Attack on Titan: A Wolf Among Sheep
Chapter 2: Unraveling Mysteries
…
As the sun rose high in the sky, the Scout Regiment's headquarters buzzed with the onset of a new day. Fresh recruits chattered nervously, while veterans moved about with a determined focus, each person fulfilling their assigned duties. Amidst this orchestrated chaos, a new face, a centuries-old man who had just witnessed the fall of Shiganshina, drew everyone's curiosity.
Fen, however, kept his emotions masked under a veil of indifference. He moved subtly through the headquarters, seeming more like a shadow than a man. His silence amplified the whispers that filled the air.
The commotion around him fell into the background as he focused on the food on his tray, his thoughts drifting back to the painful memories that had led him here. The horrific events he had witnessed in Shiganshina, the loss of Lilia, and now his sudden exposure.
His silent introspection was broken by a familiar voice. "Fenrir!" The exuberant call belonged to Hange Zoe, one of the senior officers and a woman renowned for her boundless curiosity and energy.
Ignoring the subtle raising of eyebrows that her use of his full name caused, she plonked herself on the bench across from him, her eyes sparkling with interest. "You've lived for centuries," she blurted out, not really a question. "How?"
Fen looked at her, evaluating how much he should reveal. "It's a long story," he said, his voice guarded. He was not yet ready to divulge his entire truth.
Unperturbed, Hange leaned in, her intrigue palpable. "But you are immortal?"
Fen nodded. He had already admitted as much, and there was no point denying it now. Yet, he kept his silence, not offering more than what was asked.
This was not the grand revelation Hange had hoped for, but she accepted it, for now. She was smart enough to understand that she would need to tread carefully if she wanted to learn more about this enigmatic man.
Hange's question hung in the air, her eyes still wide with the endless possibilities and implications of Fen's existence. Fen remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the remnants of his meal.
Finally, he looked up to meet Hange's gaze, his eyes carrying a distant sadness. "For the most part," he started, his voice low, "I have avoided humanity. The reasons are...complicated."
Seeing Hange's lips part to fire off another question, Fen held up a hand to stall her. "It's not something I wish to discuss now," he added, his tone making it clear that it was not a topic up for debate.
For a moment, Hange looked as though she might argue, but instead she nodded, understanding the weight behind his words. She leaned back, her mind whirring with the new information she had gathered. It was clear that Fen was not an ordinary being, and that his existence raised more questions than answers. But for now, she was willing to give him the space he needed.
The air around them seemed to shift as the lunchtime chatter resumed. Fen picked up his cutlery again, his attention returning to his food. As he ate, his mind wandered, his memories drifting to a time long ago, and a world that was entirely different from the one he was living in now. His admission had stirred old memories, and with them, an ancient loneliness that he had buried deep within him.
…
The fiery hues of the setting sun cast long shadows over the Scout Regiment's training grounds, as the regular day wound down and a special training session was about to commence. Fen, the centuries-old newcomer, stood alone in the vast expanse, the focus of attention of the experienced scouts watching from a distance.
Their instructor was none other than Levi Ackerman, humanity's strongest soldier. His gaze was locked on Fen, a flicker of curiosity in his otherwise impassive eyes. "Show us what you've got, Fenrir," he commanded, his tone steady and indifferent.
Fen took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself as he strapped into the 3D Maneuver Gear. Though he was no stranger to soaring heights and swift movements, he had never relied on a mechanical contraption to do so. However, he understood the necessity of this pretense and was ready to play his part.
He launched himself into the air, the gear's gas-powered propulsion system blasting him off the ground. But unlike his natural, graceful flight, this time, he struggled to maintain control. His movements were less fluid, less intuitive, and as he attempted a sharp turn, he crashed into a nearby tree with a loud thud.
The observing scouts winced at the impact, but Fen simply rose, brushing off the dust and debris. He seemed more annoyed than hurt. Walking up to the tree that he had crashed into, he marked it with a swift, seemingly casual swipe of his hand.
As he walked away, the bark of the tree showed the distinct mark of five deep scratches, akin to claw marks. Levi's eyes narrowed at the sight, noticing Fen's nails retracting back to their normal appearance.
The session continued, but the incident left a silent question hanging in the air. What exactly was Fen, and what secrets did he hold? The events of the day promised a host of mysteries yet to be unraveled.
Taking a deep breath, Fen detached himself from the contraption, the 3D Maneuver Gear falling away from him. He straightened, casting his gaze towards Levi, an unspoken request in his eyes.
"May I try this... without the gear?" he asked, his voice steady but quiet. The whispers and murmurs of the other scouts subsided almost instantly. They were curious. It wasn't often that someone willingly opted to forego the equipment designed for their survival.
Levi's eyes met Fen's. He regarded him silently for a moment, his gaze evaluating and assessing. Fen held his gaze, showing no sign of backing down. In this brief exchange, the determination in Fen's eyes was clear. He wanted to try this his own way.
Levi finally gave a curt nod, granting him the permission he sought. "Very well," he said, his voice carrying through the silence, "Show us what you can do, Fen."
With that approval, Fen turned his attention back to the training field, preparing to reveal yet another aspect of his peculiar existence.
As the mechanical click echoed in the dense forest, the world seemed to freeze for Fen. Before he could react, thick netting fired from the trees, ensnaring him in a trap he hadn't noticed. His body was jerked upwards, his feet inches off the ground, as the net tightened around him.
Instinctively, a deep growl emanated from his throat. He felt his control slipping, an ancient fear and hatred for restraints surfacing, a reflection of his past trauma. His body began to contort and shift, changing from his human guise into his true form, a monstrous wolf. His size grew exponentially, and the net that was once an effective trap became like a spider's web holding a bear. It strained, then snapped under his newfound bulk.
His fur was black as midnight, and his eyes glowed with an ethereal green light. The full form of Fenrir, the monstrous wolf of Norse mythology, stood tall on all fours, a horrifying sight to behold. He towered over the trees around him, reaching a height of 15 to 17 meters, a beast out of nightmares.
His monstrous growl echoed through the forest, a resonating sound filled with fury. The recruits and even the veteran Scouts who watched, fell silent, their eyes wide in terror and awe at the transformation.
But it was in this moment, seeing their terrified expressions, Fen came to a painful realization. He'd let his traumatic past get the better of him. He'd revealed a part of him that he had wished to keep hidden.
A soft sigh escaped him, and his monstrous form began to shrink. Fur retracted into skin, green eyes faded into their natural color, and the giant wolf was replaced by the man they knew as Fen. His clothes, previously shredded in his transformation, stitched themselves back together, leaving no physical evidence of his transformation, just the psychological impact of it.
The silence that followed was heavy, their eyes wide and filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Levi was the first to break it, "Well, that was unexpected."
Fen looked around at their stunned faces, feeling a twinge of regret. "Sorry," he said, his voice soft, "I've always hated being restrained." His gaze fell on his own hands, a grim reminder of the monster within.
…
A short while later…
Erwin, Levi, Hange, and the entirety of the Levi squad - Petra Ral, Eld Jinn, Oluo Bozado, and Gunther Schultz, all gathered together to confront Fen after the shocking display of his monstrous form. They all held various expressions of disbelief, curiosity, and in the case of Hange, utter fascination.
Erwin was the first to speak, his tone steady and commanding, "Fen, we need an explanation. What was that creature we just witnessed?"
Levi, arms crossed and expression cool, studied Fen with a piercing gaze, silent but demanding answers just as fiercely.
Petra Ral, with her gentle but firm nature, asked with concern, "Fen, are you alright?"
Eld Jinn, normally a silent observer, couldn't help but voice his question, "How can you transform like that?"
Oluo Bozado, trying to maintain his tough demeanor, muttered, "Some sort of Titan ability, perhaps?"
Gunther Schultz, ever the rational one, said, "We've seen Eren's Titan form. This was different...much different."
And Hange, practically vibrating with excitement and curiosity, practically shouted, "Is that your true form? Are you a Titan, or something else?"
In the face of these questions, Fen knew he had to offer them an explanation, however difficult that might be.
Fen sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as if fighting a deep-rooted headache. He looked around at the gathered faces, all eyes now fixed on him with an intensity that made his skin crawl.
"You want the truth?" he asked, his voice hoarse with a strange mixture of anticipation and resignation. "Very well. You might find this hard to believe, but... I am not of this world. I am... or rather was, known as Fenrir, a figure from an ancient mythology you've never heard of. My father was Loki, a god, and my mother, Angrboda, a giantess."
He paused, allowing them a moment to digest the information. Levi's eyes had narrowed, but he remained silent, his gaze never wavering from Fen. Hange looked like a child who had just been told the most fantastical tale, eyes wide and sparkling.
"I was born in an era where gods and giants walked the earth. Odin, the chief god, had a prophecy that I would cause his downfall, and so... out of fear, they chained me to a rock. They thought that by leaving me there, helpless and abandoned, they would be safe. A sword was wedged into my mouth, keeping it agape and causing endless torment."
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Fen revealed his past. His words, unbelievable as they were, held a certain weight that silenced the room.
"But I survived," Fen continued. "They would have killed me if they could, but they didn't. Instead, they forgot about me. I was left alone, in pain and in chains, for what felt like an eternity. Over the years, I learnt to assume a human form. And I waited, biding my time, enduring the torment until finally, I was free."
Fen paused, his gaze drifting away as if he was lost in the memories. "That was... five, maybe seven thousand years ago. I lost track of time after a while..."
The silence that followed his confession was deafening. The entire squad, including Erwin and Levi, looked at him, their faces a mixture of shock, disbelief, and in Hange's case, utter fascination. They had wanted the truth and now that they had it, they were grappling to make sense of it. Fen had finally revealed his past, now all he could do was wait for their reaction.
Stunned silence gripped the room for a long moment before Hange, ever the curious scientist, broke the tension. "Siblings?" she asked, her voice a little more than a whisper. "Do you have any... like you?"
Fen nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to his hands. "I do... two of them, to be precise. They're... different. Not like me, and certainly not like you."
He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "Jormungandr is my brother. A serpent... so large that he can encircle the earth and bite his own tail. The 'World Serpent', as he's known in our mythology."
Fen's eyes had a distant look as he described his brother, a twinge of melancholy in his voice. "And then there's Hel... our sister. She is the goddess of the dead, half her body appearing lively and vibrant while the other half is rotting. A horrifying sight to behold."
Hange listened, enraptured by his words while the others were still processing the bombshell Fen had just dropped.
"If they ever show up, do not try to fight them," Fen warned, his voice hardening. "You cannot win. Your only hope is to appeal to their better nature. They... are not monsters, not really. Not unless they're forced to be."
The heavy silence returned once more, each of them lost in their thoughts, grappling with the unbelievable reality Fen had revealed. An ancient god among them, a legend from another world. It was a lot to take in, even for the most open-minded among them.
"I won't pretend to be innocent," Fen began, breaking the silence. "We were wild, unruly. I grew to my full size in less than a week and... caused a lot of problems." He sighed heavily, a pained expression clouding his features.
"There was... an incident," Fen continued, his gaze turning distant as he was lost in the past. "Tyr, the God of War and Justice, he was the only one who ever showed kindness to me. He fed me, cared for me, treated me as more than just a monster..."
His voice trailed off, the room hanging on his every word. "But when the gods decided to bind me... he was the one who placed his hand in my mouth, as a sign of trust. When I realized that I had been deceived... that the 'rope' they were using was a magical fetter designed to imprison me... I... I bit his hand off."
Fen's gaze dropped to his hands, the ancient pain evident in his voice. "I never wanted to hurt him. But in that moment, I felt so betrayed. I didn't know what else to do."
His revelation hung heavy in the room, a complex web of history, betrayal, and pain. It was a sobering reminder that this man, who looked no different from any of them, carried a weight of years and experiences they could barely begin to comprehend.
As the group neared the familiar yet imposing edifice of the Scout Regiment headquarters, Fen suddenly distanced himself from the rest. His posture stiffened, eyes narrowed in focus, and nose twitching as he methodically analyzed the air, parsing out each individual scent.
The others watched his peculiar behavior, trading glances with each other, their chatter quieting as they neared the headquarters. Although they had made this journey many times before, the looming structure always cast an intimidating shadow. Yet, it was their mission, one they were determined to fulfill.
Levi, Hange, and Erwin moved closer, their voices dropping to hushed whispers. "He's inspecting the air like a dog on a hunt," Levi observed, his scrutinizing gaze never leaving Fen.
Erwin gave a nod, eyes also glued to Fen. "He might be peculiar, but if he can be an asset in reclaiming Wall Maria... we need to utilize him."
Hange chimed in, her usual excitement tinted with a hint of apprehension. "Regardless of where he's from or what he is, he's unlike anything we've ever dealt with. The implications are... intriguing."
On the periphery, Levi's squad members – Petra, Eld, Gunther, and Oluo – silently observed the exchange. Their faces mirrored the intrigue felt by their superiors, but a sense of unease lurked underneath. They were about to embark on a perilous journey to Wall Maria, alongside a being who claimed to hail from ancient mythology.
Breaking the tense silence, Levi voiced the question lingering on everyone's minds, "Can we really trust this guy? A god in a form of a wolf, seriously?" He glanced towards Hange, who could only respond with a shrug.
Despite the doubts, none could dismiss the unique abilities they'd witnessed from Fen. His claim of being a god might be difficult to swallow, but the value he could add to their mission was undeniable.
Suddenly, Fen snapped to attention. His eyes glowed a spectral green as he looked towards the looming structure. The conversation amongst the group immediately ceased, all eyes trained on Fen as he ventured towards the Scout Regiment headquarters. The tension rose palpably as he disappeared within the age-worn structure, the group left on edge, their hearts racing in anticipation of the imminent challenges and the expedition that awaited them.
…
Like a well-oiled machine, the members of the Scout Regiment quickly fell into a rhythm as they began the colossal task of cleaning the dilapidated headquarters. Years of neglect had accumulated layers of dust, and nature had begun reclaiming the once bustling fort.
Fen and Eren were assigned the daunting task of scrubbing the floors. Equipped with buckets, mops, and brushes, they worked with a steadfast determination, their movements synchronized by hours of relentless training.
Levi's Squad, namely Petra, Eld, Gunther, and Oluo, undertook the critical task of ensuring the integrity of the building's structure. Checking the wooden beams and support structures for signs of decay, their work required precision and a keen eye for detail.
Levi himself, notorious for his exacting standards of cleanliness, supervised their efforts, making sure that not a single corner was overlooked. His stern gaze was a constant reminder of the importance of the task at hand.
Hange, meanwhile, had taken up the task of cleaning the old laboratory. As a scientist, she found joy in making sense of the old research materials, even as she dusted and organized the room. Erwin was with her, assisting and discussing strategic plans for the upcoming expedition.
As the day wore on, the headquarters began to regain some semblance of its former glory. The air cleared of dust and the sunlight reflected off the freshly scrubbed surfaces, illuminating the grand hallways with renewed vitality.
Despite the initial state of disrepair, the squad's diligence paid off. By nightfall, the headquarters was almost unrecognizable. Their combined efforts had turned the previously abandoned fort into a functioning base, a testament to their determination and a beacon of hope for their mission to reclaim Wall Maria.
Tired but satisfied, they finally called it a day. As they gathered for a well-deserved meal, Fen couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie growing within this diverse group. It was a new feeling for the ancient being, but not an unwelcome one. With their impending expedition, they would need to rely on each other, perhaps more than ever before.
As the members of the Scout Regiment continued their intense cleanup, they stumbled upon a significant obstacle. A massive, centuries-old tree had fallen across one of the key pathways within the compound, obstructing access to the storage building. It was a towering oak, its sheer size and weight rendering it a colossal obstruction that no group of humans could hope to shift.
The team gathered around the fallen giant, assessing the situation. Levi's usual stoic expression gave way to a slight grimace as he contemplated their predicament. No doubt, it would take days to chop the tree down and remove it piece by piece. Days they could ill afford to waste.
Just as they were contemplating their next move, Fen stepped forward. Without uttering a word, he walked up to the massive trunk. He placed his hands beneath it and, with an eerie calmness, began to lift.
The onlookers could hardly believe their eyes as the mighty tree trunk started to rise from the ground, its massive roots tearing away from the earth. Muscles bulging, Fen maintained his grip, his feet digging into the ground for support as he hoisted the weighty object.
With one final heave, Fen moved the tree out of the pathway and tossed it aside as if it were nothing more than a fallen branch. He stood upright, brushed off his hands, and returned to his earlier task without saying a word.
A moment of stunned silence followed, before it was broken by Hange's excited outburst. "Amazing! Absolutely incredible!" The rest of the squad, though still shocked, had to agree. They were left in no doubt about Fen's strength and just how much of an asset he would be in their mission to retake Wall Maria.
After witnessing Fen's incredible display of strength, Hange's curiosity about the enigmatic man was piqued even further. A possibility had dawned upon her, a link she hadn't considered before. While her interest in the Titans remained paramount, Fenrir represented a new, undiscovered realm of understanding.
As she approached Fen, she cast a sidelong glance at Eren who was engrossed in his own chore. "Eren," she initiated, "I have some experiments in mind involving Sawney and Beane. Would you assist me with them?"
Eren gave a compliant nod, his eagerness to contribute towards further understanding their nemesis evident. However, Hange was already directing her attention back to Fen.
Examining him contemplatively, she harbored a fresh inquiry. "Fenrir," she proceeded, a note of caution in her voice, "you've claimed to have lived for millennia. The Titans, as far as we're aware, have been in existence for just over a century..." She allowed her words to trail off, her eyes reflecting her burgeoning curiosity.
Predicting the trajectory of her thought process, Fen quickly stepped in. "That," he interjected in a measured tone, "is a sensitive subject."
Taken aback, Hange blinked at him. His grave countenance indicated his earnestness. "I've encountered enough evil in this world," he added solemnly. The undertone in his voice put a pause on any further queries Hange might have harbored.
At least, for the time being.
Fen's voice echoed in the relative silence that had descended over them, "Rest assured, Hange, you'll get your answers in due time. But for now," he sighed deeply, the weight of centuries visible in his eyes, "I would prefer to leave it at that."
As the evening fell, a calmness settled over the Scout Regiment's headquarters. The day's strenuous cleaning had taken its toll on the members, and most of them had retreated to their respective quarters for some much-needed rest. But for Hange, the mysteries of the day only fueled her relentless curiosity.
Pulling Eren aside, Hange started to talk to him about Sawney and Beane, her captives. "Eren," she began, a gleam in her eyes that spoke volumes about her enthusiasm, "I want to tell you about Sawney and Beane."
She spoke of them as if they were people, her words filled with a strange kind of affection. Eren listened, trying to understand her fascination, the complexity of these creatures that had brought them so much pain.
Unseen by them, Fen watched from a distance. His centuries-old eyes gazed at Hange as she animatedly spoke about the Titans, a tinge of sadness reflected in them. 'If only she knew the truth...' he thought to himself, knowing that their reality was about to change in a way they couldn't yet comprehend.
While Hange and Eren continued their discussion, the stern figure of Commander Erwin Smith approached Fen. The man had a commanding presence, his eyes always evaluating, always calculating. Tonight, they were focused on Fen.
"Fenrir," Erwin said, his tone as serious as ever, "may I have a word?"
Fen nodded, moving a bit further away from the engrossed pair, out of earshot. The quiet intensity of the night seemed to echo in the silence between the two men.
Erwin didn't beat around the bush. "About the Titans," he started, his gaze steady on Fen. "You seemed...perturbed when Hange brought up the subject earlier. And it's clear you know more than you've shared so far."
Fen met Erwin's gaze with his own equally intense one. A part of him had expected this conversation. Erwin was a sharp man; it was impossible for him not to notice. But how much could he trust him with? The truth was a dangerous thing in the wrong hands.
After a moment of consideration, Fen decided to reveal his cards. "Erwin," he began, his voice low, "I do know more...more than most, but there are people within the walls that would do anything to keep it a secret."
Erwin's sharp gaze didn't waver, indicating he was following Fen's words with keen interest. "Can you trust me with this information?" he asked, his voice as steady as ever.
Fen gave him a serious look, weighing the situation once more. Finally, he sighed, "Yes...but only if you promise to keep it to yourself."
Erwin nodded solemnly, accepting the responsibility. As the moonlight bathed them in its soft glow, Fen revealed a story about the Titans, one that would change everything Erwin knew about their world.
Fen took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. What he was about to say was not easy. It was a harsh truth, and he knew it would hit Erwin like a storm.
"We're on an island, Erwin," he began. "Our 'walled world' is not the only human civilization. There's more, far beyond the ocean. And they aren't our friends."
Erwin's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt. Fen appreciated that. He continued, "These humans... they transform their own people into Titans. Disposable weapons to wage wars and maintain control. It's been going on for over two thousand years."
Erwin's eyes widened slightly at that, but again, he remained silent, allowing Fen to explain further.
"The sad part is, our first king, he wasn't just some monarch. He was like the Colossal Titan, the Armored Titan...and like Eren," Fen paused, letting the information sink in. "He could erase the memories of his own people, all to keep you in the dark, to maintain this farce of peace within the walls."
Erwin's expression was one of shock, of disbelief. But there was also a hint of understanding. The pieces were starting to fit together.
Fen continued, "I wonder if you've ever thought about why Eren's father, Grisha, went to the capital before he disappeared. Makes you wonder if he retrieved something... something he then passed onto his son."
The revelation hung heavy in the air. It was a lot to process, even for the stoic Commander Erwin. This information, if true, changed everything. They were not fighting mindless monsters; they were fighting their own people, twisted and tortured beyond recognition. Their enemies were not only the Titans, but humans as well, humans who had been pulling the strings from beyond the sea.
Fen's voice took on a solemn tone as he continued. "The Will of the First King... it's not a simple inheritance. It passes on to the one who consumes the previous holder. This is how the power of the Titans is transferred. One has to be turned into a Titan and then consume one of the Nine Titan shifters... That's how it's always been."
He paused, looking at Erwin with an intensity that made the commander uneasy. "The very first of all of you was a slave girl," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "She was bound by her enslavement to a man named Fritz who believed himself to be a god."
The implications of this revelation sent shockwaves through Erwin. He could see the centuries of pain and suffering etched into Fen's eyes. A history of violence, slavery, and manipulation. Suddenly, the enemy was not just the Titans, but a deeply ingrained system of cruelty and oppression. Erwin knew that they were facing a far more complex and tragic reality than they had ever imagined.
Fen's voice grew quieter, the words seeming to catch in his throat. "He... Fritz... had three children with her. Maria, Rosa, and Sina." He let the familiar names hang in the air. "Sound familiar?"
Erwin's heart thudded in his chest as he took in the implication. The names of the walls - their supposed sanctuaries - were a grisly reminder of a tragic history they had all been ignorant of.
Fen's face twisted in revulsion as he continued. "When she sacrificed herself to save him... he did something unimaginable. He... he cut her up and fed her to his three daughters. It was... sickening."
The horrific revelation hung heavy between them. Erwin could barely process what he was hearing. This was a history he couldn't have fathomed, a darkness so deep it felt like a physical weight. All he could do was stare at Fen, the centuries-old man who had lived through it all, and who was now entrusting him with the hidden history of humanity.
Fen's voice, though quiet, was sharp and laced with sorrow. "And then," he continued, his gaze steady on Erwin, "he did the same with his own children. He had them killed and fed to their own offspring, his nine grandchildren."
Erwin felt the blood drain from his face, the gruesome realization sinking in. "That's why... there are nine Titan shifters..." He whispered, his voice shaky.
Fen simply nodded, the grim confirmation hanging heavily in the air. It was a sickening cycle of power and cruelty that had birthed the horror that was their current world. The chilling narrative of their history was far removed from anything Erwin had ever imagined, and the weight of it was almost too much to bear.
Fen sighed heavily, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Now you understand why I needed you to keep this a secret, Erwin," he said, a quiet solemnity to his tone. "The truth is too much to bear for many."
He paused for a moment, his attention still on the dirt beneath their feet. Then, lifting his gaze back to Erwin, he added, "Eren... he doesn't know where his father is. But given what I've just told you, and knowing that his father passed the Titan power onto him..." His words trailed off, the unspoken implications hanging heavily in the air between them.
Erwin swallowed, his mind racing with the implications. Grisha's fate... Eren's burden... it was a lot to take in. But he nodded, a silent promise to the man before him. He would carry this burden, for now. The knowledge was a heavy weight, but one he was willing to bear. For his people.
Dawn broke over the scout regiment headquarters with an air of somber silence. News had reached them that Sawney and Beane, the two captured Titans used for experimentation, had been slain. The shockwave of this revelation could be felt resonating throughout the entire facility.
Hange was devastated, her expressive eyes filled with grief and anger. She had lost two subjects that were key to her research and, in a strange way, she'd also lost something akin to companions. She'd observed them, studied them and, in her own way, connected with them. Now they were gone, their secrets untold.
Fen watched silently from a distance, his thoughts shrouded. He had known the truth about the Titans, the tragic reality of their existence. Yet, seeing Hange's grief brought a melancholic tug to his heart.
As the news spread, Eren, Armin, Mikasa, and the others gathered in shock and confusion. The burning question in everyone's mind was 'who would do this?' and 'why?' But answers were not easily forthcoming. The identity of the Titan's killers was yet a mystery.
Fen stood apart from the group, keeping his distance, but his gaze never strayed far from the upset crowd. He was an observer here, a newcomer bearing witness to the unravelling events. But he also was more than that. He carried knowledge and understanding that went beyond their limited perceptions. The Titans, the secrets, the horror of it all, he'd seen it unfold across the centuries.
The moment called for action, and soon the Scout Regiment was alive with it. Erwin, Levi, and the others immediately began plans to identify the culprits, their usual calm replaced with an urgent determination.
The reality of their situation had shifted once again, adding another layer to the mystery they were all desperately trying to unravel. And as they navigated through this unexpected challenge, the presence of Fen, an enigma himself, was a subtle but undeniable force among them.