"Everything is ready my king. I understand the sacrifice." ~ Nasus, The Curator of the Sands
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"This is where you were born?" Shen asked as the duo walked through the streets of Demacia.
Gregori smiled, "Affects your magic doesn't it?"
Shen nodded, "I could only teleport us to the outskirts."
The two were walking toward the castle.
Gregori began to notice that parts of the road they followed weren't fully Petricitecoated. There was still an obscene amount of the magic absorbing material but it was easy to see that the amount had been lessened over the years.
A child ran in front of the two, being chased by the grandfather.
"I'm sorry, he got away when I wasn't looking." The grandfather said as he grabbed the child and dragged him away.
Gregori smiled softly as he watched the old man chided the child.
"You know them?" Shen asked as he spotted Gregori's smile.
"The old man." Gregori replied, "We met many years ago. Even helped get his son together with his wife. Just glad to see that they've had a child."
"He did not recognize you." Shen stated.
Gregori shrugged, "The cloak covering us isn't doing any favors for that Shen. And it has been many years. My own children are approaching adulthood. Expecting an old man to remember someone he had only seen twice in his life is quite a stupid hope."
"That it might be..." Shen replied, "But it would have made your day better."
"A lot of things can make my day better Shen. This is nowhere near the top in my list." Gregori responded.
"Would retracing your steps across Runeterra help you?" Shen asked with a smirk.
Gregori eyed the man, "Can I take it as you offering?"
"The spirits want you satisfied." Shen shrugged, "And we can if you wish to do so."
"I will take you up on that offer my friend."
The gates to the palace appeared before them within an hour.
Two spears crossed in front of them.
"Identify yourselves!" The younger of the two guards announced.
Gregori pulled the cloak down revealing his face, he raised a cloth with the two halves of Xin Zhao's broken spear. "I bring word of the Seneschal."
The older guard trembled at the sight of the spear, he raised his head toward Gregori and shook in shock. "My lord.... You have returned."
"Not for long." Gregori acknowledged him, "Now I would like to speak with the king."
"Of course my lord." The guard moved his spear out of the way, "I will lead you to the courtroom."
The younger guard looked confused but followed the actions of his superior and moved his spear out of the way.
"You have quite the pull." Shen commented.
Gregori nodded.
"Has the Seneschal passed my lord?" The guard asked as he walked them through the castle.
"Yes." Gregori answered.
"I see." The guard sighed. "We will grieve him."
"Celebrate him instead." Gregori corrected him, "He saved countless lives with his sacrifice."
The guard looked at him with a sad expression and gave him a slow nod.
There were countless eyes on them as they walked toward the throne room but no one stepped forth to stop them. The guard walked toward the giant doors of the throne room and spoke in hashed tones with the man stood there.
The man looked between the guard and Gregori before his eyes widened and he moved toward the door.
Pulling a door open a tiny bit, he squeezed himself in and then gathered the attention of everyone inside.
Jarvan raised a hand stopping all conversation within the room and gestured to the man to speak.
"Your highness." The man bowed, "Another wishes to join this meeting."
Jarvan raised an eyebrow before nodding, "Announce them."
The man bowed once more before turning to the door, "Entering now is Gregori Hastur."
Eyes widened and some gasped throughout the room.
Gregori walked in with Shen following closely behind.
Jarvan looked at his cousin with a smile, "It has been a long time cousin. How have you been?"
"Life has been better than I deserve your highness."
Jarvan leaned back in his throne, "Tell me Gregori.... why have you returned to Demacia?"
"I have some business with someone in the forests." Gregori answered, "But I have come to you to bring some unfortunate news."
"What news is it?" Jarvan asked.
Gregori silently unwrapped the broken spear and held it out in front of him, "Seneschal Xin Zhao has passed away defending Ionia from forces that would have doomed it. His actions ensured that the only life that had been lost that day was his alone."
"No.." Jarvan rose from his throne and slowly walked toward Gregori. He reached for the spear verifying it to have been Xin Zhao's. He hugged the weapon close to his chest and closed his eyes in grief. A tremor passed through the king of Demacia.
Gregori stood beside him in silence letting the man grieve.
A few moments later, Jarvan looked up at Gregori, his eyes reddish from anger or tears Gregori did not know, "You couldn't save him?"
"I stepped onto the lands of Ionia yesterday." Gregori answered, "He had already passed by then."
"You say you were in Ionia yesterday. But you stand here today. How?"
"Magic brought me here. It will take me to more places in the coming days."
"I see." Jarvan muttered, clutching the weapon closer to himself, "Was there no body?"
Gregori shook his head.
Jarvan closed his eyes once more holding back the tears. His voice shook as he spoke, "As king of Demacia.... I thank you for bringing a son of our lands home." Instead of walking back toward the throne, Jarvan walked toward the doors.
"Our meeting is adjourned for today." He said without turning back, "Let us grieve the loss of one of our best."
The king then left the throne room.
"Gregori?" A female voice called to him.
He turned around, "How have you been sister?"
"Life has been great for me." Eileen answered.
His eyes went down to her protruding belly, a look of shock appeared on his face, "You have settled down."
She nodded.
"Who is the father?" He asked.
"My husband." She corrected.
"Your husband." Gregori acknowledged, "Who is he?"
Eileen smiled, "My name is Eileen Crownguard now."
"Garen." Gregori said out with an exhale.
She nodded.
"Are you happy?"
She smiled brightly.
"Then I am happy for you."
"How are the children?" She asked.
"Almost fully grown now." Gregori answered, "I can't keep them down. Like birds they wish to leave their nests and explore the world on their own. All of them... even though they hide it."
"You are Gregori Hastur!" A blonde haired girl spoke up next to them, "I have heard so much about you!"
Gregori observed the woman.
The same blonde hair as Tianna.
"You must be the missing sister." He assumed.
She nodded, "Not missing now."
Gregori looked away from her and to his surroundings. He spotted the Crownguard faction make his way to him. He noticed his brother looking at him. Beside him stood a regal looking noblewoman. The two made eye contact. Gregori nodded. Alain nodded back. Cordial, nothing more nothing less.
There were quite a few angry looks aimed at him.
"Since the meeting is adjourned...." Pieter spoke as he approached the group, "Would you mind coming to the Crownguard estate for the night? You can continue your mission tomorrow." He looked toward Shen, "You are welcome too stranger."
Shen shook his head, "Thank you for your invitation but I will come to your estate in the morning to collect Gregori and continue our mission."
"As you wish." Pieter nodded.
Shen looked at Gregori, "Tomorrow."
Gregori took in a long breath, his eyes catching the expectant looks of the people in front of him and the nodded, "Tomorrow."
The two went their separate ways.
An hour later the group sat in the Crownguard gardens, soft lamp light glowing against the setting sun.
"Congratulations Garen." Gregori said as Garen joined them, "I expect you to take care of Eileen."
"Those expectations will be met Gregori." Garen replied as he took a seat beside Eileen, her hand finding its way into his.
Tianna sat beside him, she looked at him with concern in her eyes, "Is this regarding the Darkin?"
Gregori nodded.
"Is that why your arms and legs are like that?" She pushed.
Gregori nodded.
"Is it going to be dangerous?" She pushed more.
Gregori turned to her, his eyes meeting hers and without any falsities he spoke.
"I will die."
The group reeled in shock.
"You act as if that is inevitable." Tianna replied in the same moment.
"It is."
"How do you know?"
"I can get rid of all the Darkin across the lands but the cost is my life." Gregori spoke.
Tianna glared at him, "And you don't do anything to change that outcome?"
"I knew the outcome when I picked Caalyx up all those years ago." He answered, "There was only one end for me. But at least I can leave the world a safer place due to the sacrifice."
"You will leave your children behind."
"They will survive even without me." Gregori did not back down.
"But they will hate you for your decision." Tianna continued. "You are taking their father from them."
"Their father will keep them safe." Gregori shook his head, "This is the best way to do it."
"But dying to achieve it..." Pieter spoke.
"There is no other way." Gregori replied, "The corruption has already taken a hold of me." He raised his clawed arms, "I could have Caalyx get another host but there is the issue of compatibility and magic. Caalyx gains my magic when he takes over me. My body and my magic are connected. And my magic alone make it the best possible action."
"You have given up." Tianna stated.
"I have indeed accepted my fate."
"Then you can grant me one favor." She stared into his eyes.
"Tianna-" Pieter began.
"No Pieter." Tianna cut him off, "He will grant me a favor."
"What favor would you like me to fulfil?" Gregori asked.
Tianna shook her head, "Give me your word."
"As long as it doesn't pertain to my facing the Darkin..... I give my word to help you with anything else." He replied.
She nodded slowly before looking around the group.
"Are you sure Tianna?" Pieter asked.
"I see no better option." She answered.
Turning back to Gregori, she stated her wish, "You leave me a child."
"No."
"Are you going back on your word?" Tianna fired back.
"I refuse to leave behind a child I cannot raise." Gregori replied, "My children are old enough to take care of themselves but a newborn without a father? That I cannot cause."
"The child will have a family." Tianna fought back, "A mother. Aunts and uncles. And above all, do you think your children will not come care for their sibling? The child will keep them together. It will be their last connection to you."
"No."
"You have given me your word Gregori." Tianna spoke, "Your word Titan. Honor it."
Gregori eyed her for a while before giving up, "I will lay with you once."
"Once is all I need." Tianna spoke, "I am getting older Gregori. I want a child of my own. The men of Demacia are not what I desire. It has to be you."