#Azir the exile AU

[marysunburn]

Azir and the law of nature

CW for this one: animal d3ath

When Azir was a child, their father the Emperor of Shurima took him and his children on a country trip.

Along the way, one of the children spotted something among the reeds: something white and red, small and puffy.

A baby stork, in their last moments of air.

“Father, can we keep it?” one of them asked. “We can nurse it back to…”

“No, children”, the Emperor said. “This stork is dying. It was meant to go this way.”

“How so?” another asked, as the others gasped in fear. The Emperor raised his staff to a tall palm, where a grown stork was flapping around a nest. A full hatch of four chicks awaited their parents’ return.

Even Azir couldn’t help but notice the other chicks were… bigger. Stronger. With fuller plumage and a wider wingspan. The one on the ground, on the other hand, was barely the size of a sparrow.

“Nasus”, the Emperor commanded. “Explain away”

“In the wild” the Curator said, “mother storks may discard their weakest hatchlings. They break their necks, or toss them off the nest. It’s not a pleasant sight, children. I suggest you avert your gaze.”

A couple of princes shed tears, another covered his mouth. Azir, hiding behind an older sister’s skirt, went as pale as a sheet.

“That’s so”, the Emperor said. “It’s not pleasant, but it must be done. That way, the strongest can be cared for and survive the best. This chick is weak, and scrawny, and probably dumb. It couldn’t have survived. This is just nature’s way.”

“But it’s their kid”, Azir blurted out. He felt even smaller among the reeds. “They should love him, even if he’s small.”

That’s strange, Nasus thought. Why is he calling the chick a he?

The Emperor touched his son’s head and shook his own. “Nature doesn’t love, Azir. It merely survives. Power comes from strength, and when one cannot provide it…”

Nasus hated the face the old monarch made when he said those words. “…it’s best for all if they’re gone.”

After such a horrifying reveal, the kids all turned away from the dying baby stork, walking around the reeds in search of more amusing pastimes. Chasing frogs, picking flowers, collecting rocks. Even His Imperial Majesty sat in his patio, reading documents and relaxing in the sun.

All of them except Azir, who remained near the dying thing like a small statue.

It was Nasus who found him, of course.

“Are you alright, your majesty?”

Azir gave a small hiccup, tears running down his face. “I feel… sorry for that stork.”

Nasus held him in his arms, making so he averted his eyes from the dying chick. Nature is indeed unforgiving. Azir was to learn, sooner or later.

“That’s sad, child. But like your father said, it’s the way of nature. People are different.” Hopefully so, at least. “We’ll never understand it, but we can accept it as the way things are. That way, it won’t feel as ugly.”

“But I can’t leave him there, all alone. He will think he’s unwanted.” The child held onto the Curator’s bandaged hands. “He’ll think nobody loves him, he’ll die alone, without anyone by his side. I can’t go, Nasus, please…”

There’s the he again. Nasus could see what was going on. He held Azir’s cheeks, wiping his tears, and removed some bandages from his arms.

“I’ll pick it… him up. We’re going to make a little shrine, ok? A small resting place.”

Azir gave a faint nod. He wiped his face and gave himself a more imperial presentation. Nasus wrapped the baby bird, his small chest still heaving, in the bandages, and held him in a gentle caress as Azir dug a hole in the muddy floor, and Nasus laid the bundle of bandages into it with a gentle motion.

“Do you want to tell him something?”

Azir stretched his neck to look at the small corpse, but turned away at the last moment. His eyes fixated to the floor, holding onto the ground with his hands, he gave another small nod.

“Hey, I don’t know if you can hear me. I’m Azir, and this is Nasus. We love you. You’re not a mistake. You’re not weak. You’re good, and we love you for who you are. Now you’ll… you’ll rest. I made this for you, see? It’s cozy, and warm. Like a real nest. You’ll love it. Maybe next time… there’ll be a better place for you.”

He can’t hear you, sweet one. But there’s no way to tell you without betraying your very soul.

As the Curator stated at Azir’s small face, the child was lost in a strange contemplative silence. This gesture wouldn’t change the laws of nature, or help any of the other storks that perished all over the lands. It’s something Azir did for himself – pushed by a mixture of love, pity, and a need for comfort that binds us all as living things.

Azir covered the hole in dirt, leaves and a circle of rocks. A perfect little shrine. Nasus gave him a smile to cheer him up, and water to clean his muddy hands.

“You’re a kind child, little…”

He can’t call him little bird, not after what they saw.

“Little prince. You did something special. Now let us go back to more pleasant places.”

[kda-chat]

Kai’Siv Hercules Inspired AU

Long Post Warning! Inspired by Disney’s Heracles, changed the Greek mythology to Egyptian mythology. Because of that, there are slight variations compared to the original story. Just know this is just a simple, general AU post and I hope you enjoy! :)

XXX

Shai, God of Fate and Destiny, foretold a prophecy: Set, God of the Desert, Storms, and Evil, will one day overthrow Anubis, God of Funerals, Mummification, and the Afterlife and take over Duat- the Realm of the Dead. With Anubis gone, this leaves Osiris, Lord of the Underworld, and Set's brother, vulnerable to overthrow. The downfall of Anubis and Osiris will destroy the Mortal Realm, crumbling Egypt to the ground. However, a mortal champion, chosen by Anubis, will rise to stop Set. No matter what, this champion will be successful.

To prevent the second half of the prophecy from coming true, Set sent ruthless sandstorms around temples that worshiped Anubis, depriving him of followers. For many years, Anubis' temples were barren and empty, loss of faith.

One day, a poor woman, on the verge of death, finds herself in the footsteps of Anubis' temple, carrying a baby. She begs the deity to save her child's life before succumbing to death. Anubis, knowing the prophecy is now set, takes in the baby, and names her Sivir. Gifting her with godlike strength, he requests aid from Ra, God of the Sun. Ra sends down his demi god champion, Azir, to help.

Azir is Sivir's ancestor [Azir was human at one point, thousands of years ago], thus why he was chosen to become her parental figure, taking on a human disguise. His role is to guide Sivir and raise her in the Mortal Realm, to learn and understand about humanity. However, Sivir grew up isolated and distrustful. The other children and parents were fearful of Sivir's inhuman strength and treated her like an outcast. Worried, Azir then took in another child named Taliyah from an exiled village that was destroyed by bandits. Thus, Sivir and Taliyah got along and became close friends. Taliyah didn't mind Sivir's strength and saw her as an older sister that protected her.

One day, Azir reveals Sivir's destiny to her, after she had been questioning her existence and role in this world. He tells her to visit the Temple of Anubis, who will then prepare her for her fight against Set.

Sivir travels to the Temple of Anubis and meets Anubis himself. He tells her about her mother, how she came to him, and now what she needs to do. Anubis sends his champions down to Earth, Nasus and Renekton, to train Sivir. Nasus will teach her how to use her mind in the face of battle, using strategy, plans, and tactics to win. Renekton will teach Sivir about bravery and perseverance, how to use her godlike strength to win. The two brothers have different views of strength and often fight about it. [Insert Sivir's workout montage and getting buff.]

Meanwhile, Set has found out about Sivir. Using spies to observe the young woman, he noticed her attraction towards women. So Set chooses Kai'sa to hopefully "slow down" Sivir's progress and kill her.

Kai'sa is a mortal girl, a victim of the Void- an empty space that is filled with gruesome monsters. Kai'sa once loved another woman [I guess this can be Cassiopeia but I'll leave it blank]. When her lover was trapped in the Void, Kai'sa rushed in to save her but was betrayed by the lover and left in the Void for many years. This made Kai'sa distrustful and cynical towards romance. The only thing that kept her sanity in the Void was her need to survive for her father, Kassadin, who thought she was dead.

Set makes a deal with Kai'sa. He will release Kai'sa from the Void, and return her to her father if she seduces Sivir and kills her. Kai'sa takes the deal.

At this point, Sivir has grown stronger and wiser under Nasus and Renekton's guidance. She has conquered different trials to test her abilities, gaining respect and honor from the people that ostracized her. She was now a hero in their eyes.

In an "accident" at the river, Sivir rescues Kai'sa and falls deeply in love. Kai'sa was unlike any other girl that Sivir fancied, her beauty was mesmerizing to gaze at. And so, for a while, Sivir took time out of her training to pursue Kai'sa [which pissed Nasus and Renekton off, who were suspicious of Kai'sa]. She slowly realized that this wasn't an "I want your body" type of love, it was an "I want you to be my life partner" type of love. During this, Kai'sa plays along to get Sivir's affections, while trying to get her killed. But each time, Sivir cunningly survives [not knowing it's Kai'sa's doing] and it starts to impress the young Void woman.

But as Kai'sa learned more about Sivir, she started seeing who Sivir really was. This strong woman was a huge softy that just wanted to be liked and accepted. Sivir admitted at being resentful of humanity for rejecting her but has grown to forgive them. She spoke fondly of Taliyah and her parental figure, Azir. Sivir was a well-rounded individual that had a big heart. Kai'sa started seeing how Sivir was the complete opposite of her former lover, and slowly fell in love. [Insert famous "I Won't Say I'm in Love" scene with Ahri, Akali, and Evelynn as the muses]

At first, Set is concerned that Kai'sa has fallen for Sivir, but then realizes that Kai'sa was now Sivir's weakness. During a confrontation where Kai'sa declares that she won't hurt Sivir anymore, even at the cost of losing her freedom from the Void and seeing her father again, Set captures her and sets a trap. He lures Sivir in to save Kai'sa, bargaining with her: If she gives up all of her strength and powers for twenty-four hours, she can have Kai'sa. Sivir makes Set promise that Kai’sa will not get hurt. He agrees to the deal [Kai'sa is gagged and unable to talk back]. Sivir accepts the deal because she cares for Kai'sa that much. Once the bargain was made, Set reveals that Kai'sa worked for him and now can go after his brother and take over Duat without fearing for Sivir.

Lost, broken, betrayed, Sivir is useless to fight against the onslaught of monsters that are now fighting in Duat. Kai'sa is equally as guilty, realizing that she was no different from her former lover. However, she still wanted to help Sivir and rushes to Nasus and Renekton, persuading them to go back to Sivir to help her. They do, returning to Sivir and reminding her that pure strength isn't just muscle but it's also the mind and the heart, bravery and intellect. In her renewed confidence, Sivir is able to take down a chimera. In the process, however, Kai'sa is brutally injured while trying to protect Sivir- breaking the promise Set said about letting Kai'sa be safe. This allows Sivir to regain her powers but at the cost of Kai'sa's life. When questioned why she tried to save Sivir, Kai'sa confesses her love for her.

Rushing to come back to Kai'sa, Sivir succeeds in stopping Set from his plans. However, when she comes back, Kai'sa has died from her injuries. Anubis offers Sivir to search for Kai'sa's soul in Duat, in an area where souls must triumph challenges before the "Weighing of the Heart" test. Anubis warns that Sivir might not return from Duat because she is still technically a mortal and can get lost in this area of Duat forever. Sivir does not hesitate to search for Kai'sa. She overcomes the challenges that the dead has to maneuver, searching for Kai'sa's soul. She finds Kai'sa alone, taunted by the betrayal of her former lover, which halts her journey to the "Weighting of the Heart" test.

Kai'sa, looks up to see Sivir has found her, but she is hesitant because the idea of a possible betrayal is taunting her. Sivir assures her that she will never let go of her hand and promises to return her to Kassadin, guiding her way back to the Mortal Realm. As they make their way back, Kai'sa is assured that she can fully trust Sivir and apologizes profusely for hurting Sivir earlier. 

They make it back, safe and sound. The balance is maintained, the prophecy fulfilled. Anubis grants Sivir to be a demi-god like Azir but that meant leaving Kai'sa behind because she is still a mortal. Kai'sa assures Sivir that she will be fine, she thinks Sivir deserves this high honor. But Sivir rejects Anubis' offer and chooses to stay with Kai'sa, reminding her that she promised to return her to her father.

In the end, Azir returns to Ra, and tells Sivir that he will greatly miss her- his daughter. Renekton and Nasus say their goodbyes, crying and moping while trying to act cool. Sivir returns to her hometown with Kai'sa, letting her meet Taliyah, before embarking to find Kassadin. Once they find Kassadin, reuniting father and daughter, the two of them live happily ever after.

XXX

I hope you enjoyed. Yes, Akali, Ahri, and Evelynn don’t have a big appearance in this one but let Kai’siv have their moment since I left them out in the other AUs. I hope you enjoyed because it was fun to imagine! Now I’ve done all three couples, Akalynn- Beauty and the Beast AU, BladeMaven - Little Mermaid AU, and now Kai’Siv. :) Special thanks to Kaya for inspiring me.

[ettawritesnstudies]

I hope a college AU becomes popular for Laoche because they start at a magical college and I can easily see people going "but what if.... the plot didn't happen... and they just keep having whacky college funtimes???"

I also have a Stormlight!AU bouncing around in my head set during the middle of Way of Kings when the plot hasn't really started

Madelyn is an elsecaller (inkspren fit so well with her theme!!!)

Seth is a non-radiant noble who used to have shardplate and status but got exiled and so now he's on the run with a secret blade looking for his brother.

Stephan is an ardent, and stormwarden much to their parent's chagrin, but eventually becomes a windrunner

Alric is a darkeyes from Azir, and Stephan’s family conquered his town, so he joined up with the army to protect his family back home. Doing his best to cover the fact that he knows how to read and also hates Stephan’s guts, is encouraged by the brightlord who wants to off them), eventually becomes a Dustbringer

Weswin is a lightweaver who lost control of his ability to take in and use stormlight and constantly changes his appearance that way. Eep is his spren. He eventually becomes a worldhopper as well, and maybe apprentices to Hoid.

I think an ATLA AU for Storge would also be really cool! I'm not quite sure how well that would fit but I really just love the ATLA world and it fits the themes the closest

Runaways could have AU crossovers with any urban fantasy story so go WILD.

Wip Fun

Today, we’re going to discuss fandoms!

What AU do you think would be most popular for your story?

Counter this by telling us which AU you would like to see be popular with your story!

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – moonlight

After passing out for his sickness, Azir wakes up underneath a strange brown sky.

His tired eyes adjust to the darkness, faintly broken by the dim light of a nearby campfire. And he comes to find out where he is: he’s laying underneath a tent, a small A-frame type: he’s been cocooned into the blanket, his locs have been wrapped in a silk bonnet and there’s a damp rag on his scalding forehead.

“Nasus?” he attempts.

“Here, baby bird” the Curator answers. He sits by the campfire, an odorous liquid boiling at the flame. “Stay down, the night is cold and you’re sick.”

Azir hugs himself underneath the blanket. He’s so glad he can do that… he can move around and touch his face, and even move his fingers freely.

He saved me. He does care…

Thoughts hurt, though. His mind is filled with poison, darkness, the mold and seclusion of the holding cell he was put in. He closes his eyes, trying to focus… I can’t go back there. I can’t accept it. I want Nasus and Xerath and Renekton… and home.

Nasus finds him sweating and panting, and helps him sit up against his side.

“Drink this, little bird. It’s a medicine I brewed for you.”

“You’re… good.” Azir mutters. He’s not used at such gentleness and care. And Nasus can see it in his eyes: he removes the empty cup from Azir’s baby lips and holds him in his arms, rocking him gently.

“We’re in the middle of the desert, honey. Just you and I.”

There’s a huge full moon above the desert, and the breeze can barely scrape Azir’s covered sick body. Nasus kisses his forehead and wraps both him and the child into his cloak. Azir’s soft cheek smears upon his chest.

“I love you… you’re good, like a…”

Like a dad, he wants to say.

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – an apology

It’s been a month since Azir had vanished, and Nasus’ hope to find him hasn’t dampened.

“That kid is consuming you, brother. Bury him at last and move on”, Renekton would say. He knows Nasus can be too much of a Good Samaritan, especially towards Azir. He never even wanted to become a parent, so what gives?

“I appreciate your concern, Renekton, but I know he’s alive. And so does Xerath. We just… we’re sure. And we’ll keep looking.”

Azir sits in his dark cell, tired and cramped. His meager food awaits at his side, but he’s not even hungry. He still cannot believe this is his life now.

If only I’d been good… had I welcomed Nasus and Serate to me. Why do I always act like this? I’m so stupid.

Will he ever be let out? See someone, anyone… or just the sun and the sand, and the beautiful dunes against the dusk?

His metal mask feels heavier and tighter than ever. He wept until he was hoarse when it was put on him. Even then it’s filled with fresh tears.

He wants out, and he wants it so much he may scream.

So he closes his eyes and lets fantasy overtake him. He’s out. He’s gotten our, somehow – whether his chains have rotted or someone had decided to have mercy on him and let him out. Whatever the case, he's out, and there's no happier child in Shurima than he.

He spreads his arms like a hawk, indifferent to the pain of his poor limbs, and runs up the dunes into the splendid twilight. The sun is shining, the wind caresses him, and Nasus awaits him atop the hill. Xerath is there, and Renekton as well – they'll be his new family, and protect him, and he'll be good and nice and clean his room and never ever shout once.

I'm sorry, Nasus. I'm so so sorry. I want you to be my dad. You're the only dad I'll ever want. If you forgive me I'll never shout again. Never speak again, if you want me. I love you. I'm sorry.

That is, it seems, Azir's curse. Doing terrible things, upsetting people and ruining his relationships for ever and ever.

But right now he's a child and everything hurts, and he'll never ever see Nasus again.

Azir doesn't exist. Nasus ponders those words for long, trying to find a meaning for it. And where do those who don't exist go?

Is there even such a thing as a state of not existing?

They cannot have killed him, not truly – but there has to be somewhere he's ben put. Perhaps among other... things that shouldn't exist.

Nasus' head hurts, but he'd rather die before seeing his ward vanish like so.

Die... die...

Death. Things that shouldn't exist... WAIT!

"RENEKTON! GET MY CLOAK!"

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile, Part VI – what could have been

Renekton meets them halfway to the library, riding on his own and carrying a big woven basket.

Nasus smiles as he embraces his dear brother, even wider than usual. And he seems to have a keen interest towards the basket. He taps on it, looks inside, sighs. “Is it all set?”

“Yep”, the crocodile says. “It’s turnips for Azir.”

“Oh, he’s going to be happy… I can’t see him like this, poor thing.” Nasus squeezes his brother again

Renekton emits a low growl. “They should have done it when he was born. Could have spared that poor thing a lot of heartache.”

Azir doesn’t understand. How can turnips, which he hates, bring him comfort. His confusion remains when Nasus brings the basket inside his coach and instructs Azir to open it.

The child pulls down his shawl and in slight disgust – he loathes turnips so much – opens the basket at last. It’s turnips indeed, but… they seem to move around.

“A rat!” Azir screeches.

“A rat? Me? I’ve been called worse, but I expected better from you.”

Azir’s heart flutter, Nasus’ smile widens. He did it.

“…Xerath?”

The white-haired boy slips out of the turnip basket and brushes the tubers off him. He’s alive and well, albeit scuffled and with a crick in the neck for having stayed inside a basket for a whole day.

But now his eyes are all Azir’s – and the ex-emperor clings to his neck like a spider and covers him with kisses all over his face and chest.

He was so afraid he’d lose him… it’d have broken him in pieces at last.

“Oh Renekton, thank you thank you…” the child hugs Xerath so close he can hardly breathe. “Xerath, my dear… look at me! Are you hurt? Did Father and Mother…”

“I’m fine, dearest. Just a bit cooped up…” Xerath holds him by the shoulders until he stops kissing him at last. He’s such a clingy boy. “How about you?”

He doesn’t pity Azir, as he’s seen true misery. But he’s his friend and seeing him so hurt brings him pain as well. Azir, however, hugs him again and rests his head on his chest.

“I feel… more alive now.”

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile: prologue

(this is another AU I’ve been mentioning for a while that has nothing to do with the one about Azir being tortured by Xerath, even though he’s not happy in this one either because it’s my AU)

-This is the last time you shame us with your stupidity.-

-Father… I beg you.-

Prince Azir, twelve years of age, the sweetest eyes you’d ever see in the Royal Palace or elsewhere now filled with glassy tears, kneels at the bottom of the throne as if his blood was of no worth. He’s never begged, before: not even his own father.

None dare look in his eyes: not the Queen, who seems to relish in her husband’s words, nor his older siblings, standing in a row by her side. They know their little brother is lost, and despite their heavy hearts, none of them could possibly fathom Azir’s decision.

He’s always been strange, but not like this.

-Fraternizing with the lowlife is idiotic even for you. Never…- the Emperor sounds tired, as if he was the hurt party in the situation. -Never has anyone in this dinasty ever insulted us this way.-

-Xerath is good! He’s been good to me, he respects me! He thinks I’m smart.-

-Xerath.- Despite Shurima’s relentless heat, the air seems to freeze around the Emperor. -That one doesn’t deserve a name.-

-I gave it to him, because he’s mine. He’s good and smart… and if you just cared to know him!-

Azir’s eyes seem to bulge out of their sockets he’s crying so much. Even the palace guards look at each other as if the kid has gone mad.

-We of Royal blood give no heed to his kind. But worry not about him: soon he’ll no longer be of worry. Mind your own life, child, and be cert���-

-IMPERIAL MAJESTY, WATCH OUT!-

As if he’d forgotten his fear entirely, Azir lunges to the throne like a rampaging hawk and raises his fists towards his father’s face.

Fists rain upon him; the guards, the servants, even his own mother. But even as strong adult arms drag him away from the throne, hairband coming undone in a flood of locs, he thrashes and weeps.

-NO! NOT XERATH… PLEASE, DON’T! HE’S MY FRIEND… Y-YOU CAN’T…-

Being exiled could have been a sweeter ordeal with his friend by his side. Xerath is clever and inventive, and already saved his life once. They could have lived a life of adventure and forget the loss of status.

But the threat of losing him makes Azir lose what little restraint he has.

As he’s dragged off into the street, kicking and sobbing until he’s out of breath, he witnesses the court artisans carving his name and face away from all the mosaics, the servants ripping his likeness from the paintings, and baskets and boxes of his books, jewels, make-up, his lyre, his practice armor and his own ornate dagger being taken from his rooms.

But there’s one thing – one man – on his mind.

-DON’T HURT HIM, PH… PLEASE! XERATH IS MY… MY FRIEND. DON’T KILL HIM PLEASE, FATHER PLEASE! MOTHER… SOMEONE… please-

~ ~ ~

Azir finds himself out a backdoor, kneeling into the scalding sand, his tears drawing circles into the floor.

Until the evening he screams – he bangs at the door calling Xerath’s name, shedding blood from his fists and growing hoarse with every scream.

It’s over. All his love did was ruin the one person who genuinely cared for him.

When dusk falls, Azir’s strength has expired – but not his tears. He sits in the corner of the back alley he was tossed out of, like a discarded kitten, muttering Xerath’s sweet lost name, and looking upon the wreckage he made of himself.

One day ago he was a prince, clad in gold and silk, beloved by the kingdom and coveted by the worthy. Now he’s nothing. No name, no friends, no place to go, no skills outside from ruling.

So, when a shadow looms over him, he only has the strength to raise his neck – and through the film of tears, a familiar face appears.

-Little bird?-

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – “I forgive you”

Azir falls to his knees, neck made heavy by his constriction. The pale moonlight illuminates Nasus’ pensive face, shrouded by a wide cloak, and his gentle hands holding him by the sides, wise eyes running down and up his cruel mask.

-Shh, don’t scream. I’m here. We’ll go soon. Those two were with me. I’m sorry I frightened you, honey, but we needed an excuse. No one will look for you if they think…-

-Nasus.- Azir mutters. The metallic mask, he’s still wearing, has never felt greater on his small neck.

-Yes, baby bird. It’s me. I’m here, I’m right here. If I could have imagined… I’d have come soon, I…-

Having someone he holds so dear locked in the darkness for so long… no, he’d never let it happen. Not to Azir. Not to Renekton. Not to anyone he loves.

But Azir interrupts his train of thoughts by diving deep into his belly, shuddering in tears and heaving in sobs. He’s never cried this much. Not even at his banishment.

-I’m sorry, Nasus. I’m so so so sorry… hic. I-I-I didn’t mean it. I’ll be good. I’ll never be ungrateful again. I love you so much and I don’t want to disappoint you. I love you Nasus. hic.-

-Azir…- the curator looks around the dunes. There’s silence, an unsettling one. They may be looking for them. And this sound, this crying…

He’s heard it many a-times in the past. When Azir got caned, constantly, until his small hands bled onto the floor. When his father and mother called him a failure, and left him behind when it came to planning his future – and he never walked there to take him away for fear of… what, even?

-It’s all my… hic. My fault.- Azir wails. -I’ve been stupid, and selfish. I-I always d-do that. I’ll be good, I’ll clean the house, I’ll… never ask for anything. I… I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.-

-I know, baby bird. And you want to know a thing?-

Nasus grabs a pair of pliers from his belt and crunches the chain that keep the mask in place. He slowly removes it from Azir’s face. He puts it back in the cart, for it may represent evidence they’ve been there – and Azir’s skin is scabbed, dusted, dry as the sand itself.

He cradles Azir in his arms and kisses the tip of his matted, dusty locs.

He’s never seen eyes so sweet.

-I forgive you.-

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – the wrong way back

The room is empty, Azir is nowhere to be found, and worst of all, the window is open.

“He’s gone back” Nasus pales underneath his fur and runs down the stairs, grabbing his halberd and cloak in a rush. He cannot let it happen.

Azir is a proud and haughty kid who was raised into royals, and despite his status as runt of the litter… he’s never been taught anything else. And he has no idea what happened to disgraced children.

Why, why does he have to be attached to that little jerk… and why does he act like such a jerk if he knows he’s not!

“Please behave”, he tells Xerath. “I’ll try to get him back before he makes a huge mistake.”

“He’s made it already”, Xerath responds.

Since Azir took one of Nasus’ horses, and one horse alone isn’t enough to ride his coach, Nasus wastes time trying to find a new one to replace him. Even so he rides tirelessly, face whipped by the sand, wheels almost careening for the speed – and he makes it to the imperial palace, requesting whereabouts on Azir with a throat so hoarse he can barely speak.

The Emperor’s attendant – a new one, just this week – brings him both water and informations. And Nasus’ heart sinks.

“There’s no such thing as an Azir in His Imperial Majesty’s life. Save your requests for something of use, Curator.”

As the doors close, Nasus falls to his knees and buried his fists in the sand. What happened to Azir?

Or…

He did in fact make it. But he’s a child who shouldn’t exist, and as such he made sure he’d not exist anymore.

His heart rising to his chest, Nasus looks around at the defaced mosaics still being repainted – as if Azir had never existed at all.

Whatever he’s enduring right now, no child deserves that.

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – tidal waves

Azir had hoped that having Xerath back by his side – now as a proper peer, since no one cares about who he is if they don’t know him – would bring him comfort for his exile.

Or that spending time in between books, a favorite pastime of both, could soothe his aching heart. But things aren’t to go his way.

Every day he attempts to squeeze at least some joy out of what he’s doing. He buried himself in books. He sleeps by Xerath’s side, enjoying a good night kiss every evening. He stuffs himself with any food Nasus and Renekton may provide. He even tries to pay the two brothers back by doing work an emperor isn’t meant to do.

Xerath shows him how to mind the house, perform simple tasks such as fetching water from the well, washing dishes and fixing his bed. Since now he’s pretty much as free as he can get, he gets giddier and more explicit every day – as Azir falls melancholic and detached.

Nasus sometimes brings him to venues he knows he’d have enjoyed. Expositions, travels in nearby cities, circus shows. But Azir has to watch from the sidelines, head covered, without making too much noise, and it’s heavy on his young, agitated mind.

He tries his best, but he’s not his real father. He’s the child of the emperor and that’s that.

And this is no home of his.

One night, growing fussier and fussier, Azir yells at Nasus for serving him inadequate food. It’s more an excuse to get attention, and not something Nasus is equipped for.

“That’s it. Go to your room, Azir!”

“You’re not my father, and I’m the child of Emperor! You cannot DARE to call me like this”

Even Xerath attempts to stop this. “Azir, dearest, don’t-“

“Shut up, you. If you didn’t get yourself caught this wouldn’t have happened. I’m tired of this place! I want to go home!”

“This is your home, now”, Nasus attempts. Azir, as a response, spits upon the floors.

“This place is worthless. I deserve to stay in the Palace and be worshipped. You are nothing to me!”

“Azir, just…”

Azir faces Nasus with a boiling face and eyes agape. He knows Nasus cares, and he did a lot to help him, but he can’t take this anymore. That’s not him. Xerath has started crying: it’s too much, and he’s a child too.

“Leave me alone, all of you! I don’t want any peasants hissing in my ears!”

And he leaves, slamming the door, without a care for anyone in the world. Let him go, he thinks. He’s not reasonable when he acts like so.

He picks up Xerath from the floor and rocks him instead. He’s grown to like him too. A smart kid in a cruel fate.

“I hate him when he does that”, Xerath sobs.

Nasus cannot hate him, because it’s his kid. But why… what did he do wrong, for Azir to end up this way? And what can be done for him to find peace.

Hours pass, and Nasus knocks on Azir’s room.

“Azir, honey… please, come here and talk. I know you’re upset, but you cannot act like this.”

Silence.

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – Morning

Now that Azir has found himself a home, a question remains: what will he DO?

Should he pursue his studies? Those were indeed a beloved passion of Azir, but there’s one problem: he was a bad student. He only pursued them because of personal love and through imperial privilege, but becoming an actual sage is beyond him.

Should he learn a craft and make a name for himself through hard work? That’d be like torture, especially so early on. A prince becoming a worker’s apprentice… Azir would break.

Maybe he could put his combat to use and become a traveller, but he’s too young to do that for now, and what will he do in the meantime?

The other options are the ones he already had when he was the last of the princes, as in “becoming a priest and spending the rest of his days cooped up in a temple”. But Azir is such a free spirit, he’ll never live it down.

As Nasus ponders his options, Azir washes his face and teeth and gets dressed. He gets another one of Nasus’ shirts with a belt, a dress of sorts, and the same sandals he wore when he was ousted.

Azir takes a long time to prepare because he’s just that depressed. Which is also a bad sign, because as a prince he always took little to prepare for anything, such was his hunger for life and things to try.

-So… what do you want to do today, child?- Nasus asks, as sweetly as awkwardly.

-I don’t know. I just wish I was home. I’d be practicing geography by now.-

He sits on the floor, head tucked between the knees. -Here it’s nice, but it’s not where I should be.- his voice cracks. -I miss my brothers and sisters, and Xerath… and even mother and father. I-I don’t know what I did wrong. I wanted…-

Oh dear, don’t cry again. You just woke up. Nasus pulls him up and hugs him tight, wishing he could keep him until his pain has washes away at last.

See… what does Azir love more than anything?

-Do you want to rent some books, little bird?-

-But I can’t access the Royal library anymore.-

Nasus pulls up his chin. -There’s others. And I bet my halberd you’ll love them too. How about this?-

Azir mutters a faint “mhm” in his chest, possibly a yes, and pulls himself down. Before he can touch the door, however, Nasus pulls him by again, and wraps a shawl all around his head and shoulders.

-Before we leave, dear, it’s best if you cover yourself. For… your security.-

-Or for the good of the family,- Azir says as he puts it on. -I know. I shouldn’t even exist.-

Nasus is a loyal follower of the royal family, but sometimes… he wishes he could burn everything down and take Azir and Renekton away.

-Let us ride, little bird. Things will feel brighter soon.-

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – At Dawn

Nasus was always an early bird (dog), but that day especially he wakes up with the roosters and greets dawn with his exercises before dawn is even there.

He gathers together orange and lemon juice, fine cheese, jam, almonds and nuts, warm bread and more milky porridge, and puts it all together on a tray he brings to the guests’ room, where Azir currently is.

He wants to make his little guest feel welcome.

The child stirs in his sleep, sweating profusely: his mind overtaken by the dark tendrils of Nocturne, and lost in a nightmare there’s no escape from.

Nasus, of course, is prepared. He brandished his halberd and growls at the newcomer.

-Leave this child alone, demon, and feast elsewhere. This house is protected by the Ascended.-

Nocturne, famously not a confrontational demon, slips away. -You’re… a reject.-, he says. -Your family… is better without you.-

Once the demon is gone, Azir finally awakes, his heart still beating louder than it should. His eyes are wide, his face damp and gleamy, his hands shake.

A banished royal prince is a source of amusement indeed. Nocturne will probably visit him again. And then the Ancient Terror will come, and the Horned Woman, and Two-Coats, and the Frivolous*, and all their kin.

Nasus holds Azir tight and gives him a good morning snoot kiss on the forehead. Azir leans into that loving embrace, starved of affection way before his banishment. He’s too tired even to cry.

-I had a bad dream. They all… jeered at me.-

Nasus doesn’t need to ask who. Everybody leers at the abandoned royals. Their family, their old servants, the commonfolks, most of all the nobles of other families.

Maybe it’s best for Azir to stay hidden for a while. He sits by his side and presents his breakfast: a meager thing compared to the Emperor’s dishes, but it’s strong enough for him.

-You’re kind, Nasus. But I don’t feel hungry… I don’t know what I want.-

-Try just some of this bread, and the warm milk too. I’ll bring you comfort.-

Azir nods, taking a small bite. He was hungry, but he still feels choked and detached from what he does.

His eyes are empty all throughout the meal.

*I can and will put Fletcher in things

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile: First Night

Nasus’ mansion is separated from the city, isolated enough for him to study in peace. He often commutes to care for the Emperor’s children, but he’d rather not do it anywhere, lest he sees all the palace collectively forget Azir every existed.

He has a guests’ room, usually for Renekton, but tonight it’ll be all Azir’s. The child snores softly underneath his cloak: he wept himself to sleep, and he’ll probably shed even more tears as he comes to terms with his exile.

Sometimes he just wishes he could run away from Shurima entirely and take Azir with him, to heal from the mockery, the caning and the indifference he received.

He stops the horses in the shade and takes the child in his arms, rocking him softly.

Maybe he’s gone too over his head, he thinks. He loves Azir, but being a mentor and being a dad are two completely different things. Is Azir’s healing in there, somewhere?

-N-Nasus…- Azir shudders in his arms, rubbing humid eyes. -Are we… there?-

-Yes, little bird. This is my mansion. Do you want me to put you to bed?- he wishes Azir said no, it’s not even nighttime. But the child stirs. -Yes, I prithee. I want to sleep. This is just a bad dream…-

Nasus pulls him tighter. It’s not a bad dream, you poor kid. You truly did lose all you ever had… except me.

And he’ll love him even more so.

As requested, Azir gets some food: but no cheese pita, because there’s no room in his stomach for it. Nasus makes him a bowl of milky porridge instead, of which Azir only drinks half. He doesn’t want to do anything, not even think. He just wants this day to vanish into the aether and never come back.

He’s the prince, and he must return to the palace at once. He loves Nasus… but he’s not family.

Not even when Nasus offers him one of his own tunics to use as a nightgown, and rocks him into bed, and covers him until he’s like a ball of blankets and locs from which two big, damp eyes stick out.

-I want… home.-

That has never been a home to you, child. Nasus can’t, however, speak those words. What he says is, instead, -Sleep about it. Maybe His Majesty will be forgiving of you.-

No, he won’t. Nasus knows how it works. And probably so does Azir, who holds tighter his new protector’s hand.

-I ruined everything. Again.-

What have they done to this kid.

Nasus places his wide hand on Azir’s head and strokes it, soft and circular.

-Ruin can look like many things. Why, sometimes it doesn’t even look like ruin at all. And the opposite can happen too, I think. What you did was an act or love. Never let love be shamed, Azir. Not ever.-

They’re good words, but they’re complicated. Azir squints at them, almost asleep. Nasus wipes his eyes and sits by his side, waiting for sleep to take him.

-You’re not a ruin, Azir. One day… things will go your way.-

He can only pray he didn’t lie to him.

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – ride out of town

Azir weeps in Nasus’ embrace until his eyes sting. After he signals to break the hug, Nasus kisses his forehead again and sits him on his knee, holding him close.

He’s weak and his heart is racing. Must be the emotions… or worse.

-Thank you. You’re good.- the child manages. Nasus smiles at him. He should have done it when he was caned the first time.

-You’re good too, Azir.- Nasus walks back to the cart, keeping the child close and the halberd closer. You never know who lurks on those open roads.

-Now we’re riding off. You can sleep it out, if you want to. You must be woefully tired, baby bird.-

-W-We aren’t going home?-

Nasus sits down, holding Azir to his chest. -It’s best for us to stay hidden for a while. Remember: you’ve been kidnapped for what they know.-

What the kind Curator means is that His Imperial Majesty doesn’t like being challenged, and the kidnapping excuse may not be enough.

-We’ll have a vacation on our own, you and I. We’re going to visit all the best libraries in Shurima. It’ll be fun.-

Azir closes his eyes, shedding silent tears. He doesn’t want to do that anymore. He doesn’t even know what he wants.

As he sits by his new father’s side, a shot of painful heat overtakes his frail form.

-Na-Nasus…-

-Azir!- his eyes are droopy, his skin glistens in sweat. And he’s as warm as a heated kettle in his hug. He’s gone so sick, who knows how long.

-It’s ok, honey. We’re going to find a safe spot.- He wraps Azir in the blanket he was concealed with and embraces him with one arm, holding the reins with the other. -Stay covered and hold on to me, I’ll warm you up.-

Azir quivers in fear. I don’t wanna go. Not that we’ve found each other. He saved me, and I’m wasting his efforts. I’m sorry, Nasus. So so sorry.

And into the night they ride.

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – Vanished

It’s been three months now – another, sad, endless night down in the tomb where Azir was placed by his parents. 

He’s finished eating his durum bread, and his stomach is still quivering in hunger. It’s so boring down there, endlessly dark and silent – and the metallic mask he wears is driving him insane. Sometimes he tugs at it, praying anyone who may hear him that it may come off. But nobody hears his please in his small prison. 

Worse, he feels himself getting sick. It’s humid and dark, and the food isn’t very nutritious. Once Azir finds a maggot in his rice, and screams so loud he frightens even the underling that brought it to him. Yet he eats it anyway, after cleaning it with his fingers, because he’s just that starved. 

He’s starting to forget what Nasus, Xerath, Renekton and his family look like. Everything is so monotonous, so constant… 

Maybe he’ll fade away, and no one will mourn. 

He’s woken up by steps against the stone, much harsher than the usual servants. He quivers in his chains, growing pale underneath the mask. No, please. Father, not yet… 

A warhammer shatters the wall of his cell, and two strangers step in. They’re wearing masks not unlike his own, and their pliers shatter the chains like they’re’ branches. 

“The young prince, it is?” one of them says. His voice is so loud, Azir winces under his metallic prison. “You’re coming with us, boy. His Majesty is going to pay a hefty sum for your pretty face.”

His loud growl makes Azir, who’s been spending all this time in silence, almost fall numb. He grows paler yet, shaking and sobbing. 

“Where are you taking me? My…”

My father wouldn’t pay for me, he wants to say, but one of the two men slumps him on his shoulder like a piece of cargo. 

“Make a sound, and we’ll crunch your bones”

The child is taken atop the stairs, held tight in those cruel arms, much stronger than his own. He feels himself being led inside a cart, made to curl up underneath what feels like a seat, and covered with a blanket until he’s gone from sight. He wants to scream, call for help, anyone – but who’d care.

They must have stopped, somewhere in the desert – for desert owls sing and the wind blows sand upon Azir’s hiding place. There’s been silence for too long, now – if he’s destined to be taken by someone, they must be late. The only thing keeping the child from escaping is the heavy hand upon his shoulders, keeping him down and concealed. 

Is this what he deserves? He shudders, as quiet as a mouse. If I come back to Nasus I’ll be the best kid in the world. I may not even speak, if he wanted me to. I’ll make so he doesn’t hate me and disown me like my own father. But he may never see him again, or anyone who still cares for him. Not even the Sun Disc may know where he is, and…

Suddenly the hand is removed, and the blanket lifted upon him. Horses seem to ride into the distance, their clopping fading away. 

Azir sits up, raising his fist in some sort of defense… but what he sees leaves him both more frightened, and as relieved as he’d want. 

“Hello, little bird.”

[marysunburn]

Azir the Exile – lost

Nasus, Xerath and Renekton have no idea where to look for Azir.

The more people they ask, the more they're told that Azir doesn't exist. He's not of the family, he's not a prince, so why care about where he went.

"He's dead", Renekton says coldly. "He's done for. You tried, brother."

"He's not", Xerath says instead. His eyes are lost towards the twilight, next to the capital. "I can feel it. And I want him back."

Nasus doesn't know where to say. A part of him wants to follow Renekton, and mourn the child he couldn't save. But he loves Azir so much, he cannot imagine letting him stay in danger.

Of course, Azir isn't dead. Murdering your own is seen as a bad omen, and would tarnish the family line even more so than what Azir himself did. But they have their ways of ridding themselves of their disliked members.

See, somewhere off the capital lays an abandoned settlement not even the lizards still pass through. Behind a heavy metal door, through a skein of humid corridors, inside a secret dungeon only the Emperor's loyalists know about, there's a small cell, not even big enough to contain a horse. Inside that cell, locked behind a heavy door, Azir sits.

His small hands are tightly chained, his ankles fettered, and his waist bolted to the walls with another long, heavy trail of chain. But the eeriest sight is the child's head, upon which indifferent hands have fitted a heavy iron mask that won't ever come off. After sealing it in place they threw the key inside a brazier, so not even Azir himself could retrieve it.

He's clad in a simple tunic, nothing but a rag, and shivers from the cold. Light comes faint from the top of the cell, just enough for him to see the bars that prevent him from running free.

Twice a day, mute servants climb down those corridors and feed him simple food. Dry rice, or dark bread. Azir screams until he's hoarse to be let out, because he wants to go home – even though that's no home of his. Not after his own father took him to the side, slapped his face like he'd never done before, and told him he shouldn't have ever existed.

"What the Emperor says, such will be. And now I say – you shouldn't have existed at all".

Azir's days fall long and heavy upon the kid. Sometimes he cries so much he cannot see in front of himself, and the creaking of the mask drives his headache to the wall.

When he's lucid, he thinks of Nasus. He was the only one who tried to help him, and give him a new place where he could... at least feel like a small prince. And what did he give him instead? Just a haughty, cold, treatment that no friend, no father, would ever deserve.

If he could turn back time, if he could try just once again, he'd do it right. He'd say sorry and kiss his hands and cheeks and even work, if need be. He'll be humble and sweet, the best kid in the world.

But all he thought about was the foolish pageantry of the court and a family who only shares blood with him. And now it's all lost.

He's indeed a stupid waste of space.