His plan was to arrive at The Placidium of Navori, meet the Ionian Council of Elders, and challenge Xan Irelia to a "friendly" duel. But, luck doesn't favor Xin Zhao very often. The Demacian carriage he took to Piltover had been attacked by bandits, the Piltoverian airship he was supposed to take to Ionia malfunctioned and he had to wait a couple of days for it to be fixed, and even when he landed at The Placidium, members of the Navori Brotherhood recklessly tried to kill him.
Right now, he was walking to The Placidium's monastery with Garen to challenge Irelia to a duel. She probably wouldn't be there, seeing as it was Saturday morning currently. If that was the case, he reasoned, he would just write a letter. He felt himself calm down as he walked. It had been a lifetime ago since he lived in Ionia.
Soon he arrived at the doorsteps of the monastery. The doors were wide open and miniature trees that were in the shapes of Ionian symbols could be seen inside. He walked inside and was greeted by a girl who looked no older than 10.
"Hello, sir. How can we help you?" asked the little girl.
"Hello. I'm looking for Xan Irelia," replied Xin politely.
"Oh, she isn't here, but we can have you meet with our head, Karma, if you would like, sir?" said the girl.
"Yes, that would be nice, thank you," said Xin.
"Follow me, sir," said the girl, and she started down a hallway to the left.
Xin and Garen followed behind the girl and looked around as they walked, taking in all the features of the hallway. Here, there were more miniature trees and many tapestries depicting moments in Ionia's history. Many of which, Xin noticed, had Irelia with her iconic blades hovering behind her. They rounded a corner and walked through an entryway draped with fabrics. They came upon Karma, who sat cross-legged on a pillow, with her eyes closed, and facing them with her hands together, murmuring a poem in Ancient Ionian. Behind her was another tapestry filled with colors, although Xin couldn't recognize what it was supposed to be. Near the walls were various rugs and tables that had lighted candles and some small wooden boxes on them. The room was a comfortable size, giving off a very serene atmosphere.
Seems very stereotypical of a monastery, thought Xin.
"Hello, Xin. Hello, Garen. What brings you here today?" started Karma, opening her eyes lazily and nodding toward the girl, who then walked off.
"Hello, Karma," Xin bowed, "Sorry for the interruption, but I would like to apologize to you for the dispute at the negotiation. I am sorry that happened."
"I'd like to say the same. I am sorry about the accusations," said Garen, bowing as well.
"It is no problem," said Karma, surprised. "Do you wish to discuss something with me?" Karma asked after pausing, seeing the hesitant expressions on the faces of Xin and Garen.
"Yes, I would like that very much," replied Xin.
"Okay, follow me," said Karma.
"Pardon me, but I have a request I must discuss with Shen. It was a pleasure meeting you again, Karma," said Garen.
"Likewise," Karma responded politely.
Garen walked down the hall and disappeared from view.
Karma led Xin through an entryway near the corner of the room, revealing a smaller, but still comfortable room that had a low table with a pillow on each side.
"Let me make some tea," said Karma, and walked through yet another entryway.
She came back a couple of minutes later, carrying two cups and a pot. She put the cups on the coasters on the table, and poured tea into the cups.
Taking a sip of her tea, she asked, "What is on your mind?"
"I would like to challenge Irelia to a duel," replied Xin.
Karma raised her eyebrows, but her facial expressions did not betray her thoughts.
"May I ask why?" said Karma, "Although I'm fairly sure I already know why."
"I'd just like to finish the duel we started, albeit this time it won't be under any political factors," said Xin.
"I thought so. But are you sure you want to do this? Last time I saw you fight her, she almost cut your head off. Or maybe she did, and that's why you're challenging her," replied Karma. Xin scowled and Karma laughed heartily.
"Very funny," said Xin sulkily.
"I don't usually partake in humor, so consider that one of my better jokes," said Karma happily. "But in all seriousness, Irelia can gravely injure you, especially if she wants to."
"I think I got that part down," responded Xin. "Where can I find her?"
"She could be anywhere. So I would suggest you write a letter and have it mailed to her residence. But remember, she doesn't have to accept the challenge."
"Okay, I'll do that then. Thanks for everything, Karma."
"My pleasure. I enjoyed talking to you, Xin."
Xin walked out the monastery doors with Garen, who had been waiting for him. He needed to find the nearest post office.
When Irelia returned home in the late afternoon, she found a letter sitting at her door. She picked it up, ripped it open, and read it.
Meet me at the forest clearing near the market in the evening. No, this is not a date. This is a duel, because we did not finish the one we started back in Piltover. But bring beer anyway. I look forward to defeating you in front of your people. I know you will come.
Irelia resisted the urge to smile. From the informality of the letter to the irony, it was all she could do not to burst out laughing. But at the same time, the informality of the letter and the demands written in it annoyed Irelia.
Who does he think he is, telling me what to do? And did his parents even teach him proper etiquette? thought Irelia angrily.
But just like Xin said, Irelia was going. She wanted to humble him so badly. When she arrived at the clearing a couple hours later, she found Xin waiting, along with many people eager to see the fight. Just seeing that stupid smirk on his face again angered Irelia, and without realizing it, she had started to whirl her blades around her slowly.
"You didn't bring beer," said Xin.
"Are you surprised?" replied Irelia, the words coming out of her mouth a bit more sternly than expected.
"Not at all," Xin responded calmly. "Let's get it started."
Xin Zhao headed for one end of the clearing and Irelia headed for the other. Xin reached for his spear and Irelia let her blades whirl around her more quickly. She heard many of the onlookers cheer her on, and a few cheered for Xin. After a few seconds, they dashed at each other, engaging in combat. Irelia let a couple blades shoot out in front of her, and Xin quickly dodged them. He hurled his spear at Irelia but she rolled to the side to avoid it. It landed harmlessly in the grass. When she turned back around, Xin was already in front of her, and he pinned her down on the grass. Irelia quickly rolled, broke his grip, and got up, throwing her blades out towards Xin. Xin escaped some blades, but others cut his clothes, and one lodged in his leg. He fell to one knee, and Irelia grinned.
"Is that all you've got, Demacian boy?" teased Irelia.
To her surprise, Xin dashed at her with incredible speed and knocked her to the ground. He then grabbed his spear and slashed downward at Irelia. She barely managed to escape and the spear cut her torso. Irelia held back a scream and got up to face Xin. Both fighters were now covered in sweat and dirt. Xin Zhao dashed around Irelia and thrust his spear outwards, expecting to hit her, but at the last second, Irelia knocked the spear to the side and lunged at Xin, pinning him to the ground with her blades. He quickly got up, the blades ripping his clothes. Their blades clashed many times over; the sound of metal scraping metal could be heard from a mile away.
After a few minutes of relentless fighting, Irelia was beginning to lose her energy, and her wound was starting to slow her down even more. Standing across from Xin, who looked like he had endless energy, she knew she had to end it soon. As a last effort to finish the fight, she channeled all her strength into her blades and sent them flying in the shape of a crescent towards Xin. Just as she expected the blades to hit and disarm Xin, he let out a shout and slashed at the air forcefully. A gust of wind blew her blades away and knocked Irelia onto the ground. She looked up just in time to see Xin standing over her, his spear stuck in the ground next to her neck.
"Alright, you win," grumbled Irelia, fully knowing she lost.
"Cheer up. You only lost to the best spearman in all of Runeterra," said Xin, smirking.
There it is again, thought Irelia. She ignored his remark and made Xin sit down.
"Hold still while I pull this blade out," said Irelia.
As Irelia pulled the blade out, she was surprised.
Seeing the look on her face, Xin asked, "Is something wrong?"
"No, I'm just surprised. You're Demacian. You shouldn't have magic in your blood. Now that I think about it, you never did look Demacian..." Irelia trailed off.
"Well, it's a complicated story," said Xin. "I'm going to see Karma to get my leg healed. It was fun dueling you."
Finishing his sentence, Xin started to walk away.
"I'll come too. Don't look so miserable, I'm great company," said Irelia.
Xin seemed to consider it for a moment before he said, "Fine."
Irelia caught up to Xin, and they started walking towards the monastery in silence.