Arcane: Red Sands

Three days had passed since the confrontation in the garrison, and the air in Bel'zhun was heavy, though no longer with immediate tension. The Desert Raiders had returned to their duties, silently repairing the damage to their ranks after the ambush. General Dorrik, seemingly oblivious to the unrest he'd sown, remained a shadow over every meeting and strategy session.

Captain Su'Rhaal stood at the edge of Bel'zhun's Harbor, his sharp crimson eyes fixed on the horizon. His armor, polished but worn, gleamed faintly in the sunlight. Zanaiya stood beside him, her spear resting against her shoulder as the two awaited the arrival of their newest task.

Then out of nowhere an immense airship emerged from the clouds like a phantom, its sleek, elegant design unlike anything the people of Bel'zhun had seen before. The craft's hull shimmered with polished brass and steel, its massive propellers moving with eerie smoothness. Glowing sparks could still be seen trailing behind the ship, their light reminiscent of the ethereal energy of hextech.

The townspeople below froze in place, their gazes locked on the sky. Whispers of fear and awe rippled through the streets.

"Is that magic?" one sailor muttered.

"No… It's Piltover," another replied, though the answer offered little comfort.

------------------

Su watched the ship descend toward the landing zone with an expression of quiet curiosity. He had heard the stories, but seeing it in person was a different matter entirely.

"It's hard to imagine something this massive arriving faster than a messenger Raven. " Zanaiya said, her voice carrying a hint of incredulity.

Su's gaze remained fixed on the horizon, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Hextech," he replied "Piltover's answer to magic."

"They're showing off," Zanaiya scoffed, her tone dry but tinged with intrigue.

Su gave a faint nod. "Wouldn't you, if you had something like that?"

Zanaiya leaned on her spear, her expression contemplative. "Still, it's quite impressive what those scientists in piltover accomplished, Something like hextech could change everything, bring people together. It makes you wonder how small the world will get when an airship like this, travels a four days flight in just mere moments".

Su didn't respond immediately. His gaze shifted to the twin blades strapped to his back, their faintly glowing runes a reminder of the brutal efficiency of Noxian ingenuity.

"Smaller, maybe," Su said, his tone thoughtful, "but not simpler. Distance isn't the problem. It's what happens when people collide."

"Men of peace, these scientists, inventors, create Weapons of War," he continued," And this 'Hextech', the implications behind it, It's a Weapon".

Zanaiya tilted her head, studying him. "An arms race."

"Exactly." He finished.

The airship landed with remarkable grace, its ramp extending with a hiss of pressurized air. A small delegation descended, their uniforms crisp and adorned with the insignia of House Medarda. At their center was Elora, a woman in her late twenties with a poised demeanor and an effortless smile. Her Brown hair was neatly tied back, and her clothing—an elegant yet practical ensemble of burgundy and gold—spoke of her station.

"Greetings," she greeted as she approached, extending a hand. Her accent carried the faint lilt of Piltover's upper districts. "It's a pleasure to be here on your beautiful city."

Su took her hand, his grip firm but polite. "Representative Elora," he replied. "Thank you for coming and welcome to Bel'Zhun."

"I must apologize on behalf of Councilor Medarda," Elora continued, releasing his hand. "She wanted to be here personally, but the situation in Piltover demands her full attention. I'm sure you understand."

Su responded, his tone polite," A Leader's responsibility to her people must always come first."

------------------------

The Desert Raiders moved quickly to secure the supplies as Su, Zanaiya, and Elora began walking toward the garrison. The city below bustled with uneasy activity, its streets narrow and shadowed, filled with people who glanced nervously at the airship.

"They don't seem thrilled by our arrival," Elora noted, her gaze sweeping over the city.

"Shurima doesn't forget invasions easily," Su replied. "Especially ones that linger."

"I understand, Piltover also has its own…Challenges to navigate ," Elora said, her tone neutral.

Su glanced at her. "The stories I've heard, Some of my men come from Piltover's Undercity. They've talked about what it was like, before they managed to leave for Noxus."

The exchange of supplies began smoothly, with crates of food and medical equipment unloaded from the airship under the watchful eyes of both Noxian and Piltover personnel. The Hextech tools used by the workers drew more than a few curious glances from the Noxian soldiers, who whispered among themselves about its efficiency.

"Impressive," Su remarked as a worker used a glowing tool to cut through a metal latch with ease.

Elora, standing nearby, smiled. "Hextech allows us to achieve things that once seemed impossible. Faster transportation, more efficient tools… Even the airship itself is powered by it."

Zanaiya tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful. "And yet, Piltover keeps most of it close to its chest. It's rare to see such technology outside your city."

Elora inclined her head slightly. "You're correct. Hextech is both a gift and a responsibility. We can't afford to let it fall into the wrong hands."

"And who decides whose hands are the right ones?" Zanaiya asked, her tone pointed but not unkind.

Elora's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she replied. "Piltover has its protocols. I trust you understand the need for caution."

---------------------------

Back at the landing zone, Samira was leaning against a crate, her mismatched eyes scanning the bustling scene. Around her, a small group of Noxian soldiers were laughing and passing around a flask, their camaraderie a rare bright spot in the otherwise grim atmosphere.

"Come on, Samira," one of them teased. "You can't just stand there looking pretty. Have a drink with us."

Samira smirked, snatching the flask with practiced ease. "Pretty, huh? you do know that Flattery gets you nowhere, but the drink helps."

The soldiers laughed, their tension easing in her presence.

The mood shifted as Sergeant Titus approached, his broad shoulders casting a shadow over the soldiers. His voice cut through the laughter like a blade.

"Enough," he barked, his tone sharp but not unkind. "If you've got time to sit around, you've got time to double-check those crates. We're guarding supplies, not a tavern's stockroom."

The soldiers scrambled to their feet, their laughter replaced by hurried apologies as they dispersed to their tasks.

"I swear, Dorrik's Men are just as incompetent as their General" Titus began, turning his attention to the desert Rose. "I heard the rumors about you, they say you are skilled, but terrible at following orders."

Samira just stared at him, her face neutral.

"Don't become a problem for the Captain." he finished and began walking away.

As Titus moved off, Samira straightened, her expression shifting to something more thoughtful. She glanced towards the airship, where Su, Zanaiya, and Elora were still speaking near the landing zone.

------------------------

When they arrived at the garrison, General Dorrik greeted Elora with an air of forced politeness. The conversation that followed was brief and focused, with Dorrik expressing gratitude for the supplies and assuring Elora that Noxus valued its partnership with Piltover.

Su observed the exchange in silence, his mind already turning to the logistics of securing the supplies.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in hues of orange and red, Su and Zanaiya stood by the Garrison's entrance, overseeing the last crates being brought in.

"Well," Zanaiya said, stretching, "that went better than I expected. Makes you wonder if things will keep that way for some time."

"Were it so easy." Su scoffed.

Before Zanaiya could respond, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.

"Captain."

Su turned to see Samira approaching, her steps casual but deliberate. Her usual swagger was muted, her expression unreadable."Samira. Something you need?"

She hesitated, glancing at Zanaiya, who watched her with mild curiosity. "Yeah. I was hoping we could talk. Over a drink."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, no one moved.

Zanaiya tilted her head, studying Samira's expression. Whatever she saw seemed to satisfy her. She smirked, stepping back and patting Su on the shoulder.

"Good luck, Captain," she said with a teasing lilt before turning on her heel and walking away.

Samira's gaze remained fixed on Su, her posture steady but her eyes betraying a flicker of unease.

Su's expression was unreadable as he finally spoke.

"Lead the way," he said.