Chapter Text
Y/N double-checked her bag, ensuring she had packed everything essential for their journey. Her heart raced with a mix of fear and exhilaration as she glanced at her little sister, Lily, who sat nervously on the edge of the bed. At just 16, Lily was still too young to fully grasp the gravity of their decision, but she trusted Y/N implicitly.
"Sis, are you sure about this?" Lily asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her own dark brown eyes, so like Y/N's, were wide with apprehension. "What if...what if Mom and Dad find out? Or the Council?"
Y/N took her sister's small hands in her own, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "They won't," she said firmly. "We'll be far away before they even realize we're gone. This is our chance to start over, Lily. To live for ourselves, not as pawns in their stupid games."
She released Lily's hands and zipped up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. Y/N had been planning this for months, squirreling away money and essentials whenever she could. As a Vital Instrument, her lipsticks were both her weapons and her livelihood. She couldn't leave them behind.
"And besides," Y/N added with a small, secretive smile, "I have a feeling our luck is about to change. Stick with me, okay? No matter what happens, we're in this together."
Lily nodded, a tentative smile spreading across her face. "Okay, Y/N. I trust you."
Just then, a sharp knock sounded at the door. Y/N's heart leapt into her throat, but she quickly composed herself. She couldn't let her sister see her fear.
"Come in," she called out, straightening her shoulders.
The door opened to reveal their mother, Daphne, a tall, regal woman with hair as white as fresh snow and eyes that seemed to pierce the very soul. She was dressed in her finest gown, a shimmering confection of silk and lace that hugged her curves and flowed like liquid stardust.
"Girls," their mother said, her voice cool and measured. "I need to speak with you. Your father and I have decided...it's time for you to be presented at court. You'll be introduced to potential suitors, and I expect nothing less
Y/N felt her blood run cold at her mother's words. A court presentation? Suitors? She had to act fast before their plans were ruined.
"Mother," Y/N interrupted, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "With all due respect, Lily and I have already made plans for tonight. We're going to..." she paused, wracking her brain for an excuse. "We're going to attend the Moonlight' gala at the Art Gallery. It's a networking event, and I thought it would be good for Lily to meet some of my colleagues. Gain some experience, you know?"
Y/N held her breath, hoping her mother would buy the lie. It was true that she had been invited to the gala, but she had no intention of attending. The gala would be the perfect cover for their escape.
Their mother's eyes narrowed, and for a moment Y/N thought she had seen through the deception. But then, to her immense relief, their mother nodded.
"Very well," she said, her tone still cool but not disapproving. "I suppose that could be a good opportunity for Lily. But I expect you both to return home promptly afterwards. And Y/N, I want you to introduce your sister to Lord Blackwood. He has a son around her age, and I think they would make a lovely match."
Y/N barely suppressed a shudder at the mention of Lord Blackwood's son. She had heard the rumors about him, the way he—No, she couldn't think about that right now.
"Of course, Mother," Y/N said, keeping her voice light. "We'll be sure to introduce ourselves. But now, we really must hurry. We can't be late for the gala."
With that, Y/N grabbed Lily's hand and ushered her out of the room, leaving their mother standing alone. As soon as they were out in the hallway, Y/N let out a sigh of relief.
"We did it," she whispered to Lily. "Now, let's go. We have a train to catch."
The sisters made their way down to the garage, where Y/N had already packed their bags into the trunk of their sleek black car. She had stolen it from their father's collection, knowing he would never miss it among the dozens of others.
As they sped through the city streets, Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. They were finally free, free from the shackles of their so called “lavish” life.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in a breathtaking array of oranges and pinks, they finally arrived at an old train station. It was a relic from a bygone era, the kind of place that had fallen into disrepair long ago. But to Y/N, it was a lifeline.
She parked the car and turned to Lily, her expression serious. "Alright, here's what we're going to do," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We're going to find the conductor and tell him we need to get to the Pit as soon as possible. I have a contact there who can help us, but we need to get there fast. It won't be easy, and it definitely won't be comfortable, but it's our best shot at a new life."
Lily nodded, her eyes wide but determined. "I trust you, Y/N," she said. "Let's do this."
Together, the sisters made their way into the old station, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. They didn't know exactly what awaited them in the Pit, but they knew one thing for certain - they would face it together, as they always had. And for the first time in their lives, they would be free to make their own choices, to forge their own paths.
As they stepped onto the train, Y/N felt a sense of hope and possibility that she had never known before. The future was uncertain, but it was theirs to shape. And with her sister by her side, she knew they could face anything. The train whistle blew, and with a lurch, they were off, hurtling towards a new life in the Ground. The Sphere faded into the distance behind them, and a new chapter began.
After a long and arduous journey through the bowels of the train, the sisters finally arrived at their destination - the Pit. The contrast between the gleaming, towering Sphere and the grimy, war-torn Ground was stark and unsettling. Y/N held Lily's hand tightly as they stepped out onto the cracked, dusty ground, the air thick with the acrid scent of smoke and the distant sounds of chaos.
Y/N had arranged a meeting with a contact, a cleaner named Enjin, who she hoped could help them navigate this treacherous new world. She had heard whispers of the Cleaners, a group of non-Givers who worked to keep the peace in the Ground, and she prayed that this Enjin would be a man of his word.
As they made their way through the twisted, makeshift streets of the Pit, Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The people here were a rough, hardened lot, their faces etched with the struggles of a life lived in constant hardship. She clutched her bag of vital instruments closer to her chest, suddenly paranoid about the valuable contents within.
Finally, they reached the designated meeting spot - a run-down, abandoned building on the outskirts of the Pit. Y/N hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She had put so much faith in this contact, this Enjin, but now she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake.
The door creaked open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man with a rugged, unshaven face. He was dressed in the standard issue cleaner's uniform, but there was something about him that seemed different from the other Grounders they had encountered. A glint of intelligence in his eyes, perhaps, or a certain weariness that spoke of battles fought and won.
"You must be Y/N," he said, his voice deep with a hint of charisma. "I'm Enjin. Come in, quickly."
He ushered them inside, closing and locking the door behind them. The room was dimly lit and sparsely furnished, but it was a welcome respite from the chaos outside.
"I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you here," Enjin said, eyeing the sisters warily. "Not many Sphereites make it this far, let alone two young women traveling alone."
Enjin raised an eyebrow at Y/N's defiant words, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he studied the sisters with a critical eye.
"Is that so?" he mused, his gaze lingering on Y/N for a moment before flickering to Lily. "You two are either braver than most, or stupider. Probably both."
He pushed off from the wall and took a step closer to them, his boots thudding against the grimy floor. Y/N stood her ground, refusing to cower before the intimidating man, even as Lily pressed herself against her sister's side.
"I'll give you this," Enjin continued, "you've got guts, coming down here and asking for help. Most Sphereites wouldn't dare set foot in the Ground, let alone seek out the likes of us."
He paused, his eyes narrowing as he considered their request. "But I'm not sure I can help you, Y/N. It's not that I don't want to and I know it’s backwards to say this now, but...the Pit is a dangerous place. It's not built for pretty little Sphereite girls like you. Remember I only partially agreed to look after you because I owe your cousin a favor”
Y/N bristled at the condescension in his tone, but before she could retort, Lily spoke up, her voice small but steady.
"We may look like Sphereites, but we're not like the others," she said, her chin lifting in a gesture that mirrored her sister's defiance. "We've had to fight for everything we have. We've seen things that would make a grown man shudder. And we're not afraid to keep fighting, no matter where we are. S..so throw whatever you want at us, we aren’t leaving!”
Enjin blinked, taken aback by the young girl's words. He glanced at Y/N, a newfound respect glinting in his eyes.
"Heh, I see you’ve raised her well," he said, a note of grudging admiration in his voice. "Alright then, since there’s no turning back now, I'll help you two. But I'm warning you now - it won't be easy. You'll have to do exactly as I say, and you'll have to be ready for anything. The Pit has a way of breaking even the strongest of people."
Y/N nodded solemnly. "I understand," she said. "And I'm ready for whatever comes our way. As long as it means Lily is safe in the end”
Enjin's expression softened slightly at Y/N's words, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes. He nodded slowly, a hint of respect for the sister's fierce protectiveness.
"Alright then," he said, his voice still deep but now tinged with a note of sympathy. "I'll do my best to keep you both safe. But I need you to trust me, Y/N. I know the Ground better than any Sphereite ever could, and I know the dangers that lurk around every corner. You'll need to follow my lead and not ask questions."
He paused, considering his next words carefully. "There's a place, a safe zone not far from here called Canvas Town. It's not much, but it's a step up from the Pit. I can get you there, but it won't be a pleasant journey. You'll have to be ready for close quarters, for danger, and for the possibility of losing everything you brought with you."
Y/N's hand tightened around her bag of vital instruments, a surge of protectiveness welling up inside her. She knew the risk of losing them was high, but she also knew that they were her key to a new life, a way to provide for Lily even in this harsh, unforgiving land.
"I understand," she said, her voice steady and resolute.
“Good. Now…..” he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. “Why don’t you tell me exactly how your powers work so I know what I’m dealing with? Didn’t really get much intel before”
“O..of course…..” (Y/n) replied, before gently taking out five different colored lipstick. “These lipsticks here are my vital instruments. When I put them on I’m able to engulf my body and control a specific element, while also get a few animal features corresponding to the element”
She carefully opened each of them and pointed at them as she explained further. “Red obviously allows me to control fire. Blue is water, green is earth, white is air, and black is gravity”
Enjin’s eyes widened slightly at the sheer power and versatility they possessed. He had heard whispers of the abilities that some Sphereites possessed, but to have one explained so bluntly was a new experience for him.
"Remarkable," he murmured, a note of awe coloring his deep voice. "I've never seen anything like it. To think, a single color can grant you the power to control the very elements themselves..."
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his rugged features as he considered the implications. "Tell me, Y/N, have you ever used them in combat before? Against other Givers, perhaps?"
Y/N hesitated for a moment, remembering the last time she had been forced to use her abilities in anger. The memory of her father's lifeless eyes and the acrid scent of burned flesh still haunted her. But she knew she couldn't shy away from the truth, not if she wanted Enjin to trust her.
"I have," she admitted, her voice growing quiet. "I... I had to use them to protect Lily. To protect our family." She glanced down at her sister, a flicker of pain in her eyes. "I didn't want to hurt anyone, but...I had no choice”
Enjin was silent for a long moment, his gaze searching Y/N's face as if trying to discern the truth behind her words. Finally, he nodded slowly, a grim smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I understand," he said, a note of dark amusement in his voice. "Sometimes, we have to do things we don't want to do in order to protect the ones we love. It's a hard lesson, but a necessary one."
He straightened up, his expression turning serious once more. "But tell me, Y/N, how long can you maintain these transformations? And how much of your own strength do they drain? I need to know what I'm working with if I'm going to keep you both safe."
Y/N thought carefully before answering, knowing that the truth could mean the difference between life and death. "It varies," she said, "depending on the element and the length of time. The longest I've managed is a few hours with Earth or Gravity, but...a few minutes with Fire or Air."
“And how about water? And does the little one here have any abilities as well?” He questioned.
Y/N hesitated for a moment before answering, glancing down at Lily with a mix of pride and protectiveness in her eyes. "Water is a bit different," she explained, "I can maintain the Water form for nearly an hour before needing to rest. But it's also the most draining, both physically and mentally."
She paused, considering how much to reveal about her sister's abilities. Lily was her greatest treasure, her shining light in the darkness of their lives. She wanted to keep her innocence protected, to shield her from the harsh realities of the world.
However, she also knew that Enjin needed to understand the full scope of their situation if he was to help them navigate the dangers ahead. With a sigh, she made her decision.
"And Lily..." Y/N began, placing a protective hand on her sister's shoulder. "Her ability is a unique one." She smiled softly, a note of wonder in her voice. "With her necklace, she can see things before they happen. Visions of the future, flickering at the edges of her mind. It's not always clear, and it's not always right, but... it's saved us more times than I can count."
Enjin listened intently, his eyes widening in surprise at the revelation. He had heard whispers of seers and psychics among the Sphereites, but to have one standing right in front of him was a new experience.
"Heh, well damn” he murmured, a note of awe coloring his deep voice. He knelt down to Lily's level, his gaze softening as he looked into her bright eyes. "Seems I really underestimated you and your sister here, little one” he said gently. "I can already see the hell you two might cause and I’m loving every second of it”
Y/N felt a surge of relief and gratitude wash over her at Enjin's words. She had taken a leap of faith in seeking him out, praying that he would be a man of his word and a true ally in this treacherous land. And now, with his promise to help them and his acknowledgment of their unique abilities, she knew that she had made the right choice.
"Thank you, Enjin," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much this means to us”
She squared her shoulders, a fierce determination burning in her eyes. "We swear, we won't let you down," she vowed.
Enjin smirked, a twinkle of something akin to pride dancing in his eyes. "Atta girl" he said, ruffling Y/N's hair. His gaze shifted to Lily. "And you too, little one" he said gently, a rare soft smile on his face.
"You two have some real potential. It's a damn shame it's not being utilized" he muttered, the last part more to himself than anyone else.
Y/N chuckled softly at his response, the tension in her shoulders loosening a bit. "You have no idea" she said, a wry smile on her face. "They never bothered to see us beyond our abilities. We were just tools, not people" She ran a hand through her hair. "It's nice not being seen as a threat for once"
Lily watched the exchange quietly, her big eyes darting between her sister and Enjin. She tugged on Enjin's sleeve.
Enjin looked down at Lily with raised eyebrows, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "What's up, tiny seer? Got something to say?" He crouched to her level, resting an elbow on his knee.
Lily hesitated for just a second before blurting out: "You...you don't smell like trash like everyone else down here."
There was a moment of silence. Then—
"PFFT—" Y/N nearly choked trying not to laugh at her sister's bluntness while Enjin threw his head back with a loud bark of laughter.
"Is that so?" He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye before dramatically sniffing his own armpit. "Damn right I don't! The secret is stealing fancy soap from Paradise shipments." His grin turned conspiratorial as he whispered loudly: "Wanna learn how to loot like a pro later?"
Y/N facepalmed immediately. While Lily's eyes widened at the mere prospect of being taught such a daring skill by Enjin himself. But before she could enthusiastically agree, Y/N spoke up.
"Hold up, hold up" she interjected, a frown on her face. "You're not teaching my innocent, sweet sister how to steal fancy soap, Enjin. She might be a psychic, but she's also a kid."
Enjin huffed dramatically, folding his arms.
"You're too protective, Y/N. Let the girl live a little."
Y/N rolled her eyes but her annoyance was laced with affection. "I'm not being 'too protective'," she protested. "I just don't want my sister to get in trouble for petty theft."
Enjin scoffed, his smirk only growing wider. "Oh, so she's allowed to predict the future and see everyone's darkest secrets but can't handle a little shoplifting? Make it make sense, Y/N."
Lily, sensing an opportunity, immediately chimed in with her best pleading expression. "But Y/N! I promise I'll only steal from really bad people! Like...corrupt Sphereites who hoard all the good soap!" She clasped her hands together dramatically. "It's basically justice!”
Y/N groaned and pressed a hand to her forehead—this was clearly a losing battle. Meanwhile, Enjin smirked victoriously and ruffled Lily's hair.
"See? Even tiny seer agrees—it’s ethical theft," he said smugly before pointing at Y/N playfully. "You’re outnumbered."
(Sigh) "...Fine," Y/N conceded reluctantly after a beat of silence, then narrowed her eyes at Enjin threateningly: "But if she gets caught even once—"
Enjin cut in with an exaggerated gasp of offense: "Me?! Letting our precious little psychic-in-training get busted? Never!" He slung an arm around Lily’s shoulders with faux solemnity: "I’ll teach her the sacred art of ‘run like hell while cackling.’ It’s Cleaner 101."
The young woman rolled her eyes, but secretly relieved for their newfound chaotic little family dynamic.
“And also, you honestly came at the perfect time. Just yesterday we got this kid named Rudo who got dropped down here. I’m sure you three could get along well, but until then…my buddy Zanka should be here any moment to take you to your room” he said, before a young man entered the room.
Both Y/N and Lily glanced at each other curiously, taking in the newcomer. Zanka's sudden presence surprised them a bit. But before either of them could say anything though, Enjin clapped him on the back.
"Speak of the devil," he smirked, "Here's our resident errand boy."
Zanka shot Enjin a glare, his cheeks slightly flushed. "Don't call me that," he muttered, fixing his jacket awkwardly.
"It suits you," Enjin retorted with a sly grin, ignoring the death glare he was getting. "Anyway," he continued, patting Zanka. "Take the ladies upstairs. They need a tour and some rest."
Zanka's gaze flickered over to Y/N and Lily, his cheeks still pink. He nodded stiffly. "Yeah... okay" he said, clearing his throat. "Follow me."
Enjin waved his hand dismissively and disappeared, leaving the two sisters with a slightly awkward Zanka.
Lily happily skipped along after Zanka, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings like a curious child. But her excitement was countered by Y/N, who followed behind more cautiously. She had a habit of being the overprotective big sister.
As they walked, Zanka glanced over his shoulder at Y/N, noticing her wary expression. He slowed his pace a bit, trying to catch her eye.
"You don't need to worry so much, y'know," he mumbled quietly, just loud enough for her to hear.
Y/N blinked in slight surprise, not expecting Zanka to address her directly. She met his gaze, raising an eyebrow. Her expression was still guarded, but there was a flicker of curiosity there too.
"Easy for you to say," she responded coolly, her voice just as low. "I've been watching out for my little sister for years. Force of habit."
Zanka snorted softly. He understood the weight of Y/N's words. "I get it, believe me," he said, his tone softer now. "But you have to cut yourself some slack once in a while, or you'll burn out."
He nodded towards Lily, who was still happily skipping ahead, blissfully unaware of their quiet conversation. "She's not made of glass, y'know," he added with a hint of a smile.
Y/N sighed, the corners of her mouth twitching almost imperceptibly. "I *know* she's not," she said, the defensiveness in her tone faded somewhat. "It's just..." She ran a hand through her hair in frustration, trying to articulate her thoughts. "It's all I've ever known, y'know? Always protecting her."
She shot a glance ahead at Lily, who had now started chatting with a cat she found.
"God, she's too trusting," she muttered.
Zanka chuckled, watching Lily interact with the cat. It was an oddly endearing sight. "Yeah, she definitely is," he agreed, still smiling slightly. There was something endearing about Y/N's protectiveness, though he wouldn't admit it aloud.
He put his hands in his pockets, eyeing her sidelong. "But you can't protect her from everything," he pointed out gently. "She's going to make her own choices, and make mistakes. That's part of growing up."
Y/N let out a long-suffering sigh, knowing Zanka was right, as much as she was loath to admit it. "I know” she said, rolling her eyes. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."
She watched Lily for a moment longer, a mixture of fondness and concern in her gaze.
"Can I ask you something?" she finally said, her voice quieter now.
Zanka arched an eyebrow, turning his gaze towards her. He could tell there was something weighing on her mind. "Sure," he replied simply. "What is it?"
Lily had wandered further ahead by now, completely oblivious to the serious conversation happening behind her.
Y/N took a moment before speaking, her gaze fixed on the ground. "It's just..." she started, her voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "Being responsible for Lily, it's like..." she paused, searching for the right words. "It's like I've put my entire identity into keeping her safe. I can't even remember what it's like to not be in protector mode."
She looked up at him once more. "Is that stupid?"
Zanka didn't answer right away. He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he considered his words. "No," he said finally, meeting her eyes squarely. "It's not stupid."
He looked ahead where Lily was now happily humming to herself and attempting to coax the cat into following them. "But it is exhausting—letting that one thing define you completely." A beat passed before he added with a dry smirk: "...And yeah, kinda tragic too."
The playful jab was deliberate—to ease the weight of what she'd admitted without brushing it off entirely. His tone softened just slightly after: "Tch. You ever think maybe she worries about you burning out?"
Y/N blinked, caught off guard by his words. She hadn't expected that—Lily worrying about her?The idea seemed almost laughable.
"She's a kid," Y/N muttered defensively, though the conviction in her voice wavered slightly. "Kids shouldn't have to worry about their older siblings."
But Zanka's comment had planted a seed of doubt in her mind. What if Lily did notice more than she let on? What if her sister saw right through her carefully constructed front of strength and control?
Zanka’s smirk returned. ‘Got her thinking, at least’
He nudged Y/N with his elbow lightly. "Yeah, well, kids shouldn’t have to deal with half the shit she probably has either," he pointed out bluntly. "But that’s life down here."
His gaze flicked towards Lily again as she giggled at the cat now weaving between her legs. "That kid sees more than you think," he muttered under his breath before raising his voice.
"Oi! Tiny Seer! Stop recruiting strays, your room’s this way!" The cat followed anyway.
(Y/N gave Zanka a sidelong glance, torn between annoyance and reluctant gratitude. She was not about to thank him for messing with her head, but damn if he wasn’t right.
Lily skipped back over, the cat now cradled in her arms like a prized trophy. “Look! He likes me!” she declared happily, oblivious to the heaviness that had just passed between them.
Y/N sighed before a small smile tugged at her lips. “Of course he does,” she muttered fondly before shooting Zanka a look. “Don’t get used to this.”
He absolutely would.
Though, once they did get to their room, she did thanked him in the end, due to her kind nature.
He might have teased her about it if he wasn't so flustered.
Lily immediately claimed her bed with her new furry friend right beside her. "I'm gonna name him Snowflake!" she announced before promptly passing out.
Y/N ran a hand through her hair, glancing at Lily's sleeping form and then back at him. "I swear," she sighed, "she's a literal ray of sunshine and energy, and then BAM—out cold."
Zanka let out a quiet chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck again—his default nervous habit. "Kids are like that," he murmured, watching Lily for a second longer before clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Well...you two should get some rest," he said, taking a step back towards the door. "If you need anything, I'm just down the hall." He hesitated for half a second before adding: "...Don't hesitate to knock."
Y/N gave him a small nod, genuine this time, before he ducked out.
As the door clicked shut behind Zanka, Y/N exhaled slowly—her shoulders finally relaxing for what felt like the first time in years. She glanced at Lily, now curled up with Snowflake purring contently beside her.
Maybe...just maybe...this place could be different.
She slowly took off her jacket, before tracing her fingers over her arm’s markings in the mirror, lost in thought. The harsh lighting of the dim room cast shadows across her face; an edge of hesitation in her sharp eyes.
For so long, she'd had to hide her secret. Even from Lily, the one person who saw deeper than anyone else. Here in a place like this, where trash and monstrosities were the norm...maybe she could finally be herself. Really herself.