A/N: hey everyone, so like my other League of Legends fanfic, this one is also located on Wattpad! I'd just rather not be accused of stealing content so I want you all to know that haha! And in case you were all wondering, my username on wattpad is adrianrojas666 for those of you interested in my writings!
As odd as it was, Zaun appeared to be a city at peace on this particular day. All was quiet, even the champions themselves hardly made any effort to make their appearance known. The scent of smog and humidity filled the air as nearby factories hummed quietly in the distance from the workings of machinery.
One particular building however was far more quiet than usual. A certain individual whom rumors had it was building an army lived in the ruins of this particular structure which had once been a factory but was now abandoned. Were the rumors true? Very much so.
The individual who lived in the building was neither human nor machine-but in a sense a combination of both. A cyborg at best. Although several nearby residents had claimed to have seen the man exit the building at times, no one really seemed to pay it any mind. In a sense, that was alright. The machine herald did indeed enjoy his time of privacy after all.
The interior of this particular building was clearly in damage-cracked walls, chipped floors and rodents that emerged from holes on the side of the floor. Despite that however, it was clear that someone had done some renovation to the structure since large canisters of machinery lay against most of the walls. Heavy wiring ran across most of the floor except for the center to create a path that wouldn't be too difficult to walk through. If one were to walk down the aisle they would be taken up several steps. Above those steps was a throne that was crafted from metals and scraps which had been scavenged by the individual who lived here.
Sitting in the throne was none other than Viktor, the man who claimed to not be man nor machine. His left hand lay on top of the arm rest at his throne while his right hand clutched his mechanical staff. Although he wasn't looking at anyone in particular his eyes showed a hint of caution.
Ever since he has awoken, he had grown wary due to the feeling of being watched. He couldn't see anyone or hear anything out of the ordinary but the feeling persisted nontheless. "Who has enough power to be able to mask their presence this well against the likes of me? Is it a mage? Wizard? Perhaps that fool Ryze?" Viktor began to ponder as he remained at his throne, staring straight down the aisle at the wires and cords that lay beside the machinery he had worked on.
For several more minutes Viktor didn't dare say a word but soon he grew impatient that the person who easy watching him hadn't revealed themselves. "This is pointless...if this mage wanted me dead they'd have done it by now. Clearly I'm being watched for some alternative reason"
With a sigh, the machine herald taps the floor with his staff and raises his head slightly, his eyes glowing to give off intimidation to the individual watching him. "Very well then...come on out. I have no time for games and certainly not a game of hide and seek."
For a moment all was quiet but then Viktor narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of something ahead of him. In the distance, standing next to the wires and machinery, a figure began to emerge as though removing a stealth spell. The male certainly was even more surprised when the figure turned out to be a woman in a rather revealing outfit who bore a cape and staff, oddly similar to his.
"Who are you?" The male demanded, his eyes shooting the female a piercing glare. The woman gazes up at the mechanical male with cool and calm eyes. She offers a warm smile that Viktor could hardly believe was genuine. "Who am I? I'm offended...you haven't heard of me?"
Viktor scoffs, pointing his staff at the woman. "Of course not. Who has ever heard of a woman with no name?"
The female chuckles calmly, almost amused that the male was being so arrogant in her presence. "If you must know, I am Leblanc. Evaine Leblanc" she tells him with a soothing grin on her face.
The cyborg male for some reason was beginning to fidget in his seat. He didn't like the way she was talking one bit. She was acting so carefree and didn't seem to find him the least intimidating. But more than that, he was certain he had heard her name before. "Hmph...Leblanc is it? Yes, I've heard things about you. You're that deceiving witch aren't you? The one associated with Noxus?" He asks, although more than that was making a statement since he was certain the information was true.
Leblanc slowly began to circle around the aisle as she made her way towards the steps that Viktor lay ahead of. "Yes you are correct. Although deceiving is a harsh word, don't you think herald?"
Viktor straightens up at being addressed and rests his head upon his hand. "So you do know who I am."
The female nods slowly as she stops right before the first of his steps while glancing up at him. "Of course. What woman would I be to not know the name of the one I seek?"
"Hold on a second now woman...you mean to tell me you came all the way from Noxus just to see me? Why?" He asked rather blatantly, being rather confused why a woman as powerful as Leblanc was interested in him. Again, Viktor could feel himself tensing up as she gives him a soothing smile. Something about the way she smiled was just...off.
"Surely you're aware of the current alliance between Zaun and Noxus. I thought perhaps a man of your caliber would be fitting to personally assist" the woman explains to him, her smile replaced by a more serious expression.
Viktor taps his fingers as though thinking through what she had just said. It was true that currently Noxus and Zaun had agreed to an alliance but it was more or less a mutual agreement to not attack each other rather than actually helping each other. "Hmm...most amusing," the machine herald replies as he nods briefly, processing her information. "You say you wish to assist me...but you realize what my ultimate goal is don't you?" He asks her, wondering what her true motives were.
"Why of course I'm aware of what your goals are. You're the one that Piltover considers a mad man for wanting to purify them with your glorious evolution, yes?" Leblanc states flatly, tilting her head to one side.
"Correct" the male grunted, staring down the female, wondering where she was going with that bit of information
"Well let's just say that things at Noxus are...getting out of hand. The generals argue-especially Darius and Swain. The way things are going, a civil war may break out. If that happens I want to ensure I have protection. You're crafting an army aren't you?" Leblanc asks the male as she starts to carefully walk up the steps and stands directly in front of Viktor.
"Hmph...well what of it?" The male replies, not denying the fact that he was indeed attempting to craft an army of mechanical beings. Nodding ever so slightly, the female mage began to circle around the male's throne for a while before stopping behind it and placing her hands on top. "All I ask for is your protection. If things at Noxus get hasty, I would prefer to have the safety of an entire army rather than be on my own if Swain becomes wary of my trust. I may be an all powerful witch but I wouldn't be able to overcome what would occur at Noxus" Leblanc continued, her tone never wavering and remaining as serious as ever. As much as it irritated Viktor that she wasn't fearful of him, he couldn't help but nod in agreement at her points.
"Tch...fine then woman. I'll allow it...for now at least" the cyborg tells her curtly as he taps his staff on the floor while sitting up straight.
Viktor almost immediately jolted up however as he saw the female's hand gently lay on his shoulder. "Thank you herald. I'll be sure to be of use to you in the meantime" the female mage told him in a calm voice.
That was it. Viktor couldn't take it anymore. Lowly growling, the male quickly reaches for the female's wrist and grabs it, keeping a tight grip. "What's your fascination in me woman? There are plenty of other Zaun champions who would be willing to assist you so why me? I know of your reputation woman."
Leblanc lets out a shocked gasp at her wrist being grabbed and at first attempted to pull away but felt how tight the male's grip on her was. She knew she had to choose her next words quick or it would be the end of her. Even with her staff in her free hand she couldn't just attack him since he had immediately set his death ray to aim at her.
"Viktor...I know about you. About your little incident before you became...who you are no-"
"Don't talk to me about the past, woman! That man is no more" the machine herald snaps angrily, hating being reminded of his former self. To him it showed weakness to be told of how fragile he had been as a human.
Leblanc lets out a calm sigh and nods. "I apologize herald. But my point here is that I believe you're an intelligent man who the world has forgotten...let me help you show them how glorious you are."
Viktor couldn't help but pause at hearing her words, his grip on her hand loosening. As much as he wanted to say she was just flattering him to get out of his grasp, her words did sound sincere. "But why me, woman? Why come to me!" He barked out, asking once more as though still unconvinced.
"You really want to ask why? Herald, you're one of the few, if not, the only champion to have an augmented body. I find you uttermost interesting" the female tells him calmly, her expression relaxed and unafraid as the robotic male glanced at her. Viktor couldn't help but let out a defeated sigh. It seemed that no matter how much he pushed her, she wouldn't show a hint of fear-perhaps she wasn't afraid of him after all and truly only desired to help him. "Its still sketchy. Why would a mere human mage be interested in my glorious evolution?" the augmented male thought to himself. With a sneer, Viktor finally waves her off and leans back in his seat, releasing her hand. "Alright woman, I get it. But don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you. You have a reputation for deceiving people don't you?"
"I won't betray you dear herald" Leblanc replied in a soothing and mysterious voice, her eyes locked on his as her lips remained with a narrow seriousness. Scoffing, the mechanical male stands up and leans in slightly on the female, attempting to intimidate her. "We'll just see about that, won't we?"
The woman merely nodded as she met his gaze with a look of amusement. "Indeed we shall."
"Hmph..." Viktor grunted as he strode past her, walking down the set of steps as he began making his way down the aisle. Mumbling to himself, the herald couldn't help but grow more irritated by the second. "Why is she so confident? She shows no fear whatsoever when speaking to me...does she realize what I'm capable of!"
Just as Viktor continued in his thoughts, he stopped walking when he saw that Leblanc was leaned up against a wall directly in front of him, waiting. "What took you so long, dear?" she asked innocently behind a wicked grin. Growling, the male shook his head and approached her. "Don't try and make a fool of me in my own home, woman."
The female sorceress glanced around casually at the ruins of what the herald called his "home".
"Hardly seems like any home if you ask me. No offense meant by that" Leblanc tells him coolly as she switches hands in holding her staff, still marveling at the area around her. "Bah! If you'd seen the place before you would know this is a complete renovation! I built everything here with my bare hands! It took countless hours and days of hard work to create this and I won't take any insults from you."
Leblanc couldn't help but chuckle at his words, seeing how easily he grew irritated. "He truly is a fascinating man. A lot more defensive than you'd think even with all those upgrades on him" she thought to herself. "Dear trust me, all I'd need to do is twirl my staff like so and you'd see a grand masterpiece before you" the woman told him, circling around the herald slowly with a smirk forming on her lips. Viktor as usual wasn't amused and shook his head. "But that wouldn't be a genuine creation now would it? All you do is craft illusions, woman."
"That may be true but my illusions have a way of making people question reality. Besides, its far more simpler to just fool people and get my way than be truthful and wait to develop an actual relationship" the female mage explained to the herald as she glanced up at the ceiling and frowned, somewhat disappointed that he hadn't worked on the top of the building at all. "Che...and you wonder why I have trouble trusting you" Viktor mutters as he placed his hand upon the large door which oddly resembled a dungeon-like door made of metal. Seconds later he pushes it open and walks out of the room, Leblanc following behind him. Sighing heavily, the male let his head hang low as he heard the female's footsteps behind him. "How long do you plan on following me? I've already agreed to this personal alliance so what more do you want from me?" Viktor demanded, his voice raising due to his impatience with Leblanc.
"As long as I deem necessary, dear herald. I know our alliance has been ensured but I'd like to witness for myself just what you're capable of" the female told him in her same mellow tone that continued to annoy the augmented male. For a moment Viktor didn't say a word-almost as though trying to figure out what to do with her. Before he could finally speak his mind however, he saw that the female had slid her arm around his, beginning to lead their walk. "My dear, trust me when I say that there's strength in numbers. Allow me to stay by your side just a short while, yes?" Leblanc asked, her head tilted to the side as she gazed upon the herald's glowing eyes.
"Fine! So be it..." the male finally managed to utter out in a rather displeased tone that told the female he wasn't particularly thrilled. "But mark my words if you even dare try to trick me-" Viktor had begun but was cut off by Leblanc as she reassured him. "I won't betray you. I only deceive those who aren't worth my time. I've proven that I'm interested in your cause, haven't I?"
Grunting, the cyborg male only shrugged. "So you say. But only time will tell where you stand in relation to my goals, woman..."
To the male's surprise, the woman suddenly released his arm and knelt down, bowing her head slightly. "Then I shall remain at your side until you learn to accept me. I will obey your every word if that's what it takes. I'll prove to you that I'm worth more than what I say."
Viktor was at a loss for words at what he had just witnessed. This woman-someone who had just met him was pledging herself for his cause and going as far as requesting to be his servant just so he would trust her. That was most certainly enough to gain the herald's attention.
"Hmph...stand up woman," Viktor tells her with his staff tapping the floor directly in front of where she had knelt. Obeying him, Leblanc slowly got back onto her feet and raised her head to meet his gaze. Nodding slightly, the augmented male rubs his chin. "You would go this far just to earn my trust? Now this is too good an opportunity to pass up. Very well...I'll allow it. For now that is" he mutters quietly and looks away after he sees her smile.
"I'll make sure not to disappoint" Leblanc tells him as she bows slightly. "You'd better hope not. You won't last long otherwise" he says with a scoff as he quickly walks off, his cape trailing behind him as he left the female alone so he could recollect his thoughts in peace. Even though the rest of the day remained rather quiet, both individuals had many thoughts to tangle with on their own agendas. Viktor would remain locked up in his master bedroom while the mysterious Leblanc had decided to make her way back to the main room where she sat on Viktor's throne and stroked her chin eagerly as she began to think. "Viktor the machine herald...what lies ahead for you I wonder?"