Chapter 21
A massive rally was gathered before a large, wooden platform covered with luxurious tables, chairs and important officials of Valoran. The amalgamation of troops formed what seemed to be a tapestry of varying colors as each of them wielded their own family banners and shields. The restless sea of hardened veterans now lined impatiently for each of their leaders to come upon the stage to unify them yet even now, the two city states were at each other's throat, poised to strike at any moment. The rally was divided into two fields with a severing line of banners down the middle; Demacia and Noxus.
A slight breeze periodically brushed past the massive arena, swaying the chromatic banners left and right and further encasing all in silence. Only the faint rustling of leafs and cracking branches could be heard, along with the anxious breathing of the mass. Soon, the void of sound was broken by the creaking wood planks of the stage as the respective leaders of Valoran strode to their seats. It was laid out across a long, white table that stretched several metres and upon it were scattered paperwork and pens.
A stream of well-dressed guards was then followed by several officials and final Swain and Jarvan themselves. They found their seats, which were appropriately the largest with the tallest back panel, intentionally situated next to each other at the centre. Jarvan sat down with an expression of contempt being next to his arch nemesis, while Swain bears null emotions, ever so hidden beneath his mask. A humming stir of commotion began to further fill the surrounding as Summoners and other Institute officials marched unto the stage, including Vessaria.
"A threat greater than ever before is upon us, a threat so inconceivable, yet so dangerously real," Vessaria began, "Our very freedoms, our very lives and morals and existence is now under question. This is a danger infinitely greater than the differences between Demacia and Noxus, and we must sweep aside the days of the old."
Vessaria was greeted by accepting silence. She paused for a moment to allow her words to permeate through the rally.
"Brothers and sisters of Runeterra, we must put aside our petty grievances that has splintered us for so long. Now is not the time for pathetic conflict amongst ourselves, now is the time for unity."
Still, the rally was silent, utterly silent. A choking void of sound was drowning out her meanings and Vessaria knew. The soldiers could only see before themselves one enemy; each other. Vessaria looked about in slight desperation before turning back to the city leaders for aid.
Jarvan, still stubborn underneath, had refused to acknowledge the crowd, leaving the task to Swain. The Grand General stood up from his chair and lightly rapped his cane twice. He cleared his throat and let out a raspy speech.
"I ask, my fellow Noxians, not to heed her silly words. No, instead I ask of you to defy the Demacians not through the brutality of fighting, but loyalty. Show to me, that you are capable of following my will through any means. Show to me, that through superior morality and loyalty compared to these Demacians that you are able to follow my orders. And even if these orders are for you to fight alongside them.
For generations, our cities have been at war. We were sworn enemies, and we shall always be. Even the prospect of our unification for a superpower has been a taboo, a sin of thought. We shall always fight, yet this time I ask of you to not only fight amongst us, but a new enemy."
Swain then turned his neck towards the Demacian.
"Can you prove to me, that you are indeed as loyal as my people? If Noxians can heed such a repulsive order, to work alongside swine like you, then surely the 'superior' Demacians, angels of morality and mercy, can too do such simple things?"
The trickery of Swain's words struck deep into Jarvan as the Demacians began to make a commotion. Their prince slammed the table and shot up from his chair.
"What do you think you are saying, Swain. Are you questioning the will of Demacia? How dare you berate my people like this?" Jarvan said.
Underneath Swain's mask a devilish chuckle sounded. "Oh? Is that so? I do not see that morality right now if your people cannot even bear such light words from me, let alone unite and fight for a common cause."
Jarvan clenched his teeth like an angry child. He then turned to the crowd and addressed them.
"Listen Demacians. Do not let the Noxian's word affect you. We will show them, and we will utterly crush them. We will prevail as the superior. I hereby decree this, the first Demacians to slay 100 of whatever awaits us shall be richly rewarded. Show to the Noxians who are the better warriors!"
The crowd below them now roared wildly as the two waves of men cheered with steel high in the air. Swain returned to his seat, grinning underneath his mask. It was a child's game to him, all these years. As Jarvan grew, to Swain it was only in physical prowess. Always so easy to taunt, so easy to incite yet another game for the Grand General in which he delighted in.
Jarvan turned to face Swain. "I hope you are ready, Noxian."
"And I you," Swain replied.
Vessaria looked about in helplessness. A powerful Summoner she was, though helpless before troops and warriors. She had only known the delicate politics of Valoran but not the hearts of the people. She sighed and retreated to a corner of the stand. When the crowd settled down, she returned to the stand.
"Before we fight, we must understand one thing, this is not an enemy any of you have ever encountered. They are legends, myths and Gods that exist as stories and books to us. We know almost nothing about them…" Vessaria said.
Then, a voice sounded from behind the stand. "We do know one thing, and that is all we need to know."
From behind the Champion Artrix appeared. Several light gasps sounded from the row of tables as Artrix climbed onto the stand.
"They will be ruthless, merciless. They care not if you are an elderly, a woman or a child. To them we are nothing but another obstacle to be conquered and annihilated. But know one thing, they are not invincible. Everyone has a weakness, even Gods and Angels. These imperfections will lead to their fall, as it had to me.
And because of this chance no matter how slim. We must grasp it with every bits of our strengths and will. This will not be a fight for your city, this will be a fight for everything you've ever known. The past, the present and future. And so, you must fight with all your capability, even if it means death."
A single applause from Swain came. "Well said friend. Well said, just as I had expected from someone like you."
Artrix glanced at the Grand General and silently scoffed. Artrix saw a despicable man, cunning with devilish ideas. He was also the man who had robbed Riven of her home. But, he had to hold it in for if he were to come to hate him, then all his words would've been meaningless. Now, Artrix needed allies and unity for the people.
When their eyes met, he remembered of their deal, now with slight regret.
The tension between them was broken when Jarvan raised a fluttering flag of the Demacian state high and hollered.
"Then to Arms, brothers and sisters. I call Demacia to war, prepare the men, load the cannons, we shall fight!"
The countless mass of Demacian soldiers once again roared and cheered the city's name.
"And so shall Noxus," Swain simply said which then launched the Noxians into a fury. The rally's voices could be heard from miles away.
Artrix had kept Swain at the corner of his eyes, he felt something amiss from this man. However, he cleared his mind of this and returned to the crowd. Now, he knew, was the time for Swain's deal.
"I propose that we have a single leader for this army. We cannot have separate commanders and generals for only further conflict will arise," Artrix said suddenly.
Jarvan scoffed. "We Demacians are more than capable of handling ourselves."
"Then you do not understand, do you? When Heaven comes, they will have countless beasts and angels, a massive army that none of you can even comprehend. They will come at us as a single spear, aiming to pierce our heart. If we are to succeed, we ourselves cannot have a Demacian army or a Noxian army, we must have singular army. All united to fight. This much I know, I know Heaven. I know their cruelty."
Jarvan, still unamazed, asked, "then you shall lead us?"
"No, I propose that to Swain."
In an instant, Jarvan slammed the wooden desk in fury, nearly cleaving it in half. "You ask me to allow such a man to command us? Never will I allow such a shame upon us!"
Swain then tapped his cane again. "There is no need for such a denial. I'm sure that Artrix only saw me as an opportune general. Jarvan, you of all people, must well be aware of my tactical prowess. Never have I lost a single battle. At I will make sure that this one will be no different."
"Ha! This is all but a trickery for you to usurp me. When my back is turned, I know I will instantly find a dagger from you."
"Very well, if you must insist. Then how about we call for a vote, mm? That is only the fairest way to decide this matter. The fine row of gentlemen here shall vote for a leader, shall we say?"
Swain then pointed to the table lined with officials. On the left there will 8 Noxians and down the right an equal amount of Demacians.
"This is absurd, we know that it will only be a tie," Jarvan said.
"We shall see. Let us vote," Swain said, "Those in favour of me as the General of this army."
In an instant, and much to Jarvan's shock, everyone on the tables raised their hands. Even the Demacians agreed.
"What are you doing? You dare betray Demacia?" Jarvan asked, dumbfounded.
Swain laughed as Jarvan sat down in anger and shame of defeat, "And there we have it, in front of all these men and Summoners. Then there shall be no opposition I suppose."
Vessaria was suspicious. She knew that this could've never happened. When the rally was dismissed and the men returned to their cities, she approached Swain.
"This was your doing, wasn't it?" Vessaria confronted Swain.
"And what exactly do you accuse me of, my lady?" Swain mockingly retorted.
"Those Demacians would've never voted for you, what have you done?"
"Perhaps wisdom got the better of them and they finally saw my capabilities. I have done no foul things, rest assured. Now, as Marshal of Valoran, the League and Summoners would too be under my words, would they not?"
Vessaria's eyes widened. "What do you plan on doing, you would destroy the delicate bonds of peace that we have so crafted?"
"Surely you jest, why would I ever do such a thing? My only goal now is the lead Valoran to victory against this overwhelming threat. Why would I be undermining anything. If I were to lose, even I would be destroyed, no?"
With that, Swain called for Beatrice to return to his soldiers as he swaggered away, accompanied by a luxurious convoy and leaving Vessaria behind.