Loveless

Chapter 18

The next day, Eloise had training with Sephiroth in the early morning. Her 3rd class training got postponed that week and so, Sephiroth decided to use it for a better purpose.

Eloise was groggily walking towards the simulation room when she met someone familiar. She furrowed her eyebrows, trying to remember what was his name but he recognized her before she could. He stopped in front of her and bowed, his stoic face reminding her of Zack's friend. Right!

"Oh you are Tseng!"

There was no expression on his face. He was a turk so it was quite complicated to say if he was a bad guy or not.

"I am here to deliver this to you." He said as he gave her a box.

It was tiny and fancy which made her reluctant to take it. Tseng chuckled and pushed it into her hands.

"What is this?" She asked, turning it around so she could get a better look at it.

"An invitation," Tseng responded, her eyes widening in surprise.

"If this is an invitation then I really want to see a present. Who is it from anyway?" She searched for the name on the box. It was written on the bottom. "Shinra?!"

Tseng nodded, "I have to go now. I hope you will have a good day, Eloise." He said before he left.

Her eyes travelled to the box and she sighed. She had to go back to her room and place it somewhere visible so she would not forget about it.

When Eloise opened the door to the simulation room she was aware she was late and Sephiroth was going to punish her however, the first and only face she could see was Genesis'. He was there, waiting patiently in the middle of the room, not doing much.

"And so she arrives, eventually."

She raised an eyebrow and walked right past him, glancing around, trying to catch a glimpse of her mentor. He wasn't there.

"Are you searching for Sephiroth, maybe? He is in the control room, watching us." He started, his tone spiteful as if he has been forced to be down there.

But it was his idea. Genesis went to Sephiroth and asked him for a favour. It wasn't for neither of their safety; it was for hers.

"And what is the plan for today's training session?" She asked, wanting nothing but to get it over with as fast as possible.

Genesis chuckled and grabbed his rapier. His eyes travelled over it until he decided to look at her instead, his smirk growing and eyes narrowing.

"Today we fight in Sector 8."

Suddenly, the room shifted into the same alley she had been attacked in. Eloise's eyes widened and she froze for a few seconds. Genesis chuckled before he ran quickly and kicked her. She went flying in the nearest wall.

"That was nasty." Eloise groaned as she got back on her feet.

"This is a fight so take it seriously, Eloise."

She glared at the redhead. That sounded a lot like what Sephiroth would say not Genesis and it was annoying. He didn't have a right to scold her. Genesis held no important position in her life.

Eloise tightened the hold on her sword and swayed it around. When she felt the muscles relax her head raised fast. Genesis wasn't far and he was only watching her, waiting for her to attack. There was something strange going behind him, though. She titled her head to the side for a better view and her eyes widened when she met a pair of red eyes, shining into the darkness.

Up, in the control room, Sephiroth was watching his pupil. She was well until she noticed something behind Genesis, something he couldn't see. He furrowed his eyebrows, leaning closer to the screen so he could make sure there was nothing. He zoomed in but couldn't see anything but empty space.

Genesis on the other side had some problems. He tried to attack her again but she caught his hand easily and threw him to the side. He regained his balance quickly and threw a few fire shots but she dodged them with her sword. Genesis glared at the young SOLDIER and decided to act serious.

As he learned throughout years, the best way to win a fight against someone controlled by power was to attack their mind not their body thus he walked silently towards her and grabbed her arm. She almost electrocuted him again if it wasn't for his reflexes. He inspected her face yet she looked the same, nothing was changing.

Until she heard it. The growl. Her eyes widened and she turned her head towards the wolf. The creature seemed amused as it snarled and started to walk towards her. Eloise took a few steps back but the wolf looked ready to hover over her. She was scared as a sudden rush of electricity invaded her body.

While moving backwards, she felt two strong arms pull her into a weak hug. She noticed that the wolf stopped and watched as she started to squirm in the hug. Genesis let her free but remained close. Once he let her go, the wolf ran quickly towards them. She tensed and grabbed Genesis' hand unconsciously. The wolf was ready to hover over her when he suddenly faded away.

Eloise fell on her knees, her hands and legs trembling as she felt her heartbeats grow unsteady.

"Did you see it?" She asked, grasping Genesis' hand tightly, "It was here. The wolf was here."

Genesis didn't say anything but looked worriedly how someone so feisty could be come so vulnerable. And the reason, well that was the main problem: no one but her could see the wolf.