Chapter 1: New and Old Friends
The ship rocked gently with the waves as it pulled out of the Noxian port. There was something soothing about it, and yet Kaldur couldn't find the desire to watch as the immaculate walls of the Immortal Bastion faded from view. Instead, he sat below deck watching as a red-headed woman sharpened her array of daggers.
The woman was the same as in Tokogal: mysterious and off-putting. She refused to give her name, and further refused to endear herself to her new charge. It was clear by now that the woman was an assassin, and yet here she sat as a bodyguard. Neither Kaldur nor Ryze could identify what reason Swain would have to send a woman of her capabilities on a task such as this, but as her lack of trust in the party became apparent so did the party's own suspicions of her motives.
Now, below the deck of a civilian transport, she honed her weapons. Despite her scantily clad physique, the red head wore the armaments that fit her occupation. Leather armor and steel bracers were all that protected her save her midriff which was completely bare. At first Kaldur wondered how useful that outfit could be, but soon realized that it was meant as a distraction rather than protection. On her left abdomen was a spiked black tattoo, while her left eye bore a single scare that went from her forehead to her cheek.
"Need something?" She asked, bitterly.
"Just admiring the view," Kaldur noted with sarcasm.
The woman paused with one of her blades on the whetstone and looked dead at him. "Excuse me?"
"I was talking about the knives," Kaldur chuckled, "Plus, I'm not sure your lover would approve."
She narrowed a gaze that could kill on its own.
"You know, Garen. Big guy, likes to shout Demacia everywhere he goes. Has a dislike for Ezreal."
The woman slowly returned to her sharpening, her gaze dropping in an attempt to remain calm. "I have no idea who you're referring to."
Kaldur had the desire to retort with more sarcasm, but something told him that poking the bear wasn't going to get him anywhere.
Shifting his attention elsewhere, Kaldur had just begun to fiddle with the necklace he wore when a flurry of footsteps announced a certain annoyance entering the room. Kaldur looked up to see a blond-haired, blue-eyed man wearing special made goggles atop his head and an aviator's jacket that branded a multitude of pockets and packs with assorted gear. On his left hand was a gauntlet made of gold with a series of gemstones embedded in it. The only difference was the small metallic triangle inserted into the wrist which was a gift from the titan Ornn.
"Hey Knives," Ezreal nodded to the red head.
"I will cut out your tongue," she hissed.
"Oof," Ezreal winced returning his attention to Kaldur. "So, how goes the solitary lifestyle?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you have shut yourself off from everyone, including Ahri to some degree. And you're living like a hermit."
Kaldur narrowed his gaze. "Ez, drop it. Just because I have to meditate for a few hours per day doesn't mean I am being a hermit. We played cards just last week while we were waiting on a ship."
"Oh, come on! If you're not meditating, you're training. If you're not training, you're studying. The only time you're ever free is at night and everyone on the ship can take a guess at what you're doing. And when you're not doing any of that, you're hovering over your fiancée like she's about to fall over."
"What is this? An intervention? Ez, I am fine. Ahri is fine. Don't get me wrong, I was a little worried for a few weeks, but she's doing good and so am I. You want something to worry about? How about your dumbass plan?"
"My plan is brilliant!" Ezreal scoffed mockingly.
"Oh, sure. Let's let Malzahar know where I am right after we just got rid of his spy. That's a great idea!"
"It's the last place he'll think to look! And after we leave, there's no way he can figure out where we went."
"And we can't just head to Tereshni because…?"
"Because crossing the dessert of Shurima is a massive pain and this would save us so much time in the long run."
Kaldur sighed. "The fact that Ryze agreed with you is what really surprises me."
"I know! That threw me for a loop, but, hey: if the old man is in on it, the plan can't be that bad."
Kaldur cracked his neck and stood up to stretch. "We still have to wait there until Ashe's friend shows up."
"He should get there before us," Ezreal reassured.
"Fine. Have we heard anything about who Demacia is sending?"
"No letters yet, but Lux told me to keep an eye out."
Kaldur frowned. "They do realize we can't wait for them forever, right?"
Ezreal just shrugged.
"Whatever," Kaldur sighed, "I need some fresh air."
Stepping away from his bunk, Kaldur crept up the stairs and onto the deck where a familiar sight slipped into view. The Noxian vessel was at least three times the size of an Ionian ship. Built with four masts and lined with steel plates as extra protection, the hull was designed with spikes to formulate a menacing frame. Soldiers and sailors of all types ran around trying to micromanage pulley systems and rigging. Near the steering column sat a cabal of friendly faces.
Ryze and Ahri were leaning against the railing that overlooked the ocean as Jax sat on a barrel in the back eating hard boiled eggs. Ryze pretty much looked the same; his violet tinted skin and runic tattoos filled in the gaps of his shirtless outfit where the only object of interest was the large bronze cylinder that resided on his back which contained a scroll. Something he still refused to let Kaldur read to this day.
Jax on the other hand, finally took it upon himself to adjust his garment to something akin to Asian feudal wear. His robes of deep purple were shaped to form a cloak that passed across his chest and shoulders which draped behind himself. Atop his head was a cone shaped straw hat that had a ring of painted clouds along the outer diameter.
Ahri looked as beautiful as ever. Sadly, her main outfit had been ruined with blood and a large hole in the center so she was forced into something that Jax would deem 'more practical.' Deep brown and red leather armor surrounded her waist and chest connected by two shoulder straps that left her actual shoulders bare. Ahri's wrists wore plated leather bracers with golden tips that looked suited for brawling. She dressed in a skirt that hovered just above her knees and was a mix between hide and chainmail with a large red ribbon that rested in between her legs from her belly to her knees. Light red shoes were worn on her feet and interconnected with dark steel greaves that covered her entire shin. On her neck was a small collar that held the other half of the jewel Kaldur now wore on his own.
Ahri paused in her conversation with Ryze and smiled, her yellow eyes glistening, "Admiring the view?"
"Of course," Kaldur grinned.
Ahri laughed and drifted to embrace him. "Ezreal continues to share his concerns I see?"
"He's acting like a helicopter parent," Kaldur groaned.
Ahri's brow furrowed. "Helicopter?"
"Another stupid 'my world' reference."
"One I should hope to hear about some day," Ahri noted.
"Well, maybe I can tell you about it later tonight," he commented, looking at Ryze.
His teacher looked tired. The deep purple of his skin had hints of grey in it, and the constant gaze he gave Kaldur was one that made his heart sink.
"Hon," Kaldur began, "Do you mind if I speak to Ryze alone for a moment?"
Ahri didn't bat an eye, but Kaldur could tell the subtle hint at a frown was beginning to form on her lips.
"Come find me when you have finished," she ordered, bounding away.
Kaldur watched her leave the captains deck and meander to the bow of the ship before moving in next to Ryze. Leaning against the rail himself, Kaldur watched as the rocky terrain of Noxian owned territory faded past them slowly.
The pair sat in silence for a good long while. By now Kaldur had learned that patience was a good virtue to have when dealing with him.
"She knows something is wrong," Ryze finally said, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Everyone knows something is wrong," Kaldur replied watching as a small fishing boat drifted about the coast.
"And yet …" Ryze responded, letting the unsaid drift between them.
"You and Jax know. For now, that's enough."
"I would think your wife-to-be should be involved."
"She knows at least half of it," Kaldur replied.
"Which half?"
Kaldur couldn't look Ryze in the eyes. Instead, he shifted his gaze to the waters, watching as the dark green splashed against the hull of the ship and transformed into soft mist.
"The half you're worried about," he finally said.
Ryze didn't respond, and as the silence stretched between them Kaldur wondered if what he said went too far. Slowly, Ryze stood up straight and briefly rested a hand on Kaldur's shoulder before wandering away.
Kaldur reached out his hand towards the inviting waters and let the mist tap his outstretched limb. It was cool and comforting in the midday heat. Taking a deep breath, Kaldur soaked in the scent of the sea allowing it to remove him of his worries before peeling away from the view and looking for his lover.
Ahri was leaning out past the bow of the ship with her face to the horizon. As each gust of wind or splash of water struck, her raven-colored fox ears twitched. Through the back of her skirt a singular white vixen tail swayed to the motion of the ocean beneath these old planks of wood. Kaldur was just about to say something when an idea came to mind.
Building up a little power in his legs, Kaldur muffled the sounds of his steps as he approached and steadily reached out his hand. Closer and closer he got as his target came into reach.
Whap!
Ahri's tail whipped around his hand and smacked him square in the face. Without losing a beat, Kaldur sucked in his arms in a massive hug and pinned the stray fluff to his chest as the tip kept batting away at his nose.
"Got it! It's mine now!"
Ahri let out something between a shriek and a laugh before spinning around and tackling him to the floor. Giddily the two collapsed, her tail in between the two of them. Kaldur chuckled as he blew some of the fur out of his mouth and rested his chin on the remainder. His eyes matched Ahri's, and there he stayed mesmerized by their brilliance. Suddenly, a separate tuft of fur cut off his gaze and sat on his eyes; another tail entered the fray.
"How do you do that?" He asked, "You have nine tails and yet you can secretly hide them."
Ahri giggled. "A woman has to have some secrets."
Kaldur could only smile.
"Hey! Lovebirds!" Ezreal's voice surfaced.
Kaldur blew more fur out of his mouth and leaned his head back to see an upside-down image of Ezreals head sticking out from below deck.
"What?" Kaldur asked, annoyed.
"Jax wants to play cards, you in?"
Kaldur blinked. "Again?"
"He says he's feeling good about this one."
Kaldur groaned and looked at Ahri who was staring at him expectantly. "Fine."
Ahri jumped off his chest and dove into the lower deck in one swift motion before Kaldur could even stand.
"Ah yes," Kaldur mumbled to himself, "let's travel with the grandmaster of weapons who's also a gambling addict. And of course, Ezreal had to get him hooked on it."
Despite his grievances, Kaldur was glad to finally do something normal for a change. The game was larger this time around with nearly everyone in the party playing. As usual, Jax lost in the first few rounds, Ezreal and Ryze were counting cards, and Ahri was the luckiest person in the room; so much so that when Ezreal called her out on it she retaliated by claiming Kaldur was her good luck charm. The red head refused to play. Thankfully, the betting this time wasn't for keeps since the budget that the Trifarix gave them was limited to their destination. By the time Jax lost for the third time, he was ready to call it quits.
"I don't understand," he complained, "I am wearing a mask. It's not as if you can see my face."
"You just don't know when to bet," Ezreal said, "plus it doesn't help that Ahri is practically guaranteed to have the best hand in the entire group."
"Well unless we play something different, I think I'll sit the rest of the afternoon out."
"Too bad some of my game books didn't come with me," Kaldur noted, "we could play a role-playing game."
"What's that?" Ezreal asked, sliding the cards back into a deck.
"It's something we did from my world. Since most of us were bored out of our minds, we used to play these games where we would pretend to be someone else."
Everyone gave Kaldur a curious glance.
"Okay so," Kaldur began, trying to think of a way to explain this. "You know how we are kinda on an adventure right?"
"We are on a mission," The red-head emphasized.
"I know that, but where I come from this would be considered an adventure. You travel the world, explore new places, fight monsters, and try to complete quests. Since my world didn't have a lot of that, we used to pretend to be on these adventures. You had a group of friends sit around a table, one would run the game and he would tell the rest of the players a story. In that story, every other player acts as a character. They control what their character would do when this supposed scenario was given to them."
"Much akin to battle plans?" Jax asked.
"Kind of, but instead of putting yourself in that scenario, you make up an imaginary person that would do things differently. Let's take Ryze for example."
Ryze raised an eyebrow.
"Ryze is a mage, lived for who knows how long, and he has a very stoic manner with a few exceptions. Instead of that, Ryze acts the part of a warrior who was spurned by his home village and now wanders the lands searching for fame and glory. Ryze's character is supposed to have a boastful and arrogant personality, and so he has to act that way when playing the character."
"Oh! I get it!" Ezreal said, "It's like what we did at the arena but we're doing this for fun."
"Exactly," Kaldur acknowledged, looking around.
"Ooo, I know what I'd play as!" Ezreal jumped in. "What if I was an aspiring musician who lived in Demacia but when I suddenly developed magic, they wanted to hunt me down so now I travel the world using a mix of magic and music as my weapons."
Kaldur was a little shocked. "That's … actually a good idea."
"It's imaginative," Jax admitted, "you'd manage it, lad?"
"I remember most of the rules from when I played as a kid," Kaldur answered, "I'd have to write some of them down, make character sheets, and get materials. But, if you guys are interested, we could try it once I get it all done. Just start thinking up ideas of what type of character you would want to act as."
Ryze stood up from his seat and nodded slightly. "Perhaps, if we have the time."
Kaldur just shrugged.
As everyone began to disperse, Kaldur began to feel a tinge of pain in the back of his head. At first it didn't feel like much, but after a moment the pain exploded. Wincing, he clambered over to his bunk and quickly rolled onto it. Closing his eyes, he allowed his mind to drift. At first nothing happened, just an endless black void that threatened to swallow his consciousness whole. Yet slowly the scenery shifted.
Before him was the Ionian countryside. It was lush, green, and colorful; all except a giant spot where everything was dead and mutated. Surrounding that area was a border of black and turquoise, and in the center of it was an all too familiar figure. A violet and deep purple cloak was the only semblance of clothing on the world runes' Void persona. Its face had returned to the rippling pool of black and silver shadows that moved like water. Yet it had no hands or feet, just an empty space where the amalgamation hovered.
Looking around, Kaldur noticed multiple gashes along the border walls, each one slowly repairing itself.
"Another escape attempt?"
Appearing next to Kaldur from a puff of black smoke came Utir. Dressed in his usual dark plated armor instead of his modern look, Utir had grown a bit of black hair on his head that made him look more like a soldier and less like a barbarian. Still, the grimace he wore was enough to drive anyone away.
"He's getting bolder," Utir commented.
"It's only been a month," Kaldur noted, "think he'll break through?"
"I couldn't tell yah, kid. There are so many factors to this as it is."
"What does Ayala think?"
"I don't think she could tell you either."
Kaldur frowned as he looked around the scenery for a familiar face. "I haven't seen her in a while."
"She represents the main vessel," Utir explained, "And she took the brunt of it."
Kaldur winced.
"The guilt won't change what's happened, kid. The only choice is forward."
Kaldur looked at the amalgamation made from the desire to consume and his own hatred. In it he saw everything. Everyone he needed to protect, and everything he needed to destroy. And yet he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that these paths would eventually coincide.
"The path forward, huh? That's what scares me."
Ahri crumbled to the floor. Her head felt as if it were about to burst. Her knees collided with the hard wood, and she quickly glanced around. Everyone had left in a hurry… everyone but Kaldur who was crawling into his bed like a wounded animal. Ahri opened her mouth to speak but no words emerged. It was almost as if her voice was trapped in her mind, like her memories kept her frozen in space.
Suddenly, the pain released her.
Dropping to her hands, she breathed a sigh of relief. What was that? She hadn't felt anything that painful since … she couldn't remember. Getting up to her feet she flowed over to her mate. She was just about to get his attention when she noticed he was shivering, his eyes closed.
It was easy to put together, his pain and hers were connected.
Resting on the bunk just behind him, Ahri cradled him and settled her forehead on his back. Gently she allowed her love and charm flow through her body to his. At first, she didn't know if the charm was working, but after a moment his hand rose and interlocked with her own. They rested like so for the entire evening and throughout the night, not a disturbance to be wrought.
Time passed. Ahri had always been used to the notion of longevity and how many moments blurred together. It was part of the reason she hardly knew her own age. Yet, these days, she often wished they would last longer. That the memories would linger as often as she replayed them within her own mind. As the Noxian ship arrived at the port city of Basilich, Ahri found herself dreading the arrival. She had no notion as to why, but something in the pit of her stomach acted as a warning. She had no dislike of adventures and new places, each one was a new memory and experience to create on her own. Yet the worries persisted.
"Hey, Ez," Kaldur called out, shirking Ahri from her thoughts, "How long are we staying here?"
"Hopefully we'll leave this afternoon."
"You got a caravan lined up?"
"Nope, even better."
Ahri watched as Kaldur raised his eyebrow and followed his friend off the ship. She loved his curiosity; it matched her own. Drifting through the mud-soaked city streets of Basilich, Ahri examined the Noxian architecture and noted how much of it looked war torn as if this place had seen battle recently. Yet that was the way of Noxus: war and expansion.
Ahri nearly ran into Kaldur as he stopped dead in his tracks outside the gates of the city, his mouth wide open.
In front of the group was a large floating vessel. Hovering just above the ground, the blimp shaped vehicle was massive and housed an undercarriage big enough to fit easily fifty people. The ship was pointed at the front with a multitude of fins in the rear resembling a fish.
"We spent all that time in Piltover and no one told me there were Airships?" Kaldur asked.
"Eh, you never really hung around the other side of the river," Ezreal explained.
Ahri was not nearly as enamored with the airship as her mate, despite its interesting shape, which allowed her to note the behavior of Ryze. The mage was rigid and shaking his head slowly. Ahri popped a grin: the man was afraid of the vessel.
"You alright?" Kaldur asked, apparently noticing the same behavior.
"I'm fine," Ryze forced as he started marching towards the vehicle.
"Yeah, had to wring the trading manifest from a certain angry Noxian before we left," Ezreal explained, oblivious to the interaction, "I remembered that Noxus loves to trade with Piltover for goods and that these ships fly in every now and again. I mean, a vessel that can fly is always good."
"I thought Piltover traded with seafarers. They run that canal and Sun gates after all."
"That's what they mostly use. But with the Hexgates that's all about to change."
"I still don't recall seeing that tower. You sure these Hexgates exist?"
"It's been under construction for almost a year. And if I know that arrogant piece of work Jayce, he'll only want to debut his work on Progress Day which is 4 days away. That thing is going to make the Airship more usefully than any boat."
"I take it Airships only have a short range?"
"They can't make it to the Immortal Bastion and back without stopping constantly. Something to do with the crystals and overheating. They're great for getting around the city though."
"Seems inefficient," Kaldur noted.
"Well, now that they can teleport half the distance …"
Ezreal's voice drowned out as Ahri felt a cold chill run up her spine. Glancing around, her vision instinctively flowed back towards the city gates. Within the midst of the soot stained grey walls was a barrier of pure black. No light permeated the interior. Ahri's mind flashed to images of the nothing that Killian had bore into her memories, but this felt different. It was almost alive. Narrowing her gaze, she began to see something emerging from within the pitch.
A deep blue.
A single orb.
Two orbs … no, they were eyes.
A grin just below.
Teeth.
Ahri closed her eyes for barely a fraction of a second, and in that time the image had disappeared only to reveal the internal structures of the city proper. She could still feel the cold sensation throughout her being; but there was also something familiar and welcoming about it. This was not the void, yet she couldn't shrug the feeling that it was just as powerful, and just as dangerous.
"Hon?"
Ahri whipped around and put on her best smile. "Yes, love?"
Kaldur narrowed his gaze questioningly and looked at where she was staring. "What did you see?"
"See?"
Kaldur's quizzical expression shifted to annoyance. He was by no means a fool.
"I… I am not sure."
Kaldur softened his eyes. "Was it a wolf with a mask, or a lamb with a bow? The Kindred?"
Ahri had never seen the Kindred. Kaldur had described them over and over again after his first encounter months ago, but the descriptions were always vague. Now she understood why.
"Possibly the wolf," she admitted, still unsure how true that statement was.
Kaldur sighed. "That's … that's not good. I'll talk to Ryze but honestly, I was hoping they would leave us alone after what happened. Guess I was wrong."
Ahri took a breath and relaxed. "Whatever they want, they will not take us from one another."
The look in Kaldur's eyes told Ahri that he truly wanted to believe that to be true, but something behind them felt different. Letting his hand grasp hers, she stared back at him with hope.
"I won't let that happen," he promised.
Ahri could feel his doubt.
It took some time before the airship was ready to depart. The crew had a difficult time being fenagled into acting as a transport, but as most of them were more interested in money and their cargo they allowed it.
For the next few days, the airship sailed across the sky past the great barrier and the cities that lay below. The airship never landed, even throughout the night. As the wind ruffled her fur and her hair, Ahri was filled with wonder as she watched the change in the scenery below her. In Ionia the mountains and the cliffs always offered an impressive view, but it was something completely different to soar through the sky. Everything seemed so small up here, and it was such a good feeling.
By the morning of the third day, the dreaded sight of Piltover was in full view. It had not changed in the time they had spent away. Much of the city was the same, and Ahri could not help but feel a sense of irony at a city which claimed progress but refused to grow. The bronze and golden metal that outlined the structures claimed a sense of importance and wealth while the outfits felt too constricting and formal. The only difference was a large bronze and white tower with a bauble at the top rotating slowly; the Hexgate. People were busy and the buzz of conversation could be heard from here. Steel contraptions worked tirelessly as devices in the city streets operated with crystals that were used to mimic the actions of magic. Ahri often wondered how similar these devices, and the symbols on them, were to the world runes and shards that Ryze strove to protect.
On the other side of the river, in the lower sections where a green glow permeated the open fog-filled caverns, sat Zaun. Much like its twin city, this place radiated busy change and metalwork. Yet, people here dressed to feign strength and individuality within the confines of their hovels and masks. Ahri remembered much of the undercity, how it became less and less optimistic the farther one went down. She also remembered the pain. The pain of betrayal and the lack of trust Zaun's people had in one another. While groups would stick together in makeshift families, it wasn't one unified place. If it were not for the Zaunites shared hatred of Piltover, Ahri suspected the gangs and groups would tear themselves apart in the name of ingenuity.
Their vessel was not allowed to take passengers straight to the airship docks that resided near the Hexgates, and as such the party departed it near the shipyards where Kaldur and Ahri had first entered the city before.
Due to everyone's past exchange with the law of Piltover, disguises were necessary. Ahri herself had arranged the design of a white and gold trimmed cloak that was reminiscent of her old one. It hid her ears and tail easily, and was quite maneuverable. On her face she wore what was known in Piltover as make-up to cover her whisker marks on her cheeks. Ezreal was convinced that he had made so many achievements in his career that he wouldn't be hassled by the law, a statement that made Kaldur laugh. Jax had very little history with Piltover and so it was unnecessary for him to dress. The young woman with red hair wore something simple over her armor and tied back her mane, which was appropriate as she was still an unknown to the group which put Ahri on edge.
Ryze and Kaldur were the only two who needed a drastic improvement as their appearance was well known throughout the city. Kaldur had managed to get a hold of some Piltovan functional wear and was now dressed in green high necked lab coat with multiple pairs of buttons on the front. He had goggles on his face and his hair combed back and matted with what remained of Ezreal's pomade. Ryze on the other hand, was cloaked in a high-class Piltovan outfit complete with a vest, tie, and gloves that were colored in red and white. On his head was a large mask that resembled what a man would look like if he were a machine. The suite even came with what Kaldur called a 'top-hat' and a stick used for walking.
"Welcome ladies and gents, back to civilization!"
Nearly everyone stared at Ezreal with a penetrating stare.
"What?"
Kaldur just shook his head and patted his friend on the back. "Let's get to the inn o' tour guide."
Ezreal grumbled but jumped in front of the group as everyone followed suit.
The trading district of Piltover was just as busy and crowded as Ahri remembered. The first time she saw it she was enamored by the sights, smells, and sounds she experienced. Now, all she could feel was the dread of being noticed. Thankfully, no one was glancing in her direction as they meandered through the people and towards the structures with signs labeled for foreigners to come and grab a drink.
The first one on the square was their destination, and it appeared to have attracted a crowd. As they entered the building through the mass of individuals, people were cheering as a bunch of strangers sat around a table gorging themselves on alcohol. Ahri smirked at the familiar bonding ritual when she recognized a voice rise above the crowd.
"Ha ha! Braum will help you," came a jovial laugh.
Ahri's eyes widened and she pushed through the crowd to stand at the front where a large giant of a man was helping one of the drinkers to his feet.
"Braum!" Ahri called out.
Braum finished lifting the man up before looking around for the source of the voice. Once he had, Ahri watched as a giant grin peered through his mustache.
"Little Fox!"
Kaldur was a little shocked. The man named Braum was a giant, even towering over Jax in terms of width and height. His muscular pale skin was covered in thick blue tattoos that swirled in Freljordian shapes across his exposed shoulder and chest. His piercing blue eyes complimented his bald head and thick black handlebar mustache that looked to have a personality of its own. He wore a large gold trimmed plated skirt with a belt that covered his stomach while in the center was a symbol depicting the horns of a ram. On his shoulder was an armored pauldron decorated in white fir and adorned with a clear blue gemstone out front. His wrists wore gauntlets of the same make as the rest of his armor while on his left bicep was a leather bracelet braided around his entire arm. His back held a giant … door? Or was it a shield?
Kaldur shook his head to steady his disbelief and watched as Ahri embraced the giant in a light hug. Apparently, they were friends. The pair made their way back to the party as the crowd ignored them and focused on the drinkers at the table. While it was clearly noisy, Kaldur was glad for the distraction as it wouldn't interfere with their conversation.
"Who's your friend?" Kaldur asked as the giant stepped in front of the party.
"I am Braum, of the Freljord" he greeted enthusiastically, his accent sounding Russian.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Braum."
"The pleasure is mine! It is good to see friends of the Little Fox."
"So, this is our companion Freljord sent?" Jax asked.
"Indeed, I am! Braum was told he would see a familiar face. Lady Ashe was not wrong."
Kaldur was about to speak up when something small, cute, adorned with small horns, and covered in white fur jumped atop Braum's shoulder.
"What is that?"
"Haven't seen one?" Ezreal said, "That's a poro. Their quite common."
"This is my little companion," Braum said, patting it with his giant hands. "He has the heart of a Druvask."
"I don't doubt it," Ezreal murmured.
"Well, I'll give Ashe credit, when she said she'd send help, she wasn't kidding."
Kaldur paused for a moment and took a glance at Braums exposed chest. "Are you an iceborn?"
"Braum is!"
"Woah, woah, woah!" Ezreal exclaimed, "I thought Iceborn got weaker the farther south they went?"
"That is true, but Braum has been as far south as the Shadow Isles and defeated many foes."
"He has a warrior's spirit," Jax commented, "And I sense a pure heart."
"That's obvious! The guy radiates positivity."
Kaldur couldn't help but acknowledge the comment. Braum felt like a man who would protect others with his life, even strangers.
Ryze tapped Kaldur on the arm and beckoned to follow.
"Come on, guys. Let's continue this conversation somewhere else."
The party, now including Braum, walked up the stairs in the back of the building and slipped into the first room on the left. It was unoccupied save for the sack of supplies in the corner near the bed.
"This your room, Braum?" Kaldur asked.
"Temporarily."
"Welp, hope you like company big guy."
Braum chuckled. "All are welcome!"
"Let's get to business," the red-head said irritably.
"Welcome, Braum," Ryze said, nodding.
Braum gave Ryze a quizzical look. "I mean no offense, but I have never met a man made of metal."
Ezreal laughed. "You still haven't!"
Ryze passed a glance at Ezreal before removing his mask to reveal his true face.
Braum's eyes went wide before narrowing them in detail. "You look… familiar. Have we met before?"
"If we had, you would have been a child."
"I remember!" He said ecstatically, "You had visited my village, looking for something lost. My grandmother was stubborn and would not see you, so you waited by playing with us."
A look on Ryze's face appeared that Kaldur had never seen before. His eyes glazed over only slightly as a gentle smile formed on his lips. Apparently, it was a good memory.
"You were a very polite child."
"One should always respect their elders. Ha! This is such a great day. Two reunions at once!"
"That's great," the woman said, grinding her teeth, "We are running out of time."
Braum turned about to face the assassin and finally Kaldur got a good glimpse at his shield. It did look like a door made of dark steel. On its face was the face of a ram with one horn broken at the tip. It's eyes and forehead were decorated with bright blue gemstones while the perimeter was fashioned with bronze.
"My apologies, I did not get your name."
"I didn't give it."
Braum seemed a little taken aback but managed a smile. "If we are to trust each other with our lives, the first step is to know who one is trusting."
The red head paused, staring at Braum with a gaze that would put her daggers to shame. But, after a moment, she sighed.
"Katarina."
Kaldur was impressed. He'd been trying for weeks to no success. Braum new her for a total of five minutes.
"Nope, I prefer 'Knives,'" Ezreal stated.
Katarina pulled out a dagger and threw it at Ezreal. Kaldur had barely registered the action before his anger exploded and he could feel his power boiling. Ezreal's familiar pop sounded, and he was instantly on the other side of the room. His gauntlet was alight and drawn in the form of a bow.
"Anger issues much?" He stated.
No one was paying attention to him as everyone else, including Katarina, was staring at Kaldur. It took him a second to register what was happening before he finally released his power fully.
"Ezreal, how many times have we told you to watch what you say?" Kaldur stated, his eyes still glaring at Katarina.
"Sorry, Kal," Ezreal apologized, lowering his weapon.
Kaldur took a moment to form the words in his head as he walked over to where Jax was admiring the knife. Pulling it out of the wall he walked over and held it out handle first towards Katarina. Gently she took it, not once looking away from Kaldur. He wanted to berate her, tell he how much this behavior wasn't going to fly, but something about the situation made him feel hollow and so he kept his mouth closed.
"Lad," Jax said, breaking the ice, "You had a plan?"
"Right," Ezreal coughed, "So, the plan basically involves hijacking an airship, sailing it into the Hexgate after we rearrange where it's going."
"Details," Ryze noted.
"Right, Braum doesn't know. Anyway, tomorrow night, as Jayce gives his little speech about the Hexgates, we're going to split into two teams. One team is responsible for getting into that room which controls the Hexgates, and the other for getting a ship that will pick up the gate group and fly us into the gates as they go off. By the time anyone figures out what's going on it will be too late."
"Okay, but who's going to activate the gate while we're on the ship? I don't imagine the sequence is automatic."
"Well… in all honesty, I have no idea how the machine works. When I got a glimpse at the plans I was trying to convince Jayce for some special equipment and he wasn't happy with seeing me. The only thing I know about it is that the gates use runic symbols to control where they go. They're not the same as the world runes, but with those little crystals that all hextech is made out of, I imagine it's pretty similar. Which is why I need Ryze in the room. Not only can he read the runes, but when the team is done he can teleport the crew to the ship just before it takes off."
"Which means you need to go as well," Kaldur connected, "since you have a better understanding of Piltover tech."
"Exactly. Plus, that room is liable to be heavily guarded. Which means that Ryze, myself, and Kni- I mean Katarina should be the ones for that. You, Braum, Ahri, and Jax will be the crew to steal an Airship."
"One flaw in your plan, Ez."
Ezreal squinted, thinking.
"We don't know how to operate an airship, much less pilot it."
"I thought you were paying attention to the guys on the one that brought us here!"
Kaldur shook his head.
"You skipped telling us some details, lad."
"And none of you questioned me making the plan?"
"After all this time spent together?" Ahri asked, smirking.
"Hey! Kaldur makes plans too!"
"And usually, they are larger and less detailed. Every small venture we've done has been you. You planned our adventure into Zaun. You got us out of Piltover the first time. You got us into Demacia. And you planned the whole Arena ordeal in Noxus. Need I go on?"
"Fair… alright, then it's time for a crash course. You head to the flight docks, see if you can schmooze your way onto a ship and ask around till you learn how to pilot one."
Kaldur grimaced.
"Hey, if we don't get an airship, we don't leave. I barely learned how to pilot one but I can still do it. All you need to do is get it off the ground and hovering in a spot."
"Easier said than done."
"I will go with you," Ahri reassured, "This way I can remember any details you missed."
"Actually, that's an idea," Ezreal began, "can't you just, and hear me out, take their memories of how to fly?"
"That's not how it works, Ez."
Ahri shook her head. "Giving a memory can be specific but taking them is chaotic and uncertain. I am more liable to retrieve a recent and favorable memory than one with specific instruction. Not to mention the toll on the one I drain."
"Welp, no harm in asking. Crash course it is! Now, any questions?"
After a few clarifications and warnings from Ryze and Jax, the group had their assignments and set out during the day to get ready for tomorrow. As Kaldur and Ahri departed to the air docks, Katarina left to gather the layout of the Hexgates and where the defenses would potentially be. Ryze needed familiarization with the formation of the airship they were going to steal and so followed Kaldur to get a glimpse. Jax and Braum felt the need to get to know one another and so took the time to chat. Ezreal, however, wanted to make sure supplies were stocked up for the journey and so parted ways to gather as much as he could.
The day's events went so smoothly, Kaldur kept wondering when the other shoe was going to drop. Not only had he found someone willing to teach him about the Airships and their inner workings, but it was someone enthusiastic about the subject. They were easily able to spot a host of ships that could be taken that very day and when they returned to the inn where Braum and Jax were having a good time, Ezreal had returned with a mountain of supplies and a fresh set of clothes from his home. Apparently, Ezreal's antics were so renown that the only person who worried for his safety was his uncle.
Kaldur was beginning to question if he was worrying for nothing when Katarina walked back into the room late that evening.
"So, how went the reconnaissance?" Ezreal asked.
Katarina refused to say anything for a moment until she chugged down a pint of whatever beer Jax was drinking and collapsed onto a chair.
"Piltovan's are paranoid," she commented.
"And that means?"
"It means they are prepared to thwart an army."
"What size army are we talking about here?"
"Noxian size."
"Oof," Ezreal winced.
"Give me the layout young assassin," Jax said, walking over with a large piece of paper and charcoal.
Katarina groaned, but began outlining what she saw. The tower had only one way in or out. The rest of it was designed to house the mass amounts of Hexcrystals that went from the ground floor to the top of the tower and as such not a single window was built into the thing. Guards were placed at that entrance, and traps of a unique design along the doorways and alleys leading to the building. Snipers watched all the potential entrances from the rest of the city while patrols of badges wandered around the structure in random directions so no pattern could be discerned. There was also hextech weaponry strewn about the place as if expecting something to come crashing into the building from above.
"If your target was in there, how would you propose getting in?" Kaldur asked.
"I wouldn't. I would wait till he was heading home then strike. It's stupid to try the harder path."
"Could you teleport the group into the building, Ryze?"
"I would have to see it first. And that doesn't account for the noise it makes."
"The noise shouldn't be a problem. The moment a guard walks in I can take care of it," Katarina claimed.
"I would rather avoid killing innocent people," Kaldur stated.
"No one will miss two guards, especially after what they're expecting to happen."
"I don't care!" Kaldur shouted, "We're not killing anyone."
Katarina narrowed her gaze.
"Wait, hold up. What are they expecting to happen?" Ezreal chimed in.
"Apparently, some broad with a weird hat and rifle was giving directions. She claimed that they wanted to be sure a Jinx couldn't get in and ruin the whole thing. She hinted at some other enemies, but I this Jinx was her primary worry."
"That would be Caitlyn," Ezreal said, "She's got the hots for Kaldur so she shouldn't be a problem."
"Shut it."
Ezreal chuckled. "In all honesty, if she's running the show, we need to be careful. I say, we get Ryze as close to the building as we can when all the festivities hit tomorrow morning. He takes a glance inside to see what's in there. About ten minutes before the big speech is supposed to happen, Ryze jumps us in there while Kaldur and the rest grab a ship. When we see the ship, we start the device and then get the heck out of there before anyone is the wiser."
"Something is gonna go wrong," Kaldur stated, "it always does."
"Has that stopped us before?" Jax asked.
"You're not wrong," Kaldur shrugged.
"What's with you being Mr. Negative? That's Ryze's job."
"Not negative, just being realistic."
"Hmmm…" Ezreal examined before shoving the topic off.
After a few extra clarifications, the party finally made dinner and headed off to bed. Kaldur's mind was quite calm, enough so that he actually had a hard time sleeping that night. And so, when the day finally came, he was the first to arise and made breakfast for everyone. With their stomachs full and plans made, Ryze and Katarina went off to give the old mage a glimpse of the inside of the tower as the rest went to enjoy the festival.
Progress day was like every single Renaissance Fair or Comic Convention Kaldur had ever been to. Vendors would show off their goods while people perused to observe the impressive display or enjoy special events and grab a bite to eat. The only difference was that some of these inventions had a tendency to explode. It was quite a joy for the children, but Kaldur could feel the annoyance of the parents. Most of the food was specially made and Kaldur couldn't help but be drawn to one vendors attempts at creating cotton candy.
Walking over, Kaldur placed one bronze cog on the table and took a large fluff of the yellow and brown tuft that was sitting just outside the purview. Upon taking one bite, Kaldur was lost for words.
It tasted horrible.
"What is that?" Ahri asked, sneaking up behind him and taking a small piece off the mound.
"A failed experiment," Kaldur groaned, tossing it in the nearest trash.
Ahri plopped the amount into her mouth and instantly spat whatever was left back out. Kaldur roared with laughter.
"I see why…" she observed, her face scrunched up in pure disgust.
For the rest of the day, Kaldur couldn't stop giggling.
Many of the inventions were quite astounding, and as the events went on, and the machinations of dreamers and creators came to light, Kaldur came to remember why he still liked this city despite its flaws. It still reminded him of home. Yet, he still had a responsibility, and as the sun began to dip past the horizon his current one came more into the forefront of his mind. Making it back to the inn, Kaldur and Ahri changed into their more practical clothing before grabbing Braum, Jax, and the rest of their supplies.
By the time they reached the Airship station, night had finally befallen Piltover. The hextech and gaslit lanterns made the city alight almost as if the sun had never set, but the stars above managed to still shine brightly. Lanterns and other instruments struck the base of the flying contraptions, and Kaldur managed to pick to one that Ryze had noticed earlier as the best to take.
Sticking to the shadows, the four of them managed to make it into the array of stairwells and ramps which constructed the building. There were only three people watching the entire place, and their attention was on the giant domed building that had a bunch of voices coming from inside. Supposedly, the makeshift stadium was supposed to have its top open when the time came to reveal the Hexgate's abilities. A small expedition was set up and the main Airship that was to make the voyage had been docked right outside the stadium. Thankfully, that left this place nearly unguarded.
Braum, for such a huge man, was quite sneaky. He managed to stay behind the group without making too much noise, and even prevented his weight from creaking the boards as they went up to the top of the structure. Finally, they made it to the Airship.
The vehicle was not large by any means. It had a single engine in the center of the compartment that led into the giant floating blimp where twin engines sat near the rudder. This one was Hextech powered instead of steam powered which was good for Kaldur due to his ability to interact with the crystals. The compartment itself was uncovered, but it's wooden flooring and steel rimmed exterior was tough.
The rear, much like a ship, had the steering column and the other controls and dials necessary to control it. As Braum brought aboard the supplies, Jax sat at the head to act as a guide since Kaldur could easily run into something on his way out. The moment Ahri disconnected the grappling lines, Kaldur cranked the lever labeled 'ignition' and began tuning the dials for the air intake. It was an engineers dream, but one Kaldur had very little time to admire.
"Jax," Kaldur called out, "How am I looking?"
"Keep straight, let it float up for a moment."
"Gotcha."
Kaldur pulled the lever for the elevation and felt as the ship slowly rose into the air. Keeping the wheel straight, he watched past the rear barricade at the guards below who had no idea what was happening above them.
"Huh, people really don't look up do they?" He mumbled to himself.
"Take a left, lad."
Kaldur followed the instructions, making sure to keep it slow to give Ryze and Ezreal enough time to finish their task. It was a little exhilarating. Kaldur was just beginning to get into the swing of things when a loud cheer from the stadium sounded.
"It sounds as if the event as started," Ahri observed, "what was his name again? Jayce?"
"Sounds right. And if he's as full of himself as Ezreal claims, the guy is about to get real pissed off."
"If anyone can beat that kid's arrogance …" Jax began.
A loud explosion sounded from beneath them.
Ahri, Braum, and Jax peered over the edge to see what was happening.
"Please tell me that wasn't us," Kaldur pleaded.
"No … I think it is something worse," Ahri said.
"Worse?"
"You might want to see this, lad."
"I'm driving … flying," he corrected.
"I have it," Ahri said, taking control of the wheel.
Kaldur walked over to the edge and widened his eyes as he watched carnage unfold below him. It was a battle of machines. Swarms of small bots with various uses filtered through the alleyways around the hexgates. Many of them attacked the guards and the turrets that stood as sentries. Small explosions, electromagnetic pulses, headed blasts of energy, and lightning rippled through the streets drowning out the noise from the stadium. Yet that wasn't the most terrifying of them all. In the midst of the swarm, walking through it as if it were a gentle breeze, was a man.
Or, at least that's what it seemed like from up here. The being was completely covered in metal. It was not like armor, but rather as if he were made of metal. Kaldur initially thought he was a robot like Blitzcrank until he saw a spiked mane of hair protruding from his head. On his back was a third smaller arm that occasionally shot out a yellow ray of energy.
"Inferior constructs," the creature chastised, his voice barely audible over the destruction.
Kaldur blinked. "You know, after that one woman with swords for legs, I should have seen this coming."
"I take it, that is what a metal man looks like?" Braum asked.
"Yep, and I am not in the mood to meet him. Ahri, let's get to the top of that tower before robocop decides he wants to start shooting at us."
"What about Ryze and the blond kid?"
"Oddly this is a really good distraction for them. Notice the guards walking away?"
Braum looked down and nodded before looking away. His face was a little green.
"You alright my friend?" Jax asked.
"E—yes, just a little dizzy is all."
"You are probably getting air sick. Have a seat near the center and watch the horizon, it helps."
As Braum settled near the center of the Airship, Ahri guided the ship up to the top of the Hexgate tower and began to hover the machine as close as she could to the bauble. For the next few minutes, they watched as the chaos unfolded below them. During that time, people began to exit the stadium while some more combatants arrived on the scene. Kaldur had a hard time seeing who was whom until Ahri told him. Apparently not only was Caitlyn down there, but Vi was also in the fight next to some guy wielding an electric hammer.
Then, the machine began to move. Slowly the orb full of runes began to rotate with circular rings spinning around it in unison. After a minute the objects settled into place and began to glow blue. It was in that instant that a familiar echo sounded and the Airship rocked with the sudden increase in weight. Ryze, Katarina, and Ezreal were standing on the bow dangerously close to the edge of the ship.
"That's too close old man," Katarina hissed.
"My apologies," Ryze replied snidely.
"Take it it went well?" Kaldur asked.
"I was worried there for a minute when those explosions went off, but it wasn't that bad. We should be sailing off here in a sec… wait, what's going on down there?"
"Some guy who looks like a robot started making a mess."
Ezreal peered over the side and raised an eyebrow. "Viktor? I knew he and Jayce didn't get along but this seems a little… extreme. Even for him."
"Who's Viktor?" Kaldur asked, getting behind the wheel as the lights began glowing even brighter.
"Well, he was an old partner of Jayce. I mean, those two were the only ones who could handle…"
Ezreal's voice dropped to the background as Kaldur's view turned to the horizon. In it were a ton of smaller lights that were moving rapidly towards them. At first, Kaldur couldn't make out what they were. Then, as they got closer, he realized that they looked a lot like rockets.
Kaldur's eyes went wide. They weren't rockets; they were missiles.
"Incoming!" he shouted.
Everyone braced at the shout as Ryze surrounded the ship in a stabilizing field and Kaldur cast a shield directly in front of them. The first projectile zipped past the airship striking the walls of the Hexgate and missing the shield by mere inches. Then came the second, and third, and fourth, each one zipping by with a hair's breadth.
"They're aiming for the tower!" Braum shouted.
Kaldur whipped around and noticed that the building was beginning to move with each successive hit.
"That's not goo—"
The blue lights of the Hexgate erupted, sending a wave of energy their way. At first it felt like a collision, then, as the wave passed them for a brief second, the Airship was yanked forward in a lunge.
Ahri, opened her eyes slowly, letting the vertigo settle before deciding to sit up from where she lay. Nearly every person in their group was struggling to get up, and even the stoic face of Katarina brimmed with a slight shade of green. It still felt as if they were floating, which was the first good sign Ahri could think of. The second was the view of the night sky above them. Then, as he stomach churned, all the good thoughts left her mind.
"We are NOT doing that again," Jax groaned, flipping open his mask to breath.
"Braum does not feel so good."
"Yep *hiccup* … That wasn't fun; and I teleport regularly."
Ryze, sat up for a moment and rested his arms along his legs. His gaze exhausted and his limbs pale.
"Tell me we made it," Katarina grumbled.
"Well, I think I might know why we feel like shit," Kaldur said. He was the only one standing, his eyes on the horizon past the tall lip of the airship.
"Why's that?" Ezreal asked, nearly hurling onto the floor.
"I could be wrong, but aren't desserts supposed to be, oh I don't know, barren?"
Ezreal raised an eyebrow and slowly clambered next to Kaldur to overlook the scenery.
"Oh."
Ahri's curiosity finally overpowered her stomachs churning sensation and she pulled herself up from the floor. Below the Airship, and as far as her eyes could see, was a forest … no, a jungle. The lush green was so thick that nary a glimpse of brown could be seen save for what was attached to the wide rivers that slung and snaked through the undergrowth. Wherever they were, it was not Shurima.