It didn't take a lot to convince the Tyburs of the War Hammer suddenly having the future memory inheritance ability or whatever it's called. By the next morning, Willy had called a meeting with the Marleyan leaders. I spent most of that morning in my bedroom itching to try out titan shifting.
Ever since I watched the show — I still don't know why or how I know that this world is a show when I don't even know what my name is — I always wanted to have that power. Imagine being larger than a building able to wreak havoc on the world. Smash your hand through a house like it was made out of cards and kick a tank into the horizon as you would do a ball. You can cause more destruction like that than randomly swerving into oncoming traffic. Not that I ever did that but you can't deny those thoughts have crossed your mind.
The thing was that this world was a little different. There were more than 9 titans. 4 extra ones. Thanks to Nan I got a brief overview on all of them. The 9 regular ones were still the same as the ones from the anime.
The other 4 titans were as follows. The Blade Titan. That one got its name from the bones that jutted out of its skin. They were natural weapons for it. Apparently, it was originally part of the jaw titan but when Marley found out that the jaw titan was a double Titan they took a gamble and let the wielder die without passing it on in order to separate the two. Surprise surprise, the Blade Titan was lost but the jaw was recovered. Biggest Marleyan blunder if you ask me.
Then there was the Hound Titan. The best tracker. As a human, the Titan wielder could detect other titan shifters. As a Titan, it's sight and smell were enhanced allowing it to track literally anything on the world.
The last two were the Hidden Titan and the Mole Titan. These two were a package deal for the Marleyan army since the Hidden Titan didn't have any notable traits from what I could tell. The only ability it had was changing the appearance and genetics of the shifter's human form.
The Mole Titan was another 4 Metre Titan. It got its name from the ability to tunnel for long periods of time. But had the detriment of being blind. It was able to get around using its amazing hearing. Kind of like a bat but without the wings. It also had the ability to tether itself to other Titans and communicate with them over long distances which was the reason why it was paired with the Hidden Titan.
Unfortunately for the Marleyan Military, two decades ago, the Tybur family secured the Hidden Titan and hadn't seen combat since then. In fact, no one has seen the Hidden Titan at all. To the outside world it and the War Hammer have vanished for their protection.
I really couldn't have chosen a better family to be "reborn" into. The Tybur family had access to so many sources of information. They also had a powerful pull in the government for Willy to be able to summon a meeting as sudden as he did. This would make it easier for me to convince them to send me into the Paradis mission.
"Ellie," Willy knocked softly on my door.
"I don't think it would be wise for you to come in unless you want to see me in god's glory," I warned when I heard the door start creaking.
I was lying on the bed really in the nude. I did not like the clothes I had to wear as a girl. The standard clothes I have were just too big and voluminous. It also didn't help that I looked like a cosplayer for the Handmaiden's tale. The other options I had were just as horrid. Gowns would leave me itchy and rashed. I also hated skirts.
The only time I didn't have to wear those clothes was when I was out training. I got to wear a Marleyan Military uniform. I'd rather be choked to death with their high collars.
"Oh, I — I'm sorry." I could hear the embarrassment in his voice as he quickly let go of the knob.
"What's wrong?" I wasn't going to rush to dress up to let him in.
"The Marleyans believe your vision to be true. The Warrior you mentioned to be a candidate for the armoured Titan was rejected for the reason you gave. This means that we can send in a shifter of our own to accompany them… You know what this means though don't you?" I heard sorrow in his voice but I couldn't tell what he was sad about.
"Yeah, it means we're betraying the only people in the world who don't want to persecute us along with the rest of our people," I answered.
But this was necessary. I don't want to die. Not to the curse of Ymir and not to Eren. I will do whatever it takes to survive. But if I could save the people who help me then I'll do it.
"Look, we need to do this if we want to continue surviving. The end of the world as we know it is upon us… and we only have three choices in how to face it. Accept fate and die, try our hand against fate and die, or we succeed in doing something about it. Think about it, Willy."
Willy sighed. The door groaned and I could hear him drop to the floor — he was probably sitting.
"I don't need to think about it. There's nothing to think about. I want to keep you safe. And if you say that throwing you in the mouth of danger is the way to do it then I guess I'll throw you in there myself. But if you're going to do this. You're going to need all the help you can get. That means starting your training as a warrior."
"Oh, no," My body sank into the mattress like lead as I groaned.
I know for a fact that I wasn't the most active person in my past life. I could already feel the soreness in my muscles at the thought of all the rigorous exercises I was going to be put through. The arm breaking pushups, back throbbing sit ups, side piercing marathons, and bone snapping planks. And those were just starting exercises according to my coach. Huh, I remember having a coach, neat.
"You could always stay here you know. Enjoy the luxuries of life before we meet our makers," Willy teased.
"Definitely not, but aren't the warriors supposed to leave for Paradis soon?"
"Not for another year. If you ask me, that's enough time to whip you into proper shape. You're not going to be on par with those cadets but at least you'll be able to hold your own."
1 year later
The entire year was just as bad as I had imagined it to be. It was filled with nonstop workouts and fixed menus to keep me in shape, courtesy of Nan. Meanwhile, Willy had to go straight into the political arena that our father left him. Originally, he thought about postponing his entrance into it but the information I gave him really didn't give him any other choice.
I hadn't been able to use the War Hammer as often as I wanted. Willy only allowed me to train that power a total of 5 times. It was always in an isolated conflict with our enemies where no Marleyan forces were present. I wasn't even allowed to fight alongside the other Titan shifters, not that I'm complaining. Fighting alone and causing destruction was better when I had everything to myself actually.
Today was going to mark the 6th time I used my War Hammer Titan. And I was incredibly psyched.
The sun was high in the sky making the air hot in this dry desert. A Mid-Eastern military city rested in the distance. It wasn't going to be possible for me to get into as a human. My complexion was different from theirs so I would stick out like a sore thumb. Plus, I couldn't think straight right now since I was going to be able to use my titan once again.
I was happier than a man on morphine. Do you have any idea how powerful it is being a Titan? You can literally move mountains if you wanted to, and the War Hammer could create anything with its hardening ability. This was my favourite thing about finding myself in a death trap anime.
My hand ran over the blade sheathed in my waistband. I wasn't able to easily bite my hand or inflict any self harm on myself. I guess I'm a bit squeamish in a way. That's why I was given a blade so that I can transform easily. But I wouldn't be needing it right now.
Gunfire exploded as several marksmen shot at me. They whizzed by me harmlessly. It was a struggle but I managed to keep my strut without flinching.
One finally found its target on my left shoulder. I felt the punch of an MMA fighter condensed into a small point in space. It tore through my skin and muscle until it found its way out again.
The volleys died down and I stood there with a smirk. They definitely knew how fucked they are.
Yellow energy rippled around me and I could see the haunting look in all of the shooters' eyes before lightning enveloped me.
In my previous lessons, Nan taught me how to form a crystal and link cord to stay outside of the titan while fighting. I didn't form that crystal. I wanted to be as close to the action this time
I could feel the change in elevation as I stayed in my titan's nape.
I've watched the other titan shifters when they transform from afar and they're somehow able to do it in a couple of seconds. But mine takes a long time. It might be the armour part that slows it down.
I could imagine the cold touch of the white hardened titan flesh that covered my skin.
I was now able to easily look over the wall at my soon to be conquest and there were a ton of people scared shitless. Some trembled, others ran away, and others picked up their weapons.
I held out my hand. I felt my staff start to materialise. That's when the next volley of bullets began. This time they were accompanied by several canon explosions. Metal spheres slammed into my body but I was too big for them to even budge. I guess anti titan artillery still hasn't been properly developed then.
I swung my new scythe over my shoulder like a baseball player and then let loose all my strength in one powerful swing.
Pieces of stone went flying into the air as my scythe cut through the wall like butter. I swung again in the opposite direction this time knocking more chunks of rock into the inner part of the city. Human screams of agony fell on my deaf ears as I charged through the damaged wall sending a hail of boulders smashing into the military city.
I raise my free hand as I summon hardened spikes to jut through multiple buildings and demolish them.
Another platoon of soldiers began attacking me from my right side. Along with cannons and muskets, these soldiers were carrying harpoons mounted on vehicles. 2 harpoons are shot low hitting my chest and snapping their bodies. But 3 were aimed smartly. 2 stab me in the eye making me roar in annoyance. Another sunk below my other eye.
With my vision only partially impaired, I summoned another structure from the ground. A white column of hardened titan flesh rose above my height before I pushed it down. Bones snapped and blood splattered over the ground as my column crushed them along with their harpoon launchers.
I let go of my scythe and let it fall heavily over a watchtower. Two new weapons formed in my hands. The handles were thick and solid. Attached to their ends were a flexible version of titan flesh that were frayed at the ends.
I leaned forward and began charging through buildings. The whips dragged behind me allowing their weight to crush the buildings that managed to survive my rampage. Every now and then I would swing them in front of me to destroy buildings I wasn't planning on ramming through.
My attack ended up taking up a little under 2 hours. I'd razed the city down to the ground. Rocks and twisted metal littered the entire ground with smouldering wood. The walls on the other hand were still standing. There were cracks and chips across it from stray shots the military took but the only part that was destroyed was where I broke through.
What I came to do had been accomplished. On the horizon I could see several military convoys driving over.
Debris was crushed into smaller trash as I made my way out of the city. I fell to my knees and started disconnecting myself from my titan.
The War Hammer titan is covered in a 5 inch layer of hard titan skin. It was near impenetrable but when I wanted to exit my titan I can make the nape shed for me to pull myself out of.
Hot air hissed as I pulled myself up to a standing position. My nose wrinkled in disgust. The smell of gunpowder and smoke almost knocked me off. There was also a tinge of burnt flesh.
The War Hammer Titan had degraded heavily by the time the convoy had arrived. It's rib cage was partially exposed and all the white flesh was mostly gone.
"It's always beautiful to watch your titan, Elizabeth." Willy stepped forward to embrace me.
"Willy." I returned his embrace.
"Come, we're going to dinner. It'll be the last chance you'll have for a delicious meal on our home turf."
Daneer: Yes. 13 Titans. I don't like writing exact carbon copies of the source material. I enjoy changing some things here and there to add a challenge. It also helps with what I'm planning to do with the main character.
Everyone the Great: Thank you so much :) I hope to hear more about what you think as we go by. Though since this may eventually turn into a long fic, I won't ask you to stay all the way till the end.
I also decided to change the title of the story. I don't think Shadow of a Titan fit the story. Someone tell me if the Japanese "translation" is right or not. I couldn't exactly find a reliable translator.