Leaving the apartment to Akali, Zed stepped outside. It had been long time since he went out with no particular place to be, or a business he personally had to take care of, and Zed had to admit that he was feeling a little lost at the moment.
It was a chilly evening, not so cold that you cannot have a walk but enough to make Zed shiver, especially when the wind blew. Many evenings and nights like this one he had spent in the monastery, sparring with Shen and the others. Until Zed discovered shadows, Shen was better than him, thanks to the power his bloodline held. Eye of the Twilight... even before the death of his father, Shen was ready.
The late, great master Kusho... He was a special kind of phsycopath with a special brand of madness. 'Peace' and 'balance' was an obsession for the man, or at least he said so. But Zed knew better, knew Kusho's real desire. He wanted to keep the world as it is, still, as if it was frozen in a single moment of time. Kusho had longed for a world that ceased to exist a long time ago, an Ionia that didn't touched by the realms outside, where Kinkou and it's conformist teachings had reigned supreme.
And to that end, there was simply no length Kusho would not go. Child soldiers like Akali and Zed and even his own son, Shen. Political assasinations, hidden treaties. Despite of his despise for innovation, he was allied with certain Piltover authorities. In a hysteria to ever expand his ranks, Kusho had even attempted and managed to create a killer out of a yordle, something that deemed nigh uncorruptable.
Kennen.
Kusho was insane and leading both Kinkou and Ionia to a path so dark, yet even then, Zed did not think of killing him. He plotted of his downfall, dismantling of his numerous instutitions, destruction of his army, but never an assassination. No, it would be too obvious, too easy. The Shadows was an equalizer, but not enough to take Kusho out. The man was the true Eye of the Twilight.
So who killed him that night?
That was the question Zed was seeking answer for. Someone that would benefit the power vacuum Kusho's death would left, surely, but that did not narrowed it enough. From Noxian raiders to the Zaunite chemlords Nearly every foreign party from the every part of the continent had benefitted from the death of the Grandmaster.
Politics... Karma's hold over Ionia was weak and Irelia's feverishly patriotic ways were alienating those who could help the most. Yasuo, Syndra, Varus and all of the vastayan tribes... Even the loyality of the blind monk, Lee Sin, was questioned.
"I'll find who..." Zed thought to himself. "Soon."
But not tonight, no, not that soon. Tonight he had nowhere to be and the cold was creeping up.
"Guess I could check that place Akali mentioned."
Even if Zed did not wanted to admit, he knew he was way too...friendless. His natural tendency to keep it to himself coupled with the infamy dragged around his name, kept everyone away from him, save for the daring few. Ex-Kinkou like Kayn or adrenaline freaks like Jinx. And someone else...
A certain archer.
Which was walking towards Zed at that moment, under the pale moonlight, her hair a silver mane.
Ashe, the Ice Queen of Avarosa.
Zed had always found her beautiful. Too beautiful maybe, with a dangerous severity in her immaculate features. She was cold, calm, collected. Always. The time Zed spent with her was brief but still, it was impressive how she could always maintain her composure.
"And who do we have here?" said Ashe, recognizing the young ninja. "On a business trip, Zed?"
"Purely a pleasure stroll." replied Zed.
That surprised Ashe, a little, but enough for her to stop and take a look around.
"You?" asked Ashe.
Zed shrugged. "Why not?"
"Because you wouldn't recognize pleasure if it walked on two feet and slapped you?"
"I wouldn't, would I?" said Zed. This was one of the more prominent reasons why the things didn't work between them. While they both had grand visions for the future of their respective countries, Ashe also had a desire to have a life of her own. She liked taking the time off, forgetting the world once in a while. Zed...didn't. He was aware of this...difference of nature and had no problems with it. Ashe could 'afford' taking it easy. She was a queen after all; revered, loved and feared by many. Zed was just an outcast, and most considered him as a maniacal murderer. No one had no reverence or love for him.
"So what are you doing out here?" Ashe inquired again. She was persistent, if nothing else.
"As I said Ashe, just on a stroll."
"I've known you for a year Zed." said Ashe. "You are never 'just on a stroll'."
Zed smiled lightly. "Would you prefer if I was out here chasing someone?"
"No, but at least that would be a plausible explanation."
"For mysteriously coming across you?"
"We both know that if you wanted to find me you would know where to look. "
"Yes, but you got Tryndamere all over you these days." replied Zed.
Ashe blinked once before saying anything. "Tryn is a good man."
Zed shrugged in response. "I never said the otherwise."
"No, but you think he is...underwhelming." Ashe was always good at reading Zed.
"What I think doesn't matter Ashe. What you think, does."
Ashe crossed her arms, making a defensive posture. Not one step back... "I think he is better than you Zed."
That sentence hanged between them for a moment. Heavy and loud. Then Zed quickly regained his posture.
"A lot of people are better than me Ashe." he admitted. "I am just a murderer."
"And you know that is not what I meant Zed." said Ashe.
Zed smiled once again. They would never work it out as lovers but as a friend, Ashe was bearable to have around.
"I know Ashe." He reached to his pocket to take out the ticket Akali gave it to him. "And I wasn't lying. I had to be out of the house for undisclosed reasons."
"Akali?" guessed the Ice Queen.
"More or less." Zed showed ticket to Ashe. "And in her infinite wisdom she gave me this, as a sort of primitive bribe."
"A ticket to League fair?" Ashe stifled a quiet laugh. "Really?"
Zed looked away. "Negotiating was never her strong suit..."
"Or even Akali thinks that you need a little more sunshine in your life."
Zed rolled his red eyes, but otherwise did not said anything.
"Ah yes, the Master of the Shadows..." Ashe did not fought back with her urge to chuckle this time. "Doom and gloom suits you good Zed, but smiling suits you better."
Zed let out a defeated sigh. "So you'll show me where's this thing or not?"
Ashe came closer and linked arms with him. "This way then..."