In the distance, far beyond the rocky slopes of Ixtal's borders, Piltover glittered faintly against the horizon.
Three cloaked figures stepped forward, the air rippling as they pierced through a hidden barrier. The weight of celestial power pressed down immediately, smothering the valley in divine presence.
"Janna must be protecting this fallen star," a proud voice declared. Heavy boots ground rock to dust with each step. "Perhaps he is worth guiding, worth nurturing, for Runeterra's sake."
"That is not for you to decide," the woman in armor replied, her form outlined in radiant steel beneath her cloak. "The Sun will judge him first."
"We follow the same guiding principles, Leona. The gods will understand our actions."
Leona shook her head, her golden eyes hard. "We serve the gods. Our power is because of them. Their judgment is final."
The third man scoffed, voice dripping with contempt. He stood with helmet in hand, his blue cloak trailing, bronze muscles and scarred armor exposed.
"You bow like dogs in golden chains," the man spat. "I will not. I will judge him as a man and only a man."
The air suddenly crackled, searing their skin with static. A storm of Arcane power tore into existence above them.
A being descended, bound in ancient chains that glowed with writhing runes. His form was no longer flesh but a tempest of pure, burning magic. The sky shifted from his presence.
Behind him, a slender woman swayed with her staff, her body bleeding and battered, but her will unbroken.
"Xerath," murmured the first man, lowering his hood and revealing a crystalline mace. His eyes glowed with a light not unlike Xerath's own, though steadier and purer. His gaze shifted to the wounded woman. "Janna. You defend this child from the stars?"
"He is not for you to claim!" Janna panted, her staff trembling in her hands as wind spiraled desperately around her.
Leona's cloak dropped to reveal the Sun's golden fury. Her shield burned with light, her blade flaring in tandem. "You will not stop the Sun's judgment! If you stand in our way, you stand against Runeterra's survival."
Janna's winds surged in reply, her battered body still defiant. "And if I let you pass, I know what fate awaits him. I will not yield."
Pantheon drew his spear, his voice like thunder rolling over stone. "Enough! We carve truth with steel, not idle prayers."
"Silence, insects!" Xerath roared, his chains snapping outward from his form. "This star is mine! Through it, Shurima shall Ascend again!"
He raised his arms and a torrent of raw Arcane energy plummeted like a meteor.
Janna braced her staff, winds howling as she conjured a barrier. The impact shattered it instantly and hurled her into the dirt.
Leona charged forward, her armor radiating like the sun as she raised her sword.
"By the Sun's light, your corruption will end!"
Beside her, Taric lifted his crystal mace, starlight falling from the heavens onto his shoulders.
"By Runeterra's heart, we shield what you would break!"
And with that, the Aspects charged against Xerath's surging Arcane energy.
---------------
"If you don't give names before the trial this evening, the Council will order your transfer to Dredge Prison," Greyson said, sitting alone beside Orion, who was laid out in the dimly lit cell.
The doctors had left after changing Orion's bandages and applying fresh ointments and antiseptics.
Orion's breaths came short and raspy, struggling to stay awake. He was receiving food, but it was nowhere near the quantity or quality to restore his energy for healing—let alone being given the time to heal.
While drifting in and out of consciousness previously, he desperately wanted to heal himself but knew questions would arise if he did. The only thing Orion could do was grit his teeth and endure the pain.
"Why don't you ask Vander instead?" Orion croaked.
Greyson blinked, staring at him for a moment. "He told you?"
"No." Orion curtly replied.
A frown formed before she shook her head. "The Council knows you're connected to those kids. I spoke to Vander, but he won't reveal their names."
She took up a chair and leaned forward. "We know you were involved in the Menagerie and Cultivar incidents. Please, give me names. I don't want to send someone as young as you to Dredge Prison. I'm sure you're aware of the terrible stories..."
"I don't know who did it," Orion muttered. "I'm sorry."
"Don't do this. You're too young to throw your life away."
"Trust me, I've lived long enough for—"
A violent explosion shook the entire jail cell. Greyson immediately stood up as alarms began to blare.
"What is going on?"
An Enforcer raced down to the entrance of the cell. "Strange lights are appearing on the southern horizon! Some have hit the city and caused massive explosions!"
"How many casualties?"
"Unknown! But the lights are getting closer! Someone thought they saw people fighting!"
"Get everyone to their battle stations," Greyson commanded, striding out briskly without a second glance.
Orion gripped his blanket tightly, his whole body tense. It could have been mistaken for fear from the blast but in truth, he could sense far more.
'Such incredible power! All the threads are reacting violently!' Orion shivered, feeling them spiral and buck as if begging to be unleashed further.
The star in his body pulsed harder, burning, twisting, almost tearing itself free.
'Janna… she must've lowered the barrier already! That means… it has to be the Ascended or Targon's followers!'
His mind was in turmoil from terror and rage, a conflict he could barely contain. One half screamed to fight, to burn everything down with Aurelion's power, and the other begged him to flee, to hide, to survive.
Groaning, he forced himself upright, pain tearing through his body with every breath. He staggered to the cell door and peered down the hall. Only a single guard remained, shifting nervously with his rifle in hand.
Orion clenched the bars, his eyes burning.
'If I stay here, I'll die. If that fight reaches Piltover, none of this will matter. I need to get out. Now!'