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Viktor had done it.
He had actually done it.
He was able to help humanity reach the next step in evolution. Now he and everyone else could be perfect.
Now that it was over he was able to take in all of the surroundings. It had become so calm and silent.
He turned to where Jayce was kneeling. His body had been completely transformed. Just like everyone else that had gotten in contact with him.
He walked over to look Jayce in the eyes, or where his eyes should have been. All he was met with was the stark white face.
“It didn’t have to end like this. If you had just joined me. I wouldn’t have needed to do this.”
Jayce didn’t respond.
It was then that he realised how quiet his head had gotten. He couldn’t hear anyone. His mind was completely blank with the other’s thoughts, only his remained.
–
Ambessa had been the one to find him. After the fight he hadn’t made an effort to go seek any of the survivors. No one from Piltover or Zaun had made it out alive. Nobody that hadn’t escaped. Only the Noxian army remained.
Ambessa surveyed the area where the final battle had taken place. “It seems everything went according to plan.” She examined the husk of all the motionless corpses. “This ability of yours has proven to be very helpful. Perhaps this partnership doesn’t have to end here.”
He already knew what she was getting at. And he wanted no part in it.
“I already did everything I wanted to achieve. I want nothing else to do with you.” Viktor swiftly denied any more involvement in her plans.
She didn’t seem all that surprised by his response. “Fine. What will happen to you now?”
“I will remain here.”
–
He felt someone touch his shoulder. When he woke up he realised he was at his desk. There were notes scattered all over the table. He turned to see who had woken him up.
“Don’t tell me you fell asleep here, again? C’mon Viktor, that can’t be good for your back.” Jayce chastised him.
“...Jayce?” He looked at him, surprised to see who he was looking at.
Jayce seemed amused by his response. “The one and only. Now, are you going to tell me why I found you sleeping here, instead of you sleeping in your home?” He must’ve assumed that Viktor was still a bit groggy from his sleep. He started looking concerned when Viktor didn’t answer him. “Hey, are you okay? You look a bit pale. More than usual at least.”
Viktor quickly snapped out of his daze when he felt Jayce’s hand on his shoulder. “Yes, I am perfectly fine.” He made no effort to get rid of Jayce’s hand from where it had been placed.
Jayce didn’t look convinced but decided not to pry. “Well, I wanted to surprise you by getting here early, but it seems you beat me to it.” He scratched the back of his neck.
Viktor did always find it endearing how earnest Jayce always seemed. “And what exactly were you going to work on?”
Jayce sat down next to Viktor as he opened his notebook to better explain his pitch. “I was planning on working on a new prototype, obviously with your help…”
He sat there listening to Jayce’s ramblings. He didn’t know how long they both stayed there together, but he wanted to stay in this moment forever. He closed his eyes just focusing on the sound of Jayce’s voice.
When he opened his eyes again the lad was gone. Jayce was gone. He was met with the endless starry void.
He had been spending a lot of time replaying his memories. Searching, trying to find if there was something that could’ve happened differently. Reminiscing on happier days.
Perhaps in another life it could’ve been different.
–
There is no one left here. No one he can talk to. He can’t remember the last time he interacted with an actual living person from this dimension. He would talk to Jayce even if he never got the answers he desired.
“Why did you do this to me?”
“...”
“You should have let me die. It would’ve saved you a lot less trouble.”
“...”
Viktor faced Jayce’s husk, he looked to see where Jayce’s face would be. He was met with the same blank white expression.
Looking at the blank expression only seemed to cause him to feel anger.
The whole point of his ascension was so that he wouldn’t feel anything. But now he feels more emotional than he has ever felt his entire life.
“Was it because you cared about me? Look at where your precious emotions got you!”
“...”
“Say something! Anything!” He got right in Jayce’s face.
“...”
The realization that he was truly alone now hit him. This Jayce would never talk to him ever again. This Jayce was truly gone from this world. This husk was the only thing that remained of him.
His Jayce.
He fell to the ground upon now being aware that this how it would be from now on. From his place on the floor he looked up to only be once again met again with the blank expression.
“Please… Don’t leave me here. Don’t leave me alone.” He touched the hands that were grasping the hammer only to be met with the cold metal digits.
“...” He was once again met with no response.
What has he done?
–
He would search through so many timelines. So many times it would end the same. And yet in others the outcome was different.
One thing was always the same.
Jayce
Jayce would always try to stop him. Jayce was always there. He never noticed how Jayce's eyes would soften when he was near. How his touch lingered a little longer but not enough for him to notice.
Replaying all of these memories back, he realized he was a fool. How could he not have noticed?
–
In so many different realities, he makes the same mistake. Are he and Jayce always destined to be on the opposite sides of their conflict? Is there no reality where they are together? Where they are happy together?
There are realities where they do find happiness.
Just not this one.
–
As the years went by, nature was finally starting to take over again. Grass and vines began to overtake many of the husks. Even if no human life remained here, there was still a chance for other living organisms to thrive.
No matter how far he would go, he would always return back to him .
Even when the only thing that was left was a husk of his former self. He couldn’t bring himself to leave Jayce. He was still in the same position even after all this time. He was kneeling on the ground, grasping his hammer.
He leaned his head on Jayce, whatever was left of him. It brought him little comfort. There was no warmth in the interaction. He could only feel the cold white metal of the husk. This would be the closest he would ever have Jayce by his side again. He would never be able to feel Jayce’s reassuring touches. His pats on the shoulder, the engulfing bear hugs that he had pretended to dislike but had secretly enjoyed. He had interacted with other Jayce’s in other timelines, but none of them were his Jayce and they never would be.
He would give anything just to feel or hear Jayce again, even if it was just for a moment.
He wished things could’ve been different.
–
Something was different today. In all of his years of solitude there was another person here. Another living, breathing person. Not some lifeless husk that he could control. Upon closer he was surprised of who had appeared.
It was him. Well, another version of him.
He observed him. He needed to see if this Jayce would be able to understand what was truly at stake. It hurt to see him so defeated, but it was the only way.
After several failed attempts Jayce had finally made to the beginning of the end. To where everything had gone wrong. Jayce kneeled as he looked at the alternate version of himself. He seems to understand what will happen if he fails. Jayce turned to look up at him. Those eyes, he hadn’t seen them in such a long time. Jayce was looking at him with shock, but he didn’t care. He was looking at Viktor. He had so many questions. Viktor tried his best to make him understand. To make sure another Viktor didn’t make the same mistake he did.
Eventually, it was time for him to leave. As much as he didn't want Jayce to go, Viktor knew that he couldn’t stay. There were people that were counting on him.
“I won’t fail. I swear it.” Jayce spoke determinedly before Viktor sent him away. Back to his own timeline.
He watched as that version of Jayce disappeared. He was once again left alone. Viktor looked at where the hammer had been and was now gone.
Maybe this time it will be different.