Rain poured from the darkened sky, pooling in the filthy gutters of Zaun. Vi was on her knees, blood dripping from a split lip and a nasty cut above her brow. Her gauntlets sparked weakly, one of them malfunctioning after a well-placed kick from one of the gang members who had ambushed her.

She tried to rise, only to be slammed back down by a steel-toed boot to her ribs. Pain flared through her body as she spat out blood, glaring up at her attackers through gritted teeth.

"What's the matter, big hero?" one of the thugs sneered, raising a pipe over his head. "Too much for you?"

"Not... even close," Vi hissed, though her body betrayed her, barely able to move.

The group laughed cruelly, their shadows looming over her like predators circling a wounded animal.

Just as the leader swung the pipe down, a deafening bang echoed through the alley. The thug crumpled, his weapon clattering to the ground as blood sprayed the brick wall behind him.

"What the—?!" another shouted, turning just in time to catch a bullet between the eyes.

Vi blinked, stunned, as more gunfire lit up the alley. Each shot was precise, every thug dropping before they could react. The last one tried to run, but a figure stepped into view, calmly aiming a sleek pistol and putting a bullet in his back.

The sudden silence was deafening, broken only by the patter of rain.

Vi forced herself to her feet, her gauntlets humming faintly as she raised them defensively. Her vision swam, but she could make out the outline of her unexpected savior—a shadowy figure standing just beyond the glow of a flickering streetlight.

The stranger lowered their weapon, glancing at Vi with a faint smirk—or at least that’s what she thought. "You’re welcome."

Vi wiped blood from her chin, squinting at them. "You got a habit of butting into other people’s fights?" she rasped, her voice dripping with irritation.