"Another one of the dead claiming more to join them. Huff.. This thankless job is never-ending."~ Lucian, The Purifier
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Mud?
He blinked as he held his friend's body.
Then it came to him, "I remember this."
"I am here my friend." Xin Zhao spoke to his friend's body as he found himself back in Kalstead, surrounded by bodies of Noxians, Demacians and Reckoners.
"Haaa... I never wanted to see this place again." He muttered as he raised his head.
"Pray this be the last time then."
Xin's eyes fell down once more as words flowed from his dead friend's body.
"Tell me Xin Zhao.... Was it worth it? All your battles.... all the lives you've taken..... Do you truly believe you made the world a better place?" The body spoke, "Or would more lives been saved..... if you chose to not fight at all."
Xin Zhao trembled as the words were spoken.
"Arise, Seneschal."
He raised his head, founding himself in the Demacian throne room facing the king, Jarvan III.
"King Jarvan... You-" Xin Zhao sputtered.
"It is "Sire" or "My Liege-Lord". We have become too lax in protocol as of late haven't we?" Jarvan spoke from his throne.
Xin Zhao kneeled, "Of course, My liege-lord, forgive me."
"I wonder perhaps, if this is the cause of your distraction, hmm? The master gardeners tell me you plague them with questions regarding Wyldwoods." Jarvan spoke as he inspected the Spirit Blossom in his hands. "And that is to say nothing of the many hours you have wasted in the palace library these past weeks. With this new unrest in the eastern borderlands, I MUST have confidence that my seneschal will always be ready when needed." He held the Spirit Blossom for Xin Zhao to receive.
"But-"
"Perhaps it would be better for you to go and make peace with...." He gestured toward the sapling, "Whatever this is."
Xin Zhao frowned as he held the sapling, watching the receding back of his king, "No. This was not how it happened. My king was never this unkind."
The king looked over his shoulder, "I release you from your oaths. Take one of my ships and return to Ionia. Do not worry yourself." He turned around and sat himself on the throne, "For as long as I remain upon this throne, Demacia will be a beacon of hope."
Xin Zhao nodded at his words but surprise took over his features as he pointed behind the king, "Sire!! Behind you!" He warned as a Darkin appeared from the shadows. A twisted version of the Crownguard child, Garen, appeared swinging his sword across the throne. Shattering both the throne and slaying the king.
"NO!!!" Xin Zhao roared as he leapt at the Darkin with his spear. Spirit magic raced across his body.
CRAASSHHH
The Darkin flew across the room and crashed into the walls.
"Have I failed?" Xin Zhao asked aloud as he looked at the dismembered body of Jarvan III.
"You have!" A voice thundered behind him. One he recognized.
Xin Zhao turned around, "Oh by the Winged Protectors.... You are...."
The Darkin facing him was his prince, "Yesss! The young prince you knew. The beloved son of your dead master. But no more!"
"No!" Xin Zhao denied, "This was not how it happened. My prince... no... my king. Jarvan the fourth was the one who convinced me to begin my journey."
"Ha ha haaa!" The Darkin laughed, "How does it feel seneschal? The noble lad you swore to protect, now a mere vessel. The royal line is ended. The kingdom is doomed."
"Is it?" Xin Zhao chuckled, "There are multiple people in Demacia who are qualified to rise to the position of king."
"But not the direct line." The Darkin laughed, "You should have gone back when the Shrine-Witch told you to.
"No..." Xin Zhao denied, "This is not real. It is just a test."
The Darkin continued without stopping its maniacal laughter, "You are deluded. Worthless. A broken spear! Who are you to defy the Sunborn God-Warriors of Shurima?! We who vanquished the void itself!" He raised his spear, "We will take this world back. As it is rightfully ours!"
Xin Zhao frowned, "Then what are your names!" He stepped forth, "Are you not traitors to your own cause?! Did not not betray your general?!"
"HOW DO YOU KNOW OF THAT?!" The vision broke as the voice thundered.
"Just as you have your ways..... I have my own." Xin Zhao chuckled as for the first time the voice seemed to be on the back foot. "I know of the actions of your kind. Do NOT take the moral high ground with me. I did what I had to and I would do it again. This is my conviction. What of yours?"
The vision completely broke as he reopened his eyes facing Yunara, who stood over him.
"Xin Zhao can you hear me?" She asked.
He nodded as he began walking toward the entrance to the temple.
"Did you hear the voices?" He asked without turning around.
Yunara's breath hitched, "You mean.... you heard him too?"
"So it was Zaahen's voice then." Xin Zhao surmised.
Yunara stumbled over her words, "I... I don't know. It shouldn't be possible."
"It is." Xin Zhao reached the large doors to enter the temple, "The Darkin can always speak...." He looked over his shoulder, "Even when sealed."
"Then.. why...." Yunara whispered.
Xin Zhao placed a palm on the door and pushed. It did not budge. "It does not open for me."
"But the trials... they were meant to test each of us. Alone. Why would he call out to guide us through?" Yunara thought aloud.
Xin Zhao scoffed, "Guide? He did not guide me. He tried to warn me of the Darkin but it was advice filled with hypocrisy."
"Then.... just as he tried to tell me all those years ago..." Yunara explained, "He fears that he will bring about the end of the world."
Xin Zhao chuckled, "Claims of someone who overestimates themself." He faced Yunara, "You knew him better than anyone... tell me... do you trust his promise to the Kinkou still holds? Or has he lured in others to help free him from this prison in the Spirit Realm."
"Zaahen saved Ionia. The First Lands and the Third Lands. There has to be some good still left in him." Yunara spoke, his trust in Zaahen unwavering.
Xin Zhao observed her face and in turn, her conviction. But her mention of the Third Lands irked him. The lands past Ionia were named in order of their discovery. Shurima, Noxus and the Freljord were the Second Lands. Demacia and Targon fell in the area of the Third Lands.
Claiming that Zaahen saved the Third Lands was a claim that he could not accept. Not to mention her blind faith in his words about being able to bring about the end of the world.
One Darkin against all the Aspects of Targon. And even if push came to shove.... Gregori would appear. After all.... it was his burden to stop the Darkin. Even if they were over themselves.
"No matter the dark sorcery at play here.. if he is still on our side..." Xin confidently spoke, "Then we shall not abandon him."
Yunara placed her palm against the door.
CLACK
The large doors unlocked as the two finally saw what was behind it.
A massive demonic creature, chained with spiked metal, picked up the glaive with a blinking eye on it.
Zaahen.
Behind the two was a shadowy woman, her eyes glowing gold as he took in the new entrants. She was pale, with straight black hair running down to her shoulder. A gold marking on her face glowed in response as a small smile appeared on her face.