A Search Through Runeterra (Arcane)

"The cycle of life and death continues. We will live, they will die."~ Susan, The DAWG (Nasus, Curator of the Sands)

Was Sylas human? Kinda relatable? It makes sense for him to be like so no? The whole thing with him having no experience with his own magic while having to constantly adapt to the magic in others is a fun thing to play around with.

As promised one chapter per day till the next Monday!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unlike the past few days, the winds tore through the frozen wastelands. The resting snow was kicked up and visibility had fallen.

Gregori could still see in front of him but it wasn't perfect.

He felt the wind rush past him. A perfect tailwind. It was as if the world itself was preparing him for his battle, pushing him forward to the eventual combat.

Preparation was complete only the battle itself was remaining. And they were moving forward to face him soon. He could see them in the distance. Black cloaks pushing through the white snow. A couple beasts alongside them.

Loosening his grip on his shield and axe, he stared ahead. A few seconds later he tightened his grip.

It kept his hands from going numb from the cold. Kept the blood flowing. Kept his mind in focus. He kept repeating it.

"A little more." He muttered under his breath.

As they approached, he could feel his blood pressure start to increase. He could hear his blood rush.

Long breaths were pointless. Short, quick breaths were better. In through the nose and out through the mouth.

The group moved closer.

"Just.... a little... more..." He continued.

They were almost there. Then he could move.

A group with not enough cohesion was as dangerous as the enemy in a battlefield. He could spot the three Iceborn of the group lead them, their Scarmother right behind them on her mount. Each wielding a large weapon. The first was a large man with an axe. The True Ice in the weapon shining through even with the low visibility. The second was another man who seemed to be dragging his leg through the snow. On the side of his lame leg, he dragged a large jagged blade. And finally, a funnily clothed man with an equally funny choice of weapon. He only wore a single fur cloak. One that split to the sides leaving his torso exposed to the elements. Highly impractical clothing. But the Iceborn were usually impervious to the cold. Braum and Tryndamere were good examples. But in battle? Even the thinnest piece of clothing can ease a blow, can stop a blade just enough. Tryndamere had his undying nature and Braum had his shield. Perfect reasons as to why they could get away with wearing so little.

But this man?

His weapons?

Gregori squinted to get a better view. They were..... shackles? Gold and white colored shackles. Demacian colors.

This wasn't an Iceborn. It was the Demacian mage he had read about in the information presented to him.

Interesting.

He was impervious to the cold.

The shackles were just as interesting. They weren't normal metal. Every item meant for restriction in Demacia, was built with Petricite.

Chances were that this man, this mage was still wearing Petricite at the moment. He was limiting himself.

Advantageous.

He either couldn't control his own magic or his magic could affect Petricite itself. Though the chances for the second were low, it was still a possibility. His son could turn into a chair, who could have expected that. Magic wrought miracles.

If this mage could manipulate Petricite... things would not be in his favor at all. That would mean he couldn't use his magic from the onset.

Revealing his magic early would mean a trap with the Petricite could be set in order to weaken him.

For a moment Gregori wondered if he had made the right call by coming here alone and without Caalyx.

It would be a risk bringing him but it was currently a bigger risk not bringing him. His grip on his weapons tightened as they walked closer.

"Right there." He muttered as he started walking toward them.

He stepped up to the ever closer group, as he did, he rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. His eyes briefly flitted toward the glass vials around his hip.

An integral part to his plan.

Preparation was key. And he was better prepared than this group.

"State your name wanderer." The Scarmother called from a distance.

"I am no wanderer." Gregori stood tall as he faced them. "I am your enemy for today. My name is Gregori Hastur."

Laughs erupted from the group.

"You? Alone?" The Scarmother mocked. "How are you going to face all of us? Who do you plan to stop?"

Shrugging, Gregori answered, "I am all that is required. The battles on either side must have begun by now. And knowing the strength of my allies I can confidently say that they would end that as soon as possible and more this side."

A wave of worry passed through the group.

"We have heard of your story Draklorn slayer." Her voice cut through the howling winds, "But we also know of your reliance on a weapon not currently on your person." She continued, "Surrender and we might let you live."

Gregori shook his head with a smile, finding it funny that they believed that he needed Caalyx to be considered a threat. It was quite humiliating to be underestimated in such a manner. A weakling that relied on something other than himself to fight. It was probably what Caalyx wanted to tell him. Over reliance on the weapon was costing him. 

This was something he needed. This was something he had to do in order to move forward. It was the last stage before he could face the Darkin with better hosts. Failure wasn't an option.

"The same offer is extended to you. Turn back now and your actions can be forgiven." Gregori offered.

Only to be met with loud guffaws.

Sigh. "Fine." Gregori closed his eyes and when they opened back up they were filled with killing intent.

He felt his old training with the Rakkor come back.

"I suppose we fight then." He called back.

He held his shield up before raising his axe.

BANG

The head of the axe slammed into the shield.

BANG BANG

Gregori performed the ritual he hadn't done since he was barely a teenager. The ritual to show that he would not bend. He would not break.

Moving his axe forward, he beckoned them forward. 

But instead of moving forward as a group, only the lame Iceborn moved. 

Frowning at the disrespect, Gregori moved forward to meet the man in the middle. He sighed as they came close, this group needed a death to take things seriously then, he thought.

The man faced him, "I am Halgar." He introduced before saying, "You should have accepted our offer for surrender."

Gregori shifted the weight of the axe in his hand as he replied, "You should have taken mine."

Halgar chuckled, "Arrogant." He then moved with surprising efficiency and swung his blade sideways at Gregori.

In return, Gregori moved his shield close to his body and braced for the impact.

THUD

There was surprising amounts of strength in that blow as he was pushed sideways through the snow.

But just as the force of the blow lessened the blade pivoted upward at Gregori's head. He leaned to the side as the edge barely missed.

But as it rose into the air, Halgar let out a cry as he brought it back down in one smooth motion.

Using his already leaned state, Gregori moved his shield to the side at an angle.

SHRRRRRRRRIIIIIKKKKKKKK

The blade scraped off the shield and landed on the ground.

Using the opportunity, Gregori stepped close to Halgar. Close enough to make using the large jagged blade completely useless.

Halgar tried to move and swing the blade sideways once more but Gregori's foot connected with the man's working leg.

His leg buckled as he landed on his knee.

"Should have taken my offer." Gregori told the kneeling man.

Halgar looked up at Gregori only to be met with cold unfeeling eyes.

That was the last thing he saw as Gregori lopped his head off with a swing of his axe.

Gregori swung the axe to get rid of blood on it before muttering, "Surprisingly easy to kill a Iceborn."

Vrynna looked at the exchange with a straight face. She had confidence in Halgar. The man had faced worse and lived. He was a constant. Always reliable. That was the reason he was sent forward.

The enemy was strong but not someone Halgar couldn't beat.

And then Halgar fell to his knees. Her thoughts stopped at that moment as she watched Gregori look down at the man before swinging his arm across. Her breath hitched as she watched Halgar's head cleanly separate from his body and fall to the side.

Silence surrounded her and her army as they watched Halgar's head come to a stop.

Rage erupted within her as she yelled. "ATTACK!"

The shout broke them out of their reverie and battle cries sounded as they rushed toward the man who had just killed one of their own.

Gregori looked at the incoming army and with a sharp exhale, moved.