Blessed be the marked ones, they have someone waiting for them.
A bit solemn and serious to say but it was true. Almost everyone received a mark at birth or later in life. The only clue to find their soulmate, as we said. There were tales about it, a soul broken in two pieces to never be alone again. One could live without the other but a certain emptiness remained for not having found them. So to say, it was better and extremely lucky to find one soulmate then enjoy life together.
The downside of such blessing was death. It happened someone's mark disappeared if they couldn't find their other half in time. Then there was no solution but carrying on, knowing they lost their special someone.
What about this mark ? The first words their soulmate would say to them. Beautiful, no ? Imagine, to hear a new person say these magic words, in that particular order then it was done. They had found each other.
Sadly, life wasn't always as simple. Being born in a secluded village lost in the mountains, Yi had litle chance to find his own soulmate. Indeed, quick to see that no one there was his predestined, in such small place.
Far from everything, from anyone.
Oh he cared about the topic, as much as the next person. Secretly, not to give this too much importance. Adults were so quick to calm children on this topic, saying they had to wait and wait, that maybe their soulmate would die soon. That the soulmate was an outsider.
Yi remembered part of that old conversation, when his mother explained he shouldn't be so happy about it. Not everyone found their soulmates, not everyone could afford to go with them. But most of all, since no one in the Wuju village was his soulmate then it had to be someone from outside. No one went outside, too far from the village.
So a gentle yet sad smile, as she explained to a young Yi that it was better not to hope. Destiny had its ways, if he was to meet his soulmate then so be it. But it was to be difficult given the rules of the village.
It was unfair to say that to a child. For once there was something good to look forward to, it was smothered without mercy. Yes but it was for his own good. What about it ? It was cruel nonetheless.
Since that day he kept a small hope that it would still happen. Who knew ? Maybe someone would wander in the mountains and find the village by accident. Maybe a poor wounded soul would seek help.
More and more often he could be seen idling not far from the gates of the village, gaze lost in that wild unknown territory.
Climbing the pagoda's roof became one of his habits, with a new reason to do so. Observe afar, see if there were people coming.
Completely useless. He knew it and adults told him too. This was why he didn't mention his soulmate anymore.
Yi did as if he gave up on this and focused instead on what was expected from him. Training, keeping on the legacy. The perfect student, soon called the Young Master.
Great, his parents were happy and the elders were glad to see Wuju living through another student.
On his part, it was silent wondering at night. Who could they be ? A man or a woman ? From their island or beyond the sea ? He had only one clue, his mark. Words that only his family knew since it was supposed to be personal.
« Holy shit, that was really smooth. »
Difficult to seem unbothered when one had swear words engraved in skin as a soulmate mark. On this Yi was glad only him and his parents knew, it wasn't the thing to be proud of. Also because from tender age he learned one disrespectful expression despite his good education. This may explain why his parents weren't keen on letting him meet that kind of person.
At least he knew his soulmate had a foul langage. Yet it didn't bother him much, as time passed. Silly indeed to have that as first words but he cherished it all the same. After all, it was difficult to have a beautiful sentence when one just met their soulmate. Only the first called could potentially think a little of a nice phrasing.
These quiet nights, Yi observed his mark as he could, imagining how it would happen later. Praying that it wouldn't disappear overnight, like they mentionned before. This was the worst thing to expect. To lose someone not even met.
But if his words were already marked, why would they die ? They had to meet one day.
Years went by, nothing really changed. Yi waited, on the roof of the pagoda, for someone that took too long.
With these years also went more reason, understanding of several things. If he was to find his soulmate out there, it meant he had a reason to go. This was a bit scary, not to know himself enough for that. Would he dare to break the rule ? Why would he in the first place ? Yet he thought about it again and again. Unless he had a good reason he wouldn't wander so far from the village. Would his soulmate be a good reason ?
Time only proved him that he wouldn't hesitate to go out there if it allowed him to find his soulmate. But not now. Maybe later, once older and trusted by the village he would try to convince them.
In the end, he didn't had to wait for so long. Destiny was at work, pawns moved one by one. So arrived the Noxian Invasion and with it, war.
From his spot on top of the highest pagoda of the village, Yi saw it. Dark smoke from down the mountains. Not exactly how he expected things to go, it wasn't someone that caught his attention but a new conflict that would consume Ionia.