"Interesting situation we've got here, huh," he muttered.
Armin standing in front, with Eren lying unconscious in the back and Mikasa supporting his body—wasn't it the iconic trio that was always present wherever trouble lurked?
Kaito perked up his ears, his enhanced senses now allowing him to hear everything with crystal clarity.
The Captain of the Garrison Regiment stationed in the Trost District stood at the forefront of the battalion of soldiers. His face was crumpled up in fear and anxiety, which he attempted to conceal behind a façade of bravado. The twitching of his eyes and the sweat drops on his forehead were easy giveaways.
"People fear the unknown, especially when the unknown is a man-eating monster," Kaito mused as he sat down on the edge of the wall, his legs dangling over the colossal structure. He enjoyed the breeze and the overwhelming scent of blood that made his throat itch while watching the live-action anime unfold before him.
The only thing missing was a bucket of popcorn.
"Damn this island and its technology! Should I make a trip to Marley to get some pops?" he wondered.
Kaito's thoughts drifted between the unfolding drama and his own amusement. The situation below was tense, with the Garrison Regiment's fear palpable in the air. The unknown nature of Eren's abilities had thrown them into a state of panic, and the Captain's attempt to maintain control was crumbling under the weight of his own anxiety.
As Kaito observed the scene, his enhanced senses allowed him to catch every detail—the trembling hands of the soldiers, the determined look in Mikasa's eyes, and the calculated expression on Armin's face. It was a pivotal moment, one that would shape the course of events to come.
The scent of blood, carried by the wind, tickled Kaito's senses, reminding him of the carnage that had taken place mere hours ago. The Titans had left their mark on the city, and the aftermath was a testament to the horrors that humanity faced.
Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Kaito found himself craving the simple pleasure of popcorn. The absurdity of the thought brought a smirk to his face. In a world where man-eating monsters roamed and humans fought for survival, the idea of seeking out a snack from a distant land seemed both trivial and strangely appealing.
As the standoff continued below, Kaito leaned back, his eyes fixed on the unfolding drama. The iconic trio—Armin, Eren, and Mikasa—once again found themselves at the center of a storm, their fates intertwined with the destiny of humanity. And here he was, a spectator to the grand play, wondering if a trip to Marley for some popcorn was worth the effort.
The breeze picked up, carrying with it the whispers of change and the promise of more twists to come. Kaito, his senses attuned to the world around him, knew that this was just the beginning of a long and winding path. The live-action anime that was his life had only just begun, and he was determined to enjoy every moment of it, popcorn or not.
....
....
The air crackled with tension as Eren, dazed and supported by Armin, found himself surrounded by soldiers, swords pointed accusingly at him. His confused mumble – "I'll kill you" – fueled the flames of suspicion.
"Eren?" Armin's voice trembled. "Are you alright?"
Slowly, Eren grasped the situation. Panic surged through him. "Armin… Mikasa…" he stammered, his gaze falling on the fierce determination etched on Mikasa's face.
"Tell them everything!" Armin urged, desperation lacing his tone. "They'll understand!"
But understanding seemed a distant hope. The soldiers' faces contorted with fear and disgust. "He said 'kill you'!" one bellowed. "He wants to devour us all!"
Eren's mind reeled. What were they saying? Why were they treating him like a monster? These were weapons for Titans, not humans! His reflection in their terrified eyes sent a jolt of dread through him. What was going on?
Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the chaos. "Cadets Yeager, Ackermann, and Arlert!" boomed Kitz, the commander. "Your actions constitute high treason! Explain yourselves!"
Eren's voice hitched. "What…?!"
"Silence!" Kitz roared. "Any attempt at deceit will be met with immediate artillery fire! We won't hesitate!"
Fear choked Eren's words. "Huh...?"
Kitz's gaze was glacial. "Answer! Are you human or Titan?"
Eren felt like a fly caught in a spider's web. Their stares were suffocating, branding him as an abomination. "I… I don't understand!" he stammered.
Kitz scoffed. "Playing dumb, monster? We all saw it! You emerged from a Titan's carcass! You infiltrated Wall Rose, a threat to humanity!"
"Even as cadets," Kitz continued, his voice heavy with accusation, "your allegiance is to the King. But eliminating this risk is paramount! The Armored Titan could breach Wall Maria any moment! We can't waste resources on you!"
His words resonated with another soldier. "Commander, let's end him now! Before he transforms!"
Mikasa stepped forward, her voice laced with steel. "My specialty is slicing flesh," she declared, her gaze unwavering. "If need be, I'll demonstrate on anyone foolish enough to attack Eren."
Kitz faltered, momentarily thrown by her defiance. Ian, another officer, intervened. "Commander, that's Mikasa Ackermann. From our elite unit. Losing her would be a significant blow."
Eren, still reeling, watched the exchange unfold. "Hey… Mikasa! Armin! What's happening?"
"Mikasa, we can't fight our own people!" Armin pleaded. "Where would we even escape within these walls?"
But Mikasa's resolve was unwavering. "I don't care who they are," she stated fiercely. "No one will harm Eren."
Armin, however, saw a different path. "We need to talk to them! They're just scared, their fears are clouding their judgment!"
Eren felt isolated, adrift in a sea of confusion. He was the only one who didn't see himself as a Titan? Panic gnawed at him. He had no memory of how he got there, his body ached, and the soldiers' murderous intent was palpable. Was this how he was going to die? Killed by humans, branded a monster?
"What are you?" Kitz demanded, his voice sharp with suspicion. The tension in the clearing was thick enough to cut with a knife. Eren, still in shock from his own sudden memory lapse, stammered, "I… I'm human! Just like you."
His words hung in the air, unconvincing even to his own ears. The accusation hung heavy, fueled by the sight of blood dripping from Titan flesh clinging to his arm. His desperate escape attempt only confirmed the soldiers' doubts.
"Don't play dumb, monster!" a soldier yelled, raising his sword. "We saw you emerge from the Titan carcass! You're a threat to humanity!"
Panic clawed at Eren's throat. He didn't understand, hadn't he just been fighting alongside them? His frantic gaze met Mikasa's, fear and determination swirling in her dark eyes. She understood, always did.
Armin, ever the strategist, intervened. "Wait! He doesn't remember!" he pleaded, stepping forward. "He said he's human, and I believe him! We need to talk to him, understand what happened."
His words were met with scoffs and murmurs of dissent. Kitz glared at Armin, his hand inching towards the signal to fire the cannons. "Silence! We can't risk another breach like Wall Maria! There's no space for doubt or negotiation with a Titan."
A sense of dread washed over Eren. His mind raced, a jumble of fragmented memories and his father's cryptic words about a power and a basement. His hand instinctively went to the key around his neck, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
Suddenly, a memory flashed. His father's face, urgent and fearful, "Eren, if anything happens… remember you have the power!"
The words jolted him. Power? What power?
Was his father talking about… this?
"Fire!" A cannon fires.
Eren bites his hand hard enough to draw blood. Agony ripped through his body as flesh and bone contorted, reshaped at an alarming rate. A monstrous hand, scaled and sinewy, erupted from his arm, blocking the path of an incoming cannonball.
The explosion sent shockwaves through the air, smoke obscuring the scene. When it cleared, a chilling sight met their eyes.
Where Eren once stood, a hulking Titan torso, partially formed, shielded Mikasa and Armin within its grasp. The soldiers stumbled back, fear replacing their anger. Kitz stared, speechless, his hand frozen halfway to a command.
Eren didn't understand what was happening, but one thing was clear: he had to protect Mikasa and Armin.
And in that moment, the fragile world they knew shattered.