Noxus must be strong. Noxus must be great. Noxus must lead... or Noxus will fall. That is what Swain always keeps in the back of his head. Yet it cannot be as simple as that. There will come a time when Noxus will either be the bastion of humanity, or when Noxus is defeated. Swain would be happy with either outcome, as the stronger would rule over the weak. That, however would never happen. The weak will hide behind the strong, then stab them in the back. The fools agree with the smart until they seize power. The cowards will manipulate the brave to die while they sit on their barren thrones. A throne doesn't make the ruler, nor the crown. Only three things make a proper ruler.
Vision. Might. Guile.
The road to Noxus was a long one. The cheerless soldiers marched next to their generals, close in file. Their weapons in their hands, they looked ready for battle at any moment. The Demacian nobles were sent to Demacia in caravan. The few Noxians that went with them were told that their return would be ensured. Yet, all Noxians were aware of Demacian "Justice" and made their peace with certain death. Especially because two important people were missing. Lux and Garen were not with the rest of them. Instead they enjoyed a trip in Swain's personal carriage. They were alone, locked in the luxury carriage. The inside of it was full of silk pillows and comfortable seats, yet it seemed to be used very rarely by the man it was meant to be for. It was a comfort he did not have the time for. Leading the largest empire in the world requires focus, unnecessary comforts take away a man's attention. Darius also scoffed at the idea of a personal carriage, so he even had his one burned. Swain kept his one, to fool assassins mostly. He wore a cloak as usual, but this time a hood was pulled over his head, no one could point out the most important man in the crowd.
Except one.
Lux felt his powers, magic radiated from him. The flock of ravens that flew above them could either be real or his magical minions. The last person she felt this much magic flowing out of was Ifle, the Archmage. Lux felt excited that she would finally learn, while also feeling unimaginable fear. The enemy has her captured, could Swain have fooled her? Why would he take Garen too? Does he want to expose her to him? Yet these thoughts did not scare her as much as the dark look on Garen's face.
Garen felt like a captured beast. His claws removed his roar was no longer one to be feared. Swain did not even blink as he dismissed his threat. There was nothing he could do know, but face defeat, whatever that may bring.
(Sorry for the long wait and this short chapter, it has been a hectic and will be a hectic week so I only had half an hour to write this. Thanks for reading!)