She could have sworn she heard a breath.
Lux's body pivoted on a dime, her staff gripped tightly as her eyes scanned the path behind her. Even without light, the way was fairly open and easily seen, something she was extremely grateful for at the moment. Nobody would be able to sneak up on her here. She waited a few moments longer before turning and resuming her rather quick pace forward.
The half-moon rose high above the land as the Crownguard child made her way along the forgotten road. Occasionally the nighttime animals would call or scurry from the intruder, but other than the rare interruptions the night was silent as the grave. Lux's heart beat a bit faster, eyes wide as she strolled. It was the furthest she had gotten without caving in and creating a light for herself. She wasn't about to give up yet; not while there was still a chance of his presence.
The pathway twisted around another curve, and the blonde hesitated slightly. Although she was just outside the borders of Demacia, there was no guarantee of safety. The thought both scared and excited her as she swallowed and quickly stepped towards the darkness. Trees began to grow alongside her, blocking the precious little light from the moon as she wandered deeper into the forest.
A small amount of uncertainty rose in the pit of her stomach, and Lux paused. Even when straining her eyes, she could almost see nothing in the darkness around her, a darkness that wasn't entirely natural. Twisted magic had transformed the woods in this area, leaving residues of its evil hold in the very nature of the land. Shapes shifted before one's eyes, faces appeared and vanished, and whispers could be heard with every breeze that shifted the branches.
Except the sound she heard wasn't a whisper. It was, in fact, quite strong, if not entirely close.
Although she had fought him in the Fields of Justice, Warwick's howl sent shivers down the light mage's spine. Quickly, she formed a small glowing ball in her hand, illuminating her immediate surroundings. While it did make her a more visible target, it also gave her the advantage of preparation. Her staff was held ready, and she gripped it tighter as she heard the howl once more. Much closer this time.
In rising horror, Lux realized the truth: he had her scent.
Turning, she began to run, feet beating quickly along the trail back in the direction she came. Or so she thought; the trees morphed and groaned, the shadows danced around her peripherals, and she could have sworn she had passed that rock at least three times already. The beast's howl sounded from behind her, then in front of her, then all around, closer and closer each time. Heart racing, Lux tried desperately to catch a glimpse of her attacker. If she could just see him...
The air went still as silence suddenly covered the area. Lux slowed, then stopped completely, eyes wide as she turned in a circle. The howling had ceased, as well as any ambient noise and movement. It was as if the world had frozen in place.
"Dangerous place for a Demacian noble."
The voice, deep and ominous, sent shivers up and down Lux's spine. Turning quickly she stared at the speaker. "Talon," she said as calmly as she could, scepter held slightly higher than normal.
The assassin stood just at the edge of her light, shadows melding into his silhouette and obscuring his features. He moved slowly, wraith-like, towards her, the shine of her magic glinting off his shielded eyes.
"It would not be beneficial to either of us for you to become prey here. Come," he said, his voice calm. Lux took a step back holding the scepter out before her. While it was true that she'd met the man before outside of the League, it had been in her city, on her terms. Out here, well, anything was possible. Talon, however, merely tilted his head. "I wouldn't go that direction much further, if I were you."
At the completion of his sentence, the blonde heard a low growl behind her. Turning slowly, her heart began to beat out a marathon. No more than ten feet away stood the great beast Warwick, eyes glowing red as he watched her. Muscles rippled along his chest and arms, seen easily through the half-fur, and his lips pulled into a snarl.
"He dares not come any closer. He knows by now not to interfere with my prey," Talon says, suddenly just behind Lux. Though scared, she manages not to jump, eyes staying glued to the cursed beast. "If you want to be safe, you'll have to trust me."
"Easier said than done," she breathed without moving.
"Would you rather take your chances with him?"
It really wasn't a difficult decision. Lux slowly shook her head. "What do I do?"
"Simple. Follow me," Talon said, turning on his heel and striding down the path. Lux quickly caught up to him, throwing glances over her shoulder all the while. The wolf-man followed from a distance, maintaining the same distance from the assassin.
"I've had more than one run-in with him in the past," Talon said lowly. "Neither of us has come out unharmed; however, it's not a risk he is willing to take. Especially with your skills as a warrior."
Lux nodded, if not entirely convinced. Though the idea of Talon protecting her was laughable, she couldn't help but reason that if he had wanted her dead, he would have killed her already. Or at least allowed Warwick to slay her. If she was still alive, that could only mean he thought she was more useful that way. And she wasn't about to complain.
The walk through the forest seemed to take longer than the walk in; when Lux voiced as much, Talon merely shrugged. "The forest will play tricks on you. Magic can make you forget, or remember differently."
"Then how are you sure where to go?" she asked, curious.
"I've spent a lot of time in these woods," Talon answered simply.
When the finally broke the treeline, Lux breathed a sigh of relief. The gentle light of the moon washed over them once more. Talon's walk became stiffer, and she couldn't help but think that light made him uncomfortable. She'd have to remember that one, just in case.
As they neared the border, Lux could hear Warwick's howl once more, though much more malicious this time. She shuddered.
"I don't suppose you traveled all this way just to save me," she muttered, facing the assassin as they slowed to a stop. Talon nodded.
"Astute. I want you to do something."
Lux raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking a favor of me?"
"Hardly," the assassin replied. Without the shroud of darkness, she realized, he was much smaller and more human-looking. "This is something that would benefit both you and your brother, as well as Demacia."
"Then why on earth would you want me to do it?" Lux asked incredulously.
"I have no loyalty to Noxus or Swain," he answered simply. "The man's rise to power is something I cannot allow, for my own reasons. I need you to keep a very close eye on the dealings he has with Demacia. Not only the public ones, but the private as well. Who he visits in the city, where he stays, what he eats. Everything. In doing so, you may learn some key pieces of information to use in negotiations."
Lux nodded slowly. "And what do you get out of this?"
"I will be visiting you from time to time to see what you've found. I merely want the same information you've acquired while watching him. I know you're skilled in stealth and espionage. You've had missions into Noxus in the past which have been quite successful. I need you to use those skills once more, in your own country," Talon finished, his face unreadable.
Lux shook her head. "If I were to be caught spying on the Grand General of an almost hostile nation, there would be a political scandal. We cannot afford that, especially..." she trailed off, anger and hurt fluttering across her face.
"Especially after Garen's actions last year," Talon finished. "The solution, it would seem, is easy: don't get caught." At Lux's exasperated look, he continued. "If you are unwilling to do this, I cannot force you. However, I would ask that you do so. Both Katarina and I will be visiting you, at different times. Until then, I would stay away from the forest if I were you. Warwick has your scent now; he will be waiting," he said, turning away.
"By the way, Nocturne's lair is much to the south; I'd wait until business called me there before trying to create a midnight rendezvous with the living nightmare," he called over his shoulder, causing Lux to turn bright red. However, as the man vanished, her mind began to spin.
Talon was the enemy; that was without question. However, Swain was the greater threat, and the assassin seemed to want to take him down. Her brother had believed as much for some time, and his closeness to Katarina, though Lux hated it, gave him a certain amount of credibility.
Quickly entering the city once more, she made up her mind. Regardless of Talon's intentions, keeping an eye on Swain could not be a bad idea. She would just have to be careful. After all, what could go wrong?