Chapter 1 - Paths to Take
After the invasion of Ionia by Noxus there was a split between how the country should handle its future: One side of Ionians desired to maintain their state in the world as a neutral entity promoting balance and harmony. The other side had more radical beliefs, believing that in order to promote balance and harmony Ionia would have to become a fighting nation, creating balance by opposing the evil ideals of the Noxians with their own good ideals.
Years have passed without Ionia coming to a decision, hoping for one to arrive when witnessing changes in Runeterra or Ionia itself.
Ret, 15 is being trained to become an artisian as the apprentice of a calm elderly man named Riso.
"Master Riso, we are beginning to run out of maple." Ret began sorting out the piles of scrap wood looking for maple of suitable quality.
"No need to worry Ret, we still have plenty of oak."
"But wouldn't using two different types of wood ruin the harp? The differences in moisture content would mess with the placement of the strings, the path of the sound vibrations, the-" Ret remembered what Master Riso told him, to calm down and allow his thoughts his to have clear direction before speaking
"Wouldn't using two different types of wood mess with the quality of the harp?" Ret said in a more succint manner.
Riso smiled, "Yes, but the change in the quality will be minor. The majority of the harp will be maple wood, only small bits of oak will be present.
(knock on the door)
"That must be the mail, I'll go get it." Ret walks to the door
A tall skinny man with solemn eyes and a hidden but clearly seen smirk on his face is standing at the door. He's wearing upper class robes, he must be a messenger.
"Hello child, I don't need to speak to you. Get your master."
"that is guy is pretty fucking rude" Ret thought
Riso walks up to the man, "Hello, is this anything important."
"Is the messenger coming to your doorstep important?" the man whispered to himself, clearly audible to Ret and Riso
"In protest of Noxus, a Shojin monk has set himself ablaze, he is now blind."
"The monk Lee Sin?" Riso asked
"Yes." said the messenger
"Lee Sin always was an intense individual." said Riso, "just like Ret..." he thought
"Yes, yes, indeed. Now can you pay your fare?" The messenger said, his voice slightly annoyed
Riso handed the messenger a silver coin, the messenger smiled and then left
"They shouldn't make you have to pay for the news." Ret sneered
"I agree, it doesn't seem fair, but the government needs to get its funds somehow." Riso said calmy
"The government already has enough funds! They just take extra money from the people to spend it on themselves, as well as mercenaries like The Golden Demon!" Ret said with more intesity in his voice
"You really know a lot, but you should be careful who you say that to, the government isn't fond of people who reveal their actions." Riso said
"The government itself isn't bad, but the few sectors that are corrupted have many wealthy and powerful individuals." Riso said following up his previous statement
"Why don't you do anything?" Ret said, in the voice of a child asking their parent for an answer
"I take care of you, and don't expose you to the government like many other people would." Riso said calmly
"The more we wait, the more innocent people die. The more people are abused and taken advantage of, someone has to do something about it." Ret said
"I want to do something about it, I want to fight the Noxians and the corrupt members of the government. I want to kill The Golden Demon, I want to kill Khada Jhin!" Ret shouted
"Lets just get back to making the harp." Riso said calmly, worried of Ret's safety
"No, I have to start getting stronger now, I'm going to become a monk." Ret said with a calmer voice, but the intensity of words could still be felt
"I won't stop you." Riso said calmly, "Just know that you are always welcome to come back." Riso made a reassuring smile "But am I reassuring myself, or him?" Riso thought to himself
