly can't wait another day, we don't know when we'll be short on time."

"Aren't you coming with me?"

"I'll wait here until the guards arrive. We never know if the church would try to steal those corpses."

As they rose to their feet, the rumble of wheels heralded the arrival of a carriage reminiscent of the one Levi had journeyed in to the royal palace. 

As the driver slowed down the horses, it came to a halt, and Aya emerged from within, her expression etched with concern as she hurried toward them.

She ran on the grass, throwing herself on both of them, her arms wrapping their necks.

"You guys need to be more careful, what if something horrible happened," she said.

"Something horrible did happen," said Levi.

Following his eyes, Aya saw the scene further away.

"Oh no..."

The carriage suddenly tilted to one side until Levi could see Grant exiting it.

His usual bored look still painted his face, as he walked toward them.

He glanced around until he reached them. As he did, he stopped in front of Levi.

"I can tell," he started.

"Huh?" voiced Levi, puzzled.

"Even if it's just a little, you're stronger now than you were before."