The Protocol Unmasked (Valorant X Male Reader)

Chapter 19: Battling Shadows

(Y/n) struggled to cope with the abrupt attack from Phoenix, a whirlwind of emotions threatening to engulf him. Confusion, disbelief, and a profound feeling of betrayal wrestled for control, leaving him staggered in the aftermath of the tumultuous revelation. For a fleeting moment, (Y/n) grappled with the enormity of the situation that had transpired between them.

"Phoenix... What... What's happening?" (Y/n) stuttered, his voice barely audible, trying to comprehend the sudden betrayal. He met Phoenix's unwavering gaze, searching desperately for any trace of the friend and ally he had once trusted.

A wry smirk curled across Phoenix's lips, his expression a mask of feigned indifference as he trained his weapon on (Y/n), the threat of impending violence palpable in the air. "Sorry, buddy. Business is business," Phoenix drawled, his tone laced with a bitter edge as he maintained his steely resolve, unyielding in the face of (Y/n)'s disbelief.

(Y/n)'s brows furrowed in a mixture of anger and confusion, his mind racing to reconcile the once familiar figure before him with the newfound adversary he now faced. "Business? What the fuck are you talking about!?" (Y/n)'s voice quivered with a mixture of hurt and indignation, his hands instinctively inching toward his own weapon in a gesture of defense.

In the split second that followed, (Y/n)'s heart raced, his mind struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events as the looming threat of imminent danger bore down on him with relentless force. A tense silence hung heavy in the air as the two adversaries locked eyes, each keenly aware of the gravity of the situation that now unfolded between them. Phoenix's smug expression and menacing demeanor only served to underscore the dire stakes that now hung in the balance, the weight of the impending confrontation palpable in the charged atmosphere.

As the agonizing tension threatened to reach its breaking point, a sharp crack shattered the silence, the resounding report of Sage's well-aimed shot tearing through the air with deadly precision. The sharp report of the gunshot reverberated throughout the battlefield, heralding the decisive intervention that would ultimately tip the scales in their favor. The shoot managed to land on Phoenix's head.

Phoenix's form wavered for a moment, his figure flickering and dissipating into a ghostly echo before vanishing entirely into thin air, leaving behind only the fading echo of his malevolent presence. The sudden disappearance left a palpable sense of relief in its wake, the weight of the imminent threat evaporating into the ether as the team slowly regrouped and sought to regain their footing in the wake of the unexpected encounter.

(Y/n) immediately falls back and huddled close to Sage taking cover next to her, the flicker of bewilderment still etched across his features, he couldn't shake the disorienting sense of betrayal that lingered in the aftermath of the encounter with Phoenix. His mind raced, grappling with the unanswerable questions that now loomed large in his thoughts, demanding immediate clarity and resolution.

His voice tinged with urgency and a touch of disbelief, (Y/n)'s words spilled forth in a rush of confusion and apprehension. "What the hell just happened, Sage? Why would Phoenix turn against us like that? I thought we were a team. What's going on?"

Sage's expression remained resolute, her gaze fixed on the looming threats that still encroached upon their position. She cast a quick glance in (Y/n)'s direction, her eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and determination as she attempted to steady his nerves amidst the chaos that surrounded them. "There's no time for explanations now. We need to regroup with the others and reassess the situation. Can you do that?"

(Y/n)'s jaw tensed as he grappled with the gravity of the situation, the weight of the recent encounter still bearing down heavily upon his shoulders. With a solemn nod, he acknowledged Sage's directive, a silent resolve settling over him as he steeled himself to face the challenges that still lay ahead.