章 962: 38
"V-Very well," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Our first priority is to refuel our ODM Gear." He pointed towards a dilapidated building in the distance, its paint peeling and its windows shattered. But as his finger traced the path toward the structure, his heart sank. Over fifteen Titans were trying to force their way inside, their massive bodies slamming into the walls with a deafening thud. And on the street below, even more, Titans roamed about, their eyes fixed on the group of soldiers huddled together in fear.
"That place is crawling with Titans," Reiner pointed out; many nodded in agreement.
"That's when Eren comes in, he will distract the Titans, and we will get inside. Once we refuel our Gear, we will get beyond Wall Rose and prepare the plan to seal the hole in the Wall of City of Trost." Armin explained his plan; the eyes of many flickered at the hole in the gate made by the Colossal Titan three hours ago.
"You have an idea to seal the Wall?" Bertholdt questioned with a slight hint of skepticism.
Armin confirmed it with a nod. "I do."
As Armin stood before the group, his eyes darting nervously around the room, he could feel their skepticism and doubt weighing heavily upon him. While a handful of his comrades, those who knew him well, regarded him with a glimmer of hope in their eyes, the vast majority of them wore expressions of disbelief and mistrust. Bertholdt, as always, remained stoic and impassive, his face betraying nothing as he observed the scene before him. Murmurs rippled through the group as they whispered amongst themselves, wondering what possible plan Armin could have concocted that would be good enough to secure the Wall and protect them from the Titans.
As Jean surveyed the group, he could sense the growing sense of apprehension and uncertainty on their faces. Many of them were looking at Armin with an air of doubt, and even Jean himself wasn't entirely convinced that Armin's plan would work. However, he knew that they couldn't afford to waste any more time debating the issue. They needed to get to Wall Rose, and they needed to do it quickly. With a deep breath, Jean stepped forward and raised his voice above the crowd's murmur. "Listen up, everyone!" he shouted, his eyes scanning the faces of his comrades. "I know some of you are skeptical about Armin's plan, but we don't have any other choice. We need to trust him and follow his lead if we want to reach Wall Rose and put an end to this nightmare once and for all." There was a brief moment of silence as everyone considered Jean's words, and then a chorus of agreement rose up from the group. Jean nodded, satisfied that he had rallied the troops, and turned to face Eren's Titan.
As Jean stood there, gazing up at the colossal figure of the Titan that loomed over them, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over him. After all, he had spent most of his life being taught that these monstrous beings were nothing more than mindless killing machines driven by an insatiable hunger for human flesh.
And as he watched, he saw Eren - his comrade and the only hope they had left - step forward to face the Titan head-on. With a deep breath, Jean gathered back his courage and shouted out to Eren, his voice echoing throughout the rooftop. "We're counting on you, Suicidal Bastard!" he cried, a mix of fear and bravery coursing through his veins. And to his surprise, Eren simply nodded in response, his eyes burning with a fierce determination as he gazed up at the other Titans, ready to take them all on.
With beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, Jean barked out orders to the cadets, his voice resonating with urgency and determination. "Everyone, we are rushing towards the Headquarters, do not stop no matter what. If you do, you're dead. No matter what you hear, do not stop," he commanded, his eyes scanning the group for any signs of hesitation. Despite the nods of agreement from the cadets around him, Jean knew that many were still skeptical of the mission, questioning whether they had the strength and skill to pull it off. But there was no time for doubt or second-guessing; they had to act quickly if they were to have any chance of success. With a firm resolve, Jean led the charge, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he sprinted towards the looming fortress in the distance. As he ran, his mind raced with a flurry of thoughts and emotions, each one vying for his attention. But he pushed them all aside, focusing instead on the task at hand and the lives that depended on him.
With a deep breath, he ran forward, his feet pounding against the concrete rooftop. With each step, he felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins; his mind focused on the task at hand. Jean leaped into the air, his body hurtling toward the ground at a dizzying speed. But just as it seemed that he might meet his untimely end, he quickly activated his ODM Gear, the metallic contraption on his hip whirring to life. With a deft movement of his hand, he pulled the trigger, and his grappling hook shot out, piercing the side of a nearby building with a satisfying thud. With a burst of gas from his ODM Gear, Jean propelled himself forward, hurtling through the air with the grace of a Dragon.
As Jean made his way towards the Headquarters, he could sense the presence of all the other Titans following him with their thunderous footsteps and hear the sound of his friends following him. Despite the overwhelming sound, Jean didn't dare look back; he knew any distraction could be fatal. With his eyes fixed on the target, Jean fired another grappling hook that propelled him closer to the towering structure. However, with each passing moment, the danger grew more eminent as a Titan, with its piercing eyes and ravenous hunger, caught sight of Jean. Thrusting its massive arm forward, the Titan made a desperate attempt to snatch Jean out of thin air.
As Jean soared through the air, his heart pounding furiously in his chest, he could feel the sweat trickling down his forehead as the hand of the Titan loomed closer and closer, threatening to crush him into oblivion. He was ready to fire the grappling hook and escape before it was too late. But just as he was about to pull the trigger, a deafening roar echoed through the air, and a giant fist came out of nowhere, connecting with the Titan's face and sending it hurtling backward. As the Titan's body crashed against the street's concrete, debris flew everywhere, and Jean could hear the ground shaking. He looked up just in time to see Eren land with a resounding thud, his eyes blazing with fierce determination. Without a moment's hesitation, he stomped on the Titan's vulnerable nape, crushing it beneath his massive foot and killing the monster once and for all.
As Jean soared through the sky, he let out a deep sigh of relief, his heart racing with the knowledge that he was one step closer to the headquarters. With his eyes fixed on his destination, he quickly refocused his attention on the task at hand, knowing that he couldn't afford to lose a single second. Despite the wind whipping past his face, Jean remained firmly focused on his goal, determined to reach the headquarters as quickly as possible.
In the midst of the chaos and destruction, the large squad of cadets soared through the air, building to building, utilizing their ODM gear to navigate through the treacherous streets swiftly. The sound of their gear echoed through the landscape. As the cadets pressed on, some of them were caught off guard and quickly snatched by the Titans, sending them hurtling toward their inevitable demise. Eren quickly swooped in to save some of the cadets but soon discovered he wasn't fast enough to save everyone.
Eren fiercely punched the Titan in front of him, determined to save his fellow cadet from certain doom. He took a step forward, adrenaline pumping through his veins, and with a swift movement, smashed the nape of the monstrous creature, bringing it down to the ground in a thunderous crash. But as he turned around, he was greeted by a chilling sound - a girl screaming in pure terror. "Eren, help me!" she cried out, her voice echoing through the city's deserted streets.
Eren caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye and spun around just in time to witness the horrific sight of the Titan's jaws clamping down on the girl's midsection. Blood sprayed through the air as the Titan savagely ripped the girl in two; the lower half of her body fell to the ground, leaving a gruesome trail of gore and entrails in its wake.
Eren's heart raced with fury as he watched the Titan revel in its bloody feast, its teeth stained crimson with fresh blood. Without a second thought, Eren launched himself at the Titan, his fist connecting with its grotesque face with a sickening thud. The Titan staggered back, stunned by the force of Eren's blow, and Eren seized the opportunity to strike again. With a fierce determination burning in his eyes, Eren charged forward, his fists pounding into the Titan's flesh with relentless fury. Blow after blow rained down on the Titan, each one infused with the full force of Eren's rage and sorrow. Finally, with a mighty roar, Eren smashed his fist into the Titan's nape, shattering its spinal cord and bringing it crashing to the ground in a lifeless heap.
Eren spotted Daz frantically pulling the trigger of his ODM Gear in an attempt to propel himself upwards, but it was all in vain as his gas supply had run out. Eren's heart raced as he watched the Titans converge on Daz, their ravenous expressions sending a shiver down his spine. Without a moment's hesitation, Eren sprang into action, his powerful legs propelling him forward as he closed the distance between himself and the endangered soldier. With lightning-fast reflexes, he scooped Daz up in one arm; his other hand smashed the Titans to bits with a deafening roar. As the dust settled and the danger subsided, Eren breathed a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding in his chest. He had saved Daz from certain death, but he knew the fight was far from over.
I will save as many as I can, Eren thought with rage as he stomped the nape of the last titan, Daz was trembling on Eren's hand, but Eren quickly dropped him on top of a roof before rushing towards the others.
Floch propelled himself through the air with the aid of his ODM Gear. Suddenly, he felt a massive hand approaching him from behind, and before he could react, he gasped as all the air was pushed out of his stomach. The force of the blow was so powerful that he thought his ribs would be crushed as the giant hand closed in on him.
"HELP!" Floch's voice resonated through the chaotic battlefield, his scream piercing the air as the hand of the Titan closed around him, dragging him closer to its gaping maw.
The fear in his eyes was palpable as he realized that this was it - the end of his life. But just as quickly, hope blossomed in his heart as he saw Eren charging towards him, a fierce determination etched on his face. With a swift punch, Eren knocked the Titan's hand away from Floch's frail body and stomped on its nape, ending its life in one swift motion. As Floch crawled away in fear and relief, his heart full of gratitude towards his savior, Eren turned to the next victim needing help. With tears in his eyes, Floch watched Eren disappear into the fray, his heart full of admiration for the man who had just saved him from certain death.
.
.
A lone soldier found himself being lifted off the ground by the enormous hands of the Titans. The soldier's screams of pain echoed through the battlefield as the Titans pulled his body in opposite directions, their massive strength tearing him apart limb by limb. Despite his desperate struggles, there was no escape from the merciless grip of the Titans, and the soldier's body was ripped apart.
With his adrenaline pumping and his heart pounding in his chest, Jean pushed himself forward, determined to dodge the massive hands of the Titans that were coming at him from every direction. Despite the overwhelming odds, he remained focused and alert. Suddenly, one of the Titans grabbed his feet, but Jean refused to give up or give in.
With a burst of strength, he sliced off the fingers of the Titan with his sword, freeing himself from its grasp and sending it crashing to the ground with a thunderous roar. As he continued to move forward, his mind racing and his senses heightened, Jean knew that he had to stay focused. With the approaching window in sight, he pushed himself even harder, dodging and weaving through the chaos of the battlefield. From the corner of his eyes, Jean saw a poor soldier grabbed and eaten by a Titan, the soldier screaming until the jaw shut tightly on his body.
Despite having only a few drops of gas left in his ODM Gear, Jean knew that he had to make a bold move if he wanted to survive. With his heart pounding in his chest, he desperately pushed himself forward towards the window, his legs and arms moving in unison as he prepared for impact. As he broke through the glass, Jean felt the sharp shards cutting into his skin and the wind rushing past his face, but he didn't lose his focus. He tucked his legs in and wrapped his arms around his head to protect his eyes from the flying debris, determined to land safely on the other side. With a loud crash, Jean burst through the window, sending shards of glass flying in all directions. He hit the ground hard and rolled, his body aching from the impact, but he didn't let it slow him down. He quickly sprang to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his veins. All around him, the sound of shattering windows filled the air
Jean sighed in relief as he quickly stood up to see who else was alive and was relieved to see that all his close friends had made it; a loud crash shattered the eerie silence of the room, and Annie, Reiner, Bertholdt, and several others burst through a shattered window, their eyes wild with the intensity of their escape.
Jean turned his attention to two cadets cowering under a desk, their faces drained of color and their eyes brimming with fear. Jean felt a deep-seated anger beginning to bubble up inside him as he took in the full extent of the cadets' cowardice. Without a word, he strode purposefully towards them, his fists clenched and his jaw set in a grim line.
Jean's heart was racing as he approached the girl, tears streaming down her face. "Are you from Supply Squad?" he asked, his voice trembling with anger and frustration. The girl simply nodded her head, and the moment she did, Jean's eyes widened in disbelief. Without hesitation, Jean sprang into action. He grabbed the soldier by his jacket and pulled him close, his fist clenched tightly in anger. With all his might, he punched the soldier in the face, delivering a blow that echoed through the air. The soldier stumbled backward, his nose bleeding profusely.
He was about to unleash another punch on the guy he had already hit once when he felt someone grab him from behind. It was Marco who was trying to hold him back. "Jean, stop, man. It's over," Marco pleaded, his voice filled with concern. He could feel the tension in Jean's body, the rage that was bubbling just below the surface. Jean reluctantly let go of the guy he had punched, but he wanted to hit him again. He struggled against Marco's grip, his muscles straining as he tried to break free and finish what he had started.
"It's their fault," he spat out, his eyes blazing with a fury that Marco had never seen before. "They left us in the lurch, and now people are dead because of them. If they had done their job like they were supposed to, more people would have lived!" Marco struggled to hold Jean back as he stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. The soldier flinched, his eyes darting nervously between the two men. All Jean could think about was the lives that had been lost, the families tore apart, and the futures that had been snuffed out in an instant. He struggled against Marco's grip, his rage pulsing through him like a living thing.
The girl who had spoken up in defense of her fellow soldiers stood protectively over the fallen soldier, her eyes darting nervously from Jean to Marco and back again. "The Titans invaded the Supply Depot," she explained, her voice shaking slightly. "There's nothing we could do." Her words hung in the air like a heavyweight
"Doing something about it is your Job!" Jean shouted with anger; he could still hear the screams of his fellow cadets before they were either crushed or eaten by the Titans. He knew he would remember their screams for the rest of his life.
As Jean's rage simmered just below the surface, Armin's voice cut through the tension like a knife, "Jean, enough. We are here now. That's what is important." Though reluctant to back down, Jean begrudgingly conceded as Marco stepped back, letting go of Jean. Marco's heart raced as he prayed that Jean wouldn't lose control and lash out once more, but as the seconds ticked by, it became clear that the danger had passed - at least for now.
Sasha's eyes darted across the battlefield as she searched for her comrade, Eren. Her heart raced with concern as she scanned the endless sea of chaos and carnage before her, her gaze fixated on the towering Titans that wreaked havoc on everything in their path.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of movement in the distance, and her heart skipped a beat. "Where's Eren?" she quickly asked, her voice laced with urgency as she peered through the window of the nearby building. As she scanned the area below, her answer quickly came in the form of a tall figure. Eren's massive form tore through the battlefield like a force of nature, his fists slamming into the face of a towering Titan with a deafening roar. The impact was enough to send the creature hurtling backward, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom, along with two other smaller Titans.
Eren didn't give the Titans a chance to stand up before smashing their napes with brutal efficiency, letting out a triumphant roar that echoed through the air. Sasha couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and admiration for her friend, watching in awe as he single-handedly took down the Titans that threatened their existence.
"Well, at least one of us is having fun," Reiner commented dryly, his eyes lazily following Eren in his Titan form as he crushed a small three-meter Titan with his hand, the blood bursting out like a waterfall as it fell on the street below. Reiner couldn't help but feel envious of Eren's carefree attitude, even in the midst of chaos and destruction.
The soldiers stationed at the supply depot were taken aback and utterly confused when they caught a glimpse of Eren in his formidable Titan form, mercilessly taking down the other Titans that had been causing havoc and destruction. As the soldiers gathered around the center of the room, their eyes were fixated on the awe-inspiring scene before them. Meanwhile, Jean and Marco, who had been present in the depot, quickly darted towards another room in an attempt to assess the remaining military supplies left in the headquarters.
Reiner, Annie, and Bertholdt found a safe corner of the large room; Bertholdt was feeling the weight of the situation as he wiped off the few drops of sweat from his forehead. He turned to Reiner, seeking guidance and reassurance. With a hushed tone, almost a whisper, he asked, "Reiner, what should we do?" hoping to avoid any unwanted attention from the room's other occupants. Reiner, who had been scanning the surroundings with a keen eye, looked at Bertholdt with a stern expression.
As the trio of Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie were engaged in a conversation, Annie appeared to be the only one who was not fully invested in it. Instead, her eyes were fixed on the colossal figure of Eren's Titan form, looming outside the headquarters. Despite the chaos and destruction surrounding him, Eren continued to push through and fight, his movements growing increasingly slower and more sluggish with each passing moment. Annie couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration towards him; after all, it had been well over an hour since he had transformed into a Titan, and yet he still refused to give up. However, she also knew that he couldn't keep going forever and would need to rest soon or risk losing all of his strength.
Reiner's gaze remained fixated on Eren's Titan form as he spoke with a hushed tone, "For now, we must follow what everyone else is doing and stick to their plan. But when the opportune moment arises, I will take charge. Eren may be too tall, but he won't be able to keep up his strength forever. Once he tires, I will make my move and grab him without hesitation. Their swords will be useless against my impenetrable armor." As he spoke, Reiner's mind raced with anticipation for the impending battle. With a sense of determination in his voice, he continued, "We must be patient and wait for the right moment to strike. We cannot afford to make any mistakes. Failure is not an option." Outside, the streets were eerily quiet as the Titans loomed over the city, casting a haunting shadow over the landscape.
Bertholdt's words echoed in the air as he glanced at Reiner, who struggled to respond. "Are you sure?" Bertholdt asked, his voice laced with concern. "What about the Jaw Titan and the Founding Titan? If we reveal ourselves, we can't hide amongst them anymore." The thought of being exposed made Bertholdt's heart race with anxiety; they had been living as warriors among the Eldians for so long it had become second nature.
But now, with the prospect of revealing themselves to the enemy, they would be forced to abandon their identities and their way of life. Reiner remained silent, unable to refute Bertholdt's words. He knew they were right; they still had no idea where the Founder was, and without him, their mission would be incomplete. The Founder was the most important titan, and they needed him to carry out their plan. The weight of their responsibility hung heavily on Reiner's shoulders, and he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of their task.
With a heavy sigh, Reiner finally spoke, his words laced with a hint of despair. "That might be true, Bertholdt," he said, "but you saw Eren in his Titan form. I hate to say it, but it will be difficult for me and Annie to bring him down. You might, but you must wait a whole day until you can fully turn again." Reiner's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of his comrades, many of whom were lying on the floor, completely exhausted both mentally and physically. It was a somber reminder of the weight of their mission and the toll it had taken on them all. "The only chance is for both me and Annie to attack," he continued, his voice hushed, "grab him when he is tired; Annie can easily take him while I will cover her." As he spoke, Reiner couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him.
Franz held her close, feeling her body shake with sobs, and whispered words of encouragement into her ear. It was clear that something terrible had happened, and as he listened to her story, his heart sank. The Titans had attacked, and in the chaos, Hina had been separated from the group. Franz knew that they had to find her, but for now, all he could do was be there for Hannah, to offer her a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear.
Reiner shifted his gaze towards the horizon, his mind wandering to thoughts of the War Chief, a man whose strength and prowess in battle were legendary. As he watched Eren, Reiner couldn't help but think that if the War Chief were here, he could have simply thrown rocks at Eren and defeated him with ease. A grunt escaped from Reiner's lips as he considered the situation, wondering how everyone else back at Marley was faring. His mother and family came to mind, and he couldn't help but wonder if they missed him as much as he missed them. For a brief moment, Reiner's thoughts shifted to his fellow warrior, Porco, and how devastated he would be when he learned that Marcel was gone.
"He will blame me," Reiner thought with a heavy heart. He knew that Porco would say that he should have been the one to die instead of Marcel, and in some ways, Reiner couldn't help but agree. The guilt and shame he felt were almost unbearable. But Reiner knew that he couldn't dwell on the past. He had a mission to complete, a battle to win, and a future to fight for.
A single thought consumed Annie's mind: the weighty decision that lay ahead. Reiner and Bertholdt's words, though important, were mere background noise to the deafening buzz of her own thoughts. Her gaze remained fixed on Eren, the object of her internal struggle, as she tried to steady herself in the face of the impending choice. The last five years had been a whirlwind of experiences for Annie, ones that she could never have imagined, and from the grueling training sessions to pleasure and love, each moment had led her to this pivotal point. Her heart raced as she considered the options before her, knowing full well that the outcome would determine the course of her life and the lives of those around her. Despite her best efforts to remain calm, her nerves were frayed, and her mind was in turmoil. The Decision loomed large, casting a shadow over everything she had come to know.
Either join the Eldians of Paradis and go down with them or do her duty as a Warrior of Marley. A Soldier or a Warrior? Annie asked herself; her stoic face changed slightly, showing the inner turmoil she was feeling inside.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang, startling everyone in the room. Jean, Marco, and the rest of the cadets rushed inside, their arms full of crates and rifles. With a sense of urgency in his voice, Jean announced, "We found the supplies. They seemed to be fine." As the cadets began to unload the crates, Armin quickly retrieved a map from a nearby shelf and spread it out on the table before them. As they studied the map, Jean meticulously examined each rifle, checking to make sure they were still in working condition despite being covered in dirt. The room was filled with a sense of relief, knowing that they had successfully secured the supplies they needed for their mission. With a renewed sense of determination, the group began to strategize and plan their next move, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Connie's doubtful voice echoed through the room as he examined the rifle in his hands, peering skeptically at the weapon's metal barrel that glinted under the bright sun. With a furrowed brow, he turned his gaze towards Armin, hoping to find some solace in his answer. "Can rifles even do anything against Titans?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. Connie's mind raced with questions as he tried to wrap his head around the idea of taking down a towering Titan with just a measly rifle. Would it even be possible? Or would they just be tossing themselves into the jaws of death?
As they huddled together, Armin shared his insight, declaring that there were only seven Titans left and that their rifles might not be enough to take them down. However, he proposed that they could still blind them with their weapons. The other soldiers gathered around him, hanging on his every word, as they prepared to face the Titans
Armin took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the faces of the cadets gathered around him, and began to explain the risky plan that would determine their fate. "Listen up, everyone," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "This is the plan: a group of soldiers will make their way down to the supply depot using the elevator. But here's the catch - our plan relies on attracting the Titans to our location. Once we have their attention, we will use our rifles to blind them. This is crucial because it will give our best cadets the chance they need to attack the Titans from the beams, taking them out while they are disoriented and vulnerable. It's a high-risk plan, but it's the only option we have. We all depend on it." As he finished speaking, Armin could see the determination and resolve in the eyes of his fellow cadets.
Reiner, noticing his friend's distress, tried to reassure him with a hint of humor in his voice, "Don't worry, Armin. We will be fine. We survived outside. We can easily kill those small titans."
Despite Reiner's attempt at lightening the mood, Annie's voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, "The risk is the same, no matter who does it. If one fails, everyone dies." Her tone was dry and serious, starkly contrasting to Reiner's lightheartedness.
Connie couldn't help but roll his eyes at Annie's comment, "Thanks for the encouragement, Annie. We really needed it," he quipped, adding a touch of sarcasm to his tone, which earned a couple of chuckles from those gathered around them.
Armin's face was riddled with worry and concern as he apologized to Reiner, knowing all too well the burden that lay ahead of them. He knew that the weight of their choices was heavy, but they had no other option.
Reiner, however, was not one to be easily swayed by the gravity of the situation, and he brushed off Armin's concern with a wave of his hand. At that moment, Mina stepped forward, a glint of determination in her eyes, and encouraged Armin, grasping his hand and planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Don't worry, Armin," she said softly, "It is the best plan, and I believe in you." Her words were like a soothing balm, calming Armin's frazzled nerves. Armin felt a slight blush creeping up his cheeks, and he looked away, embarrassed by the attention. Reiner, on the other hand, let out an impressed whistle, nodding his head in agreement.
"Mina's right," Mikasa assured, her voice radiating with empathy and understanding. She placed a gentle hand on Armin's shoulder, her touch comforting amidst the chaos surrounding them. "Have confidence in yourself, Armin," she continued, her eyes locking onto his. "You have always had the ability to analyze situations and choose the best option. Your intellect and strategic thinking are unparalleled, and it's that same ability that has saved Eren and me in the past."
"Huh?" Armin's confusion began to dissipate as he listened to Mikasa's words of encouragement. Her belief in him served as a beacon of hope in the midst of their perilous situation. He felt a newfound sense of determination stirring within him, fueled by Mikasa's unwavering faith in his abilities.
"And it's that same ability that has saved Eren and me in the past." Mikasa finished with a small glint in her eyes.
"Something like that happened?" he asked, his brows furrowed in confusion. But before he could get an answer, the sound of the elevator doors crashing to the floor echoed through the hall.
Everyone turned to look as the doors opened to reveal a group of cadets with rifles already loaded. "The elevator is ready!" one of the cadets announced, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. "We need to move fast!"
Mikasa stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Armin's shoulder. "You're just unaware of it," she explained, her voice soft yet firm. "We will talk later." Armin nodded, though still doubtful about what was happening. As they rushed into the elevator, Armin's mind raced with questions.
The fate of their fellow cadets rested on the shoulders of those chosen to eliminate the Titans - a formidable group consisting of Mikasa, Reiner, Bertolt, Annie, Jean, Connie, and Sasha. Each of them possessed unique abilities and strengths that made them the best candidates for this daunting task, and they knew that they couldn't afford to fail. As the other cadets prepared to blind the Titans by climbing into the elevator, the chosen seven took a different route, heading down the stairs to the supply depo.
It was Connie who finally voiced the question that had been on everyone's mind: "Will we really be able to kill the Titans without using our ODM's?"
Reiner, always the optimist, was quick to offer reassurance. "Of course we can," he said confidently. "They are titans between 4 and 7 meters. It will be easy to hit its weak point." He finished with a confident smile, hoping to ease the doubts of his comrades.
"Yeah, size isn't a problem," Jean chimed in with a thoughtful look. "The weak point remains the same."
Reiner chuckled with amusement as he addressed his fellow soldiers, "In case that doesn't work, we can always use the other weak point." His confidence was evident as he raised his sword in the air, the gleam in his eyes reflecting his unwavering determination to defeat the enemy.
Connie was taken aback by the revelation. "What?! Do they have another weak point?!" he exclaimed in surprise, turning his head to look at Reiner with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety.
Reiner's grin widened mischievously as he explained, "You just have to stick your sword up their ass." He raised his sword as if to demonstrate how the maneuver should be executed, his muscles flexing as he swiped it through the air.
"How do you know that, Reiner? Unless you have tried it with someone before," she quipped with a playful glint in her eye. Reiner, however, merely rolled his eyes and shook his head, knowing that Sasha loved to joke around.
Despite the lighthearted conversation, Jean's mind couldn't help but wander to the gravity of the situation they were in. "You idiots think that those may be his last words," he interjected, his tone still amused but with a hint of seriousness underneath.
As the elevator started moving down, the cadets on it could feel their nerves kicking in, realizing that they were about to face the Titans once again. With each passing floor, their anticipation grew until, finally, the elevator reached the supply depot. The atmosphere was eerie, with only a few candles illuminating the room, casting ominous shadows on the walls. Despite the dim lighting, they could still make out the grotesque figures of the Titans, walking around aimlessly as if waiting for their next victim. Armin whispered to everyone, "Well, the number hasn't changed. There are still seven." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it was enough to send shivers down their spines. As they looked around at the Titans, they couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over them.
When the elevator stopped with a sudden jolt, the atmosphere in the cramped space shifted from tense silence to heightened alertness as the group of cadets inside instinctively pointed their weapons in all four directions, their adrenaline pumping as they awaited the anticipated arrival of the Titans. Marco spoke in a hushed voice, urging his comrades to stick to the plan and maintain their composure, despite the slight tremble in his grip on his rifle. The only sound in the elevator was the faint hum of the machinery as the cadets braced themselves and prepared for the unpredictable battle ahead.
The sudden halt of the 4-meter titan walking ahead of them caused a ripple of unease to course through the ranks as all eyes were drawn to the chilling smile that spread across its grotesque features. A shiver of fear ran down their spines, and the cadets tensed up, their breaths coming in short gasps. The ominous silence was broken only by the sound of their own heartbeats pounding in their ears. Armin, despite his own trembling, managed to keep his cool and quickly assessed the situation. With a determined look, he spoke up, "Don't shoot yet. Wait until they get closer!"
The cadets felt their hearts pounding in their chests, their palms sweating with fear. But Armin, ever the voice of reason, managed to steady his own quivering tone as he tried to calm his comrades.
"Easy boys," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The others around him gulped nervously, their eyes darting back and forth between the Titans and their fellow cadets, unsure of what to do next. Despite the fear that gripped them all, however, they knew they had to stand their ground.
As the Titans relentlessly approached the elevator, the cadets could feel their hearts thudding against their ribcages in terror. They knew that any moment could be their last as the towering monsters loomed closer and closer. The cadets held their positions, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, their eyes darting nervously from one Titan to another. The tension was palpable in the air as they held their breaths, waiting for the right moment. Suddenly, Armin's voice rang out, clear and commanding above the chaos.
"FIRE!"
A cacophony of weapon fire erupted, causing the Titans to falter in their advance. As the smoke cleared, it became apparent that the seven cadets had executed their maneuver flawlessly, blinding all seven Titans simultaneously. With a sense of urgency, the cadets on top of the rafters sprang into action, leaping with precision and grace onto the backs of the blind Titans. Coordinated and in perfect unison, they struck with deadly precision, their blades slicing through the air as they aimed for the vulnerable spot at the nape of the Titans' necks. Six Titans fell, their lifeless bodies hitting the ground with a thud, but Connie's strike missed its mark, the blade instead making contact with the Titan's shoulder.
The titan's menacing posture was enough to make the boy's heart race and his breath quicken. In a split second, Connie realized the danger he was in and muttered an expletive under his breath. "Shit!"
"Connie, move!" Annie's voice boomed through the air as she sprinted towards him with unwavering determination. The adrenaline-fueled energy of the moment charged through Connie as he quickly stepped aside.
With a grunt of effort, Mikasa slid between the titan's towering legs and began her attack. The sound of metal slicing through flesh echoed through the air as Mikasa severed both of the titan's legs, causing it to fall to the ground with a deafening thud. At that moment, Annie seized the opportunity to jump onto the titan's head and deliver a fatal blow to the back of its neck, putting an end to its reign of terror once and for all.
As the dust began to settle and the deafening roar of the Titans grew fainter, Connie's heart raced with a mix of relief and despair. Slowly, he made his way to where Annie stood, her face etched with exhaustion. As he approached her, he felt a lump form in his throat, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Thank you so much, Annie," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own sobs.
Annie's voice was firm but not unkind as she told Connie not to worry about it. "No problem," she said with a small smile. "Now stand up. We need to leave." Connie, who had been sitting on the floor, quickly nodded in understanding before rising to her feet and hurrying over to where the supplies were stored.
"Annie, thank you for helping," Mikasa expressed her gratitude, feeling grateful for her friend's assistance. Annie, taken aback by the sudden outpouring of appreciation, halted in her tracks and froze in place. She felt uneasy and didn't want to be thanked, especially not by Mikasa. Her mind was plagued with guilt and shame, and she felt she didn't deserve any thanks for what she had done.
Despite her reluctance, Mikasa's words lingered in her mind, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of appreciation for the gesture. "D-don't think about it," Annie said dismissively, trying to brush off the gratitude and walk away without looking at Mikasa. Mikasa, perplexed by Annie's sudden change in demeanor, couldn't help but wonder if there was something deeper that Annie was refusing to reveal.
The cadets cheered and pumped their fists in the air. Without wasting a single moment, they eagerly rushed to their gas containers to refuel their ODM gear. Amidst the chaos, Jean and Marco found themselves sitting beside each other, pouring the gas into their containers. The sound of the gas being pumped was music to their ears.
"You know, Jean," he began, his tone slightly hesitant, "you might not like me saying this, but I really do think you're an excellent leader." Jean, who had been lost in thought, looked up at Marco, his expression quizzical. "What do you mean?" he asked, not quite understanding where that came from.
"I Hope you don't get mad, but you are not strong. So you can relate to how the weak feel. Isn't that why you immediately know what should be done?" Marco continued with a soft smile.
Jean's dismissive tone was laced with disbelief as he spoke, "I highly doubt it. You should thank Eren if he weren't there. I doubt any speech would have convinced them to rush to their death." Even as he uttered those words, his mind was racing with countless questions about Eren's newfound ability to transform into a Titan at will. While Jean was grateful for Eren's help, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to the story than what met the eye. As he struggled to comprehend the situation, Jean's thoughts drifted toward the unknown depths of Eren's secrets. He couldn't help but wonder just what else Eren was hiding from them. With each passing moment, Jean's curiosity grew, but so did his apprehension.
Jean was completely lost in thought, refueling the container with gas, when Marco's sudden interruption disrupted his train of thought. Marco's voice was sharp and decisive, "You're wrong, Jean." This statement hung in the air, causing Jean to stop what he was doing and turn towards Marco with a raised eyebrow.
Jean furrowed his brow skeptically as he posed a thought-provoking question to his comrade. "Do you truly believe a speech could convince people to run straight to their deaths?" he asked incredulously. The mere idea sounded preposterous and borderline absurd to him. As far as he was concerned, he doubted he would ever have the courage or the conviction to lay down his own life like that.
Just as Jean finished speaking, a voice from behind them interjected with a confident response. It was Floch leaning nonchalantly against the nearby wall. "Yes," he said firmly, causing both Jean and Marco to turn around and face him.
"When we rushed towards the Headquarters, I knew there was a chance I would die, but I swallowed my fear and kept moving forward," Floch explained. Now, as he looked down at his hands, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They were steady, no longer trembling with the fear that had once consumed him.
"Every soldier out there wants to believe their lives will achieve something. There's nothing worse than thinking that your entire life went and you have achieved nothing. When that Titan grabbed me, all I could think of was, 'My life was pointless,'" Floch continued, his voice shaking slightly; Jean and Marco stayed quiet, waiting for him to finish his story.
"When Eren saved me. I asked myself why I wasn't dead yet, but then I understood if I wanted my life to mean something, I should keep moving forward and not give up." Floch continued, lifting his head to look at Jean.
As Floch looked up, he saw Jean staring at him with an inquisitive expression. It was then that he remembered the conversation Jean had with Marco. Jean had asked him if a single speech could convince people to lay down their lives and run straight to their death. Floch lifted his index finger upwards and spoke confidently, "You asked if a Speech can convince people to lay down their lives and run straight to their death."
"A Purpose, that's all it takes, the belief that their sacrifice will mean something. It's not about convincing someone to run straight to their death. It's about convincing them their death would be worth something greater than themselves." Floch finished with a new look of determination in his eyes. Jean couldn't help but understand where Floch was coming from.
He himself had nearly died several times since Wall Rose was breached; he had asked the same question, could he keep going? What was the point of it all? But Jean knew he couldn't just give up and allow the lives of those who died to go to waste.
A purpose, huh? Jean thought, with a small smile of amusement.
As the cadets finished refilling their gas at the headquarters, a sense of relief washed over them, knowing that they were finally going to leave this Hell behind. The vast majority of them wasted no time in firing their cables and propelling themselves into the wall, eager to escape the chaos and danger that surrounded them. As they made their way up the wall, some stumbled upon a stranded comrade, Daz, who was stuck on a rooftop, helpless and alone. Despite the rush of adrenaline and eagerness to escape, one of the cadets quickly sprang into action, grabbing Daz and helping him make his way up to the top of the wall.
As they ascended the towering building with remarkable agility, utilizing their ODM Gear to its fullest potential, a sense of urgency took hold of the group as they noticed the figure of Eren's Titan form in the distance. The sight of him crushing a mindless Titan by mercilessly stomping on its nape sent shivers down their spines.
Amidst the chaos, it was Floch, of all people, who spoke up first, his voice laced with determination and conviction. His finger pointed resolutely towards the horizon as he proclaimed, "Let's get Eren. We can't leave him here."
"He's right. Eren saved all of us today. We owe him our lives," Jean agreed right away; they all quickly activated their ODM gear and soared through the air toward Eren's Titan form, landing gracefully on the rooftop beside him. Armin stepped forward, taking a deep breath before calling out to Eren.
"Eren, come out; we are leaving," Armin shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth.
With a swift movement, the Titan leaned its head forward, and a burst of steam erupted from the nape of its neck. As the steam cleared, Eren emerged from the Titan's nape, his face covered in tissues from the Titan's flesh. He forcefully pulled his head back, detaching himself from the Titan with a loud ripping sound. As he landed on the ground, he quickly jumped down to where his comrades were waiting. The decomposing Titan corpse behind him left out a trail of steam.
Eren's heart raced as he approached Mikasa, who had been waiting for him, with a worried expression etched on her face. "Thank you for waiting for me," he said with a smile, relieved to see that she had not sustained any injuries. Annie, on the other hand, stood at a distance, her usual passive look giving nothing away. Bertholdt and Reiner appeared to be a little cautious as if they had just witnessed something unsettling.
Jean's voice, sharp as a knife, cut through the tension in the air, "I hope you're ready to explain yourself," he snapped at Eren, his eyes filled with suspicion. Eren chuckled before nodding in agreement, knowing that he had a lot of explaining to do.
Ian stood on the top of Wall Rose, gazing out into the vast expanse beyond, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. As he watched, the last cadets approached the towering wall, their faces etched with a mixture of determination and fear. He glanced over at his captain, who stood stoically beside him, his face ashen and his eyes trained on the approaching figures.
Well, time to do my part, Ian thought, knowing his captain wouldn't actually give Eren a warm welcome.
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