15
Chapter 13: Resolution
Her matches had gone well, which was satisfying for Shyvana. She needed to affirm her normal self, her warrior self. Though she'd learned to appreciate the 'soft' emotions with Sylus, she also feared it would weaken her too much in the Field. It was clear that was not a danger after she successfully rammed Tryndamere's sword through his own gut in the middle of one particularly nasty brawl in the center of the Rift.
Marching along, her crimson armor rattling, Shyvana was moving through the Hall toward the next match's summoning chambers. It was the important battle, the actual dispute settlement between Demacia and group of borderland farmers who had successfully petitioned the League.
It was telling that the opportunity to defeat Demacia on any topic made surprisingly powerful champions crawl out of the woodwork. Katarina, Renekton, Darius, and Miss Fortune were already signed up earlier in the day. Who their fifth would be was still unknown to the dragoness.
Noting Garen and Prince Jarvan entering their own summoning chambers as she walked up, Shyvana calmly moved to her own.
At first, the attendants there had their usual reserved fear in her presence, and Shyvana gave a faint smile as she started to sit down. As she started to settle, she blinked up at one of the young women, who was staring in surprise at her suddenly.
"Yes?" Shyvana had to prompt, her tone blandly dry.
"Y-you are the champion who is with Summoner Sylus Hale, aren't you?"
Shyvana blinked. "…I am, but how is it that you know so readily?"
The attendant almost squealed with delight, her hands clasping, the other attendants watching eagerly. "You are! Oh, didn't you know? Summoner Hale was officially declared as allied to Demacia this morning! And his association with you personally had to be noted for the assignment laws. It's so romantic, though! A champion and a summoner!"
Shyvana constrained her embarrassed temper as best she could. It resulted in a darkly dismal expression on her ashen face. "When did that announcement go public?"
"Just in the last hour, my lady!" one of the other attendants answered. She also seemed to be the only one realizing pushing the issue with the dragoness was a bad idea.
"He even allied to your nation! Oh, it's like a story!"
Shyvana clenched her fists. This was exactly the giggling nonsense that had scared her from her emotions. How could you be respected and receive this idiotic prattling? She even heard one of the attendants giggling as she closed her own eyes against her building rage. "…Be that as it may," she began in barely controlled temper, her voice actually shivering a bit, "the declaration was for official purposes. It is a personal matter that I do not discuss so freely."
This finally got the message across. The one attendant who'd known faster was out the door immediately, and the others quickly caught on, vanishing from sight.
Shyvana exhaled hoarsely, shaking with frustrated anger. A little warning, Sylus…
The energy of summoning caught her up, and she sat back, firming her manner and disciplining her thoughts.
(On the field…)
At least the summoner was respectful. He was all business, and had neither interest in her manner, nor aversion to it. This was perfectly fine for Shyvana after the grating interaction with the attendants.
The summoner also revealed to her that the fifth member of the other team was Kog'Maw. For her own side, she would be joining Garen in the top lane, while Jarvan went for the middle. Lux was on their side for the bottom lane, and—to Shyvana's pleasant surprise—Soraka was there to aid the luminous mage.
"Are you aware of the announcement that went out?" Garen asked calmly, lurking in the bushes with her near the top lane mid-field.
Shyvana twitched. "Yes."
"He impressed you that much, hm?"
"Garen," she rasped through her teeth.
He chuckled faintly. "Understood."
The battle began shortly thereafter. It was Katarina facing Jarvan in the center, oddly enough. Apparently the assassin wanted a few kills on the prince of her enemy nation. Miss Fortune and Kog'Maw worked together against Lux and Soraka. Which left Renekton and Darius for Shyvana and Garen.
It was a fierce match from the get-go, which suited Shyvana well, especially in her darker temper. She and Garen shared a particularly brutal battle with Renekton and Darius at the first tower of the effectively-Noxian side, Garen's sword biting into Darius' shoulder, Darius' axe catching Shyvana's flank, as she fire blasted Renekton in the mouth and step-kicked the axe-wielding fighter violently.
However, it was soon clear that the problem would be the bottom lane. Lux and Soraka were holding the line, but it was apparent Kog'Maw and Miss Fortune were far more effective as a team than anyone would have assumed. Apparently their summoners were well-coordinated.
Jarvan used his catastrophic shock-wave strike to the ground to force Katarina back instead of trap her to buy him time to commune with his team. Shyvana, please aid the bottom lane. We need breathing room down there. Garen, hold at the tower.
Understood!
My lord!
Lux replied, Prince, we can handle this! Soraka is helping me very well, it's just tougher than expected.
I have faith in you both, but I want this to be a decisive victory for us.
I'm teleporting to you both, Shyvana added simply.
Besides, Soraka added, she owes me for some trees.
Shyvana did actually smirk.
(The bottom lane…)
Miss Fortune saw one of the minions near Lux start to shiver in place, and her eyes narrowed. "No so fast!"
She whipped around, unleashing waves of bullets at the mage and celestial as Kog'Maw spat a fresh volley of acidic mortars.
Soraka and Lux actually shielded each other, and both whipped around, unleashing energy blasts at the opposing champions.
Energy, bullets, and burning vomit collided in a mad storm, and in the next heartbeat, Shyvana erupted out of the minion that had frozen, burning into her full draconic shape.
"Fortune!" she roared, her body igniting.
Miss Fortune gawked, and dove backward, recovering with a sharp roll as she started to aim and fire with both pistols again. It also put her within range of her own tower's defense.
"You'll have to do better than that, dragon!" Fortune teased. "I'm not as easy to pin down as your little pet summoner!"
Shyvana actually froze in mid twist, wings up, body still burning.
Soraka stopped short, eyes widened, and Lux just tried to send a shockwave toward Kog'Maw before he shot Shyvana in the stomach (he was crouched at her feet that second).
Miss Fortune's mocking laughter rang through the trees, and she twirled her guns, firing up into the air in a mad little dance of bullets.
Shyvana's eyes locked on the scantily clad gun-dancer, and her wing-claw snapped down into Kog'Maw's head as he started to vomit again. He was muffled by the dirt, acid spraying to either side as he choked on his own attack.
The dragon was already ripping forward, tail rattling in the wind as she dove for the gun-wielding woman raining bullets down on the lane all around her.
"That's right! Come to mama!" Miss Fortune baited, leaping back happily, firing at Shyvana directly with her tower.
And that was when Soraka and Lux gawked along with Miss Fortune, Kog'Maw just confused by the acid still dribbling from his own mouth.
Shyvana actually twisted through the air, around the first shot from the tower, took several bullets from Miss Fortune to the chest, and tackled the pirate into the ground full-on.
Rising up slightly, Shyvana rammed a wing-claw down through Miss Fortune's left leg, making the woman scream in startled pain.
"If I'm going to pin someone down," Shyvana growled violently, the tower already shooting into her back once, burning a hole in her scales, "I use my claws!"
The second claw strike went through the pirate's chest.
It was a combination of acid-blast from Kog'Maw and a third tower-strike that dropped Shyvana herself.
Was that really necessary? Lux asked after a moment. They were starting to push Kog'Maw back while he was outnumbered.
Soraka was just quietly smiling as she helped her lane-partner.
Jarvan added, Shyvana, it's not like you to be goaded so easily.
No one insults my bond. If she does that again, I'll make her regret summoning into this battle, Shyvana retorted while being restored.
(Later…)
The battle went on savagely. Darius dropped Shyvana with a nasty cleave down through her torso after she tore Renekton's head off his neck. Garen had to retreat from Darius' follow-up attacks. Lux gave an awful scream as Kog'Maw's acid-mortar dropped her, and Soraka had to struggle to fend off the (now furious) Miss Fortune and voidling. It was also clear that the center lane was going nowhere, as Katarina and Jarvan had neither retreated nor died the entire fight so far, their blades crashing and sparking against each other constantly.
At last, Katarina and Jarvan actually dropped each other. He ran her through on his spear, but her daggers sank into his neck on both sides.
The center! Jarvan barked.
Lux replied, Soraka, Shyvana, can you two press the middle fast? I think Garen and I can at least hold the lines at our towers.
Done! The dragoness replied.
Running up the river, Soraka added.
The dragoness and celestial met in the center, plowed through the minions, and started to press on the tower in just a few seconds.
Miss Fortune's awol, Lux quickly warned.
Garen chimed, Similar with Renekton.
Shyvana hissed. "Fine." She kept beating on the tower while their minions held.
Soraka was whipping energy waves at it with firm focus of her own.
The dragon's eyes sharpened as she heard a click and fuse-light. She twisted and tackled Soraka back to the ground as a wave of bullets erupted from the trees.
Both Demacian-allied champions rolled back and braced for battle. Miss Fortune came sauntering out, guns twirling, and Renekton came surging out of the forest from the top side.
"I'll skin you alive, dragon!" the lizard roared.
Soraka snapped her staff at him, and he halted awkwardly, as if distracted. Shyvana ripped toward him, her body alight with fire, and snap-punched him in the jaw, knocking him flat.
Shots from Miss Fortune forced Shyvana to back-flip, twist, and side-flip rapidly, returning a fire-gout to avoid losing too much ground.
Renekton recovered, and ripped through the air. His blade hit a bubble of golden light around Shyvana, and the dragon gave Soraka a thankful glance. Then she snap-kicked Renekton in the stomach, and Soraka twirled around with a snap-twist of her staff, laying him flat before star-fall impaled him for a kill.
Miss Fortune glowered, and stood beside her tower. She locked eyes with Shyvana, and then sneered. "So defensive of your man, dragon. I think you're worried. Is he already trying to wander on you? Having fun with Ahri, maybe? She did look a little more human last time I saw her!"
Shyvana just gave her a dry look. "You'll have to do better than that if you want to bait me, pirate. I know him."
"Oh, I see. So it's just you that's the problem? Could he not quite… hm, hit the spot?"
Shyvana twitched, her fists clenching.
Soraka muttered, "Easy. You know what she's doing. The tower is right there."
The dragon's eyes snapped to Renekton's corpse still on the ground.
Miss Fortune laughed in her mocking way, and shouted, "I can only imagine how furious you'd be! All that waiting, and when you finally get some, it's pathetic! Did he last any time at all?"
Shyvana suddenly wrenched down, grabbed Renekton's body, and snap-twisted with a snarl to throw him.
Miss Fortune gawked, and dove aside as Renekton's body slammed into the tower right at the spell-focus.
The dragon was on top of her of the next second, grabbing both gun-wrists, and head-butting Miss Fortune violently. The pirate groaned, blood spewing from her nose.
"I never comment on your idiotic dress, or your honorless weapons," Shyvana roared, step-kicking the pirate in the gut twice, trading legs. "I never call you a whore on the field!" She wrenched the woman up, over, and down onto the ground with a shuddering thump. "You will NEVER mock my private life on this field again." She did another foot-ram into Miss Fortune's stomach from the side, sending her crashing into the mid-field.
Renekton's body finally fell, and Shyvana dove out of the tower's range, tackling Miss Fortune to the ground again, yanking her head off the ground by her hair as the woman groaned in pain.
"And if you do, I will make your experience so miserable, and so agonizing, you will hope you are never summoned again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?" a full draconic roar came out of her human throat as fire burned out of her eyes.
Miss Fortune choked awkwardly with her neck and back bent backward, and hissed, "Suck on my guns, dragon. I'm not scared of you."
"Wrong answer," Shyvana retorted, her hand grabbing into the woman's skull instead of her hair, and wrenched her back, dragging her toward the purple-side tower.
Soraka was watching warily. She could also sense Jarvan returning, which meant Katarina was on the way. "Shyvana, you're pushing the rules already."
"Exactly," Shyvana muttered darkly, still dragging the semi-conscious pirate along.
Whistling air. Not an arrow. Shyvana smirked, and snap-twisted yet again, ripping Miss Fortune up into the air by her head, and using her stomach to catch the two daggers Katarina threw from further up the lane.
"You don't get to insult my team either, half-blood bitch!" Katarina roared, ripping into a dash, and then flashing through the air just as Shyvana reached the tower's range.
Shyvana spread her legs and spun around, using Miss Fortunate rapidly dying body to take several blinking cuts from Katarina as she shun-po'd around the dragoness.
Facing Katarina, Shyvana sneered at her, even as she was pulling Miss Fortune up, over her head, and down into the first blow from the tower. It nearly blew the pirate in half.
Katarina roared in battle rage, and drove a full-body stab at Shyvana's chest. The dragoness took the stab through one hand, and closed her fist over the attack, pulling Katarina into her face. The assassin's eyes flared up into the dragon's, realizing she was completely exposed, and lacked the stamina for another shun-po.
"I respect coming to your ally's side, Sinister Blade. Keep her mouth shut, and I won't have to humiliate her again," Shyvana rasped, and then whipped the remains of Miss Fortune around, and slammed them into Katarina, using it to throw the assassin off the side.
Shyvana then charged the tower as it shot her, and wrenched her burning fists through the base before the next shot dropped her.
Jarvan was just running up, Katarina's shun-po into Shyvana the reason she'd reached the battle first. Minions were on his heels, too, so he and Soraka quickly recovered from the unusually awful slaughter on the grass, and blew through the tower in a few more moments.
Shyvana, are you sure this is going to work out? That was so close to breaking the rules, they'll probably action you anyway, Garen privately signaled her.
It's a message. A declaration. If my bond is insulted, I will hold nothing back on the field.
Garen sighed as he deflected one of Darius' axe-swings, and forced the brute back.
(Later…)
Thanks to the early victory at the middle tower, the Demacian team started to push forward. It was also clear that Shyvana was in full control of her faculties. Even immediately after her tower-death after slaughtering Miss Fortune, she had been focused, tactical, and efficient while helping Garen against Renekton and Darius. The top towers started to drop shortly.
It was clear Demacia would win the dispute, but all champions continued to fight fervently. Near the end of the battle, Miss Fortune confronted Shyvana in the top lane, right at the base of the last tower.
Shyvana remained focused, dodging around Miss Fortune, and focusing on dropping the tower. Miss Fortune focused a full onslaught of attacks, but was conspicuously quiet. Finally, it was too dangerous, and Shyvana had to retreat quickly, waiting back for more minions to distract the tower.
Miss Fortune actually ran out to meet her, guns blazing. Shyvana danced and twirled, firing blasts back, and managed to shoot in for a fire-empowered punch to the gunwoman's stomach. Miss Fortune doubled over, but growled, and rammed her guns into Shyvana's chest, firing point-blank.
It was nearly enough to drop the dragon, and she rolled away, nursing her bleeding chest.
Miss Fortune blinked when Shyvana tipped her head, and retreated, recalling to heal herself. The pirate frowned, and lowered her guns. "…It's no fun when you actually keep your word, bitch," she muttered sourly.
(The finish…)
The match finally ended with an all-out brawl at the nexus. Jarvan fell to a fresh blade from Katarina, who fell to a storm of star-fall from Soraka. Renekton and Miss Fortune dove into Shyvana's dragon form, both badly burned as they dropped the half-dragon, but Lux and Garen dropped the pair of them with a double ultimate attack combination. Soraka dealt the final blow to the nexus that ended the match.
After the battle, Shyvana rose up, rubbing her chest from the double-shot Miss Fortune gave her near the end. Just outside her chamber, she came face to face with Prince Jarvan, and stood to attention. "Your majesty," she said first.
He gave her a hard look. "Was that necessary?"
"Yes."
"And if she hadn't gotten the message?"
"I would have maintained my argument… without risking the match for Demacia."
He slowly nodded. "I can respect your position, but that's a dangerous game, Shyvana. There are plenty who will call your bluff on that new rule you've added."
"And they'll learn not to," the dragoness replied without hiding her dark anger.
He actually started to smile. "Does he know what kind of fire he's ignited in you?"
She eased into a smirk. "Better than anyone."
Jarvan nodded. "Good. And I'm sorry you didn't have a chance to reveal your relationship on your own terms. As I understand it, not even Sylus is aware of the announcement being public yet."
Shyvana blinked. "He's not?"
Jarvan shook his head. "I was finalizing some details for this match with the council, and I saw him leave earlier today. He was gone well before the announcement went out."
She raised her eyebrows. "I see. Thank you, Prince Jarvan."
He offered his hand. "And congratulations."
She smiled a bit, shaking it. "Thank you."
They parted easily, and Shyvana checked the time. It was late enough to head for Sylus' home anyway. If he didn't know, either, she would need to let him know that his privacy was nonexistent as well.
Familiar jangles caught her ear as she walked, and Shyvana turned, finding Miss Fortune marching up to her.
"…Yes, champion?" Shyvana asked, chilled, but respectful.
Miss Fortune stared at her for a moment, and then snapped a hand out to slap the dragon. It wasn't a hit, it was a genuine slap.
Shyvana actually barely reacted other than her face turning. She blinked, and looked at the pirate again.
"That was for cutting me in half with a tower-bolt. As for the rest of it… he must be a hell of a guy to get you that pissed off."
Shyvana smirked faintly. "Better than any other I've met, certainly."
Miss Fortune smirked back, and then turned with a lazy wave over her shoulder. "I'll spread the word about that little temper of yours, dragon, don't worry. Just means nastier, meaner things will pull it on you, though."
Shyvana chuckled, and turned to walk on herself. "I welcome it," she muttered with her old battle-smirk.
(That evening…)
It was a surprising pleasure to see the gentle green of the woods continue up to Sylus' cottage undisturbed again. Shyvana smiled gently as she walked through the grass and plant-covered stumps that had been the burnt scar. Her armor rattled faintly as she moved up to his door, crystal-light illuminating all the windows clearly.
Momentarily reminiscing about replacing the door with him, Shyvana reached up and knocked calmly.
She heard his footsteps, swift and eager, and the door opened quickly to his blossoming smile.
"Shyvana!"
It almost startled her that he freely moved forward and embraced her, but that faded instantly to a happy reciprocation, her arms wrapping around him and holding him close.
After a gentle moment, they eased apart, and he gave her a softer look. "And you seem tired, my lady. Were the matches unpleasant?"
"Yes and no," she answered at first, then waved toward the doorway. "Come, let's start to put the day behind us, Sylus."
He happily agreed, and they moved into the house, Shyvana closing the door softly in her wake. Then she eased her helmet off her head, simply hanging it on a hook near the door as she shook her hair loose.
The dragoness paused, catching Sylus watching her hair as he danced down over her cheek, and the two shared a glance.
"S-sorry, not trying to stare at you, my love," Sylus managed with a meek shrug. "You are sometimes more strikingly beautiful for reasons I can't quite narrow down."
Shyvana was clearly pleased by the situation rather than embarrassed. She also keenly noticed the candles on the dinner table, and finer furnishings arrayed across it. It was a charming little setup.
Returning her focus to her summoner, she casually swept her hair off her shoulders, and replied as they continued to walk toward the kitchen, "I am free to admit to you that it doesn't bother me, Sylus. Quite the opposite, in fact. You seem to flush a bit whenever my hair is visible."
He blushed outright, but laughed with a simple nod. "You do have lovely hair, my dragoness."
A bit playful, she eased up behind him, and ran her armored hand over the back of his head, through his hair. "And I like yours, too."
Sylus' body was tingling from the thrill of the sudden touch, and he had to exhale to steady himself with a happy smile back at her. "I'm glad then."
Shyvana noticed several pots of gently steaming food, the lids just off-kilter enough to fill the house with delicious scents. "I wasn't expecting such a feast, Sylus."
He chuckled as he returned to the stove, his robe shifting lightly around him. "Remember, there are a few things I wanted to show you tonight. I want it to be special."
She smiled, and glanced around, again realizing how much she liked this little house. So simple, so pleasant. Then her mind finally drifted back over the day, and all its events. She gave a little sigh. "I should give you a few updates before they spoil the evening later."
He calmed to a serious mood. "Oh? Go on?" He turned, facing her, fully attentive.
Running a hand back through her hair to help air it out, she answered, "Your loyalty to Demacia and your relationship with me were declared publically. The entire League is now aware of us."
Sylus froze, his eyes widening as his skin paled. Shyvana blinked, starting to feel she shouldn't have said anything for how severe his reaction was.
"…Peace, Sylus; I simply wished for you to be aware," she said softly, concerned for him.
His eyes rolled up, and a hand came to his face as his frame sank. "I am so terribly sorry, Shyvana. That type of information should never be announced. It goes on the record, yes, but never… Ugh," he growled down to the side, his features twisting as his fists clenched down at his sides. "Ralhe! You machinating little…"
Shyvana walked up to him, and gripped his shoulder. "Sylus! Calm. Why does this disturb you so?"
He blinked up into her eyes. "Why? S-Shyvana, I know how desperately you were trying to avoid that kind of mortification! I had no idea they would announce it specifically. Please, my love, forgive me. I never would have allowed that idiotic behavior if I'd realized they would do it. Especially not on a day when you had a vital match for Demacia!"
She started to half-smile. Even her frustration with him couldn't last very long. She reached up with both hands to cup his cheeks, and gently pulled him into a soft kiss. He moaned softly, his frame relaxing instantly as he returned the kiss, his hands reaching up to grip her arms.
Sylus blinked, breathing a bit heavily when she eased back. "T-thank you," he said meekly before he really thought about it.
Shyvana laughed happily, and caressed his shoulder. "It was inevitable that the League population would learn of it. Now we simply skip ahead. It was fortunate, in a way. Miss Fortune was in the match for the dispute, and she decided to taunt me with our relationship. I made sure she understood that was unwise."
Sylus saw the dark fire in his love's eyes, and his eyebrows rose up. "…Did you get chastised by the League?"
"Not yet, at least," Shyvana answered with a smirk and shrug.
Sylus chuckled, but calmed swiftly, and looked into her eyes with a more serious manner. "Still, I must apologize to you, Shyvana. I handled that very poorly, and you suffered for it." He bowed. "Please, forgive me."
Shyvana dryly knocked on his head with one knuckle. "What do you think the kiss was, summoner? Or do you think I just use them to shut you up?"
He blushed, rising upright with a laugh that she joined.
Still chuckling a bit, they eased more naturally apart as Sylus started to turn back to the cooking food. Shyvana was just moving aside when she saw Sylus' eyes dance down her form, and he seemed to jerk and snap toward the stove quickly.
She blinked. "Sylus?"
He twitched again, caught. "…Sorry," he muttered quietly.
Shyvana tilted her head. "What disturbed you?" She glanced down at herself. A new fear in her gut twisted with the idea that he somehow didn't like how she looked.
"Disturbed? N-no, no!" He instantly turned back around, waving his hands quickly. "Nothing so negative, my lady. No, I…" he cringed a bit, blushing.
The dragoness had to blink, but the fear thankfully faded. "You seemed as if looking at me gave you a start…"
Sylus glanced aside, turning redder. "I-I… I was momentarily overcome by desire for your body, Shyvana. I apologize. I don't mean to ogle you. Your armor is… very flattering to your figure."
Shyvana was still confused for a moment, and then started to chuckle. "Sylus, why would that bother me?"
"W-well, I don't want to objectify you, Shyvana. You are completely beautiful, but I also have the baser side of it. The… animal reaction, if you will?"
She chuckled again. "Fair enough, summoner. I appreciate the consideration. It doesn't bother me, however. Now, if I catch you doing that at Ahri, I might have to knock you senseless."
It let them both laugh out of the awkward moment.
"Worry not, my lady. The fox-spirit cannot compare to your radiance."
"That's good," Shyvana muttered in continued humor.
(Dinner…)
While preparing the meal—Shyvana insisted on helping him do so—the two talked over her matches. Sylus sympathized with the aggravations she'd experienced, and was simultaneously alarmed and impressed by the details of her handling Miss Fortune.
It wasn't long before they were sitting on either side of his small but beautiful little table, sharing the warm, delicious food together.
"You still haven't told me what it is you were up to in Demacia," Shyvana pointed out shrewdly, eyeing him with a bit of humor and intrigue.
Sylus grinned. "Indeed, not."
She gave him a dry look, and took another bite.
After a moment of simply enjoying the good food, Shyvana became more serious, and looked across at him. "Since it's official, I wanted to say to you that I deeply appreciate the steps you took today on my behalf, Sylus. I hope you understand I would never have asked that you formally ally with Demacia within the League?"
Sylus nodded. "I do, my love. It was necessary, for many reasons. Thank you for your kind words."
She offered a gentle smile, nodding back.
(A short time later…)
When they were mostly done eating, Sylus eased back in his chair, and tilted his head. "May I explain a tradition of my own culture to you, my lady?"
The comparison struck her, and she focused into his eyes. "Of course…"
"In my beliefs, when a man and woman wish to be bound together, they enter a period of mutual examination and connection. Very like the bond," he specifically held his left hand forward, revealing the scar.
Shyvana raised her eyebrows, unsure why she was so affected by the simple start.
"Honestly, I think the draconic bond is a more powerful ritual in its own right, but there is a certain charm in the tradition of my own land." He eased forward on his seat. "Would you mind taking your gloves off?"
Shyvana blinked at her armored claws, and felt embarrassed to find the metal still on them. She blushed, and started to remove them, nodding.
Sylus stood and softly came around, his hands resting over her own to stop their quick scramble. It made her blink up at him.
"My love," he began happily. "There is nothing wrong with your armor. You've done nothing amiss." He crouched down at her side, and his hands gently shifted to help pull her already-loosened gloves off her ashen fingers.
"I… didn't want to disrupt your ritual," she muttered quietly, relieved this was such a private moment, where no one but Sylus could see her meekness.
Sylus reached a hand up, cupping her cheek. "And you are so kind for it. Easy, my love. You honor me with your attention. Relax, please."
She breathed, nodding slowly, and let him clasp her right hand in both of his, the hand on top gently stroking her skin. It was a surprisingly wonderful sensation, and she found herself watching their intertwined hands, her fingers subtly shifting between his.
"In my tradition, a token is offered as a symbol, and it is worn by the lady."
He pulled a small box from his robe at last, opening it toward her.
Shyvana blinked at the ring glistening in the small box, her head tilting. It was not a golden band like she heard of, but rather a shimmering, deep crimson—almost black—simple and strong.
"Shyvana," Sylus began softly, his voice strained by his own emotions, calling her eyes to his instantly. "Would you do me the honor of wearing this symbol of a bond, in the hope that, after our two years, I might know the honor of being your husband?"
She blinked at him, and focused back on the ring. Her eyes found his again. "…Should we not both wear rings?" she whispered gently, a blush warming her cheeks for the question during such an important moment.
Sylus smiled happily. "An idea I share, my lady, but the tradition only asks that the lady wear it. I can certainly wear one for you, too."
Shyvana gently shook her head. "N-no. You honored my tradition, I would honor yours. And… yes, Sylus. I would wear this symbol. I share that hope. To be… your wife," she realized the word was correct, despite how alien it was to her.
Sylus had soft tears dripping down his cheeks. "I am honored more than I can express, my love. …May I place it on your finger?"
Blinking some dampness from her eyes, Shyvana nodded quickly. She watched as he tenderly took the dark, crimson band, and lifted her hand again, slipping the ring onto her finger with care.
He released her hand, and she looked at it, slowly flexing the fingers, examining the ring, and making slow, squeezing fists to test the feel. Then she glanced to her armored claw on the table, and winced faintly.
"Does it not fit, my love?" Sylus asked softly, concerned, but not upset.
Shyvana locked on his eyes instantly. "N-no, Sylus. It fits very well, in fact. No, I… just realized… I am not certain I can wear my armor and gauntlets while this is on my hand…"
Sylus raised his eyebrows, and then smiled softly. "Shyvana, dearest, it is a symbol, but not a handicap. Our bond is far deeper than anything you might wear, on your skin, or in it," he offered his scarred palm again. "You have my blessing to remove the ring whenever you have need to. You shared a beautiful tradition with me, and I wanted to share what I could of my own culture with you, to show the mingling of our lives." His left hand reached over, and slipped into her left, locking their scars together again. "I love you."
Her hand squeezed his. "And I love you. Thank you, Sylus. I hadn't even thought of it, but this is…" she glanced down at her hand, admiring the ring. "Even the style of the thing is appealing. How did you know this would suit me?"
Her summoner remained glowing with joy. "I saw it, and realized it suited you. Strong, powerful, unbreakable. Noble in blood, and strong as the earth."
Shyvana half-smiled, and reached up with the ring-bearing hand, caressing his cheek. "You see me as I wish to be seen. Thank you, Sylus. I hope I give you the same sense?" Her finishing question was offered with sincere concern and respect.
Sylus instantly nodded, and angled his cheek to her hand with appreciation. "Absolutely, Shyvana. No one has ever made me feel more appreciated."
The dragoness offered a deeply happy smile in return, and leaned down to kiss him. It was a gentle and tender caress of their lips, basking in the glow of the moment.
When they parted, Shyvana's eyes were finally relaxing from the unusually long day and emotional stress she'd mainly put on herself in the last few minutes. "You have given me a wonderful night, Sylus. Thank you, again."
Her summoner rose up, caressing some of her hair. "And thank you, my dragoness."
She was still practically joyful, but she started to yawn, quickly catching herself and covering her mouth with a mild blush. "P-pardon me."
Sylus chuckled gently. She yawned in a surprisingly adorable way for such a powerful and vicious warrior. "You have had a very long day, my lady. Would you like to retire for the evening? You're welcome to use my bed."
Shyvana looked up into his eyes, still sitting as she was, and raised her eyebrows. "S-Sylus, I don't mean to cut our evening so short as this."
He leaned in to kiss her forehead reverently. "I would be honored for you to take your rest here, my love. I can clean up down here and rest soon enough. I've fallen asleep on my couch many times quite pleasantly."
Shyvana frowned a bit. "Sylus, I don't want to take your bed from you. We have already shared a bed before."
He chuckled. "Certainly, my love, but your bed is much grander than my own."
Her hand reached up and gripped his arm. "Please?"
Sylus paused, becoming more serious at the surprisingly powerful… pleading was the wrong word. Her eyes were alight with the request, powerful and meek at the same time. A gentle intensity.
"I can remain in this form, obviously," Shyvana added in a quiet rush. "I have slept in my armor before."
Sylus eased down to crouch before her again, gripping her hands. "My love, I'm not going to make you sleep in armor…" Still, he saw how serious it was for her not to force him out of the bed. How much she wanted to rest with him. "I think… Hm, yes. I might have an idea. Go on upstairs, let me finish up down here, and I'll join you soon. I'll show you what might help."
Her hands squeezed his. "Thank you. I know I am being strange, but this is… important to me."
He kissed her cheek. "I see it clearly, my love. Trust me. I'll be up soon."
Shyvana nodded, and finally stood up, nuzzling his cheek before she moved over to the stairs and slowly walked up.
(Later…)
It was no surprise he kept his word. The nature of his idea had only puzzled her for a moment before she realized it would address the little problem with both of them sharing the bed without her armor. She wanted to hold him in her wings again, but the small bed simply couldn't hold her larger form, even if she curled tightly.
"Comfortable?" Sylus asked as she came back into the bedroom from changing.
Shyvana was in a thick, white tunic and loose pants, effectively pajamas. She nodded, swaying her arms a bit. "Quite so, in fact. My thanks. I could have slept in the armor, but yes… it would have been awkward in the morning. And… I very much wished to rest with you again. I know we can't always, but…"
Sylus eased over, and hugged her gently. He was in a similar set of attire himself. "It is a special night, and you've had a long day, my love. Any chance to be close to you is a blessing."
She held a hand to his hair, the other his back, and held him close with a fond, gentle smile, as sleepy as she was.
After just a moment more, they got onto the bed together, and actually nestled into the covers. It was a much smaller bed, and Shyvana quickly pulled Sylus to her, her head resting against his own. Their left hands found each other between them, and gripped tightly at their hearts.
"I am home," Shyvana whispered softly.
"Always, my love."
The Beginning
(Author's Note)
And there we have it! Sorry this chapter is up late. I thought I'd already posted it for some reason. Terribly sorry everyone. I hope this 'conclusion' is enough closure for the story as it is. I'm very fond of Shyvana and Sylus as a pair, and I hope Shyvana still rings true to her specific fans within the context of the story. This fiery dragon is a wonderful character.
I'll admit, I let my ingame hatred of Miss Fortune bleed into that fight a little more than I should have. Not apologizing, but I'll admit it, hehe.
A big thank you to all the reviewers, followers, favers, and PMers! I love every bit of feedback, and always appreciate the attention and communication. You kept the story going!
Cyrex, signing off for now!