Chapter 1

     The techmaturgical storm swirled through the sky over the blighted cityscape, the last of its power sparking sporadically into the numerous collection spires that dotted the now darkened skyline. Its purpose fulfilled, the storm dissipated and the plumes of iridescent vapors returned Zaun to its normal eerie haze. Throughout the city, relieved inhabitants thanked the gods that there were no explosions this time and went to bed, dreaming of the marvels of hextech that were likely to follow a successful experiment. Of the few still roaming the streets, on man walked slowly in the characteristic furtive gait of the Zaun natives.
     Ducking into a dark gap between buildings, he shed the act like a cloak and broke into a clipped military run.
     The quickest way to the South Gate is past the Mundo Complex- two alleys over. He vaulted over a low wall built to keep out mutant vermin, not trespassers. Just around the corner, then across the river. Deftly avoiding a hissing puddle of caustic sludge, he slowed and resumed his civilian facade just as he came to the corner of the last building before the bridge.
     "Hail!"
     A guard- not unexpected, but an unnecessary complication. "Just a lab worker, sir."
     Institute of Runecraft, eh? That was quite a storm you whipped up- what are they up to tonight?"
     "Some new stabilization technique." An expertly concealed smirk crossed his face at the understatement. "Once they've consolidated their notes and are sure they have a breakthrough they'll go public."
     "Runes!? Runes, I ask you. Why are they still working for those useless summoners? They couldn't save us from Demacia's 'justice.' Hell, they didn't even fight! They cowered in the city while brave men died, using their 'rare talent' as an excuse to stay well away from the fighting!" The watchman spat in disgust.
     You'll see how useless they are, my friend. Your world is going to come crashing down- and it won't be Noxus doing the falling, I swear it! "Don't ask me!" he said in an entirely convincing tone of appeasement, "I just clean the pipes! Personally, I don't know what they see in the things." Ha.
     Still riled, the guard bade him a halfhearted good night and returned, glowering, to his post. The spy returned the farewell and ambled on, keeping his mounting excitement rigidly in check. Midway across the bridge, a blast echoed around him- he dropped immediately to a combat stance, but resumed his civilian stroll almost as quickly. It was merely a lump of nameless stuff floating in the river, probably from the Institute of Alchemy's Naval Weapons Program- he had 'cleaned pipes' there too. The wad of chemicals had ignited its self.
     The brief glare of the burning stuff threw the city into sharp relief, and the Noxian realized how much he hated this place. He hated the constant pall, the ubiquitous tangle of corroded pipes, the filthy river. He hated the reek of metal and fire, the acidic taste of chemicals in the wind. Most of all, he despised the way Zaun looked to hextech for its needs, putting its faith in machines rather than people. And he loathed the way the city neglected its citizens; even the least Noxian was cherished, protected, wanted.
     He grinned inwardly as he entered a shady alley and broke into a run once more. And to think that I might never have to come back here. The information I have is well worth promotion. Let some other hapless agent inherit this monstrosity of a city- I'd take the brisk sea air of Noxus any day!
     A massive silhouette loomed out of the smog- He'd made it to the wall! He quickly shrugged off his robe and tossed it onto a nearby heap of filth, donning a pair of climbing claws as he went. He set to scaling the wall with an effortlessness that belied a level of physical conditioning quite rare in Zaun. After pausing below the rampart to listen for passing patrols, he covered the last of the climb and dashed across the walkway. He then wedged his climbing claws into a gap between crenellations and affixed a length of cord to their iron braces. Listening hard for any guards, he slid over the stones and lowered himself to the ground. An expert flick of the rope and the claws were free, falling silently into the muddy soil. He collected his gear and ran to the stables. In the space of four silent minutes, he had selected a horse, a fiery-eyed gelding that stomped the ground with impatient energy, and was out on the road with his stolen mount, riding hard for Noxus.

Prologue

     Many of my younger friends have asked me why we let the Rune War progress so far; in hindsight, it is glaringly obvious that we were on a self-destructive path. I have no excuse for what we have done. I can only ask them to remember that we were a revitalized people- Noxus had been defeated, but we were strong again, and our honor demanded retribution. There were signs of what was to come of course, but power is intoxicating, and we had a lot of it. We had our nexus, we had the most advanced hextech in Valoran, and we knew in our hearts that our dedication, our training, everything that made us Noxian, deserved to win... and we were strong.

-Retired Noxian Summoner Nadiir