Ashes of Progress // Silco x OC

Chapter 10

The council chamber was as stifling as always, its grandiose design doing little to mask the undercurrent of tension that filled the air. Viktor sat beside Jayce, his fingers drumming idly against the polished wood of the table as the latest updates on their hextech advancements droned on.

"...the hexcore has shown significant progress, though the risks remain," Jayce was saying, his tone measured but eager. "With further refinement, we believe it could revolutionize our understanding of transmutation."

Viktor nodded absently; his gaze fixed on the glowing schematic displayed before them. His mind was already racing ahead, anticipating the next steps in their work. The potential was immense, but so were the risks. If only they had someone like Sera to help them... And then, as if summoned by his thoughts, her name suddenly echoed in the room.

"Sera Moreau," a councilor murmured, her voice tinged with regret. "Such a loss. Her brilliance would have been invaluable to your efforts, Mr. Talis."

Viktor straightened, his focus snapping back to the conversation. The mention of her name felt like a physical blow, a reminder of the void she had left.

"She would have been an extraordinary asset," another councilor agreed, nodding solemnly. "Her work with stabilizers alone set a standard we've yet to replicate. A true loss for Piltover."

Jayce glanced at Viktor, his expression softening. "It's true," he said, his voice quieter now. "Sera was... remarkable. If she were still with us, I've no doubt we'd be further along in our advancements."

Viktor swallowed hard, the familiar pang of grief tightening in his chest. He kept his gaze forward, unwilling to let them see the emotions clouding his eyes. "Her legacy lives on in the work we do," he said, his voice steady despite the ache. "We owe it to her to ensure Piltover continues to progress. For her sake."

The council murmured their agreement, and the conversation shifted, but Viktor's thoughts lingered.

Sera.

Her name had always carried weight, a mixture of admiration and longing he could never quite untangle. She had been more than just a colleague—she had been a friend, a kindred spirit in the endless pursuit of innovation.

And then she was gone.

The accident had claimed her life so suddenly, so completely, that it had left a void no one else could fill. He still remembered the shock, the disbelief, the quiet nights spent wondering what might have been if she had lived.

It wasn't fair.

She should have been here.

The meeting dragged on, but Viktor's mind stayed fixed on Sera. Even after they'd adjourned, and he and Jayce began their walk back to the academy, her name lingered like a ghost, a haunting reminder of what they had lost.

As the meeting finally came to a close, Viktor gathered his notes, his mind still echoing with the mention of Sera's name. He followed Jayce out of the council chamber, their footsteps echoing in the grand, empty halls. The hour was late, the city's lights casting long shadows across the streets as they walked in companionable silence. Jayce was the first to break it, his voice subdued.

"Do you think she would have agreed with us? With the hexcore?"

Viktor considered the question, his steps slowing as they neared the academy. "She would have questioned it," he said finally. "But she would have helped us understand it. That was her gift—turning questions into answers."

Jayce smiled faintly. "She really was one of a kind."

Viktor nodded, his chest tightening again as the familiar ache returned. "She was."