Chapter 23

Earth

Lyle-Loopty Robotics

"It's almost done, Loopty!" Yelled a young man with brown hair and was rather short for his age. The man was currently welding together two pipes into a large bulbous metal chamber. "We just need to calibrate a few things and connect this to a massive nuclear generator and we'll be able to finally achieve our dream of creating a de-aging machine for the rich to exploit and abuse." Another man, a taller and buffer man with darker brown hair, grinned before giving a nod to his partner, a man by the name of Lyle Lipton.

"You got that right, Lyle! This baby will be making us so much money when it's all up and running!" Yelled Loopty Goopty, partner of Lyle Lipton and co-owner of the mega-corporation/empire, Lyle-Loopty Robotics. A technological corporation that creates incredible technological marvels for those who can afford them. AKA the rich. And this latest invention of theirs will only make them richer. Even more than they already were.

For the longest time, man was subjected to the ravages of time. Eventually, even the strongest, smartest, or both would succumb to time. Their bodies deteriorate, sapping one's greatest traits, and preventing them from either enjoying the fruits of their labor or being useful pawns for the powerful to become richer and more powerful. No matter how advanced medical technology becomes. No matter how much better healthcare becomes, no human can beat time. Until today.

Through the genius of both Lyle Lipton and Loopty Goopty, and some less-than-legal methods, the owners of Lyle-Loopty Robotics have managed to conquer time with their De-Age-Ifier machine. A device capable of actually reversing one's age. With it, man has finally been able to conquer time. Well, the wealthy anyway.

Both Lyle and Loopty intended to sell the De-Age-Ifier machine to only the few trillionaires in the world. The exclusivity would encourage those trillionaires to spend even more money on the machine and its services. Both to make sure their competition doesn't get their hands on it and to ensure that they'll have access to the De-Age-Ifier whenever they please along with their families and whoever else they want it used on. Human greed and desire to outdo and outlast their competition in any way at its finest. And both Lyle and Loopty were experts at exploiting all that to gain more money for themselves. Oh, they were going to make a lot of money from their machine. A lot of money.

Unfortunately, for them, their machine attracted the attention of someone who wasn't too pleased with it, or their intentions with the device, among other things. And he has a way of not only punishing them for their foolishness but also acquiring all their assets for his own purposes.

Both Lyle and Loopty were about to conduct even more work on their precious money maker when suddenly a secretary of theirs came inside their personnel work chambers and walked up to Loopty.

"Apologies, sir." Said the personnel secretary as she spoke to Loopty. "But we have a slight problem." Upon hearing that Loopty looked at the secretary with a raised eyebrow.

"And what exactly would that problem be?" Asked Loopty as he waved for Lyle to come and hear all this. When Lyle came down from his position at the top of the De-Age-Ifier and was right next to her, the secretary spoke up again.

"Well, it's not so much a problem as it's an offer." Said the secretary before explaining properly. "There's a group of young men and women that are currently in your office. They say that they were sent to give a message to you two." Upon hearing that, Loopty was a bit surprised and annoyed that a bunch of young riffraff were in his office. Although he found himself intrigued by the message they claimed to have. Was it a message praising him and Lyle for their genius, which should always be praised, or was it a message containing a threat and that the messengers were probably assassins meant to kill him and Lyle due to someone's jealousy of their genius or money? They just had three such attempts last month.

"Why hasn't security removed them?" Asked Lyle as he removed his goggles, revealing his brown eyes. "Better yet, why haven't they stopped them from venturing into my partner's office? Were they on fucking break or something?" Loopty had to agree. Security was supposed to keep uninvited guests from going into his private things and his personnel office. The fact that strangers were at his office was a source of concern for Loopty. They could be accessing some very private information right now. Some pertaining to his company and some that were more…personnel. Oh, those security personnel on shift were going to be fired for this along with being used as test subjects for his next technological advancement.

"They did attempt to, sirs." Said the secretary, surprising Lyle and Loopty a bit. "When those groups of scantily clad young men and women entered the building and demanded to see you two as well as entrance to your personnel office, Mr. Goopty, security attempted to force them to leave the building. But for some reason, when they attempted to be forceful, they just stopped what they were doing and ended up doing the exact opposite of their jobs. One moment, they were trying to escort that riffraff out of here, the next they were standing still as if they were dolls, and then finally they began worshipping the people they were supposed to be kicking out. They kissed their feet and were giving out apologies to them before eventually escorting them to your office, sir. They're still there as security cameras didn't see them exiting your office." Upon hearing all that, both Lyle and Loopty looked at each other in concern and intrigued. Sure, they decided to go cheap on security, hiring very few experienced security personnel and mostly no experienced people with only the barest of qualifications for a security guard position, but hearing this bizarre situation with their security detail left the two wondering about this group of riffraff.

Did they have some sort of technological device on their person that made people susceptible to lust or raised a human's natural dopamine and other chemicals in one's brain to make them desire them? Or was it something else? Whatever it was, their curiosity for this group just increased.

"Well, upon hearing that, I'd say we should see these riffraffs, Loopty." Said Lyle as he looked at his partner. "If they have a device that can raise the dopamine levels in a person's brain to such a degree that they become literal servants to them with ease, I'd say it in our best interest to see them. After all, they could use it to mind control everyone in our company until they get what they want. And that could lead to some very unfortunate consequences for us, Loopty." Loopty nodded his head at that, having come to the same conclusion as his partner.

"Secretary!" Yelled Loopty as he looked at the secretary. "Take us to these riffraffs!" The secretary did as she was instructed and led the two inventors to Loopty's office. Upon seeing the massive doors that lead to the office, the secretary quickly opened the doors and led the way inside. Upon entering, they were all surprised to see the sight before them.

Right in their very office was what can only be described as an orgy between the riffraffs and around eight of their security personnel. The smell of sex and sweat permeated throughout Loopty's office. Clothes splayed around the office with one set of pants and panties sticking to a portrait of Loopty himself. A security guard was even fucking one of those riffraffs on Loopty's favorite chair. Twitching both eyes upon seeing this, Loopty made a note to himself to use the guard as a test subject immediately after all this. Along with the other guards for that matter. For now, he was going to focus on the riffraff and why they decided to intrude on his office and have a fucking orgy with some of his security personnel. Looking straight towards his desk, Loopty can see a tan-skinned woman sitting on top of his desk, arms crossed and looking straight at Loopty and Lyle with a neutral look on her face. Based on the fact that she wasn't fucking anyone and the fact that there was a massive, tough-looking young man with a scar, next to her acting like a guard, Lyle and Loopty guessed she was the one in charge.

Seeing the woman, Lyle and Loopty made their way to the woman after dismissing the secretary. As they walked, the smell of semen and sweat grew stronger. Disgusted with what happened in Loopty's in what was probably a couple hours, both Lyle and Loopty nonetheless walked up to the woman in front of Loopty's desk and spoke up to her.

"Excuse me, miss, but I believe you asked for us." Said Loopty as he looked directly at the woman before him, taking charge.

"That's correct." Said the woman as she uncrossed her arms before adopting a flirty smile on her face. "The name is Verosika Mayday. I presume you heard about me, right?"

Of course, Loopty knew about her. A rising, young popstar who was all the rave with some of his youngest employees and not too insignificant a portion of his older employees. Mainly for her body, which, to be fair, upon seeing the woman in person, Loopty can see why.

Getting back on topic, Loopty was surprised to see such a pop star in his office and in the middle of what was basically an orgy. Sure, he heard that her concerts tended to have a great deal of sex and fucking from what he heard, but doesn't explain why she was here in his office surrounded by sex-crazed security guards and other people he assumed she brought with her. Was she hired by someone to deliver a message or was this something else?

Before he could speak, Lyle spoke up.

"Yeah, we know all about you. A slut pop star that thinks she does great music when actually she's only popular because she's beautiful and gets young people horny. Nothing more. So what the hell are you doing here? Here to try and fuck us into a higher place in society?" Said Lyle as he glared at Verosika with a finger pointed at her. If the pop star was offended by Lyle's words, she didn't show it. Instead, her smile got even bigger and she leaned on Loopty's desk, infuriating the owner.

"Not in the slightest, though I can't say the same for my friends." Said Verosika, looking at her gang, who were still fucking the security guards. "I'm actually here to convince you two to…retire and hand ownership of your company to a rival of yours." Upon hearing that, both Lyle and Loopty starred at Verosika for a few moments before they began to laugh manically. As if they heard the funniest joke ever. After a few minutes of this, they stopped and looked at Verosika.

"Oh, that was the funniest thing that I heard in a long time." Said Loopty as he looked at Verosika with a smile on his face. "I must say, you have quite a pair on you for you to come here, have a fucking orgy in my office, trash it as a result, and then have the nerve to say that you're here on behalf of one of our rivals, many of whom are less intelligent than me and my partner, in order to force us to give away our company and its vast money to them. I must say, you're quite brave to do such a thing for them. Or perhaps you are just dumb to even think that someone like you can convince my partner and me, which is a fool's errand I might add, to give our company to those idiots. Perhaps it's the latter. After all, you just blatantly told us what your goal is without making any headway into actually convincing us to give our company away. Now, normally this would be the time I ask for security to come and take you all away, but since they're all incapacitated for and the fact that you managed to amuse me for a bit, I'll let you stay here for a bit. Until a new security team arrives to take you all away from this building and never allow you back here. That is if I don't decide to have you taken away as lab rats for our various projects. And don't think whatever you pulled on the security guards will work on my partner and me. We aren't as attracted to women as most people our age." Upon hearing all that, rather than be worried or even scared, Verosika just gave a bigger smile than before.

"That's where you got it wrong, old man." Said Verosika, surprising Loopty and Lyle. Before they could say anything, they were suddenly hit with something. Something that they had no idea where it came from and what was causing it. It was completely foreign to them and yet also familiar to them. It was…something that they hadn't felt in a long time. Lust. "You really have no idea who you're dealing with. And I mean really have no idea who you're dealing with." With that, Verosika moved towards the two men and placed a hand on both of their faces, caressing said faces as softly as she possibly could. And upon her touch, the lust the two men had stirring inside them was growing stronger and was being aimed, somehow, directly at Verosika. Making them think of doing some very dirty things to her and wanting to do anything to obtain her body to do them, removing their inhibitions and aversion to public sexual relations or sex of any kind. Not to mention their affection and attraction to this woman was increasing by the second, making them consider… some very unwise decisions in order to obtain permission to touch her body.

Wondering if Verosika had activated the device that caused their security to act like they are acting now, both Lyle and Loopty were unable to do anything as the pop star continued caressing their faces as their lust increased further somehow. Their lust was getting to the point that they were unable to think of anything but pleasing Verosika, which was exactly what the pop star wanted. After a few more minutes, Lyle and Loopty were completely enthralled with Verosika and wanted to please her. Both physically and in whatever deeds she wants them to do.

Once she was certain the two inventors were completely under her thrall and do whatever she wanted, Verosika pulled out a nicely folded piece of paper from her cleavage and placed it on Loopty's desk.

"Now, boys." Said Verosika in the most seductive voice she had ever done. "I know you want my body and do a whole lot of nasty and sexy things with it." When she saw Loopty and Lyle nod dumbly, she continued. "Well, if you want that, you're going to have to sign this little paper. A paper that states that you'll give your empire, your shares, your technology, all of what you own to one of your rival companies. Do this, along with giving me free access to your computer here, and we'll have a private session all to ourselves." Verosika was satisfied when her bodyguard, Vortex, brought out two pens and both Loopty and Lyle took one of each and went over to the desk to sign the paper. This was way too easy for her. Now onto the fun part. Once the two finished signing the paper, Verosika took them to a comfortable place in the office to have a little…fun with them along with other things that she needed to do for her…new boss. Thinking about him caused her to wince in fear that she wasn't doing enough to please it, but it went away soon and Verosika focused on her job. The fun part anyway.

Meanwhile

Mordekaiser

Mitna Rachnun

"It appears that she's being useful." Said Mordekaiser as he looked upon a magic portal in his throne room that showed what Verosika was doing at the moment. While he was annoyed with the methods she used to obtain what he asked of her, he could not deny that they were effective. Plus, she was a succubus. It would be foolhardy to deny her race's natural abilities to her advantage, especially when it would make his objective easier to obtain.

Lyle-Loopty Robotics. A powerful organization whose true potential was being shackled by the two men with Verosika was currently having sexual intercourse. Those two were so focused on making inventions that benefit only those that can pay their ridiculous demands rather than focusing on inventions that benefit all, thereby strengthening their corporation as a whole and ensuring no rebellious or traitorous entity can have an easy method to attempt to overthrow them. Mordekaiser would not be so foolish with those who swear loyalty to this company. Or, rather by those that will be given all assets of Lyle-Loopty Robotics as written on the piece of paper that Veronika made Lyle and Loopty sign while under her lustful influence.

Just as he had infiltrators in Hell's upper echelons and organizations, the Iron Revenant also had individuals in places of great power and authority within many of Earth's most powerful organizations and corporations. In fact, he can safely say that he has a tighter grip on Earth than in Hell. The level of corruption in all facets of Earth's upper organizations was astounding. Although he still employed tactics such as assassinations and mind-controlling to achieve his goals on Earth, they weren't employed on Earth as much as he initially thought. No, on Earth, all it takes is the right amount of money to start and advance his ambitions on Earth. Doesn't matter if it was on the government or corporate level, money was all he needed in order to place his loyal infiltrators into whatever organization and government he wanted to infiltrate and influence from within. It was a bit sad, but Mordekaiser was not going to complain too much about that. Not when it makes obtaining his goals easier than simple conquest. Once, when he was among the living, he would be disgusted with such tactics, but now he understands that it matters not the methods to obtain one's goals, only the results. A lesson that only time can make it worth learning. And it was a lesson that is serving him quite well. Not only has he infiltrated the most powerful governments and corporations on Earth, but he also managed to create a handful of his own corporations as well, one of which was the rival that Verosika just had Lyle and Loopty sign their own corporation to. The Genesis Conglomerate.

To the living, the Genesis Conglomerate was a multinational corporation that was founded in the nation known as South Korea. Starting out as an energy production company eighteen years ago, the Genesis Corporation, as it was known then, soon began gathering power, money, and influence at an unprecedented rate, unseen by any modern corporation in recent history, until eventually, it became the conglomerate it was now. This massive success can be attributed to the intelligence, ambition, and ingenuity of Genesis' board of directors, but this success was largely attributed to the brand new energy source that Genesis created that enabled it to become what it is today.

Termed New Dawn Energy, Genesis' new energy source was deemed a miracle by the people of Earth. Utilizing a top-secret process with materials unknown to all but the highest levels of authority in Genesis, and even then it was known only to a select few, New Dawn Energy is the most efficient, reliable, and cost-effective clean energy source in the world. While it doesn't match the potency of nuclear energy, though rumors by outside sources, both professional and unprofessional alike, believe otherwise, it surpasses it in other factors that many consider the future of humanity in terms of energy production. And yet despite having a monopoly on this marvel of human ingenuity, thus allowing them to dictate the price of their newfound energy source and limit who can acquire its services, the Genesis Conglomerate has been exceedingly charitable with their energy source, almost too charitable.

Genesis offered their energy source to all, no matter their social standing in society, pricing it according to one's income. Those who purchased an electricity plan with Genesis involving New Dawn Energy found themselves with a plan that was unsurpassed in every qualification that anyone, no matter their income or social standing, would want in an energy plan. Which were cost, quality, reliability, and more. Because of this, along with quite a few efficient means of promotion and communication to the public masses, legal and otherwise, nearly everyone in South Korea was now utilizing some form of New Dawn Energy within five years of the company's start. A very impressive feat. To the average person, this was seen as a miracle and a sign of the good that will come from the Genesis Conglomerate. To others, like their competitors and cynics, are concerned with the Genesis Conglomerate for many reasons. Like how did they manage to acquire so much power and success so quickly? How did no one manage to stop New Dawn Energy from being deployed in a country on the scale New Dawn did so quickly? And, perhaps most importantly, how did the Genesis Corporation create something as potent as New Dawn Energy without anyone outside knowing about it? Both experts and conspiracy theorists have tried for years to seek out the answers to those questions to no avail. The Genesis Conglomerate was very thorough in securing its corporate secrets. Even when they transitioned into a conglomerate. It seemed the answers will forever be hidden away from the grasp of those who seek them. However, Mordekaiser knew the answers that they sought and he was certain that they won't like them at all. Or rather anyone on Earth would like the answers at all. The truth was the origins of both the Genesis Conglomerate and New Dawn Energy were far more insidious than people thought.

The Genesis Conglomerate, first off, was a shell conglomerate for Mordekaiser to spread his influence across Earth without Hell and Heaven knowing about it as well as secretly garner some of Earth's technology for his own ends. Recruiting people from both Mitna Rachnun and Earth, Mordekaiser created the Genesis Corporation as well as a handful of other corporations to not only spread his influence across Earth but also help him strengthen his armies when the time comes to perform a coup against Hell and then later fight Heaven and Earth for control of them as well. Whether it be arms, souls for building materials soldiers for his armies, or even money, these shell corporations and conglomerates served Mordekaiser in his everlasting quest for domination of everything. While the Niskaru are slowly becoming a sizable part of his army and Noxus' continual conquests provide him an ample number of souls for his armies, these shell corporations Mordekaiser created have provided him with many interesting technologies, many of which have already been incorporated into his armies, as well as providing him a core of professional soldiers trained in the usage of these technologies. Apparently, the governments of Earth were having issues getting their youth to join their militaries for a variety of reasons. Reasons that Mordekaiser is mostly unaffected by. After all, those who sign up for work in one of his shell corporations don't know who really was the master and won't know until it is too late. And even though all of them will have to go to Hell or Heaven, depending on their morality or something akin to that, rather than Mitna Rachnun once they die that too serves Mordekaiser. One because it gives him more people loyal to him in Hell that can assist in his coup and the other because it gives him an opportunity to understand his next foe. Besides, his shell corporations were providing him with other means to supply him with warriors and soldiers. Some of which are quite promising.

And as for New Dawn Energy, it came from Mitna Rachnun. Yes, the mist that surrounded all of Mitna Rachnun was processed into a renewable energy source for Earth's consumption. It took a full year and a substantial number of sorcerers and warlocks that spent hundreds of years studying Mitna Rachnun and its mysterious properties, some of whom were with Mordekaiser since his second return to Mitna Rachnun after Leblanc and her Black Rose betrayed him, but it was done and New Dawn Energy was created. The result was an energy source that no one on Earth can replicate, for only one skilled in the magical arts and understanding of Mitna Rachnun itself can do the process successfully and without disastrous consequences, and also an energy source whose potency is potentially limitless. Oh yes, Mordekaiser was quite pleased with Genesis Conglomerate and what they become now. It was the reason why he decided they would receive Lyle and Loopty's company rather than one of his shell companies in America, where Lyle-Loopty Robotics is held.

Not only have they proven to be one of his most successful creations, but their leadership has shown time and time again that whatever task he sends them will be done in a quick and efficient manner. Plus, most of his shell companies in America would not benefit from the technological expertise that Lyle-Loopty Robotics can provide them as much as Genesis. Yes, most of them were military technology companies, but they mostly focused on producing already tested and proven-to-work weaponry and technology. Lyle-Loopty Robotics focused on more experimental technology, something Genesis has experience in. Plus, they were all weaker in influence and power compared to the top military contractors in America, like Boeing and Raytheon Technologies. To have them acquire Lyle-Loopty Robotics would draw too much attention from those companies, who will likely not appreciate even more competition from homeland companies. Thus, he decided to have Verosika manipulate Lyle and Loopty into handing their company over to Genesis, one of their rivals. Less hassle and less annoyance from greedy businessmen who don't understand what they're actually dealing with. Besides, those within the board of directors of Genesis that knew of Mordekaiser had formally requested for him to deal with Lyle-Loopty Robotics literally two days prior to the little…accident involving Verosika and I.M.P., citing evidence of them making smear campaigns against their experimental technologies division. May as well let them have their rival to appease them.

This request, combined with what happened at that beach, made Mordekaiser decide to swat two birds with one stone. Actually three if he counted Blitzo and what he needed to do for him. Both he and Verosika would do something for him involving Lyle-Loopty Robotics with Blitzo doing something else for him as well. His parts to play is simply done later. If all goes as he planned, Mordekaiser will not only gain the entirety of Lyle and Loopty's company, including all their ideas, staff, and technology for his own benefit but he'll also be giving them a chance to redeem themselves for what they either allowed to happen to Moxxie or what they did to his adopted son.

Truth be told, Mordekaiser still desired to torture both Verosika and Blitzo for what happened to Moxxie, but he was merciful and fair. Harsh and ruthless to his enemies, but fair. He'll give them a chance to do save their own skin by providing him some service, but if something similar happens to Moxxie again and they were either the cause or failed to do anything about it, they will be begging for death.

Watching as Verosika continued to have sexual intercourse with Lyle and Loopty at once, Mordekaiser decided that enough was enough and willed the portal away, ending his watch on Verosika. He still had agents watching them, of course, so there was no harm in not watching any further. He'll simply ask them if Verosika completed all her goals, which were to acquire Lyle-Loopty Robotics for the Genesis Conglomerate and to kill both Lyle and Loopty so Blitzo can deal with them later once they're in Hell. For now, he'll focus on other matters. Specifically matters on Runeterra.

From what Keira has told him, the officials in charge of Ionian provinces under the authority of Noxus are in talks with each other about pleading a request to the Trifarix, the current head of government for Noxus, regarding a possible second invasion of Ionia to claim the rest of the land for Noxus. While this would be good for Mordekaiser as it meant more souls for his empire, he knew that Keira would want him to help defend her former homeland. Loyal as she was to him, she still loved Ionia and would want it to remain independent from Noxus unless they desired to become a part of the empire by choice. Though that will likely never happen given Noxus' past invasion of Ionia. Previously, he would have declined such a thing as it would have gained him little compared to what he would gain from letting the invasion come to be. However, with what he has now and how much-untested warriors and equipment he has at his disposal, well he needed something to test them out without drawing much attention. What better way than to test them on the fools of Noxus? Besides, if Noxus truly wants the entirety of Ionia, then they'll conduct the invasion anyway. A few dozen or so soldiers or even officers going missing won't stop them. So long as Mordekaiser is careful of course.

Mordekaiser was about to summon Keira and ask her what she desired them to do when a messenger bird arrived at his throne room. This one was much different from those that typically grace his presence with their messages from his various subordinates who were overseeing the training of his warriors, the creation of more Niskaru, or expanding his empire in Mitna Rachnun itself. Unlike those messenger birds, this one looked like a normal Earth or Runeterra bird. Complete with black feathers and black eyes. This, of course, was intentional as this type of messenger bird was meant to spy on the living world, both Earth and Runeterra. Matching birds native to various regions, they keep an eye on various locations and organizations in both worlds for Mordekaiser. So he can act when certain things occur within any of them. They're also for his various infiltrators and agents to send messages to him without drawing too much attention. Magic can send messages quicker but can be traced by those that know what they are doing. Leblanc coming into mind. Thus, messenger birds were more apt for them. And it seems this one found something that he thought he would be interested in personally.

Landing on top of Mordekaiser's right shoulder, the bird screeched at him, relaying its message to him. Upon hearing the message in full, Mordekaiser must say, he was intrigued.

It appears that the region in Runeterra known as Bilgewater had just suffered from an attack by the Shadow Isles. A harrowing, to be precise, and the largest of its kind ever inflicted upon Bilgewater. The largest to date it seems.

The Shadow Isles. A, however inadvertent, pathetic imitation of what Mitna Rachnun is. A realm that became what it is today because of a pathetic king and his trivial lust for a female. A realm that people fear, not knowing that there was a superior realm for the dead. One that will soon conquer all of Runeterra and bring both the living and dead under the rule of the one true ruler of the dead and soon the living as well. That being said, that was not the thing that intrigued Mordekaiser. No, what intrigued him was that the messenger bird spoke of someone within Bilgewater. Someone who possessed something that it thought would interest Mordekaiser, claiming it was similar to the mist of the Shadow Isles. Only purified for the lack of a better term. Intrigued, Mordekaiser decided to investigate this himself. There was nothing that required him at the moment and it's been far too long since he ventured to Runeterra. The last time was when he met with Morgana years ago to pick up Moxxie after his…tenth birthday fiasco.

Feeling something within him that he couldn't understand when he remembered what he did that day, Mordekaiser ordered the messenger to inform someone in Hell that he'll be unavailable for some time and that its up to them to inform Blitzo what to do exactly regarding Lyle and Loopty when they arrive in Hell. The other task that Blitzo was forced to do would come later. For now, he had something to investigate. Opening a portal to Bilgewater, Mordekaiser went through it to his destination.

Later

Bilgewater

"So this is Bilgewater." Thought Mordekaiser, wearing his Rogier disguise, as he looked upon the pirate/smuggler heaven that was Bilgewater Bay. High above the bay, Mordekaiser eyes the damages that was done to the bay by the Harrowing. It was…extensive to say the least. Fires and wrecked buildings were everywhere. All the way from the docks to the other side of the bay, the recent Harrowing had caused much death and destruction to Bilgewater. Perhaps irreparable damage. While the normal person would be appalled at this, Mordekaiser cared little about that. What he cared about was the anomaly that his little messenger spoke of.

Walking down from the cliff, Mordekaiser was venturing to the location where his messenger last saw the anomaly. His location was quite a distance from the location of the anomaly, but that was necessary given that he desired to maintain the secrecy of his existence and Mitna Rachnun from Runeterra until the day of his invasion to conquer all of Runeterra. Besides, if the anomaly has come and gone then he would simply find it again when it appears once more and his agents catch it.

Walking, Mordekaiser wondered what this anomaly was and what they could possibly bring for him.

Later

Shores of Bilgewater

His traveling took the Iron Revenant to the shores of Bilgewater, a fair distance away from the bay itself. His traveling took him to a small fishing village. A very small one, undoubtedly holding only a few families within it. It was a small, insignificant place. One that no one will notice it being destroyed beyond those who knew of its existence. Mordekaiser could attest to that. He wouldn't have even come here if it weren't for the anomaly he was told of. Speaking of said anomaly, Mordekaiser can sense it.

Yes, it was faint, but it was growing stronger as he approached the village. While he had no prior experience with the mist that surrounded the Shadow Isles to coming to Bilgewater for the first time in his existence, he did sense the lingering mist that comes whenever a Harrowing occurs in a region as he walked here. That and the fact that he was told of the mist and the experience of encountering it by some of his Deathsworn that have not only experienced it and a Harrowing but also died because of said Harrowing. Because of these, he can tell somewhat the difference between the Harrowing's mist and what he was sensing right now.

The mist from the Shadow Isles was described to him as cold and filled with malice and dread. As if it sought every living thing it could find and kill them, taking the souls and turning them into undead wraiths and spirits. That was not the case for this other mist. This other mist was warmer than the mist he felt as he walked to this village. Rather than malice and giving a sense of foreboding, this mist gave off feelings of…joy and comfort. As if it wanted to seek one out and hug them. To tell them that everything is alright and that they'll be safe within their grasp. Interesting. What was more interesting was that he could sense the similarities between these two mists. It was faint, yes, but Mordekaiser could sense the similarities between the two types of mist. It was something only one who was skilled in the magical arts can sense as well as skill in raising the dead and forging souls into anything one desires.

Intrigued becoming stronger, Mordekaiser continued to walk towards the village. Eager to see the source of this…other mist.

Walking ever closer to the village, Mordekaiser can see people running away from him, entering their shanty homes and staying inside. No doubt they saw him and had become scared of his appearance. Thus, they ran away from him as he got closer to the village, eventually entering it. Ignoring the villagers as they stared at him from the comforts of their homes, Mordekaiser approached the largest building in the village, which was a two-story lodge-like building made of wood, and waited before it. The mist he sensed within this village was strongest within the large building and Mordekaiser intended on letting the source reveal themselves rather than having him force them to do so. Makes things simpler that way and makes them less inclined to fight him. After all, Mordekaiser was not here to fight, though he wouldn't mind it, he was here to investigate this anomaly his messenger spoke of and nothing more.

Awaiting a few minutes, Mordekaiser was starting to grow impatient. Just before he could speak, the doors to the lodge building opened, and out came someone he didn't expect to see.

Standing within the doorway of the lodge was a rather young-looking woman with long blue hair. Blue hair was curled up into two curling twin-tails that had large dark-blue ribbons for each twin-tail. While that was odd enough, what was more odd was her attire. Rather than something practical for a fishing village or practical at anything beyond a fancy banquet, the woman wore a fancy white with a dark blue chest and a black rim decorated with some strange golden symbols placed in specific intervals. And if that wasn't strange enough, her eyes were of a strange color and design as well. Her eyes were a teal color and her pupils were cross-shaped with the left being pure black and the other being pink, both of which showed concern and slight hesitation as she looked upon Mordekaiser. She also had some strange blue markings around her arms and neck. Lastly, she also held an oversized pair of scissors. Scissors that Mordekaiser could sense were enchanted and quite powerful if what he sensed from them was any indication. Overall, the woman was quite an oddity to him. Even more so when he realized that the mist that he was sensing within the village…was coming from her. The woman.

Even more intrigued than before, Mordekaiser spoke up.

"Greetings." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at the young woman, who got into a cautious fighting stance when Mordekaiser spoke, one hand upon her scissors which she held without any issue at all. "I am known as Rogier. May I ask what your name is?" Surprised a bit at the question as well as the formality that the spirit before her spoke, the young woman spoke.

"My name is Gwen." Said the woman, her voice creating an audible echo despite them not being in a cave. Interesting. "Now, I don't mean to be rude, but may I ask what you're doing here? In this village?" Chuckling internally, Mordekaiser spoke up again, eager to learn more about this woman.