The monster below

Prologue

The moment the light in his eyes faded was the moment when it all made sense. Devastated and kneeling in front of the corpse of the person who loved her most, Jinx understood everything. She was Jinx now, for better or for worse.

Jinx, I am Jinx.

Ghostly footsteps led her to the table where the weapon she had so carefully and painstakingly built was placed. Her sister’s broken eyes followed her, repeating over and over again that everything was going to be fine, just as she used to do when they were little. She didn’t know how much she would have loved to hear those same words long ago.

Silco’s words flooded through her mind recklessly, pushing her to madness before pulling the trigger. Under a blood-red moon, Jinx launched the Hextech weapon. There was no turning back, after years of suffering and constant humiliation the nation of Zaun would finally strike a blow making a statement, just as her father wished.

We’ll show them. We will show them all.

It was not a victory, however. Her shoulders wobbled from carrying so much weight and the emotion of the moment. No matter how much she destroyed or set fire to, it wasn’t going to be enough to fill the emptiness that engulfed her from within.

Bright tears ran down her cheeks helplessly. Jinx sat on the floor, curling up while repeating over and over again that she was valid, that she was worth much more than Piltover and she was going to prove it because she was strong.

You’re perfect.

Now all that lay ahead was the war. Taking a last glance back, she watched Vi flailing about, trying futilely to break free from her bonds. For an instant, she thought of going to her side, but then she distinguished Caitlyn’s figure behind her. The feeling of grief was quickly consumed by anger, she was never going to understand how Vi could go with that enforcer after all they had done, After all they had lost.

Before leaving she circled the table, ignoring Vi’s sobs until she stopped in front of Silco’s dead body. She took her time untying him carefully, and with the same affection, she took him in her arms just as he had done a thousand times with her.

The man was heavier than he looked and Jinx staggered a couple of times until she finally managed to regain her balance. From the broken window she looked up at the sky and knew it wouldn’t be long before the rocket reached its target.

The voices in her head quieted, and for the first time in a long time, Jinx felt at peace. Putting one foot in front of the other, the young woman continued on her way. After all, the professor’s lab was far away and she didn’t want to stick around to watch the fireworks show.

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