There it was again, the earth breathing with a rumble so deep as if a dragon slept beneath their feet. The Temple of Koeshin stood like a silent mountain on its hill, however, one could see pebbles dance on the ground and the vines on its wall rustle as the world let out a shudder.

Shen retreated inside to chat with the second trainee arriving back but sadly they had no news from the villages they visited. The third and last one was travelling south where lush forest and deep swamps spread between all spots of human civilization so Shen wasn't concerned about them taking longer than the others. However, after two weeks he started to feel restless and left the monastery for one night.

The White Cliff Inn was swelling in thick air of sweat and beverages. A pack of hunters celebrated their latest big catch, a large swamp beast whose tusks now laid on the large round table in the middle of the inn, touched and discussed by the men who slew it. A woman brought them their orders and none of them even gave her attention as the story of the man wrestling the beast in a puddle of blood and mud was blowing the mind of the younger hunters.

Shen sat at the bar and silently listened to their stories, their boasting and celebrating. He had one drink for tonight, a small treat for his troubled mind.

Ionians were a proud folk, not as demanding on tradition as Demacians or nationalist as the Noxians, but proud nonetheless. Most valued their simple life in a way most outsiders did not understand.

They didn't have the most advanced technology nor did they have a great military or royalty. Their traditions were simple and humble, focused on quality of life and less on the riches of things kept on earth. The land was also littered with magic, most spirits called it their home as much as demons did, they had the largest variety of mystical creatures and the oddity of Vastayas, a humanoid breed of magical creatures mimicking all kinds of animals. The humans also showed the talent of channelling magic, Ionian blood had always born strong magic casters across the land.

Shen was no exception to that rule, as he, the Eye of Twilight, roamed both material and spirit realms to keep the balance between those two.

He had fought many battles with sword and hand, against human and spirit but as much as he was a skilled fighter he had to learn to restrain himself. Since his father's death, he was imbued with a duty that laid heavy on his shoulders and to uphold it, Shen had to swallow tears and bite through hate, become emotionless for the better.

The battle in his head was not fought with might or fury but with sorrow and flurry, and as much as he liked to sort it all out with meditation, his mind wouldn't listen.

Shen shot out of his thoughts as someone sat down next to him. The man wore a brown and black combination of leather armour and fur, another hint of the oncoming colder nights of fall.

"What do you want," Shen asked.

"I have to talk to you." The man answered.

A small sack was placed on the counter and by the sound of it, Shen guessed their bearings were heavy and made out of stone. The man took a quick glance around before opening it, revealing a tiny statue depicting an ancient beast of some form.

"My people saw Hechlurii on their fields. It is an old spirit that had a history with our village but never turned violent."

The man looked around yet again and kept his voice low.

"But it keeps coming. It comes closer to our houses every night and many others are following it. I don't know much about those spirits and what they want, but we don't feel safe anymore."

Shen took the figure and looked at it closely.

The head reminded him of a fox but the ears were longer and split halfway through. The body was stumped and round, almost frog-like but the creature seemed to have no features of an amphibian. His limbs were that of a monkey and his two tails were long and wrapped around the creature like a blanket. The man called it 'Hechlurii' and Shen had never heard of it before, not something he was bothered with since their land had thousands of spirits, but he was already sure that it was no danger to people.

"This is no demon, not an evil being but I understand your worry. Their behaviour is unnatural and I must say that I already noticed changes in our lands."

He turned and offered his hand to the stranger. "Lead me to your village and I will try to communicate with them. "

The man nodded and shook the hand with relief. "Thank you! I knew we could count on the Eye of Twilight!"

The next in command of the Kinkou Order was informed and Shen took some small supplies with him before meeting up outside the same tavern again, wandering south to the village of Yuká. After two days of travel, they finally arrived and Shen took the remaining time to talk to the villagers about sightings and experiences with the local spirits until the night caught up.

The lights were blown out, the people returned to their homes and beds but Shen stayed at a rice field with the most sightings, seating himself on one of the narrow roads. Then, he waited.

Stars appeared in front of him, far and deep inside the nights void, moving closer and closer within a pattern. The largest set of eyes stared him down and Shen stood up to bow and greet them with respect.

We greet you, traveler.

"Greetings, you must be Hechlurii. I heard you come here every night."

We come to seek peace.

"Peace?"

They disturb us but we can hide at day. This place is our home and solace at night.

"Who are they? Who is bothering your home?"

The darkness that does not belong even when the sun bids farewell.

Shen pressed his lips together. He might not be a great detective but he also wasn't deaf to clues.

"The people are scared that you might hurt them but I'm convinced that you will not. I am here to communicate and find a solution, so please lead me where I need to go."

We can't lead you even when your eyes are opened but I can give a piece of proof.

The creature bend down and revealed their hands to Shen, inside a small round piece of metal with carvings on top. Shen bowed before taking it and the spirits turned to scatter around the field.

The coming day he explained the situation to the villagers and eased their fear. To his delight, most were accepting their nightly visitors from now on and some want to bring offerings in the future. Half the truth was good enough, the spirits fear of certain darkness was nothing the folk should be concerned with for now.

On his way home he took time to examine the round piece of metal Hechlurii had given him. A large circle was carved around the edge and on one side, most likely the lower, five large spikes lead to the middle. There, a round object, like an orb was held by the points of the spikes. The carvings were rough and not made by an advanced tool, so Shen thought that the spirit itself must have carved it. By the looks of it, the object should be something important and something he should seek out.

The spirit called it a piece of proof, but of what stayed a mystery.

Shen passed an overgrown and old forest, just merely wandered on its edge to reach the other side, however, something deeper in the green darkness caught his attention. Between all leaves, ferns and grass the bright blue scarf stood out and marked a spot of events that had happened here just recently. As Shen picked it up he noticed a small embroidery on one end, the symbol of the Kinkou Order.

His acolyte must have been here but had he simply lost it or did something happen? Shen couldn't tell as the cloth was undamaged and there were no signs of fighting around him. But no trainee of him would be careless like this, Shen decided with confidence that there must have been at least an accident and maybe the reason for their delayed return.

A roar from the earth sought attention and he could feel vibrations moving through his body.

"It happens more often now." Shen thought out loud.

With another rumble, the trees began to tremble, shudder in fear and some fell to their knees. The old ones unearthed first, then the sick. Shen evaded every falling tree with ease as the forest around him opened up, revealing more and more of its secrets and with the last falling, the earthquake ran out of breath. Shen looked around and immediately spotted the body between the lumber, moved close enough just to confirm his suspicion.

"Akelei!"

The young man laid peacefully as he was just asleep and dreaming. There was almost no blood, no damage to his body other than one little hole in his chest and with a few steps closer and Shen could see that it was done by a foreign weapon. A bullet punctured his heart and killed him instantly. And although he only knew of one user of guns in this land he was certain that it was no work of the Golden Demon. No illusions, no flowers and nothing in the rhythm of four. But who could have done this and why? Shen knew no answer.

Akelei had been an orphan so there was no next of kin to inform. He propped the body up and brought him out of the sun, placed him next to a large tree, then he cut a young stem and stuck its root into the ground right above the young man's head. Prayers for peace and a good afterlife were recited and Shen left the scene with a bit of sorrow.

First the earthquakes between the worlds then spirits fleeing from darkness that did not belong and now a murder of a Kinkou ninja without any known reasons. This week had not been good to him and Shen knew that he would find himself in the same old inn soon enough.

The air was better tonight and only a few people stayed long at the White Cliff Inn, including Shen. One strong drink and a good chat with the barkeeper kept him there for the evening or at least that is what he wanted to think.

"I know you are not a man of wine and beer, but we got a shipment of exotic beverages a few days ago. If you want to try?" The barkeeper winked at him, Shen knew it meant that it would be on the house.

Most of the locals were thankful and generous to the Kinkou Order and as much as it was appreciated, Shen needed to remind the others, and himself, to not get indulged in it.

"Thank you, I will give it a try," Shen answered with a smile.

A small glass was filled with a honey-coloured liquid and its smell already got his attention. Strong and indeed spicy. Shen took a small sip and frowned a bit.

"Quite strong. How did you come to this?"

The barkeeper chuckled. "We visit the docks every week, me and Laikshe. They renovated the sea market a few months ago and even larger ships can come and trade now, so obviously more people come. This is from Piltover, by the way."

Shen took another sip but couldn't help a frown at the strong taste.

"Will you visit the docks soon again?"

"Yes, we will go there by tomorrow."

A quick idea rushed into his bubbly head and Shen fished some paper out of his little burlap sack. The bartender understood his notion and handed him a pen and as Shen began writing, so did he explain.

"If you could, please bring this message to the Drought Tongue Tavern at the docks. Their maid with the black long hair should know who it is meant for."

The bartender took the note and folded it carefully. "Of course, that will be no problem!"

It had been a few years since he last saw or spoke to him and this time, it would be Shen seeking out Zed. As much as he wanted his head for killing his father, Shen needed answers and for that put his own desires aside. A task he had once accomplished and had to test himself for again soon.