Lux made sure to check that no one was following them before closing the wooden door behind them. She then turned toward Jinx, who had entered the house with her, but the door remained firmly shut, the security of Demacia on the other side, as rigid as the system that governed this city. Their footsteps echoed on the old wooden floors, and the soft candlelight flickered around them, casting long shadows in the calm, ordered atmosphere of the house.

Suddenly, Lux felt confined. She had taken a risk bringing Jinx into this house, but she knew she couldn't let her wander the cold, unforgiving streets of Demacia. She had seen the pain in her eyes, a hurt far deeper than her physical injuries, and had acted. But now, she found herself caught between two worlds. There was her family, with their strict vision of justice and loyalty, and then there was her—Lux, the hidden mage, the one fighting in the shadows to protect her own.

Lux watched Jinx with a caring attention as the young woman, though silent, still seemed consumed by the torments of her past. The room they had taken refuge in was quiet, but an air of tension hung between them. Lux leaned over to a small wooden cabinet and pulled out a medical kit. She sat beside Jinx, who seemed less reluctant to accept help than she had been earlier, perhaps because of the pain still lingering on her body, bruised by the explosion.

"I'm going to take care of your wounds," Lux said in a soft but firm voice, not even waiting for Jinx's response. She didn't know much of her story, but there was a look of understanding in her eyes. She knew what it was like to carry invisible scars.

She carefully cleaned Jinx's wounds, applying an ointment she had prepared herself. The dim light of the room barely illuminated the shimmer-stained skin, but Lux made no comment. It wasn't the first time she had come across people carrying the marks of forbidden substances. For her part, she hid her own burden behind bright smiles and eyes concealed by golden glimmers, invisible to those who lacked the keen eye.

"Demacia is... a very different city from what you know," Lux explained, her gaze briefly drifting to the bandages she was carefully placing. "You know, it's not exactly safe to be hanging around here," she said, breaking the silence. "Demacia isn't the best place for those who want to stay invisible." Jinx looked at her, a flicker of amusement crossing her violet eyes, but she remained silent. Her gaze occasionally wandered to the imposing buildings surrounding them, to the statues of fallen heroes and portraits of prominent figures. There was something unreal about this city, something cold and rigid that reminded her of Piltover, but without the frantic warmth of the city of technological advancements.

"Don't worry, I know how to blend into the shadows," Jinx replied, a hint of defiance in her voice. But inside, she felt vulnerable. After all, she was no longer the Powder of old. She wasn't that broken child anymore. And yet, every look she met, every alleyway she entered, made her feel even more exiled. Jinder. That name, that new identity she had given herself, was nothing more than a mask. An illusion. A decoy.

"There's a hierarchy here, rigid, dictated by the nobility and the army. My family is one of the most influential. My father is a high-ranking military commander. He serves the crown."

She let out a small sigh before continuing, making sure Jinx was looking at her. "The Empire of Demacia is strict, almost unyielding. Anything magical is seen as a threat. Us—mages, we have to live in the shadows, hide our light. But that's also what allows me to act... discreetly."

Jinx listened, her eyes fixed on the room around them, but her mind seemed elsewhere. Lux cast a thoughtful glance at her, noticing the intensity with which she absorbed each word.

"If they find out you have powers, you'll be considered a traitor," Lux continued, her tone growing more serious. "Magic is a sin in this city. And I haven't even mentioned the factions... The tensions here are high. My family, mine, they're constantly fighting to maintain their influence. And with everything going on in Piltover, the rumors reaching here, there's immense pressure."

Jinx didn't respond immediately, but her gaze hardened. She knew power games all too well. Too well. She was well-placed to know that situations like this only led to more suffering and chaos. But she stayed silent, finding an odd comfort in the intimacy of this conversation, a form of tacit alliance.

Suddenly, footsteps in the hallway interrupted the silence. The two women froze. Her father's voice, powerful and authoritative, rose from a nearby room. Lux immediately turned to Jinx, her gaze clearly signaling that they needed to be quiet.

"Stay silent," Lux whispered. "It's my father. And I don't want him knowing you're here."

Lux slowly approached the door, listening intently. Jinx, though wary, pressed herself against the wall, her eyes following Lux's movements.

The voices grew clearer.

"The people are restless," her father's voice said, grave and authoritative. "The tensions between our allies are palpable. Demacia can't afford to appear weak in the face of external threats. And there are rumors about Piltover, about... magicians gathering to sow chaos."

Lux furrowed her brow, casting a furtive glance at Jinx, but she didn't move, eager to find out what this was about. She strained to stay silent as the conversation continued.

"And Swain?" asked another man, his tone sharper. "What does he say about the growing tensions?"

Lux paled slightly, though no one could see her in the shadows. Swain. A name she had heard whispered in the corridors of power. The response came quickly.

"Swain is playing a dangerous game," her father replied, his voice heavy with gravity. "He's manipulating the factions to his advantage. If we're not careful, he could very well divide Demacia from within."

Silence fell. For a few seconds, no one spoke, but Lux felt the weight of the words like a burden on her shoulders.

"What do you propose?" asked the man's voice, quieter now.

"We must be vigilant," her father said after a moment of thought. "I'll arrange a meeting with our closest allies. If Swain wants to sow discord, he'll have to go through us."

Lux felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew Swain, at least by reputation. Manipulative, cunning, and ruthless. If his plans took shape here, things could spiral out of control very quickly. Lux's father, though influential, might not be enough to counter such a brilliant strategist.

Lux straightened, aware that the conversation was about to end. "We have to be ready," she whispered to Jinx. "Demacia is already tearing itself apart from the inside. And this is just the beginning."

The voices lingered for a few moments in the other room, then dissipated. The silence finally returned.

Lux turned to Jinx, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "You see, it's not just a city of light and order. There's so much more here than what we're shown."

Jinx, remaining silent, nodded slowly. She understood now. And in the corner of her mind, a strange feeling began to form. This city, these power games... it was everything she knew, after all. And if Demacia would never accept her, perhaps it was chaos that would finally claim it for the first time.

"We'll see," Jinx murmured, her gaze already set on the unknown.

---

Ekko settled into the shadow of their hideout, the walls still fragile after the attack. The Firelights were working tirelessly to rebuild, but the tension was palpable. Resources were limited, alliances fragile, and the ghost of past wars hovered over every reconstruction effort.

Scar, Ekko's right-hand man, was inspecting the plans for the neighborhood's redesign. He was older, but his eyes still sparkled with a defiant glint. They had been through trials together, and today, their biggest concern was no longer Silco or the destruction of their base. No, today it was Swain.

"Do you really think he's coming?" Scar asked, his brow furrowed.

Ekko sighed, glancing at the city's plans as if he could see the threat within them. "Swain has his claws everywhere. The reports we've gotten about his maneuvers... He's trying to sow discord. If we're not careful, he could set the entire region ablaze."

Scar slowly nodded, leaning further into the map. "He's smart, that guy. He's not just a general or a politician. He's a strategist."

"More than that," Ekko replied. "He's like a ghost, pulling the strings in the shadows. He knows how to exploit the weaknesses in Piltover's system, manipulate tensions. And if someone doesn't take control of the situation, it's going to become more than just a coup."

Ekko paused, his gaze wandering for a moment. "I've seen his crows, Scar. Those birds—they're not just there to spy. They're there to... manipulate."

Scar raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Crows?"

"Yeah, crows," Ekko repeated, thoughtful. "He uses messengers, eyes that fly. I have a feeling he's trying to bring down Piltover from the inside, divide those who could still resist him."

"You think we can stop them?" Scar asked.

Ekko turned to him, his gaze determined but tinged with fatigue. "I don't know yet. But we need to stay on guard. He's closer than we think."

He turned again, looking out the warehouse window where Firelights were busy repairing walls and rebuilding defenses. It was like a metaphor: the damage was repairable, but at what cost? And Swain, he wasn't an easy enemy to destroy.

In a corner of the room, one of the Firelights' children played with steel scraps and gears, unknowingly replicating a small explosive mechanism that Ekko had created long ago. He approached, watching the movement of the little fingers, hypnotized by the simplicity of the object. It was a sort of paradox: he was rebuilding with the same tools he had used to destroy.

And it was at that moment that the flashback hit Ekko, like a slap to the head. The sound of an engine, overturned shelves, the shards of a ruined warehouse. The dust. Jinx's anger.

He relived the scene. The first confrontation.

The scene before him was chaotic. The air was thick with the acrid smoke, the wooden shelves reduced to ashes, crates crushed under smoking debris. Part of their vital stock, one of the last remnants of the Firelights' resistance, had been destroyed. And there, amid the ruins, a figure emerged: Jinx.

Her blue hair floated in the heat, her eyes gleaming with madness. She held a large weapon, a piece of equipment she had stolen in a previous raid, and seemed to take endless pleasure in reducing to ashes what the Firelights had spent so long gathering.

"Jinx!" Ekko shouted, his heart pounding as he approached her. "What are you doing?! Do you know what this means to us?!"

She slowly turned, a smile stretching across her lips as if the absurdity of her situation amused her. Her eyes sparkled with a familiar madness, but it was a different kind of madness. A bitter madness, a madness that had turned her into a shadow of the sister he once knew.

"Ekko... little boy," she taunted, her voice a sharp laugh. "You're really here to tell me what to do? You really think you can stop me?"

Ekko lunged, his muscles tense, ready to do whatever it took to stop her. "Jinx, stop it, this isn't you! Why are you doing this?!"

He tried to grab her, but she nimbly moved away, her feet sliding across the floor as she retaliated with a burst of pure energy. A shot grazed his shoulder, but he dodged, getting closer to her. He didn't have time to stop and check the pain.

"Are you mocking me, Ekko?" Jinx burst out laughing, a sinister gleam in her eyes. "You really think I'm going to listen to you? What are you, huh? One of those good boys, always trying to fix things?"

Ekko stopped for a moment, stunned by Jinx's words. His heart tightened. He wasn't ready to hear that. It wasn't her. Not the Jinx he knew. He gritted his teeth and stepped toward her. "And what about you, is this your family?! Silco, a man who manipulates and destroys you from the inside?!"

She laughed louder, her eyes bloodshot with fury. "Silco doesn't let me down, Ekko. He's always been there for me, even when you and your damn little Firelight gang forgot about me. You're all the same. You don't get it. You want to save me? It's too late, kid. I've chosen my side, and I'm not turning back."

Ekko felt the rage rise within him, the air burning in his lungs, and the pain from his wounds mixing with a tearing bitterness. He swallowed, and in a barely audible breath, he said, "Next time, Jinx... I won't come. I won't save you."

His tone was filled with determination, but also with sadness. A final act of desperation. There was no more room for compassion in this world of chaos.

Jinx stared at him for a moment, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. Then, a hysterical laugh escaped her lips. She burst into laughter as if the very idea that someone could save her or hope to stop her was absurd. The laughter echoed through the burning warehouse, like a reminder of everything she had lost.

"You disappoint me, Ekko," she said finally, the laughter fading but leaving a cold trace in her voice. "You think I'm going to surrender to you?"

Ekko looked at her, his heart broken. He had no more words. He turned and walked away from the warehouse, the pain of that confrontation etched in his mind.

He was no longer the same. And neither was Jinx.

The war was no longer a battle between the Firelights and Silco. It had become a battle increasingly personal between the two of them. A war where each carried invisible wounds and fought with far more powerful weapons than explosives.

"Ekko?" Scar called gently. "Are you listening?"

Ekko blinked and turned to his friend. He shook his head, pushing the scene out of his mind. "Yeah... Sorry. I was elsewhere."

"Do you want us to organize a group to monitor Swain's movements and his allies?" Scar asked. "Or..."

"Yes, but we also need to be ready to react faster than ever," Ekko replied, his determination returning to his voice. "We can't afford to let this man take control. Not this time."

"We're with you, Ekko," Scar said, his tone serious. "We'll stop him. No matter what he tries."

Ekko nodded. But deep inside, he knew the road would be fraught with obstacles. And the real challenge wouldn't be just fighting Swain. It would be doing everything to avoid the same mistakes, the same betrayals, from destroying once again those he had sworn to protect.

Like he had lost Jinx.

"We stop this guy," he murmured to himself. "No matter the cost."

The silence in the room grew heavy. Then, the door suddenly opened. Ekko turned to see a familiar figure entering the warehouse, a commanding woman dressed in a dark coat and loud boots. Mel, the last person he expected to see, approached him with determined steps.

She closed the door behind her carefully, then swept the room with her gaze. The Firelights, still busy rebuilding their organization after the Piltover-Zaun alliance's assault, paid little attention to the intruder. Ekko, however, straightened instinctively. Mel wasn't here for sightseeing.

"I need you, Ekko," she said in a low but firm voice. She seemed more serious than ever, her cold, piercing gaze fixed on him.

He squinted, studying her for a moment before answering casually, though with a hint of suspicion. "I hope it's important, Mel. Because, you know, I've already got a lot to handle here."

She stepped forward, letting out a sigh. "It's a matter of life or death. More specifically, Zaun's future... and beyond."

Ekko frowned, sensing the urgency in her words. "What are you talking about, exactly?" He hadn't expected a new mission, let alone one that might take them far from their territory.

Mel stared at him for a moment, then whispered, "Demacia."

Ekko looked at her, confused. "Demacia? Why does that sound familiar?"

"Because it concerns you, Ekko." Her voice was harsher, sharper. "Swain. He's starting to play a double game in Demacia. He's using the tensions there to sow discord, manipulate the nobles, and prepare for a larger war."

Ekko shook his head. "I thought Swain was focused on Piltover and Zaun. He's already pretty busy here."

"You're wrong," Mel retorted. "He's not just watching Piltover. His influence is spreading across the entire region. Demacia is his next target. He's infiltrating them, manipulating the high-ranking leaders, and he has spies everywhere. We need to act before it's too late."

Ekko remained silent, rubbing his chin. "But why me? Why include me in this?"

Mel moved closer, her determined gaze fixed on him. "Because you're discreet. Because you know how to infiltrate the enemy without being noticed. Because in the shadows, you can see what they can't."

Ekko, though deeply connected to his city and community, knew this was bigger than their borders. "You want me to go to Demacia, spy on Swain from the inside?" he asked, his tone a bit sharper. "That's going to get complicated, you know."

"Exactly," she replied with a sigh. "That's why I need you. I'll be going too, but I need you to help me in secret. Be my eyes and ears. We can't afford to fail."

He studied her intently, but his mind was already racing, projecting itself into this new and dangerous mission. He was used to infiltration, but a mission in Demacia wasn't just a theft or sabotage. It was a minefield, with much bigger stakes than the simple security of Zaun.

"If Swain's really there, he's playing a whole different game," Ekko murmured, slowly realizing the magnitude of what was happening. "I'm going to need more information, and more support."

Mel smiled faintly. "I'll provide it, but the rest, that's on you to handle."

The silence returned to the room. Ekko wasn't one to be easily intimidated, but this mission was confronting him with an entirely new reality. Demacia, Swain, and now Mel, who was counting on him to prevent an even greater catastrophe.

"Okay. I accept," he said finally, resolved. "But you know what that means. I have to blend into the shadows. Total discretion."

Mel nodded. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

---

For several days, Jinx, under the identity of Jinder, had joined Lux in her struggle against the growing threat looming over Demacia. Lux, loyal to her kingdom and her ideals, had surrounded herself with trustworthy people to combat Noxus' infiltration into their capital. The two women had devised several discreet strategies to observe suspicious movements and gather crucial information. Although Jinx had never shown a particular interest in politics or the preservation of kingdoms, she had quickly understood how determined Lux was to protect Demacia. Despite her unconventional methods, the young sorceress felt an odd sense of solidarity with her. This was not just a mission for Lux, it was a war to preserve the integrity of her country, and that resonated deeply with Jinx. Even though she did not share all of Lux's ideals, she knew that in this battle against Swain, the kingdom's fate would be sealed. And for the love of her kingdom, Lux was ready to do anything to save it, even if it meant taking mortal risks.

Jinx stood in the shadow of a column in the Crownguard manor, observing the scene unfolding in the lush gardens. Lux, still as graceful as ever despite the secrets she concealed, was conversing with a man in armor, a knight who seemed to be part of the elite Kahina Order. He was tall, his armor gleaming with impeccable brilliance, a heavy sword hanging at his side. He looked... almost too perfect. His face was marked by the rigor of a strict upbringing and an unshakable loyalty to his oaths.

"Jinder," Lux murmured, turning toward her, her eyes gleaming with a concerned light. "Let me introduce you to Sir Aldric, a knight of the Kahina Order. He often trains here with me, to keep his skills sharp. Perhaps you could exchange ideas about weapons and combat."

Jinx glanced at the knight, then looked down at her weapon, Zap, which she always kept with her, coiled around her arm like an extension of herself. She slid it under her sleeve, hiding most of its potential damage, but it was clear she was not the type to be disarmed. She didn't trust people who wore such perfect armor. It never meant the person beneath the armor was worth the trouble.

Sir Aldric smiled politely, but there was something in his gaze that seemed to weigh on Jinx, as if he was trying to read every move she made. "Pleased to meet you, Jinder. I haven't yet had the chance to meet a fighter as... unique as you. And with a weapon like that, I suppose you have your own methods."

Jinx smiled, a smile that never quite reached her eyes. She moved with deliberate slowness, making a small circle around him to observe the sword hanging from his belt, each movement as calculated as that of a mouse waiting for the chance to bite. "Unique? That's a nice word for 'weird,' isn't it?" She raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with irony. "I have my methods... but not like you, with your swords and your honor." She let her gaze linger a moment on Sir Aldric's armor, before fixing her eyes on his. "I have Zap."

The knight seemed slightly surprised, but he didn't show it. He was trained to remain calm, never to be shaken. Yet, Jinx could feel the tension building between them. She didn't trust him, not at all. There was something in the way he looked at her, as though he knew more than he was letting on.

Lux, realizing the situation was getting a little too tense, tried to ease the atmosphere. "Jinder, Sir Aldric is very skilled with the sword. I'm sure he could teach you a thing or two... although, with Zap, you seem pretty well-equipped already."

Jinx threw a quick glance at Lux, then focused again on Aldric. "I don't need a sword," she replied with a small laugh. "What I have is more than enough to handle guys like him." She glanced at the sword blade before nodding toward the knight's gleaming armor. "You know, those armors are kind of like personal coffins, aren't they? Do you really think it'll protect you from a well-placed blow or a well-aimed shot?"

Sir Aldric didn't answer immediately. He knew Jinx was trying to provoke him, test his limits, but he didn't give in to the impulse. Instead, he looked at her with an intensity that almost seemed cold. "Armor protects more than just the body; it protects the honor and oath of a knight. Perhaps one day you'll understand that." He placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, his tone calm and measured.

"Maybe." Jinx shrugged nonchalantly. "But not today. I'd rather fight with what works."

The knight then turned to Lux, his eyes soft but firm. "I have no doubt of her abilities, but violence and rage lead nowhere if one doesn't know how to channel them."

Jinx let out a small, mocking laugh, laced with a hint of madness. "See, Lux, that's exactly it. People like him, they like to play at being heroes. But real strength is in chaos." She gestured to her weapon. "A quick strike, and it's over."

The tension was palpable between the blue-haired woman and the knight. Jinx knew Sir Aldric didn't like her, that he mistrusted her and her methods. But she didn't care. He had a notion of what noble combat was, and she knew that in the end, war was about survival.

She flashed a final teasing smile before turning toward Lux. "You want to teach me honor, or do I have to show you why it doesn't make sense in the world we live in?"

Lux, a bit embarrassed, tried to defuse the situation. "We have more important things to discuss. Sir Aldric, if you'd like, join me in the gardens. I have some ideas to share."

The knight stood tall, arms crossed behind his back, a serious expression on his face. "There are rumors," he said gravely, "that Swain, the man from Noxus, has begun to take a closer interest in Demacia. He's not just watching from afar, he's sending his agents to infiltrate our capital." He paused, his gaze shifting to Jinx, as if trying to gauge her reaction. "And we've heard that one of his lieutenants is currently in Demacia. He's mingling among the high-ranking officials, but no one knows his face, not even among our own."

Lux shuddered slightly at the mention. "That's what we fear," she replied calmly, but her tone betrayed her concern. "We have information suggesting that he may attend a ball organized by the nobles of Demacia in a few days. An event where many members of high society will be present. And if Swain truly has spies in our ranks, it's possible that one of his lieutenants will be there to sow discord."

Jinx furrowed her brow, intrigued but also slightly mocking. "A ball? Really?" She glanced at Lux. "You want to send me to a party to celebrate everything that's boring and morally restrictive?"

Lux met her gaze seriously. "This isn't just a party. This ball is a cover. The most influential people in Demacia will be there, and we need to be ready for anything. If Swain has a man in the city, we need to unmask him. But... it's too risky to do so openly."

She then turned to Jinx, a spark of intensity in her eyes. "Jinder, you... you're the perfect person to infiltrate that ball without anyone noticing. You can play a part, attract the attention of a potential spy without being spotted."

Jinx looked at her, clearly puzzled, before smiling with a challenging look. "So you want me to be a mole, a wolf dressed as a lamb? Aren't you afraid they'll see me and I'll yell 'Surprise!' before you even blink?"

Lux smiled slightly, though there was a hardness under her features. "I know your expertise in discretion and chaos. You'll be perfect for thwarting Swain's plans. Meanwhile, I'll make my own distraction. We'll need to keep an eye on everything, without drawing too much attention. We might discover who he's sending and what his intentions are."

Jinx thought for a moment. The ball was a well-laid trap, but for once, she wasn't opposed to playing a role. She had a flair for covert missions, and this sounded like an adventure worthy of her. But more than that, she knew it would put her in a strategic position, where the action would unfold. She stood up, a growing smile on her lips.

"Okay, I'm in. I love parties where I can stir up some chaos. That's what I'm known for." She turned to Lux. "But, in case things go south... you know I don't make promises, right? I'll be there to blow everything up my way."

Lux nodded. "I know. But it can't go wrong. We have a chance to learn what Swain is planning before it's too late."

Aldric, who had been silently observing the scene, finally spoke up. "It won't be easy. If Swain is really pulling the strings, he won't be the only one trying to destabilize Demacia. There are factions here that are waiting to seize power. Stay alert. And Jinder," he added, casting a sharp look at her, "don't underestimate what you're going to face."

Jinx stared at him with a gleam of amusement in her eyes. "Don't worry, pile of scrap. I'll destroy everything properly." Then she turned to Lux. "So, are we getting ready for the party?"

Lux, after a moment of silence, nodded. "Yes. We need to prepare for the ball. It's our chance to learn more about Swain and his spies. But let's be cautious. This is just the beginning." She looked at the two with determination, her voice low but resolute. "We absolutely must figure out what he's planning. If we fail, Demacia may never be the same."