"That is?" Yago looked at the figure before him, uncertain—a towering Titan, black-haired, teeth bared to the ears, pointed ears, and solid muscles.
Most importantly, this Titan was slaughtering other Titans, roaring as it smashed the heads of each one. Fifteen-meter Titans were like weaklings before it, and those under ten meters were dispatched with a single kick.
"This Titan? No, this is... a human like me?" Yago murmured with certainty. This Titan gave him an indescribably familiar feeling.
This Titan—or rather, it must be a human capable of transforming into a Titan, just like him.
Bang! The Pointed-Ear Titan blasted the head of an ordinary Titan, which spun toward Yago, who reacted quickly and dodged.
For now, Yago ignored the Titan, focusing instead on his comrades' situation.
He dashed into the supply station.
The station was already crowded with trainee soldiers: Jean, Marco, Sasha, Reiner, Bertholdt... Finally, Yago spotted the familiar figure he had been longing for in a corner. Seeing Annie safe, his heart, which had been tight with worry, finally sank.
At this moment, everyone's attention was completely drawn to the Pointed-Ear Titan outside, slaughtering other Titans. Connie pointed at the Titan:
"That's an Abnormal. It kills other Titans. We can use it to draw the Titans' attention, get the supplies, and retreat."
Most were shocked, but Reiner and Bertholdt's expressions seemed off, though no one noticed.
Yago found Armin. "Where are the others from Squad 34?"
In the crowd, he only saw him and Mina. He knew Thomas and Ilse had fallen, but what about Eren and Mady?
Armin lowered his head in guilt, painfully confessing everything.
Squad 34, tasked with assisting the Vanguard to eliminate Titans, under Thomas's command, narrowly avoided an Abnormal attack, but were still entangled by three Titans, including the Abnormal.
Armin was grabbed by a bearded Titan. At the last moment, Eren sacrificed himself to save Armin, getting eaten in the process. Mady was swallowed by the Abnormal. Thomas, trying to cover the retreat, was caught by a Titan's steel cable, severely injuring his limbs. Ilse evacuated the gravely injured Thomas. Armin and Mina had to retreat, losing contact in the chaos.
Finally, on a rooftop, Armin found the torn corpses of Thomas and Ilse, unable to escape.
"I'm so sorry! It's all my fault! I was too weak!" Armin cried, tears streaming. Yago felt dazed, unreal. Three years of comradeship—humble Thomas, skilled Ilse, silent but kind Mady, and passionate Eren—how could it end like this…
Yago sighed lightly, patting Armin's shoulder.
"Armin, pull yourself together. Don't let Eren and the others die in vain. Your mind is the sharpest here—help us figure this out." Yago knew there were several three-to-four-meter Titans underground.
After comforting Armin, Yago moved toward the figure he had longed to see.
"Annie, are you okay?" Seeing Annie's worn expression, Yago hesitated but managed to speak.
Annie's eyes were complicated.
"I-I'm fine." But her face betrayed worry.
Yago's heart ached seeing her like that. Without knowing why, he suddenly hugged Annie.
Annie was startled but quickly pushed him away, a faint blush coloring her pale face.
Yago felt awkward. With many people around, he suddenly acted without thinking. To cover his embarrassment, he moved beside Armin, who was studying tactics.
Armin's mind was sharp. They planned to use the elevator, equip the found muskets, draw the Titans' attention, and let soldiers hidden on the beams strike decisively.
A brilliant plan, yet Armin, its creator, lacked confidence. Still, the trust from everyone warmed him slightly.
Finally, everyone agreed. The muskets were given to a few stationed soldiers and marksman trainees, with Bertholdt handling three himself.
The Titans' killers were Yago, Mikasa, Annie, Reiner, Jean, Marco, Sasha, and Connie.
Yago crouched on a beam, glimpsing the Titans in the flickering torchlight.
The elevator descended with a clatter, drawing the Titans closer.
"Stay steady! Don't panic!" the stationed soldiers called, reassuring the nervous trainees.
Bertholdt squinted, aiming at the Titan's eyes. Though the muskets were antiques, he handled them easily.
The Titans neared the elevator; their stench filled the air.
"Fire!!" At the command, a dozen muskets discharged. Bang! The flash and smoke enveloped everyone. Bertholdt's shots hit the Titans' eyes with precision.
"Roar!! Roar!!" The Titans' cries signaled Yago and the others to move.
Almost simultaneously, they leapt from the beams. Yago's twin blades flashed, and the Titan in front fell, blood gushing from its nape.
Other Titans fell too, but an accident occurred. Sasha trembled as the blade slipped from her hand, and the wounded Titan lunged at her.
Yago rushed forward, but a figure moved faster!
Mikasa struck; the Titan collapsed.
"Mikasa!!!" Sasha clutched her savior, crying.
With the Titans defeated, they cheered, immediately resuming gas resupply.
"Phew," Yago exhaled. With gas replenished, it was time to check on the Titan outside.
Without hesitation, Yago climbed above the supply station, eyes fixed on the Pointed-Ear Titan, still fighting other Titans but clearly fatigued, its recovery slowing.
Yago recognized exhaustion. Hand on his blade, he thought: if this Titan is slaughtering others, it may not be an enemy. Perhaps it could become an ally. This power is worth pursuing.
Meanwhile, trainees and stationed soldiers finished gas resupply and hurriedly left.
Yago watched the exhausted Pointed-Ear Titan, drawing his blade. It was time to act—but whose nape would it be?
Before he could strike, Mikasa appeared beside him, halting him.
"Mikasa? What are you doing here? Aren't you retreating?" Yago asked.
Mikasa stared at the Titan.
"I think it may hold a secret. If we uncover it, we can change this cruel world." Unspoken words revealed Mikasa's familiar, anxious feeling about the Titan—she had to confirm it.
Yago gazed at the Pointed-Ear Titan being held down by several Titans.
"Yes, it has a secret."