Chapter 47

Stolas' mansion

Stolas was enjoying a cup of coffee at his mansion's dinning room when Octavia entered the dinning room with a stern look on her face.

"Dad, I'm going with mom to her family home for the whole of next week." Said Octavia as she looked at her father. As much as she had a distant relationship with her mom, she was just so stern and offhand with raising Octavia up all her life, she still wanted to have some bonding with her. Plus, she wasn't as irresponsible as her father was lately.

"Oh." Said Stolas when he heard Octavia's announcement. "That's…good to hear." As much as he despised Stella, he completely hated their arranged marriage and she did as well, he won't stop his little girl from wanting to spend time with her mother. It was well within her rights to do so. Plus, as much as Stella hated to admit it, she did love her daughter, even if she wanted her to be like every other noble kid in Hell. Prim and proper with a snobbish attitude to boot on the lower class of demons in Hell. "So, we should probably prepare you for that visit, Octavia. Your mother would hate that you weren't prepared for the visit to her family home and no doubt see her side of your family tree. So, may I suggest…"

"I already got everything done and packed for the trip, dad." Deadpanned Octavia. "You would know if you actually paid attention to me and the servants." Upon hearing that, Stolas piped down, silently cursing himself at this. "I just told you this because I'm going to visit Azir for a few days before I leave with mom to her family home. Just so you don't go all crazy over where I am." When Azir was mentioned, Stolas felt a pang of jealously and anger towards the golden bird from that other world that somehow managed to become close friends with his daughter. A father figure people would say. And that drove Stolas insane. How did that man have a better relationship with his daughter than he did?

Sighing to himself, Stolas thanked his daughter for telling him this. Since forbidding her from meeting Azir only made his daughter mad at him, Stolas reluctantly allowed her to continue visiting the man, utilizing the same method she always did when going to meet with Azir.

With that, Octavia left her father to the dining room so she can go to her room and prepare for her trip. As she walked, Octavia thought about her dad and couldn't help but feel both anger and sadness.

"Why did he only start caring about me after learning about Azir?" Thought Octavia. "Was he jealous that someone else was giving me attention than him? That someone was stealing me from him? Well, he has no one to blame for that except him." With a sigh, she soon was at the entranceway to her room. Upon entering, she began packing up some thing she wanted to bring on her trip to see Azir. As she packed some essentials and things she just wanted to show Azir, Octavia wondered how he'll react to some of the things that she wanted to show him. He always was fascinated with the stuff that she always brought with her when she visited him. She remembered fondly the day she introduced him to a hellphone and couldn't help but giggle at the memory of her explaining to him that they were an everyday thing in Hell.

Putting a book that she wanted to show to Azir in her traveling bag, Octavia double checked she had everything in her bag she wanted to show to Azir before getting the piece of paper that she uses to transport herself to Azir and his city.

"Take me to Azir." Said Octavia as the magic parchment did its magic and created a portal to the Sun Disc, Azir's city. Taking a deep breath, Octavia went through the portal. Upon doing so, she was instantly met with a strange sight.

Going through the portal, Octavia was met with a sight that she never thought she would see. Humans in both armor and peasantry garb scrambling everywhere as they rushed to do whatever it is that was on their minds, their faces filled with either worry or grim determination. So focused on their tasks that only a few humans noticed the portal that Octavia came through that led her to one of the streets that led to Azir's palace. A bit shocked at what just happened and what came through the portal, the humans were wary and even fearful of the demon girl with the soldiers pointing their spears and swords at her. Confused and a bit worried at what she was witnessing, Octavia was about to ask someone for advice when she heard a familiar voice.

"Octavia." Said Azir as he suddenly appeared before the Goetia noble, stunning her a bit. Upon seeing the Emperor of Shurima, all the humans quickly bowed before him. "Be at ease all. This is my friend and you all have nothing to fear from her. Now rise and tend to your tasks. Assemble my legions, prepare the defenses, and stockpile our supplies. No doubt refugees will come to our great city, seeing aid and shelter, and the dead will follow." With those orders, the humans resumed their assigned tasks. Some of them gave wary glances at Octavia while others didn't care.

Stunned to see everyone in the Sun Disc scrambling, Octavia suddenly got a very bad feeling about something.

"Azir." Said Octavia as she looked at her friend in worry and concern. "What the hell is going on?" Upon hearing the question, Azir looked at Octavia before replying.

"An invasion, dear Octavia." Said Azir as he placed a hand on Octavia's shoulder to comfort her. "An invasion that threatens not only Shurima but that of the entirety of Runeterra itself." Upon hearing that, Octavia widened her eyes in shock and terror at what he just said.

"What…what do you mean by that?" Asked Octavia, concern for her friend rising at what she just heard from him. Squeezing Octavia's shoulder a bit, Azir gestured for her to follow him, which she did earnestly.

After sometime of walking, the two arrived in Azir's war room, a large expansive area that housed all the major decisions of Azir's revived empire when it came to military fields. Upon entering, Octavia could see both humans and Azir's sand constructs issuing out orders or consulting various maps that depict the entirety of Shurima.

"There is an invasion of Shurima and all of Runeterra currently, Octavia. One of undead in origin." Said Azir as the two walked towards a massive holographic map of Shurima with both golden and sickly green highlights covering it. "Although I am glad to see you are alive and well, I'm afraid I much devote all my time towards containing this…ruination as everyone calls it."
"Ruination? What's that?" Asked Octavia, confused at the term. She knew some of Runeterra's history thanks to spending time with Azir. As much as he learned information about Hell from her, she learned just as much from him about Runeterra or at the very least Shurima.

"My knowledge about the Ruination is limited." Said Azir. "Regrettably most information about the Ruination comes from foreigners from Valoran as that's where Ruinations occur the most. But what I do know is that it's a tide of undead that descend upon the living, destroying everything in their wake and taking the souls of every living thing slain in their path. Whole villages, towns, and even cities have been destroyed by these undead. But they rarely ever descend upon Shurima on account of its distance from the Shadow Isles. For them to attack Shurima is…unprecedented." Octavia watched as Azir looked at the holographic map made from his magic. To this day, Octavia was in awe of Azir's magic. It was so much like Hell magic yet also so different. She wasn't adept in magic like her father, but she can still see the difference in magical power between him and Azir. Whereas her father's was more chaotic on account of its Hellish nature, Azir's was more neutral in how he uses it. It was like it was a simple part of the universe as opposed to Hell magic were it felt…chaotic despite her father's attempt to make it more graceful and beautiful to the common eye.

"Is…is everything okay in Shurima?" Asked Octavia as she saw Azir observe the holographic map. "Is it a bad time for me to come visit you?"

"Unfortunately, it is." Said Azir as he looked back at Octavia. "With this Ruination more powerful than the previous one before it and invading Shurima, I must devote all my time in helping my people fend off this invasion. Each moment I devote to you is one moment that these undead have to kill and destroy my people. If I am to become the Emperor of all of Shurima once more, I must show them that I am worthy of such a position again. And how can I achieve that if I do not help them in this crisis." Octavia was a bit disappointed at what Azir just said, but she also understood completely. People, his people were dying, and Azir was not willing to do nothing to aid them when he had the ability to do so.

"I understand." Said Octavia, disappointment seeping into her voice. "If you don't need me, then I'll just go back home and just wait until I leave for my mother's family home." Octavia was about to leave when Azir placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait, Octavia." Said Azir as he stopped Octavia, causing her to look at him in surprise. "Just because I said that I must devote my time to helping my people, does not mean you need to leave or cannot spend time with me. If you are willing, then you can help me in helping my people in this crisis. For as long as you are able to do so." Upon hearing that, Octavia widened her eyes in shock at what she just heard. For the longest time, Azir didn't have her do anything for his people, only having her interacting with them when it was necessary or when she wanted to. Truth be told, they were initially creeped out by her and some still are, but perhaps this could be the thing that turn them around. Plus, after everything that Azir has done for her, everything that her father failed to do for her, this was a good way to repay all that he has done for her.

"Well, if your people don't actually mind my presence and if you don't mind spending some time with me, I guess I could stay and help." Said Octavia. "Though I don't know how much help I can be in something like this. I'm not exactly trained in stuff that will help in stuff like this." Azir just laughed a bit at that.

"Even a speck of sand can mean the difference between finding salvation or death, Octavia." Said Azir. "All it takes is finding the right area for them to leave their mark." With that, Azir began leading Octavia to somewhere within his city. As they walked, Azir looked at Octavia and spoke.

"You can stay here to help as long as you wish, Octavia. I will not force you to help." Said Azir. "You have your own life back in Hell. Your own family that has no reason to aid us in this plight against these Undead." Upon hearing that, Octavia looked at Azir.

"I know." Said Octavia as she looked at Azir, seeing his glowing blue eyes filled with power. "I know I can just leave you to fend these undead off by yourself while I stay in Hell, safe from them, but I don't want to do that. Not after all you did for me. I don't want to repay my debt to you by leaving you when you need help. I'll help however I can. Besides, its not like my parents will mind or even care if I'm gone. Even with my father knowing where I'm going." Upon hearing that, Azir hummed at that. Octavia's father is not bothering to keep taps on his only daughter? His only heir to his fortune and position within Hell's hierarchy? The same with her mother? Why are parents in Hell so irresponsible when it comes to protecting their offspring?

"If that is what you wish." Said Azir. "I'll keep you with me at all times, however. That will not only ensure your safe from harm as well as giving us time to spend time together as we always have before this crisis." Octavia smiled at that. Though a bit miffed at being forced to be with Azir all the time while she was here, she also welcomed it. She didn't want to know what these Undead were capable of on someone like her.

"Then, if you don't mind, I got something that you might want to see." Said Octavia before going through her backpack to find something that she wanted to show him.

Meanwhile

Morgana

Sacred Woods

The Pale Lady sighed as she finished placing the final wards around the area of the Sacred Wood that she called home along with those under her protection. Once she was done, she began the long trek back home. As she did so, she thought of the Ruination occurring in Demacia and she couldn't help but feel guilty for it.

She didn't know how widespread this Ruination was compared to the ones before to the current one, but it didn't matter. What mattered was that the Ruination was occurring throughout the lands of Demacia and she wasn't doing anything to help them against this threat to the nation that she helped create.

This fact brought shame to her being, but she knew that she couldn't intervene at all with the Ruination for doing so will bring her sister into the fray as well. Knowing her sister well, Morgana realized that once the Ruination was dealt with, Kayle will turn her attention upon Demacia, in spite of what losses they sustained from the Ruination on account of their past sins. She was never compromising in her beliefs before. She had no reason to believe she does now.

Still, a part of her couldn't help but feel ashamed at her current course of actions. On how she was focusing on only saving a portion of Demacia's population over the entire population. On how she was failing to be what the Demacians used to hail her as. And, perhaps above all, proving Mordekaiser right. That she was a coward and afraid of facing her sister again.

Ever since their last encounter with each other, Morgana thought long and hard on his words along with researching what she could on the various undead that permeated Runeterra as well as research on Mordekaiser himself. Sadly, her research on such subjects were quite limited. Both because of her reluctance to venture out of the Sacred Woods and because research on undead were actually quite limited. Beyond how to contain them or dealing with the aftermath of their destructive rampages in the form of the Ruinations. None of which, unfortunately, helped her in interacting with undead in a friendly manner.

As for Mordekaiser himself, well that ended up as well as she expected. Between her refusal to leave the Sacred Woods and the fact that most of the information pertaining to Mordekaiser came from and likely stays in Noxus, she was unable to garner much accurate information about him beyond stories that the refugees heard about the supposed founder of Noxus, which weren't much. If she wanted to know about him, she needed to venture to Noxus and, considering the hostile and power hungry nature of that nation along with the fact that it was an enemy of Demacia, Morgana decided she wasn't that desperate to learn about Mordekaiser. Not when he hasn't done anything heinous for her to do such a thing. It also helped that most of the information was probably destroyed or lost due to the ravages of time.

Sighing to herself, Morgana thought back to what Mordekaiser said to her about her being a coward. Looking at her actions now, she can understand his point of view. She didn't know much about him, but what she did told her that he wouldn't do what she was doing now. He would be fighting against the Ruination, defending his people, and probably finding a way to defeat this Ruination to prevent more loss of life.

Pondering if she should be doing the same, Morgana suddenly felt a cold chill up her spine. Realizing what this meant, Morgana sighed before turning around to see a portal suddenly appearing before her. Thinking it was Mordekaiser, Morgana was then surprised to see a rather average sized woman appearing to be of Ionian descent coming out of it, wearing dark red robes and having dark blue skin. Stunned to see this undead coming before her, Morgana then saw the undead woman approach her and she cautiously readied herself for a fight. Though she suspected the woman was affiliated with Mordekaiser, that didn't mean she actually was. And with the Ruination occurring right now, Morgana was a bit wary of trusting any undead that wasn't Mordekaiser. And even then, that was a bit of a stretch.

Floating towards the woman that was one of the Winged Protectors of legend, the undead woman stopped a respectable distance from Morgana before speaking.

"Lady Morgana, I presume?" Asked the undead. When she heard the question, Morgana raised an eyebrow at the undead woman before speaking.

"Yes. I'm Morgana." Said Morgana cautiously as she looked at the undead before her, still a bit wary regarding this woman. "May I ask how you know my name?"

"I am known as Keira." Said the undead woman with a bow. "I am one of Lord Mordekaiser's heralds and lieutenants that advise the Iron Revenant in the day to day operations of his empire." Upon hearing all that, Morgana widened her eyes in surprise. This woman knew and served Mordekaiser. If that was the case, then why was she here and not Mordekaiser? Was there something urgent that required his presence? If so, why was this Keira here and not aiding Mordekaiser with said urgent matter?

"If what you say is true, why are you here and not with your master?" Asked Morgana as she stood down and simply crossed her arms as she looked at this Keira. "Does he need my assistance?"

"He does not." Said Keira as she looked at Morgana. "Rather it is I that need your assistance. Assistance that, if all goes well, will save Runeterra from this Ruination that's occurring right now." Blinking at what she just heard, Morgana looked at this Keira before speaking.

"What do you mean?" Asked Morgana, stunned to hear what she just heard. "What do you mean saving Runeterra from the Ruination and what do you mean that you need my assistance? Does your master not know about the Ruination?" Keira sighed at the question before explaining the situation to Morgana.

"I'm afraid that Lord Mordekaiser believes it better that we allow the Ruination to continue." Said Keira, causing Morgana to widen her eyes in shock at what she just heard. Before she could give into her anger, Keira spoke quickly to prevent it. "But I have a plan to make him see that the Ruination must be stopped. To achieve success, however, I need your assistance. With luck and careful timing, we can stop the Ruination, but only if you aid me in this. You do not need to do much to help me, Miss Morgana if that is what you are afraid of, but your aid is critical in convincing my lord to stop this Ruination. So, I ask you. Will you aid in the salvation of Runeterra, Miss Morgana?" Upon hearing that question, Morgana looked at Keira, unsure of what to say. Looking directly into Keira's eyes, Morgana put some thought into the matter before giving the undead woman her answer.