Storytime

He had always loved the sky...

No matter how many ages passed, he would always love the sky-blue vault above him, it was like an endless ocean above him and that's what made him fall in love for it... As he looked into the sky he felt small, weak, oblivious... Just like he felt the first time he set his eyes on it... Every time he looked at it, he could, for a brief time, forget everything he had been through... All the pain, all the suffering, all the tears... Yes, looking at the sky made him feel like the first time he appeared on this planet... The small and powerless Arclight he was... His only objective being the research of the species and the interaction with them...

But it was a simple illusion... He had changed...

He was no longer the young and weak Archlight... He was the Supreme Arclight... The one who defeated the great Titan of The Dark Star... He still remembers the fear, the terror, the horror when he faced such opponent, he wasn's supposed to do it... He was supposed to run away... Or at least that's what the council of Arclights wanted... Run away like cowards... A complete insult to the noble creatures that they were... But he didn't... He chose to stay and fight... Not for the honor... Not for the universe... He chose to fight for this endless sky...

A millennium has passed since the great battle that shook the very foundation of reality itself and the universe has found a way to heal the wounds the twisted Titan dealt during his war against life itself... But the infection was already there... Bringing forth creatures of dark origins... And now these creatures consume everything in their path towards the end... Millennia away and the Titan of The Dark Star still found a way to destroy this realm... Persistent monster...

He sighed tiredly... Even after all these years... That thing refused to die... He had to give his old enemy some credit... He himself had survived a grave wound... And after many years he was finally back... But the world had changed... The warm villages he used to love have become cities of granite and steel... The peaceful live of the denizens of this realm was killed by the wars... Wars created out of ridiculous beliefs or greed... The beautiful landscape was deformed by the terrible weapons created by the race he decided to protect... Maybe he made a mistake... Maybe the human race didn't deserve to survive after all... He sacrificed everything... And yet... They simply decided to destroy the world he loved so much... He always knew humans were stupid... But not that stupid...

-Mister Octopus! Hello!

Or maybe there was still hope for them...

He chuckled as he felt the small child hop on top of him... Yes, he had changed... He was now a massive entity made of light... As big as one of those machines that surfed in the sky... The so-called planes humans used to travel... He still couldn't understand how a piece of metal could fly as he did...

-Hello, Lulu - He greeted as he tried to find the child - I see you are early today.

-Yes! Afternoon classes were canceled! Not sure why... But I'm fine not knowing!

-I see... - He said as Lulu landed in front of him.

She was a peculiar child, quite small for her age, she had long and wavy green hair with long ears at the sides, she was wearing her usual school uniform, a white T-shirt and a skirt with a red and black pattern with the blazer tied around her hips, her white and small pet hovered around her as her big blue eyes looked at him with wonder... He liked Lulu... From the very beginning, she had never been afraid of him... And besides... He had a soft spot for children.

-Hey! Mister Octopus! Are you going to tell me another story today?

-Of course... But I believe we should wait for your friends...

-No! I want to hear my favorite stories! Tell me more about the StarMakers!

-They are just a bunch of Space Squids! I want to hear something else... - Said a voice behind Lulu.

Jinx was special... She was the strongest among the girls... She was unruly and believed in her freedom... She hated how First Star decided her fate without her consent... But she still chooses to fight along the other Star Guardians... Under her terms, of course... She had long red hair braided in two pigtails, her body frame was thin and petite, but her orange eyes were filled with the energy of the sun... Around her, her two pets looked at me curiously, the black one with more malice that the white one.

-Jinx! You meanie! - Lulu pouted standing in her way.

-You better get lost or else I will let Shiro and Kuro play with that furball of yours - Jinx said with a menacing smile as her pets surrounded Lulu's.

-Don't touch Pix! - Lulu said hugging her pet and hiding behind one of my limbs.

-Jinx, Please! Behave yourself!

Ah! The leader of The Star Guardians was here! Lux was, indeed, the perfect example of the ideal human; kind, humble and noble, at her young age, The Arclight could see she was carrying the responsibility marvelously, with a strength only comparable to the heroes of the past, the future of this world was secured in her young hands, her pink hair braided in two short pigtails fluttered in the wind, those violet eyes filled with resolve couldn't not belong to such youth. Behind her was the young Janna, she had gone through a lot and was the member with most experience in the group, she was such a gorgeous female the Arclight had a hard time believing she was a teen... Or even a human, her purple hair flowed gracefully through her back her sapphire eyes shone with an unnatural spark, her features were completely perfect... He could remember the same face in the gallery of the Arclights, images of muses and goddess akin to her... He wondered just how beautiful she would become with the years.

-Come on, Lux! She always wants to hear the same story - Jinx groaned, even if she acted like that, The Arclight knew Jinx actually liked Lux a lot.

-Good morning, Lux. Good Morning, Janna. - He greeted.

-Hello, Vel'Koz! - Lux chirped with a smile, Janna simply nodded in acknowledgment - Jinx, I understand your reasons... But you simply can't bully Lulu, It's not right

-Tch! You are so boring... - Jinx said sitting on the ground - Where's miss "hero", Huh?

-Poppy... - Lux said looking back - ... Strange... I'm sure she was behind...

A loud laughter could be heard behind us... Suddenly a projectile was shot in our direction and crashed on the ground when the dust was gone we saw Poppy with her hammer in hand and the gaze of a warrior, for such a small body she packed quite the strength, her blue hair, pink eyes and short height could fool anyone... But Poppy was the strongest among the Star Guardian... Phisychaly speaking, of course...

-You need more training! - A powerful voice boomed through the forest.

From the direction Poppy came flying, the trees bend under the strength of Illaoi, she was a tall youngster, with wide shoulders and tanned skin, her brown hair braided in single ponytail flowed behind her muscular back, in those jade eyes burned the power of the universe... She was a goddess, after all... Nagakabouros was her name.

-Great! Who invited the tentacle slut? - Jinx spat with anger, she hated Nagakabouros.

-I see you have grown insolent, little one - Illaoi taunted, flexing her arms - Maybe I have to teach you once again who's the goddess her... -She was interrupted as Poppy's hammer smashed her face and send her to the ground.

-I am your opponent, Illaoi - Poppy said twirling her hammer in her hand.

-You have some spirit, little one, I will give you that - Illaoi said getting up as she spat some blood on the ground - I just hope you won't break, for this will be a harsh lesson - Her eyes began to glow as several tentacles appeared around her.

-Vel'Koz! - Lux said tugging his side - Can you stop them? But please, don't kill them! - She begged.

The Arclight thought about it for a second... To be honest... It was almost impossible for him to do such thing... Both Illaoi and Poppy were extremely fragile... At least for him... How was he supposed to do that?

Suddenly bolts of light shot from the shadows pinned both Poppy and Illaoi on the ground, successfully stopping both of them.

-Impure fools...

From the trees, the figure of a woman walked slowly towards the fallen warriors, her eyes shining with a golden light as several tattoos ran across her body, a golden crossbow rested on her back covered by her raven hair, her stern gaze studied the women on the ground as they tried to escape from the bolts of light.

-You never learn, Nagakabouros - The Night Hunter said slowly - I think I told you to behave... Otherwise, I might have to deal with you... Permanently...

-Ah... Yes... The other Arclight... I knew my buddy wouldn't hurt me... - Illaoi said trying to break free from the bolts.

-He didn't do anything because he was afraid you would have died... You are just that weak, Nagakabouros.

-For now... But once I have gotten rid of this earthly form and ascended as a goddess... I will have a word with you... And I will erase that confident look on your face...

-Perhaps... - Vayne said snapping her fingers, the bolts disappeared - But for now... Behave yourself - She walked towards Poppy and helped her up - You were reckless...

-I'm sorry... - The young girl said with remorse.

-Were you winning?

-Yes... - Poppy said with a confident smile.

-Then, everything is good...

-Ha! A small creature such as yourself winning against me! I doubt it! - Illaoi said getting up and dusting her skirt - Arclight, my friend! You know the midget had no chance against me!

-I... I think I rather stay out of this...

-Come on, My friend! - Illaoi said walking towards him and placing her hand in his body - You have been in this forest for too long! Follow the motion and let yourself lose!

-You know he can't do that! - Lux interjected.

-Why? I see no problem at all.

-Look, you she-hulk... I hate to do this... But I agree with Lux... I mean... He is a giant golden octopus - Jinx said grabbing one of my limbs as shaking it - What exactly do you expect the city would do if a giant golden squid appears flying above them?

-Japanese com...

-DONT . YOU . DARE . - Everyone but Janna yelled.

-Fine! It was a joke... Geez... So... About the story... I want to hear about...

-No, you don't get to choose after that joke - Jinx interrupted Illaoi - I want to know about the WorldBreakers... That owns to be fun!

-Starmakers! Starmakers! Starmakers! Starmakers!

-Maybe Vayne can tell us about her experiences - Poppy said standing beside the Night Hunter.

-I'm afraid I'm not good at telling stories... Vel'Koz is better than me...

-Wait! We had an order for this! Whose turn is? - Lux said imposing order.

-I believe it was Janna's turn - Vel'Koz said looking at the girl in question sitting on a log in front of him.

Janna, who was reading a book the whole time lifted her gaze and stared into the eyes of the Arclight, then she looked at the sky... Thinking about her question... There were many things she wanted to know... But there was something that was nagging her ever since she discovered First Star didn't really know anything about the endless universe outside of this small planet.

-Who made us? - She asked softly - Who created this world and the worlds surrounding us? Who created the First Star? Who created the rules of this realm? Who made us?

-Janna, girl... We want a story... Not some existential bullshit... I have enough with the electric smurf and his boring classes - Jinx said bored.

-Actually... It's quite easy to answer her question...

-You got to be kidding me... There is an actual god that created everything?!

-Well... Not exactly a god... But he did create this universe... Sit down and I will tell you everything I know.

The girls whispered among themselves and quickly sat down in their usual place, Janna closed her book, placed it on her lap and moved so Jinx and Lux could sit with her in the log, Vayne took a seat by Vel'Koz side and, after a pair of puppy eyes she allowed Poppy to sit on her lap, Lulu hopped on top of Vel'Koz and made herself comfortable, Illaoi decided to sit on the ground in front of The Arclights

-Well, It's not exactly specified how or even when... - Vel'Koz began slowly - ... But it is now in the beginning of everything, in the eternal darkness four beings were born... Or they simply existed motionless till that point... One of them was Zilean, The Chronokeeper, father of the time itself, the other was The Outsider, The Master of the Void and...

-Wait... You're telling me that creepy guy was present when the world was created? - Jinx asked flabbergasted.

-Now... That was just rude! - A voice said behind the girls.

The girls, except for Janna jumped in fright and landed on top of Illaoi.

-Don't do that! - Jinx said trying to get up but falling over Lux.

-Come on, My dear Jinx - The Outsider chuckled - You know I will always come if you call me.

-That's even more creepy!

-If you say so... - The Outsider said sitting beside Vel'koz and waving to Vayne - Hello there, Vayne! Glad to see you again! - Vayne simply glared at him - As charming as always... But don't stop yourself, Vel'Koz, please continue.

-Right... As I was saying... Four beings were there... Zilean, The Outsider and... Chaosses, The Great Architect... He was the one who created the universe and everything inside of it...

-So... This Chaosses... Is god? - Janna asked skeptically.

-No... He was... different... To be honest he was... Weird... Even though he was able to create this universe... once it was finished, he lost interest in it... So he decided to create another... And once it was finished he lost interest once again and decided to create another... And the cycle would repeat itself... It seems he needed to constantly create universes without caring about them afterward... I believe it's some sort of obsession... But he created too many worlds and completely forgot to organize them properly... This worlds would collapse against each other and destroy themselves... So something was created between those worlds in order to maintain balance... That was the Void.

-Wait... Wasn't the Void suppose to be an alternate dimension filled with nothing but monsters? - Lux asked raising her hand.

-Of course no, you silly girl! - The Outsider said waving his hand - It's called "The Void" for a reason, originally it was nothing but an empty space designed to hold the world's Chaosess created and avoid any collision between them... But... He appeared...

-The Titan of the Dark Star - Vel'Koz continued slowly - Noone knows exactly his origin... All we know is that he destroyed everything in his path... He couldn't be reasoned with... When the worlds were destroyed, the wastes ended up in the Void, causing a substantial degeneration in the lifeforms that somehow survived the attack... And now those creatures roam in the Void... Attacking other worlds thanks to the powerful influence of the Dark Star... But the Void still works as safe between the dimension and there are too many worlds, so trying to eliminate it completely and create another one is out of the question... Not even Chaosess himself could pull that one off.

-So in short... This world was created by an irresponsible idiot and a creepy guy - Jinx said annoyingly.

-Uh... Pretty much... Yes, it is correct.

-Rude!

-Well, the story is over so I suggest... Vayne, where are you going?

The night hunter had already made her way so quietly only Poppy noticed her departure.

-I... Just need to deal with some unfinished business... I will be back - Vayne reassured with a gentle smile and walked through the forest.

-I see... Have a safe trip - She heard her friend say.

Once she was deep in the forest, her smile was replaced by a frown, she couldn't postpone this moment anymore, there was no time... She had to go back...

She stopped in front of an ancient tree and carresed the trunk, she felt the magic resonate across the tree and watched as a golden portal opened in front of her... She sighed... It was time... With a resolved glare she crossed the portal before it disappeared.

When she could make sense of her surroundings once again, the landscape had changed... Instead of the forest, she was surrounded by decaying buildings that seemed to be painted in gold... The street ahead of her was filled with debris, rubbish and... corpses... She allowed herself to stare at the corpses for a brief moment before she moved forward.

Above her, a gray sky greeted her with sad memories... She was back in her homeland... She was back in the magnificent empire of the Arclights... And yet... The mortal silence mocked her advances... A black sun seemed to prey on her... Her world was dying... The world she was born in... The world she swore to protect... The world she had loved... Was dying... It was fine for her... The cowards that used to live in this despicable place deserved even more than this... Vayne knew what had to be done... She had to kill all of them... They would pay for their sins.

She stopped in front of a small house surrounded by dead trees... Her garden, The only hobbie she had, was dry and dead... She could feel the tears in her eyes... But she wouldn't cry... She didn't deserve it... She opened the house and was greeted by a cloud of dust that made her cough... When was the last time she cleaned her place? It didn't matter... Soon... Her house and the world that once belonged to the Arclights... Everything would be swallowed by the Void... She could stop it... She knew it... But this world deserved its demise...

She stepped in an inconspicuous boulder hidden beneath her carpet, a hole appeared in front of her and she fell through it... Soon, she was in a different room... A dusty room illuminated by a dim white light... Her workshop... Her sanctuary... She remembers building the place from scrap... Good times.

In a shelf, she could see her trophies... She had been a competitive individual, always winning whatever she wanted, her superiors had praised her as a genius... The perfect Arclight... Hypocrite fools... They only wanted someone to fight their battles... They were cowards.

A table stood in the middle of the room, there was a portrait... A portrait of herself, Vel'Koz and her lover... She felt the fury burn her heart... How could he have betrayed her? He had been the world for her... Varus... The traitor...

Her gaze was attracted by four pieces on the ground... His bow... The bow of the Herald of the Dark Star... Secretly, She hoped the bow wouldn't be there where she left it last time... But the pieces remained there... He was dead... She had killed him just a few miles away from her house...

-He deserves the truth - Spoke a soft voice behind her.

The Outsider watched her with a small smile... Vayne had always hated him... There was something suspicious about this omnipotent entity... But she couldn't do anything about it... Vel'koz was the only one capable of killing such being... And Vayne knew he would never do such thing ever again... He had fought long enough.

-No... He doesn't - Vayne answered emotionlessly - This a burden I will carry alone... He has suffered enough.

-Varus was your lover... But he was Vel'Koz's friend... Vel'Koz deserves to know He was the one who summoned the Titan of the Dark Star... He deserves to know he lost everything thanks to his best friend.

-I said no! - Vayne yelled with her fist clenched - It was my fault! I will carry this guilt... This hatred... I will carry his burden.

-I see... If that's what you desire... I hope you don't regret your choices.

-I won't...

-I just have one question, Night Hunter... Why did you return?

-What do you mean?

-You were trained for one single objective... Hunt... You chase after those who had wronged the balance in the universe... And yet... You decided to stay with Vel'koz... Aren't you going against everything you have learned?

-Shut up...

-Is it guilt for abandoning him when he needed you the most?... Is it loneliness? Knowing that you and him are the last Arclights... Or... Have you finally come to terms with your own feelings, Vayne? I have to admit... The Star Guardians are beautiful maidens... They cured his heart... I wouldn't blame you if you felt jealous... But...

-I will kill you, Outsider.

-Empty threats, Night Hunter... But I suppose our conversation is over... Soon, the Void will devour this world... You should leave.

-And what about you?

-Why should I escape? The Void is my kingdom.

-I suppose - Vayne said as she opened another golden portal - Will... Will everything disappear?

-Yes... The ruins... The trees... The soil... The Arclights... Your house... Your past... Everything will be swallowed by the Void... Including the bow of your beloved one.

-Good - Vayne muttered as she entered the portal.

-Vayne... Before you leave - The Night Hunter turned around and glared at the Outsider - The Arclights are in a world called Runeterra... But they have changed... I do believe they are called The Watchers... A twisted and frozen version of your fellow Arclights... They are looking for Vel'Koz... They know he is the answer... And they will not rest until they have acquired his powers.

-Just like you.

-Please... I am a God... As long as I can watch his story I will leave him alone... He is amusing... That's all I need.

-I see... Thank you for telling me this... I will eventually kill them all - She said before she disappeared in the portal.

The Outsider watched the portrait with interest... They looked so young and happy... Who would have thought they had such destiny in front of them?

-Are you sure about this? - He spoke suddenly.

-I am... - A voice said behind him - I need this power.

The Outsider smiled and turned around, a young maiden was kneeling in front of the shattered bow, she had long purple hair, violet eyes, and pale skin, she was wearing a black dress decorated with strange runes that glowed with a twisted energy.

-Iki'Koz - The Outsider called her - The power of The Dark Star will surely boost your own abilities... But you might be corrupted by that power... A strong Arclight failed to control it...

-I need this power... She is almost there... I need to be there for her...

-Her? Ah... You mean the princess... Yes... She will be reborn shortly... But I believe that power might be too much f...

Before the Outsider could finish, Iki'Koz grabbed the shattered pieces of the bow.

Iki'Koz screamed in pain as dark scales began to shatter her dress, a dark aura surrounded her body, her skin was ripped apart by a blue string of light and her blood was splattered on the ground, her face was covered by a thick platinum helmet... She tried to take it off... But she couldn't... Her arms broke and bent in different directions... She fell to the ground as her whole body twitched... Then a purple shield surrounded her stopping the dark aura around her... She yelled in anger and glowed... The scales began to disappear revealing her skin, the helmet shook before it became dust and fell to the ground... Iki'Koz panted as she watched the strange bow in her hands... It was big and had that terrifying darkness on it... But she could she the old runes of her dress carved alongside the bow... Iki'Koz smiled... The charm her mother crafted carefully wasn't lost, at least.

-I see it was a success -The Outsider commented - But, I have to say... Quite a scandalous outfit you have there, huh?

Iki'Koz glared at him before she got up and looked at her body...

...

...

It was scandalous...

Some sort of thin bra covered her breast and her nether regions were almost exposed... Well... Her mother used to wear something like that so she was safe... Or that is what she thought.

-Lady Ance is such a pervert - Iki'Koz muttered to herself - But I guess it's fine... I got what I wanted... Goodbye, Outsider. - Iki 'Koz said as boundaries appeared behind her.

-You won't stay and see the end of this world?

-No... I don't really care about the Arclights a single bit...

-Your father is one of them...

-Probably... But in this realm, my father doesn't know me... My mother doesn't exist... And I won't be born.

-I wouldn't be so sure about that...

-What do you mean?

-There is a big city a bit to the west from the forest your father is currently living... In that city... There is a bakery... "Sinful succulence" it's called... They say a beautiful woman with milky skin and blonde hair works there baking delicious sweets... Rumors say she is some sort of angel.

-You... What are you planning?

-Nothing... I will simply watch his story in this world... But, I may or may not have an accident with magic that, may or may not, transform him into a human and I ,may or may not, accidentally with no intention forget him in the middle of the city in front of said bakery... It will be an accident... I swear...

-Are you serious? - Iki'Koz said looking at him in disbelief.

-I may or m...

-Whatever... Even if that were to happen... That wouldn't be me... That would be a nice dream... But I can't live my life in dreams... I would love to see that story... But I have things to do.

-I see... I will tell you how it ends.

-I already know how it ends... You, him and her in the Void.

-Indeed... - The Outsider said with a smile - And you won't stop me?

-No... I enjoy this little games of yours... And father looks better in purple... Goodbye, Outsider. - Iki'Koz said before she disappeared inside the boundaries.

The Outsider watched the wall for a few moments, thinking about his plans... Then it began... The walls around the workshop began to crack... Violet energy exploded from the ground, the ceiling disappeared and he was able to see the black sun in the sky... He watched as the empire of the Arclights was destroyed by the Void... Dark creatures began falling from the sky... The corruption infected the soil and mutated it into a wasteland... And the stars in the sky were swallowed by the eternal darkness.

The Outsider stood in the middle of the decaying land, watching with his dark eyes as new creatures began to appear... He sighed in delight.

-Nothing beats watching a world end... It's kind of sad, the Arclights were some interesting toys... Oh, well... Into the next world we go - He said before he was swallowed by the eternal mist.