Chapter 13:
"A request, sir?" She asked Swain, standing on the other side of the desk across from him, waiting patiently.
"Yes, you can take a seat if you like." When Riven made no indication of planning to move to take a seat, the General continued, "I have heard you are quite close to Commander Finbar. I am also aware of how you were passed over for his rank due to your past." Riven looked away from Swain, trying to hide her own anger flaring at hearing it out loud, hearing a superior admit to what they had denied what was rightfully hers. "I'm giving you the opportunity to take back what's yours."
"What's mine, sir?" She didn't like the sound of what he was suggesting; she doubted Swain planned to promote Fin in order to make room for her.
"Yes. The rank of Commander of Fury Company was meant to be yours. We all know it, but even Noxus isn't immune to giving into status and wealth."
"And what would you have me do, sir?" She asked, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"It's currently a holiday period in Noxus, no one is staying at the barracks apart from you and Fin. I made sure he couldn't return home this time like he normally does; take this opportunity to take him out." Riven inhaled quickly, diverting her eyes to the floor. Swain was asking her to kill her only friend in order for her to get what she wants. She wanted to lose her temper, to tell him where to put his offer but she knew that while this was an offer, it was far from an optional one. Swain would most likely have her killed if she refused, the General couldn't have people finding out that he had asked for this. It made Riven wonder what he would gain from making such an offer.
"Why would you want this?" She asked with anger in her tone, her formality dropping.
"Let's just say, I don't believe Fin should be the Commander of Fury Company when someone so much more… talented is his second in command. I see you going far Riven, I want to give you the opportunities to do so and maybe one day you will return the favour." Riven let out a sigh, this was a way for Swain to have his claws dug into someone before they rise through the ranks, to have people who are forced into being his allies. After a few moments of silence between them, Riven made her decision.
"How do you want me to do it?" Riven attempted to steady her hands, she could feel them shaking at her sides, not sure whether it was fear or anger that was the cause.
"You make sure you take care of it alone, hide the body and I will send someone to take care of it." Riven nodded before taking the opportunity to leave, not wanting to be anywhere near Swain any longer.
Riven began heading back to the barracks, purposefully dragging her feet, extending the time before she had to do what she was asked. Just the fact that she had accepted his offer made her feel disgusted with herself, whether he left Riven without a choice or not, she knew that she wanted to be a commander over anything else. Something in the back of her mind wanted this, enough of a want for her to know she would never forgive herself for it.
She wandered around the barracks, trying to take her time in finding Fin, hoping that maybe he would be a sleep and wouldn't see what was coming. The fact that she was hoping he would never know it was her that ended his life so he would never hate her only intensified her feeling of guilt. Of course, Riven wasn't that lucky, finding Fin sitting in the empty dining hall at a table despite how late at night it was with a book in hand. Fin looked over his shoulder at the sound of Riven's leather boots against the wooden floor, a look of surprise on his face.
"I thought you were supposed to be staying at the Du Couteau mansion?" He asked, putting his book on the table. Riven took a few more steps towards him, placing a hand on the hilt of her zweihander, hesitating to draw her weapon. "Riven?" He asked, a slight tone of concern in his voice, fearing what was coming next and beginning to stand up.
Riven closed her eyes as she sunk her blade into Fin's shoulder, pulling it down into his chest. Fin dropped to his knees, gasping as blood began to fill his lungs and dripping from the corners of his mouth. Riven forced her eyes back open, not wanting to forget the horrible decision she had made, looking Fin in the eyes. The look of betrayal on his face caused tears to begin streaming down her face.
When Fin let out his last breath, Riven pulled her zweihander backwards, removing it from its place in Fin's chest. She sheathed it back over her shoulder and picked up the body of her dead friend, taking his body back to his room upstairs, choosing to hide it there for whoever Swain sends to find it. Riven placed his body on the floor in the corner, away from the door. She stood over him, looking down and committing her own disgusting act to memory. After a while she wiped away the remainders of her tears and left.