Ionia
After nearly two weeks of sailing, they reached the shores of a mysterious land. Even in the water, they encountered a diverse array of creatures, their appearance enough to make one's eyes widen in astonishment.
Captain Baku, who had regained his ship, once again enjoyed sailing. One truly begins to appreciate what was lost. He couldn't help but rejoice in the seafaring life—the gusts of wind hitting his face, the salty sea air, the sound of the waves, and the ship cutting through them.
Their journey had been peaceful, without pirates or other troubles. Just calm seas and a favorable wind.
However, Ionia did not welcome him warmly. Baku was recognized almost immediately, and they didn't even want to let him through the gate. He had to use all his eloquence to convince the people, telling them the tragic story of his life—how he became a victim of circumstances, how his mind had been clouded, and how he was merely a casualty of fate.
There was something he didn't tell Kailen—he had indeed received his scar for meddling where he shouldn't have. The truth wasn't that he tried to take advantage of women, but that he attempted to steal a relic from their temple and sell it. For that, they wanted to execute him, but he managed to escape.
This time, they wanted to punish him as well, but perhaps it was his eloquence, or maybe the fact that he came not for profit but to help a friend who had risked his life for him, that saved him. They decided not to drive him away.
Perhaps the thought crossed their minds: maybe he wasn't so despicable if there was someone who had sacrificed themselves for him, and in return, he dared to seek help from them. The villagers decided to give him another chance, but still did not allow him into their settlement, only taking Kailen into the temple.
The region of Navori was located near the sea, and the main craft of this place was fishing and harvesting other sea creatures. In every village, there was a temple where they worshiped the Spirit of Ionia. Each human century, the Spirit found its embodiment in a mortal body, protecting and aiding all Ionians. It could choose almost anyone, regardless of age or gender, though more often, it was women, as they were considered more delicate beings.
Each temple had a head priest who possessed certain skills and was well-versed in natural magic. He served as a conduit for spiritual energy into the physical world.
Currently, Kailen lay on a bed in one of the temple's rooms, while they tried to purge the infection that had entered his body.
"It's surprising that he hasn't joined the spirit world yet," said a nun sitting nearby.
"Perhaps he has. I feel that his spirit is not in his body right now," the head priest replied.
"Then why is the body still alive?" the nun asked in surprise, knowing that when the spirit leaves the body, it means the journey has ended.
"I don't know, it's strange," the priest said, sincerely puzzled.
"So, do you know how to heal him?" the nun asked.
"Perhaps, but he must return to his body on his own. I can heal his vessel, but I cannot guide him back. Maybe only Karma can do such a thing," the head priest replied.
Wasting no more words, he began the healing process. The first step was to purge the infection from Kailen's body, as the blood wouldn't circulate properly if even a drop of corruption remained. He directed his hands to Kailen's chest and channeled a stream of healing energy into his heart. A warm, greenish light penetrated through his chest and entered within, beginning to spread through his veins. An observer could see patterns forming across his body as the spiritual energy illuminated, driving out the impurities.
"Now, the wounds must be healed," the head priest said, his eyes closed.
Though the wounds had closed over time, Kailen's weakened body had been unable to fully regenerate them. Focusing all his strength, the priest began healing the right side of his chest. The lung was restored to its original state, and the scar on his skin vanished as if it had never been there.
"Your skills are remarkable," whispered the nun standing nearby.
"I am merely a conduit of power. All gratitude belongs to our benevolent Spirit of Ionia," the priest replied. After finishing his work on Kailen's body, he covered him with a blanket. "Now, we can only wait to see if he finds his way back."
Leaving the patient's body to rest, they departed, unaware that Kailen was deep in dreams from which he didn't want to wake.
Kailen's body remained motionless for three weeks. During that time, Baku left, unable to stay in one place while waiting for his friend's return. The crew was ready to set sail, and he could delay no longer. He promised to return after making his route through Runeterra. They allowed him to say his goodbyes before he departed.
After lying still for a month and a half, Kailen finally returned from the spirit world to reality. His eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes. At first, they were their usual color, but a moment later, they began to turn white.
"Huuu," he exhaled, and frosty air escaped his mouth.
Frost began to form on his fingertips, spreading as it started to freeze the bed. He tried to stand, but his muscles had weakened too much during his time in the coma, and he had lost his strength. He managed to lift himself slightly, but exhausted, he fell back down.
"The power is with me again," Kailen whispered. The magic began to circulate through his veins as it once had. Ionia was a place where the spiritual and physical worlds intertwined.
Despite the strength of Ornn's artifact, some of the magic had managed to reach him, and his gift returned.
Now, supported by the magic, he managed to lift himself more steadily. Sitting up, he noticed his thin arms and legs, severely atrophied during his time in the coma. His body had needed resources and had broken down his muscles to allocate energy to sustain vital functions.
Looking around, he realized where he was. It was a small room with a single bed and a nightstand by the wall. There was also a window, shuttered with wooden blinds, preventing him from seeing outside. Leaning on the bed, he stood on his feet. They trembled violently and couldn't support his weight. Using the bed for support, he moved towards the wall, then towards the window.
Opening the shutters, he saw an astonishing sight before him. His ears were filled with sounds: people talking, their footsteps, the clatter of wheels on the road, and many others. The air felt charged with something indescribable, as if he was breathing in magic. Yes, the magic was palpable in the air. Even the trees he saw seemed almost alive. Many of the oldest forest dwellers had spirits born within them. They were peaceful, but if nature was harmed, they would become enraged and destroy you with their mighty branches.
The houses were small, made of straw and clay. A river flowed through the village, with fields being tilled nearby, and livestock grazing close by. A tranquil place.
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His contemplation was interrupted by the opening of the door. A girl entered the room, carrying a basin and with a cloth draped over her shoulder. At first, she looked at the bed and didn't see the patient, then her eyes widened in surprise as she glanced around, noticing Kailen standing by the window.
"You're awake?" the girl exclaimed emotionally. Then, placing the basin on the floor, she approached him. "You shouldn't strain yourself too much; your body is still very weak."
Kailen didn't respond, already feeling the fatigue in his legs, and allowed her to help him back to the bed.
"Where am I?" Kailen asked.
"In a temple, in the village of Nava," the girl replied.
"And where is your village located?" Kailen asked, as the name didn't mean anything to him.
"That's right. You're not from around here. This is Ionia; our village is situated near the coastal territories," she replied.
"Do you know where Bak is, the man who brought me here?" he asked next.
"Oh, him—I would advise you never to deal with such a man. He's very cunning and wicked," she said disapprovingly.
"And yet…" he persisted.
"He set sail about a month ago, and you've been here for a month and a half," she added.
"So, he sailed away…" Kailen said. It seemed they wouldn't meet again soon. He knew he must head north, to the frozen lands where he would regain all his lost strength. "I'm grateful for your help and would like to repay you, but I have nothing," he told the girl.
"No need, we're just happy to help those in need, just like our goddess," the girl responded.
"Even so, I don't want to be in debt to you and would like to find some way to repay your kindness," Kailen admitted.
"I don't know. You should ask the abbot. And I don't understand how someone like you got involved with a filthy pirate," she said, surprised at how polite he was and his desire to repay them for their help.
"Life has a way of surprising you," Kailen replied.
"It certainly does. Since you're awake, I'll call the abbot, and you can ask him about how you might help," the girl suggested. Just as she was about to leave the room, she paused at the door, "My name is Eliza."
"Sub-Zero," he introduced himself.
"Pleased to meet you," she said as she left the room.
He was left alone, contemplating how to regain his former strength. He had grown unaccustomed to the magic flowing through his veins, to the power it granted him. Reflexes, strength, speed—all of it needed to be reacquired, and only training could bring him back to his previous level. His native element was supposed to help him. If Freljord was closed to him, then the north on this island was quite accessible, and perhaps the spell of Anivia did not work there. He had heard that there was once only one continent, which split into three parts, and the part that went with Ionia was ancient Freljord. It was pointless to speculate in advance; only he could verify it for himself.
While lost in his thoughts, he waited for the abbot to come to him. A rather elderly man in simple clothing entered the room.
"Amazing, your body," the abbot said, captivated as he looked at him. "How easily spiritual energy flows through it; it literally fills every cell of your body. Incredible," he repeated.
"You mean the magic?" Kailen asked.
"Magic is what people commonly call it, but it's merely the ability to draw power from the world and use the body as a conduit to create a small miracle. Your body, however, seems to absorb the surrounding energy and consciously transform it into something else. Could you explain the nature of your power?" the abbot asked respectfully.
In response, Kailen simply raised his hand, and a perfect ice replica of the man before him appeared.
"Astonishing, such control. I could learn much from you. If it's not too forward of me to ask, could you tell me where you're from and who your teacher was? I would love to gain such valuable wisdom," the abbot inquired.
"My home is a hundred miles from here, in the cold land of Freljord. My teacher has long since left this world and gone to rest," Kailen admitted.
"My condolences. Such a valuable master surely possessed great experience and wisdom, but the spiritual world is only part of our journey. As we emerged from it, so shall we return. We all will one day find peace," the abbot said.
"Yes," Kailen replied, slightly clenching his fists. He remembered what he had seen. They would be waiting for him there, but he couldn't join them until he fulfilled his promise.
"Eliza mentioned that you wanted to help us in gratitude for your healing. You see, there is one matter where we could use some assistance. Despite my skills, I, unfortunately, lack combat abilities and cannot fight. The thing is, a forest spirit has become displeased. Some villagers from the nearby town carelessly cut down trees in a place they shouldn't have, and now we can't go into the forest. No matter how much I try, the spirit won't engage in dialogue and has become very aggressive," the abbot explained.
"You want me to kill it?" Kailen asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. I sent a request to the main temple, and they replied that Karma is still too young and hasn't yet gained full power, so the problem remains ours to handle," the abbot said.
"Alright, but I need time to restore my strength," Kailen replied.
"I'm not rushing you; I fully understand your situation. We'll provide you with all the necessary conditions. After all, it will be faster than waiting for the warriors of the monastery to respond to our call and come," the abbot added sadly.
"And why won't they come?" Kailen asked.
"To be honest, I don't know much, but over the past year, they have significantly weakened. I don't know the reasons, but for now, they have few warriors, and they can't be everywhere," the abbot replied.
"I see. Can you tell me more about these monasteries?" Kailen asked, intrigued.
"They are our pride and strength. We have only two: Kinkou and Hirana. Mostly, the Kinkou Order helps us; they protect us from external enemies and maintain the balance of the world," the abbot answered.
"Do they accept students?" Kailen inquired.
"Of course, but they have a strict selection process for students, and the life there is quite difficult. You must renounce all comforts and dedicate yourself to a righteous cause," the abbot explained.
"So, it's not easy to leave once you've joined?" Kailen clarified.
"Leave... Hmm... Honestly, I don't know of such a precedent. Service as a monastery warrior is a great honor; they are universally respected and revered. Everyone will welcome you with shelter and food," the abbot replied.
"I see, so this option is not for me," Kailen concluded.
"Forgive me, but why do you want to join a monastery? I see that you're already powerful," the abbot asked.
"There are beings far stronger," Kailen replied, recalling the painful blow from Volibear. Just one swing nearly killed him. With true magic, he was able to resist the goddess Anivia for a short time, but he still lost.
"I won't pry into your problems. Rest and recover; soon you'll be back on your feet," the abbot said, preparing to leave.
At the doorway, Eliza suddenly appeared, holding a tray with food. She quickly entered and placed it beside the bed. Together with the abbot, they left the room, wishing him a pleasant meal.
They had given him a plate of porridge with rather large pieces of meat, a slice of fluffy bread, and some kind of herbal tincture. Allowing himself to rest and replenish his energy, he began his meal. He quickly devoured the food, not leaving a single crumb; after such a long sleep, any food tasted divine.
Deciding to test the limits of his gift, he clenched both fists together and then opened his left palm. As he slowly moved it away from his right, ice began to form in the air. When he was done, he examined the result and, to his dismay, realized that the ice was fragile and couldn't provide the kind of support in battle that he had hoped for. Striking it against the wall, it shattered into a thousand pieces.
Perhaps he had lost his skills, or maybe he lacked the strength to create such powerful magic.
"I'll have to use it as a secondary weapon," Kailen decided. Still, he was glad that at least it had returned, and he couldn't deny the effects on his body. It was able to absorb so much power that it became a formidable weapon in itself.