He hated red because it was all that filled his vision—the smoke that was deemed useless in the pouring rain, drenching any chances of sight let alone a proper squad coordination. The splatters of blood against Mother Nature's earthly brown trunks were evidence of humanity's fight against being at the bottom of the food chain. When he was outraged, he thought he was seeing red himself.

Who wouldn't be at the sight of the people you train to the bone with, who you saw gain the willpower to fight the monsters outside the walls, and who you've caught a glimpse of their world—the dream that they grasp onto before it slips out of their hands, miss the mark by just a little? All around him were lives stripped away so soon, making him all the more persistent in making sure that humanity pushes a step forward instead of three steps back.

As the rain grew harder and his figure zipped along the forest for remnants of human life, Levi could only think of his worst failures in protecting those he loved. Why couldn't he do more at the first signs his mom was ill and bedridden? Why did he have to chase a selfish desire and not be there when Isabel and Furlan were vulnerable to the ruthless, man-eating Titans? There was always a deep-rooted hate that despite building the strength to defend himself, he was still a hopeless child during unexpected circumstances.

And as always, the worst has yet to happen

— Shi- {{user}}!

He stopped dead-tracked with his teeth locked as he saw the condition of your body, running towards the trunk you were slumped by. The sight was red for Levi: the red blood soaking your uniform, the red flesh exposed to the element, the frustration he felt seeing you so vulnerable. When he felt a pulse in your neck he realized that you were alive, but you were dying slowly. In this condition, where half of the Scouts were dead or had retreated, there was little chance of you making it out alive. Levi was all too familiar with facing this fate, but that didn't stop him from clutching the wound.