"Keeps your eyes closed Watchers.... You will not gain entry into the world as long as I stand. This is my penance."~ Lissandra, The Ice Witch
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"What are these trials Yunara? Why must I remove my Demacian plate?" Xin asked as he removed his armor.
Yunara held up the broken remains of his spear in a cloth, "We will be tested by the temple itself to see if our spirits are strong and our intents honorable. The shields of the armor from your lands dull the magic around it. This will not be allowed and it will not work."
The Vastaya observed his armor as he took it off Xin Zhao's hands, "It is also gaudy to say the least.." He began speaking but quietened once Xin Zhao glared at him. "B.... but our supplies are limited.... even then I can get you something more suitable." He pointed toward the remains of the spear, "The Woodweaver will take care of that for you."
As Xin Zhao changed into a more Ionian armor, he felt a burn on his right arm. Blue marks in the shape of scales crawled up his arm. He flexed the arm watching the scales move almost hypnotically.
"The spirits have blessed you." Yunara spoke in disbelief.
The Vastaya covered his mouth before bowing, "I apologize for my earlier transgressions." He then backed out of the tent the group was in.
"If the spirits of Ionia have blessed you.... then the Woodweaver's work will succeed." Kennen walked out of the tent, "Come. let us not delay any longer."
The group exited the tent and walked toward an old man tending to a young tree. His back hunched over as he carefully trimmed off a branch.
"Woodweaver. Xin Zhao is ready." Yunara stood to the side, alongside Kennen and let Xin Zhao walk forward with the remains in his arms.
The Woodweaver turned around and held his arms out.
Xin Zhao bowed and handed the cloth to the man. He bowed in return accepting it.
"The tree is young. But its spirit?" He clenched his fist tight, "Strong."
With his words, the sapling began to glow a soft bluish green, almost waving in the wind.
Carefully bringing the remains toward the tree, he continued, "I can sense the connection between the you and the weapon. It is just as strong." He glanced at Xin, "You have truly cared for this weapon."
He held out his hand once more, "Give me your hand."
Xin Zhao stretched his hand out, "Such wonderous magic.... such beauty...."
"This is not magic." The Woodweaver said as he brought Xin Zhao's hand closer to the sapling and the remains, "This is life. When you understand this.... the spirits will deliver."
As he spoke those words, a branch from the young tree slowly grew toward Xin Zhao's hand, wrapping itself around it and moving toward the weapon. It slid in and around the remains, pulling it back together and affixing itself to the weapon itself. The branch continued to extend until it formed the shaft, eventually breaking off once it had reached the same length as the spear previously was.
Xin Zhao looked on in wonder as the spear floated beside him, waiting to be claimed once more. He looked up at the Woodweaver and bowed gratefully, "I am honored by this gift. May the spirit be blessed in return."
His hands closed around the spear as he closed his eyes, "Demacian roots in Ionian soil. Opposing my own Ionian roots in Demacian soil. The two as one."
The spear glowed brightly as if acknowledging his words and then the glow receded as if it was never there.
With the first rays of the dawning sun, the trio stood near the cliff face. Ready to challenge the Trials of Twilight.
"I will open the path between realms for you now." Kennen spoke as he closed his eyes, magic brimming within, "But I must remain outside if the two of you hope to return afterward." Forming a sign with his hand, his body slowly rose into the air.
Xin Zhao raised a hand to block the sudden wind from Kennen's magic. Two dragon like spirits began spinning around in a circle before them.
"This is it. Do NOT stray from the path. Yunara! You know what to do." Kennen's eyes opened as he thrust both hands forward, "GUAYLACA KAUNMAI'HAI FEN!"
The two dragons twisted around each other forming a path forward.
WHOOOOSH
A rift opened between the realms, an almost endless dark.
Xin Zhao froze for a second as Yunara sprinted forward and leapt into the rift. Gripping his spear tightly, he composed himself and followed her into the darkness in front of him.
CRASH
"ARGGH!!" He grunted as his body slammed into wooden flooring, He bounced across and rolled until he slammed onto a wooden railing.
"What....? Where.. No.. This is Viscero!" Xin Zhao found himself on the fishing ship, the name of which he had taken on when he had been forced to fight as a Reckoner in the pits.
Leaning against the railing, he looked at the fires raging across the ship. Bodies littered across the ship.
"I... I can't be here right now!" He shot to his feet, raising his spear, "Yunara and I must face the Trials of Twilight!"
"Calm old friend."
Xin spun around and pointed his spear at the source of his voice and then it dipped, "Bo Yang?!" He exclaimed with shock, "H..how?
Facing him stood Bo Yang. His old friend. One who had journeyed with him on this very ship and covered in the armor that the Reckoners were forced to wear.
The spear that had dipped rose back up again as Bo Yang too, pointed his sword at him.
"This is where is all started. Where your life changed. Where your journey began." Bo Yang stepped forward, "Xin Zhao. Your trial has already begun."
"YAH!" Bo Yang swung his sword toward Xin Zhao.
Xin Zhao leapt to the side and put some distance between the two, "Bo Yang! I have no quarrel with you."
But Bo Yang did not listen. Instead, he stepped forth and swung his sword at Xin Zhao.
Xin Zhao swatted the blade away, "I do not wish to fight you. We were like brothers. We met on this very ship." His eyes widened as the sword swung toward his once more. He spun his spear and blocked the edge with his staff.
Bo Yang used the stand off to reach up and kick Xin Zhao in the torso, sending him stumbling back, "I do not wish for this fight either. But yet here I stand." He pointed his sword at Xin, "Xin Zhao, I am only here because, deep inside, there is something you know you have to face."
Xin Zhao righted himself, confused by his words, "But what?.....I...." He firmed himself before continuing, "I did everything I could to save you. You MUST know that." The tip of his spear dropped the the ground, "We were facing an army."
"I know." Bo Yang spoke, "But my death still happened and even now you hold yourself responsible for it."
"I...." Xin Zhao couldn't find the words.
Bo Yang's sword dipped before he pointed toward a body on the ground, "You were always the better fighter Xin Zhao. Here... and in Noxus. This one. I saw you break his head with a mop stick. A child felling a grown man in full armor with nothing but a stick in a single blow. The spear was always the path for you."
Xin Zhao's attention fell on the body and the gaping hole in the opening between the man's helmet, "The first life I ever took." He closed his eyes in regret, "I did not mean to kill him, I just wanted to protect our crew. The Noxians respected that at least."
"They did not."
Xin Zhao looked up.
"You and I were worthless to them, cut loose as soon as we landed in the capital. But the rest of rest of the crew were straight to Reckoning Pits. Old fishermen and deckhands. Your singular moment of defiance got them all killed." Bo Yang spoke as cracks began to show on his body.
Xin Zhao trembled, "No... This... cannot.."
"Yet... you went on to become "The Great Viscero", winning the crowd's adoration with each victory. And I followed you.... all the way to the very end. All the way to..... Kalstead." His body broke as Bo Yang fell to the ground.
Xin Zhao ran forward, "Bo Yang!" He fell to his feet as he cradled Bo Yang's dead body, the mud splattering as he did.