Convince Me

Xayah: So, you want to know how it all went down? The First Star's light is supposed to protect us. They say it represents everything good in the universe. Friendship. Love.

Zoe: Oh? You're not done playing yet? I love to play new games! This one's called "Kill The Star Guardians!"

Xayah: They say that the First Star's supposed to protect us. And in a way.....it does.

Xayah opened her eyes.

Xayah: And that's my story. You don't have to believe it....oh? So....even knowing all that....you'll join me?

Saki: <Chirp>

Xayah stood alone in a building with her arms crossed. The only person she was speaking to was her familiar, Saki.

Xayah: What? Why wouldn't she join in the end? It's a good speech!

Xayah. Third Year. Blood Type B. Hobby: Judging People. Favorite Food: Raspberry Chocolate Cake. Favorite Subject: Criminal Law. Proficiency: Star Magic. Occupation: Star Guardian.

Saki: <Chirp!>

Xayah: Yeah, whatever. Everyone's a critic. Dramatic performances were Rakan's thing anyway.

Xayah looked around the city that surrounded her. One that she honestly knew nothing about. After all, she wasn't on Runeterra anymore.

Silvermere City,
Demacia Cluster

Two Months After Starfall

The people of this planet had blue skin and ate what looked to be....not so pleasing food. It made Xayah want to gag. Yet, at the same time, her need for food might eventually win out. She really hoped not.

However, she found that her hunger would have to wait when a loud crash echoed through the air. She rushed to the edge of the roof and looked down to see smoke rising from a few cars as something crashed around.

Xayah: Huh. Guess I don't need the speech after all.

Saki: <Chirp!>

Xayah: It's a good speech, shut up.

She crouched down and watched as a figure leaped from the smoke with a rather large weapon. She looked experienced. The way she moved and the way she fought was definitely not how a rookie would.

The large creature rose from the smoke and launched towards the figure. In response, she leaped into the air and flipped to escape it's grasp. She landed a few yards away and took aim again.

Xayah: This one looks promising. Come on, Saki, let's show her we're serious.

???: You think a little butterfly kiss is gonna take me out?!

She fired a blast of magical energy right towards the monster which narrowly avoided it. The blast barely clipped it, but it did enough to stagger it. Xayah landed on top of a street light just as the girl readied her rifle again.

???: Let's see who's got a bigger gun.

Another blast, a much bigger one, soared through the air before it blasted right through the monster, creating a myriad of colours to erupt in the area. Xayah and Saki watched with wide eyes, before Xayah smiled.

Xayah: Oh, she's perfect.

The girl let out a sigh and rested the rifle on her shoulder. She too a quick glance at the damage, then looked up.

???: You enjoy the show?

Xayah figured she would know she was there. She could probably feel the First Star in her. With no real reason to hide, Xayah hopped down and landed on the stree.

Xayah: I really liked the death laser part. Xayah, by the way. This is Saki. We were just on our way to join the fun.

The girl didn't seem too impressed. Xayah didn't really blame her.

???: Senna. This is Giru.

Saki and Giru immediately began to play while Xayah crossed her arms.

Senna: We don't need your help.

Senna began to walk away, but Xayah followed.

Xayah: Yeah. Obviously. But I....I need yours.

Senna stopped walking, but shrugged.

Senna: You know how it goes. Sooner or later everyone falls, but not me. I won't. So I work alone now. It's better this way.

She continued walking.

Senna: Funny. You're the first Guardian I've seen in years. Why come all this way?

Xayah stood there for a moment. Why was she out here? She had other Guardians who would help her if she had just asked, but what options did she even have? Ahri and Sarah were dead to her, their new team were her replacement, the other guardians were rookies, and you were unstable. Also, you weren't answering anything.

Rakan was gone.

Xayah: I....I had this whole speech planned out. I just lost so much.

Senna: Losing people's part of the gig, Xayah.

Xayah: But what if it didn't need to be that way? What if you could save them?

Senna: We both know fallen Guardians don't come back.

Xayah: I did.

Senna stopped and looked at the girl. She then placed her gun on her back and eyed her. Was she telling the truth? Was it worth believing?

Xayah: If you had a chance to bring someone back, even the smallest chance, wouldn't you take it?

Would she?

Senna: You said you already came back?

Xayah: Oh yeah. I'm like a hot zombie.

Senna shrugged and the two began to walk together.

Senna: Alright, I'm intrigued. What do you got in mind?

Xayah: Okay, but first I have to tell you how this all started. I didn't practice that speech for nothing. Once you know the details, there's no way you'll refuse.

☆

Supernova

Kai'Sa had attended far too many funerals. Too many services where she had to watch parents of her classmates cry and beg for their children. She had walked past too many empty lots that once held homes and businesses but were ultimately destroyed by the battle that occurred three months ago.

Valoran City has changed and recovered, but the dread and darkness still hung over the heads of many. The day was won, but many lost everything.

But Kai'Sa? Kai'Sa still had the most important thing.

Akali: Hey.

Kai'Sa looked up to find her best friend sitting across from her. The ramen shop was pretty dead seeing how it was the middle of a Wednesday, but they had managed to get out of school early due to finishing their class duties. Between the mandatory therapy check ups and the memorials of the past few weeks, Kai'Sa found herself to be more exhausted than ever.

When Akali suggested they meet up, she couldn't help but agree. She really just wanted to relax for a moment. A nice breath of air would do her well. But, even now, she found her mind racing.

Akali: You okay? You seem a bit distracted.

Kai'Sa felt bad. She didn't mean to worry her friend.

Kai'sa: Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking about....stuff.

Akali: You want to share with the class?

No, she didn't.

Kai'Sa: It's nothing.

It wasn't. Her mind was on the Star Guardians that had saved the city and saved them. Sarah, Lux, Jinx, you, Xayah, and Rakan. Everyone. She had no idea where any of you were. Would you ever come back? Would you ever need to come back? What if there was another attack?

Akali: If you say so. What are you getting?

Kai'sa didn't have much of an appetite, but she did need to eat. In the end she chose to get a beef bowl while Akali kept to her usual. Akali placed the orders and returned to the table where she flipped a fork around her fingers. She whistled the theme song to a cartoon they both knew.

Kai'sa had no idea how she could be so carefree. She had to go to the same funerals, the same therapy sessions. How was she still so unaffected by everything? She was directly attacked during the battle. It annoyed Kai'Sa, but it also made her jealous. How come she was still struggling with everything yet Akali seemingly doesn't care.

Akali noticed her friend's face and stopped playing with the fork.

Akali: Okay, spill. Clearly something is wrong.

Kai'Sa shook her head.

Kai'Sa: It's just....how are you okay?

Akali was confused by what her friend meant, but said nothing.

Kai'Sa: A lot of people died. People we knew. The city was destroyed and yet you seem so carefree.

Akali shrugged. She didn't know what to say. She didn't grieve as hard as Kai'Sa did, never has, but she still felt the affects. She saw them everywhere she went. The arcade that was built on the ruins of the community center, the hospital that had mismatching buildings, the people that wondered around like possessed corpses.

Her homeroom was emptier than before. Conversations were now that of tragedy and despair. Friends missing friends and family. She wasn't unaffected by it, she just dealt with it differently. She didn't show it as much as Kai'Sa did, but she also didn't love has hard as Kai'Sa did. She didn't wear her heart on her sleeve.

Akali: It's not that. I just don't think it's worth dwelling on.

Kai'Sa: Dwelling on? Akali, people died. Homes were destroyed.

Akali: Yeah. I'm aware. Thank you for reminding me about the time we almost died.

Kai'Sa felt a sting in her heart. She didn't mean to upset her friend, but she had. Akali tapped her finger on the table before she stood up.

Akali: I just remembered, I have somewhere to be.

Kai'Sa tried to stop her, but Akali grabbed her bag and headed out of the shop. Akali walked faster than Kai'Sa. She would never catch up to her without running. And if that was the case, then Akali wanted to be left alone. She would probably go to the arcade or head home to watch TV.

As Akali headed off, she felt a shiver. A sense of dread that seemed to burrow into her stomach. She didn't even notice the sky shift into a strange myriad of checkered colours.

The girl sat there by herself and sighed. She really did just want to take her mind off of things, but she only made it worse. Now her friend was mad at her and heading off on her own. Annnnnd the ramen showed up. Perfect.

Kai'Sa silently ate by herself. At least, that's what she thought. She suddenly found someone sitting across from her. A familiar face that had flashed through her mind many times since the attack.

Lux smiled as she looked at the girl. Physically, Kai'Sa was older. But, Lux has been a Star Guardian for nearly two years now. She was still 16. At least she looked 16. She would be 18 by now if she did age.

Kai'Sa: You're....

Lux: Yeah. And you're Kai'Sa. We met.

Kai'Sa remembered clearly. After the fight Lux and her team helped escort them to safety. It was right before you all left on some mission.

Lux: You seem surpise. I guess that's to be expected.

Kai'Sa: Just a bit. What are you doing here?

Lux looked around before turning back to Kai'Sa.

Lux: I'm here to talk to you. Make you an offer, if you will.

Kai'Sa tilted her head. Lux reached into her pocket and pulled out a small star shaped gem. She placed it in the table and slid it towards Kai'Sa.

Lux: Valoran City will need protectors. I think you would make a great one.

☆

Dark Star

You let out a yawn. The dark cosmos swirled around you as you stared at the makeshift fire you had created. The vacuum of space made it a bit hard to keep it going, but you managed to find a spot that was habitable.

???: 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔 𝖒𝖊, 𝖒𝖞 𝖉𝖊𝖆𝖗 𝖇𝖔𝖞.

You looked back to the large being that was in the process of consuming an entire star. Once it was gone the air would be colder. You had been having to deal with this thing for the last half year. Long enough for you to grow a bit of a beard.

His name was Jhin, a former Dark Star Knight. You refused to believe it at first, but he spoke of his team and how he had failed. In that you were connected. But beyond that, you refused to bond with such a terrible creature.

Jhin: 𝕸𝖞 𝖉𝖊𝖆𝖗 𝖇𝖔𝖞, 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖆 𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖞.

Y/N: Yeah. You said that. A lot.

You poked the fire and thought back to your friends. You had been traveling through this cluster of meteors as quickly as you could. Remains of a dead planet, you had assumed, that was left to be destroyed after it's Star waa consumed. You really just wanted to go back. You wanted to see everyone. You wanted to see Sarah.

Jhin: 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖗𝖐 𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗....

Y/N: Would you give it a rest already?! Whatever stupid dark quest you have I don't want it. Go find some other Dark Star Knight!

Jhin: 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖘 𝖓𝖔 𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗.

You froze. You slowly lifted your head and looked back at the being. What did he mean there was no other? There had to be hundreds of Dark Star Knights, right? Yeah. Yeah! He was just messing with you. Using your vulnerable mindset to try and manipulate you.

But what if he wasn't? What if you really were the last Knight? Who was protecting the other Guardians? Who would take your place if you were to perish? You haven't picked a successor. If you were to die would that mean that the Dark Star Knights would die with you?

Y/N: What do you mean?

Jhin's eye snapped to look at you. Even when he moved the dying star swirled into his chest, feeding him to try and satisfy his endless hunger. The cosmos seemed to flow like water around his body. You felt like an ant in the ocean experiencing a whale. No. You felt smaller.

Jhin: 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖚𝖒𝖊𝖉 𝖇𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖗𝖐 𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖆 𝖐𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙.

Consumed? How could you be consumed?

Y/N: You aren't making any sense. Can you just tell me what the void is happening?

Jhin: 𝖁𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝖜𝖊𝖑𝖑. 𝕬𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜 𝖒𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖙 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌.

So he did.

Long ago, eons upon eons before any life would be created, there was the First Star. A being of pure starlight and all the hope that the newly created universe held. It was created by an unknown being that had created every little thing before life would be brought forth. The creator of all things.

The First Star was happy with it's role within the universe. It was to help guide the stars towards creation and to prosper. It lived carefree and carried out it's duties. But not all was well. With the creator came the destroyer. The embodiment of evil itself had found it's way into this young universe and began to deconstruct everything it could. Tearing apart the very fabric of reality in ways that the creator could never see coming.

The Creator wanted to protect the First Star in her battle against evil. In order to do so he created a Guardian meant to defend and fight for the First Star. This was the creation of the Dark Star, created using the remains of the darkness left behind by the Destroyer. He was the first Dark Star Knight, making the First Star the first Star Guardian.

Together they battled the evil the plagued their home. Together they ousted back the darkness. Together they created the first life. It took centuries before the first civilization would be created. During their battle the life grew and changed until they were fully able to care for themselves.

The two Guardians watched and cared for these people. The very first life among the stars. But they could not protect them alone.

The First Star gifted her power to a young warrior. A fearless girl who became the second Star Guardian. More soon followed. But they were a beacon to darkness. The Destoryer corrupted and killed. Every lost Guardian wounded the First Star. The Dark Star wished to protect it's beloved and found a warrior among the stars. This would become the second Dark Star Knight.

Together, generations of Star Guardians and Dark Star Knights battled the forces of evil. But not all was well. Being created by the darkness itself, the Dark Star's power soon began to consume and corrupt the Dark Star Knights. One by one they fall to the darkness, becoming lost in the madness of the stars and the dancing evil that filled their minds.

The Dark Star could not bare to see them perish. As their power grew and their madness consumed, the Knights began to change and morph into beings of starlight. They grew and consumed themselves until they could fulfill their never-ending hunger. They wondered the stars to try and find a solution. A cure. But they only found darkness.

The Dark Star could no longer watch it's creations suffer. It created one final Knight before it went silent. No one could hear its voice now. There would be no more Dark Star Knights.

Jhin: 𝕹𝖔𝖜 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖊𝖊 𝖜𝖍𝖞 𝕴 𝖆𝖒 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝕴 𝖆𝖒.

You sat there with wide eyes. You never knew this story. You never knew how the First Star came to be. Or how the Dark Star created Knights. You touched your chest. You had the darkness inside of you already? You were already infected with it? Why didn't it say anything before?

You looked at the celestial being in disbelief. Was he telling the truth? If he was, does that mean you'll turn into something similar? Will you lose your mind and succumb to the madness of the stars?

Will you lose everything all over again?

Jhin: 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖆 𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖞. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖒𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖋𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖎𝖙.

You looked at your hands. You couldn't feel the darkness, but maybe that was why you were able to sense it when the Guardians couldn't. You clenched your fists. You rose to your feet and looked out at the endless universe.

Y/N: Fine. What do I need to do?

Jhin lifted his arm and pointed at something off in the distance. You couldn't see that far, but you were sure it was either a star or a planet.

Jhin: 𝕲𝖔 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕱𝖗𝖊𝖑𝖏𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗. 𝕱𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗 𝕲𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖎𝖆𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖍𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊. 𝕳𝖊 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖌𝖚𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚.

The Freljord cluster? You've never heard of it before. You wouldn't even know where to look. But if this could be the way to save yourself, to save the ones you loved, then you would go. Your armor covered your body, and you blasted off. As you soared among the stars Jhin watched.

He wished for your success, but knew what lied after. He only hoped you loved your Guardians enough to make the sacrifice.