"Nunu! Where are you?!"
The snowstorm intensified, and Layka's anxiety grew. Holding a machete in one hand and raising the other to shield her from the wind and snow, she shouted frantically.
But in an instant, Layka felt the snowstorm subside. She opened her squinted eyes, trying to see her surroundings clearly. At the same time, Layka also heard a gentle voice.
"Hello, Layka."
Someone called her name in Valoran Common. As a member of the nomadic tribe and a bard, Layka naturally knew Valoran Common. She immediately looked towards the source of the voice and saw a clean-faced young man with black hair looking at her gently.
At first glance, the other person instilled a strange sense of goodwill in Layka, but this also made Layka nervous. In the stories she knew, many Deity possessed the ability to win people's favor and bewitch them, and the other person's inexplicable appearance in this place naturally made Layka nervous.
"Don't be nervous, I mean no harm," the person said to Layka.
"I know your son is there. He's not in any danger. I can take you to him. However, I have a request, and I hope you'll listen to me."
"No, I don't need your help. I'll find my own son myself," Layka said immediately.
Aside from Anivia, Ornn, Seal Sister Deity, the other Deity of Freljord have no good reputations, so Layka naturally didn't want to believe what the person in front of her said.
Li Ke was taken aback and was about to explain to Layka when a cold voice rang out beside him.
"You have no right to refuse." Lissandra stepped forward, her white hair flowing freely. Her cool and beautiful face was filled with indifference as she stared at Layka with her pale eyes.
In an instant, Layka felt her body stiffen from an even more piercing cold, as if her blood were about to freeze. Her breathing became rapid, and she abruptly looked up at Lissandra. In just one glance, Layka recognized her.
Although the other person's appearance differed from that depicted in the ballads, Layka recognized them from their eyes and the wounds around them.
The moment she saw him, an ancient ballad flashed through her mind: [Flesh and blood forged into thunder and fire, the wrath of the Old Ways materialized, scars covered his face, taboos and secrets coexisted.]
Lissandra Layka's teeth chattered, and the machete in her hand trembled slightly uncontrollably, but she bit her tongue to keep herself calm and gripped the machete tightly in her hand again.
"You really are different." Hearing the other person's words, Lissandra raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
Her appearance is no secret to those who know her, but it's impossible for strangers to recognize her, because she's now using her true face, not the infamous witch image of Freljord.
However, Layka was recognized.
This troubled Lissandra greatly. Indeed, there are no secrets that cannot be kept forever; no matter how deeply hidden a secret is, it will eventually be uncovered.
To paraphrase a quote from Li Ke, "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place."
"What do you want to do?" Layka tried her best to straighten her body, gripped the machete with both hands, raised it, and pointed it at Lissandra and Li Ke.
"Layka, we truly mean you no harm. Your son, Nunu, we have something we need him to do..."
Before Li Ke could finish speaking, Layka angrily interrupted him, her voice trembling slightly. She shouted, "Nunu? He's just a child. What could he possibly know? What can he do for you? Helping you? To be honest, it's really just exploitation, isn't it?"
"You plan to use a child? Just as history has it, witch, you are truly wicked to the core! You betrayed your own sisters, and now you intend to use a child of only a few years old to satisfy your own desires?"
Layka shouted.
Lissandra paid no heed to Layka's rebuke. Countless people had insulted her; in the past, during her Dreamwalking, at least a third of the people of Freljord had feared, hated, loathed, and hurled insults at her. But so what?
"Your son Nunu is not an ordinary child. We need his power, not to exploit him, but to guide and utilize it. A major event is about to happen in Freljord, one that will determine the fate of the Freljord. I know this may seem sudden to you, but please believe me, we will not harm Nunu, nor will we put him in any danger. He can save the world."
Li Ke was doing his best to unleash Ahri's innate skills, expressing his affection for Layka.
However, it's quite obvious that even with the affinity bestowed by Ahri, it's difficult to change a mother's mind when she asks to borrow her son.
Hearing Li Ke's words, Layka's expression grew even angrier, and she also wore a hint of mockery towards Li Ke as she loudly proclaimed:
"Save the world? Nunu can save the world? I believe my child will be outstanding in the future; he will become a great bard or a great hero, but that's not now!"
What kind of world would stoop to the point where it needs a child under five years old to save it?
"She's right," Nilah muttered before Li Ke could speak, her eyes bright. "I also think your plan is outrageous. If you ask me, we should just go up and fight the Void. I'm good at fighting. I really don't know what the point is of wasting your time on a kid."
Li Ke: "."
Lissandra looked at Nilah in silence, her pale eyes flashing with a shimmering blue light.
"I was wrong." In an instant, Nilah raised her hands and said to Lissandra in admission of guilt.
Li Ke stood to the side, speechless.
Nilah's thoughts aren't surprising, and it's even less surprising that Layka, as a mother, would react this way.
Nunu is indeed a child, but the problem is, Nunu is really not an ordinary child.
What kind of child, under ten years old, could interact with beings like Ornn, Volibear, the ice sculpture Demigod, Lissandra?
What's more, Nunu can inherit Anivia's power, and that's Anivia! She's Demigod in Runeterra, second only to Ornn and Volibear!
Li Ke looked at Lissandra, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Why don't you go and pick up Ashe? I think it was a mistake for you to come out."
"What do you mean by that?" Lissandra narrowed her eyes.
Li Ke shrugged.
Lissandra sensed Layka's direction, and this realization only Lissandra more annoyed.
Upon hearing the name Ashe, Layka actually put down the machete in her hand.
Nilah, a bystander who didn't understand what was going on, asked, "?"
A few minutes later--
Layka lowered the wood-chopping knife she had raised, looking with respect at the beautiful woman with white hair, wearing a long dress, carrying an ice crystal longbow, who looked puzzled.
Nilah was initially unaware of the truth, looked at Lissandra and then at Ashe; even she understood what was going on.
"Are you that unpopular?" she muttered unconsciously. The next moment, Nilah suddenly started to whimper, her lips curling into a smile, her eyes filled with panic, and Nilah 'Lissandra cold voice echoed in her mind.
"If you want to remain speechless for the rest of your life, then try saying one more sentence?"
Nilah shook her head vigorously.
Meanwhile, Li Ke explained the current situation to Ashe, who had been invited over. After listening, Ashe looked at Layka with a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
To be honest, she trusted Li Ke. After all, Ashe had witnessed the Demigod war in Freljord firsthand, and now that Avarosa was allied with the Twin Cities, Ashe would naturally side with Li Ke.
However, as a woman, and especially as the Warmother of her tribe, Ashe had some reservations about Li Ke's actions.
He asked a mother if he needed her child, who was under five years old, claiming that the child could save the world.
Isn't this a joke?
If it weren't for Li Ke saying those words, and if someone else had said them, Ashe would have already shot an arrow at them.
What kind of mentally challenged human trafficker could say such a thing???
But seeing Li Ke's serious expression, Ashe sighed.
There was no reason for Li Ke to joke about something like this, so all Ashe could say was that anything could happen in this world.
She knew that her knowledge and experience were inferior to Li Ke's, therefore, she would not do anything to doubt Li Ke.
So, Ashe looked at Layka and said, "I can vouch for you."
"In Avarosa's name, I vouch for him," Ashe said solemnly to Layka, raising her ice crystal longbow.
As for Layka, upon seeing Ashe appear, her hostility visibly dissipated by more than half.
"Even so, I can't hand Nunu over to them," Layka said seriously.
"How about this? We can take you with us. You'll see and witness everything that happens to Nunu during this time. Is that okay? You can stay with Nunu the whole time. Besides, Layka, we don't really want Nunu to face any danger. The dangers Nunu encounters along the way are all created by us. It's all just an act."
"Acting?"
"Yes, Lissandra, Ashe, the Frostguard, Avarosa, Winter's Claw will all play roles in this drama. Everything he experiences is something we created."
Layka instantly understood what Li Ke meant; if that were the case...
Thinking about it, Layka glanced at Ashe.
This is guaranteed by Avarosa. Rather than Deity, Layka prefers to believe in mortal leaders. Avarosa is the universally recognized beacon of hope for all tribes in Freljord. Ashe's personal guarantee, in the name of Avarosa, is the most solemn and dignified oath.
Therefore, the scales in Layka's heart began to tip.
"Let me see how you do it first." Layka took a deep breath and said seriously.
Nunu is a kind-hearted child. If he knew he could help others, he would definitely agree. As his mother, as Ashe said, she shouldn't hinder Nunu's growth.
Seeing Layka breathe a sigh of relief, Li Ke smiled and said, "Alright, let's set off now."
Lissandra watched Li Ke's retreating figure. If it were the old Lissandra, she would have simply hidden Layka and the entire Notai Tribe, or even killed them outright.
Why do so much trouble?
Without adults around, Nunu, a little child, is being manipulated. Can he really decide what to do himself?
Lissandra shook her head, a slight smile playing on her lips as she looked down.
Yes, that was her in the past.
She doesn't need to do anything so extreme now.
A difficult, pivotal decision that can determine the course of a situation often involves more than just two options; there is often a third. However, we need to carefully observe and discover this third option, as Li Ke once said.
Lissandra thought that statement was very true.
The heavy snow stopped, but the wind was still blowing. Under a huge rock, the little creature, seeking shelter from the wind and snow, suddenly poked its head out. First, it opened its small mouth, revealing a toothless smile. Its bright green eyes darted around cleverly, and it shouted:
"We can set off now!"
"Little hero Nunu is about to embark on a journey to find the greatest hero of Freljord! I will definitely find Braum!"
The little guy was talking to himself; he was saying all these things to himself.
Shaking off the snow and putting on his thick felt hat, the little boy, oblivious to the fact that his actions were causing his mother great anxiety, continued walking deeper into the forest.
Behind him, several figures were hidden in the wind and snow.
Layka's eyes were filled with shock as she looked at the small black dot below. She recognized it as her child, but how... how could she hear Nunu's voice from this distance?
They must be at least two or three hundred meters apart!
Turning to the side, Layka looked at Li Ke, who was speaking.
Li Ke noticed Layka's gaze, thought for a moment, raised his hand, and magic flowed, creating a mirror made of wind.
Layka looked over and saw Nunu's little face.
What kind of magic is this?
"Let's get started. First, let me tell you about the story that's going to happen next. We need to create a scene where the Notai Tribe is wiped out—but that's too cruel. Let's create a scene where the Notai Tribe members all left this place, and Nunu and Layka were separated."
Li Ke continued:
"Therefore, we must let Nunu get lost in the forest. So, Lissandra, it's time for you to step in."
"Why should I do this?" Lissandra took a deep breath and said coldly.
"Because you're a professional bad guy!" Li Ke blurted out.
Lissandra stared blankly at Li Ke with her pale, lifeless eyes.
"Are we still going to deal with the Frost Watchers? This is cleaning up your mess, understand?" Li Ke rolled his eyes as he looked at Lissandra.
"."
"Hoo--" Lissandra closed her eyes, and dark ice blocks appeared on her body, enveloping her face, while flowing black ice floated beneath her.
"No, no, no, I'm not asking you to show up now. You're the final boss. What you should do is create some ice creatures to chase Nunu, then pull Nunu into your domain, making him forget the flow of time. Then, create the illusion of the Notai Tribe leaving your domain to confuse Nunu."
Layka listened from the side, completely unable to understand what these words meant.
Li Ke had already reached out and patted Lissandra on the shoulder, saying, "Go."
Lissandra's body vanished in an instant, and when she reappeared, she was already beside Layka, far away from Li Ke, preventing Li Ke from patting her shoulder.
But in response to Li Ke's command, she raised her hands and gently pointed downwards.
Suddenly, countless wolves made of ice appeared around Lissandra. Although they were made of ice, they were incredibly lifelike, with expressive faces and fierce glints in their eyes.
The next moment, the wolf pack flew to the ground and appeared in the forest.
When Layka saw this, her heart seemed to clench, and she instantly tensed up.
Li Ke, who was watching from the side, clapped his hands and said loudly:
"Nilah, you just stay here and watch quietly, don't cause any trouble. You'll have your turn to appear later. So, Act One, the bad woman Lissandra and the good man Li Ke, let's officially begin!"
Upon hearing Li Ke's voice, the ice flowing through Lissandra's body grew even colder.