A Dark Alliance

Zed glared at his angered apprentice, obviously still shocked from last weeks... incident. He only held the glare for a few seconds before again gazing out into the trees, "Kuro, I really must start washing your mouth with soap for how much you swear." He replied calmly, ignoring her question. Zed hoped Minoryu would appear soon, he was such a nice contrast to Zed's feisty apprentice, Kuromei. He listened, yes he questioned but Zed could dismiss him and no questions would be asked.

Zed truly wondered if it was really worth saving the girl that day. Yes the alliance was coming from it but she managed to almost drive him off his edge sometimes. She had blatant disrespect, she never worked well with the other ninjas, she hardly thought things out. It would be the end of her should she speak this way to the Grand General, she was lucky Zed was much more forgiving then Swain.

There at the gate to the temple's grounds, two carriages trundled into view, each laden with four Raedsel, perfectly poised sentinels upon each corner, statues clad in green and gold. The winds of spring whipped cherry blossoms through the air as the caravan came to a halt, clouds of dust from the dirt path rising about their wheels. They were perhaps not as ornate as they might have been on the mainland, having been transported overseas, but they were elegant nonetheless, pristine, purposefully adorned in the Noxian way.

In unison the eight guards descended. The rear left Raedsel of each strode forth to open the doors of their respective carriages for the esteemed persons within. From one carriage, a woman descended, a slight green luminescence surrounding her like an aura. Her hair hung perfectly straight, her striking form clad in a somewhat revealing rendition of a Noxian High Command ensemble. At her side were two of her own guard, both of whom appeared distinctly Ionian--though seemingly modified. The metallic augments of his body gleamed in the spring midday.

From the other carriage, the imposing shape of a man alighted. Darius, hand of Noxus, his crimson cape billowing behind him, dropped onto the path. His heavy boots' impact ushered up further clouds of dust from the unpaved road. The finely crafted weapon he always bore was clenched tightly in one hand. Another form followed: a sharp contrast to his second. Grand General Jericho Swain, cane in hand, took the carriage stairs carefully, his jaw set in concentration against the apparent arduous nature of the task. Finally, he alighted upon the drive beside his second, chin lifted in dignity despite his obvious poor health.

Behind the carriages, another fearsome form approached. Too heavy for the wooden spokes and wheels of the traveling-coaches, Brand in all his metal splendor plodded on beside the caravan. The Burning Vengeance stood seven feet tall, a terrifying sight, flame encased in metal, a splendorous Noxian cape flowing behind him to signify his allegiance.

The Master Tactician's fiery gaze wandered over the temple grounds. The tone was set, solemn. No bustle of training ninjas disturbed the spring afternoon. No sounds of exertion punctuated the somber moments of the Noxian entourage's arrival--only the whisper of the gentle winds and the near-silent settling of blossom petals upon carriage roofs. There, silhouetted at the temple's mouth, his apprentice nearby, Zed's hulking silhouette stood looking out over his lands.

Swain took a few uneven strides towards the gate, awaiting a proper reception. The sounds of his cane and shuffling gait were muted by the dirt, through which the train of his pristine gilded robes trailed. The Raedsel followed in his wake. He folded his hands over his cane and waited for his two generals and his burning show of force to take up their places at his side.

Heavy footfalls heralded Brand's approach to the Grand General; the elemental's new body allowed him an untold amount of power. Those around him could feel his presence, thousands of needles against their skin. Several of the Radsael recoiled slightly as he walked by, a feeling of dread filling their souls.

General.

The elemental's voice flowed from his face grate, the grinding of steel against steel, coupled with the crackle and hiss of an open flame.

My presence, as requested.

Brand gave the General's cohort a slight glance, his eyes glowing a fierce white, boring into her soul. The woman could feel his disdain, despite his unchanging countenance.

I must warn you; in my experience, those of the shadowplane are very manipulative. And while this "Zed" may not be from the plane of shadows, he has had prolonged contact with it.

Your mastery of that particular field will be quite useful, I'd wager.

The Elemental peered over Swain's shoulder, a monolithic reminder of the power wielded by Noxus, and Swain himself..

The glare at his apprentice would strike fear into the greatest of men, his eyes shining yet dark. He almost seemed like he himself was made of shadows, wisps of black smoke falling off of him. He remained in his armor, few had ever seen his face, or any part of his bare skin for that matter. In a second he was gone, a clone stood in his place and burst a second after. A quick look behind Kuromei would have her find Zed, already walking down the long steps.

"Minoryu." He whispered, calling forth his right hand. Zed watched the ensemble at the gate, just between Swain and him he already knew what would happen today. Just as he had known what would happened on the day of the slaughter. Swain had brought quite the group with him, high command, Darius, guards, even a hulking golem of metal and flame. Zed eyed all of them with great suspicion, he didn't like crowds, too many eyes upon him.

He comforted himself with a plan, should things go south he knew how to tactically remove each person. There would be no help required other than that from the shadows. Throw the golem into the realm of shadows, leave him there for eternity or until he had time to dispatch it. Crush the cyborgs, simply sneak up on the brute that was Darius. Send his clones to the guards, knowing they were no match for his own strength embodied nine times. He would keep Swain at a distance, only moving in when the others had been eliminated. Zed would make all this up in a matter of seconds, he would stay hidden as he picked them off one by one.

However, this was only a backup plan, although a strange blood-lust had been taunting him recently, a need to kill. It barged into his thoughts seemingly at random, demanding blood. It did not have a voice, it wasn't an embodiment of any sort, it was Zed. It taunted him, it wanted him to slaughter the group, it demanded it. Zed held firm against the temptation this was not the first time he had and it wasn't going to be the last.

His walk had taken him to the bottom of the steps, Minoryu had hopefully joined him by now. He reached the gate, examining the group from a closer viewpoint. The golem was quite an imposing figure, but it had a certain familiarity to it. The woman's face was twisted with veins, not a pretty sight, most likely Zaunite enhancement he thought. Cyborgs and guards, even Darius, Swain was prepared for an attack by the looks of it.

The thick bared gate swung open of it's own accord, moving inwards. Zed stood in the now open gate-way, he bowed politely, "Good day Grand General, it is an honor to have you at my temple. Please, come in." His tone was calm and almost friendly, almost. He swung an arm towards the temple gesturing for them to enter, "Welcome, to the Temple of Shadows."

A scowl set itself upon her visage as Zed moved behind her with seemingly no effort. She scoffed, and turned to follow him out only to pause at the sight ahead. What.. the hell? Sky thought as she looked upon the gathering Noxians. Her fingers slipped into her coat, sliding a select few origami into her sleeves should things go terribly wrong. Swain was of course her primary focus. None of the others had put her here, trapped her under contract or held the stone that controlled her other form.

A hateful look gazed upon the Master Tactician as she moved in behind Zed, dismissing the other ninja that had accompanied him.

Next, Brand. The larger threat in physical damage. Swain was clever, but the flames that licked across the odd being's form made Sky ever more weary of him. She had to consider what would even be useful against him. In reality, her origami may just burn up before they could even activate putting her at a massive disadvantage if Brand decided to attack.

Darius was next. She knew the Champion well enough to know he had considerable strength. Though she questioned his intelligence. That made little difference if Swain was in control. He seemed to surround himself with puppets that he could control at his whim.

Sounds about right.. Sky thought to herself.

When Zed stopped to speak, Sky let the shadow cast by her hood conceal her face a bit. Her tiny 5'3 frame was likely among the shortest of the gathering, making her slightly uncomfortable with the 'guests'. Her eyes never seemed to leave Swain however. The longer they lingered, the more hatred filled them.

She will have her answers..