YoMaster16

    Chapter VI: Gladiator.


    After 2 entire days on the boat, Darius finally arrived. He arrived at the mystical, beautiful and magic filled Ionia. The land was full of life, from the smallest insect to the largest predator they all lived in complete harmony; their skin always looked fresh and powerful 'cause of all the magic that spilled out from the land. Magic created new landscapes, creatures and gave some people the ability to manipulate it and use it for their own intentions. You would think that that was used in negative ways, but it wasn't the case there, people used it with responsibility and in emergencies such as the invasion they had to fight off. The invaders were the armies of Noxus. Noxsians always wanted that land so they could expand their limits and become the most powerful nation. They failed every attempt of invasion. As Darius headed towards the main gates of Ionia, he was stopped by some guards. They questioned his motive of arrival and the means he came with. He explained that he wanted to see a man because there are some questions he wants answers for. They let Darius pass and sent a message to the Empress about a man with a giant axe coming in. In no time the letter arrived and the Empress wanted to see the man.
     Guards were sent after Darius. They found him and brought him in front of the Empress; she gave an order to the guards to be left alone with Darius so she could talk to him. Just as the last guard left the room, the Empress said the following "You are the famous Hand of Noxus right?". Darius reached for his axe and as he put his hand on the handle, the Empress told him to calm down. She knew exactly why he was there, his intentions and everything else. She knew that he didn't come as a spy. She told him that she is the one with the answers he is looking for. "I am the one you search for, but I won't give you what you seek so easily. You will have to earn it. Enter this competition and win and you shall get what you want". Darius nodded in disgust and took the paper. The rules were simple, win the competition. However he was given a handicap, he was not allowed to wear armor and was not allowed to choose his weapon. His weapon was chosen by the one who registered him in his case the Empress. He was given a crappy home and food, the Empress said that he will get better things as he progresses as a fighter. He accepted and was ready to do anything for those answers.

       Chapter Draven: Draven's day.


    Welcome to the glorious life of our beloved and fabulous executioner. Draven is Darius's little brother who is a narcissistic, big ego having, sadistic killing machine. Since he was little, Draven always wanted to be in the spotlight, be better than his brother, cooler and stronger. He always competed with Darius out of jealousy and admiration. He started training with Darius and the general which took them in every day and slowly, with times Draven became what he is today, one of the strongest forces in Noxus. In his free time (while not being on the battlefield) Draven executed war prisoners by throwing his two, massive, spinning throwing axes at them. He always did it for the fame, and fame is what he got, he soon got recognised as one of the most brutal "human" ever. When he was not working for fame, he would visit the local pub where he was a well known drinker. One day his good friend Swain came with him in hope that he would know where Darius was headed. Of course he didn't care so no answers were spoken. Just when Swain wanted to leave, he saw that Draven was drunk like really really drunk. He grabbed him and walked him home. Several assassin took the chance and attacked while the executioner was passed out. Their efforts were in vain since Swain would never let anyone hurt one of those that helped him get in power. They kept walking and walking until Swain realised that Draven doesn't really have a house, he would always sleep in the prison or the barracks. They settled down on the street where Draven would continuously sing and vomit. Swain stood by him not minding the his annoying singing and the stench.
     A few hours passed by and Draven got sober, he was surprised to see Swain sit on the hard concrete and mocked him "So the master tactician is sitting on the street? HAH!". Swain laughed with him and demanded answers on his brothers whereabouts. Draven told him in a serious voice that he didn't know where Darius is headed nor where he is right now, all he knows is that Darius left Noxus in his hands. Swain smiled and asked the next "Want to go on an adventure?". Draven nodded and jumped up. He was ready to show his brother that he can be better than him anytime he wanted.    
     

    Chapter V: Is it worth it?


    Darius and Poppy parted ways in the dawn. After telling each other goodbye Poppy told him that the Elder will most likely try and make him quit his mission by confusing him. He will also look at the determination someone has in the mission they are having. they waved as they both disappeared into the snow. Darius followed a map which was given to him by Poppy. The weather was unusually calm even frightening at times but that didn't stop our soldier he kept pressing on. He soon arrived in the center of the frozen land. The trees around here were dark colored and twisted, strange aura was coming off of them. They looked even more dead than the trees in the outer side of Freljord. The snow was dense and sticky, nothing like it was a few days ago. No sign of life was around. No prey equals no predators. The air started to get more and more heavy. After miles of walking in these strange woods, a house like building came up. The roof was always shifting in shape so did the house, it always changed to the darkest of colors. Darius walked up with no fear and knocked on the door. The shifting stopped and a slight creek could be heard as the door was slightly opened. "Who is seeking me?" a voice spoke up. Darius told him that he has some questions and he needs answers. He was let in. The air was normal inside and it seemed full of life. Predators, prey and many small animals were having fun inside this seemingly small but big inside house. Darius kept walking until he saw an old man. His beard was so long it could reach the door in which he came in, he was unable to move but his voice was powerful. Darius bowed down in front of the Elder and begged him for his help.
    "Stand Darius hand of Noxus" the Elder spoke. Darius was in shock. He didn't know how the Elder knew about his name. "I know everything yet nothing" he answered. Darius proceeded to tell him his story and his questions. The Elder told him about a person on a land far away from shore. The land is a place where magic is leaking from the crevices. The land was called Ionia. However he was unable to tell the persons identity, because he knew everything yet nothing. Darius thanked the Elder and left. Before going out the door the Elder yelled "My son, you are going through incredible risks for some answers. Is it worth it?". Darius smiled and said the following "Its not for her. Its for me. I need to know why so I can let her go in peace". The Elder smiled at his determination and gave him a scroll to use in emergencies. He left the house, while animals guarded his every step until he reached out from the dark woods where his axe waited for him. A dangerous quests lies ahead even more dangerous than before. Ionia is one of the biggest enemies of Noxus. One misstep and he could die. But that din't stop him as he slowly built a one man boat.

    Chapter IV: Are you the Hero?
 

    A few days have past since we stopped at the village, where Darius is currently resting and helping young kids learn a thing or two about hunting. However it was about time to leave because he still has some question that need to be answered. He thanked everyone and said his goodbyes. The village chief gave him some water and food so he could last longer in this frozen doom. Kids waved as he slowly vanished in the snow storm. The atmosphere was creepy quiet. Winds were strong enough to make him lose balance. He started regretting that he didn't listen to the chief and left too early. There is no going back now. Hours have past and he felt like he was going around in circles. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes like hours and hours like years. Fatigue started getting to him and his walk cycle started becoming slower and slower. From the distance a cave can be seen. The cave had a light within, the sound of fire could be heard from outside, not to mention the heat wave that felt like the caress of a goddess. Darius couldn't resist and walked in ready to fight if needed. As he slowly walked in with his guard up. Looking at the left was nothing, however at the right a hammer was sitting in the corner. The hammer was really big, half of Darius's size. He reached for it and lifted it up. From the distance a voice could be heard "Hey, put it down sir". Darius jumped readying his fists. Surprisingly no one was behind him, or so he thought because the voice came from below his waist. There was a Yordle (a Yordle is a mammalian bipedal sentient feline-like being residing on Runeterra) starring at Darius. She had armor on and a little buckler. Darius put down the hammer and listened to her. Her name was Poppy and she was on a quest to find the hero who can use the hammer in fight just as her master once did. She proceeded to show the hammers strength, it looks like she was not noticing that she was the hero she is searching for. Darius told her, but she denied it saying "Me the hero? Nah".
    They sat besides the fire telling each other their adventures so far. Poppy was from Demacia and Darius from Noxus. The two of the biggest rivals in all Runeterra. But that didn't seem to bother them they instead became really good friends. Poppy brought in a deer she caught earlier so they can eat. Darius expected the deer to be small but he was surprised when he saw a deer that was almost his size. Did he finally meet someone who could overwhelm him in battle? Nah I don't think so. He said. He asked Poppy about Demacia and the royal family she answered with these words "I don't care about them or anything else besides finding the hero". Darius told her about Quill and how he wants some answers. She told him that there is an elder within Freljord in the middle of the land. Getting there is not easy and it is very very challenging. He was ready to go but the storm stopped him from going out. Instead Poppy told him to stay the night and rest up for tomorrow where they will part ways. He sat down against the wall and slowly drifted into the world of dreams where, memories of his past came up. He saw a woman holding a baby while a man embraced them. He didn't know what it meant but he let it go on because the scene was beautiful. The first peaceful sleep he had since leaving Noxus. All he has to do now is find the Elder and his mission might be coming to an end.
 

    Chapter III: Frozen horizon.
   

    Darius was finally ready to enter Freljord. But unfortunately he decided to leave behind his
battle axe, and his only companion. He left it behind just because of its reputation. No one really knew Darius's face but everyone knew the weapon of the Hand of Noxus. Entering a land were war and treachery is common with such a big reputation is not a really good idea. Darius would have to fight of warriors, tribes and most of all assassins. The title Hand of Noxus comes with a pretty big bounty on his head, meaning that he is constantly targeted on the battlefield by outsiders and cast-outs who blend in the enemies and allies using the clothes and armor of those who have fallen.
     He hid the battle axe and entered the frozen land. The wind hurt his face, snow was big enough to make him struggle with walking, predators were everywhere, but he never stopped, he kept on going without hesitation. The wolves slowly started catching up to Darius and soon enough they were all around him. But he never flinched, the smell of fear was no were to be found inside the soldiers soul. The predators walked away and left him alone. After hours of walking, a cave gave him shelter from the furious winds of Freljord. The silence of the cave was torture the only thing that could be heard, was the cracking of the fire. Our hero sat there in absolute silence and kept having flashbacks of his past, childhood, and most of all Quill. That's when he decided to give his objective more attention even more than before. Soon the wind settled down and after a quick power nap, he went out. The storm was gone and the road ended on the end of a cliff. The sight was beautiful even for the frozen land. The lake under the cliff was frozen yet fish still swan around under the thick layer of ice which gave them protection from outside predators, but closing them in with the underwater ones. The line that separates the land from the skies was beautifully grey. Even a warrior such as Darius had to stop and admire natures beauty.
       There was a road leading down from the cliff, which he took. Down at the bottom of the cliff there was a village. This village was covered in ice, the rooftops of the houses were frozen, playgrounds were dangerous yet crowded with children. Even though the place was a frozen nightmare, the village gave off a warm aura. Darius was hesitant in entering, he didn't know what would happen. What if they know who he is? What if it is a trap? Without his axe he was open to attacks. As he stood there a child came up to him and invited him inside the village. He looked deep into the kid's eyes because eyes never lie. He saw that they all had pure intentions. He was greeted by the people and invited into the chief's house. The chief instantly saw that he was a warrior just from his scars and once again his eyes. The chief took a liking towards Darius so he let him stay in the village for a few days. In these days he helped the children understand hunting and helped them develop their techniques. He taught them the meaning of " No fear". He continued to stay in the village until he is fully rested, so his body and mind will be ready for what is about to come.










"What separates men from lesser men? Predators from prey? Fear. Predators smell it. And walk away when they don't"