Back in Bael's place, the genius kid's eyes locked onto the small, shimmering blue crystal that lay on his cluttered desk, its glow pulsing softly in the dim light of the room.
His mind raced as he examined the crystal, the fractured remnants of the blueprints he had sketched scattered around it. He had no idea what it was, only that it had power. Raw, untamed energy that he couldn't quite understand yet, but that was about to change.
Bael spent the night studying the blue crystals. As dawn broke, he realized their true nature—"These crystals… They're manifestations of the Arcane!"
In traditional magic, casting a spell requires incantations, but these crystals acted as a key, releasing stored energy when triggered. They weren't just energy sources, but a medium for magic itself, enabling spellcasting without innate power.
Bael clenched his fists as the thought consumed him. "If I master the Arcane..."
The words echoed in his mind, a dark promise. "The whole world will be in my hands..." He could see it—he could offer Powder anything she wanted. A life of luxury, where hunger was a thing of the past. He imagined her wearing the finest dresses, her eyes gleaming with happiness, surrounded by the riches that would finally make her smile.
He shook his head, trying to push away the thought. "No. I can't let it just be about her... It's a step forward for the entirety of Zaun... I can't be selfish..." But deep down, he knew that everything he was doing—the studying, the experiments, the risk—was all for her. For Powder.
The power of the Arcane was just the means to an end. With it, he could change their lives, make everything right for her. She deserved it.
...
In the morning, Powder pushed open the creaky door to Bael's hideout. The faint light from the outside seeped into the dim room, illuminating the cluttered space filled with scattered blueprints, tools, and shards of blue crystals.
Her eyes landed on Bael, slumped over his desk, his face buried in a tangle of hastily scribbled designs.
"Bael..." she whispered, tipping his shoulder.
He didn't stir. She noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the grease smeared on his hands, which were still clutching a half-finished gadget. His dedication always amazed her, but seeing him like this made her chest ache.
"You dummy," Powder muttered, shaking her head with a small smile. She reached out and gently nudged him. "Wake up. You're gonna hurt your neck sleeping like that."
Bael groaned, lifting his head groggily. His hair was a mess, and his expression dazed.
"Powder…? What's this?" He asked, his eyes darting to the bag in her hands.
"Breakfast!" she announced, pulling out a few cans of preserved food. "It's not fancy or anything, but I thought we could share."
Bael smiled, though a pang of guilt tugged at him. She looked so proud of herself, even though it was barely enough for one person, let alone two. He wished he could give her better—something warm and hearty, something she deserved.
"Thanks, Powder," he said, ruffling her hair.
She beamed, opening one of the cans with a pocket knife. "Come on, eat up. You need it more than I do."
Bael hesitated, watching her dig in happily. He clenched his fist under the table. But for now, it was time to eat !
As he ate his small ration, Bael leaned back in his chair, finishing the last bite of his canned breakfast as Powder sat across from him, grinning.
"So," he asked, wiping his hands, "did the loot sell?"
"Not yet," Powder replied, kicking her legs beneath the table. "But Vander's already looking for a buyer. He says it's good stuff, so we'll make a nice pile of coin from it. Maybe even enough for proper meals for a while."
Bael smiled faintly, though the thought of "proper meals" only reinforced his determination. He needed to ensure Powder never had to live off scraps or cans again.
"Well, I guess that's good news," he said, standing and stretching. "You ready to go and join the others?"
Powder nodded, grabbing her bag.
When they arrived, the familiar din of the bar greeted them. Vi was already there, leaning against the counter with Mylo and Claggor, chatting with Vander. She spotted the pair and waved them over.
"About time you two showed up," Vi teased. "Today's practice day, so let's not waste time. We're heading to the old warehouse."
Powder lit up at the announcement, practically bouncing in place. Bael smirked, grabbing his gear.
"Practice, huh? Let's see if you can keep up," he said, earning a playful glare from Vi as they all headed out together for another day of training.
...
The warehouse echoed with the sounds of clattering tools and occasional banter. Powder and Mylo were squabbling in the corner, their argument escalating into a friendly sharpshooting competition, while Claggor tinkered with some leftover scrap.
In the center of it all, Vi was staring down Bael, tossing him a pair of old boxing gauntlets.
"Alright," she said with a smirk, slipping on her own gloves. "Let's see how much you've improved."
Bael slid the gloves on, flexing his fingers. "Didn't get much sleep last night… but I'll do my best."
Vi raised an eyebrow. "Don't blame it on lack of sleep. Focus is key. You think you'll get a good night's rest in the real world? Better get used to fighting tired."
Bael straightened up, nodding. "Got it."
"Good. Now show me what you've got," Vi said, taking her stance.
The fight started slow, with Vi throwing calculated jabs while Bael moved defensively. Her punches came harder and faster as the match went on, but Bael held his ground, dodging and blocking with surprising precision.
"Not bad," Vi muttered, upping her intensity.
The clash grew louder, drawing the attention of the others. Mylo lowered his slingshot, and even Powder abandoned her gadgets, creeping closer to watch.
"You're serious today," Bael panted, deflecting a sharp jab.
"And you're keeping up," Vi replied, her tone laced with approval. She pressed forward, but Bael managed a counter that sent her back a step.
Claggor whistled from the sidelines. "Didn't think he'd last this long."
Powder grinned. "Go, Bael! Kick her butt!"
Vi smirked, wiping her brow. "Not bad, kid. But let's see if you can keep up when I stop holding back."
Vi's punches came faster, sharper, each one carrying more force than the last. She pressed forward, her movements a blur of precision and power. Yet, to her growing surprise, Bael adapted. His steps became lighter, his blocks more fluid. Every time her fist came close, he shifted just enough to deflect it.
"H–How are you so fast?!" Vi blurted, momentarily caught off guard.
Bael smirked, his breaths coming steady despite the effort. "Guess I'm a quick learner."
She narrowed her eyes, feinting left before throwing a powerful right hook. He ducked under it with ease, retaliating with a jab aimed at her ribs. It wasn't hard enough to hurt, but enough to push her back a step.
"Not bad," Vi muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "You've really been practicing."
Bael shrugged, keeping his guard up. "I had to. Can't let you keep mopping the floor with me."
The gang watched with wide eyes from the sidelines.
"Did… did he just dodge that?!" Mylo exclaimed, dropping his slingshot in shock.
Powder clapped her hands, bouncing on her toes. "Go, Bael! Show her who's boss!"
Vi grinned, determination sparking in her eyes. "Alright, hotshot. Let's see how long you can keep this up."
Exhaustion began to weigh on both of them, their punches slowing but still carrying force. After one last flurry of traded blows, they both stepped back, breathing hard.
"Stalemate," Vi declared, lowering her fists and grinning. "Good fight."
Bael wiped the sweat from his forehead, nodding. "Yeah, same to you."
Vi smirked, crossing her arms. "You're almost on par with me at such a young age. Makes me wonder where you got that from."
Bael smiled faintly, his chest still heaving. "Protecting who's dear to you is the best motivation to keep moving forward," he said, his gaze flicking briefly toward Powder. He gave her a playful wink.
Powder's eyes widened, and she quickly turned her face away, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Bael blinked, his smile faltering. Did I go too far? he wondered, scratching the back of his head nervously.
Vi raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them but choosing not to comment. "Anyway," she said, clapping Bael on the back, "let's head back. Vander's probably back by now. Lunch is on him today."
"Finally," Mylo groaned from the sidelines, grabbing his gear.
Powder trailed behind them, still pink in the face but with the smallest of smiles tugging at her lips.
Back at the Last Drop, the gang was greeted by the sight of a table overflowing with culinary delicacies. Ekko was already seated, snacking on a piece of bread, while Vander stood proudly behind the feast, arms crossed and a rare smile on his face.
"Hope you're all hungry," Vander said. "Took me all day to get this together."
The kids' eyes widened as they took in the spread—roasted meats, freshly baked bread, stews brimming with vegetables, and even a few desserts. It was a feast beyond anything they'd ever imagined.
"This… this is for us?" Powder asked, almost in disbelief.
Vander chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Who else, kiddo?"
He explained that he'd sold the loot to Benzo, who would move it discreetly through Piltover's black market. Vander was always careful never to sell directly, avoiding any unnecessary heat. The payoff had been more than enough, and true to his promise, Vander had used the money to treat them to a meal they'd never forget.
"Couldn't have done it without Ekko, though," Vander added, nodding toward the boy. "He got me the ingredients without breaking the bank."
Ekko grinned. "All in a day's work."
It was time to feast.
The gang crowded around the table, but before digging in, Vander made a fake cough to attract their attention.
"Look, I'm not saying I approve of the stunt you pulled," he began, his voice steady. "Stealing isn't something I ever want to see you kids rely on. But I know why you did it. Desperation drives people to do things they never thought they'd have to."
The room fell silent, the kids hanging on his words.
"So," Vander continued, his tone softening, "the least I could do was give you something to remind you life's not all grim. You did what you thought you had to, and for that, you deserve this." He gestured to the table. "Eat up, enjoy it, and don't let this become your normal. There's better out there if you aim for it."
The gang dug in, the heaviness of Vander's words replaced by laughter and joy as they enjoyed the meal. For a fleeting moment, they forgot the struggles of Zaun and simply existed as a family, sharing a rare moment of warmth.