A Dance for My Enemies

Ninjas, mages, and warriors

Laying on the ground, the figure holding me down was strong as hell. He locked my arms behind me.

Looking to Akali, she was standing perfectly safe.

Actually.

She was smiling down at me.

"You look comfortable down there" she giggles.

"Akali, who is this, do you know him?" The man grappling me to the ground asks.

"Yeah he's safe, he won't harm anyone." Akali responds.

As quick as the snap of the finger I am released. I get up patting my knees off. Getting a better look at the man I see he's wearing a full outfit covering him from the feet to his face. A sort of ninja maybe.

"Apologies for the aggression. With Noxus spreading around every day one cannot be too careful. Though I suppose I should have known since you were with Akali." The man apologized.

"No problem, I'm used to the harsh treatment. But could you tell us where the local resistance is at? We're looking to accompany them." I brush off the rest of the dirt.

"Navori has a few small groups of people acting against Noxus. The central and largest following is here at the Placidium. Karma is who you'll likely want to talk too." He points towards a distant altar like structure.

Akali pats my shoulder motioning for me to move on.

Walking further we stumble across a group of people. Not just normal folk. They were doing something strange.

They were dancing.

And it wasn't like those ordinary dances two lovers performed at the bar in a bilgewater back alley. It looked beautiful. The motions of their bodies as they guided what looked like blades through the air.

This looked like what happened at the prison camp a few days ago.  The steel cutting through the air felt so captivating. I could watch it for hours.

"Enjoying the traditional dances?" Akali stands next to me.

"It's amazing how they do it. You probably need a lot of focus to perform it." I respond not averting my gaze.

In the center stands a woman with long black hair. Her outfit inspired by traditional Ionian robes and fabrics. 

"That's Irelia, she may not look it, but each one of her blades has probably killed more noxians than most people will in their lifetime." Akali interrupts my gaze.

In all honesty, she was beautiful. Not just her looks. Her dance, her intense aura, and her piercing blue eyes.

Now looking at Akali I realize we've been standing here for at least ten minutes.  Since when have I been interested in amenities. It was always a moot point unless it benefited me.

"Let's head to the altar. We can find out more there." I point to the distance.

And so.

We walk again.

Reaching a long set of stairs we stood. Looking on at nature's beautiful architecture. Humankind could never replicate the perfect chaotic orderly Design that nature manifests. The seams in the wood to the gorgeous arches of the branches.

Bilgewater had a very stale design. Every single corner looks the same. The nautical aesthetic was also never pleasing to me. For someone from a pirate town I actually hated the sea. I got sick when I stood on a boat too long.

Vomited every time I had to be on one.

Climbing the stone steps to the top I get a strange feeling. The altar must have a strong connection to Ionia. Magic flowing through my veins. As if the magic flower right through me. Disregarding my body and traveling in it's own direction.

But it wasn't disregarding me. Ionia is aware of every single thing that breathes on it. A story many passerbys have said throughout the years.

But did Nature have to make this staircase so long. My legs were giving in to the distance we traversed.

Stone steps were all I could see.

Stone steps.

And more stone steps.

It felt like I was looking at more but there weren't.

Instead, a large open space lied out in front of me. In the middle a figure sat calmly. 

A sudden gust of magic travels through me. Such a wired feeling.

Akali behind me also looks bewildered.

The figure stands up slowly.

"You are here to join with the spirit? Or is there another reason?" A soft yet powerful voice comes from the figure.

"Are you Karma? We want to speak to you."

She stands up. A sort of green sigil hovering behind her. Black short hair running down her head. A Ionian style robe envelopes her.

"You're at the right place. What is it you want?" She calmly responds.

"We are here because we want to take on noxians. But we cannot do it alone. There are too many on numbers." I speak out.

"Maybe for you." Akali whispers behind me.

I turn back to the woman.

"I love Ionia and will protect it from the invaders. However only when it is necessary. Peace is still our way. We are not a warmongering people." She walks closer

What? So she wants to protect her home but also prefers to sit here instead of fighting. I know that it's better to embrace a side instead of lingering in the middle.

"Innocent people are suffering because of inaction! Ionia needs to be protected or there won't be any peace." Akali shouts back.

I knew her stake in the war was big but I didn't know she was the "fight for the cause" type.

"Akali, do you value the Ionian ways? Lowering ourselves to the same level as the noxians would kill the traditions we've spent so long to establish." Karma explains.

Karma sighs looking off into the distance.

"I don't like constant violence. It's bad for the spirit. But I can't stop a commendable effort to protect my values." She finally looks back at us.

"Irelia is looking to attack a big Noxian camp at the harbor soon. She wouldn't be apposed to some company. There will also be a great many noxians stationed there." She adds.

Irelia was the dancer we saw earlier. And the one I think I saw back on that rainy day. I like our odds with her on board.

"May the spirit bless you. And good luck from me." She turns back to the altar.

I look at Akali.

"Let's find Irelia and maybe get some rest before the attack." Akali says.

"Good idea, I could also go for a bite to eat." I smile.

We walk down from the altar.