The weight of the world seems to be resting on my shoulders, and I'm not talking about Starshadow. Now, we have to prepare for Noxus' invasion of Ionia. The hundreds, maybe thousands of people who are going to be hurt. I have to prepare for the inevitable.

It's been two weeks since Graves was captured. There've been a few things keeping us from leaving. One being that Yasuo doesn't seem to be letting himself get hurt or hurt anyone. Starshadow hasn't been able to sense Yasuo's pain, and neither of us want to try teleporting across an ocean when we don't know how far we can go without some guidance. The teleport in the Freljord wasn't that far and we were there recently. Trying to teleport to a place we haven't seen in years is a little bit risky. We can't rely on Yone's memories as he isn't bonded to Daamien, and as such has no way of guiding our magic to finding the location. There was also the issue with Noxus and Demacia in the same town.

The first few days were spent making sure that all parties involved had agreeable terms. Demacia kept a force in this town to be able to protect them from Noxus. Leblanc and Darius both attempted to get Demacia to leave, though Giopara reminded Noxus that everyone knew of their intentions and at least the Demacian force would be able to hold off the other and vice versa. Peace remains, though it is a rather uncomfortable peace, as Demacia knows that I am obligated to protect the injured, no matter where they come from. Noxus kept their armies off because Demacia can protect the village, but everytime I walked nearby, I could feel Noxian soldiers watch me. When I was underestimated before, I am no longer. I did in a day what they were trying to do for weeks. That alone is enough to keep their eyes on me, but they also don't do anything to me.

Bayan has been remarkably kind, providing me with one of his best rooms and something he calls room service. People in the building bring food to the room. Starshadow has enjoyed that immensely, happy to be eating his own portion. Yone has taken to pulling me with him to speak with Demacians and Piltover, intrigued by their different cultures. He's been a little iffy about speaking with Noxus as that country is planning for an invasion, though thankfully they left in a week. He's started sparring with Laurent, perfecting his way of fighting. Interestingly enough, Yone is able to hold his own with Laurent. It's become a bit of a spectating sport for the soldiers and I, wondering who's going to win.

We've also been touring the town. Giopara has been kind enough to show off his… 'inventions'. The poles at the top of the wall are what he likes to call 'spotlights', the boom spears 'guns'. I personally don't exactly feel comfortable with the loud weapons, especially since he demonstrated their power on a stone. The stone broke. I'd hate to see how they would be used on people. It makes me glad that the first thing I did when I arrived was protect the people. He boasts about his young son taking after him. Well, the son is almost an adult, but he's still learning things from his old man.

That is what we do during the day. At night, I pull out a map that Bayan was happy enough to get. I pour over it while Starshadow and Yone are asleep, the soft glow of a Borealis in my hand lighting up the paper. Daamien mentioned that he made a sort of camp for all the injured, the allies and the enemies. One where everyone is healed. Maybe I can do the same, though I'm not sure where I would place it. Since Noxus is attempting to invade Ionia, I would probably need it to be in the very lands being attacked. Teleporting is exhausting still, so I'd rather be nearby in case I need to get people out. Maybe I can convince Sett to let me use a part of his arena as a healer's quarters. Though, that would raise some questions when Noxian soldiers are released. I don't want invaders to return to their country to continue to fight. There has to be something I can do. Maybe I can get Ionian healers to come to a single safe space. Other mages might also be able to watch over the invaders, though I don't want them to be prisoners. They are simply not allowed to go back into the war effort until war ends.

Based on the map, the right part of Ionia would be the best place to keep Noxians from returning. I'm stuck between two options, Hirana monastery or the Temple of Pallas. Both are notable places, so they would have the people there to stop people from coming back into war. I asked Yone about them. He said that they were places that would shelter those that need it. It'd be perfect for what I need. I just need to ask them if I could.

Leilah? Starshadow yawns a little bit. I look over my shoulder to see my bonded's head lift sleepily into the air. His tongue flickers a little bit. What are you doing up?

Just thinking, Starshadow. You can go back to sleep.

...I thought you went to sleep with us… Why are you up… and bags under your eyes? Starshadow wakes up the longer he thinks. I curse under my breath. I've been starting to use illusions because I couldn't sleep. I haven't been able to sleep well for a week. It's been taking a bit of a toll on my health. Yone commented that he thought I was looking paler than I normally do. Two weeks of disguising myself isn't bad. I can do it a little bit longer.

I'm alright, Starshadow.

What are you looking at? Starshadow slinks off the bed and up my body. I'm not awake enough to disguise the map before he sees it. Leilah…

War is coming, Starshadow. We both know it…

You losing sleep over what could happen is not going to help. And you've never lost sleep over what could happen before.

Well, usually I'm in a high stress situation. By the time I get to calm down from it, it's over. This time, I know that hell is coming for people I care about, and I can't stop it.

What good is all this planning going to do? Starshadow waves his tail across the map. I've never been to these parts of Ionia before. We can't teleport there unless someone is willing to be harmed there, and we can't tell them that until they have an emergency.

I need something to do! I glare at my bonded. I have to be able to do something, anything. I can't just sit here when people are going to die!

They won't die with us around. Leilah, we can't do anything. Go back to sleep.

I… I have nightmares… I wrap my arms around my middle. I can't have those nightmares again.

What nightmares? Starshadow asks. I sigh and wave a hand, recreating the death of Idiot. I kind of feel bad that I never learned his name. Even if he was a jerk, he didn't deserve to die like that. Oh…

Yeah. Oh. And that's not even the worst part. After he falls, I start seeing Yone and Yasuo fighting a huge army and getting captured. Sometimes, they're kidnapped and tortured, other times they're killed and I can't do anything. Shen and Govos fight as hard as they can, but Noxus hurts them. I can't stop seeing them die.

"You should know that I'm not going to go down that easy." Yone wraps his arms around my waist. I jump a bit at the intrusion.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Starshadow's been keeping me informed. Ever since you were talking about using your magic to disguise your exhaustion." Yone presses a kiss to my head. I feel my body relax against him. "Leilah, you are amazing, a sweet and powerful woman, but you are still human. You don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You aren't responsible for everyone."

"But-"

Hey, you aren't responsible for Noxus being an ass. You aren't responsible for that idiot's death. You love to always tell me that you are just a girl from a farm. How is a farmer supposed to be responsible for a kingdom?

"But-"

"Leilah, please listen to him." Yone turns me around. I try to keep my head down, though he doesn't let me. He gently nudges my head up to make me look him in the eyes. Still, I avert my eyes.

"I can't stop seeing it. Every time I close my eyes…"

"Sleep with me then." Yone remarks. I glow a little bit sharper as I blush. Yone shakes his head in amusement. "Just sleep. Nothing else. Like in Navori."

I can help. Catch her, please? Starshadow gives such a little bit of warning before he yanks out all the magic in my core. The last thing I remember is Yone catching me.

The sunlight wakes me up the next morning. . It's remarkably bright for the early morning. In fact… it's not early. I slowly blink open eyes that aren't tired for once. I actually slept well… especially since Yone's sitting next to me, letting me cuddle into him.

"Sleep well?" Yone asks with a soft fondness. He's flipping through pages of a book. I can't read the title. It's not in a language I know.

"Actually… I did. Thank you for last night." I stretch out as I start to get up. "What's the book?"

"I asked someone for something to read while I waited for you to wake up. There's a little bit of oatmeal on the table. They gave me this book, an information guide of Piltover's technology. I have to say, the guns that they've made are fascinating. They come in all sorts of shapes. They have small ones and big ones. Good news is that it's really easy to spot them pointing at you, and the cheaper they are, the more the bullet-" Yone starts to tilt the page towards me with Piltover weapons, though I put a stop to it with my hand on his mouth.

"I finally got some good sleep, Yone. I don't need to be confronted with the very things that are made for violence." I gently remind him. Yone's face cracks into a smile before he closes the book and sets it aside. He grabs the oatmeal next to the table and hands it to me. I'm about to scoop some up when it wriggles a bit. Yone and I share a look, making sure that we did see that my breakfast moved. I wait for the next movement of the oatmeal. When it does move again, I quickly scoop it out. It's a long, sticky black rope. Starshadow…

What?

"You know that was for Leilah. You already had your own meal."

I have no idea when I get to eat again! Leilah's like the ultimate moocher! She gets everyone to get her food, and I'm going to take advantage of it.

"You and I both know that Leilah isn't a moocher. She does too much for others. They are just kind enough to give back." Yone snaps lightly.

She's a moocher. I don't recall the last time that we had to pay for something! Starshadow steals another bite from my bowl. I roll my eyes and put him in a shadowy cage. He wriggles around it. Hey!

"Stop stealing food, Starshadow. You're going to get fat." I roll my eyes.

HEY!

"You deserve it, and you know it." Yone sighs as he opens up his book again. I carefully pick through the rest of the oatmeal. I'm not sure when he's going to start shedding again.

Yeah, yeah, maybe I do. I'm not going to shed for a little bit. Oh, that reminds me. There's still that little thing with Giopara. You still up for it?

"What little thing?" I ask.

"Of course I am. I wouldn't have asked otherwise." Yone answers, closing the book for a second time.

Oh. Good. Want me to go find him then? Starshadow asks. Yone nods before looking at me.

"Would you mind letting him down, Leilah? I promise you'll be pleasantly surprised." Yone asks me. He gets up and starts strapping down his swords. It looks like we're going out.

"Uh, sure." I wave my hand. Starshadow yelps a little bit as he falls onto the bed. Somehow, he's magically clean, as he usually is.

So, an hour?

"Sure." Yone is agreeable. That just makes me even more curious about what is going on.

Feel free to think about what you want. I'll take care of Leilah later. Meet me there? Starshadow waves his tail while he slithers out the window.

"Naturally." Yone nods his head. I blink in surprise.

"What is happening?"

"A little surprise that Starshadow thought of. Even more surprising, it's actually a good idea. He managed to get Giopara to agree. I think they're going to be setting up everything." Yone remarks as he searches through his bag of clothing. He pulls out the cleanest tunic he owns. He still looks the same, but somehow a little more regal. Even more interesting, he fiddles with his hair, almost checking to make sure everything is perfect.

"What are you planning?" I ask, stepping up to help him straighten his tunic. Yone blinks in surprise. "What?"

"Just… Starshadow would comment all the time about how you don't care about appearances." Yone explains. I straighten the red belt around his waist.

"Just because I don't take an interest doesn't mean I can't for others. And right now, your appearance means something to you." I roll my eyes a little bit. Yone gives a soft smile before letting me morph my clothes into my usual outfit without my scarf. It's still sitting on the desk nearby. Yone picks it up and wraps it around my throat personally. There's just something about how intense he looks at me that causes me to blush.

"Thank you, Leilah." He kisses my forehead before packing up his bag, like he has every single day since we caught Graves. It doesn't hurt to be prepared to leave, especially since we don't know when Noxus will be invading Ionia. We have to be ready at the smallest indicator that something is wrong. That's the only way we know that we can protect the unsuspecting people. Once his small bag is prepared and he hoists it on his shoulder, we're ready to go.

He pulls me behind him as we leave the hotel. Thankfully, no one comes to talk with us as we walk around. Everyone's already had their chance to talk with me, so everyone is happy to just let the couple be a couple.

"Do you want to talk about your nightmares?" Yone asks after we've toured most of the town… again.

"Oh, we were having such a wonderful time. Do we really need to?" a little bit of a whine comes out.

"Let me help you, especially if you looked like you were going to collapse without Starshadow's help." Yone gently tucks my hair behind my ear. We slip out of the town's walls. Yone continues to guide me left.

"It's just some nightmares." I try to play it down a little bit. Yone sighs. He stops, grabbing my hands.

"Leilah, I care about you. A lot. Enough that I… I want... " He seems to be struggling with being open with me. I won't make him spill out all his feelings. He's always been a more personal person anyway.

"Yone, I want to, but… I'm not sure if I can really talk…" I duck my head, while also slipping into his arms. He just holds me, as gentle as can be. "I… I want to… but I don't know if I can…"

You can always just use illusions. Starshadow whispers in my mind.

And actually see it? Shadow Isles no!

Leilah, you don't have to actually look.

But I have to remember.

That's… not exactly true… Daamien could sense your discomfort… And might have watched a few nightmares… And brought me into one...

WHAT?

"Something wrong? Starshadow?" Yone interrupts our argument.

"Apparently, Daamien knows about my nightmares and brought Starshadow into one…" I almost hiss out. That was an invasion of privacy.

"I can understand that you don't want others to see your dreams. They are a part of your mind, but if you can't sleep, I'm glad that Daamien and Starshadow know. You looked so sick. Please, Leilah. Let me in." Yone gently tilts my head up. I take a deep breath and bury my face into him… and pull. This isn't for Daamien to share. It's mine.

Yone sees one of my horrible nightmares play out behind me. With each scene, he pulls me into just a little bit tighter. I know which one he's watching. Idiot's head being knocked off, then him asking why I didn't save him. The healers that fell to the vulkodalks. Then Yone and Yasuo falling in battle, both accusing me of not being strong enough. Aurora and Daamien taking away my powers with a sneer. Starshadow hissing that I'm weak. I'm alone. And there are still nightmares to fight. When it's done, I'm crying. I didn't have to look to know that Yone is just as upset as I am. He simply just holds me.

"Oh, Lo- Leilah. Why didn't you say anything before?" Yone plays with my hair, knowing just how much it helps calm me down. I let my walls come down and let out another sob. "I knew that you were struggling, but I didn't realize it wasn't just Deviago."

"Because… you… you already do so much… I don't… I don't want to… to trouble you any… any more." I hiccup a little bit. Yone kisses my head before tilting my face up.

"You're the one I intend to be with, Leilah. I want you to trouble me. Imagine if I was having nightmares like that. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't let me have those nightmares without talking about them." Yone points out gently. I smile with a sniffle before nodding.

"I'm sorry. I'll try to be better."

"Just be you, Leilah. That's all." Yone seals it with another mind blowing kiss. I sigh into it. I have to say, it's truly comforting that Yone is being like this. I feel like my brain has melted when Yone stops the kiss, though his forehead remains on mine. "You aren't the hardened warrior like I am. And I hope you will never be."

Same here. Now, everything's ready. Starshadow startles us into separating. Eh. Still not as bad as Aurora and Daamien.

"You don't have to tell me twice." A watery giggle comes out of me.

You walked in on them doing the deed?

"Yep."

"You mentioned it was ready?" Yone interrupts us. Even he looks a little red in the face while he straightens his clothes.

"What's ready?" My curiosity comes back in full swing.

"Master Yone, Lady Leilah, oh good, you're here." Giopara slips in. I feel Starshadow start to use a little bit of magic on me, changing my attire into the cleanest, plainest clothes I can possibly wear, with my scarf gently waving in the wind. I'm honestly confused as to why I'm looking so clean.

"Starshadow, what's going on?" I even feel my eyes ease from my tears. Giopara pulls out a weird thing with an eye pointing right at me.

He calls it a camera. Says that if you hold still for five seconds while he 'takes' it, you'll have a painting that he calls a 'picture' in seconds! Pretty neat, huh?

"Now, Master Yone, if you would kindly stand to her right… and however you… oh my." Giopara's jaw drops as Yone smoothly wraps his arms around me, pulling me enough to make me lean into him. That puts such a sappy, happy grin on my face. He dives for his camera, with Starshadow on his shoulder. "One… Two… Three… Four… Five… Give me a couple of seconds as they form… and done." Giopara pulls out three sheets of paper. Yone and I both take a look.

What's amazing is that I can see just how much we care for each other in those portraits. Yone can't take his eyes off of me, and I have the brightest smile on my face. It's honestly one of the most heartwarming things that could have ever been frozen in time. I want to send this home, to show my parents who Yone is and that he cares deeply for me. They deserve to know who he looks like. Since one will be in Targon, the second copy is my personal one. Yone can hold onto one for when we do have to separate. Starshadow slithers up and sticks out his tongue happily.

"Let me see!" Starshadow demands. I roll my eyes to show him the picture. He looks at it and freezes. If I didn't know any better, I would say that he looks like he's seen a ghost. He keeps staring at the picture before tearing his gaze to look at Yone.

No. No, no, no, no, no. Aspects, please no.

Starshadow?

...It's… No… I … Aspects above… there has to be… it's impossible…

"Starshadow? Is something wrong?" Yone asks, seeing my bonded react so oddly to a portrait… Picture.

"I'm… I'm not in it." Starshadow attempts to put on his cocky attitude, but he is trembling. I can't help but look a little closer at the picture. Something about it has made Starshadow scared. I'm going to figure out what.

Oooooo... What is Starshadow hiding? What's wrong with a picture? What is going to happen? MYSTERIES THAT MUST BE SOLVED! Feel free to leave a review, guessing what caused Starshadow to be so alarmed. On the other hand, Leilah's had two weeks of peace with Yone and exploring the town and Leblanc is leaving her alone for the most part... with Yone staying by her side. I really enjoy these sweet moments between the two as well.

Oh! I'm also in a bit of a rut again... so I decided to try something different! How do you guys feel about leaving a message, suggesting a reader/League champion? I'll write a short narrative with them, less than 4k (I need to limit myself again, otherwise it's more of a marathon to write and read.) words. All you need to do is give a champion, the situation with the reader, and how you want it to end. I'll even use lore from the League skins too. Just leave a review at the bottom. I'll get the first one up asap so you can leave suggestions in reviews on that chapter and my inbox won't be loaded.

And, to end today is... BRAUM! The heart of the Freljord himself! I hope you guys can all have the brightest, truest smile, reflecting your hearts to the world. I hope you have a wonderful family you made for himself. And hope they all recognize that even if you are in an ordinary life, you are extraordinary to them!