9. The Arachnid Apocolypse Begins

Titus's grin widened, a predator savoring its prey. "Why ruin the surprise? You'll see soon enough."

Eren, still standing silently in the corner, took a step forward. His eyes burned with a mix of anger and determination. "This isn't a game, Titus," he said, his voice low and intense. "People's lives are at stake. What do you hope to gain from all this?"

Titus's smile faded, his eyes turning cold. "Gain? This isn't about gain, Eren. This is about retribution. The world has bullied me, pushed me to the brink. Now, with Hades's power, I'm going to show them what true power looks like. Those who don't stand with me will fall."

Futoria's pen scratched across her notepad, her eyes never leaving Titus's face. "You sound like a madman," she said bluntly. "A madman with delusions of grandeur."

Titus laughed, the sound echoing eerily in the confined space. "Madman? Perhaps. But history is written by the victors, Futoria. And I intend to be the one holding the pen."

Armon's eyes flicked to Eren, a silent question passing between them. Eren nodded slightly, stepping closer to Titus. "You talk about retribution, about power," he said, his voice steady. "But what about the people caught in the crossfire? The innocent lives you're destroying?"

Titus's gaze shifted to Eren, a flicker of something almost resembling pity in his eyes. "Innocent? No one is innocent, Eren. Everyone has a part to play in this world. Some are just more...expendable than others."

The carriage rattled on, the oppressive silence descending once more. Futoria, Armon, and Eren exchanged glances, each of them grappling with the chilling reality of Titus's vision. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across their faces, mirroring the dark path that lay ahead.

Titus leaned back, his laughter filling the carriage. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough," he replied. "You see, I've got plans—big plans. And those plans include making sure every single one of you understands what it means to cross me."

He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a manic intensity. "As for Donny and the nobles who spawned that vile human, I swear by the name of Titus, the new age Hades—All Nobles Must Die!"

The carriage jolted to a stop, the sudden motion bringing a finality to the tense exchange. As the doors swung open, Titus was led out by the officers, his expression one of triumph. Armon, Futoria, and Eren followed, the weight of the unanswered questions heavy on their minds.

The stone walls of the headquarters loomed ahead, casting long shadows in the dim light of the torches. Titus walked with a swagger, his confidence unshaken, knowing that his arachnid titans were already weaving their way into the heart of Area 9, laying the groundwork for the chaos to come.

As they stepped into the interrogation room, the heavy door clanged shut behind them. Armon took his place at the table, Futoria standing beside him, her notepad at the ready. Eren remained silent, his eyes never leaving Titus, a storm of emotions churning beneath his calm exterior.

Armon broke the silence, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of tension. "Titus, you will answer for your actions. The lives you've disrupted, the terror you've spread—it ends here."

Titus's smile didn't waver. "You think this is the end, Armon? No, this is merely the beginning. My army is already at work, and soon, you will see the true extent of my power."

Futoria's pen scratched across the paper, documenting every word. "And what exactly is your plan, Titus? To destroy everything in your path until there's nothing left?"

Titus leaned back, his eyes closing briefly as if savoring the moment. "Not just destruction, Futoria. Transformation. A world where the strong survive and the weak perish. A world reborn under my rule."

Eren stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "You're delusional if you think we'll let that happen. We'll stop you, no matter the cost."

Titus's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Eren. "You're welcome to try. But know this—every attempt to thwart me only brings you closer to your own demise. The world bullied me, and now, with Hades's power, I will bully it back. Eternally."

The room fell silent, the gravity of Titus's words sinking in. Armon, Futoria, and Eren exchanged grim looks, each of them understanding the magnitude of the threat they faced.

As Titus was led away to his cell, his laughter echoed through the halls, a chilling reminder of the darkness that had been unleashed. The officers' footsteps faded, leaving Armon, Futoria, and Eren to grapple with the reality of the war that had just begun. And as they stood there, the weight of their duty pressed heavily upon them, knowing that they had to find a way to stop Titus before it was too late.

As if on cue with Titus being imprisoned, chaos erupted within the enclave. Soldiers ran through the corridors, the sound of their boots echoing off the stone walls. Armon and his company heard the distant, blood-curdling screams, a harbinger of the horror unfolding.

"Sir, we've found giant purple and black eggs all over the enclave," a breathless soldier reported. "They're everywhere!"