Chapters 40 : Leaf's Fluttering In The Wind

"Revenge is not always an option," Sylas said, as his eyes gave a disdainful stare at the boy who had one leg and one eye.

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Ajel jolted up from his bed , his legs and his head bathed in cold sweats.

"It was just a dream." Ajel could feel something at the back of his throat , blocking his next sets of words.

It wasn't just a dream , just a grim reminder of his fate to come.

Looking outside of the thick glazed window , Ajel saw the thick snow pound the ground to achieve a inhospitable place for humans to live in.

And yet , here the Freljordian are. They can be compared to a desperate weed growing in a crack reaching out for sunlight.

And yet here , they found it , adapted , started new cultures and welcomed it.

Will there ever be the day where he will find the sunlight and reach out to it?

or will he fall?

it was like the tail of that Noxian boy and his crafter father.

He grew arrogant and flew to close to the sun , burning to a crisp.

But there a difference between the boy and Ajel.

He understood boundaries , he knew his place in the world , he knew his flaws-

"No...no you don't." His sisters embrace came from behind him. "Oh you know very little. Like that man said , you are not the wolf , my foolish brother. You are nothing more than a pup blinded with a self-acceptance."

"I will learn my own flaws and overcome them."

"Or you will succumb to the doubt inside your head , like a seed getting watered. You will not reach out for the sun , young pup. You will reach out to the darkness , and the darkness will accept you."

"Like you , a mere Azakana did?"

"I did not adopt the darkness , little pup~ i was born by it... molded by it."

"Camavour the doubt."

The room went silent , as Ajel heard laughter fill his head , echoing for what felt like hours.

"That trick can't work anymore , little pup. Im now apart of you , not merely the name and the shape that i was before. I am.... the reflection of your sister. Go , speak her name."

"Elan- elan-"

"Why are you stuttering , little pup?" The laughter continued, as it sounded like a fork getting scratched through a plate. The laughter abruptly stopped , replaced by a devilish voice. "You said you were welcoming of your self flaw's? go on , speak her name then!"

Ajel only looked out outside , to see the morning sun.

In a time like this , in Uwendale , him and Elana would sit under the snow , with icy hands burning from the frostbite from touching the raw snow.

They would mould snowmen , they would do snow angels in the snow , steal from the festival markets.

"Elana." Ajel spat out , causing the laughter to once again stop.

"Impressive, boy. Speak to me when you have reach this level of transcendence."

Ajel only sighed bitterly hearing these mellow words , before he walked over to the manual and the weapon on the bedside.

Picking both of them up , Ajel examined the "pinwheel technique."

since now he was solely focused on just thrusting and defensive techniques , this could help him raise his power with stronger opponents.

It was time... to go into seclusion.

For a long time.

he was ready to do whatever it takes to gain enough power to see... to see..

Demacia grovel at his feet.

Just for a split second , in the back of his head , Ajel could hear his sister laughing.

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2 years later.

A young adult walked into the sleepy inn , as the inside of the inn went silent to observe the young man.

Step by step.

A pattern of steps that conveyed a sound of confidence , and steadiness , one that is not rushed or arrogant.

Brown hair , green eyes, common for the Demacian peasants.

A chiseled jawline and sharp features, a testament to his training.

On one of his eyes was a leather eye , clearly worn but well maintained.

On his legs , was a heavy prosthetic iron leg with a large alchemical rune engraved onto it.

"It's been 2 years , Ekwah." Roheen gave him own toothy grin , but Ajel could feel a hint of stress in his eyes.

"Roheen." Ajel put a gold coin down on the table. "State the situation of the world , in the highest detail that you can summarize"

"Now , now freind. What is the rush? how have you been?" Roheen gave a small bow , his expression sombering. "Your eyes have darkened my friend."

"The truths of the world." Ajel muttered, his eyes flickering with his rough experiences he has had in life. "Stop batting through the bush , something has happened."

Roheen grabbed the coin on the ground , before playing around with it with the same mastery and then flicking it into the air , before the words slipped out of his mouth.

Ajel's eyes opened to this , as he watched the coin dropped.

"Ionia has gone to war with Noxus."

Ajel tapped on the table.

"Business is rough?"

"Tough market." Roheen muttered. "We tried to capitalize on the war , but both sides are focusing on internal production , instead of choosing outside production , meaning that merchants like me... we can't turn any profits. That's why you find us here , akhun."

"I see."

"But lets focus on you more , i've heard some.... rumours about you and some young lady."

"Keep your gossip to yourself , Roheen." Ajel's eyes possessed a sharpness and latent red glow that it didn't possess before.

"Oh come on , i was a energetic young man at your age , and I'm sure your no different."

"Your mistaken."

"That blade at your side conveys the message that you haven't been focusing on women." Roheen keenly observed , as Ajel looked down to the blade he had gotten to that shitstain of a father.

"All kids deserve parents , but not all parents deserve kids."

"Spoken like a true one." Roheen nodded his head. "So , your eyes are burning with the desire to fight... no... they possess more than that. What are you plans , Ajel of the pinwheel dagger?"

"That name makes me cringe everytime i hear it." Ajel said , his voice deepened from puberty. "If your my friend , please never call me that again."

"You've gained quite a reputation , you know? rumour that you slaughtered a small group of bandits in the mountains.... Ionia could use a fellow like you."

"You want me to be your insider , don't you?" Ajel saw through Roheen plan's.

"I'm surprised you even know the term." Roheen muttered. "But you are mistaken, im not focusing on the market , but the undermarket."

"The undermarket? why?" Ajel's eyes sharpened , the brimstone flavour in his eyes developing, as his hands went around his dagger. "Do not tell me your one for slaves and drugs."

"Never, Ewhak." Roheen shaked his head. "Quite the opposite , actually."

Roheen passed him a tube of paper , neatly rolled up into a tube.

Ajel grabbed the tube , before opening it.

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QUEST

LIBERATION OF IONIAN SLAVES THROUGH NOXIAN MARKETS.

1 GOLD FOR HUMANS

3 GOLD FOR VASTAYA

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"So brother.... are you keen of joining us on our quest?"

Ajel's eyes went into slits.