Return to Shiganshina(3)

Somewhere inside the walls of Shiganshina, Reiner continued to peek through the gaps in the wall where the rays of sunlight peeked through. Although nothing had happened thus far, he was certain the scouts would make their way here sooner or later. To retake Shiganshina meant they had to seal the gate. 

A few minutes later, Reiner noticed several hooded figures heading towards the outer gate. 

It was as the war chief predicted. The scouts would have taken precautions to ensure that Eren's identity stayed hidden as far as possible. 

There was a flash of light, and when it faded away; the outer gate was completely sealed by a titan.

Reiner stared at the hardened carcass that plugged the hole, a hint of awe appearing on his face. Eren Yeager … that boy was without a doubt one of the most talented titan shifters ever. The fact that he could even defeat Annie in her titan form and capture her was already proof of that. 

For now, all he needed to do was to wait for Eren to tire himself out. Then he would attack and the War Chief would then proceed with the plan.

However, time continued to pass with nothing happening. The light from the Titan transformation never came.

Reiner squinted his eyes through the gap inside the walls. Eren was taking way too long. There was no way he would be exhausted from such a …

… clinking sounds broke his train of thought. Reiner recognized those sounds - They were from the blades and ODM gear the scouts wore.

"Here!" a voice shouted out. "There's a hollow spot here!"

Panic seized the warrior, knowing that he'd been found out. With no hesitation, Reiner pulled out his blades and plunged them right through the unlucky soldier who discovered his hiding place. 

He kicked the body away, preparing to fly away before a sense of danger welled up inside him. The moment he turned and realized it would be too late to defend. Reiner decided with no hesitation to transfer his consciousness from his brain to other parts of his body.

It proved to be the correct one as the next moment, one blade had already pierced through his nape.

In front of him, the person who had attacked with such speed and power was none of than Humanity's Strongest Soldier - Levi.

"Dammnit! I was so close!" Levi grunted in frustration as he was forced to retreat. "In the end, I still couldn't end his life."

Reiner's body began to glow and transformed into the Armored Titan as he hit the ground.

====

Erwin looked on at the Armored Titan that was lying on its back.

Good. At least they flushed him out. Now they just had to find the rest. 

The unseen enemy was often the most fearsome.

"Don't lose focus! Check your surroundings carefully. They could be any-"

Thunderous bolts struck forth from the sky in front of him, too numerous for him to count. It was as if a chain of explosions had been set off. Even the ground quaked and tremored.

When the smoke cleared, there were titans everywhere in Shiganshina. A true horror show. 

Erwin turned behind to be greeted by a scene he was expecting - another army of titans outside Shiganshina lined up neatly in a semicircle that surrounded them, cutting off their escape route. 

In the middle was the monstrous titan they had seen at the previous expedition - covered in fur and red eyes. Its gaze sent shudders down his spine. His hunch was telling him the being was the mastermind behind their predicament.

They were surrounded on both sides.

The enemy had somehow managed to sneak into their midst, but just how exactly? How did they hide so many humans to transform?

Erwin noticed a hole beneath one of the titans that was closest to him. 

Beneath the ground. They were hidden there. 

He diverted his gaze back to beyond the walls and saw the Beast titan lift an enormous boulder. Given their intelligence on his abilities, he knew what was coming.

"INCOMING! TAKE COVER!" 

The boulder harmlessly flew towards the gate, sealing it sharp. The speed and power of the action were astonishing for a rock of such size.

If they let this titan reach Wall Rose. It would be the end of humanity.

"Did he miss on purpose?" One of the squad captains asked.

"No. It was a good aim. With that attack, it has blocked our entrance and our horses can't pass through. Take our horses away, then surround us from both in front and behind. They're planning to wipe us out here by cutting out our escape route." He stared down the monstrosity in the distance. "Just as we expected. But to think they would have that many titans and … within Shiganshina too."

The most decisive battle for humanity against titans thus far was about to commence.