Author's Note

As I stated before I reworked some chapters into bigger ones. Chapter 5+6 were put into one.

Chapter 4

A Tale about Swords and Stars

Two days later in the morning...

With a scream she released the runic energy in a strong Ki Burst. A hard punch into the face of the big minion let it fly through the whole room against a wall. It disappeared. Riven turned around and send another one flying with a kick into its side. A third one was sliced in two as she attacked it with her Broken Wings technique.

‟Twenty one", she counted and killed three other minions by kicking them against the walls. She wasn't that skilled in unarmed combat, she only learned the basics in the Noxian military, but against this mindless drones it was somehow effective. ‟Twenty four", Riven said and new minions spawned on the other side of the room and attacked her.

She was in one of the many training rooms of the League. The rooms had everything a champion could possibly want. Moving targets for target practice for champions who preferred range combat, mannequins equipped with shields and armor for close combat experts and so on. Not many champions used them though. As they were open for everyone, someone could study their movements and weaknesses, something most of them didn't want. So they practiced on the outside.

For Riven it didn't really matter. She did not have a particular fighting style or something like this. Surprising movements and unexpected attacks, that was how to win a battle. And the room in which she was, was perfect for stamina training and to improve her movement. Not that she really needed that, but it helped to focus on something and to stay in shape. The food was far too good!

It was a big room, completely without any furniture or something like this. A white hall without anything in the way. In this room minions spawned constantly. It was an endless battle. And more or less a brainless training, but a good start for a warm up in the morning. Nevertheless, if she wanted stronger minions could spawn. But right now this wasn't necessary.

While Riven continued to kill minions, she thought about the events from the other day. After the match, which her team had won even though she died a few times, Riven had spoken to Elena. She had avoided direct answers, how and why the League could bring her blade back. All she said was that the older summoners thought it would be a good idea, to bring her back to her old power. It had worked...in some way. Riven wasn't very sure what to think about it.

Elena even said, she could summon her whole sword by her own. Riven refused to believe that. She didn't have any magic power in her blood. Only the runic energy of her sword. But Elena insisted that they train together and that she could do that. 'I don't have much to say in the League', Riven thought while slicing two minions. 'They tell me..do this and do that. And I have to obey...back in the past, huh?", she thought sarcastically.

On the other days nothing much had happened. Every day she was summoned on the fields to fight another battle. She had won every single one, which had earned her some respect amongst the other champions and summoners. She wasn't traded as a complete rookie anymore.

She even heard about the new champion, which joined shortly after her. She saw her once in the mess, eating alone in one corner. What she knew so far was that her name was ‟Diana" and she held a grudge against Leona and the Solari. Also the words ‟betrayed by her own people" hung in the air. But she didn't know anything else.

'Betrayed by her own people...', Riven thought slowly. 'I knew that feeling far better than most others...could be interesting to meet her.' Even though Riven knew that someone with such a past, wouldn't go around and talk to everyone about it. She didn't do it either. Nevertheless, she felt a strange connection and the wish to meet her. 'Two outcasts in the League, huh?"

‟Fifty! That's enough", Riven said loudly and the minions stopped attacking her and slowly disappeared into nothing. She didn't even sweat. At least her muscles were awoken and warmed up. She left the training room through a door and entered the main area.

'Speaking of the devil...', Riven thought. One other person was in the room, sitting on the ground. She had closed her eyes and seemed to meditate. Her khopesh like sword lay over her knees and glowed with silver light. Diana. She opened her eyes as she heard the sound of the closing door behind Riven.

‟Didn't thought someone would be here...", she said in her calm but somehow cold voice. It reminded Riven of a cold night, where only the full moon illuminates the world. She had heard that Diana's title was ‟Scorn of the Moon". It suited her.

‟Well..I can say the exact same thing. You're Diana right?", Riven asked in a neutral tone. She wasn't sure what to expect from Diana, so she approached her carefully.

‟I am. And you?", Diana replied and stood up, picked up her sword and looked at her. Riven looked at her silver colored eyes and the glowing symbol on her forehead. Diana's face didn't show any emotions only a cold stare nothing else.

‟Riven. What are you doing here?", she asked. She knew this question was somehow dumb as they were in the training rooms. But Diana answered anyway.

‟Some sort of...training I think. But nothing really special. I suppose you're here because of the same thing right?" Diana looked at her. Somehow Riven thought that behind the silver shimmer and the cold stare, she had eyes which saw horrible things. Eyes full of pain.

'I have the same..haven't I", she thought before answering: ‟Yeah you're right..." Shortly she looked around then back to Diana. ‟How about a little practice with me?", she asked. She didn't know why she asked Diana in the first place, but it was most likely because she didn't know what else to say. Beside of that, she could learn something from Diana. 'A sword mirrors it's owner.'

‟Practice? With a Noxian huh?", Diana said and pointed at the rest of Riven's armor.

‟Former Noxian", Riven answered reflexive. Diana raised an eyebrow. She seemed to be...surprised somehow? Riven was used to this sort of reaction.

‟Didn't want to offend you. Well...why not?", Diana said and got into a fighting stance.

‟Alright. Get ready", Riven said and readied her weapon.

They circled each other, waiting for the first strike. Then Riven decided to go for it. She dashed forward and struck Diana's breastplate. She dodged by stepping to the side.

The League magic registered the fighting between the two champions. Shortly both of them were surrounded by a blue light, which disappeared as fast as it came. Riven knew what happened. Even when they would kill each other now, the summoners could bring them back to life. It was the same strange magic, which worked on the Fields of Justice. It should prevent..."accidents" within the League.

The clashing of swords filled the trainings room as they both exchanged blows at each other. It looked like a more or less deadly dance as they tried to hit each other.

They were both equally good. Even though Riven began to use all of her sword fighting skills, she couldn't hit Diana at least once. Same thing for Diana. After ten minutes of fighting, Riven went two steps back and lowered her sword. Sweat ran down her face.

‟It's been a long time, since I fought someone on par", Riven said in an impressed tone.

‟Tired already huh?", Diana replied, breathing heavily, while looking at Riven.

‟You're in the right spot to say something like that", Riven answered and a faint smile was on her lips.

‟Put your guard up former Noxian...this time it won't get easy", Diana said and her blade started to glow in a color, which reminded Riven of moonlight.

‟Bring it on." Riven got into position again and lifted the blade, ready to parry Diana's attack.

A flash of silver moonlight filled the room and burned in Riven's eyes. Even though she was a fast fighter, she had never seen someone like Diana who rushed at her. It nearly was nothing more than a bright flash of light. The attack of her sword barely missed Riven and only because she jumped back and let herself fall on her rear.

The time stood still for a split second. Riven kicked against Dianas abdomen. Diana let out a light groan before she fell on the ground, breathing heavily. Both of them sat and lay there for a moment.

‟You're the first who could avoid this one...", Diana said impressed and looked over to Riven, which got up into a sitting position.

‟Well..that was..unexpected", she replied while rubbing her back. The hard floor wasn't made for a fall like this. ‟If I have to guess..I would say that was the power of the moon right?"

‟Yes it was. Why?", Diana asked. Her voice got a few tones colder.

‟Nothing. I'm just interested. I have never seen a technique like this before...", Riven replied while standing up. Diana followed her example and stood up too.

‟So you respect the moon and the night? You don't deny it?", she asked. Her voice somehow got eager.

‟I respect anyone who showed me strength...in the true Noxian way. And you did it..I mean you almost beat me", Riven answered and earned a little nod from Diana. ‟And..why should I deny it? I mean...I saw it with my own eyes."

‟Well, then you don't know the Solari very well...", Diana replied slowly as if she was somewhere else.

‟I don't know much about the religions from Mount Targon...I was there only once, for a very short time", Riven said. Diana looked back at her.

‟Tse...they denied me and nearly got me killed as a heretic. They deny the truth and close their eyes before it. You're one of the few...who don't do that. You got my respect for that", Diana said, with a hint of a smile.

'Then it's true what I heard about the Solari', Riven thought before nodding at Diana. ‟Well...thank you for that", she answered a little bit embarrassed. ‟Let me ask you another question...do you have any idea when your first match will take place?"

‟No. I wasn't summoned in the last days. Most likely because Leona was in every single match", Diana snarled quietly.

‟Huh..I understand", Riven replied. She remembered that Leona grumbled about something in one of the last matches. 'Sun and moon in constant rivalry", she thought.

Suddenly Diana was surrounded by a few blue lights which circled around her. From her feet up to her head. First slowly, then they got faster. Slowly Diana began to disappear.

‟Huh..speaking of it. The summoners call me. My first match is about to begin", Diana said while looking at Riven.

‟Now? Without the summoning chambers?", Riven asked, raising an eyebrow. She didn't know that this was possible.

‟As far as I know the most powerful summoners don't need them...well...until later", Diana paused for a moment before she continued, ‟Riven."

‟See you soon..Diana", Riven replied and the Scorn of the Moon disappeared into nothing, leaving only air behind. 'Well..that was..unexpected. Time for some breakfast, I think", Riven thought and left the training room.

As soon as she entered the mess, which was filled like every other day, a well known voice yelled her name: ‟Riven! There you are!"

It was Elena. And she was in a very good mood. If you can say that from a person who always was far too motivated and cheerful. ‟Elena? What is it?", Riven asked the young girl.

‟At first: Good morning. Well...how are you?", she asked with a smile.

‟Ehm..fine, I think", Riven answered while she thought about Diana. After the little fight and the conversation the strange connection which she felt before strengthened. 'Strange', she simply thought, while looking at Elena with her most neutral face.

‟Gooooood to know! I'm here because I wanted to tell you, that our training will begin tomorrow in the evening!", Elena said in her cheerful voice.

‟Okay...where do we meet? The trainings room?", Riven asked.

‟No...far too small and I don't think it suit for this kind of practice. Better meet me in the park behind the Institute. And don't forget your sword! I need to go already! My lessons are about to begin! See you!" Elena ran out of the mess, nearly crashed into Alistair who just entered and then disappeared in the corridors.

Riven watched this whole spectacle with some amusement. 'This girl...gosh. She has more energy within her than in a whole Demacian company of soldiers", Riven thought while she was getting some of the food and sat down. 'Tomorrow in the evening..well, let's see what she wants me to do.'

The next day...

Riven walked through the long corridors of the Institute. Her sword by her side. It was early in the evening, the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon. She only knew that because the mess was lit by some lights on the ceiling and not only the sun. Against her habit, she didn't put on her armor. Only her normal travel outfit.

As she searched for a sign, which would lead her to the park, she thought about what would happen next. She didn't feel any excitement or anything like this. She couldn't describe it very well, but it felt somehow wrong. She broke her sword for a reason, back then in Ionia. And now everything should be forgotten? She could just bring it back?

On the other side, she remembered the feeling of wielding a complete blade against Jarvan. This feeling of strength and clarity. 'You don't know what do you want right?', she asked herself and let out a sigh of annoyance. She didn't have much choice right now.

A faint light in the distance drew her attention to it. The smell of fresh air and trees was in the air. Riven walked towards it and stepped outside of the League.

What she saw now was kind of unique. The whole park had to be on one mountain top. Above her was a clear orange sky. The moon was already there. It wasn't a park in a classical way. It was more like a whole forest in which some strange order ruled. Some magical lights danced between the trees and lit the way. Even though Riven didn't need the lights as it was bright enough to see.

She walked into the forest and looked around. Some creatures and small animals were heard, but nothing dangerous in any way. ‟Elena you're here?", Riven asked loudly while looking around. She ventured deeper and stepped into a clearing. It was not a normal clearing in any way. She felt a presence like the elder summoners stood right here. But she did not see anyone.

‟Someone's there?", she asked silently and tightened the grip around her sword. She looked around. Then a rustling bush. Riven raised her weapon, ready for an attack. But the person who walked out of the bush, was well known to her. It was Elena. Her eyes widened as she saw the weapon.

‟Woah woah..what do you want to do with your sword?", she asked and crouched a bit before Riven, which lowered her sword.

‟I'm sorry. Didn't want to hurt you or something like this...I felt some strange presence and heard noises. I'm careful', Riven answered. 'Strange..it's away', she thought and looked at the young summoner which wiped a few branches off her robe. She grumbled silently about dirt and earth.

‟Had someone followed you?", Riven asked quietly.

‟I don't think so...what is it?", Elena asked and looked around.

‟Nothing. I felt a strange presence...but it..just vanished", Riven replied suspiciously.

‟Well..could be some other summoners. You know the park is often visited by people who want some peace and silence. Some elders do that from time to time too", Elena explained. She sat cross-legged on the ground and looked up to Riven, which followed her example. Her sword lay over her knees.

‟If you say so...well. Could you explain it to me? The whole sword thing I mean." Riven looked Elena into the eyes and waited.

‟As I told you the other day...you will be able to summon it by yourself. So you can come back to your old power of your pure will. I know what you think: 'I'm not a magician or something like this'. But everything you need is there", Elena pointed at the remains of Riven's sword.

‟My blade?" Riven grab the hilt and raised her sword. Moonlight reflected in the sharp side.

‟Yes. It's filled with magic. You're already able to use it quite well...I mean we all saw it on the Fields," Elena explained further.

Riven just nodded. She didn't think that the simple runic powers within her sword would be enough. She had learned the capabilities of her sword by doing and fighting. ‟So you're trying to tell me...that I capable of using this magic? Like channeling it and summon the pieces? It's just a matter of training and willpower?" Her voice was full of doubts. The pieces of the sword were most likely somewhere in Ionia. Shattered and forgotten.

‟Most likely. You never asked yourself why you're able to simply use this kind of runic energy? You have some talent within you. Let me be clear: You're not a real magician or summoner", Elena smiled encouraging, ‟but you're able to use the magic which is bound into your sword. You need to learn bit by bit..it's like solving a puzzle." Elena's voice was getting a bit quieter at this point. ‟The elders told me that your mind and spirit isn't in balance...you cannot forgive yourself can you?"

That hurt. Riven looked to Elena, which decided to look to another side. ‟Let's just say...things happened for which I cannot forget nor forgive myself. There's...too much blood on my hands", Riven replied slowly. ‟I try to fight and show the world a true Noxian..but in the inside..well you said it."

‟Sorry I didn't want to hurt you...", Elena smiled at her and Riven just nodded. ‟Well..because your spirit is not in balance..it will be hard for you to master the summoning process."

‟You're telling me..I cannot use the full potential because I'm not at peace with myself?"Riven frowned and looked at her.

‟Yes. It is not impossible...but rather hard as for someone who is in balance. When you're completely convinced of your doing and fighting, it's easier for you to focus on the important things. You understand?", Elena asked.

Riven just nodded. 'So...I'm in the way of myself', she thought.

‟But anyway..let me explain it how you can summon your sword. Let me say..what I had seen so far was good for a start. You can control the runic energy quite well", Elena explained.

‟So..that is what you meant by 'learning from me' right? You wanted to see me fighting..and how good I am at controlling this", Riven said and looked down to her sword. The green runes glimmered slightly.

‟Yeah. I needed to know your capabilities", Elena replied. ‟Let me explain..at first you need to concentrate. You need to feel the magic within the sword...feel the flow of it. It's like...using your Ki Burst. But in an other league...you understand me? Clear your mind and meditate", Elena said slowly.

Riven just nodded and closed her eyes. Her hands lay on the hilt and blade of her sword. ‟Relax...feel the magic", Elena whispered silently. Riven tried to push away any doubts, any thoughts and focused only on her blade. She felt the runic energy how it was pulsing. But there was something else...doubt and guilt. It felt like a copy of her own mind. Like a broken mirror. It was like looking into herself.

'I lie to myself do I?', she thought. She couldn't push away the guilt. She was responsible for the deaths of hundred. How she could be in balance with herself with such a guilt? A sword mirrors its owner. That statement was truer then she believed. She tried to stay focused on the energy, the magic within her sword. But it was hopeless.

Slowly she opened her eyes and looked to Elena, which observed Riven curiously. It was completely dark around them. Only a few magic lights danced around them. ‟What the...?", Riven said and looked around.

‟Back you are...", Elena said with a smile.

‟Wait..which time is it?", Riven asked confused.

‟One hour before midnight...you were away for three complete hours", the young summoner answered. ‟And? What did you feel?"

‟I could feel the magic...but I felt doubt and guilt too", Riven said.

Elena just smiled at her. ‟You have a deep connection with your sword. Some blacksmiths who forge magical weapons claim that this sort of weapon is a reflection of the person who wields it. So..when you have doubt in a battle your blade shatters. If you don't believe in the purpose of your fighting it shatters or get scratched. You need to push doubt and guilt aside to control the energy. Your eyes need to be clear and you have to know your purpose."

‟I...can't. Or to be clear..not yet...", Riven answered quietly while looking down. The green runes of the shattered blade didn't glow right now. Like it felt her disappointment.

‟Nah..I didn't expect you to be able to summon it in the first hours of practice. But well..I need to go now. It's already quite late you know", Elena said and stood up. ‟See you tomorrow alright?"

‟Alright..I'll stay here...I have to think..", Riven explained, while Elena nodded and left the clearing.

Riven fell on her back and looked up in the night sky. 'Huh..I'm pretty fucked up', she thought and closed her eyes for a moment. She thought about everything what had happened so far. 'My hands are stained..and my mind a mess...'

Suddenly she heard steps which came closer. She opened her eyes and looked behind her.

‟Well...that's surprising", a well known voice said. It was Diana, dressed in her usual armor and her crescent blade at her side.

‟I could say the same thing...well...how are you? How was the match?", Riven asked and turned around. She pushed her dark thoughts aside and concentrated on the Scorn of the Moon. Diana sat down on the ground.

‟We won the match. I fought against Annie..this child is a demon. I was burned multiple times. And..huh..I feel fine. The League is somehow pretty...unusual to be honest", Diana answered with a faint of a smile. ‟And how are you? What are you doing out here?" The full moon shone upon her silver armor and white hair. She looked beautiful. Riven hit herself mentally. What the hell was she thinking?

‟I think..fine. Well..my summoner, Elena, wanted to meet me here for some special training to..well to summon my whole blade", Riven replied and looked down.

‟Huh...I already asked myself why you fight with a shattered sword, when I first met and fought you in the training rooms", Diana replied and looked at the shattered sword. ‟I guess...some personal things right?" Her voice was calm and somehow a bit softer than usual.

‟You're right...I shattered my sword back in..in...Ionia. I fought a terrible war back then. My..whole unit was killed. Not by the Ionians...by our own ally. Zaunites war machines..bombs and gas", Riven said slowly. ‟I shattered my blade because of anger, hatred...and despair. I wanted a new start." It was the first time that she talked to another person about her past. Not counting the summoners of course, which just invaded her mind without asking.

‟We have something in common Riven...I was betrayed too. I wanted to show the elders that other humans had worshiped the moon. I was born to the Solari...but I always found guidance in the night sky and the moon. They punished me...and nearly sentenced me to death as I found evidence for other believers. I was betrayed by them...they don't listen to me", Diana said somehow bitterly.

‟I'm..sorry for that", Riven replied and looked up. Diana looked at her, but shook her head.

‟You don't have to", Diana smiled shortly at her. ‟You didn't have anything to do with it. Besides... you're one of the few who accept the truth."

‟As I said before..thank you for that." She thought shortly before she continued: ‟So...we're two warriors who were betrayed and nearly killed by their own people. How ironic."

‟Somehow huh? Valoran is small...", Diana just answered and looked up to the sky and watched the moon. There was a short silence between them, while both were engrossed in thoughts. Riven decided to break it.

‟Well...what are you doing out here?", Riven asked quietly, while looking back to Diana.

‟Today is a good day to watch the moon and the stars...the sky is clear and no clouds in sight. I have studied the movements of the stars, the constellation of them and so on. But..I find something new every time. I can show you if you want", Diana smiled. Then she lay on her back.

Riven followed her example and looked up in the sky. ‟Huh..why not? I could use some distraction", Riven replied.

‟Hm..today the full moon hides some of the smaller and not so bright stars. Do you see the bright one, relatively close to the moon?", Diana said.

‟Yeah...", Riven answered quietly.

‟Combine it with the other ones close to him. The brightest ones", Diana said while she folded her hands behind her head.

Riven used her finger to follow the different stars in the sky. ‟Looks like a...crown? You know..this kind of thing princess, queens and so one are wearing."

‟You're completely right, it's a crown. Come I show you another one...", Diana said and pointed into the night sky. ‟The left one..besides the edge of the crown..."

‟Looks like a...some kind of animal I would say", Riven said after she searched the sky for a moment to combine the stars.

‟Some of the old inscriptions I found called it the lion. A symbol of courage and honor...somehow fitting. You can see these stars the whole year", Diana explained. ‟There some others...I'll show you."

Time passed as they both watched the stars and constellations. Diana explained her every single one and to Riven's surprise, she smiled and even laughed sometimes, when Riven got some constellations wrong. She had never thought that someone like Diana, who seems to be a merciless cold warrior, could be able to something like this.

Slowly Riven got up and suppressed a yawn. ‟Tired already?", Diana asked with a grin on her face.

‟I'm not a owl like you. Some people need to sleep and..the day was rather hard", Riven replied with a smile.

‟I know..I know. I had this kind of problems too..'you have dark circles around your eyes, Diana..you were up again at night', and so on", Diana smiled at her, then she got serious again. ‟But.."

‟What is it?", Riven asked and looked at her while she relaxed her muscles.

‟To be honest...after this evening..ehm...it's hard for me to say", Diana seemed to be troubled in some way, ‟but..I consider you a friend. Hope you don't mind." She looked to the side, a slight blush on her face.

The surprises in this evening didn't stop. Riven looked at Diana and then nodded. ‟Well...I can say the same thing, Diana. You're..a friend of mine too." A short silence between them, before Riven said plainly: ‟Good evening then."

‟Sleep well Riven. I'll see you tomorrow." Diana smiled at her and then looked back into the night sky.

‟Yes you will..sleep well, Diana." Riven left the clearing while a small party took place in her head. She didn't know exactly why, but nevertheless it felt pretty good. A friend at her side. 'The League is full of surprises...after all..it wasn't the worst decision I've ever made', she thought with a faint smile on her face.