In a world shrouded in darkness, a fierce wind surged from the depths of the earth, stirring the flickering flames upon the platform.
Renekton extended his sharp claws, lightly tapping the scaled surface of his hand. "Oh, wretched woman, this human warrior fought valiantly for your chance to escape with his very life. Yet… why do you hesitate to flee now?"
"Because when a comrade chooses to sacrifice himself for honor, as a soldier, I cannot intervene," Riven replied. "However, that does not mean I can stand idly by and watch my ally perish without purpose before my eyes."
Her crimson gaze fell upon the powerless Jarvan, slumped on the ground, and Riven quietly raised her lake-green greatsword. "Since my comrade's path of honor cannot reach its conclusion, then… it is now my turn, the one he once shielded, to complete the journey for him."
"Hahahahaha! How amusing!" Renekton's blood-red eyes narrowed as he erupted into maniacal laughter. "Such an intriguing notion, such fascinating choices… To be honest, among you humans, there are always those who astonish even us divine beings."
"And I, Renekton, am particularly fond of you remarkable individuals," he continued, his mouth agape in a wild grin, revealing rows of sharp, terrifying fangs. "For you humans possess a flavor that is truly delectable, hahahahaha!!!"
Amidst the cacophony of laughter, the fierce winds surrounding the platform intensified. "Then… do be a good meal for me! Hahahaha!!!"
In response to Renekton's frenzied laughter and advancing fangs, the runic power within the greatsword surged forth.
Emerald light burst from the blade, gradually becoming blindingly radiant. As the runic energy pulsed, the massive sword cleaved downward with tremendous force, slicing through the turbulent winds that surrounded the platform.
"Monsters must embrace their monstrous nature! Renekton, you should return to your hellish domain!" Riven declared as she swung her greatsword down. Yet, amidst the thunderous clash of metal, she was violently hurled back several dozen meters by the overwhelming force.
"Useless, useless… utterly useless!!!" One hand shielding his eyes, Renekton cried out in despair, "I told you it's futile! Why can't you understand?"
Following closely were the claws of the monster, striking with ferocity.
A murderous wind swept across the platform, causing Riven's garments to flutter wildly. The colossal crocodilian lunged forward, its sharp claws tearing through the fabric of reality with brutal intent.
"Die! Die! Submit to your demise! Hahahaha!!!" The frenzied crocodilian was enveloped in a violent aura. "Be a good meal for Lord Renekton! Hahaha!!!"
The tempestuous winds from the void were torn asunder by the massive blade, and the woman suspended in mid-air fearlessly raised her greatsword. "You think too much, monster!"
Once more, brilliant light shattered the veil of darkness as Riven lifted her greatsword high, channeling wild energy into a powerful strike. "Noxus never retreats!"
The dazzling radiance eclipsed the dim glow of the magical flames, illuminating even the colossal floating castle in the darkness for a fleeting moment. "[Dance of the Broken Wings]!"
Boom—
The ferocious energy ripped through the gales that filled the realm, delivering a merciless blow akin to divine retribution descending from the heavens, heavy with overwhelming might.
"It won't hit! It won't hit! It can't hit!!!" The unrestrained energy pierced through Renekton's afterimage, causing the platform beneath to tremble violently. The explosive force further ravaged the already battered ground.
"How many times must I repeat myself? I said it won't hit, it won't hit!!!" Renekton's deep, sorrowful voice resonated from the void behind her. "Why won't you just listen to Lord Renekton?"
A sense of dread washed over Riven as her expression shifted. Without hesitation, she charged forward, but the claws extending from behind her rendered her movements stiff.
The sharp claws seized Riven's head from behind, leaving a faint crimson mark upon her cheek. "I told you it wouldn't hit. Why won't you listen? Now look what's happened—you're injured."
Bound by overwhelming force, Riven struggled futilely as Renekton held her aloft like a hapless insect. Covering his eyes with one hand, he feigned sorrow, murmuring, "Why… won't you just listen?"
"Lord Renekton is a messenger of the gods. You, a mere mortal… do you think he would deceive you?" The crocodilian's expression was one of false compassion. "Why… after all I've said, won't you heed my words? I told you it wouldn't hit!!!"
Suspended in the void, Riven slowly trembled, her lips parting to whisper, "It's simple… because you are about to die."
"Oh? I am about to die?" Renekton's expression shifted to one of surprise upon hearing her murmur. "Could it be…?"
His blood-red eyes swept across the battered platform, landing upon the powerless Jarvan, and the two small figures anxiously supporting the red-haired Shyvana near the corridor's entrance.
"Do you think… these two, who haven't even reached the ninth tier, could possibly extinguish me?" A mocking smile spread across Renekton's face as he laughed maniacally. "What a delightful jest! Hahahaha!!!"
Thus, holding Riven's head aloft as if she were a mere ant, Renekton's laughter echoed for what felt like an eternity before gradually subsiding.
"Wretched woman, in light of how you've amused me, Lord Renekton shall bestow upon you… the highest honor!" With a terrifying grin, he bit down heavily towards the woman before him. "Submit and become Lord Renekton's meal! Hahahaha!!!"
"..." The woman remained silent, suspended in the void until the foul stench of Renekton's maw overwhelmed her senses, prompting her to shout defiantly, "What… are you waiting for?"
Then…
Her voice awakened the slumbering demon, as if it had opened the gates of hell.
Boom—
In the next moment, a tempestuous surge of energy, mingled with a cataclysmic sword wind, erupted from the depths of the corridor. This colossal beam of energy, akin to a unleashed dragon, bore down with a terrifying force, crushing everything in its path as it hurtled toward the suspended crocodilian.
The profound darkness surrounding the platform was utterly rent asunder.
Beneath the onslaught of the raging radiant energy, the colors of existence were laid bare.
The earth trembled violently.
Amidst the sword wind that seemed to emanate from the very depths of hell, a cold and merciless voice resounded, "Sword Art—[Whisper of the Wind Chimes]!"