A hole in the heart

The back alley where she sat was damp and dirty. The air was heavy and moist and there was barely any light. A typical day in Noxus, she thought. After all, the city was not renowned for its sunny gardens and fresh air. She was sitting there, on what supposedly was a bench, sharpening her blades. She did have a lot of them, they were even part of her outfit. The sharp, screeching sound of steel filled the air around her and the puny excuse for wind transferred it past her long red hair. Her hair was falling freely upon her shoulders, all the way to her waist, as usual. She seemed concentrated and devoted to what she was doing until she suddenly stopped and said, without moving her head, with voice so calm and chilling it would freeze the Purgatory itself:
- What do you wan, Warwick?
The heavy breathing of someone near her was in rhythm with the knives as she resumed sharpening them. She still hadn't lifted her head up to face her companion.
- There is a new assignment for you, Katarina. – said the intruder with an almost coughing voice. – An old…"friend" of yours.
She could feel the sarcasm in his voice. She lifted her head, exposing her face to the dim light. A scar revealed itself upon her left eye. She looked at him questioningly.
- It's Garen.
She stood up and sheathed the knives, not saying a word.
- Get Talon and go.
- No, - she objected, - He just came back from the last assignment.
He looked at her with suspicion. It was strange for her to see a rather confused wolf head, although she'd known Warwick from before he was cursed with lycanthropy. He laughed.
- Is that concern, Katarina? I thought you don't know that emotion.
- And you do? – he grinned. She smiled. – Talon will be of no use to me right now. I'll undergo the task on my own.

Garen was sitting in the royal garden in Demacia. He looked worried; thoughtful. He had his armour on, his trusty sword laying beside him. The garden was filled with flowers and fountains and statues. One of them, a gargoyle, stirred and approached him.
- What is on your mind, champion?
- Not on my mind, Galio, but on my heart. There is a hole in my heart and I cannot fathom what it is.
- Hm…I have a feeling that before this day is over, my champion, you will find what fits in that empty space.
- How do you know that?
- Just call it a gargoyle's premonition. Now go. Your mission awaits you. For Demacia! – he saluted.
- For Justice! – Garen replied.

He ventured through the Howling marsh to get to his objective. He seemed confident, but that hole, that emptiness in his heart was still torturing him. He had everything – he was the fiercest among the warriors; he was the champion of his country. He was healthy and wealthy; glory, honour, he had them all. And, suddenly, he realized what he was lacking.
In that moment of revelation, he felt a blade stinging his leg. Then the other. He unsheathed his sword, falling on his knees.
- Show yourself! – he taunted, - Show yourself and fight like a man!
Another blade pierced his wrist so hard he dropped his sword. He felt a presence behind him; the warm breath of a woman caressing his cheek, the cold steel of a dagger upon his throat
- I am no man, Garen.
- Katarina…
And thus, he knew.