Woohoo! Two chapters in one week? I feel accomplished! This one is a bit of a doozy. I sorta just started writing, and couldn't stop!
I hope you all enjoy! 3
Zed opened his gaze to his darkened room. A faint hint of sunlight filtered through the gaps between the blinds of his small, circular window.
He inhaled deeply, and exhaled in a long, drawn out sigh. He rose, now sitting upon his large futon. Zed allowed himself to really wake up before he got moving, and made himself some tea. After a brief moment of respite, his gaze set upon a thin stack of parchment on his desk. He set down his tea, and moved to skim through the letters.
Most of them were from Ionia, and written in code from the council that lead the Order of Shadows while he was away at the Institute of War. They did not contain too much information, lest the letters somehow get into the wrong hands. Stealing was against the rules here in the Institute, and was harshly punished, though it still happened from time to time. It was never anything vital, so as to keep the peace, but it wasn't too uncommon for someone to find something of theirs missing.
Most of the coded letters were nearly keeping Zed up to date on relations, the training of students, and other affairs. After filing through them, another piece of parchment fell from a chute in the wall, where most letters came through.
It was a notice from the Institute.
To his surprise, all matches that were to be held today were canceled, but it was not specified as to why.
Zed rubbed his partially stubbled chin between his thumb and index finger, pondering to himself.
"How curious." He mused, before tossing the notice and the letters into a trash-bin. Each Champion had a bin where they could easily dispose of things such as letters, and even trash. Since most Champions liked their privacy, it was devised that the bins burn up whatever is discarded so that no one would have to intrude one's room just to retrieve them. Zed considered them to be quite useful, since he very much valued his privacy.
Shortly after, a familiar voice came from the door.
"Zed, are you awake?"
Minerva.
Zed really did not wish to deal with that woman so early in the morning.
"What." He responded bluntly, trying to keep the annoyance in his tone to a minimum.
There was a very brief moment of silence before Minerva spoke once more.
"The Summoner's and Champions from the last battle that took place yesterday evening are to report directly to the council as soon as possible. Get yourself ready, and meet me there."
Zed remained quiet, listening to her footsteps fade as she made her way down the hall.
"Just great." He grumbled. The thought of dealing with stuck-up wizards, fellow Champions, and haughty Summoner's on an empty stomach put the Master of Shadows into a bitter mood. He was in the midst of putting on his garments when a thought struck his mind. A thought that, normally, shouldn't have been thought at all.
Ahri will be there.
Zed was caught off guard by this sudden revelation. Yes, he very much knew that everyone was attending this sudden meeting, but the thought of Ahri…
He quickly shook away the thought before it could grow into something else.
She's just a trickster with a few bothersome spells. Get over it.
Zed donned his gear, and mask. He stole a look into a mirror standing against the wall, making sure everything was secure and fitted properly. He left his weapons at their place in the closet, since the scheduled matches were canceled. Carrying them about with no reason would've been rather silly, on his part. Either way, he still wished to maintain his intimidating appearance, and he'd rather not let anyone see his face regardless.
He departed from the comfortable darkness and incense of his quarters once he was finished getting ready, and made his way to the main wing, at the center of the Institute.
Ahri, a group of nine Summoner's, and seven Champions were waiting just outside the council meeting room. Zed and one of Ahri's teammates have yet to arrive.
They sat about the lounge, conversing with one another, or just relaxing. Most of the Champions sat near or next to their Summoner's. Ahri leaned on the back of her Summoner's chair, who was discussing politics with another. Ahri had no interest in such topics, but she couldn't understand them either way. Her ears flicked this way and that as she listened to other conversations instead. But, below the talking, she thought she could hear the faint clink of armor. Her ear swiveled some to follow the sound, her head tilting a fraction to the side.
She looked over her shoulder, but saw that no one had entered the lounge. She returned her attention back to the others, to notice Zed standing not too far from his Summoner, who seemed quite keen on talking to him. The Assassin didn't seem to be listening, though.
Ninja's. Always so sneaky.
Ahri was never too fond of Assassin's, but she herself used similar tactics: take the enemy down as fast as possible, and move on. Unlike other Assassin's of the League, Ahri found being bold to be more entertaining than their subtlety. Her assortment of spells were a great example of that. Quite flashy, but all the more lethal. The exchange with Zed the day before only proved just how deadly, and deceiving she can be.
Ahri found herself smirking when the image of Zed, slowly being drawn to her, and so very exposed to her every whim faded into her minds eye. A soft giggle emanated from her throat, and that was when she was brought out of her reverie, and realized she and Zed were looking directly at one another.
Her smirk instantly vanished, and a deep pit opened in her stomach.
Oh shit.
She looked away as casually as she could muster, though the redness on her fair-skinned face just wouldn't disappear.
Ahri was most definitely embarrassed, but she also found it all to be somewhat comical, if not a little unnerving.
Zed, however, did not find it very funny.
The Assassin was already quite fed-up with Minerva's annoying attempt at chit-chat, and now he had a fox woman staring at him. Whatever they were called here for, Zed certainly wished that they would get on with it.
The last Champion to arrive was Thresh, who certainly did take his sweet time to get there. The deep, ominous hum of his lantern, and the clinking of chains could be heard not too far away. It all put everyone on edge, even the likes of Zed. While he certainly was not afraid, the hair on the back of his neck rose anyway. The Chain Warden entered the lounge, and the room grew quiet.
Thresh laughed; a sickly, but menacing laugh, before speaking: "Oh, please don't stop your petty talk on my account. Do continue."
Both Summoner and Champion alike nervously went back to their conversing, stealing glances back at the Chain Warden.
All chatter ceased when the doors to the meeting chambers opened.
Out of the dimly lit room stepped a dignified Summoner, clad in dark gray robes, with an elegant mantle upon both shoulders . A Summoner such as this one were very experienced in magic, and highly respected for their abilities in the Fields of Justice when working with a Champion.
He nodded in greeting to the gathering before speaking.
"An investigation is underway after an occurrence during the match that all of you had taken part of yesterday evening. We will take in each Champion, accompanied by their Summoner, to be questioned. Do not fret, for none of you have done anything wrong. Please be patient, for each round could take up to an hour if need be,"
Upon hearing this, some of those who had yet to eat breakfast muttered and grumbled amongst themselves.
"I do offer the deepest of apologies for this impromptu investigation, but we hold the safety of both Summoner and Champion in high regard here in the Institute of War, and we are ready to take precautions in order to keep what goes on here and out on the Fields of Justice in peace and stability."
Thresh snickered derisively at this.
"Aah, what peace and stability is there when we are slaying one another in some of the most brutal ways possible, hmm?"
The room went deathly quiet for several moments, before the highly ranked Summoner cleared his throat and spoke once more.
"Food and drink will be provided momentarily. First, we ask that Levianna, and Miss Sarah Fortune enter for the first round of questioning."
Zed watched as the pair made their way to the next room, the large ebony doors closing behind them.
Minerva sighed deeply as she raised a hand to rub her temple, her face contorting into a wince. Matthias, the Summoner whom Minerva had spoken to after the last match, happened to look over as she did so.
"Ah, something troubling you, Minerva?" He asked, turning round partially in his seat to face her.
Minerva waved her free hand in a dismissive fashion towards the concerned Matthias.
"It is but a small head-ache, I had awakened to one this morning." She said, her voice somewhat airy and exasperated.
"That is unfortunate," he says, his lips turning into a frown. "I do hope you feel better soon." He says, glancing toward Zed with some hostility.
Zed paid no mind to them, keeping mostly to himself and his thoughts. Though he did have a slight suspicion that the young man was blaming him for Minerva's ailments. He did nothing to provoke them, at least, he thinks he didn't. The woman was aging anyway. Why did it matter?
Minerva winced again, her face growing a sickly pale. Matthias stood erect from his seat, watching the woman with widened eyes.
"Minerva, what's wrong?"
The majority of the room was beginning to take notice of Minerva, who had moved to lean against the nearest sofa.
Zed looked at the sickly woman, blinking in confusion.
Matthias turned round, and spoke loud and clear. "Someone, anyone, go get a medic! It's an emergency!"
Ahri perked up at this, quickly waving a hand. "I'll go! I'm the fastest one here!"
And with that, Ahri dashed out of the lounge with great haste.
Minerva's breathing turned into short gasps, and the pupils of her eyes began to dilate. Braum, a newcomer to the League of Legends, hastily strode over to catch Minerva just as she began to fall. His immensely toned arms seeming to cradle her as if she were a child.
"Give the woman some room to breathe, she should come to if you just give her but a moment!" He said, his voice gruff, but still strangely optimistic as he moved her over to the sofa. The audience made way for the large champion whilst he did so, and the gentleness he bestowed for one of such strength was quite to behold. A gentle giant, if you will. However, he was quite the force to be reckoned with out in the Fields of Justice, and thus many respected him.
While all this was happening, Zed watched from the side-lines, not showing any empathy. No one could tell if he cared or not, since his whole face was obscured.
Matthias turned on Zed, sneering. "This is all your fault, Assassin."
Zed looked to Matthias, his crimson gaze narrowing at the Summoner.
"She is old, and weak. How does that have anything to do with me?" He said, his voice calm, but with a hint of spite.
"Do you have any idea how much effort she puts forth into helping you succeed out in the Rift? How much strain she goes through to see you to victory?" Matthias was on the verge of yelling at Zed, his tan face beginning to boil with anger and frustration.
Zed stood tall and composed, folding his arms over his armored torso. "If she can't handle it, she shouldn't be here."
Matthias got up close to Zed, close enough that the Assassin could smell what the Summoner had eaten for breakfast on his breath. It wasn't very pleasant, either.
"Minerva cares too much for you, Zed. Far too much. I don't know what the hell she sees in the likes of you. So far, you just seem like an arrogant ass to me and everyone in this God damned room! She has shown so much compassion to you, and you turn your back on her. You treat her like dirt! She deserves so much more than that, Zed!"
The young Summoner was becoming visibly upset, now. His breathing was ragged, and his hands were trembling as he began to realize just who he was confronting.
Zed loomed over Matthias, a growl emitting from his throat.
"I do not form attachments, Summoner. Attachment, and compassion, are for the weak. They are for those who have to rely on another individual to survive. The woman should have learned this, by now. She was a fool to let such feelings blind her from what was happening in front of her. So, in the end, this is not my fault; it is entirely hers."
Zed spoke slowly, but clearly. The edge in his tone was like that of a blade threatening to slit right through the flesh of one's exposed neck, which made not only Matthias, but everyone who was near become incredibly fearful for the Summoner's, and even their own safety.
All instead of Thresh, who stood leaning against the opposite wall. He found this all to be quite entertaining.
"I got the medic!" Rang Ahri's voice.
The tension that hung high in the air faded as she, and two people dressed in white garments, entered the lounge.
"Took you long enough." Grunted Matthias.
Zed stood his ground, watching as they set to work.
Minerva had completely blacked out. One of the medics began asking a few questions, to see if she had any other symptoms or ailments before she had fainted. They only knew of the head-ache, while Matthias thought it was because of stress, and made sure to note that he believed it was from recent matches.
Zed shook his head in disapproval.
The medic muttered something to her helper, before standing. "We'll have to take her to the infirmary as a precaution. We're sure she'll be fine, but just needs some rest." She said, storing away some tools back into her kit.
Braum stepped forward proudly, a smile on his face. "I will assist you in taking her back, miss."
The medic smiled in return, nodding. "Very well, thank you for your kindness. Let us be off now, shall we?" She said, picking up her case of medical supplies, motioning for her nurse to follow. Braum gingerly scooped up the now frail looking Minerva in his arms, and walked after the two as they departed from the lounge.
There was a moment of silence before Zed was suddenly shoved. He whipped his angered gaze to Matthias, who stood glaring at Zed maliciously.
Matthias rushed at Zed again, who was now on his guard. The young Summoner found himself in a head-lock as tight as a vice. He squirmed, gasping as his supply of air was partially cut off from his lungs. Every Champion and Summoner was prepared to engage if this were to escalate, watching Zed closely.
If Zed had his blades, Matthias would have been a dead man. He kept an incredibly firm grip upon the Summoner as he snarled, his voice quivering with rage.
"If you attack me one more time, Matthias, I will end you before you can even register what is going on. I will even let the Chain Warden have his way with your soul, for good measure."
Zed let the man fall to the ground with a yelp. He stepped to the side, a red haze filling his vision as he watched Matthias writhe on the floor helplessly.
The ebony doors to the council room swung open, and out stepped the high ranking Summoner.
"Will someone explain to me what all this commotion is about?" He demanded.
Every Champion and Summoner turned to look at the man, moving away to give him a better view of the fuming Zed, and the terrified Matthias.
"Zed. You are to step out of this room immediately," He said, not once looking away from the Assassin. "Ahri will accompany you; to make sure that you don't do anything else that is foolish."