Chapter Text
It was the event of the year, and every Piltovan and Zauntie met at the center of the bridge to decide which citizen of the Undercity would die this year and the five that would be given a chance to escape Undercity—Zaun. This is the one thing keeping Piltover from having a war on its hands with the Undercity: a once-a-year chance for the Zaunties, though with unlikely odds.
‘Why would they want to leave their home?’ You may ask.
The Undercity had people at every corner trying to kill you for money, as a job, or whatever the motivation may be. For those who have not become adapted to the air, it suffocates their lungs with toxins and smoke. Due to the Shimmer industry expanding in Zaun due to the efforts of Silco, one of the overlords in the Undercity, there are people left and right, poor on the streets, addicted to Shimmer, and who are left there to die. This is not home. This is a deathtrap.
“As you all know, once a year the council dutifully selects five citizens of Zaun to get a chance in the sun!” Councilor Jayce Talis spoke flamboyantly, his microphone echoing out to the silent crowd of Pilties behind and the nervous crowd of Zaunties at the stage’s front.
“These five citizens are tasked with killing a sixth chosen citizen of Zaun, and whoever does will be given a chance to reside in Piltover for as long as they wish. The council of Piltover has generously given this opportunity to the citizens of the Undercity after a ravaging war at this very bridge, and seventeen years ago we decided to lend kindness to the people who so wished to destroy our beautiful Piltover years past. My colleague, Mel Medarda, will now draw the names of the lucky people who will be participating in the games for a chance of prosperity.”
The crowd was anxious and nervous while the anticipation built up. Five of them would be finally given a chance to prove themselves! To get out of the Undercity and live like the people who were born into their lives. It was a chance at freedom.
Every single Zauntie here had a chance to fulfill their motivations as well as to get a chance at a better life, either for the better or for worse. Many had motivations against Piltover for years now or even decades for a few older Zaunties, but since the Hexgates were built by councillor Jayce Talis himself, Piltover was only becoming stronger. Even now, five years ago and two after the Hexgates, the Hexbarrier was built around the border of Piltover and Zaun. The barrier that would shock anyone, to death if the person couldn't get away, who was lucky enough even to get close enough to the barrier. Disabling it wasn't even an option, being as the controls were inside the barrier. But once a year, the barrier was turned off for this event, but it could be turned on any second by this year's individual who was observing this event from one of Piltover's towers. This was the obstacle that many with intentions will be able to escape if they won the games.
Though one Zauntie out of thousands would be chosen to be the target; the prize; is to die at the hands of the other participants. There was little to no chance that they would be able to kill the five participants, but even so, they wouldn’t be given a chance into Piltover. They would simply be allowed to keep their life. Few participants even tried to escape Zaun and make their way to Dematia or Ionia, though with the Piltovian enforcers guarding the city borders it is certain death for them either way. Once, a particularly brutal enforcer kept the target alive to be killed by one of the five chosen. There is no mercy in these games.
Councilor Mel Medarda stepped up to the microphone, which held a golden and ivory box, one foot all around and deep, that held the names of all the Zauntie citizens over 8 years old to be drawn. Her hand reached down into the box and pulled out the first slip of paper.
“Ekko Zerive!”
A boy, more like a young man, with strong pale eyes and bone-white hair, pursed his lips at the announcement. This will give him a chance to get to Piltover and change things so that the citizens of Zaun will not have to suffer any longer. He would go to the academy, try his hardest, and then be able to create things to improve lives, not just destroy them. At least he was not the one chosen to die, although the risk was still there that he would not make it out of the games.
The Counselor pulled out another slip of paper once the buzz of the crowd had silenced.
“Caitlyn Kirraman!”
Caitlyn inwardly preened. She’d been wanting to do this ever since she’s found someone she’d want to start a family with. Everyone knew that if you eliminate everyone else in the game including the target, you had the chance to bring a family member, a close friend, or an accomplice with you to Piltover. If she wins and eliminates everyone else, she and her girlfriend, Vi, will be able to start a family somewhere safe.
“Vi Pynk!”
Vi’s eyes widened with alarm as she and Caitlyn’s gaze whipped to each other, clutching each other's hands. If both of them were chosen to hunt the target… there was no way they’d be able to kill the rest of the participants, including each other. Well, they would just have to kill everyone except themselves and hope the council is merciful this year. It was too early to show weakness, though Vi and Caitlyn allowed small tears to run down their faces.
“Jinx Pynk!”
A neon-eyed, bright blue-haired girl in the crowd raised up a fist in the air and cheered. This was her chance to escape the Undercity and get revenge on Piltover the moment she gets there! The Hexbarrier has prevented her from doing that for years, and now she has a chance to get all explodey on Piltover after she wins the games and gets let in. She just has to kill the target, and maybe Caitlyn just for fun! Maybe even Vi too! Both her sister and her sister’s girlfriend left and replaced her, so now she has the chance to get back at them! In a game!
“Silco Vyndar!”
Silco’s expression stayed neutral, though many of his accomplices had smug smiles on their faces. If Silco wins the game and gets to Piltover, Zaun will have its chance at independence, and those stuck-up Pilties will know what it is like to live in the shadows. With his influences both in Zaun and secret ones in Piltover, buying even more Pilties once into the city won't be a problem. And with enough people bought, he'll be able to overwhelm Piltover after years of planning. Influencing the right people and using them to his advantage was Silco’s plan, now all he had to do is kill one person when he’s killed many in his days.
“And now, for the individual who will be hunted by the five chosen!” Jayce Talis exclaimed, a smile on his face, as Mel reached into the box to pull out one last slip. The slip that will sentence someone to an early death.
“...”
“Feather Kyla!”
A girl with bright purple hair and dark eyes froze in the crowd. She was barely 18, though this game would kill her, for sure. Feather knew much about almost everyone in Zaun, and she knew how capable the chosen five are. She forced herself not to cry and grieve over her own death, that could wait until she gets home to prepare for the game taking place in Zaun itself. The chosen five at least have the option to form temporary alliances, while she, the target, has no choice but to die.
“Will the five chosen and the target come up to the stage!” Jayce Talis, again smiling, called out through the microphone as Mel drew back to where the other councillors were standing.
The six Zaunties walked up to the stage, each feeling different about the direction their lives were going. Ekko—calm and cool, Vi—solemn but determined, Caitlyn—ready to fight for her partner, Jinx—happy and excited as can be, Silco—emotionless and snake-like, Feather—in despair and fearful of her Fate.
As Feather made her way to the stage, farthest right of the line of the participants, she couldn’t even disguise her shaking breaths and arms. While Councilor Jayce Talis went over the rules of the game everyone knows already by heart, Feather could do nothing but look ahead to avoid the gazes of the participants who were already looking at the young girl as if already deciding how to kill her.
Once a year someone dies, and this year, it seems that the hunter will die quicker. With one individual against a prodigy, a fighter, a Zaun enforcer, a crazed shooter, and a merciless man with influences all over the Undercity, what can she do but die?