"Come out, Janna, or we will punish your city instead!" Pantheon cried.
A small tornado swirled into form, and a weary Janna appeared. Her wounds were healed, but her glow had dimmed. To their eyes, her power was diminished and mundane.
"We had an agreement," Taric said evenly. "You would not interfere with Targon's will, and in return, we would leave your city untouched. Why did you break that agreement?"
"That child was born in my city," Janna replied exhaustedly but firmly. "He is mine to protect. He did not choose to bear this power."
"That does not explain your betrayal," Taric pressed.
"You would have come here regardless," she countered bitterly. "Whether I stood in your path or not, you would have unleashed this disaster. I sought to guide him away from Aurelion's will… to save him."
Taric frowned, but Leona's rage burned.
"You dare claim we would break the pact first?!" Leona snapped. "Our duty is to protect Runeterra! If Targon's will demands the aspect's death, then it falls within our agreement!"
"Targon's will would have you judge the child even at the expense of countless innocents. I was protecting my people."
Leona raised her sword, pointed straight at Janna. "You will come with us to Targon's Peak for judgment!"
"No," Taric interrupted, his hand pressing firmly against her blade to lower it. His voice carried both weight and sorrow. "I understand why she acted. She wanted to protect life and beauty. She is guilty of secrecy, but not of malice."
Janna exhaled softly, but Taric's gaze hardened as it fell back upon her.
"You claim the boy is a victim, yet you hid him from us. That cannot be ignored. We will place wards here, and eyes, should the aspect-"
"Orion," Pantheon interjected with a snarl.
"-should Orion resurface," Taric finished.
Leona grit her teeth, glaring at Janna as if she were a traitor slipping free of justice. "Answer!"
"I do not object," Janna said gently. "So long as my people remain unharmed."
Pantheon scoffed. "As if you had a choice. You cast aside your followers long ago and your strength left with them."
Taric's mace struck the ground with a low hum, his eyes narrowing. "And should you ever turn back, should you try to rally them again, then suspicion will fall upon you, swiftly and mercilessly."
Janna shook her head, her gaze softening as it drifted back toward Piltover's skyline. "I remain neutral. My people come first. Nothing more."
Her eyes returned to them, voice even but laced with defiance. "Who will watch my city?"
Pantheon's hand tightened on his spear, Taric's eyes glimmered coldly, and Leona's silence was sharper than steel.
Taric finally answered, his voice low and certain.
"You already know."
--------------------
After the celestial fire ceased raining upon the city, rumors spread faster than the flames left behind. Some claimed Piltover was under siege. Others whispered it was the wrath of the gods.
In the Undercity, however, a darker belief took root: that this was no divine punishment at all, but Piltover retaliating for the monsters that had crossed the bridge.
Silco's monsters—instantly vaporized.
Trade ground to a halt. Merchants fled, and travelers sought detours around the city. Within hours, the council convened to spin their story: Piltover had been struck by rogue mages. Nothing more.
--------------------
At the Academy the next morning, Jayce Talis's Hextech breakthrough became the center of a heated debate.
"This was the work of mages! We cannot allow this research to proceed!" Heimerdinger barked, slamming his small hands on the council table. "Look at our city! Look at the destruction magic has brought upon us!"
"I understand your worry, Heimerdinger. We all do," Mel said calmly and comfortingly. "But as you've said, look at our city now. We must rebuild. We must restore trade. And we must prepare contingencies should Shurima or Targon bring their conflict here again."
"I believe we can help with both," Jayce interjected, all eyes turning toward him. "When we… broke the rules, we saw magic's potential. It can transport matter across distance. Used properly, it could move ships across vast distances and if disaster strikes again, it could provide an escape."
Heimerdinger shook his head, whiskers bristling. "And if it falls into the wrong hands? One bad actor, Jayce, one misuse, and thousands suffer!"
"Then it will remain locked in the Academy and under the Council's watch," Viktor countered calmly. "Guarded. Controlled. Used only to better lives and not as weapons."
Cassandra leaned forward. "Then how do we protect our people in the meantime? What drew them here? Do we have any insight on this?"
Silence. Only fragments of reports. Explosions, fighting, immense damage, none with a clear cause.
"How much will this cost us?" Hoskel muttered, lifting his wine with a grimace. "It will take years to repair the damage."
"Too much," Mel sighed. Her gaze returned to Jayce and Viktor. "But if their Hextech succeeds, Piltover will recover quickly. Without it however, we remain vulnerable. We need more than walls and gears. We need progress."
Heimerdinger breathed in, clearly looking to object, but Mel cut him off.
"Piltover was founded as a refuge from magic. That will not change. We will not make weapons with magic. This remains our ethos."
Her words calmed the room. Some frowned but none challenged her. Heimerdinger appeared more relieved too.
"Very well," he sighed, settling into his chair. "If, if, it can remain in careful hands, perhaps this may yet bring wonder to Piltover. I will support it."
Jayce and Viktor exhaled as Cassandra smiled faintly.
"House Kiramman will continue to fund your research," she declared.
"As will I."
"And I."
One by one, the council voiced support. Only Sheriff Grayson looked uneasy.
"So what am I to tell the people?" she asked.
Mel touched her chin, considering, before letting the faintest smile cross her lips.
"Tell them rogue mages attacked Piltover and were defeated. Tell them our brightest minds have unlocked their power and forged something greater. Tell them…"
Her eyes slid toward Jayce, gleaming with delight.
"…that opportunity and progress await Piltover once again."