Chapter Six

The colossal

Ansel felt the heat first.

It was an oppressive wave, like standing too close to a roaring bonfire. Then came the gust of wind, fierce and unrelenting, tearing through the battlefield with a force that sent grass, dirt, and debris flying. Ansel's ODM gear hook, anchored to a patch of earth, was suddenly wrenched free. Before he could react, he was thrown into the air, tumbling uncontrollably.

He hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him and leaving him disoriented. Ansel lay there for a moment, dazed and aching, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Slowly, he pushed himself up onto his elbows, his vision clearing just enough to see the source of the devastation.

It was huge—at least 60 meters tall. A towering behemoth of a Titan, its form emanating a searing heat that distorted the air around it. Its two strands of flesh stretched grotesquely across its face, keeping its massive jaws together. The sight of it filled Ansel with a dread unlike any he had felt before.

The Colossal Titan.

Ansel's heart raced as he struggled to his feet, every instinct screaming at him to flee. But there was nowhere to run. The Titan's presence dominated the battlefield, its mere existence a threat to everything within the walls.

Otto and Leni, who had been nearby, were also struggling to recover from the blast. Otto's usually calm demeanour was shattered, his face pale with fear. Leni, her eyes wide with terror, clutched her ODM gear as if it were a lifeline.

"Ansel!" Lyra's voice cut through the chaos, bringing him back to reality. She appeared at his side; her expression resolute despite the fear in her eyes. "We have to move! Now!"

The ground trembled as the Colossal Titan took a step, its immense weight shaking the very earth. Ansel forced himself to focus, to push past the paralyzing fear. They had to do something, or they would all be crushed.

"Form up!" Lyra commanded, her voice steady. "We take it down like we trained. Aim for the nape!"

The recruits gathered; their fear replaced by grim determination. They knew the odds were against them, but they had no choice. They had to fight.

Ansel took a deep breath, his hands still trembling. "Let's go," he said, launching his hook into the air. The ODM gear engaged, and he soared upwards, followed closely by Otto and Leni.

As they closed in on the Titan, the heat became almost unbearable. The Colossal Titan's head turned slowly, its soulless eyes locking onto them. Ansel felt a chill run down his spine. This was no ordinary Titan. It was intelligent, aware.

"Stay sharp!" Lyra shouted, manoeuvring to the side. "We have to outmanoeuvre it!"

Ansel nodded, his mind racing. He had to find an opening, a moment where he could strike. The Titan's massive hands swiped at them, creating gusts of wind that threatened to throw them off balance. Ansel dodged, narrowly avoiding being crushed.

Otto and Leni split off, attempting to slice the Titan. They darted in and out, their movements quick and precise. But the Colossal Titan was relentless, its every motion calculated to swat them away.

"Ansel, now!" Lyra called; her voice urgent. "Go for the nape!"

He saw his chance. The Titan had turned slightly, exposing the back of its neck. Ansel propelled himself forward, his blades drawn. The heat was flaring, but he pushed through it, focusing solely on his target.

In a blur of motion, he struck, his blades cutting deep into the Titan's nape. For a moment, it seemed like they had succeeded. But then, with a roar that shook the heavens, the Colossal Titan swatted him away like a fly.

Ansel hit the ground hard, the impact sending waves of pain through his body. He struggled to get up, his vision swimming. The Titan was still standing, seemingly unfazed by his attack.

"Ansel!" Lyra screamed; her voice filled with desperation. She flew to his side, helping him to his feet. "We need to regroup!"

Otto and Leni rejoined them, both looking battered but determined. "We can't give up," Leni said, her voice shaky but resolute. "We have to keep trying."

Ansel nodded, his resolve hardening. The fear was still there, but he couldn't let it control him. They had to protect their home, their friends, and each other.

They launched themselves back into the fray, their movements coordinated and precise. The Colossal Titan was a formidable opponent, but they fought with everything they had, driven by a shared determination to survive.

The battle was far from over, but as long as they stood together, they had a chance. Ansel felt a surge of hope amidst the fear. They would fight, they would endure, and they would protect what mattered most. The dawn of a new day was breaking, and with it, the promise of another chance to stand against the darkness.

That was when Lyra dropped her blades.

Ansel knew what was about to happen. He'd seen it before in tall tales

And like that, she drew her hand and bit down.

She stepped into view, her form sleek and powerful, exuding an aura of both grace and terror. She stood about 10 meters tall, her muscular build and agile movements a stark contrast to the lumbering giants they had faced before. Her skin was a pale, almost translucent layer stretched over taut muscles, giving her an almost statuesque appearance.

Her face was striking, with piercing blue eyes that held an unsettling intelligence. Unlike the other Titans, she had defined features—a small nose, full lips, and a jawline that hinted at a predatory nature. Her hair was long and blond, framing her face and flowing down her back, giving her an almost human-like beauty that made her all the more terrifying.

But it was her expression that truly unnerved Ansel. It wasn't the blank, vacant stare of a mindless beast. Her eyes gleamed with a cunning and awareness that sent chills down his spine. She surveyed the battlefield with a cold, calculating gaze, her movements precise and deliberate

Lyra's female titan stood proud