Author's Note:
So this chapter should hopefully be a long one as I haven't written a chapter in over a month
Also a shout out to Kitmarlowe (if you're still reading this), she's offered me some great insight to improving my writing
(On a side note, I got platinum!)
Chapter 11:
The sun was blazing down on us, it made it difficult to see ahead in the blistering heat but I could just make the outline of a village.
"There's a village up ahead Ethan." I called out to him.
"It's long abandoned Seth."
"Oh."
Never mind, at least we have camping gear.
Upon approaching the village I could see why Ethan had said it was abandoned, the palisade that surrounded the village had been burnt down, nothing but ashes and wood chips remained. The buildings located inside the village itself were charred, as black as the night sky. We cautiously entered the village, in the centre of the village was a well.
"Do you think there's water in there?" I asked.
Ethan just shrugged, he leant over the edge.
"Clairvoyance!" he shouted, a bright light shot from his palm and flew down the hole. It travelled a short distance, no water was at the bottom but something solid was blocking the way. Diana gasped, leaning away from the well and upheaving the contents of her stomach. Upon closer inspection I realised that there were bodies at the bottom of the well. Their wet and rotting corpses piled up.
"How long have they been here for?" I coughed, the smell of death invading my senses.
"Too long." Ethan said, he turned back to the carriage and climbed back on top. The smell of death wafted up the shaft of the well, saying a short prayer I cast my hand over the entrance.
"Ignite" I turned just as the ball of fire plummeted down, igniting the corpses and incinerating them almost instantaneously, the only respectful thing I could do for them.
The rest of the villages we passed had suffered a similar fate, their black, charred walls hiding nothing but the cold embrace of death. Through each village we passed the signs of life sprung back, flowers begun to grow beneath the ashes, water filled the war-torn soil with life again. And soon we reached a clearing, the final stretch of land that gave way to Mount Targon.
"We'll camp here for the night" Ethan shouted, jumping down off the wooden carriage and tying the oxen to a tree. I stepped out of the carriage lightly, careful to avoid snagging my robe on any debris. I held my hand out for Diana, she clasped it firmly. Pulling herself out of the seat and sliding down to the ground with a thud. I gave her a weak smile, the best I could muster. Her skin was pale and the images of the dead haunted her eyes. Riven came next, her hand was shaking. She had seen firsthand the terror of the Noxian war machines, the memories flooding back to her. I had to catch her with my other hand as she nearly tripped on the last step.
Before long night had begun to set across the land, the crackling of the campfire cut through the void of silence like gunfire. I looked up through the canopy of trees, their leaves waving with the wind. The night sky hidden just behind them as the stars shone through the gaps.
Around the fire the group had huddled, Diana had opted to rest against me, her head on my chest as she rested soundly. Leona and Pantheon had huddled together underneath a golden blanket, it seemed alive as the fire reflected off it, seemingly shimmering. Ethan and Leticia, the two summoners were already asleep, dozing off in their conjured up sleeping bags. The last two members of the group were sitting around, Riven, had taken a meditative stance, sitting with her legs crossed, sword across her lap in a serene way, her white bangs waving with the air current. Rengar was the opposite, sharpening his knife with a whetstone, the skin of rabbit just beside him from the previous meal.
"Get some rest Rengar" I whispered. His good eye shot up, looking at me. He gave a gruff grunt of acknowledgement but did not seem to move. I sighed, lifting Diana in my arms, her silver wisps of hair sliding across her forehead. I moved it back into place, hefting her into a more comfortable place before carrying her to the tent. I looked back at Rengar, gesturing towards Diana, he nodded his head back, stretching his long legs and taking up a perimeter around the camp.
Settling into the tent, Diana just next to me I had begun to drift off to sleep had a giggling sound not woken me up. Lifting one eye revealed a white furry creäture floating above my head, I reached up to grab it only to realise that my hand was being held down. Looking towards the source of the white fluff I could see golden orbs gazing back at me. Before I could shout for help Ahri's hand shot out of the darkness, clamping around my mouth and smothering my words.
"Shh!" She whispered intensely, wagging her finger and pointing at Diana.
"We wouldn't want to wake her up now would we?"
"Muumuu- mumummu-"I mumbled into her hand.
Ahri giggled, removing her hand from my mouth and wiping it on her dress.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to free my hands from underneath her weight.
"I'm here to warn you silly" she said, cupping my cheek with her hand.
"Warn me about what?" I asked, moving my face away from her hand.
She giggled at me, looking over at Diana.
"Who do you think?" She said.
"What do you know about him?"
"Well, he's a manipulative, lying bastard. Oh, and he's obsessed with you and your little sister."
"Do you know why he's obsessed with us?"
Ahri tilted her head in thought,
"Not really, it's kind of creepy actually" she replied.
"Can you get off me?" I asked.
"Hmmm, Ok!" she said.
"Goodnight Seth" she whispered, kissing me on the cheek before escaping out the tent flap.
I lay back against the ground groaning. Before long my eyes started to droop, the travel from the day catching up to me. I turned onto my side, noticing Diana shivering in her sleep I pulled her over to me, hugging her close to my body. The last thing I could hear before falling asleep was the resonating sound of her heartbeat lulling me to sleep.
The next morning when I awoke Diana was still soundly asleep in front of me, I could see her messy silver hair cascading down her back. It must take her a while to get it like I usually see it.
Carefully removing my arm from around her waist I made my way outside the tent, it was still early and the morning dew covered the grass in a light layer. Brushing down my clothes I head over to the campfire to see Leona already awake, starting the fire up.
"Hey Leona" I said, sitting down across the fire from her. She glanced up and smiled at me, returning to the fire. She huffed and threw the stick she had held behind her, instead reaching for her sword.
"Uh, let me" I said. She gave me a tired but grateful look. I grabbed a few sticks off the ground, making a small hut. Walking over to the carriage I got the flint and steel I'd packed in one of the bags out and walked back over. Leona groaned when she saw it and I chuckled back. Sparking the small tinder alight I blew into it, placing it into the main fireplace and shifting the logs around.
"Seth." I heard, a male voice. Turning around I could see Ethan, gesturing for me to move. I shifted back into my seat and looked at him just in time for a ball of fire to shoot past my head, collide with the fireplace and set it alight.
"Really"
"I need my morning coffee" he said, placing the tea kettle inside the fire.
I looked over at Leona for back up but she merely gave a shrug and yawned.
An hour later Ethan had gotten his coffee and taken up his place on top of the carriage, enjoying the view.
"So Leona." I said.
"Yes Seth?"
"I'm not entirely sure how to phrase this but, why do you hate Diana?" I asked, not wanting to upset her.
She looked up at the rising sun, twiddling her thumbs.
"I… I don't actually hate Diana." She said.
"Uh… What?" I asked, stroking my chin.
"She and I aren't all that different." She whispered.
"How so?"
"Well…"
Mount Targon, 18 years earlier.
"Hit back Leona!" Thorgan yelled, cuffing Leona over the back of the head.
"No." she said, using her makeshift buckler to block the approaching sword.
Her opponent was a young Rakkorian, his chest exposed, beads of sweat dripping down as he breathed heavily, taking another swing at Leona.
"You're never going to pass the trials if you don't fight back!" He yelled, spittle flying out of his mouth.
"I don't want to fight" she yelled, straining under the effort of her opponents weight as the sword bore down on her shield yet again. She cast her shield to the side, throwing her opponents weight off and slamming her sword into the ground, closing her eyes.
"Why do you defend her!" she heard her opponent yell among the clash of swords. Opening her eyes she could see her mentor's sword in line with her eyes, blocking the decapitating blow that her opponent had tried to strike her with.
"That's enough for today." Thorgan said, disarming the young man and tripping him. He extended an arm down to him, a gesture of good will. The Rakkorian slapped his hand out of the air, pushing himself off the ground and spitting on the ground.
"Despicable" he muttered, walking off.
"You're not going to survive the Rite of Kor unless you fight." Thorgan muttered, looking back at Leona as she twirled her auburn mane around her finger.
"I will not kill Thorgan." She said, casting her eyes to the ground.
"This isn't your choice Leona, its life or death. You or him." He whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I know Thorgan… I know."
"The trials are tomorrow Leona. You need to make a choice, I will not able to defend you in there." He said, walking past her and towards the arena.
The next day
"The first duel will be.."
Leona wiped the sweat that had collected on her forehead despite the cold winds that nipped at her exposed skin through the battle regalia.
"Pantheon and Uxkhal"
Leona already knew that Pantheon would win, he was by far the strongest in the group of male Rakkorians whilst Uxkhal was on the other end of the spectrum.
As the contestants entered the arena the tribesmen beat swords and spears on shields, chanting in ecstasy for the event
With the loud booming of a horn the fight began, Uxkhal leapt back, just in time to dodge a jab from Pantheon's spear. But alas, it was already too late for Uxkhal as Pantheon swung his shield forward, it collided with his Uxkhal's jaw with such a force that it dislocated, throwing him sideward.
Leona cringed as Pantheon thrust his spear into his opponents gut, ending the battle as he pushed the body off with his foot.
Only one out of the next three battles had gone for longer than 20 seconds, two girls had died already. One of them a close friend to Leona.
"Next battle is Leona and Molik."
(This next part is almost entirely taken from Riot's judgement lore)
Leona froze up at the mention of her name, the icy winds blowing over.
Entering the arena she could see her opponent, Molik, a close friend of hers but unfortunately very inexperienced fighter. His normally goofy smile replaced instead by a look of pure determination. Leona shifted the buckler in her hand, and hefting the sword in her other.
The horn blew behind her as Molik leapt forward with his spear, aiming for her heart. She easily avoided the blow, kicking him hard in the shins. He yelped as he fell to his other knee, bringing the shield around in an arc in a futile attempt to knock Leona over. However, she was far too fast, she crushed the end of his spear and ducked under his attack, hitting him hard in the ribs with the flat of her blade. He collapsed forward, sobbing uncontrollably, his parents looked on in shame, whilst hers stood quietly.
Her sword was level with his face, but instead of ending the battle she threw her sword and shield towards the elder Jagen.
"End it." He said, gesturing at the sword.
Leona locked eyes with him,
"No."
Jagen looked to his side, waving Pantheon forward. He leapt off of the stage, landing beside Leona.
"You need to finish it Leona." Pantheon whispered in her ear, the only warning she would get.
"I won't."
Before long the spearmen had surrounded her. She was unarmed, defenseless
"You know very well what happens when you disagree Leona." Jagen said.
He waved his hand at the spearmen, gesturing at them to end it. Leona lolled her head back, looking up at the distant sun, feeling the vague warmth of it as it struck through the icy winds.
And then a blinding light struck her.
"What happened next?" I asked.
She looked up at me, gazing into my eyes.
"Well the Solarian's watching the fights proclaimed me as Solarian Champion and hurried me away to the mountain peak when they saw the spearmen unconscious around me.
"Ok…"
"The reason I told you that Seth, was that the only difference in what happened to me and Diana is that I became a champion. She was deemed a heretic and still is to this day, not only to protect my reputation as champion of the sun but also my people. I have to hate her."
Before I could say anything else I heard a loud yawn behind me, looking back I could see Diana exiting the tent and walking over. I looked back over at Leona to see she had dozed back off, her head lolling to the side.
"Hey Seth" Diana said, wrapping her arms around my neck, I turned my head and kissed her on the cheek.
"Hey Diana"
She sat on the log next to me, hooking her arm around mine and laying her head on my shoulder.
It wasn't long before we were interrupted, Leticia woke up shortly after Diana and suggested we get moving.
"That reminds me, where is Rengar?" I asked, looking around to find him missing.
"He said something about hunting." Leona said, stirring from her sleep.
As the fire died down we gradually made our way to the carriage, I sat on the roof with Diana while Leona and the somewhat grumpy Pantheon went inside.
Riven and Rengar came out of the tree line as the carriage started to lurch forward, I couldn't help but laugh as Riven broke into a sprint to catch up.
We were making good speed across the clearing, a distinct dirt path had been laid out so travelling was made a fair bit easier. I looked over at Diana to see she was looking back. I leant forward and laid my forehead on hers, looking deep into her eyes.
"What?" she whispered. I put my finger on her lips, then kissed her. She pushed back, almost urgently. I pushed my hand through her long hair, trailing a finger down her spine which made her shiver. As the carriage went over a slightly bumpy section of the road Diana and I fell back laughing, we looked up at the sky, although it was day time we could still see the fading moon.
"Do you know who he is Seth?" Diana asked, tracing circles on my chest with the tip of her finger.
"I haven't the slightest clue" I responded, pushing some of her hair behind her ear.
It wasn't long before we reached the small town, outside the walls we could see abandoned war machines, they had been dismantled but left there as a reminder.
"Seth" Ethan called out, pulling his hood on.
"Yeah?" I asked, looking up at the guard tower just ahead.
"Give Diana your hood and get her inside the carriage" He said.
I quickly stripped the robe off, Goosebumps rising on my skin as the mountain winds came over me.
"Here" I said, handing the robe over to her. She quickly pulled the robe around herself and I pulled the hood over her head. I opened the hatch on top of the cabin and ushered her inside.
The carriage came to a stop just outside the gates and a few guards came out of the tower, weapons at the ready.
"What is your business here summoner" The guards said, spitting the last word out venomously.
"Our business is our own" he replied.
The door to the carriage swung open and out emerged Pantheon, he stretched his arms above his head and stared at the guards.
"Pantheon!" one of the guards yelled, falling to one knee as a sign of respect, the other one followed.
Ethan snickered, climbing back on top of the front and grabbing hold of the reigns.
"Sorry sir, we didn't know you were with the group" the second guard stammered.
"They are with me" Pantheon grunted gesturing at the carriage.
"Of course." The second guard called.
"Open the gates!"
A few seconds later a third person emerged, looking more regal than the guards he halted the gate.
"Who do you work for you babbling buffoons!"
"You sir." They mumbled standing salute with their spears by their sides.
"Excellent, dismissed!' He yelled as the guards scampered off.
"Now what do we have here, ah yes. A renegade champion with two pathetic summoners in an unregistered vehicle approaching my town?"
Pantheon's hand tightened around his spear, taking a step forward.
The commander merely strode past Pantheon, practically shoving him out-of-the-way
"That's far enough"
The commander looked back to Ethan, a wicked smile across his face.
"I don't think so, open the door." He said, pointing his crooked finger at the cabin.
The door swung open, Leticia stepped outside yawning, she walked, running into the commander's outstretched finger.
"Who is this?" she asked.
"The commander of the walls." I said.
"So it does talk?" he asked, looking up at me.
How dare he! I thought, standing up with my hands clenched into fists.
"Don't" came a muffled voice inside the cabin.
"So there are more!" the command exclaimed, clapping his hands together.
He took a hold of the door with his hand, swinging it open and peering inside. Three cloaked hoods greeted him. He looked to the left, the only one who was facing him.
"And who do we have here" he said, reaching out to touch the hood.
A hand shot out from the other side of the cabin, firmly grasping his outstretched arm as it clasped the rim of the hood.
Leona removed her hood, shoving the commander outside the carriage.
"L-Leona!" He grovelled, falling to his knees and kissing her feet.
"I wasn't aware I was in the presence of such royalty" He managed to get in between kisses.
"You may stop kissing my feet now commander." She said, withdrawing her foot from his grasp.
"S-sorry"
"Can you open the gates now" Leona asked.
"Yes right away!" he yelled, waving at the gate.
It began to lurch open, creaking with ages and weariness. Ethan lifted the reigns up and the oxen started to trot forward. The group walked inside, just behind the carriage as the commander walked beside Leona, talking her ear off.
"Where is the closest inn?" Leona asked.
"Just over the other side of that group of buildings, but the champion of the sun cannot stay in a lousy inn, you must come with me and I will get you suitable accommodation" he pleaded.
"The inn will do just fine"
Finally ridding ourselves of the commander we approached a small cottage like building in the direction that he had pointed us in.
"The lonely pig" Ethan said, reading the sign out the front as it swayed in the mountain breeze.
"Go in ahead of us and rent some rooms" he said to Leticia, handing her a few bills.
"Seth, we need to store the carriage somewhere. I'm going to go find somewhere to do it, get the girls in, Leona and Pantheon come with me" he said, I nodded in return.
"Without the locals noticing Seth" he added, glancing at me over his shoulder.
I took Riven and Diana by their hands, leading them over to the side as we waited for Leticia to return.
"Where is Rengar?" Riven whispered, clinging to my side.
"He never left" I said, gesturing at the air on the other side of the path.
"Good observation summoner" he growled, still invisible.
"Oh" Riven said, waving at him.
The door to the inn swung open and an overly drunken man stepped out, falling flat on his face.
He looked up at us, trying to peek under the hood of Diana.
"Keep moving buddy" I said, pointing down the path.
He picked himself up, and scurried off down the road.
"Do you think he saw me?" Diana asked.
"Hopefully not" I replied
The door pushed open again this time to show Leticia, she had three keys in her hand.
"Why only three keys?" I asked.
"You, Diana and Riven in one, Leona and Pantheon in another and Ethan and I in the last one."
"It's fine Seth" Diana said, taking one of the keys out of Leticia's hand.
We entered the empty Inn, Leticia pointed to some stairs on the other side of the room. Briskly walking through we avoided the drunken men that seemed to litter the floor time to time and ascended the building.
Leticia walked to the third door in the corridor, inserting her key into the lock and twisting it.
"You room is across from mine, and Leona/Pantheon's is just behind you." She said, entering the room and closing the door.
Diana walked to the door, putting the key in and pushing the door open. Inside was two beds, two king sizes with a small bathroom extending off the side. Riven rushed past me, falling backwards on the bed to the left and groaning. I chuckled and sat on the other bed, untying the laces on my boots and lying back as well. Diana shed her cloak, placing it on the rack beside the door and joined me on the bed, laying her head in the nook of my neck.
I crawled up the bed, resting my head on the pillows and closing my eyes. Diana soon joined me, wrapping her arm across my chest. I snuck an eye open and looked over to see Riven already asleep, curled into a ball on the bed.
I closed my eyes again, falling asleep gradually to the sound of the wind against the window.
Thud, thud… thud.
I dreamt of walking through a field of silver grass, the moon shining directly on me. I felt powerful, like magic was flowing through my veins. I looked over at the tree line beside me, a pair of icy blue eyes were looking back. All of sudden I couldn't move, the silver grass around me started to shrivel and die, the tree's wilting as the life was sapped from them.
"What are you?" I yelled at the eyes as they approached through the trees, gradually getting bigger.
"I" it said, It's voice a deep rumbling sound.
The darkness started to fade, the blue eyes receding back into a cloaked figure.
The figure lifted its hands up, pulling the hood back, laughing.
"I am you"
Ending Author Note:
Hot damn that took me a while to write, this was actually 4,000 words in total. It's probably nothing to some of the stories other people write (vOceanic being one) but gets pretty heavy after a while.
I hope you guys enjoy, and whether you've been reading since when I started months back or just starting now I'd really appreciate any form of feedback, whether it's positive or negative, so long as it's constructive. You can either leave a review or send me a PM, I'm committed to becoming a better writer (taking writing courses as well) so that I can write even better stories!
That being said, I'm not forcing you to review, but if you enjoyed the story leave a favourite/follow if you'd like to see more, the next chapter should be out in the next few weeks depending on how I go with schooling commitments.
Cheers.
