(October 9th 2015 – 8:10 AM – Eastern Gardens, Institute of War, Runeterra)
After the noxian duo arrived at the Institute of war, the next clue led them to Demacia but unfortunately the trip from this building to the capital of the Demacian Empire was a couple of days away. However Ralzith started to prepare a teleporting spell that night but none of the girls wanted to leave the Institute until the next day.
Once the first sun rays hit the gigantic structure, the Traitor of the Institute went to the eastern gardens and started to prepare everything for the teleportation. By drawing some lines with chalk in the cobblestone path and placing a few items inside of a big circle, the Ionian Summoner had everything ready for the noxians.
A few minutes after the preparations were made, the two girls arrived at the gardens, they were wearing gray cloaks that would conceal the clothes that they were wearing as well as their heads. Most of the demacians would be able to recognize the Sinister Blade but not Claire; however the armor of the noxian's high command was quite notorious for the soldiers of the blue and golden empire.
¨I need to ask you again, are you sure you want to go alone? Maybe if we wait a few more hours then-¨
¨We don't know for how long that girl is going to stay at Demacia¨ Claire interrupted the Ionian Summoner as she pulled the cloak over her head ¨We can't afford to lose the only clue that could lead us to our sister. Now, is the portal ready?¨
¨Quite certainly¨ Ralzith nodded and guided the two girls to the center of the circle ¨This should be an easier spell than the one that I used to bring all of you to Runeterra¨ The Summoner grabbed a book that was close to the chalk lines.
¨Are you sure this is not going to make us land on top of a fountain or something?¨ Katarina chuckled but her Summoner frowned after hearing that. It was not funny what happened to her.
¨Relax, it won't¨ The Traitor of the Institute opened his book and started to read a page on the right ¨I know of an alleyway in Demacia where no one transits. Once there, Katarina will guide you to… wherever you have to go¨ He cleared his throat and looked at the two noxians ¨You ready?¨ They nodded and Ralzith started to chant some ancient words just to interrupt himself a few seconds later ¨Before you go¨ The Summoner turned and gave Claire a stone. It was small and had a few inscriptions in it, but none of the noxians seemed to understand it ¨It is an ancient spell from the Summoners. Basically it will help you get back here to the Institute immediately. All you need to do is break the stone against the ground and a small portal will appear¨
¨Is that it? Just…¨ The Summoner swinged her hand but the stone was still held tight ¨And it's open?¨ Ralzith nodded silently ¨Well then, send us to Demacia¨
¨Fine¨ Ralzith ended the conversation and once again started to recite some words from the book. This ones were in a strange language but the items around the duo seemed to react as a vibrating sound could be heard. The objects that were in each small circle started to float and they spin around Claire and Katarina.
The surroundings started to lose color; the two girls were trapped in a wall of light that soon made the noxians disappear from the Institute of War
(October 9th 2015 – 8:25 AM – Demacia, Runeterra)
The gardens of the Institute were replaced by a gray alleyway, the sound of the birds was no more and instead the duo was able to hear a lot of movement outside of the place they were in. Thankfully no one has noticed their presence yet.
Before they started to walk, Claire noticed something by her feet; it was a piece of paper that had something written in it. She was not able to read it so the Sinister Blade had to be the translator in this case.
¨What does it say?¨ The Summoner asked, looking at the Champion who was eyeing the small white paper.
¨Good Luck¨ Katarina grunted and threw the paper away ¨Ralzith thinks we are going to fail…¨
¨Yeah¨ Claire looked around but there was no one in the vicinity ¨I though he said that the teleportation spell would take us to one of the nearest towns¨
¨You're right, but this is not the time to over-think that. Let's move before any guards show up¨
The two girls left the alleyway and found themselves in the rival capital city. The difference with Noxus was enormous, since the ambience of dread was not present, and the guards were not hunting for Summoners who might be hiding. Some of the demacians were peeking at the cloaked duo, but none stopped them, which made their path quite peaceful.
¨So how many times have you been here at the capital? You seem to know where we are heading¨ Claire whispered, following the Champion at her side.
¨Quite a lot. Either doing some spying tasks, or… doing my regular visits to the nobility¨ The Sinister Blade grinned ¨I know every path in Demacia as if it was the family's manor¨
They kept walking, avoiding any guards that were in their path until they arrived to the nobility district. There were even less civilians here but the amount of soldiers increased so it was hard for the duo to go on the main road. Thankfully the place they wanted to go was right next to them. The gates to the noble house with the title `House Crownguard´ on top of it, were closed and in front of it, two guards observing at everyone who walked past them.
¨We'll have to take the alternate route now…¨ Katarina whispered and looked at her right, the gardens were not being observed so it allowed the Champion to Shunpo to the other side of the tall metallic fence that kept the intruders away ¨Alright Claire, your turn¨
¨You know I can't just teleport to the other side that easily, right?¨ Maybe I can-¨ The redhead extended her hand through the fence.
¨Go on, I have a plan¨ Katarina smiled and waited for the Summoner to proceed. Claire was clueless on what her friend's plan was, but if it was the only way to get inside, then she should follow it. The brunette held the assassin's hand tight as the latter pulled and they both disappeared.
The two made an appearance once again in the gardens, this time far away from the metallic fence and from the two guards blocking the entrance. The two girls were laying in the grass, looking at the sky, but Katarina had no time for games, neither Claire so the assassin helped the Summoner get back up ¨Completely forgot…¨ The earthling said as she lowered the cloak ¨…how you could do that with Shunpo¨
¨Yeah, yeah. Let's get moving¨ They looked up and saw that a window was open ¨There, that's how we are going to get in¨
Their entry point was on a third floor, and it was physically impossible for the assassin to use her blink to get up there. However the assassin had already a plan, she started to move back by the metal fence and prepared herself by kneeling. After making some calculations, the redhead began by running towards the wall, she jumped and managed to crawl a bit to get some more altitude. After Katarina ran out of speed, she grabbed her daggers and used them as supports so she wouldn't fall. She then proceeded her way up until she arrived to the window and climbed in.
¨Kat, I'm not going to do that¨ Claire whispered but the assassin didn't seem to respond from up there ¨I'm serious, Kat, I can't do that sh-¨ The Summoner was not able to finish since there was a a long piece of cloth falling from the window, from above the assassin was waving at her friend to climb up using that as a rope ¨She's supposed to be an assassin, not an alpinist¨ Claire said under her breath as she shook her head and started to climb the wall with the help of the cloth.
After a not so long way up, the Summoner reunited with the Champion in the room. This one was big and it was fit for a woman rather than a man, the queen sized bed decorated with many details, especially the flag of Demacia on the wall behind it. The desk to the side was filled with a lot of maps as well as flasks with blue liquid. This wasn't the room of the Might of Demacia; it belonged to his sister, Lux Crownguard.
¨This place is way to tidy… even for me¨ Claire looked around as she stepped even further into the mage's room.
¨That's how Lux is, she is very careful with details and doesn't want anything to be out of place¨ Katarina added while pulling the cloth out of the window, removing any kind of trace from the girls.
The Summoner kept looking at everything the room offered, near the desk there was a mannequin that had some clothes on. It had the blue latex suit that was like mandatory on most of female demacian Champions, and on top of it, a metallic breast plate and a white-golden skirt ¨So if this are her normal clothes… what must she wearing right now?¨ The brunette whispered but when she looked back at the window, Katarina wasn't there, instead she was by the room's door, waiting for the Summoner to follow her.
On the first floor of the Crownguard manor, the big brother was looking at some papers, some were maps while the others were orders that had the Lightshield banner engraved on them. The room was silent and the only thing that could be heard were Garen's breaths, not even the sound from the outside. But his peace ended when he felt something behind him, he grabbed his sword and turned.
¨I know you are there, show yourself!¨ But the intruders didn't answer, the Might of Demacia started to move forward, his sword prepared to strike onto the first thing that appeared in front of the juggernaut. A mysterious sound came from the spot in front of him and was heard once again behind him, but when Garen turned once again he saw the redhead assassin inspecting the papers that were on the table.
¨This is supposed to be my capital?¨ Katarina turned with the piece of paper in her hands and showing the Demacian general the poorly drawn map ¨If you asked me I could give you a more accurate version¨
¨Kat… what are you doing here? I thought we agreed not to see each other until the end of the month¨ The Might of Demacia grabbed the map and placed it back on the table as well as his sword which is now resting at the side of the wooden furniture.
¨True, but I am here for other reasons¨ Katarina smiled as she ran a finger around the Champion's chest plate ¨And we believe you can help us¨
¨We? Us?¨ Garen frowned but after hearing some footsteps, he looked behind him to find the brunette by the door frame. The Might of Demacia faced the assassin once again, this time he was not confused nor happy, it was anger ¨You brought someone else here?! Most specifically, a noxian?!¨
¨Do not over-react, she can be trusted¨ Katarina tried to calm the juggernaut but he didn't seem to relax.
¨Um… I don't mean to bother you, Garen, but we didn't came here to fight, or do anything against Demacia. We are in dire need of some questions¨ Claire started to speak, getting closer to the discussing couple.
¨Questions?¨ The gigantic man turned and this time faced the earthling ¨The fact that there are two noxians in the manor of one of the army's generals, is very dangerous for-¨ He stopped the moment his eyes saw Claire ¨Wait… I remember you¨
¨You probably do¨ Katarina stepped in between the demacian and the Summoner ¨You saw her months ago when we asked your city to support her cause against the Overlord¨
¨Yeah, I remember that, it's just… You look like the other girl¨
¨Other girl?¨ The two noxians said at the same time ¨Who are you talking about?¨ Claire was the one who spoke this time.
¨A girl¨ Garen shrugged ¨Around your size, with black hair and blue eyes, your faces look quite similar, which is odd¨
The Summoner looked at Katarina who nodded, they were following the right clues towards Liz ¨That's the person we are looking for¨ Claire turned back at the demacian ¨Where is she now?¨
¨I am afraid I don't know¨ After he spoke, there was silence. Even if that was the right path, it ended there.
¨You're telling me, that a person whose hair and eyes are not common in Demacia, did not generate any curiosity to you as to where she might go?!¨ Claire raised her tone but Katarina held her shoulders, trying to calm the Summoner.
¨I have more important business than following the tracks of a random girl. Everything I know is that she showed up a couple of days ago with that… explorer prick¨ Garen shook his head and frowned, disgusted when he remembered Ezreal.
¨Alright, so the girl was with Ezreal. What else? Why did they come here for?¨ Katarina was the one was asking questions this time, there were more chances that the Might of Demacia might spill more information to the redhead rather than the earthling.
¨She was mostly a companion, since that guy was leading her. Anyway, he was asking for Luxanna, but she is not here¨
¨Here as in… your house?¨ Katarina asked but Garen shook his head ¨Demacia?¨ Once again the Champion denied it ¨Where is she then?¨
¨She is in a classified mission in the name of Demacia. I can't tell you anymore since you are not allowed to know more about the empire's military secrets¨
Claire grabbed the general's arm and looked at him ¨Garen, this is something important. My sister is missing, and the only person who might have information on her whereabouts is now with Ezreal. I'm begging you, we need your help¨
¨I'm sorry Summoner, I do wish that you find your sister but I am afraid there isn't anything I can do from my position. And no, I will not send a patrol in order to find this girl¨ Garen returned to the table, trying to ignore the two noxians that were still in the room.
¨What if we can help your sister?¨ The Champion was still focused, even if his lover offered something he would probably find it hard to reject ¨Let's imagine Ezreal and this girl know where Lux is. You hate the explorer and want to keep him away from your family¨ Garen now slightly turned his head to the right, paying attention to Katarina ¨We can go to where your sister is, and warn her about Ezreal¨
¨If you do, would you bring Luxanna back here?¨
¨I'm pretty sure we can do it, the combination of a bound Champion and a Summoner can achieve almost everything, right?¨ Claire added, making the juggernaut sigh. He gave up and the girls won the argument.
The demacian turned and nodded slightly ¨My sister is Zaun, what she is doing there does not concern you at all, and most importantly…¨ This time Garen was looking at the assassin ¨…you are not to inform any of this to Swain. Understood?¨ The two noxians nodded ¨Very well, now that you have this information, please, leave Demacia before anyone else finds about-¨
The Champion got interrupted after a very loud noise, it was like a thunder but considering that the sky was almost clear, the idea of a sudden storm was discarded. From outside of the manor, there was a lot of people running, either away or to the source of the sound which came from a house away from the Crownguard one.
¨Stay here, I will investigate that noise¨ Garen said as he grabbed his sword and rushed towards the front of the manor, locking the door from the outside.
¨Come¨ Katarina waved at the Summoner as they went back to Lux's room.
From the window the noxians were able to see a lot of people getting close to the manor that was not too far from where the girls were. From there, they saw that Garen was running towards the garden, he kneeled in front of a body that was laying on the grass, the blue dress and cyan hair made it quite obvious who this person was, although Claire never saw her in real life, Katarina knew who it was.
¨Sona…¨
¨No, she… is she…¨ Claire was unable to speak, she experienced murder outside of the Rift and this time she knew it was permanent.
¨Someone shot her, I don't know if you can see but there is a small opening in her neck¨ Katarina pointed, but the Summoner tried to imagine it since her eyes weren't that trained ¨Whoever made that shot, it is a professional¨ The redhead grinned ¨It is ironic… and weird¨
¨Why because someone shot at Sona's neck even though she couldn't speak at all?¨ Claire turned her head at Katarina who nodded.
¨That's one, the other one is that there's no blood around her body¨ Katarina stopped talking and looked at something that was getting closer to the window.
Upon further investigation, the girls discovered that it was a butterfly; it had light blue wings, almost cyan colored, just like Sona's hair. The flying insect rested by the window's frame as it attracted the attention of the noxians.
¨Another piece of irony¨ Katarina muttered as she walked out of the window ¨A butterfly represents beauty, and what we saw, is not something beautiful¨
Claire remained silent for a few seconds, thinking of the poor Maven that lost her life due to a sharpshooter ¨This is sad, but at least we know where to go next¨
¨Zaun… the city of weird experiments and Noxus' ally¨ The assassin nodded ¨It should be easy¨
Before we start talking about the chapter and all that, there is something more important in the list:
AURELION SOL!
Seriously, that dragon is weird, and while it reminds me of Thanos, I'm already pretty hyped up on what's going to be his kit, and most importantly the lore.
Now yes, the chapter. Our noxian duo arrived at Demacia and had a discussion with Mr. spin and yell your empire's name! But they also found out that Sona died D: Who is this sharpshooter that put an end to this support's life? Maybe this person is not as good as-
...
Who am I kidding? We know who the person is, come on. But... Sona wasn't the first one, right? I mean, there are still two more if I remember, wonder who they might be... :)
KyuubiNoPuma: The ship Ez x Liz was before I found out about Lux being shipped with Ez, so no harsh feelings yeah? As for lemons.. ugh no need, I'm more a fluff person, since I can't imagine Liz doing that per say. It detracts from her innocence since she still is a 10 year old at heart. Plus, if Liz x anyone becomes a thing I think the fluff route is the way to go at least to build up a proper lemon(if one ever does happen).
Captions for the Liz and Jinx fist pump:
1)And at that moment the greatest friendship known to man was formed.
2)It was at that moment Nathan knew, he ducked up.
Liz is still young, but hey, this story has lots of fluff (at least most in the Matt part) but soon more fluff will come (and with fluff comes with lemons sometimes)
And yes, probably the best friendship between OC and character has been created! The real question is what's going to happen in their party?
Speaking of Nathan... wonder what he is doing at his home, and if he remembers Quinn or Sejuani. Probably the former but it's think of her without involving that warmonger, right?
Alright, Noxus duo is done and I'm going to bed. Next chapter will send us to Piltover and new stuff as well!
Also for those who don't know, yesterday (2nd of March) was the anniversary of Summoning Magic and the day I started writing fanfictions, so happy birthday to this great story! I also mentioned that the next chapter that I'm going to release (globally) will be for The Ionian Incident, after that on a secret project I'm working on. After that I'll keep working on Heroes & Legends.
This is it boys and girls, time's over and some need to rest, some others need to read and as far as I know if I don't sleep, tomorrow I will fail my driving test. As always:
See you in the next chapter ;)
