Piltover - Kiramman Residence

The weight of the Memorial Ceremony still lingered over Piltover like a heavy shroud. The city was quiet, yet the tension in the air was almost suffocating.

Caitlyn sat alone in the living room of the Kiramman residence, the grand space now feeling hollow without the laughter and warmth it once held. A framed photo rested in her hands—a picture of her father, Tobias Kiramman. His familiar smile stared back at her, frozen in time. A tear slipped down her cheek as she traced the edge of the photo with her thumb, her chest tight with the ache of loss.

She didn't hear her mother approach until Cassandra sat down beside her on the couch. The older woman looked tired, her face lined with grief that mirrored Caitlyn's own.

"Your father saved my life," Cassandra said quietly, her voice trembling. "And now he's gone."

Caitlyn turned to her mother, her own guilt bubbling to the surface. Cassandra didn't stop, her words spilling out as though she'd been holding them back for too long.

"He insisted on coming with me to the Memorial Ceremony," Cassandra continued. "Even after what happened at the Council Room. He stayed by my side the entire time... And because of that..." Her voice broke, and she sniffled, trying to compose herself.

"I'm sorry, Mother," Caitlyn said softly, her voice cracking. "I should have—if I'd been faster, stronger—I could have saved him."

Cassandra reached out, resting a firm hand on Caitlyn's arm, stopping her. "No. It's not your fault. What happened was beyond your control. We were ambushed, Caitlyn. There was nothing you could have done."

For a moment, the room fell silent. Cassandra's gaze lingered on Caitlyn, then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small device, placing it in her daughter's hand. Caitlyn blinked down at it, her fingers curling instinctively around the object.

"The Kiramman Key," Caitlyn whispered, recognizing it immediately. She looked up at her mother, confusion and hesitation flickering in her eyes. "Mother, I—"

"Caitlyn," Cassandra interrupted firmly, "you're a Kiramman. And it's time you start acting like one."

Caitlyn swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the key. Her mother's words cut through the fog of her grief like a blade. She looked back down at the device, its weight suddenly feeling immense. For generations, the Kiramman name had meant something in Piltover—a legacy of strength and justice. But now, it was a target.

"If I'm going to stop Jinx," Caitlyn began, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest, "then I need to know you'll be safe."

Cassandra furrowed her brow, clearly not liking the direction this conversation was going. But Caitlyn pressed on, her tone resolute.

"I want you to leave Piltover," she said. "Go somewhere far away—Sidia, maybe. One of the neighboring cities. Anywhere but here. The Valorant Agency will keep you safe until this is over."

"Caitlyn—" Cassandra began to protest, but Caitlyn cut her off.

"Please," Caitlyn pleaded, her voice breaking. "I can't lose you too."

Cassandra let out a long, shaky sigh. Her shoulders slumped as she finally nodded. "I'll leave tomorrow," she agreed, her voice heavy with reluctance. She took Caitlyn's hands in hers, holding them tightly. "But you must promise me something."

"What is it?" Caitlyn asked.

"Promise me you'll be safe," Cassandra said. "Whatever you plan on doing, whatever risks you take, promise me you won't throw your life away. Promise me you'll come back."

Caitlyn hesitated for only a moment before meeting her mother's eyes. "I promise," she said quietly.

Cassandra pulled her into an embrace, and for a moment, the two women sat there, holding onto each other as if they could somehow shield one another from the chaos that had consumed their lives.

But Caitlyn knew the promise she'd made was one she might not be able to keep.

The embrace between Caitlyn and Cassandra ended, but the gravity of their exchange lingered. Cassandra's hand remained on Caitlyn's shoulder, a silent gesture of support, though her gaze had shifted. Her eyes landed on the figure standing at the entrance of the room.

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Vi.

"What is she still doing here?" Cassandra asked, her voice cold, brimming with disapproval.

Caitlyn followed her mother's gaze and turned towards Vi. Standing there in the doorway, Vi seemed to soften under the scrutiny, her usual defiance tempered by the weight of the moment. Without a word, she turned and walked away, her heavy boots echoing down the hallway.

Caitlyn placed her hand on her mother's arm in a gesture of reassurance before standing up to follow Vi.

Rain poured outside, streaking the large windows of the Kiramman estate. The sound was rhythmic, almost hypnotic, as it drowned out the quiet tension of the house. Vi stood in the hallway, her silhouette outlined against the dim light of the storm outside. She stared out at the rain, one hand resting on the glass. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in the chaos of recent events.

She felt Caitlyn's presence before she saw her. Turning her head slightly, Vi saw Caitlyn approaching, her steps slow and deliberate. Vi tried to manage a small smile, but it was weak, a shadow of her usual confidence.

"Hey," Vi said softly, her voice subdued.

Caitlyn stopped a few feet away, hesitating. The silence between them felt fragile, ready to crack under the weight of their emotions. Finally, Caitlyn broke. She closed the distance between them in a rush, throwing her arms around Vi in a desperate hug. Vi froze for a moment, surprised, before wrapping her arms around Caitlyn, holding her tightly. The rain continued to pour outside, their embrace a moment of solace amid the storm.

When they finally pulled apart, their movements were slow, hesitant, as though neither wanted to let go completely. Vi looked at Caitlyn, her expression pained but resolute.

"You were right, Cait," Vi said, her voice raw. "Powder's gone."

Caitlyn's heart ached at the admission, but she stayed silent, letting Vi continue.

"I can make this right," Vi said, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. "If you can get Jayce to fix the gauntlets, I can take her down myself. No one else has to get hurt."

"No," Caitlyn said firmly. The sharpness in her voice made Vi flinch. "No more rogue missions. No more reckless plans."

Vi's brow furrowed, but she didn't argue. Caitlyn took a step closer, her voice softening but no less resolute. "My mother was right. My arrogance... it led me to take on more than I could handle. And my father paid the price."

The words hung in the air, heavy with guilt and regret. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Vi reached out, taking Caitlyn's hand in hers, a silent acknowledgment of her pain.

After a long pause, Caitlyn broke the silence. "Elder Maxson is sending all the Enforcers and Marines after Jinx."

Vi's grip on Caitlyn's hand tightened at the mention of Jinx. She searched Caitlyn's eyes, looking for something—hope, reassurance, anything.

"I'm going with them," Caitlyn said, her voice steady but resolute.

"Please," Vi said, her tone pleading. "I have to help."

"You can," Caitlyn replied.

From her pocket, Caitlyn pulled out a small, black item and handed it to Vi. Curious, Vi took it and unfolded it. Her breath hitched as she realized what it was—an Enforcer badge. She stared at it in disbelief, the silver emblem gleaming faintly in the dim light.

"As one of us," Caitlyn said.

Vi's expression shifted, a mixture of shock, confusion, and something deeper—conflict. Caitlyn noticed it and continued before Vi could protest.

"I know," Caitlyn said gently. "We talked about this before. About how your parents died because of them. I know what this badge means to you. But this is the only way, Vi. If we're going to stop Jinx, we need to do it together. And we need to do it the right way."

Vi stared down at the Enforcer badge in her hand, her expression conflicted. She rubbed her thumb across its surface, the cold metal feeling foreign against her skin. Finally, she spoke, her voice low but resolute.

"Cait, I can't wear this."

Caitlyn's frustration surfaced immediately, her tone sharpening. "Vi, they attacked a memorial. They are animals."

"They wanted the spectacle," Vi countered, her voice calm but firm. "They're trying to scare you."

Caitlyn's eyes blazed as she snapped, "All they did is piss me off."

Vi exhaled, her gaze steady but tinged with concern. "You... you need to find a way to call off the invasion."

"What?" Caitlyn's disbelief was palpable.

"This battle was on your soil," Vi said, her tone soft but insistent. "Down there, you'll be on their terms."

Caitlyn's jaw tightened as she shot back, "None of this is on our terms."

"Maybe you should change that," Vi said, her words pointed but her voice gentle.

"I don't know how, okay?" Caitlyn's voice broke as she yelled. The frustration, the grief, and the weight of responsibility all came crashing down at once. Vi flinched at the outburst, her eyes widening.

For a moment, the hallway was silent except for the rain. Caitlyn's chest heaved as she tried to steady herself. Her voice dropped to a trembling whisper. "He dies and leaves this giant hole, and I'm just supposed to fill it."

Vi stepped closer, her hand moving to Caitlyn's face. She cupped Caitlyn's chin gently, tilting her head up to meet her gaze. Vi's voice was soft, her words carrying a weight of understanding. "Hey. You won't. The hole gets smaller... but you never fill it."

Caitlyn's eyes glistened as she closed them, nodding slightly. The pain etched on her face softened, if only a little. She let out a shaky sigh, the anger fading into exhaustion.

"I... I was wrong to spring a badge on you," Caitlyn admitted, her voice quieter now. She hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's just... every way I slice it, if I go after your sister alone, one of us comes back in a box."

Vi's brow furrowed, the weight of Caitlyn's words settling over her. Caitlyn looked down, her composure threatening to crack again. "It's all coming apart," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Vi reached out, placing a hand on Caitlyn's shoulder. "No, it isn't," she said firmly. "We won't let it."

Caitlyn looked up, her expression uncertain but touched by the conviction in Vi's voice. Without another word, Vi pulled her into a hug. Caitlyn didn't hesitate this time, wrapping her arms around Vi tightly, as though anchoring herself in the storm.

They stayed like that for a long moment, the rain continuing to pour outside, their shared warmth a quiet defiance against the chaos threatening to consume them. In that embrace, they found a fragile but unshakable resolve: they wouldn't face this alone.