4. The Honourable Betrayal
Xin stood in silence, shock locking his body up. He blinked a few times as Lux and Jarvan III watched him patiently. Xin spoke quietly.
"Pardon your majesty? What did you just say?"
Jarvan III breathed in deep and spoke.
"Lux and I discussed the different course of actions to uncover the Noxians plans."
Lux continued with her expertise in reconnaissance and infiltration.
"The likelihood of me being able to infiltrate Noxus is very low considering they would be on the lookout for Demacians agents, especially now. The only course of action is to have a champion of Demacia convert to Noxus. We discussed who would be the champion that would be most believable and…"
Xin finished.
"You concluded me."
There was a pause as Xin soaked in the information. He spoke again.
"This seems... drastic."
Jarvan sighed.
"You know as well as anyone we've been struggling to overcome Noxus in the League. Despite that last victory we are slowly losing grip. If this weapon could shift the tides in their favour then we must do what we can to stop them."
"Why not send Fiora?"
Lux shook her head.
"She's too unreliable and we're not sure if the Noxians would believe her betrayal."
"And why do you think they believe mine?"
Lux looked at Jarvan III and spoke.
"You came as the king's first recommendation."
Xin looked at Jarvan III and an unspoken conversation passed between the two. Xin clenched his fists and spoke.
"And how do you propose I betray Demacia?"
Jarvan III tightened his lips and replied.
"To provide undeniable proof of your betrayal, you must steal Demacia's greatest treasure; the Measure Tread."
Xin's eyes widened and his heart dropped.
"Your majesty you cannot ask this of me."
"It's the only way the Noxians will be convinced of your betrayal."
"But your majesty the Measure Tread cannot leave Demacia and it cannot fall into Noxian hands."
Jarvan III held up his hand.
"It won't Xin. We have discussed this already. Lux will pursue you till you are close to Noxus. Once you have made contact with the Noxians and before you enter the city Lux will attack you and retrieve the Measure Tread. The book itself will be locked and no one would be able to open it save for the best key masters of Noxus."
Xin remained upright and continued.
"Then once I have earned the trust of the Noxians I work to ascertain the information concerning the new weapon and then?"
"Then Lux will kidnap you and return you to Demacia for justice."
"But the League?"
Jarvan III shook his head.
"Will have no power to condemn us. A Demacian agent pursued a Demacian traitor and it was an internal affair that we alone dealt with. On the condition that neither of you harm a Noxian champion in the process they will have no basis to charge us. We only need the information about the weapon; nothing more. So we are prepared for the coming battles with Noxus. The Noxians won't want to condemn us in case the secrets of the weapon fall into other hands."
Xin had remained still but he felt his clenched fists beginning to tremble as he spoke.
"When would you have me do this your majesty?"
"Tonight."
"Tonight?"
Lux spoke to provide the strategic insight.
"In the Noxians eyes you would convert after the battle, which to them will seem like you were convinced by Swain."
Xin sucked in a breath; someone had noticed. Lux continued talking.
"You'll use the celebrations to your advantage whilst the champions and guards are distracted. I will be distracted with the feast in the hall and when I hear of the news his majesty will deploy me because I am the only champion suitable to pursue you."
Xin felt his chest tighten and his fingernails dug into his palms. How could his king ask this of him? Jarvan III looked at Lux.
"Lux if you would mind I believe Xin Zhao is fully informed for the time being. I would like to have a word with him in private."
Lux bowed her head to the king.
"Of course your majesty. I'll see you at the feast."
She placed a hand on Xin's shoulder and spoke to him.
"May the justice and valour of Demacia guide you my friend."
With that she turned and left the room, leaving the Seneschal and King in silence. Jarvan III spoke first.
"Xin what I ask of you is something I have never asked of any champion. I am asking you commit the greatest crime under our laws and you may not survive this. I need to know if you will obey your king's command to betray him?"
Xin contemplated his answer and gave it.
"I will do it."
Jarvan III spoke more softly this time.
"There is more Xin. You and I know why the Noxians will trust you. Do you think you can do it?"
Xin shook his head.
"No I can't, but he can."
Jarvan III breathed in deep and nodded.
"May the light of Demacia guide you my friend. Do not hesitate in any of the actions you take, for the Demacians will try to kill you."
"He can handle whatever is thrown at him."
"Especially seeing as you trained most of them."
If the light-hearted joke had an impact on the still Seneschal then Jarvan III didn't notice it. Instead Jarvan III tipped his head forward and sighed.
"I am sorry Xin. I am so sorry. When my father brought you into our home and family; neither he nor I ever intended for this to happen. I hope that when you return, you can forgive me."
Xin bowed his head and turned to leave. No words needed to be said between the pair.
Xin left the study and began the walk back to his room. He walked past the guards who stood so vigilant at each corner. Their armour shone with its gold and blue majesty without question. Xin walked down the stairs and reached his room where Desmond still stood. Without hesitation Xin spoke.
"Leave me."
And before Desmond could speak Xin yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind him. He bolted it shut and walked over to the other side of his room. He looked at his armour mounted on its stand; his symbol of Demacian pride and loyalty. Xin remembered the day Jarvan II bestowed the armour upon him; when he had been declared the steward of the Lightshields and a warrior of Demacia. A ceremony performed before the Lightshields, champions, councillors and the survivors of the breakout. Xin had also been given something far more important on that day; he had been named Xin Zhao Lightshield on that day and forever after.
Till now.
Xin roared, grabbed the armour and ripped it from its stand, scattering it across the floor. He ran at the Demacian banner hanging and he tore it down with his bare hands. Xin threw the tatters aside, his fury burning in him.
Xin grabbed his spear from the stand and lifted it. He smashed it down on a table causing it to explode into splinters. How could he betray Demacia? He threw the spear into the door which buried itself down to the shaft and remained shuddering in the spot. Xin turned around slowly, his breath ragged, his eyes burning. He walked over to the metal box and stared at it. Only he could betray Demacia. Xin walked away from the box and over to the wall beside his bed. He looked at the white marble tiles and tapped them till he heard the echo of a hollow space. He drew his fist back and slammed it into the marble which cracked under the force. He punched the tile again and again till it was pieces that tumbled to the floor. Xin's knuckles were bloodied and he felt that his index finger had dislocated. He grabbed it and slid it back into place. He knew they would begin to heal soon and would be fine in a manner of minutes. He reached his hand into the hollow space in the wall and felt around till he grabbed the secret he had hidden long ago. He retracted a key that had a very specific design and purpose. He turned with the key in his hand. Xin bowed his head and whispered to himself.
"For Demacia."
Lux walked along the upper level of the eastern district. The Noble Estates loomed high around her, stretching far in front and behind her. She was walking quickly with her head down. People called her name and congratulated her but Lux gave only a meagre response or none at all. She kept walking till she came to the golden gates of the Crownguard estate. She stood before them but couldn't bring herself to walk through. Instead she turned and continued walking. It wasn't long till she reached the end of the level and came to a balcony that looked out over the Velcian Bay. People were congregated in the area, standing by the railing, seated on benches or at tables. Lux made her way to the railing and leaned on it to look out over the city. She could see the shining spires of gold and white standing amidst the cityscape. The wharves stretched out from the dockyards into the water and Lux could see the bustling activity as people went about their daily lives. To them they lived their lives and when the time came they could look up to their champions. Cheer for their victories and cry for their defeats. But the people never saw the champions training, they never saw them enraged in the streets and homes of their nation, never heard the sacrifices that had to be made for them. Lux stood still as the soft ocean wind blew through her hair. She felt something she had never felt before. Whatever it was made her restless and put her thoughts were under a great weight. She saw a figure suddenly step next to her, the wide shoulder plates nearly hitting her head. Lux giggled and spoke.
"Have you ever thought of taking off your armour once we arrive home?"
Garen chuckled and replied.
"And how do you think people would recognise me?"
Lux giggled again but quietly and somewhat stifled. Garen noticed and spoke.
"Sister is there something wrong?"
"It's nothing Garen. I think that last battle just took the wind out of me."
"Then maybe you should sit the next one out and take it easy."
"Fiora would have a field day with that."
"Forget that spoilt brat. She isn't half the warrior you are."
Lux lifted her head and looked at her brother. His gleaming armour shone as he leaned forward into the setting sun. Lux looked at the golden horizon over the water and she sighed before speaking.
"Why are we fighting brother?"
Garen looked at his younger sibling with a look of concern on his face.
"To bring the light and justice of Demacia to Valoran. Why do you need to ask?"
"It's not that I doubt Demacia's cause or mission. But the League, why do we fight? Every time we're summoned we either win or lose but what changes?"
Garen mulled the question over in his mind before answering.
"It is a reasonable question Lux. A doubt I'm sure many of us have shared. But think of it this way. If we did not fight then Noxus would win. Soon they would dominate the League and although they could wage war on Valoran they wouldn't need to. The stronger they became then the more people of the world would declare themselves Noxian. Those people want champions to represent them. Eventually whole cities would declare themselves apart of the Noxian Empire so that they might have the glory of the League. That sister is why we fight. To bring the light of Demacia to all and stop anyone else from controlling the League. Do you see now?"
Lux nodded her head, although this was not the source of her turmoil it helped to hear Garen's words none the less. She spoke.
"Of course brother. Thank you."
Garen placed his hand on Lux's shoulder.
"I'm certain you do not doubt Demacia but it helps to have reassurances from time to time."
"And you brother? Does the Might of Demacia have questions he cannot answer?"
Garen chuckled and puffed out his chest.
"They don't call me the Might of Demacia for no reason little sister!"
"But is it true, what the Councillors said?"
Lux knew Garen wouldn't become enraged with her asking; she was one of the few people he could trust. Garen lifted himself up so his hands gripped the bronze railing.
"My loyalty is to Demacia. Now and forever."
He looked down at Lux and she understood the turmoil in her brother's mind. She understood him, knew his loyalty and knew his heart. Lux spoke softly to him.
"I would never doubt that brother. But sometimes even us; the champions, maybe we have to admit there is something deep down. Not doubt. But something."
Garen looked at his sister.
"You truly are wise beyond your years little sister. But take care; these words can never fall on ears other than my own. I have to go now, prepare for the feast. We should think of celebrations and victories sister!"
With that Garen let go of the railing and walked away. Lux watched as he walked away, waving and talking to the citizens that he passed by. Her eyes turned back to the railing where he had been standing and she saw that the smooth railing had been dented, deep set handprints from where Garen's hands had been. She suddenly saw it, the honourable words he said and yet the pain he felt.
Lux felt her heart drop. Xin couldn't go through with this. If he did he would not be the Demacian champion that had fought so hard for his nation and for the family who took him in. Lux turned and ran. She ran back along the level, past the people who looked on in interest and confusion. She continued running till she whipped past her brother. Garen watched as Lux sped past and without hesitating he ran after her. It took a short run to reach the palace where Lux rushed past the guards into the front hall. Garen had maintained his pace and caught up to Lux as they bounded up the stairs. Garen called out to her as they ran up the stairs.
"Sister what's wrong?"
"No time to explain we have to find Xin!"
"Head for his room, I'll go towards the training square, meet you back here."
With that Garen turned and ran towards the east wing. Lux made her way upstairs towards the private quarters. She ran up the stairs till she reached Xin's room. She saw the head of Xin's spear protruding out of the door and she approached slowly. She knocked on the door.
"Xin. Are you there?"
No answer came from within. Lux knocked again.
"Xin hello?"
Lux knocked harder and the door started to swing open. Lux pushed on the door and gasped when she saw the room behind the door. The room was in chaos. The two tables and the bed in the room had been obliterated into nothing but splinters and shreds of cloth. The weapon rack had been thrown down and the spears scattered across the room. The armour stands were in the same predicament with parts of armour scattered about. Lux walked in and saw that in the corner of the room was a metal box, its door was swung open and the interior was empty.
Lux whispered to herself.
"Xin where are you?"
She turned and walked out of the room. She made her way quickly downstairs and found herself in the entrance hall. She looked down the stairs to the hall and saw Garen standing there with his arms crossed. Lux called out to him.
"Any luck?"
"No sign of him."
Lux walked down till she was in front of Garen. He spoke with curiosity in his voice.
"Sister what's going on? Why are you so desperate to find Xin?"
Lux realised her mistake in involving Garen. She spoke to him.
"I realised I needed to talk to him about the feast tonight."
"And the reason for your panic?"
"Well the feast starts in an hour and it concerns the king's security. I just need to debrief him. Just in case."
Garen wasn't entirely convinced but his trust made his decision.
"Alright. Then speaking of the feast let's return home and prepare."
Lux nodded. She would have to do so to reassure Garen and avoid any suspicion. She knew she could stop Xin during the feast. Even if it meant disobeying her king's orders.
Desmond stood still in the hallway at attention. He felt his helmet start to slip down the bridge of his nose so he tipped his head back to stop it. This did little to stop the slipping helmet so he quickly pushed it back up with his hand. This received a sharp comment from the guard opposite him.
"Hey rookie, at attention."
"Sorry sir, helmets a little big."
"Don't make excuses, get it sorted."
"Of course sir."
Desmond had only just begun his three years of service so he didn't recognise the guard in front of him. Desmond spoke to him queitly.
"So yeah do I go to the armoury to get a different helmet?"
The guard hid a grizzly face under his helmet and spoke with a rugged voice.
"You should know all the details and locations by now."
Desmond bowed his head.
"Yes of course sir."
The guard sighed.
"And you don't need to call me sir. I'm not your superior. My name's Regan."
"Sure thing Regan."
Regan shook his head.
"Still a pup eh boy?"
"Joined two weeks ago."
"And you chose the guards?"
"Wanted to stay close to my family."
"And how did a rookie land a post with the palace guards?"
"My family is friends with the Buvelle's and they helped me to get a post here. Figured if I started here young I could get more experience as a palace guard."
Regan laughed.
"Not a bad plan. And hey rookie, don't repeat this to anyone else. But this is a pretty cushiony posting. Stand around guarding the safest place in all of Demacia. Don't slack off here and you'll be able to take it easy for the next three years."
With those exact words the pair heard a window smash faintly from above. They looked at each other. Regan spoke.
"That came from upstairs."
Desmond gripped his spear tightly and spoke.
"That's the Measure Tread sanctuary."
Regan nodded at Desmond.
"Come on rookie."
"Maybe it was just a bird."
"Best double check."
They start walking towards the stairs and found that they weren't the only guards drawn by the noise. Regan stepped up to the base of the stairs and called up.
"Guards on duty what was the disturbance, report!"
No response.
The guards exchanged glances and Regan called out again.
"Guards what was the disturbance, report!"
No response.
The guards brought their spears into their hands, prepared to engage.
Regan dropped his spear and signalled to the other guards behind him with a few quick gestures. He started walking up the stairs with the other guards right behind him. Desmond was last in the line of guards as they walked up the stairs. The formation advanced up till they were in the top spire of the palace. The top floor was a round platform with a single room in the centre and a vault door on the opposite side of the stairway exit. As Desmond stepped onto the floor with his spear in hands he saw what had become of the floor. Guards were slumped against the walls but no blood had been drawn. Regan called out.
"Check them."
Several knelt down to the other guards and responded.
"They're alive, just unconscious."
Regan gave no response. Desmond was checking another guard so he called.
"Regan."
There was no response. Desmond picked up his spear and walked around the sanctuary in the centre. The white walls shone under the hextech lamps mounted on the exterior lamps. Desmond rounded the wall to the vault door and saw Regan. He saw standing still in the entrance, staring at the centre of the room. Desmond stepped next to him.
"Regan?"
Regan looked at the young boy and Desmond saw the look of terror on the old guards face. Desmond looked into the centre of the room and his body shook. His hands trembled and the spear slipped out of his hand. There in the centre of the room stood the Measure Tread stand; empty. It was gone. Desmond was frozen to the spot when suddenly he felt a weight smash his head from above and darkness took him.
Lux felt her leg shaking as she sat in front of the table. The roar of the feast filled her ears and lights danced across her vision. She looked up along the marble table which was covered with platters of exotic foods and jugs of water and the finest wines. The table extended down the right hand wall of the hall, opposite another table across the other side. To Lux's left were the grand entrance doors of the hall; its golden structure patterned with the crests of the Noble houses. Lux looked to her right where at the head of the hall was the Royal table, seated at which were the royal family and the elite guard. However Lux saw that there was an empty next to Jarvan IV, the Seneschal was missing. Lux felt a hand on her shoulder. Garen disrupted Lux's racing thoughts. He held a goblet of wine to his sister.
"Drink sister. You really should take your mind off troubles and turmoil."
She took the goblet and drank the wine from it. She was trying her best to enjoy the celebrations but she had been unable to find Xin beforehand and the guards had forbid her from entering the Measure Tread sanctuary so she had been left with her fears. With her family around her, she knew she should feel comforted and happy but she couldn't wrestle her mind away from the path that had been laid before Xin. A bell suddenly rang from the royal table and Jarvan III stood to speak.
"What more is there to say about our champions? We can talk of their valour and honour on the battlefield. The choices they make to fight for us again and again. But the truth is they are far more than that. They are your friends, your family, your loved ones. Tonight we can forget they are champions and instead we shall celebrate with them as Demacians."
He held out his hand gestured to the open floor and from the far table stood a single figure. Sona lifted her hand from Taric's and picked up her etwahl that rested next to her. She quickly moved to the middle of the hall as people whispered to one another with excited anticipation. Sona stopped still standing, with her arms outstretched; her body poised to begin. Lux's eyes were on the musician but her gaze was elsewhere. Lux was twirling the goblet in her hand when she felt her hands relax. She felt her muscles soften and every thought of Xin seemed to ease. It was a necessary course of action that would aid them in their fight against Noxus. Lux focused on what had brought upon her sudden change. Sona's fingers glided softly across the strings strumming them so quickly and precisely. The crowd sat in silence as the music hummed through the room, the notes soaring and falling with Sona's every command. A few people wiped away tears beginning to form in their eyes whilst others had their eyes closed as the music surrendered their souls to peace. The music began to speed up and was starting to rise to a joyous melody. Sona began to move with the music, her body turning and floating with the notes. The audience were transfixed as the Maven danced through the hall, her music vibrating in the air and melding into the minds of those who listened. As Sona reached a the climax of a chorus the hall doors burst open. The loud crash disrupting the music and the atmosphere of tranquillity it had created. Sona stopped playing and the audience erupted into angered shouting at the figure who stumbled into the hall. Jarvan III stood to speak but what came next threw the hall back into silence. The figure was a guard and his voice was an agonizing scream that wailed in the hall.
"The Measure Tread is gone! It was the Seneschal! The Seneschal has stolen it!"
The reaction was immense. Some people sat still in shock, others cried out in despair. But the reaction of fury filled the room. Lux felt her heart sink and all the peace she had felt faded into a hollow darkness. Jarvan IV, Shyvana and Quinn stood up at the royal table and vaulted over it in a single movement together, Jarvan IV's face a contortion of rage and strife. Jarvan III himself collapsed into his chair and grasped his forehead as the weight of his actions cascaded upon him. Next to Lux, Garen was out of his seat in a moment and moving around the table as Jarvan IV yelled orders into the hall.
"Secure the palace! No one in or out! An imposter has taken Xin Zhao's likeness! Do not trust him no matter what he says, take him into custody! No matter what we cannot let the Measure Tread leave the palace!"
Sona joined the Jarvan IV, Shyvana and Quinn as they advanced down the hall. Across the hall Fiora, Taric and Poppy were already standing and readying their weapons as they joined the champions advancing down the hall. Lux stood and walked over to the group as they left the hall. As they left Lux heard Jarvan III speak.
"My friends let us calm ourselves; the champions will settle this matter in a timely and efficient manner. There is nothing to worry about."
The Grand hall doors were closed behind them as the group of nine champions formed a circle in the entrance hall. Jarvan IV spoke to the champions.
"Okay we'll divide up into teams of two except for Quinn."
Quinn nodded as Jarvan IV continued.
"You and Valor head up to the observation tower give us eyes on the palace."
Quinn spoke.
"Valor is circling the skies right now; he can show me where the intruder may be."
"Do it."
Quinn closed her eyes as Jarvan IV continued speaking.
"Okay Taric and Sona you two search the upper floors. Poppy, Fiora check the western wing. Garen , Lux search the east wing. Shyvana and I will move to rally the guards and organise a perimeter sweep."
It was Poppy who spoke for the concerns in everyone's minds.
"Is it true what that guard said? I mean where is Xin?"
Garen spoke on behalf of his friend.
"We don't know what that guard did or did not see. It's most likely a mage impersonating Xin. So be prepared for anything. And Xin himself…"
Garen trailed off unsure of how to answer. Lux saw Sona tapping and stroking a series of gems on Taric's hip. Taric spoke.
"Sona says he was worn out from the battle when she saw him earlier this afternoon. Maybe he's just taking some time out."
Jarvan IV spoke.
"Okay well no matter who or what has done this we cannot allow the Measure Tread to leave this palace. Let's move out."
The champions nodded and ran down the hall back into the palace entrance hall. They divided and ran towards their positions. Lux and Garen ran into the east wing. Garen pointed towards the courtyard outside.
"Search outside sister, I'll cover inside."
"Okay."
Lux felt her stomach tighten into a knot as she looked at her brother's face, frozen into an expression of quivering rage. He ran off at full pace, driven by a force greater than his own anger.
Lux turned and ran down the corridor till she pushed through the courtyard door. Lux found herself basking in the moonlight of the evening sky. The courtyard itself was empty and undisturbed. Lux turned and ran towards the armoury. If she could find Xin in time maybe she could stop him before this got out of hand. The armoury was empty aside from the mounted weapons and armour. The silence in the room was suddenly broken by a crash from outside. Lux ran outside to see that the east wing door had been smashed off its hinges and was in splinters on the floor. Garen was brushing splinters off his body and picking himself up off the floor. Lux yelled out to Garen.
"Brother!"
He held out his hand and shouted back.
"Stay back sister! He's mine."
Lux followed Garen's gaze as he stood up and she felt her breathe stop in her throat when she saw Garen's assailant step out from the doorway. It was a man who had the face of Xin but the presence of another being. His head was adorned by a grey helmet with a row spikes along the top. His armour was now a grey steel cuirass, with a steel pauldron on his left arm, a leather battle skirt over steel and leather boots. But Lux's eyes were drawn to the spear in his right hand. Unlike the majesty of his Demacian spear his new one was a device of brutality. It had three sharps blades in a tri-vector shape around a central spike which extended out past the blades. Lux started shaking her head slowly when she saw the small box strapped to his hip. It was a gold and blue case locked with a seal in the shape of the Demacian standard. It was the Measure Tread. Lux screamed out.
"Brother let us attack together!"
Garen had drawn his sword and was twisting his hands around the hilt.
"No sister. I know Zhao. He was my mentor, my guide to becoming a true Demacian. I know him as I know myself. This man, this is Xin Zhao. And he has betrayed us."
There was something in Garen's voice. It was not fury or anger. It was hatred. Pure wrath had become hatred for a man he once loved. Garen stepped forward.
"This traitor is mine."
The man stepped forward to face Garen's challenge. He glared at Garen and brandished his spear to accept the challenge. Garen roared and charged, his body suddenly gaining a burst of speed as he held his spear behind him. The traitor charged at him, his spear held behind him. The distance between them vanished as the battle began.
Garen jumped into the air and brought his sword over his head in order to deliver a decisive strike. But his strike missed as the traitor side stepped and continued running at a phenomenal pace. The strike smashed into the ground, shattering the grey tiles into shards that exploded up into the air around Garen. By the time the Demacian had recovered the traitor had reached the summoning orb and had begun using it. Garen shouted at him.
"Stand and fight coward!"
The traitor looked at Garen and pressed a final icon. Suddenly the tiles started to elevate and the grey steel figure jumped onto it as it quickly rose up into the night sky. Garen steadied himself as the platform came to a halt, level with the palace wall. Lux waved her wand and used the light to boost herself up to the platform. Garen saw and screamed at her.
"Stay back sister!"
Before the traitor had a chance to begin his escape Garen charged him again. Garen screamed and ran at phenomenal pace towards the lone figure at the end of the platform. Lux had faith in her brother, he knew Xin and his techniques; there was a chance Garen could win this fight. Garen jumped again and brought his sword down over his head but this time the traitor simply stepped to the side, evading the colossal force that smashed into the tiles. The tiles gave way and a gaping hole in the platform opened up, looking down to the ground below. Before Garen could react the traitor roared at the top of voice, a battle cry to grant him speed in his assaults. However it was not Xin that unleashed a battle cry from the darkness of his soul; it was another man that did. Garen brought his sword round and prepared himself for the torrent of attacks that was to follow. Instead the traitor stepped towards Garen from the side and spun around as he roared. The spear followed his spin and the traitor spun it so the side of the head smashed into Garen's sword. Garen readied his body to deflect the attack and prepare for the next move.
The spear hit the sword.
Garen pressed back.
The spear kept going.
Garen's eyes widened.
He had been wrong.
The force was immense, far more powerful than Xin Zhao had ever been capable of.
Before Garen could react his arms buckled and his sword crashed back into his body as the spear finished its arc.
Garen's body was sent flying back and it smashed through the tiles of the platform, opening a chasm in the platform. Garen began to fall but grabbed a ledge before gravity took him. Lux ran over and grabbed him by the shoulders and helped to pull him up. She spoke to him.
"Please brother, you need my help to beat him."
Garen pushed her off, causing Lux to fall to the ground.
"No! He's mine!"
"Garen!"
Garen spun and roared in his sister's face.
"This is my battle! I will destroy him!"
Lux watched as Garen turned back to face down the grey man who stood still, awaiting Garen's next move. Lux had never seen such hatred burning in Garen. He gripped his sword again and ran towards the still silhouette. Garen closed the distant in a moment and once again he leaped into the air brought his sword down on the figure. The traitor easily stepped backwards to avoid the attack. Garen had the sword buried in the platform tiles and proclaimed his actions with wrath burning in his words.
"This is the justice of Demacia traitor!"
A light burst into view above the grey figure and it took the form of a sword. Before the figure could react it soared down and smashed into him with all the force of Garen's fury. The swords smashed through the platform, sending chunks of grey stone slicing up and out from the position where the traitor had been standing. The justice continued into the ground below where it crashed into the ground and buried itself deep within the stone. Garen stood up, and regathered his breath and composure. He turned to walk away when he heard something. A noise from behind him drew his attention and he returned his sight to the hole made by his attack. There at the edge closest to him was a hand clutching the ledge. The hand became two and before Garen could ready himself the traitor pulled himself up and onto the platform. There was a deep wound along his left shoulder and flank where the sword had cut through. The traitor cracked his neck from side to side as he prepared himself. Garen was wide eyed with shock.
"How did you?"
No answer was necessary because Garen knew.
Garen had once again been wrong.
Garen was ready to scream for his sister to come to his aid but before he could the traitor descended upon him.
The traitor roared for his battle to commence and slashed his spear across Garen's face. The spike opened a gash across the bridge of his nose, causing Garen to stumble back.
The traitor spun the spear and sliced downwards across his face, opening a deep gash down his cheek.
The traitor then spun around and with the strength his battle cry granted him he drove the spear head into Garen's breastplate. All four blades smashed through the thick armour and buried themselves in Garen's chest. Garen yelled out in agony and Lux screamed as she saw the wound her brother had sustained. She drew her wand and ran towards the pair but she was too late. This was the third strike and Garen watched as the wound down the traitor's side started to heal. The traitor then gripped his spear and prepared for the final part of his attack. Garen looked up, knowing what was coming. It would a serious wound but he would survive.
The traitor braced against his spear.
Garen looked up.
Lux roared and threw a ball of light at the figure.
The figure threw the spear up in the air.
Garen's eyes widened.
Lux's heart dropped.
The ball of light soared under the traitor.
Garen watched as the grey figure used Garen's body and the spear to launch himself into the air.
The traitor spun round in the air brought his spear round.
The traitor fell back down towards Garen, his spear bending under the immense force he urged it down with.
Lux didn't have time to prepare another attack as she watched her brother fall to the man he had once called family.
The spear smashed into Garen's shoulder with colossal force, causing the steel piece to smash apart under the force.
The blade drove through his clavicle but Garen didn't have time to yell out in agony as the spear drove further in towards his chest.
Lux watched, as if the world had slowed down.
Garen's body folded downwards and exploded through the tiles underneath him.
Garen looked up and watched as the spear slipped out of his shoulder. He saw the hole in the platform.
He saw the hole growing smaller and smaller.
He saw the lone figure standing in it.
His friend, his mentor.
A traitor.
Darkness took Garen.
Lux stopped and knelt down to look through the huge hole caused by the traitors attack. She saw her brother's broken body lying still on the ground far below. Lux felt a lump rise in her throat and her bottom lip quivered. She couldn't see him breathing.
Lux looked up at the grey figure who had started to walk away. She screamed at him.
"Xin! Stop this now! It doesn't have to be this way!"
The figure was at the edge of the platform and turned back to look at Lux. A voice growled from beneath the helmet and Lux heard the voice of a stranger.
"My name is Viscero."
With that Viscero turned away and leapt across to the palace wall. He disappeared from sight and Lux felt despair grip her. Above she saw a bird emerge from behind the spires of the palace and she screamed up.
"Quinn! Help! Garen, he's… he's…. Help please!"
Lux fell to her knees.
Hidden with the shadows of an alleyway Viscero stood still. He could hear Lux screaming for help, begging her brother to come back, crying into the dark night. Viscero looked at the blood on the blades and he gripped the spear tightly. Xin was a traitor. And now Viscero was free. Viscero turned from the palace and ran into the night.