Invisible Hollow Incident | A Zenless Zone Zero Fan Story

Chapter 1: Trapped In A New Life

It's a cold night on a relatively empty sixth street save for two figures sitting at the Waterfall noodle store.

"You... didn't have to get this for me, I would have been fine just waiting."

"I am meant to escort safely to your new temporary home, I wouldn't be doing my job properly if I just left you outside of it until they came out."

"I understand that but... you still didn't have to-"

"I was hungry and wanted to get some, it's only right I got a bowl for you as well, besides, noodles are a very good food source and I can't imagine you have had too much to eat as of recent."

"You're right... though they can't be that good for your health, especially with how spicy the ones you ordered are."

"It keeps me alert, and I enjoy the spice."

"Fair... well... thank you..."

"It's no problem at all."

The week that followed the 'Invisible Hollow Incident' as it was called was a chaotic one as many areas were trying to re-coop from heavy losses. In the end, not very many were able to be evacuated from the Hollow with the number of those surviving barely hitting triple digits, including those who were sent in for the rescue operation
Soldier 11 and Cyrus were one of those lucky few who escaped with their lives, for the trained soldier with limitless expertise in the battle field it had just been a particularly hard mission, though the same can't be said for Cyrus. It had just been a normal day for him at school when the attacks started, he had been lucky enough to be in the halls, away from everything with enough time to find somewhere to hide before eventually being able to run out of the building to be found by Soldier 11.

"How's that injury healing up?"

Cyrus goes to feel his right side, just below his ribs, wincing as soon as his hand touches the area.
"Still not any less painful."

"That's concerning, I would've expected it to at least start healing by now. I'll see what I can do about getting in contact with someone who can look at it properly. You already have my number do you not?"

"I haven't removed it."

"Good, than you'll know who I am when I message you."
Just then, Soldier 11's phone goes off, she retrieves it from her pocket and reads the message before returning it and standing up.
"He'll be out very soon, have you finished your noodles."

"I have. Do I need to do anything with the bowl?"

"Kid, have you not been to a Waterfall Soup before?"

General Chop, who had been finishing clean up in preparation to pack up for the night had wandered back to the front after hearing them talk about leaving.

"Just leave the bowl there, I can get it once I'm done with this bench over here."

"You sure?"

"Haha, you really haven't been to a Waterfall Noodle's before, there's no where else for you to really put the bowl, once customers finish I can just reach over and grab it with my handy arms here."
He flexes the arm like tools he has strapped to him.
"And even if that wasn't the case, I could make an exception with you being with her."

Soldier 11 gets up "Come on, we really have to move."

General Chop glances over to the soldier, a smile creeping on the edge of his face.
"Really full of emotions that one is, look, kid, you'll be fine, I know the two behind that video store, they'll help get you back up on your feet and to a normal feeling life again in no time. I know you've been through a lot recently but believe me when I say, this is the best outcome you could have gotten."