"Well, Aislynn... You look like shit."

Hartley's observation prompted perhaps the first smile she'd had all morning. The throbbing in her head and the looks she'd gotten on her way to the Misty Ridge did nothing to improve her mood. It was warranted; within camp she was known to not be a morning person, and out of it the sight of a sleep-deprived woman coming out of the woods would be concerning. Alas, trust the down-to-earth bartender to open with a snide remark.

Aislynn shrugged, sat, and her smile faded.

"You know why I'm here," she spoke with serious tone.

"I suspect," Hartley replied, "If you're looking for Imuren, I'm afraid he's left for the day. Him and his crew..."

Aislynn sighed, "... Pick me up. No alcohol."

"Wouldn't have given you some if you'd asked."

When Hartley returned with a mug, he continued the conversation with an assumption, "So he was lying when he said he wasn't causing trouble?"

"I don't know, but it's too much of a coincidence..." Aislynn drank deep of her mug, then continued, "I had a nightmare."

"Nightmare..." Hartley squinted, "...and?"

"...right, I didn't say," Aislynn grimaced then leaned closer, "I'm a dream mage. We're not supposed to have nightmares."

"Ah," Hartley blinked, "Well... they have mages for dreams too?"

"Yeah, though we're rare in the community," Aislynn backed away, "Anyway, I had a nightmare for the first time since I... learned how to control my dreams. This comes right after I meet another dream mage."

"And this nightmare isn't a coincidence?"

"Maybe it is, but something caused my dream. I saw it."

"Saw it?"

Aislynn sighed, "When I woke from my nightmare, there was this... moving shadow with white eyes. I think it were its eyes anyway. It called itself an eager fool then ran away. I don't know if Imuren knows about it."

"But you're asking anyway?"

"He's-" Aislynn stopped herself before she outed Imuren's being a mage in public, "He's like me. Maybe he's encountered it before; that's why the shadow called itself a fool; it couldn't attack Imuren, so it shouldn't have tried me... I'm just throwing out ideas, I don't really know."

"Yeah..." Hartley chuckled, "Sorry I can't help more; not exactly the guy for it, you know?"

"Apology accepted. Not that I need to; I'm not really asking you for help; the blame isn't yours," Aislynn sighed, "When's he coming back?"

"Should be back for lunch, from what I heard," Hartley shook his head, "Could be longer. That lady of his is working with the Laurent in town."

Aislynn sighed and took a long sip from her mug. She offered the empty cup to Hartley.

"Seems we've a lot of time."

"Yeah... We have a free room if you're planning on sticking around."

"Thanks, but I think we can be a bit more productive," Aislynn glanced around the bar, found no one particularly suspicious, asked, "What do you know about Imuren and his party?"

"Not much... they seem like good people," Hartley took a seat on his side of the counter, "According to their boss, the girl with the ponytail is Imuren's sister. She may share his... gifts."

Aislynn recalled the previous night. Imuren was quick to hide his reaction, but when Cheston had barged in during his drunken stupor - calling his friends mages - he had paled. His sister was a mage as well, then.

"Of course, those two were from Arbormark, so it makes sense they'd have their skills," Hartley continued, giving Aislynn a refill, "The other two are close friends. Skinnier one is the sister's boyfriend, if that means anything to you."

"Not in particular... Wait, Arbormark?"

"Imuren said he and his didn't know the guy who passed by here a while back."

Aislynn slowly nodded, "How about their boss? Lady Sharpstem?"

"Elia de Recht of House Sharpstem, well... She's all about the business. Leader of a small house with no heir, so it makes sense."

"No kids then. Why not marry?"

"Nobody knows. Even more confusing given her father let her do that. Was a far warmer man than her, the late Lord Sharpstem was..."

"That so... well, what's her business?"

"Quite significant, actually. House Sharpstem is a key trade point in the kingdom. The river allows for trade from the sea to come in, but it's close enough to Graygate so land products come in as well. The Laurents own them, of course, but for their small holdings their decently powerful vassals."

"Hmmm... what do they trade?"

"Well, anything and everything. They're a self-sufficient house, that's for sure. But, if you're looking for specifics..." Hartley paused then leaned close, "Two years back, Lady de Recht got rights to sell petricite to Piltover. The old King Jarvan wanted to engage with old allies, so he gave the Piltoverans what they wanted from us. House Sharpstem was chosen to manage it."

"Petricite trade..." Aislynn measured the words as she whispered, thinking. An Arbormark dream mage working for a lower-ranking lady who trades petricite with the outside world... It truly was an absurd picture, with potential to go anywhere. Perhaps Imuren lied about being an Arbormark mage, and was like Sylas; a mage who turned to the Mageseekers and worked to expose his own kind. In that case, Lady Elia would be a partner or handler. Or maybe Lady de Recht was a secret supporter of the rebellion, trading petricite to foreign nations to develop an easy counter to the magic-draining stone; Imuren's interacting with her could be the start of talks with mage rebels.

Yet none of it explained the shadow...

"Of course as a Laurent vassal they also sell steel for the military. I think some artisans at the House's grounds craft swords for richer nobles-" Her plight must've reflected on her face, given Hartley's sudden pause, "Sorry if it doesn't help..."

"No, it's fine. Not your fault Imuren's past could mean anything. Or nothing," Aislynn sighed, "Do you think... what do you know about ghosts?"

Hartley's eyes narrowed, "Ghost stories?"

"Demons, ghosts, spirits, I don't know... I mean, if not those things, what would the shadow I saw be?"

"A hallucination?"

When Aislynn sent Hartley a deadpan glare, the bartender raised his hands, "I mean no offence, I'm serious! If he's a... well, you know... maybe he made you see things?"

Aislynn turned her gaze away and nodded, "That is certainly possible... but I still think there's something else in play. Have you heard anything?"

"Well, there are a lot of rumors. Bout a decade back there was this up-and-coming noble house in the west. Started out as travelling merchants who impressed the late king enough to get a title. They were killed not long after establishing their house. Their heir claimed a demon killed them. The guards who found the bodies never believed her; suspected it was some assasination plot. But, who can say? Maybe she really saw something."

"Interesting, I suppose. Nothing else?"

"Nothing else tangible. Of course people disappear, and there's the occasional boy crying 'Fiddlesticks' in the fields. Though actually..." Hartley's voice dropped, "Have you heard about the business at Fossbarrow?"

"I've heard of it, but no specifics. Being out in the woods does that..." Aislynn leaned in, "I thought Fossbarrow was mage business."

"You really think so?"

Sylas' magic-charged eyes echoed in Aislynn's vision, and she nodded, "Fossbarrow's Crownguard territory. He'd have intent to strike there."

"I suppose you'd be the expert. But, the rumors contradict the crown's words; and yours," Hartley claimed, "Apparently something happened to the magistrate's son. The kid ran into the forest, then the people couldn't sleep. A haze appeared around the town, and some travellers said there were monsters in the fog. Finally, Garen Crownguard and his sister investigate, and the problem's fixed. The crown's very hush about it."

"Don't tell anyone, but Lady Luxanna is a mage. Perhaps she used her magic to purify whatever was causing problems there... and-" with a short gasp, the dream mage moved away from the problem solver and onto the problem, "The people couldn't sleep... do you know why?"

"No, the reports haven't given those details; nor have the rumors... but you suspect that its related?"

"It'd be too much of a coincidence if it wasn't," Aislynn sipped from the mug to calm herself, "Ok, we have a lead. Is there anything else you know?"

"On monsters? Again, its just rumours... but I suppose there's some credibility to it."

"Imuren gets back by midday, right? That's more than enough time for me. So..."

"That's the most recent story I've got," a warning tone sprang from Hartley's voice, "I doubt the rest will be all that useful."

"Perhaps," Aislynn admitted. This probably would be a waste of time, but, "...But it's not like I'm short on time. Let's start with this demon haunting. Tell me all you recall."

"What is it?"

"Xander, you look like shit."

The Left Hand snorted, "Thanks, appreciate it."

He didn't need a mirror to confirm it. He needed to think to remain conscious, never mind his mood and the headache that had remained with him since breakfast. The day of treating, or rather, Laurent ass-kissing, did not do any help.

As they exited the gates of the Meltridge Town Hall, Xander sighed in relief.

Yin didn't relent, "What kept you up?"

Despite being in the middle of town, practically surrounded by Demacian soldiers, Xander didn't hesitate to answer, "Nocturne."

"Oh? What about him?"

"I had him follow up on our new friends."

"Follow up?" Yin took a few steps to think about it, "Oh, the singer... What did you mean by follow up?"

"If she's a mage, she's either a secret one or an escapee from the capitol. I suspect the latter, and if that's the case she won't be in the town. Somewhere nearby to be sure, but hidden," Xander explained, "Nocturne was to find her through her dreams then chart a path for us to meet them. He hasn't reported back yet."

"Could he have gotten caught?"

"Nocturne is noticeable if you know what to look for," Xander's smirk faded to a frown, "Though, I suppose he should've met up with us if it was so easy."

"...Maybe he's good in his element, but out of it... could he have gotten caught?"

"I think the local garrison would've been more on edge if that were the case. Either because of demon sightings or mage sightings, in lieu of Nocturne fighting his way out," Xander sighed, "Maybe he's taking the long way around?"

"There was a petricite mine nearby, right? We went pass it on our way here."

"Yes, though I doubt mages would be hiding there..."

Yin sighed, but raised a pointer figure, "Yeah, but maybe that's what they'd want everyone to think?"

"Shush!" Their host cut in with a subtle stamp. Elia lead them as she berated, "I'm not interested in getting arrested in open daylight."

"You don't have much to worry about out that," Xander replied.

At least, he believed so. With the noon sun above them, the Meltridge center street was alive with business. Townsmen chatted, merchants bargained, and children played. More packed than the previous night, the sight reminded Xander of the scene at Graygate. Only, instead of ever-present petricite walls, the runesteel helms of Laurent soldiers - newly arrived, Xander had discovered - provided he show of Demacian military might. Unlike in Graygate, however, the reminder didn't seem comforting; the Left Hand saw a couple of townsmen send dirty to the soldiers' way.

With a mage presence nearby and a defiant populace, Meltridge just might be our first time stepping stone, Xander thought with furrowed brows, A bit too notable, though. Crown's definitely noted Meltridge after the scuffle with the Arbormark diplomat. And we haven't even done anything.

"Imuren," Yin called, catching his attention. She glanced around upon noticing his suspicious mood, "What is it?"

"Not here," Xander flashed a smirk, "Just some consideration."

Yin glanced around as they walked. By the frown on her face, Xander suspected she'd noted the increased military presence as well.

"Silver for your thoughts?"

"How should I say this..." Yin was silent for a moment, "If Nico hasn't been caught, how's he going to make it back to us through all this?"

Xander chuckled, "Nico? A good name for him, I suppose; I'll have to start calling him that. Anyway, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. He's naturally camouflaged for night time movement, and he doesn't really need to be close. By latching onto dreams, he can get anywhere we are."

"Then why did you stay up?"

"He was supposed to track the physical path to our contact. That meant the dream trick wasn't an option."

"So Nico's either been caught, or is sitting in some cave waiting for us to get a nap?"

"I'd hope so," Xander sighed, "All things considered, he's probably playing it safe. Maybe he noticed our new visitors en route?"

That was a possibility; the Laurent garrison had grown over night, with new arrivals from the capitol. Since the mages were running from the capitol, it was possible they were hiding along the main road to it. Nocturne's path would've been blocked by the convoy.

"You'll have to wait till he comes back," Yin replied, shrugging with a smile, "Day's got me beat; I'm not talking about that shit until after lunch."

As they entered the Misty Ridge, Xander smiled, "Sounds like a plan. Here's hoping they've got something good."

As it turns out, he there wasn't anything good. For upon meeting the bloodshot stare of a fellow dream mage, all Xander could do was sigh. Yin elbowed him to catch his attention.

"Are you sure Nico didn't get caught?" she whispered.

"I never was. But..." Xander sighed, "Go with the others. I'll deal with her."

"Can you?"

"In this case, most certainly. Though obviously, the worst case scenario..."

"Go on, Hand," Elia butted in with a growl, "Dig yourself out of your hole and join us quickly."

"Yes ma'am."

In such hopeless times, Xander found taking the stoic soldier role to be a good repellant of fear. Admittedly it might've been an overreaction; he'd been through worse. But, this was another dream mage; a potential equal. Might as well be serious from the get go. And so he marched.

When Aislynn turned fully to meet him, Xander noticed Hartley behind her by the counter. They both glared at him like the threat he was. As the Left Hand sighed, Hartley initiated with an accusatory tone.

"Aislynn's been meaning to speak with you," the bartender spoke with a measured tone, "I don't suppose you can explain?"

"If I'm not wrong, these would be your words: it's business. Your storeroom won't suffice, Hartley. Aislynn, if you don't mind following me to my room."

Hartley stepped forward, leaning on the counter with intent, "You think-"

Aislynn stopped him, "Hartley, I don't mind. As long as I get answers."

"Aislynn-"

"I'll be fine. As he said, it is business," Aislynn stood from her stool and met Xander with a determined gaze, "Lead on."

No words were exchanged for the next few minutes. Not as they went up the stairs, not when they went through the door. They sat across from each other, with Xander on his bed and Aislynn on the opposite; Gerris' bed. Xander decided on silence and thought what his next words would be, and the words after.

Unfortunately, nothing concrete could be decided on, so... "Alright... what happened?"

Aislynn took a breath, "I was hoping you could explain that."

"Well, give me something to work with here," Xander continued, "If you want an explanation, I need to know what you want explained."

"Yeah, I get it," Aislynn waved Xander off, "Ok, so... I had a nightmare last night. First nightmare I've had since I learned how to use my powers."

"I can imagine that to be quite stressful."

"Yeah! Anyways... in my dream..." Aislynn paused, "Uhhh..."

Perhaps some details on the rebellion? Well...

"Just so you know, I assumed you were affiliated with the rebels," Xander smirked, "You're a mage, and Hartley asked you about business last night. That isn't subtle in the slightest."

Aislynn flinched, "I see... well, I guess if you know... when I was dreaming I was barely lucid. I made decisions and could control my actions, but I had no idea I was dreaming. I thought I'd woken up at my camp-"

"The camp you're keeping quiet about for safety," Xander cut in, "I understand, go on."

Aislynn sent Xander a tired glare, sighed, then continued, "I went about my usual morning routine when a few things came up... And... Sylas showed up."

Oh boy...

"Sylas? The Sylas?" Imuren held a measured smile, "You knew him personally?"

"Despite obviously being our leader, he always insisted on being equal with everyone," Aislynn explained with a frown, "Sylas implored for me to join him in his fight."

"Did you join him? In the dream?"

"No. Because Sylas was what told me better. I realise now that the dream seemed... hollow. I didn't know what it missed in the others. It missed it in Sylas, and I banished the dream the moment I realised the oddity."

"Banished it?" Xander narrowed his eyes. Banished. Like banishing a demon?

Aislynn elaborated, "I attacked the dream Sylas and woke up at that point. When I sat up, I saw something in the shadows. I'm not sure it had a shape, but it had two white eyes..."

So Nocturne was caught. Ok...

Aislynn shivered, "That thing was looking into my soul. I asked it what it was. It replied with this rasping voice. 'An eager fool' was what it said, then it left. Like mist through my window."

"And that was it?"

"Yes."

The silence that followed was palpable. Xander noticed signs of slippage on Aislynn's part. It seemed he was being too intimidating...

It's a repeat of the last confession. Damn it man... Well, when all else fails...

With traces of his own magic flaring in his eyes, Xander finally spoke, "I think a nap might be in order. Lie down."

After a second's hesitation, Aislynn complied. As she lied down, Xander put a linking rune on her arm. The dream mage watched him as he walked back to the bed. Only when he lied down did Aislynn relax. With the moment of serenity, Xander willed slumber upon them both.

He awoke in a room with white walls and a wooden floor. A steel table lay at the center with a black core; a hologram table straight out of the science fiction he enjoyed back on Earth. Xander rolled off the bed he'd dreamed up and approached the opposite one, where Aislynn lay.

Or rather, Ashley Woods lay. Shoulder length caramel-gold locks framed a plain yet pleasant face. Aislynn's Earthly self was shorter and slimmer than her Runeterran counterpart, but that was to be expected; Runeterra was a harder world than modern-day Earth. The girl sat up swiftly with a yelp.

"Where-"

"My dreamscape," Xander replied, "Nothing special for now, don't think I need to share a scene. But, just in case..."

Aislynn glanced at suspiciously, "Imuren?"

"Yes?"

The dream mage was silent for a moment, analyzing him, then she relaxed, "Ah. That's how you looked on Earth?"

Xander nodded, flexing his lanky frame, "I prefer my new body, but that's probably because it can do magic. And life living on the edge makes for a fitter form."

"Why use this form in your dreams?"

"It's my way of remembering," Xander answered, "Technically this is my true form, and if we're to be honest and open with each other, I figure using it would be a sign of good faith."

"Thanks I guess," Aislynn still looked to him with suspicion. She pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation, then suddenly flinched.

"Wait... this..." Aislynn brushed a hand through her hair. She grabbed a lock of it and gazed upon it like she had found salvation. Nostalgia seemed to hit her like a freight train, and she could only chuckle and smile like an idiot.

"How did I not think of using my dreams like this?"

"You haven't?" Xander laughed briefly, "And you said I was quick to get rid of my past. But anyway..."

Xander offered Aislynn a hand, which after some hesitation she took. With his free left hand he snapped his fingers, and the hologram table's screen flashed to life. Blue lights darkened to the furthest point they could, forming a silhouette.

"For the first point of this meeting: I've met the being that caused your dream."

The silhouette took a cleaner shape, gaining steel shoulders and umbral blades. Xander willed the hologram to face Aislynn so she could see Nocturne's signature white eyes.

"The being you saw was a Runeterran demon."

"A demon? Like, hell demons?"

"Runeterran demon's aren't like the myths of Earth. They aren't unholy punishers of sinners, nor are they fallen angels. Instead, they are our spiritual reflections; parasites that feed on human spirit," Xander explained, "Their evil comes in that they feed mostly on negativity. They scare so as to take the greatest bounty of fear; they torture, so as to collect a maximum of agony..."

"So there are types of demons?" Aislynn leaned closer to look at the hologram, "What type was this one?"

"A special one to be sure; he was a character in League of Legends," Xander smiled, "The demon's name is Nocturne, the Eternal Nightmare."

"So a nightmare demon... Does that make us weaker or stronger against him?"

"Yes, but you'd need to know how to use your powers competently to stand against him. He's been around since the Rune Wars, after all," Xander chuckled, "And he only recently got smart."

Before Aislynn could question him on his final comment, Xander snapped his fingers. At the command, the room shifted to a dark void. At the center was a child, fearful and panicking. He bled from a cut at his calf, but held a growing ball of violent magic.

It was Xander in his youth.

"I was about two and a half years old when I met Nocturne," Xander explained to Aislynn, "My first year was a mess of PTSD nightmares. Second year was similar, but with a touch of adapting to being a self-insert. In short, I barely had control on my magic."

Aislynn watched his younger self with concern; a concern that grew when from the void Nocturne appeared. His armor sustained burns but his eyes glared, unwavering in their desire for murder. His right arm blade already had a taste, given the stain of red at its tip.

"How did you beat Nocturne then?"

"The same way anyone beats a late-game boss on a speed run," Xander smirked, "I abused my knowledge of the game."

The vision continued. Nocturne lunged forward, intending to land the final strike. The young Xander screamed with rage and grief and sheer determination, landing his blast of magic on Nocturne's chest. The young mage didn't let up, limping closer whilst maintaining a stream of magic. Caught, the demon convulsed in pain and groaned inhumanly.

"I gave Nocturne an emotion he wasn't used to. He fed on nightmares of survival. He did not know how to process the pain of guilt," Xander felt his smirk waver, "Among other emotions. After Earth I had much to spare. Unfulfilled hopes and wishes. Regrets. As well as anger for the fools that led our world to death. Not to mention confusion and wonder at being isekai'd to a relatively undeveloped fictional world which I had a semblance of understanding of."

As he spoke, Xander felt a familiar chill travel down his smile. The dream Nocturne's howls truly gained a sense of horror as the stream of emotion his younger self sent got brighter. He laughed as a final flash ended the dream.

"That first nightmare wasn't the end. It was a beginning. Nocturne would come again, trying to finish what he started. As we clashed I learned how to use my dream magic more," Xander's smirk returned. "As I learned, so did he. Empathy and guilt. Chastity and true joy, beyond survival. He's even gained some snark, though in all of these his demonic origins are still clear... alas, guilt, and a choice to refrain was what started his path."

Xander glanced mischievously over Aislynn, "How fitting that he'd give the same treatment or you."

Aislynn's eyes widened. She backed away.

"Imuren?" the dream mage anxiously asked.

"Duck," he replied.

Xander sent a haymaker hook Aislynn's way, which she barely slipped under. As predicted by the true combatant. Nocturne raised an arm to block, but was forced further by an enhanced punch.

The demon rasped as it recovered, "Xan-"

Xander didn't let up, tackling Nocturne with a gleeful guffaw. As he grappled with the misty form of the demon, Aislynn watched. If she wasn't terrified before, she probably was now.

Oh well. It was going to be a shit show regardless. Might as well have some fun with it.

"Does my mind deceive me?" Xander asked his questions in a playful, sing-song tone, "Did Nico feel bad about fucking up a basic task?"

Nocturne paused his struggles, "Nico? Wha-who gave me that name?"

"Yin."

Nocturne practically exploded with rage, dream smoke flying everywhere, "All you mages are the same sort of filth!"

Xander held on, "Answer the question~"

"Fine!"

Nocturne broke free from Xander's grasp, or rather he let the demon free. He stood up again as Nocturne floated to keep eye level.

"I was caught by her... I didn't know what she'd do, but I thought she'd meet with you; I decided I'd report then."

Xander nodded, but his teasing smile remained, "You still haven't answered the question."

"... there was some guilt felt."

With a joyful laugh, Xander smacked Nocturne's back, leaving the arm over the demon's shoulder.

"I knew I was making progress!" Imuren chuckled, "Now, Aislynn here's given me quite the story. You gave her quite the dream! May I ask why?"

"I hoped to find something more worthwhile than a location. You mentioned you needed to know their temperament..."

"Hmm, you know what? I'm not mad anymore."

"I can sense both deceit and anger from you."

"I'll ignore that if you ignore that~" Xander turned to Aislynn as his smirk faded to a frown, "After all, this talk was always going to be hard. How and why I didn't think that'd be the case is beyond me..."

Aislynn gave an awkward chuckle, "Imuren? What's going on?"

The dream mage sighed, "I've probably scared the shit out of you. Damn it, why do I keep doing... doesn't matter."

Xander shook his head, "Anyways, I'll explain what's happening. First, yes, I know the demon who gave you a nightmare. Secondly, my name isn't Imuren, and I'm not of the Arbormark. My name - the one I've chosen - is Xander, and I was born here in Demacia. What else would you like to know?"

As Hartley listed what he knew about demons, it had occurred to Aislynn that she may have been out of her depth. Curious cat she was, however, she pressed on. She accepted the sudden request Imuren - or rather, Xander - gave her without question. As the dream started and her old form greeted her, she even felt content and joyful. There was no reason to fear, right? What could go wrong?

Now that she stood before a dream mage that was likely far beyond her skill AND his demon pet, soul-crushing dread told her that, yes, everything could go wrong.

Her reply to Xander's question came out like a rat's squeak, "Why?"

"Did I hide the truth? Fair question," Xander sat down on his hologram table with a frown, "Lets put it this way; an FBI agent wouldn't tell anyone that he's an agent-"

"So you're a Mageseeker," Aislynn could feel her heart beat against her chest like a drum, "You're... you're trying to use me to get to the rebellion."

Xander paused, mouth open, then shrugged, "I am trying to make contact with the rebellion, yes. But, I'm not a Mageseeker."

"Then what are you?"

Xander was again silent before looking up to the ceiling, "Jeez, Gerris is going to kill me."

He shook his head, "Me and my friends are a special operations unit from abroad. Our goal is to aid in the reform of Demacia. And as a mage who had to run from this country in my youth, I assure you I have only good intentions for your movement."

From abroad? How vague. But more importantly, "How do I know you're not lying?" Aislynn asked.

"This is my mind, feel free to look around. But if you wish to start, open the door behind you."

Aislynn cautiously turned around, finding an ivory white stone archway. She sent a curious glance at Xander, who hadn't moved, then went through. A glare of sunlight blinded her briefly, but after blinking it away she beheld a familiar sight.

The great city of Demacia, unmarred by conflict, lay before her.

She looked around, finding herself in a terrace; likely a retreat for nobles. The itch of petricite below her added to the immersion, as did the sounds of a lively city in the distance. The archway sat behind her, awkwardly meshed into some aristocrat's garden. Xander walked through with a smile.

"Not only was I born in Demacia, but I was also originally of... well, not noble blood, but my family was close to the top by association."

"Alright, you've convinced me of that," Aislynn spat, "But how do I know that you're not a Mageseeker?"

As Xander smiled silently in reply, the cries of children came. Aislynn looked to their direction and found four kids gleefully prancing onto the terrace. Or rather, three; the fourth was the young Xander, who silently walked behind them, hands behind his back with the arrogance of someone who knew his contemporaries were inferior. Xander seemed to biologically be one of the younger ones, the closest in age appearing to be a blonde girl with sky-blue eyes. The 'elders' of the group were two boys, one a black-haired boy with a charming smile and the other a tall, brown-haired lad, led the group onto the terrace.

"I'm sure you recognize some of them," Xander commented from behind Aislynn.

"I know you're one of them, dick," Aislynn replied, then paused, then gaped, "Wait, is that blonde Luxanna Crownguard?"

"Correct. And based on that I'm sure you can figure out who the other two are."

Recalling the day of the Capitol riot, Aislynn was able to find two matching identities. Given the shared hair color and extreme size, taller boy was likely Garen Crownguard, ever present for his sister. That left the black haired man to be the Prince himself, Jarvan the Fourth.

"Alright, so you were friends with powerful people," Aislynn turned her gaze to Xander, "How does that prove you're not a Mageseeker?"

"Luxanna Crownguard isn't in a cell."

If that was a threat, it only barely registered as such. Luxanna Crownguard, to Aislynn, was an inconsistent ally at best. She knew the light mage cared for her fellow magic users. Luxanna's work escorting mages out of harm's way was a noble effort, after all. But, whatever she did couldn't remove the blemish that was her betrayal on the day of the riot. The night after the prison break, between planning sessions and speeches of vengeance, Sylas had shared the heartwarming experiences he had with Luxanna, teaching her the ways of magic. They amounted to nothing, in the end, when their indirect liberator threatened to end their movement then and there.

With Sylas' recent acts, however, a part of Aislynn figured the Crownguard may have had the right idea.

But she wouldn't let Xander know that, "Sylas told me that noble born mages often are ignored, assuming they don't become betray their kind and become Mageseekers."

"Lux was present when Sylas broke free. Anyone with eyes could see she was the primary suspect, even if it was Sylas using her powers," Xander grimaced, "Not even the Crownguard name could save her from the punishment for treason."

"She chose the nobles over us, in the end. Try again."

Xander paused, pondered, then said, "The fact that there's a rebellion should be proof enough."

"Oh?"

"I knew who Sylas was before he even got arrested. I knew of his ability to see and steal magic, and how the former brought him doubt for the system. I know that Luxanna met him when researching magic prevention, and eventually form a mentorship bond with him. I know that using her light magic, Sylas broke free and started his rebellion," Xander gesticulated as he listed, "I knew all of this would happen, and I let it happen. If I was a Mageseeker, why would I do that?"

That... is a good point.

"...You weren't around to stop it," Aislynn assumed, "You weren't present. You were on a mission, fighting elsewhere."

"I didn't need to stop the riot to stop the rebellion," Xander countered, "I could've assassinated Sylas before Lux ever got to him; no-one would miss the alleged murdering mage, especially not in this country. I might've even been able to prevent Sylas from 'turning' all together. An accident prompted his arrest; send him elsewhere, give him a desk job, maybe even use him as a personal guard, and the rebellion's leader never would have reason to rebel. Yet, none of that happened. Because: I am not - and never have been - a Mageseeker."

After a pause, Aislynn nodded, "Fine. You aren't a Mageseeker. But, if you did want to help Demacian mages, why wait until now?"

Xander shared a sad smile and turned away. He raised a hand, motioning to follow.

"You were right in saying I wasn't present," Xander admitted, "Given the timeline, I assume I indeed was on a mission fighting someone else somewhere else... But as for laying foundations, that too was out of my reach."

Aislynn watched Xander from behind and saw movement beyond him. By the terrace's entrance, two new figures came. Leading at the forefront was an older woman with silver-blonde hair. Immediately, Aislynn recognized the Crownguard genetics; she was broad-shouldered, like Garen would become, and her face looked like a tougher iteration of Luxanna's. Behind her, remaining in the shadows, was a man in blue robes with a petricite necklace: a Mageseeker. Just the sight filled Aislynn with a range of emotions, none good.

"Being friends with the Prince generally had no downsides. Same couldn't be said about the Crownguards," Xander sighed, "Garen and Lux were great, and their parents were damn paragons of Demacian values; the good ones, that is. Their aunt, Tianna Crownguard, then Sword-Captain of the Dauntless Vanguard, however, was as by-the-book hard-ass."

"Her spouse was even worse, however," Xander pointed past Tianna to the Mageseeker in the shadows, "That I lasted as long as I did living with the head of the Mageseekers as my friggin' neighbour was a damn miracle. But, at the age of fifteen, during a short vacation with the royal party, I was caught redhanded. My father, close as he was to the king, wouldn't be able to help against such a case. So, I ran."

From the shadows, the dream faded. The Demacian terrace disappeared, and Aislynn found herself back in the hub Xander woke her into. Her host continued with a somber tone.

"Didn't even fight; no proof save for his own eyewitness, and the bastard couldn't take it to my dad. In the end, all that anyone would hear was a missing kid's report," Xander replied, "I stuck around the kingdom for a bit, took a job on the eastern border as a soldier, then left the country at nineteen."

"So in short, you couldn't do anything," Aislynn said, "Why come back then?"

"I always wanted to change this place up. Make it better; make a change," Xander grinned, "Now that canon's caught up, the time's come. I think I was close back when I still lived with the royals. Now I'm back to fulfil the mission I set out for myself."

Aislynn raised an eyebrow, "That being ending of mage racism in Demacia?"

"Perhaps, if I can reach that far," Xander looked away in some semblance of shame, "I'm a realist. Mage racism, I suspect, will far outlast both of us, so I can't change that. But, the systematic genocide of mages? That, I can stop."

A realist, huh? I... really can't argue with that. "...Fair enough," Aislynn replied.

After a short pause, Xander sighed with relief, "So you believe me."

Aislynn smirked, "Don't throw it away now. Your self-doubt has so far been the most incriminating thing about you."

Xander chuckled, "I'm more than aware of how shady I look. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't trust me."

"Some part of me doesn't," Aislynn admitted, "I..."

Aislynn... smiled. There wasn't anything to fear.

"I'm sure that by the end of this rebellion, we'll trust each other far easier. We've quite the road ahead, no?"

Xander returned with a smile of his own, toothy, goofy, awkward, "Yeah... yeah! Quite the road. Though, I must say, we'll have to diverge for a bit."

"Diverge?"

Xander exhaled, letting go of some stress (likely leftovers from her interrogation), then explained, "My handler, Miss de Recht, has to go to the Capitol. As her assistant and potential heir, I'll be following."

"The Capitol? Will that be safe?"

"I've been through worse," Xander grinned, "FBI agent equivalent, remember?"

"Right..." Aislynn briefly giggled, "I'd ask for details, but you'd have to kill me, no?"

"Well, maybe not. I'd hate to kill another Earthling. But anyway..." Xander stood up, "Is there anything you'd like me to do there?"

Aislynn paused, "... Maybe? The Capitol's been so far behind me, honestly. It's too risky for any mage to approach that place... Luxanna excluded, of course."

"And myself," Xander crossed his arms, "I'll be there for a week. That's plenty of time to do something."

"... there is something you could do," Aislynn spat out before her mind even figured out that thing to do, "... there might be mages still in the Capitol."

"Captured mages," Xander assumed, then nodded, "I'll see what I can do."

"Yes, thanks... Oh, and Luxanna," Aislynn paused to decide her words, then continued, "She's still in doubt about the rebellion."

"You want me to try bring her on board?" Xander frowned, "I doubt she would, but I was already planning to that end."

"Figures you would," Aislynn grinned, "I don't suppose you're planning some shitty childhood crush romance plot, are you?"

"So help me, Gods of Earth, if I did," Xander laughed, "I don't want a brother-in-law who can crush my skull single-handedly, even if Garen is a cool guy."

Aislynn nodded, "I don't doubt it... so if you're going, when can we meet again?"

"Two weeks latest. We might stop by on our way to the Capitol," Xander grinned, "Though, me and mine still have a week here in Meltridge. See you next music night?"

Aislynn smirked, "You bet."

"I'll be seeing you then," Xander sat back onto his bed, "It's... well, actually it's been a stressful-as-shit conversation, but as much as I'd like to keep you around, having you disappear in my bunk for a long period of time may look... inappropriate."

It took a second for Aislynn to get it, then she flinched with a blush.

"But... it can't have been longer than a few minutes!"

"There's a term for that, and even if it wasn't that, people already think we had past relations," Xander smirked, "Or did I hallucinate your friend thinking we were exes?"

Aislynn didn't deign to answer, hopping onto her bed and lying on her back in a flurry of movement.

"Fuck off, I'll see you on music night!"

Xander laughed. It was the last sound she heard before returning to reality.

As Aislynn's body disappeared from her dreamscape, Xander sighed.

"Nocturne?"

"Yes?"

"Well played there."

Nocturne's open hand held a stolen thought. A wispy blue, it spoke of mystery, confusion, and curiosity. If that question were to be answered...

"If your true allegiance was brought to light, your choices would be limited."

"Indeed," Xander lied on his own bed and closed his eyes, "Why do I think I'm delaying the inevitable, though?"

"That's simple," Nocturne laughed, "Because you are."

Author's Note: It's been a while, I think. Between finishing up (or rather, trying to finish up) Inktober, and reworking this chapter, it took far longer than I would've liked. Spent the past two weeks cutting and rewriting for this chapter, but I've finally got it in a form I like. In hindsight I took way too long choosing between whether to repeat the whole "skeletons-out-of-the-closet" arc from chapters 3 and 4 in this one. Of course, its only a delay, but I think pushing the next reveal to a future chapter should make the story flow better.

As always, leave a review; I appreciate the feedback.

[Edit 20/03/22] - Mentions of Vayne edited. In hindsight, name-dropping her this chapter was too early.