He won't last long.

Many things showed that one wouldn't survive the war but it seemed carefully balanced by his skill. It was reckless, almost suicidal to run into enemy lines like he did. Each time Yi saw him somewhere in the valleys, running between arrows, he wondered how he made it out alive.

If at first he noticed, it was because he was used to look after any ally in the battlefield. Always aware of his surroundings and ready to help if he could. So it wasn't long before he remembered a few faces, weapons. And that bold one.

Not very old, that was clear. The rush of the fight was strong within him and it potentially motivated any warriors around to see such determination. Ready to face death. Or maybe he wasn't planning to so soon. In any case he was definitely younger than Yi by a few years, from the rare times he saw him nearby. Wonderful youth, burning to fight and spill blood. But there was still a form of respect in his techniques.

No idea why he kept looking after that youngster. Each time he heard the wind rustling the leaves, he was almost surprised to see him standing. Not weak, I would say. Noxians were truly strong opponents, never to be underestimated. Yet that man survived, even after breaking into the lines and fighting his way out. Foolish. That sort of person earned Yi's respect.

There was nothing more honorable than proving one's worth in a fight. In a lethal one more than anywhere.

Why this specific warrior among all that he met and fought alonside ? No answer would come. Maybe his thoughts had found someone to focus on to forget a little his own exhaustion and the damage of the war. He couldn't help that, to look after any ionian. This was hell and the smallest spark of hope could change everything.

The few times he could go back to one of the villages behind to rest a little, he wondered quietly. Would he see this warrior again next day ? Was he still alive ? It made so little sense to pay attention to a single soul among all the others but here he was.

Then came a time when his mind was at peace after catching a glimpse of the other swordman. Still alive. Days could pass easily between these occasions but it still appeased him to know at least one person survived till now.

Little by little the fights moved to another area, further in land. Ionia wasn't exactly united by a unique leader but in times like these, information ran quickly. So everyone alive followed and chased Noxus.

Would it end one day ?

Yi grew weary to make his way between corpses. Noxians or ionians, it still left a bitter taste to witness this. Noxus seemed to have so little consideration for its own people and army, awful. No mercy allowed though. He made sure not to have too much compassion for the enemy. They attacked first. Remember these poor people slayed in their own houses. Violence brought in a sanctuary.

With renewed resentment and determination, Yi carried on. That taste would never leave but he could hope to save what he could.

That same hope was still alive. He could see it in the villages and hidden places thankfully portected from the invasion. Inhabitants would offer a roof and food for any warriors, for the great sacrifice. Probably many had lost family since the beginning but it was important to help those alive. Ionia healed itself even as it fell apart in blood.

Where is he ?

It had been some time since he saw the youngster. Yi started to worry a little, at the back of his mind. It guided his steps through battle, looking for a specific person. Vicious fear would nest in his chest at the thought of indeed finding him down, fallen. Why care so much ? I don't know. Probably because that one was young and Yi felt like it wasn't fair to die at that age. Honorable indeed but truly a waste.

A flash of steel in his vision and he prepared to strike. Here. Surrounded, of course. Such eagerness to fight could only lead him to this. No need to wait, Yi cut his way through the enemy. Swift move, these noxians didn't even see him coming. And then it was done, bodies fell to the ground with barely more than a garbled sound.

Red covered his blade, sad reminder of his deeds. Yi looked around for the other swordman. At least he could help. His worry was soothed for now, as he took a good look at this man. The latter wasn't so calm but probably the rush of the battle still rang within him.

Before Yi could give a few words to warn him, the other one spoke with obvious relief : « Holy shit, that was really smooth. I swear, I thought they got me but no. Thank you. »

What.

Frozen on the spot, mind gone. In the middle of a damned valley, bodies scattered there and there. Unsure he heard this right.

Really ?

It sounded impossible but it could be truly. Or his mind was playing him a trick. His words. He just heard his words, the same inked over skin since birth. Too shocked to move, Yi tried to think. My words… Yet the feeling was too foreign to be described.

It wasn't time for all this. He caught himself in what may have looked like zoning out and paid attention to the other man. Soulmate… ? No, not now.

Surely the silence given wasn't really inviting to more words, since the latter was already leaving. Distance put between them, merely a gaze to him before he ran to join the fights again.

All this left Yi right there, too much noise in his mind and heart unsure about the conduct to follow. Soon enough reason took over and calmed everything. The day wasn't over, he had to move fast or he could be very well considered dead. Within seconds he remembered everything, as if he had been pushed into freezing water for a time, dulling his senses.

What was that ? It's him ? Stop, stop. Not now.

Survival was important, possibly helping other people was important too. He couldn't let himself go like that, it wasn't even sure. And that reckless idiot was gone the gods knew where to get himself close to be killed. Really, what was happening ? It was already too much to fight this war, no need to make him hope for nothing.

So he cast his thoughts away until he found a time to rest. Then it would be time to process everything.

My soulmate ? It sounded strange and highly unlikely yet here he was. Something simple explained his unsure state of mind : he hadn't been able to reply, the other man rushing into the battlefield after what must have been too long to wait. So he couldn't say yet if that was his soulmate indeed since words weren't fully exchanged.

Thinking of, really what a piece of work he got as soulmate. Everything considered, most chance was that he indeed met his soulmate, even as the process couldn't finish. So now he knew. A man. From outside the village indeed. Yi lingered on this, questionning himself.

In the end, he wasn't bothered by the concept of being that person's soulmate. If it was true. Meant to find and complete each other. If they were bound then it was for a good reason.

Even right now, in a safe village, Yi couldn't stay calm on this. It felt weird but not really uncomfortable. Not complete yet. There was still a missing part. How ridiculous not to be able to say the words back. Well, it's his fault too. And the war's fault. Everyone. Whoever chose destiny had a peculiar sense of humor, to make soulmates meet in the middle of the battlefield and not even able to return words.

The latter had run to fight. Foolish till the very end. He could die before they fully met. That sudden thought wasn't welcome at all, Yi brushed it off quickly before it could hurt too much. Don't be an idiot. Stay alive.

Such bad luck, it was almost funny. Beyond the fact of finding his soulmate during such troubled time, he wasn't even sure to see him next day. Yi wanted this with all his heart but before it was already difficult to find the latter.

Soulmates. He couldn't realize yet. Someone he had been looking for. Someone waiting for him. And now he was so close, somewhere.

Needless to say he wouldn't be able to forget, following days would be greatly guided by his search. His heart ached for the reunion. Was it all it took ? To run in the fights till he found an idiot ready to dance with death ? Two decades spent longing and it could be over soon. Almost enough to forget war raged out there, everything wasn't so happy and hopeful.

What should I tell him ?