Hey, it's been a while since we had a no triggering chapter, but here it is!
"Alright, now that all panic attacks are over, everyone is clean and fed, and we have all learned the problems of gambling, Leilah, we got places to be." Starshadow burps slightly. He's still a round little ball of snake. I roll my eyes and pick him up.
"What about Yasuo?"
"He's a big boy."
"What about our statements? Considering that I was there, I should be giving a testimony as to how they were treated." I still want to make sure that all of Deviago's allies are properly caught. No one will be getting out.
"They have plenty of witnesses. Besides, I'll give my own and then head home. You guys go on ahead. It'll be nice to see what I can do without a big brother hovering over me all the time." Yasuo waves my concerns off.
"I do not hover." Yone shoots a soft glare at his younger brother for the comment.
"Yeah, you do. Go on. I'll go to the station, give my report, and then go right back home. It's simple."
"Great, now that that's covered, see you in a little bit!" Starshadow reaches his tail out to hold Yone's wrist. The shadows under our feet start to creep up our legs. I let my magic wrap Yone in the comfortable cocoon that stops the weird feeling. We don't even have time to blink before we're in a new place. Yone stumbles a little bit upon being spit out from shadows. I help him stay on his feet.
"You alright?" I ask.
"Give me a moment… How do you do this all the time?" He presses a hand against his forehead and closes his eyes.
"Daamien's usually better at making sure all travelers are comfortable, though I think Starshadow triggered this one." I feel a little sheepish as I take in our surroundings.
We're in a small alleyway of a town. It's not like Ionia's brown buildings. These ones are white, with stone panes around… barred windows? Even the air is different. It isn't the humid air of Ionia… It's similar to Demacia's cool air, but there's a hint of smoke here. Well, we aren't going to be able to figure out where we are if we stay here.
When Yone recovers, he takes a look himself. He blinks a few times before nodding at me. That's his indication that he's good to move. I pull him as I guide us out of the alley. The streets are very busy, with constant carriages being pulled left and right. People on the side are hustling. They are acting uneasy. Even more interesting is the rather tall walls surrounding the town. It's very reminiscent of Demacia, but… it's definitely not. For one, it's too small. For another, the people. I can see Demacian colors as well as black and red. Even more interesting I see people wearing glass on their faces. I've never seen that in all the places I've been in. So, we're not in Demacia… and we're not anywhere I know of… So that leaves Noxus, Piltover, Zaun, and Shurima. It's not a desert world, so it's not Shurima. I don't know enough to be able to say that we're in any other country…
Where are we?
No idea, but maybe we should go somewhere. Preferably somewhere that is fitting of my stature. And I know exactly where. Starshadow preens.
"Just show us where we need to go." Yone sighs. I blink a little bit in surprise.
Can you hear me? I test.
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be able to?"
Yone, she hasn't opened her mouth… Starshadow deadpans. Yone blinks in surprise before watching my face carefully.
Can you hear me? I repeat myself. With how wide his eyes are, I'm guessing that he finally realizes that yes, he can hear us speaking through our mind.
"How is that possible?"
I'm a celestial. I'm skilled. Starshadow sneaks his head out and up a little bit, trying to be his little show off self.
"You remember when we used to train? The last day we actually did so?" I open my mouth. There are a couple of people looking at us curiously. Best not make it seem like Yone is the only one talking.
"You somehow managed to give me the slip, using a noise." Yone recalls. It's been years… but I can still remember it.
"I never actually moved. I made you hear the sound I wanted you to. I'm guessing Starshadow is doing the same with our voices instead of normal noises. If that's the case, I'm afraid you're going to have to be stuck with speaking out loud. Sorry." I mumble. With Starshadow back, this is the first time that I'm realizing just how different I am to Yone. I have a silent method of talking that he can't hope to compete with. That just makes me extremely uncomfortable.
"Don't worry about it. I've gotten used to your method of communication a long time ago." Yone presses a kiss against my head. That brings a silly grin to my face. I lean into his side for a moment.
Someone bumps into me when I'm pulling away. Yone keeps me steady, though the man that bumped into me yelps. I can sense Starshadow's beady little eyes glaring at the man. He… He doesn't look like everyone else here. He's wearing complete black with highlights of red. The coat on his shoulders has a firm gold pattern, not too unsimilar from Yone's tunic. A hat with the parts over his ears pointed up and the tip pointed down sits on his head. He tips his hat off to me, tan skin with a straight cut beard.
"Sorry 'bout that. Didn't realize that you were there." He bows his head slightly. He tries to leave, only for him to freeze.
Don't try stealing from us, thief! Starshadow hisses in our minds. That's when we pay attention to his long coat. Yone harshly yanks it aside to reveal his swords. I have to look at Yone's empty sheathes to realize that this man did steal from us. Since I have nothing to steal, Yone's possessions are worth far more. As long as he doesn't realize my value...
"Clearly." Yone deadpans, taking his swords back. I release the man from Starshadow's grip. He holds up his hands, a hint of a blue card in his sleeve.
"You wouldn't happen to be a mage, wouldja?" The man drawls a little bit. I blink… something about his way of speaking… is familiar…
"Get out of here." Yone snaps. The man gives another bow before leaving. It's so familiar with how he talks… I should recognize it…
We should go find out why we're here. Starshadow speaks up. That breaks my concentration. It's probably not so important that I recognize the accent anyway.
"Lead the way." With my go ahead, Starshadow creates a soft glowing light that guides us to where we need to be. I guess it's only for our eyes as no one else around us reacts to the light.
Yone keeps a gentle hold on my hand as we walk through the busy place. I keep noticing different things, like there is a remarkable amount of soldiers here. Uniforms from all over Runeterra are here. I recognize the colors of Demacia… and that's about it. I lead us over to one of the Demacia groups. Yone's hand reaches around my waist, remembering that Demacia… didn't have the best track record of keeping me safe…
"Where are we going, Starshadow?" I consciously choose to keep walking past them. It seems like the soldiers here understand that we are not under Demacian jurisdiction as they glance at my obvious magical self before ignoring me. Even better, I'm not recognized as a Lady of Demacia. That would be obnoxious. This might be the first town I've visited that won't try to kill me… I need a better life if that's the first thing I think of when I'm not trying to get kidnapped or held hostage or become merchandise...
Well, I thought we'd just go directly to the people in charge of this place. It would certainly be the best place to go. Starshadow interrupts my private thoughts.
"And where is that?" Yone asks.
Follow the white light. Duh. Starshadow is being incredibly unhelpful.
"I spent six months hoping you'd come back… and you are more obnoxious than ever." I grumble under my breath.
"At least he isn't demanding new foods to try." Yone decides to be conversational while we follow the light. We stay on one side of the road, where most people are going the same way. No one seems to inquire about the girl with weird eyes and a clear Ionian swordsman next to her. In fact, everyone seems to want to keep to themselves.
"Oh, don't get me started on that. I swear he's going to have a favorite food in every country if he can manage it. Red bean paste beans in Ionia, Churros in Ixtal. He's got a favorite drink in the Freljord that I haven't managed to find the ingredients for, and… Actually, I don't think he's mentioned a favorite meal in Demacia and we haven't been anywhere else." I go along with his idea.
"You haven't been all over the world by now? It's been… three years, right? I would have thought you would have been to more places." Yone relaxes a lot once we pass by some soldiers. He… was worried about me…
"Honestly, I'm really happy that I haven't. I've already dealt with a few barriers, namely culture and language. I have to remember that Demacia doesn't like magic, Freljordian are chilly, that Bilgewater will… do whatever they want, and Ixtal has the ego of being the first lands… while Ionia…" I don't want to say anything bad about his country.
"Go ahead. I may love my country, but like my brother, it does have it's up and downs." Yone smiles fondly.
"Ionians are… definitely eccentric." I let out as kindly as I can. Yone snorts.
"What about Targon?"
"Which part?" It seems like Yone has heard about my home country's history. It's not a secret at least.
"Your country is divided?"
"There's two. Lunari and Solari. My history isn't exactly the strongest because my village was so isolated, but I know that my home was made when the two factions started a war. It was a sort of escape from that craziness. It's only around four hundred years old." I'm happy that he's interested in my culture, even if it's been a few years since I've been a part of it.
"Do you know what the two factions represent?" He gently pulls me out of a large person. This one is huge. Strong build, but the cigar from his mouth is making me feel a little queasy as he breathes out. Thankfully he brushes by us.
"The Solari believe that the sun is the one that should be worshipped. From what my mother told me, it's very similar to her culture that she grew up in, but the Solari are more… zealous. The Lunari worship the moon. At least, that's the most I remember. I've never met any of the Lunari or Solari." I explain.
"But we wouldn't have day without night. Wouldn't you need both?" Yone nods thoughtfully.
"This is from centuries ago. I don't know the politics of them, nor did I care to know. I cared more about the person than what they believed in. But, from what I remember, the Solari believed that without the sun, the world would despair into darkness, so the Sun must always be protected. The Lunari speak about the balance of the Sun and Moon. The Solari believe that worshipping anything other than the Sun is heretical, since it is worshipping darkness." I do my best to explain.
"If that's the case about the Sun and Moon, what about the borealis?" Yone's tone takes on a much more worried one.
"I haven't encountered any… but with their conflict, it's not guarenteed that I will never see them… Here's to hoping that it's good."
We're here. Starshadow interrupts us as we turn around a corner.
There's… a huge building. It's really big, I think that it's at the very least… five floors big? I think it's bigger than the colosseum in Ionia. There are no windows. Around the building is a tall wall. At the top looks like there are sharp circles. People in white uniforms run along the top. Every now and then there's black poles with round… things on top. The only way through said wall is from a gate. There's a lot of people at said gate, banging and shouting. People at the top are yelling something. I can see them point crooked spears at the people below. My magic kicks in that instance, though I'm not sure how. One second, I'm right next to Yone, the next, I'm hovering over the people's heads with my hand up. The spears are immediately pointed to places that don't have people.
Loud cracks ring in my ears. It's enough to disorient me. My magic blinks away, and I'm dropped onto stone. I'm trying to get my bearings, seeing that many people have already scattered. Starshadow's tail presses against my head, healing my ears just a little bit faster.
You alright?
"Yeah, I'm fine. What was that?" I shake my head a little bit while I'm trying to think properly. When I look up, I'm surprised to see Yone standing in front of me.
"What was that?" Yone asks over his shoulder, though his mouth moves first before I hear his voice. I guess Starshadow is giving me an illusion I hear. He's just standing in front of me, not being threatening or anything.
"I have no idea. They didn't have those in any of the places I visited." I bang my hand against my head. There's still a slight ringing in my head, but it's getting better. I try to push myself to my feet, though even just trying to stay upright is a bit of a struggle.
Aspects above, do I have to regrow your eardrums? Starshadow sighs. A few seconds after that, I have my balance back. I finally stay on my feet with a small stumble. Yone keeps me steady.
"WHO ARE YOU?" I still can't hear whoever is making the claim. Based on Yone's wince and Starshadow's information, I'm guessing that it's pretty loud.
"I'm Leilah." I call back, mentally telling Yone to let us handle this. His lips thin, but he is out of his element here. This is where Starshadow and I shine.
"LEILAH OF WHERE?"
Use the Demacian title. We've seen Demacians here. You should be recognized. Starshadow prods me. I take a deep breath. I really don't want to do this...
"I'm Lady Leilah Starshadow of Demacia." I force myself to claim. The spears are immediately retracted. I'm rubbing my ears, the feeling of repairing and regrowing an important part of my body being really weird.
"I thought you said you renounced the title." I can finally hear Yone's voice as it is. His voice matches his mouth.
You healed so slowly. Starshadow huffs.
"We just teleported, Starshadow. I'm always a little slow with magic after a teleport." I remind him. My bonded huffs but accepts my explanation. "And I did… they just denied my refusal."
"Of course they did…"
"Let the Lady Starshadow through!" Someone else yells. The people up top put away their boom spears as the gate opens. Yone looks like he wants to be in front, but I force my way forward. They want me, they can get me. Yone is under my protection while we're not in Ionia.
Alright, you want to do the talking then? Starshadow asks as a few men in white come forward. They surround us. Yone tenses, his hands slipping to his waist. I reach out to hold his hand, letting him know that we aren't in danger. Their boom sticks aren't being pointed at us. They're more of an escort into the walled off area than taking us captive.
Might be better that I do. I answer Starshadow.
"Are you sure this is the best course of action?" Yone whispers to me. I have to resist sighing as Starshadow gives me a more regal appearance. My boots into little heels and my skirt extends a little bit while the cloth becomes shiny silk. It's still humble compared to his usual work, but it's still too much for me.
"Better to start peacefully than start a fight. We don't get any information otherwise." I am firm on my stance. And Don't you dare add a crown.
You're an Aspect, at least look like royalty. Especially since you are claiming the title of Lady.
I'm not a Lady! And as I said, keep off the crown!
"You are to me." Yone rumbles quietly in my ear. His very smooth comment makes my face turn a rather dark shade of red.
Teach me your ways. Starshadow immediately demands, though Yone doesn't respond. Still, I feel a little bit of weight drop onto my forehead. A quick touch and it feels like a circlet. At least it isn't a crown…
Inside the compound are far more soldiers. In fact, not all of them are in white. There's a few Demacian guards as well as black and red in here. Each group is clearly separated by countries. Demacians are on my left, glaring at the black and red on the other side. Whatever country that is, they're just as unhappy with the arrangement. That's enough to put me on edge. Demacia isn't a country that any can just mess with. In fact, that's just telling me that whatever we've gotten ourselves into is huge.
Maybe we shouldn't have brought Yone on this one. I fret a little bit.
Oh stop it. We have to start somewhere, and at least we aren't in the Freljord. Starshadow retorts.
"I'm sure that whatever happens, we can handle it." Yone's hand squeezes mine gently.
We are escorted past them, inside the large building. For a surprisingly large structure, the hallways are rather thin. There are many doors on both sides of the hallway. People with less military clothing are looking through each door, unlocking, counting, and relocking it. Some of them take notice of us before quickly going back to work. I feel Starshadow slip down my arm and around Yone's neck. If my courter didn't have the control he does, I'm sure he would have jumped at the feeling.
What are you doing, Starshadow?
You and I can communicate well enough, and you can very clearly defend yourself if need be. Yone doesn't have a magical protection, nor can he communicate like us. I'll stick on him, that way if we do get separated, we can still give our opinions. Starshadow explains.
That's… actually a good plan.
Meh. It just reminds me of Marcino. At least we can keep this one alive. Starshadow shrugs. I flinch from the reminder. Please, whoever is watching, don't make me watch him die and be unable to do anything.
"I'm not going to go down that easily, Leilah. Don't worry so much." Yone lifts my hand up for a brief kiss. That pulls a smile from my face.
"Lady Starshadow-" The guard in front of me stops us from going up some stairs.
"It's just Leilah." I quickly shut down any sort of titles.
"Lady Leilah." The soldier in charge persists. Starshadow snickers in my head at my attempt to avoid my title. "I'm afraid only high ranking officials may be permitted beyond this point. We already have representatives from Demacia, Noxus, and Piltover in the room, as well as the man in charge of this building. Your bodyguard will have to wait outside."
"Go ahead." Yone stops me from protesting too much.
We'll be able to communicate with you anyway. Starshadow reminds me. For the second time, I have to take a deep breath. This… This is a little overwhelming. I wish I would have Starshadow next to me while I'm in a meeting with a lot of leaders… but I guess I'll have to do it alone. It's not like I'm going to talk with someone like Deviago…
"He's not my bodyguard." I mumble under my breath.
Well, he'd certainly guard your body zealously.
"Starshadow!" Both of us humanoids snap just loud enough for the three of us to hear. Starshadow snickers while our escorts look at us curiously, wondering what's gotten under our skin. I giggle uncomfortably before clearing my throat and standing tall.
"Lead the way." I do my best to be the royal that I apparently am.
"Your bodyguard will not come to any harm. We do ask that he waits outside with the rest of the men that have come calling to our aid." The rest of the men close ranks around Yone and Starshadow. Yone calmly walks away.
We've never actually tested how far we can communicate… Starshadow mutters.
Why didn't you mention this before? I can feel my blood pressure rising.
Better now that never! Besides, I have no doubt that if something was to happen, I'd let Yone know and we'll come barging in, swords slicing and fangs flashing, and everything will be alright.
...Keep telling Yone what I hear, ok? I ask, still a little anxious.
Keep me in the loop, and no decisions without me anymore. I'm not going to rescue you from indentured servitude if you do that on your own.
It was one time!
I believe Starshadow told me that you threatened to do your own thing when you were hunting the Golden Demon. Yone's voice pops up in my head. This is going to be so confusing.
Well… at least they listened. I grumble as I climb up some steps.
And you got a hole in your throat. Yone reminds me.
It was better than being a slave for two weeks.
Again, that was your choice, and it did not end well.
He never got to me. You made sure of that. I feel like I'm going in circles with him.
It could have happened.
But it didn't.
Guys, chill! Yone, Ionia was your turf. This is ours. Let her do her thing and keep the arguments down. You aren't her teacher, you're her partner. Equal ground. She knows a little bit more than you do here. When we go on more adventures and you get used to the way we do things, you can make more inputs. Leilah, focus. You're almost at the door. You can talk about who's in charge of what after you get to know everyone. Starshadow stops the argument. He's right. Somehow, while I've been arguing, I've been brought to a room with two doors. It looks very sturdy, made of some rather thick wood. And that's not even counting the two guards standing outside. Both are dressed in white armor, so not of Pilover, Noxus, or Demacia. When they notice me, they don't ask any questions. They just open the doors, admitting me into a rather loud room.
There's one man in black and red, covered in some rather thick armor. He looks to be older than me. I'd put him around twenty-twenty five. Still, he's absolutely huge. I try to not show any fear, but it's a little hard to when I don't even reach his armpits. The woman next to him is smaller. She's still taller than me, but not as daunting. She has this weird crown on her head. Her black cloak hides her body from me, but her staff in her hand glows a bright purple. They stand on the right side of the room. In the middle is a man in brown. When he turns around, I see that he has a gear on his chest while covered in clunky armor. On the left is a Demacian. He wears very little armor, with a flag on his shoulder. His left hand rests on his hip… much like how Yone does when he's uneasy. A swordsman. When he turns around, he looks annoyed.
"What is it?" The man asks. I force myself to stay calm.
"She claims that she's a Lady of Demacia. Lady Starshadow." The man escorting me is quick with his explanation. Remembering the Crownguard's teachings, I sink into a soft bow. I am technically head of my house, even if I'm the only one. The man jolts a little bit in surprise before he returns the bow.
"Lady Starshadow. I was not expecting you here. Things must be pretty dire if you arrived." The man walks forward until he's right in front of me. He takes my left hand and gently kisses it, a sign of respect in Demacia. It's brief and light, so this is nothing more than accepting my position.
"Why does it matter if a teenager arrived?" The armored man is rough in his throat. The woman turns around to reveal clothes that are missing quite a few holes. It covers all the important things, but she's in a more revealing outfit than I was… though I think Trixie had her beat. Her entire appearance is… shifty. Like she's both there and not. I shake my head a little bit, trying to get rid of the disorientation.
"Does it really matter? I could use all the help I can get." A man behind a desk in the middle of the room looks unwell. He's thin, pale, and haggard. Without speaking a word, I slip behind the desk and touch his shoulder. My magic slowly slips into his body, easing out all the stress he's been carrying. He sighs at the feeling. When I look back up, the woman is looking very interested in me while the big man is bored. "Thank you, Lady-"
"Just call me Leilah. I'm not into the titles." I humbly nod my head before standing with Demacia.
"I am Sebastien Laurent, Head of the Laurents. King Jarvan III informed me that it was possible you would appear. If that was the case, then we must treat this as a true threat." Sebastien glares at the darker people. The woman scoffs. Somehow, she… walks out of herself? One of her comes towards me and extends a hand. It looks a little off to me. I keep my eyes trained on the woman leaving the room. No one else seems to notice the door opening.
"Where are you going?" I ask. The woman freezes and turns around, staring at me in shock. Everyone else is confused as to why I'm speaking to a door and not the woman in front of me. She stalks towards me, slowly. The staff glows a little brighter and… she's in front of me. Her copy is just standing where she just was. They swapped places. I have to take a moment to recollect myself from the change. That… is confusing. I swear that she was just trying to leave.
"To greet you. Call me LeBlanc." She introduces herself, not a moment off beat. I hesitantly shake her hand.
"Darius, General of Noxus." The big man is looking at me with different eyes. At least it isn't with derision. I think he actually has some respect for me now.
"Giopara from Piltover." The last man offers his hand for a shake. I oblige before slipping next to Sebastien. Both Noxians stare at me like I'm… something else. I shift a little bit, uncomfortable with their attention.
"I am the owner of the bank here, Florence Bayan. Now that all the greetings are done with, I need your help." Florence still looks like he's going to cry.
"There's been a group of bandits in Valoran. No one knows who they are or where they came from. All we know is that they've been stealing more and more valuables with each heist. The last heist was in Noxus… They stole our Grand General's crown." Darius snarls at the thought of someone taking his kingdom's treasures.
"The last time they were in Demacia, the Buvelle's most precious of instruments were taken. If it wasn't for their daughter, they would have lost so much more." Sebastien growls as well.
"They've been robbing Piltover for ages." Giopara adds. Everyone looks to me, looking for me to add into the list of crimes.
"To be honest, I haven't been robbed by anyone. I'm just here because this was apparently a place that was a little low on morale and a little scared." I hold up my hands.
"So the teenager apparently just appeared and we're expected to get assistance from her?" Darius scoffs in annoyance.
"You don't need to expect my assistance, as it seems like you are going to be doing whatever you're doing with or without me." I snap a little bit. Leblanc pats her companion's arm, silently instructing him to quiet down.
"There's no need to be hostile. We would appreciate everyone's help. Just… name your price." Bayan pleads. He looks so scared. He must have been the person that summoned us here. Why we were teleported so far away from him… Maybe there's blockers for teleportation. I'll have to see how our communication-
Ask for a castle! Starshadow hints.
Have you guys been hearing everything?
Yes. I know of Darius. He's not just one of the generals of Noxus. Noxians in Ionia were saying that he's next in line to be a part of the king's council. Whoever is the thief, they are definitely concerned over something. Yone answers and provides a little bit of information.
Anything about Leblanc?
That one is a little out of my depth. Yone sounds a little sheepish.
Thanks for all the information anyway. I murmur gratefully. I swear I can feel Yone squeeze my hand in affection.
They are waiting, Leilah. Starshadow reminds me. Repeat after me. A castle with lots of food.
"Just a place to stay while the thieves are on the loose. Oh, and drop the honorifics. I'm just someone that wants to help." I request. Everyone stares at me in shock. I fidget a little bit at the attention.
I'm pretty sure that a place to stay is not a castle.
Quiet, Starshadow. Yone chastises my companion for me.
"I-i-is that all you want?" Florence asks. It seems like he's in shock.
"If it's too much-"
"What's a girl like you doing asking for so little?" Leblanc slides up to me. I feel like I did when Deviago would stalk around me. She's sizing me up. And just because of that, I revert back to the servant girl. My entire body shrinks, trying to be as unimposing as possible. "You could have so much."
"I have no need for money. Just need a place to stay and some sustenance for me and my companion is enough." I bow my head.
"Not materialistic… My my. Any chance you would come to Noxus for a little bit?" Leblanc presses a sharp nail against my neck. I shrink away uncomfortably… though I hate that reaction. I force myself to take a deep breath before looking at her in the eyes. I'm done being small and scared around strangers. I'm done being intimidated. I am the Aspect of Hope and Inspiration, the host of the Darkin healer, bonded to a celestial, and currently being courted by one of the greatest people I know. I have no reason to be scared.
"Only if Noxus is in need." I state firmly. Her purple eyes show surprise at my sudden change from scared to bold. She smiles.
"We'll talk."
"Please, if we can focus on stopping these thieves from taking your money-"
"Noxus will take care of him." Darius scoffs and leaves. Leblanc doesn't move, though there's a discolored version of her following the man. She stays right where she is.
"Not if Demacia gets them first." Sebastien races out the door after him. Giopara sighs before clapping his hands together.
"Seems like this meeting will be adjourned… again. Don't worry, Bayan, everything will be fine. Piltover has already given you guns and spotlights. Those thieves won't see it coming." And with that, it's only Bayan, Leblanc, and I in the room. He slouches in his chair, exhausted and drained. I feel for him, I really do.
Wow. That was remarkably unhelpful. Starshadow comments in my mind.
I'm curious at their reaction to you asking for a place to live. Leblanc said it was too little. What kind of thing was she expecting? Yone adds in his opinion.
I'd rather not ask right now. Not with Leblanc in the room. I think she's testing me. I do my best not to look at the woman. Still, when she starts to stalk around me again, I can't help but flinch. She smirks and walks out the door. Dammit.
What did you do wrong this time? Starshadow asks with a sigh.
I might have just given away something. I don't know what yet, but maybe we can get some information from Bayan now.
Be safe, Leilah. Yone's voice is both comforting and concerned. It's heartwarming to hear it.
"Bayan?" I ask softly. His head jolts a bit.
"I'm sorry. It's just… this town is built specifically to trade money around between Demacia, Piltover, and Noxus. So many people are going to be losing their homes if the thieves get our money. I can't let them steal our money. I can't." Bayan lets his tears fall, though he tries to keep it away from me. "This town would be ruined. Noxus will invade this town and Ionia, Piltover won't defend us, and Demacians are going to starve."
I'm sorry, did he just say that Noxus is planning on invading Ionia? Starshadow comments.
Yone's silence does not bode well for me.
So... this part is also an "I came up with" tale. As you can already guess, this is where things... start to come together. And of course, it's already going to test Yone's affection for Leilah... on top of being in a new environment. Starshadow's being his normal, wonderful, spicy self, and everything is going to turn out well... right? You guys should know me by now. I love throwing the poor girl into terrible situations that she can't possibly hope to get out on her own. And, according to the timeline... there's less than a year before the next big marker of the Runeterran timeline happens, so it's gonna be GOOD!
I know I don't do this enough, but I really would appreciate reviews and your thoughts. This... this is a monster of a story. I'll be honest, I'm surprised that I haven't gotten writer's block so bad that I feel like I can't keep writing... actually, I just encountered my... third? writer's block? Don't worry too much, I'm so massively far ahead that it's bee a month before I have to worry about it, and with how often I listen to the quotes of league champions while I play my main (I bet you guys can guess who) or what you guys hope to see, I'll be back to writing full fifty chapter arcs in no time. Either way, would love to hear your thoughts.
The next champion to pay homage to... Azir, emperor of the sands! that man... had a really.. unfortunate backstory... but, I will spin something positive. May you all have the strength to lead yourself to the lives you want. Whether its to be a doctor, an accountant, or even a coach, I hope you guys are able to get to where you want to go. And may today be an extraordinary day for you as well.