Authors Note
Hey guys! This is my first story so bare with me. I've been obsessed with the Overwatch universe for quite some time now and decided to write a fanfic for one of my favorite characters. I do plan on continuing this if people enjoy it. I posted this story about a month ago but decided to take it down and revise due to second thoughts on where I wanted it to go. Feedback and ideas are always welcome if you have any!
Prologue: The Soul of a Widow
In the night of his death, I felt no remorse. Not a touch of sorrow coursed my veins when I left him there, cold and bloodied on the floor. To try and compensate for the emptiness in my heart was beyond remedy. He left me alone. He left me for those cowards. He left me with the make-believe stories I retell myself before every kill. The ones that tell me I will be okay. That somehow he will come back for me. That one day, I will be human again…
But as I long for the soothing reassurance in his voice, wondering how he could let this happen to us, I'm met with the hollow sensation of betrayal. There is no going back. It's the bargain I've made. He took my soul, so I took his life.
"Widowmaker, you asked for me?" Cade, my second in command, greets me alone at the fire.
"Did the girl agree to our arrangement?" I say.
"Without questions,"
"Then she's just as foolish as the others,"
It's nights like these where I find my sanity. Preparing, and envisioning in my head what it will be like. As a girl, I can remember the same anxious nerves slipping into my pointe shoes and lacing up my bodice. The sweet anticipation of knowing tomorrow beholds the stage of my grand performance. A single moment in time where all else is shrouded behind the spotlight and I become alive in my craft. I like to pretend that he's watching. It was once a dream of mine that he would surprise me at one of my shows. Of course, saving the world with that circus of misled hopefuls was the only thing that could have severed it. So now, he can watch me in all my flowing grace, as I undo everything he spent his life fighting for.
"Have you slept?" Cade says.
"Not since I watched them walk onto that ship with our hostages," I say.
"Don't sweat it. Talon won't let them escape with a prize this decorated,"
"I never said I was," I turn to him sternly.
"Then why are you still up?"
"Perhaps to ask you if the girl agreed to the arrangement?"
He chuckles. "Once she returns, we'll coordinate a plan to infiltrate the village. But we'll have to be quick. They've probably only stopped to refuel and restock their ship. Once they're done, they'll be off."
"Then let's not miss our opportunity,"
"Of course not, Ma'am. You might want to get some rest though,"
"I'm fine," I shoo him away with the flick of my hand and perch myself back against the fallen tree stump.
It's been six days since we lost the hostages. Six days of tracking the desert for that slippery gang of Overwatch fighters. To think this mission could have been completed back in the ruins of that city only infuriates me more now that we've found ourselves on the western coast of Africa. Our resources are depleted, and at the moment we have nothing to show for our efforts but the sand on our boots. Talon didn't send me with much, but what is left of my crew are tired, futile guns who have done nothing but got in my way the past few days. It's something I've gotten used to—being relied on as their only ticket home. I wish I could tell them their service is appreciated, and that their lives matter. But every time I think of words to lift their worthless spirits, or a clever phrase to spring them into action, I'm reminded of why we're all here. We have one duty, and it's dedicated to the fall of Overwatch, regardless of the price.
A world of peace is no longer possible. Not when its only heroes are nothing more than fabricated symbols of hope thrown in our faces to mask the true failures that they are. Talon helped me realize this the night they pried me from my home. There was no glorious protector to help me then. No Overwatch agent to safeguard it's connected families. Not even a loving husband there to save his wife…
"She's here," Cade bumps me awake from the haunting visions of sleep.
The sun has barely broken the horizon. It's only instinct to want to crawl back into the shadows that nurtured me when I was broken, but I find a way to make myself to my feet. Today I'm a slave to finishing this mission. Talon won't tolerate another failed attempt to capture those scientists. And by no means do I look forward to spending another day in this deserted wasteland.
The bronzed skinned girl awaits me at the entrance of my tent. She was given simple orders. Bring us any information on the Overwatch team operating from her village and in return, Talon would provide her impoverished family with a generous payment.
"Couldn't have arrived at a better time," I stretch my limbs and barely keep my balance as I fit into my jumpsuit.
"I'm sorry to intrude so early, ma'am, it wasn't planned." She says.
"Of course, child," I say. "there was never much that could hold me back from opening an early present on Christmas day,"
"Christmas is far from the days I look forward to, ma'am," She says.
"Then surely this Christmas is special," I pull a box for her to sit on and kneel to meet her at eye level. The smile stretching her cheeks makes it impossible to ignore her innocence, but as she begins to tremble, nothing can conceal the dismay that she's trying to hide. Most children are frightened by my appearance, and I get it—skinned deprived of its color, eyes cold as the solstice moon—but for the first time, I'm certain it's not what's creating such a struggle to speak.
"Please forgive me," She says as she breaks into a cry.
I raise her chin with the tips of my fingers, "Shhh. You've done a remarkable duty. You will make your family proud,"
"They found me," She says.
"What?" One of my agents gasps.
My muscles tense, and I dare strike her with a tightening fist that curls at my side.
"They took me in for questioning,"
"Search her!" Cade orders.
As my men straddle her and rip her of her belongings, I maintain her attention. "What's your name?" I ask.
"Kora," she says.
"Such a beautiful name," I say, tracing my nail from the creases of her chin to the lump in her throat.
"And why have you done this for us?" I ask.
"My family is starving ma'am," she cries.
"Then I would expect you to carry out this task to your full potential," I say.
"I did. But…I didn't know they were so ruthless. I didn't know they would take it that far. They… they aren't what the world says they are," She cries.
"And this comes to you as a surprise?" I laugh.
"They beat me. Even threatened to torture me if I wouldn't speak."
"We found this in her bag," Cade holds a small blinking device in his hands. A tracker, much to the likes of Overwatch.
Though I give her the benefit of explaining herself further, her lips remain sealed in terror.
"Hang her!" One of the men shouts.
"Please! I didn't know!" She fights with her words. "Don't hurt me. Don't hurt my family," She pleads
"*tsk* *tsk* *tsk* You poor thing," I rip her jaw so that her eyes stay met with mine. "Trust me, I know what its like to have something terrible happen to those you love." I say. "I'm not going to hurt them…" Her hazel eyes widen with relief. I reach for the rifle at my side, trying to mask the rage biting at my bones. "Just you" I say. In one swift motion, I drop her under the mercy of my weapon, pressing it into her skull.
This is where it takes over-the uncontrollable force. The swelling of trapped memories and nightmares that scorch the remnants of Amelie Lacriox from my soul. It's a thrill almost, because this is where my performance begins. The only remedy I have left to purge the hatred for what I am, and what they've done to me. Today is another opportunity to show him why I do this, and why everything makes sense when we balance the wounds of our past with the thrills we create today.
The trigger and my finger are brought to a slight stutter upon a man I once loved appearing in my head. But it's not enough to stop me, nor will it ever be. Oh, my beloved, Gerard, look at what you've let become of me.