Chapter 21 - Training Trip 2

" Brrr.....this cold is killing me!" (Connie)

" Suck it up Connie, we still have a long distance to go." (Jean)

" Why are we asked to trek this mountain? This is such a pain in the ass." replied Connie with a tired voice.

" You idiot!, were you not listening to what Commandant Shadis said?" (Jean)

" Uhh....not really...you see, I saw this beautiful butterfly...." (Connie)

" I don't care what excuses you are going to give and besides, butterflies don't exist in this cold weather!" (Jean)

" But I really saw one!" (Connie)

" *sigh* Look, Connie, you don't have to lie that you didn't pay attention to the Commandant, we all know how much of an airhead you are." (Jean)

" Oi! You..." (Connie)

" Anyway, look, let me summarize what Commandant Shadis said for you, we have to climb this mountain and reach the checkpoint near the top before sunset and climb back down in time for dinner. This is to improve our stamina, adaptability and survival in harsh conditions, is what Commandant Shadis said, got it?" (Jean)

" Huh?" replied Connie with confusion apparent on his face.

" Look just...just follow the others alright? And don't stray far from the route. I don't want to freeze my ass looking for you if you get lost halfway." replied Jean as he gave up.

" I really did see a butterfly!" (Connie)

"..." (Jean)

As the cadets continued their journey, the snow seemed to have increased over time and finally, it became a blizzard. The snow glows white on the mountain, the cold winds were howling, as the storm increased its intensity. The footprints of the cadets were covered up and the visibility decreased until they could only see two feet in front of them. It was like a kingdom of isolation, neither animal or human to be seen. The cadets we're scattered as the blizzard continued its intensity. They lost their sense of direction and wandered off the route, they had to find shelter or risk of freezing to death.

Asriel asked Mikasa to go to Eren and Armin to guide them towards the checkpoint as they were close. He asked Mikasa to mark da way on the trees so that others will find it and go towards the checkpoint. The checkpoint had a huge cabin for the cadets to rest and get out of the cold weather, so the sooner they get there the better they would be. Mikasa wanted to come with Asriel but he convinced her not to. He didn't want her to be out in this cold for too long. Asriel went around while looking at his map to guide the other cadets towards the checkpoint.

He saw Christa, Ymir, and Daz on his map who were going further and further away from the route. At first, he thought about leaving them but then decided not to. He went towards them quickly and saw that Christa was pulling Daz as she walked while Ymir was beside telling her to leave him. Seems like Daz was not only weak in the mental department but also weak in the physical department, he was already fainted and the cold was starting to get to him.

Asriel was a little bit irritated at Ymir for not helping but was trying to force her opinion on others.

" Christa! Over here!" (Asriel)

" Ah.....Asriel!" replied Christa with a bright smile on her face. She nearly dropped Daz and rushed towards him. [Eh....why did I want to rush towards Asriel.....why do I feel happy whenever I see Asriel.... it's like I've known him for a long time, like a long lost friend.....or family.] thought Christa. While she was thinking Asriel came near her and picked up Daz.

" Come on, the checkpoint is this way, you are going deeper into the forest by going that way." said Asriel, totally ignoring Ymir who was by the side with a gloomy face. She didn't dare to say anything right now as she felt a hint of blood l.u.s.t emitted from Asriel towards her. And yes the mountain is not barren but with trees on it. Christa also seemed to have forgotten about Ymir as she cheerfully thanked Asriel and followed him.

" Che.....Asriel...who really are you and why do I feel so much fear from you...." muttered Ymir as she followed them. Asriel heard her mutter and smirked a bit, Christa oblivious to everything was cheerfully talking with him, asking his hobbies and whatnot. They arrived at checkpoint and saw that almost all the cadets have arrived. Asriel parted with Christa after saying farewell and went towards Mikasa who had a worried look on her face as she looked around to find Asriel. Christa was a bit disappointed and unconsciously held his sleeves. Asriel felt a tug on his sleeves and realized that it was Christa.

" Is something wrong Christa? Are you feeling ok?" asked Asriel with a worried tone. [hmm this feels like a Deja Vu]

" Ah....No....I'm alright....Nn.....it's nothing." replied Christa while panicking a bit.

" You don't look like you are ok." (Asriel)

" I'm fine, really!" (Christa)

" No you don't, tell me what's bothering you?" (Asriel)

She was quiet for a while before saying " If.....if someone you knew was acting their current self.....and their true self is totally opposite from what they are right now....would you still befriend them? Would you still worry about them?....Would you hate them?" asked Christa with a small voice. Asriel raised one of his eyebrows and looked at her when he heard her question.

" Yeah, I would and no I won't hate them.....as long as he or she doesn't have any ill intention towards me or the ones I hold dear. Everyone has secrets they don't want others to find out because of some circ.u.mstances and I'm not one to judge why they do what they do. What about you? Would you?" (Asriel)

" Of course I will! And I will not hate them as well!" replied Christa energetically. Asriel didn't say anything but smiled warmly at her and petted her head for a while.

" Alright then if you need anything else you can find me or ask Mikasa if I'm not available." said Asriel and walked away. Christa was dazed as she held her head, the place where he petted her, with her small hands and smiled but this time it was a genuine smile.

" Christa.....I think you should not interact with Asriel in the future. He is hiding something and he is dangerous!" said Ymir as she walked near Christa and dragged her outside. She was in the distance when Asriel and Christa were talking so she didn't know what they talked about but seeing Christa's smile made her jealous and her anger towards Asriel grew more than before.

" Mou~ Please don't talk like that towards others it's rude you know." replied Christa as she was back to her usual self.

" I'm telling you, he is dangerous! I don't want you near someone who could be a murderer for all we know. Look at his face, he had this easy-going expression but I bet he was ridiculing you and looking at you with disdain, look at...." (Ymir)

" Enough! It's none of your business who I interact with, you are not my parents! Asriel has been helping me more than you since day one! All you do is complain and be negative to whoever and whatever you see. You are the one who ridicules me and look at me with disdain. You think I wouldn't notice!? I've noticed it since the first day!" shouted Christa. Yup, Asriel was helping Christa with small kinds of stuff since the first day like carrying stuff for her, cheering her up when she wasn't good at hand to hand combat and teaching her how to do it, helping her with her studies and etc.

On the other hand, Ymir was being negative and jealous about him and in the crossfire, Christa was involved. Christa felt like Ymir was negative about her instead of Asriel and her resentment towards Ymir grew until she could not hold it now. Her personality was changed a bit because of Asriel's influence, his titan powers influenced her indirectly because of her bloodline.

" ....Christa...I'm telling you this for your own good!" replied Ymir in shock. She didn't know why her Christa reacted this strongly.

" My own good? Don't make me laugh. It was always YOUR own good. Treating me like a doll. Wanting me for yourself. Aren't you just treating me like an object?" (Christa)

" Christa...you are not making sense I didn't....." Ymir tried to explain but once again interrupted by Christa,

" Enough! I've had enough of you! Don't talk to me ever again!" shouted Christa and went inside the cabin.

".....Asriel....this is all your fault!!...If you didn't exist none of this would have happened!!!....NONE OF IT!!!!!.....I'll kill you!! I'll tear you apart limbs from limbs!!! And I'll eat you up!!!!!" swore Ymir while thick killing intent were rushing out of her. Asriel was close by and was listening to their conversation, seeing Ymir swear to kill him amused him to no end.

" Haha, wow, now that's something different and refreshing. Heh.....I would like to see you try." said Asriel as he vanished into the shadows.