League Of Legends/Arcane: Earthbound

The morning sun greeted Piltover like a crown of gold, its light sparkling against the towering spires and intricate machinery of the city. Adam stood at the edge of the ship's deck, marveling at the sight before him. 

Piltover was unlike anything he had seen before—a city of ambition and ingenuity, its steampunk elegance standing in stark contrast to the rustic, medieval aesthetics of the rest of this strange world. 

Metallic bridges crisscrossed over canals bustling with small boats, and airships hovered above, their hum blending into the cacophony of a city alive with industry. Massive gears turned on towering structures, powering elevators and machinery. Streets teemed with people dressed in finery and utility alike, moving with a hurried purpose. 

Adam exhaled sharply, running a hand through his disheveled black hair. *This place… this is insane. It's like walking into a dream.* 

He adjusted the strap of his sword and bow, feeling its weight against his back. The blade and bow given to him by Ashe and Tryandemere were a constant presence, a reminder of his journey. 

"Enjoying the view, lad?" 

The gruff voice pulled him from his thoughts. Captain Thaddeus, a seasoned smuggler with a thick beard and a permanent scowl, approached with heavy boots thudding against the wooden deck. His eyes, sharp and knowing, studied Adam like he was sizing him up one last time. 

"It's… a lot to take in," Adam admitted, glancing back at the city. "Didn't expect Piltover to look like something out of a fever dream." 

Thaddeus let out a dry chuckle. "Aye, she's a beauty. But don't let the golden shine fool you. Piltover's got its dark corners, same as any city." He narrowed his eyes. "Stay sharp. The enforcers here don't take kindly to outsiders, especially ones carrying weapons they don't recognize." 

Adam nodded and extended his hand. "Thanks for the ride… and the stories." 

Thaddeus clasped his hand in a firm grip. "Aye, and thanks for the work. You're quick on your feet, I'll give you that. But Piltover's a game of wits as much as it is skill. Keep your head down, and don't trust anyone too easily." 

With that, Adam hoisted his satchel over his shoulder and descended the gangplank, merging into the throng of workers and travelers. 

The docks were a chaotic symphony of clanking machinery, shouting merchants, and the scent of oil mingling with the salt of the sea. Large cranes lifted crates from ships, workers barked orders, and enforcers patrolled the area with sharp eyes, scanning for anything out of place. 

Adam kept his head low, weaving through the crowd. He wasn't keen on answering any questions about who he was or why he was here. 

Once clear of the docks, he stepped into the heart of Piltover. 

The city was mesmerizing. Steam-powered trolleys clattered along rails, their chimneys puffing thick plumes into the sky. Vendors lined the cobbled streets, hawking strange gadgets and shimmering crystals, while shop windows displayed intricate devices and luxurious fabrics. The scent of roasted nuts and fresh bread mixed with the ever-present tang of burning coal. 

*This place is like nothing I've ever seen… like a steampunk fever dream.* 

Despite his awe, he felt the weight of curious stares. People whispered as he passed, their gazes lingering on his clothes, his long black hair, and—most notably—the sheathed sword strapped to his back. 

*Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'm the weird guy in town,* he thought bitterly, pulling his hood up. 

Before he could slip deeper into the city, three figures in blue armor stepped into his path. Enforcers. Their polished gear gleamed under the sunlight, and their gas masks gave their voices an unsettling, distorted effect. Each carried a sleek, menacing rifle, their posture rigid with authority. 

"Halt," one of them ordered, raising a hand. "Identify yourself." 

Adam sighed, keeping his expression neutral. "Just passing through. That a problem?" 

The enforcer's gaze flicked to his weapons. "State your purpose in Piltover. And surrender those weapons. Foreign arms are not permitted in the city without clearance." 

Adam tensed. *Yeah… not happening.* 

"Look, I'm just a traveler," he said, taking a slow step back. "Not looking for trouble." 

The enforcer took a step forward. "Hand over the weapons. Now." 

Adam smirked. "Yeah… no. That's not happening." 

The moment the enforcer reached for his rifle, Adam moved. 

A sharp *crack* echoed as he slammed his forehead into the enforcer's mask, sending him stumbling. Before the others could react, Adam snatched the fallen enforcer's rifle and pivoted, firing two precise shots into the legs of the remaining officers. They crumpled with pained cries. 

The commotion drew gasps from the bystanders, who quickly scattered. 

*Shit. So much for a low profile.* 

Whistles pierced the air as more enforcers rushed in. Adam cursed, tossing the rifle aside and breaking into a sprint. 

They chased him through the streets, shouting orders and hurling strange metallic devices. The moment they hit the ground, they expanded—bolas whirling toward his legs. 

*What the hell—?!* 

Adam twisted mid-air, narrowly dodging one. Another whizzed past, tangling itself around a fruit cart instead. 

"Gotta lose these guys," he muttered, darting down an alleyway. 

The enforcers followed, thinking they had him trapped. 

"You're surrounded! Surrender now!" 

Adam slowly raised his hands. "Okay. You got me." 

As the enforcers stepped forward, his eyes glowed faintly. With a snap of his fingers, a wave of fire erupted, engulfing them in an explosion. 

When the smoke cleared, Adam stepped over the unconscious bodies, shaking his head. 

*Man I love magic thanks for the lessons, Morgana.* 

---

Hours later, Adam found himself near a bustling airship port. He lingered in the shadows, observing a particularly shady transaction. A nervous port officer handed a manifest to a woman cloaked in dark fabric, her left arm hidden beneath the cape. She smiled as she passed him a bag of coins. 

*Smugglers,* Adam thought. *Explains the nerves.* 

Before he could leave, chaos erupted. 

Masked figures on hoverboards swooped down, throwing smoke bombs and crystal grenades. The grenades exploded, freezing half the smugglers in some kind of shimmering crystal. 

"Firelights!" someone shouted. 

Adam stayed hidden as a girl with long blue hair emerged from the smoke, wielding a pair of pistols. She moved with manic energy, taking down Firelights with ruthless efficiency. 

Then Adam noticed her freeze. Across the chaos, a pink-haired girl—one of the Firelights—stared back at her, eyes wide with shock. 

Adam saw the blue-haired girl's hand tighten around her pistol. 

*Not happening.* 

An arrow sliced through the air, knocking the pistol from her grip. She whirled, her manic gaze locking onto him. 

"Who the hell are you!?" she snarled, pulling out— 

Adam's jaw dropped. *Is that a fucking minigun?* 

"Oh, come on—" 

The girl opened fire, her bullets tearing through the air. Adam ducked behind a crate as the airship caught fire, smoke billowing into the sky. The burly man with tattoos took a stray bullet to the gut, crawling toward the cargo hold to hide. 

The Firelights retreated, and the girl flipped him off before vanishing into the chaos. 

Adam sighed. "Nice to meet you too." 

Later that night, after the fire brigade and enforcers cleared the area, Adam snuck back to the airship. The cargo hold was a mess of scorched metal and shattered crates, but a trail of blood led him to a hidden grate. 

Lifting it, he found the tattooed man, pale and trembling. Adam dropped down, pulling out bandages. "Talk. Who attacked you, and who do you work for?" 

The man shook his head, glancing nervously behind Adam. 

Adam turned quickly, just in time to see a dark purple-haired enforcer aiming a gun at him. He slapped the weapon out of her hand and knocked her to the ground with a swift punch. 

As he drew his sword , pointing it at her throat, she glared up at him. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" 

Adam said nothing, his hood shadowing his face he cocked his hand back aiming to knock her out with the handle of his sword. As she braced for the strike closing her eyes she felt nothing no impact no sting, she opens her eyes to find that he vanished, leaving her and the tattooed man behind. 

---

From a rooftop, Adam watched the scene below as more enforcers arrived, led by Sheriff Marcus. 'I'm like Batman that was awesome'

"Send him to Stillwater," Marcus ordered, gesturing to the tattooed man. He turned to the blue-haired girl. "Caitlyn, stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Go help your mother with the council event." 

Caitlyn stormed off, frustrated, but paused when she saw Adam watching from a distance. Before she could react, he disappeared into the night. 

Adam's mind raced as he pieced together the events. *Smugglers, drugs, ambushes, some weird hover board flying fuckers called Firelights… this city's got layers. Guess I'll stick around for a little bit. Piltover's too interesting to leave just yet.*