SEVIKA

The clear, starry night sky of Piltover stood high as little patrols over either the Bridge or the southern isthmus. Everyone was likely still busy with the nightfall mess of that attack on the Council.

If anything, it made a perfect enough cover for the dinghy to not be noticed.

Sevika lit up a cigar, allowing herself a puff as she stared into the horizon. Some could call it a metaphor for what was now before her, and how she'd brave it as big a mystery.

She'd say she was just taking a puff, clearing her head, before actually getting to the real deal.

The body bag was anything but ceremonial, at least for a leader that Silco was. No choice on the matter, though - as much as a burying would be more proper, the topsiders would likely take off his body and destroy the tombstone, all to avoid making him a martyr. Not like Vander, which had that statue that couldn't be removed, not without reaction.

Either the topsiders or the Chem-Barons, given their grudges with Silco were just increasing, as of late...

She opened up the body bag, revealing the cold, lifeless scarred face of the once grand overlord whom had Zaun in his grip. No longer.

Sevika then took another glance at the City of Progress, before returning to him and taking a puff. "Guess we both suspected this was more likely...", she started. "At least that brat did have one utility."

She then took a glance at the waters all around. "You always said you liked the monsters around here.", she continued. "We both know what they'd do if you were buried. And at least you get to feed'em, for a final act, useful even in death. Progress."

She rested her hand on Silco's lifeless chest. "I'll take it from here.", she said. "Your daughter, though? Guess she can handle herself. She'd better..."

Sevika then got on her feet, picking up the body and then finally dumping it on the waters, where it started to sink down, aided by the iron ball tied to the feet.

Deep into the oceans, where he was once reborn, and now would rest, to the end of Runeterran days.

AMBESSA

It wasn't much like Ambessa to remain awake at late night, contemplating the Piltovian night sky, especially only in her robe, with her rent lover in the suntuous bed of the lavish room. Maybe in her prime, years ago. But there were enough troubles as they were to keep her awake. Not just the problems at home, but right there as well.

And her daughter Mel, and even Jayce, weren't helping.

The apparent wake-up call by this 'Jinx' wasn't enough. Mel still clinged to the hopes of solving the inevitable conflict peacefully, much like attempting to bar the constantly pouring flood water with tissue. And Jayce apparently was falling more for her than setting his sights straight, towards his future and that of Piltover - As much tempting and apparently easy as it was to have this city and the Undercity brought to heel, totally securing the link between Noxus and northern Shimura, perhaps even Ixtal, it'd bring more trouble than it'd be worth, Hextech or not. Not only the issues of keeping the region in line, even with the traditional law enforcement of Noxus, it'd probably galvanize the remaining nations of Runeterra in uniting a front against the empire.

Ambessa was no fool. She knew the kind of enchantment both Mel and Jayce had. She experienced it herself. It wasn't like Mel or even late Kino were summoned out of thin air...

But one such as her had to set priorities.

And love was no firmament of politics. Let alone war.

She heard the door knock. "Enter.", she said, tying her robe closed.

The door opened, waking up the male escort, as a known figure entered the room, brandishing his broad lance.

"You summon me, General.", the ever loyal Kastor spoke.

"Indeed. We have business.", Ambessa spoke, before turning to the escort. "Wait outside, please."

The escort silently nodded and left, carrying the clothes he had, towards the door, whom Kastor closed.

"It seems some people indeed don't learn, Kastor...", Ambessa spoke, taking her seat to a nearby chair, by a desk with a mirror. "Or learn too slowly."

"You speak of your daughter.", Kastor replied.

"And Jayce Talis.", Ambessa continued. "War has come charging at her, like a Demacian horseman, and still she keeps to diplomatic venues. Sadly these venues have served her well, too, with her firm hold over Talis."

Ambessa stared at the mirror, the scars which marked her life. Slowly she shook her head. "Such a handsome young man. At least, she chooses that well...", she said, in a soft tone of regret.

"You... wish for him to be put out of the way?", Kastor asked, attempting to read through the doubt.

"Did I imply that?", Ambessa asked, surprised, grabbing a piece of paper and the nearby ink pen and starting to write. "No. Not out of the way. Back on track, instead."

As Ambessa finished writing, she folded and handed over the paper to Kastor, glancing at him. "Wisely where you pick.", she warned.

Kastor nodded, taking the paper, clenching it on his fist, and leaving.

Ambessa stared back at the mirror, checking on her reflection for a moment.

"You still need me, Miss Medarda?", the voice of the escort asked, smoothly, behind her.

"In a moment, dear...", she answered, softly, letting out a sigh. Steeling herself for the upcoming days.

One such as her had to set priorities.

TERNNUS

Conrad Ternnus smirked, standing at one of some makeshift wagons the whole band of 'deserting' enforcers, the Ironhands, have been putting together, gathering up at late night by the Bridge of Progress. All of those whom truly understood the meaning of sacrifice, the very one others before them did. He always knew that all this was always a 'it's us or them' situation, but only now could he ever muster the necessary anger, rancor and frustration to make a force manifest.

The supply wagons were filled with a bit of almost everything - weapons, some clean uniforms, armor, smoke bombs, even food. The ammunition was also accounted for, and these definitely would have a use.

"Fellow Ironhands! Gather and listen, clear and good."

The voice boomed high as enforcer after enforcer out of a group of roughly seventy gathered around one of the wagons, where Ternnus was above, ready to give a final speech.

"Make no mistake.", Ternnus started. "We've chosen this. Even before these dark days fell on us, we've chosen this. To uphold our duty, to protect and serve the City of Progress."

The crowd of enforcers looked, attentively.

"The city that birthed you, nurtured you, gave you meaning.", Ternnus continued. "And we've chosen to make a vow of it. But now, these events have forced a choice on us, to either uphold the vow we've made to those we represent, or to uphold our duty. Again, we've chosen this! For this city, all it gave us, and all it stands for, we've chosen this!"

Some noise in agreement from the crowd. Though Ternnus wasn't finished, he knew he was getting through to them. As planned.

"They will come for us, for the choice we've made.", Ternnus continued. "They'll call us names for the choice we've made. They'll call you butchers, traitors, baby killers and every sort of vile. But your actions and the result they'll bring will speak louder! Your actions and the result they'll bring will title you properly: Patriots! Saviors! Heroes! PILTOVANS!"

The crowd started roaring higher and higher with every 'title' the speaker shouted.

"Perhaps not for the Council, or for the noble Houses, or for inventors, or for the foreigners or the Trenchers we'll face.", Ternnus continued when the roaring started to die down. "But it's not their voices we've ever bothered to heed. Their visions and dreams long clouded them to the one voice they've should've always heard - the voice of the common Piltovan, the voice we stand for, whom wakes and sleeps, working thankless and tirelessly, whom simply wants to return home, to a family which counts on his labor, the fruit of the sweat of his brow. Just like many of those in arms we've once worked with, and are no longer with us! Always remember, it's for them we do this!"

All the gathered enforcers started grinding their teeth, though not in anger. They were ready for action. They just needed him to say the word.

"For them, I'll cross this bridge.", Ternnus started to finish, pointing at the heading, leading to Zaun. "For them, I'll bring the war the Trenchers vied for, for so long. For them, I'll bring justice. The only justice the Undercity understands, the only justice that the common Piltovan always deserved."

Ternnus then simply glanced at the crowd. "Are you with me?", he asked.

The rogue enforcers raised their hands, some armed, and roared in approval.

Ternnus smiled and jumped off the wagon. "For Piltover!", he shouted. "WE MARCH!"

The enforcer crowd immediately started dispersing and heading to the wagons, loading guns to escort the group or started rolling the wagons, themselves, all along the Bridge of Progress towards the city.