Author's Note

Plot twists are going around. Oh and yeah..we have some talk about 'destiny' in this chapter. I watch to many anime and stuff like this ~.~

Chapter 7

Year of the Dragon

Somewhere on Valoran...

‟And you're pretty sure about it?", a voice said. It sounded metallic, like the person spoke through a helmet or something like this. In fact, it was so unnatural, somebody couldn't say if the speaker was a man or a woman.

‟Yes. I've calculated everything...it didn't matter", another voice said. The same thing for the other person. A metallic and unnatural voice.

‟But, what about the League? They will interfere won't they?"

‟I have made some special security instances."

‟Tse..that's a risky game you play. But, I will not stop you in any way. To be honest...I'm pretty interested about it."

‟It's settled then. Set everything in motion."

‟What about the other one?"

‟Doesn't matter. Don't pay her any attention...she won't be a problem."

Two pairs of boots walked away.

In the meanwhile on Ionia...

‟Welcome to Placidium! The main capitol of Ionia!", Karma exclaimed and opened her arms, like she wanted to present it to them.

After they had left Coeur Valley, they rode north west, directly to the capitol. On their way to it, they had passed multiple smaller villages and hamlets and even a monastery, where some monks trained an ancient style of fighting as Karma had explained them. But they didn't stop once for a small rest. To Riven it felt like Karma was in a hurry, to reach Placidium in time. Yeah the sky already had the color of orange and the sun started to set behind the horizon, but Riven didn't know why they had to rush like this.

Nevertheless, the sight which they had now was spectacular. They stood on a hill, over the main city. Placidium was the biggest city in Ionia so it was natural that the Ionians had built everything important within its walls. Riven looked in the distant. On the mountainside she saw some big buildings, most likely temples or meeting halls. A great staircase led up to them.

Before this she saw the city. Hundreds, no it had to be thousands of houses. Everywhere she saw people, walking around and talking with each other. What she saw too were stands which were built everywhere, most likely for the festival. Here and there she saw some great town squares on which some great stages were built up. She wondered for that they would be used.

‟It's impressive", Riven said while the three rode down the hill.

‟You've never been here before?", Diana asked.

‟No. My unit had the task to move north, passing Placidium and secure the north harbor. But..you know the rest of the story", Riven answered.

‟Ah, alright then", Diana replied with a smile and looked to Karma. ‟I'll guess Riven comes with me?", she asked her.

‟Yes, I think so. Just tell the innkeeper, that she wants a room. It's a request from Karma", Karma answered with a smile.

‟Well, sounds good for me", Riven said. 'Well..can't get any closer to Diana', she thought and slapped herself in her mind. She looked over do Diana, which just smiled.

‟No complains here", she said with a chuckle and Riven blushed slightly.

The group passed the gates from Placidium. The whole city was protected by a small stone wall, which reminded Riven of the town before the Institute of War. Some guards waited for them there, but as soon as they spotted Karma they just bowed before her and didn't ask any questions, just waving them through.

The streets were crowded. Far more people were around, than it looked like from the hill. But Karma's presence was enough, to let people jump to the site to let them pass. She waved in the crowd and smiled, while Riven just looked around. The Ionians had hung their traditional lanterns everywhere. But what Riven fascinated far more, was the use of dragon symbols. On the lanterns even on the clothes from some people she saw dragons. She saw one booth, which sold some small crests, everyone with a little dragon on it.

‟Let me ask you a question...why do you use the symbol of a dragon?", Riven asked into Karma's direction.

‟The next year, which we will celebrate is the year of the dragon. You know..we have a very old tradition with the stars and their constellations. Every year has a different sign. The dragon, the monkey or the tiger for example", Karma said. ‟If you're born in the year of the dragon you will be blessed with might, luck and pride."

‟Interesting. And is it true then?", Riven asked.

‟I don't think so", Karma answered and laughed. ‟I was born under the sign of the tiger. A leader and strong willed person, but often a dominant character who wants others under him. But I'm more a person, who is surrounded by his people. I'm more one of them."

‟I saw that. But you can't deny a strong will", Riven replied and Karma laughed.

‟I believe", Diana continued and Riven looked over to her, ‟that my ancestors who worshiped the moon had this kind of tradition too. They used other names for it though."

‟Ah..you mean like 'the lion', which you showed me right?", Riven asked and Diana nodded.

‟Exactly. But after they disappeared, this tradition had been forgotten", Diana answered.

‟It's weird, isn't it Diana? We Ionians share many similarities with your ancestors...I start to believe they escaped to Ionia, after the Solari hunted them down", Karma said with a chuckle.

‟Well...right now I haven't found any evidence of this theory", she answered. ‟But, well..Mount Targon is rather far away."

‟It was just a thought", Karma replied. ‟Here we are."

They stopped at some stables, which itself were full of horses. ‟Seems like the whole country is here", Riven said. Karma nodded and dismounted. She gave the stable master the reins, while Riven and Diana followed her example.

‟Well, then. I will go to the meeting hall to prepare everything else for the festival. You two should rest..the ride was rather hard and I need you both well rested for tomorrow evening", Karma said.

‟Alright. I know where the inn is", Diana replied.

‟Good. Sleep well...I see you tomorrow." Karma bowed before them and left the stables. Even though she was now on her feet, the crowd still made way for her.

‟Okay, Riven. Come with me..the inn is located in the center of the city. We have a little march before us", Diana said.

They both walked through the town. Curiously Riven looked around. She had a few gold coins left, which she could spend on whatever she wanted. As she thought about, she never had so much gold. When she had some money, she needed to spend it on food or some blacksmiths or shoemaker. As they passed a small stand, Riven looked over the display. Shortly she stopped.

‟What is it?", Diana asked her and looked back.

‟Eh..I just wanted to see this here", Riven answered and pointed at the display.

‟Alright. We have the time... I'll wait for you", Diana replied and smiled. She walked over to another stand.

Riven went closer to the stand. Lucky for her, there were enough other people to hide her. The merchant nodded at her with a smile. He sold mostly trinkets in different sizes, shapes and forms. Rings and earrings, necklaces, bracelets and so on. One specific silver looking necklace drew her attention to it. It had a pendant attached to the chain. On it was a dark blue dragon, standing before a full moon.

‟Eh..how much does this one cost?", she asked the man behind the stand.

‟This one, huh? I think it's for your friend over there?", the merchant asked and nodded in Diana's direction.

‟How..?", Riven asked surprised.

‟I have eyes you know", he winked at Riven, ‟besides everybody here knows about her. I'll make a special offer just for you. One gold coin and it's yours."

Riven shortly thought about it, but then she nodded. ‟Alright." She took the gold coin out of a little bag and gave it to the merchant, which handled over the necklace.

‟Thanks", Riven said and the merchant nodded.

‟Just for you", he winked and then turned to his other customers.

Riven looked at the pendant, then over her shoulder to Diana. She blushed slightly as she thought about, when and how to give it to her. Something deep within her said, that it had to be the perfect moment. 'Don't walk over to her and say stuff like 'here a present for you'. Wait for the moment', a voice said in the back of her head.

'Things are starting to get more complicated', Riven thought and sighed silently.

Diana turned around to her and smiled. ‟You've found something interesting?", she asked Riven.

‟No, not really. From over here it looked more appealing", she answered. The pendant was saved within one bag at her belt.

‟Alright then. Let's go on", Diana said and walked on, Riven followed her.

After a little walk, which took longer than Riven expected most likely because of the crowd, they reached the inn. It was a big building with multiple floors. From the inside came a loud noise from some revelers.

‟They already started ,huh?", Riven asked.

‟Seems so...well, let's see if they have a room left", Diana replied and entered the inn.

Unlike the one in Narbori, this inn was completely open. Everywhere were guests who sat around round tables, glasses and jugs in their hands. Riven smelled strong alcohol and miscellaneous food. Among the more or less drunken people, some waitresses walked around.

Diana ignored them all and walked straight to the bar, where some woman waited, most likely the innkeeper.

‟Ah, you're back, Diana. What do you want?", she asked.

‟A room for my friend here. It's a request from Karma", Diana replied and pointed back at Riven. Riven just nodded. but remained silent.

‟Even when it's a request from the Enlightened One..I don't have any rooms left. Before three hours, a group of Demacians waltzed right in...they had some really good arguments for their staying", the woman answered and pointed into the direction of the drunken people. Diana sighed.

‟Do you have another bed or something like this left?", she asked.

‟Sure...why?"

‟Just bring one into my room. Hope you don't mind", Diana said over her shoulder to Riven.

‟I have nothing against it", Riven replied. 'Huh...that escalated quickly..oh man..put yourself together', she thought and smiled.

‟Alright. If you say so", the woman said and walked over to some waiters and ordered them around. ‟Do you want something else?", she asked them.

‟To be honest...I'm only tired right now. The long ride from Narbori was enough for me today", Riven answered and Diana nodded.

‟Yeah. We go straight to our room", Diana said and the woman nodded at them.

‟Well then..sleep well", she said plainly and returned to the other guests.

Riven and Diana walked up the staircase, up to the top floor. The loud noise from downstairs disappeared as they got higher and higher. Sometimes there were small windows and Riven looked outside. It was completely dark and the stars and moon were up. But still people were around, laughing, celebrating or just enjoying their lives. 'We wanted to destroy this', she thought gloomy and sighed.

‟Something's wrong?", Diana asked her and looked over her shoulder.

‟No..it's nothing", Riven answered thoughtfully and smiled shortly.

‟If you say so...but you can always talk with me, if something is on your mind", Diana replied with a soft voice. ‟Here we are", Diana said suddenly and stopped before a door.

They stood in a small corridor, on the top floor of the building. Riven saw some other doors and also spotted some pictures on the walls. 'Rather luxurious', she thought as she entered Diana's room.

The waiters had already placed another bed within the moderate big room, which was now pretty cramped. A big, round window was on the backside. Riven looked out for a moment. They had a fantastic sight over Placidium from here. The room itself was decorated in a typical Ionian style and nothing really special. Some paper lanterns lit the room, but the room stayed rather dim.

Riven heard a metallic sound behind her and turned her head. Diana had taken off her armor pieces and stretched her arms.

‟No stars today, huh?", Riven asked with a smirk and put her backpack on the ground and her sword on some table. Even though her sword was a part of her, she was happy about it not to carry it around anymore.

‟Not today..I'm far too tired and I need to be rested for tomorrow evening", Diana answered with a chuckle, while she put off her remaining clothing.

Shortly Riven just stared at Diana's athletic body and underwear, before she got a grip of herself and looked away, her face was glowing red. Luckily the room was dark enough, so that Diana couldn't see how embarrassed Riven felt. What the hell did she think to undress like that before her? Even though she had to admit, that Diana had a really beautiful body.

‟Pretty shy, aren't you? I will not peek", Diana asked with a smirk. She walked over to her bed and slipped under the blanket.

Riven just sighed and put off her clothing as well. She hesitated for a short moment and looked down on her. Then her sight wandered to Diana, which seems to be asleep, and back to her arm. She shrugged slightly and decided to remove the bandage on her left arm. Slowly Riven removed it and looked at her arm. She didn't know why she did this..it was like a ritual. She removed the bandages every evening and sometimes hoped it would disappear.

The skin on her arm looked strange, not like the rest. It looked like it was slightly burned while some other parts were completely pale. It didn't hurt though, so she normally didn't pay any attention to it. She knew that this was a tribute from the chemical attack. A scar on her mind and body.

Riven heard the sound of moving cloth and looked over to Diana, which sat upright in her bed. Riven felt how she blushed again, sitting half naked before Diana.

‟Scars from your past...aren't they?", she asked and nodded in the direction of her arm.

‟Yes", Riven replied and looked at her again. ‟Even though I survived the assault...my body and mind weren't...in a good condition. I felt ill and bad for a whole week, before I had the strength to flee from Ionia."

‟Maybe...it's destiny", Diana said and smiled.

‟Destiny?", Riven asked.

‟You survived the chemical attack, you survived a whole week even though your body was shattered and ill. You survived all the years and joined the League. And now..you're back in Ionia and heard the voices of your dead comrades..."

‟What do you mean? I'm not a big fan of..destiny and such things", Riven replied.

‟But is it really a coincidence that everything happened like this? I started to believe in this, as I stood before the elder, as they started to build up the stake. I started to believe as the moons power awoke within me...let's just say..I think you have something big before you. And as I promised I will stand by your side." Diana smiled at her., then she fell back on her bed. ‟Man..I go on and on...normally I don't talk that much."

Riven laughed silently. ‟Whatever may be happening...it's good to have you", Riven said and went to her own bed.

‟Oh and one more thing...no need to hide such a beautiful body, Riven", Diana winked at her and laughed silently, as she saw how Riven blushed again, before closing her eyes.

The time slowly passed, but Riven couldn't fall asleep easily. She heard the steady and calm breath of Diana and looked over to her. 'Diana..do you really..? You didn't say that just like this, did you?', Riven thought and shook her head. Did it matter? 'Not at the moment...I put too much into something like this..' Her mind drifted back to the destiny thing. 'No coincidence, huh? Well...why not?', she thought before finally falling asleep.

The morning of the next day...

Slowly Riven opened her eyes and yawned silently. Shortly she looked around in the room. She felt how the sun was tickling on her face and looked to the window. It was already quite late, the sun stood in the clear blue sky. For a moment she wondered how she didn't have any nightmares in this night, after the events from yesterday. But, well she was happy about it.

Riven looked to her side, to the other bed. Diana was still asleep She laid there completely still. For a short moment, Riven remembered a fairy tale which she heard when she was a little child. A cursed princess which was in a long, deep sleep for dozens of years. However..she was finally awakened by the kiss of a prince.

'So...I'm the prince in this one?', she thought and smiled. 'Huh...why do I remember this story anyway?' For a short moment her mind drifted into her past. It didn't matter how often she tried...she couldn't remember her parents in any way. She knew she joined the military at the age of fourteen..a standard age for most Noxians. She knew before that, she was in an orphanage...but anything before that...

Diana yawned and slowly looked over to Riven, which was still observing her. ‟Morning", Diana said and stretched.

‟Good morning", Riven replied. She still looked at her, it was nearly like staring.

‟How long do you want to stare at me?", she asked with a smirk. She sat upright in her bed.

‟Oh..sorry. I didn't mean to...", Riven answered and looked away to the window. Her face slightly red.

‟And I didn't mean it like that", Diana exclaimed and laughed. ‟But, I guess you want to look away?" With that, she stood up from her bed, far more revealing in the sunlight than in the dim lights of yesterday.

The window was far more interesting right now, to Riven. Some adornments were engraved in the wood. Even though she still could see Diana in the corner of her eye. Riven heard how she put on her clothing and armor.

‟Why you're so shy about this anyway? Mount Targon wasn't very nice to me...but they're not that uptight", Diana asked her with a grin.

‟I'm not uptight", Riven exclaimed. ‟It's just...well..." 'It's just to see the woman I secretly love, half naked before I confessed...feels a bit wrong', she ended the sentence in her head.

‟It's okay", Diana winked at her. ‟I think that's cultural differences, huh? Anyway..I wait downside for you and ask the innkeeper for a breakfast. Lucky for us, that we're guests of Karma." With that she left the room, leaving Riven alone.

Riven sighed and stood up. 'Oh man...I should say it...never thought something like this is harder than any battle', she thought and put her clothing and armor on. She grabbed her sword and left the room.

As she entered the main room of the inn, which was still very chaotic with jugs lying around everywhere, some paper lanterns were on the ground too and she even saw a Demacian who slept on one table. 'Nation of the righteous..tse', Riven thought with some amusement. Riven spotted Diana, sitting at a table which was already filled with food. She went over and sat down.

‟Was a rather wild party, huh?", she asked while she took a cup of tea.

‟It seems so. I wonder though..how this whole festival will run off", Diana answered and took something to eat. ‟You shouldn't eat this thing there..it tastes horrible."

‟Thanks. I think Karma or Irelia will tell us", Riven replied, while she ate something which looked like a soup or something like this. ‟Say what you want..but the Ionians have a strange..breakfast."

‟Oh yeah..I miss the League", Diana said and laughed.

As they both continued eating and chatting, the doors of the inn opened. Riven looked over her shoulder and saw Irelia. She looked around for a moment, before she spotted both of them.

‟Not ready yet?", she asked with amusement.

‟How about a 'good morning' or something like this?", Riven replied with a grin.

‟Oh..yeah. Good morning you two", Irelia said. She took another cup and filled it with some tea. Her blades lay on the ground behind her.

‟Morning Irelia...what is it? You didn't come here just for a chit chat or?", Diana asked with a smirk.

‟Not this time. Even though it would be good", she nipped at the cup before continuing, ‟To be honest...I need you both for something. Karma wanted to tell you, Diana, the whole festival thing and what you should do. And I need to kidnap Riven."

‟Me? I suppose...it's about a favor?", Riven replied.

‟Yeah. You know...I will explain it to you later. One thing..can you act?", Irelia asked with a grin.

‟Eh...well..somehow yes. You know..it's good when you're in Demacia and act like a faithful servant of the nation. Nobody ever suspected me", Riven answered and Irelia laughed.

‟That's good!"

‟Karma told me about a tale..the Tale of Reina., which is played every year. You want Riven to play a part in it?", Diana asked and looked to Irelia which nodded.

‟Exactly", she answered plainly and nipped at her cup.

‟Wait..you want me to learn a whole tale and so on..until the evening?", Riven asked surprised.

‟Yep. That's the one favor Karma asked. But you know...you don't have to learn that much". Irelia answered. ‟We will practice in the northern park of Placidium. I will lead you there..you know where the main hall is, right Diana?"

‟Yeah. I was there once already. Well..we shouldn't waste any more time." Diana stood up and cracked her neck. ‟I guess we see us again at the festival...until then." She grabbed her crescent blade, waved shortly at them and left the inn.

Riven emptied her cup of tea and grabbed her own blade. ‟I guess she's right. Let's go then", she said to Irelia, which nodded. Together they left the inn.

The streets of Placidium were already filled with people. But, with Irelia before her that wasn't a problem as the crowd made space for them. Riven spotted that some of the people carried little scrolls with something written on them.

‟For what are those scrolls?", she asked Irelia.

‟It's part of the festival. We hang these scrolls, on the great tree in the Serene Gardens until the whole tree is nearly covered with them. Then...in the morning, one of our summoners will burn all these scrolls. We write our woes and worries on them...it's our tradition. I think Karma told you about the cleansing with fire and rebirth?", Irelia explained to her.

‟Yes, she did. So you throw away your worries to start anew?"

‟Yeah. It's a symbolic gesture of our culture", Irelia answered.

They walked on, until they reached a great staircase. Stair after stair they walked up. Riven looked over her shoulder. The sight was impressive. The city, the countryside around them, she could even see the great mountains which were near Narbori.

As they reached the top, they stood in a garden. Trees with pink leaves on them were everywhere and in the middle of a sea, surrounded by lotus flowers, stood a pavilion. Irelia lead her to the pavilion and sat down on a bench. Riven sat down besides her and looked around. A short gust of wind, let some of the pink leaves flying around.

‟It's nice here", she said to Irelia.

‟It's a good place when you want to meditate, think about things or just want to have a rest", Irelia replied. ‟So...at first I need to tell you the story. Then we will practice some phrases, moves and so on...this will take some time."

‟Huh..well. Fine then. I told Karma that I own her a favor..so I have no other choice here. Go on", Riven said and leaned back.

‟Well...as Diana said this is the tale about Reina, a skilled Ionian warrior..."

The time passed and the sun wandered above the sky, as Irelia told her the complete story about Reina. But as if that wasn't enough, after this they both talked about different phrases and movements during the play and even practiced then. They made only two short pauses, to rest a bit. During the late afternoon, both of them heard a loud gong. Irelia looked up into the sky.

‟Alright..I think it's time...", Irelia said.

‟Time for what?", Riven asked.

Irelia grinned. ‟Time for you to get a bath and your outfit. You will make a fine Reina", Irelia said and stood up from the bench. ‟Come with me."

‟A bath? You only have public baths, haven't you?", Riven asked and blushed slightly.

‟Yes...no need to be shy! Come on now..otherwise we will miss our scene", Irelia answered and pushed Riven forward into the town again.

'I feel like a child..I'm ordered around to do stuff', Riven thought and sighed silently, while following Irelia to a public bath.

Author's Note

I know that the part with the tale is a bit..weird. But I didn't want to write this thing two times (as in the next chapter the act will take place).