The Fall: 32. The Hunter's Night

The Hunter's Night

Rengar didn't understand it.

What had gone wrong? He had done exactly what he had been told. He had followed Darkwill's rules and Tahm Kench's advice, yet he had failed. That's what this had been; an utter failure.

At first he didn't understand where he was; a huge hall, with windows that showed a dark seabed that surrounded him. The room was empty but for a small creature with a trident, inlaid in armor and ready to fight.

Where was he now? It didn't matter anymore. It looked like, again, he had to fight for survival. The white beast let go one last roar before jumping into the fray that the Atlantian palace's room was about to become.

...

Tahm Kench had carried both Ezreal and Anyssa.

At first it had looked like a trap or something, but Yasuo had to trust the River King; he didn't feel like facing such a demon, not after what had just happened some days ago.

Still, the walk was silent, and he had grown used to Ezreal's talking and Anyssa's orders. The lone wanderer was not as comfortable as he had once been while walking in silence. That's how his conversation with Tahm Kench started.

-Mr... Tahm Kench? Is that your name?-asked Yasuo, without exactly knowing how to ask what he wanted to know.

-Call me King, call me Demon... The River forgets the name of the drowned... -said Tahm Kench with a nostalgic touch in his face.- But yes, Tahm Kench is one of my names. What troubles you, outcast?

-The battle at the riverside some days ago. -straightforwardly pointed out Yasuo, ignoring how the monster knew about his past.- What happened there? Why did that beast attack us?

-You're not asking the right questions, Yasuo. -whispered Tahm Kench.- Or should I call you... Yone?

...

He could hear them coming.

Thresh had told him to start marching before they arrived, as if he knew at exactly which point they were meeting without having talked with anyone at all.

-You haven't even whispered to your damned souls. -shouted Xin Zhao.- How are you supposed to know what to do?

-Some of us have plans, Seneschal.- said Thresh.- When you know what's lying ahead of you, it's easier to know what to do. Don't you agree?

-You call everything a plan... -whispered Xin Zhao, clearly annoyed.

...

Thresh had brought Xin Zhao down quite fast. The Demacian seneschal had not expected the hit that had brought him down in a second; a death sentence that had been written since they met. As a flayed and tormented soul, Xin Zhao was still alive. Still, he was nothing but a parasite now.

-You understand it now? -asked Thresh, his ghostly voice coming out of Xin Zhao's rotten visage.

...

-Swain is ready to leave with them. -said Aalcox.

-The girl will be there too; the Noxian and the Demacian army will march, and she'll take the lead with those weak kings. This battle might be the greatest of them all, Aalcox...

-Remember what our plan is, Aatrox. -said Malcolm.- This is not only about the greatest battle; this won't be a bloodshed of a week and end; we've got to make the worls sink with Darkwill.

-Is he really leaving?- asked Aatrox.

-You never listen to Thresh, don't you? -pointed out Aalcox.- The female Ziraeth that can still transition gives him the information just as if he was working for her.

-Haven't we fooled enough of them during their existence? -asked Aatrox.- Their whole species is coming down, can't they see it?

-They know it Aatrox.- calmly answered Malcolm.- They just don't care. They're nothing but weird specimens of a weird species.

...

It had taken a long time, but Tahm Kench had narrated Yasuo's life from beginning to end, taking into account details that even the unforgiven Ionian swordsman had forgotten. Now he understood; Tahm Kench was not a being to mock and poke.

-Are you going to ask the real questions now Yasuo?

That is how he learnt who Anyssa was. That is how he learnt what she was and why he and Ezreal had been chosen. He also learnt who they were looking for and where they were marching afterwards.

...

Night had finally reached the hunter's life.

He had craved for a worthy opponent, and Tahm Kench had given him what he asked for even though he had failed. He knew what was coming next.

Rengar was bleeding, his only working eye covered in dry blood. The slippery blue creature had managed to avoid every single trick he had prepared for a fight like this. The little trickster had been a fight that he had been wishing for long.

Even though he hated to recognize another being's strength, facing an opponent like that one before dying had been a dream for long. A daydream that let him awake hour after hour, day after day, both in the search of a prey and taking care of his surroundings.

Now he could finally rest.

...

Meanwhile, all around Valoran, countless little beings wandered through the lands, blessing forests, paths and lives while they crossed a land that was about to change forever. Those who were busy with their own things didn't see them; meanwhile, every single child from Runeterra had noticed that something huge was about to happen.

But adults don't always listen to children, do they?

Adults tend to be busy.

The Fall: 29. The Ziraeth, the King and the River

The Ziraeth, the King and the River

He should have been around there, but the river king was nowhere to be seen.

-Are we waiting for something?-asked the ionian outcast.

-You are definitely slow concerning some things, Yasuo. -pointed out Ezreal.

-He should be here. -said LeBlanc.- Do you hear me Tahm Kench? You should already be here!

...

Anyssa, the blonde girl, was cursing at the river while he and the Piltovian explorer rested nearby. When he was about to start laughing at the ridiculous situation they were at, he saw it happen.

-Patience my lady, patience.- said a frog-like being. A giant frog-like being that responded to the name of Tahm Kench.

-Sorry Mr. Kench.- said Anyssa.- You already know that I grow uncalm with ease.

-I didn't remember it, but I have already noticed LeBl...

-Anyssa was my name, sir!

-Ok lady, ok, sorry for the confusion! -politely apologized the river monster.- Your aura reminded me of someone I met long ago.

-There's something I need you to help me with, River King. -said Anyssa bowing to Tahm Stench.

And then he swallowed her and disappeared into the river.

The Fall: 28. The River King

The River King

-And you said we were going to...

-Demacia. -firmly answered LeBlanc, interrupting Yasuo's questions.- There's someone there I'm interested in.

-And the forest is the only way you know? -asked the former lone wonderer.

-The forest is not our way, that's just the closest path to the river. -said LeBlanc.

-Are we sailing? -asked Ezreal.- You still need to explain me what's your plan, lady.

-Why should I?

-I came because of a promise.

-And it shall be fulfilled.

-When?

-That's not a question I will answer anytime soon.

The group marched non-stop, the blonde girl leading them through the tress and moss. Doubt was being nourished by the Ziraeth's words, but fear was still stronger.

...

Gnar was jumping on Rengar's shoulders, sometimes falling onto the ferocious beast's head, ignoring who he had in front of him. Galio could not believe that the voice he was listening to was the one of the Ziraeth. He could not understand why he was there, in front of him.

-The migration Galio... -started Darkwill.

-That's none of my concern, Ziraeth.- answered the Gargoyle.

-I'm giving you a second chance because I'm trying to behave with who I once thought of as a friend.

-That was thousands of years ago, Darkwill. -answered Galio.- Demacia is my home, as it has been since most people in Valoran remember.

-But you know who you are. -answered Darkwill.- You know what you are, and you know that they don't like you.

-It's nothing but a cycle, Darkwill. You've seen it run through even more than myself.

-This time it will be different. -prompted Darkwill.- This is a whole new thing.

-That's what you always say. You said it ten thousand years ago and you'll say it back in a hundred thousand more. -Galio said while starting to take flight.- I'm not going with you, Ziraeth.

Darkwill was sorry. He did not look as if he was though; feelings are not supposed to be shown by gods. But he had to do it. Galio had to come, or his end would come here and now. That's why he gave him another chance.

With a heavy sound, Galio crashed onto the ground.

- Why?-asked Galio, now more seriously. Darkwill could feel the doubt and fear in his eyes; it had been way too long since he had seen the Sentinel's Sorrow that way.

- I already told you. It will be different now. Ages will come and go before we get back here. This kind of people don't deserve us.

-My answer is still the same, Darkwill. I'll see my old friends die as monsters if that's what I have to go through, but I won't leave this people behind.

-That's not how it works, Galio. -said Darkwill. His heart was breaking, but he couldn't show it to the outside world. Galio had been, together with LeBlanc, the darkins, the archmages and others of the gargoyle's kind, one of the few that had been around since the Ziraeth remembered his own existence.- This is not how this was supposed to end, Galio.

...

Rengar could not believe what he had seen.

The demacian gargoyle was nowhere to be found, and Gnar had suddenly transformed while on his shoulders and jumped towards Darkwill, who had completely ignored the huge beast that laid in front of him, aggresively roaring.

-He wants him back.- said the Ziraeth, talking to Rengar.- Looks like your friend really liked that old gargoyle, but he's smart enough to avoid a fight.

He knew he couldn't trust that being, but Rengar had no options left. After seeing what had happened to Galio, he knew that he did not want to share the same ending.

-You are a curious case, Rengar. -pointed out Darkwill.- Both Vladimir and Warwick were clearly magic users, but you... you are nothing but a beast.

-Keen eye.

-The point is that there is no place for you.

-This forest is my place.

-Not for long.

-Are you threatening me?

-Just look at what's going on, beast. -said Darkwill.- A half-dragon, a thousands of years old gargoyle and a handless yordle appear in your forest, and in less than a day this gun-wielding man and me come through. There's way more to come, and Tahm Kench is not the only one.

...

-Got what you needed, dear Ziraeth. -said Tahm Kench, the river king.

-Get it off me. -prompted Darkwill.- Do you see it Rengar? That is for you. -he turned towards Tahm Kench.- Give it to him and explain him the deal.

-Remember our business, Darkwill.-said Tahm Kench.- Vows are meant to be kept, and I shall keep both parts of mine if you dare not redeem this debt.

-Just do your job and I'll do mine.-said Darkwill, before disappearing, vanishing into thin air.

Ziraeths were always annoying. Greedy, gullible bastards that thought of themselves as gods when they were nothing but mere mortals. Tahm Kench would love to tell them the truth, but he would not dare. He had lived through way too many god wannabes.

Sometimes, silence was the funny way.

...

-Will this stop her? -asked Rengar.

-Yes, didn't you notice the fear in Darkwill's face? -said Tahm Kench.- This is why there are only two Ziraeths left.

-Why didn't you kill him then?

-Oh, that would ruin the game.-said Tahm Kench.- There's a word to keep, there's a job to do. And that's what we all live for, right?

-If that's what you mean...

-You'll keep your word and I'll keep his.

-Will Gnar be safe? -asked Rengar.

-The prehistoric being? I can't promise anything. -said the river king.- He's not part of any deal.

-He is now. -said Rengar.- Keep him safe.

Rengar took the obsidian shard and jumped into the river, just like Tahm Kench had told him to do.

The Fall: 27. Denial (Apex)

Denial (Apex)

Lucian heard the chaos while leaving the cave, and Galio's glowing guided him to the skirmish.

-Are you seeking for help gargoyle? -shouted Lucian while culling in.

...

He should not have come. At least not now.

If Lucian entered the spell's area, Durand's enchantments would hurt him as much as they will punish those beasts. Galio had to interrupt it, and so he did.

-Bastard! -roared Rengar- Why did you let him go?! -asked the beast while jumping on Galio.

-Calm down kitten. -said Lucian while taking aim.- You'd better rest, they might be coming.

-WHO?! -shouted Rengar again, annoyed by the presence of foreigners in his woods. If he had not lost the habit of killing the visitors this situation would have never happened.

-Demacia, Noxus... whoever they are now. -answered Lucian, with his guns still pointing at Rengar's head.- We should be leaving.

But they were given no time to abandon the place.

-There's something we need to talk about.- said the Ziraeth.- But first...

With a glance of the Ziraeth, Lucian turned into stone.

-He'll be fine, gargoyle. -said Darkwill while walking toward the beastly trio that laid in front of him.- There's something we need to talk, and I'm not a friend of human ears.

...

-Don't you see it in her, Garen? -asked Darius.

The girl, once known as a Noxian exile, was looking at him in a strange way. There was something familiar in her, but be it the look, the timid smile or the luminous broken sword, it was not enough for him to recognize his very own sister.

-This can't be her.- answered the self-proclaimed Demacian king.- This is not her. OFF WITH IT, THIS WOMAN IS NOT MY SISTER! GET HER OUT NOW!

-You only need time, you will acknowledge your mistake. -said Darius.- You will do it, given the right time... Do it, Lux.

A waving of the sword, as slash in the air and a bright light preceded the luminous prison that held the Demacian king on its spot. No more words from the Noxians were needed; Garen's face was enough for them to know that he believed them now.

-How? -curiously asked Garen to Darius.- And... why? -he whispered, while looking at his sister.

-It was for Valoran.- said Darius. 

"Thanks, Malcolm." thought the ruling Hand of Noxus. He had never liked the man, but it was clear that he had always been doing some things right. Even his disappearance had been a favour.

The Fall: 25. The Conflagration

The Conflagration

LeBlanc's mimicked version was still with the Ionian outcast and Ezreal, but she had separated from them hours ago.

-Why now? -asked the Ziraeth.

-We just follow the call. -answered Hecarim.- When we're given orders we follow them. When there's war, there's death, and with death the Shadow Isles grow.

-What war? -asked LeBlanc, more curious after every word the Shadow of War pronounced.

-That's none of my concern. -pointed out Hecarim while still rampaging through what was left of the poor side of Bilgewater.- If we're called to war, we go. It's our fate, our duty.

Suddenly, a greenish light hit Hecarim, and his eyes glowed familiarly.

-It's all about Thresh, right? -spitted LeBlanc.

-It's something bigger than you, Ziraeth. -answered a voice through the monster's mouth.- Some things are better kept away from those close to us. At least that's what he said.

-Shut up and answer my question! -shouted LeBlanc.

But there was no answer; Rampaging through what was left, Hecarim had abandoned the place, accompanied by an army of undead spirits that would make sure nothing could stop him. She could still hear Thresh's laugh at the cells he had been confined.

Maybe he had had a reason for trying to kill her. Ans maybe he still had it.

...

Hours had passed since Malcolm had realized that he was alive when he shouldn't and Swain had told him that Aalcox was awaken. It didn't take him long to realize that Aalcox was nervously screaming as he had never heard a Darkin do, and it was taking way longer to shut him up.

-What's wrong with you?! -shouted Malcolm.

-Find the girl and wipe away the risks! -screamed Aalcox in Malcolm's mind.

-Which girl? -whispered Malcolm while struggling to keep his composure.

-KILL THE KING'S SISTER! -screamed Aalcox; now even Swain heard it.

-Which king? -asked Swain with a peremptory voice.

His voice was enough to calm Aalcox down.

-The Demacian king. His sister...

-She died years ago. -pointed out Swain.

-Not really... -said Malcolm with a smile on his face.- She's not dead  at all...

...

-You don't look like a worthy recipient.

-Who are you?! -shouted Astor. He didn't know where the voice came from; he was lying on the ground, covered by plants. Those yellow little beings were still hanging around him, now moving nervously in circles.

-That's none of your concern now. -answered the voice.- Just do as I tell you and I will give you a less painful death than I want to right now.

It had been long since Astor had left words like those unanswered, but that was the first time that he didn't know who he was talking to. For the Void's sake! He didn't even know WHAT he was talking to.

-Just bring me where I want to go. -said the voice, now calmer.- Then I'll make you free of the agony of living.

And it would still be long before he ever let anyone fool him.

-I think you don't realize who you're talking to. -confidently said Astor, before agonizingly screaming and bending in pain.

He was going through such an agony that he didn't even realize that the little yellow fellows were gone. But they weren't leaving for long...

...

-They escaped. -answered Garen from the throne that had once been of his old friend and king Jarvan Lightshield the fourth of his name.

-I guess they are being hunted down like the filthy scum they are... -answered Darius.

-They got into the forest. -replied Garen.

-Oh, and I guess that your scouts can't follow a track when it takes a little effort, right?

-You're not understanding a single word of mine. -said Garen while taking a map that was hanging on the wall and throwing it on the floor in front of Darius.- They got into the Forest.-said Garen again.

-I'll bring you enough men to cut that forest down tree by tree. -said the hand of Noxus.- and then we will raze Bandle City to the ashes.

...

The small yordle-like creature transformed in the blink of an eye; a huge bloodthristy beast was now between them and a voidborn abomination that had suddenly appeared. And some seconds later, another monster was jumping from a bush nearby; the ferocious feline-like beast was on the voidborn beast in a second. Shyvana could see how they fought each other with an innate hate that scared the soul out of her.

-You're leaving. -said Galio, turning towards the 3 huge beasts that were fighting besides them.

-And you're coming with us! -screamed Shyvana.- We won't leave you behind!

-FLY, YOU FOOLS! - roared the white feline beast while holding the Voidborn on the floor.- NOW, OR I SWEAR I'LL CUT YOU DOWN TO PIECES AFTER FINISHING HIM!

-Leave.- said again Galio while walking towards the battle.- I'll catch up to you.

-But...

-Do it. -ordered Galio.- Reach Bandle City, tell them what's about to come and live. I'll catch up to you.

Without looking back, Shyvana carried Poppy, Taric and Sona on her back and left the place. A blazing path showed him where they were going, but Gnar, Rengar and Kha'Zix were way more important now than a path to follor.

...

-Care with Gnar.-shouted Rengar.

It took long for Galio to realize that the beast was talking to him. Shortly after, the so-called Gnar jumped on him.

-Do not hurt him! -roared the white fiery beast.- He'll calm down in a while! Just leave!

-I'll help you.

-YOU WON'T! -said Rengar throwing a bola to Galio's feet.

Only then the hunter realized his mistake. A gust hit both Kha'Zix and him, who ended one on each other's side laying in the floor. Suddenly, Galio shot a blast and both monsters laid on the ground crippled.

-How'd you dare... -angrily whispered Rengar before disappearing.

Without hesitation, Galio started to shine as he had done only in the most dangerous of times. Gnar, now small again, was throwing rocks at him. The voidborn creature woke up and slowly walked towards him, trying to hurt him in a desperate try of getting something out of the fight.

And then he heard his voice.

The Fall: 21. Consume and adapt

Consume and adapt

-We found them. -whispered Taric to Sona. -What's that thing you're holding?

She hadn't realized; her etwahl was at her hands; again, the instrument managed to find itself in her hands no matter what the fate might place between them. Calmly, Sona started to play her music. The whole woods felt different, more alive than any other forest had ever been. Song of celerity.

-I see. That'll be helpful. - said the gem knight while pointing at a wounded yordle that laid in the floor besides Shyvana and Galio.

...

The little creature jumped off of Galio's head and started walking towards two people that were coming towards them; after a while, Shyvana recognized Sona and Taric. Without hesitation, she carried Poppy towards them as carefully as she could.

-Taric! Sona! It's so good to find you here! -said Shyvana.- We couldn't wait you at the meeting point; we were being chased, and the woods were the only place where the Demacian rangers wouldn't have followed us.

-She needs to be treated. -urged Taric, pointing at Poppy's hand- Sona might have a way of helping her better than I; my power is not enough in such a situation.

-If something has to be done, she needs it to be done now. -said Galio with a deep voice- There's not much time left.

...

Sona nodded her head while playing her etwahl. She had missed it so much; she had felt weak without it, and she had felt unable to explain herself. Yes, Taric was sympathetic and he usually knew what she needed, but even gems and Taric's empathy had their limits.

She could feel how everyone calmed down while she played her music. Aria of Perseverance.

...

Rengar could see how the yordle's bleeding arm quickly turned into a stump that looked as good as an injure like that could. That kind of magic still fascinated him; to fight an enemy with such a power would have been a great honor for him, and the musical instrument would look great as a trophy.

But Rengar needed to focus. Where was Kha'Zix?

...

Gnar could feel something strange in the air. He could feel the friendlyness of the humans; the gargoyle and the yordle were no threat to him. Also, kitten was looking at him from the trees. But there was something more, and that unexpected presence made him angry.

Gnar was angry, and not seeing where the unexpected presence was bugged him even more than usual. Gnar was angry. Gnar was really angry.

-GNAAAAAAAAAR!

...

Rengar saw it all happen.

Kha'Zix had jumped onto the two humans that were healing the yordle while the gargoyle and the half-dragon talked aside, but his leap had been interrupted by Gnar's hand.

The voidborn abomination had landed on a tree in an awkward position, but Kha'Zix wouldn't stop after that. Rengar knew that the annoying bug wanted him to go in; it was a competition, nothing but a show for him now. And Rengar commited to it.