Tranquil Temple

Ice crunched beneath Neo's feet, leaving a trail of small footprints in the snow. They didn't last very long, vanishing under a fresh layer within minutes of their creation. The wind sang a fearsome song, howling in her ears and pushing the navy hood down over her eyes. She yanked it back up again with a huff and held it tightly in place, looking around to try and get her bearings. It wasn't her favorite pastime, trekking blindly through a blizzard, but at the moment, it was the safest. The temperatures were well below freezing, visibility was at an all-time low. There was no way anyone would follow her. Hell, she couldn't even tell which way she came. And, if she were lucky, no one else would be able to either.

Otherwise, all of this trouble would have been for nothing. Against all odds, Neo escaped from the Den, utilizing a clever strategy hatched by none other than their unit's scout sergeant. In the chaos unfolding with the Aragami alarm, she had 'deployed' with members of the defense to mitigate the 'looming threat.' Leaving with Gina and Gunter, Neo was off to the wilderness with orders to disappear and stay that way until she received further instruction. Simple enough orders to follow. They hadn't given her much direction outside of that. They didn't have time. It was just as well, the plan itself was convoluted enough, and the fact that they had done it on the fly and successfully pulled it off was honestly impressive even to her.

After leaving Headquarters, the trio made their way to the old city. There, they landed a few miles away from the north wall where, incidentally, there actually was a Hera running wild around the perimeter. After helping her squadron quickly dispatch the creature, Neo branched off, slipping away into the wild during all the chaos. Since then, she had been on the run. From the City of Mercy to the cliffsides overlooking Aegis, and everywhere in between. She remained in constant motion, staying out of sight, always looking over her shoulder for her greatest threat.

That had been days ago. And up until this point, she had been faring rather well, all things considered. Now, she was slowly unraveling. After nearly 58 hours alone in the wilderness with no weapon, no supplies, and no medication to help manage her anxieties, she was growing paranoid rather quickly. Every snapping branch had her whipping around, every warble of the wind sent her ducking into the shadows. It had been a long time since she had lived this way; a stranded fugitive lost and alone in the frozen wastes.

She hated it.

Her feet came to a halt, eyes squinting to look at the area around her. Listening, she wrapped her arms around herself and went completely still. A familiar sensation washed over her, one that filled her with uncertainty and dread. That unnerving feeling that never ceased to make her skin crawl. The feeling of being followed.

Since a few hours ago, she had started feeling nervous, seeing, and hearing someone or something in the distance. It was faint, drowned out by the howling winds. They were small, subtle things; she could swear she heard an extra footstep in the snow, noticed a fleeting shadow. Yet whenever she turned, there was no one there. The only signs of life she encountered were a few Fallen Ogretails and a random Fallen Kongou, all of which had attacked her immediately on sight. That meant that whatever, or whoever, was following her was no hungry adversary. No, this behavior was distinctly human. And that was, of course, assuming there was anything there at all. She wouldn't be surprised at this point if her mind were giving into delusion.

Perhaps it already had.

Neo remained still, unmoving as a tiny statue against the winds. She let her senses take over, reaching outward for any sign of life. For a few moments, there was nothing. The air around her was still as a drifting river. Then, to her horror, she found one. The distinct call of Oracle cells reached her, making their way forward. They were getting stronger, which meant they coming closer. And whether they belonged to God Eater or beast, neither would be in her favor. Fighting any monster in this storm was a possible death wish, and any human who would stray so far in these conditions could only have ill intent. Fight or flight began to kick in, adrenaline rushing through her veins, her heart beating faster. After only a moment of thought, she chose the latter.

Striding through the snow, Neo ducked into a nearby building and disappeared from sight, steadying her breathing. Her ears keened, senses sharpening as she swiftly made her way into a back room, far from the open entranceway of the building. The winds rattled against the rickety walls of her dilapidated shelter; the creaking so loud, she wondered for a moment if they would be able to hold. The wood was far beyond repair; and from the looks of it, she could only assume she had stumbled into what used to be someone's home. Someone who had long since left this world. Hiding in the bedroom, Neo felt silent and waited.

A few minutes passed with nothing but the wind. The only sound she could hear clearly was her own pulse. She still sensed the Aragami nearby heading in her direction, but she was no longer concerned. She was out of sight, and the mindless creatures weren't known for seeking out more than an easy meal. She would wait until the creature moved on. For the time being, she was safe. That was what she believed. But that changed instantaneously when a gentle creak echoed from the next room, the area she had entered from. The front door had been opened. It was just as she feared.

The New Type went into defense mode, heart hammering against her chest and blood flowing violently through her veins. Her senses were alight, every cell in her body radiating as her enemy drew near. A quick analysis gave her some insight into what she was up against. The adversary was light on its feet, far too careful to be anything other than a human follower. She suspected it was the one who had been stalking her. And the one who, depending on their next interaction, would be met with razor-sharp claws. The hunter would soon become the hunted, her body going perfectly still and pressing gently against the wall.

The floor creaked beneath the person's weight, shifting around as it moved between the building's rooms. As another door sounded from the kitchen, she suddenly realized she had placed herself in a precarious situation. The bedroom was far too enclosed; it would hinder should she need to mobilize. And due to the decrepit state of the flooring, any movement she made would stress the floorboards, making noise and giving away her location. Were she to move a muscle, her position would be announced. She was trapped and, she reminded herself, unarmed. Her natural weaponry would be her only ally here. The footsteps left the kitchen and returned to the main area, exploring the narrow hallway. As the sound drew closer, her fingers twitched, talons angling as she slowly lifted her arm in wait.

The creaking was steady, purposeful as her enemy approached. Like a predator sniffing out its prey. Her body tightened like a coil, poised to spring forward and strike like a serpent at the first sign of movement. Then, suddenly, the noise stopped, feet coming to a pause outside of the bedroom door. One more step would bring them to her. To their end. Yet there was only silence. Only the sound of whistling wind reached her ears, Oracle cells plucking her senses. It seemed her enemy was cunning. With her options dwindling, she focused her energy, building a charge…

"…Neo?"

The quietest whisper reached her through the doorway, careful and cautious in its address. The moment she heard it, she exhaled; her entire body releasing all its tension at once. Throwing open the door, she stormed out, glaring at her childhood friend with dangerous eyes. "Soma, are you crazy?! I could have killed you, why didn't you say something sooner?"

"I didn't want to call out to you, in case I was followed," he explained simply, lowering his God Arc to the floor.

"You think they followed you out here?"

"Not likely, but I wasn't taking any chances. Those people are persistent."

"What about your tracking beacon? Will that not alert them?"

"Disabled for covert operation."

"…People can do that?"

"I can. Perk of being the Director's son."

"Convenient." Leaning against the wall, Neo willed her heartbeat to slow. Soma was there, and he posed no threat to her. She was safe. However, that relief only lasted for a moment, suddenly replaced with confusion. "…What are you doing out here anyway?"

"I got authorization for emergency 'Remnant Facility operations.' High priority." When his only response was a blank stare, Soma scoffed. "You didn't think we were going to just leave you in the wilderness, did you?"

"Yes. The Nova is still on the loose."

"Exactly. All the more reason to come and find you."

"You shouldn't be wandering out here alone, Soma."

"And neither should you." He left no room for argument, turning and making his way back toward the main area. Neo watched him move around, scoping out the building once more. He left her line of sight, moving back into the kitchen area and rummaging around. He returned a few moments later with what appeared to be some sort of dishware, abandoned by their owner. Of no surprise to her, he had brought food rations, probably enough to last for a few days. Her teammate was nothing if not prepared. "The storm isn't letting up any time soon, and you look like you haven't eaten since yesterday."

"I haven't."

"Figured a much. Come on. You should eat something."

Neo stared at him, eyes widening for the briefest moment. Then, they softened, a warm feeling rising in her chest. It had been a long time since she had been forced to live in the wild, lost and alone. Following Hiroyuki's burial, that was her life before her return to the North American branch. Every waking moment had been spent living in constant fear. With nothing but her thoughts and endless hordes of hungry monsters for company. It was an awful feeling, isolation of the worst caliber. And Soma had willingly left safe haven behind, lugging food items and supplies. All so she wouldn't have to endure it alone. She never wanted to feel that loneliness again. And now, because of him, she wouldn't have to. She couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips as she gave the quietest whisper.

"…Thank you, Soma."

. . .

Hours passed and night eventually fell. Soma filled her in on all she had missed since her departure. He told her of how the current events had come to pass; that Otto had discovered the remainder of her documentation on Aegis Island and run it immediately back to her captors. She learned that it had been Gunter of all people who had sprinted clear across the base to warn them of such and helped them hatch the plan to make her escape. She learned of the executive visiting the branch, Garland von Schicksal, brother to Johannes. He was older, with similar ambitions of grandeur. And, if all that had transpired were any indication, he was just as, if not more ruthless than his sibling had been. Though Soma had seen him throughout his life growing up, the two had never been particularly close. As he so eloquently put it: the man was a prick.

It seemed that brutality was common in the Schicksal bloodline; it wasn't difficult to see where Soma got his attitude from. Yet strangely, that seemed to be where their similarities ended. Her eyes focused, softening at the man sitting across from her; her childhood friend. The only other one like her in the world. He was so different from the two of them; it made her wonder if perhaps he took primarily after his mother. His kind nature, though he often hid it, was so very far gone from the others.

Or… perhaps it wasn't. Maybe Soma was the man Johannes could have been grief and power not driven him to madness. One could only wonder.

With Soma finishing the last of his report, Neo shook her head. "He sounds like a lovely person."

His eyes narrowed. "I seriously hope you're being sarcastic."

"I am." Her blunt response made him chuckle. "So, it seems I have to remain hidden for the time being."

"Yeah. At least until he's gone." She nodded her head in silence, eyes drifting off into thought. He brought her back again, getting her attention before she could slip away. "How've you been holding up since you left?"

Neo shrugged. "More or less, fine… I didn't run into many threats, and finding sustenance wasn't too difficult. The cold preserves most rations. What I can't find inside, I substitute."

"Hmph…" Soma grunted, crossing his arms, and leaning back against the couch.

Neo watched him affixing his signature scowl back onto his face before she snickered. "Hehe…"

"Something funny?"

"No, not really. It's just… no matter how much time passes, you're still the same Soma."

"Still the same…? From when we were kids?" Soma felt a strange lump in his throat, realizing at that moment that he had never considered such a question. How did Neo view him? After all that had happened between them, did she still see him as her childhood friend? Or did she now see him as an ally or comrade in arms? Did she see him as something closer, like family? And if she did, what did that look like to her? Did she still see him as that smiling boy in the Norn Communication Server, or did she see him for who he had come to be? Did Neo see him as a man?

…Did he want her to?

"Not… exactly. In some ways, you are still that same child I spent all those nights with. You're just… older. You're still irritable and impatient… you're still grumpy and blunt and you still speak your mind. But you're also still honest, and kind… and even though you don't always show it, you care about the people closest to you. Life has hardened you in some ways. But no matter how many years have passed… You're still you."

Soma felt his body exhale, releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding. He hadn't realized how important her answer was to him until that moment. How strange.

"What about me?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you still see me as that little girl…?"

"Yeah."

"Huh?" Neo blinked. He didn't even hesitate. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or insulted. A moment later, he continued.

"In a lot of ways, you still are. You've matured, but you still have a lot of the same habits."

"How so?"

"It's little things. Your nose still twitches when you're angry. Your face still lights up at the mention of sweets. You still tilt your head to the side when you're curious or confused…" A quick pause in his explanation gave his words credence; her head sitting lopsided as he spoke. He couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him, a small smirk appearing on his face. "Exactly like that."

"Hmph." Neo huffed, crossing her arms, and shifting her gaze to the side. Her display only served to make him laugh even harder.

"And you still pout when you're frustrated," he finished, taking note of her grumbling.

"I see. So, in other words, you still think me a child."

He shook his head and corrected. "No… not a child." To say that he still saw her in such a way would be a blatant lie at this point, both to her and to himself. Despite her ceaseless antics, Soma simply didn't see her in that way. In fact, he hadn't seen her that way for a long while. He wasn't sure when exactly he had truly started seeing Neo as a woman, but…

"What I mean to say is, you're still you. Behind the scythe, behind the ferocity, all the bloodshed and death, sometimes… every once in a while… I catch a glimpse."

"A glimpse…? Of what?"

"A glimpse of that happy little girl. Life has done a number on you, that much is obvious… but despite all that you've been through, somehow, those small parts of you never changed. Those people, they tried to break your body, your mind, and they damn near succeeded… but not your spirit. No matter how hard they tried, no matter what they did to you, they couldn't extinguish that light."

Neo stared at him, eyes wide and mouth agape. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting from him, but it certainly wasn't that. She had never realized that was how he thought about her, how much he had noticed. She hadn't even realized he was paying attention. And she had never thought that he would voice it, so openly and not through the lens of a computer screen. It was a strange feeling to her… but not an unpleasant one. So much so that she felt alarmed when she realized how warm her face had become.

At her silence, Soma turned his attention back to her and saw the look on her face. The dim light in the room made it almost impossible to tell, but he could have sworn he saw a redness beneath her brown skin. Surely, he must have imagined it, Neo blushing. Shaking his head, he added with a smirk. "…And you're still a pain my ass."

At that, the spell was broken, her round eyes growing narrow for a moment. Then, they brightened with amusement. Chuckling, she leaned back against the wall. "Yeah… that makes two of us."

. . .

The pair hunkered down for the evening, spreading out to different parts of the house. By some stroke of luck, the home had two bedrooms, both down a single hall. Neo took the one at the far end, leaving Soma in the former. He insisted on it; were anything — or anyone — to find their way in, they would have to get passed him to reach her. After saying their goodnights, they separated, and Neo laid against the bed with a heavy sigh. Another night of frozen solitude. But at least she wasn't entirely alone.

Soma slipped his way out of the house after leaving her to her own devices. He wanted to do one last check, look around the immediate area before risking slumber. It didn't take him long, only a few minutes as he circled the rundown home and nearby houses. A soldier watched him from a distance through the cracks of a delipidated building further down the way. His eyes narrowed against the binoculars, lips scowling at the other veteran disappearing into the house. Soma had gotten to her first. Would his obstacles never cease?

"Tch…" shaking his head, he turned and made his way back to his temporary base.