Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

The capital of Noxus, the Immortal Bastion, is nestled in the heart of the empire, its history stretching back over a millennium to the era of Mordekaiser, the Iron Revenant, during his conquest of Runeterra. Weathered by the erosion of time and carved by its relentless passage, the bastion has undergone gradual reconstruction over the past century. Its streets are layered and uneven, with some areas now sunken below ground level. 

Although these depths are not as profound as those in Zaun nor as chaotic as the port city of Bilgewater, the slums of the Immortal Bastion remain a place even locals fear to tread. A noble or general passing through at night would need an armed escort to ensure their safety. 

At the city's center stand three towering, triangular bastions—emblems of Noxus that have endured for roughly 1,500 years. Their scale and grandeur rival the Dawnkeep of Demacia's High City. 

Most Noxians view the Immortal Bastion as a symbol of power, but that perception is largely the judgment of outsiders unfamiliar with the depths of Noxian politics and magic. Over the ages, many have uncovered its hidden truths: Mordekaiser's forbidden knowledge of soul manipulation, secrets of physical and spiritual realms, and even demonic lore—all buried deep within the bastion's heart. 

The Pale Lady knows the Immortal Bastion better than anyone. Behind her is Swain, who commands the dark power of the demon Raum. If not for the Pale Lady's ancient Shuriman sorcery, which allows her to conjure countless illusory reflections and manipulate puppets across various spheres, Swain would have purged the Black Rose upon ascending to the position of Grand General. 

Now, with Li Lin's support, Swain has rekindled his determination to root out the empire's parasites. 

From high above Noxus, Li Lin surveyed the cityscape. In stark contrast to the technological marvels of Piltover, Noxian architecture exuded solemnity and oppression, its narrow streets walled in by imposing structures. The most striking feature was the Noxian Gates—grand, solemn arches forged from blackstone, signifying the empire's dominion. 

It was Li Lin's first visit to Noxus, and his immediate impression was one of stifling pressure and somber silence. 

[Traces of dark magic detected: categories include Deception Magic and Blood Magic.] 

Li Lin's musings were interrupted by his AI's alert, prompting him to pull up the magic's intensity reading. 

"This level of deception magic—it's likely the Pale Lady. As for the blood magic…" 

Li Lin raised an eyebrow, recalling his earlier encounters with a blood magic squad in Demacia. 

"Vladimir does seem to have his share of followers. And wasn't he Viego's great-uncle? The royal lineage of Camavor sure knows how to stir up trouble." 

Shaking his head in mild exasperation, Li Lin pushed the thought aside. To maintain alliances, even though the Black Rose posed a significant threat to him as well, he had to account for Swain's position and collaborate on strategies to dismantle the influence of the Pale Lady and Vladimir. 

Engaging his battlesuit's optical camouflage, Li Lin descended directly to the Immortal Bastion, heading straight for Swain's chambers to avoid raising the Black Rose's suspicions. 

Following Swain's instructions, he landed on a balcony adorned with crimson-eyed ravens. Deactivating his suit's invisibility, he let it morph into an unassuming outfit. 

"Well, here comes our esteemed Speaker, Li Lin," said a familiar voice. 

Li Lin looked up. He was in Swain's study. 

The room was sparsely populated, with three familiar figures: Swain, Darius, and Draven. 

Swain remained seated at his desk, while Darius and Draven were positioned against the wall. Two other individuals—hulking men clad in general's armor, their exposed skin marked with battle scars—sat on a nearby sofa. Lastly, a figure shrouded in a heavy cloak and a smooth, expressionless black mask, their gender indiscernible, occupied a seat near a bookshelf. 

Compared to the others in the room, the masked figure's presence was almost nonexistent, like a shadow lost in the background. 

Swain rose from his seat, and the others followed suit, their gazes fixed on the young man who had suddenly appeared through the balcony. Even the masked individual's cold eyes flickered with a trace of surprise. 

"Allow me to make introductions," Swain began, gesturing to the two burly generals behind him. "This is General Leto and General Mela—heroes of the Rockrund Rebellion." 

Li Lin nodded politely to them. Leto and Mela returned the gesture, though their expressions remained cautious. 

As battle-hardened veterans who had survived countless life-or-death encounters, their instincts screamed that this unassuming young man, with his polite smile and calm demeanor, was even more dangerous than Swain himself. 

He could kill them in an instant if he chose to. 

Swain then turned toward Draven, but the latter cut him off, twirling his mustache and flashing a grin at Li Lin. 

"Name's Draven. Multi-talented, supremely stylish—basically a big deal," he said, producing a ring-handled dagger from nowhere and spinning it skillfully on his finger. 

Darius scowled at his brother's antics. "Knock it off. Now's not the time for your games." 

"Whatever," Draven muttered, pocketing the dagger with a shrug. 

Swain continued, finally introducing the masked figure. "And this individual… you two share a certain connection." 

"Master Assassin Marcus Du Couteau, a pleasure," Li Lin said, placing his right fist over his heart with a respectful nod. 

"Thank you for removing a disgrace from my family. He was unworthy of the Du Couteau name," the assassin replied, their voice cold and devoid of emotion. 

"Don't mind him," Swain interjected smoothly. "Marcus Du Couteau has always been like that. Now, come, let's move to the main hall." 

The group relocated to a grand sitting room. Li Lin settled into a single armchair, while the others occupied the sofas on either side. Swain poured wine for everyone before sitting across from Li Lin. 

Throughout the exchange, Swain's left arm remained concealed beneath the hem of his coat, never once exposed. 

"It's time to discuss business," Swain said, his expression hardening into a grim mask devoid of warmth. 

"The threat of the Black Rose must be eradicated—sooner rather than later." 

(End of Chapter)