About 12 months had passed since Twitch had been recovered. Since then, everyone felt it was crucial to hone their skills and perfect them. The remaining Champions often spared each other, and Summoners worked 24/7 to harness their powers. But one thing was constant; some Summoners spoke about Renekton in... darker tones. A few said this was his fault, and him dying could form some sort of peace. However, those thoughts remained concealed; seeing as how the main one behind the Institute of War's Champion team is Renekton's brother. They doubted Nasus would take too kindly to them talking about his brother.

Renekton trained once more in the Courtyard; hacking and slashing at a tree as he still had a dark look on his face; and still clad in the Outback Skin. He drove the blade forward; and watched the tree split into two down the middle; slamming into the ground as he flicked the wood and sap off his blade with a flick of his wrist.

"Beating up trees won't end this war." He turned stoically, and saw Kayle there, glaring at Renekton, as he snorted and turned his attention to another one. He didn't even pay her any mind when she walked into his field of view, and still maintained her glare.

"What the fuck do you even want?" He spat, flicking his blade twice before slashing at another tree. Kayle shook her head, as she looked away.

"Nothing much, except telling you about those rumors; they're building you should know; about how we're all in this because of you."

"The ones spreading them are full of shit. I didn't start this war; I intend to see it finished though."

"I'd believe you, but then again you did kill my sister." He looked at her, and still continued his attacks.

"I didn't like Morgana, but I would never strike her down in cold blood; not like how you did anyhow-"

"She knew damn well what she was gettin' into, causing me hell; she paid the ultimate price."

"So why don't you? You did kill dozens of Champions; cause major property damage, and even make everyone believe you're some hero, when really you're worse than most."

"The fuck do you even want Kayle; you're starting to sound much worse than my brother right now." She shook her head, and started walking away; as Renekton dropped another tree.

"Fucking bitch."

The Meeting Hall was dormant, save for Nasus looking at a large map on a table. Renekton trekked in, his blade on his back, as he walked up to the table; his brother taking notice of him a second later.

"What are you doing here Renekton; I expected you to be out training again."

"Kayle annoyed me too much; so I left for a bit. What the fuck is up with her anyhow?"

"This war is taking its toll on her, as well as the fact her sister is dead to the hand of her ally. Mostly just bitter, hollow rage. Give or take she'll snap out of it when she sees how much of a help you really are to us all."

"Either way I don't give two shits." Nasus looked up, and sighed.

"Melody's death still haunts you, doesn't it?" Renekton snarled, and gripped his blade tightly' Nasus' hand on his own already.

"You have to learn to let go of this rage brother; remember what it did to you years ago; think of what it could do now that you are motivated by pure revenge now."

"They always say revenge is the strongest power." The brothers remained at a standstill, before the alarm suddenly blared, followed by the shockwave of an explosion.

"An attack now?!" Renekton bellowed, as he stomped out of the room, followed by Nasus. The elder brother listened for another explosion, and when it came he was alarmed.

"That came from the Summoning Room; impossible."

"How the hell so?"

"They can't get inside there unless someone summoned them there; meaning someone must have tipped them off and let them in. We need to move now; I'll find Mordikaiser and Thresh; you make sure no one gets too far." They both bolted off, as Renekton ran as fast as he could; dodging past fleeing Summoners along the way. At the room entrance, he was about to rush in, but had to stop in his tracks and take cover outside as several poisoned arrows hit the wall.

"Oh hello!" The voice of Twitch spoke, as a Summoner cried out in agony. "Glad you could join us Renekton!" The butcher rushed in, blade ready, as he saw the Summoning Platform glimmering; pouring in several of those human sized minions. Twitch shot at Renekton suddenly, and he managed to dodge past them; blade ready as he sliced around at the foes; sapping health before he reached Twitch a second later; who suddenly faded from view. By now, the minions had stopped spawning; so now it was just silence. Renekton jerked his head around; trying to get a fix on Twitch, but he got nothing, until he managed to slice a bottle of venom thrown at him and dodge the contents. He waited, and repeated the same trick when another was thrown. He waited, and at the right second he ducked down and threw his blade; hearing a scamper of feet before he rushed to that location; his hand holding someone by their neck; Twitch fading into view as his crossbow clattered to the ground.

"The fuck did you do it for Twitch?" Renekton demanded; bringing the Plague Rat down to look him in his beady little eyes. "Why did you stab us in the back; betray us all?"

"Because it was too good of a chance to pass up; like now!" He slammed a bottle of high grade venom into Renekton's chest; the pain blinding as he dropped the rat; collapsing to the floor as he struggled not to succumb to the effects. The rat hit the ground; coughing as he caught his breath before picking up his crossbow and keeping it trained on Renekton.

"It was all too easy; faking capture, luring you in, getting you to get me back here; I'll admit it took longer than she wanted, but a year isn't nearly enough time to lower the defense array and get out Nexus to home in on this place, but I did it, and now, she can see you, for herself." A few more minions popped in, and all stood firm; weapons crossed, as someone materialized on the platform. Renekton managed to push through the pain, enough to see who it was.

Willow. She looked beyond sinister, and her robe was tattered, and she had the large wound present still. When her gaze fell on Renekton, she didn't have concern... but joy at seeing his pain. She approached him, and knelt down; to look at his wounded form.

"Such a pleasure isn't it?" She asked; as she sneered. "Watching someone you love die; you should know how it feels." Twitch kept his gun trained on Renekton's head, as Willow stood up; the Butcher beginning to fight the venom and slowly stand.

"Twitch, finish him; make sure to get him as bad as he let me die." The second Twitch pulled trigger... he went still. Renekton looked up, and watched the rat hit the floor; decapitated. Nocturne floated there, as Willow's hand glimmered red. The Eternal Nightmare wasn't able to dodge before he hit the wall; wounded considerably. Renekton bolted up, his eyes started to flicker red, as all of this ran through his head... and he exploded. His skin flared orange once more, as let out a demonic roar. The power of Bloodfury consumed him once more; as he focused on the darker Willow. She didn't even have an ounce of fear as Renekton held his blade in his hand. He slashed at her once... and was shocked when Willow easily caught his blade as if it were nothing.

"I anticipated your little temper Renekton," She easily jabbed his chest several times; over 50 in a short span to be exact, and one more caused him to double over in mind shattering pain. "Which is why unlike you I know exactly where to hit." She kicked Renekton onto his back, as his blade slid away from him. Renekton started to fade out of Bloodfury, as Willow held her hand towards his head; her palm glowing.

"I suppose this is the end dear Renekton; I hope the afterlife treats you well." The blast hit Renekton, and he slumped to the ground; beyond on the brink of death. His eyes were hazed over, as things began to blur, as all the sounds around him were distorted, even the sudden explosions around him. He managed to see a shadowy hand punch Willow in the face, and send her back onto the platform; as well a pair of arms lift him, and slowly drag him from the room. He stared up at the face of Thresh, whose mouth moved; Renekton vaguely hearing his name, but he couldn't the strength to answer, and eventually, he sank into unconsciousness...

"Renekton!? Renekton?!" Thresh shouted, as Cho'Gath dragged the Butcher from the room while Nocturne slashed and hacked at the minions. Nasus stood next to him, as he felt for a pulse.

"He's alive, but his life force is weakening; we need to get him to a healer now." Nasus told his allies, as Nocturne emerged from the room quickly; sealing the door with a large slab of rubble.

"We don't have much time then; are all the Summoners evacuated through the lower tunnels?"

"Indeed," A loud rumble caught all of their attentions, as Nasus stared out the window. "But we have bigger troubles." They all looked, and Thresh swore suddenly.

"A fucking air fleet?!" He was right; outside were a fleet of large wood like ships; floating from magic and propellers. Nasus counted at least 3 ships; each with dozens of turrets all shooting at the Institute of War. Nocturne was the first to act.

"Okay we're outta time; we need to get moving now!" They all made haste; Thresh and Nocturne carried Renekton, while Nasus kept a path cleared. A few minions remained, as they managed to quickly reach the lower holds exit... but Nasus heard the stomps and rushes of several thousand of those minions. Nasus looked at his downed brother, and then back to the darkened hallway; the sounds growing closer.

"Thresh, Nocturne," He spoke, his tone stern and unyielding. "Get my brother to the others; don't let anything stop you."

"Wait what the fuck are you doing Nasus?!"

"Buying you two some time; NOW RUN!" He held his polearm firm, and charged into the darkness, as Nocturne continued to drag Renekton into the darkened tunnels. Thresh watched Nasus rush into the darkness, and shook his head.

"Thresh, what the hell's the matter?"

"He won't buy us any time... that's a suicidal charge right there." They sealed the hatch behind them, as the ships continued to bombard the Institute of War, before it soon collapsed...

"Ma'am, the stragglers escaped." A dark version of Shen spoke; appearing in his Blood Moon skin. Willow pursed her lips, and sighed. She was about to say something else, but Shen spoke again.

"We managed to capture The Curator however; is that good?"

"It'll do for now; go find where the others fled to." They stood outside the rubble of the Institute of War, as she smiled. So Renekton once again eluded death; no matter. With that last attack, she managed to take enough life essence for her plan... and with his brother now, he would no doubt come running. Now, it was all a matter of time...

To Be Continued