Chapter 35
Morgana
"Coming to bring me back?" Asked Morgana sarcastically as Mordekaiser emerged from the portal next to her. The woman was sitting on the ground she destroyed as she starred into the lake, hoping it would help calm her down. Arms crossed over her knees, Morgana didn't say anything as Mordekaiser looked down upon her, his form giving her some shade from the sun.
"Yes and to assist in calming your rage." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at Morgana, who scoffed at his words.
"My dark knight." Said Morgana, her sarcasm clear as the lake in front of them. Sighing, she nevertheless said nothing as the Iron Revenant stood by her side. The two stood there for a few moments in silence before Morgana spoke again. "Is Moxxie disappointed in me for what happened? How I ruined his day with you?"
"No, rather he was worried about you and rather place blame on me." Said Mordekaiser simply, causing Morgana to look at him in slight surprise.
"Why?" Asked Morgana, stunned to hear that Moxxie blamed his father on telling her the truth.
"I was the one to tell you the Exterminations." Explained Mordekaiser as he looked at his son being comforted by his wife. "This was supposed to be a day where we can simply enjoy each other's company. Not a day for hardship and anger. He feels that I jeopardize all that by telling you about the Exterminations occurring in Hell." Morgana hummed at that as she processed his words. While she understood Moxxie's viewpoint and sympathize with him, she couldn't help but disagree.
Something like the Exterminations shouldn't be kept a secret. Genocide was never the answer to any problem and she was angered, righteously so, that Heaven decides to do such things on the people of Hell. If she ever met any of the leaders of Heaven, she's going to have words with them. Very harsh words that will involved much pains and misery being inflicted on them. And also the leaders of Hell she may add, depending on how involved they were with this Extermination.
"He must have truly wanted to spend time with you." Said Morgana finally after some thinking. Mordekaiser just shrugged at that.
"I do not understand why he is so persistent on it." Said Mordekaiser honestly as he looked at his son being comforted by his wife. "He knows that I love him and will do what I can to make him happy and safe. He also knows the importance of my work for the good of all and supports it so why does he insist on wasting my time on this. Time spent with him is time I could be spending on learning the weaknesses of Hell, Heaven, and Earth. Rearming my legions with the knowledge garnered from them. Rediscovering lost legions and warriors that a traitorous whelp has taken from me. And, perhaps above all, proclaiming my return to Runeterra once I have secured Earth, Hell, and Heaven under my domain." Morgana just sighed when she heard all that. While a part of her was concerned and even angered with Mordekaiser's words, mainly the conquering part, she was annoyed that he couldn't understand that importance of spending time with one's family.
While she understood the importance of his work, even more so now that she learned what was going on in Hell and Heaven, that didn't mean he needed to devote all his time to his work. His family, or rather his son, deserved some of his attention as well. That he loved him and wanted what was best for him.
Mordekaiser did love Moxxie, that Morgana can attest to being true, but that didn't give Mordekaiser a free pass to just ignore his son or not be with him when he had the opportunity to do so. Moxxie deserved to spend time with his father when he wished and when Mordekaiser can provide it. And, from what she could garner, they rarely saw each other since Moxxie went to live in Hell. Hence, explaining why Moxxie was so disappointed that this simple day of being together was compromised by Mordekaiser telling Morgana about the Exterminations and her reaction to it.
A family isn't something you can just easily replace or put aside to focus on other matters. Its not like the sun or moon, where they were a constant, never changing, object. A family was more akin to a garden. Something that needs constant attention in order to maintain its beauty and harmony. Without that attention, the garden/family would fall apart for a myriad of reasons. Or worse, hate one part of it and do something horrifying to the other parts, thus breaking any bonds or harmony that had originally been there.
"Just like my sister and I. And our family before it was destroyed." Thought Morgana bitterly as she looked at Mordekaiser. Feeling a twang of anger, but mostly sadness, Morgana spoke to Mordekaiser.
"Just because he understands the importance of your work, doesn't mean he is not allowed to spend time with you." Argued Morgana as she looked at Mordekaiser with a glare. "He's your child. He deserved to be able spend time with the man that calls him his child. He deserves to know that you still love him. He may be a young man now, but that doesn't mean you can just cut yourself off from him forever. Family is family and it's a delicate thing. One that needs constant attention and care lest it become corrupted or destroy with ease. Do you want that? Do you want to lose the bond you have with your son just because you neglected to interact with him?" Mordekaiser said nothing as he processed Morgana's words. He hated to admit it, but the woman had a point.
He didn't know how, but Moxxie seemed to have an adverse effect on him that he couldn't just explain. When he was sad, angry at him, or hurt, Mordekaiser felt a tug in his soul that he couldn't understand. As a Revenant, he was incapable of experiencing most emotions beyond satisfaction, anger, and annoyance, yet he was feeling something different from those three emotions when it came to his son whenever he was distressed in any shape or form. He didn't understand this emotion and he hated it. He wanted it eradicated, but no matter what, it always came. Morgana must have sensed his annoyance at something and spoke.
"Has my words enraged you?" Asked Morgana, curious as she sensed the confusion and anger coming from Mordekaiser. Yet, to her confusion, it wasn't directed at her. Rather, it was directed at Mordekaiser himself.
"No." Said Mordekaiser simply as he looked at Morgana. "Rather at an emotion that has been plaguing me as of late." He didn't know why he was bothering to tell her this, as if she could ever help him with dealing with this emotion, but if it meant that he could get her to Moxxie sooner, then so be it.
"Emotion?" Asked Morgana, curious, as she raised an eyebrow. "What kind of emotion?" Mordekaiser just grunted before explaining.
"Whenever I see Moxxie angry, hurt, or otherwise in an emotional state, I acquire this…emotion within my very being." Said Mordekaiser as he explained his situation to Morgana. "Its something that has been plaguing me recently and I wish to be rid of it. Yet, no matter what I do, it always persists when Moxxie is hurt or in a emotional state. And it becomes stronger when it is I that is the catalyst for his pain." Morgana, upon hearing that, blinked a bit, processing what she just heard. Once she did, Morgana allowed a smile to grace her features, something that annoyed the Iron Revenant. "I fail to see why you are smiling at this."
"I'm smiling because I know the emotion is and what it entails for you." Said Morgana, her smile still present. "Do you wish to know what it is?" Mordekaiser, curious about her reaction as well as getting her to Moxxie quickly, just nodded. Thus, allowing Morgana to explain. "The emotion that your experiencing is most likely pain or regret. Pain or regret that your son is hurting." Upon hearing that, Mordekaiser looked at her incredulously. Pain? Regret? Nonsense. He was a Revenant. The Iron Revenant. He does not experience regret or pain anymore. What Morgana was saying was pure nonsense.
"I do not experience pain nor regret any longer." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at Morgana in slight annoyance and even anger. Yet, despite that, Morgana just kept her smile.
"Not pain or regret in the way you think." Said Morgana as she looked at Mordekaiser, knowing that he wasn't going to be a threat around her. At least when Moxxie was around. "The pain and regret that I refer to does not come from you yourself or from any blade. Rather it's a pain and regret that comes from your love for your adoptive son. Love is a powerful emotion. It can create emotions that one may not expect it to, like it does with your pain and regret. You care for Moxxie. You want him to be happy and be free of whatever hurts him, be that physical or emotional, no matter what. Even if it does things that you normally should not do. For that is the power of love. It can make people do things that they typically would never do. All in the name for those that they love."
"Nonsense." Said Mordekaiser as he processed her words. "I am not affected by love so strongly that I would do the things you claim love makes people do. I am not so weak to be affected so strongly by such a pitiful and weak emotion." Morgana just shook her head at that, a little angered at what Mordekaiser just said, but she pitied him more. He didn't know just how powerful love was nor how powerful his love for his son was.
"You underestimate the power of love. It is something that is both a strength and a weakness as well, one that can easily be exploited." Said Morgana as her smile become more somber than happy. "Believe me, I should know." Morgana then gently patted the ground next to her, urging Mordekaiser to sit besides her. "If you desire to know how I know the power of love, please seat besides me. I'll tell you my experience when it comes to love and how it is not the beautiful and utopian emotion that some people claim it as." Upon hearing that, Mordekaiser looked at the ground besides Morgana, a dirt filled space due to her…temper tantrum. While Mordekaiser didn't mind getting dirty, he rather go back to Moxxie and his wife than sitting next to this winged woman. However, after some consideration, he did so, deciding it would help get her back to Moxxie faster if he granted her request.
Moving a bit forward, Mordekaiser sat down on the ground next to Morgana's left, his massive frame causing the ground to shake a bit as he sat down roughly on the ground.
"After this, we will go back to Moxxie and give him the day he desires." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at Morgana, completely serious.
"Of course." Said Morgana as she looked up to see Mordekaiser's sickly green eyes. Even sitting the Iron Revenant surpassed her height significantly, forcing her to look up to see his eyes. "I understand." Morgana then sighed before speaking up again. "If you recall, I mentioned that I helped Sylas in his rebellion, yes?"
"Of course." Said Mordekaiser, remembering Morgana's words. Truth be told, he didn't care much for Demacia at the moment for his focus was on Noxus, Hell, and Earth at the moment. So he had little knowledge on what was occurring in that nation at the moment. Part of this was because of how little magic Demacia had at its disposal. Yes, it was a magical realm like everything else in Runeterra, but its people do not harvest it. To use it to defend themselves. How foolish. The resource was there, waiting to be used and exploited, but the Demacians refuse to use it because of their prejudice and fear of the magical arts. How they held back Noxus, who used magic more freely, despite such an disadvantage was both worthy of respect for Demacia and also some ridicule towards Noxus as well. Oh, how the strong fell into weakness since the old days. "You helped a mage gain power and he became something worse because of it." Morgana just looked at the lake in sadness when she heard Mordekaiser's words, not denying the truth within them.
"Yes." Said Morgana. "And you recall how I said I couldn't stop Sylas because of what would happen if I intervened, yes?" When Mordekaiser nodded, she continued. "The reason I couldn't intervene against Sylas is that my intervention would bring my sister's return to Demacia." Now that little information got Mordekaiser's attention.
"You have a sister?" Asked Mordekaiser, intrigued at this little information. Morgana nodded at that.
"Yes." Said Morgana with a small nod as she drew her knees close to her chest and she hugged them tightly. "Her name is Kayle and she is the reason that I can't intervene in Demacia's affairs beyond minor altercations and even then, only if they are brought forth here. To the Sacred Woods. For, if I return to aid Demacia, she will come and Demacia is not ready for her judgement." Morgana tightened her hold on her knees as she thought of Kayle and what she would do when she discovered what Demacia is now. A mockery of every ideal they, particularly her, made for the people when Demacia was founded.
"What do you mean by that?" Asked Mordekaiser as he looked at Morgana. "Why would you revealing yourself bring forth your sister? What connections do you possess to Demacia that would cause this to occur." Morgana sighed before explaining.
"Do you know of the story of the Winged Protector of Demacia?" Asked Morgana as she looked at Mordekaiser. "Of how a winged warrior protected Demacia during its founding years and how they came to impart the values of justice and righteousness to Demacia?"
"I have heard the stories from what souls hail from Demacia that come to my realm. Even stories told to children have some history within them, even if they are exaggerated or altered." Said Mordekaiser as he recalled the story of the Winged Protector of Demacia. Morgana choose to not ask Mordekaiser how a soul from Demacia came to his realm, feeling it was better not knowing right now, and instead told him the truth of the Winged Protector.
"There were actually two Winged Protectors." Said Morgana as she revealed the truth. "One of them was myself and the other was my sister Kayle. We were amongst the people that would eventually form the foundation for Demacia came to these lands before we became the Winged Protectors of legends. We protected them from whatever dangers that came to threaten them. We taught them our beliefs and morals, especially those of justice, hoping that we can create a just and safe society for all."
"But that never came to be." Said Mordekaiser, causing Morgana to sigh and nod in agreement.
"My sister and I had a battle against one another, one that I helped set the stage. While Kayle was away dealing with a distant kingdom ruled by a corrupt and cruel monarchy, some of her followers tried to arrest me and my own followers, forcing me to fight them. Amongst them was one of Kayle's most loyal and promising disciples, Ronas. I didn't want to kill him, but I had no choice and his death caused a riot within the first capital of Demacia, Zeffira." Explained Morgana as tears started to form in her eyes as she recalled those horrible events. "When she returned to Zeffira, my sister was enraged when she discovered what happened in her absence and tried to kill me for all that I caused. I tried to make her see reason, but she refused for she was blinded by her obsession with her beliefs on justice. Our battle ravaged the entire city and killed thousands, including our father. His death stopped our fighting, but by then it was too late. Zeffira was in ruins and all my hard work, along with my sisters', was all gone. Destroyed by our own hands." Morgana's tears then began to fall down her face as she recalled how she held her father's dead body. How she screamed at her sister if her desire for justice and punish the wicked also included killing their father. How Kayle didn't say anything and just left her alone with the corpse of their father without even looking back at the destruction they caused. She just flew away, taking something of Morgana's and leaving everything she ever built and knew behind. All in the pursuit of becoming like their mother.
Wiping the tears away with her hand, Morgana looked at her companion next to her, judging her with emotionless eyes. Looking into said eyes, Morgana soon placed her head on Mordekaiser's rip cage, the height difference between them forcing her to make that the only place she can even lean on the Iron Revenant. She didn't know why she was attempting to do so, they had only barely knew each other beyond the stories mortals have on them, but she felt compelled within her heart to do so. Perhaps as a test to see if the Iron Revenant was capable of feeling empathy or pity. To see if he was capable of understanding, if even only slightly, her emotional pain right now at reliving that fateful day. Of how everything fell apart for her.
To her surprise, the Iron Revenant allowed her to place the side of her head on his rip cage, allowing to feel just how cold he was along with how invasive the magical mist/soul energy that comprises his soul really was. She can feel the necrotic energy creeping up the side of her head, eager to drain her very life force from her body and use it to strengthen its owner, yet was stopped only by the will of Mordekaiser himself. Despite every fiber of her very being telling her to back away from the Iron Revenant and exterminate this undead abomination, Morgana chooses not to. Not only because it would hurt Moxxie to see her attempting to slay his father, but also because it would go against her principles to outright slay Mordekaiser when he has proven to her that he was capable of change for the better.
Yes, she heard some of the stories of his rule hundreds of years ago. She heard of some of the atrocities he and his underlings committed during his reign. How he would have turned all of Valoran, and possibly all of Runeterra, into a kingdom of undead had he not been stopped long ago. All of this warned her that he was a being that needed to die permanently for the good of all Runeterra and probably for both Heaven and Hell as well if the stories were even slightly accurate to what Mordekaiser actually was as a person. And yet…Morgana found herself unable to do so. For the Iron Revenant had shown to her, even if unintentionally, that he was changing for the better.
His adoption of Moxxie. His desire to see him happy and the lengths he would go to ensure that. His willingness to, at least, consider the criticism she gave him all those years ago and, recently, him going to comfort her after the revelations he told her about these Exterminations as well as allowing her to use him as a form of comfort by allowing her to lay her head on his rib cage. All this showed her that the Iron Revenant was changing for the better without her using her magic on him, her preferred way to make people see the error of their ways, to do so. He may have been a monster long ago, but Morgana can see the seeds of him becoming someone better. Perhaps not someone that can be called a good person in the typical sense, but someone that Morgana can, at the very least, tolerate.
However, it was just a seed and as such was easily ruined if left unchecked. Morgana knew that fact well. Remembering Sylas, Morgana did not want something similar to happen to Mordekaiser. Him falling into a dark path once again and she feared what would happen if that occurs.
As much as she wanted to be there to prevent that, to nurture that seed until it could fully bloom, she couldn't. Not only did she have a responsibility to the people that came to her for protection from both Sylas coming for them for whatever reason as well as vengeful Demacians, she also feared that being around the Iron Revenant for an extended period of time would bring the attention of her sister and she dreaded that, especially when he starts revealing himself to Runeterra once again. No doubt Kayle would not react kindly to her interacting with such a sinful monster as Mordekaiser if she believed the stories of the Iron Revenant. Not that she needed to. The fact that Mordekaiser practiced Necromancy was enough to spur Kayle to trying to kill him.
She dreaded her sister returning to Demacia, but she dreaded her sister hurting or just outright killing what few friends and acquaintances Morgana made since she faded into legend in Demacia. While Mordekaiser was probably capable of holding his own against her sister, it was Moxxie and his wife that she feared being killed by her sister more. There was no doubt in her mind that Kayle would kill the two Imps just for their affiliation with the Iron Revenant, and that was something she didn't want to happen. She feared for Moxxie's life and that fear, and perhaps the fear of her sister getting hurt or even killed by Mordekaiser, was enough for her to stay away from interacting with Mordekaiser for an extended period of time. Something that nurturing that seedling of light within him needed. Hopefully, Moxxie or someone else can do what she can't do at the moment. Not until she can live without fear of her sister returning and harming Demacia and those she loved. Until that happens, the best she can do is keep that seed alive until its ready to bloom. An arduous task, but Morgana knew that was typical if one wished to turn someone like Mordekaiser into something better.
But that all was something that can be done later. For now, she simply wanted to bask in Mordekaiser's presence just a bit longer. The Iron Revenant's metal body was surprisingly comfortable for her head, something she desperately needed at the moment after relieving the memories of her last encounter with her sister.
"You truly have changed since we last truly spoke with one another." Said Morgana as she continued to lay her head on Mordekaiser's rip cage. The Iron Revenant just scoffed at this as he continued to allow her to lay her head on his person. "I did not think you will do such a thing like this for me."
"Do not think this to be a regular occurrence, Morgana." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at the winged woman, noting just how calm she was. "I merely do this so as to get us back to my adopted son quicker. Do not believe I will do this again for you. Nor believe that we will encounter each other again unless Moxxie wishes to see you again." Morgana just let a smile grace her features upon hearing Mordekaiser's words.
"You claim this but fate has a strange way of proving us all wrong, given enough time." Said Morgana with a small hint of amusement. "Besides, I think Moxxie would like us to interact more. Without him around." Upon hearing that, Mordekaiser looked at Morgana in surprise at what he just heard.
"And why would he want this for me?" Asked Mordekaiser in annoyance at what Morgana just said. Seeing an opportunity to nurture that seedling of light within Mordekaiser as well as giving her an opportunity to keep an eye on it for the foreseeable future, Morgana spoke.
"To calm his worries that you only truly care about what you desire and his happiness." Said Morgana simply. "Both are respectable goals, but he fears you only care about these two things and nothing more. He fears that you'll do anything to achieve those goals, regardless of the cost to others. Perhaps seeing you do things that are atypical of your normal behavior may…alleviate that worry. Besides," Morgana looked at Mordekaiser with a smirk. "I would actually like to get to know you more. As an individual. Not as the Iron Revenant. You aren't as barbaric and monstrous as the stories I heard about you claim that you are. If you will just allow it, perhaps we can met up by ourselves without your son present. To help reinforce my belief in you." Mordekaiser just stayed silent as he processed Morgana's words.
Truth be told, his curiosity of the woman had never been touched on by him since she left his life over two decades ago. He had initially wanted to know more about her, but found nothing about her beyond the story of the Winged Protector and stories about a Veiled Lady in these woods, who no doubt was Morgana, punishing the wicked and corrupt. It was as if any information about Morgana was erased, whether by the woman herself or by time itself. So, to obtain knowledge on Morgana, he had no choice but to get it from her and whatever people knew her true identity.
Originally he thought of capturing her literally a few days after dropping off Moxxie in Hell, but decided against it. She was, as much as it annoyed him, Moxxie's first true friend and his son would have been absolutely devastated and betrayed by Mordekaiser if he tried to capture and interrogate Morgana about her origins and powers. That was the only reason he left her alone. Now, she was giving him an opportunity to satiate his curiosity on her without raising her ire or that of Moxxie's. Needless to say, Mordekaiser was eager to take the deal. Besides, things have been dull and mundane for him as of late beyond a few important things. No doubt it would start to get interesting once he heard from his mysterious benefactor again, but it wouldn't hurt to have options.
After some thinking, Mordekaiser spoke to Morgana.
"Very well." Said Mordekaiser as he looked at Morgana. "If you desire this foolishness and waste of time, I will indulge you. We will meet again tomorrow to discuss terms. Though I will warn you that I will not spend much time with you. I have plans and subordinates that require my constant supervision. Some more so than others. And unless you wish to help me in claiming Hell and Heaven for myself, I can only spend several hours in a week. Perhaps less."
"That would be fine." Said Morgana. A few hours a week was enough for her. Actually it was perfect. That shouldn't draw the attention of people of Demacia, not to mention, Kayle if Mordekaiser was only present for a few short hours. Provided he can disguise his dreadful aura and how powerful he was, of course.
Morgana then gave Mordekaiser a warm smile, causing him to raise a non-existence eyebrow at her. This woman. She was insufferably optimistic. She reminded him of that blue-haired woman he met months ago, Gwen.
"At least she and Gwen have spines and a willingness to fight back against their enemies. Unlike that spineless and naïve Princess of Hell." Thought Mordekaiser as he looked at Morgana, who still had that warm smile on her face.
"Let us return to Moxxie and his wife." Said Morgana as she removed her head from Mordekaiser's rip cage and stood up. "No doubt they will wish for us to return to them soon. Shall we return to them now?"
"Indeed." Said Mordekaiser as he also stood up before opening a portal that would take them back to Moxxie and Millie. The two then proceeded to enter the portal where they soon find themselves in front of Millie and Moxxie. Upon reuniting with the Imps, who looked at the two immortal beings with both worry and relief, Morgana walked over to Moxxie and kneeled before him.
"Are you okay, Morgana?" Asked Moxxie as he looked at the winged woman with worry on his face. Morgana, upon hearing that, just gave him a small smile.
"I am, Moxxie." Said Morgana as she looked at Moxxie and Millie, the latter holding her husband's shoulders tightly, but in a comforting way. "Your father can be surprisingly comforting when he desires to be." Mordekaiser just grunted at that. All he did was speak to her regarding some things, let her vent some frustration, and let her place her head on his rib cage. Nothing he did could qualify as comforting. Upon hearing all that, Moxxie visibly relaxed.
"Good. I was really worried about you, Morgana." Said Moxxie, recalling Morgana's anger when she learned about the Exterminations. Morgana gave a small laugh at that.
"I'm sorry for how I reacted, Moxxie. I didn't mean to ruin your special day." Said Morgana. "But that's all behind us now. Let us forget all the flaws and tragedies of both our worlds and simply enjoy each other company now." Moxxie nodded in agreement, happy to finally get a relaxing day of bonding. Millie, seeing the calm situation before her, then let out a teasing smile.
"So, we saw how you had your head on Mordekaiser's ribcage, Morgana. Is she your special lady friend, stepdaddy?" Asked Millie with a big smile on her face, causing Moxxie to look at her in shock and confusing both Morgana and Mordekaiser.
"Millie!" Yelled Moxxie at his wife, blushing hard at the lack of decency from his wife. "We've been over this! They're just friends! Sort of." As the two Imps argued with each other over this, the two immortal beings just looked at each other.
"The living." Thought Mordekaiser in annoyance as Morgana looked away from him with an embarrassed smile on her face. The thought of taking a mate after becoming a Revenant was absurd to Mordekaiser. There was no point in it anymore. For many reasons.
"Its things like this that make me yearn for mortality again. Or the ability to no longer feel." Thought Morgana as she looked away from Mordekaiser, a small blush forming on her cheeks. The idea of taking Mordekaiser as a lover had never crossed her mind. Not until Millie asked that question. Oh, the joys and humiliations of being around people that didn't treat her like a goddess again. Morgana missed this.