Chapter 17

Eren dried the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve while hanging on the side of a tree within the forest near the castle, teeth gritting in frustration when he saw the marks on the titan dummy: they were clearly not deep enough to kill, and he knew the target wouldn't stay still out there.

_Out there... -he whispered, heart racing; his thoughts always ended up drifting towards the plains outside wall Rose, and their plan. Would they really...?

_Oi, brat! -Levi shouted from the ground- What are you doing, posing for a painting? Start fucking training!

The boy jolted on his post, clearly embarrased as he looked around and saw Bane slicing without problem using Levi's technique: even back in camp he always showed a knack for imitation of movements, applying them perfectly after a few tries; he suddenly darted towards another dummy, this one a human sized and hanging from the end of a branch. His blades cut through it like it was nothing, and the body fell down to the ground; his brown eyes looking at green ones as he finished and swung back to meet the Captain. Jaeger inhaled deeply and resumed his attack.

A while later he landed in front of both men and Hange, who awaited hopping anxiously most certainly seeking to drag him off on an out-of-schedule experiment; Eren hoped Alastor would be able to dissuade her: so far he was the only one capable of cooling down the researcher's excitable nature other than Erwin .

_You were spacing out a bit back there -the former number one said as soon as he got near them.

_Yeah, sorry. -he answered looking down.

Alastor stared at him not changing his expression (not that he ever did) and nodded, more to himself than to Eren, before turning to look at the other two.

_Hange, Levi... could you give us a moment?

Without waiting for an answer he took the boy by the arm and guided him behind one of the trees, at quite some distance from both their superiors and Levi's squad, who were waiting nearby as always; once they got to the spot he stood at arm's length in front of the shifter, who laid against the tree and folded his arms.

_I'm sorry. -he mumbled- I was clumsy today, alright? It won't happen again.

_Most certainly not. -Bane assured him- 'clumsy' and 'again' are two words you don't say twice if you're in the Corps.

Eren grimaced at the reprimand: his comrade never raised his voice, but his words weren't any less hard because of it; he tried to think of something to say when silence followed his words.

_You still think about it, don't you?

The question caught Jaeger by surprise and he looked at Alastor, vainly searching for any trace of human emotion behind those words.

_Think about what? -the shifter asked, yet had a good idea of what he meant and looked away; his comrade piercing gaze still unnerved him.

_The plan. -he said calmly- Your mind keeps going back to it; mine does too, but not for the same reasons.

Alastor stared at him narrowing his eyes, and Eren eyed him nervously before sighing and nodding in defeat.

_I just can't believe we're going to use them as titan fodder. -he said- They... they trust the Commander, and the Captain and...

_And with good motive, Eren. -Bane interrupted him- Those two have a responsability to and with the Corps and mankind... the makind in the walls that is; both are expected to make decisions which would most certainly be impossible to ask other people to do. Like this one.

_But i...

_You must follow your orders, because you are our only hope to balance this fight; you're whom they want, and we'll use that to our advantage while they think we're unaware of their true purpose.

_I know, and i will. -Eren answered, features hardening with resolution for a moment before sinking in guilt again- But still all the others will die, all because...

Alastor placed his hand on the shifter's shoulder and, out of nowhere, the boy felt his heart slow his racing pace and the doubts in his mind vanish as Bane's eyes fixed on his own and spoke in a stern yet serene voice; Jaeger could think of nothing as his words filled and echoed in his mind.

_All because we're willing to take that chance if it means victory: we won't survive by playing fair, nor by defying them in the open; this is war and, in the end, no decision will be too heartless, no action too cruel if it gives us victory. To win, each and every person involved in this must forsake their fear and doubts and focus on their task without hesitating; a single mistake could cost us everything. When we face them, no matter how many died or how horribly, our minds must be devoid of hate or anger: we must act with precision, without our feelings clouding our judgment to ensure our success.

He stepped away, leaving Eren standing against the tree; Bane's finger tapped on his own gear, his eyes giving the other a sharp look.

_And when we meet out there, i want you to bury you doubts and concerns in the deepest corner of your mind because Annie won't be the only threat; there are other titans roaming the fields so you'll need to be ready to face them.

At this Eren frowned, placing his hands on his hips and looking at his comrade defiantly.

_I ranked fifth in the training camp and was at Trost, remember? -he said a bit aggressively- I've faced them before.

_And lost.

Bane's voice was harsh and cold, to the point Jaeger couldn't answer and instead found himself staring at the ground. How could two mere words shake him so much?

_Never forget that. Your rage fooled you into impulsiveness, and into what should have been your own death; while it let us find your true power, and by extent the shifters's identities and goals, you can't deny your reckless behaviour that day put you and everyone else in danger. Until you start learning from your experience in the battlefield and hone your mind in tandem with your physical skill you won't really improve.

Eren clenched his fists clearly shaken by his words and Bane's eyes narrowed when the fleeting memory of their past connection flashed in his mind, yet he decided it was best not to try his luck and simply shook his head.

_Sorry. -he said, and Jaeger looked up- I shouldn't have been so harsh on you Eren.

_No, you're right. -the other said- I need to focus on my task and trust both Commander Smith and Captain Levi.

_Regardless of that, it was wrong of me to speak you like that. I can't expect you or anyone to act as methodically as i usually do; i can't feel the pressure and anxiety like you, it's unfair to pretend such degree of efficiency given your circumstances.

_Yet from time to time, i wish i was more like you. -Eren said suddenly, and Alastor's eyebrows went slightly upwards- To be able to strip my fear and doubts away, to be so accurate without my anger hindering me.

_Despite that, your temper has a few good points. -Bane assured him- It gives you a drive most people lack, making go through stuff others would break against, it gives you strength; if properly harnessed, then in your titan form you'd be nearly unstoppable.

Jaeger smiled a bit and seemed more relaxed, enough for Bane to near him and place a hand on his shoulder.

_Now let's go back to train, and focus. Calm your mind, lock your insecurities away, place your focus on the present; let your fighting spirit lead you, but not overwhelm you. Understood?

Eren blinked as a sudden wave of coolness travelling all over his body as Alastor spoke, making him ease his breathing and feeling more confident than when they begun; he nodded with a decided expression and hurried back to the upper zone of the forest while Alastor walked back to Hange and Levi.

_He's back and with enthusiasm! -Hange said loudly as Eren moved quicker above them- Whatever you did it seems to work!

_He needs to be handled properly. -Bane said with a shrug- Levi has discipline in spades, but he's not so good at encouraging.

_Oh, he can be! -the woman said with a smile- For example the time he...!

_Shut up you shitty four-eyes! -the Captain growled- There's no need for you to run your mouth.

_Anyways, it's time for me to return to HQ. -he announced- And no Hange, Eren won't do any more experiments today, he needs rest after this.

_But...

_No time for that either. Tomorrow.

The woman huffed and pouted, but finally nodded and he went for his horse. Once he left, he began thinking about what she said: somehow he'd managed to calm and guide Eren once more since the time the tempestuous scout had been inside the well.

And before in Trost.

Alastor slowed down, thinking about it. He'd been the one to point Eren on the right way even when he wasn't fully conscious. Hange was right: whatever he did it worked, and the soldier doubted it was mere coincidence. Could it be Eren's power was tied to his peculiar condition? And if so, would other shifters be affected by it?

Eyebrows furrowed with suddent determination when he decided his next move and spurred his steed towards HQ. Once there he went to one of the supply warhouses, where he expected his target to be; the moment he saw his broad back he readied for his task.

_Reiner. -he said casually and the blonde spinned with a bit of a jolt- How's it going?

_I'm good. -the buff scout replied with a smile, pointing at some boxes with his thumb- Finishing with these.

Alastor remain silent as his eyes wandered about, noticing the lack of people in the place.

_Are you alone here?

_Not when i began, but i told the guys i'd handle the last ones myself. -he said shrugging- I don't mind saving them the effort.

Typical Reiner Alastor thought Although now i wonder how much of it is a facade and how much is... whatever the hell you try to be.

_I see. I hope i didn't bother you.

_Oh no, not at all. In fact i was thinking about you a short while ago.

_Is that so? -Bane replied softly staring at him, and Braun looked aside; he could never stand his dead gaze for long.

_I just wanted to ask... do you know something about the expedition? -he questioned a bit anxiously- Of what's Smith planning?

Alastor felt a slight satisfaction at the other's eagerness, it made his work much easier. Following his plan, he crossed his arms over his chest and gave him a harsh look.

_That's none of your concern, Reiner. All you must worry about is obeying

_Ah... i see. -the blonde said sounding a bit disappointed and even offended. Bane decided to make his move and let out a small yet convincing sigh.

_I'm sorry. -he apologized- I guess i'm taking this secrecy thing a bit too seriously.

Braun blinked at his words and quickly showed a reassuring smile, dissmissing the issue with some hand waving.

_Nah, it's alright. I shouldn't be poking my head where i'm not supposed to.

_Even if that's true, i was way too harsh Reiner. -he said walking up to him and placing his hand on the blonde's shoulder- We're in this together after all, and trust is essential. You've proven a capable soldier and... a good friend. Even to someone as cold as myself.

As he spoke Bane could feel -faintly but without doubt- a strange sensation emanate from himself, something he couldn't name or describe but was there; an aura that he perceived as going through Braun from the spot Alastor's hand rested on, moving past the warrior's facade and into his mind. Alastor stealthily read the other's expression as it suddenly decomposed, his eyes turning slightly watery as he opened and closed his mouth trying to speak. Bane successfully held back a rogue smile and was about to pull his hand back when a stray thought crossed his mind.

Do not break physical contact, he might suspect. Focus and finish the connection first.

His fingers closed a bit on the blonde's jacket, but managed to control himself in a blink and sought to distract the shifter before severing that strange link.

_I see my words might have shocked you, but it's true Reiner. You have my respect and appreciation with your constant effort and dedication, your commitment to your comrades. If you make it out alive in the expedition, i'll talk with Commander Smith to let you be in charge of a squad in the training excercises.

As the spy stood there, Bane saw it; it was but a moment, so brief he would have believed it part of his imagination hadn't he been so sure of its existence. A thread, made of light only he could see, joining them and spreading throughout the warrior's body vanishing from sight as quick as lightning. Yet knowing it was there was enough and he put his mind to work to cut it, instantly feeling the loss of conection and giving a playful squeeze before finally letting go. The other stood there looking dumbfounded for a second and then spoke.

_I'm so sorry for everything Bane. -he muttered with sincerity.

Reiner shook briefly as if waking from some dream, blinking profusely when he felt the little tingle in his eyes from a small concentration of tears. Confused, he rubbed his eyes and coughed in his hand as Alastor watched him with feigned uncertainty.

_About what, your question? It's nothing to apologize for, you had the right to be curious.

_Eh? No i mean... well yes. -he babbled trying to order his ideas- Let's forget it then, okay?

_Fine. I'll see you tomorrow at 3DMG practice in that case.

_Y-yeah, see you.

Without a second glance Alastor turned his back on him and left, leaving the blonde confused while he replayed the scene in his mind time after time. He'd done something he never imagined possible, influencing Braun's mind through means he couldn't describe but feel and, to some extent, control. But if he was able to do that with him, maybe he was able to do so with all shifters, which gave him an edge they could not possibly guess. None of them...

_I hope i can soon find out if you're as stoic as you show yourself to be, Miss Leonhardt. -he whispered with decision.

End of Chapter