Gate of False Liberty

by Abdiel Amaro

It began with a Gate, like a Whim from a God, or maybe technology long ago lost to humanity. A corridor had been opened, one leading to a world stuck in the past, where humanity cannot escape from the horrors Titans are. Thus one entered, and fate was twisted. A future supposedly written in inmovable stone has been put to test to the hammer of Eternal War.

1. Cross the Path

Well, it's been a while, don't you think?

I hadn't uploaded for the very reason of writing this.

Now, don't worry, I haven't abandoned Above This Killing Ocean. In fact, I have already 4000 words as I'm working on the next chapter.

As you can see, this one has more than 20k words. I had planned to divide it into 2 chapters but it would feel off.

You know, the concept of Gate: is great, and it helped me, specially thanks to DFMRCV and his work: Freedom Ring, which is great. I had been already planning to release something like that but using 40k, in fact, I had already written one; "Attack on Void" and posted it here in another ID. The problem with this is… Well, Warhammer 40K is over the top, and placing it as they finding a AOT world would make the story end in a few chapters. There is nothing they can do against an Imperial invasion force. So, the anime/LN Gate: Thus JSDF fought there, proven really useful as using the concept of the Gate. So now, the story wouldn't end in 3 chapters.

Oh, by the way. I also provided some boost for Marley and the world in technology. They have aircraft and machine guns, thought, these aren't as advanced as real world ones, and they just started arming their troops with these new weapons. They basically are like a Messerschmitt Me 262.

I will go back to Above This Killing Ocean and keep writing. I think I will be able to finish the chapter in one or two weeks.

Please enjoy this story, please give review so I can improve.

[X]

All series belong to their respective owners.

[X]

She had never been in prison before, never in her life would she have even imagined that she would end up in one to begin with. Only a criminal would end up there. Was she one now? She looked at the floor, covered in dirt and blood, her blood. The wounds were still fresh, still hurting. The needles they had put in her brain to make her tell everything she knew, even things she had long forgotten. The memory of the horror of feeling those needles was still deep within her. Her nerves had not yet been repaired, her arm had no strength to lift the cup and drink the water she had been given.

How had she ended up like this? She'd wondered every day, of these last few that had passed. How long had it been now, ten days? Twenty? Her brain hurt just thinking about it. She closed her eyes, trying to forget the pain.

But a noise prevented her from doing so. The dry, clanking sound of metal being struck by metal. It only made her head ache more.

"It is time." Her jailer said. That man, no... that thing, that guarded her. It was repulsive, the smell of grease reaching her even if she was several feet away from him. Half of his face was covered in metal, with a sinister red light where his eye would have been. His belt was strapped with various tools, hammers, blades, saws and so on. She had remembered the screams of agony on the other side of her cell. She followed him, followed him to her trial, the day when it would be told whether she would be executed or released. He turned, his good eye licking at her being, disgust swept through her as she considered the perversions this torturer could do to her. She gulped as she tried to swallow her revulsion.

They walked through the cells, the stench, the bugs and the darkness seemed to mingle with each other. The howls of pain and suffering wanted to get under her skin, she could hardly bear it, bear to see what was on the other side of the bars. There, there was a man with scaly, yellow skin, with a third arm sticking out of one side. In the next cell a woman with tentacles for arms embraced a deformed creature full of black tentacles. She watched in revulsion as the woman cooed at the creature, as if it were a small child. The creature was barely breathing, maybe it was about to die.

"Mutants..." Her jailer said. "All of them... Impure, all impure but Zini, Zini was born so, but Zini was purified by the grace of the God-Emperor" He spoke as if happiness overflowed, "I serve now, and I will serve until the day I die. But you, you are not a mutant, you possess no mutation. Nor are you touched."

He fell silent, his hand revealing the huge, heavy key to the thick iron door. Fresh air rushed into her, like an embrace from a loved one. There was a courtyard, but they were only under another roof. The lamps warmed like sunlight and it felt like perpetual midday. The jailer opened another heavy iron door. There were stone stairs leading up into the darkness barely contained by braziers. Were they under the floor? The place seemed immense, room after room, door after door.

Two men who had been standing guard approached and took their places behind her. Both released the safety catches on their guns with a click, as if trying to give a message, showing her that they would not let her try anything foolish. The jailer began to walk and she had no choice but to follow him. A long walk followed, the chains on her ankles only slowed her down, one of the men pushed her, ordering her to continue. And after almost an hour they finally left the place. There was a hall, so big that hundreds of people could fit in there and still have room to spare.

There was a dais in the middle of the room, surrounded by an enormous number of chairs. At the same time there was a huge table in the shape of a half-circle with intricate designs and covered with gold and silver, as tall as three grown men. Behind this table sat twenty-four people, some with normal faces, no strangeness whatsoever, yet also too well-groomed and full of make-up with arrogant smiles. Others were men in uniform, medals hung from their clothes as well as metal parts on the faces of some. Their cold eyes scanned her figure, measuring her mettle with their own eyes. There was a being, more machine than man. Metal clad in a red robe and shadowy lights in place of eyes. Metallic tentacles protruded from between his robes and danced back and forth. But there was one more being there, it was huge, almost titanic. But she recognized it by the armour it wore, the being did not have its helmet on and its implacable eyes showed only distrust and a thought of retribution.

In the chairs behind the dais sat dozens of scribes writing down every detail of what went on there. Their arms had been replaced by machines that moved at precision speed as long scrolls were written in ink.

One of the seated men raised his hand and at the same time the hundreds of scribes fell silent, the guards stood at attention and the gazes of the others fell on this man dressed in a stylish purple uniform and heavily jeweled. His features were noble and his face aged, the huge golden statue of a two-headed bird stood above him and glowed a deep gold, perhaps made of the same material.

"This trial begins." Said the man. "As procurator of the Administratum sent to this world, I give my regards to Lord Rive, and I am deeply grateful for his intervention in these events. Without his help we would have lost many more citizens of the Empire. And I am even more grateful that his squadron has decided to stay and provide us with much needed aid."

The black-armoured giant nodded and turned his vision towards Ilse. He gestured and within seconds the ground around the scout opened up. Two huge heavy flamethrowers appeared, the pilot lit and the Promethium pressurized.

The craggy man then spoke again. "These flamethrowers will incinerate you should we see fit or you give us a reason to do so, prisoner 6521." He adjusted the monocle on his right eye and held up the data plate a servant had brought him. "Prisoner 6521, name: Ilse Langnar. She has been found suspected of opening that portal in the middle of the upper zone of the Boreale hive, one of the last in Cruxis Vera. This provoked an invasion of these beings that began to attack and devour multiple people. In total there have been heavy losses and the death of thirty-six adepts and nobles. Had it not been for Lord Rive, who knows how much more damage these creatures would have caused. Under Imperial law she should have been instantly executed for bringing these monsters into our hive city. However, it has been decided, that you must give your side of the story before we present our verdict."

Ilse looked at both flamethrowers, the flames of both dancing in a dance that promised death. She would have swallowed saliva if it didn't hurt to do so. She set her sights on the armoured giant they had addressed just now, the one she had spoken to the first time she had arrived.

[X]

There were numerous reasons why joining the Survey Corps regiment was considered pure madness. Exposed against the elements, wild beasts, diseases or getting lost in the forest.

But there was a main reason why so few would ever dare to think in getting out of the walls.

Titans.

For hundreds of years Titans had roamed free on the world, preying upon humanity, always hunger for their flesh. Many times men had fallen against such giants, even with the most recent technology, it was nearly impossible to fight them back.

Some say before Titans humanity lived free, free on this world with no walls to stop them. Had the Titans driven humanity to near Extinction? Maybe. Very few would even bother for such thoughts.

But even so, some dared to fight against fate. Taking arms against overwhelming odds. Fighting against an enemy who doesn't know mercy.

Many died, and many would get lost.

Some would say getting lost is worse. Always an easy prey for them, always running knowing the fact they could attack you and make you suffer a horrible dead.

Such luck had fallen on certain soldier.

A Young woman running through the forest, carrying a small notebook writing everything she can. Time ago she had lost her horse, escaped after an ambush which had killed all her squad. Ad even so, with the terror running through her veins, a lingering feeling of hope was with her.

Maybe this way someone could find that notebook and know she was here, still attached to hope even as terror screamed through her. Because deep inside she was sure she would not live much here on the outside. She would never feel the simple joy of live, the touch of her parents, the melody of the musicians or the tastes of food.

She ran, ran and ran. Her ODM long ago useless and broken, abandoned for the sake of covering a greater distance. If she could just reach the walls, maybe she could find help. And even so, she never stopped writing, even as she ran, trying to take note of every small detail.

Ilse Lagnar was running, always panicked, always alert against the slightest sound. They were coming, she knew, they were chasing her to eat her. That idea filled her with darker resolution, to keep running.

And eventually, her hope was answered.

When she left the forest, she found something she couldn't believe.

A strange construct, made of white stone. Was it a new entrance for the subterranean city? No, they wouldn't ever dare to build an exit outside of the walls. A new base? There was not a single soul here. Her hand moved, the pen still working trying to describe, never stopping.

A rumbling was heard, the sound transported via the ground. They were getting close, she had no options left. She would die if she stays here.

She had been too panicked to have noticed the size of the construct. Half the size of the walls, she lamented for not carrying an ODM gear, maybe up there she could have survived. But there was something more, there was a void, dark as the night. She had no idea to where it could take her but she had very little time to think about it.

With no idea left she adventured into the dark. She noticed it was like a walkway, surrounded by cold walls. Darkness involved her, for long minutes her eyes were totally blinded, even the entrance had disappeared.

But she still could heard footsteps.

She keep running. For moments she considered she had died, this was maybe where the dead go.

Then she noticed something, it was small, almost invisible. But there it was, light. A small light growing bigger as she closed to it. It was the exit? Maybe she could get help there. With that hope she gripped her stride trying to ignore her muscles screaming for rest.

When she finally reached the other side she then found another incredible thing.

She was in a city, but this wasn't in any way some district inside the walls.

Mountains like buildings, piercing the heavens. Roads of silver, statues of pure gold adorning the avenue. It was gigantic, something she could only describe as the land of Gods. There were people here, standing confused before her. They eyed her just like the giant construct she had come from, an awkward silence filling the air.

But then someone pointed at her, and screamed; "Witch!"

All the others followed, some ran, others stared at her. The ones yelling almost looked ready to kill her if she tried something. She was getting afraid, the titans were closing, she could hear them even with so much sound.

Then someone closed to her, it was a man, clad in grey and black armor with a hideous looking gun on his hands. His expressionless helmet covering the eyes staring at her.

"Identify yourself, citizen." He called in a rough and fry tone, hostile, intimidating.

"Huh?" Was the only thing Ilse could be able to say when a powerful strike punched her belly, she would have emptied her bowels if it weren't for she had not eaten in days.

"Identify yourself, Citizen! Now!" He pointed his gun at her. She trembled, unable to articulate any phrase. But the click in the weapon shocked her enough to form the words inside her head.

"Ilse Lagnar! 102th Scout regiment!" She saluted, her right hand gripped her heart, if the old instructor were here he would be proud.

The man relaxed a little, but still held his finger on the trigger. "A guardswoman? What are you doing here? Where is your regiment?"

"I… I got lost… I lost my platoon and tried to reach the walls… and… somehow I ended… here?" She had her arms up, trying to don't look threatening, trying to looks small. She had no idea what was happening, she was running in the forest and now she was here. Does that construct connect to the insides of Wall Shina? No, Military Police doesn't have this kind of gun, and this kind of equipment… they dressed different, really different from the people she knows. And those statues, she was sure no one had enough money to waste gold in such colossal statues the size of titans.

"You separated from your platoon? That doesn't make sense. No regiment can be allowed to be up here. You better explain better, you appeared from that giant gate, you must be a witch!"

"Eh…?"

The man pointed at her again, there was no doubt, he would shoot her there and there. Depending on her words she could end killed by this strange.

"Don't ever dare to move a finger! You have been found guilty of practicing sorcery. You shall be interrogated and then executed. May God-Emperor have mercy on your soul."

"What… What are you talking about?" She had no idea what was happening, she was now being judged in the open and they were charging with ridiculous claims. These were not the people of the walls, they were vastly different. They were spiteful and distrust. They acted as if she were some kind of demon, some kind of monster.

Then she heard it.

She felt in in her feet.

The ground was rumbling, the reverberating echo of the giant footsteps from the enemies of mankind.

Then it was clear.

It was coming from that construct.

"No… they followed me…" She muttered, still, the man hammered the shotgun.

"Don't ever think on using witchcraft here if you don't want to end killed here and now!"

The footstep was now closer, louder. Enough to make the man spare his eyes to the entrance of the gate. "You witch! You have brought daemons upon us!"

He was about to pull the trigger. The steps were closer, louder. The earth was trembling, there was fear in his face, fear and fury, she didn't know which was stronger.

Then it appeared.

A titan had appeared.

It was fast, of 8 meters tall. It came crawling as a spider, like a grasshopper jumping at such speed that the man had no time to react before being lost inside the titan's mouth. Blood exploded just as an arm flying, still attached to the shotgun.

The titan swallowed, she still could hear screams coming from the inside of its mouth.

And then pandemonium erupted.

People screamed, running, trying to escape from the titan. This looked at the scene, a banquet served to him, a banquet to escape the endless nightmare upon it. An opportunity to escape from hell, if it could just eat the right one.

But of course, a titan would not be enough, not in this cruel world.

Another appeared, a small one, 3 meters in height. It was running, an abhorrent one. She was sure it would seek her, it would target her first. That typical foul grin, theit malnourished and deformed bodies giving even more repulsion and terror as they were going for you.

The monster ran, its bizarre movement making it even more terrifying. She had no weapon, no blades, not even a gun to buy time. How she wished she had a weapon with her, to survive.

She turned to run, at least she could try. However, her feet kicked something, something hard. It was the gun used by the man, it was covered in blood and had strange symbols. But it was still a gun, she had used muskets, she knew it had a similar concept. She had seen the man move this piece, there, it moved. She pulled harder and a click was heard.

The smaller titan was close, upon her. She pulled the trigger. The kick was so strong it pushed her hard, her shoulder in pain.

But it had a powerful effect on the titan.

It had reached its jaw, the round strong enough to stop it with an explosive thunder like. Its mouth had been destroyed, the neck was a mess. The small titan was struggling in the ground, trying to stand, however the damage had been too much. It finally died, its body disintegrating like ashes losing themselves in the wind.

But she knew two titans were just the very start.

Soon another appeared, its hideous mouth filled with red teeth. A twelve meters one. It was slow, however still unstoppable unless its neck sliced. People had long gone, escaped from the monsters wanting to devour them. Then another appeared, this was the tallest one, fifteen meters. It glanced at the place, looking for people to devour.

She had to escape, to find help and answers.

However, that didn't happen.

One of the titans, the tallest one, felt to the ground, its head gone the nape destroyed, as if something had beheaded it.

Then, between the vapor and ashes that stood.

It was a titan.

An armored titan? No, a titan doesn't wear black, doesn't wield strange pieces of paper hanging and symbols from its body. This one was like a knight of old, like those ancient warriors armored in steel plates. But this knight was different, its back carried strange devices, giant and unknown things, fire expelled from one side, she had no idea what is it. However, what called her attention the most was the hideous looking 'sword' that knight carried. The blood already disappearing like vapor, but its teeth visible still filled with titan meat.

The giant knight raised his gun, it was hideous, something no normal human would be ever able to wield. It pointed at her, the canon thick like and promising death.

The knight fired, a thunder like no other she had ever heard echoed to her entrails. For a moment she thought she had died there. But the bolt passed next to her face, she turned to look and found a four meters titan tumbled and trembled, then, like a puppet with the string cut, it felt to the ground, its body turning into vapor.

Another thunder was heard, and more hypersonic bolts escaped. It reached another titan, twice the size from the last. Its head was ruptured, explosions destroying its eyes. Its heart was blown to pieces, yet it would not die.

Ilse realized, this knight didn't know about the nape, its weapons were just too powerful it had ended taking out that target out of luck.

"The nape!" She shouted, pointing behind her neck. "The nape is their weak point! Attack the nape and they will die!"

The knight glanced at her, like if he had finally noticed she was here. He then returned his sight to its targets. A single bolt escaped, a precise shoot. The bolt embedded inside titan flesh and bone, and exploded from the inside. Flesh and bone destroyed, the nape had been reached. That titan fell, its body unable to stand anymore.

Then she witnessed something impossible, that knight, heavily armored and armed, flied.

She had trained with her comrades, she had slayed titans flying with her ODM. But this was different, they had certain grace, certain skill at moving from side to side.

But this one was different, it was aggressive, brute and straight to the point.

Where a soldier would avoid attacking the front, this one cared not for such tactics. A giant hand tried to catch it, but the sword roared and minced the flesh. A giant mouth tried to munch it, but a fist smashed the teeth into pieces. Then the sword roared again, the knight roared with it, its warcry almost hiding the one from the sword. More titan flesh was ripped and another titan was slayed. Another bolt was fired and another nape was teared apart.

It was surreal, the speed and dexterity from the knight. Its size tricking her eyes. And her hand had never stopped from writing that. "Giant Knights in a land of legends":

However, could a single knight hold against these monsters? Can that knight alone kill all the titans coming from the construct?

And her question found answer in the form of fire and light.

[X]

Victor was curious, it was the most he could feel. Of course, hatred, wrath and death to the daemon was with him. But curiosity was above all.

At the very start he had considered these monsters to be Daemons. They regenerated, their wounds healed in seconds. It was hard to kill them. That mortal had told him how to kill them more efficiently, that weak spot in their nape.

But daemons don't act like this. Daemons are not stupid creatures; daemons won't wander letting themselves to be slayed so easily.

So, if these aren't daemons, then what are?

His chainsword destroyed another nape, tearing flesh and bone. Their flesh was though, like leather, no problem for adamantium blades. But when their remains evaporated, then he wondered what exactly they are.

His jump pack made him move from one place to the other. His boltgun giving death to every foe. Many of these giants now were little more than bones disintegrating on the ground. Yet, more were coming from that portal.

He had separated from his squad, as a Sword Brethen he had taken the initiative and attacked first when they had noticed the giants appearing in the upper level of Hive City Boreale. They had came here, had finally ended a civil war which had destroyed half the six hive cities in Cruxis Vera, far to the west in Segmentum Pacificus.

The planet had been devastated, a revolutionary cult had upraised, almost overthrown the world governor and set ablaze a bloody war which had lasted eight terran years. And would have been eight more years if the Black Templars had not appeared six terran months ago, taken down the revolutionary leader, and destroyed the rebellion head.

Victor Rive, Sword Brethen from castellan Jucar, had been tasked to leave the world and return to the Amathias Warden. They had been scattered, far from fleet Tertius and battlegroup Tarastus. Their lone frigate thrown upon this world and a single fighting company in it. They had nothing more to do on this world, they had to return, return back to the Indomitus Crusade. The last squad, his own under his command, was the last, it was time to part with the last Stormraven.

However, such idea had been forgotten after the reports coming from several Arbites and Enforcers fighting back the horde of giant daemons coming out from that portal

It was sorcery, the malice from the warp. Daemons had showed into this world.

And yet, after killing several of them he just couldn't feel these creatures as daemons.

They were just too pathetic, too stupid, too easy to kill.

"Brother Rive, we are ready to offer support upon this foul enemy. Shall we destroy the portal too?"

"Do it. Aim for the nape." Victor answered. "The faster we destroy that accursed thing the better."

The Stormraven descended and aimed. Two golden pulses of light materialized in an instant. The twin lascannon piercing into two of the giants. The assault cannon screamed, and a torrent of fire was fired, like a saw tearing giants in pieces. Then a missile was fired, the Stormstrike in a beeline to that portal. When it connected, the krak charge imploded, such weapon would have destroyed a Leman Russ tank in one hit.

However, they watched perplexed as the walls had not a single scratch left.

Another attack followed, a blast from the twin-linked lasscannons erupted like lances. And both of them leaving the same result. Not a single scratch on the stone.

"It's useless, Brother sergeant. We cannot destroy it. We will proceed to destroy and contain the enemies."

Victor had heard them, he had seen with contemplating anger the construct in one piece. Was it made of Wrathbone? Were the Eldar guilt of this? Had they been the ones who had unleashed these creatures? Why to use such beings? They were barely an annoyance. Even the PDF would be able to deal with these giants.

He remembered, his eidetic memory reviving a small detail. That mortal, a female who had information about them. She knew about their weak spot, like if she had already fought against them.

Where was she? Who was she? Those were the main questions forming into his head.

But his doubts could be answered. For she was there, that paper and pen moving amon her hands, watching intendedly the corpse titan vaporizing into the wind.

[X]

Ilse had few times being unable to reason the amount of events unfolding to her very eyes.

Her first time seeing a titan outside the walls. The first time she had seen their lethality as even veterans died into their jaws. Those had been the very few times.

But this was just beyond her.

A land of thriving humanity. A place filled with wonders. The mountains, those were not mountains. There were lights and the smoke of industry. Their cars moved without the need of horses, their weapons advanced beyond anything they could ever imagine. Flying things in the sky, like some kind of unknown magic from the very dreams. She wrote, wrote and wrote everything. She had finally noticed she was in some kind of bridge, a colossal bridge at a height of kilometers above the ground. A chasm promising death to anyone falling to it. And the spires, massive things, the walls were just a joke compared to them. How tall was she? Was this the land of god?

"Stand down!" Yelled someone behind her. There was a woman there, clad in armor and a helm hiding her eyes. She had a similar weapon to the man who had tried to kill her before. She raised her arms, hoping to don't receive a shot. "Wait! I'm not a witch!"

"Stay quiet!" The woman ordered. "You came from that accursed thing. You brought those daemons to here. In the name of Holy Terra and the God-Emperor you will be executed here and now."

However, before she could pull the trigger, a booming sound appeared. Something heavy had fallen, right in the middle of them.

[X]

"My intention was never to bring any evil into this world..." She continued. "I have no idea what this... thing... that brought me here could be. It just appeared out of nowhere..."

A woman stood up, angrily accusing her and pointing at her. "She's lying! She's a witch! Her demons killed three of my children that day, I can still hear them screaming! This sorceress opened the portal. Procurator, please bring imperial justice upon this witch."

The other members erupted in a storm of screams. Some pointed at her, others argued, others tried to act as referees. Not even the so-called procurator seemed able to restore order.

Not until, with his fist, did the armed giant silence them. His hand slammed into the table, cracking the thick wood like a clap of thunder. Instantly those present fell silent, but the scribes kept taking notes.

A tall, lanky man took the floor. "Procurator. I think I share Baroness Eliel's sentiments in lamenting the loss of such important lives. We lost relatives of the governor himself. And he has been unable to come forward because of his own loss. This portal came to us when the civil war is finally over, we cannot destroy it and this woman has been tortured for a long time and has said nothing that could link her to the ruinous powers. The noble house Terrenos thinks we are wasting time here when what we should be doing is taking this situation into our own hands and investigating further."

"And what will happen when the Empire finds out! They'll burn us along with everything on this planet!" The angry voice of a stocky, well-fed man came forward. Ten others supported the latter, though not in the way they had done a moment ago. The procurator this time managed to silence the insults and shouts of those present, Ilse just watched them in silence.

After a few more minutes, after the fumes had subsided, an elderly man rose from his seat. He was decorated with more jewellery than anyone she had ever seen before, glittering gold chains, glittering jewels baked into his clothes. His ring-studded hand rose, asking permission to speak, this was granted. "In the name of the Merchants Guild, we would like to know, if this portal does not lead to cursed lands, then where to? As you may recall this civil war wreaked havoc amongst the merchant houses and very few have recovered. It will be some time before we manage to bring water and food to fill the stomachs of the citizens of Cruxis Vera." His gaze settled on Ilse. "Prisoner, tell me. If you claim these creatures are not demons, then what are they? Also, the lands beyond this portal, what are they like? Are there bodies of water? Animals?"

Ilse gulped, her brain trying to give her the best answer she could formulate. "Unfortunately, your lordship, we know next to nothing of the titans that infest the world. We know neither their purpose nor their reason for existence. They simply devour humans with no other goal. Thousands have died trying to discover more of them, but to no avail. Outside the walls are lands that have not been touched by mankind for decades, green fields where it is said you could grow good crops. There are rivers, especially a huge one that crosses the three walls."

The procurator turned to a certain man, no, a certain being at the outermost corner of the table. "Adept Kylo-932..." He said. And this one stood up. He was covered in wires and metal, his appearance was indescribably scary, as if he was nothing but steel and iron. A reddish, oily coating covered him, as well as a smell of rot and ointment.

"Indeed." Said the Tech-priest in a choppy, raspy voice, like an old radio trying to find a signal. "We have captured two of these creatures. Their nature is unknown, but we do know that they are not of warp origin. Theory: It could be a Xeno life form. The planet on the other side, its atmosphere, its soil, its atmospheric pressure and composition... all indicate a condition similar to the late Cadia, a varied and complete ecosystem."

The Procurator turned to Ilse. "Prisoner, you have claimed that humanity on that world is almost extinct. That they live behind walls that protect them from these... Xenos, is that true?"

"That is true, your lordship." Ilse agreed, hoping that those words alone would be enough to ease her grief.

The procurator called back to the Tech-priest and he spoke as well. "The servo-skulls we sent through the portal have gathered information from the site. The results are consistent with the information that prisoner 6521 has given us throughout her captivity. The island on which they live measures 587,041 square kilometers. Also, we have found radio signals on the island that seem to repeat a report every so often to a country called Marley. We have not yet established contact."

It took Ilse a few minutes to assimilate the metallic being's words. If a report was being sent to some country, then what country was it? Who could be communicating? Even if she didn't know the concept of radio.

Her attention was called again by the procurator. "Prisoner 6521. I am aware that your settlement does not possess remote communication technology, right? You have yet to deliver messages by horseback."

Ilse nodded. "We also use different coloured flares to send signals. But we don't have the technology to communicate that way."

"I see..." The Administratum adept replied. "Prisoner 6521. You have been brought to this stand to deliver your final verdict. You will be executed, for noble blood has been spilled."

Ilse wanted to collapse, to beg for forgiveness and plead for her life, that woman who had singled her out smiled haughtily at the news. She wanted to scream. She was about to, until the prosecutor spoke again. "But you will not be given a date for sentencing. For your existence is still useful to us."

The procurator raised both hands and interlocked his fingers with his elbows held on the edge of the wood. "I do not know, nor do I think you are aware of this. But this world has not recovered and it will take a long time to return to the way it was. A base will be established on the other side, the first preparations are already underway, however, given our circumstances and lack of resources, we need a bridge to talk to the humans on the other side. And you will be that bridge.

The flamethrowers at her side disappeared and in their place came two servants. The shackles and chains were removed, the lightness of her limbs returning and making themselves feel better. She looked at the scars on her wrists and slid her sore fingers across them.

The procurator raised his gavel to acknowledge her person.

"You are free today, Scout Ilse Langnar. I hope you will be able to contribute to the new life you have been given. You will be assigned to the reclamation team and will henceforth be part of the planetary defense forces until your sentence is served."

The hammer fell, and the chains that held Ilse's legs loosened. She was free, she had been released from those shackles. However, she also understood what this meant, the words the procurator had spoken to her. To go to the other side of that portal and make contact with the humans on the other side. In her chest she began to feel a warmth that told her that perhaps, finally, something was changing.

[X]

The meeting was not over.

The trial had only been half the reason, a trial that could be conducted by any sheriff at any other time. But time was pressing, and they had to quickly come to a decision on what to do with the portal and the humans on the other side.

The procurator held up a data slate to read its contents, then tapped it with one of his fingers and the scribes disappeared beneath the floor, they would enter their hibernation state again, they didn't need to write down what would be said next.

"So... I guess the time has come to decide what to do..." Said the merchant guild nobleman. "I have said it before and I will say it again; we must harness the resources of that world and use them to rebuild our own. It is a golden opportunity that has presented itself to us in our time of greatest need, we could rebuild in as little as a few decades."

The stubby man rose awkwardly from his seat, a servant was pouring amasec into a goblet that covered his pudgy fingers. "You merchants only look out for your own interests. What about us? What guarantees that we are not heading for a demon world? The inquisition will burn us alive if they find out about this!"

"Put your paranoia aside, Crornelio!" Bishop Vicent, a man of already advanced age, his body maintained even by his will and the help of Mars' adepts, reprimanded him. "Cruxis Vera has proven his loyalty to the God-Emperor in the Crusade for the Sabbat worlds. Furthermore, no matter how hard my deacons and battle sisters searched, there is no residue of empirical taint on the structure. We have also triple blessed it. I am more inclined to think that these creatures are xenos in origin, vile creatures trying to mock the sacred human form."

One man, dressed in guard garb and garlands on his chest, rose to speak. "At all this we have not yet secured the other side. These 'titans' have not dared to advance to this side again, but if we are to initiate a campaign we must act as soon as possible."

"I concur..." Spoke Victor Rive, Brethren of the Sword of his own squad. "My castellan lord has charged me with this task of continuing the crusade in this world and beyond. It is not in my wishes to wait for the enemy to make the first move. Have you already tried to locate that world in the galaxy?"

A blind man stood up, but his blindness was cause for quality among his kind. Still, Victor looked at him disapprovingly, but guarded his words. "From the star map we've made, we think it's in the westernmost part of the Segmentum Pacificus, near the halo zone. We estimate that it would take us twenty-two months to get there, and that's without taking into account the warp storms that abound today more than ever. This gate would allow us to get there in just a few hours."

There was a murmur, nobles and officers quietly discussing such a discovery, some attributing it to sorcery, others to lost technology. Whatever the case, it was obvious that it had brought something that could change the entire sector.

"We can't travel there. We only have one battlegroup left and the segmentum fleet is too busy keeping the ruinous powers at bay." A naval officer spoke, the blue of the imperial navy painted on his uniform. "You will have to use the same portal if you wish to travel there."

Some disapproved of this suggestion, others considered it. However, the word was still in the possession of the admiral of the navy. "By the way, who will be our commander-in-chief for this campaign? I think Lord Rive is best suited for the task."

There was unanimous approval, an Astartes would always be considered a natural commander, and would be handed command and control of any army. Victor Rive did not balk at such an honour, the Castellan had given him a task after all: 'Continue the crusade'.

"How many forces do I have at my disposal?" asked the Astartes.

"Two regiments, my lord." Announced the general of the guard. "The 107th Harakon War Hawks and the 45th Brimlock Dragoons. Plus, various companies of the planetary defense forces. However, the latter have been heavily decimated and the Hawks are at half capacity. You have about twenty thousand guards, three companies of Leman Russ battle tanks, plus transport and attack ships of the Imperial navy."

"That's far less than the minimum needed to conquer a planet..." Grunted the space marine.

"Considering the forces of this world, as well as how weak these creatures are to our weapons fire, I believe we could establish ourselves on the other side with no problem, my lord. At least until the fleet could reach us." Imperial Guard General Nichasius Martencz told him.

"So be it then." Victor replied. "This Crusade will be in the name of the Empire. We will wipe these creatures from the face of this galaxy!"

[X]

A hundred years ago, this island had become a paradise, a bastion... and a prison.

Fed up with the war, the violence, the senseless bloodshed, the ruler of the former Eldian Empire, Karl Fritz, had decided to put an end to it all. And so, he had created the three walls that would protect what was left of Eldia.

And at the same time, the outside world continued to move forward while Paradis remained in the doldrums. Marley had taken his place in the world, and, fearful that the ancient Eldian empire would return, they had filled the island with thousands of Eldians-turned-titans, condemning them to wander in complete darkness for eternity.

For this reason, it had been decided that two 'guards' would remain in the small harbour built decades ago. They would communicate by radio, sporadically alerting Marley to any details. For years this had been the case, with the 'demons' trapped in the walls it had become an almost banal and boring routine.

However, that day they jumped when they heard something on the radio. "In... no... mine imperator... hominis... idente vosi..."

They didn't understand that language, moreover, it was impossible for something like that to happen. For a moment they thought it was a ship from some country trying to make contact with the island, but the sonar detected nothing. Then, the idea that the demons on the island might have developed radio technology popped into their minds. The demons were acquiring radio technology, and that alone meant that it was very likely that they would be able to eliminate the island titans and escape from this prison island. They had quickly reported it to Marley's high command.

However, what happened the next day filled them with terror.

Earlier that day, it had come to them.

A floating skull, reinforced with metal and strange lights coming out of its eyes. It was utterly macabre to see, like the soul in pain of some wretch dedicated to terrorizing the living.

Then, the skull spoke, no, it emitted a message.

"Imperium partem hominum. Nomina sua daem."

The message had static, but it was understandable. Yet it was impossible for them to understand the thing. In panic, one of the guards had taken his rifle and fired a burst of automatic fire. The bullets managed to hit the skull, and it fell to the ground, motionless. There were still those terrifying lights in its eyes, but this time they had changed from a green from beyond the grave, to a red that promised rage and retribution, after a few minutes it died and the guards were quick to make a distress call, begging to be evacuated from this island of demons as quickly as possible.

[X]

Willy Tybur had been staring at the object on the table for several minutes now, lost in contemplation and thought. His mind was trying to tie up loose ends and untie knots, trying to find a logical reason for what was in front of him. He knew the truth of the Eldians, not the truth of the demons on the island, but the truth of the last king of Eldia and how it was he who had saved the world.

That was why he knew that what he was seeing was simply impossible. In a hundred years it was impossible that Paradis would be able to create such technology, his king would not allow it. What's more...

To think that Paradis' technology had surpassed them by hundreds of years...

A skull, or what looked like a human skull, capable of levitating above the ground and communicating. It had no propeller, no turbine, not even a source of hot air. And the closest thing it had to an engine was impossible to understand, not even Marley's best engineers had been able to decipher how such a device could levitate so precisely and in total silence.

All they had found on the skull was a gold-plated mark with a skull cut in half with a human and a mechanical-looking design. Plus, texts engraved on a microscopic level that were impossible to make out.

Had the Eldians finally become real demons?

"We have already begun to gather the military for a campaign to take over the island. There are countries that are willing to help..." Maggath began to say, the general soon spoke of a list of allied nations that would offer them troops and supplies to support in the war. "The eastern alliance has partially ceased hostilities, we hope to be able to enter into peace negotiations with them."

"Yes... well, that's good..."

"Mister Tybur..." Maggath tried to call out to him, but the most powerful man in Marley had been quiet, too quiet. "Is something bothering you?"

Willy sighed. "Aside from a possible end of the world... something else that bothers me... Our Warriors are still out there. We should contact them and order them to return."

Maggath shook his head. "They don't have radios, and we can't send a team to look for them with so many titans infesting the island. You'll have to trust your intuition and get back as soon as possible."

"Then they are on their own..."

Maggath no longer said anything.

[X]

Planetary defense forces were the first line of defense against enemy invasion. Whether Xeno or traitor, it was their job to fight for their world. However, it could not be said that these soldiers would be able to repel, or even win against an invasion. They were nothing more than cannon fodder, expendable sacrifices so that the enemy wave would break against them and the world could hold out, at least long enough to alert planets in nearby systems, or with luck perhaps a regiment of the Imperial Guard would be dispatched in time to save this world. The Empire was not worried about losing a few worlds in order to destroy any Xeno or Heretic foolhardy enough to launch an offensive in defiance of a galaxy-spanning empire.

Some worlds could force their population into this army that could encompass millions of souls ready for slaughter. Others, a little more sensitive, would allow a little freedom for young men eager for adventure and action to serve the God-Emperor, and offer their lives for humanity in a hostile galaxy.

Andrew had been one of the latter, inspired by the service of his father and grandfather, he had enlisted in the army of Cruxis Vera, just as his ancestors had done for sixteen generations. He dreamed of one day being selected for the Imperial Guard, just as his great-grandfather had been, but only the best ten thousand soldiers would be chosen from an army of twenty-five million.

He unbuckled his belt and checked to make sure his equipment was complete. The batteries of his las-rifle were charged, his M-37 model laser rifle was clean and well maintained, the bayonet was sharp and his flak armor was securely fastened. He reached over to his bunk bed and pulled out a small Imperial Aquila that he held on a chain. A memento from his father that he said his grandfather had given him as a good luck charm, passed down from father to son for years and years.

His father had been among the few who had survived the civil war, the uprising of heretics from the west who clamoured for equality but simply wanted to seize power for themselves. The long war had cost the PDF dearly, and of twenty-five million there were little more than two hundred thousand left, most of this exterminated in the battle for Hive San Leon, where a hail of atomic fire had wiped them all out there, shortly before the Astra Militarum finally arrived on the planet to reinforce them.

He kept the amulet around his neck. Now it was his turn to serve, even if the war was over, there seemed to be another one in the making. Up there, where the nobles live, it was said that a new enemy had appeared, and the officers had ordered them to prepare, for this was not over.

His companion and friend approached him, tossing the canteen to him, his smile unamused, reflecting confidence. Miliano had always gotten him out of tight spots he had no idea how to get out of, his mind trying to formulate a strategy was sometimes slow to find the best way out. Was it because he thought about it too much? Or had the scholarly mania he had inherited from his mother stuck with him? He didn't understand or care much, sinking into books was a passion he found pleasurable, but if there was one poison that gripped him it was the fantastic stories his father and mother had told him as a child. About the children of the emperor who had liberated mankind, the angels of death who descended from the heavens to bring doom upon the enemies of mankind, it had been no more than once that he had been reprimanded for hiding a book in his uniform.

"Smuggling letters again?" joked Miliano who did not move away from the bag he was carrying. "It's time to go. They want us up there, word is something big is coming. There are even rumours of an Astartes commanding this time."

"An Astartes?" Andrew said in awe and fascination, "What would an Astartes command when the war is already over?"

"No idea, but if it's true then it will be something I want to see. Don't forget your rations, they won't give us anything until tonight." He walked out, his sack ready and full. Apparently they were being mobilised to the top of the hive. There were rumours of a new base to be built.

He got his sack ready and came out too, as well as dozens more and more soldiers who were also being moved.

[X]

Jackson looked again at the company under his command, ten Chimera ready to move in, they would be the second to enter, they would leave it to the PDF to spearhead this operation. The bunker that contained the portal was sealed, thick titanium doors protecting it from anyone trying to enter, or leave. Purity seals and God-Emperor markings everywhere. He had heard the rumours, of the giants. Moreover, he dared to issue a challenge. Those monsters would not be able to hurt his Dragoons and mechanized infantry. The Leman Russ tanks were already ready and waiting for any target.

Still, he could not help but cast a glance at the young woman who would accompany them. Ilse, she had been called, Ilse Langnar. And it was said that she came from the other side of the portal, that there were humans there and they were desperate for help. She had not been given a weapon, but she had been ordered to be escorted.

He didn't give the matter much thought. Just another mission for his company to accomplish. Make contact with the people of the walls and bring that world into the Emperor's fold.

A sound was heard, and then he watched as the heavy, thick doors began to open to make way for that 'portal' that connected them to another planet.

[X]

Zora turned and reversed to return to the Tauros. The all-terrain vehicle well known for its lightness and maneuverability. Her grav-chute made a soft whirring sound as it let the spirit machine rest. She had been hovering for a few minutes, waiting for the Brimlock Dragons to finally start moving.

It was a long line after all.

The guard regiments had been sent out in their entirety, they were not bound to this world after all. But only a few thousand PDF soldiers would be the vanguard. She felt sorry for them, if they failed to handle the situation they would be slaughtered and most likely the guard would come to the rescue. She didn't mind the latter, but she knew they wouldn't hold out for long since they weren't experienced enough to deal with ultra-mundane enemies.

"Sergeant, we're all set." An officer from another squadron announced to her. She then gave the order to the pilot to get moving.

They began to move, one by one the vehicles entered the portal. There were no sightings of these giants nearby, the probes had announced it that way, they had probably lost interest.

The inside of the portal was black as night, a darkness that seemed to engulf everything. Several guards entered with a prayer on their lips, distrust of such artifacts was natural after all. Soon she too raised a prayer as they entered the unknown.

[X]

Exhausted.

That is the word he would consider the best to describe the current situation.

Exhausted, yes, but unlike all the other times, this time the deaths of his comrades had served a purpose, their deaths had meant something. For this day they finally knew something about the titans and had secured Eren Jaeger, the future of humanity within the walls.

However, this day had also brought with it situations that he did not understand. And it had begun when a single red flare had painted the sky coming from the most forward vanguard. He had not marked the color used by the flares, so protocol dictated that it was an emergency. Erwin Smith, who was already quite exhausted and wounded, had the strength to command his men to investigate what it was. But just as he was about to give the order, a sound, no, several sounds like thunderclaps were heard in the distance. Explosions like cannons came from up ahead. Had reinforcements been sent to them? Cannons even? Heavy weaponry was already difficult to transport, and mounting them already posed a risk in titan-controlled land.

It was then that a messenger from the vanguard arrived, his face drained of blood and pale as a ghost. He saluted and introduced himself, but his name was irrelevant as he delivered his message.

"Dozens of fresh titan corpses found ahead."

Erwin could find no logic to this. Even if reinforcements had been sent to them, making a difference as such using cannons to kill so many titans was impossible. The cannons would be too inaccurate fired from the ground and reloading them was simply improbable.

But still, the corpses of disintegrating titans attested to that. Dozens and dozens, dead one after another. He noticed how none of them seemed to be the product of some soldier's swords, but of precise and direct artillery fire.

Who could accomplish such a feat? He could not help wondering. His men around him watched the carnage with apprehension and curiosity. Part of them happy that the monsters were dead, but part of them wary of anything powerful enough to wipe out so many.

They had been so entertained by the dead titans that they did not notice a huge body of over seven meters leap up with astonishing agility and swiftly engulf one of them. The wretch's legs were still kicking, screaming inside the beast's maw begging for mercy. The titan stood up, its legs moving to search for more prey.

A pair of scouts were ready to fire their hooks and slit its throat when a golden light appeared. A bolt of energy had been fired, aimed at the back of the titan's neck. A dizzying explosion followed as the titan was decapitated by this same beam of light, its blood and flesh simply vaporising under the power of such an attack. The body of the beast fell to the ground, dead, just like that. There was no explanation, a titan had been struck down so simply as if it were just a nuisance.

Erwin ordered them to stop, to be on the lookout for a new enemy that might be near. The thought of another titan shifter filled him with apprehension. They had nothing left to fight with, barely enough gas to scale the walls.

A gallop alerted Erwin that another messenger was approaching, this one could barely breathe or speak, but he delivered his message nonetheless. "A large structure at least thirty metres ahead." He told her. "Also... There are things there that we have no idea what it could be. They're killing the Titans with strange armoured vehicles!"

"Repeat, soldier!" Levi who was standing next to him ordered.

"They're people!" She exclaimed. "Humans! They're coming out of that structure and they're attacking the titans. I've seen them kill titans with beams of light similar to the one you just saw."

"Snap out of it." Levi threatened. "That's impossible, there can't be another human outside the walls."

It was then that an object, something totally unknown to them, flew across the sky. It was made of metal and fire was coming from several places in it. The flying object stopped in mid-air, as if floating, then circled around them for a few minutes until it retreated again. A burst of automatic fire shot from its nose, they did not see what it had fired at.

"Your orders, Erwin." Levi, his voice colder than usual, asked him.

"Are you absolutely sure they're human?" Erwin asked the messenger once more.

"Yes, sir! I saw them with my own eyes. They wear totally different armour and uniforms and their weapons fire beams of golden light. I saw a group of ten of them take down a titan and finish it off using these weapons."

"Is such a thing really possible? Levi asked.

"I don't know..." Erwin stared at the flying object that was no longer visible, "All we can do is try to establish contact."

"And what's to stop them from just attacking us?" Levi growled. "They could be enemies too, trying to conquer us. You want to make another bet, Erwin?"

The commander didn't answer and simply stated his next orders.

[X]

Andres ran to safety behind the Chimera, his squad was behind him and trying to stay calm despite being surrounded by man-eating giants. The chimera where they were taking cover turned the turret and 50mm autocannon fire ripped through a twelve metre titan, the heavy caliber explosive rounds ripped its body apart from the inside and the weak point was shredded. The giant fell to the ground, right on top of another four-meter giant.

They had deployed in platoons, each of these tightly disciplined formations ordered by their officers to hold the line, either by their angry shouts or by the menacing bolter pistol of the commissar looking down on them from behind. They had been the first to see blood, only a Pegasus vehicle accompanied by two salamanders had gone out in front of the infantry. Their weapons clearing the path of the giant beasts that had rushed to wait at the exit in an attempt to devour them. These three vehicles were reconnaissance vehicles, but their armament made them capable of engaging armour, and their speed gave them an advantage against an enemy simply unable to engage them at range. Heavy autocannon fire from the salamanders had claimed the first kill, and these were followed by the pegasus opening fire with its heavy bolter.

Normally, an enemy the size of titans should be countered with super heavy weaponry, or if necessary, a titan god machine. But the weakness of these beings, their inability to react to threats and the total lack of ranged attacks made them easy targets for heavy weapons. However, even so, an imperial guard would be at a distinct disadvantage against these monsters.

A shout drew his attention to see how one of the giants had caught another PDF soldier and bitten his head off. A cannonball from a Leman Russ blew it to pieces, avenging the unfortunate man's death.

Qortez, the lieutenant of his company, forced them to leave the cover of the chimera and fight. He formed them up and prepare to fire at an enemy 20 feet tall.

"Volley fire! Fire!" Dozens of laser rifles opened fire in unison, and the giant's neck was cut, he staggered and fell. This was the advantage of the volley fire, combined, a wall of laser fire was lethal.

"How many of these things are here?" He heard Miliano say as he opened fire with the lasrifle mowing down another monster. The latter was shot down by another round of lascannon fire.

Really, how much longer would this last? These giants, these monsters. They came by the dozens, incapable of fear or any survival instinct. Their only goal was to devour human beings. They were clumsy and easy to fool, yet there were some who could avoid going after a battle tank and would rather assault a squad of guards or PDFs posted as a more promising snack. It was these who had already claimed the lives of fifteen PDF soldiers and two Imperial guardsmen.

Andrew watched as a new group of titans were stopped by the combined fire of the Brimlock Dragoons' autocannons, and were supported by two Leman Russ of the Eradicator type, their twin linked autocannons unleashing a storm of high velocity heavy fire reducing the enemy to little more than mincemeat.

Three Sentinels surged forward. With speed that none of the giants could match, they ran in a spin, using their agility and speed to avoid those trying to catch it. He fired his multi-lasers, mowing down the legs of one of ten meters.

[X]

"Those people... they are fighting the titans... and they are... winning?" Armin could hardly believe it. These beings, these humans, who were coming out of that strange structure, were actually keeping the titans at bay. An entire horde that was trying to devour them.

"Who are they?" asked Connie beside him. "Are they one of ours?"

"I don't think they can be..." Jean replied. "Look at them, look at their weapons. We don't have anything that can compare to that."

Another titan fell, their numbers dwindling, only a few were left. They watched as one of those chariots that moved without horses released torrents of flame that incinerated the titans, they kept moving forward despite being on fire, soon they were nothing more than walking skeletons falling like puppets on severed strings.

"What kind of army or civilisation can create such devastating weapons?" Hange asked herself extremely excited. "We must make first contact! Let's go now!" She would have galloped off at full gallop if it hadn't been for Levi stopping her by grabbing her cloak.

"Probably a civilisation that has spent too much time killing each other..." Levi watched more of those golden beams vaporize titans, some making them disappear. "...Erwin, what the hell are you do-?" More stopped as he saw what his commander was doing.

He was smiling.

A smile covered his face, like someone who had found a treasure, a longing. It was a chilling smile, almost obsessive...

"What on earth are you smiling for?"

Erwin escaped his stupor, his mind back to the battlefield. But still remembering what his father had told him several years ago. The possibility that there were humans outside the walls, that out there humanity might be alive and better yet, that they were flourishing.

The presence of the strangers more than two kilometres away from them further reinforced that theory. The power they possessed, a power that made a fool of even the armoured titan.

"Erwin, what the hell do we do now?" Levi asked again.

"Check to see if they are hostile and what their objective is. Prepare a white flag and a couple of messengers."

[X]

By the time they had reached the small hill, under a tall oak tree, the strangers were already there. The scouts could hardly believe their eyes when they saw a vehicle hovering above the ground unaided. There were heavy armoured cars that moved on their own. From these a group of soldiers in different and strange uniforms were coming out to form up. When they arrived they saw a man in an extremely gallant uniform come out, as if he were some kind of nobleman commanding an army. However, the man's face, posture and aura gave the impression that he was not like the nobles inside the wall Sina, no, there was something about him that awakened the instinct of a soldier, as if they had the Pixis commander himself in front of them.

But all this was overshadowed by the beings standing beside the man.

They would have been mistaken for titans, their size already triggering multiple alerts in the scouts. These two beings clad in black armour gazed at them silently, as if measuring their worth. Levi noticed that they wore on those huge shoulder pads a white-coloured cross, a gold-plated bird on their breastplates and a strange stylized I like a medallion around their necks. He tried to make sense of these symbols, trying to discover some origin in them and find out more about these armed beings.

It had taken them a while to notice a woman standing next to the general. Her legion scout uniform was damaged, but it was also clean and pressed. She stood at attention and saluted with her heart in her hand, but she did not open her mouth.

"Greetings, natives of this planet. In the name of the God-Emperor of mankind we welcome you." The general assigned to the guard spoke, however, his words had not been understood, the natives were silent, trying to figure out what he had said.

"Ah, yes, my apologies. Ilse Langnar. Do your job." He ordered the one who would now serve as interpreter between the two civilizations. She obeyed and delivered the message to the commander of the scouting legion. Erwin was still stunned at what was happening right now, but he found a way to snap out of it.

"God-Emperor... You... come from beyond the walls?"

"You might say so... My name is Nichasus Martencz, general of these regiments you see. And this is Lord Victor Rive, Space Marine of the Black Templar and current leader and commander-in-chief of this campaign."

Ilse translated the general's words and saw the astonishment and confusion growing even greater in the scouts. However, Commander Erwin's eyes sparkled, as if a treasure he had sought for years was finally in front of him. Excited, Erwin tried to ask more questions.

"How did you get here? We thought humanity was extinct and we were the last ones on this world."

Ilse relayed the words and the general replied. "That may be the case considering you have remained isolated from the rest of the galaxy, humanity lives for countless trillions, and thrives across millions of worlds under the reign of the God-Emperor."

Hearing Ilse's translation, one of the scouts could no longer contain himself. This was Hange Zoe, Captain of the legion and second in command. "Trillions!? Did you say Trillions!? How can there be so many? Where are they? How can you travel between worlds...?"

Before she could bombard the general with more questions she was held down by Levi who covered her mouth as she screamed. Moblit and a couple more soldiers helped carry her back to the rest of the regiment waiting on the hill.

"My apologies for that." Levi mentioned as he used a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

"I suppose it's a natural reaction." Said the general "But I think we should focus on the heart of the matter. Lord Rive, would you like me to give the news?" He had addressed the huge being behind them, one with a clear rank between the two. The latter nodded, and brought his hands to his helmet, and with a depressurizing sound it revealed his face. That he looked human was unbelievable to the natives of this world, he was not like a titan, there were no monstrous features, just a pale face with white skin.

The Astartes secured his helmet to his belt and took a couple of steps forward, the ground itself vibrating slightly under his weight. He brought both fists to his chest to make the symbol of the Aquila and spoke. "We have come to this world through that structure you look at... That portal. We don't know how it appeared, but dozens of those creatures crossed through there until they reached the other side, connected to the hive world of Cruxis Vera. They caused damage on the nobles of that world and it was decided that a reclamation campaign under my command would be launched."

"Reclamation..." Erwin spoke. "You mean you have come to reclaim... something?"

"This world..." The Black Templar declared. "Under the authority of the Adeptus Astartes, I declare that this planet be brought back into the fold of humanity under the shadow of the God-Emperor."

The words had struck hard in Erwin's mind. This went beyond the titans themselves, or the secrets of that basement. The Templar's statement in front of him was a reason for a turning point in the history of mankind. To finally be free of the titans and disappear them from the world, but on the other hand there was a price to pay, that of having masters they did not know and it was impossible to know if they would be dictators or tyrants.

Levi was the first to speak to clear his doubts. "Wait. What do you mean? Are you asking us to join this Empire and swear allegiance to your Emperor... What do we gain from that and what will we pay in return?"

"A tithe..." Answered the Astartes. "...and in return you will have the protection of the God-Emperor. Not only in His blessing, but in technology and resources that will be given to you. In return you will respond with the resources of your world which will depend on what the Administratum discusses with your leaders. The Imperium does not care how you govern your world, as long as you can deliver your Tithe."

"But... What can we offer you?" Erwin replied. "What could we possibly have of value that you do not? Your technology surpasses us, and our farming fields have been decimated."

"Soldiers..." Victor announced. "Even the most primitive worlds can offer something, and it is regiments for the Imperial Guard. Soldiers to be sent to wars in the name of the God-Emperor."

At the Space Marine's response Erwin found himself weighing his options. There were only a little over half a million people left inhabiting the walls, forming a regiment would take years and a lot of resources. It was hard enough to find new recruits, plus he still didn't know many details about this tithe. Worse, would it be worth the lives of those who would be sent to die in distant battles? After years of massacres, after horrors and thousands of deads, he could hardly imagine ordering these soldiers to go and fight for an Emperor they did not know, for an empire that could conquer them effortlessly if it wanted to.

"I think this matter should be taken up with the highest-ranking figure. And that is King Fritz." Erwin finally mentioned. "We have just come out of a hard battle against an enemy we do not know. My men need medics and some rest."

"I understand that, and it's the best option. But as an act of good faith, we will allow your troops to rest and recuperate here. Our Medicae will take care of your wounded. Leave them with the general, Erwin. You come with me, we must discuss and clarify things at this time."

The Astartes turned away, walking back towards the base. Shortly after, the other officers did the same and followed. The scouts were the last to follow, over the tree, one of the latter signaling with the blades of his sword, delivering a message. Soon, those remaining on the hill also followed them towards the camp.

[X]

Erwin Smith felt a warmth in his wound, it no longer hurt, but it was a strange sensation. The armored woman at his side moved the blades and needles in her fingers with ease, suturing and cleaning the flesh and skin. The needles in her fingers injected him with liquids he didn't know about, but Ilse Langnar had explained that they were medicines to speed up the body's blood production, cleanse infections, and so on.

"A cybernetic prosthetic wouldn't hurt, Commander." Ilse translated for him.

"Prosthetics?"

"Something like this..." One of the guard officers removed his dark-skinned glove and revealed a hand made entirely of metal. The servos stretched and purred softly.

The leader of the Black Templar poured himself a glass of Amasec and took a piece of meat that a servant was holding. This servant then approached Erwin with an offer of the cooked cuts of meat, which he respectfully declined, preferring a taste of the amber-coloured liquor that his hosts drank. There were five in the room, including him, all men; the Astartes and the general who had already introduced themselves were seated in cushioned armchairs covered with silver velvet. There were two others, one who looked like an officer, sumptuous and piercing. A sword rested resting on its side, the hilt worn from use, his uniform more colourful than the general's, though no more so than the other beside him. He smelled of nobility, the kind one would find in the higher strata of society within the Sina wall. His condescending gaze was not that of a warrior, but of a cunning that a fox should have. The latter helped himself to the meat the servant was carrying, refilled his cup with liquor and turned to Ilse to translate.

"The beasts in this world are certainly appetizing. Their meat is entirely usable and there is room for some genetic modifications to increase their productivity."

"Beasts?" Did he mean the livestock that had been abandoned after the evacuation to Rose Wall? Certainly there was a strong possibility that the cattle had survived on their own, the titans were interested in nothing but consuming humans, they ignored everything else.

"It's a pity we didn't have time to set up a more formal meeting." The general spoke, Ilse translated for him. "This is Rodolf Terrenos, leader of the trade guild in Cruxis Vera."

"So you come from there? Where is this place?" Erwin asked, certainly with curiosity.

"That will be a difficult thing to answer." Rudolf replied. He poured himself another glass of Amasec and opened a curtain. "I guess that's the answer." He said, pointing towards the giant construction just over thirty meters tall. "That thing... that portal brought us here. It connects to their home world, Cruxis Vera. One of the many worlds of the Empire."

The thick titanium gates opened heavily, and trucks arrived with troops and supplies, it was far more than the walls could even dream of providing. He wondered how that tithe was going to work, how much they would have to pay and how they would organize it.

"Your world..." Erwin contemplated the soldiers marching alongside those armoured cars that moved on their own. "Is it like this one?"

"It was... It was a beautiful place..." The nobleman took a few seconds to refill his glass. "...But war changes everything. I'm sure you know that better than anyone."

"I can't deny it." Erwin said and handed the cup back to the servitor who was pouring them. "So, what's it to be? What's your objective here?"

"Resources, trade, mutual benefit. I think those would be the main reasons. Though it doesn't rule out the fact of an annexation in the future."

"Annexation?"

"A meeting..." An officer answered him, the emblem of his regiment showing on his honours. "In time, the Empire will take this world under its wing. You will have benefits and obligations. For as human beings, it is only natural that we ally ourselves to face a hostile galaxy."

"Hostile... What could that be? What kind of enemies does humanity have besides these abominations that prowl outside these walls?"

"There are things out there beyond reason... monsters whose bloodlust is endless." The silent anger in the Black Templar transmitted itself to the metal cup between his fingers, barely and barely perceptible resistance of the gold yielding to the clasp of his gauntlet. "The creatures of this world are hardly a nuisance to the Empire."

"That I can believe." Erwin said. "Then... I think this needs to be communicated to our King. I am only a general, one of several. My authority has limits, I can give you my support, but the rest will be up to our own King to decide what will happen."

"So be it." Victor had already switched to another cup, raised it in a sign of approval and toasted. "Prepare the procession. We leave first tomorrow morning."

[X]

It was a beautiful, dark sight to see the bodies of titans falling, dead, slain. Even the fastest, beasts that could even match the speed of a trained horse, were stopped in their tracks by accurate laser cannon blasts fired from emplacements built in a few hours by the servants of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Towers of over twenty metres towering above the tallest of the titans. The Ferrocrete, as the Imperials had called it, felt like a mass of pure iron rather than concrete. Armin doubted that even the armoured titan could bring down a gate built of this material.

The great artillery piece in his hands felt like something only centuries of military engineering could have created. It was called 'Bolt', fired by the massive heavy Bolter that a pair of imperial guards were assembling to offer their fire to the killing fields that was the now titan graveyard. A third was preparing the heavy boxes of ammunition he had brought from the powder magazine behind the makeshift ferrocrete walls created not long ago. How had they created a weapon capable of firing so many rounds in such a short time? And that was just one of many weapons at the empire's disposal. With such a massively vast arsenal it was madness to even think of attacking them, though of course the titans lacked any sanity whatsoever.

And so the day had come to an end, the sun sapping the titans of their energy to keep moving. Several of them lay down as the sun's precious energy moved away from them.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" He heard Eren who had also been watching the death of titan after titan approaching. On his face a sort of cold grin drew satisfaction. "They drop like insects. Just imagine what we could accomplish with these weapons... we could avenge the death of all those we have lost. We would finally exterminate them all."

"Yes... but I can't help but wonder... what will they do when all the titans are gone?"

"What do you mean?"

Armin returned the bolter round to its place in the ammo box. "I mean... they could simply take power and rule over us. After all, they have the ability to do so."

"But in the end, would that matter?"

Armin could hardly understand why Eren had said those words. Was it treason? Was Eren's vengeance deep enough to wash his hands in the blood of his allies? For a moment Armin felt that all they had accomplished, had been in vain.

"It is clear that they will."

His friend's words brought him back to reality, the thoughts again with that look they told him when the brown-haired youth was sure of something. "How can you be sure?" He asked him somewhat curious yet intrigued. His nature spoke again for his reason.

"I don't know..." Was all his best friend said. And he would have tried to probe further, to try to understand the boy's psyche had it not been for the footsteps of his other best friend, Mikasa Ackerman, who was walking towards them with a tray and six metal mugs, steaming and whetting the appetite. On the tray was also bread, warm, freshly baked. The Imperial guardsmen who had been readying the heavy bolter stepped forward to each take a hot cup, also taking some bread and giving her some words that the girl did not understand, but which she could only assume to be a thank you. She approached the pair of scouts and offered them. Curiosity struck the blond again, eager to taste what these other humans had brought with them. Eren did the same, more out of hunger than mere curiosity, for him it was just food, rations.

"This is... soup... It tastes strange, but I don't dislike it."

"It's a stew." Mikasa spoke. "They took it from the meat of the cattle that survived outside the walls. That's what I understood."

"Where would they get so much meat? There are thousands here." Eren drank from the cup, it would have burned if he hadn't sipped it.

"Without predators the livestock must have multiplied rapidly. And there's enough grass to support themselves." Again Armin would bring out his analytical side. Trying to understand and comprehend what was around him.

"Sasha must have loved this..." Eren laughed at the idea. "I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to sneak off to get another cup.

"In fact, she tried... and ended up tied up and naked. One of the Imperials almost shot her, if Captain Levi hadn't intervened." Mikasa said in her monotone and almost emotionless tone.

"Is Sasha all right?"

"She was naked and crying, but she's alive. I guess that'll take the gluttonous out of her, at least a little."

They heard a wave of noises and turned to the sky, which is where it was coming from. A group of three flying vehicles was leaving the base again. It was the tenth of the day. They had been flying at intervals, taking turns between squadrons. Another group of three such vehicles were also returning, and as the first squadron passed them they waved their wings in a salute.

They were followed by a column of armoured ground vehicles. They had discovered that they were called Chimeras, they were heavy and heavily armed, but could move as fast as a horse and sometimes outrun them by little more. They were used to transport troops, protected by the armour of the vehicle.

Behind them appeared two dozen of these two-legged vehicles, they looked extremely strange being able to walk like a fowl. But none could deny that they were fast, faster even than the Chimera, and their flexibility allowed them to move over terrain that even horses could not access.

These mechanical walkers stepped forward and separated from the Chimera. Each carried the weapons the Empire had brought. They were going on another hunt, to kill more titans.

"They've been like this all day." Armin said. "How many do you think they've killed so far?"

"I've never seen them come back with casualties. A couple of hours ago they came in with a wounded man, he had lost both legs, but the medics said he would survive." Mikasa looked at the broth left in her soup.

"And they've been travelling in coordination with the Scouts." Eren kept smiling, revenge burning in his eyes, the satisfaction of watching his nemesis die like insects, ironically as they had been losing their comrades. That smile was starting to get on his nerves, his friend seemed to ignore it all in pursuit of relieving his resentment. "I wonder... if we could join them."

Armin had choked at the words, a quick jab from Mikasa had made him catch his breath. Yet still what he had said seemed too much. Even Mikasa was disgruntled, incredulous at such a sentence. She held Eren by the shoulders, concern on her face, just as her stepmother had years ago.

"Eren! Why do you want to join them?" Hysterical, perhaps that could be called, and at the same time frightened at such a possibility.

Eren pushed her away, annoyed, that kind of reaction was sometimes an insufferable one. "Leave me alone!" He said, angry now.

"Eren, tell us, why would you want to join this empire? We don't know anything about them, we don't know if they are doing all this with any purpose in mind." Armin shared Mikasa's idea. "For all we know, they are a civilization with a huge number of worlds under their control. How can we be sure they don't want to conquer this one?"

"Why do you think they're coming to conquer us?" Eren replied. "Look around you, Armin. We are losing this war; we have been losing it for centuries. The titans have reduced us to living locked inside walls, like cattle. And suddenly, we finally have a chance to fight back, to wipe them out and make them pay for our fallen comrades."

Armin looked him in the eye, he was tired, he wished he hadn't had this discussion. Eren was right in his logic, but Armin couldn't help but think that this Empire brought more than just retribution and salvation.

He heard a buzzing sound, and felt his hair stand on end, as the sky showed him a semi-transparent screen materializing into a dome that enclosed them.

[X]

Erwin dismissed the messenger who had returned. He had sent him during the night, being able to travel much faster thanks to the lanterns the Imperials had provided to light his way. As he read the message he couldn't help but feel the frustration the bureaucracy demanded of him. He knew they would be incompetent, but at this point it was almost a joke.

They didn't know how to react, so he had been instructed, no, ordered, to arrest the Imperials. It was obvious that the king had no idea what they were supposed to do, and even though he had informed them of the Empire's superior technology, they had given him such a crazy order.

"No wonder." General Martencz had told him "Feudal worlds usually have no idea how to deal with us when they are rediscovered. We will send a delegation. Send a messenger ahead of us all and let them know we are coming. I think a taste of what we can do will put some sense into their heads."

And so it had. Erwin gave the message and let the messenger go. For this reason it had been decided that they would travel by land rather than by air as the general had originally planned. He wondered how the citizens would react to seeing them. Fear, uncertainty, or perhaps hope for the future. He didn't know, but he was excited nonetheless. His father's theories had come true, though perhaps not in the way he had hoped, but they had come true, no more, no less. Humans from outside the walls, no, from beyond the stars had come to this world.

[X]

Nichasius Martencz was not new to this kind of campaign. He had already participated in the annexation of a lost world of humanity. Icar had been a world with a people proud of their traditions, their identity and culture. They had long forgotten what was the immortal shadow of the God-Emperor of humanity across the cosmos, and their insolence had cost them their nobility.

He could not help but feel something similar was coming to this occasion, it was already quite obvious that the nobility of these islanders was full of flaws, probably caused by being for so long cut off from the outside world. The threat of the creatures outside the walls seemed to be an excuse, but still one that would not be forgiven, least of all by a Space Marine.

"We should punish their insolence." He heard one of the Astartes say to his commander. And a cold bead of sweat ran down his back. A campaign of conquest, it would not be surprising in the face of the rudeness the nobility of these walls had committed.

"Ignorance is not a sin." He listened in relief to Commander Rive. At least blood would not run, yet. This small civilization would present no problem for the regiments under his command, even if the strange devices behind their backs allowed them incredible mobility, they lacked the ability to defend themselves from laser fire if there was no structure to anchor themselves to. In a hive city they would be highly effective, mobile and fast.

But there was still one factor they had to take into account. The outside. He had heard of Vox transmissions coming from across the sea. From a nation called Marley communicating with others unknown to him. The servitors in charge of translating those transmissions had delivered a report. This nation, and the rest of the world, was preparing for war. More and more soldiers, war machines and resources were arriving every day. They planned to attack this island, the Tech-priest had calculated that it would take three months to amass the forces necessary to, according to Marley, attack the island.

They were aware of this, Marley had denied them any kind of communication. Despite requests for a parley, they had answered them with a single sentence.

"We will not fall into your trap, Eldian Demons."

That had provoked the reaction of the commander-in-chief of this campaign, Victor Rive had destroyed the cogitator and the translator servitor. He didn't understand what was going on, but the campaign would most likely spread. And while the people on these walls would not be a serious problem, a war against an entire planet and with such a limited flow of war material would not be so easy.

Central Command had been preparing the Astropaths to locate this planet in the galaxy more accurately and generate a route for the Rosario battle group that would still take twelve days to reach Cruxis Vera. However, the Cicatrix was twisting among the stars, warp storms plaguing the Emperor's realm. Tracing the route would be extremely difficult.

His aide, Joaquem, waved at the sight of him. Standing at attention beside the entrance to the command Salamander. "Is everything ready?" he asked his aide.

"It is, my general. Lord Rive said he's going in his Storm Speeder to the front."

"Good... Wait for Lord Rive's signal."

Nichasius returned Joaquem's salute and climbed into the Salamander. Inside was Erwin Smith, commander of the scouts' regiment. Beside him were two of his other scouts, Levi Ackerman, he had heard of him. Short in stature, but said to be the most skilled among them. The other beside him was Hanji Zoe, she had spent the entire night talking to the Tech-priest, asking him all sorts of questions. And even though her curiosity had been answered, she still seemed to have energy left, for she kept observing and writing down everything she saw. Ilse Langnar was not to be amiss, she had taken the trouble to learn a little of the language of these people, plus using it would be far more appropriate than bringing a servant behind him all the time.

"Have they responded yet, Smith?"

The commander of the scout regiment looked down in disappointment. "I'm sorry. But it'll take them a while to respond. From what they mentioned they'll be waiting with the military police outside the Sina wall." There was a silence, a question in the air that none of the natives wanted to ask, yet Erwin mustered up the courage to bring it up. "What will you do... if they try to arrest you?"

Martencz was silent for a moment, he knew the answer, and with the response of the island nobles it was more than obvious. If it were he in command of this expedition he would have treated things with a little more tact, but the Black Templars operated under very different codes to his own. Lord Rive had been clear about that.

"Then we will have a pretext to apply force and remove your king." Said the general bluntly. There was no reason to try to soften reality. There was one fundamental fact to this expedition. They had not come to this world to help, but to add to yet another world of the Imperium of Mankind.

"Is it necessary that we have to become enemies over something as trivial as a misunderstanding?" Hange had stopped writing, the tip of her pencil broken. She disliked the idea of fighting humans. She found the idea alien to her, why should they fight each other when there was a terrible enemy out there?

"It's not definite." Nichasius replied. "We'll go after your messenger. Hopefully he will have delivered the message before we get there."

That seemed to have relieved some of the pressure. The natives were clearly reluctant to be overpowered by force. It was to be expected, finding a world where its inhabitants would join the Empire so easily was virtually impossible. That was why there was a procedure, at least as close to one as possible. Patience was a virtue, and the Empire knew it well. It would take years, decades, for these natives to slowly see the benefits of being annexed. In time they would learn the Imperial Creed, and be assigned a level of tithe. But all that had to wait for the situation at hand.

"I have been informed that the population of these abominations has been purged from within the wall by 90%." Announced the general. "Of course, it still remains to search through those vast forests. In a few hours we will proceed to seal the wall, I think considering your history with these giants you would like to witness this. But we have more important matters at hand.

His vox spoke the voice of Lord Rive and with it the order to move forward. The salamander woke its engine, the driver repeated the psalms for the spirit machine and it came to life.

The convoy moved on, a contingent of ten vehicles formed a small line that was being surrounded by the native scouts. In front a black Storm Speeder was advancing at minimum speed. It was time to show these natives that the Empire was their best option.

[X]

Ruth Mikelle did not understand most of the things around her. Her simple mind had earned her position as a soldier of the wall garrison. She had been assigned to Rose after her platoon had been slaughtered at Shinganshina. The traumas that had plagued her had faded with time, though she still prayed that nothing else would happen, prayed that the colossal titan would not reappear and everything would remain as it was. It was selfish, but they simply couldn't risk another war to cleanse the titans from inside Maria's wall.

But even with their prayers something had happened. Headquarters itself had ordered them to stand guard with the military police and arrest the members of the Survey Corps that were about to arrive.

She had no idea why they should be arrested. They had done nothing to justify it, at least in her opinion, for there were people within the walls who blamed the scouts for turning the capital into a war zone with two titans fighting. The situation was complicated, and she had been told nothing more.

"Messenger!" The watcher announced, orange smoke marking the arrival of an informant rising high in the sky. Ruth stood at the top of the wall, saw a rider in scout uniform riding at full speed towards them.

It was then that the military police moved. They moved to the front, waiting for the messenger to come. Ruth found it strange, why would they move several meters ahead to intercept a courier? Was it that they were trying to get the message first? She wouldn't be surprised, the military police were well known for sticking their noses in and silencing dissidents. As a mere guard of the walls, she could not oppose them without punishment.

The rider finally caught up with the military police. Ruth wondered what message he might bring. She opened the pocket on her waistcoat to pull out a small spyglass her father had given her, not as powerful as one of military rank, but enough to allow her to see more clearly what was going on down there.

She watched as the rider handed him a message in the form of a letter. The leader of the military police read it, and after a few minutes, he pulled a pistol from under his clothes and shot the messenger at point-blank range. A small bang came after the man fell dead from his horse. One of the military police took the reins of the horse to guide him back to the wall.

"What the hell is going on?" asked his companion, Martha, who had also seen what had happened. "Why would they kill a messenger? Why with so many witnesses watching them?"

There were two hundred wall guards plus fifty members of the military police. A force created to arrest all members of the Survey Corps. Even if they knew that the scouts numbered no more than 100 members, they were still a force with combat experience, but with this mission it was thought that as always they had suffered heavy casualties.

Ruth decided to go down the wall, to try to find a reason for what had happened. There was already a small group waiting for the military police. Their leader stood at the front, exercising the authority he carried as a military policeman from the interior.

"The scouting regiment has revolted against the king and against our people!" He cried out in fury. "They are on their way, straight to attack us and take this district into their hands! From now on the scouting regiment is declared to be enemies of mankind. All hands to your posts! Prepare to fight!"

Why would the scouts, the force most willing to wipe out the titans, even think of rebelling?

It was then that the lookout shouted again in alarm, pointing into the distance and towards something coming towards them. Ruth also turned to look, and found a plume of smoke and dust coming towards them. She tightened her grip on the ODM equipment and rose to the top of the wall.

What she saw through her spyglass left her stunned, unable to comprehend what was happening in front of her eyes. What was approaching being not titans, but what she could only understand as strange objects approaching.

It was then that she heard a hissing sound, something similar to the scream of a cannonball being fired. But it sounded more sinister, more powerful and deadly.

And right where the commanding officer of the military police had been a few seconds ago, there was only a huge crater fifteen meters in diameter. The officer and his escorts pulverized by an explosion that not even the biggest of their cannons could achieve.

Ruth had realized that she had been caught in a grave mistake, one that would put her life at risk. But the worst thing was that a new force had arrived and they had committed the enormous stupidity of rejecting the only possible way to stop the blood flowing.

[X]

"They have killed the messenger." General Martencz declared dryly. He handed the magnoculars to Erwin to show him what had happened. He found the corpse of the horseman, this tool of the empire allowing him to see how his head had been pierced by a bullet.

"I guess this shows you the reality, Commander Smith."

Erwin averted his eyes from the scene before him. His mind was trying to find a way to avoid a conflict that had already begun. And the worst part was that it hadn't been the Empire that had started it, but the inner military police themselves. But despite having his head filled with a thousand ideas at once, he still had one question he couldn't shake. Why? Why would they kill the messenger? Why would the crown, who controlled the central military police, try to start a conflict with someone they couldn't defeat?

Nichasius brought his hand to the vox in his ear, the words of the leader of this campaign spoke through. With a cold sweat on his brow he nodded. "Understood, Lord Rive."

A vehicle advanced to the front, it carried a huge cannon on its back. When it came to a stop, its crew got out of the vehicle to begin arming the cannon. A large shell was inserted into the cannon, as was a sack of gunpowder later. In a matter of a few minutes the cannon had been primed and was ready to fire.

The rumble was like the thunder that comes after the lightning. Like an angry god unleashing his wrath. The 38kg projectile capable of reaching a distance of dozens of kilometres rose in an instant and took only eight seconds to make impact.

"That was a warning shot. With this we have destroyed what we believe to be their commander." The general looked through his magnoculars at the destruction caused. He weighed it for good measure and nodded. He had at first considered destroying the wall to wipe out everyone there. But there were several cons to that, such as the debris that might block their path, or the cover they could give the now possible enemy.

"We'll keep the Basilisk ready in case they attack again." The general told him. "Is there something you want to tell me, Smith?"

"Please... Don't kill them." Those were Erwin's words. His face defeated not only by the betrayal, but by the weight of the events that were unfolding. And though he was not the perpetrator, the guilt would not leave him.

Martencz rubbed his brow, this was the sort of thing he would rather avoid, he had a duty and he had to do it. "I understand how you feel. And I assure you that if it were not this way I would seek the path of diplomacy. But they have cast the first stone and we must respond accordingly."

The Black Templar Storm Speeder approached the small hill where they stood beneath one of those huge trees, the Salamander left behind on purpose, just to demonstrate to Erwin the reality that he now lived. The leader of this campaign, the one who had given the order to attack. The space marine was now in front of him, looking down on him like a titan, even if he tried to engage him, Erwin knew he could not stand against such a being, the way he moved made it clear, an absolute precision that left no flaw.

It was then that a gunshot rang out, no, that was not a gunshot. The familiar sound reminded Erwin of countless battles against titans, followed moments later by the sound of a harpoon bouncing uselessly off the Space Marine's ceramite.

However, the Astartes moved, much faster than a normal human could, he turned and stretched out his arm just to reach the small harpoon with his gauntlet. Once between his fingers it stretched and spun, the sound of gas being released at maximum pressure became more evident and with the speed of which it was recognised, Captain Levi was approaching.

The Ackerman released the brakes, applying full rotational speed to the small engine of his ODM rig to move at speeds that only someone like him could withstand and handle.

Victor moved his arm again, accepting the challenge, not releasing the harpoon, but pulling it towards him. His superhuman strength giving even more speed to the Ackerman's charge.

Then something happened that the Space Marine did not expect, the man attacking him rose up at an angle that put him on the other side of his guard. A move of incredible acrobatic skill. Levi then spun, like a whirlwind, releasing more and more of it, attacking Victor in a tornado of blades.

The Astartes raised his forearm to resist the storm of blades that sought to kill him.

However, the ceramite of the power armour was not an easy thing to cut through.

Splinters of steel flew as the blades were consumed split before the onslaught. Victor felt the blade reach his skin, there was no pain, he couldn't feel it, just a sense of discomfort.

He decided to act, he had seen enough. His arm stretched out and he felt how he had caught something. In an iron grip he had the mortal who had dared to attack him. His face showed anger as well as hatred towards him. Victor had wanted to watch these natives practice the acrobatics they so clamoured for. Indeed, it was something that had taken him by surprise and made him drop his guard. He was satisfied with that, which was why he had not wanted to kill the mortal.

"You fight well." Victor said to the scout captain.

"Fuck you, you bastard! You attacked our men without any consideration. I knew it. I knew they were coming to conquer us!"

The Astartes laughed and threw the soldier to the ground, it was not mockery, simple entertainment. "We are an Empire, we are always growing and expanding for the good of mankind."

Little had those words done to ease his rage, and he was about to lash out again when he was caught by Hange. His embrace preventing him from getting up, Levi protesting his escape.

"Leave him." Hange begged him. "Don't get us into any more of the trouble we're in now. Watch where we are, Erwin is still there, standing next to the general of these men. He is not their prisoner."

Levi turned to claim his commander. "Erwin! What is the meaning of this?"

Erwin sighed out a breath of air he had been holding for several seconds. He kept quiet for another few seconds more until he decided to face the general.

"General Martencz. I need your help, the help of the Empire."

Nichasius narrowed his eyes, weighing the words of the commander of these natives. "What is it?"

"I ask for your help in staging a coup against the crown and King Fritz."

For more than a minute the general was silent. The Astartes had heard this, but stood silently waiting for the general's words.

"What are your terms, Smith?"

[X]

These past few months Marley had been busy.

Meetings, pacts, negotiations, and more. A mountain of diplomacy the likes of which the world had not seen before. Marley had done everything in its power to consolidate the forces of the entire world against Paradis Island and its now far more dangerous demons. It had been a titanic task, and not an easy one in all this time, months of grueling diplomacy that had sapped the minds of the leaders, not only of Marley, but of the entire world.

The biggest obstacle was the Middle Eastern alliance. Years of tensions had done nothing to help the peace negotiations. There were rumours that they had begun designing anti-Titan weapons, seeking to destroy the threat once and for all. And though it had been nearly impossible, finally the sample of technology taken from the island had opened their eyes.

The Eldians were on their way out. And vengeance was on their minds.

Willy Tybur drank from another glass of liquor and felt the warmth of the drink flood his body. He was not an alcoholic addict, but at times like this he thought that maybe this way he could relieve the stress that had been weighing on him.

It had been a difficult few months, not just for him, but for the whole world. The Tyburs were recognized as heroes to all, yet such fame was becoming a curse as they were the sole mediators between the other nations and Marley's brazen military career spread across the world. At least this day, after bringing in the Middle Eastern alliance, he could try to drown his sorrows somehow.

He was about to pour himself another drink when a firm hand took the bottle from him.

He looked up, trying to see who had dared to deprive him of his liquor. He would have liked to smash his face in, he was in no mood to give another good face and force another smile. He shot up only to find General Theo Maggath standing beside him with the same battle-hardened look on his face.

"You shouldn't be drowning yourself in liquor here." He said to him.

"Shouldn't you be preparing the troops for the invasion?" Tybur replied.

"Just like you it's my day off. I deserve it once in a while too."

Maggath ordered a drink, and the bartender was quick to present it to him. He took his time consuming it, preferring to focus on the taste rather than the simple urge to fill his veins with alcohol.

"We have managed to turn the alliance in our favour..." He said to Maggath, his hand moving to the snack on the table. "The high command sends its thanks to the Tybur family."

William sighed, a sigh of utter weariness and fatigue. "We have accomplished so much... and yet, we know so little of this enemy..."

Maggath said nothing, merely sipped his drink.

"It's been months, and we still haven't been able to get that damn flying metal skull to work... It's a technology that even the best scientists on the planet haven't been able to figure out. It's got a radio system, but everything else is completely different... and the worst... and creepiest... is that it's actually a human skull..."

"They really are demons, aren't they?" Maggath ordered again, a different one this time.

"They are... they really are." William sighed again. "But... there are some things that trouble me. Language is one of them, I hate to say it, but the language of Marley is largely based on the language of the ancient Eldian empire, there is almost no difference between our languages. And yet, the message that thing delivered is completely different, there is virtually no such thing in the world."

"Are you saying that thing wasn't Eldian?" Teo possessed a look of disbelief on his face, he couldn't possibly think William was wrong, but the possibility was crazy."

"I don't know..." Tybur said. "There is no country in the world capable of replicating it. We've only just discovered the turbines for the jets, and that came after decades of research."

"Still, that doesn't mean the Eldians on the island haven't achieved such technology with the power of the titans. They have the founder after all."

Maggath's words made sense, William would have accepted them, giving the reason such made him want to lose himself in this one. But there was something else, something that had fuelled his paranoia.

"There is one thing..." William Tybur continued. "I have not told you yet, it is of a top secret nature and only a very few know about it."

Maggath swallowed hard and looked around. It was a small bar, few people were present and they were quite far apart at a table in the back. Perhaps it was these circumstances that had made William decide to reveal top secret information. The general nodded.

"A few days ago they sent a message. One that spoke in the Eldian language. Maybe that's why that stupid admiral from the middle eastern alliance... or maybe it was the hatred that has been fed to the Eldians for a century..." Tybur sighed once more and took the drink from his friend to drain it in one gulp. "The message was: We are the Empire of Mankind, in the name of the God-Emperor and the Holy Terra we give our greetings to this lost world of humanity and invite you to become part of the vast Empire of man above the stars."

Teo quickly understood the nature of the message and also why it had been so jealously guarded. The Eldian empire had never referred to themselves as the empire of mankind; for them racial supremacism had been an important part of their rule. Suddenly encompassing all humans under one empire sounded very alien to them. Was it that they were trying to buy them off? Were they trying to improve external relations? But still...

"What does 'Holy Terra' mean?" asked Maggath.

"I haven't the slightest idea..." Tybur rested his forehead with his hand. "We've been searching for references to it in the history of the Eldian Empire, relentlessly, and we've found nothing. There is nothing referencing the name Terra. I don't know where they got it from or why they would use it."

Maggath was silent, trying to weave together what he had at hand. But still there was something he had noticed about his friend, something he almost let slip.

"You mentioned an alliance admiral, what about it, didn't they answer?"

William shuddered, massaging his eyes, trying to ameliorate the stress. The alcohol had done little to lighten his mood.

"The idiot insulted them, called them demons and mocked them..."

In a fit of rage, Tybur threw the crystal glass to the floor, the noise drawing the attention of the already small number of patrons attending the place. A maid hurried to pick up the shards of glass.

Embarrassed, William left the double bill on the table and left the bar without another word. This had left Maggath intrigued, he feared the worst had happened.

He paid his bill and left, following Tybur. He was curious about what had happened, he had to gather as much information as possible before launching the attack. And something told him that, in Paradis, demons and Titans were not all there were.

Finally, he caught up with Tybur, about to board a limousine. At his side was the family maid waiting for him. She was about to close the door when Maggath finally reached him to ask what had happened last.

"You have chosen extermination. In the name of the Black Templar and the God-Emperor of humanity we declare you heretics against your own race. This will be the ultimatum. Surrender or die."

[X]

It had been a long time since the King had left the throne.

Shame, insecurity, fear, grief... could have been one of those reasons. No one remembered it anymore, he had long since influenced the memories of his people and shaped history. The weight of the sins was too great, perhaps it was a small clemency, perhaps an insurance against repetition. In his pursuit of a utopian peace he had committed terrible acts against his own people, his cowardice had locked himself and the Eldians who had escaped to this island within the very walls that were also a weapon of mass destruction.

The king had gone into hiding and as such a false king had been installed, a puppet totally tied to his master whose sole purpose was to remain silent and watch.

Now from the shadows the real king trembled at the reality before him.

Grisha Jaeger had been a tragedy.

But this was pandemonium.

King Fritz had long ago declared that he would unleash the titans on the walls if the nations threatened him. And he had long bought peace with that threat.

But now there was no king.

Grisha Jaeger had stolen him and disappeared with the founder. The key to protecting the now lost island. He had sent spies, assassins and interrogators to search every corner and they had returned with nothing. The founder was lost.

But a hope had been created. At last they had found him, his bearer, The Son of Grisha. For years it had remained under their noses hidden in plain sight, even after the battle with the female titan within the inner district.

But just as they had discovered him and were planning his recovery upon his return, this enemy had arrived.

The Empire of Mankind. The name seemed overbearing, too bold, but had the outside world consolidated into a single nation? He had no idea. But it was the details that made it incomprehensible.

An empire owning millions of worlds. It was crazy, even if titans existed, there was no way there were humans among the stars. However, reports of their technology, military might and production capacity made it believable to a certain extent.

Still, he could only lament as he listened to his subordinate inform him how he had ordered the general of that army arrested and Erwin Smith declared a criminal. Not because he felt it was wrong, but because it had been an extremely stupid idea. It was obvious that by this time the detachment he had sent to carry out the task must be dead or at least defeated.

Erwin Smith was not a man to exaggerate things, let alone lie. If the report had come from him, it was most likely true and would only have added fuel to the fire that was threatening to become an inferno.

The deputy king lamented. How much he missed his brother, the true ruler of these walls. It had been his leadership and wisdom that had guided him. Rod Reiss had grown up following orders, after losing the founding Titan he had been forced to become a leader.

What was to come was inevitable.

And as if a higher force confirmed it, they heard a noise. A roar that came from outside like nothing they had ever heard before.

He knew then that it was no longer time to stay in this place.

"Take care of the rest." He ordered the nobles. He knew they were just cannon fodder, pigs for imminent slaughter. He could no longer rule from the palace. Now he would rule from the shadows.

He walked behind the throne and with his key unlocked the hidden door. The underground passage system had been built for such a situation. A network of tunnels of which only he knew which correct path awaited him.

Even after he had already walked for several minutes he could still hear multiple thunderous explosions echoing through the tunnels.

Finally, after an hour of walking he came across a familiar figure. An old assassin and underling. A dog of the secret war that had been waged within these walls.

"It's a fucking mess..." Kenny Ackerman said to him.

"How bad?" Rod Reiss asked him.

"The outside military police have been disabled. Those who resisted were slaughtered without mercy. I moved my guys elsewhere in time, I had that hunch."

Reiss nodded, his eyes then rested on the darkness beyond the accompanying oil lantern.

"A coup..." He sighed. "Now we will move in the shadows. The puppets are probably dead or captured... at least I was able to manipulate their memories before I left."

"I've read the reports, Rod. And they're not encouraging at all." Kenny spat on the ground. "I don't know how long we can last. I'm sure my men won't survive a battle with them. We're up against time, so if you've got a plan you'd better spit it out right now."

The assassin was right. He had never doubted the difference in technological advances. The outside world had had a hundred years to prepare. If their weapons could take down titans like bugs he wouldn't be surprised.

"The prototypes... are they ready yet?"

Kenny snorted, impatient. "They've got some problems, but we've managed to adapt them to our anti-personnel ODM equipment. A good blast from those could do some damage."

"We've only got one shot..." Continued the alternate king. "We must capture Eren and take back the Founder. Only then can we have any hope of winning. Get your men ready, Kenny. And don't screw this up."

Kenny Ackerman clucked his tongue in annoyance. "I don't believe in hope. It's what comes before disappointment..."

[X]

Over the walls, one of the last of the Eldian royals watched.

He had kept his binoculars glued to his face for most of the day.

Indeed, there were none left. There was nothing left.

"Looks like their flying machines have moved away... for now."

He turned to see his subordinate and friend lying on a blanket. Her body was still radiating steam, seeking to regenerate from the horrific injuries she had received this afternoon.

The look of terror on her face told him that something had gone horribly wrong. When she emerged from her titan there was only half of her body left, and she would have died if Zeke hadn't administered the new serum designed for titan shifters like them. It was still in the experimental phase, obviously they were being used as guinea pigs to test it. But he had no choice.

Reiner approached him, with a cup of hot coffee.

"Marley... No... The world is going to shudder when they hear about this." Zeke took the metal mug, keeping his eyes on the inside of the walls. "The worst part is that I have no idea what their intentions are."

Reiner sat down next to him, a mug in his hand. "Whatever they are, they can't possibly be Eldians. We lived among them for years and never saw anything remotely like them."

"They could have it hidden."

"Not in those quantities. They can't even build balloons to float over the walls. They were stuck in the past."

Zeke accepted the armored titan shifter's version, it was impossible to hide this level of technology. Not even a country like Marley could keep such a wealth of new vehicles, weapons, and ships hidden from their rivals. And if that was the case, then where had all this come from?

"I hate to say this... but we're going to have to make a decision here..." Reiner mentioned to his War chief. "Either we stay and fight and try to get the founder back... or we go back to Marley with the information we have."

Zeke drank from the metal cup. His eyes never taking his eyes off the place where the enemy should be. For a moment he was silent, gazing at the horizon.

"Do you think... we can talk to them?"

Reiner turned to look at Pieck, her heavy breathing accompanied by slight spasms of pain. Then he turned again to look at the horizon.

"I really... I don't know..." He finally said.

[X]

I hope you can review this.

Well, before you go, there is something I must say.

As you can see, I settled the story way later in the manga. Particularly before the Coup. Why I did this? I felt I just would repeat what many writers have already done: Save characters.

If there is something AOT is known for, it's the amount of dead characters, but also, the weight their death gives to the plot and characters, as these may have died in sad ways. If I saved Petra, Mina, Mike, or Marco, their deaths would have been useless to the plot, that is the way I see it.

As you can see, I used a similar introduction with Ilse based on Freedom's Ring. But, while there Ilse is someway happy and safe, here it's completely different, as how the Imperium is really known.

Remember, this is 40k we are talking about. The imperium isn't here to save, but to do what does best. They just happened to appear on Paradis.

See you later.