"You look fantastic, milady."
Fiora turned towards the door as she finished latching her arm guard in place. "Overly dressed, compared to you," she fumed.
Finding someone who could spin up a suit matching the exact specifications she and Nera came up with within three days time appeared a far-fetched notion at the conception of the outrageous idea. Her request reached every ear within the capital yet none of the best known tailors answered her call. All but one, in the form of a man with hair as dark as the trees of their forests and eyes glimmering like the rare crystals of the world. Needless to say, his charming demeanor and pleasant company disarmed her enough to divulge the true intent of her request and he listened to all she had to say.
After taking her measurements with the promise of returning with a suit, he vanished without a trace.
The suit she requested went above and beyond what she expected – tailored to perfection yet equally balanced between aesthetics and practicality. The tailcoat itself was skillfully embroidered with eight parallel, stainless steel chains barely more than half a finger's width large and secured by inlaid buttons on either side. Underneath the silky cloth she felt another layer of denser materials woven together tightly enough to stop just about anything but light enough she could still move freely. The trousers were made of similar materials as her coat and allowed her the flexibility required of her dueling skills. Even her boots, which she had no idea how the man managed to find a cobbler in this time, were made of the most resilient materials she had seen.
"I'd say perfectly so," countered Nera, picking up the matching shoulder guard and offering it to Fiora. The duelist presented her shoulder to the snowy-haired woman. "Dashing, with a respectful nod to Demacian military, and practical enough even I would have a hard time pinpointing where to strike you first."
Fiora rolled her eyes and as the cape unfolded to drape over her shoulder, she inspected the ensemble from head to toe. As partial as she was to suits, this one had to take the crown. It fit well, it felt good, and she felt safe, protected.
Her mind drifted to the previous night, when he came back with the package.
–
"Mon dieu, have you really finished it?" Fiora accepted the carefully wrapped package from the man calling himself 'Taric'. He beamed, lips curled in a winsome smile. "But of course. You are most deserving of something created from unearthly quality. Only the best for the best my fair lady."
She blushed at the earnest praise and held the package close to her. "Merci, you are a godsend."
'Taric's' smile faltered though the warmth in his eyes never left. "You might also want this – after all a suit is only complete with shoes." Fiora accepted the outstretched pair of boots.
"Even this? Please, allow me to adjust the payment for all of this accordingly."
He held up his hand and shook his head. "It is rare to find beauty in this world, my fair lady, as brilliant as yours. Not often do I come across someone who possess such reverence beyond what we see." He placed his palm on his chest and bowed deeply to the youngest Laurent. "I am honored to craft something for a worthy soul. May it protect you in all your endeavors, and those who stand behind you."
–
"What about yourself?" Fiora inquired, studying Nera's own simpler ensemble. She didn't see the older woman scurrying as much as she had.
"What? This old thing?" She tugged on the sleeve of her modified yuanlingpao, adjusted to bear the symbol of House Laurent on her back and bearing the colors of their beloved kingdom. She pulled it back just enough to show the complicated contraption strapped to her arm. "Forgive my insubordination, but between you and me, I am made of sturdier stuff. This is more than sufficient for me."
Fiora raised her eyebrow, more curious about what it was Nera had on her right arm. "Is that some sort of bracer?"
Nera smirked and pulled her sleeve back over it to hide it from sight. "Time will tell if it is necessary. Pray that it won't be, though we both know the answer to that."
The duelist didn't pry and left the matter at that. She did however accept the teacup Nera offered and raised an eyebrow. "What did you put in it?"
"A little bit of this, a little bit of that. To calm the nerves mostly." Fiora sipped it and frowned at the bitterness underneath the sweet jasmine. A combined brew.
"What is in it?"
Nera smirked, drinking her own small cup in one go. "Just a little boost. I'm making use of the only strain we have left."
The Great City hummed with energy. Banners and colors covered every inch of the capital walls and excitement filled every citizen. The gates had been thrown wide open to allow visitors through for the celebrations and the Plaza was converted into a large viewing area right up to the church.
Today was a wonderful day.
"It is a joyous occasion for them Lux." The blonde kept her gaze trained on the people below milling about. She ignored the rough hand clasping her shoulder and pulling her into a comforting hug. "With this, our people will be united and we shall overcome the travesty within our own borders."
"Can you really say that?" she retorted, finally looking up at the well-dress man. "You and I both know this is not what we want."
Jarvan found himself unable to answer her inquiry and sighed, shoulders slumped in defeat as he joined her in scanning the wide crowds below. "No, it is not what we want, but it is what we must do."
Lux wished duties could go away and leave her tormented soul alone at that moment. She was tired of 'duty this, duty that' and wanted nothing more than to run away from this. She loved her homeland dearly, but the people living in it mattered. The citizens toiling every day to keep their kingdom surviving another day in the world mattered. The mages suffering at the hands of injustice mattered.
Not this lunacy their world had been operating on for centuries.
That didn't matter anymore.
"I will see you shortly then. Don't want to be kicked out by the guards," he joked, though it fell on deaf ears.
Relief flooded Lux when Jarvan finally let her be, but an uncontrolled loneliness accompanied it and left her feeling even worse than before his arrival. It was her wedding day and she was to marry one of her closest friends, someone she could count on to protect her and stand with her. Jarvan was a man of action over words and proved them with his might.
But he wasn't Fiora, the kind, patient soul that offered her choices.
Everything felt wrong.
"You should smile more, mon cher." Lux's head whipped around so fast, she swore she saw stars by the time her vision cleared enough to find the woman prevalent in her thoughts standing in the doorway. Fiora at this point knew her enough to know what her expressions were like without even seeing her face and the blonde lowered her gaze to the ground.
"Lux..."
"Fiora..."
They stood there for what felt like forever. So close, yet so far. They could easily close the gap and erase the distance, but the day weighed on them too much for them to simply ignore it all.
"You look wonderful. The dress suits you." Lux smiled bitterly, staring at the pure white fabrics bunched up under her hands. She wished she wore it for someone else, on a different day, in a different situation.
"And you look good yourself." Fiora dressed smartly, so much the blonde couldn't find words to express how perfect she looked standing there. It accentuated every movement and gave them purpose as if she moved with intent. She would be surprised if she hadn't wooed a plethora of women on her way into the capital.
"Actually, it was a bit of a pain getting through the crowds. The person who designed this suit did too good of a job. If I recall correctly, by Nera's words, 'no more strange men designing powerful clothes for you.'"
Lux stared at Fiora before erupting in an unhealthy shade of red. She groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I did it again, didn't I?" she whispered, barely audible but loud enough for Fiora to catch.
The duelist laughed, unrestrained and music to the blonde's ears. "You seem to make a habit of it, mon cher."
Lux peeked from her fingers, lips curled up into a small smile despite her heavy heart. "I know you said you wouldn't kill me, but please kill me now."
Just like that, the tension dissipated and Fiora found the courage to cross the room to Lux. She knelt on one knee, taking the blonde's hands in her own. "Smile for me?"
Lux managed a half smile, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes. The duelist reached up and caught them before they fell and ruined her make-up. "Ah-ah. None of this."
She held Fiora's hand right where it was, struggling to keep her emotions under control. With how much crying she'd done in the last couple of weeks, it was a miracle she still had tears left to shed. "How can... How are... You're still so strong, but why?"
Fiora smiled fondly and leaned in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Because I do not break my promises. I promised to protect you, no matter what. So be strong for yourself." When the duelist pulled away, her eyes brimming with determination. "If that's what it takes to get through this, then be strong for yourself. Do not do it for the people, for your soon-to-be-husband, or me."
She stood up and ran her fingers carefully through loose, blonde hair. "Be strong, little light. Because if your light goes out, then we have nothing left but darkness."
Lux rose from her seat and hugged Fiora. She trusted every word since she met her, believed in the duelist in her convictions.
Even with their love doomed to fall apart today, somewhere deep down she knew the duelist loved her unconditionally.
"Ah, Luxanna." They broke apart when Augatha appeared. She regarded the close proximity with a raised eyebrow, but ever the quick thinker, Lux cut in before her mother could say much else.
"Mother, I was just thanking Fiora for being so supportive. I was a little nervous, because this is rather a big day." She curled a strand of hair around her finger, looking away shyly. "I feel less anxious now."
The older Crownguard nodded, her frown quickly turning into a smile. "I was hoping she'd do good on her word. Thank you for comforting my daughter."
Fiora bowed at her waist, voice light and even. "Of course."
Augatha waved at Fiora, beckoning her to follow. "Now come. The ceremony will begin soon. We wouldn't want to be caught late to our seats." She left the room and Fiora trailed after her, but before she rounded the corner, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back.
Lux pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of her lips. "Goodbye, Fiora. And thank you for everything."
Fiora smiled faintly. "Be well, Lux. Que la lumière soit avec vous."
Lux steeled herself, standing under the canopies and out of the eyes of all gathered in the Plaza.
No more running.
No more hiding.
"Are you ready sister?" She gazed up at her brother, dressed down in a suit not unlike the majority of the other men present. Even with the lack of armor, his imposing size intimidated anyone trying to sneak a closer look at the bride as they stepped out in the sunlight. The church bells tolled and echoed in the spacious courtyard, indicating the beginning of the ceremony.
The blonde registered none of this, not the red carpet laid out for them as they passed through, not the eyes of the citizens following their every step, nor the towering statues observing the rite.
She saw the priest long before they made it to the open-air altar.
Her feet carried her all the way up the stairs where Jarvan waited for her.
Lux held his hands as best she could, dwarfed by his size.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to witness a holy union..."
His words fell on deaf ears when Lux realized Jarvan kept his eyes trained on their hands. Her eyes wandered, scanning the crowds out of the corner of her eye.
All of them... anxious. They're waiting with bated breath.
Her eyes landed on Fiora.
Fiora wasn't looking at them.
She's looking right at me.
"I, Prince Jarvan Lightshield the Fourth, do solemnly swear to take Lady Luxanna Crownguard as my lawfully wedded wife. In sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty, and in duty until death do us part."
The priest turned to her and she could no longer ignore the words she rehearsed so often in her room.
"I..." Lux faltered, closing her eyes as she sought the willpower to swallow the lump in her throat.
Come find me, at my home. I expect to see you sharp and early.
Her heart hammered in her chest.
"I, Lady Luxanna Crownguard-"
'What does it mean?' 'It means, Little Light.'
"-do solemnly swear-"
'But you are more than that.'
Lux felt the words surge forth, her resolve slowly coming back as Fiora's voice echoed in the back of her mind. "-to take Prince Jarvan Lightshield the Fourth as my lawfully wedded husband-"
'I will also promise you, I will protect you as well. No matter what happens.'
"-In sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty-"
'Be strong, little light.'
She opened her eyes, meeting Jarvan's gaze. "-and in duty until death do us part."
'Because if your light goes out, then we have nothing left but darkness.'
"Are there any objections? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
She expected someone, anyone to follow through. Lux stole a quick glance to Fiora.
The duelist looked ready to lunge forward, shoot up in her seat and scream at the top of her lungs.
She stayed still in her seat, hand gripped tight around the hilt of her rapier.
'Je t'aime, mon amour.'
Please, Fiora.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Lux gazed up at Jarvan, finding the same despair mirrored in his eyes. She bit her lower lip and leaned up as her world slowed to a crawl.
This was happening. This was it.
No more quiet nights.
No more comforting words.
No more-
"-what is that...?!"
Lux turned the moment the priest sputtered and followed his line of sight to the skies. A brilliant light shone next to the sun, growing larger and larger by the second yet none of them figured what it could have been.
Except, more of them filled the air.
And they came from the ground.
An attack, she realized in abject horror as the orbs came into clearer view. They weren't orbs, but massive fireballs.
All of them aimed for the plaza.
And there was nowhere to run.
"We have to move!" she screamed, her voice foreign to herself. She yanked on Jarvan's arm sharply but it was too late. She could hear the whizzing in the air as the largest one came barreling down precisely where they stood.
Dodging this one and making it out alive was slim.
'I'll just have to visit her on her wedding day-'
Sylas.
The people panicked and began clambering over each other in order to clear their trajectories. It was chaos yet in the midst of it all only one person had a clear path and direction.
Fiora wasn't racing out of the way, she was rushing towards the both of them.
She's not going to make it.
Lux clutched onto Jarvan, burying her face in his chest as he shielded her with his body the best he could. He saw the duelist zeroing in on them both, hand going to her rapier.
What will you do, Laurent?
Fiora grit her teeth as magic surged forth in her veins. She felt her skin crackle with energy and let it roll down into every inch of her body.
Lunge.
Her legs coiled with power and launched her forward, covering the last few meters in the blink of an eye. She drew her rapier and brandished it, purple coating every inch of her weapon and her body, and faced the burning sky.
Riposte.
She only had a few precious seconds. That is enough.
"You..!"
Fiora spared a glance behind her to Jarvan, who was surprised by her decision. She could have struck him away and snatched Lux to safety. She could have left him to die.
She stayed, to protect them both.
She has magic.
But she didn't have enough.
Her eyes met Lux's.
She didn't have enough to protect them all, and they all knew it.
Fiora closed her eyes and braced herself.
"I'm sorry Lux."
Lux's eyes went wide, reaching out for the duelist when she realized Fiora had positioned herself between them and the incoming fireball.
'I promised to protect you-'
Teal eyes flared a violent lavender when her magic pulsed and inverted itself into a shield behind her rather than in front.
"Fiora-!"
'-no matter what.'
And the the world around them crumbled in smoke and flames.
A/T: These updates are rolling out a bit quicker than I thought. I guess the ideas and scenes came to me much quicker than I anticipated.
hoboy tho ;)
