Chapter Two: The Axe's Hilt

No. This can't be the end.

Quinn watched as the Hand of Noxus' axe came swinging down at her. It was all in slow motion. She saw the metal glistening under the her blood that covered the blade. Her body was screaming in pain, she knew she had to end this soon or else she was going to die. With all her might, she rolled out of the way. She heard Darius grunt as his axe sunk deep into the earth.

She turned her head and saw how close it was to her body. The blade sliced off a good chunk of her coat. The blue fabric was now stained red and covered in blood. Quinn sighed, knowing she was going to need to sew that up. Her golden eyes glared up at Darius who was still trying to pull his axe from the dirt. Almost two-hundred pounds of pure Noxian steel… How did he swing that thing around?

His dark eyes saw Quinn glaring up at him. He was too tired to do anything about it at the moment. It had been a good fifteen minutes of their little battle. He was used to ending them a lot quicker than that. One swing and his adversary was dead. But this woman gave him a challenge. She was too quick. Very bird-like. It was annoying. Yet, as sick as it sounded, he liked it.

"Got something to say?" He asked mockingly. He chuckled for a moment until blood came spewing out of his mouth. Darius gritted his teeth, feeling his own blood squeeze through.

"Not going to finish the job?" Quinn mimicked.

"Give me a moment." He answered, holding up one finger. She saw that sinister glisten in his eyes, "You'll be dead."

She could see that he was out of breath. He was exhausted. She had definitely put him through a lot. But this is what her mission entailed. Quinn was tasked with finding the location of the Hand of Noxus as he occupied the outskirts of his homeland. That and she was encouraged to use violent measures if needed. She smiled, seeing her arrows lodged deep in his armor.

Her eyes darted down, seeing that his stance had his legs very spread apart. She smirked as a plan brewed. Of course, his heavily armored frame wouldn't allow her to just kick him in the groin. That would have been too easy. The Demacian knew he could swipe her down with his giant arm if she tried to go around her. She needed to flee. Her body was going to give out soon.

If she could just disorient him… She could run for her life. Quinn then noticed that his back wasn't armored that well. He had a thick red cape and his pauldrons had spikes but nothing that could harm her. The scout knew she could jump on his back and claw his eyes. His giant muscles would definitely keep him from pulling her off. She just needed to time it just right.

Darius straightened himself out, his back popping loudly. He groaned, showing his age. Although, Quinn would admit she liked the salt and pepper look of his hair. Quinn was brought out of her thought when she noticed Darius reach for his axe again. She saw his raw power pull the weapon the dirt, disturbing the earth. He laughed darkly while glaring down at her.

Shit.

Quinn got to her knees before Darius could raise his axe any higher. She tumbled through his legs, making him audibly question what happened. With all her remaining strength she leaped onto his large back, hanging onto his pauldrons. The spiked armor raked the skin on her palms but she managed to stay on. Darius dropped his axe before lifting his arms to grab her. Quinn pulled herself up by grabbing a fistful of his hair.

Just then, another thought appeared in her head. Just as before, she saw everything go in slow motion. The Demacian brought her face close to his and laid a kiss on his scarred cheek.

"Sorry, Darius, but I gotta go." Quinn smirked.

"You filthy little—"

Before he could say another word, Quinn leaped off his back and ran for it. She gave no care for her crossbow, that could be replaced. She whistled loudly into the sky, calling for her trusty companion. Of course, she thought she could handle Darius on her own while Valor patrolled the area. She'll never do that again. She was relieved when she felt his talons attach to her shoulders, carrying her off faster than she could run.

Quinn managed to look over her shoulder one last time. She was hoping to see Darius in the middle of a tantrum but… he had his hand over the cheek she kissed.