Arcane: TTB: Ch. 145

The Hextech Dragon raised its head, and inside its maw, a crackling sphere of blue energy began to condense. Lightning arced wildly across the gathered power, radiating overwhelming destructive potential.

"Pull back now. We've done our job drawing attention. Leave the rest to Camille."

The moment Riven saw the Hextech Dragon activate its electromagnetic field, she understood that close combat had become impossible. Now that she watched the beast preparing its attack, she decisively gave the order to retreat.

They were made of flesh and blood, there was no way they could withstand a direct hit from something that powerful. Besides, they were never meant to be the primary attackers in this operation. Their entire purpose was creating a distraction, and opening up a vulnerability for Camille's strike.

"Understood!"

Marit responded quickly, pulling her trained mount into a sharp banking turn, beginning to circle around the Hexgate.

She'd noticed that Jayce's attacks avoided striking it.

Unfortunately, their trained mounts, though exceptionally well-bred specimens, were still flesh-and-blood creatures at their core. Their burst speed capabilities were no match for a mechanical dragon powered by Hextech crystals. At best, they possessed superior maneuverability in tight spaces. But retreating now didn't create meaningful distance between them and their pursuer. Instead, it allowed the diving dragon to close in even further as it built momentum.

ROAR!

With an explosive draconic roar, the Hextech Dragon unleashed a massive cross-shaped web of crackling electrical currents.

The lightning struck with terrifying speed. Riven didn't even have time to raise her runic blade to form a protective wind barrier.

"Ahh!"

Both Riven and Marit's bodies convulsed violently from the electrical shock, their hair standing completely on end.

Their mounts shrieked, muscles completely paralyzed. Wings froze, and they began plummeting helplessly toward the ground far below. From such a height, a fall meant nothing less than becoming unrecognizable smears on the pavement.

Crash!

From the upper levels of the Hexgate structure, a window suddenly shattered outward. A massive meteor hammer burst through the opening, hurtling directly toward Jayce.

The dragon was completely surrounded by its electromagnetic barrier, direct physical attacks would only result in the attacker being electrocuted into unconsciousness or worse. So Teneff had simply hurled her weapon like a disposable projectile.

On the opposite side of the building, Arrel also smashed through a window with her shoulder, throwing her hunting spear at Jayce's exposed position.

It wasn't the ideal moment to launch their attack. They were still enough distance away from their target, and the Hextech Dragon was moving at high velocity. But if they didn't provide covering fire right now, Riven and Marit would end up as corpses.

"What?!"

Jayce was startled by the sudden ambush. He'd been completely focused on his aerial opponents and hadn't anticipated attacks from the building's upper floors. He immediately abandoned his pursuit of the falling warriors and ordered the dragon to ascend rapidly.

Thud!

The meteor hammer struck the dragon's belly. But the weapon's blow amounted to nothing more than a superficial scratch.

The real danger came from Arrel's spear throw.

The hunting spear whistled through the air, passing so close to Jayce's head that he could feel the wind. It left him drenched in cold sweat from the near-death experience.

Fortunately for Riven and Marit, their mounts' naturally sturdy physiology allowed them to recover mid-fall before they struck the ground. Breaking free from the temporary paralysis, they flapped their wings to stabilize their descent.

This outcome was also partly because Jayce had held back his dragon's full power.

His original plan had been to knock out both the mounts and their riders, then catch them with the dragon's claws, disarm them of weapons, and secure them in Hextech restraints. They'd be ready for transport to prison facilities once Cipher arrived to take custody. But now that plan had become completely unnecessary. With a single slash, Riven carved through a wall, and the surviving mounts immediately charged through the opening straight into the Hexgate's interior.

In an open aerial engagement, their mounts were no match for the Hextech Dragon's superior speed and firepower. Their only chance for survival was using the Gate's internal architecture as protective cover, conducting hit-and-run skirmishes against Jayce.

The dragon's size meant it couldn't enter the Gate's narrow passages and chambers.

Inside the safety of the structure, Jayce wiped sweat from his forehead. He'd been far too occupied with defending against constant attacks to pay attention to where Riven's team had disappeared.

Dodging hunting spears thrown from every angle while trying to command the dragon to launch effective counterattacks left him completely scrambling.

But Arrel was clearly a seasoned combat veteran. She was quick and agile in her positioning, completely unpredictable in her attack. Each time she struck from a new firing position, she immediately relocated to different cover before Jayce could target her. For the moment, his counterattacks were having no effect on suppressing her harassment.

He also didn't have the option of unleashing the dragon's most destructive area-of-effect attacks, afraid of causing damage to the priceless Hexgate structure.

So, he was forced to confront just how little combat experience he possessed. This wasn't even a true battlefield engagement, merely a chaotic skirmish involving a handful of elite fighters. Yet here he stood atop what should be an overwhelming weapon, being driven into disorder and facing repeated brushes with death.

From her position within another building's shadows, Camille's eyes remained locked onto Jayce's movements. She patiently waited for the perfect opportunity to strike.

As Jayce became flustered by the barrage of projectiles, she seized her moment. She quickly fired her leg-mounted grappling hook, activated the hydraulic boosters, and launched herself through the air like a missile.

Her energy shield flared to life to resist the dragon's electromagnetic barrier, and she hurtled directly toward Jayce's position. Killing Jayce outright wasn't her objective here. A dead Jayce represented far less value than a living hostage. Having finally realized that Clan Ferros had already been completely abandoned and sold out by the Black Rose leadership, her current plan was capturing Jayce alive to use as a bargaining chip.

From Jayce's blind spot, he remained unaware of Camille's approach. But the airship hovering above the battlefield had unobstructed vision of the entire situation. Caitlyn and Sheriff Grayson already had their Hextech rifles trained directly on Camille's trajectory, safeties disengaged and ready to fire at any moment.

Simultaneously, Ambessa lashed out with her chainblade weapon toward Camille's flight path.

Just to ensure Jayce's safety, Cipher also ordered his combat drone into direct action. If Caitlyn and the others somehow failed to intercept the attack, the drone would dive to block Camille's strike even at the cost of its own destruction.

Bang! Bang!

Two rifle shots rang out. The Hextech weapons discharged highly condensed energy projectiles. But Camille had already raised her energy shield. The energy bullets only managed to knock her slightly off her trajectory.

Ambessa's chain, however, wrapped around Camille's torso.

"Hahaha! Jayce, in real combat you must keep your awareness everywhere at once, not just what's directly in front of you!"

She laughed, yanking her chainblade backward.

Camille, with absolutely no stable foothold while suspended in midair, had her carefully planned ambush completely torn apart. She was dragged brutally sideways out of her attack vector.

Recognizing immediately that she couldn't injure her opponent through the chain while airborne, and wary of being pulled off-balance herself if Camille managed to get a solid grip on the weapon, she smoothly retracted her blade.

After all, despite her physical conditioning, she remained flesh and blood. Her raw strength couldn't hope to match a half-mechanical augmented warrior in a direct contest of force.

Losing her grappling support, Camille began falling toward the ground. She twisted her body to face Ambessa directly. Without wasting words on pointless threats, she immediately fired her grappling hook toward a different structural support. In mere seconds, she had vanished into another building.

Caitlyn and Sheriff Grayson each fired additional follow-up shots, but neither could penetrate her energy shield.

With the danger successfully passed, the combat drone that had been diving to intercept pulled up sharply and returned to its patrol altitude.

"You made it just in time," Jayce said with relief once he finally registered what had just happened. Deeply embarrassed by his complete lack of situational awareness, he awkwardly greeted his rescuers while guiding the Hextech Dragon to approach the airship's position more closely.

"Ambessa, you betrayed Noxus?!"

Riven shouted in fury from behind a wall toward Ambessa on the airship.

She had witnessed everything. If not for her chainblade, Camille would have succeeded in capturing or killing Jayce.

"Betrayal? Hahaha! Your vision remains narrow. You can't even distinguish what's right from lies."

Ambessa stood confidently on the airship's observation deck. She surveyed the battlefield, but still couldn't locate the target she most wanted to capture. Raising one eyebrow, she called out, "Tell me something. Where exactly is your commanding officer?"

"You think I would tell you anything? You're a traitor to the Empire!"

Riven moved rapidly through the structure's interior, constantly changing positions to avoid being targeted.

On the airship's main deck, Ambessa's private army had already raised their crossbows.

"Traitor? The House Medarda has never betrayed Noxus. The true traitors corrupting our Empire are the Black Rose and their puppet masters. And Emystan is complicit in their schemes. Instead of leading a courageous final charge forward with honor, she abandoned her own soldiers to save her worthless skin. Such cowardice deserves nothing less than execution!"

"A pathetic coward like that somehow sits in positions of high command. And you, Riven, you possess nothing but exceptional skill with that sword. Not even your own loyal warband remains to support you. How pitiful your situation has become!"

"Noxus is sick. It should never have degraded to this state. We are the ones fighting for what the Empire should represent. Today I will demonstrate to you the principles of survival and honor in Noxus!"

She held interest in recruiting Riven to her cause. Like Cipher, she too recognized the young warrior's potential and wanted to acquire her loyalty before anyone else could. Now she intended to beat Cipher to that prize. But despite all her eloquent speeches and appeals to honor, Riven remained silent.

So Ambessa waved her hand dismissively at her soldiers, issuing new orders.

"Bring the airship in closer. I'll handle this myself."

She donned her golden war mask.

The airship closed in. She leaped down, crashing through the already broken wall. Rictus and a full squad of elite soldiers immediately followed close behind their commander.

"Riven! In recognition of your past merits and service to the Empire, I'll grant you one opportunity for honorable combat. Come out from hiding, and face me directly!"

Her eyes narrowed as she scanned her surroundings.

The interior of the Hexgate was a complex structure, filled with countless blind spots. A single careless advance could mean walking directly into an ambush. She had no intention of testing whether Riven's legendary runic blade could penetrate her armor.

At that moment, Riven and Marit were hiding in the shadows opposite Anbesa. From their hiding spot, unless Ambessa came directly to their location, it would be impossible for her to discover them.

"Marit, I'll hold Ambessa's attention here. You need to find Arrel and Teneff immediately, then look for any opportunity to escape. Use the warhounds. We can follow the retreat path that General Emystan took. There's still a chance to get out of Piltover alive if you move fast."

Riven took a deep breath and gripped her blade more tightly.

Across the chamber, the sounds of heavy boots kept echoing through the structure.

She understood all too well the combat capabilities of a Noxian warlord's private troops. Without someone serving as a rearguard to hold them off and buy time, none of the Crimson Elite's core members would escape alive.

"And what about you? Ambessa is a famous veteran warrior, celebrated for both courage and exceptional skill. You might not be her match in single combat."

"Even if you somehow manage to defeat her, she won't let you walk away afterward. Her adjutant will play dirty and order his soldiers to shoot you down."

Marit frowned. Riven could already judge the danger of their situation, but as a minor noble of Noxus herself, Marit saw it even more clearly.

She knew the temperament of Noxian warlords from family experience. Perhaps Ambessa did desire an honorable single combat with Riven to test her worth. But her adjutant would never allow his commander to take such an unnecessary risk. There would definitely be countless crossbows trained on Riven's position throughout the entire encounter.

The instant Ambessa showed any signs of being at a disadvantage or potentially losing, he would immediately give the order to open fire without hesitation. He would abandon all pretense of honor and strike from the shadows if necessary to protect his commander.

The surviving core members of the Crimson Elite each possessed outstanding skill and exceptional martial ability. They had endured war together. Marit simply couldn't force herself to watch Riven walk toward death, especially not for the purpose of covering their retreat.

"This is the only way for any of you to survive this. In war, someone must make the sacrifice. This time, it's my turn to be that person."

Riven turned her neck to look directly at Marit.

"I am the captain of the Crimson Elite. You will obey the direct order of your commanding officer! Live on, and make my sacrifice mean something!"

Marit reached out and tore the identification tag from around Riven's neck, pressing it close against her own chest as she spoke, "If you die here today, I swear we'll honor your memory with Ambessa's severed head as an offering!"

"Go now, before it's too late!"

Riven gave Marit one final look. Then she hefted her massive runic blade onto her shoulder and strode out into the open.

The moment Riven emerged, Marit immediately took flight on her mount.

But Ambessa's vigilant soldiers still noticed Marit's movement. Just as multiple crossbowmen prepared to fire and bring her down, Ambessa raised her hand. Naturally, she would not needlessly slaughter Riven's closest comrade and create deep hatred that would make future recruitment impossible. Otherwise, what sense was there in challenging Riven to an honorable duel unless she sought first to conquer the young warrior's will and respect, then secure her loyalty?

"Noxus has always held the supremacy of strength as our highest principle, but there are three core tenets that define what we should represent."

She raised a single finger for emphasis.

"Vision above all else. The wisdom to command, and perceive what others cannot see or understand. That represents the foundation of your path forward! The ability to see opportunities and threats that remain invisible to lesser minds."

She shook her head at Riven's current state.

"Sadly, you demonstrate almost none of this quality. Otherwise, you would never have fallen to such a situation."

"The second principle is Might. Commanding the environment around you through sheer force of will and capability." She lifted a second finger. "In this area, I'll admit you perform well."

"The third and final principle is Guile."

A third finger extended to complete the traditional trinity.

"Moving like a phantom without leaving traces. Employing deception like performance magic, swift and utterly unpredictable in execution. Cast aside inflexible concepts of dignity when necessary, abandon burdens that slow you down!"

"This quality, you lack most severely. Right now in your development, you remain merely a talented but reckless fighter, charging forward on hot blood alone, without any plan!"

She criticized Riven without any mercy, then lifted a fourth finger in addition to the traditional three.

"What I admire most in you is not your martial strength or your skill with that blade, but that you have already demonstrated to me a fourth principle I've come to understand through bitter experience. Sacrifice!"

"A noble quality born only from facing death directly and surviving unbearable pain."

She lifted her head toward the ceiling high above. After a long silence, she turned back to face Riven and continued, "You and I both understand this truth in ways that others cannot comprehend. We share this bond of understanding. We are warriors of the same spirit!"

With that, she shifted her stance, raising her fist and chainblade into a classical fighter's guard position.

In her youth, she had once faced certain death while carrying an unborn child. It was during that moment she finally grasped the meaning of true sacrifice. That revelation had allowed her to pass the Wolf Trial and return alive from the threshold of death.

Now, witnessing Riven willingly sacrifice herself as a commander to buy her squad even the smallest chance to survive, she recognized that same quality she valued above all others.