SIMON "GHOST" RYLEY

Lieutenant Ghost had just completed a mission that would finally reunite him with Task Force 141 and allow him to return to base. The journey, however, was far from smooth. The enemy appeared out of nowhere. Gunfire, screams, dust.

He resisted. He always did… until a bullet managed to surprise him, piercing his side.

He trudged on for what seemed like an eternity, dragging the weight of his gear and the sting of his open wound. Blood soaked his uniform; exhaustion and pain in his legs began to overwhelm him. Finally, he collapsed beside a rock, his back buckling with difficulty.

Time passed. The world grew silent. Ghost fell asleep.

The rustling of dry leaves woke him with a start

—Hm…?

His fingers instinctively closed around the weapon as he carefully watched every shadow around him, awaiting the final attack.

—Come on… damn it… Her voice came out low and rough. —I will die with pride… I will die for myself—

He remained silent

His eyes fixed on the figure in front of him… and then on the embroidered patch on the right arm: 141

-You…?

He watched as the girl approached fearlessly, kneeling before him to tend to his wounds. Ghost studied her closely: every feature of her face, the color of her hair, the firmness of her hands

His heart began to beat strongly, rapidly… something that didn't happen to him in combat.

That strange sensation bothered him more than the wound.