Return to the Walls – Rising Tension
After the failed expedition and heavy casualties, the Survey Corps returned to Wall Sina under immense tension.
Inside the Walls – Pressure Mounting
Within Wall Sina, the atmosphere was suffocating. The surviving Survey Corps members returned battered and broken, while the public began to lose faith in them. Rumors spread that the expedition was a massive failure, and the nobles increased their pressure on Erwin.
Amidst all this, Adam encountered Krista while helping tend to the wounded at headquarters. Krista was busy taking care of Ymir, who had suffered severe injuries.
"How is she?" Adam asked, standing beside her.
"Stubborn as always, but... I know she's in pain," Krista replied, her voice filled with worry.
Adam sighed. "I'm glad you're okay."
Krista turned to look at him, gazing for a few seconds before offering a small smile. "You too… I was worried when I saw you fighting the Female Titan out there."
Adam chuckled lightly. "Well, I'm still alive, aren't I?"
"Are you okay?" Krista asked gently.
Adam looked at her before sighing. "I don't know... It feels like we're always fighting, always losing comrades, and in the end, we still haven't found the answers we seek."
Krista sat down beside him, silent for a moment before speaking.
"You know… I've always admired you, Adam."
Adam was caught off guard. He turned to Krista, but she was gazing up at the sky, a soft smile on her face.
"Since the first time we met, I've always felt safe around you. No matter how impossible things seemed, you always remained calm and never gave up."
Krista lowered her head slightly, her cheeks tinged with red. "I don't want to lose you, Adam."
Adam froze.
He hadn't expected Krista to say something like that.
Seeing Krista looking so nervous, Adam gave a small smile. "I don't want to lose you either."
Krista looked up at him, her eyes widening.
"I can't make any grand promises… But I can promise that I'll always be here for you," Adam continued.
Krista bit her lip before smiling, her eyes glistening with emotion.
"Thank you, Adam."
In the distance, Mikasa watched them from the shadows. Her expression was unreadable, but one thing was certain—she was beginning to realize something that unsettled her.
The Silence Before the Storm
The top of Wall Rose was eerily quiet, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Reiner stood tall before Eren, his expression tense, as if carrying a heavy burden. Beside him, Bertholdt lowered his head, his face filled with hesitation.
Adam, Mikasa, and Armin stood a short distance away. They could all feel it—something was wrong.
Eren frowned at Reiner. "What do you mean? Why are you suddenly saying this?"
Reiner took a deep breath. "I'm tired, Eren. Tired of pretending."
Armin's forehead creased, his heartbeat quickening. What was he about to say?
Adam felt a deep sense of unease creeping in. Something wasn't right.
And then, with a single sentence, their world changed forever.
"I am the Armored Titan… and Bertholdt is the Colossal Titan."
The wind that blew past felt ice-cold.
Eren blinked, as if the words didn't make sense. He looked at Reiner, then Bertholdt, then back to Reiner.
"…What?"
Armin froze in place, his body trembling. "Y-You're joking… right?"
Adam clenched his fists. His heart pounded, but his mind raced.
This wasn't a joke.
Reiner had truly said it.
Bertholdt remained silent, his face filled with guilt.
Mikasa—who was usually composed—had already drawn her blades. Without hesitation, she attacked.
In a fraction of a second, Mikasa lunged forward.
Her blade sliced through the air, aiming straight for Reiner's neck.
Reiner barely had time to react.
The slash struck his arm—blood splattered into the air.
But he managed to raise his hand just in time to block a fatal wound.
Mikasa gritted her teeth in frustration and stepped back momentarily. "Damn… you're stubborn as ever."
Adam wasted no time. He grabbed Eren and whispered urgently, "We need to go. Now."
Eren was still in shock. "No… this can't be…"
Armin couldn't form words, but one thing was clear—they were in grave danger.
Reiner looked at Mikasa with an unreadable expression.
"So… you're not going to let us take Eren, huh?" he said flatly.
Mikasa didn't answer.
She only tightened her grip on her blades.
Bertholdt turned to Reiner, his face filled with anxiety. "A-Are you sure, Reiner…?"
Reiner nodded slowly. "We don't have a choice anymore."
And at that moment—they transformed.
The air trembled.
Adam felt an immense pressure radiating from both Reiner and Bertholdt.
Their bodies began to glow with a blinding yellow light.
"Eren!" Armin shouted. "We need to get out of here!"
But it was too late.
Reiner bit down on his own hand—and in an instant, he transformed into the Armored Titan.
At the same time, Bertholdt turned into the towering Colossal Titan.
A wave of scorching heat exploded across the wall, forcing Adam, Mikasa, and Armin to leap backward.
Eren bit into his hand—blood gushed out.
And he transformed into a Titan.
Eren, now in his Titan form, lunged at Reiner, tackling him off the wall.
The impact of their clash echoed across the entire city.
Mikasa and Adam attempted to attack Bertholdt, but the Colossal Titan released an intense heat wave, preventing them from getting close.
Adam quickly analyzed the situation. If they didn't act fast, Eren would be taken.
"What do we do?" Armin asked, his voice laced with panic.
Adam nodded, his eyes sharp. "I have an idea."