Chapter 22 - The Iron Maiden.
We were aware of the existence of other worlds besides the Void from a long time ago, sadly we knew no means to invade them, we could only watch, waiting for an opportunity to strike, one of this worlds was Runeterra, I never actually cared about Runeterra in my younger days, I was busy studying the void but I did hear several experiments from other seekers, even if we were unable to pass through, there were means to bring them to us, I heard several cases of life-forms being kidnapped through small rifts in the void, the results were disappointing, apparently life-forms exposed to the Void suffered severe consequences, some of them died upon arrival, some others survived for a short amount of time and the last ones metamorphosed into abomination that had to be shut down, yes creatures from Runeterra are weak against the void, still, there was one special case, Malhazar, according to Cho'Gath, he was a powerful mage from a land called Shurima, a prophet, he gazed upon the void, but he somehow managed to make the power of the Void into his own, a remarkable feat, I haven't seen any other human like him, well, Illaoi might be in this category, yes, there is a latent power of the Void inside of her, but is different in essence, while Malzahar can reign over his impulse Illaoi will most likely lose control one day and become a full-fledged creature of the boy, an unstoppable force, hungry for nourishment, but, maybe she has a change, Malzahar might be the key to controlling the energy of the Void, but he is not enough, if only I could find another subject...
That was what I used to thought...now I totally hate my shitty idea...
- You are supposed to be dead, that Noxian bitch claimed your demise, How can you be alive, Eye of the Void? - Kassadin, the Rift Walker, boomed.
Noxian bitch? Leblanc?... Kassadin is her ally? Why?
- You should know by now, Rift Walker, No human can defeat a Denizen from the Void.
- Hmph, in the end, she was just another stupid human.
-Considering you put your trust in her, you are just as stupid as her, human.
- BUUUUUUUURN!
I looked behind me and saw the prince dancing and humming some stupid song.
- YOU GOT SHIT...- he stopped once he realized I was looking at him - what? It was a sick burn, yo!...What? Do you even know what a sick burn is? okay, let me explain...Fuck that! What are you guys even doing here? This is my party and I clearly specified no nerds allowed...unless you are a hot nerd grill with glasses, then I guess it's f...
- SILENCE! - Kassadin yelled - Little matters if you are alive or not, Eye of the Void, now I can enjoy ripping every limb of your body, I will slaughter you and then I will destroy that stupid man behind you...
- Hey! Stupid PRINCE, if you don't mind.
- Still - Kassadin continued ignoring Jarvan - Why are you protecting him? he is nothing but a weak human? Why, Eye of the Void? Why?
...
...
Indeed, Why?
Kassadin is right, this human behind me, I don't know him...and yet...here I am...wounded, against a powerful enemy, surrounded by a whole city of void-hating citizens who will surely kill me once I've defeated Kassadin...Why am I doing this? It's illogical, it's stupid, it's...
...
Human.
- My reasons are none of your business, whether I kill this stupid prince or not is for me to decide.
- So be it, Eye of the Void - Kassadin said infusing energy into his sword - you shall take your secrets to your grave...
- SHIELD TO THE FACE!
A shiny object flew above me and smashed Kassadin in his face, Kassadin spun due to the force and fell to the ground, the shiny object landed near me, it is a golden shield...
- You should probably take cover - Beside me stood the yordle, she seemed tired and worried about me, strange, I thought she would attack me for sure - Hey, big fella, you okay? Name's Poppy, Keeper of the Hammer, By the way.
- Greetings, Poppy, I am Vel'Koz, The eye of the Void.
- From the Void? Aren't you supposed to be a heartless monster or something like that? Why are you protecting my lord?
- I apologize, I know you require answers, but I'm afraid I can't currently answer your questions, we have to deal with him first.
- Oh, you mean that weirdo? Who is him? Some Darth Vader Wannabe?
- I ignore what these "Darth Vader" and "Wannabe" words mean, but I can tell you I ignore his objectives.
- So we just need to whack the answers out of him - Poppy said grinning and lifting her hammer over her shoulder.
- He is a human bathed in the power of the Void, I'm afraid you won't be able to ... "Whack" the answers..."out of him"...whatever that means...
- I can try, and even if I fail, a hero might appear and kick his ass, so it's a win-win for me...
- I suppose stupidity is a common trait within the creatures of this realm...
- Thanks!...Wait a minute?!
- SILENCE - Kassadin boomed - I'VE GROWN TIRED OF YOUR NONSENSE, I WILL EXTERMINATE THE LIKES OF YOU, FEEBLE CREATURE.
- Are you sure you can? - Poppy taunted - Because I'm pretty sure we are superior in number.
- WHAT DO Y... - A powerful roar silenced Kassadin, around us the soldiers were surrounding us, weapons ready and bloodlust was leaking from them.
- Look, big guy, I'm not sure where you came from...but you messed with the wrong neighborhood...this ain't your playground, this is DEMACIA - The crowd cheered with her.
- Hmph, I suppose a thousand of ants can take down an elephant, doesn't matter, though, in the end, my part in this game is over.
- What do you mean?
Something wasn't right, even though Kassadin was being clearly overpowered he seemed confident, Why? What's his plan? His part is done? He came with a plan? What kind of plan? His objective is? Wh...?
Suddenly the time flow slows once again, I can clearly see every movement around me, this uncomfortable feeling fills my core, I look back and forth, What am I looking for? What's hiding in plain sight? I can see the Demancians, rushing towards us, swords in hand, I can see Illaoi, moving aside everything in her way, I can see Poppy, her confident smile is gone, she can feel something is wrong, I can see Kassadin, Smiling behind his mask, his eyes fixed on us, his...
Wait...
His eyes...
Fixed in...us?
Wrong...He is looking behind us...what could he be...?
His mission, his objective, his focus, I wasn't part of the plan, I was a variable, I am not important...
His mission is...
Him...
From behind Kassadin something changes...something moves with the air, cloaked, creeping like a shadow in the night, it passes us and moves towards the prince and once it reaches him a halo of blades appears around him, slowly dancing in the air, he is in danger...but no one is looking, everyone is fixed in Kassadin, no one saw the shadow move, not even the prince himself, Only I can see it, I need to stop it...but I can't...the wound...I feel weak...I can't save him...he will die...please...anybody...please...save him...
help me...
"As you command"
A ghostly blue light appears in front of me, from within I see an object fly towards the prince, the objects miss him for a few inches and hit something in the air, and then the blades disappear in the air and a figure appears in front of the prince...
The time flow goes back to normal but I can't hear anything, the world in plunged in a deathly silence, the Demacians are shocked, their gazes are filled with confusion and fright, some of them are shivering in fear, they are scared...why? His prince is safe, the assassin is on the ground and Kassadin can't do anything, why are they afraid? what could possibly scare them like this?
- We apologize, husband, We couldn't keep our promise, We...I'm sorry, my dear.
The worst possible outcome...
Kalista stood in front of me, tall and proud, spear in hand, ready for battle, her stern gaze studied her surroundings until she noticed the figure in front of the prince.
- You did well noticing the assassin, husband, he was concealed in the shadows, not even We were able to sense him - She walked towards him and pointed her spear at him - Who are you? Speak and we might kill you painlessly
- You should forget about me, spectre - The shadow muttered - you see, right now there's one scary monster waiting for you at your back, you are one brave spectre for walking into Demacia, knowing they hate twisted beings such as yourself and the thing beside you, or maybe you are stupid...or maybe - I could see him smirking behind his hood - you are tired of walking as an abomination so you walked into your own personal hell.
- Why should we worry? Why should we care? We were born for this very moment, and if we fall, we will take you with us, besides - Kalista looked at me and smiled - We...I am complete and have no regrets, the flowers are in bloom as the birds will tell, it's a beautiful day to be burning in hell, the question is...are you stupid enough to stay in my personal hell?
The shadow simply stared at us, he then scoffed and disappeared in the air, I turned around and saw Kassadin completely still.
- Why? - he spoke - why are you doing this, Eye of the Void? I can't understand...
- even I ignore the answer, but...I made a promise, destruction, knowledge, hunger...I still feel them within me, haunting my every move but...I gave up for them...
- Them?
- She gave me a chance, she gave me hope and she...- I looked at Kalista - she gave me faith...
Kassadin simply stared at me.
- Hmph, you aren't the monster you used to be, you have changed, I will let you go for now...if you survive lets met again...but if you return to your old ways...I will destroy you.
- I understand but there is something wrong with your statement...you won't destroy me because I am stronger than you.
- Cheeky bastard - Kassadin snickered - Goodbye, Vel'Koz - He said as he vanished into the air.
- Such a haughty human, "if you survive"? We are going to survive - Kalista claimed raising her spear.
- Chances of survival are...less than zero, we are being outnumbered and in the middle of their territory with no chance of escape, I am injured and you are naturally weak outside of the shadow Isles, and you think we can survive?
- Of course, now they have a chance.
Around us the Demacians were already ready to fight us, some of them were confused about Kassadin and the shadow disappearing but they were slowly silenced by the angry mob...
The were getting closer...
I could hear their bloodlust...
There was no mercy in their eyes...
We are the enemy...
We must be killed...
I can see them charging...
Kalista isn't fighting...
She is hugging me...
I guess...
This is the e...
-DEMACIAAAAA!
Walls made of rock raised around, protecting us from the Demacians, rubble flew around us blinding my vision, when everything went quiet I saw a golden object shining with the power of the sun and I heard his powerful voice.
- BROTHERS AND SISTERS! I CAN SEE THE DETERMINATION IN EACH ONE OF YOU! I KNOW THESE ARE MONSTERS THAT DESERVE NOTHING BUT DEATH AND SUFFERING...! BUT I'VE SEEN THEIR SPIRIT AND I HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THEM AS PART OF OUR BELIEFS! YOU HAVE FOLLOWED ME EVEN IF THERE WAS NOTHING BUT DEFEAT AHEAD OF US! SO I ASK YOU TO BELIEVE IN ME ONE MORE TIME...!
The Demacians looked at each other, confused, but after a while, they lowered their weapons, the prince smiled and with a single movement of his spear the walls disappeared, he then looked at us.
- Well, I think you guys will be safe for now - he said with a cheerful smile - but, you know, I was surprised, a voidling and a ghost protecting me, the prince of Dermacia, who would have thought? But anyways, now that I'm looking carefully - he said studying Kalista - you are... a GIRL! Could it be...you fell in love with me? dear ghost, I'm flattered but you must understand our love cannot be, you are the enemy of my kingdom...but if you insist we could...
- I am married - Kalista said hugging one of my limbs - this is my husband.
-Oh - Jarvan seemed extremely embarrassed - Oh!...Well...I suppose...I mean... I've read those Ionian comics...Don't tell Shyvana...She will kill me if she knew I...
Suddenly a blazing creature leaped above us and tackled the prince, it was a purple dragon cladded in a scarlet armor.
- IF I KNEW WHAT? - The beast roared - WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE VOID IS GOING ON IN THAT NON-EXISTING BRAIN OF YOURS? FORGIVE A DENIZEN OF THE SHADOW ISLES? EVEN MORE, A VOIDLING? I SHOULD BURN YOUR STUPID GOLDEN BOXERS AND MAKE YOU WEAR THEM FOR THE REST OF YOUR IDIOTIC LIFE.
- PLEASE, NOT MY GOLD...wait...Shyvana, How do you know the color of my boxers?...how do know I'm wearing boxers?
- ...W-well...That's... - The dragon stuttered - NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! - The dragon finished slamming Jarvan into the ground - AND YOU TWO IDIOTS! - The dragon roared at us - YOU BETTER BE GRATEFUL OR ELSE...!
- Calm down, Shyvana, Jarvan might be a little reckless but he never acts without thinking - That voice...I recognize that voice - Besides, we can deal with them if something happens.
It's him, the blue human I met a long time ago.
- Hello - he gingerly smiled - It's be a while, hasn't it? Last time we met you destroyed my army...and yet, here you are...protecting the prince of Demacia, never saw that one coming...what about you?
- Blue human, It's a pleasure to meet you again.
- My name is Garen, The might of Demacia.
- LORD GAREN! - Poppy screamed - It's you in the flesh! I'm your greatest fan! please, sign my hammer! please...
- Now, now, there's not enough time for that, we have a tight schedule and we are already late...
- The concert with the maven - Poppy facepalmed - I almost forgot!...but...what about them?
- It's pretty obvious - the dragon said as flames surrounded its body - kick them out of the city - the flames revealed a girl wearing scarlet armor - They helped us but we can't just proclaim the heroes or so...
- BUT I CAN! - Jarvan said appearing behind me and hugging me - just look at him, HE IS ADORABLE! - he said squeezing me.
- You fool! - Kalista said punching Jarvan - He is our husband, let go of him.
- You are also a cutie! - Jarvan said hugging Kalista as well - I know! They should assist to Sona's concert! What do you think?
- They can't, I mean, Sona won't be able to perform if two scary beings are in front of her...
- LUX! - Jarvan boomed, a young blonde girl appeared behind Garen - I'm sure you can do something about this, right?
- I...I can try - Lux smiled reluctantly.
From within the depths of my conscience, I could feel the imminent disaster, my instincts were yelling to me, if I step over that line...I'm gonna have a really bad time...but I'm afraid...It's too late for me...
I sat in the middle of a golden room, I could see several portraits of the glory of Demacia, a red carpet beneath me, I was surrounded by several high-ranking characters of Demacia all of them with their eyes fixed on me...I can't blame them...Even though the young lady of luminosity helped me, there was little we could do about my appearance, with a simple spell she changed the color of my body from my usual purple to a bright golden, and my eye became blue, They named me Archlight or something like that...Kalista, on the other hand, was, somehow, harder than me, there was no way to conceal her powers so anybody could feel her unnatural aura, the best we were able to do was change her usual armor for a sapphire one, at least we looked somehow..."heroic" or so Poppy said...
- This is a stupid idea - Shyvana spoke my thoughts.
- Come on, Lux did a pretty good job - Jarvan tried to calm her down.
- You have a flying squid next to a woman with several spears, literally, "in her body".
- Both of you shut up, It's time.
In front of us sat a bunch of humans with several music instruments or so I believed, they seemed to be waiting for something, all of a sudden they started playing a slow melody and I heard excited gasps behind me, I turned around and saw a young woman, her hair seemed familiar to me, long and blue braided in two pigtails, she was wearing a turquoise one piece revealing her prominent cleavage, she also seemed to be floating in the air but the most remarkable thing about her was her instrument, it was some sort of curved board of strings floating a few inches away from her, the instrument irradiate a calming and peaceful aura, she floated until she was in front of the crowd and then looked at me and Kalista, there was something about her gaze, something mysterious, she smiled and bowed and the concert began...
Music has never been that interesting to me, but I have to recognize the power it holds, after a while, some members of the audience started to show strange symptoms, some of them were staring into the nothingness, some others started to laugh, Jarvan and Poppy fell asleep, Kalista hugged me and even allowed Poppy to sleep in her lap, I wonder what kind of power this girl holds...but I can't help but feel somethings is odd about her...maybe I'm simply wrong about her...I still ignore many things about humans, especially females...
The concert ended and everyone seemed to get out of their own trance, Shyvana kicked Jarvan out of her lap.
- Alright everyone - Jarvan said getting up - The concert is over and I know many of you would like to speak with the maven of strings but she has a schedule to follow so if you excuse me I will lead the maven, my personal guard and the heroes to my private chambers - he signed to Kalista, Poppy and me - Follow me, mighty heroes.
- Dear husband - Kalista whispered - The yordle is still sleeping, what should we do?
- We can wake her up.
- But look at her, she looks adorable - Kalista said with a loving smile - I will carry her like this.
- Are you sure?
- Of course, she looks like our child... - Kalista looked at me - do you think...we could...?
- Come on, friends, follow my lead - We heard the voice of Jarvan.
Kalista simply smiled and went first...
For the first time in my life...
I couldn't think...
I never actually thought about what a marriage meant, I've read several books before my wedding, apparently, humans spend their lives looking for a proper mate, after that, they tie their lives with the marriage...but the ultimate goal of this is reproduction, humans are extremely weak, they lifespan it's extremely short and since humans are weak, almost everything in the environment can kill them easily so humans need to reproduce constantly...but choosing a single mate for the rest of their lives...seems rather unproductive...besides, there are several factors like DNA matches, congenital disease, and several other things, human reproduction is quite troublesome...but...what Kalista said...what it means...It's impossible...Voidlings don't need to reproduce, and of course, we can't mate with any other being...we don't have reproductive organs...I know this to be true...It's logical...then why...
What is this...dread...
Why am I...?
- HEY!
The powerful voice of Jarvan startled me, I looked around and realized I was in his private chambers with everyone else.
- Are you okay, nerd?
- Yes, I was just...lost in thought...
- Don't worry, everyone gets nervous around Sona, but she is a gentle girl, so don't worry...now go talk with her...
- Excuse me?
- Everyone here got a turn to talk with her, she is a precious gem among us so not many are allowed around her, but since you are a hero consider this an honor, go on.
The young girl was waiting for me in sitting in front of a table, her smile still in her face.
- Will she be okay around...me?
- I've explained everything to her, don't worry, go on.
I reluctantly headed towards her, she seemed a bit scared now that I was closer, but her smile never disappeared.
- Greetings - I spoke first - My name is Vel'Koz, the eye of the Void, It's a pleasure to meet you, Maven of Strings.
The maven simply nodded, she then began looking for something below the table.
- Maven? I have already introduced myself, it's your turn now.
- AH! I forgot! - Jarvan said facepalming himself - I'm sorry, Vel'koz, You see, Sone is mute so she can't talk.
- Mute? then how are we suppose to have a conversation?
The maven waved a few papers and a pencil at me.
- Oh, I see, let me do it again, Greetings, My name is Vel'Koz, The eye of the Void, it's a pleasure to meet you, Maven of Strings.
The maven wrote flawlessly and neatly
"Greetings, Mister Vel'Koz, I am Sona, the Maven of Strings, It's a pleasure to meet you"
- Oh! - I heard Jarvan say - She seems okay with you, keep going.
- I understand, Maven of Strings, do you find my presence distressful?
"At first I did but my lord Jarvan assured me you werOF COURSE I DO, YOU IDIOT, WHY THE FUCKING HELL ARE YOU HERE? ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT? YOU ARE A FUCKING MONSTER, YOU SHOULD BE DYING YOU STUPID IDIOTIC FOOL"
...Uh?
What was that?
What did I just...?
I read once again the message.
"At first I did but my lord Jarvan assured me you were absolutely harmless, I find your presence quite enjoyable"
Weird.
What was that?
- Dear Maven - I continued - I appreciate your thoughts, I hope we can get along.
"of course, mister Vel'koz, I would loWHO THE HELL WOULD LIKE TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU, YOU STUPID MONSTER? IS THE PRINCE INSANE? Well, he always sneaks peeks at my chest...BUT STILL HIS STUPIDITY IT'S OVER 9000 THIS TIME AROUND, HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO HANDLE THIS FUCKING MONSTER? ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS YOU STUPID LITTLE BITCH? I AM DOING MY FRIGGING BEST...
...
This is weird I can hear a voice cursing me, saying the prince is an idiot and cursing it's bad luck...but no one is talking, where is the voice coming? Where...?
"...AND THAT TIME IN THE BATHROOM, I KNEW THAT STUPID XIN WAS PEEKING AT ME, FUCKING ASSHOLE, I HATE EVERY SINGLE MAN IN THIS WORLD"
...It's coming from...
"...but...maybe he will come for me one day...I mean...his mission is the total conquest of the world...ahh! ...where are you, my evil knight in metal armor?...where could you be?"
...the voice It's coming from the...
I want to meet you and feel the power of your music...you and me, forever cursing the destiny of teemo...ah! where are you, you beautiful master of metal"
...From...
"...But know that I think about it...that woman...IT'S LIKE HIM! MAYBE HE IS CLOSE...on the other hand...that woman...Kalista, I think...she is quite gorgeous...ah! I can see her now squealing like a dirty sow in my hands..."
...
"...but...Jarvan mentioned she was married...WITH THIS STUPID SQUID, NO LESS...but...on the other hand...I gotta admit...the whole tentacles thing...It's quite hot...I mean...I read those Ionian comics, good thing Jarvan took the blame..."
...
"...So maybe...I can have a little fun with them...they seem quite strong so after I fucked both of them I will Blackmail them...I will get two strong fucktoys and I will finally meet my metal knight..."
...
...
...
The voice...
The voice belongs to...
...Sona...