Zaun - The Pit

The pit was dark, suffocating in the aftermath of the battle between Vi, Caitlyn, Jinx, and Sevika. Broken debris and the acrid stench of smoke filled the air. Amid the chaos, Vi and Caitlyn lay motionless on the ground. Vi's gauntleted arm rested protectively across Caitlyn, a silent testament to her instincts.

Caitlyn stirred first, groaning softly as she struggled to sit up. Her face was bruised, dirt streaked across her pale skin. She glanced around, her eyes burning with determination as they locked onto the blocked path ahead. She forced herself upright, her legs trembling beneath her. Snatching up her Hextech rifle, she stumbled forward, her focus sharpening on the debris standing between her and her prey.

Her breath quickened as she gripped her rifle tightly and began slamming the butt of it against the rubble. Each strike echoed through the pit, a desperate and furious rhythm. The debris didn't budge. Caitlyn's frustration mounted, her strikes becoming more erratic and forceful.

Behind her, Vi groaned as she pushed herself onto her elbows, wincing from the aches that racked her body. "Cait..." she rasped, her voice low and strained.

Caitlyn didn't respond, her focus fixed on the unyielding barrier. She pounded the rifle again and again until her arms shook, and the rifle finally slipped from her grasp, useless now. Breathing heavily, she leaned her forehead against the cold debris, her eyes shut tight, tears threatening to spill. "You stopped me," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Vi, standing unsteadily, dropped her gauntlets to the ground with a loud clang and began to approach. "I shouldn't have had to," Vi said, her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

Caitlyn didn't move, her head still pressed against the rubble. "I had the shot," she murmured, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

"That was a kid," Vi shot back, her tone hardening. "What if you missed?"

Caitlyn's eyes snapped open, and she turned to face Vi, her expression sharp and unyielding. "I wasn't going to miss."

Vi paused, studying Caitlyn with furrowed brows, her expression shifting from anger to concern. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, her voice softening but still laden with disbelief.

Caitlyn stepped past Vi, brushing her shoulder as she moved. "I keep telling myself that you're different," she said coldly, "but you're not."

Vi turned, her eyes following Caitlyn's retreating figure, pain flashing across her face. Caitlyn stopped at the base of a ladder leading out of the pit. Her voice cut through the silence like a blade. "It's her blood in your veins."

Vi stiffened at the words, a storm of anger and sadness flashing in her eyes. She lunged forward, grabbing Caitlyn's arm, her voice shaking with fury. "Then why are you the one acting like her?!"

Her grip loosened as her hand slid down to Caitlyn's. For a moment, she waited, her eyes searching Caitlyn's face for a reply, for anything that could bridge the growing chasm between them.

Caitlyn's breathing grew ragged as she absorbed Vi's words. The weight of it pressed down on her, but she didn't show it. She bit her lip, her expression wavering. Just as Vi's grip softened, Caitlyn swung the butt of her rifle into Vi's stomach.

Vi's eyes widened as she staggered back, gasping in pain as she collapsed to her knees. A sob escaped her lips as she doubled over, clutching her stomach. Tears began to stream down her face, her body trembling.

Caitlyn stood still for a moment, her rifle at her side, her gaze fixed on Vi. But whatever conflict stirred within her, she buried it deep. Turning away, she climbed the ladder, her steps resolute but heavy.

Vi remained where she was, kneeling in the dirt. She glanced up, her face wet with tears, watching as Caitlyn disappeared from view. Her head dropped, her sobs breaking the stillness of the pit. Her gauntlets lay forgotten on the ground, cold and lifeless, as Vi cried, alone in the dark.

Just outside the pit, Mason and Woods moved cautiously, their weapons sweeping the area for any sign of lingering threats. The glow of nearby fires cast flickering shadows across the broken terrain. Mason's sharp eyes flicked to the pit's edge as he spotted movement.

"Woods, over here," Mason called out, his voice low but commanding.

Both men lowered their weapons as Caitlyn emerged, walking towards them with a determined yet distant stride. Her face was bruised, her uniform disheveled, and her steps seemed heavy, almost mechanical.

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Mason stepped forward, glancing at Woods before addressing Caitlyn. "We managed to take down some Shimmer supplies," he said, his tone a mix of relief and accomplishment. "This might finally start turning the tide."

But Caitlyn walked past without a word, her breathing ragged, her focus elsewhere. Mason frowned, taking a step after her. "Caitlyn, did you hear what I just said?"

She stopped abruptly, her boots crunching against the debris-strewn ground, but she didn't turn around. Mason exchanged a quick, concerned look with Woods before speaking again. "Jinx? Sevika? Were they taken care of?"

Caitlyn's shoulders tensed, her hands clenching at her sides. For a moment, there was only the sound of her labored breathing. Finally, her voice broke the silence, laced with frustration and exhaustion. "They... got away."

"What?" Woods blurted, disbelief flashing across his face. "How? What the hell happened?"

Caitlyn hesitated, then her voice sharpened with anger. "Vi. She got in my way."

Mason's brow furrowed deeply. "What are you talking about? Where's Vi?"

Caitlyn didn't answer. Her head dipped slightly, and she started walking again, her boots crunching softly against the dirt. Her silence hung heavy in the air.

"Caitlyn!" Mason called out, his tone rising with impatience and concern. She didn't stop, her figure disappearing into the haze.

Mason let out a frustrated breath, turning to Woods. "What the hell was that about?"

Woods, still staring at the pit's edge, shook his head. "I don't know, but something's seriously screwed up here."

Without another word, they moved toward the pit, the tension thick as they prepared to find whatever answers—or trouble—waited below.

As Mason and Woods reached the edge of the pit, they peered down into the gloom. There, in the dim light, they saw Vi kneeling, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Her gauntlets lay discarded on the ground beside her, gleaming faintly in the shadows.

Mason's brows furrowed, his voice echoing slightly as he called out, "Vi?"

She didn't react.

Mason glanced at Woods, his expression hardening. Without hesitation, he began descending the ladder, his movements quick but careful. Woods followed close behind, muttering, "This better not be what I think it is."

As Mason reached the bottom, he jumped the final few feet, landing with a soft grunt. He crouched briefly, steadying himself, before rising and approaching Vi cautiously. "Vi, what happened?" he asked, his voice firm but not unkind.

Vi didn't answer. Her head hung low, her sobs muffled as her hands clenched into fists against her thighs.

Mason knelt down in front of her, his tone more urgent now. "Vi, talk to me. What's going on?" He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

Suddenly, Vi shoved him back with surprising force, her voice erupting in anger. "Get away!" she yelled, her tone raw and trembling.

Mason stumbled slightly but held his ground, his eyes narrowing as he straightened. "What the hell's wrong with you?!" he barked, his own frustration bubbling up.

Vi took a few shaky steps back, her arms wrapping tightly around herself as if to hold together the pieces. Her sobs grew softer but no less heart-wrenching, her head hung low. Woods approached cautiously, his gruff voice cutting through the tension. "Kid, listen—"

Before he could finish, Vi's fist lashed out with a force that startled even her. The punch connected squarely with Woods' jaw, sending him staggering back. His M27 Assault Rifle slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground. "Agh! Fuck!" Woods growled, his voice sharp and full of annoyance. He wiped his mouth, pulling his hand back to see blood smeared across his palm.

Woods snarled, his temper flaring. His hand went to his sidearm, yanking it free with a swift motion. He leveled the pistol at Vi, his eyes blazing with frustration. "You piece of shit!"

Vi didn't flinch. She stood there, shoulders heaving, tears streaming down her face. She didn't even look at him, her sobs still breaking the silence, her spirit too fractured to react.

Mason's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. "Woods!" he shouted, rushing between them, his arms outstretched. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Woods' grip on the pistol tightened, his face twisting with anger. "She fucking hit me, Mason! What am I supposed to do—just let her?!"

"She's didn't mean it!" Mason shot back, his voice fierce as he held his ground. "Put the damn gun down!"

Mason turned to Vi, his tone softening but no less serious. "Vi... I don't know what happened in there, but this isn't the way to handle it. Whatever's eating at you, you've gotta talk to us."

Vi didn't answer. Her sobs continued, broken and raw, as she stumbled back toward the wall. She slid down slowly, curling herself into a small ball, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Her tears fell freely, her pain pouring out into the silence.

Mason sighed heavily, turning to Woods. "Woods, listen. It was an accident," he said, his voice firm but calm.

Woods scoffed, his expression hard. "That didn't feel like no accident," he shot back as his body became tense. His eyes flicked to Vi, her trembling form in the corner. "She threw that punch like she meant it."

"She's not in her right mind," Mason countered. "She's not thinking straight."

Woods gritted his teeth, his jaw twitching. For a moment, he didn't move, his frustration radiating off him. Mason stepped closer, his voice sharper now. "Frank!"

Woods finally let out a slow breath, shaking his head as he slowly lowered his pistol and turned away. He then walked towards his rifle grabbing it on the ground as he slinged it across his back. "We're done here." He marched toward the ladder, muttering something unintelligible under his breath as he climbed.

Mason glanced back at Vi, her figure small and fragile against the debris-strewn wall. Her sobs echoed softly, filling the pit with a haunting weight. Mason's shoulders sagged, a mix of pity and helplessness flickering across his face. "We'll figure this out," he said quietly, more to himself than to Vi.

Deciding to give her the space she so clearly needed, Mason turned and headed for the ladder. As he climbed, he looked back once more, Vi's quiet sobs still echoing in his ears. With a heavy heart, he disappeared from the pit, leaving Vi alone once more, her gauntlets lying cold and forgotten beside her.