It was morning and getting up from his meditating position, Nasus walked over to his armour. He stripped himself of the rags that he wore, and once more donned his armour of the Ascended. Grabbing his War Axe, he walked downstairs. Taliyah and Sivir were just waking up as well, and as he walked down, he cleared his throat behind them. They turned around in surprise. Sivir held Chalicar as if ready to attack and Taliyah stood up suddenly, readying her magic. Once they saw who it was, they dropped the stances and Taliyah ran over to hug him. "I thought you had died." She cried, and Nasus put a hand on her head and said, "It was thanks to you that I survived. Not only I but the Vekaurans too owe you their thanks. So thank you."

Sivir spoke up and asked, "So what do we do now? I see you're wearing your armour again; I'm assuming we're going to the fight huh?"

"Xerath has made his new capital at the ruins of Nerimazeth, however he will most likely head to where the old capital was. Azir will be raising the city soon; the solstice is fast approaching. We need to make it there before Xerath. But first thing's first, you need to eat. There's a small town along the way, we can get food there." Bringing out some dried meat and fruit, Nasus offered it to the two. "This isn't much but it's enough to last you until we arrive at the town."

"What about you?" asked Taliyah.

"I'm Ascended. I do not need as much food as you do." Replied Nasus

They ate the food as they walked, as they headed in the direction of the old capital.

'Kill.'

'I must kill.'

Renekton stood amidst the blood and carnage he wrought upon a band of merchants. He roared as he stumbled across the desert looking for his next kill. He didn't know why, but he felt drawn to a specific direction. With no better option, he faced that direction and started walking, Bat'leth in hand. Every human and every creature that he encountered was slain, and mutilated beyond recognition. His eyes were glowing red with blind rage and as if to match this corruption, the gem embedded in his Bat'leth had also turned and is glowing red.

"Soon my brother. You will die by my blade for your betrayal." And he roared at the sky.

Arriving at the town, all of the inhabitants stared in awe as Nasus stood before them in all his Ascended glory. War Axe in hand, he walked over to a merchant and asked to buy food. The merchant just stared at him, jaws wide open, not knowing what to say or do. Sivir, annoyed, walked up and snapped her fingers in front of the merchant. "Hey! You! Over here! Have you got any food to sell?" asked Sivir. At the finger-snapping, the merchant snapped out of his daze and hurriedly scrambled to bring some food out. He handed over the food and went back to staring at Nasus. Nasus thanked him and placed some coins into his hand and they walked away.

As Nasus, Sivir and Taliyah walked, the atmosphere of the town started to turn back to normal. People were still talking about Nasus, but nobody was incessantly staring at him anymore. Some children even ran over to feel his fur, as they laughed and giggled. Nasus smiled, as their mothers urgently prompted their children to return, giving Nasus an apologetic smile.

The chatter has picked up now and people were gossiping in the streets. One particular piece of gossip caught Nasus' attention.

"Did you hear about those merchants who were killed not far from here?" said a man.

"Yeah, I heard that there was a survivor, apparently he was crazy and delusional, spouting some nonsense about some lizard monster with hellish red eyes." Replied the other man.

Hearing this Nasus, stopped in his tracks and wondered. Sivir asked, "Something wrong?", to which Nasus replied, "No, but we may need to make a slight detour." Sivir nodded and followed without question, as did Taliyah.

Leaving the city, they ate as they walked. Thankfully they finished their food before they found what Nasus was looking for. The rumour was true; they had found the dismembered corpses of the merchants. Gore covered the carts and the sand, and at the sight of it, Taliyah couldn't hold back her urge to vomit as she threw up onto the ground. Sivir also looked on uneasily, averting her gaze.

Nasus sighed, turned to the two and said, "Alright, let's head to the old capital."

Sivir couldn't help but ask, "What the fuck was that? What did that to them? Why did you bring us there?"

Nasus didn't reply for a long while, and Sivir stewed in her anger. Finally, Nasus spoke up, "That. Was that work of my brother." At that both Sivir and Taliyah's eyes grew wide in surprise, as they looked at each other.

"Your brother? You mean the other Ascended warrior of Shurima? The crocodile… what was his name…?" asked Taliyah.

"Yes. Renekton. It was his doing. If he came this way, then he must be heading to the old capital as well. Given the circumstances, I'll need to ask a favour of you two."

Looking up, Taliyah asked, "What is it?"

When we arrive, Azir will need to raise the city when the sun is at its peak. Xerath will no doubt try to disrupt the ritual. Unfortunately, in all the centuries that Renekton has been imprisoned with Xerath, his mind has become twisted and corrupted. He now wishes to butcher me for betraying him. I will need you two to keep Renekton busy while I delay Xerath for as long as I can. Once Shurima has risen once again, Xerath will fall to Azir. Only then can I grant Renekton his reprieve."

"How will you return Renekton to sanity?" asked Taliyah.

"I will think of something." Lied Nasus. He only knew of one way to free his brother from himself, and he was happy to grant that wish as long as Xerath has been defeated. Until then, he still has one more duty to do. For his Emperor.