(Ugh. I'm disgusted with myself. This chapter should've been released much sooner. So sorry. I got slapped with first-timer's writing block. I have no excuse other than I lost the inspiration "momentarily," and I promise to soldier through this like a true fanfiction author! For however long I can manage to keep it up, that is. I'm not making promises that I might abandon. _ Message me if you have any questions!)
'Single Quotation Italics': Thoughts
"Double Quotation Normal": Speech
"Double Quotation Italics": Human Telepathy (in response to Tailed-Beasts)
Italics: Emphasis
Underlined Italics: Move/Attack Name
'Single Quotation Bold Italics': Titan/Tailed-Beast Thoughts
"Double Quotation Bold": Titan/Tailed-Beast Speech
"Double Quotation Italics Bold": Tailed-Beast Telepathy
Chapter 5: Hello, Brat
- First Person - Kurama
There wasn't anything left of the area in which I detonated the Tailed-Beast Bomb—apart from a crater—the landscape permanently altered, except for smoke and other miscellaneous particles obscuring the area; however, for the better or worse is up to the humans because frankly, I'm not fixing it. If that scouting legion ever came back out beyond the walls, then may they use this pit as they please. 'If they decide to have a use for it, that is. It's probably going to be a glorified landmark.' I shook my head at the thought. If the humans couldn't make use of the pit by the time I next wake up...then I'll... 'What will I do with it?' At that point I didn't want to be bothered by thoughts of the future, yet I think about what I would do to the massive hole in the ground. I'll just leave it alone. 'Wide'n'deep. Almost halfway my peak height in depth and a few times wider than that in diameter; might as well have glassed the wall while I'm at it, sheesh. At least I'm a good several kilometers from that shitty excuse for a wall...could've collapsed it if I was too close.' That would not have been a pretty sight. There was no way I would've been able to rebuild that wall without the Creation of All Things; and that technique was never taught to myself or my siblings. Good thing, too, otherwise I would have been popping out mini-three-tailed foxes to be my minions like no tomorrow.
'I should probably find that boy...Kuklo, I think?' With that thought I leant forwards and pressed my paw-hands into the nutrient-lacking hard ground; and with that I began my trek towards the end of the crater that was set nearest to the wall of the human environment. The distance from the center to the end of the crater was crossed with relative ease, the footfalls thundering with heavy thuds as I meandered with half-lidded eyes. 'So much crap in the air...I can barely see through the smoke and dust.' That was really my only complaint as I kept to moving as a beast, all four of my limb-extremities within the motion range of an easygoing stride. Well, what easygoing was to me, anyhow.
The distance to cross the newly added basin to the landscape was closed fairly quickly due to my size and reach, the crater's edge climbed as if it were a simple matter of escalating stairs. As I did, I finally began to see unimpeded, sights clear of smoke and other view-obstructing particles; what I was met with, however, caused me to grin. In the distance were two vague shapes in the darkness of the early: Kuklo and that she-human that was with the lad. I forgot her name so I didn't bother calling her by anything other than what she is. The two humans were just a few shades from being complete silhouettes in the distance under the shade of the gradually retreating night. From what I saw, the two were laid down onto their stomachs, braced due to the shockwaves generated by my assault on the titans.
I remained at the edge of the smokescreen and sat back, just enough to let the humans get a good look at me as I utilized my tails to carefully fan the smoke around myself. 'Let's surprise these kids.' My grin spread a little wider as I became concealed by the smoke I manipulated with my tails. Upon becoming obscured by the dense smoke'n'dust I decreased my size to that of an average horse and slipped into a light-bending illusion. Let it be known that the main reason I didn't just approach the humans outright was due to my imposing, colossal, size... 'And like hell am I going to risk being seen by anyone else.'
There was barely any minor exertion made in order to reach Kuklo and the she-human. The great thing about being a mass of chakra is that there's no need for me to have to enhance my movements and strength, I'm already at peak performance, I'm my own enhancement, I am the energy that augments an executed action. In short: until there's something capable of matching a Tailed-Beast, then I and the others are invincible. Sure, it's arrogant to think ourselves infallible, yet the most powerful weapon humanity had at some point, something called a Tsar Bomba couldn't wipe neither Shukaku, nor myself out. Sure, it hurt a megaton, but it didn't manage to send either of us into a temporary period of death until our bodies reformed. The concussive force of that thing alone could cause many untold deaths. When humanity is desperate for a solution to an entity much greater than them, they will either study it...or try to obliterate it with increasingly powerful weaponry. That was the lesson learned on the day of Shukaku's and my attempted murder. At least the humans in the ninja era resorted to sealing rather than outright killing.
Soon enough I passed by Kuklo and the she-human as they moved with a destination in mind; the two had gotten up during my trek towards them in favor of running towards a peculiar sight: a flame unlike those of the torches lined up atop the wall flickering and waving oddly. It could be another human that had shown up in an attempt to rescue Kuklo, or the same man that had given Kuklo the knife. Such a shame, the two and everyone else in the wagons are already safe. The titans within the vicinity have already been annihilated without discrimination, and there won't be anymore titans in this area for a while; the lumbering nudists—titans—would slowly migrate to this area, likely from the South. A quick glance back to the area where the Tailed-Beast Bomb exploded showed me that it was still riddled with the semi-suspended motes of earth, still clouded by the smoke and dust. It was obviously clearing but it wouldn't be done until the sun was probably a couple of feet above the horizon.
I remained ahead Kuklo and the girl besides him, reaching the destination just several minutes prior to them. What I found there was nothing short of a metal cable with a handle attached at the end. 'I expected a rope, honestly; but this less likely to snap under pressure.' I sat just a few ways away from the cord, an undetermined single digit distance no less than eight. My focus then was no longer on the cord with a handle, having veered away from it and solely locked on the approaching forms of Kuklo and the she-human. Their conversation, as they ran— 'Conversing mid-run? Are they trying to waste their breaths and energy? Granted they aren't in any danger but that just shouldn't go.' I shook my head slowly, ears swaying gently—was rather piquing my interest. As it so happened...apparently the she-human had enough of a decent look at me to question just what had occurred.
"—was that, Kuklo?" The she-human asked with a calm facade, attempting to keep herself collected in the face of what she had just seen. I suspected she meant me.
- Third Person
Kuklo furrowed his brow as a frown marred his already scarred features. Something didn't add up to the once-titan child, and the fox-titan was too much of an uncertain variable that sent everything into shambles. This was the second time Kuklo had seen it; and no respite was caught by the naive, yet mature boy; for the fox had appeared moments after the invisible torrents of force and the explosive dome of white light had ceased. Kuklo suspected the gargantuan fox but wasn't a full one-hundred percent on that particular train of thought. Could, as Kuklo suspects, it have been the cause of those destructive forces? 'What was the fox doing there? It sat at the edge of the smoke and practically smiled at us!' Kuklo wracked his brain for all the information he might be able to divine from the situation that had just occurred. It was during Kuklo's musing that he had thought he heard a voice in his mind, his concentration being cracked by the extra that had somehow invaded his mind. "Am I going crazy?" Muttered the boy with an unsure look, his reflection and concentration cracked.
"—lo!" The voice was fragmented and faded as well as still existent, Kuklo deduced. "—uklo!" Again, only it was getting clearer. 'Is it me or does it sound feminine?' Thought the boy with pursed lips, his focus more inwards of himself rather than his surroundings."Kuklo!" This time the voice was accompanied by a physical force that caused Kuklo to clutch the afflicted area; it seemed that the pain was originating from the top of his forehead. It was then that Kuklo had connected the dots.
"Ouch! What the hell, Cardina!" Kuklo voiced his sudden pain and clutched at his forehead.
Kurama chuckled at Kuklo's plight. There was always something entertaining about humans bickering over trivial things. Truly, humans are a great source of entertainment. Drama, action, romance, and all with a capability of turning the sweetest of minds into an impure cesspool of perverse thoughts that only a person of several lower standards than a certain toad sage could appreciate.
Cardina huffed and crossed her arms under her thirty-six C-cup bust as she turned her head away from her male companion, slowing down from her run and decreasing her movement speed to that of a purposeful walk. Cardina had felt that she was entitled to whacking Kuklo over the head for ignoring her, whether the half-blind boy moving alongside her meant to selectively listen to his own thoughts or not was of no concern to Cardina. At the least Kuklo had responded to Cardina's first question, however, Kuklo only gave a vague answer that only caused more questions to stir within her consciousness. The further Cardina pondered the whole thing, the less irritated she found herself towards Kuklo. 'A truly titanic monster, one that Kuklo hopes humanity never has to face...it makes good nightmare fuel if you were to deeply think about it.' Cardina reflected, then shuddered at her own wonderings. 'Nightmare indeed. The fox-titan,' Cardina thought with a down-turning of the corners of her lips, 'is clearly an unstoppable threat, one that is—if it was responsible for those shockwaves and explosive dome—more than well equipped to end humanity.' Once more Cardina shuddered, a chill going down her spine at her cynical thinking. Kuklo had already explained what he could about the fox when Cardina had asked what it was, apparently having had to draw from his experience with it prior to dubbing it a truly titanic monster, having told Cardina its overall size and the ease with which it could mangle the taller titans. The fox, according to Cardina's thoughts, is a titan killer with the probability of being a human killer, too. They were almost there; Cardina refused to ponder over the situation any longer for now.
Kurama watched as the two humans approached the section of wall on which the figure waving a torch stood over. Their bickering ended quickly, unfortunately. The Nine-Tailed Fox observed as Kuklo and Cardina spotted the cord and approached it, the two very keen on examining it. Evidently they thought they'd be climbing, because neither of them took notice of the handle at the end of the cable-cord. Rolling his eyes, Kurama pulled himself forwards into quadrupedal position and moved toward the two clueless sparrows—humans, that is.
Having already established a connection with Kuklo for previous telepathic communication, Kurama effortlessly engaged the link to begin communications—as soon as they were in a more secure area, that is. Kurama would rather not Kuklo openly show his confusion over anything, especially since the fox would be revealing himself to the boy without a physical presence for Kuklo to see and confirm. This is something that should preferably be done in a wagon where it wouldn't be uncommon for someone to keep to their thoughts as they traveled.
Soon enough an impatient voice from atop the wall had decided to word their thoughts on Kuklo's and Cardina's ineptitude to find a simple handle at the end of the cord. "There's a goddamn handle at the end! Grab it!" The voice belongs to a male individual, the very one on the wall; and at the man's call Kuklo and Cardina fumbled nervously, following the cord to the ground with their eyes and hands to find the handle. It took the pair a while to find the handle because of their rescuer's sudden exasperation but did eventually. That was when Kuklo had done it. The scarred adolescent picked up the handle with a firm grip...likewise did he do to Cardina, ensnaring the noble by the waist with his free arm and pulling her against himself. Cardina's chest was pressed against Kuklo's own.
Kurama was sure that the boy was not aware of what certain gestures meant; intentionally done or not. Regardless of that, Kurama put himself to scaling the wall with ease befitting an immortal conscious mass of chakra.
Cardina, unbeknownst to Kuklo who was more concentrated on getting up and out alive, felt warm blood rise to her cheeks unbidden, the Baumeister noble's face a slight rosy hue; and Cardina would've struck Kuklo with an open palm across the face were it not for the fact that they had suddenly begun to rise at a steady pace. 'There's going to be hell for this.' Thought Cardina with a vicious glint in her eyes. Something that Kuklo missed but caused a shiver to travel down his spine, anyhow. The cord had become taught with the combined weight of Kuklo and Cardina, steadily taking the two towards the top of the construct to meet the person that had given them the opportunity to live within the walls once more.
- First Person - Kuklo
Eventually we met with our rescuer, someone that had happened to be Jorge the hero. 'The first person to ever beat a titan!' It felt surreal, that a legend would be the one rescue Cardina and I. Things were looking up now, especially so after our escape from the banishment...and possibly the maws of death. I recalled seeing the fox-titan again, and truthfully? It terrified me to see such a monster once again. Should there be a reason, I would gladly face it; whether in a suicide attempt to take its life or at the very least an extended branch in the form of some sentimentality, maybe in the form of some secret membership to the Survey Corps.
Eventually we three—Cardina, Jorge, and I—delved into a conversation about our rescue and the plan. If it were possible, if there was more time, I could have been saved from the exile sentence; there aren't any regrets, however, 'cause I managed to befriend someone in the process. I found out that Cardina was Jorge's pupil at some point, and that I was apparently being scouted by the hero before me and his son. Jorge expressed a somewhat lessened guilt over the fact that my rescue was rather last second, that was due to the life he ended up saving besides mine: Cardina; and seemingly moved by the fact, Cardina stood and gave a heartfelt right handed fist-to-heart salute to Jorge. "Th-Thank you! Instructor Jorge!" Cardina's voice ran out with such a sincerity and respect for the Jorge the Hero. Then, soon enough, after an explanation of the political clout merchants and politicians gain if a family member joined the M.P.s, I asked about our destination. According to Jorge, we were headed to an industrial city here within wall Rose; additionally, much to my relief and happiness, Sharle was there as well. That fact alone caused me to urge Cardina's and my savior on in order to get there faster.
"What's the city li—" just as I was going to ask a question to settle some curiosity from my part, I heard a voice that was unforgettable. "Hello, boy." It was the voice of the very fox that had aided the Survey Corps. and myself so that we wouldn't have had to travel back to the wall on foot the day I had stowed away for the expedition. "Wha—" I was about to speak before being interrupted. "Do not utter a word, use your literal inside voice." The fox's voice rang out within my mind.
Considering that the fox-titan was probably communicating with me the same way it had last time with the Survey Corps., I assumed that I was the only hearing it; reason being that nobody else seems to have shown any sort of reaction. Any visible reaction, that us, but nonetheless no reaction.
"Now you're going to listen, and listen well, because I'm not repeating myself." The fox cautioned. It was then that I began to look outside of the wagon, inspecting the landscape for any signs of a colossal animal towering into the sky. There was none, fortunately. That hopefully meant that it was outside the walls and had yet to step foot within the territories; a blessing in and of itself. It was then that the fox's voice felt it prudent to speak of its whereabouts. "You won't find me anytime soon, boy, don't waste your time." The fox-titan's voice smoothly said. That just confirmed my suspicions, thankfully.
"Now then, listen up, otherwise you'll make yourself seem more like an idiot than you already are." It took me a moment to realize it, longer than it should have, really; but it was evident I had been insulted. "Hey!" I cried, indignant, through the strange connection I had with the fox-titan. At least I didn't actually say anything with my mouth...otherwise everyone on the wagon would've been startled. Horses hopefully not include in that.
"You're a strange one, getting caught up in all of this. Stowing away on a military expedition, being arrested for seemingly no reason upon return, jailed in some underground cell, exiled and sent to your death only to survive and end up here." The fox's voice was stating off very specific periods in my life in which I was sure it wasn't around for; no one would miss a fox so large that it dwarfed the protective walls of the territories by more than a significant amount. It was then that I recalled. The fox-titan had appeared before us out of thin air, as if it could hide in plain sight...although that wouldn't make any sense, even then the fox would have to have been extremely methodical in its movements to avoid destruction of property and keep from killing anyone at all. Within that same case, how would it have known about my imprisonment conditions? Unless it could shift its height and...weight... It just became official. This fox-titan is no ordinary titan; as if its appearance was no indicator already. I would've said something in response, were it not for the fox again. "It's as if the very religious entity many of your people pray to has a vendetta to fulfill in you, trapping you in the least desirable of situations every time something occurs. Know that I will be keeping an eye on you for the following days, boy, and if I like what I see...let's say it's a secret." The fox's voice went silent. It didn't seem as if it would say anything else, nor did it respond when I nudged the connection between us.
It was as soon as I confirmed the fox's absence from my mind that I began to pester Jorge with questions about the industrial city, Sharle, and the device that hung off his lower back.
This was going to be a long trip.
- Third Person
Enough time had passed on and Kuklo along with his bunch traveled through paths, checkpoints, and flora. Fauna was here and there, rarely nearby due to human presence, only ever popping up by coincidence or curiosity. Something Kuklo had in spades after having survived imprisonment twice—plus the exile. On the way to the industrial city, the boy talked animatedly with his female companion and their elder, whom sits at the box seat guiding the horses with the reins in his hands. The trip would go on for a deal longer than Jorge thought, though Cardina and Kuklo weren't extremely eager to reach their destination; sure Kuklo yearns to see Sharle, yet he knew not to push so much. There was only so much Kuklo and Cardina's savior would do and take before becoming more than just irritable on this lengthy trip.
Kurama, in the meantime, laid bored, on his back with tails and limbs splayed out in any direction he could manage. The foxy titan was bored beyond all belief and wondered to himself why he hadn't dropped his camouflage just yet. 'Oh yeah, because I decided to play the mysterious disembodied voice.' All Kurama did after having such a thought was grumble at the uselessness of it all. Useless because Kurama felt as if he should've made himself known already; despite being aware of the humans' reactions would undoubtedly be. 'Honestly, it's not as if I could use an illusion to—' Kurama quieted his mind before opening his mouth and screaming in silent rage, all the while rolling left and right whilst cursing himself for forgetting his own prowess with illusions. 'What the hell?! How could I just forget one of my own abilities?!' Kurama felt indignant, despite the fact that the unfair treatment came from himself having forgotten something as simple as his own power. 'Foxes are known for their tricks, dammit!' This whole time Kurama had been under a light bending illusion to cloak himself, and he had forgotten his own power. Silly fox.
Eventually Kurama took a moment to breathe—despite not really needing to—and calmed himself down. With his senses now in the right place the Nine-Tailed Fox emitted an area of effect in which he would influence with his illusions. The field of influence encompassed the whole wagon, horses included. Risks will not be taken during the time Kurama revealed himself to the boy.
As Kurama prepared himself for the grand reveal, Kuklo had his eyes out on the road and took minute glances at Cardina; however one might think it, Kuklo isn't completely naive to the opposite gender. The boy was sure of his infatuation and attraction to Sharle, but Kuklo definitely recalled the feeling of Cardina as he held her against himself back when Jorge pulled them up via the device's wire-cable. A faint flush dusted Kuklo's face as he thought about the fit body he held during that time of probable peril. Cardina was well endowed, although not overly so, Kuklo noted whenever he stole a glance within the wagon.
"How much longer 'till we get there?" Kuklo pondered aloud, having decided not to mention Jorge casually or officially. The boy wasn't sure how to address the hero that came to his and Cardina's rescue. At least Cardina had an easy time with that.
Jorge glanced back over his shoulder at Kuklo before looking back out to the road. "Not much longer now, just a few minutes more." The older man replied, slightly dismissive of the question.
Now Kuklo would've said something back if the world, through his eyes, hadn't suddenly gained a blue tint. Which it did. Then right before Kuklo a figure had phased into existence. "Hello, brat." Kuklo's mouth gaped. The very voice of the fox reverberated throughout Kuklo's head while the boy himself attempted to process what he was currently viewing: a miniature sized version of the enormous fox he had encountered with the Survey Corps. This was not coincidence.
Upon regaining cognitive action and thought, Kuklo leapt up to his feet and shamelessly pointed at the small nine-tailed fox before him. "What the hell?!" Kuklo cried, startled by the sight.
(Anywho, I'm really sorry, folks. You don't deserve this kind of wait time. I'll strive to do better by you all. By the time this is up, I should've begun doing notes for the next chapter for a draft. Also! The next two chapters will be the ones to end Before the Fall! Good for us all, right? Unless you want this to continue, that is; but personally? I want Kurama to meet Mikasa, Eren, and Armin already! Damn you, patience! Why do this to me?!)