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Grim. That could be one of the finest of the words that could this one's fate.

After a long restless night, he knew he had no choice; he would not fail, not again. As he walked by on the street to attend his morning duties and receive further orders, the peasants stopped to look at the general, and for good reason, since in this land of peril and myth the future of a great kingdom lied on the shoulders of a young man, his name, which had been said in cheer and fear countless times, Garen!

After checking up with the city's guards, he was finally ready to listen what the king had in mind, wondering what could be his next move.

Upon his arrival the king was already present in the royal hall.

"Your Majesty! My apologies for the Noxian, but he left us with little choice."

"There,there general a Noxian is a Noxian, and I'm pretty sure that brute wouldn't give us anything useful since in his pitiful and insignificant excuse of life the only use he had for his head was for headbutting when his axe was unavailable".

"Indeed, my king. But I still remember your concerns about the Noxian imminent threat and I intent to be in the front lines leading the demacian armies to victory. We showed them that not even their worst living battle ram is above demacian justice. "

"Yes, but this may have an undesired effect upon us."

"What do you mean, my king?"

"Usually, a normal enemy after losing a great and exemplar soldier cowers to the might of its enemies. Yet, Noxus does not work that way. When they lose a good soldier more come up and they hatred and thirst for battle grows as if boosted by a higher source of morale. I fear that by capturing that monster all we've managed to do was to decrease the time we have left before a real invasion."

"We shall kill them and…."

"HAVE I NOT MADE MYSELF CLEAR? CAN YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE IN?"

"My apologies, your majesty." Garen said kneeling

"Rise general if there's someone in this time that needs to apologize it is me. Forgive me for my bad mood, but just the thought of Demacia being overrun by those heartless mongrels…. But you, above all others, should know by now that it is unwise to underestimate Noxus. We fight against a resourceful enemy, who often performs atrocious acts in order to win wars."

"How may I be of use?"

"It's too risky to send you on another scouting mission, and sending others without your command would be sending them to certain death. As such I need you here to defend Demacia from any king of noxian threat."

"What about the noxian brute's remains? Should we burn them?"

"Absolutely not. That one is going to serve as a trophy for you and inspiration for generations to come. We must show our people that we're not afraid. I'll build a shrine for this, but in the meanwhile I believe it's better to keep it under your personal protection at the temple. "

"Protect a corpse? ."

"I know it sounds strange, but do keep in mind what I've told you about their wicked ways."

"Understood, It shall be done my king!"Garen said bowing and proceeding to the exit.

" Oh, and general" said the king

"Yes?"

"Promise me this will be the last time you ask for apologies after killing a noxian. The last thing we're needing now is a soft and sentimental high command in love with noxians" Said the king laughing.

Garen nodded with a smile and paid his last respect before finally leaving the room.

Outside the palace he recalled the king's words and thought to himself.

"Me falling in love with a noxian? Such nonsense. The only love they'll get from me shall be shown through my sword!."