Screams broke through the city.

Vendors and civilians frantically took cover to avoid the trampling of hooves. Ranger's horses stormed through the city and towards the gate. Pouring out of the city and onto the roads of Demacia, all with a strict order. Track, apprehend and neutralize.

Monarri stood alone in the hall, hands neatly folded behind her back as she stared out the wide open window, looking over the great city. She couldn't look at her son, who sat behind the desk. Caleb sighed softly then finally spoke. "I tried to tell them it must've been a mistake," he whispered. "But they said they had people come by, in case I 'may try to harbour him'."

"They came to you first?" she asked, her voice low as she glanced over her shoulder.

Caleb nodded, his gold eyes drifting down to his hands. "They said he set off an alert at the ceremony. They'd tried to get him to come quietly in the toilets, but he somehow got away and fled the scene."

Monarri finally turned. Her sharp eyes locked onto her son's, searching them.

"Did they say what he did?" she asked.

Caleb hesitated. The guilt in his face was unbearable. "They didn't, and they wanted me to investigate him. But you know what Talon's like, Mum! The item they gave me started glowing though, I didn't know what to say when they made me report back."

"What did you say?" his mother asked, though it came out more as a demand to know.

"I— I tried to first say I don't think it's right again. But they asked what 'observations' did I make? so I said he didn't do anything magic! Which wasn't exactly a lie! He was just hammering away and being his miserable self."

"So why did that talisman claim otherwise?"

"I uh, I don't think it was a mistake, Mum. He's been acting off for a while, sneaking off into the forest and Quinn's had to bring him home a few times." Caleb sighed. "But when I tried to maybe convince them it was a mistake— They told me they'd sent people to assess our home after I left and they found magical essence all over the place. I– I had to confess…" He whimpered and swallowed down a painful lump forming in his throat.

Monarri opened her eyes again, gazing out of the window, toward the road the riders had taken.

Track, apprehend, neutralize .

She felt sick.

She had raised that boy from the age of eight. They had their scuffles and Talon's knack of running off for the first few weeks, but once he realised he was being shown human decency… She sighed deeply. "And now he's on the run, a fugitive all over again,"

"Mum, I tried—"

"I don't expect you to lie, Caleb. You know the law and swore an oath to protect this land." She sighed. "...I just pray they're lenient, as he's never hurt a soul here."

"You know they won't be! Why are you letting the Mageseekers command your rangers?!" Caleb snapped. Then, Caleb clenched his fists. "He's not dangerous," he said fiercely. "He's not like those others! He—" His voice cracked. "Talon wouldn't—"

Monarri said nothing for a long moment. Caleb couldn't see her expression, her grief. Overnight, the boy she'd taken in as a son had become an enemy of their nation. Now to be hunted like an animal, like the Noxians would've done if she'd let him cross that border ten years ago

She turned to Caleb, her gaze sharp and she glanced around and paced to shut the only door in the room."Listen to me," she whispered conspiratorially. "I want you to go out and try and find him. If anybody can find Talon, it'll be you or Quinn. You both know his favourite hiding spots like the back of your hands."

"What do I even say to him, Mum?" he whispered

"You need to bring him some kind of supplies and you will tell him if he wants to get out of this alive, he has to get out of Demacia." She squeezed her son's shoulders who looked up at her tearfully. "I know Quinn is still in shock, and wants nothing to do with this situation. I don't know if that's for better or worse."

Caleb swallowed hard, nodding as he wiped a hand down his face. "Alright," he muttered. I'll find him."

Monarri squeezed his shoulder once more before stepping back. "Be careful, Caleb. If anyone asks, you're just following orders; searching for a dangerous fugitive."

He nodded and hugged her tightly, whispering softly a final time. "I'll find him, I promise." before he slipped away to arm up. With a bolt loaded crossbow slung over his back, Caleb set out for the stables.

Saddling one of their faster horses under the guise of joining the search, Caleb took a deep breath before whipping the reins. "Hang on, Talon," he thought as the equine took off. " I'm coming ."

xxx

Talon tore through the underbrush, ignoring the tearing of branches that ripped at the flesh on his arms and face. Thorns caught at his cloak, ripping some of it away and he had to leave it hanging from the brambles.

Stupid. They'd know if they found it which way he'd headed. He had to double back on himself now. Like how he'd out ran drakehounds once set on him as a boy. Talon ducked low, diving through a tangled hedge and landing hard on the other side. His arm throbbed on the landing, but he didn't have time to groan and check himself over. He could see something, far in the distance.

It was just a small ant-like spec at first. But it was coming faster up the country road. Talon's stomach dropped, that was a ranger mounted on a horse.

Shit.

Talon couldn't go back now, it was mostly open fields back that way, he'd be spotted and ran down in an instant. Maybe just one ranger he could bring down— Snatch the horse and he'd gain a massive lead?

His fingers ghosted over the handle of his dagger. A clean strike, right at the weak point of their armor, and the mount would be his. He'd done worse to survive before.

But—

There was a time these rangers were gentle with him, when Talon was anything but.

Kiran, the young blonde haired ranger who'd constantly been picking him up when he'd try to run away. On the last time he'd ever made an attempt, Kiran actually offered to let Talon ride the horse alone and he'd hold the reins. It felt scary, but a little exciting to be on an actual horse.

"You'll be alright with Monarri, you don't gotta keep runnin' off, lil one," He'd smiled.

He remembered one woman on the night shift checking in on him, placing a blanket over him. She never even flinched when his good eye had opened and he'd done his trademark sneer at her. His mother was the leader of these people and she had saved his life.

Talon's hand left his dagger.

He wouldn't hurt them, if he could help it.

Instead, Talon took a deep breath, felt the pulse in his temple and let himself be enveloped by invisibility. Then he took off running under the cover of his own stealth and didn't stop, until he finally reached an old logging mill. It was long shut down, the owner just sold the land and whoever bought it let it fall into disrepair, Tarian once told him. He'd strictly told Talon and the twins never to play there, too dangerous. Maybe this was the perfect place to hide.

The whole place reeked of rotten wood as Talon stepped onto the property. A long conveyor, once used to move freshly cut logs, stretched out from the mill, its wooden slats warped and splintered from years of neglect. The waterwheel that had once powered the entire operation sat half-submerged in the stagnant creek, its paddles infested with moss and the wood was rotting away.

Talon finally let his magic depart, revealing himself as he stepped towards the old saw mill. The blade was gone, all that remained was this empty hollow hall. Still, it had many dark corners and log piles he could shelter in for today. There were a few broken tools left gathering dust in various areas. He could fashion weapons out of them perhaps?

Then he heard hooves. Talon ducked himself into a small space under a pile of old logs. It must've been dug out by some animal long ago. No angry creature waited inside, so Talon stayed low and hidden.

The slow click of hooves arrived nearby and he heard the exchange of hushed tones.

"We caught a fugitive here last time, scout it," came a female voice.

Talon felt the pulse in his temple, a warning he was dangerously low on whatever energy powered this magic. Lux warned him that trying to strain through it could cause damage, she explained all while dabbing at a nosebleed he had given himself when she was coaching him so long ago. Lux… Talon thought about her, how she'd been somehow able to avoid detection in the very heart of the city for so long.

Yet he got caught within a day and now was running around, like a rat with terriers on its tail.

A pair of boots shifted past the entrance of the set. Talon's breath stayed in his throat, he didn't move, every muscle locking up as he forced the invisible cloak. His head screamed at him, dizziness sawed through the center of his brain and down his spine. The boots lingered, Talon's eyes fought not to squeeze shut. Then— after ten painful seconds, they moved on.

Talon finally let the magic fade and his body hit the gravel and mud below him. His chest heaving quietly, and a trickle of blood ran down his nose. He had to move, now. Talon slowly dragged himself, bit by bit from the dugout badger set. Once out, he craned his neck to the direction the ranger passed.

All clear, Talon exhaled and turned.

He froze on the spot.

Caleb was right there.

The crossbow was already raised, bolt locked, aimed square at Talon's chest.

Talon barely stopped himself from reaching for his dagger. His body had been ready to lunge before his mind even caught up. "Don't," Caleb whispered, lowering the weapon. "Talon, I— It's true, isn't it ?"

Talon, covered in dried mud and his own blood, hardened his glare. It all made sense now, the random interrogation at the smithy. Caleb had caught on, and now… "You ratted me out."

"No! No I never!" Caleb was quick to defend himself, holding a hand out to keep Talon at bay. "Keep your voice down, we don't have time. I was tasked with investigating you, yes. But Tal, I tried to keep them off you. I swear—"

"You did a shit job then! Did you get a good grade for it? For sentencing me to death ?!" Talon roared and grabbed his brother's neck scarf, pinning him against the logs with alarming strength. "Quinn hates me, she sees me as a monster and I've lost my home." He snarled, using his forearm to press into Caleb's throat.

"Tal—! I tried to lie to them— They already had spies around the house!" Caleb croaked.

Talon bared his teeth, his jaw locked tight. He searched Caleb's face, his brother's gold eyes were desperate and pleading. Talon looked off to the side for a brief moment. "You still agreed to their demands…" Talon spoke slowly, affixing back to Caleb's fearful gaze.

"What choice did I have, Talon?! If I'd refused you'd be more suspicious! They told me you'd already triggered every damn seeker's detection, the second you entered that ceremony! I told them it was inconclusive, it was all I could do so we both didn't get a trip to the depths of the city!"

Slowly, Talon's grip loosened. His breathing was ragged and his hand shook around the fabric he clenched so tightly. Then, He shoved Caleb back against the wood, enough to send a message. This was not forgiveness.

Caleb gasped for air, rubbing his throat. He stayed where he was, watching Talon carefully when he had every chance to grab his weapon and retaliate. But he didn't.

A distant voice called through the silence.

"Initiate? You find something?"

Talon's hand brushed over the knife on his belt. He couldn't stealth, he was exhausted and needed this last dreg of energy to run, not fight.

"Talon, I don't want to see you get killed…" Caleb whispered desperately. He shrugged something off his back, Talon stepped back when Caleb nudged it towards him. "Mum, she… She can't stop them. So she sent me to give you these and advice to just get out of here while you still can ."

" Caleb ?" The voice was closer now. Footsteps crunching against damp gravel.

Caleb swallowed heavily, looking towards where his college would encroach any second now. "I'll let you go, I'll buy you time— I'm so sorry, Talon." He whispered, daring to reach and gently brush Talon's chest. His golden eyes were filling up, Talon couldn't look any longer.

"Nothing, sorry!" Caleb then called out, "Just an occupied fox burrow. I'm checking the perimeter!"

Talon didn't waste a second the moment Caleb finished.

He grabbed the bag and bolted.

Each step sent sharp pain through Talon's exhausted limbs, but he pushed forward. He had to get out of view, needed to stay out of sight completely and avoid anywhere by the main roads.

Caleb stood frozen, watching as Talon's figure faded into the darkness of the sunset. Only then did he exhale, dropping his head into his hand.

He had just committed treason.

xxx

Talon's jeans were slogged by the time he finally stopped running.

It was nightfall now, cold and bitter. His legs ached, burning with exhaustion, but the freezing damp clinging to his clothes was worse. Desperate for shelter, Talon trudged onwards into the trees.

His mind reeled through his options. The caves were still too far. He wouldn't last the night in the open—if the rangers didn't kill him, the cold no doubt would. His teeth gritted tightly to keep them from chattering. The sky would open up soon. Shelter. He had to find it.

His breath curled into the freezing air with each exhausted puff. His nose, his cheeks—everything was raw and numb. The night had sapped his body's warmth and left him sluggishly drifting through the dense forest.

He'd never explored this part before. It was beyond the boundaries his foster parents had set when he was a child. It felt more... managed. He passed a few snare setups, careful not to trip them. But when he came across a Larsen trap, his foot accidentally smashed it to pieces. Talon wasted precious energy breaking it—but he didn't regret it.

Then, through the shadows, he caught sight of something. A barely visible shape against the dense forest.

A cabin. Shelter.

It was small, tucked between the trees and half-covered in creeping ivy. Abandoned, most likely. Hunters sometimes built them as resting spots deep in the woods. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing. And Talon desperately needed something.

He forced himself forward, every step heavier than the last. If he could just get inside, dry off, rest for even an hour... maybe he'd have the strength to reach the border.

He shoved the door open and collapsed onto the moth-eaten rug. His breath was ragged, his limbs trembling. "Come on! Get up," he grunted to himself. Somehow, he found the will to push himself upright and shut the broken door as best he could.

He was inside. And for now, he was safe.

Inside wasn't much warmer, but at least he was out of the wind and the oncoming rain. Talon dragged himself further in, his now filthy boots scuffing against the dust-coated floor.

There was no real furniture, just broken tables and chairs piled in a corner, long abandoned and ready to become firewood.

How he longed for fire, for warmth. But he couldn't. A fire would give him away in an instant. The warmth could save his life, but if anyone saw the glow through the trees… it would kill him just the same.

Instead, Talon brought his weary body down into a corner and began to delve through the bag Caleb had given him. Some water, dried packaged food and it was all wrapped up safely in a knitted scarf. It was the scarf Tarian's mother knitted for him for winter as a gift.

He took it out with shaking hands. It was warm, soft and snug. It reminded him of a time he was safe, not an enemy now shunned by his own sister, or of a brother who had handed him over, even if he hadn't meant to.

Talon pulled the fabric around his neck snugly and used the backpack as a makeshift pillow.

And in the deathly silence of the night, he allowed himself to finally sob.

xxx

In the midst of a deep sleep, Talon's closed eyes twitched as something bright passed over them. Even in his unconsciousness, his instincts stirred. A sharp, unnatural light cut through the darkness, flickering against his eyelids.

Talon forced his eyes open.

A floating orb of pure, searing light hovered before him. Talon scrambled back slightly, watching it with suspicion and awe. Where had he seen this before? The forest, hunting the demon. Only one person had done such a spell near him.

"Lux...?" His voice was hoarse and his throat parched. Talon wanted to save that water best he could from the bag.

Footsteps approached and a hooded figure came towards him.

Talon's eyes widened with anticipation, his friend was here? "Lux—" He went to repeat, as he got to his feet. When the light showed the figure however, Talon's stomach dropped.

Too tall, too broad.

Not Lux.

A Mageseeker.

The man was stocky and menacing as he pressed his staff into Talon's chest with a sneer. "Stay right there, boy."

Talon went for his knife, but his adversary was too quick. Or maybe he was too predictable? As the man swung the blunt end of his staff right into Talon's jaw and the young man fell to the side. His vision blurring and his face smarting. "I won't warn you a second time."

The mageseeker paced around him, like a predator sizing up an animal it'd hunted to exhaustion. "You mentioned a name," he spoke slowly. Talon felt his stomach lurch and his eyes snap to the man. "Are you referring to Luxanna Crownguard…?"

"No!" Talon snapped, he was lucky bile didn't come up. He had to protect Lux, they couldn't get her too

"Lying bastard," The man snapped, hitting him again with the staff. "No matter, I'll mention it and have her seized. Do me a favour and tell me any more names of those aiding you."

"You won't touch her!" Talon roared.

The mageseeker shifted his stance, lifting his staff again. "You're lucky, you know. Some of your kind don't even get the chance to be taken in alive."

Talon spat blood onto the floor. "Lucky? No mage is ever seen again?!"

"Some get recruited for the greater good. You, however, are probably better off as a research project." The Mageseeker then swung.

Talon ducked.

His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself into motion. The staff whistled past his head, Talon lunged, yanking his dagger free. The mageseeker couldn't have done anything, Talon's arm was around his neck, Talon forced his head to jerk to the side, exposing the vital point—

In seconds it was done. The man made all sorts of guttural chokes and wheezes, as Talon dropped him to the floor. He watched him slowly bleed to death, the wood and carpet below them both now wet with the mageseekers blood.

Talon took the bastard's cloak, not phased by the heavy amounts of blood on it. He could cut them off when daylight hit. He got his backpack on, bloodied knife back in his belt and headed for the door.

Leaving the body to be dealt with by the forest that witnessed it.