Chapter 3: The Institute of War
It would take six days for Azir and Sivir to travel from the heart of the Shuriman Desert to the Institute of War. Traversing Mogron Pass, one of the only pathways though the Great Barrier, posed a particular challenge. Sivir thought it best to steer clear of civilization until Azir learned more about it, and the Pass had several checkpoints throughout it. Thus, it took three days to cross the mountainous terrain using unconventional paths instead of the usual one.
That extra time allowed Sivir to answer any questions Azir had along the way. She told him about the purpose of the Institute of War and the League of Legends. Azir found the concept to be creative, but he believed it restricted the ability of the various nations to demonstrate their true might. He wisely kept his opinions to himself.
The pair crossed over the crest of a hill, and the sight that awaited Azir made him pause. The hill dipped back down into a shallow bowl-like crater in the earth. Situated at the center of the depression was a massive complex of structures, akin to a small city. An imposing, circular stone wall enclosed the buildings, and four gates allowed entry and exit. Each gate was guarded by two stone statues nearly as tall as the wall behind them; each statue wielded a stone hammer whose head was a large blue crystal. The central building dominated the others in terms of sheer size. The buildings within the wall reminded the Emperor of Shuriman mausoleums in some aspects of their design. Blue crystals topped many of the buildings, as well as segments of the stone wall. The setting Sun caused them to glow.
"Impressive," Azir mused, his golden eyes sweeping over the various buildings. His enhanced eyesight let him see more clearly than his companion, which aided in his observation. "This is the Institute of War?"
"Of course," Sivir said, a small smirk on her face. She had seen Azir's expression before on the faces of new Champions, Summoners, and visitors. "Well, the Institute itself is actually the central building. The smaller ones are for other services, like housing and training. I can show you around once we get inside and… take care of some business." Her voice lowered as she finished her sentence, which earned her a questioning look from Azir. Because she started towards the nearest of the gates, she didn't see it.
The wall and statues seemed deceivingly small from a distance. Up close, the statues stood almost twice as tall as Azir, with the wall itself and the huge stone gates being even taller. As the pair approached the gate, the crystals on the two statues pulsed with blue light. Though the eyes of the stone figures remained fixed forward, Azir felt two pairs of eyes scrutinizing him.
"Sivir, you have returned at last," a feminine voice boomed. The sound seemed to surround Azir, as if coming from all directions. "You are two days late of your stated time of return." The Emperor shifted his gaze to the statue on his right. He felt the statue return the look. "Who is this individual who accompanies you?"
The Emperor stated to answer, but Sivir cut him off. "I apologize for my lateness, Councilor Kolminye. My… friend here is part of the reason. His name is Azir, and he would like to join the League of Legends as a Champion." Azir shot her a glare, but she took no notice of it.
After a pause, the feminine voice said, "Enter." The stone gates creaked open, slowly revealing the complex within. "Once you direct Azir to the Reflection Chamber, Sivir, see me at once." Azir scoffed at the dubious tone Councilor Kolminye used to say his name.
"Great," Sivir muttered. "She'll probably question me to make sure I'm not lying." She started into complex and turned when she didn't hear the Emperor following. "Come on, Azir. I need to take you to-"
"-To the Reflection Chamber, yes," Azir finished, more than a hint of annoyance in his voice. He caught up with her in a few long strides. "This was not part of our agreement, Sivir."
"I know it wasn't," Sivir said firmly. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but I needed your word before we left Shurima. Besides, becoming a Champion is the only way you can meet Na- er, my friend." She felt a twinge of guilt, but believed her justification to be suitable. Azir gave her a narrow-eyed stare, but said nothing.
The pair walked down the stone road leading to the grand structure that was the Institute of War in silence. Small blue crystals lined the edges of the path. Azir scaled the large set of stairs two steps per stride, which meant Sivir had to nearly run to keep pace with him. The Emperor stepped passed the towering columns and entered the Institute.
The interior of the mausoleum was even more impressive than the exterior. The main lobby was a wide chamber with a tall ceiling, complete with an elegant chandelier of golden metal and blue crystals. The floor, walls, and ceiling were a mixture of white and black marble, all polished to a shine. Robed figures shuffled about, some talking with the colleagues, others clutching thick tomes. All of them were either too busy or in too much of a hurry to notice the duo's entrance. Three doors lead to other branches within the Institute, though the one in the back of the chamber was the largest of the three. The words "Grand Hall" were etched in the stone above the door. A hulking figure – a Minotaur, Azir realized – stood in front of it, his eyes lazily watching the hooded figures.
"The Reflection Chamber is through there," Sivir pointed out. "I'll help you with Alistar." She walked towards the door to the Grand Hall, with Azir following shortly behind.
The Minotaur recognized the warrior woman as she approached. "Sivir!" he greeted loudly. "It's good to see you. Your extended absence had some of us worried." His eyes shifted to the tall, golden-armored falcon beside her. "I see you've brought someone back with you as well."
"I did," Sivir said with a nod and a small smile. "This is Azir. Azir, this is Alistar, one of the many Champions of the League of Legends."
"A pleasure to meet you, Azir," the Minotaur said gruffly as he offered a huge hand.
"You will address me as Emperor," Azir replied stiffly, his golden eyes narrowing in disapproval. Alistar snorted as he lowered his hand. Sivir gave the Emperor the look of disgust that the Minotaur was trying to hide.
Alistar looked the Emperor over as he asked, "I assume he wants to join the League?" Sivir nodded in confirmation. "You look like a suitable candidate." The Minotaur turned and pushed the heavy stone doors of the Hall open. "The Reflection Chamber is on the far end of the Great Hall. It's hard to miss. I wish you the best of luck, your Highness." His gruff voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Better," Azir mused, ignoring the obvious jab. His staff clicked against the smooth marble as he entered the Grand Hall. Sivir gave Alistar a nod and a smile of appreciation before rushing to catch up with the Emperor.
"What was that about?" Sivir growled. "You can't just boss everyone around in here like you could in Shurima."
"I believe I can," Azir replied sternly as he kept walking. "My name is known throughout the world. These people know who very well who I am."
"Azir, you've been dead for a thousand years," Sivir snapped. "No one here knows you, and those who do think you're little more than a myth. Your empire, your legacy, has been forgotten. Or are you simply choosing to ignore that fact?"
The Emperor froze in mid-stride.
Sivir's outburst drew the attention of everyone in the Great Hall. Azir stood rigid, his armored face blank. His eyes burned with energy and fury, and his body adopted a faint golden aura. Wisps of sand, seemingly summoned from thin air, swirled around him. "If I recall correctly," Azir said in a measured tone, "you have to meet with that Councilor, Kolminye." He masked his rage well, though the air pulsed with every word he spoke. "I would suggest you be on your way."
For a few tense seconds, Sivir held her stare, though Azir did not return it. Finally, the warrior growled something between clenched teeth and marched off, leaving the Emperor alone amidst the crowd of Summoners and other personnel. The heavy doors slammed closed behind her.
Azir sighed and lowered his head, the golden aura around him fading away. The sand fell to the floor at his feet in an even ring. She's not wrong, he mentally admitted. After a moment, he continued on, his strides somewhat shorter.
The Grand Hall mimicked the lobby in everything except size; as its name implied, the Hall was much wider and taller. The Hall served as the main gathering place for people in the Institute. Areas were sectioned off on the four corners of the room by short walls. These areas had tables and chairs for people to sit in and do their business. As Alistar had said, a large door awaited Azir on the far side of the room. The words "Reflecting Chamber" were etched above them, along with another message.
"'The truest opponent lies within,'" Azir paused to read the words. Grim thoughts entered his mind as he dwelled upon their meaning. "How true," he mused.
As if sensing the Emperor's arrival, the doors creaked open, revealing a dark void and utter silence. Azir hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the dark abyss. The doors clicked shut once he passed through them.
Sivir stormed by Alistar on her way out, bumping against his side as she went. The Minotaur called out to her, but she took no notice. She marched to her left, towards one of the other wings of the Institute. She shoved the heavy doors open with a grunt, and once they closed behind her, she stopped to collect herself.
Her annoyance with the Emperor's attitude had gotten the best of her in that moment. She knew her words struck a nerve due to Azir's reaction to them. Sivir rubbed her temple and heaved a sigh; she'd have to apologize to him at some point. I can't let my emotions constantly get the best of me, she mentally groaned.
She started walking towards her destination, Councilor Kolminye's office. He, along with other high-ranking Summoners within the Institute, had office spaces along the sides of the grand building. As she was in the High Council, Kolminye's office was larger than most of the others, and she had a small staff at her disposal.
After a few minutes of walking, Sivir entered the Councilor's quarters. She announced her arrival to the secretary waiting outside the office, who then relayed the message to the Councilor. A moment later, the wooden doors opened, and Sivir entered Kolminye's office. It looked much like any other office; the walls were adorned with various pictures and documents. A bookcase sat against one wall. A desk and two chairs were placed front-and-center.
The Councilor's large seat faced backwards, hiding her appearance with its high back. "Have a seat, Sivir," a polite yet stern voice said. The voice was Kolminye's; she'd heard it before, both in person and through the sentry towers. Sivir complied and occupied one of the available seats. The secretary bowed curtly before exiting and closing the doors, leaving Sivir and the Councilor alone.
Kolminye rotated her seat around to reveal herself. She wore the robes of a High Council member, a long, dark robe with silver accent lines and intricate embroidery. Her yellow-blonde hair cut off just before reaching her shoulders. She had a somewhat round face which only slightly revealed signs of age. Fine wrinkles lined the skin around her sea-green eyes.
"I suppose your expedition into the Shurima desert went rather well," the Councilor began. "You have indirectly brought three new Champions into the League, two of which hail from the ancient empire, and the third was your consort for the expedition. While I have no objections to their inductions, I would like to know some of the details of what happened."
Sivir expected that kind of request. She gave Councilor Kolminye the details of the expedition, of the descent into the Tomb of the Emperors, and of her near-death experience. She spoke of Azir and his actions, both before and after his Ascension. She told her of her choice to take the longer route through Mogron Pass.
"I understand the reason behind your decision," Kolminye said. "Withholding the inevitable culture shock is… a reasonable motive." She leaned forward, her eyes locked on Sivir. "I still have some questions about Azir's resurrection."
"So do I," Sivir sighed, "and I bet Azir does as well. I was going to ask Nasus about it next time I see him. He ought to know the details behind it."
"Most certainly," the Councilor agreed. She sat back in her seat. "That's all I wanted to speak with you about, Sivir. I do have one request for you, however."
An ever-so-slight frown settled on Sivir's face. "And that is?"
"Keep an eye on Azir for me," Kolminye said firmly. "I do not want him causing any trouble with the other Champions. Someone with his amount of power is dangerous, and there are two such individuals in the League. If they were to clash…" Sivir nodded at the implications.
"I'll keep him in line, Councilor," the warrior said. "I'll take him to Nasus once his initiation is complete."
"A wise choice," Kolminye mused. She gestured towards the door, saying, "You are dis-"
The doors suddenly swung open as an armored guard entered. "High Councilor!" he said. "There's an emergency in the Grand Hall. The Reflection Chamber has been damaged!"
"Oh, no," Sivir groaned, fearing the worst.
"Come, quickly," the guard motioned. Councilor Kolminye rose from her seat and followed the guard out, with Sivir in tow shortly after.
A/N: I apologize for my lateness. My senior year of high school is winding down, which means less and less time to write. I'll update when I can.
This is my interpretation of the Institute of War. The only real pictures of it provided by Riot show an underground temple-type structure, but I find that image a bit limiting in terms of writing about it. I envision the Institute as a large, open complex where Champions and Summoners can go where they please (well, most of them, anyway). I'm trying my best to keep to the provided lore, particularly concerning the Institute and the League itself, even though Riot dropped it (what were they thinking?)
As always, feedback is much appreciated.