The pebbles along the path

by Ethereal311

After two and a half millennia of imprisonment, Xerath breaks free from his supposed tomb. The world has changed significantly since he was first incarcerated and there is more to this world than meets the eye. This is a small part of his story to power and the stories of those who stand both with and against him. Rated T for violence, mature themes and innuendo.

11. Chapter 11: The Inside and the Outside

Chapter 11: The Inside and the Outside.

The bright Shuriman sun blazed in the cloudless sky.

Irritating, yet nostalgic. His earliest memories were of the same sun radiating down upon him.

But that was so long ago, and he did not enjoy dwelling on the past beyond what he deemed necessary.

The heavy canvas had been removed off of him, revealing his crystalline body to the world. The air crackled between his claw-like hands, with each sapphire finger ending with an impossibly sharp blade-like edge.

"My Lord, you may lie down again, we have still have a long way ahead."

The girl, Azel he believed she was called, was looking at him. Her face was staring him down with those azure pupils that might puncture stone if she wished so. She showed no evidence of fear of his form, but Xerath knew it was in her mind somewhere that what lay before her was a being who had obliterated her home country many lifetimes ago.

"I am fine, my dear. I have waited millennia to look upon this land once more. I do not wish to be denied such an incredible sight, provided there is a reason not to such as the protection of me and those I wish protected."

Azel showed confusion at his statement, quickly dismissing inquiry into what it meant.

"Might I ask this of you, Azel?" Xerath inquired.

"What is it you wish of me, my Lord?"

"Both Ezreal and Sivir are from this Institute of War, but I have not heard where you come from. Might I ask why you and I are on the same journey?"

"I am here to assist you, my Lord."

"Then why are you assisting me?"

"I think I can explain that." Ezreal shouted over the half-track's loud engine.

"Pray tell then."

"It was an agreement between Azel's father and I, that I would get Azel to the safety of the Institute."

"What do you mean by the 'safety' of the Institute?"

"Shurima has been split into two states, the Belhorashur or the Inner Shuriman Desert, and the Murakishur, the Outer Shuriman Desert. Belhorashur is home to all manner of strategic resources that solidify it as a major supplier to most if not all of Valoran, but then we have Murakishur who control the Outer Desert and thus all trade routes leading in and out of Shurima. If Belhorashur acquires its own secure trade route out of Shurima then it would become a major economic entity, something the Murakishurians do not want and would rather have to themselves. Now there are differences in culture as a result of the relative seclusion of Belhorashur and the more open Murakishur. Decades ago Shurima, as a country, committed many humanitarian crimes that were noticed by the international community. Murakishur, on the outer rim, was more influenced by differing opinion and changed its ways to becoming a fairer state. As Belhorashur is in the Inner Desert, it had significantly less pressure to change its ways, leading to an ethical division between the two nations. Those two factors alone create significant political tension, but if Belhorashur were to establish a secure trading route then that would lead to better deals on materials, meaning that the deals for Belhorashur's trading partners would be significantly better. As businessmen run the world, the whole issue with Belhorashur is pretty much ignored because of the benefits that they would gain from Belhorashur winning this trade war.-"

The half-track almost veered off into a sand bank, only stopped by Sivir's scream.

"DAMN IT EZ! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!"

"But there is no-"

"I KNOW! J-Just keep driving and stop going on and on with your stupid knowledge sh*t, its doing my head in."

"You did wander off from the topic quite a bit there Ezreal," Xerath stated "Returning back, Belhorashur and Murakishur are opposing states, but why is Azel here?"

"Her father, Nrazin, is or was, the Worship Master of the Thunder Disciples, your followers."

"Ah yes, I know of this 'Nrazin'. He was my first contact with the outside world. Wait a minute, what do you mean was?"

"Just going onto that, okay so the Thunder Disciples were taken into custody after a strike during their prayer session that would have welcomed you back into the world. I talked with Nrazin after the attack and it turned out that them being taken into custody was just to wait for Sivir and I to get out of the city. They would most likely kill the remaining Disciples after that, when no representative of the Institute was there to witness the slaughter of them. Nrazin begged me to take Azel, so that she could serve you and still live. I-I find it hard to turn down the wish of a dying man."

"I see."

Silence followed. Xerath knew not how he felt sadness inside him, but it was there. It was definitely there.

After another hour of naught but desert, the stone arches heralding the entrance to the city of Uesel appeared on the horizon.

"About damn time." Ezreal exclaimed. "I can finally get some damn rest. This bucket of bolts is almost out of juice as well."

A procession came out to greet them, composing of a group of horsemen and a figure riding a barded camel.

"Ezreal! It has been a long time indeed."

"Same to you, Malzahar."

The horses circled the half-track, flanking the vehicle and escorting it through the stone arches ahead.