(Swain - PoV)

The pieces are in place, the board is set. Our positions are far better than I ever could have hoped for, enough that even Leblanc's nonsense shouldn't be able to upset the board. But then, surprisingly enough, even she appears to be cooperating, for whatever reason.

Excellent news, if not something to rely on, like all of her tools and pet monsters.

Now, Darius has detached a small army group for their use already, so the last step...

The mirror swirls.

"Sir?"

"Katarina. You have spoken to your companions?"

"Yes," she assures, nodding, "they are ready. Morgana and, surprisingly, Annie will be joining us."

Morgana was expected, she wouldn't leave her new protege alone, but Annie? That could be...interesting.

I do hope there is something left of Demacia by the time this group is finished. At the bare minimum, 'loot, then pillage', as the old adage goes.

Nonetheless, "Good, good. Everything is prepared, the demi-legion you are to accompany will set out tomorrow."

She blinks in surprise at the abrupt timetable.

Good. Everyone knew this was coming, but not quite this suddenly. We should still be able to catch the world at least somewhat off-guard.

"Yes sir, we will not fail Noxus!"

Nodding, I cut the connection and lean back in my chair.

Five champions and a demi-legion. Complete overkill for the mission, but a nice show of force. Demacia will complain afterward, Jarvan will bring things up to the League, and we will bring everything else to light, exposing the rot within to the world.

Few will object to our moving in force after that, not if the League is as busy putting out fires as I suspect it is. I've heard rumors about various demons on the loose, and other threats they are working to contain. They hardly have time to police the world, so long as we play by the rules.

(Darius - PoV)

Disappointing. To have the promised day, the day of action, the chance to make things right, so close at hand, after so long...and yet to have to continue to wait.

But the chance to finally see how our new acquisitions fair? A worthy consolation.

Everything I have seen has looked so promising, but in the end, the field of battle will prove their true colors. Too often the greatest, stoutest, hardiest looking men break when true battle comes, while the unassuming often prove their mettle beyond all doubt.

Either way, we will be ready to back them up.

"Farron. The men are ready?" I ask as the mountain of a man approaches.

"Yes. We await your orders." he rumbles out.

I grunt.

Good, good. Alas, the order will not be any time soon, and even then we will only follow at a distance. Close enough to support, if needed.

No, only a small Legion will actually accompany them in the initial attack, just enough to actually hold the ground they take.

I sigh. Swain said to expect more politics after the first blow. But he promises the great day will come after that, with the Demacian's true nature revealed to the world the League interference should be kept to a minimum.

I look out over the men. I can but hope so. They have trained their entire lives for this, dedicated themselves to war in order to bring our vision to the world. It is up to Vision and Guile to ensure they have not wasted their time, and we can bring our Might to bear.

(Garen - PoV)

Tomorrow, Kat informs us, tomorrow we go to war. Tomorrow we move out to make our first strike. We all sit together in the main room, enjoying each other's company. I wonder what the girls are thinking?

(Katarina - PoV)

I always fought so hard, for Noxus and for myself, to redeem my honor. Now I have a new reason to fight. The people beside me.

It is amazing, how quickly they have grown on me. Yes, I can't wait to dive into the thick of things with Garen, to see him in all his glory, fighting for the right side at last. We will tear Demacia down piece by piece, and build a new world to live happily in. And I will get to see it all.

(Morgana - PoV)

War...And this time I am amongst the host.

Alas, I will not let my new little sister go alone. She is not Kayle, she is not ready for such a thing. And I won't let war do to her what it did to Kayle. I won't let it turn her into a monster.

I stroke her hair. No, I will keep her and the rest of my new family safe, no matter what.

No matter what.

(Lux - PoV)

Those assholes knocked over my sandcastles, now Brother is going to knock over their real castles!

I dissolve into giggles, cuddled up against Brother. And I get to use all the lasers. Yeah, it's gonna be awesome!

(Annie - PoV)

So we are going to go get the guys that were mean to Lux? That's good, right? I will be happy to set them on fire. It will be fun! And no one will even yell at me for it!

Yup, it sounds like a great adventure, I can't wait!

(Harold Fairweather, Demacian Soldier - PoV)

I don't like it. We keep catching sight of Noxian scouts, like the bastard I just spotted out there earlier, and with our position as the Easternmost border fort? And all the shit that has been going on here lately? I get the bad feeling we are about to be the ones to catch every gods damned bit of it.

I would pray to the Angel for deliverance, but even she seems to have joined the other fucking side...not that anyone will say so out loud, after the bastard of a Captain gave twenty lashes to the last poor bastard to say so. "Spreading Noxian lies" supposedly, never mind the fact it is all over the view screens.

Might make a less loyal man wonder if Garen couldn't have had the right idea...

(Garret Faircoin, Trader - PoV)

My steps slow as I approach Littlewater. It is a regular stop on my route, nice place. Regular small town, but the local Inn has a fetching lass who makes a fantastic rabbit stew...

It is never this quiet though. Where is everyone?

I thought it odd not to see anyone working the fields on approach, but the streets appear deserted too...

My steps echo loudly as I walk through the town. The normally comforting buildings now seem...wrong.

Approaching the central plaza, my hand clutches the dagger I keep on my belt, determined to get answers.

I turn the last corner and...

...

Angel...

Angel protect us all...

In the town square a great effigy has been built, reminiscent of a scarecrow...but built out of the townsfolks twisted and mutilated remains.

Try as I might I...I cannot tear my eyes from it, from their agonized faces, caught in their last moments of terror, the image forever seared into my mind.

I finally manage to look away, only to see others, bodies torn apart and nailed to the walls across every building in the square, or impaled in grotesque displays, again reminiscent of scarecrows.

Every body is covered in crows, picking and tearing at the flesh, cawing and chattering and arguing with each other. I, I have no idea how I couldn't hear them before.

I...

I turn and flee, as fast as my legs can carry me.

I pray whatever did this is long gone, and that I can spread warning of the horror, of an entire town tortured and murdered.

The old fables of the scarecrow demon come to haunt the world once more I was quick to dismiss don't seem so nonsensical now.