Chapter 17
Ekko turned around, his sharp gaze flicking between Vi and Ivy. "So," he said, his tone edged with skepticism, "what about your enforcer girl, huh? You really think we can trust her?"
Vi crossed her arms, standing firm. "Yeah, you can trust her. She's with us," she said confidently, though her voice carried a note of finality, like she wouldn't entertain any arguments.
Ekko raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You sure about that?" he asked, his voice low and deliberate.
Before Vi could answer, Ivy let out a sarcastic chuckle, running her thumb along the edge of her nails like she was bored. "Oh, yeah," she said, her tone dripping with mock enthusiasm. "At the moment, I'm not exactly waving the enforcer flag. So, you know, we're not besties now." She finished with a roll of her eyes, flicking a glance at Ekko.
Vi shot her a sharp look, her jaw tightening. "Ivy," she said warningly, her tone a mix of irritation and caution.
Ekko tilted his head, confusion flickering across his face. "Wait, so... you're not on her side, but you're still working together? How does that make sense?"
Ivy shrugged nonchalantly, her lips curling into a smirk. "It doesn't. Welcome to the chaos, kid."
Vi let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Ivy," she said again, her tone this time more exasperated than anything. "Can you not?"
"What?" Ivy replied, feigning innocence. "I'm just saying, it's not exactly sunshine and rainbows over here."
Ekko looked between them, clearly unimpressed. "Great," he muttered. "That's just what we need—more drama."
Ivy leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms. "Relax, Ekko. If Caitlyn steps out of line, I'll be the first to call her out."
Vi groaned under her breath, rubbing her temple. "She's fine, okay? Can we move on now?"
Ekko held up his hands in mock surrender, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Alright, alright. Let's hope she's worth all this trouble."
They walked over to where Caitlyn was being held. Ekko opened the door, a little boy ran out with an empty bowl.
Ekko then leaned casually sat at the doorway, one foot propped up as he glanced over his shoulder at Vi and Ivy. He turned back to look at Caitlyn "They say I can trust you," he said evenly, his expression unreadable.
From inside the room, Caitlyn's voice rang out, sharp and panicked. "What have you done with her? Don't hurt Ivy—it was all me!"
Ekko couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "Relax, enforcer. No one's hurting anyone."
Hearing the commotion, Vi and Ivy both poked their heads into the room. Vi leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a bemused smirk on her face. Ivy, on the other hand, strode in confidently and slung an arm around Vi's shoulders, her grin wickedly playful. "Our hero," she drawled sarcastically, her voice dripping with mock reverence.
Caitlyn's face twisted in shock, her wide eyes darting between the three of them. Vi raised a brow, her smirk turning into a full grin. "More like your hero," she teased, pointing toward Caitlyn. "I see how it is—only worried about Ivy."
Ivy chuckled, giving Vi's shoulder a friendly shove. "Jealous much?" she quipped, clearly enjoying the moment.
Caitlyn, still stunned, stammered as her gaze flicked back to Ivy. "I thought they were hurting you! Both of you!"
Ekko, observing the exchange, quickly hid a grin behind his hand, pretending to scratch his nose. When he glanced at Vi and Ivy, his amusement was unmistakable.
"We're fine," Ivy said, her tone light, though she stepped forward slightly, her smirk softening just a little. "Though I have to admit, that was a nice little speech, Caitlyn. Very heroic of you."
Vi snorted, clearly holding back laughter, while Caitlyn turned bright red. "I—I just thought—"
"Relax," Ekko interrupted, waving a hand as he fully stepped into the room. "You're all fine. Nobody's getting hurt unless you give me a reason. So maybe keep the dramatics to a minimum?"
Ivy winked at Caitlyn, who groaned and covered her face with her hands, clearly mortified.
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The tension between Ekko and Caitlyn hung thick in the air as they led her outside, the fresh sunlight doing little to ease the simmering emotions. Ivy strolled beside Vi, her arm lazily slung over her shoulder again, a faint smile on her face. The two seemed to find amusement in the situation, though their glances at Ekko betrayed a quiet wariness.
"It's beautiful," Caitlyn said softly, her eyes wide as she took in the sprawling, vibrant scene before her.
"If your people had their way," Ekko shot back, his voice sharp, "it would be rubble and ash."
Caitlyn turned to face them, startled. "It's a misunderstanding," she said, her voice rising defensively. "They think you work for Silco!"
Ekko stepped forward, his small frame taut with fury as he rose onto the balls of his feet to meet Caitlyn's gaze. "Your people hunt us like animals," he hissed. "And Silco pays them to do it."
Vi and Ivy exchanged a look, their shared amusement fading into concern as they watched the growing hostility.
"That's not possible," Caitlyn protested, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're wrong!"
Ekko's face darkened, his voice dangerously low. "Say it one more time."
Before the tension could snap, Vi stepped between them, gently pushing Ekko back. "She's not your enemy," she said firmly, her voice a calm contrast to the heated exchange.
Ekko shook his head, frustration clear in his expression, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the glowing blue orb. "Really?" he said, holding it up for them to see. "Then what's this?"
Ivy's interest piqued instantly, her eyes narrowing as she moved closer to examine the orb. "Wait a minute," she muttered, intrigued. "Where'd you get that?"
Ekko's gaze flicked to her, his face softening slightly, though his tone remained guarded. "It's a piece of the puzzle," he said. "And if she's not with Silco, then maybe she can explain why her people are willing to kill for it."
Ivy studied the orb, her curiosity tempered by a creeping unease. Vi stayed quiet, watching them both closely, her hands clenched into loose fists at her sides. Caitlyn, still flustered, opened her mouth to respond, but no words came.
Caitlyn sighed, her frustration evident as she finally spoke. "It was stolen during the attack—by your sister." she looked over at Vi.
Vi's head snapped up, her jaw tightening as she crossed her arms. "And you just forgot to mention that?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
"More like she didn't want to," Ivy chimed in, her smirk returning as she leaned casually against Vi.
Caitlyn glared at Ivy before turning her focus back to the group. "Someone with the right knowledge could use this to build any Hextech device," she explained, her tone defensive but firm. "If enforcers have become more aggressive, that's the reason."
Ekko looked down at the glowing orb in his hand, his expression a mix of awe and uncertainty. The faint blue light reflected in his intense gaze as he turned the orb over thoughtfully. "We could beat Silco with this," he said, his voice soft but full of determination.
Caitlyn took a deep breath, her voice calm yet earnest. "That won't solve anything," she said, looking directly at Ekko.
Ekko's frustration boiled over as he threw his arms up. "Easy for you to say," he snapped. "Your people aren't dying all around you. You don't have to watch everything you care about get torn apart!" His voice wavered, anger mixed with the raw pain of loss.
Caitlyn didn't flinch. Instead, she stepped closer, her tone softening but remaining firm. "Ekko, it's wrong—what's been done to you, to all of you. And if you keep it, I couldn't blame you for wanting to fight back. But... if you do this, the cycle of violence will never stop. Someone else will rise up to take Silco's place. It's a pattern that keeps repeating."
Her gaze flicked over to Ivy for a moment, searching for support. Ivy's expression, usually laced with sarcasm or skepticism, softened as she listened. Caitlyn continued, her words filled with conviction. "This is our best shot at setting the record straight. This city doesn't need more destruction. It needs healing."
Ivy blinked, her gaze lingering on Caitlyn. For the first time, she saw beyond the polished enforcer exterior—the idealism Caitlyn carried, the belief that things could get better. It wasn't the cold, detached enforcement Ivy had always resented. This was something... different this time.
"More than I ever realized," Caitlyn said her gaze lingering on Ivy. She stepped forward. "Please," she said, her voice steady, "Let me help you."
Ekko tilted his head, studying Caitlyn carefully. "You got a plan?" he asked, his tone skeptical but open enough to hear her out.
Caitlyn nodded. "I have a friend on the council. Someone I trust. Let me take the gemstone to him—he'll listen to me." Her voice was steady, but her eyes carried the weight of her plea. "If I can get through to him, your people wouldn't have to hide anymore."
Ekko's expression shifted, a mix of doubt and consideration. He turned to face her fully, gripping the glowing orb tightly. "One condition," he said, his voice firm. "I'm the one to give it to them. Not you."
Caitlyn blinked, surprised. "You?"
Ekko nodded. "Yeah. If this councilman of yours is really about helping, he can deal with me face to face. I won't let you walk away with it, not when I've seen what your side does with power." His gaze was unwavering, the pain and anger of the undercity's struggles etched into every word.
Ivy crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "Fair enough," she said after a moment. "Keeps everyone honest, doesn't it?" She glanced at Caitlyn, watching how she'd respond.
Caitlyn hesitated but then nodded. "Alright," she agreed, her tone cautious. "But this only works if you're willing to trust me—to trust that this can be different."
Ekko smirked faintly, the hint of his younger self peeking through. "You've got a long way to go before I trust you, enforcer," he said, slipping the gemstone into a hidden pocket. "But I'll give you this chance—for them." He gestured to the people of the undercity outside, the tree towering above them like a symbol of fragile hope.
The sun was now starting to set, casting warm hues over the massive tree that towered above them. Kids ran by, their laughter echoing in the air, while people began to string lanterns.
"When do we go?" Vi asked, her tone steady but curious. She leaned casually on one foot shifting her weight, arms crossed, glancing at Ekko.
Ekko shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Not tonight. We're hosting a gathering—a party, if you will. Everyone here will be coming together. There'll be food, drinks, music... a moment to breathe for a change."
Caitlyn, who had been pacing slightly, immediately stiffened. "We can't afford to waste time. Every second we stay here, Silco gets closer to making his next move." She turned to Vi, hoping for support. "We need to leave as soon as possible."
Ivy, standing with one foot over the other, raised a brow at Caitlyn. "Oh, come on, Sheriff. When was the last time you took a second to relax? Or are enforcers programmed to have a stick up their—"
"Ivy," Caitlyn interrupted, shooting her a glare.
Ivy smirked, crossing her arms. "What's the harm in staying for one night? The gemstone is safe here. A few hours won't make a difference."
"It could," Caitlyn countered. "You don't understand how delicate this situation is."
"No, you don't understand that some of us need this," Ivy snapped, gesturing toward the bustling scene. "These people—hell, all of us—we've been running nonstop. Let them and us have a moment of joy, or whatever they can scrape together." She looked over at Vi for reassurance
Vi, still leaning, raised her hands in a gesture of neutrality. "Don't drag me into this. You two duke it out."
Caitlyn turned to Vi, exasperated. "You're okay with this? Just sitting around while Silco—"
Vi cut her off, her tone even. "We've been running ourselves ragged, Cait. Maybe Ivy's right. One night won't kill us."
Caitlyn looked between the three of them, her shoulders tense. "I'm just saying it feels irresponsible."
"And I'm saying you should loosen up for once," Ivy quipped, her grin returning.
The two locked eyes, the tension thick in the air, until Caitlyn finally sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. One night. But if this slows us down—"
"It won't," Ivy interrupted, grinning. "Promise."
Ekko clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Good. You'll love it. Now, try to have some fun, huh? I'm sure that's something even enforcers know how to do."
Caitlyn gave him a look but said nothing, while Ivy looked visibly pleased with herself.
Ekko led the group through the lively sanctuary, weaving past people carrying platters of food and others setting up makeshift tables draped with colorful cloth. The buzz of excitement filled the air as people ran by, their laughter blending with the distant sound of someone tuning a stringed instrument.
"This way," Ekko said, gesturing for them to follow. His tone was light, but his steps were purposeful.
They passed through a cluster of smaller treehouses connected by rickety wooden bridges. The scent of fresh wood and flowers lingered in the air, adding to the charm of the place. After a short walk, Ekko stopped in front of a small house tucked beneath the sprawling branches of the massive central tree.
"You can crash here for the night," Ekko said, stepping aside to let them peek in. The space was modest but cozy, with a few hammocks strung up between sturdy beams, a couple of threadbare blankets folded neatly on a low bench, and a lantern flickering softly in the corner.
"Not bad," Vi said, stepping inside and testing the sturdiness of one of the hammocks. It swayed slightly, creaking under her weight.
Ivy followed, glancing around the room. She smirked, crossing her arms. "Well, this place looks 5-star if you ask me."
Caitlyn lingered at the entrance, her arms folded across her chest. "This is... practical," she said, clearly trying to keep her composure.
Ekko leaned casually against the doorframe, watching her with an amused expression. "It's not a palace, but it'll do. Besides, you'll want to rest up. Tonight's going to be loud, and tomorrow..." He trailed off, his face growing serious. "Tomorrow, we'll figure out the next move."
Vi nodded, lying back in the hammock and lacing her hands behind her head. "Sounds like a plan."
Ivy plopped down on the bench, stretching her legs out and tilting her head toward Caitlyn. "You going to stand there all night, or are you actually going to relax for once?"
Caitlyn shot her a look but stepped inside, setting her rifle carefully in the corner. "I'll relax when we've defeated Silco and his goons."
"Always the optimist," Ivy teased, grinning.
Ekko chuckled, stepping back outside. "I'll leave you to it. Party starts soon. Try not to miss it." He gave them a small wave and disappeared into the bustling sanctuary.
The trio sat in a brief, comfortable silence, the faint hum of music starting to carry through the air from the direction of the gathering. Despite everything, the weight of their journey seemed to lift just a little in the sanctuary's warm glow.