"Hey! Watch where you're going!"
"Holy shit, that kid is fast!"
"That's one of Vander's pups. We should recruit him…"
Angry shouts and astonished whispers trailed behind Orion as he ran, channeling the red-laced-into-blue offensive magic for a speed boost. His sprint was the equal of an Olympic runner back on Earth, but somehow he retained his lateral movements without tearing his body apart.
"But why is he shouting?"
"JANNA! WHERE ARE YOU? I NEED YOUR HELP!"
"Janna? Poor boy must be in trouble."
Another voice sighed. "Janna hasn't answered our prayers in decades. He's got better luck wishing for a Yordle."
"SHUT THE FUCK UP! JANNA!"
'Which timeline is this? Does this match the show, or does Vi die?! Or is this a new one where they all die because of me?!'
Orion's thoughts spiraled in panic as he bolted onto the elevator with a few strangers. Ekko and Isha had been left behind, wide-eyed and frightened, backing up behind Benzo who stepped out with a concerned look as Orion disappeared.
The other passengers stared at him like he'd lost his mind, leaning away from his stench and frantic panting. Orion barely noticed, his head too full of dreadful thoughts.
'They have to sneak a lot to reach the workshop undetected. I might still be able to make it!'
His expression twisted in desperation. 'Please, Janna, this is the worst timing! Come back!'
'How was I supposed to know which day Jayce would show up?! I tried to keep an eye out but I'm hunted topside and Silco's in hiding!'
The elevator doors slid open. Orion burst out, resuming his sprint. Gasps followed as people caught sight of his unnatural speed, one even whispering, "Holy shit, he's fast!"
Insults and curses hurled after him as he darted past but he cut the travel time in half using magic.
He rounded into an alley, ignoring the disgusted glances of passersby, before vanishing into the shadows. His gaze scanned the web of pipes and ridges along the wall until he spotted a climbable route.
'I don't need to parkour this,' he realized, exhaling as he cut off the offensive magic and swapped to wind magic.
A vortex swirled under his palms and feet. He forced it outward, blasting himself upward like a makeshift superhero, enough to clear the edge and roll to his feet.
'Like a badass,' Orion smirked, feeling cool for half a second.
Glancing up, he caught the sight of gleaming rooftops, airships drifting against the sky, and polished Victorian-style houses. He allowed himself one long breath, savoring the view before his resolve pushed him forward again.
Minutes later, he reached the spot where the gang had leapt in the opening scene of Arcane.
Orion hurled himself off the roof, wind magic blasting him forward. He slid halfway down the smooth surface before scrambling back up, eyes locking on the workshop in the distance.
And there, Vi kicked the door open, the gang right behind her.
'I still have time!'
Relief flooded him.
'They spent at least five minutes scavenging in the show. I still have time!' He repeated the thought like a mantra as he pushed his body harder, slipping more than once.
A sharp edge tore his shirt, cutting across his chest and staining the fabric with blood, but he ignored it.
Finally, he propelled himself onto the workshop's roof, his legs trembling and throbbing with dull pain.
'Alright idiots. Time to leave before we trigger Arcane's tragic timeline.'
He knelt, gripping the ledge before launching himself over and inside the balcony.
------------------
//Vi's PoV//
Vi's hand shot up. Everyone froze at the rattling sound above them.
"Someone followed us?" Mylo asked, bewildered.
Claggor stepped forward, fists clenched and eyes fixed on the balcony.
"Did little man tell anyone else?"
Vi shook her head. "Not that I know of," she muttered, still in disbelief. "I could've sworn nobody was following us..."
The faint scrape of sliding metal silenced them, their bodies tensing with anticipation until the figure vaulted onto the balcony.
"Orion?" Vi blurted, startled.
Her eyes scanned his disheveled appearance and landed on the blood seeping through his torn shirt. Concern prickled her chest before irritation pushed it aside.
"What are you doing here?"
"Get out! All of you!" Orion whispered harshly, storming into the room. His eyes darted frantically, searching for something unseen.
Vi's stomach twisted. There was fear in his voice, not the usual dry, sarcastic bite she'd grown used to.
Something about the desperation in his tone made her hesitate even as her pride forced her chin up. She didn't want to admit it but part of her wanted to trust him, even while every other part burned to prove she didn't need saving.
Vi flinched at the sharpness of his tone, a strange burn tightening in her chest. Then anger won out.
"No," she said flatly, crossing her arms. Her glare met his, defiant.
The others shuffled behind her, ready to back her up.
'This is our moment. Our time to take something back from Piltover!'
"Everything's fine," Vi snapped. "You're the one in our way!"
"You don't understand who you're robbing. This is extremely-"
Cling-Clang.
The metallic clatter from the hall cut him short. All eyes snapped to the door as a looming shadow blocked the light through the stained windows.
"Mylo!" Vi hissed.
He was already moving, jamming a chair under the handle. Powder sprinted past before he reached the door, giggling like a spark set to powder as Mylo secured the barricade.
"Hello? Is someone in there?" A calm voice called, laced with suspicion and dread.
"Orion, you're here!" Powder whispered delightedly, dashing out to the balcony.
"Hey! Open up!" The voice outside turned urgent, followed by hard slams rattling the door.
In seconds, Mylo, Claggor, and Powder had all scrambled onto the balcony.
'Good. Everyone's accounted for. We can still escape unseen!'
Vi reached for her satchel only to be seized.
'What do you think of that Orion-'
Orion wrapped his arms around her, twisting to the floor as he shielded her with his body.
Her heart lurched. For the first time in a long while, Vi wasn't sure what to do. She could feel his body trembling against hers, could smell the sharp copper of his blood.
The stubborn words she wanted to throw at him died in her throat as a terrifying thought slipped in.
Maybe Orion wasn't here to stop them. Maybe he was here to save them.
"Hey! What are you—"
Her protest cut off in a deafening blast. The explosion ripped through the room, a wave of light, heat, and debris crashing into them. Vi's shriek was lost in the roar as her vision went white.
The second and third blasts followed instantly, thunderous shockwaves that flattened the room. She curled instinctively, clinging to Orion, breathing out sharply in fear.
Her ears rang, breath returning in ragged gasps.
'I'm still alive?'
Warm droplets spattered her arm. She blinked through the haze, her eyes refocusing before freezing.
Blood. Dark red blood everywhere, pooling and dripping across the floor. But it was not hers?
Her hands frantically checked herself but found nothing more than scrapes and dirty clothes. She blinked, and slowly her gaze rose in horror.
"Orion?"
A semi-circle of writhing energy pulsed around them, deep blue veined with red and black. The barrier shimmered like a tide crashing endlessly against itself, spiking outward in jagged arcs that pierced Orion's own flesh. His side, his shoulder, his leg, anchoring him like a grotesque marionette.
Vi's stomach dropped, her breath catching as her defiance shattered. A lump rose in her throat she couldn't swallow. For once, there were no words, only the realization that he had thrown himself between her and death without hesitation.
He looked like he was being torn apart, yet he was still holding the barrier steady, still holding her safe.
A sharp ache burned behind her eyes, fear and guilt crashing together in a way that made her chest feel like it might split open.
"What… what is this?" Vi whispered, her voice trembling. Fear tangled into every word as her wide eyes took in the sight of his pale, bloodied face.
Orion's eyes rolled back, breaths shallow. With the faintest of smiles, he whispered.
"…You're alive, Vi."