He suddenly opened his eyes. Yago's whole body trembled, and he subconsciously looked down into his arms. The girl's soft blond hair spilled loose, her nose bridge straight and high, her eyes closed as she curled up in Yago's embrace. Faint breathing sounded by his ear.
Seeing Annie sleeping quietly in his arms, Yago let out a breath. He didn't want to lose Annie again.
His right hand, still able to move freely, clenched into a fist. Feeling the enhanced strength coursing through his body, Yago didn't know why, but he had inexplicably obtained a reinforcement from Annie's Female Titan power.
Yago could feel that if he transformed into a Titan again, his endurance and strength would be greatly improved.
"Mm~"
As if sensing Yago's movement, the sleeping Annie murmured softly. Then, under Yago's gaze, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a pair of somewhat dazed blue eyes met Yago's black ones.
"Ya… Yago?"
Annie froze. Wasn't she supposed to have died in a Titan's mouth? How could she still be seeing Yago?
Looking at Annie's slightly confused expression, something in Yago's heart felt like it had been stabbed hard. Having recovered his memories, the way Yago looked at Annie grew even gentler.
While Annie was still dazed, Yago wrapped his arms around her, as if holding the entire world.
"Annie, promise me—no matter what happens from now on, please don't ever leave me, okay?"
Yago's gentle tone finally made Annie realize she was still alive. She only replied, "Okay," and then hugged Yago back.
Aside from Yago, who already knew Annie's memories, perhaps no one could truly understand the pain and loneliness in Annie's heart.
After a long while, Yago and Annie loosened their embrace. Yago took out a ring from his uniform pocket, held it out in front of Annie, and said with a smile,
"So… can you stop throwing it away? This was the first gift I ever gave you."
Annie covered her mouth in shock. "You… Yago, you?!"
"I remembered. I'm sorry, Annie. I was the one who broke my promise back then. From now on, I swear I'll never miss you again."
Yago spoke solemnly.
Tears slid from Annie's eyes. She looked at the ring in Yago's hand and said in a choked voice,
"No, Yago, you don't understand. I… I'm a devil. I'm not worth it. With Titan power, I can only live seven more years."
Through Annie's memories, Yago also learned that Marley's so-called Warriors were those who inherited intelligent Titan powers. And for some unknown reason, every wielder of Titan power only had thirteen years to live starting from the moment they inherited it.
Yago's gaze was firm. Even if he didn't understand why, he would never lose Annie again.
Yago took Annie's hand and placed the ring on her ring finger, saying in an unquestionable tone,
"If you are a devil, Annie, then I'll personally go to hell and bring you back. From now on, everything is on me!"
Only after putting the ring on did Yago smile and let go of Annie's hand, even though holding her soft hand felt wonderful.
"Besides, I'm also a Titan power holder. Annie, we really are fated."
Only then did Annie realize that Yago could also transform into a Titan. With a worried expression, she asked,
"Yago… are you the Founding Titan?"
If Yago were the Founder, Annie would do everything she could to stop Marley from taking him away. Marley's intent to seize the Founder's Coordinate power was obvious. If Yago were the Founder and was taken back to Marley, it would be almost certain death—and that Warrior Captain had also joined this operation.
Though the Warrior Captain's power was terrifying, Annie was willing to fight him for Yago. It was just that she might never see her father again.
Yago also knew what Annie meant by the Founder. The Founder should be their target—a powerful Titan said to be able to control all Titans.
Under Annie's worried gaze, Yago shook his head.
"No. I'm not the Founding Titan."
Only then did Annie relax. But another question followed. Everyone knew there were nine intelligent Titans in total. Aside from the Armored Titan, Beast Titan, Cart Titan, Jaw Titan, Colossal Titan, Female Titan, and War Hammer Titan controlled by Marley, there should only be the lost Attack Titan and the Founding Titan left. Eren could be confirmed as the Attack Titan.
So if Yago's Titan power wasn't the Founding Titan, then what was it? There had never been any mention of an intelligent Titan beyond the Nine.
Yago extended his hand and looked at his palm.
"I am… the Fate Titan."
"The Fate Titan?"
Annie repeated the name of a Titan she had never heard of.
"That's right—the Fate Titan. I'm the Titan who will change fate!"
Yago stood up and said it instinctively.
...
Annie sat on the tree, lifting her head to look at Yago's upright figure. As the sunlight gradually rose, beneath the giant tree, the Titans that were once again bathed in sunlight became lively, baring their fangs and claws toward Yago and Annie in the tree.
After learning Reiner and Bertholdt's identities, Yago prepared to act immediately. If Eren were taken away by them, it would surely be grim. Compared to the Marleyans who viewed Eldians as devils, Yago was more willing to believe in the people of Paradis Island.
He kicked away the damaged Vertical Maneuvering Equipment at his feet. The device smashed into a ten-meter-class Titan below the tree, making it let out a shrill roar.
Annie also stood up. Her uniform was somewhat torn, exposing her fair arms. When Yago saw this, he immediately took off his own uniform and cloak and handed them to Annie, leaving himself in just a shirt.
"Annie, do you trust me?"
Yago suddenly pressed his hands on Annie's shoulders and asked. Annie fell silent for a moment, then said firmly,
"Yago, I trust you."
Yago said, "Good. Annie, I'll definitely reunite you with Mr. Leonhart!"
"What? How do you know?"
Annie was shocked. The promise between her and her father—how could Yago know?
"Because I'm Yago. Oh right, Annie, you still haven't given me an answer to the question at the city gate that day."
"An answer?"
Annie suddenly remembered Yago's bold public confession that day, and a blush immediately appeared on her face.
"I—"
Before Annie could answer, smack—a soft sound rang out. Yago actually kissed Annie on the cheek.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes!"
Yago suddenly jumped down from the tree.
Bzz!!
Intense yellow lightning appeared. Flesh, blood, and bones formed in midair. Amid massive steam, the Fate Titan, with crimson eyes, opened its mouth full of sharp teeth and roared as it smashed into the cluster of Titans below the tree.
Compared to before, the Fate Titan—enhanced by the Female Titan's power—had become a bit shorter, shrinking from seventeen meters to about fifteen meters. Its body became more well-proportioned, its muscle lines more pronounced, and it moved with greater agility.
More importantly, a crystal-like layer formed over the Fate Titan's fists. With a single punch, it easily smashed a Titan's head.
"That's too much!"
Annie's face was red. Yago's action just now made her feel both shy and happy.
Slash—
A sharp spike cut Annie's finger, and another streak of yellow lightning appeared.
The Fate Titan grabbed a Titan with one hand, about to tear open its nape, but another Titan lunged toward its back. Having gained the Female Titan's crystallization ability, Yago remained completely calm.
But the lunging Titan was suddenly kicked away by a whip-like kick.
The blond Female Titan—has entered the fray.
Inside the Fate Titan's nape, Yago smiled. A strange phrase suddenly popped into his mind: when husband and wife are of one heart, they can cut through metal.
The Fate Titan and the Female Titan roared together and charged toward the dozen Titans blocking their path.
A/N: (╭(＞皿＜)╮ I'm not very good at writing romance scenes. This chapter probably came out a bit awkward—please be forgiving.)
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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