AN: Another chapter, another deadline almost missed. The reason this time was nothing shy of my own stupidiy. Since I and now unemployed, I hadn't been keeping a very good track of the days, so it wasn't until almost 6 o clock pm that I realized that it was Monday, and I was due for another chapter. Thankfully, I had this chapter half started from another day so I was able to get it done.
Sadly, that means this is once again a chapter more or less hot off the press, so expect some typos, but I'm pretty sure I got all of them when I did a sweep over.
I really need to get better at this...
Also, a reviewer by the name atomschlumff pointed out that some of the German in my story is off, and yes, that is entirely Google translator's fault. I myself can only speak English, so any and all other languages are either from Google translate or are from me looking it up on other sites. I do try to double check the other languages through more then one site, or other phrases in Google, but in the end I can't actually tell for sure since I myself can't speak either German, French, or Japanese. Sorry if that has been confusing anyone who is fluent in these languages.
Anyhow, enjoy, and there will be another AN at the bottom.
Ionia (city), Ionia
"I don't see the point in this, Archangel." Irelia argued. "You can't honestly think that Syndra knows as to why she was targeted?"
The military leader led Isaac to a deeper part of the prison, where only the most dangerous criminals were kept. It was the last place on Valoran Isaac wanted to be.
However, it was also the place where the Ionians were keeping Syndra.
"We won't know unless we try." Isaac countered as he and Irelia descended another flight of stairs.
"There is no point in trying! Not with Syndra." Irelia made a cutting motion with her hand as if to put emphasis on her frustration. "She will refuse to speak to us, unless those words are along the lines of release me at once!"
"Well… you DID just suddenly take her prisoner…" Mute mumbled in Isaac's ear piece.
"She'll refuse to talk to you guys, she might be more willing to talk to me." Isaac said.
The pair made it to a large set of double doors, with a group of guards positioned outside. At the entrance Irelia stopped and turned to Isaac.
"I'm fine with you wanting to speak with her." Irelia sighed. "As long as you don't pull a stunt like your friend did back there. Wanted criminal or not, I won't allow you to execute Syndra in cold blood."
Isaac shook his head. "I have no reason to do such a thing. This is going to be the first time I meet her anyways."
"Oh…" Mute started to chuckle. "And meeting her inside a dark, gloomy prison that she is currently being held captive in is SUUUCH a great place to make a good first impression."
Shut up Mute.
Irelia stared at Isaac for a moment, looking at him as if she was trying to peer into his eyes behind his black visor. After a few seconds, she nodded to him.
"To leave the prison, you will have to knock three times, pause for two seconds, then knock another four times. Each knock must have a second in wait in between." She explained to him. "Do you understand?"
Isaac nodded. He guessed that stupid rule was a just-in-case Syndra escapes.
Although… now that he thought about it…
"Question." Isaac suddenly said. "If Syndra is a super-powerful mage… how are you keeping her down here?"
"This prison cell was designed by her old mentor. It's made to nullify magic." Irelia explained. "In addition to this, Syndra is being held behind bars with anti-magic spells and properties, along with shackles that do the same thing."
Mute let out a low whistle. "That's some heavy security…"
Isaac furrowed his brow. "Her old mentor?"
"Yes. Syndra discovered he was dampening her powers under she could learn to control them better." Irelia informed him as she signalled the guards to open the doors to Syndra's prison.
"I take it that didn't go over so well with her…" Isaac mumbled.
"She murdered him when he refused to return her powers to her."
"…. Great…" Isaac signed. And now, he was about to meet this person one on one… inside a prison, behind closed doors.
"Let's hope that security holds up." Mute sighed. She must have been thinking the same thing.
"Second thoughts?" Irelia asked him with a concerned expression on her face as the massive double doors slowly opened before him.
Everyone looked to her and Ahri sighed. "There was someone with these shock troopers when they went to make that exchange with Zed… someone we know."
"Don't leave us waiting in suspense Ahri." Irelia shook her head. "Who was it?"
"Jinx."
... Jinx…?
"Just…" Isaac shook his head, clearing his mind of unnecessary thoughts. "If I'm not out in an hour, just assume the worst." He said.
Beyond the doors Isaac couldn't see anything… it was pitch black in the room. He turned to Irelia for an answer.
"The room will lighten up when you enter." She explained, then motioned towards the entrance. "Good luck."
Isaac gave her one last nod, before he walked up to the doorway. He paused at the pitch-black void in front of him and his caution that had been drilled into him for years kicked in. Carefully and slowly, Isaac reached a hand into the doorway, and his hand pieced the black void without any resistance.
"Nothing ventured…" Mute's voice trailed off.
I know.
Isaac stepped forward…
She hated this place.
No… if there was a word that was beyond hatred, she would have chosen that one.
"RAH!" Syndra screamed out as summoned up her magic, sending a wave of power at the iron bars of her cell. Her orbs slammed into the bars and instead of having the desired effect, it was her orbs that shattered upon impact.
"Damn it!" She cursed out loud. She threw her hands up in the air in frustration, the chains on her shackles rattled from the movement.
Damn them! Damn them all! She bit her lower lip in her anger and kicked the dirt off the cold stone floor of her cell.
This entire prison, this entire cell she currently found herself in when she woke up… the entire thing reeked of her old master. Everything in here, from the air, to the shackles, to the floor, all of it dampened her powers.
It was a prison cell designed just for her.
She hated it.
Syndra let out a long sigh as she dropped her rear down onto her shitty prison bed. At least she still had all her clothing, headpiece included.
… Now what…
She groaned loudly, burying her face in her hands. How the hell did this happen?
First the Ascension ambushed her, then she lost conscious… and then she awakened to find herself in this prison. Her personal hell.
There had been no explanation, but she didn't need one. This place was clearly NOT built by the Ascension, so that left one other option.
Someone else captured me. Syndra scoffed at the thought. She knew who it was. The elders… they had finally done it.
Maybe that's what the Ascension were after this whole time… turn me over to the elders for some kind of favor.
Syndra felt her rage building up again as she remembered the words of the Ascension's leader.
Zed… that son of a WHORE!
Just as she felt her anger begin to boil over again, she saw heard a noise. Looking up from her hands, Syndra saw through her cell's bars that the doorway to her chamber was opening. She cocked her head up in curiosity as to who her first visitor might be…
And how she would tell them to fuck right off.
After a few seconds, though… no one came through, leaving Syndra feeling even more agitated.
"Who is it?!" She shouted at the pitch-black void that the door had opened up to. "Irelia?! Is that you, you bitch?! Karma?!"
However, it was not Irelia or Karma who entered through the black void…
It was a man clad in a familiar set of black armor… with an outworldly appearance. He took one step into the room, then started to check himself over as if he had just stepped out of a changing room.
Syndra's rage at her situation vanished… and in its place, came all the frustration she had felt days prior.
The object of her obsession had more or less just fallen into her lap.
"Well, that was interesting." Mute mumbled as Isaac checked himself over. Sure enough, he had passed through the pitch blackness of the doorway and here he was.
And here was a dimly lit room with a sole prison cell in the center. The sole occupant of said cell being Syndra, all in her dark-hardly covering dress and her helmet. Or head piece… or whatever it was called.
Of course, Isaac first noticed her expression. She was sitting on her bed with her arms out in front of her palms up, head turned in his direction with a look of outright surprise on her face.
It lasted only a second, before Syndra's face contorted into nothing shy of absolute rage.
"YOU!" She shrieked as she flew from her bed. She slammed into the cell's iron bars, grasping them and thrusting her head out towards him. "NOW YOU DECIDE TO SHOW YOURSELF?!"
… Huh…
Isaac cocked his head the side in confusion. The fuck was this woman going on about?
Syndra seemed to be only further irritated by his silence. "Two…" She growled, her head lowered and not meeting Isaac in the eyes. She seemed to be shaking. "Two…" She grumbled again, before her head bolted upright and Isaac could see her glowing eyes.
"FOR TWO WHOLE FUCKING MONTHS YOU LEAD ME ON WILD BIRD CHASE, ONLY TO APPEAR NOW!?"
Not only did Syndra scream, but Isaac felt her raw power seeping out of the prison as it struggled to contain her. His hairs went up on end and he had to resist the impulse to reach for his sidearm.
His visor highlighted Syndra's body and started to give off warning signals.
"Careful Isaac…" Mute began. "Syndra is almost omnipotent. We shouldn't gamble on those bars holding her back forever."
Duly noted…
However, he was also curious now.
"You were looking for me?" Isaac asked.
His simple question seemed to only annoy Syndra further.
"That's what a wild bird chase means you moron!" She growled, still pressing herself up against the bars. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I came to ask you a few questions."
Syndra blinked. After a few seconds of silence, she pushed herself away from the cell's bars and stood up straight, looking at Isaac with an expression that gave him the feeling that she thought he was crazy.
That feeling was further reinforced when Syndra threw her head back and started laughing.
"Welp… this interrogation is going reaaaaaaaal well…" Mute sighed. "Great work inspector Isaac."
"Shut up Mute." Isaac sighed. While Syndra continued her over-the-top laughing fit, he walked up to the bars of her cell, but made sure not to get within arm's reach of them.
She was looking for me… that means she wants something from me. I might be able to use that to my advantage.
That being said, he was pretty damn sure he didn't want Syndra laying a finger on him, given her power. He REALLY didn't want to test the anti-magic capabilities of this cell.
"Y-Y-you…" Syndra gasped between laughs as she wrapped her arms around herself as if she was trying to contain her own laughter. "You… ha… you come to me while I'm in prison… and… and… ha… want to ask ME questions, after I've… ha… been hunting you?" She snorted loudly and very unlady-like. "Oh, that's too RICH!"
Isaac sighed. "Are you done?" He asked with a tint of annoyance in his voice, although his question seemed to get Syndra laugh even harder.
Isaac rolled his eyes. He was getting no where. It also didn't help that Mute's expression was starting to cloud over with a laugh of her own.
"Not a word Mute…" Isaac mumbled, giving his AI a look that said now wasn't the best time.
Seeing how he had an hour, Isaac decided to let Syndra's laughing spell run its course. He only had to wait another twenty seconds before the dark mage managed to start breathing again.
"Oh…" Syndra managed between gasps of air. "I haven't laughed that hard in a long time…" She signed happily. "Thank you for that."
Isaac rolled his eyes. Like THAT had been his goal...
"Now… do you-" Isaac began, but no sooner did the words leave his mouth did Syndra's expression turn challenging.
"And why would I answer anything you ask?" She questioned in a low voice, one that betrayed her earlier laughing fit. She threw an accusing finger at him. "YOU'RE the one who should be answering my questions!"
"I don't think that's how interrogations work…" Mute sighed. Isaac ignored her comment.
"I'm not the one in a prison cell." He simply stated. When Syndra looked like she was about to freak at him, he raised an open palm in the air in the universal "cool it" sign. "Look, all I want to know is do you have any idea as to why the Ascension was after you?"
Syndra shrugged. "Not a clue."
Isaac looked her up and down. Syndra's body language showed that she was completely relaxed, as if there wasn't a thing in the world that could harm her.
In the current situation, that was more or less true.
"I think she's telling the truth Isaac." Mute threw her opinion out there.
Thinking the same thing… as much as she would likely lie, I didn't expect her to know anyways.
"Why have you been looking for me?" Isaac asked. This question was mainly just to satisfy his own curiosity.
Syndra snorted. "Curious one, aren't you?" She sighed before turning around and wandering over to her bed. "It doesn't matter anymore. Tomorrow I'll be thrown on some mock display trial where my fate has already been sealed. Then they'll either imprison me once again for life or just execute me and be done with it."
Syndra plopped down on the bed and raised a hand in the air, palm up. Three small black and purple orbs appeared out of thin air, hovering above her hand. With a sigh, Syndra flicked her finger, and the three orbs started to rotate above her palm.
"Well… that's a depressing sight…" Mute moaned.
I'm not getting anywhere like this.
She referred to the upcoming trial as a "mock trial", and that her fate was already sealed. In a sense, Isaac could see that. If the Ionians were that terrified of Syndra and her powers, on top of the fact she had murdered her former master, then it would be likely that the Ionians intended to give her a rigged trial.
"Listen…" Isaac was cut off when three tiny orbs of magic smashed into the cell bars and shattered.
"NO!" Syndra screamed at him as she bolted upright and snarled. "I WILL NOT! I will NOT BE RESTRAINED! NOT BY YOU, NOT BY IRELIA, NOT BY ANYONE!" She spat at in Isaac's direction. "LEAVE. ME. ALONE!"
Tomorrow came quickly. It was the day the army Irelia had ensembled was to move out. However, first thing was first.
Syndra's trial.
The courthouse that was to host the trial had filled up quickly, even though it was barely sunrise. However, the courthouse appeared so much like a theatre, with the way the seats surrounded the center platform on three sides, that Isaac was secretly suspicious that it was in fact a theatre, and the Ionians were using at as a makeshift courthouse for Syndra's trial.
The center and right sections of the seats were occupied by whoever had gotten there first: civilian and soldier alike. Meanwhile, the left section of seats had been reserved by those with some level of importance in Ionia, or the world. Like military leaders, civilian authority holders, and of course, League champions.
"Well… this is turning into a fine spectacle…" Mute mumbled as Isaac watched the stands fill up with all sorts of people.
Isaac rolled his eyes at how eager the people of Ionia seemed to file in for this trial.
Its like they WANT to see an execution or something…
Then again, Isaac understood why they appeared so eager. Given all the terror that had gripped the world as of late, the citizens of Ionia were probably desperate for good news, and the prosecution of a wanted criminal as dangerous as Syndra would be right up their alley.
Isaac himself was sitting in the third row from the front… and he had somehow managed to find himself right smack in the middle of all the League champions… which kind of annoyed him.
Sona sat on his right, separating him from Shyvana. Next to him on his left was Ahri, with Soraka afterwards. Behind Isaac, sat Fizz (who he had learned was the smaller fish's name), Galio, and Ezreal, while on the row in front of him was Nami and Blitzkrieg… who was being given a wide birth by everyone else.
"You think I went a little too far?" Blitzkrieg had asked over their private COM link when he had noticed everyone was giving him an unusually large amount of space.
Isaac had responded by holding his right hand in front of Blitzkrieg's face and pinching his index finger and thumb together. Blitzkrieg had shrugged.
Isaac had also noticed to other figures nearby that he didn't recognize until Mute had pointed out that they too, were League Champions.
Some jacked shirtless man with a blindfold over his eyes sat on Nami's right, and Mute had identified him at Lee Sin, the blind monk.
"Careful, he may be blind but he can still sense the world around him… don't take him lightly." She had cautioned.
However, it was not Lee Sin that gave Isaac the goosebumps… but the other man who had sat nearby, and was getting just as much as a wide birth as Blitzkrieg was.
This man had a stoic expression on his face, with silver hair and pupil-less eyes. The man's torso and upper arms were a pale almost white color, while his limbs were various shades of purple. And, they appeared to be a form of… crystallization? Armor?
Isaac's scanner had given Mute a field day. That, and the massive warnings his HUD was giving him about the individual and the odd bow that the man had strapped to his back.
"Isaac, whatever you do… avoid that man." Mute warned him. "His name is Varus, and although he's a League champion, keep your distance."
"Why?"
"That bow is alive. And it's got power to it that your suit's scanner can't get a fix on." Mute explained. "On top of that, it's slowly draining the life out of the wielder. You see his forearms and legs? How they're a different color? That's not armor Isaac, it's a form of energy, no, some kind of corruption that is making him have that appearance."
Isaac eyed Varus carefully. Suddenly, he was really glad that Varus had chosen to sit so far away from everyone else. The guy looked like hell.
"So… it's the bow then?" Isaac asked, observing the very odd shaped "bow", if you could even call it that.
"Yes. It's… I'm not sure."
"You're not sure?" Isaac raised an eyebrow. Mute not knowing something while sounding scared was never a good sign.
Mute shook her head. "I'm sorry, its just that that thing makes no sense… the data makes no sense. Lets just avoid him until we know more."
Isaac was content with that idea.
Aside from the creepy man and the bald blind monk, Isaac noticed that the three ninjas were missing. Although, he was willing to be that they were on standby somewhere in case this whole trial went to hell.
Speaking of things going to hell…
Isaac looked down at the center stage, where elders of Ionia were seated in two rows, Karma herself sitting in the front far right seat, closest to the stage's center.
And at the stage's center, were two men in summoner's robes with the insignia of the Institute of War embolden on them. They appeared to be in an argument with Irelia and another Ionian elder.
"Looks like the League isn't happy with the Ionians holding one of their champions on trial." Mute observed.
"You think?" Isaac shook his head. "They're losing influence by the day, of course they'll try and fight the loss of their champion."
As Isaac watched the slowly increasingly heated argument between the Ionians and the summoners, Nami gave a loud sigh.
"This is stupid… why are they putting Syndra on trial? She's a League champion!" She shook her head in disbelief. "We're supposed to be on the same side."
Ahri giggled behind her. "Oh, come on Nami, you can't truly believe that the Ionians would just let Syndra's crimes go because there are greater threats."
Nami turned around to glare at Ahri. "You cannot believe that this is right!"
"Oh no," Ahri shook her head. "I know this is a waste of time, and Syndra would be useful on our side… but that's not how human societies work."
Nami seemed about to argue more when Soraka interjected. "I am sorry Nami… but this is the way things are… Syndra has to pay for her crimes. Being a League champion doesn't mean you are above the law." The healer told Nami in a soft tone, to try and calm the Marai girl.
Nami's eyes went from Ahri, to Soraka, and back and forth twice before she sighed and turned away. Lee Sin, being next to her, placed a hand on Nami's shoulder.
"We do agree with you Nami, but this is the way things are. We have no choice but to let it play out as it will." He advised her.
Isaac stopped paying attention to the conversation when he noticed the two summoners at the center stage storm off to the side, throwing cusses at Irelia and the elder as they left the center stage.
Looks like the League is realizing just how far their influence has fallen…
He watched as Irelia and the elder returned to their seats on the stage, both shaking their heads. Irelia's eyes rooved across the entire courthouse/theatre, but when her eyes met Isaac's she stopped. Isaac saw he give him a nod, which he returned.
Ezreal looked back up at Isaac. "What's up with that?" He asked, "You and Irelia communicating telepathically now?"
Isaac shook his head. "No."
Ezreal stared at Isaac for a second before his face clouded over with concern. "This… you have something up your sleeve for this trial… don't you?"
Isaac noticed that all the other champions sitting nearby all turned to look at him, some with confused expressions, and some looked at him with expressions that said that they already suspected him to be up to something.
… For fuck sakes… everyone here sees me as some kind of troublemaker now…
"No." He flatly denied.
Some sighed, others shook their heads, but it appeared that no one really believed him.
Isaac rolled his eyes and looked out across the crowd. All the seats were pretty much taken at this point, and the trial was likely to start right away.
However, out in the civilian side of the seats, he noticed that one man stood out from the rest… likely because of his absurd style of dress. He had a rather…. Pimped, sort of clothing, with a fancy red robe, gold earnings, and stylish hat with white feathers protruding out and upwards from under said hat.
I feel like I've seen that guy before…
The oddly dressed man seemed to be holding a book in one and, and a feather in the other, holding it over the book as if he was going to write something. The man's head shot up and down and around as he looked across the courthouse, before Isaac saw his eyes meet his. The man's eyes bolted wide open in surprise and his mouth dropped open as well.
To Isaac's surprise, the strangely dressed man started waving frantically at Isaac from across the courthouse.
… Do I pretend I don't see him…?
"Mute…" Isaac began, "Who is that man waiving at us like a lunatic?"
"Hmm?" Mute raised an eyebrow, before she let out an oh. "Oh hey! Isn't that that reporter who interviewed us when we first arrived on Valoran?"
Isaac paused for a second before the memories fell into place.
That's right! I knew I remembered that strange ass get-up from somewhere.
"His name was…?"
"Ram Steed." Mute answered.
Right… Ram…
Noticing how the man was STILL waving at him like a loony, Isaac decided to return it with a small wave. The man seemed quite pleased with himself and sat back down with his book and feather in hand.
I guess he's here to cover the trial… small world…
Isaac spotted Karma stand up from her seat and make her way to the center of the stage. Upon reaching it, she raised her hands in the air, and the entire courthouse started to hush.
"People of Ionia… Let this trial commence." She spoke in a clear and calm voice that projected across the entire courthouse.
Guess their using magic in the place of microphones…
Rather then cheer at the announcement of the beginning of the event, what few whispers could be heard, fell silent.
"Here we go…" Isaac heard Ezreal mutter. On either side of Isaac, he saw both Ahri and Sona shuffle in their seats.
Out at center stage, Isaac watched Karma observe the theatre turned courthouse for a moment.
"Bring forth the accused."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a pair of doors all the way at the opposite side of the courthouse slammed open, causing everyone in the place to turn in it's direction. Out from the doors, came a group of soldiers and mages, escorting a bound figure in the center who was trudging along clearly unhappy with the circumstances.
Isaac watched as Syndra was escorted to through the crowd of people to the stage. Isaac had fully expected this to turn total medieval in that the Ionians would start throwing food at her and shouting curses.
Instead, he was pleasantly surprised that the Ionian people, although they did glare at her the whole way to the stage, made no hostile movement towards the chained Syndra.
"She's being rather quiet." Mute said.
"Who?"
"Syndra."
Isaac narrowed his eyes to get a better look at Syndra, who was moving along with her head down. He saw her turn her head slightly to the side, in the direction of where he and the other League champions were sitting, and Isaac saw the reason for her silence.
She was not only bound, but gagged as well.
He wasn't the only one to see it and he heard Nami gasp, but before the fish-girl could do anything, Ezreal noticed and whispered something to Lee Sin. The blind monk then proceeded to turn to Nami and rest a hand on her shoulder.
"Is gagging someone at a trial commonplace here?" Isaac asked quietly, but just loud enough so that he knew everyone around him would hear him.
"No…"
"No."
"No."
"No." Came the four answers from Ahri, Soraka, Galio, and Shyvana of all people. Isaac noticed Sona scribbling something on a piece of paper, and hand it to Isaac.
"Magic." It read. Isaac furrowed his brow for a second before he thought of a possible reason.
Syndra's supposedly one the most powerful magic users on the planet… it would make sense that they would gag her as a precaution…
Isaac sighed as he looked up from the paper and gave Sona a nod, before returning his attention to the stage where Syndra and her escort had just arrived.
Most of the guards turned and left, leaving only three soldiers to stand behind Syndra as she stood a few feet away from Karma at center stage, and behind Karma sat all the other elders, with Irelia standing at attention nearby. Two of the three guards had chains in their hands that were attached to Syndra's shackles, giving them some kind of leash.
Karma turned to face Syndra, who stood up straight to glare at Karma.
"Syndra." Karma addressed the accused. "You stand accused of murdering your mentor, performing reckless use of your powers, endangering Ionia, plotting to murder the elders, and striking fear into the people of Ionia." Karma announced her crimes to the courthouse for all to hear. "How do you plead?"
One of the guards approached Syndra from behind and carefully undid Syndra's gag, however as soon as it was off, Isaac and the other League champions found out the very likely, and logical reason Syndra had been gagged.
"FUCK YOU!" Syndra screamed at Karma. "THAT'S HOW I PLEAD!"
The entire crowd broke out into whispers, and Isaac noticed Irelia all the way at the back of the stage face palm.
Similar reactions occupied from the champions around Isaac, with Shyvana laughing, Sona sighing, Galio also facepalming, Ahri and Soraka shaking their heads… etc, etc.
Karma, at center stage, remained stoic, giving a nod to the guard who had removed the gag from Syndra. Said guard immediately tired to return the cloth used to gag Syndra back into her mouth, although Syndra started to thrash around as best as she could, given how both her arms and legs were chained with anti-magic chains.
"NO! I WILL NOT BE..." Syndra started to shout at the guard, who had been joined by the other two guards. The three soldiers managed to get the gag back on Syndra, who instead of being able to form proper speech, turned to screaming into the cloth forced between her teeth and tied around the back of her helmet.
"She really likes screaming that whole I will not be restrained thing, doesn't she?" Mute sighed.
Isaac on the other hand, was resisting a facepalm of his own. Syndra's attitude was NOT going to make this easy… not that he could blame her.
Karma shook her head slightly. "Very well." She said before turning to the elders. "My fellow elders of Ionia, may I hear your verdicts please?"
One by one, the various elders rose and gave their say on the case, each one of them giving a guilty verdict to Karma.
"Well this is turning out to be a rather fair trial…" Mute muttered. Isaac found himself agreeing, although he had pretty much assumed this was going to be the outcome.
Syndra had been threating the elders for a long time… its not doubt they would find her guilty.
After the final elder and finished giving his verdict, making that eleven to none, Karma turned back to the crowd.
"It is not secret that our world is in a desperate time, a time where we as Ionians must stand united against a greater threat." She said to all. "However, even in such dire times we must not forget ourselves, or justice. Considering Syndra's crimes, I hereby also declare Syndra to be guilty."
Isaac saw Nami squirm a little bit in her seat, and the other League champions shift around. He couldn't blame them, it was a unanimous decision against Syndra.
Speaking of Syndra, she remained motionless on the stage, simply standing there the whole time. After Karma gave her verdict, Syndra started to stir a little bit on the spot.
Karma paused in her speech for a moment before looking at Syndra. "Syndra, as the power invested in me by the Convergence of Elders, I hereby sentence you to have your powers sealed for all entirety…"
As soon as the words left Karma's mouth, Syndra lunged at Karma, causing several gasps to erupt from the crowd. However, the dark mage never made it, as the guards holding onto her leashes pulled hard, causing Syndra to only make it a few feet before she stumbled and was yanked backwards. She landed on her back hard and her entire body contorted in pain, made worse by the soldiers jumping on her.
While the spectacle had caused much of the crowd to become distracted, Karma paid Syndra's attempt on her no mind, and continued to speak.
"In addition, you will be sentenced to life in prison." She finished, looking at Syndra with an expression of not anger, but sadness.
The guards who were attending to Syndra got her back up onto her feet, but unlike before, they couldn't leave her to stand on her own since Syndra was visibly struggling to get away from them.
"This is sure getting dramatic…" Mute mumbled.
Karma turned away from the struggling Syndra, and faced the crowd again.
"Anyone who wishes to challenge this verdict… speak now or forever hold your peace." She announced to the crowd.
Isaac's eyes roamed over the crowd, where no one moved a muscle. He looked back at the stage, where some the elders were getting ready to leave, clearly expecting no one to challenge the sentence. Then, his eyes fell on Irelia off to the side, where she stood at attention, looking right back at Isaac.
She must have known Isaac was looking at her, because Isaac saw her give a noticeable sigh, followed by her nodding.
She knows what I'm going to do… and she knows she can't stop me… so she's just going to run with it. Isaac thought, hoping that I was a sign of Irelia's trust in him, but he had a feeling she just knew she couldn't stop him
Isaac cleared his throat loudly, getting the attention of all who were near him. "Everyone, cover your ears." He cautioned.
He got confused looks from everyone around him.
Ahri furrowed her brow. "Why?" She asked.
Isaac didn't answer. Mute understood though, since he saw in the corner of his HUD that his suit's external speakers had been cranked all the way to maximum.
Unaware of what Isaac was up to, Karma gave a final nod to the crowd. "Very well then." She turned to the guards, but in doing so she also turned in Isaac's direction, where she saw him rising out of his seat and her expression changed from calm to mildly surprised.
"Wait!" Isaac shouted. Thanks to his suit's external speakers, his voice echoed across the courthouse, causing the champions near him to shout out curses and cover their ears.
I Warned them.
The attention of the entire courthouse turned to him. The elders who had been packing up to leave ceased, Syndra and the guards stopped their struggle, and Irelia shook her head slightly.
Karma turned her whole body to face Isaac in the crowd.
"Champion Archangel?" She asked, addressing him in front of all. "Is there something you would like to add?"
"Yes." Isaac spoke in a low tone, aware of the fact that those around him were clearly not pleased with the damage his now very loud voice was doing to their ears. "I have an alternative solution."
The mummers among the crowd began to get louder, although Isaac paid them no mind. Instead he focused solely on Karma, who stared right back at him.
"What are you doing?!" Ahri hissed at him. Isaac ignored her.
After a few seconds of tension, Karma lowered her head, eyes never leaving Isaac. "Very well, come to the stage, Archangel."
Isaac nodded. He turned to the side and started to make his way towards the stage, maneuvering around those in the crowd.
As much as he hated being the center of attention, he knew he had to do this…
"Listen…" Isaac was cut off when three tiny orbs of magic smashed into the cell bars and shattered.
"NO!" Syndra screamed at him as she bolted upright and snarled. "I WILL NOT! I will NOT BE RESTRAINED! NOT BY YOU, NOT BY IRELIA, NOT BY ANYONE!" She spat at in Isaac's direction. "LEAVE. ME. ALONE!"
"What if I told you I could get you out of here?"
That made Syndra cease right up. Her expression went straight from enraged to shocked in an instant.
"Isaac?!" Mute half-shouted at him inside his helmet. "What are you doing!?"
Isaac took another step closer to the bars of Syndra's prison. "I can't break out of prison, but I have plan." He explained. "Rather then have the Ionians sentence you to whatever, I'll convince them to release you under my watch."
Syndra scoffed. "What? You mean make me your prisoner?!"
"Zed sold you out, didn't he?"
Syndra winced slightly at that. She made to respond but Isaac pressed the attack.
"Tomorrow, Irelia will be leading an army against Zed. Most of the champions here will be going with her, myself included. Zed's been working with the Ascension, the same bastards who got you into this mess." Isaac took another step forward to the cell, but still being cautious of Syndra's movements. "The Ionians aren't going to let you get out of here without making it seem like some kind of punishment. If you come with me under the guise of being my prisoner, hostage, whatever! Then you'll be coming along with us on the campaign against Zed."
Syndra stared at him unmoving while he spoke. She opened her mouth to speak again but Isaac cut her off a second time.
"You want revenge against Zed, don't you?"
Syndra's mouth shut so fast that Isaac could've sworn he heard her jaw crack. The dark magic glared right at him. "Of course…" She spoke slowly. "I'll tear him apart."
Isaac nodded. He felt a little dirty at this, since he was essentially manipulating Syndra to his advantage.
"So, if you come with me, then you'll get your shot at revenge. And against the Ascension too."
Syndra looked away from him and started to pace around the cell. She gripped the sides of her head, and shook her head several times, clearly going over what he said in her mind.
Isaac knew he couldn't just leave her be. He had to keep pressing his advantage now that he had gotten through to her.
"You also said you were looking for me. While you're with us, anything you wanted to ask me, I'll answer."
Syndra rounded on him with a snarl. "And why should I trust you?!" She screamed at him, sending a wave of dark magic slamming against the cell's bars.
"Talk about having a temper…" Mute mumbled.
"Because I'm your only shot out of here." Isaac stated.
Syndra threw her head back and rolled her eyes in an over dramatic fashion. "What makes you think I can't just break out on my own!?" She shouted. She suddenly threw herself at the cell bars, pushing her face out at him so that they were a mere two feet apart. Isaac had to keep himself from taking a defensive stance.
"How do I know you won't just betray me and imprison me after this is over?!" Syndra spat at him.
"Because I need allies against the Ascension." Isaac nodded. "Look, once this whole thing with Zed is over and done with, I'll give you the option to walk away. Be free. But I doubt the Ionians would let me, so you'll have to wait until were back on mainland Valoran until you get that choice."
"Ah!" Syndra laughed in his face. "You didn't answer me. WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU!?"
Isaac let the silence sink in for a few seconds before he leaned in closer, so that his visor was inches from Syndra's snarling face.
"Because I'm you only ticket out of her. Take it or leave it. Life in this hell hole of a cell, possible execution, or a chance at freedom and revenge. What will it be Syndra?"
Neither he nor Syndra made a move for several, long seconds. After nearly fifteen seconds passed by Syndra broke the silence.
"Get me the hell out of here…"
Isaac stepped up onto the stage, stopping only when he was a few feet to the side of the guards, Syndra, and Karma.
After Syndra agreed to his plan, he had informed Irelia of what he had planned to do here at the trial. At first, he thought telling Irelia that he planned to bail out Ionia's most wanted would be a terrible idea. However, he realized that if he went behind Irelia's back and did this, his fragile relationship he had built with the captain of the guard would be in jeopardy.
Irelia had, of course, told Isaac he was out of his bloody mind and that she would stop him. However, after explaining himself further, and promising that he would take Syndra away from Ionia after this was ll said and done, she reluctantly agreed to not get involved during the trial. She refused to help him in this, but she also promised not to stonewall him.
Better then nothing…
He had, of course, not informed anyone else of his plan, which explained the completely shocked and exasperated looks he was getting from his fellow League champions. Blitzkrieg on the other hand seemed to be leaning slightly forward in his seat, as if he was eager to see where Isaac was going with this.
Karma addressed him first. "Very well, Archangel. Let us hear your alternative solution to our verdict." She motioned with a hand towards the crowd.
Isaac nodded and turned to face the crowd.
Here goes nothing…
Public speaking like this was never his best strength… but at least he had everyone's attention now.
"Now then…" Isaac began his long-winded speech to the crowd. He had only one shot at this…
"As Duchess Karma said before, Ionia, and by large all of Runeterra, is under a threat of the likes this world has never seen before. Invaders from my world. I've had plenty of experience fighting the Ascension, so when I say that Runeterra will need any and all assets it can get it's hands on to fight the Ascension, I mean it." He pointed to Syndra, where she was standing still restrained by the guards but had ceased struggling.
"Syndra, was sold out to the Ascension, by none other then Zed himself." Isaac announced. The crowd began to whisper amongst themselves. "As to why, we don't know yet. However, Syndra has expressed a desire to get revenge on the one who tried to get her imprisoned by the outworlder invasion force. Today, as many of you know, your captain of the guard will be leading a campaign against Zed and the Order of the Shadow, as he had been working alongside the Ascension for personal gain."
The reactions in the crowd got larger, and Isaac saw the various League representatives in the crowd start to look amongst each other franticly.
Looks like I dropped a bombshell there that the Ionians were trying to keep secret… doesn't matter anymore.
"I propose, that rather then imprison Syndra and strip away her powers, she be sentenced to accompany us on the campaign, that she may use her powers against the Order of the Shadow and against he Ascension who threaten all of Ionia." Isaac turned away from the crowd and faced Karma.
"As I am the one making this request, I will take full responsibly for Syndra. After the campaign against Zed is done and the Ascension in Ionia defeated, I will take Syndra with me, away from Ionia. You get rid of Syndra, she gets her revenge, and we all get to defeat the Ascension. Everyone wins."
And thus, began the shit storm Isaac was waiting for. The crowd started to shout various jeers at him.
"He's only looking to gain more power!"
"Don't trust that outworlder!"
Jeers aside, Isaac sighed internally when he heard the echoes of booing begin.
"Boy…" Mute sighed. "They REALLY don't like us…"
… you think?
Isaac had expected this. Both he and Syndra were among the least popular, if not THE least popular, individuals in Ionia right now… Ascension and Zed not included.
However, among the jeering he heard some people shout support.
"Send her against Zed!"
"Zed's a traitor!"
Well… it was more or less support for the cause, not for him, but Isaac would take what he could get.
The whole time, Karma had stared at him with a raised eyebrow. She eventually broke eye contact and turned to look at her fellow elders, who stared right back at her. After a few seconds, Karma turned back to the crowd and raised her hands, causing the shouting, jeers, booing, to all come to a halt.
"Calm, people of Ionia." Karma spoke in her usual collected voice. "My fellow elders and I will speak on behalf of this new and unusual request. We will take a brief recess and reconvene this case in ten minutes." She turned to Isaac. "Champion Archangel, you may return to your seat, thank you for coming up here and sharing with us your alternative solution."
Isaac nodded, although he wasn't very sure if Karma was actually thankful. Judging by some of the stares he was getting from the elders, it was likely that not all of them were happy with him.
Isaac glanced about the stage one last time before heading off. Irelia had an unreadable expression on her face, but didn't seem displeased, which was a bonus. Syndra on the other hand stared at him like an owl the whole while with a surprised expression, as if she didn't expect him to actually follow through with what the two of them had discussed while she was imprisoned.
As Isaac made his way back to his seat, he noticed he was being glared at by the Institute of War's representatives in the crowd… likely because they now knew what he was up to and that he had been avoiding them.
That's something I'll have to deal with… now that they know where I am and what I've been up to.
Aside from that, Isaac noticed that Ram Steed was grinning like a mad man appeared to be writing at Mach speed. Isaac's interruption of the case was likely giving him a field day…
Of course, when he got back to his seat, he got a wide variety of reactions from his fellow champions.
"Are you crazy?!" Ezreal had asked, which seemed to be the most common one.
"I'm not sure if that was particularly wise Archangel." Soraka cautioned. "Syndra is not one you can trust."
"You would trust that insane woman over me?!" Ahir seemed offended, if nothing else.
Sona had just stared at him.
"I can't tell if you just LIKE making enemies wherever you go…" Shyvana rolled her eyes.
"Good job Archangel!" Nami seemed to be the only one happy that he did something…
"I am not sure what option is more just…" Lee sin said, which was probably the first real sentence he had ever said to Isaac.
"Time shall tell if this was a wise decision, outworlder." Was Galio's remark.
Fizz said nothing because Isaac had noticed that the little fish had fallen asleep at some point in time.
Varus said nothing, but Isaac saw how he had turned his head to look at Isaac for a moment before returning his gaze off into nothing… it was creepy.
Isaac decided to play it best by shrugging off everyone by literally shrugging. "We're going to need all the help we can get against the Ascension… Syndra's powerful. And no, I don't trust her." He explained, adding in that last part just for Ahri who was staring at him with a scandalous expression.
After listening to another round of everyone either bashing him or supporting him for his actions, Isaac noticed that Blitzkireg was pinging him. He disabled his external speakers and tuned into the private channel.
"You said get more allies." Isaac defended himself before Blitz could say anything.
"I know I did… but I'm not sure if that was the best way to do it."
"You put me in charge."
"I know, and I don't regret it. If this Syndra girl is as powerful as everyone has hyped her up to be, this might actually be worth it… seeing how the Ionians hate us as it is we might as well make due with what we can."
"My thoughts exactly…" Isaac paused before he decided he better address one of the elephants in the room. "So what was that last night?"
"What was what?"
"You know what I meant, about the whole story time with the prisoners."
Blitzkrieg shrugged, which looked very odd seeing how he had his back turned to Isaac.
"Nothing much to it, I needed to vent a bit, and you needed to look less the bad guy."
"Come again?"
"Look kid, you've somehow managed to paint yourself the less temperamental out of the two of us recently, reputation aside. All I did is make it look like I was the crazy one and you were the sane one."
"You mean you did that whole story time thing to make yourself look worse then me?"
"Yep. And look how it worked. Everyone is leaning away from me and sticking to you… even thought I know you hate that."
Isaac had a comeback for that when he felt Ahri grab his shoulder and try to shake him.
"Are you even LISTENING to us?!" The fox girl half screamed at him.
No of course not. I'm clearly having a private conversation with my teammate over the COM link where none of you can hear. Isaac thought, although he knew it would be a waste of time to explain the whole thing. So instead, he simply cut the channel with Blitzkrieg and turned his speaker back on.
"No."
Ahri responded by sighing, rolling her eyes, and shoving some of her tails into his face. Isaac rolled his eyes at Ahri's childish actions and shoved the nine-tailed fox's tails out of his line of sight.
"Aren't you two cute." Shyvana snarked at Isaac.
"I'm sorry, which dragon was it that I kicked the shit out of earlier this week?"
Shyvana growled and made to grab at him, only to be told to cut it out by several people. Poor Sona had to try and hold the dragoness back, no easy feat given her tiny frame compared to Shyvana's.
Isaac couldn't help but smirk under his helmet. That's right, down bitch down.
A moment later, Karma and the elders returned to the stage, bringing everyone's attention off Isaac and back to the court case at hand.
Karma took to the center of the stage again and cleared her throat, getting the attention of the few who did not see her and the elders return.
"After consulting with my fellow elders, we have come to an agreement on Syndra's punishment." She spoke, pausing briefly to look up at Archangel. "Champion Archangel, we the elders of Ionia have agreed to your proposal."
Isaac felt a wave of relief wash over him, along with a sense of dread.
Great… now I have to babysit the world's most powerful and edgy magic…
A roar emitted from the crowd, some of who voiced support but most of it was shock at Karma's announcement. However, the Duchess raised her hands and the shouting died right down.
"However, we have decided to make some changes to your solution." She began. "First, any further crimes Syndra commits will be held at your fault, Archangel. Secondly, we have decided to official exile Syndra from Ionia, to never return to Ionia's shores, under the penalty of death. This will be in effect upon the conclusion of the campaign against the Order of the Shadow."
Isaac saw Syndra visibly tense up at that.
"Should Syndra ever violate her status as an exile, Archangel, the same punishment would extend to yourself. Finally, Syndra must remove the Celestial Fortress from Ionia's skies. To where, we care not, as long as it is never seen from anywhere on Ionia. Again, this will not be in effect until the end of the campaign against the Order of the Shadow." Karma continued, before pausing. "Do you find these terms acceptable, Archangel?"
It was not a question… more of a statement and Isaac knew that. He simply nodded.
Karma bowed her head in response. "Very well. This will be the final verdict in this case. May you all go in peace."
Two hours later, Isaac found himself at the gates to the city. He was in the middle of finishing strapping everything he possessed to the horse that Irelia had assigned to him for the journey. As he tightened his Demacian longsword to the side of the beast, Isaac could hear the sounds of marching feet. He looked over his shoulder at the source.
Not too far away, the army Irelia had assembled marched through the city and out the gates. Among the army were hundreds of cavalry, supply wagons, and infantry, with everything from spearmen, swordsmen, to archers, to mages.
On one of the wagons, Isaac saw Kennen and Galio sitting on top, as it was pulled along and out through the gates. Behind that wagon was another one with Sona and Shyvana, the former seeing Isaac in the distance and giving him a light wave.
Isaac returned it. Shyvana had turned around to see who Sona was waving at and only snarled when saw Isaac.
Since Isaac couldn't visibly return that thanks to his helmet, he settled for something else that spoke perfectly of how he felt about the she-dragon.
He flipped Shyvana off, causing the she dragon to get even more agitated. Before she could do anything, the wagon passed through the city gates and out of his line of sight.
To the side, was Irelia, Shen, and Akali, who watched as the army moved out. Every few seconds a soldier would come running up to Irelia and inform her of something before running off. Soon after, the three of them gave their horses some light kicks, and galloped out of the gates.
It was official, the campaign was underway.
Isaac felt something tap him on the shoulder, and he turned around. Behind him, was Nami and Fizz, with the former having been the one to get his attention.
"Archangel…" Nami began, but she appeared to be nervous. "Um… good luck out there."
… Oh right…
"Right, you're not coming with us." Isaac said.
Nami nodded. "Right. Fizz and I will be returning to Bilgewater tomorrow." She reached her hand out towards Isaac. "I guess this is goodbye?"
Isaac looked down at the Marai's hand, and took it in his own, gently. "I guess it is." He said as the two of them shook.
Nami nodded to him. "Good luck… and may the tides be in your favor." And with that, the two of them left.
"You know… I just realized… Fizz never talked to us." Mute stated.
"Maybe he doesn't like outworlders?" Isaac asked.
"Guess we'll never know." Mute sighed. "Don't look now, but we've got more company."
Isaac saw it too, and sighed. He reaped what he sowed after all.
Four Ionian soldiers were approaching him, guiding a horse between them. On top of said horse was Syndra, who was clearly unhappy with the circumstances.
Isaac couldn't blame her. While the cold hard iron shackles had been removed, Isaac noticed the bracers that had been placed around Syndra's wrists that had a dark blue glow to them.
Those must be the new anti-magic bracers they told me about…
After court had ended, Irelia had given him the details about how Syndra would be handled during the campaign. She was more or less to be attached to Archangel, and would be forced to wear bracers around her wrists and neck. These would restrict her magic abilities and prevent her from flying off, but they would not leave Syndra powerless.
She had also given Isaac the key to said bracers. She had also warned him that if Syndra actually tried hard enough, those bracers would be unable to hold her back forever.
In other words, Syndra was stuck with him… and if she broke free it would be on him.
No pressure…
"Alright." The lead soldier escorting Syndra said as they approached Isaac. "One criminal delivered to another criminal." The soldier paused for a second and made a show of catching himself. "Oh! Sorry! One criminal delivered to an outworlder."
Isaac rolled his eyes. He almost forgot that the Ionian soldiers hated his guts.
Isaac said nothing as he reached for the reigns to Syndra's horse, but the soldier withdrew his hand.
"Ah, ah, ah." The soldier gave him a grin. "She can't be let away from you, so…" The soldier walked past Isaac and to the rear of his horse, and proceeded to tie Syndra's horse to his own.
…. Really…? Isaac wanted to sigh. It was like that time with Jinx all over again.
… Jinx…
Isaac shook the thought from his head. Thinking about that now would serve him no use.
After tying Syndra's horse to his, the soldiers stepped away laughing.
"Hey, why does the outworlder even get a horse? He can't ride!" One of them taunted, causing the others to laugh even harder.
… Oh really?
Isaac turned away from the soldier and mounted his horse in front of them with ease, and turned his horse to face the soldiers, who now were looking up at him in surprise.
"You were saying?" Isaac grinned down at the troops. He raised one of his hands and channeled some of his power into it, forming a visible ball of dark matter that burned slightly in his hand for effect.
"Now… fuck off." He threated the soldiers, letting his voice drop lower.
The Ionian soldiers scowled at him before walking away.
After they left, Isaac dispelled the power from his hand, turning to Syndra who was staring at his hand where his power had been channelling a second ago.
"You said you would answer my questions if I came with you…" Syndra suddenly spoke up, for what Isaac believed was the first time since they had spoken in the prison. Her serious gaze went from Isaac's hand to his face. "How do your powers work?"
Isaac bit his lower lip. True, he did tell her that… and it was safe to say that it was part of their deal. If he went back on it, it would likely cause him to lose the extremely fragile alliance/cooperation that he and Syndra had built.
That being said… Syndra wanted to know about his powers… something that gave him extreme advantage over his opponents. If he told her that, it would leave him vulnerable to her.
I'll have to share some with her… I really hope I don't regret it.
On the other hand, he actually didn't understand his powers all that well himself… so it wouldn't be like he was totally lying to her.
"Its…" Isaac began before pausing… he had to word this carefully. "It's a complicated subject. It's best that we wait until we're on the road so that we don't get interrupted."
Syndra scowled for a second, but then nodded.
Isaac was only half-telling the truth there, part of it was yes to ensure they don't get interrupted, but also to give him more time to come up with an explanation that would satisfy Syndra without giving her all the details.
"Ready to go?" He heard Ahri's voice. He turned around to see Ahri, and Ezreal come up to him, each of them mounted up. Behind them was Blitzkrieg, who was walking since his weight and size would make it impossible to get on a horse. In the distance, Isaac saw Lee Sin and Soraka on horses of their own marching with the army. Varus on the other hand was also on foot, but everyone was giving him a wide berth… unlike Soraka where the soldiers seemed like they were trying to guard her from everything and everyone.
Must be nice being liked…
Isaac returned to his current situation and gave Ahri a nod. "We're ready." He said, before looking at Ezreal. "Did you get that messages through?"
The explorer nodded. "Yeah, I got someone to deliver the message. It's taken care of."
The message he and Ezreal were referring to, was the one Isaac had hastily written and addressed it to Caitlyn. He had to inform them about what Ahri had discovered from the prisoners.
An Ascension base in Zaun… after we're done here looks like that's our next best bet.
The second message he had written was a much less detailed one, addressed to the Institute of War, specifically Kasubel.
We may be avoiding them, but Kasubel seems to give a genuine shit about things… telling him about the Ascension base in Zaun as well as Zed's dealings will only help the cause.
Either way, he had planned it so that Ezreal would deliever the messages as soon as they made to leave, which seemed to have gotten off without a hitch.
"Ok…" Ezreal coughed as he brought his horse along next to Isaac. "I'll admit, I've never gone to war before…"
"Neither have I." Ahri said, coming up on Ezreal's other side. "But don't worry about it. I've seen you fight in Summoner's Rift, we'll be fine."
"Christ…" Blitzkrieg grumbled as he approached. "I forgot how medieval campaigns sucked. We're going to be wishing we had aircraft real soon here."
"It builds character mon amie!" Isaac heard Goth's voice over the COM link.
Blitzkrieg rolled his neck. "Easy for you to say, you're software. I have to do all the physical work."
The two of them continued their playful arguing that Goth and Blitzkrieg were so well known for.
Now that I think about it, those two bicker about as much as Mute and I... Isaac thought, briefly wondering if TRANS-Ops had paired up every meta-human with an AIX they knew they would fight with.
"Come on!" Ahri gave a kick to her horse, galloping away. "Let's go!"
Ezreal shouted wait up and went after her, followed by Blitzkrieg walking back to the army to join.
Isaac heard Syndra growl behind him. "Yes… shall we… my warden…?" She played extra hard on that last word.
Isaac sighed as he motioned his horse to follow Ahri and Ezreal. "Yeah… lets go."
Between Sona probing him for info, Shyvana trying to pick a fight with him, Galio's passive-aggressiveness, Ahri's flirting and subtle threats, Shen being an asshole, and now Syndra… Isaac had a feeling he was going to be in for a long campaign…
As if on que, someone else on horseback galloped up to him. Upon seeing who it was, Isaac moaned.
"Champion Archangel!" Ram Steed shouted his name, even though they were within perfectly normal speaking distance. "It's an honor to see you once again! I'll be joining the campaign as a correspondent so that no truth may go uncover, no lie spoken! May I ask you a few questions?! And you as well Syndra?"
Isaac sighed as Syndra looked bewildered by the sudden appearance of the flamboyantly dressed reporter, all the while having to listen to Mute laugh in his ear.
Yep… this is going to be a long campaign…
From up on the city walls, two summoners from the Institute of War watched as the army left the city, with several of their League's champions in tow. More specifically, they watched as Archangel left with them.
"We'd be looking for that outworlder bastard for over a week… only to find him in the Ionians clutches." One of the summoners grumbled.
"At least Ezreal gave us this message from Archangel." The other said, looking down at the letter in his hand. "Addressed to the Minister of Valoran Security himself…"
"Let's send it, then be on our way. That army isn't going to wait for us. We can't afford to lose track of those two outworlders again."
The Kinkou Monastery, Ionia
The Kinkou Monastery was bursting with activity as hundreds of shinobi from the Order of the Shadows trained endlessly.
But deep inside the monastery, the Order's grand master stood hunched over a map of Ionia, ignoring the effects of his pupils and instead lost in his own train of thought.
Lying on top of the map was a piece of paper, a message that had been sent to him in haste.
Zed stared at the message, eyes roaming over it for what must have been the hundredth time…
Grandmaster Zed,
Our intelligence network has uncovered something that may be of concern for you. One of our operatives in the capital city of Ionia has discovered that the League of Legends Champion named Archangel has somehow managed to rally the people of Ionia against you. Under his advisement, Irelia, captain of the guard, is leading a military campaign against you, along side fellow League champions and the remnants of the Kinkou order. By the time you receive this message, the army may have already departed from the city and on-route to the former Kinkou Monastery, now your headquarters. They intend to bring the Order of the Shadow down and seek to capture you for treason against Ionia.
This action has been spurred by Archangel, Irelia, and your nemesis, Shen, who now all seek your downfall.
Should you require assistance against this threat, do not hesitate to call us.
Your friend,
Flammenschwert
Zed glanced from the letter to the communication device that had come with it. The letter had been delivered to him by one of his students, who said he encountered an Ascension scout near the monastery.
They're coming for me…
Zed felt his rage building up. Shen and Archangel… damn those two.
DAMN THEM!
Zed bolted from the room and went to the nearby training ground.
"If its war they want…" Zed growled to himself as he stormed into the training grounds. Before him, was his prized student… prized even more then Kari.
His prized student flourished his weapon around as he sparred against a dozen of his fellow students, each on unable to beat him and the massive scythe he whirled around him.
Zed watched as Kayn beat back the other students without as much breaking a sweat.
"Master?" Zed heard Kari approach him from behind. "Is something the matter?"
Zed turned to Kari, then back to Kayn.
"If they want war…" He growled. "We'll give them war!"
AN: So, I've noticed in the last few chapters people have been asking me more and more questions regarding my writing style, characters, and of course if there will be pairings/romance in this story. Because I don't want to hold off posting this chapter any longer, sometime between this chapter and the next I will be posting a "bonus" chapter as more or less one massive AN/FAQ session.
I'm letting you all know this because anyone who doesn't want to read it can skip it over, as the chapter will be called "Evo-leg's FAQ/Rant Session" and it will be posted between now and September 11th, which is when the actual chapter 28 will be posted.
This FAQ will be 100% optional and those of you who skip it will not lose out on the story.
Anyone who has asked a question in a review in the past little while that I have no addressed will be answered there, and any reviews from now until I post it will be answered there.
If anyone has a question they want me to answer publicly, but you don't want to leave a review, then PM me but please be sure to specify if you want it to be in the FAQ, because otherwise I'll consider the PM to be a more private conversation.
Please note that any questions that get into spoiler town will more or less get an answer that may not be satisfactory, as I will be trying to avoid spoiler town in the FAQ chapter.
Either way, have a good next two weeks until the next chapter.