The battlefield lay in ruins, the echoes of Kairo’s fierce battle with the Colossal Titan still ringing in his ears. The remnants of the Titan smoldered, a grim reminder of the power he wielded. Yet, as he surveyed the devastation around him, a heavy weight settled in his chest.
Kairo transformed back into his human form, panting heavily. The familiar thrill of victory was overshadowed by a creeping dread. With each transformation, he felt his control slipping further away, his mind teetering on the brink of madness. The last moments of his Behemoth Form haunted him—wild and uncontrollable, thrashing in rage.
As he stepped away from the battlefield, he noticed the expressions of his fellow Valkors. They were a mix of admiration and fear. Kairo couldn’t shake the feeling that they were worried he would become a danger to them, just as much as the Titans they fought against.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the battlefield, carrying with it a whisper that sent chills down Kairo’s spine. “Kairo, what have you become?” It was a voice that resonated within his mind, a haunting echo of his own doubts.
Shaking his head, Kairo forced himself to move forward, but the questions lingered. He sought out Lia, his closest friend, hoping to find solace in her presence. She stood with a group of Valkors, discussing their next move. Her face lit up when she spotted him, but the moment of joy was short-lived as she noticed the turmoil in his eyes.
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“Kairo, you did it! You defeated the Titan!” Lia exclaimed, rushing to him. But there was concern etched across her features. “Are you okay? You looked... different out there.”
“I’m fine,” Kairo lied, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him. “Just tired, I guess.”
“Don’t hide from me,” she said softly, placing a hand on his arm. “I know you’re struggling. The Behemoth Form... it’s powerful, but it’s dangerous. You need to find a way to control it.”
Kairo looked away, guilt gnawing at him. “What if I can’t? What if I end up hurting you or the others?”
Lia’s gaze intensified. “You won’t. You’re stronger than this. Remember why you fight. You’re fighting for our future, for those we lost.”
Just then, a commotion erupted among the Valkors. They were pointing toward the horizon, where the sun dipped low, casting eerie shadows across the land. Kairo followed their gaze, and his heart sank as he spotted a looming figure in the distance. It was unlike any Titan they had faced—a creature that moved with unsettling grace, a dark silhouette against the dying light.
“We need to prepare,” one of the Valkors shouted, fear creeping into his voice. “We can’t let it reach the city!”
Kairo’s resolve hardened. He wouldn’t let fear take hold of him again. “We’ll face it together,” he declared, clenching his fists. “I won’t let this darkness consume me. Not now, not ever.”
As the Valkors rallied, Kairo felt a surge of determination rise within him. But deep down, the voice of doubt whispered again, warning him of the dangers that lay ahead—not just from the Titans, but from within himself.