*2 chaps in 3 days, ladies and gents.

Hope you enjoy! :D*

The forest was pretty much the same as it was when Jhin and Xar first ventured through it. There were several different animals around and the landscape itself was...boring for Jhin. He started to see the world differently than before. It seemed like everything revolved around art. The kind of art that Jhin was experimenting with currently. Either way, Jhin and Xar eventually made it back to the lair with minimal conversations.

The ancient tree glowed a bright mix of purple and blue and Kindred appeared out of a Mark Of Death symbol.

Lamb: "You are back, this means you have completed your task?"

Jhin: "Yes, and nobody suspected a thing. I assume this earns me my bonus?"

Wolf: "Certainly, we shall pay you this 500 gold and a bonus of 'Shiverstrike'. It is a magical dagger which does extra damage and drains the life out of the foe, healing the user of it. A powerful weapon indeed."

Jhin: "I shall accept this reward and bonus. Thank you very much. Now, I have a few questions about some things. I certainly think you'll be able to answer them since you're the incarnation of death."

Lamb: "Surely, what troubles you today, Jhin?"

*"What are we gonna talk about exactly?"*

Jhin (thinking): "The Dark elf situation."

*"Ah, alright. Go for it."*

Jhin (out loud): "I was hoping I could get some information on a Dark elf that has been living in Rackbirt. His house was recently seized by the Count and the guards had a confrontation with the elf. I don't know his name but he was severely drunk and I could hear people at the Rackbirt inn called 'The Inn of The Giant' talking about how he got major fines for basically getting drunk and falling over in the inn. Is there any information you could provide me with?"

Lamb: "Ah, yes. We have considered him as one of our targets but decided against it since we didn't want any more murders happening in Rackbirt. He is just a dumbfounded drunk fellow who doesn't want to be friends with anyone so he drowns his sorrow in alcohol. His name is Vander Grath. Why do you ask this? Did something happen to him?"

Jhin: "The confrontation actually ended up killing him. He tried to murder the guards and got his throat sliced in return. So, is that it? He was just an angry, drunk and antisocial weirdo and that's why the guards disliked him?"

Wolf: "Pretty much."

Jhin: "Ah, alright. I thought he did some kind of crime and got away with it or something. Okay, my next question. Is there some kind of spell to changing your face or at least putting an illusion on it so it looks like someone else's face? I could really use a spell like that so the guards don't glare at my face every two seconds."

Lamb: "We don't possess the ability to grant spells to anyone, plus we do not have such a spell in our arsenal, but we have heard great stories about the illusion spell master, Tharma. She is claimed as a goddess who doesn't manifest herself in the real world. The only way to speak to her is to offer a lotus blossom petal to her shrine, northeast of here, and call upon her guidance. We do have a contract prepared for you if you are interested."

Jhin: "Alright, I will be interested after I talk to Tharma herself. Could you mark the shrine on my map?"

Lamb: "Certainly, it's in this area, like I said, northeast of here."

Wolf: "Travel up there now and you'll be there in no time."

Jhin: "Thank you very much. I am off."

*"Here we go. Ready for this?"*

Jhin (thinking): "Of course I am, we're finally somewhere we belong. And we're getting paid, having a shelter, plenty of food and water, since Kindred can manifest a lot of mortal items into reality with their spells. It definitely feels good."

*"Feels good to be a part of you. You're certainly a great host."*

Jhin: "I appreciate it, pal."

Jhin climbed out of the secret lair and pulled his map out. He examined it briefly and started to head in the direction of the shrine.

*"You have any lotus blossom petals on you?"*

Jhin (pulling out a lotus blossom trap): "I sure do."

Jhin planted the trap and activated it carefully. He quickly stepped away from it and took the lotus blossom petal it left on the ground after exploding.

*"Great, now, we gotta get to this shrine."*

Jhin (pointing in the direction of a mountain): "It's near that mountain, when we get closer we'll be able to see it."

Jhin slid down the hill and began to venture into the forest. He found several wolves around.

*"Seems like a wolf den is around."*

Jhin (shooting a wolf): "Four! (thinking) The wolf den doesn't really matter. We'll get past it either way."

*"Sounds about right."*

After a few more dead wolves Jhin and Xar eventually gazed upon the Shrine of Tharma.

*"Wow. She is really beautiful."*

Jhin: "Quite obvious for a goddess. Look at that outfit. So revealing. I don't like it one bit."

*"Your artistic expression tells me you aren't impressed at all."*

Jhin: "And I am not. The look doesn't suit her at all."

Tharma appeared as a giant statue with long hair, a very revealing outfit and a lotus blossom flower in her hand.

There were 3 people around the shrine. All of them looked Ionian at first glance. Jhin walked up to one of them.

Jhin: "Greetings, sir."

The man: "Good day, have you come to seek the word of our goddess?"

Jhin: "If you would allow it, yes."

The man: "Leave her a lotus blossom petal below her feet and she will talk to you."

Jhin (with a small bow): "Thank you very much, sir."

Jhin walked up to the statue and placed the lotus blossom petal below Tharma's feet. At first, nothing happened.

*"Are we doing something wrong?"*

Jhin: "I am not sure."

After a few seconds, Tharma's voice could be heard within Jhin's mind. It seemed like Jhin was transported into his own mind.

Tharma (deep and echoing voice): "Hear me, mortal. You have summoned the illusion goddess. What business do you have here?"

*"Can you hear me, goddess?"*

Tharma: "And who might you be? I sense you are not a mortal, you seem to be a spirit."

*"Long story short, I am a spirit inhabiting this mortal's mind. The mortal's name is Jhin. I am Xar."*

Tharma: "It's nice to meet you both. What can I do for you?"

Jhin (thinking): "Great goddess, we require your guidance. I have done something that I need help with. I seek a spell that is able to change appearances. Is there something like this that you can provide me with?"

Tharma: "I do not manifest myself in the real world. I live only as a spirit. With that in mind, I am only able to give certain artifacts to mortals that I think deserve them.

However, I can point you in the right direction for a certain spell like this. It can turn you invisible, as well as change your entire appearance into a Freljordian. I assume you are Ionian yourself."

Jhin: "You assume correctly, goddess. Where can I find this spell?"

Tharma: "I will point you to another nearby shrine. The shrine is for the god of stealth. The god's name is Shatir. His shrine is to the west of here. Bring him this ancient artifact and he shall reward you with the spell."

Jhin (bowing before the goddess and accepting the artifact): "I thank you for your guidance, my goddess."

Tharma: "If you require assistance at any time, come speak to me and I shall guide you once again. Farewell."

*"It was nice to make your acquaintance, Tharma."*

Tharma: "I can say the same thing."

Jhin was transported back in front of the shrine.

*"Alright, now, let's make our way to Shatir's shrine. It seems like this spell is gonna be a bit easier to get than we thought."*

Jhin (thinking): "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. There could be many dangers ahead. Either way, let's head over there."

*"Lead the way, friend."*

Jhin left the shrine of Tharma and started heading for the shrine of Shatir.

*Meanwhile*

-Bilgewater-

There was a man named Burd working in a workshop. It was a shop that had a lot of machines and did repairs on certain items for a price.

Burd (to a customer): "Thank you, come again."

Burd went under his counter to grab a particular machine and he heard the bell above his door ring.

Burd (from under the counter): "Ah, welcome to our workshop! How may I assist you? (lifting his head up above the counter) Oh, Viktor! You arrived."

Burd walked up to Viktor and shook his hand.

Burd: "It is a pleasure to speak with you."

Viktor: "Same here, sir."

Burd: "Now, about that job offer you requested. (walking to the counter and reading a paper) Ah, yes. You are definitely most qualified for this. You can start working tomorrow morning. If you need a place to stay I know a fine hotel nearby.

Viktor (shaking Burd's hand yet again): "Thank you very much, sir. I shall head there at once."

Burd: "Have a great night, Viktor."

Viktor: "Take it easy, sir."

*Back to Jhin*

Jhin was cutting through some branches and vines with his recently earned Shiverstrike.

Jhin: "Quite an effective weapon."

*"Yeah, that thing is heavily enchanted and efficient. A very fitting reward."*

They eventually found the shrine of Shatir. Shatir looked like quite a thief. He had a hood on and his clothes were as black as the void. There were three people there again, but two of them were Freljordians and one was a Noxian.

*"What a variety."*

Jhin (thinking): "You said it."

The Noxian walked up to Jhin.

The Noxian: "What business do you have here, traveller?"

Jhin: "I am here to present an artifact to Shatir."

The Noxian: "Very well, you may talk to him."

Jhin did a small bow and walked up to the statue. He carefully placed the artifact below Shatir's feet and waited for a response. Jhin was once again found inside of his own head.

Shatir (cheerful and smooth voice): "A mortal! Wonderful. Always a pleasure. I see you presented one of Tharma's artifacts to me. What can I do for you?"

Jhin (thinking): "Great god of stealth, I seek a spell that the goddess Tharma pointed me to. It's a spell that can change my appearance to a Freljordian and can make me invisible."

Shatir: "Ah, yes. I have the spell right here. I shall give it to you for no price at all. This artifact is enough for me."

Jhin (bowing before the god and accepting the spell): "I thank you greatly, your Excellency."

Shatir: "Just use the spell like you would use any other, it has been added to your spellbook. Now, farewell."

Jhin was teleported back in front of the shrine.

*"We got it!"*

Jhin (using the spell): "Ah, it works. I sound and feel like a Freljordian."

*"Definitely look like one as well."*

Jhin: "I can also make myself invisible, so that's pleasing."

*"Now, let's make our way back."*

Jhin (cancelling the spell effects by using the spell again): "Alright, we're off."

Jhin and Xar started venturing through the forests and up the hill again. They were heading back to the lair to receive the next contract. It was all going well for Jhin and Xar, as they were very satisfied with their progress today.

*End of chapter 8.

The next two weeks I probably cannot put out any more chapters. I have school problems I gotta deal with. After June 15th expect more frequent chapters. I might sneak a chapter here and there until that day comes. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading! :D*