Infinity Wars Book 1: The Cult

It was mid-night, one of the most peaceful times of the day. Xerath, not having the need to sleep, often used the night as a time for reflection, a time to think of all that had happened before he was where he was at the moment. “Getting help from miniature colorful ponies and a destructive human who claims to be able to walk the planes… *sigh* Why is this happening to me?”

To anyone passing by, all they saw was a black metal structure, oblivious to the arcane being inside. “That summoner… Who was he? How did he bring me here? And why?” Xerath began wondering. He was interrupted however as a dark blue alicorn approached him. Xerath assumed that it was Celestia’s sister, who was asleep at the time he and Ral arrived to the plane.

“Greetings.” Xerath said as he separated the parts of his sarcophagus, revealing his ‘body’ again. “You must be Princess Luna.” He turned towards the alicorn, whose expression was one of surprise.

“How do you know who I am?” She asked.

“Your sister has told me of how you contribute to this world by raising the moon. It is a pleasure to meet you.” He said.

“My sister told me of you, arcane being. It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” She replied. “So… For how long have you been imprisoned?”

“I have been in this sarcophagus for a long time. Civilizations rose and fell, eons passed, and with them everyone’s memory of me. There I was, imprisoned and forgotten by fools who feared what they could not understand. But they’ve all turned to dust. As for me… My power is eternal!” He said, crackling with energy. “I know every single spell, I am the very essence of magic, but still I am encased in this prison!” He then let out a ghostly scream in a mix of anger and agony.

Luna grew a bit scared at the outburst and backed away a few steps. “Is everything alright?” She slowly and carefully asked. The sparks coming from his body were starting to disappear as he calmed down. He let out a sigh.

“I just hope that reckless mage manages to find a way out. It’s been so long since I’ve been free.” He said.

“Well, from what I heard both the elements of harmony and that mage are going to work on setting you free. I can’t promise anything, but the elements of harmony are very strong by themselves and combined with that mage, whom my sister identified as very powerful, should be able to get you out of that ‘prison’” Luna said reassuringly.

“Let us hope that is true.” Xerath muttered before turning back into the black metal monolith, floating outside the library.

<…>

Ral Zarek, woke up with a jump. “Oh shit! This is bad, THIS IS REALLY FUCKING BAD!” He ran over to his elemental gauntlet, and equipped it. “I need to go Twilight, thanks for letting me stay here. Goodbye!” He quickly said running out the door. Outside he ran into Rainbow Dash and Xerath.

“What’s up Ral?” She asked.

“Look you two, I have no time for this. I have to get back to Ravnica immediately, don’t worry though Xerath, I will be back in time to help you.” With that he began glowing brightly, disappearing a few seconds later.

“What the hay was that all about?” Twilight asked, going outside.

“All I understood was that he had business in Ravnica but he would be back to help me.” Xerath said.

“Well you could explain that name you told me yesterday.” Twilight said.

“You mean Shaco? He’s a champion from the League of Legends back on Valoran.” Xerath replied.

“Can you give me a more ‘in-depth’ explanation, if you don’t mind.” Twilight said, slightly annoyed.

“On the world of Runeterra, in the island of Valoran there are several city-states. Two of them: Noxus and Demacia, were constantly fighting. After the second Rune war some of the most powerful mages in Valoran, called summoners, noticed that the environment would not take much more, so they created the League of Legends.”

“In the League, champions, either joining to represent their city-states or for their own reasons, fight in the fields of justice to settle all disputes in a controlled matter. The summoners have developed a spell to avoid any casualties on the fields, allowing them to keep using this process to, sort of peacefully, resolve all fights.”

“Is there anything else you can tell me?” Twilight asked, her curiosity unmatched by anything Xerath had ever seen.

“You better sit down, for there is a lot more.” Xerath said, before going into the specifics of the League.

<…>

“What the hell is happening? Everything’s so… peaceful.” Ral muttered as he walked through Ravnica.

“In what plane have you been yesterday?” He heard a female voice ask from behind him. He turned around seeing an elf with blonde hair and in white clothes.

“How do you know that, Emmara?” Ral asked the elf.

“The fact that you don’t know what happened along with your sudden disappearances every two weeks.” Emmara answered with a warm smile. “But to answer any further questions. I won the maze. With the power I got from the maze in co-operation with the other guilds’ guildmasters I have managed to create a climate of peace in Ravnica, where every guild plays an important part on its functioning, much like a new Guildpact.”

“Wow… I must say I’m really impressed with this. Congratulations on winning the maze, you probably used that power in a better way than any of the other guilds.” Ral said looking around and glad about the lack of violence.

“Thank you… but, if I might know, what exactly did you come to Ravnica for?” Emmara asked.

“I came to check on the maze situation, but I guess that’s sorted out. With that out of the way I think I’ll just go to Nivix to get some equipment.” He answered.

“Before you go, do you mind helping me?” She asked.

Ral raised an eyebrow. “What do you need help with?” He asked back.

“Well, the reward for completing the maze was… the spark. I would really appreciate it if you could help me in controlling my new abilities.” She said.

“Well, I have to get back to that plane soon… meet me here in about two hours. I will help you, while on my way back to Equestria.” Ral said.

“Alright see you then.” Emmara waved goodbye as Ral started running towards Nivix.

<…>

“So Xerath went missing?” A man with brown hair asked. One of his arms was almost completely covered in steel and he wore a brown trench coat, adorned with golden gears and red fabric. Standing beside him was a yordle with a huge blonde afro in a lab coat.

“Indeed. Some summoners tried to track his magical signature down, but he just disappeared off this world.” The yordle said. Both stood in front of a massive machine. “Are you sure you’re ready for this Jayce?” The man picked up a golden hammer, which lay on a table.

“Hit it Heimer.” He said. The yordle, made sure that Jayce was ready, pushed a button on his controller. The center of the machine started glowing in a light blue. “It seems like it’s working properly.” Jayce said. The machine then begun shaking violently, sending Jayce to the ground. “What is happening?”

“It appears there’s something interfering with the coordinates.” Heimer said trying to shut down the machine.

“So that means I’m going to a random dimension, right?” Jayce asked, trying to get on his feet.

“I’m afraid so. Be safe friend, I will try to rebuild it to bring you back.” Heimer said.

“It was nice knowing you Heimer.” Jayce said with a smile before being engulfed by the light. It glowed so bright, Heimer had to cover his eyes. When he took his arm out of the way he saw how damaged the machine was.

“Oh dear…”

<…>

There’s only one song I can think of to describe my situation.” Jayce said, floating in a chaotic void. Every second was a torture. He felt as if every atom of his body was going in a different direction, he felt like he was being ripped apart. “I wonder how Cho’ Gath, Kog’ Maw ad Kha’ Zix survive in here.” He muttered.

A few seconds later, which seemed like an eternity, he heard very faint voices before he felt like he was grabbed and dragged to somewhere. Being tuckered out from the ‘torture’ he didn’t bother fighting back, as he let unconsciousness take him.

<…>

“And that’s about it.” Xerath finished his explanation on the specifics of the League and Valoran.

“Wow, that was amazing! Wait… what tribe of Freljord won the war?” Twilight asked.

“It is not over yet so it is impossible for me to announce the winner.” Xerath answered.

As Twilight was about to talk, a flash of light interrupted them. “Hey there.” Ral greeted. By his side was Emmara and an unconscious Jayce.

“Who’s the elf? And why is Jayce here?” Xerath asked.

“I am Emmara, I am a healer part of the Selesnya Conclave. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She said with a warm smile.

“So this guy’s name is Jayce? We just found him floating around in the Blind Eternities with this hammer thingy. Apparently a magical aura from some machine saved him from death.” Ral said, laying Jayce down on the grass and giving him a small shock with his magic, bringing Jayce back to the world of the conscious.

“Huh? Wha- What happened?” He stuttered out.

“You’re in a new world.” Xerath said.

“I can recognize that deep ghostly voice anywhere! Xerath you’re here!” Jayce exclaimed.

“Yes I am. The events which led to my appearance here are still shrouded in mystery though. But my question is, how did you get here?” Xerath asked.

“Me and Heimer were working on an inter-dimensional teleporter but it went haywire. Next thing I knew, I was in the void.” Jayce said.

“You were not in the place you call the void. You were on the Blind Eternities, the space between planes.” Ral said.

“Interesting… But do you mind telling me who you two are?” Jayce asked.

“Name’s Ral Zarek, Izzet guildmage. Nice to meet you.” Ral shook Jayce’s hand.

“And I’m Emmara, a healer from the Selesnya Conclave. It’s always nice to meet a new person.” Emmara introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you too. My name is Jayce, known as the defender of tomorrow amongst summoners.” Jayce said before turning towards Xerath, seeing the purple unicrn standing in front of the arcane being.

“Hi my name is Twilight Sparkle. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Jayce.” She said.

“Never seen a unicorn before… new dimension, new rules I guess.” Jayce said shrugging. “It is nice to meet you anyway.”

<…>

“Their numbers are increasing master Nicol.” Lazav said. “This day they’ve gotten two very powerful reinforcements. Jayce, the defender of tomorrow and Emmara, a Selesnyan healer. I recommend you to take action soon.” Lazav said to the dragon.

“All in due time Lazav. When you live for as long as I have, you learn that timing is essential, and you also learn when the right time is. Your advice was taken into account but remember… I know exactly what I’m doing.” Nicol said as the lights in the cave he stood intensified, due to the progress on the research made by his minions.