Hey, where'd this come from?
The first thing I noticed when I stepped into Diana's room was the silvery light of the full moon spilling through the skylight. The second thing was the large round bed set in the center of the light. The third was the form lying upon it, their shoulders shaking in sobs.
I immediately moved to leave the room, but the person on the bed must have sensed me, judging by the curved knife that suddenly thunked into the door frame. I turned back to see Diana sitting up, her unbound silver hair falling across her bed like a silk curtain. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly. "Your room is next door, remember?" I turned back towards the door, but suddenly she was in front of me, her hair floating down, and her eyes wide. I noticed they were red and puffy. I took a step back. She took a step forward.
"Well?" She asked. "What. Are. You doing. Here?"
"I was coming back from a match and noticed your door was open," I stammered out. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I should take my lea-" my words became a grunt as Diana flung herself at me, her arms wrapping around my neck and her face burying itself in my shoulder.
The force of her leap carried me to the ground, my blades detaching from my hips and skittering across the floor. I landed with another grunt as Diana started shaking with sobs again. I noticed she was dressed in nothing but a light gray shift, and a now familiar heat started building in my stomach. I bent my entire will to preventing my body from reacting in a more noticeable way.
"Why does she have to be so perfect?" I heard her say. I was baffled as to whom she was talking about. "Why does who have to be so perfect?" I asked. "That damn Sun-kisser, Leona," she replied. She raised her head up to look at me. Her gray eyes bored into mine, and I saw more tears threatening to spill out. "Not only is she more beautiful than me, everyone thinks she is better than me just because she is a symbol of the Sun. But she is not better! The Moon is above all!" She broke down at the end and started sobbing into my shoulder again.
I don't know what to do here, I thought. Well, for one, you can relate with her in the fact that you think the Moon is better as well, Vashirik said in my head. At least it's something you have in common.
I reached a hand up and brushed Diana's hair back, feeling somewhat awkward. She looked back up at me. "Well, I'm not one of those who prefer the burning Sun over the tranquil Moon. I'd much rather bask in the light of the full Moon than hide in the shade from the Sun." She blinked, then started crying again, this time burying her face into my neck. "Thank you," I heard from her.
I wrapped my arms around her. "Anytime, Silver Maiden," I whispered to her. I heard her mumble something else, but I couldn't make it out. "Hmm?" I asked. She raised her head again, her face red in embarrassment. "Is... could... I-I mean, if you have nothing..." she stopped and gulped. "Could you stay with me tonight? Please? I just need someone to talk to." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and she turned her head away. "Forgive me, I cannot ask this of you. If you do not wish to, I understand." I stopped her by pulling her tighter. "I'd be happy to, Diana. But could we move this somewhere other than the floor? The wood is not very comfortable." I was rewarded with a laugh, if a somewhat shaky one. She pushed herself up, extending a hand for me. I grasped it, enjoying for a moment the feel of her soft skin. I was surprised at the ease that she pulled me up.
You know, Vashirik said. If you wanted, you could have her. What do you mean? I asked. I heard him sigh. I mean, you could be rid of that pesky virginity of yours. It wouldn't even be a challenge. No, I responded. She said she needed a friend, so that is what I'm going to be. Just a sympathetic ear and a companion, nothing more. Again Vashirik sighed. Humans. I will never understand them... I felt his presence fade to the back of my mind. I turned my attention back to the material and noticed Diana staring at me with her head cocked. "Sorry," I said. "I was talking to my other half." She nodded. "I could tell," she stated. "You got a little crease right here." She pointed to a point in between her eyebrows.
"Huh," I said. "I never realized that. Interesting." I looked around her room, noticing for the first time that there were no furnishings other than the bed. Not even an armor rack or weapon stand. Then I realized her armor and weapon couldn't be found. "Hey, Diana. Where's your armor? And your crescent blade? I thought you were never without it?"
She smiled strangely. "I am not." She walked into the middle of the room, stepping into the pool of moonlight. Suddenly, her body shimmered, and a moment later her silver and black armor coalesced about her. She reached upwards, palm stretched towards the Moon, and her crescent blade materialized in a flash of silver. The moonlight shined off of her armor and hair, casting a halo of silver about her. "Beautiful," I whispered, then realized I had actually spoken aloud. I clamped my mouth shut and felt a blush burning across my face. Diana smiled, and the armor faded away, leaving her again in the light shift.
I walked to the bed and looked at Diana. She was still smiling, and sat down at the edge of the bed. I hesitated a moment, then sat next to her. As soon as I did, she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me down. I gulped, and she must have heard it, cause she smiled again. "Do not worry, I will not tell anyone about this, especially not Lux." I felt my pointed ear twitch. "Why is it that everyone keeps pushing me to Lux? I don't even know her!" I would have kept going, but Diana broke into a shaky laughing fit. Even though her voice was rough from crying, the laugh was pleasant to my ears. After a few moments, she calmed down. "Everyone can see she is just a good match for you. At least anyone that knows the little one. She is not very talkative outside the Fields."
"I picked that much up, at least," I responded. "I don't even know who she is, really. All I know is that she was trained in the Demacian military." Diana laughed again.
"You know the Might of Demacia, Garen Crownguard?" I nodded. I had heard of the man, a soldier born, with shoulders as wide as I was tall and enough honor to pardon an entire village. "Well, Luxanna Crownguard is his baby sister."
My heart stopped for a moment. All I could imagine was Garen bringing his ridiculously sized greatsword to use on the top of my head. "Wait, that means not only is she a soldier and protected by her brother, she's also a noble in Demacia?" Diana nodded. "Fourth or fifth in line for the throne, behind Prince Jarvan and others of her family." My head hurt with all the wrong I could see in the situation. I heard Vashirik guffawing in my head. "By the Dark, what have I gotten myself into?" I groaned. "Well," Diana said, "you would only be in trouble if Garen found out. He has a reputation for being pretty thick, though, so you might be fine."
I shook my head, shoving the concerns to the back of my mind. "Well whatever happens will happen. I thought I was supposed to be comforting you?" Diana chuckled and snuggled her head deeper into my shoulder. "You are, Alexei, you are. You just look cute when you are afraid for your life. You look cute in general..." At that she giggled, then sighed with contentment. I looked down at her, and saw that her eyes were closed, part of my shirt balled up in her fist. I realized that she had fallen asleep, and fought against leaving. Instead, I decided to study her. One of the sayings in Ionia is that you see a persons true face as they sleep.
The first thing I really saw was the mark of the Moon on her forehead, a crescent suspended beneath the circle of a full moon. In the moonlight, it shined softly. I also saw the dark markings around her eyes, which didn't seem to have been marred by her crying. Are they tattoos? I thought, resisting the urge to reach up and touch them. I looked over the rest of her face, noting only a few lines to mar an otherwise flawless face. She must have gone through a lot, I thought. If she's that self-conscious about this Leona. I decided to ask her about it one day.
My eyes traveled lower to where her body was pressed against mine. I noticed the shape of her breasts, and quickly tore my eyes from them. Just a friend, that's all that I am going to be. Well, that and a pillow, apparently. I smiled, and leaned my head back to peer at the full moon through the skylight. What I saw almost made me bolt upright.
The moon was as large as I had ever seen it! I could make out individual craters on her silver face. After a moment, I realized the skylight must have been enchanted to serve as a telescope. I felt Diana stirring, and reached a hand up to smooth her silver hair. She mumbled slightly in her sleep, something I couldn't make out. I dismissed it after a few seconds, and smiled again and dropped my head back to continue staring at the moon.
I felt my eyes grow heavy, and surrendered to sleep...
I was awakened by the feeling of lips on mine. My eyes snapped open to witness Diana pulling away, a small smile on her lips. I sat up, noticingimmediatelythat the room was still dark, even though I knew it must be morning. Looking up, I saw a cover over the skylight, leaving the room in darkness during the day. I looked back to Diana, lifting my fingers to my lips as I did. "A thank you," she explained before I could ask. Her smile disappeared for a moment. "Just do not expect any more."
I raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "I never expect anything but battle. Kinda inevitable where I'm concerned. But I am honored to receive that kind of thank you." I stretched my arms upward, only then realizing my chest was bare. "Ummm, Diana? Where's my shirt?" I looked at her to see a mischievous smile quickly disappear. "Maybe the Moon took it? She is a fickle Goddess, she is."
I narrowed my eyes, then sighed. "Well, I guess I'll have to go without it under my armor. Wait, where's my armor?" I looked around with my eyes wide, then slapped myself in the forehead. "I had it teleported to my room, I'm an idiot. I should go." I went to move off the bed, but Diana stopped me with a hand on my chest.
"I would rather it not be known about my... breakdown," she started. "I have an image to uphold, after all. The Moon is cold, calculating, and emotionless." I was shaking my head as she finished. "Maybe to you, Priestess. To me, the Moon is soft, loving. She watches over those who walk in the night. She isn't emotionless. Rather, She hides her emotions to not be a trouble to anyone else." I shrugged. "That's how I see her anyways." I moved off of the bed and walked to the door, scooping my blades up as I walked, binding them to my back. As I reached the door, I looked back to see Diana staring at me. Her hair was still unbound, evoking the image of a waterfall. Her eyes were wide.
"If ever you need me, please, ask," I stated as I walked out of her door, closing it behind me. I moved over to my door and opened it. I didn't know what I was going to do for the day. I think I need to find another shirt, for starters, I thought, closing the door and locking it. Wait, didn't I lock my door when I left yesterday? Immediately, my eyes snapped around the room and my hands reached for my katanas. I didn't notice anything different, and I slowly lowered my hands. I guess I just forgot to-
A shadow detached from my ceiling and shot towards me. All I had time to notice was a large pair of scythe-like claws, glowing a strange purple, before the being was in range to attack. It swept a claw at my chest, which I avoided by leaping backwards. Unfortunately, my door was in the way, and I suffered a deep scratch from the creature across my stomach. A bitter cold seeped from the wound, and I gasped. VOID ENERGY! Vashirik yelled. MONGREL CREATURE! My leg lifted without my will directing it and kicked the creature straight in the head, sending it careening towards my bed. It crashed into the footboard and collapsed. I swept my katanas from my back, ready to meet the next charge from the creature.
Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be any worse for wear from Vashirik's kick. It shook its domed head and I got a clear look at it. It was slightly shorter than me, but hunched over, meaning it would most likely be taller when standing straight. Its skin was an deep oily purple, reflecting the light like an insect. A row of bone-spikes sprouted from its shoulders, and it sported a pair of scythe claws longer than my own arms. It lifted its head and stared at me with eyes glowing green. It lifted its thin lips to reveal a set of gleaming fangs.
The creature lifted the claw it had cut me with and flicked out a purple tongue to lick my lighter purple blood off of it. Its eyes glowed brighter and it snapped its gaze back to me. "Ahhhhh, deliciousssss," the thing hissed. I was surprised at its ability to speak, considering it was obviously alien to this plane. "Your energy isss that of the Fell Plane. It ssshall further our change. It ssshall be ourssss!" It leaped at me again, this time bringing both claws in line with my head. I dodged to the right and swept my blade at it, the unnaturally sharp edge carving a line along its shoulder. The creature hissed and jumped back, staring at the wound. Dark-colored ichor seeped from the cut, and the creature hissed again at the sight of it. It turned its gaze back to me, and I saw the spikes on its shoulders quiver. In an instant, the creature had launched a full salvo of bone-spikes at me.
I fell into myself and swept my blades before me, deflecting each projectile away from my body. After the last one slammed into the wall behind me, I again locked stares with the thing. It hissed at me again, and sprang forward. I braced to meet it, but it suddenly flickered out of sight. I was stunned for a moment and barely lifted my blade in time to block a claw coming from my left side. The block was solid, but I could barely hold the point from my skin, wary of the dark purple energy emanating from it. The creature faded back into view, its mouth open in a feral grimace. I pushed back with all of my strength and led a stab with my other blade, aiming for the things throat.
It broke the lock and leaped away again. It growled and I saw plates on its back spring up. From beneath the plates, a pair of translucent wings sprouted. It turned and slammed a claw into my window, shattering the glass.
It turned back to me, boring into me with its strange green eyes. "I ssshall feed upon you on the Fieldsss, Daemon. And you ssshall be my greatessst feassst. Remember the name of the Voidreaver, the name of your end. I am Kha'zix." With that, the creature leaped out of my window and disappeared. I waited a few moments to make sure it was gone, then relaxed my grip on my katanas. I looked around my room and groaned. I really do not want to bother Kayle not even two days after telling her about Vayne's attack. What am I going to do? Find this damned Voidborn and tear it apart! Vashirik growled from my mind. This was no normal Void weakling. Whatever it was,it was strong. And the invisibility shocked me. I'll have to be wary. First things first... I walked to my window and glanced out. I noticed it was almost noon, the sun almost directly overhead. I didn't see the creature Kha'zix, but kept an ear open as I turned away to look at the wall next to my door.
The bone-spikes were embedded almost as deeply as Vayne's bolt had been. Remembering that, I glanced to where it had been to see a perfectly smooth wall. That's some magic these Summoners have. I guess I could ask Darsaj about clearing all of this. Until then, I think I might have to find another room. I briefly entertained returning to Diana's room, but quickly dismissed it. I shouldn't push my luck, I thought. I turned to my armor rack to see the gray leather ensemble appropriately placed on the mannequin. Draped across one of the arms was a light gray shirt, resembling the one I suspected had been stolen by Diana, but not it. I guess the Summoners don't respect privacy as they should. Interesting...
I pulled the shirt on, grimacing a little as it brushed over the quickly closing wound from Kha'zix's claw. By the time I had finished putting on my armor, the wound had disappeared, only a faint white line marking the cut. Now, let's go talk to Darsaj about another room. I think this one is too popular... I walked back through my door, straining a slight amount because one of the spikes was lodged into the hinges.
As I tried and failed to close my door, I heard a step behind me. I turned my head, glimpsing a short shock of red hair at hip height. Despite the slightly bad start to my day, I couldn't help but smile as Annie wrapped her little arms around my waist.
"Rawr!" she yelled. I gasped and looked down, smiling again at the sight of Annie's wide grin and glowing eyes.
"You scared me, little one," I said, dropping a hand to ruffle her hair. "Eep!" she squeaked, pushing away and straightening her hair with her hands. She looked back at me with a scowl on her little face. I couldn't help laughing at the cuteness of the sight. "Hey, I'm going to see my Summoner about something. You wanna tag along?"
Annie's face lit up again, and she leaped forward to grab my arm. "Sure, Lexy! Maybe we could see Luxie!" Before I could say anything, she had started dragging me down the hall. Well, I guess I can't stop her, I thought, trying to keep my feet as Annie skipped down the hall with me in tow. Maybe I could get another look at Lux...
Well, this one took me waaaaay too damn long. So sorry v.v As always, thanks for reading and Stay tuned for the next chapter :D
