The Passage of Twin Disciplines
Chapter Eight
Violence Solves Everything
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
Katarina Du Couteau sat on the edge of a tavern room bed, pulling the zipper up the back of her leather boots. Beside her, a limp arm hung over the edge of the bed, fingers curled slightly with manicured nails glimmering in the bedside candle light.
Methodically, the assassin began to check her weapons. First, she checked the concealed daggers on the underside of her wrists; one... two... three, other side. One... two... three. Next, she moved onto the three strapped on each thigh; one... two... three, other side. One... two... three. Satisfied, she moved on.
She checked the daggers hidden in her boot, first the one strapped on the outside of the boot, and on the inside of her calf, next the one down the back of her boot, and finally the dagger in the removable bottom of her boot. One... two... three, other side. One... two... three.
Finally, she checked her belt, on her right hip there sat three sheathed daggers, the two smaller surrounding the longer, straight steel weapon. On her left, three more. She tapped her fingers against the hilts, silently mouthing the words as she counted; one... two... three.
Katarina smirked, everything was where it should be. With a quiet hum, she picked up her second weapon holster and tightened the buckles around her chest, so the straps crisscrossed over her shoulders and under her armpits. Her fingers ran over the smooth, worn, hilts of her swords, checking the button on the strap that held them in place.
With one last glance around the room, she stood and walked silently to the closed door that locked her in the concealed space and disappeared into the night.
Her companion for the night watched through horror filled eyes that would never close. The unfortunate temptress's revealed face stared as the door closed, the light from the hall left a line on her fair skin that shrunk to a sliver then left altogether.
A silent tear ran down her cheek, lips slightly parted with her garments thrown on top of her lifeless body. A bloody smile carved into her neck, with an uncountable amount of cuts varying in size and depth covering her skin and staining her replaced clothes.
Katarina pulled a hanging cloak off a peg on the wall as she passed, swinging the dingy brown garment up and over herself, flipping the hood up to cover her long, ruby red hair.
Without a word to the dozing innkeeper, she pushed out the front doors and began walking down the damp streets of her home, Noxus.
All around her the smell of death seemed to permeate the air, wafting up out of the gutters where there was sure to be discarded bodies. Blood seemed to be as present on the streets as the water that wafted down from the heavens in an attempt to clean some of the stain away.
That was the way it was in Noxus, the strong survived. If you were not strong, you did not live long in the cutthroat community. Unlike other civilizations there were no imposed rules, or expectations of who or what you were suppose to be or do because of your race or gender.
Katarina liked it better that way. You were what you made of yourself, and wealth had very little to do with it.
Her father, General Marcus Du Couteau, had encouraged her killer instincts ever since she was a young girl. He had gone to great lengths to have her trained by the greatest assassins Noxus had to offer, and when her training had ended, she graduated by surpassing her predecessors, permanently.
Katarina smiled a devilish smile, turning onto the main road of the richer district of the city. With a slight push, she slipped inside the side door to one of the buildings, and let it close silently behind her. The assassin walked across the room with practised ease, stepping over a passed out drunk as she went. Pausing, she took one of the daggers from her belt and cut the leather strap on his coin purse and retracted her hand to hide once more within the cloak before continuing on her way.
Katarina passed through a series of rooms, each filled with sleeping patrons, and decorated in purple and gold. Some, drunk and mumbling in their own spit up, others snuggled against a purchased bosom for the night.
When she entered the last room in the row, it was empty, as always, and she placed her hand on the painted wall. Adding a little pressure, the wall pushed in and slid to the right without anymore coaxing from it's intruder, and Katarina stepped inside.
"You're late." Observed an even, sweet voice with a hidden underlining malice. Katarina smirked and dropped her filthy, 'borrowed' cloak onto her sisters expensive carpet.
From her position in front of her mirror, Cassiopeia glared at her elder sibling through her reflection, but wisely held her tongue about the fleas her sister had no doubt just deposited onto her floor. Her room was well lit by captured mage light, and painted a sinful ruby red with gold and copper highlights. The Du Couteau beauty sat, poised on her chair in her silk night gown, brushing her long red-brown hair. Everything about the woman seemed to be carved from a Greek statue dictating the pinnacle of beauty.
From her sculpted legs, to her curves and the slight pout of her lips. There didn't seem to be a flaw on the younger sibling, and she knew it.
Katarina ignored her remark and walked across the room, leaving mud and blood footprints as she went to lie on her sister's bed.
"Did you kill her?" Cassiopeia asked carefully keeping her tone even, and a parctised nonjudgmental, already knowing the answer. Her sister never tended to... linger with her company unless she got carried away.
"You will have to be specific," Katarina grinned, running her fingers along the sharp edge of the blade under her wrist, shivering with delight as the steel threatened to pierce her skin. The redhead rolled over to lie on her side and look at her sister, a mock pout already on her lips, the scar over her left eye highlighted by the light floating above her. "It's been such a long day."
Cassiopeia's eyes lingered on the way the smooth skin of the wide scar seemed to reflect the light, and carefully thought her answer through. While she knew her sister would not kill her, she could do things that would make her wish Katarina had.
"The girl that I sent with you tonight," she ran her fingers through her hair, taking comfort in the softness of it. "I just need to know if I should send a clean up crew or not." With her answer, Cassiopeia began to brush her hair once more.
"She was fun," Katarina closed her eyes, and Cassiopeia knew that her worker would not be returning. It was becoming increasingly difficult to find patrons willing to indulge her sister, even with the high pay out that was offered, should they survive.
"I loved the way she screamed."
~o~
"What do you mean, war against the Summoners? That's unheard of, they are helping keep Demacia and Noxus from ripping the continent apart! Why would you want to start a war against the Summoners?" Akali asked, reciting what she had heard from whispered conversations between her mother and her mentor, Shen.
'They are not what they seem, young one. But, as promised, I do not want to influence your opinion, or tell you what to think. All I wish, is for you to keep your eyes open, and not take what you see at face value.' Nasus replied, a sad glint in his eyes. Akali bit back a reply, and settled back further into her seat.
No matter how the young Kinkou warrior looked at it, she could not understand what the Ancient was telling her. First, he would tell her he thought the necklace she wore would help in some sort of war, but would not explain what the war was for, or how it could help.
'In both my interest, and in yours, I would like to offer you one last thing.'
Both Nidalee and Akali looked up at the canine giant. The huntress with her head cocked in obvious curiosity, and Akali with barely veiled skepticism. 'The bond between your minds right now is weak, and guarded. It serves little more purpose than a protective shield around Nidalee's mind by sacrificing yours, shadow princess.
'I would like to strengthen that bond.'
Across from the guardian, Nidalee made a noise that sounded odd coming from a human throat, and Akali could almost see her ears shift forward out of reflex.
'If I were to strengthen the bond, I believe a few things would happen. For one, you would be able to communicate as I am doing with you now, albeit only with each other.
'However, you would have to learn to trust each other. This will not work if you shut each other out. You will be able to feel what the other is feeling, and possibly even thinking. As well I think that there may be other side effects, but I am not certain.
'I do think it is worth any risk, as of now, you two are but a pair of tots bumbling around in the dark, tied together while trying to walk in opposite directions.'
Akali remained silent, already set against the idea of allowing anyone into her mind ever again. The one intrusion she had already endured in her lifetime was more than enough to convince her that no matter what, it was not worth baring your soul to another.
Nidalee turned her green eyes onto the ninja, tempted and excited by the idea. While she was not too keen on showing Akali her inner most thoughts, it was not because she was ashamed, or embarrassed. It was more...
The huntress tilted her head and looked back down at the illegible text in front of her. There was so much she didn't understand, so much she wanted to learn. She wanted to know about the human, to know about other humans and creatures like the strange wolf-man. She wanted to explore and see all there was to see, after, of course, she rescued the cubs and secured their well being.
It was more she was worried that even with the magic the wolf-man offered, Nidalee was worried even that would not be enough to close the gap she felt between herself and the rest of her kind.
~o~
"Galio! You simply must try this!" Lux beamed, instantly twirling so her skirt flared out as she raised her palm to reveal a sugary treat for the behemoth.
Galio snorted and turned cheek, rolling the muscles in his bulky shoulders as a pair of wide eyed youngsters walked by, clutching their parent's hand a little tighter. The gargoyle grinned, proud he was able to protect his charge so effectively without even needing to use force. No one would attack him when they were too scared to even walk near him.
He puffed out his chest and flexed his forearm for a curious soldier that walked a bit too close for the guardian's comfort.
Lux looked past him as the guard quickened his pace, averting his gaze. The blonde frowned, and smacked the gargoyle on his blue skin, noting how he was cold to touch.
"Stop that!" The mage scolded, puffing out her cheeks slightly when he only seemed to chuckle, the sound of rocks rolling together resounding from his chest. With an exasperated sigh, she shoved the cupcake into his mouth with little warrant for how much of the sugary treat was smeared over his jaw or got into his mouth, and turned to walk away.
Galio wiped his mouth with his forearm and sniffed at the forced snack. What assaulted his senses really did smell delightful, and he let his tongue peek out to lick the treat off his forearm before bounding after the fleeting mage, tail bobbing behind him.
Lux was busy muttering to herself debating on whether his male influence of being made of rocks was the primary contributing factor to Galio's stubborn headedness when she slid to a halt in front of a lit stand. The tent of sorts was lit by a single captured mage light, and was a deep burgundy with a picture of a single black rose on the posted sign.
Intrigued, the ever curious blonde quickly pushed the flaps aside and entered the small tent to see a table with a hooded figure sitting on the opposite side, hands raised around a glowing orb.
Galio stuck his head inside and sneezed, incense, oh how he hates incense.
"Hello, have to come to have your fortune told?" The woman asked, the outside of her hooded cape a dark purple, with the inside folds a rose pink. Her fingers seemed to glow around the white orb that shimmered and then extinguished as Lux stepped inside.
"Oh, is that what this is?" Lux asked, tilting back onto her heels as she looked around the small tent. "That sounds like fun," the blonde beamed, looking at the simple oak chair that was magically pushed back to invite her to sit down.
No stranger to magic, Lux happily accepted the offer and sat, setting her staff across her thighs as she leaned forward to get a better look.
"My name is Lux, I find it imperative that I ask yours as well, if you don't mind." The mage beamed, her smile genuine as she introduced herself.
"Evaine," the fortune teller smiled, as if amused by a silent joke. Behind Lux, Galio let out a sigh as he collapsed onto the ground, head resting on his folded arms as his eyes fluttered shut. "Your friend appears to be tired." The fortune teller commented, her painted lips curved into a smile that masked the glint of malice in her eyes.
"He was fine a moment ago," Lux looked back over her shoulder and shrugged, seeing how peaceful he looked. "He does work very hard though, he deserves a rest. I just hope no one steps on his tail."
Across the table, the fortune teller laughed, "that would cause quite a mess, but you don't need to worry about that."
Lux frowned, "why not?" When the blonde looked back over her shoulder, she realized that Galio had curled up inside the tent, which now appeared much larger than it had a moment ago. A trick of the light, perhaps. Shrugging, the prodigal light caster turned back to the task at hand and offered her palm to a beckoning finger.
Evaine gently pressed her palm to the orb and began to chant a spell Lux was not familiar with. Reflexively she reached out to feel the tendril of magic, and found it clean of cruel intent. Comforted by the knowledge, and feeling a little bashful at her paranoid thoughts, she relaxed.
"Oh dear," the fortune teller released her hand as the orb began to glow once more, and Lux pulled it back, into her chest and rubbed her palm with her free hand.
"What? What do you see?" Lux shivered, a slight chill running up her spine, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong.
"I'm afraid you are about to lose someone very dear to you," Evaine leaned closer, black hair swinging forward to brush against the clothed table top. "Yes, I see it. There is a great heart break in your immanent future."
'Jarvan,' Lux's breath hitched. "The speech," she breathed, instantly pushing her chair back as she rushed to leave the tent. No sooner had she taken her first step did the young light mage collapse, asleep beside her guardian.
As soon as her eyes closed, the tent shimmered and disappeared, the illusion no longer necessary. Instead, they were standing in the inside of a cellar, the door being held open by a tall, muscled, cloaked man.
"Ever one for theatrics." He spat, slamming the door shut where the tent entrance had been when Evaine walked out. She batted her eyelashes at him and patted his cheek, sending out a tendril of magic to push away the dagger that was pressed against her ribs.
"Now, now... what's wrong with a little fun?"
The cloaked man grunted, and retracted his weapon. "Whatever, let's just finish what we came here for."
"Of course."
~o~
'I ask that you look at this objectively.' Nasus prompted when his guests didn't instantly reply.
"How can I look at this objectively when I don't even know what the so called war is about?" Akali retorted, defensive and dead set against the idea. Nidalee crooned softly beside her, as if to comfort the shadow princess.
The huntress was able to hear the ancient, but still could not understand her companion. What she could understand though, was that she was upset. Nidalee pulled her hands off the table and shifted into her more comfortable shape, pulling her head back a bit so it was nestled against her chest.
Akali paused in the middle of continuing and looked at the now cougar with confusion. "What are you doing?"
'Nidalee knows you're upset and wants to help, but doesn't know how. So she's trying to show you how worried and confused she is, I told you, there are many languages that do not use words to communicate.' Nasus explained evenly.
"Why would she worry about me? We know nothing about each other! This is all madness, I was sent on a simple mission and somehow wind up entangled with an illiterate cougar-girl with some sort of magical binding necklace, having myself almost killed and then waking up with some sort of ancient demi-god!" Akali vented, frustrated as she slammed her fist onto the wooden table. Nothing made sense anymore, everything she knew was suddenly wrong.
She couldn't handle any of this, she wasn't ready, she hadn't trained enough.
'Because, you are the closest thing to family she has left.'
~o~
Cassiopeia walked through one of the secret passageways of her harem. The old building had many hidden hallways that few knew of, and even fewer walked. The stone was black, and damp. A slight growth of mold growing along where the wall met the floor, as her padded footsteps made a slight rhythmic sound.
Finally, she entered the room she had been seeking in the Du Couteau mansion. In front of her loomed her father's quarters, ruby red sheets hung around his king sized bed, beside the poised man who wrote with an ink quill at his desk.
Her father was strong, with a short stubble peppering his rough skin. The crows feet around his eyes crinkled as he turned to regard his youngest offspring.
"Daughter, come here a moment," he implored. Reluctantly, she complied, already fully aware of the matter he wished to speak of. There were benefits to being in charge of a network of flowing information. She did not speak as she waited for him to continue once she had stepped forward, her father pushed himself up to stand before her, reaching out in a comforting gesture.
"Cassiopeia," he went on, taking a step forward, "I have been summoned. It is a grave matter, but one that I cannot refuse."His calloused hands brushed her silky cheek and she flinched at the touch.
"Take sister with you. She can keep you safe", Cassiopeia instantly replied, knowing in her heart he would not. Perhaps she would ask her to follow him later... Katarina would do it if she asked it of her.
Marcus shook his head, "Katarina cannot accompany me. The matter with Ionia has not yet been settled, and her impending duty to the League compels her to stay."
"Father, if you do not return, I will be alone", Cassiopeia stated, thinking back to the death of her second older sister, and her two deceased brothers.
The General reached out to touch his daughter's face and she recoiled, turning her back to him, unwilling to show the threatening tears. Her father would not return if he left, she knew in her heart his sword strikes had slowed too much... for him to survive another battle with the barbarians.
His voice turned colder than iron. "You are a Du Couteau, Cassiopeia, you are strong. You have served Noxus, and she cares for her children. You will never be alone." He paused. "One day, you will remember your duty."
General Du Couteau took his daughter's hand and pressed a sealed letter into her palm, crumpling it slightly. "Should I not return, Cassiopeia, this will guide you and Katarina."
Hearing her father turn to leave, Cassiopeia panicked. She spun about, but found herself alone. She examined the letter in her hand. It was marked in a wax signet that she did not recognize, but the seal was already broken. She unfolded the page.
In blood red ink, someone had penned: 'Transcendence Way, the Ivory Ward, 5:00 PM.' Below it was a stamped image of a black rose. She narrowed her eyes as she studied the mark, knowing what she had to do.
~o~
Katarina held back a snarl as the man inspected her, letting his eyes linger on parts of her that had nothing to do with her ability to fight. Unable to stomach anymore of the revolting treatment, Katarina unsheathed and threw one of the daggers on her belt in a single movement, too fast for the man to react.
Emissary to the League or not, that filth deserved to die. Mercilessly, she pulled her weapon from his throat and walked away as he gurgled in the throws of death. She crinkled her nose at the blood on her child, and wiped the blade clean on his suit before returning the weapon to her holster.
Just as she turned, she looked up casually, and smiled.
"Hello, Summoner." The man in question looked at his subordinate and smiled, shaking his head as he watched the life drain from his foolish students eyes.
"I think we will get along nicely," he cooed, motioning for the assassin to take his hand. Encouraged by his response, and seemingly shared love for death, Katarina gingerly took his hand and closed her eyes as the environment changed.
"Why do you wish to join the League, Katarina Du Couteau?" Asked the summoner as he left her to walk over to a desk in the messy room. Everywhere there were books, and scrolls, tossed about.
Katarina looked around, her long red hair swishing against her back as she studied her surroundings.
"I heard it is impossible to kill a champion permanently on the field of justice." Katarina seemed amused by the title at the end of her sentence. How was it justice to make it's champions feel agony, but not give them the tender release of death? It seemed delightfully cruel rather than any form of justice Katarina had ever encountered. It was probably a Demacian's idea.
"That is true," the Summoner nodded unwrapping a document and holding down the furled paper with weights on the corners.
"I wish to test your theory, as long as you allow me to... indulge, I will be your and Noxus's, weapon." Katarina replied, waiting to see what the response of her potential new partner.
The Summoner walked up and offered his quill to her, "life is boring otherwise. Indulge to your heart's content," his finger tips ran over her cheek as she smirked and took the offered utensil, stepping towards the table. Without more than a glance to the name of the man she was binding herself to, Katarina signed her name on the bottom line.
'Estwald...' She turned, and behind her the parchment flashed and disappeared. "When do we begin?" The eager assassin asked.
"Tomorrow, until then feel free to come and go as you please. What's mine is yours, we are, after all... partners."The Summoner smiled, his thin lips curved in a triumphant grin, jet black hair cut short and trimmed around his ears.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny stone, a diamond. "Take this." Estwald offered, dropping the gem and watching as Katarina snapped out and grabbed the gem before it passed her waist. The stories seemed to be true of the legendary Du Couteau's eldest daughter. But then, he knew that after watching spy after spy wind up dead.
"If you ever need to, for any reason, that will help you find me."
Without another word, Katarina closed her eyes and opened them to find herself standing in her room once more.
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Alright, before you are like 'wtf, Cass isn't a snake thing?' I will say this: My fic is based off the beginning of the league, AKA 'beta'. Cass was not always a snake thing, she was at one time, human. Just like her sister. This is also why Shen was mentioned to have been drafted into the League, but Akali and Kennen have not (both were released later).
That being said, you will run into some of the newer champions, because they weren't born one day and entered the League the next, but some of their story about why they entered the League may be missing. Ie, Cass and her being transformed.
Secondly, if anyone can tell me the Evaine reference, I will bow and tilt my hat to you.
Anywho, drop a review, let me know what you think, - Kiravu
