A once silent woodland in the Valoran had fallen victim to the screech of steel, as two sets of blades lacerated all that impeded their path. The culprits vaulted through the canopy, clashing their weapons once more before descending to a clearing below. There stood a woman, clad in dark green shozoku. Before her stood a shadow, which was quickly replaced with a man in crimson red gi. The two-stood poised, reclaiming their breath while examining the others wounds.
"You look tired Zed…need a nap?" The words laced with venomous satire, as Akali stood her ground, grip firm but relaxed on her weapons as she braced for any sudden attacks.
"Amusing" Was all the ninja in red replied with, tone low and ominous. Suddenly, tbe
blade of a shadow swung from behind Akali as she narrowly escaped into her twilight shroud. The male paused and snarled with frustration. "Your feeble attempts only delay the inevitable Akali." He hissed, blades at the ready for the moment the female would strike from her cover. Zed swallowed hard, even with the power of his forbidden techniques, there was still reason to exercise caution against the dynamic trio and Akali was no exception. Her lightning fast reflexes and agility culminated her to a tenacious prey. However, the master of shadows had planned for this and as his burning red gaze scanned the shroud, he took a calm breath to regain his composure.
Sure enough, Akali burst forth from the stealth field, a flicker of fury burning behind her focused eyes. They both knew why the hatred existed, it was justified, understandable and even deserved. But even with all of Akali's determination and stoic demeanor, Zed could see the lust for vengeance behind her irises. Dissipating into the shadows themselves, Akali passed straight through the villainous ninja, only to be held at blade point, as Zed gently placed the tip of his steel katar to the nape of her neck. He had deceived her by placing the shadow behind himself, keeping perfectly still as so her gaze could not see past him and reveal it, executed without flaw, the red ninja now stood victoriously over his victim.
"Checkmate Akali, I hold your life in my hands, all you have and will ever be is decided by the will of my blade" The speech filtering through the iron of his mask, a small exhale of exhaustion passing silently, having slightly doubted his ability to finally overcome one of the most revered ninjas' in the remnants of the order.
"End it, there is no greater shame than the mercy of a monster." Akali whispered, voice gently hitching before she repressed any ounce of fear that tried to lurch forward. She was dedicated to her mother's discipline, even to the edge of her own life. A small chuckle broke the quiet, as Zed's laugh echoed through the forest. He expected nothing less from her and yet, the desire to vanquish her had begun to shift.
'No greater shame than mercy' The words ran through his mind over and over and soon enough, depravity encompassed his mind.
"No, you will live and I will teach you a shame far greater than life or death can bestow upon you" Had there not been a mask to shield his face, the twisted pull on his lip would have sickened any who saw it. Eyes narrowing on the woman beneath him, Zed retracted his blade and in one fell swoop, connected his fist to her temple. As the young ninja collapsed, her vision fading, all she could think of was Shen and Kennen. How she would beg of their forgiveness, for what would come to pass.