My pleasure to finally begin working on this story! It has been a while since I have had this in mind and I am definitely excited to have this going. This will take place in the League of Legends Universe, obviously, which is still an evolving world given the recurring patches and everything. Which, might arise the question what I would do in case a character is completely reworked. It depends, honestly. If the character has a story already established in this story as he used to be, then I'll let him be. Otherwise, the moment I introduce said character, I will use the reworked material rather than the old one.

This story will feature more than just those four characters listed; it is supposed to be a wide story that will include most, if not all characters of the League of Legends verse— indeed, it might go on for a while. I am very likely to add to the League of Legends history or edit small elements as I see fit.

I would like to point out that there is no 'League of Legends', no 'Institute of War', in this story as of now. Therefore, we're analyzing and exploring the characters in the world of Runeterra. Please enjoy the reading and feel free to leave feedback in the comments below!

Magic.

An element that ran rampant within the world of Runeterra; it was mystic but at the same time, frightful, for those who witnessed it— at the hands of those who wished to harm the innocent. A manifestation of such was the Rune Wars, that left little to no imagination to what could be possible if people could get their hands on the full power of such cosmic, yet common energy.

Truly, in the end, such events left the world in a different shape; with people re-organizing themselves in communities. Some of them had been left scarred from the power of the runes and sought to banish it, such as those who would later turn out to create the Kingdom of Demacia.

But yet.

The runes were not the only source of magic, in the world of mortals.

Ionia.

A country that had always been populated by people that lived together with magic, yet, they only looked after their personal enlightenment and preferred practical and physical experience with the power of the mystic. But, of course, children did not lack their story tales before bedtime; one of them was the incredible Jade Dragon.

It was not a character of a book but an ancient legend narrated by the population of Ionia for generations: the existence of a Divine Being that allowed himself to transcend reality and time itself and that it mutated the Vastayan, for they had been changed through its power, for them to control magic better than any other creature could ever aspire to— but then, one day, the Jade Dragon had seen that the knowledge of the Vastayan was increasing exponentially, up to the point where he ought to take away the gift they had once received.

The 'wizards', so to say, of Ionia that had only begun to explore the entirety of their gift had seen through this and denied the chance of downgrading back to simple creatures that could only barely see and feel the magic that Ionia hid. Therefore, the former decided to set a trap on the Dragon and seal him away into a stone that was later locked into custody, far away, where no one would ever find it.

For their sake.

At times, though, legends would find their way in the future. Maybe one that was too near the current era, or perhaps, it was the present itself that aimed to be cursed, forever, by the return of a dead and forgotten legend.

One after another, their footsteps were slow but paced. They had a little military-like rhythm behind their footing, as armored men made their way into Ionian forests. Each one of them wielded different and unique faces, hairstyles and scars. Not one single of them, though, looked like a 'champion', a 'winner', they were only but pawns in a game that was bigger than what they could have imagined. But, little did they know, they had no time left to learn the truth.

For it was time to die.

A kunai came flying in the soldier's field of view and soon went for his throat, as the man's eyes almost bulged out of pain and his breath soon became unstable— and as chaotic as the voices of his fellow troops rose and went after their comrade's back, but yet, before any of them could attempt to look after him or defend themselves, a rush of shuriken and kunai rushed in against the winds and each brought damage to the men's armors, but with little physical damage as they whipped out their swords.

Weapons that were futile, against the shadows.

One more of the men suddenly dropped down, killed in an unrecognizable flash and the last standing man could only see the silhouette of an armed woman standing in the distance before the guy pretty much let out whatever energy, fear and emotion he hid within his soul and unleashed all of it in a fighting roar, until, he saw the silhouette seriously float at high speed towards him, back for her, to reach her shuriken and cut off his head with her kunai, leaving little but a head that slowly made its way down the hill.

The woman breathed out, a few times, she was not tired but perhaps… the adrenaline in her veins had taken a little bit of a toll. Emotionally. She was more than just a silhouette; her forms— a built, yet, agile and attractive form of a woman emerged from the darkness and revealed her dark, green fabric that hid her chin— her mouth, about anything but her eyes with several, tall hair locks that donned on top of the woman's skull like a sea's waves.

Her clothing was distinct, but even more unique were her tattoos that followed the insignia of a dragon that climbed her shoulder.

"Not even a sweat," - she stated before her careful, silent steps brought her to their bodies and that was when the woman began to slowly look over anything they might have carried with them.

They had very little, of course, they were only an 'expedition team', but, she also found a piece of paper. One that she was too common with and that she wished that would have not been there, to begin with— the drawing of a gem with the stem of a dragon onto it. She had seen this thrice already this week, and there were plenty of these camps and little squadrons looking out for something in Ionia, usually with a map and several landmarks pointed out on the former.

That was, what brought her, later that afternoon, to talk to someone she could still relate, somewhat.

Her former brother, Kennen.

The little furball dressed in purple, was quite energetic, as usual, of course. He came off the ground and climbed up the tree to reach Akali on top of a branch, similarly to the way a spark would— as in, he seriously transitioned from his form to lightning itself until he finally returned to his former shape and addressed her friend.

"Hiya! Okay okay, what'cha callin' me after? I told you can count on me, but, you should ask for me later… you know I am busy with the Kinkou around this time."

Akali narrowed her eyes and nodded her head. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right, she knew of this, but yet, she could not care less.

"I know, but, this is pretty urgent," - she mentioned again as she gently paced on top of the branch, yet weightless, not allowing it to break and for her to meet the ground. "I have been taking out Noxians."

"What's new?" - commented the little ninja, almost with a suppressed giggle.

"Right. But, there's something they all have in common— and it's this," - added the woman as he handed out the piece of paper she had earlier found on one of the corpses. He gripped it with his little paws and put it quite right into his face, but as much as his orbs squinted, he could not make anything out of it.

"What about it, Akali? It's just… you know, a drawing. Maybe they were bored and had a drawing contest."

The former Fist of Shadow folded her arms over her abundant chest and gave him a sassy look, almost as if questioning his seriousness before Kennen just rolled his eyes and nodded. "Sorry, sorry! Just, you know, what's up with that?"

Akali scoffed and looked away once more, down, at where she left their bodies.

"They have been at this for weeks; Noxus is obviously looking for something! And if it's in our land, we can't let them take it!"

Kennen sat down on the tree, at this point, staring at the fellow Assassin with little but a perk of his tiny eyebrows.

"And what do you want me to do about it?"

The woman stood in silence for a moment, as her pupils slowly narrowed down the area of view to her feet— she hated this. She didn't want to say this at all, the girl was obviously on a tight spot, at the moment, truly, perhaps the woman was going too far for just a few pieces of paper, but, yet, that was why she left the Kinkou Order in the first place.

Because she couldn't take it anymore with their 'ignoring problems policy'. She did not care what they'd call it— balance or whatever, she was all about assisting Ionia and claiming what was theirs, to begin with— things such as equilibrium were only crazy concepts that were born to keep their order in place as if it were a religion.

"Tell Shen. See if he knows anything about this thing."

Kennen almost dropped his jaw; somehow he was happy that she still considered anything in regards to Shen, and so, the Order. But, he did not stare at her at all, actually, he just nodded his head, but his words did not confirm approval, but rather, he preferred to shoot right back at her and zap her with questions.

"Why— Can't you tell Shen? I am sure he wouldn't mind."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because no."

Kennen narrowed his eyes, obviously unhappy with her resoluteness. She decided to cut herself off the Order as if the two had sworn war to each other, yet, it wasn't anything like that!

"Ya' two look like a divorced couple, you know that?"

Akali puffed his cheeks out and pressed her lips together in a frown that aimed sharp knives towards the yordle that pretty much just gave up at that point and sighed before he pushed himself up to his little feet once more.

"Nevermind. I'll be on my way now. Let's stay in touch, 'kali!— Miss ya'."

The purple-clothed ninja quite literally blasted out of the area with his high-speed electricity and now, only left Akali alone with her blank expression before she shut his eyes and her hand blindly reached for the piece of cloth that rested onto the top of her chest and lifted it up to finally mask her face, again, and leave.

Still in Ionia, hours later, at night, but somewhat far away, was where resided the Kinkou Order.

One of the ancient clans of these lands that taught their students for generations the art of self-defense, offense and balance. For it was no martial art or teachings of war, but rather, a style— a way for an individual to live with its codes and morals.

Among them, in one of the halls, stood a man dressed in gray and shades of dark purple, with armor platelets that were colored in blue— last but not least was his mask that completely veiled his skull, except for his eyes that possessed a bright, transcendental glow to them.

"Refer to your client that I hold no Lunari in this building, nor do I have contacts with them. I wish her good luck with her efforts, though."

Shen greeted away a messenger that soon left the wing and had the Eye of Twilight escort himself away from the corridors, but it was when he walked the corner that lightning itself followed him and soon showed its real form under the familiar image of Kennen.

The man did not seem to be impressed or anything; it was almost as if he had seen him coming from miles away, nor did he halt in his steps, but so didn't the smaller ninja that began to walk beside him.

"You're late. What were you up to, Heart of the Tempest?"

Kennen hummed softly, unsure as to how he'd go to introduce the 'topic'.

"Just, scouting out, you know."

"Scouting out."

"Mmhm…"

"At night."

Kennen chuckled and immediately shook his head, realizing that this approach wouldn't have gotten him anywhere with Shen.

"No, no, no— I wasn't."

The taller man squinted off to the side and pictured the smaller ninja as if he were his next target, to which, the latter almost had his sweat.

"I am sorry… I just don't know how to say it, but," - the yordle paused briefly as Shen inquired once more with a neutral tone of voice. "But?"

"I… was talking with Akali."

The Eye of Twilight looked at Kennen with newfound interest but did not quite show it through his expression or anything alike, but he did feel as if he'd suddenly be far more involved in more ways than just the professional one.

"So, that is why you suddenly left the structure."

Kennen nodded in approval. "Yes, but there's more— she's worried there might be something going on."

"As usual."

The smallest of the two beckoned Shen to continue the talk in the latter's private room— The man did not quite believe this to be necessary, at all, after all, all that Akali did was usually speculate on the Noxians. So, it wouldn't be a crime for them to talk openly about it in the halls, but he decided to play along and follow him in the room, as they made sure the door shut properly before Shen folded his arms over his chest and stared at him.

It was a dark room, honestly, because of the time, but the abundant use of wood was quite visible, still, it looked like a normal room; if it weren't for the multiple glasses that served as barriers for several weapons and books. There was also a little sack to work as a bed and a wooden table off to the side, and then, a square entrance that led to the balcony outside and served as the only source of light in the room.

"What is this all about?"

Again, the lightning warrior did not quite know how to openly speak to the mentor of the Kinkou Order in regards to what Akali had earlier informed him. Therefore, his next action was simply to take the drawing that the woman had handed him earlier and passed it to Shen.

The Eye of Twilight silently brushed his fingers against the paper, as his spiritual sight did indeed recognize the woman's touch and leftovers of her Chi. "I see," - he stated before he began to push the several layers of paper apart until the full picture of the drawing was clear to him.

A picture that was familiar with him and had him deadpanned for more than just a moment.

It was… revealing, to say the least.

"Where did she get this?"

Kennen gulped at his reaction but replied regardless. "A Noxian explorer— apparently it's not the first time she's found one of those…"

Shen shut his eyes and walked away, off towards the starred sky's light. He knew about that drawing— or rather, the gem that was pictured on the paper. Although it was minimal information, the man believed he could never be mistaken on something like this and such was concerning.

"That is the Jade Dragon's Gem. It possesses great magical power that some believe used to hold Ionia together— or others believe it was actually the soul of a dragon sealed within a stone. Either way, though, if the Noxians are looking for it, they mean to use it against Ionia."

Kennen was unsure what to think about this, but, he listened and faithfully believed in his Master's words. But still, this arose a question in his mind.

"What will we do, then, Shen?"

Shen inhaled and silently took a moment to think it through.

"Where's Akali?"

"I… don't know. I don't think she really wants to even look at you."

The Eye of Twilight sighed and looked off into the distance of nature's beauty as his eyes were no longer glowing, for just a slight moment. "Figures," - he said before his orbs once more sparked out an immense light.

"Then, we will set out to find the gem and secure it.— Kennen."

The brown-haired yordle stood to attention as he heard his 'real' name, and not his title for once called out by Shen.

"Y-yes?"

"Make sure to sort out a meeting with the Blade Dancer. Tonight. I must speak with her."