Behind the Survey Corps' base, deep inside a secluded valley with only one entrance, Erwin, Levi, Hanji, and Mike stood fully armed, waiting for Lock and his companions to arrive.
At the narrow mouth of the valley, nearly a hundred Survey Corps soldiers maintained strict vigilance, weapons drawn and eyes sharp.
"It's quite a grand arrangement," Lock muttered, glancing at the soldiers. Then he turned toward Ymir and Petra, who both looked visibly nervous. "Don't worry. These are just precautions. Nothing will happen."
"I believe you," Ymir said firmly.
Her unwavering tone made Petra, who had been about to speak, hold back her words.
After passing through several checkpoints, Lock and his group were finally led into the valley to meet Erwin and the others.
Erwin, visibly relieved at their arrival, approached with Levi, Hanji, and Mike at his side.
"Lock, you finally made it."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Commander."
Lock's gaze swept across the valley before he said bluntly, "Shall we begin right away?"
"That would be best," Erwin replied. He wasn't one to waste time.
Lock turned to Ymir. "If you're ready, transform."
"Yes."
Expressionless, Ymir stepped toward an open area. Petra tried to follow her, but Lock stopped her.
"You stay here."
"What do you mean, Lock?" Petra whispered. She clearly had no idea of the truth.
Lock softened his tone. "No matter what you see next, don't panic. Ymir is still Ymir—she hasn't changed."
Petra frowned, confused, but Lock said nothing more. Erwin and the others ignored her entirely. If not for Lock's insistence, Petra wouldn't have been allowed to witness this at all. Matters concerning Titans were secrets tightly guarded—even the royal government hadn't been informed.
Petra bit her lip but stayed silent, watching Ymir walk dozens of meters away. Ymir paused, then turned her calm eyes back toward them. For the first time, Petra felt that her friend seemed distant—no longer the girl who had always followed her like a shadow.
But the moment for doubts passed quickly. Lock gave Ymir a small nod. Taking a deep breath, Ymir pulled out the blade he had given her earlier and sliced her palm.
Lightning split the air. The thunderous roar shook the valley, forcing everyone to narrow their eyes against the blinding light.
Hanji, eyes wide with fanatical excitement, stared at the forming silhouette, completely forgetting her earlier guilt.
When the steam cleared, a Titan stood before them—three to four meters tall, with jagged teeth flashing and elongated claws gleaming like blades.
Lock stepped forward calmly, unflinching. Ymir's heart surged with emotion at his composure. Glancing at Petra, who stood frozen in disbelief, Ymir sighed inwardly.
Lock looked up at the Titan before him, his lips twitching slightly. "Is that all?"
"What do you mean by that?" Ymir's Titan voice rumbled, sharp with offense.
The words sent a ripple through Erwin's group. They rushed forward, weapons at the ready, staring at the small Titan with alarm.
"She can talk?!"
"A Titan that speaks?"
"Her form… It's different from the others."
"The Armored, the Colossal, the Female—all with unique traits… and now this one with claws…"
The flood of questions left Ymir momentarily speechless.
Lock cut in smoothly. "I know you all want answers, but let's ask one at a time. Ymir only has one mouth."
Standing with his back to her, Lock made it clear he trusted her completely. That gesture stunned Erwin, Levi, and the others. Petra's face, however, betrayed turmoil. She could no longer look at Ymir the same way—her hatred of Titans ran too deep.
Ymir noticed the change in Petra's expression. Sadness flickered inside her, but Lock's calm presence reassured her. He hadn't wavered at all.
Even though Erwin and his officers had expected this, the reality of watching a soldier transform into a Titan before their eyes was overwhelming. They stood uncertain, unsure of what to ask first.
Lock broke the silence. "Come out, Ymir. Speak to us directly."
"Hm."
The Jaw Titan's guttural voice echoed, and Ymir pulled herself free from the nape, emerging in human form as the Titan's body dissolved into steam.
The Survey Corps officers stared in amazement. Hanji rushed forward, pressing her hands against the dissipating Titan flesh despite the searing burns. Her ecstatic expression made it clear—pain was nothing compared to the thrill of discovery.
Ymir stood tall before them, exhaling heavily. Then, with quiet resolve, she began to recount her truth: her origins, fragments of Marley, the memories inherited from the Jaw Titan, and what she knew of Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie—and the mission that had brought them all here.
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A/N: Tell me from what chapter the quality drop i'll rework on them as I mass released too many chapter at a single time that's why I didn't got time to rego through all, and i'm working on like 5 fanfics with every single one daily updates with patreon updates so, please consider my position too, still I will try my best to rework again on this story :)