A/N: Sorry I've been gone so long! Life happened ^^; but thank you to those who've supported the story so far!

The Mystic - V

They woke up to the sound of a carriage riding past them, leaving a trail of stones and dust. The green-haired jumped to her feet and ran down the path. She was met with Ionian guards, along with Irelia. Her blades levitated behind her back, almost forming a crest.

"Irelia?" Usagi asked.

"Usagi. Did you see anything last night?" Irelia stood tall in front of her despite both being the same height. Her blades circulated around her, making her a little more intimidating.

The green-haired shook her head. "I went for a walk last night before going to sleep but I didn't see anything."

Irelia put a hand to her chin. "Ah, you must've missed it." she turned to her guards behind her and nodded. She crossed her arms and explained, "There were reports of Order of the Shadow members across this area."

"Yeah, I didn't see anyone. I wonder what they were doing there." Usagi lied. She now understood better why he left all of a sudden. Folding her arms, she suggested, "Maybe it has something to do with Jhin?"

"Khada Jhin? Most likely." Irelia replied. She nodded at her guards once more as she opened the carriage. "I recall that you needed to see Shen to discuss the situation. We're en route towards there, so perhaps we can escort you there."

With a weary smile on her face, she said, "That sounds great. Let me get Sona."

She ran back to their campsite, where Sona sat down, slightly confused as to where her friend went. Blue eyes glanced up at her and smiled. She and her Etwahl rose up and levitated only a few inches from the ground. Sona made a few hand signs to her and Usagi nodded.

"Yeah, Irelia was there. She offered to take us to the Kinkou Order." Usagi told her. Sona's eyes lit up and she shook one of Usagi's hands. "I can tell you're very excited, Sona..."

The blue-haired raised an eyebrow and gave her more hand signals. Usagi crossed her arms, blowing a strand of green hair from her face. "There's a bit of history and I have a bit of explaining to do. That's why I'm not thrilled."

The green-haired continued to walk back to where the guard stood. They waited for the two of them, the driver holding the carriage door open. Irelia stood on the other side, arms folded and gaze directed at her. They both got into the carriage, with Irelia coming behind them.

Once they got inside, Irelia sat in front of them, her hands on top of her lap. "So how has the trip been so far?"

"Pretty quiet. Nothing's been happening since we left the Capital." Usagi told her. If only she could've told her about Zed, about the Order of the Shadows, but that would get her arrested faster than she could wrap her head around it. "And how have the searches gone?"

"We've managed to get a bit of information on a man with a grey mask around the villages, especially in crowds. But he was more of a spectator." Irelia said. She lowered her head slightly, "Yasuo continues to prove to be a challenge. He refuses to be executed for his crimes. And the Order of the Shadow eludes us. They always strike when we're not there."

Usagi thought of suggestions to come up with so she doesn't seem suspiscious. "How about looking for the Order in the daytime? Do you have an idea of where their hideout is?"

"We know its somewhere east." she answered her. "For the exact location, our guards and the Elders haven't figured that out."

Usagi nodded, then turned to Sona, who glanced at both of them with a confused look in her eyes. "The Ionian soldiers are trying to find a few criminals." she briefly explained. "Don't worry about them, they won't do anything to you as long as I'm around."

Sona closed her eyes and smiled. Usagi turned back to Irelia and asked, "And what about the witch in the floating castle?"

Irelia gave out a sigh. She looked at the green-haired; there were sparkles in her eyes and her heart burned a brighter shade of blue. "Usagi, I know you are interested in meeting her, but we have to be careful. Syndra is not a normal person to be trifled with."

"Of course, she is extremely powerful. But I would like to learn a few things from her." Usagi said. The morning sun shone through the carriage, making her red eyes glow. The green-haired flipped through her book to magic spells she had. "My magic could use a bit of her flare and power."

Irelia put a hand to her head. "As if you aren't already a target for bandits and other villainous beings..." she straightened herself in her seat. With her arms folded in her lap, she resembled Karma. "Do as you wish. As long as you don't bring harm to Ionia."

"Of course."

Sona stared out the window at the foliage around them. She couldn't recall seeing so much forest in Demacia. There was almost none in the city. There was also a tinge of magic in the air that gave the surroundings life.

The carriage stopped in its tracks. Sona couldn't see a building near them, just more trees and bushes lining the road. Usagi remembered to follow an off-beat path to the Order as their building didn't lie on the road.

Usagi opened the door of the carriage and stepped out. Sona, although visibly confused, followed behind. "Thank you Irelia!" she called to her.

Irelia smiled as she said, "Safe journeys. We'll meet you back in the Capital."

She closed the carriage door and it moved off, leaving a path of dust behind it. Once it was out of sight, her attention shifted to where she remembered the offbeat path. Not to her surprise, the path was littered in bushes. She stepped over one bush, then extended her hand to her blue-haired friend.

Sona glanced around; she couldn't see the Order or even their building. She wondered if the building was hidden or if they were in a different area. Nonetheless, she took her friend's hand and followed her into the deep forest.

"This is the way to the Order. It's hidden to prevent bandits and intruders." she explained to her.

Like a curious puppy, the blue-haired glanced all over the forest as she kept one hand in Usagi's. The sun started to rise high into the sky, letting more sun into the forest.

She had a vivid recollection of when she was younger, doing training exercises in this exact spot. Not that she exactly did them, she mostly was reading a book on the history of Vastayans. Usagi grinned, remembering how she had a lot more fun reading and theorizing than actual ninja training.

A whoosh interrupted her thoughts. She turned to Sona, who had her Ethwahl beside her. It vibrated with a soft melody, but it stayed very close to her master. Another whoosh came from their left.

"Are you a ninja from the Kinkou Order?" Usagi asked to no one in particular. When she was met with silence, she then said, "It's me, Usagi. I wish to deliver a message to Shen from the Duchess."

"Usagi?" a small, but powerful voice came from the trees. A sharp, static noise was heard from the trees as she saw a small figure emerge from one of them.

She recognized that voice and figure from anywhere. Usagi outstretched her arms as the figure jumped into them. All Sona saw was a blur of light brown and purple leap at her friend. "Kennen! It's been a long time." Usagi said to him as they hugged each other.

Sona was surprised to see a Yordle in her arms. She had always seen Yordles as fun-loving creatures who avoided violence. Blue eyes met her friend's red ones in confusion. Usagi explained to her, "Sona, this is Kennen, one of the top ninjas in the Kinkou Order. Despite his small size, he's very energetic and is potent with electricity. 'Tempest of the Storm' is what they call him."

"Usagi, no need to introduce me like that." Kennen told her as he jumped down. "I'm just a simple ninja doing my duty." they walked through the forest together. "I was on watch for any Order of the Shadow members. You know it's been a very long time since we've seen you."

"I'm aware, I just needed to speak with Shen about Jhin."

Kennen's large blue eyes narrowed as he put a small hand to his chin. He nodded, remembering the information Shen gave to both him and Akali. But he refused to let them see his 'performance'. "Right. I think Karma also let him know you were coming here."

"That's good. So he's aware then." Usagi said to herself as the three of them walked the rest of the path together. "There's more I need to explain to him about as well..." she told him.

"I'm sure Master Shen will understand." Kennen knew what she was talking about. She briefly explained what happened to the old Order and to his understanding, Usagi used to be a ninja. "Even if he has to have a firm control over emotions."

"He's following in his father's footsteps."

They reached a clearing where a large, newer building stood. It had the architecture of a classic Ionian temple structure but the magic that surrounded the Order was anything but ordinary. She could sense it, making her heart glow a bright blue, almost teal colour.

Sona stared off at the Kinkou building. Usagi guessed it was to admire its beauty; there was nothing like this in Demacia. Seeing younger ninjas training alongside senior students made her think back to her early days of training with her mother. A tight knot formed in her gut; she had a lot to explain that wasn't pertaining to the situation.

She felt another presence nearby that wasn't a ninja, but she ignored it as she approached with Kennen. Akali had a group of ninjas doing training exercises with her. She stopped when the yordle approached with the two women. She squinted as she called, "Usagi? Is that you?"

Usagi raised her head and beamed when she noticed Akali. She ran over to her and tackled her with a hug. "Akali, it's been a while! Look at how much you've grown."

"It has been a long time. You've hardly changed since day one." she gave a small smile. "I'm assuming you're here to see Shen though. About the demon."

"Shen already told you?" she asked her.

She nodded. "There was a murder that he committed that we went to investigate. He told us that we can't see the crime scene... that it would change us." Akali crossed her arms, her face holding a stubborn look to it. "I am not weak."

Usagi stared down at their feet, remembering the first time she saw one of his murders. She remembered she broke down and cried for the rest of the trip. Faintly, she remembered her hands stained in blood.

"It's not that and I'm glad Shen made the decision to hide that from you." she mumbled. Akali raised an eyebrow and clenched her fists. Usagi looked up, her red eyes staring at her brown ones. "It's hard to explain, but it does change you. It was a turning point..."

"A turning point? What are you talking about?" Akali asked her.

Usagi realized she wasn't there all those years ago. Akali was a bit younger than both Shen and Zed. She was young as well, but only by two years to them. "It's nothing. When the time comes, you'll know."

Akali still had that stubborn look on her face, but she nodded. "Come, I'll show you where Shen is. Follow me."

Sona stood behind her, very confused but nonetheless tried to understand her. They followed her inside the Order, where there were more students inside in the training rooms indoors. Deeper inside, there were the barracks where all the students slept. They headed up to the roof where they saw Shen talking to an Ionian councillor.

Akali ushered them to stay at the door and walked up to her master. The two of them seemed to have a relaxed conversation until she tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to Usagi. The green-haired smiled and waved at him. Shen told her something, then bowed to the councillor. He nodded and followed Akali.

"Go ahead, Shen's ready to see you." she told her, then her attention shifted to Sona. "Miss Buvelle, can I offer you something to eat or drink while you wait for Usagi?"

Sona nodded eagerly and followed them back inside. Usagi watched as they left, then walked over to him. "Shen, it's been a long time."

"Usagi. How are you doing?"

"I'm alright, just a lot has been happening over the past few days. What about you?"

Shen turned back to the sky and the forest surrounding the new Order. "It has been the same. Karma informed me that you needed to talk to me about Jhin."

"He visited me at my house." she walked closer towards him until she stood beside him. He was only a few inches taller than her and she was tiny compared to him. He had on his mask, but his amber eyes stared at her. "Told me to lure you and Zed to Jyom Pass. And something slipped about him working for someone."

"He is bold... you were right to report this to me and Karma. The guard and the Kinkou Order can take it from here." Shen told her, looking back at the scenary.

"...I also met with Zed last night and told him everything."

Shen glanced up and his muscles tensed. He clenched his fists as he took a heavy step to the green-haired. "...I, too, saw him two days ago. The day he escaped. He is sought on killing him."

"Do you know why your father let him live?"

"...I do not." he sounded almost sad. "However, he does threaten the balance with his acts of murder. So it would be best to eliminate him."

Usagi smiled. "I agree."

"You should be careful. He might come back and if he finds out you betrayed him, he might try to kill you too." Shen didn't sound worried at all in the least, however. One could really see the resemblance between him and his father, especially since he took his place.

Shen turned to Usagi, he was about a head taller than her. "Was there something else you wanted to say?" he asked her.

The question caught her off-guard despite her meaning to tell him a lot. She grabbed the side of her arm and took a few steps back. Looking down at the floor, she closed her eyes and muttered, "I'm sorry that I left the path when the Order fell. It was dishonourable of me."

"Hmm? You've apologized for that already the last time." Shen crossed his arms. She continued to shy away, now turning her head in the opposite direction.

"...There's a longer story to this."

Shen gave a slow nod of the head, then walked past her and opened the door. "Let us talk inside then. This sounds very important."

Her ears perked up as she looked onto the monastery. Nine tails moved graciously with the wind. She had been here over the past while in secret ever since she met Akali. It had been hard though as her master was very aware. It reminded her of the vastayan creatures that had eyes in the back of their heads.

She felt another energy that felt familiar, but also foreign. Perhaps she knew them and the ninjas there well? Her ears picked up the conversation and she caught a few words. Many strange things were happening on the island and she was curious what that meant for her.