"What does Zaun mean?"
Kate could grasp the literal meaning of "Firecracker," but the term "Zaun" puzzled her. Though Oran, as the creator, had the final say on codenames, she wanted clarity.
"Zaun, huh? A place I used to live. It's a great place—'simple folk,' 'brimming with talent.'"
Zaun and Piltover were once united but had long since split, each forging its own path.
Zaun's greetings might be unconventional, but that was mostly prejudice and rumor. Only those who'd experienced Zaun's environment would understand—it was already polite by their standards.
Zaun was perpetually shrouded in smog-veiled twilight, yet its vibrancy and bustle never waned. Its residents were diverse, their cultures a kaleidoscope of brilliance.
Piltover's wealth had spurred Zaun's growth, making it a dark mirror to the city above.
Compared to Piltover, Zaun was far more dangerous, yet even in such conditions, people found ways to survive and thrive gloriously.
Zeri, the Zaun Firecracker, was one such example.
Born to a working-class Zaun family, she had an innate connection to electricity. As she grew, she learned to harness this power.
Zeri fought fiercely for those too weak to resist.
Zaun wasn't perfect, nor was Zeri flawless.
But sometimes, a single spark could pierce through all the haze.
Oran had met Zeri and treated her injuries multiple times after clashes with the Chem-Barons, giving him insight into her abilities. This inspired the creation of the Hextech Heart.
Its electrical operation drew from Zeri, tailored to mink traits. With systematic training and specialized gear, Kate's power would undergo a qualitative leap.
"That's Zeri's story. Like you, she started as an ordinary girl, but her environment changed everything.
She never stopped fighting and became a spark that ignited a blaze.
The seeds are sown. From the start, we had no way back. So, Kate, are you ready to become this sea's new Firecracker?"
The Hextech Heart rested in Oran's hand, its core swirling with strange energy. The sun had dipped below the horizon, its azure glow illuminating Kate's face, reminiscent of their time in the Valley of the Gods.
"What's the cost? You said equivalent exchange is your principle."
"This is an investment. As you said before, you'd protect me with the time you have left. But a weak bodyguard won't do, and your planned 'term' was a bit too short."
"Meow remembers. Meow keeps her word. Your investment won't lose out. Meow will use this new power to achieve past goals."
Kate's gaze was resolute. The Valley of the Gods, now her heart—whatever Oran's motives, she owed him two lives.
She recalled his words from the Valley. At this moment, Kate solidified her resolve to follow him.
"Good. Now, let's talk about the side effects of this heart. They're not major issues, and some could even be considered benefits.
First, your physical development will slow, stopping entirely when your body reaches its optimal state."
The Hextech Heart's energy could affect the entire body. Camille, the Steel Shadow, remained youthful while her brother aged, still serving her clan at full capacity.
Kate's continued growth as a child was only possible due to Oran's modifications.
"The next one is the more serious risk. If you can't hold fast to your core self, your emotions may gradually fade over time. That depends entirely on you."
As long as further Hextech augmentations were avoided, this risk was low. But succumbing to the allure of power could lead to dire consequences.
Still, if humanity wasn't a concern, this could be seen as an enhancement.
"Would that Meow… still be Meow?"
"Of course, it's you—just more rational. If your heart is strong enough, you can overcome it."
"Got it. Meow's fine with it. Meow's ready—start anytime!"
"I've checked the operating room; it meets standards. Start fasting now, and no water from tomorrow morning. Also, I should mention, surgery requires skin preparation. You know what that means, right?"
Oran had doubts about Zou's medical standards, so he gave Kate a heads-up. Her confused expression confirmed she didn't know the term.
"It's not complicated, but step one: you need to shave your fur."
"Shave… fur?!"
The word hit Kate like a lightning bolt, sending her into a full-on freak-out, more terrified of this than open-heart surgery.
"C-Can we skip the shaving… Meow…"
Fur was a mink's pride. Though it would grow back, the thought of being bald, even temporarily, horrified Kate.
"Sorry, no can do. Don't worry, nurses will handle it. Get a good night's sleep, and soon you'll have a healthy body."
After explaining the plan, Oran sent Kate to rest. He and Blitzcrank returned to their church lodging.
"Kuma, Ginny, I'm preparing to leave."
"Leave? Oran, are you going to chase freedom like Big Bro Ivankov?"
At Oran's words, Ginny and Kuma froze. Though Oran was only a few years older, these past months had made him feel like a father or teacher.
His departure wasn't unexpected, but they hadn't thought it would come so soon.
"Something like that. Staying here won't let me complete my plans. What about you? Want to come with me or stay here?"
Kuma's abilities and Ginny's eavesdropping talent were exceptional, but their youth and Kuma's gentle nature made them a potential burden if brought along. Oran didn't insist, ready to support either choice.
"Big Bro Oran, we…"
Kuma thought it over and shared their decision.
Like Ivankov, they wanted to stay in the Sorbet Kingdom for now, seeking stability.
"That's fine. It's a good choice. In that case, I'll leave the smelting plant's upgrade plans to you. Hand them to Bulldog bit by bit over time.
You've grasped the basics. Keep studying with the materials I left. Stockpile resources, and if conditions allow, recruit some outsiders.
When I find a safer place, I'll contact you. We'll meet again then."
"Okay. When you need us, Big Bro Oran, we'll definitely come help."
"Yeah, yeah! Once I tweak the Den Den Mushi, you'll be able to reach us even from far away. Big Bro Ivankov left too fast—I didn't get to upgrade his Den Den Mushi."
Ginny and Kuma made their promises. Oran finalized his plan: they'd "mine" at home while he scouted for a better "ore vein" elsewhere.