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Zaun
Seraphine hummed a soft tune as she strolled out of Viktor's laboratory, accompanied by Orianna. Viktor had invited Ryan today to gather information about the Dragon Race.
She, however, had another reason for coming to Zaun—she wanted to experience the soul-songs of the city.
They were far more raw and powerful than those in Piltover, resonating with a depth she found captivating.
"Hm?"
Not far ahead, she spotted Ekko, looking visibly annoyed as he restrained a slender blond man with his sturdy hands.
The captive didn't resemble a Zaunite—more like someone from Piltover.
Moreover, the emotional tune emanating from him was peculiar.
It was full of self-praise and arrogance.
She squinted, sensing something oddly familiar about it.
"Hey, Ekko, what's going on?" she called out.
"We caught this punk trying to sneak into the mines," Ekko replied, his tone sharp with frustration.
"If I hadn't reacted fast, this guy would've gotten away."
He tightened his grip on the blond man, causing him to wince and protest.
"Oh, come on! I wasn't sneaking into the mines! I'm on a grand expedition! You have to give me my armguard back!"
When Ekko turned slightly, Seraphine got a good look at the captive's face.
He was undeniably handsome, with neatly groomed blond hair and an air of unmistakable smugness.
Orianna's expression flickered. She recognized him, though she wasn't thrilled about it.
"Ezreal," she said flatly.
"Long time no see. Heard you've been gallivanting around Shurima."
Before Ezreal could respond, Orianna stepped forward, her metallic face curving into a serene smile as her soft, melodic voice chimed in.
"You know him, Miss Orianna?" Ekko asked, narrowing his eyes.
Orianna nodded gracefully.
"Yes. His name is Ezreal. He's the nephew of Professor Lymere, a historian at Piltover Academy. A self-proclaimed 'Explorer,' as he likes to call himself."
"Wait... Orianna?"
Ezreal's blue eyes widened as he took in her transformed appearance.
"You're... the girl from the prosthetics workshop on Workshop Street, right? But... what happened to you?"
He couldn't help but stare. The Orianna he remembered had been fragile, soft-spoken, and human.
Now, the glimmering sheen of her mechanical form hinted at the extensive prosthetics that had replaced her once-organic body.
For a moment, the infamous "Prodigal Explorer" was genuinely at a loss for words.
As his gaze lingered, Seraphine crossed her arms and smirked.
"Still gawking, Ezreal? You've got a lot of nerve showing up here, especially without your usual excuses."
Ezreal snapped out of it, his usual bravado returning.
"Ugh, you're here too? You! The obnoxious pink-haired girl who loves to ruin my life."
Seraphine raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion.
"Do I know you?" She turned to Ekko.
"You know, this guy seems pretty dangerous. Maybe you should break his legs first, just to be safe."
"I like that idea," Ekko said with a wicked grin, tightening his hold on Ezreal.
"Hey, hey, let's not do anything drastic!" Ezreal protested, wincing.
"I've got important discoveries to make, you know!"
Seraphine rolled her eyes.
"Of course you do. You're always the center of the universe, aren't you?"
And with that, the group dissolved into a familiar chaos, their banter filling the streets of Zaun like an offbeat symphony.
Ekko's sharp mind pieced everything together in seconds.
His expression shifted into one of mischievous glee as he tightened his grip on Ezreal's arm.
The blond explorer yelped in pain.
"Stop! Okay, okay, stop squeezing! You're going to leave permanent bruises! My arm won't be perfect anymore!" Ezreal pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.
Ekko ignored him, grinning as he continued his hold. It had been a long time since he'd felt this carefree.
With Silco's downfall, Ekko's once-heavy burden had been lifted.
After making peace with Viktor, he'd gained the inventor's understanding and cooperation.
Together, they'd merged the Wildfire Gang with the remnants of the gangsters and formed a special task force.
Ekko, alongside his deputy Pete, now led this new team. Their mission?
To patrol the streets of Zaun using Wildfire boards, keeping an eye out for danger and maintaining some semblance of order.
The team had only been established yesterday, and today was their first real test.
"You're wasting your time on me!" Ezreal continued to whine.
"I'm just an innocent adventurer! You have to believe me!"
"Sister Seraphine, I was wrong! Your hairstyle today is absolutely amazing—so well done, so... adorable!"
Ezreal's tone switched to sycophantic praise as he glanced at Seraphine, clearly trying to win her favor.
She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"Oh, so I wasn't adorable before? Let me guess, when you get back, you're going to write about me in your adventure journal, calling me 'the girl who brings bad luck,' huh?"
Ezreal's eyes widened in shock.
"How do you know that?!" he blurted out, staring at her in disbelief.
Seraphine smirked knowingly, while Orianna stood silently, a faint smile playing on her metallic lips.
Ezreal looked at her for support, only to find her averting her gaze.
His heart sank. Meeting Seraphine always meant trouble.
Ekko, still grinning, gave Ezreal a hard pat on the shoulder.
"Listen, punk. Seraphine is Lord Ryan's apprentice. She can hear the voices of people's souls. Whatever little schemes you've got cooking, she already knows. So, tell us straight—what's your real reason for coming to Zaun?"
Ezreal sighed, realizing there was no escape.
"Fine, fine! I'll tell you. I'm on a great expedition!"
Seraphine rolled her eyes. "Didn't you say that last time when you ended up exploring the Piltover sewers?"
"That was different! This time, there's going to be an actual discovery! My Uncle Lymere sent me on this mission!" Ezreal huffed indignantly.
"Professor Lymere?" Orianna asked, tilting her head slightly.
"He's a highly respected historian. Has he uncovered something new?"
Ezreal nodded enthusiastically. "Uncle Lemuel believes that before Zaun was Zaun, it was something else entirely."
Ekko's face darkened.
"Zaun is Zaun!" he snapped, his voice laced with pride.
A string of Zaunite slang followed, emphasizing his point.
"I don't mean it like that!" Ezreal waved his hands defensively.
"Uncle Lemuel's research suggests that, centuries ago, Zaun might have been a port city in Shurima called Oshera Vazuan."
Ekko frowned, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
"Hmm. Could be. But 'Vazuan' sounds ugly. Zaun is better."
"Agreed," Seraphine chimed in.
"Zaun will always be Zaun. But this sounds intriguing. Should we check it out?"
Ezreal's eyes lit up. "Yes! That's what I've been saying! A great expedition awaits!"
The thought of finally catching a break had him brimming with excitement.
If he couldn't go alone, he'd at least rope them into joining.
After all, the witty Ezreal always knew how to adapt to the situation.
"Sounds interesting. Mind if I join?"
A calm, commanding voice interrupted them. All heads turned to see Ryan, clad in a pristine white robe, stepping out of Viktor's workshop.
His piercing gaze fell on Ezreal, making the explorer shiver.
"Sir!" Orianna and Ekko both bowed in respect.
"Teacher!" Seraphine exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You want to come too?"
Ezreal gaped in disbelief.
"He's your teacher?"
Ryan's gaze shifted to Ezreal, and the explorer felt as though his very soul was being scrutinized. A shiver ran down his spine.
This feeling... it reminded him of staring at the towering peaks of Targon—a mix of awe and danger.
"Yes," Seraphine replied proudly, stepping to Ryan's side.
"And I'm his best apprentice."
Ezreal swallowed hard, realizing he'd been outmatched. Still, the allure of adventure was too strong to resist.
As Seraphine began recounting the details of Ezreal's story to Ryan, the explorer could only hope this expedition wouldn't end in another catastrophe.