The cloudy sky loomed over the vast open plains, the green grass swaying in the wind. In the distance, dust rose from the thundering hooves of galloping horses. The Survey Corps, led by Commander Erwin Smith, was in full pursuit, determined to reclaim Eren from the grasp of Reiner, Bertholdt, and Ymir.
At the front of the formation, Mikasa and Adam rode alongside Levi, their faces set with determination. Armin, Jean, Conny, Historia, and the others stayed in the middle ranks.
"We're closing in," Levi stated in his usual cold tone, eyes locked ahead. "Once we arrive, we strike swiftly and without hesitation."
Adam nodded, his sharp gaze fixed on their targets. "We need to rescue Eren before they reach the outer walls."
Erwin glanced back slightly, raising his voice so all could hear. "Remember, our primary objective is to retrieve Eren! Prioritize this mission above all else!"
Moments later, they spotted two massive figures moving on the horizon.
The Armored Titan was running with Eren on its back, while Bertholdt and Ymir moved alongside it!
"There they are!" Jean shouted.
The Battle Begins
Wasting no time, Erwin gave the command.
"Attack from all directions! Don't let them escape!"
The Survey Corps immediately launched flares, signaling the assault.
In an instant, Mikasa and Adam propelled forward at high speed using their ODM gear.
Levi and a squad of elite soldiers flanked left, aiming to cut off Bertholdt's movement.
Meanwhile, Armin and Jean led the reserves, providing backup from behind.
As Adam closed in, Ymir suddenly leaped and attacked him!
"Stay out of this, Adam!" Ymir shouted, swiping at him with her claws.
But Adam swiftly spun in midair, dodging the attack before locking eyes with her.
"Why are you doing this, Ymir?! Why are you helping them?!"
Ymir's eyes flickered with hesitation. "I have no other choice…"
Before she could continue, Mikasa appeared from behind and slashed one of Ymir's legs, causing her Titan form to lose balance!
"We don't have time to listen to your excuses," Mikasa stated coldly.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Erwin led the main charge against the Armored Titan.
Suddenly, more Titans emerged from the left, attacking the Survey Corps with terrifying ferocity!
One Titan bit down on a soldier, adding to the chaos!
But Erwin remained unfazed.
"DO NOT STOP! FOCUS ON THE MISSION!"
At that moment, a Titan lunged at Erwin. But instead of retreating—
SPLAT!
The Titan grabbed and bit into Erwin's arm, holding him tightly!
"C-COMMANDER ERWIN!" Jean shouted in panic.
Yet, Erwin didn't scream in pain. With a stone-cold expression, he simply bellowed:
"CONTINUE THE ATTACK! DO NOT STOP!"
Mikasa and Adam Face Bertholdt
On the battlefield, Bertholdt trembled atop the Armored Titan.
Mikasa leaped toward him, blades raised.
"Give Eren back, Bertholdt!"
Bertholdt gritted his teeth. "WE HAVE NO CHOICE! IF WE SURRENDER, WE WILL DIE!"
Adam swiftly joined the attack, attempting to slash at Bertholdt.
However, Reiner shook his Titan form violently, causing Adam to lose his balance and nearly fall!
Dust filled the air, and ruins lay scattered across the streets. Lifeless bodies were strewn everywhere—the remnants of the fierce battle between the soldiers and the Titans. In the middle of the chaotic battlefield, Mikasa, Adam, and Eren found themselves cornered.
Reiner, in his Armored Titan form, and Bertholdt, still clinging to his back, were preparing to retreat with Ymir in her Titan form, carrying Eren away.
"There are too many Titans!" Armin shouted in panic.
"We have to chase them!" Jean yelled, despite knowing how impossible the situation was.
Adam bit his lip, his mind racing for a solution. "If this keeps up, we'll lose Eren forever."
But there was nothing they could do. Their bodies were at their limits. Everyone stood, gasping for breath, exhausted from the relentless battle.
And then—the Titan that had once killed Eren's mother appeared.
The sight of it sent a chill through Eren's spine. His entire body tensed, as if the trauma from that day came crashing back all at once. "N-No way… Why is it here?"
Mikasa, standing beside him, immediately prepared to fight, but she could feel Eren trembling beside her.
The Titan moved closer…
Then—Hannes charged forward.
"I won't fail this time!!"
Hannes drew his blade and attacked the Titan. But in an instant—before his sword could even pierce its flesh…
The Titan caught him.
"!!"
Everyone held their breath.
With a single bite, Hannes was gone.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Eren dropped to his knees. "NO!!!"
He pounded the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Not again… not again…!! Why can't I ever save anyone?!?"
Mikasa ran to his side while Adam clenched his teeth.
But before they could do anything, more Titans started closing in.
Adam lifted his blades, his body trembling from exhaustion.
Mikasa looked at Adam, pain in her eyes.
"Adam…"
Adam turned. "What?"
Mikasa took a deep breath, then spoke in a soft voice, "I love you."
Adam froze.
In the midst of despair and death surrounding them, Mikasa's feelings spilled out.
"I don't want to lose you… just like I don't want to lose my family…" Mikasa said, her voice shaking. "You've always been by my side… I don't want this to be our farewell."
Something inside Adam trembled.
Something that had been locked away all this time.
Suddenly, his mind became clearer.
He could see the patterns of the Titans' movements…
He could predict every step they would take…
Something had awakened within him.
The limiter in his mind was gone.
His eyes gleamed sharply.
Mikasa gasped as she saw the change in Adam's expression. "Adam…?"
Adam took a deep breath and raised his blades again.
"…I can see it."
Mikasa frowned. "See what?"
Adam gazed over the battlefield.
"I can see everything…"
In his mind, glowing lines formed.
Every enemy movement, every opening, every weakness—it was all crystal clear.
He had surpassed the limits of a normal human.
Adam had awakened his true potential.
Meanwhile, Eren remained kneeling, his tears falling onto the ground.
Hatred, rage, and despair swirled inside him.
He bit his lip until it bled.
I hate this.
I hate all of this.
I hate the Titans.
I hate my own helplessness.
Then, he remembered his mother.
The same nightmare was happening again.
That Titan… the one that killed his mother…
And now, it had killed Hannes…
WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?!
His hands clenched the dirt until they bled.
Eren threw his punch at the Titan that ate his mother.
Then, in an instant—something inside him exploded.
The air trembled.
A massive force surged from Eren's body.
The Coordinate had activated.
The Titans around them suddenly stopped moving.
His eyes burned with newfound power.
Eren raised his hand—and the Titans obeyed.
"W-What's happening?!" Armin shouted in shock.
The other soldiers could only watch in disbelief.
Eren had awakened the power of the Coordinate.
With a single command, the Titans turned on the one that had killed Hannes.
They tore it apart, ripping its body to shreds.
Eren now had the power to control the Titans.
Meanwhile, Adam's mind processed everything at lightning speed.
Mikasa watched him closely. "Adam… are you okay?"
Adam turned to her and smirked. "I'm better than ever."
Mikasa looked into his eyes—and saw something different.
Adam was sharper, faster, and more focused than before.
"Then… let's finish this."
Adam nodded.
The two of them leaped into battle, slashing through the surrounding Titans.
Adam could predict every move with perfect accuracy.
He dodged attacks, found blind spots, and slaughtered Titans at an incredible speed.
Mikasa glanced at him in shock. "You're… getting faster!"
Adam smirked. "I just realized something… I still have so much to do."
They fought together, protecting each other.
And in that moment—Mikasa realized something.
Adam wasn't just a friend.
He was someone truly important to her.
With Eren's Coordinate power unleashed, the Titans turned against each other in a chaotic frenzy.
Reiner, still in his Armored Titan form, realized the battle had turned against them.
"We have to retreat!!" he shouted.
Bertholdt clenched his teeth, looking back at Eren, who was now stronger than ever.
"We failed…"
With no other choice, Reiner and Bertholdt fled, taking Ymir with them.
The Survey Corps soldiers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They had lost many people…
But they had successfully reclaimed Eren.
Adam landed on the ground, exhausted from the relentless battle.
Mikasa knelt beside him, relief evident on her face.
"Thank you, Adam."
Adam looked at her and gave a small smile.
"No problem… We're all in this together, right?"
Mikasa lowered her head. Then, without warning, she leaned in and kissed Adam on the cheek.
Adam froze.
Mikasa whispered, "I will always be with you."
Adam felt a warmth in his chest.
And with that, the battle ended.
But their journey was far from over.