Chapter Text
Zaun was ready to stage a concert of their musical heroes True Damage on the surface - much to the chagrin of those in Piltover, who were making moves to stop this at all costs - and Demacia had just staged troupes just west of this to prevent Noxus from claiming more than what it deserved.
Senna, Akali, Qiyana, Yasuo and Ekko were staged and ready to perform their debut single, GIANTS, to their biggest audience yet - the entirety of Piltover. However, as Ekko began his verse, just across the waters, a battle had already began. To Xin Zhao, the spectacle of lights across the waters was beautiful - a radiant display of blues, purples, greens. It grasped him in a way that nothing had yet grasped him before, grasping him so much so that, he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. His spear fell dormant to his side, eyeing the light show before him, a sparkle twinkled in his worn eyes, but just as he was getting into it, a clash of swords shattered him from his dream, a different show now performing in front of him.
Stood before him was Jarvan, clashing swords with none-other than Garen, who looked intent on winning the fight.
"Garen?!" Xin Zhao called out, dodging a dash from an incoming Kled, who narrowly missed him.
"Get off me, you brute!" Jarvan yelled at Garen, pushing him back before aiming to strike, yet he faded into the darkness just before he was struck, leaving Xin Zhao and Jarvan speechless, before an incoming strike from Kled brought them back to reality, who struck him this time, leaving a deep cut on his arm.
"Xin Zhao, go to Lux. She is not far." Jarvan said, shielding him from any more attacks. Xin Zhao nodded, turning to see Lux a ways back, closer to the cliff face signalling him to come closer.
Across the waters, the fight of Zaun and Piltover and started. Akali was dashing between soldiers, Yasuo was creating walls of wind to dismantle other parts of the army, Qiyana was immobilising soldiers with her Ohmlatl, Senna was supporting the resistance and Ekko was dashing around, disrupting enemies by creating bursts of sound with his microphone, before recalling and joining back up with Senna. While admiring his handywork, he noticed a flash of light far behind him, and he turned to see a man about to be attacked by someone.
Xin Zhao was staggering slightly towards Lux, who offered a hand out to him, which before he took, she blinded him with a flash of light, aiming to pin him down. However, before Lux could, a flash of blue striking where Lux was, who had now fallen into the shadows now, and a yellow light struck Xin Zhao's body, healing his previous injury. He turned to the source of the light, and it had been the people who had been singing earlier. One of them waved, before turning away and hoverboarded away, joining the fight happening next to them. Xin Zhao turned, too, towards the battle, and began fighting with his allies head on.
"That was risky, you know." Senna scolded lightly, turning away from Ekko.
"They needed us, Senna! You could see it too." Ekko sighed.
"Yes, but they're from Demacia. Surely you've heard how they feel about magic?" She was glaring at him now, torn between disappointment and worry.
"Yeah. I've heard," he spoke dejectedly, kicking the floor, "But we saved someone. That's all that matters."
"Sure. Just..." She began towards the door, stopping at it and turning back to him, "Prioritise where you know your duties lie, and try not to be more than you can be."
She left, closing the door behind her. Ekko sighed and ran his hand down his neck, pondering on the chance encounter. He couldn't deny he was curious about who that was, their long hair especially captivating with how they moved through battle after, but he also had to keep his promise to Zaun. He sighed, before leaving the room himself to see his friends off as they made their way back to their homes.
"Xin Zhao," A commanding voice boomed, "What happened back there?"
"I was in a rough spot." He replied quickly, trying not to anger the already agitated Vayne more.
"Of course you were, but Piltover technology? Really?" She barked, clearly mad.
"P-Piltover... technology?" He whispered, shocked. He didn't know why, but it didn't occur to him that what helped him was Piltover's technology until now. Just... who were those people across the lake?
"Yes. *Piltover's*." She growled.
"But, that is besides the point, Xin Zhao," She focussed again, boring into his tired eyes, "Be more than you can be. Do not let your guard down again. You won't always have a guardian angel to protect you."
She walked off, leaving Xin Zhao to ruminate on his experience. Just who was that, saving his life? Someone from Piltover? And the object thrown to assist him was their technology, too, something Demacia must be wary about. This was something Xin Zhao was going to have to think about for a while.