𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍. AotxMaleOc (Attack on Titan X Tokyo Ghoul)

Darkness

At the Scout line, the deafening tumult unleashed by Annie's earthquake had finally subsided, relinquishing its hold on the city and revealing a landscape marred by devastation. The once-vibrant streets now lay in disarray, a haunting tableau of shattered buildings and twisted wreckage, a silent testament to the destructive power that had swept through Liberio. Meanwhile, Commander Hange was staring at the consequences of explosions, disarrayed that Eren could decide to carry such an inhumane thing to the citizens. Even though the city was engulfed in inky darkness she could see how bad it was from the fires alone. Yet, the thoughts of those didn't get into her head, as she quickly turned back to the soldiers stationed on the roofs who formed the defense line.

Hange: Those explosions will win us some time. Everyone, fall back and recover!

As all of the Scouts rose to their feet from the covers and relayed the order along their rows, the Commander turned to Levi and Joseph, stationed close to her.

Hange: Looks like those explosions played exactly as Eren wanted them to. Are you two ready?

Joseph's index finger cracked with quiet anticipation, while Levi's grip on the briefcase with his Talon tightened. As they exchanged gazes, they and Hange knew that they were prepared to plunge into the impending fray yet again.

Levi: You remember your task, Joseph. But remember, the blonde hairball is mine.

Joseph: I didn't plan to get in your way.

Hange: Deal with their Titans. Me and everyone else will mop up the rest of them.

Joseph: Understood.

Saying this, he turned to Annie, who returned from the battlefield to the main line, still with her Titan marks under her eyes still present.

Joseph: Annie, the Jaw Titan is yours, do whatever you want with him. But do not let him escape from you.

Annie: Yes, Captain.

Gelgar: Good luck, boss.

Ilse: We'll deal with the rest while you are gone.

Hearing the words of belief and his squadmates' pitch made Joseph self-assured himself of the plan's success. He revealed his Kakuja again and with a powerful dash, he launched himself across the rooftops, getting closer to the Marleyan lines. He knew they'd be in shambles because of the explosions - no matter how well their military could be prepared for the attack on their land, underground detonations were not something they could anticipate. With their forces already in disarray and artillery destroyed, white-haired Scout was eager to commit the last blow to them, a final diversion so thick they wouldn't dare to give chase to Scouts, the final act of Eren's plan, as far as the Scouts knew.

Stopping on one of the still-standing building's rooftops, using his ghoul ability to see in the dark, he could observe the scattered Marley forces in the distance and some below him. Thanks to his Kaguja and night vision, Joseph didn't need ODM gear to sneak over, making barely a whisper.

As he leapt from rooftop to rooftop, he looked across the now broken and scarred city. The square where Willy had given his speech was now unrecognizable, chewed up and spit out by the battle. Bodies of soldiers and civilians alike were everywhere, crushed under debris or simply victim to bullets or a Titan's foot. Only a few scattered fires or sparking power lines provided illumination to the terrible scene. To Joseph, the very cause of the landscape he was gazing at, it was better this way, he had caused this, and it was only right that he was the sole one able to see it. He gave a final scan to the once busy spot of the Interment Zon, before jumping forward to his objective.

As the loud noises and rare civilian cries for help were the only noises ringing through the air, he got close to the square of the Marleyen battle line. Usually, he'd have sought refuge on a rooftop, tucked behind a chimney or nestled in debris. But tonight, with the city plunged into darkness, such precautions were unnecessary and such circumstances allowed him to spot his target quickly: the Cart Titan.