(Cithria of the Dauntless Vanguard - PoV)
And I had been so proud too.
The recent surges of undead in the marshes had led to reinforcements on the Eastern Wall. Which was good, as a great swarm had come out of nowhere, one vastly eclipsing the previous small groups.
The civilian caravan fleeing towards us had no chance of making it in time, pursued by the ravenous dead. I didn't hesitate to lead my squad to aid them, but we were not enough. We fought, and we fought, and we fought, but we could not hold back the tide.
Hundreds fell before us, but they seemed unending, when the Prince himself, along with his companion Shyvanna, leaped from the ramparts, cratering the ground beneath him and scattered the horde in mere moments! It was an awe-inspiring moment, straight from the storybooks!
With Prince Jarvan as an escort the civilians made it to the safety of the wall and, apparently, I had done well enough to impress my superiors and had finally been instated as a full member of the Dauntless Vanguard! Shortly after I was reassigned to the capital city.
Arriving in the barracks with pride in my heart and pip in my step I was excited to learn of a new announcement from the League! It is always amazing to see what new heroes they unveil.
Only to see...only to see.
This.
Finding that it was an announcement from Noxus had quickly dampened my spirits, but this...
How...How could this happen?
I look to the others in the barracks but see only similar looks of desolation.
Garen. The Sword-Captain. The greatest of our number. The one we can rely on against all odds, who can overcome any foe. Who saved the prince himself. Turned against us.
"No..." I whisper as he lifts his sword in front of the cauldron.
It falls.
I can't stop the tears that fall along with it, as I collapse to my knees.
The tears at the sundering of our bond.
What madness has gripped the world to make this possible? It has to be mind control or, or something right? Right?
No one has any answers.
"...Do you formally declare your intention to fight for Noxus in the League of Legends, instead of Demacia?"
I tense.
"I do."
"NO!" I scream, clambering to my feet and fleeing the room, tears flowing freely.
I don't know where I am running, but I can't stay there any longer. I can't watch it.
What is going on? What happened to the world? Garen is our hero, my hero. He belongs here in Demacia, fighting for what is right. Right?
(Prince Jarvan IV - PoV)
"I do" his voice echos through the room.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
That's it then. There is no coming back. My friend is well and truly gone. I've lost him.
He has damned himself, and damned me, in front of the entirely of Valoran.
My arms tremble. Disavowed. My best friend...The man who saved me from the headsman...
"My son..." Father speaks.
"It is done, Father." I interrupt him.
I must remain strong. The kingdom needs me. Regardless of my personal pain, this could tear the kingdom apart. This is not the time for weakness.
"He has made his choice. In front of all of Valoran no less." I state.
"That he has. But we still do not know why. Not truly, do we?" Father asks.
I hesitate.
Tianna and the Council gave us an answer but...Could Garen truly turn on us for so little? Neither Father nor I believe so.
"Does it matter?" I ask.
Father looks at me with weariness.
"What can turn one man, one of the truest and most loyal followers of the kingdom, one with close ties to the highest echelons of the nation, can very likely turn a great many more. Yes, son, we need to know. Ignorance may feel like bliss, but it is only death in truth," Father lectures me. "And we cannot fix a problem we don't know about."
I grimace.
So much to do. I want nothing more than to grieve, but instead, the burdens pile ever higher, and I find fewer and fewer friends to share them with. If I can't trust Garen, who can I trust?
"What do we do now father?" I need his wisdom. I have tried to stand on my own in recent years, to be my own man, to prepare for a day when I might take the crown, but at this moment? I can't do it. Father, please. Help me.
He stands, and walks over to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. I bow my head.
"Be strong my son. You can endure. Your friend seethes with righteous anger. Something happened, something horrible. Something that he blames us for. All of us. We have failed him in some terrible fashion."
He lifts my head and looks into my eyes.
"We will find what caused this. Your friend may be lost to Demacia, but we will find what injustice was committed and correct it and earn his forgiveness. We will correct the balance, and the kingdom will be stronger for it. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father." Justice. We will have justice.
He returns to his seat, while I ponder.
"How will we find the truth?" I ask.
"First, you will need more warriors you can trust," he tells me.
Trust. Trust will be hard, after recent events.
I look to the events on screen.
We need heroes. People willing to risk their lives to do what's right. I did encounter one just recently...what was her name?
Cithria. She should be in the city by now. I will have to send for her.
"I believe I know of at least one."
"It's a start. Good, good, with that, you also should go to, well, the start!"
"Father?"
He sighs, pointing at the screen.
"The girl, son. His sister. The one he rescued, who is now shattering the nation's faith by displaying herself as the angel reborn. Swain's work I suspect."
I stare at the screen uncomprehendingly. Right, stop moping and think. Everything ties back to Lux. I am the Prince. Look into her, everything about her, start investigating. Of course.
"Of course father. Apologies I...the situation had overwhelmed me."
"I understand my son, we all have our moments of weakness. It is why it is important to have those you trust, to help you through those moments you cannot help yourself. We are so much stronger together, I wish the Noxians could see that."
I nod, father's wisdom is as great as ever. Unfortunately without Garen...well, I have Shyvanna still. Damn, Shyvanna, I will have to check on her, see how she is holding up after this. I know she respected Garen as well.