The Warden of Souls

stagger, stumble, shackled and bound In chains. indie canon divergent thresh from league of legends. written by connor. est. 5/1/2019

[lxnternism]

Hey all! So, I’m gonna be going on a semi-hiatus with this Thresh blog, as my muse for him has gone out the window. However, you can all find me on my Vi blog: @pink-wrecker

[kavtari]

Reblog if you RP using Discord

[lxnternism]

Thresh watched her as she processed each bit of what he had said, as well as his positioning and each moment her soul fluctuated it’s mood. He then listened at hearing the few words she had spoken, slowly nodding his head as he turned himself around. 

“You may. However. It comes at the price of possibly having your soul extracted by the Deathsinger. He is the keeper of the tomes, if he is here. Would you like me to go ahead? I can look to see if he is here or not.” He spoke matter-of-factly, his body turning to face hers again, awaiting her reply. The wails of the damned could be heard both near and far, the souls rising from the ground calling out to be released, let away from the isles and their endless torture. So close to the shore, and yet so far away from truly escaping.

[lxnternism]

The warden looked down to the tired woman, his jaws setting together as he watched her, watched the way her movements adjusted from her thinking he was one of their own, to realizing his real form. “I am the Warden of Souls. I come from the Shadow Isles to collect the souls of those who have passed on.” He made it sound as official as he could, his eyes looking into hers, curious of what her position was. He hadn’t been to the Freljord often enough, but he felt he recognized her face.

His fingers lightly set onto the handle of his hook, holding it in the holster as he glanced across the battlefield, seeing the many who lay dead or dying. He could see their souls as they called out for release from bodies that could no longer perform. No longer serve their Queen. His left hand moved to set simply atop the lantern, his body seeming at ease even in what could be a hostile environment. He was not afraid.

[lxnternism]

“There is certainly a chance you make your way through the isles unharmed. But they will be constantly trying to remove your soul as you make your way throughout. Have you not felt a weight on the inside of your mind? Your chest? The isles are not friendly to outsiders, much less live outsiders. You have a chance to find that which you seek, but there is also the chance that you perish on your journey.” His eyes watched her closely as he slowly kneeled down to be at her height.

“Take a moment and consider why you think the isles would hide what you seek? Have you been to everywhere else? Are you hoping there is a lone spirit here that could tell you what you are missing?” He asked her slowly, waiting to see her reaction. To see what she really was thinking being here. “I can lead you to the library of souls. It keeps track of each and every person living or dead on this plane. If you seek a name, you may find it there. Or, they may never exist. And your powers are deceiving you in making you think someone gave you your strength.”

[lxnternism]

Thresh listened to her speak, keeping his thumb and index finger tucked lightly beneath his bottom jaw and holding it together with his top jaw, watching her closely as she explained. She certainly was emotive when she spoke, which he found interesting. “Do not feel badly about your killing of the past. They served to make you stronger, and if you cannot remember them, perhaps they never happened here. Who is to know?”

He spread his arms out, slightly emotive in the way he spoke as if he were asking the world who would know just how she got her powers. He let his lower jaw set back into place below the other, turning himself around and glancing to the isles. “The longer you are here, the more you put yourself at an even greater risk. That was simply one of the souls that arrives every time a live one comes here. I have not always stopped him. But you felt different.”

[lxnternism]

Thresh opened his jaws to let out a fiery sigh again, his arms comfortably tucking away within his overcoat as he looked over to her, the pockets certainly helpful when he had nothing else to do with his hands. “You certainly do use your emotions a lot. Just do not let them get the better of you in some situations. Emotions can be good, but they can easily be bad as well.”

He couldn’t help the want to smile when she tugged on his sleeve to let him know she was done, carefully looking her over after turning around. “Thank you. It will be a difficult journey, and I hope you will not have to keep yourself quiet.” It was another way of him saying that he enjoyed her voice.

[hold-onto-existence]

[She winced when she saw the other move so abruptly; so quickly, in fact, that she didn’t have any time to even think of teleporting away. She gasped and pulled down her ears, but before she could think of anything else happening, she heard a sound. Something else was approaching the misty harbor too… a horse? Someone else, by how Thresh spoke. Her ears moved again, not so low anymore, as she tried to peek from behind the cloak at whoever the Warden was speaking to. She couldn’t have but a glimpse of a figure getting farther away, just as it came. A thin layer of worry still veiling her gaze as they resumed their conversation.

She took a few moments to answer. She glanced at the lantern while thinking. Was it melancholy she caught? His way of talking about “his lands” suggested a certain attachment to them. Nothing she could ever dream of feeling for her homeland, that was for sure, but if her library or the forest were to be destroyed… maybe. But not to that degree. She couldn’t imagine what kind of curse could have brought an entire area to such destruction.

She finally looked up.] I made my own identity out of this gift I was born with. I like to learn and never cease to study magic, but it’s brought as many wonders as many troubles, I fear. [One of them deals with this, she thought of continuing, but she stopped as she realized she was reaching up to take the gemstone off her hat. She didn’t know if she could trust the one in front of her to that point; that catalyst was both her strenght and her weak point. Still, it was the reason why she came to the Isles. Hiding it would make her trip pointless. She sighed.] I found myself capable of a very strong ability which kind of resembles that of your lantern, from what I’ve seen. But I can’t remember how I came to know about it, nor if it was taught to me, nor by who.

[lxnternism]

“Hmm... something similar to my lantern?” He asked quietly, carefully moving his hook down towards the lantern, pressing the sharp end in before he brought it up carefully to his face, then glanced back down to her. “Similar how so?” His tone was cold, questioning, and truly curious. Something like his lantern? He hadn’t heard of anything like it. He figured she had to either be lying, or she truly didn’t know what her powers came from.

“I will try my best to help you find out. It seems as if that gem is simply the source of your powers. But what exactly are your powers? Are they something simple like conjuring food or drink? Or do you possess the power to sling fireballs and create torrents of water? Or perhaps something else..?” He asked quietly, his eyes carefully moving to look out at the landscape. “Is there a reason you came here specifically? Or are you simply hoping you will find the knowledge you seek?”

[lxnternism]

“Barely. Most of the time, I bury them the best that I can. Try and keep them down so that they may not influence a situation.” He was honest with her. Emotions could still fuel him in moments of anger, or regret. If someone were to strike him he would become enraged and likely strike back with a much more deadly effect.

His flame dulled around the top of his skull as he opened his jaws, seemingly breathing out before the flames flared up again, his fingers having tightened into fists as he thought about it. If someone were to harm her, he would do much the same. But it wouldn’t be for a selfish reason that time. No, it would be to protect the one that he now cared for. “Just... be careful on our adventure to the city of Piltover. It can be treacherous if you are not careful with your footing, as well as your sounds. Keep your voice to a minimum when I tell you to.”

[hold-onto-existence]

[Her ears immediately perked up as he introduced himself and explained what just happened. A regular guest would have probably shuddered to the description, or at least to those eerie screams, but not Mimi. Her eyes were opened wide, staring at the lights being dragged away until they disappeared in the lantern; smiling didn’t come natural at all, but a speck of hope definitely lit up her murmurs.] I really might be in the right place… [she said, more like speaking to herself than to the other.]

Glad to meet you, Thresh, [her voice seemed to have returned a bit.] I know very little of the real events that happened here… many still say that the Isles don’t exist. But speaking to someone who was actually there before they changed? It was definitely unexpected… [She took a short pause, unsure of which words could be right to use; she didn’t want to offend him or insist on uncomfortable topics, but her thirst for knowledge was always there to bother.]

How long has it been since then?

[lxnternism]

Thresh closely watched her for a few moments, before turning and glancing to the isles as he heard the spirits of the fallen, then the sound of approaching hooves. He turned back to her with speed, quickly surrounding her with his cloak to shelter her as one of the fallen arrived, trying to kill the newcomer. “Leave. Or be subject to the lantern.” He said in a hostile tone. She would either continue to live or be a soul of his. He would not allow some other specter to take her soul.

It turned away in fear upon seeing Thresh, the legends of his lantern having spread across the land throughout the many years since the ruination. “It has been... too long. Since the ruination of my lands. I cannot remember how long. At least over a century.” He said quietly, unveiling her again as he stepped back. “It is unsafe for most. Especially the simplest of mortals. But you are not that. I can sense magic within your spirit.”

[hold-onto-existence]

No, I don’t have any ill intentions towards the Isles or its inhabitants… [she answered in a hushed tone, observing the blue lights approaching. Her posture became slightly rigid, unsure if she should worry more about those or about the chains. At least, the welcomer didn’t look exactly hostile, either; it was him pulling those away. Were they energy? Mana? Souls that were visible to the naked eye? She had never seen anything like that before, but who could know, maybe there really was a connection to her gemstone somehow…]

I seek to learn. Hopefully, I can find out something to answer some questions I’ve had for a while now. Something important that I shouldn’t have forgotten, I’d dare to say, [she mused as she answered the other being. She took a few very small steps forward then, getting farther away from the little boat she just got off from.] 

Can I ask… who are you instead?

[lxnternism]

Thresh watched closely as she stepped forward, taking note of the very small, almost hesitant steps. “I am known as Thresh. Warden of Souls. I pulled a pack of souls away from you as they were trying to whisper to you. Trying to absorb into you. It’s quite unpleasant. I would know, it happened to myself when the ruination first struck these lands.”

His eyes glanced over her small form, finding the gemstone as his eyes latched on, watching it closely. It seemed powerful. Or important. Either way, he hoped to figure out why it felt as such. He moved his hook full of souls to his lantern, the cries of the souls being absorbed easily heard. “Do not worry. I will not do the same to you unless you prove a threat to me.”

[thornsofrevolution]

“Interesting… I guess I’ll see for myself though.” After saying that she continued eating, almost full and half way done with the second slice he had made for her. She looked surprised however when he brought up the flowers, and looked down, embarrassed once more.  “I-i didn’t mean to… Sometimes my magic reacts to my emotions or needs. I can’t help it!” She huffed after speaking. Her magic could be extremely useful, but also a burden in some cases, mostly when she had to keep it a secret, never knowing if she’d accidentally use it. “… Oh. Um. Okay. I can take care of myself, though, you shouldn’t worry about me.” Well… it was mostly true. She knew how to hide, and how to run. Fighting wasn’t an option for her. “Besides I think you’re the more scarier out of both of us.”

[lxnternism]

“Hmm. Just because I am scarier does not mean they would not harm you.” He said simply, carefully glancing back to her as he had begun to walk over towards where they had come from, his arms set carefully on his tools, the lantern and the hook on either side of him.

“I will not judge you for using your magic by accident. That just tells me how potent it is, how strong you can be. It seems you are certainly fueled by emotion.” He said lightly, glancing back to her as he turned his head to the side. “Emotions are an interesting subject. So many things that can influence a soul to do things they wouldn’t normally do.”

[thornsofrevolution]

She listened eagerly, wanting to know, and wasn’t really disappointed with his answer. The fire flowing from the sides of his jaw caught her attention momentarily, before her eyes went back to his own. Well, where his eyes would be anyways.  “I guess it’s a good idea you brought that up, right? It’ll be nice to see something entirely new, really… But being able to use my magic without getting hurt for it…” Some flowers popped up and bloomed around her on the ground, unable to hide her happiness and relief at the thought, her magic reacting to her emotion. That happens sometimes. “Zaun’s below Piltover, right?” She said, before continuing to work on the slice of meat.

[lxnternism]

“Yes, it is.” He said lightly, leaning himself in a bit as he saw the way the flowers sprouted up around her, smiling on the inside as he couldn’t on the outside. She was cute. Well and honestly cute. He felt he had to protect her. To keep her safe, well fed, and well rested.

“You may want to be careful with your excitement there, Frayja. You’re sprouting flowers.” Thresh carefully moved to stand up, glancing towards the way forward, then to the way they came from. “I’m going to ensure we are not surprised. I do not want any harm to come to you.”

[thornsofrevolution]

It didn’t escape her attention that he caught her looking at him, and she hoped he didn’t realize she’d been staring. It was rude to stare after all, and he probably didn’t like it. Her face heat up in embarrassment once more nonetheless at the fact she had gotten caught though.  Her attention was caught as he cut her another slice, smiling a little at that. He kind of was acting like a mother hen, really. Then her focus went back to the environment around them, enjoying the morning sun. She herself didn’t seem that worried about anyone finding them, though it wasn’t as if no one ever came out this way, her focus was more on taking in the sights she’d missed being hidden in the forest for so long.  Eventually she finished off the first slice, and did start to eat the second, not having to blow on it anymore. It was kind of awkward, eating when he doesn’t need to, but at least she was eating, and not forgetting to eat a meal or simply pushing it aside.  “… Have you had a favorite place you’ve been? You’ve been to a lot of places, so you have to have somewhere, right?” Eyes looked back at him once more, curiosity shining in them. 

[lxnternism]

Thresh glanced back to her, his jaw setting to the side at seeing the way she looked at him, the curiosity almost cute. He let fire carefully billow out the sides of his jaws again, thinking for a few moments, his left hand coming down to set atop the small amount of table left, tapping his fingers atop it in thought. 

“I would have to say Piltover. As well as Zaun. They come together to form a system that is quite unbelievable once you truly get to see it.” He said lightly, glancing back towards the forest, and past that the pathway to Piltover. “You will likely enjoy it there. Seeing the different technologies, as well as the magics used freely there. There is no law against the magical arts, as long as you are careful with it.”

[thornsofrevolution]

She continued eating, but took the water skin with a gentle thank you, taking a sip before returning to eating. It was obvious that she’d been rather starving, clearly trying not to eat to fast. The meat was really good, though, and had her practically glowing with how content she was.  Her eyes watched him, taking in his features. He wasn’t what one would expect a spirit to look like, that’s for sure. Maybe he was a special kind? That made sense to her, at least. Was he human once? She had lots of questions, but figured it was for the best that she not ask them all at once. She looked away finally, back to eating properly, looking out at the scenery as she did so. It was looking to be a beautiful day, so that was something to look forward to. 

[lxnternism]

Thresh had managed to look back to her moments before she got to look away, tilting his head in curiosity at her having been staring at him. He instead now stared at her, taking in how her features seemed to be changing before his very eyes. She certainly looked happier. More awake, and nearly glowing. She was, in that moment, beautiful. And it awoke something within his spiritual heart. He reached forward, carefully cutting another slice off the steak for her in case she wasn’t done as well.

Thresh then carefully moved to glance back at the forest, turning himself to the side as well so that he could examine it and keep watch for anyone who may come after them. He was worried. Worried they would be seen, worried she would be caught and possibly hurt. Of course, he would do his best to ensure that wouldn’t happen. He cared for her now. She was the only one that he could find care for.

[lxnternism]

The isles. Once beautiful and bright, now dim and glowing green and blues with the souls constantly drifting across the land. New life has set foot into the isles, and with it the ground groans, much like a detection spell a mage could cast.

Thresh hears the groan all the way from his “home” within the isles, his eyes constantly looking over the horizon for the new fresh blood that had stepped into the isles. He watched, and listened at all times for souls that were calling out to him, and yet this one stepped directly into the isles and pulses with hidden power. She is a magic user, that much he could tell.

His chains collide as he steps towards the entrance of the isles, seeing a small boat that allowed this yordle to arrive there. He sees her true nature, but does not feel the need to reveal it. Her soul is still human, yet she takes the form of a yordle. He is not one to judge. He continues to the docks, long since shattered by the ruination. “Welcome to the Shadow Isles, small one.” He greeted, tone cold, focused. He simply had to play the waiting game.

@assistant-of-evil

[hold-onto-existence]

[The Shadow Isles. Their story torn between legends and history, their grounds unwelcoming and greedy for living souls; the witch never thought she would, one day, get to see them in person. As the small boat that was carrying her approached the emerged lands, a chilling sensation seemed to reach out deep enough to get to her bones. She grabbed the edges of her cloak and kept them close. Probably it would have helped to light up some of her flames to warm herself up, but she didn’t want to appear as a hostile visitor, so she thought better of it. It was always answers she was searching for. That research would have been the death of her, sooner or later, but she still pushed on…]

Thank you, [she replied politely to the tall figure seemingly waiting for her while she stepped off the boat. She looked up at him after she had safely kept her clothes away from the water; his voice and appearence were imposing, to say the least, but the lantern he carried with him caught her eye for longer than the rest. How bright. And still, it wasn’t correct to stare like that. She returned to look up at his… skull?]

Greetings. My name is Mimi. I come in peace, [she felt the urge to specify those details immediately. Other than the lantern, the tingling of chains had made her ears flick at least once or twice. She had no intention to risk and get captured the second she set foot there; she didn’t really have a clear idea of what could be waiting for her in that place, but her guess clearly wasn’t a happy one.]

[lxnternism]

Thresh carefully looked over the waters that allowed newcomers to access the Shadow Isles, before his eyes drifted back down to the yordle in front of him, his hands carefully setting together, bones set against bones. “What is your intention of coming to the isles? You do not seem the type to want to destroy the lands further than they have already been.”

His eyes watched her closely, his flames flickering a bright green in comparison to the blues floating calmly around him, into the air, seemingly trying to gather around Mimi as he unholstered his hook and moved to pull them away. He did not want to have them frighten away the guest to the isles.

[thornsofrevolution]

“That makes sense, I suppose.” She watched him for a bit, before looking down at her finger, smiling a little, before she watched the steak for a bit. “I forgive you.” It wasn’t something to forgive him for, really, but it was kind of funny seeing the guy who literally eats souls and tears people open fussing over her finger having a slight burn.  “It’s okay. Not the first time, won’t be the last. I know how to sew, so if a major rip happens it’s okay. But… more fitting for me?” She seemed confused at that, looking down at her clothes. They were simple, nothing extravagant, and clearly meant to last as long as possible. They might have even been made out of some sort of sack, though she wasn’t sure, the camp had given her some clothing when she officially became a part of it. “I don’t see why I change that for you. I’m not special.”  She was really just a simple farm girl at heart. Even though she’s been through a lot, she didn’t think she was strong or anything. Just lucky. She prodded the meat again, noting the piece he had cut off was much cooler now, and picked up to start carefully eating it, blowing on it when she had to. “… It’s good, by the way. Thank you.” At least she was polite enough to swallow before speaking.

[lxnternism]

Thresh carefully looked back down to her, watching as she blew on the piece of meat to cool it down, fire carefully pushing out the sides of his face. “I’m glad you enjoy it, Frayja.” He said softly, his hands still carefully clasped together in his lap, his eyes then glancing over towards the forest. He wanted to ensure she wouldn’t be onto him truly feeling emotion.

“Sorry, here.” He said lightly, carefully placing down the waterskin for her to drink from, knowing that she likely would need to drink some water to wash down the flank steak she had bitten off, carefully leaning himself forward against his elbows, flames carefully brushing out both sides of his skull and his eye sockets, turning his head to the side again to continue watching the environment. In case any Demacians were to show up.