Arcane: Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

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After a brief moment of celebration, Link Star and Sevika made their way to the office on the second floor.

This room had once been Silco's private sanctuary. Now, in his absence, it had been transformed into a small memorial.

Looking at the photograph placed in the center of the room, surrounded by stuffed toys, Link immediately knew who was responsible for this.

Jinx.

"Jinx set this up not long ago," Sevika said, picking up a stick of incense and lighting it with the candle on the altar before placing it in the incense holder. "Vander helped too."

"They finally found a way to reconcile, even if it was a little late."

Sevika's expression was somber. Link didn't say much, cutting straight to the point. "Where's Ekko, Heimerdinger, and Jinx?"

"Didn't Janna tell you?"

Sevika looked at Link with surprise. In her eyes, as Janna's chosen, Link should have access to all the information flowing through the twin cities.

After all, Janna, the embodiment of the wind, was a force that ordinary people couldn't resist.

"The information I get from Janna is objective, but I want to hear your thoughts on their current state," Link replied.

"Hmm—" Sevika paused for a moment, sitting down on a nearby stool and smoothing her hair. "How do I put this?"

"Everything that's happened recently… I never would've dared to imagine it before."

"Cooperating with the Firelights, who we used to fight against, turning against the gangs we used to work with, and putting aside our pride to genuinely seek a better future for the people of Zaun."

"Ekko's been doing his part, tirelessly working for the people, trying to resolve conflicts and settle disputes. That girl, Zeri, has been following him around like a shadow lately. Together, they've managed to sort out a lot of issues."

"As for Heimerdinger… I used to have reservations about him because of where he came from, but after getting to know him, I realized he's just a pure-hearted scholar. I shouldn't have directed my hatred for Piltover at him."

"And Jinx—" Sevika hesitated before continuing. "She's been causing trouble for the Chem-Barons lately. I've heard a few of them are considering leaving Zaun and heading to Bilgewater."

"Vander's been keeping an eye on her, smoothing over any potential problems. And there's Isha, that little one who follows Jinx around like a shadow. It's worrying."

Sevika shook her head. "After seeing and doing so much, I finally understand how hard it must've been for Vander and Silco back in the day."

"There's still a long road ahead. Save the reminiscing for when you're old and can't work anymore. Sit on the streets and look back on the past then."

Link patted Sevika's shoulder. She looked up at him and said, "I've prayed to Janna, asking about your plans for Zaun. She always tells me you have your own arrangements."

"I want to know… what are you thinking? What do you plan to do? Give me a heads-up so I can prepare—"

Before Sevika could finish, Link interrupted her.

"Enough of that. Zaun's future is up to the people of Zaun. I'm just here to give you a starting point and provide some necessary help. The rest is up to you."

"Then what do you want to do?" Sevika's eyes still held confusion. Link glanced at Silco's portrait and said calmly, "To finish what Vander and Silco couldn't. To bring true freedom to Zaun."

With that, Link pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time.

"Well, it's about time. I should get going."

"Leaving so soon?" Sevika stood up. Link nodded. "I have to meet someone important."

"Also, gather Jinx, Ekko, and Heimerdinger. Tell them to meet me at the community in the depths of Zaun. I'll be waiting there."

"Alright, I'll send word right away."

"Good. I'll see you later."

Link gave Sevika a slight nod before leaving The Last Drop and heading straight for the community founded by Viktor.

The journey from the Undercity to the community wasn't short, but with Janna's help, a gentle breeze carried Link effortlessly to the community's gates.

Unlike the gloom and haze of Zaun, this place felt detached, almost otherworldly.

Standing at the entrance, Link watched the community members dressed in white, bustling about. His brow furrowed involuntarily.

Viktor's community was indeed impressive—harmonious, peaceful, and self-sufficient. But it had a stark disconnect from the reality of Zaun, Piltover, and the twin cities as a whole.

It felt like a third world, separate from everything else.

"Hello, visitor."

A man with brown hair tied into a ponytail and clear fingerprints on his face approached Link. He clasped his hands in front of his chest and spoke politely. "Welcome to the community. How may I assist you?"

Link recognized the man.

Huck. Once a small-time figure under Vander's protection in the Undercity, he had fallen to the depths of Zaun after becoming addicted to Shimmer. Viktor had helped him rebuild his body, giving him a new lease on life.

But—

Link looked at Huck with pity.

Was this still the same Huck? After undergoing Viktor's modifications, he had become part of a larger hive. A worker bee who would lose everything if the queen ever faltered.

"Visitor?" Huck noticed Link's expression and gently reminded him. "Visitor!"

"Sorry," Link snapped out of his thoughts and said to Huck, "I'm here to see your leader, Viktor. I have something important to discuss with him."

"Ah, I see." Huck's eyes showed understanding. "Meeting the leader is certainly possible. This is a place of peace, so please hand over any weapons. Then I can arrange your meeting."

Link patted his lab coat and chuckled. "Do I look like I'm carrying any weapons?"

"In that case, please come in."

Huck led Link through the community's twisted, vortex-like gate, adorned with stained glass that reflected a hazy light in the thin sunlight.

As they walked, Link observed the community's self-sustaining ecosystem—farms, workshops, a communal dining hall, and more. There was no currency here; everything was shared freely, like an idealized utopia.

"This place feels… unique," Janna whispered in Link's ear.

"To me, it's deeply flawed," Link replied quietly. "The surface harmony can't hide the fundamental issues here."

"Issues?" Janna asked, confused.

"You'll see soon enough."

Link took a deep breath as they approached a peculiar building.

The structure was warped by arcane energy, with fragmented materials floating in the air, held together by pulses of energy that looped like a spider's web.

At the entrance, Link was surprised to see someone he hadn't expected.

"Jayce Talis. I didn't think I'd run into you here. What a surprise."

Jayce, who had been engrossed in drawing in the sand, looked up at Link with confusion.

"Do we know each other?"

"How hurtful. We've met at the memorial and at the Hexgate base. Have you forgotten already?" Link teased. Jayce's expression shifted before he nodded. "Ah, it's you. I didn't expect you to be so young. That's unexpected."

"The pursuit of truth knows no age or experience," Link said, his gaze shifting from Jayce, dressed in white, to Viktor, who emerged from the building in a deep blue robe, leaning on a staff.

"Greetings, visitor," Viktor said softly, his voice polite and gentle.

"How may I assist you?"

"It's not about you helping me. I'm here to help you, Viktor," Link replied, shaking his head. This made Viktor raise an eyebrow, while Jayce frowned.

"What do you mean by that?" Jayce asked.

"I'm here to wake you up, the mechanical messiah," Link said as the space behind him twisted, and a three-meter-tall figure materialized, shaking the ground. Both Viktor and Jayce's eyes widened in shock.

"Your little game of make-believe… it's time to end it."

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 100 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.