A/N Sorry this was late, have this and the next chapter written already but forgot to publish haha. Expect the next one shortly!
The sun shone across the tranquil marketplace of Ionia. Even though it was noon, the sun did not beat down on the backs of the merchants and shoppers, it caressed them. The very air of Ionia was charged with tranquility and many who had traveled from other lands, particularity Shurima, would swear that Ionia had its own sun, one that made it impossible to die of heatstroke.
However the Virtuoso didn't notice the sun, or the soft grass he lay in. He only saw his canvas, clear as day in Whisper's scope.
He was lying on his stomach, at least 1100 yards away from the clearing in the fields where the marketplace was build. Surrounding him was a grand forest, teeming with life. He was breathing slowly, watching his canvas make the motions of life with the attention of a predator. He chuckled softly, and lined up the man's head. You will be beautiful. He thought. You will scream in joy as you dance to the music of my whispers.
He had reloaded since he had returned from Piltover, and his golden drop of sunshine paint was loaded and ready to dash itself across the man's body. He fingered the trigger, and fired. He watched, his breath taken away as Summer flew towards the man, ready to roast his skin to a flaking charred state as his canvas lifted high into the air like a legend. He could already see his new creation fly to the sun, to join its maker.
The man was sitting in a coffeehouse, sipping from a old mug when Summer shattered the window on its righteous path to end his ugly existence, to purify him. His eyes widened for a split second, then with a sweeping motion he drew his blade and swung it upwards.
The sword moved so swiftly it seemed to cut the air in two, and a wall of solid wind was left in the sword's wake.
Summer died, without a peep, as it collided with the wall and clattered to the floor.
The man then turned and ran, swiftly as the wind.
Jhin frowned beneath his mask. They didn't tell him that Yasuo could do that. All of a sudden this job became very, very, annoying. For some reason ever since he returned the Cabal didn't give him a word of thanks, or at the very least acknowledgement. As an artist Jhin felt that he should be appreciated for his work, but not one person did. Well, nobody except for...
Jinx. He whispered the name aloud, as if it would summon her. I wish you were here. She was the only person it seemed that could understand him, understand his art. In fact they were partners now, twin performers in the dance of Order and Chaos. If she were here, He thought, he would have been made pure. And he knew exactly how it would have happened as well.
After being forced to block Jhin's shot, Yasuo would have been too distracted to notice the rocket coming in from the back of the coffeehouse, destroying the building and everyone in it. The scenario played in his head, and he laughed. It was almost comical.
He got up, dusted himself off, and grabbed his pocket watch, glancing at the gilded face impassively. "One O'Clock." He muttered. The day was halfway over, and there was no sign of Jinx. She still has one day. He told himself. Perhaps she is going to get here on the fourth exactly. Then again, she is Chaos's daughter. She may show up the day after our appointed time. It would be irritating for sure, as Jhin planned his days thoroughly, and he had planned the next week in the assumption that Jinx would arrive on time.
No matter. He thought as he disassembled Whisper and brought his equipment back into their non-firing position. I am behind schedule anyways now that Yasuo escaped. She has more time.
The Virtuoso turned on his heel and walked into the forest, towards their appointed meeting place.
Tuula Prison was unique among other prisons. Once solely a monastery, the resident monks had offered taking in the criminally insane in the hopes of curing them. The Ionian Elders saw no issue with this, as the monks were well known for their philosophy on being life's personal caretakers. They saw insanity as nothing more than another illness that could be cured, and this earned the respect of many. After a few test cases were successful, the monastery was refitted to house prisoners and guards were staffed to prevent the monks from having to forcefully establish order if the time came.
Despite the name however, Tuula wasn't a prison so much as it was a sanctuary. The monks' goal was to put each patient in a place of comfort, and help them come to grips with reality at their own pace.
The head guard at Tuula Prison was trained to expect anything. What he wasn't expecting was three Kinkou ninja at the front door. After a consulting with the monks, he went to the gate but kept it closed. "Can I help you, Master Shen?" He said carefully.
The first ninja, Shen, stepped forward. "Yes, you can. We need to see one of your prisoners."
He kept his face impassive. "Which one?"
Akali stepped forward. "Khada Jhin." She answered.
"Reason?" The guard asked.
Before Akali could answer Shen replied. "It is important."
The guard shook his head. "I'm sorry Master Shen, but I cannot let your group in. This is meant to be a sanctuary, not a place where you can harass the guests with questioning."
Akali brandished her kama. "As the Fist of Shadow my duty is to pruning the Tree of Balance. Do you know what that means?"
The guard scarcely got a word in before Akali continued. "It means that if something or someone threatens balance I can and will eliminate them." She said the last few words with weight.
The guard backed up, and looked to Shen for help.
Shen only said, "If you are hiding something regarding Jhin, then you are directly involved with threatening Valoran's balance. I can do nothing to assist you."
"What seems to be the trouble here?" The guard whirled behind him and was relieved to find the head monk, Kaisi, coming down the steps.
"Elder Kaisi," the guard said with a quick bow, "The Kinkou order is here to question one of our guests, even though I told them that is against the purpose of this place."
The monk looked towards the three ninja with kind eyes. "Is this the truth?" He asked.
Shen gave a respectful bow. "Elder Kaisi, we need to visit Khada Jhin."
"A friendly visit, or a vengeful visit?" Kaisi asked. "If the latter, we cannot allow you to bring harm to our guests."
"Hopefully, a friendly one." Shen replied. "It means that my dream meant nothing."
Kaisi smiled. "My apologies Master Shen, but Khada is currently unavailable at the moment. He is having an acupuncture treatment at this moment, and cannot be disturbed."
"We will wait for him then." Akali said, unfazed.
"It is a four hour procedure."
Kennen became visibly uncomfortable, while Shen said, "It is no problem. My companions and I could use some time for meditation."
"Of course." Kaisi bowed and turned to the head guard. "You may open the gate Shiru."
Shiru nodded silently and pulled the keys from his pocket and went to work on the lock.
While he worked, Kaisi turned back to Shen. "My deepest condolences to you in regards to your father and the rest of the Kinkou Order."
Shen nodded. "Thank you, Elder Kaisi."
"Rest assured we have encouraged the Ionian Elders to deny Zed's Order of Shadows the honor of being recognized as a legitimate ninja clan. They are still being seen as having stolen the Kinkou Order's rightful temple and are occupying it."
Shiru stood up and shook his head. "My apologies Master Shen, but the lock hasn't been undone in so long it has rusted over."
Shen's eyebrow raised in puzzlement. "How? I would think the gate would have to be opened for supply runs."
"That's the beauty of Tuula." Kaisi chimed in. "We grow everything we need here. It keeps the guests busy and gives them a sense of satisfaction. We are also pleased to tell you we haven't had any cases severe enough to be brought here ever since Khada."
Akali frowned. "So what are you saying? That you can't open the gate?"
Shiru shook his head. "Not at present. We will have to send for a locksmith, and that could take a week at least. Are you certain that your visit is really-"
CLANG
His words were cut off as Akali leaped forward and chopped downwards with a single hand. The lock shattered into three pieces against the force of her blow, and the chains fell away as she stepped back to survey her work. "The locksmith is here." She said dryly. "Now let us in."