#nightcipher

Letting out a soft, shuddery breath, the woman left the room, striding down the hall. Her journey took her to another part of the building - a room where something momentous was about to take place.

She was greeted by several children and a few other mages - former summoners and Champions alike. One might've found it surprising that Lux and LeBlanc numbered them, but hard times had forced every city-state into a temporary truce. It was in fact Lux and LeBlanc who had together orchestrated the illusion that stretched over the location where the few survivors had taken refuge, with Alexandra coordinating a comprehensive network of defensive spells.

The main person in the room, however, was neither of them. Today, like Alexandra, they were just other mages, here to contribute their magical strength to a spell of epic proportions.

On the side stood Zilean. While he hadn't suggested the idea of a sending back in time, he was certainly the expert to turn to on such matters, and so had been intimately involved in the creation and casting of this spell every step of the way. It was he that many turned to for possible outcomes of this spell, he that had had guided the spell to send their subjects the right way - or, at least, attempted to guide them, for time was a fickle subject that even Zilean had been reluctant to meddle with. In the end, however, necessity had demanded it.

A glance was all that Alexandra shared with the Chronomage before she stepped forward to kneel before one of the children. "Syarri."

"Mummy?"

"Mummy needs you to take something with you." It took a great effort to not let the tremors show in her voice. Alexandra exhaled, then gently slid the letter into her hand. Not only did it carry the explanation of a sudden appearance of nine children, but it carried the details of how such a spell had been carried out - and hopefully, mages of that timeline would be able to replicate it one day. "I need you to give this to Daddy."

"But Daddy's...you said he was gone."

"...Where you're going Syarri...you will see him again. One day, you will understand. And-" a sudden thought as she reached for the back of her neck. There was a soft click, and then Alexandra was lifting a necklace from herself, gently fastening it on her daughter. "-take this with you. Daddy will- he'll need that too." It pained her, to give up something so special, but she knew that Syarri would need it more.

"What about you Mummy?"

"Mummy...mummy has to stay, dearest. She has to help the people still here."

"...Okay."

The simple affirmation broke the woman's heart. She swallowed hastily, then rose, looking down at the girl. "Mummy will...she'll always love you, okay?"

"I love you too Mummy." And suddenly, a hug, her only daughter wrapped around her leg, clinging like a limpet to a rock. Alexandra gently disentangled the girl's arms before stooping again, lifting her in a proper embrace. It took her but a moment to bury her nose in her daughter's brown hair - Night's hair - and inhale deeply. As usual, it elicited a soft giggle from the girl.

She'd never hear that again, Alexandra knew - but then, she also knew she'd never see Night again either, and that was a price that she had to pay.

The moment was gone, and Alexandra dropped Syarri back into the middle of the room. She turned, stepping out of the spell, and nodded to Lux.

The light mage stepped into her place, as Alexandra stepped into hers - and suddenly, the circle was complete.

There were no words to describe the buildup of energy that raced through the group of mages. It was, to say the least, exhilirating. Magic tingled from head to toe, growing growing - and suddenly, Alexandra knew that the death warrants of everyone remaining at this complex had been signed. There was no way that any illusion could hide the power in this spell - more than enough power to send a group of children through time, and to meddle with others in another time. A lapse in thought was enough - and she felt a small slip as two were torn from her grasp, sent spinning across the void of timelines out there.

No!

Focus!

With an effort, she wrenched back to the spell - and suddenly there was pop and a great flash of light. The growing tension snapped and the group was standing alone in a room with a smell of smoke and lightning.

The children were gone.

At least that had worked.

Alexandra suddenly became aware of just how exhausted she was. Even as she swayed, others rushed around, propping up the working mages, or chattering with others. No doubt they were excited about the success, and hoped to replicate the procedure. Alexandra only looked up to smile her reassurance at someone who offered assistance - and then her eyes met LeBlanc's across the room.

For once there was none of the trickery or deception - only a gentle and honest truth, and the gaze they shared was nothing more than a connection between two people. It rocked her world upside down.

"Sit down. You look exhausted."

It was that exhaustion that had Alexandra replying frankly to the Matron. "I'd forgotten your speed of movement."

"That's not a smart thing to say to someone like me, madam."

Alexandra chuckled softly. "With the way things are going, I don't think it matters." As she spoke, she met the Deceiver's eyes again in a simple show of trust and truth. The woman's gaze back was dark - dark with knowledge and comprehension. She knows too. She knows we've doomed everyone here to the Void creatures.

"Perhaps not," the other finally conceded, "but that doesn't mean it's over." She offered an elegant hand.

Somewhere, Lux was already sitting, deep in meditation as she inspected the intricate lattice of spells layered over the building. Zilean, lost as he was in his condition, was confirming the arrival of a group of children in another time, and the consequent vanishing of several adults - as well as a pair dropping into a completely different timeline (the latter of which relieved Alexandra, as at least they hadn’t been entangled in time itself). Xerath was already blustering off about how he was fine - and though everyone could see that the spell had taken a toll on even him, they chose to humour the Ascendant. A former Summoner helped another to her feet

Alexandra reached up for LeBlanc's hand. "You're right, Matron," she said quietly, displaying the gentle strength that had allowed her to mourn her lover's death while fighting on. Already she could feel the tremors in her mind as the first few Voidborn began to trip alarm spells on their journey to locate the delicious source of such power. And while Alexandra had no doubt they'd fall in the end-

"...The war has just begun."

“My dear, you shouldn’t have.”

“You haven’t opened it yet,” she fires back with all the energy of a five year old, breathless with anticipation.

Another chuckle leaves his lips as he sits up properly, turning his attention to the small wrapped box. She sits next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder in an unconscious gesture of affection. Her ease of this motion speaks of time and faith, and it never fails to make him breathe.

Inside the box is a chain.

On the chain is a shield.

It looks rather like the Aegis item from the Institute- oh.

Night knows exactly what he holds now, for he can see her name carefully etched into the back, as can he see the symbols for protection and defense carefully inscribed into the front in such a way that they only show under a certain angle of light - symbols that no doubt Alexandra had carved herself. The item glimmers with a faint emerald sheen, and he knows it’s not just the sigils in the object, but her magic as well.

This custom is not something he has personally shared with Alexandra, but-

“I learnt about this when I asked Iris, a friend of mine, what I could get you. I needed to-” her voice wavers, and for once, Alexandra looks uncertain. She has no idea how to explain.

That’s okay, though, because Night knows, and so he unfastens the clasp with great ceremony, offering the necklace to her and turning so she could put it on. She goes still, and for a while there is only silence as she hangs the chain around his neck where it should be.

When this is complete he sweeps her into his arms, gently confessing his love for her with a kiss. She returns it, and it is only then that he feels the wetness from her cheeks as he cups them. Without answering he pulls away, wrapping his arms around her. She buries her face in his shoulder and exhales deeply, and he feels her tears as they dampen his shirt.

I love you too.

He had indeed been planning to do some paperwork, but tonight he’s sure that it can wait.