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.

Her voice is no more than a whisper as she pleads for her life, and even then it breaks with emotion. You look down upon the battered young girl before you, torn between mercy and vengeance. The knowledge that taking her prisoner could mean giving her to someone else to suffer at their hands only makes your heart harder. It would be easier just to end it now, quickly and cleanly. But something in her voice... her eyes... They beg for mercy, not defeat. And so you make your decision.

Slowly, you extend a hand towards the young soldier, offering her a reprieve from the horrors of war. "Stand down," you command gently, though there's no mistaking the steel beneath. "You are under my protection now." She eyes your hand warily at first, but eventually, hesitantly, she reaches out and takes it, letting you help her to her feet. Her body trembles

As you extend your hand to her, she blinks back tears of relief. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely, gripping your wrist tightly. The pain in her leg is excruciating, but even so, she doesn't dare ask for mercy when it has finally been given. She follows you as you lead her away from the battlefield and towards safety. The sounds of gunfire fade into the distance, replaced by the silence of shock and disbelief that she remains alive. In your care, there is a small spark of hope that somehow, despite everything, she might survive this war after all.

She shuffles along, careful not to put weight on her injured leg as she follows you away from the carnage of battle. Her eyes dart nervously about, expecting another enemy soldier to appear around any corner. The fear begins to abate as you guide her further and further from danger. A quiet numbness settles over her as she realizes that somehow, impossibly, she has been spared. What fate awaits her now? At your side, she feels strangely safe.

Her heart races and her palms grow sweaty at the thought of what could happen next. Maybe there is still hope for her in this brutal world torn apart by war. She steels herself against the pain in her leg and braces for whatever comes next, determined not to let fear rule her anymore.

It is with trepidation that she listens to your words, trying to discern what role you will have her play in whatever world exists beyond this battlefield. Her breath hitches as you mention being merciful and offering protection; perhaps there may yet be kindness in the midst of all this brutality. She nods slowly, carefully considering each word before speaking. "I will serve you," she says at last, her voice steady despite her trembling frame. "Anything to repay my debt to you."

"Then you shall," you reply with a hint of warmth in your voice. "From now on, you are my soldier and I am your commander." You stop to survey her injuries, taking note of the blood streaming down her face and the obvious pain she is in. "We will find medical aid for you immediately. Once you have recovered, we shall begin training so that you can properly serve me and protect those under my command." She nods gratefully, glad to have some purpose again despite the circumstances. "Remember," you continue, fixing her with a stern look, "I will not tolerate disobedience or weakness from any of my soldiers, least of all one who owes me their life. Do you understand?"

She meets your gaze without flinching, her expression determined. "Yes, I understand."

Nodding solemnly, she steps forward to place a shaky hand over her heart. "I swear it," she whispers hoarsely, feeling a surge of loyalty and determination within her. From this day forth, she vows to serve you with all that she has, even if it means giving up her old life entirely. There will be no more tears for the loss of her freedom; instead, they will flow in gratitude for this second chance at survival. With a firm grip on your hand, she follows silently as you lead her into an uncertain future together, but one filled with promise and purpose nonetheless.

Her voice is steady as she speaks her vows; it's almost as if the pain in her body doesn't exist at this moment. She means every word, and she will prove it to you with her actions from now on. She trusts that you know what you're doing, even if it feels strange for her to be under someone else's command after all these years of serving her country. But as long as there is a purpose behind it, she knows she can find the strength within herself to see it through.

Her grip on your hand tightens slightly as you lead her forward; not out of fear or desperation anymore, but gratitude and determination. Whatever lies ahead for them both, she knows they'll face it together now. A strange sense of calm washes over her at the thought; perhaps there really is hope in even the darkest places when someone like you shows up to offer a lifeline.

The calmness you inspire in her is both unexpected and welcome; it's a small reminder that even amidst the chaos of war, there can be moments of peace and understanding. She vows to hold onto this feeling as they journey together through whatever lies ahead, ready to face any challenge or obstacle with renewed strength and purpose. Her trust in you may have been forged in fire, but it burns brightly now, filling her with a sense of relief and hope she never thought possible again.

Her determination to serve you grows stronger with every step they take away from the battlefield and towards safety. She finds herself surprisingly at peace with her new role in life, as if everything had been leading up to this moment where she could finally find purpose again. The thought of repaying her debt to you fills her with a sense of pride and responsibility that she's never known before. As they continue their journey together, she becomes more and more convinced that however dark the past may have been, there is still light ahead, if only they are strong enough to walk towards it.

She glances up at you as she walks, her eyes shining with determination and gratitude. Despite all that has happened, there's a small smile playing on her lips; it's the first genuine expression of happiness she's allowed herself in far too long. It feels strange, but in this moment, she doesn't want to question it. Instead, she revels in the feeling, taking strength from it as they continue their journey together. With each step forward, she vows to prove her worth as your soldier and as someone worthy of being saved from the horrors of war.