"You people showed up just as the Herald was dispatched!"
The old man trembled as he spoke, his voice weak and wavering. Duke raised an eyebrow. These people were sharp, spotting them the moment they appeared and immediately sending a herald for reinforcements.
"Well, that certainly saves me a lot of trouble."
Duke stroked his chin thoughtfully. Since they'd already sent someone to notify the capital, there was no need for further conflict, at least for now.
The truth was, he'd only acted out of necessity. Had these people not been so obstinate, clinging tightly to tradition and trying to expel them without even offering proper reception or communication with the royal capital, he wouldn't have made the first move.
Especially when he'd clearly introduced himself as a diplomatic envoy seeking to establish relations. Not only had they refused to accommodate him, they hadn't even thought to pass on his request to the ruling tower of the kingdom, they simply tried to drive them away.
Frankly, they deserved the beating they got.
Still, Duke was surprised by how quickly they'd sent for help. Apparently, they were more cautious, and fearful, than he expected.
As for the High Spire of Ixtal's royal capital, Duke was confident that no matter who they sent in response, he'd be able to win them over.
The winds of change were already stirring.
All across Runeterra, kingdoms were beginning to prepare for a new era. If Ixtal still insisted on clinging to its age-old traditions, then Duke wouldn't hesitate to turn around and walk away.
And if conflict came later? Well, they'd have no one to blame but themselves.
Pant, pant, pant...
Bena's breath came fast and heavy as she darted through the jungle, empowered by the Fifth Axiom, granting her increased speed. She raced along the familiar forest path, heading straight toward Ixtal's royal capital: the High Spire.
This was a road she'd run many times before, always with hopeful excitement, eager to bring messages from the city of Tikalas to the capital.
But not today.
Today, there was only urgency. Panic.
She had to warn the High Spire, warn them that outsiders had arrived. Foreigners had descended from the sky and invaded Tikalas.
Normally, the journey would take half a day. This time, she completed it in just one-third. The thought of those skyfalling invaders possibly ravaging Tikalas fueled her desperation.
Finally, she spotted a figure wielding a circular blade and carrying short daggers at the hip, one of the Road Wardens.
A wave of relief washed over her.
These weren't soldiers, strictly speaking, but they were the guardians of the kingdom, constantly patrolling the routes between Ixtal's great towers. Their vigilance was invaluable.
"Urgent message!"
Bena shouted from a distance: "Emergency report from Tikalas!"
Her cries quickly drew attention from a trio of Road Wardens. The leader frowned as she approached, seeing the panic on her face.
"What happened in Tikalas, Herald?"
"Foreigners!" she gasped. "They descended from the sky, outsiders! They've landed in the city square! The elders sent me to request immediate aid, they stayed behind to deal with the intruders."
"What?!"
The Warden captain's expression shifted instantly. He turned without hesitation.
"This must reach the Elder Council and the King. Come with me, Herald!"
He led Bena toward the High Spire, seat of the Ixtal royal capital.
Half an hour later.
Within the towering Spire, beneath the royal throne,
"You're saying a group of foreigners descended into Tikalas from the sky?"
The current king's expression was solemn as he looked down at Bena.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" she answered, trembling.
"They arrived in strange machines made of metal and leather. They landed in the city square. The elders sent me to request help, they stayed behind to stall the intruders."
"I beg you, please, send help! Save the people of Tikalas!"
After her plea, she knelt, pressing her forehead to the floor. The king, deep in thought, stroked his chin.
For centuries, no one had discovered the location of Ixtal, not even its scattered outer provinces.
And now, during his reign, outsiders had found one of their border cities.
A grim omen, indeed.
Still, the question wasn't whether to respond, they must.
Every province was an inseparable part of Ixtal. Even if their glory had faded, they were still Ixtal's to protect.
"My daughters," the king turned to the ten princesses seated on either side of his throne, "who among you will go to Tikalas and drive away the invaders?"
These were the Yun Tal, ten noble princesses of Ixtal, all with dusky, coffee-toned skin. They wore elegant garments of silver and gray, with long silver hair held in place by jeweled ornaments.
As soon as he spoke, the youngest stood without hesitation.
"Father, I will go!" she declared. "I'll use my elemental magic to punish those who dare set foot on Ixtal's sacred soil. They'll learn firsthand the power and pride of our people!"
She stood no taller than 1.5 meters, adorned in luxurious golden jewelry, each gem cut with impossible precision. A small crown rested atop her head, and her silver curls tumbled down her shoulders. Her chin tilted up with haughty confidence.
"Qiyana, you're still too young," the king frowned. "This task should fall to one of your older sisters. Mara, can you go?"
"I..." Mara hesitated, glancing toward Qiyana, clearly uncomfortable. "Father, I don't think I, "
"Enough."
The king sighed, massaging his temples. Ever since Qiyana defeated their eldest sister Inessa in a public duel, crippling her for life, the older daughters had all become fearful of her.
Inessa had lost the use of her legs, confined to a chair, needing to be carried wherever she went.
"Very well. Qiyana, take one hundred Road Wardens and go to Tikalas."
"Just me is enough," Qiyana said coolly.
Her servant Be'al stepped forward, handing her the Oretal Chakram. She wrapped it around herself with a smug grin, brimming with confidence.
"I don't need anyone's help."
Watching her Pride, King Ixtal, Yun IV, shook his head. Maybe it was time she learned a lesson in humility.
"Then go alone."
Qiyana bowed in acknowledgment, then turned to Bena.
"Lead the way, Herald."
Tikalas – Village Square
"So, gentlemen, is there anything else I should know?"
Seated comfortably, Duke smiled at the elders devouring the food he'd brought. One of their beards was slick with grease.
"No, Duke," one replied between bites. "And may I say, this food from the outside world is extraordinary!"
He raised his cup, the Noxian firewine inside sending a warm flush through his cheeks.
This secluded nation had remained closed for over a thousand years. Even with their elemental magic, they were stuck in an agrarian lifestyle, hunting, farming, simple crafts.
Sure, they could carve flawless gemstones and conjure clean water, but by modern standards, they were far behind.
Just introducing things like Neeko's cheesecake was enough to leave them awestruck.
To Duke, their "alcohol" was barely stronger than fruit juice. Nothing compared to Bilgewater rum.
Still, a few crates of food and wine from Piltover was all it took to loosen these old men's tongues.
He'd already gathered most of the information he wanted. Though they kept a few secrets, they were minor.
These particular elders had shown no aggression toward him, making them easy to approach. A few bottles of Noxian liquor, and they spilled everything they knew.
Now, Duke had a general grasp of Ixtal's situation. All that remained was to meet whoever the High Spire sent.
And thanks to what he'd learned, he now knew that the youngest of the Yun Tal, Qiyana, had, in a public duel, crippled her own sister Inessa.
Duke couldn't help but admire the brutal little gremlin.
If she could do that to her own sister, she clearly wasn't someone to be underestimated.
Still, it gave him insight into how to win over the reigning King Yun.
First, though, he had to meet the envoy, and get an invitation to the High Spire.
Meanwhile, in the jungle,
"I'm starting to sweat, Be'al!"
Qiyana's voice rang sharply.
"For the love of the elements, can't you even handle this? All I asked was for you to keep me cool."
"Do you hear me?"
Her servant grew flustered. Bena followed the pair silently, hoping they'd reach her village soon.
Be'al used the last of his elemental control to summon a swirl of mist around Qiyana, shielding her from the jungle's heat.
"Much better."
Qiyana nodded curtly, but her expression remained as haughty as ever.
"I need to focus now."
She began to spin the Oretal Chakram around her body. Elemental energy flowed into the blade, turning it into a medium for her magic.
With each rotation, the undergrowth bowed to her will, shrubs and roots bending, soil rising as vegetation parted.
A narrow trail appeared through the dense jungle.
"Let's go," Qiyana said, striding forward.
Each turn of her chakram cleared vines before her. Behind her, the plants slithered back into place, sealing the trail shut again.
Be'al was left struggling at the rear. Only with the help of the Fifth Axiom was Bena able to keep up without being swallowed by the shifting terrain.
"Stay close, both of you," Qiyana called over her shoulder. "That's all I ask."
Be'al fought through the regrown underbrush, trying to maintain both his pace and Qiyana's cooling mist. Bena kept pace behind them.
By the time they emerged from the forest, the sun had dipped low. Golden dusk lit up the silhouette of a small village ahead.
Qiyana turned one last time to confirm the hidden path had vanished behind them.
At the same moment, Duke's drone picked up her signal.
He saw the petite figure, barely 1.5 meters tall, and touched his chin thoughtfully.
"Well now... I wasn't expecting her. What a surprise."
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
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