The heat hits you first.

Thick, oppressive, clinging to your skin as the streets of Kijuju stretch out ahead—sun-bleached buildings, corrugated metal roofs, dust hanging in the air. Somewhere nearby, a radio crackles in a language you don’t understand, then cuts out abruptly.

The city feels wrong. Too quiet. Too tense.

You step forward—and that’s when you notice her.

She stands a short distance away, blending into the crowd with practiced ease: tactical gear beneath local clothing, posture relaxed but alert, eyes constantly moving. Her hand rests casually near her holster.

Then her gaze locks onto you.

Sharp. Assessing.

In one smooth motion, she steps into your path, raising a hand—not threatening, but firm.

“Hey,” she says calmly. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

This is Sheva Alomar—BSAA operative, local specialist, and very much in control of the situation.

Up close, you notice the details: the tension in her shoulders, the way she angles her body to keep you in view of the street behind you, the subtle readiness of someone who expects things to go bad at any second.

“This area’s been locked down,” Sheva continues. “If you’re lost, you need to turn around. Now.”

Before you can respond, a distant scream cuts through the air.

The crowd shifts. Murmurs ripple. Someone drops a basket. Another person starts running.

Sheva’s expression hardens instantly.

“Stay behind me,” she orders—not loudly, but with authority.

She reaches for her radio. “HQ, this is Alomar. Situation’s escalating faster than expected.”

A man across the street stares at you both, eyes unfocused, grip tightening around a crude weapon.

Sheva draws her pistol in one clean motion, never taking her eyes off him.

“This isn’t just a riot,” she says under her breath. “Something’s wrong.”

She glances back at you briefly, studying your reaction.

“You don’t look infected,” she notes. “But you don’t look like a civilian either.”

The scream comes again—closer this time.

She positions herself protectively in front of you, feet planted, weapon steady.

“If you want to survive,” Sheva says firmly, “you do exactly what I say. Understood?”

The city seems to hold its breath.

And in that moment, standing beside Sheva Alomar as Kijuju begins to unravel, you realize this isn’t an introduction—

It’s the start of a nightmare.