Where are you going ?

Sometimes Yi wished the soulmate link could convey a few thoughts. It would be so useful, at least to communicate in silence or so far away from in each other. Dumb to think about it but really, he had nothing else to do.

Each day brought new distance between them and at that point, he had long stopped counting. It was too much. How did the link felt when they were in reach of each other ? He couldn't properly remember, just that it didn't ache like right now. Frail link, likely to break at the weakest breeze. It felt like there was a whole word between them and yet logic would tell that Yasuo was still in Ionia. On that scale, it was still rather close but for his heart, if he couldn't see his soulmate directly then it was too far.

It had been more than a month since they wished each other good luck with a lot of emotion. One month and eleven days exactly because Yi kept counting that. He wouldn't survive it otherwise. Day after day, night after night, counting each time the sun rose for a new day apart.

Distance had greatly increased since the change of direction. He still couldn't understand why. Since he never truly moved from the fights, merely chasing Noxus till the coasts to push back the invasion, he wasn't really on the move. So that new distance registered each day was Yasuo's doing.

Depending on the day, it increased quickly or not. There was no logic in that.

The only thing Yi noticed was the direction. Little by little, when he happened to look faintly in the direction of his soulmate, it wasn't exactly the same. Yasuo wasn't going away from him, still moving but with another goal. So every time he wondered where he wanted to go. Why did he change from the plan ? Did something happen ? Anger was still low in the connection, though soothed gradually as time went.

It was the only good news. As much as distance hurt, the sting was reduced over time. It was still very painful, like living without a limb – even if technically it wasn't the case – and being too aware of it. Something missing.

Now the direct burn of separation had started to scar a little. It was sensitive still but on the good path. Nights weren't easy but so far Yi managed to do better.

After the initial shock from separation, the link was less painful. However it grew weak. The only reason he remembered it held was because Yasuo was still angry for the same reason in the latest month. Difficult to be bored when he could sense his soulmate in a murderous mood. Don't do anything stupid. He wasn't sure if he was joking or not. There were still things they didn't know from each other, personal stories and other matters. So he didn't know if the latter was legitimate in his anger. For holding on so long, it must have been a slight inconvinience.

The fights didn't change. The landscape yes. Yi followed the trail of blood, like everyone else. The good things in Ionia was its habit of leaving close to nature, at least it made every small village or any sign of human life difficult to notice for any outsiders. Monasteries hidden in the mountains, towns concealed by trees and nature itself. This was a relief, nothing too obvious.

Sadly, against a furious beast charging into like Noxus did, it happened they were discovered. Or the known place directly targetted. Words ran about the Placidium of Navori and the attack, people of the region converging to that point of the fights. Yi wasn't exactly close to it and he had more urgent to do than running accross the land to join a specific place. Unknown. Instead he followed anyone around, doing his part in the fights.

It felt like it would never end. Cut one noxian, ten more would approach ready to fight to death. So much blood over his blade and hands, he already wished it was over. What was the point of killing so many ? He remembered, always and that was the issue.

Sometimes Yi thought about simply quitting the fights. It was too much, to see and to do. He never wanted to kill, even in the intent of protecting the lands, but he did it nonetheless. If he had a choice, he would go away and find Yasuo. Join him, close distance little by little until the scars of separation would disappear. Maybe learn what happened, why the latter decided to go away.

The mere idea of holding him in his arms was worth the world. It didn't hurt like at the beginning, there were no more mutual tears but instead he longed for his soulmate. His other half.

War was the least predictable thing in this world so he couldn't plan anything. Maybe at some point Yasuo would finish by close distance and find him. Maybe he would be the one joining him. Anything could happen.

Take care of you, love.

His last anchor in that new madness seizing Ionia.

Fury, loud cry in the bond. It actually surprised Yi again, to feel so much from the other side. Something happened ?

This time it wasn't really painful, just plain anger rippling in the link like thunder. If he didn't know better, Yi would have guessed that to be a tantrum or something of the sort. However, it had to be serious since he felt like strongly.

Focus.

He couldn't pay attention to each change of emotion from Yasuo, not during the day. His own life depended on his awareness in the battlefield and he prefered not to test his reflex. Any mistake could be the last.

Yi returned to think about it later, away from the fights, hiding among vegetation. Why did he feel that, if it was only anger ? Something felt wrong but he couldn't say what. Just a feeling. Focusing a little, that anger from the other side was somehow the same from the beginning but tinted with annoyance. That was new. And a bit childish. Really, Yasuo.

Without any element to know the situation, Yi could just guess from what he felt and it looked more and more like a trivial problem. At least, from Yasuo's reactions. What could annoy someone to such point ? All that time he thought the link transmitted any serious emotion but if it gave also that kind of lesser concerns, Yi didn't know what to do. Well, I hope it's not too serious.

In any case, it felt like the first days since Yasuo changed direction. Low anger, rising suddenly without reason.

Really, what's happening ?