Attack on Titan: Secrets of Marley (SNK x OC)

Chapter 5: Unknown Land

The sun began to sink slowly to the horizon, enveloping Paradis Island in a soft golden light. Shadows stretched across the ground as Gray, Reiner, Bertolt and Annie rode their horses across the arid desert before them. Their silhouettes stood out against the silent landscape, each step of the horses raising clouds of dust that seemed to dance in the twilight.

Gray, his gaze lost in the distance, felt a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety. The sea was now far behind them, and everything around him was unfamiliar. He had never seen such a landscape, so vast and desolate, almost unreal in its stark beauty. The dunes stretched as far as the eye could see, rippling like frozen waves, and the dry air carried with it a sense of solitude, as if this land had been abandoned centuries ago.

The silence between the four young warriors was broken only by the steady breathing of the horses and the rustle of clothing against the saddles. They exchanged few words, each immersed in his own thoughts. The tension was palpable, heightened by the knowledge that every step they took brought them a little closer to their mission, to the wall they had to destroy.

Twilight advanced, and with it came a new freshness, a light wind that made the rare dry grasses quiver and brought with it the smell of salt, reminiscent of the ocean's proximity. The colors of the sky changed from pale blue to pink, then to burning orange, painting the clouds in vivid hues that reflected off the sand below. It was a magnificent sight, but none of them had the heart to admire it.

Their progress continued, relentless, as the day waned. The first stars began to appear timidly in the sky, announcing the imminence of night. Gray glanced from time to time at his companions, seeking comfort in their silent presence. Despite everything, they were together in this ordeal, united by the same goal, by the same desire to return alive from this perilous mission.

Finally, as the moon was already high in the sky and the four warriors continued to advance one after the other, Reiner raised his hand to signal a pause.

- We'd better rest for a while before moving on, he declared in a low but firm voice. We need to be in top shape for what lies ahead.

Gray nodded, carefully unsaddling his horse. He could feel fatigue catching up with him, but he knew they had to be ready.

They settled their gear on the ground and tied their horses against the trees. Annie and Reiner began to set up a campfire while Gray and Bertolt changed and vice versa.

Finally, they exchanged their warrior uniforms, far too conspicuous to be spotted, for simple clothes.

Reiner donned a green vest over a black T-shirt, while Annie swapped her uniform for a pink hoodie. Bertolt donned a brown vest. Finally, Gray donned a gray sweater.

Finally, after a few minutes, they all sat down around the campfire and started grilling some food they'd brought with them from Marley.

- We didn't cover much ground tonight, Gray murmured.

- Can't do much about the clouds, replied Reiner.

There was a pause for a few minutes before Bertolt spoke:

- Will the King really not use the Founding Titan, even if we break the wall?

- What's the use asking now? replied Reiner in a strict voice. Trust Marley's research.

- That's right.... we can't go back now... can we? asked Gray.

- Nah, you're right Gray, we can't, replied Reiner.

- Tomorrow, we'll break through the walls... and then what? continued Gray.

- Huh? asked a puzzled Reiner. Wait... don't tell me you're hesitating to kill the devils? You're having second thoughts after all they've done?!