Chapter 21 - Demacia.
There is a saying among the humans, "If you have the power to change the world into a better place it is both a privilege and a duty to do so" no other City-state excels this teaching as Demacia, The paragon of virtue and nobility among the other City-States, Across the ages, Demacia has shone as a beacon of hope and justice in Runeterra, they consider themselves as the guardians of Valoran, the citizens are trained to follow strict moral codes in order to live within the city, crime and evil deeds are severely punished, for Demacians, the country comes first, young humans from prominent houses are scouted for the army in order to serve and die for the name of the country they love...but...there is something deviant in their philosophy, according to the records in Ionia, Demacia is in a bloody war against Noxus, it seems both of them consider the other an abomination, something that shouldn't exist in this world...It seems Demacia is in a tense relation with Freljord for allowing Noxian forces into the land...Maybe...just maybe, Demacians are...blind...they are self-centered in their own little world they can't see what's going on...I'm afraid they might exterminate me...just by my simple void existence...but in order to return to Piltover, I must pass through this city...I must be careful...Kalista is a denizen of the Shadow Isles...according to Illaoi...she will suffer more than me...after all, Demacia hates every wicked creature in Valoran...
- Are you okay? - Illaoi asks me feeling my worries.
- I am...not for me...I'm worried for Kalista...
- Like a good husband - Illaoi said patting my head - don't worry, Demacia might be a powerful country...but it's citizens are just a bunch of foolish idiots...they live enslaved by their own beliefs...you can fool them using my awesome idea.
- ...There is no way this idiotic idea can fool them.
- Believe me, Vel'Koz, believe in the tentacles.
In order to pass through Demacia there were several control points all over the city, the security is pretty heavy, I guess Ionia is more welcoming than Demacia, The "Crate" was useless since guards checked everything suspicious, any sort of resistance would end up imprisonment or even public execution, so Illaoi thought...well...I can't really call it an idea since it is something...I'm not sure I know the right word...I guess moronic...retarded...or something like that...or maybe a really bad idea...a terrible idea...
I was disguised as a bystander...
I was wearing a hat, a monocle, a fake mustache with a fake nose, a tuxedo, and a watch...
...
...
...
I'm going to die here...
"Dear husband" The soft voice of Kalista echoed in my mind "don't worry, we will protect you."
- Kalista, I'm afraid it will be impossible to save me, the guards will easily overpower you, the best course of action is for you to escape if any pro...
"I've waited for you for centuries, My dear, should you die here we will follow you, death never bothered us anyway."
She said to me, but still, this is dangerous, no matter how strong Kalista is...going against an entire city is something...only a monster of the void can do...and I...I...
...
...
...
Just, what am I?
-HALT!
Oh, No. We've been spotted, I need to think fast before the guard see...
...
...
...
Impossible...
- Hey! Helmet Bro - Illaoi called cheerfully - Long time no see.
- Kraken Priestess, I thought this city was quite "Oldfashioned" for your taste, and stop calling me that.
- I still think this city is just a nest for idiots, but I'm here for a reason, I'm helping my friend cross through, after this, I'll be gone.
- Please, no rude comments, at least for today, Prince Jarvan is making some sort of festival, he wants to honor a young warrior who defeated a giant monster in the border of Demacia, so please, be nice or else...
- Hmph! As if your wussy soldiers could ever harm me...but this "warrior" you are talking about...What kind of monster did he defeat?
- "She", She killed a crag beast in Uwendale, Prince Jarvan heard about her might and decided to proclaim her as "Hero of Demacia", Although, it seems she prefers to be called "Keeper of the hammer", she is a powerful being
- I see, Nagakabouros will test her might and decide whether she deserves to be called "Hero", besides, any idiot can be called a "hero " in this city.
- Illaoi, please...on the other hand, I think I will help your friend, I'm not trying to be rude...but last time you helped someone here in Demacia the poor guy ended in Jarvan's toilet.
- That wasn't my fault, how was I supposed to know that hole in the ground was a toilet? You Demacians make everything complicated, suit yourself then.
I remember my first contact with humans, it was on a rainy night, I was chasing after a group of humans inside of a forest, they were the first beings I saw, I wanted to know...but I was a fool, those humans attacked me on sight, sadly, I was more powerful...I easily destroyed every single one of them...except for...him...How can he be alive? I disintegrated him, there was nothing left...not even ashes...should I disintegrate him once again? just to be sure...this is not good...my urges...my old self...I must resist...but...how? what is he? I must know...
- Hello? Are you okay, big guy? you look kind of scared- Helmet Bro said approaching me.
- Yes...Yes...I'm...I'm fine, I'm just a bit...excited...It's my first time in Demacia...
- I get it, this city gives that kind of impression, so, What's your name?
- Ehm...definitely...not Vel'koz...?
Helmet Bro stared at me in disbelief, just, What was I thinking?
- "Definitely not Vel'koz" - He quoted - Are you, by any chance, Ionian?
- ...well, you could say that...
- I knew it - he said snapping his fingers - Well, Definitely not Vel'koz, you are lucky, There's a big festival right now, you will witness the power of Demacia...but please, be extremely careful, if you say something out of place the consequences could be...unhealthy for you - Helmet Bro finished grinning wickedly - Now, follow me.
"Unhealthy, " he said...no good, this is serious, if I make a mistake everything will fall apart, maybe I should have stayed in the Shadow Islands, but, then again, I made a promise...
Promises...
I sighed, in the past, I disregarded the simple existence of the word itself, a statement or declaration that something will or will not be done...ridiculous, how can humans believe in something incredibly idiotic? Promises...what a concept...
"We are a promise, husband" Kalista's voice echoed in my mind "Truth be told, humans can't keep promises, their own hypocritical attitude anger us...but we understand, do not bother trying to find sense in it, humans are...illogical."
Her words carried truth, humans were, indeed, foolish and hypocritical creatures, nonetheless, there was something hiding within, something I couldn't even grasp, I was hungry for knowledge, I've discovered many things...and yet...I knew nothing...the frustration stabbed my core, I wanted...no, I Needed to know...but...no matter how much I tried...in the end, I was just a mons...
...
...
...Right, promises...I have to keep them...
- Here we are! - Helmet Bro cheered - The Prince and the Hero should be here in a bit.
- Hey! I told you we wanted to pass through the city, Not witness your stupid party, you worm!
- Sorry, Lady Illaoi, but the streets are closed for now, once the festival is over you can leave our bright and happy city!
- If that's how you call this sick fiasco, go for it.
- Come on, Priestess, your friend seems to be enjoying the sight, right?
No, I wasn't, the inside of the city was...bright...incredibly bright, as if the Demacians were competing against the sun itself...there were no tall buildings like in Piltover...and yet I could feel the might of the city...Piltover shone with future...Ionia with peace and Demacia...with power and justice...the golden buildings stood proud and powerful, shining with the light of the sun...the Demacians walked...no...marched confident in the streets...but...there was something strange...I can't figure out what is it...just like Piltover...there is something wrong...the denizens were...forced...
"So you felt it, husband" Kalista said softly "Demacians might be powerful warriors, proud of their country ...but deep inside, they fear Demacia itself, sadly, they are fools, blinded by some arrogant belief, be careful, husband, Noxians might be sly rats...but Demancias are as dangerous as them"
I guess even if their origin is different, humans are humans.
- Oh! They are almost here! - Helmet Bro said noticing the people creating a barrier around the street - Come! This will be fun!
- What kind of unholy show is this? - Illaoi asked following Helmet Bro.
- Language, Priestess, the parade is almost here, after that you'll be able to pass through Demacia easily.
- So, this trash is over?
- Priestess, please, and no, after the parade is over, Prince Jarvan and the hero will have a private concert with the renowned Maven of Strings, Sona Buvelle, and after that, the festival is over.
- The Maven of Strings, huh? I've heard legends about her music - Illaoi muttered.
- I was at one of her concerts once...it was the best thing I've ever heard in my life, sadly, not many are allowed to meet her in person, only the big shots and heroes.
"Sona Buvelle, yes, she is indeed a legend, even in the Shadow Isles we acknowledge her talent"
Music, sounds arranged to have melody, rhythm, or harmony, I really never cared about music at all, for me Music was one of those clever things humans created with no useful purpose, just to indulge themselves in their procrastinate, although, I must admit, Music is such an interesting invention, still, I'm not really sure why a girl with such skills can be this famous, I suppose humans enjoy indulging themselves in petty things.
I heard the crowd roar as I saw a carriage approaching, in front of it there were several humans playing different kinds of instruments, the music was loud but harmonic, the carriage was pulled by a couple of white horses cladded in golden armor were pulling the humongous carriage, this blue and golden monster had several individuals on top of it, on the front there was a tall blue woman wearing red armor, there was something scary about her, almost as if I was looking at a wild beast, although , at her left was...wait, I know that human, yes, he is the human I met back in the forest, I ignored his destiny after our meeting, I wonder where the red woman is, I'm pretty sure those two are related some way or another, beside him a petite blonde girl, there was something completely obnoxious about her smile but I decided not to think about it, after meeting Jinx, I'm not easily impressed, at the back of the carriage lied a magnificent throne made of precious stones, in throne was a tall man cladded in golden armor with a dangerous looking spear at his side, in his stoic gaze I could witness the spirit of a warrior, seasoned by many wars, truly, a sight to behold, at his right was...
...
...
What the shit is that?
The creature was as small as a child, it's skin was a light purple, it was cladded in a humble armor of latter and copper, behind her lied a huge hammer the same size as the creature, It's hair, blonde and braided in two twin pigtails, considering this and the soft features of its face I can assume the creature is a female, although, I've never seen such creature in my journey, I suppose Runeterra still hides many secrets, still, is that the hero? She looks pretty weak to me.
"My dear husband, that creature is called a Yordle" Kalista spoke to me "Do not be fooled by her tiny figure, yordles might be small, but they are as strong as humans, never underestimate them or you might suffer unexpected consequences"
- Hey, Helmet Bro - Illaoi spoke - There's a rodent in that carriage, I thought you Demacians were careful with this stuff.
- Priestess, that "Rodent" is the hero, the yordle Poppy, please, watch your language, I'm pretty sure you don't want to...
- TO HELL WITH! YOU! - Illaoi roared - I WILL TEST THIS SO CALLED HERO OF YOURS! SHE WILL TASTE THE POWER OF NAGAKABOUROS! - She finished rushing towards the parade.
- PRIESTESS, PLEASE, HALT! NO, DON'T ATTACK HER! - Helmet Bro jumped and grabbed Illaoi - STAPH, PLEASE!
"We got to admit" Kalista chuckled "That woman is quite interesting, We kind of like her, just a bit though"
Indeed, Illaoi was an amusing woman, she was strong and straightforward, rough and rude, but there was a gentle touch in her ruthless behavior, always giving lessons, hardworking, understanding, and a wonderful human being...just like...Braum...Now that I think about it, Illaoi and Braum might be suited for each other, but I suppose I can't really be sure since I have no knowledge in this matter...still...I fear for her future, she looked into the core of the void, deep within her that energy is sealed, but one day Illaoi will snap and her onslaught will shatter this world, and the only way to stop her will be her demise...and there nothing I can do to change it...I guess...I can be there...and end her suffering...but until then...I will do as humans say...I will selfishly enjoy these fleeting moments and...
...
...
Strange...
All of a sudden the flow in time slowed, I could see every little movement in slow-motion, the dust dancing in front of me, the particles and even the beams of light, I looked around and something caught my attention, above the prince there was something, I can't designate it, but it is there, some sort of disturbance in the fabric of space, it was growing, slowly but steadily, at some point I just knew it, I launched myself towards the prince, knocking and pushing everything and everyone besides me, I could hear the surprised and panicked yells as I rushed towards the prince, I lost my disguise during my mad dash revealing my void nature to everyone the human I met in the forest recognized me and roared in both fury and fear, he was easy to dodge, the girls tried to stop me as well but they couldn't, the prince raised his spear and tried to stab me, I deflected the strike and tackled him just in time as an energy sword attempted to behead him, the blade grazed me barely but I could feel an incredible pain, below me, the prince could only witness flabbergasted as a man appeared through a rift in the fabric of space...a rift made of void energy...
It couldn't be...
-You are supposed to be dead, that Noxian bitch claimed your demise, How can you be alive, Eye of the Void?-Kassadin, the Rift Walker, boomed.