Chapter 66: The Birth of the Firelights

The Firelights weren't born out of a single idea but a collection of shared dreams and frustrations. For years, Zaun had been suffocating under the weight of Piltover's neglect and its own internal strife. People struggled to survive, caught between the shimmering city above and the toxic air of their own world. Ekko and Powder had spent countless nights talking about how to change things—how to make Zaun more than just a place of survival, but a home where people could thrive.

One evening, after testing their water purifier, they gathered in the workshop. The room smelled of oil and metal, and the faint hum of unfinished gadgets filled the air. Powder paced back and forth while Ekko scribbled notes at the workbench.

"This isn't enough," Powder said, her voice laced with frustration. "The purifier is great, but it's just one thing. Zaun needs more—more ideas, more people, more action."

Ekko set down his pencil and looked at her. "I know. That's why we need help. It can't just be us."

Powder stopped pacing and turned to him, her eyes wide with realization. "A group. Like a team. People who want the same things we do."

Ekko grinned. "Exactly. People who care about Zaun, who want to make it better. Together, we can do more than just build gadgets. We can create a movement."

Powder's excitement was contagious. "We'd need to find people who can contribute—builders, thinkers, fighters. People who won't give up, no matter how hard it gets."

"Yeah," Ekko said, his mind already racing with possibilities. "But we also need a name, something that represents what we're trying to do."

They spent the next hour tossing around ideas, most of them ridiculous.

"Zaun Defenders?" Powder suggested, only to immediately shake her head. "Too cheesy."

"Undercity Builders?" Ekko offered, wincing as he said it. "Nah, sounds like a construction company."

Powder's eyes lit up as she glanced at one of Ekko's hovering gadgets on the shelf. "Firelights," she said softly.

Ekko followed her gaze and nodded slowly. "Firelights. They're small but bright. They guide people in the dark."

"Exactly," Powder said, her smile growing. "That's what we want to be. A light for Zaun."

The next step was recruiting members, and their first stop was Benzo's shop.

Benzo had always been a steady presence in their lives, a voice of reason and wisdom. He listened as Ekko and Powder explained their idea, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful expression.

"You've got ambition, I'll give you that," he said after a moment. "But building something like this isn't just about good ideas. It's about trust and resilience."

"We know," Ekko said earnestly. "That's why we want you to be part of it. People listen to you, Benzo. They respect you."

Benzo chuckled, his gruff voice warm. "Flattery won't get you far, kid. But you're right—Zaun needs this. I'm in."

Powder clapped her hands in excitement. "Really? You'll help us?"

"Of course," Benzo said, his gaze softening. "You two have big hearts. I'd be a fool not to support you."

Next, they approached Vander at the Last Drop. He was cleaning up after a busy night when they found him, his sleeves rolled up and his usual stoic expression in place.

"You're starting a movement?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Powder said, her voice firm. "We want to bring people together to make Zaun better. Not just talk about it—actually do it."

Vander crossed his arms, studying them. "And you think you can handle the weight of something like that?"

Ekko met his gaze without hesitation. "We have to. If we don't, who will?"

A small smile tugged at Vander's lips. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Count me in."

Over the next few weeks, the group grew. Claggor and Mylo were the next to join, both eager to be part of something bigger. Claggor brought his steady hands and mechanical skills, while Mylo—despite his sarcastic attitude—had a knack for strategy.

Others followed: shopkeepers, scavengers, and even a few Piltovans who had grown disillusioned with the city's greed. Each person brought their own talents and perspectives, and slowly, the Firelights began to take shape.

Their first official meeting was held in an abandoned factory, chosen for its privacy and space. Ekko stood at the center of the room, his heart pounding as he looked around at the group they had assembled.

"Thank you all for being here," he began, his voice steady despite his nerves. "Zaun has always been a place of survival, but it can be more than that. Together, we can make it a place where people thrive—a place where everyone has a chance."

Powder stepped forward, her eyes shining with determination. "We're not just here to survive. We're here to build, to create, and to protect. The Firelights are going to be a light for Zaun. And it starts with us."

The room erupted into applause, and for the first time, Ekko felt the weight of their shared dream settling on his shoulders. It was daunting, but it was also exhilarating.

As the weeks turned into months, the Firelights became a symbol of hope in Zaun. They repaired broken machines, distributed supplies, and protected vulnerable communities from gang violence. Every small victory brought them closer to their vision of a better future.

One night, as Ekko and Powder sat on the roof of their workshop, looking out over the glowing streets of Zaun, Powder rested her head on Ekko's shoulder.

"We're really doing it," she said softly. "We're making a difference."

Ekko wrapped an arm around her, his heart full. "Yeah. And this is just the beginning."