Attack on Titan: A Wolf Among Sheep

Chapter 4: The Battle of Stohess District

…

The conference room echoed with the solemnity of the gathering. The key members of the Scout Regiment were present: Levi, Mikasa, Armin, Eren, Erwin, and the members of Levi's squad, with the exception of the injured Gunther. Also present was the imposing figure of Fenrir, his emerald eyes holding an ancient wisdom and a glimmer of unyielding determination. They were gathered for a critical mission, a stratagem that held the potential of unmasking any hidden Titan Shifters within their ranks.

Erwin Smith, the indomitable commander of the Scout Regiment, broke the silence, his voice steady and resolute. "We've received orders from the highest echelons of the military. Eren and Fenrir will be handed over to the Military Police. However, this is a diversion."

A murmur of surprise ran through the gathered scouts. Their gazes turned to Eren, who wore a look of grim determination, and then to Fenrir, who remained as inscrutable as ever.

Erwin continued, his gaze sweeping over each member. "In reality, most of us will be participating in a reconnaissance mission. We'll spread out and watch for any unusual movements. This operation is not just about handing them over, but about exposing any hidden enemies."

A realization dawned on them. This mission wasn't just a mere delivery; it was a trap, a bait to lure out the enemy hidden amongst them.

Hange added her voice to the discussion. "We've been informed that the Military Police have been instructed to handle Fenrir with utmost caution. They're well aware of the potential repercussions should they provoke him."

As the weight of the mission settled in their hearts, the Scouts nodded in understanding. The sunset outside cast long, brooding shadows within the room, reflecting the gravity of the situation. It was a dangerous game they were playing, but they were determined to protect humanity, no matter the cost. As night fell, they steeled themselves for the perilous mission ahead.

The Scouts, along with Eren and Fenrir, huddled together in the dimly lit room. The atmosphere was tense, the quiet interrupted only by the rustling of maps and the scratching of pens on paper. Commander Erwin Smith, with his stern expression and unfaltering resolve, led the discussion. He laid out their operation on the table, his tone grave as he brought up the most unsettling part of their plan.

"Our primary suspect," he began, his gaze scanning over each one present, "is Annie Leonhart."

A collective gasp ran through the room. Eren jerked back, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. "Annie?" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and shock. "That's... that's impossible! She's one of us!"

Erwin's gaze landed on Fenrir who had been quiet up until this point. Fenrir nodded, confirming Erwin's statement. "I smelled it on her... during our encounter in the Forest of Giant Trees. She carries the same scent as the Female Titan."

Eren shook his head vehemently, unable to accept this revelation. His fists clenched as he looked from Fenrir to Erwin, then back again. "No, you're wrong! Annie can't be the Female Titan!"

Erwin met Eren's gaze steadily. "Eren, I understand this is hard to accept, but we must remain objective. Our suspicions are based on solid evidence."

Silence fell upon the room once again, heavier than before. As they grappled with the implications of Erwin's words, a sense of dread filled the air. A trusted ally could be their foe, a revelation that threatened to shake the very foundation of their trust in each other. But amidst the disbelief and shock, they had a mission to carry out, a mission that carried more weight and danger than any they had ever faced before.

…

Some time later…

As the sun ascended over Stohess District, casting long shadows that danced on the stone facades, Armin found himself standing before Annie Leonhart. His plea was urgent, though the story he spun was as fictitious as the calm that hovered over the district.

"Annie," he pleaded, a desperate note coloring his voice. "Eren...they've taken him. The Military Police, they've decided he's a threat...they're planning to kill him. We need your help."

Annie was quiet, her expression as unreadable as ever. The walls around them seemed to close in, mirroring the pressure of the situation. Her blue eyes flickered with an unfamiliar glint, betraying a hint of the fear that lay beneath her detached facade. It was a fear not born of Armin's fabricated tale, but of something far deeper, far more personal.

What Armin didn't know was that his words had ignited a spark of terror in Annie, a terror that had been simmering under the surface ever since her encounter with the monstrous Fenrir. That very same beast, the one who walked among them in human form, was somewhere in the vicinity. The unassuming man who turned into a mythical wolf haunted her, his chilling green gaze following her every move, waiting to expose her at the right moment.

"Why would...why would they do that?" Annie asked, her voice more detached than usual, as if she was grappling with the surreal nature of Armin's plea.

"The Military Police...they think Eren is too dangerous," Armin replied, maintaining his sincere façade. "They're going to execute him, Annie. We need your help to save him."

The words hung in the air, creating an undercurrent of tension that filled the narrow alley. The trap had been laid, the bait presented. Now, all that was left was for their suspect to take the bait.

Guiding Annie through the eerily silent streets of the Stohess District, Armin was meticulous with his words and actions. A sense of unease seemed to shadow them as they maneuvered through the abandoned, narrow alleyways. Despite the apprehension, Annie kept up, albeit with a layer of skepticism settling in her eyes.

It was Armin who broke the silence, his words measured, "Annie, I believe in you. You are a good person." His words resonated in the silent alleyway, a sincere declaration hanging between them.

For a moment, an unreadable expression flitted across Annie's face. She responded with a simple nod, her gaze not leaving Armin's face. The undercurrent of tension was palpable as they moved on, the echoes of Armin's words remaining.

However, the atmosphere took a sharp turn when they stood in front of the entrance to an underground tunnel. "Why not use this route?" Armin suggested, gesturing towards the gaping, unlit tunnel.

Caught off guard, Annie hesitated, her gaze shifting between Armin, Eren, and Mikasa. Her brows furrowed, "Why the tunnel? Isn't it faster the way we were going?" she questioned, her voice even, but the suspicion was clear in her eyes. The alleyway was deserted; the entire district seemed to have been abandoned. A sense of dread started to creep up her spine, a grim anticipation of what might come next.

Armin continued, his voice echoing off the empty buildings, "Annie, why did you have Marco's gear?" His question hanged heavy in the air, filling the silence with a palpable tension.

"I found it," she answered, her voice steady but her gaze averted. The hidden accusation in Armin's words had hit its mark. She was on edge now, her every nerve alert and tense. "I found it, that's all."

The atmosphere was electric with suspense as Eren stepped forward, his expression filled with conflict. He didn't want to believe it, couldn't accept that his comrade could be the Female Titan. He struggled to find words; his gaze locked onto Annie's. His silence screamed louder than any accusation. It was the sound of betrayal, the sound of shattered trust.

Armin pushed further, his voice just above a whisper, "The Female Titan could have killed me in the fields but she didn't. Why, Annie?"

Instead of answering, Annie laughed, a bitter and hollow sound that bounced off the buildings around them. "Interesting. You've painted me as the villain quite conveniently," her voice was laced with an edge of bitterness, her gaze hardened.

Her voice was laced with an edge of bitterness, her gaze hardened. She looked at each of them, her blue eyes cold and detached. A fleeting shadow passed across her face, a brief flicker of something else – fear. The haunting image of the monstrous wolf lurking somewhere nearby sent a shiver of terror through her veins. The last few days, lack of sleep, and gnawing paranoia were taking their toll.

A chilling burst of manic laughter broke from Annie's lips, echoing hauntingly down the abandoned streets. Her eyes, wide and terror-filled, flicked back and forth, her gaze jumping from face to face.

"This wasn't how it was supposed to go," she admitted, her voice laced with a delirium born from terror and exhaustion. Her laughter continued, the sound carrying an eerie, crazed edge that sent chills down their spines.

She began to pace, her boots scraping against the cobblestones, "I was just supposed to get Eren..." her words trailed off as her frenzied gaze darted around the alleyways. Her breath hitched in her throat as she cast a terrified glance at each shadow, half-expecting Fenrir's monstrous form to appear.

"I didn't sign up to fight monsters like that!" she exclaimed, her voice taking on a high-pitched, frantic tone. The formidable titan-shifter, known for her stoicism, was breaking down. Fear, sleep deprivation, and the overwhelming weight of her mission had eroded her sanity, transforming her into a ticking time bomb, her detonation echoing through the hollow, silent streets.

Annie's gaze settled on Armin, a flicker of something that resembled warmth in her hollow eyes. "Armin," she spoke softly, her manic laughter now replaced with a chillingly calm demeanor, "I'm glad... glad that I could be a good person to you."

She paused, her gaze piercing the empty streets around them. Then, she raised her hand, fingers splayed out before her, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But this is where my bet begins."

Armin's eyes widened, his hand instinctively reaching for the flare gun at his side as Annie's teeth inched towards her finger. But before she could bite down, a bright flare shot into the sky. Suddenly, several men appeared from the shadows, charging towards Annie.

In the confusion, Annie's hand moved to the ring on her finger, flicking open a hidden compartment to reveal a small, sharp hook. Before anyone could react, she slashed the hook across her finger.

The transformation was immediate. A burst of steam erupted around Annie, a blinding light illuminating the empty streets as she transformed into the towering form of the Female Titan. As the dust and steam settled, the figure of the monstrous Titan stood tall among the ruins, her roar echoing through the district.

From around a nearby corner, a figure stepped out into the open, striding confidently towards the transformed Annie. It was Fenrir, his face as calm and impassive as ever, but with an intensity in his emerald eyes that held a certain promise. As he approached, he stopped a few meters away from the towering Titan. Raising his head, he let out a low growl, the sound resonating throughout the district and catching Annie's attention immediately.

Her reaction was instantaneous. In her desperation, she swung her massive arm towards Fenrir, the air crackling around her fist as she put all her strength behind the attack. Yet, as if anticipating her move, Fenrir side-stepped with an agility that seemed almost uncanny for his size.

Undeterred, Annie attacked again, but each of her attempts was met with a similar result. Fenrir skillfully evaded or outright countered her attacks, his strength matching that of his massive lupine form. He seemed impenetrable, untouchable, a force that her desperate attacks could not faze.

A feeling of dread started to creep up on her as she slowly realized the futility of her efforts. She was fighting against a being whose existence surpassed her understanding, a being that was as ancient as it was powerful. The horrifying reality of her situation began to dawn on her; she had been pushed into a corner, and there was no way out.

Seizing a fleeting opportunity, Annie managed to land a massive hit on Fenrir, sending him hurtling towards the ground with a resounding crash. The earth shivered beneath the impact, dust rising into the air and obscuring the scene for a moment.

Annie didn't waste a second. She moved quickly, her colossal foot descending repeatedly on the spot where Fenrir fell. The ground trembled with each stomp, the impacts creating a sizeable crater in the stone-paved street. Once satisfied, she reached down, grabbing a huge chunk of debris and flinging it with all her might. The makeshift projectile connected, and Fenrir was launched, crashing against a nearby building. The structure groaned and partially collapsed under the impact.

The dust settled slowly, revealing a shocking sight. Fenrir was standing, brushing dust and rubble off his clothes. His face remained as stoic as ever, but his eyes... they held a spark of anger that wasn't there before. His gaze was fixed on Annie, a silent promise of retribution. Despite the brutal attack, he seemed unharmed. He was just as indestructible in his human form as he was as a monstrous wolf. The real battle was about to begin.

In an instant, Fenrir's form shifted. His human shape twisted and contorted, expanding into a massive figure that rivaled the size of the Female Titan. His skin transformed into a black so deep it seemed to swallow the surrounding light. The transformation was as swift as it was startling.

Sharp, menacing fangs replaced his human teeth, a pointed muzzle and a mane of dark fur took the place of his face, and the cobblestones beneath him scraped ominously against the length of his large, clawed paws.

His eyes, however, were what made the scene most eerie. They glowed a vivid, hellish green, casting an ethereal light around him that only intensified the terror of the situation.

Annie could only watch in sheer horror as the man she knew transformed into the stuff of legends. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, fear gnawing at her. She was cornered, the scent of Fenrir's monstrous form overpowering and petrifying. She'd hoped to capture Eren and escape, not face off against a monstrous wolf of ancient lore.

And as if things weren't bad enough, the sudden arrival of the Scout Regiment, flying around her like a swarm of hornets, amplified her panic. Her movements became desperate as she attempted to swat them away. Her prior intentions of flight were futile now. With a terror like Fenrir before her, she was left with no choice but to fight.

Annie moved with desperate, frantic energy. Buildings crumbled under her furious strikes, their remains littering the streets of the Stohess district as she swung her arms about, fending off the Scout Regiment. Her fear was evident in her frenzied actions. The sight of the massive, glowing-eyed wolf and the relentless attack of the Scouts drove her to a destructive frenzy.

Amidst the chaos, Fenrir remained a beacon of eerie calmness. As if the destruction around him was a mere backdrop, he started to utter an incantation, his voice resonating with an ancient power. "Niflheimr veður," he intoned, the syllables sounding like a growl torn from the throat of a beast. His glowing eyes never left Annie, even as the words left his lips.

In response to his incantation, the atmosphere around them began to shift. A cold gust of wind sprung forth, escalating into a forceful gale that swept through the streets of Stohess. The chilling wind whipped around Annie, forcing her back as it grew in intensity. Fenrir's eyes blazed with the otherworldly light, the chilling wind serving as an echo of his raw, primal power.

Inside the Wall Cult's church, Pastor Nick stood at the pulpit, his voice steady as he led the congregation in prayer. They gathered to seek solace, strength, and answers in the face of the daunting revelation of a new titan shifter, the mysterious and formidable Fenrir.

…

As Pastor Nick spoke about the beast amongst them, the irony was not lost on him. For what he was preaching about was far more real and present than any of them could fathom. The name Fenrir was a silent plea in their prayers, an invocation of the creature's enigma as they tried to make sense of the ever-evolving battlefield outside the safety of their Walls.

However, their prayers were abruptly halted as the sanctuary of the church was shattered. With a deafening crash, the rear wall exploded inward, raining down debris onto the horrified congregation. Nick's words caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him.

A figure loomed in the newly-formed hole, silhouetted by the sunlight filtering through the cloud of dust. It was the Female Titan, her massive form hunched over in the destruction of the church. The stillness was eerie, a ghastly juxtaposition against the carnage that lay at the titan's feet.

Pastor Nick stood there, frozen in shock and disbelief. His sermon about the mythical Fenrir had just been brutally interrupted by the manifestation of their worst nightmares. The cruel irony left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Annie seized her chance. With an unearthly scream, she lashed out, her crystalized fist colliding with Fenrir's skull with a bone-shattering force. His massive form wobbled, disoriented from the vicious blow. The impact reverberated through the district, sending dust clouds billowing into the air and shaking the very foundation of the surrounding structures.

Capitalizing on Fenrir's momentary disorientation, Annie turned to flee. Her Titan form moved with a speed that belied its size, bounding over buildings and crushing anything that dared to stand in her path. A mad rush to put distance between her and the monstrous form of Fenrir.

Behind her, Fenrir staggered, his skull partially crushed from the impact. For a moment, it looked as if he would crumble. Yet something eerie happened. His head began to reform, healing at an unprecedented rate. His eyes, burning with a vibrant green light, focused on the fleeing form of Annie. A chilling growl echoed from his throat, resonating with an air of unyielding determination and terrifying resilience.

Annie's blow should have been fatal, should have ended the fight. But Fenrir wasn't bound by the usual rules. He was an anomaly, an ancient beast tied to a destiny that seemingly granted him invincibility until the prophesied Ragnarok. Even in the face of a seemingly fatal blow, Fenrir would not fall. His fate wouldn't allow it.

…

From Fenrir's perspective, the world was a different shade of horror. His keen eyesight, honed over countless centuries, bore witness to the fallacies of humans. They believed themselves to be the epitome of power and wisdom, living in an illusion that the universe revolved around them. A flashback overcame him, a memory of an ancient battlefield where humans fought against each other, their petty squabbles escalating to a bloodbath. Their cycle of discovery, weaponization, and destruction churned his insides, igniting a burning rage that was as old as time itself.

His mind wandered back to the Aesir, their faces etched with fear and disdain. He remembered the confines of Asgard, the cage that he was thrown into when he was nothing more than a pup, barely larger than a dog. The irksome touch of that final ribbon-like chain was a sensation he would never forget, a symbol of the fear and suspicion that had been heaped upon him.

Over time, as he grew in size, his form shifted and morphed, his features becoming more regal and formidable, more akin to a monstrous wolf than any domestic mutt. His physical transformation was a testament to his strength, a physical manifestation of his will to break free from the chains of the past.

Meanwhile, Annie was racing towards the wall, desperate to put as much distance between her and Fenrir as possible. Suddenly, she became aware of a dark shadow engulfing her, casting an ominous chill down her spine. Against her better judgment, she glanced back, her eyes widening at the sight.

…

Pastor Nick, dazed and disoriented from the catastrophic interruption to his sermon, struggled to his feet amidst the dust and debris. The gaping hole in the chapel's ceiling where Annie had torn through allowed a bleak stream of sunlight to filter in, casting an eerie glow upon the devastation. His once tranquil sanctuary was now a battlefield, profaned by the violence of titans.

As he peered up at the ominous hole, a large shadow passed overhead, momentarily eclipsing the harsh sunlight. He squinted against the brightness, his gaze slowly adjusting to the sight that loomed over the chapel.

Fenrir, in his monstrous wolf form, stood tall against the backdrop of the Stohess District's ruins. His fur was a mottled canvas of black and crimson, a testament to the battle he'd been engaged in. His eyes, white as freshly fallen snow, held an intensity that made Nick's blood run cold.

For a moment, Nick was frozen in place, his heart pounding in his chest as he took in the horrifying spectacle. The monstrous wolf he'd been warning his congregation about was no longer an abstract fear. It was real, and it was right there, an imposing shadow against the broken skyline.

"God help us," he breathed, the words barely a whisper. This wasn't a simple battle anymore. It was a clash of monsters, a biblical reckoning that his faith had not prepared him for.

…

Across the district, the commanding group of the Scouts, comprised of Erwin, Hange, Levi, and Jean, found themselves staring in awe at the figure casting a gigantic shadow over the Stohess District. Their battle-hardened expressions, usually so impassive, were softened by shock. The monstrous wolf they knew as Fenrir had grown even larger, his form stretching an impossible 50 meters into the sky. His blood-matted fur glistened ominously under the daylight, while his eyes glowed a chilling white.

Levi, ever the stoic, tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade, his gaze never wavering from the behemoth. Hange, the scientist in her always curious, squinted, trying to make sense of the transformation. Jean's face was a study in disbelief, his mouth agape, while Erwin stood firm, his steely gaze locked on Fenrir, mind undoubtedly strategizing their next move.

Among them was Nile Dok, commander of the Military Police Brigade, his attention drawn by their frozen stances and gazes directed skywards. He followed their line of sight, and what met his eyes made his stomach churn. The size of the beast was horrifying, its presence threatening enough to shake even the most seasoned soldiers. His mind struggled to process what he was seeing, but the reality was clear: Fenrir was more of a threat than anyone could have anticipated.

…

Annie, now in her Female Titan form, felt the ground tremble under the sheer weight of the massive beast. The monstrous form of Fenrir took a step forward, his hauntingly empty white eyes staring her down, his black and crimson form towering over her. She was caught between the rock and the hardened wall of the district.

Despite the adrenaline fueling her actions, the realization of her dire situation pierced through her combat-driven mind, pushing her to the edge of hysteria. The lack of sleep and constant vigilance of the past few days were catching up, blurring her thoughts and judgment.

She was prepared for battles, for betrayals, for the fear of being uncovered, but nothing—nothing—could have prepared her for the dread-inspiring sight in front of her. The wolf-beast, who had been dangerous enough in his human form, was now an almost insurmountable adversary in his monstrous form. And what was worse, he wasn't even in his fully unleashed state.

Her breaths came out ragged in the confines of her Titan form, her heart hammering against her ribcage like a frantic bird. She was trapped, cornered by a creature from the ancient tales, a being of nightmare, a god of destruction, and it seemed, at that moment, that her worst fear was coming true: The monster, Fenrir, was far from finished with her.

Panic took over Annie. As if propelled by a primal instinct, she scrambled up the towering wall, ignoring the crumbling stones and the sheer drop below. Each pull and push of her massive hands was desperate, every moment a race against the approaching dread. Finally, she made it over the top and let herself fall onto the other side.

Her landing was heavy and it sent a shower of dust and debris flying. But she didn't stop. She got back to her feet and started running, away from the district, away from the monster.

The rush of adrenaline in Annie's veins barely had time to ebb when the earth beneath her shuddered violently. A monstrous shadow loomed over her, monstrous and terrifying. She skidded to a halt, her eyes wide and breathing heavy, as Fenrir landed smoothly in front of her, blocking her path. His colossal form dwarfed the landscape around them, his dark fur matted with blood, and his sinister white eyes focused solely on her.

He roared, a furious, primal sound that echoed off the walls and resonated through the district. The ferocity of it vibrated through her, shaking the earth under her feet and rattling her very core. The sound was more than just a roar; it was a force of nature, an overpowering display of raw power that carried with it the terror of the unknown, the inexplicable.

Annie stood frozen, terror flooding her senses as the echo of the roar died down. She was face-to-face with a creature beyond her comprehension, a being of immense power and rage. Not just a Titan, but something far more terrifying, a godlike entity of destruction. Her fear rooted her in place, a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming disaster. The world seemed to slow around her, the terrifying reality of her situation sinking in. This was more than a fight; this was survival.

Fear took hold of Annie. It coiled tightly around her chest and stole the air from her lungs. Her heart pounded a frantic beat, echoing her impending doom. It was too much. Fenrir, the monstrosity in front of her, was too much.

With a last desperate attempt at self-preservation, she tapped into her Titan's abilities, and a crystal-like substance began to form around her. The world beyond started to blur as the crystal encapsulated her, growing thicker and more impenetrable with each passing second.

Her Titan form kneeled, hands splayed out on the ground as the crystal continued to grow, climbing up her body, encasing her in a prison of her own creation. A self-imposed solitary confinement against the monstrous reality outside. It was her last line of defense, a barrier between her and the monstrosity that was Fenrir.

The last thing Annie saw before her world was consumed by the crystal's translucent blue was Fenrir, standing tall and mighty, a figure of sheer terror and power. And then, everything went silent. Inside her crystal prison, she was safe, yet trapped, a prisoner in a cage of her own fears. The Female Titan had retreated, succumbed to the power that was Fenrir, to the nightmare that had become her reality.

…

In the aftermath of the colossal fight, the inhabitants of the Stohess district scrambled to assess the damage. Entire buildings had been leveled, streets torn apart, the earth itself looked as if it had been mauled by a beast of unimaginable power. The air was thick with dust and fear, the silence broken only by the faint whimpers of the injured and the groans of shifting rubble.

At the center of this chaos was Fenrir, now in his human form, walking forward with an eerie calmness. In his arms, he carried the crystalized form of Annie, the once menacing Female Titan now reduced to a trapped figure in a crystalline prison. He moved as if the destruction around him was just another everyday occurrence, his expression as hard and unforgiving as the crystal he held.

The remaining scouts, military police, and civilians alike could only watch in tense silence as he approached. With each step he took, their breath hitched, their hearts pounded louder. The terrifying spectacle of his transformation was still fresh in their minds, a testament to his monstrous power.

With a casualness that belied the tension in the air, Fenrir dropped the crystal onto the ground, sending a small shockwave through the area. The crystal landed with a thud, yet it remained intact, the figure inside still visible yet unreachable.

The air was filled with unease. They were on edge, not just from the extensive damage and the loss, but from the unexpected presence of this man, this beast, who had just displayed a power that surpassed their comprehension. The shadow of Fenrir's monstrous form loomed over them, a stark reminder of the true terror they had witnessed.

…

In the comments let me know what you guys think… and if you have any suggestions… I'm willing to apply them, since I'm still researching Ancient Norse culture…. Till next time.