Chapter 10

Yasuo looked up into the ceiling of his dorm, deep in thought. His day was going slowly, and he couldn't spend time with Riven because the League had recently allowed her to use more of her full capabilities. A buff, they called it, resulting in immediate and constant summoning of the Exile. Sprawled on his bed, bored out of his mind, the Wanderer amused himself on how he would go about bothering Irelia. Sure, she was grateful enough with saving her life probably, but one can never have too much fun. He was just wondering about what act of kindness would be startle her with today when someone knocked on the door.
He opened it and looked down, and was met with a young summoner, his youthful face full of awe at the warrior's presence.

"Y-you are to be summoned, Champion Yasuo," he said, admiring every aspect of the ex-Ionian.

Uncomfortable under the child's gaze, Yasuo quickly nodded and said a word of thanks before swiftly leaving the boy behind. He passed by Yi, who was, of course, sitting in the garden, drinking his tea and meditating. Yi gave a friendly wave and Yasuo returned the gesture before heading off towards the summoning platform. The gatekeeper greeted him as he stepped forward.

"Ah, Sir Yasuo. You will be on Purple Team for this match."

Yasuo nodded and stepped up to an empty platform. There was a bright flash, and Yasuo opened his eyes to the purple side of Summoner's Rift. He looked at his teammates. He himself was going mid lane, with Malphite jungle, Lucian bot, Annie support, and... Irelia top. She caught his eye and looked away in annoyance. Yasuo smirked, picked a brawler's glove and some health pots from the shop, and headed off to meet his opponent. As he passed his outer turret, he saw that he was facing Ziggs. The spastic Yordle never failed to amuse Yasuo, but he knew he was deadly with his hextech bombs. Through his mental link, he could tell his current summoner was inexperienced so he decided to take this match into his own hands.

"Hey kid, watch and learn okay? Let me show you what to do and you can work on it until you get better in the future. Just pop a flash and an ignite when I tell you to." he requested telepathically.

"Are you sure?" his summoner replied, meekly.

"Yes I'm sure. Now shut up and let me do my work."

After farming minions for couple minutes and poking the hexplosive loving Yordle down a bit, Yasuo achieved first blood by using a full out assault on his unsuspecting opponent. With mid taken care of, he decided to gank top lane before backing. Irelia was facing Fiora, who had nearly bested her by the time Yasuo got there. Irelia kneeled, heavily battered, while the proud Duelist of Demacia haughtily stood over her.

"Remember, honey, do not cross blades with a Laurent!" Fiora reprimanded, bringing her blade down for the kill.

CLANG! Steel met steel as Yasuo deflected the blow, saving Irelia from death. Fiora glared at the man who just denied her a kill.

"Insolent peasant! You wish to duel with me as well?"

Fiora lunged, but Yasuo sidestepped, her rapier nearly slashing his arm. He struck her in the back with Steel Tempest, and created space between him and the duelist. Fiora snarled, and dove in again, her sword a flurry of deadly steel, yet Yasuo dashed under her arm, and hit her with another Steel Tempest. Now charged with wind energy, Yasuo unleashed a mighty whirlwind, and leapt up to use his ultimate ability.

"SO-RYU-GE-TON!" Yasuo shouted in ancient Ionian.

With Fiora fallen, Yasuo went over to help Irelia up. She smacked his hand away, tears of indignation welling up in her eyes.

"You didn't have to save me, you idiot!"

"You're right," Yasuo said, shrugging. "I chose to."

Irelia was taken aback by this and lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Th-Thanks," she quietly spoke.

"You're not welcome."

"Huh?" Irelia asked, looking up.

Yasuo smirked, and replied, "I need more than a simple 'thanks'. How about, 'Yasuo, thank you so much for saving my life, you're so great, I'll forever be in your debt!'"

Irelia scowled and turned away to recall back to base.

Throughout the match, Yasuo saved Irelia several times, once even carrying her away from a Ziggs ult. After they won, Yasuo stepped off the platform with a content sigh. He smiled, recalling how stressed out the Will of the Blades was after he saved her one last time. He made his way over to Irelia, who was stepping off her own platform. She caught his eye and flushed red, looking away. Yasuo opened his mouth but was cut off when Irelia spoke first.

"Shut up. You didn't have to carry me away from that last one," she muttered, embarassed.

She pushed past him and was about to exit the Summoning Hall when Summoner Bazzen walked up to the two.

"Sorry to ruin your fun, but the High Summoner urgently requests your presences in his study," he informed them. "Riven is already there," he added, winking at Yasuo.

The two looked at each other in confusion, and quickly headed off to the central tower of the Institute of War.

Another week, another chapter. :D I'm glad Azir is finally out, but what do you guys think of Riot's new lore overhaul? It makes me sad knowing that one day the game will reach a point where someone will read my work and the work of so many others and ask, "What's the Institute of War?" "What's the League?" Hell, there's already people asking, "What's Heart of Gold?" (I miss you, old friend. D: ) But anyways, hope you guys are interested with where the story might lead, and please, favorite, follow, and review! Thanks for all your awesome support!