A familiar aroma covers my senses. Upon opening my eyes, I see her. The herbalist holds a single finger in front of her mouth, signaling for me to remain quiet. Which, she didn't have to, because of that drug, I can barely move. Doubt that I can even try if I wanted to. She brings her hands to my head and caringly caresses my crown. If I focus hard enough, I can judge that her eyes are more moist than usual. Now that's strange, why would she have these feelings for me? Was I not just another customer to her?
"Never should have left you out of my sight," she whispers as she begins replacing the fluids in the bag beside me. She must be the nurse that's looking after me. I try to speak, but the same thing happens as before, I can hardly push my words out.
"Hush now, just rest." She pats my chest. "Please."
Why does she care? During the years that I've known her, I've never gotten a good look at her. She was always dressed from head to toe in veils of black. In Zaun, certain people are off-limits: the former bosses, craftspeople of extreme talent, and proven medical practitioners. The herbalist was untouchable. By her choice to move to Piltover, if she chose to do so, she would invalidate that protection. Unofficially, she is a traitor to most Zaunites. If she ever tries to return, I doubt that she would be welcomed with open arms.
"I hope you can forgive me," she begs as she puts a touch of something else in it, something purple or violet? A certain shade of purple that glides in the fluids, giving it a transient shade of neon. I don't know what that is exactly, but whatever it is, I trust the herbalist, she has never let me down before. Gradually, I began to fall asleep. I tried to keep my eyes open for as long as I could, but the world around me grew too dark and cloudy.
Muffled voices woke me up. Sky is talking with Vander about something, they look rather animated. As soon as Sky shifts her eyes to me, her stern face softens. Vander caught her change in demeanor and turned to look at me as well. Suddenly, they shift their expressions into jubilance. They can read my face, I'm not happy. I want them to get along, I want to leave this place and embrace the sun. This smell, the smell of skin being repaired by natural fluids, smells rancid. The metallic odor that's being masked by artificial air sanitizers, I despise it. Vi is sitting on the floor across from me, under the window. She has her head down, her hair covering her face. Vander and Sky approach the foot of my bed.
"He's looking better," he states as he brings his face closer to me and expects me. Can he not see me? Are my eyes not open?
"I think he's still sleeping. He's been like this for a while." Sky explains as she holds a clipboard to her chest. "He'll wake up in time."
"Hmm." Vander backed away as his face hardened in speculation. "If you say so. You are right, he does look a lot better."
"We should discuss more about his treatment if you want to take him home with you this afternoon." Sky informed.
"Yes, you are right." He laid his hand on my leg and gave it a meaningful squeeze. "Please." He gestured to Sky to lead the way.
They both left the room, leaving me alone with Vi. Turning to my left, I've just noticed that Powder is no longer here.
"She'll be back, don't worry." Vi said as she made her way towards the side of my bed.
Turning my head to my right, she peers down at me with a gentle face. "Sorry about yesterday."
With all of my effort, I lift my hand towards her. Vi met it with her taped hand. "I just," she clenched her jaw. "I think I'm a bad influence on you."
No. I pushed with all my will to speak, the effort caused me to use muscles I didn't know I had. It suddenly feels like I'm trying to teach my body how to scream.
"Whoa, whoa! Take it easy! Owen!" Vi aggressively hissed as she began to panic. Her eyes dashed from my head to my feet in a vain attempt to think of a way to solve a problem that she isn't qualified to fathom. So instead of trying to understand, she just held onto my hand and waited.
"No." I managed to speak after strenuous effort to gain control over myself. What kind of drug can heal you and nearly shut down your ability to speak? "You. Are. My hero."
That caught Vi off guard. "What? But," she shook her head. "You're joking, right?" We lock eyes. She can clearly see that my words have no punchline.
"Vander and. You are. My Heroes." I confessed as I squeezed her hand.
My gaze never leaves hers as her lips quiver. "I don't know what to say, but." She then brought her mouth to my hand and then landed a kiss on the back of my bandaged hand. "Thank you." She buries her forehead in my hand. "But can I tell you something?" She looks at me. "You inspire me to learn more."
I widen my eyes in surprise.
She laughs. "I'm serious! I'm going out of my way to take an apprenticeship under a mechanic," she exhaled. "It's more complicated than I thought. I mean, I thought I was just screwing things together and hammering things, but there's more to it apparently. But you helped me." She patted my hand. "Remember when you said that my curiosity will help me learn better?"
I nod my head, and a grin forms on my face.
"Yeah, well, you are right. I was irritated that it wasn't easy, then I used my stubbornness, another great quality of mine, to force myself to see the lessons through." She straightened her back. I'm getting good at it."
I smiled and nod my head, giving her the message that I understood her.
"Hey." She lays her hand on top of my head. "You're looking better. Whatever that nurse put in that bag is healing you right up."
She knows of her? Damn, I can't talk. The effort before exhausted me.
"You have to eat." Vi said as if she remembered a crucial detail about living beings. From behind my head, she brought a tall glass of something with a long straw. "Vander made this, so you know it's good."
Personally, I'd rather die. I'm surprised that I haven't yet from his cooking alone.
"Open your mouth." Vi instructed as she brought the straw to my lips. Trusting only in the fact that Vander's food has, in fact, nurtured my body into growing the moment I bit into them. Somehow, despite the taste, I managed to drink it all down and keep it down.
"Still got an appetite," she giggled as she placed the glass back down on the tabletop. Upon closing my eyes, she returned her hand to my head. Gliding her fingers across my head. Now this is a different sensation, my head isn't as smooth as I remembered. Is this what having hair feels like? There's not much of it, I hope. How long was I out? It only feels like hours whenever I close my eyes to sleep. However, my ability to keep track of time has been scrambled, thanks to my shenanigans.
"Where. Is everyone?" I pushed out with effort.
"They are busy working on you." She furrows her brow in concentration, searching for a word for what she wanted to say. "Your chamber, whatever it is that you put in that box."
"Lightning." I gruff with a grin.
Vi struggled to return my smile. "It's a bit more than that."
Seeing the smile melt from my face, she tried to salvage it. "Just wait till they finally let you go, Ekko will tell you."
Ekko will tell me? He's been studying my notes, that's the only way that he could have possibly understood it on a deeper level. Furthermore, I'm sure he knows where to look if the notes and the formula on the chamber aren't enough for his curiosity. Before I could summon the strength to reply, Vander and Sky came back.
"-and make sure that he gets plenty of rest." Sky repeated, judging by the suppressed annoyance on Vander's face. When he turned towards me, it quickly faded.
"Thank you. You've been valuable help." He turns to me. "You'll be even more valuable when you help me with the tubes."
Sky shook her head laughing as she placed a big bag on the floor, then carefully removed all the needles and tubes from my arms and body. And I had such a witty comment that will save Vander from this situation, but he's the professional here.
"What about the medicine? He didn't handle pain very well the last time," he stated as he tried to forget that day.
"Yeah, I remember you telling me about that." She looks down at me. "And you need to tell me from your view when you're better."
She looks me over once again, then hands Vander a small bag of medical supplies from the big bag of hers, places something in the spare bag, and gives it to Vander.
"Just like we've discussed," she reminded him, then turned to me. "Alright, you are free to go."
With that, she gathered her things and left us alone.
The walk back was one that I craved in more than a few ways. Being carried by the Chief of Vaun in the fresh Piltover evening air is euphoria in a bottle. Around here, it's somewhat normal to see parents carrying their kids from time to time. Then we came to the bridge. A simple structure that is meant to connect the two cities serves more as a barrier. It allowed all who walk it to know the world you are approaching is vastly different from where you were. From the height of splendor to the leftovers meant to rot and die. Seeing the faces of the Piltover citizens, then watching the faces of the Zaunites as we pass, gave me the clarity I needed to remind me of my mission. Not only that, it has ignited a growing hatred of Piltover and everything that city stands for. My hatred was strictly reserved for Silco, a man who was the source of misery for anyone who crossed his path. Fate, being cruel as she is, turned him into my ally, someone who I cannot touch, else the future that I want, that all Zaunites need, will crumble to dust. Now, Piltover, with all of its surface-level perfection, is the target of my hatred. With every breath within me, I will unravel its ugly underbelly and give it the same treatment it gave us. And when I'm satisfied, I will bring down every building until nothing but dust remains.
"Stay with us, Owen." Vander's voice interrupted the rather unusual rage monologue that went completely out of my control. What was in those bags? Vander's looking at me with concerned eyes but still maintains a mask of assurance for the people. We are in public, after all, he has to be seen as if he's always in control.
"Can you stand?" Vi asked. I can barely see her from all the way up here.
"Not out here. Once we're inside." Vander mumbled as he hurried to the Last Drop without appearing desperate. I couldn't help but catch the eyes of a few Zaunites. They seem shocked to see me alive. Should have known better, it will take more than a lightning bolt to put me down.
As we entered the bar, it was empty, thankfully.
"Take him downstairs while I get something from Jericho's," he ordered as he lowered me to my feet.
Vi threw my left arm over her neck and held me by my waist. "Get the usual?"
"What's the usual?" he asked as he grabbed a small coin purse and began to fill it with an estimated amount of money.
"All. The. Bugs." I grunted.
Vi gagged. "You heard'em."
"And worms for you?" Vander assumed as he stuffed the sack in his pocket.
"They aren't worms...they're...fine, yeah." Vi gave up arguing as she straightened herself as we headed towards the basement door.
"I'll ask for more invertebrate guts for your sides," he declared as he walked out of the bar.
"Invertebrate?" Vi ponders the meaning as they slowly descend down the steps. "That's what worms are, right?"
I smiled as I nodded. She's trying.
"I knew it!" She pumps her fist while taking into account that I could slide through her grip and fall to my death, which is touching.
When we finally reached the bottom, I looked around to see that nothing had changed much, besides all the equipment thrown around the place. Metal scrap is piled around the workbench. Something that looks like clear slabs of minerals is stacked on top of one another against the wall. Piles of small containers are stacked on top of bigger containers against the wall as well. It looks as if someone was trying to replicate the chamber. Vi guided me to the bed as she saw my eyes glued to the center of the room and the wall beyond it.
"They tried, you know." Vi stated as she sat next to me.
I shake my head and lean back until I hit the wall.
"Silco has people working on machines that can change the city," she disclosed.
I turn to her, surprised that she waited until now to tell me.
"It's nothing big, just everyday use, like a power grid." Vi said as she rubbed her knuckles.
I inhaled deeply. "That's pretty big."
"Really?" She looks at me in surprise, then turns away to wonder about all the work she might have to do to catch up with her studies, then returns her gaze to me again. "Well, you sound better at least."
"Just a bit." I inhaled again. "Still hurts to talk."
"I get it." She begins to move away. "I should let you get some sleep."
I grab her arm. "No. Please stay."
"Alright, alright." Vi returned to sit next to me. I lean on her shoulder.
"Sometimes, I forget you're still a kid." She pulls my head down to rest on her lap. "You're doing too much, we've all been."
Upon closing my eyes, I allowed her voice to swim through my head.
"We have to slow down, learn how to be kids again. We don't have to fight anymore." She wistfully flicks my ear.
I want to believe that, but by the way things have been going, I have my doubts. A familiar aroma stirred me from slumber. My eyes opened to pale fingers holding a grilled beetle.
"Ahhh! He's awake, run away!" Powder imitates the beetle retreating to the bowl she's holding and drops the bug in the bowl.
"Time to eat already?" I asked as I pushed myself up.
Powder sat next to me and handed over the bowl. "No, everyone else is already asleep. I just heated this up for you."
"Thanks." I began to dig in. She didn't mind just sitting there watching me eat. When I offered her some, she actively refused, which I understand. "Where is the chamber?"
"Silco has it. He's been using it to build a power grid. He has a few people helping him with that," she explained. She keeps pulling her lips in, as if she's internally debating whether or not to tell me more.
"That can't be all he's doing." I insinuated as I looked for signs on Powder's face. The fact that she's not looking at me is a dead giveaway.
"He wants to speak with you when you get better." She stated the obvious.
Wanting to give her space on that topic, I shift to the failed projects. "You and Ekko have been busy."
Her eyes shoot to the pile against the wall. That's when she smiled but refused to look at me. "Yeah, we've been busy trying to make another chamber, like yours. It didn't work out."
That's when she nervously shifts her eyes to me, then back at the pile. This is the first time the bug began to taste disgusting. There isn't much left, and they are best when they're hot, but I'm beginning to lose my appetite. I have nothing but a hunch. I don't want to make any brash conclusions, but my instincts are telling me what I can't ignore.
"Sorry it's not working out." I said as I forced the rest of my dinner down. It stopped tasting good the moment my mind formulated the story that I can't reason away, because that would be unreasonable.
Powder's gleeful smile faltered, and she looked down at her fidgeting hands. "Thanks, at least we tried."
Finishing my dinner, I placed the bowl aside. "Keep trying."
Using nothing but the raw emotions that were festering within my chest, I stood to my feet, bowl in hand.
That's when Powder woke up. "Hey! Let me help! Where are you trying to go?"
Holding my hand up, I said. "I'll let YOU know when. I need help."
There was a silence that settled between us before she responded. "Oh, okay."
Huh, no pushback, no insistence on assisting me. Last time I was this stubborn, she didn't give me a choice. That's when I began walking. The action felt strenuous at first, but as I began to climb the steps, the challenge gave me the drive I needed to push past the burning pain. For there is a new pain that fuels me. I hope I'm just overreacting. If so, I can laugh this entire thing off and make it up to her later. If not, then I have a reason to devote every second of the day to building the city into what it is meant to be. A city of potential, and I will push that potential as far as I can take it. It's quiet upstairs. I froze to hear anything, anything at all, but there's nothing. Waiting for my eyes to adjust, I carefully walk behind the counter to find the sink. It's a bit too high for me to wash the bowl, so I settle for dumping it in the sink. My curiosity begins to bark in my ear. It carried me around the corner to discover shelves of liquor bottles and tableware. There is something about the lights reflecting off the bottles that mesmerized me. Silco's power grid is already established, clever guy. I don't know how he managed to work this fast, but he got the first stage of power distribution up and running. First in the morning, I'll pay him a visit. He needs to know that the chamber is mine, and I will have a say in how it will elevate Zaun.
When I returned to the basement, Powder was still there on my bed, she smiled at me nervously. "Hey."
I held eye contact with her as I sat down. "Hey."
Powder's eyes are unsteady, shifting from side to side and everywhere else when she couldn't stand looking into my eyes. She's hiding something, I don't know if I want to know what. It's something big, something that is going to send me over the edge, and I'm sure I know what.
"Are you okay?" She asks with a face I know too well by now. Looking at her, I can see the secret she's hiding from me, it's something that...no.
"I'll feel better in the morning." I replied, implying that I want her to leave.
Looking down, she nodded. "Well, goodnight."
Our eyes fell from each other's gaze. We know it's best that we allow it to remain unspoken. Her hand inches close to my leg, palm facing upward. To feel her warm hand again, to feel some semblance of affection from her, I don't think I can distance myself from her completely. With great effort and hesitation, I crept my hand over her fingers. I met eyes with Powder, and there it is, the eyes that told me that it won't be the same as it once was.
"Are we still friends?" she whispered with glistening and desperate eyes as we laced our fingers together. There is only one reason why she would ask that question.
"I will always be by your side." I promised as my blood fills with acid. I should have made it simple, but I said what was in my heart. Powder seems to have accepted that well. For however long after, we just sat there, in the dark, with the faint glow of the moon shining through the tiny window above my bed. She's feeling more like an invasive stranger the longer we hold hands, but looking at the side of her face, she seems content with our brief conversation. Those grey-blue eyes blink ever downward to her dangling feet, her toes wiggling in anticipation. All the signs are there, whatever she's hiding, it's telling her to run from me. Slowly, I began to squeeze her hand. Instinctively, she did the same, as it is our thing. As she turned her wistful gaze onto me, we locked eyes, that's when she slowly understood. My face held the clear sign of acknowledgement of what she did. The fury I hold in my heart is one that I will hold for myself and me alone. Our grip weakened, her shoulder aligning against me, her eyes locked onto mine, searching for any signs of reprieve. Upon finding none, she sucked her lips in and lowered her head. Our hands disconnected unceremoniously as her feet touched the floor. Without looking back, she walks towards her room. I watched her as she made her way there, she never glanced back. When she disappeared around the corner, I let out a breath. I'll devote all of my time towards development and research. Sorry, Vi, I have no time to be a kid.
As morning came, I awoke to the old survivor mindset, but with a new perk. That kid that I was will be tamed to obey one goal: building a new Zaun. My knapsack is waiting for me. I began packing my things: the modified brass knuckles, the twin knives, the gauntlet brace... I'm leaving that here. It feels like her. As I turn it in my hands, I can see the subtle adjustments she made to it. Never ceasing to amaze me, Powder is always busy doing something. I dropped it onto my bed. I will never use that gauntlet. I didn't bother to worry about my injuries, for the purpose of walking, I felt fine. The climb upstairs wasn't as strenuous as I thought it would be. As I suspected, Vander is up, this time keeping the bar closed to do paperwork in the booth. My footsteps alerted him to my presence. He dropped his pen as well as his jaw upon seeing me.
"What do you think you are doing?" he said in all but a shout.
"Gonna march to Silco's palace." I stated as I sat across from him.
"Is this about your chamber?" He asks as his eyes look over my face.
"Exactly, I want to see my creation, the thing that I got blasted for." I advocated as fatigue set in.
Vander slowly nods. "That's what I was waiting for."
"What?" I replied in irritation as my head began to swim, No, not now.
"Give yourself more time to recover. Tomorrow at least," he reasoned.
"I need to see him now." I try to control my breathing so that I don't sound like I've been jumping rooftops. "That's my chamber, my sacrifice."
Vander sat up straight. "It will be your death, again, if you force yourself out there, just like you forced lightning in that box."
Funny, an idea to capture energy inside a metal box when I can't recover energy inside my body as efficiently. As much as I wanted to stick it to Vander, darkness began to consume my peripherals.
"I need help." I said it before my head met the table.
"You don't have to tell me." Vander stacked his papers aside and pulled me into his arms.
"Take me to Silco, please." I whined as I dreaded returning to bed.
"I'm beginning to understand how you think," he confessed as he made his way to the basement.
"Vander, don't make me beg, that'll do me in for sure." I said as I reached out and grabbed the frame of the door.
He sighed deeply with a fed-up expression.
"I have to work, I need to work." I declared in desperation.
Vander hesitated as he peered into my eyes. "You're too tough for your own good."
He set me on my feet, and I nearly crumbled to the floor, but I managed to remain standing out of pure stubbornness.
"I'll take you to him, just let me put away my things," he instructs as he strolls over to the booth and begins organizing his papers. As he did so, I held myself up by the wall. My strength will return, it has to. I can't allow him to have second thoughts on this matter.
"Alright, let's go." Vander commanded as he walked towards the door.
Pushing myself off the wall, I willed my feet forward.
"You are going to make it there without leaning on me, understand?" he notifies. "If you need to stop and rest, I'm taking you back, and that's final."
"Tough love, I like it." I applauded as I followed Vander into the streets.
Every step was a challenge as my body struggled to shut itself down. That bolt must have done a number on me. Of course, it killed me, but still, I have so much to do. Too much to live for still, not for myself, of course.
"Keep up, Owen," he called back to me. "You wanted this, come take it."
Vander isn't walking at an unreasonable pace at all. Actually, it seems quite slow, as if he's taking in the sights. The people around us are too busy paying respect to him to pay much attention to me. Their faces radiated with gratitude, and their backs straightened with renewed pride the moment they saw him. Do they truly revere him this much? What else could he have possibly done to have earned this much respect? As I thought about it, the pain in my muscles began to fade into the back of my mind. The bridge, my stunt, gave him and Silco their nostalgic moment at the bridge once again. It might not have been as violent as the last time, however, it rejuvenated the Zaunite fighting spirit within everyone. And by the looks of it, that act alone completely eclipses me. Funny, I feel nothing about it. As long as I have the Zaun of my design, I'm satisfied with fading into the background.
"You're doing well," he complimented as I managed to close the gap between us. "We're almost there."
And we are, the factory looms over us. A towering construct that could almost pass for a Piltover building, if it wasn't layered in oil stains and rust in a few flattering spots. But this building isn't for the eyes, it's for strategizing, manufacturing, and shipment managing. Beyond that, it's the symbol of power that stands for innovation and industrialization. This building alone makes the Last Drop seem humble in comparison. As we began to climb the steps, the kind-faced individuals shifted to rough and battle-scarred veterans of the past. Then their eyes fell on me. I couldn't fully grasp what they were feeling. If I were to guess, some couldn't believe what they were seeing. There are some that appear annoyed at my presence. Then there were a few that seemed amused. That slight curl at the lips.
"Owen, we are here." Vander's voice pulled me out of my head. "You cannot do that here of all places," he chastised as we entered the building. We made our way through the guards and checkpoints. Inside the factory, it has everything that I hated Silco for. Children and young people are working themselves to the bone. What's worse is that they're making vastly inferior versions of my chamber. Smaller and weaker, by the looks of it.
"I know." He pats me on the back and directs me to an elevator. "But at least here, they aren't inhaling toxins."
"What about everything else?" I asked as I held onto the rail as we boarded.
"I've spoken with Silco about making it safer for them, however, there is only so much he can do alone." He answered as he pressed a button and then crossed his arms.
"That's a good excuse." I countered flatly as I tightened my grip on the rail as the lift accelerated.
"And that's why you're here. I'm starting to see your point." Vander admitted.
"It's more than that, I want to focus solely on developing Zaun." It wasn't a request, it is going to happen.
Vander shifts his posture in place, as he knows that I won't second-guess my decision. "There is still much for you to learn. You still need mentorship."
"Yeah, well, Professor Hal isn't interested in infrastructure." I concluded as the elevator came to a stop.
"Professor Hal, you say?" Vander sounds as if he has news for me.
I turn to him. "Yeah, I'm his apprentice."
"Was his apprentice, but we'll discuss that later. For now, focus on dealing with Silco." Vander suggested as the doors opened.
We step out to march towards his office.
"Sounds as if things haven't changed much between you two." I pointed out.
Vander grinned. "We are who we are, the same goes for him."
It didn't feel safe to press any further on the matter. We walked down the hall until we finally made it to the door to his office. Reaching my arm out, Vander managed to push it open first, of course he would. What was I thinking? Silco is sitting in his chair, looking over papers, with a guard behind him.
"No wonder you wouldn't leave this place." I unknowingly complimented, as the room is appealing in its simplistic design.
"Please, have a seat." Silco offered without looking up from his papers.
I didn't hesitate to place myself in the wooden chair, Vander, however, decided to be defiant. It didn't take Silco long to notice. With a light sigh, he placed the papers down.
"I'm assuming that you are here about the chamber?" He asks me as if he doesn't see Vander standing right behind me.
"Not only that, how are you?" I asked genuinely as I relaxed into the chair.
His forehead furrows for a moment, then relaxes. "I am productive."
I smiled. "I hope so. I'm glad that you secured my chamber for me. I would be worried if someone else managed to take it."
His eyes lingered on me.
"Want me to keep this up? I can go on all day and waste your time." I threatened.
"This is why I don't deal with children," he grumbled as he shot a glance at Vander.
"What I saw downstairs almost gave me a heart attack." I confessed in disgust.
He raised a brow. "My workers?"
"Well..." I shrugged. "Not really. I'm more upset about the trash they're making."
He frowns. "Trash?"
"If you are going to put kids to work, at least have them do it right." I criticized.
Silco smirked as he leaned back in his chair. "I presume that you will show them how it's done?"
"I can only show them how to not craft trash. What I do is more complicated." I disclosed.
"Then you have a plan?" He assumed correctly as he laced his fingers.
"Always." I confirm.