Chapter 3.5: A trip down memory lane/ Kayn Gaiden
Chapter 3.5 Summary: Muroroku Shieda Kayn, rogue ninja of the Azuma Ninja and newest member of the Brotherhood. To his surviving brother and sister, he's honorless murdering scum that'll receive due penance one day but to others, he's something of an enigma and that there may be more to the young Kayn than meets the eye.
"I use to believe that there was no kind of joy or happiness in the curse of undeath. Arthas made it painfully clear to me that day. Now...now my mind has truly been opened. No longer will my kind be called monsters or a plague that needs to be wiped out. No, it is they that choose to remain ignorant and it's why whether willingly or not that they be shown the true meaning of a curse,"
"Quote from the Banshee Queen (aka) Dark Lady Sylvannas Windrunner"
Ionia, Mount Hakurei: Brotherhood of Bleak Hour base of operations
Diabolic Schemes/Wayward means /(Super Mario Bros Z OST : Danger Afoot by: by Alvin Earthworm and Nintendo team watch?v=bgFHt6S3vR4)
Mount Hakurei was located in the southern most reaches of Ionian. It once had a lush, gorgeous, forest that surrounded its peak that attracted many of the local villagers and tourist. It was until dreadful stories about the place and disappearances started happening. Some say nightmarish creatures, (until this day, no one knows where they appeared from or if they had always been there and just surfaced to do away with any unwelcomed guests that happened to get too close to the place, they called home) were the cause. Others have stated that it was the forest, punishing the sapient species for their decades of mistreatment. One thing was for sure, whatever was the cause had changed the landscape around the mountain drastically and deterred anyone but the foolhardiest, the foolhardiest being mercs, adventures and whoever else was stupid enough to venture too deep into the mountains. It's why It made the perfect base of operations for the dark guild known as the Brotherhood of Bleak Hour.
Of course, no one would suspect that they'd be the cause for Hakurei's once beautiful appearance to turn into a sanctuary for demons and other monstrous beings as well as change the area around it to reflect its new sinister inhabitants. It's how they've kept nosy parkers from discovering what they shouldn't. Deep within the gargantuan Earth, nine figures were gathered around in a large area. While they weren't physically there, their shadowy images were brought up from a magical pedestal like object that sat nestled between rocks and an oddly shaped medal stand. One figure was a plant like woman that kept petting what looked to be a living Venus fly trap. The next set were a couple that resembled humanoid felines. The woman had the man in between her legs while he sat down, getting his hair stroked. A monolithic bald entity made up the third, a man, spinning a gun around made the fourth, while the fifth was another man with a shoulder device that hung over the right side of his shoulder. The sixth, while she resembled a voluptuous woman with ample cleavage, one would be able to tell that she wasn't human, even if she was darkened by the low-lit room they were in, (the dagger like appendages protruding from her back being a dead giveaway). The other two were none other than the newly arrived Aatrox and Kayn. They were currently beholden to a titanic structure. In the middle was a swirling dark red vortex. Whatever was on the other side seem to be speaking. A looming, ancient voice that commanded power and obedience.
Aatrox walked forward until he was inches away from the portal entity and got on one knee.
"Your greatness, I've brought the revered relic as well as the incompetent," he said and earning him a glare from the half-human half demon man. The voice was silent for a bit before addressing him.
"All though you were monumentally late with what was a simple task, I'll excuse thine blunder of both of you this time Aatrox," it quaked. Maintaining the same type of respect in his voice, Aatrox spoke again.
"I am unworthy of your mercy your dark excellency," he said before sparing a menacing leer at the youngest member of the dark guild. "Your rudeness knows no bounds Kayn. Do you not hear his majesty speaking to you? Do you still continue with this inexcusable disrespectful behavior?" Aatrox admonished.
Kayn on the other hand felt his patience slowly start to slip. Ever since he joined the brotherhood, he and Aatrox had been at each other's throats. Given the chance, Aatrox would probably have him killed or would kill him himself if the opportunity ever presented itself. Before he could offer a rebuttal of his own the voice interrupted their brewing argument.
"Here here, Aatrox calm thy self. The young one is simply letting his elders speak before offering any of his input. Kin shouldn't argue, rather all that's hither should rejoice, for the promise time is nigh and nearing fruition," it spoke as if it were reciting a sermon. There it went again, their lord speaking in riddles and cryptic nonsense. What did he mean? What was this promise time he kept rehashing over and over again? This is what the feline like woman thought in her head before voicing her input.
"Excuse me for being blunt your dark and gruesomeness but when will we all be let in on this promise time?" she said trying to be a smart aleck and getting silent whispers from the others who too wanted to know. The voice let out a humored guttural breath before answering her question.
"Thou shall be made aware in due recompense, Xayah," he said to her before focusing on all of them. "I'm sure you all have more pressing matters to attend to but I will end this on thine note," it said in a tone that left little room for misinterpretation or doubt. "None of you are to return to Hakurei without even a piece of the Xanadous Rubric. Each time the Hextech Boxes that houses it falls into some ignorant wretches' hands is more time the promised moment is delayed," it's tone got even more darker. "I need not remind you what happens to those who fail me do I not my apostles?"
They all replied with a "No! Your dark excellency!" and getting a grunt of approval.
"Good. Continue to serve me as thy always have and I'll reward thee with succor beyond any of your meek comprehensions. Now if there are no more questions, then thou are relieved to continue their duties,"
Again, they all did everything in unison with a bow and a, "By your leave my lord,"
Kayn was about to set off back into the main rotunda until he was stopped by his dark master. "You hang back young assassin, I require further dialogue with you," it said. Even though he was a little on edge on what he could want, Kayn obeyed and walked back towards it. They both noticed Aatrox still standing there. The voice had meant him also and was quick to voice it's demands.
"That meant you too Aatrox. I have no need for thee," it said with minor irritability. Seeing his master be so quick to do away with him, like refuse, caused the bat like demon to gnash it's razor like teeth together with a loud clack. Clearly infuriated.
"My lord?! Forgive me for my indiscretion but why do you insist on giving, this… this meta breed bungler so much of your favor?! He's not worthy of your appraisal! You shou…. GRKK!" Aatrox spat out in immense agony as he found himself piledriven by overwhelming, psychic magical force and brought to both hands and knees on the cold granite floor that littered the cave.
He tried to struggle against it in vain as the more he did, the more the bone crushing gravity railed against him. He couldn't even look at the portal entity as it was a trying task to stay conscious. Once again, the voice was grave and foreboding. Even through the pain, it'd make sure he would miss nothing with what he was about to say next.
"Aatrox…. I don't remember beckoning thee to voice thine displeasure," it started. "I believe thou'rt were told to relieve one's presence from my throne room was thou not?" It said calmly. While it was calm, there was no doubt about the sheer volume of viral poison it radiated. Through labored breathes and feral snarls, the one known as the Herald, managed to answer his sovereign.
"N-No m-m-my liege, y-you did not and y-yes yes you did," Aatrox said struggling to speak. The voice relented its power, causing the heavily muscled bat demon to hack and cough violently.
"Then why are you still here?" it asked with it sounding more like a challenge and threat rather than a question. Not wanting to provoke his dark lord's wrath again, Aatrox composed himself and answered quickly.
"I'll take my leave your excellency. Forgive my rude outburst," he said with a deep bow and getting one last reply.
"Aatrox, you're my most powerful apostle and herald to my ascension. Thou'st will remember, that just as quickly, thy can be replaced if you dare question my handling of things again. If thou'st understand then get thee gone before this one is obliterated down to a molecular level," the voice echoed impatiently.
Aatrox bowed again. "By your leave, my lord," he said before turning and walking off.
He focused his upmost attention to Kayn as he got closer. Red demonic eyes boring absolute abyssal fury into his. Kayn however stared back with nothing more than a blank expression. Not even remotely phased by the intimidation tactic. Aatrox collided roughly into his left shoulder and getting a humored snort out of the younger man in return. With that, he was then at the gargantuan, technological door that opened before closing after he passed through it. With no one else there to disturb them, Kayn walked forward and kneeled causing the voice to let out a chuckle.
"Raise yourself young one, there's no need for formalities when it's just us," it said in a surprisingly friendly tone, well as far as it was concerned. This caused Kayn to regard his dark master with a look that could be considered surprise and getting an amused reply from him.
"What's this? Surprised by my change of speech pattern?" the voice questioned. Kayn shook his head.
"Not surprised my master. Just slightly intrigued. I thought you considered common, a crude language?" Kayn mused and getting another amused chuckle out of the entity.
"Nothing so elitist. No, I'm sure you've gotten to know our more fanatical members?" it said and getting another nod. It continued, "Got to keep those mindless drones tethered somehow and what better way to do it than to recite some prophetic drivel," he said with a dark snicker. Kayn merely offered a dry laugh in response but made sure not to accidently offend his master.
"I have no opinion my master other than I guess simpletons need to have some sliver of hope from some kind of source," he inquired. The voice was silent for a few moments. Enough to make the rogue ninja somewhat uncomfortable.
"Indeed. However, that's not why I told you to hang back," it said and causing Kayn's expression to become more stoic.
"Tell me what it is you require of me lord and I'll fulfill it?" he said obediently.
"We'll get to that in due time but let me ask you a question? How much do you know about the Xandous Rubric?" it questioned.
Kayn answered. "Just minor bits and pieces master. Not enough to get into an intellectual conversation," Kayn said.
"Do you know what the Rubric does?" the voice probed. Somewhat curious as to why his master was questioning him about this, he tried to answer the best he could.
"I do know that anyone who's able to break the complex deciphering's from the Hextech Cube they're imprisoned in, that they can grant and do amazing things to the person who decodes the readings. They're also a source of bottomless magical power," he said before speaking again. "That's the thing, they are nearly impossible to decipher," he said knowledgably.
The entity was thoroughly impressed with the boy and for someone who stated that they didn't know much. He seemed proficient enough on how they worked. "Yes, they are. There's only a rare few on this planet that know how to decipher these specific rubrics," the voice explained. Kayn decided to bring something up that he mentioned earlier.
"So, I'm assuming this is what you've been using the pieces we gathered so far for? To gather enough magical power to open a portal between Earth and where you currently reside?" he inquired. The voice had grown quiet again and Kayn had to admit, he was starting to get a little weary of it.
"Child, you have some rather interesting deductive skills," he said almost as if he was suspicious of something. Seeing the look Kayn gave him, he tried to mollify whatever was going on in his brain. "Don't worry, I was merely impressed was all. Yes, since I alone won't be enough for the process and need external sources to complete it. That's why I need to you to head to Nostro's Monastery," it said.
Kayn raised an eyebrow. "That decrepit, dank crypt master? It's been abandoned for ages? What could possibly be there of interest?" he asked.
"An intact, whole piece of a Xandous Rubric as well as something I want you to destroy rather a someone, I want you to destroy," it echoed. Kayn grew more dumbfounded the more his benefactor explained.
"Someone?" he said. The voice answered back.
"Yes. While the person I'm referring to has been dead for quite some time, I've been feeling magical power emanating from that place. His magical power. Faint as it is, I'm still not running the risk of someone reviving him or him somehow reviving himself. Don't worry yourself. With the magical power he was outputting, it in no shape or form eclipses yours and you should be able to obliterate the prison along with him with no difficulty," it finished before giving him one last piece of information. "Sinestra will fill you in on exactly where you need to go to find both and give you the proper items you need for said things,"
Kayn put his balled right fist into his enclosed left hand and bowed. Assuming there was a reason for his master not divulging any further information about this mystery person he was being sent to destroy, not to mention how the rubric got there.
"Your will be done, Demon King Fortinbras," the ex-Azuma ninja stated, as he turned around and began walking towards the door, the voice left him with some parting words.
"Be sure to accomplish this task that I have set off for you Muroroku Kayn. There should be little reason for you to fail," he said. "I assume that you'll continue safeguarding and seeing that he doesn't, won't you Rhaast?" he finished, questioning whoever this Rhaast was.
While the voice didn't come from the human hybrid, it seemed to emanate from his right eye. "Your mandate is law your dark excellency," Rhaast said in a mystical, inhuman voice.
XX
"Alright kid, so that should be everything you need and this map should guide you straight to the monastery," the woman known as Sinestra explained as she handed him the items.
Sinestra, a code name since she threw her real name away long ago, was a blood elf who was deemed a traitor to her own people for a key role she played in the Legion War. Rather than go back to Silvermoon and face execution she found refuge within the brotherhood during her travels and has been with them ever since. She had long bangs that were ebon black with a nasty scar running down her right eye that had an eye patch, (something she acquired long ago). She wore armor that resembled what would be a northern kingdom's equivalent to a thief or ninja. The proper name for it was the dark black, dark blue armor called Darkmantle. She had the lithe appearance of a typical blood elf but if one could describe her aesthetically, then she'd be described as strikingly beautiful if not for her more sinister background.
Using a simple spacial magic spell, Kayn stored the items, before thanking her. "Thanks Lady Sinestra. Before I go, I have a couple of questions?" he queried. She raised an eyebrow at this.
"Okay? Shoot?" she answered.
"How did the Xandous Rubric get to Nostro's in the first place? And who's this person that his majesty has sent me after? He really didn't give me much to go on but I'm sure there was a reason for it?" he said brimming with pique interest.
She eyed the ground for a couple of mintues, with a hand on her mouth in contemplation. She looked at him again. "Look if I tell you this, especially the second half then please keep it to yourself. I'm sure someone of your background understands the nature of subterfuge," she expounded. He gave her a quick nod before she continued.
"The rubric? I don't know much except that it crashed through the roof of the monastery a week ago. How it got there or who cracked the cube? I really don't know. It somehow escaped whoever or whatever free'd it and now it's sitting there in the crypt and I have to tell you kid, you're going to have a long trek to get to that thing but luckily, it doesn't seem to have been disturbed. I wouldn't take your sweet time getting there however," seeing as she had his attention still, she explained the next portion.
"Now for the person you're after? I know that he was a powerful necromancer while he was living, literally akin to a lich king and a former member of the brotherhood," she said, breaking off a little and causing Kayn to urge her to go on.
"And?" he probed.
She sighed. "His real name in life was Vandal Anrathi Vandread and was the next in line for a long-forgotten kingdom and dynasty under Vandread senior's rule. You'll need to find why he joined up with the brotherhood or how he ended up in Nostro' from a different source. I don't know and I'm not looking to give a history lesson," she said nonchalantly before continuing.
"During his tenure with the brotherhood however, he went by the name Vordred. He was growing too powerful, within himself and with the influence he was garnering around him. To the point that it made him arrogant. Arrogant enough to try to stage a coup and betray Lord Fortinbras. He was disposed of before he could become a tangible threat, thankfully," she finished.
Kayn took in the bit of information. Deep in thought on every piece before confirming something. "I think I may already know the answer to this but does the master think someone may be trying to revive this Vordred?" he asked. She nodded.
"You may be right but who knows? He's been sealed in that crypt for so long without the faintest trace of magical power emanating from that place. That's why you need to get there and destroy his body and whoever may be trying to raise him up from the dead before it's too late. If he's allowed to revive then it could literally throw a wrench into our operations and what we have planned," she warned.
Kayn turned around. "Well best not tarry here any longer. Thank you Lady Sinestra, I'll see my way out," he waved and getting a nod back before walking out of her personal shop that she had set up.
XX
As he walked out, several of his colleagues were posted up and waiting for him. Much to his chagrin, they looked as if they wanted to barrage him with a set of questions. Unfortunately, he was right. The first was the monolithic bald one known as Sion.
"So where you off to now runt? he said in a deep, rough voice. This caused the young ninja to regard him with a frown.
"That's on a need to know basis, cretin. I don't have the time to converse with all of you," he said trying to make his way quickly out of the centralized area inside of Hakurei and getting a grunt out of the larger creature.
"Hnn, touchy," he sneered.
The plant woman named Zyra was next to stop him,much to his waning patience. "Come off it Kayn. Lord Fortinbras has been telling you things and we want to know? We're all comrades are we not?" she said and getting the others to add their unneeded input as well. The way she phrased it was something akin to someone trying to be a dirty twofaced rat, a snake.
Kayn was no fool. He knew they would try anything to coax information out of him. Not willing to give into their provocations, he again set off past them only for Aatrox to stop right in front of him. The two bored absolute, murderous daggers into one another.
"Don't you nimrods have places you need to be? I'm in a rush, aside, now…" Kayn said, narrowly. Aatrox didn't seem to care or listen, which was typical.
"I don't know why his majesty favor's you so much but you'd do well to watch where you tread and remember your place, you filthy meta-breed mongrel," he snarked and causing Kayn to allow a dangerous smirk to grace his features.
"Aww, we still sore that his majesty bitch slapped you into submission for overstepping your boundaries with that little diatribe of shit that you spouted earlier? Poor little Aatrox," the half-breed taunted and causing the other demon to become even angrier, a crimson aura forming around him. Before the situation could devolve the guild's sharpshooter, named Jhin took it upon himself to butt into their conversation.
"His majesty rebuked you did he, sir Aatrox? I must say that it's a rare occurrence that he ever has to scold you," he said laughing, with the others joining in too.
"SILENCE!" Aatrox snapped his head towards them, ending the choir of noise swiftly. Kayn used this opportunity to cross the end of the large area, not bothering to turn around until the bat demon rung out a grim heeding, causing Kayn to turn his head slightly to acknowledge him, although reluctantly.
"Watch yourself Muroroku Kayn," he said dangerously.
Kayn smirked again, flipping him off before proceeding outside.
11:00pm Mount Hakurei, Exterior August 20th 2041EE
It was night time and from the looks of the sky, it looked like a storm would arrive soon. Hopefully he'd be done with this before it set in. He was about to prepare a Flying Swallow technique to get there when he spotted a familiar presence sitting on the edge of the steps. She was a little girl with a teddy bear. The ninja's face immediately softened. She must have been waiting on him. While it wasn't his intention to startle the child, he cleared his throat, eliciting a slight noise that he couldn't quite discern and her jumping up slightly before turning around. She puffed her cheeks out in minor annoyance, figuring he did that on purpose and getting him to smile before he walked over and patted her hair.
"Annie, how many times have I told you not to wait for me out here?" he chastised softly. She got up and walked over, causing him to crouch down into a hug from the smaller human.
"I know but why do you have to go on these stupid mission's all the time? Can't you take me with you?" she pouted and causing Kayn to laugh before picking her up and resting her on his shoulder.
"It's too dangerous, that's why and I'm not confident in myself that I'll be able to keep you protected," he explained and causing her to argue some more.
"But I have Tibbers? Oh come on?! I won't get in the way, I swear," she pleaded. Still, Kayn wouldn't relent and shook his head with a smile, putting her down. She hung her head low which prompted the young ninja to crouch down and rub her hair again. She looked up at him which got her an even warmer smile from the older male.
"You and I both will get out of this dump soon. I just need to take care of a couple of more things and you and I won't have to be separated anymore. I just need you to hold out a little bit longer, okay," he said assuredly.
She eyed him for a few minutes. "Promise?" she asked expectantly. He held out a pinky and interlocked it with hers.
"Shinobi's honor," he said with both of them grinning. Unknown to them, they didn't see the newer arrival that caught the both of them by surprise. Kayn only knew one person who could hide their Ki from him. Turning around, he had guessed right.
"That's right brat, he has things to do so why don't you stop pestering him already…," the feminine voice said. Kayn relaxed somewhat but was still on guard. Annie had got behind his leg. While she wasn't afraid, she never liked the person they had their attention focused on and she always made her feel uncomfortable.
"Evelynn…." Kayn said in an almost inaudible whisper before saying something else. "How long have you been there?" he asked suspiciously.
She seemed amused at the question. "Just got here so don't worry, I wasn't eavesdropping. Or was I?" she laughed but seeing as she wasn't garnering the mutual feeling in humor, she dropped it there. "I'll watch her. You should get going before our liege gets too impatient with you. I'm sure you have no room to be frolicking around," she said starting to walk up.
"True enough," he said still somewhat suspicious of her before looking down at Annie. She looked back with a sad frown.
"Why do I have to be baby sat by this fat chested cow? Why can't Miss Sinestra watch me?" she whined and causing the shadowy demon woman's body to twitch at the insult with a juicy, red tick mark appearing on the right side of her forehead and a face that went between a smile and a growl.
"You little…. fat chested cow?!" Evelynn said in disbelief and causing Kayn to chuckle.
"Because Lady Sinestra is busy. I won't be gone for too long so I need you to be a good little girl until I come back, deal?" he proposed. Evelynn had decided to pipe up again much to Annie's disapproval.
"Yeah, brats should listen to their betters," she said snidely while Annie made a face at her with a tongue stuck out.
"Bleeeeh!" she said loudly. Evelynn slanted her lips up at this.
"You are so not cute, I swear…" she stated. Kayn gave them one last look. Annie had a miserable expression and stuck an open palm out with her fingers pointed upwards indicating that she'd miss him and was hoping for his safe return. Kayn mirrored it before looking at Evelynn. She had her arms crossed over her ample cleavage with them pushed up purposely hoping to garner a reaction from him.
"If you do a good job, I'll have something for you when you come back," she said with a seductive wink and causing Kayn to grimace.
"I'm a highly trained, stealth assassin woman, not a gigolo," he said pointedly. She obviously didn't care, spouting another one of her flirtatious lines.
"Now now, you know that tickles my little sadist heart, hehe," she giggled bubbly.
While he didn't trust her completely because of how dodgy she could be at times, she was one of the few that made an effort to be friendly towards him and even helped him out when he needed it so the girl was safer with her than anyone else since Sinestra was busy herself. Brushing off her comment from earlier, he performed his Flying Swallow technique again, (this time going through the motions without disturbance), turning into a translucent whip like clear energy and rocketing off towards the monastery.
XX
Bond of Blood: (Rag'n'Bone Man – Human) watch?v=L3wKzyIN1yk
Nostro's Monastery: Exterior
The dark assassin was currently perched up on a cliff side, just a few dozen clicks from the monastery. The rain had finally set in and with how hard it was coming down, it wouldn't be surprising if it caused a flood. Taking a hand, he lowered his water drenched mask down from the cloak he wore so he could breathe. Rhaast took their short intermission to make conversation.
"You really need to stop provoking Aatrox. You're not at level yet to oppose him," Rhaast counseled. This merely got a disgruntled click of the teeth from Kayn.
"Me? He's the one that initiates those annoying tirades of his. Hopefully he keeps pissing of his majesty and his majesty kills him before I do," he said amusingly. Rhaast on the other hand didn't share in the human whose body he shared' humor.
"I think you take some unneeded risks at times," it mused before trailing off. "I want to ask you something? Why do you hate your brother and sister so much? What did they do?" he asked.
This caught the ex-Azuma ninja offguard and causing him to pause for a long time. His onxy and red eye couldn't be seen behind the hood, only his lips that were contorted into a thin crease. When he did answer, it wasn't what the demon was expecting.
"You pry way too deeply into my personal affairs sometimes Rhaast," he said. "No, I don't hate my brother, nor my sister. No, I hate what he's going to eventually become," he stated grimly and getting a stunned reaction out of the demon.
"What he will become?" Rhaast said perplexed.
Kayn closed his eyes for a few minutes before opening them back up. "I told you I had an encounter with a raw piece of a rubric before. I just never went into detail and left a lot of things out from his majesty intentionally. My brother, he has Oni blood in him. How do I know this? Because when I tried to kill him when we were kids, the Oni's signature marking appeared on his forehead right when I went in for the killing blow," he said removing the right side of the cloak to reveal a horrible x shaped scar on his chest.
"Okay but that still doesn't explain anything? What about the rubric and how did this human become a meta-breed like you?" he said impatiently.
"I'm getting to that. No, I believe he always had it. The rubric… the rubric showed me things. He and Lord Fortinbras, they're connected somehow. I'm not jumping to conclusions on why but they are connected from what I seen. This scar and that marking are proof that the vision wasn't a load of shit. If those two are allowed to persist, it'll be catastrophic for all life in the Milky Way and beyond. The sad thing is, he isn't aware of what dwells within him. It must subconsciously come out whenever it detects its master is in mortal danger. The only other person who knows he has it is my younger sister," he said with what almost sounded like guilt.
"So why are those two still alive then and from the way you're speaking, why the evil persona if you're feeling remorseful?" he said, trying decipher this human's way of thinking.
"You don't exactly help matters Rhaast with your contempt for humans," he said sarcastically which made the demon go quiet. It had to admit, he had caught him there. Seeing as he offered no words back, Kayn continued.
"I mean, you can't exactly tell your family that you have to kill your brother because of a vision you saw, can you? No…. it was better that it was just chalked up to me becoming a crazy, genocidal bastard with a penchant for blood. My two older brother and sister, younger sister and foster father all loved Irvine. Just like them, he means the world to my younger sister to the point that she'd die defending him. Why didn't I kill those two along with the rest of my family and my clan? My brother overpowered me while he was over taken by the demon blood inside of him as I got ready to kill him. It's how I got this nasty scar," he smirked dryly before his face contorted into a hateful gate.
"As for the brotherhood? They're a means to an end. I keep up this façade as to not draw attention to myself. That vision won't come to pass and when my brother is dealt with and I become strong enough, I'll end Lord Fortinbras myself, until then, I press on," he said resolute.
"That's a lot to take in partner…." Rhaast said thoughtfully and causing Kayn to shake his head.
"We've talked long enough and we got work to do so let's drop it here," he said swiftly. With no argument, he set off into a lightning fast ninja like sprint. He started clutching his scar again as a third person picture frame of him and Irvine came into view. One at Nostro's, the other in the caves located in Darrowmere as they both connected together. Both of their scars began to burn for no reason as one ran while the other fought in their respective areas. Yes, this was their connection to one another, this was their bond of blood.
Several Years Ago
Hellish Vertigo: (MagiCXbeats - Final Fantasy XV Remix (Main Theme)
watch?v=dmLBYMpbpWE
One of the huts as well various parts of the Azuma ninja village were in flames. Most were dead while stragglers were trying to flee the burning village. Currently in one of the huts stood kid versions of Irvine, Akali and Kayn. All of them in initiate ninja garb. Irvine was crumpled in a heap on a wall in a seated position, a broken katana near his side. The right side of his garb's sleeve was torn, revealing a horribly mutilated, bleeding arm while his forehead leaked blood profusely. He was out cold and showed no signs of waking. Akali was in front of her brother defensively and had a large wakasahi hugged for dear life against her chest. She had nasty cuts and bruises on her exposed arms and legs. She was shaking unhealthily while large quarter sized tears fell down her face as she stared on at the towering presence of their brother Kayn. He was shirtless with only the pants from the garb as well as the tabi being the only thing on his person. He had started to walk towards her with an oversized scythe. One red gleaming dot of a pupil, staring into her soul with no type of warmth or compassion to it, while the other was a flaring black.
"M-Muroroku s-stop! W-Why, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" Akali pleaded tearfully. She became even more distraught, seeing that her words weren't getting through to him in the slightest.
"My dear little sister, didn't master always tell you that emotions were ninja's Achille's heel?" he chided softly almost creepily. "You were never cut out to be a kunoichi. Always chasing after elder sister Ayame's shadow. Fret not baby sister, you'll join our brother shortly," he said darkly as he raised his scythe up with the intent to kill while she lowered her tearful face into a vicious glare and raising the wakizashi up. That was until she felt a hand on her shoulder causing both of them to stop completely and stare, absolutely gob struck as the figure pushed past her.
It was Irvine. Blood dripping from his wounds, he was upright as upright could be and none of his injuries seemed to be bothering him. That's not what they had their attention focused on. He had a half completed orange red star marking on his forehead with half of it looking like it was spilling over his right eye. His sclera was completely black with orange, anger induced silted irises as he stared at his brother. The broken katana's handle gripped firmly in his hands.
"I-Irvine…?" Akali said in shock as she took in his appearance but he didn't seem to be listening or aware of what was around him. No, the only thing he was focused on was the object of his anger, Kayn. Said person managed to come back to reality as his mouth closed and formed into a teeth gnashed together, angry snarl.
"T-That marking…. those eyes?! I knew it, THE VISION!" he screeched lividly. He got into a combat ready position as he witnessed flame like magical energy explode out of his brother's broken katana. "Irvine, I don't know if you can hear me through that possessed head of yours but you can curse me all you want in the afterlife and as long as you have that marking and those eyes, I CAN'T ALLOW YOU TO LIVE!" he quaked mightily as he lunged.
In a blink of an eye, the dark-skinned genin, made movements that wouldn't be possible for a normal human or hell, even by ninja standards. Akali could do nothing but watch as if she were a mute and with the same broken expression at what unfolded before her. In what looked to be one consecutive movement, Irvine made an insanely timed cross cutting cleave on Kayn' chest, breaking the scythe in two and causing copious amounts of blood to burst forth from his chest. His eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head as he got launched to the other side of the hut with tremendous pressure. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was an enraged Irvine coming down from the air with the flame like weapon poised down to run him through the heart.
XX
Nostro's Monastery, Church Service Area
After avoiding numerous traps and navigating through dangerous architecture and terrain, Kayn made it to the central area of the monastery. There was a large hole through the roof where the moon shone and rain poured down. He guessed that it's where the rubric came crashing down at. As with the rest of the area, the service area was extremely ran down. Broken rectangular seats lay strewn around while pieces of large broken sepulcher were in large heaps. As he scanned the area further, a glowing object as well as a gargantuan structure which looked to be a sarcophagus caught his attention. Crossing the distance in a short time, he got closer. This large spherical object was the rubric. It was hard to imagine however, that such a small object could cause such destruction and held so much power. He eyed it a bit further and noticed the glyphics running all across the item. The same ones that he saw with the other that showed him the vision. He eyed the sarcophagus. It seemed to have had a figure molded around it. A massive entity decked out in what looked to be heavily lined bone plated armor. This was a quick glance however as he focused his attention back to the rubric. Before he could pocket it, three purple ethereal arrows out of nowhere flew straight towards him, causing the young ninja to roll to the right and back flip behind one of the broken seats as another volley assailed him. A ghastly, feminine laugh then rung out as the figure who shot the arrows came into view. Kayn peeked over before raising himself, scythe drawn from his back, at the ready while the cloak was thrown to the side. His eyes widened in disbelief as he recognized the pale undead high elf figure.
"Sylvannas Windrunner?" He said in utter apprehension and getting an amused smirk from her.
(Dark Lady Sylvannas Windrunner: Diaster Level: Dragon)
"Hnn, so my name has reached these foreign back water woods has it? Interesting," she said sarcastically and causing Kayn's eyes to narrow.
"Why the hell are you in Runeterra let alone this monastery?" he asked, almost brimming with outright hostility. Her wit didn't seem like it would die down anytime soon as she responded.
"I assume you're Fortinbras' little lap dog sent to retrieve the rubric and stop my partner's revival no?" she said knowingly and causing Kayn to lose his serious edge.
"Something should have told me that someone would be here and that they knew we were coming… Lord Fortinbras and Sinestra were right on the mark. Not only that, it had to be this blasted woman," he fumed internally. Seeing the dumbfounded look on his face, she poked fun at him further.
"Aww, was I right on target?" She said mockingly. "I've said too much anyway. Sorry, but you won't be leaving here with either of your objectives completed. You do have two options however? You can stay there, be slaughtered where you stand or you can go back with the short amount of time that you have for your pathetic existence and empty handed and be disposed of by your piss lord himself?" she said almost laughing and causing the dark shinobi to regard her with disdain.
"I have no quarrel with you woman but if you're allied with this person and still insist on standing in my way, you'll die along with him, no better yet you will die. One for pissing me off and two for you being a threat to the brotherhood's plans," he said pointing his scythe at her and causing her to throw her head back with unnerving normal laughter with one hand over an eye. That was the thing, it was normal and it was setting all kinds of flags off in Kayn's head. She then regarded him with one of her visible eyes, an in insane gleam in them.
"Boy, do you think you're my equal?" she said fearsomely and causing an aura to form between the two. Kayn's was a red, dark black outline while hers was a black, deep purplish color. Before they could continue own with their near boiling conflict, Rhaast decided to make himself known.
"That Abyssal magic energy. Then it is true, you did shatter the fabric of reality that time and tapped into the Noose Verse, didn't you?" he asked curiously and only got a cryptic answer in return.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't," she riddled. Both of the males got tired of the woman's games.
"Kayn allow me to do a takeover, this woman is no one to be trifled with," Rhaast said.
Kayn agreed as a veil of red energy washed over him, transforming him into Rhaast himself with both sharing a symbiosis through mind and body. Sylvannas drew her bow while Kayn readied his scythe as they walked in a circle around each other.
"You're making a big mistake kid, one that you're not going to have the time to ever regret," she said before their battle began.
XX
Upcoming Chapter: Chapter 4.0 A trip down memory lane 2B, Kayn Gaiden
Alright here's the thing about Author's Notes and take this how you will, (this doesn't apply to my serious readers). If you have an issue with them and you choose not to read the story because of it, kick rocks, deuces. You sound like a hating ass anyway and honestly, I don't need you around nor do I have the time or patience for fake readers like that.
Okay with that out the way I'm going to have to do part 2 when I can. No that doesn't mean it's going to be a 3 month to a year hiatus. It would have made this longer than it already should be and I want to have the time to plan their fight out proper. Yes, this will be before Chapter 4.1 because I still need to plan all that out as well. This upcoming chapter shouldn't be as long as this one since it's their fight and me wrapping up the chapter. I will also do the magical powers and ability spreadsheet thing I talked about as a throw away chapter after this chapter is completed.
Unless I go into a full description about the character or armor, I'm referring to then it either belongs to World of Warcraft, League of Legends my own OC implementation or from a game or another series. People adverse in what I mentioned will know what I'm talking about but you can go look it up if you're that interested to. That's why I don't go into full detail about some characters or items unless it's relevant to.
That's all, hope you enjoyed the chapter and stay tuned for the next o/!
Giorgio~