The journey across the sea was unlike anything the Scouts had ever experienced. Instead of a cramped, salt-stained military vessel, Ken's "Authority" had reinforced the ship with silent engines and a smooth hull that glided over the waves like a hot knife through butter.
But the most chaotic part of the trip wasn't the ocean—it was Hange Zoë.
"Ken! Just one more minute! I need to see how the energy in this 'Mini-Rocket' doesn't overheat the casing!" Hange shouted, literally dragging Ken by his hoodie toward the makeshift lab on the lower deck.
Ken laughed, stumbling along. "Hange, I've told you, it's not magic, it's just technology from where I'm from! We've had a lot more time to figure out the physics."
Between Hange's "kidnapping" sessions, Ken spent his time on the deck, sharing stories with the rest of the crew. He presented himself as a traveler from a distant, highly advanced country across the great oceans—a place where the war with Titans was a distant memory. He talked to Sasha about the "buffets" of his homeland, making her drool over the concept of "all-you-can-eat" meat. He sat with Mikasa, showing her how to sharpen her blades using a whetstone he'd brought from his travels. For a few days, they weren't soldiers; they were just friends.
The Steel-Reflection Test
On the fifth day, the first prototype of the Steel-Reflection Armor was ready. It was a sleek, matte-black vest that looked far too thin to be effective.
"Levi, you're the fastest. Try to cut it," Ken challenged, leaning against the railing.
Levi didn't hesitate. His blade flashed in a silver blur, striking the vest worn by a training dummy. Instead of the sound of tearing fabric, there was a sharp clink. The blade bounced off as if it had hit a diamond wall.
"Impressive," Levi muttered, his eyes narrowing. "This changes the entire field. With this, our soldiers aren't just targets anymore."
The Titan Revelation
As they neared the Marleyan coast, the air grew heavy. It was time for the final test. Eren stepped onto a nearby barge and, with a sudden flash of yellow lightning, transformed into his Attack Titan form.
Ken, despite knowing what was coming, took a step back, his eyes wide. He let out a sharp breath, his hands gripping the railing. Even though he had seen the stories, the sheer scale and raw heat of a real Titan transformation was overwhelming.
"Is... is he always that intense?" Ken asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Mikasa stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the steaming giant. "You get used to the heat," she said softly, though her hand never left her blade. "But you never get used to the burden he carries. Does your country have anything like this, Ken?"
Ken looked at the 15-meter monster and then back at Mikasa. "No. In my home, we only have legends of giants. Seeing the real thing... it makes you realize how much he's sacrificing."
"He thinks he has to carry the world," Mikasa whispered. "I just want him to come home."
The Farewell at Marley
Under the cover of a foggy night, the ship reached a secluded Marleyan port. Levi walked up to Ken as the boy prepared to step off the ship alone.
"Listen, brat," Levi said. "You've given us the armor. You've given us the fire. But this isn't a training exercise. It's a war zone. If you see a Titan, don't try to be a hero. Just run back to whatever country you came from."
Ken looked at the Captain and nodded. "I'll be fine, Levi. My people are experts at 'disappearing' when things get messy."
"See that you are," Levi replied, turning away. "Don't make me come looking for you."
The Erasure
As soon as Ken crossed behind a massive brick warehouse, the traveler's gear dissolved. His modern hoodie returned, his frizzy hair glowed under the moonlight, and he pulled out his Digital Book.
"The script for this city is too dark," Ken whispered, his blue eyes turning cold as he looked at the Marleyan airships circling above. "Time to erase something."
He raised his hand toward the sky, his silhouette beginning to fade into static.