Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

The spiritual realm is a mysterious place. 

It exists parallel to the material realm, inseparable yet profoundly influential, where any imbalance can lead to irreversible consequences. For instance, the Ruinous Curse once shattered the equilibrium between the material and spiritual realms, transforming the Blessed Isles into the Shadow Isles.

Similarly, Noxus' use of Chemtech firebombs in Ionia devastated the material realm, corrupting spirits in the spiritual realm and threatening the survival of Ionians. 

The spiritual realm is not confined to one specific location; rather, it encompasses all "magical worlds" that stand opposite the material plane. It includes the Yordles' Bandle City, the whimsical fairylands accessible only through sprite-guided paths, and even the domain of the dead. 

In Runeterra, the "Underworld" is not a singular entity. The ultimate destination of a soul depends on its beliefs. The Buhru people, who worship Nagakabouros, find their souls merging into the "Soul Furnace of the Bearded Lady," enjoying eternal peace under the Life Goddess's protection. Followers of the Ursine demigod of death in the Freljord are carried off by this deity, who remains locked in eternal rivalry with the undead demigod boar of the untamed wilderness. 

For Ionian believers pursuing the Eternal Blossom, their souls journey into the spiritual realm after death, guided by various spirit incarnations toward "eternity." 

Then, there are the most widely revered entities—the Eternal Hunters, Kindred. The Lamb offers solace and rest to those who face death with acceptance, while the Wolf hunts down those who flee, tearing their spirits apart. Both guide souls to the ultimate Death Master—the Mask Mother. 

Yet, even gods of death can be forgotten. When that time comes, the vultures created by the Mask Mother herself will hunt them to the ends of existence. 

For the followers of Sahn-Uzal, who revere the Hall of Bones and Death itself, their ultimate destination is Mitra-Rachen—the realm where Li Lin and the other celestial deities and starborne hosts reside. 

Li Lin surveyed his surroundings. 

The whispers of the dead echoed in his ears. Coarse sand shifted beneath his feet as an arid sea of dust stretched endlessly into the horizon. Everything within sight was shrouded in a gray mist, barren and desolate. 

"This is Mitna-Rachnun, the realm of the dead," Nasus said, his voice deep and gravelly. 

As the esteemed scholar of the Shuriman Empire, Nasus possessed profound knowledge of various nations and their beliefs. 

Mitna-Rachnun was once the faith of certain Valoran inhabitants. During Shurima's golden age, when the continent of Valoran was fragmented into scattered tribes of ignorance and savagery, this belief emerged. The concept of offering one's soul to "Death" for a place among the deities of the Hall of Bones was inherited from the followers of Sahn-Uzal. 

But this realm was merely an unclaimed "Underworld," devoid of a divine figure to anchor the faith. Sahn-Uzal's aspirations had always been hollow. 

"I detest the stench of this place," Morgana said, her eyes ablaze with black and violet flames. 

Beside her, Kayle flapped her wings, radiating brilliant golden light that dispelled the deathly aura surrounding them. 

"Don't recklessly use magic. We don't yet understand the full extent of this Valoran tyrant's power over death," Azir cautioned Kayle. 

As an emperor, Azir never underestimated his adversaries, no matter their nature. He always committed to the fight with unwavering resolve. This principle was one of the reasons Shurima, under Azir's leadership, managed to regain its footing after losing Icathia and Ixtal during the Void Wars, eventually reaching its late peak of expansion. 

Here, they stood in Mordekaiser's domain. Even with eight celestial deities and four starborne hosts on their side—this not including Li Lin's nearly demigod-tier mechanical army—Azir remained cautious. 

His hawk-like gaze shifted toward Li Lin. "The oppressive death aura here disrupts our magic. I can't locate the Iron Revenant's presence." 

"I know! I know!" Zoë chimed in enthusiastically, raising her small hand. "I can sense where that big bad Ironclad is hiding!" 

Unlike the material realm, magic in the spiritual realm was also hindered, limiting Zoë's ability to accurately open portals. Reluctantly, she floated ahead, serving as their guide. 

As they journeyed onward, new souls appeared, while old ones faded away—a reflection of the cycle of life and death. 

Before long, a castle resembling the Immortal Bastion came into view on the distant horizon. The air grew heavier with the stench of death. 

An unending cacophony surrounded them. The wails of countless souls formed a harrowing, sinister symphony of agony. 

As they approached closer, the sight became even more daunting: legions of undead warriors stood motionless before the castle, while thousands of skeletal dragons glided through the gray mist in the skies, their guttural roars shaking the very essence of the soul. 

These forces were poised to meet Li Lin and his allies head-on, clearly prepared for their arrival. 

"It seems the Iron Revenant has long anticipated our visit…" 

Atreus, clad in a set of Project Genesis: Warlord armor forged by Li Lin, gripped his Constellation Lance tightly, his gaze unwavering. 

Just as his words faded, a commanding, ethereal voice echoed from afar, as if answering him: 

"Ahahaha… I see we have Ascended beings and starborne hosts gracing my kingdom." 

Li Lin and the others looked toward the source of the voice. On the ramparts of the distant fortress stood a figure clad in black iron armor and wielding a dark spiked mace—it was Mordekaiser, the Iron Revenant! 

With a powerful leap, Mordekaiser landed atop an enormous elemental dragon, its decayed wings flapping sluggishly as it glided through the air. 

Chains of green spectral energy extended from Mordekaiser's hand, binding the dragon's head, while his spiked mace—Nightfall—hammered into the dragon's back. 

The creature trembled, letting out a pained roar, yet carried its master forward. Mordekaiser hovered above his undead legions, his gaze condescending as he looked down upon Li Lin and his companions. 

Tension thickened as the two sides stared each other down. 

"I've lived many lifetimes, yet I've never met anyone so audacious," Rhaast sneered, his expression as cold as steel. 

He turned to Azir and bowed slightly. "God-Emperor, I request permission to engage." 

Aatrox, standing nearby, shot him a disdainful glance. "We're not here to play games, Rhaast. Save your ego for another day." 

As if insulted by their indifference, Mordekaiser roared in a magical dialect of Ochnun: 

"Destiny, Domination, Deception—I built this kingdom of the dead from ashes. No one—neither mortal nor god—will stop me from reclaiming what is mine!" 

Taking a deep breath, he raised his mace and bellowed, "Soldiers, advance!" 

(End of Chapter)

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