Short+Story

“Welcome to Summoner’s Rift” “How long do you expect me to wait?” he asked impatiently, his voice echoing through the large barren chamber. He paced back and forth, his crimson cloak and long white hair streaming behind him and his clawed, metal gloves clicking together. “I apologize for the inconvenienceVladimir,” his current summoner answered tentatively. “One of our fellow summoners is experiencing difficulties with your teammate, Cho’Gath. As you know, he can be quite a handful, both on and off the field.” “I don’t care for your excuses! Just get him under control now!” Vladimirsnapped at the summoner. //Curse that void spawn. They were foolish to allow him into the League,// he thought. At that moment he heard a sickening scream and a horrifying laugh, and he smirked. “I think you just lost another summoner to the infamous Terror of the Void,” he chuckled. “You cowards should have done away with him long ago.” The summoner shakily replied, “I do not know why the officials keep him around. All I know is that he is incredibly powerful and versatile in battle.” “In comparison to a fly, then yes, he is quite powerful. However, compared to me, well there is no comparison. I am not called The Crimson Reaper for my own fancy,”Vladimirboasted. “Glad to see your confidence hasn’t been damaged by that losing streak of yours,” a young man’s voice chimed in.Vladimirturned to see who dared to mock him and scowled as he saw Ezreal, The Prodigal Explorer, enter the chamber. “Watch your tongue whelp, or I’ll remove it myself,”Vladimirthreatened. “You and I both know that those losses were due to a surplus of incompetent summoners trying to control pathetic champions.” “Whatever you say Vlad, though you also contributed to their weakness in the later phases. You never work with your teammates unless you will get a kill out of it. You need to help destroy towers and actually push to the enemy nexus. Kill/death ratios aren’t the only factor in deciding a champions worth.” “I did not join the League to work with others. Have you not heard the reason I came to theInstituteofWarinitially?” “I have not actually, though now that you mention it, I wouldn’t mind knowing,” Ezreal stated as he ruffled his blonde hair with his mystic gauntlet. “Well, seeing as Cho’Gath finished off another summoner, I believe we will be waiting for some time so I may as well give you the entire story.” “Great, that sounds much more entertaining than listening to the summoners plan a strategy.” “Then sit yourself down and listen well, for I don’t intend to repeat myself,” Vladimir said and began his tale.

Vladimir was born in the city-state of Noxus. His early life was uneventful up until his schooling at the academy, where he murdered two of his classmates. He did this for no better reason than to enjoy the intoxicating scarlet bloom that surged forth. Afterward he fled the city and the authority’s pursuit. He wandered the across Runterra until he came upon an old temple. The road to the temple was littered with exsanguinated bodies. His curiosity thoroughly piqued, he followed the trail of bodies to a temple. Upon entering the temple he was met by an aging monk. The old monk appraised him with eyes of crimson and to the monk’s surprise, Vladimir returned the wicked gaze with great zeal. The monk saw the bloodlust in the youth’s eyes and deemed him worthy. For many years the monk taught Vladimir of the fluid of life and how to manipulate and control it, experimenting on travelers who came too close to the temple. At the end of Vladimir’s training the monk told him there was one final lesson, and that if he failed it would result in death. Vladimir agreed, and by the end of the ritual every drop of the monk’s blood had been drawn from his body and fused with Vladimir’s, imbuing him with his master’s magical essence, and that of every hemomancer before him. Now alone and suddenly without purpose, Vladimir became bored, even when massacring passing caravans with the blood of the travelers themselves. One day as he was waiting by the road as another group passed he overheard one of the travelers mention a place where champions battled endlessly for the entertainment of others as well as to resolve political issues. This intrigued Vladimir who then approached the group and inquired as to what they were referring to, The League of Legends. Vladimir thanked them for the information, and then casually butchered them. Vladimir resolved to return to Noxus and demand enrollment into the League of Legends from the Noxian High Command to prove the supremacy of his craft. The palace guards however, did not allow him to pass into the council chambers. The High Command chose to accept his proposal, after seeing the gruesome fate that befell their guards. The only obstacle left in Vladimir’s path was a trial called the League Judgment. Vladimir walked down the long marble hall of the Institute of War, his eyes locked onto the large intricate stone doorway to the Reflecting Chamber that lies at the end. Upon reaching it, he stopped for a moment, admiring the impressive designs carved into the doors. The doorframe is carved to the form of two panthers standing guard. Above the door is an inscription: “The Truest Opponent Lies Within.” Vladimir smirked and reached out to caress the polished stone, but the doors parted at his touch. Through the doorway is pure darkness, but this did not hinder Vladimir, who darted through the door. Vladimir waited in anticipation in the darkness of the chamber. He had no idea of what to expect, for no one had told him what happened during a League Judgment. Out of the darkness he heard a whisper. “Vladimir my child,” came a familiar voice that made Vladimir stiffen and his hair stand on end. Out of the darkness walked his old master from the temple. “Dmitri?” Vladimir asked shakily. “You cannot be here. I killed you.” Dmitri doubled over howling with laughter. “Wherever you are, I am. I am a part of you now Vladimir.” Instantly the Dmitri’s body dissolved into a red mist which filled the chamber. The metallic smell of blood entered was heavenly to Vladimir and he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He suddenly heard the sound of labored breathing and when he opened his eyes he was in a forest clearing. At his feet were two bodies, one gasping and flailing while the other lay still. They were his first. He examined himself, and was shocked by what he saw. He was a boy, no older than fifteen, with a blood soaked hunting knife in his hand. The flailing boy reached toward him with a look of horror and pain. Vladimir stepped back from the boy. The boy opened his mouth to scream, but where there should have been words gushed forth a torrent of blood. Then all was black again. A moment later he was standing at the base of the temple at which he had trained with Dmitri, still a child. He climbed the stairs and wandered the halls, following the trail of pale bodies. Eventually he came to a grand hall, adorned with hanging victims whose lifeblood was gathering into large pools on the floor. At the altar stood Dmitri, who beckoned him to come closer. Vladimir obeyed and met the monk’s gaze unblinking. Dmitri asked him, “Have you no fear, boy?” Vladimir shook his head, and Dmitri continued. “I know what you are. You’re a harbinger, a Crimson Reaper. What is your name child?” “My name is Vladimir,” he stammered. “Well Vladimir, you are now my apprentice,” Dmitri smiled, “Do not disappoint.” Vladimir stared deeply into the hemomancer’s eyes, the sight making his veins pump ice. He had killed this man, taken every drop of his blood, as Dmitri had asked, threatening death if he refused. The room went dark once more, leaving him alone with the phantom of Dmitri. “Why do you want to join the League, Vladimir?” he asked. “I wish to bring honor to my house and show the supremacy of hemomancy,” Vladimir answered quickly. The vision cracked a smile, “Why do you want to join the League, Vladimir?” he repeated. “To fight for my homeland, Noxus,” Vladimir replied hesitantly. The monk’s smile vanished and he appeared annoyed. “Why do you want to join the League, Vladimir?” he said sharply. Vladimir shuddered, then his face went dark. He answered slowly, relishing the words, “I must kill.” Dmitri nodded with approval, “How does it feel exposing your mind?” he asked. Vladimir bared his filed teeth, “Liberating,” he growled. The door behind him flew open, showering him in light and the vision vanished. Vladimir began to chuckle, and then erupted in laughter. It had all been a trick by the summoners. “This will be quite interesting,” he said, regaining his composure. The summoners were more talented than he had anticipated.

“Wow. Now that was an interesting story,” commented Ezreal as he stood up. “My Judgment was a little less creepy but hey, to each his own.” “Now I hope you will not question my motives or tactics again boy,” Vladimir said as he resumed his pacing. “I never questioned your motives,” Ezreal clarified, “but your tactics are still terrible. These matches aren’t about senselessly massacring the enemy team, though it may help. The goal is to destroy the enemy nexus.” “If there is no enemy left then there will be no opposition when proceeding with your objective,” Vladimir replied. “That may be so, but you need more than one overpowered champ to win a match,” Ezreal defended. “You kill all of the enemy team but never give any kills to your teammates so they cannot defend themselves when you are not there.” “He speaks the truth, Hemomancer. Balance is required in all things,” another voice added. Vladimir recognized the voice and sighed heavily. “Why don’t you keep your ideals to yourself, Nasus,” Vladimir retorted. “Why do I always end up with you on my team dog?” As he entered the room the “Curator of the Sands” ducked under the doorway and stood to his massive size. “I intend only to aid you in our upcoming battle. If you need an example of what happens when one forgoes balance you need look no further than my brother, Renekton. He was once a perfect example of balance in the time where we guarded the Sacred Library back in our own land. However, he became drunk with power and corrupted his position,” Nasus said and began examining his staff. “Well perhaps you should speak with our summoners of balance because they clearly know nothing,” Vladimir barked at the humanesque canine. “We have no need for two tanks on this team. Nasus chuckled, “I am not playing the role of a tank this game. I am going with a high damage output build. Just another example of balance.” “He’s right you know, Reaper. You can’t win a game with just one carrying champ,” a feminine voice purred directly behind Vladimir. “Why do you always feel the need to sneak up behind me Katarina?” Vladimir answered coolly, even as she put a blade to his back. “Because I enjoy running you through when you aren’t looking,” Katarina smirked. “Let’s save the fighting for the enemy alright guys?” Ezreal intervened. “I’d like to see you try,” Vladimir laughed, disregarding him. “Gladly,” she said as she shoved the blade into him. At that moment Vladimir melted into a pool of blood. The pool surged along the floor to the other side of the chamber and Vladimir solidified. “Better luck next time, Sinister Blade,” Vladimir mocked. Then suddenly the ground vibrated, and the doors shook. “Well, looks like the summoner finally managed to contain Cho’Gath,” Vladimir said impatiently, and the doors flew open to allow the void monster to enter the room. As he entered Cho’Gath shrunk down to the size of Nasus, still massive when compared to a normal human like Ezreal or Katarina. “Welcome Cho, haven’t played with you in a while. How’s it been?” Ezreal chimed in. “Pitiful mortal, I do not wish to converse, only destroy. I will work with you only so long as it suits me,” Cho’Gath shrieked at Ezreal. “Well then, it seems our team has arrived. Shall we make our way to the Rift then?” Katarina sighed and headed for the summoning platform. “Alright, time for a true display of skill!” Ezreal cheered and ran after her. “The cycle of life must continue,” Nasus said calmly to himself and followed suit. “They shall not escape!” Cho’Gath roared and lumbered to the platform. “What say you Crimson Reaper,” Nasus inquired. Vladimir stepped onto the platform. “The rivers shall run red,” he smirked and began to laugh. The next moment they were in a forest and the announcer called, “Welcome to Summoner’s Rift.”