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A Search Through Runeterra (Arcane)

Gregori Hastur was a happy man. His wife and his little bundle of joy Annie were all that he needed. But strange incidents and tragedy strike. And so begins his journey to find his daughter while also raising another in the process. Runeterra is dangerous and he? He is even more so. This story is Arcane adjacent. So if you have seen the show you can just pick it up and not worry about anything. The characters don't go to Piltover or Zaun until half the story is complete.

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To Rakelstake

"I am the fire that cleanses the world!"~ Brand, The Burning Vengeance

I've chosen Avarosa to be the tribe that helps Gregori here, simply because of the variety of characters and I don't really want to have the Winter's Claw in the story yet. Considering Sylas would arrive there soon enough, I estimate this should happen by the time the Freljord arc come to a close.

And an Annie chapter will come soon enough.

Drop a comment please? Do you like the story? Any tips you want to give me? 

Again for tips to be implemented, you have to wait about ten chapters because I am that far ahead.

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"Alright then, now do you lot have anyone willing to join the Bloodsworn Competition? If you want to join then follow me. We will go to the lands of our tribe. Anyone willing to try your luck?"

Jorde addressed the crowd that had formed. And as he did, several hands went up. There were a group of men who wanted to participate.

"Okay then! I will load up Drugh and lets set off before sunset."

Two days had passed since all the tribespeople had arrived. They had all completed their trading and bartering and were all leaving before sunset.

Gregori was sitting at the side, with his bags. His shield on across the bag and the spear balanced on top of it. He had Daisy on his lap. Brushing the hair across her face, he spoke softly, "Almost there flower. Daddy will keep you safe. Hang in there a little more." 

His thoughts turned dark, as he wondered how he would explain to her that Leanna, her mother was dead and her sister was missing. At least in Amoline's case, Annie was too young to understand what had happened but Daisy was almost six. That was a big issue. But she would have to live with it. Leanna had made him promise to take care of them and he was long overdue in keeping it.

The single action from a Fae changed his entire family life. The thing the kids had chased, wasn't a butterfly. It was a fae. Small magical creatures which only act upon their singular instinct to cause mischief and mayhem. 

If they hadn't come across the fae, then he could have made it back safely and manage to defend his home against the warband alone. Even if he was not in top condition, the spear was always present. He had lied to the kids when he had talked about it. It was cursed. But it wasn't some product Noxian rune magic. Though those weapons existed and were used against the Ionians. No, this was different, worse in everyway imaginable. But it would get the job done. The only thing remaining when he used the weapon would be him and his family.

The price of using the weapon didn't matter. His family was priceless, his sanity and lifespan was not. 

There was still the shield. The runes on it weren't there for show.

There was no doubt about it. If the fae hadn't appeared, they would have been together. 

If only.....

Gregori shook himself out of his thoughts. There was no point in blaming that useless creature. He had to keep his promises and achieve his revenge. Thinking about what could have been was pointless. It offered nothing.

What he needed to do was to work toward the future one step at a time. That was what he needed, what his children needed him to do.

"Heal up quick and we will go after your sister."

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and then lifted her up. Placing her head against his shoulder and his right hand under her, he raised himself up.

"Now, lets get going shall we?" 

A couple of steps away stood Roark, who was currently overseeing the nomads pack up to leave. Gregori arrived to his left, "Roark.... once again I would like to thank you, not only for helping us get here but also for the words you have given me to ponder upon."

Roark gave him an interesting look, "I've already told-"

But Gregori cut him off, "I remember what you have asked me to do. And I will ensure it done but this is me expressing my thanks. A verbal thanks. Thank you, old man. I wish you safe travels in the future."

He was waved off by a smiling Roark.

And with that, Gregori walked toward Jorde. Not once looking back. Forward... one step at a time.

Behind him Roark softly muttered, "Good luck lad. I hope you succeed where I failed." After saying the words, he waved. Waved even though he knew Gregori wouldn't turn back, only turning back when Gregori joined the crowd that would leave with Jorde.

"He's gone eh Roark?" Aalms asked, when he walked in to help his group.

"Gone to the group. He will be leaving soon. You could go to him..."

"No. He's given his goodbyes to all of us already. I hope his daughter is saved, the man has barely left her side."

"Indeed lad. May the winds push him forward."

"May it push him indeed."

The two men looked back once and then turned back to focus on their own family.

"All of you want to participate in the Bloodsworn Competition? " Jorde spoke to the crowd.

"Yes!" Came the strong replies from the group.

"Hey! You! You are participating as well?"

Gregori turned to the source of the sound. Not sure if the person had called out to him. But he checked anyway. Waving at him was the young man who wanted to become the Most Important Man in the lands.

"No." He replied.

"Oh... so why are you going there?"

Finding his abrupt questioning annoying, he returned gruffly, "I have to meet someone from the tribe."

"Okay! I'm Tanen by the way." He continued excitedly, having either ignored or or not realizing Gregori's disinterest in the conversation.

"Gregori." 

"Not a name you see in these parts.... where are you from?"

"Lived in Delverhold for a while. Have moved away now."

At that moment, another voice cut in. Louder and farther away. "Oi, you! With the child!" 

He turned around again.

"Yeah! You!."

It was Jorde.

"Yes?" Gregori asked. A little happy due to the previous conversation coming to a close. "Is there an issue?"

"Does your daughter want to ride on Drugh?"

"No. She can't" 

Jorde raised an eyebrow, "Can't?"

"She can't. Unconscious. Comatose. Sick." Gregori replied. 

"Why travel when she is sick?" Jorde asked, the confusion on his face visible. To him it didn't make sense for the sick to travel. Even in the harshest of tribes, the sick were cared for. Only if they were sure to not make it were they abandoned.

But carrying a child? In these lands? That was giving it a death sentence.

"Roark said she could stand a chance at healing and surviving if I brought her to your tribe. Hence why we are travelling. I require help from your healers." Gregori spoke, giving small details but not too much.

It clicked for Jorde then. The reason why Roark had asked if he would be able to take some people with him.... he was looking out for this man.

"Ah! You are the man Roark wanted me to take along with him? That's fine then. Lets get your daughter all healed up. Lets all set off!" Jorde spoke.

He walked toward his mammoth, grabbed its side and jumped. Grabbing onto the ropes across its back, he pulled himself on top.

Leaning to the side, he called out, "READY?"

"YES!"

"TO RAKELSTAKE! ONWARDS!"

He yelled. starting the journey off with some much needed energy.

And so began the walk. The group stayed close. Gregori near the center. Better to have more bodies surrounding him as they walked. For warmth. For safety. 

Though the lot of them were a little peeved at the thought of staying close to him, the wrapped weapon and the strange shield a turn off to them. A majority of them brought weapons, but those were the likes of swords and axes. Some even brought bows. Standard weapons. A shield and spear seemed unlikely. Not weapons the average Freljordian used.

"Mister Gregori?"

He turned to face Tanen, who had started walking side-by-side.

"Why is your spear wrapped? 

It seemed that the man's curiosity knew no bounds. 

Sighing, Gregori answered, "So that I don't use it without thinking about the consequences."

"Profound words sir. Have you travelled a lot?"

"Yes."

"All the lands?"

"Just a few."

"Is it better in other lands?"

Gregori looked Tanen in the eyes. All he could see was honest intentions in those eyes of his. He would lose nothing by telling him about the world. But he couldn't build it up for reality to tear it down.

"It is not. Different? Yes. Better? No. Everywhere has its own issues. Shurima is just sand instead of ice. I've seen people kill family to get a cup of water. Noxus has its endless need to conquer. Always in perpetual bloodshed. Targon is embroiled in a war between two groups for who knows how long. Demacia has its prejudice against magic and Freljord has its lack of food and extreme climate."

He watched as he saw the hope die inside Tanen's eyes.

A necessity, Gregori convinced himself. This young man shouldn't be led around with false information or impossible hopes. He deserved better for his innocence and naivety. 

"It is the unfortunate truth. Life is hard everywhere. By running away from one problem you encounter bigger and tougher ones. Trust me, travel to see.... not to run away. I've found myself in worse situations because I ran away from bad ones."

The words had gotten the attention of those around him. Speaking about things no one knew about was bound to get attention.

"Oh.... were the lands beautiful at least?" Tanen asked once more. Trying to live through Gregori's words.

Gregori chuckled. 

"Yes. Our world is beautiful. Different lands have their own kind of beauty. Freljord has that calm and serene nature to it. Endless white with specks of blue. You don't know when the skies end and the lands begin. Noxus has beauty in its structures. Its strength. It is rugged and durable giving a feeling of reliability. Demacia has its white and gold buildings, their culture and lifestyle showing, the white trees in the lands, all coming to create its own picture of beauty. Shurima has nature. The kind you face when you are alone and surrounded by sand. Your problems feel small. Your dreams feel small. You feel small. Beauty in mortality. Piltover and Zaun. The two sides of the same coin. Good and bad. Right and wrong. Life and death. Beauty in duality. Finally, Targon. The mountain is home to the most beautiful stars. Sitting under the moonlight, you feel like you can catch them if you just reached for it."

The memories of all that he had seen flooded him, as he lost himself in his words.

Google it.... you should find a picture?

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