'This is Dr. Elena Richardson, log entry 002 - subject analysis of Doom Slayer. January 24th, 2163. There is no chance that the subject is a demon - we have blood samples pulled from Mars base event that show his blood type is AB positive. He is male with a genome that makes him very much a member of the human race, but the enhanced strength, speed and athleticism would indicate otherwise. But we can see from the blood samples that there are foreign bodies present of unknown origin. I cannot as a contributing member of the scientific community agree with the assumption by some of my colleagues that he is, for lack of a better word...a God. An avenging angel - the right hand of Doom here to save humanity from its sins. But... I cannot ignore that the timing of his arrival - the identity of his enemies - the fire and brimstone element to this catastrophe we currently find ourselves in has...it has definitely shaken my scientific resolve.'
Elena Richardson carefully set her recorder upon the table and gracefully settled into her seat. She gently massaged her temples, yearning for the blissful embrace of slumber in this very moment. It had been precisely one week since the harrowing occurrence of the demonic plague on Mars. She continued to grapple with the overwhelming truth that all individuals within the UAC facility had tragically perished.
Including her colleagues. No, they were more than just her colleagues, they were her friends.
And now they're gone.
Initially, she and her colleagues believed that everyone within the facility had perished. However, this notion dissipated upon the return of Dr. Hayden from Mars, bearing the Crucible in his grasp. The elation that ensued upon witnessing his well-being was shared by all, yet Dr. Richardson's enthusiasm was somewhat tempered when she observed something rather peculiar.
It was this sense of suspicion that impelled her to inquire of Dr. Hayden regarding the whereabouts of the Doom Slayer. Her astonishment was palpable upon discovering that Dr. Hayden had transported him to a distant realm, far removed from their own dimension.
Dr. Richardson expressed her disapproval by gently shaking her head. While she refrained from vocalizing her opinions, she firmly believed that Dr. Hayden had made a grave mistake by sending the Slayer away from their dimension. Dr. Richardson comprehended the dire consequences that awaited the human race in the absence of the Slayer, as they would be relentlessly pushed towards the brink of extinction by the relentless demons.
Merely an hour ago, the city of New York succumbed to hordes of demons. Prior to that, India was overwhelmed by an army consisting of Imps, possessed individuals, pinkies, and Hell-Knights. London was subsequently claimed as the demon's new hellish colony. Dr. Richardson and her esteemed colleagues even bore witness to the downfall of Russia, China, Asia, and the President's White House.
Approximately sixty percent of the planet has been consumed by the demons, and the rate of expansion is increasing with each passing day. The majority of the world's population perished in the initial month of the Hell invasion, as virtually every man-made system catastrophically failed. The military responded promptly, albeit with only marginal effectiveness in providing safe retreat for civilians. Consequently, numerous fortified locations found themselves cut off from external communication.
Regrettably, these makeshift fortresses have gradually succumbed to the relentless advance of the growing demon presence, one after another. Consequently, large portions of the Earth's surface have become uninhabitable. Swarms of demons now scour the globe, while most regions suffer from an atmosphere that has become infected and poisonous due to some form of alien terraformation.
The situation was getting out of hand and she didn't know how much more humanity could endure this.
Dr. Richardson sighed.
"Oh Dr. Hayden... what have you done."
(ATTACK ON TITAN)
Reign Of Fire II:
Chaos Approaches
Please take careful notice of your surroundings, as the most significant clue bestowed upon you by the jungle is presented through its inhabitants. The conduct of the animals serves as an indicator of potential peril.
- Corrax Entry 3:5
(ATTACK ON TITAN)
Grisha Yeager awoke in a state of profound bewilderment. Surrounding him was an encompassing darkness, devoid of any discernible light. Not a single window could be perceived, even during his most lucid moments, nor could the radiance of the full moon penetrate this inky abyss. The void, extending infinitely in all directions, appeared boundless to Grisha's searching gaze. Moreover, the depth and obscurity of this realm were impenetrable, as nothing could be discerned beyond the very precipice upon which he stood.
Grisha surveyed his surroundings, his mind devoid of any inkling as to what he might encounter. It seemed as though the void possessed no discernible boundaries whatsoever. Perhaps he truly was alone, adrift in an aimless journey towards oblivion, destined never to awaken again. Alternatively, this could be a mere reverie, or a semblance thereof, as Grisha distinctly recalled falling asleep beside Carla.
He couldn't recall how he got here though. What happened? Why was he here? His mind raced, searching for some explanation, but came up short when it came to remembering anything past the moment he closed his eyes. All that came to mind was darkness, silence and the feeling of…nothing. Nothing but emptiness.
Grisha blinked. He saw a light from far away. He squinted, trying to get a better look, and the light suddenly grew brighter before growing a bit big until it took shape. In an instant, the light disappeared then reappeared again in front of him.
Grisha's eyes widened and his muscles tensed.
Standing in front of him was a tall man. He has a fairly long, yet rounded face, and sizable, expressive, teal-green eyes. His eyebrows are sparse and often furrowed, making him seem troubled or annoyed. His shoulder length hair into a man-bun style which shows two of his small fringes on each side. His complexion also seems somewhat tan.
He donned an attire, which consisted of long black pants, a gray undershirt with string tassels at the collar, a black coat, and simple black shoes. Grisha recognized the man before him immediately, his son Eren. At least his son from the future.
"Eren." Breathed Grisha.
Future Eren stared blankly at his father.
"Is… is something wrong?" Grisha asked, his tone laced with concern. Future Eren didn't respond. "Is this about the plan? Please, don't be mad son. I have it all under control, I just need—"
"No." Future Eren interrupted Grisha. "That's not why I brought you here." He glanced to the ground. "There's been… a change of plans…"
"A change of plans? W-Well, whatever it is, I'm not sure it's a good time to—"
"Trust me," Future Eren said grimly, interrupting his father again. "You're gonna want to see this."
Suddenly, Grisha's eyes were assailed by a blinding white light. His right arm swiftly rose in front of his face, dutifully shielding his eyes from the overwhelming brightness. Just as the light gradually faded and subsided, he cautiously lowered his arm. He blinked, only to discover that he was no longer situated upon the roof.
Instead, the sight that unfolded before him resembled the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion. All of the surrounding apartments had been reduced to mere debris, with the remnants of numerous lifeless bodies strewn about haphazardly. The once serene blue sky had been replaced by a haunting shade of blood red. There was an eerie absence of any signs of life in his vicinity, save for the faint sounds emanating from nearby and the distant roar of the engulfing flames.
He proceeded forward at a leisurely pace. Initially, the debris crunched beneath his feet, his boots making a distinct sound as they encountered the shattered glass and twisted metal. His gaze swiftly shifted to the sides, observing flames gracefully dancing and licking over the decimated apartments. A profound silence enveloped the surroundings, devoid of any movement or noise, save for the sound of his own footsteps.
Once again, reality shifted, and he found himself positioned within a narrow alleyway. He continued his advance, only to be filled with alarm at the sight that unfolded before him. Lifeless bodies were strewn across the ground, their forms barely recognizable as human, their skin blackened and their skulls riddled with darkened cavities. As he passed by a few of the corpses, he noticed the presence of charred, bloody wounds that marred their bodies.
The tranquil air was broken by a thousand screams resounding throughout every corner of Shiganshina. The ground was adorned with blood, which mingled with the rain to create a macabre and sticky mess, staining the apartments with its crimson hue. The neighborhood's paths were littered with bodies, resembling broken dolls, their blood saturating the once pristine soil path in an eerie spectacle.
An ocean of people pressed forward, their collective struggle enduring for what felt like an eternity. The air was thick with sorrowful cries, as sobs and wails reverberated throughout every nook and cranny. It was not solely human beings who were present; a multitude of menacing creatures roamed amidst the crowd, their teeth bared as they snapped at those attempting to flee.
The sky, which was once a serene shade of blue, has now transformed into a striking hue of blood. The radiant red moon gracefully hangs low in the heavens, casting its pale glow upon the earth's surface, thereby illuminating the tumultuous scene that unfolds beneath it. Its luminosity gently bathes a gathering of diminutive beings who are in pursuit of a woman and her child.
Their hooked claws slashed air as they relentlessly chased after the pair. She looked over her shoulder, fear evident in her eyes. The child emitted a cry when they stumbled and fell. Before the mother could do anything, both her and the child were quickly pounced on by one of the creatures. They snapped their jaws at their throats, tearing through the soft skin like butter, blood oozed from the wounds. Both the mother and child shrieked as they struggled to get away from their attackers.
The ground quaked when two tower-size, demonic leviathans bulldoze through the wall with their bodies. The walls to the right and left burst apart with a shower of fractured mortar, and the bipedal leviathans marched forward. The demonic leviathan leading the charge bellowed an ear shattering roar that bounced and echoed throughout the town as it crushed another house with its feet.
People in said houses cried in horror as the roof fell upon them from above. The demonic leviathan roared again and stomped its foot into the rubble, destroying more homes. The second leviathan followed suit, smashing and stomping the remains of apartments until none remained. Its roar boomed across the entire town as it moved along the path, leaving destruction in its wake.
A Skull-head creature hovered in the air, its shoulder cannons firing missiles at various targets, destroying them in turn. It turned its gaze towards the screaming civilians below, who hid underneath debris. One by one, the Skull-head creature blasted their way through, taking any civilians in the process.
A little girl sat alone in a corner, unable to move as she witnessed what was happening to her family. The creature descended and stood before the little girl. Before she could do anything, the creature shrieked and silenced her screams with its missiles, smearing her remains everywhere.
The undead soldiers confidently marched down the street, engaging in a relentless pursuit of their targets. With precision and bloodlust, they discharged their weapons, resulting in the unfortunate demise of any civilians who happened to elude their clutches.
Individuals who lacked the strength or agility to retaliate hastily retreated from the vicinity of the conflict, employing their utmost efforts to avoid being struck by the projectiles launched in their direction. Regrettably, their cries for help were overshadowed by the resounding detonations that accompanied their disintegration.
Enormous crimson tentacles forcefully emerge from the ground, causing blood to splatter in all directions. Those unfortunate enough to pass by are swiftly ensnared and pulled beneath the surface. Despite their valiant efforts to escape, the tenacious grip of the tentacles remains unyielding.
One elderly man backed up to a corner, eyes darting from one zombie to another in terror, chest rising and falling in rapid intervals. "Please, I don't want to die. Please just spare me, have mercy," the elderly man begged, his face strained with panic and tears rolling down his cheeks. "Just let me go…"
His words fell on deaf ears. The undead stalked towards him, their glowing yellow eyes locked onto him like laser beams as they readied for their attack. Their mouths twisted into malicious grins, revealing off rows of razor sharp fangs as they came closer.
One by one, each possessed creature pounced upon him, their sharp claws mercilessly tearing into his delicate flesh and rending his garments asunder. Despite his valiant efforts, the sheer number of assailants overwhelmed him, leaving him with no avenue of escape. They ruthlessly tore through his body, dismembering him piece by agonizing piece. In the end, only fragments of his skeletal structure remained.
A majestic monstrosity gracefully soared over the formidable walls of Shiganshina. This skeletal wyvern possessed an impressive wingspan, two legs adorned with three-toed, clawed feet, a lengthy tail, and its skin boasted a pale gray hue that shimmered akin to the moon's ethereal glow. Its neck exhibited a robustness, while its visage bore a skull-like countenance with vacant eye sockets. Magnificent horns, both lengthy and imposing, protruded from its sides, gracefully curving downwards.
It landed on top of the wall, spreading its skeletal jaws wide and emitted a loud piercing scream. Said scream echoed across the town and was heard even from miles away.
Grisha stood in solitude. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he inhaled a trembling breath. His body quivered with intensity, and his lips delicately trembled. The question lingered in his mind: why was this unfortunate event unfolding? It appeared as though the entire world was on the brink of destruction, and he could only bear witness to the merciless slaughter of countless individuals. The echoes of their agonizing screams reverberated within his consciousness, causing a throbbing ache in his head.
He couldn't comprehend what he was seeing.
"Why… Why are you showing me this?" Grisha asked breathlessly.
Silence was his only response.
"Eren..? Eren! Why are you showing me this?! Eren!"
His world flashed and everything was painted in white light and traced with shadow. There was a long silence while everything faded into darkness…
Grisha's eyes shot open. His face was buried in his wet pillow, stained from his sweat. He quivered as he very gently tried to lift himself up from the mat. His mat was dry, he gently placed a hand to his face, shivering as his hair moved to cover his eyes, still in shock at the sights he had seen.
The vivid images of the dream he had just experienced during his slumber, the resounding roars of those terrifying monsters, and the distressing cries reverberated vividly in his ears. The sight of blood coating the buildings and streets, along with the presence of the walking dead, made it feel incredibly real. Grisha vigorously shook his head, attempting to forcefully dispel these thoughts from his mind.
Grisha swiftly made his way towards a conveniently positioned receptacle, promptly unburdening the contents of his stomach into it, as the vivid images of his dream resurfaced in his mind once again. He experienced a profound sense of misery and nausea. Tears gently streamed down his cheeks, leaving indelible marks on the wooden vessel.
He proceeded to wipe away the tears with a touch of frustration, yearning to expunge all recollections of those dreadful sights. Gradually, he rose to his feet, seeking solace by leaning against the wall for support. Grisha ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled.
Grisha was shown a glimpse to a new future. A future he understood with certainty, no one is prepared for.
Ilse Langnar awakened from unconsciousness due to the warmth of the fire gently prickling her perspiring skin. She mustered the courage to open her eyes, only to discover that daylight had graced the cave in which she lay. Her gaze descended upon a makeshift bed, ingeniously crafted from an assortment of leaves.
Across the fire, her savior, a figure shrouded in mystery and cloaked in secrecy, sat attentively engrossed in an activity that occupied their hands.
The source of the light itself proved to be quite an unusual sight: a clumsily skinned deer being roasted on a spit made of branches, positioned at the entrance of a cave. Adjacent to the fire, her savior reclined against the wall. His helmet rested at his feet, and his face was partially obscured by the dancing flames. He was engrossed in devouring the hind leg of the deer.
Ilse blinked.
A man, she thought.
At this juncture, Ilse resisted the urge to salivate at the enticing aroma of freshly cooked meat. It had been quite some time since she had last eaten, and she couldn't even recall the last occasion she had enjoyed a slice of bread. Nevertheless, she would manage with the meat at hand.
The man stopped chewing his food as he turned his gaze towards her. Ilse met his gaze and went rigid. Silence erodes through the cave.
The enigmatic gentleman removed his helmet and placed it gently beside him, while shadows once again veiled his countenance. Ilse gazed blankly, unsure whether to remain in her current position or rise to her feet. Either option seemed equally viable.
With a subtle motion of his thumb, he indicated for her to take a seat on the opposite side of the cave entrance. She hesitated as she observed the man impale a deer with a combat knife, deftly severing its hind leg and bringing it to his scarcely discernible, snarling mouth. There he opened wide and took a hearty bite, chewing audibly. Ilse swallowed, a sense of unease creeping over her as she pondered how to express her gratitude to her savior.
The enigmatic man, with a grunt, took another bite from the deer's leg. Ilse winced ever so slightly at the sound of flesh being torn from bone and the resounding crunch of teeth sinking into the meat. She couldn't help but notice that the shadows seemed to deliberately obscure his face, emanating an unsettling aura that Ilse could somehow sense, causing a slight shiver to run through her.
With a gentle swallow, she slowly rose to her feet and approached. Extending her hand towards the knife lodged in the deer's side, she skillfully severed the right front leg. Seated three feet away from her rescuer, she took a bite of the partially cooked meat.
The two of them dined in silence, occasionally interrupted by Ilse stealing glances at the cloaked man, feeling disheartened by his apparent disregard for her presence, as if she were invisible. Raising his hand to his mouth, he emitted a belch before discarding the bone into the fire, causing sparks to dance upwards and prompting Ilse to retreat slightly from the flames.
I'm guessing he's one of those anti-social types, Ilse thought.
"Um, I don't know who you are but… thank you." Ilse said, glancing back at him. "You know, for saving my life."
The cloaked man didn't respond.
Gazing at him intently, Ilse emitted a faint exclamation of surprise when he abruptly presented her with what appeared to be a military-issued water canteen. Ilse blinked in complete bewilderment as she cautiously accepted the canteen, unscrewed the spout, and took a sip from it. Returning the canteen to him, she delicately wiped her mouth and offered a grateful smile, expressing her gratitude by saying, "Thank you."
The cloaked gentleman indulged in a sip himself before promptly securing the canteen back onto his harness. Ilse couldn't help but feel a sense of joy, as she was gradually establishing a rapport with this mysterious figure. Thus far, he had proven himself to be amiable enough to share his campfire, sustenance, and water with her. Perhaps he would be willing to divulge the secret of how he managed to vanquish that colossal titan without the aid of ODM gear.
"I must admit, what you did back there was incredible. I've never seen anyone go toe-to-toe against a titan with their bare hands. Without ODM gear nonetheless." Ilse said, rubbing the back of her head while chuckling.
She was disappointed when the cloaked man didn't grace her with a comment about her mentioning the ODM gear.
"Can you stand?" Ilse nearly jumped when she heard the cloaked man's rough voice asked her that.
She turned her gaze towards him and nodded. "Y-Yes."
The cloaked man abruptly stood up and grabbed his helmet off from the ground. She caught a glimpse of his light auburn hair as he put his helmet on. Alarmed, she stood up and reached out to him, "Hey wait! I-"
The cloaked man interrupted her. "Home. Where?" He asked with his back turned.
Ilse blinked. "Huh?"
"Your home. Where now!"
"Ahh! It-it's at Shiganshina. I was actually trying to ahead back there, but I—"
"Come."
The cloaked man started around the cave entrance. Ilse tried calling after him but he didn't bother to wait for her. She quickly put out the fire, grabbed her journal from the makeshift bed, and sprinted after her savior.
Ilse found herself utterly perplexed by the enigmatic man. As they strolled side by side, his demeanor exuded an almost robotic quality, as if he bore the weight of the world upon his shoulders. His gaze, whether fixed upon the majestic trees, the delicate flora, the graceful creatures, the billowing clouds, the radiant sun, or even upon Ilse herself, seemed to linger as though he had been deprived of their presence for an eternity. It was as if he feared that these wondrous sights might abruptly vanish before his very eyes.
He steadfastly refused to reveal his countenance to Ilse, keeping it veiled in a shroud of mystery.
Furthermore, his words were few and far between. And when he did speak, his utterances were always concise and to the point, devoid of any discernible emotion. It was not a lack of sentiment that characterized his voice, but rather a sense of detachment, as if he were an observer rather than a participant in the world around him.
Ilse gazed intently at the back of the cloaked man as he guided their path. She found herself uncertain about his true nature, aside from the obvious. He possessed a tendency to remain silent, only speaking when necessary, and, of course, he was the most formidable force of annihilation Ilse had ever encountered.
Ilse swallowed, acknowledging without question that he was the most powerful man she had ever seen. The way he effortlessly dismantled the titan that had attacked her yesterday was truly a sight to behold. However, she couldn't help but wonder if her savior hailed from this realm or some distant land.
Maintaining a respectful distance behind the enigmatic figure, Ilse mentally prepared herself to inquire about his identity. With a deep breath, Ilse rejoined the man, positioning herself beside him. Receiving her journal in hand.
She occupied herself by writing a new entry.
I am Ilse Langnar. Just a recap, I took part in the 34th Expedition outside of the walls. In command of the left flank of the second brigade. On the way back, encountered titans. Lost squad-mates and horses. I even abandoned my broken mobility gear and ran north.
I lost my horse outside the wall in Titan-controlled territory. I've been running for days without any semblance of a plan or hope for survival. I ran with the only hope that I may reach the wall without encountering any titans. Except I did encounter one.
At first I thought my life was over, until I made a shocking discovery. For the first time in human history, the titan spoke to me. I tried asking about its nature, where it came from, its purpose, and in the end I got no answer.
Due to the stress of the situation and everything I've gone through, I lost my composure and lashed out at the titan. Which was a mistake. Even while I was still writing I accepted death, though my tears that trickled down my cheeks betrayed my bravery. I should've died right there and then… but…
Ilse glanced at her savior, then returned her gaze back to her paper and continued jotting.
I was unexpectedly saved. Not by a soldier from the Garrison Regiment, or a Scout from the Scout Regiment. But a man cloaked in black. I am the first to have witnessed them tackle a titan with their bare hands and killed it effortlessly. I really didn't know what to make of him, other than what was obvious. He's silent and only speaks when necessary, and of course: he was the most terrifying force of destruction I had ever seen.
I'm walking with him as I write this. He's escorting me to the wall, to Shiganshina. I will record more of what happens to me on this paper… until then I will do everything I can.
Ilse closed her journal and placed it back to her side along with her pencil. She proceeded to walk beside the cloaked figure through the forest. She glanced up and saw a few birds chirping on overhanging branches.
"So, um…" Ilse began, glancing at him. "You mind telling me your name?"
She experienced a sense of disappointment when the cloaked man did not bestow upon her the courtesy of revealing his true identity.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?" Ilse asked, apprehensive. When his continued silence proved to be his response, Ilse simply nodded and faced forward. "It's okay if you don't want to talk to me." She smiled sadly. "I just want to know the name of the person who saved my life, that's all. But again, I understand."
The pair proceeded through the forest in silence. After a few minutes she blinked in surprise when the cloaked man suddenly replied. "William."
Ilse paused and turned to face him. Slightly irritated by the need to reiterate, William narrowed his eyes and spoke with a tone that matched his annoyance.
"It's William..."
Ilse's eyes widened, "William?" Her lips formed a small smile. "Ok. Just William, right?" He nodded. "Alright. Thank you William… for saving my life," Ilse replied happily.
"…" William blinked incredulously at the woman's good nature in the face of his rudeness. "That thing back there," he stated as he pointed his thumb over his shoulder. "What do you know of it?"
Ilse blinked then slightly tilted her head. "You mean the one that attacked me?"
William nodded.
"Well, what you just killed yesterday was a titan," she started. "They first appeared over a-hundred years ago and they only live to do one thing: eating humans, which is us. Their aberration brute strength trumped an average person's many times over; It's because of this that humanity was shoved to the brink of extinction almost overnight. Over the years, the remaining survivors erected Walls Maria, Rose, and Sina; withdrawing behind them in frightened huddles for what was to be a century of uneasy peace. But through our uneasy peace, the titan's numbers increased dramatically. They turned any abandoned towns into new territories."
"But the ones that are the most dangerous are the abnormals, which could possess unusual intelligence or perform unpredictable actions. Unlike the typical Titans that attacked and devoured humans on sight, abnormal Titans might choose to ignore single or isolated humans, and exhibited unpredictable behavior that could lead to greater damage as they disrupt important strategic locations. Some of these uncommon behaviors were speed-walking, running, and performing great jumps"
"…so, the one I killed yesterday was an abnormal or 'somethin?"
Ilse nodded. "Yeah."
"…I see." William returned his gaze to the path they walked on.
"Soo, how do you fight without ODM gear?" She asked. Cracking his armored knuckles was William's answer. Ilse winced from listening to the bones crack underneath the gauntlets. "Well, I guess you really don't need ODM as long as you got that suit."
"Yep."
"I've never seen you around here before… Do you happen to come from another place? A town maybe..?"
"…"
"You're not from around here… are you?"
"…No."
"Oh," she thought to herself, feeling a sense of delight. Yes, progress was being made. Her smile gently softened as she inquired, "May I ask where you come from?" Suddenly, William came to a halt, his gaze fixed ahead in silence. Overtaking him, Ilse quickly stopped and turned, concerned that she may have touched upon a sensitive subject. William lowered his head slightly, lost in thought. "William?" Ilse timidly uttered, her voice filled with nervousness.
"Argent D'Nur." William responded as he resumed walking.
The sound, pronunciation, and otherworldliness of William's response caught her off guard. "Argent D... D'Nur?" She murmured softly, trying to pronounce it herself. She furrowed her brow slightly when it didn't sound like a familiar place. As she realized that William was once again walking ahead of her, she let out a small squeak and quickly sprinted to catch up with him. "Is that a location outside of Paradis?" She inquired politely.
"Paradis?"
"Yes. We're standing on it right now. It's a massive isla—"
"No," William cut her off.
"…" Ilse swallowed nervously. "It's… not anywhere on Paradis?" She asked apprehensively. William didn't answer.
Ilse's gaze descended from his cloak, tracing the intricate patterns that adorned it, until it reached the gauntlets concealed beneath his garment. As she observed him at this moment, it became increasingly apparent that he hailed from a distant land, for his attire bore no resemblance to anything she had encountered before. The armor he wore, unlike the ones depicted in the pages of her beloved books, possessed a unique and unfamiliar quality.
"Um…"
William turned his head as far as his helmet allowed.
"How come you had to leave?"
"…" he held his gaze at her for a few moments. He looked back straight ahead when he answered, "Had to."
"Oh. Okay…?"
William did not offer a response, much to Ilse's satisfaction. She chose to remain silent, recognizing that she had ventured into a somber realm with the armored warrior. The pair continued on in awkward silence for a few minutes.
Ilse blinked. She had been so distracted with questioning her new companion that she had failed to notice a perceptible shift in the atmosphere.
The forest was silent.
Ilse's heartbeat fluttered, and she felt a familiar rush of adrenaline. The chirping birds and even the buzzing insects had fallen silent.
Ilse turned at William and saw that he had slowed down as well upon noticing the silence. William immediately looked around with his shotgun. Ilse stared into the tree tops. A soft breeze stirred the canopy, gently rustling through the leaves.
At that moment, the duo experienced potent tremors coursing through their very bones. Although the epicenter lay a considerable distance from their current location, they were able to physically perceive the ground quivering as if it were being displaced. It seemed like multiple giant mallets were striking the earth, making it rumble and shake, more powerful with each successive impact.
They were footsteps, multiple footsteps.
Ilse was caught off guard when William ran forward. She sprinted after him until she ran by his side. Ilse looked up at the overhanging branches and saw that none of the birds were out, not even the morning owls that usually hooted throughout the day.
The pair sprinted through the forest until they perceived the conclusion of said forest a few meters beyond a cluster of trees. William came to a halt at the edge of a precipice, and Ilse stumbled alongside him, her heart pounding with trepidation. Together they peered over the edge. An ocean of thick tree-top canopy lay before them, nearly sixty-feet below.
They lifted their heads and were greeted by a horrifying sight. About eleven-thousand feet away from them, striding forward in a clear grassy field, were a multitude of gray colossal titans.
Every deliberate stride reverberated through the earth beneath the pair's feet. Through the HUD of his helmet, William observed that each head was adorned with an imposing metal helmet that enveloped their entire faces, concealing their eyes behind a dark visor. It proved impossible to discern any features concealed within those helmets.
Below the feet of the colossal figures, there were legions of soldiers who walked alongside it. The pair raised their heads and beheld countless Barrage balloons soaring high in the sky. The foremost Barrage balloon took the lead, guiding the way as they advanced over the army.
"Oh, my god," breathed Ilse, her hand slightly raised over her mouth. "There's hun—no, there's thousands of them! But where are they going?"
William didn't grace her with an answer. His narrowed eyes followed the army akin to a wide-eyed owl. His hands gripped his gun tightly.
"It looks like they're going north. But… isn't that where… oh god..!"
William and Ilse exchange knowing glances as they turn their gazes back to the far away army.
A terrible realization dawned on the pair.
The army was heading towards Shiganshina.
Hannes brought his hand over his mouth, yawning out the hours of work from night-shift. He pinched the bridge of his nose to ease out any embers of stress lingering within him. His chest rose and fell, followed by a long exhale.
After the recent events, which have now calmed down, the cadets who managed to survive have resumed their usual daily activities. His fellow comrades, standing at a distance of ten feet, engage in conversations regarding the breach, with the central topic being the individual known as the 'Titan Slayer'. Kinda think of it, everyone around the town was talking about him.
Hannes understands that his fellow cadets' imaginations may run wild when it comes to the Slayer, as he himself struggles to fully comprehend the events that transpired. But he didn't want to think about that right now.
"Morning Hannes…"
Hannes turned to his right and saw Hugo approaching with a wave of his hand.
"Morning Hugo." Hannes returned with a nod. "You slept well?"
"No," Hugo sighed.
Hannes frowned and faced forward.
"Stupid nightmares, I couldn't stop thinking about what happened yesterday," Hugo said, standing by Hannes's side. "Titans. God damn titans. I never thought in a hundred years they would somehow breach the wall."
Hannes placed his hand on Hugo's shoulder. "Hey, they may have caught us off guard. But that's not gonna happen again. Look." Hannes pointed at the cannons that stood five feet away from each other, and the thousands of garrison soldiers standing guard in unison. "We got loads of cannons and enough soldiers to fight an army of titans. We're well prepared Hugo."
Hugo glanced to the ground. "I hope so, man."
"Hey guys!"
Hannes and Hugo turned their gaze to their right. One of the soldiers pointed their sword forward. The young cadet turned his gaze towards the pair.
"Something's approaching!" The young cadet shouted.
Hannes directed his gaze ahead and raised his eyes. In the distance, he observed indistinct fragments gracefully gliding through the atmosphere. As these aforementioned fragments gradually approached, they unveiled an impressive sight of numerous barrage balloons soaring above. Hannes's heart fluttered with anticipation as an even greater number of these magnificent balloons followed closely behind.
"What the hell…" Hannes heard Hugo breathe.
Hannes turned his gaze towards Hugo and saw him gesturing with his trembling finger, indicating a particular direction. Hannes shifted his gaze towards the area that Hugo had indicated. His eyes widened as he immediately froze in place.
Multiple gray colossal titans stride slowly and ominously towards the wall. Legions of soldiers walked between their feet. The army was flanked with normal titans walking alongside them with square-size devices stuck to their temples.
Everyone was speechless.
"Man your stations! Mount the cannons, don't let those colossal titans reach the wall!!" Hannes turned to his left. "Evacuate everyone, get them to the boats, now!!"
The tranquil air was broken by the tremendous bellow emitting from the colossal titans.
Death was fast approaching.
To be continued.
A/N: Okay so, some of you guys thought the enemy that i'm bringing here to Shinganshina is the demon apocalypse. Which I have already established, I think, from the first and second author notes that I'm not gonna bring them here that early. Especially in this arc. So to anyone that thought the demon apocalypse is coming in this arc, no they're not coming.
As for who this mysterious military force is, I won't say too much about them. What I can say is that they're not from Marley nor Eldian, and are known as the Hinotōchi. With all of that said, I'll be taking my leave. See you in the next chapter!