You took a breath. How long have you been marching through these snowy planets? It felt like it's been weeks, but it's probably only been one or two. You missed Valoran City. It's warmth and sun would be a starsend right about now. But you were here for a reason. You needed to find this Guardian and soon. You wanted to go home. You wanted to see everyone again.

You stopped and looked around the frozen tundra. You wore your armor just in case something tried to attack you. It also kept you warm. You definitely didn't want to meet your end thanks to hyperthermia. That would be a pretty lame way to go in your line of work.

You haven't even seen a town or city this entire time. Then again this place did seem a bit isolated. Whoever could survive here had to be tough. You couldn't wait to meet this Guardian.

You then heard something. You leaned back as an arrow flew right past your face. You looked up on the ridge to see a man falling to his demise. You then heard a battle cry. A battle? Against who? There was no time to question it. You hurried over to the ridge and summoned two daggers. You quickly scaled the wall of ice to find a battlefield.

Two clans fought in mortal combat, neither gaining any footing against the other. You couldn't even tell who the aggressor was, if there was one. You rose to your feet and watched the battle before you felt it. The energy, the power of the First Star. You scanned the area before you noticed a large man fighting to protect a group of people.

His shield was large, his strength was mighty, and his courage was contagious. His star power was also incredible. Maybe the most powerful that you've ever felt.

While he battled against the intruding forces, a soldier tried to attack him from behind. Your eyes grew wide and your feet were moving before you could even think about what to do. You leaped into the air and delivered a powerful kick to the barbarian's face, knocking him down. The man noticed this and simply nodded your way.

He felt the energy inside of you as well. You were a friend, not a foe.

Y/N: If I accidentally hit one of your guys, I'm sorry.

???: No worries. You will know who to protect.

Who to protect. Those words alone told you all you needed to know.

Poe changed into two escrima sticks. You then charged into battle and quickly made your way through the battlefield. You slid under a swinging ax and hopped up to deliver a blow to another soldier's chest.

The snow crunched under your feet as you flipped over a sword from another attacker. You landed and kicked the man's feet out from under him. You slammed the stick into the man's face which knocked him out.

You stood up and found a woman fighting against the attackers. She was a battle worn warrior, that much was evident, but you also saw what she was fighting for. A child, just a baby, being held by an injured man. You looked back to the large man to see that the people he was protecting were just villagers. Regular people.

Were they refugees? These attackers drove them from their home.

Woman: Braum!

The large man looked to the woman to see more attackers approaching her and the man. Thinking quickly, he sent the others away and hurried to her side. He used his shield to send several of the barbarians flying over the ridge. You trapped one of the warrior's axes and snatched it away. You quickly turned it over and smacked the blunt end of it into their head.

Braum grabbed a hold of an attacker and knocked him out with a headbutt. You hurried over and slid to a stop to help them escape.

Y/N: Whatever plan you got, you better get to it.

The woman turned to the man.

Woman: Go. Catch up with the others. We will follow.

The man nodded and turned to run. However, another arrow landed near your foot. You looked forward to see several more coming over the ridge. You quickly summoned a shield and used it to block the arrow. Braum did the same, but the man was left vulnerable.

Time seemed to slow down as you looked back to see an arrow ready to hit him. The woman tried to reach for him, but she was too late.

The man's eyes grew wide. He looked at the arrow that was in your grasp, blood seeping from your hand. You looked to the large wall of ice holding an avalanche of snow. You turned to Braum who nodded. He hurried and grabbed the man and woman while you threw your shield.

It hit the ice, shattering the wall. You ran as quickly as you could as the snow began to roll down the mountain, trapping the pursing barbarians in the snow. Braum used his massive shield as a sled while you leaped off the edge. You used your star power to glide down the mountain, safe from the avalanche. Braum, however, was racing against the snow. To help, you used your power to try and shield him a bit longer.

You reached the bottom of the mountain just as Braum came to a stop. Thinking quickly, he lifted his shield and slammed it onto the ground, creating a large shield made of starlight. As the avalanche hit, you all watched as Braum stood against it. The might of nature had nothing against the man before you. The last Star Guardian of this galaxy. The one fighting to protect the ones he loves.

This wasn't the starlight power that was keeping you all safe. It was him.

The snow came to a stop and Braum finally allowed the shield to drop. He stood straight and turned to his family. His cousin and her husband. He walked to them and kneeled down to make sure they were safe. While he did, you looked back to see a village in the distance. A new home for those who had lost theirs. A light at the end of this darkness.

Braum: Young man.

You turned back to the large man as he stood up. He walked over to you and held out his hand. It was much longer than yours, yet it looked softer. Despite all the battles he's had, all the enemies he's defeated, he was a kind man who was just as gentle as he was strong.

Braum: Can I know your name?

You looked into his eyes as you took his hand.

Y/N: My name is Y/N Knight. I've been looking for you.

Braum smiled.

Braum: Well, here I am. Unfortunately, we'll have to put this conversation on hold.

He turned to the refugees who had began to gather. You knew what he meant. You needed to get them home.

Y/N: Well, let's get to it.

Braum nodded. Together, you lead everyone towards the village.

☆

Everyone cheered as they shared a drink with their fellow villager. You sat at a table and watched them with a smile on your face. It seemed that life around here was valued by everyone. Every moment alive was something worth celebrating. Poe ate the food that the barmaid offered while you took a drink of whatever this mead was. It was sweet, but had a strange smokey flavour.

You wished Rakan was here. He would've appreciated this. He would've loved the attention too.

Braum: Is this seat taken?

You looked up to see the large man waiting for your answer. You motioned for him to take a seat which he did. He set down his much larger drink and got comfortable.

Braum: So, you are a Star Guardian as well?

You lowered your mug.

Y/N: Not quite. I'm a Dark Star Knight.

This appeared to surpise Braum. He had felt the Star Power inside of you just as you did him. There was always a slight difference between the two. The best way to describe it would be, Star Guardians were like candy and Dark Star Knights were like coffee. There was a slight bitterness to your magic. The darkness, no doubt.

But that didn’t seem to be why he was surpised. There was a hint of a harsh memory in his eyes. Almost like the pain of a tragic event was being relived again.

Braum: You are a Knight? I thought there was no more.

You shrugged.

Y/N: Sorry to disappoint. But, it seems like you know what happened.

Braum: Only bits and pieces. The Knight that was meant to protect Braum's team fell to the darkness.

So they befell a similar fate as Jhin. Was it really that common? Were you really the last Dark Star Knight in the galaxy? If so, what did that mean? You were the only one left to protect the Star Guardians. All of them. How many have fallen by now?

Braum noticed the look on your face. He sighed.

Braum: Braum is the last Star Guardian here. He understands how you feel.

He reached over the table and placed a hand on your shoulder.

Braum: But that does not mean that we are alone.

You looked up to him and smiled a bit. He was right. You still had your friends. Friends you wanted to go back to. But Jhin sent you here for a reason. He said that Braum would guide you in whatever great destiny you had.

Braum: You are strong. Are you sure you are not from The Freljord?

You shook your head.

Y/N: I've honestly never heard of this place before coming here.

Braum: You never heard of the Freljord?!

Silence filled the room as all celebrations came to a halt. All eyes were on you now. Braum rose to his feet as he cleared his throat. Then, he spoke from his mighty chest.

Braum: The Freljord is a harsh and unforgiving place—where the people are born warriors, who must persevere against all odds.

Many in the longhouse began to agree.

Braum: Proud and fiercely independent, the tribes of the Freljord are often considered wild, rugged, and “uncivilized” by their neighbors across the stars, who do not know the ancient traditions that shaped them.

Many more began to agree with yells and slamming of tables.

Braum: Many thousands of years ago, the alliance between the sisters Avarosa, Serylda, and Lissandra was shattered in a war that unknowingly threatened all of Runeterra, plunging the northern lands into chaos, and near-constant winter. Now, only those truly exceptional mortals who seem immune to the ravages of fire or ice seem destined, or able, to lead!

The entire room erupted into cheers. Looks like he was right. These were a proud people. Very proud. Braum sat back down with a massive smile on his face. It seemed to light up the room from the sheer joy it produced. He was a leader at heart, and that heart was massive.

Braum: The Freljord, we all come from the same family. And like all families, we fight. In The Freljord, the fighting tears us apart. But, we only survive together, as a family.

A family. You lowered your head and thought about it. Your family was back in Valoran City. Your brother was lost to the darkness. Your brothers and sisters and lover were searching for her. Zoe was still out there, and she was still a threat. And as long as she was loose, she would be a danger to your friends.

Braum: So, Y/N, what will you do now?

You sighed.

Y/N: Guess I'll go home. Go see my family. I've been gone for almost a year now.

Braum smiled and started to chuckle, standing up and walking over. He slapped your back, making you cough.

Braum: When do we leave?

You looked up at the large man. He was going to come with you? As if to prove his point, he took a step back and allowed starlight to consume himself. Soon, he was in his Star Guardian Gear. Very retro.

Braum: Let's go. Your family is waiting.

You smiled and nodded. It was time to go home. Time to see everyone again.