I am so sorry for the lack of updates! Life has been hectic, but I return with a fresh new chapter~ Hope you guys enjoy it!
Sleeping past waking time, the comfort the room provided was enough to allow her peaceful slumber until a knock would be heard coming from the door. Slowly sitting up as time was unmanageable within the room, she rubbed her eyes as she opened the door to no one but John.
"You're late and you completely missed the meeting you were arranged to attend" he spat at her.
"...what time is it?" she yawned, a clear indication she was still recovering from her groggy state.
"It's past noon...you've been asleep for practically a day" spoke John.
Standing at the door with a blank stare, the moment she realized her first day was already a waste, she grasped her hair and sunk onto the floor.
"...you've GOT to be kidding me..." she stood up to plea to John "You've got to tell me what happened!".
One moment, when did she ever beg for such a petty thing? One night of complete peace had changed her for the better, but in her case – for the worse.
"Tch, as if I would aid the likes of you" he emphasized before walking off.
Just like that, the peace which had surrounded her was sapped momentarily before she dressed in the formal robes of the summoners and collected her belongings before storming off after John, only to find herself lost within the halls of the Institute. The halls were relatively empty – perhaps this was the wrong way. Further down the hall a pair of oil burning fires could be seen, leading her to a spiraled staircase and at last an old wooden door with no lock. Reaching out to push it in, her hands barely grazed the wooden frame before someone called out to her.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? You're not supposed to be here" spoke a hooded summoner whose face remained concealed.
This was a distinguishing summoner. His robes were a few shades darker than her own, embed in golden lace and leather accessories. In his hand he held a thick hard covered book as it was shut the moment his attention turned to her.
"Oh, I seem to be lost...its my first day" was her response.
"Didn't Maik heed you from coming here?" he spoke rather irritated to be guiding another newbie summoner.
"Not exactly...no" said Shiva.
"You're in the wrong hall. Low summoners such as yourself aren't allowed in these halls, they are restricted for Maik and high summoners only" he explained. "Allow me to return you to the West Wing".
The summoner approached her and examined her as he guided her back upstairs. Leading her down the hall, his hand flicked a wall further down as it shifted to create a passage leading to a grand room full of all types of summoners alike. Constructed of stone and decorated with various statues, plant life and resting areas for weary summoners, the hooded summoner gave her a small push.
"You are free to roam anywhere but the East Wing...know this young summoner, if you wish to remain within these walls" he provided a little insight with a hint of scolding before darting off.
The wall behind her had returned to its dormant state as she was forced to blend into the crowd. Holding her head high as she slowly wandered about the grand East Wing. Summoners interacted with each other to exchange information over their knowledge on certain champions, others practiced the magic they harnessed upon earning the title of a full fledged summoner and others relaxed under the shade of a tree. The Institute had a pleasant vibe to it, something she hadn't felt in a long while. Champions roamed these corners, albeit only a handful as they communicated with the summoners they were fond of, a bond of sorts. None she'd know of so far. Trailing further down to a convenient directory placed in the middle of the hall, arrows pointed to the general direction as to where the champion's dorms resided within The Institute. Wasting no time in following the unmistakeable path out of the East Wing and into the Champion's dorms, it was a completely different section of the Institute in which the halls remained empty yet again – mainly due to Champions dealing with personal life affairs of sort, not all of them were able to reside within these walls at all times. No plaques or names were written on the doors, only numbers ranging from single to triple digits. Quietly strolling down the seemingly endless halls, one of the doors creaked open as she cautiously walked over to it. No light emitted from the room, already arising her suspicion as she attempted to steer clear, but something called out to her and forced her to step into the lifeless room. To no surprise the door slammed shut behind her as a familiar green aura brought an eerie light to the room.
"I'm glad you got my invitation" spoke a ghastly voice before the visage of the Warden stepped past her to sit on a furnished chair with matching desk. "I was beginning to worry you'd never show~".
His appearance was human, as it has been for quite some time to her. To the others his intimidating ghastly figure may have reflected upon their eyes, but to her – the Warden was just another sadistic being who walked this realm. It wasn't coincidence that she found herself roaming these halls without reason, the Warden was beginning to truly pull the invisible strings between them – strings she created.
"No one is to see us together, ever. Know this, child...for your role here is far too important to take any risks. Speaking of...I have a task for you which you will complete by the end of the day..." he spoke as he leaned into the desk, elbows bent with a sinister grin smacked across his face. "There is a summoner I've taken quite the interest in. I'm sure he'll come to you as no problem with your...stature within the Institute. Oh how he loves to help the pitiful summoners~ I need you to bring him to me, and with this signed".
A single sheet of paper would be handed to her. From the looks of it, it displayed as a standard contract issued by the Institute. Examining the paper, it was a simple summoning request to be signed by the summoner, she saw no flaw in it.
"...what's this?" she asked.
"A contract. Ah, but not just any contract~" he stood from his seat to approach her and flick his hand over the paper, transforming it into a completely different imprinted sheet.
Reading it over, it was no longer a summoning request, but a declaration to surrender ones soul to none other but the Warden.
"Summoners are so tedious. Even if their soul drops, I am unable to collect it for I am bound by rules...but this, this little piece of paper negates it and allows me to harvest their very essence" his voice growled with excitement. "Now, how suspicious would summoners be if I handed them such a thing~? That, my dear, is where -you- come in...".
The pieces were aligned, she'd be doing his dirty work as he was well aware of the rules within the Institute. Summoners rarely left, and even then only high summoners were allowed to for council meetings. He's been planning this for quite some time – the contract had been written elaborately and fool proof from what she could muster.
"...who am I to bring you.." she stated softly.
"Good girl~ How subservient of you" he lifted her chin up to meet her gaze. "His name is Jack. He normally resides within the summoning chamber, always spectating and tutoring the lowly summoners such as yourself...you should have no trouble bringing him to me".
"...of course" she responded.
"Good, now off with you. I have other matters to deal with before you arrive with our beloved guest" said Thresh before turning his back to her and dismissing her.
Lowering her gaze as every ounce of peace had been sapped completely, not a word was spoken before turning to leave his apparent dorm and heading into the East Wing to stare at the directory. The library was on the opposite end of the hall, leaving her to sigh as the paper felt like a complete burden to her. Letting out a soft sigh as she approached the doors to the massive library, there was little activity inside and it was almost instantaneous to spot the more than obvious Summoner Jack. Slowly approaching the male, he was focused on the archived papers in front of him that he nearly missed her approach. He was quite handsome with those bright emerald eyes and oddly colored red layered hair reaching down to his shoulders. Wearing the traditional robes, slightly more intricate designs were added to declare he was no lowly summoner. Gazing up at her with a smile, the male seemed kind enough as he greeted her.
"Good evening, miss-?" he awaited a response.
"...Natsume" she responded with a fake name.
"How may I help you this fine evening, Miss Natsume?" he offered his services.
"I've been entrusted to deliver and escort you to this" she presented the paper to him.
Jack read the paper thoroughly and nodded as he stuffed his belongings into his robe and smiled warmly at her.
"I suppose I should get this out of the way then. Do you happen to know where the Warden resides? I'm afraid you may have to wait outside, for the Warden is a devious champion not meant to interact with summoners of your rank" he spoke before chuckling softly and walking beside her down the hall and to the East Wing.
As if luck had abandoned her then and there, the first visual her eyes laid upon were Ezreal and Lux approaching a group of summoners who had called them over for a questionnaire. Attempting to hide herself at an angle in front of Jack, the moment her eyes turned to gaze at Ezreal, their eyes met if only briefly before they returned to the others. Her heart raced, why did she continue to carry feelings for the explorer? Lost in thought as Jack attempted to return her to reality with a slight nudge, Shiva shook her head and rubbed her temples to apologize for her silence.
"Forgive me, just trying to remember all these new spells they gave us. I'm terrible at them..." another lie would be spoken.
"If you wish, I could tutor you in the arts, its quite simple" Jack attempted to console her. "I myself had trouble when I first joined, but within time it just came natural".
Already the male spoke of his personal life, yet they neared the Warden's dorm. Jack prevented her from taking another step further, signaling her to remain in her place as he cautiously entered the Warden's dorm. Just as he entered the door slammed behind him as not a single sound would be heard. She knew what was going on, yet decided to remain waiting outside until the door finally opened just a few moments later. Stepping inside as the body had disappeared, leaving only remnants of the belongings he once carried scattered on the floor. The Warden had a smug look on his features, remaining attentive of his instrument of harvesting before turning his attention to her.
"You sure were quick. But you're only digging yourself deeper by raising my expectations high for you...not only will I ask for more than just a summoner every other day, but I will gradually increase the ranks...so you best prepare yourself" he spoke calmly before approaching her and lifting her chin up once more. "Although, if you can keep up with my demands, I will see that you are awarded fittingly...".
He knew what she would ask for, and he still hadn't kept to his promise. Simply nodding to him, he released her as he walked back to his chair to sit in comfortably.
"Learn the arts to become a full fledged summoner. You can't possibly think your wretched status will lure in the bigger fish now do you? Go, you're wasting my time..." he dismissed her once more.
Obliging to his command as she stepped out, foot steps would be heard coming down the hall as the figure soon revealed itself to be John who so happened to stroll these halls often. Peering over at her, he bothered not to engage in a conversation and simply walked past her without a word. Furrowing her brows at him as she scoffed to herself, she'd make her way back to her own dorm, the thought of sacrificing such a kind-hearted summoner to the Warden rolled about her thoughts. Maintaining her head lowered as she sulked her way to her room, her robes were removed to lay herself on the bed and attempt to remove further thoughts over today's event – after all, this would be the first of many.