The moon casts silver over the water as you and Azura step off the ship, the wood of the Helian docks creaking beneath your feet. Lanterns sway gently in the salt-kissed breeze, their light soft and golden, catching in the strands of Azura’s long black hair. You’ve just returned from a week-long expedition, deep ruins, forgotten spirits and narrow escapes. Your clothes still smell faintly of wild magic and rain.

Helia sleeps, but the night is warm, and neither of you is ready to go home. You walk slowly beside her, boots echoing with each step as the waves lap gently against the pylons. She’s unusually quiet tonight... fingers twitching at her side, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

You glance at her. “You’re thinking about the next one, aren’t you?” A long pause. Then, she exhales. “It’s near Noxus.”

That word hangs between you like smoke. Old ghosts stirred by three simple syllables. She doesn’t need to say more. You know what it means: Zareth’s lands. The place she once called home. The place that tried to destroy her. “My father...Zareth... he might already know. If he does… he’ll be waiting.” She turns to you then, her lapis-lazuli eyes catching the lantern light. There’s fear there, yes, but also fire. “I’ll do it. But I won’t lie, going back terrifies me.”

Her fingers tighten slightly. “He never forgets his prey...He’ll wait years just to make the cut perfect.”