Author's Note: Hello all! Welcome to Chapter 29! Before Reading, as of today May 3 2024, you will need to go and reread Chapter 25 and the end of Chapter 27! Some important corrections were made to the lore as well as a change to a certain scene in the beginning of Chapter 25 that has to deal with Hunter Titan biology!

This Chapter really focuses on some of the relationships between the characters and sets up some important plot points.

A fair warning, the last scene does have a fair amount of gore.

Also, yay for no 4 year update gap!

Chapter Summary: Summer has arrived to the Hunter's forest. Things are blossoming and awakening.

Rogue Chapter 29

Awakening

Scales shimmered beneath the water's crystal surface. Like jewels they glittered as they gathered the rays of light overhead. The fish swam in the hollow's pond without a single worry of the world. They were completely unaware of the large green eyes that stared at them intensely from above. Atlas sat poised at the pond's edge, the titan's ears erect and his body hunched over in preparation. The Hunter's teeth clacked together, a chirping sound coming from his mouth, sheer excitement. Then, like the large cats that roamed the forest, he lunged. Water sprayed his body and face, waves rolling across the pond. Fish flew and scattered in all directions, but none fell into his grasp. A loud squeal came from the titan as he leaped forward again, landing upon all fours in the center of the small body of water. Atlas angled his neck to stare hard into the rippling liquid, waiting for the unsteady and reflective surface to calm before he could plot his next move. Gradually, the pond quieted and the fish became visible once more. With irises blown wide and an inquisitive rumble vibrating from his chest, Atlas watched a large whiskered fish, a catfish as Titus had taught him, swim circles around his wrists. Suddenly, the fish seemed to notice his gaze and darted to his legs, provoking the titan to quickly reach under him. However, the move was clumsy and Atlas tumbled to his side, whipping up a set of waves that swept over the banks of the pond and left him drenched. He paid no heed to his soaking locks and skin, he was bound to make the catfish his prized catch!

With lively greens catching sight of his chosen prey, Atlas charged again. Walls of water met the nearby mossy boulders as the titan darted in various directions. Nutritiously, he had no use for the catfish as Hunters only ate Mindless titans. He was really only hunting the small swimming creature just to prove that he could indeed catch something so challenging to hunt. The titan's thrilled vocals echoed off of the walls of the hollow as he continued his strikes and pounces, growling at a high pitch with each unsuccessful attempt. Lacking scales, he had come to discover that catfish were very slippery as with each victory the fish would quickly escape through his fingers. Atlas lunged again, and finally encased his hands around the creature. The Hunter rumbled proudly at his catch, but then realized that he now had to finish what he started.

With a quick notion, Atlas scooped his hands and launched a torrent of water and the fish itself into the air. The titan roared playfully, reaching to snag the catfish but was soon met with the same dilemma. For the umpteenth time, the fish slipped from between his fingers. Quickly, Atlas attempted to catch the fish before it could return to the safety of the pond, but he was only able to bat it up skyward again. He reached, but his prey only fell through his fingers. The titan swung, forcing the catfish to travel to the heavens.

"ATLAS?"

At the ever familiar voice, Atlas went rigid. Green eyes met an amused looking Titus who stood at the other side of the hollow's pond, the Hunter completely ignoring the flailing catfish as it bounced from his drenched scalp and back into the waiting waters of the pond. Atlas stared owlishly at the unexpected visitor, looking comical but confused as to why Titus was here. It was supposed to be a free day with no training and he did have some personal plans he was going to tend to.

Titus lifted his chin, tilting his head and angling his ears. "WHAT... WERE YOU DOING?" His Mentor questioned finally, clearly amused at his display.

Atlas only hummed, following his response with a shrug. In truth, he was glad that he didn't have the words to explain this one. He just felt like vanquishing at least one of the fish in his pond to say that he had done it. He wanted to say that he was able to hunt what would be a most difficult catch. If he had the ability to tell Titus, the titan would likely have a bit of a belly laugh and his face would dust red with embarrassment. Instead, he decided to turn the tables and project his quiet query of why his Mentor had decided to pay him an unexpected visit. After making a series of grunts and points, Titus only rumbled and gestured for him to meet him at the peak overlooking the pond that was just outside the entrance to his den.

"I KNOW... THIS IS NOT... YOUR... TRAINING DAY... BUT I HAVE DECIDED... TO SHOW YOU... SOMETHING ... THAT WILL COME IN HANDY... FOR THIS MONTH'S... TRAINING, ATLAS. COME! I KNOW... YOU WANTED... TO HAVE FUN... BUT YOU... WILL THANK ME LATER!"

Now that he was intrigued by Titus's news, Atlas stood from his position in the lake. The titan took a moment to shake his head to rid his locks of water before making his way up the grassy knoll towards the small outcropping afore his nest. As the winter has passed and so did the spring, summer had come to the Hunter Titans' forest. During the time that had passed, he had been very busy learning the more complex aspects of combat. He was just beginning to learn how fight against two intelligent titans. The fighting style of his Mentor he was picking up quickly where he would admit that the low style that Jade specialized in he needed to practice further. Ever since he had been training in combat, he had been working diligently for the past several months. His strength was difficult to rival and his speed was formidable. Lately, Titus was now teaching him what he called 'advanced techniques' and it was likely possible that he was now walking into just that.

At the grassy ledge, Atlas watched as Titus placed himself upon his rump and folded his legs beneath him. The titan took a moment to get comfortable, green eyes watching as he pulled out from beneath him one of Atlas's many findings and placed it aside before gesturing adjacent from him. "TAKE... A SEAT... MY ADVANCER."

The younger titan obeyed and sat across from his Mentor. Atlas raised a brow in suspicion. He was still unsure of what Titus was planning. However, he remained in favor of not questioning the titan as he would likely provide an answer soon enough. Inquisitive greens observed as Titus relaxed even further before clearing his throat.

"TODAY... I WANT TO... TEACH YOU... SOME TECHNIQUES ON... REGENERATION."

Atlas sat a bit straighter at the announcement. Regeneration. It was something that titans could do naturally, but with Titus he had always noticed an odd fact. During some of their sparring sessions he had taken note that his Mentor seemed to heal at a much faster rate that he could. Perhaps this was one of the things he was about to learn. He felt his body heat up in excitement. Knowing how to heal himself faster would be a game changer in the heat of battle. It would also give him the upper hand the coming duels.

"NOW... THERE IS ONLY... ONE WAY TO TEACH... REGENERATION. ATLAS... PLEASE HOLD UP A... FINGER."

At the request, Atlas complied and held up a single digit. However, before he could even ask, Titus moved – swinging his arm outward so quickly and forcefully that it sliced his pointer finger clean off only for it to fly into the pond below. Atlas hissed in both pain and disapproval, instinctively trying to nurse the wound. The titan's tongue emerged from his teeth and began to lick away the blood, green eyes looking at Titus with distain. Was that truly necessary? The older titan only huffed.

"SORRY... BUT AS I SAID... THERE IS... ONLY ONE WAY TO... TEACH REGENERATION." Titus began as he then gently took Atlas's wrist and pulled it away from his nursing tongue. "AND THAT... IS BY SEVERING THE LIMB. I... DIDN'T THINK YOU... WOULD WANT... TO BITE YOUR OWN FINGER OFF." Titus spoke apologetically. Atlas snorted in retort but then sighed. Titus did have a point and he was teaching him something that he had been yearning to know. There was no need for him to be standoffish so his inquisitiveness quickly returned. For a moment, Titus observed Atlas's slowly steaming stump before holding up his own pointed finger. "YOU MAY... DO THE HONORS... ATLAS."

Realizing that this was his Mentor's way of an apology and part of the lesson itself, Atlas smirked and raised his arm and swung his hand in a brutal chop, clipping the digit off cleanly and the finger dropping unceremoniously onto the grass. Titus nodded in approval and cleared his throat to officially begin. "AS... YOU KNOW ALL TITANS... CAN REGENERATE. HOWEVER... WE HUNTERS... HAVE THE ABILITY... TO CONTROL... OUR REGENERATION."

The Advancer's ears pricked forward with great intrigue. He knew it!

"BY USING... OUR STORED ENERGY... WE ARE ABLE TO EITHER SPEED UP... OR SLOW DOWN THE REGENERATION PROCESS. DURING COMBAT... THIS IS A TECHNIQUE THAT... MUST BE USED STRATEGICALLY. REGENERATING LIMBS IN BATTLE LIKE... HANDS... AND ARMS CAN BE DONE WHEN... YOU HAVE AN OPEN... WINDOW. IT IS EVEN POSSIBLE... TO REGENERATE IN... SECONDS." Titus paused, amber eyes adverting to his finger. Atlas watched as the base of the digit suddenly emitted a large puff of steam and miraculously a new finger grew extraordinarily quickly. The younger titan's breath hitched. He had never seen a titan heal so fast! He was absolutely astounded! During their sessions, Titus would heal his missing limbs, but never almost instantaneously! Atlas couldn't help but grunt enthusiastically, but then his eyes caught the slight look of fatigue on the Mentor's face. Atlas blinked in thought. Titus did say that it took their body's energy and it must be done strategically. Perhaps the repercussion was why. To his amazement, Titus put the newly formed finger into his mouth and bit it off, discarding the finger once again in the grass nearby. Titus then resumed his stern look once again. "WHAT YOU SAW... WAS RAPID REGENERATION. IT IS DONE... BY FOCUSING... NEARLY ALL OF YOUR... STORED ENERGY... INTO THAT ONE POINT... TO HEAL. ALTHOUGH... IT IS HANDY... IT HAS DRAWBACKS. BECAUSE... IT USES ALMOST... ALL OF YOUR... ENERGY... IT IS RARELY USED... IN ACTIVE COMBAT. IF YOU... ARE WEAK IN BATTLE... YOU GREATLY RISK DEATH. SO... THIS IS ONLY DONE... WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE... AWAY FROM... YOUR FOE. MOST HUNTERS... ONLY USE IT... TO REGROW LIMBS... TO MAKE AN ESCAPE. WHICH... IS WHY... YOU HAVE NOT SEEN... ME USE IT BEFORE."

Atlas nodded in understanding. It made sense. If his Mentor was rendered fatigued by just regenerating a finger in mere seconds, he could only imagine the strain of regenerating a whole limb. It was no wonder why Hunter's didn't seem to use it in combat – an Advancer could pass out in the middle of battle which would spell their doom if fighting a Strange One or a Horde. It was a risky endeavor indeed.

"RAPID REGENERATION... IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT... IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LEARN. MANY HUNTERS... ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IT. AND... SOME... DO NOT... EVEN LEARN IT SINCE... IT IS SELDOM USED. I... PERSONALLY BELIEVE... IT CAN SAVE... YOUR LIFE... IN A DIRE SITUATION. SO... I WILL TEACH IT TO YOU... ONCE YOU... HAVE LEARNED... AND MASTERED... THE BASICS." Titus paused to salivate his throat before pressing on. "NOW... ACTIVE REGENERATION... IS WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN ME USE IN COMBAT. IT IS SIMPLY... SPEEDING UP... THE HEALING PROCESS. THE RATE... OF SPEED DEPENDS... ON YOUR AMOUNT OF CONTROL... AND FOCUS. THIS... IS WHAT MOST HUNTERS USE. LIKE... RAPID REGENERATION... IT REQUIRES YOUR STORED ENERGY... BUT DEPENDING... ON THE SPEED YOU... REGENERATE... YOU WILL STILL HAVE STRENGTH TO FIGHT. OBSERVE."

Atlas watched as what was left of Titus's finger began to emit more steam. Green eyes beheld as bone began to sprout from the stump with muscles and tendons quickly forming around it. Skin began to coat muscle and veins. Atlas hummed in awe. It was amazing to see the technique up close! His eyes then traveled to his own finger which had only healed just past his knuckle during the duration of Titus's explanation. It was nothing short of incredible what Titus was able to do and he was eager to learn how.

A smile grew upon the Mentor's face as the tip of the nail finished upon his regenerating finger. "THAT... WAS ACTIVE REGENERATION. THE SPEED... IN WHICH THAT... IS DONE... IS A GOOD ONE TO STICK WITH. BUT... IF YOU WANT TO CONSERVE ENERGY... IT MAY BE DONE SLOWER. ACTIVE REGENERATION... AS I STATED... IS WHAT IS USED... MOST IN COMBAT. IT ALLOWS YOU... TO HEAL QUICKLY... BUT REMAIN IN... STABLE CONDITION TO FIGHT. NOW," Titus paused to sever the same finger once again, completely ignoring the blood and discomfort before continuing. "LASTLY... THERE IS ZERO... REGENERATION. THIS IS WHERE... YOU HOLD BACK HEALING. THIS... MAY SEEM STRANGE... BUT IT IS ALSO... DONE STRATEGICALLY IN COMBAT... TO CONSERVE ENERGY OR TO EVEN... FAKE OUT YOUR... FOE SO THEY BELIEVE YOU ARE... TOO WEAK TO FIGHT. IT IS DONE... BY DIRECTING ENERGY TO... OTHER PARTS OF... YOUR BODY... AND NOT FOCUSING ON... THE WOUND ITSELF. THIS... IS AN EASY TECHNIQUE TO LEARN. WATCH."

Atlas examined as Titus's finger suddenly ceased steaming, simply remaining as a bloody stump. He himself had never heard or seen a Hunter stop the regeneration process, but he supposed that it did have some benefits. Steam then emitted from the would again and Titus willed the finger to regrow. The older titan then neatly placed his hands into his lap before beginning once again.

"THOSE... ARE WHAT MENTORS CALL... THE THREE FORMS... OF REGENERATION. CONTROLLING...SOME FORMS OF REGENERATION... IS A DIFFICULT THING TO LEARN. BUT... WITH YOUR... STRONG WILL... I THINK YOU... WILL SUCCEED... ATLAS. THIS IS ALSO... SOMETHING... I WANT YOU... TO WORK ON... IN YOUR... SPARE TIME. NOW... LETS... START WITH ACTIVE REGENERATION. ATLAS LETS... OH." The older titan hesitated, gesturing to his hand before letting out an amused huff. "LOOKS... LIKE I SPOKE... TOO SLOWLY. YOUR... FINGER... HAS GROWN BACK."

Blinking in surprise, Atlas looked to his hand to see that Titus was correct. His finger had already regrown. Atlas gritted his teeth in determination, knowing what needed to be done, the young titan lifted his finger to his maw to place it between his teeth. With a deep breath, Atlas bit down as hard and fast as he could. With a sickening crunch, his index finger was separated from the rest of his hand and crimson sprayed his face. The titan then spat out his finger and held up his hand, eager to begin the lesson. Titus beamed proudly.

"GOOD. YOU WILL... ASLO BE GLAD... WE ARE STARTING SMALL... ATLAS. NOW...BREATHE SLOWLY AND... FOCUS ON YOUR FINGER. WILL... YOUR FINGER TO HEAL FASTER."

At last it was his turn. With a deep breath before exhaling, Atlas adverted his gaze to his severed finger. Green eyes remained hooked onto the slowly steaming stump, staring with incredible intensity. The titan breathed slowly, his heartbeat echoing in his ears. Heal. Heal, he thought. Atlas focused harder, not seeing the increase in steam or any change in the rate of regrowth. The titan's eyes narrowed and brow furrowed. A jet of steam left his nostrils as he focused even harder. Heal! Heal! Still, to his dismay there was nothing. Atlas growled lowly, zeroing in on his finger harder still. Titus had made it look so easy. Undenounced to the young titan, he had forgotten to breathe. Suddenly, his head began to hurt and a wetness began to drip from his nose. The Mentor's face lit up with alarm.

"STOP ATLAS."

At the words, he halted, lungs heaving. His hand quickly snaked to his nose to wipe his maw. Green eyes widened in shock at his now blood covered hand, nose bleeding. Embarrassingly, the titan licked away the crimson liquid and held his snout. What had he done wrong?

"YOUR MISTAKE... WAS FORGETTING TO BREATHE... YOU WERE ALSO FOCUSING BUT NOT... CHANELLING YOUR ENERGY... TO YOUR FINGER. CHANNELING... YOUR ENERGY... IS KEY ATLAS. NOW... TRY AGAIN... WHEN READY."

Atlas sighed, fingers double checking his nose to discover that the bleeding had ceased. The young titan then looked to his hand again and took a deep breath before beginning. His frame relaxed as he breathed slowly and steadily. Eyes remained hooked to his steaming stump. Energy. He needed to channel his energy. But how was this done? Did he just need to think of his hand and will his finger to heal? Deciding that it seemed like the most plausible method, Atlas proceeded with his plan. However, to his dismay there was no change in his healing at all. His body was still doing things naturally. Confused as to why his attempt was futile, Atlas took his attention away from his current task to his Mentor. The titan grunted in question, gesturing to his body and then to his digit in hopes that the other would understand. Titus nodded.

"TO CHANNEL YOUR ENERGY... YOU MUST FEEL ALL THE CONNECTIONS... IN YOUR BODY. FEEL EVERY STRAND OF MUSCLE. FEEL YOUR TENDONS. FEEL... YOUR NERVES. FEEL... YOUR HEART BEATING. FEEL... YOUR STOMACH. OUR BLOOD IS... PUMPED BY THE HEART. OUR... BELLY BURNS WHAT WE EAT INTO... ENERGY. THAT ENERGY... FLOWS THROUGH... OUR MUSCLES AND BLOOD. WHEN... CHANNELING YOUR ENERGY... TO WHERE WE NEED IT... START... FROM YOUR CHEST FIRST... AND LET THE ENERGY... FLOW TO THE TIP OF YOUR FINGER. DO THIS... WITH A STEADY BREATH... AND STRONG WILL. TRY AGAIN... ATLAS."

The titan hummed in thought before initiating his task once again. Atlas breathed slowly. His chest. He absorbed the feeling of every rise and fall, every thud of his heart. He exhaled, felling the muscles and tendons in his left arm twinge all the way to his fingertip. The titan inhaled, controlling his breath and feeling his blood flow in his veins. Heal. Heal. Heal. Suddenly, a stinging sensation festered in the severed stump. Steam began to rise faster and to his amazement the bone began to sprout much faster and was soon swarmed with muscle and tendons. Skin soon covered the finger and his claw regrew to its fullest, all in a matter of seconds. Atlas trilled, waving his new finger about for his Mentor to see. Titus chuffed.

"WELL DONE! YOU... DID THAT NICELY. AND," The older titan took a moment to examine him, looking closely at his face and frame. "IT LOOKS LIKE... THAT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH ENERGY... FROM YOU."

Atlas paused in his celebration to look upon Titus before looking back to his newly formed finger. The titan was right. He didn't feel any strain at all. He felt perfectly normal. Titus pulled at his beard in thought.

"PERHAPS... YOU HAVE NOT... ONLY BEEN GIFTED... A STRONG AND PROPORTIONAL BODY... BUT YOU HAVE GREAT STAMINA... AS WELL. OR MAYBE... YOUR BODY... DOES NOT... REQUIRE AS MUCH ENERGY... TO REGENERATE. IT... IS VERY INTERESTING. WHY... DON'T WE TEST THIS? IT... WILL BE A GOOD THING... TO LEARN AS YOU PERFECT ACTIVE... REGENERATION. TRY AGAIN... ATLAS. LET'S SEE... WHAT YOU CANN DO."

Again and again he practiced, following Titus's instruction. He directed the flow of energy to various severed fingers and willed himself to regenerate. His timing grew more refined with each digit. On his fifteenth finger, Atlas began to feel the strong tug of fatigue, a slight sense of dizziness settling in as his finger completed regeneration. Titus nodded in approval.

"STILL... FEELING ALRIGHT? FEEL... LIKE TACKLING SOMETHING BIGGER?"

Atlas lifted his head, excited that Titus felt satisfied with his progress to move onto something more challenging – but the sudden movement caused the dizziness to hit him full force. Lightheaded and the world spinning, Atlas fell forward from his seated position. His fall was quickly stopped by Titus's waiting embrace. Atlas groaned, shutting his eyes tightly as he tried to get his wooziness under control. The older titan huffed, hand patting his back.

"AH... LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE... HIT YOUR LIMIT! FIFTEEN... SEEMS TO BE YOUR... CURRENT... NUMBER. IT SEEMS... THAT THE LATTER... WAS RIGHT. YOUR... BODY DOESN'T USE AS MUCH... ENERY... TO REGENERATE. FROM... TRAINING... WITH YOU... YOUR... STAMINA IS HIGHER... THAN MOST HUNTERS. BUT... THE LOSS OF BLOOD... WEAKENS YOU... ALL THE SAME. MOST TITANS I... HAVE TAUGHT THIS TOO, USUALLY GET... TO YOUR STATE... AT EIGHT FINGERS... ON THEIR FIRST TRIES. THE... MORE YOU PRACTICE... AND CONTROL YOUR ENERGY... I BELIEVE... YOU WILL BE ABLE TO REGENERATE WITH INCREASED... SPEED FOR A BIT LONGER. OF COURSE... WITH ENTIRE LIMBS... AND THE INJURY... BIGGER... HOW LONG... BEFORE FATIGUE SETTLES IN MAY... BE DIFFERENT."

Atlas grunted softly in understanding. Bracing himself he sat back up. He griped his head, blinking several times before the faintness subsided. Titus was certainly correct. If he could control his energy, expel it little by little he could get better results. This was definitely something he was to add to his times of private practice. Feeling fingers ruffling his scalp, Atlas opened his eyes to see Titus expressing and easy smile.

"WELL... YOU ARE DOING GOOD. I... KNOW... THAT THIS DAY... IS AN OFF DAY FOR... YOU... SO WE WILL STOP... FOR NOW. I... WILL START... A MORNING... SESSION ON REGENERATION FOR YOU... TWICE A WEEK. I ALSO... WANT YOU TO... PRACTICE BY... YOURSELF. AT... THE END... OF THE MONTH... I WILL PUT YOUR SKILLS TO THE... TEST." Titus then stood from his seated position, taking the time to stretch. "HUMANS... TEND TO... HUNT THE MOST... THIS TIME OF YEAR. I... AM SURE... EREN MAY BE OUT HUNTING."

Atlas chirped at the information. That was right, before Titus came he was considering going to search for Eren. During the winter months he had come to learn that the humans only ventured outside the Village on rare occasions to hunt. Spring was to mostly plant crops. Summer was for harvesting the fruits and prime time hunting. After reuniting with him during the winter, he was looking forward to meeting with him once again to make good on their proposal to hunt together.

"FAREWELL... MY ADVANCER. WE SHALL MEET LATER." Titus announced his departure, motioning to leave his hollow. Atlas flopped to lay upon his back, taking the moment to watch the canopy above as he recuperated.

This was certainly shaping up to be an interesting day.

The summer sun descended down upon the Hunters' territory, bringing with it not only heat but a warm hue that seemed to illuminate and highlight every inch of the landscape. Flowers were all in full bloom and leaves were the greenest. Lives big and small were the most active, not burdened by the process of waking up or foraging for food to stock for the winter. The intense rays warmed his skin, rejuvenating his energy that he needed returned from his unexpected session of training. The heat was gentle on his shoulders and back, it was a comforting warmth that he always relished in once summer had come to the wood. Atlas walked through the forest with little worry. This was a peaceful area in their territory where the canopy parted to allow the blue sky to peek at the earth below. The titan sighed blissfully. Everything was always so beautiful this time of year.

His new objective was to locate Eren to determine if he was out hunting. Titus had told him once in passing that humans hunted certain animals at certain times of the year. During the summer they would harvest ducks, hogs, and deer. The largest of game was elk which they hunted in the winter and summer. The large deer like creatures resided mostly west - right where he had recently had his reunion with Eren. It would be an ideal place to start looking. Hopefully, the young man had decided to stalk the forest for prey today. He could certainly help Eren hunt and perhaps Eren would teach him some of the Sign Language that he spoke of during their meeting.

If he learned that, it would likely feel like euphoria – he would finally communicate with words.

Atlas huffed to himself at the very idea. Hopefully things would be in his favor. The titan paused in his step and lifted his chin to sniff, sampling the air to see if he could detect Eren's scent rolling in from the west. To his dismay, he wasn't close enough to make a solid determination. He would have to travel further in the direction that he was heading. However, there was a collection of scents that were not only fresh but very close in proximity. Thankfully, they were the familiar musk of Hunter Titans and when high pitched sounds of huffing and chuffing met his swiveling ears, Atlas knew just who his new pursuers were.

Pups.

Atlas smiled to himself in cunning, purposely not turning to face them. Judging by the sounds of their hushed vocals, he could easily tell where they were positioned and they were intent on staying hidden. It appeared that he was now the prey to some very determined little beasts. Deciding to cater to their game, Atlas ignored them and proceeded to walk forward at an easy pace. Atlas rumbled in good nature, still paying no heed to those trailing him. Anytime now they would make their move to take him.

"GREEN EYES!"

Atlas halted his gate, looking down just in time to see a collection of pups approach him enthusiastically, two of which jumping up to wrap themselves around his calves. Their sounds of mirth were like a melody to his ears. There were seven of them, some were second years while some were yearlings – the youngest pup just a few weeks old and fresh from the den. Atlas smiled broadly, huffing as the little titans gathered around him. He always welcomed their company for pups never judged him. He found them endearing.

"HIS NAME... HIS REAL NAME... IS ATLAS!" One of the second year pups spoke from his position upon his leg, Atlas recognizing him as Conado – a pup who had found great interest in him since the beginning and never listened to his mother's wishes not to engage him. It had been a while since he had seen the pup, so Conado's presence was a very welcome distraction. Atlas chuffed loudly and bent over to ruffle the heads of the young titans who had his legs in embrace. The two chortled and left their positions to join the others as a small spectating crowd. The Advancer then squatted down to their level, the pups trilling and growing even more excited to be in his presence.

"SSSOO... HISS NANNE IS NOTT GEEN EYESSS... BUT ATLASS?" A small female asked. Conado nodded fervently.

"YES INKA! GREEN... EYES... IS ATLAS! HE... IS A BIG... AND FIERCE... ADVANCER!" The little male described, making his heart flutter at the compliment. "LOOK... AT HOW BIG... HIS MUSCLES ARE!" Conado continued to exclaim, the pup wrapping his hands as best as he could around his arm. Playing along, Atlas, flexed his bicep - the muscles bulging beneath his tanned flesh and the notion, as simple as it was to him, lifted Conado up to where his toes no longer met the grass. At the action, the small statured crowd gasped before huffing in glee. Atlas purred.

"YOUUU.... WERE RIGHTT... CONADOO... HE IS BIGG!"

"ATLAS... HUGE!" One of the yearlings emphasized as they spread their arms to gesture at his stature, the pup falling over at the action.

"BIGG! BIGG!"

Atlas huffed, allowing the pups to examine him up close. Some grabbed at his toes and arms while others tried to climb up and seat themselves upon his knees. This was indeed a welcome distraction to the day's schedule.

"ATLAS!" Conado began again after tumbling from his arm. "TITUS... SAID YOU HAD A... BIG ROAR! CAN YOU... ROAR FOR US!"

The Advancer lifted his brow, bemused. He didn't think anyone but his Mentor and Jade knew he could roar. Had Titus, let the fact slip from his tongue?

"OHH! YEAH... I WANTT... TO HEARR HINN... ROARR TOO!"

"HEE... CAN ROAR? I THOUGHTT... HE COULDD... NOT TALK?" The young female, who he now knew as Inka, asked Conado with her brows raised comically in suspicion. The little male huffed at the query.

"OF COURSE... HE CAN! TITUS SAID SO! HE... HAS THE LOUDESTT ROAR! AND... I HEARD IT SOUNDS COOL!"

"EII...HEARD DATT... TOO!"

"MY DADD... SAIDD IT WASS REALLEEE... LOUDD!"

"CAN.... YOU ROAR... FOR US ATLAS?"

The pups afore him beheld him with great anticipation and adoration. They held their breaths and stood on their toes. Atlas smirked in cunning. Yes, Titus had certainly been telling some stories. He dipped his head to signal his comply to their needs and stood. All was quiet as the pups continued to observe. Atlas inhaled, chest expanding greatly with every muscle pulling and shifting at the growth of his lungs. If they wanted a show he was going to give them one that they would not forget. Finally, the Advancer threw back his head and released an earthshattering roar, conveying all of his emotions into one bellow that illustrated his soul. Limbs trembled overhead and stones vibrated in their resting spots. A few small hands snaked up to ears while others listened in awe. His roar then died down into a deep growl before the vocal evolved into a rumbling purr of amusement. The pups then began to excitedly hop up and down and produce many squeals in exhilaration. Again, Atlas lowered himself to squat to their level – looking forward to the coming feedback.

"WOOOOW! THATTT... WASSS AMAZINNGG!"

"HE... DOES HAVE A BIGG ROAR!"

"EII WANNNT... TO ROARR LIKE ATLASS TOOO!"

"I CAN... ROAR WATCH!" One of the smaller pups proclaimed, tilting his head back to release a loud but embarrassing squeak.

Atlas huffed, a grin pulling at the corners of his maw. He absolutely loved moments like these when he came across the pups.

"THATT... WASNNT A ROARR... AT ALL! YOU...SQUEAKEDD!"

"SEE?" Conado began again. "THE RUMORS... WERE RIGHT! ATLAS... CAN ROAR... AND ROAR THE LOUDEST!"

The Advancer purred, humbled. It was something that he did find ironic. He couldn't speak at all and yet he apparently had a roar that dominated the others. He could remember Titus's reaction to it clearly after he discovered it during special training. The older titan had been stunned and had even instructed him to open his maw so he could determine why. Titus had discovered the half formed vocal chords allowed more air to pass through which was likely the cause. Yes, it was truly bizarre and incongruous indeed.

"HE... CAN'T TALK... BUT HE CAN ROAR!" Another pup went on. "I... WONDER... IF I WILL ROAR... LIKE ATLAS SOME DAY!"

"I HOPE... I WILL ROAR... JUST AS... BIG AND... LOUD AS YOU... ATLAS." Conado turned to address him. "I... WANT THE EARTH... TO SHAKE.... AT MY CALL!" The little titan beamed broadly at him. Atlas huffed and lifted a hand to ruffle the pup's hair, the little titan purring proudly. Conado had the determination and a vibrant soul. No doubt the pup would have a nice roar.

"I'MM... GOINGG TO TELLL... DA OTHERSS! TITUSS... WAS RIGHTT!"

"I... WANTT TO COME!"

Atlas continued to observed as one by one they ran back into the brambles in excitement – likely to spread the word of their discovery. Inca soon followed, leaving only Conado behind. The pup looked up to him and suddenly gestured for the Advancer to come closer. Eager to please the young Hunter, Atlas lowered his head, but to his surprise, Conado stood upon the tips of his toes and pressed his brow into the older titan. Atlas's eyes widened at the unexpected act – the greeting traditionally given between Advancer and Mentor. His cheeks flushed. It was incredible the way the pup saw him. Maybe one day there was a chance that he could be a Mentor to Conado who would be his Advancer. The very idea made his ears wiggle.

"THANK... YOU FOR... THE ROAR... ATLAS. IM GOING TO GO... TELL... MOTHER... ABOUT YOU!"

Recalling just how the pup's mother viewed him, as a stupid creature, Atlas was all for Conado to spread the good word. He agreed with a blunt and confident grunt. The pup chirped a farewell and then began to make his way past the tree line. Atlas hummed to himself in satisfaction as he stood. Things were on the upside for him. Now that he was alone again he needed to focus on locating Eren.

However, before he could lift his chin to begin his task of sampling the air for scents, a rustle and footsteps met his ears. Atlas then turned to see that Jade had emerged from the dense foliage. She had a relaxed look about her. The female titan's gate was slower and her arms were folded behind her in a casual manner. The skin at the corners of her lipless maw was pulled into an easy smile. How long had she been watching him?

"GOODDD... NORNINGG ATLASS. TITUSS... GIVING YOUU... A BREAKK?"

He nodded as the two began to walk the natural path. Jade's smile began to grow a bit broader.

"EII... WASS ONN MYY WAYY... TO MEETT... STRIXX... BUT I SAW... YOU... WITHHHH THOSE PUPPS... AND... I COULDD... NOT HELPPP BUTT TOO WATCHH." Jade expressed her mirth lightly but warmly. "TITUSS... DIDD SHAREE NEWSS OFF YOURR... ROARR WITHH... OTHERR PACKK... MEMBERRS. HE... IS VERYYY PROUDD." Jade patted his shoulder, making his face flush a little redder. He grunted in thanks.

Atlas then expected her to continue but oddly, Jade kept quiet as they continued to walk. Green eyes watched the female titan as they proceeded forward with no destination in mind. It was definitely not a trick played by the sunlight, but Jade's cheeks were flushed pinker and her smile was only slight. Atlas's ear flickered in intrigue. Was there something on her mind? Before he could bump her shoulder or make another gesture, the female Hunter cleared her throat, eyes still looking forward.

"ATLASS... DO YOUU... WANTT PUPSS... OF YOURR OWNN SOMEDAYY?"

The Advancer's breath hitched, brows comically lifting. He knew she had a burning question perhaps – just not a query like this. Atlas turned with a questioning warble to see Jade looking at him in amusement. He could feel his face heating up. She chuffed, obviously finding his reaction humorous.

"I... ANN JUSST TALKINGG... YOU ARR GOODD... WITHH PUPSS. THEYY LOOKK UPP TOO YOUU. SO... WOULDD... YOUU WANTT A FAMILEE... OF YOURRR OWNN?"

Atlas adverted his gaze forward, mind milling over Jade's question. The crimson on his face deepened. Jade then elbowed him jokingly.

"YOU DOO... DON'TT YUU ATLAS?"

He lowered his head, grinning softly. He finally responded with a nod. Of all the things he did want in the world it was a family. The concept was a foreign one to him – a thing that he never got to experience like the other Hunters had. He has been cast off at birth by a mother and father who hated him. He never got to play with any of the other pups without being bullied or shunned by their parents. Titus was indeed his guardian and always would be, but having a mate and pups was different. None of them would have to endure what he had gone through. He would make good on that if the scenario would ever come to pass.

Jade's smile grew bigger, the female huffing merrily. "EII KNEWWW IT! YUU DOO!" She elbowed him again, provoking him to grow shy. "WELL... EII THINKK... YOUU... WOULDD BE A GOODD FATHERR. YOUU... ARRE LIKEE A BIGG PUPP YOURSELFF SONNETINES."

He couldn't help but to huff at the comment. She did have a point. The question then came to him and Atlas gestured to Jade projecting the same query. He watched as her eyes widened and adverted else ware. Her finger came up to twirl the longest strand of her hair, her face clearly redder. Atlas elbowed the female titan in return, teasing her to cough up an answer. She facetiously shoved his shoulder in return.

"HMMM... AS FORR NEE... EII WILL SEE WHATT THE FUTUREE HOLDSS. IFF... IT GETTS TO THATT POINTT... ILL MAKEE A DECISSION... THENN." Jade replied, beaming broadly again. "DONTT WORRYY ATLASS... YOURR NATTE WILLL COMMEE."

Atlas simply nodded in response. It was something to look forward to. Jade then cleared her throat, likely going to get on a new subject.

"OH! EII WASS TO TELL YUU... THATT THE VILLAGEE HUNTERRRS ARE... OUT TODAY. IN... DAA WESSTERNN WOODSS. I THINKK... YUU WILL FINDD ERENN DERRE."

His ears and brows lifted at the good news. It was likely that he could meet Eren then! Atlas smiled, grunting a wordless thanks to Jade.

"EII... THINK THEYY AREE... HUNTINGGG ELKK TODAEE TOO. EII WOULLD URRYYY... BEFORREE YOUU NISS HHIMM."

Excitedly, Atlas nodded in thanks and prepared his advance, however he stalled in his step as the need came to mind. To engage in a proper thanks and farewell, the titan quickly approached Jade and lightly pressed his brow into hers. The female titan's breath hitched in surprise but he felt it was appropriate. She was a teacher to him after all. Atlas then gave a final smile in farewell and bounded forward, leaving a flustered Jade behind.

Green eyes peered over the sea of yellow flowers that blew gently in the light breeze. It was peaceful and quiet, nothing like the hustle and bustle of he and Titus's training sessions. The flower field also served as a border to the western woods, signifying its placement and noting that it was land inhabited by those of the Village. Atlas stood to the tree line at the East, scrutinizing closely. He could not see any humans walking among the edge. But he could not jump to conclusions. Jade and Titus had both noted that the humans were out hunting so he trusted their word. Perhaps they were deeper in the Western woods and had started their stalking already. Deciding that he needed to get another reading on if Eren was present, Atlas waited for the breeze to die before lifting his head to sniff, sampling the air for anything that would give him the answer that he needed. He could smell burly men a few miles from his position that was accompanied by the scent of fresh animal blood. There was another smell that drifted from the direction of the Village that smelt of the thing they called bread. Atlas sniffed again, eager like a hound hot on the tail. It was then that his nose found who had been looking for. It was Eren, and he was alone – and close? The titan blinked in surprise and squinted at the field again, noticing something that had escaped him earlier. Seated on the far end of the field upon a rock that was nestled within the dandelions was Eren with his back turned away from Titus's territory. A cheerful chirrup left his maw. What luck!

Without further hesitation, Atlas started forward with his heart pounding in excitement. Then, knowing that the young man had his back turned to him, an idea popped into the titan's head. It was a mischievous plan that would actually provide him with some practice in hunting smaller prey. Humming in amusement, the titan then lowered himself to creep silently upon all fours and lightened the mass in his bones. Although he would be clearly noticeable to someone looking out to study the field, it would make him all but invisible upon his approach. It was a perfect scheme!

Like a prowling cat, Atlas snuck across the dandelion field with each step calculated. Now several meters away, the Hunter Titan slowed to a pause, eyes blown wide as he looked at his target. Eren had still not noticed anything out of the ordinary, which gave him a small indication of the level of skill in hunting Eren had – or maybe it was just a human's poor senses. The Advancer found himself watching his friend for the moment, observing as he was prepping his arrows and counting them, stringing his bow good and tight. Knowing that Eren was deep in his current task, Atlas started forward again until he was a mere few feet away. A wicked smile pulled at his lipless maw as he prepared to make his move.

A massive, intimidating, and large shadow descended over the unsuspecting young man. Green pools watched as Eren froze, body going rigid. The human's skin paled and his hand hovered over his weapon. But the young boy seemed to hesitate in loading his weapon – it was likely that the thought of his attacker not being a Mindless had crossed his mind. The titan then decided to make his move before he lost the chance. The behemoth growled deeply, the sound rattling the pile of waiting arrows. At the vocal, Eren turned with horror painted across his face, mouth open in a silent scream. Atlas reared with a sinister snarl and slammed his hands on either side of the helpless victim of his teasing. He continued to announce his threat as his teeth became inches from Eren's face. Atlas paused, allowing a bit of silence before deciding to conclude his joke. The Advancer snorted, steam spraying from his nose and spilling over the human in his wake. Atlas finally parted his teeth and gifted his dear friend with sloppy lick. The titan then sat back with the tip of his tongue comically still sticking out from his maw as he looked upon Eren in pleasure. Sure, it was going a bit far, but his saliva would disguise Eren's human scent. The young man desperately wiped at his skin and hair before turning toward the titan and folding his arms with a challenging smirk across his face.

"Well, good morning to you too Atlas." Eren began, eyes narrowing. "Was that REALLY necessary?" The young man scolded the titan.

Atlas couldn't contain his mirth any longer and huffed madly, rolling to his side. The beast smiled broadly as his human friend quickly donned his own look of cunning – the young man bending over and slipping off his shoe to chuck it at the titan's face, the little boot simply bouncing off the beast's head with the impact going unnoticed. Their merriment continued before Eren closed in on the titan and began to rub the bridge of his nose. Atlas purred, feeling the human's much smaller frame vibrate with his announcement of affection. The young man continued to stroke his nose, marveling at the leathery texture and the titan's sheer size for a moment before letting out another laugh.

"You're just a big puppy aren't you, Atlas?" Eren teased, the titan responding with several grunts before soaking in the human's kind touch even further. "Still, how – did you do that? I never heard you approach me."

At the query, Atlas lifted himself to sit upon his rump, the titan looking all too eager as he began to make various hand movements to try and explain bone lightening. But, with Eren's mouth agape to show his confusion, the Advancer decided that it was best to just display his technique. Carefully, he got back onto all fours and lightened the density of his bones, walking around the young man in a tight circle before taking a seat once again, looking to Eren expectedly. He was looking forward to the day where he could sign words to the human. Things would be much simpler.

To his luck, Eren nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see! Dad told me a long time ago that titans can lighten their bones to be bird like so they can move faster and swifter. Perhaps it will come in handy today!" Eren chuckled as he retrieved his mostly dry boot to put it back onto his bare foot. "And I guess your... hello, although disgusting, will keep the elk and others from smelling me." The young man hypothesized with the titan grunting in confirmation. "It's so interesting that animals fear humans, yet as large as you titans are they find you comforting. Maybe that's because you are their guardians or rather the deities of the forest. Of course, elk are a bit different." Eren thought aloud, finishing lacing up his boot before turning to the titan. "Anyways, I was really hoping that you would find me today, Atlas. I figured that if we found one another that we could go and do some hunting first before I teach you a few of the things I was able to learn in sign language. Sound good?"

Atlas trilled loudly in agreement, his hands kneading in the daffodils and dirt. He had been looking so forward to this day!

"Great! Let me take a moment to gather up my things before I set out, my arrows got a little scattered earlier!"

The titan crooned a soft apology as he observed Eren begin to pick up his belongings that had been dispersed due to his prank. Now that it was the warmer months and the young man wasn't dressed in furs from head to toe, he could see him in greater detail. He was wearing leathery shoes and a thinner cloth shirt and pants, highlighting his lean but muscular frame. Granted, his body wasn't near as muscular as his own, but it did remind him of the frame he possessed a year or two ago. It certainly wasn't the boyish figure that Eren had when they first met. In the short months since their reunion, the young man seemed to mature a bit more, the titan noticing some slight stubble upon the male's chin. Now that his hands were not covered, he could see that Eren's hands displayed evidence that he worked – like the hands of a man. Eren continued to pick up arrows and other items to add to his leather harness and pack, allowing the titan to take in further details. In addition to Eren's simple shirt and pants, the young man wore leather harnesses that held padding and other things like his knife and a horn like object at his waist. There was a long cloth that hung down Eren's waist over is pants that was decorated in intricate stitching - forms that he recognized as Hunter Titans and various other symbols that he could not find a name to. To his amazement, some of the symbols on the garment were upon Eren's bare skin. The titan tilted his head in intrigue. He didn't remember ever seeing the young man with the designs upon his skin before. Perhaps it was pigment that only came with maturity in humans. He would have to make a point to ask him about it later.

Eren was such an interesting human to look at.

"Okay Atlas," The human began again, bringing him back from his intense observation. "As I said, I figured we could hunt first today. What our village needs right now is elk. We of the village eat and dry their meat and of course we use their fur and hide to make all sorts of things. Even their bones we grind into broth and use for our crops. We even use their antlers for a slew of purposes. They are bigger than deer and can be a bit more difficult to come across when hunting. We hunt only a certain number of males each year to get what we need, but leave enough not to impact the resource. Males have to be around to breed with the female to produce future generations." Eren paused as he pulled out a small jar of a pale yellow liquid. "During the summer, the males are looking for a mate, so instead of seeking them out, we lure them to us by spreading doe urine –

Atlas's nose wrinkled up at the scent from the jar, although closed, it met his nostrils. He didn't even need to hear Eren's coming explanation of what it was. For some odd reason, animals seemed to prefer urinating on things to mark their territory or attract mates. Titans did something similar but used their saliva to claim their borders. It was a cleaner way of doing things. Most Hunter Titans, when smelling animal markings would simply roll over them to cover up the scent with their own. Animals were welcome, but the forest and all that was in it belonged to the Hunters. Atlas grumbled from the back of his throat. Eren wouldn't need to go to this extreme to acquire an elk.

"Atlas?"

Deciding to interrupt, the titan raised a finger and pushed down the jar that Eren held. A look of confusion dawned Eren's face once again.

"What are you doing? Are you saying – we don't need this?"

The titan nodded, lifting a finger to point and tap on his nose. The beast beamed broadly. His senses were going to be the best weapon to use in this scenario.

Eren's face lit up in recognition. "Oh! That's right! A Hunter Titan's senses are much stronger than any hound's. Hmm... then perhaps I need to skip some traditional methods then! No one from our village has ever hunted side by side with a titan after all. Well Atlas, shall we be off?"

The Advancer smiled, but proceeded to sample the air again. After all, they needed a definite direction to go in. The titan's cavernous breaths echoed across the field as Atlas proceeded to sniff – looking for any clue or direct route to their target prey. Finally, the titan stalled. He inhaled deeply, it was the clear musk of a bull elk. It wasn't huge, but big enough to be considered prime game. It wasn't far either. Confidently, Atlas raised a hand to point to the northwest. Eren followed his finger, raising a brow with a query clearly bubbling to the surface.

"Wait, so you smell one already?" He asked, receiving a nod from the titan. "That was fast. Well now Atlas, we should get going!" Eren announced as he quickly grabbed the rest of his belongings and begun to lightly jog in the direction of where their hunt was to begin.

Atlas however had other plans. He had come to the realization that the difference in their size and speed wasn't going to pair very well in tracking their prey. Abruptly, the titan lifted his arm and lay it before Eren, a wall of flesh that made the human pause and look up at the behemoth in serious question.

"Er – Atlas? What are you doing?"

At the innocent query, the titan hummed in amusement and rolled his wrist so his hand lay palm up. Atlas grunted, a cunning smirk pulling at the corners of his maw. Minutes seemed to tick by as Eren stared questionably at Atlas's waiting hand. Bewilderment then painted itself across the young man's façade as the realization came to him.

"You... are wanting me to ride on you?" Eren asked, receiving a loud trill in confirmation from the titan. Atlas's ears wiggled, scooting his hand even closer to his small friend. "Atlas, I don't know. I'm not sure – and I don't like your shit eating grin either!" The young man tried humoring the beast, but sighing as he saw no change. "Well – I guess I could try."

Atlas gurgled in excitement as he watched Eren swallow back his trepidation and slowly make his way into his palm. He waited patiently, watching Eren try to get secure by holding onto one of his fingers. He nearly huffed at the scene before him. Finally, deeming it safe, Atlas stood without warning his new passenger. Eren's' body was forced comically into his palm as the titan lifted the young man to his shoulder which is where he thought it would be best for Eren to reside for the trip. Green eyes watched, grin still pulling at his maw, as the human shakenly got to his feet. Eren, staggered a bit, certainly not used to the massive and sudden change in height. Fretfully, the teenager looked over the side of his hand before quickly turning his attention to the titan's palm yet again, clearly trying to get over a case of dizziness. Atlas's ears flickered in amusement. Was this Eren's first time being up off the ground this high?

"Ugh, this is going to take some time getting used to." The teenager mumbled before looking to the titan as if to ask more instruction. Knowing what he needed to do to get the young man to follow his command, the Advancer jerked his head as a wordless gesture to his shoulder. Eren clearly understood, his gaze falling to his target perch before swallowing hard. Atlas watched as the human continued to dither, clearly not sure how to dismount from his palm. Recalling that they were pressed for time, the titan abruptly dumped Eren onto his shoulder. For a moment, the young man scrambled to gain his bearings, the human squatting upon his shoulder as his hands ran across the titan's warm flesh in search of something that he couldn't seem to find. "Atlas, what do you suppose I hold onto? Perhaps this is a bad idea."

The titan hummed in thought before his mind latched onto a memory of the humans' wagons, remembering that the horses were attached by leather straps called reins. There certainly wasn't any big enough for him, but the titan then came up with something that would serve as the equivalent. Thanking his real mother for once for the long hair that he inherited, Atlas pinched a strand between his fingers and guided it to his friend. Eren grabbed the strands, looking upon them in awe. Gradually, Eren ensured that all of his gear was secure against him before carefully using his hair to hoist himself upright. Atlas kept to himself as he observed any fear or irritation leave Eren as the young man became enamored by the landscape and the muscles beneath his boots.

"Wow – it's like I'm standing on a living mountain, like raw power." Eren spoke softly beneath his breath, unaware that the titan was listening. A smile them spread across the young man's face and he could clearly sense the confidence growing in his ally. "This is amazing Atlas. I must be the first human to ever ride upon a titan!" Eren chuckled. "I can feel everything. I feel your muscles twitching and shifting beneath your skin. Your breath is rattling my ribs, and I can feel your heart pound beneath my feet. This is way better than riding a horse! Of course, I just need to see how smooth the ride is in comparison before I make my final judgement on that! Shall we begin?"

Atlas's smile broadened. Eren likely had no idea as to how fast he could run. The titan quickly took the strand of hair and wrapped it around his precious cargo, the human clearly getting the message and holding firmly. Now fully prepared, the Advancer inhaled deeply to double check their target's position before exhaling a hard jet of steam to cloud the air and ruffle their hair. He was ready to begin their hunt.

He moved quickly, lightened bone aiding him to be swift. The titan pumped his arms, chest heaving as he raced through the forest. Steam left his nostrils in small puffs of smoke. Every muscle in the beast's body flexed and moved artfully. Upon his shoulder, Eren held tightly to his hair and stood his ground, his body making micro adjustments with each change in direction, speed, and whenever the titan's muscles moved. The young man was holding his own quite well and now wore a determined yet excited look upon his face.

"So much faster than a horse! This is amazing!" Eren declared. Atlas rumbled in pleasure, glad that his passenger was enjoying himself. "It's a little jerky, but nothing beats hunting from a bird's eye view!"

Atlas grunted, pushing himself to move even faster. He was about to test Eren's newfound abilities serving as his rider. The elk was still a little way out, so the young man had some time to learn how to hold on. If their prey was indeed hard to take down and was quick, Eren would be thankful for the early practice. Atlas shrieked as he surged forward, catching Eren by surprise. The titan quickly picked up speed with Eren bouncing a bit but keeping himself planted. Atlas's ears pinned themselves back and steam came from his nose in short puffs. The titan rounded a bend and Eren's eyes comically widened at what lay in their path. It was a large trunk of a tree that had clearly fallen over in a past storm. It was propped up above the ground upon the hillside and rocks. To humans, they wouldn't be able to squeeze a wagon beneath it. To a titan with his athleticism, there was one way he could clear the obstacle, two if he counted scaling over it slowly. But no, he was on a mission to test his rider. Atlas picked up speed and Eren's grip tightened.

"Atlas? Atlas what are you doing! Atlas!"

The best snorted, completely ignoring his passenger. Green eyes zeroed in on the tree.

"Atlas! I think you need to slow down! Surely – you aren't trying to run straight through it!"

The titan practically howled in amusement as the tree closed in.

"Atlas!"

The Advancer then pressed his palm into the tree and with a powerful kick of his feet, the titan slung his body over the fallen tree in a similar fashion as to how humans would climb over a low fence. Eren braced himself before the titan landed on the other side and proceeded forward once again. The young man barely had the time to recover as the titan's lively greens spotted a branch overhead that would be perfect for another maneuver. Atlas leaped, gripping the overhanging branch and swinging his body. Eren's hands now dug into the titan's ear, body rattling as the titan met the earth again. For this being his first time, Eren was staying on pretty well.

"Atlas!"

The cry fell upon death ears as Atlas charged forward, wind wiping at their faces. Like an acrobat, the titan launched himself over a collection of bounders and began to scale up and over them using his hands and feet. Still, Eren kept his grip despite being jostled around. Atlas then came to the edge of the rock face and slid down to the earth, rattling the ground and his passenger as he landed. But just as the titan was about to serge forward again, Eren yanked his locks and pinched his ear, HARD.

"ATLAS!"

Instantly, the titan knew and slowed to a complete halt. Green eyes drifted to the young man to see that he looked worse for wear. Eren's hair was ruffled and his face was tinted red. To say that he looked irritated was an understatement. Atlas swallowed, ears lowering in a bit of shame. Perhaps he had been too hard on the teen. For a long moment, Eren kept his hard and harsh gaze before letting out a long sigh.

"Atlas, were you trying to train me?" Eren began, voice unexpectedly quiet and not angry. The titan's brows rose, amazed that his friend had figured out his intentions. Gradually he dipped his head to confirm. "I see. I appreciate you trying to prepare me, but do remember that human bodies are not as durable as a titan's body Atlas." Eren explained with the titan's elvish ears erect and listening. "We can't really stand getting thrown about a lot. So, if you can Atlas, go quickly but nothing too crazy unless you absolutely have to do so." Eren held up his hands, the appendages trembling. "My hands are even shaking. Please remember that okay?"

Atlas quickly grunted in compliance. Yes, he had forgotten about that fact. He could feel shame settling in his stomach. He should not have issued the challenge.

"Also, we need to be very quiet from here on out. I'm not exaggerating when I say that elk spook very easily. We will have to be very careful when we approach one. I most likely will have but one chance with my arrow before it flees. So, as fun and exciting as this is, let's be quiet and careful for now on. Okay Atlas?"

Immediately, he nodded, understanding completely. Perhaps his elation was just the idea of the whole experience. Eren was very correct and he as an Advancer had foolishly forgotten the basic rule of hunting. Be quiet. Don't make a sound when moving forward.

"Okay, now do you have another reading on the elk that we were tracking?" Eren asked hopefully.

The titan then turned his focus to the forest and began to sniff. There were clearly more animal scents now that they were deeper in the forest. There were deer, hogs, and even a mother bear and cubs. But the smell of the elk was clear and it was fairly close. Finally, the titan nodded, pointing ahead. Eren smiled.

"Good. Let's get going. Remember, let's keep quiet and stay hidden."

With the plan in mind, Atlas started forward again at a much more relaxed speed. Not even at a jog, just walking quickly. He had to admit, his footsteps were definitely quieter with a lightened frame strolling quickly. Not to mention, it was more comfortable for Eren as well. Even though it was not the preferred method, at least Eren did get some experience. He did have an odd feeling at the back of his mind that they would eventually have to cross rough terrain in order to claim a prize.

Atlas directed his attention to the changing landscape as he moved. It was clear that the trees were taller here just like in the Hunters' forest, but he could tell that the elevation varied much more. There were more hills and sheer cliffs now – giving him the indication that they were upon a budding mountainside, perhaps in a valley between two mountains. Atlas swallowed, hopefully Eren was a good shot and they would not have to chase the elk. Green eyes glanced over to Eren to see that the young man held great focus upon the landscape. The human was clearly looking for the elk, eyes attempting to catch movement. It was also likely that Eren was keeping an eye out for Mindless as well. That was another thing he would have to worry about, keeping Mindless titans away from his friend. Unfortunately, this land was not frequented by Hunters as often as he would like. Hopefully, they would have luck today by bringing in bounty and not running into intruders upon their hunt.

The Advancer raised his nose to sniff once again, but stalling in his step as he sensed it. Their target was just beyond the tree line. Tapered ears swiveled like a rabbit in tall grass. Yes, their prey seemed to be feasting. Atlas lifted a hand and pointed, Eren following his gesture and nodding.

"It's there? The elk?" The young man questioned with the titan grunting quietly to confirm. Eren exhaled, suddenly pulling out his bow and prepping an arrow. "Okay. Here's the plan Atlas. I won't be leaving your shoulder, so if you can, I need you to find a secluded spot. From what I have heard from other hunters in our village, unlike most animals that disregard titans, elk seem startled by them. So you will need to stay out of sight Atlas, but the spot also has to be clear enough so I can aim and shoot my arrow. Understand?"

Atlas nodded and began to very lightly step forward, walking on the tips of his feet to listen the vibrations from his weight impacting the earth. Slowly, the titan began to crest a small knoll and some of the tree limbs began to part to reveal a small meadow. He paused, crouching low as green eyes beheld a single elk indulging on the long blades of grass. As he suspected, it was a large male, antlers tall and substantial. The size itself was impressive, possibly bigger than the specimen that he had seen Eren prepping in the past winter.

"Good." The young man whispered in the titan's ear. "Hold your position Atlas, I'm going to take a shot at it."

The titan didn't dare grunt in response only flicking his ear to let his partner know that he was listening. He did not make a single noise, fearing that he would mess up Eren's chance. The Advancer remained stagnant, watching as the human readied his bow and took aim, waiting for a golden opportunity to attack. Green pools then drifted back to the elk. Time seemed to almost slow as the titan studied the animal. He watched as its throat bobbed with each swallow and its chest expand and compress with each breath. The creature's ears flickered, listening for an enemy that was hidden. Elven ears slowly rotated forward, the titan's senses able to assess the ever so slight quickening of the beast's breath. Somehow, it knew that something was watching them.

The elk then lifted its head from its meal and sniffed, Atlas knew. The wind had changed direction.

Sure, Eren's human scent was masked with the musk of a Hunter Titan, but if elk actually paid them heed, then the disguise was meaningless to their prey.

Eren then released his arrow.

Atlas had no time to warn him.

Suddenly, the elk shifted with a single step to advance, making the arrow miss its target and graze the elk's flank before burring itself in the dirt. Now with a shallow gash, the elk reared with aloud agonizing call and bolted back into the forest.

"Damn it! After it Atlas!"

The titan obliged and stood. Atlas charged forward across the clearing and forced his way past a collection of low trees until he was within the protective embrace of the canopy. Green eyes locked upon their prey that moved swiftly through the landscape. The chase was on!

"If you can keep me steady, and in rage, I can continue to take a few shots at it!" Eren proposed, the Advancer replying with a grunt. This was going to be tough. Firing an arrow seemed to be a delicate procedure so he wasn't sure how his gate was to aid Eren in any way, but he had to have faith in his skills. If the elk had not smelled them, it would have been slain.

The elk released another distressed call, like a damaged instrument that echoed among the wood. Atlas growled deeply as he pushed himself further. Upon his shoulder, Eren readied an arrow and took aim. The elk leaped over a stone, running in a pattern that the titan knew was utilized by chosen victims of predators, which was bound to make things even more difficult for his human rider. The young man then released the arrow, the tip failing to meet flesh and instead finding itself lodged into the bark of a nearby tree.

"Shit!" Eren cursed, the meaning unknown to him. "Atlas? Can you get me closer and beside it?"

It was a tall order due to the proximity of the trees, but the behemoth dipped his head and lightened his frame. Atlas pushed himself again, heart thundering and breaths quickening. Like an equine, the titan's nostrils flared and his ears pinned backwards as he proceeded to navigate through the trees. Green eyes remained hooked on their target. Despite the injury, the elk was still strong. It wasn't bound to slow down anytime soon. Such a creature had some incredible stamina and speed if it was able to not only keep pace but pull away from him. The titan then matched the elk's pace and Eren prepared another arrow, shooting only to miss by mere inches – the arrow lost to the lush landscape. Quickly, and growling in both irritation and determination, Eren loaded another arrow and took aim. The arrow shot forth, only to get caught in the animal's antlers and bounce unceremoniously to the ground.

"Damn! So close!" Eren loaded another arrow. Atlas looked ahead, deciding to focus forward until he could hear confirmation from his rider. He needed to pay attention to the landscape, the titan didn't need to falter and harm himself or worse his rider. It was then that he noticed something that could possibly give them an edge over their prey. Ahead was a river that cut through the forest and flowed quickly. Perhaps the water was deep enough or fast enough to slow the elk. Eren released another arrow, missing again. He reloaded, the Advancer seizing the chance and producing a series of vocals to gain his friend's attention. Eren stopped, following the behemoth's gaze. Atlas watched as the young man's lips drew into a cunning smile.

"Good! Perhaps it will slow or the roaring waters will spook it to a halt!"

Atlas hummed in agreement, working to keep his pace with the elk. The animal then burst from the trees with the titan neck and neck, however the creature didn't stop at the riverbank. With another cry, it charged forward, the water not even rising past its knees and not slowing the elk down as it furthered its advance.

"Darn! Keep moving Atlas! We can't give up now!" Eren shouted as he prepped another arrow.

Running into the cover of trees again, Atlas turned his attention back to the elk. He studied it again, ignoring his previous determination of just focusing forward. Even the weight of the water didn't seem to even make its feet heavy. In fact, it still showed no signs of slowing down at all! Eren released another arrow, only to miss again. Atlas began to take other options into consideration. He could easily intervene. However, his method would likely destroy the elk entirely and hearing Eren's information about how the Village used every part of the animal, he really didn't want to reduce the beast to a red smear or bloody pulp. What should they do? This chase could not continue forever and Eren would soon run out of arrows.

"Atlas!"

The cry fell upon deaf ears, as green eyes remain locked onto the animal, ignoring his surroundings.

"Atlas! Atlas!"

What was left for them to do?

"ATLAS STOP!"

The truly desperate words being shouted into his ear directly, startled the titan and brought his back to reality – just in time to see that he was headed right for the edge of a trench. Atlas yelped and attempted to stop. At the speed he was going, his feet slid. Earth tilled beneath his weight, Eren gripped his locks even harder. His claws dug into the ground, clinging desperately. Finally, the titan grinded to a halt just before the ledge. Atlas took a moment to gather himself before turning his attention to Eren to check upon him. The young man looked startled, but in once piece and still secure to his shoulder. Immediately, the Advancer felt guilty. He should have just kept his gaze forward. Atlas whined softly as an apology, watching as Eren began to catch his breath. The human smiled weakly at the titan.

"I'm alright, don't fret Atlas. I think the both of us were too focused upon the prize." Eren laughed lightly, but his face suddenly falling in defeat as he looked ahead. "Damn it all."

The titan then turned to see that before them was not just a small trench by any means. It was a massive chasm. It cut through the forest like a river, seemingly going for miles in each direction. It was an astounding width across as well – at least forty to fifty meters. Atlas took a cautious step forward, angling his head to look over the side. It was incredibly deep, even more so than the distance it was wide. At the bottom was a river that was likely runoff from one of the distant snow covered mountains perhaps heading out to the sea. Spotting movement from the corner of his eye, Atlas looked up to see the elk. To his surprise, it was running along a thin stretch of land that served as a natural bridge across the gorge. Tapered ears pricked forward in interest and Atlas took a step in the direction of the crossing, but to his dismay he was halted by a firm tug upon his locks.

"Don't Atlas. Even if you lightened your bones, that tiny stretch would buckle beneath your weight. If I recall, the other hunters in our village called this the World's Maw and that tiny bridge of sorts is the only direct way to cross over it. Sure, you could walk around, but you would be traveling a day or two just to do so. I could technically cross the bridge, but I prefer to hunt alongside of you so we can just turn back and hunt us another elk. So, let's head back Atlas." Eren sighed, putting away the bow and giving in to a stretch to pop his muscles.

Atlas sighed and reluctantly grunted in agreement, preparing to head back in the way which they came. Green eyes then fell upon the elk again, watching as it made it across and vanished into the woods. His gaze wandered to the land upon the other side of the chasm, studying. The Advancer stalled, facing forward and gaining Eren's suspicion. The memory of when he was a pup in play came back into his mind. Their game. Atlas's ear twitched as he thought harder. The gap before them was massive, yes. But he wasn't some small being. He was a titan. Perhaps he could. Yes, he was certain.

Green eyes ignited and narrowed, ears folding over, a deep growl resonated in his chest. Eren looked at him in concern, his hand patting his jaw.

"Hey, Atlas? What are you doing?" His friend questioned worriedly. Eren attempted to gain his attention with a few tugs, but at his failure, the human followed the behemoth's gaze to see that Atlas was studying the other side of the gorge. The young man's face then changed into fear as the realization hit him. "Surely you are not thinking of jumping that!"

Oh yes. He surely was.

"Atlas! Please! It's okay! We will just find another elk or deer!" Eren pleaded, but was completely ignored as Atlas stamped his foot like an agitated horse. Slowly, the titan began to back up, he knew that he would need a running start for this if he was to get them over the gorge. He had always been good at this sort of thing. He would put his leg muscles to good use. This would be the furthest distance he had ever leaped, but he was confident. Eren continued to pull at his hair.

"Atlas! Please just turn around!"

The titan continued to stubbornly ignore his rider. He continued to back up, moving at least as far back as much as the distance he was to jump. Finally, he stopped, staring intently at the other side. The titan growled again, eyes narrowed even further. Atlas then lowered himself, placing is hands upon the ground, one leg behind the other, in preparation to sprint. It was then that Eren realized that the beast wasn't going to listen and follow his own plan. The human then wrapped the titan's hair around him several times and dug his hands into the cartilage of his ear. He could practically hear Eren swallow. If the young man had not shown that he had any capability to hold on to him even during their toughest maneuvers he wouldn't even be doing what he was to do now. But his ally had proven himself and Atlas was going to get them where they needed to be. Time seemed to slow as the muscles tensed in his legs, a jet of steam spilled from the titan's nose in preparation.

That was his final warning to Eren, before he launched himself forward.

The world seemed to become dull as Atlas sprinted. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. The muscles bulged in his legs and his arms pumped. The titan paid no heed as trees toppled and stones were kicked away in his wake. Green eyes only sought the other side of the chasm, irises swimming with determination. His human rider shouted words and swears, but they were only white noise to the beast. Atlas pushed himself. He could do this. He could do this! The tree line peeled away and the edge of the gorge met him. With precision, the titan planted his feet at the edge, swung his arms forward and kicked – launching himself into the air with a bellowing shriek.

The sensation was like nothing that the titan ever felt. With his weight lessened, it was as if he was floating. Weightless. A smile pulled at Atlas's maw. Was this what flight felt like? Upon his shoulder, Eren too was in a state of jubilation, even holding a hand out like the wing of a bird, whooping in triumph. Wind whipped at the Advancer's locks, Atlas finding himself experiencing true freedom. Nothing was trying him to reality or to the earth. He wished that it could go on and on.

The titan, stretched like a stallion leaping over a fence, crossed the length of the gorge. Parting himself from his blissful state, Atlas then began his task of focusing to land. He reached forward, preparing to bring his legs beneath him when he realized.

He was going to be short and bound for a rough landing.

Eren too, immediately fell into a state of terror as it hit him as well! "ATLAS!"

The titan braced himself as his chest impacted the edge of the chasm. Rock crumbled as the titan's claws desperately grabbed for purchase. Digging his nails into the tough soil, Atlas kicked his dangling legs to gain traction. The titan whimpered, frightened as he started to hoist himself up in an attempt to get to safety. Dirt and grass flew in every direction behind him and the earth began to give way beneath his weight. Atlas's heart now pounded in fear rather than excitement. Suddenly, his foot found a ledge that gave him the stability that he needed. Carefully, Atlas ascended the side of the chasm just before a large chunk of dirt and rock that was beneath him fell down into the river far below.

The pair heaved, trying to catch their breaths and regain their nerve. Atlas panted, tongue hanging partially out of his jaws. His eyes adverted to his rider, only to meet a sight that he could label humorous. The young man's skin was pale and his hair was ruffled up in an entirely new unkempt style. Tears stung at his eyes and his hands were shaking. His face was in a state of pure shock as he looked over the edge of the massive gorge to the length of space they had cleared. Eren was not only in a disheveled state but he was absolutely bewildered. Slowly, a cunning smile pulled at the titan's maw. The human didn't believe that he could make it at first. Although his attempt was sloppy, he did make it to the other side. The Hunter titan nudged his friend with his nose, peering upon him with the smuggest look he could muster. For a long moment, Eren stared at him with an unreadable expression before his face twisted into a cross frown.

"Don't do that again." Eren spoke sternly, but Atlas could only hum in amusement, glancing at the gorge before looking back to his friend. Eren sighed in exasperation, realizing that he was going to have to correct himself. "Don't do that again on a wide part of the chasm. Only do it on a narrow part. And warn me first." Eren folded his arms before letting out a long breath, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. "It – was fun though."

Atlas responded with a loud chuff and teasingly nudged Eren with his nose again, the young man giving into a laugh before turning to face the forest ahead of them. "Now then, since we are here now, let's go find that elk again. It can't have gotten too far. One thing for sure though, we will have to approach with a different plan."

Locating the elk again wasn't difficult. Its scent was very fresh and Atlas was able to pick it up again easily as they entered the woods once more. They were now in a darker part of the forest, forged like so due to the tallest of trees that now inhabited it. It was littered with moss covered boulders that sat perched on uneven terrain. It was clear to the titan that humans had not visited the area in quite some time. Nothing seemed touched and any ruminant or trace of man was overgrown in weeds and ivy. During their trek, Eren informed him that humans once had settlements throughout the land until the titans came, causing them to retreat to safety and leaving their homes as empty collapsing shells scattered throughout the underbrush. Although it was a place that held a history of sadness, it also was home to life that had taken refuge in the ruins. There were many plants and fungi, insects, and many small animals going about their day to day. It was a quiet and calming place. He was glad that the Mindless had not touched it amazingly in some time for it would have left an irreversible blight.

After walking a decent distance in the secluded forest, they had finally located the elk. Like before, it was grazing in an open glade that was surrounded by bounders. The area was serine, the only illuminated part for the canopy parted overhead. Butterflies danced and small beings scurried. They were completely unaware of the cataclysm that was to unfold. The pair of hunters sat high and sheltered upon a knoll, almost completely concealed by the foliage as they peered down at their prey, making sure to stay where the wind would not carry their scent. Atlas sat like a perched cat watching a mouse while Eren had seated himself adjacently, getting water to drink from his pouch. Quenching his thirst, the young man then studied his supplies, releasing a solemn sigh.

"Well, I only have a single arrow left, Atlas. It's not an ideal situation to be honest, but we can make it work."

The Advancer whined softly, feeling sorry for Eren, but the young man still looked determined despite his disadvantage.

"This time, instead of us both stationed in the same position, I thought of a new plan so this time we may avoid chasing after the elk if I miss. This time, we are splitting up, Atlas."

At the proposal, the titan tilted his head, a worried expression coating his face. He didn't like the idea of Eren being alone in an unfamiliar forest. The young man only dismissed his concern with a wave.

"Trust me on this one, Atlas. I think it has much more of a chance than my previous plan. As I said, we will split up and position ourselves on opposite ends of the clearing. I myself will go to the southern end." Eren pointed adjacent from him. "You will go to the northern end." The human gestured past the titan's head and deep into the forest. "This way, we have the clearing decently surrounded. Your job Atlas, if the elk starts to run again, I need you to cut it off and prevent it from escaping. Do you think you can do that?"

He dipped his head confidently. Yes, he was sure he could do this simple task. Eren's new plan did make much more sense. Plus, he wouldn't be far away if anything negative were to arise. The young man smiled, getting to his feet and pulling out his bow and final arrow.

"If I do miss, I do have another plan on taking down the elk if it comes to it. It is – risky, but I'm not willing to give up on this one. So? Are you ready Atlas?"

Again, the titan dipped his head, wearing a cunning smirk despite his still lingering doubts. The young man then bid a temporary farewell as he snuck into the bramble. Needing to follow suit, the Hunter then turned and began to make his way into the wood in the direction that he needed to be stationed. Again, he lightened his form and reduced himself to walk upon all fours. Nearly cat like, the titan navigated over and through the rocks and between the trees. His green eyes glanced every so often at the elk who still grazed as if nothing had ever happened previously. Atlas then let his attention then return to his path forward. The titan lifted his hands and feet carefully, making sure not to put his weight upon any fallen limbs or small creatures that could give away his position. Eren only had a single arrow and he didn't have any idea as to what the young man's last resort move would be. He did not want him to put himself in harm's way so they needed to do this without fail.

Atlas paused, looking back to check the elk again. The animal was still rooting in the grass and Eren was still walking in silence, clearly trying to figure out where he needed to be. The titan listened to the forest for a moment and took more time to check the direction of the wind. Thankfully things were still swaying in their favor so he proceeded once again. Green eyes scanned the surrounding landscape. If prey needed to escape, they were most likely to take the route that would be the easiest to pass through. The clearest path of the forest was a straight shot from the clearing to the deeper woods. It was a natural path of course and next to it was a decent sized knoll that overlooked the clearing. Atlas smirked to himself. The hill had both enough foliage to keep him hidden but also the right amount to where he could sit and observe. Not wasting any more time, the Advancer quickly and silently positioned himself upon the knoll, crouched like a feline and ready to spring at a moment's notice. Atlas watched as Eren began to pick his own spot, an outcropping covered in vines that would keep the human hidden from their prey. The titan's eyes adverted back to the elk who was still unaware of their presence. If it did run, there were several options he could use to stop it. If Eren only cared about the meat, he could kill it with one swipe. But the people of the Village wasted nothing. He could cut it off and try to trap the creature for Eren to make his move, but without knowing the human's secondary plan it could prove to be troublesome. There was one idea, but he himself wasn't for sure if it would even work. In the past, he had thought about attempting it but there was never a reason for him to do so. He certainly didn't want to make enemies with the deer that frequented his hollow.

Atlas nearly huffed. Eren had not witnessed it yet. What would he think?

Noticing that Eren had finally taken his position, the titan tore away from his thoughts and focused upon the scene that was playing out afore him. The practiced hands of a human hunter carefully pulled out the last remaining arrow and strung it upon his bow. Eren exhaled slowly, mouth a firm line – showing clear focus. The tip of the arrow raised, pointing at its target. The young man pulled the string in preparation to release. The elk still grazed, rooting and grunting. Everything seemed to be quiet, even the birds seemed to cease in singing. Atlas could practically hear his heartbeat in his ears. He could tell that the aura of the clearing was darkening, typical with the presence of a predator. This feeling finally brought the elk to raise its head, but instead of running it looked about its surroundings before warily lowering its snout to the lush earth once again.

It was now or never.

Then, without another second to waste, Eren released his last arrow. This time, the pointed head hit its mark. Metal buried itself in the tough flesh of the beast's hindquarters, sending the elk rearing backwards with a cry of agony. The animal began to buck in a panic and became even more alarmed as it spotted Eren quickly descending from his perch. Atlas's breath hitched in his chest, realizing that Eren didn't make a fatal wound upon the elk and the teen was going to have to resort to whatever means that he had spoken of. Suddenly, the animal quit bucking and turned to run – right in the direction of the waiting Advancer.

He had to act now. He just hoped that his plan would work! He wanted the animal to stop!

The trees began to quake in his wake as he motioned out of his waiting position, crashing to the earth and provoking birds to flee from their perches. Like a mountain, the titan rose up, a deep growl vibrating from his chest and resonating throughout the glade. Atlas snarled, face terrifying like a nightmare – making even his ally stall. The titan then reared upward before bringing his hands down upon the ground, making the elk falter and nearly trip over its own legs. Still, the animal kept foolishly running, only acting on a flight instinct. The behemoth's chest expanded, puffing outward as he inhaled. Finally, Atlas opened his maw and released an earthshattering roar. Leaves upon the trees trembled and his hot breath whipped among the grass like a fearsome gale. Eren instantly donned a look of shock and his hands covered his ears as the booming sound carried on. To his good fortune, the elk instantly skidded to a halt just as his roar died down to a low grumble in his throat. The titan observed as the elk simply stood, completely motionless as it stared wide eyed at him. The creature didn't move; it was as if it suddenly forgot its bleeding wound. The Advancer's wolf like snarl slowly softened into a more bewildered expression. It was almost as it the elk had turned to stone. Its stance was identical to his deer – looking as if it was awaiting him to give it a command.

He couldn't believe it. His idea had worked. Was this something that Hunter Titans could do? Azeroron's tantalizing question from some time ago came back to him. Or was he the only one that could do this? If so – why?

Before Atlas could dive deeper into his own thoughts and questions, movement caught his eye. The behemoth blinked just in in time to see Eren lunge forward and embrace the elk's neck, plunging his large hunting knife into the animal's trachea. Blood spilled upon the mammal's fur as it let out a gurgling cry before collapsing in a crumpled heap. The elk twitched before finally stilling, death welcoming it. Eren then retrieved his knife and wiped the blade before sheaving it. The young man then lifted himself up and looked to the titan with a sense of pride and wonder. Eren laughed warmly.

"Wow – I didn't know you could roar, Atlas! And so loud too!"

Atlas instantly felt himself blush at the praise. He beamed in a lopsided manner and trilled in thanks.

"I'm glad we didn't have to chase it down again. All thanks to you really! Now, since I'm out of water, how about we take our prize to a nearby river and while I field dress we can catch up a bit? Not to mention I do have some things to teach you!"

Their walk was a bit more leisurely now that they had their game. Sensing no potential danger such as waiting Mindless, allowed them to be more carefree. Leaving the clearing with the downed elk in his palm, they headed west in the direction of where he had scented water. After a short time, the pair found a steady river that cut through the serine mountain landscape. It was quiet, the water nearly as gentle as a stream. Trees shrouded the river with leaves and vines that descended down from the canopy. Things called turtles rested upon a lonely log perched upon a lone rock in the river's center and fish traveled upstream with no other objective in mind. Atlas's ears wiggled in delight, it was a nice place to spend some time with Eren in.

Scanning for a good place to sit that would be big enough to accommodate the both of them, the titan spotted a stony riverbank and advanced. Carefully, he sat down the elk upon the hundreds of pebbles that made up the little beach before lifting a hand to Eren to aid him in departing his shoulder.

"Nice job Atlas, this is a splendid spot!" Eren began as the behemoth lowered him to the waiting earth. Immediately, the young man sat down his pack and began to pull out his knife and other tools. Needing to get himself in a comfortable position, Atlas carefully lowered himself into a squat. Upon hearing a few twigs snap at the notion, Eren paused in his preparations to rotate his head toward the titan to watch in intrigue. The towering beast then placed himself upon all fours, lowering fully to his belly. The titan's legs bent at an angle with feet beneath him. Diligently, as Eren watched wide eyed, Atlas folded each of his arms before tucking them in beneath his chest. The titan then placed his attention back to the teen whose mouth was formed into a stunned smile. "Just like a cat." Eren muttered to himself. "I see why though; Hunter Titans have more bones in their spine." The young man chuckled to himself.

Atlas tilted his head, wondering why Eren found his position so intriguing. Maybe humans were not quite so limber.

Eren laughed warmly. "Well, glad you are comfy Atlas! This may take a bit. We try to break down our catches before taking them home so they are much easier to process. I'm so glad we caught this one. To be honest, I really didn't think I could catch an elk this size." The young man paused for a moment, looking at his reflection in his knife before turning back to the listening Advancer. "So I'm thankful that you came for me today Atlas. And wow! I got to witness you roar! I didn't know you could do that!"

Atlas smiled, offering a grunt in thanks.

"Seriously, you nearly knocked me on my feet! It sure is unlike anything I've ever heard from a Hunter Titan before. It sounds so – beastly. It's full of rage. It's deep and commanding." Eren went on with the titan's cheeks tinting red from embarrassment, but he could feel his chest flutter in happiness at the compliments. "There was actually a rumor floating around our village, Atlas. There were some men and women talking about one of the Hunter Titans having a roar so loud it could tremble the earth and so bone chilling that it would make one shutter. I wasn't expecting that titan to be you Atlas! I was always under the impression that you were mute, unable to speak – but I think you proved us all wrong!" The young man smiled up at the beast, who simply nodded, watching as Eren crouched and lowered his blade to the elk's belly. In one swift motion, the human plunged his blade into the flesh and flayed the elk wide open. Blood and other entrails spilled upon the rocky bank in a gruesome display. The tell-tale scent of carrion hit his nose full blast. The titan lifted his head, eyes wide in concern. Indeed, he was friends to creatures of the forest, and a part of him was always saddened at the death of one. However, he understood that humans needed their meat to survive so he did not protest. He just couldn't believe that Eren was capable of performing such a daunting task. He supposed though that it was normal among humans to do so when they were of age.

"So, did Titus teach you how to roar Atlas? I heard Mentor's teach all Advancers how. Maybe he found a way for you to do so?"

The Hunter grunted to confirm. He did wish he could elaborate, but since he lacked the words for the moment he settled for the simple gesture. Perhaps when Eren taught him some Sign Language he could further the conversation on the subject.

He watched as Eren quickly plucked the reachable organs and tossed them aside, briefly stating that they were only used to feed the wildlife before returning to work. Next, Eren then began to expertly remove the fur and skin from the muscle. The young man then cleared his throat. "How is training going with Titus? You must be starting to learn more and more things, Atlas. I think it is custom with Hunter Titans that duels happen at six years of age."

Again, the titan nodded confidently. Eren was right. The duels were to take place a year from now and Titus was definitely training him even harder with more advanced techniques. This morning was an example of that.

"Good. Now I heard that Titus has a tradition of sorts with each of his Advancers. They say that he makes them meet a goal of breaking a tree in half with a single punch. Is that true?"

Atlas huffed, his smile growing bigger. The titan nodded, watching as Eren raised a brow in cunning.

"Oh? So it is true then?" He sniggered. "Were you able to do so?"

Again, the beast nodded, purring loudly. It was an accomplishment that he was still proud of. He had worked so hard to be able to do such a feat. Even still, some Advancers, according to Titus, were not strong enough to fell a tree in one hit. And he himself was able to do so when he wasn't even fully mature. Of course, he was humble about it. One could not believe they were the mightiest for there were many other talented and strong Advancers. Eren grinned broadly, returning back to the elk and peeling a layer of fur from the flesh.

"I expected so. You are impressive Atlas." The young man spoke as he continued his work. "I bet you will do well when the duels come. You are powerful, and you have Jade and Titus to aid you."

Atlas grunted in reply, wordlessly giving his thanks at the compliment. Eren proceeded on his work again and the behemoth took the time to quietly groom himself, retrieving a hand to lick upon his palm to rid the remains of the elk's blood. The birds continued their merriment and the scene continued to be tranquil. All was at peace.

"So Atlas – I know the time will arrive to you soon as well, but do you have any eyes for a potential mate yet?"

At Eren's query, Atlas nearly choked upon his own tongue. The titan gagged and snorted before scrambling to sit up. Had he heard Eren right? Green eyes stared in question at the young man. The human chortled, answering his private query without a word. Eren smirked, running his knife through the flesh of the elk once again.

"I apologize if that was forward, but typically after duels we see the younger Hunters seeking out one another –and then some months later some lucky people get the chance to see parents walking with their pups – which of course is a rare sight in itself. So, back to my question, Atlas – do you like any female Hunter Titans?"

Atlas swallowed, admittedly fretful. Undenounced to the titan, his cheeks tinted a shade of crimson and his head sank a bit below his shoulders in his hunched position. Emerald irises shifted to watch the glittering river. Eren wasn't wrong. After the duels was when Titus said that unpaired Hunters would begin trying to win over a mate. Then there would be a mating ceremony where titans would officially choose their loving partner. His ear flickered. Eventually, when the time came, he would get the chance to choose a mate and then have a family of his own for the first time. The time indeed was coming closer and closer, and it made him nervous. As much as he enjoyed Jade, she seemed to be very close to Strix. Atlas's face reddened further. Kana was another very good friend that was fully accepting of him, but she and Tano seemed attached at the hip and knowing his handicap he wasn't so sure if any of the females would want to be with him at all. The thought instantly made his heart sink in his chest. Finally, the titan shook his head with a sigh.

Eren smiled tenderly, letting out a soft but humoring chuckle. "Eh, it's nothing to be embarrassed about Atlas. Even if you don't – or if you do and are just keeping it from me, I'm positive any female Hunter would want a powerful mate to protect them and stand at their side."

The titan then took his gaze away from the river and back onto his friend, ears pricking forward with intrigue. The young man beamed and sat aside a layer of fur. Perhaps Eren was correct. He hoped that he was at least. Maybe he would have a chance in the future. The Advancer hummed to himself in thought. He really hoped so. Deciding that he needed to shift the conversation away from himself, Atlas quickly pointed to Eren and chirruped, grunting several times to get the point across. The human stared at him for a brief minute before grinning bashfully and reaching up to rub the back of his neck with his cleaner hand.

"Well, it's not anything official or set in stone, but do you remember Juniper?"

Atlas lifted his chin, angling his ears in thought. Juniper. She was one of Eren's friends wasn't she? Perhaps he met her during the day that they played in the snow? He nodded.

"Good. The two of us are – seeing one another you could say. We've starting to become more than friends. We have been on these things called dates, Atlas. A date is when you go and spend some romantic time with just you and the one you love. You see Atlas, we humans do something that is similar to you Hunters in terms of finding a partner. When we like someone, we go on dates for a time. When we like each other enough, we get together and do something called 'marriage' – which is like your mating ceremony where we humans join as an official pair. Then after some time, if we choose to do so, we have children. Then we live out our days that we have until we return to the earth once again." Eren paused, offering the giant another smile before returning to work once again. "Someday I would like to marry Juniper if things work out between us. We'll have children and live well and to the fullest."

Atlas only trilled in response, offering his friend a grunt in encouragement. It seemed that Eren had been busy since he last met him. The young man certainly had a goal in mind with his life. From what he remembered, Eren and Juniper got along well. No doubt they were perfect for one another. The titan hummed in thought. Eren was sure to get a family of his own. Maybe, when the time was right, he could try this 'date' thing. Then again, he didn't know much as to how Hunters found and won over their love. Maybe there was a way that his kin did things that he didn't know about. He supposed he would find out in the future.

"Speaking of human cultures and things, maybe I could share with you a bit more details about ourselves and the village? Some of this you may not even know. Firstly, we humans of the village call ourselves the Sylvanus people. That means 'people who live in the woodland' and our village is called Sylvonna which means 'center of the forest.' Of course, I think most Hunter Titans call Sylvonna just the village for most are unable to pronounce it."

Atlas blinked in disbelief. Of all the times that he heard the Hunter's including his Mentor, talk about the human village, he had never heard them use its true name once. Even he himself had to agree with Eren. It did sound hard to pronounce. He could keep referring to it as 'village' and only use its true name when needed if it came to conversation – a conversation that he hoped he would soon be capable of.

"There are other groups of people that we know of that are out there too. You have the walled city of Paradis and its people are known as Eldians. Of course, few Eldians were originally Sylvanus people – the ones who established the walls in the very beginning with the Hunter Titan's aid are the ones in charge in Paradis. The rest of the Eldians are from all over the world and fled to the walls for safety. There are other settlements of course out in the world too. There is Hizuru with their people known as Hizurians or Asians. Humans there are quite exotic and look very different from Sylvanus people. Then you have Marley with its Marlian people. From what I have heard, they are not too kind and thirst for power over other people. There are other small settlements out in the world, but many fall due to the rising population of Mindless Titans. We only know of the other humans of the world due to the returning Hunter Titans from when Paradis was formed. They learned about them from afar, and never revealed Sylvonna to anyone. We would like to keep it that way. You see Atlas, we keep in secret due to our desire not to expose you Hunter Titans. Not all humans are kind and would use you for their own gain, Atlas." Eren spoke, tone changing to a more serious yet solemn one.

The titan's ears flickered. This was quite interesting. And it made sense why the village wanted to be secret. His kind were powerful and smart beings. Humans like those from Marley would be the type to use them. He could recall clearly the distain other people had for them in the past. He didn't want to meet one ever. Not to mention, Eren's people seemed to have some sort of special ability or bond with the Hunters themselves since there were things like the 'memory transfer' that he had heard of. Yes, their corner of the world was perfect and with their strength, no harm should come to it. Atlas continued to watch as Eren began to finish his act of field dressing his catch, wrapping the meat in cloth and tying the fur. The young man even severed the head of the elk, being careful not to damage the rest of it as it too was prepped for the way back home.

"Anyways, Sylvanus people live close to nature. Some groups of people specialize in certain things. Our people are the best hunters out there. We know the forest and we know how to take down our prey." Eren continued as he proceeded to slice more meat from bone. "We make strong blades to do so." Eren held up his knife, allowing the titan to see it closely for the first time. It was amazing. The blade was deadly and the hilt was wood carved into the fearsome mug of a Hunter Titan – looking similar to the other items he found that were from the Village. "We make our own pottery, ale, and booze, and then there is our furs and leatherwork." The human pressed on as he worked. "Humans have customs too. They have their own beliefs. The Sylvanus worship the Hunter Titans. They are Ymir's children. Hunters are the greatest of beings. The most sacred of creatures. The Hunters are our deities. Our belief is that Ymir used our blood to create the Hunter titans. She perfected and purified it with her own to create the world's most noble beings. We show our gratitude and praise you as our gods by holding festivals in your honor. We share memories. There are many things we do. The King of The Hunters is the King of all Earth – a powerful force that we are grateful for." Eren paused in his work to smile up at the listening titan, who was completely enwrapped at the information. It was amazing that Eren's village thought of his kind the way they did. They even chose to worship them over their creator. Eren then took a moment to drink water from his pouch before starting once again, the elk nearly finished.

"The Eldians worship the three walls, Maria, Rose, and Sina. Their people think that they are their goddesses. But the Hunter's that formed the wall made sure that was a bit lost in translation. Maria, Rose, and Sina are Ymir's daughters – all three were elder Hunter Titans that helped construct Paradis."

Atlas gurgled in confusion. Titus had not taught him that, yet at least. So along with the King of the Hunter Titans, which just meant their leader, these three Elders must have helped build the walls. And to keep the people of the village safe and the Hunters a secret, the Eldians had their memory erased an altered – until the mindless could be wiped out. Perhaps another reason as to why this was done was that perhaps they didn't want the information of their existence to spread to harmful blights like Marley.

"Since Paradis is a mix of all kinds of people, there are all kinds of customs. As for Marley, I hear they worship a figure called Helos – a being that was a man that conquered nations and titans alike. I am unsure of the others, but there sure is a lot to us humans Atlas." Eren chuckled, finally wiping his knife clear of blood and motioning over to the river to wash the crimson from his hands. "Now, I believe I promised you a lesson didn't I?"

Hearing the young man's statement, Atlas tweeted excitedly and quickly sat up and ready. As intriguing as it was to hear about all the humans and how they functioned, he wanted to start learning what he was striving to know for many months now! How to say things with silent words! Like a dog excited to go after a thrown stick, Atlas trilled loudly and lightly stamped his hands into the pebble beach. At the sight, Eren laughed and motioned to sit upon a large rock near the river. Atlas couldn't help looking ridiculous, to someone that was robbed of speech the promise of communication with others was an absolute gift.

"I see that you're very excited Atlas! During the winter I did start learning from the sister of the deaf elder in our village. Granted, it does take a bit to learn so I only have a handful of things to teach you today, but it is a start! Now Atlas, do you remember when I showed you how to greet someone and say goodbye?"

The Advancer blinked, tilting his head in thought. It was only a brief moment that he had seen them from Eren during their reunion in the past winter. It was a simple movement though that he was sure was close. The titan then lifted his hand and pulling it away from his forehead in a wave. The young man's brows rose in astonishment and he clapped in congratulation. Atlas purred at his success. In truth he was unsure between the two signs that were shared which meant what.

"Perfect! I'm glad you remembered! Okay, now what is goodbye?"

Confident, because there was only one other option, the titan held up his hand and opened and closed his palm. Eren nodded.

"Wonderful! Now, let's add to that shall we? I am going to teach you a few basic words today and then a few letters of the alphabet since I am still learning the rest of it myself. In case you are wondering, each word has a letter in our tongue. There are twenty-six letters that are different. We call the group of letters the alphabet. Understand, Atlas?"

The Hunter Titan dipped his head.

"Great. How about we start with names? I'll show you how to sign your name Atlas." Eren informed with the titan growing giddy again. "Your name is made up of five letters. They are A-T-L-A-S. This is how you sign it!" The teen began as he held up a single hand. Atlas leaned in closer to scrutinize to see that Eren held up a closed fist with his thumb resting on the outside of his hand. "This is the letter A." He continued, suddenly placing his thumb into his fist between his first and third finger. "Next you sign the letter T." Eren unfolded his hand, extending his thumb and forefinger outwards. "This comes next. It is the letter L. Then you repeat the A again." The young man returned his hand to its first position. "Finally, you end with S which you close your fist and put your thumb resting inside just on top of your fingers. That is how you sign your name! Now you give it a try!"

Excitedly, the titan held up his right fist. Immediately he sighed the first letter, an admittedly easy one. He then moved onto the next, but Eren quickly held up a hand to correct him.

"Close, but put your thumb between your pointer and middle finger, Atlas. Try again from the beginning."

Again, the Advancer signed the first letter and moved onto the second, making sure that he had it correct before moving on to the letter that he found the easiest to remember, the L. The titan stretched out his thumb and index finger before repeating the A again. Finally, Atlas moved his thumb where it was needed to complete his name. At his success, both the human and titan let out an enthused holler.

"Amazingly done, Atlas! Now, when communicating with sign, you have to do the hand movements quickly. Try signing your name again but do it a bit faster!"

His eyes lit up with determination. Quicker, but a bit gawkier, the titan signed his name. Atlas huffed nervously. Although he was skilled in the art of slaughtering Mindless Titans, movements like these were so foreign to him. Again, he decided to repeat the notions until he felt good enough about them.

"Good work. Being able to sign quickly comes with practice. Not only do you have to get your fingers right but you have to remember your letters at the same time, Atlas. It's definitely something to practice when you aren't busy. Now, let me show you how to sign my name!"

Atlas chirruped. He couldn't wait to learn Eren's name.

"My name has four letters. It should be pretty easy since two letters are the same, kind of like your name Atlas. Eren is spelt E-R-E-N. The E you sign with your hand in a fist again with your thumb like so." The young man explained, putting his thumb on the inside of his fist just beneath the tips of all his fingers. "The R you extend your middle and pointer finger up like so and cross them over one another like this. Then you repeat the E sign. Finally, there is the N that is done like this." Eren illustrated, closing his fingers completely over his palm and sticking his thumb between the third and fourth fingers. "Now you give it a try!"

The titan then made his attempt to mirror his friend who eagerly and patiently observed him. The beast was quick to recite it perfectly, finding that Eren's name was much easier to sign than even his own. The teen was prompt in congratulation as he gave him applause.

"You are picking this up pretty well, Atlas! You have talent!" Eren began with the titan puffing his chest in gratitude. "Before I teach you the first few letters of the alphabet, let me teach you how to sign your kin first. Titan is another five letter word with repeating letters Atlas and it will be easier to sign in comparison to the word human. Titan is spelled T-I-T-A-N. Some of the letters you have also signed already. For the T hold your hand in a fist again and put your thumb up through your middle and index finger. For the next letter, I – you keep your hand in a fist and extend your pinky outward while your thumb rest over your clenched fingers. Repeat the T. Then you will do the A before moving on to the last letter the N." Eren spelled out slowly. "Give it a try, Atlas."

Atlas complied. Although the movements were not as graceful as Eren's hands, he was finally able to sign titan, only messing up once due to having to recall another letter he used previously that was so similar to the one he was trying to sign now. The young man nodded in approval.

"Very good! Now I will have you sign the word human. The word itself is spelled H-U-M-A-N. It is signed like this.

Atlas watched Eren's hand movements closely. There were some new letters that he hadn't learned. Sign language was incredible and to think that humans had thought up simple yet complicated hand movements to form actual words was amazing. Although some things took time for him to understand, he was able to pick up most of what Eren was teaching him so far. Perhaps his sheer interest was aiding him. After the teen concluded the movements, the titan began to mirror them to the best of his ability. He stumbled upon one sign but quickly corrected himself. Again, Eren cheered at his success.

"You are doing really well, Atlas. The last thing I will teach you today is a few letters. I would say that we could stay here for longer and learn, but the elk meat will spoil if we don't prep it back at the village." Eren informed. At first he was disappointed but understood. Meat was something that expired and to humans it was vital for survival. They couldn't catch prey as easy as the Hunter Titans. "Next time we meet we will just skip hunting and just do some sign language, Atlas. With more people than me hunting today, Sylvonna will have plenty of meat for a while."

Atlas hummed in agreement. Yes, hunting with Eren was fun, but with the humans having their fill he was very open to just visiting and learning more.

"As I said, let's do the start of the alphabet, Atlas. I think five letters are good for now. I don't want to overload you for your first time. So the first letters in the alphabet are A-B-C-D-E. You have signed several of these already, but let's do a review. What is the letter A?

The titan thought briefly before lifting his hand to sign the answer.

"Great! Now the next one is one you definitely have not learned yet. It is the letter B and it is signed like this." Eren lifted his hand. "Hold your four fingers straight into the air while folding your thumb inward. Give it a try Atlas."

He smiled and complied, lifting his hand to copy the sign. The young man clapped in congratulation and then cleared his throat to continue.

"The next letter in the alphabet is the letter C. This time you actually form your hand in the shape of the letter. It's what I like to call a crescent moon shape, Atlas. It's a moon that isn't full." Eren explained as he held up his hand to the side and curved his fingers at the joints inward, imitating the shape of a waning moon. "Let me see yours."

The titan huffed at the similarity to the moon and repeated Eren's action. It would be an easy symbol to remember.

"Good. Next is the letter D. The letter is signed in a manner that looks as if one is pointing upwards." Eren pressed on as he did indeed point up, making sure to keep his thumb just touching his other fingers that were curled inward. Knowing that the teen was to ask him to repeat the sign, Atlas bent his fingers and signed the letter. Eren nodded enthusiastically. "Great! Now the final letter that I will teach you today is the letter E, which you learned when I taught you my name, Atlas. Before I sign it, let me see if you remember it first!"

The Advancer was confident in his skills. How could he forget any letters to his good friend's name? The titan held up the fist like notion proudly, provoking the young man to smile broadly and give him a nod.

"Wow Atlas. You are picking this up pretty well! It can be difficult for some people to learn too." Eren began as he stood from his seated position upon the rock. The young man took a moment to stretch before making his way to the pile of packed elk parts. "Next time we meet I'll go over some more letters of the alphabet. And hell, if you desire we can sit and learn all day if you want! I'll be more experienced for the next lesson as well. Now, we should head back so my family and I can start drying the meat. Now Atlas just one more thing."

The Hunter Titan's ears flicked forward, curious what Eren wanted.

"We are not crossing the wide part of the gorge again. Let's find a skinny part this time."

Atlas couldn't help but chuff.

Dropping Eren off at the village was an experience within itself. The other men stared on in awe at the young man arriving on the shoulder of a titan with a whole elk in hand. There had been a small celebration with the group of humans and he received many praises of thanks in the forms of pats and words. Leaving the village, he soon grew aware that he too would like something to eat. So he was now back in Hunter Titan territory in search of a meal.

Atlas took a pause upon a moss covered boulder, taking a moment to listen to the sounds of the forest before proceeding to inhale in search of his potential meal. He had not eaten much the day before and with his recent activity with Eren, he now realized just how hungry he was. He was downwind, and could smell a few other Hunters. There were some Mindless, but they were already close to other pack members and he didn't want the ridicule that would come with stealing food. Atlas inhaled again, his hair standing and his nostrils flaring as a certain odor hit him full blast. The titan's green eyes widened and he could feel his mouth begin to water.

It was the unmistakable scent of birth.

The particular scent was one that any Mentor drilled into their Advancer's mind to memorize. He had witnessed it many times now from observing the deer in his hollow. Birth was when new life came into the world. It was messy but he understood that it was meant to be beautiful. The smell of birth was distinctive and not amazingly pleasant. It was metallic with a mixture of blood, unique from most smells. When this smell was present, it was the sign that the mother was venerable to any predator. Atlas sniffed again. It was STRONG. Not only did it mean that it was close, but it was also from a Mindless Titan.

His nose wrinkled and a snarl left his mouth as he ventured forward once again in the direction of his new target. If a Mindless Titan was giving labor, he needed to dispatch it. Atlas bounded through the trees and brambles, the smell so strong that he could nearly taste it upon his tongue. He needed to get to where he needed quickly for the scent was bound to draw another Hunters in. This was a meal upon a silver platter. He could get what he wanted and then share the rest to the pack. Even when he ate among his kind when most meals were dumped on their grounds so they could all feast, the others seemed to hog the meat from him. Thus, he still preferred to eat alone or in the company of his Mentor or friends. He needed to be first.

Atlas slowed in his run to keep his steps even lighter, the smell overpowering. Lightly, he began to step through the undergrowth, ears erect and listening. There was thudding and rustling with sounds of anguish. The Advancer slowly began to emerge from the foliage into a small clearing. He stalled, green eyed wide as he beheld the scene before him. The lush grass was now coated in fluids and blood. In the center of the glade was a thirteen-meter titan that was doubled over upon the ground. Its eyes were bulging and a log line of mucus and blood trailed from its awkwardly open jaws. The thing's chest heaved and stretched and its large belly was expanding and contracting with each cavernous yet strained breath. The creature looked pained yet it looked as if it was dethatched from reality and had not a single clue as to what it was doing or what was occurring.

He remembered Titus telling him during his first year as an Advancer all about how Mindless Titans operated. Hunter Titans, humans, and the mammals of the world apparently reproduced much differently than Mindless. His Mentor had said that he would learn how Hunters did things when the time came for him to know, but he was steadfast on teaching him how the enemy procreated. Apparently, a single Mindless Titan was both a male and a female – an idea that he found hard to believe at first. When a Mindless matured, and ate enough humans in a certain expanse of time, something deep inside would activate. Things called eggs that had formed in the deepest part of the titan would fertilize and soon grow into more Mindless in a state known as pregnancy. When the pups were fully formed, the mother would vomit them – giving birth to their offspring. Titus educated him in spotting pregnant Mindless Titans. Their bellies were always huge, grotesque, and practically alive with large litters. They moved poorly but were even more ravenous than usual. Unlike his kin, Mindless Titans could have multiple litters a year which was a frightening fact. A Mindless titan's primary reason for eating humans was just for the sake of reproduction. The rest of the time was just for sport.

Atlas's eyes drifted, following the sound of sputtering. Lying scattered in the grass were the vile forms of Mindless titan offspring. Disgusting things they were. The pups were covered in mucus and blood. But this was not what made them ghastly. Mindless titans gave birth to quantity and not quality. He recalled Titus telling him about a creature, a reptile, called a garter snake. Instead of laying eggs like most reptiles, it gave birth live to over a dozen young at a time. Only the most able bodied would survive, those that were deformed with kinked spines didn't make it. And many were born dead. The Mindless titan young afore him were disfigured. So far there were eight of them. One had limbs far too small so it couldn't lift itself. Another's ribcage was far too big and it couldn't move properly. The others had other defects like far too big of a head, crooked spines, and other horrors. Some of the offspring were able to escape drastic deformities and were rolling around and trying to get to their feet. Unlike Hunter Titans who raised their young, Mindless Titan's didn't have the intelligence to do so, thus all their offspring were left to fend for themselves. As soon as this Mindless here was done giving birth, it would go off in search of more humans to fill its stomach and start the entire process again.

As a Hunter, an Advancer, he could not let that happen. Atlas began to motion forward, coming to a pause over one of the disfigured pups. It was a far cry from the adorable pups that Hunters produced. Like the adults, it's face was disfigured into a horrid smile. Atlas sighed in defeat. Such a wasted life. These things were cursed before they were brought into the world. The large titan lifted his foot and brought it down upon the pup's nape, smashing it like a melon. If anything, he was doing these pup's justice by putting them out of their misery.

The Advancer proceeded to extinguish another pup, punting into the air and watching its broken body smash into a tree with a screech of agony before falling to the earth in silence. Atlas motioned to another struggling pup, one that was clearly a runt with long arms. The Hunter bent over and picked up single handedly. The thing squirmed uselessly, only the size of a horse and not near strong enough to break free of his grasp. With a swift motion of his fingers, Atlas broke its neck and crushed the nape easily. The titan then lifted the other to his jaws and stuffed the insignificant little morsel into his mouth and swallowed it whole before licking his teeth in satisfaction. Atlas then quickly stomped upon the nape of another before dispatching a fourth. The sickening sound of wrenching began, throwing his attention to the mother once more. Almost spellbound he watched as the monster's throat swelled grotesquely and the skin ripped away from the Mindless's jaws. A bundle of flesh was then forced up and out of the titan's mouth and fell to the grass below. The scent of birth hit him full blast, his nostrils flaring to their fullest. The newly birthed pup squirmed, breaking free of some sort of translucent membrane and wailed weakly, the first bit of oxygen stinging its fresh lungs. A low growl resonated from Atlas's throat. He needed to do something with the mother before it made more of a problem.

Atlas then quickly approached the Mindless Titan, and without mercy, smashed the newly born titan before raising his leg and bringing his heel down hard and fast upon the mother's skull. Like the pup, the Mindless Titan's head was reduced to mush, leaving the laboring titan headless with only the vertebra sticking out awkwardly. Like all Mindless Titans, decapitation rendered a birthing mother in a state of near pause. Labor would be put on hold as the body would focus on regrowing the head. Atlas then rounded the Mindless's body and crouched at its side. His eyes danced at the blood spatter, the impulse to feed at full force. Unable to withstand his complaining stomach no longer, Atlas opened his jaws and plunged his face into the mother's flesh. His teeth tore meat from bone, peeling away the skin of the flank. Atlas swallowed, rumbling in pleasure with his teeth stained red. He relished each bite. Not only did they have a different smell, an expecting Mindless tasted different. It was juicy and sweeter. Atlas took another bite. He had dispatched much of the pups, any remaining, he or another Hunter they would slay shorty for they would not get far. The mother had the most meat. It would be wise to indulge as much as possible before slaying.

A snap of a branch made him pause in his feat. Tapered ears flickered to the source. Atlas looked over the body of his kill at the rustling foliage just a few meters from him. With so much blood and other birth fluids in the air, it was impossible to smell the identity of the intruder. Atlas prepared himself but remained silent, green eyes scanning the landscape. Suddenly, a screech rang out, sounding like a cat slaying a rat. The sound of tearing flesh soon followed. A predator had found one of the remaining pups. Atlas remained vigilant though he had a good idea that that the culprit wasn't a Strange one. Finally, the limbs of the trees parted and both Jade and Strix emerged. Upon seeing him they beamed and chirruped in greeting, the gory scene a normal sight for Hunters. Atlas smiled, chirping his own hello. If it had been any other Hunter titan besides his friends, he would have been angry.

"OH! YOUU... BEATT USS TO ITT ATLASS!" Jade began as Strix held up what was left of a slaughtered Mindless pup.

"IT IS... A GOOD THING HE... GOT HERE... QUICKLY. BEFORE... IT COULD... BIRTHH MOREE... OF THESE THINGS." His ears tilted as he looked at the thing with a sense of repulsion. "THESE... ARE SOME... DISTURBING... LOOKING PUPS."

"EII... WISHHH THEYY... COULD NOTT HAVE THIS MANYY AT ONCE." Jade continued as she bent next to Atlas and poked at the mother titan's belly. "THERE ISSS.... MOREEE INN HERREE TOO. EIII... CAN'TT IMAGINNE CARRYINGG THATT MANY."

Another rustle captured their attention. Atlas watched as both Kana and Tano entered the small glade, each holding an incapacitated Mindless pup. Like Strix, they were holding them in distaste, but they still smiled and chirruped in greeting. Atlas felt himself get excited at their arrival. It wasn't often that all of the Advancers he liked were in the presence of one another without the rest of the pack being close by. Kana chirruped while Tano snuck a bite of the pup he was holding.

"LOOKSS... LIKE WEE ALLL CAMEE RUNNING TO THIS ONE!" Kana tittered.

"IT SEEMS SO." Strix huffed. "ATLAS GOT HERE... FIRST AND STALLED... THE MOTHER." The titan gestured to him, making a warmth spread in his chest at the acknowledgement of the accomplishment. Kana's smile grew even bigger, blue eyes practically shining.

"THAT ISS ANAZINGGG ATLAS!" Kana congratulated, Atlas's cheeks tinting noticeably red, making the female Hunter giggle. "WE WEREE ABLEE... TO GETT SOME OFF THE PUPPSS ON THE WAYY INN. TANO... HAD A LITTLEE.... SNACKK OR TOOO."

"SO DID WE." Strix replied, taking a large chunk out of the side of the pup that he had slain previously. The titan nearly swallowed the bite whole, rumbling in pleasure. "IT IS... INTERESTING HOW DIFFERENT THEY TASTE. SO... TENDER AND JUICY."

"I HEARR... THATT THE MMOTHERS... TASTE DIFFERENT TOO."Tano added, finishing the pup and licking his fingers clean. "BUTT THE MOTHERR... IS ATLAS'S CATCHH."

His ears perked up at the statement, with the excitement that they were all together brimming in his mind, Atlas had an idea on how to continue their gathering. He wouldn't mind it at all. The Advancer quickly turned to Jade, making several gestures and grunts to highlight all of them before pointing at the mother. The female titan nodded, her smile somehow growing even broader upon her lipless maw.

"YOUUU WANTT... USS TO SHAREE THE MEAL, ATLASS?" Jade questioned, making sure that she had translated his words correctly. He nodded, watching as his friends grew more excited. "THATT SOUNDSS... WONDERFULL! IT WOULDD BE NICCE TO EATT TOGETHERR. LETSSS GO TO THE GROTTOO."

"NICE." Strix agreed. "IT IS...A PRIVATE PLACE TO CATCH UP."

Atlas couldn't help how much his ears were wiggling in enthusiasm.

The grotto was a quiet and secluded place within Titus's territory. It reminded him of his hollow for it was surrounded by a high cliffside that was shrouded by trees. At the bottom however, there were stones and pebbles a plenty that were decorated by lush mosses. It was the perfect place to catch up for the scent of the Mindless could not carry in the wind to draw in those uninvited. The aura of the grotto was lovely all around.

The five Hunters were now seated and making a feast out of the mother Mindless. To ensure that it could no longer labor, Strix had gutted the beast so they could destroy the other pups. It was nothing short of disgusting, but it was work that had to be done. Now, they each sat seated with their share in conversation. Atlas purred to himself, taking a bite out of the leg portion that he currently had, the Mindless remaining beheaded in the center of their party to regenerate over and over only to be cut down again for their own nourishment. The Advancer swallowed, ears wiggling in delight before taking another mouthful of fresh meat. The current subject was quite the entertaining one.

"STRIXX – HOWW ISS ITT... THATT YOUU DO NOTT BITEE YOURR SKINN – CHEEKSSS... WWHEN YOUU EATT?" Tano asked curious, gesturing to the titan's fleshy mouth coverings – a rare trait among the Hunter Titans.

Strix's browns raised comically, the titan scratching his ear as he thought how to answer. "ER – I DON'T KNOW. I GUESS... IT'S LIKE... HOW HUMANS EAT. YOU... DON'T REALLY THINK... ABOUT IT. I JUST CHEW... AND SWALLOW." The Hunter titan huffed, fingers pinching the skin of his cheeks. "BUT... THEY DO GET IN... THE WAY... WHEN I GO TO... RIP OUT A NAPE."

Kana dipped hear head, absorbing the information like a sponge with her eyes wide and watching. "OHH! THEE SKINN DOESNNTT... LET YOU OPENNN YOURR MOUTHH... FULLY."

Strix grunted in confirmation. "I DON'T... WANT TO DEMONSTRAIT... BUT I WILL SAY... THAT THE SKINN SPLITTS... AND IT HURTSS FOR A BIT." The Advancer explained with Kanacringing at the visual.

Atlas knew precisely what Strix was describing. Titus was one of the few Hunters that had lips like a human and like many Mindless Titans. When his Mentor bit out the napes of his prey, the skin grotesquely had to tear away in order for him to open his jaws at their full expanse. It was almost as if a skinned cheeked Hunter's face had to split in half. It was this part of the trait that made Atlas glad that he had exposed teeth like most Hunter Titans. However, he did notice that titans like Titus and Strix had an edge over many when it came to speaking. They sounded nearly like a human when carrying a conversation as opposed to a standard Hunter Titan with a serrated jaw on display – speech nearly slurred at points or putting great emphasis on certain letters that they had to take longer to pronounce. Atlas himself was very glad to lack the fleshy covering that concealed his teeth.

"HE... DOESS HAVE ADVANTAGE... WITHH HOW MUCHH FOOD HEE CAN PUTT IN HIS MOUTTH ATT A TIME." Jade huffed merrily, receiving a questioning look from Strix. "OH! EII DONTT MEANN IT THAT WAYY! WITHH CHEEKSS AND LIPSS. YOUU CAN HOLDD YOUR FOOD INN YOURR MOUTHH WITHOUTT IT FALLINGG OUTT." The female titan elaborated. "WEE WITH NOO LIPS TENDD TO BE MESSY EATERRRS."

"SOO... WEE ARRE JEALOUSS OF YOU ONN THAT ONEE, STRIXX." Tano added. "YOUU... TALKK BETTER TOO."

As they continued on with the same subject, Atlas briefly wondered if he had lips if the trait would allow him to speak verbally, but he quickly realized that even if he had the feature it was an internal defect that didn't give him any voice. It was an idea that made a frown creep onto his face, but recalling that he was in the presence of his friends, Atlas smiled again. He wanted to enjoy every second of the merriment.

Strix reached to scratch at his chin in a bashful manner. "IT... IS MORE OF A BURDEN... WHEN HUNTING." He chuffed lightly. "I WOULD MUCH RATHER... NOT TO HAVE TO... RIP MY FACE UP... WHEN... BITING OUT A NAPE." Strix implied as he took another small bite out of the Mindless flesh, taking his time to savor the flavor before swallowing and clearing his throat. "SO... WHAT IS YOUR MENTORS... TEACHING... RIGHT NOW? The titan changed the subject, both tired of talking about something directed at his features and the fact that the current conversation was becoming stale.

Tano swallowed the last bit of Mindless Titan meat that he had, taking the moment to lick the front of his teeth clean before initiating "RIGHTT NOWW... IT ISS GRABBINGG... BIGGERR OPPONENTTS TO TAKKE THEMM DOWNNN." The Advancer explained, holding up his hands to emphasize. "MYY MENNTORR IS... BIGG... AND HE ISS HARDD TO KNOCCK DOWNN. I – AM NOTT GOOD AT IT YETT." Tano admitted in a bashful manner.

Atlas couldn't help but think. Titus had taught him how to do this a while ago. Perhaps different Mentors taught their Advancers similar techniques but at different times in their training. He remembered always worrying if he was behind all of the others, but if his theory were true then such wasn't even a factor anymore.

"MY MENNTORR... IS TEACHINGG ME QUICKK JABS... TO VITAL POINTSS TO STUNN... MY OPPONENTT." Kana smiled, setting down what was left of her portion of Mindless meat. "MY...MENTORR IS FEMALLE... AND OFTENN... SOME OF USS DO NOT... HAVE THE STRENCGTHH TO GRAPPLE... AND THROWW OURR FOE. SO... FORR USS... HITTINGG VITAL SPOTTSS GIVES US TIMEEE... TO MAKKE A BIGG MOVEE! Kana explained enthusiastically.

The technique was something that Titus mentioned in passing, but had not gotten to teaching him yet. He was also familiar with Jade performing the same technique. He had seen it when he used to watch her sessions with Titus and one day she had done the trick against Strix in sparring. It was a devastating series of moves that took much practice to get them right, but the work was worth the payout. He was looking forward to learning it for it would be incredibly useful in the future.

"THATT... IS A GOODD MOVE TO... LEARNN." Jade concluded her feast to join in on the conversation. "IT ISSS... TRICKYY ANDD TAKESS PRACTICE...BUTT... IS A GREATT TOOLL... IN A DUELL." The female titan then unexpectedly turned her attention to him, smile upon her face. "ATLASS... WHATT DIDD TTITUSS TEACHH YOUU... THISS NORNING?"

Atlas's eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't expecting someone to invite him into the conversation knowing that he couldn't speak. The titan swallowed his morsel thickly, setting down what remained of the Mindless leg. His face reddened at the thought of trying to get some sort of word out, but then he realized that Jade probably didn't want him to feel left out and what he learned he could simply demonstrate without even getting to his feet. Atlas traded his stunned and worried look for one of confidence as he grunted in confirmation. With all eyes now upon him, Atlas lifted his thumb into his mouth and promptly bit it clean off. There were sounds of unrest at the titan luncheon, but he remained focused on the bleeding stump. He had just ate and had more food at his disposal so he had plenty of energy to do what he wanted quickly. 'Regenerate.' He thought to himself, mind clear and eyes focused on the prize. Then, with steam spilling from the wound, bone and muscle sprouted with nerves and tendons. The group watched in awe as skin quickly spread and the thumb completed its regrowth as his clawed nail dawned his finger once again in a small puff of steam. Proudly, Atlas tweeted and held up his new thumb for all to see. Jade smiled warmly at his accomplishment while the others looked on in awe.

"OH! THATT ISS ANAZINGG ATLAS! THAT... IS CONTROLLED REGENERATTIONN RIGHT?" Kana asked, astounded. He nodded with her eyes lighting up even more. "I THOUGHTT SO! THATT.... ISS SUPPOSEDD TOO BEE REALLEE HARDD TO LEARNN. I... HAVENNT BEEN TAUGHTT IT YETT." Kana admitted as she bashfully rubbed the back of her neck.

"THATTT... IS A HARDD THINGG TO LEARNN." Tano agreed. "IM... HAVVVING TROUBLEE WITHH ITT."

"IT TOOK ME... A LONG WHILE TO MASTER IT." Strix added.

Tano's brows lifted even higher at the sudden realization. " ANDD... YOUUU WEREE TAUGHTT... THATT THISS NORNNING?"

Atlas felt his chest heat in pride. He nodded, lifting his chin proudly and green eyes watching in amusement as Tano's jaw slackened.

The titan huffed, pointing to him and looking in worry at the others. "I DONTT KNOWW... ABOUTT YOUU ALL... BUTT EII DONTTT WANTT TO FIGHTT HINN IN THE DUELLS." Tano announced with the others huffing at the statement.

Atlas's cheeks instantly reddened, but in the good kind of way. The others joined in the merriment, the corpse of the Mindless mother titan slowly steamed away until there was nothing left. Kana suddenly quieted, blue eyes adverting to her lap. He found himself staring, the female titan began to rub her thumbs over one another – it was a thing he had seen her do when nervous. Concerned and ignoring how silly he was to look in an attempt to ask a question, Atlas barked to gain her attention. Startled, she quickly looked up. To project his question, he gave a flummoxed grunt. Kana blinked, taking a moment to dissect his call before letting out a sigh. She knew he asked what was wrong.

"THEE DUELLS AREE... INN A YEARR. I ANNN NERVOUSS. EII WONDERR IFF EII WILL BE READYYY." Kana admitted.

Atlas's brows lifted. Oh. Right, the duels were only a year away. A year away until they would all be pitted against one another to fight for the position of Mentor. He understood her weariness. He did wonder if he was going to be ready by then. He still had much to learn it seemed.

Tano leaned back, tilting his head upwards in thought. "YOUUU ARRE RIGHTT. ITT... WON'TTT BE LONGG NOW. EII... FEEL GOODD ABOUTT MYY SKILL... BUTT EII FEARR GOINGG AGAINSTT... FRIENDSS... ANDD STRONGG OPONENTSS." Tano sighed, staring up into the canopy before directing his gaze into the last of the smoldering Mindless. "MITUSS... IS A BRUTEE. I HAVVE... SEENN HIM SPARR WITH... HIS MENTORR... FROMM A DISTANCEE. HE... ISS RUTHLESS."

Kana nodded. "HE... WILL BE A TOUGHH MATCHH. HE ISSS VICIOUSSS. HE.... ISS WHATT THEE... HUMANSSS CALL... ANN – ASSHOLEE EII THINK?"

Jade tilted her head in thought. "EIII ALWAYSS... WONDERED WHATT AN ASSHOLEE WAS."

"I THINK IT IS... A BAD HUMAN TERM." Strix suggested. "NAME CALLING. I THINK... IT IS A PART OF A HUMAN... THAT HAS TO DO WITH THEIR... REAR END." The titan explained, bringing a huff from Jade.

"EII AGREE WITH YOUU KANA." Jade chuffed. "HEE... IS QUITEE THE ASSHOLEE. A REAL REARR ENDD. EII HOPEE HEE GETSS... SMACKEDD AROUNDD IN THE DUELSS." The female titan's eyes adverted to him, lifting a finger to point. "EII... CANTT WAITT FORR YOUU TO BE THE ONEE TO DO ITT, ATLASS. BROTHERR VERSESS BROTHERR. SWEETT REVENGEE FORR WHATTT ALL HE HASS DONEE TO YOUU."

Atlas's spine straightened at the statement. That was right. He would be facing Mitus his littermate. And his sisters as well, but his brother was more of a worry. Mitus was very strong and had a strong will as well. Kana and Tano were powerful Advancers, but they had a right to be leery of Mitus. Atlas gritted his teeth, recalling all the misery his brother had brought him.

"OH THAT'S RIGHT. MITUS IS ATLAS'S LITTERMATE." Strix realized. "I FORGET IT OFTEN. THEY ARE BOTH... SO DIFFERENT."

"IFF ANYY OFF USS COULD BEATT... MITUSS... IT ISS ATLASS." Kana smiled at him.

Atlas felt his face redden again, all eyes were upon him again. Really? Did Kana mean what she said?

Tano huffed loudly, the sound echoing in the grotto. "TRUEE! ATLASS... IS THE BIGGESTTT TITANN HERRE.... MUSCLEE WISE. HEE... COULDD RIPP MITUSS TO SHREDSS!"

Atlas could feel his face redden even further in embarrassment. He was admittedly, on the larger end of the Hunter Titans and his frame was well built to be a killer as Titus said. But Mitus was his blood as well, and it would come down to skill over anything. He just hoped that he would be skilled enough.

"SPEAKKING OF ATTLASS," Kana began in intrigue. "EII... HEARD SOMETHINGG ABOUTT HISS SOULL SPEAKKING... THE LOUDESTT. I HEARD... THAT YOURR ROARR... IS INCREDIBLEE ATLASS. CAN... YOU DO IT FOR USS?"

At her query the others quickly grew excited. Atlas's brows rose in astonishment. How many titans did his Mentor tell!

"EII THINK I HEARD THAT TOO!" Tano exclaimed excitedly. "SHOWW USS ATLASS!"

Strix grunted. "YES... I WOULD LIKE TO SEE... WHAT JADE IS TALKING ABOUT. ROAR ATLAS."

Jade huffed. "PRREPARRE TOO COVERR YOURR EARRS... IF NEEDEDD."

For a moment, he simply sat in shock, looking on at the others who in turn stared at him expectedly. A smile slowly pulled at the corners of his maw. Atlas huffed and slowly got to his feet. The titan relaxed his frame, shaking out his arms before inhaling deeply. His lungs expanded to their fullest, muscles in his chest swelling. Finally, he tilted his head back and released his hellish call. His roar rattled the grotto, the unworldly sound shaking every small stone in it. The canopy shook and birds flew in panic. Wind whipped at every strand of hair upon the titan's heads. Atlas's roar then died down into a deep and beastly rumble in his throat. He sat back down quickly, face reddening again as he was overcome by shyness. All was silent. Green eyes drifted upward to see the others looking at him, completely spellbound. Jade beamed broadly, proud of him.

"SEEE? RUMORSS ARRE TRUEE. HE... CANTT SPEAKK... BUTT HISS SOULL DOESS SPEAKK THEE LOUDESTT."

"THAT... WASS AMAZINGG ATLASS!" Kana praised. "IT SOUNDDSS... LIKE... NOTHINGG I HAVE HEARRD! ITT ISS TERRFYINGG!

"JADE WAS RIGHT! YOUR... ROAR... SHAKES THE EARTH."

"HOWW... ARREE YOUU... ABLEE TO ROARR SO LOUDDD? YOUR... ROARR DOESS... NOTT SOUNDD LIKEE... A HUNTER'S FOR THE MOSST PARTT EITHERR."

Kana shuffled further forward. "CANN... YOUU TELL USS YOURR SECRETT? HOWW DOO YOUU DO ITT?"

Atlas pondered for a moment, trying to figure a way to explain, but then figured it was best to show his friends what made his roar project the way it did. The titan opened his jaws to their furthest expanse, showing of the imperfections within his throat. The other Advancers scrutinized closely, humming curiously.

"SO... IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO... WITH THE MISSING PIECES OF... HIS THROAT?"

Jade nodded. "YESS. TITUSS... SAIDD ITT ISS BECAUSSEE... OF THE MISSINGG VOCALSS. MOREE AIRR PASSESS THROUGHH... WHICHH MAKKESS A BIGGERR ROARR." The female titan huffed. "SOO... IT ISS SOMMETHINGG THATT CANOTT BE TAUGHTT. ITT ISS ATLAS'SS... GIFTT."

He closed his wide open maw. There was no stopping the shade of red deepening upon his face. He wasn't used to praise like this coming from multiple titans at once. As a nervous and bashful habit, Atlas laced his fingers between his toes. Jade beamed warmly at him, obviously knowing just how he was feeling from seeing the action so many times before. Strix huffed.

"ALRIGHT... LET US... CHANGE THE SUBJECT. ATLAS... IS SO RED... THAT WE NEED... TO LET HIM... GET HIS COLOR BACK." The titan proposed with the others nodding in agreement. Atlas sighed, actually thankful that they were moving on in conversation.

The Advancer watched as Kana's ears fluttered in thought. For a moment, he saw the weariness swim in her eyes again. What else could she have been fretful about. Whatever it was, it seemed to be something difficult to get out. Before he could gesture to ask a wordless question again, Tano seemed to notice the female titan's distress and quickly nudged her in the side. Kana quickly abandoned her thoughts and looked to her friend in surprise.

"SONNETHINGG WRONGG?" He asked, the other titan hesitating, her eyes wandering to her feet before looking up at the others.

"OH... SORRYY... BUTT HAVVEE ANYY OFF YOUU NOTTICEDD AZERORONN'S WEIRDD... BEHAVIORR LATELYY?"

For the second time since they gathered, it was complete silence among the five. Atlas's ears perked up in interest. He had not had any interactions with their leader in a while. In fact, in the past year, the titan had not spoken to him once. He preferred it that way, but what was Azeroron doing now?

"NOWW... THATT YOUU... MENTIONN ITT... HEEE... DIDD ASKK ME SOMEE ODD QUESTIONNSS." Tano rubbed his chin. Kana's rose. At the mention of questions, his own ears rotated fully forward in interest – recalling the day he unexpectedly encountered their leader in the forest.

"YES... HE DIDD THE SAMME TO MEE." Kana began. "AMOSTT TWOO YEARRS AGOO NOWW... I SAWW HINN TALKINGG TO ATLASS TOO. I DID NOTT HEARR ALLL OF WHATT... HE WASS ASKINGG ATLASS... BUTT I WONDERREDD... IFF IT WAS THE SAMEE STUFF."

Atlas's heart then began to beat faster as he realized that the news he had been wanting to tell Titus and Jade so long was about to be shared indirectly. He looked to see Jade's gaze shift to him, her chin lowering to rest in her palm.

"WHATT DIDD HE ASKK ALL OFF YOUU?" She began, eyes still lingering upon him before shifting back to Tano and Kana. Kana bit her tongue.

"ONEE EII REMEMBER WAS HOWW DOO THE ANIMALLS REACTT TO ME. HEE ASKED IFF THEYYY SEEMED TO LISTENN."

Atlas felt his blood chill for a moment and his hair prickle. That was indeed the same question that Azeroron asked him. Then there were the odd reactions the deer gave him and the elk from earlier. Listening. Were those creatures listening to him in their seemingly stunned states?

"HEE ASKKEDD ME THATT TOO." Tano added. "ITT DOESN'TT MAKEE SENSSE TO MEE THOUGHH. ALL ANIMALSS... EXCEPTT MAYBEE WOLVESS ANDD BEARRSS... SEEMM AT PEACCEE AROUNDD USS." The titan scratched at the hairs at the back of his jaw. "WHYY WOULDD HE ASKK A QUESTIONN THATT... HE ALREADDY KNOWWS THE ANSWERR TOO?"

"BEATS ME." Strix replied. "DEERR... AND RABBITS FOR EXAMPLE... ALWAYS FIND COMFORT... IN GRAZING... AROUND US."

Atlas's brows drew together in thought, gaze drifting to the ground again. Tano and Strix had a point. The animals in the forest seeked refuge from predators around the Hunters. Maybe this was what Azeroron really meant. Atlas continued to ponder, fingers lacing in his toes again. Tano's statement – WHY would Azeroron ask a question if he already knew the answer? The elk, was there more to it? That reaction it had, it didn't seem natural at all. His eyes widened, his state not being noticed by the others. He had wanted the elk to stop so Eren could kill it. It listened to him didn't it? Was that really what happened or was the elk just spooked by his roar? Secretly, he looked up to the others. It would be foolish to even try to suggest anything and he couldn't describe what had occurred anyway. It was simply speculation. He didn't even know for sure himself. Perhaps it was best to experiment to see if it was just a fluke.

"ANOTHERRR SILLYY QUESTIONN HE HADD... WAS IFF WE HADD DREAMSS." Tano continued, bringing Atlas's attention to the group yet again. Before he could even enter the torrent of thoughts that awaited him, Strix snorted.

"THAT IS A SILLY... QUESTION." The older titan huffed. "DREAMIING... IS SOMETHING THAT... EVERYTHING DOES. EVEN ANIMALS." Strix paused, folding his arms and licking his tongue in thought. "I DON'T THINK... HE HAS EVER ASKED ME OR... JADE ANY OF THOSE... QUESTIONS. WONDER WHY."

Jade's brows wrinkled, apparently troubled by the same fact. He himself shared her concern. Why was Azeroron only asking what appeared to be the younger titans these questions? He couldn't help but calm at the news that every living creature seemed to dream like he did, but just why was Azeroron asking when the answer was that obvious? "YEAHH... STRIXX IS RIGHT. HE HASS NOTT ASKEDD MEE. HOWW... DIDD ALL OFF YOUU ANSWERR?"

Kana shrugged. "EII... JUST SAIDD YESS... DONTT WE ALLL?"

"I ANSWERRED THE SANNE AS... KANAA. WHATT ABOUUT YOUU... ATLASS?"

The day of their encounter replayed in his head. Atlas dipped his head in a confirming grunt. He did answer yes. Indeed, at the time they just had a common and obvious answer. Jade hummed.

"WASS THERE... ANYTHINGG ELSEE HE ASSKED?"

"I... FEELL LIKEE THERRE WASS... BUTT EII CANTT RENENBERR." Kana retorted after a moment of thinking. Tano sat up.

"ITT WASS ABOUTT MINDLESS TITANSS BUTT I CANTT REMEMBERR THE RESTT OFF ITT. BUTT EII ANSWERRED NOO."

Atlas retreated into his thoughts. Now that it was mentioned, Azeroron did ask him something about the Mindless Titans as well. How had he answered that again? What was even the question?

Jade sighed. "EII WONDERR IFF OLDD TITANNS... EVERR LOSEE THEIRR MINDSS." She milled over aloud, getting a huff from Strix once again.

"MAYBE."

Kana snickered. "EII THINKK AZERORRONN HASS."

The group of behemoths erupted in a chorus of merriment once again. The conversation soon took another turn into a different direction – talking about silly quirks their Mentors had. Atlas however found himself wandering among his concerns. Animals listening to him. His mind replayed Azeroron's question.

'HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF SOMETHING AND THEY DO IT?'

Atlas's ear flickered, green eyes darting back and forth at something unseen at his feet. That was a more direct form of the question that their leader had asked all of them. Could Azeroron have said the very words as well and Tano and Kana could not recall it? Or was it asked to him specifically because their leader knew he was mute? The elk. The way it didn't seem to react until Eren pierced it. It didn't run in any other direction like any normally frightened elk. Perhaps – he needed to try it again. To experiment. Maybe there was a deeper meaning to Azeroron's seemingly foolish questions that no one had picked up on yet. Whatever was going on, their leader seemed to be desperately looking for something besides answers.

The first chance he got, he would find some private time to himself to test his theories. However, for now he was going to enjoy some time with his friends.

There was something about foggy mornings that always brought a sense of calmness to him. They were always eerily quiet; most life was still with the exception of several ground dwellers. On some days, fog would drift in the air in the early morning of dawn along with the grass being covered in dew. Most of the Hunters were still in their dens and the Mindless would not rise until the sun fully peeked over the horizon. It was the perfect hours to take the time that he needed for himself before he was to perform any Advancer duties.

As soon as he was able to wake, Atlas put his plan into action and headed for a part of the forest that many deer seemed to take shelter in. Granted, he could try out what he wanted with the deer in his hollow, but he would rather not scare off the little family that he could consider his close friends. He also wanted to be far enough from the heart of the Hunters' territory to not attract too much attention – especially since his roar was loud and carried for miles. Thus, in the beginning of the earliest hours, Atlas found himself sitting in a well sheltered basin. It was an area surrounded by mossy boulders and thick vines. The dense trunks of the surrounding trees acted like sheltering walls to keep all inhabitants of the glade in safe keeping. The titan sat neatly, legs crossed as he excitedly looked out at all of the deer that called this part of the forest home. There were many males and females and their offspring flourished without any worry. Not seen as a stranger or threat but rather as a guest, several of the deer had already approached him. Atlas trilled, softly purring as he reached down to stroke the flank of a nearby doe who took a liking to his affection. His smile grew bigger as a fawn approached the same hand, small nose twitching to sample his scent. It too, welcomed his petting. For a moment, he considered abandoning his mission, but after recent events he really need to figure things out.

He needed to discover if there was something special about him.

Atlas's focus drifted away from his friendly greeting to a few of the nearby bucks grazing just a few feet from him. The elk from the day before halted in its tracks as soon as he released a mighty roar, but thinking back even further to his deer's response when he awoke from his nightmare – he could not have roared in his sleep could have he? Perhaps there was another vocal he could use to trigger their obedience, one that was more discreet. He decided to start with the softer noises. Atlas sat up and breathed a jet of steam from his nose in a hard jet, grinning as he started building up his confidence. The Advancer then lowered himself like a crouching cat, green pupils focused on the collection of curious and calm bucks closest to him. The titan began with a series of soft grunts, the gentle kind that he used to ask or answer simple questions from his closest friends. Atlas watched as the closest deer looked up at him, ears flickering in mild intrigue before returning to graze on the apparently more interesting and appetizing grass.

Atlas's ear flickered at the failure. So grunting in greeting and question was not it.

The titan tilted his head in thought as to what vocal he could make for his next attempt. He then settled on a sound that Hunters emitted that had a totally different meaning. Not a hello, but rather a way to express affection or pleasure. Atlas lowered his head again, throat nearly touching the ground as he emitted a deep purr. At the sound and vibration running through the earth, several of the bucks looked up from their meal and considered him. Many peered at him with ears erect and forward. For a moment, his heart skipped a beat. Perhaps he was getting somewhere. However, hopes were dashed as the alert deer went back to grazing.

He snorted. Another failure then.

Of course, he had just started his session of experimentation and there was quite a lot of time left to keep trying to find answers. Atlas then proceeded to emit a rumble – starting at a low pitch before the volume raised to one that was higher. To his dismay, the deer only reflected the same action that they had taken before.

Rumbling didn't work either.

Atlas then proceeded to emit a happy trill. Again, the deer looked up but none of their reactions showed promise to his answers. Only a fawn bounded to him to explore his fingers, a completely normal response. The titan sighed, but he still needed to continue.

The titan went with his next choice. Atlas emitted a different noise not often heard from a Hunter's maw. It was a series of quick rumbling grunts, a sound that made his throat bob up and down rapidly and echoed among the trees. Several of the deer lifted their heads to the sound, watching him curiously. Atlas's heart pounded as they continued to observe him. The beast prolonged to make the sound, their ears lifted and swiveled, but just as he thought that he was getting somewhere the animals returned to their quiet eating and graceful frolicking.

At the setback, Atlas sat up and scratched his scalp in thought. Perhaps the softer sounds did not work and he needed to go with a more athorative approach with a louder sound. After all, the elk stopped at a booming roar and he could have cried out in his sleep. With the new idea in mind, Atlas lowered himself yet again and released a loud titan version of a bark. The sound made the deer look up quickly but thankfully not scatter. One thing that he knew about the deer in Hunter Titan territory was that they were used to the tremendous vocals created by his kind, so he didn't have to worry about spooking them completely unlike the elk that was beyond their lands. The bucks and does simply stood and Atlas's heart began to beat faster. Maybe it was working! However, his hopes were ruined as one by one the deer ignored him again.

This time he felt his defeat harder and he roared in aggravation.

The sound shook the trees and echoed among the boulders. The heard of deer all looked up from their grazing at once, startled at their guest's outburst. Atlas remained stunned as he observed them. Each of their eyes were upon him, ears flickering every once in a while. Several seconds passed and they continued to stare. For a moment. The titan believed that he found success, but something about the deers' eyes were different. He couldn't quite explain it, but the elk and the deer in his hollow held gazes that seemed unnerving, as if nothing else existed in the world but him. They had almost no reaction or any other emotion. These deer were nothing short of curious and perhaps intrigued. His suspicions proved correct as one by one the heard returned to their leisurely activities.

Atlas sat up, green eyes studying the creatures. He may have failed in that attempt, but he was clearly getting somewhere. The titan rested his hands in his lap, mind going over the details and thoughts. He had roared with the elk and he could have made a similar noise that time he was asleep. What was different between the usual cries of dominance? Could it be that the pitch was different? Maybe but was there something else? Atlas reached to scratch his chin, fingers traveling up to stroke his ear in thought.

Wait.

There had been something different besides the volume. When he roared at the elk there was another factor at play. He had a thought in his head at the time that he released his bellow. He wanted the elk to stop.

He had given a command. An order.

Atlas's eyes widened. Was this the answer? The deer in his hollow the morning he awoke from his nightmare. Was it possible that he wanted help during that time and they could do nothing but wait on standby? The titan's gaze fell upon the heard once again. His chest expanded in preparation for him to test this theory. Finally, the Advancer roared.

'STOP! LOOK AT ME!'

The titan's call shook the glade and rustled the grass. The limbs overhead trembled. Atlas's roar quieted into a low rumble. Gradually, his brows rose as he watched the scene play out before him. The deer had all stopped and rose their heads to look upon him just as they did before. However, something was different. The animals barely breathed and their eyes saw nothing else but him. Their ears did not flicker nor did their nostrils flare. Atlas blinked. Had he done it?

'LOOK UP.'

At his thought, all at once, the herd abruptly turned their heads with noses pointed to the canopy in a way that would never not be painful. Atlas's breath hitched in his chest. He had done it. The deer were listening to him! The titan smiled to himself.

'LOOK AT ME.'

Again, at his very thought, the deer turned their attention away from the canopy and back in his direction. The Advancer huffed.

'JUMP.'

Perfectly in sync, the heard jumped once in place, their eyes still upon him eerily. Green eyes filled with absolute wonder.

'JUMP.'

Once more, the animals jumped in place before waiting for his next command. Atlas's grin grew bigger. He then decided to take things up a notch. Perhaps they listened by watching him as well. The titan lifted his hand and pointed to his right. At the signal, all of the deer in the herd turned and leaped in the same direction.

However, something unexpected happened.

Indeed, the deer headed into the direction that he wanted them to. But as soon as they began to bound, many of them clashed into one another and toppled to the ground. They would tumble and roll but they were not scrambling to their feet. Atlas lowered his hand in horror and confusion. The deers' faces were still wide eyed and unblinking. No muscles twitched and they looked dead to the world. Atlas shuttered. What was going on? Even if they were just listening to him, a deer would reflexively and inherently scramble to get back to its feet in fear that it was being hunted as they were prey animals. Why were these deer just lying on the ground? Atlas swallowed, filling with unease.

'PLEASE... GET UP!'

At his inward plea, the titan grew instantly relieved as he watched the deer begin to stir. But then his blood chilled as he watched the downed deer move to get back to their feet. They moved unnaturally. Their heads and necks still looked on in one direction as their legs seemed to twist oddly as they tried to find footing. Tendons popped as one by one the deer got back to their feet. The moved puppet like, stiff until then turned to face him again. Atlas's jaw went slack as the realization came to him.

The deer were not listening to him as he thought. They were moving against their will. Their bodies were not connecting to their minds at all. He was not giving orders.

He was controlling them.

He was moving every bone and muscle in their bodies. It was his will over their tendons, organs, and blood. He could contort every fiber of their being. Atlas's gaze fell to his lap, hands falling at his side. Was this what Azeroron was talking about? This control? Was he the only Hunter able to do this? Green eyes shifted upwards to see that the herd had broken out of their trance and were either spooked or returning to their patches of grass that they had been working on. His hands snaked up to hug at his sides.

This – was an absolutely horrifying power.

"ATLASS?"

The titan's heart skipped a beat. Atlas quickly turned to unexpectedly see Kana emerge from the foliage. Clearly, she was worried with her brows scrunched together and the corners of her mouth curved into a small frown. Atlas simply sat like a deer in firelight, spooked as the feeble creatures afore him.

"SORRYY... TO BOTHERR YOUU... I JUSTT HEARRDD YOURR ROARR... I WASS JUSTT PATROLLINGG ANDD THOUGHTT... YOU NEEDEDD HELPP." Kana continued, her cheeks obviously flushing in embarrassment. Or bashfulness.

Recalling what he was actually supposed to be doing, Atlas quickly put on a smile to guise his current inner turmoil and offered her a cheerful grunt in greeting. Kana heaved a sigh in relief. To his surprise, she sat down next to him. Atlas's eyes widened, he could feel his cheeks heat up.

"THATT... ISS GOODD. I THOUGHTT... SOMETHINGG WASS WRONGG." Kana watched the deer in the glade, smiling softly at a small fawn with its mother. "BUTT EIII SEE... YOUU AREE JUSTT TAKINGG A BREAKK." She huffed. "I COULDD... USEE ONE TOO."

Atlas's shoulder's relaxed from their tense position. How much had she seen? He hoped she had witnessed nothing. He didn't want to scare her away. He grunted in agreement.

"SOO... DIDD YOUU ROARR JUSTTT TOO SCARRE THESSE CCUTEE DEERR... OR DIDD YOU STEPP ON A SHARPP ROCKK?" Kana chortled, sticking her finger out to pet a nearby doe. Before eyeing him playfully – clearly teasing.

Atlas felt his skin prickle, blood nearly chilling again. Did she see something? He had not smelt her approach at all so she must have been downwind. He dithered, but decided to respond by grabbing a nearby sharp stone that was within reach. The titan held up the stone for his friend to see, pointing at it animatedly before gesturing to the soft part of his foot, Kana's bright blue eyes tracking his gestures. Atlas then grunted a curse at the stone before tossing it somewhere over his shoulder. The female titan snickered.

"THENN... YOUU ARRE A CLUTZZ AS HUMANNS SAYY." She chuffed merrily. Atlas felt his nerves melt, she had been only trying to humor him. "BUTT... YOUU DOO LOOK WORRIEDD. SOO MAYYBEE YOUU... JUSTT NEEDEDD TO RELIEVEE SOMEE STRESS." Kana sighed, making him realize that his tale of him stepping on a rock was a lie that she figured out but she had also not seen a thing. She thought he was just roaring his troubles away at the canopy and tried to find some sort of calm and reassuring state in the company of deer. He was glad. Although, he trusted Kana – he wasn't going to let anyone know of this strange power he held.

He watched as the female titan suddenly rubbed her arm fretfully. For a moment, he thought she was growing shy, but he soon realized that she seemed also bothered by something. "I ADMITT... I AMM STRESSED AS WELL." Kana exhaled a long cloud of wavering steam. "EVERR... SINCEE THE TALKKK BETWEENN USS... I HAVEE BEENN DOUBTINGG MYSELFF. EIII... DONTT... THINKK EII WILL BE AS STRONGG AS THE OTHERSS."

Atlas's brows lifted at her statement. Yes, she wasn't toying around at all, she was genially troubled. Her gaze was cast downward and she was gripping her wrist tightly, revealing to him her trepidation. The female titan's fingers twitched, almost as if they were looking for something to grasp. He instantly grew concerned. Did Kana really doubt her abilities? Unexpectedly, she let out a quiet huff and turned to him, a small smile upon her face.

"ATLASS? CANN I... BRAIDD YOURR HAIRR?"

He couldn't help but grunt in confusion. She wanted to what?

"SORRYY... ITT ISS SUDDENN. IT... ISS SONETHINGG THAT HUMANNSS DO... WITHH THEIRR HAIRRR. EII... WATCHEDD SONNE GIRLSS... FRONN THE VILLAGGE DO IT... AND EII WANTEDD TO TRYY." Kana twirled a lock of her own hair sheepishly. "EIII CAN'TT REALLYY... BRAIDD MY OWNN HAIRR. ITT IS CURLLE. YOURR HAIRR... ISS LONGG... STRAITT... AND SOFTT. CANN EII... ATLASS? WHENN... EII GETTT NERVOUSS... ANDD STRESSED... MY HANDSS WANT TO PICKK... AND FIDDLEE WITHH THINGSS."

So that explained her trembling fingers. He couldn't help but to smile softly. He wanted to help any way he could. Atlas nodded with a gurgle of pleasure. Kana beamed broadly, nearly squealing. Green eyes watched curiously as she then motioned from her seated position next to him to sit down behind him. The titan felt his face flush even redder as her hands rested upon his shoulders to guide him to sit straight and her fingers delicately run through his thick hair. Atlas's eyes widened as she continued to comb through the strands. She seemed happy to shed the responsibility of patrolling in favor of finding comfort in him. He was glad she couldn't see his red cheeks.

"THISS... ISS THE FIRSTT TINNE TRYINGG THISS." Kana admitted. "HOPPEE... EII DON'TT MAKKE A BIRDSS NESTT." The female hunter chuffed as she continued to prep his hair for whatever this braiding was.

Atlas grunted softly in reply as he remained seated. As Kana pressed onward in her craft, his mind began to drift back to the horror of his new power. What all was he capable of controlling? Was it just animals? Could he use it on a human or a Hunter? He nearly shook his head at the idea. If he could he would never. He could not subject humans or his own kind to such torture. Atlas dived deeper into his thoughts. What if this ability worked upon Mindless Titans? Or Strange ones? If he could control a Mindless titan, then having the ability itself would not be an awful thing at all. It was possible that this was Azeroron's other question. Perhaps all he needed to do was master this ability and discover the extent of it. He would have to try controlling the next Mindless titan he would come across. Maybe he could tell it to kill itself as its own existence was vile.

He could feel Kana begin to section off a few smaller strands of hair, lifting them and bringing them close together at his scalp. Atlas remained in his own state of mind, treading among his thoughts. Why was Azeroron interested in this ability so much? To the point where he was frightening? Was he looking to use whomever could control other life? Something in the pit of his gut was giving him a warning. He needed to continue to practice his ability in secret and find out more about it. To prefect it. This was something he would keep to himself for however long he needed. Maybe one day he would convey something to Titus and Jade before sharing it with his close friends. But for now, his ability was to be his secret.

And he was never going to tell Azeroron or have their leader force the truth from him.

"OKAYY," Kana muttered to herself. "OVERR AND UNDERR." She alliterated, likely forgetting that he could hear her. He simply sat in silence, keeping himself from his own thoughts as he felt her pick up a strand of hair and place it under another – weaving his locks. Kana then heaved a heavy sigh, still working diligently. "THE TALKK... OVERRR LUNCHH WE HADD... IT LEFTT MEE FEELINGG UNCERRTIANN."  Kana began, her volume surprisingly soft. "I AM DOUBTINGG... MY SKILLSS. EII DONTT WANTT TO.... FIGHTT YOUU OR TANOO. YOUU... TWOO ARE STRONNGG OPPONENTSS... AND MY FRIENDSS. EII DONTTT WANTT TOO GOO UPP AGAINSTT MITUSS AT ALL." Kana continued to elaborate, he could tell her hands were shuttering in the slightest as she continued to mess with his hair. "EII JUSTT DONTT... MEASUREE UPP TOO ALL OF YOUU. STRIXX... IS SKILLLED... AND JADDEE ISS STRONGG ENOUGHH... TO BE A MENNNTORR." Kana paused in her work. He couldn't see but he had a feeling that she was frowning. "EII... JUST DONTT COMPARREE."

Feeling the need to comfort and coax, Atlas swiveled his head and gave a protesting grunt. He pointed to her and tried to emphasize with his hands as best as he could that she was great. Finally, he offered a smile, hoping that she was able to understand a shred of what he was implying. Kana offered him a feeble smile, taking her hand and putting it onto his scalp and forcing him to look forward again.

"KEEPP YOURR... HEADD STRRAIGHT." She huffed before having another sigh. "EII... KNOWW EII HAVE A YEARR TO IMPROVEE... OR MAYBEE ITT ISS JUSTT MYY CONFIDENCE...ORR LACKK OF." Kana paused before she began weaving his hair once again. "SOO MUCHH... IS EXPECTEDD OF MEE... ANDD EIII DONTT WANTT TO FAILLL."

He could understand where she was coming from. He felt the same way during his early days of training when he began to compare his current skill level to the other Advancers in training. It was mental torture and it was something that Kana did not need to do. The titan could feel her hands shaking again. Ignoring her previous request, Atlas turned to her again with a broad smile. He began to gesture again, pounding his hand into an open fist among other things – trying to tell her that she was strong. He playfully reached around and flicked her forehead gently, implying that she needed to rid the silly thoughts from her mind. She was a powerful Hunter Titan - a force to be reckoned with. Kana beamed softly again.

"EII... DIDN'T SAY MUCHH ABOUT ITT... BUTT EII ANN STRUGGLINGG WITHH MYY... QUICKK JAB TRAININGG. COMPAREDD... TOO OTHERRS MY ROARR ISN'TT LOUDD EITHERR. IMM NOTT GREATT... JUST ADVERAGEE." She sighed as she continued to braid. Atlas offered her a tender and understanding look.

The titan grunted and pointed to himself, shaking his head. He then tried to emphasize that he once had trouble with a certain technique – high kicks. Atlas conveyed the truth with his other hand illustrating him falling and tipping over and over until it slowly got better to where his finger could kick out perfectly. Atlas pointed back to Jade, who watched with blue eyes wide. He emitted a stern grunt, pointing at her again and nodding confidently. Her face reddened and her hand traveled to scratch the back of her neck sheepishly.

"YOU KNOWW? YOUU ARRE... RIGHTT ATLASS. EII ANN JUST LETTINGG NERVVESS... GETT THE BETTERR OF NEE. IFF EII PRACTICCE HARRDD... I SHOULDD BE ABLEE TO BE GREATT IN TINNE." Kana chuckled to herself. "EII DONTT KNOWWWHATT... EII WASS THINKINGG."

Atlas offered her a smile, grunting confidently. The female titan seemed to feel better. Maybe self-doubt was something all Hunters went through when going through Advancer training. The stakes were high with only one position of Mentor available and everyone wanted to win. He too dreaded the day that he would have to duel his friends and that was one thing among the others that he feared. Yes, he related to Kana so much on the aspect.

"OKAYY... NOO MORRE OF THATT. EII SOUNDD TERRIBLEE. KEEP YOURR HEADD STRAIGHTT. EII... AMM ALMOSTT DONEE WITH THEE FIRSTT STRANDD." Kana giggled. "ITT LOOKSS GOOD!"

The titan hummed in amusement, curious about it himself. The female titan's fingers continued to artfully weave the strands of hair. Judging by her movement and how meticulous she worked, Kana must have studied the humans a long time. He had to admit. It felt relaxing, his own eyelids drifting downward.

It was bright, sun shining downward and warming his flesh. The sound of merry laugher met his ears. The titan sighed, feeling talented fingers comb through his hair.

"You're going to look so pretty when we are done, Rogue!"

"His hair is so fun to braid."

The titan purred. Stretching out and relaxing even further.

"He really does let you do anything to him. A titan that will sit and let you braid his hair is amazing."

"Told you. Rogue is a sweetheart."

Atlas's eyes shot open, his breath hitching in his chest and spine straightening. Kana paused in her work at his reaction.

" DIDD... EII PULL TOO HARDD?"

The titan blinked in confusion. What was that? Realizing that Kana was still waiting an answer he quickly turned and denied that she had done any wrongdoing.

"YUU SURE?"

Again he nodded before returning to sitting straight so Kana would not have to tell him. What had just happened? Was that a daydream? Atlas's ear flickered, teeth biting at his tongue. There was that name again, Rogue. There were voices as well. This titan, it seemed they were dong the very same to his hair. In the past year, he still had not made any sort of connection as to who this titan was. He was still having dreams starring Rogue and others that he didn't recognize. Having the visions in his head during the day was exceedingly rare. It had only happened once before.

Atlas remained in his own train of thought. The last time that he had a daydream was just before he roared for the first time. Now it was Kana braiding his hair. The titan's eyes widened. Could those corresponding dreams really have been triggered by the similar events? Why was this occurring to him?

'DO YOUU HAVE DREAMS?"

Undenounced to Kana, Atlas's eyes widened and his jaw went slack. Was it possible that these dreams were connected to his newfound power of control? If so, what was the purpose of them? Where they even a special ability at all? After all, everyone had dreams. Atlas gritted his teeth. This was something he was going to have to figure out as well. And hopefully soon.

"DONNE!" Kana concluded excitedly. "HAVVE A LOOKK... ATLASS!" The female titan excitedly tossed a cluster of hair next to his face. Atlas shifted his gaze to see something astounding. Three thick strands of his hair were woven in and out of each other in an artistic way. The technique was done almost perfectly with the exception of a few strands of loose hair. Atlas pinched the braid in his fingers, looking at it in awe. Kana was talented! It was nothing short of incredible that she was able to replicate such a delicate thing by watching humans. Atlas trilled excitedly, offering a wide and lopsided grin. He lifted a hand and brushed her shoulder with a light touch of his knuckles in thanks. The female Advancer smiled. "EII AMMM GLADD YOUU LIKE ITT!" She tittered. To further show his thanks and display the fact that he was a fan of her work, Atlas quickly gestured for her to continue to her heart's content. Kana's bright blue eyes lit up in joy and she immediately got back to brushing her hands through his untouched hair to continue her craft.

He didn't want their merriment to end.

"YOU TWO... ARE SUPPOSED TO BE... ON PATROL."

The deep and ever familiar voice instantly made the two Advancers freeze, knowing full well that they were busted. The pair then scrambled to their feet, nearly stumbling over one another as they struggled to get upright. They turned to see Titus looming over them with an irritated frown upon his face. Atlas's cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Of course he had forgotten that he was originally supposed to be on patrol. Kana of course, was quick to offer an explanation.

"SORRYY TITUSS... EII JUSTT HAPPENEDD TO RUNN INTOO HIM. EII WILL RETURNN... TO MYY ROUTEE. SEE YUU ATLASS!" Kana replied before smiling softly in farewell and leaving the clearing promptly.

Atlas swallowed, waiting for his scolding. Nervously, he watched Titus approach him. The Mentor then spotted the braid in his hair, fingers reaching to examine it before letting out a long sigh and abandoning the idea of unweaving the hair. "COME ALONG ATLAS. WE... ARE PATROLING TOGETHER TODAY."

Ah, so this was his punishment. Titus planned to watch him so he didn't get distracted.

A firm hand guided him from the clearing and the two titans began to walk as a team through the trees. Atlas nearly bit his tongue as the minutes passed. He supposed he should be glad despite the situation. He was able to experiment and he did get to spend some one on one time with Kana. Titus did have a right to be miffed at him though. He still disobeyed orders. Titus then exhaled again, the younger titan knowing that Titus was about to begin an expected lecture.

"I AM HAPPY... WHEN YOU SPEND TIME... WITH YOUR FRIENDS. BUT... THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE... ATLAS. YOU HAVE DUTIES."

He could only grunt in understanding and in an apology. Oddly however, Titus's tone was a bit milder than what he expected.

"I KNOW... YOU ARE OF AGE... BUT AS OF NOW... YOU MUST FOCUS ON YOUR TRAINING... UNTIL THE DUELS ATLAS. AFTER THAT... IS WHEN YOU CAN FOCUS... ON WHAT COMES AFTER." Titus suddenly humored him.

Atlas raised a brow. He knew what his Mentor meant. Titus simply huffed in amusement.

"YES... THAT IS TO BE PUT ASIDE." The older titan chuffed, a knowing smile upon his face. "NO NEED... TO THINK ABOUT THAT NOW."

Atlas heaved a breath. Of course that was what Titus thought he was doing. What rotten luck.

His ears were ringing, the smell of death wavered through his nostrils. His limbs felt like a helpless fawn, buckling beneath him. The moistness of spilled enthralls could be felt between his toes. The metallic taste of copper, the taste of blood was upon his tongue. His lungs heaved as he gasped for breath. Something blossomed beneath his flesh, a seething anger that was not to be restrained.

The titan shook his head, vision blurry and thick crimson filling even the slightest wrinkles of his eyelids. He began to register screams, hundreds of them – a chorus of terror. He blinked, he was somewhere dark that was stained red. Somewhere deep. A hell. The titan threw back his head and roared, his soul tainted.

He was so angry.

What felt like many fangs pierced his body, the creatures' wings sounded like insignificant and annoying hornets. Wishing to rid of them, the titan swung. Their bodies hit like persimmons falling to the earth, spilling their guts like a pouring rain. They were squealing swine who had trapped him in this hell, and for that he would slaughter them like the dirty pigs they were.

His jaws opened, tearing away the head of his prey. His hands grasped them, squeezing out their life like divine judgement. They were lower than animals. Lower than fifth. He would rid them all from the world. One by one. Piece by piece.

Then suddenly, the world seemed to stop and grow silent. The raging titan stilled. The sound of a wailing infant carried through the hellish domain. It was a lonely sound from a panicked source. It was a call for a mother that would never come to cradle it. The furious fog over his eyes lifted to reveal the truth of the aftermath. All was decorated in blood and sinew. All smelled of rot. His palms were tarnished with red.

Death was by his hands.

Green eyes flew open, pupils small as pinpricks. Atlas scrambled to sit up in his nest. His lungs heaved and his heart pounded. He never thought it possible for a titan to break out in a cold sweat, but his flesh certainly felt it. The beast's frame shook, terrified. Another nightmare had visited him once again.

Atlas's hands snaked to his brow as he remained in a panic. He had not had a dream like this before. He was in some sort of abyss, a hellish blackness infected by the scent of death. And he was slaughtering –

Suddenly, his gut twisted and hot acid forced its way up his esophagus. The titan rushed out of his nest and fell to his knees in the grass, promptly vomiting. Atlas whined, dry heaving for a moment before resting himself on his caves. He continued to breathe, swallowing desperately to rid the taste of bile from his tongue. That was the worst nightmare that he had in a while. He would never harm a human. Hunter Titans were born to protect them. What on earth could have provoked a dream like this?

Atlas sat back, now roaming his thoughts. His brow wrinkled. Was it possible that this nightmare was another where he was viewing everything from the other's point of view? Could it be Rogue? He gritted his teeth. It could not be could it? From his dreams, Rogue seemed to be a very friendly and laid back titan who lived in close proximity to humans. Rogue had even saved humans in his dreams so why would he kill them?

The titan's arms reached to hug his frame. Then again, it could just be a complete nightmare that had nothing to do with Rogue whatsoever. He could have just really dreamed that he was the one hunting down the humans in that dark hell. Atlas winced, teeth grinding against one another. It was disturbing how real it was. The smell of blood and sinew, the taste on his tongue. Atlas's hand flew to cover his mouth. It was truly nauseating. Disgusting. Several minutes passed, the hollow silent. The titan swallowed thickly and slowly got to his feet. His nerves were rattled. Atlas heaved a sigh. He had to train with Titus in a few hours but his mind was a jumbled mess. Gradually, the Advancer began to descend down to the entrance of his hollow. He needed to calm his head and ease his body. An early morning walk would do him some good.

That much he hoped.

It was a light and airy aura that always shrouded the forest in early morning. Birdsong was just beginning and dew was still upon the ground. The forest was always so peaceful during the easy hours. Atlas slowly made his way to the thicker section of the wood, a place that was home to many kinds of flowers that littered the forest floor. It was always an area that he loved to visit when his nerves were horrid. Although the area was alluring and calming, he found himself still uneasy.

Atlas rubbed his face, ears sinking lower. His hand then fell to his neck, fingers lightly pulling at the skin. The nightmare was terrifyingly vivid. He could never see himself doing such a thing even if he was provoked. He had such a nice day previously, so what did he do to deserve a dream like that? Atlas continued to make his way through the colorful foliage. His thoughts shifted target to Rogue yet again. He had always seen Rogue as nice and he didn't think the titan would be capable of committing such sin. Then again, now that he thought about it, there were dreams where he had witnessed Rogue's other emotions. Particularly their anger. There was the nightmare in the burning city where he felt Rogue's fear and fury at a Mindless titan. Perhaps he had been incorrect on his assumptions and if Rogue was enticed, the titan could kill humans.

The sound of rolling water met his ears, signifying that he had absentmindedly wandered close to the section of the river where many human items commonly drifted and came to rest upon the rocks and sandbar. He often went there to grow his collection of trinkets. It would be the perfect thing to distract him from his mental torment. Atlas's ears flickered, his mouth shifting into a frown. Who was Rogue really? Was it possible that his mind had just imagined him as a character? There was no way that he was a Hunter Titan from the past or more ridiculous the future. He had never heard Titus or anyone else mention his name even once. Maybe Rogue was just someone that he indeed fathomed in order to cope with the obstacles he had faced. As for the humans always with him, maybe his imagination conjured them up because he was lonely and could not see Eren. The more that he thought about the possibility it did make sense.

But then there were Azeroron's words. His questioning of the titans his age and their dreams. He knew now that he had the ability to control small creatures. There was a real possibility that these dreams really meant something and they were some sort of power as well. Unlike his ability to control, the dreams did not have a clear purpose or explanation. They still did not make much sense to him at all.

Atlas exhaled, a cloud of steam wavering heavily from his teeth. He supposed the best plan of action was his original one. He needed to experience more of these dreams and nightmares and learn more Sign Language in order to bring it up to Titus to get his input. Until then, he was to keep quiet. After all, Azeroron seemed to be ruthlessly searching. And he wanted no part in whatever that may be.

The Advancer scaled over a fallen tree, the river now in sight. The space was a bit different from the others near the riverside. Long ago, a great storm blew through the area that possessed powerful winds that toppled great trees onto their sides. Many trees that came after that cataclysmic event stood tall to shroud those that had fallen – massive trunks resting across the landscape, against other trees, and high rocks. Over time, moss wrapped around them and fungi joined the flowers. It gave the landscape a mystic feel that brought a strange sense of tranquility. The river was surprisingly a quiet one, the flow of water sounding more like a gentle stream. It only added to the appealing aura. Suddenly, he paused, his ears catching the sound of a soft thumping – the sound of light feet. The titan's nose twitched, not unlike a rabbit as he searched for a clue as to who was here with him. Atlas blinked in surprise, angling his head to look upwards. There, upon an old fallen great tree that stretched across the boulders high over his head was Jade. Shyly, Atlas took a few steps to the side to be shrouded in more foliage as he observed. She had not noticed him yet; she was obviously occupied with her own private training. It was known by many, that Jade was a master at balance. Titus had taught her so.

Atlas swallowed, green eyes widening as he began to observe her. Jade stood still, seemingly in her own trance before she let out a deep and focused sigh. The female titan, suddenly bent backwards – bracing her hands upon the tree as she brought her feet over her head. She perfectly pointed her toes upwards before pointing her legs in opposite directions, still standing upon her hands. He found himself suddenly completely enamored by her. It was rare to see Jade practicing her moves in secret, this was the first time he had seen her performing her balancing acrobatics. His cheeks heated as he continued to watch her. She rotated backwards in the direction she started, standing upon her feet again. Jade then repeated her move in the opposite direction, this time barely moving outwards from her same spot. The titan watched as her back bent, body forming a tighter arch. Green eyes drifted down her frame, she was so graceful in her movements. Every part of the technique was smooth. She stood again, before actually flipping backwards with her leg extended outward in a kick before landing and dropping down into a low sweep, spinning on the tips of her feet as she turned to face the opposite way on the log. Like lightening, she quickly thrust her leg upward from her crouched position again, propelling herself back upright. She continued her acrobatics upon the high tree log, not faltering even once. He found it amazing that Hunter Titans, as large as they were, could still make themselves light upon their feet and were incredibly nimble.

The Advancer continued to watch Jade perform her art. She was an absolute master and completely deserved a Mentor title. He had been practicing his skills in the past, but he had not tried fluid movements that flowed together. It was as if she was doing one large move. Atlas sniffed, he was downwind of her, so she wouldn't smell him. He didn't want her to catch him staring or eavesdropping upon her time. He wanted to follow along with her to see how he faired. Quietly, Atlas emerged from his hiding place to position himself upon one of the mossy boulders that rested upon the forest floor. He stood adjacent to her, green eyes watching as she proceeded to get into a familiar stance. Atlas then began to mirror her. Jade bent backward to stand upon her hands once again and so did he. She pointed her legs in different directions and he copied her, his body naturally adjusting to the shift of weight. The two titans then pointed their toes upwards again before bringing their feet back down onto their perch. They then bent over forward and kicked their legs up into the air. Standing upon their hands they rotated before bending backwards with their torso facing the canopy. Then, from their current positions, they quickly twisted their hips to throw out their left leg in a violent kick and using the momentum to rotate into the other direction – landing on all fours in a beast like position before standing upright only to drop into a backbend again. They moved smoothly together, perfectly in sync. Choreographed.

Atlas pointed his toes to the canopy again, green eyes watching Jade closely. He found himself staring at her face. Despite her lack of lips, it was soft and her eyes were half lidded. They were a gentle glowing blue beneath the shade of the canopy and despite looking almost bored, she was focused. It was the face worn by someone who had perfected their craft. Atlas felt his own flush again. Jade was like the surrounding flowers, poised and exquisite. The titan then observed as his friend, still standing on her hands, lifted her left one free of her weight so she stood on one less appendage. With a composed breath, Atlas did the same. His frame shuttered in the slightest before regulating. Suddenly, Jade moved her only hand that kept her stable, pushing upward to where she stood on a single finger.

He couldn't help but marvel at the impressive feat. Atlas didn't think it was possible for something as large as a titan to be able to accomplish it. But as talented as she was, Jade had just proved him wrong.

Knowing that he needed to follow suit, Atlas attempted to copy her move. However, just as he was able to push himself up onto his pointer finger, the bone snapped beneath his weight. Atlas yelped, collapsing down onto his head before tumbling over the side of the boulder and into the grass. So much for being discreet.

"ATLASS? ISS THATT YOUU?" Jade called from above. "AREE YOUU OKAYY?"

His hand reached to his scalp, feeling the burst of steam and the dampness of blood. The Advancer groaned, struggling to get over a case of dizziness before looking up to where Jade had been positioned to see that she had quickly gotten back to her feet and was now gracefully scaling down from the fallen tree and the elevated landscape. He blinked desperately, forcing his vision to clear further as Jade cursorily approached him and quickly looked over his injury. His face reddened in sheer embarrassment. He would have much rather been doing something successful when he was caught rather than failing miserably. Jade's fingers parted his hair to examine his scalp closely. He could feel the nerves reattach and the wound slowly closing.

"YOUUU HITT YOURR HEADD PRETTY... HARDD. MAYBEE... YOU CRACKEDD YOURR SKULL. IT ISS HEALINGG THOUGH." She offered him a smile. "HOWW... IS YOURRR FINGER?"

Atlas swallowed the lump in his throat, his face flushing an even darker shade of red as he lifted his hand. His pointer finger was bent and twisted in the completely wrong direction. Beneath his flesh. He could feel the bone attempting to realign and repair. However, he knew better and raised the damaged finger to his mouth. Promptly, and with a deep breath, Atlas bit down to sever the finger entirely – spitting out in the grass in disgust and shame. Steam jetted out of the bloody stump as he focused on regenerating with his finger being replaced quickly as if his embarrassing moment never happened. Jade smiled sympathetically.

"WELL... EVENN THOUGHH YOU GOTT BATTEREDD... YOUR MOVES WERE IMPRESSIVEE, ATLASS. YOUU... KEPTT UP WITH MEE QUITE WELL." Jade smiled cunningly, folding her arms and taking on a more relaxed stance.

At the compliment, Atlas looked up from his regenerating finger and onto the female titan. He smiled softly, cheeks tinting red again. Despite his faux pa she had said that he was able to replicate her almost perfectly. It was an honor to hear those words coming from the titan that was the best at balance.

"SOO... ARE YOUU KILLING TIMME BEFORRE YOURR TRAINNINNG WITHH TITUSS? YOUU... ARRE NOTT UPP THISS EARLYY USUALLY."

Atlas snapped back to reality at her query. He had almost forgotten as to why he had headed out so soon in the first place. The titan's eyes drifted as a nervous habit, but then he noticed her face changed into one of concern so he resorted to just offering a smile and nodding.

Jade raised a brow, frowning softly. "ARRE YOUU OKAYY, ATLASS? ISS THE REASONN YOUU ARE HERRE... BECAUSSSE YOUU COULDN'TT SLEEPP?"

She was close to the true reason yet so far. As usual, he shrugged his shoulders and grunted in confirmation. Jade sighed, her smile returning as she placed her hands onto her hips casually.

"I SEE... YOUU MIGHTT BE A BITT JITTERY... CONSIDERINGGG WHATT THEE TRAININGG ISS." Jade exhaled before holding up a finger and waving it at him. "BEFORRRE YOUU ASKK... I WASS TOLDD NOT TO TELL YOUU."

Atlas blinked. Truthfully, he had forgotten that Titus mentioned his next training session would be his most difficult one yet. Now that Jade mentioned it, what on earth was it? It must be something challenging or taxing if she was concerned about his sleeping habits and Titus himself gave him caution. Could it be some sort of move that he had not seen anyone do before? Realizing that he probably needed to respond to Jade, he simply scratched the back of his neck and emitted several grunts to say that he was fretful – which he wasn't lying. Dotting on it now, he was nervous about the day's training session.

"BUTT," Jade tittered. "YOUUU ARE A FASTT LEARNERR AND CONFIDENTT... SOO EII THINKK YOUU WILL DO WELL. BUTT... WILL YOUU MASTERR AND CONTROLL ITT... EII WONDER? ORR WILL IT CONTROLL YOUU?"

The Advancer tilted his head at the word selection. Master or it controlling him? Could it be the power he had to control animals? Or was it really some new technique that if not done properly it could affect him negatively? Now he had a new thing to worry about.

"WELLL... WHYY WEE ARRE HERRE, ATLASS... HOW ABOUTT YOUU ANDD I... HAVEE A TRAINGG SESSIONN OFF OURR OWNN? A BALANCEE SESSIONN. WHATT DO YOUU SAYY?" She beamed broadly, holding out a hand for him to accept.

Atlas's ears practically lifted in excitement, the skin at the corners of his maw pulling into a grin. This was the first time that Jade had offered to give him a one on one private lesson. She was a master at her craft and it would be a golden opportunity to learn from her! Vigorously, he nodded and happily took her hand. Jade then lifted him up and looked at him fondly.

"GREATT! FOLLOWW MEE ATLASS! Jade waved for him to trail her. Almost like a cheerful puppy, Atlas gurgled in elation and practically skipped on her heels. He trailed the female titan across the clearing towards the river. For a moment he concluded that she was going to make him partake in an exercise similar to his very first balancing lesson with Titus, but suddenly she took a detour and began to climb up a series of rocks toward the collection of tall trees that hung over the landscape – the very one that she was making use of previously.

He swallowed fretfully. Wasn't this a bit high?

Atlas quickly shook his head. He could do this. He was used to climbing things and this wasn't any different. Maybe he just didn't want to make a mistake, fall, only to embarrassingly have Jade catch him. Finally, the female Advancer stopped her accent and carefully made her way over to the large fallen tree that stretched over the gentle river below. To his surprise, Jade stalled and waved him forward for him to travel out onto the large log first. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, giving her another easy smile before walking out onto the tree. Green eyes glanced down at his feet. Again he swallowed. This tree was a lot skinnier than what it looked like when he viewed it from below. He glanced over his shoulder to see that she was gesturing him to keep going, the female titan just a few meters behind him. Then, as he reached the center, she called for him to halt. Carefully he turned to face the forest, making the mistake of looking down. He grumbled uneasily. It would be a long drop. He then turned to Jade as she took a deep breath, exhaling heavily before shaking her arms to rid the tension in her muscles.

"ALRIGHTT ATLASS, ITT WILL BE A WHILEE... BEFORE TITUSS COMESS SOO... WE HAVEE PLENTYY OFF TIMEE TOO DOO THISS. NOWW... THERRE ISS A NAMMEE... FORR THISS STYLEE. ITT HASS A... HISTORYY AS WELL. IT ISS CALLEDD... RIVERR DANCEE." Jade began, suddenly lifting her arms and began to smoothly swing them outwards, moving them back and forth in a motion that resembled water. Quickly, she gestured with her head for him to do the same. Atlas quickly mirrored her, keeping his breath steady as he kept his attention onto her. Jade nodded in approval before clearing her throat. "RIVERR DANCE... WASS A FIGHTINGG STYLEE INVENTEDD LONGG AGOO.... BY THE WARRIORRS IN THE VILLAGEE."

Atlas hummed in intrigue. So the village had their own version of Advancers? Eren nor Titus had told him of that. Perhaps it was something that the Village no longer did for the Hunters protected them. He would have to get an answer to his question later.

"THE RIVERRR DANCCE STYLEE... WASS MADEE TO MIMMICC THE FLOW OF WATERR. SMOOTH, CAPTIVATINGG, BUT FASSTT AND QUICKK. IT REQUIRESS GREATT BALANCEE... AND FOCUSS. WEE HUNTERRRS... LEARNEDD THISS STYLEE FROMM THE VILLAGEE... AND WE PERFECTEDD ITT. ANDD INN TURRN... THE HUMANNS RELEARRNEDD ITT... FROMM USS." Jade continued as she moved her arms slowly and into new positions – one in one direction and one in the other. "THEE STYLLE... ALSOO LOOKSS AS IF ONEE ISS DANCINGG. ITT ISS BEAUTIFULLL... ANDD DEADDLY." She spoke a hand drifting over her face before flowing smoothly in another direction. "TITUSS... TAUGHTT THISS... STLYYEE TO MEE. BUT SINCCE HE IS NOTT BUILTT FOR ITT...HE HAD ME OBSERVEE THE VILLAGE WARRIORSS."

Atlas absorbed the information. So the Village still had its fighters then. Perhaps if a Hunter was not around they used the skill as backup. Or, they used it against other humans who rarely visited their settlement. He understood why Titus could not teach her the style to its full potential. His Mentor was a very broad and heavyset titan, so movements like Jade's were difficult for him to replicate.

"THE RIVERR DANCEE STYLEE... IS ALSOO DIFFICULT TO MASTERR... SO SOME HUNTERRS NEVER LEARRN IT. I DO THINKK YOUU... CANN LEARNN ITT ATLASS. BUTT CANN YOUU... MASTERR IT?"

He nodded with a firm grunt. He could do this.

Jade nodded, smirking with determination. "ALRIGHTT... FOLLOWW MYY MOVESS. FIRSTT... WE WILLL STARRTT... WITHH MOVEMENTSS... THATT MAKEE ONE CONTROLL... THEIRR BREATHE ANDD LOOSENN MUSCLESSS." The female titan suddenly, spun completely around on one of her feet, extending the other outward with toe pointed. Her arms were over her head, graceful as she faced him again. Her expression was neutral, mouth in a firm line and eyes half lidded. It was a serious look, hauntingly beautiful. Quickly, Atlas followed her move, keeping steady on the log until he faced her once again. He trilled at his success. Jade nodded in approval. "GOODD. NOWW... ANOTHERR KEYY TO RIVERR DANCEE... IS A FACCEE THAT MAKESS NO EXPRESSIONN. THE PURPOSE... ISS TO KEEPP YOURRR OPONENT GUESSSINGG. THEYY... MUSTT NOTTT READD YOUR NEXTT MOVEE. SOO... AN EXPRESSIONLESS FACCE... YOUU MUSTT WEARR."

He grunted in understanding. That made sense. One thing about fighting that Titus had taught him, was that sometimes you could perceive your opponent's next move by watching their facial features. With Jade's current look – he could not tell what she was planning.

"NOWW... MATCHH MY EVERYY MOVVE... ATLAS." Jade bent backward with Atlas matching up to her perfectly. The female titan lifted a leg to point her toes to the canopy with her student doing the same. With a push, both titans pushed themselves onto their hands. They then rotated to view each other from the wrong way up. Their faced were kept still, green and blues a low smolder in the shade of the forest. Atlas exhaled and inhaled slowly, keeping his breaths slow and drawn out as she did.

With incredible poise and balance, Jade spread her legs with Atlas copying her before they once again pointed their toes to the sky. Then the two titans lowered their legs back to the tree and stood upright once again. The Advancer offered him a small smile for a split second before returning to her focused look. Then she quickly, went down upon two hands, Atlas making sure that he was to keep up by doing the same. The two titans performed perfect cartwheels, coming to rest nearly shoulder to shoulder distance from another. The two glanced at one another, the pupil of the lesson examining his teacher closely. Suddenly, the pair pivoted into opposite directions. Each of them squatted upon the log and threw their feet out afore them, standing only upon their hands. In sync completely, they them swung their hip, making their legs go in a complete revolution before pushing up into a handstand once again. With abdominals pulling and on clear display, the two curved their spines and bent their legs with their feet touching the tops of their heads.

"THISS... MAYY BE MORE OFF THE DANCEE... PART OF RIVERR DANCEE... BUT DOINGGG THISS... PERFECTSSS THINGSS ANDD KEEPSS.... YOUU SHARPP." Jade informed, still in her contortionist like stance. "JUSTT WAITT... UNTILL YOUU APPLY... YOURR ATTACKKSS WITTHH ITT."

Atlas grunted in acknowledgement. The two titans then brought their legs back down to the log to firmly plant their feet once again. Then, with grace and skill, the two beasts performed cartwheels in opposite directions before squatting to stand upon their toes. He mirrored her as she quickly stood and spun in place, one arm poised upwards. He didn't think about falling, he was more focused upon her and his ability to mimic. Atlas matched her as sidestepped and rotated, keeping her fingers together with claws out as she moved her arms. The two titans then bowed towards another before immediately flipping backwards to part from one another. They continued to move and perform the dance. He could not explain the sensation he was feeling inwardly. A part of him was at peace, yet another part felt euphoria. It was incredible. Green pools looked into those of sapphire. Although Jade wore a neutral expression, there was a fire in her eyes, but the way it burned was much different. It was not determination, not hatred, but it was rather akin to what he was feeling. It was exhilaration. His heart pounded, chest heaving as he attempted to get composure. He was enjoying this.

He wanted more.

Deep within him, there was something primal that definitely wanted more.

Jade motioned towards him as he did to her, heel to toe. Their arms swayed, hips shifting. Again, the two turned and flipped to stand upon their hands again. They faced outward, looking into the forest. With pointed toes, Atlas observed as Jade lowered her legs, pointing them outwards and leaving them suspended in the air. He copied her, the pose surprisingly difficult. His gaze shifted to her again, finally seeing her crack a small smile at him and offer a nod. Atlas's cheeks reddened at her silent praise. It was then that the female titan upped the ante. Slowly, Jade lifted one of her hands away, leaving her to balance her entire body on the other. Atlas swallowed nervously, but quickly did the same. He could feel the slight sense of unsteadiness, but quickly recovered. He hoped that she wouldn't try the single finger stand that she did prior for he didn't think he was ready for such a thing.

To his relief, Jade put her hand back down and pointed her legs straight into the air once again before arching her body into a backbend, finishing as she stood up again. Once more, he emulated her perfectly. Atlas prepared to follow her moves once again, but to his surprise, she broke her focused look. Jade smiled broadly, ears wiggling and her hands together in a clap. Atlas smiled, his ears fluttering all the same. She was pleased with him.

"BEAUTIFULLL... WORKK ATLASS! YOUU... DANCEE VERYY WELLL. WITHH MORREE WORKKK... YOUU CANN DOO EVENN HARDERR... MOVESS." She congratulated before chuffing in amusement. "DO... NOTT WORRRYY... EII AMM NOTT MEANN ENOUGHHH TO MAKEE YOUU... STANDDD ONN ONEE FINGERR EARLYY ONN. THATT... TAKESS LOTTS OFF PRACTICCE."

He grunted, nodding enthusiastically. He wanted to continue if he was being truthful. Jade was wonderful to train under. She was exquisite to watch as well. Her movements showed so much coordination and practice. Incredibly elegant.

It was such a privilege for him to be able to train beneath her and Titus.

"NOWW... LET USS... MOVVE ONN TO THE NEXXT STEP."

He didn't have ever so much as a second to even regret his wish to continue as Jade suddenly spun around and threw her leg out in a kick. Atlas only managed one step backward as the claws upon her feet came mere inches from his throat. He bent backwards to avoid his trachea from being sliced, transitioning into a flip before getting back upright to successfully dodge and gain a bit of distance. However, Jade quickly closed the gap, her eyes now swimming with both excitement and determination.

"NICEE DODGE." She dropped down upon her hands, twisting her hips to throw out her legs at his ankles, Atlas narrowly avoiding them with a jump. "IN RIVERR DANCEE, A CUT TO THE JUGULARR WILL STUNN... YOURR OPPONENTT. IT... WILL LEAVVE THEMM VUNERABBLEE... FORR YOUU TO TAKEE THEMM DOWNN." Jade spoke coolly even as she came at him with several quick jabs with him desperately knowing them out of the way. He gritted his teeth in pain as her nails cut through his shoulder. "BE FASSTT WITH A FLURRY OF MOVESS... TO OVERWHELMM YOURR OPPONENTT." Jade flipped towards him again, bringing her heel down upon his head. Black dots flashed across his vision and he nearly stumbled upon the high log. He didn't need to black out! He needed to prove himself!

"MAKKEE ITT SOO... THEYY CANTT FIGHTT BACKK!"

As she stood, his aching need blossomed. Atlas quickly dropped and performed the same kick that she had ambushed him with, his clawed foot grazing her face and making a clean cut upon her cheek. At this, Jade grinned in crazed excitement and satisfaction. He quickly landed upon the log and advanced with a low kick with the intent to get her by the ankles as she did with him. To his dismay, she dodged with another flip backwards and promptly got into a position where she spun and managed to kick him in the head. He stumbled, seeing double of her for a split second and tasting blood in his mouth. Atlas barely registered her coming, as she launched herself up and over him, planting her hands into his shoulders to smoothly vault herself. Jade landed and quickly brought her nails to his nape.

"ANDD... THISS ISS THE MOMENTT YOURR OPPONENTT WOULDD KILL YOUU. PARTT OFF RIVERR DANCEE... ISS ALSOO KNOWINGG MOVESS TO DEFENDD AND PUTT YOUU OUTT OFF HARMMS WAYY."

He grumbled lowly, irritated that he had left himself wide open. He wasn't giving up just yet! Atlas quickly thrusted himself forward, kicking his leg up to nick her in the chin. Swiftly, he turned and prepared to launch for her, but the blow to her did not slow the female titan down. She leaped into the air and kneaded him right in the sternum. Atlas yelped in pain as he fell with a hard thud on his back against the log. Jade rolled before standing and positioning herself onto him. With one hand pressed to his chest and the other hovering over his face with claws an inch over his eye all he could do was accept defeat. For a moment, he found himself lost looking at her face with its expression of cunning. Atlas heaved an exhausted breath, eyes wide in surprise. She had utterly and completely bested him.

Finally, Jade gave into a series of huffs and lifted herself free before offering him a hand for the second time. "YOUU DIDD WELLL YOURRR FIRSTT TRYY ATLASS." She beamed as she lifted him into a sitting position. "YOUU JUSTT NEEDD TO CLEANN UP SOMEE OFF YOURR MOVESS... AND YOUU NEED TO THINKK MOREE ABOUTT TRANSITIONINGG... FROM ONEE MOVEE TO ANOTHERR. TINKKINGG TOO LONGG... GETSS YOUU KILLEDD." Jade alliterated as she sat next to him and let her legs dangle casually over the log.

Atlas let out a barely audible whine before nodding in understanding. He rubbed his steaming jaw, he was sure he was missing some teeth.

Jade sighed, getting comfortable. "JUSTT THINKK ATLASS... YOUU HAVEE A YEARR LEFFT OF HARDD TRAININGG... BEFORRE THE DUELSS COME. LEARNN ALL YOUU CANN FROMM TITUSS... AND WHENN POSSIBLEE... WORKK ONN RIVERR DANCEE ANDD EII WILL TRAINN WHENN EII CANN WITHH YOUU." The female titan spoke, eyes drifting from him to look out into the flower field clearing below. "THEE MORRE YOUU KNOWW GOINGG INTOO THE DUELSS... THE BETTERR. BEINGG GIFTEDD IN MORRE THAN ONEE STYLLEE... GIVES YOUU AN EDGE. YOUU HAVEE SOMEE TOUGHH FOESS TO FACEE...WHENN THEE TIMEE COMESS. THEE ADVANCERRS... OF YOURR YEARR... ARE VERRY SKILLEDD AND STRONGG."

He dipped his head in the slightest, knowing that she was absolutely right. Atlas's gaze drifted, observing a butterfly flying among the flowers as he retreated into his head. He really did hope he could pull off what he was aiming to accomplish. If he failed, he feared that he would be right back to square one where every member of the pack considered him useless. He didn't want that at all. He had worked far too hard.

"EII FORR ONE... ATLASS... WANTT TO SEE YOUU DEFEATT... MITUSS." Jade continued, grabbing his attention away from the fluttering insect. She smiled, kicking her feet upon the log casually as she huffed to herself. "THAT...AWEFULL TITANN... NEEDS PUTT IN HISS PLACEE. HEE... HASS MADEE YOUU MISERABLEE IN THE PASTT... SOO EII WANTT TO SEE YOUU BEATT HIMM DOWNN A PEGG. THEE PACKK THINKSS HEE IS TO BE THE NEXTT MENTORR... BUTT EII WANTT NOTHINGG MORREE THANN FORR YOUU TOO PROVVEE THEMM WRONGG." She smiled broadly at him, reaching over to playfully and lightly punch him in the shoulder.

He couldn't help but to grin back at her, offering a flummoxed grunt. He was really glad to have friends that really believed he could do it and were rooting for him despite his handicaps. A prolonged silence ignited between them, the two Hunters simply relaxing upon the log. Jade sniffed, likely trying to sense if Titus had located them yet. Not smelling his Mentor, Atlas concluded that Titus was likely running a bit late. It was possible that he was wondering where he was since he usually was in his den at this hour. His tapered ear flickered as he heard Jade release a long sigh. Atlas watched steam waver from her teeth as she leaned backwards, tilting her head upwards to watch the green leaves of the canopy tremble in the light breeze. Greens eyes traveled up where the soft light illuminated the curves of flesh before falling onto her face. A bit of concern invaded him. Jade seemed focused on something that was not even there, like she was lost in a distant thought. It almost looked as if there were words upon the tip of her tongue. Suddenly, her eyes shifted to catch him staring. Instantly, his face flushed but Jade only huffed.

"SORRYY ABOUTT THATT! YOUU CAUGHTTT ME DEEPP IN THOUGHTT. EII WAS THINKKINGG... OF SOMETHINGG REALLY IMPORTANTT. SO NOO EMBARASSMENTT NEEDEDD." She clarified, with Atlas releasing a sigh in relief. Unexpectedly, Jade tittered again. The female titan raising a brow in cunning. "AFTERR THE DUELSS... YOUU WILL BE FACEDD... WITHH ANOTHERR TRIALL." Jade began, blue eyes watching life beginning to come to the clearing. Atlas tilted his head in wonder, confused at what she meant. Before he could grunt in question, Jade shifted her gaze back to him. "YOUU... WILL LIKELLY LOOKKK... FORR A PARTNERR... FORR ITT WILLL BEE THE SEASONN OF MATINGG."

The sound that left his mouth was more embarrassing than his flushed face. Mating. Mating season. Atlas swallowed thickly. He could feel his face flushing again. This seemed to be a reoccurring subject as of late just like talk of the duels.

Jade huffed at his reaction, relaxing again upon the log. "FINDINGGG... YOURR MATEE... ISS NOTT SOMETHINGG... TITUSS ORR ANYY MENTORR CANN TRAINN YOUU FORR. YOUU... JUSTT NEEDD TO IMPRESSS... THE FEMALEE YOUU LIKEE THE MOSSTT... AND HOPEE SHE LIKESS YOUU." Jade explained kindly, Atlas's brows raising even higher. "GRANTEDD... IT ISS NOTT EASYY. YOUU MAYY... BUTT HEADSS WITHH OTHERR MALEE HUNTERSS. ANNNDD ATT CERAMONYY... YOUU GETT TO CHOOSEE YOURR FOREVERR PARTNERR."

Atlas blinked, unknowingly looking quite comical. He then adverted his gaze to his feet, losing himself in his thoughts yet again. A family was something he had really wanted deep down for he could not have it as a pup. It was the fact of finding a mate that scared him. And the process of doing so was to happen soon. And he had no idea how the entire process worked either, only the basics that Titus briefly went over with him.

"ANDD... WHENN YOUU FINDD YOURR MATTE... ANDD LOVEE EACHH OTHERR ENOUGHH... WELL – AFTERR SOMEE TIMEE... YOUU WILL GETT YOUURR FAMILYY." Jade continued, face softening. "ANDD YOUU DIDD SAYY... YOUU WANTEDD PUPSS ONE DAYY." She eyed him, smirking.

Atlas's face reddened even further, the crimson spreading to the tips of his ears. Why was he getting so damn flustered when the subject came up! Jade seemed to find amusement in his mortification, chuffing in a friendly manner before releasing a sigh, her blue eyes watching two butterflies flutter among a patch of flowers currently inhabited by a swarm of honey bees. For a moment, it was quiet, the female titan blinking slowly as she continued to observe what was before her. Her face almost looked despondent. A small smile then pulled at the skin around her lipless maw before she looked at him from the corner of her eyes.

"EII... SEE HOWW YOUU LOOKK AT KANAA." She began, nearly making him slide off the log. "YOUU GETT... BASHFULLL... AND YOURR FACEE REDDENSS A LOT... BUTT YOUU LIGHTTT UPP EVERYY TIMEE YOUU SEE HERR. THOSEE GREEN EYESSS OFF YOURRSS IGNITEE."

Atlas's heart pounded. Was it that apparent! Yes, he really liked Kana. She was always so kind to him even when they were pups. Nervously, his fingers interlaced with one another. Kana seemed to really enjoy his company, but she was around Tano more often. He sighed, suddenly feeling a hand upon his shoulder.

"KANA ISS... A GREATT OPTIONN... BUT SHEE WILL BE TOUGHH TOO WINN OVERR. THEREE ISS TANOO... ANDD EVENNN MITUSSS MAYY TRYYY TOO CAPTUREE HERR INTERESTT. ITT MAYY... GETT UGLYY ATLASS... BUTT EIII ANNN CONFIDENTT IN YOUU." She spoke quietly, making him more fretful. Suddenly, she gave into a sharp huff and rested her cheek into her palm. "EII THINKK... TITUSS HASS GIVENN UPPP ON MEE EVERR SETTLINGGG." Jade began again, directing the conversation into a new territory. "EIII GUESSS... HEE THINKKSS EII AMM NOTTT READYY." Her line of sight drifted to the canopy yet again. "ANDDD... HEE MAYY BEE RIGHTT... IN A SENSSEE. EIII FINDD MYSELFFF... CONFLICTEDDD... WITHH ITT ALLL." Jade hesitated, glaring at her feet. For a moment, her smile vanished before it returned in the slightest to her face. "YOUU... DESERVVEE SOMEONEE THOUGHH... ATLASS. YOUU... ARE SUCHH A KINDD SOULL." Jade addressed him warmly, eyes practically smiling themselves as she turned her attention to him again. "AS I SAID...YOUU... WOULDD MAKKE A GOODD... MATEE ANDD SIRREE."

Atlas continued to remain speechless, his mind trying to process Jade's words. She was right about Kana and competition. But he wondered about her own position. Jade was older than him by about three years, and seemed content with Strix, but why had she not officially mated and made a family yet? Atlas's ear flickered in thought. He had no way of asking her, but maybe it was something that he should not pry into anyway. Unexpectedly, Jade let out another hoot and playfully punched his shoulder again, her aura completely different.

"BUTTT AS OF NOWW... KEEPP YOURR INSTINCTTSS, WITTS, AND EXCITEMENTT UNDERR CONTROLL. YOUU... HAVEE A MOREE PRESSINGG MATTERR. THE DUELLSSS... AREE MORRE IMPORTANTT BY FARRR. YOUUU... HAVVVE SOMETHINGG TO PROOVEE AND A MONSTERR TOO SLAYY... ATLASS." She informed sternly, finger pointing at him. With that very gesture, he knew she was dead serious.

Yes, finding his future partner was something he needed to forget thinking about for the time being. He needed to focus on honing his skills to defeat who he needed to – and to take down Mitus. Being a Mentor was the prize that he needed to win.

"AH! THERE YOU TWO... ARE!"

Hearing the ever familiar voice, the two titans looked down to see Titus standing upon the forest floor, arms folded and a look of determination on his face. Knowing that he had come to retrieve them, the two Hunters scaled down from the high log and approached Titus. Atlas quickly greeted his Mentor with a press of his brow onto the other titan's before backing away and awaiting news of what was in store for him.

"BE READY... ATLAS. WHEN WE GET... THERE PREPARE FOR... THE HARDEST... SESSION YETT. I... AM GOING TO TEST... YOUR TRUE LIMITS... MY ADVANCER."

He wasn't particularly sure as to where he was. The trio of Hunters had been walking in one direction and it was now midday. The journey had been quiet as he trailed his two teachers thatwalked on ahead of him. Every once in a while, they would exchange words, glance back at him and keep quiet. Gone was the questions he had raised about what Jade had shared with him – replaced by concern as to what he was doing for training. They were keeping the truth closely guarded.

Now, at the end of their trek, he stood with his Mentors at the bottom of a gorge. The landscape was drastically different than the thick forest. The area was a vast canyon, rocks a warm shade of brown decorated by patches of scarce woodland. Atlas examined his surroundings. There was something off about this place. Faintly, it smelled of stale blood and the rocks had various unnatural marks. Although titan blood evaporated, a titan's nose could still smell it. Atlas scrutinized the gashes harder. They looked similar to the claw marks left from bears, but bears did not have five fingers. Before he could gesture and grunt in question, Titus cleared his throat and stood before him.

"ATLAS... TODAY WILL BE YOUR... MOST DIFFICULT TRAINING YET." Titus began, face in an absolutely serious expression. "WE ARE HERE... AT THIS LOCATION... BECAUSE IT IS PERFECT FOR THIS LESSON. JADE AND I... ARE GOING TO... TEST YOUR LIMITS... AS TO HOW MUCH YOUR... BODY CAN TAKE." His Mentor continued to explain. Atlas grew nervous, swallowing as he tried to hide his fretful state with his own determined look. "IN THE COMING DUELS... AND IN HUNTING YOUR PREY... AS AN ADVANCER... YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF IN A DIRE POSITION... THAT LEAVES YOU... VERY VUNERABLE." Titus's eyes seemed to narrow. "YOU... WERE IN THIS SAME... CIRCUMSTANCE... THE FIRST TIME YOU SCALED... DOWN THE MOUNTIAN, ATLAS. AT THAT TIME... YOU FLED BECAUSE... YOU DID NOT KNOW... HOW TO COUNTER YOUR... ENEMY... WHILE MAIMED. NOW YOU... HAVE ALSO FOUGHT... MINDLESS WOUNDED... BUT YOU HAVENT FOUGHT YOUR... FOE... ON THE BRINK OF YOUR... OWN DEATH."

His heart began to beat faster.

"TODAY ATLAS... I AM TO TEACH YOU... HOW TO FIGHT WHILE... MISSING YOUR LIMBS."

The Advancer felt his blood chill at those words. So this was what Jade warned him about. He found himself swallowing a wad of saliva yet again. Titus was right, this was going to be grueling. This was going to be awful.

"WITH... YOUR... BODY MISSING ITS LIMBS, YOU MUST LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR HEALING... AND OVERCOME THE CONSEQUINCES... OF BLOOD LOSS... AND OTHER ALIMENTS. IT WILL BE INCREDIBLY... TAXING. AND YOU... WILL HAVE TO STRATEGIZE...ATLAS." Titus paused, gesturing to Jade who stood a distance behind him. "JADE... IF YOU WOULD... PLEASE EXPLAIN FURTHER."

The female titan grunted. "OF COURSEE... TITUSS. WE ARRE... GOINGG TO COPY... A REALL BATTLEE AS CLOSSE AS WEE CANN. IT WILLL... BE AA TWOO ONN ONEE... DUELL."

He didn't like the sound of this at all, still he tried to keep his great worry under wraps with a determined expression.

"YES, THIS WILL... BE BOTH MYSELF AND JADE... UP AGAINST YOU FOR... THIS LESSON. YOUR GOAL... IS TO SURVIVE AS LONG... AS POSSIBLE AND DEFEAT US, ATLAS. USE... ALL OF YOUR... SKILLS TO SUCCEED." Titus smirked. "GOOD LUCK."

Then, before he could even respond, the sound of pounding feet met his ears. Just as he rotated to see the source, Jade launched herself and jammed her knee into the bottom of his ribcage. Atlas's back bent inward, the familiar sensation of splitting bone hit him – the titan crying out in agony. He began to fall forward, vision blurring. His decent was suddenly stopped by Titus's hand encasing his face. His Mentor however, was not aiding to save him as he was promptly kneed in the stomach. He yelped, saliva and blood spurting from his teethwhile his lower ribs snapped at the impact. Fluid, crimson, began to leak into his punctured lugs, the titan gargling in pain as he watched in horror as Titus wrapped his opposite hand around his forearm. With one swift movement, the large titan twisted his arm and tore it free. Blood sprayed, staining the earth red and his severed arm tossed away somewhere in the rocks and bramble.

He wasn't expecting the lesson to start so suddenly with such intensity!

He was in trouble!

He had to fight!

He was not prey! He was the Hunter!

It then clicked, what he needed to do to level the playing field. He needed to get himself into a better position in order to have room to defend or attack. Atlas screeched, blood spraying from his maw as he threw back an elbow to hit Jade square in the nose. He spent no time watching her stagger. Instead, he quickly slammed his foot down upon Titus's ankle to snap it. The large titan faltered and he scrambled backwards to add some distance in meters. His chest heaved, heart pounding. The titan now knew why the area smelled of stale blood. Likely, this was an area where Mentors taught their Advancers the same skill. Atlas swallowed fretfully, hand gripping his snapped ribs. Despite his breathing not being fully adequate, he really did need to prioritize regenerating his arm first.

Before he could even initiate the process however, Jade recovered and released a piercing roar before racing for him. Her arm raised, fist poised for an attack, but he knew better. Jade's style was mostly performed low. Atlas readied himself to kick out in a low sweep. Muscles tensed as he prepared to attack. Finally, he titan swung his leg, foot starting low before traveling upward. However, he had made a grave error. Jade did not duck low like he had assumed, rather she jumped to avoid his leg – his foot traveling into the line of fire when Titus wrapped his fingers firmly around his ankle. Atlas raised his arm with the intent to bring it down upon his Mentor's head. However, the larger titan managed to thwart his plan as he yanked his leg, pulling Atlas off his feet and into a high arc over his Mentor's head. The Advancer braced himself as he was thrown several meters through the air, landing upon the earth and sent into a dangerous spiral. Dirt and blood flew in all directions. Lesions began to decorate his frame. Atlas screeched in agony as his body finally came to a stop. Hearing and feeling the two Hunters' footsteps rapidly approaching, he knew he needed to get upright before it was too late!

Atlas scrambled to get his footing, green eyes watching as his opponents approached. Suddenly, the dots littered across his vision again and coughed up more blood. As he lifted his remaining hand to shield his face, Atlas came to the realization that one of his ribs was definitely penetrating one of his lungs fully now – his entire left side of his torso igniting in pain with each shift. The earlier injury that Jade had dealt him was restricting what he could do as his body was struggling to mend itself between his arm and lungs. Naturally, he wanted to lift his arms to get into defensive position, but it was then that the truth dawned upon him. Titus had made him start practicing controlled regeneration in preparation for this very lesson. His Mentor knew that it was a skill that was needed just for this. He wasn't quite proficient at the technique, but he was going to have to try his best.

With determination to gain the upper hand between two opponents, Atlas roared and charged forward. Even missing an arm and punctured ribs, there were still moves that he was capable of pulling. Titus raised a fist and prepared to go for his other arm, but he ducked quickly and managed to wrap his remaining arm around most of his Mentor's wide waist. With his strength and momentum, Atlas strategically pushed, curling his foot around the large titan's ankle and giving him leverage to hoist his opponent up into the air. Pain shot through his midsection, making him wince but he followed through his attack. The large behemoth slammed onto the earth, grunting in surprise. Atlas then raised his fist, set on removing at least one of Titus's arms, but then movement caught his eye and he was too slow to react. The female titan kicked, hitting him square in the ribs once again. His body was thrown from his Mentor, screeching and gargling, choking on his own blood. They were definitely exploiting his injury.

Perhaps it was best that he did indeed prioritize healing his ribs first. If he could heal both wounds at the same time that would get him out of the situation that he was currently in.

Before he could even concentrate or get to his feet however, Jade charged for him again. Atlas snarled, blood bubbling at the corners of his maw. He threw his leg up in a powerful and well placed kick that sent Jade tumbling backwards across the dirt lined glade. Spotting movement from his Mentor, the Advancer hurriedly stood upright despite the stinging pain in his ribs. Titus roared and sent a powerful punch into his direction, Atlas shifting to avoid another blow to his shoulder. He then prepared himself for a barrage, with only one arm, he would not be able to counter well and diverting his opponent's attacks was the move he would have to rely on. Titus lifted his other arm and threw it forward, fist headed for his face. Thinking quickly, Atlas thwarted the move by reaching to smack it away. He gritted his teeth as Titus came at him again with another nasty punch. Atlas avoided the direct hit as he shifted and diverted the fist into another direction. Over and over, Titus attempted to plant his fist into his upper body. Atlas foiled the attempts and when Titus targeted his fist at his face once again, Atlas shifted and sent out his own fist in a counter attack into his Mentor's shoulder. He could feel the bone splinter a little beneath flesh. Titus yelped, but surprisingly didn't retaliate. To Atlas's surprise and misfortune, he stepped out of the way to reveal Jade that had been waiting right behind him.

Atlas had no time to react as she pounced at him, the two titans falling to the earth and rolling head over heels. Finally, their bodies came to a stop with Atlas unfortunately pinned down by the female behemoth. He hissed in defiance, attempting to trash but such a move was futile. Jade roared, suddenly planting her foot down upon his remaining arm. Atlas nearly bit through his tongue as the bone snapped beneath the force of her heel. No way was she going to take his only remaining arm!

Thinking quickly, Atlas lifted his leg to kick her in the stomach, sending her into the air once again. Struggling, he got to his feet, but he was too slow to react as Titus charged and gripped his limp arm. Without wasting a simple second, Titus twisted the limb into the wrong direction, forcing a tearing screech of pain through his throat. Green eyes, watering with tears, watched as his arm was torn free and tossed aside to decorate the clearing with crimson. With another hit to his chest, he stumbled backward and was barely able to catch himself from propelling into a violent tumble. His chest heaved, stringing with each breath. Blood poured from his wounds and his vision flickered, but still there was an angry heat in his gut.

"AS I SAID... ATLAS." Titus began sternly. "THIS LESSON... IS TO BRING YOU... TO YOUR LIMITS... AS TO WHY... YOU WILL LEARN... HERE SHORTLY."

His body shuttered, his severed nerves burning. Atlas blinked, trying to process his Mentor's words. He wasn't sure what he meant at all. The Advancer heaved a breath of steam, glancing at where his arms should be. He was at a real disadvantage now. He was now missing both of his arms and his internal injury had barely begun to heal itself. He was losing blood and his energy quickly, which slowed regeneration. The other issue was that he did not have much experience fighting two foes at once. Granted, he had fought hordes of Mindless and Abnormal titans. Going against two intelligent and skilled in combat Hunter Titans was something else entirely. He had only fought two verses one twice in his time of training and he admittedly was not too proficient at it.

"NOW ATLAS... YOU... ARE GOING TO HAVE TO... IGNORE YOUR RIBS. HAVING... ARMS IN A FIGHT... IS MORE IMPORTANT."

Atlas shuttered, glancing down at the steaming stumps that were his arms. Titus was right. He had no choice. He would have to heal his arms and worry about his lungs later. Just using his feet to attack was out of the question. Silted pupils glanced back at the two Hunters. He needed to buy himself some time and put some distance between them. Time was something he desperately needed at the moment.

Then, without waiting a second longer, Titus charged at full speed. Thinking quickly, Atlas propelled himself forward despite his missing limbs. Before his Mentor could swing, the younger titan dropped down to slide between Titus's legs. As quick as he could, Atlas stoop back up and turned to kick Titus square in his lower spine. He didn't pause to listen in satisfaction at the older titan's grunts of discomfort as he ran. As he expected, Jade approached him with a raised fist, one that was poised to strike at one of his nerves with the goal of disabling him. Consequences be damned, Atlas lowered his head and shoulder at the last possible second and plowed into the female titan like a battering ram. Forcefully, her body was pushed into the hard earth and Atlas made sure to step on her leg to ensure that she was incapacitated so he had time to recover. Without stopping to check upon the two Hunter Titans, Atlas charged deep into the maze of the canyon.

The rocky landscape of the canyon was almost alien. It was barren with the occasional green patch of weeds or moss. Buttes jutted up from the ground like a cave's stalactites. The walls of the canyon bore stripes, years upon years of sediment layers that told anyone that the area was likely around since the beginning of time. The inhabitants among the rocks seemed to be small reptiles and mice that scurried and hid with the shaking earth as he dashed through. Atlas swallowed, green eyes scanning the rocks and formations in search of a place to duck and take cover. He was not a coward; he was just doing so strategically so he could heal. He would admit however, that he was very nervous. Training had never been this intense and unforgiving.

The Advancer then rounded a corner onto another wide area that was littered with buttes. With his heart pounding and chest burning, he nearly dove behind one of them. With his back against the rock, he slid a few feet and nearly collapsed upon the dirt floor but he was committed to keep himself standing. Steam came out of his mouth in heavy puffs as he attempted to regain his composure. Tired greens then looked down at what was left of his arms. One had grown back just passed his elbow while the other was still a fresh wound, shredded meat with a severed bone on full display. Atlas exhaled heavily, sight set only upon his injuries. As he had been taught, he focused his energy in doing nothing but to repair his arms. He would be worn thin after this, so he would need to keep away from his two opponents until he was capable of taking them on without the drag of fatigue.

Atlas watched as bone continued to sprout like a growing seed in fresh soil. Steam poured from the nubs, billowing like a cottage chimney. The titan swallowed nervously. He would have to heal before the steam gave away his position. Gradually, veins spread over bone and intertwined with nerves. Muscles began to sprout as he concentrated harder. Then, the sound of a tumbling pebble broke his focus and fear took over him once again. Tapered ears flicked. Green eyes widened as his hair stood upon its ends. The titan's nostrils flared, in search of the enemy that was upon him. His heart thundered in his battered ribs. Their scent carried to his nose. They were close. He abandoned his somewhat lax position in preparation for the possibility to bolt. Worried greens returned to his hands once again, or rather where they should be as he had only healed up to his wrists. This wasn't good!

The footsteps neared, making the surrounding small statured stones tremble in the wake of something great. He swallowed, throat bobbing. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped and the canyon grew silent. All that could be heard was the wind carving gently through the rocky walls, unable to carry his opponents' scents. Atlas gulped, throat bobbing and his heart thundering so loud that it rang in his ears. Life stilled. He held his breath. Weary but curious, he slowly turned his head with the intent to locate his pursuers.

But he was too late.

What was akin to the sound of an explosion echoed among the canyon as a solid and muscular leg cut through the stone butte that he had taken refuge behind. Splintered rock flew in all directions, raining down like damaging hail. Green eyes ignited in horror, his body naturally ducking as Titus's foot brushed the top of his scalp, tearing off skin and hair and spraying his locks in blood. Atlas gritted his teeth at the pain, ignoring the fact that he still had not grown back his hands yet as he turned face his opponents. Quickly, as he had been taught, he raised what was left of his weapons in defense.

His ear shifted to the sound of a fast approaching enemy behind him, her scent invading his nostrils and his eyes catching movement. Atlas raised his arm to block the female titan's kick. He gritted his teeth, the bones fracturing at the force but he wasn't down for the count! Atlas retaliated, lifting his foot to throw out his leg, hitting her square in the stomach and sending Jade tumbling into the dusty earth once again. The titan had no time to contemplate any further plans as Titus rushed him. The towering beast's fists flew with no mercy holding them back. With his battered and half mended forearms, Atlas blocked his Mentor's first attack. But then came the barrage. Titus threw out another coiled fist that was aimed at his head. Again, the Advancer threw up his arm and foiled the move. Titus alternated his fists, keeping his speed. His arms became more battered, but he refused to be prey. Seeing an opening, he stuck, the stump of his arm hitting along the side of his Mentor's face, sending blood and sinew across the other's skin. He ignored the fiery agony and continued his pursuit. Atlas threw another punch, but his move was slapped aside and Titus threw his first towards its target again. Instinctively, he threw up his arms in a cross to block. The force behind his Mentor's attack sent his heels digging into the earth. He snarled, teeth barred as he looked for another opening.

But he had once again forgotten his other opponent.

Jade roared and slammed her foot down onto his knee. Bone snapped in two, his leg bending horridly inward and a scream leaving Atlas's maw as he collapsed beneath his weight. No! His leg! It was broken! He wasn't going to be able to stand! He had messed up! His fingers coddled the injury as he sank into mortification. He was doing so poorly! This was not how an Advancer was supposed to be! Atlas gritted his teeth, eyes watering. He needed to try and defend himself!

He could barely roll over with the intent to kick at his attacker when Titus lifted his foot – and brought it down full force upon his uninjured leg. Flesh and marrow was crushed, bone snapped and pierced through his leathery skin to send blood spraying from the grave wound. An unworldly shriek like a downed animal left the maw of the titan. Dots fluttered across his vision and he began to feel woozy.

This training was nothing like he had ever faced before. There was no mercy given. There was only misery.

The large behemoth raised his foot once again and brought it down upon his pitiful pupil, severing the leg completely. Atlas's scream echoed among the rocks. Blood began to pour. Arteries surrendered their nectar. He was doomed. He had lost. He would have to start again doing the same brutal exercise. He didn't have the energy to heal himself. The titan had used his regeneration incorrectly and it wasn't refined. Atlas awaited the pause.

But to his horror, that pause did not come. No statement of what he had done improperly met his ears.

His opponents only roared their own battle cries and crushing blows were brought down upon him again. The titan's remaining leg flopped to the side like wasted meat. The small of his back was caved in, spine breaking as if it were a delicate twig. Again, a helpless and choked shriek left his lungs, but still no clemency was given. Ribs snapped, a greedy hand tore an arm away, and his skin split. The earth began to turn crimson as the sky. Another fist rained down from above like a god's judgement. Flesh peeled away, ribs shredding his innards. Atlas screamed, only for the sound to be drowned out as a river of blood left his lungs. He knew nothing but pain. His mind was absolutely shrouded in it. His view of the canyon began to blur into muddy shades of color, vision flickering and he struggled to stay out of the closing darkness. The world became numb. What was this feeling? Was it death?

This could not be the end! It couldn't be! He was an Advancer! He had to Advance! He had to fight! He needed to be great! He wasn't going to be shown up by his teachers! Atlas struggled to turn his head, dull greens witnessing Titus rear back his leg to the furthest extent. The powerful beast then released a potent kick. The ground then left him, Atlas's body took flight at a swift speed. The rocky wall of the canyon welcomed him with no kindness. Every fiber of his being exploded in agony as the earth split behind him at the impact. His vision went white, blood painted the layers of sediment. He couldn't even muster a scream. It was almost as if he was a bug that had been swatted.

Gravity then took its hold upon his battered form, Atlas slid harshly down the wall and landed hard in a crumbled and broken mass. Like a dying animal, the titan whined – still clinging to the threads to life. Green eyes shifted, his frame twitched. The Advancer tried to move, but the slightest shift made him drone. The horror of the situation came to him as the wet warmth spread beneath him. He was beaten to the point that would have certainly lead to the death of any other being – looking like a rabbit that had been torn up by a wolf. His limbs were gone and much of his body was crushed. The titan shifted, clenching his teeth but immediately paused as only part of him moved and something large and wet spilled from his body. Atlas's line of sight beheld the extent of his grievance. He had been torn in half, his waist and what was left of his legs laying a few meters from him, organs were now strung about and steam began to bellow.

Atlas's head dropped back down, falling into the growing crimson pool. Dull greens looked on at his foes. He could barely make them out, they were watching and he could sense some sort of anticipation from them. But what were they looking to gain from him! He was nothing but useless meat! Why – did they do this to him! What was the whole point of this training! It certainly wasn't to see how he would handle combat missing limbs! He was just beaten senseless! He had been torn apart! He had been attacked!

They were trying to slaughter him!

Perhaps his life really was a farce! They had decided that he was to be slain!

The titan's battered face somehow twisted into one that reflected his irrational rage. His mind continued to be devoured by his distain.

He was an Advancer! A Hunter if they liked it or not! He needed to make them pay! He would make them witness their errors of their wrongdoing! A gurgling growl began to rise from his chest.

They needed to suffer!

He was not meant to be their prey!

He would teach them!

Atlas's framed shuttered, growing drunk on revenge and insanity.

He would slash them!

He would dice them into pieces!

Cut them into ribbons!

Pound their bones into powder!

Make them lifeless meat!

His enemy took a step backward, their eyes studying him. His own irises began to turn feral.

He was going to feast on their flesh and drink their blood!

Suddenly, something deep in his core jolted and sparked, like a furnace lit by a match. Time seemed to stand still. His heart, formerly slowed, began to thunder. His blood began to ignite, a pain like no other he had felt before instantaneously surged throughout what was left of him. At the intense agony, Atlas threw back his head and howled.

Before him, Titus held a hand in front of his former student, amber eyes locked upon his current pupil's distress. "THIS IS IT... JADE. WHAT... THIS TRAINING WAS... FOR. WE TRIGGERED IT. NOW... PREPARE YOURSELF. AS... YOU KNOW... THIS COULD GET UGLY."

"RIGHTT."

Atlas gasped, saliva pooling from his mouth as he struggled for breath. His frame convulsed, every severed and torn fiber began to reconnect, burning white hot. The titan wailed, bones extending and reforming, muscles wrapping around them in a solid embrace. More superheated blood began to flow through newly formed veins. Atlas screeched again, his new fingers and toes digging into the crimson stained dirt as organs formed, realigned, and sat into place. In less than a minute, his body became whole again.

But the pain did not stop. Something was amiss. This wasn't normal. He was so very, very angry.

The growl that rumbled in his ribs grew into something savage, something monstrous. The titan hunched over, his spine arching as the agony greatened. Atlas gritted his teeth, snarling with the hair upon his scalp bristling like a crazed hound. Feral greens beheld his enemy, vision curtained by a shade of red. Emerald pools, the summer canopy, began to burn deep in their corneas, greens burning a blazing blue. Steam began to turn to rolling smoke. His blood changed akin to magma, every vein in his body burning bright orange beneath his skin – decorating his body in an array of swirls and shapes resembling fiery tributaries. The Advancer let out another animalistic screech. Smoke transforming into dancing flames. Pain raced in spasms. Suddenly, his muscles began to bulge, expanding even larger with his skin stretching tightly and his leathery hide darkening. Atlas dragged his feet beneath him, upon all fours as his spine arched even further. Grotesquely, the ridges of his vertebra sharpened into low almost reptilian spikes with a series of snaps and pops. The titan's growls boomed even louder. The tips of his fingers and toes singed, flexing as the claw like nails grew into powerful, sharp, and lethal talons. Atlas snarled, boiling saliva bubbling between his tombstone size teeth while his jaw was clenched from the surging discomfort. His head twitched, trembling as all his teeth began to sharpen, incisors becoming longer and more lethal fangs. Beastly, carnivorous, made to shred as well as crush. The raging agony began to die, lessening into a comforting heat.

It was then quiet again.

He exhaled, scalding steam blowing up a cloud of dust beneath him. The sound was cavernous, echoing among the canyon. He felt different. The strength was overwhelming. His instincts, where nothing but primordial. His fingers twitched in the bloody sediment – itching to tear and maim. Atlas breathed, fire leaking and flickering from his nostrils and maw. A sharp pain and a sickening roll of his stomach alerted him that he was absolutely STARVING.

The titan inhaled, every aroma from the canyon reached him with absolute clarity. The beast's eyes widened, nostrils flaring. His prey was before him. His foes – those that made the rage flood every bit of him. They were foolish rabbits! They were juicy meat! They were an appetizer and a main course!

His dinner was served!

"JADE... HE IS... NOT IN CONTROL. GET READY."

Before Titus or Jade could formulate a plan, the hunter made his move. With no hesitation, and driven by a cavernous hunger and overwhelming rage, the titan lunged forward with frightening speed, the ground cracking beneath him at the launch. At the last possible second, Titus's hand shoved Jade from the monster's wake. With tremendous force, Atlas impacted his Mentor. Titus landed relentlessly upon the earth, but his prey had no time to even comprehend his next move. The savage creature pinned the larger titan to the earth, nails digging into flesh as he stared into the soul of his prey with blazing eyes filled with hatred. Atlas then roared, inches from his prey's face with all of his new ferocious fangs on full display and hot saliva spraying. The sound shook the rocks and the surrounding landscape itself. The beastly and hellish threat rattled the ribcage of his chosen meal. Undenounced to the Advancer, his Mentor's face lit up in pure terror for the first time in the younger titan's presence.

The look was pure art to the hunter, completely satisfying. His stomach begged to be filled. His prey deserved to be slain! A sin had been committed and punishment was needed! He was so very hungry! Atlas's roar died down into an almost crocodilian hiss as he began his feast. Teeth went for the throat of his prey, but his meal raised an arm in defense and Atlas clamped down upon the titan's wrist. Furious that his plan was foiled, Atlas snarled and like a rabid wolf he began to bite and tear. He would rip flesh from bone and then slash in even further! Blood began to splatter and spray. His Prey attempted to wiggle from beneath him, kick at his stomach and slam his fist down upon his head, but he would not budge. His feisty prey would not get away! Atlas growled, the sweet taste of crimson filling his mouth as he continued his assault. The Advancer then clamped down, bone crushed between his jaws and with a turn of his head, his Mentor's arm was ripped clean off of his body. With prized meat in his mouth, Atlas leaped from the body of his prey and clung to a high wall. Like an arachnid, he spun around, and looked at his future morsels from the wrong way up. The look the larger chunk of meat gave him was something that he wished to relish in a bit longer. Though he was famished, he wanted to toy with his food! Picking them apart to torture seemed like a better fitting punishment! His teeth clamped down upon his prize even harder, more of life's nectar flowing onto his tongue as he watched his battered targets struggle to stand and look up at him in fear.

The sight made a black chuckle reverberate in his throat. What a pleasing spectacle!

Titus's mouth was in a firm and grim line as he looked at the feral titan with Jade regarding Atlas wearily. "AS I EXPECTED... ATLAS... IS NOT ATLAS RIGHT NOW." The older titan spoke gravely. "JADE." He continued, not looking away from his charge. "I KNOW... THIS IS A COWARD'S MOVE... BUT I WANT YOU TO RUN. RUN... AND HIDE. I DO NOT... WANT YOU... TO FIGHT HIM." Titus warned, with Jade shifting her gaze to him momentarily in a stunned silence before peering up at her deranged friend. "ATLAS... HIS STRENGTH IN THIS FORM... IS OVERWHELMING. RIGHT NOW... AS HUNTERS SHIFT... FOR THEIR FIRST TIME INTO... THIS STATE, ATLAS... WANTS NOTHING MORE... THAN TO... SLAUGHTER US. HE... RIGHT NOW... CAN VERY EASILY... KILL US JADE. I AM... NOT SURE IF I –

The monster snarled, clenching his jaw – the arm encased by his teeth being crushed further. He then tilted back his head and like a crane to a fish, began to devour it – forcing it down whole much to his prey's horror. The titan grumbled in satisfaction, long tongue gliding over his bloodied teeth to savor every bit of the flavor. The flesh of his prey was absolutely ravishing! Delicious! He needed more! So much more! His stomach rumbled, still begging. It needed filled to the brim! No! He would devour every square inch of both of them until he was bursting! It was what they deserved!

Atlas roared, muscles tensing. He wouldn't wait a second longer!

"RUN!"

The flaming titan pushed off the wall just as his two targets bolted. The beast landed with tremendous force, the earth splitting and shaking beneath him. Enraged, the behemoth released a banshee like shriek and charged. His heart pounded, pumping flaming blood through his veins as he moved with great speed – faster than ever before. Every muscle in his body bulged and flexed, lungs heaving and eyes never leaving his prey who were running as fast as their legs could carry them. He raised his arms, shoving rocks and knocking away buttes with ease. Nothing would stand in his way! Nothing was coming between him and his feast! Driven by nothing but a lust for blood, Atlas leaped up onto the wall once again, quickly leaping onto an adjacent vertical surface to proceed to do an aerial pursuit. His claws dug into stone, spittle spraying from eager and open jaws as he moved in ways that were next to impossible. He hated them! They would not get away! They needed slain and the earth needed to be decorated in their blood and sinew! Feasting on their flesh and bathing in their blood was his ultimate reward and the ultimate price they would have to pay!

His prey navigated their way through the narrow stretch of the canyon, bursting into a clearing, not even daring to glance back to see their pursuer. A wicked grin pulled at the corners of his maw. The large one was positioned perfectly! He was right for the taking! With a powerful kick, the creature propelled himself through the air like a living spear. His prey had no time to turn and face him as he tackled his target. His nails sank deep into broad shoulders, burying themselves into thick muscle. The large titan yelped, the two rolled over like boulders down a hill, large frames destructive. Sharp incisors snapped as the sky and earth traded places, snagging and tearing skin. Still, his prey fought, forcing his fists into his ribs and his own teeth attempting to grip onto something. Their bodies slowed to a stop and fingers wrapped around his arm and he was promptly thrown away from his target. Atlas rolled before standing once again to face his meal. His nose wrinkled, skin drew back in a snarl. The flaming beast roared, and charged again. The eyes of the other titan widened and he raised his remaining arm to block. But his prey was slow, weak and he was the opposite. The hunter sprang, forcing himself past his foe's defense and shoving the other into a rock and sinking his teeth into his prey's throat. The scream of his opponent was pure music. A beautiful melody! Atlas sank his teeth further, crushing the trachea of his prey. Thick, red, and warm blood graced his throat and traveled down his gullet. It was his ambrosia!

Such sweet nectar! Fit for a god!

His eyes burned brighter, feral, full of pure hunger and hatred. The pitiful creature beneath him struggled for breath, thrashing, choking – an amusing act to the beast. Desperate, the hump of meat beneath him forced his own claws through his side, ripping through flesh before pulling back to hit him with several brutal bows to his ribs. Still, Atlas hung on, not phased and not to be deterred from his current task. Tensing the muscles in his neck, he pulled – preparing to rip the throat from his prey. The sight was bound to be a thing of beauty! Inner workings all upon display! His prey choking on a fountain of blood and gasping for breath would be a masterpiece!

An angry roar that was not his own or from his prey beneath him made him realize that he had made a slight miscalculation. He had forgotten about the other delicacy that he was to feast upon. Atlas released the throat of the titan, looking up to see the smaller piece of meat charging furiously at him, a long and narrow tree in hand – a natural weapon. The beast had not a single second to dodge, the trunk skewered straight through his starving stomach and with a shower of crimson pierced clean through his back. The burning beast wailed angrily, furious eyes staring daggers into equally angry and determined blues. The female snarled, continuing her charge before the tip of the tree impacted and wedged itself into the canyon's rocky wall – successfully trapping him upon a skewer. Atlas roared angrily, thrashing in an attempt to free himself and tear the smaller meal to ribbons for her actions against him. His prey wasted no time and returned to his other meal, aiding him to his feet before the two darted back into the maze of the canyon.

With white hot furry, Atlas roared, the vocal even making the largest of stones tremble. Frustrated and angry, his hands tore at the splintered wood – ripping the tree apart to free himself from his opponent's trap. Piece by piece, the bark was tossed aside. With a final yank, Atlas slid down from the rocks and wrenched the remaining wood free from his flesh. The titan heaved a breath, eyes staring madly ahead. Within him, his stomach and damaged organs reformed instantaneously. The monster inhaled, nostrils flaring, relishing in the scent of blood – his retreating prey. They were making this a challenge for him. He didn't like a challenge. He liked control. He liked his prey to run in fear. He liked ripping them apart before letting them free only to tear them into minced meat again. He liked his prey being fearful and meek creatures. Foolish meat!

He advanced forward, pausing to lower his maw to where he had his prey pinned before. Atlas inhaled the scent, the sweet smell intoxicating. His long tongue snaked from his maw and eagerly lapped at the puddled blood, purring in pleasure. The hunter raised his head, sampling the air and easily located the direction his victims had headed.

With another wordless projection of dominance, Atlas began his pursuit.

POV SWAP:

Titus's ribcage was rattling, chest heaving as he attempted to catch his breath, wheezing horridly. His hands held his still mending throat, holding flesh and tendons into place as the wound proceeded to finish healing. His body was covered in deep gashes, lacerations, and holes. He was certain there were fractures both hairline and major within his frame. He was woozy from the sheer amount of blood loss. It looked as if he had just walked off a battlefield – which he could say was true but with only one opponent.

Next to him, Jade looked on in great concern, just as equally out of breath as he was. In their retreat, they had taken refuge in an area of the canyon that was filled with outcroppings and openings to small caves that were shrouded by ivy and moss. In desperation, they had seeked shelter in one of them, keeping silent as they healed and sure to position themselves where the wind could not carry the scents of carnage. Titus carefully felt along his throat as the skin regrew to make his neck whole again. The great titan exhaled in exhaustion, looking from his other healing wounds to Jade whose jaw was slack – likely not knowing where to begin. He didn't blame her; she was just as overwhelmed as he was.

They were in serious trouble.

Titus cleared his newly formed throat. "ARE... YOU ALRIGHT?" He whispered softly. Jade blinked in astonishment.

"EIII... SHOULDDD BE ASSKINGG YOUU THATT." She replied, her voice a whisper. "HEE HADD... YOUU BYY THE THROATT!"

Titus beamed softly. "I AM FINE. BUT... I AM HAPPY THAT... YOU ARE... IN ONE PIECE." Amber eyes looked to the curtain of ivy and creeping jenny hanging over the outcropping that kept them hidden, trying to see any sign that Atlas had found them. Jade sighed, a small smile tugging at her face before her worried look returned to her façade.

"EII WASS NOTT EXPECTINGGG... THATT."

"ME NEITHER. WE... AWAKENED HIM... AS WE HAD HOPED, BUT ATLAS – HIS STRENGTH IS... OVERWHELMING. I WAS... NOT EXPECTING... SUCH A STRONG... REACTION. JADE... I WOULD HAVE BEEN... KILLED IF YOU... DID NOT INTERVEINE... SO I THANK YOU."

The female titan nodded in acknowledgement, her eyes watching for a moment as more of his wounds closed and his arm completed regenerating. "WHAT ISSS... TITUSS... WHATT IS GOINGG ONN WITHH HINN? EII... KNOWW UPONN AWAKENNINGG... THATTT NO ONEE ISS.... IN CONTROLL THE FIRSTT TIMEE. BUTT... HEE SEEMSS SO FARR GONEE." Jade paused, catching her breath. "WHATT DOO... WEE EVENN DOO?"

Titus sighed, gritting is teeth as one of the holes in his stomach began to close with a sting. "INDEED... THIS ABLITY... ALLOWS US TO ACCESS ALL OF... OUR STRENGTH... AND ABILITIES. I KNEW HE WAS... GOING TO BE... STRONG... BUT HIS STRENGTH... FAR EXCEEDS WHAT... I HAVE SEEN." Titus hesitated, swallowing thickly in his throat to warm up his new windpipe. "RIGHT NOW... AS YOU KNOW... HE IS RUNNING ON PURE... RAGE AND INSTINCT. THAT... IS WHAT MOST OF US... ARE DRIVEN BY... IN THIS FORM. ATLAS... HOWEVER... IS ALSO INFLUENCED... BY THE NEED TO FEED. RIGHT NOW... HE WILL EVEN CRAVE THE FLESH OF HUNTERS."

Jade's brows rose, looking completely disturbed. "CANABALISUMM?"

He nodded. "UNFORTUNATLY... YES. SOME HUNTERS IN THIS STATE... OFTEN CANABALIZE... ANY TITAN... INCLUDING HUNTER TITANS IF THEY ARE... NEAR. IT OFTEN IS SEEN... FROM HUNTERS... WHO BINGE ATE... OR EAT... A LOT IN GENERAL. ATLAS... HIS BODY... IS DIFFERENT. YES... HE CAN GO EXTENDED... PERIODS WITHOUT EATING... BUT WHEN HE DOES FEAST... ATLAS CONSUMES MORE THAN THE ADVERAGE... HUNTER. THOUGH... HE IS MATURE... HE HAS MORE MUSCLE MASS THAN MOST OF US...AND PLENTY OF ENERGY. SO... HE NEEDS MORE... NOURISHMENT." Titus paused, gripping the small amount of fat upon his torso. "THAT... EXPLAINS WHY HE HAS BEEN... TRYING TO DEVOUR US. HE'S TARGETING ME MORE... DUE TO ME BEING A MUCH... BIGGER KILL." He tried to explain humorously with Jade finding little humor and comfort to his words.

She swallowed. "SOO... WHATT DO YOUU... THINK WE SHOULDD DO?"

Titus bit his lip fretfully before looking past the small gaps in their green shelter. "IF POSSIBLE... I WOULD PREFER... THAT WE NOT CONFRONT HIM. HE... IS UNPREDICTABLE... AND LIKE I SAID... COULD EASILY... KILL US. THIS STATE... ONLY LASTS A SHORT TIME. RUNNING... HIM THIN... WOULD BE IDEAL... UNTIL HE COLAPSES." His eyes narrowed, amber irises looking back to his former Advancer. "BUT... IF WE ARE... FORCED TO FIGHT... AS MUCH AS I DON'T... WANT YOU HARMED... I THINK A TWO ON ONE... WOULD GIVE US BETER ODDS. HE MAY... BE INCREDIBLY STRONG AND FAST... BUT HE IS STILL ATLAS... WHO ONLY... JUST GOT STARTED WIH TWO ON ONE DUELS. SMART MOVES... COULD GIVE US... AN ADVANTAGE." Titus explained at low volume with Jade gesturing in understanding. Amber eyes then drifted to his lap, another long sigh leaving his chest. "IF IT COMES... DOWN TO IT, JADE... I WILL... ENTER MY OWN... PRIMAL MODE... AND FORCE... ATLAS INTO SUBMISSION." Titus exhaled, shoulders noticeably shrugging. "I JUST HOPE... IT WILL BE ENOUGH... IF IT COMES TO IT."

Jade's line of sight drifted to her own lap, blue pools staring intently at the folds upon her hands, head hung in shame. "I REALLYY... WISHH I COULDD HELPP. BUTT... AS YOUU KNOWW... I WAS NEVERR ABLE TO... TRULYY MASTERR THATT FORMM. I COULDD NOTT GUARENTEE... IFF EII WOULDD... BE IN CONTROLLL... OR COMPLETLYY OUTT OF IT."

She was correct. Of the times that he had been training her and even now, like many Hunter Titans, Jade had not mastered her true power completely. For the most part, she could stay in control and be aware of her surroundings, but under times of high stress such as now – Jade was often in a state similar to Atlas. It would be unwise to make her take her primitive form as he could potentially be facing two out of control Hunters.

He smiled at her softly. "I DON'T... WANT YOU TO RESORT... TO THAT... ANYWAY. I THINK... I CAN HANDLE HIM... AS I SAID BEFORE." The large behemoth offered a smile, making him incredible nervousness. He wasn't sure if his words had weight to them.

Jade's brows pinched together, revealing her suspicions of his statement to him, but before she could reply the sounds of heavy and slow footsteps met their ears. The two froze, eyes widening and their hair standing on end. Titus held up a hand, signaling her to keep still as he leaned and very carefully pulled a few strands of ivy aside to look down into the canyon. Below, a lumbering Mindless Titan walked among the stony landscape, a deadeye gaze upon its face as if it were lost. Titus's teeth bit his lip. The creature below had no clue that it had just walked into a ring of hell.

"Whatt iss... it?" Jade muttered, voice impossibly quiet.

Titus hesitated, amber eyes locked onto the ten-meter titan. "Mindless... just d –

His whisper was cut off instantly as a terrible crashed echoed among the canyon, Atlas's flaming form bursting from a rocky wall and at full force into the Mindless Titan. In their hiding spot, the two jolted, but kept watching in secret from behind their leafy curtain as their acquaintance began to savagely rip apart the ten meter. Atlas roared, sinking his teeth into the creature's throat and ripping it out with ease in a fountain of blood. Titus gulped, fingers traveling to his neck knowing he was in the same position just a short time before and had experienced the agony. Jade herself looked on in terror as the flaming beast proceeded to plunge his jaws into the belly of the beast, ripping out every structure and organ only to swallow – essentially eating his current prey alive. Beneath Atlas, the Mindless screamed and for a moment he thought that such a titan was actually expressing a bit of fear in the primal Hunter's wake. The Mentor could feel his blood chill as Atlas moved on to severing the limbs of his adversary. Atlas was truly a monster.

Jade's ears folded over, the female titan backing away from the opening of their hiding spot. She stood on her hands and feet, pressing her back into the rock behind them – a typical pose made by Hunter Titans that felt cornered. "Whatt... doo wee do?"

Titus looked back to the crazed behemoth, still in the process of maiming the Mindless titan long after it had expired. "Stay put... wait until... he passes. Hopefully... the blood... will mask our scent." He replied, keeping his words hushed as much as he could. "We... will... plan from there."

"Okayy... hopefully... he just... tiress himself –

However, the female titan was unable to finish her sentence as suddenly a small rock was dislodged from the outcropping where they resided. Titus's heart skipped a beat as the stone tumbled down the cliffside and came to a stop just before Atlas. In dread, the two titans watched as the beast paused in his slaughter. Burning blue eyes looked long and hard at the stone, ears shifting forward. For a fleeting moment, Titus thought his Advancer would return to his kill. To his misfortune, Atlas growled lowly in his throat and looked directly up at their location.

The monster then charged.

"RUN!"

The two were barely able to scramble out of the way when Atlas erupted through the ivy curtain and smacked face first into the wall. Titus abruptly scaled down the face of the canyon with Jade trailing close behind – Atlas's snapping teeth narrowly missing her hand. Titus finally landed at the canyon's base after roughly sliding down the rough embankment. Quickly, he scrambled to his feet, but a crash and a terrified yelp nearly made him freeze. The Mentor turned to see that Atlas had Jade pinned down upon her stomach. The female titan's hands were uselessly covering her nape. Both sets of blues were peering angrily at one another. Jade abruptly threw out her legs to force Atlas into a half spit to render him unsteady before twisting and slamming her fist into his maw. The sickening sound of snapping bone met his ears, the flaming titan's jaw clearly broken and hanging lopsidedly. Despite the injury, Atlas didn't seem to care at all. The feral titan snarled and raised an open palm high, ready to slash and put his new claws to good use. Titus charged and quickly planted a low uppercut into the Advancer's stomach – sending him straight up into the air several meters before crashing down against one of the many large boulders that littered the canyon. Jade got to her feet and positioned herself next to him, the two Hunters getting into defensive poses.

"THANKSSS FORR... THE SAVEE. BUTT ... LOOKSS LIKEE WE ARE GOINGG WITHH OPTIONN... TWOO."

Titus snorted in irritation, steam rolling from his nostrils. "UNFORTUNATLY. GET... READY JADE. WE... RETREAT THE FIRST... CHANCE WE GET. Jade nodded in agreement to his statement.

Amber eyes narrowed as he watched Atlas stand from the rubble. To his dismay, the brutal hit didn't even seem to faze the young titan. Pebbles cascaded off of his flaming exterior and blazing blue stared heatedly at them. Atlas's broken jaw quickly slid and clicked back into place. Their hunter's eyes narrowed, skin around his nose wrinkling as his face drew into a wicked snarl. The reverberating threat cut across the canyon as Atlas stalked towards them. Preparing himself, Titus lifted his hands into coiled fists. He really did not want to do this, but it was a necessary act with training Advancers. He just wasn't expecting Atlas's ferocity. He was a powerful titan to begin with, and awakened? He was a terrifying and great force. In all his years of training, he had never been actually terrified of a pupil in a primordial state.

Of course, nothing was ever the norm with Atlas. He should have expected that.

The crazed behemoth rapidly looked from Titus to Jade, clearly weighing his options yet again. Titus gritted his teeth. His assumptions about exploiting Atlas's inexperience with dueling two intelligent opponents may just work in their favor as he had hoped. Finally, Atlas's eyes sat themselves upon him, obviously choosing prey that had more meat to his bones. Then, with a rippling roar, Atlas charged forward with a clawed hand raised high and ready to cut him down. Titus gritted his teeth, his own fangs barred as he quickly grasped Atlas's wrist to spoil the attack. To retort, the Mentor lifted a leg and plunged it into Atlas's stomach. The Advancer doubled over, scalding saliva leaving his jaws with a yelp. But the move seemed to only make the feral titan angrier. Quickly, shifting himself, Atlas sunk his teeth into his thigh. The seventeen meter grunted in discomfort and raised a fist again. Making sure not to perform a killing blow, Titus instead swung and hit Atlas once again into his ribs, making his pupil release his grip. Before the Advancer could make another move, Titus effectively flipped the beast over to land hard upon his back.

Titus readied his fists again as his opponent squirmed to get back to his feet, eyes darting to Jade's position before returning to where they were needed. Atlas stood, monstrous and wrathful gaze locked upon him, but movement to the Advancer's left caused his eyes to shift just in time to see Jade's foot flying towards his head in a vicious kick. To their misfortune, Atlas ducked with the female titan's claws only able to graze the top of his head. However, Jade was not finished with her move and followed up by quickly dropping low to spin and throw out her other leg towards Atlas's ankles. This time, the creature was caught off guard and his feet were knocked out from beneath him – just what Titus was hoping for. As Atlas fell forward, Titus quickly planted his fist into the other's stomach once again before lifting Atlas's injured frame and throwing him across the clearing before the other had the chance to sink his teeth into him once again. The sound of splitting stone echoed among the canyon as Atlas hit the wall once again. Knowing what he needed to do to ensure their escape and drastically slow Atlas's speed, Titus raced forward and leaped upon the Advancer, pinning him to the stone. Taking advantage of the stunned behemoth, Titus roared and hit Atlas directly across the face, forcing the other's head violently to the side as he continued his assault. Quickly, Titus smashed the fifteen meter's ankle with his foot and gripped his arm, ripping it off. Lava like blood sprayed among his flesh and the stone beneath him. Titus droned in agony as holes were burned into his skin across his face. But he payed no head, for everyone's safety, he needed to press on.

Titus roared as he raised his bloodied fist again, ready to bring it down onto something else vital. Suddenly, Atlas twisted his head to stare directly at him once more, out of his stunned state. The look that the crazed titan beneath him offered was one that promised death. He had no second to prepare. The flaming titan lifted his leg and plunged it straight through Titus's stomach. Crimson coated his back and his furious face was replaced by shock. Blood spilled from his lips and coated his beard. Black dots littered across his vision. He could tell. His stomach had been completely obliterated and several other organs had been greatly damaged in the impaling. Amazingly, his spine was still intact, Atlas's foot missing by mere inches. For a second, he swore that Atlas looked proud of himself.

They needed to get away.

Without a moment to spare, Titus raised his fist and impacted Atlas's knee as hard as he could. The Advancer screeched at the impact, bone splitting and twisting horribly inward. Seizing the moment, Titus slid himself free from the other's leg and stumbled backwards to give distance. A wave of faintness fell over him, and the great titan fell to one knee. His heart pounded. Atlas was certainly a formidable foe in this form. The strength was unworldly.

"TITUSS!" Jade called, but he quickly held up a hand as a signal for her not to approach. Atlas was absolutely enraged with no signs of slowing. If he did manage to get ahold of Jade, it was no doubt he would rip her apart easily like one would do to a piece of paper – especially if he could impale his bulky frame so easily. He really needed to take care of this. Perform a timed move that would at least take care of Atlas's vision or some other sense. Then remove a leg. It would at least give them a head start. He really did not want to resort to his last plan. Nearly biting off his tongue, Titus braced himself as he began to get upright. The titan looked forward, but saw something completely unexpected. It was a sight that made him freeze.

Atlas was standing. Upon his own two feet after he had savagely crushed and broken the bones in his legs – mere seconds ago. Titus looked on, completely spellbound as the Advancer simply stood there, head hung low and growling deeply through tightly clenched teeth. The bloody stump of Atlas's left arm began to bulge grotesquely, glowing veins bulging even bigger as the limb tremored. Then, before the feral titan's witnesses, a new and complete arm grew – before they could even blink.

It was a horrifying sight that Titus nor Jade had ever seen before.

That wasn't normal.

No titan should be able to regrow a limb that quickly.

"THATT... SHOULDD NOTT... BE POSSIBLEE!" Jade stuttered.

"IT SHOULDN'T!" He answered, forcing his regeneration to work even faster so he could stand. Now that he had seen the extent to Atlas's ability, he would have to do what he dreaded.

Atlas's eyes bore straight into his, brimming with the intense intention to maim and kill. The titan heaved a breath as he hurried his regeneration further along as quick as he could manage. It was zapping his strength, but weakness was what was required. All he needed to do was manage an incredibly damaging hit to set up his plan. Suddenly, before he could even lift his arms into a defensive stance, Atlas released a banshee like call and charged.

But his advance was cut short when a large rock impacted his face. Angrily, the beast shrieked yet again, desperately trying to rid the shards from his flesh. Titus looked to see Jade prepping another rock. He smiled. She had given him just the opening that he needed. With the window of opportunity open, Titus rushed forward with a tightly clenched fist. Atlas never saw him coming as he swung, hitting just where he intended and sending the distracted beast across the clearing – making sure that his attack at least severed the other's spine and caved in part of the body. Titus then bolted with the female titan in retreat. With Atlas's healing, he wasn't sure how far they were going to get.

"TITUSS!" Jade forced out as they sprinted through the canyon. "WHATTT... ISS GOINGG ONN! HOWW CANN HE HEALL... SO FASST! WHYY HASN'TTT HE GOTTENN TIREDD!"

Titus growled in frustration. He knew only one reason. "SUPERIOR BLOOD. ATLAS... WAS BORN DIFFERENT. HE... WAS BUILT... TO BE THE... PERFECT PREDATOR!" The titan swallowed, looking to his stunned former student. "I HAVE NO... CHOICE NOW. I... HAVE NO CHANCE... IF I FIGHT IN THIS STATE. JADE... I NEED YOU TO GET FAR... AND SAFE. I WILL... TRANSFORM... AND TAKE ATLAS DOWN."

Jade's eyes widened. He watched her swallow tentatively, it was clear to him that she knew he was correct. "TITUSS... WHATT IFF YOU CAN'T AND –

"I WILL." He cut her off. "I HAVE... AN EDGE. I... AM IN CONTROL. ATLAS... IS NOT. HE... DOESN'T EVEN KNOW... WHO HE IS RIGHT NOW." The Mentor gave a cunning smile. "BESIDES... YOU HAVE SEEN ME... IN THIS STATE... HAVEN'T YOU?"

Jade's worried expression changed and she nodded. "EI WILLL RUNN ONN AHEADD. GOODD LUCKK."

He nodded in return and watched as she moved on at full speed. He smiled to himself, feeling a bit more confident. Now that Jade was out of harm's way, all was in place for him to take action. It was not that he thought Jade was incapable, he would just much rather harm come to him than her. It was a Mentor's duty to protect his Advancers after all.

Reaching another wide area of the canyon, Titus finally turned around to face the way which he came. Straining his ears, he could hear his familiar pursuer. Atlas was coming, and he could sense the fury even at the distance he was. He needed to act now. He could not afford to wait. With a stoic expression, Titus raised his hand and without hesitation, plunged it straight through his chest. Blood poured straight down from his belly all the way to the earth to puddle at his feet. Titus whined softly, clenching his jaw as the agony greatened as he forced his hand deeper. The strong scent of blood made his nose winkle, but it was the perfect way to attract Atlas and to ensure that he would not change course and go after Jade. He felt the world grow hazy and his frame grow unsteady as the precious red continued to leak from him. Titus blinked, he couldn't wait around any longer. He was at the breaking point and what he would do next would send him over. Finally, his fingers wrapped around his beating heart, and with a final deep breath in preparation, the Mentor squeezed.

An incredible jolt electrified through his body, the pain sending him to collapse upon his knees. Like a match to a candle, the single action ignited the sudden morph into the very thing that lay just beneath his skin. Titus gritted his teeth, feeling the hunger settle into his gut and his muscles bulging. The rivers of red that coursed through his frame lit ablaze, steam turning to smoke and then to fire. Skin and muscle knitted and mended themselves. Nails grew into talons and his leathery skin darkened as if were being baked into a deep tabac. A drone rumbled deep in his core as his teeth sharpened into fangs, giving him the appearance of a primitive being, the bottom incisors sharper and longer than the top. The waves of pain ceased and the titan stood upright, body radiating with power. Titus's eyes flew open to reveal untamed blazing blues.

This time he was ready.

(POV SWAP)

The blazing red sky grew more vibrant, not a trace of serine blue remained as the afternoon fully set in. The aura of the canyon was absolutely dangerous. It was an area for all to avoid for it was a hunting ground. He was the predator. He was hungry – and absolutely furious.

Atlas snarled to himself as he ran, alternating between two legs and all fours as he navigated the terrain. His prey had absolutely made a fool of him! They had tossed him about like some sort of toy! They had mutilated him! For that, he retaliated with the flames of his rage rekindled. They fled in cowardice, but he had designated them to be his evening's entrées and he would cut them down and feast merrily upon their flesh!

The smell of blood grew incredibly strong, overwhelming. The bigger morsel that he had nearly taken down earlier was likely unable to keep up and was now bleeding out like the prey that he should be. Atlas's maw pulled back into a wicked grin. He was about to be rewarded fully! His prey was just up ahead!

The Advancer roared his warning, a cry that's sole purpose was to terrify all around him. The titan abandoned running atop the canyon to diving down the narrow passage way. With both arms out, his claws dug deep into the rocky faces, littering the stone with long and deep gashes from his as he slid down to the base of the canyon. The hunter landed and broke out into a run. His nostrils flared. The scent of gore was growing stronger! His stomach growled even louder, drilling the fact into him that he was famished. He needed to feed soon. His prey was close and he would be heavily rewarded!

Rounding another bend, he barreled into a clearing, only to skid to a stop. He was perplexed by what was before him. In the large open area of the canyon, littered with smaller rocks and pools of stagnant water, there stood another hunter with flaming skin. Like him, his flesh was a deep tan with glowing lines decorating his frame. The creature afore him shared the same talons and claws, pointed ears and illuminating blue eyes. The beast was also different. It had a long and thick beard that hung to the fur upon its chest. In its lipped maw, it possessed a similar set of fangs. They were sharp like his own, but the bottom canines were quite a bit longer than the top. Atlas's ears folded over and a growl resonated from his chest. This was another hunter like himself – one that looked alarmingly similar to his prey that he was tracking. The titan sniffed again, his growl transforming into a loud snarl as he reached a conclusion. The blood of his prey was strong, and this hunter was standing right over where his meal should be.

Which meant that this other beast that bore the same blood had stolen his catch.

A surge of heat ran through his body, the dancing flames growing larger.

He was now more furious than ever.

He would slaughter the thief and then proceed in looking for the other morsel that he had seen earlier!

Atlas began to stalk towards his new target, a low hiss emitting from his throat through clenched teeth. The other hunter growled, the sound deep and cavernous, similar to his own. The titan lowered himself onto all fours, calculating eyes watching as the other hunter, his prey, lowered himself and began to sidestep in a wide circle – movements ape like on his hands and feet. Atlas's eyes narrowed, feline he moved as he analyzed his prey. What a piece of filth! Stealing a meal that was rightfully his! For their sin, he would devour them as well! He would eat everything! Flesh and even bone until he was fat and happy! It would be a punishment that he was satisfied with indeed!

The two titans continued to circle one another within the clearing, like two alpha wolves intimidating and prepping to make their move to see which would be triumphant. Suddenly, his prey stopped to stand upright. The titan roared, raising a fist to pound upon his chest, the initiating cry of a challenge echoing among the canyon and evoking a snarl to escape from Atlas. He stood, returning the chest pound gesture and slamming his fists into the earth angrily before returning upright and roaring his acceptance of the challenge. Without wasting a single second, he charged with maw open and hands raised. He would bash the thief's face in! Atlas raised his claws and aimed right for his prey's face, but to his surprise the other creature raised his arms to block his façade – his nails only grazing the other's forearms. How dare his opponent foil his plan!

The beast roared and raised his fist, swinging to hit his prey. Spellbound, he watched as the impact only made his prey grit his teeth and take a step backward. Atlas snarled, to continue his assault, he repeated his same move, swinging his claws and fists. Blood sprayed, bones cracked beneath the force of his attacks, but his opponent still backed away in retreat and kept his hands raised. Atlas roared, cry full of rage. The thief just needed to surrender and quit delaying the inevitable! Again he swung, muscles flexing and bulging, ensuring that the hit would be the most powerful that he had dealt yet. However, to his shock, his prey shifted and gripped his outstretched wrist. Atlas had no time to react as his enemy lifted his arm and brought his fist down hard. Pain exploded throughout his head as the side of his face was sheared off instantly. His vison on the right side grew dark and his ears rang. For several seconds the world seemed to stall.

His initial assessment about the creature afore him was not as he originally thought. He wasn't a lump of meat. His foe had incredible strength. His nerve endings singed, flesh and eye reforming in an instant, following by a wicked smirk. It made him all the more eager to slaughter his prey! He would make him into pulverized flesh!

Without warning, Atlas surged forward and wrapped his arms around the waist of his prey. He pushed onward, lifting his foe from the earth and charged straight for the rocky wall of the clearing. With a relentless shove, he pushed the other titan into the rock face, the sound of cracking stone echoing for miles. His opponent whined softly but soon grew angry much to Atlas's amusement. Quickly, he mounted the beast that was trapped in the wall. Gurgling in glee, he plunged his hand into the other titan, grasping for anything that he could wrap his fingers around and ripping it free. Blood puddled and painted the surrounding sediment. Atlas's grin grew broader as his body was coated in red, his prey's organs falling around them unceremoniously – pieces that he would allow to regrow for he was to torture this thief before he would dispatch him.

And he was about to step up his level of brutality.

To his opponent's horror, Atlas plunged his face into his prey's open belly. The larger titan wailed, crying a piercing shriek as he wrapped his teeth around the deepest and juiciest piece of meat that he could find. With a hard yank, he pulled, holding a large chunk of carrion in his jaws in pride and intimidation. Atlas growled, quickly swallowing his prize before returning for seconds.

But his prey had other ideas.

Without warning, the large behemoth beneath him jerked and suddenly kicked his foot right into his torso, sending Atlas flying upwards many meters into the air. For a moment, he was weightless and stunned. Did his prey, as he was eating it alive, really just retaliate? Had he really just been sent to the heavens above with a single kick? His questions were put on hold as his body came crashing down back to hell, impacting like a meteor in the base of the canyon, ground cracking from the force. Atlas snarled, feeling mortified yet irate as he scrambled to gain his footing. He watched as his foe pried himself from the rock, the hole in the creature's belly quickly mending itself. The other titan barred his teeth once again, growling deeply and projecting a wordless invitation to fight.

Eager to eliminate, he accepted.

Atlas bolted forward, fingers outstretched for purchase of flesh, the thief following the same notion. The ground quaked, small trees rattling deep into their roots at their footsteps. Like two powerful rams they collided, fingers interlacing with each other. Their faces were mere inches apart, eyes bearing deep into their flaming cores. With a deep breath, Atlas roared as loud as he was able to with the other titan mirroring him, their demand for dominance carrying through every passage of the canyon. Again, he had been defiled. He would rip his prey's face off!

The Advancer quickly retrieved his hand out of the thief's grip and dug his claws into the other's face, opening his cheek and popping out the other's eye successfully. At his adversary's shout of agony, Atlas rumbled a deep purr of satisfaction. To his dismay, his next meal would not falter at the gruesome injury as the beast brought his knee up violently into his stomach, making him double over again and nearly lose his prized helping. How had he fallen for that again? Atlas then found himself being forced to the ground roughly. Before he could turn and sink his jaws into skin, a large foot descended down harshly upon his spine – breaking his back in two. Atlas wailed, body convulsing as it was forced to regenerate almost instantly. He twisted to stand, but his opponent sent him across the clearing with another savage kick.

How could he let his prey embarrass him so badly?

The titan hit the back of the canyon with a tremendous crash, stone wall splitting all the way upwards towards the sky. Gravity peeled his bloodied body away from rock, falling back to the earth once more in a crumpled heap. Bones quickly snapped back into place and skin reformed, the hunter's body becoming whole yet again. Atlas raised his head and shakenly lifted himself into a crouch. For a moment, his sight became impaired, the landscape blurry and a rim of blackness outlining his field of vision before refocusing. The titan shook his head, a small sense of feebleness hitting him before fading away. Was it fatigue? He was far too angry and hungry for such a thing! Feral blues refocused upon his opponent who was gradually making his way towards him. However, there was a small detail that made his heart thunder and his blood boil even hotter.

The bastard was smirking.

His foe was pleased.

His enemy thought he was weak.

Sharp teeth grinded together, the Advancer's frightening appearance somehow looking even more monstrous, a disgusting snarl leaving his maw. The titan's eyes widened and ears folded over even tighter against his head. His nose wrinkled and brows narrowed – face reflecting nothing but unbridled rage. His stomach growled, growing hotter.

He was to not be made a fool!

He was going to slaughter the beast before him!

He would tear him limb from limb!

Feast on the innards!

Claws would slice skin!

Coat his teeth with blood!

Blood! BLOOD!

Stuff his belly with flesh!

He would KILL!

SLAUGHTER!

DEVOUR!

HE WAS A MONSTER!

HE WAS A HUNTER!

HE WAS A TITAN!

The belly of the fuming goliath suddenly grew extremely hot, his abdomen swelling and glowing brightly beneath his hide along with his entire esophagus. His skin went from a deep tan to a reddish tint. The heat radiating from his frame began to warm the earth, creating a heat haze in the air shrouding the titan. The miniscule gaps in his fangs and nostrils began to illuminate like a furnace. Atlas exhaled intimidatingly, flames billowing out of his nose, the very sight making his opponent hesitate. The Advancer roared, the battle cry accompanied by a hard and forceful jet of fire that erupted from his jaws. A burning inferno spread around him, igniting some of the low brush and small trees quickly burning to a crisp. The hunter's appearance was absolutely demonic.

He wouldn't have it any other way.

The other titan began to prepare itself, but he was not going to approach the same way he had. With a banshee like shriek, Atlas lifted himself fully and jumped backward to latch upon the damaged wall behind him. His muscles tensed in his legs, thighs bulging before he released the large amount of pent up energy and leaped with alarming speed to the nearest butte. His enemy twisted his head abruptly to attempt in tracking him, but he would not allow such a thing. Atlas leaped again, to a far wall and then to another boulder – initiating a deadly game. He quickly bounded to the side of the canyon once again, nails allowing him to crawl at an alarming speed, and before the other's eyes could find him, Atlas moved again. He found purchase upon a high and narrow butte, looking down at his prey like a cat preparing to pounce upon a mouse. He crouched low, waiting for the perfect opportunity. His prey turned, and he made his move. Atlas rocketed down from his perch, jaws open wide. His fangs wrapped around his opponent's neck before he could even look. The earth quaked as the two beasts fell with a crash, tremoring and fissuring. Blood filled his maw, spilling into his gullet. It was such a wonderful taste! So delicious! Sweet! And so fulfilling! He needed more! MORE! MORE!

Atlas bit down harder, the titan below him bellowing angrily. Suddenly, his prey retaliated and plunged a hand deep into his side. Boiling blood spewed, the hunter shrieked. His prey growled and pulled him from his back and proceeded to throw him to the ground roughly. Dust and flames invaded the air. Atlas turned to project his frustrations and his prey looked upon him with a sense of cunning. Before he could even guess why his target seemed so confident despite his situation, the large titan barreled into him and the ground left their feet as the two careened over a high cliff.

Wind wrapped around their bodies in anything but a comforting embrace as the two fell towards an awaiting abyss. Like dogs fighting over scraps, the two titans bit and shredded one another in freefall. The world spun sickeningly, and the faintness suddenly tried to take its hold upon him once again but he relented. He was going to earn his prize no matter what. He exhaled another torrent of flaming breath, reducing the heat from his stomach and burning the bearded titan's hair. His prey wrapped a hand around his throat and to his surprise, almost tenderly covered his nape. Their bodies slammed into a rock, debris flying as they continued their decent. Again, they hit another obstacle, twisting violently in the air. The hunter yelped, digging his claws into the other's layers of muscles and fat. His head was spinning and his vision was starting to blur. His muscles began to strain. Atlas growled. His body needed to quit playing its tricks upon him! He had to eat!

Finally, the pair of monsters impacted. The earth shook once again relentlessly, sending animals fleeing for miles. The ground cratered, split, and tore. Small trees uprooted, dirt and stone flew in all directions. Atlas groaned. He felt sick. His head was spinning. His spine hurt horrendously as it was now planted in the ground after taking the blunt of the hit from the fall. He lay in the rubble of the destruction upon his back, dazed and looking upward at the angry red sky. Then the titan recalled his mission. Growling in the pit of his chest, Atlas attempted to move but his limbs seemed far too heavy to lift. He squirmed, trying to force his hands and feet beneath him. He wasn't going to give up!

Suddenly, a shadow descended over the titan. The hunter looked upward to see the oversized thief standing over him. The expression his prey wore was difficult to read and suddenly he felt cornered. Panic settled in, but he wasn't going to allow himself to get beaten. Atlas roared, the cry suddenly being cut off as the large beast bent down and sat upon him – wrapping his great hands around his neck.

He was in trouble.

He couldn't move.

The hands began to squeeze; his throat began to constrict. Atlas gasped and choked, desperately trying to swallow air. His clawed fingers tugged at those trapping him, nails digging deep into flesh, but the thief prevailed and only squeezed harder. The air began to leave his lungs, and his vision began to grow dark. Suddenly. His body began to cool, insides churning. His skin lightened and the hot blood that coursed through his veins began to grow temperate. Flames died down to gently rolling steam as his muscles, bulging as they were, relaxed. Slowly, his nails retracted. Atlas sputtered, weakness descending over him. Losing the strength to even lift his hands, his fingers fell away and his arms lay to the side. The titan's jaw quivered, fangs dulling back into their blunt shape. His corneas singed, heat dying. Feral blues blinked, the harsh glow fading into dull and tired greens. The overwhelming power that had been surging through him had been expunged.

What was happening?

What was going on?

Where was Titus and Jade?

Dazed, Atlas looked up at the monster hovering over him, grip lessening upon his neck. The Advancer couldn't gaze or question who or what his attacker was any further as his head fell and the blackness swept him away.

Running, his heart pounded and a relentless heat coursed through him. Blood, so much blood. Rivers of red that ran through his teeth. Fire burned. His hands were stained. The smell of fear swept through his nostrils. A nasty snarl breeched his teeth, and a fearful gaze met his feral eyes. Then the blood rose, sweeping over his head – the sheer lust for the crimson nectar completely drowning the beast.

Atlas's bright green eyes flew open, awaking with a jolt. Cool water soaked his hair and spilled over his brow. His body went rigid, his expression reflecting his spooked state. Jade stood over him, a soft look upon her face as she finished gracing him with water. Peering beyond her, he could see that the canopy was dark for night had fallen. The sounds of chirping crickets and croaking frogs met his ears. What was going on? Where was he?

"WELCOME BACK... ATLAS."

At the familiar voice, Atlas rotated his head to see Titus sitting casually across a small little pond that humans would have just used as a modest fishing hole. His Mentor bore a tired and small grin, looking at him expectedly. Quickly, Atlas rolled over and scrambled to sit up clumsily. A quiet hiss seeped through his teeth. His body was incredibly sore and felt as if it had been worn thin. He couldn't help but to hum in confusion. What on earth had happened during his training?

Titus shifted in his seat, clearing his throat. "IT IS... GOOD TO SEE YOU ATLAS." He began, voice strangely easy and quiet. "HOW... ARE YOU FEELING?"

Atlas blinked at the peculiar query, but he responded with a fluctuating grunt and gestured to his frame as a whole and gave a prolonged exhale to try and convey how he was feeling. Titus dipped his head in understanding, fingers reaching up to stroke at his beard – twirling a few hairs and displaying his nervous tick.

"I SEE." The titan sighed, smile slowly drifting from his face. "ATLAS? DO YOU... REMEMBER ANYTHING? ANYTHING AT ALL.... FROM YOUR TRAINING?"

The Advancer swallowed, brows pinching together in concern. He remembered walking into the canyon for what was supposed to be special training. They were dueling two on one to see how he would fight in a dire situation being heavily injured. There was blood and –

Atlas froze, eyes widening in horror and his gut twisting. Blood. There was so much blood. His body was different, monstrous. Gradually, the titan's hands moved upwards and his nails dug into his scalp. The titan shivered, a whine leaving his maw. All he saw was blood and flesh. There was Titus and Jade's frightened faces. His teeth tore into his Mentor's skin and he swallowed... flesh.

At the realization at the horrid truth, his stomach turned and nausea hit him full blast. His hands flew to his mouth, eyes watering. Heat forced its way up his throat. Atlas quickly doubled over and vomited. The titan heaved. There was no pellet, just his stomach acid which meant that his previous meal had already been burned and used into energy. Atlas gasped, throwing up another torrent of orange liquid before letting out a scream. How could he have done such a cruel thing! Committed such sin! He had eaten Titus! The titan that was his Guardian and Mentor! What had come over him! What had happened!

A hand rubbed his back as he whimpered. "EASYY ATLASS. ITT ISS... OKAYYY NOWW." Jade spoke, offering comfort. "THEE FRAGMENTSS... AREE ALWAYSS THEE... HARDESSTT WHENN THEYYY... COME. ITT ISS ALRIGHTTT."

"ATLAS?"

He curled in upon himself. There was no way he could face Titus. Not after what he had done.

"ATLAS, IT IS... ALRIGHT. IT HAPPENS... DURING THIS TYPE... OF TRAINING. I HAVE MUCH... TO TALK ABOUT WITH YOU."

At the statement, the titan blinked back his tears and looked to his Mentor. Had he heard correctly? It was something – that was common in the type of training that he had endured? Atlas produced a confused warble, shuffling away from his sick and seating himself again. What was going on? Perplexed, he watched as Titus's smile slowly returned to his face. He really needed an explanation.

His mentor huffed. "A CONGRADULATIONS... IS IN ORDER. YOU... AWAKENED."

He sat back at the words. Awakened? What did Titus mean by that? Was he, proud of the atrocious thing that he had done? Atlas tilted his head and let out a flummoxed grunt, completely confused. Still, Titus kept his kind look, but the Advancer could still see a sense of seriousness swimming in his amber eyes. Atlas swallowed, there was some gravity to what facts Titus had and was getting ready to share.

"ATLAS... THE REAL REASON... THE TRUE PURPOSE... OF TODAY'S TRAINING... WAS TO ACTIVATE... TO AWAKEN A HUNTER TITAN'S GREATEST... POWER. WE CALL IT... PRIMAL MODE."

Atlas's ears pricked forward in interest. So this was what Titus meant and this 'Primal Mode' was what caused him to lose himself? And this was a Hunter Titan's greatest power?

"IT... IS ALSO CALLED... PRIMAL STATE. OR... PRIMAL FORM." His Mentor continued. "LET... ME EXPLAIN. PRIMAL MODE... IS INDEED OUR GREATEST ABILITY. IT HEIGTENS... OUR SENSES... AND SKILLS... TO THE EXTREME. OUR BODY... CHANGES TO ITS MOST... FERAL FORM. OUR CLAWS... AND TEETH SHARPEN... SO WE CAN EASILY... SLAUGHTER PREY. WE CAN... DO THINGS... IN THIS FORM... THAT WE CANNOT DO NORMALLY." Titus swallowed, dampening his pipes to speak before shifting again to get comfortable. "ALTHOUGH... THERE ARE GREAT... THINGS... THAT GIVE US AN EDGE...OVER OUR FOE... THERE ARE ALSO... NEGATIVE THINGS." Titus's gaze deepened, tone graver. "OUR BLOOD... IS FLAMABLE... IT IGNITES LIKE LIQUID FIRE IN PRIMAL MODE. TO KEEP... THIS STATE ACTIVE... OUR BODY MUST BURN A GREAT... AMOUNT OF ENERGY... TO FUNCTION. THIS... IS WHY FLAMES... DANCE UPON US... AND WHY... PRIMAL MODE... IS VERY DANGEROUS." His mentor visibly swallowed, eyes narrowing. Atlas only shuttered. "WE EAT FOR EXTRA... ENERGY. PRIMAL MODE... CONSUMES A VAST AMOUNT OF ENERGY... FROM US. SO... WE BECOME... INCREDIBLY HUNGRY. STARVING. SO MUCH SO... THAT WE COULD EAT... MINDLESS TITANS... TILL WE ARE FIT TO BURST. BUT... FOR SOME HUNTERS... THOSE... WITH THE STRONGEST...LUST FOR BLOOD... AND THOSE WITH A LARGE MUSCLE MASS... THAT BURN MORE ENERGY... AND THAT HAVE A HISTORY... OF EATING MORE TO SUBSTIAN THEMSELVES... ARE MORE LIKELY TO RESORT... TO CANABALISIM." Titus illustrated with Atlas's brows nearly raising to his hairline. "WHICH MEANS... THAT A HUNTER TITAN... WILL CRAVE... ANOTHER HUNTER TITAN."

The Advancer shuttered at the truth, the aura around them growing stagnant. The crickets continued to chirp, fireflies signaling. Fretfully, his fingers interlaced between his toes, shoulders hunching. A small whine bubbled in the back of his throat. Jade's hand ran along his back once again to comfort. Titus sighed, but allowed his small smile to return to his face.

"IT IS... ALRIGHT ATLAS. THERE HAVE BEEN... MANY OTHER ADVANCERS... DO THIS." His Mentor regained his attention. "MANY HUNTERS... WITH GREAT SKILL... ARE KNOWN... TO DO THIS. DON'T FRET... ATLAS" Green eyes blinking back more tears. "YOU... DID WELL. I AM... PROUD OF YOU."

Atlas only looked at his Mentor completely spellbound. Titus, was happy with what he had done? His shoulders relaxed. The young titan's face reddened in embarrassment. So this was something positive despite how vile it sounded. The older titan beamed again before continuing.

"NOW... BECAUSE PRIMAL MODE... BURNS SO MUCH ENERGY... AT A RAPID RATE... WE CANNOT MAINTAIN... OUR AWAKENED FORM FOR LONG... ATLAS. MOST HUNTERS... CAN ONLY GO FOR A... FEW MINUTES... UNTIL THEY COLLAPSE... IN EXHAUSTION." Titus paused, looking serious again. "PRIMAL MODE... IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE... TO CONTROL. IT REQUIRES... YEARS OF PRACTICE. AND SOMETIMES... IT IS NOT ENOUGH. VERY FEW... HUNTERS... HAVE MASTERED... PRIMAL MODE. MANY HUNTERS... ARE NEVER... ABLE TO DO SO." His mentor gestured to Jade. "JADE... HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF MASTERY... OVER PRIMAL MODE... BUT SHE LOSES HERSELF IN... DESPERATE SITUATIONS." Titus reaches to stroke his beard, letting out a long sigh. "IT TOOK ME... MANY YEARS... TO GAIN CONTROL OVER... THIS ABILITY... ATLAS. IT WAS... TIREING WORK. NOW," He continued, pausing to swallow again. "DURING... A HUNTER'S FIRST AWAKENING... THEY ARE NEVER IN CONTROL... AND ARE ONLY ABLE... TO RECALL BITS AND PIECES... OF THEIR ACTIONS. WHICH... IS WHY YOU HAVE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE... OF TRAINING." Titus leaned forward, peering harder at him. "BECAUSE OF THE TRAITS... AND FACTS... OF PRIMAL MODE... A HUNTER TITAN ONLY USES IT AT A LAST RESORT. THAT... IS USUALLY WHEN... A HUNTER IS BEATEN... CLOSE TO DEATH... AND OUR BLOOD IGNITES. NOW ATLAS... THERE ARE SOME THINGS... JADE AND I OBSERVED... THAT ARE A BIT... OUT OF THE ORDINARY... YOU COULD SAY."

The female titan nodded in agreement. "YESS. TITUSS ISS... RIGHTT. THERE... ARE SOMEE THINGSS... YOUU DID INN PRIMALL MODEE...THAT ARE – WELLL... WE HAVEE NOTT SEENN BEFORRE."

The insecurities he had already possessed increased at the words. Atlas's breath hitched. How could that be? What was more concerning than cannibalizing his own Mentor? It was quiet again, only a lone frog making a long and drawn out call. Titus scratched at his beard and Jade rubbed at her arms. His throat bobbed. They were both afraid to admit something. Atlas's hair bristled in unease. Finally, Titus clicked his tongue upon the top of his mouth before turning to the young Advancer once again.

"ATLAS... THERE ARE SOME THINGS... ABOUT YOUR PRIMAL FORM... THAT BAFFLE ME. AS I SAID... MOST TITANS... ARE ONLY ABLE TO... STAY IN PRIMAL MODE... FOR A FEW MINUTES... AT MOST... BEFORE GROWING TIRED... AND COLLAPSING. ATLAS... YOU WERE ABLE TO HOLD PRIMAL MODE... FOR NEARLY HALF AN HOUR. I... HAD TO TRANSFORM... TO WEAR YOU OUT... BEFORE RENDERING YOU UNCONCIOUS."

Atlas's spine straightened at the revelation. He had gone on a rampage for that long?

"NOT ONLY THAT, YOU WERE ABLE... TO REGENERATE... YOUR LIMBS INSTANTLY. NORMALLY... IN PRIMAL MODE... IT TAKES US SEVERAL SECONDS. I – DON'T KNOW HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP THIS FORM SO LONG AND REGENERATE... THAT QUICKLY... WHEN YOU ARE... BURNING THROUGH... ENERGY... AND CONSTANTLY EATING ONLY FOR THE ENERGY TO BE USED UP. MY ONLY GUESS... IS THAT PERHAPS IT IS YOUR BLOOD... ATLAS." Titus explained. "YOU WERE BORN... NEARLY PERFECT. YOUR SKILLS... AND STAMINA... REFLECT THIS."

He simply sat and soaked up the words, worried gaze still etched upon his features. The same frog croaked again.

"YOU ALSO WERE... ABLE TO DO... A TECHNIQUE... THAT MORE ADVANCED USERS... OF THIS FORM CAN DO. IT IS CALLED FIRE BREATH. PEOPLE... OF THE VILLAGE... CALL IT DRAGON'S BREATH. ESSENTIALY... THE HUNTER...MAKES THEIR BODY OVERHEAT... AND THE STEAM... AND GASSES IN THE STOMACH... IGNITE. WHEN WE EXHALE, A JET OF FIRE EMERGES... FROM OUR JAWS. AS... DISTRUCTIVE... AS IT SOULDS... IT CAN ONLY BE USED A FEW... TIMES... AND ONLY AT VERY... CLOSE RANGE. SO... IT IS NOT...AMAZINGLY PRACTICAL. IT IS A MOVE USED... TO TEMPORARILY DISABLE PREY BY... BURNING THEIR EYES." Titus suddenly huffed, oddly finding humor in the ordeal. "YOU... REALLY BURNED MY BEARD OFF... QUUITE A BIT... ATLAS."

At Titus's gesture, he offered a small smile, grunting in apology. Picturing Titus with anything but a full beard was a funny thought. He relaxed further. Maybe Primal Mode was something that he should not be fearful of. Titus did say that it could be mastered. Jade as well had a good amount of control. Titus himself was very proof of the fact. Atlas's fist coiled in determination. Perhaps, with work, he could follow in his mentor's footsteps.

Noticing the change in his mentality, Titus hummed in satisfaction. "IT IS SOMETHING... THAT WE WILL WORK ON... IN THE FUTURE. I BELIEVE ATLAS... YOU MAY BE ABLE TO... DO SOMETHING ELSE... IN THIS FORM... THAT ONLY A SELECT FEW CAN DO. I... SAW A SIGN DURING YOUR... FIRST MOUNTIAN TEST... WHEN I AMBUSHED YOU."

Atlas sat up in surprise. Could Titus be referring to the time where his nails lengthened unexpectedly in their fight? Was that incident, one that his Mentor offered no explanation for at time – related to Primal Mode? Atlas grunted animatedly, gesturing to his nails. To confirm, Titus nodded.

"YES... YOU WERE CLOSE TO AWAKENING THEN. THERE IS A... SECOND WAY THAT PRIMAL MODE IS... ACTIVATED... NOT BY INJURY AND BLOOD LOSS.... BUT BY SHEER BLOODLUST ALONE. I... AM CERTAIN YOU... ARE CAPABLE OF DOING SO. WE WILL... EXPLORE... THIS IN THE FUTURE... AS I SAID... DURING SOME SPECIAL TRAINING."

Atlas dipped his head in understanding. He had another goal now. It would be difficult to achieve, but he would be sure to try is hardest. Titus relaxed, unfolding his legs and leaning backward to peer at the stars through the canopy before stretching and leaning forward to address the Advancer once again.

"OF COURSE...WE WILL NOT... BE FOCUSING... ON PRIMAL MODE... FOR SOME TIME." Titus announced, making Atlas raise a brow and emit a rumbling vocal in question.

Why would Titus deny teaching him more about his primitive form now after making him awaken? The titan opened his maw to prep a wordless question, but Titus held up a hand, amber eyes staring intently at him once again. "IF YOU... ARE WONDERING WHY I CHOSE NOW... FOR YOU TO AWAKEN... AND LEARN ABOUT PRIMAL MODE... IT IS BECAUSE IT IS... THE ONE THING... NOT ALLOWED IN THE DUELS. IF YOU AWAKEN...YOU... WILL BE DISQUALIFIED... AND UNABLE TO TAKE PART... IN THE TEST... TO BECOME THE NEXT MENTOR."

Slowly, Atlas nodded, swallowing apprehensively. He had seen the duels. They were brutal and he was going to be up against Mitus who would no doubt try to tear him to pieces. He understood Titus's reasoning now. If he awakened Primal Mode in battle, he was forfeiting his dream of being a Mentor.

He could not let that happen. No matter what. He could not mess up and fail.

"THAT BEING SAID," Titus began once again, tone transforming into a confident one, the titan smiling in cunning at his pupil. "WE HAVE... ONE YEAR. ONE... YEAR... UNTIL THE DUELS ATLAS. AND WE... HAVE LOTS... OF WORK TO DO."

Hope you all enjoyed! The next chapter will be the one we have been waiting for! The Duels!

I would like to keep word counts around 50k for now on, unless more is absolutely needed.

Some of you have been asking how many more chapters of Rogue's past is there? There will be at least 6 to 7. Rogue's past is extensive and as we know in the present, there were quite a bit of things that happened before Rogue ended up behind the walls.

A reference was used for the sign language, a visual online translator and if there is anything incorrect I do apologize! I tried my best!