SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT (MUST READ): Hey, guys. I have some really great news for you. You could almost say that it's… titanic news. Hahahahaha… yeah I'll see myself out.
Anyways, I have hired a few artists to finally turn this story into a comic/manga! I've been wanting this to happen for a long time. Now that I have a full-time job, I can actually start paying for it. That being said, considering I'm not secretly Bill Gates or recently won the lottery, that means the pages are going to be coming out at a snail's pace. So, if you are in a good position in life and are willing to trust me to do this right, I would love more help on this project.
Thankfully, one of my friends and a long-time fan of this series, GodzillaFollower1998, has generously offered to help me financially in this endeavor. Check out his stories on his profile. They are in desperate need of attention.
Let me quickly point out something: this will NOT affect my progress with finishing the story on this site. Writer's block delays me just fine. While the artists will make sure things are okay on the visual front, I'm going to keep working on this story.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "C-Rod, you pretentious bum who may or may not live in a basement, you can't profit from Fanfiction. You'll get into all sorts of trouble, you fool." That's why if you choose to financially invest, you're not gonna give me a damn thing. It's going to go straight to the artists. I also have proof that they are artists, but you'll have to PM me to get to my Discord so I can show you the artwork. Fanfiction doesn't let me post pictures after all.
If enough people decide to invest, we may be able to turn this into a visual and audio drama, but right now, I want us to focus on the comic/manga angle. I don't want to go too overboard yet.
With that out of the way, time to fulfill one of my promises and respond to your reviews from the previous chapter!
Eren Llega: Hola. Gracias por tu fe en mi. Espero seguir contándote una buena historia. Además, estoy usando Google Translate para decir esto, así que me disculpo si las palabras son raras.
Vendicor: It wasn't too much trouble. Personally, I think I dug MYSELF into that hole because every time I got inspired, Dillon ended up deeper in that hole. At least, for once, I know exactly what to do when Dillon comes back and it will be epic. Stay tuned!
Neo Longinus: I remember you from that guest review back from a couple of chapters. I've already spoken my piece about the whole Dillon thing, so I'm done talking about it. Same with Hanji and Levi. If you lost faith in the story and myself, then I understand.
TheLazyDragonBall: Not sure what you mean by the reverse psychology thing, but I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. As for the gang back on Paradis, you will see soon enough. ;)
DojoYoyo: Disclaimer: C-Rod 42 is not responsible for the blowing of minds or the shaking of spines. Please see a responsible doctor should you experience these symptoms more. XD
Danielsnow: I couldn't help but chuckle at the "slobbering psychopath" line. It made me think of the dog from Turner and Hooch. This may be hard to believe, but I planned for Ymir Fritz to be responsible for Dillon's behavior a long time ago. Whether or not you think it's a stupid explanation is up to you. As for the "his people" line, Dillon still believes in defending his home and the people in them. In his eyes, they can't defend themselves from the Titans or the Psions. To confirm one of your questions, Atticus is a "greater good" guy, hence his actions. I will say, though, the comment about him watching his wife get tortured? A bit too much, dude.
TheGamerMarine76: Oh, trust me. Annie and Dillon will reunite. I have BIG plans for the two. Keep this in mind: the trailer I left may not be what it seems. Ymir is probably the closest thing to a god in the series. I'm not entirely sure what to call her, really. I can't promise quick updates, but I can promise that I'm doing the best I can.
Goku275, Steely098, and TheMist33: Thank you very much!
KrowRyder21: Eh, I have a feeling I'll be getting those comments for a LONG time. Thank you for your encouragement, though.
Irosokuyammamoto: Glad to see you pumped.
The Avenging Titan: Haven't seen you around here in a while. Then again, I haven't been around in a while. I won't give away Ymir's intentions yet, but they will become known. Hope you enjoy the story from here on out. I know you've had problems with some of the things I've done in the past, and I understand.
Buff Mimic: I'm honored that you found my story so engaging even without the prior knowledge of the anime or manga. Thank you for your support.
Saintlygrim: Definitely a lot of possibilities, but I'm the only one who knows how this will end. Stay tuned….
GodzillaFollower1998: Let's just say you're in for one hell of a ride. Minds out of the gutter, people!
Brandonmunoz499: I have no idea what you mean.
AadenHelan: Regardless of what you do, I hope you enjoy the story.
GM Ambition: Thanks, GM. I really appreciate that.
Wekir: For what it's worth, your English is pretty good. Thank you for your support.
Now then, ENJOY THE CHAPTER!
Chapter 78: The King is Dead
Historia felt like she had been awake for days. Nothing would have made her happier than to sleep all the troubles away, let someone else deal with her Titan father. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option for her, not with the fate of the country at stake. What helped keep her awake was the massive Titan dragging its body across the ground in the distance. It was unlike any Titan she had seen before. Thin arms and legs that prevented the thing from being able to stand up, a body about twice the size of the Colossal Titan, and it was so hot that trees were being set on fire.
The mere existence of this Titan warranted its death, and yet, Historia couldn't find it in herself to grieve for him. Sure, she pitied the pathetic creature he had become, even before he transformed, but whatever she felt towards him was a desperate attempt to cling onto the past. People like Rod, Frieda, Ymir, she had to move on and let them go.
Her eyes eventually locked onto the Shifter lying on the wagon floor. She had been going in and out of unconsciousness for the past hour and for good reason. That stunt Annie pulled was so taxing on her body that the marks on her face weren't healed yet. It was still tough to process, that this person who threatened to kill her a while back risked her life to ensure her survival. Whether she liked it or not, Historia owed her life to her.
"Quit staring," Annie finally muttered, managing a deadpan tone. "It's creepy."
Historia found herself rolling her eyes at that, but instead of shooting back with a sarcastic remark, she said, "You could have run away back there, but you saved our lives. Why?"
The Shifter heaved a sigh filled with annoyance, closing her eyes. "I already gave a speech about it. Not my fault you weren't listening." One eye popped open. "Let me guess: you think I'm working some sort of angle."
"No. It just doesn't seem like you," she explained. "I'm trying to understand who you are now."
"The same as always." She didn't even hesitate to answer. "A bitch with a conscience. You're just lucky that I've been listening to it lately."
"There's no need to sell yourself short," Armin interrupted as he drove the carriage in the direction of the massive Titan. "Every single one of us is alive because of you, Annie. That's not gonna be forgotten any time soon."
An amused smirk creased Annie's features. "Aren't you the one who always needs the 'don't sell yourself short' speech?"
Despite the fact that they were going to be heading into battle soon, he couldn't help but smile in response. "Maybe next time."
The only one who didn't join in the conversation was Eren. He had been oddly quiet ever since they escaped the now-destroyed Reiss Chapel. Armin couldn't get him to open up, so the blond decided to wait until things settled down before trying to figure out what was wrong. Historia, however, knew he was dwelling on the things he learned from her father. The truth was finally out there, and he had no idea how to process it. It was clear that the Eren that was bound in the crystal caves was dying a slow death. Whatever came alive after that? There was no way for any of them to know.
The convoy they were a part of came to halt when a group of Scouts on horseback approached them. Armin felt a wave of relief course through him when the leader of these soldiers turned out to be Commander Erwin. It felt like it had been years since he had seen him. Aside from the bruises on his face, he still carried the determined look that was present in his eyes
"Erwin," Hanji greeted happily, riding her horse over to him. "So, did you break out or did they let you out for good behavior?"
"It's a long story that will have to wait for the moment, but I can tell you all that we are no longer hunted by the Military Police," Erwin assured.
On the other horses, the cadets gave a few whoops of excitement at the best news they've heard in days. With Eren and Historia retrieved, Annie finally getting her hardening to stick, and the Scouts off of the "wanted dead or alive" list, things were finally looking up. Now all that remained was to deal with the Titan that made regular Titans look like cuddly animals.
The commander locked eyes with Eren and gave him a reassuring smile. "It's good to see you again, Eren."
"Likewise, sir." Despite everything that happened, the Shifter managed to be polite with his superior. No sense in making a big stink when lives were on the line. Not yet, at least.
Spotting another wagon, Erwin guided his horse over to it and found a sight he didn't expect to see. Levi and Mikasa were both lying down next to each other covered in an assortment of wounds. Mikasa carried more head injuries if the bandages around her head were anything to go by, though considering how red they were, she would need to be tended to by a professional doctor. As for Levi, he lacked a shirt so that he could keep a compress pinned to his broken ribs. It was clear the two went through one hell of a fight, but at least they were alive.
"Erwin," Levi grunted, attempting to sit up only for the pain to shoot through his body like a gunshot. He plopped back down while gritting his teeth. "Shit!"
"Stay down and rest, Levi," the commander ordered. "You're useless in that condition." Harsh words, but they were the only ones he knew that would get through to his stubborn captain.
Said captain gave him a glare, but he didn't disobey. "If you say so, sir."
Nodding, Erwin looked over the forces and noticed that many Scouts were missing, including Mike. It didn't take a genius to know that they perished in the line of duty. As much as he wanted to know what happened to them, there was no time for a debrief. "Hanji, what can you tell me about that Titan?"
"It's Rod Reiss," Hanji answered. "As for why he looks like that, I have no idea."
"We'll discuss theories at another point, then," Erwin responded. "Time is not on our side. Head back to the Wall."
"You're gonna let that thing drag its fat ass all the way to Sina?" Levi deadpanned.
"He's heading straight for Orvud District," the commander explained. "We'll stop him there."
Historia wasn't even remotely surprised that Erwin was planning on using people as bait to win a battle. It seemed like Plan A for the Scout Regiment every time. Lure Annie out of hiding? Use Eren as bait. Rescue Eren from Reiner? Use soldiers to lure Titans into the fold. Find out how deep the corruption went? Get a disguised Armin and Jean captured by the enemy. Playing the same card over and over again as the lives of soldiers and civilians are sacrificed or discarded depending on one's point of view.
While the caravan rode towards Orvud, Historia took notice that Eren had been unusually quiet. Considering everything he had gone through and learned, it was unsurprising. What she took special notice of was that whenever his eyes drifted towards Erwin, his eyes would narrow in a glare before he faced the floor of the cart again. Part of her wanted to say something, anything, to help him, but she knew there was nothing she could do to make any of this alright. When Eren was ready to talk, he would do so. She just had to wait.
As the group passed by the Titan, they could feel the intense heat coming off the monster. It was as if fire manifested into an organic being and this was the result. There was no way the Scouts would be able to grapple towards it nape without getting incinerated. They would have to be creative when it came to killing her father.
Annie decided to break the silence by addressing her fellow Shifter. "Back in those caves, you wanted me to let you die in there. Why?"
A lump formed in Historia's throat upon hearing that question. This wasn't going to end well.
When Eren spoke, he sounded unnaturally detached from the whole situation. "I know what happened to my father, Annie, and I know how Titan Shifters are made."
"…I see." Annie seemed a bit more concerned now. "Eren—"
"Who else knows about this, or did you keep it a secret to save your own skin?" he interrupted tersely.
She heaved a sigh, knowing there was no way around it. "I planned to take that secret to the grave, but Levi and Hanji forced me to reveal it to them. They've known for a while."
Eren didn't even bother to make eye contact with Annie. Instead, his gaze was locked onto the Titan that threatened to cause an untold amount of damage. "So, that's how it is."
To everyone's surprise, Eren leapt out of the cart and began dashing towards the monstrous Titan. He could hear Mikasa, Armin, and the other cadets calling his name. The leaders of the Scout Regiment were ordering him to return, but for once, he decided to ignore them. Right now, only one thing mattered: Rod Reiss had to die right here, right now. He would deal with the consequences when they came. With that in mind, he bit down on his hand and became consumed by fire once more.
Let it never be said that Erwin couldn't change tactics on the fly if the situation called for it. "Every able-bodied Scout needs to assist Eren in killing Rod Reiss!" he commanded as the convoy came to a halt. Given that he was drawing a blade, he counted himself in that same category.
However, before the soldiers could move a muscle, the newly-formed Rogue Titan let out a ferocious roar, stomping his foot so hard that it left behind a crater. It was clear he wanted the Scouts to stay out of this. He even glared daggers at Erwin to make sure that the point sunk in. Once they were sufficiently stopped, Eren continued charging towards his quarry. If any of the Scouts died trying to save or stop him, he wouldn't even think about blaming himself.
"That idiot!" Levi snarled at the same time Mikasa cried out, "Eren!" They attempted to stand, but their injuries were too great.
"Shit!" Annie swore, stabbing her palm repeatedly with her ring-blade. Not even her intense focus could force an exhausted body to shift. She was as helpless as the rest of them.
Then, Hanji remembered. Back when they fought the Armored and Colossal Titans, a link was made between Eren and a good portion of the Scouts. Including her! "Eren, I don't know what your deal is, but get your ass back here!"
"STAY AWAY!"
The Section Commander clutched her head in response to that roar. She had grown used to the sounds of Titans, but she didn't have a lot of experience with one screaming inside her skull.
"Orders, sir?" one of the Scouts questioned.
For the first time in years, Erwin was at a complete loss on what to do. Even if he threw everyone he knew at the Titan, they would be incinerated on the spot. Judging from Hanji's reaction, Eren had no intention of listening to a damn thing they could say. There was only one thing that could be done, and he didn't like it one bit. "Continue our approach towards Orvud. Guard the Female Titan with your lives if necessary!"
If he was about to lose Eren, he would be damned if Annie joined him.
With an enraged roar, Eren leapt into the air and grabbed onto the side of the Titan. Already, he could feel both his Titan body and real body heating up from the exposure. The heat radiating from Rod was fifty times worse than the Colossal Titan's steam. One wrong move and he could find himself being burned alive. However, as he climbed up, Eren found himself not giving a damn, focusing more on everything he had learned.
All this time, he believed that his father had gone missing, or that he was killed by a random mugging, or something. Instead, he forced his own son to eat him, that bastard! Eren clenched his hand so tight that he tore off a piece of Rod's flesh. Doing so caused a sharp piercing sensation in his mind. For a brief moment, he wasn't scaling the body of a Titan. He was brushing his hair while making sure he-no, she-looked good. It was Frieda, the girl Rod and Historia talked about. The memory almost made him fall off, but he quickly regained control, digging his fingers into the grotesque body. No matter what happened, he would not let go. This monster was going to die by his hand.
Once he made it onto his back, Eren began screaming in agony. His body was now engulfed in flames. Very soon, his skin would start melting and his body would decay as a result. All he had to do was make it to the nape, so he ran across the spine straight for it. It was a miracle that Rod had transformed into an Abnormal. Otherwise, he probably would have retaliated by now. Instead, he seemed content to continue crawling towards the Walls. If luck was on his side, then Eren would damn well take advantage of it.
Of course, once he reached his shoulders, Eren's foot sunk deep into the Titan's flesh, causing him to fall to his knees. Now, his skin was beginning to dissolve. At the same time, he was slaughtering children that were desperately trying to run away from him. Wait, now he was destroying a giant boat in a place that looked completely unfamiliar.
Get out of my head!
He tugged hard to break free, but he only succeeded in detaching his leg from his foot. Now, he couldn't even stand. So much for that luck, but he refused to give up. Not this time. Mikasa and Armin needed him. He couldn't help them if he was dead. Rod was nothing more than a glorified ton of flesh. To die by his flames would be insulting.
It was with that determination that brought Eren to his target: the nape. The front of his body had melted into a skeleton with bits of flesh hanging on. His face was completely exposed for the world to see, but his jaw still worked. He used it to rip out a large chunk of the nape. Like an explosion, memories of the previous bearers flashed through his mind, threatening to overtake him. He couldn't even see Rod anymore. Even when he closed his eyes, his reality was being distorted by this madness.
Despite these distractions, he continued to do what he had always done: fight. With every punch and bite, Eren let loose all his pent-up aggression. Damn his father for forcing him into this life. Damn Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt for destroying everything he ever knew about the world. Damn the Scouts for keeping these secrets from him for so long. Damn Rod for exposing him to the truth. Damn the world for the absolute hell he was in!
By the sixth punch, his skeletal hand exploded, showering bits of bone on the ground. His other hand was being used to keep him standing, but it wouldn't be long before it, too, failed him. Despite his teeth cracked in many areas, he refused to let Rod win. He continued to bite and tear like a wild lion trying to dig into the juiciest parts of its catch.
It was only when he bit down for the fourth time that everything went dark.
A deep rumble that shook the very ground itself caused Erwin to call the group to a halt. He glanced back at the Titan and found himself shocked. Rod stopped in his tracks, his body slumping over. His arms and legs went completely limp without any intention of moving again. It was only when the steam began to pour from his face that Erwin could safely say that Rod Reiss was dead. Eren had managed to do it after all.
However, his eyes took notice of a burning figure falling off the body. Another crater was formed from its impact, and he knew exactly what it was. "Retrieve Eren! If he remains inside the nape too long, he will die!" he ordered.
Jean was the first on the scene with Connie and Sasha not too far behind, and, once he dismounted, he felt like vomiting. The best way he could describe Eren's Titan form was a charred blob of pulsing, steaming flesh. Given that the legs and arms were missing, it seemed to resemble a slug. Thankfully, he could see the half-decomposed head amidst the grotesque sight, which meant the nape was behind it. Once he got into position, he gritted his teeth and slashed the nape open.
A geyser of steam erupted from the Titan as a result, knocking Jean to the ground. He yelled in pain as he clutched his face, which felt like someone pressed superheated metal against it.
"Jean!" Connie cried as he ran over to his friend. "Holy shit, are you okay?"
"Connie, if you ask me that again, I'm gonna strangle you," Jean swore, his eyes watering. "Damn it!"
Sasha, meanwhile, cautiously approached the nape. The geyser of steam had dissipated a little, but there was still too much for her to get near. It reminded her too much of the Colossal Titan's attack. Still, Eren had to be retrieved from there before he was incinerated, so burns were going to be expected from this venture. Before she could take another step forward, however, a human-sized figure busted out of the open nape with a feral yell.
"Eren!" Sasha caught him as he fell… and then, with a yelp, immediately dropped him upon seeing his condition.
From head to toe, his skin was a deep dark red that threatened to expose his bones. His clothes were burned off completely, leaving ugly marks behind. Thankfully, steam was emitting from his body, so he was healing, at least. That being said, Sasha had to cover her nose from the burnt smell coming from him.
"Let me see him!" Mikasa's wagon had finally caught up with them and she was attempting to get out only to be held back by Levi. He may have been just as injured as she was, but he was still stronger than her.
"And what are you gonna do? Flop over him like a dying fish?" the captain questioned. "There's nothing you can do."
Erwin dismounted his steed and approached the Shifter, his voice clipped with sternness. "I gave you a direct order, Eren. Why did you disobey?"
The charred Shifter, growling like a wounded animal, tilted his head up towards him. His green eyes were bright with fury that couldn't be released. With all of his strength, he managed out three words: "Fuck…. You….. sir….." With all of his energy spent, Eren collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Erwin raised his eyebrows in response. That was unexpected.
"Eren. Eren!"
Gasping for breath, Eren shot up into a sitting position. He quickly looked around, but there was no sign of Rod. He wasn't even charred to a crisp. Oddly enough, he was in a comfortable bed… one that felt very familiar.
"Relax, Eren. It's over. You won."
Time seemed to stop for the Shifter. He knew that voice. He knew it since the day he was born. At one time, he would've been overjoyed to hear it again, but now, it brought him nothing but anger and heartache. Clenching his fists, he turned to see Grisha standing over him, having the audacity to look concerned for his well being. "Father," he snarled.
"You're not dead, if that's what you're wondering," he assured in an attempt to placate him.
"Of course I'm not dead. You'd be burning in hell." Crappy-ass dream.
"And I suppose that you would be there right with me." Without waiting for a response, Grisha opened the door to the outside. "Come. There's a lot to discuss."
Eren wanted so badly to strangle the life out of the man, beat him within an inch of his life. However, while his emotions were as strong as ever, he felt physically restrained from doing anything violent. With a huff, he followed his father outside.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that this was Shiganshina and that they were standing on the rooftop of their old home. As opposed to the ruins filled with debris and death, this was exactly how things used to be: warm, sunny, and peaceful. In the distance, he could hear kids tossing a ball to each other. He couldn't remember the last time he saw children playing games. Such simple times.
"Mom used to hang our clothes to dry up here," Eren reminisced. "A lot of people did."
"And when she wasn't, you would be sitting here staring at the Walls with such contempt," Grisha added. "You hate them almost as much as you hate the Titans."
"Nothing but a cage…" Eren's voice trailed off, staring at a road that passed by his house. That was where the Smiling Titan showed up and killed his mother, where Hannes cowardly ran away instead of killing it. His journey began the moment he watched a grinning monster devour someone he loved.
"You swore you would kill every last Titan, and now, you have the power to do so."
Eren's head snapped in his father's direction. "So that makes it all okay?"
Grisha was completely unfazed by his anger. "You were the best chance any of us had for survival. You know that."
"You didn't give me a choice!" he shot back.
"Would you have said yes?"
"Of course not!"
"Then that's why it was taken from you." The doctor shook his head in what seemed to be disappointment. "You always allowed your emotions to rule your every move. Sure, they provide incredible fuel, but they blind you to what needs to be done."
"Damn it, you bastard, I needed you!" Eren shouted, pointing a finger at his father. "Don't you get it? Mom was gone. You were all I had left, but you forced me into this life. You made me eat you!" Tears stung his eyes despite his efforts to contain them. He didn't feel like Humanity's Last Hope. He didn't feel like a soldier. He was just a boy who wanted his father back. "I needed you."
"But this is exactly what you wanted, isn't it?"
Grisha's sharp words caused Eren to stop dead in his tracks, lost for words.
Seizing the opening, the doctor continued. "Ever since you were a boy, you wanted to be free. You wanted the power to destroy the Titans. Well, guess what, son? There's a price to pay for everything in this world. A sacrifice had to be made, and I was willing to be that sacrifice. If my acts of cruelty allowed this to happen, then I would gladly do it again." He gripped his son's shoulders tightly in an effort to make him listen. "You can hate me for the rest of your life, Eren, but you cannot dwell on the past. This is who you are, who you will always be."
"I…" How the hell was Eren supposed to respond to that? There was nothing that could be done to change the past. It was set in stone. No matter how much he raged, how much he screamed, his father would still be dead by his hand. There was no point in this fruitless venture.
"Whatever you choose to do next is your decision. Mikasa, Armin, the Scouts, none of them can make it. Only you can know what to do next."
No matter how Eren felt about the situation, the threat of Marley and the Titans were still out there. He couldn't just give up because he was upset. The urge to fight back remained strong as ever, but it was now tempered by recent events. How was he going to tell Mikasa and Armin the truth about his father? Would they look at him with pity in their eyes or disgust? Frankly, Eren wasn't sure which outcome was worse. At the very least, Mikasa deserved to know the truth.
As for the Scout Regiment, the Shifter felt a growing sense of contempt towards them. After everything he had done for him, all the beatings he took, all the orders he followed, they chose to keep the truth from him. In their eyes, he wasn't a soldier. Hell, he probably wasn't even a human. He was their monster they took out whenever they needed something big and angry to throw at their enemies. Nothing more. They never trusted in him from the start.
Maybe it was time for him to start returning the favor.
AN: I apologize for the shorter chapter this time around. Originally, I was going to write this all the way up to Historia's coronation (hence why the chapter focused on her first), but there are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up as well as setting up the future. Trust me. It's gonna be a doozy.
So, Eren killing Rod by himself was a tough one because, frankly, it isn't really a fight scene. Rod was literally a giant pile of flesh that was on fire. That's it. The only way to enhance the scene was for Eren's body to decompose, the flashbacks concerning the Royal Blood, and, of course, the anger driving Eren towards doing this.
In regards to the final scene between Grisha and Eren, I'm going to leave it ambiguous as to what happened. I think I left behind enough clues for you to figure out what was going on, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you think.
If any of you have questions concerning the comic/manga thing from my earlier Author's Note, please feel free to PM me. I will do my best to answer all of your questions.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I look forward to your reviews, I hope you will consider contributing to the project and the TV Tropes page, and I will see you all in the next one.
