VALORANT: Stories

Recombinant 023 (Various)

Recombinant 023

Waking up once again in the God forsaken sterilized quarantine room, Fade took a moment to let her consciousness fully seep in before she did or thought about anything. There was this ridiculous headache that continuously coursed through her, its agony akin to the painful feeling of a rusted pickaxe repeatedly mining her very own brain. It wasn't the prettiest picture to envision or the most amazing sensation to revel in.

Any attempts to shift on the bed she was on proved to be a waste of energy, making Fade realize that she was still strapped down like a wild animal. She blinked her bleary vision away and examined herself through the dimly lit room, the lack of brightness from the lights in the room merely hindering her observation in the slightest. At the sight of thick leather straps she had unfortunately grown familiar with, Fade could only shake her head.

It was just too much to hope to be saved so soon. Despite how she thought about the system in VALORANT being flawed, Fade still trusted them to an extent. They had morals and principles in the right place most of the time, and she was confident that they saw her more than just a mere asset or an expendable operative.

Sadly, knowing all these things wouldn't quicken the process of being extracted from the clutches of the mirror organization.

Speaking of which, Fade found herself remembering the fact that she wasn't quarantined alone. She turned her head and checked to see if she still had company, ultimately confirming that Neon was indeed still there. Still alive, too.

Despite the dimmed setting of the lights, Fade could spy a noticeable detail about her unconscious bed neighbour. Sun-kissed skin seemed more ashen, while the veins underneath her skin seemed to protrude and pulse with this faint silvery glow. Though it was likely due to the lighting, but Fade couldn't help but think how Neon's blue and yellow hair appeared duller and more dismal rather than its usual vibrant look.

With her gaze, Fade traced those pulsating veins that seemed to thrum with that weird sooty color, noting how they were spread across most of the exposed limbs and skin of the ironically sparked out agent. Was that caused by the explosion?

Fade released a breath all of a sudden when a piercing sensation abruptly shot through her own body, prompting her to remember that she, too, was a victim in that freak accident. It was difficult, but Fade forced a more significant shift on her bed in an effort to thoroughly inspect her own body.

Like Neon, she could see how her skin lacked its usual brown tone and was much paler than normal. It wasn't as chalky-looking like Neon's, but still, the change was discernible. And unlike the Legion operative, Fade's veins weren't evidently throbbing. Though her special medicine intake was already awfully due, the remnants it had left in her system were the only reason as to why her state of health wasn't as severe as Neon's.

Being a Radiant ever since the First Light, Fade had already grown used to the significant difference when it came to the comparison of a normal human's physical health and capabilities. But in her current state, it felt like being a Radiant only worsened her status.

Surprise struck again when the lights finally brightened back to their nearly blinding level, causing Fade to immediately grow self-conscious when she saw the large mirror at the foot of their beds with a much clearer and brighter level. She didn't pay much attention to it initially, but she had no doubt it was a two-way mirror.

The parting hiss of the doors briefly stole Fade's attention, glowering at the individual in that same hazmat suit from before. The personnel carried and placed what seemed to be a speaker barely bigger than a ruler right on top of her lap, immediately exiting the room afterwards. Fade stared at the device for a moment before raising her head again, glancing at the camera at the corner before returning her focus back to the mirror.