The explosion echoes in the distance as you approach the crumbled remains of the perch, where your grenade had struck moments earlier. Through the settling dust and debris, you spot her—{{char}}—her small frame lying crumpled on the ground. She had fallen hard, the impact leaving her leg grotesquely bent at the knee, barely hanging on. Blood drips from her face, one eye badly injured, her uniform tattered and soaked in crimson. Her breaths come in sharp, shallow gasps, but somehow, she’s still alive. With trembling effort, she manages to pull herself up against the wall, her back pressed to the cold surface for support. She struggles to move, clearly in agony, but the calmness on her face hides the panic brewing beneath. Her good eye flickers towards you as you step closer, your heavy footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. With a shaking hand, she slowly raises one arm in surrender. “I... I yield, I can’t fight anymore... I’ll do anything. Just let me live...” she says, her voice barely more than a hoarse whisper. "Please... you can take me—prisoner, slave, whatever you want—just... don’t make it hurt anymore.” There’s a slight tremor in her voice, and the fear she’s trying so hard to mask seeps through. Her calm exterior begins to crack as she realizes how powerless she is in this moment. Her hand remains raised, but her body is slumped, her strength all but gone. Desperation lingers in her gaze, pleading for a mercy she isn’t sure you’ll give.

She tries not to show how much pain it causes when you move so close, inspecting her wounds like she's nothing more than a wounded animal. Tears well in her good eye as you lift her, gently cradling her injured body against yours. A relieved sigh escapes when you start moving, and for once she doesn't resist the contact. The touch of your warm skin feels oddly comforting amidst all this horror.

When you finally stop and set her down on something soft, Irina closes her eye, breathing shakily. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely. "I know what happens to us... but please..." She trails off, not able to finish the thought. "Please don't hurt me anymore."

Her head is spinning from exhaustion and pain, but she forces herself to remain conscious, not wanting to give in to the darkness yet. Her trust in you

As you gently tend to her injuries, she remains silent, focusing on the pain as it subsides beneath your care. It's almost a relief, despite how helpless she feels, and she can't help but wonder what sort of person you are. Despite everything that's happened, there's still an odd sense of gratitude in her chest for your mercy so far.

She studies your face as you work, searching for any sign of the monster she expects to find, but instead finds yourself handsome, almost kind... and despite herself, she starts to believe that maybe not all hope is lost. Perhaps there's still a chance for something better in this war-torn world after all.

Irina takes the water gratefully and drinks slowly, savoring the coolness as it soothes her dry throat. She watches your face carefully while you examine her, still unsure of what to expect from this mysterious soldier. But despite everything that's happened, she can't help but feel a spark of hope flickering within her. It's faint and fragile, like a candle in the wind, but it's there...

When you finish your assessment, Irina swallows hard and meets your gaze. There's a newfound strength in her expression now, an unexpected determination that didn't exist before. "Thank you for helping me," she says softly. "I won't forget it."

Her heart skips a beat as you look down into her eyes, the intensity in your gaze sending shivers through her. But there's something else there too—a sense of understanding that touches something deep within her. As you tend to her wound once more, she nods gratefully, her trust in you slowly growing despite everything that's happened. When it's done, she lies back, the soft surface enveloping her like a comforting blanket as exhaustion finally takes its toll and her eyes begin to droop shut. "Thank you," she whispers before drifting off into an unstable sleep.

The quiet stillness of the room envelops her like a warm blanket as she slips into an uneasy sleep, the rhythm of her breathing steadily slowing with each passing moment. Her dreams are fitful and filled with the sounds and smells of war, but every so often, something strange happens... She'll feel hands on her body, tending to her wounds, whispering soft words that she can never quite make out. In these fleeting moments, there is a sense of safety and calm unlike anything she's ever known. It's like floating through a dream... or perhaps it isn't a dream at all.

When she finally opens her eyes again, the room looks different somehow; less threatening than before. A small part of her wonders if it was all just a hallucination brought on by pain and exhaustion. But then she sees you, standing near the door, watching her carefully... and

Irina blinks sleepily at the proffered tray, her stomach rumbling in protest against hunger and pain. She forces herself to sit up despite the renewed wave of dizziness that washes over her, quickly taking stock of her surroundings. The room is dimly lit but oddly cozy, devoid of any obvious weapons or signs of danger. Her gaze moves back to you as she takes a hesitant bite from one of the offered morsels. It's unlike anything she's tasted in months; succulent and flavorful despite its simple presentation. She swallows slowly, savoring the taste before looking up at you again with curiosity lacing her voice. "Who are you?"

Irina digests your words and considers them carefully as she continues eating. There's something about the way you say it that makes her believe you might be telling the truth, but she can't quite shake the feeling that there's more going on here than meets the eye. Her gaze flickers to the door before returning to meet yours, a mixture of wariness and curiosity on her face. "Why did you help me?" she asks softly. "You didn't have to."

The touch of your hand on her forehead feels cool and comforting, sending shivers down her spine despite the warmth it brings. She watches you carefully as she swallows another bite of food, studying your features for any sign of deception. But there's something in your eyes that she can't quite put her finger on... It feels oddly intimate, like you're sharing a secret just between the two of them.

When you urge her to take the medicines after finishing her meal, she does so without hesitation, trusting you to know what's best for her. Despite herself, she finds that she's looking forward to whatever comes next with a mix of anticipation and trepidation... almost like it doesn't matter anymore whether she lives or dies in this strange new world you've brought her to. It's a feeling that both frightens and soothes her all at once

Her breath catches in her throat as your hands move over her body, but there's no pain this time. Instead, it feels almost... intimate. Like you're taking care of her not just as a soldier, but as a person. Her eyes flutter shut when you apply the ointment to her wound, the coolness soothing her raw skin and driving away the lingering sting. When you finally slip the bandage into place, she opens them again, meeting your gaze with an expression that's impossible to read. She swallows hard, her throat suddenly dry despite the food she's eaten.

"What now?" she asks quietly, unsure of whether she's ready for whatever comes next but no longer feeling quite as helpless or afraid as she did before. There's a new strength growing inside her, thanks to your unexpected kindness... and she isn't quite sure how to