-231- Move out!

The daytime in Freljord always looks the same, and it's even harder to travel at night, making it easy to lose track of time. However, Ekko can remember time very well.

For some reason, he's always been sensitive to the word 'time,' so he remembers when he left Zaun and how long he's been outside.

Honestly, Ekko has often missed home, but thankfully, Vi is here now.

Her arrival eases Ekko's longing for home.

Just like now, a fire burns at the center of the cabin, with a pot hanging over it for cooking.

The people from twin cities are quick learners. By the fourth day in Freljord, Ekko's group found ways to cook food and keep warm.

Wrapped in thick blankets, Vi sits like a gray lump, her hands poking out to warm by the fire.

"Vi, aren't you worried about Caitlyn?" Ekko watches Vi's back and asks after some thought.

"Worried? No need to worry about her." Vi stares at the fire, enjoying the warmth, while Caitlyn is out in the cold, keeping watch. She's a good sniper but also an excellent sentinel.

With Caitlyn on watch, they can sleep peacefully at night.

This place is indeed dangerous; there's no law in these harsh conditions.

Vi has only been in Freljord for three days, but in just that time, she's been in a fight. A group of rugged Freljordians approached the Hextech Station looking for valuable items. But when Vi showed up and punched a pine tree down with one blow, they scattered.

But as Ekko said, this place is full of bandits and raiders.

But Vi doesn't mind. It reminds her of Zaun in the past. Back then, she grew up under the protection of Vander and Linwin in a similar environment.

"What about you? When did you start drinking?" Vi turns around, looking at Ekko sipping his drink, and furrows her brows. "I don't remember my little brother being a drinker."

Ekko chuckles bitterly, shaking his head. "It's too cold here. Drinking warms the body."

"There are many ways to stay warm. You could spar with me," Vi suggests.

"I learned boxing from you when I was young, but I'm obviously not cut out for it. Even Powder is better than me." Ekko smiles and asks Vi, "Speaking of Powder, Vi, has she developed the Hextech Cannon yet?"

Thinking of Powder showing off, Vi makes a helpless expression and says, "Actually, it's the Hextech Super Death Magic Doom Missile."

"That's typical of Powder." Ekko smiles at the name and nods.

Vi and Ekko chat for a while. Even though they've been together for three days, Ekko still has a lot to say to Vi.

Honestly, it's been a while since they've sat down like this and talked, even back in Zaun. Everyone has their own things to do, their own work.

The pace in Zaun is getting faster. When Ekko was in Zaun, he had to teach and conduct experiments, while Vi trained or enforced the law.

But in Freljord, perhaps the only benefit here is that there's plenty of time at night. When everyone gathers, all they can do is sit by the fire and chat.

Soon, Captain Skite walks in.

"Captain Skite, want some soup?" Vi picks up a bowl and fills it with hot meat soup, handing it to Skite.

Skite takes the bowl and sips it slowly.

Then, after exhaling, Skite licks his lips and says comfortably, "Tastes really good, Vi. Did you make it?"

Vi awkwardly scratches her head and says, "Caitlyn made it."

"The little miss from Piltover's Kiramman family knows how to cook?" Skite says incredulously.

That's really unexpected. Noble ladies cooking, especially someone like Caitlyn.

"Vi's cooking..." 

Upon hearing Skye's words, Ekko seemed to think of something and continued strangely, "I don't think you'd want to try it, Captain Skite."

"Shut up, Ekko!" Vi turned around and glared at Ekko.

Ekko immediately covered his mouth and stopped talking.

Ekko shrank back, feeling apprehensive. If they continued this topic, Vi would really hit someone.

Powder often mocked Vi's cooking, and as a result, got hit quite a bit.

Vi stood there itching to speak up. What's wrong with her cooking? After all these years, Powder survived eating her food, right?

But Caitlyn's cooking skills are indeed excellent.

Seeing Caitlyn praised by Skite, Vi thought for a moment and added, "Caitlyn is actually good at making desserts. Her cakes are delicious, especially the blueberry pie, sweet and savory."

Skite looked at Vi, unsure of how to respond. Seeing Vi seemingly boasting about Caitlyn's cooking, Skite felt a bit confused. In the end, he just silently finished his soup.

Vi seemed to want to continue the topic, but Skye had to forcefully change the subject, mentioning Vi and Ekko's earlier interaction. "You two have a good relationship. Vi, since you came, Ekko seems visibly happier."

"Captain Skite, Ekko has been like this since he was little. He followed me around, and I followed Vander around." Vi shrugged.

Ekko didn't object but nodded.

Vi's words were true. When he was young, he looked up to Vi as his big sister.

And Vander was the big boss for Ekko at the time.

Skite nodded.

"Dong!"

Just then, the door of the cabin was kicked open. With boots thudding, Caitlyn, previously discussed by Vi and Skite, appeared outside the cabin, carrying her sniper rifle and leaning against the door. 

She spoke sternly, "Trouble's here, Captain Skite. Could you inform everyone?"

"What? It's nighttime." Skite said.

"Indeed, but I saw torches, a giant wild boar, and a woman on the boar," Caitlyn said softly.

"Sejuani, Linwin warned me about her."

"Winter's Claw."

Caitlyn walked into the cabin, still composed, calmly stating, "Mr. Skite, I think you'll be working late tonight."

"Also, Vi, put on your gauntlets quickly."

Twisting her shoulders, Vi walked to a corner of the cabin where two huge Hextech gauntlets were placed.

Approaching, she inserted her arms into the gauntlets. In the next moment, Vi activated the Hextech gauntlets.

Raising the enormous pair of gauntlets, Vi clapped her hands.

"Bang bang!"

With the sound echoing, Skite also walked out of the door.

"Didn't Linwin say you should negotiate with them? We need to make a deal with them."

Vi shrugged, a smirk forming at the corner of her mouth. "Linwin said we should fight first, then talk. Otherwise, she won't listen to us."

"Let's go, we're going to crush those fuckers." With that, Vi left the cabin with her gauntlets.

Caitlyn followed immediately with her sniper rifle, but she also said disapprovingly, "Watch your words, Vi."

"Okay, okay."

"Let's move out!"