Forty-Nine

Marcus didn't know exactly how much time had passed, but as he rubbed his eyes with a yawn and turned his head, he could see that Jayce was already inserting the third magical orb into your back.

With the precision of a fanatic, he picked the splinters out and carefully placed them in a bowl padded with cloths.

Marcus felt a chill run down his spine at the sight.

Everything was covered in blood. Not only the table was already covered with red and shimmered in the dull light of the fire. Jayce's fingers were also caked with it.

When his eyes moved to your face his breath almost gut stuck in his throat.

You were so pale, the rings under your eyes so deep and dark. If he hadn't been able to see the faint breathing, he would have thought you were already long gone.

With a deep sigh he squeezed his eyes shut and had to massage the bridge of his nose. A headache pressed against his skull. It felt like his own body was trying to destroy him. Never before had he felt so bad.

Again the thought came over him that it would have been better if he had died on the bridge. Maybe you could have raised Ren better than he did.

Even though he had never lacked love for her and willpower, Marcus knew that he was far from being the perfect father Ren deserved.

"Shit...", he hurriedly shook off the thoughts.

His head fell on the table. He had already written so much that a small pile had accumulated.

Marcus had to swallow hard at the sight.

He couldn't remember having done so much for Silco, having covered up so much. So many mistakes he had made. It had all started with his betrayal of Greyson. He had been responsible for her death. Everything was written on the pages.

His hand was already hurting, so he threw the pen away with a frustrated groan and jumped up from his chair.

His eyes wandered back to you.

"How does it look?", he asked, running his fingers through your wet hair.

Jayce raised his head. His gaze was dark. But he didn't seem to be all there.

"I can't believe Viktor would do that.", he muttered with an unusual heaviness in his voice, scratching your back. "As he asked me to send you the letter... I never imagined this was him trying to help the cities..."

You flinched at the touch, but your eyes remained firmly closed.

Marcus watched your face. It was calm, but completely smeared with blood. With a sigh, he grabbed a rag and wet it, carefully wiping your mouth.

"What exactly did he do?", Marcus asked without looking at Jayce.

He shook his head, his eyes narrowed.

"I don't know. He just told me a friend could help you out.", he admitted, and had to take a deep breath. "That... looks very questionable. He must have removed the actual spine and replaced it with this metal contraption. The orbs are a source of energy. So the device can move. Like gasoline on ships."

Understanding, Marcus nodded. His fingers twitched.

"When we were kids, (Y/N) was attacked in the Undercity.", he muttered, swallowing hard at the memory. "A blow to the back with a big iron bar. The spine would never have survived that."

"Then the injury was already before Viktor did his part?"

Marcus nodded.

"I'm not sure exactly how long it was, but before (Y/N) got to Viktor, Singed had his fingers in the pie. And that for years."

"Singed?"

Jayce frowned.

"The doctor who developed shimmer. Silco's former right-hand man. That's all I know. I have no idea what this is, nor what effects the shimmer had. I wish I could help you out more."

Jayce grinned, a bit amused yet sour.

"You wish you could help your best friend more.", he corrected.

For a moment, Marcus hesitated.

"My lover.", he mumbled and had to smile softly. "I- I'm in love. And I won't let anything happen that I can prevent."

"Death is hard to trick."

"Shouldn't you know, Hextech wonderboy? After all, your entire name is build on the tragic story how you and your mother tricked death."

"I was lucky."

"And I'm trying to be as well. Can you help me out?"

"I'm trying. Half of the orbs are switched out but it doesn't seem like anything improves. I hate to tell you, but you might need to expect the worst."

Sighing heavily, Marcus buried his fingers in your hair.

He was shaking. Only looking at you in this state made him feel like something inside of him was dying as well.

As he looked back at Jayce again, he nodded.

"Please do your best.", he asked in a soft voice. "My daughter needs someone if I can't be with her."

Surprised, Jayce's eyebrows rose.

"I... I had no idea.", he mumbled and switched the last orb.

Immediately, the row began to pulsate. Blue light filled the room.

Surprised, the two backed away.

Marcus' eyes were fixed on you. With bated breath, he watched the light seep into your body.

You twitched.

But even after a few seconds had passed, you didn't move again. Your breathing was still weak.

With his eyes squeezed shut, Marcus gasped.

"Shit!", he cursed and hit the table. "Don't you dare!"

But no matter how often he tried to shake you, you remained unchanged.

Blood dripped form your nose again. The trail dripped over your lips, covering them, until the tabletop got dirty again. As the cold taste of metal spread on your tongue, your fingers twitched. As if struck by lightning, your eyes jumped open.

"Mar... Marcus...", you whispered and let yourself fall to the ground.

He wanted to run to you to help.

But you held him back with a raised hand. A grim expression appeared on your face as you locked eyes with him.

"You have some... nerves to risk... so much...", you gasped, one hand pressed to the aching pain in your chest. "I gave you the opportunity... to... go find Ren. Instead... we're here... you... idiot..."

Slowly, you managed to get back on your feet and retreated. Blue light hugged your body. The effect of the magic was already fighting against the injuries.

"I'll see you...", you gasped. "Under the... stars... between the... flowers..."

With those words you were gone.

Only blue sparks and the floor covered in blood remembered that you had been at this place.

"(Y/N)!"

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