The World Runes—foundation of Runeterra, the very origin of the entire planet.
A complete World Rune, also known as a Rune Keystone, consists of five pieces.
Each one contains enough power to shatter heavens and destroy earth, and these five Rune Keystones correspond to the five color paths in the game's rune system.
Each Keystone carried its own properties, granting completely different types of power.
What exists in the world today are merely scattered fragments.
But even fragments hold power beyond ordinary comprehension.
Throughout ancient and modern eras, only a very small number of lucky individuals ever obtained a Rune fragment.
Yet these fragments changed hands endlessly through wars, their ownership never lasting long.
Among them, two fragments were once obtained by a mage named Tyrus.
Tyrus belonged to an ancient order devoted to collecting and safeguarding the World Runes, preventing them from falling into the hands of those with ill intent—protecting the world from disaster.
The order exhausted all their resources to conceal the truth about the Runes, but the news inevitably spread.
Few could comprehend their importance or the pure power within them, but nearly everyone regarded them as weapons.
Tyrus traveled endlessly between tribes and nations, trying to ease the growing panic and urging restraint.
But as days passed, the missions became more perilous, and Tyrus grew increasingly desperate.
Eventually, in the lands of Noxii, a cataclysmic attack erupted.
This marked the first great explosion of what later generations would call the Rune Wars.
Driven to madness, Tyrus was finally slain by his own student—Ryze.
The two fragments Tyrus guarded were taken by Ryze, who sealed them away.
Thus began the legend of Ryze, the Rune Mage.
To this day, Ryze wanders the whole of Runeterra, tirelessly seeking every remaining World Rune.
Each time he finds one, he hides and seals it away with great care.
Of the two fragments he inherited from his master, one he buried deep within Shurima—the very one Tahm sensed.
The other he hid in Ionia.
Later, while wandering through Freljord, Ryze accepted a barbarian named Kegan as his disciple. Together, they discovered another Rune fragment.
But Kegan could not resist its temptation.
He was ultimately burned alive by the fragment's overwhelming power—his last remaining thoughts fused with the Rune fragment, giving birth to the vengeful spirit of living flame: Brand.
As centuries passed, yet another fragment ended up in the hands of a Demacian emperor.
Recognizing its danger, he sealed it away, creating what is now known as the Vault of Magic Banishment beneath the Greatstone Forest.
Ryze eventually discovered the vault, astonished by the anti-magic properties of the stones, and planned to store every Rune fragment inside.
And now, Ryze continues his eternal journey, retrieving the fragments he once hid across the world.
The World Runes contain immense power—anyone would covet such strength.
The five Keystones represent five distinct primal forces, capable of creating Runeterra… or destroying it with ease.
Even a single fragment can forge an immortal empire.
And now, Tahm had brought Duke news of not one—but two Rune fragments.
One was the fragment Ryze once buried in Shurima—the same one that reduced the Garden City to ashes.
The other resided within Brand, the vengeance-fire elemental that never rests.
"Rune fragments, huh…"
Duke tapped his flask thoughtfully.
He understood well the magnitude of World Rune power—fragments capable of tearing open the earth effortlessly.
"Boss, this is a rare opportunity!"
Tahm began encouraging him.
For the demon, he would rather Duke study World Runes than the Void.
If Duke became absorbed in Rune research, he wouldn't have time to meddle with the Void—meaning Tahm could finally sleep without fearing for his life every day.
A demon's immortality depends on staying within Runeterra.
If Duke delved too deeply into Void studies and lost control, he could overturn the entire world.
This wasn't exaggeration—it was simple truth.
Having followed Duke so long, Tahm already understood the terrifying potential hidden beneath Duke's brilliance.
A potential capable of flipping the world upside down—its prosperity and destruction sometimes resting on a single thought of Duke's.
Better to have him studying World Runes than the Void.
Duke had boundaries—he would never intentionally use the Runes to harm the world.
And as long as Runes occupied him, the Void would remain buried where it belonged.
This was exactly why Tahm rushed back the moment he sensed the Rune fragments—to tell Duke immediately.
"You really want me to go after the Rune fragments, don't you?"
Duke cast a sidelong glance at the fat catfish, eyes gleaming.
Sweat pearled across Tahm's forehead as he forced a smile.
"Me? Of course not! I'm only thinking of you, Boss! Rune fragments in your hands would make you even more unstoppable!"
"Heh."
Duke let out a cold, dismissive laugh.
"I know exactly what's going on in that slimy head of yours."
"You just want me studying World Runes instead of the Void, right?"
"Boss truly sees through everything!"
Tahm rubbed his hands together, grinning like a sycophant.
"Hmph. Enough with your scheming."
Duke warned him sharply.
"I'll decide my own actions—you don't get to meddle."
"Yes, Boss!"
Tahm removed his hat and bowed—though the corner of his mouth lifted in a secretive, satisfied smile.
He knew his open scheme had succeeded.
"Return to Bilgewater. I'll contact you when I need you."
"Then may fortune favor you!"
Tahm slipped into the whirlpool summoned by his Abyssal Dive, disappearing and leaving Duke alone to think.
"Rune fragments…"
Duke leaned back, taking a deep drink.
"Tahm really did bring me fantastic news."
Did Duke know Tahm had his own motives? Of course.
With Tahm's mind stained by Duke's magic, Duke could read his thoughts at any time.
But the allure of the Rune fragments was so great that Duke didn't care about Tahm's tricks.
After all, the World Runes were the foundation of Runeterra—each fragment still carried that primordial power.
This was a chance to glimpse the secrets of world creation and annihilation.
So Tahm could scheme all he wanted.
If he succeeded in manipulating Duke?
Duke would consider it a loss on his part—but that day would never come.
This wasn't arrogance.
It was confidence.
A confidence born from being able to control the entire situation.
As for the magical seals Ryze left behind—Duke didn't consider them obstacles at all.
And the fragment inside Brand?
Duke intended to claim it.
"If that's the case, our route needs to change again."
Duke lightly traced the patterns on his flask.
They were currently north of Zerima, south of the Oasis of Dawn.
To reach So'unsa, they only had to head west.
Half a month's journey on foot—but Duke had far faster methods of travel.
Brand was surely guarding Ryze's seal, coveting the Rune fragment inside.
But he lacked the power to break Ryze's seal—so he could only stare at it.
According to what Duke knew of the lore, Ryze should be on his way to So'unsa.
Meaning Duke had to be quicker.
Arrive before Ryze.
Eliminate Brand.
Claim the sealed Rune fragment.
Ryze might pursue him afterward—but the benefits far outweighed the risks.
"[We move tonight. Head straight for So'unsa.]"
After a moment of thought, Duke finalized his plan.
Before a Rune fragment, everything else could wait.
Duke left the laboratory.
In the hall, Taliyah, Kai'Sa, and Sivir sat around a table whispering to one another.
Varus stood in a corner, his eyes locked on Kai'Sa.
His hostility toward her was fully suppressed under Sivir's command.
The change of vessel also helped; otherwise, the old Varus would have already gone mad and attacked Kai'Sa—only to be beaten senseless by Duke.
But Duke knew this stability wouldn't last.
He was currently using Sivir's bloodline and Chalikar's influence to restrain Varus.
Sivir's entanglement with Azir needed a decisive conclusion.
She refused to let others dictate her fate.
Azir needed the solar bloodline to stabilize his empire.
Shurima's Ascension ritual could not proceed without it; otherwise, the failure would create twisted monstrosities—Baccae.
Sivir's importance was beyond question.
And this gave Duke plenty of room to maneuver.
He had come to Shurima not only to find Viktor, but with far greater plans.
Duke scanned the room, then cleared his throat.
"Everyone."
All eyes turned to him.
With a gentle smile, Duke said:
"There's a change of plans. We're heading to So'unsa next. I want to hear your thoughts."
"What would you want there?" Sivir blinked.
"Only lunatics and the suicidal go there!"
"I have no objections," Kai'Sa said softly.
She had no choice but to follow Duke anyway.
"Mr. Duke… I want to go to the Oasis of Dawn. I may not be able to continue traveling with you."
Taliyah spoke her decision.
Duke nodded—Little Sparrow had chosen her path.
"Well then, looks like we'll need to talk this through."
He pulled a chair to the center of the hall and sat down.
End of chapter....
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