Glass Heart Syndrome

Chapter 21

Eren wandered the quiet corridors of the safehouse, his mind restless, haunted by the memory of Taryn's final breath. Though his actions had been necessary, a gnawing emptiness festered inside him—a reminder of the gentle soul he'd once been, now buried beneath layers of blood and steel.

Sleep evaded him, so he found himself on the rooftop, under a sky smeared with stars. The air was cool, a faint breeze stirring the night. Here, alone, he allowed himself a brief moment of vulnerability. The oath he'd made, the life he'd taken—each had left an indelible mark, deepening the shadow within him.

Footsteps echoed from behind, soft but unmistakable. He turned to find Alista approaching, her eyes reflecting the dim light of the stars. She studied him, a quiet curiosity in her gaze.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, her voice low.

Eren shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

Alista leaned against the railing beside him, her gaze drifting to the city lights below. "It's strange, isn't it?" she murmured. "How you can lose parts of yourself without even realizing it?"

He stiffened, caught off guard by her words. She looked at him, reading the surprise on his face. "You're not the only one, Eren. We've all lost things to this war—friends, family, pieces of ourselves. It's part of the price."

He scoffed, turning away. "Is it worth it? Sacrificing everything that made us human?"

Her gaze softened. "Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. But the moment you start questioning it..." She trailed off, letting the thought hang between them.

Eren's jaw clenched. "I don't have the luxury of questioning things anymore."

Alista's gaze lingered on him, a mix of empathy and sorrow. "Just be careful, Eren. Because once you go too far, there's no coming back."

For a long moment, they stood in silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Then, without another word, Alista turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Eren alone on the rooftop.

---

The next morning, Eren was summoned to Niall's quarters. He entered to find Niall standing by a map, marking various points across the city. His expression was serious, more so than usual.

"Councilor Taryn's death sent a shockwave through their ranks," Niall said, without looking up. "They're scrambling to replace her, and in the chaos, we have an opportunity."

Eren stepped closer, studying the map. "What's the plan?"

Niall's finger traced a line across the map, stopping at a fortified mansion near the heart of the city. "This is our next target. Councilor Verin—a financier, and Taryn's successor. If we remove him, we cripple their funding."

Eren nodded, noting the defenses surrounding the estate. "It'll be heavily guarded."

"Precisely. This will require precision and timing," Niall said, meeting his gaze. "And it'll be dangerous. But if we succeed, it'll buy us time—time we can use to gather allies."

Eren's resolve hardened. "I'll do it."

Niall gave him a nod of approval. "You'll have Alista's support on this. She'll meet you at the edge of the district."

Eren left the safehouse shortly after, his thoughts sharpening into focus. Alista joined him as planned, her presence a silent but steady reassurance. Together, they navigated the winding streets, keeping to the shadows, their steps purposeful.

When they reached the perimeter of Verin's estate, they paused, surveying the guards stationed along the walls. Alista glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "This isn't going to be easy."

He gave her a grim smile. "Nothing worth doing ever is."

They moved in sync, slipping through the outer defenses with practiced precision. Eren dispatched the first two guards without a sound, his blade swift and silent. Alista handled the next, her movements a fluid blur in the moonlight. They pressed forward, evading patrols, creeping closer to the mansion.

Once inside, they made their way through the grand halls, every sense heightened. They reached Verin's chambers, and Eren eased the door open, finding the councilor asleep, his face softened by dreams.

For a moment, Eren hesitated. Memories of the person he'd once been flashed before him—a young, hopeful soul who'd believed in justice, in doing what was right. That version of himself would have balked at what he was about to do.

But that person was gone.

He moved swiftly, delivering the fatal blow, his face impassive as he watched the life drain from Verin's eyes. Alista, watching from the doorway, gave him a single nod, her gaze approving yet distant.

"Let's go," she whispered, and they slipped back into the night, leaving the estate in silence.

---

Back at the safehouse, Niall was waiting for them, his expression a mix of relief and satisfaction. "Well done. With Verin gone, their finances will be in shambles."

Eren nodded, but inside, he felt nothing. Just a hollow ache where his humanity had once been. The victories he once longed for felt like ashes in his mouth.

Alista watched him, her eyes shadowed with understanding. She leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't let the darkness consume you, Eren. Hold onto whatever's left."

He looked at her, trying to find the words to express the conflict within him. But there was nothing he could say that would change the reality he'd chosen. The path he'd taken was steeped in blood and shadow, and he was bound to it, whether he wanted to be or not.

As Alista turned to leave, Eren was left alone with his thoughts, his mind drifting back to the rooftop and the words she'd spoken there.

In trying to destroy his enemies, he wondered just how much of himself he'd lost—and how much more he was willing to sacrifice.