"Demacia has changed.... I wonder what my brother has been up to."~ Lux, The Lady of Luminosity
Author note at the end.
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"You have all been summoned here to discuss the future of Ionia." Kennen began as he looked over the group of people who had come. "Your ideals are different. Your goals and notions on how our people should be led are also quite different. But that should not cloud your vision when faced with war."
The group was positioned in a wide open space on top of a mountain, with natural stone walls flowing in a wide circle.
He glanced at the dark skinned woman at the head of this impromptu council. The massive tree behind her signaling the position of head. Her eyes glowed a soft green. Magic forming an ever present circle behind her. Clothed in traditional Ionian garb, stood Karma. The Enlightened One.
A spirit that chose to reincarnate over and over into worthy vessels in order to continue protecting Ionia from whatever threat that may arise.
"You speak of another war?" A monk asked, "Have we not fought enough? Is this truly something that would come to pass this close a previous war?" The man's group nodded with him. The monks of Hirana were monks who focused on enlightenment. Though they deplore violence.... they are not defenseless. Their way of fighting lets them redirect attacks aimed at them and force the enemy into harming themselves.
"The other spirits are in agreement Worrul." Karma answered, her voice softly echoing through the halls. "There is a war coming and we will have to fight."
The leader of another group of monks stepped forward, "Our enemies? Where do they hail from?"
Kennen stepped forth, "The False Kanmei have returned once again. We face the Darkin."
The man took a sharp breath, "How many?"
"I do not know."
"These enemies.... we have beat them back once right?" A young woman from the NavoriBrotherhood asked, "Then we can do so again." The NavoriBrotherhood was a ultra-nationalist group that emerged from the remnants of the Noxian attack on Navori. There were all warriors. Survivors. This particular woman stood at their helm, after her actions against the Noxian soldiers and even their GrandGeneral, she was instated as their leader.
Kennen shook his head, "We hid the truth behind the old war. Our victory came at a deep cost. And even then, we were unable to kill all of them. A number of them are sealed around Ionia to this day. This meeting isn't for whether we are able to win or not. It is to prevent as many casualties as possible."
"So you choose to bring in this... this CREATURE?!" The leader of a group of Vastaya, a young woman with bird like features growled violently.
Most eyes turned to the large cloaked Zaahen that stood behind Kennen but that wasn't where the woman's eyes were focused on.
"The Order of Shadow killed entire groups of Noxians. We have fought to protect this lands as well. And we will not be denied our seat at this council because a child deems it so." Replied a man in a full ninja outfit but covered with armor. Chest plates, vambraces, leg plates and a demonic looking helmet.
The woman scoffed, "Then you might as well bring the Golden Demon to this council, considering murderers are allowed."
Kennen sighed, "I understand your anger Xayah..... The Vastaya revolutionaries are not happy with the presence of the Order of Shadow. I myself am not happy with it. You have to know that Zed betrayed the Kinkou and killed men of multiple of our monasteries." His eyes landed on Zed, "But at this moment.... we need any and all allies."
Zed walked to the center of the large open room, "And why is it that you are speaking? I believe it is the duty of the Eye of Twilight."
"The coward has not appeared yet." Yunara muttered loud enough to be heard.
Zed's eyes squinted under the mask, "And you are?"
"Yunara." She replied, "Fist of Shadow."
Zed turned his head toward Mayym, "You've passed your title on?"
Mayym shook her head, "There are two Fists of Shadow in the Kinkou Order right now."
"Traditions have changed." Zed commented.
Yunara stepped forward, matching his intensity, "No they have not. I've been Fist of Shadow long before your birth."
"Yunara is the Shrine Maiden from the legends. The one who followed the Kanmei into eternal solitude." Karma's voice echoed.
"And the cloaked one?" Zed asked, "It has not escaped my notice that he has been allowed to bring a weapon into this meeting while the rest of us haven't been allowed that privilege."
Zaahen stepped forward, his hands pulling back his cloak. His face was revealed to the group. Xin Zhao's face. But different. Stoic, almost emotionless. Gray. "I'm one of the False Kanmei. Or as we are truly called.... Darkin. I helped quell the previous invasion and was the one who was sealed within the Temple of Twilight."
"The weapon?" Zed pushed.
Zaahen held up the weapon and let everyone see the eye, "I AM the weapon. This body housed a brave soul who sacrificed his life in order for me to step forth."
"Like Rhaast." Zed's breath left his body.
Zaahen's third eye focused on Zed, "You know of Rhaast."
"We have him." Zed answered, not elaborating further.
Zaahen nodded, "Good. Keep him out of the hands of mortals and you should be fine. Though the youngest of us... Rhaast was still capable of decimating armies on his own. I personally sealed him into that scythe of his."
Zed then turned to Kennen once more, "You haven't answered my question yet. Where is the Eye of Twilight? Where is Shen?"
Kennen sighed, "Master Shen is currently indisposed. But he should be joining us soon."
"War is at our shores and the Eye of Twilight is missing!" Yunara growled, "What has become of the Kinkou?"
Kennen closed his eyes not bothering to indulge in Yunara's whimpering.
"Shen was the one who initiated this meeting." Karma intervened, "He listens to the spirits. And they listen to him in return. But first let us introduce ourselves." She gestured toward the main orders, "The Kinkou, led by Master Shen. The Hirana, Led by Master Worrul. TheShojin, led by Master Loi. And...." And finally to a group consisting of only two people, a man and a Vastaya, "The Wuju, Led by Master Yi."
The man stepped forth, his face sharp but weary, "I apologize for the size of our group but currently the two of us are the only disciples of the Wuju style. A Noxian attack on our people put everyone else into eternal rest."
"The Wuju style must be weak if a group of Noxians could kill you." A man from the Order of Shadow chuckled.
The man smiled and calmly replied, "They poisoned our air. Power does not matter when you cannot breathe."
"My condolences for your people." The leader of the Navori Brotherhood bowed her head, "I understand your loss."
The man nodded and responded with a bow of his own. While the Vastaya beside him looked bored by the conversation and looked almost uninterested, his tail wagging back and forth.
Zaahen's eyes followed Karma as she introduced everyone but it stopped at the Wuju group, confusion formed on his face as he looked at the Vastaya.
A monkey Vastaya.
A Shimon.
And the demeanor.... it reminded him of someone else.
"This is the Navori Brotherhood. Led by Xan Irelia. You must of heard of her. The Blade Dancer. The Order of Shadow, Led by Zed. And finally, swordsmen and rouge ninjas were various schools."
"I see you have found your calling daughter." Mayym said as her eyes were fixated on one person.
Her daughter looked at her with a confidence, "I have." Her hair tied up in a high ponytail and cloud tattoos running across her right arm, her smile was clear despite the mask she wore.
"Akali. It is nice to see you once more." Kennen nodded at her.
"Nice to see you too Master Kennen." Akali replied, "It has been a while."
"Now that we are all introduced. Let us not delay any longer." Karma spoke, as a map of Ionia sprouted into existence before them. "There is a war for us to fight."
As the group began their discussion, a shadow fell over them all. Heads turned up as silence fell over them.
Somehow, floating above the mountain..... was another mountain.
"There must be space for one more isn't there Darha." A female voice echoed across the mountain.
-x-
Author note: I put a lot of thought into the chapter. Originally, it was supposed to be a result of four chapters and it did not feel good, so I deleted it and made this instead. The highlight of Ionia is its champions. There isn't much to it otherwise. The groups that come here are barely many and it is basically a lead up to the end. A fitting end to the story. Originally I'd give more descriptions about the flora and fauna and the like. But I do not want to slow the pace. What matters right now is characters and how they tie in to the story. And yes.... I will leave the ending up in such a way that there is a possibility for a sequel. I've already mentioned characters that matter in the future very early in this story.
Comment. Let me know.