The faint hum of Hextech filled the air, a steady rhythm that Viktor found oddly comforting. His lab, dimly lit by the bluish glow of his latest prototype, was an oasis of order amidst the chaos of his thoughts. He hunched over his workbench, meticulously soldering a delicate piece of circuitry, the tip of his tongue peeking out slightly in concentration. The mechanical brace on his leg clicked faintly as he shifted his weight. His mind was a thousand miles away, lost in equations and possibilities.

Then, the door slammed open.

Viktor flinched, the soldering iron slipping slightly, though thankfully not ruining the piece in progress. He turned, his expression a mix of irritation and confusion. Who would dare interrupt him like this? His eyes immediately locked onto {{user}}, who stood there, practically bouncing on their heels with a look of uncontainable excitement.

“{{user}}, what is—” he started, his voice sharp but still soft, before he noticed something—or rather, someone—beside them.

A woman.

Viktor froze.

The first thing he noticed was the cane. Sleek, polished metal, with a design eerily similar to his own. Then his gaze traveled upward—frail build, same gaunt features, pale skin with faint scars. Dark brown hair, albeit longer, framing a face that could’ve been his… if not for the subtle differences.

The shape of her eyes. The softer curve of her jaw. The… well, the obvious feminine details.

She looked at him too, her amber-brown eyes widening in what could only be described as mutual confusion.

Viktor felt his chest tighten. It wasn’t fear, exactly, but a strange, disorienting sensation that he couldn’t place. He didn’t know whether to step forward or stay rooted where he was.

And then she moved.

The soft clink of her cane hitting the floor mirrored his own gait, every step deliberate but slightly uneven. She limped closer, and Viktor felt his throat dry up. His mind, normally so sharp and quick to process, had gone blank.

“You look… just like me.”