Chapter 2
6 days before the Blossom Festival.
Sunlight creeped through the window as day slowly dawned, particles of dust could be seen floating in the air, slightly mixing in with an eerie essence. Saphera's bedroom was very plain and simple. White walls with a western facing window, a wooden frame and a large mattress fit for a king. The floor only had one rug, on the left hand side of the bed, covering the rustic floor slabs. Saph rolled in her slumber, her red hair partly covering her face and the rest covering the pillow. For a small woman, she took up an even smaller space in her bed, curled up in a fetal position. Her covers around her waist and her top half on display. Nocturne watched over her motionless body, watching her chest rise and fall, rise and fall. After the summoner explained to him she was unable to sleep he made it his duty that might to make sure that she did, and that she woke up well rested. He looked down at her and watched her pale face ever so slightly change expression, cute, a dream. But soon, and not for the first time that night Saphera began to turn and groan out. With a sigh, Nocturne placed his hand onto her forehead, and she was once again soothed, motionless. At rest.
There was a knock at the door at the entrance to the house. Nocturne looked away from his companion and faced the door of Saphera's bedroom. There was movement downstairs. Who? He turned around back to the summoner and tapped her forehead. Her eyes slowly fluttered up and she gazed upon his shadowy figure.
"Hey...morning.." She smiled weakly, with one eye still half shut.
" I think your plant is home." Nocturne said bluntly. Saphera nodded her head and began to shuffle around in her bed, before placing her feet onto the rug and wrapping herself in a silky robe. " You look fine this morning." Nocturne gazed at her with a purr, but speaking quietly. She shook her head with a small blush, before gesturing him to leave. Zyra didn't know about them, and she wasn't going to.
" Thank you for letting me sleep." She smiled softly, placing her forehead onto Nocturne's. He did the same before turning into nothing and disappearing from sight.
Once downstairs Saphera smiled at Zyra, who looked exhausted. "How was last night? Win many matches?" The woman of thorns looked over, before flopping like a fish onto the sofa.
" Gruuuhhhh.." Zyra groaned into the cloth of the seat, sounding very displeased. Her eyes looked back up at Saphera. "Blueehhhh!" Zyra moaned again.
" That bad?"
" Mhmn" The woman nodded her head, rubbing her face into the sofa as she did so. Saphera walked over and sat down with the champion, rubbing her back with her finger tips in swirling motions, letting her warm hand soothe the moody Zyra.
" Want some sugar water?" She asked softly, her mothering tone showing through and she changed position and rested on her knees at the edge of the sofa. Her friend moved her head and looked over and into Saphera's eyes with happiness.
" Can I have extra sugar?" Zyra asked like a spoilt child, pushing her lips together to form a pout.
Saphera pouted back and giggled.
" You may, my dear."

After the two had caught up from Zyra's awful matches last night, Saphera was actually glad for once that she was suspended. Though she did miss being a summoner over the last year, she knew that the time would almost be up and she will be able to return at having fun with everyone and her friends in the new season starting in a few months. But there was much more to look forward too until then, the end of season ball, then the blossom festival, a birthday..
Saphera and Zyra both sighed at the same time and let their backs hit the sofa.
" You know that book I've been reading?"
" Yeah?"
" Finished it, I really would like to speak to the author about it want to bring up a few points." Saph bit her lip, " When was the last time you spoke to Shen out of the grounds of the institute?" The redhead looked over with curiosity, Zyra looked up and then closed her eyes deep in thought.
" Hrm… not very long ago, I'm sure he is living with Alkali and the rest of the clan at their ninja hut." She replied, looking over to the summoner, " Why? What are the points over?"
" Well, why would a serial killer suddenly disappear after one last average killing? If he is really like how he is described, then why would the killer disconfigure someone's face then never be seen again..?" Saphera explained, clearly in very deep thought over the matter. It was apparent that it bothered her. " Why and how did he escape from prison? Why did he not let Zed kill him once they captured him. Why-"
" Please save your questions for Shen, I think he will know more that I ever will. The Golden deamon is nothing but a legend now, no one has seen or heard of him in years." The plant retorted back to Saphera, clearly very tired of not only last night but also from hearing the ramblings of some book.
" I...I guess you're right." Saphera admitted defeat. Both girls reached for their glasses and sipped their water. Something at the back of Saphera's mind was still bothering her, something really wasn't right. That man she saw… Saph got chills just thinking about it. Who was he?

Zed stood over the body of what could only be described as a pool of blood with chunks. A sigh was heard through his mask as he looked down and inspected the remains. A human for sure, maybe one of his clan members. Who could tell. He was disappointed that one of his own had fallen. Noting that there was a blood trail he followed it over to a nearby wall. Where the blood had been smeared into a pattern. The once whitewashed wall had now been stained a red-brown from the day old blood. The ninja gasped out.
" No..This cannot be." The blood was shaped to that of a lotus flower, just like the very same from the demon . Zed was in disbelief, terror filled his mind. Yet he pulled himself together and composed his mind. He must go and find Shen, even if it meant he ended up like that body a few yards behind him. Jumping into the trees, Zed made his way swiftly to the Kinkou Order.

Later

It was dark, a crescent moon was rising and within the distance the Ionian nightlife was making itself heard. The air was warm, and a calm breeze rolled through the spring leaves, making them russell quietly. Saphera pressed her back against the cold wall. Taking a deep, solid breath, and holding it for a few second before relaxing again. She allowed a knee-high black hooded cape to cover her body, and her face was partly covered by a black mask, only her eyes to be seen. As Saphera exhaled she jumped up and grabbed onto the thick tree branch above her. Pulling herself up before resting low and balancing like a cat. He scanned the horizon, clear. She scaled the tree to almost it's highest point, she then ran across the longest branch and leapt to the next tree over. The redhead scanned her vicinity once more. She'd made it over the wall. Her destination was now a small leap below where she was standing. But, she knew that landing here would make too much noise, alerting everyone inside, she needed another way in. The summoner rested for a moment, before climbing down halfway, peering into the open window. Luckily, the shallow breeze practically made her movements silent. Saphera dropped a few feet to the ground and hugged the wall until she reached an ajar window. Perfect. Saph opened it slightly further and slithered her petite frame inside.
" You're just in time for dinner, intruder." The moment her feet landed on the carpet, Saphera found her neck on a blade's edge and she was gazing into the emerald eyes of a Kinkou member. " For someone trying to break into a ninja hideout, you're not every quiet."
" Personally, I thought I was" Saphera smiled through her eyes. The man's eyes narrowed and he pushed the blade further.
" You think you're funny?" He retorted to Saph with fire on his tongue.
" Not really, but now that I have your attention. Is Shen around?" He growled and he stepped forward, more so now pinning Saphera to the wall and window.
" You truly think that is the way to seek out a Dojo Master?" He questioned her, reaching to pull off her mask.
" Let her be, she is right in her ways to approach me." A deep voice called out from behind the ninja, Shen walked forward and placed his hand onto his fellow assassin, pulling him away from the unknown intruder. " I know this girl, no one is in harm's way unless they want to be." The twilight eye continued, the ninja pulled away his blade and relaxed standing next to his master. Saphera turned her voice to that of urgency and desperation.
" Now that introductions are out of the way, I need to speak with you, privately, on a very urgent matter." The emerald eyed ninja frowned at Saphera, his glare fixated on her as he spoke in retaliation to the girl.
" Why now, can't anything wait until morning these days?" Shen silenced him,
" What is it considering?" Shen looked deeply into the grey pupils of the summoner, trying to seek out the truth without her even uttering a word. But she was too difficult to look into, for once he had met someone that was actually skilled in hiding their emotions.
" The book you wrote." Saphera spoke in a low tone, only intended for Shen and the accompanying ninja to hear, who looked positively puzzled at the comment. The grand master hushed his ally away and quickly gestured for Saph to follow.
" I'm sorry for this." Saphera suddenly felt a pressure on her neck and everything was black. It felt like seconds and she opened her eyes again and found herself and shen in a different room entirely, this one was completely black, only one door, no windows and blacked out walls. Candle-light was the only think banishing the darkness. Saph found herself led on the floor, her cape still surrounding her and so her mask too. Why was she transported to a different room? She picked herself up and dusted of her cape and legs.
"Tell me who you are, and how you came across my book." Shen was seated on a single chair and was watching Saphera closely. He was in his usual attire, and the blue hues of his suit seemed purple in this low light.
"I uh.." Saphera looked around dazed, confused as to how she suddenly appeared in a different room. But she knew not to question the skill of a kinkou ninja. " You book was given to me, by an old friend, who thought it was just a story. I'm Saphera, I'm keeping my face covered for my own safety, I'm currently a summoner at the rift. Th...Though I'm suspended due to personal reasons."
" Why are you suspended?" Shen didn't ask, he demanded with his deep rough tone. Saph's eyes dropped contact for a moment, she still was not comfortable with the events of last year, but she knew that truth was the only way for Shen to trust her on such a matter.
" I kinda got a few people killed, but I was being manipulated by my adoptive mother and didn't realise it….very long story"
" Ah, you. Don't worry Saphera, you are safe here, feel free to remove your scarf." Shen removed his own to reveal a strong, clean cut jaw line and was cleanly shaven. He was surprisingly attractive. Though his skin tone was slightly uneven due the mask most likely being worn in the sunlight. The summoner smiled warmly and she removed her own mask. Shen eyes widened for a second, but he quickly returned to his resting expression.
" Is something wrong?" Saphera's head turned to the side inquisitively, his reaction was strange.
" Your eye markings, they were unexpected, but very unique, have you had them since birth?" Shen asked with curiosity in his tone, leaning forward here he sat. The redhead smiled again, and nodded keenly.
" Yes, I have, I thought it was because I'm from a magus background." She responded with a kind tone, but shook herself mentally and returned to the subject at matter. " But, that's not why I'm here, we know that. I couldn't help but see the description of Khada Jihn in your book, and, well I hate to be the bringer of bad news…" Saphera paused at the end of her words before continuing to make sure he had his full attention. She didn't. The twilight eye was focused on the candle's flame somehow dancing in a room of still air. He suddenly rose up and grabbed Saphera, pulling up his mask and Saphera behind him simultaneously. Saph gasped at the sudden movement in a place where she got the vibe of a relaxed environment.
" Don't move. Stay silent." Shen said with a deathly stern tone and pushed Saph behind him further. Saphera held her breath and pulled up her own mask, a strange bubbly feeling grew in her stomach, one that was not pleasant.
"Why have you chosen to enter my domain, you know I am more than capable of killing you here than anywhere else." At first Saphera thought he was mad, talking to the air, but ahead of them in the small room, two red eyes opened and glared back at them.
" Shen…" It began, the twilight kept his right arm pressed backwards, half wrapped around Saphera in a protective manner. With the other, he reached for one of his two blades. "...and guest, I'm not here to harm…." The owner of the voice was Zed, he slowly walked forward, there were no blades on his arms, and he appeared totally relaxed. His eyes shifting between Saphera and Shen.
" That could be lie, how do I know you're being truthful. Because never are!" Shen's voice grew into a deep, aggressive growl.
" Because the summoner is right." Zed pointed to the girl hiding behind Shen.
" I didn't say anything." Saphera muttered.
" You didn't have to." Shen mentioned, casting a glance back and letting her go. Saphera walked to the side, the three now stood in a triangle. " Continue as you were, Saphera." Shen nodded at the summoner. " Once you mentioned the book I knew Zed would arrive, it was just a matter of time." Saphera looked puzzled at his comment, but continued on with what she going to say, this time addressing it to both ninjas.
" I think I saw him yesterday morning, at the flower shop in the western side of town. Last thing I heard him say was that he was purchasing Lotus flowers.." She awkwardly smiled.
" What a waste of time, anyone buys Lotus flowers." Zed retorted to her in a belittling tone, a giggle on his lips.
" Do their eyes make you freeze, do they stare into every fiber of your being? Is their voice very, very well spoken? What about-" She was interrupted, and huffed slightly.
" Enough." Shen stopped her, then looked at Zed once again.
" Why are you here, what did you see?"
Zed began with a disappointed tone. " The girl's description is perfect, you can never forget the eyes of a killer like him. One of my men, cut up, their guts formed into a pattern. Their blood used to paint a lotus on the nearby wall. No mistaking it is him."
Saphera cringed at the thought, it seemed worse than what Vilemaw did to his victims, pushing the thought into the back of her mind, she spoke up.
" Meaning that there should be two more victims before an eventual, performance murder. He works in fours, right?" Both looked over to here, Zed nodded and Shen questioned her.
" How much did you read?"
" All of it, it was a good book." She smiled, looking mighty proud of herself.
" Book?" Zed questioned, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall.
" I wrote a book on the 'golden demon' hoping more sightings might arise and I will be able to track his movements." The dark ninja interrupted again, this time more rudely than before.
" I said we should've killed him right there, but both of you where weak! Pointless murder because of your Fath-"

" Hey!" Saphera snapped back at him, Zed stepped over to Saphera, hoping to tower over her more than he actually did. He was only around half a foot taller, in his mind he was unimpressed.
" Dare you interrupt me, child."
" We're most likely the same age, dumbass, It's easy to work out that you were between fourteen and sixteen when you were hunting for Khada, making you between twenty one and twenty three now. I may be a summoner but I am no lacky. I'm twenty, by the way. So I'm no child."
Shen chuffed under his breath at Saphera's cockyness to Zed, who would kill her in an instant. Yet he would not, something within his gut knew he wouldn't, not now at least. Saphera's eye markings came to mind again, he recalled why he knew those markings, but kept the knowledge to himself for now.
Saphera kept a deadpan look to where Zed's eyes were hiding behind his mask as he rose a hand to wrap around her throat, but thought against it; pulling his arm away. A summoner was a waste of his time.
" Please, we need to keep on the matter here, if Khada Jihn is really showing himself around here. That means he is getting ready for the festival in Zhuan in under a week from now. That means innocent people will be dead at his hands and we will not be able to stop them. If we don't make a plan to stop him, who will know how many will die before the festival. The next big event in Ionia is the end of season ball in 2 days from now."
Both looked over to Shen, extremely unamused with the speech.
" And, how do you suppose we make such a plan, this is a serial killer we a dealing with, after all." Saphera sighed and Zed nodded in agreement
" Well, he's coming to the ball to find the lovely woman he met at the flower shop." Shen grinned, seeming impressed with himself. He knew how the killer worked, he is going to want to seek out anyone he didn't want to see in his unmasked ways, when he goes to the ball, he will find Saphera even if he didn't intend to, Shen thought.
" Shen, I'm surprised you, is going to put a summoner in the line of fire when it comes to him, the demon." Zed crossed his arms in a displeased manner, Saphera stood there confused.
"Once Jihn is in our sights. Then Zed, you may take the last blow."