Author's Note

I'm sorry to be uncreative. The song from Diana is ‟Daylight's End" here original login screen. (Here stand the complete copyright thing..I don't own anything and so on). It fitted so nicely, that I decided to include it. Don't hate me! :P

Chapter 8

The Tale of Reina

The sun slowly set upon the island of Ionia and dusk approached. And with this the festival began. The streets of Placidium were filled with people from all over Valoran and Ionia mainly from the city states of Demacia, Piltover and even Bandle City. Ionian music filled the air, along with the noise of the crowd, which cheered and celebrated the last few hours before the new year.

The stages were filled with actors who played different acts, ninjas from the Kinkou order who fought against each other or Ionian elder who spoke to the people and told them about the future, honored special persons and so on. As far as Riven heard about it, some people even got married at this time of the year. For a short moment, she thought about marriage, but pushed it aside as she had rather more important things in her head.

Riven herself stood near the stage in Serene Gardens. From here she had a perfect view of the scene, the crowd and the giant tree, which was filled all over with scrolls. She didn't wear her normal attitude. Instead, she wore a red-white traditional Ionian piece of armor, which was rather short cut for Riven's taste. A wrong movement or high jump and...well, somebody could see more than she wanted.

A fearsome demon like mask hung around her neck. She would need it, while on the stage. For her weapons she got two strange formed pole arms. Or at least Riven would describe them like this. A long staff for holding, while the blade was cut in two separate pieces. She never saw a weapon like this before and she asked herself again if this weapons were really used during wars and battles, as they were pretty bulky.

She leaned against another smaller tree and closed her eyes. She sighed silently. Shortly her mind drifted back to the bath. It was rather embarrassing for her, but on the other side she had some very good sights on some nice girls. Luckily they hadn't paid her much attention. 'I enjoyed this part a bit..too much', she thought for a moment.

She shook her head and sighed again. She always felt more attracted to girls. Even during her time in the Noxian military. Well, she didn't have much time back then, as she was an officer and held great responsibility for her unit. But, there was this one girl in her company. This one girl which always made her feel better when she saw her.

'Huh...I wonder what happened to her', Riven thought. She wasn't part of the fight in Ionia as her job was that of a medic, so it was most likely that she survived the war.

Relationships like this weren't forbidden in Noxus...but people always had a strange look on their faces if they saw such a couple in the public. Two girls or two men can't have offspring to strengthen Noxus glory and might. And without offspring, there wouldn't be new children in the military.

Riven's mind drifted back to the bath. 'This open culture isn't something for someone like me..who enjoy girls. Besides...' Riven looked through the crowd and near the stage. She hoped to find Diana, but there was no trace of her. 'Why everything has to be complicated like this?', she thought with a smile.

She heard steps and looked to her side. Irelia walked toward her. She wore a fiery piece of armor. Spikes and strange runes were affixed at her clothing. The mask in her left hand, was even more fearsome than Riven's. Her blade's hovered around her like they usually did. But today they were painted in the same color as her armor.

‟Huh? What's so funny?", she said with a smile.

‟Nothing..just thought about some things", Riven replied. 'Focus on the essential right now', she thought and took her serious face on. ‟You dyed your blades?"

‟For my role as a fearsome demon, yes...and before you ask: No, it didn't feel strange nor hurt it", Irelia answered with a smirk.

‟That's what I wanted to ask..I mean the blades are you right?", Riven asked carefully.

‟It's a rather...strange connection. It's hard for me to explain...", Irelia answered. She cracked her neck and smiled again. ‟But, well, it's Lunar Revel after all. So..are you ready?", Irelia asked her and Riven nodded.

‟I am. When we will start the show?"

‟After Diana's entrance and show. Which will take place every moment..Karma's watching from over there", Irelia said and pointed in the direction of one of the buildings, directly in front of the main stage. Above the crowd was a rather big balcony were Riven spotted Karma and some other Ionian elders.

Riven took a deep breath and prepared herself mentally. She wasn't prepared to act before such a bunch of people. Irelia smiled at her.

‟Don't worry. Will be fine..as I said you're a fine Reina", she said and nodded in the direction of the balcony, ‟It begins."

Karma stood up and walked to the balustrade. She wore a more official looking long dress. Gray and white were the main colors. Behind her floated the 'Mantle of Decorum', Ionias highest decoration. Then she started to speak in a clear, loud voice which was heard in all of Serene Gardens.

‟People of Ionia! Honored guests from all over Valoran! I welcome you all to the Lunar Revel festival. Today we will celebrate a new year under the sign of the dragon", behind Karma, high in the sky, a giant dragon appeared. It looked like he was made out of fire. The crowd cheered and applauded as they watched the spectacle.

‟Woah...impressive", Riven said and looked up.

‟Yeah. That's the work of your summoners...they do it every year", Irelia replied.

‟I know why you're here today. So let me get straight to the point. Today..we have a special guest in our rows. Allow me to introduce Champion of the League: Diana, the Lunar Goddess", Karma yelled before she sat down again. The crowd cheered up and applauded.

The eyes of the people, Riven and Irelia included, wandered back to the stage where a single person stood. 'Lunar Goddess?', Riven thought. 'Wasn't her title Scorn of the Moon?'

‟Thank you, Enlightened One. I welcome all people of Valoran too", Diana yelled.

Riven couldn't believe her eyes. Diana looked beautiful. She wore a white, light top which almost looked like blossoms. It was decorated with some golden trinkets and symbols and even her tight, purple pants were decorated in this style. Even her lips were in the same color like them. A golden tiara, decorated with a clear green stone, held back her long silver hair.

In her left hand she held a crescent blade. Riven was sure that it was not her own, as the one Diana wielded now shimmered in gold and silver. Some decorative lines were engraved in the gold. Diana looked around the crowd. She spotted Riven and shortly smiled at her. The crowd cheered.

‟That is...wow. I'm..", Riven said silently and stared at her. ‟Lunar Goddess...it fits perfectly."

‟I'm pretty impressed too...", Irelia replied besides her. ‟I've never saw this clothing."

‟Honored guests...today I want to show you all...the truth. My people, the Solari, had closed their eyes as I told them about it. They wanted me death...but today...you all will be my witnesses! You will see the truth of the moon", Diana exclaimed loudly. Ionian music started to play in the background, the crowd went silent.

The silver side of her blade started to glow in moonlight. Diana's forehead started to glow too. It was a full moon and a crescent one. Her crest and symbol. The moonlight fell down on Diana, illuminated the whole stage in a silver tone. From somewhere unseen lotus blossoms rained down upon her and the standing people.

Diana knelt down and raised her sight. She looked directly to the full moon, which stood above them. ‟Feel the might and glory of the moon..and hear the lies which are spoken by the Solari", she yelled into the crowd.

Riven heard how Diana started to sing...

‟Ask not the sun why she sets

Why she shrouds her light away
Or why she hides her glowing gaze
When night turns crimson gold to gray

For silent falls the guilty sun
As day to dark does turn
One simple truth she dare not speak:
Her light can only blind and burn

No mercy for the guilty
Bring down their lying sun
Blood so silver black by night
Upon their faces pale white

Cruel moon, bring the end
The dawn will never rise again"

Riven closed her eyes. Diana's voice was like a magical spell. She didn't know that Diana could sing like this...it was beautiful and impressive. Riven imagined a battlefield as she heard the words. The guilty Solari laid down on the ground, dead. Killed by the avatar of the moon's power. And above them stood one lonely person on a hill. She knelt down to honor the moon and the night and prayed to them.

'After all I heard about the Solari and their deeds..it's no wonder that such a song exists', she thought and looked to Diana, which was silent for a moment. 'She wants revenge on people who didn't believe...I want revenge on the one who killed my unit...we want the same thing...don't we?'

‟The moon..will punish the guilty and the liars." Diana whirled her blade around and released the lunar energy. Suddenly she was surrounded by a circle of moonlight, which illuminated the crowd and the whole garden. The crowd, which was silence until now, cheered up. With another whirl of her blade, Diana sent a Crescent Strike high in the sky. For a short moment there was a crescent moon, which lay under the full moon, forming Diana's crest.

More lotus blossoms danced and whirled around the air, which gave the whole scenery something majestic. Diana swung around her blade, which drew a silver line behind it as the energy was still within it's sharp side. Lotus blossoms gathered around her blade and with a yell she released the energy and the blossoms. The lunar energy and the blossoms rained down on the crowd, which cheered with joy.

Diana caught a full lotus flower. ‟Like this lotus, we will know the truth. It endures humble beginnings in the mud...like the truth which was buried and nearly destroyed by the Solari..but with time it blooms in a perfect beauty. Like the lotus grow..the truth will spread. From a modest thing..to a perfect flower. And in one day...nobody can't deny the truth anymore." Diana threw the flower into the crowd.

‟Now you know the truth about the moon! What is your answer?!", Diana yelled into the crowd. The cheering was loud enough to be heard in the whole city. Diana smiled into the people and raised her blade a final time. ‟Year of the Dragon...we welcome you!"

Riven watched the whole show, with her jaw dropped. It was spectacular and she had never seen Diana like this. She looked happy. From over here it nearly looked like she would cry. Diana looked in Riven's direction, while waving into the cheering crowd. She smiled at her. Riven couldn't do anything against it and just smiled back happily.

Then Diana turned around and slowly left the stage, while the people were still celebrating the act. Riven looked over them. 'They all cheer at her and respect her...I guess she had never felt like this before', Riven thought and smiled. 'That's not all for this night...tonight will be the perfect moment...tonight...I will confess.'

‟That was a great show, Diana. We all will remember your words and deeds", Karma spoke again and stood near the balustrade. ‟Our next act is a tale about strength and courage. A tale about deceiving and mislead", the music turned darker and slower, ‟It's the tale about a skilled, young woman. The tale about Reina. Watch it...and learn."

‟Here were go, Riven", Irelia whispered to her. ‟Go out there...and show them what you're made of."

Riven took a few deep breaths before she went out on the stage. Her mask still hung around her neck. 'Focus...feel the story...that's what Irelia told me'. She stood on the stage and from somewhere behind it, a voice started to relate...

A long time ago...

There was once a young woman who was called Reina. She lived in the monastery of Xuen, high in the mountains of Narbori. There she learned the way of a great warrior. She learned the codex of honor, the value of life and her responsibility to protect Ionia from the evil forces in this world. But the time came, where she followed the path to her own downfall...

At the beginning of her training, she was everything else than a perfect warrior. She lived a long time on the streets, she stole to survive. Her body was weak and her mind full of dark thoughts. She didn't know about honor or anything of the Ionian culture.

But, the strict and resolute training of the elders helped her. By the time Reina started to realize the errors of her early life. She felt a great guilt within her. So, she swore to live the life of an upright person. She swore to protect the weak and ill. When she didn't train, she wandered around Ionia and helped wherever she could.

Year after year passed and Reina was getting better and better. She was raised in the rang of an elite soldier of the order. But, she was still very young and hadn't seen the shadows which lured around Ionia, during this time. She only learned about it from the elders and veteran soldiers.

One day, the elders had a special task for their warriors. It was Reina, who raised her hand at first. The elder spoke to her: ‟This is an important message, Reina. You need to bring into the north of Ionia, to the Kinkou Order and their sacred temple."

‟Whatever you wish, elder. I will do it, as long as it doesn't stand against my honor", Reina replied.

‟I know, I could count on you Reina. Now leave and come back soon", the elder spoke.

Reina then left the monastery at the same day. She walked through the great Narbori mountains, through the place we now call Coeur Valley and into the forest of Shan-Lian. On her way, she met different persons who all greeted her with great respect. Every child knew her name. She was rather famous throughout Ionia.

As night fell over the forest, Reina decided to set up a camp and rest for the night. She heard rumors that some evil spirits lived within Shan-Lian, but she was sure about herself and her willpower to handle them.

As she just wanted to lay to rest, she heard the cracking sound of branches and looked up. A beautiful, young girl walked through the forest. She wore a long, white kimono, her hair so silver like the shine of the moon. ‟Oh...you are Reina, aren't you?", she said. Her voice sounded innocent.

‟Yes, I am", Reina replied. ‟But, what are you doing out here? This place is dangerous for young girls like you", Reina continued, her voice full of worry.

The girl blushed slightly before she answered: ‟I saw you in the last village...and I look up to you. Allow me to follow you! I want to learn from you! From the greatest warrior of Ionia!"

‟I wouldn't call me like this", Reina replied. ‟I allow it...as these forests are far too dangerous by night. But first...call me your name."

‟My name is Meilin. It's a great honor for me."

From this day, the young Meilin followed Reina around. And Meilin learned from the skilled warrior. They fulfilled the order from the elder and gave the message to the Kinkou Order which was pleased with them. But, they looked at Meilin with a suspicious facial expression and asked Reina about her. She explained it to the ninjas, but they stayed careful around her, which made Reina very angry, as she treated everyone with the same respect and awaited that others did the same thing.

But the ninjas stayed this way, the whole time Reina and Meilin were in their monastery. Until the day came in which they left. After a few hours of walking, a man jumped out of a bush and drew his swords. He wore a mask and looked at them.

‟Stop! You shall not go any farther. This girl on your side is a fearsome evil spirit from the Shan-Lian forests", the man exclaimed.

‟She's not an evil spirit! She's an innocent girl!", Reina replied and drew her weapons. ‟If you want to kill her, I will have to kill you."

‟Very well. You have decided your fate", the man said.

The battle between them was short and Reina won it. She killed the man with a single blow of her sword, her face painted red with blood.

‟You didn't have to do it", Meilin exclaimed and looked at her.

‟They have no right, just to kill you. You are one innocent girl", Reina smiled. Meilin looked at her, her face looked shocked.

‟But when you have to kill another one...you should wear this mask. I...you look so fearsome with the blood in your face. It's not worthy for the greatest warrior of Ionia to be bloodstained like this", Meilin said and blushed. She handled a mask over to Reina, a fearsome demonic mask.

‟I will Meilin. Don't worry, I will protect you", Reina exclaimed and they continued their journey.

On their way back to the monastery, many other fighters fell under Reina's blades. And every time she put on her new mask and fear grew in the hearts of her enemies. The mask started to be a part of herself, a second face in battle...at some point she didn't put it away anymore. Meilin didn't have any fear. No, she was always there to comfort her after the countless battles. She gave her warmth, and a feeling of strength.

After a few days of travel, they passed Coeur Valley once again and another warrior stood before them. It was obviously a girl. She held two swords in her hands and looked at Reina and her fearsome mask.

‟So, you turned yourself into a demon? You gave up everything and killed innocent? You're not the Reina I used to know", she spoke.

‟Are you here to kill Meilin too? If that's so..you have to kill me!", Reina exclaimed.

‟If that's your wish. Very well...I will do it."

The battle was fiery and hard. The other girl was a very skilled warrior of the order, but she couldn't win against the demonic, fearsome Reina.

As Reina killed her with another single blow, the helmet of the girl flew away. Reina looked at the face of the girl, and fell on the ground. ‟What have I done?", she asked herself. The other warrior was her very best friend. Her friend which she knew from the streets, her friend during her training. ‟What have I become?" She looked at her bloodstained, shaking hands.

‟It's only a matter of time now", Meilin said behind her. ‟You will be mine...forever. They were all right...but it was rather funny to see you, kill them all for such an innocent girl like me."

‟You...you betrayed me?! You let me kill my friends?!", Reina yelled and Meilin laughed at her.

‟You're not so clever, are you? You were blinded by yourself...I only needed to tell you, that you're the greatest warrior in Ionia..and you willingly killed anyone. You were proud of yourself...and now you're mine", the evil spirit said and laughed.

‟I..I'm not yours", Reina exclaimed. She tried to get rid of the mask on her face...but it was like, it was nailed on to her face. No matter how she tried, she wasn't able to throw it away. She started to cry silently.

‟Your humans are so pathetic...now...you're mine", Meilin said and went closer and closer to her.

Reina felt guilty. Her errors and mistake made her to kill her very own people. She knew that this...thing was right. On her long journey, she constantly told her what a fine warrior she was, what a noble soul she luckily found. She was blinded by her own arrogance and pride. Her swords fell to the ground and she looked at her hands.

‟You have me, haven't you?", Meilin said behind her in a seductive tone.

‟Go away! Disappear! Leave me alone!", Reina yelled.

Meilin laughed at her. ‟I shall disappear? Make me...a weak shell like you, can't do anything any more. You're nothing. Your spirit is broken and your friends dead."

Reina put both of her hands on the mask. With all her strength she pulled it, tried to shatter it. She started to cry loudly. ‟I've made a horrible mistake! I know it! I was blinded by myself! Please...forgive..."

‟The once great warrior started to cry like a baby. Pathetic humans..."

The warrior looked over her shoulder. The once innocent girl, turned into a fearsome demonic appearance. Fiery, red armor covered her body and a mask hid her once beautiful face.

‟I trusted you...", Reina exclaimed and her hands started to shake. ‟I cannot turn back time anymore...I can't make up my mistakes or errors...but what I can do...

...is to avenge you my friends!", Riven yelled and stood up in a fluid movement. ‟I cannot turn back nor can I deny the cruelty of my deeds. But, I can walk on and show all of Ionia..no the whole world the spirit of a true warrior!"

Riven took the mask and crushed it within her hand. She threw the remains into the silent crowd and turned around. The evil spirit, or to be exact, Irelia who played the role disappeared from the stage. ‟Face me demon! Face me and your final destination!" She was completely one with her role. For a short moment she forgot, that she was on a stage and acted before a crowd of people.

‟No matter how hard Reina yelled and screamed, the evil spirit was nowhere to see. It fled in terror of the new found strength of the young warrior...Reina was never seen again. Some people say she wandered around Valoran, others say she returned to her home. Nobody knows it...", a voice said from behind the stage.

The crowd cheered up and applauded. Riven looked around. Even the elders applauded and Karma stood up from her seat. She looked down and her strong voice was clear to understand: ‟That was a great act, Riven. One of the best I have seen in many years. Do you...have anything to say former Noxian?"

A murmur went through the people. All eyes were upon her. Riven looked into the waiting people and thought for a moment. She wasn't prepared for something like this, to speak before so many people. 'She didn't let me play this for entertainment...and she didn't say that without a purpose', Riven thought and took a deep breath. She knew, what Karma wanted from her.

‟I have, Enlightened One", Riven exclaimed. ‟Yes it is true. I am a former Noxian officer. I've led troops into this country and committed many crimes and sins, just like Reina did. I was blind to the corruption which took over Noxus High Command. I believed in orders...but after my whole unit was killed by our own ally...I realized the errors of my ways and my own blindness.

But, not anymore! During my long travels and during my short time here, I learned the meaning of honor and true strength! I learned the value of life. Every Ionian...has my deepest respect..", Riven stopped for a short moment. She remembered the words of Ardus's ghost in the valley.

‟I will open the eyes of every Noxian! I will not stop until the High Command and every Noxian see the errors of their way! You can judge me...but I will not stop until I reached this goal! I swear this by my own blood!", Riven yelled. She never felt so strong. So right in her decisions. She knew, if Noxus get scent of it, she would be dead. They didn't tolerate rebels or someone like her. But, right now she didn't care.

Riven closed her eyes and waited for their reactions. In the first moment it was silence, but then the crowd started cheering. They applauded and yelled her name. She heard Karma's voice through the noise.

‟I never believed there would be a remorseful Noxian. But, you Riven...opened our eyes. I believed in you, as I saw how you shed bitter tears at the graves of your comrades. From now on..you are a welcomed guest in Ionia! Go and find some rest now", Karma exclaimed and smiled down at her.

‟Thank you", Riven replied and left the stage, the crowd was still celebrating. She heard how Karma started to speak again, but didn't understand the words anymore. Her mind was in chaos and her knees were still shaking. 'I can't believe it', she just thought.

Behind the stage Irelia waited for here. She had taken down her mask and smiled at Riven. Then suddenly she hugged her.

‟You were the best Reina I've ever seen in my life, Riven...and your speech was impressive. I guess you've won the hearts of my people", Irelia said and laughed.

‟Well..thank you I guess", Riven replied and smiled. ‟You were pretty good too. For a short moment I forgot, that I stood on a stage."

‟It was my first time too", Irelia winked. ‟You should come back next year."

‟I think about it", Riven said and looked around. ‟Where is Diana?"

Irelia smiled mysteriously. ‟As your speech came to an end, she said she will wait for you at the northern gardens. You know..the one where we both trained for the act."

‟Yeah, I know. Why there?", Riven asked.

‟That she didn't say to me. Nevertheless..I think you should probably go there. She's waiting for you! So let's go! You know where to go, right?" Irelia pushed her into the direction and laughed.

‟Yeah I know. Alright, alright I go. I see you later, Irelia", Riven replied and Irelia nodded at her. She walked back into another direction, most likely up to Karma and the other elders.

As Riven walked through the crowded streets, where she got some looks, as she still wore the short cut clothing of Reina, she thought about everything. She had made herself a target right now. 'But that's ok, I suppose. I can't hide anymore...and the League will protect me", she thought.

Besides..now she was at peace with herself. She had a goal in her life. But what bothers her far more right now, was the meeting with Diana. She didn't know what to say, or how to start the conversation anyway. 'Come on...give yourself a push now! You can make it!', she motivated herself.

Slowly Riven walked up the stairs which led to the garden. 'Just say the three magic words...', she thought. She took a deep breath and shortly checked the one little bag at her belt. The pendant was there. 'This will be the perfect moment...don't blow it!'

The garden was empty. No other soul were around as Riven slowly walked through it. Pink leaves lay around everywhere and every step of Riven rustled quietly. It was the only noise, as the city far behind her was silent. Now she knew for sure, why this was a place where people came, when they wanted a rest.

Riven got closer to the pavilion. There! She spotted Diana, which leaned on a tree, close to the little lake in which the pavilion stood. She looked up into the night sky. She still wore her 'Lunar Goddess' outfit. The moon shone on her, her eyes glowed with a faint silver. ‟Diana?", Riven said silently and went closer.

Diana turned around to her and smiled. ‟Riven..."

Author's Note

Cliffhanger? Here? Oh, yes! Next chapter will come soon! :P