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**Chapter 1: The Last Light**

Elias Stark tightened the straps of his maneuver gear, the familiar hiss of the gas canisters a comforting sound amidst the chaos. The city walls loomed overhead, scarred from the recent Titan breach. Shouts and clanging metal filled the air as soldiers scrambled to contain the damage. Elias's heart pounded not just from the adrenaline but from a deep-seated unease that he couldn't shake.

"Stark! You're with us!" barked Lieutenant Grayson, a grizzled veteran with an air of authority. Elias nodded, falling in line behind him and his squad. The mission was clear: assess the damage and clear out any remaining Titans before they could cause more destruction.

As they advanced through the rubble-strewn streets, Elias's thoughts wandered to the dreams that had plagued him the night before. Vivid images of towering figures and ancient ruins danced in his mind, leaving him with a sense of urgency he couldn't explain. He had shared these dreams with no one, fearing they'd think him mad. Instead, he had secretly begun investigating the city's old archives, hoping to find some clue that would make sense of these haunting visions.

The squad rounded a corner, and Elias's eyes widened. A colossal Titan stood amidst the wreckage, its grotesque form blocking their path. The soldiers scattered, engaging the Titan with all their might, but Elias felt something different this time—a strange connection, a whisper of understanding he couldn't fully grasp. He watched as the Titan moved, its actions seeming almost deliberate.

"Elias, move!" Grayson's voice cut through his daze, pulling him back to reality. He engaged his gear, launching into the air with practiced precision. As he soared above the Titan, he noticed something peculiar: the Titan's movements seemed to react to his own, as if it sensed his presence.

The battle raged on, and Elias's focus sharpened. He managed to sever the Titan's nape with a swift maneuver, the creature collapsing with a thunderous crash. His squad cheered, but Elias remained quiet, the strange feeling still gnawing at him.

Back at the temporary command post, Elias was approached by Lina, a fellow soldier and his close friend. Her concerned eyes searched his face. "You okay? You seemed... off during the fight."

Elias forced a smile. "Just a bit shaken. This Titan felt different, like it was... aware somehow."

Lina frowned, but before she could respond, Captain Levi strode into the room. His sharp gaze settled on Elias. "Stark, we need to talk. Follow me."

In the dimly lit briefing room, Levi's expression was unreadable. "What was that about today's fight? You acted like you knew something about the Titan."

Elias hesitated, then met Levi's gaze. "I've been having these dreams about the Titans. I think there's something more to them, something we're not seeing."

Levi's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he handed Elias a dossier. "Review this. It's classified, but you might find it relevant."

As Elias left the room, the weight of the dossier in his hands, he glanced at Lina. "I need to dig deeper into this. There's something important we're missing."

Lina nodded, her resolve matching his. "We'll figure it out together."

Elias's resolve hardened. The city may have been safe for now, but the strange connection he felt with the Titans was far from over. The answers he sought were buried deep, and he was determined to uncover them, no matter the cost.

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