The awakening of the Colossus of Justice sent shockwaves throughout Mithral City that would be remembered for generations.
Regardless of the mysterious light's origin, one fact remained undeniable: that radiant pillar had somehow triggered the ancient guardian's activation. Such an event hadn't occurred in living memory, and its implications were staggering.
Armed forces from every district rushed toward the disturbance while members of the royal family and major noble houses abandoned their daily affairs to witness this unprecedented phenomenon firsthand.
"You must have been so lonely, sleeping here for all these centuries," Lux said softly, her words warming Galio's ancient consciousness like sunlight after endless winter.
As the Colossus of Justice charged with protecting Demacia, he had rarely been awakened since his original construction. After all, this was Mithral City—the very heart of the kingdom. If enemies ever reached this sacred ground, it would mean Demacia itself was on the verge of total collapse.
But Lux represented something entirely different. Her pure magical essence had not only roused him from dormancy but actually filled his petricite body with enough energy to sustain independent movement for extended periods. For the first time in centuries, he was truly free rather than merely reactive.
"Loneliness has been my constant companion," Galio admitted, his voice carrying the weight of ages. "But as magical energy fades from the world, I sleep through most of the passing years. It makes the isolation... bearable."
Lux nodded with deep understanding. As a magical being designed specifically to counter hostile spellcasters, Galio had indeed encountered very little magical activity in recent decades. Without her spontaneous inspiration to touch him, this gentle giant might have continued his eternal slumber indefinitely.
While they conversed, urgent voices began calling from the ground below. Lux peered down to see her brother Garen standing alongside Prince Jarvan IV and Grand Seneschal Xin Zhao, all three men staring up at the extraordinary sight.
"That's my brother!" Lux exclaimed with obvious delight, waving enthusiastically toward the assembled dignitaries. She turned back to Galio with an apologetic smile. "Could you please set me down? I need to speak with them."
Without hesitation, Galio carefully lowered his massive hand to ground level, allowing Lux to step safely onto solid earth once more.
"Young lady," Garen said with exasperated affection, "why didn't you return home immediately instead of stopping to play with ancient statues?"
He couldn't help but massage his temples in frustration. His sister had just publicly exposed her magical abilities in the most dramatic fashion possible. After all, the Colossus of Justice was designed specifically to respond to magical power—and her successful activation served as undeniable proof of her spellcasting capabilities.
"Don't worry about that!" Lux replied cheerfully, producing her crystalline staff and tapping it once against the ground.
Instantly, the towering column of light dissipated, returning the area to normal illumination levels.
"It's all thanks to that person in Zaun," she explained with practiced innocence. "He granted me this power as part of our diplomatic exchange."
Her simple statement resolved the entire controversy. After all, the mysterious warrior who had sealed Void incursions possessed capabilities beyond mortal comprehension. Granting magical abilities to a young noblewoman would represent a trivial exercise for such a being.
Therefore, while Prince Jarvan IV felt somewhat uncomfortable with the situation, he couldn't voice any objections. Ordering Lux to reject gifts from someone of that caliber would constitute a diplomatic insult of the highest order—one that might well result in Demacia's complete destruction.
"Besides granting you magical abilities, what else did this individual provide?" the Prince inquired with obvious curiosity.
If Lux had only received personal power enhancement, it would hardly justify the precious treasures they'd carefully selected for the diplomatic offering.
Responding to his question, Lux opened her dimensional pack with evident excitement and withdrew both a metallic feather and a sphere resembling polished white jade.
"He said this feather can be used by anyone, but recommended giving it to my brother since he'll be confronting Noxian forces," she explained carefully. "As for these jade-like orbs, I'm not entirely sure of their purpose. He provided several of them and mentioned that they activate when charged with energy."
These artifacts represented her complete exchange with Marcus. While they appeared somewhat modest, everyone present understood that someone capable of sealing cosmic horrors would have no reason to engage in petty deception over material treasures.
"Return to the castle immediately," Prince Jarvan IV commanded with authority. "We'll examine these items together and determine their capabilities."
Under royal orders, the entire group mobilized efficiently. Even Lux moved toward her waiting carriage, though she paused to call out a final message to her new friend.
"I'll visit you again tomorrow!" she promised the towering guardian.
"I look forward to it!" Galio responded, his thunderous voice somehow conveying genuine warmth and anticipation.
Though he had accepted Lux as a companion, he would never restrict her freedom of movement. True friendship, he understood, required mutual respect and independence.
After watching Lux depart, Galio remained standing outside Mithral City's walls, gazing thoughtfully at the colorful clouds drifting across distant horizons. Such simple pleasures had been denied to him for far too long.
Royal Castle - Private Chambers
Inside the castle's secure conference room, Prince Jarvan IV examined the Void Feather from multiple angles, searching for any obvious magical properties or hidden mechanisms. Even Xin Zhao, despite his extensive experience and broad knowledge, couldn't identify anything particularly special about the artifact.
"How exactly does one utilize this feather?" the Prince asked with growing frustration.
"According to the instructions, you simply fuse it directly into equipment," Lux replied. "However, once the integration process begins, it becomes permanent and irreversible. You must choose the carrier very carefully."
Her explanation prompted thoughtful silence as the assembled leaders considered their options. This feather was clearly valuable—Lux had received numerous jade spheres but only a single feather, suggesting its unique importance.
"Perhaps we should integrate it into a weapon?" Garen suggested first, applying his characteristic direct approach to problem-solving.
"Regardless of its specific properties, weapon fusion would certainly enhance our offensive capabilities significantly."
"Absolutely not," Xin Zhao countered immediately, his military experience informing his tactical assessment. "While weapons offer obvious advantages, battlefield survival must remain our top priority. Furthermore, not every warrior specializes with identical weapon types."
The veteran seneschal raised valid concerns—different fighters employed varying combat styles, and they might not be able to effectively utilize weapons enhanced with Void Feather properties.
After a moment of contemplation, Prince Jarvan IV spoke with growing conviction.
"Why not fuse it into armor instead? We Demacians pride ourselves on being warriors always ready for battle, and armor represents our primary lifeline in combat."
The suggestion sparked immediate interest among the group. Armor would indeed provide universal applicability regardless of individual fighting preferences.
"An excellent proposal," Xin Zhao agreed after consideration. "But which specific armor should receive this enhancement?"
The choice carried significant weight—whatever armor they selected would become a treasured relic of Demacia, far too valuable for casual deployment.
"Let's use our most ceremonial suit," Prince Jarvan IV decided. "The one that symbolizes Demacia's highest ideals. It should serve as our kingdom's eternal protector."
Within minutes, servants delivered an immaculately maintained suit of armor that gleamed with perfect polish and represented the absolute pinnacle of Demacian craftsmanship.
Garen approached the armor with appropriate reverence, carefully placing the Void Feather against its breastplate. The moment contact was established, the feather began to dissolve and merge with the metal while intricate patterns spread across the armor's surface—twisted, alien designs that somehow complemented rather than diminished the suit's noble appearance.
As the fusion process completed, the enhanced armor displayed an otherworldly beauty that combined Demacian tradition with cosmic power.
"The integration appears successful," Garen observed with obvious satisfaction. "Though the aesthetic certainly... changed."
"Try it on immediately," Prince Jarvan IV commanded with barely contained eagerness.
Garen donned the transformed armor piece by piece, and the moment he secured the final component, brilliant light erupted from every surface. More importantly, knowledge flooded his mind—complete understanding of the artifact's capabilities and operational methods.
"I comprehend everything now," he announced with wonder. "This armor possesses a secondary form!"
His current state provided enhanced magical resistance and physical defense while allowing him to grow stronger by absorbing power from defeated enemies. The first stage was clearly designed for sustained combat operations.
"Secondary form?" the others echoed in confusion, waiting for elaboration.
"Yes! This represents the initial configuration," Garen explained enthusiastically. "It enhances my magical and physical defenses while allowing power absorption through combat victories. Essentially, the first stage creates armor optimized for extended warfare.
"But the second stage—called 'Spiritualization'—allows me to designate up to fifty individuals within a specific range and grant them identical capabilities to my own, including all armor-based enhancements. Imagine what happens when fifty warriors matching my strength appear along our borders!"
The implications struck everyone simultaneously like physical blows. They finally understood the Void Feather's true terrifying potential—a single artifact capable of creating an entire company of elite warriors.
Even Xin Zhao, despite his vast combat experience and worldly knowledge, couldn't suppress a surge of envy at Garen's incredible fortune.
"Demonstrate the spiritual state immediately," Prince Jarvan IV commanded with obvious excitement.
"I'm afraid that's impossible, Your Highness," Garen replied somewhat awkwardly.
"Impossible? Why?"
"The spiritualization requires enemy kills to charge the transformation. During actual combat, I can activate it repeatedly, but here in peaceful conditions, there's simply no way to access that power."
Prince Jarvan IV nodded with reluctant understanding. He wasn't a tyrant who would order attacks on innocent subjects merely to test magical equipment.
Since the armor's full capabilities couldn't be demonstrated, they turned their attention to the jade spheres Lux had collected.
"What purpose do these serve?" Prince Jarvan IV asked, selecting one sphere and examining it carefully.
He remembered Lux mentioning that they activated when infused with energy. Deciding to test this claim, he channeled a small amount of his personal power into the artifact.
The jade sphere immediately expanded and flew from his grasp, hovering in the air before manifesting into physical form.
CRACK!
With a sharp sound, a warrior composed entirely of petricite materialized—one of the Petricite Guards that Marcus had crafted specifically for their protection. Each guardian possessed considerable combat capability and served as an ideal bodyguard for high-value targets.
"What in the world...?" Prince Jarvan IV stared in amazement as the pristine white warrior moved to position itself directly behind him like a loyal sentinel.
"Allow me to test its capabilities," Xin Zhao requested, raising his three-talon spear.
He launched a careful probe attack toward the Petricite Guard, but just as his weapon was about to make contact, the construct moved with startling speed. Golden patterns flared across its surface as it deflected the spear strike with a perfectly executed palm block.
The Guard's combat style was elegantly simple yet devastatingly efficient—every defensive movement calculated for maximum effectiveness with minimum effort.
Xin Zhao attempted several additional attacks from different angles and with varying intensities, but the Petricite Guard consistently found optimal countermeasures in minimal time while maintaining its protective position near Prince Jarvan IV.
"So this artifact creates a personal guardian," Xin Zhao concluded with professional admiration.
While the Guard wouldn't initiate offensive action, it provided exceptional protection for its designated ward. Even Xin Zhao's carefully controlled attacks—weak though they were—had been neutralized with impressive efficiency.
"Perfect. Now we need only examine Lux's staff," Prince Jarvan IV declared, though his expression darkened slightly.
Magic remained a sensitive topic for him. His father, King Jarvan III, had died due to magical assassination, creating deep-seated resentment toward all spellcasters. While Lux's power supposedly came from Marcus rather than innate ability, he still felt instinctive resistance.
However, he wouldn't reject such capabilities outright. Since Lux had already gained magical abilities, they had little choice but to accept and evaluate them properly.
"Your staff?" he asked with forced neutrality.
Lux withdrew the crystalline focus from behind her back. The weapon was undeniably magnificent—if not for the radiant light emanating from its core, anyone might mistake it for a purely ceremonial scepter.
The moment Lux raised the staff, brilliant radiance filled the entire chamber. However, rather than causing discomfort, the light seemed to wash over everyone present with soothing, restorative energy.
"I haven't actually used this much yet," Lux admitted with slight embarrassment. "The journey back was so peaceful that I never had reason to test its capabilities."
"It appears your magic specializes in healing," Prince Jarvan IV observed with obvious relief. "That's... acceptable. At least it won't frighten the common people."
A recovery-focused mage posed minimal threat to social stability. After all, magic that only healed and restored couldn't possibly be used for harmful purposes—how could you attack someone by making them healthier?
Lux opened her mouth to correct his misunderstanding, then thought better of it and remained silent. This was still Demacia, where magic remained deeply distrusted. She had already exposed her abilities through the Galio incident—displaying additional capabilities would be unwise.
Garen also breathed a quiet sigh of relief. As someone who knew his sister's true magical nature, he understood that her light magic was far more versatile and dangerous than simple healing. Fortunately, that secret could remain hidden for now.
"Garen, take this armor with you when you return to the front lines," Prince Jarvan IV commanded with renewed authority. "I expect you to resolve our border crisis as quickly as possible."
With Garen's enhanced capabilities and the armor's power-sharing potential, they finally possessed an answer to Noxus's chemical enhancement program. While the spiritualization mode could only affect fifty individuals, combined with Garen's personal strength, that force would provide overwhelming tactical advantage.
If Prince Jarvan IV didn't need to remain in Mithral City handling domestic affairs, he would gladly join the campaign personally to witness those drug-enhanced Noxian soldiers face true opposition.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Garen acknowledged with fierce determination.
He departed alongside his sister, eager to return to active combat. With the spiritual armor in his possession, the power he could deploy had increased exponentially.
After all, equipment that could absorb enemy strength while sharing his own capabilities meant he could effectively carry an elite army with him wherever the battle demanded.