Title: Dark Paths and Narrow Roads

Genre: Drama/Action/Romance

Main Character: OC named Hanzo

Characters: Akali, Zed, and some others

Summary: Deciding to follow the path of shadows, Hanzo, formerly a Kinkou ninja, seeks to unravel the mysteries of his shrouded past, all the while serving his new lord, the self proclaimed master of shadows, Zed. Yet, as his Trial is finished, he finds himself at the center of something much bigger.

Rated M for safety~

A.N.

Hello, so, its me again. The few people that had read my previous story(s) might be wondering what's with the infrequent updates. Truth be told, I don't know, I have seem to lost the love I had for that character, and, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't write anything. And when I did, it felt like a chore. So, as of now, I am putting The Crimson Assassin on an indefinite hiatus. Not that anyone cares though.

However, that aside, I hope that this story will not end up like the last one. I have made a new character, in a manner of speaking, and with a new story, eh…? Well, I have recycled the story I never told in my previous fic, and made it so it could fit this character. Also, I will be making shorter, yet frequently (hopefully) updated chapters.

Ching

A distant note chimed over a natural clearing in the Aoi forest, prompting a lonely figure that sat at it's center to open it's eyes. Meditation always brought him a slightly sore back, even though a single fox tail did it's best to pressure the stiff points during the lengthy sessions. Soon, lunch would be served, marking the beginning of another daily routine. However, before dissolving his posture, he had the luxury of affording his eyes another moment of the serene sight before him.

Students that have mastered, or have attained sufficient proficiency in meditation are allowed to do their two hour session away from the rest of the group theywould otherwise be in, one that meditated just outside the Order complex. Thus, after being permitted, he spent a few days searching for a place he himself liked. After a while, not far from the mountain top, he settled on top of a small rock, one that rested in the shade of a great tree during most of the day. A viridian ring surrounded him, open only in a single spot that provided a stunning view down the mountain and the Order of Shadows. The air was quite chilly, as it is with the northern parts of Ionia, though not that he ever minded the climate, on the contrary. However, the beauty of the place aside, it appeared to lack all and any life, with the animals having seemingly either moved out or completely disappeared.

Still, one had more important things to do than admire nature. With that thought in his mind, he sprung up to his feet, dusting away the few leaves that stuck to his clothing – a plain dark blue grab that all students wore. A breeze rustled his messy raven locks, ones from which a pair of midnight black fox ears spurted out, twitching from time to time, ever attentative.

"Hanzo!" Called a voice from behind him, making the ninja adept tilt his head to the side, though not fully, knowing well who that was.

"I came to wake you up in case you slept in again." It spoke again, now turning out to belong to another student, a short one, with brown hair and dark green eyes glinting behind the long bangs that curtained over his forehead.

Most come to The Order willingly, having nowhere else to go. The man behind him was one of the mentioned, an orphan from Demacia. As training begins, all are assigned a partner, one they come to rely on during missions and training assignments. Most become good friends, a rare commodity amongst the lower ranking members. Socialization was rather limited, with training occupying most of the daylight, and studying in the archives under the shine of a candle. On the other hand, relying on oneself during the more complex tasks they undertook was a sure way to fail. Or die.

"That happened one- two times." Hanzo defended as he turned around, heading to meet his friend, all the while, as always, avoiding direct eye contact. "After all, how could I on a day like this?"

"Yeah, I could barely close my eyes from the excitement." Gareth exclaimed, flicking his hair as he did. "Didn't even sleep last night."

"Calm down Demacian, I advise catching some rest before the trial." Said Hanzo, his hands crossing over his chest, tail swishing fluidly behind. I am the one advising him to be calm? "We know nothing of what awaits us, thus, we have no use worrying."

"Man, I wish I had your mind for a day." Gareth admitted, scratching the back of his head as he and Hanzo turned towards the forest. Before them, lay a beaten path, with every second tree marked with several slashes of a kunai, showing the quickest path leading to the Order.

"Maybe then, you would actually learn something." Hanzo replied, sending both the students in a fit of laughter.

The next few minutes, the pair spent in a pleasant silence, climbing down the steep pathway. They had enough time, yet with the event ahead, both added a spring into their step. Before completing their training and becoming full fledged shinobi, all students needed to pass an event known as The Trials. None but the ones that completed it knew what it was about, and even they were strictly forbidden of speaking of it. However, what the trainees did know, was that everything they have learnt over the last four years would be tested, their loyalty and dedication above everything else. Those that completed the trials would receive the opportunity to touch the Box of Shadows, and if they prove worthy, gain some degree of mastery over the forbidden power. Afterwards, their training could continue. However, there was still another thing…

"Hey, Hanzo-" Gareth said, both tone and gaze set low, said in a manner that indicated that something troubled him. The next few spoken words blurred out in his mind, even though he heard them perfectly. It took the one called several seconds to realize that the brown haired boy was tugging his shoulder.

"Uhh- what?" Hanzo blurted, his train of thought cut.

"I said-" Gareth repeated, his voice losing none of the concern it held mere moment ago. "What do you think happens to those that, you know- fail?" He added, pausing slightly before the last part of his sentence, as if only speaking it made his gut drop.

Failure?

"We are left only to wonder." The raven haired student trailed, his eyebrows knitting in thought. "Maybe they get exiled?" He guessed in a manner that made it seem more like a question than an answer.

Gareth pondered on the possibility for a moment. As the end of their road neared, so did the temple complex come into view, and with it, a large clearing within it's walls. Students lay scattered here and there, doing either simple exercises or preparing for the next part of their schedule. Among the figures in a distance, one stood out, his shadow darker and more alive than anyone else's.

"I am not sure exile is our master's- style." Said Gareth, attempting to lessen the weight of the implication behind his words with a forced chuckle.

Hanzo did not laugh.

Unseen behind the fabric of his mask, his pale lips curved downwards. His lively tail also ceased swaying, coiling around his leg. Was the price for failing to realize the truth really death? The thought stuck around for a moment too long, only to be dismissed by his next words.

"But, we need not to worry about such things, because we will not fail, right?" The taller of the pair said, attempting to comfort not only Gareth, but himself. Failure is not an option, I won't perish in this world before learning nothing about mine.

"Yeah, I am passing the trials, and I'm dragging you with me, whether you like it or not!" Gareth said, pulling his friend in a one-armed bear hug.

"Yeah-" Said the other student. "Just try not to be the one dragged behind!"