Piltover - Kiramman Residence

The room was quiet except for the soft hum of Caitlyn's laptop. A black eyepatch covered her left eye, a permanent reminder of the brutal battle against Ambessa Medarda. Seated in a high-backed chair near the window, she scrolled through an array of articles, her sharp gaze scanning each headline. The first read: Piltover: Can They Recover? Her lips pressed into a thin line as she continued, catching sight of another: Piltover: The City of Progress No More?

Each headline seemed heavier than the last, the weight of Piltover's struggles pressing down on her shoulders. Caitlyn exhaled softly, her expression hardening as she read on.

Her brow furrowed, tension building in her shoulders. But as she scrolled again, a more hopeful headline caught her attention: Piltover: Reasons Why The City Will Never Falter. She paused, her gaze lingering on the author's name: Piper Wright. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. A glimmer of hope.

The moment was fleeting. Her expression hardened as another article filled the screen: Obsidian: The Next City of Progress. Caitlyn leaned back in her chair, a hand drifting to her lips in thought. The name was new, unfamiliar, but the implications were clear. A rival city rising from the shadows. Her mind raced, contemplating what this could mean for Piltover's fragile state.

The faint sound of footsteps caught her attention. Caitlyn glanced toward the doorway, where Vi stood, her figure outlined by the flickering light of the firepit. She looked hesitant, her usual confident demeanor replaced by something quieter, heavier. Vi's eyes lingered on the ground as she approached the firepit, placing a white envelope on the table.

She didn't say a word, instead glancing briefly at Caitlyn. There was a tension in her stance, a deep breath taken as if to say something—but nothing came. Instead, Vi turned and walked toward the door, her steps quiet but deliberate.

"Vi?" Caitlyn's voice broke the silence, soft yet expectant as she stood and turned, looking toward the empty doorway.

Confused, Caitlyn walked to where Vi had stood, her gaze falling to the table. The envelope sat there, its pristine white surface catching the light. A faint pit formed in her stomach as she picked it up, carefully sliding out a folded letter. She unfolded it, the paper crinkling softly in her hands.

As Caitlyn began to read, Vi's voice filled her mind, the words echoing as though the woman herself were speaking.

"Hey Cait," the letter began, the informal greeting so quintessentially Vi. "I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have you in my life. You've been my anchor, my partner, and my light through all of this. But ever since everything happened—with Piltover, Zaun, the Arcane... and Vander—" the name lingered, weighted with grief, "I've realized I need to take a step back."

Caitlyn's fingers tightened slightly around the letter as her heart sank.

"I want to take this time to be with Powder. She's my sister, Cait. She needs me. I need her, too. I've already lost her once, and I won't let it happen again. Not after losing Vander three times. I know... I know you still hold a grudge against her, especially after what happened at the Ceremony. Losing your father because of it—I can't imagine that kind of pain. But I hope... I hope someday you won't carry that burden with Powder anymore. She's not the same person she was then, Cait. I know she's not. I need to believe in her, and I hope someday you can too."

Caitlyn's breath hitched as she read those words. She could almost hear Vi's voice trembling, the weight of conflicted love and guilt in every syllable.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone. But I promise you, when the time is right, I'll come back. You mean everything to me, Cait. I love you so much. Don't ever doubt that. You will always be, my Cupcake."

The final words hit Caitlyn like a weight, and before she realized it, a single tear fell from her eye, splashing onto the paper. She held the letter to her chest, clutching it tightly as if doing so could keep Vi close despite the distance.

Her legs carried her to the window almost unconsciously, her gaze drifting to the city beyond. The faint lights of Piltover shimmered in the distance, fractured but still standing—a reflection of her own emotions. She pressed the letter closer to her heart and whispered softly, her voice tinged with both sorrow and resolve.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I'll wait for you, Vi. No matter how long it takes."

The firepit crackled softly behind her, its warmth failing to reach her as she stared out into the night. Despite the ache in her heart, she understood. Vi needed this. And Caitlyn, despite the longing she felt, would wait. Always.

Vi stepped out of the grand Kiramman residence, the cool night air brushing against her as she descended the stone steps. The streets of Piltover were quiet now, the usual hum of activity reduced to a somber stillness. By the firelight of a nearby streetlamp, Jinx sat on the ground, knees drawn to her chest, her bright blue hair glowing faintly under the amber light.

She glanced up as Vi approached, her mismatched eyes catching the faint glimmer of moonlight. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, no words exchanged, the weight of the moment settling between them.

Vi finally broke the silence, her voice soft but steady. "You ready, Powder?" She paused, her expression tender.

The name hung in the air, fragile but powerful. It was a name from another life, one Jinx hadn't heard from Vi in years. Her lips parted slightly in surprise before curling into a small, uncertain smile. She nodded, rising to her feet with a grace that contrasted the usual chaotic energy she exuded.

"Yeah... I'm ready," Jinx said, her voice quiet, her tone carrying a rare solemnity.

Without another word, the two sisters began walking together, side by side. The once-sharp tension between them seemed to ease, replaced by something unspoken but understood—a bond reforged in the wake of their shared pain.

As they departed Piltover, leaving behind the flickering lights and fractured city, they heard a voice call out behind them, breaking the silence.

"Wait!"

Both Vi and Jinx stopped, turning around in unison. Their eyes widened slightly as Ekko approached, flying through the air on his hoverboard. His silhouette was illuminated by the faint glow of the moonlight, and as he skidded to a halt, the board hissed softly beneath him. Without hesitation, he jumped off and grabbed his hoverboard, running toward them.

There was a brief pause as Ekko stopped in front of them, catching his breath. He looked at Vi, then at Jinx, before speaking. "I heard you two are gonna be gone for a while," he said, his voice a mix of concern and understanding.

Vi nodded, stepping toward him. "Yeah, we are," she admitted, her tone soft but steady. "We both need this, Ekko."

He nodded slowly, his eyes flickering between them. "I get it," he said, though there was a hint of sadness in his voice. Vi stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"This isn't goodbye forever," she assured him, her voice carrying a mix of reassurance and warmth. "It's just goodbye for now."

Ekko's lips curved into a faint smile, though his eyes betrayed the emotion behind them. Vi pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "Gonna miss you, little man," she murmured.

Ekko closed his eyes for a moment, his hands resting lightly on her back. "I'm gonna miss you too," he said quietly, his voice steady but heartfelt.

After a moment, they broke apart. Vi stepped to the side, her smirk returning. "Make it quick," she said teasingly, nodding toward Jinx before moving away to give them space.

Ekko turned toward Jinx, hesitating for a moment before walking up to her. "Hey," he said simply, his voice softer than before.

Jinx glanced up at him, her mismatched eyes catching the light. "Hey," she responded, her tone equally quiet.

She fidgeted slightly before speaking. "Ekko, I just want to say—"

"I know," Ekko interrupted gently, his voice calm and understanding. Jinx froze for a moment, her words caught in her throat, but his softened expression made her relax.

"I know," Ekko repeated, his tone carrying a mixture of affection and reflection. "We've been through a lot. From being enemies..." he paused, a small chuckle escaping his lips, "...to working together."

Jinx softened, a small, genuine smile forming on her lips. "Yeah... it was fun," she admitted, her voice tinged with something rare—earnestness.

Ekko nodded, his grin widening slightly before he reached down, picking up his hoverboard. "Here," he said, holding it out toward her.

Jinx's eyes widened in surprise. "Ekko, I—I don't know," she stammered, her voice uncertain as she looked between him and the hoverboard.

Ekko placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's okay," he said, his tone warm. "I've got a lot more back in Zaun. Besides, I'm an inventor—I can always make more." He smiled, tilting his head slightly. "Just take it. At least you'll have something to remember me by while you're gone."

Jinx hesitated, her fingers brushing against the hoverboard before finally taking it into her hands. She glanced up at Ekko, her mismatched eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without warning, Ekko stepped forward and hesitantly pulled her into a hug. Jinx stiffened at first, the unexpected gesture catching her off guard, but then she relaxed. Slowly, she raised her arms and hugged him back. Both closed their eyes, the moment brief but meaningful.

"Take care," Ekko murmured.

"You too," Jinx replied, her voice quiet but steady.

As the hug ended, Jinx turned and walked back toward Vi, who stood watching from a short distance. Jinx glanced at Vi, nodding silently, and Vi returned the gesture with a small smirk.

Before they continued on, Jinx turned back one last time. She looked at Ekko, a rare, genuine smile crossing her face. Ekko raised his hand in a final wave, standing there as he watched the two sisters walk off together.

He stood motionless for a moment, his hoverboard no longer underfoot, but his heart feeling lighter. "Until next time," he murmured to himself, watching them disappear into the distance.

And so they walked into the night, toward an uncertain future but with a shared resolve.