[ It's the same conviction he's seen in Eren every time they've talked. In their reality, it's a quiet, smouldering intensity – and here it has all the fire of youth. It would be endearing if he wasn't acutely aware of how things are going to go for this young boy in the future.

Maruki keeps his tone firm and even, trying to ground some part of Eren here that he can still reach. That brief flash–

If he's here, he might as well see how this cognition will respond to a little pushback. ]

Your fate – this place's fate isn't set in stone. There's always something that can be done. How will you fight?