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Not far from Basilich
In the boundless wilderness, a griffin fell to the earth, kicking up a large cloud of smoke and dust.
Xin Zhao dismounted with a practiced, stoic ease. Without a word, he reached into his pack and lit the candlestick.
The faint blue light of the candle flame flickered and swayed in the breeze, its soft glow carrying an air of mystery.
Moments later, the flame surged, its brilliance intensifying. The ethereal fire twisted and spiraled, painting the air like a calligrapher's brush. Slowly, it shaped itself into an intricate rune formation, glowing faintly with power.
One by one, the runes—now illuminated nodes—connected through threads of light from the candle. When the final rune lit up, the formation erupted in a beam of dazzling light that pierced the heavens.
The beam was bright enough for everyone in Basilich, not far away, to see.
On the city's tower, a woman clad in the armor of a Noxian general gazed at the blue light.
Her golden-brown hair fell in waves down her back, but the armor's right sleeve hung empty. This was Quiletta, the general stationed in Basilich.
"There should have been a break today," she murmured, a weary sigh escaping her lips.
Shaking her head, she picked up a dagger with her left hand and handed it to her adjutant, a rugged woman with short, jet-black hair.
"Invetia, take it," Quiletta said quietly.
The adjutant hesitated, her expression conflicted, but she accepted the dagger.
"There's only one chance."
"I'll create the opportunity. I know you won't waste it," Quiletta replied with a bittersweet smile.
Despite the brightness of her expression, a shadow of sorrow lingered in her eyes.
In the wilderness below, a tall figure began to emerge from the glowing rune formation.
A blood-red cloak billowed behind him, and as he stepped forward, the giant axe in his hand gleamed under the harsh sunlight.
On his other arm, he carried the flag of Noxus, bearing the empire's new coat of arms.
"For the first time, we fight side by side, General Xin Zhao," said Darius, his voice as steady and unyielding as iron.
He fixed his gaze on the city ahead—a stone fortress with towering walls.
At the heart of the city, like many Noxian strongholds, stood a massive black gate, a symbol of the empire. Yet something was missing: the flag he now carried.
"We may soon face thousands of soldiers," Darius remarked, a faint trace of disdain curling his lips.
Xin Zhao's face remained impassive. After carefully returning the candlestick to the griffin's saddle, he joined Darius, spear in hand.
"Only ten thousand? Is Grand General Darius afraid?" he replied, his voice calm and measured.
Darius laughed, his voice a booming echo across the wilderness.
"Afraid? I've been in the army for over twenty years. I've killed more people than the population of Basilich. I've been surrounded countless times."
With every word, his grip on the axe tightened. Anger and confusion flickered across his face as he added,
"Come. Let's see why Quiletta betrayed the empire!"
Without hesitation, Xin Zhao followed, his spear gleaming in the light.
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Meanwhile, in the Trifarix Council Hall...
Two figures sat across from one another in silence. Though there were no visual projections between them, both were acutely aware of the events unfolding far away.
"Quiletta, Draven, and Darius. The three of them hail from regions that were not originally part of Noxus," said Swain, his voice calm, almost detached.
"The empire conquered their lands, and they joined the military under an imperial colonel," he continued, his tone as steady as ever.
"Many Noxians share similar origins," replied Ryan, his deep voice contemplative.
"The empire thrives on the integration of countless peoples and civilizations, and that has brought it prosperity."
Swain gave a faint nod. "After they joined the army, their skills earned them rapid recognition. Of the three, Darius stood out as the most exceptional."
With memories flickering in his eyes, Swain continued, his tone measured and reflective:
"Through his extraordinary martial prowess and countless military victories, Darius was named the Hand of Noxus by Emperor Darkwill—a title that symbolized the empire's greatest strength. He lived up to the name, forging the empire's future with blood and steel, earning immense respect along the way."
"In the early days, Quiletta followed Darius without hesitation," Swain added.
"But a few years ago, a rift formed between them. Their disagreement saw Quiletta reassigned to the Eastern Front."
Ryan, seated across the table, tapped his fingers lightly on the surface. His voice carried a note of mockery as he spoke:
"And so, fate played its hand. She was placed under the command of Imistan, a poor decision if ever there was one. Quiletta was used as bait in a decoy battle. Her own side's alchemical bomb turned against her, leaving her grievously wounded. Eventually, her arm was so badly damaged it had to be amputated."
Swain gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
"That injury made her unfit for frontline combat. She was reassigned as the garrison general of Basilich. Despite her past, Quiletta proved herself capable and earned the respect of the local population. They hold her in high regard."
Ryan let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head.
"The strength and honor of the empire cannot be sustained if we continue down this path. Ruthless ambition without restraint, indiscriminate exploitation—this is what it has become."
He paused, his tone sharpening. "We're not above using dark means to achieve our goals, but we must never turn those methods against our own people. Every Noxian life is precious."
"We've vowed not to repeat Darkwill's mistakes," Swain assured, his voice resolute.
The empire had risen to power through valor and merit, but those values had been twisted under Darkwill's reign.
Ruthless politicking and betrayal flourished as loyalty to the emperor became more valued than strength or wisdom.
Talented yet disobedient generals like Swain and Ryan had been branded as liabilities.
Swain's crimson eyes darkened as he reflected.
"Countless lives were destroyed under his rule. Now, we must rebuild—not just the empire's strength but the trust and spirit of its people. We must heal their wounds: their pain, their lost loved ones, their fractured homes. It is a long road."
Ryan nodded thoughtfully.
"The people need more than words. A clear vision for the future is forming—one that balances strength and unity. As for the heart and soul of Noxus... Seraphine and Orianna have been walking the streets. She's begun to craft a vision of what must be done."
A rare smile crossed Ryan's face as he spoke of his apprentice.
Orianna had been troubled in recent days, deeply moved by the haunting memories of the souls that lingered in the Immortal Bastion.
Their whispers of triumph and tragedy shaped her thoughts, and her desire to honor their stories grew stronger.
"Everyone here carries a story," Ryan mused.
"Their homes, their families, their victories, their sacrifices—it is glory, yes, but also great sorrow."
Swain's gaze turned distant. "We will see..."
The conversation trailed off, both men retreating into their thoughts.
Swain's crimson eyes gleamed with intensity, while Ryan's glowed faintly with blue energy.
Though separated from the battlefield, their minds were fixed on the events unfolding far away.
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At Basilich's Gates
Darius stood at the foot of the towering city walls. The blood-red flag of Noxus, bearing the empire's sigil, was firmly planted into the earth beside him. His voice roared, resonating through the air:
"Quiletta! Have you nothing to say?"
His scarred, battle-hardened face twisted with anger. But beneath the rage lay disappointment, a deeper wound.
When his eyes caught the figure atop the city tower, his expression turned darker still.
Darius clenched his axe tightly. He sacrificed everything for the empire—his life, his family, and even his soul- if it meant that Noxus could rise higher.
His belief in its ideals had once been absolute, forged in the fire of countless battles.
He remembered the moments when comrades fell beside him and when slaves—freed by Noxus—stood tall, finding purpose within its borders.
In those moments, the empire's mission seemed clear and noble.
Yet now, betrayal clouded his vision. He couldn't fathom why Quiletta, someone who had once fought alongside him for Noxus, would stray from its path.
The heavy creak of metal broke the tension. Slowly, the city gates began to open.