When her eyes fluttered open, a kaleidoscope of green and gold danced above her. Towering trees stretched towards the sky, their leaves rustling in a gentle breeze.
Confusion washed over her as she blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The cool earth pressed against her back, damp and unfamiliar.
Instinctively, her fingers curled around her wand, its familiar warmth offering a small comfort.
Lux drew in a deep breath, the scent of rich soil and fragrant wildflowers filling her lungs, making her cough.
Slowly, Lux pushed herself up to a sitting position, wincing as her armor shifted and pressed against her skin. The weight of it felt heavier than usual, as if the very air around her was denser somehow.
She reached up to brush a lock of golden hair from her face, noticing how it seemed to catch the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.
As she sat there, her senses gradually sharpened. The forest came alive around her - birds chirping melodies she'd never heard before, leaves rustling in a distant breeze, and the faint trickle of what might be a stream nearby.
"At least it's peaceful," Lux mused, her usual optimism surfacing despite the strange circumstances. Though she wished she knew where 'here' is exactly…
She flexed her fingers, feeling the familiar tingle of magic coursing through her. It was a relief to know that her powers hadn't abandoned her in this unfamiliar place.
"Right then," Lux said, her voice growing stronger. "Time to figure out where I've landed and how to get home…"
She remembered the battle, her brother, her attack, and unfortunately, her slip up of putting down her guard whilst a Noxian soldier swept her up with a suicide magical explosion…
At least she had put up a light barrier in time, protecting her life.
But then, what happened after she lost consciousness?
Did she get sucked into some kind of magical portal caused by the explosion and somehow ended up in an unfamiliar land?
Lux frowned as she kept guessing the reason as to why, but nothing seemed to be clear.
She sighed, and with determination etched on her face, Lux prepared to stand and explore where she was.
Lux's mind raced as she processed her surroundings. She took a deep breath, centering herself. "Focus, Luxanna. Panic won't help. Assess the situation logically, just like your training."
She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing her other senses to sharpen. The air felt different – crisper, with unfamiliar scents. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was steady and determined.
"One step at a time," Lux murmured to herself, rising to her feet with graceful precision. Her armor clinked softly as she moved, a comforting reminder of home.
Scanning the forest around her, Lux's curiosity piqued. The flora was unlike anything she'd seen in Demacia. Towering trees with bark patterns she didn't recognize stretched skyward, their branches adorned with leaves of shapes and hues foreign to her eyes.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The interplay of light and shadow mesmerized her for a moment, reminding her of her own connection to illumination.
"Fascinating," Lux breathed, reaching out to touch a nearby fern with delicate, spiral-like fronds. "I've never seen plants quite like these. This can't be anywhere near Demacia... but if not there, then where?"
She twirled her wand absently, its familiar weight grounding her.
Suddenly, a snap of a twig froze Lux. She whirled around, her wand instinctively raised, its gem pulsing with a soft golden light. From between the trees emerged a group of people, their faces showed fear and wonder.
Lux's eyes widened as she took in their appearance. Tattered clothing hung from thin frames, and dirt smudged their faces and hands. Despite their disheveled state, their eyes shone with curiosity, suspicion, and awe as they gazed upon her.
"Hello there," Lux said, her voice warm and gentle. She lowered her wand slightly, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm Luxanna, but you can call me Lux. I promise I mean you no harm."
The group hesitated, exchanging glances. An older man with a graying beard stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "M'lady, we... we saw a light. Are you... from the heavens?"
Lux blinked, flabbergasted and caught off guard by the question. What? F-From the heavens?
"Oh, uh—I'm—"
"She glows!" a child's voice piped up, cutting through the tension.
A young girl, no more than seven, pushed to the front of the group. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she pointed at Lux. "Look at her eyes, her weapon! Are you a goddess?"
Lux felt a blush creep into her cheeks. "No, I—I'm not a goddess," she said, chuckling softly. "I'm just... well, I'm not from around here. But I'd love to learn more about where I am, if you'd be willing to share?"
As she spoke, Lux couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between her gleaming armor and the smallfolk's threadbare garments. Her heart ached at the sight of their obvious poverty.
"Where do you hail from, if not the heavens?" an older woman asked, her wrinkled face a map of curiosity and caution.
Lux paused, considering her words carefully. "I come from a place called Demacia," she said, watching their reactions closely. "It's... very far from here, I think."
The group murmured among themselves, the word "Demacia" passing from lip to lip like a prayer. Lux's mind raced, trying to make sense of their reactions. Why did they seem to think she was divine? And how could she explain her situation without causing more confusion?
"Please," Lux said, her voice gentle but firm. "I have so many questions. Could you tell me more about this place? I promise, in return, I'll do what I can to help you, if you need it."
The smallfolk exchanged glances once more, a silent communication passing between them. Lux waited, her heart pounding with anticipation and concern.
A young man with tousled brown hair stepped forward, his eyes wide with awe. "My lady," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "we saw a blinding light descend from the heavens not long ago. When we came to investigate, we found you standing here."
Lux's breath caught in her throat. Did an actual magical vortex engulf her? Could the light be my barrier that they saw? Me? Falling from the sky?
An older woman chimed in, her weathered face creased with wonder. "You're in the Kingswood, south of King's Landing. The year is 128 after Aegon's Conquest."
Lux's mind reeled. King's Landing? Aegon's Conquest? These terms meant nothing to her, yet the implications were staggering. She was not just in an unfamiliar place, but possibly in an entirely different world or time! Oh my gosh!
"128 AC," Lux repeated softly, more to herself than to the group. She closed her eyes briefly, centering herself. When she opened them, she met the gaze of each person in turn, her blue eyes shimmering with determination.
"Thank you for this information," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "It seems I'm very far from home indeed."
As the smallfolk continued to share details about their land, Lux listened intently, her analytical mind working overtime to process this new reality. She was stranded in an unknown realm, separated from everything and everyone she knew. The challenge before her was immense, perhaps the greatest she had ever faced.
Yet, as she looked at the curious, hopeful faces around her, Lux felt a familiar resolve settle in her chest. She might be lost, but she wasn't helpless. Her light magic, her training, her compassion—these were tools she could use to navigate this strange new world.
She may not know how she got here, Lux thought, her hand tightening around her wand, but she will find a way back home. And while she's here, she'll do what she always did—use her light to help those in need.
With a deep breath, Lux smiled at the group, ready to learn more about this world called Westeros.
Lux's smile brightened as she addressed the awestruck smallfolk. "I am Luxanna Crownguard, the Champion of Light from Demacia," she said, her voice warm with clear honesty. "I wield the power of light magic to protect and serve."
A collective gasp rippled through the group. An older woman with graying hair fell to her knees, her weathered hands clasped in prayer. "The gods have answered our prayers!" she exclaimed. "A divine saintess from Demacia, the realm above!"
Lux blinked, caught off guard by their reaction. "Oh, no, I'm—I'm not—" she began, but her words were drowned out by excited murmurs.
"Tell us, Lady of Light, what message do you bring from the Seven?!" a young man asked, his eyes wide with reverence.
Lux hesitated, sensing the misunderstanding but also the genuine hope in their faces. She made a split-second decision to trust them, drawn by their earnest curiosity.
"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding," she said gently. "Demacia isn't a heavenly realm, it's my homeland. But I'd love to learn about your world. Can you tell me more about Westeros?"
The smallfolk exchanged glances, confusion mingling with excitement. Then, like a dam bursting, they began to share their tales.
As Lux listened attentively, her mind drew parallels between their stories and her own experiences. When they spoke of the great houses and their sigils, she thought of Demacia's noble families. Their descriptions of the Wall reminded her of the towering walls that protected her own city.
"It sounds like your realm faces many challenges," Lux observed, her brow furrowing. "In Demacia, we too have known conflict, but we strive for justice and order."
A young girl tugged at Lux's cape. "Can you show us your light, m'lady?" she asked shyly.
Lux smiled, summoning a small orb of light to dance above her palm. As the smallfolk gasped in wonder, Lux's heart swelled with compassion as she gazed at the awestruck faces surrounding her. The dancing orb of light in her palm cast a warm glow on their weathered features, illuminating hope in their eyes.
An elderly man stepped forward, his gnarled hands trembling. "M'lady! If I may—please! M-my son... he's been ill for days. We've no coin for a maester. We've been bringing him along our journey towards Fawnton in hopes of a cheaper price for a cure of some kind but—"
Lux's blue eyes widened and then softened. She interrupted the man and said, "Please, bring him to me. I'll do what I can."
As the group parted quickly, a frail boy was carried forward. Lux knelt beside him, her wand glowing softly. She placed her hand on his forehead, channeling her light magic. Thankfully, it was only a simple flu which Lux could heal easily. In no time, as light encircled the body, the boy's labored breathing eased, color returning to his cheeks.
"By the Seven!" the grandfather exclaimed, tears in his eyes. The now cured boy jumped in shock and gratitude. While the rest of the group either trembled in awe or gasped in what they had just witnessed.
Lux stood, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She was glad to help, but the depth of their reverence unsettled her. "I'm happy I could assist," she said, trying to downplay her actions. "Your kindness in welcoming me to this strange land means more than you know."
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the trees, Lux realized it was time to move on. She turned to the group, her resolve strengthening.
"I'm grateful for all you've shared with me," she said, her voice warm.
The smallfolk bowed and murmured blessings as Lux prepared to say her farewells and depart from the group.
But before she could even start, a thunderous roar echoed from above, and the soiled ground they were standing on began to tremble as sounds of horses, and the clanking of metal were heard—coming straight their way.