Absolution | Yoru x Reader
Chapter 1: "Awakening"
Wattpad Link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/354742695-absolution-yoru-x-reader
You awoke with a sudden jolt, your body drenched in cold sweat, and your eyes slowly blinked open. Your surroundings came into focus, revealing glistening fragments of what appeared to be radianite scattered about, casting an eerie, spectral glow in the dim room. The sole source of illumination hung from the ceiling, a solitary, swinging lamp. As you attempted to sit up, a peculiar, electric sensation coursed through your body, causing your head to spin and your throat to constrict. Every movement seemed to sap your strength, as if the frigid air conspired to hold you in place.
The world you once knew lay in ruins, and the feeble light in the room could only provide limited guidance. With great effort, you managed to stand, trailing your bloodied and battered hands along the walls in a desperate search for an exit. But, to your mounting despair, your quest yielded nothing. Panic gripped you with each futile attempt, pushing you to the brink until you crumbled to the ground, overcome by a flood of desperate tears.
Time lost meaning within that claustrophobic chamber, an eternity compressed into mere hours. Eventually, you succumbed to exhaustion and anxiety, collapsing back onto the unforgiving floor, tears mingling with the pain and confusion, until sleep mercifully overcame you.
The sensation of holding a rifle was meant to be empowering, instilling a sense of purpose. Sage's delicate hands lovingly caressed the weapon's handguard, entrusting her life to it as she prepared to infiltrate the facility. Accompanied by four others, they loaded their magazines, their faces exuding confidence, readying themselves for the challenges ahead.
Typically, Sage was not the one to lead operations; her role usually involved overseeing the injured and ensuring their safety. However, Brimstone had entrusted her with this mission due to the precarious condition of the captives. It was widely known among the team that losing Sage would be catastrophic. Her gaze swept over her comrades with a motherly tenderness, assuring them of her unwavering protection.
Sage's eyes first locked onto Neon, her hand gently touching Neon's face, reassuring her, "Neon, I believe in you. We will make it home safe, I promise." She then turned to Fade, her heart open and vulnerable, offering encouragement, "Fade, you know your mission, and I have no doubt you'll give it your all, for Valorant."
Killjoy observed as Sage approached her, fidgeting with her gun, her nervousness apparent. Sage chuckled softly and rested her hand on Killjoy's shoulder, "You'll perform brilliantly out there, Killjoy. We have complete faith in your tech." Last but not least, Sage confronted the enigmatic Yoru, her gaze piercing, "Yoru, you're undoubtedly our MVP, but don't forget the significance of our mission."
Yoru watched as Sage walked away, arms crossed, feeling a mix of bewilderment at her words and pride for being called an MVP. He ensured his customized vandal was intact, then took his place behind Sage, ready for the mission. They approached a hatch buried beneath fallen leaves, surrounded by towering trees in the crisp autumn air. Sage strained to lift the hatch, but as the air hissed around her, she coughed and stumbled back.
Squinting into the darkness, Sage hesitated as all five of them descended into the pit. Yoru was the first to step forward, scanning the room that unfolded before him. Sage looked back at her team, their faces barely visible, and issued her first set of orders, "Neon and Fade, find the main control room to restore the lights. Killjoy and I will locate the hostage and set up defenses. Yoru, identify hostiles and inform us if you find the hostage."
Everyone nodded and split up, utilizing their flashlight attachments to navigate the dim labyrinth. Killjoy and Sage headed toward the area Cypher had pointed to, ensuring they watched all angles for potential threats. Fade and Neon made their way to the control panel, and Neon successfully activated the lights, revealing the extent of the situation.
Yoru, however, stumbled upon a gruesome sight. He relayed to the team through his earpiece, "What the hell is all this? Radianite everywhere… and corpses, it smells awful."
Sage shook her head in disbelief and scolded Yoru, "Is that your primary concern? Are you certain it's radianite and not something else?" Killjoy emerged from the saferoom, recoiling from a horrifying sight, "I don't know what I just witnessed, but it's beyond terrifying."
Sage switched off her earpiece, gripping her rifle with trembling hands as she cautiously peered around the corner. Her eyes widened in horror at the gruesome scene before them: a heap of dead Radiants piled in front of red letters that spelled out 'Down with these pigs.' She approached the gruesome spectacle with extreme caution, extending her arm to stop Killjoy from venturing closer. She turned her earpiece back on, reporting the scene to her teammates and instructing them to continue searching for the hostage.
Once more, you jolted awake, caught in the grip of an icy shiver, perspiration trickling down your face. You attempted to sit up, just as you had before, only to discover your strength waning. It felt as though your body had been drained of every ounce of vitality and life. Struggling with all your might to remain upright, you dragged your battered leg toward the nearest wall, banging on it with all the strength you could muster, only to crumple to the ground once again.
Gasping, you clutched your stomach, feeling the painful constriction as nausea threatened to overwhelm you due to the stress and anxiety. You dared not utter a sound, aware that any attempt to do so might lead to choking on your own vomit. Instead, you continued to pound on the unyielding concrete wall, knowing that each blow only added to your suffering.
Yoru's determination to search intensified. His primary concern wasn't the identity of the trapped individual; he was driven by a fierce desire to enhance his reputation among his peers, to be hailed as a hero. Competitiveness coursed through him at an extreme level. He fretted that Neon and Fade might reach their target before him, potentially stealing the credit he craved.
He clawed his way into the rift, swiftly retrieving his mask and securing it over his face as gravity seemed to betray him. Navigating through this alternate dimension, he felt unburdened by the constraints of time. He effortlessly glided past corridors, his eyes darting from door to door, yet it felt as if he was trapped in an endless loop. His frustration grew with each passing moment.
Returning to his starting point, Yoru's anger surged. He swiftly activated his earpiece and bellowed, "I don't have a clue who the hell we're searching for, but this feels like an impossible task." Fade chimed in, "Yoru, have you always been this loud? Neon and I picked up a signal. It seems our target is radiant."
Frustrated beyond measure, Yoru yanked the earpiece from his ear and slammed his fist against the wall. Mission after mission, he felt as though he couldn't contribute beyond taking shots at the enemy. The issue had been raised during a protocol meeting, and they were contemplating benching him for additional training. The memory of that meeting haunted him, the disappointment etched on the faces of the protocol members, especially the stern countenance and voice of Brimstone. It filled him with anger. He knew he had to locate the person they were searching for, if only to prove his worth.
Sage's delicate fingertips gently traced over the clothing of the deceased Radiants as she searched for any distinctive markings. She couldn't help but notice faint, ethereal blue glows emanating from their skin. Filled with curiosity, she attempted to use her restorative abilities on one of the lifeless bodies, only to be met with a searing pain coursing through her own body as the Radiant's form vehemently rejected the healing.
Shocked and bewildered, Sage turned to Killjoy, her expression reflecting her astonishment. "This is impossible. It's as if the Radiance has somehow turned and devoured their bodies," she muttered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Killjoy's face contorted with terror. She had encountered dead bodies before, but there was something uniquely unsettling about seeing her own kind in such a horrific state. Sage, after snapping a few pictures of the grim scene, reported back to Brimstone, waiting anxiously for a response.
Neon and Fade navigated the labyrinthine corridors with meticulous precision, systematically clearing every conceivable corner to ensure they wouldn't be caught off guard. Their progress took an unexpected turn when they stumbled upon a ladder. This wasn't the ladder they had initially descended from, but an entirely different one that led even further underground. Neon tentatively touched the ladder's steps, preparing to descend until she suddenly recoiled, a fierce sensation coursing through her body, causing her to yelp in pain. "What was that?" she exclaimed, examining her fingers with the skin peeling off and blood oozing from the wound.
Fade scrutinized Neon's injured fingers and then turned her gaze toward the ominous ladder. "We need to inform Yoru about this. It's not safe to touch or be around," she asserted, feeling a sense of frustration that they had to involve that arrogant troublemaker, aware of his eagerness for attention.
Yoru, upon receiving the message, hurried over, his focus fixed on the ladder. "Did you let Sage know?" he inquired, an unmistakable air of amusement in his voice, hoping they hadn't, giving him another reason to feel superior.
Rolling her eyes and crossing her arms, Fade replied, "No, we thought it's best to get the hostage out before worrying Sage about a tampered ladder."
Yoru scoffed, then deployed his Gatecrash into the pit and teleported, connecting himself to the portal. He activated his flashlight attachment as he coughed from the dust, evidence that this place had remained untouched for days. Carefully, he navigated the dimly lit corridor, his flashlight darting from point A to point B, fully prepared for any potential confrontation.
Then, his attention sharpened as he picked up faint signs of life coming from his right. He stomped on the ground and called out, "Hello? Come out, you coward." Yoru was determined to intimidate whoever was present. However, he halted when he heard Neon's voice in his earpiece, urging him to get serious and find something.
Those words irritated him, as if the admiration he usually received had turned into disdain. He scoffed and continued scanning the walls until he spotted what seemed to be a hatch. His smirk returned as he strode toward it. "Look what I found," he announced, his hand gripping the handle, causing the hatch to release a hiss of air. Yoru instinctively turned his head away as he dropped his rifle and covered his mouth to avoid inhaling whatever had been released.
In his moment of shock, his rifle accidentally discharged a round into the wall, causing him to jump in surprise. "Fuck!" he exclaimed. After regaining his composure and maintaining his balance, he peered down into the room, spotting a small woman curled up in the middle of it. "Hello?" he called out. He then transmitted through his earpiece, "I believe I've found her…"
Your eyes shot upward, and a towering figure loomed over you. Fear seized your heart, and you instinctively backed into the wall, crying out with what little voice you had left. Tears welled up in your eyes as you lifted your arms to shield yourself, watching the man descend into the room where you'd been imprisoned for days. You continued to retreat from him, your voice trembling, "P-please, stay away…"
He remained silent, merely studying you with an unyielding gaze. After a few tense moments, you ceased your struggles, realizing he wasn't taking any immediate action. "Why are you here?" you managed to ask.
His expression remained impassive as he straightened up. "It's not like I want to be. I was ordered to come rescue you," he replied, the finality in his tone bolstering his self-assuredness, observing your submission to his authority. Suddenly gathering your strength, you attempted to lift yourself up, but he made no move to assist you. As you moved further into the light, the room's center felt colder than the darkness. The man's pitiless gaze bore into you as he watched your every move. He asked, "So, aren't you going to climb up?"
You glanced at the ladder and then back at him, your body tensing with embarrassment and shame at the lack of empathy he displayed. Slowly, you limped over to the ladder, clutching its rungs as you looked back at him. He closely followed you, and you hoisted yourself up. Your legs struggled under your own weight as you continued climbing, feeling his unyielding eyes on your back. "I-I'm sorry," you stammered, not entirely sure why you were apologizing, but sensing the man's patience wearing thin.
He scoffed and pushed you further up the ladder, accidentally striking your leg against the metal rung, causing you to cry out in pain. You couldn't resist him, so you climbed until your hands gripped the cold concrete floor. Eventually, Yoru ascended behind you, giving you an exasperated look as his shoulder brushed past yours. "Look, you're going to have to hold onto me. I hate it as much as you do," he grumbled, furrowing his brows.
Bewildered, you stared at him, unable to question him. But you complied, noting the annoyance on his face. Yoru grabbed you by your tattered shirt, pulling you close to his chest as he set up a Gatecrash portal above the final ladder. The world around you spun, and you felt a series of blue flashes envelop you, like being trapped in a whirlwind of chaos. You felt nauseous but couldn't vomit. Finally, you found yourself on the ground, surrounded by a group of people. To your right, a short, black-haired woman extended her hand to you, helping you up as she looked at you with sympathy in her eyes, radiating warmth.
You gazed at her, still scared and confused, as her face filled with sorrow. She glanced around, instructing the others to get in touch with someone you couldn't quite make out. You were so disoriented that you couldn't keep your eyes open. However, a rush of coldness coursed through your body, breathing life into your battered form. You couldn't discern any specific touches or words, only feeling the wind rushing around you and tears streaming down your cheeks.
Neon kept a close watch, her gaze fixed on your expression as she observed you being carried on Yoru's back toward the aircraft. "Will she be okay?" she inquired, turning to Fade, who wore a somber expression as she sighed, "We can only hope. We can't afford to lose another person under Valorant's watch."
Neon couldn't help but feel a deep sympathy for you, trying to fathom what it must have been like being held captive in that place for nearly five days. The thought of enduring such isolation and despair was horrifying. She recognized that many of her comrades had grown somewhat desensitized to these hostage situations due to their regular occurrence, but something about this one felt different. There was a palpable sense of loneliness and anguish that painted your face with sorrow. Neon wished nothing but the best for you, hoping that you would find some semblance of solace and healing after the ordeal.
As everyone headed back to the aircraft, Sage anxiously bit her nail while listening to Brimstone's orders. "You need to get her back to the HQ immediately. If she's a radiant, it's crucial that we study her and ensure her safety with us. We can't afford another incident, Sage," Brimstone instructed.
Sage nodded in acknowledgment and swiftly returned to her companions, passing on Brimstone's message as she charted the course for the journey back to headquarters. Yoru, who had been carrying you throughout the journey, reacted with a disgusted scoff as he practically tossed you onto one of the aircraft seats, earning disapproving looks from both Neon and Fade.
Fade was the first to break the silence, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Wow, it seems like you're truly aiming to get kicked off, aren't you?"
Yoru glared at her with disdain. "Rich of you to say. It's like you're the one with all those secret agendas and your disgusting coffee." His words dripped with contempt.
Fade simply shook her head, wearing a sardonic smile as her eyes locked with Yoru's. Meanwhile, Neon watched the exchange and chuckled nervously before seating herself next to your unconscious body, ensuring that both of you were securely buckled in for the journey.
As Sage inspected the aircraft along with Yoru, she double-checked the course and ensured that everything and everyone were securely in place before takeoff. Yoru opted to sit across from you, seemingly indifferent to your presence as the aircraft began its journey back to the headquarters. Yoru couldn't deny that he felt a twinge of sympathy for you, never having encountered a situation quite like this during his tenure in the Valorant Protocol. But deep down, he had an inkling that this might be the last time he would see you, didn't he?
