Time fled, just like his soulmate and there was nothing Yi could do to stop. It just went and he stayed there, a silent spectator to the horrors of war and changing distance between him and Yasuo.

Many many months had passed and now it felt like it would never stop. An endless run. Infinite distance between them. Solitude. It wasn't that bad because in a way, Yi knew he wasn't completely alone. This had stopped the day he met Yasuo and they fully recognized each other. Since then, they would still be with each other, no matter how far away they were. He clung to that link, for his own sanity during war time.

Everything was ugly, too much death, too much blood and the slowly convincing despair that it wouldn't end. He had still a reason to stay alive, so he wouldn't give up so soon but to see that much every day, he was close to his limit. Easy to say and think but he still stayed, losing hope little by little. To actually go away seemed more difficult than whatever routine he followed these months.

Yi sometimes thought about it, about going after the latter and finding a bit of peace. However, he couldn't. He had no idea how far Yasuo was, this was a just a small instinct. Plus, could he truly leave the fights ? No one would really notice but he had killed so many, how could he chose to stop now before the end.

By now, running among trees and unfamiliar land, he was more lost than ever. No one ever told him of the cruelty of war and it was rather normal, he wasn't supposed to leave the village. Now he faced life, for what it meant in bloodshed and hollow glances when he found allies.

Everyone seemed to feel the same, exhausted by a war that had nothing to do in these lands. It wasn't meant to happen, none of them knew one day their arcanes and skill would be used to such low purpose. The intention was good but the price was high.

Wuju wasn't made for this.

It haunted him lowly but surely, a voice at the back of his mind when he came to cut down yet another noxian. It was about balance and harmony. Yi doubted killing as many people without any chance to match him was linked to harmony. Whatever the goal, it was still red when it was shed.

At his return they would be so mad to see what he did, no matter if it helped saving the First Lands or not. Yi already felt guilty, having used such noble weapon to bring death. Maybe the hell he lived since he left was the early punishment for his decision. It was too late to go back on that, no need to push these thoughts. Also, he didn't regret it. There was still a small spark of hope amidst this mess of screams, blood and rain.

Yasuo…

He wouldn't have found him without this hateful invasion. Bad things came with great things, to balance. Maybe if he had chosen to stay quietly home, destiny would have found another way to reunite them. If not, it wasn't a matter. Again, he had taken his decision and it brought him equal pain and love.

Yi would keep going for him. There were several reasons not to die but he specifically wanted not to cause any pain to the latter. A soulmate link could only make it worse for the other side and he wasn't ready to let this befall them. When it was difficult, he thought about the day they would see each other. To simply hold Yasuo in his arms would be such a relief and luxury, now that he had been deprived of it. Hold on, just a little longer.

Ther was a reason to stay up and fight, a reason to keep himself functioning and rest sometimes because this was what Yasuo would want him to do. Not hurt himself by lack of attention. During such difficult time, it was so easy to completely stop paying attention to his basic needs. It was dangerous, he knew it, maybe at some point his body would give up before his spirit could. So he paid attention, took the minimum of rest and food. It was common sense, that way he would be able to help anyone. I won't die. This was as much for himself than the others.

Time wasn't gentle on him but it did help in its own ways. The link didn't hurt anymore, not healed but rather a limb which lost any sensation. It didn't happen often that he felt from the other side and he didn't know if that was some good news or not. When he could feel Yasuo's violent bursts of emotions, he was so glad. No matter the reason, it was a sign of life and will to fight. Even if most of time it was anger and annoyance.

Yi still worried for the latter but with time he repeated himself Yasuo was more than skilled, he would survive jsut right. And since he seemed more busy pissed about whatever reason, he might not be in direct danger. A good thing to know.

Each small detail counted, so matter how vain it could seem. He wasn't alone, Yasuo was still alive somewhere and angry for whatever reason. There was still some progress in the war, no matter the losses on both sides. Ionia was merely waking up from this shock and soon it would give the last effort to push away Noxus.

All he had to do was wait, hold on before despair would get him completely. Try not to become mad, this was probably what Noxus wanted. Survive, no matter the cost. Maybe one day he would be granted the possibility to forget and start anew, leaving behind this dead land.

Yet when night arrived, it wasn't just the landscape that became dark. His heart bled for this nation, for its people, for his far love soon enough for his lost innocence. Would he still be able to recognize himself, looking in a mirror ?