Noxian year 984, late August.
After spending a few days in Bel'zhun, Linwin packed his belongings, ready to venture deep into the vast desert of Shurima again. But this time, Linwin's destination wasn't the west of Shurima; instead, he was heading southeast.
Regarding this, Zevi expressed her lack of understanding. He spent two years in the west and came back alone without bringing anything substantial. Now, shortly after returning, he was heading east. According to the desert dwellers who fled from the east to Bel'zhun, the danger there was much higher.
Although Zevi didn't understand, she didn't try to dissuade Linwin.
However, this time, Zevi wouldn't wait for Linwin in Bel'zhun. Instead, she would be accompanying a group of Zaunites, bringing two captives back to Piltover and Zaun.
Yes, Twisted Fate and Graves had "agreed" to go to Zaun, though the former agreed reluctantly.
Before parting, Zevi had a lot to say to Linwin.
"When I go back this time, they'll know you're comming back too," Zevi said after some thought. "Actually, I'm not in such a hurry to go back."
"It's okay. Everything that needed to be done is done, and we can all leave and go back. Also, Zevi, thank you for your hard work these years. I appreciate your help."
"Linwin, don't think too much. I came to Shurima not for you but because I've wanted to come here for a long time. This continent hides countless treasures, and no curious inventor can resist coming to see it for themselves."
Zevi shrugged and said. She disliked this feeling; she didn't like being the good person. Everything she did was because she feel like doing it.
Now, like Jayce, is she standing between the people of Piltover and Zaun?
No way.
Zevi is not Jayce Talis. She's not as kind or as naive as he is.
From the moment they first met, Zevi told Linwin that her family was outsiders. She used to be, to some extent, a Noxian. The Reta family squeezed into the noble class of Piltover because of her. Still, when it came to being noble, only Zevi knew the real situation.
"Well, thanks to you," Linwin smiled helplessly, paused for a moment, tightened the cloth bag in his hand, and said to Zevi, "But after going back, Zevi, your situation might be very bad. They may very well imprison you."
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, when you come back, everything will turn a new page."
"I've actually been fed up with those useless orders for a long time. I don't want to graduate and sell myself to a big family, then be forced to do things I don't like. Piltover is indeed great, but this greatness is not bestowed by councilors and major families; it's the soul and nature of every person in Piltover that make Piltover great."
Zevi raised her fist towards Linwin, speaking earnestly, "The people of Piltover naturally aspire to science, love invention, and want to pursue all the truths in the world, but the big shots hindered this nature."
"What you want to do is not attack Piltover, not taking over Piltover, but to take the lives of certain people."
"I hope what you say is true."
Linwin was silent for a moment, nodded, and extended his fist, "Thank you."
"I said, no need to be polite. I'm not doing it for you; I'm doing it for myself."
Zevi rolled her eyes dramatically, then she and Linwin bumped fists.
——————————
Noxian Calendar, Year 984, mid-September, the thirteenth day.
On the eastern edge of Shurima, in the desolate desert, Linwin is manipulating wind magic, advancing towards his target at a steady pace, always keeping an eye on the surroundings.
A gentle wind forms a transparent shield in front of Linwin, blocking the sand from hitting his face.
Flying in the air, Linwin sees a patch of green.
That place is the Kumungu Jungle.
He remembered that it was Zyra's territory?
Of course, Linwin's destination is not the Kumungu Jungle, nor is it the mysterious Icathia.
The place Linwin is heading to is near the Shuriman village close to Icathia.
He is looking for someone.
A human "monster" that is good at communication.
Linwin estimates that, with high probability, she is a five-star card, and up until now, Linwin doesn't have a single five-star card.
After nearly twenty days of travel, Linwin finally arrives at the land corrupted by the Void— Icathia.
But when thinking more carefully, he should still be in the Shurima region at the moment.
The reason he sees the purple desert and strange purple plants swaying like tentacles is that the Void corruption has spread from Icathia to Shurima.
So, she should be nearby..
Landing on the ground, Linwin restrains his aura.
After arriving at this place, it is crucial not to fly in the sky, as the Void's influence can set off a chain reaction.
Once it senses the presence of living beings, it becomes ferocious, unleashing countless void creatures to devour all life. Linwin, of course, wouldn't allow such a thing.
After walking on the ground for three days, Linwin finally found a small village on Kalihasa, near Icathia and along the Kahaali River. The villagers were surprised by his arrival since no one had come to their remote place for years.
Linwin asked the local elders some questions and was unexpectedly informed that they knew about her. However, her reputation was not good; mentioning her brought expressions of astonishment and fear.
"Are you looking for someone like a monster?"
"You're putting me in a difficult position."
But when Linwin presented a pile of supplies, the elderly desert dweller immediately smiled, revealing missing teeth, and said, "If you're talking about monsters, there are plenty on the land of Shurima, ancient gods from legends. We haven't seen them, though. But, Mr. Linwin, what I'm about to tell you is a strange occurrence in the last decade, and many have witnessed it."
The old desert dweller had some men move Linwin's belongings before continuing, "It's a monster with a purple shell, but it can speak human language!"
Linwin's eyes lit up.
"Some say it's an ancient fear from the ruins of Icathia, a monster transformed from the vengeful spirit of an empire long ago. It's bloodthirsty, killing any creature in its path."
"A boy from our village saw her in a cave, witnessed her killing a bunch of purple bugs. Fortunately, she didn't notice the boy, and he survived."
"I think she and those purple monsters are together, all bloodthirsty creatures. They seem to have turned against each other."
Linwin interrupted the old desert dweller, puzzled, "But if she really kills any living being in front of her, how do you know about her?"
"Anyone who has seen it says the same."
The old desert dweller paused, realizing he hadn't thought about this.
Indeed, more and more people claimed to have seen it over the years, yet no one died at its hands. What was going on?
"Oh!"
The old desert dweller suddenly remembered something, looking at Linwin with seriousness, "Sir, I just remembered something. Listen to me. Six months ago, there was a village called Black Wool here, a prosperous village. But now, it's turned into ruins. The culprit behind this is that monster. I heard from refugees passing by that it killed the kind village chief, burned down everyone's houses, and forced hundreds to flee, homeless."
The old desert dweller seemed to want to confirm his words.
That's a bloodthirsty monster!
But upon hearing this, Linwin sighed in relief.
Well, killing the village chief, destroying the village, and driving away the villagers—it all sounded like Kaisa's background story.
She entered the Void when she was around ten years old and survived in both worlds for over a decade. So now, she should be roughly the same age as himself?
No, not necessarily. After all, Linwin isn't sure when Kaisa fell into the Void.
But anyway, Linwin is reassured.
She and the champion he knows have no difference.
Before coming, Linwin was a bit uneasy, a bit anxious. Even though he understands the champion's background stories and has a general idea of what kind of person a champion might be, there's always some uncertainty.
At least now, looking at it, the personalities of several champion are not exactly as Linwin imagined.
But she is still herself.
"Doma, don't be afraid."
"There's nothing to fear, Doma. You can get out of here, you can do it!"
"Doma, believe in yourself. You're the child of a hunter, so you can survive. You need to stay calm, Doma, be even calmer, have more composure!"
"Father once said, the more dangerous the situation, the calmer you should be. Stay calm, and you'll find a way out."
In the dim and lightless underground, a little girl who was unexpectedly swallowed into this world, now tightly grips a bone-made dagger in her hand, cautiously surveying her surroundings.
Her name is Doma, the daughter of a hunter from a nearby village.
Right now, eleven-year-old Doma looks up, but she can't see the sky. It's as if she has entered another world.
Doma doesn't know how she ended up in this place; she has no idea what happened. She only remembers wanting to catch grass lizards in a small oasis. But her vision dimmed, and when she woke up again, Doma found herself here.
Now, with courage in her heart, Doma places the bone-made dagger in front of her and carefully feels the damp wall with her other hand, walking along the cave's wall.
"Father said, in a cave, to find an exit, you have to use your ear, use your nose to sense."
"I can do it. My nose is good."
Doma takes a deep sniff, sensing the smell, and then, with self-spoken excitement, she says, "This, this is the smell of wind. The exit is right there!"
Feeling that she has found the direction, Doma puts in extra effort, propelling herself forward with her two short legs.
She is truly brave, so brave that she, in a situation she knows nothing about, has been walking alone in this environment for three hours.
It wasn't until three hours passed that Doma felt disheartened, and the thought of giving up crossed her mind.
Her stomach growled audibly; Doma was hungry.
She wanted to find something to eat, but it was evident that there was nothing edible nearby.
This was a strange world, a lightless, damp underworld.
"Will I die?"
Leaning against the wall, Doma, after stopping, realized she was both hungry and cold.
Then, a strange sound echoed.
"Thud, thud."
Doma quickly stood up, alertly looking ahead. During this time, no matter how she spoke or made noise, there was no response, but now there was an odd commotion!
Nervously watching the source of the sound, something slowly rolled in.
"Gulp."
It was the sound of swallowing saliva.
In front of Doma, a plump fruit rolled out. It was a honeydew melon, about the size of Doma's head, a precious fruit that she could only eat on special occasions.
And now, a whole melon lay before her.
"Who are you?!"
But Doma wasn't overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of food; instead, she cautiously asked.
There was no sound from the front; instead, another fruit appeared. It was a sandfruit, and Doma recognized it.
"Are you giving these to me to eat?"
Doma put down her guard and asked softly.
A voice came from over there.
"Mmm."
Very light, somewhat hoarse, but a gentle voice.
"Thank you!"
Doma quickly ran over to pick up the honeydew melon and sandfruit. Then she ran back to her original spot, opened her mouth, and took a hearty bite. However, her eyes remained fixed on the front.
She still hadn't let her guard down, even though she felt the other person meant no harm.
But that's the instinct of a hunter.
She is the daughter of a hunter.
"After you finish eating, follow me. I'll take you out."
The person said again.
Doma became alert. She took another bite of honeydew melon, joy appearing in her tired eyes. However, she said, "But you haven't told me who you are. If you don't say, I can't follow you. You're very dangerous."
The person was silent for a moment, then spoke with a tone that seemed to contain some admiration for Doma, saying softly, "But you have no other choice, do you?"
"Sometimes, following the strong is the instinct of the weak."
Doma listened in silence, but soon, she pursed her lips, nodded, and said, "You're right. I have no other choice."
"I have to thank you first. If it weren't for you, I might have given up."
"No need," the person said again. Doma felt that the other person seemed quite indifferent.
But can an indifferent person extend a helping hand to a helpless little girl?
Doma didn't know.
But she spoke up, saying, "By the way, my name is Doma. What's your name?"
"You don't need to know my name."
Doma was very obedient.
She was a strong and obedient girl.
Knowing it wasn't the time to be stubborn, Doma nodded vigorously and then eagerly started eating the fruits.
Because she was really hungry.
Then, a voice came from the other side.
"Are you full? If not, I have more here."
"Um, I'm full."
Doma quickly wiped her mouth.
It was a honeydew melon the size of a head and a sandfruit the size of a fist. Of course, she was full.
Then, the person said, "Good, follow me."
Doma stood up and walked forward.
"Whatever happens, remember to hide first."
"I understand."
-------------------------------
The third day in the underground cave.
Doma had been in the underworld for three days. If she weren't there, Doma thought she would have gone crazy.
The place was pitch-black, and even though her eyes had slowly adjusted, it was too oppressive. Doma's nerves were constantly on edge, and there wasn't a moment of relaxation.
But at least she was there.
Following her, Doma would stop and rest every once in a while, as if she knew Doma had pushed herself to the limit.
"Hey, big sister."
"I'm not your sister."
"But you're older than me."
This made her silent.
Doma knew she was also a girl because there was a strange sound in the cave once, and calmly, she told Doma to hide. Doma obediently followed her instructions and peeked out from behind a rock.
In the dim cave, a piercing sound echoed, frightening Doma. It was the roar of a monster.
That was definitely not a human sound.
What followed was a battle.
It was a fight between her and the monster.
But what surprised Doma was that the battle ended very quickly, and the victor was the girl who had been helping her.
And Doma, bathed in a strange purple beam, saw her face.
It was a very beautiful face, more beautiful than anyone Doma had ever seen.
But Doma only saw her for a moment, not even enough time to remember her features.
Doma only knew she was beautiful.
Doma liked beautiful things, and she was a child who knew how to be grateful.
This helpful and beautiful sister—Doma believed in her and wanted to get closer to her.
But she was always so indifferent.
Just like now.
She was particularly indifferent.
"You're right, but I'm not your big sister."
"Why?"
Doma, puzzled, said, "My dad said, as long as someone is older than me, I should politely address them. If it's a man, I call him big brother; if it's a woman, I call her big sister. You're a woman and older than me, so I should call you big sister, unless, unless you're not human?"
Doma just wanted to play a small joke with her. After all, being with her was too cold.
Of course, she was human.
She could speak, and she looked so beautiful.
A beautiful big sister.
But what happened next made Doma's heart beat faster.
She responded to Doma's words.
However, she didn't argue, and, of course, she didn't agree either.
She just spoke in a strange tone, saying lightly, "I don't know either."
Doma didn't know what to say and could only silently watch that figure.
After a while, Doma saw her move.
"Let's go, Doma."
"We're in this together."
Doma quickly caught up with her.
Doma believed in her.
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