Shadow Isles Invasion STG2: The Strength of Death.

((Location: The wall))

Garen quickly followed Jarvan up to the ramparts, keeping as close as he could. It was dangerous for the Prince to be down here, so close to enemy forces; with no guarantee that this wasn't a trap to draw the Prince out into the open. He placed himself by the Prince's side, his trained eyes searching for any immediate dangers before shifting below to the cause of the disturbance.

The Seneschal seemed to be squaring off against an unknown enemy, alone outside the gates. But he was only fighting a single opponent, the undead had not shifted their ranks; instead sending forth a single champion. This could only mean one thing: Xin Zhao had accepted the invader's challenge.

"Damn" Garen breathed, his shoulders tensing uneasily. A hand moved to his sword almost on instinct, and he left it there as he slowly edged toward the wall; placing himself slightly ahead of Jarvan at a better position to shield from any potential attacks.

"The challenge has already been made, Demacian's do not withdraw from a duel and ordering him back now would leave a permanent stain on his honour. Nor are we in a position to retrieve him in the first place." Garen looked down at Xin Zhao, his calculating gaze wandering from the man's back to his opponent. The Seneschal was a peerless warrior, and his prowess in battle was one of if not his most defining trait. But blood had been drawn on both sides, and the Shadow Isles' champion had some sort of deathly magic at his disposal. It would be a heated battle, with dire consequences. Regardless of whether Xin Zhao won or not, he should have sought approval first; there would be a fierce reprimand for this sort of cavalier behaviour. He hoped the Seneschal understood what his actions meant.

"Trust him to jump into the first fight that presents itself." Garen said simply, though there was no humour in the remark. He shot a firm glance down the line to the guards, several of which seemed to be neglecting their duties in favour of watching the fight. A few noticed immediately, backs straightening and faces pale under the fierce gaze of the captain of the Dauntless Vanguard. There would be no slacking off in his presence, especially under the circumstances.

((Location: Wall))

Poppy shudders and shakes her head at the shriek coming from the distance. Hmph. The Seneschal was foolish to think that the fight would not include some sort of trick like that. But, the rest of Demacia would not fall that simply. The numbers of the undead were impressive, but most of them were not as well trained or as fast as the Demacians.

"Demacians, do not listen to the threats of your enemy. They threaten all life, they threaten your very ideals. And what do Demacians do when an enemy threatens them? THEY BRING THE ENEMY TO JUSTICE!

This enemy is no different than Noxus. They will kill you if they get the chance, so do not give them the chance! Put the dead back to their graves, bring Justice to the land. Do not falter. FOR DEMACIA! FOR VALORAN!"

She lifts Whomper up, the hammer beginning to glow with power. The undead would be crushed in the name of Demacia. They would fall for the good of all Valoran. Today was a day to remember. Demacia would stand against the shadow once more, and it would not fall.

Poppy lifts her large shield into position, the armor she had named simply as battle regalia glimmering in the light that the glowing hammer created.

((BTW EVERYONE. Gillam heard noise and so did Victus. He ain't on the wall, as he is checking the noise out. Morde was flipping him off long after Victus left. I plan on send Gillam a PM and then making a post real soon.))

From the heavens above Demacia, a heavy cry echoed like rolling thunder across the sky. A white, serpent-like creature could be seen dipping in and out of the clouds as she drew nearer to the wall Jarvan and Garen stood upon. Another roar, filled with sorrow carried wide upon the wind.

The form of a white, Ionian dragon racing downward could be seen, heading in the direction of where Xin's body lay. The sorrowful cry turned into one of rage, blindly gaining speed faster and faster towards its destination.

"NO!" Echoed the cry, "DEMACIA WILL NOT FALL!"

The dragon hit the ground sending a wave of fierce wind in a wide sphere out from around her. Mud slung about, kicking up rocks and dirt alike. The beast guardied the body of the fallen Seneschal. No regard for her own safety, she snarled towards Azazel fearlessly. Fury burning brightly in her golden eyes, "RETURN HIM!" She knew what the Shadow Isles could do with his spirit. She would not see another ally be ripped away from life by monsters.

Not Noxus.

Not the Shadow Isles.

Fangs bared with a fierce snarl, eyes set mainly upon Azazel however she maintained her vigilance knowing she was in a dangerous position.

"Return his soul to him." She demanded with claws digging into the ground beneath her. She was ready knowing they'd likely attack. The wind dragon had a few tricks up her sleeve. She would not simply walk in to die.

Mordekaiser looked at the corpse of the Seneschal. At last! After constant matches of slaying (as well as BEING slain himself, but his pride prevented from acknowledging), the man who could take on so many died to just one man. He heard the roar and the dark tornado erupt from Azazel so that the King may speak. He still kept on a small smile from Xin's death, even though the King was to be feared with his horrific power.

He then looked over at the barrier that began to crack. He moved the mace from his shoulder and let it sink into the earth with a loud thud. He tightened the grip on his mace in anticipation. Finally, it was time to inflict pain and sickness upon the mortals. However, his mood was completely killed when he heard the howling within the sky. He let out a groan of frustration, as his patience was fading away. Who tried to interfere THIS time? Seeing how it was some pathetic dragon exposing its weakness by huddling over a foolish mortal, he scoffed lightly. He was however, able to hear Karthus's proposal. A dragon is better than Xin Zhao...

But why not both?

He began stepping forward slowly and carefully as to not aggravate the dragon

Loaction: Demacian Streets
Before Ruined King's Duel

Gillam quickly gestured to Victus to follow him through the city to see if they could pinpoint where the shout came from. He then turned to the Ambassador, and called out softly "Watch the wall! We will return shortly!" Gillam hoped she could hear him, but it was most likely not the case.

After Duel

The cry of victory from the Ruined King emanated throughout the city, and Gillam looked up in fear. "No..." Xin Zhao had lost, but not all hope was lost...for now. "Victus, we have to find where that scream came from! The Shadow Islanders probably have troops within our walls as we speak!" Gillam continued to dash through the city, frantically searching every alleyway. He did not appear to notice that the pendant around his neck began to glow a bright gold light.