The Passage of Twin Disciplines
Chapter Thirteen
Unexpected Allies
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"What did you just call her?" Akali asked, exhausted and trying futilely to stay focused. What was it her mother had always said? Exhaustion was a state of mind, something a good warrior could overcome with focus and training.
Lux ignored the dagger in Akali's fingers, twirling her staff with a slight weariness to her usual perkiness as she jogged over to the fallen pair. Her blonde curls bounced as she fell to her knees in the tall grass and reached out a curious hand as if to touch Nidalee where she lay, curled against Akali's stomach.
A tendril of fear shot into Akali's subconscious, sending her arm out on reflex to levy it before Lux's neck.
"Fascinating..." Lux breathed, ignoring the deadly object a fraction of an inch from her exposed neck, as if the open and very real threat, did nothing to bother her. Or, at least, it did nothing to pull her attention from the creature in front of her.
"In my textbooks it says all the green mages died out decades ago, what is one doing here and now, of all places?" With a smile, Lux bounced to her feet and twirled to walk away with her staff behind her back.
"Where are you going?" Akali demanded, unnerved by the odd girl. She was obviously some form of sorceress, if her clothes and weapon choice were any indication. They weren't exactly the most trustworthy lot in the Kinkou heiress's opinion.
"To check on my brother and see about finding a proper bandage for the green mage of course." Lux grinned, already walking away.
"Stop calling her that!" Akali yelled after her, watching the Demacian caster as she walked back onto the bloody battlefield where the Demacian knights were cleaning up any stragglers and finding their wounded.
The sound of horses being put out of their misery, and men screaming as arrows and other barbed weapons were ripped free of living flesh were all to be heard of the once thunderous battle. From their spot in the grass, Akali and Nidalee were mostly invisible, giving the ninja a chance to survey the situation.
The large man she had traded blows with seemed to be some form of commander, as he strode over the carnage and shouted orders, and offered his hand to fallen men. Already there was enough organization in the chaos that the bodies of the dead were being separated. The Noxian ambushers were being tossed into a pile to be burned, while the knights were being lain side by side, arms folded on their chest and eyes closed.
The horses that had not been killed were being rounded up from both sides, and tethered so they could be dealt with later.
The men who were able, helped to collect weapons worth keeping, once the wounded were moved to be attended by the mages. While healing magic was rare, most mages were at least able to cauterize a wound or cleanse it of infection. Actually pouring energy into another living being in a way that it would be used to quicken the natural healing process, was a rare, and coveted gift.
There was one sight that caught every man and woman's attention. Their prince walking down the battlefield, leaning heavily on his guardian, as he surveyed the damage to his people and said a blessing for each fallen warrior.
Akali watched with confusion and curiosity as he bent, again and again, to kiss the brow of his fallen soldiers and send them to the afterlife with his thanks and blessing. To die in the glory of battle, protecting that which needed protecting, was the ultimate honour of all Kinkou ninja. To mourn their loss was to spit on their sacrifice, it was an insult. As much a dishonour as it was to die running, or cowering from a fight.
It was not her place to question the customs of a different nation, but the prince's actions made her uneasy.
The questions that had been pouring into her mind had subsided slightly, and Akali found herself running her fingers through the older girl's hair as she watched the Demacians. It was an unconscious act she was, as of yet, unaware of. As was the calm reassurance that was slowly working to soothe Nidalee's nerves until she was able to relax with the trust that she would not be harmed further. At least, not in the near future.
Akali closed her eyes and sighed, she had been so close to failing her mission. Her mother would have punished her severely, possibly even exiled her over the death of the Demacian prince while under the promised protection of the Kinkou warriors. If it had not been for Nidalee, if the huntress had not trusted her and done as she had asked of her, he would be. And yet, the cougar-girl had been hurt greatly for her sacrifice, and now did not even possess the strength to heal herself.
In a world you did not understand, Akali wondered how the huntress could trust anyone at all when her only experiences with her people so far had been so cruel.
"I'm sorry," Akali whispered, a tear running down her cheek that she quickly moved to wipe away. Crying was a sign of weakness, something she had not allowed herself to do for years.
With a soft mew, Nidalee reached up and rubbed the crying ninja's cheek with her thumb, her green eyes shining, and for the first time, Akali thought the touch of another person, felt right. It wasn't cruel, it didn't have an alterior motive. Her touch wasn't the sting of a sword or slap, or a firm hand that gripped her arm and left bruises.
It was gentle, soft... without any reason to be so, except Nidalee cared, and she understood that Akali was sorry, that she had never intended the huntress to be harmed.
With a happy hum, and a cracked branch, Lux appeared through the grass and beamed a happy smile as she plunked herself down, oblivious, in front of the blushing pair. Akali raised her forearm to her eyes and quickly brushed away the last of the tears as Nidalee took in the blonde sorceress for the first time, her curiosity now winning out over her fear after the protection her partner had offered.
"I was able to get some bandages from the medics, I told them it was for the prince's saviour and I had to run out of there before they gave me more than I could carry." Lux giggled to herself, dropping a small glass bottle, gauze and white wrapping, onto the grass beside her.
"Thank you, I can take it from here-" Akali reached for the bandage and her hand was instantly slapped away.
"Tch, let me. It's the least I can do after you saved Jarvan." Lux smiled as if her simple smack had not sent Akali's temper sky rocketing, and as if the odd girl in her lap had not turned to fixate her attention on the ninja.
"No," Akali forced out, her teeth grinding as she struggled not to simply knock the blonde out cold. "I will do it." Nidalee tried to vocalize her question and ended up with another rumbling noise that sounded like a cross between a purr and mewl.
'Danger?' She asked, the question louder in Akali's mind than the soft noise she had vocalized. In front of them, Lux squealed and clapped her hands together.
"That was the cutest thing I've ever heard! Can she not talk? Is she just like a big human kitty cat? Oh I hope she can talk, I have so many questions! Can she-"
"Shut up!" Akali roared, as much to silence the irritating mage as to silence the consistent questions from Nidalee who was trying to figure out the source of the ninja's agitation. She had been so calm a moment ago.
"I will change the bandage, thank you for your help, but she will tear off your hand if you go anywhere near that wound. She's terrified of you, can't you see that? Now leave!" With her chest heaving, Akali pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes and once again reached for the offered bandage.
Looking crestfallen, Lux stuck out her bottom lip in a pout, folding her arms over her chest to amplify the effect. "I've never had anyone scared of me before."
"Then I'm sure you make a great soldier," Akali replied dryly, rolling her eyes as she found the start of the wrap.
Lux paused, trying to figure out how to reply before shrugging and fidgeting with her skirt.
"This might hurt," Akali told her patient in a soft whisper as she tugged the knot open on the first wrap and Nidalee wound her fingers once more into the fabric covering her stomach. "Quit being a baby, I told you it would hurt."
Nidalee snorted, and shot back a silent retort that brought a smile to Akali's lips and she paused to look down at the peeking huntress. "You're right, I did say might. Glad you've been paying attention to your lessons."
"You can understand her?" Lux asked, teetering closer to inspect Akali's handiwork as she dropped the blood soaked bandage onto the grass and quickly worked the second knot loose.
The Kinkou heiress eyed the blonde mage, deciding it didn't matter much what she knew since it seemed like she understood more about Nidalee than she, herself did. "In a way, it's a work in progress."
As soon as the bandage was pulled free, sticky blood that had begun to dry causing suction against Nidalee's skin making a sickening noise, the stemmed flow began to pump out once more. "Smite it," Akali cursed, fumbling as she reached for the gauze.
Lux grabbed her staff and twirled it, calling a thin white barrier to her fingers. With a practised flick she moved it to lie flat against the open wound, sealing it and holding back the pooling blood like a makeshift layer of skin.
Nidalee's eyes widened as she saw her skin glow faintly, only to be covered with a thick layer of gauze as Akali ripped a strip of bandage loose and pulled it tight around her leg.
When her work was done, Akali wiped her hands on the grass and let out a deep sigh, the last of her adrenaline finally dispersing and leaving her eyes drooping where she sat.
"Thank you," Lux said, aiming her gratitude to the yawning cougar. "I won't tell anyone what you are, I think if you had wanted us to know, you would have approached as a human."
Akali nodded, "She understands and thanks you, well... it was more a feeling of approval, but I'm sure that's what she meant."
"I'm Lux, by the way, Lady of Luminosity, prodigy and sister to the General Garen." Lux smiled and extended her hand, waiting patiently as Akali eyed her with apprehension.
"Akali, Kinkou warrior and heiress, I was sent here to protect your prince from an assassination attempt." The young ninja replied, trying to stay awake as Nidalee's weariness seeped through their bound to join forces with her own.
The sun was setting on the horizon, bathing the battlefield in a blood red, the gods opening the doors for the fallen spirits to depart to the afterlife. "And this is Nidalee, cougar-girl and trouble maker from the Kumungu forest," Akali teased, earning a yawn in response.
"Well met Akali, Nidalee. I will see about finding a spare tent for you to use for the night, and if you wish, a horse to ride back to Demacia tomorrow." Lux offered, pushing herself to her feet as she brushed the dirt from her uniform.
"The tent would be appreciated, as well as accompanying you back to your capital, however I have my own horse." Lux nodded, and turned to leave and find the needed supplies, the rest of the knights already setting up camp away from the battlefield.
"You probably shouldn't shift until morning, at least then you will have the strength to close your wound." Akali murmured, her fingers stilling in Nidalee's hair when she realized the huntress was asleep, content and secure in the knowledge she would be protected.
With a small smile, and a sidekick blush, Akali leaned down and kissed the huntress's forehead, determined to prove herself worthy of the trust.
~o~
Katarina jumped, rolling into a tumble as the shallow river water coated her skin and armor. Ruby red hair dripped and clung to her skin as she crouched in the brush, daggers poised and ready to strike.
She could hear him, one of the few men that demanded her respect and cautious fear. If it were just him, she may have had a chance, but with that demon child as well... Katarina hissed as a stray leek poked into the burn on her bicep.
That flame throwing runt was impressive to say the least.
From her spot hiding in the reeds, Katarina could make out the small drone like 'minions' as they mindlessly hacked away at each other. No blood was spilt between them, when they died they released blue smoke that disappeared inside the killer.
To make matters worse, Katarina felt... restrained, like there was something holding her back from her full potential. It felt as if there was a weight slowing her stride, lessening her blows and stealing some of the accuracy and power from behind them.
Invisible shackles that were slowly lessening over time. They were lessening, but still much too slowly for the Du Couteau's blood-lust.
The sound of whooshing flames, and burning wood dragged Katarina's attention back to the minions squabbling in the dirt between two massive turrets. Those turrets were possessed, their eyes glowing red as they stood watch with their shields and lances, waiting for enemies to foolishly come too close.
More importantly, those flames brought back a certain child who was alone with the blood hunter running north, chasing a different scent.
Katarina began to move closer, step by step until she was within reach. Holding the enchanted dagger her father had gifted her with, she tapped the end of the hilt and flashed from the bushes to behind the startled girl. One more swift movement and her opponent crumpled to her knees, neck gaping in a wide smile.
With the death, the same blue smoke came out of the girl as it did the minions, except this time it was bountiful. It flowed into her, piercing the caverns of the Du Couteau's mouth and nose and filling her with new strength.
It was like nothing she had ever felt before, almost as if she were eating the dead girl's life force, and using it to empower herself.
"Katarina Du Couteau, under the command of Summoner Estwald has slain Annie, the Dark Child under the command of Summoner Raltz." The voice boomed, shaking the very foundation of the battlefield, announcing for all to hear the quick victory Katarina had relished in.
In the distance a hungry howl could be heard and Katarina smiled, "So that's how this works, very well, Summoner, I will play your game. For now."
~o~
"Mistress!" A frantic guard called, instantly dropping to his knees, plate armor clanging off the stone passageway. Cassiopeia turned to regard him, robed in red silk, as she set down her quill and gestured with him to inform her of his news.
"How fares my father and his negotiations with the Barbarians?" She asked, striding forward, perfect legs making brief appearances through the slits coming down from either hip. "He should be back by next sundown."
The guard gaped, before clearing his throat and swallowing nervously. "General Du Couteau is dead, Mistress, he died on the threshold of the Barbarian Chief's home with an arrow through his neck."
Cassiopeia stilled, face blanching as she reached for her dresser to steady herself. Trying to keep the pain of a fear fulfilled out of her voice, she asked, "And my sister? Is she alive?"
The guard shifted nervously, his head bowed, "There has been no word of your sister, Mistress." Cassiopeia howled, closing the gap between herself and the guard as her hand connected with his cheek in a vicious slap that sent him sprawling.
With another flick she slammed her door closed, panting heavily as she struggled and stumbled her way to her bed. Fingers digging into the expensive fabric, and tears leaving black trails of mascara down her cheeks, Cassiopeia looked to the sealed letter she had been given. The red wax that had held it's confines a secret mocking her with some sort of twisted joke.
"Your death will not be in vain, Father."
That night, Cassiopeia left Noxus in a jet black cloak, saddlebags packed and very much alone. She only had one goal in mind, to destroy the Barbarians from the inside out. Her fingers crushed the rolled note she had received from the informant in The Ivory Ward.
"Soon," she hissed, spitting venom, "They will pay."
~o~
Akali awoke the next morning with images blurring into the dream she had been having, the stark contrast had been enough to alert her into a bleary wakefulness. With a stifled yawn, she rolled over and pressed her face into her cot, muscles sore from the previous day and protesting movement.
Everything hurt, her legs, her arms; it felt as though she could feel each individual muscle in every finger after the strain that had been pressed on them. Garen, the golem of a general, had torn her weapons out of her hands while holding the blades.
Akali shuddered, imagining what would have happened if the battle had continued. For now, she had little choice but to play nice and complete her mission. That did not mean she would stop watching the large man though, he was violent with a short temper and a quick draw. More than enough reason to keep half an eye on him at all times.
Just as she was falling back asleep, she felt a wet nose on the exposed skin of her back. Akali shivered, and tried to ignore it. It was Nidalee, if the wet nose wasn't a give away, the curiosity and impatience leaking through their bond would have finished the analysis. And, if Akali reacted, Nidalee would know she was awake and would not leave her alone for the five more minutes of slumber she wanted.
The ninja's hairs stood on end as the cougar's hot breath bathed the lower part of her back, and her nose poked and prodded her shirt up higher. Akali could feel goosebumps breaking out, one by one, multiplying until they took over and covered her.
With a humpft, Nidalee snorted and flopped down and looked at the closed tent flap.
It was an odd cave, the one that had been set up for them. It was dark, but she had seen the sun start to rise through it's walls. The cave smelt similar to the clothes Akali wore, but different. This cave reeked of horse, leather and sweat.
Nidalee longed to sneak out and explore, these humans were different. They shone brilliantly when the sun hit them, and carried long diamonds or curves tree branches that threw sticks. And when they walked, it was like watching the fish swim upstream in the spring. Every fish sharing a single thought and purpose, all striving to the same goal in the same formation.
She wanted to sneak out and explore, but fear kept her in the cave. In here, she was safe, Akali had promised. Alone, the bear-man could hurt her, strike her and she was unable to fight back. How could she fight a diamond weapon who's fangs reached further than hers?
Akali, safe. Alone, hurt.
Letting out a deep sigh, the huntress settled down, placing her muzzle between her paws. Her tail soon began to tap the grass, again and again and still the human did not wake.
Silently, she crawled one step closer, ears fixated on the sleeping girl who had once again drifted off. When the human slept Nidalee could hear her thoughts, and explore her feelings and dreams. When she was awake, she was sealed off, like a rock slide blocking the ravine back home. It was nice, to watch the human's dreams.
One more step in her belly crawl and Nidalee extended her paw, hesitating before tapping the girl's shoulder once.
With ears fixed forward, she waited, tail tapping to see if it had, had any effect. When nothing happened, she tapped again, and again, adding a little more force.
Akali grumbled, her eyebrows coming together as she rolled onto her stomach, turning her head towards Nidalee while trying to ignore the pest.
With the next tap, her paw missed the shifting girl's shoulder, and Nidalee found her paw against Akali's mouth. That worked. Akali woke up spitting and shoving her paw away, glaring bullets at the overjoyed cougar.
The human was up. Akali, safe. Alone, hurt. With a playful growl, Nidalee sprang to her feet and motioned towards the tent flap, repeating the message over and over.
After the third, Akali caught the meaning of the message and blushed, reaching for her armor with a sigh. "Fine, but next time can you wake me up without sticking your foot in my mouth?"
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Chapter thirteen complete. Cassiopeia is on her own mission, Katarina is stuck in her first Summoner brawl and Nidalee and Akali are finally going to get to work completing the mission Akali's mother had given them.
Hope you enjoyed it, drop a review and let me know what you think, thanx, - Kiravu