The mood in the army shifted completely.
Fear faded. Doubt disappeared.
The soldiers now burned with purpose. Their blood boiled with excitement and faith.
They raised their weapons, their fists, and their voices.
"SACRIFICE US, LORD SHIR!"
"LET US BE THE OFFERING!"
"FOR GOD RAASHIM!"
The chant spread like wildfire. The soldiers were ready to give their lives, to turn themselves into fuel for the altar.
They were ready to summon their god's will into the world with their own blood. Even though not everyone really wanted to die, the fervent fever of "mob psychology" had gripped over them.
And Shir looked down at them, a dark gleam in his eyes.
Everything was going just as he had planned.
***
While Shir stood above his army, riling them up with words of faith and fury, something shifted quietly on the other side of the battlefield.
Eren stood still, arms crossed, eyes watching the chaos from afar.
