Interlude 6
- Location
- A Tropical Island in the Pacific
Interlude 6: The Watchers
The Windward Guardian
A single beat of a bird's wings is enough to alter the course of the weather forever, or so one of my favored children once said. All it takes is a tiny miniscule change, a little nudge or maybe a push to the right direction or person, is all it takes to affect the greater sea of chaos that is life. That was how I met my favored champion, my little fledgling, my brave little owl.
To think that I met them when I tried to make a girls day just a bit brighter. I've watched them closely ever since, silently watching over them as the two became three and soon became a family. It warmed my heart knowing that people of Oshra Va'Zaun had yet to lose their heart amidst all the despair and gloom that has befallen my beloved city these past centuries.
I watched them grow, joining them in their triumphs and soothing them in their sorrows. It was to my greatest joy that they took to the skies like the Ascendants of old. My wind shall forever guide their wings so long as they remain true to their heart. While they may never see me, I'll still remain by their side, guiding them and helping them.
Their tireless dedication to helping their own beloved was inspiring, and to think that they're love could push them to slay the abomination from beyond the realm of reality. If this was what they could do for their own, I could only imagine what more they could do if they were to love this city.
It might not be the happiest place, nor the most prosperous but its people, oh its people. They can be quite prickly at times but like a desert cactus, given the right circumstance can bloom and show their beauty to others. They are a hardy and tenacious bunch whose drive pushes them forward. Despite their misgivings, they remain bonded together. They are a family who stayed together despite all the hardships. They could leave and abandon this very city but not even the very earth taking them down to its depths could kill their spirit. It's only my hope that my champion could get past the city's tough outer layer and see the sweetness that lies within and that my city would not shun them away for their drive for change.
My little owl might not know it, but I could see the potential he holds for the city. Every little action he had was slowly brightening up the day of the people around them. He reminds me so much of Ne'zuk in his youth. So bright and full of potential. Only time will tell if he'll live up to his predecessor. If he were to live up to them… he shall be this city's savior.
They shall be the bringer of change to my city. They shall lift the veil of misery that has befallen my people and bring them joy. The path that they take will be long and arduous, filled with perils and hardship, but my clever little inventor will overcome them.
That would be far in the future and yet to be certain. For now, I wait and hope. His life is certainly entertaining enough for it to be all worth it. His wedding in my shrine was the cutest thing. Oh young love, I wished them luck.~
The Watcher from the Stars
High above the heavens above, just beyond the physical realm where the Aspects live, sat two beings of immense power. One was a dragon of immense size whose very being was made of stars and galaxy while the other was an eternally young girl whose flowing hair glittered with star dust.
6
The dragon was busy playing with the very essence of creation, bringing forth new stars to play with so as to ward off the immense feeling of annoyance he currently felt for his… ward. The girl's insistent hum grated on his nerves, wearing away at like a thousand nails dragging along a chalkboard while her tiny little feet beat against his right eye as she sat upon his head.
The girl was immensely annoying but his hands were tied both metaphorically and physically. He only wished he wasn't shackled by the thrice damned beings that were the girl's people. Still, he was merely annoyed with her and not frothing with anger like how he usually felt around them.
Zoe was a far better companion than having none at all. She might be the closest being he could call… a friend, for the lack of a better term. He couldn't call her an acquaintance given how she kept sticking around and proudly proclaimed she'd protect him back then and he could not not call her a friend as he barely tolerated her existence. Frenemy might be another option but he didn't really despise her enough to call her an enemy on top of being a friend.
"Hey space puppy, ever had someone that really makes you go... I like you, Like a lot?" Asked the girl on top of him, breaking his concentration on star making. Ahhh yes, space puppy. Oh how the great and powerful Aurelian Sol had fallen. Still, her question intrigued him as he quietly placed down the stardust he gathered to make more stars and looked up to his companion.
Her, In love? Well that's one way to break the monotony of their current situation.
"A boy caught your eye?" He asked, feeling amused for once. 'Oh this will be interesting' he thought to himself. Laying down across his favorite galaxy, he tucked himself in as he waited for the metaphorical sparkles to fly.
"She's nottt a boy?" Zoe replied as she covered her face and made the most amusing of sounds. She almost sounded like a star that was just about to go supernova or maybe a tea kettle. He couldn't help but tease the younger girl.
He gasped out in mock shock as he whispered "A girl? Oh this is just precious! Little Zoe found a sweetheart.~"
He let out a hearty laugh as Zoe flipped onto her stomach and started beating her tiny little first against his adamantium scales.
"Stop calling her that! It's so embarrassing. We're totally not ever in love! We haven't even met yet…" Zoe replied as she soon got tired of ineffectually assaulting his poor brow and plopped down against his head. He could practically feel the pout she sported. He only wished he could see it now.
"Ahh, still trying to build up the courage to meet them!" He playfully replied as he rested his chin against his hands. "Why don't you describe them to us? First impressions matter after all. If you want to impress her, you must know her. Will she be impressed by your confidence or will it scare her away? Is she demure or is she bold? Things like that."
He's totally not fishing for details to tease Zoe with later. A mural of the poor mortal who caught her attention would be a fun little project he could make in secret.
"Well… How do I start… She's so freaking amazing! She's like Bam! Zap! Boom!" Zoe shouted as she got up and jumped off his brow and flew in front of him.
"She's like Auntie Kayle but totally not a killjoy. I think the two could meet cause Auntie needs some pointers in being awesome sauce. She's like a wet towel you know, all justice this, duty that! Boring! All work and no play but this girl I found in Stinkville is like…" Zoe sighed out dreamily as she looked towards Runettera. Oh dear, he didn't know she had it bad. He bumped up his little project in his schedule.
Swimming in the endless cosmos and around his head, she continued "She has these pretty little wings made of sparky metal. Not quite sparkly but just add an L and it's sparkly so it's close enough."
He couldn't help but snort at that. While her logic can take leaps and bounds, let it not be said that it's not entertaining.
"She usually wears white and lighter colors but you wouldn't believe what she wore last week! She wore pink! It was just a pink skirt but she rocked it! Did I tell you she's super awesome because she totally is. I could still remember how she beat that tentaclely cyclops from the beyond. She punched it! Socked it right in the face and broke its neck! Even made a hole in her city. There was also this other time when she was being chased by this bad doggo but she went full Volcano Goat and cobbled together a high power linear sparkly shooter and made things glowy. The sheer electrical potential of her motor sent sparks everywhere and then the finale was mwah! Perfection!" A goofy smile stretched across her face as she twirled around while holding herself.
"She's… perfect." Then, realization dawned upon her face and that look in her face broke his composure. The way her eyes widened as she jumped in place while covering her mouth made him bite his lips while holding back the laughter.. He didn't know that Aspects could turn that funny shade of red
"Oh no. Oh no no no no no!" Zoe shouted as she turned scarlet from head to toe.
"No what Zoe?" He asked as he wiped away the tears from his eyes. It was all too much for his poor self.
"I…I!" She curled upon herself as the very aether around her roiled from her barely contained emotions.
"Yesss?" Laughter kept bubbling up his chest as he laid his head down against the galaxy and pounded against the stars.
"I think I'm in love!" Zoe shouted to the heavens. She squealed out as she covered her mouth and let out a muffled shout.
If he was mortal, his stomach would have been hurting. Thankfully, he was more than that, but he couldn't hold back his laughter. This only served to make Zoe go ballistic as she stomped in anger and embarrassment.
"Stop laughing! This is a very serious matter! The most super duper mega serious matter!"
"My my, You're sounding more like your Auntie Kayle." he replied making Zoe gasped in genuine horror. Clutching her head, she cried out in anguish before ever so dramatically falling down on one of the nebula's he had set aside for the creation of more stars.
"... I can't get her out of my head. It's so frustrating! I thought I wouldn't have to deal with this for a few more years but here it is. I kinda feel bad teasing Moon Moon now" Zoe replied as she pouted at him.
"Must be quite frustrating" He replied as he pushed himself off his galaxy and circled around her.
"It's like everywhere I look, I get reminded of her. All I could think now when I watch the high powered jets of energy between the interaction of a white dwarf and a red giant is her lightning. The sparks dancing along her fingers and wings along with the magnetic field she makes whenever she flies, all too familiar sights everywhere" Zoe replied in melancholy as she stared longingly towards Runeterra. Ah yes, she was a divine and a mortal. A tale as old as time yet if someone caught Zoe's attention of all people, there's a slight chance for a happy ending to this story but that would mean he had one more Ascended to deal when the time comes.
"Just the thought of them alone makes my stomach flip flop around. I feel butterflies in my stomach. Like I feel them fluttering inside me whenever I think of them" Zoe added as she placed her hands over her stomach.
"Or you might just be feeling that you mortals call gas." He teased her, making her blanch in disgust. She was making it all too easy for him to tease her today. Grabbing a handful of stardust, she threw a glob at him in retaliation. He tilted his head to the sight and let the comet fly.
"Ew ew ew ew! Stop ruining my fantasy, space puppy!" She shouted as she grabbed more stardust and kept throwing. He laughed out loudly as he shielded his eyes from the dust flying all around.
Soon the rain of stardust and he was left alone in his corner of the universe. With days like these, the wait for the day of his impending freedom was more tolerable. Still, he needed something to do after Zoe left so he'll be looking closely at Runettera. Another constellation or two wouldn't hurt, especially when he gets to tease Zoe back later.
The Grey Lady
Some would imagine that the main office Clan Ferros as a giant hall filled office workers caught up in a whirlwind of chaotic energy as people clamored for attention for their project or maybe it was filled with an army of clerks and accountants working in perfect synchrony to support the head of the Clan in their day to day life but it was far more modest than that.
While the clan does have an army of clerks and accountants, they were not cooped up inside one large hall. They were divided into departments with their own offices. It was far more efficient that way so as to not drown each other as well as keep each department focused on their task rather than be pulled into another.
Still, there was chaos inside the building yet it was controlled and contained. The chaotic energy harnessed and focused on the improvement of the clan and its assets. The insistent and ceaseless clattering of typewriters documenting everything made sure that nothing went missing amidst it all. They worked away at all the requests and projects, trimming away at the fat from the various reports before pushing them up the chain of command. Each little step distilled everything to a purer and truer version of the information before it was funneled into the center of the operation. Sitting in the middle of it all, the nexus of this huge operation, was the head of the clan.
Hidden inside her room and surrounded by her advisers like the court of distant Demacia, Chloe Ferros sat on her comfortable chair while reading through the reports given to her by her relatives and workers laid across her massive mahogany desk. The sound of music playing softly in the background while she worked. Sinking into the plush seat, she read through one particular file by a certain Jayce of Clan Talis.
"I tell you, my mistress Chloe, Mister Talis's invention would revolutionize the shipping industry! I say, it might even surpass the Sungate's importance on the world stage." Reggie, her most trusted Financier, explained with a profound interest and enthusiasm she often so frequently heared from him whenever he presented her with another project her uncle Albus managed to sniff out.
She hated the pompous bastard with his strutting steps and air of self importance but she couldn't deny how good he was with headhunting talents and finding obscure yet revolutionary inventions just waiting to be funded.
"These Hexgates sound… interesting but the explosions and accidents from the device are rather concerning." She replied as she read the part of the report detailing the risk and possible cost of the project. The project has merits but the accidents made news around Piltover…"
"Yes, the steam golem incident was a scary event but even that test was technically a success!"
An entire golem getting stuck and literally fused into the walls of the academy was not a promising sign. It's as if the project needed more people to work on it but from what she'd heard, young Jayce was notoriously prideful. Still, it had merits.
"I think… I'll sign a 5 year contract with our young inventor. If he could deliver a safer prototype, we might consider a bigger grant."
"Most excellent. You will not be disappointed!" Money was not of particular concern if it meant that Clan Ferros was ahead of the competition.
She was just about to sign on the contract for such a deal when she heard a certain sound. She felt her stomach drop as the sound of knives gently tapping against the marble floor of her home. She could hear it even as the gramophone played in the background. She could feel it in her very teeth, the delicate taps of steel against stone. The sound pierced through the beat of the song like how men had been parted with those very same blades.
"Mistress, is everything all right?" Reggie asked in concern as her hand shaked.
"O-oh, it's nothing. Now come along now I know you have a busy day so shoo!" Chloe replied as she stood up and pushed the man away from her office. She didn't want him here around her.
"W-woah, I'm going. No need to rush, mistress." He replied as he finally got her little message. Just as she pushed him off her office, his eyes widened as if he saw a ghost. He practically stumbled into a sprint just as she closed the door.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she felt her presence. She was here and whenever she comes, only death follows.
"Hello darling." A deceptively sweet yet cold voice greeted her. Chloe swallowed, gathering her courage, before she slowly turned around to greet her.
"Aunt Camille." She greeted the woman before her as she tried to hide the trembling in her voice. Chloe had to admit that this was one of her better days but it still didn't stop her from freezing at the sight of her intelligencer. Even as the woman read a newspaper while standing just behind her seat, she couldn't help but flinch away at the sight of her glowing blue eyes.
"It seems that the missing shipment of high quality Hex crystals missing from our inventory has been found." Her aunt suddenly said, making her frown as she remembered that particular incident. Signing the death warrant for an entire factory wasn't something one would easily forget.
"Weren't those crystals destroyed in the fire?" She asked as she slowly walked back to her said, her eyes trailing down to the woman's massive blades
"It seems they were not." Her aunt replied as she laid down the paper she had been reading.
Chloe traced the image imprinted on the front page. Imposed upon the main page was the image of the Owl. She wasn't sure what the Owl had to do with those crystals until she realized something. His tech wasn't powered by any of Zuan's usual power sources. His wings lacked the exhaust of the alchemical engines nor the tubes denoting a more chemtech power source.
"A-aunt, you know we can't approve of any action against them now! And for what? A couple of crystals? We can get more!" She shouted. Her Aunt had killed Chembarons before but this was far different than a mere jumped up thug, this was the golden boy of Zaun and not just that but an up and coming inventor of Clan Vereza.
Sure the Vereza's were merely Chem Barons but they were the bigger one's, one's that her very own clan backed in the great game down below. An action against them would break the delicate accord they had with the Vereza's.
"It's not just the crystals dear. They're not thieves but genuine threats to our supremacy." She added
"I know! I know. They've been making waves ever since they got to the College of Techmaturgy but we'll have a war on our doorstep if they find out!" she shouted as she sank down on her seat.
Her aunt snorted as she replied "You think I'm so crude as to kill them in broad daylight? There is still time. They haven't caught up to us yet."
"Still… auntie, please reconsider this. They're bound to run out of new inventions. Someone can only come up with so much till they run out of ideas to give." Chloe replied. The risk far outweighed the positives. If they found them before they became established, they could have nipped the treat before it took root but it was already too late. Far too late.
Her aunt simply shook her head before she said "This boy… is a generational talent, one that the under city possesses. They are a threat to not only our clan but to the very position of Piltover. But rest easy for now my dear, there might be an opportunity for us to take advantage in the future."
Chloe couldn't deny that fact. The boy was a genuine threat as he was now. She still had reservations but he would have to disappear… but not now, not yet.
"Just please be careful Auntie. You know this could blow up in our face."
"I'm not like your great grandfather dear. You know I'll never let our family fail."
Chloe could only hope her words ring through as she once again signed a death warrant. The things she gave for the family.
A/N:
And that's the last of the interludes. The stage is now set for Act 2. I'm so excited right now! Having some difficulty with the timeskip so will be launching a vote for that in my Patreon. Anyways, Arc has enemies and oh boy. Even after gaining alot, Things will only get tougher from here on out
Like always, I'd like to thank vyor cause punctuations are my kryptonite as well as my patrons: Phillip Nguyen, Nick P, Anon, Rashomon, Evil_Bob, Brandon Pittman, and Alex Wierzbicki, cailk, and Lapiver Wouldnt have half the motivation without you guys.
As always, from here on out, I'd like to remind you that I have a patreon page! I also have a Ko-Fi page! ... You know, nobody even uses Ko Fi here... should I even keep it up? There's also this discord page. Close to getting to 10 patrons.
Oh btw, going to be releasing 4 new fics. They womt be as active as... For now. Will be seeing how you guys like them and see if there's a big enough audience for it.
The Windward Guardian
A single beat of a bird's wings is enough to alter the course of the weather forever, or so one of my favored children once said. All it takes is a tiny miniscule change, a little nudge or maybe a push to the right direction or person, is all it takes to affect the greater sea of chaos that is life. That was how I met my favored champion, my little fledgling, my brave little owl.
To think that I met them when I tried to make a girls day just a bit brighter. I've watched them closely ever since, silently watching over them as the two became three and soon became a family. It warmed my heart knowing that people of Oshra Va'Zaun had yet to lose their heart amidst all the despair and gloom that has befallen my beloved city these past centuries.
I watched them grow, joining them in their triumphs and soothing them in their sorrows. It was to my greatest joy that they took to the skies like the Ascendants of old. My wind shall forever guide their wings so long as they remain true to their heart. While they may never see me, I'll still remain by their side, guiding them and helping them.
Their tireless dedication to helping their own beloved was inspiring, and to think that they're love could push them to slay the abomination from beyond the realm of reality. If this was what they could do for their own, I could only imagine what more they could do if they were to love this city.
It might not be the happiest place, nor the most prosperous but its people, oh its people. They can be quite prickly at times but like a desert cactus, given the right circumstance can bloom and show their beauty to others. They are a hardy and tenacious bunch whose drive pushes them forward. Despite their misgivings, they remain bonded together. They are a family who stayed together despite all the hardships. They could leave and abandon this very city but not even the very earth taking them down to its depths could kill their spirit. It's only my hope that my champion could get past the city's tough outer layer and see the sweetness that lies within and that my city would not shun them away for their drive for change.
My little owl might not know it, but I could see the potential he holds for the city. Every little action he had was slowly brightening up the day of the people around them. He reminds me so much of Ne'zuk in his youth. So bright and full of potential. Only time will tell if he'll live up to his predecessor. If he were to live up to them… he shall be this city's savior.
They shall be the bringer of change to my city. They shall lift the veil of misery that has befallen my people and bring them joy. The path that they take will be long and arduous, filled with perils and hardship, but my clever little inventor will overcome them.
That would be far in the future and yet to be certain. For now, I wait and hope. His life is certainly entertaining enough for it to be all worth it. His wedding in my shrine was the cutest thing. Oh young love, I wished them luck.~
The Watcher from the Stars
High above the heavens above, just beyond the physical realm where the Aspects live, sat two beings of immense power. One was a dragon of immense size whose very being was made of stars and galaxy while the other was an eternally young girl whose flowing hair glittered with star dust.
6
The dragon was busy playing with the very essence of creation, bringing forth new stars to play with so as to ward off the immense feeling of annoyance he currently felt for his… ward. The girl's insistent hum grated on his nerves, wearing away at like a thousand nails dragging along a chalkboard while her tiny little feet beat against his right eye as she sat upon his head.
The girl was immensely annoying but his hands were tied both metaphorically and physically. He only wished he wasn't shackled by the thrice damned beings that were the girl's people. Still, he was merely annoyed with her and not frothing with anger like how he usually felt around them.
Zoe was a far better companion than having none at all. She might be the closest being he could call… a friend, for the lack of a better term. He couldn't call her an acquaintance given how she kept sticking around and proudly proclaimed she'd protect him back then and he could not not call her a friend as he barely tolerated her existence. Frenemy might be another option but he didn't really despise her enough to call her an enemy on top of being a friend.
"Hey space puppy, ever had someone that really makes you go... I like you, Like a lot?" Asked the girl on top of him, breaking his concentration on star making. Ahhh yes, space puppy. Oh how the great and powerful Aurelian Sol had fallen. Still, her question intrigued him as he quietly placed down the stardust he gathered to make more stars and looked up to his companion.
Her, In love? Well that's one way to break the monotony of their current situation.
"A boy caught your eye?" He asked, feeling amused for once. 'Oh this will be interesting' he thought to himself. Laying down across his favorite galaxy, he tucked himself in as he waited for the metaphorical sparkles to fly.
"She's nottt a boy?" Zoe replied as she covered her face and made the most amusing of sounds. She almost sounded like a star that was just about to go supernova or maybe a tea kettle. He couldn't help but tease the younger girl.
He gasped out in mock shock as he whispered "A girl? Oh this is just precious! Little Zoe found a sweetheart.~"
He let out a hearty laugh as Zoe flipped onto her stomach and started beating her tiny little first against his adamantium scales.
"Stop calling her that! It's so embarrassing. We're totally not ever in love! We haven't even met yet…" Zoe replied as she soon got tired of ineffectually assaulting his poor brow and plopped down against his head. He could practically feel the pout she sported. He only wished he could see it now.
"Ahh, still trying to build up the courage to meet them!" He playfully replied as he rested his chin against his hands. "Why don't you describe them to us? First impressions matter after all. If you want to impress her, you must know her. Will she be impressed by your confidence or will it scare her away? Is she demure or is she bold? Things like that."
He's totally not fishing for details to tease Zoe with later. A mural of the poor mortal who caught her attention would be a fun little project he could make in secret.
"Well… How do I start… She's so freaking amazing! She's like Bam! Zap! Boom!" Zoe shouted as she got up and jumped off his brow and flew in front of him.
"She's like Auntie Kayle but totally not a killjoy. I think the two could meet cause Auntie needs some pointers in being awesome sauce. She's like a wet towel you know, all justice this, duty that! Boring! All work and no play but this girl I found in Stinkville is like…" Zoe sighed out dreamily as she looked towards Runettera. Oh dear, he didn't know she had it bad. He bumped up his little project in his schedule.
Swimming in the endless cosmos and around his head, she continued "She has these pretty little wings made of sparky metal. Not quite sparkly but just add an L and it's sparkly so it's close enough."
He couldn't help but snort at that. While her logic can take leaps and bounds, let it not be said that it's not entertaining.
"She usually wears white and lighter colors but you wouldn't believe what she wore last week! She wore pink! It was just a pink skirt but she rocked it! Did I tell you she's super awesome because she totally is. I could still remember how she beat that tentaclely cyclops from the beyond. She punched it! Socked it right in the face and broke its neck! Even made a hole in her city. There was also this other time when she was being chased by this bad doggo but she went full Volcano Goat and cobbled together a high power linear sparkly shooter and made things glowy. The sheer electrical potential of her motor sent sparks everywhere and then the finale was mwah! Perfection!" A goofy smile stretched across her face as she twirled around while holding herself.
"She's… perfect." Then, realization dawned upon her face and that look in her face broke his composure. The way her eyes widened as she jumped in place while covering her mouth made him bite his lips while holding back the laughter.. He didn't know that Aspects could turn that funny shade of red
"Oh no. Oh no no no no no!" Zoe shouted as she turned scarlet from head to toe.
"No what Zoe?" He asked as he wiped away the tears from his eyes. It was all too much for his poor self.
"I…I!" She curled upon herself as the very aether around her roiled from her barely contained emotions.
"Yesss?" Laughter kept bubbling up his chest as he laid his head down against the galaxy and pounded against the stars.
"I think I'm in love!" Zoe shouted to the heavens. She squealed out as she covered her mouth and let out a muffled shout.
If he was mortal, his stomach would have been hurting. Thankfully, he was more than that, but he couldn't hold back his laughter. This only served to make Zoe go ballistic as she stomped in anger and embarrassment.
"Stop laughing! This is a very serious matter! The most super duper mega serious matter!"
"My my, You're sounding more like your Auntie Kayle." he replied making Zoe gasped in genuine horror. Clutching her head, she cried out in anguish before ever so dramatically falling down on one of the nebula's he had set aside for the creation of more stars.
"... I can't get her out of my head. It's so frustrating! I thought I wouldn't have to deal with this for a few more years but here it is. I kinda feel bad teasing Moon Moon now" Zoe replied as she pouted at him.
"Must be quite frustrating" He replied as he pushed himself off his galaxy and circled around her.
"It's like everywhere I look, I get reminded of her. All I could think now when I watch the high powered jets of energy between the interaction of a white dwarf and a red giant is her lightning. The sparks dancing along her fingers and wings along with the magnetic field she makes whenever she flies, all too familiar sights everywhere" Zoe replied in melancholy as she stared longingly towards Runeterra. Ah yes, she was a divine and a mortal. A tale as old as time yet if someone caught Zoe's attention of all people, there's a slight chance for a happy ending to this story but that would mean he had one more Ascended to deal when the time comes.
"Just the thought of them alone makes my stomach flip flop around. I feel butterflies in my stomach. Like I feel them fluttering inside me whenever I think of them" Zoe added as she placed her hands over her stomach.
"Or you might just be feeling that you mortals call gas." He teased her, making her blanch in disgust. She was making it all too easy for him to tease her today. Grabbing a handful of stardust, she threw a glob at him in retaliation. He tilted his head to the sight and let the comet fly.
"Ew ew ew ew! Stop ruining my fantasy, space puppy!" She shouted as she grabbed more stardust and kept throwing. He laughed out loudly as he shielded his eyes from the dust flying all around.
Soon the rain of stardust and he was left alone in his corner of the universe. With days like these, the wait for the day of his impending freedom was more tolerable. Still, he needed something to do after Zoe left so he'll be looking closely at Runettera. Another constellation or two wouldn't hurt, especially when he gets to tease Zoe back later.
The Grey Lady
Some would imagine that the main office Clan Ferros as a giant hall filled office workers caught up in a whirlwind of chaotic energy as people clamored for attention for their project or maybe it was filled with an army of clerks and accountants working in perfect synchrony to support the head of the Clan in their day to day life but it was far more modest than that.
While the clan does have an army of clerks and accountants, they were not cooped up inside one large hall. They were divided into departments with their own offices. It was far more efficient that way so as to not drown each other as well as keep each department focused on their task rather than be pulled into another.
Still, there was chaos inside the building yet it was controlled and contained. The chaotic energy harnessed and focused on the improvement of the clan and its assets. The insistent and ceaseless clattering of typewriters documenting everything made sure that nothing went missing amidst it all. They worked away at all the requests and projects, trimming away at the fat from the various reports before pushing them up the chain of command. Each little step distilled everything to a purer and truer version of the information before it was funneled into the center of the operation. Sitting in the middle of it all, the nexus of this huge operation, was the head of the clan.
Hidden inside her room and surrounded by her advisers like the court of distant Demacia, Chloe Ferros sat on her comfortable chair while reading through the reports given to her by her relatives and workers laid across her massive mahogany desk. The sound of music playing softly in the background while she worked. Sinking into the plush seat, she read through one particular file by a certain Jayce of Clan Talis.
"I tell you, my mistress Chloe, Mister Talis's invention would revolutionize the shipping industry! I say, it might even surpass the Sungate's importance on the world stage." Reggie, her most trusted Financier, explained with a profound interest and enthusiasm she often so frequently heared from him whenever he presented her with another project her uncle Albus managed to sniff out.
She hated the pompous bastard with his strutting steps and air of self importance but she couldn't deny how good he was with headhunting talents and finding obscure yet revolutionary inventions just waiting to be funded.
"These Hexgates sound… interesting but the explosions and accidents from the device are rather concerning." She replied as she read the part of the report detailing the risk and possible cost of the project. The project has merits but the accidents made news around Piltover…"
"Yes, the steam golem incident was a scary event but even that test was technically a success!"
An entire golem getting stuck and literally fused into the walls of the academy was not a promising sign. It's as if the project needed more people to work on it but from what she'd heard, young Jayce was notoriously prideful. Still, it had merits.
"I think… I'll sign a 5 year contract with our young inventor. If he could deliver a safer prototype, we might consider a bigger grant."
"Most excellent. You will not be disappointed!" Money was not of particular concern if it meant that Clan Ferros was ahead of the competition.
She was just about to sign on the contract for such a deal when she heard a certain sound. She felt her stomach drop as the sound of knives gently tapping against the marble floor of her home. She could hear it even as the gramophone played in the background. She could feel it in her very teeth, the delicate taps of steel against stone. The sound pierced through the beat of the song like how men had been parted with those very same blades.
"Mistress, is everything all right?" Reggie asked in concern as her hand shaked.
"O-oh, it's nothing. Now come along now I know you have a busy day so shoo!" Chloe replied as she stood up and pushed the man away from her office. She didn't want him here around her.
"W-woah, I'm going. No need to rush, mistress." He replied as he finally got her little message. Just as she pushed him off her office, his eyes widened as if he saw a ghost. He practically stumbled into a sprint just as she closed the door.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she felt her presence. She was here and whenever she comes, only death follows.
"Hello darling." A deceptively sweet yet cold voice greeted her. Chloe swallowed, gathering her courage, before she slowly turned around to greet her.
"Aunt Camille." She greeted the woman before her as she tried to hide the trembling in her voice. Chloe had to admit that this was one of her better days but it still didn't stop her from freezing at the sight of her intelligencer. Even as the woman read a newspaper while standing just behind her seat, she couldn't help but flinch away at the sight of her glowing blue eyes.
"It seems that the missing shipment of high quality Hex crystals missing from our inventory has been found." Her aunt suddenly said, making her frown as she remembered that particular incident. Signing the death warrant for an entire factory wasn't something one would easily forget.
"Weren't those crystals destroyed in the fire?" She asked as she slowly walked back to her said, her eyes trailing down to the woman's massive blades
"It seems they were not." Her aunt replied as she laid down the paper she had been reading.
Chloe traced the image imprinted on the front page. Imposed upon the main page was the image of the Owl. She wasn't sure what the Owl had to do with those crystals until she realized something. His tech wasn't powered by any of Zuan's usual power sources. His wings lacked the exhaust of the alchemical engines nor the tubes denoting a more chemtech power source.
"A-aunt, you know we can't approve of any action against them now! And for what? A couple of crystals? We can get more!" She shouted. Her Aunt had killed Chembarons before but this was far different than a mere jumped up thug, this was the golden boy of Zaun and not just that but an up and coming inventor of Clan Vereza.
Sure the Vereza's were merely Chem Barons but they were the bigger one's, one's that her very own clan backed in the great game down below. An action against them would break the delicate accord they had with the Vereza's.
"It's not just the crystals dear. They're not thieves but genuine threats to our supremacy." She added
"I know! I know. They've been making waves ever since they got to the College of Techmaturgy but we'll have a war on our doorstep if they find out!" she shouted as she sank down on her seat.
Her aunt snorted as she replied "You think I'm so crude as to kill them in broad daylight? There is still time. They haven't caught up to us yet."
"Still… auntie, please reconsider this. They're bound to run out of new inventions. Someone can only come up with so much till they run out of ideas to give." Chloe replied. The risk far outweighed the positives. If they found them before they became established, they could have nipped the treat before it took root but it was already too late. Far too late.
Her aunt simply shook her head before she said "This boy… is a generational talent, one that the under city possesses. They are a threat to not only our clan but to the very position of Piltover. But rest easy for now my dear, there might be an opportunity for us to take advantage in the future."
Chloe couldn't deny that fact. The boy was a genuine threat as he was now. She still had reservations but he would have to disappear… but not now, not yet.
"Just please be careful Auntie. You know this could blow up in our face."
"I'm not like your great grandfather dear. You know I'll never let our family fail."
Chloe could only hope her words ring through as she once again signed a death warrant. The things she gave for the family.
A/N:
And that's the last of the interludes. The stage is now set for Act 2. I'm so excited right now! Having some difficulty with the timeskip so will be launching a vote for that in my Patreon. Anyways, Arc has enemies and oh boy. Even after gaining alot, Things will only get tougher from here on out
Like always, I'd like to thank vyor cause punctuations are my kryptonite as well as my patrons: Phillip Nguyen, Nick P, Anon, Rashomon, Evil_Bob, Brandon Pittman, and Alex Wierzbicki, cailk, and Lapiver Wouldnt have half the motivation without you guys.
As always, from here on out, I'd like to remind you that I have a patreon page! I also have a Ko-Fi page! ... You know, nobody even uses Ko Fi here... should I even keep it up? There's also this discord page. Close to getting to 10 patrons.
Oh btw, going to be releasing 4 new fics. They womt be as active as... For now. Will be seeing how you guys like them and see if there's a big enough audience for it.
. Also, I'd like to thank my patrons: Alexander Cullison(Heya there!), Just_A_Knight, Lapiver, cailk, Alex Wierzbicki , Philip Nguyen, and Rashomon. I'm really really sorry last month. Trying to make up for it by writing as fast I can do. Seems like it paid off when I had 3 story updates in one week... the midnight post totally counts. You guys should check my other story as well the new one,