Morning crept into the K/DA headquarters like it had every other day—sunlight slanting across glass walls, the soft hum of tech panels activating, and the low murmur of the city beyond. A week had passed since Cole's battle with Kha'Zix.
He stood in the kitchen barefoot, a mug of black coffee in hand, staring out the panoramic window. The sky was clear, the city below already alive. Just another morning.
Like nothing had happened.
Like he hadn't butchered a Voidborn predator underground last week.
His fingers brushed the side of his ribs. The scar was still there—raised, ugly, and real. He'd stared at it in the mirror last night, tracing it like a question he still didn't have an answer for.
[Passive: Ignore Pain – Dormant]
Death's Dance had been the deciding factor in his battle against Kha'Zix.
The delayed pain and healing left scars. Phantom pain still traced the edges of the healed skin.
Footsteps padded behind him.
"You're up early," Ahri murmured, voice soft with sleep. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, an oversized hoodie swallowing her frame. One of his, he realized—though she didn't mention it.
"I couldn't sleep," Cole said, sipping his coffee.
Ahri walked up beside him and leaned against the counter, gazing out at the city. "Nightmares?"
He shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just used to sleeping with one eye open now."
Her smile was faint, tired, but understanding. "You and me both."
She reached out and took his free hand in hers—warm, grounding.
Then she bumped her shoulder against him gently. "We deserve at least a week of normalcy, don't we? Mr. Manager."
The kitchen filled quickly.
Akali rolled in next, headphones around her neck, a protein bar stuck between her teeth. "Yo, you down to join my meeting with True Damage?"
Cole nodded. "Yeah. Just tell me when and where."
"Tonight. I'll pick you up from here."
"Sounds good."
Evelynn followed soon after, already wearing sunglasses, a glass of something strong in her hand despite the hour.
"This headache's killing me," she muttered.
"What's going on?" Cole asked.
"It's that stupid CEO of Glacia," she groaned, collapsing into a seat.
Kai'Sa's eyes lit up. "Lissandra?"
"Yeah. Wants us performing at her next conference."
Cole's vision flickered for a moment. That name—Lissandra. The Ice Witch. A known enemy of the Void.
Before he could say anything, Kai'Sa handed him the tablet he'd left back at the studio.
"Why not?" she asked, giving him a look. "Her company's been around for centuries and it's still turning a profit."
She leaned in to give Evelynn a side hug. "I know she scares you—but can you just say yes? Come on, you're with me today."
"What's the plan?" he asked, accepting the tablet.
"We've got a meeting with Mundo to finalize the budget for choreography and set designs," she said. "Also, we need to talk to Seraphine—figure out where she's been."
Cole paused. She was right. He hadn't seen Seraphine in weeks.
With the schedule in mind, he returned to his room to get ready.
___
The MundoCorp building towered over the surrounding skyline, its tall and glossy visage gleaming under the sun like a polished blade. A fortress of wealth and influence.
Inside, the lobby buzzed with sleek energy—massive holo-screens displaying their contracted artists, walls of glass and polished chrome, and a chandelier above the center made of crystals interwoven with glowing hextech. From what Cole had read, it was personally commissioned by Jayce Talis.
A bubbly concierge at the front desk greeted them with practiced ease. "Mr. Mundo will be expecting you in his office. Kindly take the elevator to the top floor."
"Thank you," Kai'Sa said politely.
The elevator ride was smooth and eerily silent. Halfway up, a familiar beat kicked in. POP/STARS.
Cole raised an eyebrow. Kai'Sa just smirked.
Ding.
They stepped into a wide, marble-floored hallway, lit with recessed lighting. At the far end stood double doors, framed in gold. Engraved in marble above them—Mundo.
A secretary waiting outside rose and nodded. "Mundo welcomes you."
Inside, the office was massive—comparable in size to K/DA's living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the space in natural light. It looked exactly like the kind of executive office seen in documentaries and boardroom dramas.
"Please, take a seat," Mundo said, gesturing to a sleek leather couch by the window.
"Hi, Mundo. It's good to see you again," Kai'Sa said.
"Me happy to see you too." He turned and nodded at Cole. "Cole too."
Cole stepped forward and clasped Mundo's massive hand—firm, respectful. They understood each other.
"We're here to finalize the tour budget for dancers, props, and set designs," Kai'Sa began.
"Mundo knows," he replied confidently. "He's checked the list. Everything's good for Mundo."
"You sure? Maybe there's something we should revisit or optimize—"
"No. Mundo's good. Mundo's relationship with K/DA built on trust."
He grinned, wide and content.
"I appreciate this, Mundo." Kai'Sa smiled back warmly.
"If that's all, Mundo has work to do," he said, rising from the couch with a stretch.
"We're good," Kai'Sa said. "We'll message you if anything comes up."
As they exited the office, Cole touched Kai'Sa's arm.
"Give me a second. I need to talk to him—alone."
She nodded and walked toward the elevator.
Cole turned back.
"Hey," he said quietly. "I didn't want to bring this up during the meeting, but… is there any way we can upgrade K/DA's security during the tour?"
Mundo's brows rose. "Mundo has thought of that. But why necessary?"
"I have a feeling," Cole replied. "Kha'Zix showed up a week ago. And I know he wasn't alone. Something's coming. And somehow, K/DA's right in the middle of it."
Mundo's grin faded. For a second, his heavy features shifted into something thoughtful—sharp.
"I see. Mundo understands," he said at last. "He will send you a list of contacts later."
"Thanks. I owe you."
Mundo just nodded. "Mundo always protect those who trust Mundo."
"That went well, didn't it?"
"Yeah." They stepped out into the sunlight, leaving the MundoCorp lobby behind.
"You hungry?" Kai'Sa asked. "I know a good poke place. They get their fish straight from Bilgewater."
Cole smiled. "I'm down."
They walked side by side down the street, the city humming around them. A small wooden sign hung over a clean, minimalist storefront. Next to the door stood a large cardboard cutout—an exaggerated, cartoonish version of Tahm Kench, tongue lolling and grin wide.
Cole raised a brow. "Didn't know he owned this place."
"Oh, yeah," Kai'Sa said casually. "Tahm Kench? He's supposedly the fifth richest guy in Runeterra."
Cole didn't need to ask how. That kind of wealth never came from clean deals.
"I don't agree with how he does business," he muttered, "but I've heard the food's legit."
Inside, the place was packed. Laughter and clinking bowls filled the air. They were lucky to find an empty booth by the window.
"So, what's good here?" Cole asked as he slid into his seat.
"I always get the salmon edamame rice bowl," Kai'Sa said, settling across from him.
"Then I'll try that."
A Vastayan waitress appeared and took their order with a polite nod.
___
The bowls arrived hot and fresh—vibrant cuts of salmon nestled atop greens and grains, dotted with vegetables both familiar and strange.
Kai'Sa watched him take his first bite, then leaned in slightly. "So… how are you feeling?"
Cole looked up, chewing. "Good. This is great."
She gave him a look. "Not the food, smartass. You. You fought a man-sized Void roach last week."
He sighed, setting his chopsticks down. "Yeah, I did. But… that's what I signed up for."
"That doesn't make it any less real," she said softly. "You almost died, Cole. Talk to me."
He hesitated, then met her gaze. "Fine. Yeah, I've been trying to make sense of it. I know it won't be the last time. So I've been... bracing myself."
Kai'Sa looked down at her food. A faint shimmer of purple energy danced around her fingertips.
"I get it," she said quietly. "I've had my share of Void encounters too."
Cole straightened, sensing something deeper beneath her words.
She didn't look up. "I lost my father to it. He… tried to find me. When the Void took me, I was gone for years."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," she said, cutting him off gently. "I trust you. I want you to know."
Cole nodded, his hand reaching across the table to rest over hers.
"By the time I came back, he was gone. People said he went mad looking for me. Then… disappeared. No one's seen him since."
"I'm sorry," Cole said, voice low. "But… I don't think he's gone. Maybe it's stupid, but I just have this feeling."
Her eyes welled, a faint glimmer behind her lashes. "Thanks, Cole. I hope so." Her fingers shifted, interlocking with his.
A quiet moment passed between them.
"But enough about me," she said, dabbing at her eye with a napkin. "What about you? Where's home for you?"
Cole looked down, lips tightening briefly. "Far from here. No family… not anymore."
Kai'Sa winced. "I didn't mean to—"
"It's okay." He squeezed her hand. "I've got you guys now. That's more than enough."
She smiled then, soft and genuine. "You do."
[You've earned 150 SP]
___
Across the restaurant, a pair of sultry eyes locked on Cole from behind a column. A woman leaned back casually, pistols hanging at her waist, gaze focused.
Watching.
Waiting.
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