Solar Storm (Overwatch Illari x Male reader)

Chapter Eighteen: Duality

After what had happened, it wasn't long before you had returned with Illari's meal and beverages. You didn't have the intention of getting yourself much, but Ana and Lúcio had almost beaten it into you that you needed to take care of yourself and eat properly so that you could recover. As a result, you and the lightbearer had somewhat of a small feast as Illari told you of her past.

She belonged to a group named the Inti warriors, a clan that praised the sun and weaved its energy into beautiful creations. At a young age, Illari showed prodigy-like abilities and skill, her knowledge and ability to remember just about everything led the elders to believe that she was the chosen one. It reminded you of a fairytale the way she described her home, the architecture, the people, her way of life. It sounded amazing. Her people believed that, with Illari's ability to weave solar energy so perfectly, to harness it so efficiently, that they could bring about what they considered to be the 'golden age'.

But that never came to be.

In an unpredictable accident, the ceremony where Illari was gifted her accelerated augments backfired horrifically. The moment the sun's rays hit Illari, her power manifested into a terrible surge that destroyed everything. Everyone she once knew was turned to ash within an instant, an entire culture, an entire people, erased in a heartbeat. Ash of those who once stood there, singed pillars, banners smothered in flames, everyone and everything destroyed.

Of course, she blamed herself for it all. Who wouldn't? Burdened with power, praised and placed on a pedestal, greatness was expected of her since the second she was able to weave even a strand of light. You sat with her and listened to every word she said, her story unfolding before you as you nodded and tried to reassure her whenever you could. Illari had felt like she failed them, failed herself. And now?

Now she had felt like she failed you. As if her past was still chasing her after all of this time.

You remained with her for the rest of the day, the only times where you were away was when she was required to go back with Angela to the infirmary for her check ups. Needless to say, those views weren't for your eyes.

But that was all yesterday. One of the most stress and emotion filled days you had the misfortune of enduring in a long time.

For now, it was you and Illari in the common room, a TV report on the large screen as you both watched it intently.

"Following the aftermath from the unprovoked attack a few days ago, government officials have confirmed that the Titan was indeed a creation of the omnic extremist group, Null Sector. Being a larger, superior version to the one deployed in the surprise attack in Paris which was intercepted by ex-Overwatch agents." A news reporter spoke directly into the camera, her eyes obviously flicking off to the side every other sentence to read off of some large script.

"At least they don't know it was us, I didn't see any cameras or news helicopters." Illari took a sip from her tea, taking a small bite out of the cookie she had collected from the cafeteria.

"This is true. It would seem that we got off lucky in that sense, it's nice to see luck going in our favour for once" you responded as you folded your arms, leaning back into the couch as you watched the reporter show images of the burning Titan, firefighters working to try and extinguish it as military personnel secured the area.

"Unlike the previous defenders in Paris, our city was bravely defended by two mysterious figures. Thanks to the footage recovered from the city security system, we can add a few more videos into the archive for the international vigilante: The Wanderer. But this time, he's joined by a partner, another to fight alongside him in defence of our great city." She announced almost proudly, the video cutting to a poor quality video of you battling the omnics on top of the Titan's shoulder, your lightning flying out as you and Illari battled your way through the foes that awaited you. You facepalmed and sighed as you heard Illari chuckle before slurping on her tea.