Piltover - Council Room - [Continued]

As Jayce and Mel entered the Council room, Arbiter followed closely behind. Seated around the table were the remnants of Piltover's leadership: Councilor Terrance Hood, Cassandra Kiramman, Bolbok, Hoskel, Shoola, and a new addition to the council—Sevika.

Mel moved gracefully to her seat, her demeanor composed yet attentive. Jayce, however, remained standing, his presence commanding despite his long, unkempt hair and scuffed beard that hinted at the weight of his burdens.

"Thank you all for coming," Jayce began, his voice steady but laced with fatigue. His gaze lingered on Sevika for a moment. Although she and Zaun had joined the fight alongside Piltover against Ambessa and Atriox, it still felt surreal to see her seated among them. He nodded toward her in quiet acknowledgment, and Sevika returned the gesture with a subtle incline of her head, her stoic expression unreadable.

Jayce ran a hand through his messy hair before letting it fall to his grizzled beard, his fingers brushing it thoughtfully as he sighed. "Although the war is over and Piltover is in the process of recovery, there are pressing matters we need to address."

He turned to Sevika again, his gaze firm but respectful. "Because of Jinx and Sevika's efforts—standing alongside us against Ambessa and Atriox—I believe we owe them, and Zaun, a debt of gratitude." He paused, his hand brushing against the edge of the table as he gathered his thoughts. "I want to propose something that has long been overdue."

The room grew still, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "I suggest that we take this opportunity to enforce peace once again with Zaun." His voice softened, but his conviction remained strong. "For years, the twin cities have existed in tension—uneasy, fractured. But after what we've just witnessed, after the sacrifices made by both Piltover and Zaun, I believe it's time to stand united once more."

He hesitated briefly, his voice dropping slightly. "Ambessa, Atriox... Viktor—they've shown us what division can lead to. If we are to prevent such devastation from happening again, we must work together, not as enemies, but as allies."

Jayce's gaze swept across the council members, his resolve unwavering. "This is our chance to heal. To rebuild not just Piltover, but our relationship with Zaun. It won't be easy, but I believe it's necessary—for the future of both cities."

Cassandra Kiramman leaned forward, her expression thoughtful yet edged with concern. "What about Hextech?" she asked, her voice calm but weighted with the question. "How do we ensure it isn't used to cause more harm, Jayce?"

Jayce paused, the question cutting through the room. His hand reflexively brushed his beard as he looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Finally, he lifted his gaze to meet Cassandra's.

"With Viktor... gone," he began, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow, "I want to make one thing clear. Hextech was never meant to be a weapon of destruction or a tool to instill fear. That was never its purpose."

He straightened, his tone firm now. "Instead, Hextech must remain a force for protection. It should be used to defend—by those like the Enforcers, the Marines, and others who dedicate their lives to safeguarding Piltover and its people. But above all, it must stand as a symbol of progress."

Jayce glanced around the room, his resolve unwavering. "Progress has always been what Piltover represents. It's what sets us apart, what defines us. That vision hasn't changed—and it won't change under my watch."

He paused briefly, his eyes landing on Cassandra. "Hextech's future lies not in repeating the mistakes of the past, but in ensuring its legacy brings hope, not fear, to the people of this city and beyond."

The room fell quiet, the weight of his words settling among the council members. Cassandra nodded slowly, her concern giving way to cautious agreement. The conversation had shifted, but the path forward was becoming clearer.

Jayce hesitated, his hand brushing over the table's edge as he drew a deep breath. His voice, though steady, carried a weight that immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. "Also, there's something I've been thinking about lately," he began, his eyes momentarily dropping to the floor before rising to meet the council members. "I believe it's time for me to resign from the council."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Cassandra, Shoola, and Mel exchanged shocked glances, while Sevika's steady stare remained fixed on him, unreadable. Shoola leaned forward, her voice firm but concerned. "Are you sure about this, Jayce? This is not a decision to make lightly."

Jayce nodded, his resolve clear despite the sadness in his eyes. "I'm sure, Shoola."

Mel, unable to remain seated, stood and walked toward him. She took his hands in hers, her gaze piercing as she softly urged, "Jayce, look at me." He reluctantly lifted his eyes to meet hers, and she tightened her grip. "What made you decide to step down? Why now?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Jayce exhaled deeply, the anguish in his voice apparent as he replied, "Because... all of this—everything that's happened—it's because of me and Viktor." He paused, his voice breaking slightly as the weight of his guilt surfaced. "I pushed Hextech too far. I was too blind to see what it could become in the wrong hands. Viktor, he—he saw a version of Hextech I didn't, one that spiraled into chaos and destruction. And I couldn't stop him."

Mel's grip on his hands tightened as she leaned closer. "Jayce," she said firmly, her voice steady but filled with compassion, "you can't carry all of this on your shoulders. You've done everything you could to protect Piltover. You're not responsible for every decision Viktor made."

Jayce shook his head. "Maybe not, but I was the one who set it all in motion. I was the one who opened the door. And now, I think it's time for someone else to guide Piltover forward—someone who can do it without the shadow of my mistakes looming over them."

The room fell silent, the gravity of Jayce's decision settling over everyone. Mel's expression softened, a mix of understanding and sorrow flickering in her eyes. She didn't let go of his hands, but her next words were quieter. "If you're stepping down because you think you've failed, you're wrong. But if this is truly what you believe Piltover needs, then... I'll support you."

Cassandra and Shoola exchanged another look, their expressions a mix of shock and contemplation. Terrance sat back in his chair, his brow furrowed, while Sevika's gaze lingered on Jayce, her expression inscrutable.

As the room fell into silence, Councilor Terrance Hood rose from his seat. His movements were deliberate as he walked around the table, his presence commanding yet calm. He stopped beside Jayce, removed his military hat, and placed a firm, steady hand on Jayce's shoulder.

"Son," Terrance began, his voice low and gruff, but with an unmistakable note of sincerity. "Within my years in the military and serving with the Enforcers and the Marines, I've seen my fair share of victories... and failures. I've made choices I'm proud of, and some that still haunt me to this day."

Jayce looked up at him, his expression conflicted but attentive as Terrance continued. "What I've learned in all those years is this: there's no such thing as a perfect person. We all make mistakes—every single one of us. It's part of being human."

Terrance's grip on Jayce's shoulder tightened slightly, his tone becoming more personal. "But let me tell you something else. You've done a damn good job. You've given everything you have to this city—to its people. That's more than most can say. Mistakes don't erase the good you've done, and they sure as hell don't mean you should stop trying."

Jayce's brow furrowed as Terrance leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "You think stepping down is what Piltover needs? Fine. That's your call to make, and we'll respect it. But don't let guilt be the reason you walk away. Don't let your mistakes define you. Learn from them. Grow from them. That's how you lead, Jayce."

Terrance stepped back, placing his hat back on his head and giving Jayce a small nod. "Whatever you decide, know this—we're here because of the work you've done. Piltover's future is brighter because of you, and that's something worth remembering."

Jayce's shoulders sagged slightly, his hand brushing against his beard as he processed Terrance's words. For the first time, a faint glimmer of gratitude crossed his weary face. "Thank you, Councilor Terrance," he said quietly. "That means more than you know."

Terrance gave Jayce's shoulder a firm pat, his expression softening as a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Think about it, son," he said, his voice steady but carrying a tone of fatherly advice. "Take some time, and when you're ready, let's talk. Maybe I can convince you to stay. After all," he added with a knowing grin, "you are Piltover's Golden Boy."

Jayce let out a faint chuckle despite himself, shaking his head. "Golden Boy, huh? I think that shine's worn off by now," he said, his voice tinged with self-deprecation.

Terrance tilted his head, his smile unwavering. "Not in my eyes, and not in the eyes of this city. You've done more for Piltover than most men could dream of in a lifetime. Don't forget that."

Jayce nodded slowly, Terrance's words weighing heavily but offering a flicker of hope. "I'll think about it," he promised, his tone more earnest this time.

"Good," Terrance replied simply. "That's all I ask."

As Jayce, Mel, and Terrance stood, a quiet understanding seemed to settle between them. Mel exchanged a small, knowing smile with Jayce, a rare moment of shared warmth amidst the tension. Seated nearby, Cassandra Kiramman smiled faintly, her own concerns momentarily eased by the scene.

Suddenly, the grand doors to the Council room creaked open with authority, drawing everyone's attention. Caitlyn Kiramman and Jason Hudson stepped inside, their postures tense with purpose.

Jayce turned to them immediately, his expression sharpening. "Caitlyn, Hudson. Is everything alright?"

Hudson glanced briefly at Caitlyn before addressing the council, his voice steady but urgent. "I apologize for the interruption, Councilors, but the Piltover Central Intelligence Agency has just received intel on Raul Menendez's whereabouts."

The room stiffened, the name alone carrying a heavy weight. Jayce opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Terrance stepped forward, his commanding presence cutting through the moment. "Jayce, don't worry," he said firmly. "I'll handle this."

Turning his attention to Caitlyn, Terrance's tone grew authoritative. "Commander Kiramman, assemble a team of your choosing and coordinate with Arthur Maxson and Director Byrne. I'll inform Master Chief myself—he's going to be part of this operation. I want this handled seriously and efficiently."

Caitlyn straightened, her expression focused. "Understood, sir," she said with a curt nod.

Hudson added, "We'll begin preparations immediately."

Terrance returned his gaze to Jayce, his voice softening slightly. "This is my responsibility, son. Focus on what's here. We'll take care of Menendez."

Jayce hesitated, a flicker of unease crossing his face, but he eventually nodded. "Alright, Terrance. I trust you."

With that, Caitlyn and Hudson gave the council a respectful nod before swiftly leaving the room. The heavy doors closed behind them, leaving an air of tension lingering in the chamber.