CHAPTER 2:2

It didn't matter how much Darius brooded; he couldn't figure out what Swain possibly would want from Fiora, but he was to be sure to find out the reason why. He had always respected the General for his calmness and superior mind – thus, the title "The Master Tactician" – but this… this was something that Darius wouldn't agree with even if he was threatened by Death. What could Fiora Laurent – that beautiful but alas so disagreeable woman – offer that Jericho wanted?

Darius was searching every hall of the Institute to find his brother but he didn't see a trace of him anywhere. His first immediate thought had been to check the training rooms, or even the Arenas, but Draven wasn't there. The older of the Blood brothers then found his way into the Dining Hall but with no avail; Draven was nowhere to be seen. He checked with the Noxian summoner who was responsible for teleporting them, asking if she had seen Draven, but no, she hadn't. He really was gone.

Where are you? Darius sighed and approached the main office. Is he maybe in the Rift? I'll have to ask someone.

He reached the counter and an assistant hurried to him, quickly finishing her drink.

"Excuse me." He paused, not knowing if she would recognize Draven by name but took the chance. "Have you seen my brother Draven? Has he been summoned to battle?"

She lighted up and gave him a slight nod.

"He's not in a match but I have seen him. He asked me on the verge of two, three days ago where the library was." The administrative assistant gestured to her right and opened her mouth to explain where it was but Darius cut it short.

"Thank you, I think I can find myself." He hadn't intended to sound so brusque but didn't bother smothering it over with a polite phrase. He had searched for that bloody idiot the whole afternoon and now it turned out that he had been in the library for days.

Without further ado, Darius continued walking down the marbled aisle and soon reached the Great Halls of Knowledge. It was a fancy name, very suitable for the seemingly endless amount of dusty old books and parchments. One could find a wonderful cookbook on one side of the gigantic library, while finding a blackened grimoire about necromancy in the other. The place had a huge selection of books about history and long forgotten civilizations, but it wasn't really Darius's thing to read whatsoever. He could certainly read – that's for sure – but he could never understand how one could find interest in it and enjoy writing. Therefore, he had never found any comfort going to a library so this was going to be his first time since he had arrived to the League, to visit the famous library.

He entered the Great Halls of Knowledge through the enormous, oaken double door and immediately felt out of place. It almost felt like he was in a whole different world; not at all like the Institute of War, where it was close to a hundred percent sure that Teemo was being brutally slaughtered in an alternative dimension, controlled by ten summoners in a room not far from here.

"Draven?"

His voice felt dampened by the sheer number of books and he suddenly felt uncomfortable. It was like the whole place had a life of its own.

"Draven?" he tried again but there was no answer. Maybe he didn't say it loud enough, but Darius didn't want to raise any attention, as well as not to disturb any reader. It wasn't like he cared about the person he had annoyed; he just didn't want to waste time arguing.

The floor was made of wood and Darius guessed that the walls were as well, if just he could see them. Shelves overfilled with books crowded the hall, together with some comfortable chairs and tables. Techmaturgical light bulbs – shaped like flat disks – hang from the high ceiling and lighted up the atmosphere and he could hear music remotely.

Must be Sona, Darius thought and relaxed. If she can do this, so can I.

He had never told anyone, not even Draven, about his phobia of cramped, small places, and this library was a perfect spot for the fear to slip into his mind. Darius tried not to look about too much, and kept his breathing calm and steady while focusing on the beautiful melody. The world stopped spinning and he regained his posture. He sighed and almost felt like laughing at his idiocy when he saw something blond on the floor, next to a bookshelf.

Dear someone, is that a head?

Darius instantly recoiled and grabbed his axe. Maybe the assailant is still here, on the move from the crime scene. I should probably—

The head moved.

He stiffened and held his breath. Then he realized what he was looking at. An almost irresistible urge to hit something flew past his mind but he stayed still.

It's that fucking boy. What the hell is his name now again? Ugh, I'm sure I know it… Darius chuckled. I can't believe that I didn't see his neck before. This fear… I need to make sure I have it under control.

Darius continued – after having made sure that the boy awoke of his heavy steps, muttering something about Piltoveran puppies – and ignored his mental warning: stay away from the shadows. He soon found the source of the music – which was the Maven of the Strings as he had guessed earlier – and asked her if she had seen Draven. Darius had fought many times against her and knew that as soothing as her tone might be, they could as well enslave and pierce one's skin with some amplifying items.

His wild goose hunting finally bore fruit; Sona told him she had seen him for not even ten minutes ago, heading towards the lower part of the Great Halls of Knowledge. After some explanation, he got the cognizance of the library's architecture, and headed downstairs where he found his brother in no time.

"Draven wants to know where one can find more books about this. I know you're hiding the rest, but 'why?' is the question."

Darius heard him long before he saw him and sighed. Why did I even bother searching for him? I could've just followed his voice, he thought and a shadow of a smile curved his lips.

"Get them out! Here! Draven wants to read them and as a champion I have the privileges to read a fucking book!"

Darius followed his brother's irritated voice and soon saw the familiar face of the Glorious Executioner. He was gesturing wildly and rolling with his eyes, now and then answering with a curse.

"Oh, for fuck sake, don't come with that bullshit; give me the fucking books! Books! They can't hurt Draven! Nothing can!"

"Brother." Darius was forced to repeat himself since Draven seemed too heated up to listen. "Draven!"

Draven whipped around and grinned widely.

"I'm just conversing with this young lady here, she seems to have issues finding a certain collection of books that I need," greeted Draven and scoffed. "What about it? You seem troubled."

Darius tried to sound neutral but his tone got a harsh edge.

"It's the General," he said and clenched his fists. "He framed Fiora Laurent for murder of four Noxian summoners."