Sunrise O’er the Mountain

Previously

Like a trapped lion the monster grew furious, its silhouette changing as sparks formed upon its skin, its muscles reshaping giving it twice the size it had before, as the smell of blood at the air increased its lust for murder.

It began slamming its armored body upon the shields of the warriors but with no avail, their footing bared no mistake and their hold stood resolute, like stone they blocked the fiend’s exit.

The beast’s gaze finally fell upon the Noxian warrior, the root he entered now blocked, he was trapped in there with the beast, and only one of them would make an exit out of that wall.

The bright aura that was directed from the man’s arms was a unique sight for the warriors to observer, only few of the Rakkor had magical powers, lesser used themed in combat, for many a dishonorable act to be used at a dual, but his opponent was no man.

The fiend began making circles around the young warrior, observing its soon to become meal, or so it thought, claws like swords ready to tear down his flesh, as its tongue licked the daggers it had for teeth.

A Journey of Understanding

Previously

Many years have passed since the last time an outlander was permitted to venture within the grand city, a sight unwelcoming to many of the individuals within it, the last time one had gained passage led to the massacre of the elder council.

Eyes observed the man from every corner, a possible thread could be the description that could best describe their thoughts towards him, but none would interrupt his passage through the city, to be proven worthy was the law for someone to live and the opposite to perish if judged so, the remaining Rakkor at the mountain proof that it was an act that worked.

Despite the mist around the mountain side, everything within the city embraced with the golden light of the sun, each grand structure around the city having its own mark in their history, and built by masters of the craftmanship of marble.

The sun protectors were the division that stood outside the golden temple, never resting guardians that were given the duty to guard the temple day and night, their bodies trained to their full potential, to be given such a duty was the greatest honor one could bring to his family for the Solari.

Their division did not wear the ordinary armors like the rest of the tribe, they were equipped with golden themed metal similar to the one Leona wear, their shields and weapons bearing similar traits and sculptures with the insignias of both the Solari and the sun, their duty sealed as they were forbidden to ever set foot outside the area of the temple unless ordered by their leader.

Upon noticing their arrival, a group of five warriors began coming down from the temples stairs, four of them standing back their shields raised to chest level and blocking the path forward as the leader of the group stood at the front.

“ Halt Thanos, what business you bring at the temple?” The templar asked.

“ An outlander requested to have the chance to speak with our leader, he have proven himself by accomplishing to come to the city gate alive and was deemed worthy to enter the city.”

The guardian stood silent for a second, for an outlander to pass the trial was nearly impossible, and to actually view the man in front of him remaining unscratched from the battle made him wary.

“ To pass such a trial and remain as you are outlander proves that you had aid, being by person or magic, how can I trust a man that comes to my sight and does not have dirt at his clothes to prove his achievement?”  Was all the man added, his spear piercing the ground several meters away from Renzus, a small wave of mud landed at the man’s shoes.

YAY LEONA … And I like clouds and smoke too much aah. 

Terror in the mist

- ~Continued from here~

“I do not expect you to understand our ways outlander, nor I expect you to follow, it takes years for them to be taught and many more to understand the meaning behind them.”

Leona plainly added, before turning to observe the path that lead to the campsite, the warriors were already half way there, one carrying the injured warrior at his back, a small smile formed at her lips as they all got out of this alive, something that the mountain almost never allowed.

“You appear to be a good omen for my warriors, and as I promised you before I will allow you to rest with us at our campsite, please follow me and stay wary, the mountain is unpredictable and it should never be taken lightly.”

Was all that the Templar added before she started walking, her greaves crashing any stones that stood in her path, the bright aura of the sun never leaving from her side, as it shinned proudly upon her golden armor.

Sunrise O’er the Mountain

- ~Continued from here~

“Spears up! Shields at chest level, low movement, do not let those fiends get the better of us!” Were the orders that came from the captain of the guard.

The Rakkorian division following his orders without a moment to pass, like a wall the formed their shields and began moving around in a circular way, their spears ready to slay any fiend that dared to make a jump on them.

But the monsters only grew more vicious with the warriors’ movement, feeling like they were provoked to attack, and that was what the circular movement was for.

Within seconds the monsters began slamming upon their shields, spears piercing through each one that dared to try to break their wall, each hit resolute, without a moment of hesitation.

“Do not worry , you will soon have your chance to show us your tricks.” Said the captain at the Noxian warrior.

The creatures were falling one after another making a mass of bodies surrounded the warriors, it was a massacre, each warrior having their selves covered with the monsters’ blood.

Soon all that remained was one, and the warriors were about to use that one to see if the foreigner was worthy to procced further, surrounding the creature they allowed no exit, as trapped it circled around to find an exit.

“ Go in the circle and show as the color of Noxus boy, show us what your warriors are capable of...”

Leona quickie Done using Samsung Galaxy Note 4

A Journey of Understanding

It was a fair and reasonable demand, one that Renzus was more than willing to comply with. He traveled light, having left his sidearm back at the Nest, the sword he used to fight through the mountain’s ethereal guardians left behind at the edge of the mists. He lifted his arms, allowing the warriors to search him. Their hands were rough, but thorough, patting him down and turning out his pockets.

He had nothing to hide, however. No hidden weapons on his person. Eventually, the two guards finished their search, revealing nothing except a small pouch of travel rations and coins.

“I trust I am sufficiently unarmed enough for your standards?” He asked, lowering his hands to his side once the two guards backed away.

Ignoring the man words, he waited for the warriors he sent to make their statement about what they had found upon the man.

The warriors were quick to respond to not allow their leader to think otherwise.

“He is clear sir, nothing was found upon him and his attire is lightly armored, this outlander is clearly not an invader.”

The captain only nodded before turning his gaze upon Renzus.

“It appears that I was mistaken stranger, do not judge me ill, we hardly see stranger coming to our land on friendly terms, but make no mistake, within our holy city you will have to be on your best behavior, make trouble and we will have our fun by breaking your bones.”

With that the captain turned to the enormous gate behind them, shouting for the rest to hear.

“Open the gate, this one was granted passage!”

With that the warriors within the city’s walls began to move the levels of the heavy machinery once more, revealing the majestic city that was kept hidden from the great wall.

“ Follow me warrior, we will guide you to the temple, and I expect you to treat our leader with honor.”

Time for War

pantheon-god-of-war

There was no end to the numbers of their foes machinery, with each one that fell it was replied by three, weren’t it from the storm that was protecting them from the noxians sight they would have already bombed the temple.

Leona experience was quick to kick in as she observed the darkness from the storm that the aspect of war was providing, with a signal she ordered the archers to stop firing.

“Let’s use the element of the storm for our own benefit, switch to nigh arrows!”

With that command the warriors snuff out the fire from their arrows, black themed as they were they would be invisible for the enemy forces that would land soon.

The aspect of the sun would not allow passages to many of their foes, even with the Rakkorian elite warriors, the Noxian forces were still far greater, a battle with their full power would only ensure their defeat.

Climbing at the highest peak that was close to her and unsheathed her zenith blade, pointing it at the sky, she felt the fury of the spirit within her, the hatred for the invaders that dared to set foot to the holy mountain, a golden aura surrounding her as the clouds were pushed away from the sunlight that was directed upon her.

The hatred that she felt from the spirit was a great force, a force that wished to consume her, guide her to an uncontrollable blood lust, but the Templar would not give in to the temptation.

Her voice echoing around the mountain side as she spoke, directed to their foes as a thunder from the storm that was yet to come.

“Leave now and you will be spared, or land and parish, at this holy ground only death awaits you invaders…”

There was no response from the commanders of the air machines, only a brief pause to their movement, giving the sign that they were thinking of their next move. It didn’t last long though, the next second the noxians began firing bombs at the ground, showing their decision clearly.

Leona’s gaze focused at the sky, focusing on the explosives that were falling at the ground, destroying their land, their ground city’s buildings, a clear mockery to her act of mercy.

Her Zenith blade was surrounded by the same golden aura that around her body, holes of sunlight began to pierce through the clouds of the storm, making it look like it was raining fire.

“Then witness the power of the sun and tremble.”

With her last words added it began, the sunlight piercing through the clouds, falling directly upon the Noxian ships, the heat of it passing through their ships like butter, cutting a dozen of them in half, the crews within them turning into ash as their screams once more echoed around the area.

With each ship that fell from the sun wrath the noxians grew worried, their hopes of winning the battle becoming gloomy, but their leaders would not allow them a retreat, instead they kept pressing onward, to take the battle at the ground.

Terror in the mist

He was a giant of man, his height comparing to the Artisan of war, the scars upon him resembling a cutting board, his body having the figure of a warrior. The clothes that he wore directing that he was a man from the north. A greatsword was his weapon, it was nothing unexpected for her eyes judging by his size.

No symbols or banners were upon him, so from what his outfit shown he was most likely a mercenary.

His sarcasm would be far more welcome if it was intended later on, instead a grim face was what he would view from his point, even with all the brightness that surrounded her she still remained cold and direct.

“ I’m the Aspect of the sun, my being and attire directed to its eternal brightness.” She spoke out, the sun was still proudly standing above them, keeping the mist away from them.

She listened the reasons of the outlander carefully, it appeared that her move was indeed for the greater good, but that would only stop the man for the time, the lesser the people that knew of this the better, the creatures were already many as they were, if more people died from hunting them, more would join their ranks.

Yet the thought that was stuck in her mind was what was the reason he aided the Rakkorian warrior, mercenaries to them, were known for not having any pride or honor, their actions only directed for gold.

“ Tell me mercenary, why did you aid the young warrior? How are you even still breathing after such a grave wound?”

He gave a simple answer.

“He needed help.”

As long as this Freljordian drew breath he would stick his neck out without hesitation for someone whose life was about to be snuffed out. He would not let anyone die on his behalf, especially when he brought trouble down upon his head.

“He and his allies came to my aid. I think it’s only fair that I do the same.”

 The corners of his lips twist upwards into a hint of a smile. 

“I think I’ll keep my how to myself for now. Let’s build some anticipation. But I’ll say that it does hurt and I’d appreciate a place where I can rest and recuperate. If you’ll entertain the idea, I’ll tell you about by a fire and with a warm drink.”

The Templar remained silent, ready to hear the man’s view of his action, her grim expression did not leave her features even after she heard Tekun’s heroic point of view.

“That’s a noble point of view, yet remember that the Rakkor are not afraid of death during battle, you gave the kid a chance to fight once more. At least he won’t remain without the chance to make his path through destiny.”

She was about to turn and leave, to ignore the man’s request and go home, but as she was about to do it she stopped, thinking that perhaps it time to try interacting with an outlander after all this time.

“Forgive me for appearing harsh stranger, it has been a while since i’ve seen any outlander coming here without a greater motive in mind. As for your request, it will be granted, I will lead you to one of our outposts to recover, you earned it.”

Morning Sun |  Ana Carolina Macedo

“ The sun may shine bright, but I must forgive, I am in love with the moon and Her beauty. “ 

@theradiantdawn

“I’m sorry to inform you duelist, but what you love is the mere reflection of what I praise and its eternal brightness.”

“ Do you not take a little moment to at least appreciate its beauty? Or am I mistaken of your beliefs, if so then please, my sincere apologies. “

“The beliefs of the Solari state that the moon only brings darkness, the brightness that it has being a gift from the sun, a way for us to survive the night. Now what i believe is an other different question entirely…”

“ But the moon can light up the night sky in a way that the Sun cannot, right? “ She would raise a brow, odd that the other would finish off as she did. “ Now what do you believe, warrior? “ 

“The maps of the stars we have point out that the sun never really stops to share its light with us. Many Rakkorian believe that the light of the moon was a gift from the sun.” She stopped for a second. Thinking about the second question from the swordswoman.

“That I cannot answer to you Fiora, as even I don’t know what to truly believe at this point.”

A pact with Death

It was time for the Solari Templar to follow a different kind of trial that day, her body have been passed from more than one could say that have done in a life time. That was the Rakkor way of life, yet today her structure wouldn’t be the one to be tested, but her spirit.

For days now the aspects of the previous lives that combined with hers, tried to lead her to something, yet their message was unclear, their visions blurry, Leona had to try a new way to find the answer behind all this.

Early at dawn she began the exercise needed to ease her mind, liquors of several kinds combined to create a potion that would aid her with her new trial. She have moved to the Solari temple, the brightest architecture of the Ra-Horak, a tower with a glittering spire of gold-veined marble and polished granite, a building that shined with each dawn.

The Garden was the place that she had in her mind filled with organized lines of flowers and plants of various kinds, and a view that one could observe the whole mountain side and the lively forests from far below. Yet there stood the ‘Tree of the dead’ the one that was dedicated to the fallen warriors, by tradition one would come there and place a part of the fabric of the fallen at its branches, a way of honoring their memory, it was the tallest tree at the garden, shadowing almost half of it, if this act required a heavy spiritual place, this had to be it.

This trip could be one sided, in case she failed to return she had already prepared the notes at whom would take her place. Piercing her Zenith blade at the ground she steadied her shield next to it. Crouching down she closed her eyes and stood in a pose of meditation, slowly inhaling and exhaling the air from her lungs, she had lost the track of time of how many hours she was there, yet she had finally achieved utter calmness.

Finally, she felt her spirit fading from her body, her being viewing it as kind of vision, too fast for her eyes to comprehend. Opening her eyes, she had found herself in a different place, she was surely not at her temple anymore, her form was glowing with a golden aura around it, she felt like she was weightless, this clearly wasn’t their world.

Plants that she has never seen in her life covered the land, while creatures unknown to her surrounded the shadowed corners, the glow of their eyes being the only thing implying their presence there.

A bright glowing aura surrounded her hands, similar to the one that was currently covering her figure, a sign of her summoning her Zenith blade and her great shield of day break, scanning the horizon she decided to move forward and see what awaited her, her feet moving onward marching with a soldier’s footwork.

She would not perish there, that wasn’t her destiny.

@humanoid-kindred

In the Dead Zone, the usual laws of physics don’t apply. Thats because, everthing in this pocket dimesion , is controlled enterely by the Kindred. In a way, it was endless and timeless, and all of the creatures that resided in said place were either created by them or had entered the realm, as per their agreement.

So to have someone living and that willingly entered, it inmediatly set off alarms all over the plane. Not only that, but Leona’s shining aura resonated and echoed, it was as if she was throwing flares in the air ,and in spite of the virtual infinity of the Dead Zone, the Kindred knew exactly where she was and where she was going.

The first thing that happened was that every creature started to slowly back away from the Chosen of the Sun, either crawling to the ground or hiding in the shadows. After a few seconds, Leona would stand alone, with not a single other being near her.

Then, the ground shook, and the land around the Solari seemed to crack and fall into oblivion, leaving only a floating platform where she now stood hovering above nothingness.

Seemingly out of nowhere, steps manifested themselves in front of the platform, leading high into the sky and to a particularly strange black cloud that stood completly still, yet glew with an intense purple color.

“You must forgive us, we so rarely get visitors” A feminine voice exclaimed, resonating all around, as if the very plane was talking “Well…. willing visitors, anyway”

“Come on. You’ve come this far, haven’t you? You better go all the way if you want to speak to us!”  The last word was accompanied by a barrage of thunders from the cloud.” Or go home”

The Templar was quick to notice that the creatures were beginning to vanish, her hunting experience above mount Targon hinting her that for such a rush the predator of this place was not far.

The sudden raise from the ground below her almost pushed her off balance, but she was able to keep her stance, waiting to see where she was lead, her heart started beating fast, she kept her guard, her shield of daylight held high, as her grip around her Zenith blade tightened.

She was ready to face any trial that awaited her the destination, a purple themed mist was all she was able to view, then the voices that echoed like a thunder.

Leona didn’t know what to believe, everything at that place appeared like it was drawn out from the mind of a madman, most of the limitations of her world nonexistent. Yet she had little choice now, as she now had only one real option, to go forward.

She began following the stair path, each step taken with heavy consideration and attention, even a small mistake at this point could be vital.

It felt like hours of Leona being gone. She stared out the cave and watched the snow fall. She knew the warrior was strong by herself, but at the same time she was worried. What if she had fallen in there? Or was she actually in danger? Even though she told her to leave, she wasn’t going to if she heard danger.

Ashe jumped up slightly, but her smile widened when she saw Leona again. She was tempted to get up and hug her from excitement. She looked down at the unlit wood, “Ah.. I guess you are correct..” She rubbed the back of her head.

The archer got up and grabbed a few branches, dragging them slowly deeper in the cave. “Is this a nice spot?” She would ask. “I never usually light a fire in the cave.. Would it scare bats?”

Ashe then crawled back over and grabbed her pile of leaves, a few more branches and pulled them. “Leona.. I’ve been struggling to get the wood to flare. I can’t even get smoke.” She felt embarrassed, she thought she was a good traveller, but she made constant mistakes that Leona had to correct.

Making fire was usually easy to her, but the wood seemed very damp and almost impossible to ignite. “Could you please warm up the wood?”

Piercing her Zenith blade at the ground she made it a stand for her shield to remain up. Crouching down by the fire she observed the ground to find some stones that were untouched from the snow, finding them she kept one at her hand while hitting it with the other, similar to lighter sparks followed after and the wood was set on fire.

Turning her gaze over to the archer she replied.

“This cave has been abandoned for a while, not even bats occupy this cave, this place is not a particular one that I would like to camp, but the weather now gives us little choice.”

Noticing that Ashe now had her cloak she decided to not ask her to return it, perhaps it would suit her well for the cold, her attire being the thinner there. She placed her hands close to the fire to warm up, blowing some air upon them.

Her gaze was caught by the beautiful sight the fire was creating next to them, yet her mind still wondered about her companion, breaking the silence she asked.

“So Ashe what brings you all the way up to our mountain? I wish the circumstances that I asked this question were under somewhere better, but I don’t the weather will give us that comfort. It’s going to take some hours until the blizzard breaks off.”