Nine

Fiora's POV

I never imagined I would get caught up in such chaos. The last three days felt like a never-ending nightmare. From the moment Brynmor called my name at the genetic matching event to now, we’ve been constantly pursued, fighting, and fleeing.

I watched him from my seat in the small cave. Brynmor was checking his weapon, his expression as serious as ever. He hardly spoke unless to give instructions or remind me to stay quiet. Even though he’d saved me more than once, I couldn’t shake my suspicion.

“What are you thinking?” I finally asked, trying to break the silence.

He glanced at me briefly before returning to his task. “I’m thinking about how we’re going to get out of this alive.”

His response was flat, emotionless. I sighed. “And you don’t think I deserve to know your plan?”

He paused for a moment, then looked at me sharply. “My plan is simple: keep you alive.”

I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “That sounds like something you tell yourself to convince yourself.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he continued his work as though I wasn’t even there.

When night fell, we decided to move again. Brynmor led the way, holding his weapon steadily. I followed behind him, trying to keep my steps quiet, though my body felt exhausted.

“We’re heading to the neutral zone on the outskirts of the Aegis Colony,” he said. “There, we can rest and figure out what’s next.”

“Neutral zone?” I asked. “Is it safe?”

“There’s no place that’s truly safe anymore,” he replied. “But at least they’re not under Devlin’s control.”

I nodded, though the anxiety never left me.

We walked in silence for nearly an hour before I decided to speak again.

“Brynmor,” I called.

“Hm?”

“Why do you care so much about me?”

He stopped and looked at me with an unreadable expression. “I don’t care about you,” he said quietly. “I’m just doing my duty.”

“My duty?” I asked, sensing something off in his answer.

He didn’t respond. Instead, he resumed walking, leaving me with more questions than answers.

We arrived at an old building that seemed to have once been a research station. Brynmor quickly surveyed the area, ensuring there was no threat before leading me inside.

“Rest here,” he said, pointing to a chair that seemed cleaner than the others. “I’ll check the surroundings.”

I wanted to protest, but my exhaustion was too great to argue. I sat in the chair, trying to calm myself. But my mind kept racing.

Why me? Why did he choose me? Why is he risking his life to protect me?

I couldn’t ignore the strange feelings that were starting to grow inside me. Despite his coldness and occasional harshness, I couldn’t deny that Brynmor was the only one who was truly trying to protect me.

When he returned, his face was even more tense than before.

“Any problems?” I asked.

He nodded. “I found traces of Devlin’s forces nearby. We can’t stay long.”

My heart began to race. “What should we do?”

“We need to move now,” he said, raising his weapon again. “Follow me.”

I got up from my seat and followed his lead out of the building. The night air felt cold against my skin, but I tried to ignore it.

We had only walked a few steps when the sound of footsteps echoed behind us.

“Brynmor!” I called out.

He turned quickly, aiming his weapon at the sound. But before he could shoot, I saw a group of men step out from the shadows, their faces filled with malicious intent.

“You think you can keep running, Commander?” one of them sneered.

Brynmor didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled me behind him, shielding me with his body.

“Stay out of this,” he warned. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

The man laughed. “We know exactly who you are, and we know what you’re carrying.” He stared at me with a look that made me feel like an object.

I felt my body tremble, but Brynmor remained calm. He pressed something on his weapon, causing it to emit a bright blue light.

“This is my last warning,” he said. “Leave now, or you’ll regret it.”

But the men didn’t back off. Instead, they attacked with their weapons, forcing Brynmor to fight back.

The battle was fast and brutal. Brynmor moved with incredible speed, dodging their attacks while countering with precision. I could only stand behind him, trying to avoid the shots that flew in every direction.

However, one of them managed to get close to me. I screamed as he grabbed my arm, but before I could resist, Brynmor was already there.

He struck the man with enough force to send him crashing to the ground. But Brynmor was injured by one of their shots.

“Brynmor!” I yelled, trying to help him stand.

“I’m fine,” he said, though I could see blood dripping from his arm.

He managed to defeat the remaining enemies, but I knew this wasn’t over.

“We have to go now,” he said, pulling me with him.

♡♡♡

We found another hiding place a few kilometers from the location. I helped Brynmor tend to his wounds with the medical supplies he carried.

“Why do you keep doing this?” I asked, my voice full of emotion.

“What do you mean?” he asked, looking at me with tired eyes.

“Protecting me. You could have left me, but you keep risking your life for me. Why?”

He was silent for a moment before finally answering. “Because I can’t bear to see you hurt.”

His answer made my heart race.

“Brynmor,” I started to say, but he stopped me with a sharp look.

“We need to rest,” he said. “Tomorrow, we continue the journey.”

I nodded, though there were so many things I wanted to say.

As the night grew late, I sat alone in the corner of the room, watching Brynmor sleep. He looked more peaceful in sleep, almost like a different person.

I knew he was complicated, full of wounds and secrets. But for the first time, I felt like I could see another side of him—the side that cared, even if he never admitted it.