I got bored, so I stopped writing for about 2-2 and a half weeks. That's all there is to it. Also this chapter was a bitch to write.
All 4000 words of it.
Enjoy
"Hey Shen."
"What is it?"
"Do you get the feeling something bad is about to happen?"
Around the Kinkou temple the afternoon sky was obscured by thick black clouds, and the wind was picking up speed and sending waves closer and closer to the top of the cliffs.
"It certainly looks like it will rain soon."
"That's not what I meant! Don't you think at least the weather just seems a little unusual?"
"Kennen, you're being paranoid. Go for a run around the island or something."
"But….Fine. Lightning Rush!"
Rapidly leaving Shen behind, Kennen built up speed and soon was flying along the cliffs towards the forested end of the island, until suddenly seeing something out of the corner of his eyes, he stopped dead in his tracks. A small boat hardly big enough to fit five people lay on the beach.
I didn't know we used this beach for sailing.
Come to think of it I didn't think we used this boat for sailing either….
An invasion.
And there's only one place on the island where invaders can hide.
Without even glancing back towards the temple, Kennen darted into the thick canopy of the forest, before easily climbing as far away from the ground as he could. As he paused at the top of one of the thick tree branches, a noise suddenly rang out for a split second from deep somewhere deeper within the forest.
Well that was almost too easy. There has to be a catch.
Silently scurrying between the tree tops in the direction of the noise, Kennen arrived deep in the heart of the now completely silent forest.
The noise came from somewhere around here….
Waiting for the invaders to show themselves, Kennen heard rustling directly below him and nearly fell off the tree branch in shock.
I can't see them. Where are…
As he stared intently a group of men leapt out of the nearby trees dressed entirely in black and red and landed on the forest floor below him without making a single noise.
Well that…..was impressive. These Noxians are better than I thought they would be.
The largest of the men, who resembled the tree he had jumped out of and appeared to even dwarf Shen began to speak, his voice muffled due to the metal mask he was wearing.
"We've been summoned. Return!"
Perfect.
Completely obscured by tree branches, Kennen began to follow the warriors further into the forest.
I miss you.
You never really smiled or showed emotion but somehow, I still found you compassionate and loving. You taught me everything there was to know, and you were always there for me when I needed you. You helped me find the path that was meant for me, and you made sure I never let go.
I miss you, mother.
The sudden death of Akali's mother a few months ago had been a shock to everyone on the island, and had left Akali as the de-facto head of the Kinkou, which was more of a title than anything else due to their self-imposed isolation. At least the Institute of War attempts to solve our problems. But in the meantime that leaves us to…..not much.
"How's the tree?"
"Alive, as always."
As Akali had quickly realised she had no idea where her mothers grave should be placed they had placed it under the largest and most well kept tree on the island, only a few yards away from the temple itself.
"Have you seen Kennen anywhere?"
"No. Why?"
"We were walking around the island and he ran ahead of me 45 minutes ago. Are you sure he's not back yet?"
"Maybe he's found something interesting to o do?"
"By himself? For 45 minutes? With his attention span?"
"Good point. But what do you want me to about it?"
"Just if you see him, tell him I'm talking to my father and I want to talk in about an hours time."
"Good luck…."
"Hmph."
Returning to her meditation, it suddenly occurred to Akali she couldn't remember the last time Kennen wasn't 15 minutes early for something.
And now he's late…..he must have found something really interesting.
Hovering directly above a group of 15 assassins that were all armed to the teeth, Kennen was listening to the group conversation as intently as possible. He had been worried the invaders would set up a clearing at the very least to serve as a camp, but instead….there was just more forest. And 10 other assassins that appeared to be sparring ruthlessly. He had been about to leave then but one of the assassins had mentioned a plan. And that didn't leave him a lot of other options.
"Why are we still waiting!"
"The Master's plan needs to work completely. We cannot have setbacks or failures."
"This is stupidly complicated."
"Do you want to have your head on a stick!?"
"He's not here now, is he?"
"That's what the last person said!"
"He's away. Finishing his plan. So we wait."
Plan? Finish?
"And then, when he returns…we strike. Fear the shadows!"
"Fear the shadows!"
Time to go.
Chik.
In the next split second after Kennen took a step forward he was shocked to find that he had made noise, and more shocked to find that what he had stepped on definitely didn't look remotely like a tree.
It actually looks like some sort of mechanism. ?
But who would put something like this in a tree?
Unless
FU-
Somehow, Akali found she had managed to actually sink into a trance while meditating instead of just sitting with her eyes shut, which was usually quite impressive.
Finally, a good day where I can sit here, let my mind take me wherever I please….
The sun was shining ferociously as she found herself standing in the centre of the bustling Placidium marketplace. Looking around in amazement she revelled in the noise and the smells surrounding her, in relief at finally escaping the island that had held her for so long.
As she stood there simply taking in every sensation, a child's voice rang out clearly in her direction, "Mummy!"
Unsure why she was paying attention, when the girl ran up to her and grabbed her hand Akali simply stood there completely stunned for a split second. .
"I found something. Can you look at it! Please?!"
After staring at the child for a few seconds she found herself replying nearly automatically.
"If you insist…."
"It's this way!"
As the child practically dragged her along Akali tried to figure out who the father possibly could be. The child's hair was a deep brown except too short for a ponytail and her eyes were a piercing green. ild stopped pulling her and as Akali looked up found herself staring at ly escaping the island that had held her doe
If the father's Shen I'm fucked.
Maybe one of the students…
No that's embarrassing. It has to be imaginary. I'm never going to live this down…..
Eventually the child stopped pulling her and as Akali looked up found herself staring at an enormous dragon nearly 20 feet long and 6 feet high.
"I don't think we can get you that sweetie…"
"But Irie said I can! Don't you Irie?"
Who on earth is…
Then a soft and feminine voice sang out from behind her and Akali turned around in shock. This doesn't make sense!
"Come on sweetie…just this once we can get something for our daughter, hmm? Or do you need persuasion?"
Suddenly she felt Irelia's warm arms around her neck, pulling her in and then, Irelia was making out with her as hard as she could…..
Aaaaaaa-
Frantically pulling herself away from Irelia, Akali woke up and nearly fell over backwards. .
"SHIT!"
She sat up again, finding her body as stiff as a board and that she was blushing furiously.
What the…
The fuck….
"What the fuck is wrong with me?! That didn't…."
Standing there confused and panicked she found even more blood rushing to her head.
I haven't thought about her for years!
Am I….
No. That wasn't even romantic! That was just…..terrifying.
Vivid memories that had been suppressed after a year of hopeful waiting suddenly re-entered her mind.
I'm supposed to have forgotten about her! I want to be able to have forgotten about her!
I gave up thinking about her 5 years ago and it still happens!
Why does it still happen damnit!
"Akali!"
"Shen! What's…."
Shens usually blank face had been completely replaced with nothing but rage.
"With me, now!"
"What's going on?"
"We've been attacked!"
"What do you mean, attacked?"
"An assassin was just seconds away from killing my father. I managed to get in the way but whoever it was escaped into the woods."
Noxians.
"Do you think that's got something to do with…"
"I hope not. Go and look in the woods for Kennen. I'm going to track the assassin down."
"Are you insane?! You want him to assassinate you as well?"
"Don't. Question. Me. Just go!"
Too concerned for Kennen's safety to argue any further, Akali sprinted into the forest.
Sprinting through the forest pathway just slow enough to see where she was going, Akali somehow managed to keep herself upright and look around for Kennen at the same time. The forest itself just seemed to be a passage of blurs around her but she knew, hoped that Kennen wouldn't have left the path and that she would find him any second now.
"Kennen!"
I'm never going to be able to find him at this rate! I need to move faster!
"Kennen! Ken-"
Suddenly a jet-black shuriken flew out from nowhere, just barely missing her shoulder.. Instantly on high alert, she spun around and an assassin dressed in jet black sprinted out of the trees straight towards her. Reacting instantly she threw one one of her kamas, and as he was just about to get into range to attack her.
Shadow dance!
Thud.
Picking up her Kansa she inspected the body in front of her.
Some sort of mask, male, shuriken, bladed gauntlets…Well built…lithe…and Ionian?
That's strange.
"Interesting."
Two assass- Barely registering the rest of the thought, she turned to see another assassin behind her with a far larger and more detailed mask than the first standing there rather nonchalantly. She began to eye him off for a strike only to find he didn't react at all.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Mwahahahahahahaha…."
"Tell me or I'll strike you down!"
"You actually don't remember who I am?!"
In one swift movement the mask obscuring the assassins face fell to the ground, leaving Akali speechless.
"…No…"
"Yes…that's right. You abandoned me. The entire order abandoned me! But now I've come back to show everyone darkness truly is more powerful!
"I…I'm going to KILL YOU!"
"That's right…let the darkness consume your mind your fear and anger cold your judgement!"
"You killed Kennen!" The fact that the whole forest could hear them wasn't bothering Zed in the least, assuming that the Zed she was aware of still existed.
"I haven't killed him, I simply humiliated him….for now."
"What the FUCK is that supposed to mean?"
In response Zed smiled at her as if he had been waiting for this moment in the conversation.
"Join us Akali…use your talents for the power of Shadow or Kennen dies!"
"How do I know you're not lying?"
"You don't. Unless you follow me."
Here's only one option where I can be certain of keeping Kennen alive
As Akali finished thinking she realised there was complete silence.
"Well?'Are you going to take me to Kennen?"
"You've decided well."
"Fuckhead."
In response, Zed simply sneered at her.
"Soon you shall realise the truth of the Shadow Order."
As Akali entered the camp, the first thing she noticed was that Zed was taking the Shadow Order very seriously. At least 20 members seemed to be hovering around the camp dressed entirely in black and red and avoiding any eye contact with her.
This group is nearly half the size of our own Order.
AHow did he find so many people?
"Recruiting people to the dark side is so easy. Everyone has thoughts of revenge, deceit, pride. And once I have what I need I intend to show everyone that this is the case."
Akali looked around at the nonexistent campsite."Some camp you've got here."
"The bare essentials are required as my recruits obey my every word. I am stronger and faster than they will ever be and I kill those who disagree with me."
"You're a monster."
"And you are an assassin, who kills anyone she's told to. Hypocrisy is, and always will be, the greatest of all evils."
As she finished viewing the campsite she warily pointed a karma at Zed.
"Where's Kennen?!"
"Open the bag."
"You can't keep Kennen inside a bag."
"You can if you use negatron."
"You fuckers thought ahead for this."
Opening the bag herself, she quickly ducked to avoid the yordle she anticipated would come flying at her face but instead he flew directly at Zed, who was now surrounded by ninjas.
"I'm going to kill you!"
"Kennen, stop!"
"A-Akali? What are you…?"
"She came here so she could join the true ninja order!"
"I came here to save you!"
Kennen who was clearly about to explode with rage at this point snarled directly at Zed.
"I'm not going to let you fuckers get away with this!"
"Unless you want to both die there isn't any other option. And besides I'm sure you can always find a better replacement for her somewhere."
Rushing forwards, Akali began to restrain Kennen with one arm, while holding both Karma's in the other.
"Kennen….leave it. Because I'm not joining them anyway."
Zed's expression changed so little she was beginning to wonder if he was hearing what she was saying, but she continued anyway.
"This isn't a new order of the ninjas. This is a group of murderers! You say that everyone is just like you but you've long lost the only things that matter. And if I have to fight all of you at once, so be it."
"Suicide instead of admitting to the darkness within you? Surely it would be easier to admit to you hidden emotions, to admit that what you call balance is nothing of the sort! Why can't you just accept the truth?"
When Akali opened her mouth she wasn't even remotely surprised to hear Shen speaking as well as herself as he teleported himself in next to her. .
"Because it's a small island."
"Every single ninja can see the storm clouds that you happen to be under Zed. It's over."
"I honestly thought the fist of shadow would be interested in learning the I was wrong. Kill them!"
"Kennen, storm front, straight ahead, now!"
"Eat lightning bitches! Kyaaaaaaaah!"
"Akali, wait for my signal!" Shen dashed forwards taking and took several of the men with him, but leaving Akali staring off against two of the largest men she'd ever seen, and completely unafraid of either of them.
"Well, who wants to die first?"
Charging at exactly the same time towards her, the apparent answer they gave was "Both."
So then she vanished.
The two men took a second to realise this and instantly threw their gauntlets out in a circle, the blades flying straight over her head as she flattened herself to the ground.
You want to both die first?
Well I might save you for last then.
"Akali, now!"
Throwing herself at the first of the two men she immediately jumped away as soon as she reached him and headed towards the second.
"One second!"
Doubling back, Shen slammed a Ki strike into the seconds ribs as he tried to counter and Akali flew off unharmed and went towards the third one who was struck by her kamas midair and finished off before he hit the ground.
Looking up she surveyed the rest of them who were all in barely any sort condition to keep going having taken lightning to the face multiple times.
Which was a shame.
She was just getting started.
Idiots.
You give them one job and they fail as soon as you leave.
The barely contained anger Zed felt for his students was rising again and was stronger than he had ever felt it.
Could it be that Akali did not sway as much as I had hoped she would? Did she not see the truth? Maybe she needs to have suffered more to fully understand like I do.
"Master…is something wrong?"
"My plan failed."
"With group C? Well what should we do?"
"Get the other groups! We're going to storm the fucking temple!"
I'll give her something to hate alright.
Staring at the aftermath of the fight Akali couldn't help but wonder if the whole experience had felt a little easy somehow. One quick glance at Kennen indicated he and Shen were definitely thinking the same thing.
"That was way too easy."
"Indeed. The one thing that turned the tide of the fight was the arrival of the other ninjas, but why would Zed not see it coming?"
"He's definitely arrogant enough to not see this coming. But even if he didn't…"
"What?"
"He has to have a larger army on the island. He has to. "
"But we decimated it just then! There's no way that… he can fight us now!"
"He never intended to fight us. The first thing he did was try and exchange Kennen for my obedience and he only tried to kill me when I refused."
"So why bring 15 others onto the island?"
Then realisation struck.
"Who's guarding the temple?"
Complete silence. Then Shen turned and Akali could clearly see the fear in his eyes.
"Back to the temple! NOW!"
"You are beginning to make me lose my patience!"
"Zed, please! Listen to me! I only want to help you as your father!"
"I HAVE NO FATHER!"
Zed's furious yell resonated off the walls of the building and out into the temple's courtyard. His old master, trying to stop him? Wanting Zed to treat him as his father after years of humiliation? The only dignified thing would be to kill the old man here and shut him up, but Zed couldn't rely on anybody else knowing where the box was. Which left him trapped in the temple while his enemies could regroup behind him.
"I implore you then, as your equal! Dedicate yourself to balance, cast off the shadows upon you and destroy the box!"
Barely remaining calm, Zed stopped himself from grabbing the man by the throat as soon as he mentioned the box.
"The box. Show me, where is it?!"
"I knew I could have some faith in you! Come this way and redeem yourself and your followers!"
Barely listening to his former masters meaningless words, Zed signalled hides followers to stay, and silently began to follow him into the heart of the temple.
Sprinting headlong into the temple expecting a battle, Akali found nothing. The entire temple was completely silent.
"Shen…"
"There's nobody here."
"Is this good?"
"Yes. Kennen would be kicking up a storm if something had happened."
"But what on Runeterra is going on? We don't even know what he's thinking."
"Zed?"
"Your father."
"I'm going to look for Kennen. You go after Zed. If you see him, kill him on sight."
"Shen…"
"I'm not taking any risks. He's dangerous and you know your job."
Not about to tell Shen he was missing the point, Akali silently followed Shen through the halls.
"They have to be in the same place right? There would be a lot more noise if they weren't. "
Walking into the main chamber of the temple, Akali suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.
My god….
At least 40 ninjas wearing shades of red and blue had crammed themselves into opposite corners of the room and were staring each other down. The resulting silence was intoxicatingly powerful.
If anything goes wrong this room is going to wind up in fucking chaos. .
As an anguished cry suddenly sounded in the next room every single ninja in the room spun around and faced towards the doorway. Then Zed walked out of the room holding something in his hands and staring straight at Akali. Wordlessly he threw it at Shen's feet and Akali found her gaze drawn towards it as if by magnets.
It was a head.
For the first time in her life Akali saw red and suddenly found herself charging towards Zed, completely unable to stop and absolutely wanting to tear his throat out. .
Zed's mask tilted towards her and in that instant it almost seemed like he was taunting er to attack him.
"KILL THEM! KILL THEM ALL!"
As she grabbed her kama and was ready to cut his throat out Zed vanished and without even stopping to think, she plunged straight into the shadows after him.
Emerging from the shadows she was shocked to find Zed simply looking at her form a few metres awayl
"You killed Shen's father! And for that…I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"If you insist….Behold the mark of death!"
Without any warning Zed suddenly appeared behind her and suddenly two pairs of razor sharp blades were travelling directly towards her. Ducking she leapt at him, only to find herself charging straight through him and sliding to a halt as a shuriken pierced her arm.
Staring him down she was suddenly surprised when another real gauntlet slammed into her side, as Zed suddenly reappeared behind her, followed by an explosion that left her barely on her knees.
"You honestly thought you could beat the master assassin?! Now behold as I finish my training and become a true warrior of shadow!"
Akali was pretty much only conscious at this point due to raw desire to see Zed in pain.
"Don't count on it."
Desperately, she threw a Kama at Zed, which somehow landed. Then she leapt at Zed hoping to survive using pure willpower only for Zed to simply grip her by the throat.
Struggling, she tore herself out of his grasp and grunted as she landed heavily on something.
She looked at what she had landed on in slight amusement.
The box. And I think I might have broken it somehow. That's ironic.
Zed simply stated at her in astonishment before grabbing her by the neck again.
"What have YOU DONE?!"
Looking around at the wreckage of the box Akali realised she couldn't see anything the box actually contained, other than presumably some sort of smoke pellet. A thick cloud of black smoke had emerged from the box and only seemed to be getting larger and more irritating by the second.
"There's nothing here fuckhead. All you effort, all your desires for the box and there's nothing in it but smoke!"
"How dare you speak like that! I am better than you'll ever be and I will not tolerate this!"
The smoke that was in the box seemed to be turning the whole surroundings completely black at this point, leaving Akali to wonder if Zed could see it too.
Finding it harder to think….All I can think about is Irelia…
Sensing someone else sprinting towards her she tried desperately to bring herself out of her stupor in time, before Shen suddenly ran out of nowhere and knocked Zed to the ground.
"Akali, evacuate now!"
As soon as Shen gave her the order and started sprinting towards the cliffsAkali's energy band focus somehow skyrocketed. Nearing the cliffs Akali couldn't see any of the Kinkou or the order which had to be either a good or a terrible sign.
"How many boats are left?"
"There aren't any! Just jump!"
Jump!? Just jump!?
Turning around Akali saw another ten shadow ninjas sprinting towards them.
"We need to engage!"
"The islands lost! I'll meet you at the Placidium!"
Oh you have got to be joking...
As she looked towards the edge of the cliff a strange form of adrenaline gripped her. Without even bothering to consider the height of the cliff and putting blind faith in Shen's orders she pushed herself as far off the cliff as she possibly could….
And then there was nothing but air.
"Master. Is something wrong…."
"The box. It was supposed to all be mine!"
"The Kinkou escaped and took the boats with them. We have no way off the island."
"IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ALL MINE!"
"Master?"
"…Well build more boats then, IDIOT!"
"…"
"So we have succeeded?"
"Yes."
"Apologies. I'm finding it hard to think clearly, presumably due to some after effects."
"Of the container?"
"Indeed
When he boats are finished, I will travel to Ionia and find the Fist of Shadow.
I have to find how much she took me and take it back.
By any means necessary.