League Of Legends/Arcane: Earthbound

The inn Adam stayed at was simple, with creaky floors and a faint scent of roasted meat wafting through the halls. It was no five-star New York hotel, but compared to weeks of sleeping under the open sky or on hard dirt, it was practically a luxury suite.

The bath was what really sold it, though.

Steam filled the room as Adam sank into the tub, groaning in relief. It had been too long since he'd been clean. The grime of travel, blood from battles, and sweat from endless days on the road melted away in the hot water. He scrubbed himself until his skin turned red and his muscles ached in the best way possible.

His hair had grown longer than he realized, reaching past his shoulders. He tied it back with a simple strip of cloth he'd found in his pack. It wasn't perfect, but it kept the strands out of his face.

Standing in front of the cracked mirror in his room, Adam caught sight of his reflection and smirked. For the first time in weeks, he didn't look like a half-starved wildman. "Not bad," he muttered.

The market was alive with noise and energy, bustling with merchants and customers bartering for goods. Stalls lined the streets, showcasing everything from gleaming armor to fresh produce. Adam felt a little out of place here too, but at least it wasn't as suffocating as the more uptight parts of the city.

He stopped at a weapons stall first, eyeing a set of finely made swords. The vendor, a stocky man with a neatly trimmed beard, looked up at Adam with a raised brow.

"Can I help you?"

Adam ran a hand over one of the blades. "Nice work. How much for this one?"

The man snorted. "More than you can afford, foreigner."

Adam blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," the man said, sneering. "We don't cater to your kind. Try your luck in the lower markets, if they'll even take you there."

Adam stared at him for a moment, then let out a short laugh. "Alright, buddy." He raised his middle finger, holding it up for the vendor to see. "How about this? Yeah, I'll take my business elsewhere."

The vendor's face turned red as Adam turned and walked off, muttering under his breath. "Jackass…"

It wasn't the first time he'd been treated like that since arriving, and it probably wouldn't be the last. For a city that prided itself on honor, Demacia sure had its share of prejudice.

"Adam!"

The familiar voice made him turn, and he smiled as Lux approached, her blonde hair shining in the afternoon sun.

"Hey," he said, stuffing his hands into his cloak pockets. "Didn't think I'd run into you again."

Lux grinned. "It's a small city when you know where to look. What are you doing here?"

"Just checking out the market," Adam said. "Thought I'd see if I could trade or pick up anything useful. Not going great, though."

Lux frowned. "You're having trouble?"

"Let's just say some of your merchants aren't exactly rolling out the welcome mat for the guy wearing fur," Adam said dryly.

Lux sighed. "I'm sorry about that. Not everyone here is as… open-minded as they should be."

"Eh, I've dealt with worse," Adam said with a shrug.

"Want to walk with me for a bit?" Lux asked. "I could show you around the city. There's a lot more to Demacia than grumpy vendors."

Adam hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

Walking through the streets with Lux felt a little surreal. She was like a ray of sunshine, bright and full of energy, and people seemed to light up as she passed. Adam couldn't help but notice how many of them greeted her warmly. She was clearly someone important.

"So," he said as they walked, "what's your deal? You don't exactly seem like the typical Demacian."

Lux laughed. "What do you mean?"

"Well, for starters, you're not glaring at me like I'm about to rob you," Adam said. "That's a nice change."

She shook her head, smiling. "I'm just… different, I guess. I try to see the good in people."

"And you're a mage," Adam said, lowering his voice.

Lux glanced around nervously, then nodded. "Yes, but you can't tell anyone that. Magic isn't exactly welcomed here."

Adam leaned in conspiratorially. "Can you do some? Just a little? I mean, come on, real magic? I've got to see it."

Lux hesitated, then sighed. "Alright. But just this once."

She stopped in a quiet corner of the street and held out her hand. A soft golden light began to glow around her, and for a moment, she floated just above the ground, her hair and clothes billowing as if caught in a gentle breeze.

Adam stared, his mouth slightly open. "Holy… Are you an angel or something?"

Lux blushed, her feet touching the ground again. "No, I'm not an angel."

"Could've fooled me," Adam said, grinning.

They continued walking, Lux showing him some of the city's most beautiful spots. Adam asked her questions about her life, and she answered as best she could without revealing too much about her family.

When she asked about him, he tried to be careful with his answers.

"So, why are you so interested in other worlds?" she asked.

Adam hesitated, then lied smoothly. "I'm looking for someone. It's… complicated. But it might involve magic. And other worlds."

Lux looked at him curiously but didn't press further. "Well, I hope you find what you're looking for."

"Thanks," Adam said. "I appreciate that."

They walked until the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city.

"I should head back," Lux said, turning to Adam. "But this was fun. We should do it again sometime."

Adam smiled. "Yeah. I'd like that."

She waved as she walked away, leaving Adam standing alone in the fading light.

In the halls of the Demacian palace, Lux found herself face-to-face with her brother.

"Where were you?" Garen asked, his tone sharp.

"Out," Lux said simply.

"With that boy?" Garen's eyes narrowed. "The one from the library?"

Lux crossed her arms. "His name is Adam. And yes, I was with him. Is that a problem?"

Garen frowned. "He's suspicious, Lux. A ranger from the Freljord just happens to show up when one of our caravans is under attack? And now he's wandering the city, looking for who knows what? You don't find that odd?"

"He's not a spy," Lux said firmly. "He's just… different."

"He's dangerous," Garen said. "And he doesn't belong here. Did you know he was at the library again today?"

Lux rolled her eyes. "So? He's looking for information. That's not a crime."

Garen leaned in. "Do you even know what kind of information? What if he's studying the city's layout? Looking for weaknesses?"

"Garen, that's ridiculous," Lux said. "He helped me earlier when a thief stole my bag."

Garen smirked. "You? A mage? Mugged by a thief? That's embarrassing."

Lux kicked his shin, making him flinch. "You're impossible!"

Garen grumbled, rubbing his leg as they entered the palace's main hall.

Inside, a group of Demacian leaders and knights had gathered to discuss recent events. At the head of the room was Jarvan IV, crown prince of Demacia, his presence commanding and authoritative.

"The attacks on our caravans are becoming more frequent," Jarvan said, his voice grim. "The Noxians are testing our borders. We cannot let this go unanswered."

"We were fortunate this time," a soldier said, stepping forward. "A ranger from the Freljord happened to be passing by and saved us."

"Fortunate indeed," Jarvan said. "But who is this ranger? And why is he here?"

The soldier hesitated. "He said his name is Adam. Claims he's from the Freljord but here on business. Something about magic."

The room grew quiet.

"Magic?" one of the leaders said, his tone cautious.

Garen spoke up. "We have guards watching him at the library. If he's a spy, he'll slip up eventually."

Lux stepped forward, her voice firm. "He's not a spy. I was with him earlier. He's looking for information about other worlds."

"Other worlds?" Jarvan said, his brow furrowing.

"Yes," Lux said. "I know it sounds strange, but that's what he told me."

The room buzzed with quiet murmurs.

Garen crossed his arms. "Why would a Freljordian care about other worlds? It doesn't add up."

Jarvan raised a hand, silencing the room. "Keep a close eye on him. If he proves to be a threat, we'll deal with him. Until then, we wait."

Lux glanced at her brother, her expression defiant. She trusted Adam. But convincing the rest of Demacia would be another story.

Adam sat hunched over a desk in the grand library, his face twisted in frustration. The towering shelves of books stretched up and out in every direction, an overwhelming maze of knowledge. Yet for all the vastness, none of it was remotely helpful. His fingers tapped impatiently against the worn wooden table. Hours of searching and reading had yielded absolutely nothing about interdimensional travel or magic tied to other worlds.

He pushed another book away with a heavy sigh. "This is pointless," he muttered. "What the hell am I even looking for?"

Adam leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. It wasn't paranoia—he could feel the weight of eyes on him. He scanned the room, feigning a casual glance, but his senses were razor-sharp.

Near one of the arches, two guards stood stiffly, their eyes darting to him before quickly looking elsewhere. Their attempts to stay unnoticed were laughably bad.

"Yeah, because two armed guards in a library isn't suspicious," Adam thought, his annoyance growing.

He slammed the book shut, the echo drawing a few irritated glares from other patrons. He didn't care. Standing abruptly, Adam slung his bag over his shoulder and strode out of the library, his movements deliberate but casual.

The cool air outside helped calm his nerves, but not by much. He felt like a caged animal being poked and prodded. Stretching his arms, Adam decided to walk around the city to clear his head.

As he wandered through the streets, he felt it again—someone new was watching him. This one was different. The presence felt... heavier. Dangerous.

He glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of a man in ornate white, blue, and gold armor. His long black hair was tied back, and a spear was strapped across his back. The man walked with an air of calm confidence, his piercing gaze locked onto Adam.

"Great," Adam muttered. "Who's this guy? And why does he feel like a boss fight waiting to happen?"

He quickened his pace, weaving through the streets, but the man followed effortlessly. No matter which turn Adam took, the spear-wielding stalker was right there, as if it were a casual stroll.

Realizing he needed to lose him, Adam headed for the marketplace. The bustling crowd was perfect for vanishing. He ducked into the throng of people, blending in as best he could.

But the guy was still following.

Adam clenched his fists, his irritation boiling over. If this guy wanted to stalk him, fine—he'd make it interesting.

He purposely shoulder-checked a burly man, who stumbled into another, causing the second man to crash into a fruit stand. Apples spilled everywhere, rolling across the crowded street. People slipped, curses flying as the chaos spread.

Adam smirked, grabbing an apple as he slipped away unnoticed. "Thanks for the distraction," he muttered, biting into the fruit as he ducked into an alley.

He leaned against the wall, chuckling to himself. "Not bad. Lost him, got a snack. Maybe my luck isn't so—"

A shadow passed over him. His instincts screamed danger, and he leapt to the side just as a massive sword slammed into the ground where he'd been standing. Dust and debris scattered, and Adam turned to see Garen, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"Causing trouble already?" Garen said, pulling his sword free. "You're coming with me. Now."

Adam pulled the sword the village elder had given him from its sheath. "And you think I'm just going to let you drag me off?"

Garen smirked, his stance shifting. "I was hoping you'd say that."

The two clashed. Garen's blows were heavy and deliberate, each swing forcing Adam back. Adam blocked and countered as best he could, but Garen's strength was overwhelming. Still, Adam's speed and adaptability kept him in the fight.

He began to copy Garen's moves, analyzing every swing and step. It threw Garen off, forcing him to adjust.

"You're not bad," Garen admitted. "But you're out of your league."

"Yeah?" Adam shot back, ducking under a swing and delivering a sharp kick to Garen's side. "How's your league feeling now?"

Garen grunted, stumbling slightly, but quickly recovered. The fight spilled out of the alley and into the street, drawing a crowd. People whispered and pointed, some shouting for the guards.

Adam felt the pressure mounting. He needed to end this quickly and get out. He was about to deliver a decisive blow when a blur of gold and blue entered his peripheral vision.

The man with the spear struck with incredible speed, forcing Adam to jump back as the spear's tip smashed into the ground. The force sent Adam skidding, his boots scraping against the cobblestones.

"Two against one?" Adam muttered, gripping his sword tighter. "Real fair."

The man with the spear smirked. "Garen looked like he needed help."

Garen rolled his eyes. "I had him."

Adam's frustration grew. He felt the presence of more guards approaching. His mind raced. He couldn't fight them all. Not here, not now.

Switching tactics, Adam pulled out his bow, firing arrows rapidly to create distance. He turned and bolted, weaving through the crowd. His heart pounded as he ran, dodging vendors and leaping over carts.

The shouts behind him grew louder, but Adam wasn't about to be caught. He reached for one of Ashe's ice arrows, nocking it as he ran. With a quick spin, he fired it at the ground behind him.

An icy wall erupted, blocking his pursuers and giving him the time he needed to escape.

He laughed breathlessly, hyping himself up as he sprinted down a quieter street. "That's right! You can't catch me!"

His celebration was cut short by a shadow overhead.

Adam looked up just in time to see an armored figure descending rapidly. The impact sent him sprawling, the wind knocked from his lungs. He blinked, dazed, and found himself staring up at a golden-armored woman, her sword pressed against his throat.

"Surrender," she commanded, her voice calm but firm.

Adam grinned despite the situation. "Sure thing."

In one swift motion, he stabbed another ice arrow into her boot. As the ice spread, he slipped between her legs and took off running again.

"Five left," he muttered to himself. "I am so screwed."

He kept moving, but his luck ran out when he was kicked hard in the stomach. The force sent him crashing into a pile of crates, the wood splintering around him.

Groaning, Adam looked up to see a woman with short black hair and pink highlights standing over him, a rapier in her hand.

"You've caused enough trouble," she said, her tone icy. "Surrender."

Adam pushed himself up, his sword trembling in his grip. "Lady, I've had a day. Back off."

She didn't. Her strikes were fast and precise, forcing Adam entirely on the defensive. Every swing he made missed, her movements too quick to follow.

"Is that all you've got?" she asked, dodging another clumsy strike.

"Not even close," Adam grunted, trying to mimic Garen's moves again.

It didn't work. She danced around him, landing blow after blow. Cuts opened across his arms and legs, and he fell to his knees, panting.

She stepped closer, her blade poised to strike. "Satisfied? Surrender now, and I won't have to kill you."

Adam muttered something under his breath.

"What was that?" she asked, leaning closer.

Adam grinned, blood staining his teeth. "Thanks for the new moves."

Before she could react, Adam launched into an exact replica of her own flurry of attacks. She blocked most of them, but not all. A cut opened on her cheek, then her arm, then her leg.

She stumbled back, eyes wide with shock. "Impossible…"

Adam laughed weakly, limping away. "How do you like them apples?"

But his body was failing. He could barely stand, blood dripping from his wounds. He froze when another figure stepped into his path.

"Of course," Adam groaned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because why not?"

It was Garen, flanked by guards. Adam gave him a tired smile. "How's your side feeling?"

Garen didn't answer. He stepped forward and knocked Adam out with a single, brutal punch.

Darkness claimed him, and the last thing he thought was, I really need better luck.