AN (PLEASE READ): In less than two weeks… I now have over 1000 followers and 1000 favorites. My view count is over 420,000. That is… I'm at a loss for words. Thank you all so much for doing all this for me!

On another note, a guest account asked me recently what my update schedule is going to be like from this point forward. I can say with great confidence that I will NOT have a schedule. I have learned the hard way that every time I try to set a specific date for releasing a chapter, something in my life comes up or writer's block. I apologize, but for now, I will not have a schedule.

Lastly, I want to give a special shout-out to GM Ambition for officially putting my story on the Attack on Titan Fanfic Recs page on the TV Tropes website. I've had a TV Tropes page for a while, but now, it's a bit easier to find. As always, I'm looking for people to contribute to my TV Tropes page, so if you're interested, please let me know.

Enjoy the chapter.


Chapter 74: The Psion's Gambit

If there's one thing any human being had in common, it was the appreciation of a good night's sleep. Work all day followed by the comfort of a bed (if there was one available) was something that should not be traded for anything. Unfortunately, there were always times when that would be impossible to obtain under different circumstances. An act of insomnia or a late night on the job were such possibilities. In Atticus Tybur's case, he was waiting for the opportune moment.

The combination of a cup of coffee and a decent book to keep his blue eyes focused helped him stay awake. Not to mention sitting on an uncomfortable chair outdoors in the cold. People always asked him why he never tossed this abomination against furniture in the garbage. This was the best and only reason he kept it in the mansion. Were he a younger man, he probably could have fallen asleep even in these conditions, but he was nearing sixty. No matter the medicines he took or how active he was, he could never outrun his age. It made him slower, more prone to exhaustion. At least his mind was as sharp as ever.

Speaking of which, his mind was currently focused on a particular individual. He had been watching him for some time now, especially after the death of Elise. To think a child like him could cause so much trouble in one country, it was almost unthinkable. Atticus knew better than to underestimate anyone's age. People from all walks of life have been crafted into unique individuals, like the children who became Warriors. In that regard, Dillon Amsdale was no different.

However, what fascinated him the most was how malleable his mind could be. Always clinging to something or someone he deemed to be good in his eyes. And yet, without fail, that good would slip away be it from outside circumstances, or his increasing madness. Coping was a vital part of every young adult's life, and Dillon had none of that. That made him the perfect vessel to be used.

Tonight, he would see the boy fall right into his grasp. There was a choice to be made, and Atticus knew beyond the shadow of a doubt he would choose the correct one.


(Dauper Village)

Dillon had absolutely no idea how long he had been staring at the ceiling for. Evening had settled in a long time ago, yet he couldn't find it in himself to sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about the things he had done to his friends, the people he had killed. Granted, the latter was to help Dimo Reeves, but the sheer brutality of it frightened him. It was so easy for him to lose control like that, allow his emotions to take hold. There seemed to be no end in sight to the darkness that had been plaguing him for so long. Whatever hope he had flickered and died like the candle in his room.

Annie was right to leave him. His friends were right to be horrified by his actions. Levi and Hanji were right in trying to exact justice upon him. His unstable mind was a danger to everyone around him, and there seemed to be no way to get it under control. Every action he took to fix it was only a temporary solution, a bandage constantly reapplied to the same wounds. And now, it was only a matter of time before he was hauled off in front of that bastard Zackley. Dauper couldn't protect him forever. He committed treason against the Scout Regiment, and he would have to answer for his crimes.

Letting out a deep sigh, he spoke to the only person that was still with him. "Ymir?"

For a moment, there was no answer. Perhaps she had decided to leave him to suffer in the darkness alone. Then, her soft, maternal voice poured into his mind like a gentle caress. "I did not think you wanted to speak to me again."

Dillon winced at the memory of when he snapped at her. "I know I messed up, and I'm sorry."

"I told you before, young one. I wanted to help you get stronger and be able to face your demons, but you have been fighting me every step of the way," Ymir rebuked, her tone becoming stern. "Every time your emotions rose to abnormal levels, I tried to talk you down, but you continuously shut me out. How can I help you if you refuse to let me in?"

The Psion slapped his hand against his forehead, leaving a red mark on it. "I was so stupid. After we got through the mess with Annie's past, I thought I was strong enough to face my demons, but I deluded myself."

"Now that you have sufficiently beaten yourself up, are you ready to move on under the proper guidance?"

Dillon didn't even hesitate to answer. "I will do whatever you ask of me. Just get me out of this hellhole. Please!" he begged.

"Easy, Dillon," she urged soothingly. "Let's take a walk. This dark room will only amplify your depressive state."

He blinked and found himself back in Ymir's realm. He remembered how beautiful this realm was, and being here again allowed some comfort to fill his soul. She stood before him in her 20-meter, exposed glory, smiling down at him. Dillon couldn't bring himself to care about her appearance anymore. The damage he did to himself and his friends was far more important than the way she looked. Taking a deep breath, he traveled down the grassy plains with the goddess next to him.

"It's amazing what fresh air can do to soothe a troubled mind," Ymir said wistfully. "I took long walks like this whenever things were going poorly in my kingdom. It not only helped me get away, but it also allowed me to examine the situation without the stress of a time limit."

"Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury," Dillon replied bitterly. "Everything has been happening so fast that it's impossible to keep up with it all. A month hasn't even passed and my life has completely flipped on its head and then some."

"Hmm. And why do you suppose that is?"

Once again, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Because they needed me, Ymir. I had to be ready to help-"

"Dillon, lying to yourself isn't going to get us anywhere." She stopped in her tracks, a look of disapproval on her face. "It's a nice sentiment, but you don't believe it. Not completely. There's something deeper going on. The only way you're going to heal is if you admit the truth."

He couldn't bear to look at her, his mind drifting to every single action he took over the past few weeks. From Stohess to Dauper, there was one thing that was always driving his actions, the one thing he refused to change about himself. Annie had confronted him on this so many times, and he just didn't listen. "I wanted to do the right thing, and I was afraid if I didn't, bad things would happen," he confessed. "Even if it was against what the military wanted, I couldn't bring myself to care."

Ymir simply nodded. Now they were getting somewhere. "That's why you rescued Annie in Stohess that day. You were able to satisfy both her and humanity even if it put you at odds with the military. Perhaps you did the right thing when you destroyed the mental links among the Scout Leadership. Outside looking in, you prevented a battle from breaking out between the Scouts and the hunters. However, you counted on luck to ensure that everything would turn out alright in the end. In another situation, both you and Annie would have been executed for treason. A bloodbath would have broken out in this village, causing many innocents to die. You gamble on whims, Dillon, and that is why you are in this situation."

It was unpleasant getting the harsh truth shoved down his throat, but it was necessary. If he wanted to change, really change, then this was the first step. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Ymir. Everything I ever cared about is gone, and it's my fault. How am I supposed to make this right?"

Slowly, Ymir lowered her hand next to Dillon. "Come here."

He did as he was told, allowing her to lift him so he could focus on her sympathetic gaze.

"Whenever you make a choice, you have to live with the consequences of your actions. Sometimes, the consequence is that you can do nothing to fix things." She let out a sigh as she pondered the situation. "One thing that hasn't changed is the threat Marley and its forces pose to the Eldians. I know you still desire to fight, but it will be harder to do so if the Scout Regiment decides to target you."

"They think I'm an unstable threat that will explode at the drop of a hat." Dillon let out a snort. "Well, if the shoe fits…"

"I can think of two options that could solve this dilemma," Ymir said, ignoring his self-deprecating attitude. "You could run. There are many areas among Wall Rose that you can travel to. From there, away from distractions and strife, I can help you grow in your mental state and abilities."

"But I would be on the run for the rest of my life," he pointed out. "The military will always be tracking me down. They aren't just gonna ignore a liability like myself. Even if I could survive, there's no way they can trust me by my words alone."

"You bring up a decent point," she admitted. "However, I did say there were two options. The other is that you take this opportunity to prove to them that you are an asset to their cause. You know that the enemy Shifters have not left yet."

His eyes widened considerably as he realized the implications behind her statement. "You want me to take on Reiner, Bertholdt, and whoever else is there with them?"

"One thing that has remained consistent is that there is no defense against your powers. No matter how big the enemies are, you can still reach them in a way others can't."

"If it was mindless Titans, sure, but-"

"Dillon, you're doing it again," Ymir interrupted, throwing him a look of disapproval. "I am trying to help you, but you aren't listening."

That shut him up quickly.

"Yes, this plan is risky, and I would have preferred time to be able to properly help you, but that's the way things are right now. The good news is that unlike your previous gambles, this one has more evidence to show success than failure. However, you must be willing to keep a cool head and strike decisively. It's the only way you'll make it through."

The more Dillon thought about this plan, the more appealing it sounded. Sure, it was reckless like most of his ideas were, but if the goddess of the Eldians was suggesting this to him, then it had merit. And unlike his previous actions, this one was guided by logic rather than emotion. The deaths of the Titans that caused so much pain and suffering to this country would remind everyone of his usefulness. He wasn't a lost cause. Not yet.

With all that in mind, Dillon gave a nod to her. "Okay. Let's do it."

A smile appeared on Ymir's face as she gently patted his head. "You're doing good, Dillon. Thank you for being willing to listen."

The blacksmith couldn't remember the last time he received some form of affection from someone. "Thank you for putting up with me, Ymir. I know I've made things very difficult for you."

"I have no intention of abandoning you, Dillon," she promised gently. "I know you have suffered greatly from the ones who professed to love you. No one should ever go through such heartache. When I say that you are special to me, I do not refer to your unique abilities, but to the good man who wields them. After all this time, you still carry the soul of a person who strives to do the right thing even when others claim it's impossible. For whatever it's worth… I'm proud of you."

For the first time in what felt like years, Dillon felt some of the darkness leave him. A good chunk of it remained, but it was finally less than what he had been experiencing. Letting out a shaky breath, he said, "That means a lot to me. Thank you." Then, a thought occurred to him. "Uh, I just realized something: we don't know where the Shifters are. It could take a long time to find them."

"True, but you seem to forget about a certain resource you still have," Ymir reminded him. "A resource that shares my name, I should add."

And just like that, his mood was soured. "Oh, great. I have to suffer her existence again."

"Well, some sacrifices have to be made."

Dillon gave her a deadpan expression. "Was the sass really necessary?"

"I live in a continuous state of near non-existence." She threw him a wink. "I have to keep myself entertained somehow."

It was good to know that even within the depths of his own mind, Dillon could find someone that enjoyed teasing him. And yet, despite how disgruntled he was acting, he wouldn't trade it for anything.


And the bait has been taken. It had been a while since Atticus smiled this brightly. For months, he had been patient and constantly studying Dillon's every move. The subtle manipulations brought him closer and closer to Marley. Now, the long game had finally reached the point where the others could make their move.

So, taking a deep breath, he contacted one of the few people that he trusted completely. "Zeke, are you awake?"

A mental yawn was his answer. "Mr. Tybur, you woke me up from a fantastic dream."

The man rolled his eyes at that. "Really? You know, you have to make an effort to give a mental yawn."

"Guilty as charged. So, what can I do for you today?"

"Dillon Amsdale is finally heading your way," Atticus announced with a smirk. "Sorry it took so long for this to happen."

Zeke let out a chuckle. "Well, you know what they say: absence makes the heart grow fonder. Dead or alive?"

"Alive, unfortunately, but don't hold back too much," he warned. "I want to know what he's capable of."

"If he kills us, that will complicate matters on all fronts," Zeke told him seriously.

"You're a capable man, Mr. Yeager. I trust you can get everyone out alive."

Without waiting for a response, Atticus blocked the link. He had been awake long enough. Now, it was time to go back to his wife and join her in bed. Once morning arrived, his goal will have finally been achieved.


Hoofbeats echoed within the silent night as Dillon guided his horse down the path. He only had one torch to light the way, but holding onto it for so long was making his arm sore. Sooner or later, he would be plunged into darkness with nothing but the moon to guide him if the clouds ever decided to clear up. He couldn't risk that happening, not when he was in Titan-infested lands.

A huge part of the Psion could not believe that he was doing this. Even after every action he took, from interfering in Stohess to destroying the mental links within the Scout leadership, they paled in comparison to his self-imposed mission. If Annie had found out what he was up to, break up or not, she would chase him down before he could blink. But she couldn't get involved. No one could. It had to be him and him alone. It was the only way he could truly redeem himself. Deep down, no matter how things ended up, the world would be a better place. That thin line of comfort and Ymir's gentle reminders kept him going as his demons tried to take hold of his soul once more, the hurricane threatening to consume once more.

Slowly, the clouds began to brighten just a little bit. The morning was approaching, and Dillon was out in the open. His heartbeat quickened as he tossed aside the dying torch into the canal and urged the horse to go faster. The poor mare was getting exhausted, but she kept going. He had to be close by now. He could see the Walls in the distance. All that remained was finding the opening into the District where it all began: Shiganshina. If the other Ymir was lying about this, at least one Shifter would die by his hand.

Following the canal finally paid off when he spotted the hole where the gate used to be. Not seeing any Titans nearby, Dillon carefully dismounted his overworked steed. "It's over now," he assured quietly, petting her gently. "Get some rest." Heaving a heavy sigh, Dillon began walking towards the entrance.

His eyes drifted up to the top of the Wall, though he didn't see anyone waiting for him. Wherever the Shifters were, they weren't at the entrance. The temptation to grapple onto the Wall was high, but he resisted. If they were smart, they would expect him to do that and proceed to attack the second he arrived. If there was going to be a fight, it would be on Dillon's terms. So, he decided to further his madness by deciding to walk through the hole the Armored Titan made.

Reiner had to have been twelve years old at the time when he destroyed the only hope of keeping the Titan horde contained. So young to be a mass murderer. It didn't matter his reasons for this atrocity. Too many people were killed because of him and the other Shifters. No more debate. No more negotiating. Today… kill or be killed.

Of course, seeing the devastated District caused the blacksmith to stop dead in his tracks. Five years ago, this place was like Trost, a District full of Titans, destruction, and death. Unlike the Wall Rose counterpart, Shiganshina never received liberation. Instead, the once-great District was rotting away with time with bones of various sizes scattered throughout the streets. Most buildings had holes in them courtesy of the Titans trying to get to their meals that day. Others were outright demolished by the stampeding monsters for the same reason. To think that three children were responsible for all this.

A cold fury settled into Dillon's heart. It was bubbling within, begging for a release into the world. The Shifters deserved everything they had coming to them, and Dillon would ensure their pain. Nothing done to them could ever compare to the sickening atrocities committed. For once, he felt righteous. He welcomed the storm that wrapped around his body, bringing the protection and strength he needed for this fight.

It was with this perception that Dillon lifted his head and screamed at the top of his lungs, "REINER! BERTHOLDT! SHOW YOURSELVES, COWARDS!"

His voice echoed through the ghost town, but there was no one response. Not that he actually expected one. With any luck, the two were busy pissing themselves out of fright.

The ground began to rhythmically rumble, prompting Dillon to ready his blades. There were likely mindless Titans wandering around the District, maybe even a few Abnormals. Years ago, they were the biggest threats imaginable, the monsters that haunted his dreams as a child. How small the world was back in those days.

Then, the Titan made itself known as it wandered into the plaza, but it was unlike anything Dillon had seen before. It looked like a gigantic, rotund ape with long, lanky arms. Its face stared down at him with a smirk, almost as if amused by his presence.

The disgusted Psion kept his guard up, knowing exactly who this creature was. "So, you're the Beast Titan."

"I had hoped to meet you one day," Zeke responded, his deep, baritone voice causing the ground to vibrate. He tilted his head slightly and scratched his head in confusion. "But for you to come alone… you must have a death wish."

"My only wish is to see you and the other Shifters dead," the blacksmith sneered. "But I promise a quick death if you give me answers."

The Beast Titan threw his head back and laughed uproariously.

Dillon gritted his teeth in pain as he covered his ears to escape from the noise. Goosebumps crawled all over his skin, but he ignored them. He wasn't going to lose his nerve to the likes of the hairy, ape bastard.

Once he was finished, Zeke shook his head, resting one of his hands on a roof next to him. "I haven't been entertained like that in ages."

Dillon clenched his fist tightly and targeted the monster's mind. Perhaps a few busted capillaries would force him to take this seriously.

Suddenly, the Psion recoiled sharply, nearly tripping over himself. It was like he ran headfirst into a wall as he clutched his skull in pain. Something was blocking his attempt to get into Zeke's mind, like some sort of shield.

"Are you alright, child?" the Shifter asked in a patronizing tone. "Would you like a moment to rest?"

A deep, cold shiver ran down Dillon's spine, his eyes widening as he gazed upon the Titan Shifter with a feeling of intense trepidation. His feet began to automatically move backwards. The hurricane that guided him through the Military Police all but vanished in the blink of an eye. "No… you shouldn't be… how…?"

"An insect who thinks himself a god is still an insect." Swiftly, Zeke tore off a huge chunk of the roof and lobbed it at the petrified teenager.

He only had a second to react, and Dillon used it to propel himself to the side via his powers. Unfortunately, when the roof hit the ground, the shockwave sent the Psion crashing through the door of another house. He groaned in pain, his shoulder bruised from the harsh landing, but he had no time to recover. Blasting open a nearby window (no sense in getting lacerations he didn't need), Dillon leapt outside just as the house was swept aside by a massive arm like it was nothing. He fired his hooks into a taller building and managed to get onto the roof. While he wasn't face to face with the seventeen-meter monstrosity, at least he was on higher ground.

Naturally, it was this moment in which lightning descended from the sky about 70 yards away. The Psion shielded himself from the blast using his arm, but it did nothing to stop the Armored Titan from rising up in its fifteen-meter glory. Reiner wasted no time in charging straight at Dillon with great speed. Dillon managed to grapple away in the nick of time as the building he stood on toppled over into millions of pieces. Zeke added fuel to the fire by crumbling another roof into small chunks of debris and throwing them right at him. Upon landing on a house, Dillon telekinetically shoved the shards aside, causing them to demolish several houses around him.

Panting heavily, Dillon considered his options very carefully. Bertholdt was nowhere to be seen, so the Colossal Titan could come into play any second. He couldn't break through Reiner's armor with the weapons he had, and given Zeke's presence, there was no time to mind blast him into the afterlife. He had to make his counterattack count, but how? Even if he started throwing parts of buildings at them, it wouldn't do him any good. Unless…

His eyes began to glow brightly and he pulled with all his might. A cracking sound caught their attention, and Zeke looked just in time to see a giant chunk of the wall smash right into his face, dazing him slightly. Wiping the blood off, Zeke stared in open-mouthed horror at the face of a Colossal Titan within the hole.

"Oops. Was I supposed to do that?" A satisfied grin distorted Dillon's face. Seeing Reiner petrified in place and Zeke seemingly ready to have a full-blown panic attack made the whole thing worth it.

The ape bastard let loose a roar of fury before facing the Psion responsible. "Do you have any idea what you've done!?" he demanded.

"Given that the sun is starting to rise… yeah, I think I have an idea," he answered smugly. "You may be able to beat me, but an army of Colossal Titans coming out to play? I wouldn't make any long-term plans."

Yet another chunk of a building found its way into the enraged Shifter's hands. "If those Titans are unleashed, they won't just stop with us. The entire world will be at risk!"

Dillon didn't look concerned in the slightest. In fact, his grin widened considerably. "Then you'd better go save the world."

"Damn you!" The Beast Titan launched the debris at him before lumbering as fast as he could towards the Wall.

After dodging the attack, Dillon gathered his bearings as he faced the Armored Titan, who glared venomously at him. Just before he could charge again, Dillon levitated two blades and shot them straight into his eyes, pushing as deep as he could. Reiner howled in pain while clutching his bleeding face in an attempt to retrieve the blades. With how embedded they were, it would take some time to get them out, and that was before the healing process could begin. On top of that, Zeke would be unable to fight until he could seal the Wall with his hardening ability. This was the perfect opportunity to-

Wait a minute… Dillon staggered back a bit as he thought about what he had done. How could I have known that Zeke can fix the Wall?

A zipping sound caught his attention, prompting Dillon to turn around. He raised new blades just in time to block a slash from Bertholdt, but the force of the attack caused the two to roll down the roof and crash onto the road. Dillon's ODM gear saved his back, but he could feel some of the machinery falling apart. To make matters worse, Bertholdt recovered faster and tackled him through the door of a house. Now, his gear was irreparable after landing on his back again. The Shifter delivered a sharp punch to his face before raising a blade up to stab him. Thankfully, Dillon had enough concentration to blast Bertholdt into the ceiling and keep him pinned with his powers.

"This won't take long," Dillon snarled as he stood back up. Compared to the others, Bertholdt was easy to deal with. He levitated his own blade to cut the bastard into as many pieces as he could create.

Bertholdt wasn't keen on getting diced up, so he unleashed a sizable portion of his gas tank. The sudden burst of steam blinded Dillon, allowing both the blade and Bertholdt to fall. The Shifter let out a pained grunt from the impact, but it wasn't an issue. Once his sight returned, Dillon narrowly ducked under a horizontal slice that could have taken his head clean off, though the kick that came next sent the Psion crashing against the fireplace. The mantlepiece above was dislodged, prompting several delicate objects, a couple of fancy plates and paintings, to shatter on the ground where Dillon laid. Blood trickled down his face while the world began to spin. So much for Bertholdt being the easy target.

Speaking of which, the Shifter lunged at him with the intent of running him through. Dillon managed to grab a piece of firewood and lob it at him. The cold wood struck Bertholdt in the shoulder, giving him a slight recoil that allowed Dillon to get to his feet armed with a poker. His focus was beginning to fade thanks to the injuries and overuse of his abilities, but he wasn't out of the fight yet.

He moved backwards when Bertholdt continued on the offensive, using the poker to deflect the attacks as best he could. One flash of his eyes was all it took for the blades to detach from the hilts. Dillon didn't give him a second to react, whacking across the face with his improvised weapon. A large gash formed over Bertholdt's cheek just as Dillon drove the poker deep into his left foot. He ignored the Shifter's cry of pain while he pushed deeper until it was embedded firmly in the ground. Unable to move, Bertholdt threw a punch at him, but he blocked. Dillon took satisfaction in delivering a savage haymaker to his face followed by a second one. To finish him off, the Psion spun his body and lifted his right leg high. His foot smashed into the side of Bertholdt's head, forcing him to fall. He crashed headfirst into a glass table that shattered on impact, lacerations appearing on his face.

"We're done here," was all Dillon said as he picked up a blade to deliver the killing blow. Then, he saw sparks crackle around Bertholdt's body. "Shit!"

By the time he was leaping out of a window, the house exploded.

Flaming debris scattered across the area, crashing into nearby houses and denting the streets. A great fog of steam surrounded the area Bertholdt was in, but instead of a fully-realized Colossal Titan, there was only a skinless arm. As for Bertholdt himself, he yanked his human arm free from the massive limb and pulled out the poker. Finally, he could heal his wounds.

Rumbling footsteps caught his attention as Reiner showed up. While his Titan was one of the least expressive, he still managed to look concerned for his friend.

"I'm okay," Bertholdt coughed while steam poured from his injuries. "Do you see him?"

The Armored Titan merely glanced down the street before his eyes narrowed.

Lying on his back in the middle of a broken road was Dillon. His leg was bent at a slight angle, so it was either broken or dislocated. Minor burns covered his back, though the landing didn't help matters, his knees were scabbed up, and his hands were covered in blood. And then, there was his face. Blood was running down his ears, nose, and eyes, indicating an overuse of his abilities. How many capillaries did he burst trying to survive? Given his appearance, too many.

There was no question that Dillon utterly lost this fight. He was unprepared, sloppy, and too slow to do anything truly damaging to them. For one day, he believed to have the power necessary to kill the Shifters once and for all, but instead, he was lying on the pavement with a battered body holding him down. In the end, he was too weak. He always was. A glass cannon too volatile to his allies, and too inefficient against the enemies that mattered. A mental case unable to cope with the realities of the world, so he throws psychic-induced tantrums as a coping mechanism. It was no mystery as to why Annie left him, why she couldn't handle him anymore. This was his nature: to be this… burden.

At least now it was all over. He had lost the battle and it was time to die. Hell was probably waiting for him because Heaven could never accept him. Not even the realm of unconsciousness would take him in. And then, he realized the real reason he was here: he had given up, and he was ready to die.

The ground shook as the Armored Titan approached him. He was cautious in case Dillon would try to launch some sort of sneak attack on him. Solid thinking.

"...no," he rasped out like a man trapped in a desert with no food or water. He managed to roll onto his stomach with a pained grunt, locking rage-filled eyes with Reiner. "If I die… then so will you!"

His eyes turned bright silver as he formed two mental links. One for Reiner, and one for Bertholdt. Upon completion, he poured into them his memories and the debilitating emotions that came with them. From finding out the truth about Annie, to killing his own father, to learning that his entire life was structured to become his mother's weapon, to losing the woman he loved the most, he held nothing back. There was no remorse for his actions, not even a shred. It was because of these bastards his life was in ruins. They did this to him, and it was time for them to suffer the consequences.

Then, his bleeding ears picked up the sounds of screaming. It was as if the souls of the damned were crying out in agony. He remembered such a noise back in Trost when he left a woman-What was her name?-to die at the hands of a Titan. The memory added fuel to the fire, prompting Dillon to press harder. These monsters didn't deserve to sound that way, not after all the death, misery, and destruction they caused.

And yet… the screaming sounded so familiar. A long-lost friend that had come to reunite with him, and yet the name escaped him. Who was he? What was he?

Clarity impacted Dillon harder than any punch thrown at him: the screaming was his own.

That's when he felt it. His mind was lit ablaze like a miniature sun, paralyzing him to the ground. The blood rushing out of his eyes blinded him completely, and his ears were prevented from picking up outside sounds save for his own. Even the mental links were muffled. For all intents and purposes, he was cut off from nearly everything, and he couldn't stop. No, he wouldn't stop! Not when there was a chance he could end it all. Whether they died or he did, it failed to matter anymore.

Something heavy pinned him to the ground, severing his concentration. The screaming slowly subsided now that he was unable to cause any more damage. Despite being blind and mostly deaf, he still recognized that what stopped him was the hand of a Titan. He had no strength left to fight anymore, and the darkness consumed him once again. It was all over.


Wiping the blood from his face, Bertholdt approached the fallen Psion cautiously. For all he knew, this could be a ploy to lull them into a false sense of security. That being said, he couldn't help but be unnerved by the look in his eyes when they fought. He saw mad desperation, a combination that made a person dangerous to everyone around him. What the hell could have possibly happened to drive someone like Dillon to that point?

Then, it came to him. Annie. Something must have happened between the two that caused Dillon to show up alone. But that couldn't be right. She was being controlled by him… right?

Seeing the unconscious, beaten-up form in the palm of the Beast Titan, it threw a massive wave of doubt in that theory. She was never manipulated; she chose to abandon the mission and betray them. Bertholdt honestly couldn't tell which outcome was worse.

"He's not dead, but he won't be waking up soon," Zeke announced, glancing at the two Shifters. "He was a tricky little bastard. Good work, you two."

Reiner nodded silently since his Titan form couldn't speak.

Bertholdt, however, asked, "So, what happens now?"

"I'll have Pieck take him home. He'll have quite the welcome waiting for him." He handed the body off to the Armored Titan. "Keep an eye on him. I need to have a word with my contact."

Reiner and Bertholdt never knew who Zeke spoke to. Anonymity was absolutely crucial in this particular situation. All they could gather was that it was someone with Dillon's powers, someone that Zeke was taking orders from. Well, far be it from them to question the situation. After all, it was thanks to this mysterious contact that a substantial opponent was taken out at last.

While they decided to watch over Dillon, Zeke trudged towards the open gate. In case of Dillon escaping or any mindless Titans showing up, he remained the Beast Titan. "Mr. Tybur, we have him."

"My day just started, and you just made it, Zeke," Atticus declared jovially. "Regardless of the outcome of your original mission, I will see to it you three receive special honors from Marley."

"Your generosity is much appreciated. Pieck will be delivering him to you before returning back to the island."

"Good. Make sure he's kept sedated. We don't need a Psion wrecking havoc and have no ways to contain him," he warned.

Even though it couldn't be seen, the Beast Titan nodded. "Of course. And Mr. Tybur? Thank you for the mental protection. It saved me a lot of trouble."

"You're welcome, Zeke," he replied. "Good luck with your mission."

Zeke chose not to voice his thoughts on how dangerous it was keeping someone like Dillon alive. Sure, the knowledge was nearly invaluable, but it carried a great risk. He didn't want to lose Pieck to the likes of him. All he could was put his faith in the thought that she was more than capable of handling him. And if Atticus was right about him, this could put Marley on the road to recovery faster than ever imagined.


Up on the balcony, Atticus breathed a sigh of relief as he basked in the sunlight. He would not admit it to anyone save for Lara, but he was quite anxious about the whole thing. There were so many ways that the extraction could have gone wrong. Losing a Shifter was the greatest concern. Thankfully, all the pieces fell where they were supposed to.

Now, it was time to give thanks to the person that made this all happen. "I'm impressed with how well you handled him, Milady."

"Your patience paid off, Atticus," Ymir Fritz responded in a satisfied tone. "Dillon Amsdale is yours to keep."


AN: Well… that just happened...

I have a feeling most of you will not remember Atticus because he was shown in a flashback way back in Chapter 26 and referenced in Chapter 32. That being said, I am excited to finally bring him to life. I have great plans for him. If you want a reference to his appearance, look up a picture of Liam Neeson. Seriously.

As for the plot twist concerning Ymir, I will say this: I have been planning this for years now. Originally, I wasn't going to reveal this until closer to the end of the story, but for reasons we'll get into the next time we focus on her, I'll explain why I decided to do it here. I look forward to all the theories and questions you throw at me.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I look forward to your reviews, and I'll see you all in the next one.