Luis' exclamation reached the couple. The man turned quickly, then took the girl's hand and sped towards the cabin.
As soon as they arrived, Luis pulled them inside. It didn't take long before he closed the door and locked it tightly with a wooden plank.
The rain continued to pound on the cabin, which was now a temporary shelter for four souls caught in a storm and a threat that was not over.
Inside the cabin, Leon immediately looked at Luis with a sharp look in his eyes. The rain could still be heard hitting the wooden roof, but the tension in the room was much more pronounced.
Leon stepped closer, his voice low but firm, "Luis Serra. The researcher from Umbrella, right? Do you think I don't know who you are?"
Luis, who had originally wanted to lean back and relax a little, looked startled. "Whoa, whoa, calm down..."
But Leon didn't give him any room. He pressed on with a piercing gaze, until Luis retreated step by step, finally cornered against the damp cabin wall.
"Do you have anything to do with all this nonsense in the village. I need answers. Now," Leon urged, one hand almost on his gun.
Luis raised both hands slowly, trying to calm things down. "Look, I did work for them once. But that was back then, okay? I'm not part of Umbrella anymore. I'm sick of it all... the experiments, the lies... the death."
Luis' breathing was a little heavy, but his gaze was sincere. "If I was still on the same side as them, I wouldn't be here. I want out of this hell too, just like you."
While Luis tried to reassure Leon with an explanation of his past and his ended involvement with Umbrella, Rian leaned casually against the cabin wall.
Now that the black lensed glasses were back on his face, despite the dim light in the cabin, Rian could still see very clearly.
In his right hand, Rian held a small mirror, staring at the reflection of his face on its surface which was slightly dewy due to the humid air.
Rian smiled slightly, nodding slowly at his reflection.
'Even in the rain, this handsome face never fades,' Rian muttered to himself, confidently.
Not far from him, Ashley stood with a confused expression. The girl noticed two things that made her uneasy, Leon who was pushing Luis against the wall, and the stranger with glasses who looked too calm... even looking in the mirror.
Noticing the stare, Rian tucked the mirror back into his shirt pocket elegantly. She turned her head, then smiled warmly at Ashley.
With light steps, Rian approached, then extended her right hand to the girl.
"Hi sweetie, my name is Rian Andromeda," he said in a friendly tone, accompanied by a smile that seemed to be made for the camera, "A handsome man, kind, and not arrogant. May I know this cutie's name?"
Ashley looked a little awkward: between confusion, relief, and not knowing whether to laugh or worry
"It must have been very difficult, huh?" said Rian, still maintaining a friendly smile. "For this swestie to suddenly find herself in a situation like this."
Ashley looked like she wanted to respond, but hesitated. Before she could say anything, Rian continued in a light yet sincere tone, "But take it easy, your protector seems to be very reliable."
Still seeing the hesitation in Ashley's eyes, Rian gazed gently, as if trying to offer some comfort and tilted her head slightly to the right.
Then, keeping her tone and demeanor calm, Rian asked, "So, shall we get acquainted? I wonder what this cutie's name is."
Ashley's face flushed slightly, a faint smile gracing her lips. She reached out and shook Rian's hand carefully. "Ashley Graham. Nice to meet you, Rian."
"Nice to meet you too, Ashley," Rian replied, smiling warmly, her grip light and polite.
Ashley Graham has the Code Name Baby Eagle, a Daughter of the US President and a Girl of about 20 years old.
She is the only daughter of the US President. As the child of the country's top official, she grew up in an environment of intense scrutiny and elite education.
Despite this, Ashley is known to be intelligent, independent, and highly curious about the outside world. The downside is that it's a real burden in the game.
In the events of Resident Evil 4, Ashley was kidnapped by the mysterious Los Illuminados sect while studying in Europe.
Ashley was to be used as a pawn in their plan to spread the Las Plagas parasite and manipulate world politics through influence over the US President.
Here, Ashley's rescue mission became a top priority for the government, and special agent Leon S. Kennedy was sent directly to pick her up and secure her.
Suddenly, Ashley let go of Rian's handshake. Her body staggered, and her hand reflexively rose to hold her forehead. Her eyes narrowed against the sudden dizziness, then her body slumped down.
Ashley's chest felt very tight, as if something was pressing hard from inside. She covered her mouth with her left hand, while her right hand gripped her chest.
"Uhuk... Uhuk," coughing, blood splashed onto Ashley's palm.
Leon, who was still urging Luis on, immediately turned around in panic. He rushed over to Ashley, his expression changing drastically.
"Ashley!" Leon exclaimed, kneeling beside the girl. "Are you okay?"
Then, Leon's eyes looked sharply at Rian, filled with suspicion, "You! What did you do to her!?"
Rian stepped back a few steps, remaining calm.
"I was just shaking hands and getting acquainted," Rian replied lightly, as if there was nothing to worry about.
On the other side, Luis also stepped closer. He knelt down beside Ashley, then unhesitatingly took the girl's blood-stained hand. Leon was surprised by this sudden action.
But before Leon could open his voice, Luis asked seriously, "This coughing up of blood... is it not the first?"
Leon frowned, his gaze hardened with suspicion, but did not answer immediately. On the other hand, Ashley's breathing had started to become regular, although there was still pain in her chest.
"I'm fine, Leon," Ashley said in a weak voice, trying to smile reassuringly.
Luis released her hand and rose to his feet. He sighed softly, then began to speak.
"What you're seeing in these villagers... is not ordinary madness. They are like that because of a parasite. It's called Las Plagas," Luis said quietly, but firmly.
"It can take over the body and mind of its host, making them aggressive, pain-free," Luis frowned, "and it can even mutate into a monster."
Luis looked at Leon, then glanced at Ashley. "And signs like coughing up blood, chest tightness, that... means the parasite is already active in the body."
As Luis prepared to continue explaining the two ways to deal with Las Plagas, the sound of thunderous footsteps and faint shouts could be heard from outside, breaking through the heavy rain.
"¡Mátalos!"
Rian immediately took out the revolver from the holster at his waist. He raised the weapon casually, but his gaze was sharp.
"Get ready. We have guests coming." Rian said in a casual tone.
Leon walked over to the window, pulling back the damp wooden curtains slightly.
Outside, the Ganado began to emerge one by one under the rain, carrying scythes, axes, and torches. The sound of their steps rattled the wooden floor.
"It's really not going to stop," Leon said, still watching the Ganado outside.
Rian gave Leon a quick glance before stepping quietly to one of the cabin windows. His gaze pierced through the pouring rain outside.
"I think... it has something to do with the parasite in sweetie's body," Rian said, casual yet serious, as he drew his revolver.
Luis stood at the other side of the window, revolver in hand, his eyes not wavering from the ghastly figures that had begun to emerge from behind the misty rain.
"Tiene sentido..." muttered Luis under his breath, "Looks like they can feel it."
Without waiting any longer, Leon immediately turned around and walked quickly towards Ashley. With a swift movement, he carried the girl to the back corner of the cabin and pushed her gently behind an old wooden cabinet.
"Stay here. Don't come out until I tell you," Leon said firmly but gently.
Ashley gave a small nod, her face still pale and trembling slightly.
Meanwhile, Rian opened the cabin window slowly, the sound of its hinges sounding softly among the roar of the rain.
Rian took off his glasses and hung them on his shirt collar.
All at once, the world seemed to change: colors, distances, and movements became clearer, slower, more decomposed.
His Six Eyes were now working seamlessly, streaming tens of kilometers of visual information endlessly like waves.
On the other side, Rian raised the revolver slowly, aiming out the window. His fingers were steady, his eyes calm.
Then, while still looking straight at the enemy, he slowly twisted his neck.
Cracks.
The sound of a neck joint cracking could be heard between the rain and the approaching Ganado's footsteps.
"Then... let's give them a warm welcome." Rian said, smiling faintly.
Luis chuckled briefly, his eyes narrowing. "Heh... this is going to be very tense."
Meanwhile, the Ganado began to surround the cabin from all directions. Under the pouring rain and occasional flashes of lightning, their figures were faint but steadily approaching.