"How are you feeling, Kassadin?" I place my hands on Kassadin's shoulders. They've definitely filled out since I arrived. He's getting healthier. This checkup is being watched by his wife and daughter while I let my magic heal whatever pain he's currently in. I'm glad to say that it's pretty much completely disappeared.

"Much better. Thank you for your assistance. I'm not sure I would have survived if you hadn't come around." Kassadin pats my hand on his right shoulder. Kaisa looks like she's vibrating, excited to pounce on her healthy father. Her mother has been refusing to let her be wild while Kassadin is recovering. The moonlight slips through the window, making her seem a little more powerful. Then again, I don't usually mess with mothers. My own taught me to fear the wrath of a protective mother.

"Not really. I'm pretty sure you would have figured out a way home." I pull away. Starshadow is currently wrapped around my neck, dozing. He's probably still trying to learn Shuriman. I'm still trying to figure out how Aurora knew Shuriman as Starshadow doesn't know it. It doesn't exactly make sense that she would know since Shurima is primarily a sun-centered culture.

"Perhaps, but not in time for my daughter's birthday. Well, how am I?" Kassadin spreads his hands. Kaisa and her mother seem to be holding their breath.

"Perfect health. Still a little underweight, but that can easily be regained." Starshadow yawns. I blink in surprise at his almost perfect Shuriman. Kaisa's mother is in shock, but Kaisa just pounces on her father. Kassadin easily catches the girl in a tight hug.

...Were you pretending that you didn't know Shuriman?

Oh, no, I had no clue, but I was practicing with Daamien and Kaisa as often as I could. Last month, when I said period instead of rest… well, that was embarrassing. But, I got the hang of it now. Starshadow raises his head above my hand expectantly. I roll my eyes at him but give his chin a scratch.

Is that how Aurora learned Shuriman?

Kinda… She has been watching you since you were small, so she learned Shuriman along with you.

How is that possible? I frown a little bit.

The borealis is closer to the world than the stars. Besides, she was always fond of you.

I thought you said that she took notice of me when I was twelve from the story telling?

Did I say that? Huh. You were small then. You're still small. As opposed to my wonderful self. Starshadow opens up his hood a little bit, showing off. I give him a glare.

Keep that ego small enough to fit the house.

Why would I do that? Bigger is better?

Then why aren't you huge?

Because you are too small to carry me at my proper size. Starshadow sniffs. I roll my eyes at his behavior.

You can always carry me.

Shadow Isles no! My scales are too pristine for that.

Just use the shadows!

My body is a temple, Leilah. I'm not just going to risk getting dust on it! Starshadow's just coming up with excuses now.

"Leilah?" Kaisa's mother gently pulls me out from my argument with Starshadow. She's staring at my feet. I blink in surprise to see the shadows are climbing.

"Leilah!" Kaisa cries out in alarm. I hold up a hand to keep her away.

"It's alright. I'll come back when you guys are in need. Right now, someone else is in trouble." I explain quickly. Is it… Noxus?

It's not yet happening. We're going to the Freljord. Brace yourself! Starshadow gets out before the shadows swallow us up.

Starshadow's getting very good at changing my appearance with magic as when I exit the shadows, only my face is feeling the chill. Everything else is covered in thick cloth. He's even given me a hood lined with furs. I'm definitely feeling comfortable in my clothes. I sigh in relief that I'm not about to freeze, though I have to cover my face with my newly changed wool scarf. The moon shines brightly above, but the warm colors of fire are in the distance. I frown at that… What's burning?

I launch myself into a run, conjuring shadow steps for me to run across the ground so I don't get slowed by the snow. That fire, it's out of control. It's bursting into the sky. Over logs and snowbanks, I push myself to get as close as possible. I come out of the tree cover to see a very familiar village. In fact, I can make out a very familiar figure standing in front of a bonfire. She's as tall and strong as I remember, but… something's off. People surround her and another woman. Both look like they are going to fight. A flash of dirty blond hair gets my attention.

Teleport us to Ashe. I bark at Starshadow. Surprisingly, he doesn't try to protest. Because we have a line of sight, it's easier to just appear right in front of her, though I feel a little bit of a cramp from a forced teleport. My hand instinctively presses against my stomach to ease the discomfort. Poor Ashe and others yelp when I appear in front of them. Ashe is already trying to throw a punch at my face. At least I still have the reflexes to block her fist. That's all the moment she needs to recognize me.

"Leilah?" She whispers in shock. I nod with a smile. She drops her fist, offering me a handshake instead. I happily accept. She's really grown over the past few years. She's already taller than me… granted most people are taller than me, but… I knew her as a child. This… I mean, I knew that I was timeless, but this… this sort of just made it all too real. She'll grow older, become a leader of her people, and a wonderful parent… then die. I'll be stuck like this forever. All alone… sort of. I'll have Starshadow with me for all of time… and maybe… maybe there are others as timeless as I am. I can try to find them when the world isn't going to hell. "How are you?"

"Not bad. I don't get sick much anymore."

"That's good to hear."

"I'm sorry, since when did we have these little nice get-togethers while there's clearly a fight that's trying to start?" Starshadow abruptly pokes his head out of my scarf in annoyance.

"Oh, right!" Ashe's falls so fast I'm not sure a comet could fall faster. Everything about her just falls. Another familiar hand pats my shoulder.

"You've come at a good time, Leilah. We may need your strength for this." Yreal remarks.

"What's happening?"

"My aunt claimed that my mother is going too far. Mom isn't happy." Ashe explains quickly. I pay attention to the two warriors in the middle. Sure enough, Grena stands tall, her white hair flying with the gust of heat behind her. The other woman, with brown hair and a softly blue-tinged sword, sinks into her heels. "To be honest, I think so too."

"What happened while I was gone?"

"Grena has been… very aggressive in her quest to find Avarosa's throne. She's been laying siege to many of our villages. Why haven't you come back?" Yreal seems to be almost accusing me of my failure. I wince at that.

"I've… been busy… I lost Starshadow for a little bit. I need him to teleport, and I spent some time as a-" I try to explain.

"Not the time!" Starshadow once again reminds me.

"Little sister, if you want to take the tribe from me… You'll have to do better than that!" Grena taunts. She bares her axe and spear coolly, like this isn't even a challenge.

"You are unfit to rule, Grena. We should sow grain. We should take the summer eels-" The other woman is desperate to reach through to the warmother. I turn to Ashe for an introduction.

"That's my aunt Helner. You didn't meet last time as she had taken a scouting party at the will of my Mother." Ashe explains real quick under her breath.

"Sister, I give no ear to cowards. You want to challenge me? Test your weapons against mine." Grena challenges. Helner's shoulders drop. My eyes are wide. Grena… she's become very... determined, hasn't she?

Maybe we shouldn't have left last time like we did… I gulp in nervousness.

No. We had to. It wasn't safe for you to stay there. And like Shadow Isles I was going to let you stay in that situation. Starshadow snarls in my mind.

But… how many people have suffered while I was gone?

They are not your responsibility.

Starshadow-

They're mine. That little declaration surprises me. Starshadow… is accepting responsibility.

What?

I choose where to teleport. I choose who to help. And I chose to keep you away before. Starshadow attempts to explain. I sigh and gently pat his head.

We're two halves of a whole, Starshadow-

Yes, but people being hurt and keeping you safe is my responsibility. Yours is empathy for others, mine is selfishness for you. Starshadow firmly tells me. I sigh, relenting as I can tell that Starshadow isn't going to back down. He's not wrong, but he doesn't need to bear all the responsibility alone.

"So be it." Helner is resigned to her fate. She charges towards the warmother with a cry. My heart drops. Even in her voice, I can hear the heartbreak and lack of desire to fight her sister. It's even more disturbing that it's come to this, where one of Grena's family is forced to come to this. Ashe clings onto my arm like a child. It takes me a moment to remember that technically, she is a child compared to me.

Grena and Helner collide in a bright fury of sparks. It seems like they are evenly matched, but I already know how the battle will end. Helner's heart isn't in it. From what I've seen at the colosseum, those that do not have the heart to win, to fight, they will lose. The healers that were sacrificed to keep Deviago's ego fed was enough proof. Those that did not wish to fight lost their lives quickly, and those that lost the will to, fell. Helner is no different, but Ashe doesn't need to watch this. I try to duck her head away, but she raises her face.

"You don't have to see this." I try to convince her.

"They're my family. If this is the last day my aunt is going to draw breath, it's my duty as her niece to remember her as she lived." Ashe's voice trembles, but I can tell that she's going to stand strong and follow through. I won't take her choice away by blinding her. All I can do is give her comfort.

Helner swings her sword as fast as she can, but Grena is able to easily catch each swing with her spear. Her axe lashes out, scoring marks against Helner skin. And Helner can't do anything to stop them. I close my eyes, knowing that this is most certainly not a fight. It's a mockery of one. Grena could have ended this whenever she wanted to. Yone would never let a fight like this drag on for the enjoyment of the other's terror. I can see it in her face how much she enjoys letting off her frustration on her sister. I doubt that anything would have changed this fate. Helner's terror rises as she realizes what's happening. I grit my teeth and stare at the warmother.

End this. NOW! I order in my mind. Grena's swings falter for a moment, but Helner's too tired to take advantage of the situation. Her eyes find mine boring into her before she returns to the fight.

"Know this, my sister. I and the spear and the axe..." Grena follows my demand, swinging her axe to her left. "... I am the blizzard and the lightening…" She swings her axe around, sending a massive bunch of True Ice into the huts behind Helner. Helner, for her part, is on the ground. She struggles to stand up. Grena stands tall, her cape fluttering in the wind and fire. "...I am GRENA!". I narrow my eyes in annoyance. Helner falls onto her face, completely spent. "And fate did not choose you."

Her warriors cheer in victory. Grena spins around, the worst kind of disrespect one can offer their opponent. I bite my lip to stop myself from speaking up. Ashe distracts me as she runs to her aunt. Grena celebrates with her bloodsworn, but Ashe grieves for her aunt. I swallow my fury and slide in next to her. Another one, a boy, races Ashe to Helner. He checks over Ashe's aunt as the girl frets around her.

"Maalcrom, will she be ok?" Ashe asks fearfully. I jolt in surprise at the name and look at the oddly headdressed boy. It really is that annoying little kid from long ago. The one that decided that I didn't have a place in Vathcaer. Grena continues to cheer with her men. I can tell Ashe holds her breath while Maalcrom looks over her.

"Stand aside." I order. Maalcrom scrambles away. I press my hands against the worst of Helner's injuries. My hands glow a celestial light, encompassing the woman. Her breathing eases. I don't use too much magic, but she's completely healed from the fight when I let go. Maalcrom gets back to Helner's side and checks her.

"Helner will live." He finally announces. Ashe finally breathes, cradling her aunt into her. "Ashe, you must get your mother to-"

"I know." Ashe interrupts. I can hear the unspoken words. Get your mother to listen. It weighs heavily on Ashe as she takes in her aunt's appearance. "I know."

"It is decided. Tomorrow we raid the Ice Children. From their tribe, we will take what we need for winter." Grena decrees. Ashe looks helplessly back at her mother's victorious pose. I place my hand on her shoulder in the attempt to offer her comfort.

In the end, Helner used all her energy to try to defeat her sister. I couldn't just give her my magic. Instead, Maalcrom and Ashe carry the exhausted woman back to her hut. She's so tired she can't even move one foot in front of the other. I have to handle the sword she wields. I'm really glad that I found a way to adapt my magic to blend, as her sword has True Ice on it. Without my little ability to disguise myself, I'm pretty sure I would be frozen from just touching the thing. Still, it's a chill in my hands that I would rather not feel.

"Your mother is going too far. You are the only one she'll listen to." Maalcrom is pushing Ashe. Her dirty blond hair is blocking my view of her face, though her tightening grip on her aunt indicates to me that she's not happy with this conversation.

She's gone too far. Want to talk with her? Starshadow asks.

Will she even listen to us?

We still have the location of Avarosa's throne. I'm pretty sure she'd listen to us for that. Besides, we'd protect Ashe at the very least.

I'm surprised you care so much about her. I remark in my head. We're coming to Helner's house. I open the door since that's all I'm really capable of right now. It takes a little bit of effort, but we manage to get Helner inside. Ashe takes care of her aunt's clothes and places her on the bed.

She makes coffee. I'd be willing to help her for another cup. Starshadow hints to me. I roll my eyes, but I know that he genuinely cares about her. He's just trying to use vanity to cover it up.

"Ashe?" Maalcrom pushes a little bit too much. Ahse whips around, tears in her eyes. Maalcrom notices and… bolts. I shake my head at that sort of behaviour. I don't exactly know what kind of customs are here, but a person who's crying doesn't need to be left alone unless they ask for it, and Ashe did not.

She collapses onto the floor, spent from all the emotions running through her. I slowly fall onto my knees in front of her. She can't stop the tears from falling. Ashe looks up warily. The dullness in her eyes scares me. I open my arms out. She lets out a sob before she falls into my embrace. Starshadow also exits my scarf to coil around us, a safe cocoon. Starshadow growls softly as he nuzzles her back. Ashe briefly looks over her shoulder before burying her face into my scarf.

We don't speak. Ashe is relieving her stress. And there's nothing I can say to make the situation better. All I can really do is comfort her. A gentle rubbing on her back while I get a little more comfortable. I lean against Starshadow and help her get more comfortable. I feel like a parent comforting their child right now. She needs it.

Eventually, her sobs subside. It's exhausting to be so upset all the time. Her sobs change to sniffles, and from sniffles to small gasps of air. I just keep rubbing her back. I even play with her hair a little bit, since that always calmed me down. I don't try with the top of her head, just the hair at her waist.

"Thanks…" Ashe mumbles into my neck. I pat her back, letting her know I heard. She sighs and turns around, so she's sitting next to me. She reaches her hands up to pet Starshadow's head. "You probably think I'm pathetic, don't you."

"Why would I think that?"

"Because I fell apart. My tribe is going on a raid, and Maalcrom's right. I'm the only one who can talk sense into my mother. But, instead of talking to her, I chose to help my aunt." Ashe curls her legs up to her chest. I scoff at that.

"Out of everyone you've ever met, I'm probably the person that can understand you the most."

"Really?"

"Did you forget about my time in Demacia? Or Bilgewater? I felt so helpless, unable to really do anything as everyone around me had control over my fate." I remind her. She blinks in surprise. "Even more recently, I was basically a slave to a madman. I had no control over that situation."

"You were a slave?" Ashe gasps in surprise. Starshadow whines in protest from the lack of pets.

"Yep. Let it be known that this was while I was away, so she did that all by herself." Starshadow glares at me pointedly.

"How many times are you going to bring that up?"

"Until you never do it again?"

"Not likely."

"Then forever."

"How did you deal with it?" Ashe interrupts our banter. I can see a little bit of a smile peak from her solemn face.

"I just had to go one day at a time. I was only there for two weeks, but it was enough to make me lose it a bit when I got out." I reach up to my right shoulder. Starshadow takes notice and snaps his head out from Ashe's grip.

I see that.

I'm not going to do anything!

"What… what helped you?" Ashe whimpers. She sounds a little desperate for help.

"Time did. That, and I had people who care about me." I glance at Starshadow. Keep your ego down, Starshadow.

"I don't have that here…" Ashe sighs, retreating into herself again. I press a hand on her shoulder.

"I care about you."

"You were in my house for six months. I don't exactly think that's enough time to get someone to care about you." Ashe attempts to snark.

"Considering that she manages to get Yone to fall in love with her in… was it four months?" Starshadow ponders.

"He's courting me, that doesn't mean he loves me!" I blush bright red. Starshadow smirks at that.

"Uh huh. Either way, it was really fast for him to fall for her. I don't see why you can't be friends in six months." Starshadow keeps going like I didn't say anything. "Besides, Leilah doesn't have to see him all the time for him to love her. If anything, being so distant from each other makes their interactions that much better. You remember how much you looked up to Leilah when you were littler?"

"I remember." Ashe sniffles a little bit.

"Do not worry about not being cared for. You have your mother, who still listens to you. Your Oathfathers. Yreal taught you everything you know. Everyone respects you. And Leilah's here to help. You are cared for. Deeply. And I'm sure if you talked with your mother, she'll snap out of her haze long enough to realize just how much you are hurting and she'll spend time with you." Starshadow persuades her. I'll admit, my mouth drops a little bit. He's become so good at helping others. Don't get used to it. I just want the coffee.

"We care, Ashe. Trust me." I pull her back into a hug. Her entire posture relaxes a bit before she hugs me back. When she lets go, she seems more relaxed.

"Thank you. For staying." Ashe wipes her tears away. Starshadow opens up the cocoon as Ashe stands up.

"Alright, now that your crisis is over, can you make some coffee?"

"Starshadow!" Somehow, everything is worth it to hear Ashe laugh freely.

Leilah. Leilah, wake up! Starshadow shoves me off a bed. The same bed I used the last time I was here. I yelp as I fall onto my face.

What the Shadow Isles, Starshadow? I snap in my mind. That's when I realize that my hands are covered in shadows.

It's time. Starshadow isn't cracking jokes at my expense. He's deadly serious. I take a deep breath before the shadows completely take over. Noxus is invading.

Alright! We're getting into the Noxian invasion time! Here's the thing, we're two, three years out when when Yone and Yasuo have their infamous battle... What is going to change? What might stay the same? Leave in a review what you guys are thinking about in regards to Ashe, Kaisa, and Ionia. Any differences you might be hoping for, anything you hope will remain the same. And maybe an event that you would definitely look forward to. Like I said before, hearing what you guys think makes me that much more motivated to write better. And... I look forward to hearing how many people will have broken hearts or cheers for what I decide to do. Yes, I'm evil.

This week's champion of the day is...DARIUS! The hand of Noxus himself! And boy, do we give the big man respect. May you be the great leader of your own life, making the world around extraordinary as you guys are.