Risks (Not Worth Taking)
“Hey, Viktor, you here again?” Scar’s voice rang out from the other side of the door, accompanied by a knock.
Viktor barely registered it.
His mind had been consumed by the Hexcore for the better part of the day. Since showing it to Ekko, the two of them had come to an agreement, it was better to keep researching its potential than to leave it behind in Piltover, where it would undoubtedly be exploited.
But progress was slow.
The Hexcore rejected plant matter, that much was clear. Viktor had tested again and again, attempting to graft its energy onto various samples, but every attempt had failed. The plants shriveled, crumbling into brittle husks, as though whatever the Hexcore contained was simply too much for them to endure.
It had taken both Ekko’s insight and Heimerdinger’s reluctant involvement for them to come to a conclusion. The Hexcore had started to change when Viktor had fainted after his illness flared and he passed out coughing—it seems like his blurry memories of that time weren’t a dream or a mistake, it had absorbed something from him. Blood, to be exact.
The realization had unsettled him.
At first, he hadn’t even considered it. But one afternoon, while they were exchanging ideas before wrapping up for the day, he noticed a small cut on his hand—just another result of working, the occasional slip of a tool. He was no stranger to pain, so he hadn’t even registered it at first. But the moment a drop of blood fell near the Hexcore, it was drawn in instantly. No resistance, no hesitation. As if it had been waiting for it.
“Perhaps that’s why it failed with the plants” Ekko said, his voice thoughtful. Heimerdinger, however, looked concerned, his gaze shifting to Viktor, worry evident in his expression. The Hexcore’s nature had already changed. It seemed like it had already bonded with him in some way.
Viktor was a scientist—his instincts urged him to study it further, to understand. But another, smaller part of him urged caution.
Viktor wanted to try something—what exactly, he wasn’t sure of yet. But the moment he realized that the Hexcore needed him, that it reacted only to him, the thoughts had started to form.
He didn’t fear the risk itself. No, what held him back, what made his stomach turn, was the idea of putting someone else at risk.
When he first began testing, he had started simple. But the Hexcore had rejected plants, withering–killing— them like they were nothing. If it needed something else to work, what else could he use? Animals? No. He refused. He had seen that road before, watched someone else walk it, and he had turned away in disgust at the idea.
Reveck.
Viktor’s fingers curled against the edge of the table. How could he have even entertained the thought of seeking his help, knowing what he knew?
He had admired the older man once. Looked up to him. Followed him around, listened to every word. He had wanted to learn. To help.
If he had realized sooner, maybe …
His mind drifted to Rio, the reason he had first approached his once mentor. She had been a marvel, unlike anything he had ever seen. A reptilian-like creature, beautiful and friendly. Viktor had been fascinated, spending hours observing her, sketching, taking notes… He should have noticed. He should have known.
He couldn’t help but remember the awful moment when he had learned the truth.
Reveck had used her. He had made Rio suffer just to further his research. And when Viktor had confronted him, pleaded with him to stop, Reveck had simply looked at him confused, as if he couldn’t comprehend why the boy in front of him was so distraught and said: “This is science, Viktor. Progress demands sacrifice”
Viktor had never forgotten those words. The memory sat heavy in his chest, and yet…
And yet here he was, staring at the Hexcore, entertaining the same kind of thoughts.
But he couldn’t. Not with another living thing. Never that.
Still, a quiet voice in the back of his mind whispered, threading its way through his logic, offering a different idea.
What about himself?That was different.
If there had to be risk, then he would take it. That was easy, logical, even. If he tested it himself, he could control the variables, study the effects firsthand. And if something happened, he would bear the consequences–no need to destroy more plants or put anyone else in danger.
As if reading his thoughts, Heimerdinger immediately spoke, his large blue eyes filled with concern. “You cannot risk yourself testing this. Not when we have yet to understand what it means.”
Viktor felt his frustration rise. Why not? This was the first real possibility of making progress, of understanding the Hexcore, of using it for something meaningful. And now, just when they had a lead, everything had to halt?
If it meant progress, if it meant finally unlocking something that could help people, then wasn’t it worth it?
Viktor exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair.
He knew what Heimerdinger would say.
That magic was dangerous. That it had destroyed civilizations before. That they were playing with forces they didn’t understand.
But Heimerdinger was always cautious.
And Ekko, Ekko was young, but he was smart. Cunning. He had an instinct for when something wasn’t right, and even he had hesitated when they realized the Hexcore had “bonded” to Viktor.
Maybe he should listen to them.
Maybe he should be careful.
Maybe. But Viktor had never been particularly good at waiting.
His gaze flickered back to the Hexcore, still gently pulsing on the table, casting shifting patterns of blue and violet against the walls. It almost looked…alive.
The smallest whisper of a thought curled at the edge of his mind.
It could work. If it needs me, then maybe—
A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
Viktor flinched, his breath catching as he turned to see who it was.
“Hi there.” Scar’s voice, casual and familiar, dragged Viktor abruptly from his thoughts.
“Ah– ” Viktor exhaled, blinking as if waking from a dream. He turned, finding Scar standing there. His expression was somewhere between amused and exasperated.
“Sorry,” Viktor murmured, rubbing at his temple. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Yeah, I noticed.” Scar crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the desk. “Celia said you didn’t come to the kitchens today, so I brought you something before you forget to eat again.”
Viktor glanced at the window, only now realizing how much time had passed. Had he really been at this all day?
“Oh,” he said, slightly sheepish. “I didn’t notice… Thank you, Scar.” He took the plate, setting it down on the worktable beside his notes.
Scar sighed. “You’re worse than Ekko,” he muttered as he dropped into a chair. “At least he remembers to eat.”
Viktor picked at the food absentmindedly. “I wanted to go over yesterday’s notes again. After a good night’s sleep, things sometimes appear clearer.”
Scar rolled his eyes but let it go. “So?” He nodded toward the Hexcore. “Any breakthroughs with your glowing thing?”
Viktor exhaled. “Not really. Nothing yet…”
Scar seemed to pick up on his frustration. He shifted, as if debating something, then changed the subject. “Well, I do have some good news for you,” he said, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. “You remember the issue with the water system?”
Viktor nodded.
“Your adjustments actually worked,” Scar said, stretching out his arms. “I mean, really worked. Not just some temporary fix, people are actually talking about it. Heimerdinger’s additions were good, yeah, but the modifications you made? Those made a hell of a difference.”
Viktor sat back slightly, something warm settling in his chest.
“I am glad,” he admitted, allowing himself a small smile.
Scar grinned. “Yeah, well. Took you long enough to actually appreciate your own work.”
Viktor shook his head fondly before pushing his plate aside, glancing toward Scar with a flicker of curiosity.
“And Ekko? Is he busy today?” he asked.
Scar’s expression darkened almost instantly. “Yeah,” he said, his voice notably colder. “He’s with Vi and Jinx today.”
The way he said her name—Jinx— made Viktor pause.
Viktor had spent enough time around Ekko and Scar to understand their feelings on the matter, or at least to try.
Ekko’s emotions regarding Jinx were complex, tangled beyond easy comprehension. Years of history, of friendship, of betrayal—Viktor couldn’t even begin to untangle all of it. But Scar? Scar was much easier to read.
He didn’t like her. At all.
Not just for what she had done to Ekko, but for everything else. The pain, the destruction, the death. Some of their friends, their people, were gone because of her. How could he not resent her?
And yet, despite everything, Ekko had brought her here.
Viktor hesitated, unsure if he should say anything. “I hope they… I hope things work out,” he said carefully, watching Scar’s reaction.
Scar exhaled sharply. “Yeah, well. Some things you can’t just talk out, you know?” He ran a hand over his arm, fingers brushing the pale mark of an old wound. “But whatever. It’s Ekko’s call”
Viktor studied the complicated expression on his face but chose to say nothing. Silence hung between them for a moment; the only sound was the quiet munching of Viktor before Scar spoke again.
“Look, I get it,” he muttered, almost like he was trying to convince himself. “I get why he did it. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Viktor studied him for a moment before setting his fork down. He had never thought he was particularly good at comforting people, but…
“Ekko is lucky,” he said, “to have someone like you, watching out for him.”
Scar glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.
Then he scoffed, shaking his head. “Yeah, well. Someone has to do it” he muttered, but the sharp edge of his bitterness had dulled slightly.
Viktor considered his next words carefully. He didn’t want to pry further, not when Scar already looked so irritated, so exhausted by it all. He glanced at the unfinished food on his plate and then back at Scar, deciding to shift the conversation.
“Speaking of things working out,” Viktor said. “I am still waiting for you to show me how your hoverboard modifications are coming along. I would like to see them before you inevitably crash and have to rebuild from scratch.”
Scar blinked, then huffed a small, surprised laugh. “Fine, fine. I’ll show you later.” He glanced at Viktor’s plate, noticing that—finally—he had eaten most of the meal. “Guess my mission is complete,” he said, standing up. “I’ll let you get back to your reading. Just don’t let that thing” he nodded toward the Hexcore “get in your head too much.”
With that, he made his way to the door, leaving Viktor alone once more with his thoughts, the Hexcore humming softly in front of him.
The morning light filtered in through the worn curtains, dim and diffused, casting muted gold over the small room. Viktor stirred, grimacing before he even opened his eyes.
He could tell from the stiffness in his limbs that today was going to be a bad day.
His injuries—the ones from the attack—had healed long ago. What lingered was the usual discomfort, the deep-seated ache in his bones, the pull of exhaustion that never quite left. He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, willing himself to move.
C’mon get up.
With a controlled breath, he rolled to his side and pushed himself upright. His muscles protested, slow and rigid, his leg throbbing.
He reached for the back brace first, fingers working through muscle memory as he secured it in place. Then came the leg brace—always trickier, especially on days like these. His movements were sluggish but practiced. The straps resisted his stiff fingers, the buckles didn’t align as easily, and for a brief moment, he considered just leaving it. but he knew he wouldn’t, he couldn’t.
If he was already in pain just sitting, he didn’t want to imagine what it would be like trying to get up without the support the leg brace provided. Bets were, if he tried, he’d find himself face first on the floor before he even made it out of his room.
Once everything was secured and he finished getting dressed, he exhaled. Another day.
_____________
The air was crisp, but it wasn't unpleasant. The sun had climbed just high enough to cut through the lingering chill. Viktor sat on a bench, hands curled around a cup of warm coffee, his gaze following the children playing a few meters away.
They chased after the bubbles emanating from Heimerdinger’s creation, a small harmless device that sent the iridescent soapy spheres floating through the air. The kids laughed as they leapt to catch them, their voices bright and full of energy. A ghost of a smile tugged at Viktor’s lips.
He didn’t notice Caitlyn approaching until she spoke.
“Good morning, Viktor.”
He turned his head slightly, watching as she gestured toward the bench. He gave a small nod, like granting silent permission for her to sit next to him.
“It’s strange to see you relaxing,” she noted, stretching her legs out in front of her. “These days, I’ve barely seen you.”
“Eh.” Viktor shrugged. “Today I don’t feel so good, so I listened to Ekko and decided to take a breather. He’s also been busy these past few days, so I figured this way he doesn’t have to waste time babysitting me.”
Caitlyn chuckled softly, tilting her face toward the sun. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the world move around them. It was Viktor who eventually broke it.
“So…” he began, his curiosity getting the best of him. “How are things? You know, with Vi’s sister?”
Caitlyn sighed, her voice lowering, as if speaking too loudly would break something.
“Vi says it’s getting better,” she admitted. “Apparently, she didn’t know Vi was alive. She was told Vi died not long after… everything went down”
Viktor nodded, knowing parts of the story from Ekko. It would have been impossible for Vi to get any information in or out of prison. Of course, Jinx had thought she was dead.
Caitlyn continued, her tone even, but her fingers fidgeting slightly in her lap. “Silco. He’s the one who raised her.”
Viktor’s brow lifted.
“Vi was furious when she first found out,” Caitlyn admitted, “but… as they’ve talked, I think she’s starting to understand. Even if she hates it.”
She hesitated before adding, “Jinx considers him family. Like a father.”
Viktor hadn’t expected that. After everything he had heard about the man, he had assumed Silco saw Jinx solely as a weapon, a tool to use. But he also saw her as family? That… probably made things even more complicated. And that word almost seemed like an understatement when it came to these two sisters.
“I know Vi doesn’t like it,” Caitlyn said, her voice quieter now. “To her, Vander was a father, and Silco was the one who… took him away. But even I can see that, despite everything, Jinx is… surprisingly receptive to what Vi had to say.”
Viktor turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow.
She laughed. “Yeah, I know”
Caitlyn’s eyes drifted toward the children playing.
“After hearing everything—first from Vi, then from Ekko, and now the details Jinx is telling Vi… I can see why things ended up like this. It’s twisted and messy, but… what else could have happened?”
Viktor appreciated this about Caitlyn. She was impulsive at times, but at her core, she sought to understand. She had always believed in justice, in doing the right thing.
And yet, unlike most of Piltover’s elite, she was willing to change her perspective when presented with new truths.
“Given the options available at the time,” Viktor said carefully, “I don’t think much could have changed.”
Caitlyn looked at him, listening.
“I’ve heard about Vander,” he continued, “and from what I’ve gathered, he was a great man. A leader. But…”
Caitlyn exhaled, already anticipating what he was going to say. “You can say it.”
“…He didn’t solve anything.”
She nodded solemnly.
Viktor continued, “The problems stayed the same. And that led to resentment from those who wanted more than just maintaining the status quo. That’s what gave rise to Silco.”
“According to what Jinx told Vi, Vander nearly killed Silco once.” Caitlyn’s expression tightened. “Apparently, they were best friends once. Partners in a movement to make the Undercity independent.”
Viktor had heard of that dream before. The nation of Zaun. Growing up, he had thought it impossible, just another hope to be crushed beneath Piltover’s heel. It was why he had chosen to fight in another way. His own way. Science. Innovation. Progress.
Caitlyn sighed, rubbing her temples. “I feel awful when I hear all this. I understand why Ekko was so furious with me when we met. How could he not be?”
“I wish more people were like you.” Viktor said after staying silent for a moment.
Caitlyn blinked, caught off guard. “Wh…What?”
Viktor exhaled softly, swirling the remnants of his coffee in his cup.
“I mean, you’re open-minded” he said “You listen. You try to help. And despite everything, you truly believe in making things better.”
Caitlyn cleared her throat, flustered. “I’ve made plenty of mistakes.”
Viktor huffed a quiet laugh. “Not something people from yourstanding usually admit.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes but smiled. Then her expression became serious. “I can’t keep defending Piltover.”
Viktor tilted his head, waiting.
“Even if it’s my home. Even if my mother is on the council.” She looked down, shoulders slumping. “She and I rarely agree. And I still love her, but… I can’t help seeing things differently now.”
Viktor could see the weight of all of it pressing on her. He understood.
“So, what are you going to do?”
She inhaled deeply. “I’m going back. I’m going to talk to my mother. She helped us arrange the council meeting before. Maybe I can reason with her.”
“And Vi?” Viktor asked, glancing at Caitlyn out of the corner of his eye.
He hadn’t needed anyone to spell it out for him, he could tell how deeply they cared for each other. Even without the way Caitlyn’s expression softened when she spoke of Vi, even without the way Vi lingered near Caitlyn like a tether she wasn’t ready to let go of, it was obvious.
Caitlyn exhaled, her fingers absently tracing the stitching of her jacket. “I’m going to tell her later, after she gets back from spending time with her sister.”
Her voice was even, but there was an underlying nervousness.
“I know it’s not fair to ask her to leave Jinx’s side now that they’ve found each other again, but with her voice—someone from the Undercity, someone who saw the Sheriff’s corruption firsthand—I might actually stand a chance of swaying the council”
Viktor hummed, considering that. “At the very least, you could get Marcus out of the enforcers. That would be progress in my book.”
Caitlyn huffed a quiet laugh. “I’d be more than happy to see him gone.”
A beat of silence stretched between them before Viktor tilted his head slightly.
“So. Why come to me first?” He could guess a few reasons, but he wanted to hear it from her.
Caitlyn hesitated only for a moment before speaking. “Would you want to come back with me?”
Viktor stilled, caught off guard by how his chest tightened at the question. Like something was pressing against his ribs.
He could tell she had been building up to it. Caitlyn must have noticed his reaction because she hurried to add, “I figured things didn’t end well when we left you in Piltover. But I’m sure I could help– ”
“Caitlyn.”
He said cutting her off before she could try to convince him of something he already knew wasn’t an option.
He sighed.
“I’ll be honest with you, because that’s what you’ve done for me.” His voice was quiet, steady, factual. “I haven’t been feeling well. The trip back would be difficult, especially if we need to keep hidden. If we have to take paths that require speed or strength, I would only slow you down.”
He hesitated for a fraction of a second before continuing.
“But more than that…” He glanced down, fingers curling slightly against his crutch. “I’ve been making progress here.”
That was only half of the truth. The other half, the part he didn’t say, was that he wasn’t sure he belonged in Piltover anymore. He wasn’t sure he ever had. He had always been an outsider, but now? Now, after everything? He wasn’t sure what was left for him there.
“I don’t have family in Piltover, so I have no real reason to go back.” He said it simply, as if stating a basic equation, but in his mind, the thought lingered longer than it should have.
For a brief moment, he thought of Sky, of her easygoing presence in the lab. And he thought of Ximena and her affectionate care and company.
But they had their own lives, their own paths. He was sure they wouldn’t miss him too much once they got used to his absence. He always had been easy to forget.
“But,” he continued, shaking off the thought before it could settle too deeply, “if I could ask you for a favor…”
Caitlyn tilted her head slightly, listening.
“I have some notes I’d like you to deliver to Sky.”
He reached into his coat and pulled out a couple of folded papers, the edges slightly crumpled.
“She’s been researching flora that could help purify toxins in the Undercity. I gave it some thought and compiled notes that may help further her research. I doubt she could come here, given how tense the situation is at the borders, but this might be of use to her.”
Caitlyn took the papers, running her fingers over the roughened pages before carefully tucking them away. “Of course.”
For a moment, she didn’t move. She sat there, lips parted slightly like she was about to say something else.
Viktor noticed it, the hesitation, the way her fingers twitched slightly against her knee. And then, just as quickly, she closed her mouth and shook her head. Instead, she stood.
“See you soon.”Not goodbye.
Viktor gave her a small nod, watching as she turned and walked away.
She never did say what she had been thinking. But Viktor had a feeling he knew.
And even though neither of them said it out loud, they both knew who had been lingering in her mind just as much as he had been lingering in Viktor’s.
It had been days since they last experimented with the Hexcore. Heimerdinger had always urged caution, and with Vi accompanying Caitlyn back to Piltover—and Jinx seemingly agreeing to wait for her sister’s return—Ekko had been stretched thin overseeing Firelights matters and tending to their community. Viktor couldn't, in good conscience, ask him to spare time simply because he felt restless.
Initially, it hadn’t been too bad. Viktor occupied himself with smaller projects, making improvements around the Firelights community. Most notably, he'd become absorbed in recreating, in the best way he could manage, the mechanical arm, or “hexclaw” as he and Jayce had once jokingly named it. It lacked the complexity of their original design, missing the powerful beam, but it was functional and helpful. He had even discovered a lightweight, sturdy alloy, which allowed him to wear it comfortably, almost like a mechanical third arm.
Today, however, had started badly and only gotten worse. Viktor had barely slept, plagued by lingering pain and an anxious restlessness. His companions were all occupied elsewhere, leaving him isolated with his thoughts, each passing moment like a coil tightening dangerously inside him.
To distract himself, Viktor turned his attention back to the mechanical arm, murmuring softly as he examined it, “Perhaps I can enhance its energy efficiency…” He carefully propped his crutch beside the table and eased himself onto the chair, sighing softly as some pressure finally lifted from his aching leg.
It wasn’t long before an unsettling sensation prickled at the back of his neck, like eyes were fixed intently upon him. He turned around, but the room was empty, silent save for the soft hum of distant activity and voices from outside.
Shrugging off the feeling, Viktor turned back to his work, but the sensation lingered stubbornly, like someone whispering just beyond hearing, almost taunting him.
He was reviewing some of his blueprints and design sketches when, suddenly, his vision blurred and a wave of dizziness washed over him. Viktor gasped, gripping the table for stability, his breath hitching as a flicker of something flashed before his eyes and then vanished just as quickly.
“Just exhaustion,” he muttered, setting down his notebook with shaking fingers. He pressed his cold hand to his burning forehead, attempting to ground himself.
Before he knew what was happening, Viktor found himself standing. The motion had been strenuous—his muscles trembled and his joints screamed—but he had no memory of getting up from his chair. His attention was fixed forward, drawn inexorably toward the softly humming Hexcore, glowing serenely as always but somehow different in a way he couldn't explain.
Without any conscious intent, his hand reached out, palm pressing fully against the device. Heat surged instantly through his fingers, radiating violently through his bones. A deep, resonant vibration traveled up his arm, cascading through every nerve. Pain erupted raw and blinding unlike anything he’d ever experienced. It surged along his spine like lightning cursing through his entire body.
Viktor’s mind screamed at him to pull away, every instinct roaring in protest, but his body was frozen, ensnared by an irresistible pull. He fought, panic flooding him as the Hexcore vibrated beneath his touch, its glow intensifying, eager and terrifying.
“It’s not a magnet,” Viktor thought, forcing himself to think, to not lose himself in the sensation of pain, desperation clawing at the edges of his barely conscious mind. “I should be able to… why can’t I get away?”
It was like it was trying to absorb him and everything near him. Yet nothing else in the room seemed affected. Just the scattered papers on the table… and himself. Everything else remained exactly as it always had.
He strained every muscle, his silent screams trapped in his chest, unheard, as though he had been sealed within his own mind. Suddenly, all sensation ceased. The world around him dimmed rapidly, edges darkening like a curtain falling, cutting him off from reality. Pain vanished entirely, not just the fresh agony in his hand, but the pain he was so used to feeling in his back, the persistent torment in his leg, everything.
His breath escaped slowly, softly, as darkness overtook him. His consciousness began to slip away, but this fading felt different. Strangely comforting.
His body sagged, limbs giving way, and as Viktor collapsed to the ground, the world dissolved completely into darkness, leaving behind only silence and stillness.
And even though a part of him couldn’t help but feel afraid, most of him couldn’t deny the quiet relief that filled his chest. He was grateful, almost happy. It had been so long since he had felt so calm.
Everything is so quiet and peaceful.
It was the last coherent thought Viktor’s mind formed as everything faded, and the darkness engulfed him whole.