Space was cold. In the vacuum of nothingness it was pretty obvious why this would be the case. But, still, the power of the Dark Star kept you from freezing over. The warmth that kept you going was the thought of finally reuniting with your friends after so long. The immortality of being a Dark Star Knight helped with the long absences, but you still yearned to be with them once again.

It had been almost a year. A year of being alone. Only with Jhin to keep you company, telling you of the impending doom. A fate that you would not be able to escape. The truth that you wished you could avoid.

Braum: You seemed lost in thought, my friend.

You looked up from the spot you sat to find the towering man smiling, as he seemed to always do. In the few weeks that you've known him, Braum has been nothing but kind. He shared his stories of times long before your birth about his time as a Star Guardian. He was once on a team, like you, but his Knight fell to the darkness and his team was slaughtered.

Now, only Braum remained.

You often wondered if you too would fall into his shoes. If one day everyone would be defeated and you would be left alone. Your heart had been broken two times before. You would not be able to handle a third.

Braum: You are too young to be so troubled.

You heard him sit beside you. The planet you had set up camp on was alive and what seemed like alien fireflies illuminated the area around you. The jungle sounds echoed in your ear so loudly that it hurt. Everything just seemed so loud.

Braum: You struggle with your role, yes?

You sighed.

Y/N: At times. It's a burden, but it's mine.

Braum: Funny how that works. Your one life in this existence, taken by forces far out of your control. Your duty put upon you when all you deserved was a peaceful life. To fall in love, to run around with friends, to experience life to it's fullest. But, instead, you are cursed to live among the stars. To face the darkness head on and watch as the ones you love perish.

Was this supposed to be comforting?

Braum looked to you and gently placed a hand on your shoulder.

Braum: Tell me, what was your life before the Dark Star?

Your life before? Sometimes it was hard to remember. Almost impossible. But there was one memory that you would always have in the back of your mind. Forever. You didn't know what happened, only that you watched a raging fire. The feeling of Sarah's hand in yours.

Y/N: I think....my parents died in a fire. I can't really remember. I can't even see their faces.

Braum nodded in understanding.

Braum: Time does that to us. We live a very long time. Braum can't recall his own family. I believe I had a brother, once, but his name escapes him. But Braum recall being a child. Playing in the snow.

He remembered a moment from his childhood? That would've been centuries ago. How was that even possible?

Braum: Braum believes that the First Star allowed him to keep this memory. A happier time his life.

Sarah's hand was small in yours. Almost like a doll. But it was the first time you could recall that you knew......you knew she would always be by your side. And that you loved her. It was a memory that lurked during your darkest moments.

Was that why you remembered it so vividly compared to everything else in your past?

Braum: You will be back with them soon.

Y/N: Yeah. And this time...I won't leave them again.

Sett: Cute.

Your ear perked up just as you were hit by a powerful force. The blow sent you flying off the edge of the cliff you were sitting on while you heard Braum change into his Star Form. You were in a state of shock from the sudden appearance of your foe. How was he here? How did he find you?

You managed to transform just before you hit the ground and landed on your feet. However, Braum soon crashed into the land beside you, seemingly getting a powerful hit from Sett as well.

Sett: He isn't from your group. Gathering more people to die?

You looked forward to find Sett approaching. However, it was clear that things had changed since your last fight almost a year ago.

You stood among the ruble and dust as Sett growled wildly. His left eye bleeding and his arm heavily injured. You were breathing hard, your teeth stained in blood.

Sett: You look surpised, Y/N. You weren't expecting me?

Y/N: Thought I left you behind in Valoran City. Honestly, I'm a bit surpised that you're alive.

Sett just grinned. Braum slowly raised to his feet as you summoned Poe to form a sword.

Sett: Been tracking your energy for a while now. We said we'd settle it, but you bailed.

Y/N: I was taken by someone.

Sett: Doesn't matter. I have you now. And this time, one of us won't leave alive.

Braum began to take a fighting stance, but you held your sword in front of him.

Y/N: No. This is personal.

Braum saw the look in your eye. It was a dangerous edge. He knew the look well. He saw it, nearly 50 years ago, when his Knight faced off against a powerful foe. Before he fell.

You and Sett began to circle each other as Braum watched. He wanted to help, to assist you in anyway he could. But he also knew better. This was your fight, not his. And it needed to end, once and for all.

Sett: Give it your all.

Y/N: Right back at you.

And in a flash of brilliant light, the two of you clashed.

There was a time where Sett used to watch the sunrise. It was oddly therapeutic. Almost like taking a breath of fresh air after drowning for hours on end. The night was over, the stars were hidden, and he was alive. He couldn't help but smile.

Evelynn: I love it when you smile like that.

Sett closed his eyes at the touch of his beloved. Her soft and slender fingers brushed against his cheek. When he opened his eyes, he was met with hers.

Sett: And I love it when you look at me like that.

He pulled her close, their bodies matching like two pieces of a puzzle. Their lips, seemingly made for each other, reunited after what felt like an eternity.

The night was over. Another victory.

Sett pulled away. He wanted to linger longer, but he felt eyes on him. It was clear who it was as well.

Sett: Did you need something, Kindred?

The two looked to find the girl waiting for them to finish talking. She never liked interrupting their time together, she never wanted to be a burden, but Sett still took the time to talk to her. She was family, after all.

Kindred nodded and reached into her pouch. She pulled out what looked to be a stone and handed it to the larger boy. Sett examined it for a moment before he smiled.

Sett: You took down the Goliath. Guess you win today.

Kindred smiled under her mask. It was tradition that the Guardian who took down the strongest creature would get to pick their meal.

Yasuo: As expected of our dear Kindred.

Yasuo approached the group after dealing with the final creature. He looked to his friends and nodded in a silent appreciation of their work. The darkness was once again pushed back. They could rest now.

Evelynn: Seems that everyone is back.

Sett: Almost. Where is Thresh?

Yasuo: I saw him near the waterfalls. He seemed to be resting.

Sett nodded.

Sett: Then we'll let him rest. For now, we should follow suit. Enjoy the day. And, of course, the good food I'll be making us all.

This was his team. His family. Decades ago, in his home world, where he was a Guardian against the darkness. The warrior chosen by the First Light to lead his team to victory whenever the corruption dared to approch.

Those days were filled with fond memories. Time spent in Evelynn's arms, playing games of chase and tag with Kindred, peaceful moments of drinking tea with Yasuo. But, most importantly, time spent with his dearest friend of them all.

Thresh: Your head is wondering again, old friend.

A blast of spiritual energy flew towards Sett. He quickly reacted by crossing his arms, blocking the attack. He quickly dodged the sharp edge of Thresh's sytche before catching his wrist. He turned his body, but Thresh was quicker. Before Sett could even move, the other boy had escaped his grasp and kicked his back, causing Sett to stumble forward.

Thresh: Focus. Otherwise, I'll actually hurt you.

Sett growled under his breath, but smiled. It may not seem like it to an outsider looking in, but Sett and Thresh were as close as brothers. They've known each other for decades now, having first met when they were still just pups among wolves.

Their respect for each other ran deep. Their love and bond were strong. They were always watching each other's backs, helping when they could, fighting alongside each other. Their strength was evenly matched. Sett was the leader of his team, but Thresh was the Dark Star Knight. Their friendship was stronger than the cosmic forces that had bestowed them their powers.

The five of them faced the dark forces together. United as one unit, unable to fall to the corruption. If they were to fall, it would be together.

That was what they all believed. And it ran true. For decades.

It wasn't until Sett was on his knees, his body weak and his blood cold, surrounded by his family who have all since succumbed to their wounds, that he realized that his fate had been sealed from the start. The moment he was born, the very second he was gifted life, he was destined to die a horrible fate.

His eyes went to Yasuo. The blood pooled from his chest, a wound far too large to be a blade. Would he be reunited with his brother again? Would their souls finly find peace again?

Kindred's hand grasped the fur of the slayed Star Beast she had called her friend for years. The two had a bond that no one else could ever understand. In her final moments, the beast used the last of it's strength to comfort her. Reassure her that she did not have to die alone.

And, finally, Evelynn. Her soft hands were now stained in red. Her blood pooled from her lips. Her beautiful eyes were now dull and lifeless. Sett had to watch her perish last. A nightmare come true. He found himself longing for her touch. For her smile.

His eyes trailed to the last one standing. The one still trying desperately to save at least one of his own. Thresh was missing an arm, only able to hold onto his weapon as his vision began to blur. The darkness was spreading through his body. The energy of the corruption was consuming him with every passing second.

Was it even Thresh? Was he still here? Sett watched him fight. It was like an empty vessel trying to cling onto whatever was left inside. A hollow shell that was trying to mimic the actions of a past life. Sett watched as he tried to fight against the foe they were faced with. Her laughter echoed in Sett's ear. It was sharp, childlike, and sinister. It chilled him to the core.

And in the end, Thresh was no more. His body was gone, having been consumed completely. And still, the foe remained. The same foe that hovered over Sett.

He could barely see her. The only thing that pierced his blurry vision was the color of her clothing. Her wicked mismatched eyes.

Zoe: Looks like I missed one. I thought you were already dead.

So did he. He felt like he was. He might has well been. Everything he had to live for, it had all died around him in what seemed like mere seconds. He still breathed, but he wasn't alive.

Zoe: You're strong. I can use someone like you.

She touched him. And that was when it went dark. When his heart finally shattered, allowing all the darkness to enter his soul. The anger, the hate, the unyielding rage that burnt through his body. It powered every single hit. Every single step was fuelled by the sheer emotion that now consumed every single inch of him.

He never got to shed a tear for his fallen family.

His Dark Star Knight failed.

And now, he was ready to kill another.

Sett: AHHHHHH!

You lifted your sword to block the powerful blow which sent a small shockwave to shoot out behind you. Sett quickly delivered another, and another, and another. You worked hard to block as many as you could. Whatever you didn't block, you dodged. He was fast. He was strong. But you couldn't fall here.

You spun to got out of his way and quickly dashed to create some space. Sett was all melee. He needed to be close to fight. If you had any hope of winning this fight, you would have to change your tactic.

You changed your weapon to a spear and threw it at Sett who managed to catch it. However, you had learned from your interactions from him. He wasn't some weakling.

The spear suddenly erupted in his hand, causing him to go off balance. Using the opening, you dashed forward and summed blades out of your gauntlets. You quickly swiped towards him, but he managed recover in time to narrowly push your arm away, instead delivering a punch to your gut that sent you off the ground.

He leaped up and slammed his fists into your back, rocketing you back to the ground where you crashed into the dirt. You groaned as you got to your hands and knees. This wasn't like before. He'd changed since the last time you fought. Was it because this was truly him and not Zoe? Now that he was fully in control with the darkness running in his veins?

Sett began to run at you, ready to give a devastating kick, but you rolled out of the way and summoned a bow. You drew back the string and released a wave of cosmic arrows his way. He turned around and began to punch away as many as he could, but all it took was one arrow to hit him. Soon, several small blasts erupted on him which left nothing but a large cloud of pink and purple smoke in their wake.

You slowly lowered your bow and tried to feel for his energy. However, you were only greeted with an outstretched hand approaching you at an incredible speed. Sett's hand closed around your face as he charged forward, crashing you through several trees. A trail of destruction and purple flames was left in your wake as Sett yelled.

You reached the edge of the woods where a large lake shined against the moonlight. Sett let you go and watched as your body skipped against the water like a pebble. You finally crashed in a shallow part, your armor now soaked as Sett clenched his fists. You rose to your feet and looked back to the former Guardian as he stood there.

You changed Poe to be a sword once again as Sett cracked his neck. Without uttering a word, the two of you broke off into a sprint towards each other, moving fast enough for the water to act as a platform for your next clash. And it was a wonderful one.

Your blade connected with Sett's gloves, the force of which cause a tower of water to rise up and cause waves to crash into the shores of the lake. You each exchanged blow after blow, only being blocked with your own attacks. Each hit resulted in a building of energy which gathered overhead in a myriad of color. A small galaxy of your own created by this never ending conflict.

You've been fighting Sett since you met him nearly five years ago. On the planet where Jinx was briefly reunited with her sister. Where you awoke your powers once again to save the Star Sisters. Where you were reborn yet again, with more resolve than before.

With one last blow from each of you, you both flew back, causing the water to rain down upon you both as you tried to regain your breath. You and Sett watched each other, both heavily injured.

Y/N: Can I ask you something?

Sett's ear twitched. He narrowed his eyes at you, but nodded.

Sett: Go ahead.

You slowly stood up and wiped the blood dripping from your mouth through your broken helmet.

Y/N: What was the memory you kept....from before the First Star?

Sett's eyes grew wide. His memory? He gritted his teeth in anger, but stopped when he remembered. His memory. The one thing he remembered from before he became a Star Guardian.

He sat in his mother's lap, listened as she told him a story. About the great heroes that had freed his people long ago. How they were faced against impossible odds, yet they stayed strong and defeated the great evil. He loved his mother. She was the only parent he had, she cared for him deeply. She made sure he was happy.

She was the reason he loved his family. Why he tried and fought so hard to protect them. Why he fell into the darkness when they perished.

Sett: It was...of my mother.

Sett slowly looked up.

Sett: The love she gave me, I was able to give to my team. My brothers and sisters. They meant the world to me, and I failed them.

So he was like you, then.

Y/N: My friends fell. They died. Like you, Zoe took them. I was broken beyond belief, but I was able to fight again.

Sett: And here you are. And here I am. You have a chance to go back, but my life was over when they died. When the people I loved.......

Sett clenched his fists.

The people he loved. The ones he watched die.

Y/N: They must've loved you.

They did. They loved him. And if they saw him now......what he had become......what he was doing......

Sett closed his eyes. He never cried for them. He wanted to. He never got the chance to.

You watched him fall to his knees as he grabbed his vest. You just stood there. You looked up to the stars and wondered what your friends were doing. Were they laughing right now? Hanging out and having a good time? Were they looking for you? Were they happy?

You looked back to Sett.

You've both been fighting for a long time. Longer than you knew. You walked over to him, and dropped to your knees as well.

Sett: It never goes away, does it?

Y/N: No, it doesn't. Even now, I will never forget the pain I felt when I lost them.

You then reached out, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Y/N: But, it gets easier. But you have to let go of the anger and the hate. You have to remember.....the you that they loved.

Sett felt everything begin to swirl inside. Every emotion that went ignored since that fateful day.

Y/N: Something that no one told me, that I learned, is that we can't do this alone. And, if for a brief moment, if you allow it, I can help you shoulder that burden.

Sett felt something build in his throat, he felt a weight begin to grow, then he leaned forward. He let out a cry of anguish and heartache as you kept your hand on his back. Not to add to the weight, but to help him hold it. To take it away for just a moment, to let him mourn. Braum reached the edge of the lake and found himself stopping at the sight. But not at just the two of you.

The darkness, the corruption that had held Sett in it's grasp, it was turning into mist. It was leaving his body slowly as it began to enter into you. Your armor began to repair, Sett's changed. The sight moved him in such a way he couldn't understand or describe.

You were taking away the darkness. Returning him to how he once was, just as Rakan did to Xayah.

Sett cried. He mourned. And as he did, the sun began to rise.

He lifted his head and looked at the sight for the first time in many years. It was like he could breathe again. The two of you watched it with tears in your eyes.

The two of you weren't enemies. Never were. His hate allowed Zoe to control him. But now, he was once again in control.

Y/N: The night's over, Sett.

Sett: Yeah. It is.

Four figures stood against the light as Sett watched. They were smiling at him, as if to tell him that they were okay. That he could move on. They turned and walked towards the light.

This time Sett didn't feel alone.

Sett: The sunrise......is beautiful.

Y/N: Well get used to it. You got a lot more to see.

You got to your feet and turned to him. You held out a hand.

Y/N: Let's go, Sett.

He smiled and took your hand.

All the while, Braum watched. He looked to the mountains where the sun was shining beautifully.

It seemed you weren't as lost as he thought.