“My name is Darios.” Said the man that had taken Helmeppo’s form. “I was a doctor in a small town once. One day, I sheltered and treated a man that I shouldn’t have. Marley declared me a traitor. Then they made an example out of me.”

We were sitting in the cave I had found earlier. The four followed me after briefly explaining the situation. They didn’t trust me, of course. And were reluctant to follow a stranger. But fear of titans and an unknown territory made them grasp the first hand that offered help. How long had they been roaming around as titans? Could be years. Could be decades. It would be a nightmare either way. Something that would leave anyone in an emotional wreck.

I shifted my gaze to the man seating next to Darios.

“I’m Dante.” After some hesitation, the one transformed into Heppoko spoke up. A tanned skin man with a large forehead, short hair and a goatee. “I was a revolutionary. Someone snitched us out. Our entire group got shipped off to the Paradise, alongside our families. Last thing I remember is… my wife, siblings and comrades being turned into titans right before my eyes.”

That caught my attention.

“That’s… a rough thing to go through. My condolences.” I said. “Dante, if I may ask, what year was that?”

“Year? Well that was…” Dante said. “God, everything’s hazy. It felt like a forever ago and yesterday at the same time. It doesn’t make any sense. I think it was 778.”

“Merry, does that mean anything to you?”

“That was few years before Ymir and cultists got caught. Grisha wasn’t even born yet.” Merry said.

At least we know we aren’t too far from the plot. I can track down timeline by which one got turned earliest. Not the most precise method, but it was only one at my disposal. I didn’t even know what direction the walls were. Blindly roaming the area would be foolish endeavor.

There was a minute of silence before anyone said anything.

“My name is Maxwell.” Said the one with Peppoko’s body. The one with blond hair and a goatee. “I’m a deserter. I was called into the frontlines. Marley sent me on a suicide mission. I run. I got caught, of course.”

I turned to the last man. “What about you?”

“I fucked a noble’s wife.” The main said like that should’ve explained everything. “My name’s Hugo, by the way.”

“You did what?!” Maxwell asked.

“Can’t say I've heard that before.” Darios said. “How does an Eldian seduce a Marleyan woman, a noble nonetheless?”

Hugo just shrugged.

“Anyway,” I said. “We can worry about that later. For now, we have some things to figure out.”

“Right.” Darios said. “It appears we’re indeed in a tough predicament.”

“So, you were the one that turned us back into humans?” asked Dante.

“That’s right.”

“How?” Maxwell asked next.

“I’ve got some strange powers.” I answered. I planned to bring them under my wing. Becoming allies, without some trust, was something only a fool consider. They were going to find out anyway, as we would be working together. “I can take form of certain individuals, as well as turn others into them. There’s a limit, of course. I don’t know full extent of it. But it works. And it can save people like you. Turn you back into humans. Not in back to your original bodies, unfortunately. But it will spare you a fate of a titan.”

“That’s… I’m not sure how to react to such information.” Darios muttered. “Turning a human into a titan is already something beyond my comprehension, but transforming someone's body into another human being, in the middle of nowhere without any equipment, is something that leaves me speechless.”

“That at least explains this strange body.” Hugo noted. “Can we ask some questions?”

“Go ahead. I’ll answer what I find appropriate.”

“Can you turn me into someone better looking?” he asked.

“Not right now. But later? Sure.”

“Can you turn us back into titans?”

“I’ll need to make skin-to-skin contact for that.” I raised my hand, waving it at him.

“We’re at your mercy, then?” Hugo narrowed his eyes.

“Pretty much. Though, you can try your luck out there.” I pointed at the forest. As if on cue, a roar echoed throughout the area. “I wont stop you.”

“Nah, I’m fine.” Hugo said as he returned into his relaxed demeanor. “I don’t think you’re that bad.”

“I’d rather avoid being eaten alive.” Darios said. “Say, mind showing that power in action? I would very much like to see how it works despite defying logic.”

“I don’t mind. I’d rather we travel together for now. We’ll settle once we have more members to support us.”

“Are you planning to turn back more of the titans back, then?” Dante asked, ray of light shinning through his eyes.

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“Yes.”

“Is there a limit of how many?”

“No. But there is a requirement. I need to kill one titan to turn back another.”

“Oh… so you can’t save all of them.” Dante sighed. Still, it was not hard to guess source of his worry.

“Do you still remember their titan forms?” I asked.

“Yes… the events of that day, being forced witness something like that are hard to forget.”

“Be on the lookout. Make drawing of them if you can. If your family and comrades still roams this island as titans, I’ll bring them back.”

“Thanks… I- wait, what do you mean, if?”

“If someone hadn’t killed them already. You do know that people live in this island, don’t you?”

“The so called devils.” Hugo noted. “You’re saying they can kill titans?”

“They can. Some are pretty good at it too.” I replied. “They’ve got interesting gadgets, I’ll tell you about them later.”

“Alright.” Dante nodded. His expression wasn’t as dark as before. “I’ll follow you.”

“I will too.” Maxwell said. “It beats being on the menu. I don’t think it’s a hard choice.”

Maxwell and Darios answered the same.

“I do have one question, though.” Darios said. “Those bodies, are we stuck in them forever?”

“I’d like to know that too.” Maxwell said. “Can we ever get our bodies back?”

“For now, yeah, you guys are stuck with them.” I said. “I don’t know if it’s possible to bring you back in your original bodies.”

“So, what happens now?” Darios asked.

“I need to rest first.” I answered. “Then, We’ll be going out to find more titans.”

----------------------------------------

Next few hours were spent to recover my aura while also answering any remaining questions that the group had. Dante described the titans that I would try and avoid killing, however low chances of encountering them were. But considering the size of his group, at least one of them was sure to show up sooner or later.

When the night fell, I had Merry stand on the watch. Next day, After my reserves fully recovered, we exited the cave. The 24 hour cooldown still hadn’t expired, but I wasn’t in enough danger to warrant standing around. I led the group in front, while others kept lookout for unexpected attacks. Merry hovered in the hair.

It took us more than hour until we came across the first titan.

“Northeast, seven meters tall.” Merry announced. “Doesn’t appear to be an abnormal.”

“What’s an abnormal?” Maxwell asked.

“It’s a titan that doesn’t act like a regular titan.” Merry explained. “They’re unpredictable, and therefore - more dangerous.”

The titan slowly entered into our line of sight. I could see the men becoming anxious at the creature towering above us. It was their first time gazing at it from below, instead of overlooking them from the wall while waiting for their turn before getting injected with the serum.

“Can you really deal with that?” Maxwell asked.

“All I need is a single touch.” I replied. “Stand back.”

They did. And I sprinted forward. The titan shifted its attention towards me. It bent down, moving its hand towards me. I simply high-fived it, sending aura coursing through its body. That was enough to activate the ability. I selected [Superhuman Domingo #1 (F)].

The titan froze and the four watched in disbelief as it began to shrink, and take form of human again.

“It’s safe!” I called out. “Come here, I’ll need you to help me with this.”

Darios was the one to take a step closer, curiosity getting better of him. Hesitantly, others followed. Just in time for the man too come to his sense, and stare us wide-eyed in confusion. This would take some time.

After some explanation, I was shaking hands with the newcomer, Mike. He was a tad elusive about his previous occupation. He only said that he had offended a Marleyan officer and the issue escalated until he had been framed as a traitor. Truthfully, I didn’t really care if he tried to hide anything. I wasn’t picky about their past, as long as they got along. As long as he didn’t bring the group down. And Mike seemed like a good fella. He still, understandably, found this situation overwhelming. All of us could empathize with that. Especially the four that hadn’t even had a day to come in terms with their situation.

“I can’t even find words to describe how I feel right now.” Mike said. “Thank you, truly.”

We took a half an hour stop to give the man much needed piece, as well us others to catch a break.

“So, you’ll be turning other titans back.” Mike said. “What’s the plan next?”

“Once the sufficient number of people are gathered, we’ll find a place to build a settlement.” I said. “That’s when things will get serious. Marley will not leave this place alone. We’ll have to be ready.”

“But… How? We can’t leave this island. Is there anywhere safe here?” Maxwell asked. “I would love nothing more than putting those arrogant bastards in their place, but can we fight them?”

“I will show you that possibility. It’ll be your choice whether you decide to trust me or not, when that time comes. But for now, that’s not a matter worth mulling over.” I answered. “You guys don’t believe that I’m simply doing this out of goodness of my heart, right? We’ll be working together. At least, I hope so. I’ll give you safety and strength. And you’ll help me when I’ll need you to.”

“That’s fair.” Dante said. “Despite your reasons for saving us, I owe you my life. Last thing I could do, is to not doubt you for no reason.”

“But, I have to ask.” Mike chimed in. “You’re strong. What can any of us do to help?”

“Are you worried about not being strong enough?” I asked. Then I picked up a rock size of a tennis ball and threw at him. “Think fast.”

Mike caught it, startled by my sudden action and gave me a confused look.

I didn’t leave my eyes off of him as I picked up similar rock and tightened my grip around it. Using aura to enhance my strength, the rock shattered into pieces.

“Now, you do it.” I gestured at him.

“Um, I don’t think-“

“Stop overthinking it. Just do it. I know you can.”

Mike sighed in frustration, but tried it anyway. He jumped a little when the rock actually broke into pieces.

“Wait what?” Mike gawked at the display of strength he failed to understand. “How?”

“Hey,” Maxwell said. “How come the rest of us can’t do that?”

“Not all of them are equal. I’ll get stronger bodies for rest of you later. Though, you can easily become that string as long as you train.” I said. “Those bodies aren’t normal. Can’t you feel the difference?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it…” Maxwell replied as he flexed his arms. “I do feel a bit stronger than before.”

“You just noticed?” Hugo asked.

“Same here.” Dante said. “It’s really not a wonder, though, considering how long we have been in the form of mindless monsters.”

“I’m actually weaker than before.” Darios said.

“Well, your starting point is lower.” I said. “That said, that body has much better potential, Darios. It’s weak now, but it can get stronger than any of them here.”

“Is that so?” Darios asked with interest. “Does that mean I can bring down titans?”

“Easily. In a single punch, even.” Merry chimed in. “In a few months, though. If you train extra hard.”

“Hear that folks?” Darios laughed. “I’ll be leaving you in dust. Try to catch up.”

That at least brought out couple of chuckles. Merry then explained the rest of them how to train. In short, very, very recklessly. It was nothing complicated, as long as you drove your body to its limits.

I planned to give then better forms later down the road. I couldn’t afford that for now, though. First, I had to raise the number of the group, earn their loyalty, and make them strong enough to be useful for the future plans. Only after solidifying my position here, would I pay visit to the Survey Corps, as well as Grisha Yeager if he was still alive. Though, I couldn’t simply act without caution. The power that the founding titan possessed was not something I could deal with my current abilities. Not in a longshot.

For now though, I simply had to kill more titans.