It was over. For all intents and purposes, the match should have been over. After the thorough rout of the other team in the jungle, Leona led the charge for the enemy Nexus. Defensive towers crumbled under the combined might of Ahri's team, their momentum took them up to the enemy's Nexus. Ahri followed the lead of the rest of her team, unleashing everything she had. The giant floating crystal was protected by one final stone wall, a wall that crumbled with every attack. Behind the Nexus was a raised platform, the Well, a place where the champions could heal their wounds and replenish their spent energy. It was also where they revived after their brush with death.
A brilliant flash of light from the Well was followed by the appearance of Draven. Half of the deadly pair who hailed from Noxus. Ahri noticed Regnar snarl , but the hunter dared not approach the Well for another round of Noxian blood-letting. The shimmer of a crystal mounted atop an ancient statue threatened any who would dare to violate the sanctity of the Well. Ahri hadn't felt it herself, but she had seen friends and foes get ahead of themselves, thirsting for one more kill only to get blasted by the laser-emitting crystal. Draven knew this as well, and to Ahri's relief he decided the effort to save the Nexus wasn't worth the risk. He opted to cross his arms and watch as the Nexus broke apart.
A second flash from the well revealed the second half of the Noxian pair. This half was not as laid back as his brother. Darius' jaw clenched in rage at the sight of the Nexus crumbling. His expression only loosened when he laid eyes on Ahri, a wicked grin forming on his lips. Darius bounded off the platform making a beeline straight for her, the sharpened edge of his axe gleamed, ready to fly as soon as Darius was in range.
Ahri stood her ground. As long as she could hold on for a few more seconds and keep him distracted, the others would have the Nexus down and the match would be over. Graves noticed Darius charging out of the well, straight for Ahri, but Ahri held her hand out, killing any ideas he may have had about interfering. This was her fight. Darius took note of Ahri's gesture, laughing as his axe swung.
But Ahri was ready.
Don't think. Move! The words echoed in her mind, a familiar mantra from before she had acquired her human form in the dense, wild forests of Ionia. Outwardly, the only evidence of her past life were her nine-tails and ears, but she still retained all the memories and experience from that dangerous time.
The axe sung as it sliced through the air, but for the Gumiho, the Noxian General's movements were slow. Borderline Clumsy. She side-stepped his first swing with ease. A second swing aimed for her neck was easily dodged as she dropped under the blade. Her eyes met his, and his bloodlust was clear. Ahri aimed to use that to her advantage. The familiar pink energy began to emanate from her eyes as Darius violently drew his axe back. Ahri's channeling was interrupted as she was caught in the blunt, hooked section of the axe. She cried out in pain, stunned by the sudden grab, but even more terrified by what she knew would come next.
"Can't run now, vermin." Darius sneered as he raised his axe for his infamous cleave, the Noxian Guillotine.
A brilliant flash of light blinded both Ahri and Darius. Ahri's eyes adjusted quickly enough to see an ethereal, ghost-like sword tip protruding from Darius' chest, his face was one of shock more than pain as he held his axe above his head, seemingly frozen in place. Ahri took the opportunity. The blue glow of spirit energy enveloped her body as she dashed away. A moment later a massive golden shield came crashing into Darius' back, sending the Noxian general flying forward. Weapon and armor clattered loudly on the cobblestone. Another flash of light out the corner of Ahri's eye signaled the end of the match, as the Nexus erupted with energy before exploding. Ahri turned her attention to her armored savior who planted her shield into the ground for a quick inspection.
"All that armor? Tsk." Leona knocked the front of the shield with her fist, "Next time, at leasttry to leave a dent." The shieldmaiden grinned, giving Ahri a wink. Ahri returned it with a grateful smile. In an instant, Darius rose, his black armor almost a blur as he charged for one more swing at Ahri. Time seemed to freeze. Ahri was stepping back, as Leona's hand grabbed her shoulder, the look of panic on her face startled her just as much as Darius' charge. In an instant, the threat was gone as they were all bathed in light.
When Ahri next opened her eyes, she was in a large auditorium, on a raised platform. Along with her other four teammates. They were back in the relative safety of the Institute and, as victors, they were greeted with applause and cheers from their supporters who filled the room. The other team had been transported to an auditorium of their own. Their welcome, Ahri knew, would be much colder. Ahri placed a hand on her chest, she could feel her heart pounding and she exhaled audibly to try and calm her rattled nerves. She had to resist collapsing on-stage from sheer exhaustion. Ahri scanned the audience, quickly finding the Ionian delegation. Karma sat at the head, flashing a smile to which Ahri bowed in return. Though Ahri held no particular allegiance to Ionia as a human nation, she had seen the devastation wrought on her homeland by the Noxian invasion. In this case, Ahri and Karma's goals, were aligned. It was an easy decision when Ahri was approached by the Duchess of Ionia.
"You're formidable prey." A large fur-covered paw patted her shoulder, pulling her attention from the crowd. The gruff voice came from beside her, and she found herself looking into Rengar's thermal eyepatch. She smirked at his 'compliment'.
"I'm quite the hunter as well, you know." she replied.
She drew laughter from him, "Perhaps, Gumiho. I look forward to that hung." He said with a grin. With one more heavy pat on her shoulder, nearly knocking her off balance, he made his way off the platform.
Ahri's ears perked up in excitement as she turned to speak to Leona, only to be met with the smell of burning leaves and a red cloak. Ahri instinctively covered her nose, an action Graves was used to from her, but elicited a chuckle from him anyway.
"Nice moves out there, Miss." He grinned, cigar clenched in his teeth. "I didn't think Darius could move that fast with all that armor, and to actually see Draven try-" Graves stopped himself, taking note of Ahri trying to see around him, rather than paying him any attention.
"Mr. Graves," Ahri's voice was muffled as she spoke through her hand, "I do appreciate your assistance on the field, but I absolutely must go, I have…" Ahri trailed off as she saw Leona making her way off the stage, "…pressing business to take care of, excuse me!" She said as she nimble stepped around the gruff mercenary.
"Go on and get your girlfriend, kid!" Graves yelled after her, causing Ahri to stop in her tracks, turn around, and fume at him. Her reddened face earned another hearty laugh from him.
Ahri turned and scanned the crowd for the familiar golden armor, catching a flash of it turning the corner out the exit. She hopped off the platform and hurried down the walkway to the exit.
"Leona-!" Ahri called out, but stopped herself once she saw the shieldmaiden amidst her Solari peers.
"You practically spirit-rushed out of there."
Ahri turned to the familiar, soft voice. Karma was standing there with others of the Ionian delegation. "And I can see why." Ahri glanced back at the Solari delegation, her eyes catching Leona's. Ahri became keenly aware of the pounding in her chest, but shook it off as being the result of her little sprint from the platform. Karma stepped forward, "I was hoping to thank her, formally, for her assistance in today's match. She was pivotal in the victory."
"And in keeping me alive." Ahri added.
"Of course," Karma replied, "In no way did I mean to imply victory was more important than your life, as temporary as your brush with death would have been."
Ahri's tails flicked in annoyance. She had hoped for alone time to speak with Leona. Even if death wasn't an issue on the Fields of Justice, it still hurt like hell. What bothered Ahri the most was that Karma was keenly aware of that fact, having fought in battles herself. While she respected Karma, she didn't understand her. Movement drew Ahri's gaze and she saw Leona and the Solari walking toward them. Leona led the others, but before Ahri could speak, Karma had stepped forward, between the two, bowing to the shieldmaiden. "Leona, you have our gratitude."
Ahri bit her lip, crossing her arms over her chest. Her nine tails, which she normally held together to minimize the space she occupied, each flicked in annoyance. As Ahri watched the delegations speak, she caught Leona glancing over to her, a look of sympathy in her eyes, having noted Ahri's predicament. While Ahri wasn't much for these types of exhausting human pleasantries, she knew Leona had no choice, being the only Solari champion in the League. Ahri waited, patiently, for the opportunity to pounce. As soon as the conversations shifted away from Leona and toward other matters, she jumped in.
"Leona! I absolutely must speak with you." She said, louder than she had intended. She reached out and took Leona's hand.
"Oh!" Leona was taken by surprise, "Ahri, yes. Of course." She looked to Karma who gave her a nod of consent as Ahri was already pulling her away from the group and further down the hallway.
Ahri drew in a deep breath as she turned around to face Leona, "Leona, I wanted to thank you for today."
Leona smiled at her words and Ahri felt her chest pounding again. The Solari's smile was as warm as the sun she worshipped, and it made Ahri blush. Leona chuckled at the reaction as Ahri broke eye contact, looking away in embarrassment.
'Why do I feel like this?!' Ahri's thoughts raced as she tried to gather herself.
"It really wasn't any trouble-" Leona started, but Ahri cut her off.
"I'd like for you to join me," Ahri's eyes met Leona's once more.
"Oh? To evening meal?" Leona asked, to which Ahri shook her head.
"To Ionia. I'd love to-" Ahri stopped as her ears perked up, twitched, and then flattened back against her head. She recognized the sound coming down the hall and it made the fur on her tails stand on end. The clanking of heavy armor, the tap of a walking cane, knives clinking together, and heavy leather boots nearly stomping on the stone floor. Ahri looked beyond Leona as the Noxus delegation rounded the corner. Leona followed her gaze, the proud Solari immediately straightened her posture, no longer relaxed as she was moments ago.
Swain led the delegation, a raven on his shoulder and a cane in his hand. Despite his frail appearance, he was Noxus' most feared tactician, and a terror on the Fields of Justice. Behind Swain's cloaked figure, Katarina followed close behind, her red hair and iconic scar were unmistakable. Ahri sneered as both Draven and Darius rounded the corner. Swain had flat-out ignored them while Katarina scoffed, keeping in step with Swain. Draven wore his signature grin despite the loss they had suffered. he turned to the pair, "Ladies." he said, bowing slightly as he kept walking.
It was Darius who stopped.
"Don't think this is over, rats." he sneered. "There's no magic to save you from death outside of the Institute."
Ahri narrowed her eyes, as she met his gaze, "Best you remember that for yourself."
"Hmph." Darius grunted, before continuing with the rest of the delegation.
"How rude." Leona commented, "Don't let him get to you, Ahri."
"Oh, he doesn't." Ahri replied, her eyes still fixed on Darius' back. Despite the defiance in her voice, Ahri still felt a chill. Darius was dangerous, and it was under him that Noxus saw victory after victory on Ionian soil, and his rise to power was bought with the blood of his own former commander. His threats were never to be taken lightly.