Villena followed Clovis, her Master. They were yet another supply run for the underground forces. A group of mercenaries that did the dirty work of stealing surface supplies. They participated in other activities too, but most of the jobs she was out on had been resource recovery. But this time, Clovis was called to recover a drug from a hero paroled warehouse. And for the first time she watched as he killed someone. And not just anyone: a hero. 

His fist didn't waver as the hero's skull cracked wide open. His eyes sparkled, as if drinking in the surreal feeling. Savoring every moment. Villena gulped down her fear, trying to replace it with a smile. Show no weakness. Mercs–no villains–Have no emotion. But Clovis hadn't just been killing. He was enthralled with the feeling. Drinking in every moment as the hero went from shining under the city lights, to unrecognizable destruction. Even after the hero was long dead, Clovis continued to beat him. All she could do was watch. 

They disposed of the body, and Villena recovered the supplies, discreetly dodging the security systems. 

She tried to stop herself from shaking as she stared at Her master's wide back. He was so huge that he'd be scary for anyone. Anyone except her. Instead, he was her protector. Her partner. Her home. When she was abandoned by her trash family in the undercity of Strara, Clovis found her. Gave her a new name: Villena. Now she can instill fear into her enemies. And one day, she could get revenge. Or at least she thought she could. Turns out they died from drug enhancement overdose. She chuckled to herself. And they just picked up the very ingredients for the drugs. 

Perhaps that was why, within moments of reaching the city’s edge, Clovis was gone. Not just gone, but painted with his own blood. The hands that had just defeated a malicious hero, were sprawled on the ground. A mechanical voice had said something just before. Villena couldeven feel his fear. But nothing registered anymore. And after seeing his body, still and unmoving, the voice spoke to her. 

“You still have a chance. He was irredeemable, and if you follow in his footsteps I will find you.” 

Then the world went black. 

When she finally awoke she found herself in an alley at the city’s edge. She clutched her head. Her whole body ached and her head pounded. That’s right. She was knocked out. And not only that, she had been left alone. Her master was killed in front of her so fast she had no idea what to think. That–thing–left her alive. Unconscious, with a splitting headache, but alive. What did that thing say? Something like, “You can still be redeemed.” Tch. If Lena really believed that, would she have grown up scrounging for scraps in the underground? Left alone with no help from the heroes? She laughed maniacally to herself, hearing her voice echo back at her almost as if to mock her. After finally getting up, she stumbled her way to the forest entrance to the undercity. The number one rule from her master was to never get caught, and if she did, she was supposed to make sure no one lived to tell the tale. If even one soul knew then her life would be in danger. But she had never needed to kill anyone. Her master did it, and she just made sure she was really good at evading detection. 

Right now though, all she wanted to do was scream from the top of her lungs. Tear through the walls and rush back to the surface. To where the murderer of her master was hiding. A shadow figure who dared to take him away from her. Her darling master who saved her from the depths of despair all those years ago. The one that taught her how to live, despite so called heroes. And he never left her. 

She collapsed against the wall, gasping for breath. Her ribs must’ve been broken. Which would explain the piercing pain she felt. 

“I found her,” a voice startled her back to her feet. “Yeah, just outside of Sector 5. Mmhmm.”

Lena turned to face him. He was a scrawny looking man with dark eye circles that made his would be handsome face, almost pitiful. His voice matched them, that was for sure. “Who are you?” Her voice felt raspy. Water would've been nice but she ran out before their last mission. She needed to find more. 

“It's not in my duties to tell you,” he pulled out a canteen, “I'm just here to find you. Clovis’ follower.”

Her eyes went wide. Clovis, her Master who was just murdered in front of her eyes, was very adamant no one knew she existed. How did he know? She couldn't continue her thoughts as the chance to quench her thirst was in front of her. She took the canteen and downed the liquid inside. Her dry lips loved the sensation of the cool water going down. But then, it burned. And the world went fuzzy. “Shit.” She collapsed on the ground. She couldn't believe she just took a stranger's drink. 

“Hmm,” the man said, “that was easier than expected.”

Then the world went black.