Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

"Sister…"

Morgana clasped Kayle's hand tightly, interlacing their fingers, and brought it to her lips for a tender kiss. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her pale cheeks.

She wielded destructive dark celestial magic, incapable of channeling the restorative blessings of the stars like Kayle. She was powerless to heal her sister's wounds.

In the face of life and death, the long-standing conflict between the sisters seemed to dissolve into nothingness. They were transported back to their childhood, before they inherited their mother's sword, when their bond had been unbreakable.

At Mount Targon, they would sit together on a flat plateau, gazing at the dazzling celestial river of stars above. In Demacia, they wandered hand in hand across vast green fields, through lush forests, or barefoot along rivers, splashing water at each other. 

Their most cherished memories, however, were the bedtime stories their father, Zilarm, would tell, full of vivid and fantastical adventures.

These memories came rushing back like a tidal wave, engulfing both sisters. Even Kayle, usually so cold and unyielding in her pursuit of "justice," softened, her humanity shining through once more.

It's true—only when you're about to lose something do you realize its value.

Though Morgana and Kayle remained silent, their exchanged glances spoke volumes. Without words, they understood each other's hearts.

They had always cared deeply for one another.

Even Kayle, who had sought a path to ascension by considering the unthinkable—killing her own sister—would falter in the end. She could never bring herself to strike down Morgana, no matter how overwhelming her power might have been. At this moment, as she teetered on the edge of death, Kayle questioned herself. And her answer was clear: she couldn't do it.

Watching the scene unfold, Li Lin, who had stood silently nearby, sighed deeply and shook his head. "Why does it have to come to this?"

Morgana glanced at him, her violet eyes devoid of malice. Instead, they held a hint of melancholy.

She recalled a question Li Lin had once posed to her: 

If bandits had murdered Zilarm in her presence, but sincerely repented and begged for forgiveness before their execution, could she forgive them? 

Or, more personally, if Li Lin had killed her sister, would she be able to forgive him?

Even now, Morgana had no definitive answer to that question.

After all, this battle had been triggered by her actions. Li Lin had merely been caught in the crossfire of their feud. By any measure, he was a victim.

But still…

Morgana's heart ached as her gaze returned to Kayle, who was now barely clinging to life. For a fleeting moment, Kayle's gaze had been genuine, as if it were her final burst of clarity before the end. Using the last vestiges of her power, she struggled to prolong her life.

Noticing Kayle's faltering vitality, Li Lin stepped forward. A small vial, no larger than a grown man's thumb, materialized in his hand—a glass container filled with radiant liquid.

He had just spent 1,000 blue essences at the system's shop for this supreme healing potion.

[Holy Healing Elixir: A celestial life essence blessed by Soraka, the Starchild, under the stars' grace. Instantly restores 100% of both health and mana (cannot resurrect the dead).] 

[Soraka: Stars, hear my plea!]

A standard Ionian health potion cost only 50 blue essences and could heal minor injuries slowly. It was barely effective for severe wounds, requiring proper treatment beforehand. A more potent Corruption Potion, priced at 300 essences, could heal even life-threatening injuries—but only for mortals. 

Based on the system's calculations, even if Li Lin used every Corruption Potion stored in his armor, it would merely extend Kayle's life for a short while, accomplishing nothing significant.

But this elixir—absurdly expensive and something Li Lin would have hesitated to purchase in the past—was infused with celestial magic, unparalleled in its healing capabilities. Saving a dying Star Aspect host would be effortless.

It was the assurance Li Lin relied on when he dared to fire the disintegration beam at Kayle earlier.

As long as you still draw breath, you won't die!

Kneeling beside Kayle, Li Lin held the elixir bottle in his hand. Morgana tensed, her expression sharp with alarm. "What are you—" 

Before she could finish, Li Lin uncorked the vial.

A dense aura of life essence wafted out, making Morgana's pupils contract. Her violet eyes widened in astonishment, and she was tempted to snatch the elixir from his hand to save her sister. 

Even Kayle, rejuvenated slightly by the elixir's aroma, looked surprised as some color returned to her pale face. 

"…What is this?" 

"Open your mouth," Li Lin ordered firmly. 

Instinctively, Kayle parted her lips. Her azure eyes reflected the bottle in Li Lin's hand as he poured the shimmering liquid—like a galaxy captured in a vial—into her mouth. 

The potion glided over her tongue, leaving a sweet aftertaste. Before she could swallow, the small sip of liquid disappeared entirely.

At the same time, a tremendous surge of vitality and magic erupted within Kayle, a cool and refreshing sensation swiftly coursing through her body, mending her nearly shattered form.

In the blink of an eye, her energy-ravaged, half-destroyed left wing reformed with a radiant golden glow. The cracks in her armor vanished, replaced by a fully restored suit of magical plating.

Golden flames reignited in her eyes as she ascended once more.

But when she saw Morgana taking a few steps back in response to her movement, Kayle instinctively stopped flapping her wings. With a gentle landing, her feet touched the ground lightly, her expression one of astonishment.

"What did you give me to drink?" Her gaze locked onto Li Lin. "This is no earthly substance... It comes from the celestial realm!"

"A potion blessed by the stars," Li Lin replied.

"Where did you obtain it?"

"Everyone has their secrets," he said with a faint smile, unwilling to elaborate.

Seeing his reaction, Kayle chose not to press further.

Li Lin then turned his attention to Morgana, who was just recovering from her shock, and their eyes met. "Now, do you finally understand your true feelings?"

Morgana pursed her lips in silence, her eyes flickering toward her sister.

"You two have lived longer than the founding of Demacia, longer even than the rise of the Noxian Empire. How is it possible that you still fail to grasp such a simple truth?

"There is a saying in Ionia: When two hearts beat as one, their strength can cleave steel. Even without blood ties, two people working in unity can wield the sharpest of blades, cutting through the toughest obstacles.

"And you two are sisters. Shouldn't your bond make you even more capable of facing challenges together?"

Li Lin's gaze lingered on Morgana.

"You—don't blindly forgive the guilty. No matter how sincere their remorse, those who commit crimes must face justice as prescribed by law, even if that punishment is death."

Just as I can't help but harbor resentment for how you nearly struck down your sister today...

Morgana sighed inwardly, finally beginning to understand the feelings of those harmed by the very disciples she had once sheltered.

Before she could respond, Li Lin turned to Kayle.

"And you—don't impose your rigid interpretation of 'justice' to judge others. Humanity has its own laws, and they continually refine them. People are capable of handling their own affairs.

"If you must pass judgment, it must align with human laws. Punishments should vary depending on the severity of the crime. Not everyone deserves to burn in the fires of your so-called justice, like those soldiers who were merely following orders yet found themselves condemned as 'accomplices.'"

Kayle opened her mouth, intending to argue that only divine beings could guide humanity and truly judge the wicked.

But the memory of her defeat, nearly losing her life to a mortal, and then being saved by him filled her with shame. She couldn't find the words to refute him and ultimately fell silent.

Li Lin gave the two sisters a final glance, then stepped toward Morgana. Grasping her wrist, he firmly pulled her to Kayle's side. Without hesitation, he took Kayle's hand as well, bringing the sisters' reluctant hands together.

"One more thing," he said, taking a deep breath and speaking with solemnity. "Don't wait until it's too late to cherish what you have."

[End of Chapter]

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