Everything returned to silence. Even the girl's anguished wailing slowly went hoarse, fading into nothing.
Vander stared up at the empty sky, his lips trembling before he finally shouted, "Goddess… Logan—Logan, he…!"
In the fight with Styraatu earlier, Logan had suddenly grabbed him and hurled him away. Was that… because he'd already made this decision?
But if someone had to sacrifice themselves, shouldn't it have been him?!
Why Logan?
He was still young. He still had a future. Zaun needed him. The people of Zaun needed him. And Jinx needed him most of all.
How could he—
Vander clenched his teeth until his fangs tore into his lower lip. Blood welled and ran as his eyes turned red. He stared at Janna, desperate for her to say Logan was still alive.
A goddess could do anything… right?
But Janna shook her head. The teal bird's eyes were full of tangled, painful emotions as she said softly, "I can't feel Logan's presence anymore. His soul… vanished together with Styraatu."
"Logan sacrificed himself." Janna lowered her head.
A soul disappearing meant only one thing—Logan truly wasn't in this world anymore.
The girl who'd been staring blankly at Janna heard those words, her eyes fluttered shut, her body tipped forward, and she fell off her hoverboard—plunging headfirst from high above toward the ground.
"Jinx!"
Silco was different from everyone else. Vi, Vander, Ekko, the Undercity Enforcers—they were all focused on Janna, waiting, trying to pull any last scrap of hope from her.
But Silco had been watching Jinx the whole time.
The moment he saw her drop, he roared.
Vi reacted instantly, her face gone hard and pale. She kicked her hoverboard forward and, just before Jinx hit the ground, Vi launched herself off—catching her around the waist midair. Vi curled her body over Jinx to shield her, then hit the ground and rolled again and again until the force bled out of them.
Ekko and Silco reached them a heartbeat later.
"Jinx, you—"
"She passed out," Vi cut Silco off. She looked up at him, her expression complicated.
In Vi's arms, Jinx lay completely still.
"…," Silco shut his eyes, pressed his lips together, then jerked his hand in a sharp gesture—sending two Undercity Enforcers to fetch Singed.
When the war against Styraatu began, Singed had been taken away under protection.
Not long after, Singed arrived. He didn't know what he'd walked into until Ekko told him Logan was dead. Singed's pupils contracted sharply, and then, with a complex expression, he gave a slow nod.
"Vi. Let me take a look," Singed sighed. He stepped closer, crouched, and lifted Jinx's eyelid to check her pupils.
After examining her, Singed stood and looked at Silco's tense, rigid face. He shook his head. "Grief doesn't get worse than a heart that's given up. She's mentally shattered. No injuries."
"But that's the real problem," he continued quietly. "Because that isn't something I can treat."
"Unless she finds her own way out… no one can help her."
They gathered around Jinx as night fell. In Vi's arms, Jinx finally woke up—and the first thing she said was—
"Where's… Logan?"
No one answered.
Vi couldn't even meet her eyes.
Jinx let out a small laugh. It was ugly. Empty.
No joy. No manic edge. None of the wildness that used to live in her laughter. She just struggled out of Vi's arms, said nothing at all, and started walking toward Zaun alone.
"Jinx…"
Vander called after her. When she didn't respond, he stepped forward and moved in front of her to block her path. Then Vander reached into his pocket and pulled something out.
It was something he'd just discovered—something Logan had stuffed into his pants pocket when he threw him away.
Vander's pants were huge; the pocket could fit it easily. The instant he brought it out, the dead-eyed Jinx lunged at him and snatched it from his clawed hand.
Then she dropped to her knees and clutched a blue hat with little cat ears—hugging it to her chest like it was the only thing holding her together. She shoved it against herself desperately, bowing her head until it pressed toward the ground.
Everyone watched her in silence.
When she stood again, she didn't look at Vander. She just held the hat tighter and started walking toward Zaun once more.
"Vi," Silco said, stopping Vander when he moved to follow. "Go after her. Don't get too close—just keep her in sight."
Silco's nails dug into his palm. He closed his eyes.
For once, Vi didn't argue. She didn't protest. She only nodded—then jogged after Jinx.
After Vi and Jinx disappeared into the night, Silco sat down on the ground and covered his head with his hands.
"You can't fall apart," Vander said as he came to stand beside him.
"I know," Silco murmured. "I just need to rest for a moment. When I get up… I'll carry all of this."
Just then, a group descended from above.
Piltovans.
Jayce landed on a hoverboard, face lit with relief, Mel held in his arms. Behind them came other councilors, brought down into Zaun's lower levels with the Undercity Enforcers' help.
Hearing the movement, Silco lifted his head and looked at Jayce.
"It's all resolved?" Jayce saw everyone still here and exhaled, smiling with genuine relief. "I saw that white light and nearly lost it, but the Undercity Enforcers said it was safe, so I brought everyone down to check."
Then Jayce blinked, scanning the area. "Wait—where's Logan?"
"To protect Zaun," Silco said evenly, "he died."
Jayce froze. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
But behind him, Councilor Hoskel and Councilor Salo showed flickers of relief.
The black-haired monster was dead?
Then between Piltover and Za—
Before the thoughts could even finish forming, Silco stood and began walking toward Jayce, one step at a time.
"Now," Silco said, voice cold and edged with violence, "I'm the Lord of Zaun."
"What do you have to say to me?"
Vander stood behind Silco. He had always been the one to choose patience, the one who tried to soften edges. But now even he wore a distant, icy expression.
He understood what losing Logan meant.
But Logan had chosen to give himself up… so Vander could live.
And in that moment, Vander finally understood why he'd been kept alive.
So Zaun wouldn't be pushed around in negotiations with Piltover.
"Wait," Jayce said, staring at Silco's face, shaken. "Why are you acting like this? And… is Logan really dead?"
"He was that strong—how could he die?"
Silco and Vander didn't answer. Jayce's eyes fell shut as the truth settled on him like lead.
Then he spoke.
"Starting today, Piltover will unconditionally fund Zaun—help rebuild your home. Opening the floodgates was my decision. All losses will be paid by the Talis family."
Jayce opened his eyes and looked straight at Silco.
"Silco… I'm a councilor for Zaun too. Please—don't treat me like this."
Mel stepped down onto the ground beside him, raising her hand in agreement. "The Medarda family is also willing to sponsor Zaun, to do our part for peace between the two cities."
"Hoskel as well," another voice added. "The docks for Zaun are already built. You'll be able to use them in a few days."
Seeing the others take a stand, Salo stepped forward too, stating that he would contribute as well.
Silco nodded slowly, lowering his gaze.
Zaun wouldn't fall into ruin like this.
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