Chapter 130: Zeke Makes His Wish and Suspects He's Been Duped!
Plains outside Ragako Village.
Charge! Charge! The roar of battle and the clash of steel echoed across the field. The Survey Corps formation pushed forward, led by three giant shadows and two human figures, tearing through the chaotic wave of Titans.
At the very front, Samuel's Armored Titan charged forward, its hardened shell smashing through anything in its path like a living siege engine. Louise's Female Titan was agile, each kick tearing the nape of a Titan, leaving a spray of blood in her wake. Ymir's Jaw Titan was the fastest, zipping through the Titan ranks, claws flashing, leaving a field of mangled corpses.
Close behind them were Levi and Mikasa, their speed surpassing visual tracking. With every flash of their blades, another Titan fell. The Pure Titan line was effortlessly torn to shreds.
Further back, a streak of green light flickered in and out of view. Eren Jaeger cleared the Titans attempting to flank the main force, his movements calm and efficient, his energy-infused blades reaping lives without mercy, clearing the path for the assault. His cold eyes were fixed on the two Intelligent Titans in the distance. Captain Levi, Mikasa, and the three new shifters… this is enough.
…
On the hillside.
The color drained from Zeke Jaeger's face, leaving it pale. "The Armored Titan… the Female Titan… the Jaw Titan…" he stammered, his lips trembling. He stared at the three Titans that should have belonged to Marley, now charging for the enemy.
His brain shut down.
Impossible! Absolutely impossible! What in the world happened on Paradis Island?! And that soldier who shattered my boulder… that green light… what is that power?!
"Pieck!" Zeke's voice trembled. "Prepare to—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a figure tore through the air, closing the distance in an instant, moving so fast the Beast Titan couldn't even react.
It was Levi.
Wh— Zeke's pupils contracted. He swung his massive arm, twisting his body to dodge.
Too late. Too slow.
Levi's figure was already upon him, ignoring the giant's clumsy movements, instantly circling to the nape. He spun, his blades weaving a silver net.
SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!
The tendons connecting the limbs were severed. The ligaments supporting the head were sliced. The nerves transmitting commands were shredded.
"Nngh-AAAAAH!!!" Zeke screamed, not from physical pain, but from the sheer terror and helplessness of being completely overpowered. His Beast Titan had no resistance at all.
BOOM!!!
The massive body, its support cut, collapsed to the ground, shaking the earth. Levi landed lightly on the nape, his expression as calm as if he'd just finished a minor chore.
At almost the same moment, Pieck's Cart Titan also met its end. She had been maneuvering at high speed, trying to use the terrain and her mounted artillery to fight back, but her opponent was Mikasa Ackerman.
Mikasa's black-clad figure used her ODM gear to carve unpredictable arcs through the air, dodging every shot. Pieck's covering fire was useless. Mikasa's eyes were locked on Pieck's real body, hidden within the nape. After a few high-speed feints that completely threw off Pieck's aim—Now!—Mikasa's figure accelerated.
SHIIIING!
Her blades sliced through the muscle layer, severing the nerve bundles connecting to Pieck's body and the joints of her Titan's legs. BOOM! The Cart Titan followed the Beast, crashing heavily to the ground.
Levi and Mikasa landed at the same time, their movements clean. They cut open the napes. Plop. Plop. Two mangled human figures were dragged out and thrown like sacks onto the dirt. Zeke Jaeger and Pieck Finger, once proud Warriors of Marley, were now just gasping for breath, their consciousness fading from the agony, their souls scorched by the humiliation.
Despair washed over them. It was over. They looked at the green figure still slaughtering in the distance, at the three Titan powers that had fallen to the enemy, at the two Ackermans…
Just as their consciousness was about to fade, a flat, emotionless voice sounded in their minds.
[Looks like you need help?]
?! A hallucination?!
[I can grant your wishes, you know.]
The voice came again, clear, cold, and inhuman. The two of them, with all their remaining strength, strained to look toward the source. In the shadows of the woods, a blurry, pure white silhouette stood quietly.
[Just make a contract with me, and become a Magical Girl.]
Magical Girl…? What's that? The term sounded ridiculous, but death was imminent. Did they have a choice? If they stayed here, they would just be two more Titan powers for the enemy. They had to report back. Marley was in danger.
I— I wish! Pieck screamed in her mind. To return to Marley! Immediately! Now!!
[The contract is made.]
Vwoom— A flash of white light instantly enveloped Pieck. When it faded, she was gone, leaving only a splash of blood on the ground.
Zeke's heart hammered. It— it really worked?! That white creature… it really has that kind of power?! But he had his own idea. He wanted to see Eren, to confirm Eren's existence. He no longer hesitated, roaring in his mind: "I wish! I wish to be teleported to Grisha's child! To the other Jaeger!!!" See him! Get close! Regain my strength! Then I'll have a chance to complete the Eldian euthanasia plan!
[The contract is made.]
A warm light enveloped Zeke. His broken bones reformed, torn muscles healed. The intense pain faded, and strength flowed back into his limbs. At that moment, a green streak of light flashed from the distance, hovering nearby. Eren Jaeger. He had sensed the two bursts of magical power.
Zeke instantly sensed this new aura and whipped his head around. It was that figure! The soldier who had shattered his boulder! At this point, Zeke had no idea that this was the very brother he had wished to see. And now, his own transformation was complete.
It worked! This is— Zeke was ecstatic, his eyes flying open. The light faded. He moved his restored arms and legs. The power… it's back! I can shift again! He was about to laugh out loud.
But the next second, his expression froze.
He… was still in the same place.
Levi and Mikasa were staring at him, their eyes wide with suspicion and alarm.
And… He stiffly looked down at his own body. His tattered clothes were gone. In their place—was a… bright yellow… puffy short skirt?! With white fuzzy balls on the hem?! And a matching set of puffed sleeves?! And… white, knee-high socks?!
Pfft—!!! Zeke's vision went black, his mind blank, as if he'd just been stepped on by a Titan.
What— what is this?! Why did Pieck get to go back?! Why am I still here?! My injuries are healed, but what am I WEARING?! Where is my brother?!
Ridiculous. Furious. Humiliating. The feelings exploded in his head. He snapped his head up, his bloodshot eyes staring at the white creature in the woods. But it was already gone.
Didn't I wish to see my brother? Could it be… Was I… tricked by that creature?! It tricked me?!