The halls of the Temple were crowded yet quiet, for nobody dared speak a word as she made her way through them.

They were too busy admiring her as she walked.

An ebony armor protected her body, silver accents here and there, taking the edge off the darkness of the plates. Not as heavy as Leona's but not as light as Diana's, Riven's armor landed on a middle ground between them, though the style of hers resembled the Moon Champion's more. Her left hand was bare, with only her bandages covering it, the ebony plates starting on her forearm, while her right hand sported a rather big, dark gauntlet over it.

Her broken blade, its' eerie energy making it glow faintly in a green hue, sheathed to her side.

Determination on her gait, her demeanor, her body language.

Desperation in her arteries, her eyes, in the way her mouth had gone dry.

She didn't acknowledge the Empyreans who stood all around her, watching her as she made her way towards the Temple's gates, where their two leaders would be waiting, ready to bid her farewell.

Her eyes didn't even sway towards Leona, standing by the door, slightly to her right, nor to Helena, also by the door but to her left. Riven kept looking forwards.

She could only see the one who stood right on her way.

She came to a stop right before her, "Morning blessings, Diana."

She ignored the fact that Diana was armored, too.

The only one armored between the three that stood in front of her.

Despite what was about to happen, Diana smiled back at the former Noxian. "Morning blessings, Riven."

Riven's hint of a smile grew at her words, the white haired woman turning her head to Leona and nodding it once, "Morning blessings." She said, not bothering to look at Helena and do it once more, for she knew the girl was blind and had heard her greeting.

"Morning blessings," Leona replied.

"Yes, yes, morning blessings, whatever." Helena hurriedly said as she moved towards Riven, her hands landing on the woman's shoulders, making her stop walking forwards. "Riven."

Riven watched her, immobile. "Helena."

Diana already knew what Helena was going to say, "Lena—"

"Shut up," Helena quickly interfered, her hand perfectly landing on Diana's cheek in a quick, harmless slap, "I'm doing the talking now."

"Okay, how in the Void did you manage to know where to hit?" Leona quickly questioned, both amazed and terrified at her lover's best friend.

Helena didn't even bother turning her head at the sound, "I've had years upon years of training in the art of slapping imbeciles, Leona. I've mastered the skill." Without warning, she took a quick step towards the Sun's Warrior, hitting her cheek just as flawlessly as she had done with Diana. "See? A honed ability of mine. Now let me speak."

Leona gasped, "That could be considered heresy!" She said in a joking tone.

But Helena still glared in her direction, "I swear to the Sun and the Moon, Leona, I'm not in the mood for it right now."

The former Ra-Horak gulped. "Okay," she mumbled, letting the Priestess win.

As Helena stood right in front of Riven, placing both of her hands on the woman's shoulders, the Noxian had to hide her smile, even bite her lip so as to prevent it from escaping; Noxians were programmed to admire strength and if there was something that Helena had in excess was exactly that.

Strength. Not of body, but of mind. Of will.

Of soul.

She could admire that.

"You're about to go to far away lands for a reason only you know, because Diana is the worst best friend a curious girl could ever have and refuses to tell me your secrets." She raised a brow, then, "Or maybe she replaced me and now you are her best friend, which means I will have to eliminate you, eventually, and kill Diana afterwards for her betrayal." She let out a quick Shhh at the sound of Diana's complaint upon hearing her words.

Helena sighed, "I don't really know a lot about you, Riven, except for a few things that are somewhat associated to that name of yours. Even then, I don't care for such stories, for they do not reflect who you want to be." Blank eyes somehow managed to aim at bloody ones, the feeling it brought with it making Riven gulp. "So we're basically two strangers, standing in front of each other. One with, I've been told, white hair, and the other with white eyes."

A sad smile planted itself on her lips. "Maybe it's too much to ask of you. Maybe it's not even close to being enough. I will never really know. Right now, I'm putting any hopes I have of recovering my sight on someone I don't even know, all hopes of fixing all the damage done to my mind throughout years, too." She put her hands on Riven's cheeks, "I've been told a Celestial with healing powers hides in Ionia. My best friend and her idiot girlfriend can't go look for her themselves because they've proved themselves unworthy of stepping on Ionian lands again, but you are a whole other story."

A very much alive plea hid behind dead pupils. "I don't need my sight anymore, but the idea of being free of this never ending darkness is very appealing, let alone clearing the eternal fog that hides on my brain. If you could do me such a favor, bring that Celestial to me, I'd forever be in your debt."

Then Riven's hands were on hers, gently guiding them down. Helena frowned at the feeling of cold armor on one, handwraps on the other, her fingers exposed. "Maybe, you could heal yourself too," She let out as she felt the burnt skin, then locked her eyes on Riven's, an eerie feeling taking over as she smiled and, on a soft voice, said, "Though it's been whispered into my ear that the healing that you need to do is of another nature."

Riven quickly brought her hands back, releasing them from Helena's, staring as her smirk slowly became subtler.

Helena chuckled. "I have to leave, but please, consider doing me this favor, Riven." She bowed her head, "Safe travels, from me, Fay and the others."

Despite the ominous feeling that had taken over, Riven bowed, "Thank you, High Priestess. Thank Fay and the rest for their wishes, too."

And just like that, Helena slowly walked away, Riven looking at her as she did so.

"I'm sorry for that," Diana said when she was gone, making the Noxian turn to look at her. "I understand that whenever our Goddesses talk to her, she gets all…" She trailed off as she looked for a word.

"Creepy." Leona offered. "Very creepy."

"Creepy," Diana repeated, "Thank you."

"Not a problem."

Riven shrugged, "It wouldn't be the strangest thing that's happened to me in my life. Don't worry about it."

The Chosen of the Moon smiled. "Why don't we take this outside?" Diana asked her.

"Good idea," Leona answered for her, a lazy smile on her lips. She opened the gates for them, "I'll catch up with you in a minute," She told them, letting Diana walk out, Riven following her.

A carriage was already waiting for her, young stallions on the front and a Ra-Horak getting them ready to set off.

"Are you ready for the trip?" Diana asked her as they watched her driver make the final preparations.

"Do you want me to be honest or to lie?" Riven quickly asked back, watching Diana as the Chosen raised a brow before letting out a quick, Honesty, "Not ready. At all." Riven said, a nervous chuckle coming out of her as she said so, "I hope I feel at least a bit more prepared on my days traveling to Ionia, but I don't think that will be the case."

Diana laughed, "You're tough, Riven. I'm sure you'll be fine."

"May I ask you why you're all geared up?" Riven blurted out, not being able to handle it anymore.

There was a certain sadness to the other woman's eyes. "Considering you're asking, I'm guessing you don't need a partner in your travels?"

Riven came to stood in front of Diana, "As much as it pains me to say so, I think this is a journey that I must travel on my own, Di."

But Diana had been prepared for it, evident in the smile on her lips, despite the crestfallen demeanor. "I feared you'd say that, which is why I brought you this."

Riven watched as Diana took off a small silver chain from around her neck, perfectly hidden by her armor. She offered it to the Noxian, who took it between her hands and examined it with a frown on her face; simple enough, the thin, silver chain had a small charm of the same color hanging from it.

"A Lunari charm?" Riven questioned, raising a brow as she glanced at Diana, momentarily.

"It's the Moon's symbol. Us Empyreans display it fused with the Sun's, but there was, indeed, a cult that used it to represent themselves. The Lunari don't exist anymore, but the Moon still rises." Diana casually said, smirking at Riven's raised brow.

But then she wasn't as playful, getting serious all of a sudden, her hands bringing Riven's together, the necklace caught between them. "I want you to wear it, so that you remember you might be traveling alone, but you're not on your own, for I'll always be with you, by your side." A hint of a smirk, "Around your neck."

"Like a noose."

Diana shoved her, but grinned at the laugh that escaped the Noxian.

Then they calmed down and she continued talking, "And if you ever feel like there's a burden in your chest, a victory you want to celebrate… Whatever reason it may be, I want you to pray." She said, a plea in her eyes. "Pray, whatever you want to tell me, kneel at night and pray to the Moon and I promise you I'll be listening." Then something a bit more intense, darker, even, took a hold of her as she added, "And if you ever need my help, call my name at any time of day, beg for me and I swear to my Goddesses that I'll be there in the blink of an eye and I'll hunt your enemies down like a demon let loose."

Riven laughed at that, "A bit too much, don't you think?"

Diana's expression turned to a scowl, "Never enough," She said, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips, before laughing along with Riven. "But I must admit that I hope you never have the need to request my aid like that."

"Not to be rude, but I hope the same thing."

There was a smile on Diana's lips, "I don't think you'll need it, anyway."

And maybe it had been the tenderness on her voice, maybe it had been the simple fact that she could smile at the Noxian that easily, Riven wasn't sure, but didn't question it either as she felt an impulse and let herself follow through with it, crushing her in a tight embrace, her face against the Empyrean's neck, as if hiding from the World, its' duties and obligations.

"Thank you for being my friend when I needed you the most."

Diana's arms snaked around her frame as she returned the embrace, bringing her impossibly close. "I'm going to miss you," She whispered back, the sound watery with the sadness she felt due to her friend's departure.

"I already do," Riven confessed, pulling back with a smile, her hands quickly cupping Diana's face, her thumbs brushing away her tears, "Don't cry or you'll make me do the same," Came the warning.

Despite the tear tracks on her face, Diana chuckled, "Too late. There's more from where those came from."

Riven chuckled, well aware that her eyes were glassy, too.

One of Diana's hands came up and met with Riven's, gently grabbing the necklace that hung from it. "Let me put this on you," She commanded, making Riven let go of the silver chain, bowing to let the Chosen of the Moon put it around her neck. "There we go," She mumbled, watching as Riven came up once more.

"Well," They heard Leona say as she approached them. "Time to go, Riven." She said, her eyes going from one girl to the other, a fond smile on her lips and, to Riven's quiet surprise, pain in her eyes, too. "Have you two finished saying your goodbyes?"

Diana nodded, but Riven calmly brought her hands to the silver haired woman's face once more, bringing her closer and planting a kiss on her cheek, making her smile. "You're not coming to the carriage to bid me farewell?" The Noxian shot.

Diana shook her head. "Hell, no. I will cry harder."

"I'll do it for her," Leona said, looking at Riven with that warmth that was so characteristic of her.

They slowly walked towards the carriage, leaving Diana behind. Riven could feel Leona's eyes on her, "Are you afraid?" She heard her ask once Diana was out of earshot.

Riven felt as if her heart would best its' way out of her chest with how quickly and strongly it was beating. "I must be."

"Good." Leona said, earning an inquisitive look from the Noxian at her one-word statement. She smirked at her, "It means you're not stupid."

Despite the certain darkness that could be perceived from her words, Riven laughed before shrugging, "I don't really know where I'm going to with this, but I'm going anyways."

"Whether Irelia asked for your presence just to slap you or to sing your praises, you don't really have a choice," Leona said, "You must go. Your soul needs the closure that only her can provide." She watched her as the warrior nodded her head, "But besides duty and fear, how do you feel about leaving?"

"Sad. Very sad. Specially now after seeing Diana's reaction."

"Well, you're very special for her." Leona told her as they neared the carriage. "And I must say, I'll miss you too, Riven."

The Noxian couldn't help the surprise on her features as she looked at Leona, "I didn't think you thought of me so dearly."

"Well, it goes to show that, in a year and a half living together, you have learned nothing about me." Leona said, hiding her faint disappointment but her honesty making it hard for it not to shine through at least a bit, "You did more for me than I'll ever even know and I'll forever be grateful for that and for you, Riven," Then, a smirk on her face as she added, "Even if you dream of bedding my lover."

Riven's face automatically turned red, her eyes open wide. "How do you—" She quickly turned to look at the driver, who seemed to be too busy to really pay them any mind, before looking back at Leona, "Did Diana tell you!?" She asked in a hurried whisper.

"I don't need her to tell me when your room is so close to ours," Leona responded lowly, too, "All I had to do was walk past your door and I'd hear you moaning her name." She raised a brow, "Why do you think I never questioned why you wanted to change rooms and go to one a little bit further away from ours?" Riven was shaking her head, not really sure of what to say, but Leona saved her the trouble, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Relax, it's okay. I mean, I get it," She looked at Diana from where she stood, longing evident in her eyes. "I love her for who she is, but the physical aspect of the relationship is also very well covered."

"Yeah, I know," Riven shot back, an awkward, exaggerated smile on her face at Leona's inquisitive look as she said, "Our rooms were really close, remember?"

It was Leona's turn to blush, though she wore it with pride and a grin on her lips. "I will not apologize. I do what I must."

Riven laughed, shaking her head. "You're incorregible."

"Says you."

And there was a smile on the Noxian's face. "I'm going to miss you."

Leona quickly hugged her, catching her off guard, "I'll miss you too." She said, before letting go, "Take care of yourself out there, will you?"

Riven nodded her head, "Will do."

So Leona watched her as she entered the carriage and the driver manipulated the reins, the horses slowly starting their journey.

Riven looked through the back window of the coach, watching as Leona walked towards Diana and, together, waved her off, Leona with a knowing look to her face, Diana with tears in her eyes and a grin on her lips.

Riven waved back and, once they weren't visible anymore, she got comfortable, letting out a shaky breath from between her lips.

It was going to be a long trip.


Diana.

I don't know if you can hear me. Consider tonight's prayers a test.

We're still on the road. I'm on my seat, my eyes closed, my hands clasped around the charm you gave me. I'm concentrating really hard, so this had better work or else we're going to have a problem, the whole praying thing and I.

We stopped for a bit in the west side of Shurima to rest, but the driver is hellbent on getting me there as soon as possible, so we're already on the road. We must be halfway through Shurima, already.

Not that I'm not okay with it. On the contrary, I really appreciate his eagerness to get me there. I want to get this done with so I can go back to Leona and you. Being alone in between this four walls and atop these four wheels for so many hours has made me realize that I, indeed, want to be part of the Bloodmoon. Maybe even the Ra-Horak. Maybe.

Don't tell Leona I said that.

Now, I'm realizing my eyelids are heavy and it feels very good to keep my eyes closed, so it must mean I'm tired. I'll try to keep you updated about my whereabouts and other things like that.

I miss you, but I think this is necessary for me to heal.

I'll call it a night, now. I'll talk to you tomorrow.


Diana.

We're already out of Shurima.

Making our way through the forest east of it, now.

Did you know there are… shapeshifters in the woods?

I swear I saw a woman turn into a cougar. I also saw a very colorful being which I would have liked, were it not for the fact that she took one look at me and somehow stole my appearance.

I hope this doesn't present a problem in the future. To a lot of people, I'm still dead. It would be funny to see them look into a ghost's eyes, though.

I wonder if you've crossed paths with any of them before. I wonder if the identity thief has stolen your appearance, too.

Leona would be delighted. You, on the other hand, I know you'd be pissed.

I'm tired, I'll pray some more tomorrow.


"My lady, we've arrived at Mudtown."

Riven woke up at the sound of the driver's voice, somewhat taken aback by being called a lady. Still, she got out of the carriage, since he seemed to want her to do so.

They were in a very small village right next to the continent's northwest end, a small wooden dock built by the shore with a few boats tied to it, the Guardian's Sea extending into the horizon.

"This is where my journey ends," The driver told her before pointing at a man who was idly standing by the docks, "That man over there will take you to Ionia from here. I shall return home to Targon."

Riven nodded her head, "Very well," She patted her driver on the back, "Thank you, safe travels."

"Good luck on where your travels take you to."

And just like that, he got in the carriage and left Riven behind.

The Noxian slowly walked towards the docks in the small, humble town, ignoring the furtive glances that she knew she was on the receiving end of. Being the only one so heavily armored, she was bound to be the most precious thing wandering eyes would land on and latch onto, staring at her, making her feel in her very core that they could look into her soul, know which her place of birth actually was, nevermind the fact that, with such a Targonian armor, she looked like a Rakkor, maybe even the Chosen of the Moon herself.

No.

And in those lands, nobody liked Noxus.

But does anyone, anywhere, like Noxus?

She didn't think so.

She approached the man by the docks, "Good evening," She called out, making him turn to look at her, careful enough to hide her accent.

A man who looked to be around his forties stared back, black eyes and black hair, a scar on his lip and a captain's clothes on his body, as stained and broken as a pirate's, as bougie yet worn out as a former, prestigious sailor's.

Despite his slovenly looks, he smiled at her. "You must be the Empyrean I've been paid to take to Ionia."

He doesn't know my name.

Riven nodded her head and offered him her hand, "My name's Helena," She lied, protecting her identity from anyone who might be listening, not wishing to let anybody else know that Riven, the former Hand of Noxus, was still very much alive and was now an Empyrean.

The captain took her hand and gave it one firm shake. "I'm Captain Leith. Follow me." He motioned for her as he turned around and walked through the docks, Riven following closely behind.

Leith took her to a medium sized ship, big enough not to be a boat but small enough to sail by unnoticed, the name Nereus written on its' stern, its' sails a pristine white, the ship looking perfectly, squeaky clean, a stark contrast to its' owner. "We will set sail through the Guardian Sea to Ionia's southern naval entry. We will sail as fast as possible, because the trip should be easy, but sailing between Noxus and Bilgewater, one never knows what they may find."

Riven nodded. "I think it's a good idea."

Then, Leith was looking at her with narrow, calculating eyes. "Do I have to smuggle you in?"

"What?" She asked instinctively, "No. I'm expected."

The captain nodded, "Okay, good. Just making sure." He got on the ship, "All aboard, right foot first." He said to Riven in a lighthearted manner, his smile growing in size as he saw her fulfill his demand.

As he got ready to depart, Riven helped him undock the ship, untying the ropes that kept it by the shore. "So, the trip's already been paid for?"

Leith nodded as he coiled the lines, "A lady with long hair, color much like yours, a mark on her forehead." He recalled vaguely. "She paid, one way to Ionia, then said a woman with red eyes would be taking it, that she'd arrive a few days later." He smiled at Riven as he set the lines on the ship's deck, "Then you waltz in with those bloody eyes, it wasn't hard for me to tell it was you."

Riven chuckled, "Not many with red eyes out there." She casually let out, her mind already somewhere else.

"Not really." He replied, before opening up the sails, "I hope you're ready to go." He said as the ship slowly moved away from the shore.

Riven watched as the land slowly moved away, the ship being completely surrounded by water. "I am."


Diana.

The night I told you about me leaving Targon the following day. You came to Mudtown and already left everything prepared, didn't you? What happened with My youth is fleeting and I want to sleep? Clearly, you forgot about it as you snuck out again before the night was done.

Thank you. I insist on the fact that you're the friend I've always needed.

I miss you.


I'm going to have the worst disembarkment syndrome.

The sailing is tranquil enough, but not smooth at all. Too many waves.

I hope we arrive soon.

I think I can see land already, very far away though.


There were way too many soldiers at the docks for Leith to feel comfortable. Ionians weren't too fond of foreigners after the Noxian Invasion and the Empyrean incident.

"Identification and motive of visit, Captain?" One of them asked him.

"Captain Leith," He told them, "And I'm in Ionia only for a few minutes, Sir. I came here just to bring a woman to these lands and then I'm gone." He said, his eyes moving towards Riven as the warrior came out of her cabin, her eyes landing on the soldiers.

The soldiers automatically aimed their bows at her, ready to shoot.

Even Leith flinched.

Riven smiled at them all, "I missed you all, too."

"Guards! Stand down. It's alright."

Her breath hitched at the sound of that voice.

"She's my personal guest."

She watched as Irelia suddenly came to view, standing behind those guards, their bowstrings not as tense as they stopped taking aim at her, though they still watched her warily.

The Captain of the Guard watched the Noxian as she thanked Leith for his services, before getting out of the ship, slowly making her way towards her, the guards opening up as she made her way through and the ship sailed away.

Irelia nodded her head a bit, "Hello, Riven."

Riven mimicked her, only more profusely. "Irelia."

"I see you finally decided to come back." Turning around before she could respond, the Captain moved towards the gates that led Ionia. "Follow me."

So, trailing behind her like a lost dog, Riven entered the country.

The woman of her nightmares and dreams guiding her through it.


Author's Note:

Hi y'all, enjoying the weather?