A little, tiny bit late, but still on Sunday. I don't really know what to tell you, so I'll just say this: enjoy :D

Chapter I - Town of trade

As Rengar and Nidalee were walking through the forest, the wind got stronger, but not so much. They already were on a path made by humans from nearby town, so they knew it was only a matter of minutes until they get there. The town doesn't really have a name. It is one of many so-called "towns of trade" where adventurers, explorers, or just people passing by can replenish food, water, ammunition, exchange goods. They are not big places, but everything necessary can be found there.

"I hate humans." Nidalee spoke suddenly.

"I know, but we just have to buy what is important and we're good to go." Rengar replied.

"Yeah, and this Al-something guy will AGAIN talk to you for who knows how long about how magnificent your hides are." Nidalee scoffed.

"Al-Kadeem." Rengar corrected her. "And he was my father's friend, so I think that I should have a good relationship with him. Besides, how else am I supposed to earn money for next year?" Rengar added and looked behind of everything was alright with his hides. He wrapped them with a rope and then wore it like a temporary backpack. Al-Kadeem sells hides, claws, fangs, everything related to wild animals. But in order to do that, he needed someone to be providing them. He made a deal with a local hunter, Rengar's father. After he passed away, Rengar would come once each season, except winters, and sell everything he's got. He had a different source for fangs and claws, but nobody would give him hides as good as Rengar's.

"I know, I know." Nidalee sighed, admitting that he was right. "I just want to take these off as soon as possible." Nidalee commented her outfit. She would draw unwanted attention if she wore her usual "clothes". That's why Rengar bought her one day a pair of black trousers and a sheepskin jacket to make her look less "intimidating". Rengar himself wore something more casual. There were not many comfortable trousers, but luckily Al-Kadeem suggested him rugged tactical cargo trousers, or at least that's what he called them. As for the upper body, he was wearing long-sleeved, white, linen shirt, because his body temperature was high enough to keep him warm, at least for now.

The forest was getting thinner and the path, sandier. Nidalee noticed first buildings arising from behind the trees and made a grimace of displeasure. Rengar just chuckled and patted her back.

Lucy was sitting near the window in the, how she liked to call it, "flying train", because it basically looked like a compartment, both from outside and inside, but with a huge balloon attached to its roof. She was glad that Noah went there with her, it might have been the last time she ever seen him. Her skills were exceptionally good, but good enough to kill an abomination from the Void? She doesn't even know how it looks like, if it's fast, or strong. Big, or small. Lucy took off her little backpack from under her cloak and placed it beside her. Then she took out a letter from Rengar. Lucy wished he wrote something more, but there was nothing. No clues, nothing. She sighed and put it back inside. Lucy laid down her head on the small table and took a deep breath. The flight wouldn't be long, but boring for sure. But then just as she was about to close her eyes and try to get some sleep, someone sat in front of her. She quickly raised her head.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I will be alo-" Lucy started explaining, but her face froze when she saw Noah. Lucy frowned with her mouth still wide open.

"Oh, no need to apologise Lu!" Noah laughed cheerfully, but then Lucy leaned closer and said quietly, but seriously.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Sitting, talking to you, breathi-" he replied with the same smile on his face, but then Lucy hit him in the head with a fist.

"I mean it!" she replied angrily. Noah was rubbing his head and made a grimace.

"Ouch, that hurts."

"And it will hurt even more if you don't answer me now!"

"Okay, okay!" Noah put his hands up front of him in defence. "Actually, your father told me the true reason of this little trip of yours." he explained.

"W-What?!" she said it a little louder than she meant to. Some heads turned towards them. She quickly apologised and sat down.

"He told you?" she asked again, this time she was almost whispering.

"Of course. He was acting somewhat odd recently, so I just asked him if there was something wrong. I didn't even have to persuade him, he told me himself." Noah said.

"Ugh, nevermind. But it doesn't explain why you are here!" Lucy added, visibly annoyed. Noah just scratched his head.

"To be honest, I offered that I would help you with your little hunting."

"Absolutely not." Lucy replied almost instantly, her face dead serious. But Noah kept his innocent smile.

"You don't know what's going to happen once you face it. You need allies."

"Maybe, but I wouldn't bear if something happened to you or anyone else." she explained.

"Lucy," Noah said suddenly. Surprisingly, his smile vanished, "I don't have anyone beside sisters in church, you, and your family. You're like a family to me. Did you seriously think that I would just let you go alone?" he smiled at his last sentence. Lucy looked at him surprised. She looked down, not knowing how to reply.

"Noah, this doesn't have anything to do with you. It killed my brother, not yours."

"Yes, but I liked him, so It killed my friend. I want revenge as much as you." Noah smiled confidently and raised his fist on front of him. Lucy didn't know what to think about it, but then she just smiled.

"I guess I can't really change your mind, can I?"

"By now you should know that it's impossible." he chuckled. Lucy sighed, but not in disappointment.

"Let's hunt together then."

When they entered the town, a very powerful smell of herbs and spices entered their nostrils. Everything there was so alive. People were walking through lightly crowded alleys, watching goods displayed on expositions, and talking about everything. Rengar looked around, it was just as usual.

"Alright, so are we splitting up?" Rengar asked Nidalee.

"I guess. If I find something interesting, I'll let you know." she replied. And without another word, she reluctantly stepped into the crowd and vanished a moment later. Rengar himself proceeded to search for what he needed the most. Most traders were living there, so ground floors of their homes were built the way that it could serve as a shop, and their homes were on higher floors. As Rengar was passing buildings made from light yellow stones, he noticed a familiar dark skinned man in colourful robes in a distance. As he was making his way towards him, he noticed Rengar as well and smiled gently.

"Al-Kadeem is happy to see you Rengar." the man connected both hands, palms together, and bowed. Rengar smiled and mimicked the gesture.

"Me too." Rengar replied.

"I can already tell that you brought some high quality hides." Al-Kadeem said.

"I hope they are." Rengar said and chuckled. He took off his provisional bag and started unknoting the rope.

"Yes…they are indeed very good." the man said as he gently moved his hand across the hides. "Your father taught you well."

"Thank you, Al-Kadeem. Are you interested in all of them, as usual?" Rengar asked.

"Of course. Al-Kadeem wouldn't pass an opportunity like that." he happily replied and took a sack of gold from under the counter. "Is this enough?"

"Of course, I even doubt that I'll be able to spend that much." Rengar replied and took the sack.

"Then maybe this one time the hunter will buy something for himself, not just to survive?" Al-Kadeem suggested, but Rengar just shook his head.

"I don't really need anything."

"Then maybe for someone?" he added. Rengar wanted to deny that as well, but he remained silent. Actually, he could buy something, but not for himself, but Kha'Zix. Since he forbade him to come, it would be only fair.

"I'll…look around. Maybe I'll find something useful. Farewell." Rengar bowed.

"Until next time then." Al-Kadeem smiled and bowed as well. Rengar then turned around and went to look for Nidalee.

"Alright then. Now I just have to find…her…" Rengar paused as he noticed a familiar person in long, brown robes. His face was covered in shadows due to the hood, but he recognised him anyway. He was waving to Rengar.

"What are you doing here Kha'Zix?!"

"Here we are." Noah joyfully jumped out of the zeppelin. They arrived to Bel'zhun, coastal outpost in Shurima. When Lucy left the vehicle, she immediately got hit by a wall of heat. It was hard for her to breath for a second, she was used to the perfect temperature in Piltover, which was controlled by huge weather-control machines in the heart of the city.

"Oh God, it's so hot…" Lucy complained with her forehead all sweaty, but then she noticed that Noah had his wide smile without a smile droplet on his face. When he noticed her confused look, he scratched his head and laughed.

"Oops, right. You'd like it too it seems." Noah spoke and he moved his hand in the air, making a weird gesture. Suddenly, Lucy felt a refreshing breeze, but the coolness and chill didn't go, it stayed.

"Didn't know you had such spells in your arsenal." Lucy chuckled, but she was very happy because of it. It will make their journey much easier.

"Don't underestimate a temperature mage!" Noah said proudly and twirled his hand once again. Lucy giggled like a little girl. Suddenly, a person in robes came closer to them. He was wearing a white mask with eye holes only and had a long spear on his back, probably a guard or something.

"Excuse me, are you perhaps Lucy Raven?" his gentle, soothing voice rang in their ears.

"Yes, and you are…?"

"I'm sorry for my manners. Your father, lord Henry, reserved a camel for you." he explained briefly.

"Oh, right, he mentioned." Lucy said. She asked him to do it since he had contacts practically everywhere. Then she looked at Noah. "Is there by any chance one more camel that I could rent?" she added and pulled out a couple of gold coins. He looked at the shiny metal and then back at her.

"I'll see what I can do. Let's go." the mysterious man said and started walking through the crowd. Without even asking, Lucy and Noah followed him. When the crowd got less dense, they saw camels, ready to go.

"Pick two of them. The second will cost you thirty gold coins." the man said. Naoh almost fainted when he heard that number. Even in Piltover the most exclusive and the most expensive ways of public transport cost roughly forty gold coins, but here, a mere camel, costs thirty?

"Why is this so expensive?" Noah asked. He couldn't resist to ask, but then he felt the man's gaze on him and felt slightly awkward.

"This is the cost of the water for you, camel, and also our protection." he explained. Protection?

"My father insisted that I need someone to take care of me on my way, so apparently he hired additional protection for our ride." Lucy explained and without hesitation handed the man money. He took the coins and hid it in his sack.

"Very well then. Have you made your choice?"

"Yes. We'll take those two." Lucy replied and pointed at two healthy looking camels.

"Of course, I'll have them saddled in a moment." he replied and told the two men behind him what to do in foreign, harsh language. After a moment, they were ready.

"Shall we go immediately or perhaps you want to wait a little longer?" the masked person asked again. Lucy looked at Noah. He just shrugged.

"Your choice." he said.

"Let's go now then." Lucy replied without hesitation. The man nodded and again said something to men behind him. Three people sat on top of their camels, and both Lucy and Noah moved to theirs.

"Wow, I've never ridden a camel before!" Noah spoke in excitement.

"And neither have I." Lucy replied. After a moment, they set off.

"Where are we going exactly?" the man in front asked them.

"To the nearest city or town on the east of Shurima and Kumungu Jungle." she replied.

"Eastern town of trade it is." he said and patted the camel.

Rengar was looking at Kha'Zix in disbelief and confusion. He asked him to stay, but he didn't listen.

"You see, I found this fancy looking robe in your closet, so I decided to try it on. Found out that it completely covers my body. That's when I decided to come here." Kha'Zix explained. But Rengar wasn't happy. Deeply, he was slightly angry, but he didn't want to show it in front of everyone. An argument with Kha'Zix in the middle of the town would be the last Rengar want. He just sighed.

"Just stick close to me!" Rengar replied harshly and went to look for Nidalee. Kha'Zix raised his brows, but just shrugged and followed him. He was honestly surprised by how many people there was. He used to think that there were fewer of them, but he was wrong. Despite not feeling anything towards them, he liked it so far. After little searching, Rengar spotted Nidalee that was looking at something.

"Found anything?" he asked her.

"Mhm, found everything we need, so I was just checking ou-" Nidalee paused when she realised that Kha'Zix was standing right behind Rengar. "Kha'Zix?" she asked confused.

"Hello there cat lady!" Kha'Zix replied and waved to her. Rengar just sighed with a low growl in his voice.

"I just found him. I guess he didn't listen." Rengar replied. Kha'Zix just stuck his tongue at him. Before Rengar could say anything, a young looking woman appeared behind the display.

"Oh hello there travellers! Found something interesting?"

"Oh, nothing in particular. But those necklaces look nice." Nidalee replied. Despite her hatred towards most humans, there were some very nice people she actually liked.

"Thank you, I made them myself. So maybe for you?" the girl leaned closer towards Rengar.

"Oh, no thanks, I have enough stuff on me." he replied. The girl looked at his mane and noticed many teeth.

"Right, I see." then, she looked at Kha'Zix. "So maybe for y-" she stopped when she saw his face. Rengar's heart rate increased for a second, but then she smiled again.

"I'm sorry for the reaction. I don't want to be rude, but…what race are you?" she asked curiously. Nidalee just looked away, Rengar wanted to say something for him, but then Kha'Zix replied.

"Oh don't worry, I'm used to that. I'm vastaya." Kha'Zix replied and smiled. Rengar looked at him. It wasn't the worst lie, but still.

"Ohhh, really? Just like this gentleman here?" she pointed at Rengar.

"Yes, but we are from different places."

"Oh I see, I see. So anything for you?" she asked him again with the same smile as before.

"No, thank you. I don't wear jewelry." he replied.

"I get it. I wish you good day!" she smiled and then turned to another potential customer. Then he looked at Nidalee and Rengar with a smug face.

"That was pretty smooth." Nidalee admitted, but Rengar just rolled his eyes and went further. Kha'Zix looked at Nidalee with questioning expression.

"What's his deal?"

"I actually don't know." she replied. After around a month she got used to Kha'Zix, so talking to him wasn't hard to her anymore. After around an hour they bought everything they needed. Bandages, candles, herbs, medicines, and many, many more things. Rengar took the bag from Nidalee and wore it. As they were coming back, Kha'Zix said to them.

"Don't know how about you, but I liked this place."

"Yeah, this time vendors were quite nice." Nidalee admitted. Rengar just grunted. Kha'Zix then stopped and looked at him.

"Seriously, what's gotten into you?" Kha'Zix said to Rengar. He turned around and looked straight into his eyes.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because someone didn't do as asked and risked being uncovered?" Rengar replied.

"But nothing happened! I easily fooled them!" Kha'Zix explained.

"It was slightly unwise, but he is right. He can just tell that he's a vastaya and everything will be fine." Nidalee decided to take Kha'Zix's side. She herself didn't see much of a problem there.

"Slightly unwise? It was just stupid! What if it didn't go so "smooth", huh?!" Rengar burst. They were far enough from the town, so nobody would hear them.

"Who cares what would happen? It didn't, that's what's important!" Kha'Zix yelled back at him.

"I care! That's why I told you to just stay there and wait!"

"I'm not your possession, you can't just order me to wait for you wherever you can!" Kha'Zix leaned closer and yelled at Rengar a little louder than he wanted, but he didn't care.

"If it's for your own good, then I can!" Rengar shouted back. Kha'Zix growled when he heard this idiotic argument.

"Screw you!" Kha'Zix shouted again, turned around, and went his own way.

"Yeah, sure! Run away from your problems!" Rengar shouted again.

"Fuck you!" Kha'Zix replied, not bothering to even look at him. Rengar scoffed and started walking to his house.

"What a dick…" he said under his breath. Nidalee was just looking at their argument with dumbfounded expression.

Kha'Zix was just walking among people around him. He thought that maybe he could study their behaviour a little bit and learn something useful, but after an hour he got bored of it. Then he just sat down on a bench and sighed. He looked down and started pondering. Maybe Rengar was right, he thought. But on the other hand, he was on his own for an hour now and nothing happened, so it just proved his point. With his hood still on his head, he exhaled deeply. Suddenly, someone sat beside him.

"Is everything alright?" Kha'Zix heard a voice belonging to a girl.

"Wha-" Kha'Zix got surprised by her. He looked at her, but then he realised that he showed his face, but to his surprise, she didn't even flinch.

"You looked troubled. Wanna talk about this?" the girl asked. Kha'Zix didn't really know how to react. He didn't know that someone would just come out of nowhere and ask him how he's doing.

"You're…not scared, or…disgusted?" Kha'Zix asked after a moment of awkward silence.

"My dad taught me not to judge others based on their appearance." she replied. It somehow made Kha'Zix smile. He again looked down.

"I hope everyone was like you." he replied. "And yes…I was, or rather am troubled."

"So what happened?"

"I…had an argument with someone I care about…and I don't know what to do…" Kha'Zix replied. Surprisingly, he felt lighter on his heart.

"Oh, I can relate. But don't worry, I'm sure everything will be okay." she replied and smiled. Kha'Zix looked at her and smiled a little bit as well. "What's your name?" she asked.

"The name's…Kha'Zix." Kha'Zix didn't know if he should tell her his true name or make up one, but decided to be truthful.

"Interesting name." she nodded, but then shook her head and scratched her head. "Oops, where are my manners. My name is Lucy, nice to meet you."

I really hope that there wasn't a lot of mistakes. I was in a hurry, so some things may feel awkward. I'll correct it tomorrow when I find some free time. I hope you enjoyed today's chapter, and see you next Sunday :D