The Master of the Shadow Order

Zed launched several attacks in succession but failed to gain the upper hand. In a fit of anger, he drew his weapon.

Alanta took off her robe. Underneath, she wore a skintight outfit, with two sickles at her waist—the very same Cross Scythes Akali used!

The two moved so fast that my eyes could barely follow them. It was like watching Katarina and Talon fight, except these two had fewer clashes of strength and more eerie, ghostlike movements.

Their weapons seemed like mere decorations. They never crossed blades; whenever one attacked, the other dodged and looked for a chance to strike back. I'd never seen a fight like this.

I gripped my spear, ready to help Alanta if she got into trouble. But I soon realized I'd been worrying for nothing. Zed was having a hard time of it—he was completely on the defensive, with no chance to fight back!

Even so, their weapons rarely clashed, and Zed wasn't injured despite being at a disadvantage. The fight still gave the impression that neither side had won.

The quiet battle went on for a while before Zed suddenly pulled away. "You're still as strong as ever, Senior Sister. I remember I could never beat you in practice back then. But things are different now. Are you really unwilling to come with me?"

"I told you, I have a new life now, and my way of thinking has changed. I don't want anything to do with anyone from my past. I hope you can understand!"

"Understand? When have you ever understood me? If I can't have you, then no one can!"

Zed swayed and charged again. Alanta focused completely on facing his third assault.

This bout was no different from the last: still silent. Just as the stalemate returned, Alanta suddenly sped up and appeared behind Zed in an instant. Her two sickles crossed as they slashed toward his head—and struck!

We cheered in unison, but the smiles soon vanished from our faces. Zed's head hadn't fallen to the ground. That had only been his afterimage.

No one knew how he'd dodged, or why the afterimage had looked so real.

I was the only one with some idea. I knew Zed could use Shadow Clones, and that he'd just used the technique to evade her attack. I couldn't keep watching from the sidelines. Zed still had one ultimate technique—Chains of Shadow!

I was about to go help when the Shadow Order's people surrounded us. If I made a move, they would all attack at once.

I wasn't afraid of them, but the members of the caravan wouldn't be able to hold them off. Protecting them was the priority.

Though her first strike had failed, Alanta didn't let her guard down. She slashed at Zed's head again. Just like before, she clearly hit him, but it was only another afterimage.

After it happened three times, no one could feel happy anymore. Then something bizarre happened.

The afterimages hadn't disappeared. Each one looked exactly like the real Zed! They all attacked at once, and countless blades closed in around Alanta, leaving her nowhere to dodge. She was struck several times and fell to the ground!

"Mom!" Xiao Li tried to run to her injured mother, but Poppy held her tightly.

"Mom? You're Senior Sister's child? Hahaha..." Zed burst into laughter, his voice thick with sorrow. "So you really fell for another man. I thought... I thought..."

Before Zed could finish, the captain charged forward, unable to contain his fury. But how could he possibly match Zed? In an instant, Zed ran him through the chest.

"Captain!"

Everyone rushed forward. They were ordinary people who had never trained in martial arts, and now they met their end beneath the blades of the Shadow Order's followers, like moths flying into a flame.

In just a few seconds, everyone from the caravan had fallen. Only I remained, holding my spear as I faced them, while Poppy continued to protect Xiao Li.

I'd been worried that they might attack the people from the caravan. Now everyone was dead, and there was nothing left to fear. I charged straight at Zed with my spear, determined to avenge these kind people I'd only recently met!

Zed had spent a great deal of energy in the fight. Seeing how strong I was, he had no intention of fighting me. He led his people away and vanished.

Only after they were gone did Poppy let go of Xiao Li. She rushed to her mother's side, her face full of worry.

Alanta was covered in wounds, with two short blades still lodged in her abdomen. Her mask had been slashed open, revealing the face I'd long imagined:

She had a truly delicate face, but several deep scars marred her cheeks.

I wanted to take her for treatment, but she refused. Even at a time like this, she smiled faintly, just as she always did when speaking to me.

"These two blades pierced my lungs. I won't survive. And I brought this disaster on everyone, so I have to apologize to them. Thank you for saving Xiao Li, but... I have one more favor to ask. Please raise her."

Alanta's voice was weak. If she hadn't been so strong, she would have died long ago. I hurriedly nodded and agreed.

"My child, forgive me... I can't protect you anymore. From now on, you'll have to do your best to live. Oh, right... you still don't seem to have a proper name. I'll call you... Akali."

After saying that, Alanta couldn't hold on any longer. She closed her eyes, her breathing growing fainter and fainter. The heavens chose that moment to send down rain, masking the fact that no one was crying.

Akali gently shook her. "Hey, Mom. You usually only go to sleep after I do. Why are you going to bed earlier than me today?"

Alanta struggled to open her eyes with the last of her strength, unable to hold back her tears. "Child, your father... is still alive. He, he..."

She repeated "he" several times, but in the end, Alanta never said the name. Perhaps no one would ever know why. Her breathing had stopped.

The rain kept falling as Akali continued to shake her mother. She neither cried nor fussed. Perhaps, so young, she still didn't know that death meant a final farewell.

I didn't know how to comfort her. If she was grieving, I could tell her to let go of her sorrow. If she wanted to leave, I could take her far away from here. But she was just sitting there in silence. Was I supposed to forcibly take her away?

I'd thought Alanta was Akali, but it turned out that this little girl was. I'd already taken in the teenage Riven. Was I supposed to adopt a little Akali, who was only a few years old?

Even if I adopted her, what could I do? Tell her to give up revenge? Watch her become an assassin? I couldn't decide.

I didn't know whether Poppy had seen my dilemma, had simply seen too many unfortunate children, or, as a Yordle, couldn't relate to the bond between mother and daughter. She took Akali's hand and said solemnly:

"Your mother has passed away. She'll never be by your side again. Just as you heard, she entrusted you to us. Now you have to be strong, no matter how young you are!"

After voicing that cruel truth, I watched Akali carefully. She stood up and struggled to pick up her mother's Cross Scythes. It was as if she'd grown up in an instant.

"I'll avenge my mother!"

The chain of hatred was forged the moment Akali picked up the sickles. I had no reason to stop her, but I wouldn't help her take revenge, either. Once we reached Prexian, I'd hand her over to the Kinkou Order. It would be a better place for her to grow up.

I dug several graves and buried everyone from the caravan. They didn't deserve to be left out in the wilderness. Alanta was still wearing the ring I'd given her. She probably didn't know it had been a token of the captain's affection.