The Heartbreaking Story of Pantheon After Ruination

[@Aidpro123]

Iula: "You will never be a baker, just give up." Atreus: "I want you to tell me it's ok to give up" Iula: *I should not have said that*

[@isaacm5927]

a Hagrid moment if there ever was one. (hagrid: "I shouldn't have told you that. -_-")

[@simouniel867]

Its funny because in an alternate universe, Pantheon IS a baker. Hahahha

[@dizzyheads]

@@simouniel867 Have you seen his shield? It literally makes a clanging sound whenever he hits it and when he's baking he just throws it in

[@TheMidWave]

@@dizzyheads no one said he was a good one.

[@reiryghts639]

Lula?

[@maciejczerwinski1361]

This story makes Pantheon's part in "Call" so much better. How he apparently gathered strength for one last attempt to end aspect threat, how he, the man, regained his powers trough sheer force of will. It's just such a powerful scene

[@shai310]

Yeah looking back at it he felt weak exactly like how he was infront of Iula but here he managed to gather his strengh and kept pushing foward. Kinda wish this story came out before the cenematic but oh well.

[@koin799]

I think that was after he ascended a third time and regained his powers.

[@100tinka]

If the baron can ascend through sheer force of will, so can atreus

[@Mauro0]

So this story is before the call?? Is that 100% confirmed?

[@jakobramirez3397]

Maybe that also gives a meaning to the song towards Pantheon

[@mastergamer132e4]

As a Pantheon main, this story truly gave me some hope for the future after the horrible treatment he got in the ruination event. The fact that what happened has actual consequences on Atreus is not something I expected them to commit to... In any case, I love the way they portray Atreus as what he truly is... a man. Not a god, not an aspect, but a man. A man, who despite his unrelenting will, when showed that everything in the world stands against him, and that even he himself could be made the enemy due to the sheer power of what he faces, he has doubt, weakness, vulnerability. Yet he still pushes on after being on the edge, and I think he is on the path to remember who he truly is again. I am VERY excited to see what Atreus is planning to do in the celestial realm, and what the aspects will try to do in aim to stop him.

[@МихаилПенев-ф6с]

We are, what we overcome...

[@Brakka86]

What role do you play him in? I love this champ.. not sure what role is best for him tho.

[@backofen95]

@@Brakka86 Depends on what you prefer to play. I love to play him as a kinda cheese pick on top with a lot of early aggression but I have seen successful people playing him more as a bruiser in jungle as a power ganker

[@xayahnepo]

@@Brakka86 pantheon is a nice flex pick. Imo he doesnt have a objective best role. Hes just a good mid/top and a tid bit worst but still viable supp

[@Cardboard_Cut]

Also, something I haven't seen anyone pick up yet: Pantheon is the Unbreakable Spear, the "Spear" symbolizing his unbreakable will. His Spear in this story is pictured as being bent, which aside from giving us an idea of Viego's power it's also a way to show how Pantheon's will is badly damaged, It's still not broken, but it goes to show how much Pantheon suffered both physically and psychologically, as his will was on the verge of breaking just like his Spear was. Yet still he does inevitably rise up again, and in the Call cinematic you can (clearly, lol) see his spear firm and sturdy once more, just like his will.

[@EmiCheese]

Showing Atreus as this broken person gives him an incredible amount of depth. I hope this is explored further in another story. And yes, I can tell that since his rework, it's clear that Riot loves Pantheon's narrative direction.

[@itsthegr8matt]

Yes, seeing the Unbreakable Spear...well broken, makes me think about what would Aatrox said to him if he saw Atreus in this state. My Aatrox would motivate him and help him absolutely decimate the Aspects. I think this is the point where the two share a similar feeling. Atreus is unable to end Aspects, and Aatrox is unable to end himself. But if they join forces against the Aspects, if the Aspects die, then maybe Aatrox ceases to exist, and Pantheon will have peace.

[@TheKazekyo]

Too bad they don't love his gameplay direction, poor guy doesn't even have a role at the moment he was strong in four of them then Riot gutted him to the point he isn't even playable anymore

[@thelordofthelostbraincells]

I feel like pantheon is the kratos of lol. But not as blood thirsty

[@justaname4654]

@@thelordofthelostbraincells he is kratos but not as godly, invincible. He is more of a mortal than a god.

[@thelordofthelostbraincells]

@@justaname4654 who said anything about invincible?

[@Avarice0918]

And like that Pantheon has solidified himself as the #1 character in both the runeterran universe and my heart, as well as the greatest rework riot has ever made so far.

[@oliversotir3914]

Agreed

[@berilsevvalbekret772]

not pantheon. Aetrius.

[@Avarice0918]

@@berilsevvalbekret772 Atreus but yes

[@gabrielphilippe2026]

An incredible story. Its trully shows what makes Atreus an incredibly well written character. In-game you see him at his best, confident and strong, but here we see the wounds of a man’s mind behind all his strength. A true test of his character. It makes me root for him even more for when he inevitably has to rise up once more, as Pantheon always does.

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

Correction: Mantheon

[@HeresTonez]

@@juanantoniogragasin1685 correction: Sadtheon

[@seelfire4725]

@@juanantoniogragasin1685 transmasctheon

[@Jeff_Reyx]

ChadTheon

[@obiwancannoli1920]

Maratheon?

[@TheNicokapo]

Poor Panth... the pain of being inclosed in yourself once more... Also, Iula stating sad facts. Pantheon will not be a baker

[@samuelbarros1563]

what pantheon needs is another team. He is been alone for too much time

[@oldworldblues4953]

Bullshit, he will be the best baker in the world

[@cultist0456]

Pantheon won't be a baker but Atreus will be

[@timjinn2441]

It isn't Pantheon tho

[@CounterYoloGaming]

"Why does everyone hate letters in this universe?" -- because it would mean the writers have to write more, and by burning the letters the writers don't have to take the time to spell it all out.

[@gamesforlyfe6198]

That was the first thing that came to my mind too.

[@codebracker]

I think it's more about not writing resolutions, so they can keep all theri stories open for whichever way they want to take them

[@ChillShortsGuy]

i dont understand

[@codebracker]

The thing that hurt me the most in this story is how Atreus says that "he lost his powers, he is just a man now", considering his whole theme is how he isn't an aspect but JUST A MAN who refuses to give up.

[@griffins5655]

Well I think he meant that despite being a man he no longer has the power that made his fight possible, sure he has his willpower (or so he thinks, from what we know it seems like his doubt is actually what's causing his lack of power and he just doesn't realize it), but with just his will power it would be like bring a toothpick to a nuke fight, he'd get obliterated... So why do it at all? Why not try to live and maybe help in another way? Well because Atreus embodies the need to fight not just survive that's why he is still considered at least by me to be the true "Pantheon" he is the will of men to fight on, but when War becomes sick of war it loses all purpose. Atrues needs at this point in the story to believe that even with his mortality he will survive just like he did when he climbed targon the first time.

[@DevilDrako666]

Arteus was just a man. Man that stood against enemies, man with mission to fight and protect, to fall and get back up, man with will power to hold power of aspect. Now.... his power is gone, he hurt those he swore to protect (or more like pantheon did when he was ressurected in arteus body but still Arteus blames himself) he couldn't do anything as he was grasped by power he didnt understand. Now he even lost power of aspect. How can he fight now? Protect? That what means to be broken, go with everything you had belive in something and than have all of that take from you. Without power he had how to fight powerful enemies, fallen gods, aspects, demons ? Fokin Aurelion Sol ? From power-level of god he was reduced to man. Its a story of man that was on peak and than he was thrown back down with his arms ripped off. Would you have power to climb with your teeth and legs? Or would you just give up. Despite that! He still cant give up, he still asks for assurance that its "okey to give up" Because somewhere there is sill tinder of this will that can push him forward. (At least its my interpretation)

[@codebracker]

@@DevilDrako666 I know, but "not giving up is my real power" is his theme as much as "letting go is my real power" is for ryze. It's sad to see him giving up

[@DevilDrako666]

@@codebracker But thats a beauty of this! Scared, defeated, lost. But still *cant* give up by himself! He need somoene to tell him "its okey" there is still this "power" inside him, he just need to reignite this small spark into a giant fire again. He dont want to give up, he just dont see the way to go forward without aspect powers, not against enemies like he mentioned.

[@Bepisipeb]

That’s what pissed off Iula the most besides burning her bread.

[@sunnydargonnel]

The best part of this story is how angry with Viego it made me. I'm a sucker for that man but gosh I'd hit him in the face. Nice job breaking the strongest-willed man, asshole. You're fucking grounded. And bring Atreus some cocoa.

[@Adirbal]

Viego has been a naughty boy

[@garou9914]

The only thing good about viego is his gameplay, it's amazing. But character wise he's a pathetic, selfish, delusional, abusive man-child

[@sunnydargonnel]

@@garou9914 I honestly believe Viego made a thousand mistakes but is actually kind of a victim of circumstance still. Not justifying all the shit he did but in the end I totally understand WHY he did it. Might have to do with how I know I would have done the same in his place, so don't mind me. Still, poor Atreus, I'll pay his therapy.

[@garou9914]

@@sunnydargonnel that's what I thought at first, but then again. He was never a good husband, he was abusive and controlling when they were alive, and he's the reason she even died because he's a shitty king. He couldn't let her rest in peace, he doesn't love her, he loves to have her... she's more like a possession to him.

[@sunnydargonnel]

@@garou9914 actually if you're referring to the memories shown in RK, it's been confirmed a while back that he was not abusive, he wanted so hard to be *perfect* that he took those memories of refular couple fights and repressed them. Little crazy anyways, but not that terrible. Regarding how good or bad of a king he was, they can't set the record straight anyways, even Necrit in the game says that he was loved as a king, but other times has been said people didn't like what he was doing... so what is it, Riot, lol

[@Yoshiman360]

Kind of really makes it hit home when Pantheon's Selection quote is "In battle, we are reborn." Then, this story comes along and shows just how much of a toll every battle you face mounts up to after so long. Guess that's what makes it even more inspiring when Atreus finally gets back up to fight once again in "The Call."

[@mrl5858]

Beta celtial : pls give me you’re body humans Alpha bard and soraka : aight ima make my own body

[@visionofsolace8961]

Their body is inevitably rather unstable but it works nonetheless.

[@ME_KL]

@@visionofsolace8961 yea, at least they have an effort to contact physically on mortal realm. Unlike other Beta celestial

[@visionofsolace8961]

@@ME_KL Soraka and Bard are caretakers, let's just hope their efforts tip the scales in favour of Runeterra

[@satisfiedskullservant]

Bruh. Pantheon is a real one. So is Iula. This whole story was amazing and I feel for my boy pantheon. Cmon bro you've got this.

[@fongargaming318]

I really like how in the cinematic, pantheon used his shield against men, his spear against leona, and his real powers against a god

[@aatroxtheworldender933]

And used everything against Aatrox and still couldnt beat him even tho Aatrox is just a flesh monster with god killing blade and unbeatable combat skill.

[@jaymiroterborgh4133]

@@aatroxtheworldender933 are you by any chance an Aatrox enjoyer?

[@aatroxtheworldender933]

@@jaymiroterborgh4133 hell ye, i am always by the great Aatrox side.

[@fuckhead0]

@@aatroxtheworldender933 Aatrox killing the Pantheon but then getting his arm chopped off by Atreus needs to be explained lmao, yeah it's pretty hype for Atreus but we need to know what exactly did he do to best Aatrox in battle

[@ezc4pe212]

*spear

[@jesusbarron1641]

"You will never be a baker" How could she say something rude, let him have hope, he always wanted to be a baker 😂😂

[@mythgravenn]

giving up is the ladt thing pantheon will ever do lol

[@juliuscesarbatul8424]

now thats what you call an "Emotional DAMAGE!"

[@lincolnpatience6480]

Time for Atreus to climb Mount Targon uphill both ways - on one foot. His other foot will start a bakery. :D

[@Biopax1]

I get that reference

[@vaskopoh9512]

i hate that reference

[@KingOpenReview]

10:08 Trying to crush Pantheon's dreams puts her at the top of my shit list.

[@MaidenlessScrub]

Yeh that’s what broke his will, not that horrible excuse of an event

[@sebastit7d]

The burnt letter is such an awesome concept, she's not willing to listen to any excuse Atreus is trying to tell her, and will only ever speak to him again after he comes back the warrior he is, to protect everyone. What's most heartbreaking is that she doesn't know if Atreus will even get back up on his feet, so it's her way of not losing hope and a last ditch effort to not give up on him like he did.

[@theintern2960]

It's selfish to disregard his pain. His "excuses" are valid in the face of all that's happened to him. To blame him and push the responsibility on him, that he has to force himself to suffer because no one else will, is not going to reignite some spark of courage in him. Frankly I think it would make him bitter, that everything he's done to help is disregarded the moment he stumbled and their gratitude comes with a price. I hope she lives out the rest of her life believing that she screwed up, that after all the times Atreus struggled to stand up for what was right, when he came to her for help, she called him weak and cast him out. That when he was at his lowest she only thought of herself and used her dead husband and an orphan boy to guilt Atreus to take on the world's burdens because she was too scared to accept that the person she demanded save them all couldn't bear it alone.

[@dumitrache12]

@@theintern2960 she came out as cold and uncarring in the story but you would have to understand that words of comfort and affirmation would not help Pantehon back on his feet

[@theintern2960]

@@dumitrache12 Still could have been handled a lot better. Have her grandson play some part in it - he sees that the people he fights for still struggle or fear what's to come, and he is reminded of who he fights for and why.

[@dumitrache12]

@@theintern2960 its a classic myth. In our country we have the story of a great ruler who lost a battle agains the Ottoman Empire and when he returned to his castle he pleaded to his mother to let him in to which she refused telling him “you are no son of mine” Basically what you want to hear is not what you need to move forward

[@GamingWO-]

@@theintern2960that’s what she did, though. She told him “people are suffering, you need to continue your fight.” Very bluntly, but again, he’s a soldier, he’s been one since birth, basically, he responds to orders and commands, not comfort. She could’ve absolutely been better, but we know her words worked, that he regained his hope and his powers, and he is continuing his fight.

[@russelmyke3503]

Virgin Pantheon: Noo i got stabbed now i dead. Chad Atreus: "I fight until the blood takes the spear from my grasp, until I can only crawl. And even then, you will not defeat me, even then, I will spit in your face!"

[@n4riko]

wow.

[@tonedeafbard3608]

Lmao

[@Mortal-Knite]

Aurelion Sol: "I cannot, will not, intervene. For I am the Watcher" Gameplay: Excuse me?

[@o0NeoTDN0o]

Nice reference

[@michapiasta3072]

He is to nerfed to intervene

[@senpaiduck7177]

Aurelion is definitely not a watcher, he'd destroy runeterra if he get the chance

[@youraverageguy8431]

@@senpaiduck7177 i'm pretty sure it's just targon.

[@AurelionSass]

**The entire world literally on fire** Sol: **eating popcorn**

[@satriahadi1893]

it broke my heart seeing him like this... tired, defeated and giving up. when he had inspire us soo much with his words that we can be more than what we are,to never give up,humans are stronger than they think. he just need to remember his own words that his will shall became something greater. rise again atreus, don't give up.

[@nikolanedkov9988]

I do believe she burned the letter, because she hopes to see Atreus once again and have him say what he meant, personally. Reading the letter would be like saying goodbye forever. This is my take atleast on this part of the story.

[@storm739]

My thought was that she was very angry with him and didnt want to have to read something by him that would stop her from being angry or empathize with him. She wants to be angry because to her he threw away the memory of her late husband to just "quit". I do like your take a lot too though and think it fits the narrative perfectly!

[@cartoonishidealism582]

I think Iula just doesn’t care about what Atreus has to say. She doesn’t want any excuses, or apologies, or whatever, she just wants him to be the warrior the world needs. Actions speak louder than words. If he chooses to get back on that path, then great. She’ll probably meet him again on the battlefield. If he chooses to run away and hide, then she doesn’t have time to concern herself with him. She needs to prepare for battle. Either way, nothing in that letter would affect anything.

[@hmmm.324]

1:55 "On a Timescale that mocks even the grandest of mortal ambitions" *Laughs in Mordekaiser*

[@magsbunny3478]

Damn, the story was so good. I am also currently facing problems and every reply Atreus made to Iula was everything I keep telling myself (except for the whole threats to runeterra part). questioning myself if i can give up, that i cant do it, that im tired. idk it just hits me so hard.

[@fabiopinotti5705]

C'mon bro you can do it. Don't give up, problems have a solution you just need to find it

[@captaineflowchapka5535]

u have the right to fail u have the right to suck heck u have the right to be a piece of shit but never stop pursuing your path whatever it is as failing make place to rise that sucking , make place to improvement (and sexual possibility) that being a piece of shit can free you from chain that never truly existed abandon yourself if u want ,but be sure that a new greater will rise as potential never truly die

[@calunsagrenejr]

Pantheon got up. You can too. Try to find a local therapist if you can - they should be able to help somewhat.

[@S1mp1ex]

Even the wind has a path, brother.

[@lordofbacon1455]

Atreus should really have Aatrox at his side when fighting the celestials. Also when this will never happen, I want to see Aatrox and Atreus just slaughtering the aspects.

[@AthaxDesigns]

They at some point have the same goals, they’re both been deceived and used by the aspects. While they themselves were good people, aatrox sadly became corrupted by fighting the void for too long and done horrible things, but so did pantheon under viegos control. They’re both victims. Would be amazing seeing them find conmen ground.

[@michaeltaylor788]

When a aspect dies what they embody dies to aatrox said that what he embodied (the aspect that gave him his power)no longer exists and can’t remember what it’s called so it might not be a good idea to kill them aatrox will still try because he is trying to erase reality and everyone in it and killing a aspect will probably do that.

[@lordofbacon1455]

@@AthaxDesigns Aatrox now just want to die, but he can only die when everything is destroyed, or so he thinks

[@AthaxDesigns]

@@lordofbacon1455 It’s true he wants “his suffering to end” that doesn’t necessarily mean to die. We all know that his sword is a personal hell, when he’s in there he can’t breath and basically perpetually choking. What a hell. He’s mad, like really mad but you can still her that he hasn’t completely lost it, he still have some kind of skewed honour. He wants to destroy all the gods, because they betrayed him and used him. I think the pantheon could offer him revenge or freedom, a way to take the fight to the celestial he might just take it.

[@lordofbacon1455]

@@AthaxDesigns I would love to see that

[@vuminh1230]

This makes pantheon so much more human

[@samuelbarros1563]

thats the point!

[@unknownguy2303]

Man.

[@maxenite]

Because he is a human. He is MANtheon. What happened to Aatrox and other darkins during void war is happening to Atreus in a different way.

[@praimi13]

"Why does everyone hates letters in this universe?!" Because letters killed their grandma

[@cartoonishidealism582]

Sick Trolls reference my dude

[@chomosuke0720]

What's a Trolls reference doing in a League of Legends lore video

[@anotherpersonfromnorfolk1587]

When the man, with willpower stronger than the aspect of war itself, has given up, that's when you know you're fucked

[@griffins5655]

No he is the aspect of war, but war with a purpose war in the name of defense, in the name of life rather than death, war in the name of humanity. Atreus is the will of every man or woman who has been knocked down, who've hunkered down as bullets whizzed past their heads, as dirt kicked up and comrades scream but who has refused to stop fighting for what they believe in. He embodies the sacrifices made in war, the lives lost and the pain endured. Atreus is Pantheon, Pantheon is war, and war is hell.

[@stormdragon2529]

when the man with the strongest will in runeterra cant resist viego's corruption but mf does , and then she gets corrupted anyway later. the narrative was a bit fucked

[@anotherpersonfromnorfolk1587]

@@stormdragon2529 ssshhh, it's not canon it never happened

[@griffins5655]

@@stormdragon2529 hence why I didn’t pay attention to the event I knew shit was gonna be fucked and I didn’t want to be there to witness it lol

[@TheTakenKing999]

Atreus is such a good character. Now the scene from The Call makes so much more sense. Sheer, dumb, willpower is sometimes the strongest weapon a human can wield.

[@GeneralGrizzy]

"It's better in the dark" - Evelyne

[@toastygame6534]

"it may hit you right in the feelings" fucking hell it hit me, when im about to be done in my school life and just give up, then this line hits "think about the sacrifices we have" from this video, god damn that hits me really hard, i still have so many fckng things to do and resting is not an option but occasionaly we need some rest but a full time retirement is not even an option for me right now and for us. thanks riot for making me realized that i still have things to do thanks from the sacrifices of others just for me.

[@siddycosmos607]

The voice acting on this video was absolutely fantastic. Keep it up Necrit!

[@lolialf]

he is merely a human, and not a god he keeps getting cooler every single time, the fact that he became really tired makes him so much more human is amazin

[@lonewanderer6172]

After i read it i felt even more connected to pantheon than i already was, as a main panth i like every aspect of him, from gameplay to lore, i still wonder though why Leona and the Solari turned into a runeterran version of a certain political party that i won't mention here, i thought she was looking for Diana to try to clear things out after dicovering the truth of the aspects and the light of the sun and moon

[@kricketune5114]

every ASPECT??????

[@iLLya_]

@@kricketune5114 fuck em

[@imperatacylindrica8993]

Huh, I just realized the celestial realm and the void has some interesting parallels. Like beings from both realms cannot go to Runeterra directly, so they "take over" living things from Runeterra instead. Pantheon and Kai'sa being two things "taken over" and are now fighting for humans

[@pantelistzecheridis2286]

I read the story after an 8 hour pantheon top session.I was in tears

[@rangered_64]

This was extremely well written. It humanizes Atreus and it makes him a well fleshed out character, struggling and doubting about himself. This also makes his part in the Call the more significant, after getting some reason slapped right in his face by Iula, he got the determination to make the climb once again. It also shows that Riot is really fixing the Ruination and trying to make it a concrete point for stories of different champions.

[@griffins5655]

"Heh silly star dragon, your slaps mean nothing compared to that of that WENCH!"

[@iamfine2624]

As one god of war needed to hear when they were at their lowest point; "Hope is what makes us strong, it is why we are here. It is what we fight for when all else is lost." Dont give up Atreus. Fight on!

[@alexandrospapadopoulos4297]

I love the GoW3 reference!

[@thepc4reak567]

If this was his story after ruination then seeing what's going to happen in the cinematic got me excited for what's going to happen for atreus.

[@antreaskanaris5412]

I want a targon war event after the void one that's coming this year. Targon prime is the most underexplored place in the league universe other than camavor and i think we will get to see some really cool designs since legends of runeterra shows us the design of many celestials and they look incredible

[@P.H691]

Imagine an event where you can pick a side out of a bunch of others and two of potential sides are lunari and solari.

[@imfunkingivincible886]

Icathia is also underexplored.

[@freljodiandao882]

@@imfunkingivincible886 Yes, but it is Void spawn ground zero, meaning we could learn something about it in the void event coming soon.

[@fightme_6664]

Ixtal would like a word

[@demonoflustt2824]

Ixtal is unexplored and so underrated

[@huealter3366]

I mean, I too would be depressed as well if I know that I got controlled by a simp king out of ANY powerfull being in Runetera.

[@alireda22]

i love this story telling style rather than narrating stories, hope you'd make more like this.

[@hapythots]

we need a God King Pantheon skin. He DESERVES it.

[@Brakiros]

Yeah I think Celestial Pantheon fits that, he has a Prestige skin that goes along with Ruined Pantheon. I think anyway that was the intent behind it.

[@phazpiece6058]

The title God King doesn't suit Pantheon,he should be have a skin titled The Man or something in my opinion.

[@iamnerose1658]

@PhazPiece Mantheon.

[@franksicoli9890]

@@phazpiece6058 Man King Pantheon? 😅

[@maxenite]

@@iamnerose1658 MANtheon would be a omega skin for like 5000 RP.

[@l0lzor123]

theres a legends of runeterra unit card for Iula when she was still young following pantheon slaying monsters, look it up he even had more party members roaming around with him final fantasy style.

[@osmargomezlogy]

if the conversations had been made by voice actors I don't know how broken my chest could be with what the story conveys

[@apitifulpotato9605]

So Atreus' body felt a bit smaller because he lost the very last of the Aspects' power that was residing in him. Oh man humanizing those "god-like" entities is a really good idea. Also, very good execution from the story makers of riot. Great job!

[@matteotosato48]

I want a riot forge game about Atreus, he is such an incredible character

[@Dudenob123]

climbing targon Rouge like similar to hades.

[@eyo8766]

@@Dudenob123 How bout a Targon climbing game similar to Getting Over It in order to really really test your will to go on

[@aeroanosupremo]

@ayri "Celestials! your enemy has returned and I bring destruction to Targon"

[@maxenite]

@@aeroanosupremo ZEUUUUUUUUSS-- I mean ASPPEEEEECCTSSSSS

[@erikmindgames3058]

I always say that short stories need to be acted out but this one is actually an Emmy winning scene right here

[@Elias-tz6fk]

Atreus really reminds me of Kaladin from The Stormlight Archives, and they're both great!

[@rabadondeathcap5359]

Oh my god I thought I was the only lmao.

[@knightpaladin9841]

Both fight with spears. Both weild godly power. Both broken but still fighting, checks out

[@Vladrosewood]

When he said "In battle, broken" my heart shattered, I'm so used to his glorious "we are REBORN!" as a pantheon main....

[@jessejohn7406]

damn my guy just tryna bake a lil bread i feel sorry for him

[@leonardokalyn7756]

Viego's come back might be a chapter or an event in the Runeterra MMO. It would be great actually

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

Atreus must now endure his greatest trial. Not an Aspect, not a Darkin, not even a Ruined King, but the most devastating of all things, a broken spirit... You can do this Atreus! Rise up once again and be worthy of the name Mantheon!

[@Karanthaneos]

For the beat and the broken For the lost and forsaken Let us never surrender May we rise unto the call

[@Sylvershade]

Atreus will never beat his greatest enemy.... the balance team...

[@tamathemaid7171]

Yeap, I don’t care what else gets released this year, this is the 2022 Best Story Award. This is just such a emotional ride.

[@lanariy6362]

This story hit me right in the guts. I am going through some tough times right now myself and seeing Atreus, one of the strongest (more mentally than physically) human characters, in a condition that i found myself in many times before is so painful and sadly relatable. I hope that Atreus and anyone who is struggling now will be able to find the strength to go forward. P.S. Great video as always!

[@unknownguy2303]

Its sad to see a strong willed man fall to its knees and looose all hope specially Atreus. man

[@aresdivision8277]

Ruination did Atreus dirty.

[@bainbonic]

Agreed, but I respect that they're using that to write a baller story like this by acknowledging how against his storyline Ruined Pantheon was and having it really fuck him up.

[@zzzlulzzz5080]

Not just Atreus mostly most of the champs that mentioned on the ruination are

[@unknownguy2303]

The trauma of being controlled again its so sad to see him loose all hope and had given up. It was hearbreaking

[@johnypanta6208]

I still believe that Pantheon/Atreus was a bad choice for the Ruination. His whole deal is that his mortal will alone can defy gods, and he got mind controled by Viego?! (of all people). He has been beaten his whole life, an Aspect took over his body for a joyride to hunt Darkin, he died only to be reborn and then he got...mind-controled?AGAIN? This guy can't get a break...I believe the only reason that he was in the story was because he is a popular champion and Riot wanted to make money from the skin line. Otherwise why Pantheon? Why not any of the other Aspects? Leona and Kayle are assholes, Morgana drowns in regret and Taric is full of guilt...THERE...much better candidates to be Ruined 😑

[@calfee7501]

agreed, but i also like how this story treats the after-math of Pantheon's mind control, also even tho the explanation wasnt that good, it was more like he aspect of war was revived inside of Atreus and regained control again, and taking good hearted warriors like Pantheon and turning them dark against their will is always a nice dinamic. So i guess this was a whole there's good and there's bad kind of deal with Pantheon's Ruined form

[@MrOfTheSea]

I think Pantheon was actually the best choice, because it was the Aspect itself that was revived and controlled by Veigo not Atreus. Thats the whole story behind the prestige skin, its the version where Atreus breaks free from the Aspect's control and wields all that power himself. The two skins set up an amazing duality and lift the veil behind the Aspects a bit, showing their true nature.

[@erdus8842]

I think Pantheon is a good choice even the event is bullsh*t, he gives the drama, the guy who loses everytime and get up again even after Viego got him control and he came back he still can fight again. Maybe other Aspects cannot do that like him, cant come back after mind control cuz the feeling of be defeated.

[@fuckhead0]

what happened is that the ruination revived the Pantheon using the remaining powers inside Atreus, what got mind controlled was the Pantheon and it pushed Atreus aside, as soon as the ruination ended the Pantheon died again and Atreus took control back

[@lanariy6362]

I disagree. Viego didn't mind control Atreus himself, what he did was resurrecting Pantheon (aspect) within Atreus (which is either way weird) and then Pantheon regained control over Atreus's body ,like he could until being slayed by Aatrox, so it's not exactly the worst thing in SoL Pantheon. Is it weird that Viego can resurrect an Aspect? Sure. Is it weird that said Aspect can control poor human Atreus? Not as much. I think there was a lot of potential for Atreus in this scenario, like he could defeat Pantheon inside of his head, reclaim his powers and then help the sentinels without actually joining them and then have depression over the fact he lost control even if just briefly (so that we could have ground for this recent story) but Riot just handled him and the event itself very poorly.

[@youraverageguy8431]

I swear, pantheon's story is one of the most badass and tragic lore in the game. He is powerless and yet he is the only thing(at least one of the few) that stands between runeterra and the godlike beings that seek to fully manipulate the world. A lonely warrior, with no power, who despite the odds stacked against him, Will push forward for the sake of the people who wouldn't even get to know his sacrifice

[@haiderhussein1188]

Are you the same guy from that website?

[@Mohamed-gv1zt]

This story is so sad and true especially before and after the mental breakdown of atrues As a depressed person i can relate to atrues he is so sad and desperate Also iula is more then a support character she has a personality and she don't like atrues she is doing that because she thinks pylas would want her to do it I am happy that she has her own personality

[@samuelbarros1563]

destroying my boy dreams

[@rrg.r2456]

This story is so heavy considering it's everything Atreus isn't supposed to be.

[@griffins5655]

No its everything he is supposed to be, and it puts everything into perspective and humanizes him, because despite his powers, he's still just a man... He struggles, he has ups and downs, but he continues to get back up, even if he needs some help from others to do so.

[@parth6615]

Loved this story and yes it hit me hard when I heard the word"tell me it's okay to give up" but even with the celestial weapons with him he is a mortal who has limits.

[@Victard]

Would be cool if Atreus decided that the aspects needed to get dealt with, but realized he had no chance of doing it himself. Good thing he knows a specific ascended warrior who would be up for the task

[@joaovitorpinheironasciment1893]

Certain ascended warrior when he see pantheon: hahahaha COME

[@kerresft8745]

Who would this be?

[@Victard]

@@kerresft8745 Aatrox

[@eyo8766]

@@Victard Aatrox: I COME for you Pantheon

[@dr.scorpions5432]

@@eyo8766 aatrox : i cum pantheon

[@ThySirBlue]

I picked up Panth souly for his amazing voicelines and theme music

[@calmcat8073]

same

[@erollejamesofficial]

We all do

[@R0maniArchaman]

Being told he'll never be a baker was the last nail in the coffin, my man broke lmao

[@cowpiefa11y]

Man I was really hoping for the set up scene of her saying you cant do it alone. Would have been perfect set up for panth teaming up with people especially people like jax or braum to fight and save the world.

[@donjoel6754]

Dang Necrit you really hit me with this one. Well done to RIOT for another opening to an amazing storyline.

[@Archangel-sx2wl]

This throws the Runeterra timeline in so many jarring directions that makes the monkey inside me go 🦧🦧

[@suntzu2055]

As said at the beginning: "It may hit you right in the feelings". 10:03 hits hard when you know Atreus.

[@mythmakergwen]

Man, I love Pantheon. He was one of the first champs I played (besides Ashe, Sion, and TF). From an arrogant god of war to a reminder of why I should fight. Onwards!

[@vernaute2803]

I like the idea that because he didn't previously have connections to other established characters that age like normal humans do, that, they had free-reign to place his story at any point in history. So, what I didn't notice before was that Pantheon was effectively in his own "bubble" set in the world, before this story/the recent cinematic. That, because of who he was connected to on the champion's page, his chronology was circumstantially ambiguous. At that point, newly introduced characters like Iula from lor, also didn't paint a picture of his place in the universe besides Targon and an isolated event at some point in history. There was an opportunity to cleverly move his story forward without moving the rest of the canon lore forward and they took it (by placing his story sometime in the past in relation to everything else).

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

10:04 The moment where Atreus' spirit was broken.

[@hypergiantstar1834]

She got a little motivational at the end of her speech but the rest was just even more reason for him to give up ngl Riot gotta drop more stories like this man it’s so good. Imagine the stories after the void event, should be like this but magnitudes more devastating

[@Aspect_of_the_idiot]

I would love it if there was a channel on KZbin that made fan animations of lore stories

[@miksalmina1012]

Another great one from Riot. This really expands upon who & what the Aspects are really planning. I legit thought they are the actual celestial beings (like ASol, Bard, Kindred, & Soraka) who have grand yet good/neutral schemes towards the universe. But it seems the Aspects are the opposite. They only serve their own agendas, with the exception of closing void rifts as their only good deed. This story kind of shed a light too on why the Aspects needed ASol to close off void rifts instead of doing it themselves. They were dissimilar in power levels, for lack of a better word. On a side note, when Necrit said that Viego ascended using Atreus' body, does he mean Viego used his in-game ability to assume his victims' bodies? How is he even that powerful, going so far as to ascend & awaken a dead Aspect?

[@TheGh0stito]

at the same time i know really how hurt our man is right now but at the same i can only quote kratos, "do not be sorry,be better." if you tripped during the path,make amends with your actions and keep climbing.

[@LoneEditor]

Atreus: everything I’ve done feels useless and I’ve been mind controlled twice dude, idk if I can do this Iula: deal with it

[@Pokemichael]

Atreus is legitimately one of the best champions in the lore. This is proof of that

[@aatroxtheworldender933]

After Aatrox and Mordekaiser of course.

[@virtualstring2925]

Dude climbed the most dangerous mountain imaginable, watched his best friend die in his hands, became possessed by a god, got stabbed so hard said god died, then became possessed by a king controlling the undead making him attack his allies, suffers from major PTSD and can't continue on. The woman: Don't you dare tell me about what you've lost, I've lost my husband! Yea, seems very fair

[@redjackal8169]

"The heavens do not fear me because I'm a god. They fear me because I'm a man."

[@queenmorganite2825]

Batman and superman vibes

[@7heRequiem]

So damn emotional and heartbreaking to see such a character's spirit broken like that but honestly speaking, ironically, it is prety powerful, it shows Atreus as only a man, not an Aspect, a God. Just a broken man and that ironically is pretty empowering that a man, so feeble and broken, so lost in his own sorrows was and will be the same man that stands tall and proud an challenge Gods! True strength of character does'nt come from invincibility but the fact that odds are stacked against you, inwards and onwards and you still miracolously fight!

[@AstuteWanderer2000]

Well said brother, well said.

[@vergil9981]

The fact that even the manliest of man's is legit broken by his fight and possession of Viego .... Speaks wonders of the latters power ..... Yet in the ruination he was so easily defeated

[@whatamiwitnessing1003]

Only reason he lost was because he was man and not aspect. Viego can't control aspects.

[@ConfettiBerg]

Viego was extremely powerful, his detriment, however, is like what thresh said, his queen. Veigo had the power to destroy everything, and even corrupt aspects! As well as control the mist doing so. It would've been a nightmare of he managed to gain control of an ascended, a celestial, or god forbid a demi-god. But his obsession with Isolde led to his downfall cause that's the only reason he was doing everything, to get back to her, which eventually got him defeated.

[@vergil9981]

@@ConfettiBerg when viego breaks free... i feel bad for the world to be honest instead of reviving his wife he will lost it and fk kill everything on sight

[@valon5069]

@@vergil9981 I actually believe that if Viego is brought back, he will be a shattered man. He knows that his wife would refused to come back to him, and with that his main ambition and purpose of doing anything is gone. We would need Morkekaiser to manipulate his mentality in order for him to become a serious threat again

[@vergil9981]

@@valon5069 see with how Viego is broken mentally and emotionally he will see that the entire world denied his ability to get his wife back 3 times ... So he will go bat shit crazy

[@DivineFtw]

Thank you for your videos man. Pantheon's lore is the most motivational out there.

[@talesofflowerism7348]

so many mixed feelings, this story broke me... :'(

[@knightowl2165]

I personally think she should have read the letter cause what I think is Atreus now has fixed his broken self one last time and this time he will be going all out , he will either die trying or kill all the aspects for him there is no turning back . People might think Lula would meet him in battlefield someday but i think it won't happen cause atreus won't return unless he's succeeded . I really hope ( it's impossible i know ) that Aatrox and Atreus have some talk and decide to tear down the heavens together , like that would be a redeem and revenge arc for Aatrox . Till the day arrives we shall climb .

[@neo4276]

Watch Necrit get a perfect copy of that letter and its contents from Riot in a few weeks, actually letting us know what was written in there. Not sure but maybe he said something about being sorry, manning up and then going to climb again just because why not.

[@treymtz]

Feelings of being overwhelmed by things greater than you and your control are incredibly human, so im really glad the writers have stuck with this direction for telling stories in Runeterra. There are some days you want to break and give in, give up. But you can't afford to.

[@steepyt]

On his third climb, he'll become the God of War himself. I should've appreciated you when I played LoL PC. My best burst AD so far in WR.

[@eyo8766]

Next time he climbs, he should have help from Corkie

[@Thigas0911]

16:57 that's the most human view of runeterra I have ever seen. Atreus, as a human, scared by the insanely strong beings that claim to destroy or control everything that exists.

[@sweetfunnycake2100]

Now imagine an Aspect of War game with Atreus attacking the realm of the Aspects directly, not the vessels which is Leona or Diana, etc but the space wherein the real forms of the Aspects reside. Heck they can also tell Atreus of the consequences of killing every Aspect, the fact that it will free Asol who hates Runeterra as a whole, except Poros no being can truly hate them and Braum. Then the full emergence of the Void now that there are less beings that can hold them back and the balance of Runeterra as a whole will be in shambles. By killing them he'll bring far more destruction to the mortals that he claims to protect. Wherein at the last part of the game you(the player) will be given a choice whether to kill the aspect's or not. Each has a different result wherein if you kill them, Atreus would think they were lying and be harrowed with the fact that they were actually telling the truth. He singlehandedly caused the doom of Runeterra. Now if you choose not to kill them the Aspects would deem Atreus worthy of being a true aspect giving him the power, ascending him to the same position as the previous Pantheon once was. The condition being that once another Aspect causes too much damage, he won't hesitate to kill them or their vessels. An Aspect whose allegiance lies only to the protection of the mortals of Runeterra.

[@AthaxDesigns]

The pantheons journey couldn’t end any better, him finally being able to set things right.

[@michaeltaylor788]

If the aspect dies part of reality they embody dies with them aatrox even said so so killing all of them would erase parts of and or all of reality.

[@AshBlossomWorshiper]

The aspect of fire is gonna break into runeterra like "Why yall keep sending me these damn letters!?"

[@becauseidonthavenitrotoupl4259]

I truly think riot is just too afraid of what happened after the Ruination to ever put Viego in a story again. I have to agree with them- I can't imagine the clown fiesta that would happen if Viego had celestial powers. But then again, Diana is practically a demigod and somehow was foiled by a depressed emo furry. So many if Teemo just shrooms him Viego will truly be defeated.

[@stormdragon2529]

diana by herself could probabbly destroy viego instantly and the black mist with the light of the moon, but no she does nothing for the whole event.

[@stormdragon2529]

@@CcReap3r aspects are much stronger then ascendeds. but i hate when riot uses characters that can destroy entire contintents in their crossover stories since they will always get hard nerfed , like Diana and Pantheon in the ruination. Pantheon ( the god) could've insta killed all sentinels except diana in one attack

[@risky2166]

Good job Riot, now you make me cry everytime i watch the cinematic again. . .

[@roycekennethminordevera2870]

Wow 😮, this short story only makes the scene from the Call cinematic more epic! The scene where Atreus’ eyes glow golden and reignited the celestial power of War by sheer force of will! Maybe it’s a foreshadowing the Ascended Prestige skin of Pantheon becoming canon since Atreus himself said that after Viego corrupted him, the power of the Aspect within him completely vanished, so maybe the power that he used on the call cinematic was not the power of the Aspect of War but entirely his own power?!?! It’s a possibility because Atreus is ascended mortal but having no Celestial being hosting his body!

[@kiroat]

at 1:53 it says "... nough to betray the golden sun itself." a goof. a folly.

[@guest_zzroman2076]

I would've liked it more if they made it clear that Pantheon was the one possessed, not Atreus, they could've even given an explanation as to why Pantheon didn't just delete the sentinels with his powers by making Atreus hold him back from within.

[@GASTONCITOPRIME2077]

It feels like a old Man story, in particular like samurai Jack finale season, both Jack AND atreus cant age anymore , AND both surfers the past of a Lot of years fighting the power of Gods

[@IzzalitAbyss]

Viego turning into every champion,Vex and Ahri having R resets, ADC sliding on walls like Talon,Bugged client,Toxic players Me:Tell me it's okay to give up Rito:HOW DARE YOU

[@louisrobitaille5810]

19:55 Yikes, human selfishness never ceases to amaze me. Atreus has gone through hell and back *TWICE* (being possessed by the Pantheon and Viego) and she *STILL* had the guts to tell him that she was hurt more than him by losing her husband, which was also Atreus' friend. 23:30 Iula: "I didn't want to be a widowed farmer. I didn't want to inherit all this." You just had to not marry a soldier. She's just projecting her mistakes on Atreus, poor guy.

[@neutralplayeroflol5722]

But still because of her, he stood up again. He came for an answer, and that's the answer he got. Love blinds everyone

[@creap32]

Holy hell now I love the guy even more. He's the most well written, most human character in league imo. His vulnerabilities and insecurities and emotional trauma just raises him higher in my eyes

[@feijoli3700]

so... with viego comes back, maybe, just maybe yorick can finally have his moment on the sun and have the rest that he deserves