Author's Note
Nothing to say here...let's go!
Chapter 5
An Unexpected Journey
A few days later...
Riven walked into the mess hall with a somehow grim face. It was early in the morning and only a few people were already awake. At one table some demacian girl sat. She glared over to Riven, her long thin sword at her side. Her name was Fiora, 'the Grand Duelist'. Or at least that's what they called her. In one last match, they had killed each other multiple times, but Riven had won more often than her. With the help of her jungler, to be honest, but nevertheless she won.
That had scratched her far too great ego and now she treated Riven with even more arrogance. Something Riven disliked the most about a person. She just looked back at her, with her best ‟I don't give a fuck" face she had and grabbed a plate, filled it with something to eat and sat down.
She wasn't in a good mood. To be exact, she felt like punching someone. Secretly she hoped that Fiora would say only one thing. Only one thing so she had a reason to beat her up, to let out her bad mood.
The last days were horrible. Not counting the match against Fiora, she lost four matches in a row. She felt pretty exhausted after every single one and went straight to her bed. Dying wasn't something easy, when you have to do it over and over again.
Then, there was the training with Elena. She didn't make any progress or at least felt a bit more than the usual runic energy. All what she felt within her blade was guilt. She wanted to punch herself, but she knew that wouldn't change anything. Elena tried her best to encourage her, but it didn't help much either. It was a frustrating slow process.
And then Diana had left the League yesterday. The only person who truly understood her and her feelings left the League. She told her that Karma, one of the spiritual leaders of Ionia, had invited her to the island for some festival called ‟The Lunar Revel", the Ionians version of a new year's festival. As the avatar of the moons power, Karma asked her to give the festival something special.
‟Sorry Riven...but I can't deny such a chance...", Diana had told her.
‟It's fine. I mean, that's what do you want right? Have some fun there, will you?", Riven had answered. The next day Diana had left the League.
She thought for a split second, she could follow Diana. But when she thought about Ionia she only saw death and war. She had committed so many sins and crimes on that island. She had destroyed a whole village, killed so many civilians, she even assassinated an Ionian elder without questioning. She killed a man who nearly couldn't defend himself.
No. There was no way she could ever enter Ionia. When she would enter the isle, she would collapse because of guilt, sorrow and pain. 'So that's it...that is what's blocking my mind", she thought sarcastically.
As she continued to dwell on to her dark thoughts, steps echoed through the mess. Steps which came closer to her. Riven looked up. Before her stood a woman. She wore purple and white clothing. On her left leg Riven saw some green tattoos. It was Karma herself. ‟May I have a seat?", she asked and Riven just nodded.
Riven felt nothing. Karma was one of the leaders of Ionia and had suffered as much as every other Ionian. So her deeds had finally caught up to her. She looked at Karma, her face like a stone. ‟What do you want from me? Do you come to punish me for my sins? It's fair to be honest...", Riven said. Her voice without any emotions.
‟I know who you are, Riven", Karma said plainly. ‟I know what you have done...Elena told me."
‟Then tell me..what do you want? Do you want to judge me?" She couldn't look into the eyes of Karma and decided to look to the ground. Her guilt was about to take over.
‟I'm not here because of that. I'm here because I want to offer you something", Karma said somehow resolutely. Riven looked up. ‟Let me get straight to the point. I want to invite you to Ionia to visit the Lunar Revel festival."
Riven felt like someone had kicked her into ice water. ‟You want what? I can't...I can't. Half of Ionia want me dead and I can't blame them. Besides...it's the place where I had lost everything", Riven exclaimed. Some other summoners looked at them. Riven felt how here eyes got bleary.
‟Hey don't cry, Riven", Karma said with a faint smile. ‟You're under MY protection when you go there...and believe me, nobody will harm you. Besides...", Karma looked around for a moment, ‟Irelia told me that you fought with a new goal in sight. That you want to show a true Noxian way."
‟Even then...", Riven said plainly and dried her eyes. ‟I can't go to Ionia. There is too much guilt, too much pain..."
‟To conquer one self's is to conquer all", Karma said. ‟I don't know you very well Riven...I only know as much as Elena told me. But let me tell you this: You can't run forever. It sounds harsh, I know that, but you need to find peace within yourself. Heart and mind need to be one." Some green spiritual power flew around her hand as she said that. ‟Your past will always catch up to you...until you face it and accept it."
Riven said nothing and just looked down. She knew that Karma was right. She wandered around for years and for what? She entered the League only to witness the battle which changed her forever. Tears filled her eyes again as she thought about the dead soldiers of Fury Company.
‟I told you not to cry. Yes..some of my people want revenge and want to kill every single Noxian. But not everyone is like this. We can forgive...what kind of world would it be, when there's only hatred, war and revenge? So Riven...let me ask you a favor", Karma said and looked to her. ‟Come to Ionia. Not only for your own sake...but come there and show my people the true Noxian way in which you believe. Show them that not all of your people...are cowards and weaklings who protects themselves with chemical weapons."
Even though she knew that Karma was somehow right, the plain facts hurt much more than Riven believed they would. It was true. Noxian had relied on Zaun's weapons during the war.
‟When shall I come?", Riven asked and looked to Karma. She had no choice. She knew some day she would collapse, even when she keep on trying to forget the grim past. ‟I need to face it...I can't run any longer." Her voice was faint. Normally she hated it to show any weakness...but right now...
‟Come as soon as possible. As far as I know some carriage will depart tomorrow...this will bring you to Piltover. From there you can travel with a ferry", Karma explained and smiled shortly. ‟It's a wise decision you've made. I will expect you there Riven." Karma stood up.
‟One question...why did you invite me? Why now?", Riven asked and Karma smiled.
‟I considered it because I have heard about it from Elena, which is one of my summoners by the way. But...to be exact someone asked me a favor as I invited her to the festival. You know her, right? Diana?"
‟Yes...I know her", Riven replied.
‟She gave me the little push I needed to ask you. Well then...I'll see you in Ionia", Karma said and left the mess, leaving Riven behind.
Riven sat there for a moment. 'Diana must have sensed it..but why she asked Karma that favor?", she thought. 'That's what friends are for", a voice said in the back of her head. 'I think so...well then...can't lose any time right now, can I?"
Riven stood up and left the mess. Just as she stepped outside, she heard a rather familiar voice behind her. ‟Hey! Don't run away..I'll need to ask you something", the voice said. Riven looked behind her and saw the Sheriff of Piltover.
‟Caitlyn? Haven't seen you around for a while..what is it?", Riven asked and turned around. The Sheriff wore her usual attire.
‟Sorry for that, but I heard you want a ride to Piltover?", Caitlyn asked.
‟Ehm..yeah, I do. As soon as I can..don't have much time", Riven answered.
‟Well..there's an zeppelin waiting for me outside of the little town. If you're ready in two hours you can come with me honey. We will be in Piltover at dusk...you can get a ferry to Ionia then", Caitlyn replied with a smirk.
‟Well..I can do that. But I need to report to the summoners that I'm leaving."
‟I'll do it. I have to report my leave as well", Caitlyn said.
‟Alright then...I don't have anything against it. By the way..you just left the League didn't you?", Riven asked.
‟Yeah I know..but you know being Sheriff of Piltover and so on...I have much responsibility within the city. They always ask me to come, when some new underground gang, criminals or some hextech thieves arrives on the scene", she sighed. ‟But well..I can tell you more within the zeppelin. Now let's go. We don't have the time for a little chit chat. I'll meet you before the city."
‟Okay Caitlyn," Riven said and nodded. They both left into another direction.
'Huh..well good for me', Riven thought on her way to her room.
As Riven entered her room, she searched for her backpack, which she found within some cupboard. She didn't possess much, in fact, only a few extra clothes and a small picture. Slowly she grabbed it and looked at it. It showed the Fury Company or to be exact the best of the best. Dassel, Ardus, Sal, Krim, Brite..and herself. She remembered when it was made. It was after they were promoted to soldiers of Noxus and assigned to their company.
She hadn't looked at it for a long time. 'Well...time to see you again, I suppose", she thought and decided to take the picture with her. 'Never forget...' Riven looked around in her room. After she made sure, she didn't forget anything she left and walked to the entrance of the League.
The entrance was crowded. The bright, warm sun lit the whole hall, which was filled with summoners and champions. ‟Riven! You just want to leave without saying anything to me?!", a voice yelled.
‟Hey..sorry, Elena. Didn't have much time for it...Caitlyn will take me with her zeppelin. And we depart in two hours", Riven explained to the young summoner, which looked up to her.
‟Lucky me that I found you! You could at least left a message for me!", Elena complained.
‟Sorry...Caitlyn said she wanted to report our leaving to the summoners", Riven replied.
‟She did, but you could do it personally! But, well...You really want to go there?", Elena asked. Her usual cheerful attitude wasn't there. Instead, it sounded afraid.
‟I have to. Karma had good points for me to do so. I can't run anymore...", Riven replied. She looked into the distance. Her facial expression went darker. ‟I have to face and accept it. Otherwise, I will collapse some day.."
‟Well...I suppose so..", Elena looked on the ground.
‟What is it? You look pretty down...", Riven said and looked at the girl. ‟Where's your usual attitude?"
‟Come with me", Elena said plainly and walked off. Riven followed her with a puzzled expression. They both walked a bit at one off the edges of the entrance. A pillar made sure nobody could see them. From here they could see the whole town and far beyond. Somehow Riven didn't trust in this situation and tightened the grip around her blade.
‟What do you want Elena? And why we're here?", Riven asked and looked at the girl.
Elena just turned around and before Riven even could react, she felt warm lips on her own. The time stood still for a split second. Riven's sword nearly slipped out of her hand because of the surprise. Then Elena interrupted the short kiss and looked away. Her face was glowing red.
‟Wha..wha...what?", Riven said with a blush on her own face. ‟What..was that Elena?!"
‟I...well..just be careful alright?", the young summoner said. Her arms behind her back.
‟Wait..you explain that to me before I leave!", Riven exclaimed.
‟Well..I like you. I like you very much...and I thought that would be a good time for it...", Elena replied quietly. ‟Need to go now! Come back to me alright? Oh, and..this is for you!" Elena handed her a small pocket most likely with some gold coins within it. And with that she ran off, leaving a complete flustered Riven.
‟What..the..fuck is wrong?", Riven said and shook her head a bit. She still felt Elena's warm lips on her own. ‟She..loves me? That's what she wanted to say, right?", Riven asked herself. She couldn't realize it. Her mind was flushed with overwhelming emotions reaching from surprise to 'what the hell'.
She shook her head again to get the color out of her face and then decided to leave the Institute immediately and head to the waiting zeppelin. She decided to push the kiss out of her head, which was rather hard.
Nevertheless, she felt...strange. She wasn't really happy or had butterflies in her stomach. It felt like..someone had robbed her something important. Was it because she didn't return the feelings? When she thought about Elena, she felt..something closely to friendship but nothing more. But when her mind drifted to Diana...well...
‟Be honest to yourself...you do have feelings for Diana beyond friendship. Most likely because she's the only person who fully understands you...ask her when you reach Ionia", some small voice said in the back of her head. 'I want that...feel with Diana right? I want to...', she thought and blushed slightly. Things were far easier back when she just wandered the wastelands.
'Nevertheless...focus on the essential right now. Get to the zeppelin and to Piltover. Then board the ship which will bring you there", Riven thought and pushed any other things out of her head. Focus and concentration were the key. She tightened the grip around the hilt and left the Institute.
As she walked the long staircase down, she saw something big at the end of the city behind the small wall. 'That..must be the zeppelin hull..quite big', she thought. She had never traveled with such a thing. Noxus didn't possess something like this and the journey with one of these..well the prices are far too high for someone like her.
As Riven stepped into the town she looked around. As it was rather early in the morning, not so many people were around. 'Good for me', Riven thought. Some merchants who built up their stands and some workers were on their way to their jobs. She saw some nightwatchman who looked pretty tired. Riven walked straight to the exact same gate, from where she had entered the town.
Even though it was early the guards here already had their hands full of work. ‟One after another!", one exclaimed, while two others controlled a chariot. Riven just left the city, one of the guards noticed her and nodded in her direction.
Riven never saw something like this. The zeppelin was gigantic and was held on the ground with dozens of metal chains. On the zeppelin hull Riven could see the symbol of Piltover. Some propellers were attached to the hull. Somehow she felt uncomfortable by only watching at this thing. 'That thing...is really safe? And I fly through the air like a bird?", she thought.
She looked around in search for Caitlyn, which she spotted close to the bridge which led into the inside of the airship. Some other man were there too and talked with the Sheriff. Riven stepped closer.
‟There you are Riven. Let's start right now", Caitlyn said to the man which nodded.
‟Loose the chains! Everyone on board! We will take off immediately!", he yelled. Some of the crew members ran over to the chains and loosened them.
‟Follow me honey", Caitlyn said and walked into the inside of the zeppelin. Riven swallowed down her fear and followed her.
Riven followed the Sheriff through some corridors. She could hear some machines started working behind her, then a short jolt. Caitlyn opened a door and stepped in. Riven looked around. The cabin in which they were now was rather big. Some chairs, a few comfortable looking couches and even something like a small bar and fridge. It was Piltover's typical style.
But what fascinated her far more, was that the left 'wall' of the cabin was completely out of glass. Riven stepped closer to the windows and looked down. They were already high up in the air. Below her, she saw the rather small looking town, the Institute and the mountains. She could see even farther to the horizon. For a moment she forgot her fear and the reason why she was aboard the airship.
‟Do you wish something Sheriff?", a man asked from the door.
‟Two cup of tea please", she answered and the man nodded. He left the room and the door closed behind him with a mechanical sound.
Riven looked away from the windows and sat down on one of the couches, in front of Caitlyn, which crossed her legs and look at her. Riven put her backpack on the ground and her sword beside her.
‟So let me ask you something..what do you want in Piltover?", Caitlyn asked with a curious voice.
‟I assume you know Karma? Well...she invited me to Ionia to some festival. I'll take a ferry from Piltover...ehm...I don't want to offend you, but your city is a bit more...relaxed with someone like me than for example Demacia", Riven said carefully.
‟It's not like that we like Noxus, as it has its bond with Zaun...but you're possibly right. As long as you don't scream ‟For Noxus" in the public, that shouldn't be a problem", she replied with a smile.
‟I assure you, that this will not happen", Riven said. The door opened again and the man entered.
‟Two cups of tea with two spoons of sugar. Can I do something else for you?" he said with a grin.
‟Thank you. And no, we're fine", Caitlyn replied to him. He nodded and left the cabin again. Caitlyn took the cup of tea and nipped at it.
‟So...what business do you have in Ionia? As former Noxian...isn't it dangerous to go there?", Caitlyn asked.
‟Some...personal things to handle. And well...Karma assured me, that I'm under her protection when I get there", Riven answered.
‟Huh...be careful not to run into any traps then. Do you know Varus? I've heard rumors that he joined the League recently. As my summoner told me, he was a guardian of some kind of temple. He told me he hates Noxians with a passion beyond logic", Caitlyn said thoughtfully.
Varus. The name echoed through her head. Riven knew she heard this name before..but it had to be a long time ago, as she couldn't remember when or where she heard it.
‟I will be careful", Riven said and looked at the cup of tea, which stood before her.
‟Huh...you asked me what business I have in Piltover right?", Caitlyn said and nipped at her cup once more. ‟I can tell you. Some new rowdies showed up. As far as they told me, they stole something precious out of one of the labors."
‟They call for you you for something like this?", Riven asked.
‟That isn't some normal crime. They only call me to Piltover, if it's something very important. It has to be something very precious...I wonder if Zaun has something to do with it", Caitlyn asked silently and more to herself then Riven.
For a short moment the zeppelin was shaken slightly. Riven felt how her stomach rebelled because of the movement. ‟Wuah...is this thing really safe?", she asked Caitlyn.
‟Yeah. That was nothing more than a little wind gust. Nothing to worry about...you have never flown with a zeppelin?", Caitlyn asked amused.
‟No never. Noxus don't have such technology and..to be honest Piltover wants a horrendous amount of gold for one flight", Riven replied.
‟So you were in Piltover once?", Caitlyn asked while another wind gust put Riven's stomach on a sample.
‟Once...your city is a rather interesting town. Even though I don't have much to do with technology or something like this. Most Noxians are a bit more conservative about some things", Riven answered.
‟They city can be a bit crazy from time to time", Caitlyn said and laughed.
‟Well..I was only in the suburbs to buy some supplies. It was rather quiet there", Riven replied with a faint smile.
They chatted with each other for the rest of the rather short flight to Piltover. Then, as the sun started to set the cabin door opened again.
‟We starting the landing right now Sheriff", the crew member said and Caitlyn nodded.
‟Alright. Let's go Riven", she said to her.
Riven grabbed her backpack and sword and stood up. She looked out of the window and could see the city of progress. Even though they started to land, they were still pretty high. Riven could see some of the skyscrapers and big buildings of Piltover. They city deserved its name. Shortly the zeppelin was shaken as it hit the ground. Riven heard how someone yelled orders.
She followed Caitlyn outside of the zeppelin and looked around. Something was wrong. ‟Ehm..Caitlyn? Where are we?", Riven asked.
‟On top of the statesmen building of Piltover. It's the closest landing field to my office and to the harbor", Caitlyn replied and walked on.
Riven took her time and walked to the edge off the landing platform. Some railing surrounded it to pretend people from falling over. She looked down into the streets of Piltover. 'Far..too...high. How can they even build such things?", Riven thought and watched thousands of small people. On the streets, she spotted some vehicles, which drove there. 'Carriages without horses? Or what kind of things are that?" She looked at the skyscrapers, most of them in different colors. She spotted some people working behind the windows. She wondered what kind of work that's supposed to be.
‟Riven? Do you come?", Caitlyn yelled and Riven turned around to follow her into the building.
They entered a small chamber and Caitlyn pushed a button. Suddenly the doors shut tight and Riven felt movement. ‟You don't want to walk the stairs do you?", Caitlyn asked with a smirk.
‟Well...", Riven said plainly and turned around. The little chamber had glass at the backside. She had a fantastic sight of the suburbs from Piltover. Most of the buildings were built around little lakes. Riven heard that they use the water as a natural energy source. The most houses were white or other bright colors.
‟Fantastic sight, isn't it", Caitlyn said with a smile.
‟You're city never stops to fascinate outsiders", Riven replied.
‟I suppose you're right. I'll take you to the harbor. The ferry should be there right now", Caitlyn said.
‟Alright. Thank you", Riven replied.
Suddenly the elevator stopped and the doors opened once more. They were in some great hall most likely the entrance hall of the statesmen building. Riven saw some people with stacks of paper on their arms. They nodded shortly at Caitlyn and Riven and walked on.
They left through the main doors. One of these vehicles Riven saw before was waiting for them. A man waited outside of it. ‟There you are Sheriff. Who's that?", he asked and nodded in Riven's direction.
‟A friend of mine. She needs to get the ferry to Ionia. Let's make a short stop at the harbor before", Caitlyn explained and the man nodded.
‟Alright. I think we have this much time. Get in." He opened the doors of the vehicle and Caitlyn and Riven went into the vehicle. The man sat before them and started the vehicle. Riven felt a little jolt before they started moving through Piltovers streets.
‟That's a rather...strange transport method", Riven said to Caitlyn while she looked around in the inside. It was like a far smaller and more compact version of a carriage. But far more comfortable and quieter.
‟In Piltover it's modern standard. We call it ‟car". You don't need horses anymore and you're as fast as them as long as you have a road", Caitlyn explained and Riven nodded. That was far too much input for her.
Riven looked out of the window, when the man and Caitlyn started talking about some criminal case. She saw the skyscrapers and other smaller buildings between them. The city of progress was a strange place. Sometimes she saw some big mechanism working, then she saw someone who was protected by most likely artificial beings. They looked like humans, but were far slimmer and complete made out of metal. Their eyes glowed in a blue color.
Riven felt out of place more than ever before. 'Such a strange city...they never look back into the past do they?', she asked herself. Piltover was all about progress. Eyes on the horizon and never look back.
Suddenly the car stopped at one of the docks, which looked rather standard. Besides, they were made out of solid stone and some great white cranes which loaded some of the waiting ships. She could see many different people, running around, yelling orders. But she also saw some 'normal' people, which boarded some ship. Most likely the ferry to Ionia.
‟Here we are. Just get on the ship, their you can buy a ticket while on board. So..that's the end off our little travel", Caitlyn said with a smirk.
‟I guess so. Good luck for you to catch these criminals", Riven said.
‟Don't worry. They'll behind barred windows...be careful on Ionia...and come back again, will you?" Caitlyn winked at her and Riven nodded.
She got out of the car. ‟I will...see you in the League", she said and closed the door. The driver pressed the accelerator and they vanished into the city.
Riven now looked at the ship. It was completely white and without any sails or something like this. 'Modern Piltover design huh? Guess I have no choice...trust the technology again", Riven thought with a sigh.
She got to the line of waiting passengers who entered the ship one after another. Riven entered the gangway and looked back shortly. She watched the city of progress. 'Well, how do they say here? Put your eyes on the horizon. Let's go then..", Riven thought and went into the inside of the ship.
Author's Note
So you thought there wouldn't be a love triangle?! MUCH MISLEAD! But don't worry guys...Diana will have her time in the next chapter (it's Riven X Diana after all). Besides..I enjoyed writing the Piltover part of the story...my next fanfic will most likely play there :3