Author's Note: Thanks so much for the Reviews! I know some people are trying to pick apart the sudden start from the first chapter but as I stated earlier I promise that things will soon come to light :) I'm doing my best to keep the characters well... in character. Riven and Irelia's back stories are fun to work with.
This chapter was a little shorter than I wanted but at the same time the event line wouldn't allow me to extend it without adding unnecessary filler which can mess with the flow of a story. The next chapter, however, will be longer. That much is for certain.
Please feel free to express your thoughts on the story thus far. Reviews and feed back is a way to keep me writing. Enjoy :3
Chapter 4: Balance Seeks Opposites
A calm breeze softly danced through the gardens causing all manners of vegetation to sway. The gentle trickling sound of water complemented the serenity of its peaceful surroundings as it flowed to a decently sized pond at the center of the gardens. Brightly colored fish of various shapes and sizes lazily wiggled just below the water's surface throughout the pond. The fish would swiftly scatter when flower pedals disturbed the surface of the pond as the breeze blew them loose from the trees.
A woman sat quietly near the water's edge. The weapon consisting of four blades silently bobbed in the air at its master's side. Her long onyx hair gently swayed with the breeze as she drew in a deep breath through her nose. Irelia's slender form remained completely still as she held her breath for a short moment then exhaled just as slow and relaxed like she had inhaled. A soft smile pulled at her corners of her lips. She enjoyed the peace and tranquility she can achieve here but it could never compare to how she feels back in her homeland of Ionia.
The resting blades of the weapon began to quiver slightly as a figure approached Irelia.
"Hm?" she opened her jade eyes and turned her head to acknowledge the approaching person. "Ah, Lee Sin," she smiled as the monk bowed his head and sat down next to the captain of the guard.
"Good afternoon captain," the monk smiled. His voice was deep, calm, soothing and riddled with wisdom. It had been awhile since the two Ionians could sit down and converse in a peaceful setting that didn't involve the Fields of Justice.
"No need for formalities, Lee. You're my friend, not one of my subordinates," Irelia said as she looked back out over the pond. There was a quiet pause between Irelia and her company.
"What misgivings plague your thoughts Irelia?" Lee Sin asked with a calm and neutral tone. The monk may be blind physically, but when it came down to one's thoughts and feelings he was far from it.
Irelia's eyes shifted down to her lap as she tried to come up with an answer for Lee. She knew she had been caught about her troubled thoughts and she couldn't lie to him, not because she couldn't physically lie but more so it was impossible to lie to Lee Sin. The captain took a deep breath and sighed before answering to Lee, "I fear someone I care about is deteriorating before my very eyes and there is nothing I can do to help them. I almost feel helpless."
Lee Sin's expression remained neutral as there was another brief moment of silence between them both. "I assume this regards your Noxian friend, yes? What do you mean by deteriorate young one?"
"She see's things no one else can. She hears things that are not there. She fights things one cannot purge. She is at war with the ghosts of the past… and I fear she is losing," Irelia's voice cracked slightly. There was no hiding it; she really did care about Riven's wellbeing. No one, Noxian or not, deserved to suffer from the sickening consumption of hungering madness. "How can you fight that which is not real…?"
"Have you called an exorcist?" the monk chuckled slightly in an attempt to get a smile of Irelia; it worked. "All jokes aside this is no laughing manner. Have you tried talking to Riven about this?"
Irelia nodded slightly, "I have tried but she refuses to talk or answer a question. She pushes away the ones that want to help. There is no middle ground to be met—"
"Balance seeks opposites," Lee interrupted, "Be persistent, yet patient. In time your friend will realize that more can be accomplished with help. You need to find the balance between both. Too much persistence may push her further away. Too much patients and she may lose herself completely. The middle ground is the missing balance that can be achieved."
The female warrior sighed and acknowledged the wise monk for his words. She thought about the first time she realized Riven wasn't entirely there. It was long ago. Long before either of them would have thought of facing one another again within the league.
It had been months after Noxus had retreated from Ionian shores. A glum and grey sky loomed solemnly over The Placidium as if the very land itself was still mourning over the casualties of its people. Tired Ionian civilians and warriors alike drug their feet through the streets further expressing the exhaustion the people suffered. A younger Irelia could feel the low spirits of her people as she walked towards a guard's post. The sound of a wood crate breaking down an alleyway caught her attention.
A hooded figure wearing a long brown cloak slowly stood up from the ground in the alleyway. Irelia quietly watched the figure get up. 'Likely from the southern territories and homeless,' she thought before realizing the language the figure spoke was not that of her own. Noxian.
The Captain of the Guard clenched her teeth as she swiftly approached the hooded figure. She could feel her blades quiver as if reflecting the anger that burned deep in her heart.
The figure turned and backed up against the wall as they felt the tips of the blades touch their neck. The hood had fallen back from the sudden movement.
Irelia's jade eyes narrowed from anger as she looked at the tired crimson eyes that stared back at hers. She knew who it was, a Commander that was a heartless monster responsible for slaughtering many of her people in cold blood. Riven.
However, something was different. Irelia could see the pain reflected in the eyes of her enemy. The internal torture written all over the Noxian Commanders face.
"Do it," Riven spat. "End me if you even have the guts to, 'Captain.' Spill my blood like that weapon of yours so strongly desires to. Stain your hands further as I've done to mine."
Irelia's onyx eyebrows pulled together as she stared Riven down. Was that fear in her eyes? Irelia jumped back slightly as the fair-haired Noxian ripped herself away from her and growled painfully as her hands grabbed fistfuls of alabaster locks.
"Stop it!" she pleaded, "The screaming… The begging…Leave me alone!" Riven exerted a loud yell as she slammed her fists onto the ground. "I'll kill you! I'll do it with a smile on my face you traitorous bastards!"
Irelia could only watch the Noxian. Her eyes shifted to the broken sword that lay only feet away from the commander. Irelia's brow furrowed as she looked back at the grounded soldier. "Spilling your blood won't bring back the dead. There is no honor in slaughtering a warrior with a shattered mind. Fate has already determined your punishment. I shall not interfere. Suffer in pieces, 'Commander' Riven."
Irelia felt a lump in her throat as she recalled the first time she'd ever met the now exiled Noxian. The cold, vengeful words she used. It was upsetting, but nothing could compare to that face. That face full of pain and anguish that pleaded for help burned into Irelia's mind. There was a time Riven wanted and needed help but she was denied.
Back when you hated me…
Riven's words from earlier echoed through her thoughts. I was blinded by vengeance and anger… Irelia's guilty thoughts plagued her.
You know nothing of the word.
Irelia sat quietly while Riven's words tugged hard at her heartstrings. I know regret…I've lived with the regret of wishing you to suffer…No one deserves to suffer like that.
"You know what to do," Lee Sin smiled as he got Irelia's attention once more. The blind monk took a deep breath. "We have company."
Irelia cocked an eyebrow before turning around only to see an exhausted and panting Lux. "Oh my," Irelia said as she got up from the ground and half jogged over to the heaving Demacian. "Lux? Are you alright?"
Lux tried to speak but waved her hand as she attempted to catch her breath. The blonde just wanted to sit down for the time being.
"Lee do you mind getting Lux some water?" Irelia called out to her friend.
The blind monk nodded and stood up to get something to drink for the exhausted light mage. Lee Sin shortly returned with water to help Lux recover her ability to speak.
"I…figured…it…out," she gasped as she took a drink and cleared her throat after. Lux began to take deep breaths to calm her breathing before she continued to talk. "I did some reading and I think I've figured out how we can help Riven, but first I need to tell you that she may have gotten hurt in a match today."
Irelia's eyes grew sick with worry. "What do you mean she got hurt in a match? How is that even possible?"
Lux took a couple more deep breaths before she spoke again, "I was told by Quinn that Riven and her summoner were bouncing in and out of connection and it caused her to die way more than a champion should. She could be hurt from that; I mean they almost forcibly stopped the match because of it."
Irelia was silent as she listened to the blonde talk. "We need to go to the infirmary," Irelia finally mumbled as she stood up, pulling Lux up with her. "You can fill me in on what you read after we get there." The Ionian turned her attention to Lee Sin who stood nearby. "Lee, let's speak again real soon," Irelia bowed to the monk and started to half pull the Demacian along with her as they walked towards the exit of the garden.
"Thanks for the water, Lee!" The light mage waved her arm as Irelia continued to half drag her away.
Lee Sin simply smiled and raised his forearm to bid farewell to Lux and Irelia. The blind monk stood there quietly as he listened to the footsteps of the champions he was just with fading. A gentle breeze rustled Lee's clothing and his long braid swayed slightly. What truly plagues your thoughts and mind, Irelia? Is that worry or regret that drives you to care… or do I sense longing that dwells in your heart? I guess only time will tell. How the tides have turned in time.