Chapter 6
An eerie sense lingered upon the now empty Throne of Heaven with a screeching silence swarming the room. Then, devious footsteps echoed in the chamber, followed by caped figure clad in ebony. The man bared a slithering appearance like a hunting snake. His thin and sharp jaws were only matched by his preying eyes, constantly glancing left and right. His slick black hair was gelled to the back, seemingly void of any life. He slowly but surely paced to the Throne and then ran his veiny hands down the smoothness of the golden armrest. A faint pulsating aura whispered from it, as if trying to reject something.
"Halt!" a voice suddenly called. "What do you think you are doing?"
However, the man was not deterred. He merely paused and turned his head back, cracking a sinister smile.
"Ah, General Amethus, came to visit the Throne?" the man hissed.
The man, known as General Amethus, walked further into the room until the dim daylight from outside revealed his aged face.
"Othrius, placing hands upon the Throne is forbidden. Of everyone else, you should know the best," Amethus said. Othrius only chortled with ambition. He then slowly stepped down the stairs and left the shadows which hid him and faced Amethus.
"Relax, friend. I'm the King's brother, the royal blood runs in us," he sneered, his unsettling grin never vanishing from his lips.
"You are not to be King, Othrius. Artrix is."
Othrius then burst into wild hysteria and shook his head.
"That brat? Did you not forget that he's a bumbling exile? If anything, the Throne should be passed to me," Othrius said. He then pointed at the Throne. "Rightfully mine."
"The King's not dead, Othrius, he's asleep. Withdraw your ambition for it has no place in Heaven," Amethus valiantly said.
"For 10,000 years he has been asleep, my friend. 10,000 years have we been in darkness, without a guide. 10,000 years have the King abandoned and thus Heaven. 10,000 years have Artrix been in exile, yet he has not even returned. The King will stay asleep because of the loss of his precious son," Othrius scorned.
Amethus stood brave and valiant and dismissed Othrius' attempts.
"That does not give you the right to even think about betraying the King."
The tenseness in the room now tightened to a point where even breathing would've be a difficulty.
"No, friend, I'm afraid it is the King that has betrayed us," with that said, Othrius withdrew back into the shadows and disappeared, leaving Amethus to himself.
Amethus pondered, everything has been going too perfectly for him. Othrius' treachery has been known even before Artrix had been born, yet the King has always suppressed it. Amethus knew that something was wrong, perhaps a plan of Othrius. But he had no evidence. He knew action must be taken, he had to find Artrix.
The morning light slowly crept into the headquarters' rooms. The bustling sounds of life and techmaturgy swarmed the city once more as a new day begins. Artrix and Riven waited in a small lobby as lines of people went and go. Caitlyn, who was still burrowed under a mountain of paperwork inside her office, had already made her farewell the night before. Now, Vi and Jayce accompanies the two until the zeppelin to the Institute of War arrives.
In the lobby, the Artrix and Riven sat next to each other while Vi sat across, intensely glaring at the two for almost the entire morning. Artrix had waited, expecting for this foolish mortal to make some sort of comment about their apparent relationship, however, Vi only gazed. After some time, Jayce walked over to the group with three cups of hot coffee; two in each hands and one professionally balanced on his head.
"It's been a rough night, coffee anyone?" he asked. Artrix and Riven looked up but Vi continued her observations.
Riven nudged her eyes, now surrounded by two faint black circles. She gave out a tired yawn and accepted the drink. Artrix who was most curious about this 'coffee', also acquired himself this strange liquid. He took a cautious sip at the hot coffee, and found it to be exceptionally bitter. Now, he could add another to the list of things he disliked in the mortal realm.
"Vi, you want the last one? It's from the head," Jayce offered, pointing at the coffee on top of him. Not a single drop was spilled.
"Nah it's okay," Vi hastily replied, not taking her eyes off the two for once.
Jayce, who seemed sad that Vi had ignored his balancing trick, removed the cup and took a sip himself.
"Will you stop staring? Ever think people get uncomfortable?" Jayce said.
"It's for science, or techmaturgy or whatever the hell it is you geeks call them," Vi replied.
Jauce had a puzzled look on his face. "Science?"
"You know, the science of love."
Riven almost spewed out her coffee. "For the last time, we are not in love."
"Really," Vi skeptically said. Riven sighed, and continued her drink. The warmth of it comforted her a little. Jayce then noticed Artrix staring at the coffee with a slightly disgusted look on his face.
"Don't like it?" Jayce asked Artrix.
"I find this drink you call coffee to be most… acrid. I understand of its warmth yes, but perhaps if it was sweet, it would be a much more enjoyable treat."
Jayce held up his finger in a moment of breakthrough, and pulled out two small white cubes from the pocket of his large coat. "Add this to it, I promise it'll taste ten times better."
Artrix accepted the sugar cubes and promptly plopped it in the coffee. It quickly dissolved into a faint pearlescent cloud before becoming consumed by the blackness of the coffee. He then took another sip from this cup, this time however it was a much more delectable liquid. The bitterness, now nullified by a splash of sweet, made the drink a perfect combination. Artrix, happy with this new delight, quickly downed the drink.
"What did I tell ya," Jayce triumphantly said.
Suddenly, a shadow engulfed the entire room, making it as if it was night again. Jayce walked to a window and poked his head outside. Above was a compact white zeppelin, hovering undetectable if it weren't for the shadow it had created. A bare metallic exoskeleton gave the zeppelin its fins and propeller. At the top of the towering headquarters, a bridge was then connected to the belly of the airship.
"Looks your ride has arrived ladies and gentlemen," Jayce announced. The group headed up a long flight of twisting stairs until they reached what seemed to be a glass box high above the city like an aerial light house. From here, Artrix could see all across Piltover, as well as the vast horizon and clouds through the clear blue sky. He felt for moment, as if he was at home again.
The glass door to the bridge which connected to the zeppelin automatically swung open. Riven and Artrix began their crossing when she realized Jayce and Vi were not coming.
"We are going to stay for a few days, after the Pyro incidence there is still a lot of clean-up work to attend to," Jayce said.
"Yup, Cupcakes might go apeshit if we left her here to do all the work," Vi said. Jayce and Vi then bid the two farewell and good luck before the Zeppelin slowly hovered away and further and further from the city. After reaching a high enough altitude, it sailed southwards towards the Institute of War.
Riven and Artrix made their way to the gondola where they found a decent room with a table and chairs. An attendant had helped them get settled before disappearing back to the crew cabin. Other than the soft humming of the engine, a placid silence had filled the room. Riven now felt most curious about Artrix's heritage. In this isolated area, she thought perhaps it was the best time to ask. But she will take it slowly, or at least get to know where Artrix is from.
"So Artrix… How do you like Valoran?" Riven asked.
Artrix was puzzled at her question but answered anyways. "I do not like it, but I can accept it. Why do you ask?"
"Oh nothing, just wondering," Riven responded. "So… Uhh…How do you like it compared to your home?"
"Are you sure you are not just curious about me?" Artrix questioned.
Immediately, Riven stuttered and hesitated. She held out her hands and falsely shook her head. She was a terrible liar.
"Just admit your deeds, Riven," Artrix said. Riven gave a defeated and almost embarrassed sigh. She thought she would've been able to last for a little longer than just two questions. Artrix smiled lightly as reassurance to her.
Artrix then thought of his home, Heaven. He did miss it, but his regrets of losing it had long been gone now. He knew that instead of mourning, he needed to find the strength to return and make his father proud once again.
"My home is… A beautiful place," he began, "a place where all life is unthreatened, joyful, and strong. It is a land far away, beyond this world. I cannot return now, but I know I can be strong enough to one day being able to seek out my path."
Riven listened with great curiosity.
"But, I made a mistake. I had thought that we were absolute, all powerful and able to rule all. Perhaps I was wrong, and in my ignorance I was exiled."
Riven was reminded of Noxus, and herself. All her life, she was taught that power was everything. Those with power are stronger than others, and should dominate them. But why? She saw with her own eyes what power did to her and her men, her friends and fellow Noxians. Does power truly define everything, or does it merely cause a person to abuse it. She knew that the Noxus she was born was a tyranny. Her true Noxus is strong, and will use power to its rightful purpose. It is to aid others in need, and to strive for a better future, not to subjugate those without power to its will.
"Your home sounds like a heaven," she said.
Artrix coughed. "It is."
Riven pondered at their similarities. Artrix was a changing man, his absolutists views shifting into what ignorance had cloaked for so long. She thought that Artrix was truly more than meets the eye; he seemed to carry a great burden.
"Riven," Artrix suddenly asked, "do you wish to return home? To Noxus."
"I wish to return to a city that I had envisioned, not the one that exists. A place where power is not everything," she replied.
"I see."
Artrix remembered his father's words. Mortals' resolve are strong, they are a great people. Now, only without his former powers could he truly see what they are. Riven the mortal and the exiled, Artrix admired her strength to look forward. Her determination would've been unfathomable to the Artrix a few days ago.
The clouds outside slowly floated past the circular windows of the room. The clear sky gave Artrix a sense of great comfort as its warm sunlight bathed the room. Isolated from the lands and trouble below, Artrix felt pure in the sky. Free of his burden of exile and troubles, he allowed his mind to rest for the duration of the flight.
Afternoon has arrived when the zeppelin reached the Institute of War. It softly descended to one of the numerous towers that littered the building and a bridge connected to the airship. Artrix curiously peered outside the window was saw a vast complex of buildings, tunnels and towers of all shapes and sizes surrounding the landscape. The aura of magic heavily stained the air, giving it a completely different feeling than previously. The Institute of War could've been comparable to the glorious structures back in Heaven.
As they disembarked, a male human dressed in purple robes known as a Summoner approached them. He held a polite stance with his bows and greetings.
"Welcome back Champion Riven," he said and then turned to face Artrix. "And you sir would be?"
"Artrix."
"Yes Summoner, he is a friend of mine and we wish to stay at the dormitory for a little while," Riven said.
"As you wish. However, as he is not a Champion, there are many restrictions and areas he cannot enter, and I hope that you will tend to them, yes?" the Summoner said.
Riven nodded in agreement and proceeded to leave when the Summoner halted her.
"Before you leave, I will need to know which wing you will stay in as your current status is quite… disputable," he said. "Will it be the Noxian Wing? The Ionian Wing or Demacian Wing."
"Why are there only the three? Where is the neutral one where I usually reside?"
"It is currently under construction and will not be available for a month. So, you need to take your pick."
Riven thought for a quick second. It would definitely not be the Noxian Wing, the Ionians she felt too awkward for her to be in. The friendliest place left would then be the Demacian dormitories. Other than the fact that she fact that she is still technically a Noxian, albeit exiled, the Demacians should have no quarry with her.
"Demacian then," she replied.
The Summoner then bowed his head and left, leaving Artrix and Riven. After a series of mazelike corridors, stairs and tunnels whilst avoiding the Noxians, they finally arrived at the entrance of the Demacian Wing. The workers have really put into it all their Demacian pride and efforts. The entrance was a massive arch with the blue banners of the nation proudly hung from left to left. Delicate and precise decorations lined the length of it. It had depicted glorious stories and events that nearly spanned all of the city's history.
Riven was amazed by this for she had never seen the Demacian Wing. It was quite a spectacle, with the painstaking hand carvings and the sheer size of it. However, the thought of her having to enter the Wing made her uncomfortable. Hundreds of eyes will be staring, inspecting her of any treachery.
"Alright, let's make it quickly to our room," Riven wearily said.
"You sound upset Riven, why is that so?" Artrix asked.
"It's nothing really. Some of the people inside may not like me for my Noxian blood, it is just a conflict between the two states," Riven replied.
Artrix looked perplex. "I do not see why anyone would dislike you, but if you wish then we shall be haste."
Was that a compliment? Riven thought. Then, with sure steps they entered the wing and traversed to their temporary residence. Throughout their tread, they were unhindered by anyone except for a few glaring eyes and whispered rumors around the Demacians. However, when they reached the mess hall which was filled with egotistic troops and brutes, their hope to avoid any incidents was dashed. One of the larger soldiers, wearing a massive armor of the Demacian attire approached them. Following him was his group of similarly brutish men.
"What do we have here? A Noxian in our place?" he loudly announced. "Do you wish to attack us too even when we are resting? Is that how pathetic your kind really is?"
Riven attempted to avoid his glaring eyes along with any trouble. "We only want to pass, that's all. We don't want trouble."
The Demacian roared into the hall and laughed, all of the soldiers within then followed his lead.
"Trouble? You expect to cause us trouble?" he said, then he leaned closer to Riven, almost breathing on her. "We will wipe you Noxian scums off of this world."
Artrix then intervened and grabbed the man by the shoulders. "Back away from her and cease your harassments and I will forgive you."
"Artrix…" Riven attempted to protest but the man turned his eyes to Artrix. His earlier smile has now been contorted into clenched teeth with anger seeming from his eyes.
"What did you say?" he threateningly muttered. However, Artrix unblinkingly stood and did not even take a step back when the man nearly pressed his chest against him, towering over Artrix.
"I will not repeat myself, let us pass now," Artrix said, this time in a much more demanding voice.
The Demacian, feeling challenged and unwilling to give up his ego, threw a punch with his gigantic fists at Artrix's face. To everyone's surprise, he managed to completely stop its force with one hand. Then, with a mighty twist, the Demacian's arm cracked and he fell to his knees and a painful holler. Unwillingly to admit defeat, he launched his other fist at Artrix but was met with the same futile results. Then, Artrix promptly lifted the bear of a man into the air before plunging him into a table covered with plates of food. With a loud crashing noise of shattered plates and tables, the man laid writhing on the floor.
Riven stared in awe at his seemingly impossible strength; a man several times smaller than a beastlike, armored warrior defeated him with his bare hands. Despite this aweing display of force, the groups of Demacians saw this as a threat from a Noxian and encroached them. Two men dragged the now unconscious man away and disappeared through the crowd.
"Artrix, look what you did," Riven whispered to him as they now stood back to back.
"He was mocking you, what was I supposed to do?" Artrix replied in a similar fashion.
"Let him, now we have deal with this."
With confidence glances, the horde of Demacians then charged at the massively outnumbered duo. As the first wave assaulted them, broken bones and concussions was their result. Riven's skills as a trained Champion allowed her to effortlessly defeat and toss the Demacian grunts around while Artrix's immense strength brutally beat his opponents. Bare fist fights and flips transforming the mess hall into a brawling arena with numerous broken tables and food flying everywhere. Soon, pile upon pile of defeated Demacians scattered the room when suddenly, the doors flung open. Coming out of it was towering man, even larger than the previous one. He was clad in full armor and had a blue scarf covering the bottle half of his face. Hoisted on his back a massive sword that easily stretched over five feet. Behind him a much smaller, petite blond haired girl who was almost armored appeared. She playfully wielded a strange, magical baton with light pulsing from it.
"A Noxian assaulting our chambers?!" Garen cried out. "Unacceptable, and to think that they were more honourable than this."
"Brother, that's Riven though. She would never do this," Lux playfully said. She seemed to be enjoying the scene that is being caused.
"I care not who is she, but she will pay for this," Garen said, taking notice of the numerous defeated Demacians. He then drew his sword and prepared for battle. "Noxian! I am your true opponent!"
After beating the last of the grunts, Artrix and Riven both realized Garen's presence.
"Damn it, why did he have to be here," Riven cursed under her breath. "Please, Demacian, heed me. We did not start this, the provoker was one of your men."
Garen was infuriated. "You accuse my men for this? After you beat them senseless? I will settle our differences here and now, draw your sword Riven and face me."
Garen then flourished his sword and pointed it threateningly at Riven. Artrix stood protectively in front of Riven and directly in the path of Garen's fixated view.
"Your fate will be no different than these men. Your opponent will be me," he said.
Riven quickly grabbed Artrix's shoulders in protest. "Do not fight him! He's the Might of Demacian."
"Ha! I care not for who you are. Anyone affiliated with a Noxian is just as bad. Very well, face me, you will find honor in death," Garen challenged.
Artrix hunched and readied himself. Then, they both began their charge directly at each other before Riven could protest further. Garen lifted his sword in preparation to strike his foe. Artix was more on the agile side and lowered his stance and readied himself to leap over Garen. However, when they were just a mere feet away from each other, a pillar of swirling energy burst in between them, immediately halting both of their assaults. From the resulting cloud of smoke emerged another robed figure. This time however, powerful magic pulsated from her aura.
"High Councillor Vessaria!" Garen said.
The Councillor, clearly displeased with what she is seeing, immediately called in for healers before turning her attention to the perpetrators of this mess.
"All of you, with me, now," she angrily demanded.
With an explosion of purple smoke that blinded everyone and then magically reappeared in a relatively small, cozy chamber. The room had an archaic feeling to it with old décor and artifacts lining the golden breamed shelves. A massive two stories pinewood bookcase was the central piece of the magnificent den. The entire room was dimly lit by mystical candles that would never go out. In front of the bookcase was the High Councillor's office area which consisted a large, rectangular desk conveniently accompanied with four chairs as if she knew this day would come. She herself took a seat on a tall, leather seat and demandingly gestured the four to sit. Lux chose to sit in the middle, between Garen and Riven and Artrix stayed to the right.
The High Councillor placed both her elbows on the wooden surface and cross examined them with her hawking eyes.
"I believe starting a brawl in the middle of the Institute of War is strictly forbidden, am I correct?" she rhetorically asked. However, only silence followed.
"I asked, am I correct?" she demanded again. This time, Riven took up and replied.
"Yes, High Councillor."
"And am I also correct to say that no Champions are to fight outside an arena," the High Councillor continued.
Riven quietly sighed. "Yes."
"Then why, on earth's name, were those two rules broken?"
Garen shot up from his sit and launched an incriminating stare at Riven. "It was her, she assaulted my men and began beating them. I was only there to stop this Noxian from actually killing them."
"I did no such thing. One of your men harassed us and forced us to fend ourselves," Riven retaliated.
High Councillor slammed her palm on the desk, silencing all of them.
"Enough! I care not who the provoker was, all I care is that all of you were involved in this incident." She then left her seat and circled the group, brewing up fitting punishments.
"Because of your understandable tension between the two states, I will let this go with a warning However, the next time, if this happens again, you will be faced with dire consequences. Do I make myself clear?" she questioned. Lux obediently nodded her head while Garen just crossed his arms, refusing to so much as glance at Riven. Then, the High Councillor teleported the two Demacians away, leaving only Riven and Artrix.
"As for you Riven, bringing an accomplice into a dormitory not of your own is not allowed," she said.
"I had no choice, my own residence is currently under construction," Riven replied.
"I understand, and for that I will let it go this time only. However, from now on, you will stay in the Ionian Wing until the construction is completed."
Riven opened her mouth to protest but was hushed by the High Councillor.
"I know of your past Riven, but I will ensure that they will not bother you. After all, they are known for their peace," the High Councillor said. "Now go, but your friend will stay here for a little longer. I will send him your way when I am done."
Riven gave a worried expression at Artrix, fearing of what the High Councillor may do to Artrix. However, she was promptly teleported out of the chamber to make her way to the Ionian Wing. Artrix had expected some more scolding from this mortal. However, when there was only silence remaining, she spoke.
"So, Artrix heh? I am going to be frank with you, the moment you entered the Institute I had a complete background search on you. My results were less than pleasing. You are from no city state, no village, no anything. There are no birth records for you anywhere either," The High Councillor said. Then she walked back to the desk and conjured up a holographic screen that listed all the Champion's name, pictures and details.
"You see, even a person as hidden and mysterious as Swain, we know of his origin. Nothing escapes from the clutches of our insightful eyes…. Except you. Let me ask you, Artrix, who are you. Where are you from?"
Artrix was already annoyed at this probing mortal. He would definitely not reveal to her his godly origin. To Riven, he had been comfortable sharing some details of his life, however this mortal had no chance.
"If you so desire to complete your perfect circle, then go ahead and attempt to unravel me. However, at this moment, nothing will escape from my lips," Artrix challenged.
High Councillor Vessaria screwed her eyes in one final inspection of Artrix but found nothing. Not even the powerful Summoner magic could aid her in her search. She then turned off the holographic screen and straightened her posture.
"Very well, I will allow you to stay within our League. However, if there is one sign of trouble, from anywhere, then you will be the first to be suspected."
Then, the High Councillor snapped her fingers and teleported Artrix out. The man was completely dark to her, she was void of any information on him. However, one thing had caught her eyes. It was a strange rune that had attached to Artrix's belt from his armor. It had the mark of an Eagle clutching onto a bolt of lightning with its might talons. Unsatisfied by her thirst of knowledge and knowing, she quickly turned to her many books and began her search for it.
Outside the chamber laid a long, marbled hallway. There was sign of Riven anywhere, Artrix looked back but found not a door but a blank, stone wall. He did not know where the Ionian Wing was but currently there was only one path forward, so he began his steps when a figure appeared next to him. She had defiled wings and a gloomy river of dark, purple hair that nearly covered her face. Her skin was as pale as her eyes, which were surrounded by amethyst markings. It took a moment before Artrix recognized who she was.
"Morgana?"