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So this is where he had run off to; a sanctuary he'd created from the remains of something they'd built together all those years ago.
It made Jayce's stomach turn.
He took a deep breath in, the rolling fields of flowers standing stagnant and hardly emanating any smell, no breeze pushing or pulling them in any direction. The only movement in this vast field were people, dozens and of all shapes and sizes, making their way to the entrance of this place.
Several folks were limping, crawling, begging for the pain to subside as they clawed their way to salvation. He hurriedly walked past them, he was helpful by nature but he feared he couldn't help everyone.
He stepped closer to the entrance, the building appearing sturdy yet… shifting. Ever changing. It looked as if it was living, breathing stained glass.
As he walked in, a bright flash of purple light shot throughout the halls and out of the blown out roof. He tightens the grip he has on his hammer as he steps in, shielding his eyes from the light. Once the embers had settled he saw it; one of his followers kneeling in front of him as he used his hexcorized hand to heal them.
“Bold of you to step foot here, defender.” Viktor helped his follower to their feet and nodded once as an indication to leave.
“Leave me, you may return momentarily. I must deal with a small… virus.” Viktor announced to the crowd as they all slowly shuffled out the door. Once cleared out, the doorway sealed shut as if a venus fly trap had snapped.
“Bold of me? You bastardized our hexgates to build this…” Jayce began huffing, he was flustered for sure. Not even sure if Viktor had survived the siege he was quietly thankful that he was alright.
“Sanctuary.” Viktor finished, his voice echoed through the hall as Jayce stepped closer.
“That word… Bastardize. Means nothing coming from the lips of a man who used our dream technology to fuel weapons for his army.” Viktor stood with the help of his cane-- now turned hexcore-adorned staff with a grunt.
“I… Did what I had to.” Jayce shrunk a bit, his shoulders tense but falling slightly. “I had to protect--”
“Protect your people. I'm here doing what I can for my people. You and your army came here and caused so much discord and suffering that I'm hardly able to keep up.” He began to walk around a pulpit that looked to be made of the same material of the walls as he stepped closer to his ex-partner. Jayce didn't flinch as Viktor stepped into his personal space.
“Defender.” Viktor chuckled sarcastically. “Defender of your pride, I suppose.” He reached up and removed the scuffed mask from his face. Jayce bit his lip, even past all the augments and scars, it was still Viktor. He was still the man he fell for all those years ago.
Dammit.
“Don't call me that. You know my name.” Jayce ground his teeth.
“I used to shout it from the rooftops. Used to pant it into your ear like some wounded animal as you used me. I let you. How pitiful I was.” Viktor was close, closer than he had been in a while. Jayce could briefly catch a smell of Viktor, mechanical oil and a sweet, burning aroma. He gulps.
“Do you really regret our time together that much?” Jayce gritted his teeth. “Do you really hate me now?”
“... Not yet. You still unfortunately have such a strong hold on my heart that I can hardly stand it. But I'm working on it.” He moved one step closer. “Understand this: once I remove how I feel for you, your time is limited.”
Jayce wishes that in the back of his mind that he didn't find Viktor being so bitter and biting to be so damn attractive.
“You need to leave before I change my mind.” Viktor shoots a quick glance towards Jayce's mouth and hangs on it for just a moment before pulling away to place the mask back around his face.
That was all Jayce needed to know.
“I'll be back.”
“I know.”