The large oak box was lifted high into the air. By looking at the object many would believe it to be heavy but the 4 men on either side of the box lifted it with no trouble. As it made it's way down the aisle the eyes looked on it heavily, tears bursting from many eyes. The box was adorned with Ivory carved into intricate patterns, the dark black color of the finish further augmented the bright white of the ivory. Although the box did not contain a body as it was justly made to it was still carried to a small hole dug 6 feet deep at the front of the crowd. A top the overhead door to the casket was a small golden name plate with the young man's name on it.
Although his presence at the League only lasted for a few short weeks he'd impacted nearly every champion with his valiant sacrifice. As they sat dressed in black they watched the box sink further and further into the hole in front of them. Fiora stood silently walking to the end of the aisle and placing a single white rose on the box as it was lowered. A lone tear streamed from her eye and down her cheek. She raised her hand slowly wiping it away and returned to her seat, her eyes glued to the casket as it became completely hidden beneath the wall of dirt.
As Sona plucked the strings of her etwahl the sound was cold and solemn. She was visibly focused on the casket that had been lowered into the ground, but as she played her mind could not escape from it's own nightmare. As she played she simply prayed that she would not have the responsibility of playing such a dirge for her own husband. She recalled the night before as broken down carriages made their way to the front steps of the Institute. It was late in the night but as the carriages came near there was a large commotion that woke her and as she stared out from her window she saw him. His face was covered with a black blanket, but as he was moved into the infirmary she saw the signature gauntlet that he wore on his arm. As she looked on in desperation she felt the cold reality creep into her mind, and as she looked down at the bracelet that hung from her wrist the glow did not return. Tears rolled softly down her cheeks as she thought about making her way to the infirmary. As she brought herself to her feet she walked slowly stumbling often.
No longer paying attention to the place that she was she treaded dumbly through the halls, completely encased in her own reality not wanting to accept what had just presented itself. As she walked the halls of the League blindly she cried harder and harder, and finally with a final step she collapsed. As she began to fall the shrouded figure stepped out from her hiding spot. She caught Sona's body softly as it came to the ground. As the female looked over her for any sign of harm she could not find any. Silently she brought the woman into her arms and struggled to lift her.
"Allow me, I do not doubt your strength, but she deserves to be treated with the utmost care." Shen's figure emerged from around the corner.
"What's happened?" Akali's voice was soft and reserved as she stared at the woman crying softly in her arms.
"The assassin has fallen, and it doesn't look promising." Shen's voice was indifferent as he spoke, but in his mind he felt the sadness grip him. He was not sad at the falling of the assassin, but as he looked at Sona he felt an odd sadness.
"Such a warm hearted and kind woman does not deserve to feel the pain that she now feels." Shen spoke the words wrapping Sona softly in his arms and lifting her effortlessly.
He walked back to Sona's room and laid her in her bed softly and covered her up. He closed the door silently as he exited and Akali stood in front of him.
"I want you to stay with her tonight. If she gets up again don't let her leave. The last thing she needs to be doing is wandering the halls this late without any form of protection. I'll go see what information I can gather."
As he left Akali laid gently on the couch and rested her head against the arm. As she lay she couldn't sleep as she heard the woman in the other room crying softly. After 15 minutes of listening Akali stood up and entered Sona's room. As she looked at the woman crying softly in her sleep stepped closer. Softly she wiped the tears away with her sleeve. Sona's warm blue eyes opened softly to see the assassin but she was not startled.
"Everything is going to be alright, just try and get some rest." Akali spoke the words solemnly.
Sona looked at the woman in front of her and without meaning to she leaned in closer wrapping her arms around her. She nestled her face against Akali's shoulder and cried softly. Not knowing how to react Akali sat motionless before bringing an arm around Sona's to hold her closely.
As quickly as Sona had woken up she was back to sleep and Akali once again covered her. As she sat in the silence she listened and heard Sona's gentle breathing, it was almost rhythmic and she had stopped crying. She resumed her position on the couch and as her head hit the cushioned arm her eyes shut and exhaustion overtook her.
As daylight broke through the windows of Sona's room she opened her eyes. She didn't remember the majority of the previous evening and as she rolled over softly she noticed something, or rather someone, who had not been there previously. Laying softly on the other side of the bed, curled up into a small ball lay Akali. Sona was not startled by her presence and as she climbed out of the bed she placed the blanket over Akali. She exited the room quietly not wanting to wake Akali and as she entered the foyer she saw yet another unexpected guest.
"I do not wish to intrude, but was simply looking for my acquaintance." Shen stood courteously in front of the door, "I left her here last night to keep an eye on you. Do you remember anything?"
"I remember being woken up in the middle of the night, and I know that's not where it ended, but past that I can't remember anything."
"You're fine, but I cannot withold information from you of all people. Where is Akali?"
"She's in the bed sleeping." Sona's thoughts rang through Shen's head as he thought.
"Then she will not mind us going on a short walk." Shen gestured to the door opening it for Sona.
As they exited her room Shen took the lead walking down the stairs to the main level of the Institute. He was on his way to the infirmary so that Sona could see Talon with her own eyes. After he had left the previous evening he had sought out the knowledge of the High Council and had been turned down. As he made his way back to his own living chamber though General Du Couteau caught him and told him everything that he knew, and it was now Shen's responsibility to tell Sona.
"I know that you're aware of where we are going, and you know the reason, but I'll lend you my insight. He's not dead, but he is weak. Weaker than he has ever been before. His pulse has returned, and his brain activity is off the charts, but he will not wake. They don't believe he will die, but they can't account for the unexplained brain activity. What is clear is that something is going on inside of his head, but he will live, as long as he will there is a way. You'll see your husband again, I can assure you of that."
With his final words Shen and Sona came to stand by a window that shone through to Talon's room. Shen stepped away silently leaving her beside the glass. As she looked through she felt her heart sink once more but as she stood and looked at the man in the bed she remembered Talon's promise.
"I'm happy. I promise that I will always be here for you, and for her. Nothing is ever going to take me away from you two."
She entered the room slowly and stepped closer to Talon's unconscious body. She leaned over gently and kissed his forehead. Pulling up a chair she sat down beside the bed. The hours passed by in silence as she maintained her steady watch over him.