Chapter 10

Konsilisto- Thank you. Here is your next chapter. I hope you like it. Also, criticisms have been taken into consideration. Thank you for your service.

Also, reviews are politely asked, but as stated before, not needed. Only your views and favs/follows are technically needed. Yes.

Mordekaiser

Apartment building

"Welcome to your new home, son." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at the interior of the building that would be the future home of his son. At least for the immediate future. He still had the choice of choosing a different home in Hell if he so chooses. Mordekaiser won't deny him that option if he decided to do that, though he'll try his best to persuade Moxxie not to do so as, according to his agents, the rents in Hell were rather absurd for what people are paying for unless one was close to the landowners, did something despicable, or caused the landowners to fear them. None of which Moxxie held in Hell beyond those that held loyalty to him and Mordekaiser highly doubted that Moxxie would do what his agents told him that some people do to have a roof over their heads.

"I must admit, when I allowed myself to venture with you both to this place, I never thought I would see this many unique and strange things in this afterlife." Said Morgana to Mordekaiser, her voice lowered enough that only he and Moxxie can hear. Mordekaiser just chuckled at that before walking towards the desk before them, manned by an Imp. A female one at that.

The female Imp was dutifully doing something with a strange metal box connected to a board with elevated squares when it noticed Mordekaiser coming towards her. The Imp was about to ask him what he wanted when she felt a slight chill up her spine that was soon followed by a flash of power emitting from the cloaked figure. Surpassing even the strongest of Overlords in power, the Imp whimpered as she looked at the figure.

"I desire a room for my son." Said Mordekaiser as Morgana and Moxxie caught up to him. Seeing the Imp looking at Mordekaiser in fear and noticing the room now had a feeling of dread and foreboding in it, Morgana glared at Mordekaiser disapprovingly while Moxxie went forward to the female Imp. Seeing another of his kind for the first time made the young Imp gleeful and excited. Though he was disappointed that she was too scared and focused on his father to really pay attention to him. Trying to catch his father's attention, Moxxie pulled on his cloak. It worked and Mordekaiser looked at Moxxie.

"Dad, you're scaring her." Said Moxxie as he looked at his dad with his big yellow eyes. Seeing this, Mordekaiser sighed before backing off. Soon, the intimidating aura he built up went away and the room no longer felt as foreboding or intimidating as before. Sighing in relief, the female Imp then looked at Moxxie and Morgana. Seeing the only male aside from Mordekaiser was Moxxie, the female Imp raised an eyebrow. She then asked if he wanted to rent a room for the three of them.

"No, I desire your best single room in this establishment." Said Mordekaiser, surprising the female Imp. "You see, my son has now reached the moment in his life where he can finally be on his own two feet without my assistance. To be his own person and form his own thoughts and beliefs beyond my own. That being said, I wish to help him in the initial stages of his new life. After all, one needs a strong foundation before one can start, am I correct?" Looking at Mordekaiser and Moxxie, the female Imp began to open her mouth to speak.

"B…but he's far too young to be left alone." Said the female Imp as she looked at her fellow Imp, noticing just how young he was, no doubt only ten years old. "You're not seriously considering leaving him by himself?"

"Of course not." Said Mordekaiser. "I learned my lesson the last time and I will ensure that he's supported as best as I possibly can. However, he wishes to learn by himself. Without my influence and that is all I will tell you. Is that understood?" The aura of intimidation and foreboding returned partially, causing the female Imp just rapidly nodded, resulting in the aura subsiding again.

"Excellent." Said Mordekaiser, pleased. "Then give my son your best room. Cost isn't an issue. He'll have more than enough funds to ensure that he can stay here for at least ten years. More than enough time for him to become his own person, yes?" Moxxie was in awe that his dad was willing to pay that much for him, not knowing that the owner of the building was someone loyal to Mordekaiser and was willing to allow him to live there for free. Under orders from Mordekaiser, of course.

"Of course." Said the female Imp before scrambling to log Moxxie into her system. "If you may, young man, can you give me your name and other information so I can log you into our system? I need that so you can be given all the necessary services we provide in this apartment."

"Go on, Moxxie." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at his son. "This is something I know that you can deal with yourself. I believe in you. In the meantime, I need to do something with the owner. We have much to discuss." Mordekaiser then looked at Morgana giving him a suspicious look, causing him to assure her that it was nothing life-threatening or anything like it. It was just important information that needed to be relayed to the owner of this establishment. Seeing her back off, Mordekaiser asked the female Imp where the owner is. After she replied that he was in his office and gave him directions to where it was, Mordekaiser left Morgana and Moxxie alone while he went and did some important business with the owner of this establishment. Some very important business.

Later

Apartment room

"For what it's worth, this room is…somewhat acceptable." Said Morgana as she looked at the room that Moxxie had rented in this building, an apartment as she learned from the female Imp. After a long and arduous process that wasn't by the lack of knowledge that both Moxxie and Morgana held towards the process of renting an apartment, the two eventually rented the highest-level apartment for Moxxie. Although, Morgana felt that it wasn't up to the standards she thought would be good for something that's supposedly the best apartment room in the building.

The walls were worn and the paint was cracked in several areas in all of them. The strange box thing at the end of a wall looked worn out and the shower in the room was spewing out water even though Morgana tried to turn it off. And then the toilet was filled with some sort of black muck that Morgana didn't want to know what it was. Finally, the bad sheets were ripped in a few places and the pillows look worn out due to overuse. If this was the highest paying room available, Morgana shuddered to imagine what the other rooms were like.

"I guess that's one way to put it." Said Moxxie as he went on the bed and tested out how soft and comfortable it was. Humming as he concluded it was acceptable, Moxxie looked at Morgana and asked a question. "So, what do you think of Hell so far? Is it to your liking?"

"I've only been here for a short period of time, so I can't be reliable when it comes to judging this place." Replied Morgana as she looked over a window, tainted with something that prevented her from seeing clearly through the said window, so she can get a better look at the city that they were in. "But it seems fine. However, much like Demacia, I'm certain that the more damning parts of Hell are more hidden. Those are what I will use to decide if I will help your father or not."

"And how bad do they have to be for you to help my dad?" Asked Moxxie as he looked at Morgana. "Because you seem to not like the way he rules, even after you saw how he rules his people."

"That's because he doesn't have to deal with the more mundane, but essential elements of ruling a people." Said Morgana as she turned to Moxxie. "His people don't need to eat, sleep, worry about money, nor even care about needing a home to keep them safe. All these are elements that Demacia, Noxus, Piltover, and Ionia need to provide for their people lest they revolt against those that are supposed to protect them. He doesn't need to do such things and I fear what will happen when he has to deal with them when he conquers Hell. So, I don't know if he can be the leader these people need. If they even need him in the first place." Moxxie nodded in understanding at that. Looking at the window before him, Moxxie wondered if this place really needed his dad after all.

Everyone in Hell seemed to be well off. No one here in Hell was in conditions that were like those in Noxus. No one seemed to be in need of better homes. They were decently clothed and he didn't see anyone in boxes or anything like that back in Noxus. Although, as Morgana said, the more negative things about Hell may not be known to them yet and maybe it really does need his father. They'll just have to stay here longer and explore in order to judge if Hell really needed Mordekaiser or not. And if they should help the Iron Revenant become ruler of Hell as well.

Sighing, Moxxie thought about the future and couldn't help but be excited about it all. Not only would he become his own person, but he'll get to meet new people. New things. And even get to try out new things. And without his father's supervision as well! Oh, this was all exciting.

"No doubt, dad's going to get me to apply for school, right?" Asked Moxxie, causing Morgana to nod.

"No doubt he'll do it for a variety of reasons." Said Morgana carefully as she looked back out the window, noticing just how red and black everything was in Hell. Everything from the buildings and even the sky was red or black. It unnerved the winged woman slightly though nowhere as much as Mitna Rachnun, where the eerily presence and lack of life there reminded Morgana of the stories related to the Shadow Isles. "Still, it's a thing I agree with. Education is important so no doubt he'll have you apply for the best school available in Hell."

"I hope I can do well in school then." Said Moxxie. "The instructors and tutors he gave me were nice enough, but I think having people that weren't one hundred percent loyal to dad is the best for me. After all, I'm supposed to form my own opinions on things, right? It makes things harder to do that if people are scared of upsetting my dad over their treatment of me, right?" Morgana just let lose a small chuckle at that, imagining Mordekaiser punishing someone for mistreating Moxxie or giving him a failing grade, before giving words of encouragement to Moxxie.

"I'm sure you'll do well." Said Morgana, letting a small smile grace her face as she thought of the young Imp. "You're intelligent and persistent. Both of these are good traits to have in a school along with manners and respect for your elders. Unless your teachers mistreat or despise you for some reason, I believe you'll love whatever school you decide to enroll in."

"And he certainly will." Said Mordekaiser as he made himself known, opening the door to Moxxie's apartment and closing it. "I've spoken to the one that owns this place and he recommended a fine establishment for Imps like Moxxie. One that, according to him, actually cares about the education of those that enroll in it. You'll learn about that later, Moxxie. For now, just enjoy your time in Hell. Enjoy your time with me and Morgana. It may be a while until you see us again."

"What do you mean?" Asked Moxxie, confused slightly, causing Mordekaiser to explain.

"You wish to become independent of me, yes? Well, to do so, you must be away from me for an extended period of time." Said Mordekaiser. "Be bereft of my presence. Otherwise, there's no point in all this, yes? You can still visit Morgana from time to time if you wish, but you will not see me unless I wish it or if it's an emergency. If it's the latter, then I present you this." Mordekaiser then brought out a handful of glass, marble-like objects and gave them to Moxxie. "Crack one and I'll arrive. But only use them for emergencies. Understood, my son?" When Moxxie nodded, Mordekaiser was satisfied.

"Good. Several packages will arrive that will help you be on your own, like money, food, and clothing. Along with the necessary identification papers for being a resident in Hell." Said Mordekaiser before looking at Moxxie. "In which case, this is goodbye for now. I will wait in the lobby for Morgana so we can leave together. Make me proud, son." Hearing that, Moxxie smiled and told him he will. Feeling something from that, Mordekaiser said nothing as he left, leaving Morgana and Moxxie alone.

"He truly cares for you." Said Morgana once Mordekaiser left, realizing that fact when Mordekaiser left abruptly. "He truly thinks you're his son and treats you like one."

"Really?" Asked Moxxie as he looked at Morgana, hope in his voice.

"Of course." Said Morgana as she looked at Moxxie. "He wouldn't do all this if it weren't true and he didn't care for you. He loves you, Moxxie. So, much as it pains me to say, don't disappoint him. Not after what he's doing for you." Upon hearing that, Moxxie smiled and nodded.

"I won't let him down." Said Moxxie. "I'll make him proud. And I'll make you proud too! I promise you! Next time we meet, you'll be proud of me. I promise you that." Morgana felt a smile grace her features again before nodding.

"I'll hold you to that." Said Morgana before deciding that her time here was over. "If you ever want to see me again, my home is always open for you. In the meantime, good luck, and I hope to see you again soon." With that, Morgana left Moxxie alone in his new room and his new path. As she walked down the stairs of the apartment building, she thought of Mordekaiser and what he did prior to meeting up with them.

Much as she saw that he loved Moxxie and wanted the best for him, she also knew that he was a manipulator and a conqueror. Plus, all that he said about supplies for Moxxie left her suspicious. Where did he get all that along with the so-called identification papers for Moxxie? Intending on figuring all that out, Morgana found Mordekaiser waiting for her in the lobby. Just like he said. Seeing no one was around to call her out, she walked up to him and confronted him with her suspicions.

"How did you get all those supplies for Moxxie?" Demanded Morgana as Mordekaiser looked at her. Chuckling at her, Mordekaiser spoke the truth to her.

"I have agents and spies in this very city." Explained Mordekaiser. "Agents and spies that vary widely in status and reputation in Hell. It's mere child's play for them to gather everything that Moxxie needs to have a successful life in this place." Upon hearing that, Morgana glared at Mordekaiser, thinking he was going back on his word about Moxxie living without his influence.

"So, you lied to your own son about him living and developing into a young man without your influence?" Asked Morgana, enraged at the thought. Fortunately, Mordekaiser raised his hands in surrender. Even though Mordekaiser had the power to defeat Morgana in battle, he much liked to avoid attracting the attention of Lucifer and those loyal to him. At least, for now.

"No, I did not lie." Said Mordekaiser. "He will live without my influences. He will develop without them. I assure you of that. However, that doesn't mean I won't try to protect him from danger or help him in whatever he desires to do. Wouldn't you do the same for your child?" Morgana had to admit, Mordekaiser had a point there. Still, she had to question where he got all the supplies he was planning on giving to Moxxie. Mordekaiser must have realized that question because he answered it quickly.

"Several of my agents run or are a part of several successful businesses in Hell." Said Mordekaiser, the concept of businesses foreign to the Iron Revenant as he never heard of such a thing during his youth and even during his time as the Iron Revenant. Something he'll have to rectify when he returns back to Runeterra. He heard from his most recent subjects that Piltover has such things, meaning he'll probably wish to observe that region more. For now, though, he'll care only about what these businesses offer him. "They provided the funds for my son and they'll be the ones that will look after him in Hell. However, it seems that they can only help him in one section of Hell." Upon hearing that, Morgana looked at Mordekaiser in curiosity.

"What do you mean?" Asked Morgana, causing Mordekaiser to explain.

"It seems that Hell is divided into seven sections or rings." Said Mordekaiser as both he and Morgana left the apartment and towards an alleyway. "It seems that those born among the living can only reside in one section. The Pride Ring as it's called. The others are for those born here, like Imps or other demons. I do not know why, and neither do my agents, but is the way that Hell operates. A strong argument for me, is it not?" Morgana just looked at Mordekaiser when he said this.

"We'll see." Said Morgana as she looked at Mordekaiser, deciding on what to say to him. "Perhaps it was for a good reason. Perhaps it was done for awful reasons. Perhaps there is something that prevents them from venturing to these other sections of Hell. In either case, I'll refrain from judgment until I know for certain. And I'll only trust Moxxie's and my own judgment for this matter. I won't trust any of your agents or yourself for this. Not that you need my approval or anything. In fact, I suspect you don't care what I do unless it concerns your son."

"Indeed." Said Mordekaiser without hesitation. "This may enrage you, but you do not matter to me in the slightest. I appreciate you for saving my son and I permit you to interact with him, but that is all. I don't need your advice or care for it. You're welcome to provide it if you wish, but it is not essential to my overall plans. You understand this, yes?"

"Of course I do." Said Morgana as she glared at Mordekaiser as they entered the alleyway. "But that doesn't mean you can just ignore whatever I say or ignore what I approve of just because of that. Do you think your son will approve of you doing that? Will the people of Hell if you do the same to them? If you want people to accept your rule then you must be more open-minded than this. Otherwise, you're just encouraging people to rebel against you and we both know that you despise that. After all, it's wasteful to put resources into putting down rebellions that you caused. Is it not?" Mordekaiser turned to face Morgana. Though it didn't appear at all because of his appearance now, Morgana sensed the anger coming from the Revenant. Anger at her impudence, but also anger that her words also had merit.

"At least he can take criticisms. That's something that puts him above some rulers of Demacia along with their nobles." Thought Morgana as she watched Mordekaiser sigh in annoyance before summoning a portal back to Mitna Rachnun after making sure that no one was around to see it. Soon, the two departed back to Mordekaiser's realm, the portal closing on them after they did so. Upon arriving back to Mitna Rachnun, Mordekaiser reverted back to his typical form. Walking to his throne, Mordekaiser told Morgana that she was free to return home. He then instructed her to talk to Keira, who was floating to them once she felt the portal open in Mordekaiser's throne room, to do so. Morgana gave Mordekaiser one final look before departing. Once she was gone and he saw Keira arriving at his throne room, Mordekaiser thought of Moxxie and how he was faring in Hell. Wishing the Imp he called his son fare tiding, he then thought of all the information his agent told him. While Morgana and Moxxie were busy registering Moxxie into the apartment, Mordekaiser was talking with his agent that owned that building for a myriad of reasons.

Among those reasons was being informed of the current and past events in Hell, any new sources of information that can enhance his army even further, and, perhaps most importantly to him, what to do with his son and to inform him of anything that pertains to him. Mordekaiser may give Moxxie many freedoms by letting him go on his own, but he will intervene if his son is in danger or if someone dared to try to use him in their power plays or for their own entertainment. He heard from his agents that many Overlords and nobles in Hell often prey on the weak, often Imps and the poor, for their own entertainment. Hearing such a waste of life enraged Mordekaiser and made him swear an oath to punish all those that dare waste such precious resources, both in people and resources. But moving back to his son, Mordekaiser wanted him safe and protected. If he couldn't do it himself in time to save him from harm, then he'll do it through proxies and then deal with those that dare harm him in any shape or way if his proxies couldn't do it themselves for one reason or another.

Moving his thoughts past his son, Mordekaiser thought about the information he received from Hell and how to best incorporate it all into some usable for his army. It was all useful information, that was of no doubt, that can truly make his army the deadliest army in all of Runeterra, but most of that information will be useless if he didn't have people that make these amazing contraptions his agent told him about.

Take for example an invention his agent called a tank. His agent told him much information about these inventions and Mordekaiser, upon hearing everything about them, knew he had to have such wonderful weapons in his army. Not only did Demacia and Noxus not have such weapons in their militaries, but they were far too primitive to create such weapons. Not even Piltover or Zaun, the most technologically advanced societies in Runeterra had such weapons built, thus giving him a distinct advantage that he cannot afford to go to waste. And that wasn't all his agent told him. There were many more weapons of war that Mordekaiser knew would make his army truly unstoppable and he would rule Runeterra for eternity. And all of Hell too as well as this Earth he heard from his agent.

But these weapons won't do him any good if he didn't have anyone that can make them. Improve them. Maintain them. Without such people, he the information he has may as well be dead weight.

Placing a clawed hand on the lower end of his helm, where his lower chin would be, Mordekaiser thought of how to deal with this. A few minutes passed before Mordekaiser decided on what to do. Summoning a few more warriors to him, Mordekaiser decided the best way to glean information from Hell was to obtain people from Hell. And he had just the way to do so. In the meantime, he'll be keeping an eye out for any Piltover or Zaun souls that come to his realm. They'll be going straight to work on making his new weapons and some ideas he had taken from the information he obtained.

Meanwhile
Moxxie

Moxxie had been fast at work trying to figure out how to use the bathroom in his new home when he received a knock at the door. Wondering how it was, Moxxie went over to the door. Upon opening it, he was surprised to see a small box in front of him and no one around. Looking around for anyone, Moxxie eventually decided to take the box inside and open it, believing it was meant for him. After closing the door and going to his bed, Moxxie opened the box and found something that stunned him.

Inside was a piece of paper addressed to him. Along with it were two daggers that were as black as the sky of Mitna Rachnun during the realm's "night" cycles. Serrated teeth lined the entire bladed portion of the daggers and sharpened points on the cross guards, the daggers were clearly designed for fighting yet they have a diamond-encrusted pummel. Wondering about such a strange design, Moxxie then looked at the letter.

Opening it up, Moxxie saw that it was indeed addressed to him and that, to his shock, the letter came from his father. Reading the letter, Moxxie began to tear up at the words of his father. Not out of sadness, but happiness.

Moxxie, as much as it pains me to do this, I believe you warrant this letter. When you first were adopted by me, I will admit I cared little about you. You were a means to an end and nothing more. But as time passed, I begrudgingly admit that you have become more than that in my eyes. You've become more of a son to me than those that I sired during my time in the living. And I've sired many children during that time. You've also made me feel something that I've never felt since I became the Lord that I am now. As a result, I'm writing this letter to show you my support as well as to show you that I'm proud of you. I would have told you this before I left, but I desire to not leave the impression to that Morgana that I've grown soft or complacent. I also believe she'll call me a hypocrite if she learned how I feel towards you. More so when she learns of what I intend to do to claim Hell for myself along with Heaven, Runeterra, and this Earth. Thus, why I had the owner of your apartment deliver this to you after I depart? Moving on, this letter comes with two daggers. Not only are they weapons of war, my son, but they're also the finishing touch to a marriage ritual when the time comes for you to pick a wife for you. I know little of the courting or mating rituals in Hell, but I do know enough that they involve useless jewels and minerals. Thus, I embedded those daggers with whatever I can find. I hope that they satisfy you and that whoever you pick to be your wife will appreciate them. Not for the minerals but for the craftsmanship and their practicality in war. If not, well, I trust your judgment in whomever you find to be your mate. This letter is getting too long, so I'll keep this brief. Make me proud, Moxxie. Find yourself and decide whether or not you wish to help me in taking over Hell. That is all. Good luck."

That was what the letter said and it left Moxxie in tears. Wiping them away, Moxxie looked out the window of Hell and vowed to make his dad proud.

"Don't worry dad." Thought Moxxie as he looked out the window. "I'll make you proud. I promise." Looking back at the daggers, Moxxie wondered who would want to have something like that for a wedding tool. He knew his dad favored giving practical weapons of war as matrimonial gifts, but he wasn't exactly sure if anyone in Hell would appreciate such things as matrimonial gifts. He certainly didn't.

Sighing, he closed the box. As he did so, he wondered what kind of crazy woman would want to have a dagger for a wedding gift.

Fifteen years later

Moxxie

"Oh god, I can't believe these things are actually going to come into play! And for what they're meant for too!" Thought Moxxie as he opened the old worn box that held the daggers that his dad gave him over fifteen years ago. Opening the box, Moxxie was a bit surprised to see them still as pristine as when he first laid his eyes on them. Relieved at that, Moxxie picked up the box and quickly went downstairs to his apartment building so that he can meet up with the wonderful woman that he decided to marry.

Running down to the lobby, he found the woman of his dreams looking around the lobby with curious eyes. A fellow Imp like himself, she was an angel to him. And beautiful as one as well. Her long black hair, cascaded down the back of her black wedding dress. Looking at her, Moxxie's heart skipped a beat as she turned towards him, her yellow eyes gleaming with glee at seeing her soon-to-be husband.

"Moxxie!" Yelled the woman as she gave him a big smile, her perfect white teeth shining at him. Even with the gap in her front teeth, she was the most beautiful thing that Moxxie ever laid his eyes upon and he was thrilled that he was going to be her husband soon. "What's that you got in your hands, honey?" Smiling a bit with pride, Moxxie went over to his soon-to-be wife and allowed her to look at the box's contents.

"These are gifts from my dad, Millie." Said Moxxie in embarrassment as Millie, the now-named female Imp, looked inside. "He said that they're meant to be wedding gifts for you and whoever I decided I want to be with forever. I hope you like that."

"Like them? I love them!" Yelled Millie as she squealed and took one of the daggers, stars in her eyes. "They're just so perfect! They look like they can cleave right through a person's throat without much effort. Not to mention they can stab someone's eye out with these spikes on the cross guard or rip someone's flesh with ease as well with those serrated edges. Oh Moxxie, your dad is amazing! I can't wait to meet him. Shucks that he can't attend."

"Yeah." Said Moxxie in disappointment. Their wedding was in one of the other Rings in Hell besides Pride, meaning his dad wasn't allowed to go there for reasons that just pissed Moxxie off. Well, actually his dad can go, he was sure of it, but he was positive he won't because it'll just cause more problems for him than it's worth. Even if it's for his son's wedding. He tried to convince Millie's parents to permit the wedding to be in Pride, where his dad was allowed to attend, but they weren't having it. Their good grace was already strained with him for marrying their daughter when they have so low of an opinion of him. To the point that they threatened to call off the wedding and have Millie not see Moxxie again if he doesn't respect their decision on where the wedding was going to take place.

Sighing in disappointment that his dad won't be attending, Moxxie forced himself to rid that disappointment. This was his and Millie's special day. He wasn't going to ruin it by being a downer.

Chuckling as Millie gave a few expert swings of the dagger, Moxxie asked her if she was ready. When she said that she was, they both took off for the nearest elevator system that will take them to their wedding location. As they took off, they failed to notice a pair of eyes looking at them. A pair of ghastly green eyes.