Chapter 18: Grief

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Short Recap: In last chapter Sage got surrounded by the agents and other(Jett, Sova, Cypher and KJ) were able to successfully retreat.

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Valorant HQ

Brim was sitting in his office, anxiously awaiting updates on the situation. It has been quite some time since the last update, from when they landed. He's trying not to let his worries consume him, but the uncertainty of this type of urgent mission where very little information is available can be overwhelming.

After a few minutes, he receives a call on his comms; it was from KillJoy, who finally managed to establish a secure line.

"What's the situation?" he asks.

"Sir, it was a trap, but we were able to retreat back," she says, taking a pause before continuing, "but Cypher is unconscious, due to blood loss, a- and we had to leave Sage behind. She sacrificed herself for us." her voice cracking with grief.

There was no response, total silence. Kj again tried to say something but got cut by a deep sigh on the other end of the line.

" What's your ETA?" Brim asked

"about 15 minutes"

"Alright, come safely and get treated; after that, we'll hold a meeting. We need to tell this unfortunate news to everyone else."

The line went dead, leaving Kj feeling a mix of relief and sadness. They realised the battle had left scars on their team, but the solemn confirmation from Brim drove the harsh reality home. As they rushed towards their destination, thoughts of Sage's sacrifice weighed heavily on their minds. The loss would be devastating for everyone involved, and Kj couldn't help but wonder how they would break the news to the rest of the team.

Brim bows his head onto the table, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he struggles to control his emotions. 'How am I supposed to convey this when I myself am not able to accept it' he thinks.

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Everyone except the Assailaint team gathered in the meeting room; they too soon entered, catching everyone's attention. Their injuries and wounds raised many people's eyebrows and sparked a flurry of concerned whispers.

Phoenix was the first one to ask, "Ay, did Sage not heal you yet?" Before anyone could answer, Viper asked yet another question: "Where's Sage and Cypher?" , a bad feeling arose in her stomach.

All the agents looked up, expecting some answers. Jett replies, "Cypher is unconscious; he got wounded on our way back, and as for Sage..." Jett's voice trailed off as she mentioned Sage, leaving a heavy silence in the room, intensifying the curiosity about Sage's situation.

"About that," Brim speaks up, catching everyone's attention. He continues, "I've called you here to pass on some unfortunate news." Brim's sombre tone sent a wave of unease through the room.

"Sage, our beloved healer, is not with us anymore. She sacrificed herself for the safety of the team; she was a true leader. Her bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten. Today we mourn the loss of a dear friend and teammate."

Everyone's heart dropped as they struggled to process the magnitude of their loss. No one was able to speak for a few moments; the weight of the news sinking in. Finally, one of them found their voice and asked, "What happened? How did it happen?" Jett took a deep breath, her eyes filled with sorrow, and began to recount the events that led to Sage's sacrifice. Her words hung in the air, enveloping the room in a dull silence as each person grappled with their own emotions and memories of their fallen companion.

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Too shocked to talk, Viper left the room with a sorrowful heart. The news of her partner's passing hits her like a sledgehammer, shattering her world in an instant. She looked out the window and saw the sun setting down. The day was ending, and the world felt emptier without her. She just wanted to go to her room and lie down.

She made her way to her room, sinking into the welcoming embrace of her bed, seeking solace in the familiar warmth of her blankets. Today, the silence felt louder in her room than ever before. She rolled over to face the wall where her gun was hanging, and noticed the gunbuddy—Sage's birthday present to her—on it. With this came an overwhelming wave of memories that drowned Viper in tears and nostalgia.

Her mind was filled with regret, frustration, anger, and sadness as she clenched her blanket and sank her teeth into the pillow, desperately trying not to cry. She was once again reminded of why she detests attachments so much.

After an hour and a half of relentless tears and internal turmoil, she finally managed to quell the storm of emotions within her. She took a big breath, sat up, and wiped away her tears. She walks into her bathroom to wash her face and exits her room; she didn't have a spot in mind, but just needed a change of environment.

She walks into the cafeteria to find her old friends Omen and Brim chatting on the chair. She gets herself a cup of coffee and joins them. "The place is too gloomy and quiet today, though I guess it's understandable." Viper breaks the silence by initiating the conversation, a rare occurrence for her. Omen and Brim both look up in surprise at Viper's sudden participation in the conversation. Brim nods in agreement, "Yeah, it's been a tough day for everyone. No one was ready for such a great loss, not even me. Reyna and others are out in range, taking out their anger on those pitiful robots " Omen adds, "Oh, the irony, the healer who healed my every wound to leave the biggest scar."

It was getting harder to contain the emotions as they spoke about Sage for a while before Vipers left the room. Once more, she wanders aimlessly and finds herself in the hallway leading to Sage's room. Once more heading into Sage's room, she pauses upon seeing Jett seated at the entrance, a tearful expression on her face. She pauses upon seeing Jett seated at the entrance, a tearful expression on her face.

'Everyone's affected by your death, Ling. Please come back. We miss you' Viper thought, 'i should console her and offer my support.' Viper took a deep breath and approached Jett, ready to provide comfort during this difficult time. She was trying to do whatever she could to help others.

She took a step but stopped again when she noticed Phoenix standing in front of Jett, looking equally distraught. He sat down beside her and started patting her back. "Here....I got you some water, you can stay here as long as you want, i'll also be with you. It's fine; we're in this together ," Phoenix said softly, offering his support to Jett. Phoenix pulls her into a tight hug. Jett leaned into Phoenix's embrace, feeling a sense of warmth and solidarity wash over her. In that moment, she knew she wasn't alone in her grief and that her friends would always be there for her.

Viper felt at ease seeing the scene unfold in front of her, 'it seems like people will manage, though I wish she was also here, relieving me of all sadness through her embrace' she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for her own missing loved one. With a heavy heart, she made her way to the balcony, hoping to find solace in the memories of happier times. She stood there, looking out at the night sky, recalling how last time Sage carried her here. "This is the spot she always came to relax and find peace," Viper said to herself, a bittersweet smile forming on her lips. The memories of Sage's comforting presence lingered, bringing a sense of warmth to her heart even in her absence.

She sat down on the balcony, took out her phone, and started scrolling through photos of her and Sage. Each picture held a precious memory—a moment frozen in time that brought a mix of joy and sadness to her heart. She couldn't help but linger on the image of Sage wrapping her in a warm embrace, her pictures from when she fell asleep during movie night, Memories came flooding in, and so did the tears.

"I want to know what you wished for that day." She reminisced about the day they first visited this spot, where Sage made a wish under a shooting star, a moment etched in their shared history. "I hope it turned out to be true."

And then, among all memories, she was reminded of the prank she did on Sage. "Oh I forgot to translate her last words from that time" she said.

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