Without further ado, here's my next chapter. Also, dear readers, if you still haven't figured out how The Blade's Darkness is so strong, I will reveal a powerful hint next chapter. Enjoy.
Wings of the Raven
Chapter 7 – A lover lost.
Lux was hyped. She was finally going to be meeting Ezreal as he came back to Demacia to visit her after such a long time on his travels. She couldn't wait to meet him. And as she waited at the gates, her bright blue eyes picked up the lone figure walking towards the city. Without waiting, Lux ran for the other blonde, who saw her coming. Grinning, Ezreal dropped his backpack and swooped forward with his Arcane Shift to catch her by surprise from behind, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her off her feet and spun around with her. Losing his balance, though, he fell, both of them landing on the grass with a thump as they began laughing.
"Ezreal, you've gotten weaker. Haven't you been working out?" Lux asked jokingly, staring up at the sky. Ezreal continued grinning, staring at the sky as well. "I have. You're the one who's fatter." He said, earning a punch to the shoulder and a giggle from Lux. They both lied there for a few moments in silence, a watchful guard keeping an eye out so that no one snuck up on them since they were outside the city walls. Soon enough, Ezreal's face became mildly positive as he asked, "So… How is he?"
Lux's smile died a bit, although she tried to keep it on her face. It turned into a sad smile. "He hasn't been the same. He's out of the infirmary, but now he's doing all he can to find the thing that killed Xin."
Ezreal didn't speak for a few moments before saying, "You know, I kind of miss him, even though he was an O-Pee and annoying opponent in the league." He said, offering a small smile as Lux uttered a small laugh. She snuggled closer to Ezreal, burying the back of her head into his shoulder as her cheek rested against his chest. "Ez…"
"Yeah Lux?"
"Could you please stay with me?" She asked.
Ezreal raised an eyebrow, his face growing concerned as he looked down at her. She looked frightened. "Why? What's wrong?"
Lux looked away, as if in shame, although she was showing signs of fear. "I've been seeing some… vivid dreams as of late. It scares me… I worry about you, exploring dangerous places all alone. I don't want to be alone anymore. I don't want to be away from you…" She said, looking up at his face with eyes shining with worry and affection. Ezreal pulled her closer to him, his arm around her shoulder as he kissed her on the forehead. "Yeah. I'll stay with you Lux. I'll protect you from anything that goes bump in the night… Be it in your dreams or in reality." He said, his face slightly darker as he thought about what Quinn's bird, Valor, who had flown to him, had delivered a dangerous message, which is why he came back in the first place…
'Nocturne has escaped. He's slaughtered the Du Couteaus, Talon, Darius and Draven. He's now fled Noxus and is on the loose. Keep her safe.
-Quinn.'
"I'll keep you safe, Lux…" Ezreal said absently, staring up at the sky, his mind lost in thought.
Deep in the forest, forest, sounds of battle was emanating from a clearing. A Fox paused, raising it's ears as it listened. Then, without warning, the bush infront of it suddenly moved, and a super fast blur jumped out, running impossibly fast. Right behind it, a huge figure jumped high into the air, roaring deafeningly as it caught the running figure, who turned around to face the pouncing beast. Both combatants met their blades against each other as The smaller, lean figure smirked, while the larger muscular beast growled in it's face. Then, a cry of effort sounded to their right as they both jumped back, pushing off from each other, to dodge a spear as it flew through the air where they had been moments ago.
It stabbed right through a tree as a third woman jumped into the clearing, all three of them forming a triangle, sizing each other up. They were similarly clad, each three wearing metallic armor not made of anything on the earth. The male was lean and muscular, his body seemingly built for speed. His left hand had claws where there should be nails, and his right hand held a long sword, serrated and deadly. He was wearing a helmet that covered most of his face except for his mouth, 6 glowing eyes on the face of the helmet.
The larger creature was not human, as parts of it's muscular body could be seen covered in a furry hide. It had a huge mane, most of it's mane tied into dreadlocks. It too, was wearing a helmet, with two eyes glowing yellow, it's mouth revealed to be feline with sharp teeth. The beast had a huge skull as it's right shoulder-guard and wielded a large serrated dagger in one hand, dual-bladed claws on the other with a spike made of bone on his right knee to make his kicks more deadly.
The last figure was a woman and her face alone was uncovered. She had a slim, attractive face with a green stripe running horizontally along her eyeline. Her eyes were, however, feline, with yellow irises and a slit-like pupil. She wore green armor that was revealing but covered vital spots of the body, her hands covered with metallic claw like gauntlets. Her hair was also pulled back into dreadlocks.
Grinning, the woman pulled a small cylinder from her waist. As she held it out infront of her, it extended into a spear similar to the one she had thrown moments ago. The man smirked while the lion-like beast chuckled. "Now are we going to see a real battle!?" The beast said, his voice deep and growly.
"Can't you be less aggressive, Rengar? You jump into battles you don't know you can win." Master Yi said, spinning his sword deftly in his hands.
"That's Rengar for you. Brawns over brains." The woman paused as Rengar roared indignantly and Yi laughed. "Too bad you have speed over stones, Yi."
At this, the laughter died off of Master Yi's face faster than he could run as Rengar began laughing this time. "Aiya, Nidalee. Just because you choose to rut with him every night doesn't mean I'm stoneless." Master Yi said with a middlefinger raised at Rengar, who continued laughing heartily. But then, all 3 of them suddenly froze, and within moments, they turned to look at one direction, getting into a battle-ready stance. Slowly, small footsteps came. Then, emerged a man, limping towards them while leaning on a cane.
"Swain." Master Yi said, hatred on his hidden features as he began stepping forward, his blade thirsting revenge for his village, but Nidalee was there in a flash, holding a hand out to bar Yi. Rengar slowly walked up to Swain, his footsteps each creating a heavy, padded noise. He stopped infront of Swain, towering over him as he looked down upon the Noxian, who stood still, fearless in the face of the Headhunters.
"You've got a lot of courage coming here, Swain. And a lack of intelligence." Rengar said in his deep, growling voice, as Swain looked up at him without the slightest sign of fear.
"Rengar… I know you Headhunters are always looking for the perfect trophy, especially you." He said in a monotone voice as Rengar growled. "I'm listening…" The pridestalker said, as Swain continued. "This creature killed Xin Zhao, the Seneschal of Demacia. Draven, the Glorious Executioner. Darius, the Hand of Noxus. All three of them, he killed while outnumbered 50 to 1. He killed the two brothers together without even the slightest effort."
"You lie, Swain." Nidalee hissed. "There is no being capable of doing that. It's impossibly strong."
"It's Nocturne. He's free. And he's stronger than he ever was." Swain said, as Rengar's eyes glowed. "Interesting… And you want us to hunt him down? What's the catch, Noxian?" Rengar asked. At this, Swain smiled an eerie smile. "No catch. Simply kill."
Rengar laughed heartily, before snarling as he turned around at his comrades. "Headhunters. To the hunt!" He Roared as Nidalee turned into a 4 legged beast, pouncing ahead. Master Yi glared at Swain with distaste before he too blurred away with speed. Rengar, turning around to face Swain, said, "Remember, Noxian. You have your own spot on my trophy wall."
"That is if you can kill me." Swain said as Rengar chuckled, turning around as he disappeared, his cloak appearing, leaving Swain alone in the midst of the jungle. Swain just chuckled as his bird, Beatrice, flew down from the sky to land on his shoulder.
Night was fast approaching as Riven trotted up to the top of a grassy hill on her horse, closely followed by Katarina and Talon. Talon was infront, so Katarina was pressed against his back. He was awkwardly aware of how her chest felt against his back, even though this wasn't really the time to think about that. Focus Talon.
Inside his mind, he heard a sinister chuckle. He ignored it as they peered far at a distant village. Riven pointed. "There. That's a free city, meaning it's not affiliated with any factions. It should be safe enough."
"How long till we get there?" Talon asked. "About a day." Riven said, her eyes looking at Talon with conflicting emotions before turning back to look at the city.
Katarina nodded, saying in a drowsy voice, "Lets keep on… moving then…"
"No." Talon said. "You need rest Katarina. You haven't slept yet. The horses need rest too." Talon said, patting his horse, which closed it's eyes momentarily, enjoying his pat.
"He's right. You need the rest." Riven said.
"Do not worry. The moon protects all under it's gaze." Came a new but familiar voice. As they all turned around, the first rays of moonlight illuminated a part of the forest they had just left. Diana was standing there, dressed in a simple dress of silver-blue. It left her arms uncovered, with a scarf curling around her elbows and going behind her neck. It was a toga, or a greek dress. Her hair, usually bound up with armor, was loose, falling behind her in beautiful pale blond waves that was almost silver in the moonlight. Her face seemed serenely impassive, though her eyes still held an icy coldness.
Talon stared at her, his face giving no emotions away as Diana looked at the two females before looking at Talon. "I know you have questions, Assassin. Let us take first watch and I'll be happy to answer them." She said, as Talon continued staring at her.
"Don't. It's fine." Katarina said, but Talon nodded at Diana. Dismounting, he looked at Katarina, who was glowering at him for making such a foolish move, and said, "If anything happens, I want you to run a blade through me and get away as quickly as you can." He then turned around and walked towards Diana, who was waiting at the edge of the forest, while Riven tied her horse to a nearby tree, pouring some water into a small bowl she kept to allow the horse to drink. Katarina led her horse to the same place and tied it there, before beginning to set up camp with Riven, a searing thought in her mind. She wondered if Talon made the right choice in going with Diana alone.
Diana and Talon walked at a normal pace through the forest around them, setting up a perimeter around their camp site. Soon enough, they came upon a clearing with a large pond. The pond reflected moonlight in a silvery, surreal way. Talon's eyes gazed at it in a mildly appreciative way.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Diana said, looking up at the moon. "Tell me Diana." Talon said, straight to the point.
"What do you want to know, Shadowed One?" She asked, as Talon looked at her, his eyes hidden by his cowl. "Everything."
Diana continued to gaze at the moon, her silvery eyes reflected the moonlight as it shone down upon her, beginning to say, "They called me a heretic. I showed them what was right infront of them but they were blind to the truth. They betrayed me and deserted me. Ever since that day, I've been seeking revenge." Diana said simply. Talon, quick as he was, narrowed his eyes. "So this is a game of revenge? Nocturne wants revenge on the world and you want revenge on yours?"
Diana simply smirked before saying, "You are close to the answer, Talon, but you do not see it yet."
"Then show me." Talon said, his eyes dark as they narrowed upon Diana. Diana looked at Talon, cocking her head to the side a bit. "You see Talon, there are champions who symbolize something. Each of these symbols wield a certain symbol of power. I symbolize the moon. Leona symbolizes the sun. Nocturne symbolizes darkness, when there is no moon nor sun. There are many others out there who symbolize a specific aspect. But many of us were wronged. Nocturne does not wish for revenge upon the world. He wishes to be free. And to be free, he must kill the summoners and anyone who gets in his way. The summoners bind him to this realm in this hideous form."
"Then why do you aid him? What do you gain from this." Talon asked, his voice edged with venom. He was sure that the woman had some sinister plans in mind. Instead, Diana looked at him, before suddenly leaning close. Their faces were inches apart, his breath mixing with hers as he froze. "I simply get back someone I lost long ago." Diana said in a longing voice. "There was once a time when Nocturne wasn't such a being. He too had a complete form with arms and legs, similar to the way he looks now." She said mournfully, her silver eyes burning into Talon's eyes. He saw deep emotions buried within that icy stare. Diana actually cared about someone. She was doing this selflessly.
Diana pulled away, looking back at the moon. "We've lingered too long. Let us continue our watch." She said, dismissing the matter as Talon tried to get his shifting mind of thoughts to quiet and organize. For once, Nocturne was silent.
Do not worry, fellow readers. Teemo will die soon enough. He'll die painfully. MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!Anyway, I'm sure most of you can figure out now that the plot is much deeper than it seems and we're just skimming the surface. Yes, I threw in a bit of DianaxTalon there although it was probably DianaxNocturne. I've also begun to include more characters, especially those who will play vital roles.
