Ending the Cycle || A Timebomb Fanfic

XXVII

*Rubs hands together evily*

Enjoy this chapter >:)

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Mothers clutched their children tightly as they hurried through the sanctuary, their steps urgent and fearful. The eastern building—the last structure with walls strong enough to endure what was coming—had become their beacon. This was the same place where Jinx and Ekko had first pledged themselves to this war weeks ago, a space steeped in both beginnings and endings. Now it would serve as a refuge, a final bastion of safety.

Jinx had insisted Ekko take Kuro there, and though his body protested every step, adrenaline coursed through him like fire, numbing the pain. He carried the little girl in his arms, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as her small, tear-streaked face buried itself in his shoulder. Each step he took was purposeful, unyielding, as though sheer determination alone would see them through. The sanctuary bustled with frightened refugees, all scrambling toward the east side under the looming shadow of destruction.

Meanwhile, Jinx sprinted toward the cottage. Her breaths came fast and sharp as she threw open the door, grabbing her gun and as much ammunition as her hands could carry. The colorful bombs, her signature creations, were quickly strapped across her chest in chaotic rows. Each bomb was a reminder of who she was—unpredictable, vibrant, and dangerous. With one final glance at the empty room, she slammed the door behind her and bolted toward the outskirts of the sanctuary.

The sanctuary's once-peaceful flowerbeds were now a scene of chaos as raptors descended, their claws ripping through the delicate blooms as though mocking the sanctuary's fragile beauty. The beasts landed heavily, shaking the ground with each step. Behind them came the soldiers, dismounting in practiced unison, their armor glinting coldly in the afternoon sun. The air was thick with tension, the kind that silences even the birds in the trees.

On the outskirts, young mages lined the perimeter, their faces pale but resolute. They held their ground, a ragged but determined line of defenders, led by Lux. She stood at their head, her staff gripped tightly in her hands, her golden hair catching the light like a halo. Her stance was unwavering, though her heart pounded like a war drum in her chest. As the soldiers approached, Jinx joined the line, her gun slung over her shoulder. She moved beside Lux, her gaze fixed on the enemy, the corners of her mouth twitching in restrained anticipation.

Then one raptor, larger and fiercer than the rest, stepped forward. Its talons sank into the soft earth, and the figure atop it dismounted with a commanding grace. The heavy clink of armor announced her presence before she even removed her helmet. But when she did, the sight of her face struck Lux like a blow.

Tianna.

Lux's breath hitched as her aunt stood before her, her expression unreadable, a smile tugging faintly at her lips. Tianna's piercing gaze swept across the sanctuary, taking in the mages, the rebuilt homes, the determined faces of the defenders. She was silent for a moment, and then she spoke, her voice carrying an unsettling calm.

"You did well here, Lux," Tianna said, her tone almost...admiring. She gestured toward the sanctuary, her gauntlet-clad hand sweeping over the scene. "Your parents would be proud. A town built from ashes—a fitting legacy for a Crownguard."

Lux's grip on her staff tightened, her knuckles whitening as her lips pressed into a hard line. She stepped forward, her voice steady but edged with venom. "What are you doing here, Tianna?"

Tianna tilted her head slightly, as though weighing her niece's words, her smile sharp and unwavering. "You've made quite the impression, Lux. I'll give you that. This sanctuary of yours—it's clever, even noble in its way. But noble intentions don't erase the threat you've created. Mages, rebels, outsiders." Her gaze swept over the gathered crowd, pausing pointedly on Jinx, who bristled under the scrutiny, her fingers twitching near her gun. "You've brought chaos right to our doorstep. That chaos threatens everything Demacia stands for."