Chapter 5: Visions of War
Back in Ionia Irelia resumed her everyday training as usual, this time she trained with her pupil Tachi Takeda. Takeda was an impressive fighter with a sword and helped Irelia fight in war against Noxus. But he could Tell that the death of her closest friend affected her more and more each day. He knew that he shouldn't interfere but he hated to see her tearing up about it. Irelia wanted to take a break and Tachi grabbed some towels and some water for them to relax a little.
As they sat together Tachi couldn't help but place a hand on her shoulder.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her gently.
Irelia looked up at him. "I miss her. It seems like just the other day we were going shopping for a nice dress for her. Now...she'll never get to wear it. But most of all...I'll never get to hear her beautiful singing voice in person again." A tear trickled down Irelia's cheek.
Tachi softly wiped the tear away. "It's hard, I know how you feel." Tachi recalled the moment he had lost his wife in the war. "I miss Reina too, her voice soothed our people and the people idolized her. She was sweet and innocent. It's hard to believe that she's gone." Tachi held Irelia's hand.
"But you can get through this Irelia. You're strong and wise, you will find who did this and they will be brought to justice. Just remember, if you need any kind of help in the investigation don't hesitate to call on me." He assured her.
Irelia smiled at him. She wiped away another tear and she sniffled a bit. "Let's get back to training." She said. Tachi agreed. He didn't know if what he said was good enough to comfort her but he hoped it at least gave her hope to bring her killer to justice.
Back in Zaun Reina sat at the water's edge looking in the direction of Ionia the sun was about to set. The sky turned a mixture of orange and blue and the clouds set the mood. Only the sound of machinery and black smoke could be seen and heard in Zaun at that time. As she looked out to the horizon she wore a depressed look as she heared the heavy steps of Viktor behind her.
Viktor rested his scepter in front of him and placed his hand on the hilt. "I have good news...your prayers have been answered. The Institute of War wishes to have an audience with you. We are required to be there in three days." He told her.
"The Institute of War?" She questioned.
Viktor didn't realize That her memory loss was that far gone. So he had explained it to her. As he started to explain Reina seemed to recall only fragments of the institute but didn't remember how she knew some of what Viktor was saying.
"And you're certain that these… "summoners" would be able to bring my memories back?" She questioned.
"Well nothing is certain. But the people there posses some powerful magic and items. Surely something must be able to help." He responded.
As she stared out to the distance she agreed to go to the interview. She also needed to regain her memories.
Three days later, At the institute:
The Institute stands at the center of Runeterra in all its glory and its champions. Its monuments, statues and golem guardians bathing in the afternoon sun's rays. Its mighty halls filled to the brim with commoners, lords, military officers, summoners and of course its Champions.
The famous champions of the league fight in the summoners rift arena. An ancient battle ground soaked in blood and magic. These fights normally happen over either rivalries between nobles or battles that determine the outcome of something important that may affect the entirety of Runeterra if it goes through or not. Some are even to settle disputes. Though the institutes true goals are to use the champions to attain true peace within the world. And to protect it against magical and mystical monstrosities that may emerge from what ever portal, place or hellhole and send them back to whence they came.
Here sat two powerful summoners in an office. One with wrinkles in his face and hands, he wore a summoners robe but in a black colour instead of the classic purple. And he always wore a silver ring that seemed to have runed markings along the sides of it. The other summoner wore red robes indicating his status and power. He was much younger as he sat with a slight slouch and head propped on his hands. His robe appears to have runed markings from the hood to the tail.
"So this Reina is to be implemented in the champion system? Or are we only to watch her for the time being?" The younger summoner asked.
The older summoner spoke, his voice raspy and weak but the was clear in his words. "The girl shows great power that seems to closely resemble that of Kassadin or Malzahar. Though the Herald has had a hard time dissecting its properties as he does not posses a sample of any of the void champions energy."
"So we are to determine her connection with our enemy and possibly make a place for her in the institute to keep a proper eye on her?". The younger one guessed.
"Viktor specifically asked that the girl not be harmed. I never thought I would say this, but it appears that your former contract has changed. It surprising that he remembered you after...how long has it been five, six years?" The older one asked.
"Six years sir. I'll take this task and become the girls aide."
"Soren..." The old one called out his name. Soren looked back at him.
"Be careful with the girl. According to the reports she cannot control her power and so it's incredibly unstable. Do not treat her like we did with Syndra." The old man warned.
Soren responded with confusion. "Syndra is the most powerful champion in the league in sheer magical prowess alone. Surely this girl can't have that same power?!"
"Not the same. But more powerful." Be warned.
"That's impossible." Soren retorted.
The old man looked out the window that stood behind him. "For every strong person there will always be someone stronger. That is just how nature works."
Soren rested his tongue and walked out of the office.
Back on Zaun the train had finally arrived. It would take three hours to arrive at the institute. Normally Viktor would have taken the portal from his lab to his quarters in the institute but that device was destroyed when Jayce invaded his lab. So they had to get there through conventional means.
Reina had slept most of the time on the train as it traveled. And since Viktor was a champion of the league Reina's treatment was just as good if not better than his own. Viktor had never seen someone eat so much food and still hardly gained fat or weight. Reina was like an animal when it came to food then she would fall asleep almost immediately afterward.
It wasn't long until the train arrived. The Zaunite had awakened Reina as they had arrived at the predestined Institutes outer perimeter. Reina was wearing a large cloak that covered most of her body only revealing part of her red hair and a part of her hextech arm. She realized that the guards that escorted them to the entrance were also augmented though not as extensive as herself nor Viktor. Though at a glance it would be hard to tell that Reina arm was hextech, Viktor's skill in crafting hextech machinery was of expert level as the parts would look and act like a normal human part as long as it was the outside of the body. Reina's arm was sleak in design and neatly fit onto her bones and muscles.
Viktor even went so far as to craft nerve like wires that connected her arm to the rest of the system that connected to her brain. Though he did warn her that too much damage to her hextech augments would cause her extreme pain like any other human part would. In order for the machinery to work he had to make it exactly like a human body would work.
"Keep close, it's easy to get lost in this massive building." Viktor warned her as they approached the entrance.
Eventually they entered the main hall. And Reina's eyes opened with amazement. She'd never been exposed to anything so...rich before. Just the size of the room alone made her feel like an ant in room built for giants. Benches and paintings of people lined the massive hallway with stone giants between every pillar.
"Watch your step. Those stone giants are guardian golems. Don't touch anything." Even tough Reina had lost her memories she knew what magic was as Viktor often uses some magic in his hextech machinery. But she wondered how powerful someone would have to be to control so many golems. Reina could easily counted at least ten golems in the hallway alone. And according to Viktor, the entire building possessed well over two hundred hundred of them.
Reina acknowledged his warning and kept her hands to herself. "Where is everyone? I thought the institute should be busting with people at this time of day?!" She asked confused.
"Calm yourself my child." Viktor ordered. This room we are passing through is the back entrance reserved only for champion and summoner use. Anyone not recognized as a champion or summoner aren't allowed to enter this room." He explained.
"Then why am I able to enter?" Reina asked.
"Because I escorted you...and you have special access today. Due to the people that want to speak with you."
A few seconds later they entered a large area busting with people from all walks of life. Young and old came to admire their favorite champions and tour the institutes wondrous halls.
Reina had caught a glimpse of someone in purple clothing. But the feeling disappeared when she turned her head to face the direction it came from.
Viktor turned to face her. "Something the matter Reina?" He asked with some concern.
"I don't know...I felt a presence." She informed.
"Hmm...wouldn't be hard to believe given my reputation. Your walking with me and they're several people that don't exactly feel the way you feel about me." He explained.
"Do I have to be looking over my shoulder from now on then?" she asked in a serious tone.
"I wouldn't worry about that. At least not when you're with me or in this place. You see those golems?" He pointed with his scepter.
"The people who run this place watch our ever movement and action through the eyes of the golems. Nothing that happens in these halls goes unnoticed."
Viktor lead Reina down the hall...only to be stopped by Jayce. Reina only heard of the man, she had never seen the him in person. As she looked upon him she smiled and waved at him in a happy manner. Jayce seemed to give both her and Viktor an icy glare. Viktor placed his arm in front of Reina gesturing her to get behind him. Jayce the spoke up with hostility in his voice.
"Registering another abomination to the league Viktor?" He spoke. "Still playing with people lives? You have no heart."
Jayce seemed to look at Reina again. "Look at her, why would you allow this beast to taint your body like that? Your hair, face and chest is untouched but how could you let him turn your good looks into a hextech monster?"
Reina was a little scared of him. "I...I"
"She has become a stronger and higher life form than simple flesh Jayce...she has followed me and joined the Glorious Evolution." Viktor said with his arms outward.
"Joined or forced?" Jayce countered. "We all know your plan Viktor...if you think well just..."
"That's enough!" A loud voiced bellowed through the hallway with intense magic propelling the words into us. A middle aged summoner seeming to be in his late twenties or early thirties came walking towards us. Viktor kept his composer and so did Jayce who simply scuffed off.
"This isn't over old man." He warned at Viktor. He gave Reina one last scowl and walked away.
The summoner still approached Viktor. "Looks like our contact is coming to meet you, my child." Reina looked towards the summoner and noticed that his robes where red instead of the classic purple robes. In the Institute the rank and strength and status of a summoner is determined by their wardrobe. Red robes signified that he was a high summoner, whilst purple was still a normal one. Any other colour other than red was hardly seen and only a select few has ever seen the higher ranking summoners.
The high summoner stopped a few inches away from them. Just enough distance to shake hands. Him and Viktor shook hands and seemed to know each other.
"I must apologize for Jayce's unacceptable behavior especially to you Lady Kissryil." The summoner bowed his head.
Reina looked at the man in suspicion. "Wait, how do you know my name?"
"We've been keeping in touch with Viktor ever since he found you half dead on the shores of Zaun." He said as he raised his head.
"He is someone I trust Reina, I assure you, you can trust him too." Viktor said, though Reina wasn't gonna trust someone that easily.
"I still don't know him. But because I'm here with Viktor...I'll trust you just this once." She said.
"Can't argue with that." The summoner raised. "Now, why don't we go elsewhere to talk."
"I wouldn't agree more old friend." Reina never heard Viktor call someone a "Friend" before. This made her feel safe around the man even though she didn't know him.
The summoner lead Viktor and Reina into his office. The room gave off a feeling of relaxation. It carried a quaint colour of brown and was decorated with much care and precision. The right side of the room had an entire cabinet dedicated to several scrolls and books of various sizes. The left side of the room was a display of a very large tooth about the size of the forearm or a large male and a large Halbaerd. The Halbaerd seemed to have some kind of language on its blade and handle. The intricacy of the carvings left Reina in awe of the beautifully crafted blade.
"Please...take a seat you two." He gestured. Viktor decided to stand whilst Reina parted herself from the enticing Halbaerd and sat in a nearby chair next to a window which overlooked the botanical gardens.
"So Viktor, your request to have Lady Kissryil enrolled as a champion is still pending for interview and psych check." The summoner explained.
"Straight to the point as usual. Typical Soren, you haven't changed these past four years." Viktor jabbed.
Soren smiled, "That's High Summoner Soren to you Viktor." He returned.
Reina stopped both of them. "I'm sorry but what do you mean "enrolled as a champion", I never agreed to anything of the sort." She interjected.
The summoner gave her a kind smile and Viktor placed a palm on her shoulder. "Remember when I told you of the strange power you possess?" Reina nodded. Well the summoners here can try to help you with that. They are willing to assist under request from the head summoner of course.". Viktor explained.
Soren would explain to Reina the basics of being a champion and of how her duties would affect her and the Institute. He also explained to her that they would have to first research her powers in her evaluation before attempting to help her.
Reina understood as much as she could. But she was unsure of how she should respond. "You don't have to decide now. Think it over as you enjoy the next few days with us."
After several minutes Reina was asked to leave the room so they could discus private matters. "I read your report. You stated that her power felt an awful lot like that of a void champions." Soren started.
"I was able to research it a bit. Though my knowledge of the Void and its power is woefully lacking." Viktor replied.
"I did not mention it to her, but I believe you are right. I felt her aura in this room. I must say...it's as sinister as the void itself. This could be a problem..." Soren stated in a worried voice.
Viktor clenched his scepters head. "Reina is someone I care about greatly. I just wish for her to he safe. Which is why I asked for her to be evaluated."
Soren smiled. "I never thought that I would hear those words come from your mouth Viktor." He replied.
"I have the capacity to care for something other than my work, Soren." He defended.
Soren laughed a bit. "I promised you we would take care of her didn't I?"
Viktor gave off an aura of worry for the girl. Truthfully, the portals of the void have been becoming larger, and more and more void creatures are discovered almost every few months now. This alarmed everyone from civilian to champion. Even such as to have a squad of soldiers accompanied by one champion to watch and guard the portals in case anymore creatures appear.
The case with Reina bearing the powers of the void was even more alarming. Alarming to the fact that this wasn't just a simple case.
"What do you think of her power Viktor? "Soren asked. "For the fact that you stated in your report, that she was born with the gift of foresight but gained this power after you found her washed up on the beach."
"I think we ought to pay Kassadin a visit.". He suggested.
"Not so fast. I think we need to research this ourselves first." Soren countered. "If I come up with anything concrete I'll notify you."
A few more minutes would pass and Viktor and the Summoner emerged from the office. Reina stood outside waiting patiently.
Viktor seemed to smile at Reina, then gestured for her to follow. "So what happens now?" She asked.
"They'll need a few minutes to get the council room set up for evaluation as its currently in the process of being cleaned. They'll notify us when they are ready for you."