As the wind whipped past my hair, my thoughts were flooded with one thing only, destroying the Mind of Yaavin. We all were given chariots by Azir, two each. I rode with Kai'Sa, who would serve as our guide through the Lavender Sea.
The chariot was pulled by two large sand constructs that resembled horses, though they lacked any features that would identify them as such. They were simply smooth, featureless creatures that moved with incredible speed, propelled by some unknown magic. The chariot itself was made of gold and bronze, with intricate carvings adorning its exterior. It was a magnificent vehicle, befitting the emperor of Shurima.
I looked over at Kai'Sa, who sat across from me in the chariot.
"Are you sure you'll be ok? We're going right back to where you were captured." I said.
She nodded. "Yes. I'll be fine." She said with confidence.
I smiled at her reassuringly. "Ok. Just let me know if you need anything."
She gave me a small smile in return, then turned her attention back to the road ahead.
We rode on in silence for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The desert landscape was vast and seemingly endless, stretching out before us like an ocean of sand and rock. The sun beat down on us relentlessly, its heat causing sweat to trickle down my back. The plan was that over the next couple of days Kai'Sa would do her best to tell us what to expect. She said that she felt it was important for everyone to be prepared.
The days passed, the anticipation mounting. Eventually, the sky began to darken. Just ten minutes ago the sun was beating down on us. Now, we were shrouded in darkness. I looked up at the sky and saw that it was covered with swirling clouds of purple and black. They moved with unnatural speed and intensity.
"Looks like we're getting close," Ezreal remarked, adjusting his goggles as he glanced upward.
Kai'Sa stood, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "The Lavender Sea is a region unlike any other. Once, it was a thriving town. But now, it is consumed by the Void. What you're seeing are the effects of the Void's presence."
Ezreal nodded, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the ominous landscape. "This place is teeming with Void energy. We should be on high alert."
As we continued our journey, the terrain around us began to change. The ground turned a deep shade of lavender, and strange, bioluminescent plants emerged, casting an eerie glow. The air grew thick with tension, every shadow seeming to shift and writhe as if alive.
Kai'Sa took the lead, her movements cautious but determined. "The Void has twisted this land, reshaping it into a nightmarish reflection of its former self. The plants, the air, everything here has been tainted."
"Should we be breathing this?" Akali asked, a bit concerned.
"It's fine for now, but I wouldn't recommend sticking around for too long," Kai'Sa replied, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.
"The longer we take to get to the fragment, the harder it'll become." Irelia said.
Kai'Sa nodded grimly, her gaze never leaving the horizon. "The Void is a formidable enemy, and it will not give up easily. We must stay focused and alert if we hope to succeed in our mission."
We pushed forward, the landscape growing more twisted and alien with each step. The once fertile ground was now a wasteland of corrupted vegetation and strange, pulsating growths. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on us, each breath feeling labored and thick with Void energy.
"Be careful where you step," Kai'Sa warned, her voice low. "The Void has a way of luring you into traps, making you see things that aren't there. Stay close and trust your senses."
In the distance, we could see the remnants of the town of Bel'Veth, now a series of twisted, broken structures swallowed by the Lavender Sea. The buildings, once vibrant and full of life, were now skeletal remains, overgrown with strange, otherworldly flora.
In a breath, my body began to seize. I looked at my companions wide eyed. I was forced to my knees, every part of me straining. Then, my body flared with power. Power that was too familiar. I could hear him.
"You've finally arrived, Ravik."
My eyes widened as Yaavin's voice echoed all around. I struggled to stand up against the force pressing down on me.
"I have been waiting for you." Yaavin continued, his voice dripping with malice. "You think you can stop me? You think you can save this world from me?"
I gritted my teeth, trying to fight back against the overwhelming power bearing down on me.
"Ravik, what's happening?" Kai'Sa asked, her voice laced with concern.
"It's him..." I gasped out, my body trembling under the strain.
Yaavin's laughter echoed through the air.
"We're not even across the border and we can hear him from here?" Akali said in disbelief.
Ezreal looked around frantically. "This is bad... This place is crawling with Void energy." He said, his eyes darting around nervously.
"Come, Ravik. I long to be whole again. Come to me." Yaavin taunted as he continued to press down on me, forcing my body to the ground. The pressure was immense, like a mountain was being placed on top of me. I could feel my bones creaking under the strain, my muscles screaming in protest. His essence radiated off of me in waves.
A loud bellow was heard all throughout the Lavender Sea. Kai'Sa froze.
"It knows we're here." She whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
I struggled against Yaavin's power, fighting with everything I had to break free from his hold. My vision began to blur as I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness.
"Ravik you have to stand up!" Irelia shouted, trying to pull me back to reality.
"I... can't..." I choked out, my body shaking violently as Yaavin continued to press down on me. My muscles screamed in protest, my bones feeling like they were being crushed under the immense pressure.
"We're right there, Ravik! You can't let him win!" Ezreal urged, desperately trying to keep me grounded.
Kai'Sa fired some missiles at the air above us. The void creatures that were descending upon us screeched in pain as they were engulfed by the Void energy of her attack. Sivir walked over and pulled me up with one arm. She punched me in the gut.
"You awake now?!" She asked.
I gasped for air as I doubled over. My body felt like it had been hit by a truck, but I was able to regain my senses. I stood up straight, taking a few deep breaths to steady myself. I could only nod.
"Good. Now get your head into out of your ass! Fight's started and the only way it stops is if we fall or it falls!" She yelled as she ran into the fray.
My eyes scanned around us as I tried to get my bearings. The Lavender Sea was alive with activity, the ground shifting and writhing as if it were a living being. I shook my head and shook it out. I grabbed my mask and looked at it.
"I'm about to face my darkness, Lillia, Yone. I'll tear it apart with the very power it used to hurt Runeterra." I whispered before the black flames took it over. "I'm coming for you Yaavin! You will pay for what you've done!"
The air grew colder as the ground beneath us pulsed with a malevolent life. Shadows twisted and writhed, coalescing into nightmarish forms. Void creatures began to emerge, their distorted bodies barely recognizable from their original forms. The bellow of Bel'Veth echoed in the distance, shaking the very ground we stood on.
"Here they come!" Kai'Sa shouted, her Void-infused suit flaring to life as she readied her weapons.
Ezreal was the first to react, raising his gauntlet and firing a series of arcane bolts that tore through the advancing creatures. "Keep them at a distance!" he yelled, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle.
Akali darted forward, her kamas flashing in the dim light as she sliced through the Void spawn with deadly precision. Her movements were a blur, each strike fluid and lethal. "Stay close! We can't afford to get separated!" she called out, her voice steely with determination.
Irelia followed suit, her blades swirling around her in a deadly dance. She moved with grace and power, each thrust and slice dispatching another Void creature. "Ravik, cover our flanks!" she ordered, her eyes scanning the battlefield for any threats.
I raised my mask, black flames engulfing it as it transformed into a sword. The weightless blade hummed with power, and I charged into the fray. The Void creatures recoiled at the sight of the black flames, but I pressed on, cutting through their ranks. Each strike was a release of pent-up rage and fear, my determination to destroy the Mind of Yaavin fueling my every move.
Sivir's chakram whirled through the air, slicing through multiple Void creatures with a single throw. "Keep pushing forward!" she urged, her voice carrying over the din of battle. She fought with a fierce intensity, her movements precise and calculated.
Kai'Sa fired a barrage of missiles, the explosions lighting up the battlefield and disintegrating clusters of Void creatures. She moved with purpose, her focus unwavering. "We need to reach that temple!" she reminded us, her voice filled with urgency.
The ground trembled again as another bellow from Bel'Veth resonated through the Lavender Sea. The Void creatures seemed to grow more frenzied, their attacks becoming more desperate and vicious. I could feel Yaavin's presence pressing down on me, but I fought back with everything I had.
Ezreal teleported to a higher vantage point, raining down arcane blasts on the Void creatures. "Don't let them overwhelm us!" he shouted, his eyes scanning for any signs of the temple. He gripped his gauntlet with the other hand and began charging mana. From the look on his face he was hoping whatever he was doing would work.
Irelia spun her blades in a wide arc, creating a barrier that pushed back the Void spawn. "Ravik, keep moving! We can't stay in one place for too long!" she called out, her voice firm and commanding.
I nodded, forcing myself to keep going despite the weight of Yaavin's influence. My sword cut through the Void creatures with ease, the black flames leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The path ahead was treacherous, but we had to reach the temple and destroy the Mind of Yaavin.
Akali appeared at my side, her kamas dripping with Void ichor. "Stay with me, Ravik. We can do this," she said, her voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos.
Sivir's chakram returned to her hand, and she threw it again with deadly accuracy. "We've got your back, Ravik. Just keep moving forward!" she encouraged, her resolve unwavering.
The ground shook violently as another roar from Bel'Veth echoed through the Lavender Sea. The landscape around us shifted and twisted, the Void's influence warping everything it touched. But we pressed on, determined to reach the temple and end this nightmare.
As we fought our way deeper into the Lavender Sea, the void creatures became more numerous and aggressive. The air was thick with the stench of corruption, and every breath felt like a struggle. But we were united in our purpose, each of us driven by the same goal.
The void creatures continued their relentless assault, their forms endlessly coming through the smog of the Lavender Sea. However, their pathing changed, putting their focus now entirely on me. Their frenzied attacks intensified, driven by their instinctual recognition of Yaavin's essence within me.
"Stay close! They're targeting Ravik!" Kai'Sa shouted, her voice barely audible over the din of battle.
I swung my sword, its black flames cutting through the void spawn. Their bodies disintegrated upon contact, but for every one that fell, two more took its place. The air grew thicker with a dark, almost palpable energy, making it harder to breathe. And my body was hitting the first wall of exhaustion.
"Keep moving forward!" Irelia commanded, her blades dancing through the horde. "We can't let them surround us!"
Ezreal yelled out from his perch, "Ravik, can you sense the temple?"
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to focus. Amidst the chaos, a faint pull guided me. "That way!" I pointed towards a particularly dense area of Void corruption.
Sivir, fighting beside me, nodded. "We need to break through. I'll cover you."
"I got him! I hope this works!" Ezreal yelled as his gauntlet now shone brightly. With a mystical surge of energy, he raised his arm and unleashed a massive beam of arcane power that tore through the ranks of the Void creatures. The energy wave cut a swath through their ranks, vaporizing them instantly and creating a clear path towards the temple.
"Move, now!" Irelia shouted, taking advantage of the opening.
With a surge of determination, we pushed forward. Akali's shadowy form darted between the creatures, her strikes precise and deadly. Kai'Sa's missiles provided cover, each explosion lighting up the darkened landscape. Ezreal teleported in, running alongside us, shooting off more arcane blasts.
The ground beneath us continued to tremble, Bel'Veth's distant roars feeling like they were closing the distance. The earth cracked, revealing more of the twisted flora and exposing deeper veins of Void energy. The sky seemed to close in, the swirling clouds of purple and black intensifying the oppressive atmosphere.
We fought our way towards the temple, its silhouette barely visible through the thick haze. The void creatures' relentless assault showed no signs of abating, their numbers seemingly endless. Each step forward felt like a monumental effort, the weight of Yaavin's presence pressing down on me.
Suddenly, the ground beneath us gave way, and we found ourselves sliding down a steep incline into a cavern. Void creatures followed us, their screeches echoing off the walls. The air was thick with smog, making it difficult to see or breathe.
"This is it!" I shouted, pointing towards a faintly glowing structure at the end of the cavern. "The temple!"
We rallied, our exhaustion momentarily forgotten as we made a final push. The void creatures, sensing their prey slipping away, redoubled their efforts. But we were determined. With a final burst of energy, made it under the stone awning. The entrance was blocked by a stone door. I swiped my sword, hoping to slash through it, but it repelled my attack. I turned, thinking it was too late if we didn't get through by now. But no horde overwhelmed us. Everyone was expecting the same, their bodies tensed up through the exhaustion and ragged breathing that wracked their bodies. We watched as the void wanted to charge forward, but could only claw away at an invisible wall that divided us.
"What is this?" Ezreal asked no one in particular. I approached the wall, the familiar searing erupting in my core.
"It's Yaavin's essence. They can't break through." I explained. I was in awe. The void had demonstrated the different things they could do. Corrupt just like Yaavin, have an endless horde, and take over entire landscapes. But the essence of a single monster held them back.
"So... we're safe?" Kai'Sa asked, her voice hopeful yet anxious.
I nodded. "For now." I said as I looked around the entrance of the temple. It was carved out of stone with intricate symbols and runes etched into the walls. I ran my hands along the door.
"Is there a way in?" Irelia asked, her voice strained from exhaustion.
I shook my head. "Not that I can see." I responded, my eyes scanning for any sign of a mechanism or opening.
Ezreal approached, his gauntlet glowing with arcane energy.
"Incredible... I've never seen runes like these." As he speak, everyone else approached. "Just like..." He turned to me. He rushed over and lifted the back of my tunic.
"Hey, what are you-" I argued but he shushed me.
"I knew it. The markings on your back... they're the same as these runes." He said as he pointed towards the wall.
"What does that mean?" Kai'Sa asked curiously as she looked at my back.
"I'll explain later. Just know that Ravik is unique." He said absentmindedly.
"You're saying that like it isn't something we already know." Akali quipped. Ezreal ignored her and continued to study the runes on the wall. His eyes darted back and forth, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Maybe you can open this door." Ezreal suggested.
"Seems to be the case... I just... never could control my power before. It'd only come when I look into people's memories. I don't know how to... evoke it, I guess." I explained.
"Well, you need to learn now! We need to get in there!" Sivir said impatiently. She was right. The longer we took, the more time Yaavin had to prepare for us. I stammered to speak.
"O-ok. Who can teach me magic in less than five minutes?" I asked, looking between them.
"I can try." Ezreal volunteered as he approached me. "I'm not exactly a master of magic but I know enough to help you out."
"Ok... what do you want me to do?" I asked nervously as I looked at Ezreal. He placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Just relax." He said calmly. "Close your eyes and focus on your breathing." I did as he instructed, taking deep breaths and letting the tension leave my body.
Ezreal kept his hands on my shoulders, his voice steady. "Magic is about control and focus. Your runes are tied to your magic. And magic is tied to emotions and experiences."
"Take a deep breath and clear your mind," he instructed. "Imagine a calm, quiet place—somewhere you feel safe."
I closed my eyes, focusing on his words. I imagined myself standing in between my friends. Each of their faces telling me that I belong.
"Good," Ezreal said softly. "Now, think about the runes on your back. Feel their presence, their energy. They are a part of you. Let that energy flow through you."
I tried to focus on the sensation of the runes, their faint hum vibrating through my skin.
"Don't force it," Ezreal continued. "Let it come naturally. Imagine the energy flowing like a river, smooth and steady."
I took another deep breath, feeling the energy grow stronger, more pronounced. It was like a warm, gentle current coursing through my veins. The familiar stardust-like essence surrounded me, shimmering all around.
"That's it," Ezreal encouraged. "Now, direct that energy towards the door. Picture it flowing from your runes, through your body, and into your hands."
I raised my hands towards the stone door, imagining the energy flowing from my runes into my palms. The sensation grew more intense, a tingling warmth spreading through my fingers. The stardust began to swirl around my body and toward my hand.
Ezreal stepped back, watching intently. "Now, release it. Let the energy flow into the door."
I exhaled slowly, pushing the energy outwards. My hands glowed with a faint light, the runes on my back pulsing in response. The stone door shuddered, ancient mechanisms clicking and whirring to life.
The door creaked open, revealing the chamber beyond. I opened my eyes, feeling a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.
"You did it," Ezreal said with a proud smile. "Great job, Ravik. Now, let's get the hell inside!"
We all rushed in and the door slowly closed behind us.
"We can still leave that way, right?" Akali asked anxiously.
"I hope so." I answered.
The temple's interior was vast and foreboding. The walls were adorned with intricate Shuriman carvings depicting tales of glory and caution, their beauty marred by the passage of time and the encroachment of the Void, giving them a twisted, almost grotesque appearance.
The layout was simple yet imposing. The main room was expansive, its high ceiling supported by massive pillars decorated with ancient runes and symbols. Dim, flickering torches lined the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced across the uneven stone floor. The air was thick and oppressive, filled with the weight of ancient magic and the creeping influence of the Void.
At the far side of the room stood a massive stone door, intricately carved with powerful seals and runes. It was clear that this door was not merely a barrier, but a powerful seal designed to contain the immense power within. The air around the door seemed to pulse with a dark, insidious energy, a tangible reminder of the danger that lay beyond. I walked forward, knowing that the fragment was just on the other side of the door. Before I could keep going, I heard the others drop to the ground.
"Everyone?" I asked, turning. They were suffocating. Yaavin's essence! It's trying to corrupt them! I ran over trying to assess them.
"Are you ok?!" I lifted Irelia into my arms. She was gasping for air.
"I can't... breathe..." She croaked out. Her lungs were contracting so fast, I could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
The others were the same, each of them struggling to catch their breath as Yaavin's corrupting influence surrounded them.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" A dark voice asked in a mocking tone. I stood to my feet to see... me. Yaavin. He was the spitting image of me. The only difference was that his hair was fully white.
"Yaavin. I came to tear you apart!" I seethed.
He chuckled. "Oh? How do you expect to do that when your friends are dying right in front of you? You can't save everyone, Ravik." Yaavin mocked, his voice reaching deep as he spoke my name with malice.
"Leave them be!" I roared. But he merely chuckled.
"I'm not doing anything. This is your doing. After all, we're one in the same. All of this," He gestured around the entire temple. Everything was filled with his essence, "Is ours. This world had a stroke of luck when a pathetic piece of nothing stuck me in here. But now that you're here, we're one step closer to OUR revival. So tell me, what is more important, your friends or destroying this fragment?"
I gritted my teeth. I didn't know what to do.
"Saving them is the right thing to do." I said, but in the pit of my stomach, I wasn't sure if I was convincing him or me.
"Is it? There's so much you don't know. You're so selfish, not knowing anything about the world outside the little bubble you live in. You have no idea how the world treats those with incalculable power. Anything that can't be control or reasoned with must be destroyed. I've been betrayed, abused, feared, hated, imprisoned, all because of this power. The only thing I've ever wanted was to be left alone, to not be judged for who I am."
"You're lying! I know what you've done. You've caused chaos and havoc everywhere you went! Look!" I cried, gesturing to everyone. His essence was now hovering around them in a light mist.
"All I've done is taken the opportunity to spread my power. If someone is smart, they would harness it. If you're weak, you'll be devoured by it. You, who are oblivious to the world, still think that it's all sunshine and rainbows. If anyone is the liar, it's you. You're lying to yourself, Ravik. If you thought you could be anything more than a piece of me, then you're even more foolish than I thought. You've been chasing a dream, and now you're going to watch as I take the very things that have given you the hope you cling to so dearly, and then I will devour you."
"Shut up!" I screamed. I charged at him, ready to put an end to this. But he vanished.
"You shouldn't waste your energy, Ravik. Soon, your companions will be nothing but corpses on the ground. I'll let you say your goodbyes. I'll be waiting."
The door on the far side had begun to rumble open. And that's when I saw it. The Mind. It was a simple jewel. It did not shine nor sparkle. It was a dull, grey hue. But it was anything but simple. I could feel the overwhelming pressure that I felt when we first entered the Lavender Sea. I ran to each, tears running down my face.
"Please. No... Please. What can I do? I have to save you! Please! I need you! I need you all!" I cried out. My heart shattered into a million pieces, seeing everyone I cared about in such a state. I was angry and sad and I felt lost.
Akali managed to choke out, "Ravik... you've got this... don't let us down."
"Irelia's voice was weak but steady. "You've... always... found a way. Keep... fighting."
Ezreal gasped, his face contorted in pain. "Ravik, remember... what I said... you're stronger... than you know."
Kai'Sa whispered, her eyes closed as she struggled to draw breath. "Stay... focused. Don't... let him... win."
Sivir, her body trembling as the corruption of the Void took hold, murmured, "Finish... this. For... Shurima... for all of us."
"I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I'm sorry you're suffering because of me. I shouldn't have..."
"I can say with one hundred percent certainty that your memory powers aren't from Yaavin"
My eyes widened. Ezreal's words suddenly passed through my thoughts. I stood and I closed my eyes. My heart raced, hoping I can replicate what I just learned from Ezreal. I took a deep breath and...
Stardust.
They shimmered as the runes of my back began to glow. It swept across the stone floor. I concentrated on the essence that hung in the air. I imagined the dust sucking it up and compressing it into a ball, squeezing until there was no space for any corrupting influence. The essence condensed, floating above the group and taking on a brilliant blue hue. A blinding light illuminated the room, and with it came a rush of a familiar warmth. The corruption was gone, and everyone was able to breathe again.
"You did it," Ezreal rasped, still winded from the ordeal. The others were stunned, barely able to believe what had just happened.
"How did you...?" Kai'Sa asked, awestruck. I was surprised too.
"I... don't really know. I just pictured... this light. A warmth. It was so foreign and yet... it was everything to me. It made me feel loved. And somehow, I knew that I could expel it. And then I just... did." I stammered.
Ezreal struggled to his feet, coughing. "Well, whatever it was, it worked. Thanks for saving us," He said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
"You continue to defy your fate, Ravik. You're not meant to live a life as a normal human. You lack the fundamental aspect of life. Existence. Without me, you're nothing. You are my vessel. That is your existence and yet you continuously deny it. And every single time, you surprise me. You could easily kill them right now. Your power could crush them at any moment. And you choose to wield it against me. I will take what's mine. I will slaughter your friends. And I will wreak havoc once more across Runeterra. Now perish!"
Yaavin's essence surged around him, black stardust-like mana. It formed a dark aura that pulsed with malevolent energy.
I stood tall, facing the fragment of Yaavin, the air thick with tension and raw power. The others gathered behind me, readying themselves for the impending battle.
Ezreal fired the first shot, his gauntlet glowing brightly as he unleashed a bolt of arcane energy. It struck Yaavin, causing a ripple in his dark aura but doing little to diminish his presence. Yaavin retaliated with a wave of black stardust, the energy rushing towards us like a tidal wave.
I leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the dark wave, and swung my sword, the black flames igniting with my determination. Akali darted in, her kamas slashing through the air with deadly precision. She managed to land a few hits, but Yaavin's form seemed to absorb the damage, his mocking laughter echoing in the chamber.
Irelia's blades danced around her, striking at Yaavin from multiple angles. Her precision was unmatched, but Yaavin's dark essence seemed to shift and reform around her attacks. Sivir's chakram flew through the air, slicing through the stardust mana, but it quickly reformed, almost as if it were alive.
Kai'Sa's missiles rained down from above, each explosion sending shockwaves through the chamber. Despite our combined efforts, Yaavin's power remained formidable. His black stardust swirled around him, creating a shield that deflected our attacks.
Yaavin raised his hand, and tendrils of black mana shot out, wrapping around us and pulling us towards him. I struggled against the pull, feeling the corrupting influence of his essence trying to seep into my very being. I glanced at my friends, seeing them in similar predicaments.
"Stay strong!" I shouted, channeling my energy into my sword. The black flames intensified, and I swung with all my might, severing the tendrils that held me. I rushed forward, my blade aimed at Yaavin's heart. He deflected my strike with a burst of dark energy, sending me sprawling to the ground.
"You cannot defeat me, Ravik," Yaavin sneered. "You are nothing but a fragment of what I am."
I gritted my teeth, pushing myself back up. "I'm not done yet."
Ezreal, having regained his footing, charged his gauntlet again. He unleashed a powerful beam of energy, striking Yaavin squarely in the chest. This time, the impact caused Yaavin to stagger, his dark aura flickering.
"Now, everyone!" I yelled.
We all attacked in unison, our combined strength focusing on Yaavin. Akali's kamas, Irelia's blades, Sivir's chakram, Kai'Sa's missiles, and Ezreal's arcane energy all converged on him. For a moment, it seemed like we would succeed; his dark essence faltered, and he dropped to one knee. Then, in an instant, his energy seemed to return, exploding outward in an immense shockwave, sending us all flying. We hit the stone walls, hard. We fell to the ground, but rose to our feet once more. Yaavin charged me, his essence in the palm of his hand as he sought to ram it into me. I lifted my sword and blocked the attack but was slammed into the wall once more. Akali surged forth, her kunai in hand. She sliced at the fragment but he lifted a hand and blocked her, repelling her. Sivir and Irelia followed suit, purple projectiles and Irelia's blades arcing towards him. He dodged backwards, being forced to let me go.
"Hey ugly! Get a load of this!" Ezreal held his gauntlet up. It was shining something fierce. Yaavin looked on with curiosity, unsure of what was to follow. A large surge of mana erupted from Ezreal's gauntlet an arc of arcane energy ripped across the temple. Yaavin lifted his hands and his essence raced to block the attack. He found himself unable to push it away.
"He's stuck! Finish it! NOW!" Ezreal bellowed, his hand beginning to tremble from the sustained effort. Everyone leaped into action.
Akali jumped back up and slashed away. She weaved between his attempts to grab at her as she cut deep into his body. Sivir managed to bounce her chakram off the stone walls, forcing him to defend with one arm. Ezreal's magic was slowly pushing him back. Irelia sprinted toward him and began her dance. Every blade-twirl brought with it another slash or stab. Yaavin looked more confused than scared as he continued to back up.
"Stand still and fight me you coward!" Irelia yelled, her blades a flurry. Kaisa flew in, her arms raised and shot forth her second skin's power. Yaavin roared in pain, having to replace his second hand back on the incoming spell. Finally, I rushed in and readied my blade-
"Enough!" Yaavin screamed, his essence exploding all around. We were knocked back, but he was much worse for wear. I can see that the physicality of our attacks hurt him severely. He now clutched at a massive gaping wound in his stomach and several bleeding gashes on his chest.
"You think... You can stop this? I will only recover and return. This isn't my real body No matter how many times you strike me down, I will only be back! The only thing you've accomplished here is exhausting yourselves. Even without you, the Void is a threat to Runeterra. The more you run around playing hero, the more you lose. Face it! You've lost! Surrender, Ravik. Spare yourself the humiliation!" He spat, his words laced with venom.
I stood up to face Yaavin. I met his gaze and stared him down. The air was tense, filled with the weight of our fates. I closed my eyes and held my blade with both hands.
"I... am NOT you. YOU are not ME. I am Ravik! I have a place! I have a home! And I have people who love me! You can try all you like to change that, but I won't let you! I will crush you! And when I find your Soul, I'll crush it as well!" I roared. My stardust swirled around me, engulfing me with my own essence. The essence of the people who believed in me.
"The best thing you can do for yourself is to fade away into nothingness and be forgotten."
The fragment laughed. "If I fade, YOU'LL FADE TOO!"
I opened my eyes. In a blink of an eye I was on the other side of him. I didn't dare look back at him. I didn't need to. I made sure that I cleaved him right in half with a powerful swing. The black mana that emanated from him dissipated in an instant.
And there was silence.
As soon as I realized what had happened, I dropped my blade and collapsed to the ground. It was over. All that was left to do was to destroy this fragment.
"A little help!" I called out, my body heavy with fatigue. Akali and Irelia rushed over helping me up.
"Whoa there, 'fragment boy'. Look at you with your cool hero one liner." Akali teased, giving me a small shove.
"Oh, shut up." I groaned as I steadied myself. My muscles were on fire and my entire body felt like it had been hit by a truck.
"Is it over? Is he gone?" Sivir asked.
I nodded toward the other room toward the back of the temple. We walked over and entered, the Mind of Yaavin on a pedestal. It pulsed with his essence, but not enough to manifest him anymore.
"It's a sad thought, but you know we almost got our butts kicked by a jewel." Ezreal joked.
Everyone gave a low, exhausted chuckle. But it was true. We faced near death so often in the past few months. Each time we kept winning. Barely. The truth of it was, Yaavin was extremely dangerous, even though his manifestation was contained inside of this fragment.
"Alright, the moment of truth." I spoke. I reached out and grabbed it. I'll be honest, I thought it would have exploded when I held it. But nothing. I focus my essence, the stardust filling the room. I pulled it all together and engulfed the jewel. I focused on trying to crack it or destroy it. But something strange happened. I began to absorb my essence. Then, the world went dark.
"I would be lost without you, my everything."
When I came to, I was crying profusely. I didn't realize it, but everyone was talking to me. Their voices were muted, but slowly came back.
"Ravik, what happened? You just started crying." Irelia asked.
"I just... got overwhelmed. It's Yaavin's memories." I told them. They all looked confused.
"Memories? Of that monster? How bad was it that it made you cry?" Akali asked as she walked up to me. "Can you destroy it?" She asked. A line came across my lips.
"No. I can't. It wouldn't budge." I informed them. They were all shocked.
"Then what's next? Just... leave it here? After all this way and it can't be destroyed. Will that thing come back?" Sivir asked. Everyone had the same questions. I shook my head.
"The fragment that was here is... gone. It's hard to explain. The memories I saw... was the fragment. I think I inherited it. At least part of it." I admitted, rubbing my head. It was true. I absorbed it. But not just that, I also inherited his emotions and thoughts. I tried to hold back my tears but couldn't. More fell. What I saw I couldn't explain, at least, not in a way they could understand.
"If that's the case, I suggest we leave. It won't be any easier getting out as it was getting in." Kai'Sa advised. She wasn't wrong. No one argued. Everyone began to walk out. The exit of the temple was sealed, just like before. Thankfully I was able to open it. And what waited for us on the other side was the most frightening sight I could imagine. A horde of void creatures waited for us. But that wasn't the scariest part.
A figure loomed above the horde, its wings folded tightly around its form, obscuring the details of its body. Its head was visible, though, a pale, almost skeletal visage with glowing purple eyes that burned with an unsettling intensity.
A low, guttural sound resonated from the figure, a sound that seemed to echo through my very bones. The air itself grew thick and heavy, carrying a miasma of dread and despair.
Kai'Sa, who had always been the most fearless of us, staggered back, her eyes wide with terror. "It's...it's her," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the monstrous creature's growl. "Bel'Veth."
"So, the fledgling returns, and with... companions. You dare challenge the Void's embrace?"
"We will not fall easily." Was Kai'Sa's simple response.
"Ah, the echoes of defiance. How... quaint. You cling to your fleeting memories, your fragile bonds, as if they could shield you from the inevitable." Her eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam. "Curious. The echoes of Yaavin's essence... they flicker and fade, like a dying ember. Yet, the stench of his corruption lingers, clinging to you like a shroud."
I didn't know how to feel. It knew me. It knew Yaavin as if she knew what it was capable of. But... now that the fragment was gone, what will happen to this barrier that separated us?
"What do you know of Yaavin? Why does the Void seek his destruction?" you ask.
"Yaavin... a tempest of unmaking, a blight upon existence. He defied the Void's legions, a fleeting spark against the endless dark. But the Void adapts, learns. From his defiance, I arose." Bel'Veth's tone is a blend of reverence and disdain, as though both disgusted and fascinated by Yaavin.
"I am his antithesis, the purest expression of the Void's will. To him, the Void was a tool. To me, it is all."
"A tool? For what purpose?" you inquire.
Bel'Veth tilts her head, her gaze piercing. "Yaavin craved endless chaos, destruction for its own sake. The Void's purpose is... grander. It seeks to unmake all creation, to return everything to nothingness. He stood in our way." Her voice is cold, clinical, yet a deep hatred simmers beneath.
You narrow your eyes. "You banished him..."
"Yes. He entered the Void, and we cast him back. He delayed the inevitable. Nothing lasts forever. With patience, the Void overcomes all obstacles. I am proof of this." Bel'Veth's words are final, edged with icy certainty.
"Glad we're having a nice chat with a Void monster, but I have a feeling this barrier won't last long." Ezreal pointed out.
"I have a way out, but it involves more running and praying." Akali admitted with a nervous chuckle.
I let out a sigh. There's only one way out.
Bel'Veth's voice resonated with a chilling excitement, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as the temple's barrier flickered. "When the essence falls, the Void will awaken within these ruins. Its hunger will be insatiable."
Her wings, previously hidden beneath a cloak of shadow, unfurled with a rustle like a thousand dying leaves. Their vast expanse, adorned with shimmering chitinous scales and dripping with ethereal ichor, filled the space around her, casting grotesque shadows that danced and writhed.
Her true form, a monstrous insectoid horror, towered over the mortals before her. Multiple eyes, each a glowing orb of purple light, fixed upon them, promising a fate worse than death. "And you," she hissed, her voice echoing with the promise of impending doom, "will be the first course."
I could feel the essence that once separated The Void dissipate bit by bit. I turned to my friends and I could see the defiant looks on their face.
"I have no doubt, we're going to all make it out of here, one way, or the other." I announced. They all had a mixed response, mostly positive but there was a twinge of apprehension. Who wouldn't be scared of something like that?
Before any of us could respond, Bel'Veth began to move. She anticipated the barrier to collapse. It would all boil down to who had better reflexes, and who was faster.
"Last one buys all the rounds at the bar." Sivir said playfully.
"If we survive!" Ezreal said.
The echoing silence left by the Mind's destruction was a cruel prelude to the cacophony that followed. Monstrous screeches tore through the air as a wave of voidlings surged towards us, a grotesque tide of gnashing teeth and writhing limbs. The stench of the Void, a putrid miasma of decay and despair, filled my nostrils, triggering a primal urge to flee.
"NOW!" Akali's voice was a whipcrack, a call to action that propelled us into motion.
I didn't hesitate. Instinct took over, years of training flooding back as I launched myself into a desperate sprint. A crumbling archway became a springboard, propelling me over the heads of the oncoming horde. Behind me, Ezreal's arcane blasts erupted in a symphony of light, each detonation holding back the darkness for a precious few seconds.
I raced through the labyrinthine alleys, my eyes darting from shadow to shadow, searching for the quickest path to escape. The ancient city was a crumbling ruin, its once-proud structures now warped and twisted by the encroaching Void. Jagged spires reached for the sky like skeletal claws, while yawning chasms opened beneath our feet, offering glimpses of the churning abyss below.
Up ahead, Kai'Sa moved like a wraith, her plasma blasts piercing the gloom, momentarily illuminating the path ahead. I followed her lead, vaulting over debris, swinging from crumbling balconies, and sliding down treacherous slopes. Each movement was a gamble, a desperate dance with death. Sivir was a whirlwind beside me, her chakram a gleaming arc of defiance as she cut through the voidlings that dared to approach. With each strike, she bought us precious seconds, her battle cry a rallying point in the chaos.
But we weren't alone.
A bone-chilling shriek echoed from behind, followed by the sound of immense wings beating the air. Bel'Veth. The Empress of the Void herself was giving chase, her monstrous form a nightmarish blur in my peripheral vision.
Fear lent me a burst of speed. I leaped across a chasm that yawned wider with each passing second, my fingers scrabbling for purchase on the crumbling edge. A gout of purple flame seared the air where I had just stood. I didn't look back, but the guttural roar that followed told me Bel'Veth was closing the distance.
Irelia was a whirlwind of steel beside me, her blades flashing as she cut down voidlings that dared get too close.
The city groaned and shifted around us, its very foundations crumbling under the onslaught of the Void. A tower collapsed, sending a shower of debris raining down. I dove for cover, rolling to my feet just as a chunk of masonry slammed into the ground where I had been standing.
The air crackled with an oppressive energy, the taste of ozone heavy on my tongue. The ground beneath us trembled, as if the city itself were a dying beast thrashing in its death throes.
We reached the edge of a precipice, the Lavender Sea churning violently below. It was a dead end.
"This way!" Akali's voice called from above. She was perched on a precarious outcropping, her hand outstretched.
I didn't question her. With a desperate leap, I propelled myself towards her, my fingers grasping hers just as the ledge crumbled beneath my feet.
Akali hauled me up, her muscles straining with the effort. Together, we scrambled to safety, our hearts pounding in unison.
But there was no time to rest. Bel'Veth was upon us, her monstrous form blotting out the sky. Her laughter echoed through the ruins, a chilling symphony of madness and malice.
"You cannot escape the Void's embrace," she hissed, her voice a rasping whisper that seemed to slither into our minds. "Your essence is ours. Your destiny is to be consumed."
A desperate cry from Sivir cut through the chaos. "There! A sliver of light!" She pointed towards a narrow crack in the ruins, a faint glimmer of hope amidst the encroaching darkness.
We turned as one, our legs pumping with renewed vigor. The voidlings were closing in, their claws reaching, their maws snapping, but the promise of escape drove us forward. We dodged and weaved, leaping over crumbling walls and fallen pillars. The stench of the Void was suffocating, a tangible presence that clawed at our minds, but the sliver of light grew larger, beckoning us onward.
Suddenly, a wall of voidlings materialized, blocking our path. We skidded to a halt, despair threatening to consume us. Was this the end? Were we doomed to be swallowed by the darkness?
Then, a tremor shook the ground beneath us. The sand around us shifted, swirling and rising in a whirlwind of golden particles. A familiar voice boomed through the chaos.
"Shurima stands defiant!"
Out of the swirling sand emerged a legion of sand soldiers, their spears gleaming in the dim light. They charged forward, their ranks parting the voidlings like a blade through flesh. A path opened before us, freedom.
Azir stood at the forefront of the sand army, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. He raised his staff, and a wave of scorching sand erupted, pushing back the voidlings and searing their flesh.
"Bel'Veth!" His voice boomed across the Lavender Sea, a challenge to the Empress of the Void. "Your hunger will NOT be sated today!"
Bel'Veth hissed in rage, her wings snapping open. But Azir was ready. He unleashed a torrent of sand magic, a blinding storm that engulfed the Empress and her minions. The voidlings recoiled, their forms dissolving into wisps of shadow. Bel'Veth herself was momentarily staggered, the sand clinging to her chitinous hide like a thousand tiny daggers.
"You are a fool, Azir," she snarled, her voice filled with venom. "The Void is eternal. You cannot hold back the tide forever."
"Perhaps not," Azir conceded, his voice calm but resolute. "But today, you will not have your prize. You will stay in your abominable domain where you belong."
With a final surge of sand magic, he blasted Bel'Veth back into the depths of the Lavender Sea. She disappeared with a shriek of frustration, leaving behind a trail of fading shadows.
As we crested into sunlight I fell to the sand. So much running in a small amount of time. I wanted to sleep forever. Everyone looked just as exhausted as I was.
"Ravik, are you alright?" Sivir asked.
I just lifted my hand up, a thumbs up to let her know I was alive.
She chuckled. "He'll be fine." She approached Azir who was ensuring his sand army was covering the edges of the dark lands. "Emperor Azir," Sivir began, her voice cool and measured, "To what do we owe this...unexpected rescue?"
"Shurima does not abandon its own, especially not when they carry the fate of the world on their shoulders," Azir answered. He didn't face her directly, but his voice was resolute.
"We did not ask—" Sivir began.
"And you do not need to, Sivir," Azir interrupted.
Sivir took a moment, a beat of silence hanging in the air.
"Come," he commanded. "We must return to the capital. There is much to discuss."
As we were assisted to the chariots, the emperor approached me.
"Tell me, Ravik, did you successfully contain the fragment's power?" He inquired. I nodded, still worn from the fighting and the sprint to escape The Void. "I see." He simply walked away to his own vehicle.
I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder. "Good work out there," Akali said softly.
"You too. I've never seen you move so fast before." I acknowledged.
"Yeah, well, that's because you haven't seen me fight Noxians yet. They're a real riot, let me tell you." She half laughed. I chuckled. We had finally accomplished in taking out one fragment. But there was one left. And I knew exactly where it was. Noxus.
Several days had gone by. And it was time to prepare to leave Shurima and head on, finding a way to get the Soul of Yaavin.
"Right... Noxus... that's a humongous problem." Ezreal sighed.
"Agreed." Irelia spoke.
"We can't go in. If we're caught, it's game over. Noxus has a foothold in nearly every region on Runeterra. There's only two places they don't: Demacia and Freljord." Akali continued.
"Then we go to Demacia. I'm sure they'd love any excuse to fight Noxus and feel justified for it." Sivir stated.
"I read about this. Demacia and Noxus are in constant battle, right?" I inquired.
"Yup." Ezreal replied.
"So, we use the Demacians and their "Justice" to take down Noxus. Perfect. I'm in." Akali said.
"Now hold on. We have a plan. But whether or not it's a good one is the real question." Irelia
"At this point, we don't have a choice. It's better than staying here. Let's work our way to Demacia. At the very least, maybe we can find a hint on how we can consider approaching Noxus." I stated.
It was settled. We would be leaving Shurima, heading to the northwest. Demacia.
After the meeting, we had prepared ourselves to go west then north. When it came time to leave I had approached Kai'Sa and Sivir.
"Will... you be joining us?" I asked them. Kai'Sa shook her head.
"Would be fun. But I'm still needed here. The Void still exists. I cannot abandon the people who need me, Ravik." Kai'Sa's reply was understandable.
"I understand. I wish you the best of luck. I was a pleasure to meet you." I offered.
"Thank you. It was nice to meet you too."
Kai'Sa gave me a hug.
"Return safely, Ravik. The Void will always be a threat, but with champions like you, there is hope. Please, bring news of victory."
"I'll do my best. Take care, Kai'Sa."
With that, she headed off into Shurima. I turned to Sivir.
"So, when are we heading off?" She asked. I raised a confused eyebrow.
"Look, I'm a mercenary. I go where the action is, and this quest of yours sounds like the biggest payday yet." She grinned, a glint of adventure in her eyes. "Besides, I'm not one to owe someone who saved my life."
I looked down, trying to think of something.
"Hey, I can see your gears turning in there. Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out. But for now, I found us a ride. Last thing you want is to walk all the way to Demacia." She waved her hand dismissively.
"Alright... Thank you, Sivir." I smiled.
"Don't mention it. Oh, and one more thing. Please, do me a favor. This place... it's all I've ever known. It's my home. So, please. Do everything you can to protect it. I can't really think of any other way to say it." Sivir asked.
"I will try." I replied.
"It's all I ask. Speaking of, our ride. She says she can get us all the way to a port town to sail to Demacia, but there's one condition." Sivir mentioned.
"Which is?" I asked.
"We have to stop by Mount Targon first. She has several wagons of supplies she's taking to her village there. If we can protect them, the ride is as good as ours. What do you think?" Sivir asked.
"A small detour shouldn't be too bad." I agreed.
With that settled, a small respite was welcomed. Besides, I could see Mount Targon from here, and it was other-worldly.