BLOOD.

Blood. Blood. Blood.

Blood was everywhere.

It was flowing down the shower walls, pooling at Luxanna's feet. It rained from the showerhead above her, covering every inch of her body in crimson. She held her hands before her; a mind numbing panic consuming her as she let out another scream of horror and revulsion before she flew out of the shower. It was one of the most impulsive movements she had ever made, her shoulder clipped the edge of the wall, resulting in her wet feet losing grip and sliding from under her. She landed roughly, barely catching herself to prevent a full facial impact against the hard tile that had been rushing to meet her. She flipped herself back over, looking at the shower and…

All the red was gone. Not a drop of blood was anywhere. Normal water was flowing and steaming, clear and pristine. Luxanna, in pure disbelief, looked at her arms, which were also free of crimson, and in further confusion, started a quick grasp around her body. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself down as she assessed what had just occurred. What had happened? She had seen blood. She had felt it oozing down her flesh. She had SMELLED the scent of it. Yet it was all gone. She stood, shakily, her legs wobbling as if about to give way any second, fear and exhaustion tearing at her body with ease by this point. That mirror that had so reflected her haunting image once more revealed to her just how much her mind ravaged by her sleepless nights. Naked, broken, and confused, Lux left the bathroom, the shower still running, to collapse upon her bed.

Heaving sobs slowly crawled out of her body as she buried her face into her pillows, as she tried to keep silent amongst the pain and fear she was feeling. It wasn't simple, particularly as some of the girl's repressed memories began to stir, edging her closer to a breaking point. That blood. That blood that had covered her hands, it reminded her of the first time she had ever killed a man. It hadn't been her choice to do it. He'd made her do it, forcing her into that corner… It was supposed to have been a normal mission.

Luxanna may have been known throughout the world as the Lady of Luminosity, a shining figure of Demacian virtues, a servant of the crown, and champion of justice… But the truth of her past was shrouded by shadows. While their enemy, Noxus, was practically renowned for its infamous assassins, Demacia being the paragon of all things good, could not afford to openly practice such arts. This was why Luxanna was perfect for them. Forever, the young, smiling blonde-haired girl would regret telling her mother of her growing magical prowess, the ability to mimic any spell she had seen even once with ease, the ability to bend light around her, making her invisible to the eye, the ability to capture people within prisons of burning beams… All too perfect.

That dreaded day, the day of her life that had been exposed in her memories and used in her League Judgment to torture her, once more crawled forth in her thoughts. The day her parents gave her away to the Demacian military. A girl, only thirteen in age, forcibly dragged from her home as she kicked and screamed to be saved, to no avail, her last moment of resistance being the flinging of her hair over her face, so that her parents couldn't see her as she was taken. It was pure hell, being brought forcibly into the military, screaming voices echoing in her ears, trying to break her and mold her into a soldier. Oh, and they broke her alright. Far beyond what they had intended for her. Luxanna's mental state is, to this day, still damaged from the trauma of being completely alone, abandoned by all, and turned into essentially a child soldier. Luxanna survived in the only way she could, by clinging to the only thing she had left… Demacia itself.

She transformed during her training, adopting all of Demacia's virtues into her being, graduating leading her classmates. Yes, she had done what her parents wanted her to, to become an 'honorable' addition to the Crownguard name. Luxanna had marched under the banner of Demacia bearing what had become her trademark, the pure innocent smile. However, that smile was practically gilded lead, a falsity that was meant to hide the broken child that she really was. The mask that hid the pain she had in her heart every day, the one she wore every match within the League, the beaming grin she could wear while blasting a person into oblivion with her Finales Funkeln. It was in moments like these; where she lay crying, that one could see that the girl was truly alone.

She flipped over, clenching her fists in front of her, as she lay crying. For the most part, the missions she had received from Demacian command were relatively simple, sneak in, steal, spy, or capture. That mission, in which she had killed a man, had been the latter. Alid Tither was the target, a traveling merchant whom was also believed to be selling information to their enemy, Noxus. In essence, he was an enemy spy. Little did Lux know the depths of this man's connections within Demacia. The poor girl had no possible way of knowing that would be a day that shattered her innocence utterly and completely.

As expected, the man was at his stall in the marketplace. Luxanna eyed him, his wares for the most part high class dining ware that she couldn't help but think were obtained less than legally. Maybe it was the mustache, or the overly friendly motions he made to his customers to lure them in, or the false quality of the clothes he was wearing to make himself seem more important. He was a conman, at best, a criminal at worst, she judged. She waiting a second, a woman and a child passing in front of her, blocking any view the man could have had around her, and weaved the light around her to reflect and fragment, her body becoming completely undetectable to the naked eye.

She approached the stall then, watching, and waiting. Other than his obviously overpriced items, the establishment seemed legitimate at first glance. Throughout the day, the man made sales, drank from a foul-smelling pink drink in a mug that she imagined was some sort of fruit juice, and nothing he spoke of with other civilians seemed like a code for a message. The sun was setting, and it appeared that absolutely nothing out of the norm had happened. The man began to pack up as crowds dispersed, civilians going home for their evening dinners. She stretched, being careful not to let out the loud yawn she wished to oh-so-much. She realized stalking a man all day while sustaining an invisibility spell was more exhausting than one would think.

The man finished off his noxious drink, before leaving, his wares in containers that were sealed and likely warded with magic. Luxanna analyzed the protective spells upon the crates, and honestly felt a shot of worry for the foolish individual who attempted to steal from the seemingly unguarded supplies. Well, if he demanded evidence for his arrest, she could always go with the illegal usage of magic. Stepping off with the well-practiced grace and silence of one trained in the art of stealth; she followed her soon to be captive. All she had to do was be patient, and the man would be an easily dispatched.

The man turned off a road then, going down into the shadows of an alleyway, and Luxanna's mouth stretched ear to ear. Finally she could be done with this already! She reached to her waist and grasped her staff, raising it as she followed the man down the alleyway, preparing to strike. [A simple bind-] Luxanna did not even get to complete her thought, before searing hot pain burst down her backside as razor sharp claws dug deep into her flesh. She fell to her knees in agony as wicked laughter filled the air. She tried in vain to turn her head to see her attacker, but was quickly sent into a swirling pool of unconsciousness by a powerful blow to her temple.

Darkness…

She felt herself being dragged, but couldn't do anything about it. Her mind faded out again.

More darkness.

Luxanna stirred, opening her eyes to see she was being carried. Razor sharp spikes covered the person who was carrying her, and she could see the man that was meant to be her target behind her. A piercing hot pain shot through her body, and once again her mind went blank.

The darkness surrounding her was absolute.

Luxanna's eyelids flickered open once more, her blurred vision settling slowly. Her body was in utter agony, bruises covered her, her head pulsed with pain, and her back… She didn't want to even look upon it. The first thing she could tell was she was tied, upright at that. As her sight became more distinct, she saw that she was in a cavern. The air was oddly warm for a cavern, torches dispelling the normal damp chill and darkness that would be a part of where she was captive. She struggled, attempting to move, but could not muster the strength to even pull against the ropes that were around her wrists and ankles. It was then that it dawned upon her; panic flooded her body as she realized all of her clothing had been tossed in a pile. She was completely naked; and the way she was tied to what seemed to be a wooden structure, spread apart at the legs, was far too convenient to merely be a coincidence of her captor's intent.

She twisted, straining her muscles to no avail. She tried to reach to the powerful light magic she could wield, but her mind was unable to bring its power forth. Her efforts became renewed upon hearing the sound of boots walking on stone, coming closer. Nothing seemed to be working right for her, the ropes held firm as the man entered the flame's light.

"Well, finally awake eh?" He asked, a cold smile across his mustache-bearing face. "It's about time. You know, I honestly feel bad for you. That invisibility spell of yours is quite the trick. I bet you're wondering how I knew you were coming, aren't you?"

Luxanna remained silent, but was infuriated at the man's haughtiness. The fact that he was quite correct was also frustrating.

"You see," he continued, "I have this friend who does a job very similar to yours. Invisible assassinations, spying, theft, the works… Female too! Although I definitely wouldn't compare her looks to yours. She's a tad frightenin' compared to you. Any who, when she caught wind Demacia was sending you after me, she decided it was a great chance to cut down on competition in that field. Gave me a little somethin' of a potion to help with that end."

Her mind flashed back to the pink concoction he had been drinking all day. An Oracle's Elixir! The bastard had known she was there the entire time.

"So here we are," He announced as he walked towards her, reaching a hand out to stroke her cheek as she turned away, "Since I obviously can't let you live, I'm gonna do the proper thing and give you a bit of pleasure before I send you on your way to the afterlife."

That fear in Luxanna's heart was confirmed. "You can't! Please don't!"

The man's smile grew even crueler in the corner of Luxanna's eye. "Oh but I can…" He whispered, his foul breath gliding across Luxanna's flesh as he leaned in. She shut her eyes, and bit her lip as a grasping hand came in contact with her left breast, squeezing it roughly and greedily. Once again Luxanna pulled upon the ropes that bound her in desperation, to no avail, and her struggle only seemed to entice the man further. She winced as both her breasts were found to be in his grasp now, his hands easily encompassing them. He brought his vile tongue to her neck, and gave it a long slow lick, that sent a disgusted shiver down her neck. She cringed, her hands balling into fists as he pinched at her nipples now. Much to her dismay, she could feel them harden under his touch despite her resistance.

"Please stop!" She begged him, her eyes beginning to pour forth tears as she began to realize that this may very well be the end for her. Raped and murdered, like so many other women…

"Sure thing!" He replied to her surprise, removing his hands from her breasts. She opened her eyes then, to look at him, and instantly regretted the decision as she let out a startled gasp; his fingers coming into contact with her nether regions. "I felt like exploring down here anyways."

Luxanna could only squirm as the man touched her most sacred area. It was a terrible feeling, being humiliated like this; knowing she was going to be used and killed. She couldn't even begin to think what would happen to her family honor if it came to light she had been defiled. She closed her eyes again, trying to ignore the man's caresses as well as she could. She would not give him what he wan- At least, that's what her thoughts were, as the man's thumb ran across the most sensitive spot it could possibly find; her clitoris. She elicited a small moan at the touch, and quickly clamped her teeth together, although she knew the man had heard it clear as day.

"Oh-ho! Found your weakpoint have I?" He mocked, suddenly launching a more thorough assault on her body. Luxanna had to bite her lip. She would not give this man the joy of controlling her last moments. Desperately, she called out to her magic once more…

And she received an answer. Burning light covered Luxanna's body, destroying the ropes that bound her and sending the accursed molester's hand away, him jolting back away from her with a yell. Luxanna fell to her feet, collapsing to a knee. She quickly attempted to stand, but found a fist meeting her cheek along the way.

"You fucking whore!" The man roared, kicking her in the chest to lay her flat on the ground. He quickly sprang upon her then. "I'll fucking make you pay for that one bitch!"

She attempted to struggle against him then, but she wasn't strong enough. He delivered yet another punch to the girl's face, and she tasted blood from somewhere in her mouth. The man began stripping off portions clothing, and Lux continued to try and pull away. Fortune was with her; her hand bumped into something round, solid. A large, firm rock. She grasped it in her hand, and swung with all of her might. A loud crack echoed throughout the cavern as the stone came in contact with the man's skull, his eyes instantly rolling as he fell off of her. She shoved him away, grasping the rock in both hands. She breathed deeply. He wasn't moving. He was breathing, but wasn't moving.

Rage filled the blonde-haired child, she stood and walked over to the man, standing over him. HOW DARE HE ATTEMPT THAT? Nothing but raw hatred was in her mind as she fell to her knees over the man's body, raising the stone high over her head. The present day Luxanna let out muffled sobs into her pillow as she recalled every single blow she laid upon the man. She brought the stone down with all her might, cracking open the man's head. Then she did it again, over and over. Each blow fanned the fury that was in her heart, until it burned everything and nothing remained. Neither her anger nor a remnant of the man's head; aside from the pulpous mixture of blood, brain, bone, and eye that covered the cavern floor and Luxanna's body now.

She was a murderer. There was no changing that in her mind; even attempting to argue it brought her into more despair as she cried. That hadn't been self-defense. The man was out cold, unable to harm her. She could have easily escaped after that. It was VENGEANCE that had driven her through those actions. The worst part was at the time, each blow had felt satisfying, even FUN. The splatter of crimson painting all, the crunch of bone giving way to force… It had brought to light a part of herself she feared. A part that wanted vengeance against those who hurt her.

All Luxanna could do now, was lay in her bed and cry. Help was not coming. It was only exhaustion that granted her freedom from thought, her mind blacking out.

In the darkness, she was truly alone.

- Author's Notes -

So, I attempted to do my best and explain Lux's mental state this chapter. It's quite true that in-game she appears quite happy, but honestly, if you read up on her lore, it's not a far stretch to see that the girl very well might be a tad on the crazy side.

As for the citrus, sorry if it wasn't quite what you guys were expecting :P No shadowy tentacles for you perverts- Yet.

At this point I'd like to thank continuous readers. Particularly for being patient. I work 12-36 hour shifts, depending on situations, and it can be quite a pain to get a moment to write.

Also, in the last chapter, as some pointed out, there was a reference to the League Parody movie 'Brand's Story'. You can find it on YouTube. It's pretty funny and will probably be a running gag with Garen in this fiction. Could have sworn I posted a link to it in the last chapter, but considering I had to take down the original upload due to eating my coding, I guess that might have vanished :/

ANYWAYS, the next chapter will be quite a bit different from all the previous, as it's from the viewpoint of a completely different character!