Still avoiding him then? Starshadow asks as he wakes up from his nap in the sun. I sigh as I throw a bit of soaked laundry over a clothes line. It's been two months since Kassadin came home. Kaisa's mother has really warmed up to me, inviting me to stay with them while Kassadin recovers. Well, she probably hasn't really warmed up to me, but with my magic, I can be there if something goes really wrong.

The first month was a little rough, as he was slowly getting his body back in order, but he's definitely on the road to recovery. He's able to walk around the village now. When he was brought home, a week after he was admitted, he was unable to walk across a room. Kaisa was like his little shadow, always helping her father around. She reminds me of a little puppy wanting to be around their favorite person after they have been gone for a long time. Speaking of people being gone for a long time...

Well… it's hard to talk about…

You need to learn healing. Especially runes. Don't you remember the Shadow Isles? Their broken runes? The only person that can teach healing runes is Daamien, and you have to learn it. Starshadow doesn't help me. I fix the sheet I'm hanging now. I gently pin it to the line.

"He.. he called me his daughter…" I mumble a little bit. Starshadow nods.

In a way, both Aurora and Daamien are your parents. You resemble them now. You were… in essence, reborn that day. So was I. That magical malady that they gave you, it's rewritten your DNA. You are still your parents' child, but you are Aurora and Daamien's child too, if you will.

"How… Why haven't they said anything?" My hands are trembling as I try to hang a piece of cloth.

You miss your real parents, and they don't want to replace you.

"How long have they felt that way?" I reach into the basket another time, looking for a bit of wet fabric. There isn't any left. I sigh and sit on the ground.

Since the beginning. Aurora's the same. She's watched you since you were a young child. She chose you because you are exactly the person that she adores. Over the years, she's grown even more fond of you, and she considers you her child now. Daamien, you brought him back. He's gotten healthier because of Aurora, but you… you apparently act like his son. Always trying to help. You reminded him of what he's lost, and over time, he's considered you his child. Starshadow explains softly.

"What about you? You don't feel like an uncle to me?" I ask. Starshadow slithers onto my lap.

Oh, no. I'm still the greatest big brother you can have… but it's really not that bad to think about. It's easier to think of people you are constantly in contact and adore as family. You were the one to call me brother first.

"... Fair… but… I don't know… I feel like I'm betraying my parents if I accept that they think of me like their child." I reach a hand up to pet Starshadow.

Oh, that's easy. You know the orphans? Adopted kids? They still have their parents, but they also have others taking care of them. Ooooh yeah. Right there… give me some more… Starshadow keeps begging for scratches, but at least he explains it well enough that I'm not as uncomfortable to confront them.

"But… what if I don't think of them as my parents?" I have to ask.

Oh, they are fully aware. Daamien's son isn't his blood son. He was adopted.

"We don't know what age he adopted his son." I try to counter his argument.

Oh, I asked. The kid was eight. Found alone on the street. Daamien adopted him, letting the boy call him whatever he wanted. His parents threw him on the street apparently, disliking that he didn't have the ability to fight like his older siblings. Starshadow answers.

"How often are you with Daamien and Aurora that you know this stuff?"

Think of it this way. I don't dream or sleep. Ever. I just go into your core and talk with them. Are you done trying to be difficult yet? Starshadow explains rather simply. I take a deep breath before finding a comfortable spot.

"Alright… I'll talk with them. I still need to learn all the healing skills I can." I relent. I close my eyes and mediate. Breath in… breath out…

" It's nice to see you again, Leilah." Daamien does his best to keep his head up, but I notice that his hand is trembling a little bit. He must be just as nervous as I am from our last encounter.

"I'm sorry that I've been avoiding you. I…" I try to talk, but it's hard to do so. I'm not sure how to talk to him anymore. Daamien sighs and shrinks in on himself.

" I am sorry that I made you uncomfortable. It just slipped out. I didn't even realize what I said until Aurora told me. It's just… you gave me a purpose. Much like my son did a long time ago. It's... funny." Daamien tries to talk. I almost laugh. It's just like a good parent to try to address something difficult to both parties by starting it first. My own father would do that too.

"It's… it's ok-"

" It's just… Ever since you brought me back into my mind, I've watched you grow. You were a nervous little girl, terrified by almost everything, but you also tried your hardest to help. The first instance being that you were in the Freljord. You were hurt. Aurora and I were panicking, as we were unable to do anything from a magic neither of us were familiar with. You gave us the idea to mimic the magic. That impressed me a lot. From then, I watched you grow. You gave a young girl courage to be a better leader. You saved a young man from death. You saved a prince and a king. You saved a city. And… I watched you mature through all of it. Sure, all I was was your teacher, but… But you reminded me so much of my son… he might not have saved a city, but I know his heart would have been in the right place and-" Daamien keeps rambling on, wanting to pacify any sort of anger he thinks I have. Listening to him, it's clear he doesn't want me to be uncomfortable with him anymore. And he truly thinks of me as a daughter.

To be honest… I have been going to the two of them when I needed help. Daamien was there, scolding me when I got hurt. I think he was afraid for me. Maybe it started as he wanted to keep me safe, but… he's really come to adore me. Especially since he took me on as an apprentice. It might not have even been about people wanting to apprentice under him… but he might not have accepted just anyone. He kind of strikes me as a rather stern person unless he approves of someone

"Hey, you remember when you said many people line up to learn under you?" I have to interrupt him. He looks like he's running out of air.

" Uh, yeah?"

"How many did you actually apprentice?"

" Well… I taught often when I first became an Ascended, but none of them ever got the understanding to be a healer like me… but the point of being an apprentice was to learn it all… I tried to get away with letting them not know some things… but that turned out to be a mistake… I refused to mentor some as they were starting to get dangerous with what they could do… then my son came… and he actually learned…"

Daamien, dear, I don't think you're telling the whole story. Aurora blinks in. I didn't even realize that she was gone until she spoke. She gives Daamien a fond hug. He smiles as she does so. You were telling me when you taught a class. You had practical exams, and none of them passed.

"Really?" I pull a little bit of magic from my light river and create a seat for myself. Daamien glares at Aurora before nodding.

" It wasn't that hard. The task was simply to tell me what the rune combination was. I was the teacher for that particular class… And none of them got it right." Daamien pouts.

It wasn't from their lack of trying. Daamien's a picky person. He must be precise in everything he does, so… he marked the students' attempts with a pass or fail. One wrong mark, and they were considered failures. Aurora explains.

" You don't understand, Aurora. If you are going to try to defend against runes, you can't even miss one mark. Doing so would result in the death of… many if the combination is bad enough. And some runes are so similar that leaving out a single mark could change the entire meaning of the rune!" Daamien attempts to defend himself. I blink in surprise.

"So that's why Runes are so important…" I mumble a bit. Daamien nods.

" There are five world runes that all runes are based off of. But… you aren't here to learn runes quite yet… You're here so I can properly apologize for calling you my daughter. Stop distracting me like Starshadow likes to do." Daamien mock scolds me.

"I… actually don't mind." The words come out of my mouth before I even have a chance to realize what I said.

" It… doesn't bother you?" Daamien is just as surprised as I am.

"I mean… you've been looking out for me in your own ways. You like to poke fun at Starshadow, and you are absolutely ancient compared to me… You are definitely a very close friend at the least… And… well… Starshadow's family to me, even after all the crap he likes to give me. He's a part of my soul… and since you changed who I am today… It… wouldn't be a far stretch that you two are like my traveling parents…" I try to explain. And at the end of my little impromptu speech, I feel like what I said… is right. "My parents are still my parents. They did raise me after all, but you guys… you guys are there when things get rough. Though, don't expect me to call you guys familial names. That is reserved for my mother and father."

" Of course not… Leilah." Daamien pulls me off my seat to give me an extremely tight hug. I think his skin is a comforting heat than the blistering it once was. I'm not feeling like I'm burning anymore. " My son didn't call me Father for years. It wasn't until he almost completed his training that he started to call me by that title."

And I'm more than happy for you to think of me however you want. Aurora chimes in. I'll admit, there's a few tears down my face as he holds me. For some reason, any time a father holds me, I feel like my own Father does. And I love it.

Now, I think that you need to head back to the real world. I was informing Kaisa that you were in a meditative trance before she interrupted you. You can always come back for Rune lessons later. Aurora presses a kiss like a Mother would. Dammit, Starshadow. Why did you make me think like this? Though… It's… nice to have a family with me...

"Can… we learn Runes now? Starshadow should be able to distract them for a bit." I notice that all three of us have slightly watery eyes. It's a bit of an emotional wave for us all. And Starshadow is right. I should be learning. There's no knowing when I'll encounter runes again, and I'll be prepared for them this time.

" Sure." Daamien wipes his eyes before waving a bit of our magic towards him. Five droplets appear before us. The first one remains yellow, a circle with three prongs pointing out of it. There's even smaller points out from the circle. One of the long prongs points down. The second one turns red. It seems like a sinister three-pronged fork, with the two sides curving instead of just pointing straight with the other one. The third turns purple, looking like a rough stone with cracks and a center in them. The cracks are in the top left and bottom right corner, looking like stones that form a diamond. The fourth becomes green, forming into what I can only describe as a shield, four pillars reaching a little bit beyond the top. The last one… I can't even imagine how to describe it. It's like a light blue circle around circles. The last one, really speaks to me. It's… a sort of familiarity and comfort, but I've never seen it before...

"What… are those?" I point at each one sheepishly. I try to look at the others, but the last one just keeps my attention.

" These are the base runes, where everything in the world revolves around. Precision, Domination, Sorcery, Resolve, and Inspiration." Daamien begins his lecture. I'll admit, I'm incredibly curious about this stuff. Aurora highlights each of the runes as Daamien names them. No wonder why I can't help but stare at the last rune. As the Aspect of Inspiration, the last rune would speak to me. And why the domination rune seems sinister to me. Not being one for violence, that rune is everything I'm against.

"What runes would the Shadow Isles use?"

" All of them. These are the base runes, but you can combine them into different ways."

"Are the runes supposed to make me feel… different?" I bring up. Both Daamien and Aurora peer at me curiously.

Define different?

"The inspiration rune feels right, while the domination rune feels… scary." I wrap my arms around myself while trying to shy away from it. Both Aurora and Daamien nod in understanding.

" Runes are incredibly powerful. It's not a surprise that you can sense them and feel like that. It's also not that surprising that you feel… uneasy with the domination rune. That rune alone goes against everything we represent. But understand that it does not instinctively try to harm. Domination, being the strongest so you can better protect the ones you care about is nothing. Take you, for example."

"I don't want to dominate anything!" I yelp, standing up in my protest. Daamien and Aurora simply just look at me.

" It's not a matter of wanting to dominate. We have a massive amount of magic. We, by magic alone, are one of the most powerful people to exist. You think you would have been able to survive the Shadow Isles? To save Starshadow, you had to use your magic. You were touched by a rune with a base that was domination. Even more interesting, the runes origin… I believe that it was a rune mix meaning 'domination over chaos'. The corrupted version erased the 'over', making it 'domination Chaos'. That magic, in itself, brought everything chaotic in you to life."

Aurora attempts to draw it out. It takes a little bit of time, but the domination rune appears, with a diamond behind it. She lines the edges with dots. When she pulls away, it looks like, to me, magic is in a cage. Daamien notices what she drew and shakes his head. He pulls her behind him, treating it like a threat.

" Careful, Rori. That rune that you just drew means 'control over magic'. That kind of Rune would completely overwhelm anyone with magic. In fact, that rune would control anyone." Daamien reaches out and wipes a few marks. First to go is the diamond behind the trident. He changes it to… the inspiration rune. The next is wiping the edges of the rune. No longer does it look like a cage, but something covering it. It… looks healthier this way.

Apologies, Daamien. I thought I got it right… Aurora sounds a little frustrated. Daamien kisses her forehead.

" No worries. You are learning because it's interesting. If Leilah made that mistake… she'd be dead." He says it so casually that it takes me a moment to realize what he said.

"What? " I squeak. Daamien nods his head in my direction.

" Yeah. Runes are powerful, and because of that, they must be treated like so. Numbers are also powerful in the rune world. The Shadow Isle runes had quite a few on it's border. Those symbols are also even spaced, so magic would be contained. If those runes were even a millimeter off, then the waters would have never been as well known as they were. The explosion released a ton of magic, not to mention that runes were changed… It almost makes me wonder if a World Rune was there…" Daamien presses a finger against his chin. I frown. I've definitely heard that term before. It sucks that I can't remember where I heard it. " Probably not, though. There are only five, and they have all been identified."

"Where were they identified?"

" From what I remember, the world runes were found at the historical sites of Demacia, Noxus, Icathia, Freljord, and Targon." That also explains a lot more why I'm comfortable with Inspiration and not Domination, if Inspiration is Targon and Domination is Noxus.

Stop that. Aurora scolds me a little bit.

"Stop what?" I jolt a little bit. Both powerful beings are looking at me in disappointment. I'll admit, I drop my head a little bit in shame, though I'm not sure why.

" Do not think that you will dislike a Rune just because of where they are from. Whether you like it or not, all these Runes are our bases. Precision, our need for plans and control. Domination, our need for being right. Sorcery, wonder. Resolve, our strength to keep going. Inspiration, our creativity and beliefs. They are all a part of what makes us become greater than who we are. Do not… ever… assume that you are completely separate from everyone else. You can not know how the runes are going to be read if you already show a dislike for one. Domination could include being the healer to get others to follow your lead, being the person that people look up to, or even control over the person's life through healing." Daamien scolds me a little bit. My hands morph into fists, but I understand what he's saying.

"Alright… I'll… work on it." He's not wrong. Magic requires control… domination over it. Healing requires control as well. As much as I don't like it, I can't just dismiss what he's saying, even if I want to.

" No. We will not continue our rune lessons until you can accept that part of you." Daamien stands up, waving his hand. That's when I feel my eyes grow extremely heavy.

So, how did it go? Starshadow gently nudges me awake. I come back with a bit of a sore back. Kaisa came in. Aurora took control and told the girl something… I'll have to ask how she knew the language… Kassadin's wife came back to check on the laundry. I couldn't understand what she was saying, though I remember you said rest in Shuriman before. She had a little bit of a bitter tone, though she left us alone.

I… might have made Daamien a little annoyed. I scratch my head. I struggle to push myself up. My entire body seems to have fallen asleep.

Oh? How did you manage that?

We were talking about Runes… and I made a face that neither liked when it came to the domination rune…

Ah. If only you were me and could accept everything perfectly. Starshadow flairs his hood a little bit. A soft glare at him makes him bow his head. Sorry.

"Leilah? Are you awake now?" Kaisa asks sweetly from the door. My back lets out little pops as I straighten up. "Mother said that you were on your period and passed out from the pain."

I snort at that and try not to laugh too hard at that. I haven't exactly had one since I became an Aspect, but it seems like Starshadow mixed up rest with 'menstrual cycle'. That silly snake… Now he can finally feel the pain I feel whenever he teases me about messing up my own words… But that would just be lowering myself to his level… Well, it's not like I haven't been acting like that anyway!

"No, that's just Starshadow attempting to speak Shuriman. I'll admit, since it isn't my first language, they can sound a little similar. I think he added a few s's where there weren't." I explain to the girl. She nods in understanding.

"I guess that makes sense. I'm not sure about other languages, but he sounds funny. What does 'Shadow Isles, child, wear a bell' mean?" Kaisa perfectly mimics Starshadow's hissing in Targonian. I burst into laughter, as that is exactly what Starshadow would say if someone startled him. She seems a little confused until I tell her the translation. She also lets out laughter at that.

What are you laughing at? Starshadow attempts to pull the saddest face he can.

We're laughing at what you said. She didn't understand what you were saying until now. I pat Starshadow's head. He huffs.

I'm going to learn from Daamien… Starshadow hisses in annoyance. Kaisa appears to be incredibly intrigued by Starshadow's form.

"You're not scared of a talking snake?" I ask her. She shrugs.

"I don't exactly understand what he's saying. Besides, Daamien's symbol was a snake around a staff. Snakes are worshipped around here. We'd do everything in out power to ensure that every snake we find is taken care of, as we were sure that he reincarnated into his favorite animal in the whole world." Kaisa reaches out and scratches Starshadow's head. My bonded melts at the attention.

Oh yeah… You can treat a snake right… Leilah, we stay here… Best scratches ever. Starshadow moans. I snort at him.

"I guess we can't teach him Shuriman then. If he ever got wind of how much Shurima worships snakes, it's going to be impossible living with him." I joke with Kaisa. She grins before nodding her head.

"Based on what you say or how you glare at him, he's definitely a handful. I won't say anything if you won't." Kaisa winks. She gently scoops him into her lap. Starshadow gives a soft whine from the movement, but settles himself comfortably on the girl. Both of us are silent for a moment. Kaisa keeps cuddling my bonded while I just try to wrap my head around Daamien's lesson.

Domination… I'm not about that kind of behaviour. That's not what I want. I don't want to dominate anyone. I don't want to control anything… but I have. I dominate the human body. I can control a person's limbs and movements with a flash of magic. I can blind anyone, make them hear things. The body is mine to command. That's my power.

I'll be honest, now that I think about it, I hate it. I don't like the power that I have. I have no desire to dictate to others what I want… But sometimes I did it in self-defence. Does that make me a good or a bad person for doing that?

You're going a million miles a second there. What's the matter, little light? Starshadow purrs in Kaisa's arms.

Am I a bad person? I whimper in my mind.

WHAT? What kind of question is that? What started this? Starshadow doesn't move though. He must be incredibly content to not move a muscle with how loud he was being.

Some lessons in my head… The domination rune… It scares me. I mumble in my mind.

Viego. That's what scares you, doesn't it? Losing yourself that far again. Starshadow keeps one bright red eye focused on me while letting Kaisa continue to worship him… pet him. Dammit, he's in my head!

...A little. I've seen what I am capable of, Starshadow. And it's terrifying. I was happy, pleased that I was torturing someone! How could I have possibly been happy at that! That… THAT WASN'T WHO I WANT TO BE! A few tears start to fall. I wave a few fingers so Starshadow and I can continue to talk alone.

Good. Starshadow relaxes once more.

Good? GOOD? Why is that good?

Because you're right. That wasn't you. That was a rune in control. Your sensitivity to different magics and your personality being affected makes different magics much more… intense. We do need to figure out how to control the invasive magic characteristics better, though it's more because you're a healer and you have a blessing that reverts everything back on you. You're already receiving other people's injuries. Why not magic? Starshadow starts to sound like he's falling asleep.

Oh… So… that isn't me deep down? I ask, wanting to make sure that I'm not crazy.

Let's say it this way. You, on your own, decided to ignore everyone's request that you RUN FROM A MADMAN because you heard that people were getting hurt and you couldn't stand by. You did everything you could to help a young mage boy not be killed… You wouldn't let two little girls feel afraid and alone. You caught a Golden Demon. And you RAN INTO A BURNING HOUSE to save a little girl. You don't even want to hurt the people that tortured you. Shadow Isles, Leilah, you healed the very man that enslaved others! Another healer that killed him. You're stronger than you think, kinder than you think. And Leilah, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. Starshadow's tail flicks towards in the effort of connecting against. I smile at the gesture. The sun is starting to sink under the horizon.

Thank you Starshadow. My past… it's hellish and no normal person on their own could handle it. I'm grateful for Starshadow, for Aurora and Daamien, for everyone that has slunk into my life. They all shaped me into the person I am today.

Now… There's a war coming. And I know that it's going to change me. All I can hope for… is that those I care about dearly will not fall. No… I have magic to control others. No one I love will be able to die. Not under my watch.

Leilah finally learned world Runes exist! WOOOO! And, I'm giving my theory as to what happened to the Shadow Isles. I'm not sure if it's right, but I also wanted to bring in Runes from the game. It's nice to use what's in the game and applying it to my story on top of the lore. World runes were a huge thing, and I thought, 'Who better than someone who can access the library of Shurima, to introduce runes?" Also, do you guys remember when a world Rune was mentioned? It's been a long time, but I promise that I've mentioned it before. Leave a review if you can find it!

This week's champion is... drum roll please... CORKI! The daring bombadier himself!... Lemme look at his lore to get a feel for his personailty... madman who loves flying in the sky and hurting people... I got it! May you guys be eccentric enough to follow your dreams and passions, regardless of how others feel! And I hope you guys have an extraordinary day!