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Ekko was a certified genius, and Powder wasn't far behind. With their powers combined, the duo managed to stabilize the hoverboard prototypes in just over a month.
I felt a little like the "third wheel" in the lab, but I wasn't slacking off. Using my memories of Earth's engineering, my electrical generator was finally taking shape. Bringing light to the Firelight sanctuary wasn't just a dream anymore—it was a few wires away.
I just need to find Heimerdinger, I thought. Whether it was my internal combustion engine or Ekko's hover-tech, any of it would make the "Great Professor" flip his yordle lid. "Maybe on the next Evolution Day," I muttered.
Finally, the day came. The first batch of three "Firelight Boards" was ready for a field test. Ekko gathered the refugees, standing on a crate like a young general.
"Everyone! We're here because we want a future for Zaun!" Ekko shouted, his voice echoing in the spire. "And right now, Silco is poisoning that future with Shimmer! We fight for ourselves! We fight for the Lanes!"
The crowd erupted. Even Powder was clapping so hard her palms must have been red. I nodded slowly. Ekko had the spark. He was a natural leader—inciting, passionate, and just the right amount of stubborn.
"Now, I'll demonstrate the first prototype," Ekko said, stepping onto the board.
The board hummed, fighting gravity until it hovered a few inches off the ground. This wasn't just a jet-engine strapped to wood; it was stable, sleek, and powered by refined alchemical flow. Ekko kicked off, the rear fans spinning up with a high-pitched whine. He leaned forward, and the board shot upward, leaving a trail of emerald-green vapor in its wake.
He looped around the stalactites, performing tight turns and a 360-degree spin that had everyone cheering. I watched with stars in my eyes. "So cool... my dream of being a flying sword-saint is almost here!"
"And now," Ekko shouted mid-air, "for a graceful landing!"
He came in hot, misjudged the friction, and slammed face-first into the back wall.
Thud.
I covered my eyes. "Ouch. Failed the 'coolness' check. How embarrassing."
Ekko's face was probably bright red under his war paint as he limped back with the board. "Mistake... total fluke..."
The others were polite enough to hide their smirks, but Powder didn't have a filter. She giggled, "Little Man, was that last part a 'stunt' too?"
I shot Powder a "hush" look. She didn't get why it was rude, but she shut her mouth obediently.
Ekko cleared his throat, holding the board high. "With these, we can actually take the fight to Silco! I have two more boards ready. I need two warriors for the Firelight Squad!"
Powder's hand shot up instantly. Looking at the sharp glint in her eyes, I couldn't tell if it was Powder or Jinx at the wheel.
"No," Ekko said immediately. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her—not after Vi and the others.
"Why not?" she snapped. "I killed the Shimmer monster! Did you kill a Shimmer monster? I remember someone getting punched into a wall. Chen can even tank those things head-on!"
Ekko froze. The logic was sound, but the delivery was... venomous. Definitely Jinx. She probably figured that if she was on the squad, she'd get more "playtime" outside the box.
I realized we needed her. Without Jinx's raw DPS, we were just a bunch of kids on flying skateboards. And as if on cue, my HUD flickered.
Side Quest: The Rise and Fall of Zaun (Optional) Objective: Join the Firelight Squad. Reward: 1 Talent Point.
"I'm in too," I said, raising my hand.
No one objected to me. They'd seen me trade blows with a mutant and walk away. The team was set: Ekko (the Assassin), Jinx (the Marksman), and me (the... Tank-ish Warrior with a turtle shell).
As Ekko continued his "principal at a school assembly" speech, I started poking around the system. Wait, Ekko issued that quest? Can heroes give side quests now?
I leaned over to Powder. "Hey, Powder. Is there anything you really want to do right now? Anything you need my help with?"
She blinked at me. "No."
I didn't give up. "Anywhere you want to go? Anything you want to eat? Steamed lamb? Roasted duck? Braised pork? Honey-glazed Raptor wings?"
I went full "foodie" on her. Powder's mouth started watering. She licked her lips and looked at me with pure anticipation. "I want to eat a Gromp from the jungle!"
The Gromp?! My beloved frog queen?!
Side Quest: Eat All the Food in Runeterra (Optional) Objective: Take Jinx to eat Gromp. Reward: Health Potion x1.
I stared at the screen. It worked! I'd found the secret to infinite power: just trick Powder—I mean, help Powder—fulfill her wildest culinary dreams.
"Gromp it is," I whispered. "We're going to eat our way through the whole Rift."
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