Azir had visited the Augurs before, but never about himself. It was mostly to ask their advice and opinion as to make an informed decision about something or another. This time though, accompanied by Xerath, Azir went to Augurs for one question and one question only. Kneeling in front of the Augurs, Azir asked, "Oh great Augurs who divine the future. I have but one question to ask of thee."
"Speak, Emperor of Shurima." Ordered one of the Augurs. There were three in total and they all wore robes the colour of sand. They knelt atop a platform underneath an inscription of the city and the mighty Sun Disc.
"Am I worthy of the Ritual of Ascension?"
"That is a difficult question." Replied one of the Augurs. "You are still too young to be determined appropriately worthy."
At that Azir's heart sank, but he remained kneeling.
"However, your actions and your heart have spoken loudly. You care deeply for this nation and for the people. You would sacrifice anything if it was for Shurima. This selflessness is both your virtue and your curse."
The inscription of the Sun Disc began to glow behind the Augurs. It shined a faint radiant light onto the kneeling Azir. Seeing this the Augurs gasped. "The Sun Disc has spoken! It has deemed you worthy of this Ascension! Make preparations at once!"
Azir's face lit up, he couldn't believe what he was hearing! This was everybody's dream, even the Emperor! Only those worthy can undergo the Ritual of Ascension, anybody not would be disintegrated instantly should they try.
"However be warned…" said one of the Augurs, "There is a darkness ahead of you, and your virtue may indeed be your downfall."
Azir nodded, and stood up. He replied, "I will do everything that I can for the safety and prosperity of Shurima!"
Azir left with Xerath, who hid his conniving smile as the remains of a little magic dissipated from his fingertips. Making the stone glow was child's play. The Augur who gave the warning said in a low voice, "We know, that is why you must be careful for that philosophy will be this nation's ruin." The three Augurs looked grim and resigned as they stared back at the inscription of the Sun Disc, which was now cracked down the middle. "Goodbye Shurima, that which must be, cannot be deterred. This is the end of this era, however make no mistake. Shurima will rise once more!"
Azir was unbelievably ecstatic, he jumped around in joy. Once he has calmed down a bit he turned and asked Xerath, "How do you think the Sun Disc judges if someone is worthy or not?"
"'When the sun shines brightest, highest in all the days. With his power, shall he the city raise.' I suppose this prophecy is what decides everything. On the day of the solstice, the sun shall rise higher than ever and shine so much brighter. There is a reason why every Ritual of Ascension was conducted on a solstice." Replied Xerath.
"I still don't believe in that so-called prophecy. It's only ever spoken; nobody ever wrote it down. I still think it's a hoax. Well regardless, I can now join the ranks of Nasus and Renekton and help protect Shurima!"
"Don't forget you'll have to lead it too!" reminded Xerath, as he followed behind the gleefully skipping Emperor. He smirked at the lie he just told and his plan for what's to come.
Nasus suddenly stopped in his tracks, and held his head for a moment. The feeling of dread was overwhelming. Renekton noticed and concerned, asked, "What's wrong brother?"
Nasus replied, "I have a bad feeling, something terrible is going to happen soon. We best hurry back to our Emperor."
Renekton nodded, and they both began hurrying back.
On the day of the solstice, Azir was dressed in his royal garments. It was almost time for the Ritual. Azir was incredibly nervous but excited at the same time. Xerath was also excited, but little did Azir know, it wasn't for him. Xerath's excitement stemmed from whatever he's about to do. Little did Azir know, everything he worked so hard for was about to come to an end.
"It's time." Xerath said.
Azir nodded and began his ascent up the steps. Reaching the top, he waited until the right moment. As soon as the sun reached the highest point in the sky, the Sun Disc collected its rays and shot the beam down towards a dais. Azir watched this happen and began to walk forward. Xerath saw this too and cast his spell. It was a form of teleportation magic; he had learnt this initially for self-defence. As Azir took a deep breath, he lifted his foot to step onto the dais. Suddenly Azir froze. He felt the coldness of steel entering his back. He looked down and saw a silver blade protruding from his torso, it dripped with his blood. He was too stunned to register the pain, but he turned to look at his assailant. His eyes widened in shock as he saw his trusted advisor and dear friend Xerath, holding the blade which is now ending his life. Azir felt his strength leave him as he collapsed to the side. He weakly murmured a "Why?" as he watched Xerath's face contort into a deranged maniacal expression. Xerath howled with deranged laughter as he stood atop the dais.
"When the sun shines brightest, highest in all the days. With his power, shall he the city raze! There was a reason why the prophecy was never written down! It told of both creation and destruction!"
The last thing that Azir saw before he died was his beloved friend turning into an evil being of pure magic, and his beloved city engulfed in flames, destruction and death.
Shurima was in sight, Nasus and Renekton ran day and night to try and return in time. Standing atop the last sand dune to reach Shurima, they stopped as they stared. An explosion rang out and the city was engulfed in flames. They thought it might have been Brand's doing, but that was impossible, for Brand was sealed away deep underground. They helplessly stared as their beloved city burned to the ground as the Sun Disc cracked and fell on top of the city.
"Renekton, do you see that?" asked Nasus. He spotted rays of blue light shooting from a high platform.
"Brother… Isn't that where the Ritual of Ascension takes place?" asked Renekton.
"Today's the solstice… Oh no…"
They sprinted towards their dying city, trying to save someone, anyone. But it was in vain. Everyone was dead. They wept for the loss of their civilisation as they turned their attention to the culprit. They sprinted up the steps of Ascension, roaring in anger and sadness. Reaching the top, they saw their Emperor Azir, lying on the ground dead in a pool of his blood and a spectral figure of pure energy on the dais.
"You… Xerath?!" Growled Nasus. "But why?! Were you not his friend? Did you not love this Shurima?"
"Hah Shurima was nothing but a stepping stone for me to attain absolute power!" Replied Xerath.
At that Nasus and Renekton attacked Xerath with all their might. However, no matter what they did, they could not land a blow as Xerath's body was non-existent. He was pure energy. They drew on the power of the Ascension and magically wrestled Xerath towards the ground. Xerath fired beams after beams of arcane energy, but none finding its mark. Nasus and Renekton were too quick and Xerath was not yet in full control of his powers so he could not aim as well as he wished. Nasus and Renekton forced Xerath into a sarcophagus because they knew they could not kill him. They succeeded and attempted to seal the evil being away forever. However, Xerath's raw power was too strong. He broke through the magical seal and attacked the brothers. Nasus couldn't react in time to dodge. He barely brought his War Axe up in time to defend himself from the arcane pulse, however the force of it pushed him onto the ground. Renekton seeing an undefeatable enemy, did what he could. He grabbed Xerath whilst he was focused on Nasus, and tackled him into the Tomb of the Emperors. Renekton's magical power had Xerath restrained in the dark room beneath the sand, and he yelled, "BROTHER! SEAL THE TOMB NOW!"
Nasus didn't want to, he couldn't bear to trap his beloved brother down here with an insane monster for all eternity. "No… There has to be another way!"
"This is the only way brother, hurry up and seal it! I can't hold him down much longer!"
Xerath screamed, "HAH, YOU THINK YOUR MEASLY MAGICS CAN CONTAIN ME?!"
"Please brother! For the sake of the world, seal that god damned door!"
Nasus wept openly, he shed tears for what he was about to do. He cast his spell and the tomb door began closing. Renekton smiled and said, "Thank you brother, sorry for making you do this, but goodbye." Nasus replied with tears rolling down his face, "Goodbye brother, know that I have and always will love you."
"NOOO! CURSE YOU NASUS! HOW DARE YOU! ARE YOU SO HEARTLESS AS TO SEAL AWAY YOUR OWN BROTHER!? YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!" Screamed Xerath.
"Silence, you monster! This is the end for you!" snarled Renekton.
"Oh no my dear crocodile, this is just the beginning, do not forget. You are trapped in here with me, and I will make your life a living hell!"
"Go ahead and try it, Xerath." Replied Renekton.
Outside, Nasus wept for days as he listened to the sounds of battling within the Tomb. He wept for his fallen nation, he wept for the people, and most of all he wept for what he had done. He sealed the most dangerous enemy away for ever, but in doing so he damned his brother to an eternity of hell.
