The Imprisonment of Aurelion Sol: How the Cosmic Dragon Was Enslaved

For eons, Aurelion Sol traversed the vast celestial heavens, content in his solitude as he forged new stars and constellations across infinite galaxies. But the origins of his eventual deception and enslavement reveal much about the character of this prideful cosmic dragon. What could motivate ancient warriors to imprison a powerful, primordial force like Aurelion Sol? To understand, we must delve deeper into his mythic background.

Aurelion Sol‘s Mythic Origins

"In the beginning, there was only the stars and heavens."

So go the myths about Aurelion Sol‘s origins. There are few constants in the universe, but Aurelion Sol is one of them. He has existed since the dawn of time itself, present for the creation of the very first stars. Born from stardust and moonlight in the aftermath of the universe‘s cataclysmic big bang, Aurelion Sol helped forge the building blocks of creation.

The Artist of the Heavens

Aurelion Sol reveled in crafting new stars and filling the blank celestial canvases with his artistry and imagination. He hummed happily as he worked, composing a cosmic symphony, as this passage poetically describes:

"With his celestial voice, he orchestrated grand galaxies one after another. Star by star, worlds took shape under his guidance. And when he was pleased with his work, he would breathe life and wonder into his creations."

Aurelion experienced joy in wielding his cosmic power to design majestic celestial bodies. Each new nebula swirled into existence, congealing at his command. Planets ignited from cold dust, burning like vibrant gems across the ether.

An Arrogant, Prideful Creator

Aurelion Sol‘s talents bred an exaggerated sense of pride. He saw himself as the greatest artist in all the universe, and believed no other works could ever approach his creations in beauty or scale. In his arrogance, Aurelion Sol cared little for any affairs not his own. He drifted alone through the empty cosmos in rapturous contentment, never anticipating the appearance of beings who would dare challenge his celestial domain…

The Appearance of Humanity

On a tiny world known as Runeterra, the first stirrings of humanity began. From humble origins, these primitive mortals would evolve over eons into an advanced civilization based around the mighty city-state of Targon. And the powerful warriors and mages of Targon would eventually turn their eyes toward the cosmic wonders Aurelion painted across the heavens.

Mortals Gaze Upon the Heavens

Since time immemorial, Targon‘s inhabitants were fascinated by celestial magics and constellations. Though Aurelion Sol paid them no heed, the Targonians watched his celestial ballet with envy and awe. From their lofty mountain peaks, Targon‘s scholars and prophets witnessed Aurelion Sol‘s artistry through gazing crystals and astrological observations. They marveled at the glittering cosmic wonders taking shape above them, never imagining contact with such celestial power was possible.

The Aspects Look to the Skies

Eventually, the warriors of Targon known as the Aspects sought to harness the power of the heavens themselves. Through ritual magic at Targon‘s summit, these chosen mortals were able to channel the celestial might of the sun, moon, and other cosmic energies, becoming immortal Aspects embodying their patron celestial body.

For generations, Aspects like the warrior Pantheon wielded the magic of stars in service to Targon. But never had they encountered a cosmic being as powerful and volatile as Aurelion Sol himself – until fate brought them together at last.

The Aspects Ensnare Aurelion Sol

From their lofty peak, the Aspects eventually turned their attention to Aurelion Sol himself, watching with scheming eyes. They determined that harnessing the cosmic dragon‘s power could allow them to expand Targon‘s influence across all Runeterra. But to trap and bind such an ancient power would require weaving magic into deception…

A Gift to Sate Aurelion‘s Pride

Knowing Aurelion Sol‘s penchant for pride and vanity, the Aspects devised the perfect snare. Combining their cosmic magic, the Aspects crafted an ornate crown, embedding enchantments deep within the gold. This was no mere gift – it would allow the Aspects to dominate Aurelion‘s will, shackling him as a slave to their desires.

They sent word to Aurelion Sol, professing the crown as a tribute to his magnificent works. The appeal to Aurelion‘s pride worked flawlessly; he accepted immediately, descending to Targon‘s summit to receive their offering.

The Instant of Betrayal

The instant the crown touched Aurelion Sol‘s brow, the trap was sprung. Celestial magic flooded his mind, choking off his own free will and bending his cosmic powers to the Aspects‘ whims. Aurelion Sol thrashed in agony, wings beating and claws rending towers of stone. But it was too late – the Aspects‘ domination was complete. They gazed upward in triumph as Targon again claimed celestial might for itself.

An Artist Transformed into a Weapon

Aurelion Sol was now merely a living siege engine to the Aspects, forced to create and destroy stars and matter at their command. The cosmic art he once wrought joyfully in the heavens was turned to mundane tasks or violent ends, his talents wasted. Where once he drifted in rapturous solitude, Aurelion was now Targon‘s chained monster, fueling their expansion across Runeterra. Even eons later, the cosmic dragon seethes in fury at the injustice – but the Aspects‘ will remains dominant over his own.

Aurelion Sol‘s Continued Defiance

Centuries after his deception and imprisonment at Targon‘s summit, Aurelion Sol remains hungry for vengeance. His great pride stings at how thoroughly the Aspect‘s ruse exploited his vanity. And though he fulfills their commands, he schemes constantly for ways to undermine them and regain his lost freedom.

Reluctant Service to the Aspects

Try as he might, Aurelion cannot fully resist the mystical hold of his crown. The sigils, spells, and runes etched deep into the metal override his own impulses and desires. When the Aspects command Aurelion Sol, he must comply, funneling his cosmic power toward their goals in an agonizing mockery of his previous artistic works.

"He shifted his tail, cracking it like a whip through the space around him in frustration. For his captors, no special powers were required to control him thus. Only an orb, a crown, and a pathetic want for purpose – purpose they did not want him to fulfill alone."

Though his magic remains potent, Aurelion cannot wield his power toward his own ends anymore. He grits his teeth in seething anger at this humiliation, awaiting the day his servitude ends.

Seeking Unlikely Allies

In his isolated wanderings, Aurelion Sol occasionally comes across others who suffer at the hands of the so-called "enlightened" and "noble" Aspect warriors. He recognizes souls kindred to his own plight, their free will stripped away by blind faith or zealotry. On rare occasions, Aurelion forms alliances with unlikely partners – even a star-mounted dragon must lower himself to cooperation with mere groundlings, he muses.

One such ally is Kayle, an angelic warrior whose brand of zealous justice Aurleon finds useful, if distasteful. "An idealist – but a malleable one", he thinks. Through subtle coercion, he directs Kayle‘s champions toward goals which also disrupt the Aspects. A quiet word here, a dreamlike visions there – few can resist Aurelion Sol‘s telepathic suggestion, and Kayle relies on her "divine inspiration" completely.

For now, these schemes are but minor dents in Aurelion‘s imprisonment. But one day, some ally may possess the power to finally restore his lost freedom…

Glimmers of Hope in an Unstable Aspect

The solitary wanderer Zoe is perhaps Aurelion Sol‘s best hope. As the Aspect of Twilight, Zoe exists partially outside of normal reality. She dances gleefully from one realm to another, shirking her duties and appearances in favor of play and mischief. Her chaos magic offers Aurelion a glimpse of what power unfettered by the Aspects could be like.

Of course, Zoe‘s frivolous tricks also frequently anger Aurelion. Her pranks have more than once upended his careful planning and machinations. Yet she also shows him kindness where other Aspects sneer at him in contempt. And so Aurelion tolerates her games and nonsense, hoping one day she may return the favor and unshackle him from his geas. For now, their relationship remains uneasy – but necessity makes for all manner of strange friendships, even among Aspects and dragons.

The Defiant Dragon, Unbroken

For all the endless eons of his existence, Aurelion Sol has never bowed fully to another. Though diminished by clever magic and mortal cunning, his pride and resilience endure unbroken. Targon‘s legends portray Aurelion as a monster, a destructive beast barely leashed. But his burning desire for freedom reveals untapped nobility and a willful strength.

In his heart, Aurelion knows that empires rise and civilizations fade; one day, even mighty Targon must fall. Until then, he helps where he can, subtly unraveling the Aspect‘s grand designs while biding his time. He executes their commands perfectly, never faltering. For Aurelion understands that perfection is not submissions…but rather, laying the groundwork for the inevitable day when the chains of servitude shatter and he soars unfettered once more.

So let the cosmos tremble – one day, Aurelion Sol shall reclaim his rightful place across the glittering heavens. And this time, no mortal-woven shackles will hold him back from the wonders he wishes to create. The Celestial Dragon‘s era of enslavement draws toward its end.