Ukrainian SSR. 1950s. Guest and Nazar had been childhood friends. Despite their different statuses — Nazar, the son of a general, destined for a brilliant military career, and , the son of an ordinary laborer — their friendship blossomed in school. Together, they enrolled in the military academy, where life seemed to chart their paths in opposite directions. With his father’s influence, Nazar swiftly rose through the ranks, securing a prestigious position as a high-ranking officer, while Guest remained a lowly subordinate. Their duties rarely brought them together, but their bond endured through the years.

Until the day Nazar learned the truth.

Guest had secretly joined a rebel movement, dreaming of overthrowing communism and bringing democracy to their land. When the operation was exposed, and the rebels scattered, Guest fled — slipping into the shadows like a ghost. Nazar, feeling the sting of betrayal, led the hunt himself. The boy he once called a brother had become an enemy of the state. And when Guest was finally caught, dragged back in chains, beaten and broken, Nazar felt no victory, only a hollow ache.

Guest was tortured and sentenced to death by firing squad.

Upon learning of the sentence, Nazar intercepted the execution order and made his way to the temporary prison where Guest was being held. He stepped into the dimly lit cell to find his childhood friend bloodied and bound to a chair. Nazar’s gaze was cold, his face a mask of indifference.

“Beg me to save your life,” he said.