The Empire of Titans

Near Wall Maria

With her Titan form, Pieck embarked upon a resolute journey towards the towering expanse of the first Wall. Her deliberate stride reverberated through the earth, sending tremors rippling across the terrain and stirring up clouds of swirling dirt that danced in the air like ethereal specters. As their expedition pressed onward, they had yet to see the legendary walls that were said to house the Titans that would flatten the World.

The moment they had arrived at the shore, Pieck had turned into the Cart Titan; she was big enough to carry quite a few things they had brought with them. Pieck's turret team had come along with them to Paradis; originally, they were supposed to stay in Marley, but Commander Magath had ordered them to go with Pieck in case they needed more support against the devils of Paradis. Zeke had quickly brought up that their help wasn't really necessary, but nonetheless, the Turret Team had been ordered to come along.

After Pieck had turned into the Cart Titan, they had given her quite a few things to carry. The weight of the responsibility lay heavily on her shoulders as she valiantly carried the majority of the supplies. Yet, the sheer magnitude of their needs proved insurmountable for even her incredible strength. Alongside their primary vessel, an additional ship loomed into view, laden with an array of cutting-edge weaponry and a fleet of military vehicles eagerly awaiting their deployment by the Marley Soldiers. Amongst the ranks of these valiant soldiers stood Commander Magath.

To say that Pieck was surprised that Commander Magath had decided to tag along would be an understatement; she had expected someone of his stature and numerous commitments to concoct any plausible excuse to remain at Marley, far away from the perils of the mission. However, much to her surprise, Commander Magath confided in both Pieck and Zeke that only two remaining Warriors were in training left on the Mainland. Thus, until their mission was accomplished, the captain had mandated rigorous daily training for the Warriors in training, with unwavering adherence to Commander Magath's directives until his triumphant return.

Pieck had asked him why he had come with them to the island, but the Commander had told her that he wouldn't answer her question and that it would be best for her not to ask such questions in public.

Eventually, as Pieck and her large group traveled further and further north, Pieck expected them to eventually encounter pure Titans, probably Abnormal Titans. Since the normal pure Titans always traveled towards the Walls, the only ones that usually were left behind were the Abnormal Titans, who did unusual things; sometimes, Abnormal Titans even slept; strangely, they had yet to encounter any Titans.

Pieck's mind drifted away from the chaotic whirlwind of her thoughts, carried away by a sense of fear and anticipation, as the ethereal outline of the towering Wall began to materialize on the distant horizon. The once distant barrier emerged slowly, almost teasingly, growing more distinct with each passing moment. Yet, there it stood, an ominous monument on the edge of the World, casting an eerie shadow upon the land, hinting at the impending doom that lurked behind its impenetrable facade.

As Pieck's gaze fixated on the towering Wall, a shiver ran down her spine, causing an involuntary gulp to escape her lips. With bated breath, she contemplated the sheer power that rested dormant, waiting for the Founder's command to unleash devastation upon the World. Imagining the Wall Titan's mighty stride, she envisaged the catastrophic collapse of civilization, reduced to mere fragments of insignificance, scattered like particles of dust carried away by an unforgiving wind.

As they got closer and closer, Pieck quickly noticed that they were going toward what seemed like an outer wall of the actual Wall. She wondered why the devils would do something like that, but she figured the outer Wall was shielding a city, perhaps.

With a resounding proclamation of "Enough. We will rest here for now," Commander Magath's voice pierced through the air, commanding attention. In a swift motion, he raised his hand high as if summoning an invisible force to halt the Cart Titan in its tracks. Pieck obediently obeyed, its massive feet sinking slightly into the earth as if acknowledging the weight of the command. Mirroring this sudden cessation, the entire convoy came to a standstill, their engines falling silent.

Amidst the stillness, Pieck's ears caught the faint sounds of doors being opened and the shuffling of feet as the occupants disembarked from their vehicles. Despite the temptation that tugged at her, urging her to join the others outside the protective confines of the Cart Titan, Pieck remained steadfast within its sturdy frame. She knew all too well that her duty lay solely in following orders, and until expressly instructed otherwise, she would remain within her armored sanctuary. Above her, a distinct thud resonated as Zeke gracefully descended from his perch atop the Cart Titan, effortlessly landing on the solid ground below.

As Zeke conversed with Pieck, his voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and interest, he couldn't help but express his observation about her height. "You know, Pieck," he began, his eyes fixating on her towering figure, "for being the Cart Titan, you're quite Tall," Pieck, no stranger to such remarks, responded with a subtle roll of her eyes, finding amusement in the familiarity of the situation. It wasn't the first time she had received this comment, as most Cart Titans were typically confined to a range of three to four meters in height. However, Pieck's Cart Titan stood head and shoulders above the rest, measuring a remarkable six-meter height, solidifying her position as Marley's tallest Cart Titan ever documented.

"That is not something you should say to a lady," With a gentle yet commanding presence, Pieck admonished Zeke with a flicker of disapproval laced within her voice, reverberating from the depths of her Titan. As her ethereal gaze met Zeke's mischievous smirk, a stark contrast emerged between her soft, melodic human tones, reminiscent of a delicate lullaby, and the titanically potent timbre that resonated from her towering, rough-hewn form, evoking an undeniable sense of raw power and primal might.

With a mischievous glint in his eye and a wry smile playing on his lips, Zeke couldn't help but jest, "I will add that to the list," As he uttered those words, Zeke casually placed a slender cigarette between his fingertips, ready to indulge in a momentary escape. Just as he was about to flick open his trusty lighter, a figure emerged on his vision, drawing Zeke's attention. It was Commander Magath. In a swift display of camaraderie, Zeke extended the offer of a cigarette to the approaching Commander, a silent gesture of shared respite from the demands of their duties. Without hesitation, Magath graciously accepted the proffered smoke, leaning in slightly as Zeke deftly ignited the flame, illuminating the tip of Magath's newly acquired cigarette before attending to his own, a flickering dance of warmth and tranquility amidst the chaos of their surroundings.

"The Walls of Doom as the General would call them," Magath commented, his voice a little on edge; looking at the Wall far into the distance, for a brief moment, he wondered why the King had bothered to build the Walls if he always planned to make the Vow that stopped the future generations from using them, but he quickly dropped the thought, the King had done the right thing if the Vow hadn't been placed, the World would have been under the Eldian Empire once again.

With a tremor in his voice and an anxious glance cast in all directions, Carlos posed the question to his comrades, "Do you think we will be attacked by Pure Titans?" Every nerve in his body seemed on high alert as if anticipating the sudden appearance of a Titan, poised to strike without warning. Just as Carlos's heart rate began to settle, one of his teammates leaped out of nowhere, unleashing a blood-curdling scream that sent Carlos into a frenzy of terror, his own scream echoing through the air. The rest of their group erupted into laughter, their mirth filling the atmosphere with a blend of relief and amusement.

"Most likely not; if Reiner and the others have done their job by now, all the pure Titans must be inside the first Wall territory," Zeke answered nonchalantly, as he casually plucked the cigarette from between his lips, using his index and middle finger, a stream of smoke escaped his mouth, momentarily disrupting the tranquil atmosphere. Despite his grandparents ' disapproval, Zeke's unconventional habit of smoking served as his personal source of relaxation, aiding him in deep contemplation and introspection.

In the eerie stillness that enveloped the group, Zeke and his companions found themselves standing in profound silence, their thoughts mired in uncertainty. With a perplexed expression etched across his face, Zeke's eyes darted back and forth, fixating on the weapon they had brought along. A myriad of questions flooded his mind, each one more enigmatic than the last. He seriously doubted that the people in Paradis could do anything against them; they had been inside the Walls for over a century now. Zeke figured their technology hadn't advanced much, if it at all, so he didn't understand the need to bring along such a weapon to take down people who probably still fought only using swords and sticks.

The dim glow of their flickering cigarettes illuminated their faces, casting haunting shadows upon their hardened features. Commander Magath broke the silence with a commanding voice, directing his question toward Zeke: "Where do you think our Warriors are, Zeke?"

"I'm not sure Commander Magath, somehow I doubt the devils were able to defeat them, they all are unstoppable, and with Bertholdt, the Devils stand no chance, but it has been five years, and they have yet to try and contact us, my guess is that they have been compromised before they could have finished the mission." As Zeke spoke, his words reverberated with respect towards the Commander, a testament to his unwavering loyalty. Commander Magath, his face etched with a deep frown, listened intently, a flicker of concern briefly flickering in his eyes before vanishing into thin air. Exhaling a cloud of smoke, Magath finally broke the silence, his voice laced with authority as he addressed Zeke once more.

"Since we are already near the first Wall, we should start planning what should we do in case our warriors need our help," Commander Magath ordered, his authoritative voice reverberating through the crisp air. He proposed that they begin strategizing for the possibility of their valiant warriors requiring their unwavering support. Responding promptly to their leader's call, the soldiers sprang into action, skillfully maneuvering a sturdy wooden table into position before dutifully presenting a plethora of parchment, their minds brimming with ideas and contingency plans.

Commander Magath, with an air of authority, posed a thought-provoking question to his subordinates, his voice resonating with unwavering confidence, "Very well, there are three walls, where do you think our warriors are?" His gaze fixated on the expansive parchment unfurled before him, meticulously illustrating the three colossal walls. Delicate strokes depicted the contours of the land, showcasing miniature representations of majestic mountains and serene lakes that encircled the fortified barriers. Despite harboring doubts regarding the map's precision, the Commander acknowledged its irreplaceable significance; after all, it stood as their sole source of knowledge, as no soul, save for the Warriors themselves, had ever ventured into the enigmatic depths within the Walls, offering a glimpse of what lay concealed within.

"Permission to speak, Commander?" Zeke's voice carried an air of anticipation, tinged with a hint of respect, as he respectfully sought permission to address his superior. With a swift, practiced motion, he extracted a slender cigarette from his mouth, the tendrils of fragrant smoke lazily slithering from its glowing tip. Casually yet purposefully, he released the smoldering stick from his fingertips, allowing it to plummet towards the ground, where it met its end in a satisfying crunch beneath the weight of his boot. As the last embers flickered into oblivion, a wispy trail of smoke continued to spiral upward.

As Zeke confidently stepped forward, Commander Magath wasted no time affirming, "You have it." However, the moment Zeke's presence became apparent, he was met with a barrage of disdainful gazes from every Marleyan in the vicinity, their eyes brimming with animosity. Except for a select few - the valiant members of Pieck's meticulously coordinated turret team, who seemed impervious to the prevailing contempt and instead regarded Zeke with a sense of unwavering acceptance.

"Knowing our warriors, I would say by now they should have learned a lot about the devils, how they live and how they operate, their weak points and everything, if the devils have managed to create a military system, then it will take longer to learn information, besides that, I still think by now they have already destroyed the second Wall. I think their location is somewhere around the third territory," Zeke expounded, his finger deftly tracing a precise location in the map spread on the table.

"Why not just destroy all the walls?" Commander Magath questioned, looking at Zeke.

"I'm not sure, but is too dangerous for the Founding Titan, he or she might die during the chaos, it would be better to first learned who exactly has the Founding Titan before making any moves," Zeke explained respectfully to his Commander, his sharp gaze flickered, capturing the subtlest of movements at the periphery of his vision. For an ephemeral moment, he believed he had stumbled upon a lurking Titan concealed within the nearby forest. However, his keen perception swiftly discerned the truth, revealing a small white rabbit darting out of the underbrush, evading its unseen pursuers.

Commander Magath seemed to agree with what he was hearing, his attention turning towards one of the barrels loaded on the back of the Cart Titan.

"What do you think to do with them?" Magath questioned, pointing at the barrels.

"The Walls cover a lot of land, I'm sure the devils have built small cities, but I'm certain there are villages scattered across the land, where devils live far away from the cities, but they're far away from any military base, we can go there undetected. Once we enter the third Wall, Pieck will scout ahead until she finds a good enough village since she's faster than me in our Titan forms. I will release the gas on the whole village, and use my scream to turn them into titans and use them as weapons." Zeke explained casually, his perceptive gaze catching a fleeting glimpse of turmoil reflected in Pieck's eyes, only for it to swiftly dissipate as she deliberately averted her gaze, concealing her inner thoughts from further scrutiny.

"And use those Titans to assault them and test their military strength," Magath continued for Zeke, already having a general idea of why Zeke wanted to turn them into Titans.

"Yes, not only we test their military strength, but we also take out their military, once I made myself known, Annie, Reiner, Marcel, and Bertholdt will learn that I have arrived in the island, once they do, they will most likely come here to inform us, and together we can take out whatever military they have left, and take the Founding Titan," Zeke explained the whole plan, all those that were Eldians nodded in agreement, the plan was simple and good enough, the Marley soldiers had no reaction, some of them looked at Zeke with anger for talking as if he was the leader.

"That sounds good enough, Zeke, but the biggest mistake someone can do is underestimate the enemy. How do you know the strength we brought here will be enough to take out their military and kill all the devils in Paradis?" Commander Magath, with a stern and commanding tone, questioned Zeke's assessment, expressing concern about underestimating the enemy. Feeling the weight of the Commander's words, Zeke responded with a subtle yet deliberate fake cough, a momentary pause before revealing his strategic insight. With precision, he placed his index finger on a specific location on the map.

"We all saw the docks when we arrived; no one was expecting us, and nothing was built there. We are almost at their first Wall, and no one is watching us; thatThat alone tells us that the devils have yet to reach the docks even before our warriors arrived. That means their technology must be very outdated; perhaps it is still stuck with how it was a hundred years ago; theirTheir biggest weapon might be Canons." Zeke concluded that based on everything he saw, he doubted Paradis's eldians had any impressive weapon just lying around.

With a knowing nod, Commander Magath aligned his thoughts with Zeke's. However, just as the air thickened with anticipation, it broke the tense silence.

"Commander Magath, permission to speak," Pieck requested slightly reluctantly; her voice emerged from her towering Titan form, her request for permission to speak tinged with a hint of reluctance. The mere sound of her voice sent a ripple of unease through the ranks of Marley soldiers, their composure momentarily shattered. 

"Yes, Pieck." Commander Magath, unfazed by the unease around him, swiftly granted Pieck the permission she sought, his decision made without hesitation or deliberation.

"While I'm not doubting Zeke's judgment, we still have to keep in mind that our Warriors are not here," Pieck started; the Commander simply motioned for her to continue.

"We don't know why they're not here, it might be that they're simply still looking for the one who possesses the Founding Titan, but it might be that the Enemy is not as weak as we might think. They're devils after all, we shouldn't underestimate them." Pieck explained, a part of her already growing concerned for Annie, hoping that she was alright and not perhaps caught and getting tortured.

Commander Magath's voice dripped with an edge as he questioned, "Are you saying the devils are dangerous to our Warriors?" The tension in the air grew palpable, swirling around Zeke like an ominous storm. He could feel the weight of impending conflict. Just as Zeke was about to interject and defend Pieck, she swept in with a voice that cut through the charged atmosphere.

With a humble tone and a gaze fixed on the emerald blades of grass beneath her feet, Pieck cautiously addressed the commanding officer, her words brimming with sincerity and a touch of trepidation, assuring him, "I meant no disrespect to the Warriors, Commander. I'm only saying that these devils have been surrounded by Titans for a long time. Perhaps they have a way to fight back." As she spoke, a chill ran down her spine, causing beads of cold sweat to trickle down her face, while her heart, gripped by a tumultuous mixture of anticipation and anxiety, felt as if it were on the verge of bursting through her chest.

In a moment of tense anticipation, Commander Magath, clad in his resplendent uniform, stood tall and silent, his steely gaze fixed upon Pieck, before shifting his attention with a sense of urgency to Zeke, whose brows furrowed with genuine concern for their shared cause. With a commanding authority that resonated through the expansive field, Magath's voice pierced the air, issuing a firm directive to Zeke, "Be prepared for anything, Zeke. Do not underestimate the Devils." Zeke's response was swift and unwavering as his words hung in the air, reverberating with an undeniable gravity. With a determined nod, he brought his hand to his brow, rendering a crisp salute before his unwavering leader.

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden glow over the vast expanse of grasslands, they made a collective decision to take a well-deserved break for an hour. Among them, Pieck found solace in lying her head gently upon the cool blades of grass, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a keen sense of vigilance. Not far away, Zeke leaned against the sturdy trunk of a towering oak, his brow furrowed in concentration as he transcribed his thoughts onto the crisp pages of a weathered notebook, ensuring that no detail escaped his meticulous mind. Meanwhile, the Eldian soldiers, their senses heightened and their weapons at the ready, remained ever watchful, their eyes darting from shadow to shadow, prepared for the sudden appearance of any lurking Titan.

As Pieck gazed off into the distance, her mind wandered to thoughts of her father, wondering what he might be up to in the comfort of their home. The cozy image of him engrossed in his favorite book by the fireplace brought a warm smile to her face. However, her thoughts quickly shifted, curiosity piqued as she pondered the whereabouts of Annie. Lost in this train of thought, she was blissfully unaware of the approaching soldier from her turret team until a gentle tap on her shoulder snapped her back to reality. The soldier, with a sheepish grin on his face, rubbed the back of his head in a display of mild embarrassment, his presence interrupting her musings in the most unexpected manner.

"Miss Pieck, can I ask you something?" With a mixture of nerves and embarrassment, Carlos mustered the courage to approach Miss Pieck; his cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. As his question hung in the air, a symphony of chuckles echoed from his teammates, the turret team, their amusement dancing like mischievous sprites.

Yet amidst their laughter, a more sinister aura permeated the scene, as some soldiers cast snide sneers coupled with a burning anger, while others opted for a cruel mockery. Unbeknownst to Carlos, Pieck silently acknowledged the unspoken loyalty of her comrades. A secret gratitude blossomed within her, for she knew that despite the harsh realities of their World, her team never stooped to labeling her a devil or hurling other degrading insults. Instead, they always treated her with reverence, their unwavering respect a testament to the bond they shared.

"Everything," Pieck answered.

"You say you can stay for months as the Cart Titan, how can you do that without eating?" Carlos questioned with embarrassment, pointing at her form.

"Despite being a Titan Shifter, the body of every Titan Shifter uses the sunlight as food. While I'm on this form, sunlight is all the food I need, I get all the proteins needed to survive, so I don't need to either eat or drink water while on this form." Pieck explained with amusement, not the first time she had been asked similar questions, hell, Gabi had asked even more embarrassing questions.

'How do you shit when you are a Titan?'

Suddenly, their eyes widened in wary as they stood face to face with the first Wall that reached a towering height of 50 meters, casting an imposing shadow upon their humble presence.

The sheer magnitude of the structure made them feel as infinitesimal as ants. Undeterred by the Wall's imposing stature, they pressed forward, making their way through a once-destroyed gate, its remnants serving as a haunting reminder of a tumultuous past. As they crossed the threshold, a palpable curiosity washed over them.

.

.

.

In a state of utter disbelief, one Eldian soldier found himself unable to contain his astonishment as he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and bewilderment, "H-houses!!!" His eyes darted around, desperately scanning the surroundings as if searching for some sinister element that would render these houses as horrifying as he had imagined. However, to his dismay, each and every one of them appeared to be nothing more than ordinary, completely devoid of any eerie or macabre attributes, with a desperate longing to validate the horrifying images that had haunted his imagination.

As he stood there, a sense of curiosity compelled him to scan the row of abandoned houses looming before him. The eerie stillness of the dilapidated structures contrasted starkly with the encroaching foliage and trees, seemingly intertwining effortlessly with the decaying facades. It was as if nature itself had taken over, reclaiming what was once a hub of human activity. With its chipped paint and broken windows, each house appeared on the verge of collapse, burdened by the weight of five long years of neglect and abandonment. The silence was deafening, a haunting reminder of the absence of any human presence during that time as if the houses themselves had become relics frozen in time.

As he stood there, gazing at the seemingly ordinary surroundings, a perplexing question echoed in his mind: "Why does this place look so ... normal?" With a sense of anticipation, he had embarked on this journey, half-expecting to encounter a surreal realm adorned with houses that defied conventional aesthetics, resembling devils. However, to his surprise, every house he laid his eyes upon appeared utterly mundane, blending seamlessly into the neighborhood's fabric. In a peculiar twist of fate, one particular house even bore an uncanny resemblance to his own cherished abode back in Marley, evoking a pang of nostalgia within him.

As the group continued their journey, a palpable silence enveloped their surroundings, broken only by the rhythmic symphony of footsteps echoing through the air. Amidst the eerie stillness, the resolute march of the Cart Titan reverberated, accompanied by the distant hum of military vehicles trailing closely behind. Nature seemed to hold its breath as the peaceful rustling of small animals scurrying away echoed, seeking refuge within the forsaken confines of long-abandoned houses.

In reverent silence, Pieck cast her gaze upon each dwelling that stood before her. The once vibrant houses now stood as witnesses to the relentless conquest of nature, with trees entwined around their weathered frames and some reduced to mere remnants of their former glory. Amidst this scene of natural reclamation, Pieck's keen eyes momentarily caught sight of a peculiar house, distinguished by a giant rock precariously perched upon its rooftop, as if nature had placed a crown upon its humble abode. A sense of curiosity stirred within her as she noticed a solitary shoe abandoned on the ground, its presence marked by a thick layer of dirt and intricate spider webs that adorned its worn exterior. Contemplating the shoe's mysterious origins, Pieck's mind wandered, wondering about the individual who once possessed it.

As Pieck cautiously stepped into the dilapidated dwelling, her eyes were immediately drawn to the remnants of a life once lived. Dust-covered furniture and tattered curtains swayed gently in the breeze. Despite the eerie ambiance, an overwhelming sense of compassion enveloped Pieck's heart, compelling her to empathize with whoever had called this place home - be they humans or devils, they had been happy here.

Yet, as quickly as the wave of sympathy washed over her, Pieck sternly suppressed it, reminding herself of the weighty responsibilities that rested on her shoulders. Her companions, the very individuals she had grown up with and cherished as friends, relied on her. The flicker of worry in her father's eyes, weakened by illness, intensified her resolve to secure the much-needed medicine. And then there was Annie.

With unwavering determination, Pieck vowed to do whatever it took to fulfill her duties. She would do what was necessary.

Don't worry, Annie, soon you will be back home...