1 - Jinx

There I was. Hanging between the two people I've loved most in my stupid life. 

I've seen Vi like this before. Exhausted, hurt, yet way too devastated to acknowledge it. Her glass eyes wide open, staring into mine. Anticipating the next move for whoever would think of one first. 

I saw her for the first time. Really saw her. She's always been strong. Strong enough to conquer the biggest fighters with her bare fists, but, in this moment, she was just a  big sister, using all of the very little strength she had remaining to save me from myself. I had to stop this. She deserved to be free of my burdens. I've always been too foolish to listen to her. Yet, even after all my fuck ups, she's still here. Saving me again and again. Maybe if I did as advised those many years ago, we would not be here right now.

I knew what I had to do. 

"Always with you, sis." I forced out.

Her eyes filled with terror as she breathed heavier. Pure fear was written all over her face. This would be the last time I'd cause her pain. That felt freeing.

I took a deep breath, tensed my abdominals, and with a forceful hit, knocked the gemstone off her gauntlet. Suddenly, gravity disappeared and her expression grew smaller as our distance grew larger. I closed my eyes to mute the sound of her awful cry. The echo of her voice bounced off the walls of the tower. 

I am so, so sorry, I thought. See you in another world.

As I was free falling, I turned to the beast, whose claws were still holding me tightly by my waist. I saw Vander past his monstrous figure. My beloved father, who I could no longer save. No one could. What have they done to you? I cupped the hollows of his rough face, which emphasized his bruteness, but his eyes spoke about his soul right through me. The agony you have endured...

I felt his great hands move my short hair out of my face, just as I was about to drift into a deep, youthful sleep. I heard the splashes of juice he poured for me, with a final click of a straw hitting the liquid. I listened to his deep, bass laugh, that never failed to elate my sensitive nerves. I will never relive those delicate moments with him again. It was time to let go.

I shifted my gaze to my waist as I pulled a ring from my back along with a monkey grenade. Only a few seconds and it would be over, when I noticed a gate behind him. A few floors down and I noticed another. And another. 

Giving my monkey one last glance as I contemplated my next move, the plan was made. But I had to act quick. Three... Two... One-

I let go of the grenade, pulling myself off of Vander's grip as hard as I could to push his claws away. Momentarily, I climbed over to his back, pressing my feet against his build, reaching for the closest gate and... BOOM!

I flew through the air as I pushed myself away, grabbing on to the railing in front of me. A loud, agonizing roar filled the space as I caught my breath. Barely hanging on, I finally attempted to push myself up. No luck. My physique was too fatigued to go on any further. I screamed in pain. Vi flashed in my vision, reminding me of the incredible strength that runs in our blood. And so, I tried again. I might have pulled a muscle or two that day, but eventually made it up on my feet. The gate in front of me was my one-way ticket to leave this pathetic life behind. I ran through the door without a second thought.

As I left the tower, I observed the state of the city. Wrecked would be an understatement. There was nothing left of Piltover. Try hosting Progress Day now. 

Thick dust covered the bloody streets, many coughs echoed, people were dragging the injured and the weak. It was a sight I was used to. You see this frequently in the Undercity. Kind of satisfying that the spoiled, rich brats know what it feels like for us now.

I got quite distracted by the sights, but finally realized I had to move before anyone saw me. Before saving my life would become pointless. I ran to the closest airship and was about to take off, but something was missing...

I searched my belt and found a crayon and a spray paint bottle. Not my preferred variety of options, but it'll do. Popping off the cap of the bottle, I sprayed some X's and faces, just enough to feel satisfied. I can take care of the rest on my way, I thought.

The mechanism of the ship was pretty simple. Didn't take me long to figure out how to fly the thing. I looked back one last time, reminding myself that there is no going back. Nope. I still don't give a slight fuck about this place.

And now, here I was. Finally free to start fresh. The only reminder left with me was a round, bright blue gem, sitting comfortably in my pocket.

A/N: Hey friends! Glad you're here. First time writing a spin-off, so bear with me here. I have BIG plans for the plot hehehehe I hope you stay long enough to discover it. There's gonna be a time jump for the next chapter, idk how many years yet but less than a decade AND chapters from Ekko's perspective coming up oooOOOooo. Can't wait to see you then.

Word count: 871