Hey guys! I can't tell you how many times I have started this chapter and never finished it until now! School has been driving me crazy with assignments, and I have internship and work so this is the only free time I have. :p I'll try to update more often: it's definitely on the agenda.

So, thanks for all your support! I hear this story is amazing, epic, and people love it. Thank you so so so soooo much! (: I'll keep on expanding, and don't worry – it won't end any time soon.

Chapter 14:

Garen was running through what seemed like thousands of trees. His heart was pounding through his chest at a million miles an hour, pumping blood through his veins that burned savagely throughout his body. Never before had Garen ran this fast in his life.

The more Garen ran through the forest, the more his lungs threatened to explode. His blue eyes stung as the air pushed back against him. His legs were beginning to give out now… No Garen! Keep going! Keep going! He willed himself to do just that, but his body didn't bend to his will. Instead, he found himself tripping over his boots and then his cape, until he was tumbling head-over-feet. He rolled four times before he landed roughly on his back.

No armor in the world could have protected him from that fall. With a groan, Garen's blue orbs fluttered to face the blue sky. It was littered with clouds that resembled marshmallows and cotton. And then… a roar. Those blue orbs widened as the purple monster filled his vision. The slime fell from its mouth and dropped onto Garen's metal armor. It sizzled as it burned a hole through the metal. It smoked as it raised the fumes into the air.

As a warrior who knew no fear, Garen grabbed the sword that lay beside him. His fingers gripped the handle as he quickly raised himself to his full height. The monster howled down at Garen, slime dripping from its mouth. With determination, Garen yelled, "DEMACIA!" at the top of his lungs and charged at the beast.

Garen sat-up quickly in his bed, blinking the rest of the dream from his eyes. He grunted as a cool breeze ran over his shirtless body, making his skin tingle. Beside him, Katarina stirred, but did not wake. Her eyes were closed, but her body leaned close to touch Garen's body, probably for comfort. He wrapped his fingers around hers gently, and a smile crept across her lips.

These nightmares were getting out of control. Every night, it was a different memory that Garen relived as if he could do nothing but experience the memory over and over again until it drove him near insanity. Sweat dribbled down Garen's cheek. It was time to get a healer… or get council… or anyone who could help.

"Garen…" Katarina whispered and clutched his hand. "Did you have another nightmare?"

He turned to look at her. "Kat… are you awake?"

"I am now," she whispered and clutched his hand. "Did you have another nightmare?"

"Go back to sleep," he told her and ran his hand over her red hair. She nuzzled herself into his side, forcing Garen to lay back with her head on his chest.

"Promise me you'll get them fixed…" she whispered before drifting back into her peaceful slumber.

"Dreams… dreams… these visions you're having. What are they of?" Karthus asked with his bony fingers laced in front of his face. Garen, who was wrapped in a black cloak, had his arms wrapped around his body, nothing visible but his face in the darkness.

"Death," he murmured, just loud enough for Karthus to hear him. "They're mostly of the people and monsters that I have killed."

Karthus closed his eyes momentarily, and then reopened them. "How long have these been occurring?"

"It could be weeks, but it feels like longer," answered Garen. To the look of dismay on Karthus' face, he added, "Is that bad?"

"Since I don't know when your nightmares began, it's hard for me to tell," Karthus replied with a look of sadness on his face.

"Can you tell me how to get rid of them?" Garen asked, his blue eyes staring deep into Karthus' skull.

With a sigh, Karthus replied, "I cannot. I'm not an expert in nightmares, Garen, but I do know someone who is."

Garen's eyes widened. "It can't be…"

Karthus shrugged. "It's the only way, old bean."

"Fine. Just make sure he doesn't kill me in the process," Garen muttered as he arose. Karthus rose alongside him and gave him a brief smile. "Thank you for your time, Karthus."

"Anytime, my boy!" he said and clapped him on the back. "Tell your sweetheart that I said hello, won't you? And I will return with the dark one tonight. Make sure you tell our old pal Jarvan before we enter in the city gates. He wasn't too pleased the last time we marched through here."

"That's because you terrorized everyone in your path," Garen chuckled at the fond memory. "You're lucky you're my friend, Karthus, otherwise Jarvan would have had you sent back to the underworld."

Karthus only chuckled with Garen. "Oh yes, those were the days. I'll keep the dark one at bay. I wish you the best of luck for the next few hours, dear boy."

"Thank you, Karthus," Garen thanked him. "I'll be waiting for your return."

Katarina stood in the shower, the hot water pouring down upon her body. Her red hair was damp and falling down her back in loose waves. Her mind was far from where her body stood. Everything from her citizenship to Garen ran through her mind. Oh, Garen. He was perfect. Everything about her once arch enemy made her shiver. He had done everything from sneaking into Noxus to carrying her back to Demacia, just to save her. He was a man, and a good one at that. And he was also… right behind her.

His hands wrapped around the front of her body, and she leaned back into him, leaning up to his chin and nipping the skin with her teeth. He leaned down, his hair becoming wet as the water rained down upon them and his hands traveling up her body. She smiled as she leaned back into Garen, his lips at her ear. They nipped at the lobe, and then down to her neck, and left a few marks behind where her hair would hide them.

Their breathing transpired and he pulled her close. Before long, Katarina was around his waist. The incident mirrored what had happened her first night in this bathroom, with her legs wrapped around him, and her eyes staring deep into his soul. But, they were armed with nothing less than their common sense and passion for one another. Garen lined himself up with her, the mist steaming onto their skin, wetting their bodies greatly.

And without warning, he thrusted. Katarina's cry rang out through the bathroom, echoing off the walls, and making Garen just thrust harder. He nipped at her neck and her lips, and back down through her hair, before stopping at the base of her collarbone, making her catch her breath. She grabbed the back of his hair as he bounced her up and down against the wall, groaning softly as he did so. Katarina cried out in pleasure, and Garen aided to her ecstasy.

They were sure by the time they were done that all of Demacia had heard them.

Karthus knocked on the door of Garen's room impatiently. He could hear shuffling around inside of the room, but he didn't pressure the situation. The dark one beside him floated as the two waited. Karthus was afraid that he may lose his cool, but just as the thought crossed his mind, the door opened, and there Garen stood with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair wet and hanging down into his eyes.

"Karthus – I didn't expect you so soon," he said and backed away from the door to let the two inside of his quarters.

The dark one snared as he followed Karthus inside. "Garen, you're lucky I owe you a debt, otherwise I wouldn't have come."

"I appreciate your time, Nocturne," Garen said and sat on his bed. Katarina peeked out from the bathroom door to see the two creatures in the room with Garen.

"Katarina darling!" Karthus cried as he made his way to her. When he realized that she was without clothing on her body, he quickly backed away. "My God, don't tell me…"

"Hello Karthus," she giggled and disappeared behind the wooden door.

"Put some clothes on, Katarina. Your father would be ashamed of you," said Karthus and turned his attention back to Nocturne and Garen.

"Can you help me?" Garen asked of Nocturne with pleading in his eyes.

Nocturne studied the Might of Demacia's face, finally realizing that even he was scared about what his mind was tricking him into believing. "I will try, O' Might of Demacia. Karthus tells me you don't know when these began. That will make it very difficult to know who started these so-called nightmares."

"They are nightmares," said Garen defiantly.

"They are not nightmares unless I put them into your head," Nocturne snapped and pushed himself into Garen's face. The two locked eyes, Garen's blue ones onto Nocturne's white ones. "And I haven't targeted you, Garen Crownguard. Watch your tongue or else I won't be so generous."

"Fine. Just help me get rid of them," Garen sighed.

"What could have let the nightmares into your mind?" Nocturne said and floated back to where he was standing before. Garen's mouth opened to reply, but before he could say a word, Nocturne added, "Nightmares are a curse. They are put into your mind by someone or something; they aren't a natural occurrence."

The room was silent as Garen thought about what all he had been in contact with. It wasn't until Katarina emerged from the bathroom that the idea suddenly seemed realistic. "The diary," was all that she whispered.

Nocturne turned to Garen's face, stricken with realization. "I'm going to have to see that diary."