Runeterra: Alexander The Eternal

The night stretched endlessly before me, the ocean below a mirror to the star-strewn sky. The full moon hung high, its silver light painting the waves in shimmering streaks. The wind howled, a mournful song that carried the salt-kissed breath of the deep. Yet within me, there was silence—a stillness no storm could unsettle.

I sat motionless on Silver's back, the map in my hands a fragile parchment against the vastness of the world. My gaze traced the lines of the coastline, stopping near Raikkon.

"If the timeline holds, Noxus will strike soon," I murmured, my voice low. "if they haven't already."

Their goal is the heart of the land—Placidium, Navori. Their forces struggle to cross the nearer shores, making alternate routes a clear choice.

My fingers brushed over the map, "Raikkon… a logical alternative. Though, a bit far from the main land."

Raikkon. The birthplace of Master Xin.

This wasn't a pilgrimage. This event mattered.

Somewhere within a nearby village lay an artifact—an egg, a stone, something veiled in mystery. A celestial object powerful enough to draw Bard, one of the highest beings.

Janna's clones reminded me of one truth: there's strength in numbers. 'I need something new.'

A shift in the air pulled me from my thoughts. Silver's movements were slower, his breath deep and tired.

"Descend," I commanded, my voice layered with authority.

Without hesitation, Silver tucked his wings, plunging toward the ocean.

The sea trembled as a column of earth and stone erupted beneath us, a crude but temporary pillar to keep us from drowning. Silver exhaled heavily, his exhaustion evident.

'We've been at this for days. Even with healing and telekinesis to lighten weight, there's a limit,' I muttered, pulling out a flask of cool water, a brief reprieve from the weariness that clung to me.

Before, this method would have been impossible. My reserves of mana now are stable—not due to effort or training, but something else. The flow of energy seemed to connect to the wings, yet it didn't originate from them.

"Strange," I exhaled, my gaze drifting to the horizon. "A river with no source, no end. For sure, lack of crucial knowledge."

After some time, the coastline finally came into view. The shore was a jagged silhouette, its cliffs rising like sentinels. No ships marred the horizon, but the absence of man's touch only heightened the sense of anticipation.

"So Noxus didn't arrived," I said quietly. "Or they already left."

My plan was simple: rest, survey the area, and watch for magical signals. An artifact that powerful should shine like the sun.

. .

Under the starry night sky, verdant hills stretch out in gentle waves, adorned with majestic pine trees, spring painted the foliage in vibrant hues.

As I landed, the magical light of fireflies dances in the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of golden dots. Amidst the darkness, bioluminescent plants emit an ethereal blue glow, illuminating the environment with enchantment.

"So this is Ionia," I murmured, extending my senses. The threads of magic here were definitely denser, yet... I expected more.

"Hmm." My gaze followed the shimmering trails of energy. "More lines than usual."

After nearly a week of travel, exhaustion weighed heavily on me. Rest was necessary.

I raised my arm, palm outstretched, the air vibrated as raw energy coalesced into a sphere of light. The air screamed, the hum sharp as I... split the sphere into two smaller orbs.

The effort was noticeable, but I managed to stabilize them.

"Such precision…" I flexed my fingers, feeling the strain. "The wings definitely pushed my control further than I first realized."

Sigh.

I focused again, both orbs nearly fracturing into four—the balance wavered.

'Danger.'

With a flick of my fingers, I released them. The orbs shot forward—Boom—their impact shattering trees and sending splinters into the air. The forest trembled, the echoes of destruction rippling through the stillness.

I watched as the smoke cleared, the scent of burnt wood mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest.

"An army won't fall to one arrow." I muttered, stepping forward to gather scattered branches. "What will I do when I face them? Fight one by one?" I scoffed. "No. I need to erase them all."

But my reserves were not at their peak. I needed to regulate my use of power. As I gathered wood for a fire, the sounds of the forest shifted subtly—a change in rhythm, a shift in breath. I noticed but dismissed it. Likely just nature responding to the sudden attack.

'At dawn, I'll seek out the village,' I thought, stacking the branches. 'For now, a fire.'

As I worked, another thought settled in. 'I'm tired of eating fish. There must be something else here.'

I exhaled, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me.

"Enough. I need rest."

. .

Midnight.

A sound stirred me from sleep—a soft rustling, like leaves brushing against each other in the wind. I opened my eyes, the campfire's glow casting long shadows across the clearing.

Not far from where I rested, a group of deer moved through the forest. But these were no ordinary creatures.

Their antlers were adorned with living branches, fresh blossoms sprouting from the wood as if spring itself had taken root in their crowns. With each graceful step, they left behind trails of ephemeral light, glowing footprints that shimmered briefly before dissolving into the night.

I exhaled slowly, my stomach twisting with hunger.

"A magical deer?" I muttered, my voice low.

Without hesitation, I conjured a sphere of energy in my palm. The air crackled as I wove elemental fire into it, the winds shifting in response. The orb split into two, then four—smaller, more volatile. Before the unstable energy could escape my grasp, I unleashed them.

Explosions tore through the clearing, the glow of magic colliding with the phantom lights left behind by the deer. Chaos erupted. Some creatures scattered into the shadows, while others collapsed where they stood. Flames flickered against the illusions, painting the forest in a surreal, violent dance of embers and shifting hues.

In the panic, one of the creatures dropped a fragment of its antler. The severed branch pulsed with light, disintegrating into golden motes that sank into the earth. Within moments, a sprout emerged, growing rapidly into a thick shrub laden with dark, glistening berries.

I stepped forward, closing the distance, my eyes narrowing.

"What kind of curse is this?"

I knelt, inspecting the fruit. The berries were small, their surfaces smooth and glossy, reflecting the firelight like tiny mirrors. I plucked one from the bush, turning it in my hand.

"Raikkon Berries," I murmured. "From what I recall, they're used for dyes and tattoos."

Almost useless.

Even so, I gathered a few, their weight slight in my palm. 'Each season holds a different sprout,' I recalled, and with a glance, extinguished the remaining flames.

.

Silver was feeding on the fallen deers while I cooked one in silence.

Yet something was wrong.

The forest was way too quiet.

I scanned my surroundings, but there were no signs of enemies. Still, the feeling remained—an unseen presence, watching, waiting.

. . .

At Dawn, a shift in the air jolted me awake.

Something was wrong.

As my senses sharpened, I realized—Silver and I were bound. Thick, living vines coiled around us, their surfaces slick with an unnatural sheen. They pulsed with energy, tightening around my limbs, slithering toward my throat as soon as they felt me stir.

I reacted.

Flames roared to life, consuming the vines instantly. The heat licked at my clothes, and when the embers settled, my coat was nothing but scorched rags.

I clicked my tongue, ripping the last remnants of fabric from my shoulders.

"What devil was that?" I exhaled sharply, my voice tinged with frustration.

The forest around me seemed to breathe, the vines retreating into the shadows as if alive. I climbed onto Silver, his muscles tensed beneath me, ready for flight.

"…Is this 'punishment' for breaking balance?" I muttered, my gaze sweeping the clearing.

Huh!

With a sharp motion, I extended my hand. Yellow lightning erupted in a sweeping arc, setting the surrounding trees ablaze in retaliation. The fire crackled hungrily, spreading through this cursed forest as Silver's wings unfurled.

We took flight, leaving behind only smoke and embers.

But even as the distance grew, I felt it—the same presence as before, growing stronger.