Response to Reviews
HuangBaiLian: As you can see, their sibling bond is still intact.
Xenocanaan: I pm'd you the answer. I won't say it here cuz I dont wanna spoil everyone.
Rinto: Isn't it just? Lol Shirou Emiya is truly the wisest man I know.
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Chapter 14
/
Tanya grew up in one of the out of the way villages on the border, so small and out of the way that it wasn't even large enough to garner a proper name. It was simply 'The Village' to its inhabitants. They subsisted off of their own crops and only ever interacted with the rest of Demacia when the tax man came through, or even the occasional traveler. It was a coin toss really, which was more likely to stumble upon their little slice of civilization.
She had lived a rather peaceful life, some might even have called it idyllic. For fifteen years she had lived in that peaceful little village. In such a small village everyone knew everyone. And in that particular Village, Tanya would have been considered the Village sweetheart. Perhaps in other places she would have been average, but with such a small community and by extension competition, she might as well have been the prettiest woman in the world.
By the time she was twelve she had already had a marriage proposal agreed to. Her husband to be was the blacksmith's son, and he was a very well mannered young man a little plain in the looks department, but he was kind to a fault. They were to be wed on her sixteenth birthday.
She never had the chance to be a wife. The option was taken from her one mid summer day. One moment she was laying in a field of flowers talking with her friends, the next she was running down a dirt road with the village burning behind her.
With how small her village had been, they had hardly any soldiers stationed there. Six, perhaps seven if one was desperate enough to count Old Tom, but he had long since retired after decades of service and could hardly hold his fork steady any longer, let alone a sword.
So when a threat bigger than a disgruntled drunk appeared, the veneer of protection those soldiers provided shattered like fine pottery.
In all fairness those soldiers had tried, truly they had given their all.
But when those chittering screeching things came skittering from over the south wall. There was nothing to be done. Dozens upon dozens of them poured over the wall, and if they had been normal animals the soldiers might have even been strong enough to repel them. But these horrors didn't have petty things like fear, or survival instincts to hold them back. There ceaseless hunger pushed them onward, when their fellows were slain they pushed onward still, even when they had been impaled on several feet of sharpened steel they did not stop.
To the last man they had tried, and to the last man they had died.
Tanya the sole survivor was found miles from her village of origin, bare feet bloody and raw. The ones who found her were none other than Tianna Crowguard and her battalion, they had been in the process of reinforcing one of the border forts when they came across her.
Upon seeing the mass of gleaming demacian steel, Tanya had collapsed in front of the shocked party. Begging them to ride to her villages aid, barley having the energy for even that much. She rode with one of the soldiers leading them back to her village.
By the time they got there it was nothing but a burnt out husk. No creatures to fight, no people to save. Not even any bodies to recover, only a faintly glowing purplish residue acting as proof of the attack.
Upon seeing the residue, Tianna ordered everyone to leave after a quick search for survivors, leaving explicit instructions for no one to touch the glowing slime. She had ordered her soldiers to head to the nearest town and bring every ounce of salt they could find. Once they had returned they proceeded to rather liberally spread the salt on the ground in and around the village.
Tanya was in so much distress at her home being destroyed she was nearly catatonic. Perhaps taking pity on the broken girl, Tanya was offered a place in the Crowguard staff.
Tanya was fifteen when she first came into the Crownguard families service. By her count she had served them faithfully for a little over twenty three years now.
Her initial joining of the staff had been one born of tragedy and happenstance. It wasn't a glamorous job, in fact some might have even called it demeaning. Waiting hand and foot on others, cleaning up after them and the like. But for Tanya it was wonderful, after having everything she had ever known be ripped away from her, such a simple and straightforward lifestyle was something she was more than willing to embrace.
So when they got word that Lord Crownguard and his kids had arrived back in Silvermere, and that both children were injured she was rightfully worried. She had after all known the two kids since they were born, her along with the other servants helped look after them whenever their parents were busy, and considering their work load it was alarmingly often.
The whole staff was there to greet Pieter when he entered the estate. Quickly easing the soldiers carrying the two children of their burdens, whisking them off to their respective rooms.
Gently Tanya placed Luxanna in her bed, taking a moment to study her charge. If she hadn't known this was Luxanna she wouldn't have been able to tell, not with the head to toe bandages she wrapped in. There must have been some sort of salve or something coating the inside of the wraps as a cloying minty scent clung to her. She sat in the chair in the corner of the room waiting worriedly for someone to come by and give her directions. Until then, she would keep vigilant watch over the girl, unsure how dire her wounds were and wanting to be ready in case something changed.
/
I tried my best not to squirm as she rubbed the ointment into my back. It left a soothing numbness as it seeped into my skin.
"Thank you Tanya." I sighed as she finished. Deciding to just lay there instead of shrugging into the provided robe. I would rather just wait for my skin to completely dry so I didn't smear it all over the cloth.
"It's no problem at all Luxanna. Please call me if you need anything else. I will be right outside." Tanya bowed slightly as she left the room.
As the door clicked shut, I couldn't help but smile fondly at the wood. During the first few days she had been almost smothering in her desire to help. All but refusing to leave my sight for more than a few seconds at a time. In some ways she was almost more of a mother than my actual mother. While Mom had been worried about me she had only stopped by a few times a day for a few minutes at a time. I couldn't fault her for it as I knew how busy she was this month.
I groaned as I sat up, even with the ointment my skin still felt tight and mildly uncomfortable. I stiffly walked over to the mirror. Every inch of skin I could see had a distinct pinkish hue to it, almost shiny in some places. While that final uncontrolled burst of magic had saved my life, it had also managed to burn the entirety of my epidermis. Thankfully though damage was just skin deep. Even more thankfully the multitude of physicians who had been summoned to treat me said the burns were minimal enough that so long as I followed their guide to skin care and used the provided ointments as instructed, it should heal without any permanent scarring.
My gaze was drawn to the outlier on my skin, a jagged red line on my shoulder where Edith' knife had struck, a smaller but similar gash was on my forearm. An even smaller nick was visible on my stomach, a parting reminder of how close I had been to being disemboweled by Alex' axe.
Memories of that night played behind closed eyes as the sight of the scars brought them back to the forefront of my mind. I clenched my slightly shaking hand into a fist, the bite of my nails bringing me out of it. I stumbled away from the mirror and into a chair by the window, the sunlight doing more to calm me than anything else.
I sighed wearily as I took in the sight of the courtyard below me. A figure down there swinging a sword caught my attention. My eyes narrowed, and I quickly put on the robe and slippers, ignoring how my skin protested the sudden movements..
I had an idiot to go yell at.
/
"Garen!" I yelled as I stormed down the small set of stairs.
The sword in his hand slipped from his grasp mid swing, sending the practice blade flying into a nearby bush. He whirled around in surprise, causing him to fall to the ground.
Any desire to scold him more instantly fleeing at the sight of his pained expression. "Damnit Garen!" I hurriedly made my way to his downed form. "You took an arrow to the leg not even a week ago. You shouldn't be walking around, let alone practicing your swordsmanship!" I growled as I kneeled next him, checking the white wrap around his thigh for any spots of red. "Your lucky you didn't open it back up, you idiot."
Garen took my offered arm with only a bit of reluctance. "I need to keep in shape. I can't lose my edge. Only one more week until I enroll into th-"
"No." I glared at him. "You're not going with that leg, you will just make it worse."
He blinked at me, shock and confusion clear in his eyes. "What are you talking about? Of course i'm going!" His voice raised in incredulous anger towards the end.
"No you're not."
"Yes I am." He gritted out.
"No. You. Are. Not." I glared at him, daring him to say something stupid.
His mouth opened, and by the way his brow was drawn I had no doubt in my mind what he was about to say. Fortunately for him someone else spoke up.
"What are you two yelling about?" Dad spoke from the doorway. No doubt someone had gone to inform him when I had marched down the hall ignoring the many people who told me to not exert myself. Honestly. I wasn't even injured, at least not compared to Garen anyways.
Me and Garen seeing an opportunity spoke hurriedly at the same time. Both pausing at the confusing jumble of words, we tried again, this time louder as if that would somehow help matters.
Dad for his part just rolled his eyes to the sky and sighed. "One at a time please?"
We were silent for a moment, me and Garen just looking suspiciously at each other. I turned back to Dad and started talking, obviously I should have been the one to speak first. Apparently Garen had the same mindset as once more we were trying to talk over each other.
Dad finally having enough, clapped his hands and roared over us. "Enough!" We went silent at our fathers palpable annoyance. "Garen, you go first."
I opened my mouth in protest, but a glare from him had my mouth clicking shut on it own.
"Lux said I wouldn't be going to the Academy next week."
He turned to me. "Is that true Lux?"
Suddenly not feeling as sure of myself under his gaze I fidgeted a bit as I answered. "Yes Father."
"Why?"
My brow furrowed. "What do you mean why? Look at him, he's hurt."
Dad just nodded. "Yes, he is. But that doesn't mean he can't still attend the academy." He held his hand up to forestall any complaints. "There are other courses at the academy besides how to swing a sword Lux. He can still attend his classes like any other student. Obviously until he is healed he will be given less labor intensive exercise in his more combat oriented classes."
I bit my lip, trying and failing to find a way that Dad was wrong. "I guess." I spoke slowly, not liking the taste of being wrong.
His big hand rested on my head causing me to look up at him. "It's good that you want to look out for your brother, but he is going to be a soldier. He will need to stand on his own sooner or later."
I didn't like it, but I nodded nonetheless. I didn't have to like it, I only needed to accept it for there was nothing I could do to refute or change that statement.
/
On the last day before he was set to leave for the capital, I found myself standing outside his door in the middle of the night. Steeling myself I opened it slowly and tip toed towards his bed.
"Garen." I hissed at him.
He just grumbled in his sleep, turning away from me.
Not having the patience I grabbed his shoulder and shook it firmly. "Garen!" I hissed louder.
He stared at me in confusion. "Lux?"
"Yes, now get up." I tugged his blanket off of him.
"Wha-" I clamped a hand over his mouth.
"SHHH! Not so loud. Do you want to wake up everyone?" Once I was sure he understood my desire for quite I removed my hand.
"What do you want?" This time his voice was much softer.
"I want to show you something."
"Can't it wait till morning?"
"No."
Seeing I wasn't gonna budge he got out of bed with a sigh. I led him to the balcony, opening it and walking out onto it. He followed me with a shiver at the cold air.
"You're going to be gone for a long time. We might not even see each other for years even." I turned back to him, looking him in the eyes. "And I don't want your last memories of my….magic.." It was hard to say the last word out loud after all the time I spent trying to hide it. "...to be that." I didn't need to specify what I meant by that, the small of scorched flesh still seemed to clog my nose. Judging by his small flinch I knew I didn't need to elaborate.
"Magic isn't just destruction. It can be beautiful too." With those final words I gestured up at the sky.
Although I wasn't looking at him, I could hear his gasp of surprise.
The night sky which was already a breathtaking sight without all the pollution of my last life, was now awash with stars and colorful bands of nebulas never before seen.
Amplifying light was something I could do with minimal effort. It was almost as natural as breathing for me. It was something I had grown so used to. Something I had nearly taken for granted.
But judging by the wide eyes and slack jaw of my brother. It was more than enough.
/
The twig burst into flame as it passed through the brightly glowing yellow wall. I frowned in annoyance at the sight. Leaning over I picked up another piece of wood. Allowing the wall to dissipate before readying my arm for the throw. Just as the small bit of dry wood left my hand I focused on the light around me, condensing it as much as I could into a wall a few feet in front of me.
Once more the twig passed through it, instantly catching fire. Though I noted that this time the twig had lost some momentum as it passed through the barrier. It wasn't much of an improvement, but it was better than nothing.
Condensing light to the point that it formed a hard surface was pretty easy actually. The problem I was facing now was the speed in which I could do it. Normally it would take me at least five or six seconds to make one firm enough to bounce a rock off of. My current exercises goal was to increase the speed in which I could form the barrier, trial by fire and all that. Eventually, through sheer repetition eventually I would get it.
If I had mastered it beforehand I might have been able to simply block the arrow that had struck Garen. Though if I was honest with myself, I wasn't even sure if it would have blocked an arrow if I had an hour to make the shield. Considering I could only make a shield a few feet away from myself, at such a close range it would have been a very poor idea to try shooting an arrow at it. Trying to explain where I ran off to with Starfire was hard enough as it was, trying to explain why I had an arrow stuck in me would have been impossible.
After half an hour of doing the same thing over and over I eventually ran out of sticks to throw. Sitting against a boulder, I relaxed my body, taking in the the high rocky walls on either side of me. I had found the place nearly two months ago, it wasn't quite a cave as I could see the sky a few dozen feet above and was far too small to be a canyon or a valley, I had searched for a while in the library for the correct term but had found nothing. But most importantly it was off the beaten path, taking nearly an ten minutes of continuous walking before one saw the small crack in the mountainside that served as an entrance. It was the perfect place to practice my magic in private.
As much as I liked our family garden, that place had far too much flammable material for my taste. Especially since my magic involved quite a bit of heat. The rocky little alcove I had stumbled across was far more suited to my liking.
My magic reserves were now very low after all that practice. I didn't think I had enough in me for more than four, maybe six more shield attempts, and that was only if I was willing to feel like shit afterwards. Knowing from experience what would happen if I completely expended my reserves I opted to just stop the exercise altogether. But I wasn't expected back for another hour at most, so I resolved myself to get as much magic training done as possible.
Taking out a book I opened it and set it against the far wall before resuming my spot against the boulder. I squinted at the pages, it was barely a dozen feet away, but the small words might as well have been solid black lines for all the good it did me. Using my magic I tried to make a lense of sorts in front of me. Trying to bend the light in such a way that the indecipherable scribble would become bigger, easier to read. I knew it was possible, if a concave peice of glass could accomplish it, I would be damned if I couldn't do it with magic.
Everything in my sight distorted heavily, rippling like there was a heat wave in front of me. As I fine tuned the distortion, the book got clearer on the other otherside, the words were now actually distinguishable instead of the solid black lines it had been moments prior.
Just as I finished reading the first sentence, the world snapped back into its normal focus. Like a rubber band pulled too taught my magic snapped. I could feel it in my whole body, it throbbed like a migraine, intense vertigo rocked my frame, and I bit my tongue to steady myself. I sat against that rock waiting for the feeling to pass. After a few more minutes it finally abated.
I groggily straightened out of my slump, berating myself. After so much practice I knew the warning signs and yet I had pushed onward anyways. I was only mollified by the fact that I was making undeniable progress through the suffering.
When I had first attempted that particular trick, I had collapsed from the magical feedback before I even a single word was legible. Now after a few weeks, I could read a full sentence.
The ride back to High Silvermere was a quiet one. Starfire was as happy as ever to be running around once more, her leg finally fully healed. The Guards greeted me warmly as I passed through the gates. Dismounting I walked starfire across the length of the bridge that spanned the waterfall, watching to the right as the water cascaded out of sight. I was glad I wasn't scared of heights because then I would probably never have been able to leave the city. Thankfully I wasn't though, and was able to fully enjoy the scenic view.
Not for the first time I found myself wondering why in the world someone had decided to construct a city in the center of a waterfall. On the surface it seemed like it would be an impregnable bastion in the face of siege, with only two bridges serving as entrances, archers could pick off any army that approached. Even if the invaders decided to just lay a siege instead, the city had enough farms inside its walls to last almost indefinitely.
A screech from high above drew my attention to the surrounding mountains. Built into the cliff face high above was another reason a siege would never really work. The Silverwing Aviaries, for there were indeed multiple of the structures scattered around on the different cliffs surrounding the city. Each of these structures housed at least a dozen of the Silverwing Raptors and their riders. Raptors were massive creatures, big enough to pick up a man in each talon. They looked like what I imagined a dragon would. If a dragon had feathers instead of scales, and a beak instead of teeth.
With those winged beasts Demacians could take to the sky. And in a world where human flight was still a rarity, it was an advantage Demacians exploited ruthlessly. As either invaluable scouts, or as a way to harass enemy lines in the midst of a battle, even as simple messengers. They were so highly regarded by Demacia that the motif of a Raptor was used as the Crownguard Crest.
Sieges dont really work if the enemy can just fly over your blockade.
I handed the reins to a familiar stable boy as I got into the city. Normally I would have taken Starfire myself, but Mom had told me that morning she wanted to talk to me when I got back.
A quick shower and a change of clothes came first however. I knew how tetchy my mom could be about such things.
As I walked through the halls to my Moms study, I couldn't help the frown that marred my features. Even after a full year, I couldn't help but note how empty the place felt without Garen. He had been a near constant presence since I had been reborn into this world. I felt his absence keenly. I knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in." She answered promptly. "Ah Lux. Good timing I just finished." Putting a sheaf of papers aside she turned back to me, gesturing to the chair.
"So you wanted to talk about something?" I spoke as I settled into the chair. Luxuriating in the relief that flowed from my stiff lower body.
"Your nearly ten years of age Lux." She stared at me expectantly, as if that statement would somehow clear things up.
"...Yes?" I wasn't really sure what she expected me to do with the reminder.
"The age to enter Dawnhold is Ten. And the enrollment date is just after your birthday."
I blinked, the Academy of Dawnhold was the most prestigious place of learning in all of Demacia. Unfortunately despite its prestigious nature it was treated as more of a meeting spot for young people of import. It catered exclusively to the Sons and Daughters of the influential. Nobles, Merchants, even a few of those from outside of Demcia attended. Though most of the foreign ones were from merchant families rather than nobles.
"With the good word from your tutors, I'm sure they would be more than willing to have you attend."
"...yes…?" I had to resist the instinctive snort of amusement, I was sure they would have allowed me entrance even if I couldn't do basic addition, if only to add the Crownguard name to its growing list of alumni. Finally my mind caught up with what she was saying. "Wait. Why would I be attending Dawnhold? What's wrong with the private tutors?"
"The 'private' part is what's wrong." She looked at me sternly. "Lux. You don't have any friends."
I opened my mouth to respond to her ridiculous statement. "What are you talking about? Of course I have friends!"
She raised a blonde brow. "Really? Name one-" Just as I began to say a name she continued. "-within five years of your age."
My mouth opened and closed. My mind stalling, for some reason I couldn't think of any names that fit that criteria. Slowly I could feel a pit forming in my stomach. She couldnt be right could she? I had friends didn't I? Mind racing I went through what I was beginning to realize was a distressingly small list of people I felt close enough to call a friend. Almost all of them were either cousins, servants, or tutors I was fond of. None of them met the criteria that my mom had put forth.
My eyes lit up as I found one. "Sona!" I crowed proudly, only to wilt under my moms gaze.
"Sona? As in the Sona Buvelle? The girl you send letters to?" I nodded and she continued. "The girl you haven't seen in person for almost two years?" This time I couldn't meet her gaze as I nodded meekly. "You're going to Dawnhold Lux."
I sighed in defeat as I slumped into my chair. It wasn't my fault everyone near my age growing up had been so immature. It most certainly wasn't my fault that everyone near my mental age was just under three times my biological age.
It wasn't like I could explain that one to her. So I nodded dejectedly instead, accepting her ruling.
"If it makes you feel any better I heard Sona will be attending Dawnhold as well this semester."
At my confused look she elaborated. "Since she was adopted into the Buvelle household she didn't have the prior tutelage to attend when she was ten. So she will be in the same year as you."
I brightened a bit at that. At least I wouldn't be totally alone there.
/
It took over a week of constant riding to reach the Academy. Well in my case it was actually constant sitting. Apparently it was considered uncouth for a young lady such as myself to ride horseback. As such I was crammed into a carriage and forced to watch the countryside go by. Needless to say, I wasn't in the best of moods for the duration of that trip.
Why anyone would care about such things was dumbfounding. I was a Crownguard damnit! My Aunt was the leader of the Dauntless Vanguard! Yet apparently me riding a horse was considered to be in bad taste? The hypocrisy of Noble society never ceased to amaze me.
The best part about the whole thing was that I was allowed to ride my horse once I was there. Just not on approach, it had something to do with first appearances being everything or some such nonsense. I understood it in principle sure, but that didnt mean it wasnt fucking stupid.
A knock from the front of the carriage drew my attention, leaning over I slid the small door to the side allowing me to talk to the driver. "Lady Crownguard." He greeted, "We're an hour away from the Academy."
"Thank you Bernard." I closed the hatch. I shrugged out of my clothes, and shimmied into the uniform all academy students were expected to wear. A black knee length skirt with silver trimming along the edge, and a white button up with red accents. There was a black jacket with large silver buttons, but it wasn't mandatory in the summer. Well made black leather shoes, white socks, and a pair of white gloves completed the ensemble.
While I wasn't the biggest proponent of skirts, so long as they didn't expect me to walk in heels I was more than willing to keep my mouth shut on the matter.
Before too long the boring countryside was replaced with roadside inns, and taverns. Soon the few scatterings of buildings were replaced with true civilization. A few more minutes and we were truly in the town of Dawnhold. Whether the town burgeoning on becoming a full blown city was named after the Academy at its heart, or if the Academy was named after the town was unknown to me.
All I knew for certain was that I was fascinated by all the different styles of architecture I could see out the window. If Demacia had a melting pot it would be this place. It was a port town, and as such it flourished from all the trade that flowed through its docks. This influx of goods also brought with it an influx of people.
Everywhere from the hot deserts of Shurima, to the icy tundras of Freljord. This could be clearly seen in the differing architecture, as people came into the city over the years, they brought with them their own artistic tastes. This ended up with the city being a mish mash of different building styles. It was all so different from the boring white and blue stonework of Silvermere that I couldn't stop my eyes from darting from building to building. Some of the buildings even combined a mix of the different styles, creating a unique style all its own.
Eventually we stopped in front of the Academies Gates. Saying my goodbyes to Bernard and the retinue of Guards assigned with escorting me from Silvermere. Knowing someone would come to take my stuff to my room, I made my way up the steps. The Guards along the way made no move to stop me thanks to my attire.
Finally reaching the top I leaned on the railing to catch my breath, allowing myself to take in the view. From this high up a good portion of the port town was visible. Off to the right was an endless expanse of blue. I felt an odd niggling in my chest at the sight. It had been over ten years since I had last seen the ocean. As a former California resident I had reasonably high standards when it came to beaches. I dearly hoped that Dawnhold would meet them.
/
I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed as I walked around the campus. While the the town below had been a breath of fresh air, the Academy was proving to be the same stale white and blue. Despite the color palate and architecture choices, I had to admit that I was impressed. This place probably could have passed for a college in my old life. Granted it was way too small by my world's standards, but for this world? It was more than adequate. It managed to not only house hundreds of students in dorms, but also had the facilities to educate them all. Considering the student body was made entirely of elite of this world, this was especially impressive since everything met there generally spoiled standards. From food to dorm size, everything was accounted for.
The paper I had been given on arrival said I needed to go to the headmasters office. Since I doubted he had the time to chat with every new student to grace these halls and since I had not been on campus long enough to have gotten in any trouble, I assumed it had more to do with my last name than anything else. After asking a few passing students I managed to get directions to his office.
As I walked through the halls, I heard a commotion coming from the hall to my left. The Headmasters Office was further down the hall I was currently in. There was no need for me to go down that hall with the raised voices. I was contemplating ignoring it and continuing on my way when I felt it.
Magic. It wasn't a cold wind like Selmas had been, no, this one was more like...sound. It was something that I could feel and hear. But not with my ears. It reminded me almost of the sensation one gets when they stand next to loud speakers. The 'sound' if one could call it that, seemed to resonate inside me while thrumming outside me simultaneously.
I could feel magic coming from down that hallway. Not willing to pass up the opportunity I followed it to its source. The commotion and the source of the magic seemed to be one and the same.
A group of kids were huddled in a corner at the end of the hall. Seemingly standing around the source of the magical sound. As I got closer I could hear there words more clearly.
"-just because she took pity on you, you belong here? That you're one of us?"
Whoever they were talking to didn't respond, or did so quietly enough that I couldn't make it out.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll drop out by the end of the wee-"
Hearing enough, and finally being close enough I spoke up. "Hey!"
The group of people all whirled around, eyes wide. They had been so focused on whoever it was they were bullying that they hadn't even heard my approach. Their tense frames relaxed as they took in my uniform. Or more specifically the red accent on my shirt which marked me as a first year. Their own accents were bright orange signifying a higher rank, though I wasn't sure which.
The center girl smiled at me. "Your new here so I will cut you some slack since you obviously don't know how things work around here. So why don't you go back to wherever it is you came from huh?"
I shook my head slowly. "I can't do that, sorry. My family would be disappointed in me if I simply walked away."
Her smile became more strained, edging towards a sneer. "Oh? And who's your family?"
"My fam-"
"Oh wait! I don't care!" She interrupted me, this time not even bothering to make an effort of hiding her contempt. "I mean honestly? Why would I Bianca Delacour care about your pissant little family?" Her friends laughed at that. Distantly I recognized her last name, it was the name of a very successful merchant house.
I just stared at her in silence. After years of being treated in a deferential manner thanks to my last name, it was quite jarring to be treated like this. To be openly laughed at and derided was almost a foreign concept to me by this point. It drove home just how spoiled I had become in this new life.
My silence must have been taken for something else however as she continued to jeer. "Aww are you gonna cry little girl? Now that you know who you are talking too?" As she bent over to get closer to my eye level she allowed me to see who was behind her.
The source of the magic had shoulder length blue hair and wide blue eyes. Though the person had changed in the last two years, her unique hair color made her easily recognizable to me.
The person they had been bullying was Sona.
'Oh.'
I turned back to the still talking girl. Slowly I began pulling off one of the gloves. The girl obliviously still going on her tirade.
She was still flapping her lips when the glove flew through the air and smacked her in the face. Finally it seemed that was enough to finally shut her up.
"For the dishonor you have shown both my family and the Buvelles, I challenge you to a Honor Duel Bianca Delacour."
Her face went through varying shades of purple before she reigned in her emotions enough to speak. "An Honor Duel? Who do you think you are little girl?" Her voice shook with rage and incredulousness.
"Luxanna Crownguard." I took a moment to allow that to sink in, taking a bit more joy from their slowly whitening faces than was probably healthy. "Now let's go to the arena. C'mon Sona."
She brushed past the shocked kids and to my side. She was shocked at my unexpected arrival and actions but she still shot me a small smile.
As we made our way down the hall, leaving the still paling kids behind. I glanced down the hall I knew lead to the Headmaster's Office. I hoped he wouldn't mind the delay.
I had a little girl to beat up first.
I sighed internally, I really never thought I would ever think those word before.
A quick glance at the bluenette at my side just reaffirmed my resolve.
As my mom had so annoyingly pointed out. I didn't have that many friends in this life. I would be damned before I let the few I did have be treated like that.
Those brats had made it personal.
/
AN: Hello! I hope y'all liked the chapter! If you have any comments, ideas, complaints, etc etc. Feel free to PM or Review. I love talking with y'all
Dawnhold is an actual place in Demacia, however the Academy is something I made up. I'm sure they do have an academy for nobles/rich people. But I couldn't find the name of such an institute.
Silverwing Raptors are also quite real. Unfortunately those creatures and their riders had completely slipped my mind. Lol, well better late than never. Everything I had said about them is canon including them being the Crownguard Crest. The animals do indeed live in the mountains near High Silvermere. The actual location of their headquarters is at the top of High Silvermere. However in the concept art there are structures on the surrounding cliffs, so I have turned those into the homes for those creatures. It makes more sense than having giant flying carnivores live inside the city itself.
In case you didn't understand that scene with the burning sticks. She was trying to perfect making force fields on command. A concentration of light dense enough to be solid, even with magic should be pretty damn hot. And until she masters it, any barrier she makes will be scorching hot. Until she can figure out how to lower the temperature while keeping it solid at least.
So what do you guys think of the POV shifts i've been trying for the past two chapters? No one complained about the last chapter so im assuming its fine?
Anyone able to figure out what it was that destroyed Tanyas Village from the clues I left behind? First person to guess correctly will get a gold star! lol not really but its the thought that counts right?