(Rell - PoV)
My eyes survey the auditorium cautiously.
It's not very often that the instructors bring us all together like this outside classes. I worry what their plan is this time. I can't help the fear of a free for all.
Given the looks everyone is giving me I am not the only one. And I know who is getting targeted first.
I can't blame them either. They all know who the instructor's "favorite" is.
Favorite. If they knew what it meant they wouldn't be so eager for the title. But I don't wish it upon them. I can take it. Most of them? They couldn't. So I stay quiet. Let them grumble.
Everyone quiets down as the Headmistress steps out to address us.
Bitch.
"Today is a momentous day in Noxian history. We have decided to allow you to witness it here, with hope that it will further motivate your progress towards excellence."
She steps down. The screen activates.
...
I ignore the gasps and cheers around me. The shouts and exclamations.
I won't pretend to be unaffected by a winged angel swearing loyalty to Noxus over Demacia, or its greatest Champion melting his sword before joining us, but I do my best to ignore the pomp and ceremony, ignore the show they are so obviously putting on, the bullshit the instructors want us to see.
No, I focus on the pain. The betrayal that is so quickly glossed over. Whatever drove them to this.
So much power...Garen is supposed to be one of the strongest Champions in the League, and something could still drive him to this. Someone could still hurt him.
...
I still struggle to win my fights here. How deep does the rabbit hole go? How high must I climb to be able to declare myself "excellent"?
I look at my classmates.
What am I fighting for?
Who am I fighting for?
The questions linger as the instructors send us to our rooms.
(Draven - PoV)
The screen shows two figures walking down Noxus main street.
I separate myself and stand up.
"Hey, hey, look! See? I told you! I told you he was switching sides!" I call out to everyone.
Most are rather too busy to pay attention.
One man with a nice mustache at least looks up. "Oh my. Yes, you were right, and that outfit really suits him. But he would look better out of it, much like you do, dear."
I pose, flexing heroically, light reflecting off my shimmering oiled body.
"Well, of course. I wonder if we can get him to join in...maybe I should call Darius."
I start to go to find my mirror but a hand snakes out of a pile of bodies and drags me back in.
Later. I can call Darius later.
It would be rude to ignore my company.
(Morgana - PoV)
I watch the announcement idly with most of Noxus while I bake. Big news certainly, but nothing to catch my personal attention. Not until I see her.
The tray of cookies falls to the floor unnoticed.
My heart manages to somehow simultaneously both thud in my chest harder than I've felt in centuries, and force its way into my throat.
My eyes water.
It's not her. I know it's not.
But just for an instant. For that one, tiny, fraction of a moment, I thought...I could see...I hoped...
...
I close my eyes and try to bring myself under control. My magic is surging so badly, the entire shop is rattling.
I take deep, slow breaths. And eventually, open my eyes.
And stare at the screen, hungrily, as they take their oaths.
Garen is...fine. He seems a good sort. He was nice enough as a Demacian, I suspect he will be better as a Noxian.
But the girl...Luxanna...
...
Nothing can ever replace Kayle. Nothing. Ever.
...
But if I can get even some tiny, minute fraction of her back into my life?
...
I run a finger along the screen, tracing her luminous false wings.
I want it.
I need it.
...
I hurriedly close up the shop for today. I have a call to make.
(? - PoV)
Justice.
Right. Wrong.
Retribution. Forgiveness?
Endless Cycles.
I watch him die, over and over.
We fight while they die.
Is this Justice?
It can't be.
So what is?
(Vessaria Kolminye (Twisted P), League High Summoner - PoV)
I sit with the other actually sane Summoners while we discuss the fallout from today's announcement.
"Garen moving from the Demacian to Noxian team isn't that big a deal, it is the effects on the world I am worried about. How long until they use him as a battering ram in the field?" I state.
"You are missing the more important point." my compatriot argues. "they have not said specifically what caused his defection, and that concerns me. I expect they will use him on the field as you say, and then when people complain, reveal the truth to attempt to rip the heart of out Demacia right as they are gearing up for war."
I grimace. Swain is such a bitch to deal with.
A knock on the door interrupts our session. Oh gods, what now.
We call the messenger in, a young apprentice.
"Umm, Councilors. There was a battle in Section E-3. It is pretty banged up. Again.
Of course it fucking is. Is it too much to ask for one day of peace from these psychotic man-children?
"How many?"
"Only two dead this time" he answers.
Well, that's not too bad.
"So, where is he?" I ask.
Everyone knows who I am asking about. There is no question who is at fault. In E-3 it is always his fault.
All Fall Down. A godforsaken monster from the days of the Rune Wars
As in participated. He fought against those monsters wielding fragments of the world itself and lived. Oh, he had had a World Rune himself, but he didn't use it. He didn't need to. He says he picked it up "because it was shiny," the lunatic. Now one of the most powerful pieces of magic in the known world is sitting on a shelf in the basement collecting dust. Along with all the other insane artifacts we collect.
"It's uh, chicken nugget day ma'am."
God damnit.
...
"Oh whatever, at least he won't be causing trouble for a while. After he finishes he will be going "to have a lie-down."
Even if the building is on fire.
I wish I didn't know from experience.
I resist the urge to cry.
This is not what I expected when I got the offer to join the League.
I came here with such lofty ideals, such pride. I came expecting a glorious consensus of the greatest mages of the world, a group of the most learned individuals, carefully discussing how to steer its nations away from ruin.
Instead, I am babysitting children with entirely too much power.
Children who regularly murder each other and others over the pettiest, most inane disputes.
...
And we are the ones the world looks to for peace. Why is humanity so determined to leap towards its doom?
The urge to rest my head in my arms and break down is near overwhelming, but I resist once more, through long practice. Those early days I couldn't, but that is hardly unusual here.
We send the messenger away with a wave.
"So, All Fall Down, the Noxian situation, the disappearances in the Demacian farmlands, or one of the other matters on the docket?"
"Oh gods, the list just keeps growing," I complain.
The others grumble in agreement.
Why Noxus? Why must you add to this? I am already drowning and you just have to add another complication.
...
"Ugh, you know what? I don't care. Noxus and Demacia can do whatever they want. As long as they don't start blowing up the continent or summoning void demons I really don't give a shit, we have too much to deal with already."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
(Wilson Westfield - PoV)
Harvest looks to be good this year at least. Lots of extra work, of course. Especially working to try and get it brought in early, with the rumors floating about recently. Undead, war, betrayal. If we can get everything pulled in and stored...well, at least that's one thing we won't have to worry about.
I hate working this late bu-
A flickering shadow in the corner of my eyes catches my attention. I turn but there's nothing there.
I don't like it. Been jumpy all day.
Hefting my scythe, I walk over to the fence to check things out, just to be certain.
...
*sigh*
Nothing. Just too much on my mind lately. Now here I am jumping at shadows and wasting daylight. Moonlight, whatever.
I turn back to the wagon and-
There's a scarecrow next to my wagon.
...
I don't have any scarecrows. Especially not one like...that.
...
"Hey! You there! What're you doin with my wagon!" I hollar at them.
It's gotta be some dressed up fool doin somethin weird, right?
...
Right?
...
I try to push the old stories out of my mind
The nasty rumors and folk tales.
...
The scarecrow turns around, and I see the glowing red eyes.
I drop my scythe and run.
I pray to the Angel.
She doesn't come.
No one comes.