4 Ionian Ruling Council

The next morning, Aiden woke up in a room he couldn't recognize. Looking around, he found it to be minimalistic. He then remembered that he had been reincarnated in the world known as Runeterra, and remembered where he was.

'This is Irelia's house' he thought while he searched for his clothes. Before he could wear even his pants, Irelia came inside the room, probbaly to wake him up. The sight she caught was one that, even if she would never say it, she appreciated a lot.

Still, it caused her to blush. She muttered in a mosquito's voice a "sorry", and hurriedly left the room, while thinking to herself 'Why did I blush? I've seen hundreds of soldiers in their bare chests! Besides I saw him yesterday!' after all, his clothes didn't cover his chest.

Aiden chuckled slightly after the whole scene had happened. When he finally left the room, he found her at a table with a simple breakfast prepared. His consisted of different meals, ranging from meat to vegetables and something he thought looked like bacon. Hers was simpler, having a few dry fruits and less meat than his.

Not liking the special treatment one bit, he looked at her sternly as he sat down in front of her. Without saying anything, he picked up a few bited from each of the plates prepared for him, and placed them on her plate. She wanted to stop him, but a glare from him was more than enought for her to stay quite.

When was the last time she felt like a young girl? She couldn't remember. Battlefield after battlefield had forced her to forget about that. And somehow he, a man she's barely known for a day, is able to bring back that pure maiden in her.

They had a pleasant breakfast, the atmosphere between them being as harmonious as it could be. After enjoying the meal, Irelia stood up and asked him if he was ready to meet the Council, to which Aiden simply nodded.

It was weird. Why hadn't they questioned his origin? Where he came from? Was he even Ionian? The answer was the Council. They would be the ones to question him, not anyone else.

*

Walking through the Ionian City while guided by Irelia, Aiden was able to appreciate the beauty of the place. Ionia had a peaceful feel to it. The architechture reminded him a bit of China and other Asian countries. But the most beautiful and amazing thing of Ionia was how... magical it felt. The place had a certain air that made one feel connected to the land.

Aiden could only describe it as a magical land, as cheesy as it sounded. From the little furret-ish animals walking around, to groundhog's with wings that stood in trees like owls. The colours of the land he stood in were almost ethereal, painting everything in a show of lights and beauty he couldn't explain.

He had a peaceful smile on his face while he looked around and took a deep breath, something that didn't go by unnoticed. Irelia, who had seen his actions, couldn't help but smile softly too. She felt proud whenever someone fell in love with her land.

*

After a few minutes of walking around the City, they came to what looked like a coliseum of sorts. All around it a lot of people were seating, and a few steps below them sat the Ionian Ruling Council.

There were a few old men in the council, people who Aiden didn't recognize.

'Probably side characters who were never even mentioned' he thought to himself as he looked at the stands. He found Shen sitting there, beside him his always trustful aid, Kennen. He was surprised by this, as Shen had never been said to be a member of the Council.

Yasuo was standing in the coliseum, probably to be questioned together with him. Irelia, after they had arrived, took her seat besides Karma. The Council had gathered, and the main reason was the unknown saviour who aided them in their most needed time. They also wanted to talk to Yasuo, but that was a simple thing.

The oldest member of the Council looked around, his gaze travelling through the entirety of the crowd that had gathered in the place. He then looked at Aiden, directly in the eyes. Aiden's face was decorated by a peaceful smile as he kept breathing the magic filled air of Ionia. His heart filled with a wish to protect such a beautiful place from what threatened its life.

-Today we gather here to thank our saviour, Aiden Ashworth...- began the man as he stood up, his voice loud enough to echo in the entire place -...for helping us in our time of need-

Irelia stood up next, wishing to express not only her gratitude, but also her latest idea. Something that had appeared in her mind when he consoled her and, at the same time, taught her a life lesson.

-He drove the Noxian army away by himself, saving our soldiers and myself in the process- she spoke with passion, gratitude and something else in her voice. Something Karma everyone was surprised to hear from her, and something Aiden couldn't really recognize -I think Aiden is more fitting of my position than I am-

Shock was plastered on most people's faces. She hadn't spoken with heplessness and didn't seem to be giving up, but with honesty and pride. Karma, who wasn't really surprised by her words as she had heard from Ionia herself what Aiden had told Irelia the previous night, also decided to speak up.

-People of Ionia, as you all know, I am Karma- her voice sounded peaceful, ethereal and knowledgeable -My connection with this land is supposed to be the strongest among men, and yet, his dwarves mine-

Again, another wave of wide open eyes and shocked gasps seemed to take form in everyone's eyes. It was Shen, who had his mouth closed and arms crossed until now, that spoke next.

-As a member of the Council, and the Eye of Twilight, I'd like to ask something to you- he said. Behind his mask none could see his face, but Aiden could feel his glare. Smiling as peacefully as before, still taking deep breaths, he nodded. He felt how his connection with Ionia grew stronger the more he breathed, as if the land was bathing him in its love.

-What is the true purpose, Aiden Ashworth, of he who claims to be The Light of Ionia?- Shen's question sounded harsh. It made Karma frown and Irelia glared at the man harshly herself. Neither of them liked how he spoke to Aiden after what they said. Yasuo himself seemed disspleased with how Shen had doubted so openly a man who had only helped them.

Still, Aiden had nothing but a peaceful smile on his face. He had never felt so free. So alive. The land of Ionia, the spirit of Ionia herself, was dancing around him. Soon the energy became visible and, when he opened his eyes, they were shining brightly as two aquamarine gemstones. When Aiden opened his mouth, everyone was shocked at the strength it carried.

-I simply wish to protect the land that I love, and the people who live in it. My way may not be what the ways of old wish to protect. My means may not be the most peaceful- the energy around him became brighter, turning into the figure of a woman that hugged Aiden's body -But if I have to be looked at with contempt and hatred for doing what Ionia needs, I'll gladly do it-

He was then kissed by the figure, his entire being enveloped in a bright teal light that seemed to be able to blind everyone. Alas, it was so beautiful no one could tear their eyes off it. When Aiden became visible again, he had in his hand a gauntlet that wasn't there previously.

It had a Ionia's own symbol carved in it, beautifully pulsing with a teal light. Karma had a shocked look on her face, being the only one with such a deep connection to the land, she could tell what had happened and even explain it, which she did.

-He is loved by Ionia... and deeply so- was all The Enlightened could say, before the actions of the man they were admiring shocked them even further.

Aiden lifted the hand with the gauntlet, which he decided to call The Gauntlet of the Loving, following the Royal Arms naming style. The gauntlet dissapeared and was replaced by all of his blades, one at a time, until they all were, once again, spinning around him. The gauntlet appeared on his hand once again, and soon, the female spirit appeared once again. "Ionia" hugged her champion and smiled at all of her children. Then, in a voice that sounded like that of a mother, she spoke.

-My children, this is the Champion I've chosen- were the first words she spoke. The crowd was completely silent, kneeling however they could and paying respects to the spirit of their motherland -He is my beloved, so I hope you may treat him well. He is the key to uniting the First Lands once again-

After Ionia's speech was over, she dissapeared. Aiden's Royal Arms, together with the gauntlet, followed her example. He looked at everyone present and smiled as peacefully and warmly as before. He felt a connection with all the life in the land, and a stronger one to some of the people living there.

He could feel all the way to the other side of the land, on the Hirana Monastery, Lee Sin. The Blind Monk seemed to be able to feel him watching over him, and the feeling made him smile. He could also feel Irelia, Karma, Yasuo, Shen, Kennen and Akali, The Rogue Assassin. The last one was getting a new addition on her tattoo when she looked up, feeling Aiden's sight on her, on a coastal town of Ionia.

Finally, the last six people he needed felt his call.

Master Yi, The Wuju Bladesman, stopped his training. Wukong, The Monkey King, jumped excitedly from tree to tree, trying his best to reach Ionia City in record time. Ivern, The Green Father, talked merrily with some birds as he walked, ever so slowly, towards the direction her mother was calling.

Two people with bird features also began the trip towards Ionia City, Rakan and Xayah, The Charmer and The Rebel respectively. Lastly, someone who no one would expect Aiden to call, felt him. Syndra, The Dark Sovereign, made her way towards Ionia in her flying fortress, wondering who dared call her and why he felt so warm and familiar to her.

Once he called every one of Ionia's most powerful champions, Aiden informed everyone of what was coming -I have called all of Ionia's champions... and someone who you all might know about, but tried your best to forget-

The news of Ionia's beloved traveled as fast as water fell from a cliff, reaching all corners of Ionia. Aiden's appearance was going to bring Ionia to it's future. What it entailed? Not even himself knew.