The cool air was refreshing against the heat of her skin. Even though the temperature wasn't uncomfortable, clouds still escaped Shyvana's lips and mingled with the air. Sometimes, she even took a deep breath to create an even bigger cloud and gently smiled at the effect. When the wind picked up and whisked it away, she turned to look out into the country around her. The half-dragon was truly at ease away from the chiseled walls and the fearful eyes of the city. However, it wasn't often she was even given a chance to venture beyond the walls, given that her duty required her safety.
As she walked within view of the city-state's walls, she noticed a figure on the path ahead of her and the distant sound of metal dragging against soil. She may not have noticed them had the rising moonlight not begun to illuminate them as they walked, with long platinum hair gleaming like a beacon in the pale light. They were walking slowly, though. The half-dragon was quickly gaining on her. She was wary as to whether she even wanted to and, as she drew closer, Shyvana could see the metallic dragging was a blade, curved like a crescent and dragging sideways behind the figure.
Shyvana found her eyes glued to the person before her, squinting her eyes to judge was they were doing. Then her foot smacked against a large pebble and skittered up the path towards the figure. They turned quickly to face her, blade arcing out and sending a wave of light that infected Shyvana.
"Who are you?" The woman demanded, blade now pointed directly at her. Facing her now, the half-dragon could see a symbol glowing starkly on her forehead.
But this woman was showing herself a threat. Meaning she had to be careful. Cautiously, she answered, "Shyvana, of the Demacian Elite Guard."
"Why are you following me?"
"I wasn't trying to."
"Then you just happened to be sneaking up on me? Have you aligned yourself with the Solari?"
"I did happen to sneak up on you! And what in Valoran's name is 'the Solari'?" She was getting angry. She didn't even know this woman and she was accusing her of such ridiculous things.
"Just stay away from me!" She said, moving backwards away from the Demacian while still holding the blade directly towards her. Then her angry expression faltered. The stranger pressed a hand to her head and her other arm fell slightly as she attempted to keep the blade up. "Leave... me alone…"
She dropped to her knee, the blade in her hand falling flat on the ground and being held up only by her grip. Shyvana couldn't help but laugh curtly at the sight. "You're joking. And I thought I needed to exercise caution." With a shake of her head, she began turning away as she added, "I don't know your enemies, but you won't live long against them."
"I've lived this long."
As she looked back, she saw something familiar on the woman's face, in the piercing blue eyes as she glared at her from beneath her brow. Fury. She turned the blade over and pressed the end into the ground, trying to stand again. Though this woman looked nothing like her, she could see herself clearly. She stood tall and lifted the blade from the ground into a relaxed position. Shyvana might have believed she was strong if she didn't so clearly see the weakness and exhaustion in her.
With impressive control, she spoke, "Do not follow me."
As she turned and continued down the path, she barely made it five steps before collapsing to the ground. Shyvana found herself surprised. Although she wasn't sure if it was how long it took or that she fell at all that surprised her. She couldn't help but feel bad, though.
The Demacian looked around for anyone else nearby before approaching her. She flipped her over and stepped on her blade to hold it flat to the ground, crouching down to examine her more closely. She could smell the faint scent of blood on her, even see the old stains on her well-worn armor. Shyvana removed the blade from her hand and felt the considerable weight of it. It wasn't as big or heavy as Garen's, but not just any human could wield it. Particularly not someone whose height matched its length. Shyvana looked down at the woman's face, considering what to do with her. Whatever trials she had faced, whatever journey she had been traveling, it had taken its toll. The half-dragon knew exactly what that was like.
So she hooked her arms around the woman waist and lifted her over her shoulder, making her way to the nearest gate back into the city.
Shyvana paced the hall in front of the closed door. The area was empty and quiet as everyone slept. She didn't know what she was doing here, why the curved blade was still in her hand, why she wanted to wait for the pale woman to wake. But weapon was awkward in her hand and she felt uncomfortable with the lack of balance between her hands. The half-dragon couldn't help readjusting her grip over and over.
That's when she heard a noise in the room she paced beside. Shyvana opened the door and stepped inside to see the woman freeze at the bedside, eyes traveling down and locking on her weapon. When she looked up again, the woman's fury met Shyvana's eyes.
"You will pay for this!" Then she launched herself at the half-dragon, fearless and frenzied.
Shyvana held the blade behind her and used her other hand to block the woman and then shove her to the floor. "I am paying for this!"
When she looked up again, she looked perplexed.
"Take your stupid weapon." Shyvana tossed the handle out towards her and the woman caught it in her hand while the flat of the blade smacked against her now un-armored knees. She seemed unphased by the impact, however. Only confused further by the action itself. As the woman continued staring, however, Shyvana found herself growing increasingly irritated. "Are you just going to stay on the floor gawking at me?"
Slowly, the woman before her stood, eyes still glued to hers until she positioned her blade defensively and started to look around. When she looked back at the half-dragon, she spoke again. "Where am I?"
"Demacia. I brought you into this clinic."
The woman regarded her cautiously. "Clinic?"
Shyvana clicked her tongue and took a breath, restraining an insult to her intelligence. Barely holding a civil tone, she replied, "You passed out right in the road."
The woman almost spoke before setting her teeth and closing her mouth again. The look on her face was distrustful, but the way her eyebrows curved upwards in the center suggested she felt something else.
"I told you to leave me alone…"
Shyvana narrowed her eyes. "Did you really want to be?" she asked.
She did not answer. Only averted her eyes.
"What's your name?"
Her gaze snapped back to the half-dragon's. Cautious again as the woman's eyes roamed hers, looking for a sign that she was to be trusted. It took her some time.
"Diana," she said.
"And you are alone?"
The woman's brows lowered just a fraction, but she did not look any angrier. "Yes."
Shyvana began turning her head, her eyes following suit a short time after and resting on the missing pieces of Diana's armor. "There," she directed with a nod of her head upwards. "I trust you want that, too."
Diana slowly approached the parts that lay on the counter, keeping her eyes on Shyvana until she reached the pieces. Resting the blade against the counter, the woman started affixing the pieces over her suit again until she was exactly what the Demacian had seen hours before. Then Diana's attention was back on her. Shyvana turned and left the room, turning right and taking only a few steps down the hall. She looked back to see Diana step out behind her and stop in the center of the hall. The woman didn't move her body to face her, but her gaze rested on the Demacian. That's when Diana turned and started to take a step the other way.
"You're hungry, aren't you?" She stopped. Shyvana wondered what she was thinking, but when she didn't move after some time, Shyvana relaxed her shoulders and leaned into the hallway behind her. "You can starve, if that's what you want. Or you can come with me."
When she still wasn't moving, Shyvana leaned further into the hallway until she had to turn and walk. Shortly after, she heard the soft footsteps trailing after her and quietly released a breath of relief.