Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Before us, there was nothing. Before nothing… there were monsters ”

From the shadows atop a towering spire, Zed emerged. Below him sprawled the city of Zexal, its lights mingling with the dim evening sky. The tall buildings and magnificent structures cast a shimmering glow over the bustling marketplaces and glittering waterways.

Yet, as Zed took in the vibrant scene, his gaze remained sharp, ever aware of the turmoil simmering on the horizon. His son Kayn, a former high-ranking Ordinal of the Demaxian Military, had informed him of illegal Ora mining on an outer world. This compelled Zed to investigate, for Kayn's position granted him access to such intelligence.

Ordinarily, such activities held little interest for Zed. He had no taste for doing the bidding of the Empire's scheming politicians, who struggled to maintain control of this star system. Zed was, in fact, an enemy high on the Empire's priority list, though they remained blissfully unaware of his existence.

But this was different. This involved Yasuo, captain of the infamous Morning Star, and his band of mismatched miscreants. Yasuo’s name was synonymous with recklessness, his exploits a constant thorn in Zed’s side.

Zed sought to maintain harmony across the cosmos, his ideology centered on cleansing the galaxy of those who threatened peace. He often killed such beings, but he knew that killing Yasuo would only cause more problems.

Zed understood the young captain’s current dilemma. Recently, Yasuo’s brother Yone had perished in a tragic attempt to consume too much Ora, a mysterious golden essence that served as the lifeblood of all civilization, promising untold power to those who could wield it.

Still, there was no excuse for hijacking an old Demaxian Military facility to mine Ora. Everyone in the universe craved this essence, but Zed was an exception. Unique among the rarest warriors and mages, he could commune with Ora as if it were his own blood.

For Zed, it was his own blood. Eons ago, he had achieved a feat no man had accomplished: killing a monster known as the Zenith. The result was a bodily transformation that revealed the cosmos's secrets to him.

Ever since then, his body had been imbued with an unlimited amount of Ora. There was no craving for it. The only desire he felt was to take it from the cruel and unjust self-proclaimed warlords of nearby galaxies.

If Zed’s intel was correct, Yasuo would be accompanied by Ziggs, a Yordle proficient with explosives, who had recently joined The Morning Star, likely for this stunt.

With a swift motion, Zed launched himself from the spire, his trajectory carrying him south of the city toward the suspected mine.

The landscape unfurled below him—rolling emerald hills dotted with ancient trees, the air thick with the scent of blooming wildflowers. Yet even this world’s beauty held a note of discord; the warmth against his skin was unnatural, the product of recently developed technology rather than the distant sun.

He thought to teleport, or use the limitless Ora within him to hasten his pace, but he felt no sense of urgency.

As he arrived at the mine, a trio came into view—Yasuo, his eyes blazing with a fire that seemed to rival the sun; Ziggs, the Yordle explosives expert, his fingers dancing over a device with manic energy; and Malphite, a hulking figure of living stone, his gaze fixed upon Zed with distaste. Zed noted that the ones known as Jinx and Sona were nowhere to be found. Perhaps they had been spared from this particular endeavor.

The air echoed with the rumble of detonations, the earth shuddering beneath their feet. Ziggs was still in the process of extracting resources.

Zed approached them openly, his golden armor gleaming in the faint light, yet his stance remained relaxed. For now, he sought only conversation.

Yasuo was the first to react, his sword flashing into his hand as he rounded on Zed. "What do you want?" he snarled, his voice like the crackle of lightning. Beside him, Malphite’s fists clenched, ready to strike. Ziggs merely continued his work, his focus absolute.

Yasuo was already on very negative terms with Zed, so it was rather surprising for Yasuo to address him without immediate conflict breaking out. Yasuo was never told how his brother truly died—consuming too much Ora for his body to handle at one time. The real reason Yone did this was to kill a mage named Sona. Fortunately, Kayn was there to protect the mage, but as a result, Yone’s death was blamed on Kayn himself. It just so happened that this mage, Sona, was part of Yasuo’s crew. But of course neither of them had any idea how Yone connected them.

When Yasuo got word of Yone's death, he had sworn revenge on Kayn, and by extension, Zed.

“We've come to ask you to leave," Zed replied, his tone even. "This mining must end.”

A flash of anger crossed Yasuo's face. "You think to command us?" he spat. "I'll show you your place, Zed." With a battle cry, he charged, his blade shimmering with a fierce blue light, the lizard on his shoulder quickly disappearing. Malphite followed with a clap of his fist, his massive form a blur of motion. Zed watched them come, a sigh whispering from his lips. "No cure for foolish captains..." With a flicker of his hands, the golden blades at his arms manifested, their edges glinting in the dim light.

The battle was a whirlwind of motion—Yasuo's sword flashing toward him, Malphite's hammer-like fists seeking to crush him, with a rocky disk occasionally being thrown at him. Zed dodged and parried, his movements a deadly dance honed by centuries of combat. Yet even as he fought, his gaze never left Yasuo. The captain's rage was insignificant. He failed to see the world through eyes other than his own, driven by misplaced intent for revenge.

‘It’s better this way than him knowing the truth,’ Zed reassured himself. Yasuo would fall apart if he knew what his brother did.

As the fight raged on, Zed found his opening. With a swift strike, he sent Yasuo's sword spinning from his grasp. In the same moment, Malphite leaped towards him at breakneck speed and slammed the ground, launching Zed into the air.

As he was hurled upward, Zed acknowledged his foe's rough armor-infused skin. “Malphite. We heard you were hard to kill. Challenge accepted .”

Still in motion, he summoned a chain of shadowy Ora, its golden links rattling as it whipped toward Malphite. The rock-man raised a hand to block the attack, but the chain wrapped around his wrist, pulling Zed down to meet him.

Zed did not hesitate. He kicked Malphite away before gathering the limitless power within him and channeling it into a single, cataclysmic blast.

Moments later, Zed’s eyes flashed a bright purple as his charged fist collided with the ground. The wave of Ora tore through the earth, shattering stone and sending all four combatants flying. As Zed landed, rolling to absorb the impact, he felt the rumble of aftershocks, the mine itself trembling on the brink of collapse with more explosions. The large crater remaining revealed many smaller caves and pathways to the mine below.

He came to his feet, his gaze sweeping the ruin. Yasuo and Malphite struggled to rise, their movements unsteady. Ziggs, however, was already recovering, his eyes blazing with fury as he hurled a bomb toward Zed. He did not like his work to be interrupted.

Zed sidestepped the explosive, its detonation sending a plume of earth and flame into the sky. In the heartbeat of distraction, Zed closed the distance to Ziggs. His sword flashed in the dim light, leaving a thin line of blood across the Yordle's cheek. "Tell us, Ziggs," he murmured, his voice like ice, "do space rats go to Heaven?"

Ziggs howled, lunging at Zed with a snarl. But Zed was already gone, reappearing beside Malphite as the rock-man swung a ponderous fist. Zed caught the blow, his strength superior as he redirected the attack. Malphite crashed to the ground, a groan tearing from his jaw.

Zed stood over him, his blade pointed at the prone figure. "Blades beat fists, Malphite," he taunted, before he re-materialized a short distance away standing over an injured Yasuo.

The captain was on his knees, his eyes locked upon Zed with burning hatred. "Captain Yasuo. This is your crew? Your brother would be so disappointed..."

Yasuo's gaze flashed to his, a spark of fury igniting within. "What do you know of my brother, you monster?" he snarled, his voice cracking.

For a long moment, Zed met his stare, his own eyes reflecting the pain of centuries. Then, with a whispered sigh, he turned away. "Leave now, Yasuo," he advised, his form beginning to shimmer with Ora. "Or next time, our meeting will not be so peaceful."

With that, he was gone, vanished into the swirling energies of the cosmos. As the light of his departure faded, Yasuo came to his feet, his gaze burning into the space where Zed had stood. Beside him, Malphite rose, his stone form cracked but unbroken. Ziggs merely glared at the ruin of their mine, his fingers tightening around his detonator. "Well," the Yordle spat, "back to the drawing board, it seems."

Yasuo said nothing, his silence speaking volumes. As the trio departed, leaving the shattered mine in their wake, Zed watched from a distant mountain peak, his eyes narrowed upon their retreating forms.

‘That should be enough to solve this childish tantrum of his,’ Zed thought.

With his mission concluded, Zed turned his thoughts to home—a small, isolated castle nestled in the depths of space. He traversed the vast expanse not through teleportation, which grew difficult over such distances, but by dispersing Ora from his hand in short, controlled bursts.

Five minutes passed, a blink of an eye in cosmic terms, before he arrived at his destination, a few light years in distance. Two shadowy figures waited at the entrance, dissolving into the ground as he approached. With a thought, he lowered the mask that habitually shielded his face; here, there was no need for such precautions. The cool night air touched his skin, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the castle gardens.

As he entered, a figure coalesced before him. "Hello, father," Kayn said, his voice steady. "How was your trip?" The young man's gaze held a hint of concern, his eyes mirroring the stars above.

Zed considered his response. "Troublesome, but necessary. Yasuo...he has yet to find his way, still mired in grief over Yone's passing." He could sense the weight of his words, the guilt that Kayn carried unnecessarily.

Kayn's expression turned inward, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. “Perhaps it was best to put the blame on me…” Kayn sighed.

Zed's gaze softened, a rare display of compassion. "We are proud of you, son. Yone's fate was not of your making, yet you bear this burden for Yasuo's sanity. That is the mark of a true man." He reached out, placing a hand on Kayn's shoulder, offering what reassurance he could.

Zed was often a man of few words, so this much compassion from him was more than enough to lift Kayn’s spirits. "Thank you, father." A small smile touched the young man's lips, easing the tension.

Relief washed over Zed. Since his awakening, he had striven to better express his emotions, particularly to those he held as family—Kayn and Syndra. With a nod, he continued on to his bedchamber, where Syndra awaited in the corner, a look of inquiry on her face.

"Hey, love. What took you so long?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Yasuo was at it again..." He sighed, sinking onto the bed beside her, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. The softness of the bed, the familiar scent of Syndra, it was a welcome respite from the turmoil of the galaxy.

Syndra was unique to Zed. Her beauty entranced him. Her purple hair complemented her wondrous eyes, and her figure was quite outstanding. She was the first to see him for more than what he truly was—a living weapon. Her hand found his, her touch warm and comforting. "You're home now," she murmured, her voice a soothing balm to his weary soul.

He looked at her, his eyes softening. "Yes, we are," he replied, squeezing her hand gently. The connection between them was a beacon of light in the dark expanse of his life. Here, in the quiet of their home, Zed found solace.

Syndra leaned closer, her lips brushing against his. "Rest now, love. Tomorrow is another day, another battle," she whispered, her words laced with affection and understanding.

Zed nodded, allowing himself to relax into her embrace. The world outside could wait. For now, he was home, surrounded by those he loved. The galaxy's troubles seemed distant, a mere whisper compared to the steady heartbeat of the woman beside him.

Chapter Text

Flashback

Zed awoke, submerged in a mysterious liquid, darkness enveloping him. He couldn't see anything beyond the inky blackness.

'We're so tired. Where... are we?' The first coherent thought struggled to form in his mind. Panic threatened to rise, but he pushed it down, focusing on his surroundings. The liquid was cool, its touch strange against his skin, almost comforting in its unfamiliarity.

Moments later, a faint crack became apparent in his prison, whatever it was. He moved toward it, hesitating briefly before deciding to tear it open with one of his blades. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the stillness, and he spilled out, the liquid cascading down.

Confusion followed as the liquid pooled around him. He looked around to see a marble surface beneath him and a sky tinted red. A distant moon cast a dim light, illuminating the desolate landscape.

"We can’t... remember..." His voice was a rasp, barely audible. Suddenly, memories began to flood his mind all at once—killing, destruction, anger. He clutched his head, overwhelmed by the torrent of images and emotions.

"They sealed us away..." The realization hit him like a physical blow. He silently reflected on his past life, a maelstrom of regret and a burning desire to make amends swirling within him.

"We wonder how long we've been asleep..." he spoke aloud, though no one was there to hear. His voice was hoarse, the words feeling strange on his tongue. He slowly rose to his feet, his body stiff from the long slumber. A glance down showed him to be completely naked, which he quickly remedied with a command of Ora.

His battle suit materialized around him, a brief sense of nostalgia washing over him as it did. The familiar weight and feel of the suit brought a fleeting comfort.

His mind returned to the violence he once wrought. In those times, he had been bent on cleansing the galaxy of all weaker life forms. This time, however, he vowed to protect it, to enforce the harmony he truly desired.

His gaze shifted to the red sky and the distant moon. Perhaps a lot has changed since he was last awake, but so had he. With a renewed sense of purpose, Zed set out to correct his past wrongs and bring balance to the Universe.

Ever since his transformation, Zed had been feared and even manipulated by many. His destructive influence across the cosmos eventually led to his sealing. He awakened eons later, mysteriously, of his own accord. It didn’t take long for the Star Guardians to detect his presence, prompting them to send Syndra, a guardian of the First Star, to deal with him.

“I hope it wasn't too much. You go to great lengths to aid him," Syndra continued, her voice soft and filled with warmth, pulling him from his momentary reminiscence.

"He will come to understand, in time," Zed replied, his hand finding hers. "But for now, my focus must be on Kayn.” Her touch was a comforting anchor, a reminder of the life he had built.

Her smile returned, her fingers intertwining with his. "You're so sweet, Zed. I love you." The words, simple yet full of meaning, brought a rare smile to his lips.

"As do we," he said, his voice lightening. "Would you like to watch something? We have at least forty hours free." He knew such mundane pleasures held little meaning for him, but he understood that sharing them brought her joy.

Their respite was short-lived, interrupted by the chime of Syndra's Star Guardian comms device. "Hello?" she answered, curiosity piqued.

"Syndra, it's Lux. We've uncovered dire news about an ancient technology. My team and I have been tracking Aatrox, hoping to aid Karma in locating the captured Templars. But we witnessed a meeting between him and Kha'Zix, who supposedly works for Karma. We suspect Kha'Zix may be a double agent, but more pressing—they spoke of an 'Ora Gate' holding unforeseen power. Apparently, they've found it and plan to open it soon, with Aatrox requesting Kha'Zix's accompaniment." Lux exhaled heavily. "I called you because Janna thought you might know something about the gate, given your history with the First Star.”

A jolt ran through Zed as the words "Ora Gate" echoed ominously in his mind. He could feel the Ora within him reacting, a primal unease stirring. The mention of the gate sent chills through his body. Syndra's concerned gaze met his, her hand tightening around his.

Syndra noticed his reaction and asked worriedly, "Babe, is there something wrong?"

Zed's expression grew serious. "We need to know where Kha’Zix and Aatrox are planning to open the Ora Gate."

"Lux, can you tell me where they plan to open the gate?" Syndra asked, her voice tight with concern.

“They mentioned an ancient, mountainous planet on the galaxy's outskirts, some twenty thousand light years from your current position," Lux replied. "Here, let me send you the coordinates.”

Lux's voice crackled through the comms device. "We believe they are heading to the ruins of an old Demaxian outpost. It’s baffling how the Demaxians never came across this ‘gate’."

Zed's eyes narrowed. "We must act quickly. The power of the Ora Gate cannot be allowed to fall into their hands."

Zed's mind raced. Teleportation was impractical over such vast distances, and even his Ora propulsion might not be swift enough. "Syndra, could you transport us there? Lux, did they give any indication of their timeline?”

Zed didn't often interact directly with Syndra's sisters, but this was urgent. Lux's surprise at being addressed by Zed was evident.

"I'm not sure," Lux admitted, "but Aatrox seemed eager to proceed with Kha'Zix's aid."

Syndra's gaze met Zed's, a silent understanding passing between them. "I can take you," she said, her voice tinged with worry, her hand brushing against his.

Her telekinetic powers were fast, but the journey would be dangerous. Zed knew she was strong and could protect herself, but the thought still troubled him.

“Very well. Lux, alert the other Guardians. If we fail, we'll need their assistance.” Zed instructed.

As they prepared to depart, Kayn's voice cut in, "Mother, Father, where are you headed?"

Zed exchanged a glance with Syndra. "We've received word of an ancient technology that could threaten the harmony of the cosmos," he explained, anticipating his son's reaction.

Kayn's eyes lit up with determination. "Can I come?! I want to help!"

Zed sighed inwardly. He had expected this. And if Syndra was to accompany them, could he truly deny Kayn? The boy's training had progressed well. "Very well. But you must remain patient. Your mother will be transporting us."

With a whoop of excitement, Kayn bounced forward. Zed could only hope he was ready for what lay ahead.

As Syndra bore them through the cosmos, she decided to confront Zed about what was coming. “Darling, you still haven’t told me what bothers you so much about these ‘Ora Gates’.”

“Our apologies, love.” He sighed, taking a deep breath. “The Ora Gates are pathways to other universes. Each gate has its own destination. An ancient civilization once opened one, nearly wiping out all life in the universe. This was long before my time as a Templar, but the teachings warned of their power.”

Syndra's expression turned petulant. She never liked when Zed mentioned the Templars, associating them with Karma and their abandonment of Zed after his transformation. He reached out, his hand finding hers. “This is not their doing, Syndra. This is a threat to all of existence.”

When Zed was first born, he was raised as a Templar. The Templars were an ancient race, exceptional in managing Ora. They were peaceful but secretive, much to the Demaxian Empire's dismay, protecting many ancient secrets of the Universe older than time itself.

When Zed was to be promoted to the highest rank of a Templar, he was tasked with protecting the Zenith, a one-of-a-kind ancient creature. Many, including the Demaxians, had tried to kill it, but only failed. However, he was ambushed by Demaxians while on duty.

Rather than allowing them to take the Ora of the Zenith for themselves, he felt he had no choice but to kill the creature, which caused his transformation into a transcendental being.

While his father explained the gates, Kayn felt Rhaast stirring restlessly within him, urging them onward. The familiar sensation was a mix of excitement and trepidation. He could sense the ancient weapon's hunger for battle. Rhaast was an ancient Scythe of demonic power and unknown origin that Kayn used as his sole weapon. The scythe liked to talk, but was being unusually quiet following the most recent events of today. 

Their destination came into view - a planet of ancient mountains under a foreboding purple sky. The air seemed to vibrate with recent conflict, and the ship of the Wild Card crew sat dark and still nearby. "Lux said her team lost Aatrox and Kha'Zix's trail," Syndra cautioned, her voice low.

"We can sense them," Zed replied, his gaze fixed on the mountain peak, where the Ora of the pair shimmered like a beacon. "We'll head for the peak. But as we near the top, we must proceed alone. This environment is not natural, and we know not what dangers await us.”

“Hahahaha, foolish creatures!” Rhaast cackled maniacally in Kayn’s hand.

“What’s so funny, Rhaast?” Kayn asked, a chill running down his spine.

“Your master forgot one crucial detail about the gate. This Ora Gate leads to the Dark side of the ‘Event Horizon’ Universe where I was created. Once it’s open, it can’t be closed! The Event Horizon is dominated by Cosmic and Dark Cosmic entities eager to devour your Odyssey Universe, just as we’ve done before. Aatrox and the other Cosmic entities are my brethren, and soon we will wreak havoc and chaos across your cosmos, before the Queen takes it all for herself.”

Before they could question Rhaast's words, the ground shuddered beneath them, nearly sending them tumbling.

Zed's thoughts raced. Should he send them back to safety? He could likely prevent the gate's opening and destroy whatever emerged. But if he failed...and this 'dark energy' empowered Rhaast... "Syndra, go. Summon the other Guardians. Kayn and ourselves will handle this, but if we falter, we'll need their aid.”

Syndra didn’t want to leave his side, but she accepted his wish for her safety. ‘Besides, the sooner I leave, the sooner I can see them both again.’ She thought eagerly.

“Okay, but I’ll at least cast divine protection on both of you.” She cast a quick spell and kissed the two goodbye before heading to SGHQ (Star Guardian Headquarters), leaving them to continue their ascent.

As they got closer to the peak of the mountain, much to Rhaast’s pleasure, Kayn and Zed’s Ora began to react wildly with their surroundings, distorting space itself. The air rippled and distorted, the very fabric of reality bending under the power of the Ora Gate. Its call was a siren's song, threatening to consume them all.

Zed's unease mounted. "Remember, Kayn - if things turn sour, you are to leave. This is a direct order.” His gaze was serious, ensuring Kayn's safety was paramount.

Kayn met his gaze, confidence burning in his eyes. "We are unstoppable, father.” His conviction made Zed's soul swell with pride.

Zed momentarily closed his eyes, praying he was correct. "We love you, Kayn.” He reached out, his hand finding Kayn's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“You too, father.” Kayn replied. With a shared breath, they crossed the peak rim of the mountain. The Ora Gate pulsed before them, its energies swirling wildly - and it was open.

Beside it stood Aatrox and Kha'Zix, their forms growing darker by the second. Aatrox's gaze locked onto Zed and Kayn. "So good of you to join us, brother," Aatrox drawled. “But when are you going to stop hiding within that petty human?” He grinned, venomous glee in his voice.

Rhaast's voice hissed from the scythe. "It is only a matter of time before this body is mine!”

Aatrox turned his attention to Zed, a cruel grin splitting his face. "I see I shall have no further use for that Templar bitch. This transformation is healing every Ora-abused piece of my body and more!” His gaze roved over Zed, calculating.

Zed's expression remained impassive. “We have no association with the Templars after what they’ve done.” His voice was cool, contrasting with the burning anger within him. The Templars had abandoned him, left him to face the consequences of his transformation alone.

Aatrox shrugged. "As you like. But it ends now. Prepare to fall, Zed."

With a battle cry, he launched himself at Zed, sword flashing in the dim light. Zed watched him come, a sigh whispering from his lips. This was the true beginning of the conflict, one that would shape the destiny of the cosmos. But Aatrox was not aware of what the unrevealed god standing before him was capable of…

Chapter Text

Aatrox slashed and chopped at Zed's form, but each strike found only shadows. Frustrated, he slammed his blade into the ground.

“I have no interest in your shadowy games! Fight me like a man!” Aatrox bellowed, his patience wearing thin. In response, Zed created more shadows, and shurikens flew at Aatrox from all directions. His movements were a blur, each strike a seamless dance of speed and stealth.

Aatrox, determined to land a hit, sent a tremor of Ora to each shadow, predicting Zed's next move. When Zed swapped to the expected shadow, their blades clashed, the sound of scraping metal ringing through the air.

Zed forced Aatrox back with a burst of energy, reappearing behind him to stab at his exposed back. But Aatrox, quick on his feet, turned and swiped at Zed's legs. Zed leaped back, throwing two shurikens mid-air, followed by two more from his back. The deadly hum of the spinning blades filled the air.

Fatigue began to show in Aatrox's movements, but he charged at Zed, his attacks becoming desperate. Zed parried each blow with ease, their blades a flurry of sparks and motion.

The longer they fought, the more apparent it became that Aatrox couldn't match Zed's pace. Zed went on the offensive, his strikes swift and precise.

Aatrox slashed at a shadow, but Zed had vanished. “Where…?!” Aatrox's confusion was evident, his lapse giving Zed the opening he needed. Appearing above him, Zed plunged his golden blade into Aatrox's back, the weapon sinking deep. He absorbed the Ora draining from Aatrox, continuing to slice with the pincers that manifested from his back.

Rather than slowing down, Aatrox seemed to become even more angry. With a roar, Aatrox threw Zed down in front of him, and off of his back.

"I am Darkin! I do not die !" Wings sprouted from Aatrox’s back as he prepared to slam his blade down in front of him where Zed lay. Zed’s pincers materialized, pushing him away from Aatrox and preventing him from getting impaled. 

"Your Ora needs release." Zed replied, preparing to attack once more. After pulling his blade out of the ground, Aatrox brought his blade down to the ground with fury clouding his eyes, sending ripples through the mountain. Zed dashed in and out of Aatrox’s reach, piercing his blackish-purple skin with his blades. Aatrox bled, but did not slow down, until-

“Even your best falls short.” Zed taunted as both Aatrox’s head and sword fell to the ground. 

Aatrox’s knees buckled, his body unmoving. Zed briefly examined his fallen foe before turning his gaze to his son, assessing the other battle. His focus narrowed, taking in the scene before him, ready to intervene if necessary.

After Aatrox engaged Zed, Kha'Zix targeted Kayn. In a flash, he was within striking range, forcing Kayn to slam Rhaast's blade into the ground where he anticipated Kha'Zix would land. The earth shuddered under the force of the blow, but Kha'Zix altered his trajectory, slicing Kayn's back as he struggled to pull Rhaast free. The weapon seemed to resist, its malevolent energy palpable.

‘I can't disappoint Father!’ Kayn thought, his grip tightening on Rhaast's hilt.

‘You are not worthy to wield me, Kayn!’ Rhaast retorted. The weapon's voice was a hiss of rage, its ire burning hot. 

“That’s not what you said when I found you!” Kayn yelled, dodging Kha'Zix's next swipes. The creature’s attacks were relentless, leaving him little room to counter.

‘I was desperate! I had not spoken with another sentient being for eons! When you are at your limit, I will devour your soul and take your body for my own!’

Kayn phased out of existence, reappearing near Rhaast. “You really think they’ll let you live after they kill us? Do you think you, the outcast, will be welcomed back for helping with this? What has changed, Rhaast?”

Rhaast remained silent, allowing Kayn to continue, his silhouette looming over the ground where Rhaast remained embedded.

“We need each other. Imagine how strong we could be together. I found you for a reason. Now, come on!” Kayn shouted, pulling Rhaast free at last.

‘You best not make me regret betraying my kin for your little games. Now, let's have a murder party!’ The words, though laced with venom, held a ring of truth. Kayn felt a surge of power course through him, the bond between Rhaast and himself strengthening.

As Kayn re-materialized, scythe in hand, he felt renewed vigor coursing through his fingertips. “Now…” he said calmly, a smug smile playing on his lips. “Let us begin.” Kha'Zix, still recovering from Kayn's initial disappearance, sharpened his claws.

“Prepare to be devoured!” Kha'Zix snarled, leaping at Kayn with renewed ferocity. This time, Kayn was ready. He sidestepped Kha'Zix's attack, slicing with Rhaast to maximize his range and avoid getting the scythe stuck once more.

Their blades clashed in a rapid exchange of blows, neither gaining the upper hand. As the fight wore on, Kayn noticed Kha'Zix's body shifting from deep blue to dark purple, a subtle change that did not go unnoticed.

By now, Zed had defeated Aatrox and was observing Kayn out of the corner of his eye. Seeing his father watch him, Kayn felt a surge of motivation. He decided to showcase his proficiency with an ability Zed had recently taught him.

Kayn quickly created distance between himself and Kha’Zix, charging Ora within his scythe. His ghostly form swept through the wind. Kha’Zix followed, swift and relentless. 

As Kha’Zix finally caught up, just before his claws could penetrate Kayn’s skin, Kayn released the stored energy in thin waves at point-blank range. Kha’Zix was too late to react, the energy piercing his skin, burning, and leaving small cuts across his blue, hardened skin.

Kayn became transparent like a shadow, thrusting Rhaast through Kha’Zix’s body. He reappeared behind Kha’Zix, solidifying as he crushed the small amount of Ora he had collected from his foe in his right hand.

To Kayn’s surprise, Kha’Zix was not devoid of life. His skin glowed a transparent purple, limbs stretching out. The sudden change left Kayn stumbling to react.

“Kayn, back!” Zed shouted, jumping between them. His voice was a crack of thunder, a command that left no room for disobedience.

Zed looked at Kha’Zix, curiosity seeping into his gaze. “What are you?!” he demanded, the words hanging heavy in the air.

A blinding light enveloped them. When it faded, Kha’Zix had transformed. A bright purple star adorned the center of his head, a small black orb where his chest once was. His eyes were gone, but his mouth drooled with primal hunger. The sight was both fascinating and horrifying, a creature reborn in a form unknown to them.

Zed was speechless. Ancient Templar teachings spoke of a unique metamorphosis he had believed to be a myth. This creature before him was living proof of his error. Harmonic Convergence . The term echoed in his mind, but its full meaning eluded him. It didn’t matter. Whatever Kha’Zix had become, he needed to be eradicated immediately.

Words surfaced in Zed’s mind, ones he did not recall hearing before:

The hunger of the abyss, Kha'Zix is an alien horror whose ceaseless appetite feeds the Dark Star. Appearing before planets like a titanic locust, it devours all it encounters—the power of a hundred thousand stars fueling its evolution into an ever-greater threat.

Before Zed or Kayn could react, Kha'Zix released a howling screech that echoed across light years. The piercing wail shook the very foundations of the planet, even giving Zed a headache despite his adaptability to higher or lower frequencies of sound.

“Silence.” Zed slashed at Kha'Zix, his form a blur of deadly motion. Surprisingly, Kha'Zix dodged, a maniacal grin spreading across his drooling mouth.

Zed wasn’t sure what the loud sound was for, but he wasn't planning to wait and find out. He stared at Kha'Zix, waiting for his approach, ready to protect Kayn if needed.

Kha'Zix observed them for a moment before leaping toward Zed, expelling spike projectiles from his shoulders. Zed caught one, inspecting it as he dodged the rest. In a swift move, he blinked above Kha'Zix, who was still in mid-leap, and slammed the pincers from his back into Kha'Zix, sending him crashing into the ground.

The creature’s form crumpled, its body twitching. Zed stood over it, his gaze fixed on the prone figure. Kha'Zix looked up, smiling maniacally. Zed glared back, his mask hiding his expression, but the tension was clear.

The ground shook again, and Zed sensed the gate’s activity growing.

‘Something’s coming through?’ Zed pondered, a chill running down his spine. A sense of foreboding settled over him.

Through the gate stepped a monstrous, towering being. Its form was a mix of cosmic dust and metal, eyes burning with otherworldly energy, a power rivaling the stars themselves.

‘Oh,’ Zed thought. ‘So it’s like that.’ Everything was becoming clearer to him.