In the years following the Interstellar War, the world of Titanfall underwent profound changes. The remnants of the war left scars across the landscape—cratered plains, devastated urban centres, and ecosystems struggling to thrive after exposure to bioweapons and industrial pollution. As time passed, humans and Titans alike found themselves grappling with the aftermath of their choices, but beneath the surface of recovery, a deep-seated threat began to emerge.
In the valleys of the planet known as Harmony, adventurers stumbled upon reports of monstrous beasts emerging from the depths of the craggy caves and desolate ruins. These gargantuan creatures, dubbed the Behemoths, lurked in the shadows, striking fear into the hearts of those brave enough to traverse their territory. The beasts were said to be forged from the very essence of the war—an amalgamation of the defunct Titans and the mutated wildlife that had survived the devastation. They came in various forms, some towering over the remnants of Titan carcasses, others resembling nightmarish hybrids inspired by the destruction that had befallen their world.
The Behemoths proved elusive, appearing only when least expected. Reports from the local populations spoke of sinking ground and tremors signalling their approach, followed by an eruption of chaos as the beasts thrashed through the remains of cities once filled with life. Fishermen returning from the sea told tales of monstrous shapes lurking just below the water’s surface, dragging entire fishing vessels into the depths, never to be seen again. The rumours echoed throughout the settlements, a chorus of fearful whispers spreading mistrust among the inhabitants.
Kira, a talented pilot, had her own share of experiences with the Titans unleashed during the war. In her years serving alongside a Vanguard-class Titan, she had built an unshakeable bond with her machine, finding solace in the intricate synchronisation of their movements. But post-war life had turned into a shadow of itself. Instead of pursuing her passion in armoured combat, she found herself trapped in a meandering existence, trying her utmost to adapt to a new world.
After one particularly harrowing encounter with one of the Behemoths, Kira felt a sense of responsibility tugging at her. Reports of the creatures had reached her ears, and the stories spiralled into a call to action she could no longer ignore. She gathered her gear and set off towards Harmony, determined to confront the beasts rumoured to be ravaging the land.
As she approached the lush abandoned landscapes, Kira couldn’t shake off the invisible weight on her chest. The verdant hills gave way to sharp cliffs leading down to the treacherous valley below. A mist curled through the air, obscuring her view and thickening the atmosphere with an almost tangible sense of dread. She knew the tales of the Behemoths all too well—the way they obliterated fortifications and the way entire regiments were rendered insignificant in the face of their fury.
But Kira also had a plan. With her heart set on finding and understanding these terrorising entities, she concocted a strategy to lure them into the open. Using remnants of old Titan technology—specifically a modified holographic projector still functional from her days of service—she hoped to create a distraction capable of drawing the monsters into a controlled environment. She envisioned a duel, Titan against Behemoth, where she could not only display the power of a machine but learn about the Behemoths’ behaviour and vulnerabilities.
Within days, Kira had crafted her setup, establishing her base on a rise that overlooked a decimated cityscape. While she waited for dusk, she powered up her equipment, casting vivid holograms of Titan silhouettes in the decaying buildings below. As twilight descended, shadows danced across her makeshift periphery, flickering like shadows of giants watching from afar. Her heart raced, and her hands shook in anticipation. Would the Behemoths truly come?
The tableau she had projected brought an immediate response. The ground trembled beneath her feet as the first soil-plummeting Behemoth emerged—a colossal creature, with sinewy limbs that resembled sylvan boles and eyes that glimmered with an intelligence painfully akin to humanity. Its hide bore scars from combat, a leathery texture woven with the remnants of metal and debris from fallen Titans. Kira felt an involuntary chill as it locked eyes with her, searching for the source of the illusion.
As she activated her Titan’s systems, feeling the rush of power supply kick into gear, she realised the Behemoth was testing her. It circled the hologram, tugging at Kira’s courage, every swing of its muscular arms stirring up dirt and debris. This was no mindless beast. It was driven by instinct and vengeance—both a creation and a reflection of a turbulent era Kira had hoped to put behind her.
With a deep breath, Kira initiated the holoprojection’s defensive systems and engaged the Behemoth. The fight that ensued was nothing short of carnage. Kira manoeuvred with grace and precision, firing from her Titan’s weapons while the Behemoth retaliated with ferocity. It crashed against her machine, slamming its enormous arms with such force that Kira jolted violently within her cockpit. For every blow she landed, the Behemoth responded with cunning counterattacks, utilising its environment for evasive tactics in a way that was startlingly strategic.
As the battle raged, Kira’s resolve took shape. She didn’t just want to repel the creature but to understand it. Kira began to notice its behavioural patterns; how it would temper its anger with curiosity after a while, how it hesitated before unleashing a devastating blow. Each clash taught her something new—not merely about combat but also about the resilience that drove survival in a decimated landscape.
The fight reached its crescendo when, bruised and battered, Kira’s Titan finally collapsed under the weight of the Behemoth’s relentless assault. With the cockpit alarms blaring, Kira ejected herself, rolling onto the ground amidst the smoke and debris. For a brief moment, she thought she had failed; that a mere titan pilot could never prevail against a creature borne of their very struggle. Yet, as she scrambled to regain her footing, she discovered something unexpected.
The Behemoth paused, its fierce visage softened my something akin to confusion. It regarded Kira with a look that almost appeared… inquisitive. In those wild moments, as chaos swirled around them, Kira considered the possibility that these creatures were not the monsters painted by the ghastly tales told by the frightened villagers. Instead, they were reflections of existing scars—raw narratives, pools of pain witnessed by dysfunctional memories.
Determined to reach out, Kira stood amidst the wreckage, arms stretched wide, revealing both surrender and a hunger for understanding. “We don’t have to fight!” she shouted, voice strained yet resolute. “I want to know you!”
Strangely, the Behemoth shifted, its posture slowly uncoiling, uncertain but intrigued. The air was thick with unease, and Kira’s heart thundered. Could they find common ground? As she spoke her truth, the emotional weight of the war fell away. In those moments of silence, the connection felt tangible, as if words were only a means of crossing the distance between fear and understanding.
And as the grace of acceptance washed over the battlefield, Kira and the Behemoth found solace in the shared realisation of survival. The narrative of monstrosity faded as they forged a bond, entwined by the remnants of history, and together they understood that in a world that had become all too unforgiving, harmony could yet be achieved. Kira would now be a bridge—between the remnants of titan technology and the Behemoths echoing their silent partnership, forging a new beginning amidst the ruins of an old world.
