Another day, another trip to the library of Demacia. The priest would resume his studies, gathering up an armful of books to skim through. Today, he found several books on folklore revolving around The Shadow Isles. The first book looked weathered and old, its spine was broken in several spots and a few of the pages were falling out. The faded image on the cover featured a strange centaur-like beast, clad in armor and wielding a sharp halberd. Though the creature looked fierce, it was drawn in a rather cartoonish style. Unfortunately, most of the books regarding the Isles were all just silly stories meant to scare children. Even so, he wanted to gather as much information as possible. After all, most fairy tales were at least somewhat true.

After he had loaded himself up with a pile of books, he begins making his way back to his favorite corner. He held the books to his chest, holding them in place with his chin. He begins walking delicately, trying not to tip over the tower of books. Rounding the corner he suddenly collides with another person, falling back and dropping his armful of literature. The books scatter across the floor, and he scrambles to gather them again.

A thin hand reaches for his shoulder, "Are you alright, sir?" He glances up, his eyes meeting the form of a young woman with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He had never really cared for women... but she was downright gorgeous.

"I-I uh..." He couldn't help but to stutter in her presence. "Y-Yes, I'm fine." He quickly glances back down to avert his gaze, but she kneels down next to him, smiling.

"Let me help you with these." She begins gathering the books as he stares at her dumbfounded, glancing over the titles. "Mm, reading up on the Isles, I see." She stops, picking up one of the books. "This one is good, but it's missing a lot of its pages."

He returns to lucidity, glancing at the book she held. The picture of the centaur stares back, but his eyes wander back up to her face. The priest could feel his face burning in embarrassment.

The woman suddenly brings her hand to his face, cupping his chin and running her finger over his cheek softly. "Are you sure you're okay, dear?"

He could feel his entire body shiver in delight as she touched him, her silky smooth fingers like icy feathers on his skin. His cheeks burned even brighter, and although he opened his mouth to speak, his words just would not come out.

She smiles a bit, "Mm, I think you'll be fine." She removes her hand, "Well, if you need any help, don't be afraid to ask." Carefully she sets down the books in a neat stack, standing up and turning away.

The priest finally catches his breath, "W-Wait, miss...?"

She turns back his way, her cloak fluttering. "Hm?"

"Could I, uh, ask you some things about the Isles? I'm... researching them." He gathers himself, finally standing up.

She smiles a little, "Sure, I'd be glad to help." She holds out her hand, "I'm Claudia. And yourself?"

"Aven." He says simply, taking her hand. Touching her felt literally magical... Was she some sort of sorceress? Hopefully not a siren, or a succubus...

"A pleasure to meet you. It's always nice to chat with another enthusiast." She takes half of the stack, handing it to him before taking the other half. "Where shall we sit?"

The priest holds the books to his chest carefully, glancing around. "I like sitting in the back corner, if you don't mind."

"Sure, sounds fine." She begins walking back to the mentioned area, taking a seat on one of the plush couches. The priest follows suit, sitting across from her and setting the books on the table between them. "So, where would you like to start?"

The two talk for hours about the Isles. Since this was something he was interested in, he was temporarily able to suppress his terrible attraction to her. He was asexual, but that didn't keep him from thinking someone was unfathomably beautiful and charming. That also didn't mean he would turn down any of her advances, if she did make any.

Soon the sky outside began to darken, and they collectively decided to meet up in the morning.

"See you tomorrow, then?" Claudia says with a grin, taking the priest's hand in her own.

He looks away sheepishly, "Yes, definitely."

"Mm, great!" She leans in, placing a quick kiss on each of his cheeks. Those kind of mannerisms were normally reserved for Ionians, so he wasn't really used to it. He could feel his face burning again. "Sleep well, Aven." She brings her hood up over her face, shooting him one more glance before walking away.

He takes a moment to gather his belongings, fetching his shoulder bag and tossing it over his shoulder. Giving a small wave to the few at the front desk, he strides out the door. He'd taken up residence close to the library on purpose, so his walk was brief.

As he entered his room, a wave of fatigue hit him. He'd been ignoring it all this time, but now in the comfort of his chambers, it was impossible to dismiss. He quickly headed to bed, completely ignoring his usual nightly rituals for the sake of sleep. Just as quick as he got comfortable, his mind drifted off.

The first thing that appeared to him in his dreams, was her face. Claudia. She was gorgeous. Even before her lips began to move, he could hear her angelic voice. Such bliss, hearing her soft whispers. He could hear them perfectly, but the words evaded him. All except for one...

"Seek."

Her form would disappear, to be replaced with nothing but darkness. No, there was something there... His eyes just hadn't adjusted to the darkness. This was such a vivid dream that he could actually feel himself blink; As he did, the landscape before him became clear.

Before him sat the image of a dilapidated wasteland. The green sky above cast a dull light down on the blackened earth below, illuminating the silhouettes of the twisted trees and crumbling ruins. Though all seemed still, the distant horizon was alive and writhing. He shivered as a cold breeze swept past him, whispering his name. But... It wasn't his name. It was something else entirely.

"Karthus. Seek."

The horizon was not alive with beings... but with mist. It rolled towards him like a stampede of obsidian horses, writhing and thrashing as they threatened to tear him down. The emotion that gripped his heart was not fear... but longing. Gazing at the mist that would engulf him, he felt a burning in his chest that he recognized only to be yearning.

"Yes. Come for me." The voice that came from his mouth was alien to him, but he ignored it. He took a step forward, his bare feet sinking into the moist soil. The mist was a mere fifty yards away now. He could smell it, but the scent was indescribable. Breathing deep, his eyes felt heavy. He felt no fear, closing his eyes as the mist surrounded him. But as it did... his body was lost. All physical sensations were completely erased, and his core was left with a horrible ache. Again, he heard her voice.

"Seek."

And then, nothing.