League Of Legends/Arcane: Earthbound

Weeks had passed since Adam first arrived in Morgana's sanctuary. In that time, his life had transformed in ways he never thought possible. Under Morgana's tutelage, he'd learned not only to fight with greater skill and precision but also to harness a fragment of the magic that coursed through this strange world. Though his abilities were still rudimentary, he felt a spark of hope for the first time since being stranded in Runeterra.

That morning, Adam stood in the garden sanctuary, his breath visible in the cool dawn air. He held his sword in one hand, and in the other, a small orb of shimmering energy—his latest attempt at channeling the magic Morgana had taught him. The orb flickered and pulsed like a heartbeat, small but steady. 

**"Focus, Adam,"** Morgana's voice echoed softly from behind him, her tone both patient and firm. **"Do not let it waver. Magic is not brute force; it is balance. Let it flow through you."** 

Adam clenched his jaw, his concentration narrowing. He steadied his breathing, willing the orb to hold its shape. Slowly, it grew brighter, the flickering stabilizing into a steady glow. 

**"Got it,"** Adam muttered, a hint of pride in his voice. 

Morgana stepped closer, her black and violet robes rustling against the grass. She studied the orb with a critical eye before nodding. **"Good. You've come a long way since the day you stumbled into this forest."** 

Adam chuckled, letting the orb dissipate as he turned to face her. **"I didn't think I'd make it this far. Honestly, I didn't think I'd even survive that serpent in the river."** 

Morgana's lips curved into a faint smile. **"You've surprised even me. Few possess the determination you've shown. Still..."** Her expression grew serious. **"...magic is not your strength. Not yet. Your control is fragile, and in Ionia, that could be dangerous."** 

Adam sighed, running a hand through his hair. **"I know. But I can't stay here forever, Morgana. I need to keep moving if I'm ever going to find a way back home."** 

Morgana crossed her arms, her glowing purple eyes narrowing slightly. **"And what will you do in Ionia? Wander aimlessly? Hope someone there has the answers you seek?"** 

Adam hesitated. **"I... don't know. But I have to try. I can't just give up."** 

Morgana watched him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed and gestured for him to follow her. 

---

They walked to the edge of the sanctuary, where a large stone pedestal stood surrounded by ancient runes. Morgana placed a hand on the pedestal, and a faint purple light emanated from it. A small chest emerged from the base of the stone, its surface carved with intricate patterns. 

She opened the chest and withdrew a small vial filled with a glowing, golden liquid. 

**"This is an elixir of protection,"** she said, holding it out to Adam. **"It's not much, but it will shield you from harm in dire moments. Use it wisely."** 

Adam accepted the vial, tucking it carefully into his pack. **"Thank you. For everything. I wouldn't have made it this far without you."** 

Morgana shook her head. **"Do not thank me yet. Your journey is far from over, and the dangers ahead will make everything you've faced so far seem trivial. But remember this—wherever you go, trust in yourself. You have the strength to endure, even when the odds seem impossible."** 

Adam nodded, her words settling deep in his chest. **"I won't let you down."** 

---

As he packed his belongings and prepared to leave the sanctuary, Adam felt a mix of emotions—gratitude for Morgana's guidance, fear of what lay ahead, and determination to see his quest through. 

Morgana walked with him to the edge of the forest, the towering trees casting long shadows in the early morning light. 

**"The path to Ionia will be treacherous,"** she warned. **"It will take weeks, perhaps longer, to reach its borders. Avoid the main roads, and trust your instincts. The people of Ionia are wary of outsiders, but if you are honest and respectful, they may offer their aid."** 

Adam adjusted the strap of his pack, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. **"Got it. Stay alive, stay out of trouble, and don't piss off the locals."** 

Morgana smirked faintly, though her eyes remained serious. **"One last thing."** She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. **"If you ever find yourself lost—truly lost—remember the sanctuary. It will always be here for you."** 

Adam swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding. **"I'll remember."** 

---

As he stepped out of the forest and into the open plains beyond, Adam turned back for a final glance at the sanctuary. Morgana stood at the edge of the trees, her figure bathed in a faint purple glow. She raised a hand in farewell, and Adam did the same before continuing on his way. 

The road to Ionia stretched out before him, vast and uncertain. But for the first time in a long while, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Morgana stood at the edge of her sanctuary, watching as Adam's figure disappeared into the dense trees of the Silent Forest. The morning light filtered through the branches, casting long shadows across the ground. She remained motionless for a time, her thoughts lingering on the boy who had brought an unexpected sense of joy into her life. 

Adam reminded her of a time long past—of laughter shared with her sister, of bonds forged in love and trust. His determination, his wit, and his stubborn refusal to give up had rekindled something within her, something she hadn't felt in centuries. He wasn't just a guest or a student to her; he had become like the younger brother she never had, someone to protect and guide. 

**"Be safe, Adam,"** she whispered, her voice soft but heavy with emotion. **"You have so much ahead of you. I only pray the world doesn't break you before you reach your goal."** 

She turned back toward the sanctuary, her heart heavy but resolute. There was still much for her to do here, but her thoughts would often wander to the young man who had walked out of her forest with hope in his eyes.

---

Adam stepped out of the Silent Forest, leaving the mystical and protective embrace of Morgana's sanctuary behind. The plains stretched out before him, vast and open, with the towering peaks of the Argent Mountains visible in the distance. The sight of the mountains made his stomach churn with a mix of anticipation and dread. He had never traversed mountains before, let alone a range as formidable as this one. 

**"All right,"** he muttered to himself, adjusting the straps of his pack. **"Two weeks of hard climbing. Just don't fall, freeze, or get eaten by something. Easy enough, right?"** 

His attempt at humor fell flat even to his own ears, but it helped calm the nerves gnawing at him. He couldn't afford to dwell on the dangers; he had to focus on moving forward. 

---

The first few days of his journey toward the mountains were uneventful but exhausting. The open plains offered little in the way of shelter, and Adam found himself constantly glancing over his shoulder, wary of any signs of Demacian patrols or stray creatures. 

He avoided the main roads, sticking to hidden trails and natural cover. The tension was constant, but he pressed on, knowing every step brought him closer to his goal. 

As he neared the foothills of the Argent Mountains, the air grew colder, and the terrain became more challenging. The gentle slopes of the plains gave way to rocky outcroppings and narrow paths winding upward. Adam paused at the base of the first climb, staring up at the jagged peaks that loomed above him. 

**"Okay,"** he muttered, taking a deep breath. **"One step at a time. Just keep moving."** 

---

The ascent was grueling. Adam's legs burned with every step, and the thin mountain air made breathing a challenge. The paths were treacherous, with loose rocks and sheer drops that made his heart pound every time he glanced down. 

He slipped once, his boot catching on a loose rock that sent him tumbling to his knees. His heart raced as he stared at the edge of the path, where a fall would mean certain death. 

**"Focus, Adam,"** he growled to himself, brushing the dirt from his hands. **"You didn't survive Demacia, the Silent Forest, and a freaking river serpent just to die here."** 

He pressed on, using his sword as a makeshift walking stick when the terrain grew particularly steep. 

---

On the fifth day, Adam came across a small, sheltered cave. Exhausted and hungry, he decided to rest there for the night. He started a small fire using the kindling he'd gathered earlier and pulled out what little food he had left—dried meat and some berries he'd found along the way. 

As he stared into the flames, his thoughts drifted to Morgana. He could still hear her voice in his mind, guiding him through the basics of magic, encouraging him when he faltered. 

**"I wonder what she's doing now,"** he mused aloud. **"Probably meditating in that garden, worrying about me like some overprotective older sister."** 

The thought made him smile, though it was tinged with sadness. He missed her, missed the safety and warmth of the sanctuary. But he couldn't turn back now. 

**"I'll make it to Ionia,"** he said firmly, his voice echoing softly in the cave. **"And I'll find a way home. I owe her that much."** 

---

The next morning, Adam continued his ascent. The higher he climbed, the harsher the conditions became. The wind howled through the narrow passes, and the cold bit at his skin despite the layers he wore. 

On the eighth day, he encountered his first real obstacle—a sheer cliff face that blocked the path ahead. He craned his neck, studying the cliff. It wasn't impossibly high, but it was slick with ice and dotted with loose rocks. 

**"Great,"** he muttered, shaking his head. **"Just what I needed."** 

He took a deep breath and began the climb, his hands and feet finding purchase on the uneven surface. The cold made his fingers numb, and more than once, he felt a rock shift beneath his weight, sending a cascade of pebbles clattering down to the ground below. 

When he finally reached the top, he collapsed onto the flat surface, panting and shivering. 

**"That... sucked,"** he muttered, staring up at the cloudy sky. **"But I made it."** 

He allowed himself a brief moment of rest before pushing on. 

---

By the twelfth day, Adam was nearing the highest point of the Argent Mountains. The air was thin, and the cold was relentless, but he could see the faint outline of the other side in the distance. 

As he trudged forward, he thought of his brother back home. The image of his older brother's face was a constant motivator, driving him to keep going even when his body screamed at him to stop. 

**"I'm coming back,"** he promised aloud, his voice hoarse from the cold. **"I don't know how, but I will."** 

---

Finally, on the fourteenth day, Adam began his descent. The sight of the plains stretching out below filled him with relief, though he knew his journey was far from over. Piltover was still a long way off, and he'd need to find a way through the bustling city without attracting attention. 

As he reached the base of the mountains and stepped onto solid ground once more, Adam took a moment to catch his breath and survey his surroundings. The journey through the Argent Mountains had tested him in every way, but he'd come out the other side stronger and more determined than ever. 

Adjusting his pack, he set off toward Piltover, the next step in his quest to reach Ionia and, hopefully, find a way back home.