Ink to Ashes / Arcane Fanfiction Viktor x Reader

24

For the first time in weeks, the rain had ceased. Though dusk crept into the sky in shades of deep-sea blue and sleepy purples, a handful of people still milled about the streets, returning home after the day. Streetlights blinked into life as you ventured further into the city, lighting your path like fireflies.

At every sudden noise you instinctively tightened your grip on the handle of your knife. It dug into your ribs with each step, although you barely noticed. It acted as an anchor of some sort, keeping you from drifting too far into your thoughts; the slight discomfort tethered you to the present.

You couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. Was it the misspelling of his name? The odd choice of meeting place? The lack of information in his note? You couldn't place your finger on it, but dismissed it as pure, pointless paranoia. It was the first time you'd been outside alone at night in over a month, and you'd grown unused to the nature of the city after hours, the uncanny stillness of the streets that were accustomed to seeing bustling and busy.

Much quicker than you expected to, you arrived at the tunnel that lead to yours and Viktor's meeting spot. Your steps faltered. In the dim light of twilight it looked like a gaping mouth. Jagged teeth lined stony lips, opening up into a damp cavern of pitch black. You shook the image from your mind, though couldn't help shudder slightly as you stepped into the darkness.

Your fingertips became coated in slimy grime as you ran a hand along the wall to ensure you stuck to the path. Above, the many mechanical cogs filled the otherwise quiet space with a constant rumbling sound.

Suddenly, a screech shattered the thick silence. You jumped so hard you almost lost your balance. Past the thundering heartbeat that filled your ears, you heard a sharp flap of feathers, then another caw. It took you a moment to connect the two sounds, and realized it must've just been a bird.

You exhaled shakily, unaware you'd been holding your breath until then. Feeling a new tendril of doubt unfurl in your stomach, you cast a longing glance over your shoulder. The entrance was now only a small, faint square of light, like the keyhole of a giant, dark door.

You pushed forwards until you reached the giant cog that separated the lookout from the tunnel. Part of you knew this was stupid, that you'd just wasted the past half hour faffing around in the dark, but still, you wanted a definite outcome. You ducked underneath, straightened, and-

Found yourself alone. No Viktor. Obviously, added a small voice from the back of your mind. The note must've been old, then. He wouldn't have waited hours in the dark for you. Whatever 'important' thing he'd wanted to say would have to wait til the next week.

You huffed, your breath coming out in a spiral of mist. A gust of cold night air sent goosebumps up your arms, and you cast one lingering look at the stars dotting the streetlight-stained sky before turning around. But then- a sound from the obscured tunnel made you freeze; a slight scuffle that somehow you knew was distinctly human.

"Viktor?" you called out, hating the pitch fear that seeped into the word. You waited. Your voice, multiplied and echoing, was the only response. Viktor?... Viktor?... Viktor?... Viktor?...

"Jeez, took your time, didn't you?"

You whirled at the sudden voice from behind you. Female. Not Viktor. Then who-

A girl stood behind you, where you swore there was no one just a moment before.

You opened your mouth to speak and gaped for a moment before managing to stammer out a few words. "I- What? I don't-"

She must've been barely sixteen - somewhere in those awkward ages between child and adult. She was short but lean, with jutting elbows and bony knees. Two impossibly long braids ran down her back and swung like a pendulum as she rocked back and forth on her heels. You blinked, sure it was the moonlight messing with your vision, but no, her hair was blue. A vibrant, shocking blue.