POV: Ada Wong
Location: Echo Blacksite – Surveillance Floor Zeta
Cipher came at her like a whisper of death.
No wasted movement. No fear. No hesitation.
And Ada felt it.
This wasn't another grunt or corrupted Echo pawn.
Cipher was trained, maybe even born for this.
Their blades met—again and again—flashes of steel in the darkness.
Ada's breath was shallow. Ribs cracked. Blood on her chin.
But Cipher? Not even sweating.
"You're slowing down," she said coolly.
Ada didn't reply.
She just moved—ducked low, twisted, cut across Cipher's thigh—
But Cipher didn't flinch.
Instead, she spun, elbowed Ada in the throat, slammed her into the wall. Hard.
"You're still fighting like you have someone to go back to," Cipher whispered.
Ada's vision blurred—but she smiled anyway.
"I do."
And she headbutted her full force.
---
Mid-Battle
Ada stumbled back. One of her blades gone. Bleeding.
Cipher's mask was cracked. Eye twitching. Breathing harder now.
They stood opposite each other, both damaged, both grinning just a little.
"I get it now," Cipher said.
"You're not trying to win. You're trying to survive."
Ada raised her fists. "Same thing, where I'm from."
---
Final Sequence
Cipher rushed in—Ada barely dodged, taking a slice to the shoulder, but she dropped to her knees and slammed a shock dart into Cipher's leg from her hidden sleeve.
The current hit hard—but not enough to drop her.
Cipher staggered.
Ada tackled her, twisting them both through the nearest window—shattering glass, both crashing into the maintenance corridor below.
Smoke. Sirens. Red lights flickering.
Cipher didn't move.
Ada didn't wait.
She vanished into the dark, holding her ribs.
---
Ada: injured. Alive. But free.
Cipher? Still breathing.
But next time—she'll be ready.