章 122: The Testament of the King
In the crisp, cold air, a tumultuous surge of energy surged forth like a raging flood.
Under the impact of the [Dance of the Broken Wings], a strike comparable to that of the holy tier, the entire sealed realm continued to tremble slightly, the terrifying aftershocks gradually dissipating.
Amidst the endless encircling darkness, the vast platform lay in ruins, presenting a scene of desolation.
Upon the stone platform, flames of energy blazed fiercely, illuminating the ground riddled with collapses and hollows, resembling gaping, bloody wounds.
The stagnant night wind stirred once more, as crimson, beautiful eyes were veiled by the silver strands of hair that fluttered in the breeze.
Riven stood resolutely on this ultimate battlefield, panting wearily, her hands gripping the hilt of her sword tightly, now stained with fresh crimson liquid. The overwhelming force that struck down upon her had nearly surpassed the limits of her control, injuring her arms in the moment of eruption.
Opposite her, Renekton knelt dejectedly on the ground, his massive bone blade shattered into several fragments, scattered around him.
"To think… I still could not kill you," Jarvan remarked, his gaze dimming as he shook his head with a hint of resignation, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Well, at least it is clear now… the victor is decided."
"Ha, ha…" The sound emanating from Renekton was indistinguishable between laughter and the rasping breaths of a dying creature. "You… are truly despicable! But I like it!"
"The glory of a warrior lies in fearlessly confronting evil challenges and the trials of life and death... In the face of an enemy whose strength far exceeds mine, employing necessary strategies should not be deemed as foul play, should it?" Though his tone was inquisitive, Jarvan's expression remained composed and resolute. "It is simply unfortunate that you are still alive."
The pure white holy flames continued to consume his blood slowly. The power required to unleash the Dragon Emperor and activate [Roar of the Dragon King] was still beyond what he could provide, thus he was left to sacrifice his own blood.
"Ha, ha… It's merely a stroke of good fortune," Renekton lifted the hand covering his left chest, grinning widely at Riven. "If only the force you channeled could stack even a little more… Heh, too bad you cannot achieve that!"
"Hu… hu…"
Amidst the swirling dust on the platform, Renekton laughed maniacally, "So… the ultimate victor is indeed still me! Hahaha!!!"
Boom—
Suddenly, amidst the eruption of blazing crimson flames, Shyvana, the captain of Jarvan's guard, surged towards Renekton, propelled by a searing wave of heat. As the only remaining ninth-tier combatant on their side, Shyvana did not hesitate to unleash her most powerful attack against the colossal crocodilian.
Jarvan's calm demeanor finally vanished, as he roared frantically, "No—!"
"Bwahahaha! A brave little girl!" Renekton smiled with delight amidst the raging flames that nearly engulfed half the platform. "You are… of the dragon lineage, aren't you?"
"Alas… a young dragon, in my eyes, is nothing more than a mere fish." The flames that melted metal licked at the massive crocodilian, yet Renekton remained unscathed amidst the inferno.
With a slight lift of his clawed hand, Renekton pointed towards the red-haired woman charging through the sea of flames, wearing a mocking smile. "A mere fish… should possess the awareness befitting its kind!"
In a thunderous explosion of shockwaves, Shyvana was flung away by an invisible force before she could even approach. Amidst the splattering blood, the red-haired woman found herself cradled in a warm embrace.
The howling night wind fanned the flames raging in the final arena. Yet, the pure white flames enveloping Jarvan remained unaffected by the gusts. The quietly burning holy fire repelled the oncoming inferno and heat waves.
"Thank you for your efforts, Miss Riven," Jarvan gently placed the unconscious Shyvana into Riven's arms, nodding slightly at the silver-haired woman beside him. "You truly embody the strength of a leader among the Noxian opposition; your power is indeed astonishing. It's a pity… I could not inflict more serious damage on this creature, failing to diminish its defenses, and ultimately… my efforts were in vain."
"..." Riven remained silent, understanding the implication of Jarvan's words—that he was prepared to utilize his final recourse.
Even Renekton could not voice a denial against the resolve of his opponents. In response to the two who had nearly brought about his demise, he expressed a degree of respect through his silence.
"Hu… Miss Riven, please take Shyvana and leave," the blazing white flames surged with intensity, transforming into golden soul fire, within which only Jarvan's towering silhouette could be discerned. "I, Jarvan, have long accepted my fate on the battlefield; do not let my death be in vain!!!"
His declaration, not loud yet increasingly urgent, was potent enough to pierce the void of the heavens.
"..." After a few moments of silence, Riven bent slightly, offering the highest salute of a warrior. "From Demacia, Prince Jarvan IV, Commander of the Third Legion of Noxus, extends my most sincere respect to your noble soul."
The stone ground of the platform continued to crack intermittently due to the searing flames.
"It is a pity… that we may never meet on the battlefield again in this lifetime," Riven, cradling the unconscious Shyvana, approached Annie and Teemo. "Let us depart."
"Don't be so… presumptuous… as to die without permission!" The tearful little girl's voice was barely above a whisper, "Why can't you wait… wait for the big brother to come… if only… if only…"
"It's already over!" Riven shouted, her heart aching, "It's over! There are no ifs, no maybes!!! None!!!"
"As a Noxian, one must never let the sacrifices of comrades go to waste…" The silver-haired woman ultimately vanished from sight, accompanied by the two little ones at the tunnel's entrance.
In the air, droplets fell like glistening gems. Was it rain, or tears?
...
"Now, all unauthorized personnel have departed," within the golden flames, Jarvan's figure had become nearly indistinguishable. It seemed as if he were merely a silhouette hastily sketched in gold against the void. "Can you tell me how you accomplished this?"
"...I, Renekton, shall fulfill your final wish before death," the massive crocodilian retracted his usual mocking expression and earnestly extended his right claw. "[Divine Protection]."
The ethereal image of a goddess materialized behind him. Her blue hair was as pure as the sky, yet her youthful visage bore an overwhelming sorrow.
"I see," the outline of Jarvan's figure within the golden flames swayed slightly, appearing to nod. "In that fleeting moment of death, through the goddess's divine power, you barely evaded Riven's ultimate strike."
"Do you understand now? Then, as a human warrior, I shall take your noble head," the approaching crocodilian radiated intense confidence. "Your noble soul is worthy… to become one of Renekton's prized possessions."
"Is that so?" The encroaching grayness gradually filled the entirety of the golden silhouette, "It's a pity you have already been deceived."
"Oh? Are you implying…" Renekton's composed demeanor faltered slightly as if he had just realized something.
"Indeed, activating [Dragon's Bind] does not require me to sacrifice much of my blood. The reason the sacrificial flames have not extinguished is because…" The golden lines, like the remnants of fireworks, began to fall to the ground. In the midst of it all, Renekton caught a glimpse of the man within the flames smiling, "What I truly activated is [Dragon's Sorrow]!"
"You… you dare—!!!" Renekton's eyes widened in disbelief, nearly popping out of their sockets. "You, you, you…!"
"A duel where lives hang in the balance—did you truly think it was merely a jest?" Amidst a radiant smile, the golden flames began to lick at the blood and soul of the towering man, his left hand raised, declaring a fatal proclamation.
"This is the oath of the Shield Knight: 'Never retreat! Never yield! Never regret!' With blood as my vow! With my body as the banner! Within this circle, the oath-taker cannot flee, and the observer cannot evade!" The furious energy surged wildly in the void, as the golden flames enveloping Jarvan instantly expanded, engulfing the entire platform.
Amidst the golden flames, the tall man proclaimed to the heavens, "In the name of Prince Jarvan IV of Demacia! By my blood! By my strength! I hereby declare, this body stands in this world, never retreating! Never evading!"
From the golden flames that shattered the darkness, a voice of divine authority rang out, "This is—The Testament of the King!"
"[Scatter, O Thousand Nobles]!" The golden lance that Renekton had carelessly tossed aside on the platform suddenly blazed with intense light.
"By my blood! By my soul! I beseech your judgment here!" The resounding voice shook the heavens, "The fate of the Dragon Emperor! [Dragon's Sorrow]!
I have come in response to your summons, noble king!" The colossal ethereal dragon reappeared, its immense form radiating a terrifying surge of energy that shattered the tumultuous winds surrounding the platform.
"No one can fathom the fate of the Dragon Emperor, nor can anyone truly comprehend the sorrow of the Dragon Emperor!" The massive spectral dragon roared skyward, a glimmer of crystalline tears trailing from its eye. "I am the blade that slays the master—[The Thousand Nobles]!"
"O noble warrior! Unrivaled sovereign! Your sorrow, I shall remember! Your choice, I shall engrave upon my heart! Here, I answer your call!" Amidst the blazing radiance, the Dragon Emperor's formidable silhouette roared with fervor, "[Dragon's Sorrow]!"
The searing golden light transformed into a colossal sun, utterly piercing the veil of night.
In that moment, it seemed as though time itself had come to a standstill...
Silence reigned supreme.
...
In the tempest of violent energy that shook the earth, Riven abruptly halted her retreat.
Behind her lay the decisive strike that Jarvan was about to unleash, a sacrifice of life itself.
Before her stood the towering and solemn yordle.
"Blasphemer, your death shall be without regret!" The chilling voice pronounced the final judgment of annihilation.
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