Seven years...

"Nonetheless, it is your only option. All other possibilities have been exhausted, and the League is willing to intercede in this way and this way alone."

The flickering projection darkened the centre of the well lit room. An image of a man, his features obscured by a heavy hooded robe, seemed to cast shadows on the hearts of all those who had gathered to discuss their last hope.

Silence reigns supreme.

"Make you choice."

Seven years of hell...

The Ionian leaders glance wearily at each other. They had been told that there would be chance for resolution, that there would be a possibility to end the war with the Noxian invaders once and for all. But they hadn't been told of the cost or of the incredible toll should their gamble fail.

The League representative had dispelled all illusions. The rules drawn out and laid bare.

There had been hope.

"We... We accept the League's terms..."

Now, there was only the realization that perhaps they were making a deal they would ardently regret.

"Understood. Choose your champions. You have a fortnight to prepare."

The image vanished as the League representative cancelled the projection spell, leaving nothing but doubt and fear in his wake.

"Who... Who will we call?"

"We've been in communication with the Kinkou Order. They've allowed one of their three-man cells to battle on behalf of all of Ionia."

"Can they be trusted?"

"Can we risk not doing so? The Kinkou have fought the Noxians with as much passion as any other Ionian. And if the stories of the League are true, then we are wholly unprepared for the champions Noxus will field."

"Which cell are the Kinkou sending?"

"The Fist, the Heart and the Eye."

Silence.

"Then.. Perhaps there is yet hope? We need but two more champions."

"There is a Wuju Blade-master who will gladly fight for our cause."

"A practitioner of Wuju? But were they not..."

"One remains. And I can guarantee his hatred for those who left him with nothing but solitude burns brighter then the mid-day sun."

"That leaves us with..."

"We know who shall be out last. She has already partaken in League battles. She has already faced Noxus on the League's battlefields. And she is most sympathetic to our cause. I suppose her kinship to us, hard as it may be to see today, does move her heart. We are certain of her participation on our behalf."

"Then it is settled. The five shall face Noxus."

"If they fail..."

"Fifteen years..."

"No chance to retake the provinces by force..."

"We are beholden to the League's rules regardless of outcome, my friends. All we can do is pray..."

And hope...


"I... I worry."

The blue-skinned mystic sat opposite one of the Ionian monks of the council.

"This is about Yi, is not?"

"He seems-"

"Overly focused? I'd imagine he'd be. We're offering him a chance like no other."

"Is it not... Beneath us to use his emotions thus?"

The monk closes his eyes in contemplation, exhaling slowly.

"Perhaps. Though it loathes me to say so, but sometimes we must think of the many, and put their needs before the needs of the few."

"Still-"

"If he worries you so, my dear Soraka, then by all means ensure his safety in the battle ahead. Perhaps of all the members of your team, he is the one most in need."

Wrinkles in the ageing monk's face curve upwards as he smiles.

"And as for them, I am sure the Kinkou will be invaluable on the battlefield. Their loyalties are to their order first and to us second, but are we not all Ionians?"

Across from them, in a training yard the monks used for sparring, three figures leapt and struck at each other with the practised rhythm of long-time combatants. Every once in a while, the sound of an ability discharging could be heard over the steady din of weapons parrying blows. Lightning would periodically flash from the clear skies and hit the ground were one of the three would have been standing mere moments beforehand.

Further back, under the shade of a blossoming cherry tree, a lone warrior sits, methodically sharpening a massive two-handed sword. The task consumes the warrior's every ounce of concentration, almost as though if he were not occupying himself with some idle task, he would be compelled to take action, any action. Anything to keep the memories at bay.

"We will hold hope in our hearts, my child. You will succeed where we have failed for all these long years of war."

The leader of the trio signals a pause in the sparring. As his companions rest, he glances for but a moment at both the single-minded warrior and the blue-skinned mage. The second flows past, and he signals the renewal of the training.

One heart, alone among so many, hoping that the wise-man was right.

Three souls united as one, void of desire, their path already decided.

And one mind, sharper then the blade it beheld, as empty as the souls of the three, and lonelier then the heart would ever know.


...who...

...matters not...

...victory unquestionable...

...nonetheless...

...her?...

...Demacian assignment, unavailable...

...the raven?...

...he is... Likewise unavailable, the reasons being...

...then?...

...simple...

...the axe shall guard...

...the cleaver shall strike...

...the rat shall stalk..

...the wolf shall slay...

…and the rose shall lead...

...doubt?..,

...none...

...hope?...

...none...

...a triumph eternal...

...Noxus above all others...

...Noxus above all others...


AUTHOR'S NOTE: I had actually written this out prior to the announcement of the Ionian vs Noxus rematch. It's meant to be their first League-sanctioned fight, which occurred seven years after the start of hostilities between the two nations, if I'm getting my lore right. I hope this clears that up!

ADDENDUM: Since two people have asked in me reviews why I placed Twitch on the Noxus team: According to the lore, Twitch's one desire is to replicate the process that granted him sentience. He is formally aligned with Zaun, and Zaun has stated that they support his ambitions. Zaun is allied with Noxus. There is a note to the effect that Zaun's champions and mercenaries fight on behalf of Noxus on many occasions. There is also a note of the dislike Zaun has for the Ionians. Finally, Zaun fought alongside Noxus during the Ionian invasion. Hence, his presence on the team is hardly surprising, nor does it go against lore.