Leilah. Leeeeiiilaaaaah. LEILAH! Starshadow screams in my head. I bolt upright before my entire body protests at my sudden movement.
"Star...shadow… no… yelling." I plead as I wrap my arms around my midsection gingerly and fall back onto my bed. Everything just hurts. I feel like someone just punched me in the gut over and over again. Like back when I first got magic.
Oh, you're awake. Good. Starshadow slithers into view. You've been out for two days. Two. I've been speaking Ixtali for two days. I tried to speak Demacian, but nooooo, Qiyana wants to learn from you. Apparently, I'm not special enough. Starshadow huffs. I glare at him.
"What's wrong with speaking Ixtali… wait, I've been asleep for two days?" I whisper as my lungs almost hurt to breath.
Welcome to magical exhaustion. I'm pretty sure you're familiar with it.
"Well, yeah, but it's been a while. I usually just feel tired now."
You used a lot of magic to heal Qiyana's broken rib. It's not surprising. Starshadow deadpans. Now pet me.
"What?"
No one here gives my scales the attention they need.
"No. I can't even move, what makes you think that I want to give you pets?" I feel exasperated at his behaviour, but at least he's not super concerned about me. That means that I'll make a full recovery.
Oh, it's not about what you want this time. You passed out and no one could rouse you, not even me. I don't care if I knew you were dying, I had to handle so many concerned people on top of the Empress demanding to know why you were out of your room. I deserve a bath and a massage.
"...You are being very bossy again." I mutter, but do my best to sit up. Starshadow helps me get into a better position before he slithers under my fingers. I gently scratch his scales.
Oh, that hits the spot. Yeah, yeah, right there. Starshadow presses himself firmly against my nails. I breath out a soft chuckle when my door creaks open. I look up to see little Qiyana's face peer in. She breaks into a smile and runs to the bed. She looks like she's going to jump on me when Starshadow drains whatever magic I still have to block her. They exchange a few words. Qiyana looks a little worried before she nods.
"Hello." I try to say in Ixtali. She smiles and nods.
"Hello." She speaks in Demacian. I give a nod of approval while scratching Starshadow''s back. She starts to speak with Starshadow.
She wants you to know that she's thankful for all the healing you did, that you were better than most healers. Other healers here would have taken days before she would have been able to walk.
"I would have helped no matter what." I weakly reach out and pat her curls. Starshadow translates what I say. She gently reaches around my shoulders to give me a hug. I return it wholeheartedly. When she ends our hug, she pulls out a book. I blink as she opens what looks like to be a picture book. She points at a picture and says something in Ixtali. I look down and see she's pointing at an animal.
"Dragon." She says clearly. I blink and look at Starshadow. He speaks to her. She says something back.
She's speaking Ixtali…
Apparently Dragons are dragons in any place.
Well, it makes sense that 'dragon' is the same, if Ixtal helped spread around the southern continents.
"Dragon." I point at it and state clearly. She blinks before frowning.
"Same?" She stutters.
"Same." I smile and nod. She claps her hand before flipping the page. A cross between a rat and a shark appears in the picture. I kinda just blink. She says it's name.
Wharf rat.
"That thing is a rat?" I yelp before grabbing my midsection. Ow.
"Rat?" She sounds very curious. I wave my hand, even if Starshadow does not like it. I can feel it over our bond how he disapproves. A small, normal brown rat appears. It sniffs it's little nose and scurries to her hands. "Rat." I change the image to be the Wharf rat she showed me. She shakes her head and widens her arms. I make the image grow slowly. When it's the size of a dog she claps. My jaw drops. They get that big? She giggles maniacally at my face.
"Qiyana…" The Empress steps into the room. Qiyana scurries off the bed and flees to her, hugging her leg tightly. The Empress presses a palm against her head fondly before turning to me with a raised eyebrow. "What was that?"
"She and I have an agreement. I teach her Demacian words, she teaches me Ixtali. Apparently Dragon is the same in both languages." I try to stand in respect when Starshadow curls around my midsection and squeezes. I feel a sharp twinge of soreness hit me and gingerly return to my resting spot.
"Ah. I had wondered why she was so eager to learn Demacian." The Empress sits down on the bed and pats my leg. I struggle to not react to the mild soreness it causes. "I have to say, I was not expecting a girl who can teleport and cast illusions to be a healer. And quite an advanced one at that."
"I'm sorry?" I ask.
"None of our healers could repair a broken rib and an internal injury as quickly as you did." She points out.
"Starshadow told me."
"I don't think you understand exactly what you did. I had a healer look over my daughter. Other healers would have left a scar or a mark. You did neither." Her hand reaches to my chin and holds it up. I feel distinctly uncomfortable as she gazes into my right eye. Starshadow interferes with a push of his tail.
"Your highness, while I am grateful for your hospitality and forgiveness at Leilah's sneaking out of her room, kindly treat her like the mortal she grew up to be, not a new experiment." Starshadow speaks up. She raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, 'the mortal she grew up to be'?" The Empress asks, but pulls her hand away.
"She has climbed Mount Targon. You know that I am her bonded celestial, as I proved the day she healed your daughter and properly passed out. You know she's telling the truth." Starshadow carefully slithers onto my lap, a physical barrier between his perceived threat. I relax a little bit, prepared for Starshadow to take my magic if necessary.
"Oh, I do not doubt she did. Her hair and left eye are too like the stars and the Aspects to not have climbed the Mountain. No, I'm more curious about her right eye. And you." She leans in to peer closely at Starshadow. Starshadow stares at her evenly.
"What about our features? I'll have you know that I enjoy the black and red color scheme. Fits my personality much better than gold and silver. Everyone's gold and silver up there." Starshadow easily brushes off her attention.
"A celestial, they typically are golden, blue, or silver of stars. Interestingly enough, you are completely black with red highlights." She presses against his head.
"So? I'll have you know I am still a celestial, a son of Aurelion Sol. Just because I am black and red doesn't change that." Starshadow easily waves her off.
"But those colors are of another group of beings. These ones were former Ascended, beings blessed by the sun. What's interesting is that they became something different after their little war ended. Some of them changed, turning dark, black, with their blood pulsing through their skin. They became the Darkin." The Empress looks at me like I should react to her. I just look at her blankly.
"She doesn't know about the Darkin, your highness. She's still young, learning about what her place in the world is." Starshadow's tail twitches.
"I would think she needs to learn what she is before anything." The Empress tisks him before turning to me. "A Darkin, once an Ascended, became corrupted by their enemies. We were originally friends with Shurima when the war ended. Then, a golden soldier with black fingertips appeared at our border. He claimed that he was a messenger, stating that there would be hell. That we have to pull away, to get safe. He showed us his hands. The black was spreading down his arms. He told us that powerful warriors were turning on their country, but he would find a way to save them all. We believed him. The last we heard of them, the golden soldier had disappeared along with his kin. That's what was so interesting to me. 'Kin'."
"Don't you tell her." Starshadow hisses, almost lunging at her.
"Starshadow, what are you hiding?" I ask him, feeling a little anxious.
"Daamien didn't want you to figure out what he is. He wanted you to think of him as your friend. He struggles with isolation. You-"
"Are merely a host for a monster. A darkin." The Empress sneers. I feel a rush of cold run down my spine. I can't bring myself to move.
"...No." I whimper. My core whines as I curl into a ball. I think about Daamien. He was always so unsettled. He certainly looked like a monster when he tried to corrupt me in Ionia. Sure, he'd have his moments. He'd hurt me… he'd scare me… but his magic… it's healing magic… I can't hurt anyone because of him… He was kind when he was himself. Even when he was lost, he still helped and cared for me... "You're lying." I whisper. Starshadow's tail stops twitching.
"I'm sorry?" The Empress sounds rather mad. Starshadow jumps as well. I look at her in the eyes.
"You're lying. Daamien is not a monster." I state a little louder. Her eyebrow raises up.
"And how is that?"
"The golden warrior with black fingertips, He could never harm. If he was a monster, Starshadow and I wouldn't be talking with you today. He's the magic that lets me heal. He kept me alive when I couldn't stay safe." I feel my body relax, the soreness melting away. I slowly stand and stare at the Empress evenly. "He sent the message to protect yourselves. He sacrificed himself to save the world from his kin."
"That does not change that he is a Darkin, one that the world wants to make disappear." She stands up, towering over me. I glare right back.
"He's a part of me. I'm sure you can't see it, but he's not a bad person. He's my friend. If he has to disappear, I'm going to as well." I claim. Starshadow makes an odd noise as he twitches. His head cracks into ridges with bright ews pulsing at the base of each ridge. When he stops contorting, He looks at me with so much hope, I know it's not Starshadow. I carefully scoop him up and cradle him.
"Do you mean it?" Daamien asks. I nod and hug him tightly. "Thank you."
"Just let me know if you need help."
"Aurora's very helpful in keeping my mind, but I'll keep it in mind."
"Zoe might have brought me to your resting place for whatever reason she wanted, but you are still important to me. I don't regret having you come into my life." The Empress puts her palm out towards us. Daamien turns Starshadow's head with an unimpressed look.
"Daamien of the Darkin, you are under arrest for crimes against Runeterra." She intones.
"What crimes are they?"
"For destroying Shurima, for plans against the world, for-"
"Allow me to stop you there, Empress. You spoke of a golden warrior, did you ever get their name?" Daamien interrupts her. She looks a little miffed, but shakes her head. "Allow me to explain that day. My mentor and other great warriors of the Ascended became consumed by the very thing they fought. That golden warrior too was overwhelmed with grief, with hatred for the very thing they fought. The only difference between them all is the golden warrior was no warrior. Sure, he could fight with the best of them, but he had vowed to never cause harm to anyone. As a result, the warrior kept his mind as hell rained on his city and his friends. He went to the Ixtali to tell them of the dangers and protect themselves, to make one less country in danger. He was already partially corrupted. I still remember feeling the urge to kill the messenger, but my vow made the urge almost negligible."
"You were the golden warrior?" The Empress sounds surprised. "I would have thought he died years ago."
"My body was lost, that is true. My mind, though, is immortal, as well as my magic. We are cursed to live forever more, though I believe that should Leilah die, my soul will finally be able to move on." Daamien shrugs Starshadow's head.
"Do you remember who that person was that you spoke to?" The Empress almost smirks, seemingly thinking that she had us. Starshadow's tail reaches up and taps against Daamien's chin.
"As I never gave a name, I never received one. I only went to the border and informed the people there that they should retreat, to hide, as the Darkin would find a way to destroy everyone, not to share pleasantries." Daamien answers. The Empress' eyes widen and she snatches her hand away from us. Daamien turns to me and rubs Starshadow's nose against my neck. "Now that you are cleared, we have one last thing to discuss."
"What is it?"
"I'd like to come out as little as possible. It's true that I have no ill will, but I am definitely more content to remain away from the real world as much as possible."
"Of course Daamien. Thank you for your help." I stroke his head affectionately. He gives me a snakey smile as the ridges disappear, turning back into my snake. Starshadow shakes his head clear before looking at us.
"What did I miss?" Starshadow asks.
"Daamien came for a visit, didn't you know that?" I blink.
"One second I was on the bed, between you two, the next I feel affectionate… a weird feeling by the way… and the Empress is looking at us like we're heroes." Starshadow rubs his head against my chest with a shiver before he looks back up. You're standing?
Geez, how long was Daamien watching?
Last I knew was that The Empress was accusing Daamien of being a monster and you looked stressed.
Wow. He must have been worried if he was out here for that long. You ok?
Yeah, get back to what I missed.
Well, as it turns out, Daamien warned them to retreat while he fought against the other Darkin. Why didn't you tell me what he was? I ask him.
...You already had enough on your mind, learning magic, helping others, not seeing your parents... almost dying… Would having you know that you had magic that was changed and manipulated into a darker version of itself help you stay calm and in control? I'm pretty sure you would have reacted a little bit… uneasily.
I don't know how I feel. He hid this from me, but he's also right. What would I have done if I was told of the darkin before? Would I have rejected him, even when he seems so lost and afraid? Even if he's helped me stay alive for so long? Would I have tried to scorn Daamien? I almost don't want to think about it anymore, especially since he's a kind and remarkably charming person that does care about me. I wouldn't have tangible magic or healing without him.
"... Next time, don't hide things from me, ok?" I give in.
Promise. Starshadow finishes giving me affection and turns back to the Empress. That seems to signal to her that we finished our conversation. They start to discuss something. Starshadow seems a little annoyed, his tail twitching slightly until he huffs and turns away. The Empress smirks and looks me in the eye.
"We've come to an agreement. You are to help Qiyana learn her new studies. That includes ensuring her safety. In return, we will teach you Ixtali and we are more than willing to escort you outside of the palace until you disappear to your next mission. We are also open to tutoring you in your magic in exchange for our mages being allowed to analyze your progress." The Empress offers. I look down at Starshadow.
What do you think?
They won't be able to teach you exactly what you need, your magic is too different. They don't know how to work with Darkin. This place is very elemental in nature. Plus, I don't trust her not to figure out a way to disable or take your magic for herself. The only part I could negotiate is letting you out of here and studying with Qiyana.
So, no letting her examine me?
You're one of a kind, Leilah. You need to learn what you can do without following someone else's rules. Besides, you really can't hurt anyone. If you could, I would be ok with it.
"I'm afraid that I can't study with your mages as I have a rather… unique kind of magic. I'll be happy to study with Qiyana though." I decline her second offer. She sighs and nods.
"Your snake thought that you would say that. Very well, Qiyana?" She calls. Qiyana gives a small eep and pokes her head in. She says sorry and something else, I'm not sure. The Empress shakes her head and gently pats her curls. They talk for a bit.
What's she saying?
Qiyana wanted to stay by you as you made her boo boo go away and she wanted to comfort you. She's happy to see you standing. Her mother isn't interested in her excuses, but she said she's glad to see her daughter be concerned. Starshadow translates.
I got the sorry part.
Oh, she can learn!
"Leilah!" She pounces on my legs. I wince at the impact, but gently pat her back. She pulls out the book again and shows me a flower. Her mother sits on the end of my bed and watches as we go over the different animals and plants of Ixtal. Qiyana always giggles a little bit when I try to say zychid. It's just such a weird word. She presses against my hands. Starshadow informs me that she wants me to create an illusion of a flower that I know. I nod and wave my hands on her head. A little flower crown of spirit blossoms bloom into view. Qiyana immediately runs to my bathroom. I hear a happy squeal as she peels back to the bed.
She wants to know what they are called.
"Spirit Blossoms." I point at her head.
"Ionia?" She asks. I nod approvingly and hold up my right hand. She looks at it confused. I gently grab her hand and clap it against mine. She looks amazed and holds her own up. I clap it. Qiyana just looks happy as she bounces outside, holding her hand up to a guard and… I think… demanding the guard to high five her.
"Aren't you from Targon?" The Empress interrupts.
"I grew up in Targon, but as I said, I've been traveling for a long time. I lived in Ionia for the longest time."
"I'm assuming you attended their festival. The blossoms don't grow anywhere else. Any particular reason why you would choose an Ionian flower over one from Targon?" The Empress asks.
"I grew up on a farm. The plants and flowers I knew best were farm flowers. The festival's are the prettiest I've seen." I explain.
Or that it was the day of your first date? Starshadow teases. I shoot him a subtle glare. He just snickers into his tail.
"Well, they are certainly something. Hernando is outside, should you need anything." The Empress lifts her chin and walks out. Little Qiyana pulls the guard in and starts to speak about her days without me, courtesy of Starshadow's translation. Apparently trying an advanced technique before her tutor would let her is cause for her to be grounded from her elemental studies for a month, but the tutor was fired for attempting to hold back a princess. She's been studying Demacian and politics waiting for me to wake up.
"Miss Leilah." Hernando speaks up. I look up from the excitable princess. He bows his head and kneels. "Thank you for curing our princess of her injury. I am eternally grateful to you. Is there anything you would like?"
Churros! Starshadow squeals in my head. I clasp my hands against my ears.
"That hurt, Starshadow." I groan. He shrugs his head.
Churros.
"My bonded is saying he'd like churros." I deadpan, glaring at my bonded.
"Churros? Is that all?" Hernando asks.
"Well, it's all I need. If I don't get any, Starshadow will be whining over the lack of good food he gets." I tap his head gently.
"Very well. We'll get churros for the morning. For now, I will be bringing the princess back to her bed." Hernando says something to her. She pouts before hopping up to kiss my cheek. I blink and smile. I return her hug. She hops off the bed and races out, the spirit blossoms in her hair fading from existence. Starshadow's tail flicks as the door closes behind Hernando. I feel a soft weight in my hair. Gently reaching up, I pluck out a glowing spirit blossom. I look at Starshadow in confusion.
"What's this for?"
"I thought that you would be mad at me for hiding what Daamien is, just keeping face while people are here. The spirit blossom's supposed to remind you of good times." Starshadow's tail rubs his little circle. I shake my head.
"Well, I'm not going to blow up when the Empress is there. Though, when were you going to tell me?"
When he is a little more stable. It's only recent that he's let you use his magic without making you sick. Would you use that magic if you thought it would hurt you?
"Could it actually? He's not capable of hurting me without hurting himself?"
I mean, it did before…
"The nausea..."
Exactly.
"We could have helped him earlier, to make my magic more manageable!"
Not really. He needed to become acclimated to his new environment. Don't get me wrong, you are the sweetest child in the world, hence why I'm your babysitter.
"I do not need a babysitter!"
Uh, you kinda do. My point being, you might be sweet, but he was aggressive and mad. I took his mind and form instead of you.
"How does that work?"
You took Aurora's form. It's the same as Daamien.
"Then why is he in my mind?"
It's our bond. It's like how I can talk with you mentally. We share the same mindscape... Anyway, you're getting us off track. I know how chaotic his mind is. He would have hurt you much worse than he already has. I would have thought you would have learned that back in the monastery,,,
"That's… different…"
You were struggling with your magic. You went into your mind to see if you could control that power to stop your nausea before Daamien was more comfortable with our mind. He lashed out and nearly possessed you if I didn't realize what you were doing. You tried to control a power when you were barely strong enough to protect a boy from the elements… nearly died… got kidnapped in Bilgewater… did die escaping… I should charge you for how much I protect you.
"Ok, fine! You have a point. I'm not a child though. We talked about this on the top of Mount Targon too, remember? To not treat me like a small child?"
...I remember. Fine. I'll tell you if things get brought up or I think you're mature enough to handle it.
"Wha- You don't get to decide that!"
You're eighteen… I'm centuries older… I think I know a bit more about this world than you do. Now, go get some rest. Churros are coming in the morning, and you should be feeling exhausted. Starshadow grows in size a little bit, forcing me to lie down. He pulls the covers over my chest. The little annoyance even pulls out the Spirit Blossom and rests it on my chest. I can sense his apology in his magic as he curls on my pillow. He falls asleep easily, but my mind races. Not even the glow of the Blossom can help me fall asleep.
What else is Starshadow hiding from me?
Ooooooo, Starshadow is hid the fact that she probably houses one of the most dangerous beings in existence. Makes you wonder what else he's hiding. Like in Ionia way back in like chapter 15 or 16 or 17 (It's been that long already?) We all know that he's incredibly protective of her. He practically confirmed that if he thinks that Leilah is in danger of knowledge or if he thinks she isn't mature enough to handle the news, he'll wait.
Anyway, I hope your day is going well today! I hope you amazing ordinary people are going to make your life extraordinary!