Time rewound a few minutes to the moment the Beast Titan transformed.
On the vast plain, the outer gate of Maria Wall loomed faintly in the distance.
The Survey Corps, led by Erwin Smith, galloped swiftly toward the wall, the wind whipping past them as horses thundered across the terrain.
"There's a Titan," one soldier said, squinting at the distant wall where golden lightning streaked across the sky—an unmistakable sign of a Titan transformation.
"Who could it be?" Connie's expression darkened.
"Reiner?" Jean guessed first, though his tone held uncertainty.
"It could also be the Female Titan," another voice suggested.
"Or even the Beast Titan," someone muttered.
"This is the outer gate of Maria Wall. It seems they've been waiting for us for a long time," Armin said, his face pale.
Their mission was clear: block the outer gate, reclaim Maria Wall, and reach Eren's basement. But as they approached, the enemy had already positioned itself strategically.
"Just as I hoped," Eren thought, his eyes burning with determination. Beneath the lingering hatred, a torrent of emotions churned—powerlessness, despair, regret, and anticipation.
The memories of the past, and Mikasa's death, had forged him into someone stronger, more resolute. Every choice weighed heavily, yet he pressed forward.
As the Survey Corps neared the wall, a second bolt of golden lightning flashed across the sky.
Now, the situation became clear.
"It's the Beast Titan," someone exclaimed.
"And the Armored Titan."
"It's Reiner… he's not dead."
"Something's wrong—Reiner is attacking the Beast Titan."
"They jumped to the other side of the wall!"
"Speed up! We don't know why they're fighting, but it works in our favor."
"Yes!"
Riding quickly on his horse, Zhou Wei observed the two Titans, his face grim. He understood the implications. If Reiner were truly the Armored Titan, he would never attack the Beast Titan willingly.
There was only one possibility: Reiner had been eaten, and the Armored Titan's power had been seized.
Who could wield it?
The Darkness.
"Eren, proceed as planned. Use Hardening to block the outer gate," Armin instructed, eyes fixed on his friend.
Eren didn't reply, only nodding.
When the soldiers propelled themselves with their Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, they saw the full extent of the chaos.
The Armored Titan relentlessly pursued the Beast Titan across the plain. The two clashed with brutal force, each movement shaking the earth beneath them.
"Is that a Titan corpse?" Armin asked, pointing at the melted remains of the Cart Titan along the wall. Smoke and steam rose from its shattered form. Only the skeleton, weapon systems on its back, and the lower half of a human body remained, twisted and blackened by intense heat.
Connie, Jean, and the others grew grim, already accustomed to the grotesque scenes the Survey Corps frequently witnessed. Death was a constant companion.
Erwin, Eren, and Zhou Wei merely glanced at the charred remains, then returned their focus to the two Titans clashing below.
"Boom!"
The Beast Titan hardened its hands, trying to block an incoming strike, but in moments, its defense shattered. The immense form was sent flying backward by the Armored Titan.
Lucien Graves didn't immediately press the attack. He paused, eyes sweeping toward the distant wall. He hadn't expected the Survey Corps to appear.
If Zhou Wei hadn't been present, the Beast Titan would have been eliminated already. But Lucien knew better than to underestimate this particular threat—he had no knowledge of Zhou Wei's trump cards.
With decisive calculation, Lucien abandoned the Beast Titan and surged into the distance. This was a strategic retreat.
The Beast Titan, initially terrified, released a sigh of relief. Seeing Lucien leave, it turned hesitantly toward the wall, then followed.
"They actually left… because of us?" Hange adjusted her glasses, observing the retreat of both Titans in separate directions.
"Commander, shall we pursue them?" one soldier asked.
"No," Erwin said calmly. "Our objective is to reclaim Maria Wall and uncover the truth. Their departure suits us perfectly."
Though outwardly composed, a trace of tension lingered in Erwin's expression. He hadn't expected the Armored Titan to act so decisively.
Meanwhile, Lucien could already see the Giant Tree Forest ahead. He exited the nape of the Armored Titan, its massive body crashing into the ground. Without hesitation, he launched himself forward using Geppo, pursuing the Beast Titan with unwavering resolve.
He hadn't truly abandoned his quarry.
---
"Eren, begin!"
Half an hour later, once it was clear that neither the Armored Titan nor the Beast Titan would return, Erwin and the Survey Corps turned their attention to Eren.
"Okay," Eren said, leaping from the wall. He bit his right hand midair, golden lightning illuminating the sky, and transformed into the Attack Titan.
Hardening surged through him as he extended countless crystalline tentacles, blocking the entire outer gate.
"It's a success," Armin murmured.
The Survey Corps inspected the wall from both sides, confirming the gate was entirely sealed. Joy erupted among them.
"Leave a team to guard. The rest, proceed to Eren's basement," Erwin instructed, his voice calm, though his heart raced.
The truth of the world—the culmination of years of searching—was finally within reach.
In the original timeline, Erwin would have fallen in battle against the Beast Titan. But with Lucien Graves' intervention, the story had changed.
Levi and Mikasa were already gone, but Erwin still lived.
"Damn it… who is that man?" Zeke muttered bitterly.
A salty sea breeze drifted from the shore, the faint sound of waves filling the distance.
The Beast Titan had crossed a slope, approaching the sea. Retreat to Marley was inevitable. Paradis Island was in chaos.
The Armored Titan and the Cart Titan had been seized by mysterious Eldians. Even the Colossal Titan, Jaw Titan, and Female Titan might soon be lost.
The plan to reclaim the Founding Titan had collapsed. The enemy now held the Attack Titan and Founding Titan, leaving Marley powerless to control events.
"Puff… puff…"
The Beast Titan paused as the sound of air tearing behind him grew louder. He initially mistook it for the wind, but soon realized the truth.
Lucien Graves approached from the air, alone, with no equipment, bounding effortlessly above the plain.
The Beast Titan's eyes narrowed to pinpricks. Shock and disbelief overtook him.
_______
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