Glass Heart Syndrome

Chapter 13

Eren lay on his cot, the dim candlelight flickering against the cracked ceiling as Alista's words echoed in his mind. He had replayed the conversation a hundred times, trying to dissect each sentence, each flicker of her gaze. She was right about one thing: the council used people. He'd seen enough evidence already to know it was only a matter of time before they discarded him too.

But joining her rebellion... it was a path as fraught with danger as staying in the council's grasp.

As the early morning crept into his room, he made his decision. He would go to the meeting tonight, but not out of loyalty to Alista or her mysterious allies. This was about positioning, about making sure he had a foothold no matter which way the council turned.

---

The day passed in a haze of routine as he worked at the market, selling trinkets and potions to travelers and townsfolk. He kept his movements casual, his interactions curt, keeping his head down to avoid drawing attention. By dusk, the streets were alive with the bustle of evening trade, and he moved silently through the crowd, heading back to the designated meeting spot outside the eastern wall.

Alista was already there, a dim silhouette beneath the low-hanging branches of a large, twisted oak. She looked tense, her gaze darting between him and the shadows as he approached.

"You came," she whispered, relief and anxiety mingling in her tone.

Eren nodded, glancing around. "I'll listen, but that doesn't mean I'm committed."

She gave a quick nod of understanding. "Fair enough. There are others waiting to meet you, but I need to know you'll keep this quiet, no matter what you decide."

Eren's expression hardened. "I don't make promises easily, Alista."

A hint of a smile touched her lips. "Good. Then follow me."

They moved deeper into the woods, winding through thick brush and towering pines until they reached a clearing. A small group stood there, their faces half-hidden in the waning light. Each one was clad in dark robes, their eyes sharp and watchful as they took him in.

One man stepped forward, his posture imposing despite his wiry frame. He regarded Eren with a calculating look, his voice calm but edged with steel.

"You're Eren Valen," he stated. It wasn't a question.

Eren met the man's gaze evenly. "I am. And you are?"

The man's lips curled into a faint smile. "A friend of the shadows, as you are. Let's keep it at that for now." His eyes darkened. "The council has controlled this town long enough. People like you and me—those they consider expendable—have a choice: obey, or take back control."

Eren felt a flicker of interest but kept his expression unreadable. "And what's your plan for that?"

The man's smile widened, a glint of ambition in his eyes. "The council thrives on fear and secrecy. We dismantle that, piece by piece. Our first move is to take out one of their key informants. She operates out of the lower district, feeding the council information on anyone who might threaten them."

Eren frowned. "You're asking me to kill one of their spies?"

"No," the man replied, his gaze steady. "I'm asking you to send a message. Make it clear she's not untouchable. Break their illusion of safety."

Alista stepped forward, her tone softer. "It's a test of loyalty, yes, but it's also your way out. If you succeed, you'll be one of us. If you fail..." She didn't finish, but the threat hung in the air.

Eren looked between them, weighing his options. It was a dangerous task, but he needed their trust—if not for an alliance, then as leverage against the council.

"Fine," he said at last. "Tell me where to find her."

The man gave a single nod, a glint of satisfaction in his gaze. He handed Eren a small slip of paper with an address scrawled in ink. "She'll be alone tonight. Be quick, be quiet, and make sure she understands who sent the warning."

Eren took the paper, slipping it into his pocket. He felt the cold resolve settle over him, the familiar calm that had come to define his choices in Ezura.

---

Night had fully fallen by the time he reached the lower district, the winding alleyways lit only by the faint glow of distant lanterns. He moved silently, his footsteps barely a whisper on the cobblestone as he approached the informant's residence. The building was small, tucked away between two crumbling structures, the shutters closed and the door locked.

Eren crouched, listening for movement inside. A faint shuffle reached his ears, followed by the rustle of parchment—a sound that had become all too familiar to him in his time dealing with the council. She was gathering information, meticulously cataloging the lives of people she would never meet.

With a swift movement, Eren picked the lock and slipped inside, closing the door softly behind him. The room was dimly lit by a single candle, casting a soft glow over the stacks of documents scattered across the floor. The woman sat at a small desk, her back to him, oblivious to his presence.

He approached silently, stopping just behind her. She tensed, sensing his presence only a heartbeat before he grabbed her shoulder, turning her to face him. Her eyes widened in terror as she took in his expression, the cold resolve in his gaze.

"You're the council's informant," he said, his voice low but laced with authority. "That ends tonight."

The woman stammered, her hands trembling. "Please... I'm just... I only do what they tell me. They'd kill me if I stopped."

Eren's jaw clenched. He recognized the fear in her eyes, the same fear that had driven him once. But pity had no place here—not if he was to survive.

"You chose this path," he said, keeping his voice steady. "But now you have a choice. Leave this town, disappear, and never work for them again. If you're here by sunrise..." He let the silence finish the threat.

The woman nodded rapidly, her fear evident. She gathered a few documents, clutching them to her chest, her face pale as she staggered to the door. Without a word, she fled into the night, leaving him alone in the quiet of the small room.

Eren turned, surveying the documents scattered across the desk. He sifted through them quickly, his eyes scanning names, addresses, notes on townsfolk and travelers. Pieces of information that had been weaponized, twisted to serve the council's ends.

A dark satisfaction settled over him as he gathered several of the documents and set them aflame, watching as the edges curled and blackened. The council's web of control was already fraying. He was simply giving it a push.

As he left, slipping back into the shadows, he felt a sense of purpose that he hadn't felt in months. He was done being a pawn, done being at the mercy of powers he couldn't control. From now on, he would make his own rules.

And anyone who stood in his way would learn what it meant to challenge Eren Valen.