ACT 13
Whenever she passes out due to drinking too much alcohol, Katarina sleeps as if she's a rock, so when someone suddenly knocked and brought her out of her unconscious state, she wanted to scream in anger and irritation. The headache that consumed her mind once she woke up made her even more irritable.
"What do you want!?" She shouted angrily, rubbing her temples to attempt in soothing the pounding within.
"Oh, um, Miss Du Couteau," It's the same man that had called her for the party last night. "The Queen requests for your presence for today's morning meal."
Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion for a moment, the words being processed one pace slower than her brain usually does. It took at least a few seconds before she finally understood what the man meant. Ashe has never asked for her to eat at the same time as she will be doing so, which makes this request a first.
"Oh, and, Miss Du Couteau?"
"What?" She practically barked at the direction of the door.
"The Queen also said to remind you of your departure in a few hours."
Her departure, of course. Katarina had totally forgotten about it. She has a lot of things in her mind right now, and the memory from last night, which she recalled with much difficulty, is an added load.
"Tell her I'll be out in half an hour!"
The man said his excuse before leaving her alone. Katarina rolled off the bed, realizing that she's wearing nothing but a pair of black panties. Looking towards the loveseat at one side of the room, she spotted her dress from last night neatly laid over the cushions.
There's only one person she knows that has the bravery to undress her without her consent.
The Frost Archer.
Speaking of Ashe, Katarina found herself even more lost, especially when hers and Ashe's conversation at the balcony kept flashing in her mind. The headache is surprisingly subsiding and she took a split-second to silently thank Gragas' secret ingredients to his alcoholic drinks.
She entered the bathroom and opened the shower, letting the warm water rain down on her as she began to think about last night. The words she had said to Ashe, none of them are lies. She meant every single syllable she told the archer and that's what made it all too worse for her to handle.
Katarina can't bring herself to accept the feelings she has for the beautiful Queen, knowing if she were to fully acknowledge them, then there will be no going back. No matter how hard she'll try, once she succumbs to her heart, she won't be able to leave Ashe.
A relationship with Ashe is just too dangerous, too impossible for her to come to terms with.
She looked at every perspective.
If she were to pursue this growing connection between her and Ashe, then she's going to put Ashe in a tight spot. Ashe is a royal of the coldest nation and she's an assassin from the most despised nation in Runeterra. Their status is highly different from each other and if they were to be together, their relationship isn't the type that can be supported so easily.
If Ashe were to risk everything for her, then it may lead to the fall of Freljord itself. Demacia will surely take advantage of it. Once Demacia discovers everything that has happened between Ashe and her, they'll surely declare Freljord, most specifically Ashe, a traitor to their nation and will be ruled out as an enemy.
Katarina envisioned a battle, the impending war between Noxus and Demacia. When everything does snap and the war comes, Freljord will either fight with Demacia or Noxus. She can't bring herself to fight Ashe. She knows it. She has become too attached to the archer, too comfortable with her.
"Ashe..." She breathed out, leaning on the tiled wall. "What have you done to me?"
If only thing things were different, maybe then, they wouldn't have had any problems in letting their love be felt by one another.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Walking down a wide and long hall, Katarina, who is dressed in her signature leather outfit, finally reached the dining area, only to find a table filled with delicious-looking food, but no Queen present to dine with her.
"Where is she?" She asked no one in particular.
One of the guards on stand by at the archway of the entrance seems to be brave enough to interact with her, for he answered her question.
"The Avarosan council called for the Queen just a few minutes ago."
Katarina turned to the guard, her facial expression showing the irritation she currently felt. "What? Why?"
"For a meeting, Miss Du Couteau."
"What meeting?" She questioned, walking up to the guard.
When the guard started to become nervous and began to stumble with his words, Katarina decided to change her question.
"You know what, just tell me where the meeting is taking place."
"But...-!"
"Now."
"Down that hall, around the corner, first door at the right." The guard spoke with haste, nearly stuttering at the end.
Katarina spun around and practically stormed down the hall, following the directions she received from the guard that turned cowardly in the end of her little 'interrogation'. She caught the sight of two tall doors, and she instantly knew that it's the door to the meeting room.
Gripping the gold handles, she was just about to shove it open. But, she heard her name, specifically her title, be mentioned.
"And you chose the Sinister Blade over Demacia?" A man questioned from inside.
Katarina contemplated the situation in her head for a few seconds before ditching her original plan. Soundlessly, she placed her hands over one door and her ear against the wood, eavesdropping in the meeting's discussion.
"What made you hesitate, You Majesty? If you had eliminated that Noxian, maybe we could have solidified our alliance with Demacia!" Another man said.
"I know what is at stake and I fully know the chance that I have thrown away."
"Thrown away? My Queen, you wasted a golden opportunity!"
'Are they talking about Ashe's almost-assassination?' Katarina asked herself.
"No, maybe the Queen can still redeem herself to the Demacians!" A female council member suggested. "She can travel along with the Noxian to the Institute today, and once that assassin lowers her guard, our Queen can strike her and execute her for good."
The other council members sounded their agreements to the plan.
"Everyone, please," Came Ashe's calm voice. "Katarina may be a Noxian, but that does not mean her life has a lower value than ours."
"If you'd ask me, that Noxian deserves to die. She has done nothing but commit murder and cause chaotic mayhem."
"I agree with you there. She is nothing but a no-good Noxian, a woman with no heart whatsoever."
"She knows nothing but bloodshed. She does not deserve to live another day."
"A waste of space in Runeterra. My Queen, you should dispose of her as soon as you can!"
"We will be able to rejoice once she is dead!"
Katarina, who had unawarely moved a step back, is now staring at the doors. She doesn't know what to think. Normally, she'd probably just kick the doors open and say every other curse and profanity she can say to those council members.
She stared, and stared, and stared...
Her face remained blank, yet she could feel little drops trail down her face and fall to the floor.
More and more insults filled her ears, despite her back now against the wall across the doors, she can still hear them, for the hall is too quiet for her not to. She clenched her fists, wanting to just run and abandon her eavesdropping, but her legs won't move, won't take her away from all those hurtful words.
Tears still ran down her face. It confused her.
Why is she crying?
Why are their words affecting her?
Is it because she's afraid?
Not of them, but of Ashe.
Does Ashe agree with them? With their words?
So what if she does?
Katarina found herself becoming afraid of that possibility. She never thought she'd experience fear again, especially since it has always been her who invoked fear in her enemies, in the people that are around her.
What hurts her more is that she fully agrees with them. Why would she deny when they speak of the truth? She is nothing but a murderer, an assassin, a Noxian. It's something she had always told Ashe, yet the Queen never looked at her any differently.
Ashe treated her normally, made her feel normal. Every time she's with the archer, she feels like she's not a murderer, or an assassin, or just a Noxian. She's just Katarina Du Couteau, a woman with red hair and green eyes. That's it.
Despite all of these, Katarina can still hear the abusive remarks that kept on flooding through the cracks of the door and it was driving Katarina mad with insanity she couldn't identify.
"Enough!"
In just a single breath's worth of time, the unknown delirium that was consuming her mind suddenly vanished. Her eyes, the same green ones that casted downward, gazed up again and to the door, hearing a voice she has become so familiar with.
"I will not tolerate any of you attempting to degrade the Sinister Blade any further!" Ashe's voice, the way she spoke, it's different. She shockingly sounds like she is furious beyond reason.
...
"B-But, Your Maj...-!"
"I don't mean to be rude, but fuck you and shut up."
Katarina's eyes widened maybe a fraction or two, hearing Ashe actually curse someone.
"Your...! Your Majesty...!" She heard a councilor trip with his own words out of pure shock from the Queen's uncensored words.
"Insulting and degrading the Sinister Blade's image will not make any of you much stronger or much higher than her. In fact, all of you are far beneath her. Do you all know why?"
While Katarina could only stare at the door and hear Ashe's words without seeing her, inside, Tryndamere looked rather amused at his wife's display.
The council was silent, all scared to say anything and actually answer the Queen's rhetorical question.
"It is because all of you are absolutely and painstakingly full of shit."
The council stared at Ashe with utter shock, all of them becoming speechless to their ruler's choice of words. Even Katarina is sure that she wouldn't be able to think of anything to say to Ashe if she was one of the council members there.
"Now, if you'd excuse me, I prefer not to be around around trash such as all of you."
Regardless of Ashe being inside the room, Katarina heard the soft sounds of Ashe's boots against the floor. With a quick swipe of her forehand, she wiped all the evidence that would made made it obvious that she had cried. The door swung open with force enough to fully swing outward, revealing a Frost Archer with a scowl on her face, looking quite livid.
Katarina looked like a deer caught in headlights when their eyes met. Behind Ashe, the council members and the Barbarian King watched them, waiting for something to transpire. Ashe straightened her posture and cleared her throat, putting on a polite smile as she gestured down the hall, anger disappearing in a blink of eye.
"Breakfast?"
Katarina stared.
...
...
...
"Uh, sure."
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
In the dining hall, the only sounds that can be heard are the occasional clinks whenever a knife or a fork were to hit the plate with light force. Tryndamere finished his dinner in a rapid pace and had already excused himself just a minute ago, already knowing that his wife has something to discuss with their guest.
Katarina took notice of Tryndamere's rush in leaving, and honestly, it isn't that hard for her to put two and two together. She's at least four chairs away from Ashe's place, which is at one of the ends of the table. She couldn't help but keep on glancing at archer every now and then.
Now, the memories of last night isn't the only thing that's in her mind. The newly-made memory earlier is swirling in her mind as well, not enabling it to achieve any ounce of peace whatsoever. She knows Ashe has no animosity towards her, but she can't help but feel uncomfortable with the atmosphere around them.
Apparently, Ashe knows about it.
"Katarina,"
Her gaze snapped to the direction of the archer.
"What?" She questioned back, sounding intimidating. Well, she assumed she sounded intimidating. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she didn't sound intimidating at all.
"How much do you remember from last night?" Ashe asked, keeping a neutral expression.
Katarina glanced at the guards on standby at the side before meeting Ashe's gaze again, knowing that her glance is enough for the Freljordian to get and understand.
"Guards," Ashe called out, causing all of the guards to straighten themselves up.
"Yes, Queen Ashe?" They all queried in unison.
"Do your rounds."
"Oh, umm..." A guard took a step forward. "We already finished, Your Majesty."
"Do your rounds." Ashe repeated, this time, she turned to the guard and calmly stared at him.
The guard became abruptly still before he nodded. He and his fellow guards bowed and left the dining hall, closing the tall doors and finally giving the two female champions the privacy they required. Ashe let a few seconds pass, turning back to Katarina only when she was sure that the guards are no longer nearby.
"Everything." She muttered. "Last thing I remember was me telling you something about puzzles, shit like that."
Her answer may sound unclear, but Katarina knows that Ashe knows better.
"I see..." For Ashe, she's a tad bit saddened and disappointed, knowing Katarina had not heard her reassurance after she passed out.
Katarina took her eyes away from her food, turning them to the Ashe, who now has her own focus directed to her meal. She just gazed at the Queen, a huge part of her hoping for the archer to continue. But, based from what she's seeing, Ashe seems to be content in having just a brief conversation.
Katarina isn't content with it though.
"I heard some things at the meeting room earlier..."
"It is of no relevance." Ashe said in a dismissive tone, cutting her off before she could say anything else about the subject she tried opening.
"Well, it actually does, since it involves me."
"You should not worry much about it. It has already been handled and I will deal with my council accordingly. Right now, I suggest you focus in practicing proper behaviour in and out of the Institute."
Katarina's eyebrows furrowed. The manner on how Ashe spoke, the Freljordian sounded as if she's speaking to some diplomat she has political business to discuss with. The lack of familiarity Ashe displayed bothered her.
"What's with the sudden coldness?" Katarina asked, her question coming out harsher than she intended.
"I have no clue about what you currently speak of." Ashe answered, again, her tone was formal and distant.
"Are you seriously going to be all formal with me right now?"
"It is only right that I interact with you in such manner." The Freljordian explained, still remaining totally aloof. "All was said and done from the past few days, and now, we must set everything straight and focus on our priorities."
'What the fuck is she trying to tell me?' She could feel her grip around the silverware she held tighten.
"Is this how you usually speak with people that you fall in love with?" She rudely, and not to mention, sardonically, questioned.
The loud screeching of the chair's legs on the floor echoed as soon as Ashe released her knife and fork and stood up from her seat, making Katarina feel as if those blue eyes were piercing through her with its intensity.
"I don't know, because I have never fallen in love with anyone but you."
Katarina became close-mouthed, not at all expecting the response she just received. Ashe turned away and murmured a quiet 'excuse me', leaving the room and Katarina in her own solitude. In her chest, she could feel her heart, which had become erratic for a moment, slow back down to its normal beating pace.
The answer she had gotten from Ashe, she doesn't know what to say. Just like what she had thought about earlier, if she were to accept her feelings and pursue them, it would only lead to a disaster.
Sighing, Katarina also took her leave and vacated the dining area, heading towards her room to retrieve all of her belongings, for she won't be staying in Freljord anymore.
Deliberating Ashe's attitude earlier, how detached she acted, Katarina felt like a fool for not catching on.
'She's starting to push me away...'
She should be happy, ecstatic, even, seeing that Ashe clearly won't chase after her feeling towards her. Instead of feeling pleased or relieved about that fact, Katarina can't help but feel like Ashe had stabbed her in the chest without meaning to.
She felt so stupid. This is what she said she wants, what needs to happen between them. Ashe distancing herself from her is the right path for their future, and what hurts them both is that they know this.
Their moments together, the memories they created with one another, all of it will just be something for them to look back on.
That night in Demacia...
It's a memory Katarina will never forget.
The hungry kisses, the needy touches, the emotions that coursed within their body in that very moment...
It will never be forgotten.
What pains her the most is that those sensations, those electrifying physical contacts, those lips that left her breathless and wanting for more...
She knows that she'll never feel it again.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Tense.
Yes, that's the only word that can describe the atmosphere right now.
Currently, Katarina's seated in a carriage on the way to the Institute of War, and right beside her is where Ashe is situated at, acting as if she's nothing but a mute escort of hers.
The lack of interaction between them made Katarina uneasy with herself. From the very start, she wanted nothing but silence and no conversation whatsoever. But now? No, she's searching for a conversation, mostly one that involves the Frost Archer.
She was becoming irritated from Ashe's cold treatment. All or nothing. That's the only way she can finally get this over with. This so called problem needs to be confronted, and what better way to do so but in a carriage, right? No escape for her or the Freljordian.
Facing her enemies head-on has always been her forte, so why not apply the same method to this problem?
"Are you seriously going to act as if I'm not here?" She asked Ashe, her manner of speaking nearly being labeled as grumbling.
"I am merely acting professional around you."
Katarina huffed and turned away. She knows that Ashe is acting like this because of the remaining unspoken feelings they have yet to tell each other. Based from the facts facing they're facing, it's quite obvious that there's no room for them to begin a relationship.
"These feelings are useless. They'll only ruin us. I choose not to act on it completely because it will only lead to a catastrophe. You're the Queen of Freljord, I'm the Sinister Blade of Noxus. Just by listening to that, it's clear that there can never be anything special between us. We can make our own choices, and I know that it's only right that I pick the responsible one this time. We're both too different from one another."
As much as it kills her to say all of those words, she knows that it has to be done.
"And you think I don't know that?" Ashe harshly questioned her. "Do you know how much it agonizes me? How much it murders me from the inside knowing I'm in love with someone I can never be with? Do you?"
"..."
"Katarina." Ashe said her name with coldness that can rival Freljord's gelid environment.
"..."
"Katarina."
She remained silent. One more call, and she is surely going to snap.
"Katarina!"
"I do!" She shouted at the royal, whipping around and furiously glaring.
"How?" Ashe asked her, exasperated.
"Because that's what I've been feeling for the past few days!"
Katarina adjusted herself until her whole upper body finally faced the archer.
"I'm fucking in love with you, Ashe! I'm a fucking assassin and I'm not supposed to be feeling any fucking emotions! But you...!"
Her hands trembled and her words passed through clenched teeth, one finger lifted and sharply pointed at Ashe.
"You...! You just had to exist! You just have to make me feel these...! These feelings! Don't you dare act like you're the only victim here, because I'm a victim as much as you are in this fucked up situation! So just fucking shut up!"
Without missing a single beat, Katarina pushed Ashe against the nearest wall of the carriage and held her lips captive with her own. She felt Ashe's hands on her leather-covered shoulders, nails digging into the black material with anger and passion mixed together.
Their lips moved against each other as if both of them were battling, which proves to be true, for Katarina, nor Ashe, refused to give the dominance to one another. They hungrily relayed their craving for each other through the wild kiss, both feeling as if they could just drown in their own need.
Katarina archived every sensation she's currently feeling in the back of her mind, wanting to eternally remember how soft and addicting Ashe's lips are and the sweet and intoxicating taste she can acquire from Ashe's mouth.
Ashe's hands left her shoulders and were on her chest. With a forceful push, Katarina felt herself hit the wall behind her, while Ashe now took up the role of the captor between the them. Instead of kissing her, Ashe hovered her lips directly across from her own.
"I wish we could always be like this... Forever, if possible..."
Katarina shook her head weakly. "Nothing lasts forever."
"Will you be my nothing, then?"
A verbal answer is something Ashe didn't bother waiting for. Pink lips were on Katarina's darker ones once again. Again, their lips fought and their tongues dueled against each other. Ashe clasped a hand behind Katarina's head, so Katarina reciprocated by doing the same. Their kiss deepened to the very extent, only being broken when Ashe pulled back and gave them a chance to replenish their supply of oxygen.
Katarina hung her head, forehead perched over Ashe's own.
"What are we doing, Ashe...?" She asked in whisper, eyes closed. "We're being masochistic... We're just torturing ourselves."
"People do unexplainable things when they're poisoned by their heart's desires."
"If we continue this any further, I don't know what I'll do or where I'll put myself in the end. I can't belong anywhere anymore."
"You belong with me, right by my side."
"Damn it, Ashe..."
Katarina opened her eyes as she clutched the Ashe's shoulders and pulled her away. She gazed into Ashe's eyes, blue hues shimmering with an unstated plea. Her fingers flexed, grip increasing at least one level tighter.
"We can't..."
As soon as she saw Ashe's lips close and quiver, she showed no delay in pulling the archer in her arms. Ashe's arms wound around her in an instant, grasping the back of her jacket in an almost vice-like grip.
"If only, Ashe..." She murmured quietly. "If only..."
They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, Katarina showing, nor feeling, no sign of being tired in holding Ashe. They took a long moment for themselves, filling it with wordless passion.
"You have given me a million reasons to let you go." Ashe said against her shoulder. "To let all of this go."
She buried half of her face in Ashe's hair. "Why didn't you?"
"Because I only needed one good reason to stay." Ashe smiled with sorrow. "I was hoping you'd be the good one."
"I..."
Ashe pulled back, a melancholic expression on her face. "Don't."
"Ashe, I..."
"I said," Ashe caressed her cheek, thumb brushing against her lips. "Don't."
She just watched as Ashe fixated her gaze on her own lips, thumb still stroking it as if it's some sort of valuable treasure.
"If you are to apologize to me now, it will only worsen the ache in my chest."
Ashe leaned forward and grazed her lips against Katarina's, completely pulling away and fixing herself afterwards. The archer offered her one last smile before diverting her attention to the window to her right and obscuring her face with her white hair.
Katarina arranged her posture, placing her back on the backrest again. She brushed her hair back, feeling suddenly drained. Physically, no, for she has more than a moderate amount of energy, but mentally? Emotionally? Oh, she is absolutely deprived of any kind of energy whatsoever.
Instead of leaning back, she tilted to the side until her head was on Ashe's left shoulder. It only took a few blinks before she felt a hand reach up and caress her cheek. Ashe still kept her gaze outside, but it's obvious that her attention is on Katarina.
"Why do you torture yourself now?"
"Someone told tell me that people do unexplainable things when they're poisoned by their heart's desires."
The whole way to the Institute, they remained in that position, one hand intertwined with another of the other. Both females knew that once the carriage doors open and they are to vacate it, they will have to greet reality and welcome it, no matter how painful it may feel.
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Pacing back and forth outside the Judgment Room, extremely anxious to have the meeting over with and to know the decision of the Institute's High Council. Ashe is in there right now, and based from what the Freljordian had told her, she's going to make sure she gets off the hook and has the program's control over her dismissed.
Two reasons prevented her from listening in. One, the Judgment Room is soundproof. As in, magically soundproof. Second, there are two tall and burly guards standing on either sides of the doorway.
It's been more than an hour ever since Ashe had went in, but Katarina sort of expected this much. What she didn't expect is the lingering tingles in her lips. She stopped her pacing as she reached up, the tip of her index and middle finger touching her lips. She closed her eyes and fisted her hands.
'Stop thinking about it.' She grouched to herself, resuming pacing, but this time, her fists are clenched and a deep scowl can be seen on her face.
"Katarina!"
Turning around and facing the right end of the hall, she found Cassiopeia slithering towards her, two guards walking alongside the serpent. Once her sister was in front of her, they both opened their mouths and spoke at the same time.
"What are you doing here?"
Cassiopeia raised a hand immediately before she could follow up her question with a snarky set of words.
"Tell me your reason first before I tell you mine."
Katarina huffed, but nonetheless, answered. "Trying to get myself out of the stupid 'buddy program'."
"Well, that's some good news."
"What about you?" She then nodded toward the two escorts Cassiopeia has with her. "And them?"
"Right," Cassiopeia sighed. "I'm going to be trialed."
"Trialed!?" She blurted out in disbelief. "Trialed for what?"
"Well, these guards came to my quarters a few minutes ago, telling me that the High Council will be putting me under trial."
"Under what charges?"
Cassiopeia shrugged, not at all worried.
"Why the hell are you so calm?"
"I've done nothing wrong, so why should I be concerned? Whatever this trial is for, I can confidently say that it's just a waste of time."
Creak!
Hers and Cassiopeia's heads snapped to the entrance of the Judgment Room, which loudly creaked as its tall doors opened, the Frost Archer walking out with a calm look on her face.
"What did they say?" Katarina immediately asked, approaching the white haired female.
Ashe smiled modestly. "You're free from the program."
She stared in mild disbelief. "Really?"
"Mm-hm," Ashe nodded. "I advise you to remain in your best behaviour and not cause any trouble anymore."
"Yeah, sure."
She and Ashe stood right across each other, a reasonable distance between them. Katarina looked like she's thinking of some parting words she can say, which is what she's actually doing.
"Now that I'm 'reformed'," She started. "What happens to you now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Since you've finished 'rehabilitating' me, what are you going to do now? Go back to Freljord or something?"
Behind Katarina, Cassiopeia can be seen curiously watching the two of them with interest gleaming in her snake eyes.
"Well, yes, I'll be going back to Freljord in a few hours. Tryndamere and I still have to speak about a problem of ours."
"Problem?"
"It's nothing you should concern yourself with."
"Ahem!"
She and Ashe turned to where the other Du Couteau is standing, seeing one of Cassiopeia's escorts step forward.
"Frost Archer, Sinister Blade, we still have a trial to commence."
"Oh, of course. Our apologies." Ashe bowed her head for a second, stepping out of the way. "If you'd excuse me, Katarina."
Ashe turned and walked down the hall, leaving Katarina. The assassin herself looked to the archer's direction before turning to face her sister.
"I'll talk to you after your trial."
"Whatever you say."
Katarina spun around and trailed after Ashe in a fast pace, reaching the Queen as she turned around a corner. She grabbed Ashe's wrist, halting the archer from proceeding with her leave.
"That's it?"
"What's it?"
She scowled at the royal. "Not even a proper goodbye?"
"Katarina, please," Ashe removed her grip around her wrist, taking her hand and wrapping it with both of her own. "You're making this harder than it needs to be."
She just can't keep everything straight. Earlier, she was the one who was pushing Ashe away, but Ashe herself kept pulling her in. Now, Ashe is the one that's pushing her away, only for her to pull the Queen back in.
Even she is confused with her own thinking.
This process can't continue any longer. If it does, she's sure she and Ashe will go mad because of it.
"Everything I'm feeling right now is painful enough, believe me."
Katarina does believe Ashe. It isn't only the archer who's hurting now. She pulled her hand away from Ashe's grasp, and Ashe instantly expected her to turn and walk away. A certain act that she should have done from the very first place.
"Don't build my hopes up if you're only going to shatter them in the end."
Ashe's words couldn't hurt her any more than it's already affecting her. Nodding once, Katarina stepped back and turned, intending to leave by heading the opposite direction.
"Right..."
The Frost Archer watched with sadness as Katarina walked away from her. Ashe smiled in sorrow before forcing herself to turn away and contribute in creating the distance between her and the redhead.
The archer already expected this cold goodbye...
But...
What is she hearing? Are those... footsteps?
Rather than doing what Ashe expected for her to do, Katarina ran back to Ashe, grabbed her by the forearm and practically yanked her towards her, drawing Ashe in for an embrace and clinging to her as if she's the one that kept her from falling down the ground in that moment.
"Katarina...?"
"Thank you." Katarina whispered.
She felt Ashe hesitate, but she didn't have to wait long for her to feel a pair of arms return the embrace. Ashe didn't even get to say anything back, for Katarina pulled back and ran off, finally finding the strength to leave.
Katarina doesn't have any destination in mind, so she just kept running. She turned and entered various halls, not caring where she's going to end up at. She didn't risk looking back, actually feeling afraid that if she were to do so, she'd see Ashe.
As she ran, a few 'words of wisdom' her father had imparted to her crossed her thoughts.
"An assassin can only find happiness in death. Nowhere else."
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Author's Note: Oooh-kay! Chapter 13 is finally done!
Hopefully, you readers like how the story is progressing. :)
Next chapter will probably all about Katarina speaking to Swain about Cassiopeia's trial and Morgana informing her about Talon's investigation at Demacia.