Declaring war on a nation of warmongers

The entire country's active. If you didn't know where the Immortal Bastion was, you could just follow the hundreds of warriors travelling to it from all over. Jinx and I were fine just walking along with them. As they weren't aggressive and while we were in our travelling clothes and not our armor I wasn't recognizable to Noxians. All were either scared or curious seeing Dorghar. Which is understandable since no one sees a Shadow horse every day.

Unfortunately some Noxians and mercenaries from Piltover and it's Undercity knew who we were. Some would ask if we were joining Noxus as well, others would ask how I am able to do the things that I do. I don't give any an actual answers, either a lie or a lie.

"So many people..." I hear Jinx quietly say. She looked at me and asked "Do you think they know about the invasion?"

I shake my head "I doubt Noxus would go around telling non-Noxians they are invading a place that hasn't been in war for generations. If they did Ionia would've heard at least rumors of it and be more prepared."

"All the Noxians I've met are boastful assholes when it comes to killing and fighting. I doubt every single one has been strong in keeping an invasion of this scale, secret."

"Noxians are very serious when it comes to war. Increasing their strength is a Noxian's biggest priority most of the time."

She groaned "Dying for some warmongering Empire? No thanks." She then closed her eyes and held up a finger and said "I say if you have to die for someone, die for yourself." Opening her eyes she went back to looking at me and asked "What about you? What's your opinion on this funny big country?"

I look past her towards a faraway village. "All nations have the good and the bad. Noxus is a place that celebrates diversity, which in a world of hating the unknown is a nice breath of fresh air. I also like their respect for worthy foes, both allies or enemies. Their hate for kings and those with unearned titles is also nice. Noxus is about standing and being embraced in the glory shared by each of it's citizens."

I chuckle before answering "I don't really have an opinion on it. It has it's goods and bads. I think all the regions of this world have never been more divided. The people of this world need to accept each other, if the world has any hope to survive the coming fights."

"Oh good, you're already practicing your little monk ways, now that we're off to Ionia." She teases.

I laugh "You little..." I was about to playfully mock her, but I noticed the Immortal Bastion close in the distance. "We're close."

She followed my eyes as she too saw the intimidating fortress "Okay, now I understand not fighting them there. That place looks unbreakable."

"The fortress has gone through over a thousand years of conflict. It's well earned it's title of one of the most unconquerable places in Runeterra."

"Especially since an entire army currently chills inside it and let's not forget about the cult hiding under it." Jinx finishes. "Why aren't we going around it again?"

"It would extended the journey for multiple days, to get around the capital. Not only that but it's easier to sneak through the city, rather than avoid the multiple patrols surrounding it. Speaking of which." I say pointing down the path.

There was one of the common Noxian gates known as Noxtoraa, a symbol of Noxian rule. Built from dark stone from the nearby mountains of the capital of Noxus they are placed along all roads in Noxian territory that lead to the Immortal Bastion. Under it were multiple of Noxian soldiers, clearly checking all strangers and carriages passing further to the Noxian capital.

I don't intend to be spotted by the general army of Noxus, yet, so I nudge Jinx with my elbow. "Go that way" I say gesturing to an opening in the nearby forest.

She nods as she guides Mouser to go that way instead. The soldiers were too preoccupied with their jobs to notice us leaving the path. "Do you know where this goes? I don't know about Dorghar, but I can tell Mouser isn't the biggest fan of mud and dirt." She asks looking down at her horse.

"We need to stay out of sight until we are close enough anyway." To give Mouser some ease I summon some Wolves to scout the area ahead, so we can avoid areas of mud or trees.

After more hours of travelling we were on the outskirts of Noxus. It was dark out, as we camped on top of a hill, looking at the activity upon the massive walls surrounding the city.

"It would be easier to pass through the city instead of going around it... blah... blah." I hear Jinx mumble behind me quietly.

I give her a little shove "Shut it. We can both sit on Mouser. When not in our armor we just look like some travelers."

"Then what? We just gonna past through like that?"

I shrug "There's so much activity I doubt they would think we weren't simple travelers. It's common for people to pass through the capital instead of going through the harsh plains that surround the place."

She sighed "Well lets hurry up them. I wanna get somewhere nice and comfy one last time before going to literal war." She gets up as I follow her. I hop onto Mouser as I pull Jinx to sit behind me. Mouser is a large and powerful horse while Jinx and I are still, technically children, so Mouser could more than support our weight.

She started to trot down nice and gently. I guided her to fall into the crowds of activity smoothly as she moved through dozens of Noxians and other people, enjoying the night. The streets were packed with drinking soldiers as they will have little time for relaxation in Ionia or Freljord.

As we went through I seriously doubted Noxus's ability to not spread important information. I could hear soldiers talking about been placed into either Ionia or Freljord. They would either complain about the cold in the Freljord or complain about the lack of real action in Ionia. Though I was glad many found it disturbing to be ordered to massacre farmers and priests, but that thought was shaken away with ideas of glory.

"So patriotic..." I comment to no one.

Jinx was constantly saying comforting words to her horse while patting her side. The cramped space has made Mouser nervous. Luckily Jinx's words seemingly kept it from freaking out. I must admit I'm quite surprised Jinx formed a tight bond with her horse quite quickly. But then again, she and I did as well so maybe she has a gift for it.

As we travelled my suspicions rose. We were being followed by an almost invisible stalker. Whoever this was knew what they were doing. If I was a regular human, I wouldn't have spotted them.

"Don't look behind us but we're being stalked." I told Jinx. I hear her tense up but she doesn't turn.

"What are we going to do?" She whispers.

"I have an idea." I reply as I guide Mouser to change direction from the Northern exit of the city. Instead, she takes us to a district of the city called Mortoraa. The district is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city. But it is also known as it's most ominous due to having no lanterns to light up it's streets at night.

Mouser slowed to a slow trot when we entered the district due to the dark. Once we were in pitch darkness, I summoned Blade and ordered "Wait in the background and catch our stalker when the moment arises. After that bring him to me." He nods before disappearing into the shadows.

Whoever was stalking us seemed to be a good climber. The streets of Mortoraa were wide and bare so it provides little cover for someone following another. But judging by the noises I could hear this person was climbing across the rooftops and balconies of the nearby homes and buildings.

"I can't see a thing here." Jinx grumbles.

"You don't need to in this situation. It shouldn't take long for us to deal with this stalker and be on our way." I whispered to her.

Soon enough soon I hear some quick fighting. Blade had sprung and this stalker had fallen into a trap. I pulled out a hand-held lantern out of one of my bags and lit it. It revealed Blade pinning a small, hooded figure to the ground.

I hop off Mouser "I must say I'm impressed. You're extremely stealthy. However, the most silent of humans are still children compared to an Alpha Hyakki."

"Don't underestimate me." The hooded figure spoke in the voice of a young man. Suddenly a cloud of smoke erupted from his body as Blade was kicked back by the stalker. The man started to make his escape as I quickly caught up to him. He gasped before pulling off his dirty cloak to show his gear.

Wearing blue gear made from leather he wore a mask that covered his nose and below and a hood that went over his forehead. Most interestingly instead of a cloak he had a cape-like thing made from blades hanging from the end of strips of cloth.

"Interesting get up. Just make sure not to cut yourself." I taunt him as I draw my own sword.

"I'll whet my blade with your blood!" He shouts as he dashes at me quickly. He threw three daggers that were near circular and three-pointed. A nicely aimed swipe of my blade blocks all three.

He was not soon far behind. He had a sharp dagger in each hand as he jumped up and spun. His bladed cape flung around causing me to duck under all of them, the blades narrowly avoiding me. He continues to strike with his daggers before jumping around causing his cape to swipe at me.

It was clear he was skilled with whatever weapon this is called. His cape turns his agile body and movements into a lethal weapon. Unfortunately for him this cape has a clear weakness. He jumps and spins and as his cape flings around I slash at it with my blade. Instead of hitting the bladed parts it cuts into the cloth the blades are connected to. The weak cloth tears easily as his cape becomes useless.

He jumps back and sees his ruined cape. "You'll die for that." He glares at me.

I beckoned him with my hand "Come on then. You haven't even made me slightly struggled. Who are you anyway? Why follow us?"

"I will never say, no matter what you do to me."

"Cool, now we're on a tight schedule so let's make this quick please." I speak.

He grumbles in anger before sighing "I was never told to fight you, only follow. I understand I can't defeat you so I'm leaving now."

I dash forwards "Like I'd let you!"

Shocking me he jumps onto my shoulder and uses it to boost him up. It makes me fall forwards, to which I roll so I could stand. I expected him to try attack while I was down like that but when I looked up, he was climbing up some buildings.

I pull out Viper to try shoot him. He notices it and quickly climbs into cover and out of my sight. "Like a damn monkey." I grit as I strap Viper on my back again.

"Who do you think that was?" Jinx says still on top of her horse.

"It has to be someone Swain hired. He's the only one that knows just how important I am as a threat or an asset." I use a new trick I had picked up, transforming myself partially into my Darkin form. In this form I look like one of the animal-like Vastayans, between a wolf and a human. One big part of it is the addition of an incredible sense of smell similar to a canine. "I'm going to follow the guy's scent to Swain. Hide out somewhere and wait for me."

"What does that mean? Is there going to be some signal?" She asked.

I chuckle as I stretch a bit "You'll know what I'm talking about when you hear it."

Before she could continue questioning, I jumped upwards and started to climb. This guy might be good but he's still human. I quickly follow his scent. They went under and over the streets of the capital at a fast pace. It's clear whoever this is he knows this city inside and out, most likely born and raised here.

Like I thought he was going to the Immortal Bastion. He went into a seemingly empty entrance away from the common entrance. It was high up so only a good climber could reach it. Luckily, I am such and I easily reach the entrance and climb into the Immortal Bastion.

I've reached quite the goodie box of information. The Bastion is massive in size so it's impossible to have guards everywhere. But where there are guards there are things needing guarding. There were no guards near where I was, so I started silently making my way through the fortress. When I could sense a group of anyone from guards to others I would simply hang onto the roof. Since the roofs here were tall it was easy to avoid people that way. I guess Mordekaiser was a large revenant since he made his fortresses corridors tall and wide.

It didn't take long to find interesting things. People discussing final battle plans, potential targets etc. The Noxians had been preparing for this invasion for years, sending spies under a disguise of traders to locate important targets.

I snuck into a room that had multiple papers and forms for the coming war. I knew that the Ionians would never listen to Jinx and I unless we had evidence of a coming invasion so I took out the people inside and hid their bodies before bagging some papers. I grabbed only a couple, but it was enough to convince the Ionians.

I can't be here for long, but I need to do something. I need to set something straight. I followed that dude's scent till I heard some voices. "I failed, I'm sorry Master." It was the guy's voice. I peeked into a room to see three figures, the guy sent to follow me, one Jericho Swain and none other than Marcus Du Couteau. Marcus De Couteau is the head of the De Couteau family and is recognized as the best assassin in Noxus.

"You don't need to be disappointed that he failed Marcus." Swain said.

"Why?" Marcus responded sounding angry and of course disappointed. "Why shouldn't I be disappointed in you Talon? You failed a shadow job."

The guy that followed me, who I guess is named Talon was silent before saying "That wasn't a man. The way he moved and fought; he sensed me before I could even tell. He even had some blackened monster called a Hyakki with him."

There were no sounds till Marcus said after some pause "So that's the so-called Necromancer. You didn't tell us he would be so powerful Jericho."

"I haven't seen the boy in months. I too had no idea what he is capable of." Swain replied to him.

"I thought he was hired by you. Why hire Talon to follow him?"

"I tasked the boy to go to Piltover for a task. He would send letters to me nearly once a day with a report on the progress. But such reports soon became less in both detail and number. Then one day he told me he was going to Shurima for two months. Ever since then letters from him were as useful as your daughter Katarina."

Even without my superhuman senses I could've heard Marcus's teeth grit together "Do not mention my daughter Jericho. She is my problem. Your problem is relying on a damn mercenary you've known for less than a day."

"It really was." I say finally revealing myself while reverting to my regular form. The three look to me shocked as I walked into the room. I shut the door behind me as Marcus and Talon draw their weapons. Swain stared at me unbothered, as if he knew I was there.

"You're brave boy." Marcus glared.

My eyes glow as I stare hard at him "You really want to fight me? You're still only human."

Marcus looked ready to try stab me, but Swain stopped him "Stop Marcus. Remember, when fighting him you're potentially fighting an entire army." Marcus looked at Swain before lowering his daggers, but still keeping them drawn. "So, Apollyon, or would you rather like to be called Dire. Why are you here? It's certainly not to declare a task completed." Swain says looking at me curiously.

"Why do you think?" I ask.

He tilts his head with cunning eyes. I get a little angry at the fact that his eyes stare at me just like LeBlanc does. Like everything is simply going according to plan. "You've changed. Despite not being physically any different from when you've left, I can see you've grown as a person. You used to have eyes of pure hate. You were fine with the world burning as long as the Black Rose burned with it."

My eyes dart to the two assassins who were a little surprised at the mention of the Black Rose. But their looks told me that they knew what the Black Rose was, they were only surprised at my connection to them.

"But now." Swain's voice makes me look back to him. "Now you're different. To be honest I didn't really like you at all when we first met. You were someone without a purpose, a mindless being caring only for vengeance." He then started to pace around with an almost bored look on his face "There have been hundreds of people like you. But not anymore." He stared at me, and I swore I could see a proud glint in his eyes "You've found a purpose, haven't you?"

I was surprised till I started laughing "I came here to tell you something you already knew."

He chuckled "I knew you weren't going to fight for Noxus long ago. It was obvious in those letters you sent that you did not care for your revenge on the Black Rose as much as you cared for something else, or someone else."

I sighed; this definitely didn't go the way I was thinking. "So, what now? We both know killing one of the most prominent generals of Noxus as well as the famous Marcus Du Couteau would be a devastating blow to Noxus." I then pull out my blade "The offer is almost too enticing."

He chuckled again "Please boy do not think me unprepared."

Before I could say anything, he pulled a gun from under his cloak and fired it at me. I quickly activated my armor as it took the blow but still blasted me into the door. I crashed through it as I could hear Swain call out "Intruder! The enemy is here!"

Marcus and Talon dropped a smoke bomb as I rushed back inside but when the smoke cleared, they were all gone. I noticed an open window and ran to look out of it. The three had roped down to the ground as Marcus yelled out orders to the hundreds of Noxian soldiers in the Immortal Bastion's main courtyard. Swain had a little smirk on his face as he walked away.

"Damm old man." I say half annoyed and half amused. Deciding to meet the enemy head on I jumped out of the window and land in the courtyard with a loud quaking slam. A countless number of soldiers readied themselves for a fight as I said "Come forth. Kill as much as you can to cover for Jinx and I's escape."

My shadow extends as the Noxians charge. The shadow extends to under their feet as suddenly blades are stabbed through their chests. They are raised into the air as Shadows emerge from the ground with a Noxian at the end of their blades.

My entire army stood in the middle of the courtyard of the Immortal Bastion. Last time I was here they witnessed the power of my weakest form of Shadow. Now they'll see the might I can unleash on them.

I have Tank lower himself so I could stand on his shoulder. He rose to his full height on his two back legs letting all see me. I release a partial amount of my Darkin powers to give an intimidating glow as I yell "Hear this Noxians! I, Dire of the Grim Wolves! Hereby declare war on Noxus! Any that stands foot on Ionia will the intent to kill innocent lives will suffer as you taste the blades of my Shadows! Let me give you a taste of what you could never be prepared for!"

At the end of my speech the Shadows roared as they charged forward. The Noxians never expected to fight an army on their main courtyard inside their capital. Let alone the army be an army of shadowy undead consisting of knights and even massive bears. I didn't need to see that they were being slaughtered as Tank lowered me.

"Blade! Take the Hyakki and go to Jinx! Protect her and lead her to me!" I order. Blade nods as he and the rest of his Shadow forces dash away, jumping over the Noxians to quickly follow their order.

While Tank and Iron lead the distraction in the main courtyard. I was surrounded by Igris and the recently acquired Shadow Guard. While the main force fights off the Noxians I and my little force fight our way through the exit. The Rose Guard were already superhuman when alive. Now they are near unstoppable which just one being only a few levels lower than Igris and I.

The massive amounts of fighting the main force causes makes the Noxian army draw that way, allowing me to pass through smaller pockets of forces. As we made it through the entrance of the fortress it was a massive metal gate that was usually kept open. As I passed it, however, I cut into one of the chains holding it up while I had Igris cut the other one. When the chains were cut the gate fell trapping the Noxians in their own fortress.

Since I was out of the Immortal Bastion now, I had the hundreds of Shadows inside it recall back to me, creating mass confusion among the Noxians. I also draw back the Shadow Guard and Igris as I summon Dorghar and quickly mount him. He unleashes his unnatural speed and power as he gallops through the streets like a battering ram.

Most were stuck dealing with the aftermath of the small battle in the Immortal Bastion as I had the mages set fire to whatever they could. So, most were more occupied caring about me and were running past me to get to the fortress.

I have Dorghar go towards the closest exit of the city as I hear another horse appear. Looking back, I see Jinx on Mouser come up to me. "You're right! I did know the signal when it came!" She laughed. "Why'd you leave me out of the fun!"

"It's not done yet!" I say pointing forwards. There was a gate will multiple Noxians soldiers defending it. On top of the gate there was a soldier hastily trying to close the metal gate. Jinx pulled out Zapper and shot the man, but the gate started to rapidly close.

"Go Mouser go!" Jinx shouted. The gate nearly scrapes across my head as we pass under it. It closes soon after again blocking anyone trying to chase us. "What'd the hell you do to get them so excited!" Jinx chuckled looking back at the panicking soldiers.

"Oh, the usual. Declared war on a nation, killed a couple dozen soldiers and set fire to their fortress. Nothing out of the ordinary."

In front of us was the last gate. It was already closed but it's also wooden. Smirking I call out "Tank! Open the gate!" And with a roar Tank emerges in front of the two of us. There was a line of Noxians pointing their weapons at us, but they fled watching a massive Bear charge up to his max speed before smashing into the gate. It breaks apart as we get out of the Noxian capital.

Some Noxians mounted on horses and some on even Basilisks chased after us. Jinx pointed Zapper as I aimed Viper at our chasers as we started to fire on them. The fact Jinx can still hit better than me despite my biological superiority and my gun being a better craft only shows her skill at shooting. She laughed like this was the funniest thing in the world as Noxians fell off their mount's dead.

Eventually the Noxians had no choice but to stop. They couldn't catch us with our faster rides and with them being under constant arcane gunfire. Eventually the two of us were left alone as we rode further away from the capital.

Jinx giggled "Can we do that again?"