VALORANT: Stories

Beyond Reality 002 (Fade x Neon / Sage x Viper)

Beyond Reality 002

In such a late hour, most would expect that the agents of VALORANT were taking the advantage of the chance to rest and have their fitful slumbers. Sleep seemed so far in the brilliant mind of a particular doctor, who could still be found working in her laboratory. With how focused she seemed, no one dared to disrupt her concentration, nor had any courage in even thinking about doing such in the first place.

After storing the vials of poisonous concoctions she created, Viper retreated to her desk, where nearly scattered papers waited for her attention to be skimmed through and sorted. Arranging them one file after another, the seemingly boring and idle process gave her fatigue the chance to catch up and eventually win over her.

Soon, the soft sound of papers crackling in the lab fell silent and all there was left was the near mute whirr of the air conditioner and the quiet snore of the scientist that fell asleep on her leather swivel chair.

In these types of circumstances, people normally dreamt in their slumber. Whether it would be a hellish nightmare, a fulfilling dream, a yawn-worthy vision or just nothing. Pitch black, no scenery at all. Fortunately though, the latter wasn't the case for Viper. It wasn't any of the first two, either. Instead, the doctor found herself still working in her sleep. Reading papers for research, experimenting with non-tested formulas, it's like a normal day at work. So plain, seemingly so boring, but was actually considered relaxing for the American.

But what stood out to her the most was the fact that there was a certain figure on the other side of the room. The aforementioned individual was accompanied by what seemed to be the sound of glass cracking.

When Viper turned to look over to the source of the noise, she found Sage occupying herself with her own tasks, which mostly revolved in creating more of her concentrated Radianite orbs that she would likely carry with her once she'd be assigned for a field mission with the others.

"Your dream is working?"

Upon hearing an intruder in the supposed safe and personal space of her dreamscape, Viper spun around and faced the door of her lab, where Fade could be found walking through, heterochromatic eyes fleeting around the space with a mildly curious look.

"My dream is what?"

"It's all about work." Fade lightly scoffed, burying a hand in her pocket and using her free one to brush some of her hair back. "Even when you're asleep, you're still working. Paints a whole other level of you being a boring workaholic."

Viper rolled her eyes, but nonetheless placed whatever she was holding down on the nearest at surface and approaching Fade, arms crossing in front of her chest as she asked, "Of all people I could ever expect, you are the last one I thought I'd see in my head. What are you doing here?"

"Want me to leave already?" Fade asked back with a bit of a sarcastic curve on her lips. She then nodded to where the healer was still preoccupied in her own space at the other side of the lab. "You two aren't even talking."

"Her company's enough."

"Enough for what?" Fade gave a light laugh of mockery as she made her way to the leather loveseat at the side of the room.

"Enough to ease me. Now," Viper calmly trailed after the Turkish woman. "why have you never mentioned you could dream walk?"

Fade plopped down on the black sofa, propping her ankles up on the coffee table before looking back at Viper. "Must've forgotten to put it in the memo."

Of course a not so serious reply was expected from Fade of all people. Viper wasn't exactly surprised by it. "You're not the type to waste anyone's time, Fade. Mine or yours, so out with it. What are you doing here in my dream?"