That was that. There was no returning home for him. Torn across dimensions and thrown into a completely different world, he listened to their words with a heavy heart. Never once in his life did he ever believe magic existed, but now it had forever altered said life. Runeterra, this new world, was vastly different from the one he called his home. He could barely believe anything he had witnessed since arriving. Now, though, it all would be part of the day-to-day.

"I am deeply sorry, but we have seen this too many times in the past. We cannot make an effort to repeat the mistake of the summoner who brought you here to Runterra." The voice was powerful, coming from a large hooded man with an intimidating silhouette. No matter how he protested, the three robed figures before him gave him the same answers.

"There is nothing more we can do for you here. Perhaps you may find lodging and work in town. You might as well make the most of the situation." There was nothing more to say. He thought it best to stop protesting and exited the massive building and started out into the town. He walked a ways down the sidewalk outside and stared into the sky. His name was Victor, but not that it mattered now. No one here would care for his name. Nothing he ever did would matter. He hoped this place had decent booze.

A local had pointed him towards the bar. The interior was dim, the atmosphere dull. A man sat on a small stage strumming a tune on a guitar. Victor thought about all sorts of things as he knocked back the firey rotgut. At least this place had a few similarities to home. He panned around, taking in the surroundings. Aside from himself and the guitar player, there were only a couple other people, each spaced out at the bar. His glass empty, Victor ordered yet another round. He intended on drowning his predicament despite not having any way to pay. Victor laid his head on the bar and let out a sigh. This is how it is now. There is now escaping it. The door creaked open, and faint footsteps made their way near him.

"Ah, Ahri! The usual?" The name sounded feminine. Victor raised his head as the stranger sat next to him.

"Yeah, and keep it coming." Despite the alcoholic fog, Victor saw the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. Her raven black hair fell onto her back in a long braid. Her skin was light and pure and seemed as if made of silk. At first he thought it was the liquor, but after focusing, he noticed her two most distinctive features: a pair of fox ears atop her head and nine fluffy, snow white tails flowing behind her.

"Hey, haven't seen you around. New?"

"Sorry." Victor realized he had been staring and regained his composure.

"It's fine. Looks like you've had a few."

"Yeah."

"I'm Ahri. You are?" He tought for a moment. No one here knew him, what could it hurt to use his name?

"Vic."

"Well, Vic, new in town?"

"Yeah." She wore a look of worry on her face. They both sat in silence for a while, downing their drinks.

"Look, that's none of my business, but it looks like you're done here. Don't want to over-do it." Ahri laid payment for her drink and every one of Victor's on the bartop. She grabbed Victor by the arm and pulled him to his feet. "Come on, you can crash at my place. At least until you're sober." He opened his mouth to protest, but Ahri cut him off. "No buts. You're hammered so hard I could use you to drive nails." Victor realized he was too plastered to put up much of a fight as Ahri helped him out the door.

**********
"What was that?"

"I don't know. I'll check it out."

"Don't be dumb, Vic. Let's scoot."

"As long as it's not a bear, the Judge will handle it." Victor patted the shoulder-holstered revolver. He set out from the campsite where his buddy stayed stoking the fire. Though the sky was cloudless, both could swear they heard a thunderclap. Victor headed in the direction of the sound, not sure what was in store. He reached a clearing, searching in each direction for some clue to the sound's source. As he continued into the trees, he began to feel a great pressure in the air. Things were definitely taking a turn for the weird. Seemingly out of nowhere, Victor lost his footing and slipped into a dark hole in the forest floor. This was no ordinary sinkhole; Victor fell for what seemed like ages into this hole. This wasn't real, there was no way. He was asleep. His buddy slipped pot into the food. Any explaination seemed viable. Finally, Victor saw light at the bottom of this tunnel. He braced for what was coming as he slipped through the light and fell onto a hard stone floor. Hooded figures stood around him, seemingly in awe, as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. All number of thoughts raced through his mind. One of the hooded shadows stepped closer as his heart raced. Then Victor opened his eyes.