“Ah…” Jhin begins, nodding his head. “I hope it does not come at a discomfort to you, but I was planning on drawing you. A meditator surrounded by nature. The peacefulness of it all… I find it inspiring.” He smiles gently, regarding his tools with perhaps more respect than he’d unleash on another human being. The canvas is a faint shade of off-white, blank; ready to be painted over with something beautiful.
He reaches down to set it on his easel, settling there with a quip of the paper on the folded wood. It is neither chance nor fortune that brought him to Akali, but he understood who she was by uniform alone. Briefly he imagines a man in blue outfit, telling a smaller woman in green not to follow him into a deserted home. She cannot see what is inside the house. She is irritated and frustrated, and begs why.
Jhin’s grinning pulls him away from his thoughts before he has a chance to finish his own story. He glances back at Akali, waiting for her answer. “You do not have to, of course. I am only a passing artist.”
His request had managed to catch the likes of her off guard--if only for a moment. She is thankful for the jade mask that just barely conceals the tint of blush to her cheeks. “I cannot say I’ve ever...encountered such a request. Though I don’t believe it would be right of me to rob your source of inspiration...”
Akali settles herself back upon the ground, returning to her original position. It had taken a moment to readjust back to her meditative stance. The knowledge that the other was watching--though innocent as she may have perceived--would play a part in it. She eventually found herself relaxed as she indulged her focus into the tranquil sounds of nature about her.
Aatrox nodded. “I see…” He had expected as much, though also partially anticipated the destruction of the factory altogether. Taking the weapon in his other hand, the Darkin examined it thoroughly with a faint grin. Yes, the fury held within this sword was genuine. Now it only needed to find a purpose…
“You needn’t worry. I intend to ensure this blade finds a capable wielder.” Where the likes of Bard were often keen to keep dangerous relics out of mortal hands, the Darkin were keen to do just the opposite. “I have a feeling it may become vital in the near future…”
She allows her hands to fall to her sides once the weapon was in his care. Truthfully, Akali wasn’t too sure how much she trusted his word on that. The aura of Ki that surrounds the Darkin moved so sporadically, hard for her to truly perceive. Perhaps intentional.
“Near future?” She repeats, her gaze snaps back to his upon such talk. “What are you referring to...?”
❝ You aren’t all stone, Akali. There is a person inside of you. ❞
“I know… but–”
She has been persistent, but she knows that concern and care fuel her actions. Akali’s body gradually relaxes, though she’d give Irelia a downcast gaze.
“–I fear that it may hinder me when the moment counts most.”
❝ it doesn’t matter that they won’t remember me. what matters is i helped. ❞
❝ bad things should happen to bad people. ❞
❝ i’m here to set things right. also ? to look dashing. that part’s less difficult. ❞
❝ planning has never been my strong suit . now, killing…killing & love-making. those i am better at. ❞
❝ oh ! we could get matching outfits ! ❞
❝ i’m not saying i should be your first pick for a dance partner at the ball , but in the deep roads , i’m your man / woman. ❞
❝ draw your weapon & say that again ! ❞
❝ we’re here to kill them all, yes ? for sport ? ❞
❝ you tend to get up to interesting things. you meet interesting people & then you kill them. ❞
❝ i never worry, darling. a leash can be pulled from either end. ❞
❝ it’s like you need permission to be alive. ❞
❝ has anyone told you what marvelous eyes you possess, my dear ? ❞
❝ have you ever licked a lamp post in winter ? ❞
❝ i’ll try not to hit anyone. ❞
❝ there you are. everyone’s been looking for you. ❞
❝ the last man standing gets final say on who is right or wrong. ❞
❝ i like my hair the way it is, thank you. ❞
❝ do you think about how to kill everyone you meet ? ❞
❝ are you… sassing me, ____? ❞
❝ yes, but she/you seems more… “ooh, pretty colors !” than “muahaha ! i am princess stabbity ! stab, kill, kill ! ❞
❝ congratulations ! you have found a wastebin . ❞
❝ what are you going to do with that sword ? ❞
❝ not listening ! la la-la la la ! ❞
❝ i saw you looking at the girl/boy in town earlier . ❞
❝ anyone wishing to accuse me of weakness is welcome to try. ❞
❝ …did you cut your own hair ? ❞
❝ ”one by one they follow, drowning in the sea”. the rest of the poem is sad.. ❞
❝ you aren’t all stone, ____. there is a person inside of you. ❞
❝ we crush the heads of rude women when we feel like it. just so you know. ❞
❝ protect what matters with everything you have, or you’ll have nothing, and deserve it. ❞
❝ i want you to know that what we had was real. ❞
❝ in the end you are always alone with your actions. ❞
❝ somebody’s been drinking. ❞
❝ let’s show them our hearts, and then show them theirs.. ❞
❝ do you feel that ? my magic-sensing nose is tingling. ❞
❝ well, shit. ❞
❝ you worry me, you know that ? ❞
❝ i’m cold. & it’s indoors. this is so wrong. ❞
❝ i saw what you were doing back there. ❞
❝ we will never speak of this again. ❞
❝ you’re a big softie ! ❞
❝ i’ve got just the thing to cure that pout. ❞
❝ eight, nine, now you die. ❞
❝ daughters never grow up. they remain six years old with pigtails & skinned knees forever. ❞
❝ i don’t need my pants, anyway. ❞
❝ smiles. we must be careful how we present ourselves. ❞
❝ be careful what you wish for. power is treacherous. i have seen many people–great leaders–consumed by it. ❞
❝ don’t touch me ! stay away ! ❞
❝ i think of him/you/her as much as he/you/she thinks at all. ❞
❝ i knew nothing of friendship before we met. ❞
❝ you can approve or not approve as you wish, but this is one thing you cannot influence and mold to your liking. ❞
❝ there you go, breaking my heart. ❞
❝ does anyone else feel the verge to vomit? ❞
❝ i…love you. just… wanted to tell you that. ❞
❝ let those who would destroy us step into the light. ❞
❝ it’s dangerous when too many men in the same armor think they’re right. ❞
❝ if you love a character, you give them pain, ruin their lives, make them suffer. maybe even throw in a heroic death. ❞
❝ i do quite like watching you leave. ❞
❝ send him a fruit basket. everyone loves those. ❞
❝ did i stutter ? ❞
❝ are you kidding ? i’m surprised you didn’t kill anyone just coming over here. ❞
❝ the world may want my time, but you have my heart ❞
❝ have you ever heard the saying ‘let sleeping abominations lie’? now would be the time to consider it. ❞
❝ that sounded much better in my head . ❞
❝ i have an excellent sense of dramatic timing. & good hair. ❞
❝ the air hurts. i have to stop. ❞
❝ challenge someone to arm-wrestle me. ❞
❝ so, you’re not like a lot of other girls/boys. ❞
❝ not long ago this was impossible to imagine. you, the man i love, victory close at hand. ❞
❝ how do you do that ? make everything better with a smile ? ❞
❝ it gets no easier. your struggles have only just begun. ❞
❝ there comes a time when you must stop running, when you turn & face the tiger. ❞
❝ it’s family, you protect. doesn’t matter who it is, blood or not. ❞
❝ perhaps we should carve our names into the giant tree ? ❞
❝ hey ! that’s mine ! ❞
❝ our mistakes make us who we are. ❞
❝ fear makes men more dangerous than magic ever could. ❞
❝ don’t let anyone tell you when to move on. take their hand & say, “my choice". ❞
❝ words are easy, like the wind; faithful friends are hard to find. ❞
❝ shitballs. fuck. shit. crap. ❞
❝ living a lie … it festers inside you, like poison. ❞
“I can only assume at this point.” She admits, glancing along the rageblade. Hard to believe she would have the opportunity to handle a relic of the past. “I had spent my time there gathering information...and retrieving this blade. I decided to reveal its location to the rest of the Order so that they may decide a better course of action.”
However she did not inform them of how exactly she obtained the information yet or of the deal she struck with the Darkin to hand over the blade. “I know I have no place in asking but--I can’t help be curious of what your plans are now that you possess Guinsoo’s blade...”
Two champs I don’t see much of anymore and also because I’m finding more love for the Ionian champs so I gotta draw them.
Might consider this a print in the future!
—-
★Comm Info ★Patreon ★Twitter
She is lead down the halls by a party of six others, walls accented with carefully inked portraits of Masters long passed. The young Akali takes but a few moments to marvel upon them; should the day proceed as planned, one day she would be another addition to this grand hall. That mere thought would have her chest swell with excitement. At the end of the hall they were greeted with something other than the common sliding doors about the temple. The room they approach is guarded by two large iron doors. Etched upon them was the visage of a feminine godlike being with six arms. A large sword, a pair of kamas and a sphere of crackling energy taken up in each pair. This was the Hall of the Triumvirate, guarded by the patron deity of the order, Kinkou.
The six who had led stand on either side of the hall in two groups of three. The two closest to the door give a deep bow before opening the doors. She returns the gesture and walks, the remaining bowing to her as she passes. The one who opened the right door breaks from the group to follow close behind her. They take off their mask to reveal a man who dips his head to Akali’s ear.
“Are you nervous?” He asks, voice just above a whisper. She does not answer at first.
“...Yes, father.” She admits, maintaining a steady stride.
“Understandable.” Akali’s father muses with a gentle smile. “Your mother was too. Consider it fate.”
The two stop just before the cushions where the three were seated. Akali and her father then kneel on the soft wooded floors. In the center before them was a rather elderly man whose red hair bore heavy streaks of gray. His age and face reflect numerous experiences, yet his expression was still soft, managing to settle Akali’s nerves. He is Master Kusho, the acting Eye of Twilight. To Kusho’s left, a woman who did not need a second glance over. Her gaze though stern, lingers a sense of pride towards Akali. She is Master Mitsuru, the acting Fist of Shadows--and Akali’s mother. And finally to Kusho’s right was a yordle dressed in a purple gi. His eyes dance with a sense of boundless excitement and energy, perhaps more than what a normal person should. He is Master Kennen, the acting Heart of Tempest. Once they had fully settled, Kusho gives a single nod.
“You may proceed, Tzuho.” He gives a quick glance to Akali before clearing his throat, head remained dipped before the Triumvirate.
“Before you kneels a potential candidate to succeed the Fist of Shadow.” Tzuho gestures to her with a single hand. She felt presented in a manner akin to a priceless treasure or artifact. Akali remains still, raven strands stream to the sides of her face. “For thirteen years Akali had been trained by the ways of the Kinkou. She is here to be tested and to receive your judgement.”
His words hang among the vast room for a moment, but Kusho then gives a nod to Mitsuru who seems a bit too eager to rise from her spot.
“The Fist of Shadow carries out Kinkou’s divine task of Pruning the Tree. Simply put, those who impede the balance of Runeterra must be eliminated without hesitation. Before we begin your test, we must know if you are truly willing to shoulder this burden..” Mitsuru had confidence that she knew her daughter’s answer. Closed hands clench tighter in Akali’s lap before quickly relaxing.
“I am prepared.” Akali responds rather monotonously with a quick nod of her head. The smile beneath her mother’s mask only grows.
“Very well. We shall proceed as follows: the Triumvirate requires a demonstration of your power. We must see how cleanly and precisely you can Prune the Tree of Runeterra.” She bows towards Kusho and seats herself once more. From his side, Kusho pulls out a single scroll to offer Akali. A nod and gentle smile beckons her to rise and retrieve it from him. The young kunoichi does so with haste, settling the rolled parchment upon her lap.
“Inside outlines the details of your test--” Kusho pauses, allowing Akali to gingerly unravel the paper. It reveals the face of a middle-aged man dressed in clothing reflecting a royal position. She immediately studies his face, burning the image to her mind. “--A Councilman whose propositions threaten the well-being of smaller Ionian villages. He is gaining favor steadily from his peers and a final gathering to present and vote on such propositions will take place three moons from now. I imagine I need not elaborate further.”
“I understand, Master Kusho.” She is earned another tired smile.
“I advise that you depart at your earliest convenience, young Akali.” He waves a hand, Tzuho and Akali rose to their feet and give one last bow and before turning to leave. “May you always walk the balanced path...”
The iron doors are shut once more. A silence fills the large room before Kusho moves to light his kiseru. His two companions watch him carefully before he turns to Mitsuru, who straightens up at his gaze.
“You desire to observe her, do you not?” She tenses at the inquiry, and draws out a sigh.
“I-It is not because I believe she will fail. She is not ignorant to the significance of this test.” Mitsuru answers carefully, however she is interrupted before she can continue.
“It is only a natural reaction as a parent, I understand. I struggled with similar feelings when I had sent Shen to his test.” He gives a tired laugh. “It required a formidable amount of restraint and will.” Mitsuru merely nods, though there was something more to her own line of reasoning. She was content at leaving the matter as it stood, however.
“How do you feel, Master Kusho?” Kennen asks with a cant of his head.
“About Akali? Well, she is Mitsuru’s daughter.” Kusho takes a draw of his kiseru, then exhales chuckling. “Knowing that much, I do not believe we will have much to worry about.”
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