November 1, 1998, 10:30 AM, Luxury Apartment, Raccoon City
Svetlana's apartment was an exercise in glacial minimalism. White walls, designer furniture with clean, cold lines, and a silence so deep it seemed like an entity in itself. There were no photos. No knickknacks. It was the refuge of a ghost, not a home.
When Eddie entered, he found her sitting in a black leather armchair, facing a low table with two steaming cups of coffee. She didn't seem surprised to see him. It was as if she had been expecting him.
"Sit," she said, her voice calm like the surface of a frozen lake.
Eddie settled into the chair opposite, taking one of the cups. The coffee was strong, bitter, with an almost metallic aftertaste. He liked it.
"You don't want to go back to Europe?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"My country bleeds," Svetlana replied, her blue eyes fixed on some indefinite point beyond the glass. "It will bleed with or without me. Alex contacted me. He said you were a… fascinating person. I decided to dedicate some of my time to verify his claim."
An almost imperceptible smile brushed her lips. "He wasn't wrong. You are a mystery, Eddie Cai."
"Perhaps with you there, the war would end sooner," Eddie said with a smile. "I'm confident in your abilities." He wondered if her presence here, now, could rewrite the future—whether the Slavic Republic would ever have its legendary president. Another variable in an equation growing more complex each day.
"It seems there's a hidden meaning in your words," Svetlana said, placing the cup down with a sharp click.
"No, I just think too much." He paused, his gaze studying her. "Anyway, why isn't a beautiful woman like you married yet? Are you more focused on your career?"
"Married?" A single, dry sound of amusement. Not a laugh. "I'm not interested."
"Shame…" Eddie sighed theatrically.
"By the way, what's the purpose of your visit? You want me to train you?" Svetlana smiled, a movement almost imperceptible.
"Correct." Eddie's gaze became suddenly serious, intense. He stood, looking out the window at the unaware city. "Strength isn't enough. A brute can break a wall. An artist can destroy a man." He turned to look at her. "I want to learn the art."
Svetlana sensed the change in his tone, the weight behind his words. "No problem. I will be your instructor."
"Then let's start immediately." Eddie moved toward an empty room adjacent to the living room, stripped of any furniture.
The serum had rewritten his biology, but his combat skill was that of a bar brawler. If he could bridge that gap, he would become more than a mere superhuman. He would become a perfect weapon.
Svetlana nodded. She began with basic movements, testing his strength, flexibility, and the limits of his enhanced body.
Ten minutes later, an almost imperceptible look of surprise crossed her face. "Your physical strength is excellent. Your body is incredibly flexible. Have you ever studied classical dance or martial arts?"
"Never," Eddie replied, shaking his head. He wasn't surprised. A small dose of his serum could work miracles. He decided not to tell her the truth. Not yet. Speaking of doses… how strong is Sergei? That man used the unrefined serum…
"Your body is a blank canvas," Svetlana said, her gaze sharpening, more analytical. "What kind of fighting style do you want to learn?"
"Teach me to kill an enemy with a single strike."
Hearing his request, Svetlana smiled. A cold, almost predatory smile. She was an expert in the art of killing. "As you wish. But remember, this fighting technique is unique and difficult to master. Strengthen both your body and your mind."
The next day, the luxury apartment had turned into a personal hell. Svetlana's training was not a lesson. It was torture.
CRACK!
Eddie's elbow crashed against a stack of wooden planks as thick as concrete pillars. Every strike had to hit a small red mark in the center. If he missed, even by a millimeter, the punishment was a precise, sharp blow that Svetlana drove into his ribs or sternum. He could not dodge her attacks. He could only absorb them.
"If you want to learn to kill, you must first have the ability to defend your life. If you want to learn to defend your life, then you must be able to withstand every strike!" Her voice was calm, almost gentle, but every word was a hammer blow.
Underestimating her was a mortal mistake. She could seem calm, almost fragile, but in combat, her temperament became a frozen fury. Every strike made Eddie groan in pain. If her punches had been aimed at his forehead or throat… he would already be on the floor, unconscious or dead.
Through this personal experience, Eddie finally understood how incredible Ada Wong had been to hold her own.
"Your tenacity is the only thing saving you," Svetlana said without hesitation, after delivering a solar plexus kick that left him breathless. "Besides your superior physical strength, you have nothing."
As a professional instructor, she knew no mercy.
"You'll see," Eddie panted, massaging a bruise already forming on his cheekbone. His battered nose and swollen face were the results of Svetlana's "affection." "Sooner or later, I'll match your skills!"
"I'll look forward to it," Svetlana chuckled.
"Don't tell me you're one of those…" Eddie said, a mischievous glint in his swollen eyes.
"One of what?" Svetlana narrowed her eyes, almost hesitant.
"You know, those skilled women who swear to marry only a man capable of defeating them. Are you one of them?"
"You think too much," Svetlana said with a grin. "If you were worthy, I wouldn't refuse. Right now, you're not qualified to discuss such things."
Eddie just laughed.
"Anyway, the Tactical Team is about to leave for a special mission. I want to invite you to join us. Are you in?" Eddie asked.
"I am your guard. I will accompany you wherever you go." Svetlana nodded.
"Excellent! I'll tell Chief Brian then."
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Eddie's phone rang. He answered. Nodded a couple of times, then hung up.
"Svetlana, I have to go to a meeting. I'll update you later." He headed toward the door. "And the mission we're about to undertake is dangerous. Prepare your equipment." He paused on the threshold, a teasing smile on his face. "Even though your city outfit is nice, combat clothes make you even more beautiful!" He gave her a thumbs-up.
"Fuck you!" Svetlana snapped, as her figure disappeared down the corridor.
Shortly after, she began preparing the equipment she would bring.
All members who had previously been on leave had gathered at the training field. Both Alpha and Bravo Teams, everyone was there!
The last to arrive was Wesker, apparently puzzled by this sudden mission.