Now we have the aftermath of the previous chapter. The Tribunal realizes just how powerful Helios is, and that the hunters are here. However...they're not the only things that are going to be going on a Hunt. Helios gets some one on one time with an old friend...as well as get even with Cira because prank wars are a thing...
Chapter VIII
Cira looked around the room full of Chosens, Andrew and the Tribunal. It was very rare when all the leaders of the nations came together outside the Fields of Justice, and when they did...it was normally something bad. Her husband stood beside her, watching. Ashe and Tryndamere were watching from the side, the latter holding his wife close. Azir tapped his fingers on his staff, what was going on in his head, Cira couldn't tell. Jarvan was quiet, but there was a slight flicker of worry on his face, likely for Shyvana, who was missing and hadn't shown herself since the incident. Miss Fortune and Gangplank were standing away from each other, but like everyone else, they were silent. Karma, Zed and Shen were near them, each of them there to represent their faction within Ionia. Cira looked to the other side, catching sight of Janna, Caitlyn, Swain, Mordekaiser, Kalista...more and more people that lead or represented their respective factions. Xayah and Rakan were also there, holding their children. Xayah still had bandages around her stomach while Rakan's hands were wrapped in cloth.
"I'm sorry we kinda dragged you into this," Cira said, turning to Janie and her Dianne, "But then again, you guys were there,"
"It's fine," Janie murmured. "You need what witnesses you can get."
Dianne nodded in agreement before stretching a bit. "I just wish I wasn't so sore. I shouldn't have rushed with leaving my 'safe place'." she did quotation marks in the air with her fingers before sighing. "I'm kind of hoping that they don't go too hard on Helios for that."
"They put up with my...issues…" Cira muttered, rubbing the back of her head, "I think they won't go as hard on him. They're probably just upset they couldn't question that…"
She gave another shudder.
"That...man…" she finally said as she rubbed her arms, fighting off a bad memory.
"You're ok," her husband reassured her as he wrapped his arms around her, "They're gone. They can't hurt you again, I promise,"
"Except the fact they did," Cira countered, "They came here. They nearly killed Sonja, Afi, Riya, Kristen, Fabien, Arthur, Janie and Dianne,"
He went silent as he lay his head on hers, humming softly. She turned back to the Tribunal and Andrew, who were talking.
"Andrew, there's still the fact he's killed someone," the Icathian representative pointed out.
"Out of defense of someone he cared about," Andrew countered, "Cira and Leona have done the same. So have Arthur and Pantheon. Don't give me that bull,"
"Andrew…" Aneria started only to get cut off.
"How dare you talk to us like that!" the Icathian representative screeched.
"I dare to talk to you like that because you just sat there and did nothing while I, my Champion and her family were cursed," Andrew snarled.
CRACK!
The sound of Aneria's staff on the marble floor was deafening and terrifying all at the same time.
"You," she stated, looking at her fellow Tribunal member, "Sit down and shut up. And Andrew...calm down or do I need to drag Freja into this…"
Andrew's fire seemed to dissipate at the mention of his mother's name.
"Now," Aneria huffed, "Since we're all calm and quiet now...I want to review this,"
She held up her hand and a shimmering image appeared in the air. At a few murmured words from the Elder Freljordian, the image began to move.
The recording started at the time the sniper took his first shot. The gathered champions murmured and gasped as they watched Shyvana take a bullet to the thigh. Jarvan blanched at the sight. Their horror only grew as he watched them incapacitate the others. Outrage quickly spawned from their appallment. Only Swain, Gangplank and the Icathian representatives remained stoic.
Cira started shaking again, memories resurfacing and causing her armor to shake and rattle, violently. Arthur had to quickly wrap his arms around her and hold her close, reminding her that everything was ok.
Then came Helios's arrival. Everyone watched with suppressed awe as he made short work of his opponent. He'd taken a whole clip at point-blank range, and shrugged it off like it was nothing.
Ahri cringed, averting her eyes.
And finally, the execution. Ashe had to press a hand to her mouth to stop herself from vomiting. Karma recoiled, unable to keep watching. Even Zed was disturbed by the sheer brutality Helios displayed.
Gangplank's mouth twitched upwards, though only a little. He was, loathe as he was to admit it, somewhat impressed. Mordekaiser nodded with approval.
Most of the room shuddered as they watched Helios crush the sniper's head between his hands.
The image faded as Aneria waved her hand.
"Is it horrible of me to say that this does not surprise me?" she asked, "My only regret is that we could not capture this monster and interrogate him. Perhaps figure out how to break the curse on Targon or even bring down the barrier between our worlds and let the Chosens freely move between worlds again…"
She gave a sigh.
"It's in the past now...but I would like to hear from Helios. Where is he?"
"He disappeared after he and Shyvana got into a bit of an argument," Janie explained. "I've got no idea where he went."
"What of your Arthur?"
"He went missing at some point too during that. I was going to try to find him." Dianne sighed.
"It would be wise to do so after this," she nodded.
The doors nearly swung off their hinges. Selene barged in, scythe in hand. Apollyon immediately bowed in reverence.
"I came as soon as I heard what happened," she said. "Is everyone alright?"
"Some injuries, some emotional scarring but other than that okay," Fabien started, starting to put his arm around his wife but hissing in pain as his wounds twinged.
"Where's my brother?" She looked around the room. "I don't see him."
"Currently? Missing." Dianne muttered.
"Why?" Her brow furrowed. "What happened?"
"Shyvana," Kristen rasped, still recovering.
She drew in a sharp breath. "She found out? How?"
"Sniper threatened her. He made Cira look tame," Arthur said.
Selene sighed. "Knowing my brother, he probably let it slip himself. Leave it to him to be careless."
She inhaled, then deflated. "Unfortunately, none of us can really do much, at the moment. Helios is going to need time." She frowned, a sorrowful glint in her eyes. "He loves Shyvana very much, you know. He's very proud of all that she's accomplished."
"Time is not necessarily on our side, Lady Selene," Apollyon said, "The Curse is still there, it's just a matter of when it decides to come back. I hope that he can figure out what is going on, but he needs to do this quickly. Now that they know you are here and what you are capable of...I have a strange feeling that they are going to take you both into this account for a modification to their curse,"
She slammed the butt of her scythe on the ground. The Targonian elder flinched.
"Do you doubt my abilities, Apollyon?" She asked. "I am weaker than my brother, it's true, but I am more than capable of handling matters like this on my own. You would do well to remember that."
"My apologies, I was merely reporting what I had seen," he said, bowing his head in respect.
She nodded. "If that settles it…." She turned to the Tribunal and champions. "Shall we get started, then? Apollyon's right; they'll be watching us from now on."
"I just want to know why they are here," Alexander, Azir's Chosen growled, "We're stuck here. So why send that guy after Sonja and Shyvana…"
"Because she's Jarvan's bride-to-be." She replied.
Said King of Demacia's face fell as the notion hit him.
"If I hadn't asked her...she never would have been attacked...or if I…" He stopped, giving a sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "it's all my fault…"
"If you're thinking about calling off the marriage, don't." Selene said. "That wouldn't accomplish anything, and then Helios would come after you for breaking her heart."
"I'm not calling it off," he said, "but neither do I want a repeat of what happened in Cira and Arthur's wedding on Earth…"
Cira flinched and Arthur shot a glare at Zack.
"Thanks for bringing that up again," he growled, "We just got those nightmares to quit. And we'd rather not remember that day,"
"Enough." Selene shut down the argument before it could begin. "Steps will be taken to ensure Shyvana's safety during the procession." She shot a look at Aneria. "I trust that you'll do everything in your power to ensure things go smoothly?"
"Especially now that we know that they're out there hiding,"
"But again, that makes me wonder. While Shyv and Sonja might have been the targets…" Amelia started, "Why was he here? We can't get out. Believe us, we've tried and they've probably laughed at us…"
"They most likely have their own methods of traveling between worlds." Selene mused. "Curious indeed."
"Oh so they can travel back and forth and we can't?" Krista snapped, "I call bulls-"
"KRISTA!" Cira snapped, "Kids!"
"Crap. Bull crap," the ex-sniper seethed, "it's not fair!"
Ahri looked around. "Should… I try to go find Helios?" she offered, trying to pull away from the currently unsolvable problem of the hunters. "The two of us are somewhat close I guess. He might come if I ask."
"Really?" Selene regarded her with interest. "I wasn't aware of that." How odd. She would have to ask him about this when she next saw him.
She hummed. "However...I can't really say that finding him now would be the best idea. I doubt he's in the mood for this at the moment."
Ahri opened her mouth to say something, but shook her head. "Okay." Her tails curled around her as she stayed firmly where she was.
Selene was definitely going to ask her brother about this.
"We'll wait a few days, and if he isn't back by then, we'll go look for him." She reassured her. "He'll be fine, don't worry."
She nodded once more before her eyes glittered blue with a hint of amusement. "She wants to be alone with her thoughts for now, so I'll be in charge for a bit."
Intriguing, Selene thought.
What on Runeterra had she been missing?
It was five days before she finally had enough.
No one had seen hide nor hair of Helios since the revelation that he was Shyvana's grandfather. The dragoness herself continued preparing for her wedding, but in a noticeably fouler mood than before. Jarvan was doing his best to console her, but she stubbornly rebutted him each time he tried.
Helios's friends, meanwhile, grew increasingly unnerved by the lack of activity created by his absence. Each morning they expected him to come out of his room with a new scheme in the works, and yet they were disappointed each time. It just felt...wrong. Cira and Leona were getting worried. Krista missed having a worthy rival at the arcade. Ahri's thoughts seemed to constantly wander; she could never focus on any one thing for too long.
"Right, that's it." Selene snapped her book shut, standing up from her sofa. "He's had long enough to brood."
She made her way to the arcade, opening the door. Krista and Brigid were embroiled in a game of Smash Bros., but Kalista's Chosen wasn't putting her heart into it. Ariel watched from the sidelines, while the other arcade champions pursued their own interests with the machines.
"Ah, I thought I'd find you here," Selene said. "Am I interrupting anything important?"
"Not really," came Krista's mutter.
"In that case, I need you to come with me," she replied. "We're going to fetch Cira and Arthur, and then we'll find Helios."
Ahri watched the moon incarnate for a moment, before moving to retreat further into the arcade.
Selene quirked a brow. "What was that about?"
"I'd say what I think about it, but that would probably get me foxfired," Krista stated, "long story short, she's taken his disappearance harder than a lot of people would think she would,"
"In that case, she's going to want to come with us," Selene said. "I might know where he is."
Several ear-twitches later, Ahri was next to them, having thrust Ariel into it. The chosen shook her head before letting a faint grin show. "Mkay. I guess the two of us are ready to go."
Krista thanked Brigid for the match, and the three of them exited the arcade. They had barely turned the corner when they bumped into Jarvan and Zack.
"This is an entourage that I've never seen before...what are you up to?" He asked.
"We're hoping to put an end to my brother's moping," Selene replied. "I have a reasonably accurate idea of where he might be."
"Would it be alright if I tagged along," Zack started, "Shyv and Sonja are a wreck, I want to at least make her happy on her wedding. She's been alone for so long, maybe she'd feel better if she at least had someone to give her away,"
"If you insist," she replied, "though I can't imagine she'll be very happy about that."
"She's hurting, I...figured that if he explains what happened she'll actually smile again and not be growling and spitting sparks at whoever is talking to her."
"Alright. To Cira and Arthur we go, then."
The first Chosen and her husband were taking a stroll in the gardens, while Braum watched their children. Cira already knew what they were doing when Selene approached them, and the moon incarnate knew it as well.
"Ready to go?" Selene asked. "There's really only one place Helios would go in this situation. It won't take long at all."
"Ready when you all are," Cira nodded.
"Then if you'd all stand in a circle around me, please."
They grouped into a loose ring around the goddess, standing as close to her as possible. She tapped her scythe on the ground. Silver light flooded from the base, spreading until it blanketed the area under their feet. It brightened until it was blinding, enveloping the gathered champions as they shielded their eyes.
They lowered their arms as the light finally faded. They'd been teleported outside the Institute. Jarvan realized that they were actually fairly close to Demacian borders. They stood in the midst of plains filled with rolling hills, a forest visible off in the distance. The sky was overcast, and there was no sound save for the breeze, which gently caressed the bladed stalks of grass.
"This way." Selene led them down a narrow path in between the hills. "Helios won't be far off."
As they followed her, the landscape began to change. The grass around them had blackened and withered in some areas, trailing wisps of smoke from the husks. The air was tinged with a slight haze.
"Helios I guess?" Krista asked, looking at the grass.
"Most likely," Selene agreed. "It would seem that he had a right proper tantrum. Understandable, really."
They found Helios himself not long after. They first saw him in the distance, sitting on the edge of a hill. He was still wearing his clothes from five days ago. The fabric was coated with dried blood, and peppered with bullet holes. He either didn't notice them or didn't care, keeping his back to them.
Ariel looked to Selene for a moment, then Ahri came back. "Helios…?" she called out.
His head perked up. "Hey," he said, not bothering to look at her.
"Tough case if he won't even look up at her," Krista muttered only to get nudged by Cira.
"Not the time," she told her friend.
"I heard that," he said.
Helios sighed. "Look, I'm just… I'm not in the best mood right now."
"We know that, Helios," Selene said, "but you've been out here by yourself for the past five days. I think it's time to come back."
"I haven't been alone," He replied. "Rahm's kept me company."
Selene's expression softened.
"Rahm?" Cira asked.
Helios gestured in front of him. "Right here. I thought he'd help me think."
The hills sloped downward from where he sat, forming a flat clearing in the center of a circle. Inside were the skeletal remains of a dragon, at least fifty feet in diameter. The bones were half-buried in the earth, moss running along the spinal column and wings. The skull was positioned so that it stared right at him, almost like the two had been having a conversation earlier.
"Is that-"
"Yeah," Helios said. "Say hello to Shyvana's father."
"This is her father…" Cira breathed, looking at the remains, "he must have been quite something when he was alive. How well did you know him?"
"Not as much as I would've liked," he admitted. "He knew that I existed, though. Sometimes he'd talk to me, after Shyvana had gone to sleep. I couldn't reply, but it was enough for him to know that I was listening. It wasn't the ideal relationship, but it worked. Shyvana's mother, on the other hand…"
He grunted. "Well, I never liked her much, even before Shyvana hatched. I'd modeled dragons after Aurelion, and Yvva probably represented his worst traits. She was always too prideful, too arrogant, too ignorant of how the world worked. She put too much value in her lineage than I deemed acceptable."
Wisps of smoke trailed from his fingers. "And look at where that got Rahm, who was always willing to put his trust in others, even when they didn't deserve it."
"Which he got from you," Cira pointed out, "what happened to him was not your fault. Don't blame yourself,"
Helios chuckled bitterly. "Sure."
"Picture this." He rested his elbows on his knees. "You're the most powerful being on the planet. And that's not even exaggerating. Gods bow to you. Your wrath is the stuff of legends. With a snap of your fingers, you can wipe out entire cities. No one in the world is above you. You're at the very top of the pecking order."
"And yet, despite that…" His voice cracked a little. "When it really counts, when the people you love most need you…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "It isn't worth shit. All that power, and it means nothing."
He finally looked over his shoulder at Ahri. "I think you might know what that feels like."
The fox winced, then nodded. "I… do."
"I mean, yeah, we couldn't do anything, but…" He ran a hand through his hair. "I should've done more, divine rules be damned. Gods, I'm such a piece of shit."
"No you're not," Cira tried again.
"She's right," Zack agreed, "But, you running off like this? I hate to admit it but that's kinda the coward's way out,"
"Believe me, I don't like it any more than you do," he replied. "But, well...it's not like I have any other option."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "My own granddaughter hates me. Living the dream, right here."
Ahri hesitated again, but Ariel snapped into control, eyes wide and almost angry. "So leaving my champion mopey and dejected for days on end is the dream?"
"What? No, I was being sar-" He paused. "Wait, mopey? Dejected?"
"Yep. Playful little Ahri over here has barely left the arcade or her room this week. Barely picking at her food, and me having to force her to eat. It's been fun." her voice was rather unamused.
"...Oh." He said simply. "I...um...didn't know she...cared that much."
He had the decency to look embarrassed, bashfully rubbing his neck. "I guess I wasn't thinking. I should've at least given you a heads-up before I ran off. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry."
There was a quiet hum of acknowledgement from Ariel before golden eyes greeted him, though Ahri wouldn't quite look at him. It stung him a little, but he knew he deserved it.
"So, what exactly am I supposed to do now?" He asked Cira. "Just get on with my life?"
"Helios," Selene started, but he cut her off.
"No, I'm serious," he said. "What would you do if Artemis resented you, Cira? Or Ares? Even Apolla? Because that's what this feels like."
Cira had no answer.
"I don't…" He swallowed. "I don't know how to deal with this kind of thing." His shoulders sagged. "It's just...hard. I need help."
As ancient and powerful as he was, he sounded so small, so vulnerable. This was a crisis he'd been expecting, yet was never prepared for. How could he be? No one could ever be ready for something like this.
Without warning, Ahri was next to him, slowly wrapping her arms around him in a hug. A few tails joined her arms and she left out a deep breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. In a whisper, "You can't just give up like this though."
He stiffened, then relaxed, putting his arm around her as she put her head on his shoulder. "Thank you," he said.
"I don't want to give up completely," he continued. "I hope that one day, she'll be able to forgive me." He shrugged. "But, until then...I'll just have to give her time, and be there for her when she needs it. Whether she likes it or not."
"Does that mean you'll finally come back, then?" Selene asked. "No offense, brother dear, but we're all tired of waiting."
He sighed, then chuckled. "Yes, Selene, I'll come back. I'm done being a pill."
Cira gave a brilliant smile, her glow blinding. Krista, hand raised to her eyes to shade them, walked up to Cira and whispered in her ear. The smile turned thoughtful and slightly evil for a split second before reverting back to lighthearted joy.
Helios stood, helping Ahri to her feet, then suddenly hissed.
"Ah, nuts." He held a hand to his stomach. "I should probably get these bullets removed. The wounds don't hurt, but I think I acquired a bit of lead poisoning."
Ariel winced. "That at least had to hurt. Why don't we get you to Sona and Brigid?"
"That would be wise," Selene agreed. She frowned. "Have you even eaten, Helios?"
"Uh…"
"Helios…"
"Uh…"
"Why can't you just take care of yourself?" Selene asked, exasperated.
"Hey! I was going through a crisis!" Helios cried. "It's not like this is my real body, anyways!"
"Doesn't matter. You're marching straight to the cafeteria after you get taken care of."
He deflated. "Fine. Just give me a minute."
Helios turned back to the clearing. He slid down the hill, coming to a stop in front of his grandson's grave. "See you around, Rahm," he said, placing a hand on the skull. "Thanks for tolerating me."
He sighed, then turned to face the group. "I hope you're ready to get your ass kicked at Mario Kart again, Krista." He flashed an impish grin. "Unless you want me to humiliate you at something else?"
"Oh I'm so ready for that rematch," she grinned only to freeze as her eyes went unfocused, "Ugh, it'll have to wait...some unpleasant business to take care of first…"
"I get that," he replied. "Probably got some to take care of myself."
"And Jarvan, for the record…" he placed a hand on the King of Demacia's shoulder as he walked past. "I'm grateful. You looked after Shyvana when I couldn't. So thank you. When the time comes, I'll look forward to having you as a grandson-in-law."
"And I look forwards to having you as a grandfather in law," Jarvan stated, "However, I do want to make a request,"
"Name it," he said. "I owe you."
"Walk Shyvana down the aisle and give her away,"
Shit, he thought. Walked right into that one.
"Jarvan, I really want to, but…" he frowned. "Well, that's more up to her than anything else. And you know how stubborn she can be."
"All the better reason for you to get to know her better and try to clear this up," came the King's reply.
"I think someone's gotten influenced a bit by his Chosen," Cira grinned, "Before Zack, Jarvan wouldn't have dared to say that,"
The King of Demacia shot her an annoyed look, to which the Radiant Dawn chuckled.
Helios looked at his sister, then at Ahri.
They both nodded.
"Alright." He said. "I'll do it."
"But," he held up a finger, "only if she agrees to it. I'm not going to force it. That'd only make things worse. Deal?"
"Deal," Jarvan nodded, "I just want her to have a relationship with her only living family member,"
"You and me both." He replied.
"Hm…" Helios scratched his chin. "I feel like I'm forgetting something…"
"Oh, right!" He said. "So...listen. This is just standard procedure, but now that you know I'm her grandfather, I kinda...have to...give you the Dad Talk, and all that."
"I figured," Zack chuckled, "I thought we managed to luck out, but…"
"Oh, don't worry, it won't be that bad. I know you'd never hurt her," he said. "I also know that I can't stop you two from doing...certain things."
His face went red.
"In fact, you already have, haven't you? And it's produced results." A faint smile stretched across his face. "And, well...I know why people get down and dirty besides having kids. So, unlike other parents, I know that it doesn't really count as hurting her."
"With that in mind…" Helios put an arm around the King's shoulders. "On your honeymoon, when you're finally alone together, when you give it to her, you give it to her good. Understand?"
And that was where Cira lost it.
"Cira! That's not very ladylike!" Zack growled.
"Don't care, that's funny!" she howled.
"I mean it!" Helios said. "I'd better hear her moaning and groaning your name all the way up from Mount Targon, or else."
"God…" Zack growled, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Is it everyone that has to deal with the sun or are all Targonians like this…"
Cira was cackling, but between her fits of laughter managed to get something out.
"If it goes to...the Mountain...and my kids hear it...I will give you...a thrashing…" she gasped.
"Just get them earplugs," Helios grinned. "By no means are you denying my granddaughter the happiness she deserves."
Krista, Ahri and Arthur were howling on the floor. Even Selene had launched into a giggling fit.
"Glad we had this talk." Helios patted Jarvan on the shoulder. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see a doctor."
"Hello?" Helios called, opening the door to the Institute's hospital. "I need to get something looked at."
There was a soft plucking of strings as Brigid waved at him.
"She says that Soraka will be with you in a moment," came a lower voice as Akali looked up from tending her patient, "I'd help you, but I'm a bit busy,"
"Soraka?" Helios's face brightened at the mention. "Wow, that takes me back. I haven't gotten to talk to her in forever."
"Well, if it isn't Helios," came a soft, gentle voice as hooves tapped on the marble floor, "It's been ages,"
"Raka, hi!" His face broadened into a smile. "Damn right it has! It's been way too long!"
He wrapped her arms around her in a hug, laughing softly. "You look good!" He said, pulling away to hold her at arm's length. "The support life's been treating you alright, then?"
"Always has," she smiled, "Though, as usual, people seem to take it for granted. Galen and I are used to it though,"
"That's good to hear," he replied, letting go. He smirked. "So, Galen, what's it like to be a guy stuck in a woman's body? Must be all kinds of fun, eh?"
Her golden eyes flickered dark and a blush painted her cheeks.
"Um…" Galen sputtered, "It's...I mean I'm used to being like this...it's been seven years so I've kinda forgot. Ana, Aries, and Tris are the opposite of what happened to me so it might be tougher for them,"
"I ship it."
His eyes flickered back to gold and Soraka crossed her arms.
"I do have the option of not helping you, you know. Leave my Chosen alone,"
"Alright, alright," he chuckled. "Fair enough."
"So, uh…" He pulled up his shirt, putting his bloodstained chest on full display. "This is it."
"I might have to call over Shen…" Soraka hummed, "Just to get the bullets out,"
"You could just pull them out, if you wanted," he replied. "It doesn't feel like they went all that deep."
"We've learned the hard way that that could easily be a lie," Soraka countered, "They could be embedded in something that I don't want to risk accidently killing this body of yours,"
"Got a blowtorch?" He asked. "I can just use that to heal."
"No, but I could probably call over Ornn, Brand or Annie to help. I've noticed even Artemis has some fire in her as well...never seen that with Leona,"
"She's a spicy one," he smirked. "Ornn would be fine. I've been meaning to chat with him for a while anyways, antisocial as he is."
"I'll send a message to him and Ketill. Just take a seat on that bed over there,"
"Sure." He plopped himself down, waiting patiently.
"Sooooooo…" He looked at Sona and Brigid. "Know any good songs?"
She gave a smile and nodded, but gestured to her patient. He'd have to wait until she was done.
He nodded in understanding, watching her work her magic.
"I don't suppose you know how to play the brown note, do you?"
Sona looked up, wrinkling her nose at him in confusion.
"Brigid, explain it to her." He grinned. "I might have need of it later."
Sona paused slightly as her Chosen explained, and then she shot him a glare, crossing her arms and shaking her head.
"Oh, so I gotta make it worth your while, do I?" He rubbed his hands together. "Tell me, what do you want? I can probably get it for you."
Her eyes flashed green and Brigid zipped her lips, grinning.
He rolled his eyes. "Alright, but this conversation isn't over, you hear? I fully plan to bring you around eventually."
"Now, about those tunes…" He said, seeing that she had finished.
She gave an innocent smile before plucking a few strings on her etwahl.
"Ah," he sighed, leaning back. "That's some good stuff. It's a shame that you can't publish your music back on Earth. They'd absolutely love you."
Her smile faltered slightly before she shook her head and continued playing.
"Yeah, I know. It sucks." He gave her a reassuring smile. "But hey, at least we're working on getting the barrier down, right? Your big break might come sooner than you think."
She reached for a pocket in her dress and pulled out a small photograph, unfolding it and handing it to Helios. Tapping the three people in it, a red-haired woman, a black haired man and a black haired teenage boy, she seemed to say: "The break is minor. This is why I want to go back,"
"Ah, right." He frowned. "Your family."
He fingered the edges, looking it over. "I guess I'll just have to get you guys back together, won't I?" He asked. "You'll see them again soon. I can promise you that much. I have faith in the Tribunal's abilities."
She wiped away a couple tears before giving another smile and continuing to play. The area started warming up as Soraka returned, opening the door.
"Oh, come now, Ketill!" Galen scolded, "You can go back to your forging after you help me,"
There was a low, rumbling growl as the Fire Below the Mountain came in, his footsteps leaving smoldering holes in his wake.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy, Ornn!" Helios spread his arms. "Long time no see, big guy!"
Ornn looked at Helios and immediately turned on his heel to leave.
"ORNN!" Soraka yelled, grabbing his arm before hissing and shaking it as it burned her, "I need you!"
"Hmmmm….."
"Ornn, if this is still about the salsa incident, I'm sorry!" Helios said. "It was one time!"
"Hmmmmmmmm,"
"Salsa...incident?" Akela blinked as Brigid plucked a few strings.
"You don't want to know," he replied. Soraka nodded in agreement.
"Ok, won't ask…" Akela stated, turning back to her patient as Ornn's eyes narrowed.
"Ornn, really, come on, you know I was only messing around back then," Helios said. "I just need you to belch on me with your fire breath until these bullets come out, then you can leave."
"Hmmmmmm,"
"Do it and I'll swipe some of Gragas's ale for you."
"...Fine," he growled, coming over, "And spiced cherries and chocolate lava cake,"
"Done," Helios agreed.
The demigod came closer, waited for Soraka to get to them, and started to blow, gently sending a flame over the solar deity's chest while Soraka started to get Helios healed.
"Gently," he hissed. "They've been in there for a while."
"And you did not go to a healer sooner," Ornn growled, "I wonder if we demigods have more sense than you gods,"
He kept blowing and Soraka kept removing bullets.
"You might be right," he replied, wincing as the last one came out. "Though, to be fair, we try our best."
He sighed, as his wounds closed. "Glad that's over. Thanks, you two."
"Hmm," Ornn nodded, "Send the payment to my quarters,"
And with that he left. Soraka shook her head.
"Honestly, that Champion," she huffed, "But you're welcome, Helios,"
"Always glad to see a friendly face," he replied. "We should get the old gang back together sometime. We had a lot of fun back then."
"That we did,"
"Well, I'll see you around, then." He waved as he reached for the door. "I've gotta go get some grub. Bye guys."
They waved back, chuckling as he exited the hospital. Helios always left a memorable impression, no matter how long he was around.
"Oh, and one more thing." Helios poked his head through the doorway. "You might get another visitor soon, after I eat." He closed the door behind him again.
Half an hour later, Lissandra crashed through the wall, startling them both.
"So, let me ask you again," Helios said, leaning against the hole. "Who owns your ass?"
"...You do…."
"Glad we had this talk."
Soraka facepalmed.
The next morning, Helios finally put his plan of retaliation into action. He started this war, and he had every intention of winning it too.
Cira's prank with the onion had been a good start, but the best pranks used the recipients weaknesses against them.
So, at approximately seven thirty, Cira's screams echoed across the mountain.
The doors burst open as armored Rakkoran warriors came to see what was wrong.
"Your Radiance?! Is everything al-"
They stumbled to a halt in the doorway.
The entire bedroom floor was covered in venomous snakes. They coiled and overlapped one other in an ocean of scales, creating a tangle so thick that it stacked up to three feet high.
Cira was nearly on Arthur's shoulders, faint metallic whining coming from her as tears of terror streamed down her cheeks.
"Ci, it's ok," Arthur tried only to hiss in pain as she squeezed his shoulders a little too tightly, "just stay still and they won't come up,"
"Get them out. Getthemoutgetthemout!" She wailed, using him as a shield as her begging turned into incoherent whining.
He calmly turned towards the warriors.
"Could you find a way to get them out?" He asked, "I'll make sure she doesn't do anything,"
"I wouldn't, if I were you." They turned to see Helios leaning in the doorway, holding up his phone with a grin on his face. They immediately banged their fists against their breastplates in salute. "Those are Shuriman rattlers."
"Why doesn't this surprise me," Pantheon growled as Cira whimpered and curled up even more, "please get rid of them so that my wife stops panicking and threatening to break my collarbone,"
"Sure, one minute." He took a picture of Cira's face, his grin growing wider. "Aaaaaaaaaaand post."
"You've had your fun, get rid of them,"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it."
He snapped his fingers.
Every snake's head shot up, looking at him.
"Oi. You lot." He jerked a thumb behind him. "Thanks for your help, but it's time for you to go. Out with you."
They flooded out the door, startling the Rakkorans as they slithered over their feet and ankles. And just like that, they were gone, as if they'd never been there in the first place.
"Animals and I get along pretty well," Helios explained. "When you've created just about every species on the planet, it tends to come with certain benefits."
The golden glare he received from Pantheon was so cold, Lissandra would have gotten frostbite from it. Cira, however, slowly climbed down from her perch on her husband's shoulders before burying her head in his chest, still trembling violently.
"What, did you think I was going to go easy on you?" Helios asked. "I warned you, but you didn't listen, so…"
"You do realize she wouldn't have done anything else if you just left it at the one prank, right…" Arthur deadpanned, holding her.
"How's that any fun?"
"I never said it wasn't. But now she's traumatized. She's not going to let this go and she's going to be up all night plotting how to get back…"
Helios mockingly gasped. "Promise?"
Pantheon shook his head. Long nights awaited him...he was sure of it.
Meanwhile, lower down on the mountain, four people scaled and scoured the rough and strange crags.
Ashe tried to ignore the fact that there bodies seemingly melded to the side of the cliff face she was clinging to, but every time she almost got over it, she'd spy another face eroded into a last scream.
"Hey, Amelia, you coming or what?" Came the almost harsh question from Katarina.
"Sorry, it's just...the faces…" Amelia shuddered.
"Heh, yeah, Mount Targon is a scary place," Tracy agreed, offering her hand to the queen, "but don't let it stop you, look, once we're done here we can head up to the Rakkor village and see if Leo and Cira would get us some hot chocolate, alright?"
"You two going to talk the whole time or are you going to help us search," came the irritated growl from Zed.
"Aw, what happened, Zayne? Sylvia make you sleep on the couch last night?" Tracy teased.
"Knock it off, all of you," Valencia ordered from high above them, "I think I found something. Get up here,"
The other three Projects quickly climbed, their fingers digging deep into the stone rather than trying to find a handhold, and they clawed their way up to the Night Hunter. Valencia pointed down into a crack into the mountain, making out some harsh light that didn't seem natural.
"Think there's something in there?" Amelia asked.
"Think? I know," she stated, digging around the crack and revealing a wire, "I don't think that Targon is this advanced yet,"
"So we found them," Zayne growled, "let's go in and boot them out then!"
"Not a good idea," Valencia said, "One, we don't know how many are there and despite the fact we're superhuman...we could still easily get taken out. Two…"
She dug around in her pocket for a second.
"While you three were screwing around down there, I did some looking around and found this,"
She showed them what was in her pocket. It was a small scrap of silver metal painted with white while a bit of a bar code was shown in the corner.
"LUC1...that's Lucian's code," Ashe frowned, "But, Jonathan is with Sienna…"
"We don't exactly just have one Purifier do we?" Tracy countered, "and Janie's Arthur has been missing ever since the attack in the marketplace. That's one reason why we're looking, remember?"
"So we found him...now what?" Zayne asked.
The four were still for a moment.
"Get back to the Institute and call all the Projects together," Amelia suggested, "Valencia, you're probably going to hate what I'm going to suggest but…"
The other woman's eyes narrowed.
"Again?" She grumbled, "ugh, fine, but if Leona bashes me with her shield again, I will personally shoot you…"
Helios frowned, poking his head through the door to one of the Institute's atriums. The Project champions were all arguing inside, hotly debating...he couldn't tell. They were all yelling way too loud, and talking way too fast.
"The hell?" He asked. "Ahri, come take a look at this."
Her head popped out beside his.
She peered inside the room, ears twitching as she tried to listen. "Oh. I think they're prepping to Hunt," Ahri murmured. "I hope I'm not around when that happens."
"Hunt? What for?"
"Janie's Lucian is still missing. They're probably still trying to find him at this point." she explained.
"...Oh. I didn't realize he was missing in the first place." Helios sweatdropped. "Well, nobody really cares about the worst ADC in the game anyways, so that doesn't surprise me."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Helios placed his finger and thumb in his mouth, then belted out a shrill whistle. The Projects, with their heightened senses, jumped at the sound.
"Yo." He waved from the doorway. "Who forgot to invite me to the fun stuff?"
"It's not so much didn't invite you as didn't think you'd really want to see this," Violet, Vi's Chosen, shrugged, "It's not going to be pretty,"
"I still don't see why you guys are so sure you have to do this," Andrew growled.
"Because that little hideout has anti-magic defenses that would leave Summoners useless," Valencia stayed, leaning against a pillar as she inspected her crossbow, "And normal Champions would just get shredded by bullets so by that logic we're the best for it,"
"But this,"
"We've done it before," Jonathan stated, "and we're still ok,"
"I still don't like it," Andrew snapped as Caleb and Jake came into the room.
"I don't know if you remember what happened around a week ago, but you should know by now that violence and I have a pretty tight relationship," Helios said. "And...well...I'm still trying to grow a pair so that I can get around to talking with Shyvana, so I don't have much else to do anyways."
Andrew gave another growl and looked at Cira.
"What do you think of this,"
"They're on my Mountain and have one of my friends. They need to be taken out," she stated, "if it takes that to do this then I'm all for it. Janie? What do you say?"
"I haven't exactly done this before, but I can't just leave Arthur alone. He's pretty much all I've got left. I want to rescue him," Janie replied.
Andrew threw up his hands and turned to the Zaunite and Piltovian.
"You bring them back, you hear me…" he warned.
"They always snap out of it right after they complete their mission," Caleb dismissed, "and we can do a hard reset if they don't,"
"...Wait."
All of them turned to look at Helios.
"The hunters are hiding on the moun-"
He paused.
"WHAT?!"
He yelled so loud that the entire Institute shook, causing the others to stumble.
Helios's body had spontaneously combusted, and the air around him was getting so hot that it melted the floor beneath him.
"DO YOU MEAN - TO TELL ME - THAT THOSE SONS OF BITCHES ARE SQUATTING IN MY BACHELOR PAD?!" He roared.
Ahri slowly backed away from the room, hiding behind the door.
"Why you think we're going to rout them?" David shrugged.
"So we wouldn't have a repeat of what happened with Helios and Shyv on a smaller scale? Except it'd be Cira threatening to go supernova because one of her kids got threatened?" Tracy deadpanned.
"One time and no one forgets…" Cira muttered.
"TO HELL WITH ROUTING THEM!" Helios shrieked. "I ALREADY KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO!"
He told them, albeit very loudly.
Andrew's eyes were blown wide-open as he blanched. Cira slapped a hand over her mouth, equally scandalized. Most of the other projects looked like they were about to faint.
"...I knew I liked him," Jhin chuckled before his Chosen took control, "shut up, Jhin,"
"I swear, if they found my anime stash…" Helios clenched his trembling fist in the air.
Ariel's ears twitched, the two of them would have to talk about that later.
"You'll probably have plenty of people to take it out on...it's not like we're going to be able to hurt you," Dylan said, "though...I don't think that'll apply to you hurting us…"
"As long as he stays out of our way it won't be a problem," Jonathan replied.
"I could say the same to you." Helios quirked a brow at him. "It's my turf they're messing with."
"You don't know how this works," came the chuckle from Valencia, "once this goes off it's not really 'us'. We've got one thing on the mind and that's our target. Anything or anyone that gets in the way simply isn't there anymore,"
"Eh, no worries." Helios cracked his knuckles. "I can just kick your asses if you go berserk."
"Did I not just say that?" Dylan asked, cracking a smile, "It's not you we're worried about getting hurt. It's us if you get in our way,"
"Touché," he grinned back. "Just try to keep up with me, slowpokes. It'll be a miracle if you even manage to bag one."
"We're not going for them," Shun, Master Yi's Chosen, corrected, "we're going to get Arthur,"
"More for me, then." Helios looked at Vi. "You know...assuming you can keep up, I wouldn't mind sharing."
"Sounds fun," she grinned back before her smile faded somewhat, "I...guess it's time then?"
"We're ready when you guys are," Jake said.
"I hate doing this…" Jin shuddered, tapping his fingers against Whisper.
"We all do," Cira reassured him, "But it's necessary,"
One by one they started filing off out of the room, only going once either Caleb or Jake came in to get them. Finally, it was Cira and Janie remaining.
"Do you want to go or have me?" Cira asked.
"I can go, I think." Janie mumbled.
Cira gently squeezed her shoulder.
"I'll go with you. It's kinda...bad the first time,"
The younger project clenched her fist for a moment. "Okay. Let's go then, sis." Janie offered up a small smile.
"This is gonna be so great," Helios said.
"Have a seat," Jake started, gesturing at a lone chair in the room.
Cira squeezed Janie's shoulder before leading her over. Janie sat down in the chair as Jake came over and started fastening the restraints.
"We've...kinda learned not to let the Projects be without those," Jake explained, "it's just so you don't hurt yourself since there's a chance you might thrash. Caleb's trying to get your code to be compatible with the others...just so they don't see you as a threat once you're reunited,"
"Aw look Viktor...this code looks like what you were capable of before I came around. It's so cute and simple," Caleb chuckled from the monitor as he worked.
"I'm not cute," Janie announced with a huff as she slowly looked around the room. After a moment she asked, "Will… I remember what happens during this?"
"We...don't know," Caleb admitted, "Projects in Hunt mode tend to lose all personality traits and what makes them...well...them. You're basically the machine, not Janie Noble and not Leona. I had to kinda tweak your code a bit since Cira will be joining you...she's kinda the Alpha and having two "Dawn" Projects will probably set everyone off,"
"That's fine. As long as this'll work." Leona replied, her eyes somewhat sad. "Let's just get Arthur back."
"I agree," Caleb nodded, "so, Miss Janie, I'm going to need you to relax. The restraints aren't too tight are they? You can still feel your wrists?"
"Mhm." she took in a deep breath. "I'm trying to relax, it's a bit hard when I'm pinned though," she admitted."
"Understandable...it just goes a lot quicker if you don't fight,"
"Which is a lot harder than it sounds and you know that," Cira scolded him, "honestly, Caleb, it's best you just start...this is as calm as she's going to be,"
She held Janie's hand.
"I'm right here. You can squeeze as hard as you want. But I want you to look right at me ok? Don't focus on anything else, just me. Ok? Think you can do that?"
"I'll do my best." Janie stared up at Cira, though her hand started to shake a bit in the older Project's hand.
Cira started to hum, an old melody that their mother had once sang to calm them. Jake looked at Caleb and nodded. Caleb pressed a button.
A harsh, cold feeling entered Janie's chest and started to spread.
She shivered, but continued to look up, insistently trying to concentrate on her sister.
"I'm here, it's alright," Cira soothed, her words started becoming garbled, the English sounding foreign and wrong.
The older Chosen realized that and switched.
"You are not alone. You're safe," she told her.
The cold spread and Janie heard a voice, similar to her own but yet not.
"PROJECT: DAY online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Retrieve PROJECT unit codename: Purifier at all costs. Teamwork with PROJECT: DAWN mandatory. Eliminate any obstacle between PROJECT unit and directive."
Cira watched with a shudder as the spark and light in Janie's eyes faded, becoming a dull, glowing gold and blue as a faint scarlet light flickered within the glass.
The activated project twitched, then nodded, as if confirming her cooperation.
"She's gone," Caleb confirmed, "Just Day here,"
Jake undid the restraints.
Slowly, the project stood up and took in her surroundings once more. Then, she slowly moved to head towards where the other projects had moved to.
"Alright Cira...you're the last one,"
Cira gave a sigh.
"Give me a second," she asked.
She put her hands on her hips and turned to face a pile of boxes.
"Vesper…"
The little girl poked her head out sheepishly as her mother knelt down. Vesper bolted towards her and hugged her tightly.
"Please come back…" she breathed, tears streaming.
"I will," Cira promised, "Now, you be a big girl...and keep you siblings out of trouble, ok?"
"Ok...love you Mama,"
"Love you more, Stardust," she smiled kissing the girl's head as Vesper hopped through a portal.
Cira's smile melted away and she walked to the chair, sitting down as her projector switched off.
"See you soon…" Leona said.
"See you soon, Leo," Cira agreed, focusing on the window streaming sunlight…
As a bitter cold started filling her chest.
So this is going to be fun. A Project in Hunt Mode is not something you want to mess with. So some bloody fun is up ahead...especially with the assassins. Put it simply, they've done this once before and that was to hunt down a renegade Vayne who decided to run away right after her creation, seriously injuring Caleb and Jake both. And it's why Valencia and Vayne have an aversion towards going there...mainly because it results in Leona smashing her in the head with her shield.
Chosens Used (We Are Warriors)
Leona- Cira Noble (Jonson)
Pantheon-Arthur Jonson
Jarvan IV-Zack Turner
Zoe- Vesper Jonson
Xayah- Kristen L'Amour
Rakan-Fabien L'Amour
Kindred-Dianne Faye (Diamond)
Kalista-Krista Rhon
Ahri-Ariel Royal
Azir-Alexander Solaris
Mordekaiser- Rex Montana
Gangplank-James Flint
Swain- Matthais Churchill
Ashe- Amelia Whitworth (Hodges)
Tryndamere- Matthew Hodges
Katarina- Tracy Armstrong
Zed- Zayne Umbero
Jhin-Jin Jhiāng
Vi- Violet Sydney
Ekko- David Allen
Yasuo- Dylan Cross
Master Yi- Shun Gallagher
Lucian- Jonathan Cross Jr.
Vayne- Valencia Storm
Shyvana-Sonja Chadayev
Viktor-Caleb Thompkins
Jayce- Jake Reagan
Chosens Used (We Are Chosen)
Kindred-Dianne Faye
Lucian-Arthur Jonson (Senna-Cira Noble)
Leona-Janie Noble
...And then there are Helios and Selene.
Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please let me know!
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.
