In the slums of New York—
A bustling marketplace stretched endlessly.
The air—
A strange mix of incense and rotting vegetables.
Wrapped in a cloak—
Her nine tails carefully hidden—
Ahri moved quietly through the crowd.
In her hands—
Two golden stones.
They danced between her fingers—
Spinning, flipping—
Then—
Clicked together perfectly.
"Click—click—"
Individually—
They resembled flames.
But together—
They formed a flawless orb.
She had carried them—
Since before she could remember.
Yet—
She never knew their origin.
From the continent of Valoran—
To this unfamiliar world—
Ahri felt… lost.
But the magic within her—
Kept her grounded.
And something—
Was calling her.
Leading her—
Here.
She passed a stall—
Dozens of baskets filled with trinkets.
Smooth pebbles.
Shells etched with tales of sailors.
Bone-carved dice.
Curiosities of every kind.
"Take a look! Legendary gems from ancient ruins!"
"They can grant you S-Class power!"
"Hey miss! Just 100 dollars!"
Ahri smiled faintly—
And walked on.
There was no magic in that stone.
Just lies.
Her grip tightened—
Around the twin sun stones.
She didn't linger.
Because—
Even without trying—
Her charm alone—
Could drive people mad.
Like moths to flame.
So—
Before anyone saw her face—
She chose to leave.
Stalls passed.
Voices blended.
Every merchant—
Exaggerating their goods.
Nothing unusual.
"Then why…"
"…was I drawn here?"
She pulled her cloak tighter.
Avoiding unnecessary trouble.
She was no longer just a fox spirit—
She was now—
A member of the Hero Alliance.
"Fortune telling! Destiny reading!"
"Find your true love!"
"Erase misfortune with burdock root!"
"Or let fate decide your future—I can answer your past!"
From a shadowed corner—
A voice echoed.
Ahri turned.
There—
A figure in a purple cloak.
Hidden.
Just like her.
Her fox-like eyes narrowed.
No magic.
And yet—
A strange familiarity.
This—
Was the source.
"Care for a love reading, beautiful lady?"
"…You're not affected by my charm?"
"Ah—your beauty is unmatched."
The cloaked figure chuckled darkly.
"Unfortunately… I've long lost such desires."
Ahri paused.
For someone without desire—
Her charm weakened.
"Still…"
"You carry a shadowed past."
"A story worth telling."
"Any questions, miss?"
"…No. Thank you."
Ahri's brows furrowed slightly.
Instinct—
Warned her.
Something here—
Felt wrong.
A hidden energy—
Disgusting.
Oppressive.
"Well… you won't find another pair of Imerro Stones in this market."
The cloaked man nodded—
Toward her hand.
"…?!"
Ahri's body tensed.
She stepped closer—
But remained cautious.
"You know these?"
"They don't belong to this world."
These stones—
Came from Valoran.
No one here—
Should recognize them.
Unless—
…He wasn't from this world either.
The cloaked man studied her.
A cold smile—
Hidden beneath fabric.
"Yes."
"They are Imerro Stones."
"I've never seen a real pair before."
He shrugged.
"The creator made very few."
"Most were separated during war."
"Only together—do they hold true power."
"Otherwise…"
"They're just ordinary stones."
Ahri listened.
Curiosity—
Awakened.
"Then…"
"How should I address you?"
The man lowered his head slightly.
Voice calm.
Sinister.
"You may call me…"
"Prophet Malzahar."
"…It's a pleasure to meet you—"
"Member of the Hero Alliance."
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