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Ruination: Return Chapter II
Shadow Behind the Gilding Part I
Senna rests her hands against the World-Stone, drawing in calming breaths as the other Sentinels gather around her.
Gwen is at her side, staring at the entrance with a deeply conflicted expression.
Lucian's hand wraps around hers, and she smiles as he gives it a light squeeze, an attempt at a comforting smile on his face, but she can feel the tension coiling his spine from his stance alone.
Ezreal is perched in his usual place, staring at the World-Stone, while spinning the Wayfinder in his hands, his eyes tracing the erratically expanding paths of the Ruination, recarving their ways across Runeterra.
Olaf is sharpening his axes, a wide smile on her thickly bearded face, and as he feels her eyes on him, he gives her a nod of apparent readiness.
Riven and Yasuo stand side to side across from her, the latter rubbing his wounded arm, the faintest bit of Black Mist seeping from the wound. The former mutters quietly to herself.
Beryn leaned against the crates next to Ezreal, his smith's apron covered in fresh soot, his hammer tapping nervously against his thigh.
Diana stands a bit abreast of the rest of them, offering faint whispers of comfort to the members of her flock that approach.
Her eyes flick to Ledros as he enters from the front, Vayne and Cygnus at his shoulders, Tek and Kana a step behind.
In the year that had passed, between the continued hunting and fighting, the Isle had grown, Diana's people and the Ionian refugees committing to the cause but also attempting to build something of a semblance of normalcy here at the edge of the world.
"Report?" Senna asks.
Ledros speaks first, "A few wraiths made it through the Ward, but their disorientation meant they never made it past the beaches."
"The hunting lodges are secure," Vayne remarks, falling in beside Gwen.
Cygnus nods, "As are the training grounds."
She sighs gratefully and turns to Tek and Kana, "And New Moon?"
She notices Diana shift slightly as several of the gathered Lunari bow their heads towards her in reverence and a handful of the gathered Ionians with them.
"The Ward around the village has held; we will need to continue our ministrations." Kana begins.
"But the village is sound, and the farmers are resolute in keeping as all fed the best they can." Tek finishes.
"So, we're secure," Lucian notes, turning fully to the World-Table, "What about the rest of the World?"
"Ezreal?" Senna asks, looking over at the young man.
He blinks, seemingly lost and thought, the realization overtaking him, "Right!"
He taps the Wayfinder against the Table, and several beacons of light begin to shine.
But less than there had been yesterday.
"Well…" he begins.
"We took hits," Vayne acknowledges, turning to look at Gwen and Senna, "But where are we meant to hunt now? We have been chasing Isolde across the continent, battling Viego's subordinates and random beasts for months."
It was true, and the assembled Sentinels had the fresh scars to prove it. They'd helped many in the year Viego had been gone, yet any further knowledge of Isolde had been kept infuriatingly out of reach. They'd even seen signs of someone else actively working against both them and the Ruined that had stayed true to their missing King's vision. Though tensions were still high, they had consolidated allies across Runeterra, even in the Freljord and Noxus. Other conflicts raged across Shurima, and Ionia…still sat ensnared by the Ruination, which would only worsen with the return of Viego.
Yet, finally, she had a lead.
"Viego is enraged." Senna states, "These are his current targets."
She traces her fingers across the map, first to Piltover-Zaun, and then from there to Bilgewater. The former was oddly untouched by the Mists on the Table, but all of the Serpent Isles were bathed in a constant torrent of the Ruination's power.
"So where are we going first?" Ezreal asks, looking up at her.
"There are Sentinel outposts in both locations, functional ones. We should contact them first, see what the situation is." Lucian advises.
"Should we not also contact Silvermere, warn them and anyone else we can reach?" Gwen asks.
Senna nods, and Ezreal hops down, placing the Wayfinder on the World-Table.
"Are you sure you want to contact the Piltover Outpost?" he asks, "We-"
"Haven't gotten anything from them since this all started, I know." Senna remarks, "Still. Things may have changed."
"Right," Ezreal mutters.
Senna places a hand on the three noted beacons, and lights began to flicker behind Riven and Yasuo.
"Let's hope we get anything." the former notes.
Yasuo chuckles, "Knowing Fortune and Illaoi, they will be displeased we haven't gotten in contact sooner."
The connection to Silvermere, solidifies first, and standing there with an expectant face was Poppy and the commander of the Demacian forces, Garen.
"Poppy!" Gwen calls, smiling widely, "Are you alright?"
"Good as I can be." the yordle returns, looking around at the assembled Sentinels, "Bad news, I'm guessing."
"Very." a deep voice states, as the connection to Bilgewater consolidates, revealing a tall woman covered in tattoos, in armor of jade and gold.
"Illaoi." Yasuo breathes, "You look tired."
"Not as tired as I feel, little wanderer." Illaoi returns with a dark chuckle.
Senna goes to speak, only for a tinny voice to interrupt her.
The connection to Piltover consolidates, revealing an automaton that speaks, "The Madarda Clan thanks the Sentinels for their continued service. Piltover is all clear. Keep up the good work elsewhere!"
Ezreal flaps his hands, parroting the announcement and shoots a look that almost says I told you so before Senna raises an eyebrow at him, and he cows slightly.
"Helpful." Vayne remarks.
"Why do we ever get that metal-man if the Outpost is still live as you claim?" Olaf asks, looking at Lucian.
"Piltover is…" Lucian begins.
"Beauracractic." Ezreal finishes, shaking his head.
"Is this what we needed to hear?" Garen interjects.
"No," Senna states with an apologetic nod.
She straightens up and gravely looks between Illaoi and Poppy, "Viego has returned."
Poppy and Garen share a glance, and Illaoi grunts that she is already aware.
"Is there anything you can tell us?" Ledros asks, "The resistance on the Isle still stands, but what are all of you?"
Illaoi narrows her eyes at him, "Bilgewater's defenses stand, and I must return to them swiftly, but…."
"But what?" Yasuo asks, narrowing his eyes.
"Sarah is…unwell." Illaoi states, looking over her shoulder, "She sees Gangplank around every corner, and I fear the city will long fall into chaos before the Mistwalkers manage to preach Nagakabouros' sacred embrace."
"Do you think Viego is influencing her?" Lucian asks, "From what I remember, she…knew what took priority."
"I do not know." Illaoi returns, "She is stagnating, Lucian, and with it come all the problems I believe you are well aware of."
"And Pyke?" Yasuo asks.
"The Reaver continues his work, battling beneath the waves against those beasts drawn in by the Mists, but again I do not worry about him, for now." Illaoi remarks.
"What has you so worried about, Sarah?" Yasuo asks.
"She won't let anyone else near the Crown." Illaoi states, "And if the Ruined King whispers in her mind…."
"I understand." Yasuo states, looking over to Gwen and Senna, "It's Isoldes."
"Then we have our first target," Senna states.
"What about you?" Gwen asks, looking at Poppy.
"If Viego returns, then it explains the sudden departure of his fraying forces from Nockmirch, We'd been fighting there for weeks against the Iron Order and corrupted Dragonguard, and then suddenly, they fled." Garen notes, though his expression darkens, "Now all that is left is the Grey Legion."
"The Noxians are attacking you?" Riven asks, she and Vayne perking up angrily.
"Not…purposefully." Poppy remarks, rubbing the back of her head, "We think."
"To crack their skulls once more does not sound so bad to me." Olaf remarks.
"Bilgewater takes precedence." Senna states, "I am sorry."
"Don't be," Poppy states.
"We could send some of the Lunari to offer aid if it is required," Diana notes.
"Where ever you point us, we will go," Cygnus states, bowing first to Diana and then saluting Senna.
"Where you should be going…" a young voice interrupts, drawing all eyes to the Piltover connection.
The automaton is staring at them all, the young man's voice leaving its lips, "Is here. We need help. It's Below. They're ly-"
The automaton's eyes suddenly flare green, and it collapsed forward.
The connection breaks a second later, and a profound silence crosses over the assembled Sentinels.
"That…can't be good." Ezreal notes, looking over to Senna.
"I saw Piltover…something of her's is hidden in that vast city." she returns, rubbing the center of her chest.
"Does Piltover have gilded streets and shining towers?" Gwen asks.
"Y-yes?" Ezreal returns.
"Then I saw it too," she states, looking at Senna.
Senna's brow furrows, "Right…two teams, one to Piltover and the other to Bilgewater, Cygnus, you will take a few of your people and aid our friends in Demacia. Beryn, make sure they are outfitted properly."
"Got it." the smith notes, looking happy to get back to work and away from the tense cord that was hanging in the air all about them.
"Ezreal, send them through first," she states.
"After that, you will send Lucian and I to Bilgewater with whoever wishes to accompany us."
"I'm going," Yasuo states.
"If you will have me," Ledros remarks.
"Bilgewater is besieged. I can hear many pleas to see the Moon once more." Diana mutters, "I would accompany you."
"What about Piltover?" Ezreal asks.
"You will be taking point on that." she returns and sees a momentary flash of confusion and panic pass over his face.
"You are placing me in charge?" he asks.
"No, Vayne is." Senna notes, "But you know that city like the back of your hand, right?"
"Yes." Ezreal returns.
"Good, Gwen will be going with you to sense Isolde if a shard is actually there. Olaf and Riven will be accompanying." Senna finishes.
"Not a stealth mission then," Vayne states dryly.
"I can be stealthy when the hunt requires." Olaf rebutts.
"Liar." Vayne retorts, looking over her glasses at him, "Even without taking into account this isn't the Freljord."
"Maybe." Olaf returns with a shrug.
"I will make sure they all come back safe," Riven states, nodding to Senna.
"I know," Senna states.
"What about the Messenger?" Ezreal asks, referring to their Celestial visitor, who had long seemed to be waiting for something that never came. She had been baffled by its decision to aid them while entering the fight at Silvermere.
"It will stay here with Kana and Tek to protect the Island." Senna states, "Now let's get moving, people."
The connections sever, and the other Sentinels begin to rush about their business, and she is left standing at the table, eyes scanning the ever-expanding threads of Black Mist.
Lucian places a hand on her shoulder, "You alright, love?"
"I…I thought we would have gotten more done. Had more time." she mutters.
"I know." he returns, kissing the side of her head, "But we'll get it done."
"Right." she agrees, not voicing the words echoing about her head, "I hope."
Ezreal watches as the teams consolidate.
Olaf hands Lucian a heavy sack, "Food for the journey, I don't know how long you'll be gone, but those Bilgefolk always oversalted their food…and their ale."
Lucian smirks, "Thanks, big guy."
"Kill one of their great beasts if one shows its ugly head or die trying; that will be glorious!" he returns with a chuckle.
Ezreal smirks and his eyes flick over to Ledros and Gwen.
"Will you be safe?" he asks, looking down at her worriedly.
"Vayne is quite effective as a guardian." Gwen notes, "And I can take care of myself."
"I-I know." Ledros remarks, "I just…."
"Don't want to see me hurt?" Gwen asks.
"Fail to protect someone I should have again." he corrects.
Gwen smiles up at him and attempts to wrap him in a tight embrace, her arms unable to fully wrap around his torso.
"What of you?" she asks, "Will you be safe? You're heading right into the eye of the storm."
"I promise he will never make me bend the knee again." Ledros comforts, "Just be careful, little one."
"I will," she states, leaning her head against his torso.
Ezreal smiles and looks over to Riven and Yasuo, standing slightly away from the others.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't," Riven states, smiling at him softly.
"You mean it is fine to leap in front of someone and take three arrows to the torso?" Yasuo returns, referring to an ill-fated battle on the Noxian-Freljord border several months ago.
Riven narrows her eyes at him, "Don't do that either."
"Then you'd better promise not to do the same. You're going with Olaf. Let him take the hits. He loves it." Yasuo jokes.
"He's not wrong," Vayne remarks, walking past them.
"Let us both not do anything to put our lives needlessly at risk. Is that better?" Riven demands, crossing her arms.
"Yes, and I am holding you to that," Yasuo remarks, wincing slightly and grasping for his arm.
Riven lays a loft hand on his upper shoulder, deep concern in her eyes, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah…he's just pissed, and I'm heading back to where my journey in this saga all started," Yasuo mutters.
"It…it is fine to be nervous," Riven states, looking up at him.
"It is?" he asks, giving her the side-eye.
"Y-yes." she returns, tilting her head slightly, "I am."
"Good," he mumbles, facing her fully, "I…still owe you a drink, so let's get that done after this whole deal finishes up."
"I am holding you to that," she remarks with a slightly sly smile.
The two seem to realize at that point how close they've gotten, and Riven quickly drops her hand from his shoulder, and his hand retreats, having almost wrapped around her fingers.
Ezreal looks over to Senna, seeing her watching them as well, and she sends him a knowing smirk.
He couldn't help but chuckle and try not to think about how deeply the others had bonded with each other and how he still felt…like an outsider in this band of heroes.
How he still wondered if he belonged.
"You do," Diana remarks as she steps past him, sheathing her blade on her back.
"W-what?" Ezreal returns, looking up at her.
"You know." Diana states, staring at him pointedly, "Tynari's light gleams across your life, but even the Moon isn't truly alone in the sky, and neither are you. You are exactly where you need to be."
"I…thank you," he mutters, and she turns away. This year had been the longest he'd stayed in one place, the longest amount of time in years he'd stood amongst the same faces.
But still…
His thoughts are interrupted by Senna, "Everyone ready?"
Murmurs of agreement pass through the others.
"Ezreal?" she asks, turning to him.
"Right, let's go," he states, activating the Wayfinder, two doorways snapping to life.
"See you all on the other side," Lucian states.
The others race ahead of Ezreal into their respective portals, and he is left alone momentarily.
"Right…home here I come," he mutters, stepping through the portal.
And scene.
Next time we delve fully into Piltover and Zaun as the Sentinels attempt to make sense of the idyllic eerieness they find themselves in. Next week, I might either try to finish Spirit Quest or get a chapter or two of this out if I can
As always, comments, questions, and critiques are appreciated. This has been VerBeeker, signing off!