BOOM!

The gunpowder-filled barrels explode, allowing Levi, myself, and Mikasa to lead the main charge as the others prepare the next part of the plan. The three of us cover ourselves in the screen of the black smoke as the rest start firing green smoke flares. The idea is to give the enemy a hard time in finding their target. You can't hit the main objective if you can't even see it.

"Thirty-five enemies!" The Captain calls out. "They're gathered behind the pillars! Continue the plan! We'll take 'em all out right here!"

The others minus Armin and Sasha soon follow us into the screen of black and green smoke. They will provide the constantly replenished smoke as we carry out our plan.

"Shit! Where'd they go?!" An Interior Police soldier calls out as I come from behind him.

"A big weakness of the Anti-Personnel ODM gear is their line of fire and anchor trajectory are both faced in the same direction. In other words, the area directly behind them is completely out of their reach. But their greatest weakness is once they've fired two shots, it takes a while for them to reload."

"HAA!" I cut the back of the Anti-Personnel Squad member's back, watching him fall to the crystal floor as I cover myself back in the screen of black and green smoke. Damn...I hate that this is easy for me to do...but it has to be done. That's one down. I see Jean out of the corner of my eye slash another member's neck and Connie nearly getting shot before he covers himself in the green smoke. As the enemy sets himself on a pillar to observe the area, Connie swiftly swings back around and cuts him down from behind. The bald-headed genius made the same mistake resting on the pillar. Now exposed, he's in the direct line of sight of another soldier.

"You're mine!"

"Connie!"

The soldier's life is cut short before she can deliver Connie to his grave, with Sasha firing an arrow directly into her heart. I look back to her, only for a second. Nice work, keep it up, Sasha!

"Shoot him!"

Shit! Caught up in my own thoughts, I too have gotten myself exposed to the enemy. As fast as I could react, I dodged the gunfire but lost my balance and fell to the crystal floor. Quickly getting back up to my knees, I see the woman that Sasha shot dead in front of me. "...Jesus."

"Got you now, boy!"

Fuck! Reality kicking back in, I grab the dead enemy's firearm, aim it at the bastard above me...and fire. The blood...spilling all over my face as his now headless corpse falls not only five feet in front of me. I wipe the blood off my face, ignoring the slight pit I feel in my stomach. At least Titan's blood evaporates.

"Elijah!" I turn to Armin calling out to me. "Hide in the smoke and fight!"

"Right!" I swing back into the air, engaging more enemies left and right. That's...four more dead by my hand... As I take cover on a crystal pillar to reload my blades, I hear Levi engaging with whom I can only imagine is Kenny Ackermann

"Yo, Levi. Not that I've got time to waste on you, but if you get past here, it'll be all for nothin'. So be it. Guess I'll have to play!" The madman initiates combat with the Captain once more. "Neener, neener, neener!" His taunt is met by the captain along with myself swooping down on top of Kenny as he immediately blocks our attack with his firearms. Dammit! Almost had him! "You and your lackeys are spunky ones, damn."

We both immediately retreat as Kenny fires his shots, nearly hitting us we take cover behind a pillar. The Captain looks to me slightly annoyed tone. "I told you to not engage Kenny if you can avoid it, Everett!"

"Sorry, sir. There was an opening and-"

"Just focus on killing the others. Leave Kenny to me."

"Right." I leave the Captain, cursing myself that I couldn't get the job done, but thankful I'm still alive. I look around, seeing Hange engaging a blonde squad member...but something's off. I see it once I see my direct superior swung around on the enemy's cord...and slammed into a crystal pillar. "Hange!"

"Now! Fall back to the final defensive post! Time to regr- AUGH!"

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" My hook, like she did to Hange, pierces the woman's shoulder. I spin myself around, swinging the bitch like a sling into the crystal ground. "HAAA!" I deliver the killing blow as my blades pierce her chest and her neck, watching in satisfaction as I see the light fade from her now lifeless eyes

The other squad members retreat, leaving their blonde comrade's corpse behind. I hastily get back over to the others now gathered around Hange, now unconscious. When the others see me, they look...concerned. Even the ice queen herself looks distraught. "What?"

"Dude..." Jean shakily says.

"You..." Petra worryingly says.

Sasha slowly approaches me, pointing to my face. "Elijah..."

"Huh?" I feel my face with my left hand, and when I look...my palm and fingers are covered in blood. I start wiping off the blood on my face with my sleeve in a panic. Spitting as some of it managed to get in my mouth.

...What the fuck did I just do?

Historia

"It seems the enemy is nearby, Let's hurry, Historia."

"Right." Eren begins to grunt and scream as best as he can as he wrestles in his restraints. He was quiet up until the very moment Reiss took a syringe out of a black box. Looking up, Historia frowns at her friend. "What, Eren? Why are you glaring?"

"It's because he has perceived his fate," Reiss states. "That the stolen power will return to where it belongs. Historia… That means inside you." This is becoming more and more confusing for Historia. Eren has a power…that's rightfully Historia's? "This cavern, it was built 100 years ago by the power of a certain Titan. Those three walls were built by the same power. By creating those enormous walls, humanity was protected. The power of that Titan reached out to touch people's hearts and altered their memories. However, several bloodlines were excluded from that. But their descendants and the rest of humanity retain no history of the world past a century ago. Except for one, Frieda Reiss. Frieda possessed more than her power as a Titan. She knew how this world came about and all the details behind it. She was fifteen years old when that knowledge became hers. Right here, eight years ago in this very place after she ate her uncle, my younger brother. Frieda inherited the Founding Titan and the memories of this world. As had been done for one hundred years, repeated and passed through generations."

"Father…"

"Yes… Basically, if Frieda had just used her power, there wouldn't have been any problems. We might have eliminated Titans from this world entirely. If only his father hadn't stolen the power from her. Now, that power resides within Eren. However, that power... It can't truly manifest unless the blood of the Reiss family runs through them. As long as he remains a vessel for that power, this hell will forever continue."

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!" The one named Kenny slides down from above. "So unless it's a Reiss who eats Eren, they can't become a true king?"

"That is correct," Reiss replies.

"Th-Then... even if I turn into a Titan and eat Eren, it'll mean nothin'?"

"What are you-?" Kenny suddenly grabs Reiss, holding Historia's father at gunpoint.

"Father!"

"Do you think I'm lying to you or something?"

"Nope. I waited long for this day 'cuz I knew you weren't lying about the succession ritual. For crying out loud, you used me this whole time knowing full well what I was after, you sleazy playboy!"

"I'm grateful for you. You may have been a stray dog that my whimsical younger brother too in, but-"

"Keep on insulting Uri, and you can say goodbye to half of your head."

"Stop it!" Historia grabs Kenny's raised pistol and pushes it away from her father's face. She glares angrily at her mother's murderer. "Let my father go!"

"Huh? You're plain pitiful, Historia. Don't you get it?! This father of yours wants to turn you into a monster and make you eat Eren."

That much Historia already figured out. Standing up to Kenny, she glares at him. "Because that's my duty. Yes, I'm going to eat Eren and bring my sister back. I'll inherit the world's history and exterminate every last Titan! That's my duty!"

"Hey, hey, Historia, have you forgotten everything this guy has done to you? The only thing he cares about is the blood inside you. He doesn't want to become a Titan himself! He's just trash that forces his brother and daughter to! That's this father of yours!"

Reiss pushes back the knife Kenny has in his mouth. "He's wrong, Historia… I must not become a Titan myself… Do not believe...what anyone else says…"

"Oh, is that right?" Kenny drops Reiss on the ground, letting Historia walk head to her father.

"Kenny, you've served well up until now. You're free now. Go find another purpose in life...and live out your years."

"That would bore me to death." Kenny turns around, heading up the crystal staircase to Eren.

"Kenny! What are you doing?"

"Go ahead and turn into a Titan. I won't interfere anymore." He grabs Eren, removing the restraint in his mouth. "However, no head starts. You both become Titans and have at it. If Historia wins, you'll have your peace. But if you lose to Eren, the situation stays the same." The assassin cuts Eren's forehead, letting blood draw all over his face before dropping him. "Keep drawing until I run out and die? Can you even call that livin'?"

"Historia!" Reiss approaches Historia with desperation in his aqua eyes. "With this injection, you can become a powerful Titan! Then you can eat him, but in fact, it's more than that! You must bite the spine and consume the spinal fluid!" He hands Historia the injection, leaving it to her to perform 'her duty.' Reiss takes a few steps back. "Hurry up, HIstoria!"

Historia holds the injection over her left arm, fumbling her thoughts over whether or not to perform the ritual. If it can save humanity, shouldn't she do so? Another thought crosses her mind as she looks up to her chained friend, Eren. Despite being wounded, he hasn't attempted to transform. "Eren, why? Why aren't you transforming? If I become a Titan, you'll get eaten! At this rate-"

Eren raises his bloody head up, his eyes brimming with tears. "It shouldn't have happened. Me, my dad, too… If five years ago, he hadn't done that here… Your sister...wouldn't have been able to do something, right? But my dad stole the Power of the Titans from its rightful place. Just how many died for that? Armin's grandpa, Thomas, Nack, Mina, Milieus, Marco, Eld, and Ouro from the Levi Squad, the people of Stohess, those soldiers who came to save me, Mr. Hannes… I can never atone for it all. It shouldn't have happened. Those days of training, that dream beyond the wall… I...shouldn't have happened. So, at the least...let it end at your hand. Eat me. Save humanity. It's all...up to you."

"Eren…" Historia has a vision of her mother leaving her for the last time. There's no reason for such an image to be produced, yet somehow...it shapes her decision.

"That time, when you called me a normal person, I was so happy..." She lowers the syringe, letting it prick her skin. She hates her choice, but it must be done.

"So you're trying to do something 'nice,' huh?"

Historia's breath scatters as Ymir's words to her so long ago come back to haunt her. "What's wrong, Historia," Reiss asks. "Are you scared? All you have to do is inject that liquid into your body."

"Father… Why… Why didn't the Reiss family...in that whole 100 years...eliminate the Titans and liberate humanity? All while possessing the power to control all the Titans?"

"Because, the first Reiss King who built this world within the walls, wished for us to be controlled by the Titans. The first King believed that was the only path to true peace. But I do not know why. It's only known by those who see the world's memories. Long ago, I, along with my brother, pleaded with our father to free humanity from the Titans, time and time again. However, he would not fulfill our wish. Eventually, it came time for my father to pass on that role. When my brother inherited the Power of the Titans and I looked into his eyes, I understood what that meant. To create this world, to govern its very foundation, to be an omnipotent being is to be what my brother became. Do you know what we call that? God. What we call that...is God. And my duty is to bring God back to our world and offer them my prayers. I'm praying, Historia, for God to lead and guide humanity!" Reiss guides his daughter's hand, assisting her to inject the serum.

"Christa, I have no right to tell you how to live your life. So actually, this is nothing more than a hope of mine… I want you...to live a life you're proud of."

"No!" Christa tossed the syringe aside to the ground, much to her father's horror. He grabs her furiously. "Historia!" Her training kicking in, Historia flips her father on his back, possibly breaking it based on the gasps he produces.

"God, my ass! You're just giving yourself an out and manipulating other people! I've had it! I won't let you kill me!" She grabs her father's bag and runs up to Eren, taking out a set of keys from the bag.

"What are you doing, Historia?"

"We're leaving, Eren."

"Hey, stop it! If I go on living, everyone will keep suffering! Hurry up and eat me! I can't take living like this!"

Historia punches the side of Eren's head. "Shut up, idiot! Just shut up, crybaby! Exterminate the Titans? Who the hell wants to do that bullshit? I'm starting to hate humanity! Let 'em get wiped out by Titans! I'm humanity's biggest enemy! Got it? I'm the worst girl who ever lived!"

"Father... Uri... Frieda... Wait for me...now..."

"You escape from here. I'll destroy everything else-" Golden light blinds Historia and Eren as an enormous skeleton curls up in the chamber.

Rod Reiss is becoming a Titan.

Elijah

"Shit, they blocked it off." Levi looks from me up to a hole in the ceiling of the tunnel, where we possibly could escape, then back to me.

"They could be on the other side, sir. What do you-" A bright yellow light from deeper in the cavern blinds us Scouts. The light of a transforming Titan. "What the hell?"

"That's… A Titan transformed!"

"Eren!" A gust of wind follows the light, not strong to knock us off our feet like Bertholdt's but not typical of Eren's transformation. Up ahead, I hear voices from people directly behind the net. Seems the Interior Police believe in a mission well done.

"Th-This place is gonna collapse!"

"Lieutenant! The hole!" We look to where Armin gestures. Now unblocked, the hole in the ceiling is accessible.

"Armin! Moblit! Take Hange and get the hell out of here!" The rest of us enter the hole, using it as a way to escape the enemy ahead of us. It leads us directly to the source of all this mayhem, for once it isn't Eren. It also leads me to a girl in my arms.

"Elijah?"

"Hey, Historia. Good to see you." Levi lands in front of us, and I toss him the keys to help Eren get loose. Jean and Connie fight the air to assist the lieutenant while Sasha, Mikasa, and I stay back. Seems someone pushed Eren's switch because now he's crying. Why the hell are you crying at a time like this?! I ignore it for the literal bigger problem in front of us. "What...the hell...is that?"

"That's way bigger than the Colossal Titan, isn't it?"

"You might be right, Sasha." The ceiling comes down as the hulking mass of Titan flesh continues to expand. Luckily the guys manage to get Eren and themselves to the wall me and the girls are set on.

"Shit! There's no way out."

"Dammit!" I turn to Eren, hoping he'll transform, but the guy just tears up and sits on his ass.

"I'm sorry, everyone...I've been nothing but useless. Ever since the very beginning, I was never the hope of humanity."

"What's this," Jean states. "Think you're some tragic hero? When have you ever accomplished anything by your strength alone?"

Connie scoffs. "What a weakling. We've been through much worse than this."

"Not that I want to get used to it," shouts Sasha.

"Still, it's going to suck trying to navigate through all that."

"I'll take Eren."

I turn to Christa. "You might wanna hold on tight, I won't be going slow, you know?"

"Right."

"It's useless. We can't escape."

"So do nothing? You wanna sit here and hold hands till we're crushed or burn to death? Because we're enemies of humanity?"

"You know, I hate doing this to you every time, but...Eren, you gotta make the choice." I don't know what runs through Eren's head, but somehow Levi's words spring him to action. He grabs something and runs towards the light, transforming into his Titan. Kneeling in place, crystal-like material shoots out around Eren.

What was that? Was it because of that vial that Eren now has his hardening ability?

"What...the...?"

"Everyone!" Levi orders. "Get underneath Eren!"

With the captain's order, we take shelter underneath Eren and his net-like hardening sheet.

"That's what I call hardening." We gaze up to Eren's Titan, the mold of the beast still retaining shape. It is an amazing ability, to even withstand a cave-in. "Even after cutting you away, the Titan hasn't disappeared. Pretty impressive, yeah?"

"That bottle… Oh, yeah! Right before I turned into a Titan, I drank that 'Armor' bottle."

"Yeah. You couldn't do it at all before now, but you used the hardening power and saved all of us. In the blink of an eye, you devised and built all this. Yeah, the construction looks shoddy, but… I bet that's how the walls were made, too. In other words, it's possible for us to plug that hole in Wall Maria now. A lot of enemies and allies have died along the way, and getting this far hasn't been pretty. But for as ugly as it's been, look at the position we're in now."

"Captain! We've secured an exit!"

"Armin's safe! Hange and Moblit, too!" We glance up to Sasha and Connie coming back down from the surface.

"Well done."

"Eren!"

"You okay?"

Sasha drops to the ground, almost bowing to Eren. "We're all safe, thanks to you. But to be perfectly honest, when you ran off prancing while crying like a baby, I thought we were doomed. 'It's over, it's over! Get it together, nincompoop! Quit bawling like a snotty-nosed brat!' is what I thought."

I lift Sasha to her feet, smiling to Eren. "I could've said harsher words, but seeing that same old look in your eye, I knew you'd be able to pull it off somehow, you suicidal maniac."

"Hey," Levi says. "Let's go. We're going after that big-ass Titan."

Big is a fucking understatement.

Now back on grassy ground, we can see a big cloud of debris that marks the Titan's location. In size, it's definitely bigger than Bertholdt's Colossal, but unlike Bertholdt, this Titan is unable to support its body on its thin limbs, leaving it to simply crawl on the ground.

"Erwin." We come to a halt as Commander Erwin approaches the wagon.

"Everyone all right?"

"HAnge's our only casualty."

"Seems like nothing too serious. Well done, everyone."

"I've got a slew of things to report, but first..."

"What's that Titan?"

"It's Rod Reiss. I think we need your call on this, Commander."

Erwin gazes at Historia, then turns his head to her father's new form. "Regardless, we don't have time to stand here and chat. Return to Wall Sina."

"You're going to let that big-ass crawl right up to the Wall?"

"To Orvud District, actually. That's most likely where it's headed."

I take a look away from Erwin and Levi to the gigantic monstrosity ahead of us. "Reiss... You son of a bitch..."