(March 3rd 2015 – 10:45 Earth time – Summoner's Rift, Runeterra)
With the enemy minions pushed away from the base and the Baron who just spawned, the group walked through the jungle avoiding meeting any of the Voidborns in their way. The exit through the blue buff was the perfect place for them to see the mighty creature. Unlike the Dragon the Void serpent wasn't able to move from its pit but that didn't meant that his attacks could hit them from afar.
From the Middle lane the entire Void team emerged from the bush, led by Cho'Gath, at its side the Queen of the Xer'Sai protecting their carries and support. Liz had her eyes focused on the red haired; she was the one that could cause a threat to Kog'Maw and Vel'Koz so it was her task to eliminate the mage.
¨You know that if they get Nashor we lost, right?¨ Matt aimed his rifle at the little sister, with some luck maybe he was able to land a shot on her.
¨Yeah, thanks for reminding me that. It is obvious we cannot contest it right now so our best option is to kill some and push¨ Claire was ready to jump on the carries, although she depended on the frontline to give her the enough time to go in and out without dying.
The announcer's voice claimed that one of the Void's towers has fallen, this time on the Bottom Lane. With their minion wave slowly arriving to the inhibitor turret if none of the Voidborns recalled to defend the structure it would leave a weak spot in their base from where the group might be able to get in.
¨ Backup plan imminent. Suggesting tactical retreat ¨ The eye of the Void flew back to the bush along with the other two carries, Rek'Sai used her ultimate to get faster to the bottom while Cho'Gath just slowly moved towards the red buff from his side of the jungle.
Everyone was confused, it was obvious that risking another structure would give them an advantage but leaving the Baron just for them was an even riskier option.
¨I know this is of weird to say in this very moment but I like the fact that everything is going so smooth¨ Nick looked around, the big serpent was looking at them.
¨And I know this may be odd for me to say, but remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer¨ The Radiant Dawn whispered into his ear, although the voice was in his head the Summoner felt as if the Champion was at his side saying each word in a grim tone just to scare him.
¨That is something I would never expect you to say!¨ The Summoner said in surprise.
¨We can talk about me after you defeated the other team. As of now you should be helping your friends at the Baron's pit¨ Nick looked back and noticed that none of his friends were behind him, instead they were all focused on the great beast who was trying to defend itself.
It took the group some time for the Baron to reach the enough low health for Marie to smite it. Happy and confidence faces could be seen in all of them with the purple buff, but it wasn't over. From outside of the pit, the gigantic Cho'Gath jumped over the wall and chomped the serpent's head, killing it and awarding the Baron buff to the Void team.
They were stunned, their only chance to win the match just disappeared in front of their eyes, with hatred the group killed the Terror of the Void and recalled to the base, waiting for the enemies' last push.
¨Head bot, we'll stop them from getting into the base!¨ Irelia was the one leading the group who were defending the inhibitor turret.
The increasing minion wave empowered by the Baron buff was slowly approaching to the turret, behind the purple-red soldiers the Voidborns were grouped up without Cho'Gath who was still dead but it was certain that he must have Teleport once again to join in the fight.
¨Just focus on the carries, then support and lastly tanks. If they lose the buff we can make push back!¨ The redhead was looking at both Kog'Maw and Liz who were behind Rek'Sai who was advancing at the side of the minions.
As soon as the minions got in rage the Mouth of the Abyss started to use his ultimate and landed a few hits on the tanks, the red aura around the Voidborn showed that he had a Trinity Force in his inventory and that would cause a lot of problem to the team if they allowed him to keep firing his green artillery.
The group tried to kill the minions but the purple buff turned them into almost unstoppable units. From behind them the red circle appeared once again into one of the soldiers that entered into the base from the Top lane, as the channeling ended the Terror of the Void, this time smaller, started to attack the Nexus towers.
¨Don't let him destroy any-¨ Matt shouted but got interrupted when he felt something in his stomach, as the Summoner looked down he saw the blade that pierced him. The little child looking at him with a grin on her face as she removed the blade and kicked his back ¨Fucking… OP man…¨
With those being the last words from the sheriff they now had to stop Cho'Gath from destroying the last line of defense.
¨We'll stop the Terror, all of you kill the carries¨ Ralzith yelled and ran towards the monster.
It was certain that Irelia could easily defeat him but on the other han battle was not good for them either, especially with all the amount of CC that stop Claire from casting her full combo. The minions kept bashing onto the tower until it fell down, but they didn't stop until every structure from the heroes' base was destroyed.
In just the blink of an eye Liz was already rushing towards her sister, dragging the sword over the stone floor from the blue team's base.
¨Claire, you must do it…¨ Katarina guided the Summoner through the whole match but even if she told them to kill her little sister it would be hard for the brown haired to comply.
¨It's my sister, there's no way!¨ The Summoner stepped to the left when the Void child swinged her sword.
¨That is an abomination! It uses your sister's body just to confuse you!¨ Kat's voice still echoed in Claire's head as she was dodging the incoming attacks from the enemy.
The Summoner used her blades to stop the next attack, the metal clashing between each one's weapons created a tense moment where time seemed to stop for the two sisters.
¨Listen to me! Malzahar is tricking you; he turned you into a monster so you could kill me, your own sister!¨ She was using all of her strength to push the Void blade away from her.
¨You don't understand, do you? My sister killed my mother and father, and left me to die, but the Overlord gave me a new life, he took care of me through all this years and gave me the power to seek revenge, to seek justice against the person who killed my family¨ Liz pushed back leaving Kat's knives just an inch of the Summoner's face ¨If you are my sister, then you must die!¨
With enough strength the little sister was able to push the noxian to the ground, without her daggers Claire was defenseless. The Void girl pointed her sword at the assassin's heart, her smile showing how twisted her brain was due to Malzahar's mind control.
¨All this years seeking for the responsible and here you are... I will ask my new father if I can have you as a pet, that is of course if you survive after what I'm going to do with you, espec-¨ The girl felt something hot coming from around her, as she looked to her sides she couldn't see nothing, but from behind Leona was holding her sword pointing at the sky.
In just a mere second a powerful sunbeam was casted upon Liz, leaving her blind in the process. This gave Claire enough time to grab her daggers and stand up, when the effects from the Solar Flare went off the abomination saw that the assassin was already on her feet and wielding both weapons.
Without being able to react the Summoner stepped forward, one arm went around Liz's back giving her a tender hug, while the other one was used to stab the little sister on the heart. Claire got closer to the child's ear ¨Sorry…¨ With that being said the assassin pushed the abomination away removing the bloody knife from her chest.
As the girl looked behind she noticed that Cho'Gath was dead once again and Ralzith was helping the blue minions to stop the siege ones from destroying the last remaining Nexus turret, on the front Leona and Maokai were fighting to keep the Bot lane at bay.
Katarina rushed towards the remaining Voidborns preparing to land her combo on them. The two tanks saw the mage advancing and coordinated to use all of their CC on Kog'Maw and Vel'Koz. When the redhead got closer she threw one of the knives at the Mouth of the Abyss and bounced to the other three enemy champions, in the blink of an eye she used Shunpo on the first target and started to spin unleashing the Death Lotus on her foes.
ACED
The announcer gave one of the biggest reliefs to the team, with just a few seconds until Matt comes back it was their time to push, some of the minions already slipped during the fight and were close to the inhibitor turret.
¨Everyone get the towers, it is our last chance!¨ The Treant yelled and rushed through the Bottom lane with Leona and Katarina behind it, Ralzith was already there thanks to the Teleport spell that was off cooldown.
And so they were, pushing through the last towers, the piltovian was already on the way towards the enemy nexus but he was not the only one who came back from the dead, Cho'Gath and Liz were already rushing to defend the last structures but both Leona and Maokai were able to hold until the two remaining turrets fell down but in the end they died leaving Irelia and Katarina alone in front of the Nexus.
¨You hit the Core, I'll try to keep them away!¨ Ralzith yelled while trying to focus on both Voidborns but the little sister user her wings to get the noxian assassin.
¨You will not… win again!¨ Liz used her claw arm to cut Claire's throat but the only thing she made to her was a small cut into her left cheek, right under the one in the eye.
¨I have not… come this far… to lose now!¨ The Summoner was struggling but the two girls got distracted when the red crystal started to overload until it shattered into million pieces. When they looked at the right the sheriff was standing, aiming with her rifle at the nexus.
With a smile on her face she placed the rifle over the shoulder ¨I told you I had to carry your asses¨ Matt chuckled as they all were engulfed in a blue light, teleporting the Summoners out of the Rift, in their ears the voice of the announcer claimed the last thing they would ever hear from there:
VICTORY
All of the Summoners returned to the chambers that shifted the color of the walls and columns from black to white. There was something odd the other five hooded people that were in the room with them disappeared.
The doors to the room opened revealing the piltovian and noxian representatives who had a smile on their faces.
¨Where is my sister?¨ Claire looked at the two newcomers.
¨I suggest you start thinking what you did miss. All five of you, trainee Summoners…¨ The representative from Piltover looked at Ralzith, still smiling ¨… or at least the majority of you are just trainees. Just managed to defeat the Void!¨ He raised his hands in excitement.
¨Well I wouldn't be too happy just yet, the spoils of this battle are yet to be decided so-¨ The noxian representative got interrupted when Claire grabbed him by the shoulders.
¨WHERE IS MY SISTER?¨ The Summoner yelled and shook the representative, but her friends just pulled from the armored noxian.
¨Ah yes, the little girl who was part of the pact. She is in the main room, along with the Overlord. If you have any questions I suggest you should all go talk to him right now¨ The piltovian old man cleaned his monocle and stepped aside leaving space for the Summoners to leave the room.
(March 3rd 2015 – 11:00 Earth time – Institute of War, Runeterra)
All of the Summoners and Champions at the Institute gathered around the two bodies that laid unconscious in the ground. One of them was a small girl, her clothes were still from the Earth although lots of holes in it. The transformation the Overlord caused to her just dissipated as soon as the match ended. The other person was a man wearing purple clothes and a hood covering his head, at his side a knife was resting in his belt, the mighty Malzahar defeated by just a group of Summoners who didn't knew that Runeterra actually existed.
In front of this two downed people were the Champions who fought alongside the Summoners during the adventure, not only inside but outside of the Rift.
From the stairs Claire ran towards her sister, she was looking at her but happiness was not the only thing that went through her head at that time. The Summoner hugged the little sister but felt someone's hand over her shoulder, as she looked back Katarina was smiling at her, tears in her eyes as well.
¨You… you're crying?¨ Claire asked, but this only made the redhead to look away.
¨It's… just dust from the Rift, it gets in my eyes everytime¨ This caused the Summoner to chuckle as she stood up with Liz in her arms.
¨Thanks…¨ The girl whispered and got hugged but Kat, this surprised her ¨ W-Why are you hugging me?¨
¨Remember what you told me a month ago? You shouldn't exist in this world… but it is nice to hug someone who made you feel better¨
From behind Matt was standing at the side of Caitlyn and Vi, both officers were looking away from the Summoner, arms crossed as if they were disappointed.
¨Girls…¨ The pink haired sighed, turning his head at both piltovians ¨…I did those things because it was the only thing it came to my mind. I'm not asking you to forgive me but the least I can do is-¨ Matt couldn't finish the sentence since his lips were interrupted by Caitlyn's who hugged him and kissed him, when she ended it he was stunned ¨I… glad to know that you decided to forgive me¨
¨I did not¨ The smile on the Summoner disappeared ¨But maybe some kisses and a few dinners might change that idea¨ The officer winked and kissed Matt once again before separating from him.
When the pink haired turned to face Vi he couldn't say a single word since she gave him a punch in the nose making him fall to the ground ¨Why did you do that?!¨
¨Cupcake may have forgiven you but not me you dummy¨ She extended her hand and pulled the Summoner from the ground giving him a tight hug, Vi got closer to his ear so Cait wasn't able to hear her ¨You better do it first with Caitlyn, or else I'll be the one playing with that little thing of yours when we get home¨ She pushed him back but the sheriff was able to grab him before he could go back to the ground.
On the entrance to the Summoning Chambers, the blonde Summoner was looking at everyone from above, Thresh at her side held the lantern over the railing. With a smile he knew that the time was over and it was Marie's time to decide on her pact.
Back on the main floor Nick kneeled in front of Malzahar, he was starting to wake up, but his powers were still stripped for a few more minutes, so if they wanted to do something they had to do it right now.
¨Guess that your power is not so limitless now…¨ He whispered, standing up once again.
¨I know none of the other Summoners would mind…¨ Ralzith pulled from the robes the same crystal he used to teleport the group to Runeterra.
¨Wait, you are going to remove all of his powers?¨ The black haired asked, his tone was of surprise.
¨Not really. Malzahar indeed has limitless power, whether those get stripped now it wouldn't matter since he will just return to the Void and stay there until he comes back with full strength. I have another idea…¨ The Ionian extended his arm containing the crystal, the artifact reacted when it got closer to the Void Champion ¨I'll imprison him in the crystal, that way he won't be able to come back easily. However… I fear that someday he will break free and something similar happens¨
¨Then if that's the case why don't we kill him right now?¨ Katarina suggested, already pulling a dagger to cut the Champion's throat.
¨Because we would be murderers, something we are not…¨ Irelia tried to stop the Sinister Blade but Ralzith already stepped in between the two girls.
¨That's not true. There is a bigger reason why we can't kill Malzahar right now. Like I said, the best option is to imprison him in a place he cannot control. When he comes out we will be prepared¨ The two Champions nodded.
Ralzith extended the crystal once again and saw that it was acting immediately, the magic from the Overlord was being drained by the crystal as his body was slowly disappearing, turning into a soul that got fused with the artifact.
¨So… this is it? We done?¨ Matt was still caressing his nose as he stepped in with the rest of the Summoners in the group, including Marie.
¨Well…¨ The Ionian's eyes widened and nodded in surprise ¨… it is kind of weird but yes, we are done¨
¨Alright. So that means I can finally relax at Piltover¨ The pink haired hugged Caitlyn and kissed her on the forehead but this caused Ralzith to raise his brows.
¨What do you mean by… `relax at Piltover´? ¨
¨That's what I wanted to tell you back at the Earth, Caitlyn offered me to stay with her at Pilt… I don't see anything wrong with that¨ Matt was a bit tense after Ralzith's question.
¨No no no, none of you can't stay here. You must return to your world¨ Ral waved his hands and shook his head.
¨What?!¨ The four Earth Summoners shouted, surprised.
¨You don't belong to this world. Back at the Earth you have family, friends, a life out there¨
¨But… is there any way for us to talk to you again? Is there going to be a way to return here?¨ Marie asked, she slightly turned her head to the left and saw Thresh tapping at the lantern quite impatient.
¨Honestly I don't know, but I hope that we cross our paths once again in the future¨ Ralzith was holding the crystal who was pulsing with a purple color. He raised his free hand and a portal opened between the Ionian and the Earth Summoners ¨There you have it…¨
¨Can we at least have some words with our Champions?¨ Nick looked at Leona who seemed worried about the fact of her Summoner leaving the world.
¨Sure… but don't take too long¨ Ralzith nodded and walked towards Irelia, they walked away from the group.
Marie walked towards the Chain Warden, he was smiling and with the scythe in his hand he only had one intention.
¨I made my choice?¨ She muttered.
¨Oh? And will you tell me what is that choice?¨ He was looking at her, but she tried not to make eye contact with the specter.
¨Spare my friends' lives, instead you will have me¨ The Chain Warden made his characteristic laugh.
¨You should consider yourself lucky, the pact is broken and you can go freely¨
¨What? Just like that? You said you needed our souls. And once we go back-¨ The Champion hushed the blonde, pushing her back with the rest of the group.
¨I can find other ways. Besides, this is not the last time we are going to see each other¨
¨W-what do you mean?¨
¨All in due time child…¨ He chuckled once again as he left, hiding in the shadows once again.
Everyone grouped once again near the portal, it was clear that some of the Summoners were not happy to leave.
¨Today you did something not everyone could be able to¨ Ralzith bowed in front of them and so did the bound Champions ¨You are free to go now¨
¨What's going to happen with Runeterra now that Malzahar is partially gone?¨ Nick asked as he looked at the portal behind him.
¨Only time will tell. By the way, once you cross that portal you will go back to normal¨
¨That means no more pink hair?¨
¨And no weird hand either?!¨
¨Precisely. But take note that you won't be able to use your Summoner powers again. I hope you don't try to break a bone and see if you can heal it¨ Ralzith smiled, but deep in his heart he knew that he was losing the people who could've been called friends was not something to be happy for.
¨So this is it…¨ Claire whispered, in her arms Liz was moving but her eyes were still closed.
¨Like I said, I do hope our paths cross again…¨ They nodded at the smiling Ralzith, crossing the portal back to Earth.
Irelia walked at the side of Ralzith as the portal closed as soon as everyone crossed it ¨You do know we will need their help in the future, right?¨
¨Yes, but in the time being they should rest and celebrate after this victory. They earned it…¨ The Will of the Blades gave the Summoner a hug as the two of them left the crowded place.
5 months later the story which I never expected to have any type of success came to an end. Talking real here, the main reason why I created Summoning Magic was to relieve stress after undergoing through a bit of depression and wanted to create something after reading many fanfics about champions coming to the world and such.
Like I said, I never expected the story to be the liking of anyone, and everytime I opened up my mail and saw that someone made a review, followed/favorited or even sent me a PM, it drew a smile on my face. In other words, this was accomplished thanks to your support, and maybe you can't see me right now but I'm just making a high five so if you could please give a high 5 to your screen then I'll be pleased.
I will repeat once again and is that thanks to ADamnGoodName who was the one who inspired me to write Summoning Magic, so if you're reading this, thank you.
I never believed when a friend told me: The journey is more exciting than the end of it, and it is true. Everytime I wrote any of the chapters I was happy, and thought about what will happen once I end it. So here I am and I feel a bit empty, as if there is nothing more to do (Yes, I do know Meeting the Winter's Wrath is still undone).
Maybe in a couple of months I'll just look back at Summoning Magic and say: Maybe it is time to continue (so yes, there WILL be a `sequel´)
Whatever the case, thank you all guys, you made me a happy (and dumb) man. Before I continue with Nathan and Sejuani's story I'll take a brief break. Gather my ideas once again and set my path back noto writing. Maybe I'll focus on another game and make a new fanfic, but who knows, the future is still uncertain and there are many things to do.
Without further ado it is my time to leave stage with my `quote´ if you want to call it:
See you in the next cha- Oh... right, story finished. See you soon ;)
I hope D: