Legends of Runeterra

Riven roared, swung her greatsword in a sweeping motion, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that whipped Marit, pushing her back. Marit skidded against the ground, backing away a distance, digging her free hand into the dirt to slow herself.

"How cute," she said with a grin, then stood up and began a new round of attack.

As the fight progressed, Erath noticed Riven's defensive facade begin to waver. Something had awakened within her, a fighting spirit that had made her one of Noxus's strongest soldiers. She slashed and slashed, parried and counterattacked, no longer passively accepting blows. Erath saw a shift in her posture and expression, a break from her composure.

He saw the anger.

Riven began to attack. Her rune-clad greatsword blazed with a seething melody, hammering and slicing at Marit's defenses. Marit's scarred face twisted in a knot as she concentrated her superior combat skills on neutralizing Riven's attacks—but every counterattack was deflected, every attempt to circumvent Riven's defenses was seen through.

By this time, Erath was beginning to truly think Marit might lose. Beneath a massive tree, blood-red leaves rustling, Riven was gaining the upper hand.

Both were drenched in sweat. Marit's movements had lost their grace, evident fatigue and a hint of despair. In contrast to Marit's dejection, Riven's fighting spirit surged, her eyes blazing as her attacks grew in power. Marit was knocked back against the tree, her back pressed against the trunk. Riven raised her greatsword overhead, ready to strike with all her might. Marit held the hilt horizontally, and Riven's sword clenched the iron shaft in half.

"You'll never escape your broken fate, Riven," Marit sneered, throwing away the lower half of the broken handle. "Wherever you go, your fate will follow you."

Marit charged, her broken halberd in hand. Riven roared, raising her sword and lunging forward. Blood splattered around the blade, the blood staining the runes boiling and evaporating as her greatsword pierced Marit, pinning her to the tree.

For a moment, Riven's eyes widened in horror. She sheathed her sword, and Marit slowly slid to the ground, clutching her chest tightly, but she couldn't stop the blood from flowing through her fingers.

The anger on Riven's face faded. She looked at Marit, her grip on the sword loosening. "Sister, forgive me."

Marit looked up at Riven, a streak of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Growing weaker, Marit used her last bit of strength to grab Riven's clothes and pull her toward her, meeting her gaze.

"I don't." Marit's voice was hoarse, and the contempt in her tone consumed her remaining life. Then she lay down in the dust.

Silence fell. Everyone present paused in astonishment, especially Erath. In his eyes, Marit had always been invincible, able to survive the alchemical weapon's attack, even at the cost of disfigurement; able to triumph in every battle along the way. He couldn't believe he had just witnessed her fall.

And what was she dying for? He wondered, what are we doing?

"It's a shame," Tifalenji said, "but it's to be expected."

Riven stumbled back half a step, her weapon slipping from her weary hands. She turned and saw the greatsword fall into the hands of the runesmith. Now she had a rune sword in each hand.

"During this journey, I've genuinely debated whether I should spare your life after I retrieve what's ours. But after seeing your..." She tightened her grip on Riven's greatsword, "...and your despicable blasphemy, I will never allow you to breathe again."

"Enough!" Teneff shouted, and she and Ariel went to meet Tifalenji. Asa grunted at the sight and struggled to get rid of Erath's hand.

The Runesmith crossed his blades and swung with all his might. A storm of energy sent the two huntresses flying through the air. Ariel's hounds barked and rushed to their master's defense. Tifalenji uttered a spell, and the three hounds levitated into the air, sealed in pods of runic energy. Erath watched the scene unfold, his heart racing, his grip on the scimitar growing unsteady.

"Do you think you can stop it?" Tifalenji roared, "No one can stop it! I will kill you all and then sleep peacefully tonight, because I am just, and you are all-"

Tifalenji gasped as a blade protruded from her chest. The Runesmith swayed briefly, as if weightless, and then began to collapse. The two runeblades fell from her weakened fingers. The bloodstained scimitar supported her for a second before being drawn away, held by Erath, who had been behind her.

The dragonhounds fell to the ground, dazed but unharmed. Ariel and Teneff rose from the ground and looked at Erath in surprise, as if they were meeting him for the first time.

"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.