circulonovel

During a long war, major countries created underground cities to survive the impending nuclear war. With the arrival of a cruel and devastating war, nuclear winter engulfed everything and isolated the underground cities. Hundreds of years later, the cities' struggle to reconnect, conquer the outside world, or disappear; begins.

Aimex: The last war

"Did you come back to your senses?" Flavia asked her, with contained harshness. "Even if we're friends, I'm not going to let you treat me like that. Let go of me now, or you'll regret it."

Sophia let go of her grip abruptly. She had clenched her fists so tightly that her fingers ached, but letting go didn't bring her any relief. On the contrary. The memory was still there, throbbing, lurking in a corner of her mind, ready to leap out when her willpower faltered.

"Sophi... How long are you going to blame me? Dying is part of this job."

Sophia returned to the desk without looking at her. She didn't plan to dedicate a second more than necessary to her.

"I didn't come here to talk about that. I'm here for another reason."

Flavia raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Do you want help attacking the Nest? I saw the reports. Your boys seem... stalled."

"Stalled is an understatement. Two years of failures are intolerable," Sophia admitted, with a hint of bitterness. She remained upright in the chair, although she really wanted to collapse onto it. "I hate that wretch Silvania, but this time she's right."

"So you didn't come to see me. What a shame," Flavia commented with an ironic smile.

Sophia responded with a cold stare.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes. The general wants my head. If I don't take that damn objective, the next time you see me will be handing out rations."

"It could be a dignified retirement for someone like you."

"Besides your body, you should exercise your brain. It's rotting," Sophia snapped, not holding back. "I've come to ask you to join the attack... you and your cavemen."

Flavia's smile widened. She sat down across from her, crossing her arms, unashamedly showing off her biceps that were still damp with sweat.

"And you're not going to beg me? Not even a little?" Her tone was brazenly mocking. "Something like: 'Big sister, please, lead your honorable warriors to the front, save my ass. Please, yes...'"

Sophia frowned. She knew her too well to think she was completely joking.

"I'm not going to humiliate myself. But if you join... I will never reproach you for anything again. Never."

Flavia's smile vanished instantly.

"That's what I said. Are you deaf?"

"That's not enough for me," she replied, seriously. "I want us to be friends again. You and I were the best. We can be again."

Sophia stood up abruptly. The chair legs scraped against the floor.

"It's always the same with you," she said with contained rage. "I offer you a hand, and you want the whole arm. Can't you just accept what I give you?"

"I don't settle for crumbs," Flavia retorted, without irony this time. "You're like a sister to me."

"You came to extort me first, you shameless thing," Flavia yelled, recovering her usual tone.

Sophia stopped right on the threshold.

"I accept your terms. You're a wretch... but I need you."

And before the door closed completely, she heard Flavia's voice behind her:

Sophia didn't turn around. She walked out with a strange mix of shame and resignation, but also with a slight relief. At least she had achieved her objective. If she ended up harvesting potatoes, there would no longer be room for regret.

Chapter 1: Critical (#3)