{Cypher}
We were sitting around the round table, discussing what to do with the fact we've found supposedly "dead" former boss of the Kingdom. For sure not talk with the current one, especially the Kingdom wants to hide those terrible memories at all costs. I keep glancing at Laria from time to time, just to see her doodle in her notebook. Omen, who's sitting right beside her, curiously peeking at her work. A second later, though, he immediately pays attention to what everyone's talking about, realizing the doodles are not worth his time.
[y/n] is possibly just not interested, as she doesn't really get what that might mean. She experienced just a bit of power that Shatter has, and what's even worse, he can gain even more of it. That's why he sends our copies on missions - to get the radianite to finally make himself unbeatable. I remember him taking my memories too, when he still ruled the Kingdom, and had a lot of control over Valorant organisation. He kidnapped [y/n] to just fill his the gap in his collection. Like a puppet collector.
As to think of it, as the Radiants gained all their power from the radianite, Omen's existing just because of it, too. I wonder, whether his suit contains a bit of the powerful material, either. Possibly yes, as it's keeping him all together.
I notice, with the edge of my eye, that Laria raised her head, starting to get interested in what's happening. I think it's time that I do, as well.
{Laria}
I look at everyone, energetically talking, discussing. The only one annoyed here is Reyna, impatiently hitting the table with her long nails. Not gonna lie, they're really pretty.
- Why do we even care, it's the Kingdom's problem. - she said harshly, frowning.
- Because we're the organisation created to protect uninfected people. - Brim's deep voice echoed in my ears. - We need to make sure there's no threat to them. I understand you might feel offended to protect "worms" like these, Reyna, but this organisation is why you aren't locked up in the laboratory yet.
I shiver, pushing away my dark memories. Yeah, better be thankful, Reyna. I close my eyes and nod, agreeing with myself. I notice Sova's amused stare directed at me and feel as my cheeks get hot. This wasn't meant for anyone to be seen.
I immediately get serious after that, and frown in a deep thought.
- Can we destroy the radianite? - I asked, and the room fell silent.
- No idea. - after a while Brim answers.
- Probably not. - says Killjoy. - We already had problems with putting it into... boxes even. How on earth would we be able to destroy it?
- True... - I whisper, holding my chin, thinking. If we destroy the radianite, though, there's no way Shatter would be able to gain more power.
- I know what you want to do, Sparkle. - I hear familiar voice to my right. - But I'm afraid there's no way it can happen. The only way is to get to Shatter and destroy him, which shouldn't be a big deal.
- He still has our own copies to fight us. - I notice, sighing. - so that means, if he gains even more power, will the copies become more powerful, as well?
- Probably yes, logically thinking. - Killjoy immediately replies.
Omen growled under his breath, crossing arms on the chest. The idea of destroying the radianite didn't really... suit him, I can tell. We need to come up with something else.
{Shatter}
I walk through the corridor, carefully placing my feet, to not make any noise. Theoretically I'm alone. Copies' minds are empty, lack of consciousness. I'm the only one thinking here.
But there was this one... I felt the disturbance with.
Laria.
This little thief, whose copy for some reason decided to function on its own. Decided to create a plan, a plan to destroy its real version. This might be... useful, in the future. As to think of it, I can stop my loneliness and gain an ally, which has a mind of its own, finally. I wouldn't be alone in my actions.
But there's another one, this small girl that Laria brought with herself. That's where I'm heading right now. With every step I feel heavier, feeling a cold feeling climbing up my arm, and when I look at it, it's all a crystal. Not now, please, not now...
My face feels cold, but I still can express my emotions with it. My heart feels cold, too, but it's still beating. The whole radianite shit is exhausting me...
But once I get what I want, what I need, I'll be able to control my state, my power, my abilities even more. I chuckle at my own imagination of my plan, already seeing it succeeding easily. I raise my head, just to meet lifeless eyes of the Sage's copy. She puts her hand on my shoulder, and I feel as the soothing feeling spreads over my whole body. It immediately becomes lighter, not that much of a burden - the crystal form wears down. I mutter silent "thank you" at the puppet, which only nods and continues her walk into nowhere; wandering endlessly.
I knock at the huge door, and unlock it slowly. Entering, I notice a small girl sitting on a bed, hugging the pillow.
- Hello. - I say, trying to sound as friendly as I can. - You're Maya, right?
The kid looks up at me and nods.
- I'm... Shatter. - continuing, I sit down beside her, still keeping the distance between us. - I'm sorry I couldn't visit you earlier. I was a bit... busy. - Talking is tiring to me, especially recently I've been feeling worn out all the time. I need to get this radianite faster, otherwise I will go crazy.
Unless I already am.
- I'm your friend, you can trust me. - I smile, as honestly as I can. I'm trying, alright? - I'll explain everything to you.
- Why am I like this... - the girl barely whispers, her voice trembling. I reassuringly put a hand on her back, gently patting.
- You're special.
{Laria}
I sit in the salon, as we got back from the meeting at Cypher's home. I noted all I could possibly catch from the conversations, but it's not much. Aamir's mechanical pupils stare at me from the kitchen, where he prepares a tea for us.
- It's the first time I see you so focused. - he giggles, holding two cups and heading towards me.
- Shut uppp, I'm serious. - I try to put on my serious expression, to fail only and make him laugh.
- You should probably let your mind rest, Sparkle. Overcharged batteries explode. - he takes off his mask, sipping his drink loudly just to provoke me.
- First things first, I'm not a battery, silly. Second of all, this issue requires a lot of attention to detail and me, to solve it. Thanks for the tea by the way. - saying this, I grab my cup and sip my tea quietly.
- All for you. - he says, continuing sipping even louder.
- I'll slap you if you don't stop. - I let out an annoyed sigh, but giggle after it.
- What are you going to do, hm? Shock me?
- Stop with these puns already! - I laugh and punch his arm playfully.
- OuCh. - his voice hits the high notes. This will not only cause the damage to my ears, but also to my brain.
I'd die of boredom without this man.
I look at him as he investigates my doodles from the meeting. His face... it always has that warm expression around me. I don't mind; I keep staring at him, not capable of understanding why this awakens this weird feeling in me. My heart feels weird, I feel slight stings whenever I catch him looking at me. Whenever he talks, I wish he'd never stop. Is that what people call love? I wish I understood myself better, I still know too little... about [y/n] - about true me. Not Laria.
Laria is a thief. Person who didn't care whether someone loses something precious, but she survives. I'm [y/n], the member of the Valorant; I finally discover my true personality, step by step letting it reveal. I finally have friends, people to care about, and a purpose. And it isn't surviving any more.
It's getting as much as I can from the only life I have.
Maybe I am sent to risky missions, maybe I am treated harshly, but I feel like I'm doing something good. My actions have a meaning and are appreciated. I couldn't ask for more.
Aamir, by this time, tries to turn on the radio with his foot, looking at me from time to time to see if it makes me smile. I know his intentions, especially he makes weird faces while that. Gosh, that dude.
Surprisingly he turns it on after a short moment. His victorious laugh fills the room. I can't help it, but smile at it.
- [y/n]. - he says all of a sudden, his voice full of seriousness.
- Yes? - I turn my head at him, still with the smile.
- Have you ever danced? - I see his hand crawling like a spider on the sofa at my hand's direction. Before I can react, it firmly grabs it, pulling me whole up, careful not to make me fall over the table. I giggle and feel Aamir grabbing me firmly, but gently, all of a sudden leading me in the dance. Me, surprised almost tripped over the carpet, but the man caught me, making it seem like a planned move. The wink he sends me makes my face feel hot, and he pulls me up immediately. His moves are steady and spontaneous. Easily leading me, it feels like I don't have a control over my body, but he does. Just by holding my two hands, he's able to spin me all around the room.
- You have danced, I can tell by your professional moves. - he whispers, his warm breath gently brushing my cheek. I hear him giggle gently, but after a while he slows down the dance and freezes in one place for a moment. Then, he hesitantly wraps arms around my belly, hugging me from behind. - I wanted to do that for some time now. - he murmurs, his voice sounding completely relaxed and warm. - Do you feel uncomfortable? Sorry...
To my surprise, I don't. It feels just right. I place my hands on his arms.
- It's not that bad... - I whisper. He giggles, not letting me out of the hug.
We stand like that for a while until I snap out of this state. What the hell are we doing? No, no, no. We shouldn't. This isn't right. I need to get out of his grip.
But the body disobeys me.
{Cypher}
What are we doing, what are we doing, what are we doing...
This wasn't planned, I wasn't supposed to do that. I can't stop now. I'm glued to her. I need to do something...
Her heartbeat, I feel it. So calm... No stress, just relaxed. I want this to never end, I want her to be like this forever. In my arms, safe.
Fucking hell, Aamir.
The feeling is so strong though, that... I can't ignore it any more. I need to accept it, I can't get rid of it. She'll be the treasure to me for the rest of my life. Priceless one. Who would've thought, as much as I wanted to avoid her, now I'm here, literally not wanting to leave her side. I doubt I'll ever be able to let her go, anywhere, without me. I need to tell her what I feel, but words are stuck in my throat. I can't spit it out.
I bet she already knows, though.