A Search Through Runeterra (Arcane)

 "Bow to the Void, or be consumed by it!" ~ Malzahar, The Prophet Of The Void

Tried something this chapter with constant perspective switches. Let me know if its too confusing. Since the past few chapters were heavily Gregori focused, I wanted to spice things up.

Thanks for the power stones guys. Even if we don't go up the rankings, I appreciate it. And even if one day you aren't interested in the story anymore and decide to drop it. I will still finish it due to the support you have shown.

Thanks!

Also early chapter!

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With the ethereal blue glow illuminating the training ground, an adult and a child stayed locked in combat. Watching them from the side, were another two adults.

The child threw her weapon at the adult woman in an effort to catch her off guard but the woman sidestepped the flying weapon. She then moved forward and slipped past the child's first blow and with a leg crossing behind the child's, she flipped the child onto the ground.

But that did not end the combat.

As soon as the child fell to the ground, she used her arm as a pivot and spun around, sending a kick at the woman.

Not expecting the reaction, the woman took the kick but used it to her advantage by grabbing onto the leg and jumping back. The movement took the child off balance and she landed face first into the ground.

The woman twisted the leg while stepping closer.

The girl let out a yelp in pain before feeling a knife at her throat.

"Do you yield?" 

Came the question as she glared at the knife. Gritting her teeth, she nodded.

With the nod came the release of the hold on her leg along with the knife being pulled away. She looked up at her teacher only to see an impressed smile.

"You are improving at a rate that far outstrips me Daisy." Her teacher said as she pulled her up to her feet. She squatted to eye level with her before continuing, "The kick? I did not even see that coming. If I did not possess the experience that I have.... then you might have even won there." 

Daisy nodded in response but her teeth were still grit together. She had been developing fast but it wasn't enough. Her father had left her behind because she wasn't strong enough to make the journey. Never again. The next fight... She would need to win that.

She had promised herself that she would win this fight and the previous ones as well. But every single one of her attacks were stopped or countered. 

The Warmother's words rang in her head. 

"If I did not possess the experience that I have.... then you might have even won there." 

Experience.

That was the one thing that separated them from her. Her eyes looked toward the other Iceborn there. All of them had enough practice fighting against enemies in real situations. She did not have that.

Experience.

She had tried her hardest to be included in the last hunt. The one were they had brought back an extremely large amount of food. If she had been allowed on that hunt, she would have gained a lot of experience. 

But they all opposed that idea. They said that she was too young and that she would need to grow up a little more before she could be taken along with them.

But she knew the real reason. They were afraid. Afraid because if anything happened, they would need to answer to her father.

The same man who could go toe to toe with Iceborn and come out victorious. 

That did not mean that they were afraid of him. They were afraid for him and her. Freljordians did not fear pain. They even walked to certain death with a large smile on their faces. Fear was for a coward's end.

That they weren't.

But they felt fear for others.

A hand clapped her back breaking her out of her line of thought.

A warm laugh sounded, "Very well done Daisy. We are proud of you!" Braum's large figure, that had once intimidated her, was now right above her as he spoke to her.

"You need to train harder to not get caught like that again." A colder voice sounded. She turned to Tryndamere. The man had maintained a distance from her.

But he did that with everyone. The only person he had allowed close was the Warmother. His Oathsworn. He also did not mince his words and only spoke what he believed to be correct. 

"Of course she will improve Tryndamere. She is still but a child. The girl might even take my position of Warmother one day." Ashe said as she looked fondly upon Daisy.

Tryndamere snorted, "Unlikely."

With a pout, Ashe replied, "I can hope can't I?"

"You can." Tryndamere answered, "But you cannot expect things to go your way when they clearly seem like they won't."

Ashe turned away from him after that comment. "Lets head back. It is getting late. We can continue tomorrow."

"Let us go! A feast awaits!" Braum called to them as he started to move away.

Daisy, affected by the big man's enthusiasm ran after him.

Ashe looked at the scene forlornly before turning toward Tryndamere who placed a hand on her shoulder.

As much as it wasn't true. Ashe had come to see Daisy as her own. Their physical resemblance made Ashe feel like she was looking at a younger version of herself. She looked at Tryndamere in askance.

"Once peace is established." He answered. The man wouldn't accept it but even he had come to like the girl. And having discussed with Ashe, the two had mutually agreed to push back on having a child till they could be assured of their safety.

As long as Daisy stayed here, they would feel as if they had a child of their own. 

For now... that was enough.

A hysterical scream had their heads swiveling in the direction of where they had seen the two walk off to.

In an instant they ran toward the scream.

And slowed down once they saw Braum stand off to the side, watching, as Daisy hugged her father.

And he did not seem to be alone. Sigra stood to his side as well as an entourage. All of whom looked to be young children.

They arrived closer to the group as the father and daughter broke their hug.

Daisy turned to look at a reddish haired girl. One who was a fair bit shorter than her before lunging at her.

"ANNIE!"

Gregori looked at the two kids, noticing the relief and happiness in Daisy's eyes while also spotting the confusion on Annie's face.

Daisy did look lot different compared to how she had looked previously. A change in eye color and hair color made her nearly unrecognizable. But a few seconds later Annie's confusion cleared before asking, "D..... Daisy?"

Daisy nodded.

Without wasting another moment, Annie tightened the hug.

Both of them missing the presence of the other.

But that did not last long as another girl latched onto the two of them making the hug bigger. Daisy looked alarmed for a moment but let it go after seeing that Annie hadn't moved.

Gregori snorted at Briar's actions but that did nothing to stop the tears that flowed from his eyes. He had done it. Everything he had set out to do..... he had done.

His family was finally whole again.

"You have finished your mission." Ashe said as she approached Gregori. She wasn't asking... rather stating.

Gregori nodded.

"Your revenge?"

"Taken." Gregori answered.

"Welcome back my friend!" Braum called out loudly as he thumped Gregori in the back. The impact sending him to his knees.

The action alerted the rest of the kids who looked at Braum ready to attack. Until Gregori stood back up and waved them off.

Tryndamere frowned at the interaction before stepping close to him. "You used the spear?" A half question. One just to confirm his suspicions.

Gregori nodded.

"Why?"

"Later." 

Tryndamere nodded and backed off.

The hug then broke apart on its own and Daisy looked at the group. Confused as to why there were so many children along with Annie and her father.

"Warmother." Sigra spoke to Ashe on the side, alerting her to the arrival of both Gregori and Gragas.

Gregori stepped forward, "Daisy." 

The word got her attention.

He waved to the group, "These kids..... they will be with us now. They are part of out family now. They are all just as special as you and Annie." He placed a hand on her back, bringing her closer to the group. "Come. Let me introduce you to them."

"Everyone." He addressed the group. "This is my other daughter Daisy." Turning to Daisy, he introduced them, "This is Briar." He said pointing to the closest girl. And continued pointing, "That is Faye, Daani, Sydell and Rell."

Each child waved back except Rell, who just nodded nonchalantly.

"Bigger family?" Daisy asked, a little enthusiastic. 

Gregori nodded with a soft smile. "Bigger family."

"Can I say hi to Tibbers?" Daisy turned to Annie.

Annie shook her head. "Tibbers isn't here right now. But he will come back soon."

Daisy nodded a little downtrodden.

But Gregori frowned. "What do you mean Annie?" He hadn't asked Annie for a conversation with Tibbers yet, since he wanted to be a little more healthy before doing so. Just to be safe. Demons were unpredictable.

"Tibbers said he had something he wanted to finish a few days ago and he hasn't spoken since." Annie answered.

"Hmmmm...." Gregori fell into thought.

That did not go unnoticed by Ashe and Tryndamere.

"Well this is reason enough for a feast!" Braum spoke aloud.

The words feast had the eyes of the children sparkling.

Gregori laughed before nodding.

The group then moved toward the large fire that lit up the common area.

A feast was awaiting after all.