Loveless

Chapter 18

The next day, Eloise had early training scheduled with Sephiroth. Her usual Third Class sessions had been postponed for the week, and he had decided to use that time more... productively.

Still half-asleep, she was making her way toward the simulation room when she noticed a familiar figure standing in the corridor.

"What brings you here, Tseng?" she asked, slowing her steps.

His expression, as always, revealed nothing. Being a Turk made him difficult to read, and she was never quite sure whether to trust him or keep her guard up.

"I'm here to deliver this to you," he said, holding out a small box.

It was neat and carefully wrapped, far too elegant for something handed over so casually. Eloise hesitated before taking it. Tseng gave a faint, almost amused exhale and gently pressed it into her hands.

"What is this?" she asked, turning it over to inspect it.

"An invitation," he replied.

Her eyes widened slightly. "An invitation?" She frowned, inspecting the box more closely. "If this is an invitation, I'd really like to see the actual gift. Who is it from, anyway?"

She tilted the box until she noticed the name printed discreetly on the bottom.

"Shinra...?"

Tseng nodded once. "That is correct."

Before she could ask anything else, he stepped back.

"I have to go now. I hope you have a good day, Eloise."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the corridor.

She stared down at the box again and let out a quiet sigh. Whatever this was, it didn't feel like something she should open in the middle of the hallway. Turning around, she headed back toward her room, deciding to leave it somewhere visible so she wouldn't forget about it later.

When Eloise opened the door to the simulation room, she was already aware she was late and fully expected Sephiroth to punish her for it. Instead, the first—and only—face she saw was Genesis's.

He stood in the middle of the room, waiting, arms relaxed at his sides, looking far too patient for someone who usually radiated irritation.

"And so she arrives. Eventually."

She raised an eyebrow and walked past him without answering, scanning the room in search of her mentor. Sephiroth was nowhere in sight.

"Looking for Sephiroth?" Genesis asked, his tone sharp, almost resentful. "He's in the control room, watching us."

It sounded like an accusation, even though this had been his idea. Genesis had been the one to ask Sephiroth for this session, not for his own sake, but for hers.

"And what exactly is the plan for today's training?" Eloise asked flatly, already wishing it were over.

Genesis let out a quiet chuckle and reached for his rapier. His gaze lingered on the blade for a moment before lifting to her, his smirk slow and deliberate.

"We fight in Sector 8."

The room shifted instantly.

The familiar alley materialized around them, the same narrow streets, the same oppressive atmosphere. Eloise's eyes widened before she could stop herself, and for a brief moment her body went rigid.

Genesis noticed—and smiled.

Before she could react, he rushed forward and kicked her hard, sending her crashing into the nearest wall.

"That was nasty," she groaned as she forced herself back onto her feet.

"This is a fight," Genesis replied coldly. "Take it seriously, Eloise."

She glared at him. The words sounded too much like something Sephiroth would say, and that irritated her even more. Genesis had no right to lecture her. He wasn't her mentor, and he wasn't in a position to judge her.

She tightened her grip on her sword and rolled her shoulders, forcing herself to focus. Slowly, she loosened her stance, letting instinct take over. When she lifted her head again, Genesis was standing only a few steps away, watching her closely, waiting.

Something behind him caught her attention.

Her gaze drifted past his shoulder, and she tilted her head slightly, trying to focus. Her breath hitched when she saw it: a pair of red eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.

Up in the control room, Sephiroth leaned forward. From his perspective, nothing was there. The area behind Genesis was empty. He adjusted the display, zoomed in, scanned again—but saw nothing out of place.

Below, Genesis moved first. He lunged, trying to catch her off guard, but she reacted quickly, catching his wrist and throwing him aside. He recovered almost instantly and sent a series of fire shots toward her. She deflected them with her blade, sparks scattering as steel met flame.

Genesis narrowed his eyes. Enough restraint.

He advanced again, slower this time, more deliberate. Years of experience told him that brute force wouldn't work if her mind was slipping. He closed the distance and grabbed her arm, intending to ground her before she lost control completely.

She nearly electrocuted him on instinct. He barely managed to pull back in time.

Her face, however, looked unchanged.

Then she heard it.

The growl.

Her eyes widened and snapped toward the sound. The wolf stood there again, its red eyes gleaming as it stepped forward with unnerving patience. Eloise staggered back, heart pounding, a surge of electricity flooding through her veins.

She retreated instinctively, breath uneven, until strong arms wrapped around her from behind. She stiffened, ready to strike, but paused when she realized it was Genesis. He held her firmly but carefully, grounding rather than restraining her.

The wolf stopped.

It watched them for a moment as she struggled weakly in his grasp. Genesis loosened his hold but stayed close. When he released her completely, the creature lunged forward—only to dissolve into nothing just before reaching them.

Eloise dropped to her knees, shaking. Her hands trembled violently, her breathing uneven as her heart raced out of control.

"Did you see it?" she whispered, clutching Genesis's hand without realizing it. "It was here. The wolf was right here."

Genesis didn't answer right away. He looked down at her, unsettled by how fragile she suddenly seemed, by how quickly her strength had collapsed into fear.

And that was the real problem.

No one else could see the wolf.