Chapter 11
The trio stepped into the alley-way, the air thick with smoke and the murmur of low voices. The room was pretty empty with small groups of people, their conversations punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter or the clink of glasses.
Vi led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the room until they landed on their target. At a table in the corner, Sevika sat with a commanding presence, her muscular frame dwarfing the men gambling with her. She leaned back in her chair, taking a slow sip from her drink, her brown skin glowing faintly under the warm, flickering lights. Her short, tied-back hair swayed slightly as she tilted her head, her scar on her left cheek and scowl ever-present as she surveyed the men around her with an air of quiet menace.
"There she is," Vi muttered, her voice low as she motioned toward Sevika.
Ivy followed Vi's gaze, her brows rising slightly as she took in Sevika's formidable appearance. "She's... intense," Ivy remarked under her breath, a worried smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Caitlyn, on the other hand, stayed silent, her sharp eyes analyzing every detail of Sevika's demeanor. The way she held herself, the calculating look in her eyes—it all screamed danger.
Vi turned to the two of them, her expression serious. "Let me do the talking," she said firmly. "Sevika and I have history, so keep your distance unless I signal."
Ivy shrugged, leaning casually against a nearby wall. "Fine by me," she said, her tone light but her gaze lingering on Sevika.
Caitlyn nodded, her posture straight and professional, though her hand subtly rested near her weapon, just in case.
Vi walked over to the entrance watching Sevika from afar a nasty look spread across her face.
Ivy and Caitlyn exchanged a glance from their spot. Ivy smirked, leaning in slightly toward Caitlyn. "This should be interesting," she murmured, watching the interaction unfold. Deep down Ivy was petrified for Vi.
Caitlyn said nothing, her eyes narrowing as she kept a close watch on Sevika, ready for anything.
Ivy's gaze darted around the place, taking in the thick tension hanging in the air. The way Sevika leaned forward toward the men, her sharp eyes narrowing, throwing two cards onto the table. The men at Sevika's table exchanged glances as they looked over at Vi, their body language shifting ever so slightly—a hand brushing near a pocket, a foot sliding forward as if to brace for a sudden move. Ivy could sense the change immediately.
She leaned closer to Caitlyn, her voice low and firm. "You need to leave."
Caitlyn stiffened, her sharp eyes snapping to Ivy. "Excuse me?"
"This is going to get ugly fast," Ivy said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Vi's tough, and I've been through this kind of thing before. But you?" She glanced meaningfully at Caitlyn's polished appearance and stiff posture. "You've never dealt with something like this."
Caitlyn crossed her arms, her jaw tightening. "I can handle myself," she said evenly, though the edge in her voice betrayed her unease. "And I'm not leaving the two of you alone in here. This is a team effort."
Ivy sighed, running a hand through her hair as she tried to keep her frustration in check. "Look, Caitlyn," she said, her voice softer but still urgent, "this isn't Piltover. This is the undercity. People don't play by your rules here. If things go south, you'll be a liability, especially with your family's position. And I'm not risking Vi or myself to end up back in prison because we were the reason something happened to you."
Caitlyn's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Ivy stepped closer, lowering her voice even more. "I get it—you think you can handle yourself and you don't trust me. But right now, you have to. Let me back Vi up. If things go really sideway, you can swoop in as the hero, if you really want to. Until then, get out of here."
For a moment, Caitlyn stared at Ivy, her lips pressed into a thin line. The tension crackled between them as the seconds dragged on.
Finally, Caitlyn exhaled sharply, nodding once. "Fine," she said, though her tone made it clear she wasn't happy about it. "But if you get yourselves killed, don't expect me to clean up the mess."
Ivy smiled, stepping back as relief washed over her. "Noted," she said.
As Caitlyn turned to leave, she hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Ivy. "Just... don't do anything reckless," she muttered before slipping into the shadows.
Ivy nodded and watched her go, a strange feeling settling in her chest. It wasn't often that someone like Caitlyn listened to her, let alone trusted her judgment. Shaking it off, she turned her attention back to the table where Vi was locked in a tense exchange.
Cracking her knuckles, Ivy muttered under her breath, "Alright, Vi. Let's see how this plays out." She began weaving her way through the place, staying close enough to act if needed but far enough to avoid drawing too much attention. The storm was coming—she could feel it.
Vi squared her shoulders and made her way toward Sevika's table, her steps purposeful. As she approached, the men at the table glanced up, their conversation faltering as they noticed her. Sevika, however, didn't immediately look up, her focus remaining on the dice in her hand.
"Long time, no see, Sevika," Vi said, her voice cool but laced with an edge.
Sevika finally looked up, her scowl deepening as her sharp eyes locked onto Vi. She set her drink down slowly, leaning forward as a crooked smirk twisted her lips. "Well, well," Sevika drawled, her voice low and gravelly. "If it isn't Little Miss Punch-First-Ask-Later. What brings you crawling back, Vi?"
The moment Vi launched herself at Sevika, knee driving into her face with bone-crunching force, Ivy's eyes widened in shock. Sevika's cigar went flying, spinning through the air before landing on the ground in a smoldering mess. The bar erupted into chaos as people screamed and scrambled, chairs toppling and drinks spilling as everyone rushed to get out of the way.
"You filthy traitor!" Vi growled, her fist gripping Sevika's hair as she smashed her face into the nearest wall.
Sevika grunted, her voice guttural but laced with venom. "Vander had his chance," she spat, before driving her knee into Vi's stomach. With a sickening thud, Vi was sent flying backward, landing hard on her back.
As Vi hit the ground, the cape on Sevika's arm came loose, flying off. Under the cape there was a revealing gleaming metal limb. The machinery hissed and whirred as gears turned, injecting a glowing purple liquid into her veins. Shimmer. Her muscles seemed to swell, veins bulging as the substance coursed through her.
"Alright, kid," Sevika sneered, her voice deeper and rougher now. "Let's see how you handle the me, now."
The two lunged at each other, fists flying in a brutal, raw exchange of blows. Sevika's metal arm slammed into Vi's ribs, the impact reverberating through the room, while Vi countered with a haymaker that caught Sevika across the jaw. The room shook with the force of their fight, splinters flying as tables and chairs were shattered in their wake.
Ivy's heart raced as she stood on the sidelines, watching the destruction unfold. Her mind whirred with thoughts—she couldn't just stand there. Glancing around, she spotted a wooden chair nearby and grabbed it.
"Hey, Shimmer junkie!" Ivy shouted, swinging the chair with all her might.
The chair splintered against Sevika's shoulder, sending her stumbling back a step. Sevika snarled, her eyes locking onto Ivy with a predatory gleam. "Learn to stick to your own fight," she growled, grabbing Vi by the collar and hurling her into the wall. Vi slumped to the ground, momentarily limp.
Ivy didn't flinch as Sevika began marching toward her, her steps heavy and deliberate. Her hands went to her belt loop, pulling out her dagger in one smooth motion.
"If you're fighting Vi, This is my fight," Ivy said, her voice low and steady despite the adrenaline surging through her veins.
Sevika lunged, but Ivy moved quickly. She swung her dagger at Sevika, slicing through the air with precision. Sevika dodged each strike with surprising agility for someone her size, her metal arm swinging wildly in counterattacks. Ivy ducked and weaved, her blade just barely grazing Sevika's side.
"Not bad," Sevika taunted, her voice tinged with amusement. "But I'm out your league, kid."
Ivy chuckled "Sorry, I'm not into older women", her focus razor-sharp as she adjusted her grip on the dagger. She knew she had to keep Sevika distracted until Vi could recover, but the clock was ticking. The power behind Sevika's punches and the relentless gleam in her eyes made it clear—this wasn't a fight she could win alone.
Sevika didn't respond to Ivy's comment and simply slammed a punch into Ivy's face, blood spraying from her nose as the force rocked her back. She stumbled but didn't stop, adrenaline pushing her forward despite the pain that burned through her body. Another hit followed, then another, until she could taste copper in her mouth. Still, she didn't back down.
Sevika's metal arm shot forward, gripping Ivy by the neck and slamming her against the wall. Ivy's boots scraped against the floor as she was lifted off the ground, the pressure on her throat cutting off her air. Sevika ripped Ivy's dagger out of her hand throwing it into a corner. Her vision blurred, spots dancing before her eyes, but she clawed at Sevika's arm, refusing to give in.
"Got some fight in you, huh?" Sevika growled, her voice filled with mockery. "Too bad it won't be enough."
Before Sevika could squeeze harder, Vi charged back into the frame, slamming into Sevika with all her strength. Ivy fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air as she crumpled to her knees. She looked up through her hazy vision, seeing Vi and Sevika locked in another brutal exchange.
Sevika hit the floor with a heavy thud as Vi planted a boot on her metal arm, pinning it down. "Where's my sister?" Vi demanded, her voice seething with rage. "Where is he keeping her?"
For a moment, Sevika's face twisted in genuine confusion. Then, a slow, mocking smirk spread across her lips. "Keeping her?" she repeated, her tone laced with derision. "You mean Jinx?"
Vi's eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching.
"She works for him," Sevika continued, her voice low and taunting. "He's like a father to her now." The smirk grew into a grin, her words cutting deep. "She's not your little sister anymore."
The revelation hit Vi like a punch to the gut, and she hesitated just long enough for Sevika's arm to start whirring. Gears turned, and the sound of hissing Shimmer filled the air.
Ivy noticed the change instantly, her instincts screaming danger. Ignoring the stabbing pain in her ribs, she pushed herself up and sprinted toward Vi. "Vi, move!" she shouted, shoving her out of the way just as Sevika's knife plunged forward.
The blade sank into Ivy's side, a sharp, burning pain tearing through her. She cried out, collapsing to the ground as Sevika shoved her off with a sneer. Blood seeped through Ivy's fingers as she clutched her wound, coughing weakly.
Sevika turned her attention back to Vi, grabbing her by the face with her metal hand. "I'll give her your regards," Sevika said coldly, raising her other hand to deliver a killing blow.
A sudden, deafening gunshot rang out, and Sevika's metal arm jerked violently, sparks flying as the mechanism malfunctioned. She released Vi, stumbling back with a snarl of frustration.
Ivy, struggling to stay conscious, turned her head weakly and saw Caitlyn standing on the wooden overpass above, her rifle aimed with precision. Smoke drifted from the barrel as she cocked the weapon, her sharp eyes locking onto Sevika.
Another shot rang out, forcing Sevika to retreat further. She snarled but didn't waste time, retreating into the fog and disappearing down an alley, her hulking silhouette swallowed by the shadows.
Caitlyn leaped down from the overpass, landing gracefully and rushing to Ivy's side. "Ivy, stay with me," she said, her voice urgent as she pressed her hands over the wound to staunch the bleeding.
Vi staggered to her feet, her hands shaking with frustration and rage as she stared in the direction Sevika had fled. Her face was pale, a mix of shock and pain twisting her features. "She's gone." she said, looking back down at Caitlyn.
Ivy coughed weakly, managing a faint smirk despite the pain. "Guess... we owe you one, Princess," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Caitlyn's jaw tightened, her concern for Ivy evident even as she worked to stop the bleeding. "Save your strength," she said firmly. She looked up at Vi "And you, could you leave sevika alone for one second and help Ivy."
Vi knelt beside them, her hand resting on Ivy's shoulder. "You're right, I'm sorry." She looked at Ivy "You didn't have to do that," she said quietly, guilt lacing her tone. "It was my fight, not yours."
"Yeah, well," Ivy said with a strained chuckle, wincing. "I'm not great at staying out of trouble."
The three of them sat in the eerie quiet of the now-empty alleyway, the weight of the confrontation pressing heavily on them all.
Caitlyn retracted her rifle, slipping it behind her. She lent a hand for Ivy, who stood up with the help of Vi giving Ivy support under her right arm. "We will get help." Vi said. She looked at Caitlyn "I know a place."