Keepsake of the Elemental

Chapter 1 – Under Purple Stone

The Institute was more than Ronan expected, but less than what he had heard from the other summoners.

Pillars of purple stone lined the great staircase that led up to its double obsidian doors, while blue flames burned in braziers on either side of the walkway. Nexus crystals were suspended with magic atop pillars that overlooked him and the air was doused with the presence of the arcane. A grand spectacle he thought, but he wasn't there for appearances.

The letter he'd received from the High Councillor had awarded him a place within the ranks of the new breed of summoners in the Institute of War. In his hand, he held the certificate of graduation he'd earnt from his previous college, filling him with confidence and desire to prove his worth. He doubted any of the newbies he'd meet would match his ability with summoning magic, or his potential for elemental manipulation. They wouldn't even come close. His previous mentor had been astonished with Ronan's quick learning and his ability to execute perfect summoning rituals. But that was all small-scale stuff compared to what awaited him here. Ronan needed something more powerful to summon than petty creatures and idols. Ronan needed a champion.

He'd seen the roster of champions at the Institute, ranging from war-bent demons of the ancient world, to gifted mages and talented inventors. Everything in between he was yet to discover. With over a hundred champions calling the Institute their home while the summoners used their powers to settle the world's debates, Ronan was sure he was going to find his match. A champion that he could channel his ability through.

With a smile on his face and a glint in the purple of his eyes, Ronan ascended the stairs and pulled open the doors.

More grandeur greeted him inside. Floors of quartz stone polished so much so that he struggled to keep himself from slipping. He wandered on through admiring the vast size of the halls and the many robed men and women milling around the area. Some contained balls of magic between their outstretched hands, with scrolls and spell books tucked under their arms.

He had been instructed to go straight to the High Councillor's office upon his arrival, but as he walked the winding halls, Ronan found himself becoming more and more lost. Everywhere looked the same, and there were no signs or indications as to where the next corridor may lead to. Not even a map? How is anyone meant to know their way around this place? he thought.

'Excuse me?' he said, trying to attract the attention of the many robed summoners as they rushed around the corridors on their business. No one stopped, most didn't even seem to hear him. They just carried on right past, maybe only sparing enough time to shoot a glare his way. He was not one of them, an outsider. One apparently they didn't want to talk to.

Ronan continued to wander the corridors aimlessly, searching for something that may lead him to the office. Eventually, the purple light of a glowing nexus crystal led him towards an end of the Institute that seemed to be less populated by summoners, and busier with official looking councillors. Their robes were darker, their hoods kept down to give view of their more mature faces. Some bore tattoos of rune magic inscribed onto their skins.

'Can you tell me where I can find the High Councillor?' Ronan asked one as they past. He was delighted when they finally stopped and looked at him, confirming that he wasn't invisible.

'A new summoner, hm?' the man said. 'You are heading in the correct direction. The door at the end of this corridor on the right will bring you to High Councillor Kolminye. You best have an appointment. She does not like her time wasted.'

Before Ronan could show off the invitation he'd received from the Institute, the man had gone. His eyes darted around in search of where he had gone, but soon they settled on the direction the man had meant. He found it, noticing the far door at the end of the corridor was gilded and framed with purple light. Obviously more important than any other it seemed.

He knocked politely before a voice inside ushered him in. Behind an ornate desk with countless scrolls splayed across it's top was the High Councillor of the Institute, Vessaria Kolminye. For the first time since arriving at the steps of the organisation, Ronan was actually impressed. Vessaria was a mature looking woman, with her mahogany hair tied in a tight bun. Her eyes were piercing and seemed alive with the flare of deep magic. When the dark irises landed on him, he felt her measuring his worth, looking into his soul and gauging his potential. She brushed her robe off as she stood to greet him.

Behind her desk, Ronan noticed a large nexus crystal floating above a blue pool of magic. It let out a low hum as the magic pulsed through the crystal.

'Ronan, I presume?' she said in a voice laced with nobility and knowledge.

'Yes, High Councillor,' Ronan replied. She gestured for him to take a seat in front of her desk.

'I must say Ronan, I'm impressed. Your ability displayed in your previous college far exceeds any of our new summoners. It is not often I have considered adding a new summoner straight into the Diamond ranks. I think you'll do quite fine here.'

Ronan felt himself smile. The confidence he had from his previous school was helping to settle his nerves, and to hear it from the highest summoner only spurred him on more. 'Thank you, High Councillor.'

'Let's stick to Vessaria for now, Ronan. We're in my study after all. Only refer to me by my title when we're on the Rift. Which I'm sure we'll see each other on soon enough,' Vessaria said with a smile.

'I hope so,' Ronan replied, keeping up his manners and polite tone. First impressions were important, especially in the presence of a summoner of Vessaria's rank.

'But tell me, Ronan. Your magic goes beyond that of common summoning spells, am I correct?'

Ronan nodded.

'How about you show me?' she said.

With a flick of her slender fingers, a small target made of smoke appeared in the air. 'Hit the mark,' she instructed. Ronan stood up and reached into the magical reserve at the back of his mind. He knew which of his powers he was going to show, the one he was most specialised in.

He felt the surge of electricity in his blood, weaving its way up his arm before gathering in his hand. He outstretched his palm, the magic swelling between his fingertips. He let it go, sending five strands of shock lightening at Vessaria's target. Immediately as the lines of electricity impacted the smoke, it dissipated into nothingness.

Vessaria raised an eyebrow. 'Impressive. Elemental magic I see?'

'Yes, Vessaria. Shock is my preferred element. But I can do a few others,' said Ronan. He raised a hand, flicking his thumb like a lighter and igniting a small flame. 'I find fire a little boring. Everyone uses fire magic.' With his free hand he shot a stream of water over the flame to douse it out. 'Water gets a little messy,' he smirked.

Vessaria watched with interest. 'Where did you learn that? Summoning schools wouldn't have taught you that.'

'No, they didn't,' Ronan admitted, still with flecks of magic orbiting his hand. 'I picked it up myself. The mage books I'd find in the school's library and around the marketplaces taught me a great many things,' he replied, secretly finding pride in Vessaria's admiration of his ability. He decided to refrain from showing her his spirit control, for now.

'Now then Ronan,' she said, standing up from the desk. 'There's one last thing I must take care of before you are welcomed as a summoner in the Institute of War.' Vessaria stood from her desk and gestured for Ronan to follow her. He walked around to the other side of the room where the large nexus crystal floated. 'Summoning magic of this level involves complete control and access over one another's minds. In the case of our organisation, you will be looking into the minds of your champion, while at the same time they will be looking into yours. It is how the connection works. I'm sure you're aware of this from your previous training?'

'Yes, Vessaria. It's never really been an issue for me,' he said, inspecting the crystal that hummed with energy.

'Perfect. So you do not mind me simulating the connection to ensure your mind is capable of it? I will see into your memories, but know that this is all conducted in confidence.'

'Of course. Please, go ahead.'

Vessaria smiled a motherly smile, before nodding to the nexus. 'Place your hand on the nexus. I will do the same and then we will be briefly connected. If you complete this without issue—as I'm sure you will—then I will be happy to personally welcome you into the Institute. When you're ready,' she said, placing her hand onto the crystal.

Ronan paused to take a moment to breathe before gently pressing his palm onto the icy smooth surface of the nexus. Instantly, a surge of energy shot into his mind and he felt the presence of the High Councillor amongst his memories. A void swirled in his purple eyes, smoky and unclear. He saw a projection of Vessaria as she sifted through the fog, before flashes of her own past melted into view. Her acceptance as a new summoner, her first match on the rift, her ascension through the ranks until he saw the day she accepted the role of High Councillor. While he felt intrusive seeing into this woman's past, she seemed willing to let him.

Once the echoes of her life faded away into dust, new images started to arise in his mind. Visions of his time in his previous college, the people he met and the creatures he summoned. But nothing more. As the connection tried to delve deeper into Ronan's past it found…nothing. Vessaria seemed confused, but at the same time hesitant to pry further. The initial connection was stable and his recent memories were perfectly intact.

The swirling void faded and Ronan's purple eye's focused back on Vessaria's study. Next to him, the High Councillor was looking at him with intrigue.

'Tell me, have you suffered some sort of injury that caused you to lose many of your memories? There did not seem much to explore in your mind.'

'No,' Ronan said. 'I haven't. I just don't seem to remember much further back than that.'

'I see. Well, please forgive me. Your mind is perfectly capable of controlling the magic we wield here. I'd like to be the first to honour you as our newest summoner,' she said, outstretching a hand for him to shake. He smiled, gripping her hand gently.

'Thank you, Vessaria. It is a great honour.'

'I'm glad you think so. Now, there is one little issue I need to raise with you regarding your residency in the Institute. There has been a mix-up with your accommodation and I'm afraid the original place we had reserved for you is not available. I have done some enquiries however, and I've managed to find you a space.'

'Oh, perfect. Thank you. Where will I be staying?' Ronan asked.

'It's within the champions area, the female champions residences to be precise.'

'Oh,' Ronan said, not sure entirely what to think of it at first. Being so close to the champions was perfect he decided, any chance to begin making connections before his matches on the Rift started was great for his reputation as a summoner.

'Is there a problem with that?' Vessaria asked.

'No, Vessaria. That sounds perfectly fine with me.'

Following his induction with the High Councillor, Ronan was given directions to the female champions living area and ultimately where he'd be staying while his quarters were rearranged. He'd also been provided with a proper set of summoner's robes, meaning that the other summoners wandering the halls of the Institute would finally talk back to him when he asked for help.

He milled around the corridors, hoping that he'd remembered Vessaria's directions correctly. He came down a long hallway, one that was better lit with natural light and decorated with more colour than the others he'd seen. One side opened out into a large outside courtyard filled with green flora and beautiful plants. Ronan could see that in the sky, the sun was setting and he was eager to find his room and get some sleep. He'd already been scheduled for a practice game first thing the next morning.

He stopped while he tried to work out which way to turn past the courtyard when a sultry voice broke him from his thoughts.

'What's this?' the silky feminine voice said. 'I haven't seen you around here before.' There was girlish giggle accompanying her words as Ronan looked up. He was stunned to see that strutting her way over to him was a beautiful woman with cascading black hair and eyes of bright gold. She wore a thin revealing kimono with a distinctly Ionian design, fitting tightly to the curves of her alluring body. Ronan couldn't help but stare at her, noticing for the first time the nine fluffy white tails that stretched out behind her.

'I was just looking for the female champion's living quarters,' Ronan said honestly, hoping that perhaps she might be able to help him.

'Oh the female quarters? Aren't you a bold little one? Planning to waltz straight in their and capture the hearts of the most gorgeous women in Runeterra, were you? Well how about you start with the one right in front of you. Who might you be to want access to the women's quarters?'

The fox girl strutted right up to Ronan, running a slender finger down his jawline as her almost canine teeth nibbled on her lower lip.

'I'm a new summoner. Just joined. My room isn't ready yet so I'm going to be sharing with the female champions.'

She pursed her lips, golden eyes flaring with a lusty heat as she raised a black eyebrow. 'Oh how I like the sound of that. You're going to cause quite the stir for the girls looking like that. I'll have to fight them off you,' she said with teasing tones and the manicured nails of her hand resting on her chest. 'Or I could just take you for myself right now.'

Ronan was captured by the golden prison of her bright eyes, watching them as they slowly turned a shade of pink and doused with lust. He felt his muscles slowly relax and his senses focus on the smell of the girl in front of him. He longed to touch her, a strange urge to hold her and press his lips to hers. The warmth continued to rise in his core as she did not look away from him.

'There aren't many champions on the rift capable of charm magic,' he said, controlling the urges that she was pushing his body to feel. Instantly, she looked annoyed, pouting her lips as her eyes returned to their normal colour.

'Oh you're good,' she said, still admiring him. 'Even some of the best summoners here struggle to notice the effects of my charm, I'm impressed Summoner…?'

'Ronan,' he replied.

'Call me Ahri,' she said, taking a hold of his hand. 'I'll show you to the female quarters, don't you worry.'

It clicked in Ronan's head. Ahri was notorious amongst the champions for her flirtatious ways. He'd read her story and checked her abilities. Her charm magic was central for any summoner wanting to understand how to control her on the Rift. Maybe he'd have a chance to try her out sometime.

He let himself be dragged by the hand down the hall, admiring the white tails that emerged from Ahri's kimono. Eventually, she pushed a door open, bringing them into a large open area with comfortable looking couches with plush cushions and many doors leading off to other rooms. A large screen was set up at one end, surely to allow the champions to watch the ongoing matches.

'This is the common room,' Ahri announced. 'You'll spend a lot of time here. We definitely do,' she said with a wink. 'Girls! We've got a newbie,' she called out. A few doors opened and some champions poked their heads around their doors.

Ronan recognised a few of them immediately. His time studying the roster of champions was paying off now that he was starting to see them in the flesh. Irelia was the first to leave her room and come down to meet Ronan. She was easy to identify, mainly due to the six floating blades that followed behind her head. With the briefest movement of her hand, they would move to their master's will and swirl effortlessly through the air.

She came to stop in front of Ahri, looking Ronan up and down with baby blue eyes.

'What's this about, Ahri? Why is there a summoner here?' she asked.

'He's going to be staying with us, Irie!' Ahri chirped delightedly.

'I told you not to call me that. The blades might not miss you next time you do,' she said, moving past Ahri to greet Ronan. 'Irelia, Captain of the Ionian Guard, at your service.'

'Ronan,' Ronan replied, shaking Irelia's dainty hand, whilst watching her blades warily.

By the time he had met Irelia, other champions had turned up in the common room. He knew Ashe from the pictures of her he'd seen advertising the Institute, although the outfit she was wearing was totally new to him. She wore a bright red and gold corset that clung to her top half tightly, and her white hair had been curled with a heart clip keeping it together. She wore stockings on her legs and high heeled shoes that clacked on the floor.

Before Ashe had a chance to say hello, another familiar face raced up to Ronan, namely the young pyromaniac Annie.

'Tibbers doesn't like you!' she cried at him. 'He told me to burn you. Don't make me hurt you!' she said, with flames curling in her right hand. Her treasured bear Tibbers hung on her other arm, thankfully not unleashed like Ronan had seen during games on the Rift.

'Woah there, Annie,' Ashe said, taking the little girl by the hand and tugging away from Ronan. 'I'm sure Tibbers didn't say that. You aren't supposed to burn people off the Rift, remember?'

'Oh another summoner getting lost and trying to perve on the female champions, greeeeat,' another voice said, filled with angst. A girl with large fluffy ears much like Ahri's and several feather daggers between her fingers came and sat down lazily on one of the couches in the common room. She twirled the feathers idly around before throwing them so they stuck in the far wall.

'Come on Xayah, he's staying. Come and say hello,' Ahri said. The girl huffed, but showed no interest in coming over.

While Ronan was greeting the many champions, he did not notice that another door had opened and a white-haired girl carrying an extremely oversized sword on her back had come down. She walked past the welcoming party without so much as a look.

'Riven, aren't you going to say hello?' Ashe asked her. The girl turned, her white hair falling over her intense crimson eyes. She quickly looked at Ronan, before turning the door handle.

'I'm going to train,' she said flatly. She hauled her sword away and disappeared down the corridor.

Ahri snorted. 'You won't get much out of her. She's not a people person, Ronan,' she said.

'I see,' he replied. He kept his gaze on Riven as she left down the hall, watching her with interest.

There was definitely plenty to understand in the Institute, and Ronan was ready to learn.