Chapter 2: Reminiscence
'Akali…'
'Zed…'
The wind would continue to howl against the temple's entrance, loud yet appearing quiet to the two warriors, gazes locked against each other. The both were to be surrounded by the autumn trees, now a variety of yellows and oranges rustling against one another.
As the two stood in a standstill, Zed could notice the tightening of Akali's grip against her weapons handle. The Fist of the Shadow was restraining herself yet her eyes still in deep focus, also noticing Zed's unsheathed blade.
"Why?" the Kinkou assassin spoke.
"His death…? Or yours?" Zed replied, feeling his battle instincts beginning to circulate in his head.
The line was neither in pride or foolish arrogance, but instead a threat to the warrior, however nothing was given except a completely unwavered face. Though as time was, unlike him, very much kind to the women, Zed could only grin and reminiscence.
…
"Faster! Faster I Said!"
The Kinkou's teachers were not be thought of as the 'supportive encourager' type of trainer you'd find for kids of Demacian Nobility. Frankly speaking, they were incredibly strict. The teachings being a balance between all, had resulted in neither cruelty or kindness, the main policy being discipline through all practices.,
Zed was still a young man at the time, training in a harder regimen than most his age. He was to be exclusively taught by the head, alongside Shen, him being his father. However, never would Zed imagine, the man there for most of his childhood, would be the man he were to murder.
Every so often, amidst the corners of the room would consistently harbour another assassin. Zed couldn't really pinpoint her identity at first, the student abusing the darkness of the dojos walls seemingly invisible, her eyes glaring attentively at their trainings. This young girl, was Akali, whom only had been a few years younger than the two.
Akali had a huge admiration for Shen. Though never speaking out about it, the look in her eyes that Zed were to see we're one that idolized his brother-in-arms. Noticing this more than often, the young Zed would often tease Shen about this whom appeared oblivious; an occasional knock on his shoulder and giving a specific glance would always seem to lift his spirits up during the tough times of training.
At the time, Zed was truly happy.
…
The mood was still tense between the two fighters. Both graduates of the Order, both skilled in their own styles, yet both having different ideals. The orange-autumn leaves continued to fall against the floors of the temple, much-like the blood stains, all those years ago.
"Not the answer I wished for," Akali relented with a sigh. "Though. I will take pleasure in choking it out of you!"
Leaping at an intense speed Akali raised her Kama in line of Zed's head-guard, the other held behind her cutting the wind with its blade. Zed could only grin. A straight forward tactic is going to get you anywhere, Akali, he thought, tilting his body at the last second just to mock her advance. Though Zed were to be underestimating the Fist of the Shadow.
Arrogantly leaning against one foot - not retaining a battle stance whatsoever - a singular Kama were to be sent flying towards him spinning. Assassin's Mark. Without hesitation though, Zed would pull back his already extended blade, and proceed to knock the weapon against his own.
A standstill erupted between the two, neither giving a second glance. Backs facing each other, sound only to be heard by the wind gliding through the leaves.
"I see you've learned some new tricks." he uttered, slowly turning to face her.
"The order doesn't just wait around." Akai smirked, catching the ricocheting Kami with ease and doing the same.
Both grinned.
"HURAGH!"
Charging again, she held both blades to her side this time, proceeding to somersault over Zed's head and recite a phrase. Twilight Shroud.
The air soon became thin around Zed. A faint violet colour began to erode around the Master of Shadows. He was already all too familiar with the ability from the previous fights... Only. It was far worse.
Kamas began ricocheting of all directions in matters of split seconds.
Deflecting them as he did previously, now using his two blades, he could only see the Kinkou assassin when she danced in and out of the shadows, trying to find an opening that were to quickly end his life. As Zed's patience was beginning to thin, it suddenly stopped.
"PWOOSH", the fight ended.
…
"As much as it'd be enjoyable going on with this," Akali preached, returning her Kamas to their handles. "Mission comes first as always."
Silence soon erupted between the two. Zed would let out a breath through his helmet, though never ceasing it to let it show on his face. The irritation on just how much she had grown, how much she had actually put him on the spot. It worried Zed as he truly underestimated Akali, along with the threat the Kinkou now posed based on their battle.
Sswiftly retracted his metal sabre to his pairing gauntlet, the metal amplified clink-sort-of sound.
"What is it you wish to tell me, Akali…?" the man uttered, the soles of his boots continuing to scab the pavement floors.
"Shen."
The word cut off all wavering thoughts.
"Shen what...?" he preached, feeling an uneasiness crawl up his spine.
"He wishes to talk to you once again like to old days…"
...
Author Note: Man, I know I suck at writing, and the main thing I struggle with is making stories longer, kinda ironic being the concept of this to be a short story. Right now the tip I've been told is too "visualise being there, and over analyse anything I saw". I have a high admiration for authors that can create huge descriptive stories, yet not so long as to make it boring or just a dictionary of adjectives. Anyway, thankyou and I'm out.
- TwinDisciplines