The meeting to remember. [Closed]

It had been years since he had moved. He had not counted how many had passed since Duran's death and his failure and he would have remained thus by his creator's side until kingdom come, had it not been for a young Yordle carrying a precious burden. Something had moved within him, and he had come to a realization: Demacia and the ideals Duran long protected with his inventions still remained. While he had failed to protect the man, he would not fail to protect his creator's home. His new home.

At least, that was the plan.

It had taken a few hours after the Yordle had left, before he stood. Looking in the direction she took, the way to Demacia, Galio spread his wings once more and took flight. As he approached the walls of the shining city, his sharp eyes picked out movement on the walls as guards ran about spreading the news of his approach. Galio was unsure of how he would be received since he no longer traveled with Druan.

Instead of flying directly into the city, Galio alighted in front of the gates and waited. Upsetting the guards would do no good, and he had not been a moment on the ground when a crowd of curious individuals--ranging from guards to civilians--surrounded him. He sat silently appraising the situation. Clearly, none of them meant him any harm. They all seemed surprised to see him. A few of the older ones, no doubt remembering Duran and his work, began to spread the rumor that one of Duran's surviving constructs had returned to Demacia.

Then, unexpectedly, the Yordle who had inspired him appeared through the crowd, with a very large hammer her hand. He puzzled over how one so small could wield a weapon so large for a moment as she spoke and met her eyes with his own.

Solemnly, having not spoken a single word in years, he replied, "Yes, you did indeed stand in my shade without knowing. I am Galio. A construct of the genius named Duran." He looked back over the crowd to the city, and continued, "Though you did not know it, your perseverance and resolution inspired me to come here. To protect the only home I know."

He fell silent, seemingly lost in contemplation of the glorious city.

When Galio spoke, the rest of the crowd backed away. Some in shock and some in awe. A few of the guards who had come out to meet him exchanged a glance, and a couple of them broke off to report the happenings at the gate to their superiors. As the small clearing was created, Poppy stood out and remained facing the giant gargoyle.

If stone could weep, Galio would. As it were, his face declined to gaze directly upon the sad, forlorn looking Yordle. The strength she found to continue on impressed the sentinel. Especially since they shared a similar sad past event.

In response to Poppy's question, he replied in a low even voice, "Duran is no more. He died and I failed. My failure left me standing stricken above my creator's body. I sat there for years, until you came along."

He laughed slightly, bitterly. "We have much more in common than I knew. We both lost someone, and yet we responded in a different way. Perhaps we did not take the same paths because of our goals. Mine was to protect Duran at all costs, but yours was to deliver the helm. It matter little now, however, since we both have found the same path in the end."

Once Poppy had finished speaking, Galio nodded his head to signal his understanding. In a slightly amused voice, he commented, "Whomper is the hammer's name? For one of your stature, it is quite the weapon."

In a more serious tone, he continued in a sage tone, "But silliness aside, it is good to have something to remember your father by. Using this weapon against your enemies will no doubt alleviate some of the pain, while still reminding you of why you fight. It is the same with myself in a way. Duran created me. He is--or was--the reason I exist now. Even though I failed him, I will always fight for what he worked for. In this way too we are similar. We will both work to bring Noxus to account for its misdeeds."

"And it seems we will be seeing more of each other. I am here to serve Demacia, and you will serve as ambassador. I am sure we will talk later," he finished, and looking up noticed the crowd around them had thinned, many having lost interest with the conversation.

Walking towards the sentinel, a group of guards pushed through the remaining onlookers and looked at Galio intently. It was clear that their goal was the stone golem. They had come as soon as the other guards had reported to their superiors and had been charged to bring him into the city to speak to him.

"And so it begins," Galio mused silently, watching their approach.