Chapter 20: The small things in this world.
Xerath, thanks to his academia and his new body being made of arcane crystals forged in ancient magic, had been designated as one of the Institute's foremost artifact investigators.
Although it was more that he was effectively immune to the organic-eviscerating energies that emerged from some of the artifacts that the Institute had gathered. Why equip a human with such immense volumes of negatron dampeners that each cost several million credits that would probably increase the chances of survival by twenty percent when you could just throw a big sentient crystal in there and be done with it?
However, due to some circumstances involving Xerath's aura destroying multiple artifacts (including the somewhat unfortunate removal of certain weather phenomena), the Institute had contracted that renowned yordle scientist, Heimerdinger, to develop a dampening robe for him.
Xerath had found the robe relatively comforting; at least granting some sanity from the nostalgia it brought him. The robe's design was akin to that of the Summoners, yet azure patterns ran like circuitry throughout its fiber.
In fact, these patterns were indeed circuitry, a way for Xerath's hindered senses to expand out to the world through the modified negatron robe. Several copper nodes protruded from the azure patterns to retain his perception through arcano-spectra means.
It also did what it was supposed to do well, blocking Xerath's excess magical emissions while not impeding his perception.
Xerath thought it was also pretty cool or, how he put it, agreeable.
It was even machine-washable.
The days and months passed along, with each day granting a new artifact for him to not destabilize or outright destroy.
That and the new additions the Institute had picked up through one-way or another.
Some of the most recent had been Jarvan's lapdog, or lap-dragon, Shyvana and the renowned Zaunic scientist Viktor.
As Xerath's work focused on academia, he often found himself working with the half-robot, the only thing to ever denote Viktor as ever being a Zaunite was his thick East Zaun accent. Others may have found the accent grating and irritating, but Xerath found some weird liking to it. It was straight and to the point, with little skirting around the subject like so many other champions did like a certain 'light mage'.
Viktor's dedication to science was absolute, even turning most of his body into a machine to show his fanaticism.
He reminded Xerath of his human self that passed away centuries ago, though his transformation had been more about his continued existence through a single window of opportunity. Meanwhile Viktor had his own free time to do this transformation of his with significantly reduced pressure.
And no collateral damage.
The past still hung on Xerath's mind, even after the two and a half millennia that had passed. He had indeed changed the world by a significant amount. His ascension had brought about arcane storms that wracked the Shuriman Empire for decades, bringing about the end of most settlements that had sprouted up around that time. The fracturing empire left it weak to all manner of barbarians and lesser civilizations, allowing a great diversity of cultures to emerge. The islands now known as the Shadow Isles had seized this opportunity to unite West Valoran under a single banner, with only the regions of Freljord, Piltover, Zaun and Noxus remaining unconquered. There were other inhospitable places such as the dense forests of Ionia and the barren wastes of Icathia that were too dangerous to justify major colonization efforts other than small outposts or research stations. When the Shadow Empire had been removed in some sort of coup d'état, the starting of Demacian civilization had sprouted from its ashes, an absolute authority with a purpose that came from on high.
As all cults say, Xerath laughed to himself.
"Xerath, vhat are you laughing at?"
Xerath returned from his thoughts back to the canteen where he had been invited.
Since he had no need of sustenance from his ascension, a canteen was the last place anyone should ever find him. But, on request from Heimerdinger, he had been brought here.
From the accent, it was obvious that Viktor had asked him the question.
"Do great minds not wander? Especially when we are in a place that lacks purpose for me."
"Yes, vell me and Heimerdinger here are talking about a research agreement."
"Funny, a Piltoverian and Zaunite actually making an agreement, a research one at that. What is this world coming to?"
A shrill voice interjected Xerath. "You know my thoughts on the sciences and politics, my friend. Science is a universal thing, no bounds of borders can stop the power of knowledge without serious action and even then the buffer only lasts for so long."
"Then you must guard this well. You know of my story, Heimerdinger, so you should know that I would have my doubts about a thing such as this, considering how the two most renowned inventors in Runeterra will be working together on a project. The attention this will gather is going to be immense. I know that whatever you will be working on will have a massive impact on the scientific community."
"That is vhy ve vant you to vork vith us, Xerath. Your knowledge and expertise will be incredibly… usevul."
That did not sound incredibly promising.
"I assume it is the job of the old and wise to protect the young and naïve. Tell me what you are planning then."
"Knowledge in electromagnetic induced acceleration is required for this, I suggest you research it. Ve vill be meeting again next veek here to set up a secure netvork to communicate the final research project to you. As soon as that is set up, the project vill begin."
"I see you have appropriate safeguards. Consider me a part of this then. If only because I know both of you will mess up in some way."
"Very well, we shall call this project EMIA!"
Heimerdinger loved his acronyms, adored them in fact. For every single operation he had ever gone on, he had set an acronym to its name and stuck stubbornly to it. He remembered all of the details provided the acronym remained in his mind.
Every yordle he knew of had some sort of psychological condition or complex. Tristana was a pyromaniac, her already large eyes would almost rip her face apart at every single explosion she delivered on the battlefield. Veigar would have massive tantrums whenever someone even made a hint of something being small. And Rumble...
Rumble was one of the most egotistical people he had ever known.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY ABOUT MY COUNTRY, YOU SL*TTY VIXEN!"
The three turned around to find the sound came from one of the small bar stands the canteen hall harbored. The hall itself was very large, made even larger by the lack of people from the approaching closing hours and the dulled lights. Around the bar stand, a small party still drank their rounds, composing of Ezreal, Lux and a few others.
From the distinctive feminine voice and that her chair had been upturned from her temper, it was clear to see that Lux had gotten angry. And drunk.
For Lux, those two things combined created one of the most deadly forces outside of the Rift.
Unpredictable stone melting Laser beams.
"It was only an observation, Luxxie. You really are one of those stereotypical Demacian girls with their 'my prince Charming can do everything. He is so strong and handsome' and all that bullsh*t." The seductress Ahri replied, unaware of what monstrosity she had just unleashed.
And she was only making it worse.
Lux was definitely drunk.
The several glass vials of imported lager that had been knocked onto the floor had confirmed that.
Sh*t.
"Well, I've finished my shift for tonight." A janitor declared behind the three academics, scurrying to get up the stairwell and get out of the danger zone.
Some of the others started to walk away from the two arguing women.
Ahri was either unfamiliar with Lux's rage or was too drunk to really think about how hard Lux had just screamed at her.
Most likely a combination of both.
Ahri had only been here for a few days longer than Viktor, who had joined three weeks ago. She was unprepared for the hell-fire that was Lux's anger.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU! YOU STUPID B*TCH!"
"You actually think you can hit me? You're drunk! I bet you couldn't even scorch my hair with your rainbow gun… thingy… beam."
Ahri was also drunk.
What sort of cruel joke is fate weaving?
Either way, I need to put a stop to this now.
"Lux, Ahri, that is enough!" Xerath cried, his words falling on deaf ears.
Xerath saw magic surge inside Lux.
This was bad.
Really bad.
I need to halt Lux now!
"LUX THAT IS ENOUGH! STOP THIS MADNESS NOW!"
Ahri could sense that Lux was conjuring a massive amount of energy.
She needed to move out of the way.
She knew she did.
She tried to sidestep Lux's firing arc with impeccable grace.
Instead, she clumsily fell over her chair backwards, falling to the ground harder than she imagined she would.
She felt kind of dizzy, her mind dulling the true pain that coursed inside her.
She saw the bright light forming in front of her, the blinding light almost welcoming her in its heat.
She stayed dumbstruck at the intense light that only grew before her.
It suddenly grew darker.
Lux bounced off the bar stand, her body bound by chains of cerulean lightning.
Xerath had managed to disrupt her channeling efforts, the Catenas siphoning off the magic so rapidly that it had knocked her unconscious for a moment.
The sudden change of light put the rest of the hall in respective darkness.
He was thankful that Lux had not managed to fire her signature laser blast. The canteen hall was a nice place. Having it devastated on his first visit was not something he wished.
Ahri was also safe, yet completely in awe at what had just happened.
"I assume you are fine?" a Summoner asked, "Lux has been known to be this violent, especially under alcohol influence."
"I'm fine Summoner, I was perfectly fine. Until my stool got in the way. That hurt a bit."
"Summoner? Do not judge someone just by their cape, especially when his eyes illuminate darkness."
"What…" Ahri replied blanky. She was too drunk to understand the man's words and even if she weren't drunk she still would not understand his manner.
Nor care for that matter.
"So who are you then?"
"I am called Xerath, my dear. I suggest you learn it."
"You're that crystal glow-orb Ez was talking about? Pictured you larger."
"Nor did I picture you intoxicated on our first proper introduction."
"Can I talk back? If I can with some form of coherency, then I'm not drunk enough."
"So you are fine to go back to your room? If you are, I must deal with Lux."
"I'm up for you beating Lux if you're going down that path. I guess I'll stick around and watch your dealings anyway."
Weird girl, but he had known similar people in his human times. Yet this one would definitely be notable.
"Ezreal, help me. I need you to get Lux back to her room in the Demacian dormitories. Come find me when you're done, I can then release her bindings remotely. You were also not kidding back then, I see."
"Told ya Xerath, Lux is REALLY scary when she's mad. And drunk."
"Oh yes, who in the SEVEN HELLS ALLOWED LUX TO DRINK ANYTHING STRONGER THAN P*SSWATER? Or have your memories too become corrupted on that foul microbial excrement?"
"But it's nice, for the most part. Especially Ionian sake. I like sake." Ahri interrupted hyper-actively. The fox-girl was sitting on a nearby table, playfully swinging her legs back and forth with her nine snow-white tails following suit.
"That changes not its poisonous traits nor origins. A poison is a poison, even if it has remedial effects." Xerath knew that Ahri was going to be annoying. People like her would always be in these times.
Ezreal was carrying Lux off to her room now and the canteen was several minutes away from closing.
"Hey Xerath, I'm still a bit drunk. Mind escorting me to my room?"
"I do believe you formed two coherent sentences there."
"Bit drunk still. You 'scort me to wruum, pwease?" Ahri quickly replied, not missing a heartbeat.
Xerath wanted to roll his eyes, yet such luxuries had been robbed from him.
"Heimerdinger, Viktor. It was a pleasure to have conversation with you, but I must take my leave to escort this girl-"
"Technically a woman." Ahri interrupted him yet again.
"Does not matter, still a girl in my eyes. As I was saying, escorting this girl back to her room because she is too 'intoxicated' to even walk. Ahri, come."
"Coming!" Ahri said delightfully.
Xerath walked towards the exit in the heavy boots he had been given, an additional gift from Heimerdinger to assure that the meeting would have some positive outcome.
Ahri cheerfully followed in his footsteps, a large, innocent smile covering her face.
How the hell could this girl do things like this when she could otherwise have been sent to the apothecary for several weeks?
They were approaching the Ionian dormitories now.
Xerath had thought that Ahri would be put in the Unaffiliated dormitories from her uncaring attitude when it came to Ionian affairs. He knew about her dreams of retaining a human body, meaning that she needed human 'souls' to sustain her rather beautiful form. And beauty was something did not say lightly either.
She had no deformities on her skin, being uniformly white and healthy. Her soft face gleamed out, garnered by seamless long dark black hair and those soft pointed fox ears. Her bodily curves were appealing and her breasts were exceptional, being blessed with size and yet they were not overly massive, enough to catch the eyes of wandering men and small enough to remain appealing for more mature audiences. Her tails were welcomingly exotic, their soft whiteness capable of lulling lesser men from their duties.
But he knew little on how to describe women. They were an alien species, on par with whatever monstrosity Malzahar had pulled into reality from those hell-gates during Uebel's defense. He knew that she was a very beautiful creature, yet he had no way to describe and define it in the correct manner. He had never needed it due to his lack of interest in the matter.
And yet here he was trying to describe it.
What a fool he was.
Describing beauty, ha.
"Hey Xerath?" Ahri's tone had changed significantly since they had exited the main compound.
Can she read minds or something? I may know about her combat abilities, but who knows with the way she said it.
"Hmm?" Xerath turned his head behind him slightly as to glance at her.
She wore a slightly more somber look on her face.
"You know back there in the canteen."
"My memory is not corrupted by alcohol, so yes I do know."
Ahri slightly furrowed her brow in annoyance. Was she being serious now? Another face of hers perhaps?
"Well…" Ahri paused for a moment.
Was she trying to get words? This was Ahri, a girl notorious for her incredibly sharp wit, and she was getting stuck on words? Maybe. Just maybe she was. It could be something else, but that is my best suspicion.
"Why did you stop Lux from doing her magic? I mean, it didn't and wouldn't have affected you anyway since you're a crystal ball and stuff. So why help?"
This was an honest question. This was actually an honest question coming from her.
"Was I in the room? Could ignoring Lux's anger and just back away stop her from creating massive holes in the walls with her laser? Were you so dumbstruck like a deer to watch as your end came to do nothing? What would have happened if Lux had her laser actually gone off? I know that there would have been too many things for me to think about should I just ignore the incident."
"D…" Ahri once again stumbled for words. "Did you think about what would happen to me? Would you be... worried about me?"
Xerath needed to stop and think for a moment.
In the end, it came down to him and her.
Damnable woman.
"I am not benevolent enough to grant every single human with a problem a solution, but I am more than willing to stop destructive acts should I be required to do so. That is all I need to say."
Ahri lowered her head slightly just enough to hide her eyes.
Several minutes later, the two arrived at the Ionian dormitory.
"I believe this is the place. Goodnight then, Ahri."
"Yeah, goodnight I guess. Not sure if crystal balls sleep though."
As Ahri slipped inside and shut the door, he heard a soft voice.
The faintest of voices, but Xerath could hear it.
"Thank you."
So there is more to the fox than meets the eye?
A notable person indeed.
Perhaps as sharp and witty as Tabia.
Tabia…