Yone swings one of the stick swords in his hands towards my head. I duck and roll out of the way. I try to get to my feet as quickly as I can, but I feel the tap on my back. I groan and accept my defeat. I stand up and just take a breather.
"You need to keep your eyes on your opponent, Leilah." Yone lectures me.
"I know, I know! You know, first week was all about blocking! I'm not good with a weapon, you know that!" I protest.
"Run then." Yone invites me. I take a step away, checking to make sure he's going to let me. He doesn't move. I immediately start sprinting. It doesn't take long before I hear Yone catch up. I run around a pillar in time to hear a stick crack against it. "Don't stop!" He yells at me when I look around. I'm forced to duck and just keep running. "Be unpredictable." he calls out. I start to lean left before I shoot to the right right in front of him. I hear his sandals click against the ground and catch up to me with the small lead I had. As I run around the monastery, I search for someone to help me. I spot a poor student practicing nearby. I book it for him. Thankfully it's a sudden turn so Yone takes an extra second before he catches up. It's enough time for me to run around the student looks absolutely bewildered as I shoot by him. I look over my shoulder to see Yone just jump over the student. I curse and try to find a corner that I can reach. Thankfully there's a room with walls nearby. I yelp as I trip. Thanks to Yone training me how to get up from a fall, I just roll back up to a run. Yone's still hasn't left my tail.
I turn around and throw a bright light in his face. At the same time, I make myself invisible. The bright light forces him to turn away, and I duck. I dive out of his way and clasp my hands to my mouth. I'm careful not to use that darker magic for now. I remember one of Yone's instructions.
"You can't use an excessive amount of magic to get away. Starshadow rarely grows in size to keep you from being unable to move. You have to control how much magic you can give and use it to your advantage." Yone stops running. I can see him blinking quickly to clear my light blast away. He stays quiet and listens intently. I bite my lip, trying to judge if he can actually see anything yet. He does have his eyes open and he's looking around, bu that blast of light would have certainly blinded him for longer. Carefully, I access the dark magic and make the sound of footsteps running away. He does not chase them. I curse in my head. He knows that running noise would not be me if I just blinded him and am currently trying to remain undetected.
His eyes are focusing now, so I have to stay perfectly still, even if I'm not feeling great. I try another sound trick, this time a very subtle noise. His head instantly turns away. Even if my stomach is really not happy, I keep myself still. Yone seems to believe the rock was the real me as he walks away. Once he's out of sight, I stand up. I still have my illusion on me. Carefully, I tiptoe back to where I came from. When I'm sure I lost him, I drop the illusion and place my hands on my knees. I can feel the sweat on my brow and wipe it away. I take a deep breath and walk away, struggling to stay quiet in case Yone comes back. I make it back to the courtyard he was teaching me in and take a breather.
"Wow. I think that's the first time anyone's gotten away from Yone before!" I jump when Yasuo comes into the courtyard.
"Well, he has been the one training me." I smile.
"That does not mean you completed your task." I yelp and roll forward when Yone's voice appears. Turns out I dodged just in time as Yone was about to tap my head with a sword. I scramble to my feet and duck another swipe. Yasuo comes in with his own stick sword.
"Fight me, Brother!" Yasuo sounds so excited. I smirk.
"Well, Yasuo has progressed quite well the past few months. Why not spar with him? Beat him and you can go back to smacking me with your swords?" I challenge him. Yone looks amused.
"Very well, Let us spar Yasuo. I look forward to seeing your progress." Yone throws himself into the fight with Yasuo. I take a moment to breath and recover.
Well, I didn't think you could do it, Leilah. Only three months of training and you managed to lose Yone for a moment. Quite impressive. Starshadow coils next to me. I smile at the butterball next to me. As much as I hate to say it, we will need to leave soon. We've spent a long time here.
"Now?" I ask. I feel heavy at the thought of leaving the temple.
No, soon. Though I would say your 'till next time' now. I'm not sure when we'll leave, though I think practice can be toned down a bit. Relax. Within a week, we will be gone, I think. Starshadow sounds sad as well. It's too bad. Even if you are an Aspect, I would have accepted you and Yone. I glow so brightly I hear Yasuo and Yone stop fighting.
"Really, Starshadow? We have to leave soon and you're making comments like that?" I squeak. Starshadow just laughs.
Go enjoy the day with him. And Yasuo. Starshadow moves off. I shake my head and walk to the sparring boys.
"Gentlemen, a word?" I interrupt them. They stop fighting and turn to me. Starshadow slithers at my feet.
"Leilah and I will be leaving soon, I'm afraid." Starshadow just informs them bluntly. I tap him with my foot.
"You're leaving?" Yasuo sadly asks.
"Well, Starshadow's telling me we will. Soon anyway. And I'd rather spend some time with my favorite people here. Do you mind?" I ask them. Yone immediately puts his stick swords down.
"What would you like to do?" Yone asks me.
"I kinda just want to watch the sunset. And just relax." I shyly tell them. Yasuo perks up.
"I'll go grab some food to make it a picnic! Starshadow, you come help me!" Yasuo scoops up the large snake and carries him with two hands. "Meet you at the top of the temple! I heard that It's the best place to go to see everything!" He calls over his shoulder. Yone looks confused.
"Why would you even know information like that? You love to fight." Yone yells after him. Yasuo turns a corner and just smirks.
"I thought you would like to know!" He runs off with laughter. I turn to Yone. I'm confused when I see his face turn a little red. He clears his throat.
"Well, shall we make our way to the top of the temple?" Yone's voice is almost an entire octave higher. I raise an eyebrow.
"Sure, if you can explain why you are so uneasy with me." I tease. Yone sighs and offers his arm to me. I bite my lip and take it.
"Always so impatient." Yone chuckles..
"Thank you." I whisper. His other hand reaches over and places it on my hands. I start to glow. Yone laughs.
"It appears that we are uneasy about the same thing." Yone comments lightly. I glow a little bit brighter.
"W-w-well, I'm just grateful that you've kept me safe when I needed it and you trained me." I stutter. I dip my head, completely embarrassed.
"Perhaps. Starshadow wanted me to protect you when he couldn't." Yone reminds me. I sigh a little bit. "Though, I have to say, After you saved my brother, I would have protected you even without my promise." Yone confesses. I blush heavily.
"W-w-what do you mean?" I stammer. The hand that held mine reaches over and tilts my head up. I shiver, overwhelmed by the feelings Yone holds in his eyes. He leans in and plants his lips on my cheek. When he pulls away, he's blushing just as hard as I am. He's smiling softly though.
"I thought I'd take the moment and show you how I feel. I would not let your heart down if you would trust me with it." Yone whispers. I squirm a little bit before sighing.
"At least… I'm not alone." I mutter quickly. I reach my hand up to place on his cheek. I smile shyly and duck my head back into his shoulder. He places his hand on mine again. We take our time walking to the top of the temple. There's no more tension between the two of us.
Our trip feels so short when we finally reach the top. He guides me over to the railings and we both just stand and watch.
"It's beautiful." I whisper.
"Not as beautiful as you." Yone murmurs in my ear. I blush. "I'll miss you when you're gone."
"I'll miss you too." I turn towards him. Yone rests his forehead against mine. "But you know that I have to keep moving, don't you?" My voice breaks. Yone pulls me into a hug.
"Yes, but I don't mind. You are doing your duty. I will do mine." Yone's voice rumbles through my body.
"And what is your duty?" I feel a little scared answering, but I need to know.
"Becoming the best warrior to protect those that need it. Perhaps to even be by your side." Yone states. I pull away.
"If you know why I have to keep moving, you also know what I am. Immortal."
"Only until mortally wounded. I would gladly sacrifice my life to ensure your safety." Yone's face dips closer to mine. "Only if you would let me be that person for you." He's so close, but he won't close the rest of the way. He waits for me to make my choice.
I bite my lips before I move. I lift myself to his cheek and place my lips tenderly there. Yone pulls back, confused. I take a deep breath.
"I do feel something for you, but your place right now is by Yasuo's side, learning in the monastery. This is where you can learn how to protect others better. When you have learned all you can about the sword and you still want to be with me, I will give you my answer." I whisper, ashamed that after months of being around this man, of feeling affection for him, I can't bring myself to act on them. Yone pulls my face up and gives such a genuine smile I'm worried I might go blind.
"When you give your answer, I will show you how much you deserve my feelings, until my life ends." Yone vows. I shiver and just lean on him. I feel his head rest on mine as he embraces me. "I will show you how much I care, and I hope you will accept it. Just don't forget about me." I nod and hold him tighter. We just stand there, knowing that we have a lot of work ahead of us before we can truly try to be something more, but it would be worth it.
Pssst. Starshadow attempts to grab my attention. Leilah. Pssssst. I groan in my mind to let him know I heard him. Should Yasuo and I come back later? Are you two making out? Oh wait, no, you're not. Geez, this is a guy that's practically falling into your lap that I do like and you are just accepting him as a friend? Yeesh. Poor dude. He's been pining after you since you helped Yasuo into the monastery.
Really? I'm curious as to how long Yone has felt something for me.
Well, you peaked his interest when you appeared out of nowhere and claimed to climb Targon. Then you made Yasuo happy. You gave Yasuo hope that he would join his brother one day. When you fell ill saving Yasuo, which I'm still not pleased about, Yone didn't leave your side. You became a very important person to him. The entire time you were ill, he came to realize that he wanted to try to be a more important person in your life too. Seeing you so stubborn also worried him. That was when he realized that he cared for you more than a friend. And you're blowing it! Starshadow huffs.
I'm not. I'm going to wait until we are more mature. Who knows, maybe there's someone else out there. Maybe we grow into different people and no longer care for each other. Either way, His fate is to remain here while mine is to see everything.
And this is where I'm proud of you, kid.
I'm not a kid. I protest.
Fine, but I'm telling you that Yasuo's just about to come around the corner and see the two of you hugging. Starshadow warns me.
"They're almost here." I speak out loud to Yone. I feel his arms tighten around me before he lets go. His smile has never left.
"You've just proved that you are truly someone I would want to be beside. I will wait." He kisses my forehead before we both turn to see Yasuo covering his eyes. There's a rather large picnic basket in his hands and Starshadow's perched on his shoulder.
"Are you two done kissing yet?" Yasuo teases. Yone walks over and lightly smacks Yasuo's head.
"We never kissed." Yone protests. Yasuo uncovers his shocked face.
"That can't be real. After all this time, this is your chance!" Yasuo badgers.
"Perhaps, but I do not doubt that this is the only chance." Yone calms him down. I pull the basket from Yasuo's arms.
"Besides, I'd love to spend some time with the first Ionian I've ever met. Come on, Yasuo. You never know when we may be leaving." I try cheering him up.
"You don't get it, Yone's in lo-" Yone is quick to cover Yasuo's mouth.
"She knows, brother. But she wishes to wait and grow before committing to anything. Understand?" Yone informs him. Yasuo nods before sighing.
"I hope you guys are hungry. Otherwise Starshadow's going to be bigger than Yone width-wise." Yasuo changes the topic with some snark. Starshadow's tail smacks the back of his head.
"There's no need to comment on my weight. I am a celestial. I don't get fat." Starshadow clips. Yone and I just watch them fondly as they bicker and poke fun at each other. Yone pulls me to his side. I just let him. I relax into his embrace. The rest of the evening, we laugh and enjoy ourselves. Starshadow eats about half the feast, so he's practically a ball now. He's moaning about his poor body not being big enough to eat everything. Yone and Yasuo laugh at his misfortune as he rolls over to me.
Let me grow a little bit, Leilah. Please! He groans.
"No, I'm not in the mood for passing out right now!" I scold him.
I'd eat more!
"No."
Yes.
"N-" I bend over suddenly, feeling my stomach trying to turn itself inside out. Starshadow also flinches. Yone and Yasuo both tense and move to help us.
"What's happening?" Yasuo's demanding.
"I don't-" The nausea sets in fast. I very nearly threw up. I can feel Yone's hands on my back, trying to help. I barely get a clear view of what's happening, but there's a darkness oozing from both Starshadow and myself. "Stay back!" I yelp at Yone and push him away. The last thing I see before black is Yone reaching for us.
I groan when I come to. I'm in a new place, nowhere near the monastery. I'm not even sure I'm in Ionia. It's super noisy and so many people bustling around us. A few kids are around my body. I yelp when I feel one of them grab something they shouldn't. They all run away. I roll onto my hands and knees and struggle to stand up. I look around for Starshadow, but he's gone.
"Starshadow?" I call out. There's no response. "Starshadow! Where are y-" I flinch and duck for cover when a loud boom happens nearby. Two more follow before a man in an odd uniform bursts out the door. I can see a fire was started in the little place. Worried for anyone inside, I run in. I look around for anyone that might have been in there.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" I start to cough, inhaling fumes. I hear a whimper behind a door and run to that. Looking in, I see a little girl with vibrant red hair bleeding out badly. I race over and pick her up. She cries out from the pain, but she can't stay here. I cradle her tightly against my chest. "Hold on!" I cough out as I make my way back to the front.
Fire ate everything in the area. The door that I had run was cut off. The roof over our heads cracked and started to rain embers on our heads. I tuck the girl into my arms tighter to keep her from getting burned. I'm not so lucky. My skin burned as fire licked at me. I curled up into a ball to at least keep the girl safe. My magic reacted to the situation. I felt my muscles turn bone tired as magic was drawn from me. I peaked out of my eyes for a moment and saw dark ooze surrounding us, keeping the falling debris from killing us. I struggle to stay awake with all my might, but the massive use of magic makes me pass out. As my vision darkens, I see the shield crack a little bit.
Please let us survive this.
So close! Leilah, why would you deny the attraction you so clearly feel?
In all seriousness, Yone and Leilah, while clearly attracted to each other, just aren't mature enough. Leilah grew up on a farm and knows how to be practical. This is her first relationship, so she's extra careful. She also doesn't know what's going on with her magic, and she wants to know who she is before going into a relationship, if she does.
If you've made it this far in my story, nicely done! This story may never end, though at some point I may just stop writing in this story and transition to a new story if Ordinary becomes like 999 chapters long. XD More than likely I may do arcs and some side stories with Leilah and Yone in different scenarios outside of Runeterra. If you guys want to see her paired with anyone else, leave a review! It may end up in the story, it may become a oneshot. Who knows?