Chapter Text
Does love transcend time?
Would it allow me to fall in love with a stranger? A stranger who lived out her days a millennium before I was even born. Her flames haunting the dark corners of my dreams and made them bright again. Her voice whispers through the waters, gliding across the surface.
And I heard her.
~~~
[Piltover - 807 AN]
They moved during the night, cloaked with the shadows. Dancers unseen at this time. They were quiet, but they were excellent at what they did.
The roar of thunder and the soft drumming of the rain on the carriage soothed the officer as she looked out the window. The building was new, but she knew this was the right place. Her math never lied.
She clutched the chain around her neck. Her lifeline; and held onto the heart of her gem.
Her soul.
“We’re here.” her voice was calmer than the winds that stopped blowing the moment she opened her carriage door and climbed out.
She could hear the others following her inside. They passed through many people. Absorbing insufficient energies and kept going towards the fifth floor of this building. Apartment 515. The woman reached through and opened the door and stepped inside. The area was small. Fit for a single living person. And he was sitting at his desk, facing the door.
Expecting her.
Careful. Grinning. Like he won something. Held a not so secret information over her head.
“Cassandra Kiramman.” The man spoke each syllable with mocking purpose. “Beloved timekeeper of our era. Welcome. Please, sit. I’m sure your journey has been grand and fruitful.”
Cassandra inhaled deeply and held up her gloved hand, signally for the others to remain behind. She looked around the room with caution, but didn’t see any traps. This man was truly alone and here.
She approached the desk and placed cuffs on top before sitting down in the chair. “Hands flat on the desk… Silco.”
He complied. Perhaps, too eagerly.
Cassandra checked her watch and her own conduit. “I don’t know who you are exactly, but I do know,” she leaned back and glared at the man before her. “You’re not the one I’ve been chasing all these years.”
Silco didn’t move when Cassandra slapped on the cuffs and his skin burned immediately, announcing his error in this timeline. His energies didn’t match, but it would be too dangerous to remove him. He wasn’t supposed to be here, and yet….
Cassandra stood up, placing her hands on the desk, and slowly leaned forward. “Where’s your daughter?”
~~~~~~
[Piltover Academy - 984 AN - "Present"]
‘Callous was the heart of the Sorceress as she bound the men at will, drinking in their life-force to empower her rune. They were cruel in nature, undeserving to live another day.
Mercy, she called it.
‘Murder!’ they shouted.
She held her lover closer to her heart, feeling their skin grow cold and weaker—faint with blood loss from the bloodthirsty tribes.
“Find me.” they begged, “Find me again!”
“I will find you again.” she promised, keeping her hand out-stretched. Death seeped from her fingertips.’
Caitlyn Kiramman read the rest of the chapter with excited anticipation. “...oh, yes. Kill them all.” she whispered to herself with a giddiness, not quite out of character of her own dark desires.
Not that she craved murder.
But timeless love was truly romantic, wasn’t it?
Free.
Extraordinary.
Though, she craved to have a life as this Enchanted Sorceress.
To seek out her own love. Her fish out at sea, lost in the overpowering currents of time. Bound and steady.
She wished to find it on her own, and not be bound by expectations and her family’s name.
She reads to quiet that voice.
An energy in her soul, that reached out to her. And Caitlyn ignored it and never reached back.
Caitlyn reached the end of the book and was shocked at the ending. “What!” she flipped through the author's biography, hoping to find more words to carry on the story. “That’s how it ends? Oh no no no!”
With a frustrated sigh, she threw off her blankets and quickly got out of bed. She flung her dorm room open and marched down the hall, the book clutched tightly to her chest. When she reached the desired room she pushed it open.
There was only one occupant in the room, facing his window. Viktor was most likely still in the labs at this hour. Caitlyn dropped the book on the slumbering teen and slapped the bed-side table.
“ That’s how it ends!”
Jayce slowly rolled over and looked up at Caitlyn in utter disbelief, confusion, and exhaustion. “What?”
“Oh, how I wish we were still at war! I’d forge your mother’s signature and have you forcibly deployed to get you out of my sight!” Without any further explanation the frustrated teen left the room as quickly and not as loudly as she entered.
“G’night, Cait.” Jayce’s tired voice called out.
~~~~~~
Mondays are always the worst, and today would have been no different. But no, Caitlyn was consumed by the novel she had finished the night before. Still dreaming about a faceless flower, as well as the novel’s undesired ending.
“My life is ruined.” Caitlyn rubbed her eyes, clearly lacking much rest from the night before. And she was in a foul mood. “I don’t want to be here anymore. What’s the point of these science academies when we could be studying magic and live our own fairytales?”
Jayce was wolfing down a mouthful of food. “It’s just a book.”
“ Stop telling me that!” Caitlyn picked at her breakfast, too tired to eat. “I read the first book in over a month—a long-winded eulogy of sorts is how it was written. And this second one,” Caitlyn slammed her fork down to glare at Jayce who was still able to enjoy his breakfast while she ranted. “The enchantress’s story really took off! She was finally able to find love throughout everything she’s been through. And for what?! To end there?”
Jayce slowly nodded, sipping his juice, looking expectantly. “Are you done?”
“Of course not !” Caitlyn dropped her fork and pouted. “How do I even begin to go about my day after that?”
“It’s a trilogy, Cait.”
“A missing third work, is what you’ve told me. And you claimed it had a great ending!”
Jayce had his mouth full and he frowned. “What do you mean? It was a great ending. She killed all those men and saved her lover! She’s a hero.”
“Yes, but.” Caitlyn sighed and forced herself to take a few bites. Her mood was entirely sour at the abrupt ending.
“You wanted to know more about the bowman, huh?” Jayce carefully inquired, treading stones across thin ice he was clearly settled on.
Caitlyn glared at her breakfast. “I wanted her to be happy. What if they died? We live in a time where our love life is bound to us at birth. I felt pleasantly free reading about a love she sought after and kept. All to herself. No limits on her desires. It was a perfect world for her.”
“And you don’t think our own love life is perfect? Beats having to choose, and be lonely for the rest of your life.”
“No. I’d rather be alone than be told who I’m supposed to love. It’s romantic in theory, horrible implementation.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You would love it. Your songs are in Piltover. You simply have to find your harmony.”
Jayce slowly nodded. “It does make it easier to know they’re close.”
“Mhm.”
Jayce wiped his mouth and pulled out his pocket watch. “I didn't think the story would upset you this much, Cait.”
“I’ll use my frustrations during the exams.”
“It could also be up to reader interpretation?”
“Perhaps.” Once Caitlyn had food in her belly, she felt a little better. Still completely distressed, though she’d go about her day anyway. “Sorry for dropping the book on you earlier.”
Jayce smiled warmly. “It’s fine. I’m used to it with Mel.”
“Yugh.” Caitlyn grimaced
“Not like that.” Jayce went red in the face. “But anyway, enough about the soul-binding Enchantress. Did you study for your Rune exam?”
“Time is relative, are we even here at this moment… right now?” Caitlyn nibbled on her muffin. “Do you even have to ask, though? I can most likely write the exam without even opening a text book.”
Jayce raised his brows, “Well, you’re right about that. And I have to get to the lab and prepare my samples for the presentation with Professor Heimerdinger.”
“Dinger.” Caitlyn sighed through her fatigue. “Let me know how it goes.”
“Hopefully, unpredictably. Since—”
“Since magic is unpredictable.” Caitlyn teased, finally able to smile. “Good luck getting that through the professor.”
Jayce got up and gathered his tray. “I don’t need luck, I have Viktor.” he walked around and gave Caitlyn a quick kiss on the cheek. “Don’t start any trouble, please.”
“No promises.” She finally relaxed and decided to finish her breakfast.
~~~~~
Time is a constant ripple.
Their timeline was the main wave going forward. Drawing out its course.
“...and the ontological nature of time can be viewed as a physical space.” Ambessa Medarda, Time General Medarda and the Master Mentor for the Time Division, spoke to her class before their graduating exams.
Caitlyn sat near the front of the class and wrote down meaningless notes as the General spoke. She could write these exams because it was all her mother spoke about. Whether Caitlyn was practicing her violin lessons, or leaving their private property grounds to head to the shooting range to meet with Chief Grayson—Hauled up in her room resting on her bed and reading The sanctity of Time—Caitlyn could hear her mother’s voice.
“The preservation of the past and the future, by…”
“Living in the present and obeying its laws.” Caitlyn whispered under her breath and was pretty much doodling at this point.
All she needed was to pass this exam and she would be allowed to create her one Arcane conduit and jump for the first time in her life.
All eyes were on her. The Kiramman Prodigy they called her.
“Miss Kiramman.” General Ambessa turned to her assistant. “If you would.”
Caitlyn grabbed the binder of the exam, written of course. Though she wondered why, when they looked to the oceans stars, and created their maps of runes from there.
Too simple for this complex system they created.
Whoever were the first time keepers.
~~~~~
“Must you mock me in the silence of my own desires…”
Tick, tock…
Tick, tock…
Of course she passed her exams without a mark.
She’s been swimming in these currents, resting on their coasts her entire life. Her mother would be proud.
Caitlyn was staring at the old grandfather clock behind her mother’s desk. Runeterra Prime’s truest hour and day. The sound used to echo unpleasantly and grind in Caitlyn’s mind whenever she was in this room. A timescape for her mother, as well as her office.
“You’re always watching me, even when you’re not here.”
Though, Caitlyn found solace in the rhythm whenever her mother was away; day, weeks, or even months at a time. Caitlyn would stare at the time for the Prime hours. Oftentimes, she’d find herself in the room, looking at her mother’s conduit hanging inside the grandfather clock. The gem, surrounded by gold and platinum designs. Elegant in appearance. Royal, almost—called out to Caitlyn.
A quiet whisper to her… shimmering in the back of her mind as well as her dreams.
Always in her dreams.
That’s how one finds their soul-bound opposites. Shared energy. Same rhythm. A song created for only them to hear and dance to.
Every time Caitlyn would hear hints of her melody, feel the world around her stop—she woke up every time.
When she would dream of violets, a tempting face, and strong hands—a wild fire in her heart would bloom. The one who matched her energy…
A soul-bound energy Caitlyn would rather not succumb to. That dance of flutters and butterflies, enchantments and kisses. The touch of a lover and a fire; Caitlyn would rather travel the world in every timeline instead. That was much more appealing and exciting.
Perhaps that’s why she finds herself in this room waiting for her mother.
Caitlyn didn’t know why. They hardly saw eye-to-eye on many things. But there was a warmth to her mother that she couldn’t find in her father. Not that her dad wasn’t a great parent. In fact, he was her favorite.
Caitlyn needed… craved her mother’s approval and guidance.
And like a summoned spirit Tobias opened the door and peeked inside. “She’s still not here?”
Caitlyn smoothed out her school uniform, holding her a small chest on her lap. Her graduation kit to begin building her conduit. “No. She’s not. Away chasing nightmares across the dark ripples.”
He closed the door behind him and knelt in front of her. “You know she does much more than that.”
“I do know. It’s how I’m being raised in her shadow. It’s why I’m attending the Academy of Time Preservation.”
“Linear Arts.” Tobias smiled softly.
“Irregular investigations.” Caitlyn sighed and met her father’s gaze. “She’s always late. For being a timekeeper, mother sure does embrace her tardiness in normal matters.”
“I assure you, Cassandra is tracing a major threat. Not truly harmful for Prime, but delicate in retrieval. But I can see that’s not what’s bothering you, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn slowly rubbed her hands on her lap, wondering. “Did you dream of mother before you met her? Knew what she looked like? If she were a man or woman? If she was a Prime resident, or an irregular fragment of the sea?”
“I did. I was quite fond of them. Very colorful, vibrant. They made me happy to search for her.” Tobias answered simply. He then stood up and pulled out his watch. “Are you having dreams, Caitlyn?”
The young Kiramman swallowed hard, and pictured an endless field of wildflowers, the winds helped them dance, and the floods of water poured onto them—keeping them awake.
“No.” she answered, keeping these riddles to herself. “Not yet, father. But I will come to you when I do.”
~~~~~
The following weeks Caitlyn began designing her rune conduit.
Her father created a pocket watch, each dial and number cleverly traced with his desired runes and his touch of magic. Her mother… Timekeeper extraordinaire, held two conduits; one that was her own created in childhood, a set of earrings she never leaves at home.
And the other, a brilliant amulet, gifted to her from Grandmother Kiramman. A woman Caitlyn’s never met, but wishes she could be just like.
“Are you sure it should be that small?” Caitlyn asked Jayce to help her with the crafting and design of her conduit.
“Ring forging is a delicate art.” It was a lovely surprise when Mel also showed up to the labs, and of course Viktor was there for rune placement designs.
Caitlyn had her scroll clutched tightly to her chest. She had already picked out her runes and her first timeline to visit. A riddle she had to solve in order to be granted access to the Gates.
Luckily, Caitlyn’s mother raised her in the mysterious unknown.
A secret smile whenever Caitlyn answered flawlessly.
“I know what I’m doing, Cait.” Jayce began pouring the melted element over the shape of the Hexgem.
“If you say so. I’d rather not be trapped in a timeline without being tethered to my anchor.”
“Did you want to do this?” Jayce looked up, looking tired yet focused. “I’ll give you my diploma and Mastery certificate.
“So dramatic, you.” Caitlyn giggled and rolled her eyes. “Proceed.”
“As your Anchor, I’ll never let you drift too far.” Mel spoke up
Her anchor.
Mel, who was leaning over Jayce’s shoulder, quickly looked up and gave Caitlyn a secret smile.
Something caught in her breath, Caitlyn had to look away. Mel was absolutely gorgeous and a brilliant Anchor. She’s even tethered her own mother during investigations and trials.
Mel was brilliant as she was beautiful.
Caitlyn cleared her throat, it was a shame their… energies didn’t match. To be Mel’s appointed and darling jewel on her arm, to be bound to such a strong force in their Prime.
To have found love so early on…
Caitlyn approached the laser and began warming it up.
~~~~~
“And just finishing the final rune…” Jayce had been hunched over, guiding the laser with Viktor’s assistance.
The quiet boy who pointed out only one minor error in Caitlyn’s design. Nothing dangerous, too free of magic in the flow of the design. It can “corrupt” the user; so they say, anyway.
Once cooled and prepared, Mel grabbed the ring with gloves and walked over to Caitlyn. “Try it on… Wait! Stand over here. To be safe.”
Caitlyn eagerly grabbed the arcane conduit and walked to the open area before quickly slipping it on her finger. The magic was instant. The runes carved on the inner side of the ring traveled up her arm, a caress of magic flowed through her.
“Whoa!”
“Keep it steady, Caitlyn.” Mel was watching from the other side of the room.
Caitlyn held up her arm and smiled brightly, nearly laughing as the energy around her shifted. Her hair floated without gravity and her soul sang.
It looks beautiful on you.
The runes continued to dance across her arm before expanding in the air, tether by Mel from across the lab.
Who wore her own conduit; a golden neck choker she’s never seen the girl remove.
Caitlyn’s eyes fluttered closed, letting the feeling wash over her for the very first time. She made a fist and the dancing fire soared from her ring.
Open your eyes.
And she did.
Caitlyn was floating in a vast emptiness. A dark world where only she lived in the moment. A frozen second. Outside of time.
Limitless.
A thin stream of water appeared before her; the current of Prime in a visual aspect. Simple yet beautiful.
A wall to cross over.
The thinnest layers separating time and she felt drawn to this fall.
Caitlyn instantly reached out touching the water that was hard like glass and warm.
She gasped when a hand on the other side reached out, mirroring her. A magenta silhouette standing small. Another girl, perhaps?
Caitlyn felt a tug, and a desire to know this stranger.
Was this her…?
No, it couldn't be.
They only dream about them, never see them in the vast celestial ocean. This was a person from a different time-line. An echo through the waters, perhaps repeating this moment over and over again until Caitlyn found her.
But as quickly as it happened, it disappeared. And Caitlyn was standing in the lab once again, hand outstretched, but holding onto Mel’s hand. Fingers interlaced. Intimate almost.
Caitlyn squeezed, needed to be anchored.
Mel squeezed back, and tugged Caitlyn closer. “You all right, Cait?”
Caitlyn smiles brightly and holds up her hand with the Hexgem. “One ring to rule them all…” she whispered
“One Rune to find them.” Jayce jokes.
Viktor shrugged, “One careless forger to bring them all.”
Mel was looking over Caitlyn’s arm that still held the remnants of the runes. “In the darkness, you bind them.”
Caitlyn grinned softly. “I did. And I felt them.”
“Good.”
Caitlyn was ready for her first dive.
~~~~~
That night as Caitlyn rested on her bed, preparing to retire for the night—the ambience of her parents speaking to each down the hall soothed her, just as it always does. Although, there was another.
Caitlyn held the glass box that contained her conduit. She stared into the swirling abyss of a bright blue Hexgem, accented with a coating of gold, which greatly compliments the magical properties of the gem. She wished to hold it again, wear it, bind herself to it… while she waited for the shadow to present herself once again.
“Who are you?” she asked. “Are you alone? Or do you feel as alone as I do? I have a few friends. Do you have friends? Jayce and…” Caitlyn chewed on her lip and reclined more into her pillows. “Jayce and Mel are pretty much my only friends. Jayce is my brother… so he’s just there. Mel’s well-known and beautiful. Very beautiful. Do you have someone beautiful in your life? I wish I knew more about my dreams.”
If Caitlyn believed in fairytales, she may have thought the gem sparkled just so—announcing herself across the sea.
But Caitlyn believes in absolutes. Curious for a girl who grew up around magic and the spontaneous occurrences with science and the real world around her.
Caitlyn was gentle as she set the box next to her other pillow and this time she couldn’t wait to be lost in a valley of flowers and whisper the name of violets across the tips of her mind.
“Good night, magenta shadow.” she spoke to the gem.
Good night, star. Caitlyn would’ve heard the ring whisper if she were awake.