The darkness of the basement enveloped me as I anxiously awaited the soldiers' reactions. I knew that I had to earn the trust of these men and women if I ever wanted to find a way back to my own world. But the distrust in their eyes was not easy to overcome.
"So, Kael," began the leader, whose name still escaped me, as he sat down across from me on an old wooden chair. "You claim to know about the Titans. What can you tell us about their weaknesses?"
I took a deep breath and tried to focus. "Well, I know that Titans can only be killed by a targeted strike to the nape of their neck. Also, they don't seem to move very fast, which means you can evade them if you're quick enough."
The soldiers listened attentively, and I could gradually see the skepticism fading from their faces. "That's information we already know," said one of the soldiers, whom I now recognized as Jean. "What about the different types of Titans?"
"Most Titans are humanoid, but some are much larger and stronger," I explained as I tried to organize my thoughts. "I've also heard of intelligent Titans that can even control humans. Those are the most dangerous."
A whisper went through the group, and I sensed that I had achieved something. "And how exactly do you know all this?" the leader asked, piercing me with his gaze. "That doesn't sound like the knowledge of an ordinary person."
"Because I'm not from here," I said, my heart pounding. "I've seen all of this in a story. In an anime. But it's real to me, and I don't want you to think I'm a threat."
Suddenly, the basement door slammed shut with a loud bang, and another soldier rushed in, visibly out of breath. "We've spotted Titans nearby!" he shouted. "We need to act immediately!"
The leader's face hardened, and I felt the tension in the room rise. "What? How many?"
"At least three, and they're moving fast! We need to get back to headquarters now!"
"What about him?" Jean asked, pointing at me. "We can't just leave him here!"
"We can't trust him," the leader replied. "He could be a spy!"
"I'm not a spy!" I protested, but my words fell on deaf ears. "Please, let me help! I have ideas on how to distract the Titans!"
"You? Help?" Jean scoffed. "We don't even know if you're trying to lead us into a trap!"
I felt pressure rising in my stomach. The last words I had heard were from an enemy who wouldn't stop distrusting me. But I was determined to do my best. *I have to show them that I'm useful.*
"Listen," I said, my voice firmer than I thought. "I don't know the Titans like you do, but I know they react to sounds. If we distract them, we might gain an advantage. I can help if you take me with you!"
The leader looked at me, and I could see him struggling to decide whether to trust me. "We don't have time!" shouted the soldier who had brought the news. "We need to act now!"
"Let him come with us," the leader finally decided, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. "But we'll keep an eye on him. If he proves to be a threat, we'll eliminate him immediately."
The soldiers led me through a narrow corridor, and I tried to suppress my nervousness. I had no experience fighting Titans, and the thought of facing them made me shiver. But I knew I couldn't back down. *I have to be strong.*
As we reached headquarters, the atmosphere was tense. Soldiers rushed busily around, while officers shouted orders. I felt like an intruder in this world, but I was determined to find my place.
"What's the plan?" I asked as we approached the other soldiers.
"We need to distract the Titans while we get the civilians to safety," the leader explained. "We have explosives we can use to create noise and lure them away from the walls."
"I can help!" I suggested. "If I place the explosives, I can distract them while you evacuate the civilians."
The soldiers looked at me, and I felt the distrust returning to their gazes. "That's dangerous!" protested Jean. "You have no experience, and we can't just let you go!"
"If I don't go, another group of soldiers will be sent who may not know how to distract the Titans," I countered. "I have nothing to lose, and I can help you!"
The leader hesitated, but I could see that he was considering my words. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. But you will follow our orders and do as we say. If you prove to be a threat, we will detain you immediately."
*This is better than nothing,* I thought as I felt my heart racing. I knew I had to do my best to earn their trust.
As we set out to distract the Titans, I felt the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. The world around me seemed to blur as I focused on my goal. *This is my chance to prove myself.*
We reached a position from where I could see the Titans: massive humanoid creatures lumbering towards the walls with their enormous bodies. My heart raced, and I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.
"Now!" the leader shouted, and I began placing the explosives. I had to work quickly and precisely as the Titans approached. *Come on, Kael, you can do this!*
As I made the final preparations, I heard a loud cracking sound and turned to see the Titans had noticed us. Their eyes were vacant, and their movements unpredictable. *This is not good.*
"Now! Ignite the explosives!" commanded the leader, and I didn't hesitate. The explosion shook the ground and sent a shockwave through the air. The Titans turned in the opposite direction, startled by the noise, and I knew we had succeeded.
"Go, now!" I shouted as we moved to get the civilians to safety. I felt the thrill of battle and the sense that I could play a role here. *I wasn't teleported here to fail.*
But as the soldiers and I evacuated the civilians, I knew this was just the beginning. I was in a world full of dangers, and I would have to do everything to survive and maybe even turn this new reality to my advantage. *I must stay strong and continue to earn their trust.*
As I faced the next adventure, I knew that I was not just fighting for my own survival but also for the trust of these new friends. And as I ran through the streets, I was sure that I was ready to risk everything.