Viktor quotes from Arcane

Viktor

Am I interrupting?

Jayce

[angry and startled] The hell's your problem?! [sees Viktor is holding a book] What's that? Another list with my name on it?

Viktor

Actually, yes. But only because you signed your notes. Every page, I might add. Eh, a little egotistical, don't you think?

Jayce

Is that why you came? To insult me?

Viktor

[shakes his head] No, no, I was... I was intrigued by what you said at the trial.

Jayce

[bitterly] That makes you the only one.

Viktor

Yes, well, I wanted to talk about your work. This, Hextech theory of yours.

Jayce

It's not a theory. I saw with my own eyes what magic can do, the lives it could save. You've no idea, how beautiful it is. And now it's gone. No one believed me.

Viktor

Nobody's ever believed in me. A poor cripple from the undercity? I was an outsider the moment I set foot in Piltover. I didn't have the benefits of a patron or a name. I simply believed in myself. Which is why I'm here, because I think you're on to something. I want to help you complete your research.

Jayce

No one thinks it can be done.

Viktor

When you're going to change the world, don't ask for permission. [holds out a bracelet with a gem within. Jayce takes it after a moment]

Jayce

I don't even know your name.

Viktor

It's Viktor.

Mel

Hm, willing to risk exile for your endeavor. That's quite the conviction.

Jayce

Councilor! Uh... What a surprise to see you, huh?

Viktor

[at the same time] Wait a minute, this isn't my bedroom. [chuckles] How could I have...

Jayce

[knowing they're caught] Please. We can prove that it works.

Mel

Hmm. You couldn't do so earlier today, how is tonight any different?

Viktor

We figured out how to stabilize it.

Mel

You're the Professor's assistant.

Jayce

No, he's my new partner.

Mel

Even if you manage to prove your theory, the Council would destroy it.

Viktor

Heimerdinger will recognize the potential.

Mel

[chuckles] He already does. It scares him. It scares them all.

Jayce

What about you?

Mel

I recognize that any worthwhile venture involves risk.

Jayce

[desperate] Councilor, this technology, it's real. And no matter what happens here, it's going to change our world. We should be the ones to lead it. Piltover, the land of progress, equality, innovation. I know it sounds impossible, but when have we ever let that stop us? Please, just give us a chance.

Mel

One night, gentlemen. Impress me, or I'd suggest you pack your bags.

Heimerdinger

[finding Viktor looking troubled] Good to see some things haven't changed. Seems just yesterday I stumbled upon an aspiring young scholar from the undercity here, ruminating in his steel oasis. I heard your prognosis. I'm terribly sorry, my boy.

Viktor

Do you contemplate death, Professor?

Heimerdinger

Only that of friends.

Viktor

I suppose your legacy has been well-secured. As one of Piltover's founders, what haven't you to show for your remarkable life?

Heimerdinger

[sighs, looking sad] You should be proud of what you've accomplished, Viktor.

Viktor

[sighs sadly] Figments. My contributions will be short-lived, even in your memory.

Heimerdinger

I have seen many students. It's a sad truth that those who shine brightest often burn fastest.

Jayce

Am I interrupting? [he sits down] Remember the Distinguished Innovators competition?

Viktor

I remember you notching gears in the carriage over.

Jayce

They started cranking the engine and the whole thing was rattling. I thought a loose cog was gonna take someone's eye out.

Viktor

[smiles] At least you didn't throw up.

Jayce

[chuckles] Everything made sense then.

Viktor

[after a moment] You have to destroy it.

Jayce

[thinking he's talking about the hammer] I know.

Viktor

The Hexcore. [Jayce looks surprised] I... I can't do it. You have to. Please.

Jayce

[sighs sadly] What about your disease? Without the Hexcore-

Viktor

[coughs violently] Promise me.

Jayce

[sad] Okay. Okay. [stands and touches Viktor's shoulder] I promise.

Viktor

We lost ourselves. Lost our dream. In the pursuit of great, we failed to do good. We have to make it right.

Viktor

[to a sleeping Jayce] Jayce?

Jayce

[awakens, surprised at Viktor's new form] Viktor?... My god...

Viktor

What... am I?

Jayce

You're... you're alive. [chuckles shakily] You're-- you're alive! [hugs him. After a moment, Viktor reciprocates] Oh! Oh, oh uh- you must be cold.

Viktor

Cold. No, I don't think so. I sense a... charge. [Jayce wraps a blanket around his shoulders] A potential. A recursive impulse. Unpleasant, but... "cold" isn't its name. [looks back at the cocoon he came out of] The Hexcore.

Jayce

Viktor, it saved you. Somehow it- it adapted to your injuries, changing and evolving. It was as if it was... connected to you. [Viktor studies his hand] I did my best using the notes from your leg. Recorded everything. There are still so many questions, but-

Viktor

I was supposed to die. You promised to destroy the Hexcore.

Jayce

[shaking his head] No. Don't you see? Heimerdinger was wrong. We were wrong! It's not as bad as we-

Viktor

It killed Sky, Jayce.

Jayce

[softly] What? No...

Viktor

She had such dreams. [visualizing Sky behind Jayce, he walks over to the table] As did we once.

Jayce

I'm going to resign from the Council. I understand now. My place was always here in the lab with you. [puts an arm around him] We'll make this right! Together.

Viktor

[picking up his notes] I must say goodbye to this place now. To you. [begins to leave]

Jayce

Goodbye? Viktor, you're my partner.

Viktor

Our paths diverged long ago. It was... affection, that held us together.

Jayce

You think it's so easy? To turn your back while your whole city looks to you for salvation? To cling to principles while your best friend bleeds out in your arms? I never asked for this! [Viktor is silent, and then turns to leave again] Where are you going?

Viktor

Goodbye, Jayce.

...Salo? What are you doing here?

Jace. One could ask the same question.

[indicates Salo's metallic, glowing legs] How are you walking?

[smiles] Who do you think could mend, such a broken creature? Would you want, to speak with him?

Viktor

[through Salo] Jacye. I feared I wouldn't have the chance to speak with you again.

Viktor? [approaches, dragging his deformed war-hammer]

Viktor

[through Salo] I would prefer to converse in person. [Jayce experiences another flashback] But there's so much work, to be done.

How are you doing this?

Viktor

[through Salo, gazing at the Wild Rune] I suppose this is somewhat beyond where we left off.

Is Salo still in there?

[smiles] Where else would I be? You have my solemn vow, that anything you discuss, will be kept in the strictest confidence. I owe Viktor... everything.

Viktor

[through Salo] Very kind, Salo. I have so many breakthroughs to share with you, Jayce.

[angrily] I thought you were done with Hextech! [experiences another flash] And me.

Viktor

[through Salo] I was clouded by emotions. Come. Visit me. See, what I've accomplished. I've helped so many.

Viktor

[through Salo] As we always promised we would.

Viktor has truly worked wonders.

Hextech isn't a miracle. It's a curse. We have to end it, Viktor. We have to.

Viktor

[through Salo] ...You seem different. Something happened. [Salo approaches Jayce] Now I see it. You, too, have touched the Arcane. [Jayce looks away] Your mind suffered.

...I can't let you leave.

I'm... sorry, you feel that way.

I'm sorry, too.

Viktor

Vander's psyche is deeply entangled with that of the beast.

Vi

How did you know his name?

Viktor

He told me.

Jinx

Ask for a miracle healer, get a metal fortune cookie!

Viktor

I saw your father. His dream of your family, and Zaun as it could have been, it was... beautiful.

Jinx

[coughs sarcastically] Cookie!

Vi

Can you help him?

Viktor

I will do all in my power. [behind them, Isha offers water to Warwick/Vander] However, I have one condition.

Jinx

Looks like you got a couple.

Viktor

[chuckles] You have much to offer this commune, Powder. [Startled, Jinx drops a metal gear into the fountain; Viktor retrieves and examines it] Your talents can be used to build, instead of destroy.

Jinx

I'll... stick with what I know, thanks.

Viktor

My condition is that he be restrained, at night. I've seem the... harm, of which he is capable.

Vi

[sighs, to Jinx]... What do you think?

Jinx

[surprised] You... actually want my opinion? [pause, scoffs] I hate fortune cookies.

Vi

... We're gonna get you out of there, Vander.

You've felt it, haven't you? Your decline. [Warwick/Vander growls in his sleep] Your power is finite, diminished by every use.

Viktor

I've been expecting you, Doctor.

Viktor. Incredible! What I wouldn't give, to glimpse the world through your eyes. To know what you know. [As he touches Viktor's Arcane hand, Viktor sees a vision of Singed reading to his comatose daughter in the past]

"His quest led him astray, of any trodden path, his own shadow dissolved to darkness. Now the only course, was forward. The only warmth, a dream of her waltz."

Viktor

Knowledge is a paradox. The more one understands, the more one realizes the vastness of his ignorance.

[glances at Warwick/Vander] Marvelous specimen, isn't he? The regenerative qualities of his blood, will stabilize you. Apex Shimmer combined with you, the apex form of Hextech. [kneels next to Warwick/Vander]

Viktor

...What you are suggesting would destroy him. And for what? Conquest? The greed of warmongers?

To complete your work. To save us from ourselves! You must survive, Viktor.

Viktor

[eyes turn pearly with the Arcane, voice deepens] ...Do you believe in fate, Doctor? Our paths carved before us, guided by an invisible hand?

Not fate. Evolution. Nature's greatest force, forever in flux.

Viktor

[shakes his head] No. Evolution has a destination. Not to combat Nature, but to supersede it. The final, glorious evolution. But he isn't a specimen. He's a man... and he needs my help. I will not sacrifice his humanity, for your cause. You may leave.

...Very well. But I assume you understand already: if you perish, this community is soon to follow. [stands, leaves]

Viktor

[voiceover] I understand, now... the message, hidden within the pattern. The reason for our failures, in the commune. The Doctor was right. It's inescapable. Humanity... our very essence. Our emotions: rage, compassion, hate. Two sides of the same coin, inextricably bound.

Jinx

[returning to Warwick/Vander] Vander, wait!

Jinx

NO! [Vi and Caitlyn glance back]

[smiles tearfully at her and makes a pistol-shot hand sign] Pow!

Jinx

[grief-stricken] ISHA!!!!!

Viktor

[Voiceover] That which inspires us to our greatest good... is also the cause, of our greatest evil.

Mel Medarda

... Jayce? What happened to you?

...[looks away] Doesn't matter.

Mel Medarda

Something... happened to me, too.

You're the reason, we didn't die in the attack.

Mel Medarda

Apparently so.

How long have you known?

Mel Medarda

It started then. Feelings I... couldn't explain. But this... [examines her Mage's tattoos] I still don't fully understand.

[angrily] Why just me? Why not save all of them?!

Mel Medarda

It wasn't a decision! One moment you're addressing the Council, and the next, we're standing in rubble! I didn't have any greater awareness!

How can I know you aren't lying to me?

Mel Medarda

Why would you think I am?

Because you used me! And Viktor, for Hextech! You called us "investments."

Mel Medarda

Two brilliant young inventors who shared a penchant for impossible surprises. [Jayce begins to experience flashbacks from the apocalyptic reality] Carrying magic from myth, to machine. Rallying the hope and hearts of a nation. You were a wise investment-

Viktor

[speaking through the figurine] Allow us a moment of civility, Jayce. We must talk.

Viktor. [approaches] How did you get in here?

Viktor

You once benefited, from my knowledge of this place.

That was a long time ago.

Viktor

Had you given me the chance, I would have shown you the merits of my work. Our work.

No, this is your obsession. Everything you've done to these people, you did alone. [he swings, but the figurine easily dodges several attacks, then flies up to the ceiling, hiding in the shadows as Mel and Jayce search for it]

Viktor

Perhaps. But I'm alone no longer. I now speak with all their voices.

Say what you came here to say.

Viktor

Somehow, I think you already understand what must transpire, to complete my mission. I would prefer to do so in peace. The Noxian has other intentions.

Mel Medarda

Mother?

Viktor

...The Arcane, stirs within you. [he begins to break through her spells, but is knocked back by Jayce's hammer; Mel collapses, exahusted.]

Viktor... for all our sakes, stay away from the Hexgates. [he charges the figurine again, but it easily dodges his attack, then slams him against the Council table]

Viktor

Your mind has become rigid, Jayce. Fear, clouds your judgement. This chain of events, started with you. [Jayce attacks again, but the figurine flies over his swing, then traps him in its' arms.] In my confusion, I was unable to reconcile this. But I now understand. The Glorious Evolution, is destined. Let us instead do this once again as partners.

My partner... died in this room.

Viktor

...It was my sincere desire to avoid this.

Viktor

Doctor... you may begin the process.

Jayce

[after being transported to the Hexspace by Viktor] This... is what you see? [he looks up at the glowing, full-evolved version of Viktor]

Viktor

This conflict. This senseless waste. I know their minds, Jayce. They want better lives, but emotion clashes with reason. Humanity's self-corrupting contradiction.

Jayce

You've always wanted to cure what you thought were weaknesses. Your leg. Your disease. But you were never broken, Viktor. There is beauty in imperfections. They made you who you are. An inseparable piece of everything... I admired about you.

Jayce

I thought I wanted us to give magic to the world. Now... all I want... is my partner back.

Viktor

Why do you persist? After... everything I've done?

Jayce

Because I promised you. [he hugs him. Viktor sees Jayce's memories of the ruined future, in which he spoke to the mage]

Jayce

[flashback] Why did you ever give me this? Why? [the mage reveals his face to be an older version of Viktor]

I thought I could bring an end to the world's suffering. But when every equation was solved... all that remained... were fields of dreamless solitude. There is no prize to perfection. Only an end to pursuit. [showing a flashback of him giving the rune to a young Jayce] In all timelines... in all possibilities... [montage of Jayce and Viktor working together] Only you, can show me this. [current Viktor hyperventilates, changing back from his evolved form. He pushes away from Jayce, breathing heavily and staring at what he's done]

Viktor

You must go, Jayce. [Jayce touches his shoulder]

Jayce

[taking the rune from his wrist and placing it in Viktor's hand] We finish this together. [they hold each other as the rune explodes, sucking their physical bodies inside of it]