Author's Note:
So..this is my first Fanfiction here. I'm not a native english speaker, so if you find some grammar issues please tell me (so I can improve myself). Otherwise..nothing much to say. Have fun!
Update 2/11: Improved readability again (damn paragraphs! Never liked them at all! :P)

‟They cannot go unpunished."

-Riven, The Exile

‟I cannot turn back."

-Diana, Scorn of the Moon

Chapter 1 - Arrival of the Exile

The long dusty road, which lay before her, seemed to be endless. The street wasn't used very often. Little effort had been done to fix it, or to make it more comfortable for wanderers. She did not know how much time had passed, as she had lost her track of time possibly hours before.

Above her was the clear blue sky and the sun, which sardonically smiled down on her. It was hot. Sweat ran down her face and not a tree nor a trace of a shadow was to be seen within miles. Only dust and grass. She let out a stressed moan. Even the great mountains in the distance, did not seem to come any closer, even though she knew that she had walked this street for an entire day. But there was at least one advantage: No one could sneak up on her or attack her from behind.

She had never visited this part of the country, for which purpose then? Here wasn't anything of interest. The young woman stroked a flick of white hair out of her face and cracked her neck. Hell.. sleeping in the wilderness, wasn't very comfortable at some times. Days of endless wandering and marching wasn't something easy, even for an ex-soldier like herself.

Her boots were covered in the dirt and mud from the road and the rest of her clothing looked more like a bandit or raider from Noxus. The girl wore a simple white tunic and some sort of brown corset which held everything in place. A belt with some small pockets, filled with the few gold coins, she had. On her left shoulder was an old, green pauldron. The ravages of time faded away the color and the noxian emblem on it. Standard noxian military boots covered her feet, but even they had seen far better times.

Last but not least she wore a giant glove on her right hand. Some sort of green runes glimmered of it. In this hand, she wielded a giant sword. Or to be more right: The rest of it, as it was shattered at the blade. Green runes glimmered at the rest. A reminder of the magic, which once and most likely still resided within it.

Her name was Riven, ex-soldier of Noxus, former poster child of their army and now an expatriate, which wander around Valoran searching for a purpose, chasing a dream which fades away with every step and every day who passed.

'Why am I doing this again?', she asked herself for at least the twentieth time, since her departure before a few days. But like some machine, she walked on.

Today's designation was the Institute of War. Even though she did not know what she wanted there exactly. As the Institute was a political organization which try to prevent war between the nations of Demacia, Noxus, Piltover and Zaun. She herself as an expatriate, didn't have anything to do with it. A journey without a real purpose. But something...it felt like something was pulling her in the direction of it. Was it curiosity? The secret wish to show strength again? Whatever it was...it wasn't important to her right now.

After a few hours has passed, Riven only realized it because of her wandering shadow and the sun which was vanishing behind the horizon, she saw some buildings in the distance. Many, many buildings. She had learned from some merchants that at the slope of the mountain a small city was built. Merchants, vendors and innkeepers in short everything what was needed has settled down here.

‟Will my journey end here?", she asked herself and started to jog to reach the city before it was completely dark.

As she got closer to the city, she realized how big it was. It was far bigger, than Riven of the houses were modern and clean. Some looked like they have been finished before a week. The city was protected by only a about man-high wall, which most likely was there to hinder wild animals to enter the town and not to hold up a siege. But who was dumb enough, to attack a city when the mightiest magicians from Valoran lived right next door? Rivens way led her to a small gate, where some guards were controlling the people who wanted to enter the town.

‟Your wish?", asked some of the guards. Riven wrestled briefly, but then she decided for the plate truth.

‟I want to the Institute of War", she answered and she tighten the grip on the hilt of her sword.

‟The Institute huh? As you wish...you'll find it when you follow the main street. Go up the stairs and there you are. Come in...next one!", said the guard and waved her through. Riven nodded thankfully and entered the city.

She was welcomed by an unbelievable noise. Pitchman's were yelling at each other, hundred of different voices were chatting . Everywhere people were running around, coming from all nations and countries. Riven recognized it in the first place because of their clothing: While Demacians wore bright colors like blue and gold, Noxians tend to darker ones like black or a dark green. Sometimes they were glowing at each other angrily, but over all it was relatively peaceful. It did not happen very often, but Riven felt out of place with her torn clothing and armor.

She walked onward slowly, pushing herself through the crowd of people. She could briefly get a glimpse on some prices. They were horrific for someone like her. But still the shops were apparently full and at the stands many people lined up. She also heard slightly squeaky voices of some Yordle. Riven began to feel uncomfortable. Too many people in such a small area. Sometimes she got panic attacks because of that. It was this one fear, she could never defeat.

Suddenly something hard hit her in the back. A surprised: ‟Hey!", escaped her, before she fell on the ground. ‟Ouch", she grumbled low.

‟Oh..I'm sorry dear. I was in a hurry", said a female voice behind her. Riven was given a hand as she stood up, and eyed the one who jostled her. The woman before her, was wearing her typical cylinder and her even more typical clothing, which some would describe as too short. Caitltyn, the Sheriff of Piltover stood before her. Riven has seen Caitlyn a few times on the Fields of Justice. Many fights on the Fields were shown all over Valoran and the most times this was some sort of big event. As far as she knew, Caitlyn was an excellent marksman.

‟No problem Ma'am... Sheriff... ehm..could you describe me the way to the Institute?", asked Riven with her most respectful voice. Even though the guard has told her, she already felt lost.

‟Oh someone who knows me", Caitlyn replied with amusement, ‟well of course I can. Just follow this street and then to the top of the mountain. There you go." The Sheriff looked at Riven up and down.

‟Usually Noxus send his champions with more...glamour", she said in a calm tone.

‟Noxian ex-soldier", corrected Riven and her glance darkened. Piltover and Demacia were close allies and so Riven waited for some hostilities. But the Sheriff remained calm, most likely because of her job.

‟Interesting. Never thought Noxus let their soldiers just wandering off."

‟Complicated story", replied Riven in a frosty tone.

Caitlyn raised her hand: ‟I didn't want to provoke you or wake up some dark memories." Riven nodded. ‟I have to go now. Otherwise, my airship is taking off without me. Good luck in the Institute...what was your name again?"

‟Riven", she replied.

‟Good luck Riven, ex-soldier from Noxus." A short smile from Caitlyn, before she pushed herself through the crowd. Her sniper rifle on her back. 'I had imagined her...different", Riven thought. She shrugged and followed the description from her.

Rivens brown eyes looked up. She wasn't certain what she had expected, but what she saw now surpassed her imagination. A gigantic stone staircase led her higher and higher, step by step, stair by stair. On the top of that she saw the Institute of War. On every single stair, runes were written down, some in a language Riven couldn't decipher. Sometimes some humans were walking down the stairs. All of them wear purple or blue robes.

'That must be summoners', Riven thought. Some of them eyed here with curiosity. Half the way up Riven looked over her shoulder. The view was amazing. From up here she could see the whole city, the mountains and even farther to the horizon. Riven looked to the east, where Noxus was.

'Will I have the chance to come back there?', she asked herself and sighed. No. There was no way. Not as long as the High Command decided to use Zaunites chemical weaponry. She looked back to the staircase and get moving once more.

As she reached the top, she couldn't hold back her astonishment. The entrance of the league was gigantic. Huge pillars were holding the natural ceiling. It looked like the whole Institute, was beaten into the mountain. Summoners were everywhere alongside some champions and their followers. Some Demacians looked over at here. Two men of them were wearing golden shimmering armor and as their weapons a giant sword and spear. Garen, the Might of Demacia and Prince Jarvan IV, heir on the Demacian throne. On the other side of the entrance a young woman was leaning on one of the pillars. Long red hair, her iconic scar over one eye and far too many daggers on her leather clothing, Riven knew that this had to be Katarina du Couteau. The assassin glared over to her. Anger and hatred in her eyes.

'Stay calm...the League is neutral ground. No one can do anything', Riven thought. Not because she was scared. It was because she didn't want to start a fight, before she even officially joined the League. A man, which was even smaller than Riven, saw her and walked over. He was wearing a blue robe and a hood, which hide most of his face.

‟I have never seen you before. Welcome at the Institute of War. How may I help you?", he asked in a courteous tone.

‟My name is Riven...and I'm here because...I want to join the League", she answered hesitantly. Some other people were looking at them. Curious about her request.

‟Huh...I'll talk with a master summoner about your concern. Please wait here until I come back."

‟Ok", Riven said simply, as the summoner vanished behind a door on the other side of the hall.

‟So..so..so...the little traitor is still breathing?", said a sharp voice on Rivens right. She looked at this direction.

‟Katarina du Couteau...", she replied calmly and looked at the assassin.

‟Tell me Riven...how does it feel to betray your home?", Katarina said in a grim tone. Riven saw in her eyes, her infamous blood thirst and grabbed her sword tighter, but she decided not to respond to the provocation.

‟I never betrayed Noxus. It has betrayed itself, after it decided that 'Forever Strong' shouldn't be the motto anymore. Instead, it is 'Everything for the Win'. Ts..that even includes the own soldiers", Riven said in a calm tone, but she put up her guard for the case that Katarina decided to attack her.

‟You damn little bitch! Big mouth for someone who betrayed her own family!' Katarinas voice was angry and blood thirsty.

‟Noxus has betrayed everything for which it stands, after deciding not to distinguish between friend and foe and using these damn war machines instead of his own army!" Riven knew she had gone too far.

‟I'll kill you right where you stand! Then I don't have to hear your whining the whole time!" growled Katarina and disappeared.

'Shunpo!', Riven cursed in her mind and jumped forward. Katarinas throwing knife missed her closely.

‟Good reaction!", snarled Katarina and jumped onto her, wielding her giant daggers in each hand. Riven was able to parry her attacks. The sound of clashing blades filled the air. Summoners, Demacians and Noxians were coming closer and tried to separate them from each other. Completely in vain.

‟That's enough! Everyone back to your quarters!"

The mighty voice filled the air and a man walked to them. He was wearing the typical summoner clothing. His long white beard heralded from his older age. Riven didn't have much feeling of magic, but even she could feel the presence of this man. Katarina glared over to her.

‟When you have successfully joined the League...I will take great pleasure in killing you on the Fields of Justice, you fucking bitch!" She disappeared again.

'Great...another Shunpo..what a great start in the League', Riven thought and sighed. She looked to the master summoner.

‟We have reviewed your request of joining the League. Please..follow me into the Halls of Reflection. There you will get your judgment", the man said and went ahead, Riven was following him.

They walked through long, dark corridors in the Institute. While at the entrance there was some noise and chatting, as they went deeper the noises were quieter and quieter until the last sound died and the only thing which echoed from the walls were their steps. They stopped before some great doors, made out of solid stone. The master summoner made a simple hand gesture and the doors opened. The room behind them was completely dark, only a small circle of light was in the middle of the hall.

‟Enter...here we will decide your fate", the summoner said and Riven nodded silently. She doesn't know what to expect, so she entered without hesitation. The hall had to be giant, as her steps echoed. But she couldn't see anything, only the small circle of light. The doors were closed behind her and she swallowed.

'No turning back now', she thought and stepped into the circle of light. Suddenly she felt a flood of memories, coming over here and she passed out.