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Chapter Text

Zed’s order of the shadow demanded only excellence from his disciples. They must master all weapons, learn to use the darkness as not just a shield, but as a weapon in its own right.

Many were quick to grasp the immediate power of shadow magic, but it was Zed’s personal apprentice who truly showed mastery.

His name was Kayn, and he was one of the very few people in Valoran who not only wielded a darkin weapon, but actively resisted corruption.

The scythe was a farming tool for the innocent, but in the hands of an assassin? It was an instrument of death.

“Why are we even here?” The darkin weapon spoke in Kayn’s mind. His name, as Kayn was aware, was Rhaast.

“I already told you. Master Zed suggested I join as a way to prove my worth. And I prefer my weapons to be kept sharp rather than left to dull.”

Rhaast scoffed.

“Ever the loyal little lapdog, aren’t you?”

Kayn didn’t respond, his gaze was on the ornate set of doors.

‘The truest opponent lies within.’ It said in magic writing.

“Ooh, how ominous…” Rhaast muttered sarcastically. Kayn wordlessly agreed, but placed his palm on the door. He felt something new crawl into his mind, before everything went black.

When Kayn’s vision returned, he found himself in a memory. Before joining Zed’s order. He called for Rhaast, finding no answer.

”Hiding from me?”

His voice was lighter, younger even. This must be an illusion.

Footsteps.

He noticed the sickle on the ground. Just like his memories remember. He picked it up, and pointed it at the approaching shade.

”Speak your name, or suffer my skill.”

The shade materialised into the form of Kayn’s master.

“Shieda Kayn. Once a soldier of Noxus, now a disciple of Ionia with a cursed weapon. You have had quite the life.”

Despite his younger frame, Kayn was hardly the submissive type.

“I don’t need to be reminded of my life story. What is the meaning of this?”

“We wish to know why you seek to join the League.”

Kayn stood up straight, twirling his sickle in a display of prowess.

“Master Zed requested it, and I’m going to follow his teachings.”

False-Zed didn’t seem to believe him, walking closer. Kayn stepped back ever so slightly. He wasn’t afraid of his master. He wasn’t.

“You seek more. Tell me, if you would be so kind?”

Kayn found another reason swim to the forefront of his mind.

“Zed is concerned that I cannot handle Rhaast’s presence. When I show him otherwise, he’ll need to accept my potential as his heir to the Order of the shadow.”

Not-Zed nodded.

“And what if Rhaast takes over? What if you fail?”

Kayn sneered, pointing his sickle at the illusionary Zed.

“I never fail.”

In a rare gift, Rhaast found himself freed from the prison of his scythe. He flexed his fingers, chuckling before he recognised his surroundings.

Rhaast found himself in a battleground of fellow Darkin. They were frozen in the midst of battle, blood flowing into their bodies to strengthen themselves.

And as he observed the battle, he saw someone move. Someone he knew all too well. He gripped his scythe.

His former general and brother in arms.”

“Aatrox. You led us into a battle we couldn’t win. This is your fault!”

Rhaast lunged at Aatrox with clawed fingers, only to pass through him like mist. He blinked, growling before he had a moment of realisation.

“Oh, I understand. It’s a trick. A little illusionary spell to disguise yourself. Why don’t you tell me who you really are?”

False-Aatrox did not turn to face Rhaast, merely speaking in a tone much unlike his usual voice.

“Rhaast. Once Ascended, now fallen. Why do you wish to join the League?”

“I’m only doing it because of Kayn.”

“But you *do* want something from this endeavour.”

How insightful this person was.

“Freedom. Carnage will be the key to my release. And Kayn is but my pawn in that endgame.”

“What makes you think we won’t simply restrain you if you break out? We can simply bind you in magic.”

“Because, if you have Aatrox, you’ll need someone who’s willing to keep him in check, someone he will listen to.” Rhaast answered, walking right up to his illusion.

Neither of them moved.

”If you attempt any butchery, you will be punished.”

Rhaast wasn’t intimidated.

”Oh, I’d like to see you try.”

In a flash, Rhaast and Kayn were in the same space, a realm of blackness and a single light around them.

“How did it feel to open your minds?”

“Boring.”

“Agreed.”

Red and blue mist encircled them, and Kayn and Rhaast found themselves locking their eyes.

“You’ll lose control eventually.”

“Perhaps, but not to your mind games,”

Their vision returned, and Kayn found himself gripping Rhaast’s scythe form once more. He smirked.

“Ah, isn’t that better?”

“Silence, boy.”

The doors were open, signalling their invitation to further prowess.

”Time to prove my strength.”

Rhaast chuckled, confident that Kayn couldn’t hear him as he entered the hallway.

“Oh. You have no idea…”

Whatever might come of their partnership, one fact was clear: The Shadow Reaper had joined the League.