Chapter 3

Her brain running at full speed, Lux strode away without even thanking Lucian, ignoring all the eyes staring at her. She went to Soraka's room and opened the door without knocking. The healer was sitting at her desk, preparing some ointments. "Lux?" she asked "What are you doing here? I thought you were in the Fields." She looked concern by the distraught look on the blonde's face.

"I was, but something is off. I couldn't cast a single spell. It's like something is...broken. Please, you have to help me. It's gotta be related to the incident with Fiddlesticks."

"I checked your energy and I can assure you it was regenerating. Can you try to use your power?"

Lux had to stop her body from shaking and her eyes from tearing up. She deeply breathed and used her power. For a moment, she had the absurd thought that she had been hallucinating the whole time, and that everything was perfectly normal. Sparks came out of the staff, but nothing more.

"It happened in the Rift, all the time." she said, averting her eyes from Soraka.

"Let me check your energy level once again." Soraka had Lux lie on the bed, and she started her test. When her eyes lost their white color, she said "It is weird: your energy acts like it is rising, but its level is exactly the same as yesterday. Did you feel tired this morning?"

"No, I was fine. It's just my power which won't work."

"I see." the healer sat on the bed. "Look, I'm not going to lie to you: it is undoubtedly related to your encounter with Fiddlesticks the other night. I think he used dark magic on you, maybe some kind of curse stopping your magical energy from regenerating."

"What can I do about it? I can't go back to the Rift like this!"

"To be honest, I don't know. It is the first time I have to deal with such a spell." Soraka took Lux's hand, staring at her in the eye. "I will look deeper into it. You have my word."

"Thank you." After a few seconds, Lux asked "Should I tell anyone about it?"

Soraka thought before sighing "I don't know. Diana and I have kept it a secret, but if you wish to inform someone, I will not stop you. The only thing I can suggest you is think about the aftermaths of revealing this. A wind of panic within the Institute is the last thing we need right now, as the championship is approaching.

The championship! Lux had completely forgotten about it, and her heart sunk in her chest. "I won't be able to participate. Not if we don't find a cure in the next days."

"I'll try my best." the healer repeated. "Until then, I will inform the Masters that you are unable to participate in any incoming matches. Does this suite you?"

"I guess I don't have a choice." Lux replied more curtly than she expected.

"You always have a choice." Soraka smiled.

Lux thanked her once again, and dragged her feet out of the room.

The following days, Lux was so stressed that she could barely sleep. She wanted to see as few people as possible while waiting for the healer's word. When it finally reached her, she ran to Soraka's room, surprised to see Diana next to the healer.

"What are you doing here?" Lux asked.

"Just passing by."

"You said you had some news." Lux said to Soraka.

"I do," Soraka wasn't paying attention to the Lunari standing next to her "and here's the info I have gathered: it is an actual curse, an old one which was used many centuries ago in the Shadow Isles. Basically, the caster sucks up the magical energy of their victims and stores it in an item. The power remains in the item until a mage powerful enough breaks it to unleash the energy it contains. This curse was often related to a dark ritual which consisted of transferring the stolen power into a dead body in order to give it life. It would create immortal and fierce beings, close to gods."

The revelation stunned Lux. "Why me? I mean, there are many other mages, more powerful than me here."

"Don't take it badly," Soraka replied "but I think your were targeted because you are younger and have less experience than any other mage here. In other words, you're more naïve."

"I'm not, I..."

"You did not bring your staff," Diana snapped her "and you agreed to meet someone you didn't know anything about in a remote place. I call this recklessness."

Lux shot her at sight before turning to the healer "Is there a way to stop it?"

"The victim can only be cured if they break the item themselves. Their energy will recognize where it comes from, and flow back inside the original body, therefore breaking the barrier formed by the curse, and allowing itself to regenerate normally."

Lux's body stiffened. Was she supposed to chase down this damn scarecrow? As she remained silent, Soraka added "If you want, I will try to find more information about this curse, and maybe I will be able to create a spell to cure it, but the probabilities of success are very low. All the texts about this dark curse have been destroyed in order to stop people from discovering how it works. I will tell you if I find anything, okay?"

Lux nodded in silence. Soraka was her only hope and everything was now falling apart. Ignoring Diana's look, she thanked the healer and left.

Lux spent the entire night twisting and turning in her bed, but sleep was avoiding her. She definitely could not tell anyone else about it. If the word reached her brother, he would come back and jeopardize his mission which was more important than his sister's health. Moreover, if the greatest healer could not find a proper way to cure her, how could anyone else help her? She didn't want to be at the center of attention in the Institute. She had to retrieve her power, however, no matter what. Her decision was made and she managed to relax and sleep a bit. The next morning, she packed her stuff, stealing supplies from the workers' kitchens and left early at dawn. She was sure nobody would be up. The other issue was her destination. Soraka had mentioned the Shadow Isles, but Lux had no way of knowing whether Fiddlesticks would he headed there. As no better idea sprang to her mind, she decided to bet it all on the eastern island. From what she had heard, the Shadow Isles were a myth, and few people believed they actually existed. Legends depicted the place as a haunted land, deadly to any living being. Lux's resolution failed for a second, but she pulled herself together. She walked out of the Institute.

As she strode past a small park, a throat clearing startled her. "Going somewhere?" the Scorn of the Moon asked with a voice full of sarcasm. She emerged from behind a tree.

"Why do you care?" Lux replied. "And what are you doing here anyways?"

"I feel more comfortable at night. I was enjoying a stroll."

"With your weapon and armor?" Lux had immediately noticed Diana's outfit.

"Why not? Now tell me. What are you doing up this early."

"That's none of your business" Lux growled although it became more and more difficult to look at the Lunari in the eye.

"You're going to the Shadow Isles, aren't you." Lux didn't reply anything, so she carried on "Soraka feared that you would make a reckless decision and asked me to look after you. You will go back to your room, so we can get this over with."

"I don't take orders from you," Lux snapped her "and you can go back and tell Soraka I don't need a guardian angel." As she moved to keep walking, Diana dashed and appeared in front of her.

"I take no pleasure in babysitting you, but I trust Soraka. If you decide to go anyways, I will come with you." she coldly said.

"What? Why would you do this? I don't need a babysitter." Lux tried to go around the Lunari, but the latter blocked her way with her blade. "Let me pass!"

"Soraka is probably the purest soul in this rotten place, and I would never dispute her judgment. I thought you highly respected her too, but if you refuse her help by sending me away, it clearly shows how selfish and untrustworthy you are, along with your lack of consideration for the person who's been trying to help you from the beginning." Diana's speech hit the mage like a train. Could she actually trust this woman? She blindingly trusted Soraka, though, and could not decline her help.

"Fine," she spat "come if you want."

"I'm not here because I want it, Luxanna."

They glared at each other before leaving.