Loveless

Chapter 14

When Eloise entered the simulation room for her training session, her mood dropped instantly. Her steps slowed, her shoulders stiffened, and her eyes narrowed as she spotted Genesis already waiting inside.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.

Genesis opened his mouth to reply, but another voice cut in before he could.

"You improve quickly, Eloise," Sephiroth said evenly. "Today, you'll fight Genesis."

Her head snapped toward him, disbelief flashing across her face. She actually sneered, forgetting for a moment who she was addressing.

"You want me to fight him? He's a First Class SOLDIER! Even if he doesn't look intimidating, he obviously is."

Genesis scowled at that. He very much looked intimidating, and he knew it.

"You should be honoured," he snapped. "Not everyone gets the privilege of facing me."

"What do you know?" she shot back. "You were the one doubting my abilities earlier."

Sephiroth watched the exchange with faint amusement. He knew exactly what he was doing.

"This is precisely why," he said calmly. "You're tense around him. That makes this a good test. Show Genesis your true potential."

His words were the final push. Eloise clenched her jaw but said nothing more. Genesis didn't look pleased either, but neither of them objected. Moments later, Sephiroth stepped up to the control platform, observing from above as the simulation activated.

The environment shifted smoothly into Sector 8.

Eloise froze for half a second. Even knowing it was artificial, the place made her skin crawl. The memories were too recent.

"Something wrong?" Genesis asked lightly. "Already scared?"

She ignored the jab and drew her sword.

Genesis attacked first, as expected. He swept his blade in a testing strike meant to provoke rather than injure. She blocked it cleanly and countered with a kick, but the force behind it was restrained—almost cautious.

Genesis chuckled. "Is that all?"He leaned closer, voice low, eyes sharp. "You're holding back."

Her jaw tightened. She shoved him away and steadied her stance, her grip tightening around the hilt. She lunged, feinting left while ducking low, aiming for his side. He read the move instantly and caught her with a sharp kick to the chin.

Pain flared. She staggered back, wincing.

She pressed her fingers briefly to her jaw and exhaled slowly. She couldn't use the blue energy. Not here. Not in front of him. Genesis knew too much already. If she wanted his respect, she had to rely on herself.

When she looked up again, she was focused.

Genesis smirked and let energy gather along his rapier, the blade glowing faintly. She remembered his style now—unpredictable, aggressive, almost reckless.

Fire formed in his palm and shot toward her. She dodged, but the attack served as a distraction. He slipped behind her, blade slashing toward her side. She barely managed to block.

They moved in close quarters now, trading blows, feints, and sudden kicks. Their styles mirrored each other in strange ways, each trying to outmaneuver the other through speed and deception rather than brute force.

Above them, Sephiroth watched closely. Her stamina had improved noticeably. Still, he wanted to see more. Quietly, he adjusted the simulation parameters.