Arcane: World Two - AU (Non-binary reader)

A/N: I'm sorry for the insanely long gaps in publishing time. I currently have exams and am (obviously) more focused on them. But I'm still so grateful for the 2,100 readers. It means so much to know that 2,100 people are aware of my work.

Also, this chapter focuses much more on y/n as they are a lot more boundless in writing.

AWESOME Animal fact: The average monkey can remember faces for long periods, even decades. 

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Guilt rips at your heart, and the cold steel of your blowgun resting in your hand feels as though it singes patterns of idleness into your skin as you grip it tightly. The knowledge that your brother may be falling further into debt stabs at your heart but somehow, the thought of disappointing Felicia kills the idea of helping Mylo. 

You sit atop a building, facing into the alleyway described. In your sight is a man carrying a bag filled with the client's requested item. On either side of him is another man, clearly flesh armour. With one swift blow, a dart shoots into the neck of the man in the centre. He stands in place, eyes wide as he drops the bag. He feels something fly up from his stomach. His bodyguards turn to face him. Confused, one of them asks: "Everything alright, boss?"

They watch in horror as gallons of blood fly from the man's mouth before crumbling to the ground. One of the men run, terrified of the same fate. The other man looks to where the dart might have come from for a second before turning tail and running. 

You drop down from the shadows, lift the dart from the man's neck, snapping it in half and throwing it in opposite directions. You get down on one knee and search the bag, eventually finding the desired item: "A ballerina figure?" The sound of running behind you cuts off your confusion. You turn quickly, expecting the bodyguards to make their return.

A small child dashes past you, chased by two thugs. Something about it reminds you of how you used to survive Zaun. You want to leave the scene behind but something happens that hasn't happened in years, you see hallucinations, you see this child being beaten to a bloody pulp and can't stand it. Your heart outpaces your mind as you trip over one of the thugs. He falls to the ground with a loud crash, his nose breaking on the brick flooring. The other thug turns to the sight: "Hey! Asshole! What's your deal!?"

You look at him, a spark of flame in your eye as he leaps in the air in an attempt to kick your skull. You've seen this before and react accordingly as you lean back, letting his foot fly past your face. Your fist sends him flying back to the ground in a single move of your arm.

As he writhes in pain, you turn around and begin walking away. Unbeknown to you, the child watches in awe from the shadows. Only seeing your jacket leads him to unfavourable conclusions about your identity.

***

Cold air swirls around her as Powder stands stoically before your memorial. There was only a copper plaque in the town square that read, "Y/N: Who saved Zaun from invasion?" She made an effort to visit at least once a week.

She speaks to the plaque as though you can hear: "They found the detonator, unscratched" She waits a moment as you can respond. "I don't think you're dead, you're too smart to die like that" A small smile finds her lips as she speaks: "Ekko acts like you did. And Vi just is you, fighting for Zaun" The town square is empty beside her, but it still feels like she's not alone. Her thoughts are interrupted by a small hand pulling at her shirt. She turns to see the child you'd saved last night: "Can I help you?"

The child looks up at Powder, they gulp before speaking: "Can you let your sister know I said thanks? For saving me from the two thugs last night"

Powder wasn't used to this but agreed anyway: "Um, sure? How did you know she was my sister?"