The Phoenix's Child: A League of Legends Story

Chapter 4

The guardian trees were making their own way so I could walk among them, as if they were trying to welcome me here. Every step I took, magic literally flowed out of the soil I had walked on and new life flourished in the form of small white flowers. I knew I was capable of healing and wood weaving, but this, it was completely new. I had not experienced this before, not even back home.

The nostalgia washed over me briefly, remembering all the good times I had in a place just like this. A soft smile curled up in my lips as my hands slid through the white and sturdy tree barks around me. The surface of the guardian tree trunks was less coarse than the usual trees; it was soft, almost like marble. My gloved hands would slide seamlessly through the bark, occasionally being halted by a small chip of wood. I took my gloves off so I could feel the satisfaction myself. As my hands traveled gently through their surface, the trees expelled a sweet smell, letting me know that they felt happy and comfortable with my presence.

The ground below me shook with great force for a second before a Guardian emerged from its slumber. It was a gigantic golem made of trees and roots, who wore the red foliage of said trees with great elegance. Decorating what would be it's face was a great green gem, serving as an eye of sorts. The giant approached me friendly and offered me it's massive right hand. He placed it on the ground before me, as if asking me to step on it, so I did. Right after I followed suit, the guardian raised me up to his tallest branches.

My breath escaped me from the immense beauty that was laid bare before me. The natural wonders of Navori were painted all over the Land, different sceneries all gathered before me. The guardian forests spread wide, but so did the multicolored prairies of wild flowers and the mighty rivers that crossed the island. Small villages and settlements were scattered across the valleys and forests. I turned around to see what hid behind me, only to be amazed by the seamless transition into the Fae'lor coast. The landscape became more mountainous but the colors and the life never faded. Canyons carved by magical rivers of old rested on the side of the coastal slopes, which gently descended into the crystalline beaches. I took a moment to gather it all in me: it indeed felt like home. Maybe this was a true fresh start.

It was even more beautiful than I remembered. Not even the Targonian skies rivaled the beauty of this place. Well, maybe just a little. The sight of celestial dragons was something to behold. And now that I think back at it, I'm so disappointed I couldn't look at The Infinite Mindsplitter. Kaija says "her old friend" is beautiful. But I'd like to debate that Inviolus Vox is more of an amazing sight, but Kaija says he's nothing to go crazy for, quite literally.

The Guardian Golem took me back to reality as he lowered me from the branches and brought me to face his gem. I touched it for a second out of curiosity, and my mind was quickly flooded by his. I could feel and see everything he did. I could see the rivers of magic more concretely; I could feel how deeply he treasured his forest and all its inhabitants. Even though it was an amazing feeling, it was too complex and overwhelming for a vastaya like me. There were too many things I couldn't interpret and had never experienced before. 

I hopped away from the guardian's cupped hands onto the soil beneath me and turned around to thank it for the experience. It did a very affectionate grumbling sound in response, and it returned to its previous dormant state shortly after.  I took a last look at my new acquaintance and a smile curled up in my lips; it was nice meeting new beings like these. They were always full of wonders and new experiences. 

Now, I had to bring my attention to a more pressing matter.  Where was I really going now? From what I had seen on the golem's crown, there was a town a few miles away from the forest. Ironically, if I followed the vanishing river of magic, I should be able to find my way to the human settlement.