A/N Hey guys! Bigbear here with a bit of an announcement. I have had my editor look at chapters 2&3 now that he is back from vacation. Feel free to go back and re-read those two chapters if you'd like to.

Karma blinked a few times when she woke up. It took her nearly three minutes to realize that she was alone and in Syndra's bed. Syndra's bed... oh no. Karma quickly got out of the large, black, silk-covered bed and looked around the expanse of Syndra's bedroom. Syndra was nowhere to be seen. That was odd to Karma, seeing as Syndra's bedroom alone had almost all of the things a home would need. Well, that and the fact it was as big as a small house. Sighing in relief that she wouldn't have to face the platinum-haired woman right away, Karma looked for the navy-blue kimono to cover herself. It didn't take her long to find it, either. The fabric, dark as it was, stood out clearly against the abyssal black of Syndra's sheets. Karma also saw a lavender kimono still on the bed, which didn't bode well for her. Picking up her bra and kimono, Karma dressed with practiced grace. She knew how to wear kimonos, of course, as they were one of Ionia's most distinctive items of clothing.

With slow precision, Karma searched the entire third floor for Syndra. After nearly thirty minutes of searching empty rooms with the occasional guest room, Karma decided to look for Syndra elsewhere. As she reached the bottom of the spiral staircase, her hand holding its sold rail, she found herself staring directly at Syndra, who stood still amidst the simplistically decorated halls of the second floor.

"Well, it looks like my sleeping beauty has decided to rise on her own without a kiss," purred Syndra in an almost mocking tone.

"Yes, and it seems my prince charming has decided clothes weren't too important for his quest." Karma's reply, sarcastic as it was, held a light, airy tone that betrayed her jest for what it was.

Syndra's laugh threw Karma off guard yet again. Karma still couldn't believe that the Dark Sovereign of rumor was just a simple woman, with a wealth of power that would frighten any sane person. Karma noticed a little too late that her eyes had begun drifting down to take in what little clothing Syndra was wearing. All Syndra had on was a short-skirted kimono that barely reached past the top of her thighs, and was parted at the top to reveal a generous helping of cleavage. It was a deep crimson color, and the bra was lacy and deep black. Syndra must have seen Karma's eyes snap back to her face because she gave her a mischievous grin.

"Well it did what I wanted it to, so I'll call it a success. Now, will you join me in the kitchen so we may have a serious discussion?" As she finished her sentence she reached up and closed the parted kimono. With a quick tightening of the black silk belt, she whirled around and walked down the stairs. Karma had to collect herself; she had never seen the other woman walk anywhere. With a deep breath, Karma nodded to Syndra's back and followed her down the stairs.

As they both settled into their places in the kitchen, Syndra behind the shiny stove and Karma on a stool with her elbows resting on a beautiful marble counter, Syndra began to cook pancakes for the pair. For a long time, the silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the popping of the frying batter. Then, Syndra began.

"I realize that this may be a shock to you, Enlightened One, but I am not as nasty as your stories say I am," said Syndra. Her voice held a defensive edge that let Karma know she wasn't trying to be hostile, but was ready to defend herself if needed.

"I can see that. You seem to be just a normal woman, with an affinity to a large amount of mana. The rumors of a power-hungry madwoman do you no justice. After all, you are quite nice in the bedroom."

"Ha, I never could have imagined the day I would hear an Elder of Ionia speak of sex in such a casual manner. Please, this is as hard for you as me. Call me Syndra for now, but if you anger me too much I may force you to start speaking with to me with proper respect."

"Fair enough. You may call me Karma, and don't worry. You are also a champion of the League and that earns all the respect in the world."

"Awesome. Now that all the greetings are out of the way, let's talk business before pleasure. I will be leaving for a bit of vacation, and I would like for you to keep people from my home. I will be leaving it in a place I'm sure no sane person would try to get here from, but those who aren't sane will still need to be taken care of." Syndra's gaze finally left the cooking pan, and she looked into Karma's eyes. There was power in Syndra's eyes, and instead of a soft amethyst, Karma saw a glowing violet. Karma nodded in a silent agreement. It seemed Syndra was quite possessive of this temple.

"Other than that I have nothing else to speak about, business-wise of course."

"I can do that for sure. Considering your display yesterday, I am sure the council will have no problem enforcing a law forbidding people from this place. The amount of arcane energy you summoned to yourself was truly frightening."

"Oh, I guess I may have gone a bit overboard. It wouldn't have even taken a fourth of what I called upon to do it. Anyway, now that all that is out of our way, I want to apologize. I overstepped myself last night. When I use my power to that extent I get quite, uh, restless."

"Restless? What I saw was a woman hungry to keep up a sexual high." Karma's eyes narrowed at Syndra.

"You caught me. That amount of power leaves me quite lustful, and you were in my room just when I woke up. I was in control, don't get me wrong. I just didn't want to stop until I felt satisfied, and I get just as must pleasure out of making others orgasm as if I had one myself."

Syndra dropped her eyes and placed the last cooked pancake onto the platter. This was as embarrassing for her to admit as it would be to be caught naked in front of a huge group of people. Karma saw the blush that Syndra was hiding, and felt her own cheeks heat up as well. It was obvious to Karma that this wasn't the first time it had happened, but she didn't want to pry too deeply.

"It's alright... Really, I didn't even realize how pent up I was. What you did was a bit odd, but the result was quite satisfying. Besides, I cannot fault you when I barged into your room in the middle of the night."

Seeing that she had salvaged the awkward moment, Karma helped herself to the pancakes. She and Syndra ate in companionable silence for a while. It gave Syndra time to put her thoughts in order. Karma was an Elder, but Syndra felt certain she could get along with her. That felt odd. She had fervently hated Ionians for so long that she hardly ever saw past it. Sure, she had found a few friends among Ionians, but it was still strange to her. Especially when the one sitting next to her was an elder. The elders had proven time and again that they were the worst of the lot. Even so, Karma had proven Syndra wrong twice over. She had been respectful without fearing her too much, and she didn't scream loud curses about her "evil" nature upon seeing her.

As Syndra stood to place her plate in the sink, she felt the air shift around her. The shift triggered a flurry of instincts, causing her to summon all the orbs she could to defend herself. Looking around, she saw a world without color, and Karma wasn't moving at all. It looked to her as though time had stopped, coating everything in gray.

"That's exactly what happened," a deep voice completely unknown to Syndra growled.

Spinning on her heels, Syndra turned toward the source of the terrifying voice. A man with black, scruffy hair was sitting on the table that she used to entertain guests. He was wearing a simple brown tee-shirt, a loose-fitting pair of black jeans, and no shoes. She could see hard, defined muscles in his arm that told her the rest of him was just as chiseled. When she was done inspecting his clothes, her eyes locked with his, and her heart skipped a few beats. They were black with dull crimson pupils that looked dormant, almost like he was exhausted.

"I am exhausted, if you must know," he grunted out.

"And you're reading my mind..."

"Ah yes. Sorry, it's a bad habit."

"So, why is a mysterious man freezing time just to speak with me in private."

His smile showed Syndra a beautifully white set of fangs, more fitting in the mouth of a wolf. With a small movement, he gestured to the stool, offering for Syndra to sit down. His posture was anything but threatening, but his eyes told Syndra he was a threat sitting or standing.

"I'll stand, thank you. Now why are you here?"

"I'm not 'here.' I am communicating with you using what little energy I have. I need your help, and I am willing to make a deal with you for your aid."

"And what would this deal entail?"

"How does more power then you could possibly acquire in your short life time sound?"

That was when the feeling of similarity hit Syndra. Not only was the man in front of her dangerous, but she had met him before. He was the black, abyssal power she had met in that spell. No wonder she felt on edge. Even with all the power she could muster, it would do her no good against him. Those thoughts made Syndra even more worried about what was going on. She couldn't help but think he was here with a deal that would only benefit him in the end.

"No, Syndra. I am not here to take advantage of you, nor am I here to hurt you. You are the first mortal I have ever met with enough strength to merge with me. No—not merge, that sounds weird. How about I say tap into me?"

"That sounds even worse." Syndra really didn't like the sound of this. Especially with his "reassurances". "How do I know I can trust you?"

"You can't. Still, I assure you I am not trying to trick you. And! If you still can't believe then how about we make it a contract that not even I could break?"

"I'm not stupid. A silly piece of paper won't stop you from turning on me when it suits you." The venom that dripped off Syndra's tongue when she shot back her reply made her worry a bit more. The man in front of her—if he even was a man—was not one to go snapping at.

"It won't be any piece of paper. It will be a contract signed with an oath and my blood. How does that sound?"

"That sounds like blood magic, which is never a good idea, beside the fact I'd have to find you."

"No need to find me. I know exactly where I am."

"Alright. Where?"

"No, I am not telling you until you give me your word that you'll come find me and hear me out. So I know you won't try and sic anything especially nasty on me. Like a Judicator for instance." The man's smile as he ended his sentence made Syndra's stomach turn momentarily.

"Fine. I swear I will tell no one where you are, and I will come find you."

"Good. Now, I shall take my leave."

In another shift of the air he was gone, and Syndra knew exactly where to find him. Karma didn't seem to have noticed anything, so Syndra just dumped her plate into the sink. Without much conversation between the two, Syndra lowered Karma to the beach where they had been last night. Briefly, Syndra looked out into the blue of the ocean; then, she gave Karma a final wave goodbye. It was time for her to go to the City of Progress, Piltover.

P.S: Thanks for all the reviews, likes, and follows!