Everquest to Absolution part 8

The Everquest to Absolution

Part 8


The Blade's Shadow and the beginning
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Talon and Kaoru at that moment, Had a staredown until Talon suddenly appeared behind Kaoru and attempted to slit his throat. Kaoru barely dodges the attack, Talon then swing his knife to Kaoru, Kaoru blocks it with his shortsword and kicks Talon. Kaoru began to counterattacks, He attacks Talon with his shortsword numerous time, Although he rarely uses his sword,  His sword skill isn't deteriorates. Kaoru manages to slices one of Talon pointed accesorry in his hood. Talon smirks "I'm amazed" He said "I didn't knew you're this talented..." He said with a darkly tone, Kaoru bowed his head "Grazie" He said. Talon suddenly ran towards Kaoru, With his knife pointed to Kaoru "Taste my diplomacy!" He cried, Kaoru jumps to a stone and performed an outstanding parkhour to avoid Talon's knife. He then jumped from the stone  and kicked Talon's face, Causing his mouth to bleed a little. Talon brushed his mouth and throws 4 knifes to Kaoru, Which Kaoru dodges it all. "No one ever landed a blow to my face before...Who's your name? I need to know" Talon asked. "I'm Kaoru" Kaoru replied, Talon nodded his head "I see...Mine's Talon...This is a great duel,  But won't last long…" He murmured. Then, Talon throws all of his knife from behind his cape to around him, He then slowly blends in with the shadow, Making him unseen. Kaoru looked around but he doesn't sense or see Talon. "This will put you out of your misery, Kaoru!" Talon yelled, He suddenly appeared behind Kaoru, All of his knifes that he threw to the surrounding suddenly converges back to him, Kaoru was stabbed numerous time by the returning blade, All of the knife lodges within his body. "The Noxian Diplomacy will end this" Whispered Talon, Talon then attempted to stab Kaoru again, But, He misses his attack as Kaoru evades the attack by moving to the side. "wow..." Kaoru let out a sigh of relief, His body is still bleeding as he takes out all of the knifes that stabbed him. After he finishes takes out all of the remaining knife, He pointed Talon with his sword "Prepare for my counterattack, Bro!" He cried, But suddenly, a some sort of a hard fruit falls to his head, As it impacts his head, He started to feel dizzy and falls down. Falling unconscious, Talon himself were shocked and surprised to see that. "What the heck?" He said, Talon then looked around for a moment, Still surprised.

After a brief moment, He extended his blade again, Preparing to finish off Kaoru. "Sorry kid, This might seem to be unfair, but i need to finish the job..." Talon spoke with a cold tone. He then lifts his knife to end Kaoru's life. As he lifts his Knife, A mystical arrow hit the blade, Stunning his hand "The hell, Who's there!" Talon yelled, A man with a blond hair and explorer suit comes "It's me" He said, It was Ezreal. His mystical bow slowly fades away. Talon glances to Ezreal. " I assume Swain sent you, Correct?" Ezreal asked. Talon smirked and nodded "Of course, Who else?" He said. "I know it..." Ezreal replied, Then he launches  a yellows sphere from his hand to Talon, Talon dodges it easily, But suddenly, A Mystical arrow is fired to Talon's torso, It instead hits Talon's shoulder "Ouch...damn" He groaned in pain, Ezreal had already formed his mystical bow. "You're strong..." Talon whispered. "Ezreal's my name, Remember that!" Said Ezreal, He point his finger to Talon. Talon grabbed the mystical arrow that lodges in his shoulder and pulls it out by force, When it was pulled out, It fades away and his shoulder continues to bleed. "You'll pay for this…" Talon cried. He then throws all of the remaining knife that he hides beneath his cape and he slowly fades out to the shadow. Ezreal looked around and lift his left arm, The gauntlet then glows brightly, Removing the shadow in the area and revealing Talon's position "Gotcha!" Ezreal said, He then formed his mystical bow and fired another mystical arrow to Talon, The arrow hits Talon torso. "Damn!" Talon said. "This explorer is very experienced...He know that without shadow, I can't stealth out from him...I guess i should retreat...for now" He thought in his heart. Talon then takes the knife that returned to him after he was hit by an arrow and throws it all to Ezreal. As Ezreal were distracted by the knifes, Talon blends in with the shadow and completely dissapears. His voice can be heard "I look forward to meeting you and you friend...Bye, For now..." He said. The voice and his presence dissapeared from the vicinity, This time he have completely leaves Ionia. Ezreal sighed "Kaoru seems to be putting a good effort on that guy,  He is weakened by the time he faces me...Well, That might be the reason Kaoru is unconscious here..." Ezreal murmured, He then picks Kaoru body and carries him.

Some hours later, Kaoru slowly opened his eyes, When he opened his eyes, He realizes he were in a room. "Ah he has awakened!" Said a doctor with a masker, It was Shen. Alongside him were M.D. Kennen and Nurse Akali. Ezreal is sitting in a bench. "Is this...the hospital..." Kaoru said. "Yup" Ezreal replied. "Ezreal said he found you unconscious in the forest" Shen said. "Oh yeah...I was battling Talon and then a fruit falls to my head..." Said Kaoru.  Kennen and Akali glances to each other "Fruit?" They said together. "Yeah...It was so hard...Knocks me out right after it smacks my head...uugh, I still feel dizzy" Said Kaoru, When he were about to stand up, Shen stopped him. "Don't...You need to rest" He said. "Okay then..." Replied Kaoru. "Well, We are leaving then, Call us if there's something wrong with your head" Said Kennen. "Okay" Ezreal said. Akali then waves her arm to them before leaving the room. "So...Who's that Talon dude?" Ezreal asked. "I dunno..." Kaoru shrugs "He just appeared out of nowhere and attacked me" He said. "And...what happened?" Ezreal continued to question Kaoru. "Dunno...I swear i was close to winning, But that stupid thing have to fall to my head...oooww..." Kaoru holds his head. "Chill out dude, Just rest" Said Ezreal. "Alright..." Kaoru replied. "But...Where's Irelia and Master Yi?" Kaoru asked Ezreal. "What are you talking about?" Ezreal asked back. Kaoru facepalms.

Two person entered the room where Kaoru is staying. It was Irelia and Master Yi. "We looked everywhere for you, You dummy" Said Irelia. "But here you are, Lazing around, Despite you say you want to explore Ionia" Master Yi said. He laughed. "Sorry..." Kaoru bowed his head. Kaoru explained what happened  to him. Irelia was shocked to hear a Noxus assassin manages to stealthfully entered Ionia. "Huh? A noxian assassin? Here?" Irelia can't believe what she heard "Impossible!" She yelled. "Calm down, Irelia" Said Master Yi "Who's the assassin name?" Master Yi asked. "um...What was it...Talon, Yeah! Talon!" Kaoru said. Master Yi scratched his chin. "Talon...I've heard that name before...But where?" Ezreal murmured. The door was opened, Garen entered the room "Talon, He was a wanted man back then in the Noxus" He said with a fluent tone. "How did you know?" Ezreal asked. "Rumors" Garen answered. "I heard what you guys talking about from the outside" He said. "Good! Save us the time" Ezreal remarked. Garen approached the gang and joined the discussion. "But...A noxian assassin...Entered our city" Said Irelia "I thought it wasn't allowed..." "Well, What do you know?" Master Yi shrugged "Since the destruction of the Institute and the end of the League of Legends, Noxus has take things to the extreme level"  The WuJu Bladesman squinted his googles. "we need to do something about this" Said Ezreal. "How bout...We go around the Valoran...Searching for an ally and powers?" Suggested Kaoru. Everyone glances at Kaoru. "sorry...That was a bad idea indeed..." Kaoru bowed his head. "No, Kaoru! That's a great idea!" Ezreal was excited. "Yep! Nice idea indeed!" Master Yi nodded his head. "Beforehand, I suggest you guys go see Karma, The Enlightened One" Irelia said "As i said earlier, Go to the royal palace and see her" The gang nodded. "Haaii..." Kaoru said.

Ionian royal palace, A massive building stands tall in the hearts of the city. Complete with a beautiful garden, The sight of such magnificent building was amazing to the eye. The gang stands in front of the building. "I never been in here to be honest" Said Master Yi. "Are you serious bro?" Ezreal asked. "Yes, I'm dead serious" The WuJu Bladesman replied. "Let's just go in and see for ourself" Said Garen. "yaay!" Kaoru was excited. As they entered the royal palace, The place was orientally decorated. A potted palm, A Koi Pond, Even an archway that almost resembles a toori gate. "Wow...They have these in here?" Kaoru was amazed, He rubbed the archway. "What's wrong? You've seen those before?" Ezreal asked. "This archway is a decoration for a shrine, Doesn't matter anyway" Kaoru said. They proceed to walk within the palace, Guards were both standing by and patrolling around. A guard greeted them "You must be the ones that Captain Irelia mentioned" He said. Master Yi nodded. "Come...This way" The guard said, Leading them the way. The guard escorted them to a room. The guard left as soon as he's done escorting them. The room floor has a tatami. The table in the center of the room has a tea set. The place is well decorated. A woman was sitting near the table. She sits on a cushion in the floor. Her hair is short and tied, She covered her mouth with a Razor-bladed Fan. Her clothes is black on the left side and right on the right side, Kind of awkward. Her eye and hair are black. "Have a seat..." She said. The gang proceed to sit on the cushions she prepared. She then prepares a tea and offered them. After drinking it, Garen, Master Yi and Ezreal face turned pale. "this is so bitter..." Said the Prodigal Explorer. "I heard you, Bro..." Said the Might of Demacia. Master Yi didn't say anything, He just placed the mug on the table. Kaoru on the other hand, Enjoyed the tea. "This tea is so well prepared!" He said. The woman smiled. "Huh? You like this stuff Kaoru?" Ezreal asked. "Not to much of a like, But...This kind of a bitter tea is common in my homeland" He said "Unlike the one we drank at the Rakkor and Solari tribe, This one is well prepared, But for some, It's bitter" Kaoru said. "You really..got a strange taste..." Garen said. Kaoru smiled "You're welcome!" He answered. Garen shook his head.

"Anyway, You must be Karma, The Enlightened One?" Master Yi addresed the woman. "Yes, I am Karma, The Enlightened one, Leader of the current Ionia. Irelia mentioned that you needed my assistance, She said you four...Master Yi, Kaoru, Garen and Ezreal, right?" She said. "Irelia told you our names?" Garen asked, Karma nodded "Yes...Is there anything you want from Ionia?" Karma asked. Everyone looked to Garen. "What, Why are you guys looking at me?" He said. "C'mon Garen, It's you job as our team spokesman" Master Yi remarked. "What?" Garen said "From a vanguard now i turned into a spokesman? you guys gotta be kidding me" Garen looks pissed "Heck, I'll do it..." Said Garen. "Awesome, Thanks bro!" Thanked Kaoru. Garen nodded. "umm...Miss Karma, I believe Irelia has told you what happened to Demacia?" Garen asked the Enlightened one. Karma shakes her head "No, She didn't. She said you will tell me what happened" Karma replied. "Okay...So this is what happened..." Garen and the gang began explaining what happened to Demacia and them. From the attacks to the fall of Demacia. After hearing it, Karma covered her mouth again with her fan "Sorry to hear it..." She bowed her head "Ionia has been an ally to Demacia for a long time...That's why i sent Master Yi over to Demacia, We, Ionians will help you what we can to retake Demacia" Karma agreed to help Demacia. "Thank you, Karma" Said Ezreal. "My question is...When are you guys going to plan the counterattack?" The Enlightened one asked. "We planned to go journey  around Valoran first, To gain more ally" Said Ezreal  "Although Ionia is strong, Ionia alone can't help the remaining Demacia forces to retake the Demacia" Garen said. "In that case..." Karma stands up and search a shelf, After a while, She returned to the table and sit in the chusion. "Take this..." Karma handed a crest and a gem to the gang. "What is this?" Master Yi asked. "It's an Ionian crest, A symbol of our allegiance. And the gem, That is a Crystal Gem, I believe it will help you greatly in your quest..." Karma explained the gang. Kaoru gladly took both the Crest and Gem. "Arigatou gozaimasu...(Thank you very much" He thanked Karma and putted the crest in his shirt, Karma smiled "Dou Itashimasite (You're welcome)" She said. "What does that mean?" Ezreal asked. "Just a plain thank you" Kaoru replied. After a while, The gang bowed their head to Karma and left the palace.

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Outside of the city-state of Ionia, In front of the gates, Trees were surrounding the enviroment. The wind breezes nicely and The sun shines brightly. The gang is standing outside the gate. "we left now?" Kaoru asked. "Yes, dummy" Master Yi replied. Lux and Irelia approached them from the city, Prince Jarvan is being helped to walk by both Irelia and Lux. "You guys leaving already?" Irelia asked. "Yup...Sorry Lux, But we need you to stay here and take care of Prince Jarvan" Garen said. Lux nodded. "I know brother" She said "I will take care of the Prince" Lux replied. "What? So now i'm a baby and you're my babysitter?" Prince Jarvan humorously asked. They all were laughing. "Be safe guys..." Prince Jarvan said. He bowed his head "The Demacia fate... Is at your hand now..." He remarked. The gang glances to each other. "Xin Zhao is still missing right?" Garen asked. Lux nodded. "There's no one except you guys that has recently entered Ionia" Irelia said. "Don't worry!" Ezreal smiled "we'll find him!" He remarked. Garen nodded "Yeah!" He said. Master Yi walked close to Lux "Lux...Well you know...Wait for me, I'll be back..." He said. Lux smiled and they both hugs. Garen crossed his arm, He looks happy. "Well, We gotta get going now, Take care!" Kaoru said, He waves his hand to Lux, Irelia and Prince Jarvan. The gang then quietly leaves. "I hope they'll be succesfull" The will of the Blades commented. "Yes...In this...Everquest to Absolution..." The prince said.

The gang were heading to the port in order to ride a ship. In their way, They began a discussion "Guys, where should we be heading first?" Kaoru asked. "First, We ride a ship to Piltover. After Piltover, We go to Pantheon and Leona's place" Said Ezreal. "I hope they will help us" Garen murmured. "Relax bro!" Master Yi tapped Garen Shoulder "They will!" He said. Garen becomes more spirited after hearing it "Yeah!" He yelled. After a little walking, They reached Ionian harbor. All of them looks so nice. "Can we help you?" A man asked them. "um...Is there any ship that will sail to Piltover?" Kaoru nervously asked the man. "Sorry sir, All of the ship were busy" The man said. "Figures..." Kaoru said. The man notices the Ionian Crest in Kaoru's shirt. "That crest..." He said. "What's with the crest?" Garen asked. "Miss Karma gave that to symbolize a great status here on Ionia, How can i help you again?" He asked Kaoru politely. "uummm...A ship? to Piltov-" Kaoru said. "Right away sire!" He said "Men! Prepare to sail! we are sailing to Piltover!" The man yelled to his crew, His crew cheers and prepares the ship. "Now that is a surprise" Said Kaoru. Master Yi smiled and nodded.

The gang went aboard the ship. The ship was small but enough to carry alot of people. The ship have a big, white canvas and a pile of goods aboard it, It seems like the ship is a merchant's ship. The ship sailed at a high speed, Mainly due to a strong wind. "The wind is good, Sir, We will reach Piltover faster than expected" Said the earlier man, He was the captain of the ship. "Great! The faster the better" Kaoru replied. The captain of the ship then head back to the steer and continues to steer the ship. Garen, Ezreal and Master Yi approaches Kaoru. "So where should we go after we ally ourself with the Rakkor and Solari?" Kaoru asked the gang. Ezreal scratched his chin "Garen...Do you think Freljord will help us?" The Prodigal Explorer questioned the Might of Demacia. Garen inhales some breath "I dunno..." He sighed  "Considering our relationship with them is okay with them, I hope they agreed..." Garen replied. "Freljord? What is that?" Kaoru asked them. "It's a place, Located north in Valoran. The place looks like a frozen tundra with blizzards coming in sometimes" Master Yi said. "Currently, the ruler of Freljord is King Tryndamere and Queen Ashe" Commented Garen "I never met Queen Ashe personally, But i've seen Tryndamere alot sometimes during a league gathering" Said The Might of Demacia. "Let's hope for the best" Ezreal speaks with determination. The gang agreed with him.

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Talon returned to the Noxus, He walked to the Noxian royal palace. In the front gate of the palace, A knife flies toward Talon. Talon blocked it with his knife. Katarina suddenly appeared and attacked Talon. She attacked Talon with her knife while Talon simply dodged or block all of her attack. Talon then moves back and throws his knifes to Katarina, Which Katarina easily dodges. Katarina smirked and blinked to Talon's back. As she was about to attack Talon with her knife, Talon rolls out to safety. Slowly, Talon melds with the shadow and dissapears. Katarina closes her eye. After a while, She opens her eye and blocks Talon's attack, Which Talon attacked her from behind. Then they flees back from each other. Swain watched them from afar, He then approaches them and interrupted the fight. "Enough! This game is over!" He yelled "Follow me! We need to rearrange our plan!" He said. Both assassin nodded and followed Swain from behind. "That was a good spar, Good job Talon" Katarina smiled to Talon. "Hmph..." He grunted "You too..." The Blade's Shadow answered silently.

Swain leads them to a room in the barracks. Upon entering the room, Urgot and Sion is playing a game of cards. Swain looks annoyed. "Haha! I win!" Sion remarked. "Damn..." Urgot said. Swain approached them and smacked the table with his cane. The cards in the table flies away. Sion and Urgot were surprised to see Swain "Oh sir! Sorry..." Sion bowed his head to Swain. Swain raised his eyebrow "Whatever! Everyone, Take a seat" He said. "But i am sitting" Sion humorously remarks. Swain stares at Sion with a sinister looks. "Okay, I won't joke anymore" After saying it, Sion becames silent. "Good!" Said the Master Tactician.

Everyone then sits on the chair, Except for Urgot. "Do you have any plans on your mind, General Swain?" Katarina asked. "Not really" Said Swain. "Reports from our scouts said that they are now moving to Piltover by ship, If my deduction is correct and you know it always correct, They are currently trying to ask for help from other city-state" The Master Tactician explained to his companions. Talon crosses his arm. "And we will ambush them in their route to their destination" Swain said. "It's a great plan, But...Do we know their first destination?" Talon asked. "We don't wise-guy, So i'm asking YOU to go to Piltover and find it out!" Ordered Swain. "But i just..." Talon said. "NOW!!" Swain yelled to Talon. "Fine..." Answered Talon, He then leaves the room. "Isn't he needs a rest sir?" Katarina asked. "Forever strong! That's our motto! remember! No time to rest!" Commented Swain. Katarina nodded. "What shall we do now, General?" Urgot asked. Swain sinisterly grins. He knocks the floor once with his cane, Then a massive yellow robot with a lazy eye entered the room. It have a two massive arm, Capable of using a rocket punch. It continues to releases a steam from it's back. "FIRED UP AND READY TO SERVE" The robot spoke. "Isn't this Blitzcrank? Been a long time since i last saw him" Remarked Sion. "Of course, His system malfunction a couple of years back that causes a small chaos in the Institute then his system is destroyed by Nocturne" Explained Swain "Then, Zaunite researcher manages to fix him back and now he is ready to serve, Noxus..." Commented Swain. "That is amazing" Sion said. "Always count on Zaunite Techmaturgy…" Urgot said. "We will be moving to Demacia first, And hear from Talon and when we does, We will move out and proceed to our plan" Swain said. His companion nodded. Blitzcrank also nodded. "Demacia...will finally over after they fall..." Swain gripped his hand and laughed.

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At night, The ship that the gang aboard stopped. The gang quickly ran out from their room and went to the deck. "What's going on captain?" He asked. The captain pointed something in the sea, They all were surprised to see a flames in the sea. The length of that flame is very long It's like it's preventing their way."What the hell? Flames? In the sea?" Master Yi is confused. "Yes...We need to take another route because of that" The captain remarked. "We must...or else this ship will burns and we all visit's Davy Jones Locker" Said Kaoru. The ship then turned around and changes route, The captain takes a longer route, In order to avoid the flames that blocks their way. "What's up with that flames anyway?" Ezreal also looks confused. "I believe it was Brand" Garen said. "Brand? why?" Master Yi questioned Garen's comment. "I dunno why, But he has created a flame like these on the coast of Demacia way back" Answered Garen. "Let's just hope he doesn't try to interfere with our journey" Kaoru said. "When he does, We can just beat him" Ezreal said. "Agreed" Master Yi replied, He squinted his googles.

The gang went back to their room. Their room is like a normal room with four beds, Fitting for them. "I thought something more important happened" Ezreal said. "I know, The ship just suddenly stopped" Kaoru said. "Hello...Fires on the ocean is a big thing!" Said Master Yi. "Okay-okay!" Kaoru said. Then, After a small silence, Kaoru asked the gang "So, What does Piltover look like?" He curiously asked them. The Prodigal Explorer laughed. "hahaha! You'll be amazed once you see them!"  He said "That place is where i learn the basic of using magic, and of course, My birthplace" Commented Ezreal. "Really? Can you tour me ar-" Before finishing that line, Garen smacked Kaoru's head. "Enough with your curiosity, Kaoru, We are in a bigger matter here!" Garen tone is serious. Kaoru is holding his head "Sorry..." He said. "Well, You can say that it's one of the two city with the most advanced techmaturgy " Ezreal said "Only rivaled by Zaun though. Don't ask about Demacia and other city-state because compared to Piltover and Zaun, They are nothing, haha" Ezreal laughed. "Can't say i disagree but it's the truth" Said Garen "Demacia only use limited to none techmaturgy, Thus we are falling behind" Garen, Who mostly defends Demacia didn't praise Demacia at all. "My googles here" Master Yi points to his googles "Is created in Piltover by a yordle named Heimerdinger" He said. "Heim? Wasn't he the one who have that funny named academy on Bandle city?" Said Kaoru. "Strange, Didn't he reside on Piltover now?" Ezreal pondered. "We'll know soon enough" Master Yi said. Kaoru then walks to the window and looked to the sky, It was pitch black, Decorated by twinkling stars. The moon shines brightly although it's not full moon. The blue bird once again flew by in the sky "Wow is that the bird there?" Kaoru said. Everyone rushes to the window to take a look at the bird. The bird soon vanishes in the sky. "It's already gone" Said Garen. Master Yi sighed "haah...I hope Wukong stopped his search..." Commented The WuJu bladesman. Everyone laughed. The night slowly pass with a peaceful moment.

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Far away from their location, Shurima Desert, An arcane beam shoots up from the ground to the sky. The sands in the desert burst from a magical explosion. There are no sighting of any living creatures nearby.

But the beam still shoots up to the sky. Soon the beam blasted, Creating a magical disturbance in the area. The region near Shurima Desert are enveloped with a purple-layered magical barrier. It is invisible to naked eyes but for those who can see through magic can see that barrier. There are no such creature that can create such a powerful magic.

However, Deep within the Deserts of the Shurima Desert, A Sachropagus is placed within a chamber. It is chained by a magical chain. Arcane blasts keeps coming out from the sachropagus until the sachropagus is destroyed.
A creature, Neither human, Void creature, or Animal came out from it, Chained. The creature looked like a mass of energy with a metalic head, hand and armor. The energies in his body are blue. He forcefully pulls his arms from the chains and break the chains. His blue, Glowing eyes are filled with a grim looks. "I'm finally free..." He remarked quietly.

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