"Could you scratch my foot for me?"
The booming voice echoed in all directions as Galio bent down. His enormous eyes, each as tall as two men, gazed down at the crowd gathered at his feet.
"My hammer, by the Light!"
Lueil Durand let out a cry of disbelief. "He moved!"
"The Colossus of Justice has moved!"
"Galio spoke!"
"Er…" Galio scratched his head, staring at the shouting Lueil with puzzlement. "Did I scare you, little man?"
"Brother Duke, he really moved!"
"Brother Duke, you did it! You made Galio move!"
Lux was trembling all over. The very moment she saw Galio stir to life, her admiration and awe for Duke spilled out of her uncontrollably. Clutching at Duke's sleeve again and again, she was met only with his indulgent smile.
"Yes, Lux. The Colossus of Justice has awakened."
At that very moment, the rune pylons fell silent.
The six rune pylons had been channeling energy into Galio, fueling this giant. But just how much magic did he need to draw in before he could move on his own?
And once fully awakened, how long could he sustain himself?
"No, no, you didn't scare me at all! I, I'm just so happy!" Lueil was trembling with excitement. In his lifetime, he had now witnessed Galio's awakening twice. Even if he died tomorrow, there would be no regrets.
But he quickly remembered who was responsible for all this: that young man in a white coat. It was Duke's miraculous technology that had roused Galio again.
And that meant this man's knowledge carried profound significance for all of Demacia.
"Good. I'm glad I didn't frighten you."
Galio lifted his gaze from Lueil, sweeping it over the others. Captain Marques of the Mage-Seeker Corps swallowed hard. The very symbol of Demacia stood before him, awake.
He thought to himself, When I'm old and grey, sitting by the fire with my grandchildren, I'll tell them about this moment.
It was a story he could boast of for a lifetime,
even after death, he'd still brag in the afterlife.
"So, this time you woke me up… is there something you want me to smash?"
Straightening to his full height, Galio scanned the horizon.
"Has some enemy invaded again?
The barbarians of Freljord, perhaps?" His gaze turned northward, expectation gleaming in his eyes. "I like their behemoths, massive creatures, tough as I am!"
"Or is it the Noxian scoundrels?" He turned eastward. "Their black magisters keep me going longer."
"Brother Duke, what do we do next?"
Lux's voice trembled as she turned to him. They had succeeded in awakening Galio… but what now?
Would Galio be furious, realizing he had been called forth only for an experiment?
Would he suddenly crush them all beneath his fists?
"Well, as for what's next…" Duke rubbed his chin, casting a glance at the girl beside him. If Galio favored anyone most, other than his creator Durand, it was Lux.
Galio had noticed her since she was a child.
Each year, when her family traveled and passed the Colossus, they would sometimes pause at his feet. From that time on, he had kept his gaze on her.
Whenever Lux played at his feet, and suddenly remembered the giant above her, she would dart shyly behind her mother's skirts.
Even in slumber, though his vision was blurred and distorted, Galio could still sense the girl's uniqueness.
She radiated a light, not only visible, but felt.
Near her, time itself seemed to pause.
Mist rose around her, and a curious warmth stirred deep in his stone body.
When she was just a child, her magic would tickle at his toes. The second time he saw her, the halo of warmth reached up his leg. As she grew older, her magic became fiercer, a blazing fire that filled his cold core with heat.
In truth, Lux had given Galio life.
If Galio carried a scale of favor toward the people of Demacia, then Lux's measure had always been off the charts.
Though he was sworn to defend the nation, there was an exception,
Lux.
For her, Galio would fight without hesitation.
"Why don't you go ask him yourself?"
Duke nudged Lux forward. She stumbled a few steps, staring up at the towering mountain of stone, then bolted back behind Duke, cheeks flushed.
"Brother Duke, don't scare me like that!"
"But this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You could befriend Galio!"
"No, absolutely not!"
Lux gazed up at Galio, her voice full of yearning yet shadowed by self-doubt. "Galio is the glory of Demacia. I… I'm just a mistake."
Understanding her meaning, Duke pulled her forward, setting his hands firmly on her shoulders.
"You are not a mistake. You're my apprentice.
Hold your head high, and boldly do whatever you dream of.
Besides, he's awake because of me. If he dares upset you, I'll shut him down on the spot."
"Don't you dare!" Lux exclaimed, panicked.
Duke turned her around to face Galio.
"Then at least go greet him. I'm certain he'll like you."
Facing Galio, Lux suddenly realized, he had been watching her the whole time. It was not her imagination. It was a truth that cut straight to her heart.
Galio was watching her.
"Y-you… hello…"
Lux mustered her courage and spoke.
Galio bent down, and with one gentle sweep of his massive hand, lifted her into his palm. Lux's eyes widened in alarm, but the colossus cradled her with care.
"Hello, little lady. Have you come to see me again?"
Lux covered her face with both hands, then slowly parted her fingers, peeking out at the giant before her.
"You… you know me?"
"Of course. I've known you since you were very small. I'm glad you've come to visit again!"
The colossus laughed, his joy booming like a child splashing in a spring.
"My adorable golden-haired little one," Galio rumbled, "you're delightful. Don't leave me."
"I can't leave right now… I'm sitting in your hand!"
"I'm sorry. I don't often get to see little ladies like you. Usually, when I wake, it's to smash things." Carefully, he lowered his hand, setting her safely back on the ground. "Do you have something you'd like me to smash?"
"I like you very much, golden-haired little one. I would gladly fight for you."
The sincerity in Galio's voice left everyone except Duke in shock. Galio had never pledged himself to any single person before,
only to Demacia itself.
Yet here he was, declaring he would fight for Lux.
"I'm not a golden-haired little one. I'm Lux!" she corrected earnestly.
Galio scratched his head, nodding vigorously. "Lux… what a beautiful name. I'll remember it."
"So… does that mean we're friends now?"
Her innocent, childlike question drew a warm smile from the colossus.
"Of course."
"Then let me introduce you to my teacher!"
"Your teacher?" Galio followed her gesture toward Duke, hands in his pockets. Narrowing his eyes, Galio perceived the man. In his senses, Duke was like a sun, radiating life to all things.
"I like your teacher. Like you, he makes me feel warm."
Duke's magic carried the same life-rich essence Galio favored.
"But… would you stay and talk with me a little longer?" Galio asked, his gaze returning to Lux. "It's been so long since you last came."
That very night, an urgent dispatch arrived at the Dawn Castle in the capital.
"Urgent message for His Majesty!"
"Delivered by dragon-rider courier from Mithril City!"
The guards ushered the rider before King Jarvan III, a middle-aged man with a black beard. Setting down his documents, the king smiled kindly.
"You've come a long way. Thank you for your service."
"For Demacia!"
The dragon-rider offered the sealed message with both hands. Crown Prince Jarvan IV himself rose from his seat to accept it.
Breaking the seal, the king read only a few lines before his eyes widened in astonishment.
"This is… incredible!"
"Father, what has happened?"
The prince strode into the hall, tall and proud. Jarvan III passed him the letter.
"See for yourself."
Jarvan IV scanned the contents, and immediately cried out.
"The Colossus of Justice has moved?
And through… artificial intervention?"
His brows arched higher as he read further. "It was Duke who did this?"
"Yes," Jarvan III replied gravely. "The very young man you spoke of after your visit to Piltover. Galio's awakening is his work."
"Then Father, your decision?"
The king paced across the polished white tiles, then stopped before his desk.
"Seal all news of this. When he arrives at the capital, I will meet him myself.
This young man now holds the power to reshape Demacia."
"Yes, Father."
The prince inclined his head and left. Yet as he walked down the long corridor, another figure flickered through his mind.
"At her pace, she should be arriving at Mithril City about now…"
End of chapter....
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