TALES OF RUNETERRA: IONIAN
KENNEN HEART STORM
There is an ancient story that comes from the Ionian Island that is kept to maintain balance.Rules, destruction, light, and, shadow - everything should be in harmony because this is how the universe goes.This order is named Kikou.Kikou has a triune shadow knight to guard the world.Kennen is one of them, and, trusted with the sacred obligations of Coursing the Sun - tirelessly adding to the Kinkou
Kennen was born in Bandle City and it is said that as the first life she shot from the first womb to the second womb of the empress who gave birth to her. His parents were not aware of his energy, but as he grew his energy seemed to have no limits and no one could get close to his speed. Despite this great blessing, he remained inaudible (or at least not caught, as he was quite ignorant) until, in a challenge, he ran into the outer wall of the Placidium. When this news reached Kinkou's ears, Kennen was tried before the people. He discovers that the role of Heart of the Tempest suits him, bringing Kinkou's punishment to the world. Now he is working with Alkali and Shen to ensure balance in Valoran.
BETWEEN LIGHT AND SHADOW
Kennen has not slowed down since departing from the Great Temple of Koeshin.
The colors of the ground formed a swirling palette as it floated over hills and cliffs, plains and highlands. The yordle was like a speeding point amidst the wide scratches painted on the canvas.
As the Kinkou Heart of Tempest, he had delivered the order's leadership appraisal thousands of times before. But this time it was different, Kennen thought. This time about the life of my Kinkou brothers and sisters.
An urgent request came from his auxiliary branch in the south. Their temple has been ravaged by an unknown evil spirit. They were unable to find a way to resist it, so they sought help from the Kinkou triumvirate.
With Akali's previous role as Shadow Boxing currently unfilled, this "triquette" consists of only two leaders: Shen—Mata Dusk—and Kennen. They had made up their minds, and now, Kennen ran to the distant Raishai, on the southern shore of Zhyun.
When Noxus invaded Ionia a few seasons ago, the triumvirate decided that Kinkou would not be involved in the war. The aides of the Raishai were one of the most loyal orders, supporting the decree without question.
And for that, I have to save them.
Kennen followed the turbulent river and ran across the vast golden meadow. Breaking through the misty forest in the southern Shon-Xan mountains, he was like lightning piercing through the clouds. He passed through a series of ruins, including Xuanain village.
Just after he reached the port city of Evirny, Kennen stopped in the morning sun. Zhyun Beach is across the strait, beyond the sparkling blue waters.
Kennen boarded the first ferry just before sailing. The biannya are living trees growing from the hull, the branches curving backward, the large leaves catching the sea breeze like a membrane on the wyvern wings of the southern island.
There was a crowd on the ferry, with Kennen the only yordle. People tilt their heads at him.
Yordle was treated with respect among the Ionians, even when spirit beings appeared in their original form, as Kennen now— did as he always did, he said, because he has achieved balance through his Kinkou training. Especially through the teachings of the first Great Master, Tagaciiry, the first Shadow Boxing.
When Kennen joined Kinkou centuries ago, Tagaciiry had asked what the yordle admired most about humans.
“Ceritamu. You have so much. ” Kennen's eyes widen. “Your life is short, but your story preserves what you love most. That's why you're better suited to preserving nature than the eternal. ”
Under clear skies and scorching sun, Kennen has shared his thoughts on what role he could play for Kinkou. The Great Master listened, and considered his words.
“Someday, all of you will die,” Kennen added cheerfully. “I want to bear your story. Kinkou.” Story
Great Master Tagaciiry smiled back then. “It is a noble idea, and not a small responsibility.”
"I can start now, by giving our verdict to people."
"All right," said the Great Teacher. “ Your role is to Cross the Sun — to shine the light of our judgment, and to be the power that mediates between that light and its shadow.”
Kennen rose from his reverie as the pier came into view, under a white calcareous cliff crowned by a stretch of emerald trees.
He waved clawed hands at the passengers behind him, and they wished him a good wind and a quick ride. He jumped off the ferry before even slowing down to the dock, jumping over the water and onto land.
The storm started to appear. Kinkou Kennen's robe and mask were drenched as he attacked through the heavy rain, and he continued on without food or rest.
I hope I'm not late.
Dark clouds swirled low, struck by lightning as the leader of the yordle arrived.
Kennen records twenty of his aides sitting in front of Raishai temple. The building looked mediocre, sturdy and intact.
"Mr Kennen, you're here." The heads of his aides, Hayda, stood respectfully, but his limbs trembled, his knees bent underneath. “You need to help us fight the evil spirits that plague our temple.
His other aides slowly rose, their eyes glazed over.
Kennen wishes him and Shen wrong, but now their worst fears are proven. He felt a deep sadness. They've been very loyal.
“There is nothing to fight for,” Kennen said to Hayda, his voice soft with sadness. “The temple is not broken. That'sthat's you. You all are."
Riots of sound broke out. Some of his aides tilted their heads, glaring.
“Corruption?” Hayda's eyes were fixed on Kennen. “We have always been obedient.. A long time ago, when you told us not to fight the Noxus invaders, we just stood by while our people were slaughtered!” His face wrinkled unnaturally, as if melting. “And then, when fellow Ionians in Tuula, Kashuri, and Huroi asked for help, you asked us not to heed it, and once again, we obeyed it! We have ignored the opportunity to bring justice to Noxus!”
“You are filled with sadness,” Kennen said, “and the evil entities of the spirit realm eat it. They ate you . ”
Kennen could see what humans could not see: black smoke was coming out of them, like tentacles exploding from their bodies. They were surrounded by inky tendrils that were trying to devour, creatures that clawed out of the spirit realm with greater strength as their prey grew more agitated, they'll eat this Kinkou and make a mess in Raishai.
“The world is changing,” he said. “Zhyun has fallen into chaos, and you are torn between what Kinkou demands of you and what your heart desires.” He stopped, then said what he wanted to say. "I'm releasing you from orders."
"You're kicking us out?" said a servant in the back row.
“You want to support us now because we are no longer useful to you.This is not good!”Hayda swung her sword.Her aides howled in unison, unaware that the shadow claws were gripping them with greedy intent.
Kennen can feel their pain, the kind born of a rift between two worlds of belief.The kind Akali felt before she left.However, she let lightning crackle between hands.“Don't think about testing me.”
Snarling, Hayda and a few of his aides charged forward.
The little yordle sauntered among the awkward humans, easily dodging all the attacks.He flicked his clawed finger, and an electric arc shot out, knocking his assailant in one ferocious explosion.
They groan as they twitch on the muddy ground.The rest stops, unsure of what to do.Sadness, guilt, shame—the faces of his aides are masks of suffering, rain flowing from their eyes.
Kennen flipped around, out of reach, and sighed.Then he was something he learned from humans.
sometimes, telling a story means lying.
“Let your story be mine to tell.”He masks her down.“ now go, peacefully.The evil influence will remain on Zhyun, Kinkou will hear you fight hard against him before you leave him, with respect.”
To make up the truth.For there is nothing that you hold most dear to.
The eyes of the aides became clear, and the dark steam began to dissipate.Nobody spoke, but some nodded in understanding of them to the yordle.Finally, those who could gather those who were injured.
It is always difficult to see old comrades leave, but Kennen knows it best.They have devoted themselves to Kinkou, and now they are free to find new goals.Their mental state can regain balance, they are, and evil entities will have nothing to eat.
Yordle watched as his former aide stumbled into the shadows.Rain never subsided.Drenched humans looked small and vulnerable.
One day, you will all die, Kennen thought, in the hearts of friends.
But I'll tell you a story.
***