Chapter 3

As he entered the library, Ezreal was quickly aware of its size. He had always heard that the Library of Demacia was the largest in Runeterra, but the rumors did not do it justice. Though he knew there was a ceiling, he couldn't see one. Rows upon rows of books extended in every direction imaginable and Ezreal only wished he had a few more set of eyes.

Ezreal began to meander through the center of the library as he admired the craftsmanship put into its design. Stone statues that resembled gargoyles adorned the walls, beautiful mixed granite stretched across the floor, and large pillars separated the massive wooden bookshelves that sat in uncountable rows. He could feel the magic and the mystery that engulfed this place. The stacks and rows of knowledge around him was staggering.

Other Demacian citizens were scattered throughout the library, all on an individual quest to answer their deepest questions. Ezreal approached one man who was sitting at a large wooden table with stacks of books pilled around him.

"Excuse me sir," Ezreal said hesitantly, "Do you know how I find the appraiser here?"

The man didn't say a word. In fact, he was ignoring Ezreal as if he wasn't even there and hadn't just spoken. Thinking it was possible that the man didn't hear him, Ezreal asked his question again. This time he was met with an angry gaze and a scowl from above the old man's glasses.

"Do I look like a librarian? I'm very busy. Go find someone else," the man said angrily making a shooing motion with one of his hands before looking back down to his book.

Ezreal, deciding to leave the old man alone, looked around for anyone else to help him.

After feeling rather helpless, a soothing voice came from behind him, "Just follow that aisle and it will take you straight to the back."

Ezreal turned to discover the owner of such a lovely voice. Behind him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen pointing in the direction of a line of bookshelves over to his left. Ezreal couldn't help but stare at this girl who was sporting long blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a sparkling smile. She was wearing Demacian armor and had a large book under her arm.

After Ezreal realized he was staring for far too long he composed himself and said, "Um, thank you."

"Anytime," the girl said with a smile before turning to walk out of the library. Ezreal stood and watched her until she was out of sight.

I've got to figure out who that was, Ezreal thought to himself, she was beautiful. She's obviously a part of the army.

Ezreal continued to think about this new girl as he walked towards the back of the library. Once he could go no further, he was met by a set of massive, wooden double doors which were carved to form the shape of the Demacian crest. Figuring he was in the right place, Ezreal gave them a shove in order to find the appraiser.

As Ezreal exited the double doors, he found himself standing at the front of a large greenhouse. The greenhouse was in the shape of a dome and was completely constructed out of thick glass and metal poles. It was as if he had stepped into an entirely different world. A meticulous stone walkway that cut through the center of the greenhouse was all that could be seen between the dense forests of vegetation that now surrounded him. Everything from palm trees to tomato vines covered the surface of the greenhouse and stretched to the near top of the dome where bright sunlight was allowed to shine to the floor.

Ezreal could feel his jaw drop as he walked down the stone path spinning his head from side to side as fast as he could so as to not miss a single thing. His only regret at that moment in time was that he did not have three more sets of eyes to take everything in. Colorful wild birds could be heard singing in the distance and flying overhead. As Ezreal got further into the dome, he noticed a system of waterways that curved throughout in every direction. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a plethora of different sized fish bolting up and down the streams with ease. A system of nicely hidden pipes was installed; some that were pouring water into the streams while others were taking it out. Looking up, Ezreal noticed sprinkler systems that dotted the ceiling all across the glassed dome. It was obvious to him that this greenhouse was completely self-sufficient and was its own ecosystem.

Once again Ezreal had allowed himself to follow his sense of exploration and it wasn't too long before he was lost. He came upon a large stone-like statute that rested atop a pedestal which appeared to be a centerpiece where all the pathways met. Looking above his head, he confirmed this thought as he was standing in the dead center of the dome. As Ezreal inspected the statue, he noticed it formed a gigantic gargoyle that was standing with a regal pose and appeared to be wearing….a tux? It was a tux!

Why in the world would someone have a tux on a statue in the first place? Ezreal thought to himself.

Feeling curious, Ezreal climbed the statue until he was at head level. After giving it a closer look, Ezreal noticed that at some point someone had seemingly painted a thin mustache and goatee on the statue as well. This only led Ezreal to be more confused. What kind of statue was this and why had someone dressed it up as if it was going to a fancy dinner?

Ezreal caught himself staring off into space as he pondered this place and this strange statue. He was deep in thought when he thought he felt the statue move.

No, that's not right, Ezreal thought to himself, statues don't move. I must be imagining things. Too long hanging around up here.

Just as Ezreal began to make his way down, he stopped. Still hanging face-to-face with the statue, he thought he saw it blink.

"No, no, no I am losing my mind," Ezreal said under his breath as he shook his head.

Before Ezreal could continue his decent, the statue threw back its head with a violent jerk. Surprised by the sudden movement, Ezreal lost his grip and fell backwards towards the ground.

In a full body stretch the statue stood tall and exclaimed in a deep voice, "Ahh, feels good to stretch my wings!"

Ezreal yelled as he careened towards the ground and closed his eyes preparing to collide with the stone walkway. He tensed, but no pain or hard landing. Ezreal unclenched his eyes and noticed he had stopped in mid-air. The giant statue, which was now a very alive stone gargoyle, had him by the back of his shirt and was staring at him.

Ezreal tried to find some words, but none came. All he could do was stare.

"I take it you've never seen a live gargoyle before?" the statue asked.

Ezreal, still awestruck and hanging above the ground, managed to simply nod his head.

The gargoyle let out a deep laugh, stepped off the pedestal, and placed Ezreal securely back on his feet.

"So, what can I do for you?" the gargoyle asked.

Finally out of his stupor, Ezreal replied, "I…I was told I could find a master appraiser here."

The gargoyle stood straight up, adjusted his bowtie and said proudly, "Well you are looking at him. My name is Galio and I am an expert on stones, gems, and artifacts. Let's see what you have."

Ezreal smiled. Even if his exploring got him lost, at least it brought him to the man, um…statue that he was supposed to see. Though he didn't know Galio very well, something about him gave off a trusting feeling.

Ezreal reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled out the circular object he had found in the Great Barrier Mountains. After giving it a quick look he placed it into the outstretched, stone palm that Galio was extending.

Galio flipped it over between his fingers multiple times, narrowing his eyes to get a better look. Ezreal watched as he flicked, pulled, rubbed, and twirled the object trying best to figure out what it was. Lastly, Galio held it up to the sky allowing the sunlight of the greenhouse to gleam off its face.

As Galio was examining the object in the sunlight, seemingly staring off into the sky, Ezreal decided to break the silence.

"So, what do you think its worth?"

Galio remained silent as he continued to inspect the artifact.

"I'm hoping to get a pretty good payday off that little object. It wasn't easy to obtain let me tell you; krugs are vicious little creatures. But it will be worth it because I am planning on heading over to Doran's Pawn Shop here in town and…"

"You don't want to be selling this," Galio finally said as he had now lowered the object and was examining it with a tiny loupe.

"Why, because I can get way more somewhere else?" Ezreal asked with excitement.

"No, because you can use it," Galio replied still not looking up at Ezreal.

"Use it?" Ezreal said with a slight hint of disgust, "What would I use it for?"

Without warning, Galio gripped the gauntlet on Ezreal's wrist and held the object close as if measuring it for size.

"Whoa, whoa what are you doing?" Ezreal exclaimed as he tried to pull himself free.

Ignoring the question, Galio was now inspecting Ezreal's gauntlet, flipping it over in his stony hands and seeming to forget that it was attached to an actual arm.

Galio turned the gauntlet right side up and tapped a small piece on the top. A small compartment opened and Ezreal's eyes grew wide.

Ezreal's struggling stopped and his amazement had returned.

"How…how did you know it would do that?" Ezreal asked.

"In order to be a master, one must be full of knowledge," Galio replied as he positioned the object over the gauntlet.

With delicacy and precision, Galio lowered the object into the new opening of the gauntlet. Once it found a resting place, Galio tapped the top again and the compartment slid shut. Galio released Ezreal's hand and stood back.

Within seconds, the gauntlet gave off a blinding light from where the object had been placed; so much so that both Ezreal and Galio had to shield their eyes. The gauntlet shook and the light transitioned between blinding and dim. Once it had stabilized and the light retracted, Ezreal examined his hand. He wiggled his fingers and flexed his palm proving to himself that he still had control.

However, something was different now – he felt….stronger.

"What was that and what did you do?" Ezreal said turning to Galio.

"That object that you found was one of a kind," Galio replied. "They are called amulets and very few were made. They were designed to enhance the power of ones that can use them. I have only seen one other in my lifetime."

"I see, but how did you know it would fit in my gauntlet?" Ezreal asked.

"Because the ones that crafted the amulets also made that gauntlet," Galio answered. "Which puzzles me as to how you acquired it?"

"It was given to me by my father before he passed away," Ezreal replied pulling his gauntleted arm to his chest.

"I see," Galio said stroking his face.

"You have natural abilities, I can tell, but the gauntlet allows you to focus your magic into more honed attacks," Galio continued. "Am I correct?"

Feeling a little creeped out by the fact that a giant statue knew more about his gauntlet that he owned most of his life than he did, Ezreal managed to let out, "Yeah."

"Well, that amulet that I just inserted will amplify your power even further," Galio said with a beaming smile.

Ezreal looked down at his gauntlet as if it had suddenly morphed into an unknown and new object. Deep down he knew Galio was telling the truth because he did indeed feel different.

"Well go on, try it out," Galio said as he pushed his arms in a shooing motion.

"Right," Ezreal said as he held his arm out in front of him. He stood for what seemed like forever as nothing happened.

"You have to concentrate. Search deep within yourself," Galio said as he patted his own chest.

Ezreal took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He didn't know exactly what he was supposed to be focusing on, but he put all his concentration on his outstretched arm.

Suddenly, Ezreal felt a surge of energy through his body as if it had started at his feet and was traveling towards his arm. At the last second, he opened his eyes and watched as two mystical bow-like limbs appeared on each side of his gauntlet and a thin transparent string stretched between them. Hesitantly, he pulled the string and released the largest crescent shaped energy blast that he had ever seen.

It nearly knocked Ezreal off his feet and he watched as it shot towards the top of the greenhouse. As it traveled, it shaved off any tree that got in its way before cutting through the glass at the top of the dome and disappearing into the distance.

Ezreal's jaw dropped and his eyes grew wide not daring to look over at Galio. All he could do was stare at the clear path of destruction that was left behind. Though embarrassed because of the destruction, he also felt a twinge of excitement at what he could do.

Before he turned, Ezreal heard the deepest belly laugh followed by Galio's voice, "And that's what I'm talking about! Good shot boy!"

"You're not mad?" Ezreal said shocked at how calm Galio was, knowing that there was a giant hole in his greenhouse now glaring down at them.

"Not at all, boy!" Galio said again. "Trees will grow back and roofs can be mended."

"I knew you had it in you," Galio said as he gave Ezreal and excited pat on the back. Ezreal flew forward as the stone hand connected with his back.

"Thank you so much," Ezreal said gripping his arm and looking back towards his new stoic friend.

"Anytime my friend, anytime. I believe you are better equipped for your future missions," Galio replied.

Ezreal nodded and gave Galio an admiring smile.

"I guess you will be off then. If you come across anymore artifacts you know where to find me," Galio said as he returned to his pedestal.

"Wait, Galio I have a couple of questions for you first," Ezreal said.

"Okay, ask away," Galio replied.

"Why are you out here in this greenhouse and also why are you in a tux?"

"Plants are more peaceful than people," Galio answered. "People merely pass by doing the same thing day after day and it's…monotonous. Besides I like the sunlight on my wings."

"As far as the tux goes, in order to be a master it is true that you must have knowledge, but it also doesn't hurt to look the part," said Galio as he gave out another big laugh before positioning himself back into place upon his pedestal.

Ezreal returned the laugh and said, "Goodbye Galio and thank you!"

"Back to sleep," Galio said before turning back into solid stone, striking the same regal pose that Ezreal had found him in earlier.