"The outcome was decided when they brought an army; and I brought a demon." ~ Swain, The Grand General of Noxus
After Demacia we have 2 mini and 2 major arcs left. It will be Targon mini-arc. Arcane S2. Ruined King. Finale mini-arc. (I'm estimating this to be around 130-140 chapters more. Meaning that the story will most likely end before a full year of its release.)
And this arc would be another 10-15 chapters more I guess.
Chapter is late but you will get another in around 10-12 hours.
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"You place conditions on returning what is rightfully mine?" His voice rose in question. "I help you and your people out of a situation that would have resulted in causalities you cannot fathom and you not only imprison me but you withhold my weapons from me?"
"We would have won without you!" A noble countered.
Gregori turned to him, "You do not know what you were about to face. My spear that you idiots touched killed over a hundred soldiers. And knowing him, he probably did not even transform. He was toying with you. You were nothing but playthings. That costed you a hundred soldiers. What would you do if I told you the weapon is only at half its full power?" He growled, "You do not face such creatures.... you pray that it ignores you."
The noble stepped back into the crowd, not willing to speak further.
"It is for that reason I cannot let you walk around Demacia with those weapons in hand. You might not use them but there are those here that would willingly ignore your warnings." Jarvan replied calmly. "Which is why I place the condition....."
Gregori sighed, "What is your condition?"
"My scouts have confirmed the presence of a sizable force marching in our direction. Your message has been verified." Jarvan took a breath. "Your weapons will be returned to you and you and your children will be guaranteed safe passage through Demacia if you assist us in repelling the oncoming forces."
Gregori blinked. They wanted him to fight for them? He never wanted to serve anyone ever again.
But the enemy had that mage. Sylas.
"Kill him while he's down."
Those words rang in Gregori's head. The same words he had heard as he had his legs pulled out from under him as his fight against Brokvar Ironfist. He remembered how Sylas had faced him after watching him fight his way out of the encirclement. He remembered looking up at Sylas as he stood on death's door.
No.
He looked to Jarvan, his eyes hardening.
No. He wouldn't let any of these men take Sylas's head.
"I accept. But on one condition." Gregori spoke.
"Speak your condition." Jarvan acquiesced.
He stepped forward, "That mage..... Sylas. He is mine to face."
Jarvan leaned forward. "Why should I let you go after the man that killed my father?" Rising to his feet, he pushed further, "Why should I let you deny my revenge?"
"Me and him.... we have unfinished business..." Gregori met his gaze without flinching. "And he did not kill your father."
"WHAT!" Jarvan yelled. "His killing of my father is widely known. Ask any guard here."
"But which guard told you this?" Gregori looked around at the nobles and the guards. "Which guard first saw Sylas stand over the dead body of your previous king?"
"If this is some twisted game Gregori..." Jarvan's eyes were red with anger as he threatened.
"Answer the question." Gregori cut in. "Who among the guards said it?"
Jarvan faced Gregori down, trying to detect if he was playing a game with him, insulting him for not giving the weapons back, insulting his father's memory.
Gregori stared right back at him, his expression cold and unfeeling.
"Who was the one who found my father?" Jarvan asked, his eyes never leaving Gregori.
When no one replied, he broke away from Gregori. "WHO WAS IT?!"
One guard stepped forth, "It was Captain Jaredan your highness."
Jarvan's gaze bore down upon the man, "Captain... Jaredan? The Captain who is in custody?"
The guard nodded fearfully, "Y... yes your highness."
"So you are telling me that Captain Jaredan was the only witness to my father's murder? And none of you.... NONE OF YOU DECIDED TO CHECK IF HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH?!" Jarvan thundered.
The nobles stood in shock having never seen their young king display such emotion.
"Your highness. There was an uprising. The guards couldn't verify the information." Xin Zhao calmly spoke from beside Jarvan. His words had the intended effect as they forced him to think clearly.
Jarvan let out a breath and turned to Alain. "Bring Captain Jaredan to me right now."
Alain closed his eyes and replied with clenched fists, "Your highness, Captain Jaredan has escaped our custody and killed the guards watching him."
"AND IT TOOK YOU THIS LONG TO TELL ME THIS INFORMATION?!" Rage overtook Jarvan once more. "IT WAS YOU WHO STEPPED FORTH TO CLAIM JAREDAN AS YOUR PRISONER WAS IT NOT?!"
Alain nodded stiffly.
"As much as I enjoy this outburst your highness...." Gregori cut in. "I have yet to hear your reply to my condition."
"Did Jaredan kill my father?" Jarvan asked, his voice low.
Gregori shook his head, "Your father was killed on the orders of the Noxian Grand General Jericho Swain. Jaredan was probably a spy sent to infiltrate your ranks for information."
"Noxus had a hand in killing my father?" Jarvan confirmed.
Gregori nodded. "They did indeed."
Jarvan sat back on his throne and hung his head in frustration. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes." Gregori answered. "Completely."
"Fine." Jarvan answered, his head now in his hands, "Sylas is yours and your weapons will be handed to you once the battle is done."
"Your highness... its too dangerous.." Someone muttered.
Jarvan raised his head in that direction, his face a mask of cold anger. He did not speak. He did not threaten. He just stared into the crowd.
No one spoke up.
No one had ever seen Jarvan this angry. Not even when he had to retreat in battle. This was pure rage.
Not a single one among them wanted to talk to him in his state of anger.
"I suppose we are done here then?" Gregori however, did not care for this.
Jarvan looked at the man and nodded. "You are free to leave."
Gregori nodded gave the king a light bow and walked to his children.
"Daddy!"
The kids flew into his arms and he hugged them all. After individually hugging them and planting a kiss on their foreheads, he turned to Eileen and gave her a smile which was half jovial and half a smirk.
"You are my brother." Eileen spoke up first. Her words stating a fact but it was as if she was convincing herself of the truth.
Gregori nodded. "I am."
"I thought you were dead." Eileen continued.
"Everyone thought the same." Gregori replied.
She took a breath to compose herself. "What now?"
Gregori turned to Jarvan, whose hands grasped the arm rests of the throne tightly. "Now.... you prepare for war."
Eileen turned her attention to the young king. "He looks like he is going to war with Noxus."
"He will." Gregori replied. "But he is going to wait. Wait till the invasion is stopped. And once the country in rebuilt, instead of defending, he is going to lead the attack into Noxus. It is only a matter of time."
Eileen took a shaky breath.
"Afraid?" Gregori asked her.
She shook her head.
"You should be..." Gregori continued.
"Why?"
"You should be afraid of what your king is going to do to the invading forces." Gregori spoke as he led his children away. Eileen followed them.
As they crossed the nobles, Pieter called out to him. "I'll send an invite for dinner. I hope you will make it."
Gregori turned to the man, nodded and continued on his way. He gave Lady Fortis a smile and a nod as he walked past her. He didn't turn and acknowledge anyone else, choosing instead to walk past everyone and out the courtroom doors.
Eileen took one look back into the courtroom and sighed as she chose to follow her brother and his children out.
Some of the nobles took this as the chance to leave the courtroom as well.
"Who said you all could leave?" Jarvan's cold voice echoed. "We have much to discuss."
The nobles turned to him in question.
"My father wasn't the greatest father. Nor was he the best king. But he did everything in his power to help both you all and the people of Demacia." Jarvan face had a look of disappointment, resentment and anger all rolled into one. "He let you all play around with power. And most of you have nothing to show for that. Your people are struggling yet you thrive. You fail your people, you fail your kingdom and above all you fail the banner of your ancestors."
Xin Zhao stepped forward, his hand on his spear as a warning to any that might speak up.
"Not anymore. All of you will answer to one person and one person alone. Me. Any alliances you have set with each other is of no consequence to me." Jarvan leaned forward on his throne. "I am your king. None of you are above the throne. And from this moment on.... you listen to me. There is only war in Demacia's future and I will not be having failures in my court. You will not hide behind your soldiers. Instead you will lead them.... You WILL set an example."
"YES YOUR HIGHNESS!" Pieter's voice cut through sharply and strongly.
A few seconds later more shouts of affirmation echoed but most of them were forced.
"Now.... lets discuss about how a spy has been allowed to escape captivity." Jarvan turned his attention toward the Spiritmights.