XX
Mountain Trekking
At last, they have reached the base of the mountain in Navori, it only takes an hour to get there by flying, however, it seems the distance from the city up to Navori really takes a couple of hours to reach since the boundaries are blocked with tallest mountains.
Shuffling her bag, Irelia stretches as soon she made a little stroll on the area, the land hasn't changed like the last time she visited. The grass and trees are still lush green, tall bushes are still at place, and the hiding small animals are present. It brings a lost nostalgia to her mind that made her reminded her days with her family.
Beside her is the mage that was staring at the mountainous gaps and its vegetation, of course the mage made her experience to a test this day. Also, she was with the captain and there is nothing to worry about.
In fact, she was really excited.
"So? How do you feel about this place?" Irelia started a question.
"Not bad. I am still not wanting to look back." She was pointing the city of Navori behind her that was covered with tall nexuses around.
"Well yes, I say we must avoid the city at all cost. Their magic is potentially strong, even any slightest of negative energy afar can make them alerted." Irelia said as she stared ahead at the city's landscape.
"Hmph. Those people will not match to my power." Syndra smirked with a hint of pride.
"Of course, your power is tremendously stronger than them."
"Why yes, I could've destroyed this country if I wanted to."
"And don't forget that someone will do anything to stop you."
"Hmph.. And she's in front of me."
Irelia laughed before she made a turn to face the forest ahead. She fetched Syndra and leads her to the forest.
Her eyes gazes upon the branches of the trees that were bathed with sunlight, the gaps made the light penetrate as it gives the forest a natural glow, just few meters ahead have shown a pathway that leads further to the mountain.
"We'll start from here." Irelia said, she reaches her bag and pulls out a map. She pointed where they are now.
"So don't tell me.." Syndra immediately pinpointed the top of the mountain. "WE are ending here?!"
"Why yes."
"We could've go there by flying!" The mage complained.
"No." Irelia finished, she returned the map back to her bag.
"Why not?!"
"Because it is inconvenient. That's likely a cheat from where it began."
"Hmph! Said by the most reliable captain of this country.." The mage pouted.
"Oh come on! Climbing is an activity! You should enjoy it." Irelia chirped, totally excited to start climbing.
"Tch! I hate activities! I prefer something more convenient!" Syndra crossed her arms, she was not into it.
"Hm.. It's okay. You can go back if you wanted to. I'll be off now." Irelia flatly stated, she faces away from the mage and started to walk ahead. However, she felt guilty as the captain have tried to leave her alone because of her stubbornness. And yet, Syndra ended up following her instead.
"Fine! Wait for me!" Syndra hovered and catches the captain.
"Oh. I thought you'll be backing out now?"
They have started to converse while trekking the pathway. "I-I changed up my mind. Didn't I told you that you'll treat me professionally? Where is it?"
"I am already doing it, but you are complaining.." Irelia saddened up a little.
"Ah.. Well." Syndra got flustered, she grasps the fabric of Irelia's clothing as a reply.
"Hm.." Irelia wondered deeply. "Ah. I guess the Sovereign was not programmed to be physically active."
"W-What? Programmed? I am not a machine!" Syndra answered, currently tricked by Irelia's unusual reasoning.
"What?" Irelia laughed. "Come on! I am just-"
"Hmph. I am NOT available for your mind games, Captain." Syndra huffed, she is still in verge of complaining.
"Geez. It's only a metaphor.."
"I know! I am not dumb like those BUFFOONS who made our moments interrupted!"
She sighed because of the mage's rants, still with her thoughts, wondering if anything will bring their trekking enjoyable or to spice it up a little bit.
"Look, Syndra." Irelia pulls out something from her bag.
She showed a piece of something, it smelled sweet and by the looks of it, it looks smooth and chewy.
"What is that?" The mage said, she reached the object but Irelia shoved herself away.
"It's called mochi. A dessert made by soft, gluttonous rice. Would you like some?" Irelia smiled, she presented the food ro the mage.
"By judging your actions, it feels that you are not wanting to let ME have it." The mage snarled.
"Of course. And I want you to take it away from me." Irelia sprinted with her blades, the mage got tensed on the sudden action.
"Oh! I see.. Hm. You want me to chase you?" Syndra snickered, hovering herself and with the use of flight will make things easier for her, how excited she have got while she chase Irelia as she passes the trees around her.
"Ha!" She surged forward and tackles the captain.
Both of them crashed on the grassy plain, just right on the flowery patch, they have sent the blossoms flying, sprawled onto the air with motion. They shrieked after they landed on the ground, one of Irelia's things are scattered, some of it rolled as soon it stopped.
"You cheat.." Irelia grunted.
"Where's the mochi?" Syndra smirked. "Here?" She inserted her hand on Irelia's pockets.
"Syndra! N-NOT here!" Irelia struggled.
"What? I haven't done anything!" Syndra chuckled, mocking the captain.
"Can you not touch me anywhere?! You could've just ask me!"
"Okay FINE! Hmph!"
"..S-So..?"
"You know.." Syndra leaned forward, still on top of the captain. "How come we crashed something that was likely comfortable?"
"Ah? H-Here?" Irelia glances around, completely unaware to where they have landed.
"Why yes. Isn't this lovely?" Syndra made a hidden tease.
"N-Not so fast, Sovereign." Irelia pushed the mage's face gently.
"What? Embarrassed?" Her voice got muffled by the captain's hand.
"Yes! We are in the mountains!" Irelia blushed, she thought that even those nature around them are currently watching them.
"Will the trees EVEN complain that we have crashed this flower patch and created a love nest?" Syndra teased, she returned an embrace to the captain.
"Love..nest?" Irelia deeply blushed as she realizes what it meant, she struggled free from the mage's embrace. "NO! WE ARE NOT!"
"Stay! Don't squirm!" Syndra pulls down the captain. She even uses her magic to lock the woman in place.
Grunting from the process, Irelia has no choice but to let the mage win, it was no helping unless she would make this part a rest. They were still at the mountains in the first place, which is literally a bore for her powerful companion.
"Alright.." Irelia sighed. "Please let me free."
"Hmph." Without hesitation, and completely comfortable, the mage remove the binds that wraps Irelia's body and embrace her instead.
Offering herself with a peace of mind, she let her consciousness a test, how she loved the comfort of the flower patch below them that made her drifted to a yawn.
"Syndra." Irelia called, she presented the food towards the mage's mouth. Syndra opened her mouth and bites off the dessert, the soft and gooey of the rice made her taste buds a celebration.
"Where did you bought it?" Syndra asked while chewing.
"There is a Mochi shop near where my office located. It was a right time that the mochis are freshly made at that moment. So I took a chance to buy some!" Irelia replied with a cheer.
"So. They ..made this?" Syndra grimaced because of how it was made by the people she have disgraced.
Noticing the mage's sudden behavior, Irelia got worried.
"It's only once. I trust that shop since it was started from the day where I started school."
"Really? That long?"
"Yes, I even insisted Father to buy some for me, not mentioning my brother." Irelia sighed because of the memory made her reminded that time.
"What a Father's-girl type." Syndra teased, pouting as she made a little fun to Irelia's childhood.
"Hmph. I am not. Father is just strict and protective." Irelia quickly made a statement, or else she would fall into embarrassment.
"What about me? Am I strict and protective as well?" Syndra smirked, her face was right about an inch on the captain's face.
"A right term for..being possessive. Y-Yes.." Irelia averted her gaze, hiding her blush away.
"Hm.." The mage hummed. "Oh yes, I am totally possessive, you are mine anyway."
"Syndra." Irelia again answered by presenting the half-biten mochi towards the mage's lips. She waited until the mochi has been eaten away.
"So? I could buy you more, or I can make mochi for you if you want."
"You can make mochi?"
"Why yes, but I need someone to help me, mochi is a hard process."
"If it is HARD then.. I want you to buy me instead!"
"Okay!"
"Then you will deliver it to ME! I don't WANT anyone besides YOU."
"Alright, I get it!" Irelia laughed at the statement.
Suddenly, winds swept away the mage's worries, she declared that it will be a best idea to stay for a bit on the flower patch.
"The winds are chilly.. It makes me want to stay as well." Irelia said. "We could rest here, don't worry, I will stay on guard."
But that happened too fast, she saw the mage taking z's; and how comfortable she was on the ground.
She smiles on what she have seen, despite of how violent the mage can be, she have seen the other personality of the Sovereign; and how she sees herself powerful and a rightful being to rule. Never knew that the mage completely changed by her being as 'different' among others; what she only portray is her own beliefs. Irelia got so much adventure with the mage, she even experienced some of her enemies talk to her freely, likely she was given a minor trust.
After few minutes passed, the things that are scattered on the ground was placed neatly inside her bag, and she thought of moving on but the mage is sleeping soundly. She chuckled as she pondered that the mage really was not intended for this kind of physical activity, and she only done was to complain and to sleep.
"Seriously.." Irelia commented, her smile crept to her lips as she placed the sleeping mage on her blades; making her into a sitting position, she placed her blades just right on her rear to make her back as a support for the mage to sleep.
"We can traverse together now." Irelia finished while she maintains her distance for supporting the mage. She have started to walk on the pathway after she made a courtesy bow to the nature around her; thanking and apologizing to the spirits that guard the area.
Few meters ahead she can feel the cold air that circulates the mountain, the time was just right to noontime, and this made her hungry. However, she didn't faltered because she wanted to reach a plateau not far from here.
Yet, she felt the mage moved a little.
"Where?" The mage yawned.
"Ah, you are awake, we are just about to see the plateau few meters ahead." Irelia smiled.
The mage leaned and inhaled the fresh air around her.
"Never knew your back can be comfortable."
"Oh really.. You just said awhile ago that the flower patch is more comfortable."
"Hmph. But you'll be the one who has a limitless comfort for me." Syndra smiled as she watches the clouds move slowly across the sky.
"Ah. Not now.." Irelia suddenly blushed.
"Oh? Looks like someone is flustered." The mage teased. She summoned her spheres that are now rotating around her.
"You know, I always thought about how the spheres acted like the way they see you as their own universe." Irelia said, she stopped halfway and turned at the right side, the plateau is up ahead.
"Hm. Yes, yes indeed.." Syndra just gave Irelia an embrace.
"Why is that?"
"I have heard a lovely thing from you. I never expect that." Syndra has her blush on her.
"Gladly." Irelia grinned and warmly smiled at the mage.
"You are a part of it."
"I am honored.."
"Seriously. How come you are so polite? You are weird!"
"Oh come on! It's just.."
"Hmph! You have ruined the moment by being polite! You must be impolite with me!" Syndra pinched the captain's cheeks from behind.
"Does being polite can be- Ow!" Irelia grasps her swollen cheeks.
"Serves you right." Syndra finished, however..
"Syndra?" She felt the mage's hands back at her cheeks again, but this time, the mage squished her cheeks.
"Syn-" Her voice are muffled, the mage just made her face deformed by squishing her cheeks together.
"Hm.. just like mochi. How cute." Syndra giggled. "Never knew you have stubby cheeks Irelia."
"Stop it!" Irelia stuggled.
"Nope. Move on already, I want to reach the end!"
Despite of the mage's rants about reaching the top, Irelia sighed while her cheeks are squished together by the mischief of the mage. She ended up travelling like that, but it subsided after few minutes. Also with the fact that she was literally carrying the mage instead of moving herself with her own feet, yet she let it slide. What is important that she was with the mage, traversing the mountains until they would reach the end.
They have stopped at the middle of the path, searching for a place to rest, it was about noontime and the mage ranted what lunch will they be having.
"Here." Irelia opened her bag and pulls out a canister.
"What's this?" Syndra wondered, she eventually lifted the canister with her.
As she opened the container, she gasps on what it contained, it is filled with goodies, and bite-sized food that are arranged neatly inside a box.
"You made this? What a promising looking lunch we have."
"Yes, it is called 'Bento'." Irelia started to explain. "A type of lunch box, I hope you will love it."
"Of course I will LOVE this, since you cooked them." Syndra finally took a piece of sushi rolls with chopsticks and tasted it.
Irelia smiled while she watched the mage tried her cooking again, she even didn't touch hers because of her occupation.
"Do I look something you will enjoy gazing at?" Syndra noticed Irelia's gaze.
"What? I am sorry. I-It seems I am just occupied watching you eat, and I left mine alone." Irelia just smiled and started to eat her food.
"Well, you could see me as something entertaining while you eat then." Syndra snickered.
"The only thing that brings entertainment while lunch goes on is television." Irelia said before she took a piece of beef steak.
"Television?" Syndra asked innocently. "Oh you mean that box thing that runs shows every time you turned it on."
"Yes, yes. I can't believe that you knew that device."
"Why yes I do! That is common knowledge of Technology!"
"Now you mention it.. I have to watch that afternoon show that I have been looking forward every week, but we have a trip now so I will miss it." Irelia chuckled nervously.
"That's too bad, you can watch it tomorrow then. What is important is that we have a date now." She took a piece and eat it.
"Why yes, since we have a vacation, might as well watch it with you then."
"Hmm.. Really? You will watch a television show with me? Oh yes. I will not let this chance slip by.."
Time goes by as they eat their lunch happily, both of them enjoyed each others' company with a small talk about mundane activities, the mage enjoyed eating the lunch that the captain prepared for her; also with the fact she really, really loved her cooking. After that, they eat some sweets as a dessert for them to let their lunches to settle down their stomachs.
"How come your cooking can be delicious?" The mage started as she watched Irelia fixed things back to her bag.
"I practice alot. I am in charge of cooking at all times." The captain answered while being occupied arranging the utensils.
"You do? Only you can cook besides your family?" Syndra questioned again, it is for her to understand the captain more.
"I am most likely free at that time, however, that alone is a purpose." She said, her expression changed a little.
"What do you mean?"
"No one can cook besides me." Irelia finished.
"Really? Even your brother?" Syndra curiously pressed.
"He.. is busy with his training to become a soldier and a rightful heir to our heritage. But, he ended up with his desire to become one as a military officer in the army." Irelia said, she paused while she speaks what is in her mind before she continued her work.
"How about your father?" Syndra made her tone soft, and in whisper.
"Well.. he didn't make it." Irelia sighed.
"I see.." Syndra paused briefly before she made a thought again. "What happened to him?"
"He suffered an illness, no one can cure even Soraka does. We just ended up watch him say his last breath." Irelia stared at a space, she hasn't finished packing up her things.
Now she learned something about the captain, she hesitates to ask more, if she could ever done it again, she might bring Irelia's bitter past without her knowing. Yet she really started it up now, and there is no turning back for her to learn more.
"Ah. Look at the weather. It is already exact noontime." Irelia huffed as she hastily packed the things. Syndra offered herself to help for them to speed up the packing.
"Let's go. We still have..twenty meters to traverse." Irelia fastened her straps and faced the mage.
"I don't have a choice but to follow you and watch you walk then." Syndra sighed.
"Well you can float if you want."
"Hm. Well yes.. I am SO into floating without doing something physically."
"Now, now, don't abuse it too much. Being physically healthy is important!" Irelia's tone is somehow in exact as if she was lecturing the mage.
"Hmph! How dare you lecture ME?! I want convenience!" Syndra pouted as she defended her laziness.
"Oh no, you can't decline if ever I invited you in a exercise activity every morning!" Irelia lectured again.
"No!" Syndra went stubborn.
Irelia sighed because of the mage's stubborness, but she prefer it that way since it really masks what the mage is. Now, she dragged Syndra to proceed towards the pathway where their destination has to end.
In the middle of the way, Syndra got bored. She was literally nothing to do besides on following Irelia and watch her.
She immediately embraced the captain with a surprise.
"I'm bored. Let's do something.." Syndra whispered as she put her weight to the captain.
"Oh? Hm.." Irelia thought deeply. "I would like to suggest something, but my mind is empty."
"Hm.." Syndra ended up thinking.
"How about.. Three Lies, One Truth." Irelia suggested.
"How does it work?"
"One must confess three things; a secret, a hobby or whatever you see as something that is likely to be hidden. Then one of them is the truth." Irelia explained the game.
"Interesting.." Syndra smirked. "So.. what will the winner has to receive then?"
"Uh. Well.. I don't know?" Irelia chuckled nervously.
"What about.." Syndra hummed. "Something will do to make a tired body feel refreshed?"
"You mean.. a massage?" Irelia widened her eyes as she heard something will bring suspicion.
"Hmm. Yes. Why not? I would LOVE to receive that, my shoulders are tired out from my magic exercises though." Syndra made a hidden smirk behind her lips. "And yes.. since THIS person prefer physical, then that reward is perfect for you.."
"If someone losses then the other will receive it." Irelia already said the losing reward.
"Why yes. It's just a give-and-get process. You win, you'll receive a reward from the loser. You lose, you'll be giving the reward instead." Syndra made the conditions clear.
Irelia saw how Syndra smiles like she has something in her mind, since they are still traversing the mountain, it takes time to reach their destination. This game might stimulate boredom.
"I can see from your expression that you have an intention to lose." Syndra chuckled.
"What if I am?" Irelia smirked a little.
"Well. That's no fun. I would love to lose for you as well." Syndra smiled in mischief. Her voice went into a whisper. "Because I can manage and control your tired body by myself.."
"Ah.." Irelia literally predicts what would that words mean. "By looking at her expression, she really IS planning onto something if ever I lose."
"Alright. Since you suggest this game, you'll be performing first." Syndra said, she hovered herself in front of the woman and floats backward.
"Okay." Irelia smiled. She now thought about things for her to say.
They perform the game while they travel, the time is perfect for this because of how the mountain produce a comfortable chill that is appropriate in Summer.
"My first master was an elder." Irelia started. "I once dreamt to become a dancer in a play." She said the second one. "I try myself to fit in, but I can't." Lastly, she stated her word.
"Oh really.." Syndra chuckled. "I am intrigued by that one statement."
"So? Tell me which one is the truth." Irelia dared.
Syndra thinks, one of those statements is a truth, but first, she made a deep thought about those statements.
The first one is somehow vague, there is no way Irelia's master would be an elder, it is because that Irelia is more on a war themed style of a person; and more aggressive and calculating in terms on the battlefield. An elder is somewhat in terms of politics and has the order to rule, they could be teachers at some point, but only in enlightenment and spirituality, Irelia is kind of balanced; no pun intended. So Syndra put that one into the lie part.
Next one is intriguing. Irelia dreamt once as a dancer of a play? It interests her more than the others. Also, it made her wondered how Irelia looked like if she danced based on the traditional setting of Ionian play. And yes, her assumptions call her that this could be the truth.
Lastly, she didn't take much of her time wondering on the third statement.
"I say, I would love to see you dance in front of me." Syndra now stated as she made a light snicker.
"S-So, you see it as a truth?" Irelia fidgeted.
"Why would I demand such thing if I hadn't found out that it was the truth?" Syndra crossed her arms and pouted.
"Well.." Irelia blushed.
"So? I won? That's easy." Syndra smirked.
"I am impressed that you found out." Irelia smiled.
"Who wouldn't have thought?" Syndra prides. "So? Explain all those three then, since I AM the winner today!"
"First of all, my master was my father himself. He is a famous swordsman that everybody calls him as Master Lito. He carries our name with his honor and pride." Irelia started explaining.
"I see, let me guess.. That blade." Syndra pointed at the blades that are always seen following Irelia around. "..Is your father's."
"Yes it is." Irelia warmly smiled as she got happy by Syndra's guess.
"Honestly, I am not going to press further since I knew how you work."
"You do?"
The mage nodded. "Please. We fought many times now, and I heard about your judgment."
"So now you know." Irelia smiled again. "You can kill me easily with your power so.." The truth is that the blades and her soul is one, merged together to become as a whole itself.
"..And I'll think about it. In fact, I could crush you and your blades." Syndra leered.
"Why not now?"
"Why would I if you are currently in to my possession?" Syndra snickered, she made a slight tease.
"Hmph.." Irelia has her cheeks reddened. "I-It's my turn.. We are not done yet."
"Oh. YOU are right. Let see." Syndra hummed as she thinks deeply for her three statements.
"First, I had a pet with me. Second, I once got interested to be a part of those people. Third, I often doze off every afternoon." Syndra stated her words, humbly and clearly.
"Um.." Irelia thought. "How about.. the last one!"
"Seriously? Ha!" Syndra laughed. "So that's your decision?"
"Yes." Irelia nodded.
"Wrong! FINALLY!" Syndra laughed again, but this time, she is waiting for her victory.
"What? Oh come on." Irelia sighed because of her loss. "You often doze off if you are bored, and it was a lie? How so?"
"If ever I got bored in the afternoon, I watch them below and curse them!" Syndra snarled, she remembered how her day once got painful for her to think at because she saw the Ionian people below doing some recreational activities.
"Seriously?!" Irelia was shocked to hear the truth. "So, basically, the other two has the truth."
"Precisely. Can you guess?"
"Hm.. wait, how about.. the second one, since it was more promising than the first one." Irelia chuckled.
"Hmph. Why yes."
"I always knew that since you have the potential of harnessing a great power. For me, you'll be a great elder if ever they have treated you like one of us.." Irelia got saddened.
The mage went silent after that, it could be true or false, but majority would be that she can be as one. In fact, many believed that only those who have the great magic can be elected as an elder, but since they mistreated her, she isolated herself away.
"Hmph. What if I became an elder instead of THAT Duchess you are having right now. Will that captain works under my command?" Syndra teased to break up the growing tension.
"W-What?" Irelia gasps. "W-Well.. you will be an official, so yes.."
"Hm.. But that captain is currently in my possession so why needed that?!" Syndra hurriedly embraced the captain.
"I-I'm walking, Syndra.." Irelia felt the heaviness of the mage.
"Hmph! But you LOSE! So you'll be treating me PROFESSIONALLY this night!" Syndra maliciously chuckled.
"F-Fine!" The captain finished, she focused walking until she saw a light ahead after few minutes.
"Looks like we are about to see the plateau now, Syndra. Finally.." Irelia sighed and took a couple of breaths.
"Hm..~ Yes." The mage hummed. "So it only took several minutes, huh."
"Let's see.. so the time probably 4 'o clock. We still have time to pitch a tent." Irelia said while she checks the time using her watch.
By hearing the tent, Syndra got excited out of the sudden, she hurriedly floated off towards the plateau and ranted Irelia to hurry up.
"Now, now, she is LITERALLY excited because it is her first time spending the night with a tent.." Irelia murmured. "Not denying the fact I will be giving her a light massage because I lost to the game that I suggested.."
"YOU ARE SLOW! HURRY!" Syndra shouted.
"Coming!" Irelia called back, she scuttled towards the plateau.
"Hmph! HOW come you are so SLOW?! Pitch the tent now!" Syndra tried to make a slight scolding.
"Can you just.. make me take my breaths first?" Irelia recuperates as she make some deep breaths for her to get some air.
After few seconds, Irelia stretched and gazed ahead. She takes her time to absorb the scenery of the world. Beyond the horizon is the sun setting, the colors of the warm sun is in a deep orange hue, giving illumination across the land. The color vibrated the skies and blends perfectly, above her has a light color of blue that was about to turn darker as the night comes by, she can even see a single flicker of a star that started to peek at her.
"Syndra?" She called the attention of the mage. "This is how the country that you always dreamt to destroy looks like."
The captain faces at the land below.
"What can you say?" Irelia ask for comments.
"It is far promising than how it looked like from the view of my fortress.." Syndra has her vision towards the land with a subtle of sadness.
"And..?"
"I will think about it.." Syndra smiled. She enjoyed the view with Irelia before they pitch a camp for the night.
--
6: 15 P.M
Mountain near Navori - Plateau
"Ha!" The mage tackled herself towards the tent's interior and she made herself comfortable after Irelia just finished pitching.
"Syndra.. Get out first. I must roll up the sleeping mats.." Irelia got tired of calling the mage's attention. She saw how much the mage wanting to be inside the tent; since it was her first time spending the night inside of it.
"You have NO right to order me! I want to be here!" Syndra slumped herself on the soft cushion of the tent.
"Come on.. It is still early so don't worry about the time and rushing everything." Irelia added before she sighed.
"Come Irelia. Sit with me." Syndra pats the cushion. "Or else.."
The mage tugged Irelia's jacket and made a forceful pull which threatens the captain.
"Oh, you made me do it." Syndra now pulled the woman inside, she shrieks as her body slammed hard towards the mage's.
"Syndra!" Irelia struggled. "Let go! I have to set up the campfire!"
"Tsk! What a bore! Hmph!"
"Syndra.." Irelia sighed, she anticipated to say something that could possibly interest the mage. "Tonight, I will be showing you something, okay?"
The mage got the attention and interested.
"Hmph. Fine. I will be here inside." Syndra smiled.
"Good. Please wait for me." Irelia got herself out from the tent and grabbed the things for setting a fire. However, her mind clicked something that made her cautious. Instead of getting wood, she took few branches and took out a small heater from one of her travelling bags.
"I almost forgot that a slight of activity can alert folks below. Navori is somewhat a prestigious place for being cautious, talk about spiritual enlightenment.." Irelia thought as she made a fire starter, make a fire without worries.
Despite of the hesitations, Irelia decided to use the heater instead, it only bring a subtle amount of heat and light, saving for the smoke. Behind her is Syndra that was laying flat on her stomach, watching her.
"I thought we will be having a campfire." Syndra wondered.
"Well. The people might see our campfire and would get alerted." Irelia explained. "However, this heater is perfect for us; it lasts long after five hours. And yes, it is powered by charcoal or branches."
"Hm.. It's warm. I like it." The mage smiled and watched the soft light from the heater.
"It's getting late now, we should fix ourselves."
The night ended up silent, only the winds and the chirping of crickets stand for the ambience of the surroundings. They switched their attire to make themselves comfortable, having a warm blanket, and a heater surely kills the cold emanating around the mountains.
"You took time to change." Syndra chuckled.
"It is because you are watching.." Irelia countered.
"Hmph. We are in the SAME tent, what can you expect?"
"Oh whatever. As long I finished dressing up, I am fine." Irelia slumped herself on the bed.
"I can say, this is one of the most comfortable tents that I have." Irelia closed her eyes and smiled.
"It will be much comfortable if a secondary person involved." Syndra added teasingly, she lay herself beside the captain.
"Really.." Irelia sighed happily. She remembered the thing she has to show to the mage. She called the attention of her and dragged her pillows at the entrance of the tent.
"What are you doing?" Syndra wondered.
Irelia positioned her body inversely; her head was on the entrance of the tent, exposed with the air that surely would bring cold.
"Here. Beside me." Irelia pats the cushion beside her, waiting for the mage to reciprocate with her.
Syndra placed her pillow just like Irelia did, she now faced inversely with the captain.
"This is an odd placement." The mage said.
"I have a purpose why we have to place our heads here." Irelia answered briefly. "Look ahead."
Syndra lays flat using her back, she faced ahead and the sheet of black sky stumbled in front of her, it was almost like pearls of light that continuously flicker to her eye. It was simply majestic.
"..Hmph. No. It was simply..romantic." Syndra smirked because of how she feels about this.
"W-What?" Irelia chuckled.
"Oh you better not deny hearing that." The mage laughed. "Still, is this what you wanted to show me?"
"Yes. It's beautiful, isn't it? This plateau is great for viewing stars." Irelia softly stated.
"I can tell how your blades actually enjoying this as well." She pointed at Irelia's blades that is placed peculiarly, it was lain flat.
"Well.. There is now way I am going to let my blade sleep inside the tent standing." Irelia laughed at the end.
"Good thing my power sleeps inside me." Syndra prides for her magic before she faced the endless sea of stars.
"Of course, I can tell that." Irelia giggled, she gazes upon the sky ahead of her.
Silence calls within a minute before Irelia spoke again, she is literally having confidence to show some of her feelings for the trip and for the mage as well.
Suddenly, she thought about a simple touch can say a lot of words than to say them. Abruptly, she slowly reached the mage's hand that is resting beside, but before she touched the mage, Syndra immediately slipped hers and grasps it, as if she found out what Irelia has to do.
After that, Syndra rolled and faced sideways, facing the captain, she held up both of their hands together and gazed at those green eyes that flickered along with the moonlight.
"I am glad you are with me." Irelia started, her face is somewhat in red, even though the night has come.
"And so do I." The mage softly gazed her glowing, purple eyes at the woman. "You are making me to possess you further."
"Seriously.." Irelia closed her eyes and leaned towards their hands that are currently intertwined.
"Irelia." The mage called. The captain opened her eyes and stared at her.
"I would love to give you a reward for being with me." Syndra stated, she made herself close to the captain.
"Certainly. I am willing to have those rewards from you." She smiled that totally warmed the mage's heart.
The mage embraced the captain, pulled her close tightly, her right hand under the captain's head, and the other to wrap on the backside, she gasps as she felt the captain's lips pressed on hers without her knowing.
"No, I will be giving the reward, am I right? I lost the game earlier." Irelia grinned for the mage to remember.
"You'll be giving me a massage yet, Fool Captain Irelia." The mage blushed.
"Yes.." Immediately, Irelia embraced the mage back.
They stayed minutes until Syndra felt the feeling of dozing. Irelia positioned the pillows back and prepared for that massage that the mage have been waiting.
However, a rustling of grass can be heard not far from the tent. A lone figure with nine tails is behind the shadows from the night, currently stood hidden using the nature around her to blend in. Will she be satisfied to the results that she has been waiting for so long? Who knows what might happen to her mission to seek and see what she expects to happen.
--
Note:
It's been awhile since my last update was posted, I got busy out of the sudden! Alas, school days are coming.
I have to write some of the fics in needed of updates and yeah, time to get back for work! :3
I have in my mind to make some Zyra x Elise one after the last fic about them, but.. BUT my OTP needs me! w
Yes! Have a nice day!