-Chapter 46: A Minor Land Dispute-

With the reestablishment and further development of Treefort Alpha, the Survey Corps found their tasks of exploring and mapping out the Great Southern Forest a far easier endeavor. Especially following the recruitment of their newest titan auxiliaries, The Sentinels.

This newly established unit to the Survey Corps were placed as guards around the base and served as road wardens of their new supply routes.

Wandering the paths the scouts traveled through on a set rotation, they were tasked to secure said paths from any of their 'unenlightened' kin who wandered too close to said roads and generally in places they didn't belong in, such as the borders of Maria's outer wall. It was a task they had shown to excel at more than a few times in the months following their recruitment.

Many members of the Garrison attested to seeing the titans armed with their massive tree clubs fight with deadly efficiency the moment they spotted a titan that wasn't one of them. To see the once dazed looking giants immediately perk up and sprint towards the intruder and immediately tear them apart limb from limb was a frightening sight.

Truly humanity had gained some top-notch security. And with that assured security it allowed the passage of new faces along this most recent expedition.

-oOo-

Treefort Alpha, inside the Great Southern Forest

"Remarkable, truly remarkable!"

The compliment arose from one Dot Pixis, Commander of the Southern Garrison Corps, as he walked around the base admiring everything and everything about it. To see the Survey Corps' new and improved base of operations from the outside was one thing, but to be inside of it was an entirely different and wonderous experience.

"Your compliments warm these old hearts Commander." Maverick, the bases' key architect and builder said. "And I'm sure my old teacher feels the same."

The image of the man, or Wookiee in this instance, flashed in his mind. The time he had spent with the gentle giant and his family on Kashyyyk was a time well spent and enjoyed in that distant galaxy long ago.

Pixis' words soon became muddled, as warm memories of those ancient days began to flow back in the giant's mind. From exploring the vast and often dangerous forests of the planet, to feeling the warm breeze along the coastlines. And of course, he couldn't forget hearing the old songs of Life Day with those who had taken him in…

If only things had stayed the way as those warm and sunny days with the people of the trees…

Before the war…

Before the betrayal….

Before the fall….

"It needs to be said, never seen such fine craftmanship!" Pixis spoke, shaking Maverick from his thoughts. He resettled his eyes towards Pixis whom ran his hand along the stylized support beam. "Wouldn't you say Niles?"

All eyes soon turned to the Commander of the Military Police in question, who sat on a furnished wooden chair near the railings along the porch.

"It certainly has a unique feel." He said eyeing the additional constructs along the tree. He had seen some old designs from the original tree fort the Survey Corps of old had drawn up, and what Maverick had done had completely blown them out of the water. It was rather difficult to believe that all this was done in a few days.

"Never thought I'd be atop a tree house like this…especially outside the Wall."

He stood up to look over the railing to see the giant forest all around, and then downward to the sight of their encampments below. He could see their troops moving along the base, like one would see ants moving in and out of their hills.

Scouts, Garrison, and Military Police, working side by side like some grand army from children's storybooks or the tall tales from the Slayer's book. While both he and Pixis hadn't quite brought a full regiment with them the idea was still there.

A humored huff couldn't help but escape from his throat at the thought. He remembered a time when he would have been far more eager to see the outside world, alongside his old comrades from his Training Corps days.

But then life threw an obstacle in his way, one that he was more than happy to have collided with. A woman by the name of Marie.

There was always that tingle of regret inside of him, a thought of what if and what could have been that ate at his mind at times. But when he looked into the eyes of their children, his heart told him that he had made the right decision.

"Speaking of, how'd the family take the news?" Looking back he saw Pixis looking to him, with a look that was as if he was reading his thoughts. Giving a quick gaze towards Erwin's direction he answered with a sigh.

"Marie went pale when I received the letter, begged me not to go."

He could still here her shaky voice in his head. "Get someone else to do it, she said...heh…"

While that idea was a very tempting one, he simply couldn't. Not only would it have made a bad impression on both to him and to his corps, but it was a decree by the crown. Who was he to deny the call?

"Took some time to console the kids too." To hear his wife in distress was one thing, but to then hear and see his teary-eyed children run up to him and hold his legs as tightly as they could brought a sharp, piercing, and painful jab to his heart. To them it was as if it was going to be the last time they would ever see their father.

He had to sit them down and reassure them, all the while holding back his own tears from erupting. Only when their cries ran out and weariness overtook their minds did they finally give in and allow Nile the chance to leave home, though not before a few parting words and a token from his beloved.

It was a hand drawn picture of the two in their younger years, drawn by a street artist they ran into during their first date. A treasured memory forever captured in paper.

Some among the gathering could understand the sentiments of the MP Commander. Maverick had been in such situations, such as having to watch as his youngest brother departed home for his tour of duty.

And of course as a family man in times of conflict and strife there were the times when he himself had to answer the call, and struggle to leave his beloved and their children, or watch his flesh and blood depart.

And Ol' Pixis too had experience as a father himself as well, as he so explained.

"Hooo, how I wish my children would cry when they see me go." Pixis remarked in a heavily exaggerated tone, a hand to his still beating heart.

"You daughter shed more than a few tears during our departure Sir." Eyes turned to Pixis' aide Anka Rheinberger, who stood by her Commander's side, a flat expression on her youthful face.

"And your son handed you a packed lunch for the trip as well." Added Gustav, Pixis' other aide.

"Yet he neglected to provide me with a proper drink! He's practically disowned me!" Pixis rose the glass bottle of clear spring water to show everyone just how much his son truly cared for him.

Flat, unamused looks surrounded the elder commander.

"We can't have you tumbling off your horse Commander." Anka said, reaffirming what everyone in the base thought. The sight of a drunk Pixis on horseback, while amusing, would no doubt lead to a very unfortunate and preventable accident.

"So how do you usually go about these expeditions?" Nile suddenly asked, wanting to move along with the topic at hand, as well as the reason he was even out here in the first place. Looking back to the grand map on their war table Erwin replied.

"Exploration of the area, discovering new locations and points of interest, mapping said points of interest, exchanging information… And fighting off the local wildlife, should the need arise."

"Corral is more like it now." Niles remarked. Looking back down from the railing he could see the still form of one of the titans that had been 'recruited' to their side. Standing firm and armed with a pointed log it remained still, even as a few soldiers below began to hurl stones at it.

Seeing the creature display no reaction was just unnerving to the MP. He nearly felt his heart stop the moment they arrived at the base and saw these Sentinels standing guard. The most frightening thing about them to him were their faces. Gone were the freakish grins or exaggerates expressions from the average titan, now replaced with flat looks and the perpetual glow of their eyes and of the handprints that had marked them.

"I don't mean to bother with this, but Maverick, are you absolutely certain that these things won't suddenly act up?"

A low amused sigh left Maverick's lips. While others may have been annoyed by the unicorn's worries, Maverick was more than understanding. The officer was out of his element after all, no doubt more used to petty thievery and drunken brawls.

"Whatever little of their savage minds was left in there is under my influence." Maverick said, his left marked hand idly tapping the table, the hand marked with the eye. "Think of it like an extreme form of…indentured servitude."

Indentured servitude. Certainly a…unique word for it, Niles thought. It was then that he recalled that Maverick had said something similar long ago, when he first spoke of this ability to the gathered members of the military higher ups.

"Only in death will they be set free…"

"Commander Pixis, Commander Dok. Once again I'd like to offer my appreciation and gratitude in your participation in our operations." Thanked Erwin, a small but genuine smile along his face. This moment was a long time coming, one he didn't think he would honestly live to see, considering the Survey Corps was originally meant to send those curious of the outside world to their early graves, as he had read up about in his private time.

"But of course!" Pixis replied, raising a flask he had hidden somewhere inside his jacket "As your comrade put oh so eloquently during out last grand meeting, were all in this together!"

"Even though we've only brought a small number of our own." Nile added.

In truth both Pixis and Dok had been able to bring along only a few squads from their respective regiments. As this was essentially a test run of a unified expedition force, the government had only issued a few squads to join the scouts. Should this expedition prove fruitful then the thought of more squads joining the fray was more than on the table.

"Which is why the MP squads will be positioned alongside our cart guard squads, while the Garrison will be alongside our relay teams." To emphasize his point Erwin pointed towards the small figurines atop the map, displaying the shape of their long-distance formation. "They've generally been the safest areas to be in the formation."

"Oh come now Erwin we can't coddle the unicorns forever." Maverick suddenly said, rising from his seat towards Nile. Behind the MP he placed his hands over the top rail of his chair, looming over Niles with a smile. "They are the best that the Training Corps have to offer, no?"

A few amused chuckles erupted from both the Commanders of the scouts and Garrison at Niles' expense. Taking it in stride Niles simply held an impassive look as he stared at the middle distance.

"Besides, not like we're sending them with sticks and stones. With their new armaments they should be able to make some actual use of their marksmanship."

Said new armaments consisted of the modified flare guns, now dubbed launchers. Given longer barrels, wooden stocks, and nearly a month of extensive training the MP's on this expedition could utilize them as if they were armed with their regular muskets.

Nile himself had been a part of this training, the shiny new handheld launcher safely secured in his holster his reward, as well as a new bandolier to secure his new ammunition. A part of him hoped he wouldn't have the need to use it, yet to his own shock another hoped a titan would wander in his sights.

The sudden but familiar sound of a set of ODM anchors latching onto a hard surface alerted the group towards one of the railings along the eastern side of the tree fort. Moments later a scout appeared from below with an audible gleeful yelp.

"Hange, right on time." Erwin spoke, just as the woman in question spontaneously landed, almost falling backwards had it not been for the railings.

With a tight grip on the rail the leader of Delta Squad gave a quick salute to her superiors, and a wink to the giant. "The troops are geared up and ready to depart Commanders!"

"Excellent." Erwin exclaimed. "Gentlemen, see to your men and prepare yourselves."

As the commanders went about their preparations Maverick made his way to Hange, who beckoned him with a sly expression on her goggled face.

"Ready to go Big Man?" She asked, raising herself by the tip of her toes to reach her lovers face.

"More than ready Hun." Maverick answered in a low, husky tone, sending shivers down Hange's spine. Sharing a short laugh amongst themselves she gave him a quick kiss on the lips and unhooked her anchors, descending back down to meet the rest of the squad.

As he was preparing to descend to follow her an aged chuckle stopped him. Turning back he met the warm, humored gaze of Pixis who approached the giant, while the other two commanders and aides looked on with bemused expressions.

"I'd heard that you and Zoe's relationship had blossomed beyond mere comrades in arms." Maverick's head glanced quickly to meet Erwin's eyes before a slap to his arm brought him back to the old Garrison commander, who gave a small congratulatory toast to Maverick, before handing him his own flask to partake. "Congratulations my boy! Life can be a short ride, it's always best to have a partner along to enjoy it!"

Stunned for a second he soon gave a thankful look before taking the small flask with two of his large fingers and took a quick sip.

"Well with how close we are at the hips it was only a matter of time." He remarked as he returned the now half empty flask just as he received another round of congratulations from Pixis' aides, especially Anka who wished him the best in his and Hange's future together.

As he leaned in to hand it back, he whispered into Pixis' ear with a cheeky tone. "And she isn't the only one by the way…"

Taking a moment to process this new development got a good hearty laugh from the older gentleman, and a couple confused looks from the others, minus Erwin who had some rough idea as to what Maverick had shared with the Commander.

Soon enough however the merriment among the troops ceased and they mounted up and set off to commence their grand expedition in full. This time their trip would finally take them beyond the great forest, and into the greater lands beyond the walls.

-oOo-

The moment the expedition force set off from Treefort Alpha a detachment of sentinels followed suit. Despite their large forms they managed to both weave themselves around the giant trees that surrounded them, and kept up with the mass of scouts, garrison, and military police riding through the woods.

The quadrupeds in particular caught the sight of many of the newcomers. Seeing them parkour from tree to tree was a frightening thing to behold. It made many think, if all titans had the capacity for such dexterity and agility, then mankind would have been wiped out long ago.

While the Scouts and their Garrison artillery crew had grown accustomed to the Sentinels' presence, the newest exploration members of the Military Police and Garrison were far more vocal about the sight of glowing eyed titans hot on their tails.

"Look at that bastard go!"

"It's climbing that tree like some damn giant squirrel!"

"Reminds me of my cat!"

"Think all of them can move like that Sir?!"

"Approaching the forest exit!" Came a shout from a scout ahead of the group, silencing the chatter. All eyes could see the opening to the greater would ahead expanding as the number of trees around them began to decrease.

Many scouts held their breath as they parted from the Giant Southern Forest, and basked in the sight of the great landscape that now laid before them. Some had to readjust their eyes as the sun's powerful rays bared down at them to their fullest, for no longer were there any trees to shield them.

Scanning the vast mountains far beyond Erwin took a deep breath before signaling for the group to form up.

"All units prepare for long range scouting formation!"

In moments the scouts and the multiple groups of garrison and MP forces began to separate into their assigned positions in the formation, forming a massive spearhead.

Hitching a ride along on the Garrion's artillery cart Maverick, with Skullsmite in hand, rose up and saluted Hannes and his crew before taking a deep breath, and with a raise of his morning star into the air and a brightening glow of his runic markings he let out a mighty summon that was heard across the land.

"TO ME CAESAR!"

And from the distant lands beyond moments soon after, his summons were heard.

*SQUEEEEEE!*

Many of the greenhorns could only watch in puzzlement, which soon turned to shock at the sight of a large moving mass approaching from the hilltops of the western flank.

"Maria! The fuck is that?!" One junior officer exclaimed. Hearing a sharp laugh the officer turned to the source, that being Maverick who gave a cheeky grin to the young man.

"My ride!"

Leaping from the cart he raced off to meet his mount, much to the continue shock of the expedition's newest members. Bouncing off one of the boars' massive, sharp, and carved tusks the demigod somersaulted up to the boar's back, where a saddle made of over a dozen bear hides cushioned his landing.

Grabbing ahold of the reins Maverick gave a bit of a show to the greenhorns with a small tug upwards, causing Caesar to go up by his hind legs and letting out a guttural snarl.

"The Giant Boar of Maria…so it really does exist…" Muttered one of the older MP's. Hailing from Wall Maria himself the officer had heard the stories when he was young, a bizarre tale of a young piglet that had taken a bite out of a titan and had grown up to be its own menace to the farms and countryside of Maria.

"And that bastard's riding it…"

The MP could only shake his head as it seemed the world had turned a little madder with each and every day.

"Eyes up front greenhorns!" Shouted one of the veteran scouts. With his deer pelt flapping in the wind and flaming blade blazing Moses directed his group to pull up their animal headed hoods and maintain their grips to their horses' reigns. As did many other squad leaders and veterans with their own groups.

Steering along towards the center of the formation Maverick turned back to the Sentinels, who kept up a good pace with the formation. Raising and pointing Skullsmite he began to bark out his own commands to them.

"TEN, NINETEEN, FIFTEEN, TWENTY-TWO, SUPPORT THE RELAY SQUADS!"

"SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, SUPPORT THE REAR GUARD!"

TWELVE, ELEVEN, SUPORT THE CART TEAMS!"

"THREE, FOUR, SUPPORT THE COMMAND TEAM, MAINTAIN SPEED!"

With otherworldly understanding each numbered Sentinel departed to their assigned squads and directions. With a semi satisfied look Maverick soon gazed at those he had yet to command and directed them to himself.

"THIRTEEN, ELEVEN, TWENTY, YOU WITH ME AND SQUADS TWO AND FOUR!"

With no signs of acknowledgment, the two sentinels silently followed their master as he departed to catch up with his squad.

Watching everything unfold from his formation with the artillery Pixis couldn't help but laugh, holding onto his still antlered stag hood. Just how far had the Survey Corps come in these recent years. The arrival of the marked man, fur cloaks that could actually fool titans, weaponry gifted from the knowledge of some pseudo-divine entities from the heavens above had turned this regiment into quite a powerhouse.

Such a thing hadn't been seen since the regiment's revival with the ODM gear from decades past.

And now both the Garrison and Military Police had become involved with the expeditions? Things just seemed to go topsy-turvy now, and Pixis quite frankly was here for it.

"Now I've seen everything! Well almost everything…"

-oOo-

Sometime later…

Squads Two and Four (Miche and Hange) had ventured off further southwards. As they reached a certain distance away from their exploratory group they slowed their mounts pace, so as to take in the sights in full and enjoy the view that they now were able to partake in its natural majesty.

While Hange's Squad had had their fill during their initial solo ride on the last expedition, for Miche and his teammates this was an entirely new experience.

Nothing but roaring fields of early spring hills and the sights of distant mountains and forests was laid before them. From a view atop the Walls one could see the mountaintops beyond the massive, seemingly never-ending southern forest. They always seemed so far from their reach.

But now? They looked as if they could actually ride up and climb it, would take some time of course, but if they truly wanted to they could.

Miche took off his elk hood and took a whiff of the cool air, deeply. While many familiar smells were picked up, a couple new scents were definitely around him. With a truly genuine smile he exhaled and took in the scenery.

If only his long-departed brothers and sisters could see him now, he thought. Or perhaps they already had, and it was simply Miche finally catching up with them in basking in the wonders of the lands beyond the Walls.

By his side Nanaba looked up to her squad leader with a warm smile. In all her years under his command never had she seen him look as…content as he did so now.

Meeting her gaze they two shared a knowing look. 'We made it this far' they both thought. For all the losses they had suffered, the squad mates lost on the way, the number of times they had felt those moments of self-doubt, they were here now.

Yet they knew this was just the beginning of a long campaign, one that was a long time coming.

Of course they couldn't take all the credit, for they probably wouldn't have even gotten here if it weren't for a certain giant man marked in blue tattoos.

Sat atop his massive boar Maverick too gazed out at the land, reminding himself of the day he had woken up in this odd land. He soon caught the gaze of his dear Nanaba who sent a bright smile, and a small hand wave his way.

Giving a nod to his blonde beloved, the silent calm mood was interrupted by the voice of his other half.

"Hey Mav! Should we show Miche and his squad the hill afterwards?!"

All eyes from Squad Miche turned to Maverick and his squad leader, their interest piqued. They had seen and read the reports regarding Delta's extended trip into these lands beyond the forest, the discovery of the hill that which Maverick awoke on being the most interesting piece of information.

"If we got time Hanji." Maverick replied. While he didn't mind returning to his place of origin, they did still have a greater mission to uphold, that being to locate and map out possible points of interest for future land development and resource deposits.

With that in mind they took a few more moments of scenery gazing before setting off once more.

-oOo-

Later, Mid-Afternoon…

After some more mile long travels and sightsees along the seemingly never-ending expansive land the squads came upon a most intriguing sight. Passing through a small forest the group were meet with the surprising appearance of old ruins, much like those found in the great southern forest found during the deeper explorations of said forest.

While much of the architecture and structures had long since been reclaimed by the forces of mother nature, it was still clear that many of the masses of greenery and the vine infested watchtower was once evidence of a small community or fortified outpost.

And just beyond the small ruins laid numerous acres of land, along with more reclaimed ruins. While few hills and cliffsides were present the land was no doubt a village or town from the days before humanity had retreated to the walls.

This place was absolutely perfect in the eyes of the scouts. This was exactly the kind of place that needed to be marked for a future recolonization effort. However, there was just one simple issue about the land.

Scratch that, more like there were many large issues wandering about the place, either pacing around aimlessly or lying about.

The scouts watched a number of titans mill about from a safe vantage point, counting roughly about fifteen to twenty or so across the entire plot of land. The occupants, far too engrossed in their own little activities didn't seem to notice nor care for the collection of disguised humans, a large grunting boar, and their blazing eyed kin.

Perched on the shoulders of one of their sentinels, Hange watched with beaming eyes from underneath her dear headed hood as she observed the titans through a spyglass.

"Hooo, look at them all!" She said amusingly, as she watched two titans bump into one another as they walked past. Looking over to her lover who was standing atop the sentinels raised open palm she whistled to him before tossing the spyglass to him. "Think you see any promising recruits, Hun?"

Pulling up his bear hood the giant took a peek through the glass, idly glancing and grunting in a disapproving tone as he scrutinized the semi mindless creatures.

As this went on, on the safety of the ground, Miche's squad made preparations for a possible engagement, while Moblit directed the rest of Delta to check through their ammunition and made sure to have their designated mapmaker mark the local area.

"Why do you think they've all just stayed here?" Came an idle question from Gelgar to his comrades. "Don't they usually make their way towards the Wall?"

Lynne shrugged her shoulders in response before returning to her maintenance of her gear. "Maybe they got lost on the way?"

"Nah." Henning countered, recalling one of the main points of knowledge regarding titans. "Titans have an instinctual drive to kill humans, they would have just blown through this place in search of us."

"So, they're abnormals then." Lynne said. "Oddballs doing oddball things."

This seemed more than enough of a sound reasoning. Throughout many of their training corps lessons regarding abnormals one aspect that was heavily taught to them was an abnormals' tendency to behave much differently compared to the average run-of-the-mill titan.

"Maybe they've just decided, unconsciously, to settle here."

The three turned to the fourth member of their graduation class Tomas, whose gaze remained on the lands beyond.

"What're you one about Tomas?"

"You guys remember Maverick's theory, right?" He spoke, turning to his fellow squad mates. "How the titans were once humans."

At the mention of this tidbit his comrades went uncomfortably quiet. "Maybe somewhere deep inside of them, that little bit of humanity is trying to make sense of it all. Something inside telling them that they're supposed to be like this. In a group, in a community."

His fellow junior scouts couldn't help but raise a few perplexed brows at his words. Tomas was often a rare speaker, as they've come to know in the years in the training corps. A young man who kept to himself if he could help it. So, to hear something rather…profound, left them a bit speechless.

"But of course once they see us, they'll no doubt do what their dominant instincts tell them to do."

"That they would Tomas!" Maverick said aloud, alerting the group that he had overheard Tomas' words form above his spot atop the titan's open hand. "Just like any ol' zombie these giants only act on the most primal of instincts every animal has. Kill and eat!"

Tossing the spyglass back to Hange he continued. "If there's still a fraction of their humanin minds still in there, then it's no doubt begging to be released from their torment."

"How are you so certain about it Sir?" Gelgar asked the demigod.

Descending from the sentinels' hand Maverick landed with a rumble that startled the nearby horses and rattled the scouts ODM gear. Keeping his glowing eyes on the young pompadoured scout he answered his question with another.

"Tell me Gelgar, if you were trapped in your own body, with no control at all besides your own thoughts and mind, and were forced to watch said body do horrible, depraved, and borderline unspeakable acts, wouldn't you want someone to put a stop to you?"

His question, as well as the fact he was wearing his slain bear hood over his head, left the young man silent for a few moments before he stammered out some form of response. "I-I-...Y-Yeah, yeah. Yes."

Giving a reassuring nod Maverick placed his large hand over the young scout's shoulder. "So would I son, and that is what we will give unto them."

He had come to a decision that none of the titans in the land were worthy of joining the sentinels. He'd condemned them all to the mercy of their weaponry.

With a plan of attack planned out within a short amount of time the two squads, with their titan auxiliaries, sped off from the safe confines of the ruined settlement to meet their foes.

While the regiment's newly implemented tactics and bestial attire was meant to evade combat with any titans they encountered in the field, should the need arise, then it was more than allowed to refer to some of old Commander Shadis' tactics.

Besides with the living embodiment of war at their side, this battle was more than in their favor.

With a raise of his mighty morning star atop his boar Maverick yelled out a command to giants.

"THIRTEEN, TWENTY, ELEVEN, ADVANCE!"

Letting out two low, yet hauntingly eager grunts the three sentinels charged ahead of the scouts. Heading further into the land the sentinels separated while screaming at the top of their lungs, gaining the attention of the wandering titans.

Like the sentinels the two scout squads separated. With their animal hoods covering most of their upper bodies it made approaching their giant baffled foes an easy engagement, especially when they were currently being assaulted by their own kin.

Minus Maverick, whose bear pelt and hood flowed freely in the wind and his markings shined brightly. For he wanted the giant man eaters to see him coming.

Such as one in the distance that seemed bold and foolish enough to cease its aimless pacing and head towards him. Its face was stuck in a perpetual grin as it moved with a skip in its step, as if elated to see that a human was coming right up to it.

'Keep grinning mongrel. I'll give you something good to eat…'

Swiftly Maverick put Skullsmite away in a compartment installed on Caesars saddle, for he had another weapon in mind to use. Wrapped and secured behind his saddle he took the weapon out and unraveled it, revealing it to be his massive firearm Kaboom.

However, it seemed the Slayer had made some additional modifications to the old cannon turned firearm. Its lower firing mechanism had seemingly been removed, in exchange for some contraption that secured the weapon onto Maverick's right arm.

Sometime ago the Slayer had come to a realization, he had far too much handheld weaponry at his disposal. As much as he enjoyed the feeling of squeezing a trigger he had to accommodate for the rest of his weapons. If he had another set of arms then of course such an issue would be resolved, but the powers that be had yet to bless him with such a gift.

And so with a little ingenuity, and runic magics, he had taken a page from an old despot he butted heads with long ago and turned his hand cannon into an arm cannon.

He was certain the Founding Fathers of his homeland looked down at him with smiles, for this was no doubt what they had intended for him to do all along.

The moment Kaboom 2.0 was secured a series of new runes lit up from the cannon, signifying the link with its creator. With ease he lifted his arm and aimed at the approaching titan. He took Caesar's constant movement into account and synchronized his aim with the boar.

And with a deep breath the markings on his right hand glowed, and Kaboom 2.0 responded in kind.

*KABLAM*

The sound of the cannon shot echoed in the air as a shell was sent flying from its rifled barrel and straight towards the incoming titan's massive, ugly head.

Time almost seemed to slow to a crawl as the shell made impact with the beasts' forehead and ignited the head in a gory explosion that sent blood, bone, and flesh flying in all directions.

The titan's body was sent flying back, skidding along the ground before stopping, giving a few last twitches before steam began to erupt, signifying a clean kill.

Passing by the corpse Maverick set his sights on a group of three that had been attracted by the noise of his kill. Not giving them a chance to act he aimed his cannon and fired at their direction.

*KABLAM*

*KABLAM*

*KABLAM*

While two were killed on the spot, the remaining one simply had half of its head blown out, causing it to fall over and shriek in seeming agony at the loss of half of its face.

Its pain would only increase as it was soon pierced and gored by Caesar's massive tusks. Shaking the wounded titan around the great boar had turned the beast into a stress reliver as with every shake and crash into the ground the titan's body continued to be torn and mutilated.

Soon the titan was left without three out of its four limbs, and its lower jaw had been dislocated. Showing no sign of struggle Caesar let out a snarl before shaking the titan off is tusks with one mighty swing, the beast falling to the ground with a loud splat.

*KABLAM*

And only after suffering such a humiliating mauling did Maverick finally fix his error and put the titan down with a blast to the back of its neck.

Smirking down at his mount he patted the oversized swine. "Get it all out of your system, eh?"

The great boar blew air out of its snout with a resounding huff, its single glowing eye blazing. It's bout with the large humanoid was less than satisfied, for the creature barely put up a fight.

The great boar wanted blood. And what the great boar wanted; it would have.

It's warped desires would be answered, for all the noise and commotion that its mauling, and the sound of its master's weapon, had attracted numerous other giants in the area.

Seeing the lumbering creatures make their way towards the two caused Caesar to begin digging his hoofs on the ground, eager to take on the challenge. Sensing the eagerness of his mount Maverick decided to let him have this one and go and stretch his legs.

"SICK EM CAESAR!"

With a squeal of delight the boar sped off towards the direction of the nearest titan the moment Maverick gathered Skullsmite and dismounted from his saddle, with the last thing the demigod seeing was the boar collide with the titan of its choice, bringing it down with a cloud of dust blowing up from the collision.

With a smirk the Slayer shook his legs and got into a sprinting position. Channeling his divine powers the markings etched to his legs glowed bright, and soon the demigod was off, dashing across the long-abandoned lands with the speed of an Olympian, blasting and bashing anything that looked far bigger than him.

While Maverick had gone off guns blazing, his comrades had taken the stealth route, taking out isolated titans and ganging up on small groups, in time it seemed that they would have the area clear in a very short amount of time.

However, it would seem that the sounds of Maverick's cannon firing off and Caesar's squeals had the effect of attracting additional titans just outside of the borders of the lost land.

What would once seem like a cause for concern, the additional titan reinforcements did nothing to deter the scouts. If anything, it was a welcomed challenge. To a certain scout it provided an opportunity.

From atop the ruins of a what looked to be a home, one certain squad leader observed the newcomers with great interest. While her beloved hadn't seen any promising members for the Sentinels, she was adamant that the new arrivals swarming their location would hold some promising recruits.

And it didn't take long for her to stop her gazing and go back to one she had previously passed over. Extending her range she gazed at a certain titan.

"Oooh, you look promising!"

It had a well-built body, not as fine as her beloved demigod of course, but muscular enough. It was of a respectable size as well, fourteen meters from what she could see.

Her brows raised as she watched the titan in her sights shove aside another that had stumbled towards it, going so far as to step over the poor smaller titan as it continued on its way.

"Hah! And a feisty one too!" This was all Hange needed to know that this one was a prime candidate.

Securing her spyglass she quickly lowered herself down to meet with her vice-captain who, along with the rest of her squad had stayed below and held their positions.

"Moblit! Get the net guns!"

With a knowing sigh escaping his lips he unfastened said restraining weapon from his saddle and motioned for Rashad to hand his over to Hange.

Swiftly mounting up Hange and her crew sped off to meet their target, who continued on its merry way, unaware of the group of dear-headed riders quickly flanking it.

With a series of well-versed hand signals Hange and Moblit primed their weapons and prepared to restrain the titan.

While Moblit was far more comfortable in sticking away from the titan's line of sight his squad leader decided to play a game of risk, as she suddenly took out one of her blades and shot out one of her anchors, straight into the back of her targets back flesh.

With a boost from her ODM gear she zoomed around to meet her target head on, her hood flying off to show her lovely human features. The sudden appearance of a human caused the titan to stop mid step, its primal mind utterly bewildered at just how a piece of food had suddenly appeared mid-air.

"SMILE CUTIE!"

*BANG*

*BANG*

The titan soon found its suddenly restrained with a series of sharp wires that clutched and cut into its skin, causing it to fall onto the ground with a resounding thud.

Landing on the ground with a fall breaking roll Hange immediately stood up, giddy with delight at her and her vice-captain's achievement. Firing her anchors up to the restrained titan, she flew up to the top of its head, standing upon it with a conquering pose.

"Hah, and Mav said there weren't any worth getting!"

"Hange, get down from it!"

She brushed off Moblit's concern, even as the restrained titan continued to squirm in a futile attempt to free itself. Her attention was soon brought by one of the Sentinels quickly approaching them, Twenty. Its body was steaming with titan blood that wasn't his, as was the club that was held firmly in its hands.

Everyone saw the very hostile look on its face, and noticed Twenty was quickening its pace towards them. Realizing what was about to happen Hange quickly got off their recent capture and started waving her hands around wildly to get Twenty's attention

"Judas No! Don't attack! STAY!"

Twenty stopped just a few feet away from Delta Squad's leader, looking down at her with an impassive glare and a low growl, and yet it obeyed as it settled down and lowered it weapon.

Some time ago Maverick had given the Sentinels numerous orders that they would universally follow, one such order was that in moments he wasn't around then they would follow the words of those he trusted, his beloved Hanji was one such person.

Seeing the sentinel in a calm state Moblit moved to Hange's side, giving her a questioning look. "You called it Judas?"

Turning to her vice-captain with a very proud look on her face Hange defended her choice.

"Mav may just call them by numbers, but I am a bit more creative than that Moblit!"

Moblit just continued to stare at her. While naming the creatures was all fine and dandy to him, he couldn't figure out why she would choose that name.

Still high of the joy of capturing a candidate Hange quickly began to rearm her restraining cannon. "Think we can get another few Moblit?"

Before he could get a word in the sound of multiple cannon shots going off alerted the group that their squad mate was still on his one-man rampage. Moving to higher ground Hange took out her spyglass to see if she could see what her other half was up too.

Didn't take long to spot his glowing figure some yards away. Despite the mass of steam fogging up the area she could make him out taking on a few straggling titans, until his figure emerged from the steam.

Her eyes drifted to the cannon now on his arm, letting out an amused sigh as he fired off another blast on a titan that too emerged from the steam. She recalled fondly seeing him work on the modifications in his forge back at home, singing his little old-world tunes as he worked. Though it pained her to see him bleed himself to make the runes he assured her he was only letting out what was necessary.

Spotting another one he aimed at the incoming threat only to suddenly shake his arm. Hange soon realized he had run out of ammunition.

She snickered as she watched him quickly roll away from the titan's hand, and smash said hand with Skullsmite instead. Watching him quickly reload his cannon while the titan screamed at the steaming stump that was its hand was like a scene out of some comedy play in Wall Rose.

Loading another clip he quickly aimed and fired sending the titan corpse back into the steaming mist. Soon after he brandished his 'guillotine' blades and charged back into the fray, though once more she could see flashes and hear the cannon go off.

Looking back to the corralled titan they had; she decided that maybe one was enough for today.

-oOo-

The skirmish had come to a very short and swift end. Nearly every titan that was encountered by the scouts had been wiped out, leaving the open fields covered in steaming corpses, but free of their presence.

From atop one of these many piles of giant skeletons stood Maverick and Miche, looking out beyond the steam, seeing if there were any more titans approaching. Besides the Sentinels patrolling around he didn't see anything.

"Any more coming our way?" Maverick asked, his cannon primmed and ready to take out any newcomers.

With his head held high Miche took a whiff of the air, seeking out the scents of any wandering titans still about. Within a few minutes he looked back, his shoulders lowering to a relaxed state.

"No, were clear." He spoke flatly. With a sigh Maverick too relaxed his posture and sat down on the skull of the dead titan they stood on.

Seeing him now in a calmer mood Miche was finally able to take a more focused look at the cannon strapped to his comrade's arm. "You made some interesting modifications."

Looking back to his arm cannon Maverick lips curved upwards, running a hand across its runed barrel, the glow of the runes following his hand as it passed.

"Yeah, wasn't really getting as much mileage as I thought I would originally. What with having to carry Skullsmite and my blades around."

Miche nodded agreeably, it made plenty of sense when he explained it like that. "And it's not straining your arm?"

"Pah this is nothing." Maverick said confidently. If he could lift a beached battleship and keep Ol' Khorne's bloody axe from splitting him in two then a simple remodified 19th century cannon didn't barely register as heavy.

Seeing no strain on his face Miche nodded before departing Maverick's company to reunite with his squad.

Only for the sound of galloping horses to be heard from the steam that surrounded the two. Turning in its direction the two men got a view of Miche's squad appearing from the mist. Though Maverick couldn't help but keep his visage on a certain blonde, who removed her deer hood to let out her blonde bangs.

Turning to him with her baby blue eyes she gave a small smile. "Hange sent me for you Mav, she got a titan she wants you to see."

"Oh, did she now?" He said with a tilt of his head. Jumping off of the skull he left, not before patting Nanaba's horse and giving his lover a quick peck to her cheek.

With brisk skips along the ground he quickly reunited with his squad, and Hange, lacking any decorum about their relationship pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving a tight squeeze.

"~Hey Big Man.~" She spoke with a sweetened tone. "Wrangled another one for you!~"

He glanced at the titan that was now trying to get itself out of the ODM nets, cutting itself with every small movement it made.

Until Twenty stepped on its back with its foot earning a seemingly pained grunt from the titan.

"That you did dear Hanji, that you did..."

Getting a better look at the creature he noticed it wasn't any of the ones that were wandering about before the skirmish. "Ahh, wandered here cause of me, didn't you?"

Walking around he began to inspect certain aspects of the creature, as Hange and the others watched withheld breaths.

"He's really gonna do it isn't he?!" Turning to the familiar voice they spotted Miche's squad approaching from the distance, with Gelgar at the lead.

"Squad Leader Hange wouldn't have caught it otherwise!" Keiji voiced, pointing his thumb Hange's way.

This just got Gelgar even more exited. He'd always heard from the veterans about seeing Maverick 'tame' the giant boar. How so bizarre, frightening, yet enchanting it was to see the demigod perform his abnormal miracles.

All watched in silence as Maverick nodded to himself, Hange hiding a squeal of delight to see he had approved of the titan's addition into their ranks.

Raising his left hand the eye shaped marking began to glow brightly, causing the restrained titan to begin to struggle at the sight of the glowing, steaming hand, as if it knew what was about to happen.

"Be still."

Twenty let go of its club and got atop of the titan, holding its head still on the ground to give it's master an opening. Wasting no time, he plunged his left hand into the titan's forehead.

"GUUUUUAAAHHHH!"

Miche's junior members got a front row seat to what he and his fellow veterans witnessed that day oh so long ago with Caesar.

"Holy…" Gelgar voiced, watching with wide eyes at the sight of the restrained titan go into a spasm as it tried to shake off the hand, all the while screaming to the high heavens.

"Looks painful…" Lyne said, covering her ears from the noise. She could see the smoke begin to emit from the spot where Maverick's hand was, its flesh sizzling as what little of its original primal mind was overtaken.

Keiji, Abel, and Rashad were equally awed and spooked at Maverick's 'taming'. It set a reminder that the giant seven-foot man in their squad was far more…inhuman, than they liked to think of him as.

With one last wail the titan's eyes suddenly flashed a familiar blue glow, before it fell silent, and its body ceased moving. Seeing the titan offer no more resistance Twenty let go of its hold and stood up from atop the titan's body.

Walking toward the still titan Mavrick unhooked the nets restraining it, letting them fall haplessly onto the ground.

"Rise." Maverick ordered.

Immediately the new Sentinel rose up from its spot, standing at its full fourteen-meter height. Gone was its original grinning expression in exchange for a flat, impassive look.

The young scouts below remained frozen where they were, still in awe at the process they had just witnessed.

Stepping back Maverick shook off the remaining bits of steam from his cooling hand, idly glancing up at his newest enthralled auxiliary.

"That makes…Twenty-three now?" He asked aloud.

"Twenty-five." Hange corrected, coming to his side to admire the new Sentinel from a closer angle. Before she could stare any longer a distant sound echoed off from the distance.

Turning to the direction of the sound the scouts could see an orange hued flare soaring across the sky. It was a rare flare, one in which held a specific order in mind

"The regroup order…" Moblit said, a hint of worry in his voice as an additional orange fare was spotted as a distant squad acknowledged the order, followed by another, then another.

"Either the command squad found something good-"

"Or they need reinforcements."

"Let's hope for the former." Maverick said. Wasting no time he made way to his mount. "Caesar to me!"

As the great boar rushed to its master's side the rest of the group were quick to go their own mounts and ride off.

"Mount up! Double time it!" Miche shouted, though not before gesturing to Nanaba, who reached for her signal gun and fired off an orange flare in the direction of where the first was fired.

In seconds the scouts were all mounted up and ready set off towards the directions of the dissipating flares. Despite the loss of the visual aids Miche was more than familiar with the scent of their flares, making him the clear leader of their retreat party.

"Twenty-Five, Thirteen, Eleven, Twenty! FOLLOW, SPEAR FORMATION!"

At his command the Sentinels formed a triangular formation and followed the galloping horses, their towering, lumbering forms jogging along with the horses.

"Keep up with us Judas!" Hange shouted gleefully, causing the man atop the boar to twist his body in her direction with a look of true, genuine shock.

"JUDAS?!"

Hange's laughter filled the air as the scouts retreated from the abandoned lands, following the trail and scent of dissipating flares.

-Tales from The Book of Maverick-

Ganondorf, the vile Sorcerer King of the Gerudo, stared down at the warrior who denied his prize. The Sacred Realm, and the Triforce was nearly within his grasp, and yet this warrior, the young boys' guardian and companion, still opposed him.

"STAND ASIDE FOOL!" He shouted, his bellowing voice echoing inside the hall of the temple. "I WONT BE DENIED WHAT IS MINE!"

But Maverick remained where he stood, protecting both the gate to the Sacred Realm, and the boy whom he swore to guide and protect. The resolute glare peering through his visored helm told the King of Thieves that the one standing before him would only move once he was struck down.

"SO BE IT." Said the King with a sneer. He raised his hand, which soon began to swirl with foul sorcery.

Channeling his dark magics the evildoer was to cast a spell that would slay the warrior. And he would have, if only he wasn't suddenly forced to evade a series of small blades that his opponent suddenly threw at him.

"As if I'd let you Big Nose!" The warrior shouted, watching as the sorcerer cowardly hid behind a pillar in the temple. Bringing his axe and shield to arms he challenged the King of the Gerudo to a duel.

"You want to get your precious Triforce so bad? Well, your gonna have to get through me!"

-Passage from the story The Second Hero of Hyrule-

Despite his new elevated status as both the hero of Athens and the slayer of the traitorous God of War, Maverick's sense of adventure and wanderlust remained strong in his heart.

Such a feeling would only grow in time, especially once he heard the tales of the Sisters of Fate. It was these three beings, Clotho, Lahkesis, and Atropos, who determined the fates of all in Ancient Greece, be they mortals, Gods, or Titans.

For this reason, he would once more depart from Athens to seek out the sisters. For if they truly knew the fates of all in this world, then perhaps they could prove an answer to his curious mind.

Adorning his divine armor and weaponry once more, and with the blessings of his dearly beloved Oracle and of his patron Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare, Maverick would set off on yet another grand adventure, beginning with a trip to where all life in Ancient Greece began.

-Passage from the story The Fateful Journey-

A/N: So, this chapter originally was both going to be much shorter and be released much earlier in November with an additional chapter for December, but life always likes to throw a curve ball at you.

In my case, around mid-November I got sick, and I mean I got REALLY sick. It was quite possibly the most ill I have ever gotten in recent years.

A mixture of a fluctuating fever, chills, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, headaches, coughing fits, and generally feeling like complete shit left me with little to no motivation to do much of anything. While I'm feeling much better now compared to the last few weeks I'm still reeling from the whole ordeal, my lungs especially as they took quite a beating.

Anywho back to the topic at hand, this chapter, like most of the expedition chapters, was inspired by the Territory Recovery Mode from AOT 2, specifically the mission Defend the Settlement!

For those curious Maverick's decision to turn his hand cannon into an arm cannon was based on one of the first concepts I had for the weapon in mind but went with the handheld version in an effort to put some realism into the story. I soon came to realize just how silly that sounded, as I was reminded that my protagonist is an OP demigod blessed by nearly every known religious pantheon known to human history across multiple universes.

With that in mind the next chapter planned will delve a bit deeper into the series' more 'supernatural' aspects, won't say much more, just hope it's enough to keep you all intrigued for the next one.

Lastly, I'd just want to thank you, my readers old and new, for continuing to read and enjoy my story. While my output has definitely slowed compared to my initial years writing this story, I'm thankful for those who've stuck around. I pray I can keep you all entertained for another year,

See you all in 2025!