Hi everyone! Kled has arrived and I'm busy with him in League! It's damn fun (even if a bit hard to play) and I feel super hyper now, partly because of my games and partly because of this story!

Thank you everyone who has liked/followed/reviewed Soulbounded! I really appreciate it and it gives me more motivation to write. This ship needs more love XD

Have fun and enjoy! Here's the part you all are probably waiting to see (including me) so here you go!

Just A Friend?

Another shriek tore through the depths of the water, although it wasn't her Sentinel's. There was a layer of darkness shrouding part of the depths, but Kalista ignored it as she swam faster. There was a faint light beyond the darkness - a faint light and silent whimpers that could only be heard by her.

As she emerged into a view of what looked like a ruined old temple, the shock that hit her was as strong as lightning.

Nami, injured and trapped with her tail impaled and pinned to the floor by a sharp, wicked piece of marble - lied in the middle of the temple. Collapsed pillars were all around her, along with piles of debris caused by whatever collision that happened.

And in her hands was the source of the faint light.

She gasped.

It was the moonstone, the one she was desparately trying to find for her people.

Nami had came down here to look for it, and had somehow found it - but ended up trapped... And hunted.

A large, grey shark hovered a few feet away from the piles of debris. Its hungry, red eyes clearly saw Nami - the helpless and trapped Nami, as prey.

Hang on! She thought frantically.

She felt the familiar feeling of her spears materializing in her hand. The shark moved closer and closer, its jaws slowly opening. She barely managed to throw the spear right between its large eyes before it snapped at Nami.

The shark gave a guttural moan before turning its attention to her. Opening its mouth, it revealed thousands of sharp, glinting teeth, some with a trace of blood. However, the shark could not hurt Kalista in any way, but it did not know that.

It wasn't the same for her though. Her spears could destroy any living creature alive. But this one was particularly tough - even after her rapid throwing of spears, it didn't stop its chase. But if it was closing the distance, she had an idea.

The shark lunged straight for her, snapping down its jaws, only to realize it had pounced on thin air. Despite that, she couldn't help but wince as the sight of those teeth closed down on her, even though it only left a small trail of mist in its wake. The attack could not destroy her - only visually make her fade.

Kalista swam out of its jaws, and decided to use her spear as a melee weapon - driving it straight through its eyes will be the best option. Quickly, she stabbed the spear into one of the beast's eyes. It gave another howl, and she took the opportunity to send another spear right down its throat. The shark choked on its own blood and began to swim in erratic movements.

She vaulted over the beast's back for the final blow. Its groans were piercing as she drove the fatal spear through its head, sending it falling to the ground harmlessly. She moved over warily and poked it with her spear to make sure it was really dead. When she was sure, she dashed over to her injured friend.

"Nami! Are you okay?" She tried to make her voice steady, but she knew she was not concealing her worry at all. Her friend - her loved one - looked both horrified and pained. It was then she saw the bleeding wound on her tail. Without it, she couldn't swim - well, she couldn't actually move in any way, in this situation. And Kalista had no idea what to do - how could she find a way to heal this wound?

"Kalista?" Nami's weak voice responded from below. Those golden-orange eyes had lost their usual glow - replaced with a cloud of pain. She knew the wound was draining away her energy and causing a lot of pain. Kalista grasped her hand firmly. "It's alright, I'm here."

She smiled weakly at her. Even in this state, the smile once again made her heart, which was now physically absent from her body, but still in her soul, beat wildly and fiercely. "I'll get you out of here. Just hold onto that stone."

But before Kalista could gently hold Nami and carry her out of the ruins, two shadowy figures emerged from the other side of the temple. They had long, long bodies, their tails sharing half of its length. Bright red eyes with green rings stared out at the two of them. They looked like the more sinister version of the shark just now, and when one of them opened its mouth, the same rows of fangs could be seen.

But this time, they were not white and tainted with blood. They were a pure jet black, and they were not shaped like teeth - they were in fact thin, thin spikes that resembled needles. Kalista had a feeling that they had other effects.

And she was right.

The other one who didn't open its mouth gave a earth shattering roar before a jet of bright blue liquid shot out from its partners fangs. The two sharper and longer fangs at the top row of their mouths apparently contained this kind of substance.

She knew what it did when it hit the pillar beside her.

The blue liquid was venom, but it worked like acid. The pillar started to hiss loudly before getting completely engulfed by the venom, which slowly started to grow black instead of blue. After a few seconds, what was originally a smooth surface became a gaping hole stained with black.

Kalista had no idea whether this had the same effects on her or not, but she was sure that it had the same on Nami. As gently as she could, she lifted Nami off the floor, immediately feeling her warm touch as she held on to her. Nami made a subtle gesture towards her staff, which laid at a distance away from them. Kalista commanded her Sentinels to distract the two creatures while she moved towards Nami's signature weapon.

"Hold on tightly," she said to Nami. She simply nodded and picked up her staff from where it was lying. Her Sentinels were taken out with a shot of the beasts' venom. That meant two things - one, the venom ignored the effects of water, and two - it worked on undead beings like her and her Sentinels.

She immediately headed upwards, towards the veil of darkness and the surface beyond it. The creatures moved towards them with the grace of a serpent. Their fangs were bared and they were more than ready to end them right there.

A jet of venom shot right to her left, just missing by an inch. It had caught her by surprise, which slowed her down enough for the other creature to take a better shot at her. She was pretty sure it brushed right by her as she tumbled in the water to dodge it.

Closer. She was getting closer, closer to the layer of darkness that separated this place from the normal waters. Just a bit more.

They were almost out of the cursed place before a sharp pain flared through her right leg.

Kalista didn't hold back her scream of pain as she saw the bright blue venom hit directly on her glowing blue-green skin, which was starting to fade to black at the spot. She faltered in her path. Nami gave out a cry of despair.

No, please, don't. She realized she would drag Nami down with her as she fell. There was no way she could continue her normal pace with the venom continuing to infect every single part of her body eventually. But even if she didn't make it out alright... she had to make sure Nami did.

Summoning every last bit of strength left in her, she forcefully shoved Nami upwards, straight into the veil of blackness.

The two creatures could have ended her right there with one more shot, but they were not going to. It was clear in their looks - they wanted to directly snap their jaws down to devour her whole.

I'm sorry, Nami. That was her last thought before she closed her eyes and waited for her end.

Even if she couldn't see it, she could sense her friend's pain.

Nami watched in horror as one of the beast's venom hit Kalista on her leg. Her friend's movement was now disrupted, and she knew it would be the end if they got caught by the beasts. But she shoved Nami directly above the veil of darkness - which was now clearly used to separate these beasts from the normal waters. She clutched both the moonstone and the staff tightly as she was right above the layer of darkness.

Luckily, Kalista had given her time to regain some of her energy, ans she knew a spell - a spell that can save her right now. She channeled the power of her staff into the shifting currents around her before a bubble formed around her, and she landed on its smooth surface. She was now inside the bubble, where she could freely control it. But she still needed it for a while - there was no time to waste.

Quickly she moved the bubble lower - just enough for her to extend her staff through the layer - which broke it and gave her a clear vision of her helpless friend.

"Kalista?" Her friend looked back up just in time to see Nami's staff. "Grab hold!"

She did it just before she fell out of the way.

The two beasts glanced at them with anger and frustration. Of course, this made them even more determined to swallow them alive. They were swimming towards her - faster than before. Nami pulled her staff right out of the dark layer, dragging her friend along with it.

She had no time to talk, she still had to get the bubble to shore, which might be who knows where.

Nami moved the bubble along as fast as possible. Kalista was silent the whole time, undoubtedly feeling all of the pain inflicted by those creatures. Well, she had the moonstone - that was all that mattered. Maybe after sometime they will learn more about that horrible place, but now they had to focus on getting to safety.

When they finally resurfaced, it was in the middle of the sea. Luckily, Nami found the currents that were familiar - those that would lead her back to the safety of the land. She could feel her energy depleting and knew her spell wouldn't last long.

After what it felt like an eternity, she saw the familiar cliff that she always used as an indicator that she was back at the mainland. And for now, she had the perfect place for them to stop. Moving closer and closer to the cliff walls, she finally stopped at the sands, where the shallow water was touching the ground. Just at the moment, Nami's spell broke and the bubble released both of them. She immediately started panting and gasping due to the exhaustion taking over her body.

Kalista, on the other hand, didn't seem to be well either. The venom didn't spread any further - which was probably a good sign - but somehow, there was an even worse-looking wound on her side. Nami waited for a moment to regain her breath before hurrying over to her friend's side.

"Are you alright?" Nami forgot about her own injuries as she looked at the damage the two beasts had dealt. The initial venom shot had now made her blue-green skin a raw black, and her side - she cringed when she saw it - was still slightly hissing with the venom eating it alive.

When her friend didn't respond, she looked back at her.

Kalista's eyes were closed for the first time.

A surge of panic went through her. "Kalista? Are you alright?" She desperately shook her friend as gently as possible, but no - she didn't give a response. But - did these otherworldly creatures have the ability to completely destroy already undead beings like her?

Shit. No.

Frantically she grabbed her staff. She was already extremely tired, and she honestly wasn't sure if she still had the strength for it, but there was no other choice. If Nami did not do it, then Kalista might just fade away from the injuries.

It was dying in another way.

And dying meant she was left alone.

And Nami couldn't stand the mere thought of Kalista leaving her.

Because she was more than just a friend, more than a simple acquaintance she just randomly met. More than someone who just had conversations with her, more than someone who just knew who she was.

Kalista will never, ever just be a simple friend to her.

Because Nami was in love.

She was completely, uncontrollably in love with Kalista.

Tears flowed down Nami's eyes as she channeled the spell with the last of her energy. The familiar soothing feeling of her healing magic flowed through her veins, slowly draining her remaining strength as she surrounded her friend with a bright green glow. To her relief, the gruesome wounds started to close and fade. It was working - the wounds were almost completely gone now, only leaving her with slightly blackened areas on the skins.

The last of her magic drained out of her completely when all the traces of black disappeared, undid by her healing.

As she flopped tiredly to the ground, she saw her friend's eyes open.

Kalista didn't know what happened after she held on to Nami's staff and was yanked out of the cursed place.

All she remembered was a flash of a thousand and more black teeth snapping down on her. And then - the pain was unimaginable. Even in real life, she had never felt this kind of pain, none as extreme as this.

And the world had blacked out for once.

It was like another death. Before she woke, all she saw was darkness. And all she could once remember were mostly lost during the time she was in possibly nothingness. Even she had no idea she would still be able to pass out as a specter and even get hurt.

However, the world was slowly beginning to come back to her.

From her perspective, she saw the world just like any mortal saw it. There was really no strange features about her vision, despite popular belief. And the first thing she noticed when she regained her normal vision, was that she suffered no wounds.

Was that an illusion?

No, her kind was supposed to be immune to all this shit... Kalista knew if she was still mortal, she would be suffering from a headache. But she really felt no pain, and all the black, gruesome venom spreading over her body was gone.

She only realized what happened when she saw Nami sprawled out in front of her.

She was only half-conscious - Kalista realized - as her eyes seemed to notice her movement, but she gave no response. And her eyelids looked like they will be drooping at anytime soon.

"Nami..." Her voice was filled with relief and... happiness. The happiness of seeing your loved one still with you, the moment where you get to see them again, and embrace them because they are yours, and yours alone.

"Thank the gods you're safe." Gently she placed a hand on Nami's back. Her friend seemed to appreciate the touch, as she weakly smiled in return. "Hey, Kalista..." She was still capable of speaking, even though she was already weak and tired.

"I might say the same to you."

"You... healed me?" Kalista asked, although she had the feeling she already knew the answer.

"Obviously." She smiled back, the smile which melted away all layers of ice she has been using to hide her feelings all these years.

There was no holding back now. She couldn't resist it any longer. The feelings she had hidden for Nami this whole time since she met her was coming out of her all at once, and it was too tempting to fight. Kalista did not want to fight it in any way. She knew the feeling was best embraced, and that's exactly what she was going to do.

She curled herself closer to Nami, wrapping her arm around her warm body. To her surprise and delight, Nami happily returned the action and nuzzled her softly. The touch - it was not something you could get every day, not something you can find so easily. Kalista knew she was too lucky to even get the chance. Nami's body relaxed a bit from her originally uncontrolled breathing due to the use of her magic.

"Nami... there's something I need to tell you."

"Of course, Kalista. I'm listening."

She took a deep breath mentally (since she has literally no breathing as a specter) before continuing: "Ever since the day I met you, something inside me has changed. I no longer feel like hiding away my feelings and I feel like I'm alive again, after being dead so many years. You - you have a fire that had melted every single trace of ice in my heart, and every time I look at you - every time we meet, every time we get to talk and every time we are lane partners in the League, I feel like I'm no longer just a being set out for vengeance. I'm who I am once in real life, and you brought that side out now, the side of me that will always feel like you are part of me."

Nami's eyes were staring at her intently now, and her gaze was filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Nami, all I'm trying to say is..."

Kalista stared directly back into those orange-gold eyes which always filled her with warmth.

Well. Here it goes...

"What is it?" Her tired but now almost excited eyes told her that she was ready.

You've survived deadly encounters - you technically died before, without a chance to feel love. Surely you can say these three words to her now. She told herself mentally before she replied,

"I love you."

WOOHOO! IT FINALLY HAPPENED! THEY FINALLY CUDDLED AND CONFESSED THEIR FEELINGS! YAY!

Ok, I sound more excited than all of you maybe XD But I can't help it :D And the best part is, more is coming in the next chapter! It's your turn now Nami! Hope you guys enjoyed it and see you next chapter!

Also p.s., sorry for the unintentionally long chapter. I didn't mean to make it more than 3000 words but well... XD

~Frosty