Chapter 8
If They're Smart, They're Scared
Silent footsteps crept across the roof with steadfast determination. The dark form continued encroaching on her, inhumanely quiet.
Akali kept her breathing steady. She had prepared for something like this, despite thinking the little town was safe. An impossibly thin blade she wore through the piercing in her ear was enchanted by Irelia long ago, and it ensured her vision was sharp in the dark. It was worth the trouble she went through to get it. Especially when facing someone who seemed to know some of Zed's tricks, she couldn't afford to have a disadvantage.
The two figures danced around each other, the man swinging a peculiar scythe and Akali brandishing her many blades. Something felt wrong to her— it was the way the scythe seemed to call out her name and the man's shadows seemed to shamelessly curl around her ear.
How could such a powerful magic user be unknown to her?
Though she was still asking who he was, he certainly knew her. The man seemed to analyze her fighting style quickly and adjust his own around it. He arrogantly approached; confident she could be taken down.
Akali got into a defensive position, her heartbeat pumping in her ears.
I'll teach him to be afraid.
She parried a long swipe from his scythe and jumped onto the slant of the roof, sliding down slightly. He reached for her, grabbing her wrist and swinging his scythe towards her exposed ribcage. In a fluid motion, she twisted her wrist out of his grasp and ducked down under the blade. She jabbed her elbow into his legs and the top-heavy weapon he wielded made his balance deceive him.
He crashed onto the roof, and she slung five knives in his direction. They flew towards him in a perfect arc, glinting with the light of the lanterns, but he turned into shadows once more and they clanged off the roof and into the alley below.
He came straight at her in that form, phasing straight through her kama's sharp edge. She readied for him to be past her defenses. But when she thought he would become human again and strike, he just continued moving forward into her space, until he finally began…well, Akali wasn't sure what even to call it. It was almost as if he fell into her but then melted into her skin.
At first, it just felt warm and strange, like breathing in thick smoke, but within moments Akali began trembling. Across her skin crept a feeling like she was on fire, though only shadows and blue mist swirled around.
The attack seemed to suck all the life out of her, making her fall to her knees as pressure built up inside her chest. She frantically grabbed for a talisman out of her pocket, channeling all her energy into the piece of paper.
Finally, before she felt like she would burst, the man's shadow form was forced out of her and he materialized again on the roof. She ripped a potion from her waist, unstopping it with her teeth and throwing it back before she lost all her strength. With the item's effects she gained a burst of energy, allowing her to dash towards her forgotten kama.
She twirled around, facing the man once again—this time more prepared with talismans in hand to counteract his magic.
Her eyes grew wide at the sight before her.
He seemed to have been thrown on the ground when her talisman forced him out of her body, and that was where he still lied. The hood he was wearing had shredded and now his shadows were the only thing keeping his identity concealed. His hand seemed to be burning where it was touching the scythe, and she recognized it rather quickly as magic recoil. The weapon must be putting some kind of strain on his body that made his spells more unpredictable.
She pounced on the opportunity, kicking the taunting weapon across the shingles and onto a balcony below. The man was wavering on his feet behind her now, clutching at his side. With a quick glance, Akali realized the area was still materializing back into a solid. She threw a kunai into his shoulder, and this time he wasn't able to dodge.
His shadows receded into his body, no longer able to cover his face.
Kayn and Akali locked eyes right before he turned into mist before her once again.
Before she knew it, he and his scythe were gone.
It was the fourth day since Akali left.
Shen had felt his anger and that tiny kernel of fear melt away. He knew now this issue wasn't going to resolve itself. She wasn't coming back without a good reason.
He hadn't spoken to Kennen past the usual debriefing on missions. In fact, Shen had made himself scarce the past few days, instead taking the time to meditate and come somewhat back to balance. He reflected on his position as Eye of Twilight, on his duty as the steady leader of the Kinkou. Nothing could jeopardize that…not even his confusing relationship with Akali.
He would have to get stronger.
Today he was back to normal. Completely ready to train with Kennen. Completely ready for whatever questions Akali's trusted friend would have, and perhaps even the answers the Yordle could give.
They met up in a more secluded training spot, where they would usually come for destructive sparring. It was a small plateau nestled on a mountain ridge, just high enough to feel the mist blanket them.
Shen admitted to himself that he felt a bit strange leaving the guild without Akali there, especially knowing Kennen was coming to meet him. He brushed this off.
An unexpected inconvenience, though not one I can't deal with.
When he arrived Kennen was already waiting, peeling an icy blue fruit with his paws.
"C'mon Shen, dontcha know the early bird gets the worm?"
"I apologize Kennen," Shen's voice was stoic as ever, "I've been quite busy."
At that, Kennen seemed to grumble under his breath about Shen's formalities.
"Sooo~…when were you going to tell me Akali is gone?"
Shen felt his stomach drop. So he did know about her leaving.
What must he think of me then? The leader and not even able to stop her, not even able to tell everyone else. I haven't seen him these past couple of days.
What if he thinks I'm weak? Unbalanced?
The thoughts in Shen's head just kept racing, unable to stop once they were let loose. An anxious voice stumbled around in his mind, unable to see past the worst-case scenarios. His only comfort was that he could conceal his emotions from the outside, that he had his mask covering his features.
My mask.
The anxiety only increased as Shen thought back on the last time he had seen Akali and what he had tried to do.
What if she told him?
What if-
"Shen?"
He snapped out of his racing mind, unsure of what had overcome him.
"Have you been doing alright? I know it's important for the Eye of Twilight to find balance on his own but maybe just this once you could-"
"No." Shen's firm voice interjected. "We should just focus on training."
"Okay. I understand."
Shen doubted he really did.
Leave a comment, they make my day soooo much! Sorry, this fanfic is a bit of a slow burn story, I promise things will get more interesting as time goes on.
Cover made by cattythedoormat on Instagram. CHECK HER OUTTTT!?
