Ionian Nights- Part 3
###Part 3
Four hours later...
The first time Karma had spoke with Varus, the sight of his destroyed village nearly moved her to tears. From that point on, every time she had to venture into this grim wasteland she felt naught but remorse and sickening pain in her chest. This village was one of the only places not fixed after the war with Noxus. Nay, everytime people tried to clean and rebuild, Varus stood in their way and threatened them. This was his little slice of solitude, after all.
Trailing directly behind Karma, Soraka frowned at the destroyed buildings. The flayed bones that had never been given proper burial. The sheer amount of extinguished life. "It pains me that Varus would let his people go without eternal peace," Soraka said, the gentle clop of hooves on the flayed ground being the only sound in this entire desolated area.
Karma sighed, nodding as she led Soraka to the temple. "Aye, Soraka. Varus has such a clouded mind when it comes to his vengeance. Strong as he is, I feel that we should pity him, not fear him," As she spoke, the two made their way up the temple steps. Flayed noxian bones covered the area, those wooden arrows slowly rotting from the bones they stuck to. Up and up they went, finally reaching that massive stone door that was left ajar. Only the pale shimmer of moonlight gave the room any glow, but it's not like there was much to see.
Sitting in front of a massive, empty pit sat Varus. Bow set to his side, the pale and anemic figure sat alone. The gentle breeze that swept into the chamber made his scarf flutter ever so slightly. As Soraka's hooves made the distinct clopping sound once more, Varus reached for his bow with one hand, infected with that black carapace of the pit.
"Varus, it's us," Karma spoke.
Upon hearing Karma's voice, Varus dropped his hand away from the bow. He spoke now, voice infected with that same corruption that drove it's vile tendrils into his legs, arms and soul. "Karma. Soraka," he stated motionlessly. "Whatever you need to know, you know the price of my knowledge."
Karma nodded, turning to Soraka to give her the go-ahead. Out of all of Ionia's "enemies", Varus was the most civil. Back when he had first joined the League, Karma attempted to reason with him. While he was all for talking, Varus demanded only one thing as payment: Healing. Not to lessen the agony of his corruption or to cure him, but to keep him alive longer so that he may have more time for his vengeance.
Soraka knelt down, setting her staff to the side as she ran one azure hand over Varus's pale back. She frowned before wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing herself to him. She closed her eyes as her celestial powers flowed through her, seeking out the strained organs within Varus and mending them as much as she could. Soraka hardly agreed with Varus and his sole purpose of vengeance, but far be it from her to deny healing to one who had lost so much. "Stars bless you, child," Soraka whispered. While her powers may heal his body, they would hardly heal the wounded soul deep within him.
Varus sighed as Soraka let go, taking a deep if labored breath. "What do you wish to know, Karma?"
Karma crossed her arms. "Last night, two of Ionia's council members were kidnapped, one was murdered and the other two, myself included, were attacked. Do you know anything about this?"
"No," Varus said, getting directly to the point.
Both Karma and Soraka sighed. "As I expected," Karma began, "but I had to be sure."
"If that is all, you two may leave now. I wish to be alone," Varus spoke, having not moved from his seat for the entire conversation. Soraka clutched her staff, shaking her head in disapproval.
The Astral being moved forward, tapping her staff upon his shoulder. "You are not alone, child. You can always return to Ionia's grace. You are only lost if you stay on this path," Soraka insisted, trying to change Varus's mind. Varus only lifted his hand, lightly brushing off Soraka's staff.
"You and I are two different people, Soraka. You have the power to forgive. . . I do not."
"As I expected, Varus had no part in this. I figured Ryota would include him but regardless, we have only wasted time here," Karma said, both her and Soraka walking back through the desolate village. Somewhere, a wooden board fell off the building. The sound caused Soraka to stop where she was, long ears twitching as she turned to the source of the sound.
Karma raised one eyebrow, looking over her shoulder at Soraka as she glared into the darkness. "You can come out now or we will flush you out, whoever you are," Soraka demanded, pointing her staff at the building. From the rubble and dust came one white tuft of fur...and then another...and another.
"No fun at all, Soraka. Not one little bit!" Ahri spoke, nine tails finally coming into view as she took long and elegant steps despite the destroyed area around her. Soraka glared, as did Karma, at the fox spirit. Ahri only gave them a malicious, mischievous grin. "Talking to Varus, hm? Trying to get him to come out on a date to the Lunar festival?"
Karma clenched her first, Soraka doing the same. "I see that you have no desire to help us with our problem, spirit," Karma said. Ahri only yawned. In a spark of blue light she had sprinted atop one of the destroyed buildings, lying flat on her belly and juggling her aqua-colored ball of souls between all nine of her ails.
"Yeaaaaaaah, the affairs of humans bore me. But I hear that you all have problems with someone killing your council, hm? Sounds mysterious!~" she said, adding a little purr to that last part. Bah, why had Karma even sent her a letter? Ahri was always too preoccupied with her own games and enjoyment.
Soraka was growing tired of this childish mischief. "If you are going to help, than say so! We do not have time for toying with you!" Ahri chuckled at Soraka's stern words, dashing in a bolt of blue again. This time she sat on a tree branch, kicking her legs while spinning her soul sphere with a single finger. "I mean it, Ahri, do not try me on this!"
"Temper temper, sparkle pony! Perhaps I did see something happen at the palace, hm? Maybe I even heard where the council members are being taken?" At this, Karma froze. She glared at Ahri, stepping forward and jabbing a finger right at the fox. Ahri only raised an eyebrow, grin curling in the most Cheshire-like of smirks.
Karma glared, emerald fire shimmering in her eyes. "Tell me what you know, NOW!" The duchess demanded. Ahri, instead, turned once more into a blue spark. Only this time, she did not visibly return. Rather, she had vanished, Karma and Soraka turning around and around to see where she had gone.
"Oh Karma, that would spoil the fun! I want you to find out on your own~..."
End Part 3
