Eventually, she is presentable enough to not attract attention (well, MORE attention, I attract enough due to my fame) and we set out.

We walk in silence, heading towards the edge of the city, near the tourist district. She sticks close, practically holding onto my coattails, shying away from everyone else. Unfortunate, but proof that I am doing the right thing...I remember an exuberant, nosy, bouncy, chatterbox, and to see her like this already...her body may survive training, but the Lux I know would be long dead and gone before it was over. Father is obsessed with the family legacy, but in his obsession, he has no qualms about destroying the family's actual members.

Our destination is a small house, on the edge of the residential area bordering the tourist district. It belonged to a friend from training, one who somehow retained most of himself through the experience. Naturally, he was arrested for...something, eventually. Questioning orders perhaps? It doesn't really matter...he honestly had no chance of making it through his term of service, he was far too independent. As far as I know, he is still locked away...perhaps my future "allies" will be able to do something about that? Regardless, his home is unoccupied, and I kept an alternate set of clothing there, for the few times he convinced me to "live a little."

I can feel Lux's curiosity brimming as I retrieve the house key from its hidden nook, and let us in. She may be somewhat damaged by her recent experiences, but they haven't had time to crush her inquisitiveness yet. Now that we are in private it shouldn't be long before I am hit with a barrage of ques-

"Who's house is this? How did you know the key was there? What are we doing here?" she rattles off. Then with a changed tone, "Why...why did you...take me out?"

Away from prying eyes at last, I smile and give her a bone-crushing hug, relishing the squeak of surprise.

I can't help but laugh as I release her, still with the brightest smile I've had in...gods, has it really been years?

"One question at a time, dear sister." I gently admonish her. "Have a seat first at least." I direct her to the furniture.

The main room of the house is reasonably large, taking up most of the house, with only a small bathroom and bedroom separated, a kitchen in the back but not truly blocked off. It could certainly use a good cleaning after having sat for so long but, not in bad condition at all.

She sits on the overstuffed couch. I start to sit in my usual chair but, damn, I can see her quivering. Instead I take a seat beside her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her in. She doesn't resist. I sit quietly for a few moments just, relaxing, for the first time in so long. Damn that feels good. She deserves her answers though, and we still have a long way to go before she is truly safe.

"The house is a friend's. He is...occupied, so won't be using it any time soon. He showed me where the key was the first time we came here. We are here so that we have time and privacy for me to explain what I have planned, and for us to prepare. The why...well, that is a long one."

I sigh, and remain silent for a moment, struggling to find the words.

"I suppose you could say the answer is a promise."

"A promise?" she inquires.

"Aye. You know the stories, I am sure. What I have done since I left, my reputation. The Might of Demacia...Paragon of its ideals, extoller of its virtues, defender of its people. It's the last one that I have always taken the most pride in. I am a killer, Lux."

Her eyes widen at my last words. It is very much not the description she expected.

"I have slain many men, and I am sure that far more will fall to me before my life is over. For all that our noble ideals and virtue are touted, it is not such things that sustain me through the knowledge of the lives I have destroyed, it is the idea that I protect my people. For every warrior I have cut down, far more people have been saved, and will live better lives because of it."

She relaxes as I continue more along the line of what she expected.

"But, as time passed, I began to doubt my purpose. Hunting down brigands and murderers, or holding off the armies of our enemies is one thing, but despite the claims that is far from all we do. We have taken many neutral towns and cities by might of arms, forcing them to adapt to our ways. That would still perhaps be acceptable if we could truly bring them prosperity but..." I trail off for a moment. "Lux, I met many people, both Demacian and not, and I began to question if it was truly right. If Demacia is truly on the correct path and the guiding light for Valoran."

The shock is plain on her face now. Aye, Mr. Perfect Shining Example has doubts as well. Our parents would be scandalized. Don't worry, if all goes well they will have far larger concerns soon.

"Several days ago, I heard that you had been taken to the Assessment Hall. I thought of the idea of you joining the army, and fighting alongside me, and then, well, then I knew. Many men have fought by my side but, I have trouble differentiating them. The academy, it drags people in and spits out soldiers that loosely resemble the people they once were. You may physically walk out of the academy, head held high, but you would leave most of yourself behind there. They would strip everything that makes you Lux away, and leave a husk that looks like you. And I've heard it's even worse for mages..."

Admitting that I can barely remember most of the men that fought bled and died next to me is...hard. But makes my decision much easier. I look her directly in the eyes and make sure I have her full attention.

"Do you remember, Lux, that night back when you were little, when the magical storms swept the city? So bad they had to shut everything down. You were terrified that night."

"Maybe. A little bit. What about it?" she asks, appearing rather embarrassed by the memory.

"I made you a promise that night Lux. I promised I would always protect you. Always have your back, no matter what. If I stood by while you were whittled into one more toy soldier, I would have failed that promise."

Lux sits quietly, but I can see the slight shake of her shoulders and the glimmer in her eyes.

"You're not...not going to...to make me go back?"

"Never."

...

"...Damn, this is going to be harder than I imagined." I think, while awkwardly trying to comfort the crying limpet near strangling me.

I put so much thought and effort into figuring out how I was going to get her and where we would go after but completely neglected to consider the fact that I have no idea how to deal with a young girl. Still, I am the Might of Demacia. I've stood strong against far larger armies, won many victories in the League, and led a raid against a fortified, prepared enemy to rescue Prince Jarven from the clutches of the Headsman. Compared to that, how hard could it be?

Unsure of exactly what to do I simply hold her tightly and rub her back while murmuring assurances that I will NOT abandon her. It takes some time, but she eventually calms.

Wiping her eyes, she sits up and looks at me thoughtfully. "They won't...they won't just let me leave, will they?"

I shake my head sadly. "No. I told the Marshal that I was going to show you around town for a couple of days. Fill your head with propaganda and such to make you a "worthy" Crownguard. It gives us some time to get out of the city and disappear amongst the various travelers."

"Where will we go? I don't think even Piltover would be willing to go against Demacia for us..."

"There's only one option really. I've already laid the groundwork. I doubt our reception will be very warm but, it's far too large an opportunity for them to pass up. We will go to Noxus."

I hear her gasp of indrawn breath.

This is the last major hurdle before we leave, to convince her it is the right path. None of the smaller towns would risk Demacia's wrath by harboring us, leaving only the major powers.

Bilgewater is off the table completely, I would never risk Lux around those animals. Piltover or Bandle City would be nice but they are both friendly with Demacia, there is far too great a chance they would try to turn us over rather than sour their relationship. Ionia is even worse, currently relying heavily on Demacia to discourage further Noxian expansion. Zaun is too unreliable, having as many monsters as Noxus but less control over them. Nowhere else has the power or organization to give serious consideration.

"I...Noxus!? But...they would attack us immediately! Stab us as soon as our backs are turned! We would never have a moment's peace!"

"I will admit I am not fond of the idea myself, but they really are our best chance. We will have to watch our backs, certainly, I doubt everyone will simply forget the battles I have fought against them. But Noxus as a whole? They have too much to gain by accepting us. The Might of Demacia, scion of the illustrious Crownguards, defecting from Demacia to protect his sibling? The propaganda writes itself. Individuals may be slow to forgive, but the leadership will leap at the chance."

Lux settles slightly, without the prospect of near suicide, but is clearly still upset with the idea.

"But it's Noxus. The selfish, greedy, warmongers! They are against everything we stand for!"

I snap back. "Yes, everything we stand for. Things like forcing people into military service where they will have every trace of individuality stamped out in the name of society!"

Lux's eyes widen, then lose much of their luster as she sinks back into herself.

"Dammit, I'm sorry Lux I didn't mean..." Giving another sigh, I continue. "Lux, I understand everything you are saying, I truly do. It means more to me than you can imagine, to break my oaths to Demacia. To betray my comrades in arms, and join our worst enemy. My name, my reputation, my honor, all will be in tatters. Thousands that currently look to me as a hero and champion, who trust in me to protect them, will soon curse my name. I will be the greatest traitor in Demacian history. But I promised."

I reach out and cup her chin, bringing her head up to look at me, and catch her gaze with my own.

"My very first oath, before all others, I made a promise to you. To protect you no matter what. No matter what. When my new oaths and loyalties came into conflict with it, there was only one option Lux. I will not break my word. Not to you."

I let her go, and we both settle back to contemplate. I allow the silence reign for a few moments.

"I did not make this decision lightly. I do not like or trust Noxus myself, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect you. If you truly cannot accept it, then we will go somewhere else. Make some other plan, and hope for the best. I did not free you simply to become a new jailer. I know I am asking a lot here, considering how long I have been gone, but please trust me. I will never put you in harm's way, and will be by your side for whatever does befall us."

Concerningly, Lux starts shaking. I rack my mind trying to find a way to fix the situation before I hear the burst of giggles, eventually becoming full laughter, with Lux then jumping on top of me.

"You idiot," she says, snuggling into my shoulder, still giggling. "You saved me, big brother. I trust you. I just...the Academy..."

The laughter subsides, with her breathing in deeply instead, like she has exhausted herself.

"And home, and everything...It's hard to undo a lifetimes conditioning I guess."

"Aye. I'm not even saying it's truly a good idea, merely the best we have."