That day, the coup failed. The news quickly spread throughout Noxus. When Riven heard about it, she put down her work and asked around everywhere. Later, she learned that only six people had escaped—and the long-haired Ionian was not among them.
Talon and I were both Ionians, but he had short hair, so Riven knew at once that it was me.
Burning with anxiety, she hurried to the Immortal Fortress. She did not know the way and had not made any preparations. After asking around for directions, she simply rushed south.
She kept traveling without eating, drinking, or sleeping. After who knew how many days, she finally collapsed. When she woke, she found herself in Tam's training grounds.
Tam did not tell her how the two of us had met. He only told her that everyone except the six who had escaped was dead. Those words struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving Riven utterly devastated.
She had been young when she lost her family, so the pain had not cut too deeply. Later, she had lived a bitter life and had even less time to dwell on her grief. It was only after I bought her freedom that she once again experienced the warmth of family—and she cherished that feeling more than anything.
Yet not long afterward, we were separated. At the time, she had desperately wanted to accompany me to the Immortal Fortress, but I had refused because I did not want her involved in anything related to battle.
She did not want to go against my wishes, so she did not insist. She merely looked forward to my early return, never imagining that our parting would become eternal.
At that time, Riven was blinded by hatred. She took the initiative to ask Tam to teach her martial arts and swore to avenge me.
Tam knew that she was naturally gifted at martial arts. If I had not held him back, he probably would have begun "grooming" her long ago. Naturally, he did not hold back now, ordering his most capable subordinate, Strength Speed Shadow Precision, to teach her with all his might.
Driven by hatred, people could always unleash astonishing potential and fighting spirit.
Riven trained desperately, never letting any opportunity to hone herself pass. Every day, she trained until she was utterly exhausted before stopping. After this continued for more than a year, the few of them had nothing left to teach her.
In addition, Riven fought several battles in the arena. Through those bloody clashes, she gradually became cold and ruthless. After every victory, she left no survivors, earning the title of "Blood Warrior."
During this period, Darius secretly visited the arena several times, hoping Tam would provide him with more talented people. They were planning a second coup and had also prepared a way to deal with the "Pale Lady":
The Nullifying Weapons purchased from Demacia at great cost now needed powerful warriors to form the Nullifying Force.
When Tam summoned Riven, Darius was stunned. He had never expected the girl he had spent money to buy free to have become so imposing. Unlike a bloodthirsty beast, her face was covered in frost.
There was no need to ask. My death had driven her to this.
Darius promised Riven that he would give her a chance to take revenge, then brought her to Rappor's military camp, their new rallying point.
Once Kled had assembled the army, they easily reclaimed control of War Axe and Black Feather before marching toward the Immortal Fortress.
The army surrounded the imperial palace. Brawn Darkwill failed to escape and committed suicide. Under Swain's leadership, Riven purged the Black Rose within the city. In addition to those they killed, they arrested quite a few people, including the "Pale Lady," who was bound in Nullstone shackles.
Riven personally cut off her head. Beneath the veil was a face rapidly growing old. After her great revenge was complete, Riven suddenly lost her direction. Fighting had become instinctive, but she no longer knew what she was fighting for.
At that point, Darius invited her to join War Axe under the pretext of fulfilling my last wish. Riven agreed and became a squadron commander in the vanguard.
Although she was very young, no one dared to challenge her. The reputation of the "Blood Warrior" had already spread from Doco throughout Noxus.
After Emperor Darkwill's death, Noxus abolished the imperial system as Darius had envisioned, replacing it with a federal system and returning to the era of the United Kingdom.
After pacifying the chaos, Darius and the others immediately began formulating new plans of conquest. Rappor continued to rule the north, Kled and Darius joined forces to attack Demacia, and Swain continued his campaign to conquer Ionia. As for Freljord and Shurima, Riven did not know.
Originally, she had planned to accompany Darius in attacking Demacia. However, with Kled's legion assisting them, she was reassigned to help Swain. After several years of preparation, the campaign finally began.
In her early twenties, Riven became an exceptionally outstanding warrior.
I suddenly felt a little heartbroken. Just moments ago, I had been unable to forgive her, but now it seemed that I was the one who had turned her into this person.
I suddenly remembered what Tam had once told me:
"You said you wouldn't spare anyone who guided her to take up a weapon. I only hoped that person wouldn't be you."
Now it seemed that he had foreseen the future long ago. All the consequences had come back to me.
I had taken her away from that den of pleasure, restrained her desire to practice martial arts, and promised I would return as soon as possible when we parted. But I had failed to keep that promise.
And she had become this way to avenge me. What right did I have to blame her? Shouldn't I be the one most consumed by guilt?
Not long ago, I had still been hesitating over how to face this war and had planned to return and ask Souma for his opinion. Now that he was dead, I decided, amid my grief, to protect this land he had loved so dearly.
After burying Souma, I silently descended the mountain. Riven followed behind me the entire time. Every so often, she quickened her pace to catch up, then slowed again to widen the distance between us. Her careful manner was just like when we had first met.
I stopped. When she caught up again, I asked her:
"You've grown into an excellent warrior. That's something that can't be undone. Do you plan to continue serving Noxus, or will you follow me and protect this land? You don't need to answer right away. Whatever you choose, I'll respect your decision this time."
"I'll follow you!" Riven did not hesitate for even a second.
"Good! Then let's go fight Swain! Your greatsword has already been cut in two by me. Do you want to change weapons?"
"No. This sword bears the weight of my sins. I'll use it to atone."
We headed straight for Sunon Temple without resting. This time, I had brought a powerful ally. I looked forward to her Dance of Broken Wings—to reforging the broken sword.
Halfway there, I saw many people coming toward us. Among them were quite a few familiar faces. They were all people who had previously guarded Sunon Temple with me. Why had they all left now?
Just as I was wondering about it, I saw Irelia. She was hurrying along with Karma and several attendants. She looked utterly exhausted and seemed to have suffered quite a few injuries.
What had happened? Had Sunon Temple fallen?
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