꧁ • 𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲 • ꧂

✧ • chapter eleven • ✧

Reflexes and Reverence

A shadow moved across the cracked, decaying walls, not quite a shadow, though it wore the darkness like skin. Cloaked in a hooded mantle, the figure glided more than walked, each step silent, deliberate. It wasn't human... or at least, it no longer moved like one.

Then,

A bullet sliced through the silence, whistling past the cloaked figure's cheek. She tilted just in time, avoiding death by a breath.

"Not bad reflexes... for a beginner," a voice chuckled from above—low, male, and laced with mischief.

The hooded figure halted mid-step, the quiet settling like ash around them. Slowly, deliberately, pale fingers reached up to lower the hood, revealing a young woman's face- sharp, cold, unreadable. Her eyes glinted under the faded moonlight.

"Nice try," she said flatly, her voice like ice scraping steel.

A figure dropped from the upper ledge he'd been perched on, landing with ease. He stood some distance away, but in this dead place, every sound echoed like a secret exposed. He grinned.

"You knew the bullet was coming, didn't you... Nova?"

There it was. The name.

Yes jokes over. The cloaked figure was none other than me.

I glared across the dim-lit ruin at the idiot who dared fire at me. Of course, it was him, B-723. Always a storm of chaos wrapped in sarcasm.

"I came," I said coolly, "just like you told me to."

"I can see that," he replied, casually brushing dust off his sleeve. "Honestly, I might consider it an honor if I manage to send a shiver down your spine, Empress."

"You wish," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Kind enough to tell me why you called me here?"

Before the question fully escaped my lips, he launched at me.

No hesitation. No warning.

My adrenaline kicked in hard. I dodged instinctively, my movements fluid at first- graceful even. But he was fast. Too fast. One of his strikes landed- a sharp jab to my leg.

I stumbled, losing balance, and hit the ground with a solid thud that rattled my pride more than my bones.

"Hey- hey, you okay?" he said quickly, rushing over. His tone flickered between concern and guilt as he offered a hand.

I took it, dusting myself off as I stood, breathing a bit uneven. "That was... unannounced. Cute."

"That's the point," he said, his grin returning, less mocking this time. "Get used to it. We're training for the real thing. And don't start doubting yourself just cause you fell. You're better than most."

"Oh, really?" I arched a brow, brushing hair from my face. "Coming from someone I pulled out from that misery?"

"Yes, you did," he said, his voice dropping softer. "Empress."

I reached forward, nearly grabbing his collar. "Stop calling me that," I said through gritted teeth-but I let it slide. Barely.

"Alright then, Empress," he teased with a wink. "Shall we get back to the real workout?"

I exhaled, sharpening my focus. "I never back down from a challenge."

And with those words, the chaos began again- sparks flying, fists clashing, silence shattered in the name of survival.

 *Previously...* 

"Hey, glad to see you back, A-007," B- 723 said with a grin, his voice laced with a teasing warmth that made my chest tighten with something unnamable.