Arcane Anew

"Hey! How was prison? Did it suck?" Mylo smirked.

"Knock it off Mylo."

Claggor's head turned toward Mylo as Orion walked in expressionlessly.

"I'm just asking. You know, was the food first class?"

"How about this," Claggor said dryly. "If you don't knock it off, I'll let Gert know who I caught you leering at this morning."

"Please don't…" Mylo muttered, immediately deflating. "It was an accident."

For a quick remembrance, the arcade has a large, archway stained-glass window next to the entry door. The walls next to the window were lined with arcade machines, while the back wall has a robotic boxing arcade machine and shooting range, all still maintained by Powder.

After walking in, there is a bulletin board and armchair to the left, while the far right was refurbished. Faint, buzzing new lights hung overhead, illuminating a once-dusty storage room now repurposed. A circular metal table and several chairs occupied the space, alongside an artificer's table cluttered with tools and gadgets.

Compared to the past, the entire arcade looked… maintained. Cleaner. Even the walls had a fresh coat of paint- shades of blue and purple replacing the dull greys and bronzes typical of Piltover and the Undercity.

Looking up, metal beams supporting the structure were still visible but with glass panels now dotting the ceiling. Two makeshift walkways- more like lounging spots- had been added, metal sheets curved into a 'C' shape and held up by thin struts.

Ekko and Powder were up there. Powder lay flat on her back, one arm dangling lazily over the edge as she watched Orion enter, anticipation gleaming in her eyes.

Ekko, however, sat upright and ready to act, legs hanging off the beam. Unlike Powder, his expression was unreadable, and his grip on the beam visibly tightened the moment their eyes met.

Claggor and Mylo sat at the refurbished table, their hands busy with their latest projects. Mylo had his feet propped up, artificer goggles covering his eyes as he held a circuit board in one hand and a soldering iron in the other.

Each time the tool touched the board, faint trails of smoke curled into the air. Despite his usual antics and sharp tongue, his hands moved with precision.

Beside him, Claggor was at work with a welding tool, a protective mask shielding his face. Bright flashes illuminated the table as sparks sprayed, then faded.

He leaned in, inspecting his weld, before groaning in frustration and tossing his tool onto the table. "I'll have to fix it later..."

"Stop sucking so much. Ow!"

Mylo's body jerked as Claggor kicked him under the table. Despite the impact, his hands never wavered, still steady as he worked.

"It's like I never left," Orion remarked dryly, but the familiar jab lacked the chuckle it might've once carried.

Near the entrance, Vi sat in a worn leather armchair, mirroring the way she lounged at The Last Drop- sprawled out like a mafia boss, chin resting against her fist, studying Orion carefully.

"Cupcake will be here soon," Vi gruffly said, pushing herself up from the chair. "She wanted to talk about something serious. Hope you don't mind."

"You are this close, sis-" Powder scowled from the rafters, fingers less than an inch apart. "This close to being a Pilty."

"She's been for rounding up Silco's goons and filthy bastards," Vi said, dismissing her sister's comments. Powder wasn't letting it go. "Mom and Dad would be really disappointed in you."

"You have no idea how they would've felt," Vi snapped, her gaze shifting into a glare up toward Powder.

"Maybe not, but I'm sure dying fighting Enforcers gives a pretty good hint."

Orion exhaled sharply, deciding to ignore them as he stepped forward. "How's it going, Mylo? Claggor?"

The room's focus shifted as Claggor and Mylo set their tools down and rose to their feet.

"Pretty good. You?" Mylo asked.

"Getting used to freedom."

Claggor squinted, studying him. "How's your head? And your eyes… prison got to you that much, huh?"

Sighing, Orion shook his head. "I didn't take Shimmer. This is because of some magical fuckery. Though...it might be as bad as Shimmer."

"Does it make you go cross-eyed? Woozy before bed?" Mylo started with a smirk, then quickly adjusted when he caught the glares. "Or- y'know- unstable. Like Shimmer?"

All eyes turned toward Orion expectantly.

"I don't know." Orion exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "More angry? Volatile? I can't tell if it's because of prison or the Void."

"The Void? You mean the horror stories they told us as kids? The thing that corrupts and consumes?" A skeptical voice echoed from the rafters.

"See, I told you, he's a time bomb."

A flicker of anger sparked in Orion's chest. For a brief moment, he considered sending an arc of energy straight at the rafter. But with a slow breath, he forced himself to hold back.

"The beam of light six years ago? That was some type of Void entity trying to break through- caused by the explosion a year prior."

Glancing up at Powder and Ekko, their gazes shifted unconsciously. "Certain Hex Crystal explosions."

"My god, that was six to seven years ago!" Vi scowled. "It's time to get over it and move on!"

"The fuck did you just say?" Orion's head snapped to Vi.

"Get over it!" Vi shot back without hesitation. "Shit happens! We've got bigger problems with Silco these days!"

Orion stood there, stunned. Then, slowly, the anger began to bubble over.

"What- the- what-" He couldn't even find words.

"Woah, woah!" Mylo quickly stepped in, holding his hands up. "Too much, Vi! You're ignoring something major he just said!"

"Like what?!"

"The Void magic stuff? His magic? Remember?" Mylo's voice was a little shaky. He had turned fully to face Vi, but his eyes flicked nervously back to Orion.

"You're being too harsh, Vi." Claggor's voice cut in, firm and disapproving. "He's helped us out a lot. He didn't deserve that."

"You guys are just scared because of his magic," Vi accused, scoffing. "But I bet he couldn't win squat without it!" She pointed at Orion, her smirk widening. "Isn't that right?"

"Way to blow things up, sis."

"Seriously."

"Fine." Orion's voice was hushed but steady as he gestured toward the ring. "Like old times?"

Vi's grin sharpened. "You wouldn't last."

Around them, the others groaned or facepalmed.

At that moment, the door creaked open. Isha, who had been waiting outside, stepped in- with Caitlyn right behind her. Both paused at the sight before them.

Powder, however, tilted her head curiously toward the kid again.