AN: When the part comes, you can pretty much imagine a million Khazixs lol. But yea, here's the beginning of the end. The story is going to end soon with a twist that may lead to something else. You never know. Anyways, hope you enjoy and read on!
Chapter 24
It was it, this was the day. Ranks upon ranks, rows upon rows of soldiers of Valoran lined the fields in tactically selected positions. On the front lines, the hard, brutal warriors of Noxus and Demacia held the army, ready for a bloodbath. Behind the shield of massive men were the engineers and mages. There, long ranged artillery from Piltover along with spells and barriers provided potent support of the army. The Valoranians had their forces placed into a circle, surrounding an large opening about ten miles across in size, the predicted zone of landing of Heaven's troops.
The plan was simple; the moment the enemies arrived, a massive barrage of spells followed by a decimating charge of men would hopefully crush or at the very least hamper them. Jarvan had decided that the best defense would be strong offense, with Swain surprisingly agreeing with him. However, if their lines were to become broken, which many expected that it would be, then a swift retreat was to be made back to the Institute where their lines will be held there. The institute over the past few weeks had transformed itself from a mere series of buildings and towers into a mighty fortress, impregnable to any earthly harm. Layers upon layers of barriers shielded it, along with trenches and defensive towers, all fuelled by powerful Summoner magic.
The whole of the fields were covered by vast sea of men and weaponry. Artrix had thought there must've been more than several million troops defending. On the highest hill which sat between the fields and the institute were the designated headquarters were Jarvan and Swain, along with a few others oversaw the battle. The hill towered over everything else and basked fully in the day's sun. However, a few occasional drifting clouds seemed to predict a forthcoming storm. Artrix looked about and saw the millions of men below marching, their steps thundering through Valoran. He felt like he was once again at home.
"Make secure our left flank is secure, I do not want to see our circle breaking too early," Swain commanded a Noxian lieutenant who then promptly made haste to carry out the message.
Jarvan looked at Swain uneasily, still stinging over the notion of having him having authority over Demacia. A light wooden table with a map of the fields were pinned on top where the Noxians, along with a seated Swain were studying. There were still an estimated of a few hours left before the battle and now, they can only wait.
"I want the east and the west to be completely secure, the only breakthrough they will make must be to the south, towards the Institute," Swain commanded.
Jarvan, attempting one last time at defiance, questioned, "Why would you want to draw them into the institute? That is absurd."
Swain quickly glanced at the Prince as though annoyed. "I can only assume that you had casted aside my plans which I had sent to you in mail. I gone through all the troubles of even informing you but very well, I shall do so again."
Swain then drew his wrinkled finger on the map from the fields downwards, into a picture of the institute. Between them however laid a small section that resembled a tunnel, often hidden from most maps.
"A narrow valley, also named The Abyss. There, their troops will be funnelled through and trapped after they break our circle. We will strategically retreat southwards and bait them in. The harsh winds blowing about the valley will ensure that they must keep a low altitude even if they could fly, unable to escape. Once trapped inside, we will crush them."
"And if that fails?"
"Then you shall pay for it, Demacian for you are the one whose armies will protect us when we retreat to bait them," Swain said.
"You mean to tell me that my army will be the rear-guard?"
Swain silently nodded without so much as glancing at Jarvan.
"Such a tight retreat will surely bring huge casualties to my men, you are merely sending them to their death!" Jarvan protested.
"Do I hear insubordination? And to think that you had always spoke so highly of this pride of yours yet you cannot even follow simple orders?"
Swain threw his head back and laughed hysterically before calming himself.
"You are such a fool, Jarvan. Why would I ever waste such a precious resource of men? Your army will be covered by Piltoveran artillery and Summoner magic, all I ask of you is merely to ensure that they do not pursue us too close, that is all. I ensure you that you will lose no more men than my army will, Jarvan."
Jarvan grunted and became silent.
"Use your head for once, boy. What good would it do me if I plotted against you, now? Now is not the time for such childish actions. Now is the time to fight. If you have no further protests then I suggest you get your men ready, give them a speech or whatever you may wish," Swain said.
Without a word, Jarvan stomped out of the encampment. Artrix saw the ordeal as he entered the tent. He was dressed in his full white armor, the same that he wore when he was a god. The faint cracks were still visible but otherwise it was functional and ready.
Swain noticed Artrix enter. "Ah, Artrix, good to see an ally. I would recommend you that you take the best of these hours in preparation of moral and mentality, the prime necessities have already been in place."
"My men are ready, now we merely await the enemy," Artrix replied. He was to be in command of an army hailing from various different towns and villages. The troops that he had been all combat capable and had crude yet effective equipment. Some of them were villagers, some of the town's guards and some actual soldiers from various cities. He was one of the few main spearheads of the frontline warriors. Riven herself was in command of a small Noxian flank army, some several miles away from Artrix's post. Along with them nearly every single able minded and bodied Champion are lending their aid to the war effort. They too have now sent aside any personal conflicts and will fight to the very last, to their death if it means saving Valoran. This time, it will not be in a Fields of Justice where death and defeat is merely a notion to be toyed with. It wasn't just politics. This time it is for the absolute sake of all humanity, and failure would mean ceasing to exist, or at the very least under the tyranny of a delusional King of Heaven.
"Good, good. Artrix, in a few hours, you shall witness the greatest victory of all time," Swain said.
With a nod, Artrix excused himself from the tent. As he strode down the grassy slope of the hill, he spotted a messenger running towards him.
"Sir Artrix!" the messenger cried out. He was a young boy, no more than eleven years of age with a rugged farmer face and rags.
"Sir Artrix!, The Angel named Luthers had just awaken in our main healing ward," the boy said.
With a thanks and a nod, Artrix then saw the boy hastily run off to carry out further messages. Artrix then quickly made his way down to the foot of the hill where the medical encampment was. It was a vast series of identical tents, only recognizable from each other by a single wooden sign with a number painted on it. The main medical ward was in fact, an impromptu hospital with several tents joined together and was assigned the prime number 1.
The area was still clear of bodies and gore as of now but once the battle began, Artrix knew that the scenery would completely change. Healers and doctors were all running about frantically, getting to the best possible state they could be in. In just a few hours, the greenery in the fields will be twisted into an unrecognizable expanse of blood and death.
Artrix made his way into the tent and was greeted by rows upon rows of empty beds, save for one. There was not a soul within the tent except for Luthers resting on a bed not too far from the entrance. He was dressed in a light, white hospital gown, his armor not seen anywhere. The color had returned to his face now, giving life to his previously dead and pale complexion. However, the whole of his body was still wrapped in casks and gauze as a result from his heavy injuries and rendering him immobile for the time being.
"How are you feeling?" Artrix greeted.
Luthers remained silent as though entrenched in deep thought and it was not for another few seconds before he noticed him.
"Artrix…" he began.
"What has happened?"
Luthers looked around a few times, making sure there was no one around. He held a deep and solemn look before proceeding to pull something out of one of his pockets. It was a sharp, wicked looking dagger encrusted with intricate insignias of gold and emerald.
"Your family dagger…" Artrix said, slightly surprised.
Without a word, Luthers grabbed Artrix by the shoulders and held him to his ears.
"Promise me this, Artrix, swear upon Heaven that you will plunge this dagger into his black heart. My father was killed, my entire family murdered. Please, help me do this. I have no other desires now but to avenge my family, I would gladly fight but I cannot. Please…" he begged.
Artrix was surprised to hear of this news. "Your father is dead?"
"Your uncle had sent in assassins and slaughtered everyone in the estate. I should've died along with them but my father forced me to escape. I never should've left but stood my ground and fought. I fled like a coward…"
How cruel can his uncle get? Artrix thought. There was no end to the madness.
"I will do it, for you, for Heaven, for all of us," Artrix said while accepting the dagger. It was the one dagger that could finish even a god if its steel ever met their heart.
"Thank you, I cannot ask for anymore. You are a good friend."
Indeed the clouds had begun to gather, gradually darkening the nigh-noon skies. A chilling breeze and the auspices of a heavy storm were evidently sweeping through the fields. The front line troops from both Demacia and Noxus were now in formation, creating a circle around a vast expanse ten miles wide where the enemy is expected to land. Each soldier was no more than a few inches away from each other, forming a nigh impregnable wall of shields and armor.
As noon struck, the first drops of cold rain began to drizzle lightly at first before escalating into a hard monsoon. Deep low roars of rolling thunder began to decorate the skies with occasional lightning. The once green expanse has now become a grey, dark field of rain and mud. Still, the millions of men and women of Valoran stood unmoving, ready to brave the onslaught.
There were few movements now, only company and army commanders rode about in front of armies on their horses, giving out final words of speech. Only the beating of hoofs and the silent humming Piltoveran airships hovering over artillery batteries could be heard in the rainstorm. The chromatic armors and banners of the armies have now all been transformed into one unified grey mass, impossible to tell from each other.
The heavy haze of rain has completely removed sight of anywhere further than five miles, making distant calculations based on sight alone impossible. Swain and several other officers were now relying on using magical viewing orbs to properly command this massive army.
At precisely six minutes after noon, the storming skies began to rumble. The malevolence of the weather became clear as the lightning and rain intensified to unnatural strength. The Summoners could sense it, right above their stratosphere a massive swirling cloud of vile purple came into existence. It stretched from the west coast of Valoran to the east blotted out the sun, carving a gargantuan dark spot upon the planes of the earth. It looked like an apocalyptic eclipse, ready to devour the whole of Runeterra. The behemoth of a portal expanded at a frightening rate and it soon became low enough to tear away the storm clouds, revealing to all of Valoran its disgusting body. It was a living nightmare, straight from the deepest hells of the Void itself.
The rain was now beating down furiously which felt like pellets upon skin. The thunder and lightning was so violent that even the mountains in the distant horizon trembled and shattered.
"It's here!" Jarvan hollered at the top of his lungs. He was on his horse upon a low hill which ascended above the hundreds of thousands of Demacians lined below him.
"Prepare your arms, ready your shields, today, we fight for Demacia! For the King!"
With that, the howl of eight hundred thousand troops roared against the thunders of nature. The chants of Demacia continued for a good minute before the men began advancing forward to tighten the encirclement. The Noxians, equally numbered to the opposite side of the circle began doing the same. Several other armies commanded by Champions rotated fluidly around the second line of the circle, closing up any gaps and securing the flanks of the frontline warriors.
Up on the headquarters on the hill which sat only a few miles away, Swain watched intensively.
"Move the Piltoveran artilleries further inwards. Have the airships support the Demacian flanks and make sure there are no gaps in the lines," Swain ordered. A lieutenant saluted and quickly carried out the order.
Then, a messenger arrived with the news.
"They are here Grand Marshal! They are…" he urgently cried out but was finished by Swain.
"Creatures of the Void, yes. Hmm, this isn't even the main event now is it, just a preliminary. Oh I do feel insulted, sending mere henchmen to do their work. Hmph, no matter, I shall destroy them withimpunity."
Suddenly, swarms upon swarms of tiny insect like creatures began descending from the violent maelstrom in the sky. The endless creatures of the Void could cover a quarter of Valoran, their numbers nearly infinite. They resembled deadly predatory and twisted mantis bugs, with a thick glossy purple shell covering them. The dreaded buzzing of their wings could drown out any noise in the fields as they swarmed towards the earth.
Then, just as the men thought it was over, several massive appendages began slithering out of the portal, accompanying the insects. They looked like eels, their skin a vile purple of ooze and otherworldly substances, Their bodies measured over a mile long each, able to crush an village if it so landed on one. They had no eyes, no nose, no ears, only a gaping hole in the front lined with serrated teeth like a horizon of jagged mountains. They then let out a bone shattering roar which could quake the very foundations of Demacia itself.
The Swarm of the Void had been unleashed unto Valoran in full, its endless creatures all thirsty for the flesh of mankind. Only destruction and savagery waited behind those wicked fangs and mandibles as they came crashing down towards the soldiers.
"Here they come, hold the lines, get ready! Spears and swords up front and make sure they find their way into the flesh of these beasts. Onward, and charge for Demacia!" Jarvan bellowed before charging his horse forward. His lead was followed by the waves of battle-hardened Demacians behind up as they tore through the muddy fields and directly at the mass of insects swelling up ahead. The creatures were to be crushed from all sides as the circle around them tightened.
The first blood was drawn as the steels of Demacia and Noxus clashed onto the wicked chitin claws of the Void creatures. The sounds of flesh tearing and screams and shouts of death and pain filled the fields and the clashing of steel as well. The sight of crimson spilled all over the fields. Entrails, sinew and blood gored the once green plain, rendering it into a twisted, unrecognizable mockery of its former self. The insects would decapitate the men in one swift swipe while the men would cut down them down in two. The sanguine and purple fluids of mixed had into one gnarled cauldron.
Up above the skies, barrages upon barrages of chromatic flares arched through the air and lit up the fields like fireworks. Deafening explosions and continuous sparks turned even the very air above into a perpetual battlefield as the Piltoveran Air Force wrestled with the behemoths. Rivers of spells and barriers were being casted from the armies of mages and Summoners safely positioned behind the frontlines as they slowly but surely whittled down the beasts from both air and ground. The explosions would tear through the ranks of the Void swarm, creating deep craters every second. The earth quaked with each round as though the very planet was about to be torn asunder. All the while the rain and sharp wind was still cleaving through the fields, turning the battleground into a bloody maelstrom of its own.
One of the eel-like creatures then turned its attention on the Piltoveran flagship commandeered by Jayce himself. It began launching its vast body blindly at the ship, intending to crash into the steel frames.
"Incoming at 12 o'clock! I repeat, large beast incoming 12 o'clock!" the helmsmen hollered on the bridge. Jayce hurried to the front which was a large glass wall supported by tempered Piltoveran steel and spotted the beast gliding through the air towards them. It then let out a ghastly howl before speeding itself up.
"Launch the snares! Focus all the batteries on it! Do not let it get through!" Jayce commanded.
In an instant, a squadron of much smaller and lighter surrounded the flagship with trained precision and fired nets made from nigh-indestructible materials at the beast. When the nets connected with the slimy flesh of the beast, they began to tighten and completely trap it, suspending the behemoth midair.
"Clear and fire!" Jayce shouted.
Without hesitation, a barrage of shells thundered from the side of the flagship and screamed through the air. The vibrations of two hundred cannons firing simultaneously caused the frame and windows of the ship to shudder violently. The ship was pushed a hundred metres back from the sheer force of the shells.
When the rounds struck the beast, a shower of fire and sparks engulfed it as it wailed in agony. Its jagged fangs opened and closed as though trying to gasp for air. When the smoke and flame cleared, its entire body had become covered in deep wounds which oozed purple.
"Again!"
The ship fired again and this time, there came no sound from the beast. The nets came loose as the singular tube fell out of the sky with heavy smoke trailing it. When the beast crashed onto the ground, the grounds shook and a shockwave of dust and debris consumed the fields.
As the battle in the sky raged, Artrix had led his army further too to completely tighten the gap and crush the void Swarm. He rode his horse through the fields of littered corpses and mutilated organs and limbs from both sides. It smelled of fresh meat like from a butcher's shop, except infinitely more morbid. Up ahead in the distance, he could see his line of men steadily advancing forward. Despite all the death and gore, morale was still high. The drowning noise around him had not deterred their spirits whatsoever.
"General Artrix! We have succeeded in pushing them back! We are near at victory!" Artrix's lieutenant reported.
"Be cautious, this is merely but the first of many waves. Secure the advantage as much as well can," Artrix said.
Suddenly, ahead of them a swarm of insects took flight and began leaping over the lines and straight at Artrix's direction.
"They come! Ready your swords! Now we fight!"
Then, the sounds of thousands of swords drawing dominated the fields for a second as the insects fluttered madly at them. Artrix charged forth with blade in hand and at a swift instant cut down three of them. This was followed by several more until the bodies of the insects began piling around him. With an effortless dodge here and a quick slash there, the insects were no match for him and his men. They too had begun to press onwards, slowly fending off the waves themselves. Suddenly, a voice all too familiar was heard screaming with glee.
"Take that! And that! Yea get those insect asses of yours out of here!" Vi cheered, followed by more sounds of her gauntlets smashing through flesh and shells. Behind her was a mobile unit, shaped much like a mechanical wild leopard and as agile as one but much larger. It was a brilliant machine designed by the Piltoverans with speeds and agility unmatched on the battlefields. On top of it rode Caitlyn and a team of sharpshooters who was picking of insects after insects all the while being uncatchable due to their speed.
"Get those prickly little things out of Valoran," Caitlyn said calmly before firing her rifle again.
Everywhere in this vast field, Champions and warriors and soldiers fought to their death, Noxian, Demacians, Summoners, Zaunites, Piltoverans and all the others fought as one. They were not deterred by anything, nor anyone for they had all but one thing on their mind; defend their own very lives and homes.
The circle tightened and the area in which the swarm could land and wreak havoc diminished as did their numbers. The fields begun to fill with more of the creatures than Man. Their lifeless purple bodies dotted the grounds as the troops marched courageously over them.
The insects began a desperation assault, launching everything they've got. The eel behemoths began to pour out of the skies and the swarms becoming intensified.
"They are throwing everything they've remained, this is desperation, I can feel it," Artrix muttered before cutting more of his otherworldly foes down. From left and right, front and behind only their claws and translucent wings could be seen. However, that mattered little for his fluency in swordsmanship was unparalleled. He had casted himself into a flurry of slashes and spins and slaying all before him.
It must've been a few hours before the Swarm dwindled. Their numbers came to an end and the remaining stragglers were mobbed up by the frontline Demacians and Noxians. The malevolent storm which spawned the hellish creatures began to faint and wobble. Suddenly, it had growled and snarled before tearing itself inside out. Soon, it had completely collapsed upon itself which ended as a thundering boom which roared across all of Valoran. This to the troops, were a sign of victory however, the commanders and Champions knew this was not even close.
The rain and storm had ceased which had drowned the field in bloody mud. The sun's ray had slowly begun to peek out of the scattering clouds, breathing false hope onto the troops. Artrix staggered his way through the fields, often having to drag himself across the mud and bodies. He looked upwards into the skies, waiting for something to appear. It was soon, he felt it.
Back in the headquarters, a triumphant messenger hurried to Swain. "We have done it! We've beaten them!"
Swain scoffed. "Do not be foolish, that was barely even a test."
Then, the light of the sun intensified. The light was no longer comforting but soon became a pure white, searing brilliance. It was not natural, far from it. It had then torn a rip straight down the air itself as it bathed the entirety of Runeterra in a holy essence. The troops now had to shield their eyes from the blinding light as the tear stretched across the vast expanse.
"Now, you see, is the time for the main event," Swain said.
Suddenly, the rip opened like a devouring mouth and out came from it a radiant field that had addressed all as below. The overwhelming presence of Heaven was like a patronizing lord ready to burn the world to the ground. This time, as the first Angels appeared it would be completely different from the Swarm. It was organized, inhumanly organized. The millions of winged figures flew out graciously in perfect synchronization as though it were an airshow. They came in swirling lines which made the mighty Piltoveran Air Force looked like a colony of scattered ants. They held an air of dominance as they appeared and caused the troops to falter without even laying a single blade on them. Even the menace of the Void Swarm had not moved the troops, in fact it had encouraged them but the Army of Heaven appeared to be able to bring an entire world to its knees.
Artrix saw a sight too familiar but this time it struck him with awe. As a god, he had not paid much attention to his comrades but now, as a mere mortal he could understand why Heaven was a name so feared. He could feel his own knee tremble which he tried to calm. Even the men around him who were so vicious and brave just a few minutes ago had now begun to step back in an awestruck state.
There seemed no end to the glory or to the searing light. No end for this godly being that could crush worlds, solar systems, galaxies and entire realms like ants. There was no end to those who end time itself for this was the might of Heaven.
The Angels then came still into a net like formation who covered the entirety of the airspace, infinitely dwindling and emasculating the Piltoverans airships which themselves counted in the tens of thousands. Then, from behind the winged soldiers a single one hovered out, her body donned in a pure golden set of armor. Her gracious white feathers behind her fluttered so gently yet with an air of dominating power. Her flawless hair which matched her armor in purity and color flowed like silk from her head. Her sharp piercing eyes surveyed the fields around him, spotting the pathetic ants below which the mortals had called their army.
The Angels then all saluted at once as their commander became present. She remained silent but turned her attention to an announcer and gave him a nod.
"Behold! Mortals of Runeterra, you stand before the Army of Heaven, kneel in awe for you are unworthy," he began with a deep, powerful voice that echoed across the lands.
"You, who were once pure, have been defiled! Feel regret and beg for mercy and perhaps we may open our gates to a few, truly kindred souls. Tremble at the name of Heaven for we are infinitely your greater. Our power is beyond your comprehension, resist and be crushed. Surrender, and we shall grant you a peaceful death and your planet will be spared. At the benevolence and mercy of your King and Lord of Heaven, his Majesty Othrius, we shall offer you the choice; we will make end you either way. Then, we shall show you who is right and wrong, who is mighty and weak and the true meaning of power!"
Artrix, silently scoffed under his breath in the awestruck silence around him. Then, he climbed onto a nearby hill which elevated him above his fellow troops.
"Silence!" he hollered, his voice reaching both the Angels and the people of Valoran.
The announcer, looking bewildered, searched around the earth for this source of defiance. "Who dares?!"
"Have you forgotten your Prince already? What honor you Angels hold to forget the true heir to the Throne! It is I, Artrix of Heaven, son of the true King and warrior, of the mortals. "
"You…" the announcer began before being shushed by Kayle.
"Then tell me, true heir to the Throne, what do you exactly plan to do? Do you not see our numbers, our strength and power? This army before me is but only the first of a countless host, you should know that well shouldn't you?" Kayle questioned.
"I do not think you are one to talk, after fighting alongside mortals for a time. Even if you kill us, there will always be another soul, another spirit ready to defy against that tyrant King. Even if you crush this world of mortals, there will always be another," Artrix replied.
"Do not speak! You have no right. For a god to fall so low, it was your own undoing. I had warned you, I had told you a countless time, I had cared but no longer. It was your recklessness, your own failure which had brought death and damnation to all those who stand beside you this moment."
"Yea… I know that, I know that I should've listened to you, Kayle. I know my mistakes now, but I will work to right my wrongs."
Kayle was slightly surprised at this attitude. She had expected the arrogant Prince that she had known all her life.
"D-Do not attempt this trickery. No amounts of words will save your sinner life now."
"Of course not," Artrix said, drawing out his blade and aiming it directly at Kayle, "And that is why we shall fight to see who is wrong and who is right. Let it end here."