Chapter 1: Out of my League

Chapter 1: Out of my League: Welcome to Summoner's Rift!

"Gwah!" I groaned as I stumbled and hit the cold hard ground. Out of some goddess' spite, I ended up getting warped into different dimensions and realities. Each world was unique and each time I ended up in a world where my presence is terribly unwelcome. How many years has it been already? A few centuries? I can't remember. All I know is that I am lucky to be immortal and that I need to find my way back.


"I will get you back for this, Kioku, I swear!"


Looking around, I found that I was in some tall brush of the sorts. I took a peek outside and I saw that I was in some maze like field. I continued to look around but a stepped back as I saw a massive dragon. It seemed to be bound in this rounded barrier of stone with only one opening. The dragon did not seem to notice me. I took a closer look and it was completely ignoring me, as if I weren't here.


I was about to try and poke it with my dagger when all of a sudden, two ethereal eyes seemed to have hovered above me. It illuminated the area and I felt an ominous feeling that I should not be here. I decided to get as far away as possible from here. All of a sudden, a huge metallic hand launched from the one of the bushes and headed towards me. I immediately jumped to the right but then from the bush that I landed in shot out a...bandage? What the hell did I just get into?


I rolled away and headed towards the dragon. I think with my abilities, i can probably jump high enough over that wall. I did so without hesitation and I soon found myself clearing the wall with ease. But then I saw something flash in front of me and there was this huge metal golem standing in front of me. It suddenly thrust its fist towards my face and I could only block it with the hilt of my blade.


"That hurt, damn it!" I had enough of this. I drew my blade in anger and went on the offensive. "Chuujou-ryuu Ougi, Tsubame Gaeshi!"


I...had no idea why I had to shout it like that. Perhaps I got caught up in the adrenaline rush when I got pissed off. At any rate, my blade swung down on the golem. It moved to dodge but the technique was one that was inhuman when mastered. The single slashed, in great speed, turned into three multi-directional attacks. It cut through the golem with ease but some sort of shield kept it alive. It then started to run away from me.

I was about to relax when I heard a scuffle to my side. There was a brush there and a bandage once again shot out. I could not dodge this one. I latched on to me and I then saw a short mummy being hurled towards me, connected to the bandage. It that was not enough, from the wall I jumped, a golden sword of light somehow went through the wall. Before I knew it, there was a woman clad in gold armor behind me. I was cornered. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the worst but...nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw that the two were eying each other. Acquaintances? It seemed like it but they were both wary of each other.


"An ally of yours?" The woman asked the mummy. The mummy in turn shook his head. More scuffling was heard and there were all sorts of appearances. A booming voice announced that there is a momentary ceasefire as there was an anomaly in the field. I could only assume that it was me. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by two groups of five members each. Along with the golden-clad woman and the golem was a little girl holding a stuffed bear, a woman who held some instrument in her hand and a woman with a large rifle. With the mummy was a barbarian with a large blade, a monk, a scarecrow and a woman with white hair and a horn. I decided not to move a muscle and avoid their gaze at the moment. I only noticed that the golem was no longer as wounded as it was before.


"What is your name, boy?" The woman asked me. I was annoyed on how she addressed me but I held back. I am outnumbered after all. There was also the fact that my summons were sealed. I think that the goddess that cursed me did this out of her own amusement.


"Reiku," I replied. "Reiku Tohno. What...where exactly am I?"


She was about to reply but we were all suddenly engulfed in a blue aura. I felt as it was pulling me away. I did not know what was happening and I was looking for an escape route. Then, I heard a voice inside me head directly. "Don't be afraid. Your questions will soon be answered."


With that, I felt my entire body disappear and reform some place else. My view turned into a hazy white before I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Being a being made from both science and magic, it seemed that I had several seals in me that counteracted the magic. I can already taste blood. When my vision cleared, I found that I was on the floor, surrounded by the ten beings from before and several robed men and women. I was clutching my stomach and I spat out some blood. Then, I heard a strum of strings and I felt myself being relieved of the pain. In no time at all, I was cured. I got up and saw the woman that was playing the music and I bowed down to her.


"Thank you," I told her. She merely smiled at me and they all went their separate ways. I was left with only a few people and they were all talking to each other. I decided to stay calm and hope it would be all sorted out.


I found that I had landed inside what they call the Fields of Justice. Those that I had met were called Champions and I was briefed regarding what goes on in these areas. After a bit more of an interrogation, I asked if they can send me back. Sadly, they have no clue what the place which I came from was. But there was hope, as it turns out, the most powerful of magi reside here and perhaps they can, in turn, help me after a period of time. However, it goes without saying that there is a price to pay in this. I can do it by myself or I can get the aid I needed in return for service. I told them that I would think about it and thanked them for their hospitality. I would give my answer in about a week's time. For now, I was allowed to explore the City-States of the land.


I decided to ask around regarding the champions and their respective city-states. I soon found myself exploring Demacia. It was no surprise, I was a bit anxious to meet that woman again. It turns out that she's famous in these parts, both as a champion and a musician. I soon learned of a certain performance and decided to attend it. It was there that I witnessed such music that trembled my heart and soul. I do not know if this was magic or sorcery but the very harmony was inducing dissonance within me. That feeling of pain returned slightly, only to be relieved once more. I then realized that while she was a highly talented artisan of music, she was also a warrior in the Fields of Justice.


At the end of the performance, I was faced with but an emotion of grave disappointment. Those that I met in the first instance I arrived...they are in a completely different league. Was it the same league that I was offered to provide service for?


At this point in time, I found myself in deep thought just outside the concert hall. How long was it that I stood there, I do not recall. However, I had stayed long enough until it was time that the people were leaving. In sheer happenstance, I had come across her once more as she was accompanied by another woman. From what it seemed, she was the daughter of a noble. I felt belittled. I was but a thief and I now am standing one of the higher ups.


"Forgive my rudeness," I bowed before them. "I only wished to thank her once more for an incident earlier. That is all." With that, I wished to simply turn around and walk away. However, I heard but a voice in my head once more.


"Can you hear me?" She asked.


"Pardon?" I straightened up and asked. The older woman simply looked at me with confusion. They did not say anything so...


"You can hear me, after all," she said in my head. She seemed somewhat happy by the sound of her voice. Was it her? What was it again? Sona Buvelle? She strummed a few strings on her instrument and her mother had understood it almost immediately. With a smile, she left us to be, only parting with words that tell her to not take too long.


"So, you can't speak?" I asked her.


"No," she replied in my head once more. "However, I find it strange you can hear me. Normally, only a summoner can hear the thoughts that I wish to convey."


"I see," I nodded and avoided her gaze. She was attractive, to say the least. But I am well out of my league in this state.


She giggled and brushed her hand on the strings. Could she read my mind? Oh damn...


"Thank you," she thanked me. Was it because I thought of her as attractive? "I have to go. I would be pleased if we were to meet again soon. Whether it is here in Demacia, or on the Fields of Justice."


With that, we parted ways. Ah. But for now, I felt a bit renewed. Perhaps, I can spend a few of my time in these lands and maybe find that way home. But at the very least, I am leaning towards offering my services to the League.


"Oh, and one more thing," I heard her before I felt a soft sensation on my cheek. As I turned around, I saw her smile as she walked away to where her mother was waiting. I could only place a hand on my cheek where the warmth and scent of the maven lingered for what almost seemed like an eternity.


I smiled as I went my own way home. Only then did I realize that I had no place of my own. Ah, the rooftops will do just fine. The cold of the night is nothing compared to the lingering warmth in my heart and soul at the moment.