The Sinister blade

S E V E N T E E N : K A T A R I N A

The day has been longer than expected, not wanting to end. I walk with Warwick towards the Heart of the Leary to meet Lulu again; we need to know what to do next. Hopefully she has planned something better and more specific for this time.

Lulu gives me general instructions and keeps waiting for my own moves, my own decisions, and she still waits for me to handle the situations. This isn't what I thought she'd do when I first talked about her to Cassiopeia. She was supposed to help me with better guidance and more detailed instructions.

It's getting dark, but not too dark to hide Cassiopeia's big yellow eyes which watch us. She comes out from between the trees where she hides this time. She's always hiding somewhere where she cannot be seen by anyone, except us.

Cassiopeia joins me and Warwick and we make our way through to the Heart of the Leary.

'' He liked her. '' Warwick tells Cassiopeia about our journey in the Demacian castle with Garen.

'' No, he didn't. '' I deny what he said.

'' He did. '' Warwick insists.

'' He didn't. '' My eyes are hooked on his hoping he'll understand and change his statement.

'' It doesn't matter, what really matters is her getting closer to her target. Yes Kat? '' Cassiopeia winks at me.

'' Well, if we'd speak about her getting closer to her target, she isn't getting anywhere yet. '' Warwick throws a half smile at me. And I cannot even deny his words, because he is right. I am still at the beginning and didn't move at all.

As we arrive, we unlock the Heart of the Leary's door to find Jinx & Lulu already watching the crystal ball. I peer into it to find out that they aren't watching me, they are watching my brother, Talon.

'' Why are you tracking him? '' I question Lulu rushing towards the ball before she makes the picture disappear. '' What is he doing there? '' I ask when I see him inside of the Demacian castle.

'' He has been searching for you Kat. '' Lulu says and still doesn't move her eyes away from Jinx. Meanwhile, Jinx starts moving around trying to hide her face expressions which are full of confusion.

'' Okay. '' I tell Lulu. '' And what's wrong with that? '' I notice Jinx's actions and I get suspicious.

'' Nothing is wrong. '' Lulu tries to cover up for Jinx. '' Now let's go back to our main subject. What happened with Talon? '' Lulu steps down of her chair which is giant for her size.

'' Talon? '' Warwick laughs and takes a bite from the magical fruits which increases the health & power.

'' I meant Garen. '' Lulu rectifies her mistake. '' What happened with Garen? '' She pretends it's not a big deal.

'' You saw all didn't you? '' Warwick hints at her.

'' Yes, I saw everything but I couldn't hear a damn thing. Now put down that fruit from your hand & focus with me. PLEASE. '' Lulu keeps her voice low but her tone is aggressive.

Warwick's eyes start turning red & Cassiopeia presses Warwick's hand to keep him calm.

'' So basically, I got a room inside of the castle. '' I start narrating for Lulu before things get worst between her and Warwick. '' And I met both, Garen & Akali. Akali is from Ionia, and I consider her as a threat because I pretended to be from there too. And to be honest, I know very little about them. And I assume you already know all of what I told you. ''

I try to resume for Lulu but I don't want to talk a lot to avoid any thoughts about Garen which she might read from my mind.

'' Ask his help to train you. '' Lulu suggests.

'' What? No way! '' I laugh. I never liked when Talon showed me skills, I always wanted to build my own. And that's what I did. I've built my own assassin skills which most of the champions admire & no one can imitate my move.

'' Listen Kat, your mission is to approach Garen to lead you towards the real killer of his father, Hammunculus. '' Lulu holds her wand & goes back on her chair to be the same heights as ours. She looks me in the eyes as she speaks, reminding me of our purpose. '' You aren't going to join the league tournament for real, okay? You are going to proof your innocence to get your life back so please focus on that. ''

Lulu tries to remind me of why I am in the Demacian castle. And it chokes me to remember the mission which I don't know how to step forward into it.

'' How am I supposed to ask for Garen's help? Everyone knows that champions train individually. I try to remind them of this rule which Talon explained to me many times, making excuses for himself to come home late.

'' Ok than Ms smart pants, find something by yourself. '' Lulu shuts off her crystal ball & moves towards another room inside of the trunk. She invites Jinx in & locks the door.

'' What happened now? What did I say wrong? '' I exclaim. Asking Cassiopeia & Warwick who stand beside me.

Warwick starts walking out of the Heart of the Leary. Cassiopeia & I follow him blindly just like we did the first day. The moment we all step out of the trunk of the tree, the lights inside start going off one by one. The herbs which used to hide the main entrance door starts going back to their place covering the entrance.

'' She's hiding something. '' Cassiopeia concludes. '' Lulu always runs away from people's questions when she's hiding something. ''

'' How do you know Lulu this much? '' I ask Cassiopeia who stays silent, blankly staring towards the jungle.

'' She has been her friend for a while. '' Warwick answers for Cassiopeia. He puts his hand over her shoulder and hugs her. Cassiopeia glances back at Warwick & takes his hand.

'' As he said, I have been her friend for a while. '' Cassiopeia confirms what Warwick just said.

'' Now, how are you going to reach the castle? '' Warwick asks me. I wasn't expecting him to accompany me to reach it anyways.

'' I'll find my way don't worry. '' I comfort them. I have been trained with Talon to remember every route we take. Every road, every move & every technique.

Cassiopeia and Warwick take their own way through the jungle. As their silhouette disappears and my eye cannot catch them anymore. I try to go back to the castle according to the road I remember.

I make it through half of it. Following the same steps which I took when I was with Warwick, with the same speed, and I suddenly bump into the same thing as well, Garen.

'' Ouch! '' I shout as I hit my elbow on a tree trunk.

'' What's with you and the Leary? '' Garen's thick voice hits at me, extending his hand towards me to help me get on my feet again.

'' I think I should ask you the same question. '' I take his hand and in seconds I am on my feet again. Starring up towards Garen who's face is hidden in the darkness of the Leary.

'' Where are you going Katja? '' He asks.

'' Going back to my new home, Demacia. '' I avoid staring at him before he asks where am I coming from.

'' Would you mind if I join you on your way back to the castle? '' He gently asks. Starring down at my hands which are still holding onto his own for a while non-intentionally. I don't have any words to say to him. I just nod, letting go of his hands.

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Hey guys! Hope all is well.

So sorry for my absence but I had a lot of things going on & had to deal with lots of stuff.

But the good news is, Katarina is back to action :D

Wish you guys like the new chapter & please do not hesitate to let me know what you think.

Thanks! xx