Talking Things Through

Actually, there's no point in discussing these things. We can't control the outcome of a war; we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. We can't change whether the gods are good or bad; we can only try to avoid harm and seek benefit.

That was just making small talk; what I really wanted to talk about were the victims of the war and the story of Riven and Sivir.

Those friends who sacrificed their lives are like a thorn in my heart; it hurts whether I pull it out or not.

Riven and Sivir are the same; they linger in my mind, impossible to shake off, yet I can't ignore them either.

I know I shouldn't be throwing all this at Fiora, but I don't know who else to talk to besides her.

Fiora sensed what I was thinking, "These aren't things you want to talk about, are they?"

"Um."

"Tell me about it, it's because you're my little brother the moment you show up!"

"Thank you... After the Vastaya War ended, I explored the various battlefields, and I couldn't forget the scenes of my friends' deaths..."

"To live in the face of death, that is true of us all; there's nothing to be sad about dying while protecting something."

"Sadness isn't really a big deal. My main concern is this war. I don't want to see any more friends die in battle, including you."

"This battle in the void is called a war, but in reality it is a tremendous catastrophe. In the face of war, we still have a choice, but in the face of catastrophe, everyone is equal, and I am no exception."

"If it were a real disaster, then of course I would be duty-bound to help, but this war was deliberately started by someone, and dying in a conspiracy would be too unworthy!"

"There's no such thing as worth it or not. For me, it's simply fighting for honor, for the honor of Demacia, and for the honor of the Laurent Family. I don't understand the deeper reasons; perhaps you should ask Darius."

"Indeed, of all the people I know, only the two of you can have a truly meaningful conversation and inspire me."

"Can't Riven do it?"

Before I could even speak, Fiora brought up Riven first. Maybe she did it on purpose, knowing I wanted to talk about it but didn't know how to bring it up.

"Riven... maybe it's too late."

"So you've found her?"

"She showed up on her own, before we engaged the Vastaya, and... she was with the Vastaya."

Did you ask her why?

"I asked..."

I told Fiora about my previous meetings and conversations with Riven, and she was at a loss for what to do, wondering why Riven would act this way when she seemed perfectly fine.

Upon closer examination, there was only one point of variation in this process, and that was Gu Yang.

Without a doubt, Riven learned her Wind Riding Technique from Gu Yang, which is why she is so powerful, and her ideas were very likely influenced by Gu Yang as well.

Otherwise, based solely on what happened between me and Sivir, Riven wouldn't hate me so much; at the very least, she would listen to my explanation.

However, after some initial doubt, Fiora abandoned the idea:

"Although this guy named Gu Yang is very suspicious, and his relationship with Riven is a mystery, I don't think the root of the problem lies with him. Riven isn't someone who changes her mind easily unless she's being controlled."

"She wasn't being controlled; I couldn't sense any power from her other than the Wind Element."

"Then it's simple, she must identify with the Vastaya be with them."

"Agree with the Vastaya? The Vastaya are willing to unite with the Void for the so-called freedom of humanity, would Riven agree with such an idea?"

"I don't know about that. There might be other hidden reasons behind it. Anyway, I think Riven has always followed her heart. Maybe she always changed for you before, but now she doesn't want to change anymore."

"Indeed, she always accommodated me and was willing to listen to my ideas, but now that our relationship has broken down, she's probably following her heart."

"Relationship breakdown? Did something else happen between you two?"

"Ah, it's really hard to say..."

Taking advantage of this incident, I told Fiona about what had happened between me and Sivir. When she heard that we were pregnant, Fiora looked surprised.

What?! Sivir had your child?!

"That's how it seems now, but I had no idea beforehand. We were all being controlled; it's like a dream."

"The fact that this person can control you without harming you shows they have no malicious intent; if you connect these two things, the answer becomes clear..."

After Fiora's analysis, I suddenly understood.

First, she believed I was being controlled, and that the person controlling me wanted to separate me from Riven in order to increase the Vastaya's fighting strength.

In high-level battles, Riven's caliber is capable of disrupting the balance, and since she agrees with the Vastaya's ideas, she was successfully lured into the fray after some careful "scheming."

Even if Riven's strength at the time was not enough to influence the course of the battle, her stance would still cause trouble for some people, such as Gu Yang.

If their relationship is close enough, and Riven fights the Vastaya with me, Gu Yang would have to turn his back on Aatrox, even though they are friends.

To design all of this, and to have a complete understanding of the whole affair, Gu Yang was the most motivated person!

This makes sense. In order to help Aatrox and prevent Riven from clashing with the Vastaya, Gu Yang manipulated her psychology and used our feelings as a trigger to plan this!

Of course, this is on the premise that Riven can accept Aatrox, which is to eliminate powerful beings for the sake of human freedom, and this is also Ryze's idea.

As for Sivir, she was a victim from beginning to end!

I clenched my Riot Games, never expecting that Gu Yang, who looked so harmless, would do such a thing!

Next time we meet, it won't be a matter of just a few words! No matter how formidable the enemy, this has crossed my bottom line!

After her analysis, Fiora added, "No matter what, you'll ultimately have to choose between the two of them."

"I'm afraid I have no choice anymore. Regardless of whether our analysis is right or wrong, I have to be responsible to Sivir, but... I don't think she'll accept me anymore."

"Let's see what she chooses. We should head back; look over there, it's almost dawn."

"Haha, I'm so sorry, I wasted your rest time during such a tense time."

"Are you in a hurry to leave?" Fiora seemed to be expecting something.

If you want me to stay, then I'll stay one more day.

"Perfect timing! I'd like to have a friendly spar with you!"

"A sparring match? Are you still in good physical condition?"

"Anytime is fine!"

It felt like no time had passed, but then it was already getting light. Fiora and I had been walking outside all night.

After she helped me resolve my inner conflict, she wanted to have a competition with me, which became a mandatory part of every time we met.

However, I didn't rush to make a move. Instead, I wanted to go back and have a match with Jax, so he could give me some advice!