Exploring Hollow Zero is like asking for a death sentence. No one has the right mind to dive into it, but it is marked like a treasure map. While this strange phenomenon has cost people their lives, it remains a center of interest for many.
However, Anby Demara only has a simple reason for exploring it this time.
With all the debts endangering her agency, Anby volunteers to be a part of Phaethon's exploration team in the Hollow Zero. She learns only recently that the siblings work in the Scott Outpost as independent investigators, and Billy has accompanied them once before. Seeing this as an opportunity to help the Gentle House, Anby becomes listed under Phaethon's team in exploring the Old Metro Area.
But with all the luck and misfortunes, Anby has fallen to the latter side of the pendulum.
Anby hides behind debris while staring at her bandaged leg. It has been hours since her separation from the team. No one will ever expect that a long fissure will crack the path they are taking, and if not for Anby's quick thinking, her fellow investigators will be the ones in her place.
To her own expense.
Falling at such a height, Anby only realizes later that a long wound trails on her leg. She remembers slipping through a fissure, and her current location is outright different from earlier. Now all lost, without contact, and with dangerous Ethereals around, Anby cannot tell if she can even leave this place called Limbo.
What a day to be alive.
Or to die.
Anby breathes deeply, yet the air is heavy. Etheric pressure is higher than what her aptitude can handle. And most of all…
Crystals are forming in her skin.
Anby needs to find a way to return to her team. Perhaps just finding a living person will give her hope. But with all the dangerous Ethereals swarming around, she needs to survive.
She has to.
Ethereals are stronger and it is always recommended to avoid them. A frontal attack is unwise, and even though Anby suffers an unknown corruption, she still manages to sneak away from them.
Anby breathes in deeply. The next point is nearby, but a notorious Armored Hati is nearby. Its senses are broken and even with a slight movement, she can be found. If she only has any tear gas left, she can distract it. Its speed and resistance are nearly unmatched, not to mention the lives it has taken.
Anby gulps—and runs.
Only for her leg to hurt again.
It seems a sprain forces her to fall and her sword clangs to the ground. The Armored Hati is alerted and before it can pounce to her, Anby grabs her sword and rolls to avoid the attack. She stands up—only for another upcoming attack.
Anby grips her sword, charging her blade with electricity, and breathes deeply.
It is now or never.
The Armored Hati growls and jumps in the air to pounce at her—when a line of blazing flame sears through. The Ethereal is pushed back when her savior looks back at her.
Those familiar goggles.
Soldier 11.
"If you can fight, help me!"
Anby frowns and readies her blade again. She notices that the Armored Hati is pushed back, but it makes itself ready again. Soldier 11 charges before the Ethereal attacks as Anby rushes behind the enemy.
The adrenaline is rushing. The Ethereal is distracted by Soldier 11's aggressive slashes and Anby activates Thunderbolt. Soldier 11 also activates Fire Suppression and finally breaks the Hati's armor.
The monster is down, still unmoving and stunned.
Anby is about to activate another thunderbolt when Soldier 11 grabs her arm.
"We need to hurry," Soldier 11 says.
Anby is confused. She wants to say something but merely complies in silence.
They find an abandoned building with less etheric pressure. Only a handful of Ethereals are around which are all quickly taken care of. With the momentary peace they have while resting, Anby finally can lean back against the wall and sigh in relief. She already expects her end, and the unexpected just happens.
Soldier 11 brings down her supplies bag and takes something out of it. With the rummaging noise, Anby looks at her—sinking in that it is Soldier 11 is in front of her. Out of all the people she can come across with, is the person she wants to avoid the most.
It is a grave mistake. This meeting is a fluke in all bad ways possible.
"Here, take this." Soldier 11 hands her a spray. A concentrated medicine to reduce her corruption. Anby only stares at it and looks at her.
"You need that more than me," Anby says.
"Just take it," Soldier 11 insists, her tone sounds cold, "You know how terrible you look right now with the corruption. Just recover some of your strength then we'll move again."
Anby remains unmoving. Soldier 11 never falters her sight away from her.
"Hurry up," Soldier 11 insists again.
Anby stretches her arm, feeling her hand trembling, and takes the medicine. She sprays it inside her mouth, and then to her skin. A slight intake of medicine gradually relieves her breathing.
Soldier 11 watches her movements while Anby refuses to meet her gaze.
Anby puts her hand down to her tummy.
"…Thanks."
"Just doing my job."
Awkward silence sets in. Everything happens so fast, but this time of respite is oddly comforting. Anby does not know if this is good or bad. Soldier 11 will kill a traitor in a heartbeat and that is something she can be defined as.
Her chest feels tight again for a different reason.
"You're…angry at me, don't you?" Anby asks.
"I do."
Anby looks at her, cautious and alert. Her danger radar dials to a hundred upon seeing that Soldier 11 is also staring at her—realizing even that probably she is being watched all this time. Will Soldier 11 kill her? Her heart is beating so fast. Or will she be turned in?
A pat.
Soldier 11 is patting her head.
Anby glances at Soldier 11's eyes. The fierce anger she expects is not present, which completely puzzles her.
"I'll bring you to the exploration team once we reach their base," Soldier 11 says in a soft tone. Anby cannot take her eyes away from her as Soldier 11 keeps on caressing her head. "I need to take a good look on your face before we part ways again," Soldier 11 adds.
The gentle hand. The soft tone. But her honest answers.
Nobody expects that. Especially, Anby.
Nicole cannot help but keep biting her nails. After learning that Anby has gone on an adventure on her own and the accident that occurred, Nicole does not waste time and hurries to Random Play. Wise keeps her company while waiting for Belle and Anby's return from the outpost, who is also equally worried about his sister.
While staying at the staff room, Wise cannot help but feel Nicole's agitation. She has been walking back and forth since earlier, with an occasional checking at her phone. Belle has texted him earlier that they are going home, but it is not enough to calm his friend down.
"Nicole, perhaps, you can sit down first," Wise tells her. Nicole gives him a piercing look.
"You know that's not enough to calm me down," Nicole reprimands.
"I know…" Wise sighs in defeat.
"Second Assistant, Master has arrived," Fairy says. Nicole's face brightens a bit and before Wise can grab the knob, the door opens first.
"Anby!" Nicole exclaims, "What—I told you not to take any commissions without me knowing!"
Belle frowns and somehow feels guilty, as she glances towards Anby's direction.
"Nicole," Anby says in such a lifeless tone, "I'm sorry."
Nicole breathes deeply. The patches on Anby's limbs and face are something she cannot just ignore. Belle clenches her fists and tries to reach Nicole's hand.
"I…have to apologize about it as well, Nicole…" Belle says, "I didn't notice and put…Anby in danger…"
"It will be better if both of you take some rest first," Wise suggests, "I already texted Billy to pick you up."
Wise walks near to his sibling and pats her back, beckoning her to get a rest. However, Anby remains staring at the floor before raising her head to see Nicole. The pink-haired lady wants to say something again but notices that Anby is acting differently than usual.
"Nicole, could you…hug me?" Anby suddenly asks.
Nicole becomes confused until she notices that Anby's shoulders are slumped down. She is mad at this situation, not just as Anby's employer but also as a friend.
Her face softens and exhales her fumes away.
"Sure, why not…"
Nicole pulls Anby closer and in response, Anby buries her face to Nicole's chest. Anby needs that warmth. The kind of warmth that is lost that day, only to be found in Nicole's embrace again.
Meanwhile…
The Defense Force Headquarters is always busy. With all the operations happening in New Eridu, it hardly finds a moment of tranquility, except when a soldier gets a day off.
Soldier 11 is currently at the office of her direct superior, Captain Magus. He is reading the report that Soldier 11 has given him, and the details are all neat and honest—as usual. Soldier 11 waits for the captain to finish reading, while keenly staring at the paper he is holding.
"It's good that you're back safely, Soldier 11," Captain Magus says while still reading the report, "We just lost connection to you for a moment. What happened?"
"There was an emergency, and they need a personnel member to step in," Soldier 11 says, "I happened to be in the vicinity, so I volunteered. It is stated in the report as well. But I do apologize for not contacting you sooner. As for the mission, the documents retrieved from the Arpeggio Fault are already forwarded to Seed for examination."
Captain Magus nods, "Good job."
"This concludes my report."
"All right, you're dismissed." Captain Magus looks at her in the eyes. "Don't forget to get a post-Hollow checkup with Trigger before you leave."
Breathing at a standstill, Soldier 11 watches Trigger reading her pulse with the stethoscope. Trigger notes the number of beats in a minute and removes the device away from the nameless soldier.
"Your vitals are good," Trigger remarks.
"Can I leave now?"
"Well, yes."
Soldier 11 grabs her bag and stands up.
"Thank you for today," Soldier 11 says and turns around.
Only for Trigger to speak again.
"If something bothers you, just rightfully ask me," Trigger says, earning a glance from the fiery soldier, "I will listen. I won't judge."
"…I'm good. But I appreciate that."
Soldier 11 looks ahead and leaves. Trigger can only stare at her back until the door closes.
Trigger sighs a bit.
"Your heartbeat is a little troubled today…"