Final arc: A chance to break the deadlock
Sweat soaked Eren's hair on the hot, humid nape of his neck, the strands clinging tightly to his forehead, veins bulging, and red blood vessels were increasingly appearing in his emerald green eyes.
Eren's gaze was unwavering, but he could clearly feel that the temporary Founding Titan Power within him was constantly dissipating, and he didn't have much time left.
"The Founding Titan Power within me can't last much longer. Now, to save Yago himself must break free from the shackles of the Founding Titan Power! But to awaken Yago, I'm afraid I can't do it, Annie! Only you can do it. You can definitely awaken Yago!"
Eren's voice echoed in Annie's mind, Annie immediately asked anxiously, "Then what should I do!?"
Before Eren could answer, another Transformation occurred on the battlefield of the Titan.
Bang!! A Green-Eyed Armored Titan had just smashed a Bull-Headed Beast Titan to pieces when it was pounced on by seven or eight Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan and torn into pieces in a matter of moments.
Such scenes are commonplace. The number of green-eyed Intelligent Titan is becoming increasingly scarce. Eren's Founding Titan Power can no longer summon those torn-up Green-Eyed Intelligent Titan, while the Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan controlled by the Fate Titan are resurrecting almost endlessly.
Centered on the Attack Titan, thousands of Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan firmly surrounded the remaining Green-Eyed Intelligent Titan and the entire Rescue Squad, and continued to charge towards the central area where the Attack Titan was located.
The Rescue Squad is currently in a situation like a lone boat in a storm, ready to be swallowed up at any moment.
"Take Annie to Yago's side!"
"How is that possible? There are hundreds or even thousands of Titan Warriors between us and Yago. Before we even reach Yago, we'll probably be torn to shreds by those Titan Warriors." Pieck quickly estimated their distance from the Fate Titan and realized that this was impossible.
Crack! Crack! Crack! With a single, effortless squeeze of its massive claws, a large chunk of Hardening shattered instantly. The demon-like Ape Beast Titan opened its gaping maw, filled with sharp teeth, aimed slightly in one direction, raised its arm to gather power, and then! Whoosh!!
An incredible, ear-piercing shriek rang out, and countless Hardening fragments, like cannonballs, swept through the ranks of the Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan, creating a bloody storm.
A Red-Eyed War Hammer Titan, who had just nocked an arrow, exploded with a bang! Its skull was ripped open by a Hardening fragment, and with a thud, sticky flesh and blood slammed against the edge of the Hardening Pyramid.
The monstrous Beast Titan revealed a chilling smile, lowered its head to look at Annie and the other Rescue Squad members, and spoke in human language, "Want to take an express train?"
Everyone:?
Click, click, click!
Under the distraction of Annie Attack Titan, Hardening suddenly formed beneath Annie and Pieck's feet, wriggling and gradually enveloping Pieck.
Unlike Annie's resolute and determined expression, Pieck's face was filled with tension as Beast Titan shouted loudly, "War Chief! Gently! Gently! Please throw it gently!"
The Beast Titan gave a "kind" smile, which sent a chill down Pieck's spine. But before Pieck could say anything more, layers of indestructible Hardening enveloped her and Annie's entire bodies.
In a moment, a large, Hardening sphere enveloping Annie and Pieck appeared before everyone.
The Beast Titan moved. It grabbed the Hardening sphere from the ground, stood up, and looked at the Fate Titan roaring menacingly in the distant Pyramid ruins.
Raise your hand, aim, gather your strength, lift your foot, throw!!
Swish!!!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a Hardening sphere enveloping two Titan Warriors flew like a cannonball over the heads of thousands of Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan, heading straight for the Fate Titan within the Pyramid ruins.
Roar!! The Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan approaching the Pyramid froze for a moment, then, as if receiving some command, frantically chased after the Hardening sphere.
Dozens of Red-Eyed War Hammer Titan drew their bows and nocked arrows, sending dozens of Hardening arrows whistling as they shot toward the Hardening sphere in an attempt to intercept it. Unfortunately, no matter how fast the arrows fired by the War Hammer Titan were, they could not catch up with the Hardening sphere that the Beast Titan had casually tossed out.
At the same time.
The Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan surrounding the Rescue Squad became even more frenzied, pushing their way towards them almost recklessly, completely disregarding anything that might be blocking their way.
The remaining Green-Eyed Intelligent Titan were powerless to continue resisting; they were either torn apart or trampled to pieces.
"We must not fall before Annie and Pieck succeed!" Eren said resolutely.
Reiner took a deep breath, stepped to the front of the group, and declared with unprecedented determination in his eyes, "Not a single one of these Titan will get past me before I am crushed!"
Sizzle!! Golden lightning exploded on Reiner's body, a blinding pillar of light shot into the air, steam billowed, and then boom! A huge foot slammed into the ground, and an eye that gleamed with an earthy yellow light emerged from the steam. The Armored Titan, holding two bone shields, stood before everyone like a guardian deity.
"Sister Iva, it seems we don't need the wildly charging Fusion Titan anymore. At this moment, we seem to need an impregnable 'Fortress' more," Bazel said with a smile, turning to Ivanor.
Ivanor's face was still pale, clearly he hadn't recovered his strength. "Huh? Bazel, what did you say?"
Bazel shrugged and jogged straight to the Armored Titan, who was poised to attack. "Reiner! The title of the strongest shield doesn't necessarily belong to the Armored Titan!"
Boom!! Lightning Column, interwoven with crimson and golden light—or perhaps a curtain of lightning would be a more fitting description.
As the steam dissipated, a figure that blotted out the sky slowly straightened up. Amidst the rising dust, a pair of scarlet eyes became clearly visible in the steam. Its body, composed of countless dark, gem-like Hardening crystals, truly lived up to its name as Fortress. Standing here, it was indeed an indestructible Fortress.
The Armored Titan turned its head slightly, its earthen-yellow eyes meeting the Titan ones. Reiner and Bazel seemed to sense each other's will from the back of their necks, and they both smiled knowingly.
Seeing the countless Red-Eyed Intelligent Titan pouring in after tearing through the Green-Eyed Intelligent Titan' defenses, the Armored Titan bent down, and the Fortress Titan stood firm. Come on! Don't even think about getting past us!
"What the hell? Reiner, that loser, is trying to show off in front of me. I can't stand it!" Porco gritted his teeth and stood up, saying nothing more.
Arcs of electricity crackled! The Flying Claw Titan roared as it tore through the steam.
Aili and Ivanor exchanged a glance. Although the two girls had only recovered less than half of their strength, the Sea-Swimming Titan with their long tails swung and the Paladin Titan with their four hooves digging into the ground reappeared on the battlefield.
Behind them stood two Titan who were already prepared: the Royal-Blood Jaw Titan with a crown on its head and the ferocious Beast Titan.