A/N: Welcome to chapter 2. I am currently still looking for a beta reader. I do all the editing and proof-reading myself and it's usually good enough, but I do miss thing sometimes.

Also, I'm going to approach the story and its events from the points of view of multiple characters, until it doesn't serve the purpose I have in mind. I hope it doesn't become too repetitive.

Anyway, happy reading.

"My lady, a woman from a settlement south of here begs for an audience," a guard said. A translucent veil separated the guard from the woman he was addressing. In the dark of night, it was difficult to tell whether or not she had heard him.

"My lady…" he hesitated, wondering whether she was awake. There was no answer and he thought to inform someone else about the situation, when unexpectedly the veil was thrown open and Karma stepped out, dressed as she usually was. Despite the hour, she looked as energetic and alert as always. The man was startled to find her not just awake, but ready to deal with any problems. Momentarily dumbfounded by Karma's radiance, he stared at her before kneeling in front of her.

"Arise," Karma said with a gentle smile on her face, "and tell me what the matter is."

The man rose to his feet, still a little nervous to be talking to the most revered person in Ionia. "A woman begs to see you, my lady," he said, with the barest of frowns on his brow. It was clear that there was something upsetting him. Karma observed him for a while, trying to read the expression on his face. Starting to fidget with his hands then, he spoke, "The woman claims…to have seen a …a hole…in the sky…" His expression turned fearful soon after. "She claims," he said, "that … strange creatures have descended upon her village… and were…eating everything." The dread in his eyes was unmistakable. Ionia had witnessed brutality and horrors not visited upon any other nation in the recent past. Its people were still shaken, thinking of their safety at all times. Enemy soldiers were still manageable. The elders and heroes of Ionia – Irelia, Karma, Lee Sin, Master Yi and others – had given the nation a second chance. Their courage had instilled in the people the faith needed to defend their homeland from invaders. But the fear always lingered and hearing of new threats always made the people wary. Karma could see the discomfort the guard was feeling although she remained calm and collected, her will never faltering. "Take me to her," she said gesturing to the guard to lead the way.

The guard moved quickly through Karma's modest accommodation. It was almost as if Karma needed someone to show her the way, for she spent very little time at her house in the capital city. Almost all year round Karma was engaged in either diplomatic visits to other nations of Valoran, or visiting the many villages and settlements of Ionia, spreading the message of independence and the strength of spirit. In fact, what little time she did spend in her home was also burdened with the weight of duty. The capital city too needed her services.

Weaving through some passages and passing a few rooms the guard finally reached the front lawn, with Karma close at his heels. The lawn had several more guards, most of them tense with their weapons at the ready. The guard slowed down as he entered the patio and stepped slightly to the side so that Karma could see the visitor.

At first glance, Karma could not recognize the figure before her to be that of a woman at all. Instead, it seemed that she was staring at a lump of flesh wrapped in a piece of cloth. The woman was covered in splashes of red and brown, bordered with some green here and there. It seemed that the situation was direr than Karma had anticipated. The unease of the guards and their tense faces seemed much more appropriate in light of the visitor's condition.

Approaching closer Karma could see the woman's face stained with blood, tears and mud. A glance at the woman's feet showed blisters and several small wounds. It seemed that the woman had run a good distance barefoot. Karma felt a sense of concern growing along with the need to help her in any way she could. But before the feelings could become too strong, she reminded herself that focus was paramount especially given the ominous nature of things to come. Feelings, however appropriate, could not be allowed to compromise the stillness of spirit.

The woman was sitting on the grass with her arms wrapped around herself, even though it wasn't cold. It also seemed as if she was shivering a little, but Karma couldn't be sure. Walking closer now, she saw the woman's tear stained face, still anxious, most likely worrying for the others in her village. Stepping on the grass of the lawn a few feet away from the woman, Karma took deep breaths to help maintain control of her emotions. Still wondering how to approach the gruesome subject of the woman's visit Karma knelt down, deciding finally to just place a concerned hand on the woman's shoulder.

As Karma's hand touched the woman, the latter turned around startled. "My Lady!" she gasped with her eyes wide open showing a mixture of awe and gratitude. The tears had started to flow anew. "You must help them!" she spoke quickly. As if all her lost strength had been regained at the mere sight of the enlightened one, the woman began to stand on her blistered feet holding Karma's hands in her own and said, "We must hurry! They cannot hold out for long!"

Surprised at the woman's hopefulness and humbled by her faith, Karma nodded. "Tell us everything you can and we will be off," she said.

Before the woman could begin though, another guard stepped forth. "My lady," he interrupted looking nervous. Karma had turned to face him, yet he stared at his feet and shot passing glances to his fellow guards standing in the lawn. "There is another matter…" he trailed off.

"What is it?" Karma asked trying to encourage him not to hesitate.

Balking, he looked at the other guards while avoiding Karma's gaze. Sensing his unease then, Karma stood up and directed the question to the others. "What is this other matter?" No one seemed inclined to speak up. Karma watched expectantly while the guards whispered unto one another. Karma was beginning to feel annoyance when she reminded herself once again to detach from the fluctuation of emotion. While she was distracted momentarily, as were all the others around her, there came a voice from the shadows of the night.

"They speak of the rogue samurai," the mysterious voice said. Silence fell upon the gathering at that point.

Karma was somewhat surprised to hear that not too unfamiliar voice. There was no doubt about it. It was Kennen, a member of the Kinkou that had spoken. She whirred around quickly, peering into the darkness trying to see the little one. It was difficult to make out where he was, but eventually he stepped out into a brighter spot so everyone could see him.

"Greetings, wise one," he said as he bowed gently before Karma.

"Greetings, Master Kennen," Karma replied back. "I'm surprised to see you here."

Kennen walked closer with nothing but his eyes visible to everyone around. He knew that the soldiers were taken unawares by his sudden appearance without even having to look at them. His task, however, required that all pay attention to him making the shocking entry a necessity. He reached into his coat and produced a piece of parchment. "For you," he said as he handed it over to Karma.

"Is it urgent?" Karma wondered. She considered herself engaged with the wounded villager's request and thus unable to deal with other issues. Dying people would always take precedence over letters. But the Kinkou had eyes and ears everywhere. It was possible that the Order would send word of something extremely urgent, especially as it was already late and night and a member of the Order had shown up at her house.

Kennen thought for a moment because his reply held the potential to save or destroy an entire village. He looked at the wounded villager standing crookedly to one side, still clutching Karma's hand like a scared child clings to its mother. He already knew about the troubles of the villager, seeing as his Order was usually the first to know of things - all things - in Ionia.

"It is urgent, certainly," he said after a pause, "But it is not an immediate threat, unlike the things attacking Ibaki village."

Karma was pleased to know that the Kinkou Order was aware of the situation in the village. "That is good to hear. The letter I leave for afterwards, then," she said.

"As you wish, my lady," Kennen replied. "Another letter has been sent to Lady Irelia and perhaps she will be able to act on it while we defend Ibaki. A small group of ninjas has already left for the village with Master Akali in charge. They should be there by the time you reach, my lady."

"Thank you, Master Kennen. We shall leave immediately." Karma replied, bowing back to the little ninja.

Turning away from Kennen, she addressed the guards, "We must make haste, if we are to salvage Ibaki. Quickly, now!"

The guards, still unenthusiastic about heading to Ibaki stood with their heads lowered. Karma could not understand why the guards still showed no initiative, until one of them told her why. "But, my lady, the traitor…"

"What traitor?" Karma demanded.

"Ah, yes, I forgot to mention that," came Kennen's voice once again. "My lady, these men talk of Yasuo, last remaining swordsman of the Wind Style."

It took but a moment for Karma to recall Yasuo and the ripples he'd sent across the Council of Elders during the Noxian invasion. At the time, she was not a part of the council, but she was close enough to see the other elders and the terror that had washed over them at the very mention of his name. Yasuo, prodigal swordsman, honorable apprentice and heir to the legendary Wind Technique, heartless murderer who killed an aging Elder and his own brother using the very technique he was famed for. No one really knew anything about him, except for the tales of his skill with the sword from before he took on the identity of 'wanted killer.' Part of the fear the Elders felt was because of the rumors that had started circulating soon after the incident; that he had set out to rid Ionia of tradition which, allegedly, he perceived as weakness much like the invading Noxians. This complicated matters because he was not a foreign devil, but a fellow Ionian. To make matters worse still, Yasuo was not known to grant an audience to someone and let them live. The few who thought they could bring him to justice themselves were felled, until people just thought it best not to provoke him.

Eventually, it was Karma who changed the ways of the council, giving form to the fears of the Elders. She was the one who broke tradition albeit not, as was feared, in a manner lethal to the presiding elders at the time. She was seen as foolish and reckless, until her methods proved effective and imbued with wisdom that was confused for petty rebelliousness. Meanwhile, Yasuo had faded into the background, heard of only occasionally through travelers and tradesmen who roamed the land endlessly, just like Yasuo himself. He did not concern himself with the affairs of the nation and the nation at large, with the exception of the National Guard and members of Yasuo's native village, Fuuzato, were content to leave Yasuo be.

Karma was still puzzled, however. She could not see how Yasuo, a killer who had been in hiding for so long, was tied in with the creatures attacking the village, or how he posed a threat. He was not known to participate in anything outside of the Institute of War – where, too, he was a recluse, picked only by summoners who fancied him for the way his sword seemed to dance at his fingertips. He was a formidable opponent and a decent ally in matches, but Karma did not put much stock into the Institute of War or what it showcased, for not all that glitters is gold.

"What of Yasuo?" she inquired, hoping to get an explanation.

A guard promptly voiced his fears at that point. "What if he thinks we are after him? He would massacre us all! Perhaps, even before we reach Ibaki."

Finding it increasingly difficult to remain calm, Karma breathed deeper. 'Focus,' she reminded herself. "His presence should not be our concern. I'm sure he'd prefer to move away from flesh-eating creatures and soldiers over fighting," she urged.

"That is not true!" the guards protested. "Ever since his betrayal, he has murdered hundreds of us - soldiers and guards alike. They were sent only to capture him and bring him to the capital for a trial. Yet he cut them down mercilessly. Surely he would think of us and the Kinkou as having come to apprehend him."

Karma's mind was made up, however. Ibaki needed her and she would rather die trying to save it than hide in fear of one swordsman. "This is merely conjecture. We do not know what Yasuo might think of our actions and we must not worry about what we cannot know for certain, Indecision is failure," she reasoned.

Karma took one final look at everyone, her eyes resolute and strong. When her eyes met the wounded villager's she said, "Do not worry, good woman. Your efforts will not be in vain." The villager smiled as best she could, even though tears swelled in her eyes. The guards, though apprehensive, readied themselves and prepared to leave for Ibaki. Kennen had already left, just as quietly as he had arrived. Karma tried to look for him but thought it was probably a waste of energy. He wouldn't be any good as a ninja if she could find him. Preparing to leave then, she took the wounded villager by the hand and led her outside as fast as the villager could walk on her blistered feet.

After a quick stop at the stables for horses, Karma left for Ibaki accompanied by thirsty soldiers and guards. She had tried to persuade the villager to go to the Placidium to receive treatment for her injuries and failed. The woman, stubborn as she was, insisted on going back to her village. "I cannot leave them behind!" she asserted. Karma could not deny the woman her wish. In fact, she was moved by her strength. She permitted the woman to travel in the middle of the group so that someone could always keep watch on her.

Ibaki was to the south of the Capital City. There were two paths that could be taken to reach Ibaki. The shorter, more direct path required cutting across a moderately high hill and through a dense forest. The longer route lay to the east, but required going completely around the hill and across a river. The river was still better than the forest, even though there were no bridges built to cross it. Normally, people searched for a shallow spot and waded through the water to get across. The task was simple as the river did not get deeper until further downstream. For those with the leisure to travel safely, this path was ideal. However, the group headed to Ibaki had not the luxury to take the longer route.

Karma directed the soldiers to head straight for the hill and so they did. As the company rode, the scenery began to change little by little. The paved road leading from and to the Capital city had ended, being replaced by a dirt track. Further ahead, the dirt track too had disappeared amid tall trees, thick with leaves and berries. The company had reached the edge of the forest at the foot of the hill separating the capital from Ibaki. This is where the path usually got tricky. Fortunately for the company, the villager knew the shortest way in and out of the forest. Karma was glad for the obstinacy of the woman. It would probably take them a lot longer to reach Ibaki without her.

In about an hour, the villager had guided them uphill. The shorter, but more difficult part of their journey to Ibaki had been completed. The top of the hill was not as densely covered with trees as the base. The number of boulders was large and the trees were spaced further apart as a consequence. The sky was visible through the intertwining branches and the moonlight shone brightly, bathing the hilltop in mellow hues of blue. The beauty of it all had Karma lost in a trance-like state, where she had forgotten all about monsters, murderers and the hardships of life.

"We should let the horses rest for a while, my lady," said one of the soldiers, making Karma snap out of her reverie. "Just a few moments should be enough," he added.

"All right," acknowledged Karma somewhat absentmindedly.

Dismounting her horse, Karma thought to meditate for a while to steady her breath and to still her wandering mind. She would have to be at her best if the dangers at Ibaki were to be dealt with efficiently. She helped the villager down from her mount and found a spot for her to rest before informing a guard about her plans to meditate for the duration of the break.

Moving away from the crowd Karma went looking for a relatively secluded spot, preferably where the moon could be seen in its entirety and where the hill overlooked the river flowing eastwards. Luckily, Karma found a small waterfall around a short, but steep drop. It was just as she had hoped for. The moon was visible clearly from there. It was almost full and without a cloud in sight, she could enjoy its cool rays completely. Finding a rock adjacent to the waterfall, she sat with her legs crossed and the back of her palms resting on her knees. Closing her eyes then, she repeated the phrase of the universe over and over in her mind, feeling its power crystalizing within her.

Karma's mind filled with presence and all the energy of the cosmos, submerging in the process all sense of time and mortality. No thought crossed her mind. No emotion coursed through her person. In absence she experienced completion. Until, a soldier came running to her and almost screamed in her ear.

"He's here!" the soldier bellowed.

The man's sudden appearance was like a knife tearing through her very being. Disoriented and shaken, Karma managed to open her eyes and regain her bearings with some difficulty.

"He's here!" the man repeated upon seeing Karma's confused state.

Gesturing hurriedly to Karma to follow after him, the soldier ran to the tree cover from whence he had come. Karma kept pace with the soldier, noticing as she ran past the resting spot that only the horses and the wounded villager had stayed behind. As the soldier leading her began to slow down, Karma understood that they must be close to wherever 'he' was. Eventually she saw the remaining soldiers, all of them with their back turned towards her. They were gathered around something and tense, most of them holding their weapons in their hands, ready to strike.

The soldier leading Karma disappeared into the crowd before her and she readied herself to face this newfound trouble. When she had managed to push past the soldiers, she saw the figure of a man bent over another figure with a sword pointed at the latter's neck.

The moonlight was dim at this particular location, but the sheen of the sword and the glint of metal pauldrons caught Karma's eyes. It had become clear that 'he' was Yasuo and the soldiers' apprehensions were justified after all.

The mysterious, murdering master swordsman was right before her eyes, ready to kill one of her soldiers and all anyone could do was watch. No one dared to move, lest he should kill the poor slob at the wrong end of his blade. The poor man whose life hung in the balance whimpered softly, his breaths rapid and shaking.

Lifting his face from the man fool enough to come close to him, Yasuo eyed the onlookers he had attracted. A mischievous smile began to form at the corner of his lips and he asked of them, "Have to come to kill me?"

A/N:

Jacc Krowe: Thank you for the review. I hope I don't disappoint. :)

To all other readers, feel free to comment/critique. I welcome constructive feedback.

Thanks for your time.