¡Hola, mis amigos! Yay, on time! I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin and if I did it wouldn't be as awesome.

Words of the Philosopher Chap. 4: Zeno's Words

Over the course of the next few days, Eren was inattentive and plagued by thoughts of the mysterious Nina. She was cold, yet kind to-oof!

Levi had kicked him in the stomach. "Oi, brat, pay attention."

Eren rubbed his head. "Y-Yes sir"

Levi leaned over to Petra. "Did you work him too hard when you trained him three days ago?"

Petra stifled a giggle. As smart as Levi was, he was completely clueless when it came to the odd behavior displayed by the titan shifter. "No, but…I think I know why Eren isn't paying as much attention as he has before."

"Oh? Why would that be?" Levi asked flatly.

She grinned and whispered, "I think he met someone in town the other day."

"Goddammit. The last thing we need is a lovesick fifteen meter titan on our lines." The Corporal groaned.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Hanji popped up behind the two. "Eren's met someone? Heh heh, this will make very good data. I wonder how it will affect his titan form…" She rubbed her hands together and ran off to make hypotheses.


"HEY JAEGER, WAIT UP!" A voice called out.

Eren turned around and saw Jean rushing towards him with a slip of paper in his hand. That must be the new pamphlet Zeno wrote.

Jean thrust the paper at him. "That chick was right-"

"Nina," Eren mumbled under his breath.

Jean waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah. But she was right. Zeno is on your side."

Eren grabbed the wrinkled sheet of paper from Jean's hand in disbelief. "What?"

The Titan Shifter Case- Zeno

Do not hear the word "shifter" and be drowned in fear, but be elated. The shifter is a bright flicker of hope in this vast void of despair.

Why do we, as humans, cast out one of our own? He has a beating heart, breathing lungs, and a working mind. 'Tis not his fault for being given a unique gift that no known person possess. At the trial, he confirmed that his father, Doctor Grisha Jaeger, shot something into him that made him a titan shifter.

Eren Jaeger is not, like the Military Police claim, irresponsible, violent, and evil. He, in recent meetings (I dare say not when and where in fear of being exposed), is impulsive and quite loud, but incredibly kind. And if I may quote a favorite author of mine, "Quick to forgive and quick to ignite."

There is the point of his self control, however. According to witnesses, Eren Jaeger attacked his adoptive sister, Mikasa Ackerman, in his titan form. Contrary to popular belief, I believe it is not his fault.

Deep inside of my heart, I see a titan: despair, destruction, and anger. This titan is inside all of us. Eren Jaeger must accept that part of him to shift. His anger, frustration, and sadness were too much, and that resulted in his lack of control.

Now, before you think you have seen worse than him, listen what he has been through. He murdered two grown men when he was nine years old to protect himself and save Mikasa Ackerman. 'Tis a heavy sin that one does not forget. He has seen the fall of Wall Maria. During the fall, his home was crushed by a boulder, trapping his mother underneath. Unable to save her, he was forced to watch as a titan ate Carla Jaeger. He was only ten years of age. Let us not forget to mention this was the year his father experimented on him. He has also seen the horror that took place in Trost. At the Battle of Trost, his left leg was bitten off and despite his injuries, he was able to save a friendfrom being eaten. Consequently, it was him that ended up in the titan's stomach. He has much sadness in his heart.

Before, I said that emotions are simple flaws in a person's reason. This is a perfect example. He has seen too much, he knows too much, and he is too much. Existing cripples him. So do not cast him from you, but pity him.

There is one thing I must say before I rest my pen: every hero has a fatal flaw and a sad end. Jaeger had many flaws- his impulsivity, his quickness to anger, and his loyalty. But these make him more human than a newborn babe.

And undoubtedly, he will have a sad fate, as many great do.

The Common's servant, ear, and mouth,

Zeno

Eren stared at the paper in disbelief. Zeno really took his side. And he explained it better than Eren ever could. He felt anger, frustration, and fear in his titan form. He just assumed it was battle jitters. Zeno has played a risky move, he thought, comparing the innermost soul to a titan. But how the fucking hell did he know about mom and my house?

Jean stared at him. "So…did he-?"

"Spot on." Eren spat. He had no idea, though, why he needed to be pitied.

"Because those are some pretty scarring things, dumbass."

Eren hadn't realized he was speaking out loud. "I…uh…gotta go to training with the squad. See ya later horseface!" He then rushed off to meet with Levi's squad, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.

Everywhere he went, he couldn't escape the eyes. Some pitied, some understood, some held a mix of awe and admiration, but others still held a look of fear.

Well,Eren thought bitterly, Zeno can't solve everything.

When he reached the training field, Eren received mixed reactions. Günter and Erd nodded at Eren. Oluo regarded him without prejudice (which was a first), Petra smiled, and for a moment she had the same look his own mother had many years ago when he broke his nose. Levi scowled, but he was missing his usual annoyance.

Eren sighed. "You read it, didn't you?"

"Eren…" Petra whispered. "We did, and…"

"No pity, please. Just ignore that entire paragraph-OW!"

Levi had slapped him. "They're being nice. Accept it and move on, brat. We have to go over some things for the expedition tomorrow."

Oh! The expedition! Eren thought eagerly. In hi opinion, he has spent too many years cowering behind walls.

"Now…"

And of course, they had to go over the strategy. Again. Eren allowed half of his mind to wander to Nina. How exactly did she know about Zeno and his writings?

Petra poked him from behind. "Pay attention. Fully." She added on with a small giggle, "And try to keep your thoughts away from that girl of yours."

Eren flushed red and diverted his attention to the board at the front of the room where Levi was explaining the formation, again, and telling how many smoke rounds they should carry, again, and how Eren must not turn into a titan, again, for the hundredth time. This was going to be a long evening.