Flame and Thunder
NOTE: "People talking"
"People's thoughts"
People talking by telepathy or dreaming
Chapter III: "A Night Walk"
Volibear's POV
It was a sunny afternoon in September. The Sun reigned the clear sky with pride. The smooth cool breeze brushed my fur as I took a deep breath. Pure fresh air mixed with the sweet scent of some types of flowers entered my nostrils. It felt nice. I thought that maybe going out for a walk in the town wouldn't be that bad. We had left the garden's gate behind five minutes ago and the first houses of the town were already showing up on the horizon. We were following a straight path of dirt that cracked the grassy fields around us in two halves. I closed my eyes for a moment as I walked and focused on the sounds I heard. Wild birds singing cheerfully, Ethan humming an unknown tune to me and a chatty Lulu endlessly talking with Vayne. But I didn't hear Marcus' voice. I opened my eyes as I lifted my head up and saw him walking in front of me, glaring down at the ground in contemplative silence.
Maybe he was bothered because today I had been curt towards him. Each time he had looked at me and had spoken happily, just trying to be friendly, I avoided eye contact and limited to answer dryly. That is just how I've always been, though. Still, I showed no sign of gratitude towards his kind treatment to me, and he deserved it. What kind of noble warrior bear am I? The feeling of guilt strangled me. I had to think of something. I gathered all the courage I could and sped up my pace until I was next to him. He seemed to notice and lifted his head up to stare at me with an innocent look in his golden eyes. His stunning golden eyes. I had never seen a piece of gold or a jewel shine with that intensity.
"Wait, did I just think that about him?"
"What's up, Volibear?" he asked. I shook my head and sighed deeply as I looked into his eyes. This time I kept eye contact so he knew that I meant what I was about to say.
"Er... Marcus, you have been so nice to me this morning and, um... Thank you, honestly." I managed to mutter so that only he could hear it. His face lit up more, if that was even possible, as he traced the warmest grin I've ever seen. When I realized that his look was still fixed on mine I had to look away embarrassed. Why did his glance make me so nervous? Brr!
"You're welcome," he replied. "But don't make a big deal out of it. I'm always trying to be nice to people." He scratched the back of his head as he grinned.
I shook my head. "That's why I should be nice back. It's only fair." I said staring at the earth.
"I understand." I heard him say as we walked and I kept staring down. We went silent for another couple of minutes until we arrived to our destination.
"This is Argil·la1," Vayne said, catching the attention of the group as we walked into the town. It was the first time I visited it; I didn't go out of the Institute very often. The dirt path was replaced by smooth cobblestone. Short, reddish clay houses were gathered in a disorganized way all over the place. In the center of that chaos of buildings was a small plaza with a fountain. On the left of the square stood a taller building with a thin clock tower. I guessed it was the town hall. We stopped beside the fountain as we saw a very crowded street descending from the square, opposite to the town hall.
"That's the market," Vayne pointed out looking in the direction of that street. "Today is the weekly arrival of many foreign merchants with exotic products; that's why it's so crowded," she explained.
"Let's take a look at the market first and then we can decide what to do!" Lulu suggested excited. Vayne declined because she had to go take care of her business. The others agreed to go to the market and I shrugged and followed along.
We dove into the ocean of busy people that filled the market. The long narrow street consisted of many stalls that formed a corridor in the middle. There were all sorts of stores. The scents of the crowd mixed with the smells that came from some stalls. Sweet perfumes, spices, food, and the not so pleasant smells of some people. The merchants shouted announcing their goods as the costumers approached the stalls. I took a glance at the exotic products that were exposed: strange substances in small flasks, charms in many shapes and details; beautiful artisan ceramic works, as well as many other unique goods and food.
Marcus' POV
I had never seen a street so crowded or noisy, not even in Piltover! Come to think of it, my village was always so peaceful and our time in the Freljord's mountains as well, this was so different… My nostrils picked up many familiar scents and even more new ones. It was a sensorial festival for my nose. As the four of us pushed our way through the crowd I held Ethan's hand in mine for fear that he would get lost. I was looking from side to side at the stalls all the while, feasting my eyes with the impressive display of colors and shapes of the exotic objects as well as the inviting food. My eyes met with one of the merchants'. Extremely dark red eyes, like dry blood. I couldn't see the rest of their face because a cowl covered their head and some bandages wrapped around the face hid everything below the eyes. There wasn't white in their eyes, they were fully dark red. So that meant they couldn't be human, or at least, not entirely. What bothered me is I had the feeling I'd seen those eyes somewhere, but I couldn't remember. Ethan pulled my hand making me snap out of it. "Brother, we will get lost if we lose track of Lulu and Volibear, come on!"
I looked at him. "I'm sorry boy, I got distracted. Let's go." I replied. Before moving forward, I glanced back one last time to check on the familiar stranger, but they weren't staring at me anymore because they were busy with a customer.
Five minutes later, we finally reached the end of the street, popping out of the mass of busy loud people. We ended up in a park with some common stores at the edges of it, wooden benches sprinkled here and there above the sandy terrain and trees surrounding us.
"I'm going to go shopping, you three can explore Argil·la freely." Lulu said grinning. "Just meet me and Vayne in an hour at the square; as the town hall tower is visible from any spot of the town, you can't get lost." She explained. "See you later, guys! Have fun!" Lulu waved as she walked back again into the market street.
"You too!" Ethan shouted smiling. It seems he liked her.
"Wanna take a look around this part of the town?" I suggested.
"Yes!" Ethan said enthusiastically as his emerald eyes shone.
"Sure," Volibear replied.
Ethan trotted happily before Volibear and me. We were silent, lost in our own thoughts. In my case, my thoughts were back at the market, trying to remember what I could about those eyes. I shook the thought off my head when Ethan suddenly yelled.
"An ice cream store! Brother, can I have an ice cream, please? I haven't had one in years!" He said with pleading eyes as he grabbed my wrist.
"Alright, Ethan. In fact, why don't we look for a place to sit and eat ice cream all together?" I suggested. Ethan nodded eagerly. Volibear was OK with the idea, so we ordered three ice-cream cones (my treat) and sat on a bench. The sweet cream was delicious, I couldn't remember the last time I had tasted one of those. Ethan was the first to finish his and he asked me for another.
"Alright, but this will be the last ice cream you eat this week!" I said. He nodded and I gave him the money. Ethan rushed to the shop and a moment later was walking back, looking bright as ever. When he was near us, he suddenly tripped over his feet and almost fell to the floor. He stared at his hand and he saw that his ice cream wasn't there anymore. Guess where it landed?
In the middle of my forehead. I heard a deep snort next to me. Volibear put a hand on his smiling muzzle to hold in his laughter but when I looked at him frowning with an annoyed expression of 'What do you find so fucking hilarious?' on my face, he burst into a loud guffaw as Ethan laughed along.
"You look like Soraka!" Volibear laughed as a tear formed in his eye. I stood up and walked to the ice cream shop where the clerk lent me a damp towel to clean my face. I walked back to the bench and sat between Volibear and Ethan. Volibear was still snickering. "Well, I didn't need to make a plan to make him smile or laugh after all!" I thought as I couldn't hide a satisfied grin. His smile was so... warm and friendly now. I leaned my head closer to his while staring at his grinning face. I raised an eyebrow as my smirk turned into one of amusement.
"I thought you couldn't smile, you boring bear," I teased him.
"How couldn't I? That horn suited you perfectly." He teased back with a feigned silly smirk on his muzzle.
"How dare you!" I said exaggerating an offended tone. "Someday I'll take revenge for that, 'Mr. Chuckles!'" I said lifting my hand and playfully poked his nose with the tip of my finger.
Ethan narrowed his eyes looking in the direction of the clock tower.
"Brother, an hour has passed. We should head back to the square," he said.
"Wow, time flies," I thought as I looked at the clock too. "Then, let's go." I smiled as we began walking towards the square.
Vayne and Lulu were already chatting on a bench when we arrived at the square.
"How did it go?" Vayne asked.
"It was fun. I'll have to come back when the merchants come again and try to find something I like." I said.
"Also, I tripped and my ice cream cone fell on his forehead!" Ethan giggled. Volibear snorted again.
"Hey, you two! Cut it out!" I pointed at them with my finger as they snickered simultaneously.
"I guess you had fun!" Lulu giggled.
"Well, shall we go back to the Institute?" Vayne asked. There was a collective 'yes' and the group left the town.
(After dinner. Marcus's room was filled with the full moon dim light)
I was lying on my bed holding the sight sphere. I was watching matches, studying the other champions' strategies. Eventually, my thoughts began to wander.
"Volibear was acting strangely on the way back from the town. He went all silent again and didn't talk to me. Well, neither did I because Lulu kept me busy telling me all about Argila. He didn't even show up later in the Cantina for dinner. What's going on with him? Not like I can ask him directly like that, I barely know him."
I sighed, put the sphere back on the desk and crossed my hands behind my head. I closed my eyes and my thoughts went blurry like fog.
. . .
I was in my home. Ethan was holding my hand firmly with his own trembling one, staring at me with a terrified look on his face. The house shook with each thundering sound of an explosion outside. I looked through the window: the sky had disappeared behind a large cloud of dust and smoke; all I saw in my village was devastation, clouds of toxic smoke and corpses spread all over the village. I felt a painful stab in my chest when I recognized the lifeless figures of my friends, lying on the ground, scattered. Suddenly, mom and dad ran into the room.
"Marcus, escape and take Ethan along with you. We must stay and fight." Dad said, firmly. I could hear slight fear in his tone.
"Promise us that you will protect your brother." Mom said, tears running down her cheeks as she hugged us tightly.
"But I want to go and fight with you!" I yelled and began to cry.
"No, you can't, Marcus. You and Ethan must live." She said as her usually silky voice cracked.
"The magic charm I gave you will protect you as well as the people you love. Now, escape, there's no time!" dad exclaimed, his voice cracking as well.
They led us to the limits of the village where a carriage awaited. I got in it as dad lifted Ethan and placed him beside me. Mom hugged us again and had only strength to say "I will always love you". Then the carriage began to move as we were separated from our parents. They stared at us one last time before turning around and then disappeared in a cloud of dust.
"Moooom! Daaaad!" I cried desperately stretching an arm in their direction but it was in vain.
. . .
I gasped loudly.
I woke up panting as my heartbeat was racing crazily. "It's just that nightmare again, well… that memory, rather." I told myself to relax. I turned my head towards the window and took a glance outside. It was late at night. The full moon spread out a pale blanket of light all over the wide gardens. I didn't feel like sleeping at that moment and taking a walk around the gardens seemed like it'd feel nice, so since I was still dressed because I had fallen asleep, I decided to go for it.
Only the rustle of leaves and the slightest murmur of water could be heard. The gentle cool wind of the night caressed my fur with its invisible hands. It seemed as if the time had slowed down there. The gardens were immense... They surrounded all the buildings of the institute. It was a giant green work of art. Arcs of leaves, shaped bushes, flowers, small ponds, streams and bridges over them. I walked into the gardens, letting myself be engulfed by the calm of Nature at night. I felt nice just by standing on a bridge, above a singing stream of water. The thoughts of my nightmare had already faded out, but I didn't really want to leave so soon.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" A deep voice suddenly broke the quiet atmosphere.
"Aah! Who, what?!" I blurted out startled, turning around. It was Volibear. He was wearing the same outfit he wore this afternoon. His white fur glistened like silver under the moonlight. "What are YOU doing here?" I asked.
He shook his head, "I asked first." I thought for a moment and answered his question:
"I've had a nightmare."
"Oh." He looked at the ground. "I see… Uh… Want to talk about it?"
I thought about it again. I nodded. We took a stroll around the gardens.
"...That is quite traumatic. Are you sure you are OK?" He asked after I finished telling him about it.
"Yes, it's been a long time. I've healed. The truth is..." I paused a moment. "I don't really know if they died. They might still be alive somewhere, but I haven't had the money to sail back to Ionia since then. If I fight here for a while, I can save up to return and search for them..." I sighed. I wanted to change the subject. "Now tell me, what were you doing here?" I asked him. I looked at his face again after not doing it the whole time we had been walking. He seemed to be doubting for a moment.
"Um, well... when I'm nervous and can't sleep I come here," he spoke as if he was choosing every word cautiously. "It's very calm and it helps me clear my thoughts," he paused for a moment seeming to think a lot. "You know that the ranked season starts next month, right?"
"I've been told so at dinner tonight."
"Since I've lived here, I'm afraid I've turned soft and weak. The commodities of this life made me forget for a while the warrior spirit of my tribe. I fear I will not do well enough this next season.
"Was that the whole truth?" I thought, dubious. There was hesitation in his electric blue eyes. "I'm sure you will do fine. I even got an idea. We can train together when we have free time to help you out, what do you say?" I offered, smiling.
"No, no. That won't be necessary. I will be fine on my own." He rushed to reply, looking to the ground.
I lowered my ears. "Fine then… My offer will always hold, just so you know. I'd like to be of help." I scratched the back of my neck.
"...I will keep it in mind." He muttered. Why did he tell me his problem and then refuse aid?
We kept walking until we came out of the gardens to the pale light of the full moon again. I stopped as I faced him.
"Thanks for the company, Volibear. It was nice." I said.
"You're welcome, Marcus," he paused "I… thank you too, for listening." He looked at me briefly. His expression was plagued with emotions. A little happiness and relief, but so much confusion, pain and hesitation.
I moved my hand to his arm and gave him a soft pat and a squeeze there. He gasped softly at the contact, just like last time. "It will all be OK. Take care of yourself, Volibear." I said with a reassuring tone.
"I'm going back to my room and try to sleep." He said.
"Me too."
No more words, we entered the main building and each headed to his own room.
"I'm sure he will tell me whatever is haunting in his mind. I'll just give him time." I thought while I lied down.
Time passed in the Institute of War. The vivid green colors of the summer ceded their place to majestic brown, red and orange hues as fall arrived. The gardens were an incredibly beautiful sight. Honey, garnet, cinnamon and terracotta hues painted the leaves of the trees as they started falling, dancing in the air. Ethan would hide in the foliage and it posed a challenge finding him. I usually hung out playing card games with Ethan in my room, since my brother's room was always a mess. In the Cantina, eating together with Volibear, Vayne and others became a habit. The other champions that usually sat with us were Lulu, Nasus, Shyvana and Xin Zhao.
Vayne was mostly distant, but I sensed her empathy towards me and how that made her act less cold when talking to me. Lulu was cheerful and clever, always making interesting contributions to the conversations. Nasus was the wisest person I'd ever met. He was very kind. Shyvana, well... she could compete with Ethan to see who was the most hyperactive and enthusiastic. And I bet she would win. However, she was short tempered so I made sure to not to make her angry. Xin Zhao was friendly and a funny man, although he liked to jokingly pick on Shyvana and often we had to sooth her before she burnt the cafeteria.
When fall came, the ranked season came along. All the teams were already listed on the bulletin board in the Great Hall. Obviously, I hadn't been chosen to captain since no one had informed me. In the morning, I went to see the lists with Volibear.
We arrived to the wall where the bulletin board hung. We scanned the lists searching for our names when I spotted mine in one of the sheets. And his. And Vayne's as the team captain. "Wait, why would Vayne put two ADs (she and I) on the same team?" The other two members of the team were Ryze and Sona. I stretched an arm and pointed the sheet with a finger and Volibear looked at it. He gave me a puzzled look.
"What in the…?" He growled.
"I know, I just don't know what's in her mind," I said shrugging.
He turned around and began scanning the room. Then he raised his arm pointing at a bench where Vayne sat with her legs crossed. Volibear and I exchanged looks and headed to the bench.
"Hey." She greeted us with a nod of her head, calm as ever.
"Start explaining yourself." Volibear said frowning.
END OF CHAPTER III
Next chapter: "The first ranked"
1.- The name of the town 'Argil·la' is the Catalonian term for 'clay'. It is pronounced "ar 'ge lla" like "R" "G" then "lla" from "gorilla".