Heartsteel: The Price of Fame (A League of Legends story)

Chapter 27: Desperate Symphony

As the musicians nervously waited for the taxis to arrive, Akali mounted her motorcycle. The sleek machine hummed beneath her, its engine a low growl in the quiet of the evening.

Kayn, leaning against the wall with theatrical nonchalance, raised an eyebrow. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"Scouting - to find us somewhere safe to stay," Akali replied.

Kayn crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Alone? You know we're Silco's top targets."

Akali smirked. "I'm faster than them, Kayn. They won't even see me coming."

Kayn persisted, a serious edge to his tone. "I'm serious. At least take me with you."

Akali shot him a look that could freeze fire. "Both of us out there together? We'll be mobbed by our fans in seconds. Seriously, Kayn, I got this. You focus on not driving everyone mad with your antics."

With a parting wink, Akali slipped the helmet over her head. Kayn, shoving his hands nervously into his pockets, called after her, "If you get lost, just follow the scent of victory. It'll guide you back."

Akali's laughter echoed as she revved the engine. "Save the victory speeches for when I find a safe place for us to stay, Kayn!"

As she sped away, her silhouette cutting through the city's neon glow, Kayn couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his gut.

Sett, breaking the tense silence, nudged Kayn playfully. "Knew you had a thing for her. All the posters in your room were a dead giveaway."

Kayn's response was terse, his focus clearly elsewhere. "Not now, Sett."

Ekko paced back and forth, his eyes darting to the building's entrance, then to the street, a frown etched on his face. Qiyana bit her lip, her usual bravado replaced by worry. Senna stood silently, her gaze distant, while Yasuo leaned against the wall, his expression unreadable. Ahri and Evelynn, still trapped in their altered states, stood motionless, their blank expressions adding to the surreal nature of the situation.

They needed to move, and fast. The longer they remained exposed, the greater the risk of being discovered, not just by Silco's men, but by their fans, the media, anyone who could give away their location.

Kayn's impatience grew as he checked his phone, hoping for an update on the taxis. But what he saw made him freeze. The screen displayed a news alert that sent a jolt of fear through his body: "BREAKING: K/DA Star in Horrific Motorcycle Accident."

Kayn's heart pounded in his chest as he read the details. A truck had collided with Akali's motorcycle just a few blocks away. She was lying injured on the street, with no immediate help in sight. The article mentioned witnesses but no mention of emergency services having arrived yet.

Panic surged through Kayn. He had to get to Akali, had to make sure she was okay. Without a second thought, Kayn raced down the road. The others called after him, but his every thought focused on reaching Akali as fast as he could.

The accident site was not far away, but every step felt like an eternity. The distant glow of flashing lights illuminated the tragedy unfolding on the highway. In the midst of the chaos, he caught sight of Akali lying motionless on the ground.

Kayn tried to fight past the police officers, but they held him back. "Let me through! I know her! Let me through, damn it!"

The officers held their ground, their faces stern and unmoving. "Stay back! The paramedics are on their way."

Frustration and fear ignited in Kayn's eyes as he wrestled against the human barricade. His fingers clawed at the air, yearning to reach Akali, to offer whatever help he could. The scene before him was a nightmare. The harsh blue and red police lights cast an eerie glow over the tragedy. The absence of ambulances at the scene heightened the urgency, each passing second a reminder of Akali's perilous situation.

"Kayn, Kayn, always the one to rush headlong into the fray," a sinister voice whispered.

Startled, Kayn turned to find Silco standing in the crowd behind him. He was bruised from their earlier scrap, but otherwise uninjured.

"You! I should have ended you when I had the chance!" Fury burned in Kayn's eyes as he lunged at Silco, seizing the collar of his coat. "What have you done?!"

Silco, unperturbed, met Kayn's rage with a condescending smile. "Ah, the aftermath of playing with the big boys, my dear Kayn. A tragic turn of events, but you always knew the stakes."

"Where are the ambulances? What kind of sick game are you playing?" Kayn demanded.

Silco's tone oozed menace. "No game, my boy. Just the rules of engagement. Comply, and you get everything you ever wanted. Resist, and watch your world crumble. I'll take your friends out one-by-one, starting with her."

Kayn's eyes narrowed. Akali lay vulnerable on the highway, and the absence of ambulances spoke volumes. Silco's smirk widened, a cruel satisfaction emanating from his every pore.

"Choose wisely, Kayn. The clock is ticking," Silco whispered.

For a moment, the world seemed to freeze around them — a silent tableau of despair and manipulation. Kayn grappled not only with the physical barriers keeping him from Akali but also with the agonizing choice that Silco laid bare before him. But he had already decided he was never making a deal with Silco again.

Fingers fumbling with anxiety, Kayn found his phone and dialled the emergency line. "Hello? A woman is bleeding out on the main street! Where are the ambulances?"

The dispatcher's calm voice attempted reassurance, "Help is on the way, sir. Stay with me."

Kayn cut through the scripted comfort. "I don't hear any sirens! Are you sure anyone's coming?"

The dispatcher, growing impatient, threatened, "Sir, I need you to stay calm or I'll have to end this call."

"Oh, because that'll help her, won't it?" Kayn snapped. He hung up, determination solidifying his resolve as he made another call, this time to a private company. "I need an emergency medical pickup on main street."

"In the middle of the city?" the man on the other end of the line retorted. "You realize my company could get fined for landing in a place like that?" 

"I don't care about fines! I'll pay anything! Please, she doesn't have much time!" Kayn pleaded.

There was a brief pause, followed by a sigh. "Fine, but it won't be cheap."

Kayn thanked him profusely, promising to cover any cost. Only an hour ago his life finally seemed to be coming together. Now it was at risk of completely falling apart.

Ten minutes later, the distant thump of helicopter blades announced the emergency team's arrival. Two paramedics leapt to the street and rushed to Akali's motionless form.

Desperation marked Kayn's face as he strained to catch a glimpse of her, to assess the extent of the damage. Blood stained the asphalt, and torn jeans revealed the severity of Akali's injuries. His hand twitched instinctively, reaching out as if to steady her, but the paramedics worked swiftly, sweeping her onto a stretcher.

"I'm coming with you," Kayn said, hurrying beside them. "I won't be in the way, I promise."

"What are you? Her boyfriend?" one asked.

"What does it matter?" Kayn snapped. "I'm staying with her. She needs me."

The paramedics tried to argue but Kayn refused to accept no for an answer. He forced his way onto the helicopter, casting a furious glare at Silco as the aircraft lifted off.

In the harsh glow of the helicopter's interior lights, Kayn held Akali's hand tightly, fingers entwined with the lifeless stillness of hers. He studied her face, a canvas of pain and vulnerability, the usual spark of mischief extinguished. A deep gash marred her forehead, a scar etched into her skin. The rhythmic thumping of the helicopter blades seemed to synchronize with the anxious beats of Kayn's heart.

The sight of Akali in this state intensified Kayn's feelings of guilt and remorse. He questioned his choices, replaying the moments that led to this dreadful moment. Why didn't he stop her? Why didn't he insist on accompanying her?