Arcane: Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

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The principles behind the Hextech Gate were something Link Star had memorized by heart.

By activating Hextech energy through runes and calculating its flow using mathematical formulas, a pathway could be opened. Once the pathway was established, airships could use it to instantly travel thousands of miles in the blink of an eye.

For Link, however, this was his first time experiencing the Hextech Gate firsthand.

The sphere at the top of the Hextech Gate was engraved with a map of Runeterra. Any location marked on it could be accessed through the gate. As the sphere slowly rotated, massive copper rings, resembling planetary rings, began to spin as well, aligning with the marked point for Bilgewater.

The moment the alignment was complete, a blue energy aura radiated from the three concentric circles, spreading through the atmosphere and etching runes into reality. The energy flowed along the runes, transforming into perfect concentric circles, with star maps and geometric patterns filling the gaps between them.

The airship slowly rose, positioning itself at the center of the circles, enveloped by the energy.

As the blue energy fully encased the airship, Link observed its flow, comparing it to the data he had gathered. The solidified energy wrapped around the airship like a cocoon, dyeing it in its own hue.

The airship began to tremble uncontrollably, pulled backward by the energy pathway, its hull groaning under the strain.

"Hmm—" Link felt the vibrations through the floor and raised an eyebrow. "It seems the distance of the Hextech Gate's teleportation isn't just related to the energy output but also to the structural integrity of the object being transported."

This was obvious. If the object couldn't withstand the energy's pull and propulsion, it wouldn't just fail to teleport—it would be torn apart the moment the process began.

The concentric circles, aligned on the same axis, began to accumulate energy like a drawn slingshot. As the energy reached its peak, an unimaginable force acted on the airship, and a pathway opened.

Then, the launch.

Hum—

With a resonant hum that echoed across the city, the airship vanished, leaving only a fading blue energy trail in the sky, slowly dissolving into the atmosphere.

For Piltover, this was a common sight. The Hextech Gate activated, sending airships filled with passengers or cargo to distant lands. In time, they would return with new passengers and goods, fueling the city's prosperity.

But for Link, this was a fantastical experience.

The moment the teleportation began, an energy pulse swept through his body, enveloping him. Everything seemed to freeze, as if time itself had paused or reversed.

Outside the window, the scenery stretched, thickened, and blurred. The view flickered like static on a television screen before stabilizing, revealing an entirely new world.

An endless sea stretched before them, waves rolling under a gloomy, cloud-covered sky. A sense of impending storm hung heavy in the air.

Deep blue waters stretched as far as the eye could see, with seabirds riding the winds.

Link shook his head, his feet slightly numb, and walked to the window, opening it to look outside.

Below the airship was the vast ocean, with ships chasing after them. The airship began to descend, likely due to the worsening weather forcing the captain to fly at a lower altitude.

Behind them, a sliver of land was barely visible, while ahead lay the wild, free-spirited city of Bilgewater—a lawless haven for outlaws.

Here, heaven and hell coexisted, constantly shifting. You never knew whether your next moment would be spent in a paradise of wealth, beauty, and fine wine or in a watery hell of cold, damp misery, surrounded by sea monsters.

This place was also home to countless legends:

The Titan of the Depths, carrying a massive anchor, walking the ocean floor to collect the tithe for the Mother Below.

The Bloodharbor Ripper, a red-masked figure wielding a harpoon, forever bound to collect blood debts as dictated by a parchment.

The playful and mischievous Tidecaller, who had slept for centuries and now roamed the seas with sea creatures.

The ancient and insatiable River King, forever searching for his next meal.

And more.

The jagged, treacherous coastal reefs, the blood-stained Slaughter Docks, the Butcher's Bridge connecting the city, the mysterious and primal Buhru Temple...

All of it awaited Link to explore, discover, and experience firsthand.

"Not bad at all," Link muttered, pulling out a golden coin and rubbing it between his fingers. Just then, the cabin door burst open as Jinx, now clad in her exosuit, rushed in excitedly.

"Link, Link, did you see—"

"I saw," Link interrupted, tossing the coin out the window. It glinted in the faint sunlight before sinking into the sea.

"What are you doing?" Jinx asked, puzzled. "Why throw gold into the sea? Are you just burning money?"

"Just following tradition," Link replied. Jinx tilted her head. "What tradition?"

"Paying the tithe to the Mother Below."

"The Mother Below?" Jinx blinked. Link explained, "She's a deity worshipped in Bilgewater."

"And if you don't pay?"

"Fail to pay the tithe, and the seas will boil, the mountains will shake," Link said calmly, sending a chill down Jinx's spine.

"That sounds... exaggerated," Jinx said with a nervous laugh.

"Want to ask the people whose ships were sunk by the Titan of the Depths?" Link smirked, his gaze fixed on Jinx.

"That can't be real, right?" Jinx swallowed hard.

"Who knows? But if you want stories, I've got plenty." Link leaned out the window and shouted, "Mother Below, I've paid the tithe!"

Jinx's curiosity was piqued. "Tell me more—"

"Let's go to the deck."

"Okay!"

As Link and Jinx left the cabin, deep beneath the waves, the colossal Titan, carrying his massive anchor, watched the sinking coin. He no longer paid attention to the airship, focusing instead on the golden coin as it sank to the ocean floor.

The Titan followed the coin, his heavy footsteps echoing across the seabed as he disappeared into the depths. The coin rested in the silt, unmoving.

The airship's deck was more of an observation area with a transparent dome, offering a view of the sky, clouds, and natural scenery.

The sky grew darker, and the wind grew louder. A storm was approaching.

Only Link and Jinx stood on the deck, leaning against the railing and looking down at the sea below.

"Alright, storytime," Link said, clearing his throat. He began recounting the tale of Nautilus, the Titan of the Depths.

"However the story of the Titan began, he was once a man named Nautilus. He had a unique gift—his breath was so powerful he could fill sails and propel ships. This ability allowed him to dive to the deepest parts of the ocean, helping fleets recover sunken treasures."

"Nautilus always paid the tithe to the Mother Below, the deity worshipped by sailors and the true serpent of the Serpent Isles—Nagakabouros, an ancient leviathan said to dwell in the depths."

"Wow," Jinx drawled. "An ancient leviathan? How big is it?"

"Who knows? No one's ever seen its true form."

Link continued, "Let me tell you more about Nautilus."

He leaned on the railing, gazing at the darkening sky.

"After Nautilus helped his fleet recover all the sunken treasures, the fleet's owner sold the loot, and Nautilus found himself under a new master."

"Nautilus didn't mind the change, but he insisted his new master follow his rule: pay the tithe to the Mother Below. Unfortunately, not everyone was willing to part with a golden coin. His new master deceived him, forcing him to wear a heavy diving suit and retrieve treasures from the depths."

"And then?" Jinx pressed, eager to hear the rest.

"In the end, Nautilus never resurfaced. He became one with the diving suit, now carrying a massive anchor as he roams the ocean floor, watching over the greedy and the stingy."

"If anyone fails to pay the tithe, he uses his anchor to sink their ships, dragging them to the depths to be buried forever."

"In short, a devout believer was betrayed by a greedy employer. To uphold his faith and punish the greedy, Nautilus became the ocean's tax collector, patrolling the waters of Bilgewater."

Link sighed. "It's quite touching, really."

"Touching? How?" Jinx raised an eyebrow, unable to share Link's sentiment.

"Someone who follows the rules and enforces them strictly is the kind of employee everyone loves."

Link shrugged. Just as Jinx was about to respond, a loud explosion rocked the airship, shaking it violently.

"Something's wrong!" Link looked down at the deck, his gaze piercing through the steel and wood to the lower cabins.

"Let's go to the bottom deck."

"Okay, I'm coming with you!"

The two quickly made their way to the lower cabins. As they entered, the thick smell of gunpowder filled the air, and a flash of red moved through the smoke toward them.

Click—

The sound of a hammer being cocked echoed, and a massive, oversized gun emerged from the smoke.

"Hello there, handsome," a sultry, mature voice purred as a woman with fiery red hair stepped out of the smoke. Her full lips curved into a smile as she said, "I've got a wonderful product to sell. Care to hear about it?"

Link eyed the woman curiously. "What are you selling?"

"A sense of security."

Her husky yet alluring voice filled the cabin, making it feel like heaven itself.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 130 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 370 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.