"Master, Voidborn creatures have resurfaced beneath the central regions of Valoran. The Kingdom of Lienn has sent an urgent request for aid from the League of Legends."
"I've dispatched two mechanized land and air units to the Kingdom of Lienn. The estimated time to annihilate the Voidborn is two hours."
Inside the War College Council Chamber, Li Lin furrowed his brow, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The frequency of Void creature attacks is increasing..."
It had been half a year since Syndra had been "persuaded" to join the League of Legends. In preparation for the looming Void crisis, regions across the continent were providing Li Lin's production factories with every possible convenience.
Sensing the tension in the air, citizens began to grow uneasy. Leaders of several nations and regions were forced to deliver repeated speeches to soothe public concern.
However, this fragile stability was shattered three months ago.
Ascended stationed at the borders of Icathia reported that the long-dormant, saline wasteland was showing signs of growth and spreading fissures.
This phenomenon was entirely unnatural for Icathia, which had been lifeless for thousands of years.
Recalling the Void War that had plunged Shurima from its peak into rapid decline, the celestial guardians at the borders chose not to act rashly.
Upon learning of the situation, Azir quickly informed Li Lin. Due to interference disrupting satellite scans, it was impossible to determine what was happening in the area.
Li Lin dispatched a mechanized exploration unit to delve into Icathia. Following energy readings, they ventured past the location of Zilean's Chronoshift Tower.
In a coastal abyss, the team discovered pulsating purple light and countless grotesque, misshapen creatures of varying sizes.
For the first time in millennia, Void entities were stirring within Icathia, seemingly drawn together by a greater Void will.
Li Lin didn't give them the chance to mobilize. Activating orbital satellites, he unleashed antimatter beams and missiles to eradicate the marked locations.
Even the abyss itself was flattened, and all energy readings vanished.
Antimatter weapons proved devastating against the Void. The Watchers—ancient, highly intelligent Void beings—seemed to recognize this threat and fell silent once more.
But peace is often fleeting.
A month ago, Voidborn began emerging sporadically from underground, attacking Zaun's undercity, the Shurima-Ixtal border, and the Kingdom of Nockmirch in central Valoran.
Fortunately, each location had a stationed mechanized force. Even in situations where they struggled to manage the crisis, the sub-dimensional mechanized army could respond to any location in mere seconds.
The rapid response of the mechanized forces resulted in minimal casualties—just a few dozen in total.
Although many Void creatures emerged, the majority were low-level Voidlings, akin to those Kai'Sa had once faced, far less threatening than Void Burrowers like Rek'Sai.
Li Lin personally inspected the affected regions and confirmed that all Voidlings originated from underground "Void Corruption Vines."
Back when Malphite guarded the mines of Zaun's undercity, Li Lin had studied Void incursions into this world. Malphite's mission was to consume these twisted, malevolent forces and safeguard the realm.
After the fall of the Void Empress, these "Void Corruption Vines" had long since withered. Li Lin even invested significant resources to create drilling machines that eradicated these invasive branches beneath the surface.
To his surprise, these vines had now returned with a vengeance.
"Have we identified the source of this underground Void activity? Is it Icathia?" Li Lin asked.
[No…]
The AI's response was hesitant.
[According to the mechanized exploration team's findings, the Void's current source lies… in the Freljord.]
Li Lin froze momentarily, his heart skipping a beat. After composing himself, confusion set in. "If it's from the Freljord, why hasn't the Avarosan Tribe reported an attack?"
[War Mother Ashe has not requested assistance, nor have our stationed mechanized forces encountered any threats.]
"What about the Frostguard Citadel?"
[Energy readings from the Howling Abyss remain unchanged. Surveillance drones in the Hall of Nine have detected no anomalies.]
Rising from his chair, Li Lin walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the bustling plaza below.
Recent Void attacks had stirred unrest, though the details were known only to governments and League members.
In Piltover and Zaun, where knowledge of impending crises was limited, the public remained largely unaware.
However, as technology advanced, innovations like Viktor's anti-gravity vehicles had become status symbols among the wealthy in recent years.
Reports of monster attacks in distant regions reached Piltover and Zaun often, but they were consistently followed by news of mechanized forces suppressing the threats.
This trust in Li Lin's leadership kept the masses largely unbothered.
After all, the world of Runeterra was no stranger to disasters. Encounters with man-eating demons or monsters were almost routine.
Shifting his gaze from the crowd, Li Lin looked up at the blue, cloud-filled sky.
A thought crossed his mind, and his attire instantly transformed into a battle suit.
Locking onto the coordinates of Freljord's Rakelstake, he activated teleportation.
Blue and white light engulfed him. When his vision cleared, the modern office was gone, replaced by frigid winds and drifting snow.
"Hmm?" Li Lin frowned.
It wasn't winter in the Freljord yet, and Rakelstake, located in a southern valley, shouldn't have such harsh weather.
As he prepared to inquire further, Ashe, Sejuani, and Tryndamere received word through the AI and leapt from the tribal walls, swiftly appearing before Li Lin.
"Chairman Li, it's been a while," Ashe greeted, removing her mask and extending her hand in Piltoverian fashion.
Li Lin smiled and returned the gesture. "May Anivia guide you."
"Please, come inside and rest for a while," Ashe offered.
"No need. I'm here on urgent business. But before that…" Li Lin glanced around. "What's going on here?"
"You mean the early winter?" Ashe's eyes showed a hint of puzzlement. "I'm not sure… In the ten years I've lived in the lowlands, this is the first time it's happened."
"Could it be related to the legend of Anivia?" Sejuani muttered, drawing the group's attention. "She governs winter. Wherever she is, eternal frost follows."
"But the AI detected no energy fluctuations from a demi-god. Are you certain?" Li Lin asked.
"Several tribal shamans claim to have seen omens or heard Anivia's voice in their prayers. Even some tribes once hostile to the Avarosan have sought reconciliation, saying Anivia has decreed it."
A fleeting bitterness crossed Sejuani's face. "The end is near."
(End of Chapter)