Riven's sword was unique. In fact, it was the most unique connection that anyone could have to a sword. This broken blade was deeply intertwined with it's wielder. After all, it was specifically designed for her, enchanted to become stronger as her resolve grew stronger. Well, that's what she was told. As she road, Riven thought about it and decided that the spell likely did not apply just to her resolve in general but also to her dedication to Noxus. However, despite smashing in her darkest moment, as she fled the city, Riven's sword was indeed quite incredible. Riven couldn't help but wonder when or even if she would be able to reforge her sword. With every step of her mighty horse, she could hear the gentle clanging of the broken shards in her bag. It was not a sad sound to Riven as it may have been to others. Many might find the sound of the object that represented their spirit shattered as depressing but Riven was no ordinary person. The sound gave her hope. As long as she had that, she could reforge her sword and her life. Now she had a path, now she had Miyabita to help her, and now she would succeed where she never had.

Little slowed Riven as she traveled through the mountains, skirting the Freljord on her way to Demacia. Her horse moved with haste and she clung to her sword as a child holds desperately to their blanket in the night, with fear and longing for morning. But the morning felt so far away. Riven told herself over and over that the morning would come and she seldom wavered. Despite her youth, Riven was indeed strong in resolve. She simply refused to stop or back down.

She almost didn't notice the cold as she trekked up the long path. But on one cold evening, Riven came upon a figure blocking her path. He wore a purple and had a distinct blue glow shining through many small holes in a dark metal mask. He also held a lamp post in one hand as he gazed down at her making her way up the path.

"Hello?" Riven called to the figure. He made his way down to her and extended a hand without saying anything. Riven was hesitant and did not extend her hand back to him. "Who are you? What are you doing up here?"

The purple hooded man looked up at her on her horse. "The name is Jax. I've been up here waiting for someone. I think that someone is you. Riven, correct?"

Riven was surprised and nodded to him, holding her sword tightly in her left hand as she reached with her right to shake his. She gasped and immediately apologized for her reaction upon seeing his three fingered hand.

Jax laughed, "That's alright, I get that a lot. Didn't used to… I used to have some friends who looked just as weird as me if you'd believe that! But that's a story for another time."

"Would you please tell me what exactly is going on? Only one person knows where I am right now and she's in Piltover. I don't understand why you know who I am."

Jax stuck his lamp in the ground and rubbed his hands together. "First, dear. Don't tell people that only one person knows where you are. If I were a bandit, you'd be in a lot of trouble right now."

Riven smirked, "You clearly don't know who I am then. I think I can handle a bandit."

"Oh really," Jax laughed. "I'll have you know that I used to be a bandit and I have yet to be defeated in combat. I don't plan on letting that change anytime soon either."

Riven noticed to low gravel of Jax's voice. It sounded experienced but not really old. "You mustn't have been a bandit for long then. How old are you exactly?"

Jax shrugged and started walking alongside Riven's horse up the mountain further, "I am not sure to be honest. I've been around for quite a long time though."

"Thirty, forty years?"

Jax chuckled, "Quite a bit more than that."

Riven decided not to pursue that topic further and instead asked again, "You still haven't told me why you are here or why you know me."

"Well," Jax started, spinning his lantern in one hand, "I became aware that a young woman from Noxus had run away. After looking into it a little more, I came to know that you were no ordinary run away." Riven remained silent as he continued, "Not every day that the girl being groomed as the next Grand General flees the state."

"Hah, any chance I ever had at that was conditional upon be being a murderer."

Jax laid a hand on Riven's horse and lead it forward. Riven didn't stop Jax from guiding the way. "No, a murderer you are not, but I need to warn you that you may have to become one if you are to survive this. I don't like it much more than you do but I caught wind of a man who is following you."

Riven had heard this before from Miya, "Yes, the Ionian who I framed is coming after me and he must be strong to have made it this far. I won't kill him."

"Why not?" Jax asked, "If he is going to try and kill you, you should protect yourself."

"Protecting myself and killing a man whose life I have already ruined are different things, Jax was it?"

Jax nodded, "Yes, Jax. And I think you should reconsider this. I cannot go into much detail about this but I recommend you not let him finish his journey. He may not be fully aware of it himself but after doing my research, I found something much… darker in his path."

"Are you saying that this man is evil?" Riven asked.

"No, no. I do not believe he is evil. He is simply naïve and misguided. He doesn't realize… He has no idea that path that he wanders."

"Then perhaps when he catches up to me, if he catches up, I can try to right is path," Riven suggested.

"I can't suggest you do that," Jax continued, "Best to just end the threat." Riven looked around and noticed where Jax had lead her. It was a clearing in the ice and snow with a small fire smoldering. "You can rest here, if you'd like. I believe we'll have more to discuss."

"We definitely do," Riven agreed, dismounting her horse. "Why would I not try to help someone who you yourself agrees is not evil? I am not a murderer, I'm a protector, an honorable warrior from birth!"

Jax sat down cross-legged on the ground near the fire. "Because this man… He has potential, horrible potential. He has drive like I've never seen before. He's slain so many on his way to get to you. I worry that he will not stop even if you spare him."

Riven shook her head and smiled, "Don't worry, my friend in Piltover is going to capture him! He won't even get to me."

Jax remained silent for a moment. He didn't want to break to her the fact that her pursuer was far, far stronger than the woman that Riven depended on. "If he should escape?"

"Then I want to confront him and try to help him."

Jax groaned, "You are truly honorable Riven, but this is foolish."

"Why do you care?! You don't even know me!" Riven growled.

"I care because I know the impact that this man who is following you could have! He's reckless, foolish, untempered, brutish, and one of the strongest beings on the planet! He knows not what he does!"

"Then tell me! Tell him! Show him the right path."

"It isn't that simple. If I correct him now, the problem will only spread to someone else. This boy is not the only possible threat."

"What is the threat?"

Jax shook his head and crossed his arms. "I can't tell you that Riven, but I am sure you will find out soon enough."

"Why can't you tell me," Riven asked angrily. "I am sick of being in the dark! Swain kept me in the dark my whole life and now you're telling me of an imminent threat and telling me I can't do anything?!"

"If I tell you, I know you will try to stop it! I cannot let that happen either."

Riven walked back over to her horse. "This has been one of the strangest conversations of my life. I don't even know you!" She swung a leg over her horse and started turning to go. "Here's an idea, Jax. You can stay here and if Miya fails to apprehend the man who is chasing me, you can talk to him and try to help… 'temper' him as you put hit. I don't care, I am not ending his life when he finds me." With that, Riven started riding away quickly. Jax got to his feet and started running after her, taking leaps in the snow to get closer, keeping up with the horse. "If you won't kill him, what makes you think I won't?"

Riven looked back over her shoulder. "I don't know if you'll kill him or not, but we're both aware that killing a man who's just trying to get justice is wrong, even if he misunderstands what he's doing."

"You think I won't end him to protect the others that he endangers?"

Riven let out a small laugh, "I think that if you kill him, that blood is on your hands, not mine, Jax."

Riven sped up and Jax began falling behind until she was far away and he was left alone in the snow, ice starting to build up on his mask. He leaned over, panting and then slowly made his way back to the fire.

Riven made it a long way that night before camping and wrapping herself in the warm blankets given to her by her Ionian friend. She couldn't stop hoping the day would come sooner when she would hear from Miya again.

Over the next several days, Riven rode on until she reached the edge of the Freljord and then many more days until she reached Demacia. As she rode close to the entrance of the city, she wrapped her sword up in a blanket, keeping it close but not wanting anyone to see the Noxian inscription on the side. Luckily, she was able to make it into Demacia without arousing too much suspicion. The city was massive and beautiful. Riven's breath was taken away as she marveled at the amazing spiral tower in the middle that lead up to the homes of the Demacian royal family and their closest advisors. She smiled, it was nice to feel like a small, insignificant, normal girl in a big city. There was something comforting about Demaica. It might be the warm colors that contrasted strongly with Riven's familiarity with Noxus's dark, bleak look. It might have been the hope.

Riven found an inn and was able, thanks to Miya to afford a few days in a small room. This was perfectly fine for her. She was planning on wandering the streets and maybe looking for a job while she was there.

For three days she explored the city. She met with shopkeepers and lined up interviews for a few. Riven was legitimately excited to have hardly touched her blade since arriving. She kept it with her in her bag at all times, wrapped in cloth of course but never removed it. She couldn't bare the thought of leaving it behind. It was almost like the sword had a connection with her, like some part of it was part of her and like part of her was in it. She figured it was likely because of the magical bond between herself and the broken weapon.

After another long but enjoyable day of exploring the massive new world, Riven made her way back to the in and greeted the innkeeper. He was a brown haired man of medium build and a warm smile. She waved as she walked by and he waved back, taking a newspaper from a mail boy. "Oh goodness!" He gasped upon reading the front page title.

"What?" Riven said, pausing and looking at him as the mail boy left. He turned the paper towards her so she could read. The page showed a picture of a destroyed city. It read 'Piltover in Ruin.' Riven's heard skipped a beat.

"Oh my god!" Riven dashed over and grabbed the newspaper from the man's grip and tore it open, searching the articles.

"Hey!" He shouted, "That's my paper!"

She glanced up, "I'm sorry Sir! I have a friend in Piltover and I wanted to make sure she's-" Riven's voice cut off as she saw a smaller picture in the lower right of the second page. The title read 'Crime Sprees before the Blast.' The photo was one of a small, dark haired Ionian woman with a scimitar laying next to her, a gaping sword wound in her back as she laid in a pile of rubble. "M-Miya?!" Tears came to Riven's eyes instantly and her chest hurt as if she had been stabbed. She doubled over on the ground, breathing hard. The innkeeper looked over his desk and watched her for a moment as she sobbed and pawed at the image of Miya like a helpless animal. He made his way around the desk at sat next to her, putting an arm around her.

"Oh I'm so sorry! It is going to be alright Dear, I promise. Did you know that woman?"

Riven looked up at him, a fire burning in her eyes. "She was my last chance! She was my only friend! Yes I know her!"

The innkeeper didn't know what to say so he just continued to hold Riven as she cried. "You can stay here if you need to. I can give you a week or so for free so you can get back on your feet. I won't charge you."

Riven leaned down and held her cheek to the image of Miya. "It doesn't matter. That was my chance of finding a life here. She's gone now. I have no chance."

"Of course you do! You can make it in Demacia! Anyone can if you work for it."

Riven pushed the innkeeper away and got to her feet. "You don't understand! Everyone is in danger with me around! It is my fault that Miya died! The man who killed her was after me!"

The innkeeper's eyes opened wide in surprise and he didn't stop her as she ran out the door, slamming it behind herself. She didn't know where she was going but she knew she had to go. As a Noxian in Demacia, she didn't fit in. It would only be a matter of time until the Ionian caught up with her and from what Jax had said, he would kill anyone he needed to in order to get close to her. He probably wouldn't even care about collateral damage. After seeing the destruction in Piltover, she was sure that everyone would pay for it. Everyone would pay for her killing that elder. If she hadn't done that, none of this would have happened. Miya would still be alive. The only one that would have died would have been herself. Riven pleaded silently as she ran that some force would come and take her, kill her and give everyone back their lives! She wished that she'd have died in the gas explosion in Ionia so much. At long last, she finally slowed down and stopped, having run out of street to dash through. She was at the docks of Demacia and at the end stood a hunched over figure. Riven wiped her tears away, unable to stop crying and made her way closer. She shouted to the man as she drew near. "Can you take me away from this place?"

He turned to her, looking with yellow eyes through rags that covered his face.

"What is wrong?"

"None of you damn business! Can you or can you not take me away? I don't care where? I want to… I want to die…"

"You want to die?" he asked in a low grumble.

"Don't ask me any questions, just take me far away. I want to be somewhere far away from anyone." Riven reached into her bag and drew out her sword. The hunched over man looked at it carefully and hobbled to the edge of the dock where a small, old boat was floating. It looked like it probably had 1 room and a deck and that was it. "As it happens," he spoke, "I know a place."

"Where?!" Riven shouted, waving her sword in an X shape in front of herself. At this point, she began drawing attention from some civilians nearby who stopped to watch. The boat captain waved at them to let them know that he didn't want them to come over or get help.

"Don't worry, friends! Everything is alright!" he called in his low voice. He turned back to Riven and spoke quickly in a near-whisper. "Have you ever heard of a place called the Shadow Isles?"

"No," Riven said angrily.

"It is a place off of the coast, a long way away. Nobody lives there but some beasts and lost souls. It is quiet and dark. Nobody would dare follow you there. If you want to be alone, that is the best place…"

Riven stepped onto the boat, keeping her sword pointed at the man. "Take me, now."

"Alright, alright," he said, hopping onto the boat. "May I at least have the name of my hijacker?"

"Riven, you?"

"Yorick," he replied, opening the door to the cabin and reaching in for a lantern. He gave a slight smile as he grabbed hold of the yellow light, knowing Riven could not see him. As he turned and closed the door, walking back out onto the deck, he fastened the lantern to himself, the light dangling over his head as he began to push the boat out into the open water. Riven kept her sword out and pointed at Yorick, only moving her hand now and then to wipe away more guilty tears as they ran down her red cheeks. "If you're looking for penance for whatever you did, young lady, you might find it in the Shadow Isles. All kinds of darkened spirits lay out there. Perhaps you could find your peace in trying to destroy them," Yorick suggested with a slight smile.

Riven liked the sound of that. She could fight monsters until they killed her. It would be the perfect death for someone who had hurt so many people, gotten so many killed. Miya…

The boat ride did not feel long to Riven and as she stepped off onto the foggy, rocky shore of the Shadow Isles, she felt a sense of dread overcome herself. The place was dark as night even now, in the middle of the day. She could see the sun in the sky but it was as if a black lens covered it, dimming and darkening the light. She almost wanted to call to Yorick back on the boat to let her back on but no… She would have to stay.

She walked slowly further inland and noticed a dark, horrible looking jungle. Step by echoing step, she entered. Riven didn't know what was ahead but she was determined to keep going. As long as she had the sword by her side, she would be herself.

She wandered on the island for what seemed like an eternity but in reality amounted to four days. She could find no signs of life beyond some sounds out in the darkness and a shiver that ran down her spine every now and then. This was the most haunted place that Riven could imagine. It bored into her mind and found her greatest fears. Loneliness, death, guilt… She could not escape these feelings.

On the fourth night, she sat down and pulled a scrap of paper from her bag and scrawled out a message on it. It might have been a message for herself or maybe for anyone who came to the island after her. She didn't know. In fact, she was unsure of how long she could stay sane in the perpetual fear that plagued this place.

As she sat down to write, she thought about what she wanted others to know about herself if they read it, what she needed herself to remember and what came out on paper was very different from what she was expecting to write. It was not as hopeless as she initially thought. There was a glimmer in it, a slight, unmistakable ray of hope tucked in the words. She wrote:

I came to this island looking for redemption or maybe just a punishment- a life sentence for the horrible acts I have committed and those committed because of me. What I found here was something entirely different. I have seen no monsters to slay in the name of good. I have only been haunted. I fear the worst. I doubt I will make it very long here. I suspect I am already being watched. In the night I hear things- terrible things. I awake from my nightmares only to hear the sound of chains rattling and dragging among the leaves in the distance or the sound of horse hooves pounding against rocks. This is more than a punishment for crimes, this is torment. I mustn't lose my way. I cannot lose my resolve because it is now, in my darkest hour, when I am alone and my one chance at happiness lays dead half way across the world, when I can discover what I truly have inside. No matter what has happened or what will, I must keep one fundamental truth locked deep within my heart and mind.

My spirit is not lost.

Even if I am...

Author's Notes: Thanks for reading! Wow! This is bringing us so close to the end. I'll let you know now that I'm going to upload that last 3 chapters all together. One is going to be VERY long and two will be short.

Also Insert cross promotion of other story um...

I'm going to wait to give you my whole thank you and goodbye in the final chapter so I don't have a lot to say here! haha.

Oh, right! I updated my profile to include more about me and I'm thinking about taking requests for 1 shot stories. If you want one of those, PM me with your suggestion!

See ya next time!