17 Moving pieces.

Hey guys I'm back! Sorry for not uploading these two days, I wasn't feeling well!

Nonetheless, here's the chapter!

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It has been two hours since the army in the Placidium started marching towards the City of Ionia.

The second squadron alongside Master Yi, Yenma and other officers were marching at the front.

"... This land is only asking you for balance, although you've done much already, this doesn't change the fact that you destroyed many things along the way." Master Yi said to Renzo, who was having a thoughtful expression while hearing him. The people around them were hearing Yi's words with solemn expression on their faces.

A few moments prior they were mentioning the large amount of golems and guardian beings spotted around the many battlefields in Ionia.

It was then that Master Yi mentioned how Renzo was in debt to Ionia, as the spirit realm was asking him for life in exchange of his wanton destruction.

"Planting trees and other plants, alongside helping the fauna, would do it?" Asked Renzo with Karya on his side.

After a few moments, Master Yi answered him "It will do, but it would better if you could just stop destroying the land."

"... easy to say that for you when you don't have my powers..." Muttered Renzo. Karya chuckled at his side while patting him on his shoulder "Don't let it affect you, you've been improving along the way!"

As he heard her saying that Renzo smiled at her and nodded.

"So, I guess I would need to start cultivating a farm or something among those lines, right?" He asked while looking at Yi.

When Yi heard his words from Karya's mouth he couldn't help but laugh and answer to him "That's not what I meant, along your path you could just simply pick up some seeds and plant it after you fight in that place. The blood from the enemies would help those trees and plants grow bigger and stronger."

As the people around heard that, many took mental notes about such thing. For those who weren't monks nor do have some kind of relationship with the spirit realm, it was a new thing to learn.

They were taught since kids about the balance and respect to this land, that was given to you would then be taken. That's how the cycle in this land have been for thousands of years.

It was due to this that Ionia was such magical place.

Renzo looked along the path and spotted at the trees and bushes around, many fruits hanging on the branches. Getting off from the cart that he and Karya was sharing with Yi, he ran over to pick up a handful of them.

Looking over the small fruits and things that could resemble, in Renzo's opinion, to the trees and plant seeds, he returned to the cart.

As he jump over he showed to Yi and asked "They would work, right?"

Yi looked over them and simply nodded. Renzo sighed and looked for something to put them into.

After finding a cloth in the cart, he put them in and keep it into his clothes. After letting out a sight he lay on the cart while looking over the sky.

'It would be a pain in the ass to be followed by those things on this place, also I don't see a problem doing that, it's true that I destroyed this place after all.' Renzo thought to himself while remembering the canyon he created a few days ago.

As the silence permeate through the place, Renzo glanced over Karya and poke her back.

Feeling Renzo's feeling poking her, Karya looked over him and asked "What is it?" Renzo just patted on the free space in his right side, signaling her to lay down too.

Karya sighed and did it, once lying down she moved her head slightly towards his direction and asked "Well?"

"Have you already decided what will you do after this? You survived the battle after all." Asked Renzo with a slight smile on his lips while looking over her attentively.

Remembering their conversation Karya moved her gaze towards the sky, lost in her thoughts.

Silence permeate through the air until she opened her mouth again, this time muttering under her breath loud enough for only Renzo hearing her.

"... I wish I could return to the Piltover academy and continue learning various subjects that I'm interested, but at the same time I want to help rebuilding this land. Is the least I can do to honour my parents..." As she was saying this Renzo took one of her hands and hold it tight.

"I ... I also wish to discover this world, see the creatures and places I've learned when I was younger..." She then looked over him and said while smiling "That's what I wish to do, but I'm afraid I can't let you out of it, if not who would talk for you?"

Renzo just half closed his eyes and mimicked her words in mock "I can hire another translator if I'm that much of nuisance for you." Karya was about to open her mouth but Renzo keep talking.

"I do also wish to see more of this world, there's various things that I need to do... but if I happen to go out there with my current self I don't know if I would be able to survive." Karya looked over his face and asked "Why do you think so? You are a powerful individual in my opinion, something that I think many would share."

Hearing her words Renzo shook his head as he glanced over her eyes with a serious expression "If I'm not wrong, a dangerous threat is looming over this whole world..." At this point Renzo was doubting.

Would be okay to tell her about the void creatures and the danger they represent to this world?

If he's not wrong, there was a certain character that was preventing from the knowledge regarding such creatures to spread.

But also, what well would do that for her? If she care in such length for her homeland, wouldn't she be postponing her dreams over the objective that is defending this planet from those creatures?

"What are you talking about?" Said Karya with a frown on her face. She could see the complicated expression on Renzo face as he was looking over her, seemingly doubting.

Renzo took a long breath and said to her in a solemn tone "... Have you ever heard about alopecia?..." Seeing his expression and the strange word, Karya frowned.

"...Alopecia?..." She muttered, and then shook her head "No.. I've never heard of it.."

Renzo closed his eyes and said "What I'm about to tell you is the nightmare that many should fear of... a disgrace befallen upon our race as whole!" Hearing his words, Karya couldn't help but held her breath.

"We don't know how, or when it started... but the human race started losing their..." Karya couldn't help but look over Renzo expression as he stopped mid sentence, seemingly having some struggle saying the next parts.

"Losing their what, Renzo?"Karya asked impatiently.

"They lose their hair Karya! This terrible curse has fallen over poor men and even females, taking away their beautiful hair, only leaving behind devastation and shiny balds!" There was a pained expression on Renzo face while Karya looked at him with dead pan eyes.

"Imagine how horrible have to be living everyday being a knee head! Or not knowing how to wash your face!" At this point Karya took her hand off from Renzo's grasp as she sat again, ignoring her fellow.

"Imagine being a living lice slide! The horror!" At this point Renzo was laughing loudly.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" Said Karya looking over him.

Renzo just sat up and hug her while calming down his laugh. Karya struggle to get him off from her however Renzo remained and after a while he said to her "I'm sorry for that, it just that we were too serious right there."

When Karya heard him a clear displeased expression could be seen on her face and she was about to lash at him, however Renzo keep speaking "But if you want to hear what I wish to do, it's to accompany you alongside your path." As he said this he left a kiss on her cheek as Karya stop struggling and just look at the front.

"While you are out there helping, I'll be training myself so I can overcome my weaknesses and be prepared for our travel towards Piltover and other regions, after all, I didn't lie when I said that the world outside is dangerous." As Renzo keep saying this, Karya slowly turned over him.

Seeing her slight smile, he returned back to her "You're also need to keep helping me out with the Janna's faith, after all, how can I spread her words without you?" When Renzo said this, Karya took his hand and lay once again in the cart while looking at him with bright eyes.

"There's also these various matters..." Renzo keep talking while taking his position back, looking at Karya while keep explaining his various ideas and intentions over this world.

Karya would remain silent most of the times and just add a few things in the course while just looking over him with a warm expression on her face.

Yi just keep meditating while wondering how her fellow companion was wasting his time talking over a female instead of training.

In his opinion, the lass needed a lot of training if he wished to reach a decent level.

Meanwhile the rest of the second squadron would give them knowing looks while smiling over them. With the exception of Hyuna who was eager to hear what they were talking about.

After all, Renzo and Karya were the ones she talked the most and share most things in common. The other one was Shun Ti but during the march's he would be too focused on the path and the various reports that was simply boring speaking to him.

"I wonder when they would act upon each other." Said Ymir who was mounting at Hyuna side.

"What do you mean? They are good friends!" Said Hyuna while raising her eyebrow. In her opinion the trio were good friends.

Ymir glanced over her and shook her head while sighing.

"I do not act with my friends like that..." She said in a low tone, Hyuna was keen enough to hear it.

Still, the later didn't said anything and pondered over her words, looking over the duo that keep talking among each other with arms intertwined.

'Yup, there's no way they aren't friends.' She said while nodding to herself. Her common sense slightly different than the majority of people it seems.

Like that, they group keep marching while the scouts and other people didn't stopped moving back and fro between different places and the army.

Along the path they were able to see how small creatures from nature and plants were taking over the remaining from the destruction brought by Noxus.

Small golems where moving and destroying the burned buildings, crating powder from the remaining and scattering over the surrounding land.

From the trees used to hang over the bodies of those Ionians who were taken as example of Noxus rule, branches were growing over from the bodies. Creating weird shapes on the trees.

In the fields that once Ionian blood bathed over was now growing beautiful flowers and a more lush grass.

The destruction and cruelty of war give this land a chance to use what was left to heal the house for the next generations. The lives were lost, but Ionia make sure to rebuild over the ashes, more stronger and vibrant than before.

Over the sky, various creatures could be seen flying. The creatures in the forest were slowly returning from the seclusion.

It would take time, but this land would eventually heal. However it was clear for the various individuals in the army that Ionia changed forever, and the balance was forever lost.

Just the leading figure of this army, Yenma, was starting to think about the future of this land and what position the Brotherhood would take in the following years. Lady Karma proved to be inefficient alongside the ancestral teachings. Ionia need to stand powerful against the enemy.

Others were concerned over another point, Master Yi was starting to see how the wanton killing and the power brought by was started corrupting the soul of his fellowmen.

They started liking the idea of killing and using violence to resolve disputes.

It didn't require him a great analysis to deduct the outcome after this war. Ionia would be submerged in violence and destruction.

This war, even after being won, would forever mark the people living here. And with it, eliminating the last place in this land that could remain peaceful amidst the chaos around the world.

He was starting to understand his masters words.'A war was required for me to understand such a thing' He lamented over.

---

Meanwhile in the City of Ionia.

Zed was bathed in blood with tattered clothes and various injuries on his body.

The siege was starting to reach the ending point, as after one month of continue sieging and wearing down the defenders, they started losing over, slowly but surely, the positions.

Zed arrival was a small breathing window for the city defenders. In the first hours he alongside the acolytes were able to wreak havock in various position, making the defenders to regain their position and lost ground.

However, after the initial recover, it proved to be hard to defend the recent obtained position.

Even after Zed and the acolytes killing the various officers and two captains, the relentless attack and discipline in the Noxian army was proving to be incredible superior over the Ionia defense.

The difference in tactics, units, armor, weapons, skills and discipline was too much. Even against the Ionia fearsome fire power and talented individuals.

Zed was in a helpless position, as his power was enough for him to accomplish his various task, but insufficient to win over the war.

'I need the rest of the power, just this little was not enough!' He cursed on his mind while clenching tightly his fist. In front of him laying another acolyte body with deep wounds over its chest and stomach.

Only twenty acolytes was all that remains after two days of fighting.

Looking around him he saw the wavering defenders who looked exhausted and miserable. But the light on their eyes was still bright as they face over the enemy.

Inspired by the unwavering spirit of just simple soldiers, Zed let go his thoughts and keep on with the defense.

Reinforcements were on the way. He alongside the defenders knew this, it was the reason that many was trying to survive and keep at bay the Noxus soldiers.

* BOOM* *BOOM*

Various explosions resounded in the air as he glanced over the shields raised by the mages in the city.

The noxus mages were proven to be hard to keep at bay, as their numbers were in great numbers comparing to the ones that could defend the troops in Ionia side.

There were many mage users, but not many that could use such large defenses and that could withstand various attacks at the same time.

Zed glanced back at the city wall, were the majority of mages and ranged units were resting while the infantry and other units were waiting in the land below.

The initial defense ring was six kilometers away from the city, however in the initial attack wave the defenders were forced to retreat to the defending bastions along the way. It reached the point were before Zed's arrival, the defenders were defending the walls and the breached gate.

It could be seen by this that if it wasn't for his timely arrival, the city would have fallen under Noxus hand.

Thus, during these days there were able to make Noxus retreat and win over the front of the city walls, they repaired the gate and reinforce it.

Still, he didn't know how much they could resist before retreating back to the walls once again.

They could only pray for the reinforcements to reach their place before it's too late.

'Worst case scenario, I'll have to make a suicidal attack to prevent the complete defeat.' Zed thought to himself.

He was ready and willing to do everything for the sake of defending his homeland. Everything.

---

At the same time, a crow was overlooking below him where the siege was going on. It then moved his look to the horizon, a few dozen kilometers away where a large column was marching at the city direction.

A glint passed through the two eyes from the crow, it's green eyes looked over a spot where it could land and espectate the battle that was about to unfold in the following hours.

When the crow finally landed into the ground, it quickly changed its shape into a human figure, the head was covered in a hood and figure was hard to discern as a plain robe was covering the eyes for prying into.

Only a pale hand was all that onlookers could see, as it rested over a rock where the figure took seat.

The figure quickly moved its gaze towards a six red-eyes raven in the other side of the battlefield, that was looking around the place.

The figure let out a raspy chuckle while looking over the raven, it's hand moved slowly as magic channeled around the figure, quickly hiding its presence from everyone's eyes.

"...That demon couldn't simply stop looking over, don't he?..." Said the figure after a while.

----

Meanwhile, somewhere over the Noxus Empire.

In a large open place near a port, various columns of warbands were assembling.

Watching over the various soldiers, a burly man with heavy Noxian armor raised one of his eyebrow and said to the admiral on his side.

"The grand general want them shipped on Navori, we received reports of a large defeat, just deploy a few units in the other island but make sure the bulk land on Navori, are we clear?." Asked the man toward the admiral in charge of moving the reinforcements and bring with him the new weapons.

"Yes." Admiral Duqal simply said as he glanced over a few warbands "Are we in that need of men that we are taking kids in battle?" He couldn't help but ask seeing some children's among the lines.

The general simply scoffed at him and said "What, are you feeling sympathetic towards them, Duqal?" Hearing his questions, admiral Duqal simply shrugged his shoulders and answered.

"They won't be as useful like a properly trained warrior. They are at best half of them." After saying that, the admiral walked away while taking a brief look towards a crate that was being carried with extreme precaution into one ship.

He knew that they were carrying new weapons brought in Piltover.

(A.N: Sorry for breaking the immersion if there's one, but I want to clarify one thing, at this point in the history, Zaun wasn't properly created. The area that some know as Zaun is still in Piltover influence. If you want to ask something or you have some problem with it, I can only say to leave it in the comment section, or to see the last episode from Arcane.)

And they were about to be tested in Ionia.

He was curious about what results such weapons could produce, nonetheless he knew that at most he would partake some battles before being called again to protect the next reinforcements batch.

'Did General Swain survived? If the rumors are true it must be him or general Bertha who were defeated.' wondered Admiral Duqal to himself.

After a few hours, the troops were finally inside the various ships and Admiral Duqal parted towards Ionia. A long two week travel in front of them amidst the treacherous waters around the archipelago.

The sun was setting in Runeterra, in Noxus basking the ships heading towards Ionia.

Meanwhile in Ionia, it was basking the reinforcements who were eight kilometers from the city.

Currently the second squadrons was returning from destroying another defense position. They have already destroyed more than twelve defensive positions along the path.

The enemy was already aware of the reinforcements coming from their back and was now preparing to defend their position.

Although there was at least thirty thousand Noxus soldiers camping three kilometers away from the City of Ionia, they couldn't move to meet the reinforcements without compromising the current position.

Zed and the defenders could attack at the slightly signal of movement towards the reinforcements, at such they could only form ranks and prepare to the battle.

"The enemy main body should be at front, we can only prepare for battle. " Shouted Shun Ti towards a few figures a few hundred meters behind, those were the officers from the army.

When they heard their words, they nodded and moved towards the troops at the back, quickly relaying orders and preparing for the incoming battle.

This time, due to the nature of battle, Renzo at most could only attack with the initial charge and then simply stick together with the second squadron while fighting close quarter combat.

Master Yi, who took a moment to meditate quickly move his head while looking at the air. Renzo who was looking around while thinking in the battle took notice of the sudden action and looked over the place he was glaring at.

At first he was a little bit at lost, as he didn't register the raven flying above them, it was then that he finally put pieces together and signaled Karya to came towards him.

The latter was cleaning her scythe, but seeing Renzo's signal she came over him as she hear him asking "Ask Yi if there's something wrong with that raven or crow."

When Karya relayed his message, Master Yi answered without losing the sight of the Raven "It's a demonic spirit."

When Renzo heard this words, he understood that Raum, the demon that Swain was supposed to make a deal with, was spying over them.

If his memories didn't failed him, this demon was omniscient or something among those lines, because of him Swain was able to know a lot of things from almost every champion in the game.

"Kill it quickly!" He shouted as Karya gathered mana on her fist and launched the attack towards the raven, quickly shooting it down.

After seeing the raven dying, Renzo took a sigh of relief and looked over the sky, searching for another bird that could spy them.

Then, they quickly relayed the order once again to shoot down any crow or raven in the sky, and plant seeds where those birds fell.

"Forces are looking over us, I fear that nothing good wait for us in the future." Said Master Yi gloomily making the second squadron gulp down at his words.

The implications were clear, this invasion was nothing but the beginning of a chaotic era.

Renzo couldn't help but nod at his words, he knew that in the future, they would undoubtedly have to fight against the void creatures, even him wouldn't have a chance to remain neutral to them. Those creatures were the antithesis of every living being.

And what's worse, he knew that other things are going around too, after all there lore of the game was vast, and he didn't took time to read all of it.

"Master Yi! In this battle you'll be leading us, well be in your care." Suddenly the voice of Yenma startled all of them as he approached Yi and patted his shoulder.

Master Yi just nodded his head and glanced back at the troops that were forming lines dozens of meters behind.

Renzo also looked behind them and glanced over the soldiers, his eyes couldn't help but start searching for the blade dancer. After a few moments he was able to see her, it seemed that she also took the rol of a leading figure.

She was now wearing the same armor she was known for.

Behind her, the faces that he remember from her group were there, alongside more people.

She was leading a charging group, like him & the second squadron, and others groups.

Renzo was not surprised by this, as although he stole the spotlight alongside Yi, she also was heavily respected after the battle.

Her personality while battling inspired the people around her, and she was also regarded as a war hero.

' Although I'm curious how things would progress now, I think that I changed the whole lore at this point.' Renzo couldn't help but think to himself.

Feeling at particular gaze, Irelia searched around and quickly found Renzo looking at her with a lost look on his eyes.

Feeling a little bit intimidated and creep by him, she quickly moved her gaze at front, her whole body tensed.

Renzo who was lost simulating the future in his head didn't seem to register this, as he was trying to see the deepness of his implication in the world.

After a while, he returned to himself and saw Karya alongside Hyuna giving him deadpanned looks at him.

"Don't tell me you took liking at that girl." Karya couldn't help but say to him. At this Renzo just smiled wryly and explained himself.

"I don't like little girls, I was just thinking about something else, about the future of this war." He said, the female duo keep looking at him, while the latter keep explaining.

Sadly for Hyuna she wasn't able to understand a thing from what he was saying, she just then turned around and start focusing on the battle in front.

The others followed her actions after a while, they couldn't let their focus be in other place that wasn't this battle.

Ionia needed to win this battle to complete change the course of the war and finally start pushing the enemy troops out of their lands.

And here, in this battle, the history would forge in blood and sweat the story of many heroes.

The story of Ionia.