Reiner composed his countenance as he endeavored to devise a strategy. He would prefer to entertain the notion that they could terminate the individual, yet the outcome of their triumph remained uncertain. Bertholdt's stature would undoubtedly prove formidable, but given his comparatively sluggish mobility, Reiner was not particularly inclined to take the risk of allowing the 'death machine' to reach his jugular before dispatching him.

Bertholdt's physique may indeed be substantial, but it would merely require a solitary, well-aimed strike to bring about his demise by means of that colossal armament. Annie, on the other hand, possesses the swiftest agility among the trio, yet she is only capable of crystallizing specific portions of her corporeal form at any given moment. He, in turn, possesses unwavering confidence in the resilience of his own armor, believing it to be capable of enduring the onslaught of firepower for a modest duration.

Nevertheless, this arrangement is far from ideal. Their most promising prospect would entail a synchronized assault, with Annie and himself exerting relentless pressure upon their adversary, thereby affording Bertholdt the opportunity to deliver a decisive blow. However, it would be unwise to fully disclose their strategic intentions at this juncture.

He ran a hand through his hair with an aggravated sigh.

They may have failed to get the king's attention and bring down Shiganshina. But there's a next time; he and his comrades will do better. But they'll have to keep a low profile.

For now at least...

(ATTACK ON TITAN)

Reign Of Fire I:

An Incoming Darkness

Refrain from being the individual who merely hears the pleas for assistance from the innocent and then chooses to ignore them. Instead, step forward and respond to their call, eliminating any malevolent individuals who have dared to cause them harm.

- Corrax Entry 2:11

(ATTACK ON TITAN)

Ilse Langnar struggled to get some sleep. The hidden thumps of the giants echoed throughout the forest akin to the strike of a mallet. She found herself twitching her head from side to side, expecting to see any sign of a phantom, be it man of titan. None but the wind kept her company.

The melodious sounds of tree frogs resonated from the branches above. Crickets gracefully serenaded from the lush grass. Ilse found herself on the verge of succumbing to the tranquility of the present moment, as she was gently swept away by the soothing murmur of the river. She could envision herself gracefully gliding through the water, effortlessly navigating past stones and gentle curves, peacefully drifting towards the distant horizon...

Ilse blinked. She rubbed her temples; seems like she's not gonna get any sleep. She occupied herself by diligently jotting down her notepad, writing down a new entry.

How long had she been lost in this valley? Merely a week has transpired, yet each passing day has bestowed upon her a distinct lifetime, replete with daunting trials that serve to assess her aptitude for survival. She was a member of the Scout Regiment, the wings of humanity. One that did not fear death, and one of the military's most actively involved in direct Titan combat, Titan study, human expansion, and outside exploration. They have the best soldiers, and are the most skilled in using the omni-directional mobility gear.

But the valley proved to be too much for her. She was lucky to be alive and somewhat sane. The rest of her squad mates, however, were not so fortunate.

When Ilse's squad took part in the thirty-fourth expedition outside of the walls, they had been so sure of themselves. They thought their mission would be a breeze, exploring new areas and taking down monsters. That was until they encountered said monsters on the way back to their home base.

The titans were something Ilse had never seen before, and hoped to God to never see again. They were just as the reports say about them. They were big, hungry monsters, waiting to snatch a human in their hands before devouring. Her blood cooled from the mere thought of being devoured.

In spite of the valiant efforts of her comrades, the extraordinary behemoths demonstrated their cunning and intelligence. In the initial encounter, six members of her squad met a tragic demise. The echoes of their bones shattering like chalk between the grinding jaws, the moist sound of torsos being torn asunder by her shrieking companions, still resonate within Ilse's consciousness. Restful slumber eluded her in the aftermath of the assault.

It did not take long for Ilse's squad to disintegrate. Someone misplaced their flare gun during the attack, while another lost their ODM gear and blades. They found themselves disoriented within an interminable forest, severed from their sole means of escape.

Three more men were killed the following night. Only Ilse and two others were left. They had to continue pushing forward in an attempt to reach the wall.

One morning, Ilse awoke to find one of her last remaining squad-mates missing in action. All she could find left of her squad-mate was their broken round spectacles and a trail of blood leading deeper into the wilderness. Ilse hadn't heard a thing; she slept through the attack. Her other friend, her only other remaining squad-mate, was snatched away by a speeding abnormal titan not too long ago.

And now, Ilse was alone, already on her feet and running through the forest without any semblance of a plan but with hope of survival. She has no weapons but she can still fight. In the meantime, she will record what happens to her in her journal and will do everything she can.

She will not succumb.

God, no, she will not allow herself to succumb to fear.

Ilse propelled her legs in brief bursts, fervently desiring that her physicality would outpace her mentality, beseeching her lower limbs to transport her away from this interminable forest. Her pallid countenance strained with trepidation, perspiration cascading down her visage.

Unending arboreal entities flickered past her as she sprinted, intermittently revealing fragments of lunar radiance through the apertures in the branches and foliage strewn along the path ahead. She felt as though she were traversing a tunnel, with the dense canopy overhead obstructing even the meager moonlight that managed to penetrate the cover. Ilse propelled herself further, disregarding her exhaustion as she compelled herself to accelerate.

Ilse cast a glance over her shoulder, perceiving naught in her wake. She could sense her heart resounding against her thoracic cavity. Swiftly, she raised her hand to wipe away a droplet of perspiration from her brow and continued her journey through the woods.

Ilse exited through a single file. Entering a new spacious area flank in a circular formation by trees and foliage. Her eyes fixated on the page being scribbled by the pencil in her hand.

Ilse lifted her head and her blood went cold.

Giant eyes stared back at her.

Said eyes belonged to the body of a small, yet big creature. It's stupid gaze terrifyingly following her as she runs past. Ilse's eyes widened and her muscles tensed.

The titan growled lowly and pounced.

Ilse yelped and ducked out of the way of the titan's snapping jaws. She found herself backing up against a tree trunk, shivering and gripped by terror. The titan quickly turned and crawled towards her like that of a baby.

Ilse quivered involuntarily, tears swiftly streamed down her cheeks. A pitiful whimper escaped her lips, akin to a meandering worm, and she desperately struggled to maintain her composure. Ilse found herself paralyzed by an overwhelming sense of dread; rendering her incapable of rational thought or comprehension of her surroundings. All she could do was bear witness as the titan drew nearer, its gaze piercing and frigid, locking with her own.

The titan's eyes glowed dark cyan in the darkness. Ilse could only hear her own whimpering, and the slow steady breathing of the giant. The giant's hot breath, thick with decay, washed over her.

One last pounce, to ensure there will be no escape.

Ilse cast a fleeting glance at her incomplete page and proceeded to write further. She briefly averted her gaze towards the colossal being, only to swiftly redirect her attention back to the words she was penning. Observing the titan's deliberate pace, she inferred that it was probably an abnormal. As seconds transformed into minutes, and minutes stretched into what felt like an interminable span, Ilse found herself pondering the reason behind the titan's protracted delay.

Either way, this is the end for her. She had done only what she wanted to do… she hadn't given anything back to her family. She felt sick. It's over…

"…A sub…ject…."

Ilse paused.

"…of… Y…mir…"

The abnormal titan retreated.

Ilse couldn't believe what she heard; did it just… spoke? No, the titan did speak. But that's impossible.

"Lady…. Ymir…"

The titan bowed its head.

"Well… Met…"

Ilse was stunned.

The titan produced words that had meaning. She couldn't comprehend what she just heard. For the first time in human history, someone has communicated with a titan, and she never thought in a hundred years she would be that one. Her stomach flipped.

"Wh-What… are you?" Ilse wasn't sure where that question had come from, but it was the first thing to pop into her head.

It moaned. It didn't formulate words.

"Where did you come from?" She asked, wiping away her tears.

No response.

"Why do you eat us?"

The abnormal lowered its head further to the ground.

Something within Ilse snapped.

"Why do you eat us?!" Ilse screamed, abruptly standing up on her feet. "You don't need to eat anything to live!! So why, you worthless bodies of flesh?! Get out of our world!!"

The abnormal lifted its head, staring back at her while its fingers tightly gripped the tender flesh under its eyes and pulled. Blood flowed under its fingertips. Its big eyes rolled back behind its head.

Ilse promptly averted her gaze from the disconcerting spectacle and hastened away. Her heart pulsated with such intensity that it seemed on the verge of escaping its confines within her chest. She increased her pace, faintly hoping that the titan would remain preoccupied in its peculiar state long enough for her to make her escape.

Ilse glanced over her shoulder and grunted out of shock. She found herself already in the titan's grasp. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she screamed out of pure terror.

She's dead, she's dead and—

The air was broken by a sudden explosion.

Ilse blinked, feeling a sensation of warmth trickling down her left cheek. In a moment of surprise, she emitted a scream as the titan abruptly released its grip on her, causing her to descend onto her posterior.

Seated upon her rump, Ilse delicately raised a hand to her cheek, subsequently withdrawing it to her line of sight. She blinked, taken aback by the sight that greeted her. It was blood, but not her own; rather, it was the titan's blood.

A black blur strides past the corner of her eye.

Ilse cast a quick glance upwards and immediately stiffened. Time seemed to decelerate for a fleeting moment as she fixed her gaze upon the enigmatic individual standing beside her. The enigmatic figure stood at an impressive height of seven feet, adorned in a cloak of darkish charcoal hue, which bore the unmistakable marks of bloodstains. In each hand, they firmly grasped a firearm that Ilse had never laid eyes upon. Beneath the cloak, she discerned the presence of an unfamiliar suit of armor.

Ilse redirected her gaze towards the titan. The titan had ceased its screams and was now casting a cold glare at its assailant. With a resounding howl, the titan leaped into the air, swiftly descending towards the pair.

Ilse could already sense the warmth of its breath enveloping them. The titan was in such close proximity that she could discern the seething sound emanating from its clenched teeth. In a mere matter of inches, it would have them within its grasp.

Ilse gently parted her lips, but before she could even utter a sound, the enigmatic figure swiftly advanced. Their hands swiftly extended and firmly grasped the jaws of the abnormal titan. The impact was so forceful that the gust of wind propelled her a distance of ten feet away from the duo. The creature vigorously shook its head from side to side, in an attempt to liberate itself from the clutches of its assailant.

Ilse's mind was blown.

Her savior stopped the titan with their bare hands.

The pen and journal danced within the trembling grasp of Ilse. She found herself rendered speechless; any apprehension she had towards the abnormal titan vanished instantaneously. A portion of her being desired to remain and witness the unfolding of events, while another part yearned for nothing more than to escape and never cast a glance behind. She could flee until she reached the edge of the forest, the outskirts of the valley, the depths of her own sanity. Overwhelmed by a multitude of emotions, her inclination to run reduced her to a trembling state.

The cloaked figure effortlessly lifted the titan in the air, leaving both the abnormal and Ilse stunned by their strength. The titan's legs and hands flailed and kicked the open air. The mysterious figure slightly bent their knees before jumping high in the air. Seventy feet from the ground!

The cloaked figure spun the abnormal titan around in a speeding circle while in midair. With great force the assailant threw the titan hard into the earth's floor, creating an explosion of dirt and flowers. The cloaked figure reached for their back and pulled out a large metallic object in both hands.

Both the abnormal titan and Ilse's eyes slowly widened as they felt their heart sink to their stomach at the sight before them.

The cloaked figure had another metallic object in its hands, though this one was as big as its torso, with three long sets of barrels, each set having three barrels stuck together in a triangular formation.

Slowly the barrels began to spin to life, they spun faster and faster every second. Once it reached top speed, the abnormal titan was struck by a swarm of powerful projectiles, mulching and mutilating the lead creature. Steam billowed out of the barrels as Ilse watched the titan's body collapse to the floor.

The cloaked figure landed on the earth's floor with a thud.

There was silence.

Ilse observed with great attention as the cloaked figure made their way towards her. As they walked towards her in a composed manner, she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to move. Tears welled up in her eyes, rendering her speechless and motionless. Her eyes, wide with astonishment, flickered momentarily before her vision blurred, and she promptly lost consciousness, collapsing onto the ground.

Being a soldier in the military is a privilege, a position of power. It can sometimes be challenging to discern what truly constitutes an "enlistment" and what does not. At times, it undeniably feels like one, particularly when you are a young individual who has yet to experience your first kill, while simultaneously grappling with the intricacies of learning the ropes. This is an additional burden to bear, as your life is already in jeopardy.

However, there are instances when they will regard you with their lifeless gaze and affirm that you possess commendable qualities, potential, and can commence serving in the ranks following this mission. Occasionally, you may receive a summons from one of the esteemed generals or admirals, or individuals of similar distinction, as they are aware of your involvement in the original unit and your possession of valuable knowledge. They might even extend an invitation to join their ranks.

Although this proposition appears logical, it instills a sense of trepidation within you, for reasons that are abundantly clear.

Kendrick, however, does not fare well when consumed by fear or when confronted with the unknown. He has managed to navigate through the years with remarkable proficiency. Well enough, one might say.

As a result of his notable achievements and progression within the military hierarchy, General Lars had entrusted Kendrick with special assignments that aligned with his personal interests, one of which involved subjugating villagers in various settlements. Although these individuals, who led a nomadic and impoverished existence, posed no real threat to the Hinotōchi Empire, they possessed the potential to be of value. Kendrick executed these tasks with exceptional skill and unwavering dedication. This alone should serve as convincing evidence to all that he is a formidable and intimidating soldier.

With a sense of compassion, Kendrick observed as General Lars took aim with his rifle at the young man who knelt before him, and without hesitation, discharged a round. Blood erupted, splattering the room and saturating the floor in a crimson hue. Kendrick's stomach churned, and he involuntarily retched; it was not solely due to the sight of blood, but rather the entirety of the events that unfolded thereafter.

He perceived the piercing cries of individuals endeavoring to flee, yet unable to do so, and he observed civilians hastening away from his troops, while others sought refuge in the corners. The atmosphere was heavy with the scent of charred flesh and the resounding clatter of metal as lifeless forms descended to the earth. Kendrick redirected his attention to his general, whose countenance remained impassive, even amidst the tumultuous.

"Y-You killed my son!" Kendrick heard the mother shout, turning away from the general and seeing the mother holding the lifeless corpse in his arms. "How could you do this?!"

General Lars crossed his arms. "Did you not hear me, old hag? I simply told him to surrender this place to me and he and his people would've lived. But, no, the bastard refused. So, here we are." General Lars stepped forward, and the people in the room retreated to the walls. "If your son hadn't been so stubborn and obstinate then he wouldn't be dead now would he?" He rolled his body around, turning his gaze towards Kendrick. "Kendrick, take care of this and meet me outside." He gestured to the mother, her husband, and her children behind him before exiting the room with his soldiers flanking to his side.

Kendrick approaches the mother with measured steps. He raises his rifle and takes aim. The family in front of him cowers in fear.

"Please... I implore you. Cease this. I beseech you to end my life and spare my family from harm," pleads the father, bowing his head and concealing his face with his hands. The mother clings tightly to her children, closing their eyes as tears well up between them.

Kendrick's gaze narrows. Nevertheless, he has received orders, and he shall carry them out. The bullet swiftly departs from the barrel of his rifle, resulting in the demise of the family and their anguished cries filling the room. Their blood stains the floor and walls.

Kendrick turned away and exited the room. Passing by a few of his troops blasting their rifles at the remaining villagers, he continued walking down the winding hallways until he was outside and stood by the general's side.

General Lars stared at the village around him. He looked around in fascination before turning to look at Kendrick. "This could be a good homing base," he says. "It has the necessary infrastructure. Our forces may advance further. With these people's iron, I have no doubt that we will conquer one of the smaller bases of Marley, eventually."

Kendrick nodded thoughtfully. "What's our next move, general?"

The general Lars smirked.

"I planned to conquer one of my favorites. One that I had an eye on since day one: Wall Maria."

Kendrick blinked, taken aback of what he heard.

"Wall Maria?" Kendrick repeated. "Permission to speak, general?"

General Lars glanced at Kendrick. "Permission granted."

Kendrick nodded.

"Why conquer Wall Maria?" Kendrick inquired. "I mean, we have more than enough of what we have right here. Forgive me for my rudeness, I'm just curious is all."

"Well, the answer is simple Kendrick," General Lars replied, turning away from him. "It's not about greater security or safety from the titans, oh no. My eyes are set on something so much better. You see, I received some good intel from one of my men about something hidden behind Wall Sina."

"A weapon, a powerful one. Powerful enough to destroy nations with just the push of a button. For now they called it Project-D; it is a work in progress from what I was told by my men, but it is nearly finished, and once it is I planned to take it. I plan to use this weapon not only to destroy those that are a threat to us but also those back in Marley. You've heard of Marley, do you not?"

"Yes." Kendrick nodded.

"First we will take Wall Maria, then Trost, and Sina will be last. I've already sent your brother Tyler, along with his army over to Paradis two days ago," General Lars continued. "They should be reaching the shores right about now."

Kendrick raised a brow at the general. "And how many did you send?"

General Lars received his time piece. His lip's widening into a sinister smile.

"Enough."

A legion of Barrage balloons sailed high into the skies. The lead Barrage led the way as they flew over the shores of Paradis. They carried with them a few dozen of the most important members of their fleet. Some were small ships carrying cargo, some had weapons, some just flew above and commanded their troops as they marched. Some had cannons or rockets in their holds. The most common weapon was the large balloon they rode on, which could be maneuvered into a deadly projectile.

Soldiers marched along the shore, their armor shining brightly in the sun's rays. The soldiers wore the black and yellow uniform of the Hinotōchi army, and carried swords and shields made from the finest steel forged throughout the world. Their ranks parted to make room for their comrades as they marched around.

Countless other soldiers trailed behind the army. If one individual were to count them, they would not be able to count them all. All that could be seen were legions of Barrage balloons. As more and more of them flew overhead, it looked as if the legion of soldiers were surrounded by clouds of them. Each balloon carried an entire platoon of said soldiers. It took up most of the sky. Even now as they watched these Barrage balloons pass through the grassy field below.

Behind them, a multitude of giant heads rise out of the water's surface. Revealing the horrifying sight of an army of gray colossal titans ominously striding behind the soldiers. Each methodic footstep shook the ground beneath each titan's feet. These massive heads were attached to enormous bodies that appeared to only be bones and muscle. Each head was crowned with a massive helmet of metal that fit over the whole thing's face, and covered its eyes in a black visor. It was not possible to see any features inside those helmets.

After a few hours they had stopped at the edge of a forest. Everyone was waiting for their captain to give out the command. Silence erode through the air.

A man stood front at the edge of the forest.

Captain Tyler is an average-sized warrior, standing at 170cm and weighing in at 65kg. He is muscular but lean, an expected build for such a fast man, though his stature belies his incredible strength. His eyes are light brown, and his hair remains light blond. He wears it short and slicked back. His eyebrows are thick and flicker upwards at the outer edges, and he styles his facial hair in a small, neatly groomed goatee. He donned a black uniform with few gray stripes around the shoulders and multiple on at the thigh down.

Tyler glanced at his men over his shoulder.

"Alright men, listen up," Tyler yelled. "Today is the day. The day where Wall Maria will be ours to claim. Now let us move forward and take what is ours!!"

All the men and the gray colossal titans roared in unison. With that, the army continued forward. Now entering through the wilderness.

The people of Wall Maria are not prepared for what's coming…

To be continued...

A/N: The War for Shiganshina Arc... has begun. In a matter of days it's getting this much love? I didn't think it would get this much attention from this many readers. Man, thanks a bunch for the support!