19 The Lamb and The wolf.

As Renzo consciousness was engulfed in shadows, the pain started to fade away.

A cold breeze passes through his body, yet there was not wind.

He looked over his palms, wondering where he was?

"Is this how death feels and looks like?" He couldn't help but wonder in a calm voice. Then he noticed his voice.

Even himself wad surprised by his tone.

Was he accepting death? Or does in the face of it, he was unnerved to this truth?

He didn't know.

He tried to breath, but there wasn't any breath to draw from, still he didn't feel suffocated by it.

He stood on his place motionless as he looked around, darkness everywhere his eyes land, yet from the shadows he felt something lurking around.

Still, even when facing the darkness around he stood there unmoving, until he felt something on his body.

Something was dragging him back, from where? He couldn't tell, but the lingering feeling that this isn't the place where he should be was there, he couldn't explain clearly how it feels.

He stood remained in his position, pondering about such feeling while it remained getting stronger.

Unbeknownst to him, the shadow around him creep up around him, coiling in a vortex he wasnt even aware off until he heard a soft and calm voice whispering around him "We know your name, Renzo Berduc, although you don't belong here I will still ask you. Will you embrace us, or would you flee?"

"Run! Flee!" A devilish voice sounded around him.

When Renzo heard the familiar voice he couldn't help but look over and seen it.

The Lamb.

Kindred.

When he saw her, the first thing that passed through his body was a heavy feeling on his chest, he didn't know how to explain it.

"I know this is a stupid question, but did I really die?" He couldn't help but ask her.

"You are about to, it depends on you how do you want it however." Answered him the lamb as he saw her drawing her bow at him.

The sour feeling started invading his nose, as some tears threatened to fall, even he was unaware why he was reacting like this.

"Can I sit down a little bit?" He asked her with a calm tone, if he was about to die, at least he wanted it to be without crying or feeling like he did now.

The Lamb just lowered her bow. But a grush voice arise as it said "He's afraid, I can smell it!"

"...And he's right to be afraid." Said The Lamb in a low tone.

When Renzo heard that voice, he felt his hairs raise from primal fear as he looked over the dark figure of a wolf looming around him.

Seeing the icy eyes, Renzo gulped down and said begrudgingly "Of course I'm afraid, I didn't wish to die, not like this at least... I don't even know why I am here in the first place."

As he said that the feeling on his chest started intensify, it was getting stronger. The dragging feeling was starting to become unbearable.

So did the missing feeling.

The Lamb feeling something simply said "It seems that you aren't the only one unwilling for your death." As she finished saying that, she looked over Renzo's shoulder.

The wolf grunted as he threatened to attack him "GO ON AND RUN! IT WOULD ONLY BE WORSE FOR YOU!"

As he heard their words, he couldn't understand, why were they saying that? He wasn't running away from them, he couldn't after all.

It was then that the heavy feeling started to recede as a warm embrace calmed his mind and body, he looked around him but found nothing.

"...que caraj...?" He couldn't complete his words when the shadow started to recede but he could still see the lamb and her icy eyes looking at him.

Before disappearing she said to him "You'll be back again, until then try to enjoy it."

As he heard that, everything went white and he felt such a warm feeling invading his body, as If his mother was embracing him when he felt fear.

It was so loving, so warm that he couldn't help but miss it when it disappeared. Then his consciousness recede back once again.

They took him from our clutches!" The gruff voice of The Wolf sounded back, only to The Lamb answer him back "But he can't escape, all can't escape from us."

---

Hyuna and Karya were watching over the efforts made by Yi and the monk while trying maintain Renzo alive.

Shun Ti just closed his eyes as his jaw tensed while his hand clutched tightly upon his katana wand.

Renzo's body was a mess, it was a miracle itself that he managed to not being erase into dust like many others were.

But no amount of magic would be able to make him survive, that much he knew it.

As Master Yi and the monk were trying to heal what they could from the mess that Renzo was. They looked at each other and stopped their actions.

Karya seeing this looked over them and it struck her what happened.

"No,no,no,no,no, not like this! Please tell me that he didn't..." She said to Master Yi as the latter just sighed profoundly.

The tears around Karya's eyes evaporated as quickly as they fell. She couldn't even cry upon his death.

"His heart stopped working, I- no, we can do anything about that." Said the monk with a heavy look on his eyes.

Hyuna just lowered her head as she mourned over her companion death. Shun Ti sighed profoundly as he opened his eyes while looking over his body.

It was then that something happened

"Look at the sky! Its opening!" Someone shouted from afar.

As they hear the voice many looked over and saw something they wouldn't forget for the rest of their lives.

A figure surrounded in blue light started to descended from the sky, around it a tornado expanded and everyone below started to feel their throats and lungs be filled with a cold breeze that soothe the burning feeling.

Clouds started to gather outside the tornado, as the figure keep descending, those who were outside from the range started to feel raindrops on their faces.

Meanwhile, those who were inside were able to see a female with white hair and white dress descending above Renzo's body.

On her right hand she was carrying a blue staff that lighted her figure in a faint blue glow.

"Come back Renzo, your duty hasn't been finished yet." Her soothing voice reached everyone's ears as they watched her hugging the charred body of Renzo.

The blue glow around her engulfed his body as she took of his mask with her hand. She then looked over his face with her light ice blue eyes.

She smiled over his face as she then kissed his forehead.

Meanwhile everyone was looking at the scene frozen on their spot, with only three individuals able to move and went on their knees.

Hyuna, Karya and Kirae dropped on their knees as they muttered "...Lady Janna..." Their eyes couldn't contain the rollercoaster of emotions they went through.

More so, seeing the deity they were praying everyday appearing once again before them, this time with her full figure.

As the blue glow engulfed his entire body, they saw the charred skin and clothes pieces disappear as a breeze removed them. Below it, a new layer of skin could be seen, although a little bit red.

Renzo body started to levitate in the air alongside Janna, who started to ascend higher in the air.

Her staff started to shine brighter as her voice resounded in the whole place "My gales shall cleanse this place." And just with her order the winds around her started to expand through the whole place.

The people below was about to cover from the breeze until they only felt the pain started to fade away.

As the breeze continue more and more people started to recover from their injuries as the wind passed through the whole area.

The fires around the remaining forests were quickly put out as the breeze cooled down the temperature around.

It was then followed by a heavy rain that at first evaporated in the ground. But the relentless downpour quickly cooled down the ground.

Meanwhile, at Janna side, Renzo's body was anew. The charred parts around his body were nowhere to be found, as only a tender and red new skin was around his body. His hair growth back and the scars around his body disappeared.

Janna smiled at his recovery and after a while she moved his body to her embrace as she whispered on his ear "Welcome back Renzo." And with a giggle that resounded in the whole place, she started to glow while Renzo descended back.

"Say to my herald that he still has work to do, he still hasn't completed his end of the deal, and until then not even death is going to save him from fulfilling it." Her voiced commanded over Karya, Hyuna and Kaeri who only nodded at her words.

Karya still crying, looked again at Renzo's body barely containing her body for moving towards him.

Master Yi, who watched the whole thing taking place was looking carefully at Janna figure. His hands clutching tightly onto his sword while his heart beating faster for the first time in a while.

The various monks around the place were looking over the deity with fervor on their eyes.

A man was reborn on this day, and with it a new religion saw it's official birth, marking by the descent of a goddess on the battlefield.

Janna's figure raised again high in the sky as she disappeared, her winds still remaining cleansing the damage created by the explosion.

As Renzo's body finally touched the ground, the wooden carved figure of Janna was placed beside him.

Karya launched herself at high speed as she looked over his body, checking if he was breathing and his heart beating.

Placing her head on his chest and feeling both his heart beating and lungs breathing she sighed in relief as tears of happiness escaped her eyes.

Hyuna quickly followed her steps as Shun Ti and the others did the same.

When Karya confirmed that he was still alive relief spread through the second squadron as they smiled each other.

Master Yi heard their words, but he was still looking at the spot where Janna figure previously was floating, only he knowing what he was thinking.

As the people started to check out their injuries many realized they were gone, while only some discomfort remained.

When the words started spreading over they cheered in joy and relief, while others started to cry upon feeling the warm breeze around them.

Those that were previously shocked were a sea of tears after feeling Janna embrace around them. Many went on their knees as they released their grief and pain while hugging themselves.

The battle ended, they won and they were blessed by a deity, however many couldn't help but feel grief and sadness.

The sky continue raining as it slowly started to engulf the center circle where Janna was previously on.

"Put him some clothes! We cannot let the lad remain naked!" Shouted Ye while moving his gaze from Renzo's body.

After some laughs upon his remark, Tahru quickly put a clock on Renzo's body while covering his naked parts.

Karya remained alongside Renzo's body while caressing his hair. The rest of the squadron was sitting around them while checking their equipment and bodies for wounds.

It was after a while that Katya feel Renzo moving his body on his sleep. Until he jolted wide awake with a huffing breath.

Renzo who has his eyes wide open couldn't help but look around, in search for The Lamb or The Wolf. But only the familiar faces of his friends was the only thing that welcomed him.

Seeing their surprised expressions and then their smiles he was a little bit at lost, until he felt someone hugging him from behind.

"I'm glad that you are back, I'm so glad.." He heard the soft voice of Karya saying while crying.

Trying to calm down his ragged breath he could only ask the only thing that came on his head "How am still alive?"

While his mind quick answered to his question with two simple words 'Plot armor'

---

It was after a while that Renzo could calm himself and hear the explanation. With Karya not letting him go while hugging from the back and having Hyuna on his legs, patting her head and Kaaz crying on his remaining arm he finally understood how he escaped from The Kindred.

'That... that could only be something like plot armor or extreme luck.' He though to himself.

The serie of events and action that required for such things to happen was hard to believe. More so knowing who he was.

A person that appeared in this world just a few weeks ago.

'But this was also a warning call. I don't want to bet upon my life once again, I cannot let myself get carried into such mess.' He said to himself while looking around him.

The explosion was something he couldn't predict, yet he thought with his power that he could face it head on. He got overconfident after so many battles, even after reminding himself over and over again to not get cocky.

Yet, it happened.

Seeing the rain washing away the devastation and ash, he saw many people comforting each other as some still keep crying.

He didn't asked for the casualties, not only because he didn't wanted to hear the numbers now, but also he wasn't sure if they already knew the numbers.

Raindrops where falling over them, as he looked over the sky while keep patting Hyuna and hugging Kaaz.

The four people didn't minded the water as they stood there.

It wasn't until a while later that Yenma, the only leader alive started the head count and organize the troops.

From the eighth thousands soldiers that marched here, only 2.137 remained alive.

It was a frightening number. The losses were to high.

Even if the enemy troops were completely wiped out, it was a number that was hard to swallow for everyone.

Not only the 70% of the troops were lost, but many leaders and powerful figures too.

Luckily for the resistance, Master Yi, Irelia and Renzo were still alive.

After a while, they organize themselves and started marching towards the city of Ionia.

Renzo, who was now wearing a pair of pants and the same clock was walking alongside the squadron and Master Yi. They weren't saying anything as Renzo keep looking over Irelia and the other survivors.

Many things were passing through his head while thinking of something. He was wondering if those who died today were fated to, and due to his interference they may have survive longer than they should.

If that was the case, he wondered how much would he affected the whole outcome, and how many lives would truly be saved before the war ended.

More importantly, he was questioning his efforts in this war, it was really worth dying for a piece of land that he never knew before nor gave him anything?

Which lengths he was willing to reach before saying it was enough? Did his gratitude towards Zan and the Brotherhood was worth for dying again?

He knew it, because he saw it, Kindred was waiting for him to decide. He died for a moment that was enough to see the pair face to face.

Was it really worth keep putting his life in danger while not getting any answer nor any chance to enjoy this life?

So many questions arise from this event that before he knew it, he was outside the city walls.

Tall walls made of some kind of grey wood were standing around the place.

People were outside, many digging graves and carrying bodies.

A few kids were running around while a little girl, that didn't surpassed the four years was digging with her hands the ground, she then copied the adults and buried a pair of worms and bugs that were at her side.

When Renzo saw this, he felt his whole body being thrown in ice as the little girl continue burying bugs.

He moved his eyes towards other groups of kids who were crying over clothed bodies. Alongside them were some adults, while others were just alone, or with other kids.

When Karya looked over the place he was watching, she couldn't help but sigh and held his hands tighter.

After they passed through the people and the city gates, they were guided towards an open spot in the middle of the city while Yenma and Shun Ti went inside a building.

When Renzo was called over to go over there, he refused and asked to be left alone for a while.

There were many things to think about before meeting the rest of figures leading the resistance.

This encounter with death, the victims of this wars and his own wishes were clashing with each other and needed to be reflect upon.

---

When Shun Ti passed down Renzo's words, Yenma just shrugged over as he looked over the people inside.

Zed, Master Yi, Irelia, the remaining two captains from the squadrons, Shun Ti and the current leader of the city were inside.

The numbers diminished a lot.

"There's only two thousands reinforcements alive, we lost many officers, captains and elders during the battle. I fear we have to regroup and wait further for more reinforcements before we start moving forward." Said Yenma with a grim expression on his face.

Zed quickly intercede with a heavy tone on his voice "We cannot let this chance slip through! We lost too many to stop here, the Noxian troops are scattered over waiting for us to kill them all!" Seeing the wounded Acolyte's leader hitting the board with his bandaged hand, Shun Ti shook his head.

"Our numbers are too little! And we could only rely on Master Yi, Xan Irelia and Renzo to lead our groups. With the numbers in each of those three scattered do you really believe we can make this work?" Couldn't help but ask Yenma with a disheartening tone on his voice.

Zed hearing this could only clench his teeth in anger.

The city did have numbers to aid them, but who will defend the city in case of something unexpected happen?

There were at least a few thousands in the north that flee after the battle of the Placidium. They needed to fist destroy them and then focus on eliminate the remaining Noxians.

"We need to give our people the time to mourn our losses, what we've just went through isn't something that they could quickly recover in a short time. Going to war would only make the problem bigger latter on!" As Yenma explained they could only agree.

Irelia was one of such person that needed at time for herself. She clenched her fists while looking solemnly at Yenma.

"If it's needed, I could lead a group to destroy the nearby remaining groups of Noxians. I can do that much until Master Yenma see fit for us to return back." Said Master Yi with his helmet on his arm.

Yenma nodded his head towards him as he said "That's a good idea, this way you could give us enough time to recover while also boosting our morale."

Zed hearing this calmed down a little bit, but on his heart he already took a decision.

"So, the rest we'll head back towards the Placidium while we wait for the troops from the north to come. At the same time Master Yi and at least five hundred troops will be cleaning the lands around the City and the Placidium." Said Yenma finally and then dismissed everyone.

As Master Yi was walking away from the building he was stopped by a young voice calling for him "Master Yi please hold on for a second!."

As he turned around, he saw Irelia running towards him. Her pale face and the fear on her eyes were telling him what she may want to say, nonetheless he still asked "Yes? How can I help you?"

Irelia took a deep breath and looked firmly at him "Can you please take me under your tutelage and help me improve myself?" She bowed down and looked at the ground, her hear beating faster in fear.

"No." Master Yi simply said as he turned around and left.

Irelia didn't bother asking why. She herself knew the reason. Still, her unwilling heart was aching as she watched him walking away.

After standing still below the rain for a while, she started to walk aimlessly, her head filled with the images around the battlefield. Her heart aching for the embrace of her family.

After a while, she returned to her senses as she was standing in front of a tree. She sat down, not minding the wet grass.

The tree was on a hill inside the city and due to this she could see pass through the city walls. As she looked over the horizon with her head lost in thoughts, she was suddenly surprised by a calming voice singing on her side.

As she looked over in fright, she saw Renzo laying on the ground with his eyes closed as he was singing something in words she couldn't understand.

Surprised for not noticing he was there, she remained silent and keep looking at the horizon.

"Put a price on emotion.

I'm looking for something to buy.

You've got my devotion, and man I can hate you sometimes.

I don't want to fight you .

And I don't want to sleep in the dirt."

His voice wasn't like a virtuoso singer she was so accustomed to hear around the Placidium, but the calm tone and the sadness behind was enough to make her enjoy while wondering further.

"We'll get the drinks in.

So I'll get to thinking of her.

we'll be a fine line.

We'll be a fine line."

As he repeated the same words three times, she looked over him and wondered what he was doing here.

During the short days they met, he proved to be someone weird but easygoing around.

"Test of my patience.

There's things that we'll never know.

You sunshine, you temptress.

My hand's at risk, I fold.

Crisp trepidation.

I'll try to shake this soon, huh." As she heard him singing at this point, she saw a few tears gathering on his eyes. Feeling somewhat embarrassed for seeing him in such personal moment she turned around and keep looking at the horizon.

Eventually he continue singing, although this time she could heard emotions hiding on his voice.

"Spreading you open, is the only way of knowing you.

We'll be a fine line" As he repeated those same words, Irelia wondered what does it mean.

At the same time she muttered those words "... will be fine lain..." Or what she believe he said.

It was then that Renzo finally opened his eyes and saw Irelia sitting a few meters on his left side.

Surprised he moved into a sitting position while waving his hand in awkwardness "Hi."

Irelia saw his face going red in embarrassment and she couldn't help but smile at bit as she returned the wave and greet "Hi, sorry for not saying anything."

As she said that he just simply shook his head and said "No problem."

Seeing him talking in Ionian she asked "So you finally know how to speak Ionian?"

At his question, he simply shook his head and said "Only few words." Hearing this she simply said "Ooh" and remained silent.

They keep silent for various minutes while looking at the horizon while hearing the raindrops fall.

"Why you here?" Asked Renzo after a while.

Irelia looked back at him and couldn't help but put a wry smile on her face, she hugged her knees as she answered him "I was trying to figure out if I can keep up with what it's about to come."

When Renzo heard her words, he moved his gaze towards the raining city landscape and tried to think with his little knowledge in Ionian how to answer her.

"You do well. Don't worry." He simply said while giving her a smile.

As Irelia moved her gaze towards his smiling face, she was also infected by it and couldn't help but have one spread over her face.

"You are strong. You okay." He continue saying while smiling at her.

Seeing that aside from being weird, he seemed to be a pretty nice person, she said to him "Thank you, I needed those words." As she said that, a light sparked in her eyes.

Renzo just raised his thumb up.

"What was the song you were singing before, called?" She asked him and couldn't help but chuckle when she saw his expression turning complicated as he seemed to struggle how to say it in Ionian.

"You can say it in your language, its okay." She said to him seeing that he wasn't able to come up with something.

He sighed in relief as he said on English "Fine line"

Irelia repeated his words and after doing two times Renzo gave her the thumbs up.

"It sounded well while you were singing it." She said to him and returned her gaze towards the horizon.

Both stayed there for a few hours, talking as much as Renzo could. Without both knowing they became closer as they watched together the sun raise amidst the rain.

That marked the time for them to return the campment as they say goodbye to each other.

While talking and hearing her, Renzo was able to calm his mind and finally decided what to do.

It was time for his journey to start, and the first place he was going to head towards would be the forest he appeared.

Then, he would try to head towards Yasuo's village.

For this war, he already has done to much, enough for the to ensure the victory. He didn't know how this war ended up in his previous life, but he was mostly sure that it never went like this.

Thus, with great vigor in each step, he entered the second squadron camp.

When the few that remained awake saw him return, they greeted him while continue doing their things.

Renzo just went towards the tent that was given to him and searched for something useful. Still, not seeing anything useful he sat on the floor and reflect in what to do today.

' I'll need clothes and to look after the cart where the rest of the devil fruits are in.' He said to himself.

He then looked at the carved image of Janna and added to his mental notes ' And also ask for the higher ups to enact statues of Janna here.'

He didn't forget about the sole reason he was still breathing and not with an arrow from kindred on his chest.

He also has to make Ionia believe once again in Janna before he head towards another continent, that was his utmost duty.