So guys, there's good news and bad news.
Bad news first: I have to apologize for forcing another retcon onto you. My brain was really set on somehow bringing Akali back into this, even though I knew very well in advance it didn't make any sense. I didn't know how I would make it work, so I just waited for the next chapter until I'd worry about it. Then, come that next chapter, I had absolutely no idea how to make Akali's presence have any reason or relevance, so, I rewrote the end of chapter 10. I hope it doesn't upset you too much, but if it does, please write: "OMG ThePriest y u have no control over your writing pls git gud you nooblord."
(Also University is really timeconsuming so no idea how frequently I will update.)
Good news: he's finally here, the OC nobody asked for but the one you got anyway, the first real bossfight, the Rawest of Thorns. Everything I've been building up to these past few chapters comes to a climax here, and I hope it was worth the journey. Do let me know in the comments below whether you liked it, and don't be shy to tell me if you didn't.
Enjoy your irregulary scheduled anime.
"Fine then. I suppose there is no point in pretending anymore. From the moment I saw you, I knew what you were, follower of Zed."
That was the first time in… honestly, he couldn't really remember the last time this had happened at all, that Kayn heard those words spoken in a tone that did not immediately scream resentment and lead straight into a fight. In fact, the man had said it in a way that seemed almost hopeful, like he'd been anticipating one of theirs to arrive. He had been hiding something alright, but this was a surprise of a different kind.
However, it would be foolish to just accept the situation without further caution though. For all he knew, it could be a farce, a trap to make him drop his guard, and Kayn would tread carefully. There had been enough trouble on the way to Teko'an, and he did not fancy another unwanted surprise.
"What makes you think I'm one of Zeds acolytes?" he asked.
The old man's brows furrowed. "I may be growing older, my friend, but my eyes can still see those tattoos on your arm just fine. I know not why you bandage yourself in such a way, but if it was to hide the mark of the shadows, then you were extremely sloppy."
Almost reflexively, Kayn laid his bandaged left hand on the opposite arm. It was true, the shadowy lines in his flesh were bared for all to see, but few knew their true purpose, or even their origin. It explained how he'd been figured out, but there was still more behind all of this, he could tell.
"Not many can see these tattoos for what they truly are… I wonder how you know of them?"
The man opened his mouth to respond, but he was cut off by a woman exiting the building besides them. Looking like she was in her late twenties, her sleeves were rolled up to reveal strong arms.
"Ah, Jiji, you're finally here!" she greeted the coachman, her tone slightly mocking, "And you've gotten all of the wares we needed to boot. That's not something you see every day." Halfway through climbing onto the cart to unload the cargo, her eyes fell onto Kayn. "Oh, who's this? And, more importantly, what are you doing picking up strangers like this?"
The old man, apparently named Jiji, deflated slightly at the questions throw at him by the newcomer.
"He's a friend, Ohna." He spoke, audibly annoyed. "And for that matter, I can bring whoever I want. This is my place after all."
The woman shot him a disappointed look, but made off into a small warehouse carrying one of the heavy crates. Jiji sighed as she left earshot.
"Come, follow me. I shall explain myself."
The man headed for the main building lining the courtyard, motioning for Kayn to follow. The ninja wasn't entirely sure if it was a wise move to just trust the stranger like this, but then again, he sensed no malicious intent from these people, who did not seem to have any connections to Noxus. They didn't pose any danger to him physically anyway, so he shrugged and headed inside.
Following Jiji through the building, Kayn noticed a slight hobble in the man's steps that became apparent only now, when he was actually walking. It was a strange thing to take note of, but the ninja's eyes were trained to discover weaknesses in targets, and such a thing was immediately of interest. He filed it away for later as the two arrived at their destination.
"Come in, please." Jiji told him, before opening the door into what appeared to be a small dojo. Square in shape, the floor was covered by the sort of mats you'd usually find in a dojo, and opposite the entrance sat a small shrine. In the center of the shrine, a metal crest decorated with ribbons of cloth hung on the wall, and below that, a katana rested within an ornate weapon rack.
Jiji lowered himself into a meditative seat unlike one Kayn would use himself, and patted the ground invitingly. When the ninja remained standing a distance behind him, he sighed.
"You want to know how I have knowledge of your shadow arts… this is how." the old man asked, before plucking the katana from its resting place.
"I'm afraid I'm not quite following you." Kayn responded, tensing up as the other man carefully drew the blade out a fraction.
"I fought in the war, young assassin." Jiji told him as he inspected the weapon. "My dojo preached peace and balance, while Noxus stood at our door. I would not let them ravage my homeland, and so I took my blade and fought the invaders alongside others who shared my sentiments. Once or twice, I would encounter this group of people, who preached war and wielded a strange new magic, bending the shadows to their will."
"Master Zed." Kayn spoke quietly. Jiji nodded.
"Yes. While I consider your methods to be extreme sometimes, the Order of Shadows fights for Ionia wherever it can, while the so-called great protectors like the Kinkou stand by and watch us suffer under Noxian occupation."
The old man huffed in displeasure
"Down here, our beautiful Ionian coast is in the Empires iron grip, and our great spiritual leaders haven't raised a single finger! The Stewards of Noxus are slowly choking the life out of our country…" A chuckle escaped Jiji's lips. "Heh, I'd do the bastards in myself if I could. Unfortunately, while I racked up a sizable kill count in my time, the Noxians eventually got me in the end."
He motioned for his right leg, and Kayn could finally see where the limp from earlier had come from: the old man's leg was severed just below the knee, where it was replaced by a prosthesis made of wood. Jiji followed the ninjas eyes to his artificial limb, and laughed dryly.
"I used to be the bane of my enemies with that sword… now I'm an invalid growing old while he peddles wares to those who suffer under the Empires grip. Don't get me wrong, supporting Ionia's resistance is good work, but I'd rather rid us of the problem myself."
The man's words resonated with Kayn. Few thinks irked him more than those Ionian's who refused to see reason in spite of the horrible destruction that their country had faced at the hands of Noxus, and finding someone that shared his sentiments was refreshing. Approaching the old man carefully, Kayn laid a hand on his shoulder in a sympathetic gesture.
"I know the feeling all too well. That is why I am here."
He received a look of almost disbelieving wonder in return.
"Is it true? Has the Order finally come to liberate us?"
"Well…" Kayn begun, before Jiji's expression made him falter. Strictly speaking, he was only here for Rawthorn. Zed had ordered him to infiltrate the city, to stake out Rawthorn's actions and plans, and to kill him if possible. 'Take you time' he'd told Kayn, 'do not rush anything, and do not get yourself killed with reckless action'. But now, as he saw the hope on this man's face, he made up his mind. Rawthorn was his priority, but was there any harm in letting another dirty Noxian bite the dust along with him? It was two birds with one stone.
"Yes, that is why I'm here. I've come to gather intel, and then dispose of their leaders. Though I have a question in return, if you will."
Jiji looked at him incredulously, but nodded his approval.
"Do you know of the Noxian named Rawthorn? He is a priority target, besides the Steward of course."
"Rawthorn?" Jiji pondered. "Yeah, ever since that bastard arrived, strange things have been happening in the city. Something is definitely brewing here. But the man hasn't left the fortress since he came here. How will you deal with him?"
Kayn smiled viciously. "If I know he's inside that fortress, then I will just go in there and kill him."
"Kill Rawthorn… in the fortress? By yourself? Are you daft? They have an entire army regiment stationed there!"
"You don't know me, old man. This is my sort of work. They will not see me coming until it is too late."
He received a look of disbelief, before Jiji shook his head. "Very well then, I will not stop you. Know this: if you need any kind of assistance, or a hideaway, our doors are open for you."
Kayn nodded. "I'll keep it in mind."
After two days of careful consideration, Kayn finally approached the fortress, blended in with the crowd of workers heading towards their workplaces. His reconnaissance showed that at night, the fortress was on lockdown entirely, so he decided to go during the day, when he could infiltrate the complex hidden in the turmoil of the construction work.
From what he'd been told, the fortress had initially been more of a makeshift fortification, before the Noxians had slowly turned it into what it was today. The structure itself was composed of a main building in the center, a large, monumental colossus that was erected on top of a rocky formation, surrounded by a single wall that was shaped like a star, with three 'spikes' jutting out as the stars arms. At the base, a new, larger wall-circle was now being constructed alongside a whole new slough of buildings. Kayn noted with ire that the pattern of Noxian architecture upon an Ionian foundation was continues well into this new section.
It certainly wasn't as large as the Immortal Bastion, not by a long shot (though Kayn's memory of the capital was hazy at best), but it was still impressive.
Weaving through the crowd as they passed through the construction site, the ninja looked for an opportune moment before he phased into the inner wall. Ascending through the masonry, he exited on top, careful to remain hidden in the shadows as the first guards passed by. Diving into one of their shadows, he let himself be transported across the parapet, before sneaking across a connective archway and into the main building.
Being on the lower levels, soldier activity was still exceedingly high. Rhaast went wild as he described in particular detail how he'd like to slaughter all of the Noxians present, and while Kayn fancied the idea of crippling their forces like that, he knew he was just a tad outnumbered. Instead, he kept to the darkness, dashing behind backs and phasing through walls.
All that was left was to find out where he needed to go. It was a given that the higher-ups would be, well higher up, but Kayn didn't exactly have the freedom to knock on every door and see if he was right. He set himself up for an ambush in a dark, uncrowded corridor, and seeing a lone servant scurry by, the ninja dove out of the wall and locked the man into an iron grip. In the dim light, Kayn saw the man was a Noxian. Perfect.
"As of this moment, you are already dead." He hissed in the man's ear. The servant froze in his grasp almost immediately. Good." Now, I am looking for someone. Tell me where I can find the Steward and Commander Rawthorn, and I'll make your death painless."
He removed his hand just enough for the servant to speak, who responded in a shaky voice. "They are both… in a meeting with their advisors, in the hall at the top of the fortress… take the stairs up ahead…"
Kayn considered the statement for a moment.
"This is more than you deserve."
With a clean *SNAP* the ninja twisted the man's neck, and his victim went limp. Not wanting to leave any evidence, he dumped the body in a small side room.
"Aw, no blood? How boring." Rhaast commented.
Kayn chuckled. "Don't worry, we are getting there soon enough."
Following the servants directions, the ninja ascended the staircase, which led him into a small antechamber. In regular intervals, protrusions extended from the walls, leading up into the arches that supported the stone vaulting, and Kayn hid inside the shadow of the pillar to his left. Up ahead, two guards flanked a set of large double doors, their postures stiff and eyes attentive. Their armor was marked with the three indentations of the Trifarian Legion, confirming the importance of whoever they were guarding. Their tenacity in keeping watch was admirable, but while their gazes were fixed on the room before them, they had no idea of what awaited inside the walls.
A few tense moments later, two heads rolled upon the stone floor, severed in one clean stroke by the Darkin scythes blade. Rhaast's eye glowed in apparent joy at being coated in blood, and Kayn couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate the flawless execution. But it was just the prelude to the larger bloodbath which was about to commence.
Taking a deep breath to steady his focus, Kayn entered the wall separating him from his target. True to the servant's words, four distinct silhouettes were visible inside the hall, one of them burning far brighter than the rest in the fashion that only magic users possessed. That must've been Rawthorn, and one of the others had to be the Steward. There was no doubt he'd be able to kill them all, but he needed to do so quickly, before the Noxian mage could retaliate.
Their voices reached his ears through the distortion of his magic, muffled and warbled, as if heard through water.
"… will not spare more warmasons for your absurd little project, Rawthorn." A voice of authority spoke, and Kayn realized this must be the local Steward.
The burning silhouette responded. "I'm afraid you have no choice. I've told you before, Khorak, I come per special decree of the Trifarix council, and their order's will be executed, whether it suits your whims or not."
Kayn could see the Steward slam his hands onto the table.
"You don't understand! Even if I gave you more spies, you plan a direct incursion on Ionian mainland! We do not have the capacity to risk open war again, not until we have the land firmly in our grasp! Go back to Noxus and tell Swain that our preparations are not completed!"
"I tell you again, my mission will not infringe on your orders in any way. The Trifarians I have brought are handpicked, and will perform with no risk for your integrity. Now, I ask again: will you lend me your assistance?"
Kayn had heard enough, and it was time to end the Noxians quickly. From what he'd seen, he estimated the hall to be too large to reach the silhouettes from within the walls. That was unfortunate. Kayn preferred his targets closer than this, so he could snuff out their lives with an element of surprise, like he'd done just now. Now, he had to cross a significant distance within view of the enemy. It was a gamble, but if anyone could defeat the odds, it was him.
"Get ready, Rhaast."
"I'm always ready for carnage."
Alright, here goes nothing.
Dropping his traveling satchel and his cloak to lighten his load, Kayn collected the shadows around him, launched himself out of the masonry, a swath of lethal darkness. The hall he was octagonal in shape, a domed ceiling letting in streams of light through thin windows. Beneath great red banners bearing Noxus emblem, four people stood around a large wooden table, clothed in the ever-loathsome black uniforms of Noxus, their backs turned and heads lowered over papers. Perfect. In the fraction of a second, he calculated every move he needed to make. They wouldn't see or notice him until it was far too late
Without a single sound, he closed the distance to his targets, and severed the first Noxians life along with his head. The man crumpled, without even a chance to scream, and before the body hit the ground, Kayn dove into the Steward's shadow. Almost gleefully, he watched as the assembly realized one of theirs had left the mortal world, and almost immediately, a panic broke out among those present. Rawthorn, still safe from Kayn's grasp due to the large wooden implement between them, made a run for the back of the room. The ninja scoffed. There was no escape for their master, so he'd finish the goons first.
"What in the name of the gods? Call the guards, quick!" the Steward shouted.
How foolish, Kayn chuckled. Your guards are no longer able to help you. He took the opportunity to end this particular life, rising behind the man in his shadow before cleaving him through the chest. A single groan sounded as vital organs were severed, and as the ruler of the city fell to the floor, Kayn dashed forward, breaking into the final man with his Umbral Trespass. Relishing the moment of feeling the Noxians terror and confusion, Kayn allowed himself a ghostly laugh that echoed through the room.
Unfortunately for him, distracted by his gloating, he failed to see that Rawthorn hadn't tried to escape, like he'd initially believed. No, the man had gone to arm himself.
Without any warning, a burst of blindingly bright magic erupted in the room, obliterating the table and engulfing the man who currently housed the ninja. An inhuman howl of agony sounded from the Noxians throat as his flesh was seared, and within, Kayn was subjected to similar agony as the nova of white light began consuming Kayn's shadows. Caught off guard, he attempted to fight the gleaming fire tearing at this magic, but as the stream of light only grew in intensity, his resistance eventually crumbled. With the shadows burned out, Kayn was ejected from his target, crashing down upon the hard, stone floor, his bandages tearing and burning away to reveal his Darkin flesh.
What the… what in Runeterra was that?!
A shrill ringing filled his ears, and colorful spots obscured his vision as pain encompassed his body, but he had no time to indulge in weakness. Gritting his teeth, Kayn dug his hands into the floor and pushed himself back onto his knees. With a few rapid eyeblinks, his vision began clearing just in time to witness his host crumpling to the ground, his clothing burned and flesh charred beyond recognition. Then he raised his head, and finally, properly set sight on the man whose life he had set out to end.
Short, golden hair in a military haircut topped a face that was equally youthful and battle-hardened, out of which two cold, blue eyes glared at the ninja before him. Garbed in the imposing black uniform of a Noxian commander, adorned with various awards, and wielding an ornate black baton, Rawthorn was every bit the tyrant Kayn had pictured in his mind. But that attack… even now, he felt the powerful magic eat at his shadows, lowering his spirits. A light mage. Out of all the things, Rawthorn had to be a light mage, and a powerful one at that!
The man was huffing heavily, the baton in his hand still sparking with the afterglow of his attack.
"Impressive." He grunted in between breaths. "To think I would have to use this much of my power to purge your shadows… most certainly impressive."
Rawthorn straightened himself a little. "On one hand, I feel like I should be angry, considering you managed to make it into the heart of my fortress and even kill a Steward of Noxus in front of me." He took a few deliberate steps towards the downed ninja. "On the other hand, though, I did set all of this up for you shadow ninjas, and you walked straight into my trap, so we are even."
Kayn was still on the ground, huffing equally heavily. Feeling for his weapon with his hand, he panicked a little as he realized that Rhaast had been flung from his grasp in the process. With his magic exhausted, he was reduced to just his bare hands to defend himself against the advancing Noxian, but it was no hindrance to him. He'd wring the man's neck if he had to.
"What are you on about, you bastard?!" Kayn cursed at him, attempting to gather his focus and his magic once more.
"I suppose I can indulge you." The Noxian sneered at him. "I came to Ionia specifically looking for members of the fabled 'Order of Shadows'. Unfortunately, the spy I captured when I arrived here ended his life before we could be properly become acquainted… what a pity. But it only served my purpose."
He threw out his arm in a grandiose, self-celebrating gesture, elation in his voice. "For I knew your twisted master would send more to replace those I killed, and look, just as I predicted, here you are." Coming to a halt besides Kayn, Rawthorn reached out and grabbed him by his hair, twisting the ninjas head to look up at him. Kayn's hand shot out in return, clenching onto the wrist to stop the grip. "So easy to manipulate… now, if you answer my questions to my satisfaction, I might just let you live."
With that, he threw the ninja back onto the floor, and Kayn's breathing hitched as anger and indignation flared through him in response. How dare this filth touch me like this?! he cursed with indignation, but caught himself before he could act out on the impulse. Beyond the rage however, the Noxians words offered a few shocking insights. That's why the information from Teko'an had been so fragmented: one of their spies must have attempted to infiltrate the fortress, only to be discovered and forced to commit suicide. His allies had then escaped to notify Zed, and the Order had sent Kayn to… he realized with faint horror that they had indeed played into the Noxians hands.
Crossing his arms behind his back, Rawthorn now towered above the ninja. "For starters, your Order took something that belongs to Noxus, which is of utmost importance to us. Tell me which one of you rats stole the Darkin weapon sent from Vindor!"
Being forced to grovel at Rawthorn's feet was already upsetting enough, but he would not be interrogated like some lowly prisoner. Stoked by the cold resentment blooming in his chest, Kayn felt the shadows grow stronger again, slowly filling him with new strength. Rawthorn had taken a few well measured steps back, but with the reach of the scythe, he was still within range. All it would take was one strike.
"You want to know who?" Kayn chuckled ominously. "Let me show you!" Extending his hand, he summoned the familiar tendrils of shadow to wrench Rhaast back into his hand, and lunged for the Noxian commander.
"Hold it!" the man shouted, dodging backwards, and with a swing of his baton, chains of light arced towards Kayn, pulling him back to the ground, before turning into a cage of shimmering radiance. Rawthorn's expression, at first a mask of cold dispassion and cruel mockery, widened into a sort of disbelieving joy as he beheld the Darkin weapon in Kayn's hands.
"You… you are the one? You are the one who took the Blade of Millenia?"
The ninja pushed against the transparent cage around him, but to no avail. He needed more time to build strength if he was to free himself, and the chance to gloat over the Noxian was just too opportune.
"Yes, it was I who took the Darkin!" Kayn told the commander with barely hidden malice. "You were fools for thinking a small band of goons would be enough to protect an artifact of this magnitude, and now, I will take the Darkin's power for myself!" But as he spoke, he realized just what the Noxian had revealed to him.
"How… how did you know it was the Order that took the scythe?!"
Rawthorn grinned, seizing the chance to gloat back. "When the artifact that we had uncovered never arrived in Noxus Prime, we went to investigate. Imagine our surprise when, along with the bodies of our men, we found the mangled corpse of one of your fellows, all carrying traces of shadow magic. All it took was some further research, and we had confirmation for our suspicion."
Kayn's eyes widened in shock as he remembered. It cannot be… Nakuri?! But in hindsight, it made terrible sense. That fateful day, when his brother-in-arms had chosen to take a stand against him in the shadow of that Noxtoraa, he'd cut him down… and left him in the fields besides the dead Noxian soldiers.
"Yes, I remember that day." A familiar voice spoke up again, having silently enjoyed the previous bloodbath. "The first blood I had tasted in so long… was that of your own. You always talk of precision and control… the irony."
The ninja paled a little. He'd been told countless times to be diligent with his work, and like Zed had warned him, his sloppiness came back to haunt him.
Rawthorn chuckled at the assassin's expression, a faint, demented grin still gracing his features. Kayn gave him the most poisonous glare imaginable.
"You're astonishingly happy, considering I'm about to end your pathetic existence, and set your plans of invasion back hard, Noxian." He spat.
The Noxian sneered. "The planning of our invasion concerns others. I was sent here for one purpose only, to scour Ionia and retrieve the Darkin weapon. My benefactors even sent a band of Trifarian legionaries to assist me with potential hardships… but since you were generous enough to bring the scythe straight to me, their intervention won't be necessary."
Kayn's mind was racing. Noxus sent it's elite just to find him and take Rhaast back? Someone in their leadership must know of the Darkin's potency if they spent this much to recover the weapon. Perhaps someone who knows more about the Darkin than I do.
"Now then, I've indulged you for long enough." Rawthorn announced. "Let us come to the point. Surrender the weapon to me, and I'll allow you to leave alive with the disgrace of knowing that you attempted to stand against Noxus' might, and failed. Otherwise, certain death awaits."
The ninja scowled. He wouldn't surrender the scythe for anything in the world. This power was his, and he'd rather die than let Noxus have any chance of using it against Ionia. Surprisingly, Rhaast seemed to share the sentiment.
"Who does he think he is?! I've chosen this body, and I will not be taken by this unworthy lowlife!"
"Glad we agree there. You'll be broken by myself, and no-one else!"
"Then end his pathetic life once and for all!"
The weapon in his hands began to tremble, and Kayn felt the scythes power fuel his recovering magic as he began summoning up shadows around him. With grim determination, he readied himself. Time to put an end to this ungodly Noxian filth.
"What will it be?" Rawthorn asked again, impatience in his voice, but Kayn had already made up his mind.
"Over my dead body!"
With a scream of resolve, he unleashed the shadows he'd collected against his cage, thin cracks appearing in the shimmering sheet of magic before it finally shattered, raining shards of light all over the room. Rawthorn recoiled slightly at the display of power, but stood his ground with an expression of determination.
"Very well, then I shall take what is ours by force. Have it your way!"
He wrenched his baton into the air in a violent motion, and around the room's perimeter, streams of shining light erupted upwards, creating an arena of light. With the masonry now coated in magic, it was impervious to Kayn's shadows, trapping him inside with the Noxian. He's locked us in? Fine, this will be much easier if he can't run.
"I admit, I have never truly faced a wielder of your shadow magic in battle." Rawthorn explained, before issuing his challenge with a grand sweep of his arm. "But, even now I can feel its sheer power radiate from you, and I am excited to face a new challenge! Come at me!"
Kayn adjusted his grip on the scythe, and took off towards the Noxian, trying to close the distance for a quick kill. In response, dazzling light began pooling at the tip of the light-mages baton, and a blast of magic was unleashed towards the ninja. Rolling away to the side, Kayn flinched slightly as the projectile exploded behind him in a shower of white radiance. Propelling himself forward, he dodged and shadow shifted past further consecutive blasts, advancing towards the retreating Noxian.
Jumping over another large explosion, Kayn went into an overhead strike, bringing his scythe down on the commander with all his might to cleave him in two. To his shock, a wall of light intercepted his attack, sparking heavily as Rhaast's blade strained against the magic barrier. The Noxian behind the sheet of light stepped forward, and their gazes locked for a moment, Kayn's vicious mismatched eyes burning into the cold blue of Rawthorn. Then the commander swung his baton against the barrier with a savage smile.
The protective spell erupted in Kayn's face, burning him as the fragments of light dissolved against his skin. Attempting to shield his eyes against the blinding radiance, he was defenseless as the next blast hit him straight in the chest, launching him backwards and into one of the radiant walls. He managed to land on his feet, but new pains erupted all over his flesh.
"You disappoint me, boy. You showed such promise, and yet, you are no real threat." Rawthorn taunted, advancing again.
"What are you doing, you idiot?" Rhaast admonished, "Get up and tear him to shreds!"
Pain and anger gnawed at Kayn, stoking the mounting fire of rage that his enemy had enflamed within his chest. Pushing himself to his feet, he was once again teetering on the edge of giving in to the flames that promised him power. But the promise felt hollow, and just in time, Kayn wrenched himself back. These reactions were just Rhaast's power influencing him, he reminded himself, and he would not fall because of a little setback. Whoever lost their composure in this battle first was the one to lose, and he would not falter.
Closing his eyes, he drew deep of the dark well within him, the pain allowing him to channel the magic through his body even more effectively, and further sharpening his focus. Shadows began surrounding him, weaving around and throughout his body, and while it did not make the aches fade, the cold sting of the darkness allowed his mind to push past the limitations of his flesh.
His eyes snapped open, his expression cold and his mind steeled once more, and Kayn went for his enemy again. He saw Rawthorn visibly falter at the display, and relished the insecurity in the Noxian's eyes as he beheld the shadow-wreathed specter. Good, the first crack in the armor.
Adjusting his stance, Rawthorn reopened his barrage of magic blasts, but Kayn, now focused and empowered by his magic, dodged nimbly between each shot. In response, the Noxian began mixing up his assault, throwing a volley of binding spells to immobilize the ninja once more. Rolling past the first two, Kayn swung his scythe into the third, shocking his enemy as the empowered scythe cleaved through the light magic.
Kayn immediately capitalized on the instance of distraction and unleashed a chain of attacks with a dexterity that surprised even himself, forcing Rawthorn on the defensive entirely. All of his energy was now used to create barriers against the never-ending series of strikes from the Darkin scythe, and as he pressed the attack further and further, Kayn felt the magic behind the barriers slowly grow weaker.
Rawthorn might've been powerful in terms of destructive force, but he began showcasing a lack of stamina. Not surprising in light of Noxus war tactics, he was most like used to winning his battles quickly with barrages of heavy attacks, with no thought spent to defending. As the battle drew out, Rawthorn's posture was slowly breaking, and with Kayn advancing closer and closer, all it would take was one tiny mistake in his defense. And true to his intuition, as the ninja led a dash into a full spin with his scythe, Rawthorn finally faltered, his barriers crashing entirely.
There! This is my chance!
The light-mage recoiled just enough to allow for a counter-attack, and Kayn, utilizing the trick he'd perfected since fighting Zed, phased his scythe through the ground to perform a devastating uppercut. With a resounding 'Aaargh!', Rawthorn was thrown back as the Darkin blade slashed through his uniform and ate into his flesh, opening a deep, bloody gash across his torso.
Kayn huffed heavily as he lowered his weapon, seeing his enemy writhe in pain. As much as he desired to finish off the Noxian, he had to exercise restraint. This man had connections into the heart of Noxus, and he could not pass up on a chance like this. Rhaast shouted in indignity at the inaction.
"What do you think you are doing? Don't let him recover, you fool!"
"Silence!" he returned, before addressing his enemy.
"So, Noxian, I think it's time I ask something in return, don't you think?" Rawthorn, currently curling up on the ground holding his bleeding torso, snarled like a wounded animal in response. Kayn felt the need to spit at the display out of disgust.
"If you answer me, I will make your death quick. So now, your so called 'benefactors'… who are they? Who would have this much knowledge about the Darkin?"
He eyed Rawthorn warily as the man slowly struggled to his feet, but he let him be. The Noxians legs were shaking like leaves in the wind, and seeing blood gush from the fresh wound, Kayn was sure the man was incapable of further combat. A grimace of pain and unfettered hatred graced Rawthorn's once handsome features as he echoed familiar words.
"You think… I'll just give away Noxus secrets like that, filth?" he huffed, before faltering as blood spurted from his mouth. Then that infernal grin returned to his features, now twice as manic as before.
"Even if I told you… you wouldn't live to tell the tale!"
With a scream of rage, Rawthorn threw out his arms to the side, his head tilting back in the process, and to Kayn's horror, light magic far more powerful than even the first attack began collecting before the Noxians body. Shock coursed through him as he realized he was too close to dodge in time, and if this attack was anything like the first, contact would be fatal. There was only one way for him to escape, but it was a risky gambit.
"Whatever it is, do it!" Rhaast shouted at him, and meremoments away from obliteration, he took his chance.
As the streams of light magic finished condensing into a singularity of destruction, Kayn dissolved into shadows, weaving around the attack and into his opponent's flesh. The Umbral Trespass came not a moment too late, for a fraction of a second later, a nova of light erupted from the Noxians body, impacting the back wall and obliterating everything in its path. With Rawthorn's body wounded and his energy almost entirely spent, Kayn found little resistance as he infested his foe's mind and body. Hidden within the darkness, image began slowly began trickling past Kayn, the thoughts and memories of the Noxian commander laid bare to him.
A young mage, learning to control his magic under the light of the sun that fueled his power.
That same sun, now burning down on the golden sands as the mage stood alongside a famous Noxian general, overseeing the ports of Shurima.
An ancient building buried in the desert, and murals depicting creatures of both divine and horribly inhuman power.
Inside the halls of the Immortal Bastion, the mage before the general, now leader of the Trifarix, who announced him commander.
A man with white hair, surrounded by an aura of terrible power, inside the dark heart of Noxus Prime, conversing with the commander about ancient weapons and the glory of Noxus.
That very man with white hair, sending the commander out to do his bidding in Ionia.
The rattling groans of his host startled Kayn out of the visions, but halfway through executing the killing blow, he paused. This man's mind had revealed things that were fragmented and confusing for the moment, but the ninja knew that they were important, that they were key to uncovering the mysteries of the Darkin. Rhaast could not see the visions, kept outside by his magic, and it was for the best if he never got wind of this. So, drawing deep into his shadow magic to utilize his newest technique, Kayn locked the memories away.
Then he broke free from the Noxians body.
His vocal cords already overworked by his prior screams, Rawthorn only managed a raspy groan as a second gash was torn open by the shadow ninja exiting his body, before crumpling to the floor. Kayn's landing was less than stellar, owed to the many aches still wracking his body, but in the end, he was the one left standing. Around him, he saw the swath of destruction that the Noxians final spark had caused, the incinerated whatever remained of the grand table that once stood proud in the center now smoldering ashes. A sizable chunk of the halls masonry had been carved out where the attack had hit behind him.
"How… how can this be?!" the mage stammered as he fell on his knees; his voice wet with his own blood. "I am… Grand General Swain's elite… how can I lose… to a nobody like you?!"
Now it was Kayn towering above the dying man, and with a cold look of disdain, he wrenched Rawthorn's head up by the hair, not unlike how he'd been held himself. It was sweet, sweet revenge, listening to the pained groans, but there was still work to be done.
"Now, Noxian, I give you one last chance to tell me: Who is the one who sent you? Who is your master?"
Rawthorn's eyes widened just a fraction, but all that came from his throat was a chuckle accompanied by blood. Grabbing him by the collar of his uniform, Kayn shook the man violently, splattering more blood everywhere.
"ANSWER ME!"
The Noxians expression remained a lopsided grin, still taunting the ninja above him. Even as he was being manhandled, he grasped Kayn's arm in a last show of strength, wheezing out an answer. His voice was distorted by the gurgle of blood filling his lungs and throat, but he pressed the words out regardless. "You are so desperate… for knowledge… you know nothing about the power you hold in your hands, do you? But my master does… he will take that power yet, and then… he will make Noxus rise again … he will make Noxus rise again!"
More laughter bubbled from his throat along with blood, and Kayn realized that he wouldn't be getting any more from this pitiful creature. Throwing the man onto his knees, kneeling for his execution, Kayn then reared back before tearing a clean gash through the Noxians throat. Rawthorn's death throes were only a few pathetic shivers, his flesh already wrecked at this point, and then, he stilled.
The Noxian menace was no more.
Extending his hand, Kayn reached out and let his shadows seep through the fresh corpse. Dark tendrils began rising in response, slowly forming a shade in the vague outlines of the late commander. The specter lasted only for a moment before it was wrenched from its source, dissolving and being absorbed into the shadowy tattoos lining the flesh of its murderer. Kayn inhaled sharply for a second as the residue of the Noxians soul, and thereby, the remains of its power, were added to his own strength. Only once the deed was done did the ninja allow his exhaustion to finally catch up with him, and he dropped to one knee.
As much as he hated to admit it, he had to give Rawthorn credit where it was due. He'd fought few enemies that had challenged him like this before, and while the man had been a filthy Noxian, rotten to the core, he'd shown him a weakness he had not been aware of. Rubbing his arm, Kayn could still feel the bite of the light magic that could devour the shadows he'd once considered undefeatable.
I'll honor the one good thing about him by using his shadow to fuel my own ambitions. Good riddance.
Meanwhile, Rhaast's eye surveyed the entire scene, and if he'd had lips at the moment, he would've certainly let out an impressed whistle.
"I must say Kayn, for all the trouble you've put us through, that was excessively rewarding. That man was almost worthy to face me… at least, he knew how to die."
The ninja nodded in response. "Now, time for the spoils."
He needed to provide proof for his kill of course, and taking a few valuable artifacts here and there never hurt anyone. Grasping his scythe closer by the blade, Kayn flipped the corpse around before severing the Noxians rank insignia from his uniform. Packing the scrap of cloth and metal away safely, he grabbed the mages baton next. He was no expert on these kinds of weapons, but the rod seemed like quality work, and even if it was useless to him, it would make for excellent evidence of his kill. When he went to fix the baton to his belt however, something else caught his eye.
Kayn could've sworn that Rawthorn had been wearing a small, golden brooch before, but as he checked the tarnished uniform now, it appeared missing. Normally, he wouldn't give it much thought, but it had been prominently placed on the commanders chest before, so the sudden disappearance piqued his curiosity. His eyes roamed the corpse and its surroundings, before they fell on the Noxians right hand, which was tightly clenched.
Could it be?
Rigor Mortis hadn't set in yet, so it was easy enough to pry the fingers apart, and indeed, there the brooch sat, hidden from view. Plucking it from its hiding place, Kayn examined the ornament. It was a simple clasp for a coat, with cloth still stuck under the mechanism, and its surface was decorated with a golden relief. What looked like a circle drawn with blood surrounded a phrase written in the Noxian language. The hated speech had begun fading from the ninjas mind, but the message was still legible.
Blood for Noxus.
Rawthorn must've torn the brooch from his uniform at some point, and attempted to hide it while the killing blow had been delivered. But why? Kayn didn't see anything that would indicate significance, it was just another worthless Noxian trinket. Unless…
Unless it had some secret significance to Rawthorn, something that his enemy wasn't supposed to find out about. Perhaps it is some mark of identification, or even the seal of his masters. It was some clue to be sure.
"Uhm, Kayn?" his scythe interrupted his pondering.
"What is it Rhaast? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"I hate having to interrupt your looting spree, but if you really care about remaining unseen, we should be leaving soon. You wouldn't want anyone to stumble over our little display we left outside now, would you?"
Damn, he's right. Kayn thought to himself. He'd have enough to think about the ramifications of his findings once he was safe and out of the city, so he pocketed the ornament, and with a final look at the commander's body, he pulled upon the door and headed back outside. Unfortunately, just like Rhaast had warned him, new guards came to take shift that moment, stumbling upon their dead comrades just as Kayn finished fixing his traveling gear and his cloak.
Sighing, the ninja readied his scythe for another round as faced the newcomers.
Half an hour later, Captain Hastaera of the Trifarian Legion, finally fed up with her second guard shift not returning, headed out for the commanders audience hall herself. It was no state for an elite guard like hers to be tardy like this, and while one instance was bad enough, two made her angry enough to go herself.
"If they really are slacking off, a demotion will be the least of their worries" she thought to herself as she cracked her knuckles, "But first, I'll check their post. Perhaps something came up first… though there is little I can think of that would justify their absence."
Unfortunately for her, she'd soon find out what had kept her guards for so long. Ascending the stairs to the antechamber, any idea of admonishment fled her mind as she witnessed the mutilated corpses of all four of her missing guards, laying in front of a desolate audience room. She sprinted over to the fallen bodies, but it was evident they had long since gone with the Wolf. As the captain stood there, above the bodies of men and women she'd been talking to a little over an hour ago, a feeling of uncharacteristic sickness rose in her stomach.
She'd been part of many battles now, and had seen the most gruesome sides of war already, and yet, seeing her soldiers like this made her sick in a way she couldn't entirely explain.
She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves and her stomach.
Calm down, girl. You are part of Noxus elite soldiery. You will not behave like a recruit who's never seen blood before.
But deep down, she knew it wasn't the sight of the carnage that set her off, but the implications of all of this happening within the heart of the Teko'an fortress, and she realized that whatever happened out here meant the Steward and Rawthorn were both in danger.
Drawing her sword, she shuffled in through the open double doors, vary of any sort of trap or ambush, and came upon a scenery even worse than that outside. The hall was in complete disarray, and clear marks of powerful magic covered the ground and walls. Advancing, she came upon the mutilated corpses of the Steward and his two advisors, two of them cut apart like her guards, the third burnt beyond recognition. Stepping over puddles of blood, heaps of ash and grisly bodies, she found the paragon of Noxian combat mages, Commander Rawthorn, splayed across the ground, dead. Three terrible wounds lined his body, from which he had bled what seemed like an entire river of blood, and the man that had once stood tall and proud was now a cold corpse, a look of insanity inscribed on his features. They had failed their task, the Captain realized, their lieges were dead.
As she backed away from the corpse, something grabbed her leg, and she let out a gasp of surprise. A hand, blackened and bloodied, held onto her ankle, and as the captain whirled around, sword in hand, she looked down upon the scorched advisor. One eye blinded, hair and skin charred beyond recognition, by some miracle he was still alive, pulling at her leg to draw her attention. Immediately, she crouched down.
"What happened here?" she questioned, skipping any attempts at offering medical attention. She knew her first aid, but she could see in the man's eyes that he wasn't going to hold on much longer.
The advisors voice was a weak, raspy whisper. "A shadow assassin… "
"A shadow assassin? In our fortress?"
"Yes… he came here… with the Darkin scythe… he came looking for knowledge about the Darkin… he killed the Steward… killed the commander…"
She was perplexed. An assassin with a scythe, looking for knowledge? None of this made sense.
"I don't understand. What is a Darkin? How could it defeat the Noxian elite?"
A look of despair appeared on the dying man's face as he struggled for air.
"It was part of… Rawthorn's mission. I don't have much time, so listen… go back to Noxus… report to High Command and tell them: the man who took the scythe came to kill Rawthorn…"
The captain stood there, overwhelmed by what she was being told. She had been ordered to assist Rawthorn in his quest to retrieve some mystic artifact, but more had not been divulged to her. It had annoyed her to no end that her men and women were sent for a purpose so foreign to the Trifarians purpose, but she had no choice.
"I need to know what happened here. You must tell me!"
"Find the lord of the Crimson… Circle, and give him this…" From under his broken body, the man produced a golden brooch. "He will… explain… everything…"
A final shudder ran through the man, and his hand fell off the captain's legs as his last breath left his mangled flesh. Now standing alone amidst the ruination, she picked up the brooch, clenching it in her fist. She would get to the bottom of this, and avenge her fallen comrades. Her honor demanded as much.
damn writing coherent stuff is actually complicated
