Fire Gazelle

Upon hearing the words of the Darkin Harp, Yuan Chen couldn't help but be taken aback, even though he had made ample preparations.

It wasn't because the Darkin Harp was particularly powerful, nor was it because Yuan Chen's spirit was particularly fragile.

Rather, it's simply that this simple sentence contains an immense amount of information.

So much so that even Yuan Chen himself couldn't help but wonder if he had misheard.

Not receiving a response from Yuan Chen, the Darkin Harp seemed somewhat flustered.

"Master? Is that you, Master? You said you would awaken me. I am Styraatu! You always called me Antelope..."

Upon hearing the words of the Darkin Harp, Yuan Chen rubbed his temples, feeling a slight headache.

The Dark Descendant are very special, but to revive them, at least two conditions must be met.

One method is to allow them to come into contact with living beings so that they can parasitize them, directly possessing them through Blood Magic.

The second is the summoning from the Ascended General Aatrox in Legends of Runeterra, which forcibly awakens their consciousness, strengthens their interference with the outside world, and even allows them to directly parasitize some special life forms.

While the Dark Descendant's corruption is terrifying, it is far from insurmountable.

At least, there are quite a few people who can resist with sheer willpower...

For example, Kayn was able to contend with Rhaast's consciousness. And the Blademaster even personally sealed the Dark Descendant Chain Scythe within the Wuju Order.

This includes the new hero, Naafiri the Hundred-Cracked Hound (also known as Dog Dagger, Knife Dog, Red Dog, or Akainu).

The reason he couldn't directly possess the person who took her away was because that person had wrapped her in cloth, avoiding direct physical contact.

Then, due to accidental contact with a hyena, it became a parasite on the hyena.

Yuan Chen is very confident in his willpower, but that doesn't mean Yuan Chen's willing to take meaningless risks.

But precisely because of this, although Styraatu could sense the flow of magic and the presence of people, she couldn't determine who had dug her out of the ground.

As the scarlet strings rang out, not only Yuan Chen heard Styraatu's words, but Styraatu Camille, who was standing nearby, also heard them.

Almost instinctively, Yuan Chen turned his gaze to the Camille behind him.

His entire demeanor shifted abruptly from calm to an indescribably cold aura.

The original protective suit was torn to shreds, and ivory-like Dragon Tooth Flying Blade carved with golden patterns swirled in the air.

The ground was wet, like a swamp, but the ditch filled with gravel made it impossible for Camille to maintain her balance.

Camille raised her hands almost without hesitation, her eyes filled with solemnity, but her tone remained cold and precise as she spoke:

"Don't be nervous! I will remain silent!"

Thinking this, she looked at Yuan Chen, and even with Camille's aloof nature, she couldn't help but feel her breathing become slightly rapid.

Under this mental stimulation, even the normally stable Hextech Heart began to hum, constantly transmitting energy waves to relieve stress and ease the tension in the nerves.

Even so, Camille couldn't help but swallow hard.

In fact, she had already made enough guesses about Yuan Chen and valued him enough.

Ever since the profits from Hex Crystal were forcibly divided up by other families, Camille knew that her family needed to find a sufficiently powerful backer.

Not only must they possess power, but they must also possess the strength to contend with Noxus.

Ixialia is an example of this.

However, Camille could only ascertain Ixialia's strength, but could not ascertain whether this empire, which had been isolated from the world for over three thousand years, possessed sufficient power to be willing to contend with an empire like Noxus for the sake of an outside family.

So Camille didn't hesitate to personally test the waters...

While Yuan Chen and Qiyana's attitude during this process humiliated the Ferros Family, it even directly shook the foundation of the Ferros Family's existence because of the Hextech Gemstone.

But Camille knew this was what she had been waiting for...

An object to which one can offer loyalty, serve, and receive due reward.

But now it seems...

Even though he had tried his best to overestimate this "Ixialia" from Ionia, he still misjudged him...

Not only himself, but even Ixialia didn't know.

"You are a smart man; you know my needs, my thoughts, and what the Ferros Family lacks."

Camille said, "I have already dedicated my entire life to my family, everything I have..."

He paused, swallowed Camille, and a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes, which were gleaming with arcs of energy, before returning to their usual calm. He continued, "..."

"You know about Hakim and my past, and the choices I've made. For the sake of the family, I will be loyal to you."

"..."

Upon hearing Camille's words, Yuan Chen remained silent for a moment before turning around and saying, "You are loyal to Qiyana, not me."

"As you wish."

Seeing that Yuan Chen had let her go, Camille breathed a sigh of relief, then bowed slightly and stood quietly to the side without saying a word.

Only at this moment did Yuan Chen sheathe his knife, turn around in his leather armor, and look at Styraatu.

In fact, Yuan Chen never needed to wear protective clothing.

The bottom of Zaun's Pit is highly toxic; even Elemental Drake that soak in it for extended periods will inevitably become tainted by the curses, fumes, and poisonous water that have accumulated over hundreds of years.

However, the power of Temperance can prevent Yuan Chen from being poisoned in this way.

In terms of life level, apart from a very few pure-blooded dragons, ancient dragons, and proto-dragons, ordinary dragons and wyverns are incomparable to demons.

Strength and weakness are one aspect, and life form is another.

The reason I'm still wearing it is simply to reduce the mana consumption for Upright Temperance, and for a few other reasons...

As for why Yuan Chen didn't want Camille to pledge allegiance to him... the reason is quite simple.

There are already too many overlords, emperors, and heroes in this world.

Yuan Chen didn't want to have so many worries... Just like Ryze, going it alone might be the best choice for the path he had chosen.

Loneliness is Normal State; you'll get used to it.

After remaining silent for a long time and sorting out his thoughts, Yuan Chen turned his gaze to Styraatu once again.

Styraatu just mentioned, the "master" who resembled her but was actually completely unknown referred to her as an antelope.

As is well known, Shurima in League of Legends draws heavily on Egyptian mythology.

For example, the image of the Azir Ascended is derived from Ra, the sun god in Egyptian mythology. The Nasus is derived from Anubis, the god of death. The Renekton is derived from Sobek, the Renekton god.

And the antelope...

In Egyptian mythology, this is Resheph, the god who controls thunder and plague. His name means both "fire" and "plague," and he is a malevolent god with the head of a antelope...

As for Styraatu... it's hard to say whether she's an evil god, but in the lore of Legends, she did indeed unleash her sealed rage on Piltover and Zaun the moment she awoke.

Her Dark Descendant form is an energy entity similar to Xerath.

However, it wasn't pure arcane energy like Xerath's; instead, it was blazing flames.

If you really have to put it into words, these characteristics do match up... but Yuan Chen genuinely doesn't remember ever communicating with Styraatu!

After thinking for a moment and remaining silent, Yuan Chen said decisively:

"You've probably mistaken me for someone else; I've never seen you before..."

"That voice... that's right! You are the master!"

The harp's cacophony grew increasingly excited and intense, even causing flickering flames to appear in the air.

"You said that after I and my sisters and brethren were sealed away, Runeterra would enter a new cycle! And you would be the first person to help me break the seal!"

Hearing Styraatu's excited words, Yuan Chen couldn't help but comfort her:

"Please calm down... May I call you Styraatu?"

"Of course, you can call it whatever you like, whether it's Styraatu or Antelope."

Styraatu seemed easy to talk to, but this only intensified Yuan Chen's doubts and unease.

Historically, the Dark Descendant have been at odds with each other after losing the guidance of the Shurima's golden bloodline.

Faced with an overwhelming disparity in power, the Dark Descendant forgot their human nature and the glory of being Ascended, and began to indulge in the desire for domination.

At that time, almost every Dark Descendant and even mortal believed that the final world would fall into the hands of a powerful Dark Descendant and be ruled for a long time, just like Shurima had been.

But later, the Dark Descendant either died, gave up, or were sealed away...

Those who gave up were alright, but those who were sealed away endured loneliness, shame, contempt for humanity, and torment from past glories throughout the long years.

Over this long period of time, almost all awakened Dark Descendant are distorted in their minds by this hatred.

This includes Styraatu.

In Legends of Runeterra (LoR), the moment she awoke, she unleashed boundless fury upon the lands of Zaun and Piltover.

But now...

She not only did not lose her mind, but she even retained her original wisdom...

"First... Styraatu." Looking at the harp in front of him, Yuan Chen asked, "Who is this master you speak of? What is his name? And why do you consider me a master?"

"The master's name is Yuan Chen! He comes from Ionia!"

Styraatu's single sentence made Yuan Chen's heart leap into his throat.

Not to mention Yuan Chen, even Camille, standing to the side, couldn't help but straighten her back when she heard the discordant sounds coming from the Darkin Harp.

That dignified, solemn, and earnest demeanor, tinged with a touch of elegance, was just like that of a community security guard who had just met the property manager...

Well, Camille's position is, after all, that of a security captain.

But regardless of their position, all the security guards were on high alert, standing tall and looking as if they were afraid of being fired...

Damn it, I was just thinking of finding a powerful backer to rely on, so I wouldn't be constantly bullied by other Noxus families in Piltover.

But now it seems that this isn't a thigh, it's a damn big tree! It's a damn Ruyi Jingu Bang! It's a damn white jade pillar supporting the sky, a purple-gold beam spanning the sea!

No wonder Camille is so nervous right now.

You should know that those Ascended from at least 3,500 BC to 6,500 BC in the Noxian Calendar!

Although they were called Dark Descendant during the Darkin War, their power and nobility can be seen from their past glories, in which they were called "Ascended," "Celestial Warrior," and "Gods."

And yet, this Dark Descendant from Ancient Shurima addresses a young man in his early twenties as "Master"...

Although it may have started out as just a resemblance, now even the name and origin are the same, and it has even awakened this harp like in the legend...

As a member of the Ferros Family, Camille's knowledge of history was no less than that of professional archaeologists.

The Ferros Family rose to power after discovering the Primordial Crystal beneath the Shurima through tomb exploration.

Jarl Mirdal was considered a layabout in the Medarda Family.

However, within the Ferros Family, archaeology is politically correct.

In fact, the entire archaeological boom in Piltover, including the Explorers' Association and the Archaeologists' Association, was formally established because of the rise of the Ferros Family.

Many families want to replicate the way the Ferros Family rose to power.

Yes, that's why the deserts, ruins, tombs, and temples of Shurima have been almost completely dug up by archaeologists.

In this situation, Camille was absolutely certain that Yuan Chen was the best choice she had ever made.

Thinking about this, Camille couldn't help but recall what Yuan Chen had told her not long ago: whether she was loyal to the family, the patriarch, or Piltover.

The answer is self-evident... and there's no need to choose either.

And, just as Yuan Chen said...

The Ferros Family should be as precise as a machine, completing every task with extreme efficiency, and be prepared to sacrifice themselves for the family at any time.

With this thought in mind, Camille's hands, which were behind her back, gradually clenched, and her blue-green eyes grew cold.

Now, the machine is filled with discordant noises!

Ignoring Camille's words, Yuan Chen simply gazed at the harp in front of him, his once gentle eyes now filled with solemnity and reverence.

If it was merely a coincidence or accident that Styraatu initially called himself a master...

Now, no matter how much Yuan Chen questions him, he cannot deny that this coincidence is far too bizarre.

"Calm down first."

Yuan Chen said, "My thoughts are a bit jumbled right now. You are too. Let's regain our composure and have a careful discussion."

"... Okay, you're right, Master. I was a little too excited."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, the harp, which had been flickering with firelight, gradually calmed down, and the music, which had been chaotic, became clear and passionate.

"I am Ascended ... well, now I should be Dark Descendant."

The harp introduced itself as follows:

"It is Styraatu, the Fire Gazelle, a Celestial Commander under Aatrox, the Ascended General of the Shuriman Golden Legion."

The new hero, Dog Dagger, has a lot of background information, so the outline may need some minor adjustments, which has caused some delays...