non-essential information: Hello everyone. It has been a while for those of you who know me from my other work. I know, I know - lots of unfinished business. Will I ever get around to it? Unlikely I'm affraid. So why the new story now? I am contemplating the leap towards independent fiction (either fiction press or (let someone dream) published work) and I would like to:
1) Further hone my edge before leaping into the deep end.
2) I would like to find a few proofreaders.
If anyone, at some point, finds themselves interested in it, please let me know.
Before you start (essential)
As of right now, Ekko pairing is open. Please let me know (PM, review) if you prefer one of the following: Nimble (OC - female), Kayle, Ezreal (that would be a first for me, but exiting nonetheless), Jinx (please, no. Unless you all vote unanimously).
Remember to leave me a message if you especially (dis)liked this story. It means a lot to me. Now then, let's get this story started!
Prologue - They call me Entropy
The mess hall was always a sight to behold early in the morning. Champions smitten with the first-match-of-the-day-curse silently stared into their lukewarm breakfast bowls. Summoners were silently accepted into the silent mass of faces. This was perhaps, so he thought, the only time one might find Zed and Shen at a single table. Without exchanging angry glares.
He wondered what food tasted like to them. He had attempted to join their ranks once, but the bread had turned to ash in his mouth. Nevertheless he surveyed them every morning, watching, learning. One by one the champions filed out, heading towards their matches. As for him? The tribunal was waiting for its chairman. It was a most ungratifying job and not even the main reason for his presence here. No, the reason for that was… other…
Upon arrival he inspected his fellow tribunees – all summoners – looking bored out of their skulls, their head buried in their hands. Even though he didn't really do emotion, even he felt irritation scratch at the back of his mind when he read through today's cases. "Alright guys, let's do this quick and maybe we can all be done by lunch." He said, taking his seat.
So after four harassment cases, two uncooperative summoners and seven individual small offences he finally found himself seated in the mess hall once more, prodding at a meal he wasn't going to eat. The usual murmuring noise around him suddenly quieted down. Half-heartedly he looked up to find the cause. "Is he the new guy?" A woman behind him whispered to her companion. He almost pitied what he saw. Almost. The tan boy was trying his utmost to appear confident, walking between the rows of tables.
Too late he realized the mistake he'd made when he sat down at an empty table, for now the boy had set down across him. It wasn't that he wouldn't want to know the boy, but man, did he hate being the center of attention.
And everyone was staring at them.
"Hi, I'm Ekko." He said, seemingly breaking the spell that held the room bound in silence and everyone resumed their meals. "So, what's your name?" He pressed after a moment of silence between them. A glace was all he spared the kid. Noting the grin plastered across his face he replied.
"Just eat your meal kid." He was about to get up and leave when of all people Ahri decided to show up at his table.
"Hi." She purred to Ekko, her tails lazily floating around. The boy was clearly at a loss. He knew how… intimidating… a first encounter with Ahri could be and thus he made this one exception to save him from a world of hurt.
"Ahri, it's rude to interrupt someone's meal." He said.
"Now, now, just because you are so sour about miserable existence doesn't mean others can't have a little fun." She replied with a caustic tone, never dropping that trademark smile. By him, that was quite alright though. If subtle hints weren't going to work he'd have to be more clear with her.
"Say Ahri, did it hurt when you fell off the whore tree and banged every guy on the way down again?"
She glared daggers at him, her mouth hanging half open in an unformulated reply. "I am not a slut." She replied indignantly. It was a weak reply and she knew it.
"Then by all means, tell me about your deep, layered personality."
"Harsh." Ekko whispered as she turned on her heels and stomped away from them.
"After hearing yes from so many guys, she isn't used to hearing no. That, and her words have a way of finding themselves to your cock. You are welcome by the way."
"Why was she interested in me though?" The boy asked curiously.
"Fresh meat, probably." Leaving it at he made to get up.
"Wait!" Ekko said, his eyes pleading. He quirked an eyebrow in response, waiting for whatever the boy would have from him.
"I heard rumors… and I was wondering… maybe…"
"Get on with it kiddo." A conflicted look passed over Ekko's face.
"A girl, can't miss her. Stockings, blue hair, lots of guns and bullets-"
"Jinx. What about her?"
"So they were right… Is she still…"
"Batshit crazy? Yes." He unfolded himself from behind the table and stretched his stiff muscles.
"Say, you are somewhat crude, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I get that a lot." He replied.
"Will you summon me sometime?" Ekko asked curiously as he made to walk away. Pausing, he turned slightly.
"You must have mistaken me for a summoner." He replied. In looking away, however, he had not noticed the hulking shape of Darius, growing ever closer as he was backing away from an angry looking Mundo. Hence when the two collided, they collided hard. He was in no way a small man, but the sheer momentum of Darius's heavy armor had him flat on his back with the air knocked out of his lungs. Unable to keep his head from banging against the stone floor, his vision momentarily went red. Trying to shake the dizziness, he watched as one by one faces filled his vision.
Ekko, Darius, Mundo, two summoners and – to his surprise – Ahri loomed over him, genuine worry in most of their eyes. "Oh, come on, nobody is dying. Someone help me up." He said, dismissing their gazes.
"Ehm, you are bleeding." He glanced to the side and surely enough a puddle of blood was slowly spreading from under his torso. Shit.
"Fine, I'll do it myself." He struggled to his feet, shaking the dust of his robes. "Find me Kayle." He said to no one in particular. When he saw mouths open in question he shot them all a glare so deadly they immediately complied with him. "Nimble," he said, turning to one of the summoners, "would you please ensure she finds my rooms." With her task outlined she left them.
"Wait, why Kayle? She isn't even the best healer. I'm sure Soraka or one of the institute healers would be happy to help you." Ahri, who had been silent until now, said.
"Not everything has to be understood. Although your concern is noted, I have no further need of you, now begone. All of you." The hurt tribunal chairman commanded. All but Ekko and Ahri did as asked. The pair trailed after him as he threaded through the hallways and out through the main doors. It wasn't until hallway through the Feather Meadows, just outside the institute that they caught up with him.
"Why are you always so dismissive of others. I have been here for years, know nearly everyone at least superficially, yet you always push me away! I don't even know your name." Ahri said, looking somewhat upset.
"Really? Of all possible times you choose now to bring this up?" He said exasperated. Ekko shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable with the whole situation.
"Just answer the question."
He was silent for a while, contemplating how to best formulate his answer to her. He settled for one word. "Envy." By now they had arrived at the gates of his… house… Come to think of it he should really do some redecorating. It was curious how these realizations struck him at the most inopportune times, but alas, it could not be helped. Walking past the two stone guardians that stood on either side of the paved path he marched towards the front door. The winds stirred as a pair of giant white wings came in for a landing.
"I came as soon as I heard." Kayle said as soon as she had both feet on the ground again. "Nimble will be here soon, she is on foot." She added. He nodded in acknowledgement and opened the large doors, big enough to accommodate wings, for her. She slipped inside, leaving the three of them outside.
"I fear this is goodbye for now." He said, going inside as well. Ekko and Ahri gave him one last look before turning away, apparently accepting defeat. "Oh, and guys." He said. They turned. Knowing he had their full attention he added "they call me Entropy."
Tomorrow I shall return to you with the first chapter in this installment. Happy dreaming guys.