Old Friends

That night, I was on patrol. The autumn sky was deep and clear, and the night breeze felt a little cool but comfortable against my skin. Every year around this season, my thoughts would grow jumbled.

I thought of Fiora, far away in Demacia. I wondered how she had changed over the past few years, and whether she still thought of me. If we met again, she probably wouldn't recognize me.

I thought of Lux, who had married. Six years had passed. Had she accepted Witt's love by now? Leivo had disappeared. I hoped she wouldn't keep grieving over him.

I thought of Jeram, the berserker from Freljord. We hadn't spent much time together, but we had each saved the other once, forging a deep friendship. And there was his clan leader, Hris. I wondered whether Buck had found him yet.

I thought of Riven, who was in Noxus. I hadn't seen her on the battlefield this time, which was something to be glad about. It seemed she hadn't forgotten what I'd taught her. Was she doing well? Was she still making a living through hard labor?

I thought of Poppy, who had wandered alone in search of friendship. I wasn't sure where I stood in her heart, but my death would certainly make her sad. Had she found new friends by now?

I thought of the Five Teachers at the Doco training grounds—Strength, Speed, Shadow, Defense, and Precision. Had they trained any new warriors? Were they stronger than me?

What was Talon doing now? He had once been wounded by Katarina while trying to save me. I wondered if he was still serving Darius, and whether he knew his homeland had been invaded again.

Tam... Never mind.

As I kept thinking of all those dear friends and loved ones, I suddenly sensed someone approaching rapidly from behind. I drew my sword and turned, only to find Irelia, carrying her signature blades and clad in light armor. She looked dashing and heroic.

"You don't look very alert, but you're surprisingly sharp. What are you thinking about?"

"Uh, nothing much. I was thinking about my friends and teachers."

"Elder Souma? He truly was a remarkable master. His Wind Riding Technique was unmatched in his time. But I know someone who's just as good."

Someone as skilled as Souma in Wind Riding? I'd never heard of anyone like that. Seeing my puzzled expression, Irelia smiled.

"That person is you! After fighting alongside you these past few days, I've realized how powerful your swordsmanship and Wind Riding Technique are. You're a completely different person from ten years ago. It seems not only have you become calmer, but your strength has improved by an entire level, too."

"You flatter me. Your swordsmanship is just as remarkable. No one can match you."

"Don't be modest. I genuinely admire you. But I noticed that none of the enemies you struck died. You deliberately spared them, didn't you?"

"Yes. They all have lives of their own, their own friends and families. I don't want to kill the innocent indiscriminately."

"Then you still haven't come to terms with what you need to do. They're the ones invading us, not the other way around. Look at the beautiful scene behind us—that's our home. How could our families deserve to suffer like this? And don't forget, they nearly killed you last time. The Harbinger saved you."

"I didn't spare them for no reason. I also had something else in mind. We've won for now, but the Noxian soldiers won't give in. They're just caught off guard. Once they adapt to this way of fighting, we'll probably be the ones to lose. After all, we have far fewer people."

"Do you think they'll be grateful for what you've done? Will they show us mercy if we lose?"

I didn't answer, which was as good as admitting it. That was only a small part of the reason, though. More than anything, I couldn't bear to see both sides continue to shed blood without end.

Irelia went on, "I won't deny your reasoning. I know this battle is hopeless for us, too. We're only buying time. But I'm still curious—what changed you? Was it Alanta? By the way, where is she? I haven't seen her."

"Alanta is dead. Her junior killed her."

"What?!" Irelia was shocked, and the sword in her hand trembled. After a moment's thought, she spoke slowly. "Did she ever come to see you afterward?"

I had no idea whether the two of them had met again, so I could only shake my head. Irelia looked heartbroken, and seemed to want to say something but couldn't bring herself to.

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"I'm sorry I kept this from you for so long. Since things have come to this, I'll tell you everything. After you two parted ways, she came to find me at North Spring Temple. She had a sick little girl with her. The girl's name was Xiao Li. She was your daughter..."

After the previous war ended, Alanta had been entrusted by the Western Harbinger with caring for Yasuo, who had been gravely wounded. As they spent time together, they fell in love and began living together.

At the time, Alanta was a guardian of the Kinkou Order. She didn't want to leave without a word. She planned to return and inform her master, then formally leave the Order so she could live with Yasuo.

When she returned, she heard that her master had been killed by Zed before she could even enter the temple. In shock, she wanted to confront Zed, but the disciples told her that Zed had argued with Kusuo over going to the battlefield to help her, and that the dispute had led to the tragedy. Zed had since vanished without a trace.

The two had always been as close as siblings, and had even been in love with each other. After what had happened, Alanta thought back on their past and felt she had wronged Zed, so she wanted to end things with Yasuo.

As she searched for Zed, she unexpectedly discovered that she was pregnant. There was no doubt the child was Yasuo's.

Alanta was torn once more. She knew Zed's nature. If the two of them met, there was no way the child would survive. Even if she could protect her child, she would have to kill Zed.

Yes, she had fallen in love with two men at once, and struggled between them, unable to choose. But there was no denying that she loved her child more.

After agonizing over it, Alanta decided to disappear from everyone's lives. She disfigured herself and took on a new name, Youlan, living in obscurity.

Later, Akali fell gravely ill, and Alanta couldn't find a way to cure her. With no one else to turn to, she thought of her good friend Irelia and went to North Spring Temple in the north to ask for help.

Irelia managed to cure Akali, and Alanta told her about her past. After that, however, the two never saw each other again.

Irelia told me everything, confirming what I'd suspected: Akali really was Yasuo and Alanta's daughter. Though she had nothing to do with me, I still felt the weight on my heart grow heavier.

"Thank you for saving Xiao Li."

"It was the least I could do. Now that you know Zed killed Alanta, you'll surely go after him for revenge. I just don't know how Xiao Li is doing now. You'll have to decide for yourself whether to stay here or go find your daughter."