Ending the Cycle || A Timebomb Fanfic

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Updates will come a little slower now because of college finals and I wanna make sure I have the story fleshed out more :)

I wanna make sure I know where this story should go in terms of direction <3

Thank you for reading!!

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As the moon climbed higher into the star-dappled sky, they decided to set up camp for the night beside a cliff that overlooked the breathtaking landscape of Demacia. Below them stretched an endless expanse of rolling hills bathed in silver moonlight, and in the distance, jagged mountain peaks rose against the horizon like guardians of the land. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and the hum of night creatures stirring in the forest below.

Lux suggested they build a fire to keep warm, her tone gentle yet practical. Ekko volunteered to gather firewood, disappearing into the nearby woods with the rhythmic crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. When he returned with an armful of branches and dry kindling, Lux crouched near the center of their camp and extended her hands over the pile. A faint golden light sparked between her fingers, dancing like fireflies before igniting the wood in a warm, steady blaze. The light illuminated their small circle, casting flickering shadows across their faces.

They sat around the fire, its warmth wrapping around them like a protective cocoon. For a time, their conversation was light, filled with easy banter that felt almost foreign after the weight of their earlier discussions. Jinx teased Lux about her "fancy glow magic," and Lux rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, her smile betraying her amusement. Ekko, ever the mediator, chimed in with a story from his days as a Firelight, his voice carrying a softness that came with the memories of home.

As the fire began to dwindle, Lux yawned, her movements slow and relaxed. She glanced at her horse, Starfire, who lay nearby, tethered to a sturdy tree but calm and watchful. "I think it's time I get some rest," Lux said softly, stretching before wrapping herself in a worn blanket she'd pulled from her saddlebag. "Goodnight, you two." She offered them a small smile before lying down beside her horse, resting her head against Starfire's flank as though trusting the animal to stand guard.

Ekko leaned back on the soft grass, preparing to settle in himself. But as he shifted to find a comfortable position, his gaze caught on Jinx. She wasn't lying down or anywhere near the fire. Instead, she stood at the edge of the cliff, her silhouette outlined by the silvery light of the moon.

For a moment, Ekko simply watched her. She seemed so still, so unlike the erratic, chaotic Jinx he had come to know. Her arms were wrapped around herself as if warding off the chill, but it wasn't just the cold that clung to her—it was something deeper. Something heavier.

He stood and walked toward her, his steps soft against the grass. As he approached, he noticed the way her gaze was fixed on the horizon, the vast expanse of mountains and hills stretching endlessly before them. She didn't turn as he stopped a few feet away, though he was sure she knew he was there.

"Couldn't sleep?" Ekko asked quietly, his voice low so as not to disturb the night.

Jinx didn't answer right away. Her fingers tightened slightly on her arms as she exhaled, the breath visible in the cool air. "It's too quiet," she said at last, her voice softer than he expected. "I'm not used to it. Zaun was never quiet, not even at night. There was always noise—machines humming, people shouting, something blowing up. Out here, it's... different."

"Different good or different bad?" Ekko asked, tilting his head as he tried to read her expression.

"Both," Jinx replied after a moment. "It's beautiful. Feels like... like I don't belong here. Like it's too clean for someone like me."