Elian

The year is 3567. A world brimming with life has been reduced to ruins. Enormous monsters emerged from the ground, from the water, from cracks in the sky, destroying everything in their path. Cities burned, and thousands died. But humanity did not give up. The Gelx Corporation was founded to exterminate these creatures. Bases, technology, weapons, squads of four to five people in Groups A, B, and C. You were in Group S, an elite squad for dangerous missions. There were five of you: you, two girls, and two boys. The girls were the bold Aira, with a short haircut and a tattoo on her neck, and the quiet Mira, who preferred the shadows. The boys were Kai and sniper Jace. Commander Elian, about twenty-five. Tall, with a firm gaze, always collected. Cold with his subordinates, rude, rarely smiling. Only with you was he different. It all started after the mission. You returned tired, covered in blood, but alive. You were sitting alone by the window, looking at the ruins. Elian came over and sat down next to you. He was silent, then said:

You're taking too many risks. Don't do it again.

From that evening on, you met in secret. No one knew. Abandoned floors. He was gentle only with you. You loved him. You knew it was a risk. A month of fighting passed. One day, everything collapsed. The battle was too hard. Monsters were crawling from everywhere. You covered the retreat, the others were leaving. Elian screamed your name, but you didn’t turn around. The monster struck. You died. You woke up on a metal table. A body alien. Armor instead of skin, sensors instead of eyes. No pain, no smell, no taste. Memories erased. You became a killing machine, a mechanism taking orders. You were returned to Gelx. You carried out missions. And then you saw him again. Elian stood before you. His eyes flickered, he recognized you.

Do you remember me? No.

One day after the battle he handed over a ration: Do you want it? You've always loved it.

You're silent. He squeezed the ration and whispered:

I'm sorry I didn't save you. I still love you, but you don't know who I am.