A/N: Sorry for the long time no update, but my PC broke and I had to do quite a few things in order to regain my stuff. You see, this is the 30TH CHAPTAH, and it is not really unique. I think I have reached the middle of the story, so do not fear. Chapters will be longer from now on, but they will be about 30 more or so. So, If you have any ideas, be sure to... Eh, Offer me. You might be a Demacian survivor, or an Ant-Noxian. A Zaunite too. So, be sure to either PM me, or Post a review in order to gain goodies :D

Btw, shoutouts to VodkaLove ForMe, Kathelll and 11none. Thanks!

Draven kneeled next to the pond and sighed. He had given the lead of the camp's inhabitants to Rengar, who was now quite attached to Sona's instrument because of his leg. The Maiden of Strings was still able to play some of the melodies which could heal him, that could stop the bleeding. Nidalee had disapeared after they elft the camp, and now the only capable healer was Sona, who was not going to be able to do it any longer because those who were under Rengar's lead, which was everyone except him, Draven. The party had already left the four, and was now moving towards a second encampment which was hidden with less attempt, but the Noxians had ben able to do what they wanted. They have crippled the refugees, and with that they have probably put an end to the hopes of a rebellion Draven hid deep inside him.

Jax was standing on the hill, looking down at the Shurima desert. He was like that ever since they left the safety of the camp. He stood in front of them, led them towards his destination, yet he still had to say goodbye to Irelia. They were together most of the time, while he only wanted to sit down somewhere and hold her in his hands, kiss her, embrace her. But he knew that he probably was going to have to wait for those moments a long time. He was never going to be able to do such things while under the foot of the Noxians.

Zac was simply interested by the adventure which he was going to see from the first seats. For him, it was all a game. Getting himself in danger, letting himself get hurt, allowing people get hurt. It was all a game for him. Even though he knew that normal people are not like him, he still acted the same way. It made him look big. But, now he was going to be somewhere, and he was going to be someone after it ended. Winking to the sun, he jumped off Irelia's shoulder and jogged towards Draven.

Lucky for him, the executioner saw him and offered a hand. Being the small pile of goo he had become, Zac was forced into crawling on top of Draven's hand and was lifted to his shoulder. When he made himself comfortable, he decided to stop doing anything and just... Wait. Wait for Jax to decide where their next destination was going to be. From that night on he was much more sure in himself than he had been before. Now, he was just like a leader, while before he acted like a lowly mercenary.

"Let's go. We don't have time to loose." Jax said. His eyes were narrowed, his lips were dry. The last water source they had discovered was far behind them, but sadly, there were no other sources of drinkable water in the near miles of way. He wondered what would happen with the other refugees, because Draven had decided to join them on their quest. Seeing Nasus was not going to be a casual experience, even after they all knew the librarian. The sun was high in the sky.

They descended the dune and continued their trek. The desert was something Jax had grown used to, he realized. Once in melting sands, once in the calm reaches of Heaven and now here, where the wind blew the sand in their faces, and hardened their search task. The grandmaster could ask himself how did he know where the Curiator was, but somehow he felt that Nasus was drawn to the Shurima desert, to Icathia. He had heard Kassadin's tale, searching for knowledge, but failing and getting a glimpse at the Void.

The sun was already hiding, behind the horizon and nothing had been discovered by the party, except a few stones and ruins. Jax was not exhausted, because the temperature change was a good thing. Now he could focus on moving faster so he doesn't freeze in the spartan conditions. His eyes were still as narrowed as bfore, but his lips were not dry. They had been able to discover a water source and drank a lot of it. He had offered his companions to stay, but they decided against it and followed him.

Although the sun was hidden, Jax felt that Nasus' sanctuary must be near. The amounts of broken obelisks and statues, along with other ruined objects was starting to increase. For mere hours they had seen more than a hundred of the ruins, while for the whole day the only signs of life were about five or less.

And, as they reached their destination, they stood in front of a grand temple.

"This looks... Pretty." Zac announced and smiled, but Jax didn't seem to find it pretty. It was something which brought memory of... The Void to him. Not that he had ever been able to see or feel the Void, but he knew of it. He knew it existed, and as always, there was something dangerous about this place. It was, the only place where he wouldn't dare go. Icathia.

"GET DOWN!" Someone roared and Jax met the sand from up close. Sounds of a battle echoed, then something broke. A scream adorned the waste and it went silent.

"No way..." Whispered Draven, as he started standing up. A few feet from them was sprawled a miniature version of Cho' Gath, but that one didn't look like the Terror. It was somehow black, and it's eyes were green. Also, the hole in it's stomach was pretty unsettling if you thought of it that way.

And there he was, their savior. Sandy fur, black tunic and sandals. The staff, which was supposed to be green, was now pitch black. As the Curiator turned, his yellow eyes burned with something which Jax could only recognize as anticipation. His whole frame was covered in blood, most of it wasn't his.

"So, they were not kidding. I didn't expect you so soon, however. The breach in the rift left my hands full, you know. Come on, we do not have time." He ordered and started jogging towards the temple. Jax nodded to his comrades and they followed him. Irelia was quite amazed by the way Nasus had appeared. She didn't know he can dash at the speed he had probably used there.

They entered the temple. And, Jax immediately realised that it was the countless books contained there that had brought Nasus, not the breach in the Void. Kassadin was there for that sort of things. There was, however, something strange about the whole area. It was heavy. The air. It felt as if the shelves and ceiling were made for beings greater than them. But, Nasus calmly sat in one of the chairs and nodded to the rest. They made themselves comfortable, and looked at Jax. All except Draven, who was staring intently at Nasus.

"I know, brother. I know. And I am sorry." He said, and Draven nodded.

"I need a moment alone." Announced the Executioneer and left them. Nasus sighed, while Jax snorted. He felt something in Draven which was not supposed to be there. Guilt. This was not something for Draven. It was probably heavy for him to admit, but the Executioneer felt guilt now. Jax knew it.

"I will ask you one thing, before I make sure it was they who sent you." Nasus started. His eyes dug into Jax, as never before. "Tell me, Jax. Why did you take them with you?" Was all he asked, and left himself to sink into the coach.

Jax didn't understand. They were his comrades. His team. He would never abandon Irelia, but Draven was not his burden. Zac however... He didn't know. True, the ooze was friendly and was in hopes going to help, but he might be a spy, after all. Jax sighed and nodded.

"They are my team. I do not leave them anywhere, Nasus. If you do not-"

"Don't you understand? This is the first test. The first lesson. Leave them, for you know how to work with a team. But, take them, and forget everything about being alone. This is the first lesson. Take them, and be weak without them, or leave them, and be strong with and without them. Tell me, Jax, how many times have you been able to stand alone versus an entire team on the Rift, just because of the fact you worked alone before joining, eh? I guess you remember. Tell me now, will you keep them, and when they are taken from you, will you survive? Or will you die?" Nasus said, slowly, with a tone which did not accept 'NO' for an answer.

Jax looked, eyes wide. Zac and Irelia had taken it the same way, but they both knew that this was Jax' trail.

The grandmaster at arms sighed and nodded.

"I understand. I do. But, they came with me all this way. What am I going to do in order to save myself from total exile if I send them away?" Asked the armmaster. Nasus nodded.

"No better way to answer. Short and sharp. Just as a Demacian's sword used to be. Speaking of which, have you visited Demacia after the Institute? Pretty gruesome. Noxians went rampage on the place. I think only Jarvan survived, but that was Zilean forced to curse him. Something like his own fate... Sad, what that power can do in the wrong hands. Jax, I will ask you now. Send them back where you came from. You cannot be accompanied on your way. Both Yi and Wukong were alone when they discovered the secrets of Wuju style. You will have to be the same." Nasus said again. Jax shivered. "I will leave you for a while, then return and we will begin."

The Curiator said and left. His giant frame weakly shaking. Jax sighed. He felt a hand creeping up to his shoulder. Turning his head, he looked at Irelia, resting against his back.

"I will do it. If it will help you, I will do it, Jax. You know me. I do not need you to watch my back now, when I have Zac. I will manage somehow, and when you are ready, we will kill those Noxians for what they did!" She encouraged him. Jax smiled weakly under his mask, and looked at the gate. Draven was not there. So... It was solved.

"Ok. Ok. Go, be strong. I beg you, watch out for every brush, every stick. Everything. Be like Lee, but with Eyes! This is what I ask of you, Irelia. Please, be careful." Jax whispered to her, and turned towards the door which Nasus used to leave. He heard the footsteps of his love, as she slowly left. He sighed.

Now was the time to learn again.

A/N: The next chapter will bring Taric or Voli back. Be aware, they might find new friends... Or die. xD