Chapter Text
You needed a story.
A creation that would prove your potential – something powerful enough to lift you out of this hell hole and into the future you dreamed of.
You always loved writing. You started out young – at ten years old you were already scribbling your own bedtime stories. Your parents claimed that you were gifted.
But you almost had to sacrifice that comfort for the life you wanted. You dearly loved your home, yet you saw no future in it. After your father died in an accident as an alchemist and your mother fell seriously ill, you had no choice but to sell pieces of your childhood memories to cover the mounting expenses.
You managed to get into a top university in the city, Piltover, and now you were competing with some of the most talented writers. The pressure was intense, but that didn’t stop you from pushing forward. At least you didn’t have to worry about money – thanks to the council who had been supporting your studies.
You got a friend along the way – Kyris.
Kyris took everything seriously, especially when it came to his career goals. He shared your dream and was determined to reach the same level, pushing both of you to strive harder than you ever could alone.
Of course you had mutual acquaintances, but if you had to pick someone to rely on – it would be Kyris.
The two of you were like two peas in a pod.
But everything changes after graduation. You were on your own, desperate to make a name for yourself as a journalist. Of course, Kyris was still around, but he had his own duties to fulfill.
Piltover had a fair amount of journalists, but almost none dared to venture into the underground.
Those who went down there never came back alive.
But if that opens doors to opportunities and fame – are you willing to risk everything for a chance at greatness?
Zaun was overlooked and underdeveloped which was the perfect story to be uncovered.
You didn’t want to end up like one of those unfortunate characters in horror movies, but the temptation to dig for information was almost irresistible.
After days of steeling yourself, you finally packed your things along with your trusted pocket knife and stepped into that nightmare – the darkness of the underground swallowing the city above.
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You pulled your jacket tight around you, hood drawn over your head as you anxiously made your way down the damp, narrow streets. There wasn’t much to research back in Piltover since information was scarce and the city’s polished surface hid far more than it revealed.
But that will all change.
It was a dangerous gamble, but you wanted to make a difference.
You never felt safe enough to pull out your camera and take more than a few hurried shots. Your hands shook and it was nearly impossible to focus on a steady frame.
You quickened your pace, keeping your head down as you ventured deeper into the dark. The faint glow of neon signs was your only guide.
You had no idea where you were or how you’d ever find your way out – but a part of you clung to the hope of finding a way back to safety when the sun rose.
A sudden burst of yelling from the locals made your heart jump but you forced yourself to keep your composure, keeping your head low to blend yourself into the environment. Every so often, you would risk a glance from beneath your hood to check where you were and who might be watching. You soon stopped in your tracks when you saw a group of drunkards brawling, glass bottles shattering against the ground in front of this tavern.
The Last Drop.
You read the flickering neon sign that buzzed faintly.
You quickly pulled out your camera, making sure you were hidden in the shadows of the alley, careful not to draw any attention. You snapped several shots, trying to be as swift as possible.
Once the film developed, you shoved it all into your bag, heart still racing, hoping that no one had noticed your presence.
Before you could take a step, a hand clamped over your mouth.
Your eyes widened in panic as you clawed at the strong grip, your body straining to stay upright while you were dragged into the darkness. You hysterically reached toward your side, fumbling for your only defense.
Without hesitation, you swung your arm back, the blade sinking into your target’s thigh.
A low grunt reverberated through the alley and you felt a surge of relief as the grip loosened.
Every nerve in your body screamed at you to run.
God, how many alleyways were there in Zaun?
It felt as if the walls themselves were closing as you ran for your life, frantically rounding corners and slamming into cold, concrete walls.
You had been out in the open just a minute ago and now you found yourself trapped in yet another narrow alley.
You didn’t dare glance over your shoulder.
And before you knew it, you were stuck in a dead end. You winced in defeat, your chest heaving and your lungs burning. Pressing your back as close to the wall as possible, you tried to make yourself disappear, hoping the wall itself would just swallow you whole.
You were spiraling in the dark, the only sound present was your own ragged breath and the frantic beating of your heart. Your eyes darted uncontrollably, straining to penetrate the pitch-black shadows around you.
You held your breath for a moment, trying hard to catch even the slightest unusual sound.
And then you got a sign.
A tight, crushing grip around your neck – cutting off your air and sending a jolt of panic racing through every nerve.
The heavy scent of tobacco and alcohol roamed your body as you clawed desperately at the arm bounding you. But the hold didn’t budge.
Not thinking straight, you poured every ounce of strength into a hoarse whimper, hoping that your last bit of pleading would change their mind.
And lucky for you, you were able to breathe again.
You collapsed to the ground, desperately filling your lungs, completely forgetting the person who still stood in front of you.
You didn’t get long to recover though. Rough hands seized your jacket again, vigorously dragging you toward a patch of dim light. Your legs stumbled, tripping over themselves as you struggled to keep up with the pace.
Fuck.
Is this it? What’s going to happen to you?
You blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the growing light. You were being yanked toward a cramped, enclosed space.
No, no, no.
Your gaze immediately flicked upward and your knees nearly buckled.
A woman.
You couldn’t make out the her face clearly.
You tried your best to stay quiet, clutching your belongings for dear life as she pushed you into the harsh glare of a spotlight. You stumbled forward, knees scraping the ground until your gaze finally met a pair of grey eyes.
You would be lying if you said they weren’t some of the most captivating eyes you had ever seen.
“You people really don’t know when to stop, do you?”
Her booming voice echoed against the walls, sending shivers down your spine.
But her voice… it’s so —
“Who sent you down here?”
The question snapped you back, but your tongue betrayed you. You were too caught between terror and something else. You were on the brink of death and all you could focus on were her eyes and her voice. Have you gone crazy?
Before you could gather yourself and form an answer, the tall silhouette pounced on you.
Too late.
You gasped, your face an inch closer to hers.
Her dark eyelids cast shadows over those piercing grey eyes and the visible scar running along the side of her face only made her presence more threatening. Then your gaze slipped lower…toward her lips.
You didn’t realize your lips had parted, your breath hitching as your eyes lingered.
She had you pinned beneath her weight, your elbows digging into the hard surface as you struggled to prop yourself up. Your legs had nowhere to escape, no chance to break free.
And her arm – oh god, her arm.
You were surprised that she hadn’t already crushed your throat with that mechanical jaw. That thought alone made your heart sink.
“N-No one," you managed to squeak out a response, voice trembling as you looked up at her with pleading eyes.
“Heard that before,” She growled, her eyes not softening, “How many of you are still crawling around down here?”
“I-I’m alone.” You stammered, throat dry as you forced the words out. You didn’t dare move a muscle – one wrong twitch and that arm could tear right through you.
Silence hung in the air for a moment before a firm tug on your arm forced you upright. She snaked her human arm around your hip and hoisted you over her broad shoulder.
You yelped, struggling to pry yourself free, but the instant she squeezed your waist as a clear warning, you froze.
The mysterious woman limped out of the alley, each step leaving a trail of blood behind her.
For now, surrender was the safest choice.