Legends of Runeterra

"Click~!"

After covering it with the last shovel of soil, a small mound of earth appeared in front of Atreus.

"Hoo~!"

White smoke poured out of his mouth and nose, shining golden in the morning sunlight.

"Click~!"

"Atreus, you gave up on my oven and are now messing with the land on the farm?

It’s not spring yet, and even if we turn the soil now, we can’t plant anything…”

When Iula saw Atreus standing not far away in the backyard and the small mound of earth next to him, she was stunned.

The face that had long been worn down by time and life seemed to be frozen at this moment, and the palm resting on the door frame could not stop shaking slightly.

"Iula..."

"This...this is..."

"Palas, I went out and climbed Mount Targon again these few days and found where Palas was."

Iula ignored Atreus and walked to the small mound with stiff, clumsy steps and extremely awkward steps.

"..."

After a long silence, Iula slowly squatted down, wiped his right hand on his apron repeatedly, and then slowly reached out his hand towards the small mound of earth.

Gently and carefully, as if touching something extremely fragile.

Iula slowly closed her eyes, the cold morning breeze had already taken away the heat from her hands.

At this moment, gently stroking the soil that Atreus had just dug out, Iula felt a faint warmth in a trance, and in her heart she even had the illusion that she was stroking the face of her former lover.

“Tick-tick~!”

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes and were carried by the breeze to the soil.

"Thank you... Thank you Atreus..."

"..."

Iula opened his eyes and swayed slightly when he stood up. Atreus, who was standing beside him, quickly reached out to support his friend.

But Atreus did not respond to his friend's thanks, and he did not think he was qualified to respond to this thank you.

Silently letting go of Iula, Atreus reached behind his back with his right hand.

"I think this should be done by you."

"Bang~!"

A stone tablet that had already been carved was placed in front of Iula.

'The Tomb of My Beloved Pylas'

The tombstone was made of a rare stone called "Sunstone" which had special significance to the Rakkor tribe. It glowed golden in the sun and was engraved with these simple and clear words.

"Thanks..."

After whispering a thank you again, Iula placed her hands on the tombstone. Although it was a bit difficult, she still lifted it up and walked to the front of the small mound.

"Bang~!"

The tombstone fell into the position reserved by Atreus, fitting perfectly without any error.

"..."

"Mother..."

Hannie's voice broke the silence in the backyard. Atreus and the others turned around and saw Hannie standing by the back door with the neatly dressed little Thomas.

"Come here children, say hello to your father."

"Okay mother."

Pulling the still confused little Thomas, Hannie came to Iula's side.

Facing the fully risen sun, Iura brought the two little ones to bow towards the tombstone, and Atreus who was standing beside them did the same.

"Your father's name is Paras. He has always been a cheerful and optimistic guy..."

...

After breakfast, Atreus took little Tomis to exercise as usual.

Afterwards, watching his uncle Atreus putting on the equipment he had worn on the day he first arrived, the little guy realized that something was unusual today.

However, Iula seemed to have expected this. His expression was extremely calm. He just silently handed the prepared dry food and water bag to Atreus.

"Uncle Atreus...are you...are you leaving?"

The little guy pulled Atreus's patched blue cloak behind him, his face full of reluctance.

"Yes, little guy, after resting for so long, I have to do what I should do!"

"But..."

"Don't worry, I'll come to see you again after a while. Remember to practice your sword skills well. I'll check on you then."

"Okay! Don't worry, Uncle Atreus, I will definitely train well!"

"Well, I believe you!"

After rubbing little Tomis's head, Atreus gave an unskilled smile, nodded to Hanny, then stood up and looked at Iula.

"Remember the promise you made to Tang Tang, and be a man of your word."

"I will, don't worry, Iura."

"Well, go ahead and do what you want to do. If you get tired, just go back to the farm and take a rest. The 'Midu' here is always ready for you."

"Thank you!"

Atreus smiled and thanked him, then put on the dark golden helmet again.

With a slight nod to the three of them, Atreus turned and strode away, just as he had done the day he arrived at the farm.

Looking at the figure getting farther and farther away, little Thomas wiped his eyes and looked up at Iula.

"Mom, when I grow up...can I really become someone like my father and Uncle Atreus?"

"Of course, the premise is that you exercise well and eat well."

"Yeah! I'll do it, I promise!"

"Good boy."

Iula took the hands of both of them and turned to walk into the house.

"Come on, kids, let's make a cup of 'sunflower tea'."

"Okay mom, I'll get the cup!"

"Mom, I'll go get some hot water."

"Okay, I'll go get the tea then."

...

Walking out of the farm, Atreus headed towards the more remote north.

Until he climbed a steep mountain, he saw a golden-red figure standing quietly with its back to him.

"Hello, Atreus."

"Atreus, meet the Solar Aspect."

With spears and shields intertwined, Atreus saluted the figure not far away neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Just call me Leona. You have the qualifications."

"... ...

Sorry, Solar Aspect, I don't want that identity."

There was a moment of silence, and then Atreus rejected Leona.

"Haha~! You misunderstood. I don't think you are qualified because of your previous identity as a 'Star Spirit', but because of your belief in fighting evil to the end."

"...Thank you for your recognition, ma'am, and...Thank you very much for your help and care for the Iula family!"

The spear was inserted into the ground, and this time Atreus bowed slightly and saluted Leona sincerely.

"Om~!"

A golden-red light rose up, stopping Atreus's movements.

"Mr. Atreus, Ms. Iura is also a member of the Rakkor tribe. Regardless of whether I am a 'Protoss' or not, protecting them is what I should do."

"Thank you."

Realizing that he could not break through this power, Atreus thanked him again.

"Okay, let's skip this topic for now. Mr. Atreus, which evil demon are you planning to track down this time?"

"I don't have any plans for the time being, ma'am. I want to go look for Mr. Li En."

"Ah? Li En?"