Arcane: the Monster of Zaun

Claggor sifted through a pile of blueprints near the edge of the workbench, letting out a low whistle as he uncovered a metal banner draped over the table. The intricate designs caught the dim light, and his fingers traced the embossed lettering with fascination. "How can anyone have so much stuff?" he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Simple," Mylo quipped from across the room, holding up a strange object with a triumphant smirk. "Just get born lucky."

Vi turned, still examining a bronze contraption she had plucked from the shelves. Her sharp eyes landed on Powder, who was crouched by a stack of books near the far wall. "Keep an eye out for anything that looks valuable, Powder," she said firmly, tossing the bronze piece into her bag. "Before Mylo fills the bag with junk."

"Hey!" Mylo protested, waving the object in question, which turned out to be a functional nose hair trimmer. He eyed it skeptically, then shrugged and tossed it onto the ground as if it were worthless.

While the others continued rummaging, Powder wandered further along the shelves, her fingers brushing over an array of dusty objects. Something bright caught her eye—a small, intricately decorated carousel horse toy nestled between the books. She picked it up carefully, her blue eyes wide with delight as she turned it over in her hands.

Claggor, still busy sorting through the banner and its contents, chuckled softly. "This guy's got more stuff than the whole undercity combined."

"Must be nice to not have to scavenge," Derek muttered, standing near the doorway. He hadn't moved much, his focus split between the group and the muffled sounds of the Enforcers patrolling below. His heightened hearing picked up faint voices, but they seemed far enough away for now.

Powder's attention was drawn to a small object on a higher shelf—a beautifully jeweled Valdiani music box with sapphire inlays. She carefully reached for it, her hands trembling slightly as she pressed the button on top. The lid opened with a faint click, and soft, melodic notes filled the air as a bronze and gold-plated star spun inside.

"Whoa," Powder whispered, mesmerized.

"Yeah?" Mylo said from across the room, holding up another item with a grin. "What about this?"

Mylo says holding the same nose hair trimmer, now buzzing faintly as he tested it against his finger.

Vi appeared from the edge of the room, fixing him with an exasperated glare. "Seriously? Keep looking for stuff that's actually worth something."

Powder quickly closed the music box, tucking it into her bag as Vi's voice softened.

"Good find, Pow," Vi said with a small smile. "But keep moving—we don't want to waste too much time here."

Mylo tossed the buzzing tool over his shoulder with a groan, shaking his head as he moved to another section of the room.

As the others stayed busy extracting items, Powder's curiosity got the better of her. She spotted a doorway leading to another room and slipped through it quietly, her small frame barely making a sound.

Derek, who had been keeping watch, caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. His golden eyes narrowed as he straightened. "Powder," he called softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

She didn't respond, already focused on the new treasures that awaited her.

Derek sighed, glancing toward the group. "I'll keep an eye on her," he said to Vi, who waved him off distractedly.

Entering the next room, Derek kept close behind Powder, his claws flexing slightly at his sides. The room was darker, with faint beams of moonlight filtering through a high window. Powder hummed to herself as she explored, her fingers brushing over the spines of books stacked precariously on the shelves.

"Powder," Derek said again, his tone cautious. "We don't have time for this."

"Relax," she replied, pulling a small gold trinket from one of the shelves and slipping it into her pouch. "Just a couple more things. Look at this place, Derek—it's amazing!"

Derek sighed, his eyes flicking toward the workshop door they'd entered through. He could still hear the faint murmur of Enforcers outside, and his heightened senses kept him on edge.

"You're going to get us caught," he muttered, his voice low.

Powder ignored him, her attention drawn to a small blue plate on a nearby table. She gasped softly, her eyes lighting up as she spotted two freshly made sandwiches sitting on the plate.

"Woo-hoo!" Powder cheered, grabbing one of the sandwiches without hesitation and taking a big bite.

Derek turned, startled by the sudden noise. "Powder, are you serious?" he hissed, stepping closer. "Keep it down!"

Powder grinned at him, her cheeks puffed out with food. "Mm," she mumbled through a mouthful. "You want the other one?"

"No," Derek said flatly, though his stomach growled faintly. He crossed his arms, standing near the doorway to keep watch as Powder happily munched away.

As Powder finished the last bite of her sandwich, her eyes caught the edge of some blueprints partially hidden beneath the blue plate. Curious, she tugged them free, her brow furrowing as she studied the intricate sketches of strange devices and mechanisms.

"What's this?" she whispered to herself.

The faint hum of mysterious music seemed to fill the air as her gaze shifted to a sturdy chest sitting on the desk nearby. The chest was unlike anything she had ever seen, its surface etched with swirling patterns and mechanical components. Powder reached out to lift it, but it barely budged under her small hands.

"Huh," she muttered, glancing around for a way to open it.

After fiddling with one of the dials on the side, she heard a soft click followed by a low rattling noise. The chest's lid slowly creaked open, revealing a faint blue glow from within. Powder's gray eyes widened as she saw what lay inside: four crystalline orbs, each radiating a strange, almost otherworldly light.

"Whoa," Powder breathed, her voice barely audible.

Behind her, Derek stood near the doorway, his gaze darting between the hallway and Powder. The faint hum of the crystals caught his attention, drawing him closer despite his instincts screaming at him to be cautious.

"What is it?" he asked, stepping up beside Powder.

"Look," she whispered, pulling one of the crystals from its snug resting place. The asymmetrical orb caught the light, sending faint reflections of its glow dancing across the walls.

As Powder held it closer, her gray irises seemed to shimmer with a faint blue hue, mirroring the crystal's glow. Derek frowned, his golden eyes narrowing as a strange, almost familiar sensation washed over him. He reached into the chest and carefully picked up another crystal.

The moment his fingers brushed against its surface, a faint hum vibrated through his body. It wasn't unpleasant—if anything, it felt oddly natural, like the distant pull of the moon on his soul. But it also felt dangerous, as though the energy within the crystal could snap free at any moment.

"These things…" Derek muttered, studying the orb in his hand. "They're not normal. We shouldn't mess with them."

Powder glanced at him, her excitement undimmed. "They're amazing! Imagine what we could do with these!"

Before Derek could respond, his ears twitched, catching the faint sound of voices. He stiffened, tilting his head slightly as he listened intently. The chatter grew louder, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching the door to the workshop.

"Powder," Derek said sharply, his voice low.

"What?" she asked, still transfixed by the crystal in her hand.

"Someone's coming," Derek hissed, grabbing her hand. "We need to go. Now."

"But—"

"No buts!" Derek growled, pulling her toward the doorway.

Powder scrambled to grab two more crystals, stuffing them into her bag as Derek dragged her out of the room. Her small hands clutched tightly to the strap of her bag, the faint glow of the crystals barely visible through the fabric.

Derek led Powder quickly but quietly back to the others in the main workshop. The distant chatter outside grew clearer, and the faint thud of approaching footsteps made his claws flex instinctively.

Vi looked up as they entered, her expression sharp. "What's going on?"

"Someone's coming," Derek said, his tone urgent. "They're close."

Mylo froze mid-motion, the wrench in his hand dropping to the workbench with a soft clang. "Enforcers?"

"Probably," Derek replied. "We need to move."

Claggor grabbed his pack, his face tense. "What about the haul?"

Vi's jaw tightened as she scanned the room. "Grab what you've got and get ready to move. Powder, what did you find?"

Powder hesitated, glancing at Derek before pulling one of the crystals from her bag. "These," she said softly, holding it up.

Vi's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly shook her head. "We'll figure it out later. Let's go!

As the group hurriedly secured their loot, the muffled voice of a man called out from beyond the locked entrance.

"Hello?" the voice echoed, tinged with a mix of confusion and concern. "Is someone in there?"

The group froze for a brief second, exchanging wide-eyed glances. Derek tensed, his claws flexing as he turned toward the sound.

The voice grew louder, more frantic. "I can hear you! Open this door!"

The faint jostling of the doorknob quickly turned into loud banging as Jayce's desperation mounted. On the other side of the door, Jayce stood with Caitlyn at his side.

"It's locked," Caitlyn observed, her sharp eyes narrowing. She noticed a chair wedged against the knob, holding the door firmly in place.

"Someone's in there," Jayce muttered, his voice filled with urgency. He threw his weight against the door, the hinges rattling violently.

Inside the workshop, Vi whispered urgently to the group, "We'll be fine. Just get back on the roof. Now!"

Claggor hoisted his pack onto his back, his movements hurried but precise. Mylo stuffed a handful of tools into his bag, muttering under his breath. Powder clutched her bag tightly, her heart pounding in her chest as Derek ushered her toward the window.

"You first," Derek said, his voice steady despite the tension in his posture.

Powder hesitated but nodded, and began climbing, her small frame disappearing into the shadows of the rooftop.

Vi motioned for the rest to follow. "Go!" she hissed.

Claggor went next, followed by Mylo. Derek lingered, his sharp hearing picking up the loud crack of wood splintering as Jayce forced the door open.

"Vi, come on," Derek urged.

Vi nodded. Derek followed last, his claws scraping against the edge of the balcony as he hoisted himself up.

Jayce burst into the workshop just as Derek's shadow disappeared over the rooftop edge. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the chaos: shelves overturned, tools scattered, and several missing items glaringly obvious from the empty spaces they left behind.

"They've been here," Jayce said breathlessly, his voice tight with panic.

Caitlyn stepped in behind him, her sharp gaze scanning the room. "Looks like they cleared out fast." She moved toward the open balcony door, peering into the night. "Jayce, over here."

Jayce joined her, his eyes narrowing as he spotted movement in the distance. Five silhouetted figures darted across a rooftop, their distinct features blurred by the sun and distance.

"There," Caitlyn said, pointing toward the fleeing group.

Jayce leaned out over the balcony railing, his voice rising in alarm. "Stop them! There's been a robbery!

Below, Enforcers stationed at the perimeter immediately snapped to attention. Jayce gestured wildly toward the rooftops, his voice carrying over the commotion. "They're getting away! Up there!"

The Enforcers wasted no time, their boots thudding heavily against the cobblestone as they rushed alongside the buildings the group is hopping.

Vi led the group across the rooftops, her movements quick and precise as she navigated the narrow ledges and slippery tiles. Derek stayed close behind Powder, his golden eyes glancing back to ensure the others were keeping pace.

Violet's expression hardens as she whispers a curse under her breath. "Shit." as she spots the Enforcers closing in.

The sound of a loud, shrill train horn echoes across the city, signaling the activation of the alarm. The sound reverberates through the streets, alerting more officers to the robbery. Violet grimaces as she hears the honking sound.

"Go! Go!" Vi orders as she dashes away from the scene, pushing her group to keep moving.

The group races down an alley in the heart of Piltover, the wet streets splashing under their boots as they charge through the waterlogged ground. The sounds of the officers chasing them are growing louder—three Enforcers close behind.

 An Enforcer shouts "Stop right there!" and hurls a non-lethal grenade towards the group, its sophisticated design rolling toward the group, but the grenade veers off course, clanging against a lamppost before rolling harmlessly to the side. "Get them!" he shouts one more time frustrated that he missed.

The group races through the streets, darting past the tall buildings that tower over them. As they pass through the main square of Piltover, the camera pulls back to show the city's magnificent architecture, with the Zindelo's Incognium in the background.

Powder's voice rises in fear, "They're still coming!" as she glances back toward the Enforcers, her heart pounding in her chest.

The four boys hustle down a staircase, scrambling down the steps, but Derek is the first to leap over the railings, his enhanced speed and agility letting him clear the gap effortlessly. His claws scraped against the banister as he landed lightly on his feet.

Claggor and Mylo follow suit, with Mylo performing an awkward but quick slide down the stair railing to the ground below.

The chaos continues as Mylo's clumsy misstep causes a non-lethal grenade to clatter near Powder's feet. It makes a sharp metallic clack, causing her to freeze momentarily as it rolls across the ground.

Suddenly, two more Enforcers appear on a bridge overhead, having spotted the group. They shout down, joining the chase.

"Down there! You can't get away!" an enforcer shouts.

The group moves quickly, nearly crossing the bascule bridge that leads between Piltover and Zaun. The tension is palpable as the bridge begins to rise to allow a ship to pass underneath.

"Jump!" Vi shouts, spotting the opening.

Derek, always ready, sprints ahead, using his enhanced strength to leap across the widening gap of the bridge with a single powerful jump. His claws barely skim the surface as he lands on the other side.

"I'm going!" She follows suit, her heart racing in her chest as she clears the gap.

 "Let's go!" mylo calls, propelling himself off the edge with a wild leap.

 "I'm right behind you!" Claggor jumps just as the bridge begins to open fully.

The group continues to run through a neighborhood barely touched by the Enforcers, weaving between buildings as Violet leads the way. She turns a sharp corner, leading the group toward a narrow alley that the Enforcers have difficulty following.

"This way!" Vi calls, pushing forward through the tight passage.

"Keep going!" they hear from behind.

Mylo, behind the group, fumbles a bit, still panting heavily from the chase. An Enforcer tries to grab his arm but misses, tripping on a loose cobblestone.

Violet crashes into the wall as she goes through another tight alley, with Powder grunting as she follows closely behind. Mylo and Claggor, less agile than the rest, struggle but push through. Derek stays at the back, his senses sharp as ever, scanning the surroundings to make sure they're not followed.

Claggor: "This is insane!" Claggor

Violet: (Glancing back) "It's the only way."

Mylo: (Shouting ahead) "Go, go, go!"

As they enter another narrow alley, Violet knocks over a series of bronze pipes connected to hot water, letting the steam shoot out in all directions. The Enforcers following them are momentarily distracted by the billowing steam, allowing the group to slip through a secret opening in a grating.

"Not again." Mylo groans, glancing down at his dirty shirt. "I just got this clean!" while Making a disgusted face.

"really? What about me I'm the one with the enchanted smelling and you don't see me complaining about it. I'm really gonna throw up." Derek say and mutters the last part for himself.

"Just go, Mylo!" says VI while kicking him down the pipe.

The group slides into the drain system, and Derek, keeping up with their pace, helps Powder as they slide down the slippery pipe, the gunk from the old system coating their clothes. Derek's enhanced strength lets him slide down without losing speed, and he catches Powder at the end, making sure she doesn't fall too hard.

"Wheee!" powder screams.

The group lands in a massive landfill, rolling and tumbling through the muck.

"Thought last time was the last time we were gonna do this." Mylo says groaning.

"Well, this time's the last time." VI says sighing in relief.

their bodies coated in grime and waste as they tumbled into the massive landfill. Derek hit the ground with a soft thud, his claws scraping against the hard surface as he steadied himself. But the moment his senses hit the air, a wave of disgust surged through him. The stench of rotten refuse, decaying food, and chemicals hit him like a punch to the gut.

He gagged, his heightened sense of smell amplifying every rotten detail of the surroundings. His stomach churned, and his golden eyes flashed as he fought the urge to throw up. The smell was almost unbearable—far worse than anything he had encountered in Zaun before. The damp, metallic stench of the landfill seeped into his nostrils, making him feel like his insides were going to revolt.

Derek clenched his jaw, trying to keep himself composed as he breathed shallowly through his mouth. His claws flexed, the urge to run or react violently tugging at him. He forced himself to look away from the disgusting surroundings, his vision blurring slightly as he steadied himself.

"Derek?" Powder's voice echoed in his ear, worried. She had landed softly behind him, and her curious eyes were on him, noticing the strain on his face.

He quickly straightened, wiping the sweat from his brow, his breathing more shallow than normal. "I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice was tight with the effort. He swallowed hard, willing himself not to give in. The stench was overwhelming, but he refused to show weakness. Not in front of the others.

Vi, Claggor, and Mylo had already started making their way out of the landfill, but Derek could tell they hadn't noticed his struggle.

"Derek, you good?" Mylo called, glancing back with a grin.

Derek forced a smile, though his stomach still rolled. "Yeah. Just—uh, just need a second."

Vi raised an eyebrow, looking over at him. She didn't need to ask what was wrong—her sharp eyes had already caught the way he was holding his breath.

"Let's keep moving, then," she said, her voice steady and without judgment.

Derek nodded and followed after the group, each step a little harder than the last. As they made their way toward the exit of the landfill, Derek focused on his breathing, the gagging sensation still lingering in the back of his throat. It took everything in him not to cough or let the others see how bad it really was. But with each step forward, the air seemed to improve just slightly, and soon the worst of the smell faded into the background.

As they exited into a quieter part of the city, Derek took a long, deep breath, finally able to exhale fully. His golden eyes flickered with relief as the foul stench was replaced by the cleaner air of the streets.

"We're good now," he said, his voice back to normal, though his stomach still churned. "Let's just... never do that again."

Vi smirked, clapping him on the shoulder. "I'm with you there, Bigfoot."