Beneath the Storm

"Shocking!! Zaunites, unhappy with Piltover's refugee policies, resort to such desperate measures!! Is this the collapse of morality or the death of humanity?"

"Relations between the two cities hit rock bottom. How can they escape this quagmire of conflict?"

"Wolves circling their doorstep? The people of Bottom City can no longer hold back and have finally bared their fangs at Upper City!"

"Renowned experts predict that war between the Twin Cities may be inevitable!"

Ling Ying sighed and tossed the newspapers onto the table. Each headline seemed to be trying harder than the last to stir up trouble. They were all reporting on the same incident: the attack on Piltover on Long Bridge. On the very first day, the media had rushed to put the story on their front pages. A week later, it still dominated the papers. The coverage had gradually shifted from eyewitness accounts to interviews, profiles, and expert analysis, but Piltoverians were still avidly following it.

"The valiant Guardian, the purple specter on Long Bridge!"

Well, clearly one tabloid had found a story the major papers had missed. This editorial, half fabrication and half speculation, had successfully piqued Piltoverians' curiosity and tripled the paper's sales. The whole thing had left Ling Ying, the subject of the story, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Miss Chief Constable, however, had given Ling Ying a new assignment, offering the half-joking explanation, "Then you should answer the citizens' fervent hopes." She was to assist the Enforcement Department in setting up a Defense Node beside Long Bridge to prevent another attack. And, naturally, most Zaunites were temporarily barred from entering Piltover until the Enforcement Department's investigation reached a satisfactory conclusion.

"Honestly, will this lockdown and separation really just drive the two cities farther apart?"

Ling Ying sighed and stood up. She opened the door of the Mobile Alloy Booth, and the noise outside immediately flooded her ears.

"You damned Piltover scum!! Come out and give us an explanation! All you do is hide like cowards!!"

"You butchers! Murderers! Do you have a conscience?! You'll go to hell!"

"Waaah, my child... He was only five... Waaah..."

The voices were full of outrage or pierced the air with heartbroken sobs. They all came from the same group: the enraged Zaunite civilians. Some were refugees from Lower Zaun, but most had simply come to cause trouble. The attack on Long Bridge had killed many Zaunite refugees, and some Zaunites had clearly received the wrong message, believing that Piltover had slaughtered the refugees. Furious, they had stormed onto Long Bridge, which had only just seen a bloody battle, and gathered beneath Piltover's new Defense Node on the riverbank. They stood just outside the Absolute Warning Line drawn by the Enforcement Department, demanding an explanation from the equally baffled Piltoverians. The officers on the Defense Works were clearly under tremendous pressure. And people were most likely to make irreversible mistakes under pressure.

"Officer Dilana."

After making a round of the Metal Rampart, which was several times taller than the old one, Ling Ying stopped beside a female officer on duty.

"Yes! Cecilia... Defense Commissioner."

The other woman saluted Ling Ying with a booming voice. Her fiery red hair made her look full of energy.

"Any instructions?"

"I don't have any. But..."

Ling Ying paused, looking at the Enforcement Department Standard Rifle clenched in the other woman's hands.

"If you're not planning to shoot that gun, it's best not to keep your finger on the trigger."

"Commissioner, my mother taught me never to let my guard down in the face of possible danger. Especially when dealing with those despicable Bottom City people."

The young officer's hostile words surprised Ling Ying. She glanced at her and replied in a voice devoid of emotion.

"I've heard about you. Let me put it this way: I don't care what you think of the Zaunites over there, but I won't tolerate your personal attitude causing trouble that we can't contain. Not at a time like this. You'd better remember that."

As Ling Ying spoke, she deliberately released a measure of her aura of menace from the Void. The inexperienced young officer began to tremble all over. Her lips quivering, she stammered out a reply.

"U-under...stood."

"Good."

Ling Ying nodded once, then walked down from the rampart without looking back at the officer, who stood almost frozen in place.

"Maybe Caitlyn was still being too conservative. The storm over the Twin Cities had already gathered. Something was holding it back, but sooner or later, it would break."

With that thought in mind, Ling Ying returned to the little booth she'd been assigned. Then she noticed that the door, which she'd left ajar, was now standing wide open.

"Yo!"

Perhaps she'd heard Ling Ying's footsteps. The unexpected visitor inside came to the doorway to greet her. It was Vi. They hadn't seen each other for a week, and she looked... just as unlike a police officer as ever.

"What are you doing here?"

Ling Ying looked surprised.

"Shouldn't you be with Caitlyn..."

"With Caitlyn and those councilors, giving a report? Spare me."

Vi rolled her eyes and dropped into Ling Ying's chair.

"If there's one thing I hate most about Piltover, it's that damned council. They're all a bunch of snobs who look down on everyone."

"Then what brings you here?"

"Oh! Hey, I was just about to tell you, but then you interrupted me and I forgot."

Vi smacked her forehead with her right hand.

"Caitlyn asked me to tell you that you can clock off and rest for a while. I'll take over your shift."

"Hm? Weren't we supposed to be guarding against another possible attack?"

"Exactly. That's why she sent me to take your post. Otherwise, we might as well pull everyone out."

Vi gave Ling Ying a strange look.

"Here's the deal: Caitlyn thinks that since a week has passed, the chances of another attack have dropped quite a bit. So she thinks we can lower the alert level a little. In other words, you can go rest, since you're one of our heavy hitters. Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on things here."

"But..."

"No buts."

Vi waved a hand, cutting Ling Ying off.

"We still haven't figured out what happened in that attack. Zaun seems just as clueless as we are, and the Chem-Barons all claim they know nothing. I reckon it'll be a while before we get anywhere, so take the chance to rest while things are quiet. Once things get busy, you won't have a chance to relax. Besides..."

As Vi spoke, her voice suddenly lowered, and sympathy crept into her tone.

"Your friend... probably really wants you to visit her, too, right?"

Outside the hospital entrance, Ling Ying drew a deep breath and stepped inside. The paper bag in her hand swayed with her movement, rustling pleasantly and giving off a rich, creamy fragrance. Inside were freshly baked Cream Cookies from the most popular dessert shop on Stellar Boulevard. Back when they were at the academy, Ling Ying remembered how much Orianna had loved them. Since the two of them had shared a room, Ling Ying had often gotten to enjoy some, too. She hoped the cookies would cheer Orianna up, at least a little.

"Visitors aren't allowed? How can that be?"

As soon as she entered the lobby, she heard someone asking loudly about something. At first, Ling Ying assumed it was an agitated patient. But the voice sounded oddly familiar, so she turned to look. There she saw a familiar figure: Jayce.

"Well..."

The young nurse he was questioning seemed at a loss, clearly unused to handling this sort of situation.

"The Attending Physician made that decision... We don't know the details, either..."

"Let me explain."

Just as Ling Ying was drawn closer by the conversation between Jayce and the nurse, an unfamiliar voice came from a corridor beside the lobby. Curious, Ling Ying turned toward it. A tall, well-built middle-aged man was walking over. His finely tailored uniform shirt and wool coat were immaculate. Although time had weathered his angular features, they still retained a hint of their former vigor. He must have been quite the gentleman in his youth. Under the watchful eyes of several people, he came to a stop among them and adjusted the monocle on the bridge of his nose.

"Let me tell you about my daughter's condition. Come with me. This isn't the right place. We should talk somewhere else."

"Mr. Colin Revok?"

As soon as they sat down in the chairs in the hospital's lounge, Jayce and Ling Ying both stood back up, their voices tinged with surprise. The reason was that the man before them, who had introduced himself as Orianna's Father, had suddenly bowed his head and spoken sincerely.

"Before I tell you about my daughter's condition, please let me apologize on her behalf to you both. Her reckless decision dragged you into this. Taking her to a dangerous place like Bottom City without first knowing what risks you might face was selfish and rash."

"Uh... We..."

"Honestly, we don't think Orianna did anything to apologize for."

Ling Ying picked up the conversation for the tongue-tied Jayce.

"She's our friend. We did everything we did not because she asked or forced us to, but because we wanted to go with her. If anything, I owe her—and you—an apology. I promised to protect her, but in the end..."

Mr. Revok listened carefully to Ling Ying. After a long pause, he said with a sigh, "You really are the true friends she said you were. I'm relieved that neither of you was hurt by what happened. But... although she was lucky enough not to make a grave mistake and hurt the people around her, she couldn't escape harm herself. The toxic gas caused a severe Lung Infection and damage. The doctors said that although the mixed gas she inhaled wasn't particularly potent, it could easily combine with the blood and continue damaging the body's organs. And then there was the delay on the way to the hospital..."

Mr. Revok's voice caught in his throat. His face gradually filled with grief and worry.

"Mr. Revok..."

"No... I'm all right..."

He waved a hand to reassure Ling Ying, then continued.

"In short, eighty percent of Orianna's lungs are severely damaged. She's now at the point where she needs a breathing pump just to keep breathing. The doctors recommend removing the diseased organs and replacing them with an Artificial Mechanical Lung."

"How could this happen?!"

As soon as Mr. Revok finished speaking, Jayce leapt to his feet. Ling Ying was somewhat calmer than he was, but worry still showed plainly on her face.

"Is there no other way? Could they save the organs?"

"Not with the medical technology we have today. If there is a way, perhaps it's magic."

Mr. Revok gave a wry smile.

"This Artificial Mechanical Lung is the most advanced Biotechnology in Piltover. Some of the research behind it is mine, but I never imagined that one day it would be used on my own daughter."

The brief meeting ended in a somber mood. After telling them about Orianna's condition, Mr. Revok soon excused himself, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his daughter. Ling Ying and Jayce were left sitting there, unsure what to do.

"Magic!!!"

Just as Ling Ying was trying to think of something comforting to say, Jayce, who had been sitting there dazed ever since the conversation ended, suddenly sprang to his feet. He looked several times more excited than he had when he first heard about Orianna's condition.

"Ah! Right! Magic!!"

As Ling Ying stared at him in bewilderment, Jayce began waving his arms and muttering like a man possessed. The nurses and patients in the lobby all turned to look, as did the two security guards posted at the entrance.

"Sorry, sorry, he's my friend. Um, his mother was finally discharged today, and he's just so happy. Yes, he really isn't crazy."

After talking a load of nonsense to get the two doubtful guards to leave, Ling Ying turned back with a helpless sigh. She raised a hand, intending to tap Jayce and get him to calm down. But the exhilarated Jayce suddenly grabbed both her hands.

"Junior! Do you know? Magic—magic can definitely save Orianna!"

Ling Ying was utterly confused by his out-of-nowhere claim. Then he suddenly let go of her hands and slapped his forehead.

"The academy! Right! I need the academy's lab. I need it now!"

Jayce took off, sprinting out of the hospital. By the time Ling Ying recovered from wondering if he'd gone mad and chased after him, Jayce had already vanished into the crowd on the street.

"Ah, as if things weren't bad enough already."

Still unable to make sense of what had happened, Ling Ying could only sigh. She lowered her head and looked at the Cream Cookies she'd bought for Orianna. After a moment of silence, she let out an even heavier sigh.

"I hope there'll still be a chance for us to share these treats again, Orianna."

As she stood there thinking, an unfamiliar voice suddenly called out from behind her.

"Those are excellent pastries. It would be a shame not to enjoy them with Afternoon Tea."

The woman's voice was calm and thoughtful. Ling Ying couldn't think of anyone she knew with a voice like that. But it was clearly directed at her. Without giving it much thought, she turned around. A tall figure stood before her, posed elegantly.

Ling Ying gave the woman a wary once-over. She seemed not to like drawing attention. A gray hat with a face veil concealed most of her features. Her wool coat and dress, in matching colors, were the kind that wouldn't attract much notice in a crowd. But Ling Ying soon noticed the feature that stood out: she wasn't wearing shoes—or rather, she didn't need any. Beneath the long hem of her coat, a pair of sharp blades were faintly visible. The woman seemed entirely unbothered by Ling Ying's scrutiny. She inclined her head in greeting, then said,

"My dear young lady, would you indulge an old woman and join me for Afternoon Tea?"

In Zaun, a nondescript abandoned mine sat with a thick layer of dust on the metal warning sign at its entrance. It looked abandoned, untouched for a long time. That was only an illusion, of course. Anyone with enough curiosity and courage to cross the pitch-black mine—and enough luck to avoid a horde of hungry, mutated rats—would find a sealed metal door at the end. Make no mistake: there was no treasure behind it. It was hell for most people, and paradise for a very few.

"Hmmm..."

A scratchy, unpleasant voice sang a badly off-key Zaunite tune through the vast laboratory. It was enough to make anyone's ears bleed, but Singed didn't care. He kept humming, now and then, as if in time with his own melody. The Purple Liquid in the towering cylindrical Incubation Pods beside him seemed to sway along. Of course, some things remained unmoved: the bizarre bodies floating inside the pods. Some still had a vaguely human shape, though their bodies were unnaturally swollen and strange purple patches covered their skin. Others could hardly be called human at all. Some had tentacles growing where their feet should have been; others had a huge, jagged mouth perched on their shoulders. These odd experiments looked like deformed babies that had never fully developed. But Singed could guarantee that once their pods were opened, they'd be "bouncing around" and slaughtering everything in sight.

"Hmm, it looks like Shimmer's stability still needs some work."

Singed stroked his chin and stared at a test tube on the workbench, filled with a purple potion. To him, the faintly glowing purple was the most magnificent color in the world. After all, it was his creation: a potion that could vastly unlock the human body's potential, a world-changing masterpiece that could be called a landmark achievement.

"Drip."

A drop of bright red blood suddenly landed on the test tube, utterly ruining the unique mystery of Shimmer's glowing purple. Then came a second drop, then a third. Singed instinctively reached for his neck. Just then, a voice rang out.

"I suggest you don't move."

It was a clear, sweet female voice, though Singed wasn't in the mood to appreciate it. He took its owner's advice and stayed perfectly still, but his eyes slid to the side. Then he saw someone sitting in the chair beside him. A girl with snow-white skin and flowing black hair. But her bright black eyes held unfathomable depths.

"Good. You've managed to keep your head for now."

The girl gave him a faintly amused smile and turned her right hand slightly outward. Singed saw them clearly now: black threads, fine as hair, wrapped around her five fingers.

"But whether it stays on your shoulders depends on whether your answers satisfy me."

"What do you want me to do?"

Singed knew how to play along. He didn't ask something like, "Who are you?" He believed that if he did, his head would roll the very next second. There was no point in bargaining with someone who could kill him with a flick of her hand. He knew that the only reason he was still alive was that he was useful to her.

"Oh? You're pretty smart."

The girl glanced at him with interest. Singed caught the look, but just as he was about to seize the chance to flatter her, the girl's expression suddenly changed. She lifted her right index finger, and the black thread shot upward, leaving a streak of blood across Singed's already disfigured face.

"But has your cleverness made you forget who's been funding you, and who your real employer is?"

"Wait! I can explain!"

Stung by the cut, Singed finally understood who she was and why she'd come. He cried out,

"Of course I remember! Noxus funds my research. All my experiments serve Noxus's interests, including the attack on Long Bridge. That was also part of a necessary experiment!"

"Oh?"

The girl paused her hand.

"Go on."

"That was... That was..."

Singed didn't dare delay. He took a deep breath, then continued.

"Recently... with Noxus's funding, we successfully created an Alchemical Potion. It's what you see here: Shimmer. I assure you, it's an unprecedented breakthrough..."

"Get to the point."

"Right... Yes. Ahem. In short, Shimmer can greatly enhance the body's functions. Even a little kid could drink it and easily beat up adults several times their size..."

"But it has side effects, doesn't it?"

"Uh... Yes... Yes, it does."

Singed wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Shimmer greatly increases the activity of the body's cells, which in turn draws on the user's average lifespan. Its frenzy-inducing effects also inevitably harm the user's consciousness and intelligence. In addition, we've found that Shimmer is unstable in actual use, and that taking too much can cause the user to lose control... Ah! Of course, that's because Shimmer is still far from finished. We'll do our best to reduce its side effects in future experiments. I know Noxus doesn't want a half-finished product. It needs a true war drug that can be used on the front lines."

After nervously delivering his speech, Singed couldn't help glancing at the girl's expression. But just like before, there was nothing in those eyes.

"Swish!"

The girl's right hand suddenly jerked upward, and Singed flinched all over. He thought that was it for him. The next moment, a barely perceptible breeze brushed past his head. Thankfully, that was all it was. His head was still on his shoulders.

"You should be grateful it was me who came here, not someone like Darius. Otherwise, your head would already be rolling around."

She withdrew the threads and crossed her legs in the chair.

"The younger generation of officers takes Noxus's will very seriously. You disobeyed the military's orders to avoid drawing Piltover's attention, then used your experimental subjects to attack Piltover and caused chaos across the city. That's enough to get you killed ten times over."

"..."

"But..."

The girl suddenly smiled and changed her tone.

"You're lucky. Before I came here, the military changed its plans. In short, the period of covert development is over. Noxus now needs real control over Zaun. The agents and hidden operatives we planted in Zaun will all be activated soon. According to plan, they'll gradually wrest control of Zaun from the Chem-Barons and the Piltoverians. You and your Bio-Legion are a crucial part of that strategy. By now, you should understand what you need to do next, right?"

"We'll speed up our improvements to Shimmer and create an even more powerful army of Bio-Legionaries."

Singed nodded obsequiously.

"But, if I may ask, is Zaun all Noxus wants?"

"..."

The atmosphere fell silent in an instant. Singed's heart gave a little jolt, and he wondered if he'd said too much. Then the girl spoke.

"Just as I said before, you're quite clever in your own way. It's true that Noxus has never intended to target only one of the Twin Cities—we want both. In that respect, your unauthorized attack had an unexpected effect. I heard the Piltoverians are divided. The Bottom City, which they've always kept under their heel, suddenly has the power to threaten the Upper City. That clearly frightened some people, and the faction they've formed to negotiate with the Bottom City is now arguing fiercely with the Enforcement Department and the Council. So, congratulations, you got the result you wanted by accident. But from now on, I expect you to put that cleverness to proper use. If anything like this happens again..."

"Of course, of course."

Singed hurriedly agreed.

"From now on, I'll follow Noxus's lead in everything."

"Good. That's for the best. I have nothing more to say. Don't ask too many questions, keep your mouth shut, and do the work you're supposed to do. Then you can keep your head and carry on with your research. Understood?"

"Understood, understood."

"Now, there's just one last thing."

As she spoke, the girl stood up and held out a folded slip of paper.

"Prepare a shipment of Shimmer over the next few days and deliver it to the address on this paper. I have a use for it."

"You need Shimmer?"

Singed's hand trembled as he took the note from the girl. He glanced at the address. He knew the place: a lawless stretch on the border between Zaun and Piltover, frequented by many Black Market Dealers and smugglers.

"Certainly. I'll get it done as soon as—"

Singed raised his head as he spoke, only to find no one standing before him. The girl had vanished without a sound, just as she had when she first arrived. The only proof she'd ever been there was a black rose lying on the chair, slowly withering away into nothing.