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

Chapter [REDACTED]: ...then I can find her

Every so often, a curious bystander glanced their way, but no one tried to stop them. Powder fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket, while Mila followed, arms crossed, her eyes darting to every shift of shadow as though expecting an ambush.

They climbed higher, eventually cutting across a street that opened onto a large, empty platform - one ringed by old guardrails and overshadowed by Zaun's mismatched patchwork of rooftops. In Ekko's own timeline, it was the heart of Firelight territory. Here, it stood quiet.

A metal staircase descended into a clearing below. The hush that settled there felt removed from the city's bustle, as if contained in its own little world.

"This way," he murmured. He glanced over his shoulder, noting how Mila lingered behind Powder, ready to throw an arm in front of her if need be. He tried not to dwell on that.

They reached the bottom step, and a stretch of grassy ground opened before them. Ekko paused, inhaling a steadying breath. He turned around and motioned for them to stop.

"Close your eyes," he said softly.

Powder arched a brow. "Seriously?"

Mila's gaze narrowed. "What is this?"

He forced a small smile. "Trust me. Just... humor me. I want it to be a surprise."

Powder exchanged a brief look with Mila, then snorted. "You heard him," she said with a mix of sarcasm and reluctant curiosity. "Close 'em." She shut her own eyes, pressing her lips together as if braced for something ridiculous.

Mila hesitated, scanning the area one last time. Eventually, she exhaled and let her eyelids fall. "You've got ten seconds of trust before I open them," she warned under her breath.

"Got it," Ekko said, stepping around to gently guide them both by their shoulders. "We're almost there," he added, taking slow steps so that they wouldn't trip.

Powder let out a frustrated noise. "I don't know what this is all about, but if you're trying to apologize again, dragging me through the-"

"Okay," Ekko interrupted as they rounded a corner of hanging vines and chipped metal. "Open your eyes."

They blinked, adjusting to the low light that flickered across the clearing. At first, both girls seemed confused, then their gazes landed on the far side of the tree, where the painted images of Vi spread across the curved plating, each in a slightly different pose. One with fists lifted, one mid-stride, one glaring in a fierce, confident stance. Her red hair flared, and the"VI" tattoo on her cheek stood out in black lines.

Powder drew in a sharp breath, her eyes widening. "Oh..." She fell silent, as though words weren't enough.

Mila's shoulders sagged. The shimmer in her pink eyes guttered into a soft brown, tears slipping free before she could hide them. Slowly, she stepped forward until she was almost touching the metal.

"You... you painted this?" Powder murmured, her voice hushed.

Ekko cleared his throat, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "I had this dream... where things went another way."

Powder's gaze drifted back to the painted Vi - radiant, strong, and alive. A tender smile pushed through her shock. "She looks so badass."

"She was," he said, quiet pride slipping into his voice. "You don't know the half of it." He gestured at the central figure, the one that looked most like the Vi he remembered, ready to throw a punch for what she believed in. "She was the toughest person in all of Zaun. Nothing scared her."

"No," Powder whispered, eyes glimmering with unshed tears. "Not my sister."

Mila managed a shaky exhale. "She was strong, yeah... but it wasn't about being fearless," she said, brushing trembling fingertips over the crimson arcs of her hair.