"Look inside yourself - What do you see?"

"Happy birthday, Annora~!"

Annora Luwand rolled her eyes as she blew out her candles. Another year, another birthday. Not too interesting for her. Her sister, on the other hand…

"Oh I'm so happy for you, Annora!"

...was brimming with happiness, as per usual.

"You're already sixteen…" Alstonia Luwand said, sitting down as if she had just had a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. "Man, I just can't believe it."

"It's nothing, Alstonia. Really."

"Oh, shut up." Her sister pouted as she started cutting Annora's cake, a small chocolatey bundle of deliciousness. "You may not find it to be exciting now but just wait, birthdays bring back so many memories. Good ones, funny ones...sexy ones, too."

"Ali!"

"I know, I know. Sorry." Alstonia grinned, showing off her youth. At twenty two she barely looked like an adult, much less Annora's guardian and big sister. While Alstonia had wavy, dirty blond hair and bright blue eyes Annora was the opposite, her hair short and pitch black with eyes shimmering dark blue. Then again they were both decently tall so there was that.

Annora sighed, picking out her own slice of cake. "Yeah, but it's okay. I'm just glad that you try."

The next few minutes were filled with small talk as the two sisters talked about rumors that had been circulating the city. Annora couldn't help but feel a bit lucky as they talked about local royalty and maidens being sent off to the rest of the kingdom - To live in High Silvermere was as good as it could get outside of the Great City of Demacia itself. And really...it wasn't the only thing she was grateful for, though she would never admit it.

"You know…" Alstonia played with her fork, bouncing it off the table. "I heard that Luxanna is coming here to pay her hometown a visit."

Annora froze, eyes bolting to her sister. "Really?"

Alstonia grinned. "Really."

Annora jumped out of her chair, restraining herself from gripping Alstonia by the hem of her nightgown.

"Tell me when."

…

Demacia had changed a lot in three years. Once regarded as the epitome of an anti-magic society, things had changed rather bluntly. No one knew the exact details but there were a few key points: Noxus had tried something, it had worked very well & only Luxanna Crownguard had managed to stop it - utilizing magic. The event had also paralyzed the nation, quite literally - for an entire day people across the Great City & far beyond its walls found themselves unable to move, encased in various elemental forms of magic. This was also revealed to be the work of Lux and more specifically the power she had unlocked - a mastery over the elements of nature, bended to control through the manifestation of light. Lux had saved the entire nation, at the price of exposing herself to Demacia as the thing they feared the most.

As expected, chaos emerged. Some, including the many poor and elderly whom Luxanna had helped since her youth praised her, declaring that the age old taboo on magic would've only lead to their downfall had it not been for Lux's bravery. Others though fewer in number were appalled by Luxanna's secret, demanding that she be sent to exile or worse as soon as the nation could come back to its senses. But for the most part people were above all shocked - Luxanna, not only a Demacian but a Crownguard at that, had been harboring & protecting them for YEARS. And despite their hatred against magic, despite of all the evil and torment that many would've given Lux if they had known, she had still helped them. Really, it was incomprehensible to most how someone could be so caring & honorable at the same time. So when the day came that Lux was put to trial many were still too amazed to speak clearly.

Annora remembered that day. She had been there, her and Alstonia travelling to the Great City so that Annora could watch the trial with her own eyes. She had been one of the affected, encased in benevolent magic for the entirety of that fateful day weeks before. And, for her, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever witnessed.

The trial was an immense affair, with King Jarvan III & the various Champions of Demacia all present and accounted for. It was extremely rare for one or more Champions to attend a trial, much less all in their entirety. But when a champion themself, a being marked by the Kindred as "immortal & to be remembered as legend" was potentially facing death...it was no wonder everyone was there.

Things went as expected. All present champions with the exception of Garen immediately declared their support for Lux. Galio, allowed life by Lux herself, also stood out in his admittance to knowing about Lux's secret earning him a hefty amount of scorn (though none went further, not wanting to screw with a 70+ meter tall magic fighting colossus). Garen remained quiet, unusual for him & pretty much everyone else allowed to speak at the trial was against Lux's continument of life.

"She's an abomination." Some said. "She's an example of a corruption we must avoid." Others claimed. One individual in particular had the audacity to take things a step further, calling Lux "the ultimate failure of Demacia and of the Crownguard lineage, desecrating our grand society & only being useful in displaying betrayal and selfishness." This was swiftly handled by Poppy beating the shit out of that spokesman until she was pulled off him by several guards. But while opinions were polarized, one issue was shared amongst almost everyone - Lux was a challenge to everything Demacia had ever stood for, and one way or another something had to change.

It took four days to come to a decision, Annora & Alstonia residing in the city while the arguments went back and forth. The decionary process was not helped by multiple factors including but not limted to: Jarvan the IV's disagreement with his father and his advisors, Shyvana's admittance to being half-dragon to try and prove her point (which only lead to panic, unfortunately), various fights between those on both sides & (at the very end) a mass lull of sleepful bliss in the audience as Sona was forced to keep them at bay while King Jarvan made his final verdict.

The decisonary speech, word by word, is as follows:

"Attention, please.

Today, we face an issue that both defies everything our nation stands for, and challenges what it truly means to be human. It is the worst fear of many of us come to life for one of Demacia's most influential and beloved champions to have become the very thing we unwaveringly stand against. And, to put aside formalities for a moment - it is truly awful to even have to make this decision. I do not like standing against my son, nor do I believe that Luxanna Crownguard is a malevolent individual, far from it. It is simply that you and I, the people of Demacia are having to choose nonetheless: Do we maintain our society, or do we maintain our humanity? "

"On one hand, Luxanna's capabilities as a sorceress are exceptional, to the degree where she can manage to keep the great colossus Galio sustained for hours, if not days. I have also been informed that she has been doing work in favor of Demacia in secret with a group I had previously not heard of up until now. Therefore, from a strategic standpoint it would be absolutely ludicrous and foolhardy to force young Luxanna out of service - she is the one who just saved the nation, after all. This also applies to the social standpoint. Though some may disagree about the magnitude of her actions, the amount of people who have come to our Great City solely in support of Miss Crownguard shows that she is renowned and loved by many of us, and not solely for her recent actions. In the wise words of my son: 'She is a beacon, a ray of hope for the many and a blessing for the few. The number of times she has put others before her all her life is uncountable.' So to that end, we reach the left hand of the argument - That Luxanna is not only a valuable asset in terms of her magical prowess, but also in her kindness & unwavering loyalty as a Demacian."

"However, the other side of the issue is equally as important. For one, agreeing to keep Luxanna inside of the city or Demacia in general would indicate that magic is tolerated by our nation - an act of backing down that would usurp our entire foundation as a united group of peoples. We are strictly anti-magic, we do not allow it for obvious reasons & everyone here is aware of that, lest I need to stress the countless times that magic has damaged and brought threat to our homes. Additionally, Miss Crownguard's current levels of power are unstable. It appears that she had to exert an immense amount of force to dispel Noxus, a level that has left her power neigh-uncontainable even by modern anti-magic methodology. If Miss Crownguard had the ability to contain this power, she would be and honestly is the most viable strategic asset we would have. But as it stands right now, she's a card that could do anything if played."

"The tipping factor in my decision comes from both considering my own morals and talking individually to each one of our champions, including Miss Crownguard. Now, to preface for the question I'm expecting - No, I did not inquire into how each one of our champions was 'marked' by the Kindred, that is information that they will disclose as they see fit. As for the topic at hand, I received opinions that are almost entirely equal to what we have already heard. All of our champions harbor an affinity towards Miss Crownguard, some even saying that she's someone they could not be happy without, which as I was asked to note, is in the platonic sense. It was immense support for Luxanna, nothing less than it. I can not stress to you in words how passionate my own son was about the affair, citing his choice in Miss Shyvana as an example of his reasoning. I can also not stress the emotion I saw from Miss Crownguard's brother, a man who many of you know well. I will not speak of what he said, only that he believes what I am about to do to be the best option and that his heart does harbor disagreement with it. So, after much reflection, debate & infirmary treatments...I will now read off my official verdict on the case of Luxanna Crownguard versus the whole of Demacia."

"Ahem. 'As of now, on the fifty-seventh day of the eleven thousand, seven hundred and twenty second year since the first of the Rune Wars I declare with my authority as King that Miss Luxanna Crownguard will not be sentenced to death. Instead, she will not only be allowed exile but also the opportunity to create a new city-state located northeast of High Silvermere and on the Freljordian border. This city-state, to be named "Miolin", will be Demacia's answer to all things that are magical within its borders.' "And so it goes on with the details…"

Annora like many others processed the details of the deal days later, her thoughts being occupied on Luxanna's survival over all else. It was a great breath of relief for the majority of the nation, especially since this decision would resolve a number of ethical issues surrounding annullers. The basic concept was simple: Miolin was to be a magical haven for all who accepted it. It was an independent, Demacian-supported city state that would not only allow the usage of magics but promote them and encourage their growth, to be used as its residents & their ruler would seek fit. This way Demacia had a much nicer option available for residents of magic-wielding status (though it still technically meant exile), the Freljordian border could get an increased level of protection and above all Luxanna Crownguard was granted freedom, something she had dreamed of for her parents, her brother & everyone who honorably called themselves Demacian, it was a good deal indeed.

Things sped up from there for both Luxanna & Annora. Annora's teenage years sped by as she tracked Lux's progress with childish curiosity, from the harsh first steps of setting up her own kingdom to the more recent population spike of 25,000. It had been a terrifyingly hard journey, but nowadays the city-state of Miolin was thriving, brimming with magical potential that quite literally lit up the nighttime sky. And at the center of it all stood Queen Luxanna Crownguard, ruler of Miolin and protector of the magical. With the elements at her disposal & seemingly unmatchable levels of power she stood tall, ensuring that no one Demacian, Freljordian or otherwise was harmed while at the same time ensuring the sanctuary of her own people.

Now years after Miolin's foundation, Lux was finally returning to see her family. And this wasn't an opportunity Annora was going to waste.

…

"Satchel?"

"Check."

"Clothes?"

"Check."

"Common sense?"

"Fuck you."

Alstonia laughed, hugging her sister tight. The two had been up day and night preparing Annora for her big day, one that she had dreamed of ever since her first fateful encounter with Lux's magic. Alstonia knew very well of her sister's dream and wasn't about to stop her, not that she could. Annora was as stubborn as a girl could be.

"You know," Alstonia muttered, releasing her little sister, "If you pull this off, you're gonna experience hell."

Annora shrugged. "You think I give a shit?"

"Nah, just thought I should remind you."

Annora stretched, yawning as she opened the front door. The two had a clear view of the streets outside their house, cityfolk & the like bustling about on the busy weekday morning. It was one they had shared ever since they could remember, and this would be the last.

"You know, you can always visit." Annora mumbled, her gaze cast away from Alstonia. "It's not like I'll be dead or anything, and it's perfectly legal."

Alstonia smiled, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "I'd just be a bother. Go have fun."

Annora walked out the door and into the street, moving onward. Alstonia moved to close the door but paused as Annora turned around, her expression making Alstonia's heart break in two.

"Have fun?" Annora repeated, tears on her cheeks and a smile on her face. "Don't worry, Alstonia. I'll do more than that."

And as she turned away, leaving her sister to look on, Annora's fists tightened with a determination she had never felt before.

I'll do more than that, Alstonia. I'll become the best damn sorceress in the world, and I'll have the time of my life getting there. Just you watch.

…

Author's Note: What's there really to say? Elementalist Lux needs lore, I'm going to provide it. Get ready for a tale of master, apprentice & a whole lot of magical tomfoolery - all to answer question of what you see in the mirror. I'm ready for this.

Side note: If you're curious as to where on the map of Runeterra the City-State of Miolin lies, this was where I decided to put it:

prnt. sc/ kbffuk /

Think of it like a city on the sides of a mountain range, that's how I would describe it.

See you soon.

-ShinodaChan