Days went by since the incident in the southern forest and Shen was once again on top of the monasteries walls, looking above the trees towards the horizon. He meditated and let his brain speak its poison before working on it.
His acolyte Akelei had been a victim of a hit and run and although it was none of his duties to catch the murderer, he was still concerned for the reason of it. The young man had no wealth or coin on him and no information to steal that was worth trouble. At best, all the man could have been to an outsider would be a mere gatherer or traveller, only the cloth that a friend of the Order had given him would reveal his affiliation with the Kinkou.
And even if the murder was aimed at them, the reason stayed unclear. Shen upheld the vow of his father, the Kinkou Order stayed political neutral and only concerned themselves with balancing the issues between the material and the spirit worlds. Only years before they had helped villagers flee from the Noxian invasion or helped temples in caring for the wounded of war, but never took action in battle.
And the murder weapon was not of Ionian descent, so it was no local or at least someone who had travelled a lot.
All this lead to the conclusion that it was either a random act of malice or a personal threat. The latter sadly shared history with Shen, had he and his family fought and hunted a serial killer aiming at their hearts almost his entire life.
The Golden Demon, or called by his stage name Khada Jhin, had killed hundreds of people to gain their attention and show them their work. He had used daggers, explosives and as of recently, guns. However, all of his tools were magically enchanted and created morbid but beautiful illusions of their victims, as well as the gun, which could carve flower shapes into bodies that stayed when the illusions would fade. Additionally, Jhin was obsessed with the number four, leaving usually four victims behind or striking in a pattern that was related to the number.
None of this information other than the usage of a gun matched with the murder of Akelei.
But there was another personal feud happening.
Usan, now called Zed, his adoptive brother and former student of his father Kusho, as well as the murder of said man. Shen had vowed to end his life once he would get a hold of him, even as the Eye of Twilight, his vow would be broken the day they met again.
A few years ago that day had almost happened. Zed had sought him out in the White Cliff Inn upholding the code of Tuonn, pleading him to work together so that Jhin can be stopped. Shen accepted the short armistice but denied the collaboration as he intended to stop the serial killer himself. In the end, they needed to work together not only to catch Jhin but also to save his former acolyte Akali from the serial killers grasp.
Zed had vanished after that but word travelled and had reached Shen that he had been seen at the southern region of Ionia and that he was looking for Jhin, as said man had been released from prison by political powers yet again. There had been events of violence in villages, destruction of property and allegedly murders by his Shadow Order for the goal of the hunt.
While Shen knew that Zed had killed his father, he also denied to believe that Zed would walk over corpses to reach Jhin. He had killed in and for war, but no innocent bystanders. That was Jhin's work.
Zeds weapon included shuriken and four daggers, two attached to each of his gloves as well as he used shadow magic, a forbidden technique once locked away by master Kusho. Never had Shen seen him using a gun, but who would say that none of his acolytes would? They travelled a lot for war and their goal was to win by all means possible, it would be debatable but plausible that they would use foreign weapons in time.
With every back and forth of arguments, his desire to hunt down Zed grew stronger but he knew he had to stay patient. His letter should have reached its destination by now and as soon as it was read by the right person, he knew he would get an answer soon.
Shen would wait one more week before travelling to the Drought Tongue Tavern himself and meet Zed, for that he had to provide as much as he could.
The next day Shen travelled south again and visited an old shrine of a forest spirit, one that guarded the area for thousands of years. He asked for permission and spoke to it directly, gathering more information on the shadow that did not belong.
Two more spirits turned him down and refused to talk but Shen noticed their nervosity and even fear within their hearts. After six days he had reached the shore and tried to communicate with a sea spirit but to no avail. Instead, a spirit of storm and thunder greeted him with a rather unwelcome gust that threw him around for seconds. The translucent being had a 'funny bone', pranking him constantly before giving answers but when Shen mentioned Hechlurii's words the spirit changed tone.
I doubt many would talk about it.
The spirit changed direction and twisted around its own body.
Should I tell you or not?
"I seek answers. I am here to help but I can't act without information." Shen insisted.
Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe. Hmm.
He reached into his burlap sack and pulled out the round piece of metal, showing its carvings to the spirit."Can you tell me anything about this?"
Ah, yes! I believe that is the eye of an ancient mother. They say that her tears will drown the world...
As Shen thought, it was an old spiritual artefact. "Where can I find it?"
Where the heart lies! Where the world is breathing! Where you swim in the heat of her womb! But I must ask, why do you seek her eye?
"Another spirit gave it to me but was afraid to tell me. I believe I must find it to understand what is happening."
The spirit turned around again and put its head upside down before nodding in, what now seemed to be, an upwards motion.
Maybe she lets you see what your eyes can't find. Good luck.
And thus, the trickster vanished.
Some would think of the spirit as cryptic but Shen knew what he meant with those words. In the heart of Ionia and close to the old monastery of the Kinkou Order laid Omikayalan, a sacred grove to all Ionians. Once there had been a massive tree called the God-Willow of ancient times but it had been destroyed long ago. The landmark was littered with hot springs that assumed volcanic activity and some people spoke of little cave entrances close by.
Shen had never visited the grove since ... there never had been a need for it. Even when he had lived so close.
The metal piece fell back into the burlap sack and the Eye of Twilight returned from his duties to travel further south, tomorrow he would act for a more personal matter.
A few more days passed by and Shen visited the Tavern each evening, soon he started to think that Zed avoided him but he refused to believe it. If Shen asked for him, Zed would come. Because if Shen asked for him, it was not for battle. You don't invite your enemy for their own death.
Zed knew it would be for more important matters and thus arrived late but prepared, seating himself next to the much larger Ionian.
"I couldn't believe that you sought me out, Shen. After all this time?"
"Doubt it, I wouldn't if I didn't have to."
"Then speak."
Shen didn't face his enemy, rather focused on the barmaid cleaning the mugs one by one.
"The Spirit World is dying."
A rustle let him know that Zed turned to him in shock.
"It is not an enemy we know of. Something is plaguing the home of spirits. They turn to our mortal realm, they flee, they seek shelter within our homes. I spoke to some of the spirits, one told me of a 'darkness that does not belong even when the sun bids farewell.'"
Shen took a deep breath. "I know you use shadow magic and your whole order learned to do so. It was locked away for a reason and I believe we soon find out why."
"Don't blame me or my students. Using this magic is a necessity, not a luxury! We train for years over full control to avoid corruption." Zed emptied his drink before speaking up. "If you think that we are at fault, then say it but have my word that we never attacked or bothered spirits or used shadow magic for evil. We want to protect our home, not destroy it!"
His voice grew more agitated with each sentence and Shen felt the raw emotion that his former brother held within. His hand had already reached into the burlap sack, holding the round metal piece between fingers.
"Zed, I know you hunt Jhin again. I am aware that he had been freed but I already tried to tell you that it is worthless to hunt him through our country. He wants you to hunt him. He will make you use everything you have and gain nothing out of it."
Shen finally turned to look at Zed's irritated face. The sheer mention of the serial killer heated old hate within him. Both waited for a moment and Shen observed the reactions on Zed's face.
"I've heard of the incident in Tuula. You wanted to find out who let him out, rip out the root of the problem, but instead, you found Jhin. Zed, you launched a massive strike with shadow magic against him and failed, all of your acolytes helped you cast it and the whole town suffered. This did not go unnoticed and yes, I believe this could have caused it all. I believe you started a fire, a discord between us and I need you to fix it."
The round piece of metal was placed on the counter between them.
"Only you truly mastered shadow magic, I can't give anyone else this task. You were once Kinkou, you know how important the balance between our worlds is, so either accept the duty or I will force you to it!"
His hand slammed on the counter, the metal piece clinked right below it.
Zed gritted his teeth and kept his voice low and menacing. "I don't have time to do this nor do I believe that I am at fault. I am not Kinkou anymore, none of this is my duty. Jhin will pay for his crimes and when I find him I will collect the debts."
He leaned in closer to show that he was not afraid of Shens' anger. "Jhin is the true plague to our country and I will not rest until I have finally killed him."
"Then let me help you once again, together we always succeeded to catch him. But you will come with me to cure the spirit worlds."
Zed's caution now turned into surprise. "You offer your help? After you shot me down the last time?"
"Whatever is necessary! Zed, you know the spirit worlds are important to our country, you can't let them die!"
Shens' voice was still heated but Zed finally realised the desperation in between his words. He bit his lip and contemplated before answering.
"He needs to die."
"I can't let you do that."
"Then we don't have a deal. You can't keep him in prison and his death is long overdue!"
The hand on the counter finally moved back and revealed the piece of metal beneath. Shen observed it for a moment and Zed noticed the carvings on top but couldn't figure out what they meant. He saw his brother thinking and searching for an argument to tell.
"I'm sorry, Shen. I know your duties and I realise the importance of them but I can't help you. I have to do what your Order can not."
Zed's face softened when he saw Shen close his eyes for a second. It had been a long time since they saw each other and even longer when they weren't on each other's throats. His wish to turn back time crept up his head but Zed knew that history could not be changed.
"What if we find a better place to imprison him?"
Zed shook his head. "Shen, it is no use."
"Ionia is not the only country that is searching for him. I do not decide for the life of the man but I would accept trading him away."
"You mean, to another country?" Zed was struck with curiosity. "Piltover wants his head and Noxus would throw him into the gladiator pits. For the latter, we could try to surrender him in exchange for a truce and I tell you, you will find me watching him fight in the ring."
Shen slowly nodded while listening. Of course, he knew the consequences but he had run out of ideas. The thought to hand the man over like an object for trade was not what he had intended but it would stay within the Kinkou's vows as well as could be beneficial to his homeland. Long ago he had wished death to the serial killer as much as Zed did but had to learn to control these emotions due to his duties. By now he was fully objective, just sometimes the human in his head reminded him that Jhin was also human and just that.
"Choose his destination but do not lay hands on his life. If so, I will help you catch him and in return, you will find a cure for the spirits."
"Then so be it."
Both exchanged a look before accepting the deal and Shen felt relief within a sigh.
"What is that?" Zed pointed at the piece of metal.
"A spirit gave it to me. It depicts an old artefact that may help us save the spirits but I have just one lead where to look and no information on how to use it."
Zed carefully took the piece and observed the carvings as a finger traced the rough edges.
"I have never seen this before. And you believe this can solve the problem?"
Shen took the metal back as Zed was done looking at it. "Not directly. It is called the 'eye of the mother' and it can lead you to what you seek. It may be the only chance to find a cure or at least the cause."
"Hah!"
The short laugh made Shen blink in surprise, Zed smiled at him.
"Find the cause? I thought you believe me at fault?"
Shen was about to answer but Zed waved him off. "I understand why you think it was me, but let's find out what really brought the darkness."
The evening ended on better terms than expected and both left with a new plan hatched.
Shen would travel to find the artefact while Zed would try to find contacts within Noxus. The Eye of Twilight would rather have him help with the search and retrieval of the eye but the other insisted on securing the deal with the Noxians first, to get rid of Jhin as soon as possible.
He wouldn't say it straight away and both knew he didn't need to, Shen knew that Zed was unhappy to let Jhin live within his grasp yet again if caught, so he would let him be. He had failed to appeal and reassure Zed's feelings about this from the start as he had realised over the years, at least he could attempt to be better at it.
And there was something else that he needed to discuss. The incident with his acolyte still bothered his mind and the desire to at least find out what happened had stayed with him, as Zed was his best lead to the truth yet. Shen would ask him when the time was right.
