Chapter 1: Intrigue
An explosion rocked the League's Hall of Justice to its foundations. Alerts went out, champions and summoners in the area scrambling to respond, civilians and the structure of the building the highest priorities.
Reports buzzed across Runeterra that morning. The explosion had absolutely annihilated one of the summoning chambers, while several powerful summoners were still inside. Evidence indicated it was magical, but details were not forthcoming.
Shyvana had been among the first champions to respond. She would have anyway, but this time it was a personal matter as well. It had been the summoning chamber used for the match in the middle of the night.
At first, she had busied herself with helping make sure the civilian attendants were safely evacuated, but then she made sure she was part of the group of champions securing and helping investigate the blast site. The explosion was so violent, there was little beyond tatters of summoners' robes left. No one was yet sure who had been killed, not immediately.
Though it aggravated her intensely, Shyvana wasn't surprised when Swain himself and his Sinister Blade, Katarina, arrived at the Hall. Jarvan IV with Garen, Soraka and Karma joined around the same time. Such a blatant attack on the League was of utmost priority to every major player on Runeterra.
Shyvana's stake in it was serious enough with that, but she was controlling a sense of… yes, fear. Fear that Sylus had been taken in the blast. If she left abruptly to check his isolated cottage, she worried that rumors would spread, and more importantly, that she would be seen as shirking her duty to Demacia (and the League).
Ashe and her husband, King Tryndamere, were also among the champions on the scene, which relieved Shyvana. She shared a concerned glance with the frost-archer, but nothing further. They both had a duty to attend.
By the end of the first day, matters were clearer, but worse than expected. Two of the victims of the explosion had been none other than High Councilors Davakan and Forik. Members of the High Council, assassinated with magic now clearly showing signs of summoning signatures.
Without halt, the investigation began. The magically oriented champions known to be in the area were asked to submit to examination and have their alibis checked. It was a touch and go interaction, especially with Syndra, Lissandra, and Veigar, but their alibis checked out with multiple witnesses. The investigation quickly focused on summoners, especially those with political allegiances, in case someone was trying to start a war.
Shyvana had initially hoped to finally take some time to check on Sylus, but Jarvan himself requested she escort their summoners to the interviews. A direct request (she saw it as an order) by her prince could not be ignored.
As a result, it was late the following night that she was pacing back and forth outside the interview chamber. She cracked her neck, still in her full battle-armor in case of trouble. Flames licked out of her eyes and her armor-claws as she growled, moving about in clear agitation.
The idea of Sylus dying in such a pointless way… It was enraging. A colleague, someone who showed her the kind of respect she'd always wanted, to be snuffed out by some random coward? She didn't care if the summoner was Demacian, she'd burn them to ashes for their crime! Even more so for disrupting the League and threatening the already tenuous 'peace' that had been established. If she got her fangs on whoever—
"Shyvana?"
She twitched faintly, turned on her heel, and found Ashe standing there. "Ah… Queen Ashe, greetings, once again. Is something wrong?"
Ashe smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling with frost. "I was going to ask you, champion. I've rarely seen you so agitated. …Have you learned anything about Summoner Hale's fate?" she asked with a gentle note of sorrow.
Shyvana looked down to the side, grim. "No."
Ashe sighed heavily. "Such a promising summoner… to be cut down like that…"
"He may live. He doesn't attend the Hall, usually."
Ashe blinked up at the dragoness. "He doesn't?"
"Apparently some of the summoners have magical tools that allow them to work from other locations. I am… relying on that possibility."
Why had she admitted that? Her normal frustration at such an admission of weakness was crippled by the camaraderie Ashe had shared with her during and after that strange, ill-fated battle the previous night.
Ashe only offered a supportive smile, no mockery. "I see. I'll share that hope. Though…" she glanced down, frowning.
Shyvana blinked at her. "What concerns you?"
"If he's alive, he would be the most valuable witness to this entire tragedy," Ashe explained, locking eyes with the Demacian dragon.
Shyvana's face slackened. It was so painfully obvious! He would be a vital witness! She HAD to find him! Her concern over making too much of her fear for him had blinded her to the vital truth of the situation! "Damnation!" she hissed, looking through Ashe with animalistic self-loathing.
"Are you alright, Shyvana?" Ashe quickly checked, a gently staying hand raised.
Refocusing, the dragon nodded. "Yes, my lady, but I must ask a great favor of you, as an ally of Demacia."
Ashe straightened, her face calming to a royal demeanor. "Yes?"
"Please see to the safety of the Demacian summoners? I must locate our witness."
Ashe smiled a bit again. "I would be honored to assist Demacia in this matter, Shyvana. Go!"
The dragon flashed a wicked smile, and sprinted off, her armored ponytail writhing in her wake. Ashe watched her go with continued fond humor. Curious that I've not taken greater notice of her before. I admire you, Shyvana.
(Elsewhere…)
It was such a simple cottage. Once again, that struck Shyvana first. It didn't look like a powerful spell-weaver's home, just a simple wooden house, with a neatly tended, pleasant garden around it. Still, she had no time for childish pleasantries. She ran to the door, knocking firmly. "Summoner Hale! Please answer! I know it is late, but this is urgent League business!" There was a possibility he didn't even know about the explosion, however remote it was.
Silence. That awful silence, like a battlefield just after the last death. Shyvana grimaced, and knocked again, the frame shaking. "Sylus!"
More silence.
Shyvana's arms trembled with frustration, her mind silencing the whisper of fear, silencing the part of her that realized she wouldn't be this afraid for any other summoner's health. No, this was duty, and vital.
"Sylus, I'll pay you back for the door," she said loudly, and then kicked it in.
The door shattered into splinters as if rigged with explosives thanks to the power of her strike, and she rushed inside. She called for him in each room, though the house was tiny. The sitting room, the kitchen and dining room, the little set of stairs, and the tiny hall leading to the bedroom and restroom above.
Shyvana finally stopped, panting from her own exertion, staring at his bedroom. The bed was empty, cleanly made. And in the right wall was a strange combination of large crystals and mechanical arms with a chair very much like the ones she used when she was summoned for a match. It was undisturbed, and dormant.
For a long moment, she just stared, her hands on the frame of the doorway to the bedroom. This room hadn't been used. He hadn't summoned Ashe from his home. An emergency summons for a mid-level summoner… he likely had to…
Rage started to twist her ashen face, her eyes beginning to smolder.
They had killed him.
Those wretched cowards, whoever they were.
Shyvana's muscles clenched violently, her bones creaking, a haze falling over her eyes.
The dragoness ran from the cottage, nearly crashing against the outer doorway, and out into the woods just beyond its little garden… and promptly exploded in an inferno of power, rage, and scales.
In her fully realized dragon form, she roared and lashed out, her tail blasting one tree to shards, her breath incinerating another copse, her wing-claws ripping earth, stone, and wood alike.
"You butchered him!" she howled in fury. "I'll tear you apart! I'LL KILL YOU ALL! BY MY FATHER'S BLOOD, I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"
The dragon scorched the sky with her outcry… and then slumped down. Still up, still on her feet and claws, but her head hung low, fire seeping from her lips like a warped form of tears.
"…He was one of the few…" she looked at her own wing claw. He'd been one of the only summoners to appreciate her true form, her father's heritage. He'd called it magnificent. Just that simple, foolish, childish sentiment… it had given her the comfort she'd needed, at a time when she'd needed it most.
And where had she been when he needed the most help? Walking to her bed…
Her claws dug in again, her body trembling with self-hatred.
He'd been a soft and gentle soul, someone she normally would have despised if she'd not been first introduced to him as a summoner. He's strength shown in that light, and allowed her to see the simple charm of his little, childish home, his almost meek manner.
Shyvana let herself revert, limbs clenching and popping faintly as she slowly changed. Standing upright, his house behind her, she remained grave, but one tear of flame dripped from her right eye, and she whispered, "I always appreciated your respect."
Then she left.
(In Demacia…)
Ashe stood in one of the halls of Demacia's palace. It was a rare event, in fact, and she would have admired the tapestries and fine stonework if not for Jarvan IV being right there to welcome her and thank her for escorting his summoners. She'd been quick to explain the valid and vital duty Shyvana had departed to attend on Demacia's behalf.
They had just finished sharing their thoughts on the tragedy when the sound of the hall's main door opening drew both their attention. Ashe immediately shifted from pleasant greeting to pained realization as she saw the grim, slow walk Shyvana was using.
Jarvan recognized it as well. He'd never seen Shyvana walk that way before, but the solemnity of her manner was clear. "…Shyvana, report?"
First, she bowed. "Queen Ashe, my lord… My hopes were mistaken. It appears all summoners involved in the match perished in the original blast."
Ashe closed her eyes, whispering something to herself. A Freljord passage to the afterlife.
Jarvan nodded, sighing as he looked down. "I see. Thank you for tending to the matter personally, Shyvana. I understand he was a promising summoner, from what Queen Ashe tells me."
Shyvana nodded back, but didn't speak on that topic. "…Were there any developments on this side, if I may ask?"
Jarvan let Ashe answer.
"You'll be pleased to hear no suspicion is on Demacia. Every specifically Demacian-aligned summoner has solid alibis, already verified. As a show of good faith, I am having my own summoners come forward for similar interviews."
Shyvana raised an eyebrow. "No Freljord summoners were present in the hall last night, were they?"
Ashe smiled. "Indeed, not, but I wish to remain involved in this tragedy. I didn't wish to seem an outsider trying to get an advantage over other nations. I just want the truth, and for the ones who perpetrated this awful crime to be stopped. With all necessary force."
"In that we are agreed, my lady," Shyvana answered with a deep-rooted force and darkness to her tone that both Ashe and Jarvan noted with wariness.
Jarvan IV nodded without much pause, however, and said, "In fact, if the League will allow it, I wish for you to be the Demacian representative assisting this investigation, Shyvana. I know you believe in the value of the League, and I trust your talents as my own."
Shyvana bowed to him. "You honor me, my lord."
He nodded respectfully to the response, and then faced Ashe. "Queen Ashe, may Shyvana accompany you on your return to the Hall?"
Ashe smiled. "It will be most welcome."
Farewells were shared, and the two women started to leave again.
Once they were out of the palace, Ashe indicated Shyvana could join her in the carriage that had brought Ashe and the summoners to the palace proper. The dragon did so without contest, clearly lost in thought.
"…He was a friend?"
Shyvana blinked out of her dark reverie, and focused on the Freljord Queen. "…Perhaps. We shared respect. I value… valued that."
Ashe leaned forward, and offered her hand. "Please?"
Shyvana was a bit confused, but passive enough in that moment to not resist. She lifted her hand, and rested it on the archer's palm. Ashe's chilled skin and Shyvana's burning core were an odd mix of sensations to the pair, but Ashe just rested her other hand on the two joined, and tipped her head, "I am very sorry for your loss, Shyvana."
Shyvana looked into her eyes for a moment, then closed her own. "…My thanks."
The rest of their trip was silent.
(At the League…)
Shyvana and Ashe arrived at the Hall to a fresh commotion. The Noxians were refusing to provide their summoners for interviews. The two women shared a look, and then marched through the hall. It wasn't hard to find Grand General Swain, with Talon and Katarina in his wake. He was shouting down one of the high summoners that very moment.
"Noxus will not stand for this insult of our respect to the League! Show me proof of Noxian involvement, and I will consent to an investigation, but not before!" Swain bellowed over the summoner's attempt to calm him.
Ashe was grim, but when Shyvana started to move forward, she gripped the dragon's arm carefully. "Easy, my friend. We have no proof of their-?"
"There will be no violence," Shyvana replied firmly, looking back at the archer over her shoulder. It wasn't anger in her eyes so much as absolute determination.
Ashe held her gaze for a moment, and then nodded, letting go.
The dragoness marched through the crowd, mostly summoners, who were eager to get out of her way. When she broke through to the center space with Swain, his cohorts, and the high summoner, it was clear the high summoner had a momentary panic that she would ignite, in every sense.
"Grand General," the title dripped with contempt, "what are you playing at?"
The statement was just enough to throw off Swain's focused beration of the summoner. He frowned, slipping back one step as his bird ruffled its feathers. "By what right do you address me, soldier?"
Shyvana raised an eyebrow. "No one assumed Noxus was the culprit… until you refused the interviews. We know you didn't do it, Swain. You're much too smart for that. Or so I thought…" she leaned in, her finger pointing at him. "Raising this much of a ruckus just makes you look guilty. Now you can either submit your summoners, as every other nation so far has, so we can ALL move on to the real investigation, or you can continue to stymie our efforts, waste all of our time, and undermine the very League that YOUR nation needs just as much as any of us. Or do you think for one moment that any of us believe you would have agreed to the games if you didn't KNOW you couldn't take Demacia without unacceptable losses?"
Katarina snapped a dagger out in her hand. "You're over the line, dragon."
Shyvana noticed Talon was gone from sight. Meaning he was behind her in stabbing range. She twisted to Katarina regardless, and let fire burn from her eyes. "Oh, I'm over the line alright, Sinister Blade. I am infuriated, because YOUR ENTIRE COUNTRY IS WASTING MY TIME!"
The Hall shook from the power of her voice, the champions present bracing, but recognizing that she had made no direct attack.
Shyvana continued more calmly, "I am here for the League, and to resolve this crime before the League itself collapses from this idiotic squabbling. Now, tell me, Swain," she rounded back on the Noxian leader, "are you a member of the League or not?"
Swain kept his voice to a rigid calm of deathly intent, "The League has no right to undermine the sovereignty of our nation, dragon."
Shyvana started to smile faintly. "Maneuvering, Grand General? You just can't get those gears in your head to stop for a moment, can you? Let's think this through, shall we? Your complaint is validated, no Noxian summoners are interviewed," she started to pace around casually, one hand rolling through the air with her words, "leaving you clear of all legal blame, but immensely suspicious. Even if we find proof of Demacian agents in the explosion, there will be blame, recrimination—someone will think it was planted, no matter the proof, because your summoners hid away in their holes, like secretive little… birds," she chose with a wry glance to his pet on his shoulder.
She went on, "Stability, already tenuous at all times, frays more and more," she included Katarina and finally found Talon again with her eyes, "eventually leading to someone attacking outside of the field. The League will interfere… and be challenged as too weak to address the issue, especially after it was BLOWN UP and couldn't even get the Noxians to tow the line!"
In front of Swain again, she leaned in one more time, both smiling and viciously dark, "So tell me, Grand General… are you ready for open war?"
A deeply uncomfortable silence filled the large chamber. The summoners couldn't deny the danger of her description of events, and the Noxian leader and his agents had the steam taken out of them by the unexpected and oddly diplomatic challenge. Ashe was one of the few present with a faint smile on her pale lips. The most violent diplomacy I've ever seen work…
Swain straightened his back to his full, commanding height, eye-level with Shyvana as few were. "Well-said, dragon. For the sake of the League, Noxus will answer the request to interview our summoners. We will not forget this, however," he added with a glare at the high summoner.
Shyvana simply backed into the crowd, letting the summoners and Noxian representatives move away and continue to discuss the logistics of the situation. Ashe drifted up beside the dragoness, an surprisingly impish smile on her pale face.
"Forgive my surprise, Shyvana. That was inspired."
Shyvana shared the humor of the comment, giving a half-smile sidelong. "My thanks. …It was simply the truth, really. Noxus wouldn't be this foolish. If it was them, it would be nothing so subtle or so weak as one bomb in one room. They would also have alibis ready. This was just bruised egos."
Ashe tipped her head. "I'm surprised Katarina didn't try to gut you, even so."
Shyvana chuckled. "She would have, normally. This was just rutting. They don't want to just roll over like a trained dog…" She sighed. "I've no idea where to start…"
Ashe gripped her shoulder. "Perhaps look over the scene yourself? After that help, the summoners shouldn't give you too much trouble. I must make sure Freljord's summoners answer the summons. Will you be alright?"
Shyvana tipped her head. "Thank you, Queen Ashe. I will."
(The chamber…)
Ashe had been correct. After helping defuse the Noxian situation, Shyvana was allowed (with League supervision) to investigate the crime scene directly. She had no intention of misbehavior, so the audience was of no concern to her.
She stood near the center of the ruined summoning chamber, looking at the charred, soot-stained dais where the summoners would have gathered. Ten spaces, ten summoners… Her eyes tightened as she surveyed the damage. Few understood the innate behavior of ash and soot like a dragon, especially one comfortable with using her own flame.
Shyvana crouched low, trying to listen to what her gut was telling her. The patterns were wrong somehow. Magical energies might have warped them, of course, but she wanted to see the wrongness clearly before she dismissed it. Something in the way the ash spread… Her mind started to test scenarios. Different placements of the summoners, different heights and builds, different kinds of explosions.
Not enough bodies. The patterns would make sense if there were only nine bodies in the room at the time of the blast. She couldn't rule out magical disruption, of course, but they would fit just right… After her earlier assumptions, she quickly quashed the little voice of hope that proclaimed Sylus might be alive. The far more logical assumption would be the bomber was one of the summoners from the match, and had vacated the premises before blowing it.
She also quashed the horrid idea that Sylus WAS the bomber. If that was revealed to her as the truth… She shook her head free of it again.
"Summoner?"
One of the two observing perked up. "Yes, champion?"
"Do we have the full roster from that match yet? The summoners themselves."
"There is still some debate on that, my lady. The only confirmed members were Sylus Hale, and the two high councilors. As part of the investigation, we are doing a full census of summoners to attempt to identify the missing ones, but that will take at least a week, especially with our numbers scattered to all corners."
Shyvana nodded. It was a logical problem. Something the criminal had likely had in mind from the get-go. She crossed her arms, and propped her chin in her thumb and forefinger, frowning. The urgency of that match was odd, too. I assume the entire thing was a setup for the explosion. Who could goad high councilors into fighting…? Wait… "Another question, summoner."
"Of course?"
She turned, facing the young man. "Were the high councilors on the same team, or different teams?"
"Opposite, my lady. They were the opposed leaders. They were… in summoner circles it was known the two had a bitter rivalry. Well…"
The other summoner finally chimed in, her voice dry, "One slept with the other's wife."
Shyvana rolled her eyes. "Of course." Wouldn't take much to get them riled up enough for a match then. They would both have enough power to pull strings and get the match scheduled immediately. So we're back to square one. Someone, most likely a summoner, wants to destabilize the League, and used this match as their opportunity, start to finish. It would have to be someone the two trusted, though. To goad them into a fight, one or the other had to believe… well, no, they'd expect a horrible truth of each other, it wouldn't take a close friend. Damnation. Still, perhaps one of their inner circle? A place to start at least.
Turning around fully, Shyvana asked, "Did either councilor have a circle of known associates? Especially in regard to the games?"
The female summoner shrugged. "They were of such high rank, they spent a great deal of time with many in the League and out. Both had powerful friends in Noxus, Demacia, even Ionia and Piltover."
The other nodded. "As she said. However, I think Forik had a personal archivist I heard about. Check the library, if you want to confirm. I believe her name is… Oh, what was it?"
"Oh, Sarana," the female summoner realized. "Yes, she's one of the heads of Records, and Forik allowed her direct access to his matches and information. It was quite prestigious for Records at the start."
Shyvana nodded. "My thanks." And she left without further hesitation.
(In Records…)
Sarana was an aged, human woman, with long, silver hair, a care-worn face, and simple, but fine robes from neck to toe. She seemed both grieved and wary as she sat down at a simple table in the hall of Records across from Shyvana.
"Y-yes," she began, "I worked for High Councilor Forik. I was able to give a firsthand account of many vital battles thanks to his favor. To have him snuffed out is…"
Shyvana tilted her head, her armored ponytail sliding to one side. "Do you have any information about the match he was in the night of the bomb?"
"Specifically no, champion. I am sorry. I came forward quickly when I realized what had happened, but he sent me away earlier that day. He seemed upset about something, yes, but he gave me no details."
Shyvana raised an eyebrow. "He gave you none; did you by chance notice any for yourself?"
Sarana's eye twitched. She'd been hiding behind that limited truth desperately.
"Why so fearful, archivist?" Shyvana challenged in a calm, but meaningful way, her head tilting down, eyes up.
"…When he sent me away, he had a letter crushed in his fist."
"I see… and do you know of any he would trust enough to be at his side for a personal matter that went to the point of needing a match?"
Sarana looked aside, cringing. "Not enough for a full team."
"…How many?"
"Only three others."
Shyvana scratched her chin with an armored talon. "Who would they be?"
Sarana seemed to be draining of energy. "Summoners Gail Fox, Horen Stand, and Lucin Roll. They are top level summoners he trained with, but they couldn't match his raw talent. They… aren't home. I checked."
"I'll inform the League of the other victims. Which office is Forik's?"
"In the council hall, the fifth door on the left."
Shyvana nodded, and rose up, starting to walk away.
"Champion," the archivist called tensely.
Shyvana stopped, and looked back at her.
"Leave it be. This won't help the League…"
"If you think rotting secrets will let it live any longer, you are sorely mistaken," Shyvana hissed back, and marched off with greater speed.
(To the office…)
Getting permission to enter Forik's office was more complicated. After some cajoling and the right amount of raw intimidation, Shyvana persuaded the councilors to let her investigate the office under supervision.
It was a grand chamber, towering in height, lined with tomes, crystals, arcane tools, fine furniture, and a massive desk. There was even a full hearth and fire.
Shyvana glided across the room, focusing on the desk first. Scrolls of schedules, maps of Runeterra, recipes for magical weapons inside the games were all arrayed before her and stuffed away into the drawers, but there were no signs of letters.
The next logical location was the fireplace, especially if the letter had infuriated him. She crouched down at the fire, still roaring, and her eyes scanned the intricacies of the ash once more. …Parchment debris.
Shyvana reached down, plucking a small piece of parchment out of the ashes, and sniffed it carefully. Her senses were far more highly attuned to such intricacies.
Her eyes opened, her brow creasing, and she let the piece of paper drop to the same position. Over her shoulder, she asked, "Who was Forik's wife?"
"Lady Alteia, a Demacian noble, champion."
Shyvana nodded, and stood up. "It seems there's nothing I can sink my fangs into. I am ready to depart."
She was escorted out of the council hall, and she then made her way through the League building at a brisk pace.
(Later…)
In Demacia, early the next day, Shyvana and four palace guards were marching through the house of Lady Alteia, led by her terrified doorman.
"I-I really don't know why there is such a commotion!" he prattled on, fumbling with his keys. "My lady was very specifically not to be disturbed!"
"For three days?" Shyvana prodded dryly.
"She is prone to bouts of …depression."
He finally got the bedroom door open, announcing, "Please, pardon me my lady! They simply won't—OH DEAR G'D!"
Shyvana motioned for one of the guards to pull the man out of the room before he completely lost his mind. Stepping through, she looked down with grave acceptance at the corpse of Lady Alteia.
She was unnaturally preserved. There was no stench, but there was a gaping hole where her heart was supposed to be. No shattered bones, no blood, just a perfectly erased chunk of her torso.
"…I've never seen a wound like this," one of the guards muttered, clearly resisting nausea himself as he crouched at the body.
Shyvana remained grim. "Specifically, nor have I, but there is clearly magic at work here. She never left this room, not by any practical means, and we see no struggle, no blood, and her body isn't rotting. I can feel how cold she is from here."
"Lady Shyvana," another guard called.
She turned, and walked over to a desk with the guard, who called her. There was parchment there. Shyvana lifted it to her nose, sniffed, and nodded. "The same."
"…So Lady Alteia was murdered just so her parchment could be used to trick her husband?"
Shyvana adjusted her gauntlet. "So far, that is my hypothesis. I will report to Prince Jarvan. See that the proper response is arranged for this crime."
"Yes, ma'am!" they chorused.
(Author's Note)
A grim close to Chapter 1! The game is afoot and the drama of the story begins to truly unfold.
Hopefully characterization for the various champions and cameos felt authentic. This is most likely to collapse in the scene with Swain and Shyvana. I won't deny it's heavy-handed, but it felt like something that would happen, given the circumstances.
Writing for Ashe and Shyvana interacting proved more entertaining than expected, though I think I write Ashe with a bit more gravity than her in-game character voicing implies.
I hope to keep an update schedule to 'weekly' for this story. Let's see if I can hit it each Friday, hm?
Thank you for the follows! Much appreciated to get that kind of attention.
Stay tuned for Chapter 2, next week!