Arcane: Begging for Help in a Parallel Universe!

"What the hell is this thing?"

Sevika couldn't help but mutter as she glared at the figure before her.

The person, who had just lowered their hood, revealed a helmet painted in alternating black and red—a sinister, mysterious design.

Six crimson eyes, arranged in a triangular formation, glimmered ominously in the dimly lit room. The lower half of the face was replaced by two breathing valves, each pulsating with a faint blue light.

Most unsettling of all were the eight spider-like appendages extending from either side of the helmet, trembling slightly with each breath expelled from the valves.

"Eh, I've seen scarier," Jinx rolled her eyes, shrugging her slim shoulders.

"Heh—"

Link let out a faint, ambiguous chuckle.

The helmet was one of his inventions, a device he crafted after perfecting the shimmer formula.

The breathing apparatus, resembling a gas mask, served two purposes: the left filter purified the air, while the right nebulized the shimmer for inhalation.

Compared to oral ingestion or injections, inhaling shimmer put less strain on the body and caused fewer side effects. The substance reached the lungs directly and spread throughout the body via the respiratory system, enhancing physical capabilities.

The shimmer also granted him faster reaction times and accelerated healing—essential for handling the strain caused by the exoskeleton he wore. Faster reflexes allowed him to maximize the exoskeleton's power boosts, while enhanced regeneration helped mitigate burns and injuries from overheating equipment.

Additionally, the helmet incorporated night vision tech, giving Link a broader and clearer field of vision than most people.

Even the eight spider legs weren't just for show—they served as shimmer storage units.

"So, oh-so-mysterious Spider-Man, what brings you here?"

Jinx swung one leg off the table, letting it dangle as she playfully swung it back and forth. Her gun rested casually on her shoulder, her finger loosely hooked around the trigger guard.

"I'm looking for someone," Link replied tersely.

Jinx squinted at him before turning to Sevika with a cheeky grin. "Big Sis, I didn't know your charms worked this well!"

"Who sent you?" Sevika's face darkened.

Link shook his head. "I have nothing to do with the Chem-Barons. I'm just here to ask for a favor."

"A favor?" Sevika's eyes narrowed. "This is how you ask for a favor?"

"It's understandable that people from Zaun lack manners, but is critical thinking also scarce here?"

Link sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Pointing at Jinx, he added, "She started it, didn't she?"

Sevika glanced at Jinx, who met her gaze with an exaggerated blink.

Zaun's chaos weighed heavily on Sevika. The Chem-Barons were constantly at each other's throats, vying for territory and power. Her role as a mediator left her mentally and physically drained.

She barely had time to catch up with Jinx before this mysterious helmeted stranger barged in.

What had Zaun become?

Would it ever return to the days of uneasy peace, when people only exchanged curses, not gunfire?

"Doesn't matter who started it. This is the Black Lanes. You follow our rules here!" Sevika stomped forward, her tone fierce.

Jinx hopped off the table, throwing an arm around Sevika's shoulders. "Yeah, the rules of the Black Lanes!"

"I'll trade you information," Link offered bluntly. "I know about Enny and the recent attack on the memorial."

"What do you want?" Sevika, recognizing Link's sincerity, cut to the chase.

"I need to meet Dr. Singed Levik."

"Singed?" Sevika's brows furrowed into a deep V. "Why are you looking for him?"

"That's my business. Deal or no deal?" Link's voice was calm, but there was a quiet intensity to his words. "If you refuse, I'll find him myself. It'll just take longer."

"And if news spreads that one of Piltover's most wanted fugitives is at the Fogen Tavern? How many in Zaun will come sniffing around?"

Link's words were measured, but Sevika's jaw tightened.

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, just simplifying things for both of us," Link said, letting out a small sigh. "Honestly, I don't have the time to waste here with meaningless banter."

"So, do us both a favor, Big Sis." He mimicked Jinx's tone when addressing Sevika, earning a scowl.

After a tense pause, Sevika finally relented, giving him the address of Singed's laboratory.

"Much appreciated."

With the information in hand, Link exhaled in relief. Convincing Singed would make the next steps of his plan much easier.

He was determined to alter the story, to disrupt the fates of its characters.

And once the threads of the narrative were sufficiently unraveled, he would have all the time in the world for his research.

Zaun and Piltover were just a corner of Runeterra. The world beyond was vast and full of untapped potential.

Satisfied, Link shared the promised intel on Enny and the memorial attack, then left without hesitation.

Jinx could wait. He would approach her again later. She had information crucial to his plans.

As Link's figure disappeared, Sevika slumped against the table, taking a long swig from a nearby bottle.

"What the hell is happening to Zaun? Why does every freak seem to crawl out of the shadows now?"

"That guy's up to no good, for sure," Jinx muttered, crossing her arms.

Sevika rolled her eyes. "You're one to talk."

Moments later, Jinx slipped out the back door of the Fogen Tavern, her mechanical arm tucked under her cloak.

But as soon as she stepped out, she spotted the spider-helmeted figure leaning casually against the wall.

"What? Still mad I shot at you? You wanna go again?"

"No," Link replied evenly. "I just want to talk."

"Talk? Pfft. What could you possibly have that I'd want?"

"Information on Vi and Caitlyn."

At that, Jinx froze, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she locked onto Link's gaze.