"You're back early." Yasuo was laying down on the stone. Adam let out a sigh before slinging the sack over his shoulder.
"Yea, well we should get going." He let out a yawn and stretched his arms.
"You gotta get your redemption and I have to...travel, apparently."
'Up the canyon we go.'
"This is the most exercise I have gotten, in a LONG time," Adam said. They had been moving up a constant slope that made the journey significantly harder. Adam had great stamina and the demon helped supply him with energy, but even with his fit body a full day with an upwards hike (without the demon for help) was taxing on his body.
"Well we are almost there, it's already heating up." what Yasuo said was true, the temperature seemed to rise as they neared their destination.
"I guess you will not have to worry about people hunting you here, but Shurima's climate can be pretty unforgiving," Adam stated, Yasuo nodded in agreement. They trudged forward, Adam slipped on a section of loose gravel and grabbed a ledge before he hit the ground. He pulled himself up and kept walking forward behind Yasuo
The sun beat down from above and the as they moved upwards, the Canyon started to look shorter, the walls not moving upwards along with the slope. Adam wiped a hand across his brow while Yasuo had not even broken a sweat. The ground had seemed to turn soft, moving from hard rock to more soft limestone, eventually leading to the sand of the desert.
"Hey, Yasuo have you ever been to Demacia?" They stopped for a moment and Adam leaned against the wall to get back his breath.
"No, but I have seen pictures of it on postcards." He raised a hand to the sun, measuring the distance from the horizon to the glowing orb. 'We will be just in time for nightfall.' he thought to himself. "Let's make sure to keep moving." They picked up their pace again, continuing to follow the rock walls leading to their destination.
It was about another hour before Adam saw what looked like the top of an incline. Yasuo was already there and he stopped. "Looks like we're here." Once Adam reached the top he set his gaze on the desolate view. The sands of Shurima were magnificent, but at the same time in the glow of the sun, they looked like death. Heat waves radiated off of the rolling hills of brown, reflecting more light across the land. From here on out this landscape would go on for hundreds of miles, and if you didn't know your way around, that was a long long time to be walking.
"Think you will be able to make it?" Adam asked, at this point, even he was skeptical if the samurai would survive the long trek in the sun.
"I've read maps about different settlements along my way west, I will." Adam reached his hand up to shadow his eyes, checking if there was any sign of change in the landscape. Nothing but sand in every direction spreading out from the rock face of Targon pass. Adam sat down and Yasuo joined him on the ground. They sat in silence in front of the small view, when Adam looked down to see a hand extended towards him, holding the bamboo flask of Sake Yasuo always carried.
"There is a little left, drink up." He had filled it with water for it to last but there was still some of the drink left, diluted within. Adam took hold of the flask and drank a small swing. He had not been much of an alcohol drinker before the incident long ago. His face contorted before he handed it back to Yasuo, swallowing it then coughing at the taste.
It was sweet but also had a bitter aftertaste that would leave your mouth stale, even with water in it the drink seemed strong.
"You drink this?" Yasuo nodded solemnly, "It helps me get away from the past." They sat there as the sun and the horizon started to bleed together, rippling in the bending light.
"Well for the short time we were together it wasn't all that bad." Adam kept his eyes scanning the skyline, Yasuo just stayed silent. "Well, I guess this is it," Adam said.
"Yes, yes it is." Yasuo lifted the drink to his mouth and took a small swig before attaching it to the rope cord running along his waist. "May the wind be with you Adam, but don't forget to watch your back." Adam nodded and stood up.
"I hope you find what you are looking for." He looked down at the sitting form of Yasuo, one of his hands resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Redemption, redemption and revenge." Yasuo said, "Even if I can not accomplish redemption I will still be able to seek revenge." There was a short awkward silence, neither wanted to disrupt it.
"May our paths cross again," Adams stated he wasn't much for goodbyes. "And even if they don't may we both find peace." Yasuo stood up alongside him and raised his hand. Adam took it in a firm handshake.
Yasuo let go to look towards his destination, "Our paths will cross again friend." Yasuo breathed in the air. Adam smiled and saluted once. The night was already starting to cool down rapidly, the desert being freezing at night contrasting its hot day.
Adam's eyes closed, they opened again, both an intense glowing red. He ruffled his hair and half waved.
"Later."
Yasuo nodded. "Goodbye." and with that, Adam and the Demon were gone.
'So what is our plan.'
'I already went over our plan.'
'You just said go to west Demacia and… live for a bit? I guess.'
'Well more than that, do some research, gather information, gain more power, and meet new people.' The demon was ecstatic.
They appeared in the middle of a grassy field in one of the more agricultural sectors of Demacia lining the west wall. He made his way to a wide dirt road and followed it closer towards the city, of prints and feet flattening it over time. The wall loomed above him as he got closer and the sun was casting a shadow across its side. There was a small hut and guard station near the gate, guards in front stationed to not let any suspicious figures in.
The Demon tsked his teeth, 'this won't do at all.' He looked to his left and saw a wheat field growing long enough to conceal him if he ducked.
"Perfect." He fell left calmly and before he hit the rough ground disappeared. He had teleported behind the wall, now standing behind a small house to not be spotted. He had been tired out by that short spell, he would need more energy soon.
'Adddaaaam.'
'What'
'I'm getting tired faster.' The demon complained.
'So?'
'Well I need some more energy, and you have to get it for me.'
'Oh…..'
The demon chuckled, 'you gotta do whatcha gotta do.' 'I got my cravings, and I will give you until tonight as long as I help you, that ok?' he asked.
'Usually, you would give me more notice.'
'Well it's a special occasion, and recently you have been making me actually have to work for once so I'm going to need it more often than normal.' The demon nagged.
'Fine.' Adam sounded dissatisfied with the Demon's answer but complied anyway. 'I just need passage to Zaun and Noxus.'
'Great, great, but first.' He raised a finger in the air and started to march forward.
'It's time to find, some form or residence that may or may not be permanent. May we sleep in not an alleyway.'
It was only about an hour and a half before the Demon stopped in the middle of the street. "Why is this so haaaarrrddd." The Demon raised his hands up at the sky, balling his fists. "Nobody wants to house some random stranger without money." He lowered his hands and sat in thought. "Jobs are hard, the army is bull, and I will admit that I am not a scholar." He tapped his chin. Living in a cabin in the woods wasn't looking to bad.
"Well screw it I'll work on this later, I'm getting awfully tired from all of this yacking."
"ADAM" He yelled up at the sky, eliciting a shout from a nearby household to promptly shut his mouth. He snickered.
'Adam'
'Wat.'
'Time for you to do your thing.'
'Now?'
'Yes now.'
The demon closed his eyes and they dimmed somewhat, the body now being controlled by Adam.
Adam let his mind rest before reaching behind him and pulling out the mask from the sack, setting on his face. He would change into the proper clothing for mobility then probably head to Zaun, enough people with some sketchy morals there for him to intervene. He would make it quick, unlike the last one where he was more disconnected.
"Bring me to a heavy soul Demon." He didn't want to, he never did, but he would, or else there would be hell to pay.
'As you wish.' The demon voice becoming calmer. The wind whistled in the hollow night of Demacia, the Demon was gone.
She leaned back in her chair as she read the form with keen interest. Everything she received these days was just some drunk people ranting about ghost sightings or the occasional specter lurking in the woods. Both tasks she could complete with ease. She sighed as she shuffled through the papers on the desk, candlelight illuminating the small study. Her crossbow leaned against the wall and her cape hung up on a coat rack near the entrance. As she shuffled through them one caught her eye, it had a red seal on the top that meant it was more important than the others. She turned it over, examining the writing on it.
She quietly pondered what she would do, this was an interesting case. There was a sketch attached too.
"Rural West side of Demacia huh." She read the note a second time, making sure to get every detail, rested her chin on the fist of her hand, she had come to a decision. She reached for the quiver of silver bolts, taking one out and examining the tip, the dangerous metal shined in the flickering light. Whether it be blighted, cursed, or eaten away by the shadows she would find it, and put it where it rightfully belonged, not in the realm of the living.
In a swift motion, she grabbed her crossbow and slung the cape around her shoulders, making sure the small quiver of bolts was attached to the autoloading mechanism along her wrist. She exited the door, the draft that the cape created only left a wisp of smoke from the extinguished candle.
The hunt was on.
I plan to have the turning point within the next chapter or two, so stay tuned for some real plot to kick in. I am going to be moving this story more towards the league so hopefully, things will be more interesting. Thanks for reading!