Chapter 15

ThousandSonSorcere- Correct.

Irelia

The woman known as Xan Irelia didn't know what to think as the monstrosity that floated before her claimed to be a sister of her father and thus her aunt. Although her mind was telling her that it was a lie and to slay the monster for daring to both intrude on Ionian and for stating that it was a part of her family, a small, part of her wanted her to hear the monster out. To, at least, let it speak and provide proof of her claims. That small part also held a naïve hope that this monster was, in fact, a member of her family.

To the people of Ionia, she was seen as the woman that had helped broke the invasion of Noxus. That had turned the tide against the invaders and is seen as a symbol of Ionian defiance against those that dare intrude on their sacred lands. She has earned many enemies, both Noxians and Ionians sadly, for her defiance towards those that invaded their lands but also because of how she goes about it. She has also earned many allies. Many that wish to defend their families, friends, and lands from any invaders, Noxians above all, and wish to do so while maintaining who they were before they took up arms against those that dare to attack Ionia. Many of these she has become friends with, some more than others. But behind that persona of defiance and bravery, lay a tortured soul that mourned her lost family.

She has lost all of them. Her father, her mother, her grandmother, and all four of her brothers during the first initial Noxian invasion. She honors their memory by repelling the Noxian invasion and continuing the fight against the invaders, hoping to reclaim what land they've taken from Ionia, but she still misses them. She misses them terribly. Some nights she hoped that her current life was just a horrible nightmare and that she'll wake up to hear the sounds of her brothers fighting, her mother making dinner, and her Grandmother preparing to teach another dance lesson to her. But alas, that never occurred and reality always kicks in.

She had made peace with the idea that she will never again see another blood relative, her family line all but extinguished in the Noxian invasion, and opts to use her life for the betterment of Ionia. But now, during a time of mediation, she finds a ghostly figure that claims to be her aunt. An aunt that she had never known or believed to receive a chance of actually meeting.

It was only through the knowledge of her oldest brother, that she learned that their father once had a younger sister. A sister that had been taken by Noxian raiders long before the Noxian invasion of Ionia took place. Hence why he never talked about her to his children. His wife may have known, but Irelia didn't know that for certain.

It always brought Irelia pain that she had an aunt that had been taken away from her before she could even know her as a person. This knowledge was only the first of many personal grievances that Irelia had with the empire that was Noxus. Grievances that only pile on as Noxus continues to raid and pillage the lands of Ionia and harm its people, even after their invasion failed to completely conquer all of Ionia.

Now, as if fate had a cruel sense of humor, she had a chance to rectify that, but Irelia wasn't sure if she wanted it or not. Not with her supposed aunt the way she is now.

Keira, sensing the uncertainty within her niece, spoke up.

"I understand that you have reservations with speaking with a creature of the undead." Said Keira, her raspy voice sending chills up Irelia's spine. It sounded so unnatural. So…evil. "The denizens of the Shadow Isles have marred your perception on the unliving. And our people's views certainly do not help in dissuading the notion that all undead are unnatural beings that do not deserve to exist. I assure you, niece, that I am not like those beings or am a creature that seeks the destruction of all living things. I desire one thing and one thing only beyond serving my lord and master. And that is to reconnect with the only living family member I have left. That being you." Irelia, upon hearing that, had her reservations lessened, but they still remained.

The undead were a source of heavy contention in Ionia. To the majority of the people of Ionia, the undead are seen as abominations. Not only do they go against everything that their Elders teach them, and their culture, but Ionia has suffered many attacks from the denizens of the Shadow Isles, a place filled with undead abominations. If it weren't for Noxus and its invasion of Ionia, the Shadow Isles would have been the most hated enemy of Ionian people. The Shadow Isles' undead denizens have brought death and misery to Ionia and the rest of Runeterra with their destructive Harrowings. Irelia despised the undead almost as much as Noxians and would love nothing more than to see the Shadow Isles be erased from Runeterra forever along with it's people. That was what her mind was telling her as well as telling her to destroy this undead monstrosity that claimed to be apart of her family.

And yet, despite her mind telling her that, her heart was telling her something different. To at least give this Keira a chance to connect with her. To allow her to become the aunt she never had a chance to connect with. In Keira's eyes, her glowing undead eyes, Irelia saw nothing but the truth and honesty within them. And, as much as Irelia hated to admit, she could see aspects of her father within Keira's face. Aspects that she knew wholeheartedly her father had. That she had. So she knew Keira wasn't lying when she said they were family. And that was something that Irelia wasn't sure she should be happy or not.

Looking at Keira, who was still patiently waiting for her to speak up, Irelia was about to speak to Keira when suddenly a monstrous beast that Irelia had never seen before arrived suddenly and went to Keira. When it saw Irelia, however, it stopped and growled like a mad beast. Raising it's sword-like appendages in it's hands, the beast looked ready to pounce on Irelia on a moment's notice. Irelia was about to bring out her own blades when Keira spoke up.

"Don't be alarmed, niece." Said Keira as she raised the hand closest to the beast, causing it to stop and stand down, although it glared at Irelia despite its lack of eyes. "This being is with me. It's a creation of my lord and master. I've been sent by him to test these new creations of his. To see how they fare in battle against foes that can fight. And what better opponent than the largest and most powerful military in Runeterra?" Upon hearing that, Irelia looked at her aunt in surprise.

"You wish to hunt the Noxians in this area?" Asked Irelia in surprise. She knew that Noxus often sent scouting and hunting parties in the local area for any unfortunate Ionians that were either escaping their occupied lands or those that they stumble upon. It was why she was here. To not only mediate in seclusion, but also to deal with any Noxians that she find in the area and also to help those Ionians that were set upon by those brutish invaders.

"Indeed." Said Kiera as she looked at her niece. "Why shouldn't I? These Noxians are responsible for not only my death but also the near destruction of our family line. My master desired to see how these new creations of his fare in battle against a component foe without drawing too much attention. And what better target than the Noxian held lands of Ionia?" With that said, Keira looked at the monstrous beast and asked if it found any Noxians to hunt and kill. It responded with a growl before nodding its head. It then pointed somewhere and Keira nodded in satisfaction.

"Good." Said Keira with something akin to feral satisfaction. "Find the others and destroy the Noxians. It matters little how you accomplish this. Just that it is done and not in a way that compromises your effectiveness in battle. After all, this was meant to be a trip to determine your effectiveness." The Niskaru just growled at that before leaving Keira with her niece. Keira was about to follow the artificial demon when an idea struck her. Looking over to her niece, who was looking at the departing demon with caution, Keira spoke to her.

"If you desire further proof of my intentions dear niece, then I suggest that you come with us, niece. After all, you hate the Noxians just as much as I do. Perhaps even more." Said Keira, trying to use her niece's hatred of the Noxians to try and get her to see that they are on the same side and that she was being truthful in what she was saying. Or, at the very least, give her a chance to bond with her niece. "For all we know right now, those Noxians may be chasing after some Ionians that were escaping from their wrath or are intending on raiding our people for either as slaves or for what they possess. If you desire proof of the truth in my words, then let us do so in the field of battle. There's very little that can surpass what one can learn of another than by fighting alongside them. Am I not correct, my niece?" Irelia would not deny that fighting alongside another is a strong way to reveal one's intentions and what they truly desire. Though it was a sound argument and one that Irelia would have been fine with anyone else, she still wasn't sure if she should do so considering the nature of Keira and the company she had. Her mind screaming at her that it was all a bad idea and that she was dishonoring her family for even considering such a notion with an undead monstrosity.

After much internal debate, Irelia decided to accept Keira's offer. One because it would give her the opportunity to see if Keira is being completely honest with her about her intentions and another because it could lead to Ionian lives being saved. Many Ionian refugees came through this region to escape the tyranny of the Noxian invaders. Some are caught and tortured for trying to escape the rule of the Noxian invaders and then used as examples to keep the oppressed people of Ionia in line. Others managed to escape successfully and reintegrate with their free brethren and sisters. And others are never heard from again. Those people were the reason that Irelia was here. To not only help them return to civilization free from Noxian tyranny, but also to kill any Noxians that were pursuing them.

The other reason was something that Irelia was a bit ashamed to admit publicly and perhaps even shunned but she desired to be with a member of her family again. Though her mind refused to admit it, her heart told her that Keira spoke true. She was family and that she desired to connect with her. Even if Keira was what she was now.

Since she had helped drive the Noxians back from Ionia years ago and whenever she was alone, Irelia thought of her family and how much she missed them. She would like nothing more than to have them back or at least some aspect of her family back into her life, but that can never come to pass. Well, except perhaps today. If Keira truly desired to reconnect with her. Something that can only happen if Irelia gave her, at least, once chance.

Thus, with a sigh, Irelia agreed to travel with Kiera. Pleased to hear this, Keira told her niece to follow her. With that, Keira floated away with Irelia following soon. As she followed, Irelia couldn't help but wonder if she made the correct choice in giving her supposed aunt a chance.

Meanwhile

Octavia

It had taken a while as Octavia barely knew the Greed Ring and its terrible layout and she didn't remember the way to the elevator they took to get to Greed, but eventually she found an elevator that accepted vehicles. So she took it and proceeded to go right back to pride and straight to the palace. Once she arrived, she slammed the palace doors open and went marching straight into her room.

"Fucking piece of shit dad!" Thought Octavia as she marched straight to her room, tears streaming down her face. "Why the fuck do I have a piece of shit dad like him? Why the fuck do I have a piece of shit mom too? Both of them either ignore me, have their fights while I'm around to hear them, and to top it all off, just hurt me in ways that no parent should do to their kids! Why can't I have a decent family like everyone else!? Or at least something akin to that in this god forsaken piece of shit plane of existence!" Finding her room, Octavia opened the door before roughly slamming it closed behind her once she entered her room. She then ran to her vanity for a specific object. "I didn't want to come this early, but I need to see him after all this." Pulling out a piece of paper filled with magic runes and a pentagram in the middle from her vanity, Octavia looked at the piece of paper before speaking up.

"Take me to see Azir." Said Octavia before an entire blue pentagram appeared before her and opened up a portal. Looking at the portal, Octavia saw sand dunes and…well more sand. The other side looked like nothing more than a barren wasteland, unfit for anyone to live in, but Octavia found it far more appealing than staying in Hell for much longer. So, she went through the portal without a second thought, which closed the moment that she went through it.

Once she went through the portal, she instantly noticed just how hot it was when compared to Hell. Regretting slightly to not have prepared for the trip, Octavia looked around her surroundings for some sign of civilization, but found nothing. Sighing, she looked at the piece of paper again and was about to speak up again when the sands around her began to move on their own. Then before her eyes, they formed a massive sand tornado that forced her to cover her eyes lest she get sand in her eyes.

A few seconds passed and the tornado stopped and Octavia could see what caused it. Upon seeing it, however, she smiled. For she saw the person that she was looking for.

Taller than even her parents, the figure before her was both regal and awe inspiring at the same time. Wearing golden armor fit for his bird-like body that had strands of ribbons in waves of three in each of his arms, the bird-like person before Octavia looked at her with blue glowing eyes before speaking, one hand held firmly a staff-like spear weapon while the other was held out for her to grab.

"Octavia." Said the figure, his words echoing with power as his free hand moved toward Octavia. "What brings you to my domain so early? Has something happened?" Upon hearing that, Octavia just looked at the ground, remembering everything that happened today, before speaking up.

"Yes." Said Octavia, allowing the bird-like man to hear the sadness and hurt in her voice. "But can we speak in your city and in private? I…I don't want anyone to hear this. Anyone but you." Upon hearing that, the bird-like man nodded in understanding before going over to her and holding her tightly but comfortably as well. Once she was secure in his arms, the bird-man summoned another sand tornado, which engulfed both of them. A few seconds later, the tornado dissipated, revealing that both Octavia and the bird man were gone. As if they were never there at all. To the ignorant, it was like they were never there in the first place, but those that knew better, the two were taken to a place of wonder and beauty. A place that Octavia's compatriot called home and wish to see spread all across his lands.

Unknown location

Octavia couldn't help but cough after she and her compatriot/friend materialized in a massive room in a tornado of sand and dust. No matter how many times she's endured that trick, she always has to cough out sand and dust that manage to get into her mouth somehow. Opening her eyes, Octavia can see the golden room before her as well as golden décor all around her combined with a decent amount of tan and brown sprinkled around. It was a bit too bright for her, but considering what she had to deal with back home, she welcomed the change of scenery.

With Octavia safe and secure, her compatriot let go of her and proceeded to speak.

"So, my dear." Said the male bird humanoid before waving a hand to some chairs near them, which Octavia quickly went to, eager to sit down after what she went through with her dad. "Tell me why you came here so early? Has something tragic happened that made you come here? To Shurima and me?" When Octavia sat down, she looked at her friend with tear filling eyes, causing concern to erupt from the golden bird humanoid.

"Yes." Said Octavia before looking at her friend. "Yes it did, Azir. It's about my father." She then started to explain the situation to Azir. Emperor of an arid and dry land known as Shurima, a human turned demigod called an Ascended, and perhaps the only true friend that Octavia has currently. And perhaps a better father than Stolas could ever be in her eyes.