Preparing for War.
Blake and Riven had a meeting with Irelia and Akali. After Blake discovered that Noxus had returned to Ionia, there was no question if they should let Irelia know about it. They explained everything to her, including Blake's near fatal encounter with Grand General Swain and his ability of gathering information from someone by seemingly ripping out a part of their soul. Blake was still shaking slightly from that, having never felt such terror before. Not even Adam made her feel this scared before.
Irelia was in deep thought "Just to be certain. You are sure Swain was with the Noxians?".
"He said that was his name" Blake confirmed.
Akali had a cold look "So the monster had the nerves of returning here after his last invasion failed. He must be really arrogant to believe this will end differently".
"Swain is not arrogant enough to forget what happened. He wouldn't have returned here if he didn't have a plan in motion. Do not expect to defeat him the same way as last time" Rive said, knowing all to well what a Grand General from Noxus could do.
"I have to agree with Riven on this. We can't underestimate him, not even for a second" Irelia said.
"Just who is Swain? When I met him it felt like I wasn't talking to a human" Blake said.
"Swain is human, but it's easy to mistake him for something else. His past is known only to a few, but what I do know is that he rose through the ranks thanks to his brilliant mind, claiming the title as ruler of Noxus when the previous one died, the cause of which I do not know. His mind is his deadliest weapon, more than making up for his less than master level in combat" Riven answered.
Blake thinks about that before shaking her head "That can't be right. You say direct combat is not his strong side, but when I tried to fight him, he moved a lot faster than a normal human would be able to do. And his grip felt like someone was trying to strangle me with an metal chain".
Akali looked at Irelia "Is it possible he has gained new power?".
"That would explain how he survived" Irelia answered.
"I take it you have faced him before?" Blake asked.
Irelia nods "I did, during the last invasion. He was a dangerous foe, but I defeated him and cut of one of his arms. The fact he didn't bleed out on the spot is a sign of his very strong will power. But tell me Blake, you said you felt like he was trying to rip out your soul. How did he do that?".
Blake held Riven's hand for comfort as she explained again "Like I told you, when I tried to fight him, he moved at speed I didn't expect of a man of his build. His grip was inhumanly strong... and then... I felt like he was trying to pull out my very soul. And after that, he began speaking like he knew my earlier life... almost like he had been watching me all my life. But that is impossible".
Irelia thought about what Blake said before having one more question "What arm did he use to grab you?".
Blake was a little confused why that mattered but answered anyway "His left. Why?".
Irelia got wide eyes at that "I cut of his left arm".
Now Blake understood, and she should have noticed earlier when Irelia said she cut of one of Swain's arms, even though he clearly had two arms when she met him "If you cut if of... could he have replaced it with something?".
Akali decided to speak up "Maybe he replaced his arm with an dark spirit... or some kind of demon".
"Spirit? Demon?" Blake asked.
"As you already know by now, Ionia is a very spiritual place" Irelia began before looking at Akali "Do I have your permission to tell her?".
"I will tell them myself" Akali declared before looking back at Blake and Riven "I come from the Kinkou Order. An ancient organization of Ionia which is dedicated in preserving a balance between the physical world and the spirit realm, without showing a preference of ether. I will spare you the details, the point is that Ionia is full of spirits, and not all of them are pure. There are dark spirits that threatens the balance, and needs to be taken care of. So it is possible that Swain could have bonded with an evil spirit, and used it's power to give himself a new arm... but I am yet to meet a spirit that can rip out souls".
"Which brings us to the demons. The demons are not as easy to track as the spirits are. They stalk around in the shadows, searching for a worthy host to possess, and use the body for their own dark desires" Irelia finished explaining.
Blake took a moment to let the information sink in "Swain didn't look possessed... is it possible he could have tamed the demon?".
"If he has, then Swain has become more dangerous than ever. And another Noxian invasion is on the way" Irelia said.
"Then we will have to drive them back again" Akali declared "Will you two aid us?".
"Noxus made my life hell. Normally, that alone would be enough for me to join the war against them... but I am more concerned with Blake at the moment" Riven answered.
Blake was silent for a moment as everyone looked at her, she took a deep breath before answering "I never wanted to be in a war. I spent my whole life trying to prevent a war... but I want to help you, all of you. But I don't think I am prepared to go to war".
"No one is ever ready for war. But sometimes, we don't have a choice. I was forced in to a war myself, and now I fight with all I have to keep Ionia safe. You will never be ready, Blake. And yet I still need to ask you this: Will you lend us your strength?" Irelia asked.
Blake thinks hard on it before remembering something "The reason I even came to Ionia was because someone was guiding me here. I need to find this person and get some answers. Only then can I trully answer your question".
"And where is this person?" Akali demanded.
"That's what I've been trying to figure out. She didn't give me much to work with. All I know is that she must be in a very strong spiritual place" Blake answered.
"I think I can help you with that" Everyone looked to see Ahri walking inside "Us Vastaya has a stronger connection to magic than humans. I think I can guide you to the spiritual place you seek".
Blake smiled "Thank you Ahri. Then we need to leave right away, before Noxus' invasion starts".
"We shall hold the line until you return, Blake" Irelia said.
"And you better not try anything funny. Like running away" Akali warned.
"I am done running" Blake declared with no hesitation.
With that, everyone was getting ready for the up coming war. But as Blake was preparing herself for the trip, Riven walked up to her.
"Blake, listen" Riven began.
"If you are going to try an talk me out of this, it won't work. And you can't come with me, Riven. The people of Ionia needs you a lot more than I do right now" Blake said, not wanting to risk another argument with her lover.
"I am not here to convince you to stay, nor to ask you to take me with you" Riven said.
Blake looked at her a little surprised "You are not? I was expecting another heated argument".
"I've learned from all the other ones. I will stay with Irelia and the others and help defend the land until your quest is complete. I am here to ask you something very important, and I want to do it now since I might not get another chance" Riven said.
"Alright, what is it Riven?" Blake asked.
Riven hesitated for a solid minute but Blake did not pressure her, finally Riven took a deep breath and spoke "If we survive the war... will you... grant me your hand?".
Blake blinked before she gasped once she realized what Riven was asking "Riven... are you proposing to me?".
Riven blushed a little "Yes... I want you to be my wife, Blake".
Blake was shocked, but then tears appeared in her face before she kissed Riven hard "Yes! Yes I will!".
Riven gained the happiest smile Blake had ever seen on her before she pulled Blake close "You have no idea how happy those words just made me".
Blake smiled and hugs her "Do you have a ring?".
"Damn it, I knew I forgot something" Riven cursed.
Blake giggled that Riven would propose before she even had a ring ready "Just give it to me when this is all over".
"I will... be safe Blake" Riven said with a smile.
Blake smiled back "I should be telling you that".
With that they shared one last kiss before the upcoming battles.
Meanwhile, Pyrrha as Yasuo were relaxing under a tree near the lake. Pyrrha loved this place. It was her favorite spot in all of Ionia, since no one else ever came here and it allowed her to spend time with Yasuo without having to worry about the many assassins that wants him dead for a crime he did not commit. Pyrrha wished she could make all of that go away, but the past is not something one can get rid of so easy. Nearby, Pyrrha's trusty weapons, Miló and Akoúo̱, were leaning on a tree. Maintained by Pyrrha's own craftsmanship, and just as capable to be used in battle as they were before. Pyrrha always carried them with her just in case.
"Want to tell me why you really wanted to see me, Pyrrha?" Yasuo finally asked.
Pyrrha sighed, knowing there was no point in staling any longer "Noxus has returned to Ionia. And we believe they are planing another invasion".
"And you want me to join the battle" Yasuo said, it was no question, he already knew.
Pyrrha bit her lip "You know better than most the damage they caused in their last invasion. We can't stand aside and do nothing as it happens again".
"If I join the battle, the Noxians would be the least of my worries" Yasuo reminded.
"I know, but a war is on our door step. If the village has any sense left in their heads, they will focus on the Noxians and not you. And even if they do try something, I have friends that can put them in their place" Pyrrha said before looking Yasuo in the eyes "I know your heart better than anyone. And I know you would never let the Noxians defile your homeland again".
Yasuo sighed at that "You are good at seeing through me, Pyrrha. It always annoyed me... but at the same time, it's also one of the many reasons I was drawn to you".
Pyrrha smiled and kissed him "So?".
"You are right, there is no chance I am letting Noxus trample my home again. I will join the battle. Can I count on you to be by my side?" Yasuo asked.
"Like you even had to ask. But first..." Pyrrha began as she stood up, removed some of her clothing until she was only in her underwear and then used her semblance to pull Miló and Akoúo̱ to her hands before getting in to her fighting stance "I am going to need your help to knock some of the rust of".
Yasuo smiled as he got up "A dull blade needs to be smoothed out before being used in battle".
With that, Yasuo pulled out his blade and got ready as well. A few moments passed before the lovers charged each other.
Later, Blake and Ahri stood in front of the dense forest of Ionia. The magic was strong in there, even Blake could feel it.
"Remember Blake. There is no telling what we'll find in there. You sure you are ready?" Ahri asked.
Blake nods "As ready as I'm gonna be... let's do this, sis".
Ahri smiled and took Blake's hand and they walked in to the forest. Hoping for answers. Little did they know, a lot was waiting for them in there.
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Been a while, huh? I was losing motivation for this story for a while, but then Riot came out with one exciting reveal after the other. New games, an animated series, several new reworks, new champions, new comics, and just recently they revealed they are going to release some animated shorts. But unlike their cinematic trailers, this will explore the world and characters of League of Legends, and push the lore forward while giving some more depths and development to the characters. So I am giving this story another chance.
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Tell me what you think.