Chapter 34: Breaking point.
"Oh hey there, Stanny boy!" The girl called.
"What's your name now?" Stan replied, rather unconcerned and uncaring for Jinx's return and comments.
"It's Alexei Munitov at the moment, but names are names. I can call myself anything I want. I even called myself Seniorita Bubblegum for a while."
"Your designation is Jinx, I expect you to treat it as such." Stan replied, clearly focused on readying the equipment.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Jinx moaned, annoyed at Stan's lack of interest.
"You removed our pursuers."
"Yep! Managed to lure them into a mage's den and watched them all pop like balloons!"
"You only need to reply with yes." Stan hissed.
"But it was kinda fun watching them trail me for a while. They were just so cute trying to catch me! I mean, they call me Jinx because anyone who gets close gets-"
"Jinxed, I get it. You've gone over this five times within the past three months. I am not stupid. I'm not, right?" The hostility in his voice only rose.
"Pfff. You ain't stupid ad'all. I mean, you managed to organize all this sh*t so far."
"Yes, and I would not like it if an idiot like you managed to f**k everything up after these last few f**king months of complete bullshit like my old friend's personal bodyguards getting on my *ss."
"Well, you did kind of leak somethings about him, so ov'course he'd come after 'ya."
"THAT SH*T DOESN'T MATTER! HE WAS HIDING WHAT I NEEDED! AND WHAT I NEED, I GET!" Stan roared.
Jinx staggered back slightly, but was otherwise unphased by Stan's outrage at this trivial sort of thing.
"Woah, calm down, scary face. You want me to get Pow Pow ta' talk to 'ya or something. The guy's really good with calming people down."
"Pow Pow is but an imaginary friend who manifests itself in that minigun. He's nothing but the conjuration of a sad girl's insanity."
Jinx's eyebrow rose sharply, followed shortly by leveling Pow Pow at Stan.
"Pow Pow, ya wanna say something to this nay'sayer?"
"Jinx, you get nothing if you continue this. Unless you take that money from the bounty that I will place on your head." Stan threatened, motioning to a small touchpad in his hand.
Rolling her eyes, Jinx lowered Pow Pow reluctantly.
"Gaaaagghh, fine. You're never no fun anyway."
"Our operation will begin in thirteen hours. You may have finished your job, but mine has only just begun."
"So that's why you've been polishing that big gun of yours? Overcompensating much?" Jinx giggled profusely at the immature joke.
"I doubt the principles of Electromagnetic propulsion are even remotely acknowledgeable to you, so I suggest you take a seat over there and watch me do my job, without any of those comments unless you want me to halve your share."
"Alright, alright. Jeez, you can't take a joke for sh*t. Oh, one last question."
"What is it now?"
"You got a microwave oven or something to make some popcorn?"
"What."
On cue, Jinx pulled a bag of popcorn out of her bag.
Stan gazed at the bag in complete disbelief.
"If this is going to be some sort of super-mega fun action movie sort of thing, I at least want some damn popcorn."
Stan rolled his eyes and sighed heavily before motioning with his thumb over to a mess hall that his crew had set up.
"Yay! I'll be right back." Jinx said before scurring off to procure some fresh popcorn that she had prepared.
Sadly, she did not get that the actual movie would be starting in thirteen hours.
Their way back to Yamanoryu was underway, and making good progress.
There was no sight of anyone for the half-day journey.
Their journey was coming to an end soon.
All that remained was to return to confirm that the poison in Ahri's system had been neutralized and then go back to the Institute.
Xerath did, however, have to do some paper work for the bar incident and filling in Hahouya's support form.
Paper work was always annoying.
"Hey Xerath."
"What is it Ahri?"
"You see Syndra's reactions to you recently?"
"No. What is it?"
"She's been avoiding you. With this sort of fear in her eyes. Could be due to the incident back with Nat and Hahouya. She was really scared by that from what I can tell."
"I'll think things over before conversing with her. Once we get back to Yamanoryu, I'll try to look in Myuin's library for something about the Henkokonau and talk with her there. There're some things I want to find out about them that should hopefully be there. It'll seem more natural that way."
"Hm," Ahri agreed, "She is going to be your student anyway, so like you should be more concerned about her."
"I get that, it's just that the situation at the moment is difficult and fate's loom is hard to read properly. There's just so much going on that it's kind of hard to concentrate sometimes."
"I guess that you would say that 'that always happens', right?"
"You damn well know right."
"Hehe." Ahri chuckled.
"Sounds like the toxin isn't affecting you anymore."
"Yeah, it isn't. I still need to thank you for saving my life and stuff, so don't slink back into the academic labs once we get back to the Institute. I kind of owe you something for that."
"Hm, I didn't think that you would be so… blunt about this."
"I know. It's just- I dunno, I… It's… returning the favor. I don't really like having things half done is all. You've kinda proven yourself to be, at least, a competent person behind all that 'ultra supreme mega power' sorta thing that people expect such a being like you to have an'all."
I've noticed that she's been changing her accent and speech mannerisms a bit.
I don't remember Ahri talking similar to anyone else like the way she is doing now, even when I overhear her in the cafeteria during my gatherings of friends.
Friends.
So I really do have some after all.
"I appreciate the thought. You're a good person, Ahri, despite your rather… strange nature."
"Pff… Hypocrite."
"…" Xerath was silent for a minute.
"Damn you, fox."
"My pleasure, glow-stick."
They both went silent for a moment.
The silence was then followed by a great roar of mutual laughter from the both of them.
The imperious mountain loomed over the city of Yamanoryu, it's gaze warding off the evils from the Invasion so many years ago with such prowess that never again was the city even considered to be a target after multiple attempts at sieging the dragon-guarded fortress city. The two great beasts that defended the city night and day were perhaps the most definitive turning point in the Noxian offensive.
For the five, it was planned that Yamoto and Natalie were to accompany Ahri to the doctor they had met several days prior to confirm that the Forest Drake poison had successfully been neutralized from Ahri's system. It was also a chance for Yamoto and Nat to try to get on better with each other, something that seemed hopeful for Xerath.
In the very least, the two would be entertaining each other.
In the meantime, Syndra would accompany Xerath to Myuin's own library to search for clues about her family, the Henkokonau. It was more to pass time if anything, considering that Ahri would take a decent amount of time with the doctor and secure some form of transportation to get back to Yujong.
Damn Summoners hadn't given them return tickets.
"Myuin, we have guests." A booming voice called out.
"From where do they hail me?"
"They say that you know him personally. His masked presence really does not say anything to you?"
"Ah, it is the Magus Xerath! I assume that he is well?"
"See for yourself, dear. You may be growing too old, but you can still walk, can you not?"
Myuin grumbled loudly before exiting out of his abode into the main hall of the carved-out mountain.
Below his great stature stood Xerath and a cloaked white-haired girl.
"Mage Xerath, I assume your disciple has dispersed himself? This new girl, she is your new one?"
"Hardly," Xerath replied, slightly annoyed at Myuin's greeting words. "Ahri took Yamoto along with her to keep her company while she checks up with the doctor we met when we arrived here. This girl is one of the reasons why I came here. Her name is Syndra Henkokonau, and I need your help tracing her ancestry considering your… elderly status."
"Elderly status? I hereby declare my distaste at such a description."
"Dear, the man does have a point."
Was that another dragon?
No normal human would be able to make that sort of noise.
And 'Dear'?
Myuin's mate maybe?
"Myuin, might I ask who that is?"
"I am called Giquan, daughter of Zhengan and the wife of Myuin. I have not met you before, 'Xerath', but I assume that you have gotten on with my husband at least decently." This other dragon spoke, looming its large, crimson domed head through another monstrous archway that had been bored by ancient dragons many lifetimes ago.
She seemed much less 'aloof' than Myuin but was far snappier than her partner. Although Xerath did not know much on dragon subspecies, it was very clear that she was from a different lineage.
Giquan was much smaller than the hulking Myuin, having a much smaller frame in general, with a lithe and sleek torso, and wings that had clearly been born for controlled flight and maneuverability over the sheer force of Myuin's immense wingspan.
Considering her sleek domed head into account, it occurred to Xerath that Giquan was an air-based dragon, while the heavily built Myuin was more land-based.
"We did get on well, although there is much more to be desired for being friendly. But to provoke Myuin by commenting on his age was not my intention for this visit. As I was saying earlier, I need to find information on the Henkokonau family. I come to you because of your personal library that may prove useful."
"This is fine by me. What do you think of this, dear?"
"I dislike having children like her poking around my dwelling, but if you say so darling, then I assume that I have no choice in the matter?"
"Her name is Syndra, and I would like it if you addressed her as such." Xerath's tone grew slightly serious, enough for even Myuin to notice.
Chuckling slightly, Myuin turned around with his monstrous body and made his way back down an archway leading back down the mountain.
"Forgive my husband, he's been like that for a long time. I've had to deal with him for over ten centuries now, so I wouldn't worry about him."
There was a brief cry in the far distance.
Something that was definitely not human.
"Oh, forgive me. Those are the younglings that have only hatched several weeks ago."
"Younglings?" Syndra questioned, a bright smile on her face with the thought of cuddling cute little dragons.
Giquan glanced at Syndra and laughed.
"You wish to see them? Then come with me."
Syndra's smile beamed out across her face with great excitement.
"Be careful, they are only just starting to conduct magic, so you can expect puffs of flame and smoke."
One of the younglings in response coughed up soot right into Syndra's face.
But she just laughed it off and returned to cuddling with the five newborns.
Each of the dragonlings were just about the size of a husky dog, and just as playful.
Xerath was leaned against the granite stone walls of the carved-out room, watching over both Syndra and the dragonlings with a sense of pride in his mind that he had been granted the opportunity to watch over Syndra and these newborns, both being uncommon opportunities.
The former was an anomaly, and perhaps could even be considered a singularity from the sheer overwhelming force of improbability. A human whose magical capabilities were beyond actual comprehension, so much so that even Xerath doubted that he would be able to teach Syndra everything.
But then he would always have the more practical and shifting combat practice, a very strange mode for most mages who worked on simply annihilating their foes with the most cataclysmic weapons at their arsenal.
Though Xerath had been taught by a greater warrior-mage, his old master Demacles. Demacles had had this more tactical and deliberate way of waging arcane conflict, something that no true mage would ever figure out.
It was the idea of crippling the enemy to disable their ability, which reduced their effectiveness. Their reduced effectiveness meant that buffers became significantly more effective, and thus Demacles could continue to wail down a hail of weak barrages at key points of his foes, swarming them with a myriad of slicing arcane shards through even the thickest armor and toughest barriers.
Although Xerath could not directly replicate the same technique as his master had perfected, the actual lesson he had gained from this was that everything was not down to sheer force. A well placed dagger would have the same end effect as an inferno to an armored man, in that the man would end up dead either way.
Perhaps not the best example, considering range and skill levels of either weapon, but using a level that is the most economic and strategically sound against a specific foe was more preferable to using the same devastating strike over and over against all foes.
There were many reasons for this ideal, but for now, Syndra would have to understand this concept of understanding that finesse and tactical strikes could be even more effective than simply wailing on your opponent with black balls of anger.
Quickly realizing that he himself had strayed way off even his own topic in his internal monologue, Xerath retraced himself to what was so special about dragonlings.
Actually, he didn't really know much about them to be completely honest.
After several seconds of thought, Xerath questioned whether Dragons make very few litters compared with most other creatures.
It would not surprise him due to their intelligence and upholdings of almost marital status. Not to mention their immense egos could very well prevent obsessive breeding patterns.
For a moment there, I was actually having a nice moment thinking about Syndra there, and then I managed to change the entire mood completely.
All by myself as well.
Is that an achievement or something?
"Xerath, you were talking earlier about wanting to search through our library?"
Xerath jumped for a moment there, so engrossed in his monologue that he had not noticed Giquan examining his body.
Not like I would not be a suitable candidate for examination considering my rather unique nature, but still, human nature disliked being examined in most cases.
Of course I would feel a touch of repulsion at being studied, but nothing worth enough to complain about.
"To search for information regarding the Henkokonau family, yes. Is there something I should know?"
"Several decades ago when the Ionian Council first appeared, they were 'funded' by this Henkokonau family. After the Council gained enough momentum, they proposed to remove the family from the political scene."
"By omitting them from the records. I'm guessing because of their influence, they managed to manufacture some sort of evidence and put that in textbooks?"
"Not bad, Xerath. Perhaps you are not as simple as suggested. No wonder you do not get along with my husband."
Xerath chuckled briefly. "I heard some of what happened with the Henkokonau family from Syndra's mother, but she didn't have a lot of information about them beyond what you said."
"Because they were removed from the records. It is very hard to gain information on the family because of the purge that the Council undertook back then to make sure that their rule would be absolute. A rather extreme way to do so, but such things happen here."
"They can happen anywhere. My pursuits into research have also found that those sort of extremes do occur."
Like with Diana.
"I'm going to head off now. When Syndra asks where I am, tell her that I'm in the library."
"I've searched through that entire library several times and have found nothing much else."
"You have no idea how many times I have searched through a lab for an item, only for it to be found by a colleague in ten seconds. Sometimes you just need another pair of eyes."
But I have other reasons, and I know that Syndra will search for me.
It's just a matter of time until she will.
Meanwhile, Yamato and Nat weren't getting on.
"You think that I actually care about being Zaunic? I have never felt any sort of sense of duty to that disgusting country!"
"You were born in Zaun, raised there. You are Zaunic by definition. Who killed my parents? Zaunic terror agents. Simple as that. That means that your country is my enemy. You are my enemy."
"You think I give a sh*t! You just sit there next to Xerath and Ahri doing f**k-all! You have done nothing useful, and both of them treat you as like you do nothing!"
"Do not question my masters' judgments! They are champions of the League of Legends. They know what they are doing."
"You really think that? They're just as stupid as the next person along! They can't really be that clever to really think that someone like you or me would be useful to their cause!"
"They have to compete with so many beings beyond even this world, so I know that they are smart enough to think that their plans will work!"
"Can you be so sure of that? You don't think that they could be lying to you? Talk about naïve. They'll just throw you to the side of the road as soon as it's convenient for them!"
"You are talking from experience of course."
In that moment, something burned inside Nat.
"F**K OFF YOU STUPID PIECE'A SH*T!" Natalie screamed, throwing one of the nearby cups directly at him.
The entire clinic watched as Natalie stormed off in absolute fury.
Even Ahri, having her blood drawn several doors down from the waiting room, heard the argument between the two.
"Damn kids." She thought to herself.
It was, like he had said, only a matter of time before Syndra came looking for him in the library.
Sadly, there had been no real information about the Henkokonau, but still…
Xerath just wanted to talk to Syndra at this point.
As Ahri had said, Syndra had been straying away from him slightly, or at least changing her position to be slightly further apart from him.
I guess I should actually get this going now.
"Hey Syndra."
"Hi."
"You had a good time with the dragonlings."
"You were there for a while, so of course you know that I was having a good time. Then you just had to ruin it by running off without me."
"Hmm… I told Giquan that I would be here. Did she say anything to you?"
"She told me that there was some sort of matter that she had to attend to. I spent about ten minutes searching through these damn catacombs just to find you."
"Sorry about that, I guess. Didn't think that you would be so mad about it."
Hopefully she takes the bait.
"Mad? I'm not mad." Syndra said, her voice starting to tail off and her gaze drifting off away from Xerath. "I'm just kind of… annoyed… at the fact that you didn't actually tell me, is all."
Looks like she took it.
"Anyway, I've been looking for stuff on the Henkokonau and haven't found anything of note. They appear quite a bit at the start and this whole 'purge' by the current Ionian Council, but apart from that, they're quite literally ghosts. Nothing else has come up about them. No origins or background, only that they were there in the first place and disappeared. It's very weird indeed."
"Woah, I didn't realize that I had that sort of family. You could almost call it fascinating in how they managed to disappear like that. Like seriously, can anyone disappear like that?"
"I know of two instances with my colleagues where people have suddenly gone missing. One was this guy called Aregor Priggs, this Zaunic businessman that locked up Malcolm Graves. Once Graves disappeared from the prison, Priggs went missing. Completely disappeared off the radar. This other guy, Stanwick Pididly, was an old friend of my colleague, Viktor. He was involved in a bunch of projects in both Zaun and Noxus, but was most famous for, at least on paper, creating Blitzcrank in addition to helping the necromantic sorceries that called both Sion and Urgot back from the dead. He disappeared quite suddenly after Viktor came to the League, and hasn't been seen since. It may be rare, but the possibility of it happening is there."
Syndra's eyes were wide open in fear at the idea that this world could extend to such mysteries.
"But I wouldn't worry about it. Those were only two instances in the past four years, and relatively unimportant in the grand scale of things."
Half an hour passed before Xerath worked up a scenario to reengage conversation with Syndra.
Although to most people, the necessity of generating courage to converse with another is nothing at all, but to the context, it was important to make sure that he got his sincerity across fully to Syndra. Anything less could impact their relations if left idle, something that Xerath did not want to happen.
But that was his judgment on the matter.
"Syndra." Xerath called over to her from behind a mountain of books that they had been searching through, his head leaning to search for her.
Arching her body forward, Syndra poked her head out from behind the pile, her eyes questioning this new conversation that Xerath was going to star.
"You remember what happened earlier at breakfast, with Natalie and I?"
"Oh… Yeah. I do remember yes."
"I'm sorry if that scared you."
"Why do you say that?"
"Ahri was remarking on your face back then, full of despair and such. I understand that you are very sensitive to magic, so the sort of aura I exhumed back then must have scared you quite a bit."
Syndra glanced away, trying not to make eye contact.
"It's nothing, it was just that it was scary. I knew just how strong you could become by that stunt you pulled back in my castle, but that thing with Nat was something else. I could barely even handle myself there. It was just so… malicious and full of doom that…"
Syndra stopped for a moment, her mouth forming invisible words and her hand fidgeting by her side.
"Syndra, it's alright. I understand what you mean. I know that it was a bad idea to have done that, but I couldn't have risked completely losing Natalie at that point in our journey. I wanted to interject myself, so I did so in a way that would definitely gain me attention without dealing any physical damage. I understand why you would have been scared, but I believed I needed to do that in the moment."
"I… I guess so. Just… don't try that again, please. It's very scary."
"Deal." Xerath said, his tone suggesting as though he was smiling.
The vox channel opened for the first time since they had set out.
"Begin the operation."
"Roger."
Xerath heard something.
An explosion.
But it wasn't just that.
There was a tailing screech of a metallic object.
A rocket?
SH*T.
"SYNDRA, DOWN!" Xerath roared, barging through the pile of books to cover Syndra with his body.
Quickly erecting a reactive barrier, he braced for the eventual impact.
The blast impacted on the shield rather lightly.
But the shockwave still hit him like a truck.
Quickly recovering, he checked his surroundings.
The majority of the library had been destroyed, but there was something emanating above him.
A blazing silver eye, its gaze shadowing the mountain stone floor in a twilight glow.
It was the Eye of Twilight, an ability owned by a rather fashionably late champion of the League of Legends and notoriously moderate man.
It was Shen.