Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

Armin dangled precariously over the cliff edge, his hands clutching for anything solid, his face pale from the cold and terror. Above him, Eren reached out desperately, refusing to let go of his friend.

"Armin, take my hand! We'll pull you up!" Eren shouted, his voice hoarse against the howling wind.

But no matter how many times they tried, the gap between them seemed insurmountable. The slope was treacherous, and the relentless wind at the ridge's edge made every move a gamble.

"It's no use," Armin panted, his arms trembling with exhaustion. "You need to go ahead without me."

Eren's face darkened with defiance. "No! I swore never to abandon my friends again!"

The memory of his mother's death haunted him, a stark reminder of his inability to save her. He clenched his teeth, determined that this time, he would not fail.

Mikasa, ever vigilant, scanned the mountain with a wary eye. "Eren, the mountain's unstable. An avalanche is imminent. We need to leave!"

But Eren refused to budge. "Not without Armin!"

Below them, Armin considered the futility of their efforts. He hesitated, then said, "Eren, take off your belt. We'll try one last time."

Understanding dawned on Eren's face. Without hesitation, he unfastened his belt, wrapping one end tightly around his arm. With Mikasa anchoring him, he leaned over the edge, extending the makeshift lifeline as far as it would go.

Armin stretched with all his might, fingers brushing against the belt. After a tense moment, he grasped it tightly.

"Mikasa, now!" Eren called out.

With a guttural yell, Mikasa summoned every ounce of her strength, hauling both boys up in one powerful motion. They tumbled onto solid ground, panting heavily.

But their relief was short-lived. The ominous rumble above them grew louder.

"An avalanche!" Mikasa yelled, her voice cutting through their moment of triumph.

The three sprinted as fast as they could, snow kicking up behind them as the avalanche roared down the mountain. Just as the snow overtook their former position, they managed to clear the danger zone, collapsing onto the snow in exhaustion.

Looking back, Eren's breath caught in his throat. The path they had just crossed was obliterated. "The others… how will they make it through?"

Mikasa, ever pragmatic, stood and gestured ahead. "We can't dwell on that now. The camp is just down the mountain. Let's move."

---

At the base of the ridge, Ryo and his group stared at the massive wall of snow that had swallowed the path ahead. The once-clear trail was now a chaotic expanse of white, riddled with dangerous hollows and unseen pitfalls.

A soldier approached Ryo nervously. "Ryo, the road ahead is gone. What should we do?"

Ryo's sharp eyes scanned the terrain, taking in the aftermath of the avalanche. He had already guessed the situation when he heard the deafening roar earlier.

"Let's move. I need to see the path myself," Ryo ordered, striding forward to assess the damage.

The avalanche had not only blocked the road but also created a precarious, hollow surface. The ridge's narrowness, flanked by a snow-covered mountain on one side and a sheer abyss on the other, left no room for error.

Ryo frowned. Sending two hundred people across this unstable terrain would be a logistical nightmare—and a deadly one if they weren't careful.

"Ryo, it's too dangerous to send everyone through without testing the path first," Jean said, stepping beside him.

"I know," Ryo replied grimly. "We'll need volunteers to scout the way. Only the most skilled should attempt it."

Krista stepped forward, her eyes full of determination. "I'll go. I'm light and fast enough to test the ground."

Ymir immediately protested. "No way! You're not risking yourself like that."

Ryo raised a hand, silencing them both. "No one is going alone. This isn't about bravery; it's about precision and teamwork. I'll lead the scouts myself."

Jean exchanged a glance with Marco before stepping up. "I'm with you, Ryo."

Sasha, still munching on dried meat despite the tense situation, chimed in with her usual enthusiasm. "Count me in! I've got sharp eyes for spotting weak spots."

Ryo nodded, his calm demeanor steadying the group. "Good. We'll move carefully and mark a path for the rest of the team. Stay focused—one misstep could cost us everything."

As the scout team prepared to move out, the rest of the group huddled together, watching anxiously. The journey ahead was treacherous, but with Ryo at the helm, they couldn't help but feel a spark of hope.

Ryo glanced back at the group, his voice firm but encouraging. "We've come this far together. Trust me, and we'll make it through this. Let's go."