Last Words: The Final Threshold (Katarina's Legacy - Part 3)
If you haven't read it yet (you should if you want to avoid spoilers), here is the link to Part 1: http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/skin-champion-concepts/49xvwvt9-beyond-the-lines-a-story-of-love-and-league-katarinas-legacy-part-1
And ... Part 2 (once again, read it if you want to avoid spoilers): http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/skin-champion-concepts/ZJjr0clG-the-hunt-begins-facing-the-manifestation-of-death-katarinas-legacy-part-2
Alright, now on to Part 3!
Out of all of the possible scenarios I’d planned for, I never had thought I would die on my wedding day.
The room was chaos, complete with screaming guests, shining unsheathed weapons, and Jarvan’s thundering voice fighting to control the crazed room occupants. But all I could focus on as my life force began to fade was my fiancé’s mask of despair.
_Thank the gods she didn’t kill Garen_, was my relieved response to seeing him unharmed, instantly followed by, _I’m so sorry it all ended like this. I shouldn’t have dragged you into the vengeful act I knew was going to happen. She was never going to let me get away with killing Talon to save you._
“I’m so sorry,” I managed to choke out, as my vision faded, followed by a necessary confession.
“I should … have told … you sooner. I’ve … always … loved …”
My next breath held an audible rattle, so I knew it was my last. I could barely hear myself when I spoke one last word, and I could only hope he’d heard me.
“… you.”
I’m getting ahead of myself here. Maybe I should mention first _how_ I got engaged in the first place? Of course, everyone knows _who_, but the _when_ and _where_ might be uncertain, seeing as this is not one of those events the League mentions. Maybe they should have.
So, it was a fairly ordinary off-duty day for Garen and I. The two of us had already gone to buy groceries (because Lux had made us do it – she was on duty and couldn’t get them herself), and were on our way back home when the familiar signal that announced Jarvan’s approach caused us both to literally jump into the standard off-duty guard position. Then, we waited as the procession made its way down the street, the sun reflecting off of the polished metal of the soldiers’ armor.
Finally, Jarvan, Shyvana and Lux (who was walking next to them) approached, Jarvan and Shyvana on lightly armored horses. I still didn’t know how they’d found a horse that wasn’t nervous around Shyvana – that was an unfortunate side effect of her hybrid status. Just when I thought Jarvan and Shyvana were going to ride straight down the street and out of sight, they stopped right in front of where the two of us stood.
Jarvan turned to salute Garen, and then turned to me, winked, and saluted me for the first time ever.
He was dropping the pretenses and declaring in front of the massive crowd of Demacians that I was one of the best Vanguard members to ever defend Demacia’s king.
I was stunned, and completely missed the movement beside me along with the crowd’s gasps. It wasn’t until I realized, quite belatedly, that Garen was no longer standing next to me that I whirled, half-expecting to see him fighting for his life against a Noxian assassin. But the actual sight that greeted me was completely unexpected.
Garen had one knee on the ground, with a simple silver ring in his outstretched hand.
I couldn’t help it. I covered my mouth with both hands.
I heard the crowd (the royals and Lux included) take a collective breath as Garen asked the one question I had somehow never expected.
“Katarina Du Couteau, will you marry me?”
The entire street was dead silent. I could hear hearts pounding, and could sense Lux’s agitation. She was clearly worried for her brother, and I was fairly sure I knew why – if I said no, I’d shatter his heart.
But none of the Demacians present had any need to worry. Even though I hadn’t expected the question, I had always known what my answer would be.
“Yes.”
There were cheers from the crowd around us as Garen got back to his feet, slipped the ring on my finger, and kissed me with a passion that would have rivaled Brand’s fire if it were corporeal. Lux visibly relaxed, and I felt a silent thanks from her before my world faded away, and the only object left was my true love, my soul mate, the one person I’d never thought I’d find and then had fought with all my strength to be with.
My fiancé.
After weeks of grueling preparation, a tense standoff with the elder Crownguards that nearly escalated into a full-blown duel, and Lux’s refusal to let me decide on _anything_ related to the wedding without her approval, the day was finally here. I nervously straightened my dress – I had to admit, Lux had been right when she’d hired the best dress designer in Demacia to create a personalized wedding gown just for me – and checked that my hair hadn’t broken out of the half-bun it was supposed to stay in. It turned out that it took a ridiculous number of bobby pins and hair ties to hold a single strand in place.
“You’re going to be _fine_,” Lux told me, watching me nervously check everything from the dress to the shoes she’d insisted I wear (I didn’t really like them, but she refused to let me wear anything else). “Besides, you said it yourself – the only opinion that matters is his.”
I’d asked her the morning after the engagement if she was ok with me joining the Crownguard family, and her response was a suffocating hug – followed by her admittance that she’d known Garen’s feelings for me since she’d heard of our first duel and his reactions to it afterwards.
“He’s always been hopelessly in love with you. Those of us who knew held our breaths and waited to see if you felt the same. Honestly, I couldn’t be more relieved when Garen came home that day and said you’d kissed him. I knew right then and there that it was going to work. I didn’t tell him, though,” she added, noticing my expression. “I decided that if he wanted it to work, he’d have to figure it out on his own.”
Now, as she reassured me over and over that everything was fine, I let my mind finally wander as I imagined what the rest of the day would be like. First the wedding ceremony – and what were the odds of someone speaking out against our marriage? If they hadn’t before, everyone knew how we felt about each other, and that there was no tearing us apart.
Oh, I’d regret that thought later.
Once the actual ceremony was finished, the after-party would start. I’d left that entirely up to Lux, my only request that it not be over-the-top and lavish. She’d promised me she’d do her best to honor that, and I was fairly sure I could trust her on that.
The party could last late into the night, so I’d slept in the past few days just in case. I had a gut feeling that it would be bad if the bride fell asleep during the celebration. At least I wouldn’t be the only person getting all the attention – Garen would be getting just as much.
To be honest, it was almost a scary thought. Garen would be my husband in just a few short hours. Not that I wasn’t looking forward to it – I couldn’t wait, actually – but the new title would be a bit daunting until I got used to it.
Sensing my line of thought, Lux said, “Just wait for a little while and you’ll be a Crownguard too! Isn’t it exciting?”
Sensing my apprehension, she stepped closer and gave me a loose hug so she wouldn’t mess anything up, and whispered in my ear, “To be honest, I can’t wait until you officially become my sister. I’m honored to have such an amazing sibling.”
Lux then reached up to trace the mark on my forehead, the mark also present on her face – the Mark of the Kindred. We’d earned it after defeating the Kindred in an unexpected duel for our lives. The memory of Lamb and Wolf’s surrender was still a proud one – few had faced the Kindred and survived, and as far as we knew, no one else had ever won.
“In my opinion …” Lux added after a moment, “… what we went through that day bound us more than anything else could. You’re already my sister. All today does is make it official.”
I was holding back tears by this point. But I just had to ask, “What about your brother?”
“He’s ok,” was her blunt answer. “But he wasn’t the best big sibling when I was growing up. Always lecturing me about duty and justice, ‘cause that’s his thing. Mine’s more blowing up enemies before they can get close.”
We both cracked up laughing, and that helped me force the tears away.
“Thank you for everything,” I finally told Lux once we had the hysterics under control. “Not just planning the wedding, but everything. Helping me since I got here, and all of that.”
My soon-to-be sister-in-law just smiled and said, “No problem.”
And that was the end of the conversation, because then we were called to get ready for the wedding procession.
The young man who Lux had put in charge of making sure everyone walked down the aisle at the right time froze at the sight of the uncovered marks. After that day, we’d always concealed them in some way, with either magic or makeup. But today, there was no reason to hide them. The mark was something both Lux and I wore proudly, and today was as good a day as any to leave them visible.
After a moment, he composed himself, muttered an apology for staring, and quickly continued his task. Lux had handpicked the bridesmaids – there weren’t that many, I’d insisted on only a handful – and she was the maid of honor, of course, so she would be the last one before me.
As she smiled at me one last time before taking her place in front of me, the wishful thought passed through my mind one last time – if only my father was here to walk me down the aisle. He’d been missing for a while, and I’d learned before taking down High Command that they’d tried to execute him for false charges of treason. That actually was the reason why I’d started my revolution in the first place – because there was evidence that they were completely corrupt staring me right in the face.
My father had escaped, obviously – there’d been no execution. But I’d hoped he’d been hiding here in Demacia, or that he’d at least come here after learning I’d become a member of the Vanguard. Well, and that I was marrying one of their best soldiers.
Now was not the time to think such thoughts, especially since the procession had begun. The flower girls had just been ushered through the door, and the bridesmaids were eagerly awaiting their turns. After all, this was the second wedding of the century – Jarvan and Shyvana’s had been the first – since it had been a _very_ long time since a famous Demacian had married a Noxian-born assassin. Actually, as far as I knew, it had never happened before.
And the “Noxian-born” title I’d given myself didn’t do much justice. I’d single-handedly brought down Noxian High Command with a rapid rebellion, and Garen’s legions had showed up at just the right moment to finish them off. The weight of what I’d done had earned the favor of most Demacians, so I no longer had to stay on my guard at all times when out in the city.
Then the bridesmaids started making their way down the aisle, and I cut off my line of thought. Paranoid as it was, I scanned the area with my teleport sense to make sure there wasn’t a single person who meant any harm. Satisfied with what I found, I shut that down as well, and gave Lux a true smile as she turned to face me one last time before passing through the doors as well.
Then it was my turn. At last, after all these weeks, the moment was finally here. And, as I prepared myself for what would feel like one of most important journeys I’d ever take, I knew I was ready. I wouldn’t turn this chance down for anything. This was what I wanted.
This was my future.
So, as the music swelled, cuing my entrance, the two guards standing watch at the double doors bowed to me and then, in unison, reached for the twin handles and pulled.
The first thing I saw was the rows of guests standing, some (off-duty soldiers, I guessed) at attention. And they weren’t facing Jarvan. These salutes were for me.
I nearly sobbed at the gesture, but the combination of gratitude and awe at Lux’s design capabilities was washed away at the sight of my soul mate standing at the other end of the aisle, near the altar. Garen looked just as handsome as ever in a tux, not that I would have complained if he’d just worn his uniform. But Lux probably gave him hell about that, so he’d let her boss him around for once.
Of course, he had his sword with him, but it rested within a ceremonial sheath, indicating that he didn’t think there’d be any trouble. And I agreed with him on that count. Nothing felt out of place or troubling, just as I’d hoped. Lux had done unbelievably well, and I made a mental note to thank her even as my feet started moving towards the altar without my brain instructing them to do so. At least they had the sensibility to walk calmly, because all that my mind wanted to do was run to my fiancé.
As I approached the altar, I looked left to see the elder Crownguards applauding along with the other guests. They seemed to like my dress, which was good. If they found something about me they could like, they’d let this run without a single interruption.
To my right, Jarvan and Shyvana smiled as they motioned for me to hurry up. I almost stuck my tongue out at them, but that would be completely inappropriate, so I settled for a wink and a grin. To Jarvan, I mouthed, _Thank you_.
_No problem_ was his response. I nodded to him and then made my way up the stairs, where an official, Lux, Garen, and the rest of the entourage awaited. Once both of my feet were firmly on the raised stage, I extended my right hand. Garen didn’t hesitate, instantly taking it and gripping it tightly in his own. I smiled softly at him, and he returned a grin. I knew he was just as excited and relieved as me. Excited because we’d both been waiting for weeks for this to happen, and relieved that it was finally here.
But I refused to let myself relax now. As the official launched into his usual introduction, I scanned the area one last time … and froze. Someone was here.
A person I’d hoped I’d never have to see again, and who was definitely out for blood.
“Someone’s here,” I whispered, and the Crownguard siblings instantly knew what I meant. But I beat them to it, yelling “Guards! Close ranks and protect the prince and princess!”
Pandemonium fell upon the gathered group, as both on- and off- duty soldiers ran to cover the doors and the royals, guests ran towards the stage – the back of the room – for safety, and brother and sister closed ranks in front of me. My heart broke as I realized what would happen.
She’d kill them to even the scales. A life for a life was how she saw it, and that was what she’d do.
There had to be some way to stop my sister.
There was a commotion outside the doors, and everyone fell silent. We all turned to watch the doors shudder as something – or someone – rammed against them, trying to force them open.
The shudders stopped, and for one incredulous second, I hoped she’d given up. But my hopes were in vain.
The doors flew open, and in charged my sister Cassiopeia, screaming “Murderer!”
I should have known she’d never forgive me.
I couldn’t see it, thanks to Garen and Lux blocking Cassiopeia’s line of sight, but I heard it as she unleashed her characteristic stunning attack. The moment the noise subsided, I moved out from behind the Crownguards, spread my arms wide, and mouthed to her, _Just take me. You wanted a life for a life, then take it and leave._
I saw her considering my sacrifice, weighing it against the possibility of taking someone I loved instead, and then she whispered, so quietly that only I could hear it, “You took him from me, so now I take you from them.”
And then I felt the worst pain imaginable, as Cassiopeia sent an onslaught of her deadliest poisons straight into my heart. I felt my muscles giving out as I hit the floor, and then chaos broke out. Through fading vision, I saw Garen charge down the aisle and skewer my sister through the heart, and then cut her head off for good measure.
_At least she didn’t get him_, was my thought before I heard the scream.
**As soon as I could move, I charged down the aisle, my sword drawn and ready for battle. But all this called for was a swift execution, and that was what the wretched creature got. A quick stab through the heart, followed by a decapitation, solved the problem. She’d tried to kill me to wound Katarina, and seeing as it hadn’t worked, I’d quickly repaid the favor, although with more success.**
**But that was before I realized everyone was screaming. Shyvana’s sobs drew my attention first, and I thought Jarvan had been hit instead. But the king was standing, perfectly fine, with a mask of horror on his face directed elsewhere.**
**Towards the altar, and the two people I cared about most.**
**At first I found Lux, who was rushing across the stage, and my mind didn’t make the connection right away, instead releasing a silent sigh of relief. But then I realized she’d been running towards someone on the ground … someone in white.**
**Then the horrible image was finally processed.**
**And in that moment, my world shattered.**
**“NO!”**
**My scream shattered the room as I ran back to the altar, where my bride-to-be was dying in my sister’s arms.**
**Katarina was struggling to sit up, despite my sister’s repeated attempts to calm her. Somehow Lux was holding it together, unlike me. My despair was clearly visible on my face, and even as I reached for her, I knew I couldn’t do anything. My healing magic only worked for me, and even if I tried, it wouldn’t transfer to her. I’d tried to do it before when she’d nearly died after the Noxian rebellion succeeded, and it hadn’t worked. But this time I knew the damage was fatal, unlike the previous attempt, where the wound wasn’t quite deep enough to kill. So all I could do was watch her die.**
**The room was growing quiet, so my soft moans of “No, no, please no” were somewhat audible.**
**Suddenly, Katarina choked out, “I’m so sorry.” I shook my head violently, even though I had a feeling she couldn’t really see it.**
**Her breathing was growing shallow, and her heartbeat was fading. My worst nightmare, the one scenario I’d hoped would never happen, was becoming reality right in front of me.**
**Then she managed to add one last sentence, in bits and pieces.**
**Katarina’s last words.**
**“I should … have told … you sooner. I’ve … always … loved …”**
**Her next breath produced a rattling noise – the sound of a person’s final breath. This couldn’t be happening. Not here, not now, not to the one person who deserved the longest life out of any of us here.**
**Her last word was just barely audible, but I heard it loud and clear, and I knew, in that moment, it would be burned into my mind for the rest of my life.**
**“… you.”**
**Her chest fell. And did not rise again as her heart beat one last time before falling silent as well.**
**Katarina was dead.**
**But just as I drew a breath to shout my sorrow and fury to the gods above, the room exploded in white light.**
Wait. I wasn’t dead yet?
I could see a brilliant white light, like most people who survived near-death experiences claimed to see at the moment of death, yet ever so faintly, my heart kept beating. Too softly for anyone but me to hear.
My eyes were starting to adjust to the light when Lamb and Wolf appeared in front of me. Ah, so now it was time. After all, I wasn’t dead yet until I met the Kindred at life’s end.
But, I noticed, Lamb’s bow was slung across her torso, and Wolf was floating calmly next to his companion, with no intention of preparing to pounce.
Before I could say anything, Lamb spoke.
“You are the only one seeing this. To the others in the room, the blindness only lasted a split second, and this conversation never happened. In a moment, the white light will fade, and you will be able to rise. But for now, listen to us carefully, because this will never be repeated.”
Still stunned that they weren’t trying to take my life, I remained silent as Wolf continued, “Much to our disappointment …”
Lamb elbowed him, and Wolf growled in complaint before correcting, “Much to _my_ disappointment, you will be returned to the living world. Seeing as you and your friend were able to defeat us, we will grant you two one favor. This is the only second chance we will give – should one of you fall again, we will not grant another reprieve.”
Lamb then added, “Should you face us again and win, there will be no remarking, since both of you already bear one of our symbols. But you _may_ earn another reprieve. We cannot guarantee it, and we hope you will understand.”
I nodded, indicating that I’d understood everything they had told me.
After repositioning so that she was facing in the direction of – the rows of guests, I guessed? – Lamb whispered, “Be ready. The return to your physical body, even though it has been healed, will be a shock. But you must rise as soon as we call.”
“Thank you,” I managed to force out, causing both Lamb and Wolf to turn to me one last time.
“We accept your gratitude … and I guess I will have to accept it as an alternative to chasing you,” Wolf replied, much to Lamb’s chagrin. “You owe me a chase!”
I laughed. “Very well. When we next meet on the fields of the League, you may chase to your heart’s content.”
Wolf grinned, and Lamb shook her head in disbelief before the pair repositioned again.
“On our count,” Lamb whispered.
“One …” Wolf growled.
“Two …” Lamb sang.
“Three!”
And with that, the light vanished, and the room came into focus. But what I saw first was not the guests, nor Jarvan and Shyvana, nor Lux and Garen, but instead the floor. It was glowing with a familiar pattern.
Kindred had, once again, activated Lamb’s Respite.
Lamb’s voice rang out across the silent room, proclaiming Kindred’s choice.
“Not here, not yet.”
Then Lamb rose and turned to me.
“Rise once more, and accept your new fate.”
Slowly, I pushed myself up into a sitting position. There were several gasps from the audience, Jarvan, Shyvana, Lux, and Garen likely included. I then pulled my legs in so that my feet were flat against the stage floor, and started to stand.
It was an agonizing few seconds, as I struggled to gain my footing. Everyone else watched in dead silence. But once I was steady on my feet, Lamb and Wolf closed the distance between the three of us.
“This mark will tell all who see it that you are favored by the Kindred, having defeated us in battle and later succumbing to fatal wounds. It is not yet your time, so take our respite and use it well,” Lamb announced to the crowd as she pressed her fingers to the mark on my forehead, which I had a feeling was glowing.
The moment the tips of her fingers brushed my skin, the vision in my right eye blinked out for a moment, before returning. There was no visible change, yet something felt different. And I didn’t just mean the eye.
“Carry this new mark proudly,” Lamb whispered to me. “Not only are you one of few to defeat us, but you are the first to be given a second chance. In addition to evidencing our choice, this mark has awoken your true potential.”
“Hunt well, and fare well,” Wolf added before the duo pulled back. Lamb nodded in my direction before repositioning herself in the center of her Respite, with Wolf circling her. A moment later, they vanished, just like before, leaving no trace.
There was a moment of perfect silence where no one moved or breathed. And then Jarvan broke it by asking, “Why aren’t we having a wedding? I thought that was why we were all here.”
I laughed softly, but Jarvan’s words had managed to snap the official out of his stupor. The man stammered, “Of course. Shall we proceed?”
I looked to Garen. It was his choice, seeing as I only saw one option. And luckily, he had the same frame of mind as I did.
“Please do proceed,” he told the official, who instantly started ordering everyone back into position, his confidence restored.
“Kat?” Garen whispered as we moved back to our spot.
“Yes?”
“Your right eye … it’s different.”
I almost did a double take. “Wait, what?”
“It’s not green anymore. It’s silver, but with an inky blue band in the middle dividing it into two circles. It almost reminds me of the Kindred’s mark … which isn’t on your forehead anymore.”
I whispered, “Does it make me look …” I couldn’t force the word out.
Garen smiled and said, “Of course not. If anything, it makes you more beautiful, because it symbolizes what you’ve done. But you know what?”
He leaned closer and whispered, “I don’t care. All that I care is that you’re here, alive and well, and that _you’re mine_.”
Those last two words were so possessive they sent a shiver down my spine. Garen didn’t give me a chance to add anything – he closed the distance between us and kissed me.
“Wait … but I … the ceremony … you aren’t …” the official protested, before sighing loudly and saying, “Fine. Seeing as you two couldn’t wait …”
There was laughter from the guests. Jarvan’s signature laugh was the loudest – at least until Shyvana elbowed him, I guess (I heard a grunt from him, so that’s probably what happened).
“… I hereby pronounce you husband and wife.”
Now the room was filled with cheering and applause, and when we finally pulled apart and turned to face the crowd, the noise had evolved into one deafening roar of approval.
It was over. It was finally over. I had waited for so long in order for this to happen, and it had. Despite the … interruption, the ceremony was – albeit severely shortened – complete, and we were officially married.
I couldn’t be happier.
The after-party was a blur. The traditional highlights – cutting the cake, me throwing the bouquet (straight at Lux, who caught it) the first dance – still occurred, but otherwise I felt that it ran its course faster than it should have. Maybe it wasn’t necessarily the lingering effects of my almost-death and remarking by Kindred, but something had caused the guests to leave early. My new mark _definitely_ drew stares throughout the event, so I found myself trying to angle my face so that no one could see my right eye.
“There’s no need to hide it,” Garen kept trying to reassure me, but I was feeling a bit self-conscious. After all, I’d been able to cover up the original mark on my forehead – which was definitely gone (I’d checked in the mirror when Lux helped me change into the after-party dress) – at first, before I’d decided there was no reason to, but this one, I knew in my gut, couldn’t be hidden. While it did kind of look cool, I was still reluctant about openly displaying the symbol that basically told everyone I was favored by the Kindred – an especially worrisome fact for some, seeing as I was both a League champion and possibly the best assassin in Runeterra.
But I took Lux and Garen’s advice, putting my worries out of my mind and enjoying the party, which, I have to say, Lux did an amazing job designing and preparing. Even though I understood why several guests started leaving early, I was saddened a bit to find that only Jarvan, Shyvana, Lux, Garen, the elder Crownguards and I were the last ones left in the room only partly into the evening.
Lux and Garen’s parents – my parents-in-law now, I realized belatedly – gave us pleasant farewells before seeing themselves out, but Jarvan saluted the three of us proudly – causing the three of us to salute back, but with smiles on our faces – and Shyvana hugged me fiercely. She whispered in my ear, “Good luck now, Kat. I know you’ll love the life you’ve built for yourself here.”
“Thank you,” I told her when she pulled back. Shyvana nodded in acknowledgement before she and Jarvan exited – with the rest of the guards, I should mention.
Once the royal couple was out of sight down the road, Lux turned to Garen and I, clearly about to make some sort of remark regarding our shortening of the ceremony. However, just as she opened her mouth, a timid knock sounded from the front door.
Garen practically jumped in front of me, but I pushed him aside, smiled at him, and said, “Let me see who it is. Probably a guest who forgot something.”
But when I opened that door, I saw a face I’d never expected to see again. One that had changed with age and years of hard living, but the unmistakable, characteristic green eyes that defined our lineage stared right back at me.
I froze, my mind torn between taking a step back towards my husband and sister-in-law and racing forwards to hug him – and then demand what he’d been up to.
“Dad?”
Marcus Du Couteau gave me the fatherly smile I’d always loved.
“Glad to see you again, Kat. I finally decided to stop by the Crownguards to ask for help, seeing as they’d probably accept me. But would you care to explain how you’re here?”
He paused, and then finally saw the change to my face. As he registered what had happened, he froze. A terrified expression crossed his face – an expression that, in all my life, I’d never seen on my father’s face.
“Dad? Are you ok?” I asked.
My father shook his head violently.
“Oh, daughter, what have you done?”
As a certain Rioter likes to say, "CLIFFHANGER!"
Well, now I'm probably spoiling the mood of that quote, because here is the link to the final part!
ART!