Welcome to the fifth installment of the Diver and the Dark child.
I honestly have had this one sitting in my disk for way to long and wanted to get it out so other people could read it.
I hope you enjoy. Maybe I give this chapter a sequal one day... Probably not with my track record.
Ionia, a small land off the main continent of Runeterra. In Ionia magic runs rampant in every way, shape, and form. Citizens of Ionia often live simple lives, focused more on their spiritual wellbeing then material needs. However ever since Noxus tried to invade Ionia, their simple way of life was upturned. Times have changed as now many people from all over Runeterra go to Ionia, either for the beautiful beaches, healing hot springs, or peaceful atmosphere.
It is on one of these pristine white beaches of Ionia that a white-haired woman walked down. She wore a simple white dress with large shoulder pads, a huge right glove, and other pieces of armor. On her hip was a broken broadsword, with green runes etched into it. The women was none other than Riven the Exiled.
The beach was surprisingly empty, normally it was a very popular spot for tourist to go to. Which meant that it was almost always nearly packed. Also, it wasn't like the weather was bad either, it was bright and sunny, the wind was a gentle breeze, and only little white puffs of clouds could be seen scattered across the sky.
Riven wasn't going to question such a simple treat like this and just took the time to walk down the shoreline. Riven smiled as she felt the sand between her toes. Her arms outstretched to the side as she felt the sun's beams on her. Her sandals dangled from her right hand, hanging over the waves. The breeze carried the cool air of the ocean while the waves gently lapped against Riven's legs.
Riven smiled as she just started to move down the beach again. The sounds of the waves crashing, and the cries of gulls filled the air. Riven savored the peaceful moment with nothing but her and nature. Suddenly that peace was interrupted, not in a bad way, but now Riven knew she wasn't alone anymore. The giggle of a little girl once more filled the air. Riven, curious to who else was on the beach, started to walk towards the sound.
As Riven came out from behind a boulder, she saw a little girl with bright red hair, emerald eyes, and a dark purple one-piece swimsuit playing in the sand. Next to her was a little teddy bear with a small red bucket on its head. The bear also had a small scuba mask and an inflatable ring around its stomach. Riven smiled as she watched the little girl built a sandcastle.
Riven jumped a little when she saw flames come from the little girl's hand when a part of the castle collapsed.
"A mage," Riven said in a whisper. Riven quickly looked around for anyone else. Someone that might look like the little girl or watching over her. Yet Riven saw no one, the beach was empty except for the two of them. A deep frown formed on Riven's face as she leaned against the boulder and watched the little girl.
After a moment, Riven shook her head and started to walk up to the red head girl. As Riven was approaching the girl stopped building and watched with wide eyes and a huge grin.
"Hi! I am Annie, do you want to play with me and Tibbers?" Annie said jumping to her feet.
Riven was eyes were wide before she started to laugh a little. She bent down so she was face to face with Annie.
"Sure thing Annie, I am Riven and I would love to play with you. Are you by yourself?" Riven asked holding out her hand.
Annie stared at the hand for a second before she grinned. She grabbed Riven's hand and started to shake it.
"Nope, I got Tibbers," Annie said releasing Riven and holding up Tibbers in both hands, "and Nauty said he will be back soon."
Riven frowned at the thought of someone just leaving the little girl alone. But quickly wiped the frown away and smiled.
"That's good, so what do you want to play?"
"Let's go swimming!" Annie said as she darted towards the water Tibbers still in her arms.
"Wait! Annie! I need to change!" Riven shouted as she ran for the little girl.
After Riven had caught Annie and brought her back. Riven made Annie wait while Riven took off her clothes to reveal a black bikini. After all, you don't go to the beach without your swimsuit. Riven put her clothes on a boulder and sat Tibbers on top after arguing with Annie for a bit. Annie did not want to part from Tibbers, but after Riven argued that Annie didn't want Tibbers to get soak did Annie give in. Taking Annie's hand Riven led the two towards the ocean and they played in the waves. A large splash battle occurred that resulted in the two being soaked and turning into laughing mess.
When Annie was starting to tire, Riven picked Annie up and carried her back to the beach and into the shade. Riven let Annie rest in the shade while she went to get food and drinks. When she returned Annie was already back to bouncing everywhere. After a quick meal, Annie dragged Riven towards some tidal pools.
Riven happily let the little girl pull her around as they explored the pools together. Riven laughed at the face of disgust Annie had when Riven pointed at a sea cucumber. Annie had then found a little crab with an arm as big as it was. She started to follow the crab around as Riven just watched from a boulder. Riven had to laugh at the sight of Annie trying to copy the crab's sideways walk.
As they were playing in the tidal pools a glow of light started to form in the sea. Riven noticed it as the light started to become a more defined circle.
"Annie, let's go back to our stuff really quick," Riven said reaching out for Annie's hand
"Do we have to, I want to play with crabby some more," Annie whined grabbing Riven's hand.
Looking at the sea through the corner of her eyes, "Yes, yes we do have to. We can also get some snacks, do you want ice cream?"
"Ice cream!" Annie said jumping before pulling Riven back to their stuff.
Despite the situation, Riven let out a small laugh as they reached the rock. Annie then went to another boulder and pulled out a bright pink backpack. Riven had gathered her clothes and put her gauntlet back on was holding her sword.
"Wow, what a big sword Rivvy, but why is it broken?" Annie asked with wide eyes.
"I broke it, but it's okay. I prefer it like this," Riven said with a soft smile.
"Really why?"
"Because of this," Riven said before summoning her full sword.
"That is so awesome! Rivvy can I get a sword like that? Please, please, pleaseee," Annie begged causing Riven to chuckle.
"Maybe one day Annie, no promise though," Riven said causing Annie to look down sadly.
Before Riven could say anything else a large figure emerged from the water. Riven instantly moved to put Annie behind her. Raising her complete sword, she surveyed the large titan.
Before Riven stood a metal titan covered in seaweed. Its eyes pulsed red as it looked at Riven. An ethereal green glow emitted from the joints of the titan. But the thing Riven watched the most was the large anchor it carried on its shoulder. The titan started to march towards the two. The anchor being raised high in the air.
Riven heard Annie shout something but was to focused on the anchor that came swinging down. What she didn't see coming was that the anchor was being thrown at her. Riven immediately jumped back as the anchor landed just in front of her. The earth shook from the strike as sand was tossed into the air.
The anchor started to move back towards the titan as he continued to march closer. Riven quickly jumped into the air and swung her sword down at the titan. It had brought its anchor to block the strike. A loud cling filled the air as sword and anchor met. A small struggle between the two occurred before the titan pushed Riven away.
Riven spun in the air and landed gracefully on her feet. She crouched down about to charge at the titan before a large ball of flames appeared in front of her. Once the flames cleared a giant, burning, stuffed teddy bear stood in front of her. Its back was towards her as its arm outstretched to the sides. It had the same red bucket, scuba mask, and ring floatie that Tibbers, just bigger of course.
"Bad Nauty, bad! Rivvy is a friend. You don't attack friends!" Annie said.
Riven looked back and flinched from the amount of fire that surrounded Annie. The fire had taken the shape of a large bear and it stood easily ten feet tall. Annie was on top of a boulder her hands on her hips, her toes tapping, as she glared at the metal titan.
Riven looked back at the metal titan, Nauty, as he flinched back. Whether it was because of the giant fire or the little girl's glare Riven could only guess. He put his giant anchor down into the surf as he got down on one knee.
"Sorry Annie… I thought she was trying to hurt you…" The giant rumbled out in a deep gravelly voice.
Annie had just jumped off her boulder and walked towards the metal titan. Her stuff bear quickly falling behind her. Riven wanted to move and stop Annie, but she remembered her saying something about Nauty before. Riven looked bewildered at the metal titan as Annie stood before it. Her fiery aura was now gone as she just glared up at him with her arms crossed. Behind her the giant bear also had its arms crossed. The glow that once surrounded the titan had disappeared. Its head seemed to bow down lower and lower the longer Annie glare at it.
"It's not me you're supposed to say sorry to. Apologies to Rivvy for throwing your anchor."
The giant turned towards her and bowed its head really low, "I am sorry… for attacking you… I am Nautilus… friend of Annie…"
Riven just rubbed the back of her head. Her sword falling back to pieces, "Uh, it's no problem Nautilus, all forgiven. Also, I am Riven, and a friend of Annie too."
Nautilus looked towards Annie as if to confirm it. When she nodded, Nautilus put his right hand down with his palm facing up. The bear burst into flames and turned back into Tibbers with his accessories normal size now. Annie jumped and skipped towards Riven, all anger or malice gone from her face as Tibbers dangled from one hand. Annie quickly grabbed a confused Riven's hand and started to pull her towards the open palm of the metal giant. Riven didn't put up any fight as she sat on the palm with Annie. Suddenly, they were much higher in the air and face to face with Nautilus.
Nautilus's eyes had turned into upside down u's as he looked at the two. He moved his hand towards his left shoulder. As soon as the hand stopped moving, Annie was on her feet and jumped towards the open shoulder. Riven was quickly on her feet but soon saw no need to worry as Annie just gracefully land on the shoulder. A small wave of flames danced out from her feet and across the shoulder but Nautilus either didn't care or notice. Riven followed after the little girl who was now sitting down and swinging her legs. Riven copied her and they were both sitting on Nautilus's shoulder. Not even noticing the giant move, Riven soon saw Nautilus lifting his anchor up on to his right shoulder.
"Nauty, can you please pick up our stuff?" Annie asked hugging Tibbers.
"Yes…" Nautilus answered as he moved towards the boulder. With a gentle stride, Nautilus was soon on one knee picking up Riven and Annie's belongings. Nautilus handed it back to the two before standing once more.
"Where to… Princess Annie…" Nautilus said.
"I dunno Sir Nauty, Lady Rivvy, do you have any suggestion?" Annie asked as she tilted her head looking in Riven's direction. Riven smiled as before looking over at Nautilus, who was looking at them through the corner of his dark visage.
"Let's head to my home, it's over that way," Riven said pointing back the way she came.
"Yeah! Let's go see Lady Rivvy's home."
Riven and Nautilus both let out a soft chuckle or as soft as Nautilus could, at Annie's enthusiasm. Nautilus began to march in the direction that Riven pointed at.
As they were walking down the beach Annie suddenly cheered. "Look the sky, it is such a pretty orange!" Annie said as she pointed at the sunset.
Nautilus instantly turned to face the sunset. Riven, in all her time in Ionia, had never seen a sunset like the one before them. It was simply breathtaking, an orange sky fading to red. Purple highlighted the edge of the sunset and the night sky. The sea reflected the orange and red light of the sun. The trio just watched as the sun slowly moved past the horizon until nothing but the gentle moonbeams caressed the lands and the stars twinkled in the night.
Annie's stomach let out a loud growl as the pyro mage hugged Tibbers. "Nauty, Rivvy, I'm hungry."
Nautilus instantly turned back towards the direction Riven had pointed out earlier. Riven pulled the little girl close and sat Annie in her lap.
"We be there soon Annie, I make sure it is an extra special meal, okay?"
Annie cheered as Nautilus once more let out a small chuckle. The smile Riven had, grew as she hugged the little girl close to her. Annie happily snuggled into Riven's arm. The trio made their way through the night in peace, for once not so alone anymore.
I hope you all enjoyed this. This was fun one to write, I enjoy making Riven seem motherly. Why? I dunno it just works I guess. Do leave a review telling me what you thought.
Take care all!
PK out!