Loveless

Chapter 16

"Why don't you just blast some fire from your hand? It's getting cold."

While Eloise was preparing for the night in the desert, Genesis was clearly struggling to keep himself occupied. His thoughts kept circling dark places. Ever since he had realized that her blood could only stabilize his condition for a short time—and not cure it—his view of Shinra had grown steadily more bitter.

He tried to set up his own tent, but irritation quickly got the better of him. With a sharp motion, he released a small fireball that reduced the structure to nothing. After that, he stalked off to cool down. From a distance, the scene was almost funny. By the time he returned, Eloise was already eating, calm and settled, while he looked annoyed but slightly more composed.

"You can manage on your own," he muttered.

He already looked exhausted, and the mission had barely started. They hadn't even located the politician yet.

For the first time, Genesis found himself questioning the assignment. Normally, as a high-ranking SOLDIER, he dealt with monsters or threats to Shinra. Now he was stuck in the desert with someone he barely spoke to anymore, sent on a quiet execution mission that felt deliberately misplaced.

Just hours earlier, he had shouted at her, accusing her of incompetence. He hadn't truly meant it, but she was the only person he could lash out at without consequence.

From where she sat, Eloise observed the situation with quiet amusement. Her tent was properly set, her supplies organized, while Genesis had nothing but scorched sand to show for his efforts. Pride had clearly worked against him, and she could see it irritated him.

"That's funny," she said lightly. "Your temper's getting worse. Is that another side effect of my blood?"

She was teasing, and he knew it. Normally he would snap back, but he didn't have the energy. He stayed silent, jaw tight.

Eloise tilted her head and crossed her legs.
"So why are you so angry, Genesis?"

"Don't you find it strange that we were paired together?" he asked instead.

Truthfully, she had questioned Lazard's decisions long ago. The Jenova file was still hidden in her room, and she knew what would happen if anyone found it. Being sent with Genesis felt deliberate, either to remove them from sight or to see what would happen if they were forced together.

"We're hunting someone who ran into the desert," she said simply. "That's all I need to know."

Genesis's gaze drifted toward her. She had already finished setting up camp and now sat by the fire, staring into the flames as if searching for answers there.

As the moon rose higher and stars spread across the sky, Eloise remained silent, her thoughts growing heavier. She wanted clarity—truths she could stand on—but Shinra buried everything behind locked doors and half-answers. The only one who seemed to understand even part of it was sitting across from her.

Who am I really fighting for? she wondered. What eyes should I trust?

The creature with red eyes had asked her the same question.

She startled when a hand touched her shoulder. Turning quickly, she found Genesis standing close, his expression softened by the moonlight.

"Go to sleep, Eloise."

She stared at him without answering. He sighed when it became clear she wasn't going to comply and, instead of pressing her, lowered himself to sit beside her.

"Your eyes," she said suddenly. "Are they deceiving me?"

"Does that question have a point?" he replied, matching her evasiveness.