Author's Note:

Yesterday, I got into a minor, (note: minor) car accident and didn't have time to do a daily so sorry about that. Also, I just wanted to thank everyone for coming along on this journey with me as this is my first fanfic. So, I would really appreciate any comments, suggestions and criticism I'm about 40% complete on this story. I do already have some others in mind and might start to work on them after. If you guys like Artrix as a character and any improvements on him or his relationship with Riven you would like or would even like to see a sequel with him, please let me know. So thanks to all my readers and I hope you enjoy and write some of your own fanfics too and I will happily be willing to read them.

On a side note, I've been wondering if I should change my rating to T. I think M doesn't really suit it as I did originally plan it to be a bit darker.

Chapter 9

Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months as summer and fall slowly drained away which brought on the coldness of Valoran's winter. Each day, Artrix would train with Riven as his goals of becoming a Champion in the League drew closer. His already proficient skills with a blade were now honed into a precise and deadly art. Artrix's days had already passed by with the blink of an eye with Riven. His affection for her slowly grew within his heart as time passed by. There was many times when she would participate in a Summoner's match, each time Artrix would watch with great joy as she achieved many crowning victories. Words of Riven's strength and courage quickly spread throughout the Summoners, which soon made her a top choice for many matches.

"You know Artrix, I might get 'nerfed' soon," Riven once jokingly said to Artrix.

"What's this nerf you speak of?"

"It's a term for when Summoners decide I'm doing too well on the battlefields, and they then restrain some of my powers in matches."

"Interesting."

Not long after, snow began to fall and blanketed Valoran in a soft sheet of white. The once chromatic landscapes which were filled with life have been transformed into a single, unified pale field. The wondrous creatures and critters of Valoran have all but gone to sleep, some even hibernating until spring blossoms again.

The frigid cold would prevent them from training outside in the sun and instead inside buildings and indoor arenas. Riven had said that she hated it, being so stuffed and boxed in as opposed to the natural space of the outside. Soon, the holiday season arrived. It is truly a joyous time of the year with the Champions now finally being able to relax and enjoy themselves in the rare snow. Even Fiddlesticks were allowed out from his chamber prison, albeit under the watchful guard of 10 Summoners. The Harbinger seems to have a special fondness of the snow.

During one of the winter days when it was too cold to train, Artrix had met with Lee Sin. They had enjoyed a great conversation along with soothing hot tea.

"Master Lee, I've heard many great things of you," Artrix said.

"Likewise from Riven, your words are too kind for me," Lee Sin said while sipping some of his tea.

It was a snowy day with soft icy flakes gently coating the lands. Deep footprints of all shapes and sizes had littered the Institute of War, most likely due to the diverse array of Champions enjoying the snow. Riven too, had taken her long awaited rest in the spirit of the winter. Dressed in what Artrix found to be humorously oversized coats, she was outside enjoying herself along with some of the other Champions like Tristana and Teemo in a massive snowman building contest. Her snowman was crooked, and somewhat ruined at the base, resulting in a more of an asymmetrical lump than a proper construct. However, she seemed to have taken great pride in her work.

"These are truly wonderful times, do you agree?" Lee Sin commented. It was true; everyone's heart is at a joyous mood in these winter holidays. The carefree atmosphere has reached even Artrix, whose worries for Heaven and everything else has been slightly detracted.

"I believe it is," Artrix said as a flake of snow gently landed on his hands. He gazed at its intricate design and shape with great interest. He wondered how nature could've produced such a piece of art for all living within it to enjoy.

Another flake fell, this time it found its spot on Lee Sin's shoulders. He tilted head as if acknowledging its presence as it slowly melted away on his body.

"It is a shame that I cannot view them, but I am sure they must be as beautiful as the winter itself," Lee Sin said.

Artrix watched Riven's rather atrocious attempts at her snow craft. The other Champions, especially the Yordles, have all created commendable snowmen and even masterfully built ice sculptures.

Lee Sin set down his cup and took a bunch of roasted white nuts from the tea tray between them. He then offered a handful to Artrix.

"What are these?" Artrix asked.

"They are Freljordian nuts, which has a shell cold and hard as the ice but an inside soft and smoother than anything else. It takes a great deal of effort to get to the inside, but once there you will be rewarded," Lee Sin replied.

Artrix took some of the frost coated nuts which was completely pale and could camouflage into the snow with perfect ease. He chewed into and learned Lee Sin's words the hard way. His teeth immediately froze as well as his jaws. He then tried again but was met with the same, painful results and without even a single crack to the nut. No matter how powerful his bites were, he could not achieve any success. Artrix watched Lee, who popped a handful into his mouth and chewed away without even showing a single sign of strain.

"With practise, Artrix," Lee suddenly said, as if sensing Artrix's folly. "And great jaw strength too."

Artrix then looked back at the nuts, but decided to set them aside for now.

"You are quite an impressive man, Artrix," Lee Sin continued. "To have fallen so low, yet you still have the strength and courage to move on and to redeem yourself."

Artrix was surprised at Lee's sudden remark but then he remembered what he had done, his mistakes and foolishness had caused his own downfall as well as the chaos in Heaven.

"I don't deserve your words, Master Lee. I… had made too many blunders, and stupid mistakes to be forgiven," Artrix said.

Lee Sin chuckled at Artrix's self-defeatism. "My friend, mistakes are inevitable, even I have made mistakes in my past which led to my atonement. I dare say, even the highest divinity commits mistakes."

Artrix thought those words were strikingly true, whether if Lee himself believed it or not.

"The most important aspect is realizing them, and learning from them. Only then, can you move forward."

Artrix then flashbacked to his father's words to him when he was but a mere youngling. He remembered them very precisely, but never understood their true meaning.

"Artrix, in this existence not all is determined by power but now one's strength and their resolve. When you understand, you will know that even some mortals are stronger than us, stronger than me," Artrix's father had said.

"But how father. Are we not the absolute of this cosmos? The most powerful?" the young Artrix questioned.

"When you know the difference, my Throne will be yours."

Artrix sighed. "I never knew the difference. Not even until I had let my own father down."

"One of the many things people always confuse is strength, and power. Let me ask you Artrix, what is the true difference between them?"

Artrix reminisced to all that he has learned. "Strength is how you can use power."

Lee Sin smiled in agreement.

"Many people with power may not have strength, and many with strength have no power either. It takes a person of great virtue to not be corrupted when presented with immense power. And those, who are strong but powerless, can accomplish feats greater than those with power. They are the people who understand and know the difference and lives a virtuous life."

Suddenly, the sound of a mother bird's wings as she lands in her nest to nurture her chicks caught Lee Sin's acute ears. The bird's young and innocent chirping sounded bravely in the harshness of the frigid winter.

"Do you see them, Artrix. I know that their mother is strong because she will sacrifice even her own life to protect her young even if she is powerless against a predator. But what about a tyrant? Yes, he is powerful but is he strong? Will he stay to defend his people when invaded by an overwhelming force? Will he endure the hardships with his people?"

Artrix churned Lee's wisdom in his mind, now understanding what he did not for so long.

In the distant, the snow from a tree branch above succumbed to gravity and piled onto Riven's already white hair, which caused to her fall over and temporary halting her progress on her snowman. This placed a grin on Artrix's face as he was amused at Riven's silliness, which contrasted her daily austere appeal.

Lee Sin sensed Artrix's attention for her and chuckled.

"Why do you harbour your feelings?" Lee Sin asked.

"My feelings?"

"Yes, it is clear, from your heart that you have affection for her," Lee Sin said as he pointed to Riven.

"You must be mistaken, I-"before Artrix could deny any further, Lee had cut him off.

"What you do not say, your heart does. It doesn't lie, Artrix," Lee Sin said. "Perhaps you could ask her for a date."

Artrix was puzzled at this 'date' thing which he has never heard of in his life. "A date?"

Lee Sin nodded. "Yes, a date where you bring her out to indulge in activities both of you may enjoy and in joyous hope, bring each other closer."

"I'm unsure, this may not be a stable courtship if it were to continue further," Artrix said with the thoughts of Heaven in him. He feared that if they were to develop into true love, his duty in Heaven may call for his responsibility and forcing him to leave her behind. He did not want to see her heartbroken, nor even think about it.

"Artrix, love is a joyous entity. Love is a natural thing that brings even the two most difficult beings together. This is how humanity has strived for so long. It is a rare unity that not many can experience," Lee said.

"Then what do I do?" Artrix asked.

"Whatever you both desire to do."

Artrix thanked Lee for his wisdom and hospitality and walked over to Riven, leaving behind deep footprints on the sheet of snow. She was still struggling to maintain a proper sphere for her snowman as each of her attempts would result in a cluster of unrecognizable shapes.

Artrix approached her and quickly formulated a possible conversation and options between them. However, it only came to a train-wreck of jumbled thoughts. Then, he recalled Lee Sin's words a few moments ago.

Love is a natural thing…

Taking a deep breath for confidence, he decided to forgo his plans and follow the flow.

"Having difficulties?" Artrix asked which then startled Riven as she failed another snowball.

Riven groaned in annoyance. "I can't make one of those perfectly round snowballs that those damned Yordles seem to be able to make."

Artrix smiled and scooped up a patch of snow from the ground for his own attempts. Through careful and delicate efforts, Artrix's first snowball was already several times better than Riven's to her surprise, and jealousy. Artrix then presented it to her as a gift.

"Even you can make a better one," Riven muttered.

"Through practise, Riven."

Artrix then helped her to shape her abominable snowball into something slightly more recognizable. At the very least it now includes a round head and a base. When they were finished, Riven stood back and stared at her creation with pride. Artrix then decided to commence with his approach towards her.

"Hey, Riven… I was wondering if… if… you would…," Artrix's earlier confidence seemed to have completely diminished as he attempted to force the words, 'date' out of his lips. Riven looked at him puzzled.

"If I would what?"

Then, Artrix thought of a better idea; an idea that could reveal himself through action, which he was much more comfortable with.

"Come with me Riven, I have something to show you," Artrix said as he grabbed onto her arm and led her away.

"Where are we going?" Riven said with curiosity.

"You'll see."

Artrix had brought her to the back area which laid a frozen pond concealed by the dense grooves of snow covered trees and bushes. The slippery surface of the ice reflected the sunlight which was dimmed through the cold layers of cloud.

"Do you like dancing Riven?" Artrix asked.

"I can't really dance," she replied. Then she saw Artrix's intentions. "On the ice?"

Artrix beamed. "Of course, I promise you it'll be most enjoyable."

Riven was unsure. She remembered that her last experience with ice was frankly quite painful and involved a lot of slipping and falling, and a bruised bottom.

"Come, I will get you in case you fall," Artrix said as he stepped onto the ice with balance. He then offered his hand to Riven who thought about it for a second.

"Who said I was going to fall," she responded as she accepted his gesture.

At first, Riven could barely manage to stand straight as the frozen surface would hinder her attempts at balancing each time. She held tightly onto Artrix as they slowly maneuverer around the pond, from left to right and back again. As she kept trying, her experience with balance gradually increased to a point where she could almost reign freely, albeit requiring Artrix to support her from time to time.

Soon, like Artrix said, he and Riven were gliding through the pond with great speed. She had found delight in this new experience, transforming her previous criticism on ice to a new joy. They became a pair of swans as they danced through the ice in a beautiful duet of winter. Their synchronized movements and postures made it look like as if they were trained for months to awe an anticipating audience.

Several times, Riven would dash into Artrix who would then expect it and spin, dodging her 'attack' and swinging her away. In these playful moments, she could give out cries of joy as the two waltzed on the pond.

"That was really fun Artrix, I loved it," Riven said to him as they rested along the snowy banks.

Artrix returned her thanks with a grin and then remembered of a gift he had gotten for her. He reached into his coat and took out a bright purple flower that still blossomed with life despite the winter cold. It was a rare find, as in the snow there was only grass, fern and a field of frozen flowers. When he saw this single flower braving the frozen days, he saw it as determined as Riven.

"For you," Artrix said as he handed her the flower.

Riven's eyes widened as they glistened with bliss, "an Orchid? I have not seen one in so long."

"Do you like them?" Artrix asked. Riven cupped her hands together and formed a pseudo bed for her new treasure.

"I had loved Orchids ever since I was a child. When I was still young in Noxus, I remembered seeing fields of them, row by row. They were placed to signify the power of the upper class but for me, they were treasure," Riven said.

Riven stared reminiscently at the flower, completely captivated by its beauty. "But no longer. When Noxus deepened into its madness, the fields were all burned away. I had not seen one for years until now. Thank you, Artrix."

Inside his heart, he felt a surge of content as Riven gratefully accepted his gift. Seeing how happy she was able to be, he went a sense of accomplishment that he had let this girl who had been burdened with many troubles for so long be able to relive some of her cheerful years.

"I want to tell you something, Riven," Artrix began as she drew her attention from the flower to him. "I was lost, misguided and a fool before my exile. When I met you, you changed me for good. You set me straight, gave me a path and hope. I do not know what I would've accomplished without you."

A slight blush warmed Riven's numbed cheeks.

"Artrix… You've given me some of the happiest years of my whole life. I was alone, in my exile, until you arrived. I appreciate all that you've done for me. Thank you," Riven sincerely said.

A freezing chill breezed through the pond, but it did not deter the warmth between them. Even as snow dropped in the back, Yordles hollering playfully or the windy gusts that blew through them, nothing removed their attention from each other and their locked eyes. As though nature itself has proclaimed this order, the two found themselves indubitably drawing closer to each other. The feeling was mutual, as they were both precisely harmonized in their thoughts and actions.

First, their fingers touched and crossed, slowly pulling each other in as their lips soon followed. Both of them had closed their eyes and in this instance, the whole world, everything, all of their worries, thoughts and mishaps all collapsed into one feeling of joyous love as they kissed. Artrix could not understand, nor did he need to as his heart beat blitzed and thoughts rushed through his head. For a moment, they were inseparable. No force, not even the will of a god could deny them. Their lips embraced for an entire minute, but how Artrix it was an eternity. When they slowly parted, their eyes met once again as both of them exactly knew what it had meant.

The silence between them was screeching with the first words that were waiting to be exchanged. Their visible breaths had melded into one cloud as it rose up into the frigid air.

"Riven, I…" Artrix searched for the perfect word, "I appreciate you."

"Just appreciate?" Riven lightly said, waiting for Artrix's courage.

Artrix took a light breath and corrected himself. "Love."

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The dark, pulsating tunnels of the Void animated eerily as if alive as Othrius arrogantly strode through them. His ebony armor had almost perfectly matched with the amethyst atmosphere. Up ahead, on a makeshift throne constructed of void energies, an orb hovered over it.

"Othrius? A mighty god entering the domain of the Void? Has Heaven truly gone mad?" the orb rasped demonically as if multiple voices were echoed through it.

Othrius laughed, dismissing the orb. "It has, hasn't it. I suppose it is about time someone were to put an end to its madness."

The orb's pulse quickened as if it was in fear.

"What are you planning, Othrius," it asked.

"Essence of the Void, I will let you know that I'm different from my brother. His blunder 10,000 years ago will be fixed by me, and no one else," Othrius said, almost whispering to it.

The Essence of the Void glided down the throne and confronted Othrius.

"I asked what you are planning."

Othrius turned to it and chuckled darkly as though a diabolical plan had just hatched in his mind. "I'm but a simple person, seeking no more than what I need. And perhaps you can offer me something."

The Essence of the Void now pulsated madly as if a mixture of anger and fear had struck it.

"Has your king gone mad? Sending a god to consult with us?"

Othrius' snaky grin never disappeared as he leaned closer and closer to the Essence. Then, when they were within a breath's reach, Othrius whispered to it.

"I am, the king."

In an instant, the life from the orb was instantly snuffed out and devoured.

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Two angelic soldiers sprinted down the halls, carrying a great worry on their faces. They quickly reached General Amethus and checked to see if they were being followed. They then kneeled before him as a greeting.

"What is it?" Amethus asked.

The two looked at each other, unsure how to proceed.

"Well tell me, what's going on," the general asked in a more demanding tone.

Then, one of them spoke. "It's not good, general. I think it's best that you came to see yourself."

Amethus agreed and they then hurried down a series of halls and corridors and arrived in a massive palace richly decorated to signify its royalty. In the centre of the arena, a mass was Lords and officials were seated in front of a golden stage which a large replica of the Throne of Heaven upon. Amethus spotted Othrius walking towards it with sure steps. However, something was off about him, as if an aura of corruption festered around him.

A line of priests all fully robed in ceremonial attire came out of a door. The head priest held a cushion with a golden crown on it.

"Please be seated as we bear witness to the coronation of Othrius, Lord of Heaven," the priest announced and silenced any chatter amongst the crowd.

Othrius then proceeded to the throne, baring a sinister grin. He sat on it, laying out his arms on the rest.

"Will you, Othrius, uphold the righteousness of the previous king and govern all existence with absolute might and will," the priest read out an ancient scroll.

"Yes, I will."

"Will you bring free will, safety and joy to the mortals under your reign?"

"Yes, I will."

"Then by primordial rights, I Archpriest of Heaven, name you Othrius King and Lord," the priest said as he placed the crown firmly on the god's head. "All hail, King of Heaven Othrius."

With that, everyone within the palace kneeled before their new lord. In the corner, Amethus watched with horror.

"What do we do, general," one of the soldiers asked.

Amethus began to think deeply, trying to search even a single possible solution to end this madness.

"This happened earlier than I expected. I must go to Runeterra now and inform Artrix. Only he can challenge Othrius' divine rights," Amethus said.

"But sir, if you go, Othrius will definitely find out. Then, not only Artrix, but his entire world will be in peril," the other soldier protested.

"There is no choice or time, I must go," Amethus said, "when I'm gone, keep the resistance group in order and under the shadows. With Othrius as king now, we stand no chance in open coup."

The soldiers then saluted as their general parted before quickly disappearing into the building. Amethus knew, that time is running out. It would only be a matter of time before Othrius' greed consumes all of the cosmos and bringing it under his reign of terror. The only hope now is Artrix, and he must be returned from exile. With that, Amethus hastily left the palace and towards a portal, leaving behind Othrius' apocalyptic laughter which echoed within the palace walls.