Your Shield - Arcane Male Reader

The Calm Before the Storm

Jayce approached slowly. Gripping his hammer as his knuckles turned white. Taking shaking breaths as he moved forward. Moving closer to the boy who lied writhing on the ground. Taking shuddering gasping breaths as he looked to Jayce. The councilor could hardly bare to look at him. A thin line of blood ran from his mouth down his cheek. He took another shaky breath as he looked up. His eyes going wide as the last bit of strength left him. His struggles and his convulsions suddenly stopping as his eyes glazed over. The life draining out of them. And Jayce could do nothing as he stood there watching the boy die. Kneeling down next to him as he slowly closed his now unmoving eyes never to open again. His hammer stood next to him as he sat knelt there in pain. Y/n had been right. And Jayce was too stupid to see it earlier. It had taken seeing this kid die to finally snap him out of it. He wouldn't let himself be a part of any more bloodshed.  Slowly he heard movement from behind him as Vi approached.

Vi: You didn't have a choice.

He sighed as he rubbed his hand against his forehead.

Vi: He knew what he was signing up for.

Jayce quickly stood up to his full height once more. Turning towards Vi as a steely look washed over him.

Jayce: We're done here.

Vi: We haven't even scratched the surface. Silco's still out there.

Jayce let out a deep breath as he spoke. Anger rising as he did. It wasn't really directed at Vi it was more towards himself. For ever having considered this in the first place.

Jayce: Do you not understand? I am part of this now! Another innocent person being caught in a war they didn't want. Y/n was right. I should have listened to him.

He saw Vi clench the gauntlets tighter as he mentioned your name. Anger rising in her as she spoke.

Vi: You've always been a part of this. You just never had to look it in the eye. One dead kid? There are hundreds more where he came from, thanks to Silco, and thanks to people like you who stuck their heads in the dirt.

Jayce clenched his fists as well. Thinking back on his conversation with Y/n. Hardships whatever he chose to do that's what he had told him. He knew there would be consequences, but he had done it anyway. But maybe there was still time. Maybe he could find another way. Slowly he turned back towards Vi. Making up his mind as he spoke.

Jayce: This is over.

Vi: Not for me.

She held the gauntlets tighter. The metal humming with the gemstones power as it glowed a light blue.

Jayce: Take those off.

He moved his hand over to his hammer. Gripping the handle as Vi let a cloud of steam escape her gauntlets.

Vi: Make me.

His hammer begins to glow brighter. Arches of blue lightning spreading along it surface.

Jayce: I can't let you leave with them.

Vi: Then, I guess you're gonna need to kill another trencher.

The gauntlets glowed brightly as she brought them up preparing for a fight. Jayce breathing heavily as he prepared to lunge forward. But slowly as he looked at Vi he found that he couldn't. He still felt that same sort of aura from her. The one that reminded him of Y/n. And he realized he couldn't face him again if he ended up fighting her. Sighing he let his hammer power down. Walking away as Vi hesitantly let her fists lower. Jayce turning back to her slightly as he spoke.

Jayce: You won't make it alone. 

And with that he walked off into the darkness. Breathing hard as he moved forward. Maybe there was still time. Maybe he could figure something out. But as he took another step forward, he knew deep down that there was nothing to do. No third option that would solve all his problems. He didn't have a choice. He would have to make peace with Silco.