Arcanum

CONFLICT

Vi x Reader
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I breathed in the rotten air like it was my lifeline, racing across rooftops and jumping between buildings.

My heart was racing with exhilaration, and I let out a scream of joy as I ran faster, to the edge of the Lanes.

My feet balanced effortlessly amongst breaking roof tiles and rusty bricks. It was second nature, an instinct.

Eventually, I reached a small shack, overlooking the ocean. I shuffled to a stop, pausing just before the edge. I looked down, seeing only jagged rocks and merciless, black water. The waves crashed and rocked violently, spraying their salt into the air.

I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding, closing my eyes as I felt the salty spray on my skin and the clean air in my lungs.

I was still basking in the moonlight when I heard a faint shuffle behind me, the clacking of the roof tiles giving them away.

I stayed silent, staring out over the ocean. I knew I had enemies, and that I made myself vulnerable being here. But this was Silco's territory now. I should be protected. Working for him had its benefits. Right?

"What do you want, Vi?" I uttered, almost silent. You wouldn't have heard me if it wasn't for the slight lull in the waves, as if Poseidon himself was listening to our exchange.

Silence.

It was not a secret that Vander's prodigies had a deep rooted hatred for each other. The famous tale of two childhood friends who hadn't seen each other for seven long years after the death of their adoptive father. And when they finally found each other, had both been utterly shocked to find that the other had gone in a completely different path. One terrorized the city and the other sought to save it.

But we both wanted to escape it.

I gripped my small dagger, my gaze turning cold. The wind whipped through my hair, its roar loud  in my ears. But I still heard her approach me, like a prowling lioness, ready to pounce on her prey.

I sped around to face Vi. She looked mean as ever, a cold glint in her eyes. Her expression dark, unreadable. Her posture stark and indifferent, muscular and forbidding.

Imagine my shock to feel the presence of cold metal on my neck. My pulse quickened, my breath soft still. But I only looked back at Vi determinedly, with a glare to match even my enemy's.

"I want you dead." She whispered, only a foot away from me, her gun at my chin. I smirked, looking innocently up at her. Her eyes gave her away.

She was formidable, that was true, but transparent nonetheless.

"We both know that is a lie. Put the gun down, darling. Have some honor, would you? It's rude to interrupt someone when they're minding their own." I seethed, my words dripping in malice.

I saw her eyes widen in surprise as she felt my small dagger at her stomach, tracing slow circles around her tattoos. I smiled sweetly at her, pressing ever so gently at her skin.

We stood there for a few seconds, staring each other down, seeing who would surrender first, who would give way to the other. It sure as hell wouldn't be me.