Chapter 11

I Love What I Do, My Enemies Won't

Akali spent the remainder of the night stalking around town, taking note of magic users and asking around about her aggressor. No one had seen him, which failed to stir any surprise. Unearthing only dead end after dead end, she circled back to the lodge, where good food and rest awaited.

The following two days were consumed by exploring what Kayn had been doing here and where he would materialize next. Akali found nothing of consequence, and reluctantly moved on to finding a specialist in weaponry. That darkin scythe was still the best lead she had to knowing more.

Honestly, it was slightly embarrassing how little she knew about Ionian tradesmen. That information was yet another thing the Kinkou's resources had always provided. The only weapon specialist she recalled that wasn't Kinkou lived all the way back in Navori—but she avoided that palace for good reasons. Reasons she wasn't quite ready to face now.

She was already intending on going through the town of Weh'le to see what it had to offer. Shen had said the city was made up of people who ran from or made trouble. Sounded like her kind of place. Maybe within its puzzling walls she would find a weaponsmith or tracking mage.

Rumors swirled around the mystical town being quite finicky; practically choosing who would be allowed to go make trouble there by using its misty to drive arrogant sailors to their dooms. The port's lanterns would flicker in amusement as the creatures of the deep devoured their writhing prey.

She was glad not to be approaching from the sea.

The mountain pass did contain dangers of its own: beasts that had a reputation for stalking relentlessly, keeping you on the run until you grew insane from paranoia.

All the victims of the creatures...there is bound to be a concentration of corrupted spirits to deal with too.

Without the Kinkou, no one was even there to come looking for her; assuming she'd even be able to stay alive if something went wrong. Still, Weh'le was the best bet for finding covert travel to Bilgewater, and now it held the potential for identifying Kayn's blade.

Maybe it is worth waiting to travel with a group.

It could be weeks before someone else was seeking company to Weh'le. She had overstayed her welcome in this town—especially after the attack. It couldn't be much longer now until the Shadow Order is poking around her blades once again. Yes, leaving sooner rather than later is still the best choice.

Getting to the coast would serve as therapy for her restlessness too. Her thoughts hadn't even really turned to what she would do at Bilgewater; just that there would be plenty of Ionia's traitors hiding amongst the port's rat nests. Her heart was still ready to bring justice to this world. The only difference now was that she could do so on her own terms: hand in hand with her personal morals and values instead of the Kinkou Order's.

It doesn't have to be overcomplicated with balance and formalities.

She reached up to rest on her temples, gently massaging. A heavy sigh seeped from her chest.

I wouldn't mind blowing off steam by putting an end to some slavers…or even practicing my technique on some mountain creature. Just to keep in practice…


A day later Akali began to trek through the pass, stocked up on potions, rations, and weapons. In the ninja's freshly sewn pockets hung many inked talismans, and her hair was swept back in a ponytail with a ribbon.

A creature's pained roar echoed in the rocky outcropping, quickly followed by the cawing of Siphi crows.

Chills slithered down her spine and settled in her stomach.

Being alone had never brought this feeling.


Shen felt surprisingly better after his talk with Kennen. Still a bit more confused than usual, but better. More himself.

Usually when a situation happened, a meeting was called with the three of them. With his two confidants. Just as it was during his father's era, and with every other Eye of Twilight before. It was unprecedented that the "situation" involved the Eye's right hand leaving the order.

Thankfully, things had been relatively quiet in the spirit realm, so that was one less thing on his mind. The acolytes were reported to be making progress, and there had been few issues lately with their missions despite Akali's…absence. He let out a deep breath, realizing he had fallen into the trap of over-analysis once again.

Old habits die hard.

Shen made his way back towards the mess hall, the study and library passing by.

He let his gaze sweep over to the buildings, muscle memory keeping his head facing forward so his mask concealed his eye-line. His eyes seemed to keep drawing to a single point in the window of the library, where he got an odd feeling someone was watching.

He continued to cut through the open forest, positioning where there was no glare on the glass. He calmly looked over, still feeling his shoulders tense up with that feeling.

Strange. It's that scribe I ran into.

The leaves stayed silent under his practiced steps, even as Shen increased his pace. Still, his discomfort didn't wane. That man had searching eyes, like a starved animal lying in wait. It made Shen's instincts weary enough.

Scribe or not, this one is new. I would rather he didn't watch me so intently.

He walked towards one of the ancient trees, its massive trunk concealing him from view.

Might as well give him a show.

Stopped behind the tree he singled-out, Shen began seeking out the threads of energy tethered to every being's soul. He felt Kennen's strongest, but the Yordle was always moving so fast Shen knew it could be an unnecessary struggle to link to him. He needed a person that would be convenient to blink to. Someone who was calmer.

He had been practicing this mantra for years now, but occasionally channeling was still beyond his grasp. That moment of feeling uncomfortable in the courtyard was opportunity enough to perfect the technique.

He looked through the spirit realm, searching for a steady energy flow. After a moment, he could see the kitchen, the warm ovens particularly clear, and within seconds felt his own energy pass through the physical world and into that same room. He adjusted his footing on the wood floors, body materializing rapidly.

"Shen? Why did you channel here? Is something wrong?"

Panic swept Ogai's voice, and Shen realized using an unsuspecting person to anchor his spell could be quite inconvenient. There was no need for a ward in here, so Shen had almost chosen someone in the kitchen at random.

He remembered the first time he tried tethering to Akali it working strikingly fast; surprising even him. She had almost hacked his head right off with a kama before recognizing him as having used the ability. After the first time, with her familiar, soothing presence, Shen had accidently made a habit out of blinking to her. He remembered Akali even saying the sensation was pleasant—so long as he only did it when her energy was expecting him.

"Shen?"

Caught up in my thoughts again.

"Ah, no Ogai. I apologize for startling you. I was merely…" he paused to clear his throat, "…practicing. I thought it may be nice to see what Cook is up to."

It must have been a strange experience for Ogai to go through being shielded and teleported to for the first time. Shen felt a feather of guilt settle in his stomach. At least there was no potential beheadings.

"Oh! That's quite the surprise sir! I can't remember the last time you came to check on us."

Ogai was being authentic in his surprise—Shen knew that—but it still made him feel a bit cold hearing his absence was noticed. Compassion was a crucial part of balance. The Kinkou valued trust, especially Shen. He would even say he thought it more vital than most. He shuffled, adjusting the plates of armor on his forearms. It is difficult to build trust with someone you never make time to check on.

Shen's deep voice was a bit more strained. "I'll have to come around more often then, Ogai." Remorse seems to be a popular emotion lately.

The two ninjas continued in a conversation that could have only been more awkward if Ogai brought up Akali; which, thankfully, he didn't.

Less fortunately, was when Cook walked in and immediately did.


Hello Hello!

NEWS PEOPLE THERE'S STUFF HAPPENING! Get excited, I'm writing a little Akali x Shen KPOP one-shot (or maybe two-shot if you guys like it). It should be coming out soon. Remember if you have a suggestion or a request for my writing let me know! 😉