The rain continued to fall as Shen, Akali and Kennen walked up the road towards the Institute of War. They had travelled through Ionia for three days. Shen had over a dozen thoughts passing through his mind at once, but he was mainly thinking about Akali. He didn't know what to feel for her, but he was the Eye of Twilight, who is supposed to be free of emotions. He thought to himself, "Will i dare to disturb the balance and law by denying my destiny and falling for her?" He glanced at her, she was walking with her head down, completely quiet. The silence was almost unbearable. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the bushes around them rustling. The trio drew their weapons and prepared for combat as a group of Zed's "Shadow Ninjas" jumped out of the bushes and surrounded them. Shen threw quick glances at Kennen and Akali, gesturing them commands. They both nodded and went off to fight the Ninjas.

Shen firmed his grip on his swords as he walked towards the four shadow ninjas before him. One of the ninjas charged at Shen, his sword raised above his head and swung down at Shen. Shen sidestepped, dodging the blow, and lunged at the ninja's heart. The ninja groaned as Shen's sword pierced his chest. Shen removed the sword from the ninja's chest and turned to fight off another ninja. The ninja parried every blow that Shen made but he was no match for him. The ninja made a wide swing for Shen's head, but Shen ducked and slashed his sword across the ninja's stomach. The ninja grunted as he fell to the ground.

Shen turned around quickly enough to see the third ninja running at him, ready to strike. Shen quickly rolled to the side so he was behind the ninja. Shen gripped the sword in his right hand and stabbed it into the ninja's back. He pulled the sword out of the ninja's back and pushed him face-first into the ground. Shen turned and quickly blocked the fatal blow that was about to made to him. He forced the ninja off him and stood up straight. The ninja prepared himself and ran at Shen, gripping his sword in both hands, and lunged at Shen. Shen barely managed to step out of the way and quickly swung at the ninja. The ninja blocked it and their swords locked. Before Shen could react, the ninja drew a dagger from the sheath on his back and stabbed it into Shen's right shoulder. Shen grunted in pain as the ninja grinned behind his black mask. Shen quickly raised his sword and lunged it into the ninja's neck. The ninja fell backwards as Shen removed his sword from the ninja's throat. He then remembered the dagger that was in his shoulder.

Shen sheathed his swords and gripped on the dagger in his shoulder. With great pain, he pulled the dagger out of his shoulder, blood slowly dripping down his armour from the wound. He looked at the dagger closely. It had crossed swords on the hilt, with what looked like Zed's mask behind them. Shen grunted in disgust and dropped the blade on the ground. He turned his head and walked over towards his comrades, both were covered in blood. Shen suddenly felt dizzy and put a hand on his forehead. Akali noticed this and rushed forward towards him.

"Shen! Are you alright?" She asked with a worried expression on her face.

"Akali... i..." Shen said before feeling himself fall to the ground, and hearing Akali and Kennen shout his name, fell into unconsciousness.

Shen felt himself slowly wake up and put a hand on his forehead. He threw quick glances around the tent, making sure where he was. He sat up and sighed, opening his eyes. He looked down at his bare chest and saw a bandage going across his chest and over his shoulder. There was dried blood on the bandage. He felt strange without his armour on. He stood up and walked outside of the tent, to where Akali and Kennen were sitting next to a campfire. They heard him approach and stood up. They turned around and looked at him. Akali gasped, for she had never seen Shen without his mask on before. He was a quite handsome man, with black spiked hair and light stubble. The enchantment on his eyes was gone, and Akali could see bright blue eyes on his face. She wondered why he even wore his mask in the first place.

"Ah, Shen. You're awake." Akali said with a smile.

"It's about time." Kennen told him, grinning. "We thought you were gonna sleep forever.

"I see." Shen responded. "Come on, we should get moving. We can't be far behind Zed." he said with a slight smile.

The trio gathered up the camp and continued down the road towards the city, containing the docks they needed to get into Valoran and into the institute of War. Akali approached Shen's side as he was walking and glared at him. He glanced at her and then focused his attention back to the road. She had never felt this way about anyone before. It confused her.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest a bit? You aren't going to be able to fight very well with the wound." Akali told him, frowning with concern.

"If i stop now, Zed will get too far ahead of me." He paused, pulling the cloth shirt he always wore under his armour over his head and straightening it. " He has to pay for what he's done." He told her as he buckled on his armour. Akali noticed a somewhat hint of sadness in his voice. She continued walking beside him in silence. How sad he must be, she thought to herself. His life had not been a good one, forced to train everyday to become the Eye of Twilight. Then, watching his own father get tortured right in front of him. Now his father was gone, killed by his own brother, Zed. She suddenly had a thought pass into her mind. "Are you sure about this?" Akali asked him, in barely more than a whisper.

"Sure about what?" Shen replied.

"Zed. Are you sure about killing him? Maybe there's another way."

Shen froze halfway through putting on his bracer. He sighed as he looked down at his feet. "Was he sure about this? Was killing his own brother really the answer?" No, if he showed Zed mercy, then he would receive none. If he let Zed live, Zed would kill him. He turned his head and looked at Akali.

"To be honest, i hadn't really thought about it." He paused, finishing the straps on his bracer. "I guess i don't want to kill him, i mean, he's my brother. But what he did... is unforgivable. And he won't hesitate to kill me. We must defeat him if we are to restore the balance."

"I... i understand Shen, and whatever you do, i'll support you." Akali told him with a smile.

"Thank you, Akali." He replied, smiling back at her, and turned his attention down the road, where the city was in sight. They continued down the hill towards the city, Where the ship to cross the sea to where The Institute of War was waiting.