-200- The Girl and the Giant

In mid-April, within the heart of Demacia's capital:

In the Crown Guard family, Tianna sat in a chair, her left hand supporting her forehead, her golden hair falling gracefully. Unlike her usual determined gaze, her eyebrows were now furrowed with a hint of helplessness as she read the royal decree.

Facing Tianna, Garen remained silent.

"Luxanna, she's done a great job this time," Tiyana sighed, putting the decree aside and looking up at Garen.

"Aunt, Lux said..." Garen began.

"An alliance. Since Demacia's inception, we've never formed alliances with other nations. Yet, due to Luxanna's venture, we're now forming alliances with two city-states," Tianna said with a wry smile. It was clear that Zaun and Piltover desired Demacia's magical anti-magic stones, mithril, and advanced forging techniques.

And what can Zaun and Piltover offer in return?

Of course, it's the Hextech gemstones.

"Aunt, Zaun has defeated Noxus."

"They faced only a legion, and they won only once," Tianna said, rubbing her forehead.

"Twice," Garen stepped forward, leaving the silver-white pillar behind. He stood tall, spreading his hands. "They also won against Noxus during the invasion battle. Although Noxians invaded Piltover, my sister said Zaun and Piltover are one now."

Tianna: "."

"Okay, even if they won twice, so what?" Tianna wasn't interested in the affairs of Zaun and Piltover.

"They won against Sion," Garen continued.

Tiana: "."

Tiana squinted her eyes, and her gaze at Garen gradually turned unfriendly.

Garen, aware of Tianna's temperament, silently took a step back.

After a long silence, Tianna spoke again.

"Those two cities say that Noxus has built base stations, so Demacia just needs to build a Hex gate near the gates of mourning."

The Gate of Mourning. If you go a bit further, you'll reach Noxus' farming troops.

Demacia and Noxus have been at war for years, but each time Noxus takes a piece of land, Demacia counterattacks. However, Demacians never invade; they only reclaim their own land.

"Do I go?" Garen's resolute face showed surprise. He pointed to his face. 

"Every noble has to do this. Our family is responsible for the lands from Terbisia to the Gate of Mourning. If you don't do it, do you want me to do it?" Tianna looked at Garen and continued, "Or do you want Luxanna to do it?"

"."

After a few seconds of silence, Garen nodded and said in a deep voice, "I understand, Aunt. I will get it done as soon as possible."

"Good."

Tianna waved her hand.

The king had also agreed to this matter.

He agreed that the construction of Hex gates can commence in Demacia. Tianna didn't know much about those things, but from her niece's words, after Demacia built them, it would be simple for Zaun or Piltover to travel from their cities to Demacia.

By then, there might be many people in the capital of Demacia dressed strangely.

This had never happened before.

As a marshal of a nation, Tianna would be responsible for all sorts of unexpected situations.

But the person who brought all this was her niece, whom she had been paying attention to.

Thinking of this, Tianna spoke again, "By the way, where is Luxanna?"

"Although I didn't ask her to stay put, she should know my current mood."

"."

After a moment, Garen finally spoke, "Lux hasn't been running around, Aunt."

Looking at Garen's face, Tianna's eyes flashed with an indescribable emotion.

"Sigh."

Tianna let out a long sigh.

Waving her hand, she signaled Garen to leave.

Garen turned around and walked outside.

Garen didn't know the meaning of Tianna's long sigh.

But Garen knew that Tianna treated him and Lux just like her own children.

Tianna was the true guardian of Garen and Lux.

So, sister.

Please grow up a bit faster.

—————

As twilight approached outside Demacia's capital.

A blonde girl, after an unknown journey, arrived on a high hill, placing her hand above her eyes and gazing at the beautiful landscape of the plain.

"What a beautiful dusk...." Lux thought with a smile on her face.

As Linwin had mentioned, Demacia agreed to the alliance. Lux witnessed her aunt being summoned to the palace today, and shortly afterward, her brother Garen arrived, urging her to leave quickly.

It wasn't hard to guess Garen's intentions. It was their little agreement – when Aunt Tianna was in a bad mood, Garen would send Lux away to face Tianna's anger alone.

Even though it wasn't good of her brother, Lux thought, she could just think about fun things to make up for it.

Lux lifted her feet, walking in sync, heading to a specific place.

There, a colossal statue stood, casting a vast shadow.

It had a towering body like a mountain, wings that could eclipse the sky, and colossal hands capable of shattering mountains and rivers – it was Galio.

After confirming the surroundings were devoid of people as night approached, Lux happily walked towards the giant statue.

Then, a radiant white light emanated from Lux.

In the past, she only came here when she was upset. But now, even in happy times, she found herself drawn to this place.

A gentle breeze first touched Lux's hair, causing it to flutter, and then, unexpectedly, it also moved the colossal statue?!

If any Demacian were present, they might witness the colossal stone statue's shoulders moving!

"Little girl," a buzzing sound echoed as the giant statue trembled, making the surroundings rumble like an earthquake.

When a pair of wings unfolded, it created a massive wind current.

"I've told you countless times not to call me that; I have a name," Lux approached the giant's foot, looking up. She was just as tall as one of his toes.

"Lux," Galio chimed in a cheerful tone.

Bending his colossal body slowly, he extended his hand. Although it moved at a snail's pace, the accompanying pressure caused Lux's hair to become disheveled.

Opening his massive palm, capable of holding a dozen Lux-sized figures, Lux lightly jumped, pressing her hand to her hair, and stood on the giant's hand.

Standing upright, Galio slowly raised his hand, then, with remarkable skill, placed Lux on his shoulder blades.

The area was so vast and flat. Feeling the warmth of magic within her, Lux's spirits lifted.

Lux had given him life, and Galio liked Lux. 

From the first time he saw the girl, Galio liked her.

Therefore, when Lux was happy, Galio was happy.

Grinning widely, the giant statue rumbled, "Are you happy today?"

"Of course," Lux stood on Galio's shoulder, gazing at the scenery of the Demacian plains.

Then, pointing her fingers at two open areas, Lux said with a smile, "Galio, you know, not long from now, they might build a Hextech station there."

"What's that? An enemy? Do you want me to smash it?" Galio responded immediately.

"No!" 

Lux quickly patted Galio's neck.

"Ah...."

Thinking about it, Lux suddenly had a headache. If the Hextech station was built too close to Galio, would Galio absorb it's magical energy?

Hmm....

 Lux suddenly felt a bit stressed.

"What should we do today?" Galio stood silently. "Are we going to watch the stars together again?"

"Well, it's not like we have enemies to smash or anything..."

Interrupting her thoughts, Galio asked, "Or do you want to find enemies?"

"I can sense powerful individuals."

"Just like you can sense me?" Lux teased.

Seemingly sensing Lux's condition, Galio slowly squatted down, transforming into a sitting position on the plains.

The ground sank a bit, but Galio remained oblivious and asked worriedly, "Are you not feeling well?"

"I feel like sleeping," Lux yawned, her eyes half-closed.

"Sleeping?"

"Yes, please put me down."

Galio immediately raised his right hand and carefully reached towards his left shoulder. However, Lux boldly jumped onto Galio's large hand.

Once placed on the grass, Lux leaned against Galio and lay down on the ground. She took off her little cape, covering herself with it. Lux then noticed Galio's gaze and spoke to the towering giant, "Please turn around, Galio. You know, I can't sleep if you're watching me."

"Will you wake up at night to watch the stars with me?"

Placing her hand in front of her mouth, the girl yawned and whined, "Mm, then I'll have to see how late I'll sleep."

"Oh, you should lie down too. Then we can watch the stars together."

Galio shook his head, a small gesture that generated a gust of wind, making Lux cry out in surprise.

Facing Lux's resentful eyes, Galio continued somewhat embarrassedly, "You haven't come for a long time. I've been sleeping all this time."

"Oh," Lux blinked, a hint of apology flashing in her sapphire eyes.

She was too excited when she was told she would go to Zaun with Fiora, and she forgot to recharge Galio with magic.

Realizing this, Lux blushed and immediately covered her face with the small cape, whining loudly, "Then, you can look! I'm going to sleep now!"

Galio: "."