A/N: As usual, I watch/play something, obsess over it for a time, then don't look at it again for ages. This time I have been watching League's new cinematic, The Call, on repeat - and want to write something about it. So here is me throwing Yasuo (Post Ruined King, although I haven't played it) into the Taliyah and Kai'sa story.
Sand. Lots and lots of Sand.
It had been a week since Yasuo had parted ways with his friends in Bilgewater, since their alliance had ended and each went their separate ways. Yasuo, with no home to return to and no goal to achieve, had set his eyes on Shurima - hoping to be reunited with his friend and student Taliyah, who had returned to her homeland some time ago.
He had taken a ship to the port city of Nashramae, where he had asked around and found a semi-recent location for Taliyah's people. So he purchased supplies, and headed out into the desert.
Yasuo was no stranger to harsh conditions, the varied lands of Ionia ranged from frozen mountains to arid plains, while the Shadow Isles had been nothing short of intolerable. However there was something about the Shuriman sand, it was harsh, rough and got everywhere.
Taliyah's eyes widened as she looked at Kai'sa, who's expression and plan was clear - her eyes filled with both sorrow and determination. She watched as the grey carapace flowed upwards to form a solid helmet. She watched as the enormous void monster leapt from the tunnel, hurling Kai'sa - hurling her friend - into the air. She watched, but she did not intervene - it was the only way.
Then, amidst the creatures roar, her ears picked up a familiar sound - one she had not heard in over a year. The whistling rumble of a tornado. The vortex struck the leaping creature with a deafening thud, even as Kai'sa was blown clear of it - twisting in the air to unleash a barrage of purple missiles. Despite the shock, and the sudden rush of hope, Taliyah reacted quickly - ripping boulders out of the sand behind her and hurling them at the creature.
But the gargantuan beast was not so easily wounded, landing with an earth shaking thud it roared in pain, before charging at an approaching figure, one all too familiar to Taliyah
With a muttered curse Yasuo called the wind to him, using it to propel him into the air and above the charging monster. Landing on its head and driving his sword into one eye before throwing himself clear as it crashed into the sands behind him.
"We need to get it back to the void," the unfamiliar figure called to Yasuo, gesturing to the massive crevice.
"I'll bait it in, try to shoot out its other eye." Yasuo ordered, before turning to Taliyah, "Taliyah, collapse that mountain on top of it to seal it in."
Turning to face the creature, which had pulled itself to its feet, its remaining eye fixed on Yasuo and filled with hatred. Charging at him once more, shrugging off the rain of purple and shards of rock. Instead of trying to leap over it, for the beast at least displayed some measure of intelligence, and could potentially predict that - Yasuo instead waited, and waited, until the beast was all but upon him, before summoning the wind once more. A powerful gust struck him in the side, hurling him out of the way.
Taliyah watched in fear as her former teacher, a man she had grown to see as an older brother, baited the monster. As she saw him throw himself clear, and as the creature tumbled down into the darkness she reached out with her magic, deep into the mountain and faceless statue. With a series of rending cracks, the side of the mountain slid away, falling into the canyon - sealing the creature away.
Kneeling and placing one hand on the ground - stretching her senses and magic - she felt the ripples in the earth as it fell into the void and as the rift was blocked. She felt the small vibrations as the smaller creatures fled. She listened, filled with fear that the creature would rise again from the abyss, but felt nothing.
"You've certainly improved at tearing down mountains, Little Sparrow." An amused voice spoke out from behind her. Turning and rising, she lunged forwards, pulling Yasuo into a strong hug.
"Not that I'm ungrateful, but what are you doing here Yasuo?" Taliyah questioned, pulling away.
He smiled softly, "I once said I could not come with you, because my business was not finished. It is now, and I am free to wander where I will. News from Shurima was scarce, even in Bilgewater, and I wanted to see how you were faring."
A slight cough came from behind them. Turning, Yasuo saw the other girl had approached them.
"Ohh," said Taliyah, "Kai'sa, this is Yasuo, he was my teacher for a time. Yasuo, this is Kai'sa, she is a friend that was helping me reclaim Xolan.
Despite her unusual appearance, Yasuo had seen far more unique things in his travels, so was unfazed in his greeting, a new experience for Kai'Sa - no one had ever been so nonchalant about meeting her - and a welcome one.
"A pleasure to meet you Kai'Sa"
"A-And you Yasuo," said Kai'Sa, her voice stuttering slightly, "Thank you for your assistance"
The word was spread that Xolan was reclaimed, a refuge against the void creatures that were filling Shurima - as well as one free from Azir and Xerath's war. People drifted there from all across the continent, including many that Taliyah was familiar with. Sivir had visited for a time, curious how the girl who had once saved her life had ended up the de facto ruler of a city. The tribe she had travelled with before meeting Kai'Sa arrived later on, leading to many tearful reunions.
Yasuo would remain in Xolan for a time, before moving on - he was far too used to being a leaf on the wind to remain in one place for long. But he returned often (and for longer and longer periods)
Kai'Sa also remained in Xolan, permanently, for among its population she had found what had forever been denied to her, a people. Instead of being seen as a monster, they revered her as a protector.
A/N: So, there it is. Kai'sa deserves better than sacrificing herself.
This was written before (assuming the rumours are correct) the Void Event in 2022, and I'm a sucker for happy endings.