THE ROOM SPUN as Luz opened her eyes, she looked around the room, the familiar dark blue walls welcomed her as she realised she was in her bedroom. "Mum?" She asked as the figure in front of her focused into her mother.

"Luiza!" Luz hissed at the loud noise, covering her eyes as the bright light on her bedside table stung her eyes. "Oh— Sorry." Ximena turned the brightness down on the nightlight Jayce had made for Luz years ago.

Luz pushed herself up, looking around the room to remember what happened and why she had a sharp pain on her forehead, "What happened?"

Ximena frowned, her eyes watering as she grabbed Luz's hands, "There was an explosion—" her eyes teared up, "You hit your head, you didn't need any stitches but they told me you have a minor concussion, I was so worried."

The memory returned to her, the loud boom as the ground shook, her falling to the ground as the world around her started to shake. She remembered Jayce laying there unconscious as she and Caitlyn cried for him, "Jayce! Where's Jayce?!" Ximena looked down, this time unable to hold back the tear that escaped her eyes. Immediately Luz expected the worst, her vision blurred as she shook her head, "No, no!" She cried, her voice shaking as she sobbed.

Ximena grabbed Luz's hands, "He's not dead... He's imprisoned."

A sigh of relief left her body as she heard the words 'he's not dead,' her mind struggling to understand what her mother said next. "What?"

"Jayce... He had contraband in his apartment, the council is going to decide what to do with him tonight."

"What?! That makes no sense!" She exclaimed, the loud sound of her voice making her head spin. "Someone broke into Jayce's apartment, why aren't they looking for them?!"

"Luz..." Ximena's voice trailed, "They are looking for them but they also need to take what Jayce did seriously, you... you could have died, you both could have!"

Luz shook her head. Jayce has never been a dangerous person, yes, he will do whatever he needs to do to prove a theory even if it puts him in danger, going to the Undercity for example but he would never willingly hurt someone. Luz's heart skipped a beat as she remembered that Jayce had been studying magic, ever since Jayce was a boy and hadn't been adamant that he'd be able to manufacture magic but the study of the Arcane was illegal in Piltover, "What did they find?"

"The explosion was caused by some type of blue crystal, I wasn't told anything else but everything in his apartment was taken by enforcers," Luz started crying as she realised just how much trouble Jayce was in. Jayce wrote down everything theory, every test was recorded, Jayce was an annoying organised person, Luz always made fun of him for it and now it's going to be what gets him sent to Stillwater or worse, exiled. Ximena hugged Luz tightly, afraid that her daughter might also be taken away from her, "I'm going to watch the trial, the doctor said you need rest but I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you don't stand too much."

"When?"

"Just after the sixth strike."

"I'll get ready—"

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ ⚒️ ⚔︎

Luz put on her best clothes, her mother braiding her long hair into elaborate braids, softly applying make-up over her cut. Looking in the mirror, Luz felt a feeling of shame, even dressing in her nicest clothes, her hair done the best she'd ever seen, Luz still didn't look like a higher house, she still looked like just a blacksmith's daughter. Luz has never cared about being from a lower house, in fact, she was grateful that her mother wasn't as controlling as Caitlyn's mother but she knew that if Jayce was from a higher house, there was no way he would be getting in as much trouble. In the mirror she looked at her cut, it was well hidden, her mother's concealer being a perfect match for her. Her head hissed as she softly trailed her fingers over it, she wondered how Jayce felt, remembering the state she had last seen him it. "Luz?" Ximena asked as she entered the public bathroom. Luz wiped her eyes before turning around to face her mother, she was wearing all black which she had done ever since Luz's father passed six years ago. In Piltover, widows wear black clothing until they are ready to move on from their departure, usually, widows wear black for up to a year or two, but Ximena never stopped wearing her blacks, Jayce had always tried to convince Ximena that they were okay with it but she refused, saying she just wasn't ready.

Ximena's hair was in a tight bun, her gloves hiding her two prosthetic fingers that she's had Luz's entire life. "They're starting, we need to find our seats," Ximena told Luz.

The young girl nodded, tucking a couple of loose strands behind her ear, "Okay, coming."

Ximena gave Luz a sombre smile, "You look lovely."

Luz gave Ximena a half-hearted smile, her reflection still in the corner of her eye, she may look lovely, but it's not enough, she wanted to look respectable. She didn't like the way the dress just similarly hung down, looking more like a blanket than a dress. If Jayce was here he would make a joke and say something like, 'Well at least you'll stand out,' and she'd laugh, despite pretending to be offended because she knew he meant well. She thought about Jayce, about how terrified he must be. Whatever he says in this trial will determine the trajectory of his entire life, whether or not, he'll be sent to prison or given a slap on the wrist.

Ximena grabbed Luz's hand, squeezing it tightly as she led Luz out of the bathroom. Luz didn't resist, her mother's touch soothing the anxious thoughts in her mind. They walked down the large hallway, Luz's hands having a mind of their own, constantly checking her hair to make sure everything was in place.

When they got to the council chambers, Luz took a deep breath, "He's going to be okay," Ximena told Luz, trying to reinsure her. They both knew it was wishful thinking but none of them said anymore, letting the slither of hope in her words be enough for the two of them. Ximena pushed open the large wooden door. The elegant surroundings momentarily made Luz forget the reason why she was there. Luz was breathless as she looked at the window, the sun setting through the large windows. In the centre of the room was a large round circle table with seven seats. Off to the side was a crowd of seats, there weren't many but in the very back Luz was able to find two empty seats, it wasn't ideal, Luz wanted to be at the front so that Jayce could see them but a seat but never than no seat, especially with her head. Luz pointed the seats out to her mother, they walked there quietly, not wanting to cause any unwanted attention.

Luz and Ximena waited impatiently for the trial to start, Luz observed the counsellors, watching as the youngest member of the council, Councilor Medarda handed the Councillor Hoskel a children's toy. Luz tilted her head as she watched the scene, as she witnessed the elderly man's eyes shine with glee as he received the gift. How, how was this man left in charge of deciding her brother's fate?!

Luz's eyes focused on Councilor Medarda, she's a beautiful woman, only a year or two older than Jayce. Her skin is dark and she wears white and gold accessories, her long hair is put in braids which is wrapped up into an elegant bun. She looks like a princess but her strategic eyes remind everyone that she is in fact politician.

Luz's eyes are taken off the Councilor as the large door is once again pushed open, standing in the doorway is Jayce. He looked to be in an okay physical condition, he wasn't limping and his clothes weren't stained with blood, they must've changed his outfit after they locked him up but Luz wouldn't have been able to tell since it was just another pair of his Academy uniform. Even from a distance,e Luz could see the bags under his eyes, the fear on his face as he anxiously walked towards the centre of the circle, the Sheriff of Enforcers, walking behind him as they approached, leaving him, the second he entered the circle. Next to Luz, she heard a girl whisper to her friend, snickering as Jayce appeared, "Can you believe it? He blows up a building!"

"It wasn't his fault! He was robbed!" Luz exclaimed, earning the attention of a handful of people around them, the girl looked at Luz, rolling her eyes at the young girl. Luz balled her fist, going to say something else before Ximena shook her head.

"Luz, it's not worth it, they came here for a show, not to support him." Luz felt sick, h could a person possibly find enjoyment in the punishment of a stranger? A young adult with a family, and a dream, who was unfortunate enough to be robbed.

The lights were turned off, the large windows being covered until there was no light other than the spot light shining down on him, the small hope Luz that Jayce would be able to see her was gone. "Jayce Talis," Mrs Kiramman's voice echoed through the chamber, "You are accused of illegal experimentation and endangering the citizens of Piltover. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Jayce took a deep breath, "Their materials were far more dangerous than I was aware of, and I- I now know my actions were against Academy regulations," he was well-spoken, making eye contact with the Councilors as he spoke, Ximena held her breath as she watched in silence, too afraid to take a breath. "What I did endangered people, my sister, my friend. It was reckless, and for that, I'm sorry. I ask the Council's forgiveness and hope that I can continue my studies."

"As Jayce's patron of many years, I can speak for his character. I believe that one day he will be a great contributor to our society."

"He destroyed a building. Is this the sort of contribution we can expect?" The Councilor who had early received the child's toy asked, amusement in his voice. Luz wanted to yell at the man and explain to him that Jayce didn't blow up the building, the thief did but she didn't, knowing it would just get Jayce in more trouble.

"If you were a scientist you'd know you can't make a prototype without breaking a few wrenches," Professor Heimerdinger, Jayce's dean, said with a small chuckle.

Councilor Medarda smirked as she leaned forward, "Do you have anything to show for your work? Besides an explosion?"

"Uh, no. It came to nothing."

"So, you're saying your study was meaningless?" Councilor Medarda asked with genuine curiosity in her voice despite the condensing question.

Jayce straightened his posture, "It was revolutionary!" He exclaimed, defending his work. His voice rang out, echoing through the dark chamber, "Jayce..." Luz heard her mother mutter, unhappy with his outburst, knowing it was just going to make the Councilors go even harder on him.

The young Councilor's eyes narrowed slightly, "Revolutionary how? All I see is a boy meddling with things he doesn't understand."

"The academy seems to have loosened its standards," Councilor Salo remarked.

"This is a fine line. If we condone this, what's next?"

"Ridiculous, really."

The murmurs of the Councilors grew louder, their voices overlapping as they tried to make a decision about Jayce's fate. Jayce balled his right fist as he cupped his left hand, rubbing it nervously. His eyes flickered around the room, his attention split between the seven councilors. "We need to say something!" Luz whisper-yelled as she tried to stand up, only to be pulled down by her mother.

"We can't."

Luz frowned, watching as these strangers belittle her brother and having no power to tell them to stop. She felt helpless but Jayce wasn't giving up, he held his head high, "I was trying to create magic!" He said proudly, determination in his voice.

Luz gasped, why would he admit something so stupid?!

"Magic?" One of the Councilors asked in shock.

Councilor Shoola shook her head, "Arcane talents are something you're born with, they can't be fabricated."

"Actually I believe it is possible," he told the Councilor.

Councilor Medarda looked around her colleagues, Luz noticed that she seemed to be the only one of the seven to not be completely horrified at the idea of creating magic, "Has anyone even tried it before?"

Councilor Bolbok cleared his throat, speaking for the first time since the trial started, "The arcane is the curse of our world. My race was nearly destroyed by it."

Jayce shook his head, "Surely, we, the pioneers of science, can use it for good. We're the champions of discovery. Why fear it when we can master it?" Luz hit her lip, watching as the people around her muttered quietly, some disagreeing with Jayce, others calling him mad but there was a small few nodding along, inspired by his words.

"Jayce, enough—"

"This is the city of progress, think of the wonders we could create. Let me prove—"

"Enough!" Professor Heimerdinger exclaimed the small yordle being louder than Luz would have ever guessed was possible. "You don't under what's at stake. But how can you? That's a burden that only I here carry, time. I've seen this power in the wrong hands. It corrupts, consumes, lays waste to civilisations. That cannot happen here, my boy. It must not!" Luz has never been a big fan of history but she remembered learning about how Heimerdinger founded Piltover almost 200 years ago, running from mages who possessed the ability of the arcane, since then mages have been pretty much extinct, the last sighting of a mage being Jayce when the arcane user saved him and their mother thirteen years ago."

"Heimerdinger is right. Piltover was founded to escape the warmongering of mages, not cultivate it."

"The Ethos is clear. He must be banished from Piltover," Councilor Bolbok told the table.

"No!" Luz shouted, her voice echoing through the chamber as she broke free from her mother's grip and ran into the centre of the Chamber, the harsh spotlight shining down on her. Gasps rippled throughout the room, "Please, don't banish him!" horrified looks appeared on the Councilors faces' as Luz begged at their table, desperation lacing her voice, she didn't care about looking like one of them, she just wanted her brother back.

"Whose child is this?!" Councilor Salo asked as he looked around the room, his voice dripping with disgust as he avoided looking at the girl.

"She is my sister," Jayce reached out for Luz, pulling her behind him. He held his composure, "She's just a child, she's just upset," he explained before turning towards her, "Go back to mum, Luz."

Luz shook her head furiously, tears streaming down her eyes as she cried, "No! If they exile you, I'll never see you again!" Her voice broke as she buried her head in Jayce's chest. Jayce tried his best to hide her from the view of people, the sounds of her sobs making him almost tear up.

"Please let me speak," Ximena's voice came from the crowd, Heimerdinger nodded, allowing her to speak on her son's behalf. "As a lower house, my voice doesn't carry much weight here. But as a mother, I have a voice that matters deeply. My son isn't in his right mind."

"What?" Luz asked, pulling away from Jayce, staring at her mother, her face stained with tears.

"His entire life, he's changed an impossible dream. What he was, uh, foolish and unwise. But he has a good heart. He's a good brother, a good son. Please, let him come home."

Councilor Salo put down his food, his mood ruined by all the tears of the teenage girl, "A crime like this can't be overlooked," he stated, "The boy must be punished."

"A violation of the Ethos called for banishment, but I can sympathise with a young man's dream to change the world. Perhaps in this matter, a lesser sentence may suffice," Heimerdinger started, "I move that Jayce be summarily expelled from the Academy and remanded to the care of his mother. All those in favour?"

Luz wiped her tears away, for the first time today feeling a shred of hope, she stared at the Councilor, her eyes begging them to agree with Heimerdinger's motion. Caitlyn's mother was the first the raise her hand, the second was Councilor Medarda and then the Councilor Luz had seen earlier playing with a toy. "That's four votes!" She exclaimed, hugging Jayce, and sighing with relief. The young adult stood there, frozen, his entire life dream being ripped from him.

"Mrs and Miss Talis, you may take Jayce home, but he is to never set foot on Academy grounds again."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I started to get really lazy at the end so sorry if you noticed. Luz's story is going to be very close to Jayce's in Act One, after all, she's thirteen, when Act Two comes around (Act One should only have two/three more chapters left) she's going to go to the Undercity again!

Like, comment and tell me what you thought about the chapter!

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