Empire of Wonders.

Led by Nero, the Chaldeans walked across the streets of Rome, watching how lively and shiny everything around them looked. To Gwen, it was entirely different to anything she previously saw in Runeterra, as it wasn't at all like the cities of Demacia and Noxus she visited… Well, the colosseum at the distance reminded her a bit of Noxus.

"Be amazed by the glory of our perfect nation!" - Nero yelled as all the citizens bowed down to her as she passed by - "I would love to welcome you in better conditions, but sadly that isn't a possibility right now" -

"We're grateful to be here emperor" - Ritsuka said as they walked down the street - "Everyone seems to be really happy" -

"Of course, this is the greatest city in the world after all! The best can only be found in Rome!" -

"She's certainly full of herself…" - Jalter said as she walked next to Gwen.

"I like her optimism. In times like this, happiness is something one must aspire to transmit" - Gwen answered the comment of her fellow Servant - "Even with the situation at hand, the fact that everyone is able to laugh and cheer brings me joy" -

Nero approached a man selling apples and asked to take a few of them to give to the group, which they accepted without hesitation. Despite the man giving them for free, Gwen felt like she had to repay him for the gift.

"They're pretty good" - Ritsuka said as he ate the one given to him.

"Of course, it's a wonderful apple after all" - Nero answered. The rest of the Servants started to eat theirs, finding them rather tasty.

"I appreciate your gift, dear vendor" - Gwen said as she bowed in front of him - "I promise to repay you as soon as I can" -

"Umu. I like you, girl with the huge scissors" - Nero said as she put her hand in Gwen's shoulder - "And your skills are rather impressive" -

"Really? Thanks for the compliment, I always try my best. If you want, I could try to make something for you as well, I have experience as a seamstress" -

"You want to design an outfit for the emperor herself? Umu. I'll allow you to, you can be my personal seamstress" -

"Ahem, I see you two are having fun but I think there are more important matters that we need to discuss" - Caster Cu said, interrupting the chat between the two girls.

"The mage with the blue cloak has a good point" - Nero said as they kept walking - "I like you, people of Chaldea" -

"We're relieved to hear that emperor" - Roman said right after - "After all, being on your wrong side would be quite the trouble" - he whispered right after, without Nero hearing the last part.

"Yes, I think of you as the apprentices of a mage" - she said while looking at Mash and Ritsuka - "And the mage himself comes from a distant land" - after that, she referred to Roman - "And you said your goal is… To help me?" -

"Yes, you're not wrong about that" - Mash continued - "We're here to help you in your struggle against the United Roman Empire" -

"In this era, Rome was one of the most important and powerful cities in the world, recognized by many as its center. There shouldn't be any threats to the city currently, the Grail is altering events seriously" - Roman spoke in a serious tone, as the rest listened - "Preventing the destruction of Rome would fix the Singularity" -

Nero nodded her head to the explanation, before saying "S-Sorry, I didn't quite get that, could you explain it in more understandable terms?" - which got a surprise out of all of them except Cu and Jalter

"I'm sorry, he can be a bit too theoretical with his explanations… Allow me to explain it. We seek something called the Holy Grail, a magical item with special powers. It's causing a great many disturbances just by being here. There are high odds that the Grail is what's causing the problems that Rome is currently facing" - Mash said,

"...I see. This Holy Grail is damaging my Rome" -

"Yes. I know this might be a lot to take in but…" -

"No, neither strange nor weird. This Holy Grail. It's… Concerning…" -

"Emperor? Is everything alright?" - Ritsuka asked as he saw Nero's eyes open in shock for a second.

"Never mind, a needless concern of mine. It's just a nightmare I had . Come with me, let's talk freely in my home" - Nero said as she and the rest started to make their way to her palace, until the screams started - "...Wait, what? Is there something wrong at the market?" -

"H-Hey! What's this! What are you people doing to my shop!" - a shopkeeper yelled from afar, as a group of soldiers attacked not only him, but several people in the street.

"Looks like you might need better defenses" - Jalter mockingly said as she summoned her sword, ready to fight.

"There she is! Our target, emperor Nero!" - one of the soldiers yelled, and charged right at her and the rest.

Fou, scared about the situation, jumped to Mashu's shoulder, just as the girl prepared herself to fight as well.

Nero then took a few steps forward and took out her sword, entering a combat stance - "How dare you do this to my Rome, and my people! Are they enemy spies? Either way, it's unforgivable!" -

"The townsfolk need our help Senpai, let's go!" -

The Servants and Nero launched themselves against the enemy soldiers before they could keep causing chaos in the city. The soldiers weren't much of an issue to them, and quickly went down to their combined strength, yet Gwen felt like something was off, she felt shivers going up her spine. Everyone else was celebrating, but she wasn't.

"Forever cursed by my hand, the Black Mist will give you no quarter" - a phantasmal voice whispered to her, one she recognized well, Viego.

"You… You're not here" - she said, trying to regain her composure.

"Oh, but I will always be…" - Gwen's surroundings suddenly transformed from the shining and alive Rome, to a decrepit version of the same place, surrounded entirely by the Black Mist - "You see, deep within me I knew that I wouldn't be able to kill you, Isolde's soul fragments made sure of that, but I could make sure that wherever you ended up, the Black Mist would always be following you" -

All around the Assassin, specters started to be reanimated by the Mist. Not only regular soldiers and people, but the Ruined presented themselves to her.

Pantheon, Draven, Karma, Shyvana and Miss Fortune, and behind them, the looming shadow of the Ruined King himself.

"Don't you see? You are the envoy of the Black Mist, you carry its corruption from world to world. You alone, will bring the Ruination to every corner you travel to" -

Gwen took a deep sigh as she closed her eyes, before summoning her scissors and the Hallowed Mist to surround her.

"Do not forget Viego, you were defeated once, and now you're nothing more than a shell of what you used to be. Not only have I grown stronger myself, but I have new friends by my side" - she launched 4 needles against the specters of the Ruined she fought before - "You will be defeated again, and I will rid myself from your curse, mark my words" -

"I see your resolve is still the same as it was before. Good, let us see how long you can last until the Black Mist takes over you" -

"I've certainly endured far worse than this. Do your worst, Ruined King" -

"It will be my pleasure, Hallowed Seamstress" -