Reunion After a Long Separation

I can't describe how I feel right now. Leivo is immortal, people even think Galio is his reincarnation. Only I know he's truly, undeniably dead.

"Do you know Leivo?"

That's... Lux's voice!

I spun around and saw a young woman in a white dress, her golden hair tied back, her skin as fair as I'd ever seen. A shame about the faint lines around her eyes.

The voice was similar, the appearance was similar, but she was much older than Lux.

"No, I merely admire Demacia's heroes," I replied, taking off my hat.

"Oh? You're from Ionia? I've never seen an Ionian here before. I thought you knew him when I saw you staring at Leivo's name."

"I travel the world, paying my respects at memorial halls wherever I go. Miss, is Leivo a relative of yours?"

"He was my friend, a brave warrior. Ten years ago, during our resistance against Noxus's invasion, he led his troops into battle, then became The Judicator to protect Demacia. He's our hero! I was even planning to teach him to dance when he returned, but... " Tears welled up as she spoke.

Ten years ago?! I felt a sudden confusion. Has it really been ten years since that war? Recalling my journey and what Darius had said about "old matters," I felt a sense of disorientation...

So, after Leivo died, I didn't immediately revive, but instead traveled ten years into the future, becoming Zhao Xin. And the person in front of me is Lux!

"I'm sorry, La... Miss, I brought up painful memories." I almost slipped up.

"No need to apologize. Ionia was also invaded by Noxus; we share the same sorrow."

Ionia was invaded too? It seems like a lot has happened in these ten years.

We fell silent, mourning together before the stone tablet. Then, a familiar voice called out:

"Madame Dali, you've come again. We see you every year on the anniversary. Thank you so much."

That's Fiora's voice!

So today is the tenth anniversary of that war!

My body stiffened. It took great effort to turn my head, and finally, I saw the person I'd been longing for.

Fiora was still in her training clothes, her figure proud, her face and hairstyle unchanged, as if untouched by time. She held a bouquet of flowers, very similar to the scene in my dream that day.

Like snow meeting the scorching sun, my rigid body quickly relaxed. The longing surged like a tide. How I wanted to embrace her tightly, how I wanted to shout:

I'm back!

But I couldn't. I simply watched her quietly until she noticed me and then asked Lux:

"Is this Ionian your friend?"

"No, we just met by chance."

"Oh, I see. Please don't be sad for Leivo. It's been so long, and dying for Demacia was his honor. We should all be happy for him."

"Leivo didn't die! He just became The Judicator!"

Lux shouted, then realized she was too agitated. "I'm sorry, Lady Fiora. I meant no offense. I'll take my leave now. You two can have some time alone with Leivo."

"Farewell, Madame Dali."

Hearing Fiora speak, I finally noticed that Lux had become Madame Dali. But it wasn't surprising; ten years had passed, and the House of Lightshield and the House of Dali were a good match.

As for Lux calling Fiora "Lady," it seemed she had risen to a high position.

Fiora placed the flowers before the stone tablet and closed her eyes in silent contemplation. Soon, two tears rolled down her cheeks. She had just told someone else not to be sad, yet here she was, feeling the same.

It seems some feelings don't fade with time; sometimes, they grow even stronger.

Suddenly, I thought of a way to approach her. "Forgive my rudeness, Lady Fiora. I heard you are a master swordswoman here. Might I request a sparring match?"

As expected, Fiora never backed down from a challenge. "Come with me to the dueling hall."

I called for Darius to accompany me to the Laurent Manor. His expression was one of considerable surprise. Tam had told him I was longing for someone, and now he probably knew who it was.

As we stood before the gates of the Laurent Manor, my anxiety reached its peak.

I could feel my heart pounding. In my memory, I had been by Fiora's side not long ago, and now I was a stranger.

Seeing me hesitate, Fiora looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"To show my respect for the Laurent Family," I explained.

Everything here was so familiar that I almost made a mistake. After Fiora entered, she walked to the right, but I instinctively moved left, knowing the dueling hall was on that side.

When I realized my error and turned around, Fiora was staring intently at me. "How did you know the dueling hall was over there?"

"I... I thought the light was better over there, and it seemed more spacious."

"Indeed, you're clever. But don't wander off. Wait here for me. I'll change my clothes and be right back."

Soon, Fiora emerged in her dueling attire – a form-fitting garment made of highly resilient material, designed to maximize flexibility and protect against serious injury.

During our training, she had always worn simple training clothes. The fact that she was now wearing protective dueling armor must mean she recognized my strength.

At that moment, I remembered something she had said: Defeat her, and you'll have a chance to court her!

Before, I was Leivo; even if I won, there would be no outcome. But now, it's different. I have a chance to win her heart!

I know Fiora is strong, but that's only in swordsmanship. Now, tempered by the army and hardened by countless life-or-death battles in the arena, and having learned many techniques from the Five Teachers at Tam's training grounds, I'm confident I can defeat her!

I don't plan to go all out initially. I'll test her first. If I can defeat her, I'll pretend it was a draw. If I can't, I'll wear her down. Even the most exquisite swordsmanship fears the depletion of strength, and I have great confidence in my own power.

After actually fighting, I realized I was wrong. Fiora's skill was far beyond what I remembered. Her strength was indeed no match for mine, but her speed was much greater!

Her speed was different from Master Su's. Master Su was fast in action, while Fiora was fast in her moves. She appeared to be standing still, but she had already thrust her sword several times.

What was most terrifying was that these sword moves were not only fast but also incredibly precise, with no error in her control of distance. She was like a dancer at a banquet, each move pleasing to the eye, perfectly embodying "precise and elegant."

It seemed she had only been practicing with me before, and what she was showing now was her true strength. Thinking about how I didn't want to use my full power at first, it was laughable. As the rapier in my hand flew out, I was defeated.

Fiora showed no joy. "Are you looking down on me? You proposed a match and then refused to go all out. Damn you!"

"Forgive my impudence, my lady. I do not look down on you, I am simply not used to this kind of sword. If you gave me a spear, I believe I would not disappoint you."

This was my excuse, but it was also the truth. I hadn't expected to be defeated so quickly and felt ashamed of my earlier thoughts. However, ever since I fell into the gladiatorial arena, I had indeed been using a spear. To suddenly switch to such a rapier, my moves were unadaptable.

The Laurent Family's rapier was too light. Holding it felt like nothing, as if I were unarmed. Coupled with my unsettled thoughts, I was caught off guard.

"Originally, I would not engage in any contest other than swordsmanship. But for the honor of the Laurent Family, we will start again!"

Fiora's words were exactly what I wanted to hear! I didn't want it to end so quickly either. Since she felt it was unfair, it was good to have another match!

My mood completely calmed down, and I focused on the next bout.

There were no spears in the dueling hall. Fiora sent someone to buy one. After obtaining a suitable weapon, we began the second round of our duel.

It was already difficult for short weapons to fight against long weapons. Furthermore, her strength was no match for my current strength, so she struggled when we kept our distance.

Although she quickly adapted with her superb combat skills, I no longer had a disadvantage. I could counterattack while defending!

Before, Fiora always took the offensive. I had never seen her defensive stance. The only Laurent's Mind Blade I knew was taught to me by her.

Now, I had more opportunities to attack, and I slowly pushed her into a defensive position. But before I could unleash my full power, a new problem arose.

No matter how fierce my attacks were, Fiora could always neutralize them, not by dodging, but by her sword moves.

I couldn't understand how such a light rapier could block my powerful attacks. Was the pressure not enough? Thinking this, I increased my strength and speed, attempting to suppress her with greater power and thus achieve victory.

Then, something strange happened: the more strength I used, the more I felt an unknown force push back. I had to use even greater strength to counter it, which greatly increased my consumption. In a short while, I felt a sense of powerlessness!

What kind of move was this? I had never seen it before!

As I was at a loss, Fiora suddenly attacked. I was forced to use Laurent's Mind Blade. I hadn't intended to use this move, but in this situation, I would lose if I didn't.

Fiora had been very calm. Seeing my move now, her face was filled with surprise, even stunned for a moment.

If I attacked now, I would surely win, but there was no need. She was not my enemy, and we were not engaged in a fight to the death. Winning honorably was the true victory!

I feigned an attack with my spear, reminding her that the duel was not over. As we passed each other, I whispered in her ear:

"I'm back!"

Fiora's body trembled noticeably, but then the corners of her lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with hatred!

The elegant dancer transformed into a deadly rose, covered in thorns. After loosening my muscles and bones, I also unleashed my full abilities. This duel was only just beginning!

We focused on receiving each other's moves and attacking their weaknesses at the opportune moment. Fiora used many moves I had never seen before, and I also had the true teachings of my five new masters, my strength not to be underestimated!

Although I had consumed a lot of energy, I could still hold on for a while. Fiora's stamina had seriously declined, her attacks were not as fierce as before, and her defense was gradually showing flaws. I felt I would win soon!

As she missed a thrust, I seized the opportunity and moved quickly. But before my spear's cold glint could reach her, she suddenly disappeared before my eyes. The elegant dancer and the deadly rose merged into one, leaving only a sky full of afterimages.

At the same time, her voice echoed from the air: "Welcome back."

My clothes were torn in several places, and blood seeped out, signaling my defeat.

Blade Waltz, she had kept a move after all, and I couldn't break it.

"I lost, Lady Fiora. This duel has benefited me greatly. I am truly convinced!"

"If we met on the battlefield, without restrictions or concerns, I would be the one who lost. Your strength is formidable. If you don't mind, stay for a meal."

"It would be my honor!"

Fiora instructed the servants to prepare food and then led me away from Laurent Manor, towards the hill where we had confessed our feelings that night.

"Why are you only returning now?"

"I can't explain it to you. Although it has been ten years in your eyes, it has only been a few months for me. As you can see, I am no longer Leivo. I am now an Ionian named Zhao Xin."

"Zhao Xin, I remember that was your old name. Then... what about Leivo? Is he truly dead, or did he turn into that stone statue?"

"If my memory serves me correctly, he has sacrificed himself..."

I recounted everything that had happened that day to Fiora. She listened in silence for a long time before saying:

"It feels like the gods brought us together. After lunch, you should leave."

Her resolute tone left no room for negotiation. How I wished she would ask me to stay, even just for a while.

The wild grass rustled. The warm breeze felt incredibly cold to me.

"I will leave, but I will return. I hope you still remember what you said: when I defeat you, we will be together."

"That was something said before. Later, I said other things. After Leivo died, and after I succeeded as the family head—I will never marry anyone in my lifetime."

No wonder she was addressed as "my lady." So she had already become the head of the Laurent Family, a position that bound her freedom.

"In the end, do you still like Leivo?"

"No, to be precise, I like the you who was Leivo."

"A cunning answer."

A stomach full of words, now reduced to a few sentences. Fiora surely had much more to say than I did, as a full decade had passed in her world.

Ten years of longing and pain, and now only this meeting remained.

I wasn't a persistent person, not before, and not now. Besides, what right did this soul-only shell of mine have to be persistent?

Tears dripped from my cheeks onto the grass. I held her tightly, never wanting to let go.

Fiora gave no response, her arms hanging limply. She didn't hug me back, nor did she struggle. When I finally let go, I saw her face was still expressionless, neither sad nor happy.

I knew there was no turning back. This longing would ultimately sink to the bottom of my heart...

On the way back, we encountered Darius. He wore a smile, and I didn't know if he had overheard our conversation.

"Who is he?" Fiora asked me.

"He... is my current business partner."

"You never used to lie. He's clearly a soldier, and a high-ranking one at that. This attire can't hide the sharpness about him."

Darius chuckled upon hearing this. "Hahaha, Lady Fiora not only has formidable martial skills but also a truly sharp eye. Your spar just now was an eye-opener. It seems Demacia is not as weak as I imagined."

"So, you are our enemy?"

"Once, but not anymore."

Fiora stared at him for a moment before ceasing her questions. After all, I was still here, and revealing everything wouldn't be good.

After lunch, we bid farewell. Fiora gave me her spear and also a exquisite short dagger:

"These weapons were crafted using Demacian anti-magic craftsmanship. Perhaps they will be of help to you."

"I will treasure them."

Gifts given at parting carry the deepest sentiments of a person. I understood the significance of these two gifts very clearly.

Despite a thousandfold reluctance, I still didn't look back, nor did I slow my pace.

There was joy, and there was regret. The destination for these emotions, in the end, was the unseen depths of my heart.