"Movement under the waters! 200 metres and approaching!"
Sirens blared and bells rang as the ships continued their battle station alerts. Sailors were racing across the ships in a controlled chaos. Despite the panic and fear, these were men trained and drilled for battle. Their enemy may have changed, but they were ready to act as they needed.
"Depth charges! Rolling barrage, full deployment!"
The bombs were hurled high into the air, volleys of them sent at different angles from their ship. The other ships nearby did the same, though not in all directions as they did. At the edge of the fleet, sonar had picked up Titans swimming to cover the ships fully from both sides. Those towards the middle were more fortunate, only in the sense that they had more time.
The sea was filled with charges, the bombs sinking deep down into the water towards their targets. They had been pre-set for detonation and so couldn't respond when the Titans twisted, swimming up and down to avoid the bombs. So deep down and in waves so turbulent, their acrobatics were only visible to the sonar operators on the ships, the crew peering over the edges of the railings unable to see the creatures moving below them.
When the depth charges detonated, the ocean erupted in a spray taller than every ship in the fleet. Sailors took cover, even the veterans of the fleet were bracing as the waters crashed down onto the ships. As the waters settled, the sailors waited in tense silence as they waited to see what had happened. Sonar operators tried to listen; their readings too scrambled by the recent explosions to hear for details.
A Titan hand reached up from the waters and gripped the side of one of the vessels. A twisted and hateful face emerged, the sailors screaming in terror as it stared into their eyes. Small arms opened fire, useless for killing the creature but the men desperate to do something. The Titan responded by jerking, twisting its body and using its strength to rock the ship. The warship was designed to survive strong waves and storms, and it fought back, trying to right itself. The Titan moved with the ship however, letting the ship swing back upright before it pulled once more, new momentum into its actions. The ship slowed, deck reaching the water line as Sailors screamed and tried to hold on. Water crept up the sides of the ship, before rushing on board as the ship began to tip over.
The sounds of screaming were cut off as the men were pulled down into the sea, swallowed by the rushing waters and momentum of the waves. A Titan hand reached up and smashed the hull of ship, metal denting and cracking to create breaches for the ocean water to rush in. Pulled beneath the sea line, the ship disappeared in an instant.
Other ships were attacked likewise. One had its hull pinched from below, a set of massive Titan teeth biting and ripping a hole to set it sinking. Two Titans began to clamber aboard another, nearby ships swivelling their cannons to fire directly into the creatures. In spite of the danger to the crew, and those who perished from the immediate impacts, the Titans were killed, and the ship briefly saved. Another Titan climbed out of the waves and punched its hand into the deck, reaching through to the powder storage. Jagged pieces of metal from the reinforced hull ripped apart the Titans hand, and as it touched the powder its fingertips sparked with electricity as it healed.
The ship was obliterated in a blinding fireball, debris scattering across the rest of the fleet.
Another salvo of depth charges was launched from each remaining ship. No sonar reports guided them, each instead firing blindly at the enemy they knew lay beneath them. The barrage of attacks detonated, the ocean rippling under the devastating fire they had unleashed. And then… they waited.
Admiral Beitel tapped his fingers against his binoculars anxiously. They were useless to him in such a situation as this, but they gave him a comfort he duly needed. Seconds ticked by, and as a minute passed, he began to hope that they may indeed have been successful.
"Sonar reports no signs of contacts admiral."
A cheer went up among the crew. It was hesitant, and sombre, but a cheer, nonetheless. They had been successful this time and would live to fight again.
"Order updates on ammunition levels of all ships. Anyone empty of depth charges is to pull to the centre of the fleet. I want-"
A cannon fired. His hope dashed, and the admiral stepped out of the bridge to see what had happened.
"It's the Taragota sir!" One of the sailors shouted, pointing towards one of the far destroyers at the perimeter of the fleet. "Main cannons are firing bearing 220 degrees, 800 metres!"
His binoculars tracked the flashes of light as the shells were fired off into the distance. Rolling waves blocked his view, though others had seen the target as they too opened fire.
"Taragota reports Titans sighted swimming at surface level Admiral! They've engaged with all weapon mounts, but the waves are providing cover!"
He could see it in fact, the bouncing of rounds as they hit the water. The Titan wasn't visible, but he had a fair idea of where it was, which only confirmed just how dangerous the creatures were. To be moving so closely and yet not being hit, the Titan must have been just skimming the waves, breaching the surface only barely. Too high for depth charges, and too low for effective cannon fire.
The evil bastards were learning.
Had this one seen the others fail and die? Had they communicated somehow? He'd have sworn such a thing wasn't possible, but all previous understanding of Titan's was swiftly becoming irrelevant. All he knew was how impossibly dangerous they were.
"SONAR REPORTS-" The crewman's panicked alert was cut off as the admiral's ship lurched. A battleship of considerable might, the Galiera was not easily moved. Yet as the admiral gripped the railing, he saw the ocean draw closer as the ship rocked.
Beitel swore to himself. The cunning bastards had used bait against him, luring out the protective fire and focus of supporting ships while others attacked the flagship from below. Sons of bitches had even played dead against the ship's sonar. A set of mighty hands reached out and gripped the vessel, immediately fired upon by anyone who could see it, even those on other ships, yet to no avail. The hands pulled, a face was lifted free from the waters.
And then it exploded.
A ball of light had hit the creatures head, another dipping below the water to explode against the Titans nape and rock the ship. A small barrage of other lights flittered through the water around his ship and fell from the sky towards the distant Titans, blowing away all Titan's that they knew of.
Looking to the sky, Admiral Beitel was shocked to see an airship breaking through the clouds, flying men and women hovering around the craft with glowing balls of light in their hands. It was the Paradis Eldians… He hadn't seen them or their attack on Liberio, but word had swiftly travelled of their incredible powers. Whatever anger he might have felt at seeing them was crushed by the sheer relief he felt of their assistance.
One of them descended from the sky and landed on the deck in front of him.
"Call me Jean, I'm here to help get your ships out of here Admiral."
No rank had been given, though Bietel found himself uncaring about any lack of formal procedure the man may have had. It was hardly fair to call him a man though, he must have been in his late teen years or very early adult years at best. New to the world and still not truly experienced in life. But just as before, Bietel couldn't find it within himself to care.
"You have my thanks Eldian. I thought we were left for dead out here."
"I hate to say it, but you almost were." Jean could see the other crew listening in. They were afraid of course, not only of the Titans but also of him. They looked to Bietel for guidance, any sign of hesitation or reason to be concerned. He made sure to give them none. "Anyone who can make it is regrouping at Liberio, what's left of your command is there. We'll provide escort, but you need to haul ass as fast as you can."
Bietel laughed. He couldn't help it, the ridiculousness of the situation just tickled him. Before him stood a boy that could barely be called a man, who held mystical or magical powers, ordering him, a veteran of countless years in the navy and of war, to 'haul ass' as if he was some common peasant who was late on their harvest. And most ridiculous of all, he was going to listen.
"Signal the fleet, all engines to full power and make heading for Liberio." The admiral ordered his helmsmen. The man hesitated, but a simple glare from the admiral had him snapping back into action. He turned back to Jean just as the ship rumbled and they began to speed up once more. "I must thank you again Eldian. It's funny, I could have sworn a few days ago we became enemies."
"Funny how things change isn't it? If we live a few days more, maybe we'll have the luxury of being enemies again."
"Or the fortune to call each other friends." It was a hopeful wish, he knew, and truthfully Beitel didn't know exactly how he should feel about the Eldians. But the end of the world could change a lot in people, especially those who had seen death coming and felt a new, second chance.
As the ships continued their travel, Bietel found himself wondering just what things were going to be like after. If there was an after. One thing was for certain, the tensions and hatred that they had all felt before now seemed so… small.
"Our forces have begun their work rescuing all possible Marley forces your majesty." With Premier Pixis busy, it had been left to Erwin to provide reports and updates to Queen Historia.
The throne room, once magnificent and large, was now filled with the heads of various government and civilian offices. Church members, nobles, merchants, district mayors, everyone who could possibly be needed was present.
"Excellent work commander." Historia turned to the others present. "What news of the evacuation of the homeland?"
"The underground city is approaching maximum capacity your highness." One of the nobles began. Unlike many, he had seemed to be rather competent, entirely focused on the matters at hand and jumping into action. She knew his face well, in spite of his current competence, he was still brazen enough to have made several marriage suggestions to her. Even after her marriage to Ymir, the suggestions had become more practical in nature, offering to assist with providing her with an heir instead. "We've opened up every structure possible in the capital short of the palace itself. Churches, warehouses, whatever is able to house people in the short term."
"Open the palace as well." She held up a hand to cut off the immediate negative responses that garnered, too many of those present not realising the full scope of what was happening. "You may keep certain areas locked off to avoid any mishaps with the general public and our organising, but whatever is possible we will offer. The palace tunnels and basement should be made available."
"Yes, your highness." He bowed low and humble. It seemed that some habits died hard, even now he was trying to earn her favour by responding so readily and before anyone else could. People wanted to speak, to voice their support, but Historia continued on without them. She had no time to hear wasted words.
"Commander Erwin, what's the status of the homeland defence?"
"All remaining forces have been deployed, with an island perimeter section of troops on standby for any sensed Titan encroachments. All those who have completed basic Ki training have been called up for deployment and mobilised for front line duties."
"Expand it. Anyone who has any Ki knowledge or ability is to be deployed." He nodded at her clarification. There may potentially be some issues as a result of such an order, many untrained and possibly panicky soldiers being sent for future combat. But whatever defence they would mount would need to be as strong as possible from the start, not with any staggered layers. "Anyone not able to help with Ki is to assist in other areas. Logistics support, crowd control, I leave the details to you commander. Now, what of the air force?"
One man stepped forwards at her question, drawing all eyes to him. In spite of all the years she had known him, Armin looked more himself than she had ever seen him before. His technologies, his company, and his growing plans had set him firm and unwavering.
"All airships are still active and engaged on Marley support missions. Our planes and airfields are ready to act when the time comes. None of our pilots are Ki trained, so there won't be any disruptions to our capabilities."
"Excellent work Arlert." She paused, deciding to stand before she began her speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, every one of you gathered before us today is here because you have a purpose. Our saviour has been felled, and a new enemy is on our doorstep. We are facing the most dire times of our lives, and I look before me to see strength. I see the men and women we need to survive the coming storm and survive we shall. We will look back on these days as nightmares, as times we thought the worst would come, but also as times that passed. We will see the next dawn, and every dawn after that, until each of us is claimed by old age. Not by our new enemy, and not by any failure of ours. We shall survive, we shall succeed. Go now to your duties, and do your nation, and yourselves, proud."
An assembled salute was their response. Some bowed or curtsied, but every one of them showed respect, and resolute determination. She dismissed them, watching the majority of them leave before she immediately sagged in her chair and felt a sense of defeat claim her.
It was a good speech in her mind, she was getting better at presenting so spontaneously. But they were lies. The nobles and merchants and holy men were not the best, not the ones they would need in their darkest hour. Instead, they were simply the people that they had. Many of them she had wanted to be rid of for incompetence even before the stakes had been raised so high, only now she didn't have any choice. It was all far too late.
A hand softly laid itself on her shoulder, and she allowed herself the open show of intimacy as she reached out and pulled Ymir's hand to her cheek. She felt warm, safe, everything she needed. But it was also, all to brief. Within only moments of granting herself some love and affection, she pulled it away and turned her attention back to the commander who had remained.
"Erwin… tell me again."
"Reports from the team on site are unanimous and match the testimonies of our vanguard forces who could sense the event." He repeated, even though he had told her several times already. "Son Gohan is dead."
She was being foolish by getting him to repeat himself. All she was doing was blindly hoping that somehow it was all wrong, that she hadn't heard correctly or that something had changed. It never did.
"I know…" She rubbed at the bridge of her nose. She was tired, and in disbelief, but she had to continue working regardless. "Alright, so… General Calvi from the Marleyan Military correct? He's coming here?"
"One of our soldiers is flying him personally your highness, they have almost reached the palace."
"Good. Good good good…" She trailed off as her mind began to work away. There was no headache in her mind, a headache would have been bliss compared to what she currently felt. Her mind instead just would not stop. It was running a million considerations all at once, making plans without end and trying to juggle so many things. Whenever her work got too busy in the past she would step away and relax with her wife. She would have no such luxury this time.
She didn't realise how long she'd been staring into space before there was a knock at the doors, and they opened to reveal an older man. She'd been briefed on what the General would look like, and as Calvi entered he matched with what she'd been told. Marley military officers uniform, keen eyes that took in his complete surroundings, and a twitching anxiousness to get started.
"General Calvi." It wasn't her who spoke, instead she had a steward who's job it was to introduce her. "Welcome to the Mitras Palace. Allow me to introduce you to Her Majesty, Queen Historia Reiss the First. Ruler of Paradis Island and all its inhabitants."
He nodded quickly, recognition of her title but registering it only to a minor extent. "General Johann Calvi, acting commander in chief of the Marley Military. Please forgive me for being quick to the point your highness, but I'm afraid we don't have much time. A few days ago your nation invaded mine, over the past actions of the Warriors deployment, and our treatment of the Eldian people. Perhaps I should hate you for that. But given all that's happened since, consider me willing to drop any grudges, any hatred, and any hesitation. I'm asking for a joining of forces so that we can all try and survive the attacks happening across the world."
"Attacks that occurred as a result of Cell, I should point out." Perhaps it was petty of her, but as a ruler of her people she couldn't allow such a thing to be overlooked. "A creature that was cultivated by Marley, enhanced through their actions, and unleashed with the specific purpose of killing Marley's enemies. Enemies such as Gohan, the saviour of Paradis, the one who would have protected us all..."
One who had saved her life by killing the King. One who had saved all of Paradis, and every Eldian on the planet. He was the best of them, and now he was gone.
Calvi hung his head. "You won't hear me deny it. What our nation has done is evil. I used to believe that much of what we did was a necessity, for the greater good and to keep the peace. It would seem that whatever reasons we once had, none can justify what we have unleashed. But we are not just a nation of our sins." He looked her in the eyes, a resolve burning deep behind them. "I have a family. A wife, children. They are young, innocent, they don't deserve what is happening to them. For many of our people they are innocent of our nation's crimes. Our country might be guilty but its people are not. I ask you, if you truly care for justice as you claimed with your attack, then help us. I and other ranking officials responsible will accept whatever punishment justice requires if we survive. But I ask you not just as a general, but as a father. As a man who's love for his country may have been misplaced, but my love for its people was not. I ask you to help us. If you believe that there are any of us who deserve a chance to make amends, or those who do not deserve to suffer from the sins of others, then help us."
Historia was silent. His words echoed many of her own that she had said about Paradis. They had been a people targeted for the crimes of their ancestors. Feared and hated for sins they did not commit. She had long said that that Paradis Island and its people were innocent, and that so had the Eldians been across the world. If she were a true believer in her words, then the same could be said for the people of Marley.
She would not be a hypocrite.
"You will have the assistance of Paradis General Calvi. Our men have already begun assisting with some of your forces as you well know, however we must make it more official. We must unite and fight as one people, or we will all fall. I am opening Paradis Island to you. We will begin an evacuation of Marley's survivors to the island and create a coordinated defence using all of our forces. Does this sound agreeable to you?"
"It does your highness." He sagged with relief. "With the ships you used to evacuate the internment zone and our naval forces, we will begin a complete evacuation of the island. Who is best for me to coordinate forces with?"
Historia waved her hand, and Erwin stepped forwards to introduce himself. "Commander Erwin Smith. I'll escort you to our headquarters and we shall begin planning from there."
Calvi offered his hand to shake, and Erwin hesitated only slightly before accepting. Historia wondered just how all of this felt for Erwin, the commander who had overseen the transition from a Titan trapped world to a new distant enemy, one who had now become desperate allies. He revealed nothing, showed no signs of doubt or anger, only a resolute determination to do whatever he must.
High in the clouds, a being of immeasurable power watched as the world burned. Far off nations were collapsing under the sudden and aggressive attacks of hordes of Titans. With the creatures sprinting tirelessly in their pursuit of targets, their advance was quick and deadly. Entire islands had already been swept clear, and the waters were being slowly emptied of pitiful human ships.
Cell could feel every single human on the planet as he fed targets to his little creations. Each of them he could also feel, their bodies modified by his genomes. The boy Eren had been a wonderful source of new chemical interest, revealing in great detail just how his body worked to create the Titan transformation. He made a few small modifications of his own, making the Titans more aggressive, smarter, and removing their desire to devour, instead they simply sought to kill. He had also altered the chemical nature of the liquids found in Eldian spinal fluids to be compatible with all types of humans on the planet.
His first test with the man known as Levi had been a great success, though he had perhaps gone a little too far in enhancing him. Making the chemical air transmittable so that he could fly and transform cities across the planet had required a few additional alterations. Levi had needed a personal transformation, which simply was not practical, even at Cell's incredible speed.
It was also for him, far too boring.
But the chaos, the world on fire… that was interesting. Through the eyes of his Titans and the Ki's of the world he saw all. The death, the destruction, and of course the rallying. The Paradis Eldians and the Marley Military had united just as he'd expected them too. Rival enemies becoming fire forged friends as was needed to try and survive. He did so look forwards to watching their downfall, their desperate final stand against his Titans.
He wondered if they would fall apart, die squabbling and in hatred of each other. It would certainly be fitting of such a weak and pathetic species. With a single thought he sent an order to a group of Titans, moving them to probe the forces at Liberio.
Just how many Titans would they kill before they died? Perhaps if they killed them all, he would grant them the respect of a quick death before he obliterated the planet. They would have earned that at least.