Hange had devoted her life to studying Titans with passionate, feverish dedication, her eyes always filled with curiosity and a longing for the unknown.
Yet now, she faced a predicament unlike any before. Her body began changing beyond her control, and a deep terror spread through her heart. She was about to become the very subject of her research-a Pure Titan.
On the brink of transformation, a fierce battle raged within Hange. Her reason told her this was an inescapable fate. Even in this desperate moment, her scientific curiosity stirred faintly, urging her to experience what being a Titan felt like.
But another part of her screamed in protest. She did not want to lose her humanity or surrender the bonds she shared with her friends and loved ones.
At this critical moment, Hange's gaze fell on Armin and Mina in the sky.
She saw Armin's anguished face and the comfort and support Mina offered him. She realized she was not the only one facing despair. Her companions were enduring pain and sacrifice too.
A faint, accepting smile curved her lips.
"Levi, as a dedicated scientist who's spent her entire life studying Titans, I can't go without experiencing it myself at least once." She looked at Levi, trying to make her voice sound more natural.
"Han... ge..." Levi's perpetually half-lidded, dead-fish eyes widened as far as they could.
The changes in her body accelerated, and Hange felt her consciousness begin to blur.
She took a deep breath, trying to stay lucid. She did not want her final moment to be filled with terror. Her eyes remained fixed on the sky, as though searching for some eternal truth.
"This is the final experiment," she whispered, almost to herself. "I'll be watching you, my friends. Even as a Titan, I'll remember you."