Legends of Runeterra

"No more betrayal," Erath whispered. "No more hiding. We've been through so much together, questioned everything, twisted everything. The only constant is honor. The mission Noxus has entrusted to us."

Teneff stepped forward. Riven watched as she bent down and picked up the two runeblades. Riven's swords shattered again, fragments of varying sizes scattering across the ground. Ariel sheathed the Broken Blades, and the two Huntresses stood before Riven.

"He's right," Teneff said, looking at Riven with a look that held no vengeance, no hatred, only a cold resolve. "Honor is all we have left. I swore an oath to Noxus to bring you to justice, sister. I will keep that oath to the end."

"Please let us go," Asa said, his voice hoarse, tears streaming down his face. "You don't have to take her back."

Erath looked from the two huntresses to Riven. Was there more blood to be shed today?

"I'll go with you."

"Deda, don't..." Asa pleaded, shocked to hear Riven say such words.

Riven let out a long, shuddering breath. "This is the end, Yinbei—this is the end of the pain I've caused you. We are responsible for our own actions, and our choices are our own." She looked at him and said, "This is my choice."

Asa opened his mouth, then closed it again. He took a breath and trembled as he rose to his feet. "No matter where you go, no matter what you do, you will always be my Deda. Always."

"You'll always be here, Yinbei." Riven pressed a hand to her heart. She looked up at Teneff. "Please leave him alone. I will go with you."

Teneff paused for a moment, then bowed her head slightly. "I swear to you." She nodded to Erath, and the swordsman immediately let go of Asa.

The old Ionian stood trembling, crestfallen at Riven's glance, and stumbled toward the farmhouse. Asa crouched by the doorway, sobbing softly as Teneff shackled Riven.

Erath suddenly remembered the two strange beasts. He turned around and was relieved to see that Talz was still tied up, grazing leisurely, not caring about the world.

But Miss Henrietta freed herself from the reins.

Erath's heart raced with fear until he saw she hadn't gone far. She had found the reptilian mount beneath the tree, nudging Marit with her nose, trying to wake her. Slowly, cautiously, Erath closed the distance between them.

Henrietta hissed threateningly at Eras, baring her fangs, and stepped in front of Marit's body, while Eras held out a hand.

"I know," Eras said softly, brushing his hand across Henrietta's neck. "I know."

Henrietta roared again, but softer this time. Erath took her reins, but the beast didn't resist or pull.

Finally, Ariel asked the question on everyone's mind. "How will this end? The Runesmith is dead, and her orders are no longer valid for us."

"She died on this expedition," Teneff said, staring at Tifalenji's body. "Died in service to the Empire. In her name, we continue on, completing her mission and bringing the fugitive back for justice."

"Is this the story you're going to use to get by?" Ariel asked.

Teneff remained unmoved. "That's the truth."

"Well," Ariel said, "it seems you and the swordsman are more than enough."

Erath looked at the Stalker and realized something. "You are not going with us."

"This matter was important," Ariel shook her head, handing the fragments of Riven's broken sword to Teneff, "but it is done, and I can better serve Noxus alone."

Teneff slowly extended a hand, "See you next time, sister."

Ariel looked at her hand for a moment, then took it, and they locked wrists. "See you next time," she gestured, and several hounds jumped up to her side and began to leave the farm along the dirt road.

"Then, it's just the two of us." Eras said as he watched Ariel's gradually disappearing back.

"You don't have to come," said Teneff.

Erath looked at her, at Riven, bewildered.

"The duty is mine now," she said. "My quest is over—but not yours." She nodded at Miss Henrietta. "Go. Find your betrayer."

At first, Erath was speechless. After seeing Riven's power, he didn't want to let Teneff watch over her alone, but in his heart he knew it was the right thing to do. And she was right; he had unfinished business in this land.

Erath stood at attention and proudly punched his chest. "For Noxus."

Teneff returned the salute. "For Noxus."

Eras helped Tenev wrap her body in Marit's family banner, then loaded her onto Talz's back and finally took the supplies he needed. "Grow up and fatten up, Talz," he patted Talz's cheek, "and take good care of her along the way."

The dragon lizard shook its head with such glee that it nearly knocked Erath over. He smiled, then felt sand in his eyes. He turned his head, wiped a tear with his thumb, and turned back to Miss Henrietta.

He edged closer to her, remembering every person Miss Henrietta had killed, every cry of a reptile, every death cry of her prey, every time he had cleaned her jewelry. He hummed softly as he approached, reaching out and gently caressing her coat. She flinched, but didn't flinch. Eras saw this and tried to grab her reins. A moment later, Eras was in the saddle behind Miss Henrietta.

She accepted him.

Riven and Teneff watched Erath ride off, disappearing down the road. Riven's shackles rattled, and she realized this was the second time she'd been chained off the farm. She remembered the feeling from last time—the fear, the panic, and she let it rise and fall. This time was different. The man was different this time, and she was different this time, too.

Teneff turned to Raven. "You are my prisoner, but you are also my sister. I will treat you with the respect you deserve. Are you ready?"

Riven breathed a sigh of relief, took one last look at Asa and the home she would never return to, and nodded, "Alright."

"Okay." Teneff helped Riven ride on Talz's back and looked at the long road ahead. "Let's go to Noxus."

Erath rode through the night. He had traversed countless perils on foot in his quest for Riven, and the feeling of speeding along on Miss Henrietta's back was a delight. If his destination were elsewhere, he would have completely reveled in the joy of riding. But his heart was heavy, like a weight on his chest. The destination drew closer and closer, and in the blink of an eye, it was there.