JAYCE

By the time he could wake up, he didn't feel anymore the grip of a dozen men and women in uniforms, restraining him from trying to reach a Mel Medarda that was to be taken in by force, under an illegal order. But he could still feel everything else - the dizzyness and vertigo from having been knocked unconscious. The pains at the back of his neck and the diafragm. The sweat and heart racing, the blurred vision. The ringbell between his ears that were fading away. The heat and some breeze hitting his skin, ears and hair. The hands being tugged behind to something he was sitting on, no doubt a chair. His wrists tied to handcuffs.

No doubt he already expected the place he'd be now, for his interference. Just some cell within the city, unless it had been hours and he indeed landed in Stilwater, relatively away from Piltover and anyone whom could help him.

Instead, as his vision became more stark, he could feel his surroundings a bit more... homely. Or at least more homely compared to a jail cell, given it wasn't a living room, or a bedroom or a kitchen.

Instead he found himself at an office, the evidence being the large desk he was sitting before, an empty chair ahead and right behind a large globe window with an exterior view, where an apparent feminine frame was with her back to him, recognizable by broad thighs that thinned further and further into apparent blades, as well as the hairdo, almost resembling horns.

The Councillor tried shifting his sight to notice something, anything of where he was. He could notice a particular stand, almost odd for the setting, where a top hat was resting within. And that was *all* the proof Jayce needed to know where he was - the Sheriff's office within the Central Precinct, where he at times went to discuss with the then Sheriff Marcus some relevant issues, chief amongst them the preparations for Progress Day and then the eventual blockade at the Bridge of Progress when the latest Progress Day event was struck with an explosion followed by the theft of an improved Hextech gemstone - the first of several of Jinx' eventual destructive acts which were covered by the same Sheriff he relied on to handle things and ensure the safety of Piltover, but it was discovered to have been under the thrall of the same person he had to parlay, in vain, for the safety of the city that never felt such terror thus far.

However, when moving his head, he also felt a subtle pain on his neck, making him groan lightly.

"I was wondering when we'd finally have words, mister Talis...", the feminine figure started, in an offsetting semi-robotic voice overlapping her accented tone. She then turned around, revealing herself to Jayce, the striking blue eyes of a far matured face almost matching the dominant attire, with golden details. "Just the two of us."

"Miss Ferros.", Jayce started, in an ironic tone.

"Lady Camille, please.", the lady said, after a second, walking towards the desk. "But honestly, as a theatric trope as it'd be, I'd have preferred you storming into the offi-"

"Just tell me what you did to Mel and where is she!", Jayce cut Camille off, clearly upset.

Camille's expression remained a stone-cold one, eyes fitting Jayce dead on. "Depending on how this conversation goes, I can tell you or not.", she remarked at the same chilling tone, denoting she indeed held the cards. "A wiser man would afford the same measure of civility he'd expect. And as of now, because of that would-be heroic scene of yours, you're not *exactly* in a position for demands."

Jayce considered for a couple of seconds to shout louder at her, but her clear warning was enough to indicate Mel's future was on his hands. Or voice, per say. He thus shut his mouth.

"Make no mistake, mister Talis, a scandal such as that, let loose to the public, would have destroyed your reputation, far more than your trial for that clandestine Hextech research almost had, nearly a decade ago.", Camille stated, walking to the seat of the Sheriff and sitting on it. "You're only fortunate that I could learn and act quickly enough. And right now, I'm about the *only* friend you still have."

"A friend?", Jayce asked, not believing that one's insolence, almost laughing at her. "You really believe so?"

"Definitely.", Camille said, bluntly. "Because it's easy to have pamperers or lickspittles around you. But those willing to say the things most wrong around and about you, to your face? * That* is a rarity. And with that said, much has been wrong about your deeds, or more precisely your lack of them."

"I guess you're talking about Mel refusing your proposal to 'help' weaponize Hextech?", Jayce asked, shrugging. "Yeah, she told me about that."

"Has she now?", Camille asked. "As how the meeting truly went or some romanticized version she usually crafts when it suits her?"

"She said you slashed a rock in her office with those sword legs of yours!", Jayce said, his eyes glancing the supposed point at the desk where the legs were concealed beneath. "That almost looks like a threat in my book!"

"A threat, you say.", Camille said. "I was merely there as a Piltovan citizen, like any other, concerned for the safety and future of our city after such cataclysmic the recent event. The same one, I would add, which almost took your life and hers."

"You can feign benevolence all you want, Lady, but I've got my own thick skin on my time with Mel.", Jayce said. "You have your personal aims with Hextech, especially making weapons out of it. Your House, all alone, anyone can picture the size of the leverage! That's just a power play, it's all it is."

"Then tell me something, mister Talis.", Camille leaned towards Jayce. "What do you think she's been doing with you all this time? Appointing you to the Council, approaching you to intimacy, even pretending to care about you after your partner fell ill?"

"Really?", Jayce asked a second later, raising eyebrows. "That card?"

"It's a fact.", Camille said. "Just *think* for once, if you'll please - if you were but just any other inventor, aside from your handsome looks, why would she *ever* take an interest in you? The likes of Mel Medarda, holding hands with the man whom made the collapsible pocket wrench, and not the most revolutionary invention since the steam engine, that just happened to catapult Piltover as THE trading power in Runeterra? Even the Kirammans, your former patrons, conveniently reapproached you *after* your success with Hextech, when they barely cut ties with you before, because of the trial. Why wouldn't her, the most ambitious and manipulative of all women this side of Valoran, do so either?"

"No.", Jayce shook his head, stating it firmly. "Not her, she wouldn't that cold-blooded."

"Or perhaps you couldn't notice, she having wormed so deep her way into you, to numb everything else happening around.", Camille said. "But have you ever asked, to her and yourself, if she did truly care? Else, why would she want to appoint you as a politician, a position which you clearly weren't fit, if not to forward *her* interests with Hextech? Why would she go into a disagreement with her mother, conveniently after you were seen talking to the general? Why would she back you against Professor Heimerdinger, if not to tip the scales of power against him, and get an opponent of hers out of the way? Did she even ever bother, for a single time, to check on your partner's health herself?"

Jayce wanted to speak, but the questions Camille did bring got him to think for a while, eyes darting away, as if trying to find some sense, some reasoning to some of Mel's actions.

And yet he was having a hard time finding any...

"As I feared.", Camille said. "Hence the point of the rock, that no matter how large and apparently sturdy a foundation is, *any* blade can cut through it if it's corroded enough. And, sadly, she indeed corroded you. You're fortunate I'm now here, and I can help you, if you'll allow it."

"Can you, now?", Jayce asked, attempting to struggle against his doubt. "You say you're my only friend, as if that were a fact!"

"I ask you, then, *who* do you have still?", Camille asked. "Your cripple partner? We all know what just happened. Why would he return, now? *You* drove Heimerdinger away, even with all due reason. To not mention that Caitlyn Kiramman, appointed acting Sheriff by Medarda herself, isn't exactly reliable, either. Perhaps she might be *worse* than late Marcus, I fear."

"What!?", Jayce asked, upset. "I've known Caitlyn for years, that's a serious accusation you're making!"

"Is it?", Camille asked. "Did she even inform you she happened to know, *personally*, the suspect whom acted along with Viktor during the Academy theft? She and her newfound fissurefolk partner of hers?"

Jayce's face became a petrified one at that revelation, suddenly making sense of how Caitlyn and Vi tried to hide some things at the crime scene, when the burglary happened. Such as when Vi said an expletive as if she knew whom was behind this or how Caitlyn hurried up to complement her aide's comment that there were two at the Academy at that night, this other one aside from Viktor.

"Again, those willing to say the things most wrong around and about you, to your face, that is a rarity.", Camille said, a couple of seconds later. "But now, I'm here. And I can help you take the right decisions."

Jayce, while still recovering from the recent revelation, stared at Camille. "War with the Undercity, isn't it?", he asked, as if almost tired from that. "Just like you, Mel's mother and everyone else wants..."

"War was *already* upon us, mister Talis, even before the Council was attacked.", Camille said. "What remains now is how we'll defend, and how we'll counter. And, dare I say, a bit of it was also your doing.", she then noticed Jayce's eyes staring at her. "Or did you think your blockade at the bridge and your daring raid at a Shimmer factory would bring no consequence, at all?"

Jayce looked away for a moment, the mention of this latter fact sparking that haunting memory that didn't grant him any sleep for the past day.

Those wide open eyes and mouth open, belonging to a child laying down that wouldn't ever move, or talk, or even breathe or sleep again, thanks to his Mercury Hammer, which unleashed the 'gift' of Hextech upon him. The thing that bothered his sleep as well, for the past days.

"It- it all simply happened too fast!", Jayce protested. "I never asked for any power, or anything, I just wanted to help people, Hextech was meant to be the key for it! I'm a scientist! Or was..."

"Science, right now, won't solve our immediate problems, mister Talis.", Camille said. "Piltover is looking to someone whom *decides*, who's willing to take the needed steps. If it won't be you, it will be someone else. And all you'll end up being remembered will sadly be, aside from bringing Hextech, for also allowing tragedy to affect our people. This attack at the marketplace may be only the *first* of many. More dead men, woman, even elders and children. All in your hands, because omission can draw *more* blood than a blade or bullet ever will. Something, I believe, Mel Medarda did not know, or knew and didn't ever tell you, when she put you in such a position."

The Gray Lady then rose from the chair, walking close to Jayce's chair.

"Any honest intent you had or not, you are *still* a Councillor, mister Talis. And a Councillor, especially in these times, is supposed to be a mountain, a bulwark and shelter against the coming storm. And yet, looking at you now, anyone would see naught but a *pebble* - to be kicked around. It's time you took your *own* decisions, despite what others will think, or a pebble you'll remain.", Camille said. "It is on you, now, mister Talis.", she walked past the chair, and a few metallic clicks were heard before Jayce heard a door open and then close a bit later.

He was alone, but there was no quiet for him, so much in the exterior noises as well as the ones on his head, a result of all these revelations. He tried to think on something, anything.

And yet, he could only remember the scenes. The faces.

'I remember the first time I saw you at the Academy. You reminded me of myself.'

In one part, Camille was lying, she HAD to be lying.

'We can't change what fate has in store for us, but... we don't have to face it alone.'

Mel wouldn't just use him like that, her feelings for him did feel genuine, as if she cared about him. She stood there for him, close to him, backing him up be it at the Council, keeping other people off his back and providing emotional support through this hard times.

'If you're going to change the world... don't ask for permission.'

Viktor was pretty much of a brother to him, almost a twin soul. He literally owed him his life at that fateful night, and even helped him tune the finer points of Hextech development, even though he was always the most reserved, something Jayce felt his partner deserved more attention... which he indeed did, when the precarious conditions of the Undercity started catching up to him...

'Since when did you concern yourself for the Council's opinion?'

Caitlyn and Vi, even if they knew the one whom robbed the Academy along with Viktor, must have had their reasons for not telling. And Viktor himself, he had to be desperate for the acts he did, it was *his* life at stake...

'You didn't have a choice. He knew what he was signing up for.'

That Vi, herself, she knew what was at stake, for her and the city, to have fought as hard as she had, trying to make things right, apparently for the right reasons. So much so that she indeed supported him with taking action, even if the Council wouldn't want it...

'...if you won't accept certain realities, I fear you'll end up like General Parlec: Slaughtered, with your eyes closed.'

And yet, the other part of his mind debated in fervor otherwise, and he couldn't know why.

'The Medardas usually take from the world.'

Mel *indeed* became interested in Jayce after she knew about his research on Hextech... something that indeed granted her an advantage to be exploited and a reason to help him and Viktor that fateful night...

'No great science should ever put lives in danger.'

And then, approaching further and further, even elevating him to the Council and helping *oust* Heimerdinger... But Heimerdinger knew why he was casted out. He wanted to be rid of the Hex Core, the one thing that could've saved Viktor. In fact, almost *everything* related to Hextech, even when Jayce was researching it just on his own, Heimerdinger was fiercely against it. If it were up to the Councillor, Viktor would have died!

'Hextech is to improve lives, no-not to take them!'

And Viktor... he almost *did* die, and to the Hex Core he was obssessed with in such an unhealty manner. The same Core he *told* Jayce to destroy. But then he changed, and not only he wanted that thing again, he did *run away* and even broke and stole the Hexclaw for it.

This wasn't him, not the Viktor he knew! Even with the disagreement to use Hextech for defensive systems, also brought up by Mel...

'Perhaps it's time for a more radical solution...'

Something that indeed *would* grant her the greatest of leverages if she made a monopoly of it, much as he just charged Camille and her House for it... Just as Mel was doing those agreements at the concert, with the other Councillors...

Could it be that... that Camille's words woke him up to it? Was he *that* much blind to notice? Because what Camille recounted as Mel's doings - including such a quick, sudden rising in social status to include direct influence on politics and the gradual approach, even affectious and intimate - did indeed made sense, and he wasn't liking it...

'Your name's no good now...'

And then, Caitlyn... she indeed *had* been acting quite off. In fact, more off than the rebellious misfit whom often defied her parents, seeking adventure, to make a difference, to dive into danger, she was that even before the attack on the Council.

Then for her to withhold information from a Councillor himself, whom even *invited her* to assist him, almost being like a brother... She even tried to cover it up, right there, on his face! What did she think? That he suddenly would march with a *hundred enforcers* on his back to whomever stole the Hex Core and Hextech with Viktor?

'You were always a part of this, you just never had to look it in the eye!'

In fact, it kind of started after Caitlyn was seen with... her.

Vi, the supposed trencher girl, whom he later learned was a convict from Stilwater. *She* had been putting Caitlyn into the places her parents always tried to keep her away from. Doing things Caitlyn wasn't *supposed* to do. Like keeping things from him a secret... But then, the people of the Undercity were always the unpredictable, dangerous kind, if the trouble at the Bridge, the fight with Silco's thugs and now this chemical strike were any indication...

In fact, he should've known better - going behind the Council's back, even treating that kid's death callously, she couldn't have just ended up in Stillwater for nothing! Could she?

This other part of his mind worked overtime.

'Jayce, you forget yourself.'

'After everything we accomplished, Jayce...'

'Navigating this current crisis requires expertise you lack.'

'What am I saying, of course you weren't thinking!'

'We barely scratched the surface!'

'I will have it destroyed, one way or another!'

'One dead kid? There's hundreds more where he came from, thanks to Silco, and thanks to people like you who stuck their heads in the dirt!'

'Watch what you've been washing your hands on, ever since you've sat on that chair.'

'There is ALWAYS a choice!'

The images just flooded, as did the *consequences*.

Heimerdinger's look of betrayal. Viktor's sick condition. The violence of the fissurefolk. The Councillors roaring at him before the bombardment when he proposed that Zaun be independant. The explosion. Viktor's disappointed looks after the event. Mel and her mother constantly bickering. The Academy raided, most of his and Viktor's works gone. And, not hours ago, that scene on that marketplace. All those whom fell.

Just like that dead kid at the Shimmer factory raid.

It's as if he felt *every* decision of his indeed had led up to all this, which culminated in that place. In that moment.

Every choice to try to cater to someone or everyone. Mel forming a passage to Hextech to all others through her and him... The Councillors and Merchant Nobles wanting something be done on the Undercity and it's rising rebellion... Ambessa Medarda demanding action, as the enforcers did, Vi provoking him into it. Heimerdinger asking for patience with Hextech research as Viktor asked for help to finish the Hex Core by any means, even *illegal* trips to the Undercity. Everyone pulling him to different directions.

Or kicking, for that matter. Like a pebble.

Was that all there was for him, ALL that he was?

It was just too much for him. He wasn't sure, and that frightened him. He didn't know. Maybe Mel was geniune in her feelings for him, maybe Caitlyn and Vi indeed had a good cause to hide it all out. Maybe Viktor just needed some time before he recanted and returned to Jayce.

He *had* to find out. He had to know, he was through being *so kept out of the loop*, so tied up to doing nothing, and terrible things happening *even* if he didn't lift a finger...

Maybe Mel would later forgive him, maybe Caitlyn and Vi would see through his decisions. Maybe Viktor would understand why Jayce did what he did.

But he knew he couldn't do it there, not like that, not in that state.

"Lady Camille!", he called, loud, the voice reaching the whole room. "Lady Camille!", he called louder.

The door clicked.

Notes:

And this is it. The board is set, the pieces placed, the game begins at about the next episode. Time to thus wrap it in preparation for our Act 5, I'm pretty sure it'll be quite satisfactory to your bloody desires and angsts.

Ready yourselves.