"Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is to do and die"

Alfred Tennyson

Message at your doorsteps

Darkness surrounded her no trace of light not even from outside, the protective layer of metal covered the window baring all lights from coming inside that was the way she liked it, she felt safe in shadows, secure in darkness, away from harm, but so lonely…

The sounds of the intercom calling over and over interrupted the silence but she didn't attend, her body ached still even though it was in the process of full recovery, the Demacian did indeed gave her the rough treatment. The intercom went silent, apparently they finally got the message, unless she heard a red alarm she wasn't going to answer, not for the next hours at least or so she thought for a few minutes, until the sounds of somebody knocking hard on her door brought her back to reality.

Outside, the door was really getting what may be called a beating, the heavy hand of a Noxian soldier bearing a gigantic axe at his back knocked repeatedly at the door, his hand already marking slightly the metal "You can either come out, or I'll come in for you" his hard voice announced, Darius was one of the strongest soldiers if not the strongest soldier in the Noxian army, he wasn't the best, because Katarina was there and her place as legend was hard to dispute, especially considering she doubled Darius age and his experience, still that didn't stop him to treat her often, Darius was one of Swain's favorites which meant he had almost limitless power and influence "I'll bring the door down if you don't come out!" He warned, his features showing restrained anger.

Katarina inside raised from the bed, she was still naked, her hair not that much of a mess, but what really made her wake was the fact that, her precious cloth piece was still on her bed. Apparently she made a little mistake, sleeping with the precious piece of clothing, good thing she had the habit of closing her slide door with locks but if that gorilla sized hound enters and sees that...

She quickly reacted, moving towards her locker, she was more worried of the cloth been discovered than Darius seen her naked "Don't you enter here, don't you dare stupid jackass" she hated Swain's dogs, he and his brother Draven but right now she was more angry to herself for indulging in such error, not that they will recognize the piece, but if they tell Swain he surely will "If you enter I'll kill you!" she yelled, not sure if Darius heard her, but just in case she got a dagger out from her locker, ready to slice the throat of Darius if he gets in.

"Threats? I'm not impressed!" he said taking distance to charge, but the sudden appearance of a masculine figure in front of the door stopped him, from the newcomer arm, a blade extended as his eyes looked at Dariu, who instinctively got a hold of his axe handle

"Talon" he said, shooting a glare his way "Katarina's lapdog, move out of my way" Talon remained still, he basically didn't give a fuck about Darius "What do you want?" he coldly asked blade on the ready "I will speak with your mistress only, stay away" he commanded as he prepared to charge, Talon assumed combat position, the clash apparently was inevitable, but, just in time the door opened and Katarina came out dressed and armed "Enough!" she yelled, none of them were startled by the woman's command, but they didn't move "I'm still in charge of this battlestation, so you will do as I say Darius!" both men relaxed, Talon blade retracted under his cloak and Darius hand left the handle of his axe, Katarina was in full command right now, given by Swain and Darius would never dare disobey Swain, at least not while he was the strongest.

"High Emperor Swains wants to leave at once, he has summoned you, if the Emperor calls, you attend, why is that you bitch find that so hard to understand?!" He barked towards Katarina, now ignoring Talon, Katarina walked forward, placing her hand on Talon's shoulder "And you have to come and almost bring down my door just to deliver your master message?" the sarcasm on her voice was noticeable "You are a very good dog indeed, go back to your master, I will be there in a moment, now go don't forget to bark moron " and after she made a couple of dog sounds, mocking Darius, the hulky men simply turned and walked away.

"You risk too much" Talon said, his eyes stared to Katarina "If they find out, it will be your doom, my own and Casssiopeia's" Katarina walked away following the same direction Darius had a moment ago "Cass is already doomed, you don't have much to lose either, nor do I " a sigh escaped her lips as she stopped, still not turning to see her bodyguard, turning around she walked to him and closed her lips on his ear " I saw him Talon, mighty, powerful, just as he should be, I tell you, it worth this risk, finally, I made it, it's going to happen " her voice was filled with emotion, Talon remained the same, unaltered " That is your decision, not mine to make " the assassin said as he walked away " But I hope you are right "

Katarina simply dismissed the words as she made her way through the hallways of the massive battlestation on her care, it took her some time, the distance between her quarters and the main hangar was large and she didn't really pressed up her pace, making the Emperor wait give her a sort of strange pleasure.

She finally arrived, the Raedsel guard keep watch of the hangar, forming 2 lines leaving a space in between for Swain to pass, they were the most vicious soldiers of Noxus, their dark green armors inspired fear even in the most resolute, even Katarina felt unsettled in her presence feeling she quickly shrugged as she approached Swain and his…lapdogs.

To his right, obviously was Darius, his not so friendly face showing the despite he felt for Katarina, and to the left in a more "I don't give a fuck I'm wonderful" attitude, Daven stood, Katarina hated him with a passion, few things will make her more happy than to stab that stupid confident face of his, right in between those fumanchus

Katarina bowed, hand to her chest, playing politics again " I'm glad you decided to join us, although I'm not so satisfied with your timing " Swain started, dismissing Darius and Draven with a hand sign " Uhhhh little kitty, you got in problems hehehehe " Draven said turning around " You need to be more DRAVEEEEEN just like me " the man said, giving her a thumbs up, an obvious sarcasm, his brother unlike him remained silent and walked away, Katarina made a mind note making sure that, when she kills that overconfident idiot, she does it painfully.

"I have orders for you before I leave" Swain continued, eyeing the girl his deep red eyes showed nothing "You could have send a message… my liege "she interrupted, her voice full of restrained spite " It is too important " his deep red eyes flashed under his mask a smile appeared, he found joy in the hate harboured to him by Katarina " You are to move the station towards a new location a remote planet in the Ionian sector border, there you will complete the operations remaining, the Demacians may come back to this place the station can't be compromised again " Swain's voice was severe as if he was blaming the discovery of the station by the Demacians on her, in fact he was doing exactly that, Katarina knew it another excuse he was adding, another stone he was piling on her tomb.

" Failure is not an option, don't made the same mistakes as your father did " Katarina threw a glare to him, her eyes didn't hide the hate inside them, Swain simply turned around and walked towards his transport " Does he know? " She though " No… he can't, is he playing with my mind? " she was confused and surprised, fear tried to crawl up her spine but she keep it at bay, Swain boarded his transport, the Raedsel guard closely behind, once they were set Swain and his minions left the station heading for Swain's command ship Beatrice

Inside his transport, Darius huffed " You should let me behead her my liege " Swain was silent, sat on the seat fashioned as a throne for him " There is no need for that, she will kill herself soon enough "

When home is not enough…

The grand spaceport of Demacia opened its doors to its prodigal daughter, the Measure Tread approached in all its majesty soaring the blues skies of Demacia, back in the bridge Garen stood, he could still feel some pain by the wounds sustained during his last battle, but for a man like Garen, wounds were just perks of the job, part of a soldier life " Approaching to Demacia Spaceport, requesting authorization code Gamma"Alpha"Romeo"Epsilon"November, please advise" the communications officer called over the system, requesting the necessary permissions, the protocols on the bridge continued but Garen was not really interested on them, he grew used to them already, he understood all of them but his mind was on another place right now.

"Understood flight control, thank you very much is good to be home" The pilot turned to Garen now " We are heading to port, docking in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… engage retros" as they approached small thrusters fired, slowing the descent of the ship, until it safely reached land and docked, metallic clamps attached to the ship's hull, locking the Demancian flagship in place " Open the intercom " Garen commanded "Attention all hands, we are on shore leave for at least today, until new orders arrive enjoy yourself, welcome home, congratulations on a job well done" That said, he came down from his commanding position saluted by his subordinates as he left the bridge, Garen commanded respect everywhere he went, it wasn't only his ironed uniform, the many medals on his chest, his imposing physical appearance, nor even his deep blue eyes, he had an aura, something that told everybody around him that no matter what, he could accomplish everything.

The airlocks opened, every single crew member and soldier, walked outside, greeted by the crowd gathered at the spaceport every time the Measured Thread made port, a great crowd gathered to receive the heroes of the Dauntless Vanguard, Demacia's elite, family, friends, fans, everyone joined in their greeting, the sun shinned bright over them, just as if Demacia welcomed them.

But it wasn't that shinny for everyone, Garen came out with the wounded, making sure they will be fine and transferred to the best hospital the army could afford, which in Demacia always meant the best, the Government never went cheap on its soldiers health care, after all not many came back alive, Demacians rarely came back wounded from battle, it was death or victory, and this was not a feat, it was expected from them.

Garen hand reached for Sona's shoulder, she was making sure everything was set "Don't overextend Doc, follow your own rules rest after you finished " He said, passing beside her, receiving only a nod in response, yet, even though his wound was healing, Garen felt strange, the sun didn't seem so shiny as went he left, there was something new, Home didn't feel the same, Home didn't seem enough now "What's wrong with me… am I so impressed by a Noxian woman? " He asked himself, walking away from the crowd " Why home feel different? Why do I feel I need to see her again? Battle her again… "

"Brother!" a juvenile female voice called, Garen looked around for the source, finding it right away, a young blonde girl with a vibrant expression, dressing in the same uniform as him, albeit a little tighter, with less medals and a red beret adorning her head the young female ran to him and almost jumped in his arms, he embraced her, a smile appearing on his face "Brother I'm glad you came back safely!" she said almost yelling, Garen held her a bit in his arms, until he had to let her go, his wound ached slightly "You ok?" she asked, her eyes showing how worried she was.

"I´m fine Luxanna, don't worry, just a minor wound" he replied, trying to stay as stalwart as the wound let him "I just have a hard battle " Garen said, Luxanna smiled "With Noxus most revered legend, the sinister blade " The expression he had revealed his surprise " How did you know?" he asked, and Lux smile answered his question even though, the blonde gave him the leniency of a verbal answer pointing her finger to the emblem on the beret " Imperial Intelligence Corps remember? "

The man laughed, placing an arm over his sister shoulder he walked away from the spaceport towards the transport waiting for them " Jarvan wants to see you brother… " she said grimly, it was clear the future death of her beloved pained her, Garen couldn't avoid feeling guilty for this, the pain of his sister and imminent death of his best friend " Take me to him" he answered.

The road to the palace was even more grim than he expected, not because of the landscape, the capital city shinned bright under the sun, its golden and white buildings reflected its light, white towers adorned the limits, projecting the orbital bombardment shield, giving an even more bluish tone to the sky, but none of that worried him, none of that captured his attention his mind was now back to that battlefield, where his friend lost his life, because in the state he was now couldn't be considered living.

The aerial transport landed in the Palace courtyard, the doors opened, Garen and Lux came out and made their way to the palace, the hallways were dark barely any person save the guards could be seen, as the curtains in every room were closed, light banned from entrance, they stepped in the throne room, the golden throne was empty, just a dim light came from the ceiling, making it look mystic yet sad, they both stopped, paid their respect and continued until the room where the king laid, Lux stopped at the doors, Garen turned to wait for her but she negated with her head, understanding just by looking at her face, Garen nodded and walkedforwad the guards opened the doors and he steps in.

The room was extremely and finely decorated, paintings of the king ancestry hang in the wall, golden canvass with intricate carving adorned the paintings everything seemed regal, luxurious, even divine, except, the contraption in the end of the room, a sort of cryostasis chamber surrounded by men in blue and golden robes, the man inside, was the king of Demacia, or what was left of him. Garen walked closer, standing beside the tube, which gave the feeling of a high tech bed, below the crystal, Jarvan scarred body laid, connected to tubes, which keep him alive " He will not last long General " one of the councilman said.

Garen nodded and kneeled beside the device "I'm here my king" he said, from inside, Jarvan stirred, barely more than a living corpse, his impressive vitality was long gone, as well as his fine features and powerful muscles " Garen, my friend… you came " Jarvan voice sounded emaciated " I heard… you met a new lady, I'm sad I wasn't there, they say the sinister blade is a beauty to behold " Jarvan joked, even in a state like this, he still keep part of his old self " She is just another Noxian, sire " he replied, obviously hiding the unnerving feelings he had been having since he faced Katarina " A skilled one I must add, everything we knew of her is true, everything " Jarvan smiled, or it appeared like it " A pity you couldn't kill her, but the time will come I'm sure, for now there…" the king coughed, his respiration became agitated " is something disturbing in your reports, the information you… forwarded after the battle… Councilman Brightsword, will you be so kind to…" Jarvan had difficulties to talk, his condition worsening " Of course your majesty " The Councilman responded and pressed a few buttons on the holopad he was holding, immediately, the room went dark, barely lit by the lights of Jarvan's chamber, a hologram of a star map appeared, Garen raised as he studied the map, trying to find a reason on what they will ask of him " General Crownguard, according to your report, the Noxians are building a giant battlestation with enough weaponry and soldiers to destroy our fleets, the mere suggested size makes this station impossible to conquer through boarding, it could basically carry the whole of the Noxian army " the Councilman stated " We have just confirmed your reports with our Intelligence network " a dot, marking the station in its last known location, which was were Garen found it appeared on the map " this station can't be completed, right now its vulnerable, as it is not activate, it must be destroyed " Garen looked at the map " They should have moved by now " he replied, knowing Swain will most likely moved the station away right after the battle " Yes, they did General, fortunately we know to where they are going " another dot appeared, marking its destination on the Ionian sector " The station will be heavily guarded, you are to destroy it General " Garen nodded, his excitement grew, he will be facing the Sinister Blade again his heart beated faster " I will muster the whole fleet for this " he declared, the councilmen turned to each other before Brightsword spoke " You will only take your ship and detachment, we can't risk the whole fleet, the cost may be too high, and knowing Swain, he may be baiting us "

Garen excitement went down, it was a suicide mission, only his ship against such odds was not only impossible it was madness " My king, permission to speak freely " Garen said respectfully " Granted, my friend " Jarvan said, Garen could smell treachery in the air, if he was the next in line, what will happen if he dies?, but then again he was also the most capable soldier in the Demacian army, none of those two things were of importance to him, the lives of his men were " This is a suicide mission, no matter how powerful the Measured Tread is, that is a full Noxian fleet with thousands of soldiers, the possibilities of success are minimum " Jarvan coughed before speaking " Leaves us Councilmen " Jarvan commanded, the members of the council looked among themselves, not sure what to think of this " I said….LEAVE US! " Jarvan raised his voice, then coughed several times, the councilmen bowed and left hastily, once they were alone, he continued " My friend, I'm dying…" he said his voice getting weaker " Jarvan don't talk, save your strength you…"

"Listen…" Jarvan interrupted " When I die, I want to leave this world safe, I want to be sure our people is safe, I know… this is a suicide mission… I know the risk, but…you are the only one, do…it for… Demacia… for me, for Lux " Garen nodded, it was a dying man wish, and order of his king, it was not his to question it, just do it and die if needed " I will " he responded to his friend " Thank you…Garen, I know… you will come back " the king closed his eyes " Now I need some rest… before you go, there is a data disc I want you to… take " after he said this a panel opened, revealing a disc, it was old, almost an antiquity, Garen looked at it " What is this? " He inquired " Something… you may need… when you made king, or… even before, don't use it… unless is necessary, promise me… "

Garen nodded " I promise " he understood that, whatever was in there was important, he saluted and turned to leave, the star map turned off and only dim lights illuminated the room " One…last thing " Jarvan called " Take Lux with you, you… may need… her talents"

Without another word, Garen left, perhaps for the last time.

Departure

Two different paths, yet one same destination, just as if it was a carefully laid chess play, each moves its own forces, its own pieces, peons will be sacrificed, even kings may die, but the dance macabre of the war started, and there was no stopping it now, for they, both sides will fulfil their orders, even though hidden agendas run below the surface of the conflict.

On one side, the Measure Tread takes off, its mighty engines take the ship away from the spaceport, and the, away from Demacia, the trail of energy left by the thrusters say a cold goodbye to the marvellous blue planet, on the bridge, Garen and his sister Lux look at each other, his look troubled, hers, as always, positive, carefree, something that is a welcome change aboard the seriousness of the ship, she is happy, finally joining her brother in a mission, finally traveling in Demacia's finest vessel, Garen on the other side thinks of the battle ahead, on how to grant the safety of his sister and… what will happen once he finds the Sinister blade again?

On the other side, the massive battlestation begins its warp space sequence, Katarina stays on the bridge, every member of the crew works hard to complete their task, but she doesn't care, those trivialities are below her, she is completely ignorant to the encounter she will have soon, even though her mind thinks of him, while her alertness tells her to stay at the ready, something is hunting her from the shadows, something stalks and for the first time she doesn't feel safe on them.

The board is ready, the pieces set.