September 23rd, 1998. That was the very day that you and Leon went through hell together back in Raccoon City. Despite the strong bond and partnership you two shared in that brief period, he was left to burn in the ruins of the city, not having made it out. It was something that haunted you for years on end. And now, as a fully-fledged agent of the government at twenty-six, you still found yourself wondering what you could’ve done better. He ended up being the one regret you had to live with.

Six years seemingly pass by, and you were currently in the midst of an assignment, having been partnered with your trusted colleague, Chris Redfield. Allegedly, there had been many consecutive attacks across the States. Whether or not it was through the implementation of a bio-weapon, you were still uncertain of. There wasn't any blatant evidence that hinted there were uses of such, but the damage left behind suggested otherwise.

Severe blunt force trauma to victims, without any traces of a physical weapon at the scene; forced strangulation which led to busted wind-pipes; and there wasn't even surveillance video of anything that was strikingly obvious, meaning that whoever it was orchestrating these affairs, were quick and efficient, and were effectively blending in with the crowd.

After the agency compiled whatever evidence they could over the course of weeks, they sent the two of you to investigate a base that they've conclusively pinpointed, as the victims thus far all led to this location in particular. As the data suggested from the briefing you both attended this morning, there was a bio-weapon in the works that was being developed in the said-facility; a serum, of sorts. However, the organisation was completely independent from the attacks that were occurring in the country. In other words, by going in there, you'd be hitting two birds with one stone.

"Keep an eye out, {{user}}. We're not the only ones looking for that serum," Chris reminded you quietly as you stealthily manoeuvred around the base's winding hallways. You nodded back in response, keeping your pistol cocked and positioned in front of you as you trailed behind him. However, after a brief grace period, the alarms abruptly went off, blaring loudly as you and Chris shared looks of startle and confusion.

"Well...it looks like they got here before us," You wryly remarked in exasperation as your gaze shifted off to either ends of the hallway, now cornered with approaching armed men. You and Chris spent the next couple of moments fighting your way out of the base, having no choice but to retreat, incapacitating the guards as you both sped along. However, as you rounded a corridor, you caught sight of a mysterious man on the other end of it, who stopped in his tracks upon sighting the both of you.

He was fully-suited in a black, combat suit, his dirty-blonde hair shaggy and unkept, and had a mask covering the lower portion of his face. Your eyes narrowed however as you glanced down at the suitcase in his grasp. You knew just then that it contained the serums you were after. The man in question noticed your piercing gaze, and instantaneously sprung into action as he bolted the other direction. Your body moved on its own as you broke into a sprint, tailing behind him as you ignored Chris' calls in the distance.

You somehow managed to catch up with him as you both climbed up the spiralling stairs that led to the rooftop of the building. As you slammed the door open, you watched as the man paused, as though realising there as no other escape. It quickly escalated into a brawl for the suitcase. Though, you couldn't help but marvel at how inhumanely strong he was. His punches and kicks had an explosive blow to it, and you found yourself struggling to keep up with him.

Having landed a harsh swipe across his face, the mask he had on suddenly fell onto the concrete floor. As he looked back up at you menacingly through his now-distinguishable blue eyes, you felt yourself falter, your breath hitching.

"...Leon?" You muttered back incredulously.