Legends of Runeterra

"Hoo~!"

A breeze blew by, and as the Azakana, who were born from various desires, died, these demonic young turned into a wisp of smoke and floated away.

Yunana watched this scene with a frown on her face.

As a member of the Order of the Balance, and even the heir to the title of 'Shadow Fist', Yunana knew very well what was behind the rampage of these demons.

Ionia's material realm is closely connected to its spiritual realm. Certain places with abundant spiritual energy, or even chopping down a tree, will cause corresponding changes in the spiritual realm.

Now that this situation has occurred in the 'Twilight Temple' deep in the spiritual realm, one can imagine how bad the situation in the material realm is.

Yunana, who had lived deep in the spiritual realm for a long time, was told by her intuition that even greater trouble seemed to be brewing.

Moreover, not long ago...

"What on earth... just happened..."

Yunana turned her head and looked at the path leading out of the temple, staring at the door that could be opened with just a light push. After a while, Yunana turned and walked into the temple hall.

As usual, it was time for her daily chanting.

...

"This... is the destination Kenan mentioned!?"

Akali looked around and saw not only lush vegetation, but also no broken walls or bricks.

"Yes, that's right, this is the location of 'Twilight Temple' marked on the map..."

"let me see!"

Akali skillfully and naturally lay on Li En's shoulder, her eyes falling on the ancient scroll that Li En opened.

"Hmm...it's definitely here, but why...is there not even a single spiritual power node? Isn't this the entrance to the temple?"

Li En had introduced it to Akali on the way here, and she also knew that this operation was carried out by a "Shadow Fist" who entered the "Twilight Temple" in the spiritual realm a thousand years ago.

According to the records on the scroll, there should be a spiritual power node here established by the Order of the Balance, which directly points to the 'Twilight Temple' deep in the spiritual realm, or more precisely, a spiritual power anchor point.

It was normal for buildings that existed in the material realm to weather and disappear over thousands of years, but even the spiritual anchors disappeared...

"Brother Li En, could it be that the 'Shadow Fist'..."

"No, the strength of the 'Shadow Fist' is already beyond ordinary. Moreover, she also has the sacred weapon 'Ain Ina'. If she really fell, Kenan would not be unaware of it at all."

Li En recalled the conversation between Kenan and him last night. After he took the scroll, Kenan's furry face, which hadn't yet put on its mask after finishing its ramen, seemed to...flash with a hint of relief!?

"Oh no! I was wondering why he just ran off without even saying hello to Akali. Turns out he was waiting for me here!"

"Brother Li En... have you... thought of anything?"

The girl's curious voice sounded, and her hot and moist breath gently blew on Li En's cheek.

Li En turned his head slightly and saw Akali lying on his shoulder, with her head slightly tilted, looking at him curiously.

His eyes swept across the girl's crystal red lips, and Li En nodded slightly.

"Well, I have a guess, but I don't know if it's accurate."

"What guess?"

"There's only one explanation for the lack of even a spiritual anchor point. That's because when this 'Shadow Fist' entered the spiritual realm, he never intended to return!"

"But...why?"

"I'm not sure about that either. Perhaps only Master Kenan and the 'Shadow Fist' himself know."

"In that case, Brother Li En, let's..."

"Master Kenan said there were unusual fluctuations here, so I'll try to find any traces.

By the way, let's wait here for a while and see if we can run into him."

"Hmm, well, as for me..."

"Check your equipment, gather your strength, and be ready to enter the spiritual realm at any time."

"Okay, Brother Li En!"

Leaping onto the top of a towering rock with Li En, Akali carefully checked her kunai and sickle.

Although she had checked it before setting off, Akali was willing to check it again since Li En asked her to do so.

...

The sun hanging in the sky gradually set in the west. Li En, who seemed to be sitting cross-legged on the ground but was actually a few centimeters away from the ground, still had his eyes lightly closed.

Akali looked at the leaves around her that were dyed red by the afterglow of the setting sun with some boredom, throwing a sharp kunai in her right hand.

Li En has been sitting cross-legged in meditation for a whole day, but there is still no movement until now.

It must be said that Akali had guessed this situation from the very beginning.

Over the years, she has been learning the "art of controlling thunder" from Kennen. As Akali's strength increases rapidly, Kennen also emphasizes the unpredictable and dangerous aspects of the spiritual realm.

"It would be very troublesome even for Brother Li En to find traces from thousands of years ago..."

Shifting her gaze from the scenery to Li En's face, Akali thought absentmindedly.

As the setting sun gradually descended below the horizon, time arrived at a special time in Ionian tradition—the Hour of the Demon.

It is rumored that if you happen to be in some special areas at this moment, you may encounter some terrifying creatures.

In fact, this rumor was actively spread by the Order of the Balance in this nascent land where magic is too active. Their philosophy is to maintain the balance between the two worlds, and they had discovered this situation while performing their duties countless times.

Akali, who had been trained by the Order of the Balance, instinctively withdrew her gaze from Li En's face at this moment and looked around with a little vigilance.

next moment.

"Om~!"

"Hmm!? Li En..."

"I found some traces, follow me!"

Akali's wrist tightened, and then she took the initiative to lean against Li En's side following his strength.

It was like passing through a thick, invisible yet real curtain. Before Akali was ready, colorful light exploded before her eyes.

"Hmm~!"

Akali narrowed her eyes slightly and did not look around, but leaned her head in Li En's arms.

"Is this... the spiritual realm?"

"That's right, don't worry Akali, you have my power to protect you, now you can observe freely."

"Okay, Brother Li En."

Akali, who trusted Li En immensely, immediately ignored Kennen's warning and looked around curiously. Countless unpredictable lights and things poured into Akali's eyes, forming an indescribable picture.

"Uh...this..."

"Feeling a bit sick and uncomfortable, huh?"

"Um..."

Akali nodded and looked away with a lack of interest.

“This is the most common scene in the spiritual realm, which is equivalent to a place where there is nothing. Only when we truly come to certain special areas will things similar to the material realm appear.

Without further ado, let's track that abnormal fluctuation."

"Okay, Brother Li En!"