The Fox and the Guardian
Part I: the War for Demacia
Chapter 2: Kamikaze
A woman.
Pale of skin, pretty blue eyes and a scream that pierced the very essence of the world.
Yet golden eyes filled with delight as her essence was drained, the light of her eyes fading as the demon of the forest drank it's fill.
A man. Broken heart.
His essence was intoxicating and lovely, and the satisfaction of death only enthralled the demon, who's tails wrapped around him in an almost loving embrace.
Then… a family. Two daughters, and a son.
They cried as their parents, enthralled and in love with a beautiful demon, simply smiled as their very life was stolen from them.
As the demon caressed their heads as if she was holding a lover…
Then flaming Golden eyes turned to the children.
Their cries stopped.
The demon smiled.
Ahri's eyes shot open, terrified breaths leaving her in gasps.
Her heart pounded in heart chest, her very chest twitching with anxiety and fear.
Hands squeezed her arms, the warmth reminding her that she was awake now and her tails curled up to cover her face.
She shut her eyes.
It wasn't her. Not her.
She had to remember that. It… it was the demon of the woods. Not Ahri.
Not me.
And she repeated the words over and over, tails gently swaying back and forth, comforting her the slightest amount.
Still, the words… the mantra she had developed over the years, managed to stifle the dreams.
They faded and her breathing finally slowed. Her chest still twitched and her hands felt cold, but… her breathing was slowing.
That's what counted.
She wasn't…
She….
"Morning," the voice broker her thoughts, grinding her mind to a halt as she opened her eyes and looked up.
The man, Andres… stood across from her, his hands occupied with what looked like cooked meat.
"Want some?"
She blinked and noticed his outstretched hand holding a spit with a freshly cooked and skinned squirrel.
Golden eyes scanned the meal for a moment before she looked back at the man and raised an eyebrow.
He smiled kindly, "I swear it doesn't bite."
She gulped.
One hand stretched out, tails coiled and ready, and she snatched the spit from his hand careful to watch his movements.
He didn't do anything aside from sit back, his armor bright from the sun glowing behind him, and continue his own meal.
She narrowed her eyes at him.
Had he really woken up before her and gone hunting?
She looked at the meal in her hands.
And he still offered her some?
She huffed. Humans were indeed strange creatures, but at least he was civil.
Plus, she couldn't just let the meat go to waste.
So with vigor, she sank her teeth in the tender flesh, relishing in the sweetness of it.
It reminded her of her childhood. Of the days hunting in the woods, but raw meat had nothing on the flavor of cooked food.
To add on to that, he man knew how to cook a squirrel. It was soft, somehow… but the meat was little and once she was finished she wanted more.
It was almost as satisfying as essence.
Good enough for her.
She put the spit on the ground careful to wipe her own face of any residue.
"So, which way is the town?"
She blinked as the man's eyes landed on her, his helmet now under an arm as he stood.
He was leaving. Already.
Her face stood still, but her heart plummeted. It had been… months, months since she last really spoke with a person.
And the last person had tried to poison her and cut off a tail.
Then before that was the Witch in the garden. Where her memories of the painter were stolen from her.
She looked the man up.
He was calm and looking out to the cave, eyes locked onto the glorious light from the sun shining above the trees.
But he was…. Nice. Nice enough she felt that should at least accompany him to the town.
The lease she could do after trying to drain his life...
Obviously taking her momentary silence as a response, he spoke up, "I could just start walk, but I honestly have no idea where I'm going."
She smirked, the very edge of her lips turning up in amusement.
He turned to her an eyebrow raised with a smile, "so is that a yes?"
She shook her head, and stood, tails fanning out and stretching, "I can take you. The forest can be treacherous."
"I think I'll be fine in a forest." He laughed warmly, though he didn't make to move out on his own.
She didn't reply, and instead stretches out her arms, pushing up to her tiptoes to extend her calves.
A yawn escaped her and she blinked away the last remnants of her dreams and sleep before walking further into the cave.
She could feel the man's eyes on her, though it lacked the desire or anger from most stares she received. She could tell he was simply curious.
A small boulder sat in the back of the cave, covered by layers of shadow that neither the light of the sun nor fire reached, but was still within eyesight. She placed her hands on the rock and pushed it aside,, revealing a small crack in the wall.
Two paintings sat inside, three books; all worn and old, and a small jar filled with a dozen or so coins of gold and silver. Then at the bottom of it all a small sack with a single arm strap.
With a quick flourish of her tails, careful to cover herself from the man's prying eyes; or specifically to keep him from seeing the paintings, she snagged the bag and five golden coins.
Her eyes avoided the colors of the paintings. It hurt too much to even look at.
Though she hadn't planned on going to the town even three days ago, she figured a few more slabs of cured meat and new lantern would be of use with winter around the corner.
Without a break in her movement she stood and pushed the boulder back into place, careful to ensure that it didn't reveal any hint of the crack in her wall.
Many people may not venture this far north, but you could never be to careful.
She turned around and swung the sack over her shoulder before starting forward, passing the man and stepping out beyond the cave.
The sun warmed her skin and brought not but a simple smile to her face. Her ears twitched as the chattering of birds and woodland beasts greeted her.
The boot fall of the man echoed out form next to her and she spared him a small glance, watching as his helmet formed from swirls of light onto his head.
A plate of glass turned to face her, the armored man tilting his head as he once more spoke, "which way we headed?"
She nodded north, and the man's head turned towards the forest.
"Two days walk south from here. Watch your steps."
With that she stepped down onto the small path headed down the mountains footside from her cave and into the forest, tails lazily swaying as she walked.
The Guardians steps weren't very soft and where as she was near silent moving, it made her cringe hearing how loud and clumsy his footwork was.
"So not to be rude, but why do you live all the way out here?" The man asked, not a hint of malice in his voice.
She frowned and glared back at him, "that is rude. Did you never learn manners?"
Though his face was hidden and he carried the weapon from the day before; a long metallic thing with a tube on its top, his body language betrayed him as he visibly tensed and cringed before replying, "sorry, wasn't thinking. Just trying to pass the time."
She resisted the urge of rolling her eyes, but replied either way, "humans talk too much."
"Hey, that's rude! I prefer to think of it as, verbal expression that is necessary to create valuable relationships."
She raised an eyebrow and looked back at him.
"Don't look at me like that! I'm just speaking the truth!"
Now she did roll her eyes.
How this was the same man from the night before she didn't know.
"Anyway, okay, so obviously I'm not from around here…"
Obviously… the fox thought.
"-but, I have to ask, what exactly are you? Not that I mind, you're super nice! Just… I've never seen someone like you."
Someone… not something.
Now that earned points, plus his voice lacked fear or resentment, meaning he wasn't a human purist.
That, was a good thing.
She shook her head, "you've never been to Ionia correct?"
"Never," he replied as he walked up next to her, "though the hospitality's great so far."
The cheeky, ass kissing grin was visible even through the helmet and she had to resist the remark building in her mind.
Still, it was rude not to reply, so she said, "well, Vastayan. That's what I am."
He nodded, though she felt he wanted to ask more, yet he didn't.
So he did have manners.
"So are Vastayan native to Ionia?" He then asked as she stepped over a fallen log, the man following her lead.
Their conversation the night before crossed her mind. They had spoken of Ionia, more of it's history with the war against Noxus. They hadn't spoken of the Vastayan.
Hmm… he was probably more confident in asking now that they weren't trying to kill each other.
She nodded, "yes. Though, not all care for us."
"That's no fun. But hey, you seem to be doing well for yourself!"
With a sigh she replied, "very well."
He didn't reply, and content with the silence, she continued onward.
The forest was warm, the leaves falling in brilliant colors of gold, orange and brown as they walked.
The birds chirped, the squirrels ran amok and the magic flowed freely throughout the land.
She could felt it like a pulse beneath the ground, and though the Guardians boots were heavy, the animals did not fear him.
Whether it was his essence they could sense, or her presence that calmed them she didn't know.
The terrain was rugged, but it lost its rocky paths only an hour from the mountains foot.
A stream grew from a small trickle, to a flowing river, and she followed it, watching the fish swim happily.
The ground was wet, and the air cool, and Ahri smiled at the sun.
"So question, how come we're following the river?"
She glanced back at the Guardian, who had removed his helmet and was holding it under his arm, "the river leads to the town, easiest path there, plus Bandits about it."
"Why?"
She shrugged, "the demon of the woods hunts near here."
"Demon of the woods?" He raised an eyebrow, amusement plaguing his face.
She rolled her eyes, "it's just rumors. No one really knows."
Rumors… that's all it was.
"Well, even if there is a demon," he stated, and she turned away intent just on listening to him speak as she walked, "I've got your back. Guardians gotta protect people after all. Kinda in the job description."
"Job?" She asked, carefully hopping onto and over a particularly large boulder, her tails fanning out as if to slow her decent.
A flash of light and the man blinked into existence a top the boulder jumping down without breaking a sweat, "yeah. Kinda a job in a way, though it's more… personal back home."
"Hmm." She nodded.
"So, what do you do? Like… um, do you have a job?"
Once more she found herself biting back a retort then replied, "I sell herbs to the village when I can. Herbs and hard to get flowers, ones too dangerous for anyone to reach without a guide."
That and guard the forest and it's town from Invaders and bandits. Slaughtering those who would do harm without hesitation. But that probably wasn't what he wanted to hear.
It wasn't very polite.
"Sounds relaxing. Seems like you make… decent money!"
She shrugged.
"It's enough."
He nodded, his cape swirling behind him as he stepped before her, walking backwards as he continued, "any boyfriend?"
She stopped in her tracks, blinking with mouth slightly agape, "excuse me?"
He stopped, looking genuinely confused, "what? Did I say something wrong? Just trying to make small talk! I swear!"
She grit her teeth, eyes narrowing, "its fine. Just… I'd rather not talk about that."
"Gotcha. It's complicated, that happens. Had a girl back home once where-"
"It's…" she interrupted, placing a hand on his chest to silence him, "it's not that. He's… not around anymore."
Her ears flattened, but her eyes and voice were filled with anger, and fire.
She glared into his eyes, golden flames circling her eyes.
His own widened. Now he got it.
He silently nodded, and she marched past him, content on leaving him with silence.
The man was stupid.
Who did he think he-
"Whoa!" A hand snagged her arm, yanking her back and she turned ready to peel the man's hand off with soul fire.
He raised his hands the moment she was back, and pointed past her, "just keeping you from falling."
Annoyed, she simply growled as he turned around, "what are you…"
Her words turned to ash in her mouth.
The land… what had happened?
It was black. The life was gone from it, the color gone and… as if everything was ask and death. Nothing stirred here, not even the wind, and the water from the river simply flowed by this lifeless grave.
And before her, the land was torn, jagged rips in the earth at least ten feet deep circling the blackened land.
The animals.
Her ears perked, but nothing made a sound. They had fled, or died… neither was comforting.
What had happened?
"So…" the Guardian walked up next to her, "guessing by your reaction, this isn't a normal thing."
She didn't really and instead stepped forward, bounding over the small cavern and landing on the blackened earth.
Immediately she felt the… the sheer emptiness of the land. As if the magic had turned sour and cold, and the life had simply vanished from this place.
She grit her teeth.
What dared to do such a thing to her woods?
To her home.
Golden eyes flashed with fire. And-
"Whoa what're you? Kinda cute!"
She blinked, following the voice of the Guardian who was a few dozen feet from her staring down at something that was in another makeshift cavern.
Curiosity filled her, and she leapt over to him, careful to ensure her traveling sack was still secured over her shoulder.
She landed, and carefully stepped up next to him, and followed his eyes to…
"What is that?"
It was repulsive.
Green, and small. It's mouth was massive, and far to large for its body. It's eyes… were similar, large and glowing.
Two legs sprouted from the bottom of it's stump like body and it stared up at then with hungry eyes.
Still… it was gross.
A flash of light and the Guardian was standing in the ditch with it, scooping it up as if it was a pet.
"Look at you! So ugly your cute!" He chuckled lifting the creature as it panted like a dog, it's eyes lazily flicking back and forth between them.
She grimaced at it, it's smell filling her nose and causing her ears to flatten once more.
"Let's keep him." The Guardian laughed.
She raised an eyebrow and-
Blergh!
Bile flew from its mouth landing on the Guardian and instantly covering his arm.
The smell…
Acid.
Her eyes went wide.
"Andres!"
"It spit on me!" I blinked backwards, my shields blaring as they drained at an alarming rate.
Into the river! The composition of the acid suggests water in such a large quantities should be enough to neutralize the agents!
"It's on my helmet! God it smells!"
I think it's this things stomach acids! Oh ew, I think there's squirrel in it!
My stomach twisted at the thought but I blinked backwards once more as the frightened shouts of Ahri filled the air. There was a roar and growl, then I heard the crackle of fire.
"Where's the river!"
Twenty paces to your left!
"Left!" Ahri gasped, the sound of her grunts signaling she was engaging with creature. A few growls and the flash of bright light that bypassed the goo covering my visor signaled my hypothesis was true.
None the less, I followed hers and Kait's instructions and leapt to the left, teleporting mid air as I went head first for the river and-
Crack!
"Oh fuck me!" I roared in pain, my head and body having bounced off the ground and to a hard stop, "you said left!"
Ahri failed to responded, more flashes of light and grunts filling the air as I struggled to stand, my vision and visor blinded by the goo.
Twenty paces, you went eighteen!
Kait, I will dismember you and sell you as a fancy lantern for gold!
Still I moved without hesitation and once more dove forward, this time feeling as I hit moving water and was greeting almost instantly with a steaming hiss as the goo was washed off my visor and neutralized.
I flipped and turned in the current, kicking my legs as water rushed by me and pushed me down stream. The moment light was above me I activated my boosters and launched myself upward and out of the water.
Black land greeted me and I quickly blinked back onto shore, landing with a wet thud before looking for Ahri and the little bugger that had spit on me.
They weren't hard to find.
The woman was dashing backwards, fire leaping from her tails towards the little bugger, who was frighteningly fast, and somehow dodging her fire with speed that put me to shame.
It leapt at her, and she grit her teeth, dashing to the side as an open mouth and razor sharp teeth sank into the ground of where she had been.
It was impressive of the little guy to give her this much trouble considering I knew she'd probably vaporize him if she could hit him. It spoke of his natural speed and aggressiveness that she was on the back foot.
Well, I should help.
Arc raced down my arms as I watched the bugger charge at her again, manic gnashing of teeth and a partly adorable look on its face as it hobbled at her. She hissed, firing a bolt of pure energy at the thing, which somehow leapt over the bolt and that's when I moved.
A blink, a teleportation faster than the speed of light lobbed me straight between the two, but my knife pulsing with arc was right in the buggers face.
Its eyes went wide and I smirked as its teeth latched onto the metal. But I wasn't fazed as acid leaked from its mouth.
Arc blasted forth from me, the things eyes going wide before they popped and the monster fell to the earth in a heap of charred flesh.
I grinned as I flipped my blade and slipped it back into its sheath on my thigh.
"Easy." I turned to the woman who nodded to me with a smile.
"Thank you, though I've never seen a beast like that before." She muttered, her brow furrowing.
I looked around at the blackened land, "Maybe it was attracted to the land being destroyed? It acted like a predator so maybe its territory was being invaded by… whatever did this and it came to investigate."
She nodded, a hand coming up to her chin as her shoulder relaxed, "maybe but- look out!"
I spun and found the little shit flying back at me, its skin blackened and eyes gone, but now it was glowing and leaking goo and-
Boom!
Darkness.
What.
The.
Fuck.
I'm dead. Again. Twice in two days.
This planet already has it out for me. Hell, I've been a Guardian for six months! Six months and I've died twice in that whole time! Two days here and I've already doubled that…
Stupid Ionia!
Then suddenly light and-
"God dang it," I huffed, landing on my feet as light particles filtered off me, Kait floating next to me with twirling parts that seemed amused, "that thing literally kamikazee me."
"You're… alive?"
I turned.
Ahri was staring at me, eyes wide and ears flattened in confusion. Her tails were frozen in confusion.
I chuckled lightly as my helmet disappeared and I grinned.
"Funny story, I'm kinda immortal!"
A glare came my way, but she simply sighed and replied, "you are the strangest human I've ever met."
"But also the coolest."
I saw amusement flash in her eyes before she crushed it and rolled her eyes, "indeed," but the moment was short lived as she turned around and looked back at the land, "but that doesn't solve what is happening to the land, to my land."
I huffed, feeling the irritation in her voice and looked past her.
I narrowed my eyes as I saw the blackened land continued south of us, but away from the river.
"Do you see how it leads south?"
She looked up and I saw life return to her tails as they swayed back and forth with curiosity, "I do… maybe a mage…"
"A mage?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
She nodded, her eyes going dark and the edges of her tails igniting with fire, "a dark mage. The land… it feels drained of life, of magic. No true mage, even a human one, would do that. Only dark mages would have the ire to do so."
"So dark mages bad." I nodded, "guessing we need to stop that. Don't think this would be good for the town if that happened to it."
"No it wouldn't."
I nodded, "well, we might as well get a move on. This mage isn't gonna stop on their own."
I started forward, following the blackened land of the south when I noticed Ahri wasn't following. I looked back at her, and found her staring at me with narrowed eyes, though they lacked any hostility.
"What?"
"My… land, does not go south. At least not much further…" her voice was confused as if she was really confused about why she should defend a territory that's not hers.
I pursed my lips and stated, "it may not be your land, but this stuff is gonna ruin the town and your land. We can't just let that happen."
"And why should you care?" Her voice wasn't accusing, but littered with fervent curiosity.
I shrugged, "I'm a Guardian. It's my job to protect everyone."
Her eyes widened slightly but a smile grew on her lips. A small, but genuine one that I knew was the first real smile she had ever given me.
"Then let's protect my land, Guardian."
I chuckled.
"Lead the way, Fox girl."
A/N And thats a wrap for this chapter. Sorry, Im two days late.
There's a specific cinematic this ties into so I wonder if anyone will catch it. Ioniua. Corrupted land. Corrupted magic. Should be pretty obvious who the next champion Andy will meet is.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed.
Andy here is very much a young guardian, which is a testament to his lack of skill and his careless nature of fighting. Plus his naivety. Ahri, in lore, is very much kinda a hermit. She doesn't have friends, and has very little interaction with anyone that was the painter she fell in love with and killed on accident mind you, a shopkeeper that poisoned her and tried to cut off her tail, and the garden mage who helped her erased some of the painful memories left of the painter, and the Noxian soldiers she killed protecting a village in her territory. She's a tragic hero in a sense, though also naive in the fact she doesn't understand how humans really work. Shes seen it, and felt the emotions of plenty, but shes never really interacted with many.
Hence her distrust and confusion with such a kind and noble Guardian.
Also yes, that was Kog' Maw. He is dead. In lore he is kinda mindless beast, literally only wanting to eat things like a typical apex predator, and he was investigating why his food source had all but left the area.
Next chapter hopefully next Saturday as well.
Anyway, thanks for reading. God bless. Follow and review!
-Metal4k