Monster~ How should I feel~ Creatures lie here~ Looking through the window~ Heya guys~ I kept my promise to update this week! Yay! Lets get this started! Meow!
~All characters unless otherwise mentioned are property of Riot Games(I just mess with 'em o.o)~
Chapter 11: The Warden is a Monster
A gray ghoul collapsed and slowly faded out of existence. The large bolder it was carrying fell down the stairs and pummeled two other ghouls which were station at the bottom. Hearing this ruckus, the warden exited his torture chamber and sighed at the sight of the mess.
"Yorick! I need three more! ...And make them larger." Thresh yelled to his underling.
"Yes my lord..." Yorick said heavily. Yorick conjured three, much larger, ghouls and bid them down the stairs. Once he heard the confirmation from the warden that the ghouls were to his liking, the gravedigger returned to his work.
The warden had ordered Yorick to aid him in...attempting to make his abode and least possible to maneuver through. Fallen walls and aged granite columns covered the floor. Some of which completely made it impossible for solid beings to pass through the other side. Thick cobwebs and plants that spread 'living death' also lined the walls and needed to be eradicated. A few scraps of dried skin, broken bones, and a few dead animals of various sorts were also cleared from various corners. But most importantly, the support beams and rotten wood which helped to the ceiling from caving in were far from trustworthy, and needed to be enhanced. Though his home was decrepit and could barely even be considered a home, the warden was only showing care in it (some parts anyway) because of one person. His dear Vixen.
It would be impossible, even with the aid of magic, to make his home acceptable in any sense of modern standards. But he was able to get target areas (the main entrance, the pathway to the basement grand staircase, and ballroom) cleared of debris and overly disturbing imagery. He personally arranged his torture chamber, but not much work needed to be done as he always kept it in order. All that was really done was the clearing of body parts and stains of blood. Thresh took one final look at all the areas that were cleared during the night. He was rather pleased.
"That will be all Yorick." Thresh proclaimed to the gravedigger. Yorick nodded and proceeded to the front door, the warden not too far behind. Silence followed the two men as the made their way down the beaten path towards the Twisted Treeline. The arrived at the portal to the Institute and passed through. Upon entrance to the atrium, the hustle and bustle of a casual Saturday morning was in full force. Before they parted ways, Yorick could have sworn he heard the warden say 'thank you'.
~.~
Thresh walked down the hallway of the female dorms until he arrived at his destination. He knocked gentle three times and waited. Though he heard various giggles and chatter coming from the inside. After a few brief moments the kumiho opened the door and greeted Thresh with a smiling face. But she wasn't alone.
"Oh hey Thresh!" Ahri said as she walked outside. Behind her, Nami, Soraka, and Quinn with Valor perched on her shoulder followed.
"My my my, not only do I get to be in the presence of one magnificent beauty this morning, but three." The warden said with a sly smile causing the girls to give him goofy grins. He turned to Quinn and added. " And their beggar boy." He proceeded to kiss each of the girls hands bar Quinn. This cause a pout to occur on the face of said 'beggar boy'.
"Thresh, play nice." Soraka ordered half serious.
"As you wish my dear. So what is the occasion?"
"We're just doing some day shopping. And I need to look for a new bathtub...Naut broke mine a couple weeks back." Nami said with a sigh.
"Couldn't the Institute replace it?" Thresh asked.
"It wasn't the one in the bathroom. It was a custom made one that I used it as a bed. Makes it so I don't have to constantly be conjuring water around myself at night. I can sleep in a normal bed but I just get very dry in the morning and I have to soak in water for a while before I can move easily again. That's why I've been so tired during the week, been having to wake up early."
"Fascinating. Well, I shall accompany you ladies-"
"No you won't!" Quinn chimed in.
"Yea, uh Thresh? Can I make a rain check for us hanging at your house until tonight?" asked Ahri. The warden looked at her confused.
"That would be no trouble to me Vixen. But may I ask why?"
"Girls only!" Quinn chimed once again. Soraka and Nami giggled at Quinn's childish responses. Thresh smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.
"Thanks man, well I'll see you later. We can meet at the portal around eight, that cool?" Thresh nodded once again. "Great. Bye!" Ahri and her entourage started walking sown the hall to the stairwell. Thresh grabbed Quinn's shoulder. Quinn turned her head to find the warden staring straight back at her with a smirk on his face.
"If I remember correctly it was you who said this excursion was *ahem* 'Girls Only'. Then why is it you are accompanying them, SIR?" Valor squawked. "Thank you Valor. See? The bird understands discrimination when he sees it." Quinn's pouty face started to get angry.
"Ok you bastard! I thought we were cool ever since yester-" Thresh removed her headgear and flattened out her hair. Once done he returned it to her. Quinn grew silent and a slight flush appeared on her cheeks. "Oh...right..."
"And but another beauty graces me with her presence." The warden lifted her right hand and kissed it gently. "Have a wonderful time." Still slightly flushed Quinn opened her mouth to say something but was cut short. "You may leave the bird with me." Smiling wide Thresh took custody of Valor and watched as Quinn ran down the hall and regrouped with the girls. Once they were out of sight Thresh sighed softly to himself. He looked to the wall clock on his right. It read 9:30 AM.
...Now what am I to do for 11 hours...Though the idea of returning to the Isles for a torture session seemed like an obvious choice, he did not want all his work through the night to go to waste. As the warden silent thought of his options, he soon felt a certain bird pecking the right side of his skull.
"Well I assume I must feed you first, now shouldn't I?" Valor continued with his pecking. "Yes yes, come along then sir." The warden turned around and started on his way to the stairwell on the opposite nd of the hall. He soon felt someone's presence. "I know someone's here...and I know you are not Evelyn. Reveal yourself lest I shall proceed to 'defend' myself."
"Easy bro, easy." Came a voice from behind him. The warden still didn't turn around as he recognized who was speaking. Coming out of his shroud of invisibility, Talon walked in front of the warden, meeting him face to face. "So, how's it goin'?" Thresh was not amused.
"Talon, if you have come to me once again to request aid in dealing with Shen then I must decline. After seeing the savagery he exerted on Zed...I prefer to retain all my appendages...unlike a certain lich nowadays."
"Nah it's nothing like that. I gave up on Akali." Thresh raised an eyebrow. "What's with that look."
"You damn near stalked the poor woman after she refused your advances after Valentine's day...Not only that. You hid in her closet and had Zed-"
"Alright alright! Man you're such a buzzkill...Anyway, seriously, it's not Akali this time."
"...Then who is it?"
"Why does it always have to be a-"
"Valor needs feeding. Unless you want your liver to be his next meal, get to the point."
"It's Quinn." The warden stared at the Blade's Shadow for a few seconds. An evil grin slowly grew on his face and soon resulted in a maniacally laugh that took Talon off guard. Once Thresh settled down his gaze once again rested on Talon, though his countenance dark.
"No." Was all the warden declared before he continued on his way.
"Huh? The fuck you mean 'no'?" The warden stopped short but didn't turn around.
"I mean as I said. No." He walked back towards Talon and gave him a deadly glare. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Can't a man appreciate a fine piece of ass now and then?"
"Your soul says otherwise...You seek revenge."
"What are you a mind reader now?" The warden chuckled slightly. And turned around one final time. "Hey what's so funny?"
"I just find it humorous that you both share similar personalities, yet your soul is clouded with hate. Normally I would applaud such an occurrence, but you are willingly blocking out your true intentions in order to restore your pride. Though I agree even I would feel sorry for myself if I was captured by the likes of Valor and his keeper." The warden chuckled once more to himself but Talon remained quiet. "Hear this Talon. Do whatever you may to whomever you please. Just know that if any repercussions befall Ahri you shall force my hand. And let me just say, unlike lord Mordekaiser, I don't return the limbs of my charges. Good day." With that, Thresh took his leave for the final time, leaving Talon to his own devices.
"My soul is clouded huh...I'll show you clouded-"
"Talon?" Talon turned in the direction of the voice and was mortified to see Akali in nothing but a bath towel.
"A-a-a-a-kali!? The fuck are you doing here. I mean it's not not that I mind the sexiness but..."
"Um, this is the female floor? And I was gonna borrow some soap from Sona, I ran out and forgot to buy some." Akali said with a straight face. Talon licked his lips slightly and smirked
"Heh-heh, girl I know something else that's slippery and white that you can rub all over-"
"Good morning Talon..." Shen said from behind Talon.
"...Shit."
~.~
As the hours past, the warden busied himself with aiding Pantheon and Leona in pastry tasting, listening to various explanations from Kassadin, and causing mischief to Draven with the aid of Valor and Blitzcrank. At around 7:30 PM, he found Quinn and returned Valor. He then mad e his was towards the portal area. Once he arrived in front of the portal to the Isles, he saw Sona and Mordekaiser pass through it.
"Good day my lord. Lady Sona." The warden gave a small bow and gave Sona's right hand a light kiss. "I bid you both a good night." Sona gave him a smile and a small nod and continued down the hall. Mordekaiser continued as well but paused right next to Thresh.
"You are bringing a mortal once more into your midst. I will tell you now, if you perform your craft, you WILL lose control. I shall leave any final decisions up to you warden. Any and all actions you do with that woman will be free of my rules. Though, be wary of your power...Hers as well. Good night." Mordekaiser caught up to Sona, wrapped an arm around her waist and they both continued down the glass corridor.
Of the few times Mordekaiser is serious...It has to be with me...But he is correct. I must be careful. Still in his thoughts the warden soon felt a tap on his shoulder.
"I'm ready to see your castle~" The kumiho cooed happily. Smiling Thresh held out his arm and Ahri latched onto it.
"As you wish Vixen."
~.~
The kumiho and the warden took a slow stroll on loamy soil through the forest. With the arrival of dusk, the vegetation glowed an eerie green, drawing the attention of many of the Isle's inhabitants. The crackling of shambling dead treading heavily drew the attention of the kumiho. Though they drew close to the pair, causing Ahri to grip the warden tighter, they passed them with no malice. Withered trees wafted in the wind, revealing the bright glow of the night's crescent moon. As they passed over the large hill overlooking the Treeline, the warden stopped.
"What's up?" The warden answered her question by turning her around. Ahri gasped at the scene in front of her. In the distance, the Treeline was completely lit up with a live game, but there was something else. Blue and purple winged creatures floated elegantly above the Treeline. With every which way they went, trails of amethyst particles covered the ground. "Thresh...what are they?"
"Truthfully, I do not know their namesake. But I do know they are of the fae." The warden extended his hand. After a few seconds, one of the blue colored creatures landed in his palm. Upon closer inspection the creature had a stick-like silhouette and gossamer wings which were no longer that the length of its small arms. A few of the amethyst particles rested below it. The warden handed the creature to Ahri. Taking it in both hands, Ahri smiled wide.
"It's so...adorable." She lightly placed a finger on its head to pet it. "But, why are they in a place like this?"
"The orbs they produce..." Thresh let the particles fall to the ground. They sunk into the soil and soon after a small leaf, akin to the surrounding shrubbery, emerged. "Give life to many of the plants on this island. As you can see, there is great beauty even in death...but at an even greater price." The wings of the creature fell from its body. Ahri gasped. The warden gently took the weary creature and lifted it into the air. It soon dissipated into the wind.
"Wha-what happened to it?"
"When the fae spread their orbs, it is not a guarantee that something will grow...But as soon as something does, their life force leaves their body and infuses with the plant that emerged. They are the reason the forests here are truly 'living'. Let us continue on Vixen." The warden continued on and Ahri followed close after.
They finally reached the front of the warden's decrepit abode. The front of the ruined castle loomed high over their heads. The front door however, was still in rather good condition. The warden reached for the handle and slowly opened the large wooden door, revealing an empty room with debris cleanly lined at the sides. A grand staircase was visible near the entrance and a narrow path lead to a door leading to the basement. The kumiho slowly walked through the room, examining the broken windows and destroyed paintings that lined the walls. She knelt down to wipe away some dust, revealing many pieces of a tattered rug. She got back on her feet and scampered to one of the large windows to the right of the entrance. Clearing away some broken glass, she climbed onto the window sill and stared out at the lush scenery set alight by the crescent moon.
"My apologizes for the mess Vixen. Twas all I could muster before your arrival..."The warden stated with a tinge a regret in his voice. Upon hearing this the kumiho dropped down from the window and gave him a light shove.
"So you cleaned this place up just for me?" The warden turned sideways and gave a slow nod. Looking back slightly, he could see that the kumiho had a huge grin on her face. Thresh smile back only slightly as his sheer embarrassment was causing all sorts of knots to well up in his chest. He approach the staircase and bid Ahri to follow him.
"The supports are not strong enough for us to safely explore the second floor." Hearing this, the kumiho's ears drooped slightly in disappointment. "But, there is one area that I did manage to reinforce." The kumiho's mood immediately turned positive once more as she followed the warden up the marble steps.
There were no lanterns or candles within the upper part of the warden's home. The only thing lighting their way was the warden himself, and the fragmented rays of moonlight that crept in the crack on the walls. Once at the top of the stairs, the duo walked forward and were met with an extremely ornate gilded mahogany door.
"Wow..." Was all the kumiho could say as the warden proceeded to open the door. Ahri's jaw dropped.
"This, dear Vixen, is the grand ball room." It was an immaculate circular room flaunting an enormous silver chandelier completely light with a myriad of white candles. The black marble floor reflected the white granite ceiling and the many white ionic columns holding it up. Though the piece de résistance had to be the large glass doors at the far end, which gave any onlooker a gorgeous view of the moon. "Unfortunately, all this is but an illusion...But this is how this room originally looked thanks to spell. It will stay this way for an hour...Or at least it should. How do you like it Vixen? ...Vixen?" The warden looked around trying to find his fox when he heard her running footsteps going towards the glass doors.
Thresh followed the kumiho and chuckled at the sight before him. With one leg on the door and her arms at the handle, the kumiho tried with all her might to open the doors.
"Hmph, you gonna help a girl out or keep laughing at me?" She said with a smile. Thresh moved her gently out of the way and seamlessly opened the doors. "How did you-!?"
"It was a push." Feeling somewhat stupid Ahri rushed passed Thresh and leaned over the balcony. The warden accompanied her in her moongazing.
"It's so beautiful..." Awe laced every word she said as her eyes reflected the stars. ...Not as beautiful as you are my dear...Ahri felt Thresh grab her hand. "Huh, what is it Thresh?" The warden said nothing as he led her back into the ballroom. Once they were at the rooms center, the warden snapped his fingers and all the candles went out. Instead of engulfing th room in darkness, the light of the moon reflected off the marble floor, this light refracted on the chandelier, giving the room a light blue glow. Ahri gawked for a few seconds and was left speechless. "Wow...Thresh...what's all this for?"
"There's something that I haven't been able to do for a quarter of a century..." With another snap of his fingers, a ghostly apparition appeared at the far right corner of the room, along with an ethereal piano. After a few seconds, the ghost began to play a stirring rendition of Canon in D major. "Would you honor me with a dance, dear Vixen." Ahri's attention was still on the ghost that appeared randomly.
"Thresh how did you-?" The warden reached around Ahri's waist and brung her other hand up, making her look him in the eye.
"Vixen..." Thresh took her small smile as a silent agreement and let the music guide his feet. The warden led and proceeded to glide them both around the expanse of the room. Ahri matched every step he took with her own movements. After a few minutes of twirling and lifting the kumiho off her feet, she rested her head on the warden's chest as they slowed themselves with the song's outro. Once the song ended the ghost and his instrument dissipated, but the warden and kumiho stayed in their embrace for a few more moments. Ahri was the first to break the silence as she lifted her head to face the warden. Thresh looked down at her with a smile that she returned.
"So you haven't danced in a while huh?"
"No I have not."
"So...how was I?" Thresh let go of her frame and gave her a deep bow. He then took her hand and kissed it.
"You were nothing short of amazing my dear. I thank you." Ahri laughed at his politeness and then ran off to the area the ghost had been. The warden let out a small sigh as he watched the fox attempt to cure her curiosity. ...That's it I assume...I've done all I can and still nothing. Oh Vixen...what does it take for you to notice-
"Thresh?" Knocked out of his thoughts, Thresh accompanied Ahri at the ballroom's entrance.
"Yes my dear?"
"Well first and foremost, Your place rocks! I mean, besides nearly getting eaten by zombies the first time I was here, I never knew how pretty of a place the Isles could be. I thought it was just a desolate wasteland filled with monsters and and junk."
"Oh, but two other islands are in essence naught but wastelands."
"Gah Thresh! Always so literal." She shoved him slightly and continued. "I just mean that, you opened my eyes today. And y'know... maybe you could help me see the world a bit differently. We could be each other's shrinks y'know. What do ya say?"
"I have no qualms against the idea."
"Great, now I have one more request for you."
"Anything, my dear."
"I want you to show me how you take people's souls. Torture and all." This was exactly what the warden did not want to hear.
"As you wish..." The warden said heavily. "But may I ask why?"
"I'm curious. I really want to see the type of rush you get while doing it. If what you do really kept your soul in the realm of the living...I want to see whats so special about it." The warden stared intently at the kumiho for a few seconds before starting down the stairs without saying a word. Ahri started to follow after him and saw the illusionary magic fade from the ballroom, revealing a ragged ceiling and broken floor. Ahri pouted slightly and continued following the warden down the stairs.
Returning to the entryway, the duo walk down the narrow path lined with debris. Opening a small door, the warden led the kumiho down the many steps to the dungeons. They walked a little further and arrived at the warden's torture chamber. Ahri reached for the door handle but Thresh immediately grabbed her had and had a stern look on his face.
"Vixen, I need you to listen, very carefully." Ahri nodded. "Do not, I repeat, DO NOT move from where I will place you, otherwise, your own soul may be at risk. Do not attempt to reach out to my charge. Their soul is already damned, do such a thing would do naught but endanger your life. And last but not least. If you cannot handle what you see, remain calm and alert me. Do not attempt to leave, the doors will be bound. Do you understand all this?" Ahri nodded once more. "Do you still want to go through with this?"
"Yes..." Ahri said a little shaky, but her eyes showed resolve. The warden slowly opened the door revealing his torture instruments and devilish machinations. He moved the kumiho to an empty corner of the room where a cushioned chair wait for her.
"Remember my dear, do not move from this spot. This is your last chance to leave." Ahri remained silent which led the warden to believe that she was resolute in her decision.
The warden turned and walked towards a black coffin at the other side of the room. He opened it and a man in a tuxedo ran out at high speed. He tried opening the door to no avail and his eye were soon fixated on Ahri. He started running towards her when the warden grabbed him by the throat.
"You dare attempt to touch my Vixen!?" The warden growled lifting the man up in the air. Face turning slightly blue, the man turned his head to Ahri.
"Ha-ha-...Help...m-m-meeee. Gahk!" The man attempted to choke out. Ahri stared wide eyed at the scene, fear causing her to grip her legs toward her chest.
"And you dare speak to her!? You disgusting whelp! And I was going to make your death quick. Prepare to pay for your callous actions!." The warden slammed the man on a table with such force that the cracking of his spine resonated through the room. Ethereal chains wrapped around the man's body and the warden proceeded to grab the man's head and the base of his neck. He then started to twist ever so slowly on the man's head area. The man's screams and coughs enticed the warden further, causing him to return his neck back to the proper position, just to be twisted again. The flames within the warden's skull raged freverently and manic laughter echoed with every twist of flesh. Hands on the wall, feet planted on the ground, and cold sweat plastered on her face. The kumiho was frozen in place but something was amiss. Her eyes were half closed and a green glow could be seen coming from her chest.
The man's head was soon on the floor. Blood was still flowing from his body. The warden had removed his hand from the man's chest, soul in hand. Placing it into his lantern the warden then turned his attention to the kumiho, and his eyes grew wide.
"AHRI!" The kumiho was on the ground, her soul floating a few feet above her body and with every passing second, started floating further and further away. Thresh removed his gauntlets and reached for her soul. He gently examined it to make sure it was still in one piece. Once he was sure it was alright he reached for her body. He slowly placed the green orb above her chest and gently pushed it back into her person. After a few moments, Ahri gasped for air, though her eyes remained closed. Her breathing returned to normal and this assured that her soul had properly returned to its host. ...Well this is just grand...
~.~
The warden was carrying an unconscious kumiho through the forest once again towards the portal. Such an occurrence was becoming all to routine. ...How am I going to explain all this...I should have watched her closer...Her soul was nearly...No...The room was bound, it wouldn't escape...but if she entered my lantern...I could never forgive myself for putting her though a pain such as that...The warden gazed down Ahri with a heavy expression. ...I'm so sorry my dear...
"Mmmm..." Ahri slowly opened her eyes a saw she was facing the night sky. She was slightly confused about her current position and wondered why she was being carried. As she moved her gaze over she became mortified. She didn't know who, or what was carrying her, but she was scared, and she need to get away...fast. Thresh noticed the kumiho had stirred and smiled down at her.
"Ah how are you my dear?"
"...ster" Aher said at just above a whisper, with her lips shaking.
"I'm sorry Vixen, I didn't catch that. What did you-?"
"LET GO OF ME YOU MONSTER!" Ahri thrust herself away from the warden and ran in a random direction into the forest. ...Monster?
"Vixen stop!" Thresh ran after her and as soon as Ahri heard his footsteps she turned with tears in her eyes. To Ahri, she was being chased by a being of pure terror, her surroundings meant nothing, and her thoughts were clouded.
"STAY AWAY!" She conjured her orb and threw it at the warden. He managed to dodge it but was stopped in his tracks by the tendrils slowly sapping his strength. Ahri collapsed a few feet away from him due to a lack of energy and her orb disappeared. Slowly regaining his strength, Thresh conjured his lantern and absorbed a few souls. Once he could stand, he slowly approached the kumiho. Hearing his approach Ahri attempted to craw towards a glowing bush, but Thresh grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Her orb was conjured once again, but it didn;t have nearly as much power as it did before, as such, the warden was still able to hold her in place. "P-p-please...get away from me..." The kumiho was blubbering at this point, tears staining her cheeks.
"Vixen...You are under the influence of the field I use to bind my charges...Your thoughts are not your own. Break free of them." The sobbing and pleas for freedom didn't stop. Thresh then took off his gauntlets and placed both hands on the kumiho's face, thus looking her in the eye. "Vixen...I may be a monster...But I am also your friend...am I not?" Something switched on in the fox's head. As she continued looking at the warden, the terrifying image began to melt away and all she saw, was the warden staring back at her.
~.~
The warden approached Ahri's dorm room with the kumiho in his arms. After lowering her slightly to open the door he entered and helped her to the bed. He went to the kitchen to get her some water and returned to find her in her pajamas and under the covers.
"Here you are, my dear."
"Thanks..." She took the glass and placed it on the side table. Thresh started to remove his boots when Ahri grabbed his arm.
"Yes Vixen?"
"...Um...I want to be by myself for a bit." The warden understood and proceeded to the main room.
"Of course Vixen. Call me when you need me."
"Actually...I mean...I don't really want you here tonight...for a few nights actually..." Now this struck a nerve in the warden.
"Vixen, I have already told you the circumstances in the situation that happened. I have also apologized for my negligence. I shall make it up to you. Tomorrow we shall go shopping and have dinner at any eatery you please. Also I would be more than happy to try this 'karaoke' you spoke of on Tuesday. Ah yes, we can also-"
"Thresh...I just need some time to...'recover' I guess." The warden grew silent.
"Vixen...I would never willingly harm you. You must understand-"
"Thresh!" Ahri yelled getting impatient. "I get it, you're sorry just...gimme some time." Thresh opened his mouth once more, only to be stopped. "Just please...leave." Without saying another word Thresh gave her a small bow and left her dorm. Thresh looked at her door for a few seconds before walking down the hall. At the end of the hall he began walking up the staircase but stopped half way. He slammed his arm against the wall and cast his gaze to the ground.
I truly am a monster...there is no doubt about that. But to have her say that to me...why does it..Why does it hurt me so...Vixen...I am truly sorry...
So yea...stuff happened uhm...thanks for reading :D Not really much to say besides the fact that I'm happy I got this out this week~ I hope ya'll enjoyed~ Tell me some champ interactions, it makes my life a bit easier~ Stay squishy.