I promised one of my readers I'd post another story before the end of the year (looking at you Duncan), so here we go. Also this is a multi-parter, since I can't always just write one-shots for a living.

Zed always made it look so effortless.

„Kill the body, create the body, free the body."

Kayn sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes shut tightly, face scrunched up and sweaty, as a figure of black smoke wavered in front of him. Its shape was vaguely humanoid, and it flickered at its edges like a candle in the wind. The acolyte repeated his mantra, almost desperate to keep the shadow in existence.

"Kill the mind, create the mind, free the mind."

Drawing into the power of his scythe, Kayn managed to steady his creation for a few moments. As it slowly shifted into focus, he began step two, making it reach out towards the weapon. Wisps of shadow coiled around the handle of the scythe, and began slowly began pulling. When it refused to budge however, Kayn began straining himself once more. "C'mon, c'mon!" Before long, the shadow began to waver, before finally collapsing in on itself and dispersing in the room's dark corners. Kayn fell over on his back, letting out a long groan of frustration. Annoyance welled up within him. How come he managed to master most weapons with relative ease, but when it came to this particular shadow technique, he was perpetually stuck?

Having focused on physical techniques such as the Shadow Step and the Umbral Trespass before, and achieving a decent degree of mastery, Kayn was upset that Master Zeds signature technique, the Living Shadow, still continued to elude him. Where Zed was capable of summoning dozens of shadowy clones, jump between them at will, and coordinate them to take down his targets, Kayn managed to sustain a single shade at best. When questioned, his master would console him, saying something along the lines of "You simply take to a different style of fighting", but Kayn's goal was to one day be able to surpass Zed, and so he was determined to master all the aspects of the Shadow Arts, just like his master.

The ninja wiped the sweat off his brow, content to rest from his training for a moment. Settling down cross-legged, he closed his eyes, attempting to relax. Before he could enter meditation however, he was violently disturbed by a deep, gravelly laugh coming from his weapon. Oh yes, Rhaast was still a thing too. Rhaast, the Darkin, destroyer of mortals, ever bloodthirsty and evil, trapped inside an ancient farming tool.

"Failing at the most basic tasks again, are we?" the scythe taunted him. Kayn could feel himself become bothered once more. Rhaast's insistence on verbally ruining his days was getting to him. "Control yourself, Kayn. Breathe. Don't let him get to you." He turned to face the scythe. "At least I'm not constantly failing at possessing a stupid mortal." the assassin retorted, a smug smile crossing his face. The eye on the scythe went through at least three shades of red, before the Darkin replied. "You will break one day, I promise. No-one can resist the might of the Darkin forever."

"Heh, I think I've been doing just fine." Kayn mocked the demon, who was glaring at him with his flaming red eye. The ninja raised his disfigured left arm for the weapon to see: red flesh and gray carapace going up to his shoulder, but stopping short of his torso. "You're not doing too good of a job at corrupting me, are you?" "I'm simply taking my time. I've waited millennia for this, I can wait a few more days for you to give in." the scythe threatened. "Whatever floats your boat." Kayn responded, unimpressed, and Rhaast seethed silently after that, allowing the assassin to return to his training.

Crossing his legs once more, the ninja closed his eyes and began to meditate once more. The situation was absurd really. Here he was, bantering with an ancient force trying to corrupt his body. But Kayn had sworn to come out on top. Not just because he would certainly die if he lost and that Rhaast would then lay waste to all of Runeterra, but also because he made a promise to Zed.

He remembered the day he'd retrieved the ancient weapon from Noxus. It was only once his eyes had fallen on the Darkin scythe, when he'd felt the dark powers within radiate bright as day, that he realized the true significance of his task. Zed had only tasked him with keeping the artifact out of Noxian hands... never specifying how. True to his masters teaching secrets kept are weapons wasted, he'd taken up the weapon, forced to kill his brother-in-arms Nakuri in the process. Kayn had been sure that once he'd return, Zed would annoint him his successor, but he was wrong. He'd chosen the path of keeping the weapon, and so he'd never be a Shadow Assassin until the Darkin bent to his will. That day, Kayn had sworn on he wouldn't rest until his mission was complete.

Speaking of the Darkin, something else dawned on Kayn then. It had been more of a mindless boast that Rhaast had grown lax in his attempts to overtake him, but in hindsight, it was true. When he first picked up the weapon months ago, it had instantly begun to possess him, and it had taken his full strength to keep it subdued. Over time however, as he got a feel for the scythes power, the Darkin's attacks had grown more and more sporadic. Could Rhaast actually be... growing weaker?

That wasn't to say the scythe was no threat. Kayn was well aware that it was still a Darkin he was facing, and Rhaast's power was still overwhelming, an ancient darkness creeping into Kayn's body, and mind, struggling to be free of its bonds. But the ninja had heard stories of another Darkin who had rampaged in the faraway land of Freljord. He had asked Rhaast about this particular being named Aatrox, but the most he had gotten out of the scythe was that "they had history". Aatrox had apparently been free for far longer than Rhaast, and what little was known about him revealed the true power of a Darkin. He possessed the greatest and strongest warriors with ease, and no-one was able to resist his corruption. Rhaast wasn't like that. The scythe seemed dulled by the eons of imprisonment it had suffered. Kayn was curious.

"Rhaast?"

"What, what is it Kayn?"

"How many have come before me?"

The scythe spluttered in surprise, clearly not expecting such a question, but it recovered quickly. "Hundreds of mortals like you, foolish enough to wield me."

"And how many of those were worthy hosts for your 'magnificence'?"

Rhaast grumbled. "None, to be honest. You're the first host I could possibly deem worthy."

"I'm quite honored to be your first then! Hopefully you're enjoying this as much as I am."

Rhaast's eye widened. "Please don't say it like that. I hate it when you say it like that."

Kayn laughed. So, it was true. This Darkin had been searching for a host for a long time, and he was most likely becoming desperate to be free. The thought of that filled Kayn with confidence. He could do this with, he would be the first to conquer a Darkin, he would stand at the pinnacle of all ninjas, and Zed would have no choice but to be proud!

With this newfound vigor, Kayn stood up, channeling his new enthusiasm. Another shadow was willed into existence, growing in the middle of the room. Tendrils of darkness meshed together, slowly forming a human shape. At first without distinguishable features, it soon grew a long braid of hair, its face and body morphing to match it's creator, until finally, for a few precious moments, a perfect copy of Kayn stared back at him, eyes aglow with the red energy that came with the power of his shadow magic.

"How's that, Rhaast?", the assassin mocked his weapon arrogantly.

Before the Darkin could deign him with a response, there was a knock upon the room's door. Startled, Kayn let go of the shadow, which dispersed into the room once more. He retrieved his weapon, before turning to the entrance of his dormitory.

"Enter." He called out, and the door slid open, revealing another acolyte. He was about his age, but seemed terrified at having to deliver a message to his fellow student. Who wouldn't be, considering said student currently brandished an ancient weapon oozing with bloodlust and darkness?

"Master Zed would like to speak with you. Please meet him in the grand dojo." the acolyte said, barely hiding the tremble in his voice.

Kayn nodded. "I understand. Tell him I'll be there as soon as I can. You're dismissed."

The shadow warrior looked on as his fellow acolyte rushed off, his interest piqued. It had been a while since Zed had last sent him on a mission, and he was becoming impatient, wanting to further his skills with the shadows. Kayn shouldered his scythe, and made for the dojo.

"Lets see what Master has in store for us today."