She focused on the entity approaching her. It was an enormous ball of darkness, making a high-pitched buzzing sound that threatened to burst her eardrums. It was almost unbearable, deafening her, as if it contained the curses of all those trapped inside it.
I would say I'm sorry, but you don't care about that, do you?
As the hate-filled being moved closer and closer to her, it slowed down, growing in size and encircling her much like the mist did. She increased the pressure with which she held the scarf in her hand.
"Take me if you wish. You have every right to do so. There is no power in this world that could bring you back to life. That could undo the suffering I caused for those you left behind."
The entity enveloped her like a swarm of bees, ready to start stinging, only she knew that unlike regular ones, these would never stop. They would have gladly tortured her until the end of time and even beyond, sinking their dark poison into her body and rejoicing in her pains. Even then, it wouldn't be a fair trade for all that I took from them.
"But if you decide to give me a chance, then I will do everything in my power to atone for it."
The entity stopped.
"I will search for them. All those who I wronged by taking you away from them. Those that I can still reach, and those that I can't. No matter where they are, how far they traveled and what they are doing. I will find every last one of them. And I will make it up to them, no matter how much time and effort it takes."
The entity pulled back from around her, changing shape. Its form started to resemble a human — one that was faceless, featureless and emotionless, but human nevertheless. It towered over her with its elongated limbs, tilting its head, as if waiting for her to continue.
"I will come forward to all of them. Those who have lost their home, I will help to find a new one. Those who have lost their drive, I will help to reignite it. Those who have lost their will to live, I will stop from joining you. And those who want nothing to do with me… I will support from the shadows."
The entity's features became clearer as she spoke. Soon, its height decreased to match hers, its face became rounder, its limbs more slender.
"So that you may finally rest, knowing that your loved ones can be at peace with your passing. That you may be free from the darkness of my own making that imprisons you here."
A hole opened where its mouth was supposed to be, only a shade lighter than its body, with red liquid spilling out of it. Their blood, on my hands. The hole grew sideways as if the entity was grinning. It grew hair, as dark as its body, but clearly recognizable — two long braids on each side.
It's me. Who… what I was when I killed them.
The entity held out its hand towards Jinx, making her recoil in fear, taking a few steps backwards, almost touching the mist.
No. No more running.
She stopped and walked back towards it — towards herself — ready to face its judgment. It placed its hand on her neck, spectral fingers wrapping themselves around her throat one by one.
I guess it's time. I'll break my promise after all.
The hand strengthened its grip and started to squeeze harder and harder, until she could barely breathe anymore. She was sure she could hear Isha from behind, trying to call out to her.
I'm sorry, Ekko. I'm sorry, Vi. I'm sorry, everyone.
She closed her eyes waiting for the end, for it to finally snap her neck and throw her down into the abyss, for it to have its vengeance upon her. But for a long while, it seemed to feel content watching her struggle for air. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she noticed something strange.
The buzzing stopped.
She felt the pressure around her throat ease as the entity let go of her. Panting, she noticed that the blood stopped spilling from its mouth as the hole on its face closed. It crouched down, placing its hand on Jinx's belly, moving it around in a circular fashion.
To her, it felt almost… gentle.
And as suddenly as it appeared, the entity dispersed. The swarm that took her shape separated into multiple forms, shifting in color to the same green that dominated the land of the dead, each forming a person's body, slowly taking up a unique appearance.
All the people I have wronged.
Soon enough, she started recognizing them.
Enforcers who she killed on her rampages throughout Piltover.
Hooligans who she took out in the gang wars of Zaun.
Innocents who accidentally got caught up in all of her deeds.
And the three councilors, Torman Hoskel, Irius Bolbok and Cassandra Kiramman.
There were close to fifty of them in total, floating around her, examining her. She stood there, taking in their faces, engraving them in her memory, making sure not to miss a single one.
"I won't fail. I swear it on my life. If I do, then I will come back to you with my head held high, and I'll gladly join you in oblivion for eternity. I can't make this right, but I beg of you, let me at least ease the pain."
Let me try to tip the scales.
She looked into Cassandra's eyes as the spirits gave their answer in unison.
"Do not forget your words. We will be waiting."