Fortiche and Riot Games Unveil "Twilight's End" Cinematic
During the 2025 League of Legends World Championship in Chengdu, Riot Games and the French animation studio Fortiche premiered Twilight’s End, the closing cinematic of this year’s League of Legends narrative arc.
The Storyline and Characters
The narrative focuses on LeBlanc, Vladimir, and Xin Zhao, whose stories have been unfolding since January 2025 through four short films: Welcome to Noxus, Dark Gambit, Beginning of the End, and now Twilight’s End. This final chapter portrays the climactic fight for the Darkin Glaive, an ancient weapon of immense power.
The Battle at the Spirit Temple
The cinematic begins with an intense siege inside the Spirit Temple, which manifests in the physical world of Ionia during the “spirit blossom bloom.” Xin Zhao and the temple guardian Yunara battle to stop Atakhan, an ally of LeBlanc, from seizing the glaive that contains the Darkin entity Zaahen.
Xin Zhao’s Choice
Amid the chaos, Xin Zhao touches the artifact and is drawn into the realm where Zaahen is imprisoned. Haunted by a prophetic vision from Beginning of the End—a future where LeBlanc and Atakhan destroy Demacia—Xin Zhao makes a desperate plea.
He asks Zaahen to inhabit his body to prevent the impending catastrophe.
Artistic Vision
For this production, Fortiche embraced new visual techniques inspired by Ionia’s mystical atmosphere, merging magic and mythology to give the cinematic a distinctive and immersive tone.
About Fortiche
Fortiche, known for its acclaimed work on Arcane, continues its strong creative partnership with Riot Games, expanding the League of Legends universe through cinematic storytelling.
Author's Summary: Fortiche and Riot Games conclude their 2025 League of Legends arc with Twilight’s End, a visually rich cinematic that unites fate, mythology, and sacrifice in one powerful finale.