Legends of Runeterra

He infused the first sword with his jealousy, and the second sword with his obsession. Then, in early spring, he allowed the spirits of the two swords to bloom in the material realm, and the two swords took root and sprouted like saplings, breaking through the soil.

So when the two brothers came across the two swords in the forest, they thought they were encountering saplings.

The two brothers were close and united, and they knew their place in the world. The elder brother would inherit their father's sword and land, while the younger brother would inherit his father's ship. Both believed they would become great heroes, one in their hometown, the other in a distant land. One spring, they found the two saplings that the swords had turned into in the forest. The brothers had never seen a tree that looked so shiny and sharp. They cut down the saplings together, and each carried one back home.

Little did they know, this would be the last time they would be brothers together in their lives. Because when they reached home, the strange juice from the Sword Sapling had seeped into their necks, filling their minds with terrible thoughts and feelings... the jealousy and obsession of the Xiexian. Although they did not become enemies that day, they still drew their swords against each other in the end, and the sound of the two swords clashing was like an unprecedented bell, resounding through the material and spiritual realms.

Rika frowned and said, "That's not the case. The brothers forged their own swords. They melted down their father's sword after his death, and each of them thought the other's sword was better. That's why they started fighting. It has nothing to do with 'Xiexian' at all."

Itule wiped the dust off his hands and looked down at the hole they had just dug in the teahouse floor. The roots of the room were thick and strong. With a little force, he carefully inserted the first knife under the roots. "These are old stories," he said. "People have passed them down and told them hundreds of times. I'm sure we all have some of them right. But I'm telling the one I know best."

Rika thought for a moment, rubbing her fingers on the rusty sword intently. "So you want to bury the sharp weapon because you are good friends?"

"Yes. If the two brothers had not taken up weapons, they would not have fought. This is to pray for a peaceful festival, so that we can put aside past disputes during the festival. And you see," Itule pointed to the sickle hook placed under another cluster of tree roots, "if you give sharp weapons to calm tree roots, they will not grow like the two Excalibur saplings, and will not be rooted in violence."

He didn't know if she would like to hear the rest of the story, but he decided not to risk ruining their new relationship, so he reached out to take the sword.

Rika held the sword to her chest cautiously. "No. I'll bury it. Tell me where."

That's polite enough.

Itule showed Rika how to dig down without disturbing the tree's roots. They went around the house, burying sharp objects under each room, while also giving the girl a chance to have a serious chat.

After dinner, while Itule and Rika were burying the weapons, Pascoma and Turashi opened a jar of good wine. The wine had a strong cocoa plum flavor, a long aftertaste, and made it easier for people to open their hearts. After three cups, Turashi shook the wine in the glass and looked at the flickering fire in the reflection.

"Turashi?" Paskoma paused, not knowing where to start. Turashi raised her eyes and looked at her mother. "Why did Yunping stay at home? Why didn't he come to celebrate the festival with you and Rika?"

Tulash didn't want to talk about it yet, Paskoma knew, but they had been in the teahouse for three days. She needed to know if there was any trouble following them to Waili, and if she or Ituler needed to do something to ensure everyone's safety. Especially during the festival, there were many people in the town.

Turaxi sighed, then began, "There are Noxian ships in the bay, trading with Shattu'e and other villages along the cliffs. They are... cautious. They want us to know they are not up to anything. They won't hurt anyone." She clenched the cup so tightly in both hands that Paskoma was afraid she would break it. "But some in Shattu'e swear they have seen the same Noxian faces on land, and they are exploring the surrounding area, releasing scouting birds. These people don't think Noxus will give up on Ionia."

Paskoma nodded. There had been similar investigations before during the invasion, so she understood why her daughter was so nervous. "What about Yunping?"

"Yun Ping has not seen the evidence himself. But he believes what his friends and neighbors saw with their own eyes."

"So he stayed home to confirm the Noxians' actions with his own eyes."

"Not entirely." Turaxi's hands shook as she took a long sip. "They want to drive the Noxians away, Imai. They climb aboard and throw anything that's not nailed to the deck. So far they're just sabotaging things like this, but..." She trailed off.

"Resistance." Oakley had participated in similar operations before.

"The Noxians have noticed. They've sent more ships. They're carrying soldiers. I don't think we can stay here any longer." Turaxi hugged his knees to his chest. "Yun Ping has other ideas."

Paskoma stood up and gently kissed Turaxi's forehead, holding her daughter's hands. "It's good for you and Rika to live here. Don't leave after the festival."

A trembling whisper, filled with tears. "Yimai——"

"No." She squeezed Turaxi's hands. "I don't want to lose the one I love in war again. Don't go."

The next day, walking in the market, Rika reminded herself not to wander around. Itule was going to buy some bells to replace the worn-out ones at home, and Rika had just bought two masks for herself and her mother, following her grandmother's instructions. Her plan was to run errands, go back to Itule, and then go home. To be more precise, go back to the teahouse.

But she was fascinated by the various costumes of the festival. Robes, cakes, flowers... She was very young when she celebrated the last Blossoming Spirit Festival, so she couldn't remember it clearly.

The pastry stand caught her attention, and then she saw a huge shadow puppet stage in the middle of the square behind. The entire stage is a large wooden board with wheels, and transparent thin paper is in the middle of the stage. The shadow puppet master controls the delicate paper puppets, and the fire wizard creates the light behind the scenes. The storyteller stands in front and tells the story of the play to a group of fascinated audiences.

"So the spirit of despair asked our Cai Cai Gua, 'Do you really believe that you can find him?' Cai Cai Gua nodded. She knew that expressing her hope in the face of despair would not cause her hope to be shattered."