Recently Shyvana had been restless within the walls of the Royal Palace. Though she would never shirk from her duty to protect Prince Jarvan IV, it had been a long time since her friend and benefactor had gone out on an excursion as he turned his focus more towards internal affairs and left external matters to his trusted generals, like Garen. Being cooped up in the palace, few knew of Shyvana's draconic, and by extension, magical nature, making it hard for Shyvana to really be herself. She needed to let loose, to spread her wings, figuratively and literally. Jarvan, an ever vigilant friend, saw this in Shyvana, and suggested she go to the Adventurers Guild. He recognized how difficult it was for her as a magical creature, but with the Guild acquiescing to accepting Champions of a more magical nature, Jarvan felt it was the perfect opportunity for Shyvana to do something without needing to hide who she was, while also being a Demacian insider to keep an eye on whatever adventuring party was formed and make sure they didn't go against the interests nor the ideals of Demacia. Taking his advice with gratitude, Shyvana set out for the Guild Hall.

Arriving at the Guild Hall, Shyvana could tell that the courier that Jarvan had sent had already done his job. The Hall greeted her without pestering her, knowing exactly why she was here. The half-dragon wandered through the foyer, scanning for notable individuals, when her eyes fell upon Ahri, someone who, like herself, appeared to be part magical creature. Shyvana wouldn't make the mistake of taking Ahri as some sort of tall yordle, despite the fact that many yordles had fur and cat-like ears, after all, Shyvana herself had purplish skin, which was also a fairly common trait among yordles, especially the females, like Poppy. Shyvana realized that she had definitely spent too much time in the palace if her mind wandered in such esoteric directions and centered her thoughts. Clearing her throat, Shyvana greeted Ahri, "Ahem, welcome to Demacia. Umm, while you remain in service to the guild, your obviously magical nature will be tolerated, so there is no need to worry about Mageseekers." Shyvana mentally slapped herself for immediately bringing up the single most controversial topic in Demacia. Not much of a leader, and even less of a socializer, Shyvana felt like a fish out of water in this situation, and resorted to making small talk, "I thank you, on behalf of Demacia and all of Runeterra, for coming here. Wh-where do you hail from?"

Chasing after the rumour of a captian who had once wronged him, Pyke set out on his way towards Demacia. However with the flimsy amount of golden krakens he had left from Bilgewater, there was very limited information he could purchase. Thus on his quest for vengeance and retribution, slaugthering those who had wronged him.
Thus Pyke had decided to venture out onwards, towards the adventurer's guild. Perhaps hoping other individuals would give him free information, perhaps just to keep the coin rolling, or keeping his skills sharp.

First he was required to do a whole lot of bureaucracy, something Pyke dispised having lived his whole life in Bilgewater. Once that had finished, he made his way deeper inwards Demacia, onto the guild he would be part of for now.

---

It has been so long since Soraka had set her foot on Demacia border. Its exclusive usage of the magic seeping stone in its structures, its high ceiling and an excess of white struck her. The winged stones figure watch vigilantly across the inhabitants as the Winged and its Sword flag displayed proudly on every corner of the city. And despite the recent discord caused by the imprisoned mages, the people’s faith is still very adamant in their leader.

It resembled Nashramae so much, Soraka thinks while traveling along the streams of merchants entering and exiting the great city, uncertain of what she might encounter on her path. She would gradually glance at the nearby stalls, taking a glimpse of what the goods they offer. There were items from Ionian, said to be able to connect the living to the past. There were the carpets from the Shurima's desert that were filled with the sand of time and the glory of the old ways. Then the Plitover's and their magical lamp. The Zaunite with their chem rats...

Then came the Rakkor priests with his heavy basket, seeking to spread the Solari Way from Mount Targon. There came the shepherds from Bel’zhun, looking to trade the mwatis wool for other exquisite items from other regions of the Sand Empire. And then, the Ascended would walk among the common, their godly figure against the canvas of lesser miniature figures. The Sand Empire would soar, just as their Disc basked in the everlasting sun.

But all that had buried quietly beneath the Shurima’s sand, falling prey to the gravesdigger and whoever wishes to see a glimpse of the past.

Still, it is not to say that Demacia is without its own individuality , Soraka thinks while examining an angelic statue being sold by a nearby vendor. It’s golden wings and fiery gaze pierced Soraka’s soul, seeking to purge the unjust and imperfection that had accumulated during her stay. The Aspect of Justice...

“Are you going to buy it?” A voice came in front of Soraka, cutting her train of thought and forcing her to look at its owner. In front of her stood a boy about thirteen or so. He has freckles all across his face and unkempt brown burned hair.

“Are you going to buy it?” The boy asked while scratching his back, his eyes focused on the Vastaya.

“Do you accept Zaunite cogs?” Soraka replies as her attention shifted back to the statue, her purple hand dug inside the satchel for the cogs.

“It would be one silver gears and seven washers .” The boy said, extending his hand toward the pinkish woman, distorted whisper escaped his crooked teeth.

"Here you go." The Vastaya before him smiled cheerily before placing the miniature in her basket and proceed to disappear into the crowd. Another successful trade , the boy smiled as the silver coinage travels between his palm. He always likes dealing with the Vastaya. Their stupidity about coinage spared no one in those tribes except for those of the wisest. And the wisest would often think themselves too smart to be tricked by a boy... Anyhow, he hoped there would be more for today. The recent uprising had stalled the usual trade, ceasing the usual operation within the city to a halt for the past few weeks in dealing with its aftermath. But, with trade recently open to normal, he hoped to earn more than a few silver. Trading, after all, is based upon nothing more but a desire for acquisition.

---

It took Soraka a while longer before she was able to reach the gate of the Adventuring Guild or what she can decipher with her old Demaician language. And there were many people inside of this gold-petricite mixed building. The clerks with their blue and white uniforms charismatically answering questions from the travelers and farmers for its purpose. The guards stand proud and straight against the gate's frames. A girl who is waiting for someone while playing a kunai, and a pair of dragon and fox vastayans.

What a peculiar pair , Soraka smiled before sauntered toward the couples. She had never seen a dragon vastayan before, and asking her may provide some interesting stories for the girl at home.

'Mandatory leave'. What a bunch on nonsense. All Vi had done was give that guy what was coming to him. Honestly, who kills a family of five and laughs about it? Caitlyn had told her to take him alive, but she hadn't said a thing about leaving the majority of his bones intact. Then when Caitlyn finally shows up she starts going off on some kind of lecture about excessive force or something like that. Excessive force? Did she not know what he had done? As far as Vi was concerned that sick freak got what was coming to him. Still, a little vacation wouldn't hurt. However, by the end of day two she was already bored out of her mind. Jayce had suggested that perhaps she do a bit of traveling and see the world, and she figured it was as good an idea as any. It might actually be kind of interesting to see what went on out there, and maybe get into a few fights here and there.

It didn't take long for Vi's travels to land her in Demacia. Luckily for her there seemed to be some kind of adventurer's guild or something looking for people to go on some whacky adventures or some nonsense. That could be a little fun for awhile. Surely her particular set of skills of hitting things really hard would surely come in handy. All she had to do was find the place. Demacia was much bigger than Piltover by far.

Vi received many odd looks as she made her way through the streets of Demacia. She wasn't sure if it was the wild pink hair or the large metal gauntlets that put people off more. At least it was pretty good insurance that no one would bother her. Even the guards were a bit wary of her, as they should be. Eventually she managed to find the Guild hall and make her way inside. She was greeted by the sight of a dragon lady, a fox girl, a ninja, and some purple chick with a horn on her head. Perhaps this would be even more interesting than she thought. Now all she had to do was find who was calling the shots around here.

It took a few moments for Ahri to really notice anyone else was around her. She was listening closely to the city, listening to the strange sounds it made. She had been many places that quite literally hummed with magic. But this place was, something else. Almost as if the opposite was happening... it was like she could hear the lack of magic, or, perhaps as if what magic there was, was being drained from the air around her. It felt like the very stone the city was made up of sapped magic around them.

When she did finally snap back to reality, she noticed someone was speaking to her. A welcoming party? A party of just one though. "I see, I was told as much. Most were hesitant to trust such an invitation, considering Damacia's reputation. I mean your city no offense when I say I will be relieved when I am on my way, and its walls are far behind me. I do not feel comfortable with the way some look at me. As if I am prey for a hunter to slay."

She cleared her throat, crossing her hands in front of herself. "I am from Ionia, although, I do not call any of its settlements my home. I have come, as you seem to already be aware, for the summons of the Guild."

It was then that the wooden double doors of the Guild's Headquarters burst open, and a... very tiny man stood there. He could almost be mistaken for a Yordle with his tiny stature, and he wore goggles and all kinds of gadgets. A Human Yordle from Piltover? That was the best description of him.



"Welcome, welcome, one and all! Ah, let's see how many of you are there." He adjusted his goggles and looked around at the most present people, assuming they were the ones who had answered the summons of the guild. "Six of you it seems yes? Well then, you're all right on time, or perhaps am I a bit late. We shall see, we shall see. Come come, in you all go! We have much to discuss!" He waved the gathering group into the Guild, walking in himself.

The inside of the Headquarters was much what one would expect. There was a front 'reception' area where Quests seemed to be turned in and handed out, but the small man lead the group past this, and into what seemed like a dining hall. Past that even further though, they finally came through another doorway, leading into what seemed to be his office, as he pulled himself up onto a seat behind the desk. "Come come, pile yourselves in, bit of a squeeze perhaps, this won't take long." Didn't he just say they had 'much to discuss'?

Shyvana fell silent at Ahri's criticisms of Demacia. It wasn't that Demacia hated mages necessarily, it was that Demacia promised her people safety, stability, and order. What was happening was just temporary until something could be figured out to make mages less of a danger to their fellow citizens. It was people like Sylas who forced Demacia's hand. At least, that was what Shyvana kept telling herself. Magical entities like herself who had proven they were not a threat, but a benefit to the people were trusted by Demacia; but Shyvana knew that wasn't true the moment the thought passed through her head; she only held her position thanks to the protection of Prince Jarvan.

"We won't remain in the city long," Shyvana said, offering it as lukewarm reassurance, "I'm sure the Guild will send us out where we will not be a danger to the people of Demacia." Looking around, Shyvana saw a diverse array of characters had arrived, and solemnly greeted them each in turn, before the small man came and invited them for their briefing. Though she had never met him, Shyvana had heard of the eccentric man who handled the Guild. Despite knowing of him, his appearance still came as a surprise. Shyvana frowned, feeling that this man was giving the newcomers a bad first impression of their noble city, but thought that perhaps the man's quirkiness would be more palatable to those unused to Demacia's discipline. She wordlessly followed the man to the conference room. As the only native Demacian, Shyvana felt the responsibility to lead so she kept an eye on the others, noticing Akali's distance. Shyvana refrained from bringing it up though, deciding to give allowances to each person's individualities.

Vi raised an eyebrow when the diminutive man entered the room and greeted them. She had only ever seen Yordles be so short up until now. She followed him through the guild hall until they reached his office which was also somewhat small. They would all fit, but it wouldn't be comfortable. She squeezed herself in the little room with the rest of the group. Hopefully this wouldn't take long.