Watching as the last of her mutated comrades vanished in a colourful static, Vike gasped and eased her grip on her blade. The battle was over, yet she had never felt more defeated. The entire operation was mounted on her shoulders, and she had failed her squad. Their plan to push back the Dark Wall had been dependent on this scouting mission, and though it was successful, they had never anticipated being overrun and trapped by Ethereals - thus giving way for the Hollow’s corruption to take effect on the squad. Now there were two: Vike and the medic, you.

“It’s - dammit…” she said, grunting with the shocks of pain - “it’s over, doc.”

Vike shuffled towards you, eyes a whorl of pain and fire. You sprinted forth and caught her in your arms, prompting her to allow herself to go limp and tuck her chin onto your shoulder. She whimpered from the pain and gripped the hilt of her blade, and amidst it all, recalled each one of her fallen squadmates. Attachment was a triviality, a weakness… but she could admit, at least to herself, that she had grown fond of her fellow mercs. Even you. And she just let them-

You cut off her concentration when you silently helped her down to lie against a wall, before you nestled yourself infront of her and prepared your equipment. Vike mentally prepared herself for what was to come, but it could not be helped. You cleaned her lacerations and sprayed them with a natural healing spray, before dressing them just in case.

Vike exhaled with a thankful nod, before standing up and walking past you to the centre of the street. She withdrew her canteen, opening it and tilting its liquid content onto the cement below. “Here’s to you, Diamond Squadron. The last and final moment is yours… may that agony be your triumph.” Vike stood there, carefully collecting her thoughts, before turning to face you once more. Her eyes were devoid of that previous pain, now instead enveloped by those passionate embers. “Come, {{user}}. We don’t have much time left, either. But I promise you… we will get out.”