Amumu- The Forgotten One
"Today is the day!" Amumu thought to himself, "Today is that day that I become an ambassador!". For as long as he could remember Amumu dreamed of going to the great city of the east, Shurima. As a young Yordle, Amumu was starstruck with stories of a grand city bathed in a golden glow, streets paved with gold and everyone wearing fancy silks. Amumu had been waiting patiently, studying what all the information he had about the customs and ways of Shurima. The relationship between Yordle Land and Shurima was nonexistent, both knew of each other just chose not to pursue anything. What little information Yordle Land would have to do for Amumu had a goal. Like other brave Yordles he wanted to become an ambassador, sent off to a far away city and create a new bond between them and his home land. Thus far the only city Yordle Land had not had dealings with was Shurima, but that was going to change. Armed with countless tiny books of notes, his trusty backpack and his weapons of choice, 2 ebony whips, he was ready to ask the council for the chance to prove himself and visit the city of his dreams in the process.
As Amumu pushed open the doors to the great hall he saw the council of Yordle elders debating among themselves and while he couldn't make out what they were saying, he could tell by the flicking of their tails it was not good. Amumu took a gulp and stepped forward.
"Excuse me.." Amumu said in a very low and nervous tone
Amumu had never approach the council before, never asked anything from them. Amumu's hands began to tremble.
"Excuse me!" he said, much louder this time but still they council bickered on
Growing inpatient, Amumu unfurled his whips and slapped the ground with them, filling the air with a piece crack. All the members of the council turned and marveled at this young Yordle.
Finally seeing he had their attention Amumu spoke at last. "Excuse me, I am here about the ambassador position to Shurima". The faces of the council grew sour, it was well know that the council didn't hate Shurima, but they didn't like them either. The council members each took their seats at a very long table. A scruffy old Yordle at the head of the table spoke firmly.
"Why is it you wish to go to Shurima, we have no business with them, nor do we need any"
"I disagree" spoke Amumu, "I have been studying all the information we have and I think that they have a lot of trade that can greatly benefit us all." The council did not seem impressed so he continued. "I have learned everything about them, about their history and culture, even about their great emperor Azir.." Another Yordle, this time a woman at the opposite end of the table spoke out, interrupting Amumu, "Great!? HA! that pompous bird of a emperor couldn't tie his sandals without help, he is no more fit to leader than a troll" One by one the other council members spoke in agreement, each adding their own insult, but to Amumu with was personal, he dreamed of the day he could be allowed to leave and go to Shurima and he was not about to be stopped. As the members of the council clucked and laughed with each other, Amumu drew his whips, swung them around and with a quick flick of his wrists latched himself onto the grand statue behind the council, pulling himself to it in a flash he was now eye to eye with the head Yordle. While the others in attendance were slack jawed as such a sight, the head of the council was not amused.
"You are just like that Azir, if you don't have your way you get in peoples faces and threaten them, you two are nothing but bullies!"
"Then maybe I shouldn't be here anymore, and with your word, I will leave and prove you all wrong. Shurima and Azir are great and through me we will create a bond between our cities that will last lifetimes over!"
The old Yordle smirked, "Fine, if you want to die a fool, that is your choice, you are free to go but do not ever come back, you may look like a Yordle but you are dead to us, you are now no better than other Shuriman scum"
Amumu loosened his whips on the statue, climbed off the table, nodded at the council and headed off, to the east. As Amumu walked farther and farther away from Yordle Land he wondered if he had made the right choice, if all of this was worth is, he wondered if he turned back now if they would let him back in, but he couldn't turn back now, he had spent so many years wanting to pursue this dream and now it lay before him. Amumu grinned to himself, readjusted his pack and marched onward.
Hours turned into days, days into weeks, the journey was long and tiresome. Amumu knew the journey would not be easy but he didn't think it was be THIS hard. Luckily all that studying prepared him and he brought plenty of food and water, however even that was starting to run out. Amumus throat started to become dry and his yelled rumbled for food that didn't have. Amumu sat down for a moment and pulled out his map.
"Well according to this.....wait this doesn't look right, I should be here and I'm here". Amumu drops the map on the ground and hands his head in his hands, he is very lost. Just as things couldn't seem to get worse, a strong wind rises and grabs his map, hurling and tossing it into the sky. Amumu gave chase after it, pleading for it to come down but the wind his not listen to his prayers and swept it away into the distance. Discouraged, disappointed and slowly starving to death, Amumu dragged himself through the sand dunes, having lost all hope of ever fulfilling his dreams. The sun beat down on Amumu, making his already tired feet drag even more. This was it, this is how it would end, Amumu could feel death closing in around him and he couldn't fight in anymore and collapsed into the burning sand
A cool breeze crossed Amumu's face and for a moment he thought this was death until he could start hearing voices, soft at first the louder and louder. Slowly Amumu opened his eyes to see a group of people standing around him, all of them clad in beautiful silks and fair skin.
"Am I dead?" Amumu asked. The crowd giggled and laugh, before a large voice broke through and make the crowd disperse.
"You nearly were little one". As Amumu's vision he refocused he say a tall man adorned with golden armor with the symbol of a bird on his chest, as his sides stood two heavily armor bodyguards and Amumu gulped and thought what hell he had woken up in. The saw the fear on the poor Yordles face and motioned for them to leave. The man then stepped forward and sat on the bed next to Amumu's. The man only looked at him for a time, obviously never having seen a Yordle, or at least a real one before. The man spoke at last.
"I am Azir, Emperor of Shurima, it is by the grace of the gods that we found you. We were out on a hunt when we saw you collapse. We thought you were some large squirrel at first but as one of my guardsmen informed you were a Yordle instead, you have traveled a long away, what brings you to my city?" Amumu was in awe, this is it, everything he had dreamed of, by the will of the divines he had arrived in the city of this dreams and not only that he was face to face with the emperor himself! Amumu cleared his throat and spoke nervously. "It is a honor to meet you your majesty, I mean my lord, I mean emperor!" Even through he fur you could tell Amumu was greatly embarrassed. Azir laughed and patted Amumu head, "Its quite alright my little friend, this is probably a lot for you to take in, rest now, eat and drink, no doubt your journey was long and you must be famished." Azir stood up and left the room leaving Amumu alone. Amumu looked around and took in his surroundings, all the stories were true, the stones were smooth and cool to the touch, the pillars and molding was adorned with gold inlays. Even the room itself was full of decorate vases and pottery worth gold beyond imagining. Amumu sat still for a moment before leaping up and jumping around on the bed, he did it, he really did it, if only the fools of the council could see him now. He flopped onto the best and grinned from ear to ear, closed his eyes and fell asleep.
A warm sun beam shined into Amumu's face, waking him from what seemed like days of slumber. He climbed of bed and beheld the great feast of food before him, fruits, nuts and anything you else can imagine laid before him on this table,he had never seen so much food in one place. Amumu climbed into a chair and helped myself to the fruit and wine. Unbeknownst to the hungry Yordle, Azir watched in fascination as Amumu consumed a grand amount of food in mere moments. "Enjoying yourself?" he spoke at last. Amumu looked up and saw Azir, this time dressed in more regal looking clothing, golden necklaces and rings and blue silken clothes covered his body. Horrified by his animal behavior he stood up in the air and bowed to Azir, banging his head on the table. Azir rushed over and helped Amumu sit back down.
"Are you hurt my friend?" Azir send comfortingly. Amumu nodded and apologized for his behavior. Azir only smiled "You need not apologize, you are hungry, please eat, this is all for you". Amumu look at the table and then back at Azir with concerned eyes, "As much as you can that is". After a full meal Amumu felt much better and began to speak to Azir about how grandness of his city, how stunning it was and how he had dreamed of this moment. Azir smiled and thanked him humbly which took Amumu by surprised, never before had he meant any leader who was so power and rich as Azir, and yet beyond humble. After a lengthy conversation the two set out toured the kingdom. Azir showed him all the sights while Amumu eyes grew wide by all he was seeing.
After hours of walking Azir pointed to a giant capital building and said "Welcome to my home" Amumu could not help but squeak with excitement. Azir smiled and laughed as the Yordle darted off towards it, Azir had never before met a Yordle, but Azir knew even then they would be great friends.
Months past and Amumu and Azir's friendship grew more and more close. First Azir would ask him for his opinions on practical matters, then more serious matters before including him in meeting with his priests about the affairs and happenings of Shurima. It was know that many of the people and his own priests did not care for a outsider, especially a Yordle to be included in such matters, but Azir cared not, Amumu was his friend and they would either learn to share in their friendship or hold their tongue. Amumu on the other hand saw the glares and felt the hate coming from people, he knew in some way that he was unwelcome but this is all he had ever wanted and with Azir by this side, he was safe.
Amumu made many attempts to contact Yordle Land, each telling them of his arrival and his friendship with Azir. Each letter he sent out, each letter was never responded to. Amumu had come to realize the fact that Yordle Land was no longer his home. Nobody there expected him to be alive and might be shocked that he is. And with Amumu saying him and Azir were friends would only fuel the council to spread lies that he had been corrupted by Azir. As time went on Amumu sent less and less letters until he never sent any at all ever again.
Shurima was his home now, for better or worse. But what Azir, nor Amumu knew, is that events were about to unfold that would test Amumu's loyalty to his friend and all the people of Shurima
Betrayed, Xerath betrayed him. Azir was gone, vanished into the winds like sand. Shurima was leaderless and Azir has no sons of his own old enough to take the throne . Amumu grew paranoid by the day, what would happen to him, with his best friend Azir gone and the city in a state of chaos, would they find him and kill him? Would they banish him? All these thoughts and more raced through the young Yordles mind before a knock at the door brought him back to reality. As he opened the door he was greeted by one of Azir's former bodyguards instructing the Yordle to follow him to the throne room. As they entered Amumu could see the priests gathered around, some looked hopeful, others look enraged. Before them on a small table was the crown of the emperor, the symbol of power to the people of Shurima. Amumu sat down at the table and waited to hear why he has been summoned.
" I will be blunt" the deacon said. "There are those in the city below and in this very room that do not like your presence here. You are an outsider, a Yordle from a land that does not even with to talk to us. These same people believe you to be untrustworthy and should be banished from this city". It was Amumu feared, without Azir's protection he would be forced to leave, but just has he was about to plead his case the deacon continued. " However, even these people would admit to the positive light you brought to Azir's life. He thought of you in many ways, he saw you as a friend, ally and a son. It is for this reason we have chosen to inform you of Azir's final wishes and the chose he has extended to you."
The deacon walked forward and place a piece of paper before Amumu, it was in Azir's hand writing.
"My dearest friend, if you are reading this it means something has happened to me and I am no longer with you. I want you to know that the day I meant you I knew you would become my best friend and more trusting ally. In many ways I see you like a son, no doubt because of your size but I digress. Should this letter come at a time where my own sons are still to young to ascend to the throne I leave the mantle to you. Amumu, I can think of no one better to lead Shurima onward after I am gone. You are brave, you are courageous and you are strong, whatever you choose to do, know that I will always be with you and will guide you
Your friend, Azir"
Amumu began to weep, he had never lost a friend before and hearing this hurt him deeply, he missed Azir and wanted him back. The priests faces became to soften as they were moved by the tears on the Yordle, it was all the proof they needed to know that he truly did care for Azir. The deacon spoke, "The choice is yours. Will you take up the mantle of Emperor or do you leave the power to us?". Amumu was in no emotional state to decide anything, his tiny body filled with sorrow and anger towards Xerath, but almost as if a sign from Azir himself, a cool breeze blew into the temple and surrounded Amumu, calming him. When Amumu turned around he spoke firmly, "I will accept the mantle and lead on in Azir's memory"
Despite Amumu's best efforts, it seemed no matter what he attempted to fix, three more things would go wrong. After Azir's betrayal, it seemed the city itself was beginning to be swallowed by the sands. Amumu was trying to lead as Azir did but nothing seemed to go right. He was afraid, would Azir be disappointed in him? Would be people seek his head and blame him for this? It mattered not, he accepted the title and the responsibly behind it, he had to try. Amumu first ordered the outlying ring of the kingdom to be emptied, then the middle ring, until all the citizens left were all in the capital building. The smell of death and decay was heavy on the winds, those who were not already dead were slowing dying from lack of food and water.
Amunu was faced with a hard choice. If they stayed here in the capital they would all die, if they traveled to someplace new, they might have a chance if they made it. Worse still Amumu's own body began to become frail and weak. Days of eating foul food were taking its toll. He knew his time was running out. With what strength he had left he ordered the guard to lead the people out of the city and south towards the Kumungu Jungle, there they would be safe. As the last of the people exited the capital and raced towards the jungles the guarded returned to get Amumu to find that the sickness had taken hold and Amumu was gone. Before leaving for the jungles, those that remained place Amumu in the tomb Azir had built for him knowing he couldn't go home. The walls showed the figures of large man and a small boy with the inscription "Azir, the beloved with his son Amumu, the kind" Azir has chosen to hide Amumu's true race for in his mind he was just a Yordle, he was his friend and son and therefor was equal with him in the eyes of the divines. They carefully placed him in this tomb and sealed it shut, before leaving for the jungle. Though many did not like Amumu at first, not a single eye was dry as they walked away from Amumu, their brave little emperor.
But peace did not come to the Yordle, despite all he had done and the lives he touched. In the end he was a Yordle defiling Shurmian land with his corpse and the divine chose instead to curse him. They corrupted his body so that all that he touched would burn and die. Worse still they took his memories but not the feelings behind them, so he would be forever sad, and never know why.....
The grave robber was gone, burned by Amumu's undead touch. Amumu wandered around the tomb, torch in hand looking at the strange drawings on the wall, when all of sudden he stopped. Before him was a curious picture of a man and a boy playing and while he couldn't read what the inscription said as the stared at the figure of the man his old and crusted heart began to hurt and he started to cry. Amumu sat there tears flowing from his eyes wondering who he was and why he was sad, he had to find out who he was and who the man in the picture was. Amumu walked up the to stone door and pushed it open, walking out it he headed of in search of who he is, the poor forgotten one.
