Dawn at the Wild Rift (Book IV)

Chapter 42

Lylia purses her lips to stop the sobs that are urging to escape from her mouth. She did not want to think that something is bound to happen, she wants to convince herself that everything will be fine now that they unsealed the dragon tamers and the war will soon be over.

Harley looks up to the sky with the hard wish that his tears would not betray him and fall. He did not want to cry... he wanted to be tough in front of people. He takes a few deep breaths before gazing back at Lylia who is already shedding tears.

With the back of his hand, he wipes off her tears.

"Do you remember the time we went to the temple of the Great Dragon?" he suddenly asks.

Lylia could only nod in response.

"Actually, I did not understand what that Great Dragon meant by gifted mages holding heavy sacrifices. At first, I thought that the responsibilities of having to be in wars such as these is what he wanted to tell me. But when we were in the Enchanted Forest and were trying to free those dragon tamers, I came to realize what those words actually hid."

"You won't die, right?" Lylia sobs.

Harley smiles. "I won't. But I would have to live without being remembered."

Lylia freezes in place, her eyes settling on the soft expression plastered all over Harley's face. It is as if such a consequence did not bother him at all, but it pained her. It seems like he is prepared to face such a painful reality of being forgotten by his parents, by his dearest sister and by the people who once acknowledged him as Land of Dawn's genius mage.

Returning a gaze, Harley simply flashes a smile and pats Lylia by the shoulder.

"That is something I can tolerate rather than completely vanishing from this place. We still have a war to win so hold on until then."

As he turns his back on her and rejoin Gusion with the VENOM squad, Lylia clenches her fists.

"I won't forget about you... I promise."

"That's reassuring. Thanks."

As they part ways, Harley could only embrace the consequence of freeing the dragon tamers that are supposed to be sealed. Besides, no good things remain unpaid.

"Attack the Black Dragon but keep Rakshesha on check. I'm relying on you, Vespid," Gusion states.

"I'll keep guard of her," Angela replies with her mechanical voice.

Talon, on the other hand, could not take his eyes off of Angela. With his curiosity reaching its peak, he leans over Hanzo.

"Is that thing really alive?" he whispers while pointing at Angela.

Hanzo stares at him with disbelief. "Of course, don't act ignorant when you have capable mages in Runeterra."

Gusion brushes them off before he leads the team to aid the dragon tamers.

On their way, Ling comes up to them.

"You take care of the Black Dragon. I will lead Wanwan away from the premises to separate her from Yu Zhong. Take him down as soon as possible before he regains more strength," he instructs Gusion.

"Got it."

That being said, they rejoin Kimmy and Valir that are backing up Rakshesha, who is leading the attack.

Meanwhile, Ling head-on attacks Wanwan. Just a few swings of his sword as if slicing through the air, a strong force sends Wanwan flying away from where the Black Dragon stands.

The agile tigress may be in midair but this did not stop her from regaining composure and shooting her poisoned needles towards Night Shade.

Ling dodges her attack but what he did not expect is the sudden lunge of Wanwan towards him. He backs away before he could receive the girl's high kicks. Before he could realize that Wanwan has the ability to freely move in midair, he lets out a painful groan when she manages to land a turning kick right on his chest. This causes him to hit the ground on his back.