Arcane: Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

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"So beautiful—"

Viktor's voice was filled with genuine admiration. The appearance of Pride was like a gentle breeze, rippling the calm in his eyes.

For the first time, the ever-stable pioneer showed a flicker of emotion.

"Perfect form, exquisite mechanics, clear functionality… it's like a miracle."

Viktor's words were almost dreamlike. Even Jayce, upon seeing Pride, felt a mix of awe and absurdity.

Had technology advanced this far already?

How long had he been away from Piltover?

Less than half a month!

And when was the last time he had met this person?

Also less than half a month.

In such a short time, how could someone create something so astonishing? It felt unreal.

"It's truly magnificent."

Viktor took a step toward Pride, but before he could get close, Link raised a hand to stop him.

"Sorry, my child here has a bit of a temper. If you get too close, you might die."

Link's cold words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Viktor and Jayce, snapping them out of their awe.

Yet, even so, Viktor fell into a long silence. Jayce, on the other hand, frowned as he stared at Link.

He hadn't forgotten the provocative words Link had spoken when summoning Pride.

Just as Jayce was about to speak, he realized he didn't even know the young man's name.

Link noticed Jayce's confusion and introduced himself. "Although we've met several times, we've never formally introduced ourselves. Let's fix that now. Link Star Ferros."

"And this," Link gestured to the towering figure behind him, "is my eldest, Pride."

Pride let out a low hum, releasing a burst of scorching flame into the air, as if affirming Link's words.

"Alright, Link," Jayce said, rubbing his stiff face. He took a few deep breaths, pushing aside his emotions, and spoke seriously. "I think you owe us an explanation."

"An explanation?" Link shoved his hands into the pockets of his lab coat. "You mean about me calling your little project a game of make-believe?"

"Exactly!" Jayce nodded firmly. "I want you to apologize to Viktor. You have no idea how much effort and heart he's put into this community. You don't know how many people he's helped, giving them a second chance at life!"

"But you… you…" Jayce stammered, his anger making him incoherent. "You insulted my friend, calling his life's work a child's game. That's slander, that's an insult. I demand you take those words back."

"Take them back?" Link chuckled, reaching out to stroke Pride's lowered head. "Do you know why I summoned Pride?"

Jayce frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Link casually pointed behind Viktor's dwelling. Pride raised its head, its eyes glowing red as its jaws parted slightly, releasing a surge of intense energy.

The moment Viktor felt the violent energy, Pride unleashed a beam of light that pierced through the air, extending far into the distance until it struck a mountainside. The resulting explosion shook the entire community, the deafening roar echoing in everyone's ears.

For a moment, panic spread through the community as people turned toward the source of the explosion.

Jayce's face darkened, while Viktor's expression turned thoughtful.

"What's the meaning of this?" Jayce demanded through gritted teeth.

Link shoved his hands back into his pockets, his gaze fixed on Pride as he spoke. "Just showing you who's in charge here."

"I'm a councilor!" Jayce retorted, drawing on his status.

Link shook his head, amused. "Then, as of now, you're removed from the council, Mr. Talis."

"What? Who do you think you—"

"I'm the chief enforcer of House Ferros," Link interrupted. "And my authority far surpasses yours, Jayce."

"Even Mel Medarda only became a councilor because of House Ferros' support."

"So, as someone Mel put into power, what right do you have to lecture me about authority and status?"

Link tilted his head slightly, leaving Jayce speechless.

"Enough, Jayce," Viktor said, calming his friend. "Let's hear what Link has to say."

"See? Viktor gets it," Link said with an approving nod.

Viktor's gaze shifted from Pride to Link. "You've brought a force we can't resist, and you have the authority to remove councilors. You hold all the cards here. We're at your mercy, so why not state your terms and let's discuss this peacefully."

"Well said, Viktor." Link clapped lightly.

"Alright, since you're being so reasonable, I'll cut to the chase."

Link's expression turned serious. "Viktor, I want you to end your community experiment. Stop the life conversions."

"What?" Jayce's eyes widened. "You—"

Viktor raised a hand, silencing Jayce.

"May I ask why?" Viktor's voice remained calm and gentle.

"Because what you've built here is nothing more than a house of cards," Link said, shaking his head. "No, that's not quite accurate. Let me rephrase."

"It's a house of cards held up by you alone."

Link turned, looking down at the community below, his voice cold. "Everyone here has been given a new life because of you. But because of your modifications, they've become part of a hive mind, with you as the central node."

"If anything happens to you, this entire community will collapse like a sandcastle hit by a wave. It'll be gone in an instant."

Viktor's brow furrowed. "How did you figure this out?"

"Want to see a demonstration?" Link rolled up his sleeves. "I have two ways to prove my point. One's gentle but unsettling. The other's brutal and unpleasant."

"Viktor!" Jayce tried to intervene, but Viktor raised a hand.

"Show me," Viktor said after a moment of silence.

"Call one of your followers here. Just one," Link said.

Viktor mentally summoned one of his supporters. It was Huck, the man who had guided Link earlier.

Huck approached, his eyes filled with awe as he noticed Pride. But he quickly composed himself.

"Pioneer," Huck bowed to Viktor. "What do you need of me?"

"We're conducting an experiment, Huck," Viktor said. "I need your help."

"If it's your wish, I'll do anything."

Huck stood tall, looking at Link. "Go ahead, visitor."

Link shook his head, then blew out a cloud of white light.

The light drifted into Huck's body, and Viktor's expression changed instantly. He clutched his head, his eyes filled with panic and confusion.

"What… what did you do? Why can't I sense Huck anymore?"

"Viktor, what's wrong?" Jayce asked, concerned.

Viktor looked at Huck, whose face was now marked with a fading fingerprint. Huck collapsed to the ground, lifeless, like a puppet with its strings cut.

Link inhaled, drawing the light back into himself, and Huck returned to Viktor's control.

"You see?" Link said. "This is what I'm talking about."

"Your community is built on your power alone. If something happens to you, or if someone like me interferes, everything you've built will vanish. Your followers won't even have the chance to be guided to the afterlife. They'll just… cease to exist."

Link sighed. "So, end your experiment. Stop taking in the disabled and the sick."

"Viktor—" Jayce tried to comfort his friend. "This has to be a mistake. We'll figure it out together. We'll find the problem and fix it. Then—"

"You won't find it," Link interrupted. "Because this community is an illusion. No matter how hard you try, you'll only find emptiness at the end."

"Viktor," Jayce looked at his friend, hoping for an answer.

After a moment of silence, Viktor spoke, his voice heavy with defeat. "He's right, Jayce. Everything I've built… it's all a lie. I was wrong from the start."

Jayce clenched his teeth, wanting to argue but finding no words.

"But it's not too late, Viktor," Link said, crouching down to meet Viktor's gaze. "You can still change."

"Change?" Viktor looked up, confused. "How?"

"You can continue your work, but you need to transform it. Find a new foundation, a new purpose."

"Like what?" Viktor asked.

"Stop chasing perfection. Chase truth instead."

"Truth?"

"Yes," Link nodded. "What you've built here is based on the arcane power you gained from the Hexcore. But have you ever thought about this?"

"Arcane power, the force that can change the world, is only in the hands of a few."

"Even if you use your arcane abilities to change everything, you can't bring that change to the people you love, to the city you love, to the world you love."

"Do you know the root of the conflict between Piltover and Zaun?"

Link suddenly changed the subject.

Viktor nodded hesitantly.

"The core of the conflict is the unequal distribution of resources. Piltover monopolizes power and blocks Zaun's path to progress, denying its people the social standing they deserve. That's what causes all the tension."

"Look at how similar you are to the twin cities."

"No matter how much you try to change things with your arcane power, you're still fundamentally different from the masses."

"Even if you achieve perfection through evolution, what will you gain in the end?"

Link's question hung in the air as Viktor pondered.

"Perfection has no reward, but the pursuit of perfection has an end."

"You want to achieve perfection through evolution, but your end will be nothing but emptiness."

"You're a child of Zaun. You know its struggles. You're a wise man who rose from its streets, but you're still one of its people." Link placed a hand on Viktor's shoulder, his voice sincere. "Why have you walked a path that separates you from them?"

"You should return to the people of Zaun. Listen to their needs, feel their emotions, observe their lives. Then work to change and improve their world."

"Not here, playing make-believe in your little sandbox."

"So—" Viktor's eyes lit up with understanding. "That's why you suggest I pursue truth?"

"Exactly," Link nodded. "Arcane power is a tool, not a goal."

"Use it to advance technology and society. Use it to explore the world and uncover its truths. Then share that knowledge with the people."

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime, Viktor."

"The path to glorious evolution isn't limited to arcane power."

"Technology can achieve it too."

"So, return to your roots, Viktor."

"Rediscover the passion of a scientist. Then, for the people, carve out a path to happiness and truth in this chaotic world."

Link stood up, extending a hand to Viktor.

"I believe you can do it. I believe you can become a true pioneer."

"A pioneer who uses arcane power to advance technology, who uses technology to explore the world and uncover its truths, and who uses machines to benefit all of humanity."

"A true Mechanical Pioneer."

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 200 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.