Li Lin had once considered seeking Soraka's help, but for the same reasons he hadn't invited her to join the League of Legends, he hesitated. Soraka, as a celestial being, primarily sought to enlighten humanity rather than intervene in their disputes.
The conflict between the Solari and Lunari had raged for over a century, and even though Soraka resided on Mount Targon, she never involved herself in their struggle. She likely had no interest in meddling with mortal squabbles, especially when the faith in the sun held ties to the celestial Solari Aspect.
Although the Solari faith was not directly connected to the Sunborn, their champion Leona served as the mortal host of the celestial Aspect. Taking the cosmic implications into account, Soraka was naturally reluctant to intervene. For this reason—and because he had been swamped with numerous other matters—Li Lin hadn't approached her in the past two years.
Unexpectedly, the title of "Runeterra's Chosen" seemed to carry weight with Soraka. Contrary to Li Lin's expectations, she agreed to help.
On Mount Targon, Soraka was revered as the Daughter of the Stars, a celestial being who had descended to endure mortal suffering out of boundless love for humanity. Even the most fervent Solari zealots respected her.
Over the millennia, Soraka had repeatedly guided humanity out of darkness and chaos, preventing countless disasters. Without her intervention, history might have been marked by even greater calamities than the Void War, the Darkin Rebellion, the havoc wrought by Sion and Sahn-Uzal, the Ruinous Curse, and the Rune Wars.
Compared to the fabled Twilight Aspect, often feared for heralding calamity, the Daughter of the Stars enjoyed greater trust and admiration.
With Soraka at his side, Li Lin used his Runeterra Projection to locate Diana, the Moon Aspect, hiding deep within remote mountain ranges. He brought her to a Solari temple, setting the stage for reconciliation.
Returning to a place laden with memories, Diana stood resolute, prepared to defend her dwindling Lunari followers. She confronted her former lover—and current adversary—Leona, who had been indoctrinated by Solari dogma that "the Sun reigns supreme."
Even with Li Lin and Soraka present, the Solari were on the verge of attacking Diana, denouncing her as a heretic. They only restrained themselves out of deference to Soraka, hoping she would mediate.
However, Soraka's words left them furious and bewildered.
"Sun and Moon are one," she declared. "From the cosmic sigh at creation's dawn, the Solari and Lunari Aspects have been inseparable, complementary forces. Yet, their power manifests on this world, only for mortals to divide and seek to destroy one another in folly."
The Solari elders, deeply skeptical even when such words came from Soraka, ordered their Sunlit Wardens and Leona to capture Diana.
Before Li Lin could intervene, Soraka summoned the power of the stars, instantly subduing everyone. She then called upon both the Sun and Moon Aspects, urging them to reveal their divine will.
Even away from Mount Targon, Soraka's presence triggered a celestial miracle. To the mortals, it was nothing less than a divine decree.
Moved by this revelation, Leona and Diana finally understood that the Moon was not the Sun's adversary but its counterpart. Their combined strength was far greater than either could achieve alone.
Shamed by their misinterpretation of divine intent, the Solari elders immediately stepped down from their positions. The Lunari were welcomed back into the Solari fold, and Diana accepted Li Lin's invitation to join the League of Legends alongside Leona.
Humanity was united once more.
— — —
With the Mount Targon affair resolved, and the matters along the Conqueror's Sea temporarily settled, Li Lin did not allow himself to rest. Over the past few months, he had tirelessly traveled across Runeterra—Valoran, Shurima, Ionia, and the Freljord. He even visited Bilgewater and the Blessed Isles, though his focus there was establishing teleportation arrays rather than creating anti-Void weaponry.
After years of effort, the defensive network spanning Runeterra had finally taken shape.
The Void's invasion was a global threat, demanding a unified response. Li Lin prioritized consolidating the world's population into defensible areas, ensuring they would not become sustenance for the Void. Some regions had to be abandoned, even those once blessed by gods or natural spirits.
While champions like Nagakabouros and Maokai could hold their ground against Voidspawn, they were ill-equipped to face the Void Watchers. Thankfully, Maokai had already joined the League of Legends, making the potential abandonment of the Blessed Isles a manageable loss. Nagakabouros, having acknowledged Li Lin's leadership, could also leave her domain if necessary.
The challenge lay in the Freljord, where the region's semi-divine beings would need to make their stand against the Void. Of particular concern was Volibear, the tempestuous and warlike god who sought to return humanity to its primal roots.
Over the years, Volibear had recovered from his battle wounds against Ornn, yet he frequently sabotaged the technological advancements Li Lin introduced to the Freljord. Had the Avarosan Tribe not been guarded by a newly ascended protector, the furious Volibear might have directly attacked human settlements.
Nevertheless, as native gods of the Freljord, they were bound to resist the Void's consuming advance. Li Lin had no desire to provoke Volibear at such a critical moment.
— — —
In Demacia and the coastal regions near Mount Targon, mechanical engineers had erected steel fortresses made from nano-grade zero-element materials. These were armed with gamma-ray turrets and floating cannons.
Underwater defense posed unique challenges, so Li Lin deployed deep-sea mechs to patrol the ocean depths, eliminating any Voidspawn lurking below. Meanwhile, the rugged terrain of Valoran's mountain ranges now served as natural defensive barriers.
In Noxus, closest to the Howling Abyss, fortifications were built in the Ironspike Mountains, centering around Dreadbore Keep. The Howling Abyss itself was fortified with anti-Void weaponry, supported by ten orbital satellites and space station-mounted cannons. Should the Void's will break free from its icy prison, Lissandra would activate the final defenses of Frostguard Citadel, followed by Li Lin's weaponry and orbital strikes.
Elsewhere, at the Shuriman border near Icathia, over twenty newly ascended warriors stood vigil, ready for the Void's return.
In Ionia, Li Lin personally met with Karma and the elders of the Lasting Altar, describing the impending global crisis. Karma, using her authority as the Spirit of Ionia, vouched for Li Lin's warning, prompting the elders to issue a decree to establish teleportation arrays across every province.
While building final defense lines was crucial, Li Lin also focused on evacuation plans. Runeterra's subterranean refuges and mountain shelters were no longer viable, as the Void's invasion began from below. Survival required ascending to the stars.
Using celestial magic, Li Lin created teleportation arrays that led to orbital fortresses. Though he genetically enhanced civilians to ensure they could protect themselves, he never intended for them to face the Void directly, even its lesser creations.
Thus, the defensive ring encircling Runeterra was completed.
(End of Chapter)