That Night in Noxus
Zacan's mind had become active once again. His eyes burrowed into their own reflection, the cracked mirror faintly lit by the candles in his room. He'd always looked just like his father, he couldn't go more than a few hours without being reminded of the fact.
His father's jet black hair stained his scalp.
His father's unusually colorless skin tainted his flesh.
And worst of all, every time he looked into a mirror his father's dark hungry eyes stared back at him.
An inescapable reminder of what he was doomed to become.
That is, unless he took action to become something- someone different. If he didn't do something now, he may never get another chance.
He turned to look at his military uniform laying out on his bed. The distain he'd already felt before amplified as his mind started racing even more.
It was almost midnight, and the Noxian capital wasn't exactly known for guards policing the streets. With the right luck, he could simply slip out of the city without anyone realizing he was a defector. They wouldn't realize until morning, and by then he'd have some distance.
He glanced back at himself in the mirror. Behind his father's dark eyes, he could see a shimmer of his own. A light just barely visible behind the gloom concealing it.
He was going to do this. He was going to escape his life he never even wanted to begin with. Or die trying.
5 Years Later
The morning after Edmin had given Khar his stamp of approval, Khar made his way further into the city. He'd be leaving for the tournament with Edmin at the end of the week, which gave Khar 4 days to tie up his time in Piltover for the foreseeable future.
The city had been good to him, and after training with his master in remote regions of Ionia for years, a part of him had missed the hustle and bustle of city life. It took some readjustment, for sure, but Piltover had been his home for almost 2 years now. In that time he'd made plenty of friends and grown acquainted with the city as a whole, having favorite shops, cafes, and restaurants that he knew he would miss after leaving.
He was on his way to his favorite café when he bumped into someone he had been planning to talk to later that day.
Ezreal, The Prodigal Explorer.
"Ez?"
Ezreal had been walking in front of him, likely to the same café, but turned around at the sound of Khar's voice.
"Oh shit, Khar? What's going on, man?" Ezreal greeted warmly, approaching Khar with an extended fist.
Khar fist bumped him. "Oh you know, on my way to Progress Café. Wanna join me, there's something I wanna tell you."
Ezreal chuckled. "Believe it or not I was on my way there myself, so lead the way my friend."
They walked side by side down the sidewalk as they continued chatting.
"Any fun adventures, lately? I know you were gone for a few days last week." Khar asked as the café came into sight up the street.
"Oh that. Yeah, I went down to Shurima for a few days to uh- find some old artifact."
Khar grinned. "Oh, yeah? You're sure it wasn't to visit a certain someone?"
"No idea what you're talking about." Ezreal replied sarcastically.
"It's not such a big deal, Ez. I mean, I get it. You both retired from The League, and she's drop dead gorgeous."
"The hypothetical girl I'm definitely not seeing? Oh yeah she's insanely hot." He flashed a sly grin, opening the door for Khar.
Khar chuffed as he stepped inside. "I just don't get why you don't brag about it, I probably couldn't help myself."
Ezreal waved away the topic as they approached the counter. Khar ordered his usual tea, and Ezreal ordered his usual double espresso.
Sitting down with their drinks, Ezreal spoke up again.
"So, what'd you wanna tell me?"
Khar took a sip of his tea before responding. "Well, you know how the Tournament of Legends is coming up?"
Ezreal nodded.
"And they're holding try-outs right now?"
Ezreal almost choked on his drink. "Oh shit, that's right! I almost completely forgot! Well? How'd it go?"
"Well, I actually got in."
Ezreal pumped his fists into the air at the news.
"Dude! That's awesome! I'm so happy for you, Khar." Ezreal smiled brightly as he congratulated his friend.
Khar smiled back appreciatively. "Thanks, man! I was kinda nervous but I guess I must've made a pretty good impression with the judge."
"Who was it? I might know him."
"It was Edmin. Older dude, pretty burly."
"Oh I know Edmin, he's a good guy. I worked with him once or twice when I was still with The League."
"Really? What did he do before the tournaments?"
"Him and some other guys would help champions keep up with their training between matches. Out of all the trainers, he always seemed to get the best results out of me."
That made Khar smile. "For some reason that doesn't surprise me."
Ezreal took a final gulp of his espresso and let out a satisfied sigh. "So- you're competing to be a champion. I have my faith in you but I gotta ask, you know what you're getting into right?"
Khar sipped the last of his tea, taking a moment to think before responding. "I mean, I think I do." He chuckled briefly, "It's what I've trained for ever since leaving home. Whether or not I fully understand what it's gonna take... doesn't really matter."
"You've trained for it, sure, but have you really thought of the responsibility? I mean- I can tell you from experience that it's a lot to deal with, especially in the last few years. Hell, why do you think I quit? After 6 years, enough was enough."
"You don't think I can handle it?" Khar accused defensively.
Ezreal put his hands up. "I never said that, Khar. I just want you to be absolutely sure that this is what you want, before you're in too deep." Khar's calmed down as Ezreal spoke. "Look- I don't know much about your life before you came to Piltover, and that's fine, but I can tell you've been through a lot. You're a capable guy, and I think you can accomplish any goal you set. I'm just worried you're trying to join The League because you think you need to, and not because you want to."
Khar stayed silent in thought, digesting his friend's words. "Maybe one day I'll tell you about what I've been through, and what I've done in my past. But I need you to trust me when I say, this is what I want. Even if it's also something I feel I need to do."
Ezreal met his gaze, trying to read into his words. After a moment, he gave a satisfied nod and stood up from his seat. "I trust you, Khar."
Khar stood up as well. "Thanks, Ez. I know you're only making sure because you care."
Ezreal shrugged. "What're friends for? Now c'mon, I got something I wanna show you before you take off."
After leaving the coffee shop, the two of them headed to Ezreal's apartment downtown. Ezreal never really acted rich, but every time Khar went to his apartment he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. The exploring and artifact hunting had been very lucrative for Ezreal, as was apparent by the penthouse apartment, the display cases with treasures that decorated it, and the filled-to-the-brim liquor cabinet filled with rare and expensive alcohols from all over Runeterra.
As they entered his home, Ezreal made a beeline for his bedroom. "Make yourself a drink, I'll be back in a second!"
Khar shrugged and approached the cabinet, grabbing for the same bottle he always gravitated to. An aged Ionian whiskey, the same drink his master had always sipped on after a long training session. The smell alone brought him back to the days he spent on the peaceful island, honing his powers and learning who he wanted to become. The nostalgia alone filled him with more warmth than the drink, although a sense of sorrow tugged at the back of his brain.
Khar sat down on the very long couch, and after he'd had a couple of sips Ezreal came beaming out of his room with a small case in hand. "I found it!"
"And what is this thing I need to see so badly?" Khar's curiosity was more intense than he'd of liked to admit. In his friendship with Ezreal, he'd been show many interesting trinkets and artifacts from all over the world, and they had all been at least mildly interesting.
"Well, while I was in Shurima visiting Kai's- I mean, uh, exploring the desert- I got a tip about something I thought you'd really take an interest in."
"Well? Let's see it, then!" Khar felt some excitement now.
Ezreal grinned as he placed the case on the table in front of them, and opened it. Inside was a set of black gloves- or maybe gauntlets. They had an odd shimmer to them, and their aura made Khar's senses tingle. He could feel an odd form of energy radiating from them.
"These are the Gauntlets of The Immortal. They were worn by a commander in the ancient Shuriman Empire, said to control energy."
"Control energy? Just like my powers." Khar stared at them intently. "I can feel something radiating from them, it sorta feels familiar."
"The guy I bought them from found them under a bunch of rubble on an old battlefield, so they weren't buried with a corpse or anything like that." Ezreal chuckled. "And I've done some research, this is one of those rare artifacts that doesn't seem to have any curses or, ya know, sentience."
"Like your gauntlet?"
"Exactly. So, I'm very confident they'd be safe to use. And I want you to have them."
Khar looked at him in shock. "What, like for free? These have to be worth a fortune!"
Ezreal shrugged. "Look around you, I got a fortune or two to spare. Besides, these could help you channel your powers into a whole new level."
Khar sat there, silent. Ezreal could be right, they could help him elevate his abilities faster than he might on his own. But was that what he wanted? He'd always thought he could get by on his own merit. It's what his master taught him, after all.
"Ezreal, I appreciate the gesture I really do but- I don't know if can do that." Khar admitted meekly. The gauntlets shone faintly as they lay in there case, seemingly calling to him. "I'd kinda feel like I was cheating."
Ezreal snorted lightheartedly. "Khar, do you think I cheated? Or Vi, or Jayce, or any other Champions that use some kind of weapon or magic item?"
"I mean- No, I guess not. It's just-"
"Look, Khar. You're a capable guy, don't take this as me saying you're not, but a boost could help you achieve your damn dream, man." Ezreal's face softened as he spoke earnestly to his friend. "I'm not saying you take 'em and start using them immediately, I just want you to have them. In case, ya know, you change your mind."
Ezreal closed the case and picked it up, shoving into Khar's chest before catching his gaze.
"You're gonna do great things, Khar. I believe that."
Khar held his gaze, searching for truth. He nodded determinedly and took the case from Ezreal.
"Can't promise anything, but thank you. I'll take good care of them."
By the time Khar had left Ezreal's apartment, the sky had grown grey and he could smell rain in the thick air. He snaked his arm loose from the bag Ez had given him to look inside. The Gauntlets' case and a small bottle of cheap whiskey was all that was inside.
"No Umbrella. Sweet." Khar sarcastically grumbled to himself as he put the backpack back on. Wanting to avoid the rain as much as he could, Khar picked up his pace as he went to his last destination of the day.
As the building came into sight he felt the first drops of rain sprinkle onto his face, causing him to full on sprint to the door. Once he reached it, he aggressively swung it open and leaped inside, cursing over his wet hair.
"For someone as usually composed as you, you sure hate getting wet." A voice called from the other side of the room.
Khar laughed dryly as he fixed his hair up. "Ha ha, Lux. I lived in a rainforest for a year, I get to hate being wet."
Lux giggled in response, approaching him from the hallway. "I was wondering who was making all that noise coming in here."
"What can I say, I'm as graceful as always." He laughed back, now satisfied with his hair. "Sorry for stopping by unannounced."
"Don't worry about it Khar, but this is an embassy, you should at least pretend to be a little more professional." She placed her hands on her hips as if she was scolding him.
He put his hands up in surrender. "My apologies general Crownguard, I'll be sure to compose myself better in the future."
She playfully slugged his arm. "Well, something tells you're here for a little more than chit-chat, what's up?"
"Well two things actually. First, are you still friends with Jayce?"
"Friends might be a bit of a stretch but we're definitely chat-if-we-run-into-each-other level acquaintances. Why?"
"I was kinda hoping you could help me talk to him, I have something I'd like his help with."
"What time frame are you looking for, exactly?"
Khar winced as he replied. "Uhh, like tomorrow? I'm actually leaving the city in 4 days."
Lux gave him a look of disbelief. "I assume this has to do with the second thing you wanna tell me?"
"Yeah, actually. I got in."
Her eyes widened. "To the tournament? Khar, that's amazing!" She ran forward and pulled him into a tight hug, shaking him from side to side.
Lux had been one of his biggest supporters after moving into the city, setting him up with connections all over Piltover and learn the city's layout. They'd met a year or so after he'd left home when he'd started his training, and they were happy to find one another again when he came to Piltover. They'd always understood each other, both being born into places they didn't quite belong. Demacia famously hated magic almost as much as Noxians, and even though she was a Crownguard, her people always harbored a bit of resentment after finding out about her being a magic user. That was also why she spent more time in Piltover's Demacian embassy lately than she did at home.
Khar hugged her back, enjoying the moment.
They broke apart after a few moments and Lux was beaming. "I knew you'd get in! I didn't doubt it for a second."
"Thanks, Lux. That means a lot." He shared her smile. "Now I'm just trying to make the rounds and say goodbye to everyone that's been supporting me this last year."
"Do you know who you're gonna represent in The League?"
"I haven't really thought that far ahead honestly. Probably Piltover, it's been a good home to me this last year or two."
"I mean better here than you-know-where, right?"
"Right." Khar nodded awkwardly. Lux was one of the only people in his life that knew where he really came from. Most people hated Noxians, and it'd be even worse if a Noxian found out who he was.
"So only four days until you leave? Any plans till then?"
"Other than convincing Jayce to make something for me, not a whole lot."
"Well maybe I can fill some of your time before you leave, this place doesn't really need me here most days."
Khar smiled. "I'd like that."
A comfortable silence fell over the two of them as they smiled and independently thought of plans to fill out the next few days.
"Lux!" A booming voice crashed into the room, breaking the comfortable atmosphere into pieces. "I need you to sign this letter!" The voice called from a room or two over.
Lux sighed and looked at him apologetically. "Sorry, but duty calls. I'll try to talk to Jayce tonight, and I'll call you tomorrow?"
Khar gave a firm nod. "Looking forward to it."
They gave their goodbyes and Khar left the embassy to head back home.
As he walked down the street, choosing to now just deal with the rain, he took in the atmosphere of the city. Something about evenings in Piltover always felt so serene to him. The people that walked by him, the rain dripping from the sky into the puddles around him, it all had a unique atmosphere when accompanied by the hextech lights of the city surrounding him.
The serenity of the night abruptly came to an end, though, as a familiar voice called from behind him.
"Yo, energy warrior!" His self-appointed title was spoken with a playful sneer that he'd heard many times.
Khar stopped in his tracks and let out a dramatic sigh. He knew what he'd see as he turned around.
A tall woman with short pink hair and a pair of massive gauntlets attached to her hands was staring him down with a grin.
"What's up, Vi?"
"Heard you were leaving the city."
"Yeah, I got into the Tournament of Legends. I'm leaving in a few days."
"Well, I was thinking." She slammed a large fist into her massive palm. "How's about me and you get one last spar in before you become a big-shot Champion?"
A/N
So, that's chapter 2. I didn't do any notes on the first chapter but I wanted to say if you've read these first two chapters I appreciate your time!
Please leave a review and let me know what you think, good or bad! This is really good practice for me as a writer & your feedback makes the practice all the more effective.
Next chapter, Khar & Vi duke it out and Khar leaves for the tournament. Hope to see you there!
- Drew