Disclaimer: I do not own League of Legends, Fate/Stay Night, or any of the series' characters.
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Chapter Two; The Summoning II
"P-Please have a seat. I apologize for the trouble."
The three entered the Councilor's office located on the upper floors of the Institute. The man's eyes never ceased to wander the walls and furniture, and occasionally even darted to Kayle, who stood attentively beside the door. Only once did their eyes meet, and she looked away immediately afterwards. When Heywan spoke, the Servant's brown eyes lazily turned to him like how a bored student acknowledges a teacher.
"Now, your name is Archer, is it? That's an interesting name considering what you had done back there. Does there happen to be any other alias you go by?"
"Archer is my alias," he answered.
"Oh, of course. Well, you may be wondering what had happened then. First and foremost, I will tell you now that this world is mostly likely different than the world you are used to seeing. The League of Legends has summoned you from your dimension."
Archer blinked uninterestedly. He held an air of indifference, but Heywan could not determine whether he was doing so on purpose or that he actually had no query about his situation. All doubts vanished when Archer yawned loudly ― the man had no problems at all. Only realizing then that he had gone quiet, Heywan cleared his throat and continued.
"There are troublesome issues that have appeared as of late. Monsters called Voidborn wish to destroy our world; the creature you had so skillfully dispatched was one of them. With our current strength, we won't be able to defend ourselves from their onslaught. Archer, I ask of you on behalf of Runeterra to help us against this threat."
"What is your name? I didn't get it before."
"Heywan. Heywan Relivash."
"Heywan, what would I get in return if I where to help you and your people?"
The Councilor stood where he was for a moment, shocked and surprised. It only then occurred to him that the champions of the League had their own incentives to fight, and that Archer, who was summoned from another plane, would not have such motivation.
Kayle sensed Heywan's dilemma and hesitantly spoke in his place. "Archer. When we searched for candidates who could assist us with our problem, one of the searching criteria was 'to be a hero to his or her people'. Do you not fight for justice in your world? Or are the customs there different than those of here?"
Archer chuckled. "Justice? I once fought for justice. But the rules of reality aren't so convenient as to make our ideals so perfect. Justice is overrated."
"Then, if you choose to help us, the League will grant you the greatest of luxuries available in Valoran," offered Heywan. His tone was growing desperate; having the main summoning chamber ruined would complicate any further recruitments for a while. This man, this Archer, was the only chance they had. "You'll get money, fame, rewards, titles. Valoran's resorts and palaces will be available at your leis―"
"I've little interest in those materialistic rewards," the man in red finally interrupted, "but that is fine. If this world is different than mine, there should be a thing or two I can find interest in. But if there isn't, I still expect to be paid for my work."
"U-Understood."
…
After a review of the situation at Runeterra, Archer was led out of the Councilor's office by Kayle to his room. He observed the halls of the Institute with mild interest, noting the structure's layout and only slightly admiring its architecture. There was a tense silence between him and the Judicator, but he had no noticed until they stopped at his door.
"Justice isn't overrated," she said quietly, her voice having a note of dissatisfaction in it. While she did not wear her helmet, her expression was still difficult to read. Archer, however, did not spare her a glance when he responded.
"Good to hear. Please tell someone who cares."
His nonchalant words caused her to whirl, her expression that of rage. She stood before the door to his room, as if unwilling to let the issue be forgotten. Her eyes shined of someone who had devoted herself to an ideal for innumerable years only to have it challenged. She hissed, "It's because of justice that people are able to live their lives. 'Justice is overrated'? Those are the words of someone who is bitter because he can't get what he wants."
"It's also because of justice that people have to suffer and die. For every life saved, there is a life that is lost in its place. At its root, 'justice' is just a number game."
"Those who are evil deserve to be punished! They threaten the lives of others!"
"And those who are the 'casualties' of justice will also meet the same fate," responded Archer as he reached around her for the door. "Would you, for the sake of a thousand innocent lives, kill a hundred others? Or a million deaths for a billion?"
"I would find a way to everyone, without killing!" she shouted.
Her response reminded him of someone from long ago, a boy who asked the world for power in exchange for his eternal servitude; that boy who grew to question his ideals when blood stained his hands; that boy who he had fought years ago and accepted the imperfections of his wish. Archer leered at Kayle with this reminiscence.
"Good answer. Maybe you can scare away those Voidborn things with that attitude."
"W-What? You're telling me I have a bad personality? What does that say about you? I can't believe Runeterra has to rely on someone with such pathetic morals."
Archer pushed past her and opened the door to his room. It was well-furnished and reminded him of a room certain European-style manor from his past. As he looked over his new quarters, the Servant answered, "Don't you know? Men don't like crazy ty―"
A golden sword pressed itself against his neck. He felt the blue eyes of the golden figure burn a hole into his back, and he inadvertedly shivered when she spoke.
"Did you call me 'crazy'? I don't like being called 'crazy'. I'm not crazy."
She kicked him inside the room and slammed the door shut. Archer lay on the carpeted-floor, stunned by the unnerving presence that had been at the doorway moments ago. Only once did he experience such a danger, and that person he was thankful enough not to have met again ― the Tora-Shinai would have surely tasted his blood were Tiger have founded out of his true identity. And despite being the proclaimed hero who could save Runeterra, Archer felt as if he had fallen into a warped version of his own world.
