Melody of Souls: Crescendo

Prelude

This story is dedicated to Xiang and Zhu for their endless support and dedication.

A man in white coat was hard at work. His dress was messy, to say the last, which complemented his untidy hair and glasses that were askew. Those in his world would describe him not as a researcher, but rather a professor who specialized in Summoning and Techmaturgy.

The man continued with his calculations on the board, floor, and any available surface. He grew crazed now, manipulating the numbers with shocking speed, figure after figure, while the equations stretched far off the board onto the ceiling. His hands struggled to write down the results as quickly as he could think of them. Finally, he stood triumphantly. The moment of truth had arrived. He threw down the runic writer before looking at the answer to his life, the universe, and everything. His joy vanished, as quickly as it had appeared. He gasped in surprise before shaking his head in confusion, then verifying his results, this time a frenzy of scrambled writing. When it became clear that his original calculation were in fact correct, alongside with the meaning, he opened his eyes in fear. Then he turned his back to the room with the truth of their world, running to the only place he knew that could solve the issue- The Institute of Warfare.

-∞, 0, ∞

In a world far away, across the universe and multiple dimensions, a young adult smiled in a bittersweet fashion. After working for days and nights to complete his studies, his prestigious academics had gained the notice of the senpais of this world, the glorious top universities. He had fulfilled his parent's dreams of gaining entry into the school of their choosing. And yet- this joy was only partial. Yes, his long held goal had been met, but at what cost had this come to? Sleepless nights filled with lack of rest (and their subsequent result the next day), lost friends, days after days of stress that seemed to conquer all of his life. But most of all, he was lonely and lost in this world. His friends, each one of them, leaving happily embraced in each other's arms, lovingly locked in a carelessness that he himself envied in a way. He, on the other hand, was sure to have a brilliant career and no doubt be the pride and joy of his high expectations Asian parents, but… To him, life had lost meaning, and was just another mouthful of bitter medicine. He wondered if he would ever find a true purpose in life: To lead, to love, to live, to be happy.

-∞, 0, ∞

The men in hoods listened to the professor's explanation, their eyes growing wide with each word. Then, finally, they spoke: an order on how their world was to be saved with the materials on hand. Saluting with his remaining hand, the professor bowed and left. The mighty double doors shut behind him.

They began. One by one, they came. Mages, Summoners, Priests, Warriors, and Commanders. Their presence was soon felt. The Institute of Warfare, already packed full with League Champions, soon was exploding with the colorful robes of the many workers who sought to partake in the greatest project in the known history of their world.

This would be an attempt whose means were only known with past knowledge, far before their lifespans or recorded modern history. Mere whispers of the Summoning Ritual remained, a myth that was passed on through the generations. The immortal guardian Ultima would be called on, from another world, to restore order and balance. That much, they knew. The rest of the information was as dark and mysterious as the fate of their world of Runeterra.

For three long years, the people labored. Farmers toiling their crops, Medics working overtime to treat the ill workers, Priests praising the sun and also blazing something else, and the Mages and Summoners who worked, at night, writing formulas, deriving equations, and chanting spells of an entirely new nature. Their world had not been so united since the times shortly after the Runic Wars. This effort would require the strength and adversity of all of their peoples to succeed.

-∞, 0, ∞

For three years, the young man in the other world studied. Sometimes by day. Almost always by night. He was still as he had always been, but now grew ever more discontent with life and fantasized of escape and change. All the time, the end for both worlds grew closer.

-∞, 0, ∞

At last, the day came. They came to watch. Millions, pouring down the sides of the hills and the valleys, the workers, the business owners, the servicepeople and the Summoners. Soon it would be over, one way or another. The Summoning of Ultima had not been performed for over 10,000 years. The success of this ritual was only the beginning of the continuation of their world. It was a day when history was not being made, but fate itself was being followed. Now they finally could. Now they finally would.

The shrouded men sighed, and began to chant the long spell to save their world. They began the Summoning of Ultima.