BRAK!
A loud crash echoed across the battlefield as Eren's body was slammed into the ground, raising a thick cloud of dust. The Armored Titan, Reiner, stood over him in a dominant position, pinning Eren down with brutal strength.
Above them, Bertholdt, in his Colossal Titan form, had jumped down, joining Reiner to ensure that Eren had no chance of escaping.
From a distance, Mikasa and Adam shot down using their ODM gear, piercing through the smoke and debris.
"Don't let them take Eren!" Mikasa shouted, her expression filled with determination.
Adam tightened his grip on his blades, his eyes locked onto Reiner, who was still pressing Eren down.
Behind them, Jean, Sasha, Conny, and Krista also began to move, looking for an opening in the chaotic battle.
Eren vs. Reiner
Inside his Titan form, Eren growled in fury.
He tried to push Reiner's body away, but the Armored Titan was too strong.
"Damn it!" Eren growled, slamming his massive fist into Reiner's arm.
CRACK!
The sound of bones cracking echoed, but Reiner's armor remained intact.
Reiner looked down, his expression calm despite the fractures forming on his Titan's body.
"I already told you," Reiner's voice was low, "You have to come with us, Eren."
Eren refused to accept that answer. With all his strength, he twisted his body to the side, kicking Reiner in the stomach.
BRAK!
The Armored Titan was pushed back a few meters but quickly regained his stance.
Eren, still in a fighting stance, panted heavily inside his Titan form.
"Tsk," Eren clicked his tongue. "Damn armored bastard…"
Mikasa and Adam's Counterattack
Meanwhile, Mikasa and Adam had reached the battlefield.
Mikasa immediately targeted Reiner, dashing toward him with incredible speed.
With a swift swing, her blade struck Reiner's nape.
CLANG!
Sparks flew, but her attack wasn't deep enough to pierce through Reiner's armor.
Reiner turned his head back, glaring at Mikasa.
However, before he could react further…
Adam came from the opposite direction.
Spinning in mid-air, Adam slashed at a slightly exposed part of Reiner's neck.
"Now!" he shouted at Mikasa.
Mikasa immediately struck the same spot!
SLASH!
A small piece of armor chipped away, but it still wasn't enough to cause a fatal wound.
"Damn it!" Adam cursed. "Even with a combined attack, we still can't break through completely."
Realizing that their attacks could be dangerous, Reiner swung his arm forcefully.
BOOM!
The shockwave from Reiner's punch sent Mikasa and Adam flying backward.
Christa Steps Forward
On the other side of the battlefield, Christa watched the fight with a worried expression.
Her hands trembled as she gripped her sword.
"I… I have to do something…" she muttered.
Jean, standing beside her, turned to her with a serious expression. "Christa, we need to stay in a safe position. This is too dangerous."
Christa shook her head.
"But… Adam and the others are fighting with everything they have."
Jean fell silent.
Christa looked straight at Adam, who had just landed hard on the ground after being thrown by Reiner's attack.
In her heart, she knew she couldn't just stand by and watch.
Meanwhile, Bertholdt began to move.
After confirming that Eren was weak enough to be captured, he reverted back to his human form, leaping from the Colossal Titan's nape and landing on Reiner's shoulder.
"We have to leave now!" Bertholdt shouted.
Reiner nodded, then started reaching for Eren's Titan body, trying to take him away.
But then…
SWOOSH!
A shadow shot through the air at high speed.
Mikasa!
With a cold and sharp expression, Mikasa slashed at Reiner's hand that was trying to grab Eren.
Reiner gritted his teeth, but before he could react…
Adam appeared from the other side!
Using a rapid maneuvering technique, Adam stabbed his blade into one of the cracks in Reiner's armor caused by Eren's previous punch.
CRACK!
The crack spread wider!
And at that moment…
Christa stepped forward.
Her eyes were filled with determination. She had realized something important.
"Reiner! Stop!" she suddenly shouted.
Everyone turned toward Christa in shock.
Reiner froze, his expression shifting slightly.
"Is this really what you want?" Christa continued, walking forward fearlessly.
Mikasa and Adam stared at Christa in surprise.
Reiner looked conflicted… for a moment.
But Bertholdt quickly shouted.
"Christa! Stay out of this!"
Christa clenched her teeth, then turned to Adam.
"…Adam," her voice was calm but full of meaning.
"I want to fight alongside you."
Adam's eyes widened, shocked by Christa's words.
Before he could respond, Reiner and Bertholdt refocused on Eren, still trying to take him away.
Adam gritted his teeth.
"We're not done here."
Mikasa nodded firmly.
They leaped back into battle.
The fight continued in full force.
Mikasa and Adam launched relentless attacks to stop Eren's abduction.
But Reiner still held his ground with full strength.
As the battle grew even more intense…
Eren suddenly rose again!
With the last of his strength, Eren delivered another powerful punch to Reiner!
BRAK!
Reiner's armor cracked even more, causing him to lose balance.
At the same time, reinforcements from the Scout Regiment began to arrive!
Seeing that the situation was turning against them, Bertholdt and Reiner ultimately chose to retreat.
"This isn't over!" Reiner shouted before jumping away with Bertholdt.
They managed to escape, but they failed to take Eren.
The Scout Regiment let out a sigh of relief as the battle ended.
Amidst the exhaustion, Christa approached Adam, her eyes still filled with emotion.
"…I don't want to lose you," she whispered softly.
Adam was stunned, staring at Christa in silence.
In that moment of quiet, Christa gave him a gentle smile before walking away.
Adam, still processing what had just happened, could only stand there.