Years Earlier

Ekko pulled out the [Z-Drive], quickly operated it a few times, and then dragged me into a strange space.

Moments later we landed again, and the scenery around us had changed dramatically. It was unbearably hot, and the endless yellow sand indicated that we were in Shurima.

"You completed the Spatial Transfer using the [Z-Drive]?"

"It's not just space that has changed, but time may also have changed. I can't control that precisely, so we need to find someone to confirm it."

"Hopefully we've traveled to the not-too-distant past, so we can stop Camille before then!"

"You'd better not be too optimistic. If even Teacher Kieran can't change things, it's going to be difficult for us to do the same."

"Okay, but why did you only take me with you? Wouldn't it have been better to take more people?"

"I can't do it. I wasn't originally allowed to bring people with me on time travel. Maybe it's because you don't belong to this world and your body is special that you can travel with me."

"I see."

Hearing Ekko say that made me feel a little disappointed. Although I didn't stay in the previous world for long, it was still hard to bear the thought of everyone being killed by Camille.

Ekko sensed my worry. "Are you worried about other people?"

"Yes, they were all my friends in the previous world, so it's hard not to feel sad now."

"Heh, it's really nothing. If you go through it a few more times, you'll find that nothing is more heartbreaking than endless repetition."

I don't know exactly what Ekko is referring to, but I can imagine some scenarios:

You can change time but not the outcome; repeatedly experiencing sad things is indeed a painful experience.

What if we're currently in a timeline that's too far removed from the past?

"Then we'll just have to wait for the [Z-Drive] to fully charge before we can do another shuttle. I don't know exactly how long that will take. Let's go find some water first!"

We've lost our Project Armor, and our bodies are no different from ordinary people. We can't withstand the scorching sun, so we need to find someone passing by to get some water.

I remember Shurima was teeming with caravans, so it should be easy to get help, but I've been walking for ages and haven't seen a single person.

Just as I was feeling unbearably thirsty, a sandstorm swept in from not far away. When I got closer, I realized it wasn't a desert storm, but a troop of soldiers.

They were dressed in light armor and were hurrying along when they saw us, at which point they stopped warily.

Who are you people?

"We are travelers who have wandered into this place by mistake. May I ask what this place is?"

"Travelers? Hmph, they must be spies of Naremajet! Seize them!"

At the commander's order, people immediately surrounded us.

He just said we're spies for Naremajet? Is this place in a time of war?

Could this be... a distant era before the founding of the Shurima Empire?

No matter what, we couldn't just surrender, so Ekko and I started fighting at the same time!

Although our Project Armor has been removed, our basic combat capabilities remain, and we all have Hextech Weapons, so capturing us won't be so easy!

Just as the fierce battle was raging, another group of people ran over from another direction, and the two sides clashed without saying a word, which relieved a lot of the pressure on me and Ekko.

We hid to the sidelines and watched the battle, hoping to sneak in some food and water. That's when I noticed a familiar face among the newcomers: Sivir!

No, judging from their attire and fighting style... it's Shetaka!

My heart skipped a beat. We had not only traveled to a very distant era, but more than two thousand years ago!

The Shurima Continent is currently in a period of great chaos, and Shetaka has already ascended, so it seems that he will soon lead his tribe to grow stronger.

She wielded her Khopesh and hacked and slashed indiscriminately, crushing the enemy with overwhelming power. The battle was over before we could even get water.

Even our hiding place couldn't escape her notice. After the battle Shetaka came over:

"Who are you? Why are you being besieged by the Gogan?"

"My name is Ezreal, and this is my friend Ekko. We are travelers from the northern continent, mistaken for spies of Naremajet and trapped here. Thankfully, you arrived in time to save us from this predicament!"

"The Northern Continent? I've never heard of such a place before?"

"Uh... North of the Shurima Continent, beyond the vast ocean, lies another continent Valoran, and that's where we come from."

In this era, people's activities were still very limited. Only a few mages with special abilities knew the full picture of Runeterra. Ordinary Shurima people had no idea that Valoran Continent existed, Shetaka was no exception.

I could only give a brief introduction, telling her that Valoran was a barren land where people lived a hard life, in order to avoid a lot of trouble.

If Valoran is indeed a place of beautiful scenery and abundant resources, then Shetaka will probably send troops to conquer it in the future.

"You said Valoran is barren, so you went through all sorts of hardships to get here?"

"Yes, we didn't know there was a continent here at first; we stumbled upon it by chance through a series of coincidences."

"I can trust you for now, but there's one condition: you must come back to Naremajet with me for supervision. I can only let you go after I've investigated this matter thoroughly."

"Well, it seems we have no other choice."

I pretended to be helpless, but actually I also wanted to go to Naremajet. Immersive historical travel is very interesting. Anyway, Ekko's [Z-Drive] is not fully charged yet, so it is relatively safer to go there.

Although ancient Shurima also had deserts, they were not all contiguous. As we followed Shetaka westward, we quickly left this scorching region. When we approached Naremajet, we saw vast oases, their unique beauty a feast for the eyes.

The city's prosperity was also enviable; while Demacia and Noxus were still primitive societies at the same time, this place had already entered a normal life.

It is also regrettable that while other regions have gradually developed and become prosperous over the years, Shurima has been declining.

Take the ancient city of Naremajet for example. It is so prosperous and beautiful now, but many years later it will be in a state of desolation and ruin.

Soldiers were stationed outside the city, Shetaka led us directly to her palace, which was magnificent and dazzling.

"How is it? Isn't my palace beautiful?" Shetaka's words were filled with boundless pride.

I knew she loved to hear compliments, so I casually flattered her, saying, "Magnificent and grand, only a great emperor like yourself deserves such praise."

"An emperor? You misunderstand. I am not an emperor, but merely the manager here."