On our way to Morgon pass I explained all that had happened to us in the past few days, she knew what was happening now.

"So now we're all stuck together."

"I get it now, poor Liam it must've been rough losing your father!"

A tear escaped my eye as memories of my father flashed by in my mind, reminding me that I must stop at nothing to find him.

"I'm devastated on the inside, thanks for your compassion Riven."

"Aww, that's no problem at all!"

Katarina huffed when she heard Riven talking to me like that, it was like she was jealous or something.

"Is someone jealous?"

"No, it's just pathetic that she's so compassionate!"

"Guess not!"

"Quit your bitching for fuck's sake, at least try to be friendly!"

"Why should I, I hate all of you!"

I slapped her hard across the face, causing hers and the others' jaw to drop in shock.

"I've had just about enough of your fucking temper you heartless bitch!"

"You're going to regret doing that!"

She punched me in the gut with full force but this time I was so fuelled by anger that I felt absolutely nothing. We were about to start another fight when an annoyed Lux stepped between us, preventing us from beating each other to death.

"Would you just stop, you're acting like kids!"

I said nothing and walked forward like nothing had ever happened as the others followed.

"He's so cute when he's angry… Damn it, I can't stop thinking about him!"

It was a pretty silent walk for me while they chatted behind me; even Thresh was enjoying the conversations. After a while of walking Liam advised us to stop and set up a camp, but we had only one problem.

"There are no tents for Riven so I guess she's sleeping outside."

Liam disagreed with me and tried to convince me to share the tent with her.

"We have enough space but you'll have to sleep without the bag between us."

"No, that's not going to happen. You can share your side with Riven if you want to, but the bag stays!"

"It's ok guys I have a tent of my own."

I sighed in relief and we set up the camp. I and Liam entered our tent and I once again put my bag between us.

"Goodnight."

I didn't respond, when is he going to learn that he isn't getting anywhere with trying to be nice to me. I fell asleep soon afterwards and woke up to an eerie noise coming from outside the tent. I immediately woke Liam up as he lazily opened his eyes.

"Wake up now!"

"Wha…what?"

He came to his senses as soon as he heard the noise and quickly rose to his feet, putting on his armor.

"What's that terrible noise!?"

"I don't know, it sounds like some sort of dark magic!"

"I have a bad feeling about this!"

Thresh bolted inside our tent with a serious look on his face, we immediately knew something was wrong.

"Vel'Koz is here; get up right now you two!"

We got out of the tent as I woke up Lux and Riven before we would go to the source of the noise. I quickly explained what was going on to the two confused women as they prepared for battle. Instead of us finding the noise though, it found us. The enormous creature stood before us as we all looked at it with pure terror in our eyes, except Thresh of course that abomination was eager to face the creature of the void.

"Ahh finally, fresh subjects for me to study!"

Thresh stepped forward with his scythe drawn before throwing it straight at the giant eye. Vel'Koz only fired one blast from his eye, knocking the scythe away.

"I detect the presence of undead. Fascinating, I must know more about you!"

He opened a rift below us but all of us except Thresh managed to get out of the way. He was engulfed by the void magic as Vel'Koz created a tectonic disruption, sending Thresh into the air. Right before he was about to disintegrate him with one final move, I threw a dagger which was headed straight for his eye. It was immediately disintegrated even before it reached it and he turned around in one swift motion, his gaze fixed upon me, Liam, Riven and Lux.

"Insolent human, how dare you interrupt my examination!"

He threw an energy bolt into Lux which then exploded and hit Liam and Riven as well. Lux and Riven were knocked out cold as Liam was merely knocked on the ground. As soon as it hit Liam though, the creature seemed to show signs of pain as well, but that wouldn't save me from what he was about to do next. He prepared himself to disintegrate me as I stood there motionless and in fear.

"This is the end for me; nobody can save me from this monstrosity. I should've at least apologized to Liam for things I did to him and now I'll die with guilt in my soul. Goodbye world, I had a good life."

Vel'Koz released the almighty disintegration ray at me as I closed my eyes ready to embrace death. The ray never came though, was I already dead? I opened my eyes to see Liam standing before me, blocking the ray.

"Go Katarina, I can't… hold on… for much… longer!"

I jumped away from the blocked ray as I watched the creature squeal in pain while the ray continued to scorch Liam.

"Did he just… He just risked his own life for me! I've offended him so much and yet here he is, giving his life so that I could live. He is a real friend unlike the many I had known in Noxus."

An explosion followed the squealing of pain as darkness shrouded my eyes. I was the first one to wake up and I looked around to see damage the explosion had done to the land. As I saw Liam lying on the ground before me I ran to him, trying to wake him up.

"Wake up, please wake up!"

He coughed, opened his eyes and smiled.

"Well hello there!"

I hugged him tightly and he was surprised as if he was looking at a miracle.

"Thank god you're okay!"

"No Katarina, are you okay!?"

We got up and he just looked at me with confusion in his eyes.

"Yes, I've never felt better!"

"Well this is strange, how come you're suddenly so nice to me?"

"You saved my life Liam and I'm eternally grateful for what you did. I'm sorry for all the things I've done to you, I take it all back. You're a friend like no other!"

I smiled knowing that what I did just changed her life forever.

"Apology accepted; I always knew you had a soft side!"

"I'm glad that we can be friends!"

"We should see how the others are doing though."

"I'll go check on Lux and Riven."

"Alright, I'll check on Thresh then."

We stopped walking as soon as we saw that damn eye thing wake up from his slumber. He got closer to me and focused his gaze on me as I just stood there, not knowing what to do.

"There is no need to fear me Liam; I already know everything about you and most of your friends."

"What, how?"

"It seems that the soul binding had given me access to yours and your soulbound friends' mind."

The others got up too and just stared at Vel'Koz with pure terror, only Thresh had no signs of fear in his eyes.

"I know every dirty little secret and the darkness of your minds. I must say though, you have a very clean mind Liam not a single bad thing in your mind except the loss of your father."

Katarina didn't trust this creature of the void; she didn't believe any of the words he said.

"Prove it then, tell me something that only I would know!"

"You though Liam was cute ever since you met even though you hated him."

I smiled as her face turned red, she believed him now.

"Oh did she now?"

"Do not mock her; you thought the same about her! Must I recite every single thought of yours?"

We were both red as tomatoes by now, I shouldn't joke around with him or he could reveal everything about us. Riven was only one left who didn't believe Vel'Koz and decided to question him herself.

"I still don't believe any of your words, monster!"

"Sadly, I can only access the memories of Liam and those who were bound to him, I know nothing about you."

"See, he's making this up!"

"Very well then, let me quote some of the recent thoughts of you fellow companions, for example Katarina."

She stared at him with terror in her eyes; she didn't want her innermost thought revealed.

"No, don't you dare!"

"Ahem, I do hate him, but he is kinda cute and really handsome too said Katarina to herself as she stared at Liam."

Everybody except me, Katarina and Lux burst out in insane laughter, Riven was almost crying from the sheer amount of laughter.

"Ha, ha, ha this is gold, Katarina Du Couteau the Sinister Blade fantasizes over a Demacian!"

I remained completely serious, stunned even, does a Noxian assassin really have feelings for me?

He turned to Thresh who was worried about what Vel'Koz might reveal about him now.

"Thresh I know why and how you became what you are today and I must say you will be quite an interesting person to talk to."

"You are quite interesting yourself Vel'Koz. We shall talk at night time when all of them will be asleep."

"Very well, I'm looking forward to it!"

Vel'Koz was an interesting being, he is calm and intelligent compared to other voidborn. He knows so much about us, yet I don't know a thing about him.

"So Vel'Koz, how did you enter Runeterra anyways?"

"I was summoned through a summoning ritual performed by Malzahar, but he wanted to use me as his servant to which I didn't oblige so I escaped Icathia searching for greater knowledge. I was so close to grasping the ultimate knowledge of time, but I was unlucky as Zilean had left Urtistan."

"What's the void like?"

"Dark and riddled with my kind, I miss it."

"So the void is another dimension?"

"No one knows really, it is counted as one by many though."

"I must say, I really admire your intelligence."

"Why thank you, not many people have acknowledged that!"

"It was nice talking to you!"

"A good talk indeed!"

We decided to rest a little before continuing with our journey so we climbed up a nearby cliff to have a beautiful view of the land. Lux and Riven chatted about girl stuff, Vel'Koz and Thresh practised their abilities on each other and Katarina climbed up a nearby tree as I followed her up. She sat down on a branch which was hanging right over the edge of the cliff but I was afraid for my safety so I didn't follow her.

"Oh come on, come sit with me!"

"Umm, don't you thing that's a little too dangerous!?"

"Someone's a pussy!"

I gave in and carefully sat next to her not wanting to plummet down into the depths.

"Are you happy now?"

"Just look at the view, isn't it great?"

"Yeah it is, but we could've had the same view from a safer place!"

"Just enjoy the view and don't complain about danger!"

I relaxed and tried not to think about falling to my death, it helped me a lot though.

"So what's next for us?"

"I don't know; let me look at the new glyph."

I looked down at my armor and noticed an anchor shaped dark blue glyph.

"An anchor, I wonder who that could be."

"Definitely someone connected with the sea."

"That would probably be someone from Bilgewater, but who?"

"My father used to tell me stories about one man who was left to die in the seas and returned back seeking revenge. He wielded an anchor, but I forgot his name."

"I've been to Bilgewater before and I once saw the man you're talking about, his name is Nautilus."

"Alright then, we'll head to Piltover and sail to Bilgewater."

"So Liam, from which region of Demacia are you anyways?"

"I lived in a small remote village a few hours of walking away from the city."

"What happened back there, how did you lose your father?"

"I woke up and the whole village including my father was gone, the only one there was Thresh who just came by in search for fresh victims. I miss my father so much, I was so happy with my old life."

"At least you had a caring father unlike me."

She looked down in sadness; I immediately knew she was remembering some very painful memories.

"He never cared about me and when I was little he even beat me when I failed at certain things. He forced me to become an assassin and I embraced it in a few years. I was happy for quite some time, but now I'm feeling like there's something missing in my life."

"I think what she needs is love which she never received before in her life."

"And what is that?"

"I really don't know I just know there's something."

I decided it was best to help her get over her sad moment so I moved closer and embraced her. She was surprised by this, but gave in and leaned her head on my shoulder.

I watched the two up on the tree carefully and then my heart sank when I saw Liam hug her as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"No, no, no, I can't let her take my Liam!"

"Lux, LUX!"

I snapped back into reality as I heard Riven yell my name.

"Oh sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts for a second."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, everything's fine."

"You can tell me, I promise I won't tell anybody."

I sighed and shared my innermost secret with her, I trusted her.

"I have a crush on Liam and I'm worried that Katarina might get in the way."

"You should try and win him over somehow, try to prevent moments like that over there."

"Hmm, she's right but what should I do?"

"What should I do Riven?"

"For the start you should call him down and talk to him to prevent any more moments escalating from the hug. Also let Katarina know that he's going to be yours, just not in front of him!"

"Thanks for the help!"

"No problem!"

"Liam!"

I called out for him and he immediately jumped down from the tree with Katarina following him.

"What's up Lux?"

"What should I say next?"

"Where are we headed now that we've found Vel'Koz?"

"We're going to go to Piltover and sail to Bilgewater from there."

"So who's the next person we need to find?"

"His name is Nautilus; he's a giant walking tin can. Anyways I'm going to go talk to Thresh and Vel'Koz for a bit okay?"

"I'll come with you."

He left together with Riven leaving Katarina alone; it was the perfect opportunity to let her know not to touch my Liam!

"Listen Katarina, I love Liam so you better stay away from him or else!"

She laughed in order to mock me; I immediately realized that she wasn't going to back out.

"Have you been watching us recently, he's obviously more into me than into you!

She grabbed me by my armor and pointed her dagger straight at my face.

"Oh and if you try anything I won't hesitate to shove this dagger down your throat!"

I wasn't going to let her threaten me like that so I released a blast of my light magic, knocking her on the ground.

"She's smiling, why the hell is she smiling!?"

Liam had noticed what I had done and ran towards Katarina who pretended to be hurt.

"That bitch!"

"So Vel, I see you're getting along with Thresh!"

"He is quite an interesting fellow I must say and a great combatant as well!"

"Vel'Koz's abilities are very good; it's really great practising with someone who has the thrill to kill!"

Out of a sudden a loud blast of what seemed like magic was heard from nearby. As I turned around I saw Katarina lying on the ground and Lux wielding her staff.

"They must've fought!"

I ran towards Katarina and kneeled down, she seemed like she was hurt.

"What's going on here?"

"I don't know Lux just attacked me for no reason!"

"Is it because she's Noxian huh?"

"What, no!"

I knew she was lying; it's way too obvious. I'm travelling with royal Demacian and a Noxian assassin, fights like that are to be expected, but I didn't expect Lux to be the so hateful towards Noxians!

"Don't lie to me Lux!"

"I'm not lying, she was mocking me!"

"I said nothing!"

"Damn it, which one should I believe?"

"Stop lying to him bitch!"

"Yep, Lux was guilty."

"I'm going to stick with Katarina on this one, her surprised face says it all and it seems like you were the one mocking her Lux!"

"Liam why don't you believe me, you've known me for years and you've known her for just a few days!"

"Then why is she so surprised and why are you using insults like bitch?"

Vel'Koz stepped in and was about to end the fight once and for all.

"I can end this petty little ramble right now. I have access to Katarina's mind so I know what's going on and believe me once I tell you…

Before he could finish the sentence though, a spear flew by his eye missing him only for a millimeter. We all turned to the left to see the whole Rakkor tribe marching towards us, we were screwed.

"We can't fight all of them!"

Thresh ignored me and charged with his weapon drawn and managed to hook one of the tribesmen, only to have a spear plunged through his head by what seemed to be the tribe's champion. We dropped our weapons to the ground and put our hands up as the tribe surrounded us. Their greatest champion emerged from the masses of soldiers and spoke with an angry tone.

"How dare you trespass Mount Targon!"

I tried to get us out of this mess, but to no avail.

"We're sorry; we'll get on our way right now!"

He pointed his spear at me, taunting me.

"Think you could just walk away now didn't you? We have other plans for you trespassers, shackle them and bring them to the arena!"

As soon as I heard the word arena I tried to pick up my weapon and fight, but before I could react I was knocked out cold by one of the tribesmen.