Chapter 16
"Kayle… Kayle… Kayle," the voice repeated over and over inside Kayle's mind.
The place was a void, void of any senses, light or feelings. It was a blank space, a space which filled her with torment and desperation. She was desperate for the answer, deep within for she was lost. Only on her outside did she mask her struggles yet within her was a vehement sea of confusion and anguish. She wandered aimlessly, in search for clarity of the mind.
"Kayle…" the voice echoed again.
A fallen figure moves into sight, her tired form droopy and dark. Her steps seemingly glided across the dark abyss silently, only her breaths giving away her presence.
Kayle's bowed head turned slightly, temporary removing her from her deep thoughts. She glimpsed the woman she had despised and hated yet she was also the woman she had once loved and cared for. With an accusing glance, she fully turned her body to meet her fallen sister. Kayle's eyes were emotionless yet a whole world of thoughts and feelings were mixed behind her dispassionate cask.
For a few moments, face to face, they allowed silence to become their greeting. Then, Kayle began to speak.
"You, why are you here," Kayle said, almost sneering out the word 'you'.
Morgana swayed her head and faced Kayle, her grim appearance becoming even darker, amplified by the blackness of the abyss they were in.
"I've came to plead for you, and you know I don't plead," Morgana said.
Kayle scoffed, her feathered wings wilted and closed as though forming a shield around herself. Her once radiant blonde hair which flowed like a river of golden threads, now hung lifelessly in gloom.
"We have nothing to say, nothing to share. What can you plead for me, I've already forgotten you long ago already," Kayle coldly replied.
Morgana let out a soft grin, as though she knew that Kayle's words were a lie. "Sister… you were always a terrible liar, your heart is reeking with the truth. Kayle, please, listen to me."
"Do not, call me your sister," Kayle snapped, remembering the day that she had disavowed Morgana, "I have no sister."
Morgana, slightly stricken by her agonizing words, turned her head as the dreaded silence slowly returned. She then sighed before ending the silence.
"Sister, Kayle, whatever you wish to think of me, I care not but please, just listen to me. Othrius is evil, he's no king. Why do you follow him? Do you not see what he is doing?"
Kayle's eyes suddenly filled with fierce hatred, and exasperated in denial. "You dare speak of the Lord? Who are you to talk, you are nothing more but a fallen angel. Once graceful, no more."
Morgana swallowed Kayle's words, remembering her true purpose here. "Please, I'm almost begging. How can you let the endless lives that he murdered to be in vain? This is a clear tyranny, do you see?"
"This is called loyalty, something that you lack."
"Blind loyalty! Obedience to an injustice," Morgana retorted, "Did you not always believe in your justice? Did you not always believe in what is right goes and what is wrong must be punished? Tell me how this is justice. Tell me how when endless innocent souls die for nothing is it justice. Does merely following orders mean justice, or doing what is right, even if it means defiance to the order?"
Kayle wanted to retaliate but suddenly found her throat to choke with an incoherent mess of arguments that her heart knew was a lie. Morgana's words had a meaning, yet this was something she did not expect, something she did not want. Kayle felt the denial, but at the same time her hatred for her traitorous sister also consumed her. Only agonizing confusion and desperation for an answer dreaded at her.
"I've sworn to the First King my loyalty, I had promised him. It would be an injustice to break it," Kayle said, her voice solemn. Her head bowed, her long hair flowing down and masking her face.
Morgana, sensing her sister's despair, walked slowly and closer to her. Morgana saw a confused being and she knew herself that confusion was one of the worst torments one could endure. When you lack a path and a goal, there is only a grim darkness awaiting you in the future. There is nowhere to go, to follow. She had once felt this herself, and she knew the pains.
"Remember, 10,000 years ago? When you and I separated, but before that do you remember what you told me?" Morgana said.
Kayle's anguished eyes looked up and met with her sister's. Then, almost reluctantly, she spoke. "True justice, is acting for what you believe in."
"What do you believe in Kayle?"
Kayle stood thoughtfully for a second before turning her back to Morgana. "Get out of my mind… Leave."
"You may forsake me, you may disregard me, you may even forget me from existence but in your heart, you know what the truth is. Sister…"
With that, Morgana slowly slumbered away into the darkness before vanishing completely along with her presence. Now, Kayle was left in the eternity of the abyss to ponder the meaning of everything, desperately trying to unravel her path.
The days of Artrix's championship has been met with great popularity and success, his strength and abilities were unmatched for many in a long time. His spectacular and awe inspiring skills often shook the skies and split the very grounds of the Summoner's Rift, causing costly and lengthy repairs. The Summoners, feeling that Artrix's powers were rather destructive, had bind his strength with ensnaring magic, causing his prowess to falter slightly when in the Fields of Justice.
"I think that's just absolutely unfair, I mean how can they weaken you just because they are scared," Riven said one day while the two walked down the streets. Hundreds of curious and excited eyes gazed at them as the street soon became more and more crowded.
Artrix shrugged. "I do not mind, if it is too dangerous then I am of course happy to oblige."
"What? That's just like saying I am going to take your sword away because you might cut someone with it. That is just stupid."
"Well what can I do, this is their League, their rules. I can only follow it."
"Artrix, I think you are so…"Riven paused, trying to find the perfect word, "so soft, like a softie."
Artrix chuckled. "A softie? That's a new word from you."
"Hey, Noxians weren't made for creativity, you should know best."
At the mention of Noxians, Artrix felt the guilt again. He lightly sighed, hoping deep in his heart that he can soon no longer have to lie to Riven. As they walked down the streets, they attracted its excited residents like magnets as soon a sea of people began to flock around them. One of them, a young girl who wielded cheery blonde hair and glittering blue eyes no more than 8 years of age, hopped at Artrix and Riven.
"It's you two! It's really them!" the young girl enthusiastically pointed.
She clapped her hands in glee as the two superstars of Valoran walked the earth. Their fame had spread far and wide through the land, their popularity exploded by their League broadcasts. The two seemed to be a remarkable duo, winning League matches in twain as they became a favourite of both the Summoners and the viewers. Many had requested that they fight together in every battle, and some Summoners had even refused to only summon one of them instead of the pair. Their successes in the League have been unheard of since the old days of the Master in Arms, Jax.
Riven, who had a heart for the younglings that admired her, leaned over and greeted the girl. She felt a sense of pride and accomplishments, being able to inspire those to great determination and strength and one day find their path.
"Here's for you," the girl said as she took out a small batch of colourful flowers neatly tired together by a blue ribbon. A sweet, fresh aroma wafted from the lively leaflets.
Riven smiled and kindly accepted the gift and then softly patted the girl's head who squealed in delight, almost fainting in the superstar's presence. Soon, the crowd was filled by photographers and journalists who are all eager to get a few answers out of the two to sate the curiosity of the populace. The two were swarmed in their own popularity as Artrix attempted to push their way out of the sea of people.
"Mister Artrix, mister Artrix!" the amalgamated voices of the crowd screamed in his ears, each of them desperate for an interview of sorts.
The rush of bodies twirled around them as Artrix held tight onto Riven's hand, nimbly leading them out of the crowd. Laying low and dashing quickly from space to space, they soon found their way to peace and escaped from the mass. Artrix, still holding onto Riven, laughed as they sprinted further and further away. Leaving the small town, they found themselves in s grassy hill which lumped every few hundred metres or so. As they ran, they let the fresh air and the sunlight bath them in joy, the cool winds brushing past them. They shared their laughter, allowing the pure ecstasy of joy and happiness to take them.
They then found themselves to be at peace at the foot of a hill. The clouds above swayed ever so slightly, gently caressing the skies in a soothing manner. Each of them seemed to be in the shape of something as far as imagination allows. Combined with the cooling breezes and the warming sunlight, a blissful sensation overwhelmed them as they rolled down onto their backs side by side. For a brief moment of silence as they lay on the soft grass, they stared thoughtfully at the constantly shifting clouds.
"That one sort of looks like you," Riven said, jokingly pointing out. One of the puffier clouds which held a distinct, face shape drifted about randomly. Its facial appendages were in fact multiple lumps of clouds joined together.
Artrix looked upwards but saw only white fluffs which shapes resembled more of a contorted mess if anything. He stared harder, trying to find the shapes which many called fascinating but came to no results. There were only more inanimate clouds which drifted gently in the direction of the breeze.
"I don't see anything but clouds and blue sky," Artrix replied.
Riven rolled to her side, still lying on the grass and faced Artrix.
"You know what else I see in those clouds? Hope. The clouds always give me this feeling that there is something ahead, no matter how grim. I don't know, maybe it's just the way that they float so far up, gives me a sense that you can always look up you know."
Artrix slid both his hands behind his head and made a makeshift pillow. "I suppose they do make you feel rather happy. Clouds are sure mystical."
Riven breathed silently for a few moments before turning back to Artrix. "So Artrix, what is your next step? What will you do now?"
Artrix was then reminded of how dire his current situation actually is. His home still in chaos, and he had just lied to the entirety of Valoran of his identity. He felt powerless as though nothing he could do would change anything but each day, Riven gives him hope, will and the strength to continue.
"I… don't know," Artrix sighed, "What can I do?"
Riven, detecting the melancholy in his voice got up to her knees. "What is the matter?"
Artrix was caught off-guard, unaware of how much of his emotions he had just leaked. "Oh, nothing, I'm just a bit tired that's all."
"Sounds like a lie, are you sure you are fine?" Riven continued to ask.
At this moment, a storm brewed inside Artrix. He had for so long, wanted to tell her everything and finally out and end to his lies and be at rest. He felt a trembling split down his obligations and morals, unsure of which path to take; the truth and peace, or to risk Heaven itself. The pain of which he had to bear each day by lying to Riven had gathered within him as each day he wished more and more to not only be able to end his falsehoods but everything. He longed for the days of old Heaven in which there was only peace, but deep inside his heart he had come to accept that those days were long dead.
"Riven… Say, there was someone who you held dear to, someone of great importance to you. And that someone you had thought that you knew very, very well. But, then one day, just suddenly, you find that everything has been a lie. Everything you knew about that someone was false, what would you do? Would you forgive that particular person or be pained at the fact that that person had lied to you."
Riven, slightly surprised by this inquisition, kneeled thoughtfully for several moments before finding her answer.
"Well, I would be fairly upset that someone I held dear to had somehow lied to me. That seems strange does it not? Someone so close to me that was also so distant, so alien. But, I guess everything has a reason and if that somebody had their pains, I guess I could understand," Riven replied.
"But what if the lie was so great that everything you knew would've been false."
"Well, if that somebody was the same person nonetheless, it could be understand," Riven said with slight suspicion, "Artrix, is there something going on?"
Artrix got up and firmly nodded, still trying to decipher what he had just heard and contemplating whether or not he should unravel the truth to her.
"I suppose I've just got a lot on mind. It's nothing," Artrix falsely reassured her.
Riven shrugged. "Sometimes you are just so strange, but I guess that's one thing I like about you."
Artrix faintly smiled at the compliment as he tried to get the worries off his mind.
The clouds in the skies drifted ever so slightly, their subtle moments carefully orchestrated by nature itself. However, all of this was but merely a mask for something much grander, much grimmer.
A flurry of chaos exploded in the Summoner's Council as each and every one of them frantically went on in an attempt to the news, news that a peculiar and powerful energy was streaking towards Runeterra. In the centre of all this was High Councillor Vessaria who sat patiently in her large, leathery chair as Summoners reported to her.
"High Councillor, just this afternoon our magic have detected something massive coming right at Runeterra. As we speak, it draws closer and closer," one of the Summoners reported.
Another of the Summoners drew out a scroll with news printed in pitch black ink and handed it to Vessaria. She opened the scroll and scanned her report with her efficient eyes.
"Any idea what this thing is?" Vessaria questioned.
"No ma'am, all we know is that it is immensely powerful, off the charts. It is estimated to exceed even our magic," a Summoner replied.
In the background, the frantic Summoners hurried to and fro as loose paperwork slipped and fluttered in the chaos of the chamber.
"And are we certain that it is absolutely handed towards Runeterra?" Vessaria asked.
All of the Summoners nodded, confirming Vessaria's fears.
"What are we to do? We've never experienced something of this power, not even the Void comes close to producing such energies. We approximate that this thing alone has produced more energy in a second than the entirety of the magics produced during the Rune Wars."
Vessaria pondered for a second, her mind trying to formulate plans and ideas to come against this particular situation.
"Set up a perimeter and a containment field. If it does land, we must be prepared to fight it in the case that it is hostile," Vessaria ordered.
"Are we not to evacuate civilians and staff members?"
"No, we cannot afford to stir up panic, especially when we do not even know what we are facing," Vessaria said, "Also, bring out a few Champions in the case that we are not enough."
The Summoners who agreed in unison and quickly scurried off to carry out their orders. Vessaria then leaned back to her chair and held her hands to her forehead as she waited; hoping for the best that whatever they were facing was not evil.
Outside the institute, the sun was near setting when a group of Summoners gathered up a small group of Champions. They included the Three Piltoverans, Artrix and Riven, Ryze and Alistar.
Vi, who was in the middle of a shower, was quickly summoned away before she even had a chance to completely dry her hair. Now, it was more of a wet, pink flop then her usual style and this has caused some grumpiness from her.
"What's so important that you've gotta get me out of the damn shower and be freezing in here?" Vi demanded an answer.
"Now now, remain calm as you will all soon be debriefed," a Summoner said.
"I'm sure there's an explanation Vi, we just need to be patient," Caitlyn said.
Vi scoffed. "I think this is just retarded, those pesky Summoners. I don't know how you aren't annoyed Cupcakes when they can just get you to go wherever they went without your permission. Isn't that against whatever you call it, the law?"
Jayce tapped her shoulders. "Shh, this seems like it's important."
Artrix and Riven remained silent, waiting for whatever curious news the Summoners will bring. Ryze and Alistar conversed quietly with the Summoners. Alistar acted as the guardian of the residence and naturally he would be present in times of uncertainty and peril in the League. Ryze, whose great knowledge of the Arcane may prove useful against the Summoner's unknown and magical seeming adversary.
As they waited, another Summoner came running breathlessly out of the institute, his face carrying a that of a worried expression.
"Everyone, we have gathered you here today because an unknown entity is approaching Runeterra. It is now very near and may well be dangerous as we have detected it to have enormous amounts of power," the Summoner huffed. "We are not yet certain of what it is or its intentions and so, we have gotten a small group of champions and Summoners to investigate before we commence any full-scale actions."
Vi, hearing that there may suddenly a new challenge awaiting, primed her mechanical gloves and caused them to whirl and steamed with excitement.
"Whatever it is, I'm ready to kick its ass!" she exclaimed.
"Like I said, we are not sure if it is hostile or not, in fact we are not sure what it even is so you guys will only be here in case it is indeed hostile," the Summoner replied.
Caitlyn stepped up. "A vanguard unit eh? Then we will most certainly be prepared."
As they gathered, the skies above suddenly darkened. A buzzing cackle of static energy seemed to fill the very earths as the sense of immense power began to draw near. The earlier bright clouds were now painted black as day magically descended into night. Soon, thunder and lightning roamed the skies, signifying a regal being about to enter.
"It's here!" the Summoner cried.
The very atmosphere itself felt as if it was to split and collapse under the weight of all this power. However, Artrix had strangely familiar as though he had sensed this before.
"This is… unlikely anything I've ever encountered, this raw power is simply unimaginable by the mortal mind," Ryze, the Rogue Mage said, almost shivering in awe.
The Champions all looked about in the darkened skies, preparing their weapons and spells for what is to come. Suddenly, a screeching bolt of lightning thunderously bestowed its glory all across Valoran as it struck the north side of the mazelike institute. Even the earth itself shook and crumbled pathetically like wet paper. A searing flash momentary blinded everyone for a split second before they regained their sights and realized that the being had landed on the Summoner Council Chambers to the north, a few minutes run from their current location.
"That's not good, quickly, to the Council Chambers!" the Summoner said before hurrying to the sight of impact, followed by the Champions who were now all but certain that they were about to face a mighty foe.
In the Chambers, it was now in ruins as the roof above it collapsed from the shock of the landing. Smoking and charred stone bits lay scattered about as the disorientated Summoners attempted to get each other back onto their feet. From the very centre of impact, a column of choking smoke bellowed from a small ring of fire. Inside the blinding smoke, a humanoid figure seemed to exist as it began to step out and into the world of mortals.
Vessaria, who had avoided the blast and was just getting up from behind her destroyed table when she saw what had exited the smoke. A figure, clad in golden white armor, surprisingly similar to that of the champion Artrix's and wielded a heavy, dark and concealing cloak stepped out firmly. His appearance was nigh human and was that of an aged and experienced man whose features streaked with power and wisdom. His slightly greyed hair along with a mighty beard which was neatly trimmed and covered the lower half of his face gave him an awesome yet dreaded sense to those in his presence.
Vessaria quickly and silent ordered for the Summoners to complete their encirclement around him, containing him in a powerful field of magic.
For a few moments, he had stood still, his eyes surveying his surroundings.
"You there! State your purpose and identity here!" Vessaria demanded. She had already charged her magic in a hidden fashion, ready at any moment to unleash a deadly bolt of energy at her target.
It took a few seconds for him to pay attention to the minor mortal who had just demanded answered from him. His face was deeply austere and was that of a man who carried a great burden and mission on his back. He lifted one of his fingers and pointed it at Vessaria.
"Mortal, stand aside for I have much more important business to attend to. Do not get in my way or I will have no choice but to end you," he said.
Taking this as a possible threat, Vessaria ordered her Summoners to prime their magic and on her mark to unleash all of their might unto him. She then stood her ground and now visibly aimed her magic at him.
"I will not repeat myself, stand aside now or face the justice of Heaven."
"If you plan to bring harm to this realm, you will have to get past the most powerful of all magic," Vessaria responded.
The being gave out an insulting laugh and nodded his head. "You really think that your earthly magic is a match for me?"
Without hesitation, Vessaria launched her attack at him. It was a massive surging river of bursting energies that violently devoured anything in its half. Its static energy had consumed all of him, instantly wiping him from their view. When the spell was over, only vaporized ground and smoke came from where he once stood.
"And that is the power of a High Councillor," Vessaria muttered.
Suddenly and to all of the Summoners' surprise, he walked calmly and completely unscathed from the charred smoke, not even a strand of his hair was out of place.
"Perhaps I did not make myself clear and I shall do so now, step aside whether you wish to or not."
Then, he lifted his right arm high into the air as the Summoners instinctively backed off and prepared a series of defensive spells. For a brief moment, only silence and the faint sound of fire crackled in the background but suddenly, the earths began to shake violently. As though it was the very will of nature itself, a massive fissure opened up right across the institute, cleaving the lands in twain. Then, furious inferno and magma shot up from the bottomless cracks as the lightning above intensified in this cataclysmic scene. It was as though the apocalypse had arrived, seeking to end all life on Runeterra.
The quaking of the ground had sent all of the Summoner's unstable feet to stumble over, incapacitating them. Vessaria was forced to conjure a spell shield as one of the lightning bolts arced towards her, saving herself from a fiery death. He then stomped the ground with one of his foot, sending a shockwave towards Vessaria. Just as she was to escape, a crown of jagged rocks sprung from the broken ground and encaged her completely.
"I will not kill any of you for that is not my mission, just the mere fact of me exercising my powers in a mortal realm is already a great offense," he said as he began to walk towards the trapped Vessaria.
The High Councillor attempted to break free but all of her magic seemingly fizzled in the presence of her foe. Even as one of the most powerful mage in all of Valoran, she was completely powerless against the agent of Heaven.
Suddenly, a rune prison sprung from thin air and halted his steps for just a second before he was met with an overload of energy to the side of his body. The force of it had slightly knocked him back but he was otherwise unscathed. Before allowing for another attempt, he charged a light bolt of energy and fired at it with unbelievable speed, striking Ryze and knocking him unconscious. Then, from three different angles, Vi, Alistar and Jayce all charged at him with breakneck speed with intentions of beating him into the ground. However, at the moment of contact, he had immediately halted all of their assaults with unearthly strength and then released a powerful burst of energy which sent all three of them into incapacitation.
Thinking it was over, a bullet had just wheezed by the side of his head followed by other. He turned his head and faced Caitlyn whose hiding spot far away behind some debris of the Chambers was of absolutely no use. Just as she primed another bullet, he had sent another shockwave at her as rock shot out and tightly clutched around her feet. As she struggled to get free, another rock shot straight up and knocked her rifle from her hands, leaving her without any means of retaliation.
"Is this done?" he said, surveying his defeated foes.
Then, Riven sprung out of nowhere with her massive blade in hand and crashed it down at him, causing him to temporary lose posture in order to parry the attack. Then, Artrix came up from behind him and landed a mighty blow to his back which caused him to groan out in pain and drop to one knee. Not expecting a mortal to be able to damage him, he hollered and slammed the earth, sending out a ripple which knocked Riven back a fair distance. Then, just as he was about to draw his own blade, he turned around and faced Artrix. His eyes widened as all his instincts of battle vanished.
"Artrix!" he exclaimed.
Artrix too had stopped mid stance and was met with equal surprise.
"Amethus…"