Chapter 23 - Whispers
"Dear Mister Vel'Koz, What seems to be the problem? you look quite shocked"
"Are you staring at my Knockers? Can't blame ya, I have an epic rack"
"Mister Vel'Koz would you like some tea? It's quite delicious."
"Or would you rather drink "my" tea? I'm pretty sure you monsters are into some kinky shit."
"or perhaps you are hungry? I have this tasty chocolate cake if you want"
"Don't tell me you...? Holy fuck, you are one perverted squid...Me Gusta."
As I read Sona's messages I heard every single thing she was thinking, I just couldn't understand the dreadful situation I was in, this gentle-looking maiden was uttering the most disturbing things I have ever heard, what is the meaning of this nonsense? How could she hide these feelings inside her?
Well, her telepathy is understandable, Jarvan mentioned she has some sort of affinity with the magic around her, her powers are somehow unknown since there are no previous cases but it seems she can control feelings with it or something like that, I don't really get it but her affinity is stronger than I have initially calculated, that explains her weak telepathy, it seems only beings with strong mental capacities such as myself can hear her, since she is leaking everything I can deduct she has never met someone like me...now the question is...should I mention this?
I mean...she is quite...
Rude.
"Hey, Shyvana, come here so I can skin your stupid lizard face and make some decent shoes for me, jeez, even if I can float I am a girl, I like shoes."
On the other hand...I should keep it for myself...experience has taught me dealing with women it's a pain...
"And here we have the two idiots, Garen and Jarvan, one is a treacherous twat and the other is a zoophilic mutt who can't grow a pair and talk to his beloved reptile, how sad"
Especially troublesome women like her.
"I have no comments for that stupid rodent...but...what a nice piece of ass! Who is this beautiful blue woman? if I remember correctly she is from the Shadow Isles, Kalista I believe, damn girl, you are one hot sugar cube."
huh?
"Maybe she knows my metal knight...but on the other hand, she looks so proud and dignified...Oh boy, I want to turn her into my personal bitch."
I'm glad Kalista can't hear her, otherwise, Sona would be dead by now...
"Wait a minute...Jarvan mentioned Kalista was married...with the squid?...that's kind of hot...I would love to see Kalista in the wedding dress she used...and without it...
- I was the one who used the wedding dress, it was surprisingly comfortable.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting the dress, I knew there were certain customs I ignored, normally the female is supposed to wear the dress, but I guess since they were unsure about my gender I was chosen as the "wife"... But...Kalista says I'm her husband...so that means...
...
Could it be that ... I was fooled by them?
...
"How funny, that squid...it's almost as if he can hear my thoughts...but...that's impossible...no one can hear me..." Sona seemed confused.
- I can hear you, Maven of Strings.
My theory was correct, her strange powers were completely unknown for the Demacians and even for the Maven herself, maybe I can help her control...what the shit happened to her face?
A second ago she was smiling nervously...now her face is...twisted with...I believe... embarrassment, confusion and...Fury...Anger...Wrath...
...
- Well, this was such a wonderful experience, my dear prince Jarvan, but I think it would be for the best if we left, otherwise I will die...I mean...I'll be late for an important appointment.
- Really? Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know, but, Vel´Koz, can you leave tomorrow? I'm sure my father will be delighted with your presence.
- I'm afraid if I stay any longer I will be slau...I will disappoint my date...so we must le...
- Prince - Shyvana interrupted - Sona wants something from you - she said handing him a note.
- Let's see - Jarvan read the note -...OH! That's fantastic! Of course, I can, Sona!
- You can...what?
- Sona wants to have a party with the royalty tonight...she doesn't like them...so this is a surprise! It's kind of sudden...but I can make it happen...Garen! Shyvana! Follow me! Help me with the party!
- WAIT! You are leaving us...with her! - I asked panicked.
- But of course! - Jarvan answered with a big smile - I trust in both Kalista and you, Poppy is also here...so while we prepare the party you guys have fun with Sona.
- NO! WAIT! - They were gone.
"Oh! Mister Vel'Koz, Are you okay?"
Sona was smiling, but I could feel every fiber in my body shaking in fear, what is wrong with females in this world?
- Listen, we are cool, I mean no h...
"STOP TALKING, YOU STUPID IDIOT, they can't hear me, you look like an imbecile spouting random things...well, you ARE an imbecile...dork"
- Husband, What's wrong? - Kalista asked concerned - You look pale.
- There is nothing wrong, but I seem to have lost Poppy, Where is she?
- She is sleeping, we shoul...
"HUH?! She is what?! What a hero! Just a disgusting midget...anyways, I don't know how or even why but you can hear me...which is bad since you will hear my secrets...but it's kind of good, now, if you can hear me, maybe you can speak into my mind...or something like that"
"I can do that"
"Aren't you a clever boy? This will make things easier"
"What do you mean?"
"You see...I've grown tired of this idiotic city...I want to travel around the world...witness everything I've read on those boring books...I want to see it for myself...and you will help me"
"I'm afraid I will have to refuse, there's something I must do and, to be honest, I don't want to help you"
"Oh, ho, ho! You don't want to help me!? I think you don't understand the predicament you have gotten yourself into, my imbecile, the prince may be on your side, but the rest of the city wants to skin your ugly face, and believe it, you won't like it, especially since your lovely wife will suffer the same fate."
She is right, I'm not really sure how powerful Sona is...but, right now, we are alone, she could lie...and everyone would believe her...what should I do? Should I help her? The answer is clear, as long as Kalista is in danger I must do whatever it takes to protect her...even if I have to be a slave...
"We refuse"
...
Uh?
"Wait, Who's that? Who are you? Reveal yourself!"
"We have always been here, and we will remain as long as our HUSBAND does"
Kalista?
"Wait, What? How can you hear our conversation?
"My husband and we share more than you think, we...I have given him my soul, my heart, and my mind, I can see, hear and feel everything he does"
"Then you must feel your demise, you either help me or die in a pit of fire."
"So this is the renowned Maven of Strings, a pitiful rotten lie, we feel sorry for those who believe in you."
"Those who believe in me? Don't make me laugh, I am nothing but a convenient toy for them, born to perform for their own amusement, a political tool...no, they don't believe in me, no one does."
"What do you mean?"
"Mind your own business, squid."
"Noone believes in you? What a joke, acting like the tragic heroine it's low, even for you, but you can't fool us, we have seen what lies in the deepest part of your abyss."
"What do you mean?"
"You forget we hail from the shadow Isles, souls are our specialty, behind your little charade we can see who you really are."
"..."
"You may shield yourself behind your pathetic facade, but we can see you."
"stop"
"Your soul is corrupted, rotten and lost in the shadows, but there's more, there is something lurking around you, something we know very well."
"stop it"
"It's a soul, a lost soul, hovering around you, following your every move...and it's talking."
"shut up"
"Screaming, yelling, shouting, crying, we can hear it...and we are sure you can hear it as well."
"fuck you"
"You can hear it...and you know it's voice, don't you?"
"no"
"You know who she is, you know her very well..."
"stop"
"She was a part of your life a long time ago...she was your world..."
"shut up"
"She gave you everything she had and more"
"shut up"
"She sacrificed many things for you"
"Shut up"
"She was your everything"
"Shut up!"
"She was your mother...
Lestara Bulleve"
"SHUT UP!"
Suddenly the environment changed, I felt an extreme pressure in my body, I felt the room get chiller and I witnessed something terrifying...Sona...Changed.
"Don't you dare say her name..." Her blue hair turned into a bloody crimson "...I will destroy you...I will slaughter you...I will bathe in your blood..." Her eyes were dyed golden "...I will kill you...I will kill everything you love and cherish..." Her voice was ghostly "...you better shut up or else...you're gonna have a bad time..."
"So...that's your true self..." Kalista muttered with a sad smile "now we understand why your mother was crying for help..."
"you understand? YOU UNDERSTAND?! WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND? NOONE UNDERSTANDS! NOONE LISTENS TO ME! NO MATTER HOW HARD I SCREAM! NO MATTER HOW MUCH I BEG! NOONE LISTENS! ALL OF THEM, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM...JARVAN, XIN XAO, GAREN, LUX, FIORA, SHYVANA, SHAUNA, THE KING, THE CITIZENS...NOONE HELPED ME!...Noone!...no one...not even her...you were right...she gave me many wonderful things...but in the end...I was just another instrument for her...I was alone...I was scared...and then I...I..."
"You killed her"
Sona grimaced, covered her ears and crouched.
"NO!"
"You killed your own mother."
"NO! STOP IT! I DIDN'T..."
"But you did...your etwahl is bathed in her blood...and your hands too."
"I DIDN'T D...I WAS JUST...I WANTED..."
"No more excuses...you know what you did, we know what you did...you can't lie to us...we know the truth...we are...The Spear of Vengeance..."
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! YOU KNOW NOTHING! SHUT UP!"
"Why do you keep lying? Accept the truth...or could it be that...you just like the feeling of your sins crawling on your back?"
"..."
"Fine, let's see if you can keep lying..." Kalista held out her hand and something started to form around it "...to her."
A blue figure stood in front of Sona, the thing began to move towards her, the thing started to shift until it turned into a humanoid form, then the ghost touched Sona.
"NO! STOP! LEAVE ME ALONE! LEAVE ME ALONE! LEAVE ME A..."
...
...
...
I'm sorry, my child.
The ghost had now the form of an old lady and was hugging the crying Sona.
"...w...what?...why?...why are you...?"
I'm so sorry, my child, I didn't know...you were suffering like this...I was blind...I couldn't see...how miserable you were...I couldn't hear...your cries...I'm sorry, my child.
"But I...I...Killed...you:"
I know...but I know you didn't want to...you were scared...I should've noticed earlier...forgive me, my child.
"Mom...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."
Don't worry, my child, I forgive you...I love you, my child, I love you more that anything else in this world...You are not an instrument...you are my precious daughter...you are my star...my muse...my everything...forgive me...if you ever felt less than that...
"It's okay, mom, I forgive you...It wasn't your fault...I forgive you..."
I'm glad, my child, but now, I'm afraid it's time...
"Wait...no...NO! NO! NO! YOU CAN'T!..."
I'm sorry, my child, I'm so sorry...but...I have to go...It's time...
"NO! DON'T LEAVE ME! I'M SO ALONE! I DON'T WANT TO LET GO! STAY WITH ME!..."
Everything will be alright...I don't want to go...I want to stay...there are may things we couldn't do together...many things I haven't taught you...but...I must go...good bye, my child, goodbye...and remember...I will always be with you...even if you can't see me anymore...I will always be there...
"NO! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! LET ME GO WITH YOU! WE WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER! PLEASE! JUST LET ME B...
...
...
...
Humans are mysterious creatures...I've known these since I made contact with them...they are weak...cowards...foolish...and yet...there is something special about them...something was hidden within...I've seen many things in my journeys...but nothing prepared me for this...
The soft sobs of Sona filled the silent room, I watched her figure, crying on the floor, she was holding onto her ethawl, the ghost of Lestara was gone, but I could still feel her presence around us...I don't know what actually happened...I feel confused...I have no explanation...I can't tell if this is a dream or reality...I can't understand...
Kalista simply stood by my side...watching Sona cry...she was...smiling...
- Kalista...are you okay?
- I am, dear husband.
- Why are you smiling?
- Because I'm happy.
- Why?
- Because...I have faith.
- Faith?
- Yes, I've been walking on this land for more than a century...I've seen the downfall of the human race...I can't remember how many lives I ended in the name of vengeance...I thought there was no hope for them...I gave up...but you came...you showed there was hope...so I decided to have faith one more time...faith in humans...
- You...knew?
- No, I didn't...I knew Lestara's soul was around...but I wasn't sure about her intentions...I decided to believe in her...I was right...she still loves her beloved daughter...I had faith in her.
"You sly bitch"
Sona was now staring at us with anger.
- Sona, how's your condition?
"I'm fine, squid, shut up now, I have some business with this slut" She then pointed at Kalista "So this was your plan"
- Indeed.
"You had no right...to do something like that"
- I know, We are sorry.
"Hmph, at least you know your place...and you know" Sona fidgeted and then she hugged Kalista "Thank you...for saving me..."
- And I'll do it again...- Kalista answered hugging Sona- as many times as needed.
"Thank you" Sona said breaking the hug and smiling "so, what are you going to do know? will you come to the party?
- I'm not ready to meet the king - I accepted.
- Neither are we - Kalista nodded - We think the best course of action is to leave while we can.
"Oh...I understand...where are you going?"
- Piltover.
"I've read about that city before...I wish I could go"
- We can take you there...if that is what you wish for...
What?
- Kalista...are you serious? This could be dangerous for us.
- I am, my dear, this poor soul has been caged for far too long, besides, I couldn't care less about what Demacia thinks about me, I am a denizen of the Shadow Isles, I am the danger.
"REALLY?! AWESOME! Just give me a second, I'll go get my th...can you hear that?"
At the distance, I could hear the sound of explosions.
- Explosions?
"Maybe fireworks, Jarvan seemed really happy about the party, he is that kind of g..."
Suddenly we heard screams outside and through the window, we could watch the fire burning the city.
"Wha...What's going on?"
- They are attacking the city - I saw a peculiar silver sparkle in the streets - I haven't seen these kinds of enemies before but they are oddly familiar.
- It' doesn't matter - Kalista said shaking Poppy - Hero! wake up! - No response - Husband...she is...
I scanned the vitals of Poppy, she was alive, but barely, there was a powerful poison running through her veins, still, she was fighting it, any other lesser being would have died a long time ago...
She was a hero for a reason, I suppose.
- She is alive, but I'm afraid the poison will kill her in a few minutes, fifteen to be precise, she needs medical attention.
"I can help her" Sona said calling for her ethawl, she started to play a calming melody and a green aura surrounded Poppy "I couldn't get rid of the poison but she will survive, now, what should we do?"
- We need to find a safe place for Poppy and you, Maven, My husband and we will be fine on our own, but I'm afraid we can't protect you.
- I agree, we will escort you and we can try and help as much as we can, but I'm afraid we will just get in the way, I don't have any experience in this kind of situation, for now, let's keep Poppy safe.
"I agree, let's go" Sona carried Poppy in her arms "But...can I ask you something?"
- Yes
"Once this is over...can I go with you...to Piltover?"
- Are you sure?
"Yes, there are many things I want to experience for myself, I want to see the wonders this world have to offer...and...I feel if I stay with you...maybe I can come to terms with my own ugly self...I think..."
- Maven...- Kalista said patting Sona's head - There is not a single ounce of ugliness in you, we can see it.
"...Thank you" Sona answered with a smile "and besides, if I stay with you I might get a chance to finally meet my lord Mordekaiser."
- we knew you were planning something - Kalista snickered - we are pretty sure Mordekaiser will love to have a n...
Suddenly a bright shone inside of the room, I felt a force pushing me back and I heard an explosion nearby, after that several chunks of debris fell over me, I remained motionless for a few seconds, assessing the situation, once I confirmed it was safe I emerged from my hiding place.
The room was completely destroyed, there was a big hole in the wall and outside I could see the city burning in flames. strange silver forms flew across the sky and I could hear a peculiar metal sound, I looked around and found Sona in the ground hugging Poppy, she seemed unharmed aside from a few bruises, it seems my body absorbed most of the damage, I turned around and Kalista was...
Kalista was...
She was...
...
She was standing...in the middle of the ruins...with a big hole in her chest...her eyes were blank...and I could see a small trail of some unknown liquid in her mouth...
I rushed towards her, grabbing her as she was falling, she was weak, I could feel her energy disappearing little by little, she was...dying...
-Husband... - she called - ...where are you...I can't see...everything is black...I can't...
- I'm here.
- What happened...
- I don't know.
- I see...Husband...I'm cold... - she laughed weakly... - how curious...I'm cold...I thought I was used to this feeling...
- Kalista...
- Husband...you know...I was really happy...I was so alone...lost in my own rage...I was cold...and then you came...you gave me so many things in so little time...you even married and unworthy woman such as myself...I wish...I wish I could have spent more time with you...husband...
- Save your breath, Sona is a healer, she can save you.
- We both know...that's a lie...husband...I'm sorry...but it seems...you will have to keep your promise...alone...
- We can still make it, just hold on, I can help you, I can save y...
- Husband...-Kalista said smiling-...I love you...
And then her body started to fade until she was gone...suddenly the world stopped once again...I couldn't hear...I couldn't see...I couldn't do anything...
I felt something slamming me in the ground and restraining me...but I didn't care...I couldn't care...once again...once again I...I couldn't do anything...
- VOID CREATURE SECURED.
- Excellent, let me have a look...well, this is...remarkable...
- EXPLAIN.
- he seems...soulless, he is...hollow...I can't find any reason to live inside of him.
- CANNOT UNDERSTAND STATEMENT, REQUESTING SUITABLE ANSWER.
- The only thing you need to understand is that now the process will be easier, he will become my greatest creation so far.
- ACKNOWLEDGE, REQUESTING ORDERS.
- We are leaving, we have what we came for ...I will not waste any more of my time with these pathetic beings...the end is near...and the new age of my glorious evolution is coming.
...
...
...
Once again...I couldn't save her...
Once again...I lost her...
...
Why?