Arcane Anew

Years ago, Jayce had nearly taken his own life when he realized his life's work had been destroyed and he was brought before the Council. There were no casualties, but he had lost everything he had dedicated himself to, and he was forbidden to set foot inside the Academy ever again.

It was Viktor who had saved him, pulling him back from the edge of his ruined workshop. Together, they continued their pursuit of Hextech, raiding Heimerdinger's lab and bypassing laws and judgments through innovation and progress.

In the end, it was only the success of their modifications to the Hextech Crystals that ensured their crimes were quietly dismissed.

Now, seven years later, Viktor leaned on the rails of a viewing platform inside the ventilation shaft for the Hexgates. A low hum resonated through the chamber with pulsing waves of arcane energy running from above, down toward the hazy abyss below.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't announce our other projects in the speech." Jayce sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Heimerdinger is our mentor. His opinion comes first."

"And what about our pledge to improve lives for those in need? For the Undercity?" Viktor replied with traces of disappointment.

"I'm still all for it! But look, we messed up during the demonstration," Jayce said, referencing the arcane beam that nearly roasted Heimerdinger's pet poro. A fluffy, innocent-looking fuzz ball about the size of a small dog. "What if that was a person? A kid?"

"Hypotheticals." Viktor waved a hand dismissively. "A minor miscalibration, nothing more. We refine, we correct- this is the process of innovation."

Viktor gestured toward the massive ventilation shaft radiating with arcane power, frustration building in his voice. "Do you see what we have already built? How many lives we have improved, both here, in the Undercity, and across the world?"

"Ten years of fine-tuning such small devices, in comparison?" Viktor scoffed.

Jayce frowned, still shaking his head doubtfully. "We still barely understand the limits of this power. And anyway, we're talking about injuring someone by accident right now."

"The Hexgates could send a ship to the wrong location, stranding or killing hundreds by accident." Viktor countered. "Does this mean we should abandon it? Or do we refine the process, minimize risk, and move forward?"

Jayce's gaze lowered, troubled. He couldn't deny Viktor's logic.

Guilt flickered in his eyes. He felt as if he had doubted not just his friend, but the very foundation of their work. His gaze swept across the massive construct they had built together.

"You're right... I faltered in the moment."

"It doesn't matter now. It's too late. The perfect moment to unveil our wonders has passed. But like progress, we do not look back. We move forward."

Leaning deeper into his staff after stepping away from the rails, Viktor coughed into his hand. His eyes flashed with concern, blood speckling his palm, and his eyes darted toward his partner.

Jayce didn't see it.

He was transfixed on the magnificence of their work, busy reflecting internally on his actions, analyzing potential routes to make up for lost time.

There was always a way forward. Always another breakthrough, waiting.

"I must return to the lab," Viktor said, shoving his blood-speckled hand into his pocket as he turned away, his voice steady despite the strain in his body.

Jayce finally broke out of his trance, blinking as he refocused. "Right. I'll be there shortly. Hexcore, Runic Containment Shell layer, right?"

"That is correct."

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((By request, a brief 1 segment revisit to check out what's going on))

//Meanwhile, in Ionia//

Weapons spark violently as Shen's blade and Akali's kama, or sickle, clashed briefly before separating.

Akali moved like a dancer, fluid and unpredictable, switching between her kama for cutting and hooking and her kunai for stabbing or throwing. She weaved through her attack patterns, pressing forward with relentless aggression.

Shen, calm and unmoving, lifted his hand in focus. His eyes fluttered close as he deflected several attacks without moving, his spirit blade returning upon command. As Akali tried to break his guard, he foresaw her next move and countered. With a swift, precise slash, he forced her to vault over him, her kama arcing toward his neck.

Without looking, Shen ducked and delivered a powerful kick to her stomach. Akali grunted in pain, her body twisting from the impact before she instinctively reached into her sash- smoke bomb.

Puffs of white smoke, vision obstructed. But for Shen, it did not matter. He remained calm, focused.

Wzzt!

An arrow whistles through the air, bouncing harmlessly off his Ki barrier. Twisting sharply with precise footwork, Shen's blade finds its way to Akali's neck who tried to use the moment.

Panting heavily, Akali stood frozen, frustration flashing in her eyes as she stared at the gleaming edge. Slowly, Shen pulled away.

She took a deep breath, bowing respectfully while making an eastern gesture with her hands. "Thank you for the training, Master Shen!"

"You have grown well, Akali," Shen returns the bow. While his expression is unreadable, he asks, "Tomorrow, we will meet to discuss the next Fist of Shadow. It is a heavy mantle, with heavier responsibilities. Are you prepared to bear them if you are chosen?"

A low chuckle echoed from the clearing smoke. "You better be ready," a voice teased.

Faey stepped out, a kyudo-style bow in hand, a knowing smirk on her face. "Mayyam will be watching."

Akali snorted, placing her hands on her hips. "We both know she would've rather had you take the position."

"Not true. She already explained herself. She's already explained herself. She wanted you to live a more peaceful life- besides, I can't take the mantle after what happened years ago."

'Yeah, and that's the only reason you're not in my shoes.' Akali thought, her expression tightening.

Meanwhile, Shen observed silently, as always.

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"WHAT?!" Akali shot to her feet, her voice sharp and unrestrained as it echoed through the chamber.

Before her, the Kinkou masters remained composed. Mayyam sat with her legs crossed between Kennen and Shen, her expression as unreadable as ever. Gray streaks ran through her once-dark hair, and the deepening wrinkles on her face made her presence even more imposing.

"Orion, who disrupted the balance- and continues to do so- must be killed." Mayyam's voice was cold and unyielding. "If Faey accomplishes this, atoning for her past mistake, she will take up the mantle of the Fist of Shadow."

Akali's fists clenched. Her anger was plain on her face, and she didn't care to hide it.

Across from her, Faey sat in seiza form, staring downward. She hadn't expected this. Turmoil flickered in her eyes, but she remained silent.

"I have followed the Kinkou Order's teachings diligently," Akali said, her voice laced with fury. "Your teachings. Despite our differences on how the Noxians should be handled, I have respected the balance!"

She took a sharp breath before stepping forward, her gaze burning with frustration. "And yet, you return to Faey? And order her to kill the one who ensured she even had a future?!"

For hours, the conflict between Akali and Mayyam raged, their voices raised with emotions.

But Faey remained silent throughout it all.