The Mysterious Gu Yang

Following Gu Yang's guidance, Ryze traveled to both Valoran Continent and Shurima Continent, witnessing countless strange sights and encountering many things that overturned his previous understanding. 👊😂 ☹🍭

Gu Yang thought that Ryze would open his heart after learning about the wider world, but he didn't expect him to become more taciturn and seem to be wary of certain things.

Ryze never spoke of his innermost thoughts until recently, when he mentioned them to Gu Yang. However, these "recent years" referred to the Void War more than two thousand years ago.

It was only when I heard this that I realized Ryze was actually quite old, and Gu Yang was even more difficult to estimate.

Ryze approached Gu Yang to borrow the Wind Rune, but Gu Yang refused without hesitation, because the World Rune contained world-destroying power, Ryze had been researching powerful destructive magic.

Ryze didn't give up, and at the same time, he spoke about his deepest thoughts:

Using the power of all the runes, destroy all powerful beings in the world, allowing humanity to live freely.

I have no doubt about Gu Yang's words, because Ryze showed great hatred when he helped us kill Meriel, and told me personally: Powerful beings deserve to die!

"So you gave him the wind rune?"

"No, the wind rune is of great significance to me, so of course I wouldn't give it to him easily. But later I softened and agreed to lend it to him, but only if he finds other runes, otherwise it's out of the question."

"And now? As far as I know, Ryze has already found other runes."

"I'm considering it, but I've already promised him, and I'll give him the wind rune soon."

Have you considered the consequences?

"I don't have Ryze's level of thoughtfulness. I used to doubt his actions, but now I choose to trust him."

"Fine, that's your choice, I have no right to interfere. And what are Aatrox's thoughts?"

"He's like Ryze..." Gu Yang continued talking about Aatrox:

Aatrox is ancient to most life forms in Runeterra, but he's a "little brother" to Gu Yang because of the significant age difference between them.

However, their similar temperaments made their friendship very deep, to the point that they were like brothers.

Aatrox told me before that he didn't know Ryze, and he wasn't lying to me, but his thoughts are very similar to Ryze's.

After experiencing the Void War and the Vastaya War, he did not descend into madness like other Vastaya, but instead pondered the root of the disaster.

What is the void? Where does the power of the void come from? Why can void energy transform Ascended into this form?

He later learned the answer: these powers all came from the gods, and mortals are always just grass, unable to control their own lives.

From then on, he began searching for his former brothers, wanting to join them in overthrowing the gods!

But apart from the Aspects who claimed to be gods, he couldn't find any other gods. This lead was broken, but he still had another path to take: the void!

The gods will not stand idly by as the cataclysm of the void is brought to Runeterra!

Aatrox was a powerful warrior, but he lacked advanced magic. He was unable to break the Twilight Aspect's hold to save his brothers, nor could he open the Void Rift that all the Ascended had sealed together.

Therefore, he had no choice but to seek out powerful allies.

At this moment, a woman appeared and said she could help Aatrox, whether it was awakening the Vastaya or breaking the seal.

This woman is Evelynn, Ryze's partner.

Hearing this, I finally understood. Everything Ryze did was done through Evelynn. Ryze was in charge of the planning, and Evelynn was in charge of the execution. That's why the murderers I had seen before were all Evelynn.

Aatrox was naturally tempted by such help, but he didn't trust Evelynn and only wanted to use her.

Ryze thought the same thing; he didn't care about Aatrox's true thoughts, he just wanted to use his influence to control the Vastaya.

Unexpectedly, in their later interactions, they discovered that they shared the same idea: to overthrow the rule of the gods and seek true freedom for the survival of mankind. Their relationship also changed from mutual exploitation to being like-minded.

Syndra, Zhao Xin, and others have expressed this idea of overthrowing the gods for the sake of human freedom.

This is a thankless task, because since the dawn of humanity, we have relied on the blessings of the gods.

I also disagree with this approach. The disaster they caused in their attempt to overthrow the gods is irreversible, and such reckless actions are not for the good of humanity!

Even if the power of the World Rune can ultimately stop it, no one can say for sure what will become of humanity. If it fails, the Void will devour everything.

They say the gods are powerful and eccentric, but aren't Ryze and Aatrox the same?

But then again, I think Gu Yang is also a god. He's lived for so long, he knows so much, and his power must be immense. How does Ryze view him?

"After all this talk, you still haven't told me about yourself. Who exactly are you, or rather, a god?"

"I wouldn't call myself a god, at least that's what I think, but I know Ryze won't let me off the hook in the end."

"Then why are you helping him?"

"That's not contradictory. If he did the right thing, there's nothing wrong with sacrificing his life."

"Ha, is this your friendship? It's a feeling that someone as shallow as me can't understand."

"That's the advantage of being young, isn't it? You don't have to think so much, just act according to your heart."

"I still want to know your identity. I know more or less about the powerful beings of Runeterra, but I'm completely unfamiliar with you."

"Alright, then I'll tell you something, since I don't dislike you."

After telling me about Aatrox and Ryze, Gu Yang told me about his background.

Gu Yang was born in ancient times. He always thought of himself as a mortal, but in fact, he had long surpassed the concept of a mortal.

He was unaware of his origins; his memories changed after he came into contact with the wind runes.

Gu Yang is the embodiment of the wind. He can sense all Wind Force, see the movement of the wind, and even understand the language of the wind.

He can travel freely around the world; he can appear whenever there is wind.

He was a man who loved making friends, but all his friends died young, and now only his wife, Ryze, and Aatrox remain.

At this point, Gu Yang suddenly changed the subject, beginning to praise how beautiful, virtuous, and gentle his wife was...

Seeing his proud expression, I really didn't have the heart to interrupt him, but I didn't have that much time right now.

"Okay, I understand now. Thank you for your honesty."

"Heh, in such a hurry to leave, kid? Let me say one last thing: regardless of victory or defeat in this war, I will give you a huge reward!"