---

The gravedigger and warden marched solemnly upon the cracked earth. Travis led the dyad as he breathed in the putrid scent of the Isles. However, instead of being revolted, the shy boy revelled in the smell of death and decay. But, Leon completely understood the scenario. Even he, took delight in the aroma of desolation, and it was only because they were avatars of the two denizens of the Isles. However, this was no mere sightseeing-- Leon wanted Travis to fully experience and witness the Shadow Isles. The boys had yet to know Thresh's purpose, and to discover it meant bringing an end to the uncontrolled whispers in Travis' mind. They trudged on, and on for what seemed like days upon days. As they stepped into the desecrated glade of gnarled trees and tendrils, their steps halted when a gigantic serpentine arachnid slithered out of a terrifying burrow. The horror's red eyes immediately spotted them before hissing in a sign of an immediate attack-- the monster had gone out in search for food, and, luckily, two fools had strayed to its abode.

"Travis... run." Leon whispered as he edged to the opposite side. "We can confuse it. Hurry." the older lad instructed without making any sudden movements. The arachnid had grown bigger now, its eight legs fanned out in a horrifying display of claws and spikes whilst its tail began to sway from side to side. "NOW!"Instantly, the boys ran in different directions as the monster began to get agitated as it looked from one side to the other, apparently discerning which prey proved to be the better chase. However, as the monster sensed that the gravedigger had a more stable prana, it chose to bolt after the one with an unsteady heart: Travis.He ran, and ran, and ran through the eternal darkness of the woods. He could hear his heart beating in his chest as if serving as the overture for a fatal symphony. As wicked avians flew overhead, a monstrous cacophony resounded in cackles and incoherent jeers. The hissing sound approached quickly now; it was, oh, so close now! Closer, closer, closer... The hasty trod of eight legs scampered all around Travis as his chains scraped behind him. Then, he smashed into a rock wall-- a dead end-- and toppled backward, his eyes meeting with the skies that were filled with fading, falling stars. He tried to support himself on his elbows, but a long winding tail dwarfed and coiled around his body. Travis was lifted into the air upside down as he came a few inches before the gaping mouth of the arachnid. It was over...Then, a deathly green flash burst out from the arachnid as the young lad was thrown further back.

Travis rolled around before finally standing up, and witnessing Leon swinging the ornate shovel at the monster's jaw. A green burst of light flashed once more as the arachnid was blown sidewards-- smashing through a rock formation. Leon's clothes were partially torn in different places, causing his emerald skin to glow under the eclipsed sun. His eyes glowed dimly whilst his golden hair began to shade green. Travis' eyes tore towards the monster who had now gotten back up, and charged towards the gravedigger upon a flurry of uncoordinated legs. Leon jumped up, evading the spider before before raising his shovel. The shovel shone a bright light before Leon hurled it towards the monster's head, brutally pressing its face against the soil. The force of the throw caused the shovel to rebound and lift into the air, and, without a moment's pause, a silver ghoul spawned behind Leon. The ghoul gripped the boy's arm before spinning around, and throwing Leon towards his shovel. Once the gravedigger got to his wepaon, Leon sped down with gravity, and smashed the shovel upon the monster's head once more-- a resounding echo blowing the winds away from the point of impact.

Black blood oozed from the spider's head, and dripped down Leon's shovel as the gravedigger spun around and faced Travis. "We're safe." he declared. The once still corpse suddenly twitched; the spider snapped at the gravedigger with its forceps, and Leon would have been bisected if it wasn't for the timely scythe that sliced at the monster's skull. Leon recoiled, tumbling backwards as his yellow eyes traced the scythe towards Travis who had tightly held the connecting chain.

"What delightful agony we shall inflict." Travis' voice echoed in a chorus of hoarse voices as ethereal flames began to surround him. A flowing black cloak cascaded from Travis' shoulders, forming the warden's notorious attire. Soon, the green flames veiled the boy's head as the similar visage of Thresh formed upon Travis. Then, Travis' mouth opened in a snarl as he brutally pulled on the chain, and causing the scythe to rip out from the spider. The warden dashed forward, spinning the hook-tipped chain around him in a tornado of metal. As he reached the beast, Travis brought down the scythe with the force of a stampeding cavalry, driving the pointed edge through the spider's face, and into the ground. Travis backed away as he observed the unmoving beast; and, finally, their opponent passed into the aether. The spider's body began to dissipate as only a glowing, green orb was left behind. The warden wobbled forward, extending his hand to the emerald wisp which flashed before appearing to dash towards his hand, and merge with his being.

Meanwhile, Leon found the strength to approach Travis. "Travis?" he whispered. "Are you okay?" Leon extended his hand, placing a gentle touch on the boy's shoulder. But, a burst of green illuminated from Travis' body as the boy was propelled backwards-- losing all the physique of the warden. Leon caught the boy in time, cradling his head against Leon's chest. Travis looked pale as he coughed, and shuddered against Leon. The gravedigger looked around, preparing to engage any future threats; and, when he found none, he returned his focus to the shivering lad in his arms.

"Travis...?" This scene brought vivid memories of that event, and suddenly, tears began to sting at the gravedigger's eyes. His lips quivered in distress, and there was nothing he wished for at the moment but to see the boy's scarlet eyes once more.But, his wish would be granted.Travis began to stir as his eyes opened in a crimson light. The boy quickly sat up, and began to take in large quantities of air. His chest rose considerably, and it was only after Leon patted his head did Travis calm down. "I know now..." Travis uttered. "Thresh... his purpose in the Isles..."

"What? What is Thresh's purpose, Travis?" Leon further inquired, dandelion orbs clashing against scarlet.

"Souls. He functions as the Shadow Isle's jailer-- imprisoning souls that transgress the King's rule."

"The King? He's still alive?"

"Yes... and he knows we're here."

"Damn it... We need to get away from here. We need to go back to the Oak!" Leon stood up and began to dash towards their destination. However, he heard the sounds of staggering, and realized that Travis was now too weak to walk on his own. The gravedigger went over to his comrade, and placed Travis' arm over his neck, so he could support the lad in walking.

"Just leave me, Leon..." Travis shook his head, protesting weakly in the process. "I'll be nothing more than a burden..."

Leon's eyes glanced around them, taking in the dark trees and shadows that surrounded them. Surely, Travis would be a hindrance with his state, and Leon could escape quicker without the baggage. But, as he looked at this boy-- who was just as lost as he was-- Leon could not find it in himself to leave a pure soul in this impure world. They got here together, and they were going to leave together.

"Nonsense." Leon smirked, flashing a smile at his comrade. "I'll protect you. I promise. I got you in here, and I'm not leaving without you."

Promises made in the dark served little significance as an oath, but at the moment, it was all they had to get their hopes up-- so, they can keep hoping in reaching the sole light in this eternal night.

---

---

They continued walking through the abyss, taking some much needed rest now and then. At this point, the duo stopped beneath a rather large sycamore, and made a fire to invigorate their weary bones. After days of getting lost, the two had finally plotted their correct path, and vowed to reach that place before the dim sun can be eclipsed once more.

"How are the whispers?" Leon mumbled without really looking at his companion.

"They've lessened greatly. I can think well, but... there's still this voice that..." Travis whimpered as he gripped his shirt tighter. "... it's telling me to kill you, Leon."

"Probably Thresh... or the King." Leon chuckled. "Don't worry. They'll be gone soon."

"N-no... t-they're still there. I-I'm telling you! I'm dangerous to you! You should leave me here!" Travis tried to stand up, but the sudden clamminess of his legs caused him to fall to the ground, but was immediately caught by Leon.

"Stop whining, princess." Leon rolled his eyes before pushing down Travis. "We're going to get out of here. Everything that happened to you, has happened to me. I made a promise didn't I? I'd get you out of here."

"Thresh is taking over! Even if I discovered his purpose, he's still gnawing at my mind!" he clicked his tongue in annoyance. "What makes you think I have a choice?!"

"What makes you think you don't?" the blonde replied as he offered a smile. "I got through it. I'm damn sure you will too. Do it for your family."

At this, Travis looked dejected. "I... I'm not that close with my family. I-I mean, yeah, I mingle and talk with them, but they don't know the real me." the boy sighed. "They want me to become a doctor, a lawyer, a pilot... all of it! B-but... I only want to be--"

"--An E-Sports Athlete in League of Legends." Leon completed the sentence.

"H-how... did you know?"

"I bore the same dream as you, kid. Until everything fell apart. Also, you're one of those e-athlete types, I guess." Leon shrugged before standing up, and dusting himself. "Just remember... this is your life, not your parents'. You're not your father, you're not your mother. You're Travis Underwood, and you shouldn't be anyone else. Become what you want to be, because the only thing that defines you is your passion." The gravedigger extended his hand to Travis in a sign of helping out. The latter accepted it, and stood up on his feet as they prepared to travel once more. "You ready to go home, Travis?"

"Yeah. Let's go home."

---

---

The great oak stood a good hundred meters away from them, but its emerald glow felt strangely warm to the two. Lavender orbs met with red as the look of understanding sparked between the two of them. This was the last stretch of the perilous fork that they had trod; and their nightmares were about to, at least, come to an end. Travis, although regaining his strength, still limped pitifully, but Leon didn't want to insult him by underestimating his strength. Instead, the blonde lad allowed the younger boy to walk on his own two feet-- no matter how much he limped. Travis also appreciated the trusting gesture, and gladly dawdled on his own.

The two had encountered countless horrors in the woods, and although their combined strength proved to be enough-- the two of them couldn't deny that the spark of friendship and camaraderie greatly boosted their morale. They were unlikely friends who met under unlikely circumstances, but this unlikeness only made their friendship more likely to succeed. As they neared the slope of the hill, Leon allowed Travis to hobble ahead of him. The blonde strengthened his vigilance as his eyes swept over the looming shadows, ready to transform at the slightest hint of danger.

However, as the two neared the oak with no signs of danger, Leon began to be optimistic-- maybe, finally, something good was going to happen to him. Suddenly, like subtle raindrops, a chorus of voices invaded the blonde's mind. The voices now began to scream in unison as morbid promises of pain and death repeated like a mantra. Leon let out a groan as he fell to his knees, but the voices abruptly ended as he felt a piercing pain in his shoulder. His eyes snapped open, feeling the cold metal through his bones as sight the notorious scythe of Thresh only assured his fears. Leon tumbled backwards with the warden's pull as Travis became alerted to his friend's distress.

"LEON!" Travis shouted as he limped hastily before falling on his own two feet, unable to do anything but watch on as the blonde ally was being pulled towards the cackling Thresh at the bottom of the hill. Of all the times for his knees to buckle, this would be the worst time. The crimson-eyed lad cursed his own incompetence whilst forcing himself up.

Meanwhile, Leon snapped out of his trance. He propelled himself forward with a spectral blast as Thresh's chains were sundered. With a growl, tendrils of shadows enveloped Leon as his visage began to mimic that of the gravedigger. His hands gripped the shovel tightly before waving it in a circular motion, causing a putrid blast to erupt in front of Thresh-- knocking the warden backward. Leon followed pursuit in a flash, bringing down his weapon unto Thresh's torso which resulted in another bright, flash of light that further propelled Thresh into the abyss. The two ghouls rushed at the warden, keeping him occupied as Leon bolted for the tree. "Go, Travis! I'll catch up!"

Nodding fervently, Travis once more hobbled towards the oak whilst Leon darted like mad. The light was so close now! Finally, Travis touched the oak as a glowing rift appeared in front of him. At this point, Travis prepared to launch himself over the leyline, but the bloodcurling scream of Leon made his head twist in the opposite direction. The boy witnessed how a leeching wall of malefic energies was conjured out of nowhere as Leon passed through it, shrieking in pain as his soul was literally being violated. The Deathsinger had joined the scrap, and his undead visage appeared from the other end of the hill with Thresh following closely behind.

"A dirge for all who remain." Karthus roared as the ominous ghostly pillar of light appeared on top of the two. "You will shine brightly, my children."

The rational part of Travis told him to jump into the rift, avoid a potential Requiem, and save his hide. But, at what cost? Losing a friend? Losing the only person who saw him because of who he really was? At this point, even rationality was insanity.

Just... one more time.

Immediately, Travis' appearance changed as flowing black cloaks and ghostly chains decorated his figure. His hook pierced onward as it struck the Deathsinger, nullifying his fatal sorcery. He knew what to do! Travis tossed his lantern to Leon, who had now began crawling towards the soullight aegis. And, just a little more, his fingers would now collide with the lantern's ridges, but a brutal mace slammed down on the object, breaking it into pieces.

Mordekaiser had arrived. "Not even Death will keep you from me, gravedigger." the master of metal's bass voice sent shivers down Leon's spine. Mordekaiser lifted his mace as he prepared to bring it down for the finale.

However, Travis pulled himself to Karthus, knocking Mordekaiser away from Leon in the process. He immediately swung his chains, flaying the three opponents back.

"Travis?! What the fuck are you doing?! You should have escaped!" Leon screamed as his strength returned.

"No! Get to the portal! I'll hold them off! Just keep it open!" Travis replied before noticing that the three Shadow Isles denizens had began their charge. With the whispers in his head telling him what to do, Travis pounded his fist on the earth as terrifying spectral walls formed around him. The triple threat stopped in their tracks, bound by the walls deathly promise. At this point, Travis had now began to approach Leon as the rift now opened widely. But, Thresh broke through the Box as the entire structure now weakened, allowing Karthus and Mordekaiser to also pass through. "GO! JUMP! Just grab me!" Travis waved to Leon.

"YOU BETTER MAKE IT, DAMN IT!" Leon jumped through the portal, and before he could be sucked in, he extended his right arm as Travis also leaped forward, arms outstretched. Closer, closer, closer... then, finally, their hands linked as Leon began to pull Travis towards the portal.

But, a scythe pierced through Travis' chest as the boy's eyes opened in horror. "Leon..."

"T-Travis...?" Leon whispered, his entire being now being warped back into Darkwell. His hand continued to grip Travis', feeling his fingers begin to slip. "TRAVIS!"

"I... I'm sorry..." the boy weakly smiled, the chain pulling him back into the realm of no return. "K-keep... training others... okay?" Leon desperately held on to Travis' index finger as unspoken tears glided down their faces. "Thank you, Leon. I-It's... time for you to go home... f-f... friend." Then, the link vanished in a whirl of darkness as the only thing Leon saw and heard were the crimson eyes closing, and his voice disappearing. Leon rarely made promises, but the two greatest promises he made in his life turned out to be the ones that will never be fulfilled.