#hello do you have a moment to talk about zed the master of shadows

[ur-mom-kayn]

Loyalty Chapter 16: Family

Shen Pov

What did Zed mean by something not human? What could hide behind an unlocked door, please. Especially in one, compared to other, luxurious rooms. It fit absolutely nothing from front to back. Not to mention the fact that there was no sign of Kayn in the meeting earlier. He is Zeds everything. From this Shen could only conclude that either Kayn was the fallen soldier or prisoner. Somehow, Shen hoped for something else. He thought that the boy did Zed well. It would be a great pity if he died so young.

Curious as Shen was, he put his ear to the wall, trying to hear any sounds. The only thing he heard was a deep gasp. It sounded strained as if someone was doing sports. Slowly but surely he could not stand his own curiosity. Carefully and quietly, Shen pushed the door aside for a small crack. Like a toddler, he peered through the gap. On the floor in front of the four-poster bed, he recognized a well-trained man with a messy bun who was doing push-ups. Noticeable was the blue streak that hung down from the man. As Shen thought, Zed's old room is Kayn's current one. But what was the boy doing to lock him up? And why should Kayn not be human? Questions about questions and answers were right in front of him, but should he really ignore Zed's instructions and dare speak to Kayn?

"Shen ... what are you standing there so stupid on the doorframe? If you want something, say so." Torn from his thoughts, Shen recoiled slightly. Undeterred, Kayn continued training without being noticeable. "How did you know ...?" "That it is you? Was not that hard," Kayn paused and sat on the floor, leaning back against the bed. "For minutes, I can no longer sense auras, only yours. And well ... you are a balanced cucumber. There is no one else here. Which makes me wonder why?" Kayn caught sight of Shen and nodded to him. Shen accepted the invitation and entered the room that he had not seen in such a long time.

When Shen sat down beside him, he sensed that Kayn's aura was just as dark as Zed's. No, there is something else. Something far more spiteful. But Kayn looked normal and did not act as if he wanted to hit his throat. On the contrary. Kayn closed his eyes and tilted his head back and sighed audibly. "So Shen, what are you doing here and where are the others?" "They're at a funeral. Zed has assigned me to guard a prisoner. You're the prisoner?" "Looks like it." "But ... why? I thought you were Zed's adoptive son. Why is he treating you like this?" Kayn opened his eyes and hung his head. "Because I'm to blame for the death of our brother. I killed him. Zed only did his duty as a master. I'm not angry with him. I do not deserve it any other way. "

Shen was shocked. He did not expect that. It made no sense. Kayn was an icy killer, so he had met him, but he would do nothing to a comrade, right? "Why? Did you argue? Were you aware of the consequences?" "Unfortunately not. I was not aware of anything. I was not in control. It's a bit complicated." "Then try to explain." Shen turned to Kayn and looked him straight in the face. In his face, he recognized deep sorrow and disappointment. He apparently took it with him. Who would have thought that? "Okay, Shen. Does the term 'Darkin' tell you what?" "Sure. This is an ancient race or not? Are not these 5 legendary warriors who, for reasons I do not know, are now weapons and looking for a host?" "Eeeeeehmmm ... what? No idea what you're talking about, but that sounds right. In any case, Zed gave me the job of liberating such a weapon from the power of Noxians. Unfortunately, I lost my mind on the first contact with the weapon and killed my brother. It was only a fraction of a second. When it was too late, I was back in control, but Zed did not care. He ordered me to stay in my room. He sees me as a ticking time bomb. That's why you should hold your position here if I'm not in control. "

"Are you both crazy?! You can not just keep a darkin weapon and think it has no consequences. Kayn the weapon will destroy you and consume you. There will be nothing left of you. Believe me. No one has been able to overwhelm a Darkin. Not you either." Suddenly Kayn grinned. "Ah, really? And why am I standing here before you? As Kayn? Well Shen, then I'm probably the first. However, I have to say, you know a lot. How comes?" Kayn was right. He looked completely normal. Varus looked human, but you could still see the demon visually. "Simply Kayn. We have two champs in the league who are Darkins." "What ?! " Suddenly Shen heard a dark and gloomy voice from nowhere. Somehow, he became more unwell. The evil he had previously felt in Kayn's heart was now much more pronounced left of Kayn. "What was that?" "Well awake Rhaast?" Kayn turned his face to the left on the floor. "Yes, I am awake now. Now let's say the guy next to you. Which Darkins do you speak of? "

Shen did not understand anything anymore. He leaned in the direction of Kayn's gaze and paused for a moment. Beside Kayn was a huge scythe with a glowing red eye. The weapon reminded him a little bit of Aatrox. No doubt. That was one of the legendary Darkin weapons and Kayn really had one. "Kayn, that cannot be healthy. Everyone has been consumed or crumbled to dust." "Watch out, then." Kayn got up and reached for the weapon. With a lightness he swung the weapon back and forth. "Now tell me how I am not in control, please? I'm holding a darkin weapon and I'm still myself." "Impossible. That cannot be." "And how that works. The shadow helps me to keep my mind. He protects me from Rhaast. It doesn't work only if I am asleep. But when I'm awake, he can not give me a shit  "At first, Shen had to swallow hard. That was a very impressive performance by Kayn. He would never have believed him that.

"That means plainly, Zed has the power over the strongest weapon in the world?" Kayn laughed loudly and with an undertone that made one's hair stand on end. "Hahaha. If Zed accepted this weapon, yes. I'll serve him all my life, but he'll have to let me do that. But no, he locks me in." "Hello ?! Did you forget about me? I want to fucking know what the League is and what Darkins are there. And especially how these two are." The weapon did not sound pleased. His eye showed that even more precisely. Better he gives him his answers. "I did not forget you. The league is Zeds and my real job. The Fields of Justice are a place where proxy wars are waged without consequences. A Darkin named Varus primarily assumes the role of an ADC or Marksman. He is incredibly strong with his crystal bow. But you should know that. He consumed the bodies of two Ionian hunters several years ago. For him, a new body has formed over which he is the ruler. Rumor has it that he can still hear the two, but nothing more. Similar to both of you, except Kayn owns his own body. The other Darkin is different. He has found a worthy host and completely taken over him. His body is zero to that of a human. His name is Aatrox. "

"What brother Aatrox and Varus did it? And what about the others?" "I'm sorry. I do not know anymore. However, I have to say that it was irresponsible of Zed to give you this job. He knows exactly what Darkins are capable of. In my opinion, he shouldn't blame you, Kayn. You just executed your order." "It's my fault!" Kayn yelled angrily at him. He dropped Rhaast and lunged to his knees. Away was his self-confidence. He looked almost desperate. "I-I, I'm guilty." His voice trembled like crazy. "I ... I was weak ... M-master Zed is not to blame. Just me. I am a loser. I disappointed Master Zed. H-he sure hates me now ..." Shen realized that Kayn was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He had to calm him down. He crawled over to Kayn and held him by his shoulders. Before that, he removed his mask so he could stand with him on a personal level.

"Kayn! Listen to me. Zed does not hate you. On the contrary. I rather believe that he loves you." "What makes you so sure? Why is he locking me up like an animal?" "Do not talk nonsense. You are in a luxury room. Do you even know what a special room this is?" Kayn looked up at Shen and shook his head. "This is Zed's old nursery. Did he never tell you that?" Suddenly the young acolyte looked wide-eyed. He apparently could not understand what he had just said. "Hm ... then I'll ask differently. Do you live here from the beginning or have you been moved to the room?" "I ... I woke up here then and did not leave. But why? Why does Master Zed put an insignificant Noxian child in his old bedroom?" "Because it was love at first sight. Kayn do you understand what I want to tell you? Zed knew from the beginning that you would be his chosen one. He knew that you were destined for true greatness. And he was right. You are the first person in the world who can hold a darkin weapon. You should be proud of yourself. I'm sure Zed secretly, too. Unfortunately, he has to fulfill his duties as a master. If he thinks you are a danger to your comrades, then you have to accept that. Please do not believe that Zed hates you. Because that's not true."

Shen's words helped and Kayn calmed down. "Kayn? Everything alright?" "I think so. I'm sorry for the outbreak earlier. I've been feeling a little bit upset lately, barely keeping my feelings under control. I miss Zed and I do not know if I'll be able to get away with it without him for the next few weeks." "Sure, you can do it. You do not see Zed for half a year sometimes. What do a couple of weeks do?" Kayn averted his eyes from Shen and looked back sadly. "That is something different. When he's in the league, I know he thinks of me and misses me. Now, on the other hand ... I cried at our last meeting. That's like breaking a taboo. Zed hates weakness. I think he hates me now. If not because of the death of Nakuri, then because I cried and shook my heart out." "Kayn ... maybe Zed is a heartless bastard, but I do not think he would judge you for it. You mean everything to him. You are far more family to him than I ever was. So do not believe such nonsense."

No matter how much Shen tried to calm him down, he believed that there would always be some doubt with him until he met Zed again. "Shen ... do you like to tell me stories from your childhood? Please tell me something about Zed that I do not know yet." "Sure." Shen leaned back against the bed, as they did at the beginning of their conversation. Unsolicited Kayn followed him. "Hm ... what should I tell you about your beloved Master. Zed used to look at others very often. He never really got in touch with others. His appearance made him stand out from the crowd. It is safe to say that the others were afraid of him. Everyone recognized this one dark side of him, which had developed in his teenage years. I did not care that time. I accepted him as my brother and rival. I never dreaded him. I did not need that either. We were always the same. Our fights were always a draw. I took it easy, but Zed was frustrated. For him, a draw was like a defeat. However, one had to say that in addition to the fighting we also played a lot together. We loved romping around the hallways and fooling around until my dad admonished us every time. After a talk about balance and tralalala(german blablabla), as Zed would say, we pulled ourselves together. Then it was usually back to work and out of childish fun, was again tough competition. Zed always accused me of how much Kusho liked me. That he would prefer me, although Zed it would be more valuable. It was absurd because my father loved us exactly as equals. Still, it was a thorn in Zed's mind when my father named me the heir. That was also the U-turn in Zed's thinking. He thought that if he was stronger Kusho would have changed his mind. I think you know the rest of the story. "

"Yes. Then comes the part with the chest and the ban. "

"Exactly. Be glad that Zed lets you live here. It shows once more that he believes in you. "

"No ... This shows that Zed is afraid that I would retaliate. But that's nonsense. I would never hurt Zed. Not him ..." "Because you love him," Shen interrupted. Kayn replied nothing. That was enough of an answer anyway. "I'm glad Zed found someone who really loves him." "Why? I thought you were mad at him. How can you be so easy and even keep small talk with me here? I'm not getting any more." Shen could understand his confusion. For someone to whom balance was a foreign word, no wonder. "Sure or not. Brother stays brother, no matter how stupid you look. Then I have an idiotic brother. I still like him somewhere anyway. Anyway, Zed, since our final fight, entrenched behind his mask and leaves no one to anyone. His heart was filled with darkness and loneliness until you showed up. In my opinion, you are Zed's only chance of bliss. You managed to make this cold man laugh again. He is very grateful for that. Believe me. And why I talk to you is also very simple. You look a bit desperate. You think Zed has lost interest in you. I want to make sure that it is not. In his eyes, you are the most wonderful person in the world. Please win for him the fight against the Darkin. I do not want to see Zed broken again."

"I will not lose this fight. Be sure. I will stay Kayn forever. Zed can rely on me. But do you know what my problem is? All these words from you. I only want to hear these wonderful words once from Zed's mouth. I wish he at least came to visit me with a shadow-double. But not even that is defended me. That hurts. I suffer unbelievable pain every night. My lifelong. Rhaast will not leave me alone, but I think if Zed were lying next to me, it would be a lot more bearable for me. If only he told me that he believes in me. That he relies on me. Damn it, Shen, I just want to feel his love once. I know that I did not deserve that. And I know that I can throw my wish away..."

Shen understood Kayn. Zed really was not human for expressions of love. But somehow he felt sorry for Kayn. He really spoke from the bottom of his heart. His feelings were genuine and not remotely played. Maybe he was wrong about Kayn. Often he put him before Zed as his future killer. As an uncontrollable Noxian monster, but he was not all that. He was just a kid who loved his father idolatrously. That was not fair. He had to talk to Zed today. "Do not give up Kayn. You've become a great man and I think Zed knows that, too. Just keep fighting for him, even if he's not coming at you." "Shen ... are you scared of me?" He had not adjusted to the question. It was also quite absurd. "Why are you asking such nonsense?" "Because I can not get rid of the feeling that you want to prevent me from becoming a Darkin. Are you scared that I'm going to strangle it?" "No!" He answered as if shot out of his pistol. "I believe in you, too. It's just ... you're dealing with something that's just unpredictable." "Sorry if I'm going to bother you. I am not what, but someone who. I'm Rhaast." "Pardon. I did not know that Darkins have a sex." "Me neither," Kayn agreed.

"You really can not be helped anymore. Besides Aatrox, Varus, and another brother, I also have a sister." "I'm sorry. If you never talk about yourself, then I can not know that either. How did you become a weapon? Do you like to enlighten us?" "Urghh ... I hate this story. Before there were even countries like Ionia and Noxus, I fought battles with my siblings. Nobody could harm us. We belong to a race that is immortal. That's why you could not just destroy us. On a very black day, the most powerful magicians joined forces and banished us in our own weapons. Do you know how bad it is to be held captive in your own weapon? I was a master with the scythe and now I am the scythe. And I hate it. When I get to see the descendants of those crappy magicians, I'm going to make short work of them." "Yeah nope. I like to kill them for you, but they'll be my hands on which you'll stick blood."

Shen sensed he was out of place here by now. That was a conversation among murderers. With revenge, he had nothing to do. Shen got up and went to the door. "Hey, where are you going?" Kayn asked him. "I will go back to my post. Before Zed gets me, I prefer to go out the door again. I'm sorry. I hope I could help you." "Yes, do that. Thanks, Uncle Shen." Finally, Kayn smiled at him before turning back to Rhaast and arguing with him.

[umbane]

"How many times are you going to ask me about joining this little... club--" Yasuo leans against a nearby tree trunk, eyeing the assassin with a quirked brow. This was maybe the third time this month he's been hounded about it...

Kayn, of course, is perched on the bough of a tree, toes gripping the bark and knees bent, his braid hanging below his makeshift seat, the blade of his scythe like an underline for his entire form. "The Shadow Order is not a club," he says, peeved at the choice of words, like it's just a gathering of kids playing pretend. "And you would do well to mind your tongue, lest you get on my Master's bad side."

Though, that's the issue, isn't it? Zed keeps tabs on Yasuo despite the sarcasm and vitriol he gets in return, and Kayn can't figure out what draws his Master to this particular man. Sure, Kayn has heard tales of his prowess with a sword, but every time he investigates himself, all he finds is a man who smells like liquor and appears to offer little more than rude retorts.

No, he's not quite sure of the appeal. But if Master Zed wants him in the Order, Kayn's happy to do the dirty work. "I'll ask until you see reason, wanderer. I'd think that someone such as yourself would understand the importance of our mission."