10. The Unbreakable Fury

Viscero was fading in and out of consciousness as the soldiers frog marched him on. He was hungry, thirsty, wounded and cold. He twisted his hands in the tight chains and he tried to ignore the pain. Le Blanc had remained at the front of the group and was keeping a vigilant eye out. They had passed beyond the fog and cold of the Marsh and were walking through open fields covered in light patches of trees. However it had begun to rain lightly and the dark clouds gave little light for vision. Viscero could see up ahead that a camp had been set up, the Noxian flag flying high in the centre of the tents. There were at least a fifty tents and he guessed it must be an entire battalion. Le Blanc glanced back and spoke.

"Pick up the pace, we're almost back."

The squad picked up the pace and began jogging. Viscero stumbled and struggled to keep up. It wasn't long till the squad covered the distance and they entered the camp. Viscero's head was spinning and his silence remained firm. He heard a strange mechanical sound, like hextech was grinding and breaking. He looked up and saw Urgot walking over. Urgot looked at Viscero and spoke to Le Blanc.

"He doesn't look too good."

"He had a run-in with Alistar."

"Alistar did this to him?"

"Don't underestimate the Minotaur, his calmness may deceive but underneath those chains lies a beast that many should fear."

"Well did he follow you?"

"I don't think so but inform the lookouts to keep an eye out for him."

"We can handle vermin like him."

Urgot started to walk away when Le Blanc spoke.

"Urgot, where's Swain?"

"He's in his tent."

Le Blanc nodded and indicated to the squad to lead Viscero over to the tent. As they started to leave Urgot spoke quickly.

"Le Blanc, it is true? Does he have it?"

Le Blanc gestured to the case strapped to Viscero's waist.

"Take a look for yourself."

Viscero looked at Urgot's one good eye which widened in amazement.

"This could be the turning point in this war."

"We'll see. Viscero is a murderer and a traitor, who knows how far his deception reaches?"

Le Blanc led the squad and Viscero away over to the command tent which was situated next to the flag in the centre. Le Blanc looked at the squad.

"See to your duties."

The soldiers walked but kept their eyes on Viscero. Viscero looked at Le Blanc who spoke to him.

"Come now, let's not keep him waiting."

The pair entered the tent and Viscero looked around at the space filled with maps of the areas, scouting reports, manifests, weapon lists; all pinned to boards and spread on tables. Swain was standing amidst the tables with a hand on his cane and another on the table. He looked up as the pair entered. His eyes fell on Viscero and he spoke.

"Viscero so nice of you to join us."

Viscero remained silent as Le Blanc spoke.

"I found him floating in the River. He had been in a brawl…"

Swain finished her sentence.

"With Alistar."

Le Blanc frowned.

"How did you know?"

"I predicted he would leave the Institute to pursue Viscero. It is also likely he will continue to pursue him, so go inform the men to arm themselves but not to engage Alistar."

"But shouldn't we leave? The Dauntless Vanguard could arrive at any moment."

"Not likely if the Demacian's wanted to recapture Viscero they wouldn't want to risk a large military manoeuvre that could draw the League's attention. Instead they'll send one of two champions; either Lux or Quinn. Those two are the fastest and most capable of recovering Viscero."

Le Blanc chuckled and spoke.

"You've thought this through haven't you?"

"Every step of the way."

Le Blanc stepped away from Viscero

"Well I'll go outside and keep an eye out for Alistar."

"Very good. And Le Blanc..."

"Yes?"

There was a pause as Swain considered his next sentence.

"Knight to B4, check."

Le Blanc bowed her head as she considered her next move.

"Bishop to B4."

"Queen to B4. Check."

"Bishop to B8."

"Rook on G8. Revealed check."

"King to A7."

There was a pause as Swain considered his next move.

"We'll resume this soon Le Blanc."

"Of course Swain."

With that Le Blanc left the tent; leaving Swain and Viscero alone in silence. Swain spoke to him as Viscero struggled in his chains.

"Are you alright? When did you last eat?"

Viscero remained silent.

"Viscero I know you are a silent man by nature but you can talk to me. You're safe here."

Viscero nodded and spoke.

"I haven't eaten since I fled Demacia."

"Then eat, I can't have you dying of starvation before you reach Noxus."

Swain gestured towards a plate of bread and salted meats that Viscero eyed hungrily. He began walking over to it and picked up the food. He helped himself slowly, suspicious of Swain. Swain shook his head and replied.

"Viscero there is no need to suspect me, if anything I am the one who should fear you. If you wanted you could use those chains to strangle the life out of me."

"Then why let me in so close?"

"Because I know you Viscero. Your façade of Xin Zhao could only last so long before it came crumbling down to reveal the real man that had lain dormant beneath."

"Xin Zhao was me."

"And you killed him. You wore him like a mask to hide the real man beneath."

There was a moment as the raven whispered to Swain who bent his head to listen.

"Hmmm… yes… I think you might be right… Never fear he cannot deny it."

Viscero could not hold back his queries.

"Deny what?"

"You know it Viscero. You miss that feeling. That sound. You know the one I speak of."

Those words again, echoing in Viscero's head. He clenched his fists, he refused to believe it; he couldn't give in.

"Personally I'm surprised to hear that you lost to Alistar on the bridge. But I suppose you were worn out from your skirmish with Garen and fleeing from Demacia."

Viscero remained silent as he ate slowly and Swain spoke.

"Now I'm sure you understand that we cannot trust you just yet but there is a way you can earn it."

Viscero lifted his head now and looked at Swain.

"How?"

Swain lifted up his hand.

"Give it to me."

Viscero looked at the book strapped to his hip and then back at Swain.

"What will you do with it?"

"It will give us insight into the Demacian way of life, their strategies, and their way of thinking. Through that we can devise greater strategies to combat them in the League."

Viscero nodded and slowly he reached down to his hip. This was it, the final hurdle to prove his loyalty to Noxus. Suddenly shouting and commotion erupted from outside. Swain sighed and spoke.

"We will resume this late. For now…"

Swain picked us his cane, hobbled over and unlocked Viscero's chains. Viscero rubbed his wrists as Swain spoke.

"Arm yourself, the Minotaur approaches. And remember if you try to run we will not hesitate."

Viscero nodded and followed Swain who hobbled out of the tent. From the centre Viscero could see the path that he had entered from, occupied by the large form of Alistar who slowly walked towards the camp. The soldiers were running around, arming themselves and moving into position. Many entered the tents around the centre of the camp and remained hidden; ready for an ambush. Le Blanc and Urgot joined the pair under the flag and Le Blanc spoke.

"Here he comes."

Swain spoke to the group.

"We don't want to start any trouble else the League will punish us. We'll hold negotiations and send him on his way."

Urgot's heavy breathing was drowned out by his mechanical speech.

"And if he makes a move?"

"He isn't a fool so long as we don't provoke him; but on the off chance he makes a move do the soldiers know what to do?"

Le Blanc nodded.

"Yes they're ready to move on the call."

Viscero looked up to the sky as he felt the rain intensify. He turned his attention to Alistar who was now just outside the gate. His voice boomed from the road.

"I seek audience with the officer in charge of this encampment. I am under the protection of the League Summoners and seek to uphold the peace so long as it is returned in like fashion. Do you permit me to enter?"

A soldier turned and looked at Swain who nodded in reply. The soldier spoke, doing their best to keep strength in their voice.

"Enter but proceed straight through to the flag and do not divert from the main path."

Alistar nodded to the soldier and walked through the entrance towards the centre. He maintained his composure as he approached the group. Alistar stopped in front of the group and spoke first.

"Who is charge here?"

Swain stepped forward and replied.

"That would be I Alistar, what business do you have here?"

"I am here on behalf of Demacia to engage in negotiations for the arrest and detainment of the fugitive Xin Zhao and the return of the Measure Tread."

Swain shook his head.

"As far as I'm aware I have received no confirmation from the Demacian council or king to inform me of such delegations."

"You did not make your presence in this area known to either the League or Demacia. I was in pursuit of Xin Zhao when I sighted your camp and proceeded to engage in negotiations."

"Have you contacted Demacia to seek their approval for you to be a representative?"

"Yes I have."

Swain breathed in slowly. Le Blanc leaned in close to Swain and spoke.

"I see through his deception. He is lying."

Swain tilted his head and whispered back.

"However there is no way to prove such an accusation without letting the Demacians know we are here."

Swain considered his next sentence before speaking to Alistar.

"So be it, what are your requests?"

"Demacia demands the return of the Measure Tread and to allow an authorised Demacian agent to arrest and detain Xin Zhao."

"Unfortunately during your clash with the fugitive previously mentioned the Measure Tread was lost in the Serpentine River and has not been located."

Alistar breathed in slowly and deeply as Swain continued.

"As to the matter of the fugitive, Demacia has no authority over him as he has changed his identity to one Viscero, champion of Noxus. Their warrant is for Xin Zhao, champion of Demacia and therefore they cannot arrest him. As far as Noxus is concerned no crimes have been committed so we determine no reason to hand him over to the League or Demacia."

"He assaulted an independent agent of the League without reason or warrant."

"There is no way for Noxus to determine the nature of the battle that occurred on the bridge and there is the matter of your desertion from the Institute and if that was authorised."

"As an independent I am free to act of my own accord and in my travels I was requested by Demacia to intercept the fugitive Xin Zhao."

Viscero had remained silent all throughout the negotiations but now he spoke.

"Go home Alistar. I have made my choice and I am free to make it. Unless the League pursues action against me then there is nothing you can do."

Alistar sighed.

"Please Xin…"

"My name is Viscero!"

The sudden shout caught the others off guard except for Swain who maintained his composure and spoke.

"Viscero has spoken, unless you have anything else to discuss I request you leave our camp."

Alistar nodded.

"So be it."

Le Blanc chuckled and spoke.

"You cannot deceive us Alistar."

The brief victory had given the soldiers reasons to chuckle and grin but it was Urgot who made the next comment.

"Go on Minotaur run back to your family."

The soldiers burst into laughter but Swain rocketed round to Urgot and spoke to him.

"Shut up!"

Swain looked back round at Alistar who had stopped walking. The men were still laughing with Urgot but Swain and Viscero had their eyes on Alistar who slowly turned back round.

"What did you say?"

The Minotaur's voice was low and grumbling in the midst of the laughter. Swain's face remained still but Viscero reached round and gripped his spear tightly. Alistar started walking towards the group as he spoke again.

"What did you say!?"

This time his voice silenced the laughter and Swain hobbled forward to intercept Alistar.

"Alistar it was a slip of the tongue excuse his rudeness."

Urgot still did not understand the gravity of the situation and spoke.

"What's the matter Swain? This beast can't do a thing!"

Alistar had now covered the necessary distance and suddenly he accelerated towards Urgot. Urgot barely had time to react when Alistar suddenly smashed his horns into Urgot's misshapen body. Urgot flew back and smashed through two rows of tents to come tumbling to a halt amidst a mess of material and equipment inside the camp. Swain shouted at Alistar.

"Alistar calm yourself!"

Alistar began walking towards Urgot, ignoring Swain. Swain turned and nodded at Le Blanc who flung an illusion of chains at Alistar. The Minotaur felt his body slow and a moment later his body froze up. He roared at the top of his lungs.

"Let me go you Noxian scum! Urgot get over here and I'll show you what my family means to me!"

Swain shouted back at Alistar.

"Alistar calm down now!"

"You think I will forgive this deformed freak!"

"Freak!"

Urgot's voice erupted from the debris as he slowly picked himself up.

"I am an undying vessel of destruction and knowledge. You are an endangered specimen that should be confined to a laboratory."

Le Blanc screamed at Swain.

"The suppression will break soon."

Swain turned and signalled to the soldiers.

"Bring out the restraints!"

Viscero watched as the soldiers hidden in the tents burst out with thick iron cast chains in their hands. Two chains that needed a dozen soldiers each to carry, the links themselves were as thick as tree trunks. They quickly dragged the chains through the rain and mud over to Alistar. Using manacles on the end attached them to Alistar's wrists. The soldiers then set to work nailing a dozen two foot iron spikes into the chain links to pin them to the ground. Le Blanc groaned as her suppression wore off. Alistar felt his body free from the magic and he strained against the chains to make a move towards Urgot but the chains held him still. Alistar fell to his knees and fought to control his breathing. Swain hobbled round to face Alistar.

"Alistar your fury is certainly something to be noted, you should work on controlling that."

"Alistar…"

The Minotaur lifted his head to look at Viscero who had come round to speak to him. Alistar made eye contact with Viscero and for a moment Alistar saw his old friend looking back.

"Alistar don't make this any worse, you have to let this go. Let me go, do you understand?"

Alistar nodded slowly.

"Very well Xin."

Viscero then stood up and began to walk away when a voice croaked from the debris.

"No you won't Alistar!"

Urgot pulled himself out of the debris and pushed himself up onto his spidery legs. He walked over quickly, his body groaning as it did. Swain tried to stop him by speaking.

"Urgot stand down at once!"

Urgot ignored the Commander and launched his sickle at Alistar placing it under his chin.

"No this vermin dared to engage me and now I have a right to fight back!"

"Urgot you will stand down now!"

Urgot's heavy mechanical breathing sounded like cogs grinding through his filtration mask.

"Why should I? This beast pretends to be some wise, calm mentor but the truth he is nothing more than an uncontrollable beast that should be executed."

Swain spoke again.

"I said stand down."

Urgot dropped his sickle away from Alistar and spoke as he walked away.

"Personally I'm glad it was you devised the strategy to put these beasts down."

Then there was silence. A moment as if all the sound had been sucked from the world and in that moment Alistar remembered it all; the smell of charcoal and burning flesh, the screaming, the blood. He slowly looked up at Swain.

"Is that true?"

Swain didn't know how to answer and he hesitated as he looked at Viscero and Le Blanc. Alistar spoke again.

"Swain it is true?"

Alistar stood up, his huge form towering over Swain.

Swain could only muster one response.

"Fall back."

"What?"

Swain shouted throughout the camp.

"FALL BACK!"

At that moment the rage in Alistar became too great, he roared an immense roar that shook the ground. He pulled on the chains and Swain turned to hobble away.

Le Blanc screamed.

"Swain!"

The chains groaned and snapped with such force that the soldiers around them were instantly killed as the chains whipped out. Le Blanc and Viscero dived out the way to avoid the chains and slammed to themselves to the ground. Alistar's speed was incredible and Swain couldn't hobble away fast enough as Alistar ran after him.

Swain summoned his claws to entrap Alistar but as the claws rose he roared and they snapped under his feet. Swain whispered to the raven on his shoulder and suddenly darkness consumed him. From the darkness stepped forward a humanoid raven that screeched and unleashed a torrent of twisting shadows that took the forms of ravens. The ravens soared at Alistar and tried to pluck and chew on his flesh but the Minotaur's flesh was impenetrable. Alistar closed the distance and grabbed the raven around its neck. The spell faded and Swain was left under Alistar's grip, throttled by his immense grip. Alistar spoke as he squeezed Swain's neck.

"Did you order the destruction of my home?"

Swain showed no signs of fear or pain; he only responded.

"It was a strategic manoeuvre, your kind were becoming a threat and I suggested the tactic for the betterment of my nation. It was nothing personal."

Le Blanc picked herself up and looked on in horror as Alistar squeezed harder and harder. She screamed at Viscero who slowly recovered from the dirt and corpses.

"Viscero, Swain is in trouble!"

Viscero had his spear in his hands and analysed the situation.

"Alistar is enraged we can't engage till his fury fades or he'll kill us all."

"He's going to kill him!"

At that moment Urgot stumbled over to them and Le Blanc knew they had one chance left.

Alistar throttled Swain harder.

"You burnt my home to the ground! You killed my family!"

"It was not my decision I merely gave advice to Keiran Darkwill; it was his decision."

"IT WAS YOUR IDEA!"

Alistar slammed Swain into the ground with one hand still around his neck. He brought the other hand up and with a colossal amount of force he brought the fist down on Swain's head. Swain's head smashed into the ground and his vision began spinning and filling with white dots. Alistar raised his fist again.

Le Blanc screamed at Urgot.

"Urgot use the Position Reverser!"

"But that'll bring him to you two."

Viscero shouted at him.

"We can handle him, do it!"

"EVERYTHING I HAD!"

Alistar drove his fist into Swain again. Alistar felt bone crunch under his fist and blood splatter his fingers.

"ALL THOSE YEARS IN THE FLESHING!"

He punched him again.

"MY FAMILY!"

And again.

"MY DAUGHTER!"

And again.

Le Blanc was panicking now.

"Do it!"

Urgot fumbled with the mechanisms on his cannon as he replied.

"It's charging!"

"He's going to kill him!"

Alistar lifted Swain above his head and with his free hand gripped his waist. Swain was looking up at the sky and was barely conscious but he felt his body bending backwards.

"I! WILL! BREAK! YOU!"

Alistar pulledd harder and harder as he felt the muscles and bones slowly give way; soon he would break Swain.

"Got it."

At that moment Alistar felt his body lock up and he saw a green light swirl around him.

"NO!"

Alistar felt himself being sucked away by a teleportation and when he opened his eyes he saw that Swain was no longer in his hands but was across the battlefield from him in Urgot's arms. He bellowed a cry but not of rage; it was one of agony.

Alistar's laughter boomed across the open field as he watched Ariella playing with a small rabbit. She was chasing the creature around in circle, her pudgy little hands desperately clamouring for it and her braided ponytail waving in the soft wind. When the rabbit scurried away Ariella turned to her father and gave an adorable huff that made her nostrils flare. She had not seen her farther in a long time and ran over quickly to embrace him. She leapt and fell into his tight embrace.

His tight embrace that held her body.

That held her burnt charcoal corpse that he only recognised by the long braided ponytail.

Alistar looked up to see the soldiers that approached him.

He cried out a roar of agony and a startled soldier leapt at him, driving his spear into Alistar's side. Alistar's reaction was to drive his fist into the soldier's torso, instantly killing him and sending him flying across the debris. The surrounding soldiers advanced on Alistar but there was nothing they could do. His fists broke their bodies, his horns eviscerated their flesh; Alistar massacred all who approached him. Le Blanc and Viscero had to avoid and wait till they saw Alistar's fury end, and when it did they made their move.

Le Blanc flung a mark at Alistar and then followed up by throwing her chain at him. At the same time she dashed to him causing Alistar to grunt as the magic ripped through his body. He spun round to fight Le Blanc but she suddenly vanished back to her origin. The chain snapped and Alistar felt his body lock up and before he could defend himself he heard a mighty a battle cry. From the corner of his eye he saw Viscero descend upon him. Viscero struck with incredible strength and at the end of three strikes he leapt into the air and brought his spear down into Alistar's shoulder. The suppression had worn off but Alistar's body had grown weak from the fighting and wounds. Viscero attack smashed Alistar to the ground where the Minotaur found he had no strength to defend himself. No strength to fight; only the will to continue. Alistar tried to pick himself up when he felt a barrage of arrows pierce his back and he fell back into the dirt, blood and water. He heard Urgot's heavy breathing and groaning as he approached.

"You are nothing more than a rabid beast! I'm going to put you down for good!"

Urgot placed the sickle on top of Alistar's heart. Alistar no longer had the strength to fight but he rolled himself over. He felt one of Urgot's legs stick into his chest and push him down.

"You will pay for what you did to Swain!"

Alistar looked up and saw Le Blanc who was tending to Swain's broken body. Viscero was standing still in the crashing rain and Alistar tried to reach a hand out to him but Urgot pinned the hand down his sickle, the sharpened blade piercing the flesh causing Alistar to roar in pain.

"Now it ends you animal."

Alistar looked up to the dark clouds and the heavy rain. He thought not of death but of his home, of his family; of Ariella.

Lux ran.

She had heard the roaring.

She had heard the fighting and screaming.

She ran through the rain and mud towards the source. The low vision and mud slowed her down but it wasn't long till the silhouette of a camp came into view. She saw the Noxus standard flying above the camp but her worry deepened when she saw the camp. It was in disarray. Tents were strewn about and were mingled with corpses and blood. She looked around to the centre of the destruction where she saw a body. A figure lying still in the rain that was different from the other corpses. It was larger, not human. She walked over to slowly and as she pushed through the thick rain she saw who it was. Alistar's body was lying motionless in the mud and Lux screamed as she ran over to him.

"Alistar!"

She grabbed the Minotaur behind the head and lifted his face up.

"Alistar talk to me!"

There was no response. She looked at his body, the deep wounds and blood that had soaked his fur. She shook him again.

"Alistar wake up! Wake up!"

She looked at the wound in his heart; it was deep and straight through. She placed an ear on his chest to listen for any signs of life.

Lux sat back in the mud and rain. Then it came from within her, the agony that erupted as a scream into the rain and blood.

Alistar was dead.