A/N: Time for something completely different! I'm an avid League of Legends player (especially when it comes to Shadow Isles champions), so here's a little story about them. This story will be very serious compared to some of the chapters from The Fang Lives On! Enjoy!

This is based on Karthus's new Lore, and at the beginning of the story he has not yet become undead.

The Secrets of the Shadow Isles

Karthus felt a chill of anticipation as he approached the ancient lands of Shadow Isles on an old, decrepit boat. Even from a distance, he could see that the Isles were completely covered in an unnatural fog, and even though it was in the middle of the day in the rest of Valoran the Shadow Isles were cloaked in perpetual darkness. It was said that all manner of undead took residence in the depths of the accursed Isles, undead who loathed the living and would attack any who dared step foot. Most sane men would have already fled in fear, or even more wisely, given the Shadow Isles a wide berth in the first place.

To Karthus, it felt like he had finally come home.

Karthus had never felt welcomed among the rest of the living. He had always been fascinated with death, and his actions in his life had reflected that fascination. At one point, he had even faked his own death and examined his own funeral from afar, just so he could experience and understand firsthand the impact that one's death had on others.

Although he had committed no crime, he found himself ostracized by the rest of his community for this last macabre action. That mattered not, for now he was ever more convinced that in death he would find comfort and solace. In the libraries of Noxus, he had learned about the Shadow Isles, the one place on Valoran where death and the undead reigned supreme.

And so he now travelled there, alone and with only the dark magic he had learned from Noxus, to this land of horrors at last. He had heard of terrible squalls and storms that besieged those who dared approach the Isles in the past, but neither the wind nor the waters made any attempt to stop him. It was almost, he mused eagerly, as though the Isles were inviting him to explore their dark secrets.

As he stepped onto the shore, he saw undeath for the first time. A hulking figure, holding an ancient but sturdy shovel with a lantern attached to the rest of the body through a single strap, stood there, looking at this new arrival curiously.

"Who are you, mortal? And why do you dare to approach these Isles?" the figure asked in a guttural but not entirely hostile voice.

"I am Karthus of Valoran," Karthus replied, staring back at the figure defiantly. "I have come to the Shadow Isles to discover the secrets of death, and I have heard that there are certain...individuals…who are masters of such secrets."

"You are either extremely brave or extremely foolish, mortal," it replied. "The secrets of death are not to be trifled with, no matter how fascinated with death you may be. I have half a mind to stop you, but seeing your determination for myself I can already tell that it would be a waste of time if I tried."

The figure sighed, then continued, "If you must see this quest to the end, then seek out the master of metal, Lord Mordekaiser himself. He was the first among the undead, a master of darkness and death and one of the most powerful warriors on the Isles. He may be brutal and destructive, but he does have honor and will be honest with you so long as you show such honesty first."

Karthus nodded to show his understanding. "And where can I find this Lord Mordekaiser that you speak of?"

The figure pointed down one of the roads that led from the shore. "Mordekaiser resides in a great pit down that road. It will be easy for you to find it, and you will not need to turn off to any of the side roads that you will find along the way. When you see him, tell him that Yorick Mori sent you. That way, he will not destroy you on sight."

Karthus nodded and smiled. "I give you my thanks…Yorick."

Yorick nodded. "Before you go, I must give you a very important warning. Do not turn off the road at any point. The isles are teeming with undead, but the types of undead themselves are another story entirely. The roads are travelled by the more civilized and…reasonable…of our denizens, but off the roads foul and feral creatures lurk. Stay on the path I have shown you if you value your life. And above all, do not approach the prison of the Chain Warden."

"The prison of Thresh?" Karthus asked warily. He had heard of the terrifying chain warden of the Shadow Isles, and even he feared the sadistic and terrifying enslaver of souls.

"You will see it in the distance, but make sure you give it a wide berth. If Thresh does find you, tell him what you have just told me; it may very well save your life and your soul," Yorick finished.

"I give you my thanks once again for your warning, Yorick," Karthus replied again. "I will now make my way to Mordekaiser's Great Pit. I bid you good tidings until we meet again."

With that, Karthus picked up what few belongings he had and made his way down the road. As he vanished into the distance, Yorick shook his head at the mortal who was so eager to learn the nature of death. He picked up his shovel and slammed it into the ground. From the hole sprang a small and wiry Spectral Ghoul. Despite its seeming fraility, it was the strongest and fastest of his ghouls and therefore his favorite choice for a messenger.

"Send word to Mordekaiser," the gravedigger instructed, "and tell him of our new arrival. I think he will be most interested."

The ghoul chittered excitedly and zoomed toward the hills, carrying the news of the Shadow Isles' newest arrival.

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A/N: I hope you guys liked it! I'm not sure how many Shadow Isles champions I will include, but I don't think all of them will be included. The only one I know for sure will be featured is Mordekaiser.

Read and review please! :D