Sakura

Chapter 11

Nami turned another street corner and looked behind her to check if Ezreal had followed. He hadn't. The siren felt a small wave of disappointment, both at herself and the man. Did she really count that little amongst the other guardians? Why did it matter so much to her to be counted as one of them? She had her own people, but why did that feel like a futile thing to say now? She had been gone from the ocean, her tribe for so long... was she really still one of them after all of this? As Nami struggled with her own internal thoughts she was almost too late when an ensnaring magic rose around her.

 A bright burst of light lit the cold dark of the empty city street as Nami slid backwards, her chest heaving in the sudden exertion of magic.

 "Nicely done, Nami," a voice purred. "I haven't had someone deflect my vines in a long time."

 With a small wave of her hand Nami's staff appeared, the ornate golden weapon long and bloomed with blue arcing waves that appeared deadly at the tip.

 "If you value your life," Nami asked, her eyes narrowing on the dark form leaned against the nearby alley wall, "speak quickly."

 A laugh came from the stranger as they stepped out and into the low glow of the city street. It was a woman, her full, long dark red hair woven back in a high, intricate braid. Clad head to toe in black leather it looked as though what the stranger wore was painted on. Cinched at her waist was a red corset, the silver of the clasps shining dully in the low light as her breasts swelled out with every breath. Everything about this woman's body curved and dipped sensually.

 Before Nami's brain could register the slight flick of the stranger's hand the siren felt her hand grow numb. Looking down she realized an entire vine had crept out of a crack in the pavement and had now woven its way around her wrist that gripped the staff. The stranger closed her fist tightly and Nami cried out in pain as the vine's strength squeezed so tight she thought for sure her bones were cracking.

 Nami tried to summon as much magic as she could but this seemed to only anger the stranger as she let out an annoyed sigh. Springing with up force, the cement crumbling away more vines appeared and gripped all parts of Nami.

 "That's enough resisting, siren." The woman said, her voice coming out like a seductive purr, although along the edges of her tone were strained. "Or I will crush you like a-" the woman threatened, stepping towards Nami, leveling their faces as Nami's chin was gripped tightly by another vine.

 "Zyra!" A small, childlike voice snapped.

 "Greaaat, the buzz kill has arrived," Zyra turned, feigning a smile towards the voice coming from behind Nami. More vines shifted to cover the siren's mouth as Nami began to cry out again as the vines holding her tightened even further.

 "You're going to make him mad..." The child spoke again, this time her voice sounding as though she would enjoy the thought of Zyra being punished.

 Nami attempted to breathe through the pain, realizing that with each inhale the vines wrapped around her torso now only squeezed her ribs tighter.

 "Enough." A clear voice rang out and Nami felt her hair stand up and her teeth grit through the pain. It was a familiar voice and the power behind it sent a shiver of fear... and rage. The Golden Demon was here.