The Blades and The Gauntlets [Vi x fem!oc]

Chapter XVI: The Family

Vi struggled to support both her best friend and the enforcer, each step towards Caitlyn's house a delicate balance of careful assistance and quiet determination. The trio moved slowly through the clean, well-lit streets of Piltover, opposite to Zaun's shadowed alleys. Caitlyn, favoring her leg, grimaced with each step but kept her complaints to herself, knowing they needed to move quickly and discreetly.

Mila, though walking, moved slower than usual. Her arm still seeped blood, her eyes focused somewhere on the ground, but didn't seem to register it. The bullet had grazed her more deeply than they initially thought, and every movement sent a sharp reminder of the night's events pulsing through her veins. Vi, noticing her grimace, tightened her grip around her, offering silent support.

"Here." She said gently, helping Mila lean against a wall to catch her breath. A soft groan escaped her lips, the pain momentarily overwhelming. Nearby, Caitlyn slumped to the ground, fatigue and pain taking their toll as she opened the container that Ekko had managed to toss their way.

The red-head looked back at the bridge, her eyes taking a glimpse of Silco, holding her sister in his arms.

The enforcer's voice faltered, a mix of despair and disbelief evident in her words as she looked inside the container. "It's gone." she breathed out, the reality setting in. The gemstone that could have been their leverage, their hope for turning the tide, was missing.

"What?" Mila couldn't believe what was happening. Everything that happened, everything Ekko went through to have a shot at bringing peace was pointless.

"It was all for nothing."

"Vi," The blonde girl winced, tears begging to escape her eyes. "Please. We have to go."

As Caitlyn struggled to her feet, the sadness and anger momentarily overcame her usual composure. Vi helped Mila push herself off from the wall. The enforcer's mind was running faster and faster, thinking of the safest place they could go to, but also the one that is closest to them.

"Mila's house. It's not far from here, and it's quiet - much less visible."

Mila, who had been fading in and out of consciousness, stirred slightly at the mention of her house. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was there. "No... Not th-"

Vi looked down at her, concern flickering in her eyes, noticing how quickly she was fading. The blood loss, the exhaustion - it was all catching up to her. "Let's go there." She interrupted, her voice softer than usual.

"Follow me."

The walk was shorter now, but every step felt like a struggle, especially for Caitlyn and Mila. Her limp was becoming more pronounced, though she gritted her teeth against the pain. Vi kept her arm around Mila, slowing her pace to match her friend's faltering steps.

"We're almost there," She reassured, though her voice was tight with the strain of walking. "Just a little further."

It wasn't long until they turned the final corner that the grand Ravencroft estate came into view, the high gates and grounds a reminder of the life Mila had tried so desperately to escape.

Caitlyn pressed a hand to the gate's control panel, her fingers trembling slightly as she keyed in the code. The gates swung open with a soft, mechanical hum.

The girl let out a weak sound of protest, her fingers twitching against the red-head's arm as they moved toward the house. "Vi... I don't... I don't want to..."

"Shh." She murmured, brushing her thumb lightly against Mila's hand. "I know, but you need to rest. We need to get you patched up." She kept her voice calm, though there was an edge of worry that slipped through. The blood seeping from Mila's arm wasn't slowing down, and the strain on Caitlyn's face told Vi that time was running out for all of them.