Chapter 20: Uneasy Alliances

The morning after the clash in the courtyard, the academy was abuzz with whispers. Students cast furtive glances at Eren as he walked through the corridors, their voices hushed but unmistakably about him. News of the fight with Darius had spread like wildfire, and theories about Eren's mysterious power were on everyone's lips.

Kaelena, however, was more focused than ever. She caught up with Eren in the dining hall, slapping a tray of food onto the table with enough force to make the plates rattle. "We need allies," she said bluntly, not even bothering with pleasantries.

Eren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You think I don't know that? But who's going to stand up to Darius? He's got half the school either scared of him or under his thumb."

"That doesn't mean the other half is useless," Kaelena countered, spearing a piece of fruit with her fork. "Darius has made plenty of enemies. We just need to find them."

Eren leaned back in his chair, his thoughts swirling. The fight had left him physically and emotionally drained, but Kaelena's determination was contagious. "Fine," he said, nodding slowly. "Where do we start?"

Kaelena grinned, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "I've got a few ideas."

That evening, the duo began their search. Their first stop was the Sparring Atrium, a dimly lit arena where students often practiced their abilities. It was the kind of place where grievances were settled, and reputations were made or destroyed. Eren scanned the crowd, his eyes settling on a hulking figure who towered over the other students.

"That's Kain," Kaelena whispered. "Used to be one of Darius's enforcers until they had a falling out. He's strong, and he hates Darius almost as much as we do."

Eren approached cautiously. "Kain, right? Can we talk?"

Kain turned, his sharp eyes narrowing as he sized Eren up. "What do you want?"

"To take down Darius," Eren said, cutting straight to the point. "We could use someone like you."

For a moment, Kain said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then he snorted. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts don't mean much against someone like him."

"That's why we need a team," Kaelena interjected. "Together, we stand a chance."

Kain's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Fine. I'm in. But don't expect me to follow blindly."

With Kain on board, their group began to take shape. Over the next few days, Eren and Kaelena recruited more students who had reasons to oppose Darius. There was Elara, a quiet girl with a talent for creating impenetrable barriers; Cyrus, whose speed made him nearly impossible to hit; and Mira, a strategist with an uncanny ability to predict her opponents' moves.

Each recruit brought their own skills and grievances to the table. Some had been humiliated by Darius in public duels. Others had lost friends to his ruthless ambition. Together, they formed a fragile but determined alliance.

Their first meeting as a group was held in an abandoned classroom. The atmosphere was tense, each member eyeing the others with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Eren stood at the front, the Shard in his pocket feeling heavier than ever.

"Thank you all for being here," he began, his voice steady despite the weight of responsibility. "We all know what Darius is capable of. Alone, we don't stand a chance. But together, we can stop him."

"Easier said than done," Cyrus muttered, earning a sharp look from Mira.

"We're not going into this blind," Kaelena said firmly. "We've got a plan, and it starts with training."

The group spent the next several hours brainstorming strategies and testing their abilities. Elara's barriers proved invaluable, allowing them to practice offensive and defensive maneuvers. Kain's brute strength was a powerful asset, but his lack of finesse meant he relied heavily on Mira's guidance.

As the night wore on, the initial tension began to ease. Laughter replaced skepticism, and camaraderie began to form. Eren couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. For the first time since acquiring the Shard, he believed they had a fighting chance.

Late that night, as the group dispersed, Eren and Kaelena lingered behind. The room was quiet, the air heavy with unspoken fears.

"Do you think this will work?" Eren asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kaelena shrugged, a rare moment of uncertainty flickering across her face. "I don't know. But we don't have a choice. Darius won't stop until he has the Shard—and us out of the way."

Eren nodded, his resolve hardening. "Then we'll make sure he doesn't get the chance."

As they left the classroom, the faint glow of the Shard illuminated Eren's path. It was a reminder of the power he carried—and the responsibility that came with it.