For a fleeting moment, Reiner hesitated.
Combining two Titan powers in one person wasn't the most efficient move.
Ideally, he'd capture this Titan's holder, ship them back to Marley, and let a reserve inherit it.
But they were on Paradis, just starting the hunt for the Founding Titan. Ditching that ultimate goal for this wasn't an option.
So, biting out this Titan's nape and merging two powers was the best play.
"Roar!"
He bellowed, hoisting Rein like a chicken, pinning him to expose that juicy nape.
His armored faceplate split open, revealing a gaping maw.
"Now's the time!"
Rein's eyes blazed with hope.
Feigning helplessness, he'd waited for this exact moment.
The Armored Titan had dropped his guard, convinced this weakling had given up—surrendered his life.
After all, no one defied Marley's shield.
Reiner's hands—one on Rein's head, one on his back—left his most dangerous weapons free: his arms and legs.
That arrogance gave the "defeated" Rein his shot.
He lunged, wrapping his arms around Reiner's waist, legs kicking hard at the Armored Titan's lower half.
Using his legs as a fulcrum, he formed a lever.
Reiner blinked—caught off guard by the weakling's fight. Staggering, he missed the bite and tipped forward.
"Armored Titan!"
Rein yelled, twisting around. Like an octopus, he latched onto Reiner's back, locking his neck and torso tight.
They fused into one, crashing into the water.
"Heh!" Reiner sneered. "Pointless struggling."
What was the use? Just a dying gasp—adding to the tragedy.
All he had to do was stand, and it'd be over.
"What?!"
His hands reached down—and hit nothing. "The bottom's gone? It was only knee-deep!"
"Something's off!"
No lakebed—just Rein dragging him toward the center. Reiner flailed his feet, finding the bottom—only to feel it drop away, sliced like a cliff.
One thin line, and the depth plunged.
His feet teetered on the edge, but his body sank into deep water!
He couldn't swim!
Rein had figured it out when he'd been knocked down earlier—sinking, feeling the lake's hidden drop. He'd faked surrender, luring Reiner in, then unleashed the legendary "Armored Titan" to drag him under.
Second time he'd turned terrain against him.
The tide flipped. The non-swimming Armored Titan, weighed down by armor, sank like a stone.
"Blub blub blub~"
Cold water flooded Reiner's nose and mouth, seeping into his brain. Even tucked in the Titan's nape, he felt suffocation clawing at him.
The more he fought, the faster he sank.
"Let go!" he tried to yell, but gulped water instead.
"Today, I'll take down the Armored Titan!" Rein held his breath, clamping onto Reiner.
He felt the struggle—this insane gamble was paying off!
He'd bet right—not just that Reiner couldn't swim, but that in desperation, he'd ditch his prized armor and escape the nape.
That was Rein's endgame!
The Armored Titan's armor coated everything—especially the nape. Blades couldn't touch it. killing him was harder than any other Titan.
Rein, a mere mortal, lacked the Jaw Titan's crushing teeth. He couldn't pierce that nape.
Only if Reiner popped out could Rein eat him and become the new Armored Titan.
Reiner's thrashing grew frantic. In despair, he slammed elbows into Rein's gut—death throes strong enough to shatter worlds.
Without water cushioning, those hits would've paralyzed Rein.
It hurt like hell! But Rein wouldn't let go—mouth shut, breath tight.
Life or death. His only way out.
Sure enough, thirty seconds later, the Armored Titan's lungs filled. Struggles weakened, elbows lost their bite.
He'd hit his limit!
Rein, pacing his breath, hung on. Eyes locked on the nape, mouth inching closer.
"Come on out, Reiner!"
Hiss hiss hiss!
Steam erupted from the nape—huge bubbles, like the water was boiling.
"It worked!" Rein's heart leaped. "I nailed it!"
Armor faded, flesh melted—a figure was breaking free.
Task complete—intelligent Titan status—today!
He opened his jaws, aiming for the bare nape, and chomped down.
Bang!
Crack!
"What the—?!"
At the last second, a figure burst in, kicking Rein square in the head.
The force dislocated his jaw—he bit air.
Gulping water, he glimpsed a blond guy emerging from the Armored Titan's nape. He reached—but another hand snatched the unconscious Reiner first.
A slim figure, also blond, stared Rein down.
"F-Female Titan!"
Annie—transformed—saved Marley's shield. With a graceful flick, she swam off like a mermaid, hauling Reiner to the surface.
A damn good swimmer.
"Damn it! So close!" Rein fumed, but the game was up. He swam up too.
Splash~
Breaking the surface, he gulped life-saving air. Glancing shoreward, he saw the lithe Female Titan set Reiner down. Another figure stood there—Bertholdt.
The hometown trio, reunited!
"I'm screwed again…" Rein swallowed, turning to doggy-paddle toward the lake's center.
Splash!
A melodic dive.
Annie hit the water again—death closing in.
One near-dead with a sloppy paddle, the other full-strength and cutting through like a fish. The gap was brutal.
Despair—endless despair.
Public Intel: Titans need to breathe and can drown. A drowned Pure Titan's body fully turns to steam.