Arcane: Winds of Change

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"This place is amazing, Ekko. You did all this?" Vi asked, somewhat surprised. Everything here was so beautiful, with a peaceful atmosphere, unlike the grime of Zaun. Most importantly, you could see sunlight.

"After Vander died, Silco got everyone down here hooked on Shimmer. The people here are either addicted or dead. He doesn't care about Shimmer's harm to the body," Ekko said slowly, looking at the utopia he had built. "I don't know why the old man agreed to work with Silco. But now, he's been pushed out of power. Silco runs all of Zaun."

"I should have been there to protect you, to protect everyone," Vi said, feeling guilty. "Actually, if not for that incident, maybe Vander and Silco would have worked together. Silco promised Vander that he wouldn't use Shimmer recklessly."

"Weapons are made to be used; it's just a matter of time. If I'd gone with you that day to save Vander, maybe none of this would have happened."

"Then maybe you would be dead or changed," Vi said sadly, not referring to Ekko, but Powder.

"Powder is gone, Vi. Now there's Jinx, and she's Silco's."

"You're wrong. Powder's still in her. I can wake her up," Vi interrupted.

"You can't wake her up!" Ekko retorted. "I know my sister." Vi stood her ground.

After a silent moment, Ekko changed the subject. "I have something to show you." He led Vi to a mural. The mural was full of their memories. "Everyone we've lost is here," Ekko said, a bit awe-struck.

"Look at these people. Maybe the enforcers are partially to blame, but Silco is the real culprit. Your sister isn't being forced to work for him; she's doing it willingly. It sounds harsh, but that's the truth," Ekko pointed out, with Powder prominently shown on the mural.

Vi was at a loss for words. She looked down, then up again at the image of Powder. "I think we should free Caitlyn first and then plan our next move," Vi changed the topic.

In the warehouse, Caitlyn was tied to a post. A child brought her water, which she knocked over. Ekko knelt by the door, staring defiantly at Caitlyn.

"What have you done to Vi?" Caitlyn felt like she had gone from the frying pan into the fire, her luck utterly abysmal.

"Listen, let her go. I brought her here. I'm the one you want," Caitlyn said anxiously, not having seen Vi since arriving.

Just then, Vi appeared from the other side of the door, grinning at Caitlyn. "My hero."

"I... I thought... I thought they'd done something to you," Caitlyn stammered, seeing Vi suddenly.

"Vi says you're trustworthy. You can go back to Piltover now. That's it, just leave," Ekko told Caitlyn.

"But I still need to get evidence of Silco's crimes," Caitlyn refused.

"Silco? He doesn't need evidence of his crimes. He's declared war on Piltover, and Piltover won't tolerate his actions this time," Ekko spat on the ground.

"And what about you all? If you go to war with Piltover, do you think you can escape unscathed? There will be sacrifices," having seen Zaun, Caitlyn didn't want the innocent there to suffer.

Ekko fell silent. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Find the Hextech crystal, bring it back, and there's still a chance," Caitlyn said, getting straight to the point.

Phil had just returned home when he heard faint sounds. "Jinx?" Phil called out. Logically, Jinx should have been on the boat at this time, not at home.

There was no response from the room, so he headed directly to Jinx's room. It was unlikely there was a thief; no one in Zaun would dare to intrude. He carefully pushed open Jinx's door. Jinx was curled up in the corner of the room, surrounded by dolls she had made in the likeness of her deceased friends. Her treasured box was opened, revealing a dirty rabbit doll, a family portrait she had drawn, and an intact flare stick. Phil sighed and turned on the light.

When Jinx saw Phil had returned, she immediately threw herself into Phil's arms. "William died... he died for me." She was clearly very anxious, perhaps fearing Phil would abandon her like her sister once did. Hearing this, Phil's eyes widened. He admired the boy, whose name was synonymous with loyalty. "It's okay, people die in war. He didn't die because of you; he died for me," Phil reassured her. He regretted William's death, but protecting Jinx with his life was something Phil had entrusted to him. "I won't abandon you. I'll always be by your side," Phil comforted, patting Jinx on the back.

At times like these, Jinx needed security more than anything else, and Phil provided that perfectly. Under Phil's comforting, Jinx improved considerably. Suddenly, she noticed the bloodstains on Phil's clothes. "You're hurt?" she asked, ready to grab her gun and avenge him. "Someone else's blood, Jinx. Don't be rash," Phil said, holding his forehead. "I have news for you. You can either take a nap to calm yourself down, and I'll tell you, or I can tell you now—but then you may not be able to sleep," Phil offered. Jinx stared at Phil, her expression saying that Phil should just spit it out.

"Alright, alright. I've got a lead on Vi," Phil dropped the bombshell. "What? Where is she?" Jinx stood up abruptly, then, perhaps remembering she shouldn't be so excited over her, sat back down. "Why is she here?" "She's come from the Upper City, and with her is a Piltover enforcer," Phil shrugged. "They might be after Hextech crystals to keep them out of our hands or looking to take down Zaun from within, or maybe seeking evidence of Silco's crimes? Who knows."

Noticing Jinx's fists clenching slightly, Phil added, "Jinx, I'm allowing you to stay home and rest for a few days, not participate in this war, or you can find her and get answers. But your gun should never point at your own, understand?" Jinx suddenly smiled at Phil's words, hugging him again. "Only you and Silco are my own." With that, she picked up her weapon and headed out the door. Phil felt a bit helpless at this moment. He knew Jinx's character, and he noted the missing flare stick from the box. With a Star Guardian card, Jinx wasn't weaker than anyone in a frontal battle, but who could predict such things?

"Sigh, guess I'll stay up a little longer," Phil said, injecting himself with a stimulant to dispel his drowsiness.