Chapter One: A Chance Meeting

It had been a long day for me at the Institute, and I could feel a layer of sweat under my summoner's robes. Normally I was a confident person, but at this moment, I could only focus on the potential surcease of bathing in the hot springs. But alas, such relief seemed far distant.

The High Council wanted a full report from me on my latest match. Like all of their other reports, they wanted it presented verbally, and in person. With all of the hextech techno magic today, you'd think they would've adapted. But no. They were stuck in the Rune Wars era. I sighed, running my hands over my face and through my chaotic mass of black hair. To add to it, the marble bench outside the Grand Council's chambers granted me little reprieve. Even through my pants and the robes that were standard for summoner's, the cold that emanated from deep within the stone of this whole building chilled my skin.

"Hey, are these the chambers for the High Council of Summoners?" A curious male voice said. Tenor. I wasn't familiar with it, but I didn't really care to know who it was.

Without a glance upward from the confines of my hood, I said, "You're in the right place."

"Alright. I told that guard I wouldn't need a map. Do you mind if I sit here?" The voice asked. I didn't bother nodding, instead gesturing with an open hand.

"Thanks," he said, sitting next to me. I heard the sound of booted feet and more than a few belts as he sat down next to me. Not a summoner. I glanced upward, seeing a wild mass of blonde hair, blue eyes, and some kind of face paint. He smiled at me.

"Hey," he said. Damn, he was attractive. Close to my age, too, probably around twenty; slightly younger than me.

Suddenly the irritation that had burdened my thoughts and the skin under my robes seemed more bearable, and I couldn't help but return the smile, hoping I looked at least half presentable.

"Hello. You aren't a summoner. Why are you..?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Oh. I've been summoned for a while now. I was tired of being summoned at random, so I decided to enroll as a champion formally. I'm Ezreal," he said, extending his right hand. I noticed that it was gloves. However, the glove on his other hand was the one that caught my eye. It was basically a gauntlet, housing some kind of large pendant or gem on the back of the hand.

"It's rude to stare, you know," he said, looking at me with skeptical eyes and a half grin. I laughed nervously.

"Sorry. Yeah. Nice to meet you, Ezreal. I'm Nephalos. I'd tell you what I am, but you likely already know. So... you're a champion, then?" I asked.

"Well. Officially, I will be soon. I guess. What nation do you represent, Neph? Can I call you Neph?" He asked. Neph. Outside of my girlfriends from school, no one had called me that name.

"Sure. I'm from Zaun," I said. Ezreal's face immediately soured.

"At least you aren't from Noxus. I hate those guys," he said.

"The disputes of nations should have no bearing on the relations of individuals. I'm hardly a nationalist," I said. Seeing his smile returned forces the corners of my own mouth to turn upward.

"A man after my own heart. Why haven't we played a match together before?" he asked. He crossed his leg over his knee nonchalantly. He used the motion to mask his true intent - moving closer - but I noticed.

I removed my hood from around my face. The feeling of coldness had subsided with Ezreal's proximity. The way he was looking at me... I had to make a move.

"Hey, there's a few former Summoners from the Freljord who opened a cafe here... Would you like to go with me after your meeting?" I asked. I was blushing. The heat had risen to my face - there was no doubt. Despite Ezreal's face paint, I could tell that he was experiencing a similar sensation.

"I'd like that," he said. Then he put his hand on mine, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. My gaze found his, and I saw the reflection of my own hazel pools in his impossibly blue, beautiful eyes.

The marble door grated open beside us, interrupting our flirtatious encounter, and a man in heavily decorated summoner's robes walked out. Ezreal's hand and mine flinched away from each other before we looked toward the man.

"Ezreal? The Council will see you now. Summoner Nephalos, you'll be next," he said with a nod.

The Prodigal Explorer stood, gave me a wink, and walked into the chamber.