Arc - Genesis of Flux - Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - To Orion City

December 19, 998

Sunrise

South shot up, jolted awake, Zofia's words still ringing in his ears from the day before. Without wasting any time, he slinged his bag over his shoulder as he hurried out of his room. The door slid open as he moved down the corridor, searching for Zofia's quarters.

After a few wrong turns, he finally found it. He knocked on the door.

"Come in," Zofia's voice called from inside.

South entered, expecting to find Zofia ready, but the room appeared empty. He turned to the side, and there she was, in the shower. She turned around, and instantly, South's face turned red. His nose erupted in a gushing fountain of blood, spraying a lot as he yelled, stumbling back.

"WHAT THE—"

Zofia barely looked his way, completely unfazed. "You done?"

South clamped his nose shut, blood still spurting. "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO UNSEE THAT?!" he screamed.

"SERIOUSLY? A LITTLE WARNING WOULD BE NICE!"

Zofia didn't bother covering up, just casually rinsing the soap off her hair. "Relax, South. It's just a body."

"You're impossible," South said, face still red. He clenched his fists, trying to erase what he just saw. He could hear the water shutting off, followed by the sound of Zofia drying herself.

She took her time getting dressed, pulling on her clothes. South could hear the swish of clothes, and then the spritz of perfume filled the air. The sweet scent flowed over, and he couldn't help but take it in, light and floral, with a hint of spice.

"Like it?" Zofia teased, seeing him look back.

"It's…fine," South mumbled, trying to play it cool. "But you could've at least given me a heads-up."

Zofia shrugged, smirking as she fastened her belt. "Where's the fun in that?"

Just as South was about to retort, Zofia suddenly sniffed the air and made a face. "Okay, hold on, what's that smell?"

South frowned. "What smell?"

"It's you, South." hiding her giggle. "You reek. First thing we're doing when we get to the city is getting you some new clothes and a decent cologne."

"I don't need cologne," South grumbled. "I'm fine as I am."

Zofia raised an eyebrow. "Sure, if you want people to think you've been living in a dumpster full of human corpses."

They walked out of the room together, making their way down the corridor and descending a staircase near the conference hall. Zofia led him up a hidden ladder that South had never noticed before, tucked away in a corner.

He glanced up as they climbed. "How come I never knew about this?"

Zofia laughed. "It's a secret. Well, it was. You just never asked."

They reached the surface. The sun was still low. Zofia looked around the valley.

"Glad you woke up on time," she said. "The carriage should be here soon."

South leaned against a nearby wall, folding his arms. "So, what's the plan? What are we even doing?"

Zofia shrugged. "Nothing too crazy. Just a break, hang out in Orion City, clear our heads."

"A break, huh?" South said, unconvinced. "You don't seem like the type who takes breaks."

She looked at him. "You're right. But I even need to recharge now and then."

They fell into silence, waiting for the carriage. South looked at Zofia, trying to figure her out. "So, what were you like before all this? The whole mercenary thing?"

Zofia leaned against the wall beside South, crossing her arms. "I grew up in the deep forests of Veilstorm. My parents were hunters. They taught me everything: tracking, shooting, surviving. Every hunt was a lesson. Patience, precision, respect for the land. It was our life."

South listened, intrigued by this glimpse into her past. "Figures you'd be raised in the wild."

Zofia nodded. "One day, I was out hunting alone, tracking deer. Quiet, just the sound of the forest. And then I saw it, a creature, towering, demonic looking, tearing through the herd. Not killing to eat, just... slaughtering. So, I shot it. Dumb move." She laughed. "That thing turned on me faster than I could blink."

South raised his eyebrow. "And I bet you just stood your ground, huh?"

"Hell no," Zofia laughed. "I ran. It chased me all the way back home. My parents and I fought it off, but our bullets were useless. The thing was relentless. And just when I thought it was over, something... clicked. A musket appeared out of thin air and stopped the brute's strike. More guns just... appeared, firing on their own, tearing it apart. I don't know what happened, but it saved us."

South was silent, processing. "Damn."

"Yeah, it changed everything. Made me realise I couldn't just hunt animals anymore. There were bigger threats out there. So, I left home, joined Leichein. Figured if I could take down a monster like that, I could protect others too."

South nodded, impressed. "From deer hunter to assassin. Quite the leap."

Zofia shrugged. "Just doing what I can. Same as you."

South hesitated, then shrugged. "Not much to tell. Orphaned young. My siblings and I scraped by stealing whatever we could until…well, let's just say life took a turn."

Zofia's eyes softened. "Sounds rough."

"Yeah, but it made me who I am." South looked away, his tone lightening. "Anyway, enough about the past. What's the first thing you're doing once we get to this Orion shit?"

Zofia thought for a moment, then smiled. "First thing, we're hitting up a clothing store. I'm getting you some new clothing. No offence, but that smell? It's not gonna fly in Orion."

South's expression shifted, half amused, half annoyed. "What, you don't like my rugged charm?"

"Rugged? Sure, let's call it that," Zofia teased. "But seriously, new clothes, then we'll find you a proper fragrance. Something that won't have people running the other way. And don't worry, I'm paying, so you better not argue."

South laughed, pretending to protest. "I'm not some charity case, you know."

"Yeah, yeah. I just don't wanna be stuck in a carriage with that smell any longer since we're going back in a couple of days," Zofia said, grinning. "After that, we'll rent an apartment. A nice one, none of that rundown stuff. We'll be sharing a room, of course. One bed, don't get any weird ideas."

South's face flushed. "Wait, one bed? I'm not sharing a bed with you! I'll just sleep on the floor."

Zofia rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, don't be dramatic. It's just a bed. You think I'm thrilled about sharing with you? But there's no need to make this a big deal."

"I'm serious. I'm not taking the bed from you," South insisted.

Zofia giggled. "Who said you're taking it from me? I'm not the one making this awkward. We're both adults, plus I don't want you to damage your back. It's just sleeping. Deal with it."

They stared each other down for a moment before South finally sighed, giving in. "Alright, fine. But I'm bringing a pillow barrier."

Zofia laughed, amused by his embarrassment. "Deal. Now let's get you sorted out, alright? New clothes, some proper cologne, and then we can figure out where to eat and find some fun spots. Orion's got plenty."

South nodded, finally warming up to the idea. "Sure, I guess. could use a break from all the chaos."

Zofia smiled. "Trust me, you'll like it. We'll make the most of it, get you looking sharp, smelling good, and maybe even having some fun."

The sound of hoofbeats could be heard, interrupting their conversation. The carriage approached, pulled by two horses. The driver tipped his hat, and Zofia signalled to South.

"Let's get moving," she said, climbing into the carriage. South followed, settling into the seat beside her.

The driver snapped the reins, and the horses ran forward, starting their long journey to Orion City.

After a while, Zofia leaned back, watching nature go by. "We've got eight hours of this. But hey, we should probably rest at some point. Orion's not going anywhere."

South stretched, settling in. "I've done worse." South smirked. "What, you don't trust me to keep watch?"

Zofia laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, I trust you. I just don't want you drooling on my shoulder when you fall asleep."

South rolled his eyes. "Fine. How about this? One of us stays awake while the other naps. We switch every hour. That way, we're both rested by the time we get there."

Zofia considered it, then nodded. "Deal. But if I catch you slacking off, you're paying for your own stuff."

"Sure, sure," South said, laughing.

They settled into their plan. South leaned back, eyes drifting shut, trusting Zofia to keep watch.

"Wake me in an hour," he murmured.

"Count on it," Zofia replied, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

As South's breathing evened out, Zofia smiled to herself. The journey was long, and the city was still far away, but for now, this was enough. They had each other's backs.