#badass reader

Then second year came around and you could not believe how fickle his resolution could become. His declaration of loyalty melted in the palm of her hands like she held onto him the entire time. Like she knew him all these years of creating the rebellion and rebuilding his home, your home. It didn’t matter that his life was tied to hers. No, that was an excuse. He got close to her and now people wouldn’t stop talking about how he ditched you for Violet. 

You did your best to laugh about the teasing remarks or smile at the reassurances your friends made. But they hurt more than anything because the truth lies within their words. 

With their pitiful looks, it felt like they told you, ‘Read between the lines, [Name]. He dropped you for silver. Time to move on.’

And to make matters worse? Xaden made your brother act as her bodyguard. You couldn’t even spend time with Liam because he was wrapped up in his duty of being Violet’s friend and protector. You’d hope that you would have time with Liam to catch up between all the letters you sent to him. Yet every time you tried to catch his attention, he would hug you with a grin then say ‘I’m sorry, but I’ll be back. I promise.’ He left you to go follow Violet like a puppy. 

Not only that, your best friend is also training her! You hadn’t had her by your side in what felt like forever. You usually wake up early to spar with Imogen, instead you have to deal with Garrick and his huge body. God, you felt so alone in your stupid room reminding you of their presence. Xaden’s shirts, Liam’s wooden figurine of Lenin and Imogen’s stupid training dummy. 

Everyone that spent time with you is now focused on Violet Sorrengail. 

“You are not alone, Dagger,” Lenin said, his voice washing over you like ocean waves, “You have me and I think this is the time to push further with your signet.” 

He is right, you have better things to focus on. You pushed yourself off your bed and sat yourself in the middle of the room. You closed your eyes and felt yourself leaving your dorm room. Turns out your signet isn’t really cloaking, it’s manipulating matter and energy. Cloaking works because you manipulate the speed of light to slow it down allowing you to force it around your body or other subjects. So when an outsider looks at you or the tested objects, they would have no idea of your presence. 

“You still have no idea how it works, do you?” The dagger on your nightstand vibrated with pure power waiting for you to tap into it. 

“I’m working on the explanation, okay,” You laughed in your old bedroom. Pushing yourself up from the carpeted floor, you walked over to the night stand and picked up the vibrating dagger. You wonder how your friends tap into their bond. How they picture their dragons. 

Lenin called you Dagger the moment he accepted you as his rider. It was a nice sentiment and better than most nicknames others receive. 

“It fits you,” Lenin hummed, “You killed that group with only a dagger and now you are unstoppable in any challenge you face. You give that oaf a run for his money.”

“Lenin, his name is Garrick and he’s a nice guy! An oaf is a crazy way to describe someone you met once!” You barked out, a giggle shaking your body with happiness.The dagger grew warmer in your hold and you gripped it tight. This is when your signet proved to be at its best, when you were happy. And Lenin knew this. 

“Try cloaking yourself then moving some objects around you, one at a time,” Lenin growled in warning, “We do not want you chucking me out the window again.” 

“Hey! That was by accident, besides Liam made another figurine of you! Can you imagine if the one of Sgaeyl was thrown out? Yeesh, you think she’d forget about me too?” 

 You sat back down in your previous spot and allowed yourself to focus on your breathing. Lenin hummed in your head, filling it with memories of your first flight with him. Honestly the best feeling after a storm is being reborn in the evening light with a dragon to call your protector. 

“My mother enjoys our flights out together, it’s a shame Shadow is preoccupied with whatever he does in the dark.” 

“Oh, I know! We can invite your mom to fly with us. We can go early tomorrow that way Xaden doesn’t know! What do you say to that?” 

The way Lenin hummed in satisfaction knew you made him happy with that suggestion. “She would love that, Dagger.” 

……

“Hey, [N.Name], you in here?” 

Imogen knocked twice on your bedroom door then waited for your response. Five beats of silence went by and she looked over her shoulder at the group with a raised eyebrow. 

“Seems like she’s out,” She removed her hand from the door knob and took one step back until Xaden’s gruff voice stopped her. 

“Open the door and we’ll see if she’s actually gone.” 

Imogen rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, “Alright, look. No offense to Violet, but [Name] will not be interested in training her. Especially when we…” The pink haired female moved her hand around lazily, hoping for Xaden and Liam to get the point without having to explain it right in front of Violet. 

“When you guys what?” Violet questioned looking at the three of them, confusion stapled onto her face. 

Xaden shook his head and said, “Doesn’t matter, right now Violet needs her help. Liam is here to convince her and you’re here to open her door.” 

Imogen never liked this idea in the first place. Talk about violating one’s privacy for another’s benefit. She just hoped you would forgive her when they all walked into your room uninvited. Imogen placed her hand on the handle and opened it up while holding her breath. 

She hadn’t seen you in awhile. Only briefly in classes then she had to go training with Violet. Yet her training wasn’t enough, Violet needed to get better with daggers. Xaden had the bright idea of asking the expert, Cloak and Dagger, to teach the silver-haired girl. Damn it, if only Imogen was a better teacher you wouldn’t have to be dealing with a pain like this. 

Watching your crush hover over another girl. 

Even Sgaeyl disapproved of Xaden’s choice. The blue dragon always had a liking for you and she would lean over you if someone got too close in the field. Now the female dragon has to deal with Violet Sorrengail and her weak nature. 

“I’m working on the explanation, okay?” 

Your bubbly laugh hit Imogen in the heart with a pang of guilt. She kind of forgot your laugh, but she couldn’t admit that to you. Imogen slowly walked in and watched you sit in the middle of the room with the dagger you earned from Garrick floating a foot just above your lap. 

Your eyes were closed which allowed her and the rest to walk into your room. Someone closed the door behind her, but Imogen’s eyes were glued onto you. How can you not get any cooler than this? 

The floating dagger spun a few times and you laughed again, “Lenin, his name is Garrick and he’s a nice guy! An oaf is a crazy way to describe someone you met once!” 

Liam coughed out a laugh and everyone turned their heads at him. He shrugged his shoulders and whispered, “I don’t think she can hear us. She explained before that when she taps into the bond with Lenin, a cloak is automatically draped over the both of them. Think of mega-shields.” 

“Hey!” You suddenly shouted making everyone freeze, then you said, “That was by accident, besides Liam made another figurine of you! Can you imagine if the one of Sgaeyl was thrown out? Yeesh, you think she’d forget about me too?” 

Imogen sighed out in relief, letting the breath she was holding out. Then anger flared her system up. Your words sunk in and she looked at Liam and Xaden, “This is exactly what I meant by what we did. We dropped her because of you.” She pointed at Xaden then moving her glare towards Violet, “I get it, you guys have mated dragons, but I don’t know what is going on with [Name]. She’s my best friend and ever since I’ve been stuck on training duty, I haven't known for a while what's going on and the only one who really keeps in contact with her is Garrick and Bodhi.” 

“[Name] knows that isn’t the truth,” Liam’s smile fell and he stepped up to Imogen, “She also knows how important it is to keep Violet alive. If she dies, Xaden dies. Do you know how important that is?” 

Imogen squared Liam up, ready to defend her best friend, you, “I do, but Violet’s survival relies on her now. A friend we all dropped since Violet bonded with Sgaeyl’s mate. How would you react if your friends, who forgot about you, barged into your room uninvited then asked for your help in training that girl? I don’t think you understand that your sister has feelings. Or did you forget about that too?” 

“Oh, I know! We can invite your mom to fly with us. We can go early tomorrow that way Xaden doesn’t know! What do you say to that?” You chirped and the dagger spun faster this time and you disappeared in a blink of an eye. Then small items around your dorm began floating one at a time. First it was Sgaeyl’s figurine on top of a shelf that floated, disappeared, reappeared then placed gently back in its place. Next it was one of Xaden’s shirts then your notebook. 

“Sgaeyl likes [Name]?” Violet piped up with genuine surprise. Yet the tense atmosphere flicked on like a light and the spinning dagger stopped moving. In a second, Violet swore, the dagger’s edge was pointed in her direction and it shot towards her. 

“Violet!” Andarna shouted.

“Silver One, get down!” Tairn ordered. 

Time slowed down and Violet forced herself to drop towards the floor. When she did, time resumed and the dagger embedded itself into the wall behind Violet meanwhile a wall of shadows rose up too late to protect her. 

“What. The. Hell!” You shouted, uncloaking yourself, and glaring at the people in your room. Your blue eyes flashing dangerously as you stood up and briskly walked over to the wall to retrieve your dagger. “I could have killed her! Killed you!” You spat while pulling the dagger out of the wall with ease. 

“What are you guys doing in my room?” You asked, frustrated that everyone is left stupified by what happened. 

“We,” Liam began looking at the hole made in the wall. You really could have ended four lives in one second. A second that Xaden reacted too late to save Violet. Liam helped Violet up and continued on, “We wanted to ask for your help. Violet needs expertise in challenges and she likes using daggers. I suggested that-” 

“Did you suggest or did Xaden tell you?” You asked, putting the dagger into the sheath at your hip. When Liam hesitated to answer you moved your attention to Imogen, “And you, you used your privilege to allow them into my room? I almost killed Violet, Imogen!” 

“[Name],” Imogen called out softly and she put her hand on your arm to calm you down, “I’m sorry, but Liam is right. Violet needs your help and I tried all that I could. You’re more skilled and patient than I am. Also yes, Xaden did tell us to do this.”

You closed your eyes and leveled out your breathing. 

“Lenin, they could have died. Your parents,” You reached out to him and he didn’t hesitate to reach back. 

“It’s okay, Dagger,” Lenin hummed, “Andarna saved Violet, you need not worry.” 

You opened up your eyes and sighed. You couldn’t forgive yourself if Lenin came to hate you. The only reason why you weren’t alone was because he stuck by your side. “I’m not interested in training duties. As you can tell, I’m busy working on my signet. It obviously needs work.” 

You turned your back on them and waved a dismissive hand at them, “You can walk yoruselves out.” They mumbled behind you and then the door closed right after. Yet you still felt his demanding authority. 

“Your signet isn’t cloaking, is it?” 

“Obviously not, Xaden,” You answered back, gathering some of his shirts in your arms. This was the perfect moment to return them since he spared some time to talk to you. For her. He was only here for her, you grimly reminded yourself. 

“I found out at the beginning of this year, you would have known if you asked how I was doing,” You were not at all ready to face him. Knowing that this could be your goodbye to him. He may have let you go, but you wanted to hold onto him a little longer. 

“I can manipulate light and matter,” You explained, keeping your eyes glued to the floor, clutching onto his shirts like a lifeline, “I can cloak multiple items and even Lenin despite his size. Right now, I’m messing around with the space surrounding objects to lift them up. I wanted to learn how to cloak other dragons like Sgaeyl or Deigh or Glane. But you guys are too busy. So I’m focusing on the levitating part of my signet.” 

“That’s incredible,” He said with unfeigned amazement.  

You couldn’t help, but agree with him. The smile on your face bringing back the dazzle in your blue eyes, “Right? I mean if I can cloak multiple dragons at once, imagine how any battle will go. Our enemies won’t know we’re coming and-” 

“I miss this girl,” Sgaeyl interrupted you and Xaden felt her pride rise, “Leninach knows exactly how to choose a strong rider. And I wouldn't mind flying with them again either.”

“Then tell your son to convince her to train Violet,” Xaden said, “You do that then we will fly with them.” 

“I’ll fly with them with or without you,” She growled. 

“-and I want to apologize for almost killing Violet. I didn’t recognize her voice.” You finished and looked into his dark eyes. 

Xaden tilted his head in a slight angle, “Liam did mention that you are blocked out from the world when you channel. But the moment Violet spoke, you threw the dagger her way. Tell me that wasn’t intentional.” 

You rolled your eyes and tossed his shirts at him which he caught effortlessly. “I told you I didn’t recognize her voice. And Liam is half-correct. When I channel, I feel this cold washing over my body like ocean waves. That’s the whole cloaking bit. He calls it mega-shields, leave it to my brother to come up with something corny.” 

You walked over to your bed and sat on the cushion of it. You brushed the ripples on your sheets away and said, “Regular shields block out anyone, friend or foe. Mega-shields block out my friends because when I channel I know I’m safe around them. So when I channel to use the levitating part of my signet, I’m left vulnerable. Which means I’m more perceptive of foes or people I don’t trust. Violet isn’t an enemy, but she certainly isn’t my friend either.” 

“You’d like her,” Xaden cut in, “She’s smart like you and she’s dealing with a group that is targeting her because she’s the general’s daughter and Tairn is her dragon.” He said it because he knew you’d relate to her. During your first year, a group targeted you because you were very close to Xaden and your dragon was the third largest dragon known. Yet unlike you, she didn’t kill the people that went after her. Not yet. 

You vividly remember the year of your Threshing. The way the fog clouded your vision, the rain washed the blood off your clothes. The first time you heard Lenin speak to you with pride. You killed six people with the dagger you earned from Garrick during challenges. But the seventh was saved for Lenin.

“She’s nothing like me,” Your bite was cold with truth, “I killed those that came for me during my Threshing. She let Jack Barlowe run away. I broke my opponents bones and sliced them up with my dagger in challenges, she poisoned them. I can mount my dragon despite his huge size and hold onto him while flying. I don’t need Lenin to hold me down with lesser magic.”

Xaden grabbed the chair at your desk and sat on it. He rested his forearms on his knees and leaned in with heavy shoulders. Yeah, you were right. Violet couldn’t even hold a candle to you, but his convincing needed…convincing. 

Xaden looked into your blue eyes in what felt like forever and his demeanor softened up. He remembered how well you tore down his walls even when you glared at him like that. You always had that effect on him and he missed it. He hadn’t been able to relax ever since Violet bonded with Tairn. Couldn’t walk past you without Sgaeyl snarling at him for his indifference. 

“[Name], please I don’t want to argue with you. I need you to do this. You’re the only one that can help her.”

“Wow, you got him to beg,” Lenin chuffed. 

You rolled your eyes and mulled about the idea of training Violet. Is it possible to train a fragile girl like her? The only thing she’s got going for her is her intelligence. So what? All you had to do was get her to manage her dagger skills as well or even better than you. 

“I’ll give her a week to pick up my technique,” You stood up from the bed and walked over to your door, “If she doesn’t learn at least some of it, she’s a lost cause, got it?” 

“A week,” Xaden agreed and he pushed himself off your chair. Then he stood right in front of you, brushing a strand of your hair behind your ear. You reeled back from the action and said, “It was good to see you, Xaden.” 

You opened the door for him and gently pushed him out of your room. He nodded his head silently and let you lead him out. He missed the feeling of your hands on him and missed when you smiled at him. Xaden will admit his thoughts have been clouded by Violet for many reasons. 

I don’t think you understand that your sister has feelings.

Imogen’s shout at Liam from earlier echoed in his head. She was right, [Name] had every right to refuse them. Xaden neglected her feelings for him while also pushing his feelings for her away in the back of his mind. Now that his life was tethered to Violet’s he couldn't afford not to protect her with all he could. 

He expended his friends and family’s time to revolve around Violet. Now he was making you swallow a heavy pill by having you instructing the girl that took him from you. 

“So how did it go?” Liam asked when you closed your door on them, not even saying goodbye to him or Imogen. The action hurt Liam and Imogen, yet they did not try to argue with you. 

Xaden sighed and said, “Violet has one week to learn [Name]’s technique. If she doesn’t catch on to any of it, consider Violet a lost cause. Her words, not mine.” 

“Great,” Violet mumbled, not at all confident in her skill. 

……

When night came, Imogen struggled to fall asleep in her bed. Not even Glane’s words of reassurance helped her to get a wink of sleep. Instead Imogen spent her time glaring holes into her ceiling thinking about today’s events. 

The hurt and anger in your face plagued her mind. 

BAM! BAM!

Two heavy knocks rattled Imogen’s door and she shot up in her bed in alarm. She jumped out of her sheets when she heard Garrick on the other side of the door, voices rushed and drowned out on the other side. 

Imogen jogged over to her door and opened it up to spot Garrick and Bodhi looking at her worriedly. Then Garrick said, “You need to open [Name]’s door again. It’s an emergency.” 

The pink-haired girl followed her friends and asked, “What is going on? Is she okay?” 

Garrick shook his head, “Well if what she’s being accused of is true, then no. She will be in trouble.” 

Imogen looked down the dark hall and spotted Xaden pacing in front of your door with bloodied knuckles and shadows twisting haphazardly around the halls. She needed to know what happened. “Xaden, what is going on?” 

Xaden stopped pacing and pointed at your door, “Open it now.” 

Imogen didn’t hesitate this time, the fury in his voice moved her and she opened her friend’s bedroom door. Inside it was dark and when the mage light flicked on, your bed was empty and made. 

“She’s not here,” Imogen told the boys and she glared at them, “Now can one of you tell me what’s going on? Why the hell am I being woken up at the crack ass of dawn?” 

Xaden, obviously pissed, zoned out and everyone knew he was reaching out to Sgaeyl. 

Bodhi stepped up to speak and said, “Violet was attacked by the unbonded riders. She said that the one who wasn’t caught left the hallway like a shimmer. Like [Name]’s cloaked shimmer.” He looked at Imogen with nervousness like he sensed her anger. 

Imogen couldn’t believe it. She dragged the males into your warded room one by one. Then she closed the door behind her and yelled at them, full on shouting at their stupidity, “You have got to be kidding me! You guys really believe [Name] would let unbonded riders attack Violet? She just agreed to train her! You cannot be this fucking stupid!” 

Then she had to hit the nail on the coffin. Your cloak doesn’t shimmer anymore. It did when you first developed your signet, but when Xaden encouraged you to get rid of that shimmer you achieved that goal in two months. How could the guys forget this? It’s like after all this distance they put between them and you made them forget how your signet works!

“Her cloak doesn’t shimmer, dumbasses!” 

But Xaden was out the door already, his hands clenched up in his frustration. 

“Where are you going?” Garrick called out to him. 

“To the flight field,” Xaden responded, his steps heavy with determination to get your truth. 

……

You stretched your limbs after dismounting Lenin with a smile on your face, looking at the two dragons before you. Your bright blue eyes landed on the blue dragon and you bowed your head, “Thank you Sgaeyl for joining us. I know that after Xaden stopped hanging out with me, we don’t go on our flights anymore.” 

Sgaeyl leaned down and huffed into your face, a sign of acceptance. 

“She says ‘I look forward to early flights with you now’,” Lenin chuffed. 

You reached your hand out to the blue dragon and avoided eye contact with her. You waited for her to boop your palm with her snout and after a few seconds she indulged in your request. The grin on your face washed away the moment you heard Xaden shout at you. 

“Back the hell away from Sgaeyl!” 

In surprise you turned around and watched Xaden in his flight jacket and uniform make his way towards you. Angry didn’t even begin to describe Xaden, he was beyond pissed and it was directed at you. Was he seriously mad that you went out flying with Sgaeyl and Lenin? 

“Lenin, what happened?” You asked your dragon, taking one step backwards into his warm chest. 

“The Silver One was attacked,” Lenin answered. 

He snarled and leaned his neck down, guarding you from Xaden’s line of sight. 

“You are agitating Lenin,” Sgaeyl warned Xaden. 

Xaden stopped a few feet away from the pair of dragons and took a deep breath in. Upsetting a blue dragon is not on his bucket list. Neither was threatening a black dragon’s rider. 

So he started off slowly, “Did you let unbonded riders in Violet’s room?” 

You owlishly blinked behind Lenin’s cover and scoffed. You just came back from flying and he’s asking you about such a thing. An action like this is damaging for your reputation, to your friends and squad. Walking away from Lenin’s protection, you made your way to Xaden to stand in front of him. “You seriously asking me that question? Why would I let unbonded riders into her room? The only way they can bond to Tairn is if she dies, but newsflash Xaden, Tairn and Sgaeyl will die if she does!”

“She said that one got away and that they left with a shimmer, only your cloak shimmers,” He growled out. Then he grabbed you by your shoulders, his fingers digging into your flesh, “Don’t tell me that your jealousy got the best of you that you had to kill Violet. Tell me you aren’t that petty to kill her, us, or me!” 

Did he truly believe that jealousy could be your motive to kill Violet Sorrengail? Hell if it was, you would have done so long ago. But you weren’t that shallow. You ignored Violet like the plague, didn’t bother to get to know her because it physically hurt you. The girl that captured Xaden’s attention in one second undid all the work you did in years to get him to notice you. 

Finally when it was happening, when he called you yours, Violet came in like the storm she was. Uprooting your friends and family. 

“My cloak doesn't shimmer anymore, Xaden,” You said dejectedly, you didn’t have the energy to fight him right now. To explain that your cloak stopped shimmering two months after your signet popped up. “I may be jealous of her, but I’m not the one who broke a promise. I may hate her for stealing my friends and family, but I wouldn’t kill her out of spite. I just told you yesterday that I was willing to put my differences aside and train her. 

“Then why did she describe your cloak?” His hands fell away from your arms, the warmth gone in a breeze. 

You shoved your goggles in your flight jacket and shrugged your shoulders, “I don’t know, but I was flying out with Sgaeyl and Lenin. They can vouch for me, we’ve been flying out for hours. 

“It’s true, we were gone long before the girl was attacked,” Sgaeyl confirmed. 

“I hope you find the true culprit,” You walked past him and to the direction of the college. Your shoulders are heavy with the realization that he will always choose her over you. Whether it stems from his growing need for her or keeping her alive, it didn’t matter anymore. He broke the promise and left you behind.  

“[Name], where are you going? I’m not done asking questions,” Xaden turned around, but you kept on walking. 

“I’m going to forget this conversation ever happened,” You declared with certainty. And one person can help you with that, you just hope she’s awake. 

……

When you walked into your room, mentally drained from the conversation with Xaden, you were caught off guard by Imogen’s presence. Her right leg bobbed up and down as if she was waiting for you to arrive. This made the trip to her way easier, the walk of shame was going to be very painful if you did walk towards her room. 

“Imogen?” Your soft voice awoke her from her trance and she jumped up from your chair with a sigh of relief. 

“Finally, you’re back,” She jogged over to you and embraced you in a tight hug. Okay, Imogen rarely hugs you and this one felt like she needed it. “I was so worried when everyone started pointing fingers at you for letting unbonded riders into Violet’s room. But I knew it wasn’t you, your cloak doesn’t shimmer anymore.” 

You huffed out with a grimace, “I’m glad one of my friends remembers that it doesn’t. Anyways can I ask you for a favor?” 

“Anything,” Imogen breathed out and pulled back with a smile. 

You nodded your head and said, “Erase my memories. I need to forget that Xaden just accused me of endangering his girlfriend.” Not that they are dating just yet, but it wouldn’t take long for them to develop feelings for one another. 

“But if I do that-” 

“If he wants me to train Violet, I need to forget this morning,” You pleaded with her, grabbing her hand and forcing her palm to touch your cold forehead, “Imogen, please. I cannot look at Violet knowing she accused me of something so horrid then Xaden blaming me for it. Do this for me.” 

“Okay,” Imogen reluctantly agreed. She watched your tears fall down your face and you smiled at her hopefully. 

“Thank you.”  

You wished Imogen could erase more than the conversation. You wanted her to erase all your feelings for Xaden Riorson. 

Forget his hands roaming your body and the kisses he left in his wake. Forget the way he said your name with adoration and the way he stared into your eyes with longing. 

Because you could train Violet with ease if you held no feelings for Xaden. But hey, not everyone can have what they want. This is a lesson for you and hopefully Xaden will finally remember how much you mean to him. 

Soon, it will happen. A feeling so deep in the pit of your stomach made you believe that. 

And they were holding strong. You knew they were. Because you'd be dead if they told these people who you were.

That's at least what you suspected. Because why else would they be asking for your name over and over again?

Your cell was a metal storage unit. One of those long containers ferried on ships with added chains to keep you securely in place. Arms over your head, your fists cuffed at odd angles and your feet barely touching the cold ground- you swung lazily back in forth. Twitching whenever you heard one of your boys cry out…

Hold on… You wanted to tell them. Hold on just a little longer and I'll get you all out of here.

But you never had a chance to promise them this. Your captors tortured them outside your container but never dragged their unconscious bodies in for you to see. They only gloated about it.

Waving their busted knuckles in your face, forcing you to look at the blood that caked their fists. Spitting insults and smirking about how the youngest recruit couldn't see the punches coming because his eyes were swollen shut.

They must like how you looked dangling, helpless, but so full of rage your eyes promised silent vengence.

You couldn't do anything to help them…your team…your boys…they were just out of reach…

Rain fell heavily beyond the metal cell. So thunderous were these fat drops that you could barely hear your own thoughts. A chill began to creep into your skin, giving you some respite against the ache that burned through your limbs.

Hours would pass like this. Days, even. You weren't sure how long you've been hanging in this dark prison.

Between being unconscious, hunger and the pain; your reality was beginning to warp together into blurred images of fractured faces.

The door to your cell opened. Spilling bright white light into the dark container from a man's torch strapped to his head. He blinded you, making you wince, as he said something- but you couldn't hear him over the storm.

Water pooled in behind him as the wind howled outside. It was freezing! You almost growled at the man to shut the damn door.

"Hungry, bitch?" The man's voice was barely audible over the rain now he was closer. He placed something at your feet.. a plate of porridge..still steaming with heat straight out of the pot. "Tell me your name and I'll let you eat."

It was the same tactic everytime. They would offer you something- food, clothes, a break from the pain but would ask for your name in return.

And everytime you said nothing.

You were pretty sure you haven't said a word since you were captured. Other than one order to your team as you were dragged to the ground- "Don't tell them anything!"

And even here, even when your stomach clenched painfully and your mouth tried to salivate with the smell of sweet porridge, your lips stayed sealed.

The torch jolstled as the man laughed. "Suit yourself. But I ain't feeding ya. Maybe a few minutes of-"

There was a crack of bone and the blinding light snapped to the left. The man crumbled to the ground with a heavy thud, spilling the bowl's contents over your feet, and in his place was Levi. One of your boys.

He nearly tripped over the body. Gasping and cursing as he stumbled, holding his side.

"Hang on, Captain. Have to find the damn keys." Levi's voice sounded rough and he moved with a limp, bending over with a soft grunt as he patted down the dead man's sides.

You could have fainted with relief if the situation wasn't so dire. "The others?" Your own voice sounded foriegn to your ears. As rough as sandpaper.

"Andy and Riley are outside." Levi explained, finding the keys he shuffled over to your hanging form and reached up to uncuff your bleeding wrists. He winced as he stretched. And this close, you could smell the blood, bile and piss on him.

His entire face was swollen and bruised. You spotted missing teeth when he continued talking. "Sammy is trying to find a radio and Tye…he can't see…"

"Where is he?" You asked, grunting as your arms fell to your sides. Your knees buckled and you fell to the floor with a crash of leadened limbs and bloodied skin.

"He told us to leave him-"

"Where. Is. He?" You spat through your teeth, clenching against the pain as you forced your legs to carry you. Snatching up the dead man's weapon as you practically crawled over him.

Levi aided where he could. But he wasn't in any state to help you. His own wounds were blatant in the way he walked, barely able to hold himself upright- there was no chance he could carry your wieght as well.

"Across camp, to the south by the barracks." Levi told you. Pointing towards a series of buildings that was lit up by the lights circling the camp. The rain made everything sparkle but foggy, as if you were looking through a misted window towards a city. "They tied us up against the fence. Riley got loose. Came looking for you before bouncing."

You ducked behind a vehicle parked just outside your container. You spotted Andy across the way, hidden amongst the shadows of a large canvas tent. Only visible to you when he shifted to catch your attention. You nodded towards him. Then turned to Levi, twitching when Riley materilized out of the rain. Sliding underneath Levi's arm to support him.

"Do you have a rendevous point with Sam?" You asked and Riley nodded.

"West side of the camp. Once he's found a radio or called for aid, he'll meet us there."

"Get yourselves over here and if you have an opening to go, take it." You said and handed Riley the gun. He looked confused and you saw the arguement in his eyes. "You're my responsibility. Including Tye. You focus on getting everyone out. I'll make sure Tye meets up with you."

Out of your boys, Riley had stepped up more than once to take control of a situation. He was smart; probably too smart for his own good, but he was always the first to take on the role others shied away from.

He stepped up. Just as you knew he would in this moment.

Riley looked at the gun, to you and then to Levi and nodded. "See you soon, Captain." Was his farewell before hauling Levi out of cover. Andy followed suit. Passing close enough to touch your shoulder before hurrying after Riley.

The three of them disappeared into the rain and you forced your body to move. The camp was empty. The residents were hiding inside out of the rain. Leaving the muddy grounds open for you to trek across camp entirely unseen.

There were no watch-towers. No guards patrolling. A big mistake on these fuckers part. But quite fortunate for you.

Because you managed to find the posts your boys were tied up to quickly. Water mixed with blood in shallow puddles and the cut ropes from your teams capture were left laying in the rain.

Tye, however, was nowhere to be seen.

You used the ground to track him. Amongst the mess of boot-prints and deep tracks from cars, you found a fresh trail of deep grooves in the wet dirt.

Someone being dragged, kicking and flailing, by three people.

You followed it into a small shed just a small ways from where your boys had been tied up.

And you heard the commotion before you even opened the door. Even with the rain and distant thunder; the sound of fists striking flesh, threats and demands made on laughing voices; told you exactly what was happening before you even opened the door.

Three men had Tye in a chair. Unbound but his arms grappled behind his back by the third man. The other two were taking turns punching Tye's stomach. Forcing his head back so they could strike him across the face with their knuckles.

The poor kid's face was swollen to the point of bursting. His eyes were closed, bloodied and dappled with color. His clothes were torn and you spotted angry red welts across his exposed chest… the rage from before burned through you and the man holding back Tye's arms, looked up to see a blur of fury charging into his comrade.

The first man you tackled died with his own knife buried into his throat. The second lunged for a weapon but you kicked his legs out from under him, your boot then coming down on the back of his head- knockng him out cold.

The third tried using Tye as a shield, but when your boy sensed the oppotunity, he threw back his head and cracked his scalp against his captor's nose. It gave him enough leverage to tear away from the man and allow you to throw the fucker against a wall.

You slammed his head three times against the bricks and he crumbled like a sack of potatoes.

"C-Captain?" It broke your heart to hear such a happy kid sound so scared. He could barely stand.

"Let's get you out of here." You replied in a soft tone, letting his hands find yours as he reached out for you. Blind to the room, you threw his arm over your shoulders and guided him out of the building.

"The others-"

"They're on their way out. Surely, you didn't think I was going to leave you behind." You assured him, pulling his wieght onto you, despite your own body wanting to fall face first into the cool mud. "I got you."

Your words seemed to break the last of his resolve. He all but collasped against you, mumbling incoherent words until you hushed him. The two of you stumbled through the rain, keeping to the shadows as much as you could. The storm was getting worse.

The wind howled like a beast. Clawing at the pair of you with enough force to almost topple you both over.

Almost there… You told yourself. The west side fence had a hole in it. Cut recently, you imagined, by your boys and their rush for freedom. You didn't spy anyone waiting around…until Riley stepped out of the shadows like the damn wraith he was, and took Tye from you.

"Sammy phoned home." Riley hurried said, easing Tye through the fence first. "But we need to leave. He had to shoot a few to get back to us. It won't be long until they're found."

You nodded, letting your boys crawl to freedom first before following. You took Tye's other side and together with Riley, dragged him out of the mud and into the forest beyond the camp.

You got maybe a few feet into the trees before a sirens split the night open and suddenly the camp behind you flared to life.

A glance over your shoulder allowed you a glimpse of many bodies rushing for vehicles, sprinting through the camp until someone spotted the fence and began following.

You took the weapon from Riley and shoved your boys up a slope. "Go! Keep running and do not look back!"

"Captain!" Your boys shouted after you. But you were already running, sprinting until you found the first man that wasn't your team and fired. The body fell with a hole through his skull and the shot boomed through the storm. Your pursurers dove to the ground, shouts of warning filled the forest before returning fire forced you to duck behind cover.

Using the thick trunks to shield you from a hail of bullets, you ran into the storm and away from your boys.

You didn't stop until you ran out of bullets. A trail of corpses followed you until you no longer heard the enemy shouts.

You weren't even sure how long you've been running. Your legs ached and your lungs never had enough air. It was a miracle you haven't been caught already.

The first rays of sunlight trickled through the clouds. When did it stop raining? You don't remember the dark storm dispersing.

At least they're not shooting at me anymore.

You stumbled to a stop. Tripping over a tree root, you collasped against a sturdy trunk and leaned against it. Your breathes came out in heavy wheezes. Your sight faded in and out of focus.

"Don't you dare faint." You growled at yourself. "You cannot run all this way just to faint right now."

Your little pep-talk was interrupted by voices echoing through the fog. They sounded distant but with each whispered word, you made out they were closing in.

Pushing off your tree, you kept running. More or less, moving as quickly as your body allowed through an endless sea of grey cloud and dark trees. Until you stumbled onto the porch of a house. Long since abandoned by its owners, with decaying wooden walls and broken glass windows; but it would do.

You climbed the stairs to the second floor and closed the door to a room that would have once been the master bedroom.

The furniture was gone. The harsh smell of mold and mildew hung in the air as you eased your numb body into a sitting position against the wall. Facing the door.

You would at least meet them face first if your pursuors stumbled over this place like you did. You didn't have a weapon…and you barely had the strength to keep your eyes open… yeah… whoever came through that door would have the easiest kill of their life for sure…

You didn't dare let your eyes close. But listened for the approaching footsteps. Even with the wind and soft patter of rain on the ruined roof, you heard them approaching.

You picked up on five distinct voices. Chattering to someone on a radio.

"Found a building…they might have taken shelter…"

"Remember, this fucker is dangerous. Don't let them get close. We don't know if they're armed."

You at least had that in your favor.

The creaking wood of the front porch announced their arrival. Their entry was silent. You dragged yourself to your feet, wincing when the floor groaned underneath you…fuck…

That was it.

The soft press of boots approached your door. The aduible click of a gun being cocked had your heart racing. You raised your hands and inched closer to the door. If you could just grab one of them…. Maybe you had a chance...

Something bounced on the floor-boards. Rolling towards your door.

"Grenade!" A soldier screamed and suddenly the hallway beyond your sanctuary exploded. You jumped away from the wall as cracks formed through the plaster and pieces of metal splintered through the wood.

Gunfire rattled the house. Bodies hit the ground and within seconds of chaos erupting, it ended. Silence, swallowed by light pattering of rain, followed.

Three heart-beats later, a quiet, near inaudble voice called your name and you nearly sank back to the ground again.

"Konig, I'm alive."

The door swung open immedately and a titan of a man rushed into the room. He was drenched in water. His cowl clung to his face like a second skin, framing a gaze that was so full of rage you bristled beneath it's heat.

You swayed, the last of your energy slipped through your grasp as you forced your cracked lips to smile. "Now how did you get from-"

"You've been gone for a week." Was his response, crossing the room in two long strides to steady you. The fire in his eyes sputtered out when you grunted at his touch. His fingers, as gentle as a man his size could, could not land without touching some bruised part of you.

His breathing quickened, this close you could hear his teeth grinding together. "How bad?"

It was somewhat charming to hear his usually calm demeanor sharpen at the edges. The way his eyes bounced between injury to blood stain to bruise, you could tell the state of you was adding fuel to an already mountainous pyre.

"I think I'm about to pass out." You admitted. Knowing better than to lie to him. Somehow, he just knew when you were trying to hide something. "The boys-"

"Already evac'ed out." Konig grunted and you allowed him to move up beside you. "They had to be wrestled onto the heli. Wanted to join the search to look for you."

Stooping down, Konig uttered a soft apology before sweeping your legs out from under you. You barely had time to resist! The sudden dip and lift had your ribs grinding together and you slammed your lips closed to stop yourself from screaming.

Gritting your teeth, you gave into the mortifying situation. "If you utter a single syllable about this to anyone…"

There was no chuckle or twinkling reply in his eyes. His hands held you as if you were made of glass; his fingers splayed carefully across your sides and taking each step as if you'd shatter from the tiniest jostle.

You concentrated on staying awake. Breathing in as much as your ribs would allow to keep your sight from dipping into darkness.

"Last I heard..you were..across the ocean.." Each word hurt, making you gasp as Konig carried you down the stairs and into the room that could have been the lounge-room once.

Using the tip of his boot, he dragged a wooden box away from the wall and placed you down ontop of it.

"A little bird told me you went MIA during a field test with your new team." Konig explained. He knelt down beside you, resting one knee on the ground to balance himself as he ruffled through his many pockets.

The vest had numerous knives and ammuntions. His belt held a few holsters but he clicked open a small pouch by his hip, producing a roll of clean bandages.

You would never admit it, but the way Konig seemed to freeze as he checked each injury, his gloved fingers ghosting over welts and open cuts; it was endearing…in a morbid sort of way.

"They wanted me alive." You explained, lifting the left side of you ruined shirt to display a slash that was swollen and angry. "Wanted my name for some reason. That's all they kept asking."

Konig was no medic but at least his touch was gentle. He moved slowly, letting you lean against his broad shoulder as he wrapped what he could.

You had to keep talking or unconsciousness was going to take you. "How'd you find me?"

"Followed the bodies." He replied. His voice felt like thunder through your skin. "Then when they ran out, I made my own path. Those upstairs were the last ones."

"How badly hurt were the boys?" You asked.

"Don't know. I didn't stick around long enough to ask." He admitted. You rested your cheek against his shirt. He smelled like rain and old clothes. "They said you ran east. So I went east."

His fingers brushed against your side and you hissed, squeezing your eyes shut against the flash of white hot pain.

Konig's apology whispered through his cowl.

When he was done, you tried to move away to let him stand but Konig settled an arm around your shoulders. Tenderly forcing you to rest against him.

"Don't need you falling to the floor." He said. But there was no humor behind his tone, just ice.

You mumbled something, but even to you it was incoherent. Licking your lips, you forced your next words to be heard.

"Wake me if there's trouble."

The massive form of muscle shifted beneath you as your eyes finally closed. And you felt his cowl brush against the side of your head as he sighed against your shoulder.

The snowfall thickened as you and your army pressed forward, each flake swirling violently in the harsh winter wind. The castle loomed ahead, an ominous silhouette against the storm-darkened sky. The usual sounds of distant life—guards pacing the walls, soldiers calling to one another—were absent. It was too quiet. The kind of quiet that meant nothing but trouble.

Your grip tightened around your reins as your horse trudged through the thickening snow. The cold bit at your exposed skin, but you barely noticed. Your mind was elsewhere—on the battle ahead, on the blood that would soon stain the ground, and on the weight of everything that had led you to this moment.

Eros had left after Mel’s death, disappearing back into the forest without hesitation. You had known he would go eventually; he was a wild creature, not meant to stay by your side forever. But saying goodbye still felt like losing a part of yourself. He had outgrown the life you could give him, needing space to hunt, to roam free. It was selfish to ask him to stay, even if every part of you wanted to. As he vanished into the trees, you whispered a silent promise to yourself—no matter how far he roamed, he would always be your best friend.

Jinx had worked tirelessly, gathering the materials she needed to craft her explosives. The stolen Noxian bombs from the camp had been a gift from the gods, cutting down her work significantly. By the time you reached the castle, every cart and satchel was packed with carefully assembled explosives, ready to tear through stone and steel. She had been ecstatic, humming to herself as she secured the last of them, her fingers twitching with excitement. But beneath the energy, you could see the tension in her shoulders—the understanding that this wasn’t just another game.

As you rode on, Sevika kept glancing back at you. She never spoke a word, but her eyes said enough. She was waiting for you to change your mind, to turn back before it was too late. The unspoken question lingered in the air between you: Are you sure about this?

But you had already made your choice.

There was no turning back now. Not when you were this close. Not when Ambessa’s reign of terror had already taken so much.

The finish line was within reach, and you would see this through to the end—no matter the cost.

The wind howled as you urged your horse forward, your army pressing on behind you. The castle’s towering walls loomed closer, their stone surfaces slick with ice, dark banners bearing Ambessa’s crest barely visible through the thick snowfall. The silence was suffocating. There were no watchmen shouting from the battlements, no soldiers patrolling the gates—only the eerie stillness of a battlefield waiting to be claimed.

Sevika pulled her horse alongside yours, her brows furrowed in suspicion. “This doesn’t sit right,” she muttered, scanning the area. “Where are the guards?”

Your fingers twitched against your sword’s hilt. “Maybe they know we’re coming,” you murmured. “Maybe they want us to walk right in.”

Jinx snorted from behind you. “Oh, that’d be a dream come true,” she said, patting the satchel of explosives slung over her shoulder. “Wouldn’t mind blowing up a welcome party.”

But the lack of resistance only made the tension worse. The castle was a fortress—there should have been some kind of defense, some sign that Ambessa’s forces were still inside. But instead, the gates stood eerily open, the path leading inward dark and foreboding.

Your army halted at the castle’s entrance. The soldiers murmured amongst themselves, shifting uneasily in their saddles. You turned to them, your voice firm. “We don’t know what we’re walking into. Stay together, stay alert. If this is a trap, we’ll spring it on them first.”

Sevika nodded in approval before dismounting, her hand on the hilt of her sword as she took the first step forward. You followed, leading your forces through the towering gates and into the castle’s courtyard.

The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and steel. There were signs of a struggle—blood smeared across the stone, shattered weapons left abandoned—but no bodies.

“Where the hell is everyone?” one of the soldiers muttered.

Jinx scanned the area, her eyes sharp. “They were here not long ago.” She knelt down, dragging her fingers through the fresh blood pooled along the cracks in the stone. “Somebody cleaned up, but not well enough.”

You exchanged a glance with Sevika, your unease growing. This wasn’t just an empty castle. This was bait.

A sudden gust of wind slammed the main doors shut behind you.

Then, the first arrow came flying.

It struck one of your soldiers in the throat before he could even react, his body crumpling to the ground.

“AMBUSH!” Sevika roared, drawing her sword as Noxian soldiers emerged from the shadows—hidden behind pillars, archways, and the castle’s high walls. They had been waiting for you.

You barely had time to draw your own weapon before the battlefield exploded into chaos. The clash of steel rang through the air as your soldiers met the enemy head-on. Jinx had already disappeared into the fray, likely working her way toward a vantage point.

A Noxian warrior lunged at you, his blade slicing through the air. You dodged, countering with a swift strike that cut through his armor, sending him stumbling backward. Another came from your left, but before he could reach you, Sevika drove her sword through his chest, shoving him aside like dead weight.

“Stick to the plan!” you shouted over the chaos. “Jinx—get those bombs in place!”

Jinx’s laughter echoed from above. “Already on it, sweetheart!”

Explosions rocked the castle’s walls, flames licking up the stone as the first of Jinx’s bombs went off. The Noxians faltered, momentarily thrown off by the sudden blasts.

You took the opening, cutting through another soldier before pushing forward. You needed to get inside—to find Ambessa and end this once and for all.

Sevika was already at your side, fighting off enemies as you carved a path toward the castle’s main hall. The entrance loomed ahead, firelight flickering behind its iron doors.

And then, through the chaos, you saw her.

Ambessa stood at the top of the stairs, watching the battle unfold with a calculating gaze. She didn’t flinch at the carnage, didn’t even seem surprised that you had made it this far.

She smirked.

“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it,” she called out.

Rage boiled in your chest.

This was it.

The final battle had begun.

You tightened your grip on your sword, your breath coming in sharp bursts as the battlefield raged around you. Ambessa stood at the top of the stairs like a queen surveying her domain, clad in thick Noxian armor that gleamed even through the thick snowfall. Her smirk was infuriating, her confidence unshaken despite the chaos unfolding beneath her feet.

Sevika took a step closer to you, her blade dripping with fresh blood. “She’s waiting for us,” she muttered, voice low but edged with urgency. “She wants us to come to her.”

“She’ll get what she wants,” you said through clenched teeth.

Jinx’s explosions continued to erupt around the courtyard, throwing Noxian soldiers off balance and creating openings for your forces. The tide of battle swayed back and forth like a deadly dance, but you didn’t care about the rest of it now. The only thing that mattered was the woman standing above you.

You moved first.

Breaking into a sprint, you carved through the battlefield, cutting down anyone foolish enough to stand in your way. Sevika was right behind you, taking out soldiers with heavy, brutal swings. Jinx’s laughter echoed somewhere in the background, but it was drowned out by the roar of the battle and the pounding of your heartbeat.

Ambessa waited patiently, her hands resting on the hilt of her massive sword, her expression almost amused. It wasn’t until you were nearly at the steps that she finally moved.

With a single step forward, she drew her blade, its enormous size making your own weapon seem almost insignificant. “Come then,” she said, her voice carrying over the battlefield. “Let’s see if you’ve earned the right to stand against me.”

You didn’t hesitate.

The clash of metal rang through the courtyard as your sword met hers. The sheer force of her strike nearly sent you to your knees, but you held firm, pushing back with everything you had. Sparks flew as you struggled against her strength, her smirk never faltering.

She shoved you back with terrifying ease. “You’re just as beautiful as your mother,” she mused, rolling her shoulders as if this was nothing more than a warm-up. “Let’s see if you die like her.”

You barely had time to regain your footing before she lunged again. This time, you dodged, barely avoiding the downward arc of her blade as it slammed into the stone, cracking it beneath her sheer power.

Sevika took her chance, attacking from the side with a heavy swing. Ambessa turned, deflecting the blow with ease, her movements precise and controlled. She pivoted, driving her elbow into Sevika’s ribs before kicking her away with a brutal force that sent her sprawling.

You gritted your teeth, slashing at her exposed side, but she twisted at the last second, your blade only grazing her armor.

Ambessa’s counterattack came fast. She swung at you with devastating strength, and though you managed to block, the impact sent shockwaves through your arms.

She was toying with you.

Your anger flared, and you surged forward again, feinting left before striking at her right. This time, your blade found its mark, slicing into the exposed flesh of her upper arm. Blood stained the snow, and for the first time, Ambessa’s smirk faded.

But instead of anger, there was something else in her eyes.

Amusement.

“Good,” she said, rolling her shoulder. “Very good.”

Then she struck harder.

Her next blow knocked you off your feet, your sword flying from your grasp. You hit the ground hard, your breath torn from your lungs. Above you, Ambessa raised her blade, prepared to end it in one clean stroke.

“NO!”

A blur of movement. Jinx.

The explosion came a second later.

Ambessa barely had time to react before the bomb detonated at her feet, sending her staggering backward in a cloud of fire and smoke. The blast rocked the ground, and for a moment, everything was disoriented—the ringing in your ears drowning out the battle, the thick smoke clouding your vision.

A hand grabbed your wrist, pulling you up.

“Come on, we’re not done yet!” Jinx shouted, eyes wild with adrenaline.

You shook off the daze, your gaze snapping back to Ambessa as she emerged from the smoke. She was injured now, her armor scorched, blood dripping from a fresh wound on her temple. But she was still standing.

Still smiling.

“Is that all you have?” she taunted, wiping blood from her face.

Your fingers curled around your sword as you picked it back up.

This wasn’t over.

Not yet.

You looked over at Jinx, who was still gripping your wrist tightly, her fingers digging into your skin as if she could physically hold you back. Her wide blue eyes were filled with something rare—concern.

“Check on Sevika. I got this,” you said, voice firm despite the exhaustion weighing down your limbs.

Jinx, for once, didn’t listen. She shook her head, her grip tightening. “No. You don’t,” she insisted, her voice unusually serious.

“I said go get Sevika, Jinx!” you barked, yanking your wrist free from her grasp. Jinx flinched, her jaw tightening as she stared at you for a moment longer. Then, with a frustrated scoff, she turned and sprinted toward where Sevika had fallen.

With Jinx gone, your attention snapped back to Ambessa. She was watching you, that ever-present smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. But you wanted to wipe it off her face.

"You just keep coming back…" you said, taking a step forward. "Just like your daughter."

The smirk twitched.

“I made sure she died,” you continued, voice dripping with venom. “I have her head as proof.”

For the first time since the fight began, something shifted in Ambessa. The arrogance, the amusement—it all drained from her face in an instant, replaced by something darker.

Rage.

Her eyes burned as her fingers clenched around the hilt of her sword. Then, without hesitation, she let out a roar and charged.

You barely had time to react before she was upon you, her massive blade swinging down with deadly precision. You threw yourself to the side, the steel missing you by inches as it slammed into the ground, carving deep into the frozen earth.

Ambessa didn’t let up. She ripped her sword free, pivoting on her heel and coming at you again with terrifying speed. You ducked just in time, feeling the blade whistle past your head. Snow kicked up around you as you rolled out of the way, scrambling to your feet.

But she was relentless.

She swung again, this time aiming for your midsection. You barely managed to parry, but the sheer force of her attack sent you skidding backward. The impact rattled through your arms, nearly numbing your hands.

"You should have stayed dead," Ambessa growled, her voice thick with fury.

You spat onto the bloodstained snow, tightening your grip on your weapon.

"I’ll never die," you shot back.

Ambessa let out another furious roar and lunged again.

This time, you were ready.

Another explosion rocked the battlefield, this one more violent than the last. The force of it sent shockwaves through the ground, shaking the very foundation beneath your feet. The platform you stood on cracked with a sickening snap before it completely gave way.

You barely had time to react before you were plummeting, the world tilting as you fell. The impact was brutal. You hit the frozen ground with bone-rattling force, the breath ripped from your lungs as sharp pain erupted through your side. You knew instantly—something was broken. A few ribs, at least.

Gritting your teeth, you forced yourself to move, but before you could even try to stand, a heavy boot came crashing down onto your chest, pinning you in place. A sharp, searing pain shot through your ribs, and you let out a hiss, glaring up at the towering figure above you.

Ambessa.

She loomed over you, her expression carved from stone, but her eyes burned with pure, unfiltered rage. Her breathing was heavy, controlled, but you could see the storm raging beneath. You had hit a nerve.

“Don’t take it too harshly,” you wheezed, forcing a smirk despite the pain clawing at your body. “It was an eye for an eye.”

Ambessa’s jaw tightened. Her grip on her sword flexed as she gazed down at you. “That mouth of yours is what caused this death.”

With that, she lifted her blade, aiming to bring it down in one swift, final strike.

Before the sword could fall, a blur of movement slammed into her, knocking her clean off of you. The force sent her stumbling backward, her weapon clattering to the ground.

Vander.

He tackled her with all his strength, his broad form colliding with hers like a wrecking ball. They hit the ground hard, rolling through the snow in a brutal tangle of limbs and fists. Vander wasted no time. His fists crashed against Ambessa’s face, his knuckles stained red as he fought with raw, unyielding fury.

You coughed, each breath stabbing through your ribs like a blade, but you forced yourself to move. Your hands trembled as you pushed yourself up, your vision swimming as you clutched your aching side. You needed to act—now.

With a groan of pain, you reached for your bow, wincing as the movement sent fresh waves of agony through your body. Every second felt like an eternity as you fumbled to pull an arrow from your bag. Your fingers wrapped around the shaft, your breath coming in ragged gasps as you forced yourself to focus.

Ambessa had managed to shove Vander off, her strength unmatched even as blood dripped from her split lip. She was reaching for her sword.

You couldn’t let that happen.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, you raised your bow, the strain in your ribs nearly unbearable. You pulled back the string, your arms shaking as you lined up your shot. The pain blurred your vision, but you ignored it.

And then, you let go.

The arrow sliced through the air with deadly precision, striking Ambessa’s arm just as she reached for her blade. She let out a sharp grunt, the force of the impact making her stagger. Blood bloomed against the fabric of her sleeve as she snarled, turning to glare at you with murderous fury.

Ambessa’s growl of pain was low and guttural, her eyes locking onto you with a murderous glare. The arrow had buried itself deep into her upper arm, making her momentarily falter, but she was far from finished. Even wounded, she was still a force to be reckoned with.

Vander took the opening without hesitation. He drove his fist into her jaw with a thunderous crack, sending her reeling backward. But Ambessa was quick—too quick. She twisted with the blow, using its momentum to bring her elbow crashing into Vander’s ribs. He grunted in pain, staggering, but he didn’t go down.

You exhaled sharply, gripping your side as you forced yourself to move. Every step was agony, but you ignored it, notching another arrow despite your shaking hands.

Ambessa snarled, ripping the arrow from her arm with nothing but sheer brute force. Blood dripped from the wound, staining the snow beneath her, but she barely acknowledged it.

“You think this is over?” she spat, her voice rough but unwavering. She flicked the broken arrow to the ground, eyes blazing as she turned back toward you.

You didn’t flinch.

“It ends tonight,” you said, your voice strained but steady.

Ambessa let out a low, humorless chuckle. “Then come, child,” she taunted, raising her fists. “Let’s finish what we started.”

But before you could make a move, another explosion detonated in the distance, shaking the battlefield once more. The sky lit up in a fiery glow as Jinx’s bombs tore through the outer walls of the castle. The shockwave sent ice and debris flying through the air, forcing everyone to brace themselves.

Vander cursed under his breath, shielding his face from the blast, while you instinctively staggered back.

Ambessa, however, didn’t retreat. She charged.

You barely had time to react before she was on you.

Her hand closed around your throat, her grip like iron as she slammed you into the nearest pile of rubble. Pain flared through your back, your vision momentarily blacking out from the impact. You clawed at her wrist, gasping for air as she pressed down harder.

“Your arrogance will be your downfall,” she growled, eyes filled with fury. “Just like your father’s.”

The mention of him sent a fresh surge of rage through you. Gritting your teeth, you reached down, fumbling for the dagger strapped to your hip.

Ambessa saw it too late.

With a desperate lunge, you drove the blade into her side.

She let out a sharp hiss, her grip loosening just enough for you to break free. Gasping, you staggered forward, coughing as you sucked in a painful breath.

Ambessa clutched the wound, but she didn’t fall. If anything, she looked more enraged than before.

Vander stepped between you both, his stance firm. “Enough,” he barked.

But Ambessa wasn’t listening.

She pulled the dagger from her side and tossed it away, cracking her neck as she advanced once more.

You tightened your grip on your bow.

Ambessa lunged.

You barely had time to react as she swung her fist at you, her raw strength forcing you back. Your ribs screamed in protest, but you swallowed the pain, dodging just as her second strike came crashing down. The force of her blows cracked the frozen ground beneath you.

Vander tried to intercept her again, but Ambessa shoved him aside with brutal efficiency, her focus locked solely on you. Ambessa’s shove sent Vander sprawling to the side, his body hitting the ground with a harsh thud. He groaned but didn’t get back up. It was just you and her now.

You barely had time to breathe before she was on you again. Ambessa moved with terrifying speed for someone of her size, her fists swinging with enough force to break bone. You dodged the first hit by a hair’s breadth, the air whistling as it cut past your face, but the second punch slammed into your ribs.

A sickening crack echoed through the battlefield.

You choked on your own breath, pain splintering through your body. Your knees buckled, and you staggered back, clutching your side. Ambessa didn’t give you a moment to recover.

A powerful kick slammed into your stomach, sending you flying backward. You hit the frozen ground hard, skidding across the ice and snow. Blood filled your mouth as you gasped for air, your vision blurring. You tried to push yourself up, but Ambessa was already looming over you, her expression dark and merciless.

“You’ve lost,” she said, her voice like steel.

She raised her foot and stomped down on your chest. Agony erupted through you as you let out a strangled cry. You could feel something shifting painfully inside—another broken rib, maybe more.

Ambessa leaned down, her weight pressing harder on you, making it nearly impossible to breathe. “You thought you could stand against me? You are nothing compared to real warriors. Compared to me.”

Your vision was tunneling. Black spots danced across your sight, and your limbs felt like they were filled with lead.

This was it. You were going to die.

But something inside you refused.

Gritting your teeth, you ignored the searing pain and moved.

With all the strength you had left, you reached down to your belt, fingers wrapping around the handle of a dagger. Before Ambessa could react, you slashed at her calf, cutting deep.

She roared in pain, stumbling back just enough for her foot to lift off your chest. You sucked in a desperate breath and rolled away, pushing yourself to your feet despite the agony wracking your body.

Ambessa’s glare was murderous. She lunged at you again, her arms outstretched to grab you, but you used your smaller size to your advantage. You ducked under her grasp, spinning around her as you grabbed another dagger from your belt.

She turned, swinging wildly, and her fist connected with your cheek.

Stars exploded behind your eyes, and you crashed onto the snow, dazed. The cold seeped into your bones, but you forced yourself to move, to keep fighting.

Ambessa grabbed you by the collar, hauling you up with ease. “Stay down!” she snarled, throwing you against a broken pillar. The impact rattled every part of you, and for a moment, all you could do was cough up blood.

You were losing.

As the pain coursed through your battered body, your vision blurred, and for a brief moment, the battlefield faded away. You weren’t in the middle of a war anymore. You were back in the underground hideout, years ago, standing across from Silco in the dimly lit training room.

He circled you, a wooden sword in hand, his mismatched eyes locked onto yours with that calculating sharpness he always had. You were younger then—still reckless, still learning. And frustrated.

“I can’t do this,” you had muttered, gripping your training blade so tightly your knuckles turned white. Your muscles ached from endless hours of sparring, and your body was covered in bruises from every time he knocked you down. “I’ll never be strong enough.”

Your father had merely tilted his head, unimpressed. “Oh?” He strode forward, swinging his blade, and you barely managed to block it. The force sent you stumbling back, your feet barely steadying in time to avoid falling. “If you believe that, then you’ve already lost.”

You huffed, sweat dripping from your brow. “You’re twice my size.”

He chuckled, amused. “Then stop fighting like you are my size.” Silco lowered his sword slightly and stepped closer, his gaze piercing. “Strength is more than muscle. It’s your mind, your will, your ability to find an opening when all seems lost.” He tapped the side of his head. “The moment you let despair win, you die.”

You swallowed hard, looking away.

But Silco wasn’t finished. He placed a firm hand on your shoulder, making you meet his gaze again. For once, there was no condescension—just certainty. “You are not weak, my rose,” he said, voice low, steady. “You’ve survived things that would have broken most people. You have a fire inside you—one that refuses to die, no matter how many times you fall.” His fingers tightened slightly. “Get up. And fight.”

The memory crashed into you like a wave, and suddenly, you were back in the present. Back in the freezing snow, your body screaming in pain, Ambessa Medarda standing over you, her sword raised for the final strike.

But Your father’s voice still echoed in your head.

"Get up. And fight."

Something inside you snapped.

A sharp, desperate breath filled your lungs, and with the last of your strength, you moved.

And that was all you needed.

Ambessa stalked toward you, her broad shoulders casting a shadow over your broken body. You could barely keep yourself upright, but you tightened your grip on your daggers.

She reached for you—

And you struck.

With a burst of final, desperate strength, you lunged forward, driving one dagger deep into her throat.

Ambessa’s eyes widened.

Her hands shot up to grab you, but you were faster. With a guttural cry, you twisted the blade and plunged the second dagger into the other side of her throat, cutting through muscle and windpipe.

She gasped—a wet, choking sound—as blood gushed from the wounds.

You grabbed the front of her armor, forcing her to look at you as she struggled for breath.

“Look at me as you die, Medarda,” you snarled, your voice shaking with rage and exhaustion.

Ambessa trembled, her hands gripping at the daggers, but it was already over. The strength left her body, and she fell to her knees before finally collapsing into the snow.

Dead.

You swayed on your feet, every part of you screaming in agony. Your hands were covered in her blood. Your chest burned with every breath. But you were still standing.

Barely.

Your legs gave out, and you sank to the ground, panting heavily as the world around you blurred. The battle was still raging in the distance, but for this moment, all you could do was stare at Ambessa’s lifeless body.

You had won.

But at what cost?

The battlefield was eerily silent as you stepped forward, the cold wind biting at your skin as the weight of what had just transpired settled on your shoulders. The once-deafening sounds of clashing steel, war cries, and dying screams had faded into a tense quiet. Snow, now mixed with blood, blanketed the ground beneath your boots as you moved with purpose, your breathing ragged but steady.

Vander groaned as you helped him up, his weight heavy against you. His face was bloodied, his body battered, but he was alive. You guided him toward a piece of rubble and eased him down, making sure he could sit upright. “You good?” you asked, voice hoarse. Vander huffed a breath, wincing but nodding. “I’ll live,” he muttered, offering you a half-smirk despite the pain.

You gave a small nod before turning away, your eyes locking onto the lifeless body of Ambessa Medarda. The once-mighty warlord lay in a pool of crimson, her formidable presence reduced to nothing but a corpse. Her armor was cracked, her sword lay discarded, and the fight that had once burned in her eyes was extinguished.

Stepping over her, you reached down and grasped the heavy metal faceplate that had adorned her helmet. It was dented from battle, smeared with blood—both hers and your own. You gripped it tightly, feeling the weight of it in your palm as you turned toward the castle.

The battle still raged on near the entrance, Noxian soldiers and Zaunites locked in combat. But you didn’t hesitate. With every painful step, you moved forward, fueled by something far greater than pain.

Then, you shouted.

“Your leader is dead!”

Your voice rang out, cutting through the chaos like a blade. It echoed through the battlefield, and slowly—one by one—the fighting ceased. Swords were lowered. Guns were stilled. Breathless soldiers turned to look at you, their eyes wide as the realization set in.

With a final motion, you lifted Ambessa’s armor piece high for all to see—before throwing it down into the middle of the rubble. It landed with a dull clang, a single, undeniable symbol of victory.

The Noxians stared at it. At her crest. At the blood that stained it. Some exchanged uneasy glances. Others stood frozen in disbelief.

And then, one by one, their weapons dropped to the ground.

The war was over.

Your body swayed, unsteady, as the weight of your injuries bore down on you. Every inch of you ached, your ribs screaming in agony with each shallow breath. The world around you blurred, the sounds of victory fading into a distant hum. Your vision darkened at the edges, your legs giving out beneath you.

Just as you were about to collapse, strong arms caught you, preventing you from hitting the bloodstained ground. A familiar grip held you firm, keeping you upright even as your knees buckled. You blinked through the haze, your gaze struggling to focus on the person holding you.

Vi.

Her face was tight with worry, her hands gripping you securely. “I got you,” she murmured, her voice unusually soft.

Caitlyn appeared beside her, quickly slipping an arm around you as well, helping Vi support your weight. Her brows were furrowed, eyes scanning your battered form with concern. “You’re barely standing,” she noted, glancing at Vi before focusing back on you.

Despite the searing pain, you forced yourself to speak. “Is… everyone okay?” Your voice was weak, barely above a whisper.

Vi huffed, shaking her head. “Yeah, but let’s worry about you, okay?” Her tone was light, but you could hear the tension underneath it, the unspoken fear.

You tried to answer, to reassure them, but exhaustion crashed over you like a tidal wave. Your body refused to fight anymore. The world around you tilted, the light dimming as your eyelids grew impossibly heavy.

The last thing you heard was Vi calling your name, Caitlyn tightening her grip.

Then, everything went black.

When you woke up, the scent of fresh linen and burning firewood filled your senses, a stark contrast to the battlefield’s blood and smoke. The air was warm, wrapping around you like a thick blanket, and for the first time in weeks, you felt comfort—not the rough terrain beneath your body, not the cold steel of armor digging into your ribs, but actual comfort. The mattress was plush, the sheets smooth against your skin, and as you shifted slightly, you felt the dull, persistent ache of your broken ribs and the throbbing sting in your head.

Your eyes wandered, taking in the unfamiliar yet elegant surroundings. The room was spacious, finely decorated with heavy curtains, golden candle sconces, and an ornate mirror built into the wall beside you. It was only when you caught your own reflection that reality hit you.

You looked awful.

Scratches marred your skin, a deep gash slit through your eyebrow, and your bottom lip was swollen and split. The bruises painted across your body told stories of the battle you had fought—of every punch, every fall, every blade that had nearly ended you. You sighed, looking away just as the door creaked open.

Jinx strolled in first, her signature smirk in place, followed by Vi, who stood with her arms crossed. Jinx plopped down at the edge of the bed dramatically, kicking her feet up.

“Your majesty,” she teased, grinning.

You exhaled a small laugh, shaking your head. “Where are we?”

Vi leaned against the wall, her expression softer than usual. “A noble offered us this mansion to recover in. It’s yours to use as a temporary home while your castle is being rebuilt.”

Your castle. The weight of it settled on you. Your home—destroyed, burned, reduced to rubble in the war you had just fought. It was a victory, but at what cost?

Your thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization. “Where’s Sevika?” you demanded, sitting up too quickly, pain flaring through your ribs.

Jinx hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. “When I threw that bomb… she took a big hit. Honestly, the only thing that kept her from being completely torn apart was her mechanical arm. It blocked most of the impact. She’s pretty messed up, but she’s alive. No limbs missing, if that helps.”

Your heart clenched, but you nodded. “It’s okay. She’s alive. That’s all that matters.” You met Jinx’s gaze, sincerity in your tone. “And you were just trying to protect me. I don’t blame you.”

Jinx gave a small smile, though she still seemed tense.

“Help me up,” you said, gripping the blanket as you prepared yourself for the pain of moving.

Vi immediately stepped forward, her strong hands wrapping around your arms, lifting you gently. You winced as you stood, your ribs protesting every movement, but you forced yourself forward.

The hallways were filled with people—soldiers, townspeople—some familiar, some strangers, but all of them weary from battle. They whispered as you passed, nodding respectfully, their faces a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

Jinx led the way to a quiet room at the end of the hall, pushing open the door to reveal Sevika lying motionless on the bed.

A maid was tending to her, wiping down her face and arms with a damp cloth. Her mechanical arm rested beside her, slightly dented from the explosion. Despite the bruises and bandages covering her body, her breathing was steady, her chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm.

Vi helped you into a chair beside the bed before glancing at the others. “Let’s give them some time.” She signaled to Jinx and the maid, and without argument, they stepped out, closing the door behind them.

Silence settled over the room as you stared at Sevika.

She looked different like this—vulnerable, quiet, no scowl or sharp glare on her face. Just stillness. You reached out, hesitating for a moment before running your fingers through her dark, tangled hair.

“My love,” you whispered.

You leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before resting yours against hers. The warmth of her skin grounded you, reminded you that she was still here, still breathing, still fighting.

“Wake up soon,” you murmured, your fingers brushing through her hair. “I need you.”

You closed your eyes, letting yourself get lost in the moment, in the sound of her soft breaths, in the quiet reassurance that despite everything—you both survived.