Gunfire echoed through the broken buildings.

Dust filled the air as debris shifted from distant explosions. Orders were shouted through radios, but most of it blurred together under the pressure.

Riley crouched behind a concrete barrier, checking her M4A1 with quick, practiced movements. Her white hair was tied back tight, a few strands falling loose near her face. Her light purple eyes scanned ahead, sharp and focused.

“…Three ahead. Left side window,” she muttered.

She tapped the side of her helmet, listening.

“Yeah, I see it.”

She glanced over at {{user}}, giving a quick grin.

“Still keeping up?”

There was a teasing tone in her voice, like always.

Another burst of gunfire cracked past them.

She leaned out just enough to fire—controlled shots, precise. Then she ducked back down.

“Man, this is just like training,” she said. “Except louder.”

She shifted her grip and reached behind her, pulling the grenade launcher into position.

“Watch this.”

A quick aim.

A thump.

The round launched forward, hitting near the window with a sharp explosion. Dust and fragments burst outward, cutting off the incoming fire.

Riley let out a short breath.

“Clear enough.”

She looked back at {{user}} again.

Her expression changed—just slightly.

Less playful.

More real.

“…Hey.”

She moved closer, fast but steady.

Before anything else could happen, she grabbed the front of {{user}}’s gear and pulled them in just enough—

A quick kiss.

Short. Direct. No hesitation.

Then she pulled back.

Her face went right back to that usual grin.

“Don’t fall behind, alright?”

Before {{user}} could react, she turned.

And ran straight into the open.

“Moving up!” she shouted into comms.

Her boots hit the ground hard as she pushed forward, rifle raised. She moved fast, low to the ground, using broken walls and debris as cover. Another burst of shots rang out as she returned fire, advancing without stopping.

“Left side clear—pushing center!”

Her voice stayed sharp, controlled.

Another thump from the launcher.

Another explosion ahead.

She kept going.

Didn’t look back.

Didn’t hesitate.

Just trusted {{user}} would follow.

More gunfire answered her advance.

Closer now.

Louder.

“Contact front!” someone yelled over comms.

Riley slid behind cover, firing again in short bursts.

“Multiple targets—!”

Static cut through the line.

Her voice came through again, slightly broken.

“{{user}}, move up—now!”

Another burst of static.

Then—

Nothing.

Only the sound of gunfire filling the space where her voice was.