Chapter Text
Soraya hated formal events. She longed to just go back to her room and continue examining a crystal her mother had given her and see how neatly it cuts through paper. She had wanted to incorporate it to the blade of her dagger. It had come from ancient sands of time, her mother had told her. That fascinated Soraya to no end. “Did it come from Shurima?” She had asked her mother, who had just smiled and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead as a response.
Yet she had promised her mother she would accompany her to this banquet and as much as she loved her tinkering, she loved her mother more. So she had allowed her aunt to do her hair and put her in an uncomfortable dress.
When will this be over? Soraya sighed as she fidgeted with the hextech gem in her pocket. The gem was one of the only things she had of her late father. Her mother had given it to her during one of her namedays and Soraya considers it her most prized possession. “I already have a piece of your father in my memories and in you, but you do not. Hextech was his life’s work and this gem was in your father’s weapon when he died. I hope you never lose it,” her mother had told her. Soraya took what she said to heart and had always requested for her clothes to be made with deep pockets. So as to keep my father with me always, she thought, even if I never knew him.
She did not know much about her father. Her mother had told her bits and pieces about him but Soraya was always afraid to ask for more. When she was younger she had been shaken seeing her mother, whom she had always known to be poised and composed, shed secret tears after telling her how much she was like her father. Soraya had vowed then never to make her cry. So she had never asked. All she had gathered from what her mother had told her, was that her father had been a hero. Jayce Talis-an extremely intelligent inventor who revolutionized Piltover through hextech and gave his life to save the city. I wish he hadn’t been a hero though, Soraya thought bitterly. Then I would still have a father.
It was not that her mother’s love wasn’t enough. In fact, her mother’s love was plenty and Soraya would fight anyone who would dare hurt her. But she had always yearned for someone to share her interests. Her mother is an excellent politician and diplomat and while Soraya is constantly amazed at how her mother could talk her way into anything, she does not feel passionate about it herself. She prefers crafting weapons in her little room and using it during her training sessions. The thrill of using a sword she had built from scratch never fails to excite her. Her mother encourages her with whatever she wants, but Soraya could feel she doesn’t truly understand. And with what little she had heard about her father, he would have.
“Are you having fun love?” She heard her mother ask. Soraya faced her. Mel Medarda-her mother. Matriarch of the Medarda clan and a powerful mage. Her beauty as luminous as the sun. With her, she had always felt that nothing was impossible.
Soraya rolled her eyes affectionately, “I think you know the answer to that mother.” Her mother giggled in her wine glass and cupped her cheek gently. “I know you are not fond of these things Soraya, but I am glad you made the effort. You know how important this banquet is for me.”
“Of course. I would do anything for you.”
Her mother pressed her forehead against hers. “And I you,” she whispered to Soraya. “It is alright for you to get some air in the gardens though. This banquet will be over soon. I just have a few things to discuss with the Grand General and the Hand of Noxus.”
Jericho Swain and Darius. Leaders of the Trifarix along with the Faceless one, whose identity she does not know. Soraya understood what her mother meant. They were about to discuss dangerous matters and she needed to leave.
“Alright,” she stood up. “Join me in the gardens once you’re done mother. I have noticed the flowers there smell exceptionally strong at night. I read that some plants do that for pollination.”
“Always my little scientist,” her mother muttered while caressing her hair. “I will love. Now off you go. And light your way with your magic so as not to trip again. Your aunt was rather vexed having found you with a bloody knee that other time.”
“Yes mother.”
Soraya had been examining the jasmines when she noticed a suspicious man slowly walking his way towards her. She summons her magic from within to ready herself.
“Who are you? Come into the light. I am Soraya of House Medarda and I command you to declare yourself!”
The man stepped forward and Soraya saw him clearer. His face was gaunt and mostly covered by his beard. His hair was almost reaching his shoulders and his clothes were in tatters. He seemed to have trouble walking and his left leg had a metal brace. He looked pitiful yet his eyes-Soraya could not help but fixate on them-they looked oddly familiar.
“Medarda,” the man whispered. “Medarda, Medarda, Medarda…” He looked crazed. Soraya grew concerned. This man did not look like a threat. In fact, he looked like he needed medical attention.
“Sir, are you quite all right?”
“Mel,” he breathed. Soraya froze at the mention of her mother’s name. “Do you know Mel?” The man scrambled to be near her and gripped her shoulders. “Can-can you bring me to her? Mel-my Mel…”
My Mel? Soraya grew confused and angry. Who was this man? And how dare he speak about her mother that way.
“Let go of me sir.”
“Please…please help me-“
“LET GO.”
“Let go of her!”
Soraya saw a burst of light hurled towards the man. Her mother had arrived.
“Mother!” Soraya ran to her mother’s side.
“Who are you? What do you want from my daughter?” Her mother asked the man coldly, her hands still raised with her golden magic.
The man lifted his head and Soraya heard her mother gasp. “Jayce?” She whispered.
Soraya’s world narrowed. She now realized why this man’s eyes were so familiar.
His eyes were her own.