Times of madness

876 – Hizuru Coast

1 year and 6 months after the coronation

The second day of battle at the Hizuru coast ensues. The Regal Army was deployed after suspicious activities were reported at the coast, presuming secessionist activities from the Marleyan Liberation Front.

The officialism battalions were received with a surprise guerrilla style attack, surrounding the deployed soldiers and holding a line that stopped reinforcements. For a day and a half various frontlines were established: the Front held the entrance of the city of Karashina and the entirety of the bay, meanwhile the Regal Army held fort on the urban district.

The generals were baffled by the bizarre tactics of the Front and mostly, because of their heavy casualties, considering they had the upper hand when it came on armament: the army had semiautomatic rifles, a new invention, armored army vehicles and long-range rockets, yet the secessionists, supposedly only had pistols, rifles and homemade explosives, were countering with high power grandees and shockingly, anti titan turrets, weapons of old that were thought to be decommissioned years ago.

The most distressing data from the battleground, were of multiple lines on the bay being broken by a single enemy… with swords…


The bay

Levi, wearing his old vertical maneuvering equipment and swords, was commanding the battalion at the coast, holding the line no matter the cost.

Voice on radio: Captain, it's time.

Levi: All right, the reason we are here is arriving, we'll form a shield formation for this thing over here until it reaches that tortoise or whatever that is.

Voice: It's called a tank captain; how many times do I have to tell you?

Levi: Whatever. Get ready. Here it comes

A speeding motorboat was approaching. It had two passengers and a covered large figure. The Marleyan army had lost their snipers due to an exceptional marksman from the Front, so they were blind to the situation at hand.

The boat arrived, rapidly the two passengers prepared mounted the large object onto a cart.

Levi: Hey there idiots, come on, let's get out of here. You already caused to many deaths.

Leo: That's quite a welcome isn't it Munir?

Munir: I feel like shit… from the boat…

The shield formation was in place and some soldiers helped Leo and Munir push the cart towards the tank.

Levi was suspicious. The army seemed to be buying time for something…

Leo and Munir arrived at the tank.

A hatch opened up.

Annie: LEO! Get up here quick! The soldiers will attach that thing to the tank!

Leo is shocked, excited and scared: MOM! Why are you here?!

Annie: SHUT UP AND GET IN HERE!

Munir and the soldiers put the object into a posterior hatch of the tank.

At that moment, the ground started to shake. Levi looked at the distance and heard a exploding sound from afar.

Levi: TAKE COVER!

A massive cannon shot reached the coast, breaking the front line.

Levi through the radio: TITAN. Everyone take cover. Snipers take position. We need to hold the shield until the thing leaves this place.

Gabi on a rooftop, in position with a massive anti titan turret: On it Mister Levi…

The trembling got stronger as a 20 meter titan approached. It had massive legs, a body covered in plating and had a platform installed in it's shoulders, carrying one massive cannon turrets on each side.

Voice on the radio: Captain, don't you dare try to battle that titan, it's not like the old ones… these ones are specifically made for military use.

Levi: Fuck off Armin… if I'm here… wearing this again… it's to at least bring it down to the ground.

Levi launched towards the massive titan.

Gabi: Don't worry Mister Levi… I got your back. She shot the turret. It hit the cannon on the shoulders of the titan causing an explosion.

Meanwhile, inside the tank, Leo and Munir had gotten inside and finished placing the object inside it.

Annie: All right, let's get you home guys.

The tank started to move towards the ruined part of the city, going over the mountains of debris.

Leo: What the hell is this thing? How is it now damaged?

Annie: Like it? It's an Arlert design! It took a while to make it…

Leo: Dad designed this?!

Annie: Uh… no. Neither did I.

Leo: Then wh… WHAT?!

Annie: Yeah… there's not much to do in exile you know? Especially for a genius it seems, that's why I'm here, Cris taught me how to drive it as she designed it.

Munir awe struck with the machine: THIS IS AMAZING. WHAT'S THAT?

Annie: Get on it… we need someone on the cannon right now. We are reaching the army's blockade.

Leo: What the hell! You are going straight to it?!

Annie: You don't trust your family? If I'm doing that… it's because it can take it.

Levi reached the titan. It was indeed quite different from the titans of old. It was very much like the Armored Titan, yet even more reinforced.

Levi: This is a defense titan… even still… if it moves… there has to be a weak point.

He looked at the joints of the back of the legs. There was an open spot when it walked.

Levi: I'm not getting out of here without a piece of it.

Gabi on the radio: Go for it Mister Levi! I got the dogs on top of the titan!

Several turret shots landed on the platform, killing some of the soldiers on it, while the titan kept walking.

Levi: This is strange… it's only moving forward… it's like the wall titans…

Levi launched towards one of the legs and spiraling managed to cut the flesh of the massive titan, causing it to fall to the ground.

Armin on the radio: Ok you did it, get back to base now!

Levi: Tsk… copy.

The tank was wiping out the cannons and army vehicles, crushing them and destroying them with its cannon.

Munir: THIS IS INCREDIBLE!

Leo: You might have caused an issue mom…

Annie: Keep the jokes for later Leo… we are almost there.

Leo could hear on the distance a bizarre loud sound…


Hyoryu Forest

An ancient palace served as the headquarters of the Front, hidden in the forest, known only to the Azumabitos, as it was abandoned for decades.

Armin was waiting for the tank to arrive. Leo, Annie and Armin had a long and tearful reencounter after 2 years not seeing each other and more than a year with no communication.

The object was taken off the tank… it was a large piece of titan crystal.

Armin: From now on… the tides will turn.


2 hours later

Leo was happily chatting with Christine, who was showing him proof that she was the designer of several new vehicles and weapons. Meanwhile a meeting was being prepared for the leaders of the Front.

Levi was observing the large crystal. Annie approached him.

Annie: Seeing that… brings back unpleasant memories…

Levi: I never would have guessed we would have need for these things again… I kept the equipment… for nostalgia, I guess…

Annie: It sure was fortunate you didn't toss it or damage it… we need them again. Without you… Leo wouldn't be here. Armin knew trusting you the last of the gas was the only choice. We can now create more.

Levi: Yeah… who will use it though…

Annie points herself.


The Azumabito Palace

Armin, Onyakopon, the Hizuru president, Levi, Annie, the Aydiari chief, Leo and Munir were reunited to discuss the success of the operation.

Armin: Since the establishment of Sasha Yeager as Pontiff of Eldia and the reorganization of Marley as a Vassal Kingdom, communications have been cut between the nations for civilians. Iro Aganyu's tyrannical rule has divided Marley to pre Rumbling levels, so it's time for this regime to end.

Sensing that, Aganyu has produced a gift from the Pontiff to oppress our fighting spirit… titans. But as you saw today… these are different from the old ones… these are not wild beasts… these were created by someone… who is not violent.

Yes… I believe Sasha… our Sasha… is giving us the opportunity… to destroy the wall of power that surrounds her.

Onyakapon: I'm sorry Armin but what are you talking about? Didn't you just say that Sasha is the one that gave Aganyu the titans? How is she helping us? Are these your emotions talking?

Armin: I know for a fact… that Sasha is asking us to end these insane regimes… I can't say more now… but what more proof do you need… than that massive crystal in the courtyard? You think you can just smuggle that giant rock with no one noticing?

Hizuru President: Why would the pontiff be working to dethrone herself?

Annie: Because she never wanted any of this… Leo. I think your information… could help us to clear this. Please tell us… how was life in Paradis… what key information you know… from your time as Sasha's personal aide…

Leo feels uncomfortable having to talk about that time of his life: Sasha… acts like a hostage… to her own mind… all this time she lived in a constant conflict with herself that has been exploited by Yelena and Aganyu…

Hitch and I are the only people she could confide with. But… this doesn't mean she was forced to do anything…


1 year prior

Leo: Why are you doing this Sasha? There is no need for you to do anything like this…

Sasha wearing ceremonial robes: This is what I am Leo… why keep denying it? I have read the books Kaspar left… the role of the founder in this world… maybe I should just try and see what happens… this can't just be a coincidence…

Leo: Do you hear what you are saying?! This is not a game!

Sasha: Is it not? I don't know anymore… Eren… my father… must have felt the same way… he tried so hard to change things… in the end he was just following the schemes of the founder… I'm sorry Leo… but I must see through this thing… even if it means… risking the world to madness.

Sasha enters the throne room. Both Yelena and Aganyu are waiting for her kneeling by the throne.

Sasha: Ymir the Founder had her divine powers bestowed and taken away by the evils of man. Today, I shall share this gift, willingly, to those who will shape this new world. May history judge your actions from this day.

A high priest puts in front of sasha two chalices on two pillars, one by each of her ears. Sasha extends her arms and places her wrists above the chalices.

Chosen ones, slit my wrist and drink my blood. From then one, you'll have power like none other before.

Yelena takes Sasha's dagger and with tears in her eyes slits her left wrist, pouring arterial crimson blood onto the chalice, Aganyu does the same.

Both of them drink the blood and their eyes shine for a moment.

Sasha's wrists heal immediately: Now fate, will chose what powers you receive and will bow only to me.

All at the table are shocked and terrified of the grim story Leo had told.

Annie: Sasha… how…

Levi and the rest are quietly disturbed, except Armin, who is looking at Leo and his expression of pain.

Leo: This ceremony was proposed by Yelena, after seeing how Aganyu's and her grip on power was faltering, due to the increasing protests and opposition attacks.

Onyakopon: We were on the verge of ending this insane rule… until it appeared. The Howling Titan…

Leo: But it wasn't enough to stop the people the existence of these two titan shifters…


6 months ago

Leo: Hitch you have to do something; this can't go on! This is madness!

Hitch: I know… but what can we do? She is in this trance… as if she is keen on letting the world destroy itself… heh… maybe that was the plan all along?

Almost everyone alive remembers the titans and their horrors, but when they can access that power… they don't doubt for a second to sink the world in that place again…

Don't think Sasha is not aware of this Leo… the question is if she actually cares or not… at the very least… we need to remind her… the people she loves will get affected from this.

Sasha, presiding a religious ceremony with 100 robed servants, cut her thumb and poured a single drop on 100 glasses.

Yelena: Chosen people of Eldia and Marley, our pontiff rewards your loyalty giving you the gift of service. Drink now and become one with the goddess.

Leo: 50 remained at Eldia and 50 were sent to Marley. All of them assigned a specific role for their masters.

When the preparations were complete, Sasha, at the doors of the Temple of the Redentor transformed into the Founding Titan and produced a scream so loud that could be heard in Liberio…

Aydiari chief: So that's how it was…

Leo: In Eldia… they are called the Pillar and the Sentinel Titans. That was it for me… and for all of us… no more.


Night

Armin: Leo…how is Mikasa?

Leo: She seems broken… ever since the day Ackerman died… it's like she also gave up. She has stayed on her home since then… except for when I needed her to come here.

The Ackerman Woods

Mikasa is sitting outside her house looking at the moon.

Mikasa: Eren… I won't do it again… it will be different… this time… I'll save her.