Jayce
The garden was a breathtaking display of beauty. The gentle autumn breeze shook the branches causing a tumbling cascade of yellow, red, and orange waves. Each leaf carried past the sea-gazing cliffside and entering an untold journey. The gentle waves crashed on the sharp cliffside and kicked up salt into the air eliciting a rich tangy smell.
Jayce stood among the mourners, clad in somber black. Nobles from across Piltover filled the seats, their murmured conversations fading as the muted trumpets signaled the start of the ceremony. His seat, just behind the Kirammans, offered an unobstructed view of the aisle as the pallbearers appeared, the closed casket borne between them.
An honor guard of enforcers flanked the procession. Each removing their helmet and bowing their head in respect as the casket made its way down to the display. With well-rehearsed grace, the pallbearers gently laid the casket down on the dais. Each stood straight and unflinching.
"About, face!" The baritone voice of one of the enforcers commanded. The pallbearers all turned around with dedicated precision. "Forward, march!" All stepped away leaving the casket bathed in sunlight.
In front of Jayce Cassandra Kiramman tersely walked up to the podium. Her gait was composed but tense. Her hands gripped the podium knuckles turning white as she gathered her thoughts and began the Eulogy.
"Sherrif Grayson was the best of us. An example that we could only dream to live up too. In my early years as a counselor, still reeling from the lost of my mother. She consoled me. Guided me to an honorable path. She wasn't the Sherrif but you could see, no feel her dedication to our safety and prosperity. "
Cassandra paused and you could here the held breath from the auudience. All looked to the head of house Kiramman expectant. Many broke into sobs and a quiet mumur began In assembled crowd at seeing one of their leader's hesitance.
"They say that funerals are for the living but. Let's dedicate this one to a great woman. A leader and mentor."
Heads bowed in mournful unison with only the ocean breeze stirring the tiniest of sounds from the fallen leaves and shaken trees.
The ceremony was brief was respectful. Eulogies from many noble houses speaking on the bravery, dedication, and stalwartness of Sherrif Grayson. Hearts were moved as political enemies consoled each other. The memories of the Sherrif investigating the explosion were still fresh in Jayce's mind. The shocking announcement of her death shocking the entirety of Pilltover. To think that such a public figure would be so brashly murdered on the streets. Jayce shook his head and centered his thoughts. He was preoccupied for one person however, Caitlyn.
She sat unnervingly still in the front row as Jayce approached her. Eyes downcast and hands clasped together squirming under her gaze.
"Caitlyn. How. How are you doing?" Jayce asked, the words timidly escaping his lips.
As if broken from a trance Caitlyn looked up. Her face shaken and lip slightly trembled but she maintained her composure as best she could. Just like her mother.
"I miss her Jayce." Caitlyn whispered.
Jayce reached out and brushed his hand on her shoulder.
"We all do."
Caitlyn looked up at Jayce a tinge of anger in laced in her eyes. "How could this happen Jayce?!." Her hands trembled as she gripped a fistful of her dress. Jayce
"Zaun isn't like topside. It's dangerous." Jayce whispered.
Caitlyn scoffed, "You just went down there!" Her outburst attracting the attention of those around them quieting the two friends for a spell. Jayce let out a heavy sigh. His heart ached and his shoulders felt heavy.
"I'm not the Sherrif."
Caitlyn looked to Jayce. Her eyes steadier than before. "I'm going to become an enforcer. I'll keep everyone safe. Stop…. This from ever happening again."
"What about your mom?" Jayce gently asked.
Caitlyn scoffed. "Its my life. I won't let her stop me from doing this."
The authorative and regal voice of Cassandra Kiramman sounded behind Jayce. "Are you trying to influence me before the council's decision by speaking to my daughter?"
Jayce scoffed and stood up before turning to the Councilor. "No. I'm just consoling a friend during a funeral."
"He's not talking about Hextech mother." Caitlyn spoke as she rose from her seat her face defiant.
"Jayce is my friend I can speak to him if I want too."
"Mmm is that so? Its unbecoming for the scion of our house to speak to someone who had just recently been kicked out of the Academy." She turned to Jayce. "While your fate is to be redecided following your projects…. Success. I suggest you restrain yourself beforehand."
"Moth-." Caitlyn began fists clenched her knuckled white with anger. She was quickly interrupted by Jayce, hoping to ease the moment. "I meant no offense Councilor. I'll be going now." He looked to Caitlyn. "Take care. I'm sorry for the Sherriff. She was a good woman." Jayce quickly turned not even waiting for Caitlyn to respond.
Cassandra was right. His fate was still up in the air who knew if the council would rescind his expulsion and allow research to continue. He knew Heimerdinger didn't approve. It wouldn't help to add another councilor to that list. He was so caught up in his thoughts he nearly bumped into Viktor.
"Ah Jayce. I was looking for you. Is everything ok? I saw you speaking with the Councilor and things seemed to get a bit heated." He said leaning on his cane.
"Its fine. I was just talking to Cait before she walked up. She's devastated by what happened." Jayce said letting out a large breath.
"As are we all. She was a good woman" Viktor paused for a second before looking over the cliffside. On the other side laid Zaun. "The undercity has become more unstable following her death. Its turning into chaos over there."
Jayce clenched a fist and looked to Viktor. "Which is why we need to win our case!" He grasped Viktor's shoulder and looked at his new partner his face steeled with determination. "Come on let's go. We should plan our opening statement." The two partners left the funeral eager to begin preparations for their trial.
It had been days since the funeral and Jayce tugged at his collar, taking care not to undo his tie. He sighed heavily and looked down at his suit patting away any wrinkles.
"Jayce you look fine." Viktor said. The two waited right outside the council chambers. The long expensive ceiling high windows a brilliant showcase of the powerful mercantile clans. The vibrant light a stark contrast to what awaited inside the council chambers.
Jayce turned to Viktor. "You ready?" He asked.
Viktor smiled. "As ready as I'll ever be."
An enforcer walked up to the two of them. "The council is ready for you two."
The massive doors opened and the gaping opening awaited the pair. The two took a step forward and entered the council chambers. The inside was almost pitch black with only a beam of light illuminating the two as they stood awaiting their judgement. In the shadows the hidden shades of their audience quietly whispered and stood with rapt attention at Jayce's retrial.
Jayce and Viktor walked forward to the middle of the large round desk where each councilor sat. A small bit of silence welcomed them as the entire room quieted down and waited in baited breath.
"Jayce Talis. You find yourself before the council once more. This time with a partner." Councilor Kierraman began. "You are being retried for your experiments on 'hextech,' trespass on academy grounds, and disregard of the council's judgement."
Heimerdinger used this moment to speak up. "Not only did you violate the Ethos but your blatant disregard for this council's decision could have led to untold damage. You endangered us all!" A murmur echoed from the crowd.
Jayce briefly glanced at Viktor and offered him a single nod before stepping forward.
"Councilmembers I did willingly ignore your judgement to pursue Hextech but look at what we accomplished! Viktor and myself did what no one could ever dream of doing. For the first time non mages harnessed magic! Think of the possibilities that come next. We can create clean power for the entire city with this new technology! Portable generation for tools to help us harvest natural resources. Viktor and myself even theorize hexgates! Transportation devices to allow an airship to reach its destination in a sliver of the time it takes! Imagine the trading possibilities when our ships arrive not in weeks but in minutes. I ask this council to please reevaluate their past judgement and think to our future as great city."
The council remained silent. Each member mulled over his speech, a tingle of greed evident at Jayce's mention of trade. Heimedinger was the first to break the silence.
"At what cost however? Harnessing the arcane is not free." The yordle clasped his hands together.
Mel turned to the professor. "Councilor. Would you not argue that innovation and inventions are made to push boundaries. Not only that but our two inventors stand before us. Unharmed."
Tormal Hoskel spoke next. "Not only that but the possibility of improved trade can make Piltover prosper."
"A valuable observation councilor." Mel responded. "I move that we rescind our previous decision of expulsion and allow continued research into hextech."
"Does anyone else have anything to add?" Cassandra asked as she scanned the faces of the other councilors. "Nothing? Then let's put this to a vote. All in favor for Councilor Medarda's motion."
Councilors Medarda, Kirraman, Hoskel, Shoola, and eventually with great reluctance Heimerdinger all voted in Jayce and Vikor's favor.
"With 5 in favor Jayce Talis is now reinstated to the Academy. This council is adjourned" Mel finished. Jayce and Viktor looked at each other with wide smiles. The mechanical ceiling retreated in clockwork fashion allowing the sun's rays to blanket the previously dark chambers.
The onlookers retreated to their normal lives as they began to leave in a steady stream. Heimerdinger approached the pair arms clasped behind his back. He looked down on the ground before looking at Viktor and Jayce.
"While I am disappointed at your actions Viktor, I can't help but wonder at the innovative potential of Hextech. Gentleman." Heimerdinger layered a shrewd look on Jayce and Viktor. "Please be safe in your pursuit if this new technology. You are delving into the unknown. To have non-mages manipulate the arcane is no simple feat. Promise me you will be cautious."
Jayce looked at the aged professor. Normally so full of life an aura of uncertainty permeated from his small frame.
"Professor. I swear to you. We will be responsible. We just want to aid Piltover and Zaun with hextech."
Heimerdinger nodded seemingly satisfied at his pledge. He spun around and began to steadily walk to the exit before halting and glancing back at the two scientists.
"You two are braver than me. You willingly venture into the unknown in pursuit of knowledge. I sincerely hope you return unscathed."
The esteemed Professor, the founder of Piltover left the two.
The dark night was pierced with a flash of blue. It was as if the sun was made manifest outside the sole occupied building at the Academy. The campus was empty, all of its students done for the day with their friends and family.
"Increase the isolation field's polarity. Let's see if we can crank out more power out of the crystal." The laboratory was a jungle of wires crisscrossed all over two machines. On top of one floated a hexcrystal vibrantly pulsing blue and tinging the air with the distinct smell of ozone. Viktor slowly lifted a lever and a field apparated before the two scientists' eyes. Jayce and Viktor looked at each other eyes wide underneath their protective goggles. Jayce glanced down at the indicator in his hands. The power gauge, for the first time, indicated a charge. Their invention was generating power!
"It's working Viktor! We have a current!" Jayce yelled. He quickly went down and started scribbling his observations as he walked over to Viktor. Viktor was a blur of activity despite his weak leg. He moved from lever to dial calibrating and adjusting each individual component.
"Ok. I think its stable. Time to get more power." Viktor said as he began carefully spinning a dial. Jayce's hand was relentless jotting down each variable. The power outage increased, the dial reaching 24 kilowatts and then 25. The light connected to the machine flickered for a moment.
The crystal cracked. Gravity left the room for a second. The crystal's visible field violently pushed outwards and sent the two scientists careening into the walls. The crystal fell down to the ground dead and powerless before a small blue ember flickered alive inside of it again.
Jayce groaned in pain and shakily stood up. He looked around the room before finding Viktor and rushing to his side.
"Viktor! are you alright?" Jayce asked hands brushing his shoulder. Viktor let out a small cough.
"I'm fine. Thank you." Jayce helped Viktor stand up and letting him sit on a previously overturned chair.
"It happened again. How is it every time we reach a viable power generation level the field destabilizes?"
Jayce opened his notes and laid the book on Viktor's lap.
"I saw something new. Look here." Jayce pointed down at the crystal's vibration frequencies. "Do you notice it?"
Viktor scrutinized each number before his eyes widened. "It's a pattern. A distinct pattern emerges right before the polarity field suddenly implodes."
Jayce nodded. "It's not just that look at this." Jayce flips the page and then begins copying each number. The numbers where each a string of ones and zeroes each group of frequency readings broken up by zeroes. Viktor reeled back as if struck, his hands shakily reached out to grab the notes. He could barely reread them with his hands shaking.
"Is something trying to speak to us?" He whispered.
Jayce locked eyes with Viktor, tense but curious. "I think the arcane is trying to reach out."
A short chapter. I estimate that Act 1 will be around 4 more chapters before we have a time skip. Just want to close out a couple of arcs and set up the main conflicts. I'm going to attempt to finish them in 2 weeks because I'm going to be radio silent for 3 months after.