The hum of resonance energy pulsed, his tacet mark blazing to life a brilliant line of gold that surged from his collarbone down to his right arm.
"Rover, incoming three left flank, two ahead."
Rover nodded once.
Then, they moved.
The Fractsidus squad charged in. Jeff thrust out his arm, summoning the echoes Rover had farmed earlier. They materialized around him in a shimmer of golden sigils, a Junrock ready to smash some shit up. A Scrounge Stalker lunged first, slamming into one enemy, while a crystal wyvern screeched overhead, scattering the formation.
Jeff sprinted through them, sliding across stone, his pistol raised. One shot, two—each bullet found its mark with precision, striking through their armor like glass.
A blade swung toward him from behind. Jeff twisted, caught the soldier's wrist, and slammed his elbow into the man's jaw. Bone cracked. He seized the fallen weapon, spun it once, and hurled it straight into another attacker's chest.
"Behind you!"
Jeff dropped just in time for her to leap over him spinning midair, her sword tracing a gleaming arc. The edge sliced through two Fractsidus soldiers in one sweeping motion. She landed beside him.
Their movements synced instinctively two halves of the same coin. Rover's strikes were elegant yet lethal, while Jeff's style was efficient, and brutal. The replicated resonance energy around him flared, mimicking Rover's techniques almost perfectly.
One last Fractsidus soldier raised his weapon in panic.
Jeff met his gaze. "Bad move."
A flick of his hand energy burst from his palm, mirroring Rover's resonance slash. The wave of force ripped through the air, sending the man sprawling into the mud.
Rover exhaled softly, lowering her blade. Her face softened into a small, triumphant smile. "We're getting good at this, you and I."
Jeff smirked, holstering his pistol with a click. "Agreed."
But movement caught his eye. One of the Fractsidus soldiers was still alive, crawling, and dragging himself through the muck.
Jeff's boots squelched as he approached, his expression unreadable. The wounded man looked up, eyes wide with fear.
"Wait—wait, please! Let's talk about this!"
Jeff leveled the pistol at him. "I already made you a promise. No one walks out of here alive."
"I—I'm sorry! Please—"
BANG
The gunshot cut him off.
A single, merciless sound that echoed through the mountain.
Jeff stood still.
Rover sheathed her sword, her expression unreadable for a moment before softening into a teasing smile. She nudged his shoulder lightly with hers. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
Jeff tilted his head, smirking faintly. "They called you a bitch… and me a fucking boytoy. They were practically asking for it."
Rover laughed. "True."
The gunfire's echo still lingered in the mountain air.
Rover's breathing steadied, her gloved fingers still wrapped tightly around the hilt of her sword ready to draw it at a moments notice. Jeff adjusted the safety on his pistol, scanning the ridgeline above them.
Then—
A faint crunch in the mud.
Bootsteps. Several of them.
Rover's head snapped toward the sound, her eyes narrowing. "Footsteps… they're coming after us."
Jeff's lips pressing into a thin line. "The gunshots must've drawn them in. Dealing with that many's a pain in the ass."
He pointed toward a steep ledge ahead, offering vantage. "If we climb up there, we can circle behind them. Slip past without getting spotted—or take out whoever's creeping up on us first."
Rover gave a short nod, and together they moved, boots slipping against damp stone. When they reached a narrow shelf overlooking the valley, Rover crouched low behind a moss-covered rock.
"Better hide here for now," she whispered, pressing herself against the wall.
Jeff followed suit, crouching beside her. His shoulder brushed hers;feeling their warmth.
Below, a soft, lilting voice broke through the silence.
"Hm… where are they hiding?"
Jeff's gaze sharpened. A lone figure emerged, a beautiful woman with white hair. Her attire swayed with every step.
Rover's grip on her sword tightened. "Looking for us?" she murmured, voice edged with challenge.
The woman smiled faintly, her gaze drifting directly toward their hiding spot.
"Ohh," she purred, tilting her head. "Here you are."
Jeff rose from his crouch, pistol leveled. Rover moved with him, sword gleaming at her side both of them forming a silent, perfect line of defense.
The woman's grin widened. "You're such a box full of surprises."
Jeff's mind flickered with recognition. Holy shit…it's Camellya. He'd seen her face before all over the community feeds, countless brainrot memes and fan edits swirling around her. Seeing her now in the flesh was surreal.
In one seamless motion, Rover stepped forward, pressing the edge of her blade against Camellya's throat while Jeff aimed squarely between her eyes.
Rover impatient and on guard "Who are you?"
Jeff added, "And why are you following us?"
Camellya only laughed soft, musical, and maddeningly soothing. "So we're playing truth or dare now? I see… oops."
Rover's eyes narrowed. "This isn't a game."
"Ooh," Camellya teased, "getting angry already? Sorry, sorry. It's just… so easy to rile you up. You two are the first people in ages who've actually piqued my interest."
Her gaze shifted to Jeff who was still aiming a gun at her face, slow and deliberate. "Especially you."
She dragged her tongue briefly across her lower lip licking it deliberately, taunting.
Rover noticed, her jaw tightening in anger. "Answer the question."
Jeff cocked the hammer back on his pistol. "If I were you, I'd listen to the lady."
Camellya pouted slightly, then chuckled. "Okay, okay. You're not up for small talk. Duly noted. You're both my mission targets, after all."
Jeff's expression hardened. "You're with the Black Shores, aren't you?"
Her smile turned foxlike. "Bingo! I'm one of the Bloom Bearers of the Black Shores. This—" she tapped the black flower emblem pinned in her dress "—is our Blake Bloom. It's our symbol. Supposed to represent our 'mission to save the world.'" She made air quotes, her tone dripping with mockery. "That's what the rules say, at least."
Jeff's mind raced. Camellya… the Bloom Bearer. If she's here, then maybe the Shorekeeper and the other Bloom Bearers isn't far behind.
Rover's voice cut through his thoughts. "What are you planning to do with us?"
Camellya tilted her head, white strands framing her smirk. "Our plans? Let's see… recruit as many talented people as we can, and save the world from its impending doom. That's the pretty version."
Her grin widened. "So… are you in?"
Jeff's tone was flat. "You don't sound like someone who wants to save the world."
She laughed, a light, musical sound that didn't reach her eyes. "Nuh-uh. I don't. The world? Couldn't care less. If it's going to blow up tomorrow, I'd rather have fun while it lasts."
Her eyes gleamed, voice dipping low. "To stop at nothing for more power… to hunt prey without mercy… to indulge in every desire until there's nothing left but pleasure."
Rover's expression hardened. "How are you any different from the Fractsidus, then?"
Camellya sighed dramatically. "Well, I would love to live that way. But alas, duty calls." Her tone turned, almost reverent. "Our 'Garden,' the Black Shores, is full of green fruits. And you two—" she smiled hungrily "—will be our most special seeds."
Jeff frowned. "A… fucking fruit?"
"Oh, don't look so disgusted," she cooed. "My duty is to nurture seeds like you—to help you blossom into luscious fruit. And once the fruit ripens…" her smile turned dangerous, "…I get to savor it. All to myself."
Jeff took a step forward, pressing the barrel of his pistol to her forehead. His voice dropped. "Who do you think you are, to decide that?"
Camellya's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Hehe… I like how cold you sound. It's tempting me to push your buttons even more."
She raised her hands slowly, mock surrender, her grin never fading. "Relax, relax. I'll behave. No need to be so tense."
"I won't do anything… strange to you. I think."
Jeff's finger hovered near the trigger. Rover's blade didn't waver either both of them ready to act if necessary.
Man this woman gives me the creeps.
Jeff kept his pistol steady, finger still resting on the trigger, while Rover stood just beside him, sword gleaming against Camellya's throat.
The woman only smiled unfazed, and almost entertained. She tilted her head slightly, as if admiring the danger she was in.
"Actually," she began softly, her tone playful yet laced with pride, "I've been protecting you."
Jeff's brow furrowed. "Protecting us?"
Camellya's grin widened. "Mhm. I got rid of all sorts of pests trying to get in your way. You really think it was luck that no one's ambushed you for days so that you can rest in that city acting all mushy with each other?"
Rover's eyes narrowed. Her stance didn't relax, but confusion flickered beneath her eyes.
Camellya wrinkled her nose suddenly, tone dipping into mock disgust. "And ew, don't you ever mention me in the same breath as the Fractsidus." She clicked her tongue in annoyance."I couldn't care less about their little power plays. But if they even think of laying their filthy hands on you…"
Her smirk deepened. "You're both mine. And I don't like sharing."
Jeff exchanged a brief glance with Rover
Camellya leaned forward slightly, her voice turning sing-song. "Just a few tricks and those fools were running around like headless chickens. Such a boring crowd."
Jeff's tone was sharp. "...Tricks?"
Rover's sword inched closer to Camellya's throat. "Those fools?"
Camellya blinked, feigning surprise. "Wait—don't tell me you really haven't noticed?"
Neither of them answered.
Her lips curled, and her voice lowered to a near whisper, sultry and taunting. "You enjoyed your nightly rendezvous with that Loong Maiden, didn't you?"
Rover stiffened. Jeff's hand faltered just slightly, eyes narrowing.
Camellya's laughter rang like a chime. "You have me to thank for that peaceful evening. I kept the Fractsidus dogs off your backs."
Jeff said nothing. His silence only made Camellya's grin widen.
"Well," she sighed dramatically, "I've answered plenty of your questions. Now it's your turn."
Jeff tilted his head, still calm but guarded. "What do you want to know?"
Camellya tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… nothing in particular."
Her gaze drifted back to him — deliberate, hungry. Her eyes softened just enough to make it confusing. She looked at him like she was trying to remember something.
Jeff met her stare evenly, but there was a flicker of discomfort behind it. Rover noticed the way Camellya's gaze lingered too long, and the way Jeff's breath hitched just slightly.
The fuck is going on with this woman? She's creeping me out.
Camellya's lips parted in a small, knowing smile. "The way you look at me, it's almost as if…" she trailed off, "...No, never mind."
Rover stepped forward. "Is this how you treat the talents you're trying to recruit by sexually harassing them with your gaze?"
Camellya's smirk faltered for the first time. Her eyes darted between the gun and the sword still trained on her.
She coughed lightly, straightening her dress. "Do you really think I'd be entertaining your questions if I didn't have a blade to my throat and a gun to my head?"
Jeff didn't reply.
Camellya's voice softened almost sincere. "Anyway, I'm not here to pry answers from you." Her tone changed, teasing again. "But I will be watching you. Both of you. You're very special Seeds — I'm certain of it."
Her eyes seemed to glow faintly, studying them with an unsettling sort of familiarity. "There's… something about you two. Something oddly familiar."
Before either could respond, she smiled. The next instant, her form blurred resonance energy bursting outward like petals scattering in the wind.
Rover slashed through the air, but it was too late. The red light dissolved into nothing.
From the mist behind them came her voice.
"My name is Camellya. Try not to kill me next time~!"
And then she was gone.
Rover exhaled, lowering her sword, irritation flickering behind her cool expression. "And she's gone… huh. That was fast."
Jeff holstered his pistol, his brow furrowed. "Guess so."
Rover said nothing.
Then, a soft chime broke the silence. Both of their terminals flashed to life, glowing faint blue.
"Yangyang?"
Her voice burst through, warm and slightly exasperated.
Yangyang: "Rover, Jeff! What took you so long to pick up the call? Did something happen?"
Rover sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Another stalker showed up."
Jeff chuckled dryly beside her. "Yeah. We met a weird woman."
Yangyang: "A weird woman? Friend or foe? Are you guys hurt?"
Jeff leaned against a nearby rock, wiping some debris from his gun before answering. "She's from the Black Shores."
There was a pause. The faint static of concern colored Yangyang's voice.
Yangyang: "The Black Shores… Did she tell you anything?"
Rover folded her arms. "Not much. A shame, really. I let her get away."
Her tone was casual, but Jeff noticed the slight edge in it. She hadn't liked the way Camellya looked at him. Not one bit.
Jeff smiled faintly, almost to himself. "We're both safe, though. Thanks for checking in."
Yangyang: "Phew… That's a relief. At least both of you are safe."
Rover's tone softened slightly. "How's it going over there?"
Yangyang: "Chixia noticed a guy acting suspicious. She's keeping an eye on him right now."
Jeff straightened, a small frown pulling at his brows. A suspicious guy… That must be Aalto, shit.
"Understood," he said quickly. "We'll be there soon."
Yangyang: "Got it. We're near the shopping district. See you then."
The terminal beeped softly before dimming out.
Rover adjusted her gloves, not meeting his eyes. "We should move."
Jeff gave a quiet nod, but he caught the faint crease in her brow, the jealousy she was trying to hide beneath her usual face. He almost smiled, though wisely kept it to himself.
"Yeah," he said, slinging his pistol back into its holster. "Let's not keep them waiting."