I couldn't describe how I felt. Leivo had become immortal in people's memories; some even believed Galio was his incarnation. Only I knew he was dead—truly, undeniably dead.
"Did you know Leivo?"
That was... Lux's voice!
I spun around and saw a young woman in a white dress. Her long blond hair was tied tightly back, and her skin was extraordinarily fair. A few faint lines at the corners of her eyes were a shame, though.
Her voice and appearance were both so much like Lux's, but she was far older.
"I didn't know him. I just admire Demacia's heroes." I took off my hat as I answered.
"Oh? You're from Ionia. I've never seen an Ionian come here before. I saw you staring at Leivo's name and thought you might have known him."
"I travel all over the world. Whenever I come across a memorial hall, I go in to pay my respects. Miss, was Leivo a relative of yours?"
"He was my friend, a brave warrior. Ten years ago, when we resisted Noxus's invasion, he led his squad in a charge. Then he became the Judicator and protected Demacia. He was our hero! I was even planning to wait for him to come back so I could teach him to dance, but then..." As she spoke, tears began to fall.
Ten years ago?! I was suddenly confused. Had that war really ended ten years ago? Thinking of everything I'd seen along the way, and Darius's mention of "old history," I suddenly felt lost...
So after Leivo died, I hadn't come back to life right away. I'd traveled ten years into the future and become Zhao Xin. That meant the woman in front of me was Lux!
"I'm sorry, Mi—miss. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories." I'd almost let her name slip.
"You don't need to apologize. Ionia was invaded by Noxus, too. We share the same grief."
Ionia had been invaded, too? It seemed a lot had happened over the past ten years.
We fell silent and stood together before the stele, paying our respects. Then a familiar voice spoke up:
"Madame Dali, you've come again. We see you here every year on the anniversary. Thank you so much."
That was Fiora's voice!
So today was the tenth anniversary of the war!
My body stiffened. It took all my effort to turn around, and at last I saw the person I'd longed for every day.
Fiora was still wearing her training clothes. Her figure was striking, and her face and hairstyle hadn't changed at all, as if time had forgotten her. She held several bouquets of flowers, just like in that dream I'd had.
Like snow beneath the sun, my stiff body soon relaxed. Longing surged through me like a tide. I wanted so badly to hold her tight, to shout:
I'm back!
But I couldn't. I only watched her quietly until she noticed me and asked Lux:
"Is this Ionian a friend of yours?"
"No, we just happened to meet."
"Oh, I see. Please don't grieve for Leivo. It's been so long, and dying for Demacia was an honor. We should all be glad for him."
"Leivo didn't die in battle! He became the Judicator!"
Lux shouted, then realized she'd gotten too worked up. "I'm sorry, Lady Fiora. I didn't mean to offend you. I'll be going now. You and Leivo can have some time alone."
"Take care, Madame Dali."
Only when I heard Fiora address her did I realize that Lux had become a member of House Dali. It wasn't all that surprising, though. Ten years had passed, and House of Lightshield and House of Dali were well matched.
As for Lux calling Fiora "Lady," it seemed she had risen to a high position.
Fiora placed the flowers before the stele and closed her eyes in silence. A little while later, two tears slipped from the corners of her eyes. She'd just told someone else not to grieve, yet she was grieving herself.
Some feelings, it seemed, didn't fade with time. Sometimes, they only grew stronger.
Then I suddenly thought of a way to get closer to her. "Forgive my impertinence, Lady Fiora. I've heard you're the finest swordswoman here. Would you grant me a match?"
As expected, Fiora never backed down from a challenge. "Come with me to the dueling hall."
I invited Darius to join me, and he looked rather surprised. Tam had told him I was longing for someone. Now he should know who that person was.
When we arrived at the gates of Laurent Manor, my nerves reached their breaking point.
I could feel my heart pounding. In my memories, I'd been here with Fiora only a short while ago, spending every day by her side. Now we were strangers.
Seeing me stop in my tracks, Fiora looked puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"I wanted to show my respect for the Laurent Family," I explained.
Everything here was so familiar that I almost gave myself away. After Fiora went inside, she headed right, but I instinctively turned left. I knew the dueling hall was on that side.
When I realized my mistake and turned back, Fiora stared at me. "How did you know the dueling hall was over there?"
"I... I thought the light was better that way, and it looked more spacious."
"Good eye, but don't wander around. Wait here while I change. I'll be right back."
Before long, Fiora came out wearing a dueling suit. It was a highly flexible, form-fitting outfit that let her move freely while protecting her from serious injury.
Back when we trained, she'd always worn simple training clothes and had me wear this more protective dueling suit. This time she'd put one on herself. She must have realized how strong I was.
Then I suddenly remembered what she'd once said: if I beat her, I'd have a chance to court her!
Back then, I'd been Leivo. Even if I'd won, nothing would have come of it. But now things were different. I had a chance to win her heart!
I knew Fiora was strong, but only in swordsmanship. I'd been tempered by the army and had survived countless deadly trials in the arena. I'd also learned all sorts of techniques from the Five Teachers at Tam's training ground. I was sure I could beat her!
I didn't plan to use my full strength at first. I'd test her, and if I could beat her, I'd pretend we were evenly matched. If I couldn't, I'd drag things out. Even the most refined swordsmanship couldn't withstand a battle of attrition, and I was confident in my strength.
Once we actually crossed swords, I realized I was wrong. Fiora was far more capable than I remembered. She might not have been as strong as I was, but she was much faster!
Her speed was different from Speed's. Speed moved quickly, while Fiora's techniques were quick. She seemed to stand perfectly still, yet she'd already thrust several times.
The scariest part was that her strikes were not only fast but incredibly precise. Her sense of distance was impeccable. She moved like a dancer at a ball, every motion a delight to watch, perfectly embodying the words "precise and graceful."
It seemed she'd only been going easy on me before. This was her real ability. Thinking about how I'd planned not to use my full strength at first was laughable. My rapier flew from my hand, and I was defeated.
Fiora showed no sign of joy. "Do you look down on me? You challenged me, then refused to give it your all. Damn you!"
"Forgive my rudeness, my lady. I didn't mean to look down on you. I'm just not used to this kind of sword. If you gave me a spear, I don't think I'd disappoint you."
It was an excuse, but it was also true. I hadn't expected to lose so quickly, and I was ashamed of what I'd been thinking earlier. But ever since I'd been thrown into the arena, I'd used a steel spear. Switching to a rapier so suddenly had left me unable to adapt.
The Laurent Family's rapier was far too light. It barely felt like I was holding anything at all, as if I were fighting barehanded. And my thoughts still hadn't settled. I'd been caught off guard.
"I normally wouldn't compete with someone in anything other than swordsmanship. But for the honor of the Laurent Family, let's start again!"
Fiora had said exactly what I wanted to hear! I didn't want things to end so soon, either. Since she thought it was unfair, we could have another match!
I calmed down completely and focused on the next bout.
There were no spears in the dueling hall, so Fiora sent someone out to buy one. Once I had a weapon that felt right in my hands, we began the second round.
It was always hard for a short weapon to fight a long one. And since she was weaker than I was now, she struggled once I kept my distance.
She soon adapted thanks to her superb combat skills, but I was no longer at a disadvantage. I could counterattack while defending!
Before, Fiora had always been the one to attack. I'd never seen her take a defensive stance. The only Laurent's Mind Blade I knew was one she'd taught me herself.
Now I had more and more chances to strike, and I gradually forced her onto the defensive. But before I could really get going, a new problem arose.
No matter how fierce my attacks were, Fiora always found a way to counter them—not by dodging, but with her sword techniques.
I couldn't understand how her light rapier could block my powerful attacks. Was I not putting enough pressure on her? I increased my strength and speed, hoping to overwhelm her and win through sheer force.
Then something strange happened. The harder I struck, the more I felt an unknown force rebound against me. I had to use even more strength to withstand it, and my energy drained rapidly. Before long, I felt completely exhausted!
What kind of technique was this? I'd never seen anything like it!
At a loss, I saw Fiora suddenly attack. With no choice, I used Laurent's Mind Blade. I hadn't planned to use it, but I'd lose if I didn't.
Fiora had been perfectly composed until then. At the sight of my technique, she was so surprised she froze for a moment.
If I struck now, I could surely win. But there was no need. She wasn't my enemy, and this wasn't a fight to the death. A truly honorable victory was the only one worth having!
I made a feint with my spear to remind her the match wasn't over. As I passed her, I whispered in her ear:
"I'm back!"
Fiora's body visibly trembled. Then the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and her eyes filled with hatred!
The graceful dancer became a deadly rose covered in thorns. After loosening up, I brought all my skills to bear, too. Now the match had truly begun!
We focused on each other's every move, attacking whenever we saw an opening. Fiora used many techniques I'd never seen before, and I had the teachings of my five new teachers to draw on. I was no pushover!
Though I'd already used up a good deal of strength, I could still hold on for a while. Fiora's stamina was running low. Her attacks were less fierce than before, and her defense was beginning to falter. I felt I'd win before long!
When she thrust and missed, I seized the opening and darted in. But before the icy tip of my spear could reach her, she suddenly vanished from before my eyes. The graceful dancer and deadly rose had become one, leaving only a sky full of afterimages.
At the same time, her voice rang out from above. "Welcome back."
My clothes had been slashed in several places, and blood seeped from the wounds, announcing my defeat.
Blade Waltz. She'd held back one last move, and I couldn't counter it.
"I lost, Lady Fiora. I learned a great deal from this match, and I accept my defeat wholeheartedly!"
"If we'd met on a battlefield, with no restrictions or concerns, I'd have been the one to lose. You're very strong. If you don't mind, stay for a meal."
"It would be my honor!"
Fiora told her servants to prepare a meal, then led me away from Laurent Manor to the hill where we'd confessed our feelings to each other that night.
"Why did you only come back now?"
"I can't explain it to you. Though ten years have passed for you, only a few months have passed for me. As you can see, I'm no longer Leivo. I'm now an Ionian named Zhao Xin."
"Zhao Xin... I remember that was your name before. Then... what happened to Leivo? Did he really die, or did he become that stone statue?"
"If my memories are right, he sacrificed himself..."
I told Fiora everything that had happened that day. She listened in silence, then finally said:
"I feel as though the Gods brought us together. Once we've had lunch, you'll have to leave."
Her tone was final. I wished so badly that she would ask me to stay, even if only for a while.
The grass rustled around us. Though the breeze was warm and gentle, I felt unbearably cold.
"I'll leave, but I'll come back. I hope you still remember what you said. When I beat you, we'll be together."
"That was what I said before. Later, I said something else—after Leivo died, after I became head of the family: I'll never marry anyone, for as long as I live."
No wonder people called her "Lady." She'd become head of the Laurent Family, a position that bound her freedom.
"So, in the end, do you still love Leivo?"
"No. To be precise, I love you as Leivo."
"That's a crafty answer."
I'd had so much to say, but now a few words had brought us to the end. Fiora must have had far more she wanted to say than I did. After all, a whole ten years had passed in her world.
Ten years of longing and heartache, and all that remained was this one meeting.
I wasn't a persistent person—not before, and not now. Besides, what right did a body that was only a soul have to cling to anything?
Tears rolled down my cheeks and fell onto the grass. I held her tightly, never wanting to let go.
Fiora didn't respond at all. Her arms hung loosely at her sides. She neither hugged me nor struggled. When I finally let go, her face was still expressionless, neither sad nor happy.
I knew there was no turning back now. This longing would have to sink to the bottom of my heart...
On the way back, we ran into Darius. He wore a grin. I couldn't tell whether he'd heard our conversation.
"Who is he?" Fiora asked me.
"He's... my business partner now."
"You never used to lie. He's clearly a soldier, and a high-ranking one at that. That kind of outfit can't hide his sharpness."
Darius laughed at that. "Hahaha! Lady Fiora, you're not only skilled with a blade, but sharp-eyed, too. Watching your match just now was an eye-opener. It seems Demacia isn't as weak as I imagined."
"So you're our enemy?"
"I was once. Not anymore."
Fiora watched him for a while, then decided not to press further. I was there, after all. It wouldn't be good to lay everything bare.
After lunch, it was time to part. Fiora gave me the spear, along with an exquisite dagger.
"This weapon was made using Demacian anti-magic craftsmanship. It might be useful to you."
"I'll take good care of them."
Parting gifts carried a person's deepest longing. I understood the meaning of these two gifts perfectly.
Though I was reluctant to leave, I didn't look back or slow my pace.
Joy and regret alike—ultimately, these feelings belonged in the depths of my heart, unseen by anyone.
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