Chapter 2: A Ticket

The Last Drop was alive with the hum of the undercity's lifeblood—laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional outburst from a heated conversation. Tarren stepped through the doors, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Vander behind the bar. The broad-shouldered man looked up from the cups he was cleaning, offering Tarren a knowing smile.

"Come on, kid," Vander said, setting the cups aside. He motioned for Tarren to follow him toward the back, drawing curious looks from Vi, Powder, Mylo, and Claggor. They exchanged glances but said nothing as Vander led Tarren down the stairs into the bar's basement.

The creak of the wooden stairs echoed in the confined space, and Tarren felt the weight of the others' stares on his back. Before locking the door behind them, Vander turned and pointed at the group. "Stay put," he said firmly, though the rebellious gleam in Vi's eyes suggested she had other plans.

Once downstairs, Vander approached an old desk and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it to Tarren with a solemn expression. "Here," he said.

Tarren unfolded the paper carefully. His breath caught in his throat as he read the contents. It was a permit—a permit to cross the bridge to Piltover and participate in Progress Day. His heart raced as he realized what this meant: a chance to showcase his inventions, to make a name for himself on the surface.

"I had to pull a lot of strings to get this, you'll be able to participate in Progress Day now." Vander admitted, leaning against the desk. "Talked to people I'd rather not talk to, but... you're a good kid. You deserve a shot."

Tarren's face lit up with unrestrained excitement. "Thank you, Vander. Seriously, I—thank you so much!"

Vander gave him a thin smile, crouching down to Tarren's level and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Dreaming big's easy, but… Living here, you learn quick to temper your expectations. The world's not fair, especially not to kids like you down here. It's refreshing to see some hopeful ones still here. Listen, just do your best, topside is not friendly to people like us, so you have to work harder to get into the academy or to get an apprenta."

Tarren's smile faltered, but he nodded. "I'll remember."

When they returned upstairs, the energy in the room had shifted. The laughter and warmth from the group were gone, replaced by silence and cold, watchful gazes. Powder approached first, her wide eyes filled with worry. "Are you… are you leaving?" she asked softly.

Tarren hesitated, then knelt to meet her gaze. "You heard us, huh? Well, not for good. I'll be back, I promise."

Ekko stood nearby, his arms crossed, his usual playful demeanor replaced with quiet sadness. The others, however, weren't so understanding.

Vi's glare was ice-cold, her jaw clenched tight. She grabbed Tarren's arm and dragged him to a corner of the room, away from the others. "What the hell are you thinking?" she demanded, her voice a low, angry whisper.

"Vi—"

"Don't 'Vi' me!" she snapped, cutting him off. "You're running off to the topside? To them? You're turning your back from the undercity. You're turning your back on us."

Tarren met her glare with a calm, steady gaze. "I'm not turning my back on anyone. I'm trying to have a better life, to change yours too."

"By siding with the people who keep us down?!" she shot back, her voice rising. "The enforcers killed our parents, Tarren. Or did you forget?"

His smile was sad but resolute. "I didn't forget. My parents wanted what's best for me. That's why they were at the protests in the first place. If I can change things, even a little, it's what they'd want me to do."

Vi stared at him for a long moment, her fists clenched at her sides. Finally, she turned away, her shoulders tense. "Do what you want," she muttered, storming off without another word.

Tarren watched her leave, his chest heavy. He returned to the group, but by then, everyone had scattered—except Ekko. The younger boy waited by the door, his expression thoughtful.

"Why are you doing this?" Ekko asked as they walked out together.

Tarren took a deep breath, his fingers brushing against the depleted rune around his neck. "Because I have a dream. And I think it starts up there. Do you have one too, Ekko?"

Ekko was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. He said finally: "I want everyone to have a better life down here."

Tarren's lips quirked into a small smile. "Then we're chasing the same dream. You should come with me too, we can do that together."

Ekko glanced at him, his frown softening. "But you think you can fix this place from up there? Piltover's not for people like us, Tarren."

"I know," Tarren said. "But it's easier to change this place from the outside than from the inside. If you don't want to go with me, then stay. You'll have the harder job, Spark."

Ekko's grin returned, faint but genuine. "Challenge accepted."

As they walked home together, Tarren felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this time it will be different. No more suffering.