A/N: Sincerest apologies, I actually forgot to include a WHOLE paragraph in this Chapter and the End Notes. Serves me right for not updating the draft before pressing upload.

Anyways, this concludes what I have dubbed - the Zuretta Arc. With that out of the way, I have two more cooking in the kitchen - but before that, there's going to be a small bridge to ease the arcs into one another. A short series of less serious stories that concludes some threads and sets up the board for the next round.

See you next Wednesday!

"Come on. Don't be difficult."

Ezreal grunted as pushed at Kog'Maw's round head, the Voidborn binding him in place with its tongue. The explorer was going to have to burn this pair of pants considering how much spit was covering it, finally extricating himself with a disgusting squelch.

"I'll come back for you tomorrow morning." The Voidborn chirped insistently, and the boy almost felt bad when looking into those big doe-eyes. "I promise."

He sighs as Kog'Maw rubbed against his open palm, purring gently.

"Thanks little buddy, you did great today. Go take a nap."

After one last petting session, the Voidborn trotted away despondently. Kog'Maw glanced over his non-existent shoulders, one last attempt at a guilt trip, before disappearing into the dry bushes.

"Phew. Glad that's over with huh?"

"Hm."

Not knowing what else to do, the blond shrugged and moved on. Yuumi and Book (sleeping comfortably in the huntress' arms) were a whole other can of problems he would have to deal with, as if the rumbling guilt he had whenever he even looked at Kai'Sa was not enough of a punishment.

Stepping into Zuretta did not help ease the tension.

The once mighty walls had been decimated by the battle, gouges and craters scattered across barren rock. Temporary camps had been set up on the outside of the city, where ordinary men and women worked to heal the injured and burn the dead. A few sand soldiers mingled among the confused citizens. Zuretta would not have survived without the help of the sandweaver, and without the death of the Mad Prophet.

What if he and Kai'Sa hadn't been there? Ezreal shivered at the thought.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees a pair of rag-wearing children grieving over their father: a soldier who had likely died fighting off the Voidborn that attacked the city. Ezreal took a few steps in their direction, before a claw stopped him in his place.

"We cannot help them."

Kai'Sa pulled him along more insistently: and he could have sworn he saw a glitter of something in hair violet eyes. Something that looked an awful lot like tears.

"Hey uh - she's looking at us." Yuumi muttered from within her bundle of rags, again a precaution they had to take considering Zuretta's aversion to all things magic. "The bald gold lady."

The mysterious sandbender was laying atop a rock, seemingly organizing and overseeing Zuretta's recovery from the attack all on her own. Their eyes met, a golden gaze piercing into the dregs of his soul. The idea of finding rest in the city was looking more and more like a far-off dream.

The path to the Palace felt longer than usual, empty of the flair and bustle of the market. Every step echoed through the nearly empty houses. A hooded figure sat on the porch of the Watering Hole, chugging down another jug of what Ezreal hoped was alcohol and not blood. Kai'Sa bristled at the one-eyed demigod and his bloodied dagger as they passed, but neither party made any attempt to engage.

They arrive soon enough.

"Oh are we here yet?"

The weight of their argument hangs between them, murdering any attempts from Yuumi at lightening the mood. Thankfully, the kitten seemed tactful enough to know when her presence was not wanted. She stretched languidly and stepped on Book, the tome hovering upwards to eye-level.

"So - you two are going to head out now?"

"Un-furr-tounately." Yuumi jokes, with Ezreal making a silent pledge to be more careful of when he inserted his quips. "Scary Girl, this might feel a bit weird but we have to sever the connection. Nothing purr-sonal, we just need to go back home. Find our owner and all that."

"Hm."

The huntress visibly slouched over as the blue thread between her and the cat was cut, Kai'Sa all the more tired without Yuumi and Book's efforts in propping her up. Ezreal's heart swelled with concern.

"You ok?"

"I will live."

"Great." He sighs, turning to Yuumi expecting a cat-pun or something. Instead, the explorer is taken aback by the clear frown on the kitten's usually smiling snout.

"Look, Rock Hunter, you tricked us." The kitten chides. "That's not very nice."

"I know, I know. B-But I had to: I couldn't save her life without your help. So, feel free to smite me or set me on fire or whatever you guys do in Bandle City to settle debts."

"What? No, no punishment. Trust me, I know you're not a big meanie. I mean, I would have done the same if you and her were me and Book and me and Book were you and her."

It takes a second for him to process all that. "I-Oh, thanks I guess."

"That doesn't mean I forgive you Rock Hunter." Yuumi pouts, though it is more playful than angry. "Bring me many fish and I miiiight consider it."

Book seemed less willing to forget about this, he could feel its glare even without the presence of eyes, but Ezreal was not expecting much from a living magical tome. Its memories were likely written on its pages.

"Get well soon Scary Girl!"

With a pop, Yuumi and Book vanish into thin air.

He looked over to his roommate for any hint of curiosity or even a reaction: but Kai'Sa looked barely awake enough to remain standing. Wordlessly agreeing to find somewhere else to talk, they drifted past Kuvera busy at her desk: fawning over a tall scarred man in a broken helmet.

The door swung open with a creak, an ebony shadow brushing past Ezreal without another word.

Room 015 looked exactly as it did hours ago, messy with his belongings on one side and her pillowfort dominating the other. Had the mood been better, the boy would have laughed at how she was almost as messy as he was.

"Did you drink your potions yet?"

"Hm."

There was a certain peace to their routine. Like things hadn't gone to shit.

He showered first, then she did. Ezreal changed into a fresh pair of clothes, and Kai'Sa remained in her armor; though the huntress had taken the time to reapply the bandages beneath her second skin based on the pile of used ones lingering in a corner of the room. The two ate whatever leftovers they had, before going their ends of the room.

But the kettle could only boil for so long. Ezreal had to speak - he had to try.

"Look-"

Was she even listening? The girl remained impassive; back towards him atop her windowsill seat.

"I know I was selfish and dumb and - and I didn't think about how you felt. I messed up really, really badly tonight. And I am so sorry for everything that went wrong, it is all my fault."

"It is ok."

"No, no it's not ok. What I said was a really low-blow." He is breathless, pushed on by a spark of passion. "I- I don't care if you say you can take it, or that you don't care or that you can handle it on your own. I should have told you about Kog'Maw. I shouldn't have lied to you."

Kai'Sa finally glanced over, eyes dulled to a subdued sad echo of the brilliant violet. She leans out of the window, avoiding Ezreal's hand as he reaches out to pat her on the back.

"You may leave."

"Wh-what?"

"I-I will understand." She sighed, clenching her claws. "Our time together is over."

"Why? What's the big deal? I-"

"I can find other help. Other people."

"W-well yeah." His pride takes the hit, but the boy was not going to have yet another person in his life abandon him. Not like they did. "But come on, I want to do this for you. I-I know I haven't been the best, but I want to be better. I want this to work I-"

"Stop trying."Her lips were pressed tightly together, words a shadow of their usual conviction. "What if we face another Mad Prophet? What if I turn on you a second time?"

"Then next time, I'll shoot faster, maybe we'll find a way to stop him together - or, or maybe your second skin can-"

"Just leave."

He takes a sharp breath. The explorer was not going to fall into self-centered anger a second time. "I- Just tell me, tell me why you want me gone so bad. Then I'll go."

For a split second, neither of them can speak. But when Kai'Sa finally responds, her slight stuttering gasp breaks his heart.

"I-I have only ever wanted one thing, ju-just one thing. I want to protect people from the Void. That is all I ever wanted ever since I became this thing and - and I cannot even do that. I cannot even do the one thing I am good for."

"That wasn't your fault, you didn't-"

"I hurt you. I nearly killed you."

"W-wha? No you're- come on, just listen to me I-"

"No. You listen." Kai'Sa hung her head to avoid his eyes, her body shaking with emotion. "Please, just leave me behind. Leave the Void behind. T-the risk is too high, there's too much danger out there. I cannot protect you from all of it I-I-"

"I just do not want to see you die Ezreal. Not for a monster like me."

Her self-deprecation struck a nerve, a deeply seated chink in his armor of humor and bravado. The boy's cheeks flush, markings flaring a brilliant blue.

"No."

"You may think you're a monster, but you're not." Ezreal had never been more sure of anything in his life, making sure that Kai'Sa could feel how tightly he was holding onto her. "You're a hero, at least - you're one of my heroes."

"Hero?"

"Without your sacrifices, your bravery and your spirit - Zuretta would be dead. I would be dead. Kai'Sa, you're so strong and confident - and you're one of the most amazing people I've met. No matter what happens, even if the whole Void and all of Shurima come for us, I'll have your back."

"Y-You'd do that? For me?"

"I risk my life all the time, archeologist and all that - so why shouldn't I do the same for you?." Ezreal realizes just how red he was getting. He shrugged it off, trying to not look too flustered at how candid he was being. "You deserve someone to protect you like you protect the world, simple as that."

She disappears off the railing.

The boy shut his eyes as a black blur rushed closer, but his face reddens as soon as their chests begin to touch.

Ezreal's heart is thrown into a frantic ratrace; scrambling to exit from his throat. Her arms, once used to tear the armor off Voidborn, were gently wrapped around his waist and caressing his back. The explorer ran his hands down her second skin's back: rough and calloused with dozens of battle scars.

Kai'Sa was hugging him. She and him were hugging.

"Hey. Hey, calm down. We're safe, no one's out to hurt you."

"I- I- am sorry." She choked out. "I didn't-"

Ezreal ignored her unnecessary apologies, running his hand along her silky black hair. Their heights were about equal: but Kai'Sa was leaning on him for support with her head on his chest. No doubt, she was listening to his heart beat. Bit by bit, her breaths slow down, gradually recreating her shell of ice and calm. He savored the period of having her warmth so close to himself as best he could.

Eventually, Kai'Sa pushed off; leaving the boy dazed and gasping for air as her hands lingered on his chest.

"Your bruise is healed." She remarked simply, it was as if her outburst had been a figment of both their imaginations. "Make sure to drink potions before you go to bed."

"Y-Yes."

There were so many mixed emotions and signals to read into at this moment that not even the over-thinking mind of an archeologist could dissect it all at once. It took a moment for Ezreal to realize what he felt about the hug.

That felt - good.

"A-are you going to sleep?"

Glass vials rattle across the table. Ezreal managed to stumble onto one of the chairs, Kai'Sa drifting by to sit on the edge of their bed. Her cannons whirred towards the window.

"The Void is still out there."

"B-but it's not here, is it?"

"No. But He might be."

The boy would have assumed that he would have felt more guilt at killing a man, but the bastard deserved it. His hands shook from anger as he imagined that twisted monster, Ezreal unable to remove the vision of the prophet's corpse from his mind.

"Let me keep watch then, you need to rest more than I do."

Kai'Sa sighed, and Ezreal knew exactly what she was going to say. They spoke in unison.

"I will live."

The girl shot him a look, and the explorer shrugged in response. "What? You say it alot, I just-"

"Fine. You win this time."

The huntress managed a weak smile before plopping onto the bed, stretching her limbs as she entered into her fortress of pillows. For a split second, he bathes in the glory of having made her laugh - even if it was just a bit.

"Ezreal."

"What?"

"Can you-" Kai'Sa pauses, brushing an errant strand of hair behind her ear in a way that suddenly reignited his cheek marks. "Stay a little closer?"

"Sure!" Shit, did that sound too eager? "I mean, I-I can do that. Yeah."

"Thank you."

Ezreal rests his body with a creak, sinking into his relatively barren side of their shared sleeping area. He flicks on a small candle as the huntress shifts to face him, Kai'Sa observing as he reveals his trusty journal for another update. Her attention makes the boy extremely self conscious about every action.

"W-what? Am I too loud?"

"No. Focus on keeping watch."

"D-do you have something else to say?"

The girl pauses. "Thank you. For everything."

And with that note, Kai'Sa turned over - leaving Ezreal to fan at his red face and internally freak out at what had transpired.

It hits him that sharing a bed with an attractive girl, an attractive girl he had almost died for, was not typical friend behavior. Ezreal had done less for his classmates at the University.

Sleep was not going to come for him, was it?

"Ugh. what time is it?"

Ezreal hauls himself out of bed, bed frame creaking with the weight as he stretches his arms. No pain, no aching: and he had no one to thank but the entire city of Zaun. Or at least, that one particularly clever individual who made health potions a thing. The morning's sunbeams gently trickled from in between the curtains, bathing what little they touched in gold.

"Now what?" The explorer mused, bathing in the tranquility. "Hm?"

Steam drifts below the bathroom door. With the mess of pillows and blankets on the other side of their shared bed, it wasn't hard to figure out who it was. He tidies his messy hair for no reason at all.

"Save some hot water for me will ya? Cold showers aren't good for the skin."

The sizzling pauses. "Very well."

"Thanks Kai!"

She continues, and the blond tears open the curtains to inhale another fresh breath of Zuretta's crisp air. A mistake, he gags at the smell of dung from the farms down below. At least it wasn't blood.

Now what?

For once, Ezreal didn't want to go anywhere. Staying here with Kai'Sa and away from the Void was more than enough, but he knew that wasn't right. His heart longed for the thrill of adventure and plunder. What explorer worth their salt would actually stay in their comfort zone?

Then again, the Void was no ordinary enemy. He couldn't just brush this one off as easily as he did, say, the Archeologists Guild or his Uncle. Ezreal had never been so afraid of something in his life, he didn't like the way that even a single Voidborn could throw his life into disarray.

"Man." He sighs. "What would Mom and Dad do?"

Well, for one, they'd probably never have gone on any trips to Shurima in the first place and actually stayed at home to take care of their child. Resentment aside, the burgeoning explorer remembers something his father used to say: an empty reassurance that nonetheless brings Ezreal some comfort.

"Whatever we do, we'll do it together. And nothing can stop us then."

As soon as the words come out, so does embarrassment. That was something right out of a children's book, and knowing them - his Dad was the one who came up with the idea.

"Yeah - nevermind. Forget I said that. I'll figure it out later."

Unbeknownst to the boy, his roomate stifles a snort in the shower.

The running water may have muffled his words, but Kai'Sa still retained her sharp senses even in such relaxed conditions. Drying her hair, she looked towards the fogged mirror in the room: only seeing the black jagged shadow of a Voidborn in her reflection.

With a wipe of her hand, Kai'Sa is greeted by an unfamiliar visage. Violet eyes that should have been brown. Cheeks too hollow for someone so young. The carved markings of an Icathian beast. Skin far too pale to have been born beneath the Shuriman sun.

But unmistakably human.

She busies herself no longer with these thoughts: introspection was a waste of her valuable time. Grabbing empty bottles and tidying the room as best she can, the huntress opened the door to their shared apartment: noticing Ezreal rummaging through his disorganized pile of belongings. Kai'Sa really wanted to ask him to clean that mess up, or do it herself if need be.

"Oh, Kai, I'm gonna have to go shopping sometime for supplies. I know that you could probably survive in the desert of sewer water and cactus, but I am a high maintenance man if I do say so myself. You wanna come along or you wanna rest at home?"

Home? Was this home to him? To them? Kai'Sa could get used to that.

"Either option will do."

"Alright - I'll take that as a yes." He smirks. "Give me a sec to finish this up, and we'll go."

A second passes. The huntress grabbed a random pillow that she had dislodged from her fortress, squeezing the cushion with her claw. Perhaps she should take one with her as a memento. A bit of sunlight from outside catches her attention, Zuretta bustling with life and activity. People chattered and spoke down below, life going on even after the tragedy that had befallen the city nights before. The world was healing - and it was because of their efforts in defending it that Zuretta continued to survive.

And so Kai'Sa would keep fighting. For her sake and the sake of her fellow humans.