Clash of Titans(2)

Upon biting, the familiar surge of strength welled through Eren's body. Transforming into his titan form, he sent a ferocious punch right at the Armored Titan in mid-air while they both fell.

The Armored Titan responded in kind, meeting his right fist. He was about to hit the ground when the titan grabbed him by the waist, then flung him towards the screen of woods in the distance.

Eren crashed against mud and trees. Lying flat on the destroyed landscape, he stared up at the lifeless blue skies; empty and mocking.

"Damn. I never knew he was that strong. So he was holding back on me all that time in training..." He stood, curling his right hand into a fist. "But you really are a piece of shit, Reiner. I doubt anyone has done anything like you, in the entire history of mankind."

The Armored Titan was slowly striding towards him, crushing the woods that stood in his way with every step.

"Eren!" A high-pitched cry rang out.

Mikasa flew across the nape of the Armored Titan, which remained unfazed by her attack. She moved in time to avoid a swatting hand, then pressed the assault once again from a different angle.

Eren's chest tightened. It was too dangerous. Mikasa's blades wouldn't work. She should stay away from the Armored Titan!

Unable to sit still any longer, he glared at his foe. It was all Reiner's fault; he was the one who killed his mother and took away Mikasa's new family. And now, he dared to try and harm her.

He wouldn't let Reiner take Mikasa away from him.

Not this time.

"You make me want to vomit, you giant pest … REINER!"

Eren sank his feet into the ground and crouched his body forward. Then kicked himself off immediately; the undergrowth beneath it shooting up into the air from the explosive speed.

The Armored Titan noticed his movement, swerving his body towards the right.

But it was too slow.

He was already inches from the Armored Titan then, and Eren used the momentum to tackle Reiner with all his might. The Armored Titan crashed into Wall Rose behind him; the rubble from the impact littering his crumpled body.

At once, Eren followed up with a punch from his left arm, and the right, and then the left again. The blows were unrelenting, hard and fast. Blood washed over his fists, but it wasn't enough. He wanted more, he wanted revenge. He was going to make that man die in the most painful death possible.

He lifted his leg, driving a foot viciously toward the Armored Titan's eyes; but it only grazed the hair.

Reiner's head had dropped low, avoiding the move. By the time Eren could react, the Armored Titan sent a roundhouse kick right at him, smacking his torso.

Eren cursed under his breath as the impact sent him flying. Why did Reiner's movement suddenly become so fast? He shouldn't have been able to dodge his attack.

He tried to stand up but the Armored titan was already charging towards him; giving him no time to steady himself.

"I won't be able to dodge this. In this case, might as well … !"

The Armored Titan crashed into him, tightening his hands around Eren and bringing him to the ground with him.

However, he wasn't giving the Armored Titan a chance to complete his hold. Eren brought his head close beside Reiner's and wrapped his hands around Reiner's Nape; then turned with all his might. He was barely able to force the Armored Titan beneath him and cemented his grip around the Armored Titan's neck.

It was a good thing he had that training session with Mikasa. The technique she demonstrated from Annie was perfect for dealing with opponents like Reiner.

He tightened his hold further, squeezing the nape that was trapped between his arms. The positional advantage was his, but the Armored Titan was still moving, pushing forward; struggling hard despite his chokehold. It was a battle of strength to see who could outlast the other.

"Eren!"

In front of him, Mikasa's figure approached the Armored Titan at an incredible speed.

Worry tied Eren's guts into a tight knot. Mikasa ... She shouldn't be coming near. Why doesn't she get it? Her equipment is useless against the Armored Titan. She could get hurt!

That was what he thought - until he saw the chunks of flesh that flew out as her figure whizzed past the Armored Titan's legs.

Eren's eyes widened. He understood the reason now: why the Armored Titan was able to dodge his earlier attack. Reiner had shedded the armor behind his legs, allowing for greater speed and reflexes; but this meant it was wide open for attack too.

The Armored Titan's knees fell to the floor with a thud as Reiner's resistance waned.

He firmed his hold, causing cracks to slowly show up in the hardening that surrounded the Armored Titan.

Eren was now in complete control.

"I'll have to deal with the Colossal Titan after this, but it should be simple - Its movements are slow and it won't be a threat to me." He eyed the titan towering over the walls in front of him. "It's strange though, why hasn't it moved? And there's an incredible amount of steam around it."

While he was still engrossed in his thoughts, the Armored Titan let out a roar; unleashing a sudden burst of strength.

He was sure that Reiner would have broken free if not for the grip position he was in. The lock that he had now around the Armored Titan's nape was hugely effective, allowing him to restrict his movements.

Eren raised his hips, shifting his center of gravity further forward to press and keep the Armored Titan pinned down on the ground.

"Just give up, Reiner. I don't know what you're trying to achieve by struggling."

The cracks from Reiner's armor being broken hadn't stopped and his victory was obvious. There was no point now in trying to move him.

"EREN!"

The concern in Mikasa's tone told him all - something was wrong.

He lifted his head and saw the Colossal Titan's Body tilting in his direction.

Mikasa! She was too close and would get caught in the impact! That idiot, why didn't she retreat?

Eren loosened his grip on Reiner, then dashed towards the tiny figure that stood near a tree. Mikasa's timing was simply awful. When she warned him about the looming threat, she had forfeited her chance to escape safely in time.

There was no way anyone could survive that impending impact. Mikasa could lose her life!

He gritted his teeth. "That's the one thing … I will … never … allow!"

He used his titan as a shield, wrapping Mikasa safely right in the midst of it. Just as he did, Eren felt the Colossal Titan's body ramming into him and the heat in his nape rising by the second. The force of it was overwhelming. His hands and skin were eroding amidst the impact, and in a short time, there would be nothing left to protect Mikasa from the collision.

Desperation flooded every limb of his body. Mikasa had always been the one protecting him when he was younger. It was his turn now. He had to protect her. He would.

The temperature in the nape was scorching him. His vision blurred and pain rocked his head, but he couldn't allow himself to faint. He had to focus on regenerating his arm, he had to keep her safe at all costs.

Protect. Protect. Protect.

That was the only thing on his mind as darkness closed in on him ...

(1.27k Words)