Attack on Titan: A Wolf Among Sheep
Chapter 5: The Beast Titan and Traitors
…
The strange, eerie afternoon brought an unexpected twist to the day's tragic events. As the dust from the earlier conflict was settling, Hange Zoë's wide eyes were affixed onto the damaged section of Wall Rose where Annie had attempted her desperate escape.
The sight that met her gaze was truly horrifying. Where the wall had crumbled, partially obscured by chunks of debris, lay the terrifying sight of a Titan's face embedded deep within the structure. The Titan seemed frozen in time, a lifeless monstrosity concealed within humanity's last bastion of defense.
Hange's breath hitched in her throat, her pulse hammering as the horrifying realization dawned upon her. "There's...there's a Titan in the wall," she stammered, her voice a mix of shock and abject terror.
She pointed a trembling finger towards the wall, her voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for the nearest to hear, "There's...a Titan...in the wall!" The chilling statement hung heavy in the air, a palpable terror that quickly spread among the gathered soldiers.
As the words sank in, one by one, they turned to see for themselves. And sure enough, there it was. A giant Titan face, eerily calm and quiet, sticking out from the damaged portion of the wall.
Hange's mind raced, unable to process this chilling new revelation. Fear prickled at the back of her neck as she involuntarily stepped back from the sight. "There's...a Titan...in the wall," she repeated in disbelief, each word a chilling echo of the nightmarish reality.
With every passing second, the situation turned more horrifying. This new revelation presented an even more unsettling twist to their already grim reality. As the soldiers faced the embedded Titan, the events of the day seemed to dim in comparison to this new discovery. Their safe haven, the walls that stood as their protection, had been housing the very beasts they feared all along. The cruel irony of the situation was not lost on them as they stared in shock and fear, wondering what could possibly come next.
Hange's thoughts were running at a mile a minute, the terrifying discovery sending chills down her spine. "Was it there by mistake...? Or does this mean...?" she wondered aloud, her voice barely a whisper in the eerie silence.
Suddenly, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. Startled, she turned to see Pastor Nick, looking out of breath and extremely flustered. He seemed to have run from quite a distance, his eyes wide with panic.
"Whatever you do," he panted, gasping for air between words, "don't let that Titan make contact with sunlight!"
Hange blinked in surprise, her heart pounding in her chest. The urgency in Pastor Nick's voice, the panic in his eyes, all suggested something far more terrifying. Whatever the implications, they would need to address this newfound discovery swiftly and effectively.
…
A short while later…
On top of the wall, tension simmered between Hange and Pastor Nick. The usually composed researcher was losing patience, her grip tightening on the pastor's shirt collar. Nick, dangled precariously over the edge, looked genuinely frightened but remarkably defiant.
"Do it!" he shouted, stretching his arms wide, eyes wide with fear but also resolve. "Drop me! Do it right now!" His voice echoed off the stone, a testament to his faith and determination.
Hange hesitated, her eyes narrowed in anger and frustration. Despite her desperate need for answers, she was not a cold-blooded killer.
It was at this moment that a low growl echoed through the air. Turning around, Hange found Fenrir approaching them. His eyes, an eerie luminous green, were fixed on Pastor Nick.
"You speak of divine beliefs, pastor," Fenrir's deep voice rolled like thunder, each word heavy with implication. His eyes never left Pastor Nick. "You really have no idea."
Pastor Nick's expression changed. It was a mix of confusion, fear, and a spark of realization. Before he could respond, Fenrir reached out and picked him up. Nick looked from Fenrir's face to Hange, his fear replaced by a shocked silence. The confrontation had taken an unexpected turn, leaving everyone on the precipice of unknown revelations.
In a sudden outburst of defiant courage, Pastor Nick glared at Fenrir, the fear momentarily replaced by indignation. "Release me, you mongrel demon!" he spat out, his voice strong and challenging. The threat hung in the air, sparking a tense silence.
Hange blinked, momentarily taken aback by Pastor Nick's audacity. She cast a glance at Fenrir, her eyes wide with apprehension. She knew the explosive potential the man held within him, having witnessed his raw, uncontrollable power firsthand.
The standoff was volatile, a dangerous game of power, beliefs, and desperation. Pastor Nick, a man of faith, defying Fenrir, the beast among them, in an unsettling display of defiance. The fear of the unknown stirred the air, their breaths hitching in the tension.
Fenrir's gaze was ice-cold as he met Pastor Nick's defiant stare, an eerie calmness settling over him. "Have it your way," he said, his voice echoing ominously. With a sudden movement, he dropped Pastor Nick off the side of the wall. Nick's scream pierced the tense silence, filled with the terror of impending death.
Then, in an unexpected twist, Fenrir waved his hand, summoning a rift of luminous green light beneath the falling man. In a flash, Pastor Nick was transported back to the top of the wall, his descent abruptly halted. The sudden turn of events left him disoriented and trembling, gasping for breath.
He collapsed onto the hard stone of the wall, a weeping mess of terror and relief. His body shook with sobs, his eyes wide and horrified as he realized just how close he had come to death. His gaze flickered towards Fenrir, the man-beast who held his fate in his hands. The dread was clear in his eyes; he was playing a dangerous game with a being of monstrous power.
The sudden plunge of Pastor Nick off the wall drew gasps from Hange and Moblit. They had seen Fenrir open green rifts before, his power to manipulate space and time was nothing new. But the heartless act of dropping Pastor Nick from the towering height was an unsettling spectacle that sent a chill down their spines. They hadn't expected Fenrir, for all his unfathomable power and intimidating demeanor, to take such a drastic step.
Hange's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening as she watched the priest freefall. "No..." she muttered, her words barely audible in the wind. Then, as if nothing happened, Pastor Nick was back on the wall, saved by Fenrir's swift intervention. The sight was sobering, a vivid illustration of the precarious balance they found themselves in.
Next to her, Moblit's face had gone deathly pale. He had been taking in Fenrir's show of power in silent awe, but this act had struck a chord of genuine fear in him. "I...I didn't think he'd...," he stammered, his voice trailing off as he watched Pastor Nick collapse to his knees, sobbing. They all knew the beast had power, but the recklessness of his actions was a shocking revelation. It made them question the extent Fenrir was willing to go to make a point.
Fenrir bent over, his gaze level with the sobbing form of Pastor Nick. There was a harsh intensity in his voice as he spoke, each word punctuated by the low growl echoing deep in his chest.
"Makes you think twice about pissing off a monster like me... huh?" he rumbled, his words laced with the promise of untold wrath. His breath was hot against Pastor Nick's face, a stark reminder of his proximity and power.
"You think you know monsters...," Fenrir continued, his words crawling under the priest's skin, raising goosebumps in their wake. He closed his hand into a fist, the muscles in his arm rippling, a testament to his strength.
"You," he started, enunciating each word with a pointed pause, "have, no, idea." His final statement, an unequivocal declaration that served as both a reminder of the fear he commanded and a stark warning of the unpredictable power he held. It wasn't a mere threat, it was a chilling promise, and its meaning wasn't lost on any of the onlookers.
Fenrir's head swiveled towards the open expanse beyond the wall, nostrils flaring slightly as he inhaled. His keen eyes narrowed, his gaze focusing on a far-off, approaching silhouette - a Scout on horseback, fast approaching.
"Looks like we got company..." He murmured, a hint of anticipation tinging his voice. His body tensed as though ready to spring into action, his gaze never leaving the incoming rider. The tension in the air grew palpable, adding to the high-strung nerves of everyone present.
…
In a grueling conflict, Mitch had managed to eliminate five of the nine titans. The mysterious beast-like titan had, for the most part, remained passive, its hulking form ambling aimlessly amidst the chaos. Yet as the dust and smoke began to clear, a sudden change in the beast titan's demeanor drew Mitch's attention.
The beast titan, who was indeed Zeke, was on the brink of launching Mitch's horse as a projectile weapon. His fingers curled around the animal's torso, ready to hurl it towards the veteran scout. However, something abruptly made him halt his action.
From afar, a new entity approached. Its form was a blur at first, but as it closed the distance, its silhouette became clearer. It ran low to the ground, propelled by all fours, its movement swift and deliberate.
"What is that?" Zeke wondered aloud, his eyes narrowing as he attempted to identify the incoming creature. There was something familiar about its mannerisms, about its shape. He squinted, scrutinizing the entity with intense curiosity. "It looks sort-of like a... wolf?" The revelation brought a wave of intrigue, but also uncertainty. Whatever it was, the beast titan knew it was something he hadn't anticipated.
As the creature drew nearer, Zeke found himself reeling with a sense of disbelief. The vague form he'd spotted in the distance had manifested into something far larger, far more formidable than he'd initially perceived.
This was no mere wolf; it was colossal, monstrous. As it galloped towards him, the ground quaked beneath its weight. Each stride it took was calculated, powerful, closing the distance between them at an alarming speed.
Suddenly, Zeke was overwhelmed by the realization of its scale. It was just as large as him, standing tall on all fours, its eyes leveled with his. He'd anticipated a wolf, not a titan.
His heart pounded in his chest, his grip on the horse slackening. Zeke was no stranger to the bizarre and the unexpected. But this? This was something else entirely. He couldn't help but question - how was such a thing even possible? The world of titans was filled with anomalies, but a wolf titan was something he'd never seen or heard of before. He was unprepared, and the fear of the unknown momentarily seeped in.
As the entity rapidly approached, a chilling comprehension washed over Zeke. This beast bore no trace of human features. Its form was exclusively lupine, a model of muscle and sinew, capable of propelling it forward at a startling speed. Its snout was filled with rows of sharp teeth, a clear sign of a predator.
Its fur was as dark as the deepest night, an intense contrast to the otherwise bright landscape. As the light caught its coat, it glinted off, providing an aura of ethereal menace. It possessed a pair of luminescent eyes, chillingly devoid of warmth or empathy. Each pupil was an endless void, reflecting nothing of the world around it, and everything of the darkness within.
What was this monstrosity? Could it be a Titan shifter like him? That seemed improbable. Titans were, at their core, human, their grotesque forms merely distorted versions of their original selves. But this creature was thoroughly, unyieldingly beastly.
A ripple of trepidation coursed through Zeke, the unfamiliar uncertainty prompting a step backwards. He was confronted with an unknown, a being that defied all his previous knowledge. He was certain of one thing, though: he was gazing upon a new breed of monster. And it was closing in on him with terrifying speed.
The massive wolf ceased its breakneck sprint abruptly, its fur bristling as it decelerated. Its muscles bunched and released in a smooth, calculated movement, transforming its forward momentum into a broad circular path around Zeke.
Zeke watched, his breath hitching in his chest as he noted the predatory body language of the beast. He knew that measured pacing, the deliberate circling. It was the dance of the hunter, a stalking ritual he himself had performed many times. Except now, he was the one on the receiving end of the chilling performance.
The wolf's luminous eyes remained trained on him, glowing with a disquieting, predatory light that illuminated the otherwise benign landscape with a sense of impending doom. It watched him with unwavering attention, its focus as sharp and lethal as the teeth in its jaws.
The circling continued, the silence between the beast and Zeke humming with tense anticipation. The beast, it seemed, was sizing him up, its intent unmistakable and disquieting. Zeke stood, frozen in the eye of this ominous storm, as the primal dread of becoming prey slowly gnawed at his resolve.
Fenrir's eyes held a cunning gleam as he continued his circle, his gaze never leaving Zeke.
"Ah, it's quite an interesting sight, isn't it?" Fenrir began, his voice deep and rumbling, a resonating growl that vibrated against Zeke's skin, causing a shudder to race down his spine. "A brother betraying his own, as easy as breathing. Do you feel the winds of change, Zeke?"
Zeke's heart hammered in his chest, the eerie words of the beast pushing his anxiety to the edge. He stayed silent, his mind whirring as he attempted to decipher Fenrir's cryptic message.
"The storms are gathering, the serpents are stirring, and the wolves...oh the wolves are just beginning to howl." Fenrir continued, his voice an ominous whisper against the wind. The beast lingered on the last word, his lip curling up to reveal a row of sharp, dangerous teeth, a silent promise of what was to come. "It's the age of storms, Zeke...an age of serpents and wolves."
The beast paused in his circling, his focus intense on Zeke. "And you, Zeke," Fenrir's voice lowered, his words carrying a dangerous edge, "You are but a snake in this tale."
The implication hung heavily between them, fear coiling in Zeke's stomach as Fenrir's words echoed ominously in his ears. The beast's eyes held a promise, a prophecy of a chaotic future that Zeke couldn't quite understand, and yet the depth of his certainty was unsettling.
Zeke swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He didn't understand half of what this creature was saying, but he understood threats. And this beast was definitely threatening him.
"What do you want with me?" Zeke finally managed to ask, his voice hardly more than a whisper.
Fenrir's green eyes flashed dangerously, and a chilling smirk twisted his beastly features. "I'm here for my ally... Mitch," he growled. His voice was deep, every syllable echoing with an ominous undertone that set Zeke's nerves on edge.
The implication was clear. Fenrir didn't care about him. He didn't care about the Beast Titan or whatever Zeke represented. His focus was solely on Mitch.
"And if you try to stop me," Fenrir continued, his voice dropping even lower, threateningly calm in its intensity, "I will rip the marrow from your bones."
His words hung heavy in the air, a bone-chilling promise that made Zeke's blood run cold.
The tension between the giant wolf and the strange, ape-like titan was palpable. Mitch stood, paralyzed on the rooftop, the thundering of his heart reverberating through his chest. He had already met Fenrir, had a glimpse of his capabilities, but witnessing this confrontation was an entirely new level of intimidation.
A silent standoff prolonged into a tense eternity. And then, a thunderous roar broke the silence.
"All of you! Attack this monster!" The ape-like titan bellowed, his command reverberating with an authority that even the most feral titans couldn't resist.
The three titans, grotesque and gigantic, immediately halted their destructive activities. With the ape-like titan's command, they shuffled towards Fenrir, forming an eerie procession of distorted flesh and relentless hunger.
As the titans lumbered towards Fenrir, a chilling air of anticipation seemed to hang over the scene. Without any trace of fear or hesitation, the colossal wolf leaped forward, sinking his teeth into the smallest titan's head. With a ferocious tug, he tore the upper half of its body clean off, leaving the lower half to crumble into an ashy pile.
Next, Fenrir swatted away the titan with its hands clasped over its stomach as though it was nothing more than an irritating fly. The creature was sent flying, crashing into a nearby building and shaking the earth upon impact.
However, when faced with the biggest titan, Fenrir changed his approach. Standing tall, the monstrous wolf let out a deep growl before uttering an ancient incantation. His voice rumbled across the battlefield, echoing with a strange, haunting power.
"Musplheimr, rísa upp og brenna þínar eldflaug!" he thundered, the language strange and archaic. Flames erupted from nowhere, wrapping around the titan and consuming it whole. The fire crackled and roared, illuminating the scene with a harsh, dancing glow. It was the terrifying flames of Muspelheim, one of the nine realms of the Norse cosmos, known for its intense, fiery conditions.
The remaining titan turned to cinder within moments, leaving nothing but scorched earth and the acrid smell of burning in its wake. The command of Fenrir held a power that was impossible to deny or ignore.
Mitch, watching from his vantage point on the rooftop, was utterly taken aback. He had seen Fenrir in combat before, but never against such formidable foes. He had just witnessed the evisceration of multiple titans, accomplished with apparent ease. His ally was proving himself to be a greater enigma with every passing moment.
Zeke, in his Beast Titan form, was entirely flabbergasted. He watched in wide-eyed horror as the fiery inferno reduced one of his titans to mere ash. He had felt a sense of superiority in his ability to command the titans, but this... this was something else entirely. This monstrous wolf, using nothing but words, had summoned a blazing firestorm. He felt a pit forming in his stomach. Fear? Maybe. Confusion? Definitely. He had never witnessed such a spectacle before.
His eyes, usually calm and composed, now mirrored the intense flames, flickering with a mixture of apprehension and disbelief. The image of the wolf, standing victorious amidst the chaos, was a sight that would undoubtedly haunt him for a long time. For the first time, Zeke was questioning if he had bitten off more than he could chew.
Fenrir's voice resonated powerfully across the landscape, carrying a note of finality. His towering presence, mere inches from Zeke's Beast Titan form, was an intimidating spectacle. The green glint in his lupine eyes was eerily reflective of his dominion over these events.
"Ah... It's indeed the age of storms, Zeke...an age of serpents and wolves," he growled. He studied Zeke with a potent intensity, as if scrutinizing his very soul.
"But, your fate is not my own to take," he continued, his voice carrying an undercurrent of what might have been pity. The very air around them seemed to electrify, bristling with tension as he spoke. "Besides...I can smell the reek of fear in you...it's pathetic!"
With a dismissive snarl, Fenrir snapped his jaws, the ferocity of the gesture leaving no room for any argument. "So... leave!" His command echoed around them, his authority unchallenged.
The silent battlefield reverberated with the chilling authority of his command, his words seeping into every crevice, saturating the air with an atmosphere of absolute dread and respect.
Zeke, despite his imposing form as the Beast Titan, was momentarily stunned. He found himself caught in the stare of this monstrous wolf, his every word cutting deeper than any physical wound could. His usual confident composure had been shattered in the face of such terrifying power.
His mind raced, going over the situation at hand. Zeke had been in battles before, but this... this was unlike anything he'd ever faced. This was not a creature that he could bend to his will or overcome through brute force.
With a primal growl of frustration, Zeke met Fenrir's gaze, his amber eyes narrowing as he chewed over his words. He was a warrior, yes, but he was also a strategist - and right now, the most strategic move was retreat.
"Live today, fight tomorrow," he thought to himself, the words repeating in his head like a mantra. Swallowing his pride, Zeke took a step back, his gaze never leaving Fenrir. With a final look of defiance, he turned and bounded away, vanishing into the wilderness. His retreat was swift and strategic, a temporary concession, not an admission of defeat.
As Zeke vanished into the distance, Fenrir turned his gaze toward Mitch. His terrifyingly large eyes softened, and in a manner much more akin to the talking wolf they knew, he began to speak. "Erwin sent me," he said, his voice deep but not nearly as menacing as before. "He was worried about you scouts, wanted to ensure everything was under control."
Mitch swallowed hard, eyes wide as he processed the scene he'd just witnessed. Fenrir, the ally he had come to respect, just demonstrated an overwhelming power that was beyond his comprehension.
Fenrir gave him a brief nod before he started wiping his paw on the nearby grass, the evaporating remains of the Titan he had just slain glistening under the sunlight. His nonchalant actions did nothing to mitigate the shock that was evident on Mitch's face. "Come now, we shouldn't keep Erwin waiting," Fenrir added, his tone calm as if the monstrous scene hadn't just unfolded.
It was in this moment that Mitch truly understood the depth of the strength that Fenrir held, and the scale of the strange alliance they had formed with this powerful entity.
…
Mitch, clinging to Fenrir's back, asked, "Why did you say his fate wasn't yours to take? How can you know that?"
Fenrir let out a deep, slow sigh as he began to answer. "Fate, Mitch, is an intricate tapestry woven by the Norns. It is not a simple line, but a complex interweaving of threads, each representing an individual's path. No single being can cut another's thread, for each thread is bound to others in a pattern known only to the Norns."
"The Norns?" Mitch asked.
"Yes, the Norns," Fenrir confirmed, his tone heavy with knowledge of ancient lore. "They are the beings who excel in the study of these weaves of fate. They're the ones who write the threads of time, destiny, and even death."
Mitch fell silent for a moment, processing this new information. Sensing his confusion, Fenrir continued, "And the reason I can't die until Ragnarök...it's because my thread of life is bound to it. My fate has been woven into that great end."
"Ragnarök?" Mitch questioned, his confusion only deepening.
"Ragnarök, the end of the cosmos," Fenrir explained solemnly. "It is a great battle, a cataclysm that will engulf all the nine realms. The gods will fight the giants, the world will be submerged in water, and a new one will emerge from the chaos."
He went on to explain in more detail, "It's a war that will end all wars. A fiery clash where the likes of Odin will meet his end by my jaws, and in turn, I will meet mine. The sun will darken, the earth will sink into the sea, the stars will vanish, steam will rise, flames will touch the heavens. It's an apocalyptic prophecy, a cycle of death and rebirth."
Fenrir fell silent, his explanation echoing in Mitch's mind. The weight of this knowledge was heavy, and the scale of what Fenrir was bound to was beyond comprehension. Mitch was left speechless, clinging tighter to the giant wolf as they continued on their journey.
"I sense there's more to this, Fenrir," Mitch finally broke the silence, his voice a mix of curiosity and trepidation. "You speak of Odin as if he personally wronged you... what exactly did he do that warrants such hatred?"
A tense silence filled the air. The giant wolf's body stiffened beneath Mitch, the usual fluid rhythm of his movements coming to a sudden pause. His gaze turned distant, and for a moment, it felt as if Fenrir was lost in a time long past.
"Odin...," Fenrir's voice was low, choked with suppressed rage and pain. "He did more than just wrong me. He imprisoned me, humiliated me, forced me to suffer from a young age. He saw me as nothing more than a monster, a prophecy to be avoided at all costs, instead of a being deserving of understanding or compassion."
"He chained me up with a magical ribbon, under the pretense of a game, declaring me an enemy of the gods when I was nothing more than a pup. They all feared me, not for what I had done, but for what I could potentially do... for what I was prophesied to do."
His voice grew quiet, the bitterness evident in his tone. "Odin, the All-Father, the great ruler of Asgard... he never saw me as more than the beast foretold to end his reign. He made sure I was alone, feared, and hated."
"Despite all this," Fenrir's voice grew steady, the pain in his words now replaced with a cold determination, "I survived. I grew stronger. And I've waited for the day when I can fulfill my destiny. The day when I can show him the true power of the beast he created out of fear."
There was a profound silence as Fenrir's words hung in the air. The depth of the ancient wolf's resentment and pain was almost palpable. Mitch had nothing to say, understanding in that moment that Fenrir's hate for Odin was not just about prophecy, it was deeply personal.
Fenrir's tone took on a dry, self-deprecating humor. "I suppose I should be honest. Their fears weren't entirely unwarranted. As a youngling, I may have... devoured a portion of the continental landmass. Even took a season with it."
Fenrir chuckled, a strange, gruff sound. "You should have seen the look on their faces. I practically reshaped the world map. So, I suppose I can't entirely blame them for being a little wary of my capabilities. You could say my... youthful exuberance left quite an impression."
Mitch couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. The enormity of Fenrir's past actions was too immense to fully comprehend, but the giant wolf spoke of it with a casualness that was strangely disarming. They were the kind of stories you'd hear in myths and legends, yet here he was, riding on the back of the protagonist of those tales, sharing a laugh about world-altering appetites.
How big can you get exactly...? mitch asked Fenrir.
Fenrir chuckled, feeling the rumble of his laughter under Mitch's grip. "How big can I get? Well, let's just say, there's a reason why I am associated with the end of the world."
He paused for a moment, his words hanging in the air before he continued. "In my truest form, I am immense... large enough to swallow the world, if I so desired." The casual tone in his voice belied the horrifying implications of his words.
Mitch was silent, absorbing the scale of Fenrir's claim. It was one thing to hear about the mythological Fenrir who would bring about Ragnarok, quite another to have the creature himself confirm it, and with such nonchalance, too. It was as if he was commenting on the weather, not the potential apocalypse.
Fenrir's tone turned soft, almost nostalgic as he continued his tale. "There is more to the prophecy of Ragnarok... It's not just about me, but also about my children. Sköll and Hati... born from my own flesh and blood, they have destinies intertwined with the celestial bodies themselves."
Mitch felt Fenrir shift beneath him, an undercurrent of sorrow rippling through his massive form. "You see, when the time comes... when Ragnarok is upon us... Sköll will chase and finally catch the sun, devouring it in a single bite. Hati, on the other hand, will do the same to the moon. Their hunger is endless, insatiable."
"The sun and moon, the givers of life, will disappear from the sky," Fenrir said, his voice deepening with the weight of his words. "This world will plunge into darkness. It is then that the final battle, the twilight of the gods, shall begin."
His words hung in the still air, the grim prophecy echoing in Mitch's mind. A silence stretched between them, filled with the dread of what was to come. The unassuming, seemingly normal day took on an eerie quality as the terrifying reality of the fate of the world was laid bare.
Sensing Mitch's fear, Fenrir quickly reassured him. "Ragnarok, despite its destruction and chaos, is not the end of everything. It's a cosmic shakeup, a rebirth of sorts," Fenrir explained, the tone in his voice softening, turning gentle. "While much will be destroyed, not everything will be lost. New life will rise from the ashes of the old. A new world, fresh and untainted."
His voice caught slightly as he spoke the next words, "In my time on this world... among mortals, I have grown fond of it, grown to love it. It's a world filled with potential, with hope."
His gaze wandered off, losing focus as if looking at something far away. "And there was Lilia... She was my world, my love, and my hope. She was... she was the best of your kind, Mitch. Her heart was pure and her spirit was unbreakable. She was a mortal, yet she touched something immortal within me. Her loss... it haunts me still."
With that, a sorrowful silence fell between them, the memories of Lilia still fresh and painful in Fenrir's mind. Mitch, for his part, could only listen, awestruck by the depth of emotion in Fenrir's voice and the profound, yet tragic love story that unfolded before him.
…
The air was thick with apprehension as Fenrir dropped Mitch off amongst the gathered Scouts. The group consisted of many familiar faces: Hange, Erwin, Levi, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, and Levi's squad - except for Gunther who was still recovering from the injury he received from Annie during the 57th expedition.
Mitch quickly reported to Erwin about the peculiar Beast Titan he encountered - a titan capable of commanding others. His words echoed ominously in the silence that followed, leaving everyone on edge. In these dangerous times, every piece of new information was precious and terrifying at once.
Throughout the discussion, Fenrir remained alert, his senses scanning their surroundings for any potential threat. Noticing the heightened tension, Erwin turned to Fenrir. "Which direction should we head to? You have the best senses among us."
In response, Fenrir sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing as he detected the scent of their companions. "Utgard Castle," he said, his voice grim. "They're surrounded by titans."
Erwin immediately ordered, "Petra, Hange, Levi, get on Fenrir. We move now!" Fenrir crouched low to allow them to climb onto his back. Once they were securely in place, Fenrir shot off like a bullet, his powerful muscles propelling them towards the castle. The landscape blurred around them as they sped towards their endangered allies.
Ymir's pulse quickened, each beat of her heart echoing the chaotic dance of death unfolding around them. She could see it in the fear-tinted gazes of her comrades, in the frantic rustle of their movements - they were close to breaking point. Her grip tightened around Christa's hand, a lifeline in the chaos. A determined glint sparkled in her eyes as she looked at Christa, her voice barely a whisper against the symphony of destruction, "Live a life you're proud of." She was about to take the leap, to dive headfirst into the storm, when something extraordinary happened.
In the midst of their imminent demise, just as Gelgar and Nanaba were on the precipice of being overwhelmed, a beacon of emerald light engulfed them. The oncoming horde of Titans paused, as if stilled by the pulsating light, their grotesque faces caught in a tableau of surprise and confusion. Suddenly, Gelgar and Nanaba were nowhere near the Titans. Instead, they found themselves safely back atop the castle tower, panting and wide-eyed.
A cold shock swept over them all, freezing them in their tracks. Everyone, including Ymir, stood paralyzed, their eyes round with disbelief as they took in the scene unfolding before them. The only sound that cut through the stifling silence was the distant roars of Titans, now seemingly far removed from their immediate danger.
"That means... Fenrir... Fen? He's here!" Reiner's voice sliced through the stagnant air, carrying a hint of dread mixed with relief. His eyes widened in apprehension, the sight of Fenrir sparking a deep-seated fear within him.
For the first time, Ymir laid her eyes on Fenrir's true form - an enormous, monstrous wolf, bathed in the moonlight, its fur as black as the void itself. Its eyes radiated an eerie green glow that illuminated the night in a supernatural luminescence. It towered over them, its height surpassing even the Beast Titan. It was a sight to behold, one that was as awe-inspiring as it was terrifying.
Without any warning, two smaller figures disengaged from the massive beast. Levi and Petra, using their 3D maneuvering gear, sprung into action. They moved with a practiced grace, their arcs cutting through the air as they flew towards the castle tower. The once stilled area was now brimming with renewed activity, as the Scouts braced themselves for what was about to come next. Their presence was an indication - the night was far from over. The storm was yet to pass.
From his vantage point atop the wall, Zeke had a commanding view of the chaotic landscape below. The cacophony of roars, the clatter of crumbling structures, and the fearful screams of humans struggling for survival composed an orchestra of chaos that echoed through the stillness of the night. And yet, amidst the pandemonium, a flicker of satisfaction lit up his eyes. His Titans were advancing, slowly but surely, following his command.
He could see the small castle tower teetering on the edge of its fall, besieged by his Titans. He watched as two of the Scouts, Gelgar and Nanaba, danced on the precipice of their end, their movements sluggish, their defenses weakening. His eyes narrowed, ready to see them fall, to watch them succumb to the Titans.
But then, just as victory was within his grasp, an emerald light erupted from the crowd of Titans, engulfing the Scouts. When the light faded, Gelgar and Nanaba were back on the tower, the Titans standing below, momentarily disoriented by the sudden disappearance of their prey. The sight was enough to make him blink, to question what he was seeing.
It was then, amidst the emerald glow, that he saw it. A massive silhouette, even larger than his Beast Titan form, advancing with a power that shook the ground beneath it. His breath hitched as the giant wolf, Fenrir, broke through the perimeter of Titans, his fur as black as the night, his eyes burning with a lethal emerald glow. The sight of the wolf, in all his monstrous grandeur, sent a wave of cold dread washing over Zeke. A chill coursed through his veins, turning his blood to ice.
Fenrir was an enigma, a creature of unknown origins and unparalleled power. Even Zeke, a Marleyan warrior possessing one of the Nine Titans, felt a prickling sense of dread at the sight of the monstrous wolf. Fenrir was a beast straight out of nightmares. a creature that could command the elements, a force that even he, in all his might as the Beast Titan, found intimidating.
As Fenrir neared the tower, Levi and Petra detached themselves from the beast, using their 3D maneuvering gear to fly towards the tower. Their swift movements were a stark contrast to the gargantuan strides of Fenrir. It was a sight that was as awe-inspiring as it was unnerving.
For a moment, Zeke stood atop the wall, transfixed by the scene unfolding before him. A sense of uncertainty took hold of him, a rare feeling for a man who always prided himself on control and predictability. He realized then, in the face of the massive black wolf, that the wolf was something that they could not have prepared for.
As the monstrous wolf squared off against the group of Titans, Zeke observed from the safety of the towering wall. Fenrir's mouth moved, spewing an ancient, resonating verse into the night air. He bellowed, "Segja elda Muspelheim, gleypa þeirra hold og bein!"
As if answering to his command, a surge of fire, as if pulled straight from the fiercest of infernos, lashed out and consumed the Titans. They ignited with a fierce, crackling roar, their monstrous forms silhouetted in the night as they were swallowed by the flames. The field reverberated with their anguished cries, echoing off the walls in a symphony of devastation.
The dreadful realization washed over Zeke. This being was more than a Titan. It wasn't a Shifter like him, a human granted grotesque power. This was something far more potent, an entity that was ancient and beyond comprehension. A mythical beast, imbued with unimaginable power that dwarfed his own capabilities.
His chest tightened, heart pounding like a drum as he observed the spectacle of destruction. The beast was a force to be reckoned with, tearing through the Titans as if they were mere leaves in the wind. Limbs were torn asunder, bodies crushed under mighty blows, Titans were flung aside as if their mass was meaningless. It was an awe-inspiring and horrifying spectacle.
Thoughts raced in his mind, confusion battling with dread. Fenrir was not just an equal match for his Titans; he was vastly superior. A creeping sense of fear, a bitter taste of despair started to spread through him. He was outclassed, outmatched, and he couldn't ignore the gnawing sense of doom.
The intimidating might of the beast sparked uncertainty, the likes of which Zeke had never experienced. His usual unflappable demeanor faltered in the face of such raw, unbridled power. His mission, his purpose, all seemed to teeter on the brink of ruin. His once ironclad conviction wavered, eaten away by the monstrous display of strength before him.
Witnessing Fenrir's brutal decimation of his forces, Zeke was filled with an unfamiliar sense of fear. He was pitted against an unstoppable force, a primal beast that seemed unstoppable. The Beast Titan felt an icy chill of dread. This was an enemy unlike any he had faced, and for the first time in a long time, Zeke felt a true sense of terror.
Zeke was frozen for a moment as the colossal wolf shifted its focus, his gaze locking with the monstrous figure. The lupine head swiveled in his direction, its eyes a piercing, unnatural green that seemed to see straight through him, staring him down as it let out a deep, rumbling growl that echoed through the open landscape.
A shiver of dread ran down his spine. The growl wasn't just a sound, but a declaration, a clear warning that stirred the primal fear residing within him. It was an eerie moment that bore into his very being, that made him question the immensity of the challenge before him.
Then, a sudden burst of clarity ignited in Zeke's mind. The course of action was clear. Survival was key. The decision was instantaneous, almost reflexive. His gaze flickered from the beast before him to the vast expanse of land behind him. It was a retreat, but there was no shame in acknowledging a threat far beyond his own abilities.
With a renewed sense of urgency, he sprang into action. He turned on his heel, pivoting away from the wolf that away and bellow him. His heart pounded against his rib cage, adrenaline surging through his veins as he sprinted away, leaping from the wall and landing heavily on the ground below.
His powerful Titan form galloped away, the ground trembling beneath his colossal weight. He didn't dare glance back, knowing that the eyes of the beast would be on him, watching his hasty retreat. His only focus was escape, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the monstrous wolf. The once formidable Beast Titan was in full retreat, fleeing from the terror that was Fenrir. The ominous shape of the beast grew smaller and smaller as he disappeared into the vast expanse of the landscape between Wall Maria and Wall Rose, away from the nightmare that had unfolded.
…
Ymir's gaze was transfixed on the spectacle before her. She watched in a state of awed disbelief as the massive lupine figure laid waste to the titans, his powerful form displaying an effortless mastery of strength and magic. Her plan to jump and reveal her titan form seemed utterly insignificant now, as though she was about to throw a pebble at a mountain.
The corners of her mouth twitched, an ironic smirk playing on her lips as she took in the scene. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her. She, a Titan shifter, had been ready to risk her own exposure to save her friends, only to be outdone by an entity that dwarfed even the Beast Titan in its grandeur.
The confidence she had summoned when planning her bold move evaporated, replaced by a sudden feeling of insignificance. She looked down at her hands, her resolve wavering. What could she possibly hope to achieve in the face of such overwhelming might?
Her gaze flicked back to Fenrir, watching as he made quick work of the remaining titans, each move calculated, each attack delivered with brutal efficiency. The Titans, once the apex predators, now looked like prey before the unstoppable force of nature that was Fenrir.
She turned to glance at Christa, her eyes meeting the blond girl's widened ones. There was a shared understanding in that look. Their fight was not alone. Ymir's titan form, once a trump card, now felt like a drop in the ocean before the monster that was Fenrir.
She didn't leap. She stayed put, her every nerve on end, every instinct telling her that right now, her human form was the safer option. Even in the face of chaos, Ymir had learned one thing - sometimes, it was better to observe, to wait, and to learn from the beasts that ruled the night.
…
The scene unfolding before Christa was something she could hardly process. She was an onlooker in a surreal nightmare, but the danger was far too real, far too close. She watched as the monstrous creature that was Fenrir obliterated the Titans surrounding them with an ease that was terrifying.
Her heart pounded in her chest, not only from fear but also from a newfound sense of awe. She had seen Titans, and had even grown used to the fear they inspired, but this...this was something else entirely. She'd heard tales of Fenrir, but nothing had prepared her for the reality. The creature was like something out of the darkest folklore, a beast that eclipsed Titans in size and ferocity.
Christa looked at the devastation in silent shock, her breaths coming out in short, uneven gasps. A part of her was horrified, recoiling at the savage display. But another part, a deeper part, felt a twinge of something else — something akin to hope. Fenrir, as terrifying as he was, was on their side.
She turned her gaze toward Ymir, noticing the smoky look in her friend's eyes. It was a mixture of surprise, fear, and, perhaps, a sense of relief. Ymir seemed as taken aback as Christa felt, an unusual state for the usually composed woman.
In the end, all Christa could do was clutch the fabric of her uniform tighter, her knuckles white with tension, and watch the carnage unfold. This was a moment that would be etched in her mind forever, a stark reminder of the raw, untamed power that existed in their world — and a glimpse of the strange, powerful allies they had in their fight against the Titans.
…
Gelgar and Nanaba, battered and pushed to the brink, had come to terms with the looming reality of their fate when a burst of emerald light had seized them from the very jaws of death, spitting them out atop the tower once more. Stunned silence followed their abrupt deliverance, the howling wind seemingly muted in the shock of the moment.
Then, the familiar figure of Captain Levi appeared, followed by an enormous shadowy beast. Their eyes widened as they tried to comprehend the sight before them. It was Fenrir, the mythical creature from the ancient tales. The beast was even more massive than they could have ever imagined, larger than any titan they'd seen.
Their fear was temporarily held at bay by disbelief and awe. The sight of Fenrir, a being straight from legends, actually fighting alongside them was nothing short of miraculous. As the beast tore through the Titans with terrifying speed and power, Gelgar and Nanaba watched, their breaths held in a mix of shock and incredulity.
Gelgar felt a shiver ripple through him, his heart pounding with adrenaline. He'd seen Titans and had fought them, but this... this was beyond anything he'd ever experienced. Fenrir was not just a creature. He was an overwhelming force, an undeniable presence that commanded their respect and fear in equal measures.
Nanaba, on the other hand, was more quiet in her awe, her lips forming silent prayers of thanks. She was a woman of few words, and even fewer emotions, but the sight of Fenrir at work stirred something in her. It was not just fear, nor was it mere awe. It was a spark of hope, burning amidst the dread and chaos.
As the Titans fell one by one, their apprehension slowly eased into a strange form of calm. Their odds of survival had increased exponentially with Fenrir's arrival. Now, they had a fighting chance, and they would make sure not to waste it. They were scouts. They were fighters. And with Fenrir on their side, they were far from defeated.
…
Reiner and Bertolt stood motionless atop the castle tower, bathed in the moonlight and their bodies frozen in place as they watched the extraordinary spectacle before them. The image of Fenrir, a colossal, inky black wolf, dismantling the Titans with frightening ease left them in a daze of awe and terror.
Reiner's eyes widened as his heart thudded violently in his chest, an intense rhythm that filled his ears. The scene unfolding before him seemed ripped straight out of a fever dream. Just moments ago, they were surrounded, their lives hanging by a thread and then the gargantuan black wolf had appeared, turning the tide of the situation in a breathtaking manner.
Reiner found himself gulping down a lump that had formed in his throat when Fenrir's voice echoed through the night, articulating words that sounded ancient and foreign. Without warning, a fiery blaze erupted from seemingly nowhere, engorging a group of Titans and reducing them to ashes. The intense heat made him squint, the mesmerizing and horrifying display rendering him speechless.
Bertolt, on the other hand, had remained silent throughout, his gaze unblinking as he watched Fenrir. The massive wolf moved with a deadly grace, displaying a level of power that he had never witnessed before. When Fenrir conjured the fire out of thin air, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Yet, in spite of the fear that had gripped him, Bertolt found a spark of hope ignited within him. Their predicament was grim, but the arrival of Fenrir had altered the odds significantly. As he watched the towering black wolf continue his onslaught against the Titans, Bertolt found himself clenching his fists, his resolve strengthening. They were not yet safe, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, survival didn't seem like a distant dream.
…
Connie's heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. His usual cheerfulness was replaced by a mix of fear and awe as he watched the inky beast tear through the Titans as if they were made of paper. He had seen Fenrir before, but this was the first time he had seen him so fiercely in action, and the sight left him breathless.
He could feel a cold chill crawl up his spine as he watched the massive wolf effortlessly cleave through the monstrous Titans, its every move fluid and predatory. Connie was no stranger to fear, having faced down numerous Titans in his time as a Scout. But this was a fear of a different sort, a primal fear born from witnessing a power so vast and raw that it seemed to defy all sense of reality.
He turned his head and saw Sasha beside him, her normally lively eyes wide and glassy as she stared at the spectacle before them. Her usual appetite for food seemed to have been replaced by a gnawing fear. Even her hands, always steady when she was aiming an arrow or holding a piece of meat, were shaking. He noticed the tension in her jaw and the paleness of her face under the moonlight.
Sasha, who was always so brave in the face of danger, was equally stunned. She had heard stories about Fenrir, had even seen him once from a distance, but witnessing his power up close was an entirely different matter. His primal roars echoed in her ears, sending shivers down her spine.
When Fenrir's deep voice rang out, speaking words she couldn't comprehend, and a massive fireball erupted out of thin air, Sasha couldn't help but gasp. She had seen Titans fall before, but this was a different level of terror and devastation. Fenrir was not just defeating the Titans; he was decimating them, turning them into nothing more than dust in the wind.
The two of them stood there, side by side, frozen in fear and awe as they watched Fenrir continue his relentless assault against the Titans. It was a night they would never forget, a terrifying showcase of the power that resided within Fenrir, the monstrous black wolf.
…
As the rest of the Scouts arrived at Utgard Castle, the aftermath of the massacre lay before them. Titans were scattered around the area, reduced to steaming piles of flesh, their remains glowing eerily in the moonlight. The once chaotic scene had been quieted down to a silent battlefield.
Levi, the humanity's strongest, stood amidst the wreckage, his blades still glistening with Titan fluid. There was a grim look on his face, one of silent contemplation. He was a man who was always in control, never one to be outmatched. But the events of tonight had thrown him off. He had taken down four Titans, a number which would have been impressive on any other day.
Beside him was Petra, her face pale from the exertion but her eyes alight with the thrill of battle. She had taken down three Titans, a feat in itself, but tonight the usual tally seemed almost insignificant.
Then there was Fenrir. The monstrous wolf stood, unfazed and dominant, over the remnants of at least 35 Titans he had single-handedly annihilated. His massive form towered above them, his green eyes still burning with an unmatched intensity. The sight of the beast dwarfing even the formidable Titans was a stark reminder of his unparalleled power. His presence seemed to silence the battlefield, the remaining titans no more than evaporating puddles around his gigantic paws.
Tonight, they had all witnessed the terror and power of Fenrir, a force of nature that seemed to exist on a different plane altogether. The once known enemy ranking had been completely shattered, as they all stood amidst the carnage, silent and in awe of the monstrous wolf. Levi couldn't help but think, there was indeed a first time for everything. And tonight, for the first time, humanity's strongest was outmatched.
…
A few steps behind the group, Fenrir walked with a discerning gaze, his eyes fixed intently on Reiner and Bertolt. The pair were a short distance away, with Bertolt assisting Reiner, who had a sling over his arm due to the bite from a small Titan.
Even in his human form, Fenrir's acute senses were incredibly sharp. The scent of their blood was distinct, all too familiar, much like that of the Armored and Colossal Titans, the ones who shattered his world, who stole his beloved Lilia from him. He could feel it, like a gut instinct, and it was unsettling. His sharp, green eyes seemed to bore into their backs, reading the subtleties in their movements and body language. They knew he was watching them, even if they hadn't looked back.
A couple of steps behind Fenrir, Petra watched his rigid posture and the intense glare on his face with a growing sense of concern. His body language was off; he seemed to be on edge, and it was unlike him to single out comrades that way. Something was amiss.
Approaching him cautiously, she questioned him in a soft whisper, "What's wrong, Fenrir? Why are you glaring at them like that?" She tried to keep her tone light, but there was an undeniable concern lacing her words. The beast of a man, who was usually so composed, was now clearly disturbed by something - something that had to do with Bertolt and Reiner.
Fenrir tilted his head in acknowledgement of Petra's question, his gaze never wavering from Reiner and Bertolt. For a moment, silence stretched between them before he subtly gestured her away from the duo, who were now approaching Eren.
"Do you ever wonder," Fenrir started, his voice low and steady, ensuring that only Petra could hear him, "why they were so close with Annie during their time here? They knew her, the Female Titan, on a more personal level than they let on." He paused, letting the implication of his words sink in.
His eyes bore into Petra's as he continued, "It makes you wonder if they're hiding something, doesn't it?" The statement, heavy with unspoken implications, hung in the air between them. It wasn't phrased as a question, but a statement, one that hinted at the web of deception and secrets he suspected were at play.
"Moreover," Fenrir added, his voice dropping even lower, "it's their scent...it's similar to both Annie's and Eren's...strangely familiar." His eyes were intense, reflecting a grim understanding.
"And remember, the Colossal Titan and Armored Titan appeared suddenly and vanished just as abruptly. They never stray too far from us, always close by..." He trailed off, his words turning into a low rumble.
"Are you following what I'm saying?" He glanced sideways at Petra, his eyes mirroring the weight of his suspicions. There was a grim resolve in his gaze, an indication of the precariousness of their situation. The idea he was presenting was dangerous, one that could shatter the fragile unity of their group.
Petra's breath hitched, her eyes widening as the implications of Fenrir's words sank in. A cold dread trickled down her spine, and for a moment, she felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. The horrifying realization that two of their comrades could potentially be enemies was difficult to swallow.
"Reiner... and Bertolt?" she whispered, her voice shaky. Her gaze drifted over to the duo, scrutinizing their actions as they interacted with Eren. Now that she was looking, she could see a certain guardedness about them, a tension she hadn't noticed before.
The pieces of the puzzle fell into place - their close relationship with Annie, their mysterious survival during the attacks, and the sudden appearances of the Colossal and Armored Titans. It was a chilling theory, but it made a chilling amount of sense.
She turned back to Fenrir, her face pale, "But...we need solid evidence, Fenrir. We can't just accuse them based on a theory."
Fenrir turned to look at Petra, a grave expression on his face. "That's why I'm telling you, Petra," he began, his words steady but filled with concern. "Their scent... it's just like Eren's and Annie's. Like titans... I can distinguish it, believe me."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. "And when Sawney and Bean were killed, Annie presented Marco's gear for inspection... it also had their scent on it, along with the lingering scent of Marco's blood."
His gaze was unblinking, intense. His revelation, his assuredness and the unspoken implications of his statement were all simultaneously alarming and disturbing. His tone, serious and heavy with certainty, left little room for doubt. Petra felt a chill run down her spine as she tried to process the gravity of the situation.
Just as Petra was taking in the enormity of Fenrir's revelation, she was distracted by a sudden shift in Reiner's demeanor. She watched in stunned silence as he turned to Eren, a strange sense of urgency coloring his tone.
"Eren... if you agree to come back to our village with us... we'll stop breaking down walls," Reiner was saying, his voice taut and desperate. "We can make a deal... what do you say?"
The statement hung in the air like an accusation, a confession, and a plea all at once. It was surreal, the weight of his words as they echoed around the stone walls, cutting through the silence with an alarming intensity. The implications of his proposal struck Petra like a bolt from the blue - could Reiner really be proposing what it sounded like he was proposing?
Petra listened to Fenrir's words as a strange sense of dread began to settle over her. His voice, though calm, carried a sense of dire foreboding that sent chills down her spine.
"Remember Petra... I've been around far longer than the Titans have... I've seen their wars... their hatred, the hatred of humans as they weaponized the Titans in times past... including the Armored and Colossal Titans..." Fenrir was saying, his green eyes shining with an ancient wisdom that transcended time itself. "Believe me when I say... brainwashing is not easily undone..."
As he was speaking, Eren and Reiner's exchange reached a head, and Reiner's demeanor shifted dramatically. He pulled his arm out of its sling, and to Petra's shock, Titan steam started emanating from it, signaling the start of a transformation.
"We've been left with no choice... we're going to settle this right here, right now!" Reiner bellowed, his voice echoing against the stone walls of the castle.
"Reiner! Are we doing it? Right here! Right now!" Bertolt cried out, his own voice echoing with a strange sense of resignation.
"Yeah! We're finishing this, here and now!" Reiner confirmed, a sense of finality in his voice.
Suddenly, Mikasa was in motion, her blades slashing through the air as she attempted to decapitate Reiner and slit Bertolt's throat. She managed to sever Reiner's hand and inflict a deep wound on Bertolt. But it was too late. The transformation had begun.
As an explosion rocked the area, Fenrir quickly moved to shield Petra, spreading his arms wide. A wave of heat washed over them as Reiner and Bertolt transformed, the upper half of the Colossal Titan appeared, his giant ribcage piercing the wall, just like in the episodes Petra had seen. The Scouts instantly used their gear to back away, grappling onto anything they could find to avoid the blast.
The world around them erupted into chaos, with steam and debris flying everywhere. Yet Petra found herself oddly calm in the protective embrace of Fenrir, the horrifying reality of the situation slowly sinking in.