A month had passed, since the assault, as the Institute of War grew restless, as did its Champions. With the looming threat of death over the horizon, numerous things changed. There were to be no more battles until the threat was dealt with, no matter the cost.
Renekton frequently trained in the Courtyard, wanting revenge more than ever, even more so than he wanted to see havoc. Above the Courtyard, Nasus and Garen watched the Butcher train, as Garen seemed a bit conflicted.
"All of this is his fault, you know that right Nasus?"
"I'm aware of that, but he didn't cause this alone. We are all to blame, including Willow. He needs support, and I give him it."
"But why should we be pulled into his war? A match was supposed to occur today, between Demacia and Noxus. Now we can't, due to all battles being canceled. Not only that, but there was supposed to be a battle between Zaun and Ionia for territory. It's gone now-"
"Garen, I understand, and I ask that you hold your tongue. We'll fix this, and do what we must to restore balance, even if that means all of those Champions must die. Willow doesn't deserve to be persecuted for something she has no control over."
"Speaking of the girl, she seems different."
Garen was right; Willow was acting different. She seemed like she was...feigning numerous things. Innocence really, almost everyone helping Renekton knows Willow is intelligent and capable of thinking freely. But now, she seemed to be a little incompetent. No one really payed it any mind; though another issue was present as well. Nasus was the only one who paid it any mind; it looked that Willow was trying to, in a manner of speaking, put everyone in danger. She "accidentally" damaged things, and caused some major issues. One issue Nasus remembered heavily was that she sabotaged a turret and it targeted Renekton and shot at him. He was barely harmed, and Willow claimed she was simply "fine tuning" it. Nasus knew that was no accident. Leaving Garen, he ventured down to the courtyard, to see his brother finish cutting a tree down in one slash.
"Renekton," He said, getting his brother's attention: "We need to talk."
"Very well, what is it?"
"It concerns Willow; I fear something is wrong."
Renekton's face darkened, as he started walking. Nasus followed him, still worried.
"She hasn't been herself lately. I fear that the assault might have damaged her to a major extent."
"She's fine, and I'll make sure of that."
"We found the door to the Break Hall caved in. I had Vel'Koz look over the room; he told me there was a struggle, as well as some blood."
"Willow must have fought off her captor and got back here as fast as she could."
"That was enough blood to disorient someone."
"What are you even getting at? What's the point to this?"
"I'm warning you that you best show caution around her; I fear that something is amiss-"
"Hey Renekton!" Willow hugged Renekton from behind, as she beamed. Nasus looked at her with a concerned look, as she shot him a slight glare. Nasus was dubious, as she led Renekton away, saying something about she had something nice planned for him. The moment they left, Nasus left to quickly find Vel'Koz; perhaps the Eye of the Void would have a means to decipher if Nasus' concerns were paranoia or not.
"So, where are you taking me?" Renekton asked Willow, as she whistled a tune as they walked. They were now in a large forest, as the sun slowly set. She said something about having something planned for him; something he'd like. He was a bit excited...but that ceased when he reached a large clearing...and Willow stood next to a tree. When Renekton asked, she smiled a devious smile, and whistled. The bushes nearby shook, and several people stepped out...five Champions that Renekton narrowed his eyes in anger upon seeing them.
Jayce stood there, with Olaf, Vladimir, Sivir, and lastly, Ezreal.
"Surprised to see me Renekton?" He asked with a coy smile, as his team prepared to attack: "Your little girlfriend tipped us off, and to make things better, we've put you far from everyone else; nothing can save you from us now."
"Willow, why have you betrayed me?" She smiled sadistically, before approaching Ezreal, and doing one thing to beyond piss Renekton off. She planted a loving, hearty kiss, on Ezreal's lips, who returned it, while Renekton's eyes widened. She smiled...and in an instant Renekton let out a roar that shook the very forest, as his eyes turned that same shade they were when Kha'Zix died. Sivir's eyes widened, as she threw her weapon...only for it to be sliced in half! Willow ducked into the bushes, as Jayce ran at Renekton. The Butcher smacked his hammer upwards, and slashed, but his blade was stopped when Vladimir threw a red orb to knock off Renekton's balance. Olaf ran at Renekton's back, and slashed at it several times, causing the croc to roar in pain, before slicing backwards. Olaf stopped it, but his axes were damaged considerably. Jayce slammed his hammer down, but Renekton slashed it into two, and with another slash, cleaved the man's chest into two. Sivir screamed, only to be sliced apart as well. Renekton saw Willow standing there, cowering, and the horrific happened. He lunged at her, and was stopped when Olaf stabbed him in his shoulders, and slammed him into the ground. Bleeding, Renekton's rage started to heal him, as he slowly stood up. Olaf slashed at his stomach, and he hit the ground again, blood pouring from his wounds. He struggled to stand once more, as Olaf struck him down once more, this time, slashing at his shoulders once more. The Butcher continued to fight the pain, his rage keeping him alive, as Willow approached with Ezreal.
"Why won't you just die already?!" Olaf shouted, as he drove his ax into Renekton's lower back. He still rose up, and looked at his foes. Despite his rage, death was imminent, as Renekton hit the ground, his vision blurring. He looked up, and saw a magenta beam fly from the trees, and completely disintegrate Olaf instantly! Vel'Koz appeared from the trees, and Vladimir was impaled suddenly by two long jagged blades. Nocturne stood behind him, his eyes narrowed, as Thresh emerged from the bushes, and sliced his chain once, decapitating the Blood Lord. Nasus appeared as well, as Ezreal trembled with fear.
"Vel'Koz, prepare your beam, Thresh and Nocturne, get my brother up; he must see this." They did as commanded, and Vel'Koz fired his beam. The rage subsided, Renekton's eyes widened when he saw Willow vanish in a blinding light...and for LeBlanc to replace her.
"Just as I suspected," Nasus spoke, as Vel'Koz wrapped LeBlanc in tendrils as he slowly crushed her: "The Deceiver has been Willow all along. Do you see my brother; something was amiss all along."
"I...see..." He passed out from bloodloss, and Nasus told the ones holding him to get him to Soraka; she'd heal him. Also, to LeBlanc's horror, Nasus told Thresh to send Mordikaiser once they reached the Institute of War. LeBlanc was scared badly, as she demanded Nasus tell her what they planned to do to her.
"Nothing, if you tell me where Willow really is."
"Never! I swore an oath to Elsie, to never say a word about her place!"
Nasus sighed, and asked Vel'Koz to increase pressure. LeBlanc cried out as several of her ribs broke, as Nasus spoke again.
"We can do this three ways: you either tell us what we need to know and we spare you, I have Vel'Koz disintegrate you and take all your knowledge, or I have Mordikaiser slowly kill you, and force your soul to tell him. Personally, you'd best tell me, or allow Vel'Koz to laser you to death. At least that way, it'll be painless compared to what our dear Mordikaiser has planned for you."
Loud metal footsteps sounded in the distance, as Nasus tsked LeBlanc.
"You're almost out of time. It's your choice."
LeBlanc was beyond scared, before she finally said:
"Alright I confess she's being held in Zaun! Please let me go!"
"See, was that so hard? Vel'Koz, if you will?"
LeBlanc expected to be released...but Vel'Koz only changed his hold, so she was vulnerable.
"I thought you said I'd be let go!"
"I did, yes; but you're a notorious trickster, and not only did you lie about being Willow, but you betrayed my brother." A pair of red eyes were in the distance, as tears streamed down LeBlanc's face. Before she could scream again, a large metal mace suddenly flew out, and hit her, splattering her skull into mush and painting the tree behind her with blood and brain. Nasus looked at Mordikaiser, and said, barely fazed by the mess:
"Could that not have been a little more...pleasant?"
"So they're in the Shadow Isles once again?" Nasus asked Mordikaiser, as they stood in the Infirmary. Currently present was Nasus, Nocturne, Cho'Gath, Thresh, Mordikaiser, and an unconscious Renekton. Mordikaiser nodded, as he informed everyone of the major issues.
"They have no idea that LeBlanc is dead, and if word reaches them, the will execute Willow, and then lead an assault against us once again. We need to rescue her, without raising alert."
"That obviously means Renekton cannot go." Nocturne said, as he looked at his downed friend. Nasus nodded regretfully, as he began walking towards the door.
"Willow must be brought back safely. Mordikaiser, have Sona keep Renekton here, by any means needed. As for the rest of us, we must go; the Shadow Isles await us...and let us hope this tale has an ending worth remembering..."
End of Chapter 12