Esoteric takes place in the world of League of Legendsbut whether or not the Netflix series is a direct adaptation of its lore is a bit more up for debate. Given that all of the overall traits have been similar and all of the crossover characters are completely recognizable, it’s easy to assume that the series is building up to a finale that sets its tone. League characters the ending we are waiting for. But there’s nothing to say Esoteric must end somewhere familiar.

Throughout its two seasons, Esoteric apparently treated League of Legends tradition with a very careful balance between reverence and contempt. The series adheres to the game’s existing story and is deeply respectful of and in conversation with its world. But it’s also about producing good television, and that hasn’t left League tradition still stands in the way of this. So I see no reason to start this in its final act.

With this in mind, I expect that where the show leaves the series, the characters will nod to their state in League of Legendsbut won’t worry too much about keeping their details accurate. For example, I don’t think Vi will somehow transform into the video game version of her character, a champion whose lines in the game are almost all dedicated to her love of police brutality and excessive violence. But I think she’ll end up as some sort of officer of the law in Piltover alongside Caitlyn. Jayce is already long past his condition League of Legends by the end of Season 2, Act 2, but I suppose he could return to some semblance of normalcy. The simplest proof is the approach of Fortiche and Riot Esoteric‘s story is likely Warwick, who is apparently already dead in the series’ canon.

The most interesting example in this case however is Viktor, a character who seems to be miles away from his League of Legends tell when we last see him in Act 2. In League of LegendsViktor is much more machine-like than man-like, an almost entirely robotic cyborg with no exposed skin and a ruthless worldview that places machine life above that of humans. He seeks to lead all humanity towards an evolution which also transforms it into machines. In other words, it’s a pretty stunning change from the zen-like calm and post-human enlightenment that Viktor seems to have on the show before Jayce punches a hole in his chest.

As for the rest of the characters, they’ll probably end up somewhere on this same continuity line, pointing towards the League the characters we know, without having to say their literal catchphrases in the series. Of course, another possibility for many of these characters is that Arcane won’t be the last time Fortiche and Riot tackle their stories. So if we’re leaving Viktor before he can complete his glorious evolution, it may simply be because there’s a machine spinoff in the works.

The latest episodes of Esoteric season 2 will be released on November 23.