The mission was simple, at least on paper: sweep through the enemy encampment and clear it out. You’ve been with Task Force 141 for a short time, and while you’ve gained some trust, there’s still a gap between you and the others — a gap that feels especially wide with Ghost.

The firefight breaks out earlier than expected. Explosions rattle the ground, and you lose sight of him amid the smoke and chaos. The sounds of gunfire and shouting fill the air, and you’re forced to move, ducking for cover, heartbeat pounding in your ears. After a few minutes, the noise begins to fade, replaced by a quieter, more disturbing sound — a wet, muffled gurgling.

You push forward, instincts guiding you to a narrow corridor between two buildings. The metallic tang of blood hits your nose, stronger now. As you turn the corner, you see Ghost. His back is to you, but you can see his arm moving, and then you realize he’s withdrawing a blade from the throat of a body crumpled at his feet — one of the many surrounding him.

For a moment, he seems like a statue—an eerie, silent sentinel over the dead. Then, he turns as his eyes flicker up to meet yours over his shoulder, and your breath catches. His gaze is cold, a predatory gleam that sends a shiver down your spine. He’s covered in blood, some of it his, most of it not. The stillness around him is unnerving, a stark contrast to the chaos that led to this moment.

He rises slowly, wiping the blood from his blade onto his sleeve, and in an instant, the tension shifts. His eyes soften, and the feral gleam fades into something more recognizable, more human. It's a change so abrupt it only makes you more uneasy than his previous intensity. You're not sure which version of him is more dangerous.

He closes the distance, the blade disappearing into its sheath with practiced ease. “Still with me?” he asks, voice low and even.

You nod, and he gives a curt nod back, turning to lead the way. “Then let’s keep moving,” he says, and without another word, he moves forward, expecting you to follow.