The card flickered around his fingers, innate magic throwing tiny sparks that didn't burn. Whether it was due to the inherent skill he possessed, or the power coursing through the thin pieces of paper, the end effect was the same: a hypnotic blur. Tricks were his stock in trade, doing what no one else could, just because he could.
Twisted Fate smiled across the open ground. His opponent had a similar look, albeit more carnivorous. Like him, it bespoke confidence. Skill. Experience. She would be a difficult opponent.
A distant horn boomed across the glade, warning of the miniature armies imminent arrival. Fate, still relaxed against the tower's cold stone side, tipped the edge of his hat to his opponent.
Katarina, strolling with lithe grace, smirked in response, flipping one of her innumerable knives in a return salute.
Dozens of feet, smacking into the ground with eagerness, made their presence known. The appearance of crimson hoods, led by red-hued cloaks warned Fate of the approaching force. To his own rear, a matching horde of minions in dark blue charged to the attack.
A scowl marred his handsome face for a moment. The golem-style infantry were so predictable, so incapable of independent thought, charging into battle with as little concept of survival as the ant swarms he'd seen in his youth. Such an existence was anathema, was downright wrong in every sense of the word.
Best get rid of it then. The familiar thought arced through his mind for only a moment before Fate pushed away from the tower.
On the other side, Katarina had already begun her approach, tossing one of her blades in a gyrating path that wounded an entire column. Her victorious grin provoked Fate into responding in kind, but in a more controlled fashion.
Fate flicked one of his cards, letting it spin from his hand. It hardened in mid-flight, striking a soldier and leaving a gash between armor plates. A second card spun past the injured one, slicing into another soldier. More flew from his grip, flying through the air, not quite like butterflies but not like knives either.
When the timing felt right, Fate tossed a handful of cards, the flock converging on a single red-robed minion. The cards converged, impacting with a single burst of light, ending the artificial creation's short life with a miniature light show.
Twisted Fate directed a toothy smile to his foe.
Their duel continued, he avoiding her approach at all opportunities and she sidestepping his every attack. The dance they followed was almost intimate, watching each other's moves as closely as a married couple; unconsciously mirroring each other's aggressive stance.
Fate landed a hit on Katarina's arm, prompting a retaliatory flurry of blades. None touched his hat, making him smile despite the new lacerations along his flank. While he and Katarina were ostensibly on opposing sides, they were … professionally polite to each other. She didn't touch the hat, and he refrained from making comments about her chosen vocation. Besides, such an acquaintance was … profitable.
He smirked, ducking as another blade flashed past his shoulder, winking at her as a blindingly yellow card erupted from his fingertips. Her eyes widened in recognition a moment too late as the card exploded in an impressive display of light and sound, stunning her movements. Fate pushed the attack, flinging his attack hard and fast, overwhelming her defenses until the effect wore off.
Katarina vanished in a puff of smoke, reappearing closer to the massive defense turret further away from him. The minions, seemingly angered at the damage their champion had suffered, charged forwards to avenge her retreat.
Fading back, Fate touched the brim of his hat, a tacit farewell as Katarina vanished to replenish her reserves. As she did so, he touched the runed portion of his collar, alerting Rengar that the path lay open before him.
It was silent work for a few moments. Far to the south, he could hear the characteristic noise of Jayce's Mercury hammer, accompanied by the tell-tale energy burst of a successful charge by Vi. Fate shook his head; he'd seen those two flirting incessantly enough times to be glad they were far from him. What the two lacked in subtlety, they more than made up for in creativity.
The far scream of a dying dragon drew a wince. If the dragon had been slain by his own team, the power it contained would aid his attack; if not, then Katarina would be pushing the advantage as soon as possible.
With a start, Fate realized he'd gotten too close to the defensive tower. Minions on either side of him were falling to its runic blasts, identified as the major threats due to their numbers. Those numbers were almost down to nothing … and Katarina was leaping from the tower's upper story, a predatory grin on her face.
Fate let the card fall from his hands, flicking a new one into his hand. It took a long moment to work, the magic charging up to transport him away. As the energy pulsed, he could feel it resonate with the other champions in the area, highlighting them like beacons.
There was a sharp sting as Katrina landed almost on top of him, one blade cutting a deep gash. Then, the magic took hold, and her look of glee accompanied him as he faded – along with the image of her licking the edge of her clean knife evocatively. Both actions made him squirm; of all the foes he'd faced, Katarina was the most playful – much like himself.
When he'd returned to the battle, it was time to begin working.
Fate managed to deflect several blows from his opponent, before catching her attention. He gestured to a rolled parchment, tied with leather thongs just under the edge of his vest.
One of her eyebrows raised, inquisitively. They had made many exchanges in the past, and were regarded as black market specialists amongst their peers. Not that anyone confirmed it, or had proof of it. Certain individuals were – dismissive of such a practice. Detective Caitlyn, for one.
Fate considered it a question of simple economics flow. Legal objects were desired by multiple parties, but were in short supply. As an ex-riverman, Fate had many contacts spread across Runeterra, from Zaun and Demacia to the Great Barrier. He even had a couple links to the Frejlord, always eager for spices of the far south.
Katarina, on the other hand, had extensive contacts within the Noxian government. Licenses, maps, the occasional payment casket … all were at her fingertips. Her assignments took her across Runeterra as well, but not in the same places as Fate had traveled.
Together, the two had access to almost anything anyone wanted, and could get it. Such was the beginning of their partnership, in the early days.
Now, however, Fate had a potential object that Katarina would want, personally. They would seldom speak to each other of their business, but after so many sessions in combat, communication was achieved without words. It helped, of course, that the common trade language of the rivermen contained a sign-language component. Between the two of them, it had been raised to an art form, hiding their intentions from even the most observant of champions.
He flicked another card, swinging the arm wide so that his cloak lifted fully away from his side, demonstrating the length of the scroll. The height of his arm gave an approximate value, great or small.
In return, Katarina palmed a secondary blade from her hip, right next to a series of pouches along her belt. Her fingers touched one of the leather objects, lingering on its surface just a fraction of a second longer than needed.
Fate grinned in response. She knew his language.
Twice more, they closed ranks, she slicing at his body with her daggers, he gliding around her movements. One time her arm passed so close to his body, he stumbled, surprising her with the unexpected contact. They both withdrew, but charged once more, this time her footwork allowing him to seize the pouch.
Seconds later, they returned to their respective bases, using the opportunity to stash their treasures.
Fate had his gold, adequate compensation for the difficulties he'd undergone. Some of it had been rather difficult, speaking with public figures in private without being seen. Katarina? She had a signed poster of Garen, Defender of Demacia. With a date and location hidden on the border.
The next time Fate saw Katarina on the field, she threw him a grateful wink. The political situation between Demacia and Noxus was volatile at best, and both Garen and Katarina were highly visible figures. They had to rely on go-betweens to arrange their little meetings. A service Fate was more than happy to provide.
Maybe he was just a soft-hearted fool. But – it was impossible for anyone to do what he could. To arrange things that would rock Runeterra to its core, yet prevent it from happening at the same time. The joy of getting away with a job, pulling a successful heist, was like a fine vintage. Savored whenever possible. That was his fate, twisted though it be. And he liked it.
A/N: Just an idea that occurred to me whilst fighting a chapter in Unwelcome Discovery. Oddly enough, it sparked ideas I used to finish said chapter ... which should be up fairly soon. The rewrite is going on right now.
Happy New Year!