Chapter 15: The City of Change (Part 1)
983 AN
Sep 21
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[POV: Lynne]
Lynne adjusted the last stall placement on the city map, fingers moving fast across the ink-stained parchment. Around her, the war room buzzed—pinned blueprints, moving pieces, reports piling on the long steel table.
Ashryn leaned back in her chair, chewing on dried jerky like it was a royal snack. Cael leaned on the corner, arms crossed, rifle parts laid out beside him. Viktor and Callum studied the perimeter lines drawn in red.
"We expect Piltover eyes by mid-morning tomorrow," Lynne said. "But that doesn't mean they'll interfere. Not directly."
"They're enforcers," Cael said flatly. "They interfere by breathing."
Callum grunted. "Then we stop their lungs."
Ashryn shut him down fast. "We do it clean. No blood unless they ask for it."
Viktor cleared his throat. "Whatever we're doing, we must be discreet. If they see us prepping openly, they'll clamp down fast."
Ashryn clapped her hands. "Right then, to the plan. No more mystery."
She stood, jabbing a finger on the map.
"Two fronts: Enforcers already in Zaun, and those who'll come sniffing when the converter kicks in. First group gets neutralized quietly. We don't want them wandering too close to our turf."
Cael nodded. "We've got scouts posted at every tunnel mouth. If they move, we follow."
Ashryn grinned. "And when it's time? We close the drawbridge."
Callum stepped forward. "Elevators locked. Sewers rigged. Vents welded. They're not getting in—or out."
Viktor scribbled another line. "If they try forcing entry, I've got a gift waiting."
Ashryn raised a brow. "Boom?"
"Elegant boom," Viktor clarified.
Ashryn chuckled. "Perfect. Let's box 'em out while we light up the sky."
Ashryn leaned forward. "Let's talk outreach. We want every Zaunite who can walk to be there when the light goes up."
Lynne passed a stack of flyers across the table. "We've already spread word through the soup lines and the pit crews. These'll hit the bar corners, pump joints, tunnels. Simple words: 'New Dawn. Clock Tower. Sundown.'"
Cael smirked. "Subtle."
Ashryn grinned. "Let 'em wonder. Let 'em show up."
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[POV: ???]
The air in the undercity reeked of rust and burnt mana.
The man stepped carefully over a cracked pipe, holding a leather satchel tight beneath his coat. His accent was clipped. His clothes too clean. He winced at the stench but kept moving.
Benza's shop loomed ahead—half-legal, half-mechanical. He stepped inside.
"I'm looking for hex crystal fragments," he said.
A kid behind the counter—a spry boy with goggles and ink-stained gloves—grinned wide.
"Oh, we got plenty, topside boy," the boy chirped. "But it'll cost you!"
The man ignored the tone. He was used to being underestimated.
While the boy rummaged around, nearby voices whispered. A pair of Zaunites sat at a workbench, talking in low tones.
"...they say the tower goes live tomorrow."
"Whole damn street's been whispering it. No idea what it means, but you know Zaun. If it hums, it draws a crowd."
"Think it's another gang stunt?"
"Or something bigger."
The man pretended not to listen. He accepted the shards, paid double without flinching, and walked out.
Behind him, the boy called to a friend: "Did you see his face when I said topside? I bet he's a councillor's son!"
But the man said nothing.
He had calculations to finish.
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[POV: Vander]
Benzo's shop door creaked as Vander ducked inside.
"You hear it too?" Benzo asked before Vander even spoke.
Vander nodded. "The tower."
"People saying it lights up tomorrow. Whole damn Lanes buzzin'."
Benzo gestured him over. "Come sit. We've got leftovers."
Vander sat at the tiny kitchen nook in the back. Benzo pushed a plate of old stew toward him.
"You always know when to feed a man," Vander said.
"Experience. And the way your stomach growled halfway through the door."
They shared a brief chuckle.
"So," Benzo said, casual, "what're you thinking? About the girl."
Vander shrugged. "Still don't trust her. She's too polished. Too many smiles."
Benzo leaned on the counter. "You just don't like being reminded of your younger days."
"She's nothing like me," Vander said. "I fought to protect people. She fights to lead."
"Maybe both lead to the same place," Benzo said.
Vander took a bite, chewing slowly. "Maybe. Or maybe I end up dragging kids out of another fire."
He looked at the walls. The old photographs. A scuffed punching glove. Vi's childhood sketch.
"You miss it?" Benzo asked.
"Not the fighting," Vander said. "But the fire. It used to be clearer who the monsters were."
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[POV: Silco]
The lab stank of old blood and sterilizing fumes.
Silco watched as the rat convulsed in its cage, violet shimmer coursing through its veins.
Singed adjusted a dial, taking careful notes. "Heart rate up. Bone density increased. Neural flare... aggressive."
The rat banged against the glass, snarling. Its muscles bulged, eyes glowing faintly purple.
"Strong. Unstable," Singed murmured.
Silco exhaled slowly. "But it survives."
"For now."
They watched as the rat tore through the scrap of metal inside its cage.
"Not just strength," Silco said. "Instinct. Rage."
Singed nodded. "It fights through pain. Prioritizes movement. That's rare."
Silco tapped the glass. "And that's what makes it beautiful."
He turned away, coat trailing.
"Tomorrow, the tower lights up," he said over his shoulder. "And we light the fuse."
---
[POV: Vi]
The basement of the Last Drop reeked of spilled booze and sweat.
Vi sat cross-legged on the crate that served as their table. Mylo balanced a stolen bottle on his head while Claggor played with dice.
"You hear?" Claggor said. "Something big tomorrow. Whole zone's actin' weird."
"Probably another junkie parade," Vi said. "Or some wannabe baron with too many banners."
Mylo snorted. "Bet it's that clock chick. She's been makin' noise."
Ekko skidded around the corner, out of breath.
"You guys!" he grinned. "Some rich topside sucker just bought rocks from Benzo. Paid double!"
Vi raised an eyebrow. "Rich, huh?"
Ekko nodded fast. "Real posh. Didn't haggle once."
Vi stretched her arms. "Sounds like a target to me."
She cracked her knuckles. "Tomorrow, we rob a genius."
Claggor whistled. "How long you figure before enforcers come sniffing?"
"Long enough for us to be gone," Vi said. "And maybe long enough to buy something warm for a change."
They laughed, passing the bottle around. Beneath the floorboards, the city churned with secrets and rising hope.
Above them, the clock tower stood waiting, silent no longer.