Read up to chapter 174 free on Patreon: patreon.com/Light_lord
Bonus chapter milestone: [40/100]
5+ for every Arcane Member [Patreon]
---------------------
Ryan's speech continued as the screen shifted to the serene coasts of Ionia.
Thousands of wooden ships, adorned with fluttering sails, cut through the waves as they departed Ionia, heading west toward the continent of Valoran.
"2000 years after the Battle of Freljord— 6000 years before the Rune Wars—our ancestors left their homeland. They ventured to Valoran and Shurima, establishing civilizations that would shape the world."
An epic scene unfolded on the screen.
City-states rose in Valoran, golden sand cities emerged in Shurima, and the footprints of humanity began spreading to every corner of the world.
"Runeterra 6000 BN: The Ascended Empire—Shurima. The rise of a sun-born dynasty amid the eternal sands."
"Then, another 1000 passed — 5000 before the Rune Wars. Guided by the celestial gods of Mount Targon, the ancestors of Shurima constructed a miraculous wonder: the Sun Disc in Nerimazeth."
Ryan's voice swelled with reverence.
"During this time, Shurima's Queen Setaka—the greatest martial empress ever recorded—became the first Ascended."
"Runeterra 5000 BN: Age of Divine Ascent. Under the guidance of Mount Targon and Ixtal, the Sun Disc was built."
"Blessed by the gods, she paved the way for hundreds of virtuous and talented individuals to ascend. These noble beings, revered as demigods, forged an empire that endured for millennia."
The screen transitioned to a sweeping view of Shurima's sandy expanse, a landscape teeming with remnants of its former grandeur.
Through Ryan's words and imagery, the golden age of Shurima was restored, evoking awe among the audience.
The glory of Shurima seemed divine—a kingdom of gods that inspired reverence.
Though modern Shurimans had not witnessed their ancestors' greatest days, they inherited a legacy of resilience and ambition.
These Shurimans were now living in the shadow of another empire—an empire at its peak, poised to make history anew.
But not all regions were as optimistic.
The Vastaya, disillusioned with Ionia's struggle for independence, surrendered early.
Meanwhile, the Freljord, true to its harsh and unyielding nature, only knelt before strength.
In Shurima, many city-states voluntarily submitted to the invading empire.
Exhausted by centuries of turmoil, they longed for stability and had heard of a northern power that brought order wherever it went.
That power was Noxus.
One by one, Noxian strongholds—Noxastoras—were built atop Shurima's sand cities.
The Noxian Black Gate became a symbol of faith and renewal, supplanting the fractured remnants of Shuriman tradition.
"At its height, the Shuriman Empire commanded the allegiance of nearly the entire Continent!"
Ryan's voice rang with triumph as images of golden armies materialized on the screen.
Under the leadership of the Ascended, these forces were unstoppable, conquering lands and securing dominance.
Ixtal. Icathia.
Through unmatched might, Shurima reached heights of prosperity that no civilization could rival.
"But the fall of the Shuriman Empire began with one fateful event: the rebellion of Icathia," Ryan intoned.
"It unleashed a catastrophe that changed the course of history forever."
The screen depicted ancient Icathia, its grandeur captured in vivid detail.
Then, like a shattering mirror, the city crumbled, consumed by forbidden power.
The aftermath was devastating.
Shurima's capital, Nerimazeth, became a graveyard for its champions, as hundreds of coffins carried the remains of the Ascended back to their homeland.
The once-mighty empire began its slow decline.
In Noxus, a man in a tattered blue hood stood beneath the stormy sky, his face shadowed by grief and anger.
As Ryan's voice recounted the fall of Shurima, the man clenched his fist and smashed a nearby streetlamp.
Picking up the shattered remnants, he strode out of the city, his hurried steps filled with despair.
"2000 before the Rune Wars, the fall of Shurima was sealed," Ryan concluded.
"When Emperor Azir's ascension failed, the empire was left leaderless—a kingdom of dragons without a dragon to guide them."
"Runeterra 2000 BN: The Sundering—Shurima. Azir fell, and with him, the sun. The empire wandered, vast and voiceless."
"This turmoil lasted for over a 1000 years, until 500 years before the Rune Wars. The aftershocks of the Ascended's battle against the Void left deep scars on their hearts and minds."
"The trauma of war, combined with the collapse of the Shuriman Empire, stripped many Ascended of their purpose. Gradually, their forms and minds twisted, and they became known as the Darkin."
"Runeterra 500 BN: Twilight of Purpose. In the long shadow of war with the Void, the Ascended broke within. Twisted by grief and fury, they rose as the Darkin."
The scene shifted to a cold, shadowy battlefield. Brutal clashes between the fallen Ascended filled the screen.
One by one, the Darkin faded into the annals of history, banished or sealed to prevent their corruption from consuming the world.
"..."
"25 years before the Rune Wars, a catastrophic event occurred beneath the capital of Helia on the Blessed Isles. A rupture between the material and spiritual realms unleashed a torrent of undead energy. The souls of the dead were condemned to eternal torment, transforming the island into a dark and cursed place. This land came to be known as the Shadow Isles."
Runeterra 25 BN: Blighted Lands—Shadow Isles. Death bled into life, and the isles were consumed by shadow..
One by one, Ryan recounted deeds buried in the sands of time.
These were truths uncovered by Noxian historians, unearthed from the ruins of ancient civilizations.
When Ryan could identify the historians responsible for such discoveries, he spoke their names aloud.
"This knowledge," he declared, "is a treasure left by the scholars of Noxus for future generations. It is worthy of remembrance—by the empire and the world."
"13 years before the Rune Wars," Ryan continued.
"Wars began. These conflicts reshaped the continent, carving the boundaries of the world we know today."
The scene shifted again, unveiling a massive scroll.
The first half was densely inscribed with glowing text.
Each pivotal moment in history was engraved, and the names of historical figures gleamed with golden brilliance.
The achievements of human civilization were inextricably tied to these extraordinary individuals and the historians who faithfully recorded their stories.
And then, the timeline turned to the first year of the Rune Calendar—the beginning of Noxus's rise.
Every citizen of Noxus watching the display looked up with pride.
The screen showed the Immortal Bastion, the heart of the empire, and from its gates marched armies that stretched to the horizon.
"In the third year of the Rune Calendar, the Noxian Empire embarked on its first campaign of conquest. Leading the charge was none other than Major General Kled."
"General Kled!"
"Victory! Victory!"
The voices of Noxians below roared in unison.
Kled was a legendary figure—a founder and symbol of the empire's unyielding strength.
Even now, the cantankerous yordle fought for the empire on the front lines, riding his loyal steed Skaarl into battle.
"In the ninth year of the Rune Calendar, the Noxian Empire completed its unification of the surrounding territories, including the desert regions. During this time, they first encountered the armies of rival kingdoms."
"In the eleventh year, the empire destroyed its first kingdom. This was a land ruled by a tyrannical sorcerer who used his people as test subjects for dark experiments. Leading this campaign was the renowned General Holt Yarlin."
"General Yarlin! The War God of Noxus!"
"The first Noxian Sword!"
Ryan's voice swelled with reverence.
"To this day, General Yarlin rests in the crypts beneath the Immortal Bastion. When the Noxian army marches south, soldiers still remove their helmets in silent tribute as they pass his tomb."
The soldiers of Noxus, watching the display, instinctively turned to face the south.
From childhood, they had heard stories of General Yarlin—the paragon of Noxian strength and determination.
He was their idol, the model of what every soldier aspired to be.
Ryan's narration continued.
"In the 25th year of the Rune Calendar..."
One by one, Ryan uttered the names of legendary figures from Noxus's history.
Each name reverberated through the crowd, stirring pride and awe.
These were the heroes and visionaries who shaped the empire, their legacies living on in the hearts of every citizen.
For the descendants of these great figures, Ryan's words were sacred.
As their ancestors' names were spoken, they paused, removed their hats, and bowed toward the Immortal Bastion.
In Noxus, the deeds of those who fought for the empire were never forgotten.
Their contributions were etched into the fabric of history, forever celebrated as part of the indomitable spirit of Noxus.