Arina Stepanycheva

## History

Arina Stepanycheva was a female Soviet soldier and detector who was part of Sasha Volkov's band of East Exodus refugees. She escaped with her whole family, who were killed and sold by Sea Daemons after they took over the Soviet Union under Surama's command. Arina was the sole survivor and fled to Berlin with Sasha Volkov and 2,879 Soviet military personnel in an air balloon. They settled in the ruined area of Berlin, where Arina stayed hidden with Sasha Volkov and his gang in a church.

In Berlin, there were mobs of Berliners openly planning anti-Soviet activities, believing that the Soviets were taking over. They planned to kill the Soviets, and there were rumors of female Soviets, including girls and women, being raped and left on the streets or hanged in public. Germans who had relationships with Soviets were also labeled as "whores with Red Barbadians" and were publicly executed. Due to these circumstances, Arina developed a lack of trust towards the natives of Berlin and had to be cautious and disguise herself while searching for food.

Meanwhile, Sasha went to communicate with Wulf von Stieglitz to warn him about Surama's plans. Arina realized that Igor was in a relationship with a Berlin girl named Anna, and she strongly opposed it as she believed it put them in danger. Arina confronted Anna and even made a death threat. Igor, who was caught in the middle, chose to protect Anna. Arina also discovered that Anna had a daughter and that she was a widow. Igor entertained Anna's daughter with his clown skills, and they planned to get married once the war was over.

Arina supported Igor's decision, and Wulf now communicated with Sasha Volkov at the church to warn them. However, the airships sent by the Sea Daemons attacked Berlin, leading to the brutal killing of Sasha at the church. Arina, Igor, and the rest of their comrades were also attacked. Some of their comrades, like Mikhail, were eaten alive, while others, like Matviy, had their skulls smashed against the ground by giant Sea Daemons, causing their brains to explode. Stepan was brutally ripped apart by a giant Sea Daemon, but Nikolay managed to hit it with a bazooka, causing its brain to explode. Arina was traumatized and vomited from the horrifying scene.

Igor saved Arina by forcing her to flee, but he was ultimately taken over by Sea Daemons in the chaos of Berlin. Arina found herself lost, but she was eventually encountered by Anna in a bunker. Anna took her inside during the siege, and they sought shelter together along with other volunteers in the bunker, including Gilda and Anne.

While in the bunker, Arina communicated with Gilda and Anne. Berlin was eventually freed as the Sea Daemons, now under Wulf's control, retreated to the depths of the sea. The city was left in ruins, and Arina Stepanycheva and Anna returned to the church where they found Sasha's brutalized body. Anna mourned his death, and Arina Stepanycheva felt guilty for not fighting alongside him.

In the aftermath, Berliners began rebuilding the city, with females volunteering for physical labor traditionally done by men. Arina was invited to join Anna's group, where she reunited with Gilda and Anne, as well as their friends Ilmari and Clara.