"KA-BOOM!"
The titan’s feet struck empty ground with such force that the entire plateau they fought on fractured, massive fissures spreading outward in all directions.
Using the momentary opening, Lucian suddenly spread his arms.
Dragon Soul Devourer suddenly materialized, its body expanding to match Lucian’s massive size.
In that split second he drove his spear straight into the titan’s thigh. The spear penetrated the hardened flesh, drawing a roar of pain and fury from the creature.
Steaming blood spurted from the wound, sizzling as it touched the ground, burning through it like acid.
The Attack Titan instantly countered with a sweeping backhand that struck Lucian across the forehead.
"BANG!"
The blow was so powerful that Lucian’s head snapped to the side as his neck cracked, momentarily dazing him. The sound echoed across the devastated battlefield like a gunshot. Lucian’s vision blurred, reality fragmenting into doubled images as his brain rattled inside his skull.
The Titan didn’t waste a second, grabbing Lucian by the throat and using its other hand to seize his leg, lifting him off his feet.
"BANG!"
The Titan roared as it slammed him against the ground, creating a massive crater that split the earth into fissures. The impact sent shock waves across the battlefield, toppling distant trees and causing loose rocks to tumble down mountainsides. Dust and debris shot upward in a perfect circle around the point of impact, like a miniature explosion frozen in time.
Their eyes met. Two furious gazes locked on each other, both seemingly enjoying the battle. The Titan’s eyes blazed with primitive fury, while Lucian’s shown with satisfaction if the battle.
The titan squeezed his neck tightly, its muscles bulging as it bent over Lucian, trying to crush his neck like a pipe. Veins bulged across its massive forearm as it applied pressure. The ground beneath Lucian’s back continued to crack and sink from the tremendous force being applied.
Through the pain, Lucian’s lips curved into a smile. His right arm, already healed, shot upward with blinding speed, his index and middle fingers forming a sharp point as he jabbed them directly into the Titan’s eye.
"ROOOOOOOAR!!!"
The Attack Titan released him with a howl that echoed for miles, clutching its ruined eye socket as steam and blood poured between its fingers. The creature staggered backward, its massive feet carving deep trenches in the earth.
Lucian immediately stood up, his body moving as his spine started to heal. His bones realigned with audible cracks, and the bruises on his neck faded to nothing within seconds. He launched himself forward with a flying knee that collided with the titan’s abdomen.
"BOOM!"
The impact lifted the massive creature completely off its feet, sending it crashing through the remains of a stone peak. Rocks and boulders tumbled down around its massive form as it plowed through the mountain, leaving a Titan-shaped hole in its wake. The sound of crumbling stone filled the air, accompanied by the titan’s pained grunts.
As it struggled to rise, Lucian leaped and landed on top of it. His feet crashed into the titan’s chest with enough force to drive it deeper into the rubble. The titan’s arms flailed, trying to grab him, but Lucian evaded as he struck out with his entire might.
"BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!" "BOOM!"
His fists moved like pistons as he rained down punches that released visible shockwaves, rings of compressed air expanding outward with every strike. Each punch connected with the sound of thunder, sending ripples across the titan’s flesh and forcing the air from its lungs in pained grunts. Blood and spittle flew from the titan’s mouth with each impact, its head snapping back and forth under the assault.
Lucian’s knuckles split and his bones shattered from the force of the impact but he healed immediately.
Suddenly, the Attack Titan caught one of Lucian’s wrists, then the other, holding his arms apart as it pulled. Its fingers closed around his forearms like iron clamps, stopping his attack cold. The titan’s face, was bloodied with bones sticking out but its eyes burned with fury and a spark of cunning intelligence as it countered Lucian’s strike.
Lucian’s face changed slightly, exerting all his strength to free himself. His muscles bulged and strained, the veins in his neck standing out as he pulled against the titan’s grip. His teeth gritted with effort, a low growl rumbling from his chest as he fought against the immense strength holding him in place.
They remained locked as the two struggled against each others pure strength.
"Ha. Why aren’t you roaring now?" Lucian chuckled, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained bright with battle-lust and confidence.
The Titan’s eyes flashed with anger as it suddenly slammed its forehead against Lucian’s nose.
"BOOM!"
The creature’s skull collided with Lucian’s face with the force of a battering ram, driving his head backward.
A loud crack echoed across the battlefield. Blood sprayed from the impact in a crimson arc, painting the air between them. But even as it flowed, Lucian’s regeneration kicked in, his nose snapping back to its perfect shape with a series of small clicks. The wounds closed before the blood had even finished falling, leaving only crimson line of blood across his face.
Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, the Attack Titan twisted sharply, tossing Lucian through the air. His body carved through another mountain before disappearing from sight.
The mountain shuddered from the impact, a perfect Lucian-shaped hole punched clean through its center. Dust and debris rained down from the newly formed tunnel.
A sudden silence filled the air as the place remained still.
Suddenly, the titan charged after him with earth-shaking speed, each step leaving a crater on the ground as the air howled from the speed of its movement and the few trees that was in its way were flattened instantly.
It moved like a missile, cutting theough the air as it passed through the Lucian-shaped hole in the mountain, only to find Lucian waiting on the other side.
The titan’s eyes widened in surprise as it realized it was a trap!