It was almost sunset, but Shen had just about arrived at Zed's order. He was feeling weak with not only anxiety, which was something he never felt, but also weak with the 'lost' connection. Zed also felt this weakness, and Syndra sensed that he was not quite himself, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
"You're growing weaker as he nears, Zed."
"No.. I'm not.." He moaned whilst clutching his head in pain.
"Zed, please don't argue with me."
"I'm not! I just.. This migraine.."
"The migraine from the connection?"
"Yes.." He mumbled in defeat.
She hadn't seen Zed this feeble and weak since she defeated him in 'battle' all those weeks ago, and it was the state of Zed both of them hated - a powerless, restrained state. He lay in fetus position on their bed as Syndra lay beside him facing in his direction. She reached a hand out to stroke his face, in an attempt to release some of the tension. He exhaled heavily, still holding his head firmly, and still wishing, and hoping, that Shen would never come.
Meanwhile...
"My god.." Shen muttered as he edged closer to Zed's temple. He stood on top of a hill, directly opposite the entrance to the village.
"This is worse than I thought.." And worse, it most certainly was. For what seemed like miles, Shen was staring at endless amounts of streets lit with huge lamps, houses, taverns, shops and other such buildings, all built from a mix of stone and wood, telling him instantly that this was where Zed definitely was, but not only this, almost every single building held the Order of Shadows' flag dangling off one wall somewhere.
He was definitely here.
Gingerly, he stepped down off of the hill, and towards the huge, iron gates and stone walls that were at minimum five meters high, but was instantly greeted with hostility.
"Who goes there?" A sharp, deep voice echoed through the darkness of the night.
Shen felt something cold against his throat. He looked down the object pressing against him, and slowly lifted his hands up, not conveying any kind of emotion to the guard.
He was wearing similar armour to Zed, but naturally, it wasn't as protective. His arm blades were exactly like Zed's, but his mask differed to that of the leader, it only covered the lower portion of his face, but it still distorted the way his voice sounded.
"It is I.. Shen.." He managed to murmer a few words through the mental and physical weakness that he was experiencing. The gates began to open behind him.
"Come with me, now. Attempt anything remotely suspicious and we not hesitate to annihalate you."
"We?" He questioned.
The guard groaned in anger and pushed Shen towards the now open gates.
"Have you not noticed the infinte amount of gaurds on the rooftops? Pft.." He scoffed.
"I and thought you were a master ninja's son.." He began to wander off.
Shen looked at the guard in equal annoyance, and followed him, holding one hand on his dagger, and his head resting in his other hand.
Despite the fact that it was midnight, the streets were still bustling with endless amounts of life, from the young and free running about with friends to the old and frail leaving the taverns, and heading home.
"Long journey?" The guard asked.
"I'm in no mood for conversation.."
The guard laughed. Shen watched him carefully as the both weaved through the towsfolk, and slowly, people began following the two through the streets, realising who it is that is in their camp.
"Well then, you're in for a treat. Conversation is what you're here for, aren't you?"
Shen groaned even more in anger, but decided to let it slip. It was indeed going to be a treat.
Meanwhile..
Hei-An bursted through the door, her normal upbeat and happy attitude was just that - normal.
"Sorry for the intrusion Master!" She bowed. "But Master Shen is here!" She seemed to be far too happy about this.
"Ugghh, can you tone it down a little bit, please, Hei-An?" Zed was even worse now, and was beginning to experince cold sweats.
"Sorry, Master." She bowed again.
"Where is he now?" Syndra asked, being careful not to talk too loudly.
"In the courtyard. The townsfolk are also excited!"
"Well.. Isn't this just quaint?" Zed's shadow was here.
"Do you really have to be here?" Zed moaned.
"Well let's just put it this way pretty boy, I am not staying in there.." He gestured to Zed's body. "..When it is so corrupted with balance. Stick to one thing, Zed. This connection is destroying you."
"Destroying him?" Syndra questioned, starting to sound worried.
"Yes.. He has been imbalanced for years, both mentally and physically. He has focused on attacking rather than defending, thus leading to what Ninja's would call.. Imbalance. The connection with Shen is putting him on the path to balance, thus, destroying Zed from the inside out."
"Let's just have this done and be over by morning.. I can feel rain coming along.." Zed muttered.
"As you wish, Master Zed." Hei-An said.