Chapter 15 - Truth.
The history of Ionian is tainted in blood, many wars before my arrival have scarred this beautiful island, even Karma has her hands bathed in blood, Soraka was exiled from the Celestial since she used her powers against an earthling, Yi lost his village, Irelia is something far from human and Lee Sin burned himself in punishment for his mistakes, there are some ugly rumors about Zed, they say he betrayed his order and chose the dark path, I'm not sure which side has the truth I feel like a leaf, dancing in the middle of a storm, the elders look at me with fright, they fear the void, I can understand them, even I can see just how much of a monster we are, we did terrible things and I really regret every single one of them.
Still, so far everything is going fine.
My lessons with Karma and Soraka are going pretty well, I'm learning everything they have to offer, sometimes even Yi teaches me a little about the Wu-Ju, it's such an interesting school, he is really friendly with me, that is until Lee Sin comes and they start killing each other, even in their fights I can witness the friendship they hold, it's amazing.
...Friendship, family, lovers, bonds, everything is new and foreign to me, I just can't understand those things, every time I try I get confused, I guess I still need more training, Karma told me she was my friend, I tried asking Soraka, but she simply said no, she said she wanted more, the only logical step was best friends, that day I almost died from a meteorite, it seems women will always be a mystery to me.
And then there's Kha'Zix, he doesn't remember much about how he appeared in Ionia, he sometimes sees a furry creature, but aside from that everything is blank, he is currently homeless, it seems he has somehow turned into a working man, he wants to buy a house and have his own garden, he is working as a farmer in the slums, everyone in there accepts him, I'm really glad he is doing fine.
But right now everything seems distant, because right now I'm in front of the elders, in the Placidium, my trail here is over and now I need to be judged, they will hear witness, they will read reports and then they will decide my destiny, I can see them going through all the reports, speaking among themselves, I guess they are looking for a failure in my behavior, I hope there's none.
- well - One of them said - It seems you did as you promised, voidling, you completed your training with Karma and you even studied the Wu-Ju, it's...surprising.
-Thank You.
-what's even more surprising is the complaints, you have none, it seems no one felt especially displeased with you.
-I tried my best I...
- Still - he interrupted me - there's a small issue...
- which is?
- Nothing big...just a certain...Zed you met last week.
Zed? Why was Zed so important? I have a bad feeling about this.
- What about Zed?
- Oh, it's pretty simple, I'm sure you've heard the rumors about him...
- I didn't.
- Oh, such a shame...then let me be blunt, we want you to tell us where is Zed.
- what?
- It's simple...our spies have told us you were kidnapped, we know his base is somewhere in the slums, and since you were inside his "order of shadows" we are pretty sure you know where the entrance is.
- Why do you want Zed?
- He is a criminal, he deserves to be punished for his sins, if you tell us his location we will give you the citizenship and you will be allowed to enter the library.
What is this? they want Zed, they want to punish him, What did he do? Was it something really bad? I lied, I've heard the rumors about him, I don't want to believe them, there's no way the Zed I know could be the ruthless criminal they claim he is.
- What is the meaning of this? - I heard Karma behind me - This is illegal, you ca...
- Silence, Duchess! you did all you could, this is his trail, if you say or do something else we will fail him.
- You can't just do...
- Silence, Starchild! you among everyone here has no right to say a thing.
- what does that mean?
- did you really thought we wouldn't notice, you were in the city displaying such shameful behavior with this monster, you should be grateful we didn't imprison you for your sin.
- love is not a sin...
- Your love for this... thing is sickening, now shut up, if anyone else speaks this is over-i heard everyone whisper behind me-Now, monster, speak or never come back.
What should I do? Zed might suffer from this...but my mission...This is what I wanted...
- what are you waiting for, monster, speak...
Am I capable of sacrificing Zed for my own goals...?
- oh, we also heard about your voidling friend in the slums, we haven't found him yet, we need to... talk, yes talk, we think he is with Zed, so tell us already where the criminal is.
He is lying, he hates me, I'm sure the elders will do something terrible to Kha'Zix...Can I really give him away...? "I never liked Kha'Zix, he was just a brainless beast seeking to consume and evolve..." that is what I used to believe...But now...now i...now...they are...my...
- Would you please speak already, monster, we don't have all day, tell us where they are or disappear from Ionia.
"they will label me as a public enemy, but I don't care, I will live my life however I want, they can say whatever they want, in the end, what I do it's what matters"
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...
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Zed...
- So be it.
- What did you say, monster?
Zed...Please...
- So be it.
- What do you me...
- So be it, human, I will leave Ionia at once
- ...Wait, what do you...
- I've come to this land, seeking for answers, I have them now, I will leave and never come back, you humans disgust me, you claim everyone has the right to learn your teachings, hmph, "Ionia, the land of equality" there's no such thing, just a bunch of self-centered pigs blinded by their own small problems, blinded of the truth...
- YOU MONSTER! YOU KNOW NOTHING! BE GONE! BE GONE AND NEVER COME BACK!
- that was my objective - I said leaving, hearing the mockery around me.
...Zed...Please...Take care of Kha'Zix...I'm sorry...I will never join your religion...I will never rest within the grasp of Faker...I'm sorry...but at least I protected both you and Kha'Zix...I...I protected my... Friends.
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- Soraka, please, calm down...
- it's not fair... - She sobbed - You tried so hard...you got so far...but...but...
- in the end, it doesn't even matter, I know, I know you speak the truth...but there's nothing I can do...I'm just...a mons...
- NO! - She yelled, hugging me and crying - NO! I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO CALL YOURSELF THAT!
- but...It's the truth, I am a mons...
- a monster... - She said looking at me with her golden eyes, filled with tears - ...a monster wouldn't have called me beautiful... me... a fallen... but you did... you are not a monster... you are a wonderful being... they just... can't see how wonderful you are... so please, don't call yourself a monster...everytime you do it I cry...please.
- I... - I felt her hug me tighter - ...I promise...I promise I will never call myself a monster again.
- Thank you - she said smiling.
- Vel'Koz - I heard Karma call me - Miss Fortune is here, she is ready to sail.
I turned around, Karma gave me a sad smile, I heard she raged over this matter, I never knew I meant so much to her, I was just a creature living and learning in her house, yet, she treated me like her equal...like a human...i really appreciate her care...i will never forget her lessons...
- yes, hurry up, octopus, this is the last day of The Harrowing, I want to be home as fast as I can - I heard Sarah said from her boat.
- I guess it's time to go - I said to Soraka-Good Bye, Soraka, I will never forget you.
As I was going to leave I felt a tug on one of my limbs, I turned around and saw Soraka hugging it.
- Before you leave...I want to give you something...
- Something? what is this "something"?
- Yes...could you please...get close to my face...
- Close?
- yes...like this - she said getting really close to me-...a bit closer...please...
- Closer? What do you mean? Like th...
Suddenly I felt her lips in me, the place where she put them was warm, I felt my whole body jolt, I felt numbness, I felt shivers...what is going on...? She pulled away and looked at me with her face completely red.
- That...That was... - I tried to speak, completely failing.
- a kiss - she helped me - ...it was a kiss...was this...by any chance...your first kiss...
- yes...I mean... I didn't even knew...I...
- the first kiss is important - she continued - you are supposed to give it to the one...you love...
...Love?...a kiss to the one you love...does this mean...Soraka...
- HEY! - Sarah yelled - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? LET'S GO ALREADY...
I looked at her, feeling suddenly angry, then I felt another tug, this time, Soraka was smiling brightly.
- We will meet again - she said softly.
-I can't return, what do you...
- don't worry...I will follow you, you go back to Piltover, I swear I'll be there, wait for me, could you please promise me you will wait for me?
- ... I... I will, I promise I will wait.
Everything seemed fuzzy, the sky, the sea, the crew, everything, I was in a daze, never in my whole life I've felt something like this, I was... happy, suddenly the world was bright, I suddenly started liking the sun, I loved it in fact... love...I felt my head float...what is this...? am I sick? am I going to die... just what...
- hey, mister Sauron, you okay, bud? - a crew member asked - you've been staring at Ionia, we can't even see it now and you keep staring at it?
- I'm just... I don't even know myself... I feel...different...
- well, let me guess...it's a woman - I jolted, it made him laugh - Bullseye! don't worry, mister Sauron, women are like the sea, unpredictable, untamable, some men drown in it, some others discover a great treasure, but the only thing you can do it's having faith in it, the ocean will always take you to your destiny.
- I can't understand that.
- Sadly, my friend, only time will help you, now cheer up, we are going home - he said leaving.
Home...I don't have a home, there is nowhere in this land where I can be "home"...but...then again Vi is in Piltover...Vi...every time I think about her... I get the same feeling that I get with Soraka...what is the meaning of this? am I by any chance...?
- It seems something is troubling you, creature - I heard an unknown voice say.
I turned and saw a hooded figure, she had two red humans On its sides, curious, where have I seen these humans? they were guarding it, they looked really tense...humans scared of me...it's been a while.
- Yes, there are several things in my mind, I don't know how to deal with them.
- maybe I can help you - the stranger said - I know a trick or two.
- don't worry, I appreciate the help but there are things I must do on my own.
- Well, you can hear me out at least, who knows, maybe you will find out it's a good idea.
- I guess I can give it a try.
- you see, I followed you, creature, I know about your deal with the elders, I also know even if you have sold out Zed they would have exiled you anyways.
- I knew that much.
- Great! this will be quick then, what I'm suggesting is for you to help me...err...changing the elders.
- I don't understand...
- It's simple...all you have to do is help my city-state change Ionia inside out.
- wait, inside-out? how can you do that?
- You see, I'm sure you've heard the name of my city-state, it's called Noxus, we have seen the hypocrisy of the elders, we wish to help poor souls such as yourself.
Noxus, yes, I've read about it, there weren't many good things about it.
-And how would I help?
- simple, you will help us contact Zed, and together we can change the government.
- hmm...I can't return to Ionia...
- Don't worry, we will "get you in", like that you can arrange a meeting with Zed and we can talk.
- How can you change the government?
- Well...we can "take out" the current elders and "put in" some we like...
Wait...that sounds just like...I don't like this...
- What you just suggested...sounds like a war to me...
- well, aren't you a clever boy?
No, this was insane, I knew Zed hated the elders, but he wouldn't start a war against them, he knows the slums will perish, he can't risk his family, he told me they helped each other, he wouldn't...he wouldn't agree with this...
- I...I think we should stop...
- What do you mean?
- Zed wouldn't want any of that...I know he wouldn't...
- And what about you? would you help us defeat Ionia?
The war against Ionia...war against Yi...against Lee...Against Wu'Kong...Against Ahri...Against Karma...Against...Against Soraka...
- I would never betray Ionia.
- Is that so...? such a shame... - The figure said leaving - ...that means...you are an enemy then...
Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my back, one of the humans stabbed me behind me while I was looking at the figure, I manage to push him away, the wound was really deep, this man was an assassin.
- W...what are you doing...? - I winced in pain.
- The logical thing...taking out future threats - the figure said giggling-Be a good boy and stay still, I promise it won't hurt...
The other human jumped towards me, sword in hand, I prepared myself but before he could impale me someone tackled him, it was a crew member.
- THE FUCK DO YA THING YER DOIN'? - he yelled with his sword in his hand - HE IS MAH FRIEND, YA NOXIAN BITCH!
- my, my, we have a problem here...
- DAMN RIGHT, EVERYONE AT ME.
From everywhere the crew members appeared, wielding weapons, mocking and insulting the Noxians.
- WHAT IS THIS RUCKUS? - Sarah yelled reaching us - WHY IS EVERYONE SO HOSTILE?
- THE NOXIANS INJURED SAURON! WE SHOULD KILL THEM!
- ...Is...is that true? - Sarah asked to the hooded figure.
- We tried to make a deal...he refused.
Sarah looked at the figure then at me then at the Noxian again, she nodded and pointed her gun at the Noxians and pulled the trigger...
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Uh...
It...Hurts...why...there's...a hole in my belly...Sarah...was pointing at me...?How...? I...I couldn't...see...I...the floor...it's getting close...I'm falling...it's wet...what is this strange liquid...? Blood...My blood...I...
- WH...WHAT?!...WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, CAPTAIN?
- well done, Sarah, I guess a deal is a deal, is it not?
- Shut up, Le Blanc, don't tempt my patience.
- CAPTAIN, EXPLAIN!?
- I have nothing to explain, throw that thing out of my ship.
- WHAT?!
- I said throw it in the sea...what are you waiting for? DO IT!
- no...
- what? what did you say?
- I said no
- Listen, Kid, I'm your captain and you will do AS I FUCKING SAY!
- NO, I WON'T...
- Right, well...You, you do it...What? again? then you?... I SAID DO IT OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL KILL YOU...Wh..WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL? HE IS A MONSTER...A MONSTER...
- Now, now, don't worry Sarah, let me deal with this.
I...I'm being carried...what...the crew...they...look...sad...betrayed...my blood...it's so...it hurts...wood...I see wood...I'm...falling...it smells like the sea...I'm...it's wet...it taste salty...I'm...floating...I can see the boat...it's leaving...no...no don't leave...help...please help...something...something dark is coming...a shadow in the sea...I feel it...it's...in front of me...I can't escape...it's dark...I hear them cry...the feel pain...it's dark...I can't see...
I see Ahri...I see Wu'Kong...I see Yi...I see Lee Sin...I see Karma... I did my best...I chose Ionia...I...
I see Jinx...I'm sorry...I think I will break my promise...I'm sorry...Jinx...I...
I see Zed...I did it...I didn't care...I lived the way I wanted... I...Zed...I'm sorry...
I see Cho'Gath...I see Kha'Zix...there's so much...I want to share with the two of you...My kind...My...family...
I see Braum...I'm sorry...life kicked me way too strong... I... I won't...
I see Vi...I see Soraka...I...I love...I...
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...
I see pain, I see the faces of the damned, a shadow, riding the darkness, I see the horror...i see...Le Blanc...I see death...I see Sarah...
Why...?
And so, I felt my vision blur and the darkness filled myself...
Once again...
You were betrayed...
But I'm afraid...
Your story is not over yet...
There is more ahead of you...
So sleep for now...
Because soon you shall meet them...
I just hope you are ready...
Because if you are not...
...