Forty-Nine

                                    

                                          
The world was on fire.
Every breath was like a flame that crawled into your lungs, burned bright and went out with a bang.
It was like firework raging inside your body.
The thought must have been a funny one, if only there wouldn't have been so much pain, so much suffering.
It was torture.
Death would have been easier.
"Easier, maybe, but not better.", a tried voice suddenly filled your ringing ears.
Struck by the familiar accent, you tore your eyes wide open all at once.
Bright light flooded your vision and downed everything in a white veil and golden dots.
"What?", you asked as hot tears ran down the sides of your face.
They left a trail that felt both sticky yet burned like salt in an open wound.
A hand found yours to give it a squeeze.
It made you pull a face in pain, but you returned the gesture. It gave you comfort to know that he was by your side.
"I know what you're thinking.", Viktor said, both sounding reproachful and shattered. "Death would be easier."
You couldn't help but smile.
"It would be...", you agreed and managed to turn your head.
There was a thick pillow that you were resting on.
It wasn't from home, it was too thick and soft to be from the shabby cabin. It felt more like something that royalty would sleep on.
It felt like something from Piltover.
Slowly, the brightness faded and blurry shadows formed before your eyes.
Everything was watery.
"It would be easier, wouldn't it be?", you asked with a sarcastic smile, so much mockery for yourself. "But what will you think of me?"
"I think you're an idiot.", his words started to shake. "But I love you. And I'm sure you had your reasons."
A chuckle escaped your lips.
"You're too good for this world, Viktor.", a scratch cough made your lungs vibrate.
Blood seeped from your lips.
Immediately, a soft napkin wiped the sticky blood away, tender and caring.
"You always protected me so well. I never had to learn how cruel this world is."
"I'm... glad."
"Is this what you've been sacrificing to keep me safe?", his hands stroked the ashy skin of yours as if he were afraid you'd fall apart underneath his touch. "It scares me to see you like this, my love."
Gently, you shook your head.
"This is a price I'm willing to pay.", you insisted.
"I'm not.", he replied without skipping a beat. "And I won't watch you fade just so I can have a life that you worked hard for."
Tears burned in the corners of your eyes.
You felt the urge to sob but couldn't.
"I'm begging you, Viktor, don't throw your chances away.", you whispered and blindly reached for his wrist to hold onto. "I did too much to get you here. I can't let you go back to the Undercity."
With his eyebrows knitted together, he had to swallow hard and shook his head.
His lips moved to answer.
But before he could say something that the two of you would regret, the sound of a door opening filled the room.
Small steps approached, accompanied by the sounds of a poro.
"Well, well.", Heimerdinger climbed up to the bed to take a better look at you. "I must say, I knew you were dedicated. But this... well."
A shaky breath left your dried out lips.
You were at the verge of breaking down as the small hands of the Yordle touched your forehead.
A sharp pain chased through your brain.
For a moment, everything made you feel sick. It was as if the world was spinning.
"Wh-what is this?!", you asked in a shaky voice, unable to bend under the torture. "Make it stop! I'm begging you, make it stop!"
Concerned, Viktor reached out to grab Heimerdinger.
"Sir, please...", he said in a way that made clear how much he suffered himself.
Usually Viktor was the one with all the answers. But now there was nothing he could do.
And it irritated him in a way he had never experienced before.
The touch of magic faded.
"Well, there is a hint of the Arcane in you, child.", Heimerdinger said. "But you're not a creature of magic."
Catching your breath, you managed to swallow a scream of pain and shook your head.
"No, I'm human.", you replied.
Heimerdinger frowned.
"Then count yourself lucky. The bit of magic in your body keeps this... development of yours, slow. Without it you'd be dead."
Confused, you looked around the room.
Every time you took a breath, your lungs rattled.
Your insides felt dry yet burned like hell.
"I'm... but I'm..."
"Terminally ill. I know. What exactly did you take? What kind of medicine causes these... side effects?"
Viktor's head snapped back to you.
Finally, you were able to meet his gaze.
"You're what?", he asked, eyes trembling.
Swallowing hard, you couldn't help but smile in a sorry way.
"I never wanted you to find out.", you raised your hand to caress his cheek.
The touch left dark marks, as if you painted on his pale face with cinder.
"Then what did you plan? Wait until you die and leave me without any explanation?"
The way he said it, so shaky yet angered and frustrated, left little for you to answer.
All you could do was pull a face of pain and regret and shake your head.
"Forgive me...", it escaped you.
Whimpering, he squeezed his eyes shut. But he leaned into your touch as if he needed it to survive.
Heimerdinger watched, sighing.
"What a mess you two are in.", he mumbled and lowered his gaze.
"Sir...", you turned your head to look at him. "Please don't punish Viktor for my mistakes. Let him take the entrance exam again."
He shook his head.
"That won't be possible."
"Sir!"
He silenced you with a raised hand.
"Your friend Viktor is a great mind. There's nothing that the academy can teach him."
"But-!"
"However, I am positive that I can. If that is alright with you, boy.", Heimerdinger gifted Viktor a smile. "Be my apprentice. I'm sure we will discover a lot of mesmerising things."