A surging blast of air rushed straight toward Yago, sending the black bangs on his forehead fluttering wildly. Yet his expression remained calm and composed.
Before him, a golden pillar of lightning shot into the sky. Within the dazzling golden lightning flickered strands of crimson arcs. Chunks of flesh and bone materialized out of thin air, blood vessels twisting together as steam billowed outward.
An enormous Titan body was slowly taking shape.
However, perhaps because the Sea-Diving Titan was not well-suited for transforming on land, Airi's transformation was noticeably slower than that of other Titan warriors. At the very least, if Yago intended to, he could have dragged her out of the still-unformed Titan body before she fully transformed. Of course, being the Sea-Diving Titan, perhaps transforming in the ocean would give her a greater advantage.
"Still, I can't underestimate my opponent. I should go all out." Yago lifted his head and spoke calmly. In the next instant, golden lightning erupted from his body as well.
Bathed in lightning, golden radiance enveloped Yago. Far behind him, Serena stood frozen in shock. She had long known from Yago that he was a Titan warrior from Paradis Island, but hearing about it and witnessing it were two entirely different things. Seeing the Fate Titan about to take form before her eyes, she couldn't help but feel deeply shaken.
Endless flesh and sinew emerging from the void rapidly wrapped around Yago's entire body, strands of muscle spreading from the corners of his eyes.
Moments later—
"Roar!!"
"Grrr!!"
(The roar of the Sea-Diving Titan—impossible to describe. Imagine a fusion of a shark's and a whale's cry.)
Two colossal figures burst through the steam, revealing their forms.
Gray-white giant feet stomped upon the earth, nearly transparent webs stretching between the toes. A sleek, streamlined body, well-proportioned muscles, two slender yet powerfully built arms. Along both forearms were gray protrusions flashing with cold light, like fins. Most eye-catching of all was the slightly curved back, where a razor-sharp dorsal fin stood five or six meters tall. The terrifying chill radiating from it was enough to send shivers down one's spine at a glance.
From the tailbone extended a powerful, whipping tail. Its white head, covered in fine scales, bore two slender crimson eyes gleaming with icy killing intent. A mouth stretched to the ears, filled with tiny serrated teeth.
The Sea-Diving Titan, Airi, had arrived.
Inside the nape of the Sea-Diving Titan, Airi's face was filled with shock. She had never imagined that Loya before her would transform into a Titan. How was that possible? Wasn't he Marleyan? And that Titan radiated an aura that made her instinctively afraid. The overwhelming pressure nearly suffocated her.
This was also Yago's first transformation for battle since obtaining the power of the War Hammer Titan.
As the Fate Titan stepped out of the steam, it had undergone significant changes. Previously, the Fate Titan's entire body had been knotted with explosive, threatening muscle. Now, its aura was completely different.
Its originally burly frame seemed slightly reduced in size. The muscles had shrunk somewhat, becoming more balanced and streamlined. But only Yago himself knew the truth—the Fate Titan's power had grown stronger. Just like a spring compressed to its limit stores greater force, the Fate Titan's muscle density was now more than double what it had been before. Even its height had increased from fifteen meters to seventeen.
Its crimson eyes and fangs remained unchanged, but the once ferocious face now appeared noticeably softer. Perhaps it had something to do with the white patterns spreading across its cheeks.
From the face downward, white swirling cloud-like markings extended across the Fate Titan's arms, back, and calves. These special patterns resembled ancient warriors' body paint used to display status. The white markings were, naturally, the result of the War Hammer Titan's power.
It could be said that after obtaining the War Hammer Titan's power, not only had the Fate Titan's strength increased dramatically, even its appearance had improved by several levels.
Serena's astonished expression behind it was the best proof.
Gazing at the majestic Fate Titan, Serena's face flushed with excitement. With such a mighty Titan leader, the future of the Eldian Revolutionary Army was bright!
The Fate Titan turned its head, crimson eyes locking onto the Sea-Diving Titan. Airi immediately felt as though she were being targeted by a terrifying beast.
Then, before her eyes, the Fate Titan slowly raised an arm adorned with white cloud patterns and curled a finger toward her.
"A provocation! He's provoking me! Damn it! He's looking down on me!!"
Inside the nape, Airi's face darkened to the extreme. Her intense anger diluted her fear of the Fate Titan.
The Sea-Diving Titan's slender red eyes widened sharply as it let out a low growl, then charged toward the Fate Titan like a war chariot.
The two Titans were not far apart. In moments, the Sea-Diving Titan closed the distance. It raised both arms, the gray fin-like blades along them slashing down at the Fate Titan like twin swords.
Crack, crack—
With the power of the Jaw Titan, white hardening rapidly covered the Fate Titan's hands. Under Yago's will, the Fate Titan raised its arms and caught both fins.
Screech!
A crisp sound surprised Yago. Fine cracks appeared in the hardened layer formed by the Jaw Titan's power. Though subtle, it clearly demonstrated just how sharp the Sea-Diving Titan's fins were.
The Fate Titan turned its head, crimson eyes glancing at Serena, then tilted its head slightly in signal. Serena immediately understood. Hugging Yago's coat, she turned and ran without hesitation to avoid being caught in the crossfire of two battling Titans.
Only after confirming Serena had reached safety did the Fate Titan turn back. But in that instant, a gray shadow shot straight toward its face.
With razor-sharp reflexes, the Fate Titan dodged.
A flexible, serpent-like tail tipped with a gray spike brushed past its cheek.
"So you've got that trick too? Not bad!" Yago chuckled lightly within the nape. The Fate Titan suddenly exerted force with both hands, pressing down on the Sea-Diving Titan's arms before delivering a heavy kick.
Bang!
The tremendous force bent the Sea-Diving Titan's already curved body even further.
Seizing the opportunity, the Fate Titan pivoted, releasing one arm while gripping the other, stepping forward into a stance and explosively exerting strength.
With a furious roar, it hoisted the Sea-Diving Titan into the air and slammed it down in a brutal back throw.
The ground trembled violently. The Fate Titan even made a very human-like shrug of disdain.
But such damage was trivial to the Sea-Diving Titan. It flipped over and rose again. Inside the nape, Airi's hair hung disheveled across her face. The humiliation gnawed at her, and seeing the Fate Titan continue to taunt her only fueled her fury further.
Her sharp fins aimed once more at the Fate Titan, and her powerful, flexible tail lashed out, its icy spike thrusting forward.
"Come on, come on, keep it up. I haven't even tried the War Hammer's power yet. Airi, give me something better!"
Unlike the enraged Airi, Yago inside the Fate Titan's nape felt entirely relaxed.
"Whoa! What's this!?"