Eren had just asked what a monkey was when the black haired boy's body fell in front of Jason. About to slip off the branch, both Jason and Reiner grabbed him. Reiner swatted Jason's hand away. "Don't touch him!"
Jason put his hands up. Reiner then proceeded to lay him down. He slapped his face a little. "Berthold? Berthold!" He put his ear to his chest. "What wrong! Berthold!"
Jason had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Berthold's eyes were wide open, a green outline covered his black pupil. He kept mumbling something. This is not good.
Eren and the other girl were surprised at what just happened. Before this, Jason witnessed an intense conversation between Eren, Reiner, and Ymir. And while he didn't understand a lot of it, he had learned a lot about the two traitors. Or warriors, as they liked to call themselves.
But now was not the time to lament on those thoughts. Jason knew what was wrong with Berthold, but he needed to confirm his suspicions.
"Has Berthold had trouble sleeping?"
Reiner looked back at him. "What?"
"Has he had any bad dreams? Nightmares keeping him up at night?"
Reiner eyebrows creased. "Why does that matter?"
"Can you answer the question?"
"I don't know!" Reiner exploded at him.
The group stayed silent for a while. Then a voice said, "Berthold always slept strangely." Everyone in the group looked to Eren. "He always woke up in a different position every morning."
Jason decided to question him instead.
"For how long?"
Eren thought about it for a bit. His eyes were sad. "It started happening a year into our training. So two years ago."
The girl nodded slowly at the statement, agreeing with Eren.
Reiner looked at Eren shocked. This entire situation is depressing. Jason thought to himself.
"Reiner, have you had any nightmares? Any dreams about a lady covered in dirt?" Reiner turned to him slowly. With pursed lips, he shook his head.
Jason glanced at the one called Ymir.
Gaia follows the traitorous dirt.
That was the real reason Jason followed this group. If the oracle really was talking to him, then it meant these traitors were connected to Gaia somehow. And based on Bertholds current state…
Berthold's entire eye was now green. His mumblings were getting louder. He had a huge smile on his face when he said, "Annie…".
Reiner checked his pulse. His eyes widened. He noticed Jason wasn't surprised. "What's going on!?" Reiner demanded, "Do you know what's happening to him?"
"I do." Jason answered slowly.
"Then do something!"
"I can't."
Reiner scoffed. "What do you mean you can't? You have to!"
Jason looked down sadly.
Reiner grabbed Jason by the collar. "DO SOMETHING NOW!"
"I CAN'T!" He yelled back and pushed him away. "Your friend has been possessed by the worst deity imaginable. She's been working on him for years! I can't get her out! He died the moment he let her in!"
Reiner backed away in disbelief.
"There is nothing I can do." Jason couldn't look the boy in the eye.
Reiner grabbed him by the collar. Jason was about to push him away again until he saw his face. Tears streaming, he yelled, "Please! He's all I have left!"
An evil cackle came from Bertholds direction.
Reiner slowly let go of Jason. Everyone looked towards the sound. Jason gritted his teeth.
Jason spit out the words, "She's back."