What was with that reaction, Starshadow? I ask him privately as I fold up my photo and tuck it into my scarf. I can't wait for this picture to get back to Targon. I know I've talked about him a bit in my letters, but it would definitely be nice for my parents to put a face to his name. They'll be excited to meet him… when I finally get the chance to bring him home…
Just… I'm upset that I'm not in it. Starshadow is still lying to me. That was way too panicky for him to be reacting like that.
You might be egotistical, but you aren't-
"Oh, finally got an injury on Yasuo. Probably got word that Noxus is going to invade. Let's go." Starshadow interrupts.
We aren't done yet.
"Is the teleport going to be as rough as last time?" Yone asks, oblivious to our argument.
"Might be a little bit better, might not be. Shouldn't be horrible." Starshadow keeps going, ignoring my demands. I sigh before linking my hand with Yone's.
"Since I know we're going to be teleporting, I think I can make it easier."
"Something wrong?" I guess I'm a little more bitter than I mean to be as Yone notices it in my tone.
"Starshadow hiding things from me. Again."
I'm not trying to hide it from you because I don't think you're ready… I just don't think I need to alarm you. From what I remember, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. You're massively powerful. You'll be fine.
"I'd still like to know." I roll my eyes.
It was a while ago! I don't remember all the details! Try years!
"Starshadow…"
Hey, we got a place to go! Starshadow reminds me. From previous knowledge, that's all the warning I get before my bonded decides to start teleporting. At least this time, when we exit right in front of Yasuo, Yone doesn't get a massive headache. Yasuo, on the other hand, jumps a bit, messing up his spar with another student. I can already spot the finger with a little blood on it, though it's very shallow. Yasuo's opponent takes the chance, attempting to sweep his stick underneath Yasuo's feet. Still, the younger brother jumps up and dodges the attack before quickly defeating his friend.
"Yame!" Master Souma barks. Yasuo immediately sinks into a kneel. The other student and Yone sinks into the same position. I just stay on my feet. I haven't been a student here for a while. Besides, I can't actually fight. It would be a little weird bowing to someone that isn't above me. "You should know, Yasuo, that a surprise can come from anywhere. The wind technique is for more than one combatant."
"Master, I didn't know that Yone and his girlfriend would appear out of nowhere!" Yasuo attempts to complain.
"No excuses." Master Souma raps his cane against the ground, though he looks at us with a gentle smile in his eyes. "I'm certain that I speak for many elders here when I say congratulations, though I am certain that most are going to be displeased with how much they owe Yasuo."
"Master Souma, rest assured that I've already discussed with Yasuo the-" Yone glances up to see Master Souma just reach into his pocket and pull out a few coins and toss them to Yasuo. If he wasn't such a composed man, I'm more than certain that his mouth would simply be on the ground. I giggle when Yasuo flashes his brother a smirk. Starshadow slips out of my scarf with a bit of a huff.
"Hold up, I have the original bet to collect on!"
Starshadow! We still need to talk about what caused you to be so uncomfortable about the picture! I ignore everyone as they all groan over the reminder.
"What, you thought I would forget that I have a red bean paste bun from everyone at the monastery if I didn't come back? I already knew those two were going to be together. It was just a matter of time." Starshadow becomes super smug. I flick his nose a little too hard. We both flinch from the contact.
"Master Souma… did you encourage Yasuo?" Yone sighs as he stands up.
"Of course not. He overheard us making bets and joined in. He guessed the most accurate out of all of us." Master Souma smirks a little bit. Yone rolls his eyes at that, but he's still pleased to be back. Master Souma gestures for the students to stand up as he leaves. That seems to encourage Yasuo to dash over, pulling us both into a hug. My magic instinctively heals the small cut on his finger.
"Finally! I was a little bit worried when we got word that Leilah was kidnapped… again, but it's good to see that you guys are alright." Yasuo's naivety is sweet, though Yone and I both know that I'm really not alright. Still, he's young. He doesn't have to hold the world on his shoulders. He doesn't need to feel the pain we feel.
"It's nice to see you too. I think the last time we spent so much time apart was when Master Souma took you for a little bit of training in the outdoors." Yone gives a soft smile as Yasuo pulls away. That alone tells me that he's ecstatic to be back.
"Wait, you heard that she was kidnapped, but you haven't heard about Noxus?" Starshadow asks.
"Noxus won't be able to take Ionia. We have some of the best mages here, including and not limited to my brother's girlfriend. Noxus won't know what hit them." Yasuo casually leans against a pillar.
"Excuse me, are you forgetting about me? I'll have you know-" Starshadow opens his mouth, though I am quick to hold my hand around it. I can feel the glare he wants to give me. His tail pokes at my side, causing me to yelp away. "That I am beyond your simple mages."
"Yeah, right. Yone is barely able to face me one on one." Yasuo boasts a little bit. Yone raises an eyebrow before he takes off his bag and hands it to me.
"Hold onto this, Leilah. My brother has grown a remarkably large head during the time we were gone." Yone teases a little bit. I happily hold onto his things as he walks into the courtyard, pulling out his swords. He swirls them for a moment, warming up his wrists before he sinks into a relaxed stance. I find a seat to watch as Yasuo gets ready for the fight.
Both of them seem to flash into each other, their blades meeting in a clang. Yone is fast, using more than one angle to fight to his advantage. Yasuo is forced to be on the defensive for a long time. They are running almost everywhere, trying to find the better footing between the two of them. I can barely keep up with how fast they are moving, so I turn to more serious matters.
What about this photo made you so uneasy, Starshadow? I ask him. He's watching the fight, completely absorbed into watching them fight.
Hmm? I seem to get his attention.
Why did you get nervous when you saw this photo? I pull out the picture I plan on sending to my parents from Yone's pack. Starshadow looks at it and once again tenses.
...This photo… Leilah, there are implications that this photo has that I really don't want to get into.
Implications like what? I lean a little bit forward, staring at the picture. It just so perfectly captures us, our happiness and our feelings for each other plain as day. How could it imply something bad.
Just… know that I don't want to be right.
Starshadow, tell me!
If I'm right, you knowing won't change anything, no matter how much you would want to change it. Please, leave the nightmare to me. Knowing what I know… you can blame me all you ever want if it comes by, and I will accept it. Just… Know I love you. Starshadow nuzzles his head into my face. I'm already surprised that he's being polite. Him crying surprises me even more.
I thought we were partners in this.
This is one of those few times I'm begging. Please, Leilah. Don't. I know you want to know, but I promise this will be a nightmare. Starshadow refuses. I sigh before relenting.
Fine. You can keep this secret, but know that I'm not exactly happy with this. I fold my picture up before returning my attention to the dueling brothers.
Yasuo and Yone are still going at it, no wind magic from Yasuo. He's barely keeping Yone from beating him. I might slip a little hand wave as they run by me again. My magic snags Yasuo's foot for a second. Yasuo yelps as he rolls back onto his feet. His sword could not have been any slower, or Yone would have cut his head off. As it was, Yone is able to quickly disarm his little brother. Yasuo glares at me.
"Cheater." Yasuo grumbles. I blink open as innocent eyes as I can muster.
"Me? I wouldn't cheat. Yone doesn't need my help. He had you on the ropes the entire time." I point out. Yone is barely out of breath as he puts his swords away and helps his brother to his feet.
"I was waiting for him to tire out… What were you looking at, by the way?" Yasuo remembers.
"Oh, that was a bit of interesting technology from Piltover. They have these things called cameras that make very accurate portraits. Starshadow and I asked someone from Piltover to use it and make a few copies. Two are for Leilah. One to send to her parents, and one for her when she needs something to hold onto. I have the third one. Here." Yone digs into his bag before pulling out the portrait. Yasuo takes it gently, knowing that it is precious to both of us. When he looks at it, his mouth almost seems to drop.
"Wow. I mean, I knew you and Leilah were always going to at least try dating, but this one… you guys look like soulmates." Yasuo actually wipes a tear from his eye. I roll mine.
"Seriously?"
"For real. If we show Master Souma this, we both know he's going to start planning your wedding-"
"That's a little early, Yasuo." Yone cautions immediately.
"Oh, come on, you and I both know that Master Souma sees us as his children, and he wants his children happy. Leilah makes you happy." Yasuo pats his older brother on the back.
"I'm… I have no idea how old I am…. Early twenties?" I have to think about it. When I was with Qiyana, I was twenty… or I was nineteen… and it's been a year and a half, so I should be around twenty one, with Yone being twenty-two. "It doesn't matter the exact date, we're a little young to be married. We even only started dating around two weeks ago!"
"I said planning, didn't I?" Yasuo grumbles under his breath.
"I did not think that Elder Souma was telling the truth, but he does not lie." A familiar, elderly voice interrupts our conversation. I turn around and bow my head.
"Hello again, Sensei." I greet as warmly as I can.
"You do not need to bow your head to me, Leilah. You stopped being my apprentice a long time ago, and you were ill suited for the task." Sensei is much kinder than before. A small smile tugs on my face as I look at him.
"I'm sorry we weren't compatible."
"Don't be. I can tell you are more at ease with yourself now than you were as my student. I do hope that, even if I pushed you too hard to be able to use a sword, you learned something from your time here."
Do it, Leilah. Starshadow cackles in my mind. I glance over to see him grab a freshly made bean paste bun that a janitor brought for him.
I'm sorry?
Show them all just how much you've grown.
You know I'm not a combatant.
Suit yourself. "Feel free to gang up on her. She's more than capable of defending herself now, if she wouldn't get jumped so often." Starshadow waves his tail. Yasuo smirks as he prepares to fight.
"Starshadow!" I scream as I dive out of Yasuo's attack.
I'm more curious about what you can do. Try not to pin Yasuo down. It's not that much fun. Starshadow yawns. A chill down my spine makes me cast my shadow magic, just barely able to block Yasuo's attempt to hit me from behind. Oh, come on! You specialize in illusions!
"You're the worst!" I snap before really getting my focus on this fight. Yasuo gets ready to create a tornado. I throw my hand out and force his arm to stay locked. He blinks in surprise before Starshadow tugs harshly at my core.
Don't use that magic. Use the magic Aurora gifted you, and only Aurora's. Starshadow orders me.
If I could kill you, I would. I relent.
Hey, this is relaxing and I am curious as to how strong your illusions are now.
Fine! I finally give into Starshadow's annoying behaviour and blast Yasuo's face with the brightest light I can. Everyone, not just Yasuo, is forced to cover their eyes. At the same time, I create a few copies of myself. Interestingly, I'm not completely tired. If anything, I feel like I've used the same amount of energy as when I walk. Once there's a few copies of me, I make myself disappear from their sight. Once everyone gets their vision back, I can see all humans are struggling to figure out which one the real me is. Better?
Nicely done! Now, can you make me some coffee? I haven't had it in years!
No way. This is the first time I've used copies myself. I have to be in control.
It's only four.
"Feel free to guess-" The one behind Yasuo starts.
"Which one of us-" The one in front continues.
"Is the real me." The one to Yasuo's left speaks up. Immediately, he turns to the right.
"It's you." Yasuo declares, pouncing on that copy. He taps the sword against the head, though it just fizzles into nothing.
"Nice try, but it's not. Want another guess?" My first copy taunts. Yasuo growls a little bit, now taking his time. His head bobs up and he conjures a tornado. All my copies are protected from the wind by my shadow magic. "Really? Wind magic? You do know that my magic blocks others, right?"
"This isn't fighting, Leilah." Yasuo attempts to taunt me. All three copies shrug their shoulders.
"You know I can't hurt you. So, this is how I fight. What I consider as winning is when I get away."
Yasuo gives a soft growl before attacking each one individually. I narrow my eyes. He's attempting to eliminate them one at a time. That's not good. So, I have my magic start to alternate who's fighting, going behind the man. Sometimes they switch direction, sometimes they don't. Whatever I'm doing, it's clearly making Yasuo dizzy. Still, he's trying valiantly to win, and I'm just casually sitting in my original seat. Starshadow watches as I spin Yasuo around in circles.
Not bad, not bad. That's a remarkable amount of control.
Well, I had some training from vastaya. Running with magic for six months, and healing in that time, I've had the time to learn how to be in control.
Fair enough.
"Well done, Leilah. I can see just how much you have accomplished in a short time." Sensei startles me. He's looking right at me. Yasuo continues to fight all three of them. He's still trying to figure out which one is the real me.
"How did you know?"
"Illusionists are very well aware of how illusions are. We are much better at spotting other's fakes. Something about the copies are just a little bit off. For me, your illusions aren't as clear. I think one of your copies' eye cracks aren't as clear as the real one." Sensei takes a seat next to me. Starshadow narrows his eyes a little bit.
"They are. Otherwise Yasuo would have noticed it." Starshadow tries to point out. Sensei draws his sword and creates a double of himself. His second self is colored off, at least to me.
"Every illusionist has some way of determining who the real one is. The more powerful one is, the easier it is to determine who the real and fake are. Tell me, how do you tell?" Sensei's double doesn't say a word, though their mouths move in tandem.
"Everything… just looks weird. I'm not sure how to describe it." I have to think about how I would explain.
"I can. The colors are inverse. What's bright is dark and dark is bright. So, your copy is just... off." Starshadow speaks up.
"Hey!" Yasuo finally figures out that I'm not actually in combat right now. Both Starshadow and I snort at how long it took for him to figure out that I'm not actually there with him.
"Took you long enough, brother." Yone snorts in amusement. I didn't notice before, but he's standing right behind me. He finally puts his hands on my invisible shoulders. "She hasn't been in combat since the bright light."
"And how did you figure that out?" Yasuo asks, a little out of breath.
"Because she doesn't move that cleanly. Ever."
"Hey!" I protest, letting all my magic fall. Yasuo shoots a glare at me as he stumbles over to the seat. Yone just barely manages to keep Yasuo from falling on me. Still, the brush against me is enough to tell me that he's overworked himself. I let my magic course out, healing his sore body as easily as I breath. Yasuo stretches out before slouching back into the seat, though it's not sluggish.
"You didn't have to do that." Yone shakes his head.
"Well, better that I do. I've never exactly tested just how long my magic would affect me from not healing someone, and with Noxus' planning, we can't risk anyone starting the war tired." I explain. His hands tighten on my shoulder at the light reminder.
"Leilah…"
"No. We both know that war is going to be coming. And no one should be tired or sore. Not for whatever is going to happen." I stay firm.
"I was going to ask if I could come with you." There's a bit of laughter in his voice. I notice Yasuo's face falls a little bit at the thought of his brother leaving again. As much as I want to have Yone come with me, it's obvious that Yasuo misses his brother quite a bit.
Starshadow?
I'm on it. "As sweet as it is to have you and Leilah be all lovey dovey, it's not safe for either of you. Besides, it takes a little bit more magic to teleport you as well as us. Attempting to do that in our first battle… not good. Not good at all. Not to mention we have no idea where we will be going. If we go to the Freljord or Shurima, you aren't capable of surviving those conditions. So, you'll be stuck here. Hopefully the invasion will leave as soon as they realize that we are here." Starshadow speaks up for me. Yasuo's never been good at hiding his feelings as his entire body relaxes at that. Yone glances at him. That's when I see that he knows how Yasuo is feeling. The smile he gives me is both sad and grateful.
"Alright. Besides, I'm certain I'm going to have to make sure that my brother is more than capable of protecting Master Souma." Yone presses a kiss against my head before slipping behind me. He pulls me towards him, much like when I was sick so long ago. Only this time, I am not going to be hiding behind the excuse of being sick. I bask in his affection for a moment.
Hey, Leilah?
Yeah?
When do you plan on sending that letter to your parents?
… When I'm done cuddling Yone.
"I see you two are content in yourselves. It's nice to see you two actually be a couple instead of Yone using training as his excuse to be around you all the time." Yasuo starts to tease. Yone narrows his eyes.
"I will thrash you again…" Yone claims under his breath. For the rest of the day, we just hang around. I get to write my letter to my parents and send it off before we head to the balcony where Yone confessed his feelings for the first time. People keep coming to us, bringing Starshadow his favorite treat and paying Yasuo what they owe. With each person, Yone's face darkens. At the end of the day, his face has become so dark that I'm wondering if he needs to ask Daamien how he can be a part of the Darkins. The entire monastery was apparently in on the bet. It's a bit embarrassing when I think about it.
The last thing we do is sit at our favorite balcony and watch the stars from above. Starshadow and Yasuo also enjoy our company, though Starshadow is round, with his stomach highlighting every single bun he ate. I'm currently telling Yasuo of our trip to the town, meeting with Noxus, Demacia, and Piltover.
"How bad did they smell?" Yasuo attempts to make a joke when I mention how often I was being knocked out by them. Starshadow gives a snort in amusement.
"I wouldn't know, I was busy giving this one directions." Starshadow flicks his tail at Yone.
"At least we got to her in time." Yone rubs my right shoulder affectionately.
"That's true. I would hate to know what would have happened if we didn't… The bank might have been robbed, They would have gotten away, Demacians would starve, Ionia would have a little more time to prepare, and Leilah would have been off in the wind. This is why she needs me." Starshadow preens. To my surprise, my chest tightens a little bit. He might be joking, but it doesn't feel like it's wrong. I'm… dependant on him. On people I meet. I don't want that, but… I am…
"Something wrong?" Yone asks me quietly while Starshadow continues the story.
"It's nothing." I dismiss it. Yone opens his mouth when Starshadow straightens up for a moment.
"Time to go. We'll be back when you need us!" Starshadow yelps when he leaps on my arm. And just like that, we teleport away again. The last thing I feel is Yone's hand on mine before the shadows take me away.
Where… are we… this time? I groan a little bit. My stomach has a bit of a cramp from all the teleporting I've done lately. My hand slides into sand. The sun is just starting to set over a few dunes. It's a bit of a struggle to get to my feet, since the sand doesn't help me at all. It takes a few tries, but I get to my feet again. I've never walked on sand before. It's kinda similar to walking on snow...
No idea. I'm going to take a guess and say Shurima? Starshadow guesses. That's enough to make me perk up. I'm in my Mother's birth country! She talked about how the place was a deadly beauty. Maybe I get to finally see for myself what she was talking about. She told me that the most beautiful thing in her world was this thing called an oasis, where people and their… camels… could get water after going a long time without it. I must be in that part. Though, I am on some rather slippery ground. I can already feel the grains of sand slip out from under my feet. I try to take a step, only for the sands to give out from under me. Starshadow and I yelp together as we fall down the slope. I don't close my eyes in time for sand to come flying into my eyes. So, while I'm spinning out of control, my eyes are assaulted by grains of rock. It stings enough for tears to come into my eyes.
We finally come to a stop at the bottom of the sands. I have to take a moment to myself to recover. Rolling around like that made me a little bit dizzy. That, and clean my eyes of sand. Damn, those things hurt worse than getting my eyes cut out. At least I can heal and regenerate the injury faster. Having sand in my eyes means I have to get them out before I can heal them.
"Miss?" A man slides down next to me, but much more elegantly. I blink my eyes a few times to get rid of the blurriness. A man dressed in brown offers his hand. He's completely covered from head to toe. I'm pretty sure Mother said something about the sun being harsh on a human. With that in mind, I create another bit of clothing… A hood to cover me and Starshadow. "Are you alright?"
"I'm alright, thank you." I'm helped to my feet by this man.
What the hell are you two saying? Starshadow sounds a little bit woozy. Apparently the tumble took more out of him than me.
What, you don't understand? He was just asking if I was alright.
"To whom does the desert know?" The man asks, a little breathless at the sight of my magic.
Leilah?
Yes?
What does 'Kas sai a dyn' mean?
Tis unfortunate that Leilah is once again torn from her beloved. And dammit, they were having a wonderful time to bond and enjoy adventures. Damn Leilah for her kindness, but Yasuo's feeling a little lonely, and Leilah wants to make everyone happy, even at the cost of her own... But COME ON! Girl, be selfish! And Starshadow is openly keeping a secret now. This secret... I wonder what it is? Feel free to take a few guesses. I've left you guys a few clues, sprinkled far and wide. I can't wait to see what you think Starshadow's hiding.
Short and sweet. Anyway, the next champion is... Caitlyn! The sheriff of Piltover! May you have the skills and determination of the sheriff to follow your passions. And I hope you guys are going to have an extraordinary day!