A/N: All of my stories, at some point shift from a light-hearted humorous feel-good adventure to a noticeably darker, more somber, and lurid narrative. It's like going from Clifford the Big Red Dog to Stephen King after like 6 chapters.
In this story particularly, I plan to make the transition in this very chapter. Don't worry homies, it will be as smooth as sliding into a hot girl's DMs, but you know, without the rejection part.
P.s. I changed the title from "Wicked Games" to "Pawns" because it better encapsulated where I wanted to take this story. Plus, I was really craving some curry when I did so.
II.
A few weeks earlier…
"Alright, this better be important..." Ahri said, clearly annoyed and her ears drooped to emphasize her point. "Otherwise, why else would we have assembled the brain trust in the middle of the woods?" Ahri said as she took a seat on a tree stump alongside the others.
Master Yi ignored her off-handed comment and simply continued speaking to the others. "And so without the Institute's continued protection, we have no choice but to re-militarize for the safety of our fellow Ionian citizens."
"Thank you for your suggestion, Master Yi," Irelia said. "I will surely bring this to the Enlightened One's attention."
Yasuo merely grunted in acknowledgement. "The 7 of us can easily stand up to whatever armies the world has prepared, whether they be Noxus or the Shadow Isles. I don't think we need to frighten the villagers with the prospects of another Rune War." His eyes lazily glanced up at Ahri.
"8 if she's interested."
"Hmph," Ahri responded, standing up as she did. "You could just have notified me in advance if all we were doing was planning for the apocalypse. I could have easily sent my response by email."
"Not so fast, Ahri," Varus' voice spoke up, preventing her from leaving. "You might want to stick around for this next part. It involves you."
Ahri stopped in her tracks and threw a sly smile at the others. "Well then, I suppose I can't leave now, can I?"
"We found the 'Compatible Half,' " spoke Shen.
Ahri's demeanor shifted instantly from disdain to one of shock.
"What?... Did you actu-"
"Yes," interuppted Lee Sin. "The key to your humanity, Ahri. We have finally determined its location and the host."
Wukong remained completely silent as Ahri returned closer to the group as they all explained to her what they knew.
Present Day…
"What?"
It was a mere question, but the tone behind it dripped with displeasure. Whenever Swain spoke in such a manner, he ironically expected an answer, but also complete silence as well.
Katarina chose to press on anyways. "Our presence was discovered during our mission in Ionia. We escaped, but they are now aware of possible Noxian influence within their lands."
"How could some of our best assassins fuck up something as simple as scouting mission..." Swain mumbled to himself as he turned away from the pair. "Dismissed."
Katarina and Talon caught Darius' low chuckle all while Draven mockingly saluted them as the Du Couteau siblings exited Swain's office.
"That went better than expected," Talon said. When he noticed his sister didn't respond, he sighed. The mission must of weighed more heavily on her mind than he originally thought.
Unknown to her brother, the unsuccessful Ionian operation only took up a fraction of her thoughts.
"... Let's get you home."
The Du Couteau Manor rested only a few miles beneath the Immortal Bastion Centre Tower where the Noxian High Command was based. In the wealthiest neighbourhood of Noxus, the sheer size of their household was matched by none, overwhelming the others save for the ominous black castle of Vladimir. Inside, maids and butlers bustled about catering to the needs of Cassiopeia and her guests. As a well-known socialite within the upper communities of Noxus, their snake-bodied sister was known for the soirees she held often.
"Ah! Kat! Talon! My wonderful family is finally home from their successful mission!" Cassiopeia called out as she slithered through a plethora of guests to Katarina and Talon's feet. "Awwww… My Kitty Kat's scowling more than usual!"
When she didn't receive the usual death threat from her sister at the use of the nickname, it was Cassiopeia's turn to scowl.
"Enough," she called out, catching the attention of all patrons. "I tire of your company. Windsworth, please escort all our guests off the premises."
The Du Couteau head butler did as he was asked and herded the confused Noxians towards the iron gate of their household.
"Come, Katarina," Cassiopeia said, beckoning her siblings to the family lounge. "Let's talk about it."
"And that sums up the mission…" Talon finished. Cassiopeia listened intently to their story and uncharacteristic of her, refused to interrupt as she usually did.
"Ahri said that there were games being played right beneath our noses, as if there's something more going within the underworld of Valoran," Katarina continued slowly. "You're well-connected, Cass. Do you know anything about what she said?"
Cassiopeia remained silent for nearly a minute before she responded cryptically.
"When wicked games are at play, everyone has their own motives. You are the leader of our household and the Du Couteau name, big sis. Something big is indeed on its way and you better tread carefully for you are a player in these games as well."
As she finished, Cassiopeia let out a yawn. "Partying too much makes my bones ache. I'll be retiring to my room, but you are welcome if there's more you want to talk about."
Talon nodded. "Whatever is coming our way, you have the full support of the Du Couteau household, Kat. I suggest you get some rest as well." Talon said as he made his way up the stairs. "Anything else, we'll deal with it tomorrow."
Cassiopeia and Talon both retreated to their rooms, leaving Katarina all alone on the wide cushioned sofa in the lounge. Save for the occasional crackle of the fireplace, the parlour was both quiet and dim enough for her to concentrate on her own breathing.
Thoughts sporadically ricocheted inside her head as she laid unmoving. Failure. Uncertainty. Destiny. Noxus. Ionia. Ahri.
The enigmatic fox-woman was the last image she saw in the blank space before she found herself drifting to sleep.
"Wake up... Kat, wake up."
An arm gently shook Katarina awake in the middle of the night and her eyes blurred as they adjusted to the now completely darkened lounge.
"Kat, wake up…" Talon's voice spoke gently.
"What is it?..." Katarina groaned at first, but immediately became alert at the sound of her brother's voice. While Talon seemed calm, there was a hint of panic in his voice.
"You need to leave Noxus. Immediately."
Katarina's eyes rose. "... Say that again?"
"A bounty has been placed on your head, Kat. For treason of the highest degree." Before Katarina could respond, Talon hushed her with a finger. "Cassiopeia just got word from her agent at High Command. It'll be in effect by sunrise."
He handed her a sack. "We prepared some supplies while you slept. This will last you a few days… just long enough for you to get to Ionia."
"Ionia?" Katarina asked, slightly perplexed "Why Ionia?"
"Cass' has a proxy who's been established in the Shon-Xan region since the end of the Ionian War. There's a ship is waiting at the dockyard leaving in 20 minutes. Make contact with the Kaires and wait this thing out until it all blows over."
"And what about you two?"
"The bounty is on your name alone, so we'll be safe... for now. Cass and I will try to find a way out of this mess and clear your name, but until then… Don't. Die."
An eerie series of soft knocks spaced apart by several seconds emanated from the main gate, drawing both their attention.
"I guess some people can't wait until sunrise…" Talon said as he goaded his sister towards the open window. Deep below them rested a large haystack. "Stay safe, sis."
"I will."
And with that, Katarina jumped.
...
...
...
With his sister free from harm, Talon finally let out a sigh. He checked his wrist to ensure that the blade was firmly attached to his arm and counted the throwing stars he had on him. Satisfied with his equipment, he quietly crept towards the manor's enormous front doors and opened them.
His mouth fell agape at the horrifying sight laid out before him.
Dozens of unmoving, life-like figures of clowns posed in various of grotesque positions littered their courtyard.
...
...
...
"Open! Sesame! Ack!... Ack!...Ack!...Ack!"
A howl of sheer agony echoed throughout the night sky forcing Katarina stop in her tracks as she hopped from roof to roof down the Noxian mountain. It came from the manor! She instantly prepared to sprint back before a feminine voice caught her off-guard.
"Good evening, Ms. Du Couteau," it chirped. "It's odd to see you out so late, Malady…"
Katarina turned her body to the source of the voice only to be greeted by a little girl standing before her… that was floating. Her eyes narrowed immediately.
"Leblanc."
"Oh my!" the child exclaimed. "Have I really been found out that easily? I must be getting sloppy with my work."
Her form grew in size and the dotted pajamas she wore morphed into the infamous cloak of the Deceiver.
"Why are you here?" Katarina growled. Outside of their militaristic duties alone, the Du Couteau family rarely associated themselves with Noxian High Command.
But even more uncommon was their affinity to the Black Rose.
"Just taking a stroll, I suppose," she chuckled. Her amusement only increased after a dagger phased through her body.
"Tell me!"
"I wonder who has the necessary connections and the influence to order a hit on the leader of one of Noxus' most decorated households?..." she said with a wide smirk.
"You're the puppet master behind everything, aren't you?" Katarina asked. "The one pulling the strings."
"A good magician never reveals their secrets…" she paused. "But I suppose that is an accurate assessment."
Katarina was determined to get through Leblanc no matter what it took, but she was surprised when Leblanc began to walk in the opposite direction.
"I'll let you go on to Ionia, Katarina but remember this: you are nothing but a pawn in this game," she said as her form grew more transparent with every step she took. "The wheels of fate have started turning and I doubt you're strong enough to stop them."
Leblanc looked back.
"But who knows? Maybe you'll end up defying fate altogether."
By the time her sentence was finished, there was no trace of the Deceiver. The sudden flicker of sunlight on the horizon reminded Katarina of the approaching danger if she didn't move quickly. She quietly maneuvered her way down the Bastion.
The port city of Basilich was the site of an infamous uprising a few years back. Darius himself was sent to quell the insurgency and restore order to the city. While everyone held painful memories of the incident, no one was burdened by them more than Darius himself. But while many citizens continued to hold revolutionary ideals against Noxian rule, they still couldn't be trusted. In the distance, she saw the vessel Cassiopeia requested prepared.
Despite the sunlight practically illuminating her figure, she managed to sneak across the tiled roofs before making it on board the ship.
A/N: I'm actually considering moving this story up to M from T. I have the romance thing figured out, but an M rating gives me more room to play around with it.
I wonder who this "Compatible Half" might be lmao.