Chapter 48: The Darkin Era Arrives
"Fortunately, the crack was successfully sealed."

"It's unfortunate that the Shurima Ascendant Corps was destroyed in an instant. They were once the most talented people in the empire."

"There's nothing we can do about it. Right now, the Void is probably the most dangerous existence in Runeterra."

"And think about it, the Frost Witch needed the help of the Primordial God at that time, and it took the sacrifice of countless tribesmen to barely seal it."

"From this perspective, it is reasonable to say that Shurima will suffer heavy losses this time."

"Icathia, you guys are really amazing. You hurt others and yourself, and you almost destroyed the world."

"Then a new question arises. What will happen if the blood of the Ascendant is infected by the Void Corruption?"

"Slow death, or mutation?"

"Also, Shurima regained its glory hundreds of years later. I wonder if Aatrox and the others were still alive at that time."

Just as the audience was discussing the previous plot enthusiastically, Su Xinghe quickly wrote a new paragraph.

【Three. Darkborn】

"The Void War is over."

"The Empress Setaka died in battle, and the broken Ascendants need the light of the Sun Disc."

"And Shurima also needs a powerful emperor to lead the gods again."

"So, Tsar Azir stepped forward, and under his rule, Shurima returned to its heyday after hundreds of years."

"Those ascenders who participated in the void war had their blood corrupted and contaminated, causing their appearance and temperament to change drastically."

"They became hideous and frightening, sometimes losing their minds, sometimes becoming impotent and furious."

"It's as if the noble Godhead has been polluted and distorted."

"But, even so."

"They are still the noble god-warriors, still revered as heroes of Runeterra, and worshipped by the world."

"For the next hundred years, this honor and glory have always been with them."

"until--"

"Tsar Azir died unexpectedly, and the sun disc was destroyed and collapsed by Xerath's sorcery."

Nashrameh Street, the capital of Shurima.

A devastating energy suddenly erupted from within the solar disk.

In an instant, the sky and the earth changed color, and the whole Shurima was shaking violently.

next second.

The sun disk shattered like a fragile porcelain plate, with bricks, stones and rubble flying everywhere.

The terrifying blue light surged in all directions. The light seemed to carry the power to destroy everything, sweeping across the entire southern continent.

Everything was wiped out by the rush of blue energy. The majestic buildings, bustling streets and lush green trees were razed to the ground in an instant.

The once glorious desert empire has now become a ruin.

"The Last Tsar Azir"

"How could he suddenly pass away? Logically, he should be an ascended being, an immortal being, right? What happened?"

"Also, what the hell is Xerath?"

"Maybe there is some bloody story hidden in the middle, and Su Dada deliberately erased it and didn't write it down."

"The destruction and collapse of the sun disc means that Shurima will no longer be able to create an Ascended Legion."

"It's so funny. If the whole country is destroyed, what's the point of having an ascender?"

"The turn came so suddenly."

"Void pollution has been emphasized for a long time, and I feel like something big is going to happen next"

“Ahem, pay attention to the title.”

"Shurima was destroyed."

"The yellow sand buried this powerful empire that ruled the continent for thousands of years."

"The wind and clouds are changing, and the plants and trees are filled with sorrow."

"The remaining god-warriors looked back at the ancient ruins in the desert, their eyes filled with sorrow and confusion."

"The empire they fought so hard to protect has now turned into a pile of dirt."

"Their immortal hearts have since lost the light of the sun's disk."

"Thus, the void filth in the blood quietly spread and the undercurrent surged."

"There is no more royal authority that I swore to defend with my life."

"And the Shurima Empire is in urgent need of a new leader to rebuild its organization."

"Gradually, this group of proud ascended gods began to stir."

"Especially those gods who have experienced darkness and been polluted by the void, their minds have become twisted and their temperaments are tyrannical."

"Because of differences in ruling philosophies, as well as infinitely inflated self-esteem and desires."

"They began to establish themselves as kings, fighting each other and conquering everywhere."

"For a time, all the people suffered and their livelihood was in tatters."

"Innocent humans were either captured and enslaved in battle, or died tragically in the aftermath of the battle."

"In front of these powerful individuals, they are as humble as ants and as small as dust."

"So, the displaced people gave these tyrants who brought disaster a new name."

"A new derogatory name—"

"Darkspawn."

"That's it, that's it"

Old Master Jin stroked his beard and sighed, "I thought the Darkin were a new species, but it turns out they evolved from the Ascended. This is really interesting."

After saying this, he smiled mysteriously again: "I seem to have guessed his novel interpretation of the theme."

"A novel interpretation?" Chen Kaige asked curiously, "What did Mr. Jin discover?"

"Do you have this feeling? His writing is very messy."

"Chaos?" Chen Kaige was surprised and looked at the big screen and thought for a moment.

"Yes, a little bit. I was writing about Aatrox at the beginning, but then I kept switching perspectives to tell the background story. Why?"

Chen Kaige frowned and thought for a long time but couldn't seem to come up with a reasonable explanation.

"Rendering." said Mr. Jin.

Hearing this, Chen Kaige fell into deep thought.

Liu Ciping looked at Jiang Tao and said, "You used the word contempt very well."

Jiang Tao nodded undeniably, "It expresses anger and is also secretly sarcastic."

"then."

“The darkest, longest, most violent, and bloodiest era in Runeterra’s history has begun.”

"It was later called—"

"The Age of Darkin Separatism."

The sky was tightly wrapped in thick dark clouds, as if swallowed by endless darkness.

Occasionally, dazzling flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the desolate battlefield below.

In the center of the battlefield surrounded by ruins, two powerful darkin forces are fighting fiercely.

In order to expand territory and compete for resources, they did not hesitate to turn against their former compatriots and comrades and attack each other.

Dark magic and cold weapons interweave and dance, releasing a terrifying force that makes people tremble.

Huge cracks appeared on the ground in the aftermath of the battle, like the mouth of a giant beast that devoured everything. The corpses and ruins on the battlefield became the eternal memory of this dead land.

The mortals captured and enslaved by the dark lords hid in the corners, trembling with fear in their eyes. They didn't know how long this dark disaster would last.

All that is left for them at this moment is the fate of death.

"so afraid!"

"The power of the Darkin is so terrifying."

"How could this happen? How could a former god warrior become like this?"

"Has a savior arrived?"

"Alas, there is nothing we can do. When gods fight, mortals suffer."

[IV. Imprisonment]

"This fight between the darkin and the empire lasted for hundreds of years, and Runeterra was once again shrouded in deathly silence and darkness."

"Even Aatrox, once the hero of Shurima, could not escape the corruption of the Void."

"After becoming a darkborn, he is still the most powerful among them."

"The dark lords led their subordinates to run rampant in Runeland, killing people everywhere and bringing great disaster to the world."

"The level of evil is even greater than the void war of that year."

"And at this critical moment."

"The beings above the heavens can no longer ignore this." "Fearing that the Fallen Ascendants would destroy the entire Runeland, the Titans who once gave them this power took action."

"Among them, two Protoss led the counterattack against the Darkin."

"The Twilight Astral Spirits—taught mortals the means to imprison the Darkin."

"War Protoss - unite with the human army to stop the resistance head-on."

"Darkspawn, the fallen Ascendant."

"The Void is truly terrifying. They are still not at peace even after being sealed. I suspect that their cosmic civilization is more advanced than Runeland, otherwise they would not be able to strike with such a dimensionality reduction attack."

"Yes, even the most powerful warrior Aatrox could not escape its clutches, which is enough to show how terrifying it is."

"Believe me, the Dragon King can kill them with just one slap, he's just too lazy to do it."

"???"

"What nonsense, the Dragon King has hands?"

"It seems that void pollution is equivalent to a poison, which can control the infected person mentally and make them lose their mind."

"Good news: The Titans have finally taken action. I thought they had given up on Runeterra and would leave it to its own devices."

"My anticipation is maxed out. This is the first time I've seen a Protoss take action."

"Then the question arises again, why do we need to unite with the human army? As a war spirit, shouldn't we kill explosively?"

"Maybe. Su Dada will explain it later."

"The Astral Spirits are beings above the heavens, and they would not choose to be born in the Rune Land."

"In order to destroy the Darkin, they peeled off a ray of star soul and looked for suitable human bodies in Runeland to possess them and use them to complete their mission."

"Therefore, the power they can exert is extremely limited."

"And now."

"With the blessing of the void, the darkin has become almost immortal."

"A Protoss with only one star soul is not sure of defeating the Darkin."

“So, in the early stages of the struggle.”

"They chose not to confront the darkspawn head-on."

"The Twilight Astral chose Maisha."

"She joined the ranks of a darkin named Ta'anari as a follower."

"Unlike other darkin, Ta'anari still has the glory of Shurima in his heart."

"Plus."

"Tayanali is tired of the endless wars. He is eager to end the darkin conflict as soon as possible and restore peace to the world."

"So, starting with him is the best choice for the Twilight Star Spirit."

The ruins of Shurima, Naerimajie.

Tayanali walked slowly in the library, stroking the ancient scrolls on the dilapidated bookshelf.

It records the various taxes levied on the former northern trading port.

“Grand Maester Nasus may find the contents of this scroll worthy of study, but to me, its only value is as a symbol of that era.”

He thought to himself and continued on his way.

This library is very spacious, but the roof collapsed hundreds of years ago and most of the space is filled with yellow sand.

Suddenly, he seemed to sense something strange in the air and turned to look.

Mai Yisha was standing quietly at the door.

She was slender, with golden hair cascading around her shoulders, and two very different eyes, one a rich blue, the other a dusky purple.

“They’re here,” said Maisha.

"how many?"

"Nine armies, nearly 10,000 soldiers."

Tayanali nodded. "More than I expected."

"They're all coming." Maisha shrugged.

"In the past, the Sun Bloodline saved the world and paid a heavy price, but now, we have pushed the world to the brink of destruction with our own hands."

"The glorious era of the Ascended Legion has passed for too long. Everything has been buried by our conquests and disappeared in the short memory of you mortals."

"After the fall of Azir, my kin and I grew too ambitious to lead."

"So, we can only fight each other for the right to rule the king."

Maisha rolled her eyes, "It seems that the difference between you and ordinary people is not that big after all."

Tayanali was slightly startled and turned to look at her.

In the past, if anyone dared to say such words in front of him, they would definitely die miserably under his bloody mouth and fangs.

But now, he just remained silent.

In his eyes, the new servant, Maisha, seemed very different.

In the past, the maids never dared to look him in the eye, but she was not afraid at all.

Even, a little bit rebellious.

This took him by surprise at first.

Later, as they gradually got to know her, they discovered that she had her own insights into the minds of mortals, which was something that their entire race lacked.

This woman always speaks rudely, but her words always make sense.

Sometimes, he would feel a hint of pity, and sometimes, a hint of contempt.

But no matter what, after living together for a long time, she has become someone who can enlighten and guide him.

"Hundreds of years of bloodshed, too much raging hatred, I am tired of this endless struggle. I think it's time to talk to them."

Maisha placed her small, smooth hands on his huge beast shoulders and whispered:
“You are still a God-Warrior, Ta’anari. Remind them of the power that God-Warriors represent, and perhaps you can gain their support for a truce.”

“What if they don’t listen?”

She smiled.
"Then you kill them all."

"A few days ago."

“Maisa sought out the reclusive Nasus under the pretext of ‘for world peace’.”

"From him, she obtained the legendary cross blade of the Ascended Lord Setaka—"

"Charikar."

"In order to end the Darkin War, Ta'anari gathered most of his former Ascended comrades and prepared to hold talks in Narimaj, Shuriman."

"He wanted to achieve a truce through a handshake and conversation."

"So, in the ancient circular theater, dark spawn warlords from all over the world gathered together."

"These were all his brothers and sisters who once had the blood of the sun. They were his brothers and sisters who were as close as brothers to him."

"But after listening to his peace declaration."

"Syphix's gaze was full of understanding, while Gigantus's was full of dazzling disgust."

"Shuyuen's contempt was so hot that Shabeka and Shabek didn't even raise their eyelids."

"Varieva's gaze was full of arrogant contempt."

"Giant Wolf Sebotaru paced back and forth impatiently."

"."

"There doesn't seem to be any hope."

"But Tayanali didn't give up."

"He tried to awaken the lords' memories by using the glory of the Shurima era, and tried to appease their resentment by whitewashing the brutal history of the Void invasion."

"but."

"It's useless. No one wants to listen."

"So, his voice got lower and lower."

"At the same time, a hand reached over the shoulder to the back and untied the charikar."

"When the darkin warlords saw this ancient artifact, they all looked greedy."

"The murderous intent was overflowing, just when Xu Yuyan rushed forward to grab it openly."

"Tayanali smashed the Charikar into the crystalline floor of the amphitheater with a deafening crash."

"Then, a cold and merciless light like silver burst out from Charikar."

"A pillar of pale flame pierced the ground from the night sky. It struck the outstretched branches of the Charikar and reflected the flames."

"The dark lords were sucked closer, and the flames penetrated their chests. The white flames burned them, dissolving their holy bodies, revealing their white bones."

"Amidst desperate screams, the nine darkborn warlords were annihilated in an instant."

"This is--"

"Maisa set up a killing formation here in advance."

(End of this chapter)