Mitsuko's stallion was easy to find among all the other horses. Even Decius who had no knowledge about horses, could see he was a magnificent animal. His white coat was flawless and, after he saw Decius with a handful of oats, he nickered cheerfully, reminding him a bit of Mitsuko's friendly attitude. He had never spent time around horses being a mere footsoldier, but he already saw this one growing on him fast. The animal rubbed his head against him after taking the grains as a bribe, so he spent a few minutes simply stroking the soft ears. The horse seemed to enjoy it. Taking care of her beloved animal was the least he could do after what Mitsuko had done for him. She had single-handedly pulled his mother out of her melancholy, without breaking a sweat. Decius smiled. His plan had worked after all, contrary to his sister's complaints, and now they would leave for Basilich. His mother was finally doing her job, which meant he could leave her in her hometown without worrying, taking care of the raid in the Freljord like General Darius had assigned him to.
"Let's see where your things are…" He murmured, distantly remembering someone had said horses liked to be talked to. Starfire was his name, right? It sounded so girlish, so innocent…it fit perfectly. Starfire's ears turned to him, giving Decius the feeling of being listened to. It was…a very nice feeling. The same feeling Starfire's owner evoked. "I'm sure you'd like to stretch your legs, right?" He cooed. Not that he knew what the horse really thought, but they were bred to run and being caged was a feeling he could relate with.
Finding the stallion's saddlery was easy, it looked different from the Noxian style leather in the rest of the tack room. Starfire followed him out of the box willingly and didn't oppose to being saddled, but reciprocated the calming strokes on his nose with friendly nudges of his head. Decius really liked him. The affection felt honest, not like he was only fishing for the sugar cubes Decius had hidden in his pocket.
Then the stallion lifted his head suddenly, nostrils flaring, pulling at the harness. Before Decius could turn, something sharp slid over his throat. A long blade, he imagined, sharp enough to draw blood without putting pressure behind it. Decius instantly stilled his movements, going through his options. His sword was on his belt…
"No fast movements. Step around the horse." A hoarse voice whispered.
Professional enough not to waste breath on obvious commands. The stallion's ears were still steeply erect and he whinnied friendly, like in greeting. Traitorous animal. The blade left Decius not much room, so he followed the movements of the other man until he was positioned in the corner of the stable, facing away from the entrance. The stranger seemingly was a bit shorter than him, Decius guessed.
The hand on his shoulder grasped him tighter. "Stay here and I won't have to hurt you." The other man hissed, slowly dragging the blade away from his throat, but the hand on Decius shoulder remained, controlling, feeling for the tensing up of muscles.
Going through his options revealed he didn't have much leverage to fight back…the other man let go of him. Decius didn't hear a single step, no noise that would announce another human being, but as the stallion huffed softly he knew where the other man stood.
Decius turned in one swift motion, pulling his sword out of its sheath and charged. This was most definitely a robber, an experienced one, trying to get a saddled horse to flee. What Decius hadn't expected was the man, standing somewhere in the middle between the horse and Decius, turned to him in a way that told him he'd been waiting for him to make his move. His body was covered by a dark cloak, hood pulled deeply into his face, and a wicked-looking blade jutted from where his right arm would be, menacingly outstretched and ready for use. Starfire chewed a carrot Decius hadn't given him, looking at the men in his stable with curiosity. A small part of Decius' brain warned him that proceeding was no good idea, that he knew the figure was a trained assassin as not many people wielded such a signature weapon, but the bigger part of him steeled, ignoring the acknowledgement of a more experienced opponent. There was never room for retreat.
"The girl likes you." The dark figure hissed, but Decius already was in full charge. "I'd rather not."
Decius drew his sword back and cleaved it forward, a force that would have decapitated any enemy on the battlefield. But this was a much smaller battlefield than he was used to, his opponent different than the soldiers, robbers, and peasants he normally opposed. One moment the dark person was right in front of him, golden eyes glinting, an emotionless face sizing him up coolly before there…was nothing. His sword swooshed through the air, eliciting a nervous neighing from the white stallion who danced back, even though he wasn't in his line of the blow. Before Decius could orientate something collided with his right side, putting him off balance. Decius raised his sword to parry the attack. Unlike on the battlefield there was just the sting of a blade against his arm, but no person to catch the swing of his sword. While his body still twisted with the momentum of his parry, the stranger appeared on his other side and, while moving contrary to the turn of Decius' upper body, lightly guided the blade against his skin again, this time drawing a stinging circle of red around his throat. This was just a game, he could have easily killed him, Decius realized, before he felt a strong blow to the back of his head. The strike twice made his world go black and everything went silent.
Talon thought he might go mad. His woman missing was like a constant itch in the back his head, one he wasn't able to scratch. It was far worse than what he felt when one of his blades was lost. Beating up the Varn-boy to retrieve her horse had been too easy to distract him from this itch.
All he wanted to do was listen to his gut - which screamed at him to search for Lux, regardless of who she was, regardless of her less than clear intentions as a possible traitor to the family, to keep her by his side until he had eliminated each and every threat before releasing her again. He was the only one allowed to lay a hand on her, should the necessity arise. No one else.
But by now, he'd most likely have to search for her outside of Noxus Prime, probably on the road to Demacia. Or Piltover if she wanted to throw his trail. She had many possibilities, even though her travel speed should be limited until she found another mount. Which she would not steal as any trace of something amiss he'd find. Talon had already activated all his contacts and spies. He would hear of irregularities, even though he was sure she was too smart to leave a trail obvious enough for some peons to find. At least he hoped so because he still wasn't sure if he, should he get the chance to do so, would talk to her after all. Or, worst case scenario, she would be found first by someone else and then he would never see her again. She was good with words though, and could talk her way out of most situations. But he was good at tracking people. Still, the thought of never seeing her against was torturing him, but the possibility of being forced to kill her was even more excruciating. His workload made it impossible to leave for an extended period of time to search for her, so this would have to wait just a bit longer. It was conflicting for him not being able to check on her, to see for himself if everything was well. It made him feel... exposed and open for attack. A feeling entirely unfamiliar to the assassin, and he didn't like it one single bit.
The days flowed past slowly without the promise of her return and the itch continued to spread like fire.
Talon made an effort not to glare at Marcus. He knew he had no reason to do so, but the urge was nearly irresistible. The older assassin had never told him who Lux was because he had never dared to ask, and that was his own fault. Honestly, he didn't want to know or care so long as she was there. But now…
Marcus spared him a sideway glance, observing him silently before starting the conversation. "You know, Talon. Some things appear far worse if you merely overlook the obvious. Perhaps you should sleep on it and in the morning, things will be far clearer to you."
What an unsatisfying conversation starter. Talon had slept several times and nothing was clearer. If anything, things had gotten far murkier, the truth seeming further and further out of his grasp. "I doubt the solution still resides in Noxus." He was sure that by now, Marcus knew of the events of that fateful evening down to the last detail. Talon himself had told Cassiopeia everything, and nothing stayed hidden from the patriarch of House Du Couteau for very long.
Marcus was quiet for a moment, watching Talon's movements. "I saw her today. Swain attended a meeting and she followed in his wake like a good servant trailing her master."
Talon frowned, anger welling up inside of him. That was…unlikely. Scratch that, it was damn near impossible he hadn't discovered the mage when she was hiding. On the other hand, Marcus was never wrong. Which meant something had changed because there was no way she could be that stupid. The feeling of dread invaded his bones and his blood already boiled in anger. Neither would conquer the other but only feed his troubles, forced stalemate in any case.
Marcus studied his reactions, seemingly expecting him to say something about the development. Sadly, there wasn't much on Talon's mind right now. Not much, except for… "She asked things about Cassi's condition." He hissed between clenched teeth.
Marcus pursed his lips. "She is eager for knowledge. After all this time, do you really think she would backstab you that easily? Especially for such a small, trivial piece of information."
Talon sulked unhappily. The real problem was he didn't. He remembered how well they had worked together, how she had felt like someone to rely on. Her unabashed glee when finding the answer to a particularly hard riddle, the light in her eyes when she looked at him after he touched her. The way she reciprocated his affection, how dearly she held that stupid, small book he had given her. Those warm moments before tenderness ignited into passion…Talon shook his head. He should not…would not get past the fact that she had lied to him. Was there even a brother who had taught her how to read? Was there a family in conflict waiting for her in Demacia? How could she be loyal to her country when she had made herself a good life in Noxus? And then, there was him…there were too many contradictions he wasn't able to see past. He would have to clarify things between them, one way or another.
Marcus regarded him sternly, watching something Talon wasn't able to see. "You know how this works, Talon. If you don't control the pawns, you are one. And regardless of what you feel towards this particular pawn, she is not in control here. Unless, you let her be."
The younger assassin crossed his arms. He had gone over this so many times now, was it really worth examining again? Pawns were easily replaceable, but this one was irreplaceable. She was no pawn. She was even more than the queen he thought she was, changing positions with easy, making movements she shouldn't be able to pull in her position, she glided across the board and off it, she bent the rules and made own and for that, she was to him, priceless. Regardless of her status, her apparent resurfacing without him noticing was disturbing.
What was Marcus' fucking lesson? The temptation of simply asking was great. "You still don't see her as a threat?" Talon questioned. Who could blame him for hoping for a specific answer?
"Underestimating her would be stupid. She could be, if she chose so" Marcus corrected, "but this hardly looks like a situation resolvable with the sharp end of your blades."
Talon pursed his lips. He really tried to suppress his answer, but the words cut their way through his throat. "You told me it is okay to go for more than…" He wrinkled his nose and turned. It wasn't of importance anymore. So Marcus had seen Lux with Swain? He'd have to check that out for himself.
"Talon." Marcus called him back, and the addressed inclined his head. "I meant what I said back there."
Talon halted, his back turned to Marcus. The older assassin saw the tension despite the cloak his son was wearing. "She knows...so much…about me. Tell me I can simply let that knowledge slip, that I can ignore it until it evolves to a problem." Now, he half-turned his face and Marcus was able to see one of his eyes, cold like ice on the surface, but with something seething within.
Marcus laid the tips of his fingers against each other. "Your responsibility." He reminded. "You put yourself into a position not easily solvable. Just remember…you found something good in Noxus. Do you really want to throw that away without thinking twice?" He finally asked, something else flitting over his face before vanishing. "Sometimes there are no second chances, you should know as much."
Talon was silent for a moment, averting his gaze to the floor. Finally, the face that rose to meet Marcus' gaze, cloaked in shadows cast by his hood, was hardened with determination. "I never compromise." With that declaration, Talon strode out of the room to start his next mission. Seek and, if necessary, destroy.
She had changed not just her patterns, she had changed everything. Talon was hardly able to see Lux in the plain face of Mitsuko Eto, with the light gone from not only her eyes, but her…everything. It no longer complimented her features, she no longer evinced a reaction from the Zaunite street lamps. The second thing bothering him was her expression. She looked tense and confused. Not in the way anybody would notice if you didn't know the real person beneath, but the subtle way she held her chin just a tad higher while her eyelids fluttered nervously spoke volumes. Her right hand was the only thing convincing him it was Lux and not an impostor. Her finger twitched like it wanted to hold more than a pen, a nervous gesture she normally suppressed.
Something was wrong, terribly wrong. And, as he had told Marcus, he never compromised. Which meant he had to get at the bottom of whatever it was they had gotten themselves into, otherwise he would never have another peaceful minute in his life. All of his missions were thoroughly well-planned, and this would be no exception. He never made mistakes. He had wanted to delay their meeting to his next visit to Demacia, but by staying, she had made another choice. He'd have to live with that.
But the ravens were ever-watching, and breaking into the house of a General was nothing even Talon would do lightly or without preparing himself to the last detail. He wasted a few days following her, learning her routine only to notice she didn't even hazard to look as she used to. Maybe she hadn't noticed him in the shadows, but she did not even look around. With this lack of attention to her surroundings, it was only a matter of time before someone would try and claim her position at Swain's side for themselves. Maybe this was an impostor. He grit his teeth. Nobody would mimic Lux and live to tell the tale. This false light needed to be extinguished quickly.
#
The dancing flames of torches painted flickering shadows on the walls of Sion's monument. Grand General Boram Darkwill entered the great hall without hesitation and without an entourage. He was alone. Alone and eager.
No sounds were heard outside but, after closing the great, black doors to the world beyond, after stepping inside this sanctum, he heard the screams. High pitched ones as well as a darker, deeper one, more growl than scream. He didn't accelerate his steps but steadily continued to walk deeper into the building.
Another door opened and closed behind him before he reached his goal, the room formerly used to hold Sion's massive body.
Now it was painted red, smashed remains of what had once been humans thrown around without pattern or symmetry. Those only distracted Boram's gaze shortly, for a colossus instantly claimed all his attention. The inhuman screams previously heard were obviously originated from the mutilated creature before him. Men jumped around the raging beast in the middle of the room, who grasped after them with huge hands, ripping them apart without the use of weaponry as soon as they went within reach.
"We did it." A pleasant, calm voice rose from somewhere beneath and next to Boram. He averted his gaze down to the pale, tiny woman who looked at the slaughter right in front of her with a bored expression.
With another scream, what used to be Sion grabbed one arm and bashed the person attached to it through the remaining men trying to hold him back. The thrown man's screams ceased instantly as a new splash of red painted the walls.
"What is that?" Boram asked at the mindless, red glow in his former friend's eyes.
"Back off." The pale woman ordered, and her followers retreated - something that made the figure standing in the middle roar in anger.
LeBlanc smirked and winked. "Luckily he doesn't have his axe…yet." She patted the large weapon, leaning next to the door. The crying and dying of her followers didn't seem to phase her, she simply observed Sion's movements as well as the terror-stricken cries of her followers to get to safety.
Darkwill did not believe what he saw. "What did you do?" He asked in disbelief.
"Provided you with what you desired, nothing more." The woman purred and half-turned to him with a lazy smile, her golden eyes glinting in delight, while the monstrosity in the room turned to charge the group of men with an outraged scream.
"This is not what I desired." Boram said, looking at the mindless machine, wreaking havoc in the middle of the room that once was his grave.
"You sought to raise this corpse to do your bidding once again. In that, we have succeeded." Her playful smile never wavered.
"Look at him! This…thing has no place at the head of an army." He pointed at where Sion had gotten his hold onto another human being which he dragged by a leg and bashed against a wall until its screaming stopped.
"Not as a leader, no. But your friend was never so much a leader as a killer. And he has never been more perfectly suited to that role than he is now. He does not fear, he does not question - he does not die." LeBlanc seemed perfectly content with her result.
Boram was not. For a short moment, pure hate seeped out of the Grand General's eyes before he turned to the reanimated corpse again. "Leave." He ordered, and the woman at his side bowed her head before she whistled to her followers. The ones not cornered by the gigantic body of Sion were eager to comply, the rest…not so much.
The Grand General slammed the door shut after her, before the rest had a chance to escape the towering form of Sion. The heavy sound resonated with the screams of terror and Boram watched as Sion…or what was left of him…slaughtered the remaining humans, taking the appearance of the man he had missed for two generations. His jaw was replaced by the crown that had formerly rested on his chest, a testament to the king he slew. An unholy, red glow radiated through his core, gigantic clasps of metal held his torso together where it had been ripped apart. The killing blow that had taken him away from Boram.
After the last screeches ceased, the monstrosity panted heavily and looked around. It spotted him, a low growl rose from his chest.
Boram took ahold of the axe Sion had formerly used. "Hello, old friend." He greeted, shouldering the giant weapon which was almost too heavy, even for him. Sion had always been the stronger one of them, but Boram would manage one strike.
He didn't expect a reaction from the undead creature other than rage. From decaying vocal cords, the creature made a pained sound. "Boram…" A shudder ran through Sion's body and it made Boram's heart leap at a thought long dead and buried, that his friend would be by his side once more.
Sion didn't charge at him but stood still, eliciting sounds like a dying bull, chest heaving. Maybe, just maybe, there was a slight chance that his mind was still behind that bloody rage and decaying body.
Darkwill had been alive for generations now and he had spent the majority of them alone, with no one by his side. Sitting on his partners' tombstones had never provided solace, for it had reminded him of what he had lost. He had never been able to reanimate them like he did with himself, and the pale woman's offer had been too alluring, too promising…Many people had tried to deceive the Grand General in the past decades, but LeBlanc seemed to know of his heart's desire. And he had been foolish enough to accept, hoping despite reason that he'd somehow get back the people he loved most.
He knew he should not trust the roaring best in front of him, even though it clutched its head, wincing in a display of pain the real Sion would have never lowered himself into showing.
Darkwill knew. He was too old, too experienced for foolish things like…"Sion?" He dared to ask despite his knowledge, hope betraying his trembling voice.
The walking corpse looked up, confusion swirling in the red of his eyes as he stretched out his meaty, ashen hand before he took a step forward. Darkwill tried to remind himself that he was too old for hope, but there was this expression in Sion's inhumanely glowing eyes…
The thing opened its' mouth, at first only emitting a throaty roar. He snarled, shaking his head. Then he tried again. "Boram… " Another panting and the thing grasped its head. His head. Darkwill's heartbeat quickened. "Kitty?" Sion asked in the same, rasping voice, so unlike his former voice; a rich baritone.
Boram unfolded his arms. "She will awaken soon, Sion." He found himself saying as he took an involuntary step forward.
"What…happened." Sion looked at him, red eyes tinged with reason and confusion. With a few steps Boram had reached his former friend, grasping for his shoulder with the hand not holding the axe. Sion towered over him - Darkwill was no small man himself, but his friend had always dwarfed him. It provided an odd comfort.
A small voice of hope in his head told him that as soon Sion remembered, as soon as he'd see, everything would be okay again. They both needed Kitty back and everything would be as it was. Those two had never let Darkwill down, save for the moment they both died on the battlefield, leaving him alone to rule Noxus. But this was his chance to correct history. "I could not let you rest." Boram whispered. "Noxus needs us." The old Sion had seen through his lie. Boram needed him. He needed them both. He had spent enough time alone, and it was not getting easier.
His red eyes closed as Sion's bald head slumped forward. Boram grasped Sion's neck and laid his forehead against the cold, clammy undead one, closing his eyes as well. The moment of shared silence was different than it had been countless times before, a long time ago. It was hardly silent anymore. Now Sion sizzled and wheezed, he was cold, the skin under Boram's hand clammy like a corpse, but the warmth that spread through Boram was just the same. His grip around Sion's neck tightened. "We are in danger, there are so many people trying to kill me. I knew you'd rather be awake..."
"I'll… smash…. EVERYONE!" Sion pulled his head up, his grasp around Boram tightening as well, pulling the smaller man half behind him in a familiar motion. Sion was still about double his width, making the Grand General feeling small. Boram followed, even though there were no enemies Sion could protect him from. At least not right now. He looked up, into the blazing red depths scanning the room like spotlights, searching for the enemy Boram had mentioned.
"We will, Sion." He promised and stretched out the hand with Sion's great axe.
The monstrosity didn't flinch as it grasped for the weapon, pulling it to him. His movements were not as fluid they had been, maybe he needed more time to get rid of the rust. "KITTY!" Sion roared and looked to the door.
Boram nodded. "We will get her, Sion."
"NOW!" Sion blared and marched towards the door, while Boram grasped for his shoulder.
"Soon, my friend." Boram braced himself against Sion's considerable strength. For a moment, he thought Sion would run with his head through him first and the wall second, like he had done so so many times during their youth, like he had continued to do later.
Back then, Sion had laughed while charging. Now there was no laughter, no mocking arrogance. All that remained was this smoldering, reanimated corpse reeking of death and rage.
Still, it was all he had left, so Boram strengthened his hold until the corpse turned with a restrained roar, axe swinging. The Grand General braced himself against the strike, ready to duck under it if its intended target was himself. The axe smashed into the ground, making debris rain onto Boram's clothes, its wielder heavily panting.
"SOON." Sion repeated, breathing loudly, while holding Boram's gaze again, mindless rage fighting with reason.
"Soon." Boram promised, cupping Sion's metal jawline, tracing it until he got a hold of the too cold cheek. At least this piece of flesh and skin was left. How different it felt, compared to the old days. "Stay here, it won't be long. When we get her, we will be together again, and we will make Noxus rise above all. Like we always dreamt. Just a few more days, Sion." He promised and the thing nodded.
"WAIT. Here." He repeated and Boram stroke over the cold cheek one last time before he turned his back to what was left of one of the two most important people in the world. He didn't look back as he strode through the door, locking it behind him. One more; Kitty…and he could rebuild it all again and this time, there would be no room for error.
Hi again!
This took a while longer, for I am currently applying for a new job and its taking a lot of time and concentration. For that reason I don't know when I'll find the time and energy to finalize the next chapter.
A shoutout to my beta-readers, who are as awesome as always. Without Adonna2424 this chapter would look a lot different…and without Canwewrite I would not have even started writing the next chapter xD
The conversation between Darkwill and LeBlanc is almost completely taken out the (old? Still cannon? I don't even know anymore…) lore, but the surrounding is from me.
As always, I'd love to hear what you think of the story so far. Critique, kind words, everything is appreciated. See you!
Generalblood1: I'll look over it as soon as I have a little time, thank you for pointing it out.
LaughingManKobo: Thank you! It is always nice to know that people enjoy reading my work.
