Chapter 13

Through the portal High Councillor Vessaria peered out. A sense of urgency had echoed from her and the portal as the momentarily stunned bandits slowly regained balance and their viciousness. Artrix was too surprised to see such unexpected appearance.

"Artrix, you must leave now!" Vessaria exclaimed, "This portal cannot hold on much longer!"

At the bottom of the hill, the bandits reformed and renewed their assault. Their cries for blood and death was earthshattering as the sea of marauders began to sweep up the hills.

"I do not understand, what is the meaning of this?" Artrix demanded. Rithuso stood tightly to his side.

"There was a mistake back at the institute, you were teleported here unwillingly. Now, you must leave and return to us before our magic expires and then you will be trapped in the Shurimas forever."

At the very instant, Artrix had felt a split right down to his very soul. The sounds of the oncoming bandits as well the sounds of battle seemed to have drowned out, leaving him in a slight state of confusion. Time seemed to slow as his mind worked for a decision, one that he could not make. At the sign of an urging Vessaria, he glanced to his bloodied sword and then to Rithuso who stood as valiant as ever. He then turned back and saw the sea of bandits rushing towards them. He had mere seconds to make his decision, one that would course his life.

The thought of losing Riven pained him. It was as if a thorn had pierced his heart. Yet he could no leave, he had made a promise to Rithuso, to his people. Yet if he had returned, it would've been as long nothing had ever happened. Artrix thought now what was more important to him. His promise, pride and most of all determination or Riven and all else. He lowered his head so that the blazing suns created a shadow on his face as he was entrenched in deep ponder.

Artrix felt almost morbid at the choices he had to make. Yet he had made it, despite the agony of the mind he had torn through. He knew Riven would've done the same. He knew they were warriors at heart.

"Vessaria, tell her… Tell Riven I'm sorry," Artrix said. "I must remain to defend these people."

The High Councillor gave out an accepting yet surprising expression. She quickly gave one last glance at the desecrated village and the bandits who were now almost metres from the village hall.

"Then you better not regret your choice."

Artrix looked to Rithuso whose eyes met his with great dignity and fearlessness.

"This is a choice I will regret, Vessaria, but it is also a choice that I will take."

The Councillor gave out a final nod before retreating back to the portal and began to close it. "Then I will give to the Champion Riven your last words of apology."

With that, the portal vanished into thin air. Artrix quickly cleared his mind of any last thoughts that straggled. His clouded judgement now became clear in the face of death as he held his blade high into the air as an act of defiance.

"Perhaps we shall meet again," Artrix said to Rithuso, almost jokingly.

"Same to you, mister Artrix."

Artrix let out a true roar of bravery and absolute fearlessness. His eyes gave out not a single sign of regret but of pure, burning passion as he charged into the innumerable ranks of the sand bandits. He swung his sword left and right with wild ferocity. Like a crazed yet dignified lion, he had struck deep into his foes that fell by the dozens. Yet it was not without a cost as Artrix felt the cold sharp steel eat into his flesh at every angle. His legs, back, arms and chest were all smeared in a crimson that drained his life away slowly. Yet, Artrix did not give a single sign of relent as he continued to take down more and more of the bandits in hope that the villagers may even have the slightest chance of survival.

Artrix heaved his blade around and temporary drove the crowd back. The sands were now mixed with blood of his own and his defeated foes. A rough estimation of around 20 bandits dead had flashed through his weary mind. The amount of blood lost was taking a toll on his body. Even if his will was unbreakable, his body wasn't.

"Is this all you've got? I can take… All of you!" Artrix taunted. His steps staggered as he glanced left and right, waiting for the final onslaught. Any regular being would've fallen to their death by now but not Artrix, it was the sheer determination and force of will that had kept him going. He recalled back to when he saw Riven's match for the first time. He was awed by her, at the time he did not understand how a mere mortal could've gone through so much. How could one weakly being been able to tolerate such agony and pain and still press on. Now, he understood the reason.

I'm sorry Riven, I could not be there for you, but I will remember all that you've taught me. I was an arrogant fool, but at least I didn't die one, Artrix thought in some slim hopes that this telepathic message could've gotten to her.

All of his sense dulled now as he was nearly completely exsanguinated. His sight fuzzed, his touch numbed, and his mind began to doze off. The agony that seared his body was now slowly being muffled by his failing mind. Even sounds became incoherent noises that slowly died off. His breaths were heavy and blood trickled down his torn jaws and lips. He glanced around but could not see the small stature of Rithuso through the tight pack of bandits. With the final strands of strength that he had managed to grasp onto he lifted his blade to face his foes one last time.

Thank you Riven…

Artrix let out an inhumanly powerful roar that shook the bandits who had all but expected him to collapse by now. Throwing away all knowledge of battle and swordsmanship, he charged onward into the waiting crowd. His blade which was powered by impossible strengths of determination had found its way into the heart of his first victim. Immediately, Artrix felt two sharp objects burrow deep into the torn flesh of his abdomen. His breaths were ripped from him as he coughed a spray of blood. He clenched his red teeth and swung his blade at another bandit, severing his head. At that instance, more and more swords plunged into him as the shock of agony completely shut down his body. He tried to resist one last time, just one last time but he knew it was finally over. His body could take no more.

"You… should be… ashamed… that it took this many… to end one life," Artrix defiantly breathed his final words as he collapsed onto the sands. A cloak of blackness began to skew his vision and slowly spread as his life drifted from him. The pain of his many cuts was now nothing more than a comforting numbness. He felt the shuffling sands of the bandits footsteps march on, leaving the dying Artrix behind.

As his eyes closed, a blinding flash of light appeared before Artrix. In this strange sense, he floated through space and time but could feel nothing. All his 5 sense seemed to have died yet there was still this urge somewhere within him. Suddenly, Riven appeared before him as the world began to become reconstructed into a place all too familiar to him. Heaven.

His sense returned in a fuzzy state but his mind was still clear. He knew this wasn't real.

"Artrix, it is over," Riven said. However, this was not her voice. It was an imposter merely using her image to their cruelty.

"What is this? If I am dead, then do not play any games, I am ready to accept my fate."

"Riven" smiled and seductively slithered around Artrix. This was a complete contrast to the woman he loved.

"Who are you," Artrix demanded.

"I guess there is no point in such children's games," her body then began to swirl in malevolent purple energies. The image of Riven dissipated and was replaced by the Fallen Angel.

"Morgana? What is this, I-" Artrix quickly asked but a finger to his lips shushed him.

"I know you want to know, and I will tell you but now is not the time or place. Follow me," Morgana said. He then hurried from their location and headed for a dense forest which was situated upon the high clouds of Heaven. There, no one could've ever found them as they entered the thick cluster of golden trees. Indeed, they were all completely constructed of pure gold, Other than that, it had resembled any forests upon Runeterra.

They soon found a shade under the protection of a massive golden oak. Once there, Morgana checked left and right before facing the inquisitive Artrix.

"Right now, we are inside your mind. You were never in Shurima, this is all a part of Vessaria's plans," Morgana said.

Artrix felt sceptical, everything he had seen so far had been extremely unbelievable.

"How do I know you are not just a part of it?"

Morgana sighed and began a long and detailed explanation.

"Vessaria had been obsessed with knowing who you are and so she designed this. In this world, if you die, the Summoners could then break through your conscious barrier and peer into your soul. I'm here because I knew what she was doing, and I'm doing everything to stop it."

Artrix was doubtful but he continued to listen.

"As we speak, the Summoners are digging through your head. They do not know I'm here yet, and we need to get you out quick."

"Once I awake in Runeterra, will they not suspect me?"

Morgana gave a smug smile and lifted her tainted arms. Pulsing dark magic emanated from them as a purple and seemingly transparent hexagonal shield barricaded Artrix.

"Black Shield, powerful enough to deter Summoner magic. With that, we can easily block their attempts and fill them with false lies. Say, how would you like to be a Noxian? After all, you know who is also Noxian too."

Artrix knew she was referring to Riven. He had thought about it and suddenly realized that he had never given it much of a serious decision. Riven had already opened up to him completely as to her identity, her beliefs and truths yet he had never told her of his origin. To him, it was unfair yet Riven had never asked. She did not care who he was, only who he is.

"You never told her did you?" Morgana asked.

Artrix shook his head. "I think I should though."

"Whatever you want, just not now. Actually, the less people who knows about your true identity the better. There's a lot of… stuff going on in Heaven."

Artrix looked up and suddenly remembered the chaos in his home.

"What is going on, please tell."

Morgana looked at him with uncertainty. "It's terrible news, after I've been there I had to leave in just a few days."

Artrix grabbed her shoulders and shook her for answers. Morgana loosened his grip and held out her hands in slight annoyance.

"Alright, alright, stop," Morgana began. "Your uncle, Othrius has taken your father's throne. The nobles are bowing to him one by one and the other gods don't dare do a damn thing."

Artrix stared in disbelief. The fact that his uncle was a treacherous being had always lingered in the back of his head yet he had never thought that this day would truly come.

"But is my father alright?"

"I don't know, but I can tell you one thing. His rules are evil, a tyranny. He is persecuting and eradicating anyone who he thinks is opposition. Yet on the surface, he's a just king who wants the best for Heaven. He is gaining more and more favours, even…"

Morgana stopped her words midsentence as if a painful thought had struck her.

"Even what?"

Morgana looked at Artrix with a deep sadness in her eyes, something that Artrix had almost never seen from the Fallen Angel. "Kayle, has returned and joined him. She serves the new king Artrix, do you not understand? Everything is in balance now, the whole universe could be in danger with Othrius around."

"Is there no one to stop him? Not a single group to resist his tyranny?"

"There is one final group led by General Amethus, and his son Luthers. But even they are in great danger for what is to come," Morgana said.

Artrix knew who Luthers was. He was an angel, the son of the great general and his childhood friend. He had not spoken to him for years as he recalled. Ever since Artrix began his path of destruction, Luthers had distant himself from him. He had once told Artrix that he needed to stop before it's too late but Artrix thought of him the same as his father. Now, he knew he was a true friend.

"Kayle now acts as Othrius' personal guard, so getting to him is nigh-impossible," Morgana said.

"But we need to-"Just as Artrix began, the scenery around him began to rip and tear. The very fabric of space was being torn apart as if an outside force was attempting to peer into it.

"The Summoners are breaking through, quick, you must leave before they find out this piece of your mind. Remember Artrix, trust no one now as the eyes of Othrius scouts the lands. You are now a Noxian, that is what you will tell the Summoners. I will not be here, but if you must find me, find the fifth star of the night and whisper my name."

Morgana then placed her gentle hands on Artrix's chest as everything around him began to collapse. Suddenly, a pulse of magic exploded from the point of contact as everything shattered, leaving him in pitch blackness again. Then, a point of light appeared up ahead. It seemed as if it was inviting Artrix to it, which he then did. It grew brighter and bigger as he got closer and soon it engulfed all of his vision. Then, as quickly as it had expanded it had vanished.

A feeling of softness burrowed around him as he then quickly recognized this feeling. It was the dreaded tent from the savannah. He crawled out and found the embrace of daylight and that everything had been exactly the same. The camp was untouched expect for the fire of the pit which had died down now. Suddenly, three purple robed figures teleported into existence in front of him. One of them was Vessaria.

"Congratulations, Artrix of Noxus, you have completed our trials even through the most difficult of pains and burdens and decisions, you have succeeded. You are now a candidate for championship of the League and your judgement shall commence tomorrow," Vessaria announced with a satisfied smile on her face. Artrix knew that this was because of her thinking in triumph that she had finally unravelled this mysterious being. Now, Artrix was officially an exiled Noxian, much like Riven in the League records.

With a flash, everything about of the savannah had disappeared and Artrix found himself to be alone in a small, compact carpeted room with a single couch and a large viewing orb in the middle. The door to the room that slowly opened as Exile stepped in. She seemed to have carried a gravely solemn mood as she bowed her head.

"Riven… I'm so sorry, I-" Artrix had expected some sort of anger from her but was thoroughly surprised to be met with a sincere hug from her.

"You idiot, why didn't you tell me?" Riven asked. Artrix was about to answer when he noticed a very light droplet of tear slipping from the corner of her eye.

"Tell you what?"

Riven held even tighter onto him as if she was never willing to let him go ever again.

"That you were a Noxian, why did you hide it from me?"

Artrix then suddenly remembered what Morgana had done. Now, everyone on Valoran would think of him and his homeland to be Noxus. He was about to repel the lie as he could not bear to hide the truth from Riven any longer but he recalled to Morgana's words. Heaven was in shambles and he needed to keep this false identity for the time being. He apologized to Riven inside his heart and silent promised that this shall be the last time he would ever lie to her.

"I… I didn't want you to worry for me," Artrix replied.

Riven released Artrix and wiped the tear off her eye. "You are so silly, why would I ever worry? If you had felt this would've been a burden for me, it will not be. I had promised to you that I will be with you through the end didn't I?"

Artrix sighed and forced himself to continue with the lies. "I know…"

"When I saw you at Shurima, I thought you would never return. We did not know that it was but a part of Vessaria's tricks. I saw what you did Artrix, I think you've changed for the better. I think you found the value of strength now," Riven said.

"I'm sorry I had to make you upset," Artrix said, this time with a sincerity to his heart.

Riven smiled and shook her head. "I was sad that you might never return, but I'm also happy at the fact that you've learned Artrix. You are to become a champion now."

Artrix could feel the cheer in her voice. He knew that Riven had done all she could and worked hard day and night to accomplish their goals together. She said that it was no trouble yet she herself had hidden all of it away. Each second Artrix felt worse and filled with guilt for lying to her, but he had then reminded himself for the greater good of all, including Riven he must.

In this moment of reconciliation, Artrix saw Riven's heart beat with joy. Her face cheered with a slight blush and her features now showing the hidden girl underneath the mess of a beaten but determined warrior. He saw who Riven really was, and that she did have a soft, weaker side. Only when near Artrix did she feel comfortable showing it. Suddenly, the door slammed open and Vi, followed by Caitlyn and Jayce tumbled in onto the carpet floor. They had to eavesdropping on the whole conversation. At an instant, Riven returned to the battle-scarred warrior.

"I told you not to lean on me, dumbass!" Vi said to Jayce.

"If it were not for your weight, the door would've perfectly sustained us," Jayce retorted.

Caitlyn quickly rushed back to her feet and brushed herself off. He then saw the glaring gazes of the two and cleared her throat.

"I was only dragged into this, it is not my fault," Caitlyn quickly said.

"Were you three listening on us?!" Riven demanded.

Vi and Jayce looked at each other and back. They were unsure who should speak first. Then, Jayce took a breath and tried to make his best, most charismatic smile ever.

"Well Riven, other than the fact that Artrix was once a Noxian, there wasn't anything that we didn't know," Jayce attempted to reason.

Then, Vi butted in and made things worse. "Yea, it's not like we weren't used to your mushiness when you are around him Whitey."

Jayce palmed his face and muttered at Vi's obliviousness.

Riven's face flushed red in both embarrassment and anger. "Get out, now!"

Jayce helped Vi up as the three slowly backed away. The moment Vi exited the room, she sprinted down the hallway and was followed by Jayce.

"I will pay for our next lunch!" Caitlyn said as she escaped he wrath of Riven just in time. With the three Piltoverans gone, Riven calmed down and sighed.

"Sometimes, they just get on my nerves," Riven said, shaking her head.

Artrix however, had enjoyed the lively company of them and had grown used to their remarks. "I think they are alright, just need to cheer up Riven. No need to be this upset."

Riven spun her heel and planted a finger on Artrix's chest. "And I think you need to be more assertive. I think I liked the side of you when you didn't just let anyone talk bad about you back then better."

Artrix smiled. "Maybe I should."

"Well, you should get some rest. Your judgement is tomorrow and soon, you will officially become a champion," Riven suggested.

The two then left the room and began to tread back to their dorms. Riven's old area had been completed and they now live in a slightly bigger yet nearly identical room as its Ionian counterpart. It was bland and void of any decors, but to Riven blandness was the greatest decoration. And Artrix just didn't care.

Inside the Summoner chambers, Vessaria looked at a file containing Artrix. It had now been updated and recorded his supposed Noxian descent.

"Nothing escapes our eyes eh Councillor?" one of the Summoner remarked.

Vessaria held her hands behind her back and looked onto a large screen which had now replayed Artrix's journey in the Savannah. She grinned smugly and summoned the screen to shut off.

"Of course, now get back to work," she then left the chamber as the busy Summoners continued whatever they were doing.

Luthers, the Angel quickly sprinted down the pathway constructed of clouds and checked if he was being followed. Soon, he reached a secret hideout which was completely naked to their eye and he entered with great caution. Inside was empty and void of any life except for a whirling portal that had just been recently started. There stood in front of it was Amethus.

"Father, I came as fast as I could, what is it that you require of me?" Luthers huffed, still breathless form his run.

Amethus had a heavy cape and a hood that shadowed his face. He turned to his son and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"I'm going to find Artrix."

Luthers' young and naïve face was thoroughly surprised at his father's decisions. At the mentioning of his childhood friend, he was both delighted and fearful at the same time. He knew that Othrius' eye had scoured Heaven. Now as they speak, they face the great danger of execution.

"But father, the king will…"

"He will not know, at least not yet. When I leave, promise me that the resistance group will stay intact and strong. Remember Luthers, who the true king is."

Luthers reluctantly nodded as his father turned and entered the portal. His body vanished and the portal had quickly consumed him and disappeared, leaving behind not a single piece of evidence.

"Artrix… I hope you can put an end to all this madness,' Luthers muttered to himself before exiting the area.