You guys must be the most patient people on this earth, because I feel like I've procrastinated finishing this chapter for ages. However, with this chapter I hope to have wrapped up Sentimental for the time being anyways. I will revisit it soon, don't worry, but as far as the story goes this is a nice end point. The next chapters will either be fluffy romance or starting on a new story line, or why not both? Anyway, I will be putting time into my other stories for a bit before I do that anyway, but keep your eyes open.

Anyway, I'm not going to ramble on for ages, please enjoy this little chapter of mostly resolution.


With Zed's ability to shadow dash returning, the trek soon became much simpler for him and Akali. Where they would before have to find ways around obstacles, Zed was now able to spare a little energy to bypass it all together. He wasn't well enough to attempt long-distance travel, but at least it was something. They both recovered quite quickly from their respective ailments, and soon were able to enjoy each others company as long lost friends, albeit with a touch of awkwardness. It took them a couple more days, but they eventually reached a section of forest they both began to recognise. Rain had begun to fall the evening before and had since shown no sign of stopping. It hadn't done much to slow their pace, quite the opposite, the cooler atmosphere lending them strength. It wasn't long before the trees made way for buildings, derelict and forgotten, but still so familiar. Akali slowed, taking in her surroundings.

"You actually did come back here." Zed grunted, keeping his pace.

"Safest place in Ionia as far as I'm concerned." Akali ran to keep up.

"Safest? I guessed you could have set up here, and you think it's safe?" Zed looked at her, eyebrow raised.

"Nobody aside from you knew about it as far as I was concerned, and nobody came knocking on my door until Kennen showed up. It was safe." Akali shrugged, still not entirely convinced. She was about to argue the point before they heard a noise in the trees. Akali instantly drew her karmas, disappearing from the main path to hide under one of the building's canopies. Zed drew his blades but did not dash for cover. If there was a threat near his home, he was bloody well going to get rid of it.

He heard it before he felt it, the sound of thunder travelling through the trees, rushing in his direction. He barely had time to curse to himself before the small ball of energy smashed into his chest, blowing him back. He managed to barely push himself off the ninja, skidding across the floor as he did so, his blades miraculously remaining in his hands. Luckily they did too, because he barely had time to raise them to deflect three small silver blades, sending them skittering across the grassy road. Zed clutched at where he had been hit by the first attack, slightly burnt skin matched with skid marks from the resultant fall. He wouldn't be able to dodge another charge. As if on cue, the sound of thunder roared up again, this time matched with a surprisingly high-pitched scream. The figure drew closer, and Zed was desperately trying to assess his options.

"Kennen, stop!" The ball stopped, dust flicking up at the abrupt change of motion. The noise and dusts eventually both died down, revealing none other than the yordle ninja standing in the centre of the road, facing towards the source of the voice. Akali stepped out from her cover, tears in her eyes.

"Akali, you're alive!" Kennen was on top of her in a moment, leaping into her arms for a warm embrace. Zed only smiled, the small movement causing him to grab his chest. For a little guy, Kennen packed a real punch.

"What did they do to you? Are you injured?" Akali shook her head.

"I'm fine, Zed made sure of that." Kennen frowned before realising the mistake he had made. Turning around he saw Zed clutching his side, and in a flash Kennen was over checking up on him.

"Zed, I'm so sorry! I didn't recognise you, I thought you were one of them." The apology didn't register with Zed, his mind fixated on the last of his words. He put an authoritative hand on Kennen's shoulder, looking at him with stone-cold eyes.

"What do you mean 'one of them'?" Kennen went to answer but was cut off by a scream echoing through the jungle. A storm picked up and he was already on his way, but Zed was one step ahead of him. The two ninjas raced off into the jungle, Akali yelling something as they disappeared, which neither of them heard. Zed felt the adrenaline pumping through his blood, the prospect of a fight bringing a smile to his face. Days of walking and trekking had only built his blood lust, desperately wanting another shot at Fole, but he supposed he'd settle for whoever this was.

He was therefore disappointed when, after finally breaking free from the remaining jungle and jumping out into the clearing around his temple, he found nothing but cheering men, blood staining their armour as they chased the last of the ninjas off into the jungle. The Order of Shadows had won.

"You two are slowing down." The smug grin Shen was giving Zed would normally have caused him to go on a small killing spree, but in that moment he was nothing but relieved. Walking over he embraced the master of the Kinkou, Shen looking rather taken aback at the action. The nearby ninjas were left in shock, even Kennen's jaw hit the ground in amazement. Zed pulled away, smiling a little at the dumbstruck expression on Shen's face.

"What? Am I not allowed to be glad you made it out of there alive?"

"If past experience was anything to go by, no, not at all. Besides, it was with no thanks to you, where'd you run off to?"

"That's a long story, but maybe not one to be told by me."

"Oh really? Who by then?"

"Do you jerks just never bother listening? Honestly!" Akali stumbled out of the bushes, the ninjas of the Order of Shadows now completely giving up on trying to understand the situation and heading back into the temple. Shen was with Akali in an instant, the pair embracing each other lovingly, tears forming in the corner of Shen's eyes.

"I thought I'd lost you." Akali moved her hand and wiped away a tear.

"It'd take a lot more than that to take me away from you." While the lovers re-united, Zed and Kennen looked on awkwardly.

"That's a little disgusting." Zed laughed.

"Not a romantic Kennen."

"Not like that, no."

The group eventually made their own way into the temple, a comfortable silence falling over them. They made their way out of the weather and into one of the many chambers of the temple where they all practically collapsed onto the floor, laughing at their lack of etiquette. After almost a week, Zed allowed himself time to just breathe, taking in the air of victory around him, and dispelling the worries and anxieties he knew he'd have to deal with later, but not today.

"My word still stands Zed." Zed didn't bother to lift his head from the floor, enjoying the feeling of the cold stone on his neck far too much. Shen himself was resting with his back against one of the walls, hand resting lightly on Akali's leg, who was lying down next to him. With everything that had happened, Zed wasn't even sure what Shen was talking about.

"And what word was that?" Shen laughed, realising now probably wasn't the time for the conversation, but he'd already brought it up.

"I'll leave for the Institute within the next couple of days. After that, the Kinkou are yours." This got Zed to sit up, staring over at Shen who was wearing a deadpan look, clearly serious about what he said.

"You can't leave Ionia."

"And why is that?" Zed thought on this for a moment. Why couldn't he lead the Kinkou and his order, form the greatest strength Ionia had ever seen? He could restore the state to the glory it had known aeons ago, and he would be at its helm.

You and I, we are the future of this world, the warriors of today, and the emperors of tomorrow. Even as he began to recall the words he knew he could never lead Ionia. He had seen where that path led, what came from pursuing such a fate, and he knew he could never travel down that path.

"I know what happens if you leave, and it is not a fate either of us want to see, brother."

Shen didn't have time to respond to this when one of Zed's order entered the room, frowning a little at the four ninjas resting on the floor. Zed managed to pull himself to his feet; doing his best to appear as the strict mentor they knew him as.

"Sir, we have a report on our casualties and wounded, if you are willing to see it." Zed rubbed his temple, not ready to dive into more paperwork.

"Give it to me simply, how many lost, how many injured?"

"The infirmary is reporting numbers in excess of a hundred for injured, but no reported casualties." Zed raised an eyebrow at this, snatching the report scroll from the soldier's hand. He read it once over, then read it again, not believing what the text said. He turned to Kennen, throwing the report at him.

"What the hell did you do? No casualties?" Kennen smiled, reading the report. Multiple reports of cuts and bruises, some had more severe injuries, but as the soldier had relayed, no casualties or serious injuries. The worst injuries were severe burns which were listed as being inflicted by friendly fire, which caused Kennen to smile.

"I don't see why you are so surprised." Zed just smiled at this, bowing respectfully to the yordle.

"Apparently I misjudged you, and as such am in your debt." Kennen waved the compliment off lamely.

"You want to make it up to me? There is somebody waiting up-stairs for you I'd love for you to talk to. She's been very patient."

It wasn't that Zed had forgotten about Syndra, more that he wasn't sure he was prepared to see her just yet. Ever since his dream he'd felt as though his path had seemed clearer, as though he was no longer at conflict with himself, and although it was reassuring, the thought terrified him too. He could remember the first time the shadows had spoken to him, the promises they had made to each other. He knew he'd lost something that day, but he hadn't bothered to think about it until he'd trained with Syndra.

"Just go, thinking won't help anybody." Zed hadn't realised he'd been standing still while these thoughts passed through his head. He nodded at Akali's words, leaving the room without any further discussion. He made the climb towards his quarters slowly, practically counting the steps as he walked them. He felt his knees shaking as he reached the top, staring at the door he knew he had to open. He held his knuckles up to the door, hesitating for a moment before knocking. Too late to turn back now.

"Please come in." The voice was warm and positive, which did soothe Zed a little. He opened the door, closing it behind him and taking a step forward, standing with his hands behind his back. Syndra had her back to him, sitting at the small desk in her room, writing something. Zed just waited there in silence for her to finish.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to say something?"

"I was kind of hoping you'd turn around first." There was a small clang as Syndra dropped what she was writing with, her head turning around slowly to make sure her ears did not deceive her. Zed still didn't move, not trusting any part of his body in the current situation. He simply watched as Syndra came forward, running her hand upon his face, shaking her head in disbelief. He returned the gesture, Syndra shivering under his touch. She turned her head to the side, and that was when he saw it, the red flesh below her neckline. He touched it and she flinched, causing Zed to pull away. She reached out and grabbed his wrist, staring at him pleadingly.

"Don't you dare leave me again."

"I hurt you." Syndra's grip tightened around his wrist, and soon he could feel the unmistakeable burning as her magic touched his skin. He didn't cry out, he took it, tears forming in his eyes. Eventually she released her grip, admiring the glowing red flesh around Zed's wrist.

"And now I've hurt you, are we even?" Zed smiled a little at the act, rubbing his wrist.

"You realise most people would have just talked about it." Syndra smiled.

"Because talking things over with you seems like a brilliant idea." The words stung, although Zed tried not to show it.

"I'm sorry, for everything." Syndra gently brushed the hair off his face, smile fading a little.

"I just wanted to help you, to keep you safe, was that so hard for you to accept?"

"It was complicated."

"Because of Akali? Because you still had feelings for her?" Zed clenched his fists, trying desperately not to meet the mages eyes.

"I don't care if you like her, I couldn't even give a damn if you were sleeping with her, at least be honest with me!" Zed swung his fist, colliding with the wall sending a solid bang throughout the room, causing Syndra to jump.

"It was complicated because of you, and I'm so sorry I couldn't tell you that back then and it took me fighting a deranged cult to realise it." He let his fist drop by his side, blood dripping from the tips of his fingers.

"I don't know why I thought seeing you again would be simple, I hardly deserve the chance if I'm perfectly honest, but I'm here. I'm not hiding behind a mask or a reputation either, which quite frankly I have become far too accustomed to doing." He took a step forward, allowing a little of the anger and frustration from the past week to overcome him.

"I don't have perfect control, and yes, I can be ruthless and heartless. But I can be kind, and for the first time in my life I don't feel that is a weakness." Zed took one more step forward and stopped, his nose almost touching Syndra's forehead as he looked down into her eyes, their chests barely separated.

"That's what's going through my thick skull, you judge it for yourself." Syndra felt as though he were staring straight through her, reading the responses forming in her mind before she had the chance to utter them.

"You want me to believe you are a changed man, just like that?" Zed didn't move, and Syndra could feel his breath trailing down her neck, making her body tingle at the sensation.

"I didn't ask you to believe it, I asked you to judge it. I just thought you deserved the chance to choose for yourself." Syndra reached her head up and, with all the tenderness she could manage, lightly pressed her lips to Zed's. It lasted no more than a second, but in that moment Zed knew he was forgiven.

"Why have you got to be such a sentimental jerk? How can I turn you away with words like that." She wrapped her arms around his waist, letting her head rest gently against his chest, causing Zed to do the same with his chin resting on her head. It wasn't a long moment, but for them it felt like an eternity, one they emerged from feeling like new people. They didn't stay around to dwell on their feelings, Zed leaving to return to his Kinkou company while Syndra elected to throw herself onto her bad, hoping the pillows and sheets could soak up the tears of joy she found pouring down her face.


If Zed had to be completely honest, he preferred top lane over mid. The people he had to go up against weren't necessarily nicer, but they were a lot less talkative, preferring to just fight. That is unless he got put up against Singed or Vladamir, then he was in for a terrible time. Thankfully neither of these two were up against him, instead he was versing Nautilus and his incredible waveclear. With little to no kill pressure, it was needless to say he was having a bad time. When he finally saw Nautilus show up somewhere else on the map, Zed knew this would be his opportunity to get a kill, and he knew exactly where he was heading.

Syndra was not having the best of time. She hadn't died, surprisingly, but Ahri was constantly threatening to dive in and kill her. The worst part was she did all of it with her typical seductive charm and smile, which Syndra quite frankly found unsettling. She threw an orb, which Ahri took to be her opening. Dashing forward, Syndra was blown back by the force of her spirit orb, only to feel as though something was tearing into her back as the orb returned to it's owner The pain was incredible, but certainly not lethal. Syndra tried to run, but Ahri was faster. Syndra felt herself getting slowly whittled down, and realised she wasn't going to make it back to her tower. Ahri laughed her cute little laugh.

"Trying to leave me already? I was hoping we were going to have a little fun."

"Sorry fox, not today." The moment she heard the voice, Ahri started retreating to her tower, but having exhausted all her energy on dashing after Syndra it was slow going, and Zed was significantly faster. In an instant Ahri was surrounded by shadows, blurs of darkness enveloping her, the simple touch upon her skin causing it to rip and bleed. She collapsed to the ground, utterly defeated.

"That's hardly fair, I was just about to have some fun." Zed knelt down and gently kissed her cheek.

"Maybe another time, but I'm afraid this one is mine." She managed out a small wink before her eyes rolled back and her soul returned to the fountain. Zed laid her down gently, standing up and walking over to Syndra.

"You're welcome." Syndra allowed herself to fall to the ground, stopping her hover, then stood on her tiptoes so she could lightly peck the cold metal of his helmet. Zed laughed behind his helmet.

"I'll see you after the game." And with that Zed took off, returning to top lane with a nice little kill in his pocket. He couldn't remember ever feeling happier than he did right now, and to think it was because of one person, and a mage no less! Zed smiled to himself as he finally returned to lane, leaping at the now behind Nautilus for an easy second kill, mind still stuck firmly on Syndra. He couldn't wait to see her after this game, and after every other game that followed.


Thanks a bunch for sticking with the really slow and inconsistent update times, and I hope you enjoyed the story.

As always, RFF and make my day :)

BJ