(Jarvan IV - PoV)
Sitting on the gleaming white steps of the throne, I stare at the shining crown in my hands.
I don't have the right to wear it, but I dare say that is for the best. Given the state of things, I doubt anyone ever will again. It will become one more bauble from the records of history.
Coronation is not an especially complicated process but not an entirely simple one either, and given the state of things, and my relations with, well, everyone, right now? The Council is not exactly lining up the proclaim me the new King. It turns out some of them take offense to having their lives threatened, no matter how deserved. It doesn't matter. The people stand behind me, and that is what matters.
Or that is what should matter, at least. But in truth? The fact marshals and most of the military are also backing me is most likely more important. The Council's, everything, is well known, and they are pulling forces back to the city. This is, of course, allowing Noxus free reign over the entirety of Demacia, but it is not like we could have stopped them, not for long. I wonder if Darius is elated or annoyed at his easy victory?
(Darius - PoV)
*Slap*
By Kled's balls, the bug is nearly as big as my fucking hand...
I hate marshes...
(Jarvan IV - PoV)
Unfortunately, I fear the Mageseekers are doing the same. Gerald is convinced there is a conspiracy against him, some secret group of mages attempting to overthrow the nation. The fact no magic use has been found, in either Tianna's murder or my father's, does nothing to convince him otherwise. It must be the work of mages. Only they would attempt to bring the downfall of Demacia, only they are the enemy. Everything wrong everywhere is their fault.
I suspect it is not only the victims of their Process that are suffering from paranoia and insanity.
Negotiations and diplomacy are going nowhere, I fear it will come to bloodshed once more. The city is dipping heavily into the siege supplies, with much of it shut down due to so many being afraid to leave their homes. I've deployed the Dauntless Vanguard around the city, to attempt to help with morale...and to keep an eye on the Mageseekers.
There have been several incidents already, with them making baseless accusations against civilians. More blood in the streets.
Sighing, I place the crown on the seat of the throne. May father's head be the last it ever graces.
We have found nothing on who was actually responsible for his murder. The Council is useless and divided, as usual, seeking only their own interests, or offering useless and contradictory advice. With no clear resolution, I am back to simply waiting, while the situation deteriorates worse than ever.
Unfortunately, the one useful bit of information I do have from the Council, from that snake Laurent, is that the Mageseekers have some kind of secret weapon. Something that could threaten the city itself. I worry that if I move against them directly they will use it.
Now I must sit waiting. Doing nothing, and hoping for a solution to magically appear. All while my people suffer...
No...I am not worthy of the crown, even if I was given it. I failed to save Demacia. I failed to achieve justice. It seems all that is left is to sit and wait for Garen and the Noxians to come and take matters into their own hands.
Noxian justice...I'd ask where we went wrong, but given that the Angel herself is fighting for Noxus, it must have been so very very long ago.
The doors rapidly swing open, admitting an out-of-breath messenger. Now that I am paying attention I can hear the tolling of bells in the distance...
As ever, things only get worse. I know I have failed so very greatly, but do I truly deserve this?
Perhaps...
"My prince! A break out, at the prison! Hundreds have escaped, large sections are in ruins!"
The prison? Cithria is there now...with the mages.
And there is the spark that will ignite this powder keg...I hope she is alright at least...
"Rest. Shyvana, Xin, with me. I fear this will be the last straw..." I order.
We head towards the palace gates, where I meet Karn and can get an update on the situation.
"Sir! Riots are breaking out across the city, the Mageseekers definitely know and are moving. The mages themselves are organizing and moving against the seekers. There are already small skirmishes across the city between the seekers, the mages, our men, and various civilians," Karn begins to brief me.
"Gerald? And the large groups?" I ask.
"Gerald took the bulk of the seekers and is heading towards the edge of the city, near the main gate. Perhaps to prevent them from escaping? The main block of mages is following him. I don't believe there is any chance of getting the two to de-escalate sir. We will have to either take them both down or pick a side."
Aye. Support either the semi-legal insane fanatics who want to murder innocents, or illegal mind broken mages hated by the public and out for revenge against everyone. Fantastic.
"And sir, from the descriptions, the leader of the mages? It sounds a lot like the one you spoke to, that Sylas."
...Of course it is.
"Grab everyone you can, we will follow them. For now..."
I sigh.
"The Mageseekers have done nothing but commit atrocities for the past few years. All Mageseekers are to be arrested. Put them down if they resist. The mages are to be left alone as long as they are not attacking anyone, try to escort them to their fellows, and we can work out how to deal with them later."
"Sir." Karn salutes and gives the orders.
"Xin, Shyvanna, we will move ahead and try to shut down this mess. Are you with me?"
Shyvanna's grin is bloodthirsty as ever. She is more than happy to finally get a chance to cut loose on the seekers, given they tend to have been amongst her strongest detractors.
Xin gives a stoic nod.
He has...taken father's death hard. He may have been specifically ordered away, but still considers it a failure on his part as a bodyguard. Logically untrue, but...
Alas, no time for dwelling. We tense, and rush across the city.
I can see the chaos as the city flashes past.
Soldiers marching in the streets, small skirmishes, fires, rioting.
Demacia...
How we have failed you. The crown was my family's burden to bear and we failed.
"Hear me, brothers and sisters! Rise! Rise and throw off the shackles of oppression! Today is the day we fight for our freedom! For justice for all that has been done to us!"
We hear his speech as we arrive. Sylas...he still wears the remains of his chains and shackles. It does naught but add to his dangerous charisma. The light in his eyes...
The crowd around him cheers, rallying to his cause. It is hard to tell at a glance, but more than a few wear prison garb, and I can make out a few familiar tattoos. Hundreds of mages at least. Even at their weakest, they are not a force to be underestimated. Free of restraints, united behind a charismatic leader, and possibly with their minds addled?
...
Across the square, near the base of a great petricite statue, one our armies used to carry with them to war to counter enemy magic, the Mageseekers gather.
Gerald spots our arrival. "Jarvan! See! I told you! The mages, they can never be trusted! But we have prepared for this day, the day they would dare to rise against us!"
No...No, damnation, what are they planning?
In the back, at the feet of the statue, almost hidden by the other seekers, I see the few remaining Mages amongst their number performing...a ritual?
...Mageseekers, performing a ritual? What madness is this?
"We will have our freedom you bastards, and our revenge for every crime you have committed!" Sylas cries out, before turning to me. "Prince. Are you here for justice or to attempt to lock us away again? We will not go quietly, not again."
I shake my head, but before I can answer him, blinding light flashes out.
"Behold!" Gerald cries out. "The ultimate creation of artificer Durand! Galio!"
The statue begins to move, standing up and stretching out its massive wings, its head looking down towards the crumbled bodies at its feet.
The mages who slit their own throats as part of the ritual...
What have they done? And what have they woken...
"Behold! Our salvation! Our Solution!"