As the door opened, I left the pure darkness of the Reflection Chamber. I was exhausted, emotionally more than physically. Even though my dreams were filled with memories of blood and death every night, none of them my own, actually living them was worse. As I crossed outside the influence of the Summoners' anti-magic field, Vashirik came roaring back into my mind, causing me to stumble and clutch for the closest object to steady myself. Just my luck, however...

"AIEEE!" the shriek was followed by a very fast and strong kick to my head. In my disoriented state, I was unable to block it, and went flying across the room, slamming into the opposite wall... hard. I slumped on the ground, my body burning, the Demonic magic of Vashirik already starting to repair the extensive damage to my body. When was the last time I had been hurt this bad, I thought. 12 years at least, the growling voice of Vashirik responded. Shut up. I didn't ask you, it was a rhetorical question. Fine, he snorted, I guess I won't help you with the rather irate female about to turn you into a puddle of gore.

As I felt the last of the injuries start to heal, I forced my head up. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the rather large amount of red hair approaching me. Turning my attention to the owner of the hair, I winced at my horrible luck. Skin-tight leggings ending with spiked cleats strode towards me, with barely contained rage apparent in the sound of the stomps. I struggled to stand, but before I could fully regain my balance, a large knife, technically long enough to be considered a sword, flashed up against my throat. I felt the diamond edge slice ever so slightly into the soft skin of my neck, a tiny drop of dark purple blood staining the metal.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't turn you into a corpse right here and now," Katarina snapped. Raising my hands, I slowly stood up and turned to face her. Her blade never left its spot on my neck.

"Please forgive me, Champion," I started slowly. "Or should I say fellow Champion? I recently exited the Reflection Chamber, and it was... very exhausting. I started to fall and instinctively grabbed for something to keep myself from slamming into the ground. Unfortunately, it happened to be you." Stepping backwards away from her blade, I dipped into a low bow. "If there is any way I could get you to forgive me, please ask it, and it shall be done."

I heard the sound of a blade being sheathed. Raising myself from my bow, I happened to lock my purple eyes with Katarina's green ones. She started, surprised with the intensity of my eyes. I quickly averted my gaze. She reached a hand out and grabbed my chin, turning my head back to lock eyes with her again.

"Beautiful," she breathed, almost too low to hear. She blinked, her eyes widening slightly as she realized how close we were getting. Stumbling back, she broke the stare. I saw a hint of a blush in her cheeks as she said, "It's okay. I too know how exhausting the Reflection Chamber can be, especially if your life before was... eventful." She turned her gaze back to me, taking care not to look directly in my eyes. "Just know that the next time you touch me, I will kill you. Have no doubts of that." Turning away, she quickly walked back across the room and through a nearby door. Despite the fact I was technically over 90 years old, I couldn't stop myself from staring at the retreating form of Katarina's ass. Damn the fact that Vashirik's energy keeps me locked in the body of a teenager, I mused as I turned towards the door that Katarina had just stepped through. Stepping through myself, I was greeted by the entrance hall to the Champion wing of the Institute of War.

Well, Vashirik, I directed the thought to the other side of my soul. Shall we see what more trouble we can get ourselves into?

From a corner of my mind, I heard a low chuckle. Yes, Let's. This should be very interesting.