Destroyed, then Improved
Prologue
The Rune Wars, the cause of much strife and corrupted magic within the world of Runeterra and other dimensions. Some believed that it was a necessary evil, others believed that it was something that could've been avoided. Many innocents that weren't inclined with magical potencies were suddenly able to use it, some for good…others for evil.
In the last Rune War a young woman had objected to all the fighting. She was a powerful War mage; if she fought, her power would make a definite impact. She could feel the balance of the world shifting, the walls between dimensions weakening with every battle, the corruption of magic becoming more potent, she felt as if the next battle would tip the balance and tear a hole in the fabric of reality. The walls were already falling apart; they just needed one final push. But they never believed her. For all her visions went upon deaf ears and the war happened anyway. She was ignored, taken as a witch and a coward, they would not listen and they were only interested in senseless death and destruction. This had fueled the anger within her - for how could humanity be so foolish as to continue with their ways on the path of destruction and a potential global death rate.
It wouldn't be long until the war came and many mages and warriors stood ready for battle. The woman was forced to fight saw was rage-full, furious; she scorned those that she could not disobey. She just wanted the war to end. But the brutality of man would never cease, as she fought she witnessed the deaths of her follow people. People, slowly disintegrated into nothing, warriors being banished to hellish places, summoned creatures tearing soldier's apart limb from limb, decapitation, people bursting into flames. It was too much for her, and it's only so much the mind can take before it finally snaps.
She lashed out at both friend and foe; she was fed up with the downright tyranny of people and wanted them all to feel the pain of every life they took. She eventually lost control of her power and causing both friend and foe to try to subdue her. Though they had underestimated her power and as the different magic's from each mage clashed against her own, it would mark the most feared piece of history in all Runeterra. This had caused a cataclysmic event to happen, a large explosion of magical energy had occurred and ripped a large tear in the fabric of reality. The same thing the woman feared had come to pass. This tear started absorbing the magic that had been used by the mages, absorbing it along with a large number of the mages. The woman started to feel as if her body was being pulled apart as if something was pulling her molecules away from each other. She yelled out in pain as her body was forcibly pulled into the tear along with hundreds of other people.
It felt like an eternity of pain as she felt her body ripped apart by the magic. Painful tears in her eyes as she suddenly felt no pain, her body was gone. Only her spirit remained in this dark, cold place. She felt as if the magics were corrupting her own and she embraced it, feeling as if she became stronger by simply being there. Then as she spent her time in this Void, she felt like she needed to save her home. The place she called Runeterra. She was convinced that those with power will only cause more harm than good, those with magic will only have vile hearts and seek more power for themselves. Those with power would only destroy the place she loved so dearly. So she released her power into Runeterra through one of the many tears where it waited for centuries for a host.
"…The fools did not listen…so much death for nothing…"
"…I will make them pay – I will destroy everything…"
"…Everything shall be – Destroyed, then remade…"
Chapter 1: The letter
The audience listened attentively to the music being played. The young, beautiful girl up on the stage barely showed effort when hitting the high notes and sang with passion and confidence. The man who accompanied her gave wonderful back up with his wind instrument and matched her tune masterfully. Soon the song faded to a silent end and the young girl opened her jaded eyes towards the crowd that seemed to grow larger than it was when she first started. Her piercing jaded eyes looked upon them as she bowed before them, signaling the end of the song along with her accompaniment.
The crowd stood and cheered for the wonderful entertainment as the performers left the stage in their direction. The young girl and man were soon surrounded by the crowd as they started asking for autographs and several questions. After they had pleased the crowd they left for the bar, the girls father, who was also her accompaniment ordered a drink for himself a meal for his daughter. Upon almost paying for the ordered items, someone places a few gold coins in the bar owners hand. "I believe this should cover their meal for the night, as well as a martini for myself?" The person had a female voice and spoke in a friendly and docile tone. As the performer looked up at the person, she immediately recognized them.
"Irelia!" She yelled out as she leaped into her best friends arms. The silver haired captain of the guard gladly opened her arms to give the girl what she wanted which satisfied the girls happiness, smiling as she hugged her tightly.
"That was a fantastic performance Reina, I greatly enjoyed it." She complimented as she gave her, her long overdue hug. The girl snuggled herself in Irelia's shoulder.
"I'm so glad you were able to make it to the show." Reina replied happily as she looked up at her.
The waitress came up to them and pointed out a table that they could use which was placed next to a window. The night sky was filled with stars that twinkled as the moon shone its silvery glow through it. "It's good to see you again Irelia. It's been what? Two, maybe...three weeks? How's the recruitment process coming along?" The girls father asked politely.
Irelia turned to him as she playfully groomed Reina's crimson hair who sat beside her. "It's slow; it's hard to find people nowadays. Not many people are authority figures anymore." She complained. "But what about things on your end…How have you been fairing in my absence?" She returned.
"The servants at your home did as ordered, though I'm not sure how I feel about being taken care of by servants…" He replied. "Well...everything seemed alright to me." He explained. "The payment for our performances are slowly increasing do to our rising popularity and of course, your help. For the performances? As usual…my daughter is always star of the show." He smiled.
Irelia giggled. "I can see why, after all she is the voice behind your music." She then turned to Reina with worried eyes. Irelia remembers the nights when she would run to Reina's room along with her father, bed sheet caked in sweat and tears and Reina in a trance like state, her body would shake uncontrollably in her sleep and eyes blacker than darkest night. "Are you still having those horrible nightmares Reina?" Irelia asked in a soft voice.
"Please...don't remind me…" Reina clenched her body and shuddered. Irnon held her hands and Irelia rested her hand on her shoulder. She soon calmed down. "I haven't, not for a month now. I hope they've stopped. Every night I have those dreams I wake up with massive headaches, then they go away the moment I get out of my bed...just..." She said as she held her head in small fear and her voice wavering heavily.
"It's alright Reina, I'm trying to get some help for you alright? I'm sorry I had to remind you of that..." Irelia's voice held a worrisome tone.
"Okay…"
A few moments of silence, a messenger had arrived at the bar and asked for an "Irnon Kissryil". Irnon had approached the messenger while Irelia stayed with Reina, who was now taking time to enjoy her meal and received a letter, they then exchanged greetings and Irnon returned to his seat as messenger then made his way back to his horse and rode off. Irnon looked at the letter and wondered who it was from as he could not recognize the seal engraved on the envelope.
Meanwhile as Irnon was reading the letter, on the outside of the bar a man looked inside from a distance, his piercing brown eyes fixed on the red haired singer that sat with her father and Irelia. He then hid himself and pulled out a device, as he pressed a small button causing hollowed image appeared.
"Speak!" The image ordered.
"I've found the girl you were looking for. She's with the captain of the guard and a middle aged man with brown hair." He reported quietly.
"Good!" The image said with a sinister tone. "Now, get closer and see if you can pick up something from their conversation. Report back when you hear something interesting."
The man hung up the call and pulled a hoodie over his head to hide his appearance. He entered the bar casually and sat just far enough away from the trio and ordered something from the bartender. Meanwhile Irelia was having a casual conversation with Reina as Irnon read the letter to himself. Irelia had recognized the seal on the letter but chose not to say anything as she knew that it wasn't anything to be worried about. As Reina dug into her meal that she ordered, the expression on Irnon's face changed as he read the letter.
"Something the matter Irnon?" Irelia asked as she noticed the change.
"Oh!...Nothing bad, it's just that we got invited to Demacia to perform for their army's parade in a couple of weeks."
Irelia had looked at the letter to see who the sender was. "It appears that your musical talents have reached the ears of some very important people." She complimented.
"It appears so…" He replied with a wry smile.
"Does this mean that we will get the see the prince, father?" Reina asked with excitement.
"Probably…" Irelia replied. "The letter was sent by Prince Jarvan IV and if it's at the parade, my guess is, is that you're going to see The Prince, Garen AND Shyvana too. It should take you only three days to get to Demacia. First a ferry to take you to Piltover, then a train ride to Demacia."
"We don't have that kind of money to get to Demacia…" Irnon responded with a tinge of annoyance.
Irelia dropped a bag of gold on the table in front of him. "Now you do! This should cover all travel expenses including food, I'll give send two soldiers with you to act as your bodyguards while you travel."
"Irelia you know how I hate…"
"I'm NOT taking no for an answer Irnon, you swallow your pride this time…you ARE going to Demacia." Irelia said firmly. Irnon was humble as he held his daughters hand. "I'll handle the details of the ferry in terms of getting you a room."
Reina tackle hugged Irelia, making her fall out the chair as she snuggled herself onto her. "Ow, Reina that hurt!" She then gave her a happy smile. "You know, for quite a small and fragile girl you're quite strong when you want to be." She teased.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Reina pouted at her. Irelia simply laughed it off and Irnon joined in the laughter too. She was always happy to play with Reina and take care of her.
She lifted Reina to the chair and looked at her father. "I suggest you take the next ferry out that leaves tomorrow afternoon. I'll make the arrangements."
The mysterious man had already left the bar and headed behind a building. He then contacted the person again. "The father received a letter from the Prince; they will be taking a ferry tomorrow afternoon."
"Excellent! Impressive work, I will make sure that you are well compensated."
"What do you plan on doing with the girl?" He asked objectively. "She's quite the star you know…"
"Let's just say that I will be 'preparing' her for her very important destiny. Goodbye for now." And with that, the conversation was cut. In a dark room lit only by candles a dark figure holds a picture of Reina, he grins in the darkness and laughs lightly. "Soon you will be consumed, and then your destiny shall be fulfilled. Huahahaha…"