Because you've followed me here...
:3
Chapter 30 - Kalista faith.
I have never been a believer in things such as destiny, I am a logical being, I believe in facts, data, vectors, measurements, formulas, algorithms, history, precedent, experiments, theory, evolution...so to speak, I believe in science, I believe in the things I can see and touch, I believe I have the capacity to discover the great secrets of this world, researching the beings and phenomenon this world has to offer is my job as a seeker.
We, the Seekers, are the great hierarchy of the Void, beings gifted with incredible abilities no other creatures of the Void possess, we have the most lacking trait within the voidlings, Reason, Seekers can make proper judgments based on their own discoveries, this knowledge is shared throughout the immense community we are.
I am aware I am not the first seeker to ever step into the unknown, there is a great line of seekers behind me, the stepped into new worlds even before I was born, the great knowledge has been passed ever since the Void was created, but even today, we, The Seekers, still ignore the cause of the Void.
The Void is a place between worlds and between dimension, according to the knowledge we have accumulated the existence of the Void itself it's absolutely ridiculous, there is not a single dimension or world where the theory of the Void fits, the Void is...a strange place...some theories said that the Void is alive, and it's consuming every world we visit.
Aside from the different theories around the Void, there is a single constant we, the Seekers have discovered, everything has a rational reason, every event, every being, every component can be studied...and yet...here I am, chasing after a bunch of footprints in the darkness of the night, there is no explanation for such event...I have no logical argument to sustain my current behaviour...I'm simply following the footprints on the ground...hearing a strange voice whisper things to me every now and then...right now...I'm going against everything I've learned, every step, every research, everything I've done...and just because I believe there is something waiting for me at the end of the road...humans would call it "gut feeling".
I couldn't recognize where I was going, the footprints were taking me away from the center of Piltover and into the industrial area, around me, I could see warehouses, factories, workshops and some business buildings, I could hear the machines and the humans working, I was quite surprised, normally humans wouldn't work at this time, I suppose not even the night can stop progress.
But suddenly the landscape changed, the factories and the workshops were gone, and instead I was greeted by abandoned houses and buildings, around me I could see the melancholic feeling of abandonment, the dark buildings had shattered windows, some didn' t even have a door and some others were, practically, ruins.
The lonely wind caressed my face bringing forth the tales of this place, old glories that seemed to be forgotten by the denizens of Piltover, this place was the birth of the City of Progress, these were the first workshops, inside of their cold rooms they gazed upon the first scientists as they spent sleepless nights working with a tireless desire, chasing after the only thing humans always seemed to never be able to understand, The future.
A dream for some, the uncertain for others, a question for many and a work in progress for a few, we, voidlings, never cared about the future, such thing was ridiculous in the Void, but here in Runeterra we can witness the transition between day and night, we can measure time in hours, minutes and seconds and we can see the beings of this world grow old and wither until they are nothing but dust in the ground, allowing the new generation to take over and repeat the never ending circle of life, trapped in a painfully predictable routine.
But there is more than just death ahead for humans, in a futile attempt to change their fates they have discovered and created the rules that reign over this world, they have designed machines that could fulfill any dream, they choose to go against the will of whoever had created them, the beauty of humanity, they choose their destiny, they create their road, a blessing hidden as a curse, humans are free to choose their own path, maybe humans are meant to die...a machine will never die as long as it has an unlimited source of energy, but humans will become immortal as long as they do one single and amazing thing, they will transcend history, and, in some way or another, those humans become the gods of this world.
Maybe that's why I wanted to know more about humans, maybe...I was tired of my own existence, there was nothing else for me ahead, maybe I wanted more...not that I can't tell, the days when the only thing I care was new subjects to disintegrate seem like a dream, a work of fiction, something completely different from what I wish for now...and that is the problem...just, What exactly am I looking for? A quiet life as a human? A new beginning for me? Another way? But the answers remain what they have always been since I stepped in this new, exciting and terrifying world, a mystery.
Once again, the landscape changes, the ruins are gone and instead I can see the grass below me, hear the wildlife around me and feel the voices of those who were already gone, there were no signs of the human influence...nothing but a lone fountain at the distance...the moon shone brightly as I heard the will of destiny call for me...
The footprints seemed to bright stronger as I got closer to the fountain, around me I could see a swarm of blue dots flying towards the fountain, a well-known feeling spreading through my body, my breath quickened and, before I could realize, I was running to the fountain, my insides were shivering in anticipation, I could feel my heart beat craving for something that was waiting for me at the end of the road...I've never believed in the things I couldn't see with my eyes...but if I've learnt something from my time in this land is that there are things you can see with your eyes...and there are others you need to see with your heart.
A lone woman sat in the fountain, the blue dots flocking around her, her peaceful demeanor only disturbed by a soft giggle as the souls swam playfully around her, her face no longer tainted by vengeance, her torso completely free of spears and the dark aura around her replaced with a gentle one.
-Kalista... - I muttered into the night.
The lady of Vengeance looked at me, a smile appearing on her lips, she stood up and walked towards me, the souls following her, dancing inside patterns, once she was close to me she places her hand on my cheek, she closed her eyes for a moment and I saw her sigh in relief.
-Hello, my dear husband - She said with a gentle smile - It's been a while, hasn't it?
Before I knew it she was in my arms...ah...it's the same scent, the same coldness, it was Kalista, she was here with me, I could once again feel her in my arms, I could once again apologize for not protecting her in Demacia...I could finally tell her how much I have missed her...I could finally tell her everything I've been through...Kalista was here...she was here with me...Kalista...My Kalista...I felt my vision blur and thin trails in my cheeks...I was crying...I always thought humans cried when sad or in pain...Who would have thought?
-It seems not only your appearance has changed, you have also become a crybaby - She teased hugging me back - Are you that happy to see me again you can't contain your tears?
-I thought I lost you...
-I'm sorry I was careless.
-I saw you disappear in front of me.
-I'm sorry...
-I thought you were gone...
-Husband, I made a pledge ... I pledged I would never leave your side.
-I'm sorry I couldn't save you...if only I...
-Hush, hush, husband - Kalista said letting go of me - The past is the past, right now, there's somewhere we must go.
-What do you mean?
-Just follow me - She said pulling me.
I left myself be guided by Kalista, feeling there was nothing to fear as long as she was with me, we went on the same road I took before but it was different, the factories and workshops were quiet, the lights were gone and I wasn't able to find any human working inside, I also noticed our journey was unexpectedly shorter than when I did it on my own, maybe I was too immersed in my thought to realize how long it actually took.
Despite Kalista never been to Piltover she moved quickly, she guided me through the streets of Piltover with confidence, never stopping or doubting her path, the humans around us didn't pay us any mind, almost as if we were invisible to them, like a pair of ghosts moving in the shadows.
There were many things I wanted to ask Kalista, but the words were stuck in my throat, I simply followed in silence, always looking at her, my heart beat was at ease but my mind kept questioning the situation I was currently in, I needed to ask her...but I was scared of the answer...
-Here we are - Kalista finally said stopping in front of a short and wide building painted in black, there were no windows and I could hear a soft music coming from inside.
-What is this place?
-You'll know once we get inside, the entrance should be on the other side.
We walked around the building and I noticed a long line of humans around it, once we reached the other side I realized the humans were formed in order to get inside of the building, there was a wide door with red curtains and a bulking mad dressed in black blocking the entrance, Kalista walked confidently ignoring the line and stood in front of the man.
-Sorry, lass, only V.I.P.s - The man said glaring at her.
-That's exactly what we are.
-Girl, if you were someone important I would know, so get lost before I lose my patience.
-And what would you do if you lose your patience?
-Lady, I don't know who you think you are, but if you keep bothering me I will...
-Francis! - a familiar voice said behind the curtains - What kind of words are you utteri...Mister Vel'koz! Fancy seeing you here! Lord Cho'Gath will be so happy you actually came to his party!
-Malzahar? This is Cho'Gath's party? - I asked confused.
-Of course! Is this fair maiden with you?
-Ah...yes, she is with me, her name is Kalista, she is my wife.
-Of course! Of course! She is extremely beautiful, please, follow ... - Malzahar stood still for a few moments - ...wait a second...you...you said wife...your wife...WHEN DID YOU GET MARRIED?
-Before I reached Demacia...
-I...I have to tell Lord Cho'Gath! He needs to know! Anyways, come inside.
-What are you doing, Malzahar? - Francis tried to protest - He is not in the lis...
-He is Lord Cho'Gath dearest friend. you overgrown monkey! I don't have to explain myself to you, if you can't accept my reasons, perhaps you would like to explain to Lord Cho'Gath why his dearest friend and his lovely wife couldn't make it to his party.
-No...that won't be necessary...I...I will let them in...
-I'm glad to see you are a reasonable man, now, Vel'Koz, Kalista, please follow me, we have so much to talk about - Malzahar said heading inside.
Francis grunted and opened the curtains, as we passed Kalista smirked at him.
The inside was quite dark and I could hear the music getting louder, we walked through a corridor illuminated with dim lights until we reached a rich door made of crimson and golden elements, we tried to step in but Malzahar stopped us.
-I'm sorry, Mister Vel'Koz, but there is a dress code and I'm afraid both of you will need to change into something more elegant...and I have a perfect idea - he said nodding - Please, Lady Kalista, wait here, a staff member will guide you to the dressing room, I will guide Mister Vel'Koz and after that I will help with your dress.
-And what about me? - I asked.
-I will send Lord Cho'Gath, I'm sure he will be delighted to hear your story.
He then pulled me over and lead me to away from Kalista, I tried to protest but Kalista shook her head, letting me know it was found, I nodded and obediently left Malzahar to guide me, after a while we were in front of a concealed door in the shadows, Malzahar opened it and allowed me to enter.
-Malzahar - I called before he left - Are you not going to ask?
-Well, there is one thing I really want to ask...Are you happy with her?
-I...I am...I'm really happy with her...
-That's all I need to know - He said bowing and leaving before I could say something else.
I paced in the room, anxious about Kalista, this must be new for her...I feel like I should be with her...but...it's strange...How did she know about Cho'Gath's party? It all seems weird...Maybe she has some...
I didn't even have time to turn around before a massive mass of muscles tackled me on the ground.
-THERE YOU ARE, YOU TRAITOROUS PIECE OF SHIT!
-Cho'Gath! What's wrong?!
-WHAT'S WRONG?! ARE YOU SERIOUSLY ASKING ME THAT?! YOU GOT MARRIED ON YOUR OWN! AND YOU DIDN'T INVITE ME TO THE PARTY! I WANTED TO MAKE THE TOAST! - He cried punching my back.
-Cho'Gath! Calm down! You are hurting me!
-I WILL PUNCH UNTIL I CAN MAKE THE TOAST!
After a few apologies and some pats in Cho'Gath's back he was finally able to let go of me and started looking for a proper suit for me.
-I still can't believe you are actually married - Cho'Gath said inspecting the umpteenth suit in the closet - you have to tell me all the details.
-What kind of details?
-How did you two meet?
-She and her friends wanted to make me into a soulless puppet.
-That's lovely! How is she? Malzahar didn't get into details.
-She is a denizen of The Shadow Isles.
-At least she isn't from Noxus, What was her name again?
-Kalista, The Spear of Vengeance.
-Ah! Such wonderful name! She must be a fine woman!
-You haven't seen her yet?
-No, I came rushing as soon as I found out...This is it! - He said showing me a black tuxedo, a white shirt, and a bowtie.
-Did you really have to go through all of those suits?
-No, I picked this first but I wasn't sure if it will suit you, after going through all of the I'm sure this is the right one.
-Uh?
-Anyways, this is the right one - He said giving me the tuxedo - get dressed and head inside of the dance hall.
-Wait...Dance...hall? I have to dance?
-Of course! This is a party, a high-class party, so I hope you don't embarrass me in front of the members of the council, See you!
-Wait! Cho'Gath! I can't... - But he was already gone - ...dance... - I sighed in defeat.
Dance? I can't dance, I've never in my life danced before, I can't do it...should I run away and avoid my problems? Then again...Kalista is here...I can't possibly do it...I guess...I guess the only thing I can do...it's to try to carry on...Shit...
The tuxedo felt oppressive over my skin, there was a weird smell coming from it and it also was itchy, I could feel my sweat forming on my brow, I sighed, regretted my misfortune and stepped into the dance hall.
To my own surprise, it was quite nice, well illuminated with several fancy decorations, at the back the band was playing background music, the dance floor was empty and the guests were eating snacks at the tables in the sides, I couldn't recognize a single one of them, they were the members of the council and other important figures in Piltover, To my own surprise, Ashe was there alone speaking with Rek'Sai, I could see Kog'Maw running around playing with other little kids, Kha'Zix was nowhere to be seen, this was going to be a long night.
I sighed once again.
-You know, they say every time you sigh you lose a bit of happiness.
I turned around and...
...
...She...
She was wearing a wedding gown, almost identical to that one I used back in the Shadow Isles, a gown of pure white hugging her thin and well-defined body, in her hands, she was holding a bouquet of red roses, she giggled playfully and gave the bouquet of flowers.
-Your mouth is open - she said placing her hand in my jaw and gently pushing it upwards - How do I look?
-I...You...dress...
-I'll take that as a "so beautiful I forgot how to human" - she said teasingly.
-That dress? - I managed to ask clumsily.
-Malzahar chose it for me, he said I would look stunning in it...he was right it seems.
-I think...I think you look...
-LADIES AND GENTLEMEN - The powerful voice of Cho'Gath interrupted me - I'M EXTREMELY PLEASED ALL OF YOU CAME TO MY PARTY, I KNOW SOME OF YOU WERE UNSURE ABOUT ME BEING REAL, BUT HERE I AM, MY NAME IS CHO'GATH! THE HORROR...no, wait, not that...THE AMBASSADOR OF FRELJORD AND THE MOST HANDSOME GENTLEMAN IN PILTOVER...as the ladies would tell... - the crowd laughed - Thank you, thank you, I know it was a bad joke but thank you anyways...without further ado...let' begin this party with a dance! For such thing, I will allow my dearest friend Vel'Koz and his lovely wife to open the dance!
WHAT?
Suddenly the spotlight was right above us, around us I could hear the whispers of the other guests, on the back the band started playing a slow tune, I glared at Cho'Gath and saw him giving me the thumbs up, you got to be kidding me...
-Do you hear that, love? - Kalista said grabbing my arm - They are playing our song!
-Kalista, I'm not ready for this...
-You are ready, I can feel it!
-I don't know how to dance!
-Take my hand, I'll teach you to dance!
-Teach me to dance? You can't teach me to dance right now, it's complicated! There are a lot of movements like spins and stuff like that...
-I'll spin you around!
-I could fall!
-I won't let you fall down, just let me lead you.
-That won't be enough...
-You could step on my feet - Kalista giggled.
-It's not funny...
-Give it a try -she said pulling to the center of the room - it'll be alright!
She guided me slowly until we were at the very center of the room, the music started to gain speed and around us I could see the guests watching expectantly, I was getting more nervous with each passing second, then I felt her gentle touch on my cheek, she turned my head until the only thing I could see was her.
-My eyes on you and your eyes on me - she said grabbing my left hand and placing her on her hip - we are doing this right - she finished grabbing my right hand and extending it to the side with hers, and just like that we began the dance.
We paced back and forth, sometimes spinning around or doing some other movement I didn't know I could do, suddenly I was feeling brave, I didn't know what got into me or why I felt that way, we danced slowly and the only thing I wanted was to hold Kalista closer, I wanted to feel her everything, I wanted to be with her, the climax of the song came and I could feel it in my heart, she was smiling gleefully, it felt right, my lips met hers...I was complete again...I could hear the guests clap and cheer, some couples joined us...but I didn't care about them...in this short dream, it was all about us...about Kalista and me...
After our dance was over we headed to the rooftop and simply stood there watching the stars and the moon, holding hands and enjoying our company, but I knew there were things I needed to ask, I was conflicted with my feelings but I didn't know how to ask properly, Kalista made the choice for me.
-You are finally here in Piltover - She said quietly - You've been through so much, right?
-Yes, It's been a long journey.
-You also have changed, both physically and mentally...but beneath that human form, you are still the noble creature I married in the Shadow Isles.
-I don't know...I've changed so much...
-But you are not alone anymore...Vi and Soraka...they are wonderful women...I can see why you are so fond of them...I also like them.
-You...You like them?
-Hey, Can I tell you a silly dream of mine?
-Yes.
-Remember when we were in Demacia? How I talked about having children? Well, from the very beginning it was impossible for me, after all...I've been dead for more than I can remember...so I thought...I could...allow you to...have kids with other women...and love them as my own...
-What?
-You see...back in the kingdom where I come from it was a custom that if a woman can't bear children she could choose a concubine for her husband...It happened, especially in the royalty, you know how much I loved my uncle, when I lost everything as a child, he raised me as her daughter...so I thought...I could give him a lineage to serve his family for the rest eternity...sadly my dream will never become true.
-I'm sorry, Kalista.
-Don't be, I told you it was a silly dream - she hugged me - but I really wanted a family with you.
I returned the hug and rested my chin on her head...but deep inside I was feeling the pain grow...My tears began to fall again...It was time to ask what I've been avoiding since I met her at the fountain...
-Are you crying again? - she asked softly - come on, don't cry.
-How much left? - I asked gingerly.
-A few more minutes - She answered quietly.
-But you are here with me...you are here...please...stay with me...
-I can't...
-You pledged to me...
-I know...but...I told you before...I am complete...after I married you I was complete...I had no regrets, I was supposed to leave...but I had my pledge...but after the incident in Demacia...my time has finally come...I have to move on...I came because I wanted to see you one last time...
-Don't go...
-Don't worry...I am your woman...I no longer belong to the Shadow Isles, I belong to you...I'll will always be in your heart...so don't cry...don't cry...promise me you won't cry...
-Kalista, I...I lo...
-Hush, I know...Vel'Koz...- I felt her putting something in my hand - Thank you for marrying me...thank you for loving me...be happy - and my arms closed completely and I fell in the ground.
I knelt there, looking left and right...but she was gone...she was gone...I looked at what Kalista gave me...our rings...both of them...I put them in my ring finger...and my vision blurred again...tears fell once again...and I couldn't do anything to stop them...
-It's okay, Kalista...it's okay...I will cry this one time...just this one last time...and I'll start fresh tomorrow...
I clutched my arms and let go, I remember screaming into the night as the tears rolled down my cheeks, the moon watched my pain in silence, making the stars shine as if she was trying to console me and the darkness covered me in her gentle embrace...
Ah...
Kalista...
My Kalista...
My wife...
All about us - He is we/ Owl city.