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Meetings were not uncommon in the grand Institute of War. With such varying company, it was wise to keep everyone updated on events.
But this was by far the most important meeting. It was, after all, the final time they’d meet under the same banner.
“Champions of the League. We come with unsettling news. Zilean’s visions have revealed a cataclysmic destruction that comes to Valoran. And after much deliberation, we have found only one conclusion. By erasing the League, we can avert the inevitable catastrophe.”
The champions all spoke up in disarray, some raising weapons.
”How can you be certain? We have survived many cataclysmic events with the Institute still standing,” Jarvan IV questioned, with Xin Zhao nodding in agreement.
The group were silenced with a raise of the high councillor’s hand.
”Because Zilean is not the only one with these visions. We summoners have felt the tremors of cataclysm for several days. We’ve surveyed possible futures, and there is no alternative.”
The murmurs remained, but quieter now.
”You will have three hours to pack, to prepare, and say goodbye. Dismissed.”
The champions funnelled out of the meeting hall, murmuring amongst themselves.
Talon was in his quarters, writing down everything he had learned about General Du Couteau’s disappearance. If he was going to forget everything, he couldn’t afford to start his investigation from scratch.
His door opened, Talon did not look up. He knew who it was.
”Hey,” Katarina greeted, voice carrying the slightest hint of displeasure.
”What do you want?”
Katarina peered over his shoulder, seeing his work.
”Just want to know what your plan’s are. We’ll forget this conversation anyway.”
Talin didn’t stop writing as he replied.
”I’ll continue my search for the general. I’ve found a few leads and I’ll need to remember them.”
Katarina huffed.
”Give me a copy.”
Talon smirked, a rare crack in his stony countenance.
”You’ll have to fight me for it.”
Katarina grinned.
”You’re on.”
The pair of them headed to the training grounds, ready to enjoy their limited time the only way they knew how.
Kayle sharpened her sword, a small thing that brought her comfort. It didn’t matter that it was clean enough to see her reflection, she needed to think.
”I had a feeling I’d find you here,” Morgana commented, having a fond expression clear to see. Kayle wasn’t going to fight her sister, not now.
”What do you want?”
”Just wanted to see you before we forget all of this. Do you remember the times we had? Fighting on the same side? The food fights? Those walks around the rift?”
Kayle shook her head, trying to keep the fond memories from breaking her composure.
”I remember. But not for much longer.”
Morgana wrapped her arms around Kayle, squeezing her eyes shut.
”It was nice, fighting on the same side.”
Kayle returned the embrace, and didn’t stop the single tear from rolling down her face.
”I agree.”
“And that’s the game.”
”Bullshit, you cheated!” Graves shouted, only for Fate to shrug with a satisfied smirk.
”It’s all luck, my friend.”
Graves grumbled, his eyes meeting the woman who entered through the door.
Miss Fortune walked over to the table while pulling up a chair for herself.
“Put me in, TF."
Fate grinned, shuffling the card deck with a practiced technique. As he did so, he asked the question that many others were asking.
Fortune sighed, checking her cards.
"I need to get back on hunting Gangplank. Can I count on you too to help out?”
”It might take some convincing, but I’d be down to sink the bastard.”
Fortune spared a look to Graves, who grumbled about needing to keep Fate outta trouble.
”Good to know. Let’s play.”
Orianna danced as Blitzcrank watched. The two of them had an odd yet expected friendship considering their mutual robotic nature.
”What will you do when we leave?”
”Resume my work to help the people of Zaun. I trust you will do the same?”
”Correct.”
Silence, beyond the sounds of clockwork and mechanical rumbling.
”Do you believe we will meet again?”
Orianna kept her clockwork dance going, but still answered her companion.
”Uncertain. I would want to.”
Orianna ceased her dance, walking over to her desk, that was kept perfectly clean in most cases, and pulled out a small wind up toy that was made in her likeness. A gift from a certain summoner who had a fondness for Orianna. She handed it to Blitzcrank.
“You can hold onto it. A memory for if we ever meet again.”
Blitzcrack shuddered, as if overcome with unexpected feelings.
”Thank you.”
Swain looked into the crimson wind resting in the glass. With the news of forgetting their experience here, there was only one person he wanted to speak with.
“So, I suppose that’s that?” Leblanc questioned, although already knowing the answer.
”Indeed. While I can hardly admit predicting this, it was only a matter of time.”
Leblanc raised her glass of wine in a false cheers.
”To whatever comes next?”
Swain raised his as well.
”To Noxus.”
The pair clinked together their glasses before taking a sip. There was a chance the glasses were poisoned. But such risk made their meetings interesting.
And in the end, that was enough for them to keep the other around.
Hours passed, and soon, everyone was packed and ready to leave. They were all organised into their regions to avoid any mixups.
High Councillor Vessaria stood before the group.
”Champions of the League. You are all from vastly different backgrounds with vastly different motivations. You are heroes in one story, but villains in another. But what you have done here will be remembered. You will forget all that which transpired in these halls, but we hope you can meet again one day.”
Vessaria smiled, not a smirk, not an audacious grin, but a gentle smile of pure pride.
”We say goodbye, and most importantly, wish you all good luck.”
One by one, the groups left to their regions. They would soon forget the Institute, and the relationships that had blossomed from the battlefield.
Zilean remained behind, he would be instrumental in removing the Institute.
”Is everyone gone?”
”Correct. We shall begin.”
The summoners held out their hands, surrounding the Institute of War and summoner’s rift in a bubble of purple magic. Zilean’s eyes glowed white with power, and he began the spell.
The area began to fade, and when it was done, the once great Institute of War was gone.
All that remained was a single flower, blooming from the fertile grass that a blue butterfly soon rested on.