Ionia, a war-torn land from the Noxian invasion. The Ionian people still struggle to find with both themselves and their land after they were able to push Noxus back. Things have never been the same since. Creatures have become more aggressive, spirits do not contact the people like they used to, and the people are torn between the old and new ways. One such person is the current Master of Balance, Shen. He has been at constant odds with himself since his pupil, Akali, left the Kinkou Order. Now Shen questions whether Ionia can ever return to the way it was.

Shen awoke from his meditation within the Kinkou Temple. His mind was distraught from all the spiritual and human troubles that have been occurring throughout Navori. A sigh escaped him from all the thoughts that berated his mind. He stood up and scanned the empty dojo. He observed the slightly battered training dummies. Specks of dust visible from the sunlight flowed around the room, settling around the floor.

Shen peered out from one of the windows which gave him a sight of the courtyard. He noticed one of the training dummies had a Zed mask on it and he could not help but chuckle. "I see that you're still keeping up your sense of comedy, Kennen." He approached it and removed some of the kunais and shurikens still stuck to the mask. At this point, the sky began to change from a dark grey to a subtle yellow as the sun began to rise. It was time for Shen to get going. After all, Ionia was not going to fix itself this time around.

Shen stepped back inside the dojo and went for the Spirit Blade at the far end of the room. He bowed before the Blade and picked it up. Shen then went to get dressed and left the temple. The halls echoed with each of his footsteps, just to emphasize and remind him just how many people they have lost to the ages.

Before going out to do anything, Shen would always visit the White Cliffs Inn to get himself a bowl of pork ramen. Though something was strange today… Shen knew that there were not many people who still lived in Koeshin, though it was unnaturally quiet today. He stood on his guard but continued towards the inn. The tavernkeeper greeted Shen upon his entry and placed his usual at the table he sat at. Shen reached for his spoon, but then stopped before he could take a bite. Standing before him was a tall dark figure with a red mask on his face.

"Shen."

"You know who I am… and who would I have the pleasure of speaking to?" Shen set his spoon down and looked at the figure with the full of his attention.

"I'm sure that you've heard about the Wind Bladed Bastard. His infamy throughout Ionia is rather clear. As to who I am, perhaps that is even something you can put together."

Shen squinted at the man, but he could not realize who the man was. He eventually sighed, "Your relationship with Yasuo is something that I am unaware of. However, you should know that I hardly know the man and I most certainly do not know you."

"Hm…" Yone grumbled in disappointment. "That may be true, but I have still come for you with a purpose in mind. We are both people who can walk between worlds and I needed your help hunting down an azakana—a demon."

Shen raised an eyebrow. Hunting demons isn't something he is estranged to, but he doesn't understand why this figure needed him, specifically. "…What is it about this demon that you need my help? You seem perfectly capable of hunting demons on your own." Shen sized up the man, clearly seeing his strong spiritual energy.

Yone scoffed, "This is something I cannot understand with Ionians now… do you all not realize the threat that the azakana bears for this nation? For the entire world? You pride yourself in maintaining the balance, Shen, yet here you are refusing to act when it matters—"

Before Yone could finish his mockery, Shen slammed his hand on the table and stood. His eyes met with Yone's and the two stared each other down for but a moment before Shen spoke up. "Listen… I was making sure that you weren't trying to trick me. If you aren't aware, I have a lot on my plate right now." His plate was still full of his soup. "The Kinkou cannot afford to just assist a masked man with no name that claims to want to defeat a demon." Yone went silent at Shen's rebuttal, it would make sense that he is on guard more than ever. He placed a hand on his mask for a moment, as if contemplating to remove it. However, his hand went back down to his side.

"My name is Yone. I'm sure that it all makes sense now."

Shen went silent in a brief moment of disbelief. He did not sense a lie from Yone. "I am surprised that you are alive."

"'Alive' is certainly a word…"

"Fair enough. I now understand how Yasuo is involved with you. I tried to give him refuge with the Kinkou but he refused my offer." Yone did not seem to respond, but he could not hide the aura of disappointment hearing about Yasuo's refusal. "Now then… about this akazana, you're telling me about—what exactly is it? Countless restless spirits have gone restless since the Noxian invasion but by your tone, I doubt that we are dealing with a regular demon."

"Your skills of deduction are as good as they say, Shen." A slight sarcasm in Yone's voice. "This demon is a strong one… a one of fear. It goes by the name of—"

Before Yone could finish his sentence, there was an eerie breeze that caused both Shen and Yone to summon their blades. "The wards around the monastery are supposed to be up. No spirit should be able to invade here."

"As I said, this is no ordinary azakana. It more than likely followed me here…"

"You brought the demon here of all places?" Shen said as he put on his mask.

"Let's just say that I am investing a lot into you, Shen." Yone opened the door and proceeded to head outside. Shen cautiously followed behind him…