Chapitre 10: 10-Irelia - Bonus Chapter

The library's silence was a stark contrast to the bustling streets they had just left behind. Rows upon rows of ancient tomes surrounded them, each spine a gateway to forgotten lore. Ahri's tails swished behind her as she scanned the shelves, her eyes alight with the thrill of the hunt.

"Found something !" Ahri's voice, usually a playful melody, carried a note of triumph. She pulled out a thick volume, its cover embossed with the image of a grand tree, its roots sprawling like veins across the land.

Sasuke was at her side in an instant, his proximity unexpected. "What is it?" he asked, his voice a low murmur.

Ahri flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for. "Here," she said, pointing to an ancient drawing of a colossal tree, its branches reaching towards the heavens. "Omikayalan, the God-Willow. It's said to be the oldest and wisest of all the living things in Ionia."

Sasuke leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against Ahri's. The contact sent a jolt through her, but she masked her surprise with a teasing smile. "Easy there, Handsome. I didn't take you for the touchy type."

Sasuke ignored the jibe, his focus on the text beneath the illustration. This book is old, but he could still see the Otsutsuki sign on one of the pages. Even if he can't read, he can recognize a symbol.

'This tree was planted by the Otsutsuki ? Is there a connection with the Chakra tree ?'

"What makes this tree special?"

Ahri nodded, her expression turning serious. "I don't know much either, just that it's a great source of magic. Perhaps it's related to the Otsutsuki you're searching for."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "We need to find this forest."

Ahri closed the book with a soft thud, her gaze meeting Sasuke's. "Then let's not waste any more time. Omikayalan awaits, and so do your answers."

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The night enveloped Navori in its dark cloak, and rumors of a Noxian attack spread like wildfire.

As they exited the library, Sasuke and Ahri were greeted by an air thick with tension. Citizens whispered, their eyes wide with fear and urgency.

"Noxians... on the outskirts," they murmured. "Irelia is there, leading the defense."

Sasuke caught the words, but his expression remained unchanged. Irelia? She must be a general or something like that. Regardless, it wasn't his fight. He turned on his heels, Ahri by his side, her forehead creased with worry.

"Are you sure we should leave now?" she asked, her voice betraying rare concern.

"It's not my war," Sasuke replied, his decision firm. He wasn't going to risk his life and waste time for a country that wasn't his own. Especially since the only experiences he had were with a fox who wanted his energy, and another one a prison that discriminated against Vastayas. A very welcoming country, indeed.

The moon faintly illuminated their path as they walked away from the city, leaving behind the murmurs of fear and urgency. Ahri walked alongside Sasuke, casting worried glances over her shoulder.

"Don't you think we should help?" Ahri insisted, her voice betraying rare concern for others' affairs.

Sasuke shook his head, being strict in his response. "I'm not a hero. My path lies elsewhere, and I won't deviate for battles that aren't mine."

Ahri sighed, knowing it would be impossible to convince him. "And if this war comes to you? Will you continue to flee?"

Before Sasuke could reply, an explosion sounded in the distance, followed by the clang of metal against metal. They stopped, their senses on alert. That's when a woman appeared, her blades swirling in a deadly dance against the Noxian invaders.

"Strangers, stay away from this conflict !" she shouted, pushing back an assailant with surgical precision.

Sasuke watched the scene with indifference. They hadn't even taken ten steps when a Noxian soldier, either lost or reckless, leaped from the shadows, sword raised towards Sasuke. With an annoyed sigh, Sasuke dodged the attack and, in one fluid motion, disarmed and subdued the assailant.

"You should have stayed with your comrades," he coldly addressed the Noxian on the ground.

Ahri watched the scene, an amused smile on her lips. "Always charming, even in battle," she teased.

The sudden confrontation with the Noxian soldier had caught Irelia's attention, and she rushed towards them, her blades still stained with the blood of her enemies. She observed Sasuke with evident curiosity, impressed by his ability to disarm his opponent with such ease.

"You handle your sword well," she said, assessing Sasuke. "Why not join forces with us? We could use a warrior of your caliber."

That woman is the Leader of the Ionian Resistance. Irelia is a slender teenage woman with pale skin and long dark hair down to her hips and sea green eyes. Her outfits are a mixture of elegant dresses and combat attire with a distinctive palette of red, pink, black, and silver. A silver tiara sat on her head.

Sasuke looked at her, his eyes cold and calculating. "I'm not here to fight your wars," he replied.

Irelia frowned, puzzled by his refusal. "The Noxians don't care about your personal quests. If we don't stop them here, they'll sweep over all of Ionia, and nothing will be spared."

Ahri intervened, placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Perhaps we should help, if only to ensure our own safety."

The tension between Sasuke and Irelia was palpable, a striking contrast to Ionia's usual serenity. Sasuke's refusal to join the fight had planted a seed of doubt in Irelia's mind, but she didn't have time to debate. The Noxians were ruthless and made no distinction between fighter and civilian.

"Your indifference could cost you dearly," Irelia warned, her gaze scanning the shadows for other threats. "The Noxians will spare no one, not even a lone traveler."

Sasuke remained impassive, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I'll defend myself if necessary," he said simply.

Ahri, still by his side, felt the tension rising. She would be hypocritical if she said she cared about these people's lives after all the lives she had taken. But what about him? Were these lives worth nothing to him?

Without a word, Sasuke assumed a combat stance. The Noxians charged, but they were unprepared for the strength and speed of the lone warrior. Sasuke moved with deadly precision, each blow struck with clear intent. In moments, the assailants lay defeated.

Irelia, who had watched the scene from afar, approached again. "You could make a difference in this war," she insisted, her admiration for his skills evident despite his refusal to help.

A man capable of taking down a few soldiers in such a disconcerting way was not insignificant. Irelia couldn't put her finger on his identity. Especially since he looks around her age, maybe he was a little older.

Sasuke cleaned his sword, his gaze still as cold as ever. "I'm not looking to make a difference. I'm only looking to pass through."

Ahri smiled at Irelia, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't take it personally, he's always like that. But he has his reasons, like all of us."

Irelia nodded, reluctantly accepting their departure. "Then, I wish you luck in your quest. May the spirits of Ionia guide you."

'What a pity, but I'll make an inspection request to Karma for this man.' Eventually, she went to join the main battle, leaving the two travelers in peace.

With those words, Sasuke and Ahri continued on their way, leaving behind the chaos of war.