Chapter VIII: Corruption
We both gasp in pleasure as my seed enters Jinx for the final time, my body giving into exhaustion as my head lolls to the side with a neutral expression. Jinx falls on top of me, her body also giving out from exhaustion, her arms sliding off my chest to my sides. My eyes involuntarily close as I listen to our breathing, rough and even as we both start to feel the need to sleep. "I love you..." I hear whispered into my ear, my mind still delirious from ecstasy and exhaustion. Was that a figment of my imagination? Say it... "I love you..." I hear myself saying, more out of automatic response than feeling. An exhausted giggle is heard moments later. "Close enough...we'll worry about meaning it later..." Jinx whispers as she tries to move off me only to flop back on top of me. I try to move her but my arms are tired and my body doesn't respond. "I guess...we're stuck like this..." I whisper, feeling slumber start to claw into my mind. "Let's just go to sleep then..." Jinx whispers back, her body relaxing as I hear her start to breath evenly in sleep. My mind starts to drift away as well but one thought surfaces before sleep claims me.
Maybe I'm insane now, but like Mordekaiser always says on the Field of Justice, misery loves company.
"Get your lazy ass up and dressed, Yi. We gotta keep moving," I hear a rough voice say, my voice grunting in response as I open my eyes groggily, Darius is staring down at me in full armor and robes when my vision clears. He roughly shakes my shoulder with an armored hand and a look of amusement mixed with disgust. "I know you lack discipline now since you have women that you share your time with but I'm on a schedule here. We don't have time for you to indulge in your lust every step of this journey," he growls before departing the room, slamming the door behind him. I take a look around the room, my head laying back on the bed and angling as far as it can go before I try to sit up. Jinx is still on top of me and my arms move around her back, bringing her up with me as she sighs and rubs her face against mine. "Was it good for you? Cause it felt really good for me," she whispers while kissing me on the neck. "It was great but very exhausting...I don't think my body can take this much damage..." I whisper back while trying to move Jinx off me, her response to wrap her arms around my back. "One more round?" she asks playfully but I shake my head no before saying, "Darius is already upset and the last thing we need is animosity...more animosity...among the group."
"I meant what I said last night..." Jinx interrupts, her head raising so she can look me in the eyes, causing me to smile from her serious expression. "I thought we didn't know what love is..." I whisper to her, again trying to move her off me only for her to groan at me in irritation. "Well, I can guess, can't I?" she exclaims, pressing her body against mine and kissing me gently. "And what have you learned so far?" I ask curiously, as eager to gain any insight she might have garnered on the subject. Her eyes look down in embarrassment as she exhales theatrically. "Ok...let me think about it..."
"I thought thinking was difficult for you," I start to say before Jinx punches me in the shoulder, causing me to grunt in pain. "Yeah? Well, I thought patience was your strong suit. Now quit distracting me," she blurts, closing her eyes and giving another sigh. I wait patiently for her answer which comes swifter than I expect. "Love is something you feel inside, something that changes how you act and what you want. It compels you to do extraordinary things...and extraordinarily stupid things..." She rolls her eyes at the last part of her confession, my groan joining the gesture as my head leans back. Yes, we've done some pretty dumb things. The list is ongoing. "I can't confirm or deny if that's what love is...but I'm willing to accept that version for now..." I state, trying to move Jinx gently off me for the third time but failing again, her face pouting at me. "C'mon...what's the rush...they can wait a little while longer..."
"Darius wants to visit his wife and child. We should consider his wants too," I glumly say, feeling the mood perceptibly go sour. Jinx snorts in frustration before exclaiming, "Man, you just killed the mood...alright, let's get a move on then..." Instead of getting off me, she puts her tongue in my mouth and pushes me onto my back, already rubbing herself against me to excite me into another round. Might as well. She won't let go otherwise. My eyes close as I put us onto our side, inserting my erection into her with a light exhale through my nose. She breaks away giggling and whispers, "You didn't think I'd just agree, did you?"
"No. I don't think I did. So let's be quick," I whisper back, already moving slowly and gently. She moves her hands from my head to my back as her arms wrap around me. "Do you...not find me attractive?" she whispers, my brow raising in confusion at the outburst. "Of course I find you attractive. We're having intercourse right now because of that attraction. I just think we should limit-" Her hand goes over my mouth gently, my eyes rolling as she smiles.
"Not another word..."
"Nice of you to join us, Yi and Jinx. I hope you found the meager accommodations to your satisfaction," Singed says from her seat as we walk in, Warwick moving about the living room gathering gear and materials for the coming journey. One look at Darius tells me he's reaching the limits of his anger management, his body tense in his couch seat as he flexes and relaxes his hands. "So what's the plan?" Darius growls, his voice low as he rises from his seat. Singed doesn't answer immediately, waving her finger in the air for Warwick to come over. "First you need proper identification. Piltover is a place of hextech ID and constant data streaming and updating. The guards near the Hexdraulic conveyors are from Piltover above and will scan each of you for identification."
Singed puts a hand palm upwards, Warwick placing a serious of cards in her hand. "These are considered fakes with general identification that will serve you for now. I had taken the privilege of getting some of your records through the many channels I have access to and have their information for your review." She rises from her seat and moves about the room, placing each of our cards in outstretched hands. Each group member responds differently to the information, looks of dismay and general amusement crossing each face. "Hey, wait a minute. This ID is exactly who I am," Poppy remarks, showing the group a photo and description that is accurate to her rather than a lie. Singed chuckles to herself before saying, "That's because I couldn't find anything that you've done wrong in Piltover's databases. The same applies to Soraka. The rest of you? Different story." Wanted for multiple homicides across Valoran. Aiding and Abetting a Known Terrorist. Illegal use of magic...sounds correct.
Thankfully, my ID doesn't say any of this, displaying the name Shawn Yang, a laborer in the employ of Dr. Singed, PhD. "When we arrive at the lifts, hoods off. Just follow my lead and speak only when spoken too. Do not give the Piltover PD anything to use against you," Singed instructs, already donning her full armor, shield and back tank while throwing a robe over herself. She nods at Warwick who leaves the door at speed, his foot gently closing the door behind him. "Warwick will be there when we arrive. He's a good boy, he knows what to do," Singed states, eying the rest of us to make sure we're ready. He's a good boy because you let him sate his urges when he feels like it. Loyalty can be bought with such services.
"That's all well and nice to get us past the conveyors but what above Piltover? Still a hell of a journey to the outskirts not including the moat and the border check exiting the city," Draven comments in his sarcastic tone, the rest of us nodding in agreement at his concerns. "I will have someone pick us up and we can simply drive the rest of the way out of the city. We will leave you on the outskirts and from there, you can do what you will," Singed explains, checking her gear to make sure it's up to par before quickly asking, "Any other concerns?"
"What if they do realize the ruse?" Wukong asks from her seat, flicking the ID around her hands in impatience. "Then we will have to simply fight our way out of the city. I doubt the might of several champions can be opposed before we can safely evacuate." Jinx interrupts with, "What about Cait and Vi? Won't they be sniffing for me and send the entire city into a frenzy once they find me?"
"High possibility. We will deal with that if the need arises but our main objective is secrecy." Singed is already moving to the door and opening it, offering the way out as we rise as a group to move. Singed grins from behind her bandages.
"I would say good luck but...I don't believe in luck."
The citizen's fear is palpable in the air as we progress through Zaun, conversations dying around us as we walk the streets. Only our melee weapons are out for display, other weapons being concealed beneath robes. At most it's a deterrent, keeping away some of the thugs that constantly prowl the streets. Singed presence incites further fear, her armored bulk barely concealed by her robes as citizens and thugs move away from our path in hushed tones.
It doesn't stop the highly unruly, ones who're under the influence of chemicals or alcohol. Singed deals with them personally, breaking necks and snapping spines with her bare hands in full view of those around us as a clear message not to interfere. Soon, we have another trail of bodies to mark our passage, thugs foolish enough to approach us lying dead in our wake. Does anyone care about the loss of life down here in Zaun? Or is the main concern their own lives?
It takes another hour to finally arrive at the nearest Hexdraulic conveyor, the mood tense as each of us tries to remain calm and composed to avoid unwanted attention. But as we approach the conveyor, all of the calmness drains away as we see who's waiting for us. "Had a feeling you'd show up here eventually. What's happening here, Singed?" Vi states in an angry tone with her hextech gauntlets at her sides, the weapons aimed forward to punch if needed. Caitlyn is standing next to her, her rifle aimed at the ground in rest with a passive look on her face. Singed tilts her head in confusion at them before stating, "Do explain what it is you see. I am merely guiding these outsiders to the other side of the city."
"Don't play dumb. We know your trying to smuggle criminals out of the city. Take of your hoods," she commands, each of us looking at Singed as she grimly nods. My hands take my hood off, Vi tensing as she sees us in the flesh. "So you thought you could just sneak by us and I wouldn't try to arrest you and your girlfriend? Not a chance," she growls, moving towards us as Caitlyn clears her throat, a look of irritation on her face. Vi stop in her advance as she looks over at Caitlyn, nodding grimly and reluctantly before taking a position to Caitlyn's right. "Master Yi. You're wanted for a hefty list of crimes. We can't look the other way on this," Caitlyn says in an even tone devoid of emotions.
"They we're going to kill us, Caitlyn..." I start to say, Caitlyn raising an eyebrow but saying nothing, allowing me to continue. "We're considered magical beings now but aren't treated as such...we're hunted every second of every day by law enforcement...did you know what's going on?" Vi snorts at my answer before exclaiming, "Don't start with your lies so quickly, Yi. You're under arrest-"
"And what's happening at the Institute?" Caitlyn interrupts, Vi looking at her with a look of outrage before seeing Caitlyn's haunted expression. I sigh, moving towards the front of the group. "They are hunting me for what we did, yes. But the reason we ran is because they sought our power and still seek our power. You know this, don't you? Singed showed me our files and they all same the same thing. A large bounty for being taken alive to the Institute of War." Some of the group looks at me in confusion, this information new to them. Singed told me this alone but the others deserve to know. "They're the judges, juries, and executioners of all wars. Opposition is met with extreme force and no mercy. I expected no less from them when we became their enemies." I move a hand behind my back, touching the Seal of Energy, my arms glowing as I hold them in front of me to Vi and Caitlyn's shock. "They wanted to kill me and everyone I cared about for this. For the magic within me. Magic that, if they obtained it, would tip the scales further against Valoran." My arms return to my side as my head dips. "So we fought. We killed our way out of the Institute of War and we all paid the price for resistance. I regret that it came to that but we had little alternative. We can't allow-"
"Let them pass," Caitlyn orders, Vi immediately shouting with an angry expression, "WHAT!? You're going to believe them just like that!? What if that's just a bullshit story! Do you want to base your career on the words of a washout-"
"Enough, Vi!" Caitlyn shouts, Vi taken aback by her sudden rage. "Don't you get that this is bigger than us!? If we take them in and if they're proven right, they'll end up sent back to the Institute of War and right into the summoner's hands! We both know Piltover's will just hand them over to gain what little favor they can get! We both know that something is up and have the evidence to back up what he says! Can we take that risk!? Do you want to take that risk!?" she shouts, turning towards Vi to stare her down with cold fury.
Vi turns away and remains motionless for a while, her fists clenching and relaxing in time in front of her as she wrestles with her rage, eventually roaring in frustration. She turns away from the group, walking into the conveyor stiffly without a word. "We'll escort you out of the city. No one needs to know you're here," Caitlyn comments as she turns to enter the conveyor before I place a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "Thank you..." I say, her body tensing as she looks at the hand then back towards the conveyor. "Don't come back to Piltover. You people stay away until we can deal with the corruption. You aren't safe here," she commands, her voice slightly breaking.
"Like we'd do that," Jinx comments from my right, placing her left hand on Caitlyn's other shoulder. "We're gonna come back and fix this when we have the time. Right now, Darius wants to visit his wife and son." Caitlyn looks back at Jinx as is surprised to see her hardened expression, causing a grim smile to creep onto her face. "You've changed so much from before...I didn't think it was possible..." she whispers, her gaze locked on Jinx as she grins and points with a thumb towards me. "I had a lot of help," she exclaims, moving her right hand to Caitlyn's shoulder while rubbing my shoulder playfully with her other hand.
"As touching as this is, let's move on before other law enforcement decides to get involved," Singed states, moving into the conveyor with the others behind her. Poppy stops right in front of me with a neutral expression, extending her arms upwards in a gesture that makes me smile. For someone so tough, she's becoming unusually attached to me. I reach down and pick her up, moving her against my chest as she presses her arms and face against me with a smile. "Yi. Conveyor. Now," Darius interrupts with a growl, my feet obeying in an instant. Caitlyn is looking at me with a look of confusion as she looks at the champions assembled around her. "This is...quite the diverse group you have..." she comments, my face grinning as I nod. "We each have an adventures to come. Better to do so together."
"Speak for yourself. I am merely securing future favors by assisting you," Singed states from my right. I might've known. Some of her personality never changes. Poppy interrupts my thoughts by snuggling my chest with her face, my hand brushing her hair as I feel myself smile in response. "So when does she get her turn with you in bed?" Jinx whispers over my right shoulder playfully, my brow raising in surprise at the remark.
I hadn't really considered it.