The sound of Sevika's steps echoed from the walls and danced down the staircase.

The feeling of something or rather someone following sat in your neck like a hungry beast.

With every step that led further under the earth, it felt like the air declined. Breathing got harder.

Your head was spinning.

Narrowing your eyes. you tried to spot something in the darkness.

"Sevika?", you asked. "How long till we there? My feet start to get sore."

Her steps froze.

The glow of the light she held faded.

For a moment, everything was nothing but dark.

The only thing that could be seen was the orange glow of her cigarette whenever she took a deep breath.

Smoke scratched your throat.

"You should get rid of that impatience of yours.", she said and seemed to work on one of the walls. "The man I'm talking about doesn't like impatience."

A sigh escaped you.

"Who even is he? You talk about him as he's some kind of genius."

"He is.", there was a smirk audible inside her voice. "He once was close to Vander."

You frowned.

"A friend of Vander's..."

"You're probably too young to know about him."

Something in the back of your head tingled.

"I thought Vander handles the Undercity himself."

The sound of a switch filled the darkness.

"Not always.", a crack of light fell into the room and illuminated Sevika's boots. "There were days when the Undercity raged war against Piltover and vice versa."

A cold shiver crawled down your spine.

Her words awoke memories. Dark, painful memories.

"I know.", your eyes fell onto the dim light. "I lost my father in one of the fights. When the bridges fell."

With shadows adoring her face, Sevika gifted you a short glance.

"Then you must have heard about him."

You avoided her gaze.

"No. Just his accomplishments. He used to be Vander's right hand man, no? He worked from the shadows. At least that's what the people used to whisper about. He was like a rat."

"Vander's rat.", Sevika confirmed and did a gesture to let you have the first entrance. "But not for long anymore."

Your lips twitched.

Somehow, hearing those words from her mouth were nothing you wished to hear. It could have kept you unmoved. But instead, worry awoke.

However, now it was too late to back out. You had already made one bad decision for a good cause, a few more wouldn't do any more damage.

Not batting an eye, you walked past her.

Bright, purple light hit you all at once.

Blinded, you squeezed your eyes shut and raised a hand to shield your face.

A cool wind stroked your fingers. Goosebumps grew all over your body.

It smelled of chemicals and cleaning supplies, similar to a lab.

Steps sounded behind you.

Then steps approached.

You blinked a few times to get used to the sudden brightness of the room.

Pressure pressed down on your head. It felt like this wasn't a normal room but a space buried deep between the earth and sea.

"Sevika.", a scratchy yet smooth voice reached your ears. "Who did you bring this time?"

Immediately, you felt unsure about the person it belonged to. It didn't feel like that person could be truest. At least not if you want to make it out alive, without a knife stuck inside your back.

Slowly, your eyes got used to the light.

Watery outlines appeared.

They were vaguely tall, with slim builds and heads held high.

Sevika stopped next to you.

A cloud of smoke wrapped around her body.

"You said you needed people.", she said, unmoved, yet a little distant. "Here is one."

It sounded like she wanted to keep a certain position against him. But the attempt failed miserably considering that she sounded like a poor fool who was working for this man only to earn small crumbs.

She wanted more but wouldn't get it.

A low sound filled the silence, humming.

Steps sounded again.

Someone circled you.

The weight of eyes traveled over your body.

Finally, you managed to catch a clear glimpse of the man.

He wasn't extremely tall but quite slim, with a long, sharp face and the facial expression of a man without morals. He carried himself like a king, a man who knew what his goals were and how many sacrifices he would have to make.

At first, he seemed like any other Zaunite with too much hunger for power.

At sending glance, your face froze though.

The colour of his eye, that was turned to face you, shimmered in a bright, warm blue. But as he turned, the deformed side of his face was revealed.

Deep, pale scars ran through the flesh of his cheek, right through the other eye, only to disappear in his hair.

The other eye shimmered in a feisty orange yet it was as black as sin.

He reminded you of a cat, but not the friendly ones you used to pet as a child. He was like those beasts that lurked in the shadows to feast on bloody remains.

With a low sound, the man crossed his hands behind his back and eyed you.

"You don't look like what I wanted.", he noted. "But it should be fine."

Your eyes narrowed.

"Are you the one they call Silco?", you asked, more curious than frightened.

And yet, despite the curiosity that his appearance awoke inside of you, you couldn't shake off the dull feeling that it wasn't wise to get too caught up in business with him.

His lips twitched.

"I was looking for someone with brains.", he eyed you up and down. "But you seem to be someone with questions. Yes, I am Silco. Who do I have the pleasure with?"

You sucked in a sharp breath.

Your eyes jumped to the side to catch a glimpse of Sevika.

She had to know him better than you.

Briefly, she locked eyes with you as well and gave you a warning look.

"(Y/N).", you answered.

Silco frowned.

"Well... Tell me, (Y/N), are you smart?"

The hint of a smirk appeared on your face.

"Depends on how high the pay is."