Taking in the enormity of the Champion's Hall, I almost failed to notice the number of people looking at me. Almost every human, sub-human, and outright inhuman being was staring straight at me. I recognized a few Champions from League matches I had seen while wandering through a village or staying at an inn. Most of them were unknown to me, though.

Overcoming the instinct to run away, I strolled into the center of the hall and let everyone get their share of looks at me. For the first time, I didn't feel ashamed of my appearance. My pointed ears and purple eyes were the least strange features present in the room. There was a Minotaur, whom I assumed was Alistar, a small blue fish-like creature easily balancing on a trident, and even a large green blob that constantly rippled and assumed a slightly different form. So I felt slightly less nervous than I would normally.

Are you enjoying yourself? Vashirik asked. I thought being the center of attention was something we wished to avoid. Well, this is the League of Legends, I responded. We are hardly the weirdest things these Champions have seen. As you will, he faded back into the corner of my mind.

Shifting my full attention back to the situation at hand, I saw a few Champions approaching me from different directions. My instincts automatically assessed the potential danger and my hands swiftly went to my katanas. "Whoah, there," a voice came from behind me. Turning, my hands still on my blades, I saw a tall woman dressed in gray and silver ablative armor, oversized hextech gloves covering her raised hands. A small roman 6 was tattooed underneath her left eye, and her hair was a flamboyant pink. "We did not mean to startle you, warrior," another voice came from my right. Turning my head, I recognized the Wuju Bladesman, Master Yi, his sword strapped across his back and his hands also raised. I relaxed slightly, removing my hands from my blades. "Well, you sure know how to make a fellow feel welcome," I said in a slightly strained voice. Vashirik's energy had started quickening within me, and it was hard to keep calm during the process. The Champions noticed this, and stopped approaching. Well, all but one...

I felt the glove near my head, intent on placing itself on my shoulder. I snapped my gaze to the armor-clad woman. "Please, do not touch me at the moment," I said as calmly as I could. "It would not end well." She drew her hand back, a look of fear flashing for a moment across her face. Then she looked right into my eyes. Her own blue eyes widened. What is it with females and my eyes? They aren't that strange, are they? Recovering from the shock, she shook her head and gave me a big smile. "Well, if you came through that door that means you are a new Champion. I, Vi, on behalf of all... well most... of the Champions in the Institute of War, welcome you to the League of Legends."

I stood straight and bowed to everyone present. "I am honored to be in your presences, all of you. I just wish I can prove myself to you." Raising from my bow, I realized everyone was staring at me again. Or rather, just above me. Raising a hand up, I groaned. In my distraction with Vi's reaction to my eyes, I had failed to notice my black foot long horns snaking out of my head. They curled out of my temples and swooped backwards a bit before sweeping back to the front, the points just out of my field of view. Now that they had appeared, I knew what would happen next. There would be the fear-filled questions, then the torches and the weapons, and then would come the battle. After being forced to kill them, I would fall to my knees and curse the Daemon and the fate I had chosen. I readied myself for bloodshed.

Suddenly, I was knocked over by a tackle from behind. "Ohmygoshohmygosh! Your horns are so pretty!" Lifting my face from the floor, I looked over my shoulder to see a little girl, no older than ten, staring at me with amazement plain in her emerald-green eyes. She had me caught in a vice-like hug, her strength amazed me. "Well, then. That settles it," Master Yi laughed. "If Annie likes him, I do not see a problem with him being much more than he seems. Again, welcome." Yi and the rest of the Champions drifted back to their previous activities.

Picking myself up off the ground, Annie still clinging to me, I focused on my memories of being fully human and forced my horns back into my skin. As I felt the tips disappear, I opened my eyes again. Annie was looking up at me with a disappointed look on her little face. "Awww," she pouted, "why did you have to put them away?"

Unable to keep a smile from my features, I laughed. "Because, little one, if I left them out, I wouldn't be able to keep other, more dangerous stuff from appearing. That would not be a good thing." She stuck out her lower lip, seeming to be on the verge of tears. An idea formed in my head. "Tell you what, Annie. If we should ever be on the battlefield at the same time, you can see the whole transformation. Deal?"

Her face lit up, a huge smile splitting her face in half. "Deal!" she yelled as she threw her arms around me again.

I felt the presence of Vashirik again. What in the name of all the dark Gods is this? A child? Wait... lend me your eyes for a moment, Vessel. Why? I thought back. I wish to see something. Please, only for a moment. I will let you see as well. Very well, only a moment.

Time seemed to slow, and my vision jumped, shifting into the spectrum used by Daemons. I called it Dark Vision, and whenever I was allowed to see along with Vashirik I saw more than others. As my vision settled, I looked around the Champion's Hall, taking in all I could in the time I had. Energy drifted around almost all of the Champions, much of it different colors depending on their power. Master Yi was surrounded by a light green field, conforming along his body. I noticed a humanoid form that I hadn't seen a moment ago, even when I had looked at the same spot. The energy surrounding it was dark and smacked of the Shadow Isles. Concentrating a little, I pierced the figures invisibility and beheld a voluptuous, blue skinned woman. She turned towards me and gave a quizzical look. Then she smiled, revealing a set of fangs. Looking away, I scanned the rest of the Hall. I saw a bright blaze of white light from the corner of my eye. A woman in heavy gold armor was standing along the wall, large feathery wings stretching above her. The brightness of her aura stung my eyes. Please look away from her, Vashirik pleaded. Just look at the child for a moment. I have a hunch. I looked down at little Annie.

I was stunned by what I saw. Her little body was a veritable storm of pure Elemental energy, all of it contained within her frame. Unbelievable, Vashirik's voice was saturated in awe. She is one of the most powerful Elemental mages I have ever seen. And she isn't even full into her power yet! I agree. She is going to be very powerful. Very powerful? That is the understatement of the millennia! When she discovers her true potential, she could rule this land easily! Oh we must take her. Please, Vessel.

I shook my head, forcing Vashirik's power back into my mind. No. I will not do your bidding, Daemon! The reason I took up your power was to keep you from doing things like that!

All of this took only a small span of moments. Annie was still smiling up at me when I opened my regular, albeit abnormal, eyes. I forced a smile as I looked down at her again. "Annie, is there anyone that can show me to my room? I am very tired and wish to rest."

She let go of me and spun around. "I can! This way!" she rushed to the Unaffiliated Door and opened it with a small amount of effort, though not as much as I would expect. Her magic must greatly enhance her strength. Well, she is the closest thing I have ever seen to a true Primal Elementalist, and those have been gone for eons. Their strength was close to Godly. Did I ask for your opinion, Daemon? I snapped.I heard Vashirik snort in my head. As you wish, Vessel. Just make sure to let me out when next you fight. I am getting cramped in this prison.

I followed Annie as she skipped through the door and down the hall. I saw doors stretching down the entire hallway. Some were normal, a few of them were carved with designs. We passed one door that seemed to be made entirely of gems. My curiosity was piqued, but I kept myself next to Annie. I noticed that all of the doors had plaques next to them, carved with the name and title of the Champion that resided there. As we started slowing down, I saw a black-wood door adorned with a large carving of a crescent moon. Glancing at the name-plaque, I picked out "Diana, Scorn of the Moon" Right after passing the door, Annie stopped abruptly. I almost ran over her, stumbling in my attempt to halt my momentum. She turned to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes letting me know the sudden stop was intentional. The glint was replaced with her usual smile. She pointed to the door next to Diana's. It was unadorned and sported no name on the plaque next to it.

"Here you go!" she said, pointing to the blank plaque. "This room isn't taken yet. All you have to do is put your name on the board and it will be yours. You can get all kinds of stuff to decorate it too!"

I bowed to the little girl. "Thank you, Annie. I shall remember this kindness." I turned and opened the door. Before I closed the door, I heard Annie yell "Just remember to let me see your pretty horns sometime, kay?" Laughing, I pushed the door shut and turned my attention to my new room. It was the first time I had owned a room since leaving my home almost 75 years ago. The feeling was pleasant. There was a window overlooking the central garden of the Institute, and a bed just beneath it. There was also a writing desk and empty bookshelf along the opposite wall. Next to the desk was an armor dummy and a weapon rack. Another door led to the bathroom, I assumed.

I rearranged the weapon rack a little till it would hold the blades in an X. Removing my katanas from my hips, I placed them on the rack. I immediately felt a small relief from the pressure of the constant Daemonic energy that pulsed through me when I held the weapons. Vashirik was still within my mind, but his presence was lessened, stretched between me and the weapons, the remains of his War-Katana that he used to wipe out an entire civilization centuries ago.

I started to take off my leather armor, placing each piece on the dummy analogous to where it fit on me. So engrossed in this process was I that the sound of my door opening again didn't register until I felt a curved blade come to rest on my collarbone. Stiffening, I cursed myself for letting my guard down, and glanced out of the corner of my eye at my weapons. The blade moved between me and the katanas. I saw that the blade was extremely curved, ending in a wicked hook. A crescent-blade, I realized.

Suddenly, a cold, hard voice echoed from behind me. "Do not even think of going for your weapons. I will kill you if you try. Now, tell me who you are and what your purpose is for choosing the room next to mine to slink into?"

Raising my hands, I turned slowly about, keeping one eye on the hook at the end of the blade. When I was fully turned, I looked at the face of my attacker. As I had thought, it was the resident of the room with the large moon carved into it. It was evident in the symbol painted on her forehead, the same symbol as that on her door. Her pale face was set, long silver hair bound into a long ponytail that flowed down her back, her pale gray eyes keeping a watch on my hands. When she flicked her eyes to look into mine, they widened. Her blade slipped ever so slightly away from my neck. Taking the opportunity, I brushed the blade away from my neck and dashed forward, slamming into her. As she fell backwards, my body over hers, I saw her blade fall from her hand.

Landing hard on her back, I heard her breath fly out of her body with a grunt. I quickly brought my legs across her arms, pinning her beneath me. "Maybe we could have started this conversation more civilly, hmm?" I said, slightly out of breath. As Diana's breath returned, she started struggling, trying to get out from under me. Feeling a heat starting to build in my lower abdomen, I again cursed Vashirik's energy keeping me a teenager. "Stop that," I told her calmly. She kept trying to wriggle her body from beneath me. "If you stop struggling, I will let you go. I swear on my honor." At that, she ceased her escape attempts and stared hard at me again.

"There we go. Now, I am going to get off of you, slowly. Please do not take up your blade. I will answer your questions when we are both standing." I started putting my words into action. Her eyes never left mine as she pushed herself up and got back to her feet. Her eyes left mine as I started standing as well, flicking to her weapon, not 5 feet from us. I prepared to fight again, but she turned her gaze back to mine.

"Okay, we are both standing," she growled. "Now tell me who you are. And why you chose this room"

Suppressing a sigh, I stretched my back. "My name is Alexei. I am a new Champion, just finished with my Judgment. I am a Vessel for a Daemon Warlord named Vashirik, whom I wish to see destroyed, or at least banished from this realm. Does that answer your first question?"

Her jaw set, she nodded slightly. "And my second? Why did you choose this room out of the many empty ones on this hall?"

I shrugged. "It was the first one I saw. I was following Annie and she said this one was empty. So I decided to take it. It was not an intentional thing that it happened to be next to yours. If you truly wish me to leave, I shall do so."

"No. I do not truly mind," she said, a slight hint of embarrassment hidden in her voice. "I just thought you were setting up here to spy on me for that sun-kisser, Leona. Please, accept my apology." A blush started sweeping across her face, and she averted her gaze. The action confused me, and I stepped closer to her. "Are you okay?" I asked.

Her eyes snapped back to mine, her breath catching . "I am fine!" She gasped out. "If you need anything, please remember I am right next door." She dashed out of my room, scooping her blade off the ground and bolting through my door.

As the door closed, I heard Vahsirik start roaring with laughter in my head. You are very thick, aren't you? He asked. What are you talking about? She was checking you out, my Vessel. That's why she ran out so quickly. His laughter faded a little as he expressed his pent-up mirth. What is there for her to 'check out'? There isn't much to me other than my eyes and ears. Vashirik was silent.

Resigning myself to staying in the dark about this, I finished removing my armor, leaving myself in a light black travel-shirt and pants. Taking off my heavy leather boots, I went to my door and stepped out of it to grab the plaque from the side. I let a single claw grow out of my index finger and used it to etch "Alexei, the Possessed" in the wood. I also drew my personal symbol beneath the name, a pair of horns curling around each other, meeting at the top, with a pair of wings beneath it. Scrutinizing my work, I nodded in satisfaction and set it back on the wall. I closed my door and walked over to my bed. Collapsing into it, I let my mind go over the events of the day, as well as prepare for the nightmares I knew would come.

Closing my eyes, I fell into the dark of sleep...