Arcane: Ekko and Powder

The following weeks brought more changes to Zaun than either Ekko or Powder could have expected. Their work together was beginning to catch the attention of more people than they had ever imagined. What started as two kids tinkering in a workshop had blossomed into something much bigger—a movement. It was more than the hoverboard or the machines they were building; it was a sense of hope, a shared vision of a future where Zaun wasn't just a place of survival but of thriving innovation. And as they delved deeper into this shared dream, the lines between their professional partnership and personal bond blurred even further.

Ekko sat at the workbench, wiping a layer of sweat from his brow as he finalized the latest invention they had been working on—a filtration device designed to clean the air around Zaun. They had tested it in smaller areas, with promising results. He turned to Powder, who was already gathering materials for their next project, her usual excitement infusing the space with energy.

"You're a genius, you know that?" Ekko said with a teasing grin as he watched her work.

Powder rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the pride that filled her chest at his compliment. "I'd say the same about you," she shot back, winking. "You're the one who put it all together. And we're not done yet. We've still got to make sure this works on a larger scale."

"I know," Ekko said, his expression turning serious. "But I think this could be it. This could be the breakthrough that Zaun needs. A way to fight back against the pollution, the poison in the air, and maybe… just maybe, we can do more than just survive. We can live."

Powder paused in her work, looking up at him with a mixture of admiration and affection. "I believe in you, Ekko. I believe in us."

His heart skipped a beat at the words, the weight of her trust in him settling deeply in his chest. There were times, like this, when the world outside their workshop felt like a distant memory, and all that mattered was the small corner of Zaun they had built together. A place where they could dream, build, and fight for a future that no one else dared to hope for.

"But it's not just me," Ekko added, his voice softening. "You're the fire that keeps me going, Powder. Without you, none of this would be possible."

She smiled at him, that mischievous gleam in her eyes. "That's because I'm always full of surprises."

A few days later, they decided to take a break from their constant scheming and planning. The tension of invention had begun to wear them both down, and even the most passionate of creators needed time to recharge. Ekko had an idea—a way for them to unwind, to enjoy a different side of life, one they'd never really explored together. He had been planning it for weeks, hoping to find the right moment. And today, with the weight of their latest project on their shoulders, seemed like the perfect time.

"Come on," Ekko said, grinning widely as he grabbed Powder by the hand. "I've got something planned for us."

She blinked in surprise, raising an eyebrow. "What? What's this about?"

"You'll see," Ekko teased, pulling her toward the exit of the workshop. The city outside was bustling as always, the shadows of Zaun stretching far and wide, but Ekko had something else in mind. He didn't want their lives to be defined by the grime and chaos of their home. They had earned this moment of peace, even if it was just for a short while.

They boarded one of the hoverboards they had modified, weaving through the alleys of Zaun and then out toward the outskirts of the city. It felt different to be on the hoverboard, not in a rush to escape danger or steal something, but just to enjoy the ride. The wind in their hair, the hum of the engines beneath them—it was freedom in its simplest form.

They stopped at a secluded spot overlooking the city. It wasn't exactly a serene landscape, given the industrial sprawl of Zaun, but the sun was beginning to set, casting the entire city in a golden hue. Ekko and Powder stood there, side by side, in comfortable silence, taking in the view.

"You know, I've never really just stopped to look at Zaun like this before," Powder said quietly, her eyes tracing the sprawling city below. "I mean, I've always thought of it as a place to run away from, not something to appreciate."

Ekko turned to her, seeing the soft vulnerability in her eyes that she rarely showed. He nudged her playfully. "Well, it's not perfect, but it's home. And maybe, with what we're doing, we'll make it a little more livable."

Powder met his gaze, her expression softening. "We've already made a difference, haven't we?"

Ekko smiled, squeezing her hand. "We're just getting started."

As the night wore on, they continued to talk about their plans for the future. They discussed the next steps for their inventions, the challenges they still faced, and how they would navigate the changes that were coming. But as the night grew quieter and the stars began to twinkle in the sky above, their conversation took a more personal turn.

"I've been thinking," Ekko began, his voice low, "about what we've done. About how far we've come, how much we've changed."

Powder raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah? What do you mean?"

Ekko hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I mean, we've always been partners, right? But I think we're more than that now. We've built something together, but we've also built something between us. Something real. And I don't want to lose that."

Powder's heart skipped a beat as she heard the seriousness in his voice. She had felt it too—the deepening of their bond, the unspoken understanding that had grown between them over time. She knew, without a doubt, that their connection was something special.

"You won't lose me, Ekko," she whispered, her voice steady. "Not now. Not ever."

Ekko smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over him at her words. "Good. Because I don't want to lose you either."

For a moment, they simply stood there, letting the quiet of the night fill the space between them. The weight of their shared dreams and the depth of their connection hung in the air, unspoken but clear.

As they rode back toward the heart of Zaun, the world around them seemed just a little bit brighter. Ekko and Powder weren't just survivors of a broken world—they were creators, dreamers, and partners in every sense of the word. Together, they would continue to fight, to build, and to love.

And as they entered the workshop once more, hand in hand, Ekko knew that the future was theirs to shape, side by side.