Nerimazeth (Ezreal X FemaleCharacter, (LoA))

--- ☀ The Promise ☀ ---

I lift my hand to the large sandstone doors. Images engraved on their surface, telling the story of a long forgotten nation and its unworthy leader, begin to glow a faint golden hue. The doors slide open and warm light pours in from the next room. A large hall, well illuminated by the orange fire light of a hundred golden torches, can be seen in front of us, alive with commotion and song.

"The Grand Hall of Flame." I say, reminiscent.

I begin walking into the hall, Ezreal follows by my side. The floors have been cleared of sand and the crumbling walls have been repaired. There are translucent people dancing and cheering in the hall. Performers, dressed in ceremonial golden robes decorated with emeralds and rubies, dramatically clash swords and spit fire on stage. I notice the people in the crowds are dressed in clothes of different eras and various cities of Shurima. I watch the after images of children running past us as we walk through the crowds. I can hear them laughing.

"Are these?" Ezreal begins to ask.

"My people." I answer.

I feel something light bump into my leg. I stop and look down.

"Empreal! You've finally returned!"

A small boy with tousled hair clings to my leg and looks up at me, smiling widely. I feel my heart clench. I reach down to pat the child's head. He almost feels tangible. A tall woman with short hair and wearing golden armour, approaches us and gently places her hand on the boy's shoulder. She looks familiar.

She speaks softly to the boy, "now, Tiamumu. Please don't bother the Empreal." She looks up to me and bows her head slightly, "she has some important things to do."

I nod my head in thanks and the two of them walk away into the crowd of people. Ezreal and I continue to move towards the triple archway on the opposite side of the room. The solid stone columns stand tall and sturdy. The large cracks in them slowly seal themselves as we approach.

Once we are through the archway, I turn back around and look into the bright, lively room. The crowd has turned to look at us. They look happy.

"It's time for them to rest now." I say quietly.

Some of the people wave to me while others bow their heads. Slowly, one by one, they begin to disappear.

"Is this okay?"

I look at Ezreal and answer him, "yes, their time of living has been over for a long time now."

I look back at the disappearing crowd. Eventually, there is only one person remaining. The tall woman in gold armour looks at me. I reach my hand out to her.

"Wait-" I begin.

She gently shakes her head and then gives me a comforting smile. "Thank you." The golden soldier bows deeply and her image disperses, like sand in the wind. "Take care, Shurimeth. I know you'll do well."

I lower my hand and put it to my chest. "Vahnnri." I say her name under my breath as I finally recall it. Thank you. Farewell, everyone. An invisible weight lifts off my shoulders. I feel a tear stream down my cheek. Right, this mortal body can cry.

"Were you two close?"

"Yes." I wipe the tear away. "She was my most loyal soldier."

The hall remains illuminated by firelight, but the voices of the people can no longer be heard. I turn away and face the abyss. We walk to the bottom of the stairs and I step off the broken step.

"Hey!" Ezreal exclaims from the step above me.

The fallen stone rises from the dark pit and reforms the last step beneath my foot. I look behind me and see his shocked expression. I chuckle to myself. Does he not know? I was the one who built this place.