Yasuo's feet pounded against the dirt path as he dashed through the jungle, leaving behind only furtive glances over his shoulder and the whistle of a soft wind. His long dark hair and dark eyes blended with the shadows of the tall trees that blocked the moonlight. On this day, his whole life ended and on this night, he would be born again- as an outcast.

All his life, Yasuo had lived in Ionia, a serene and artful land with the most skilled warriors and artisans in the world. But when Noxus laid siege to Ionia, Yasuo, the lone master of the wind technique was placed in charge of guarding an elder named Seiku while his older brother Yone and the other warriors went out to battle. However, believing himself capable of ending the conflict, Yasuo joined the open fray, cutting down Noxians left and right. As Yasuo charged and held his blade to the neck of an enemy soldier he said "Your superior officer, where is he?"

The Noxian stuttered in response, "D-D-Darius," and pointed behind him to where a massive man with an axe was smashing through an Ionian soldier's armor in a single great cleave. Yasuo's lip curled into a grin as he slashed away the nervous soldier and sprinted at Darius.

"Come get some!" the officer shouted, brandishing his huge war axe at Yasuo. He swung the weapon in an 'x' shape in front of himself and gritted his teeth. Yasuo never turned down a challenge and leaped, spinning his sword nimbly before landing a slam on Darius's shoulder plate. "Bahaha! Pathetic!" Darius boasted, backhanding Yasuo to the dirt. Spluttering and coughing up dirt, Yasuo stood again and pointed his blade at Darius.

"Are you ready to die?" He asked, brushing dust from his tunic.

"To a ingrate like you? Never!" The Noxian swung horizontally at Yasuo but wasn't quick enough. Before Darius could do a thing, Yasuo was leaning back, letting the axe pass harmlessly over himself and whirling back around, slashing near Darius's ankles, conjuring a concentrated gust of wind. Far too slow to do anything about it, Darius lost his footing and was knocked onto his stomach by the air current.

Yasuo stood over his victim, the thrill of battle filling his eyes, closing in on his mark like a lion cornering a gazelle. "Warrior," Darius groaned, "I've watched your city's defense with great anticipation. You were not meant to guard; you are a fighter! Cease fighting for the weak! Noxus needs capable officers."

Yasuo ignored the comments raising his sword and preparing to end Darius's life but paused. "How did you know I was a guard?" Darius laughed darkly.

In a moment Yasuo had turned and began a mad dash back to the elder's tent, fear striking his heart. All of the fighting was nothing to Yasuo and he cut down every Noxian who tried to stop him one slice at a time without skipping a step. The wind was at his back and pushed him forward.

Ripping open the tent, Yasuo scanned the room feverishly. His heart sank at the sight he found. Seiku was alone and unmoving on the ground, a single slash from his left shoulder down to his right hip. Yasuo leaned over the elder, panting hard from the sprint. "No! Seiku, get up! Please!"

"Yasuo! What happened?" Yone exclaimed, entering the tent behind Yasuo. Yone and Yasuo looked nearly identical but for the dark bags beneath Yone's eyes and his more well kempt hair.

"I don't know. Assassin."

"Come here Yasuo," Yone said, helping his brother up. "Calm down. Okay? It is over. Nothing you can do now." Yone let go of his brother and knelt next to Seiku, saying a prayer in Ionian. Then he closed the elder's eyes. "Go home brother. There is nothing for you to do here now. I will be with you when this battle is through. Alright?" Yasuo did not take his eyes off the elder but nodded slightly. "Alright?" Yone repeated.

"Yeah. Alright."

Once home, Yasuo grabbed a bottle from the shelf and gulped down several mouthfuls. He sat at a small wooden table that quaked under the weight of his elbows. Another gulp. Yasuo's pulse began to quicken and he gripped his hair tightly between his fingers. He was only gone for a minute. Just a short moment and the elder was dead. It continued on like this for some time before Yasuo lost himself in his drink and fell asleep on the table.

The following day, Darius pulled the Noxian army away from the city, leaving Yasuo with nothing to do but wallow and give himself up to the mercy of the other elders. His brother, Yone comforted him, saying things like "You meant the best, brother. I do not fault you for that. It will be alright." Yasuo knew his brother was trying to help so instead of arguing he simply allowed Yone try to make things better.

"It was a foolish mistake. One that will not be repeated," Yasuo murmured.

"That is all anyone can ask of you."

"They can kill me for this. I would not care."

Yone's face fell further ,"No Yasuo, you did nothing worthy of death. You should not think like that. There are still those of us who love you."

Later that afternoon, Yasuo went to speak to the elders and receive punishment for his crime. Kneeling down, Yasuo spoke slowly and with purpose. "I admit to abandoning my post and I accept the punishment the council sets out before me."

An elder to the left side of the row of six stood up, and brought attention to the vacant seat to his right.

"Yasuo, you are charged in responsibility for the loss of he who you were sworn to protect, Councilor Seiku. However, with our investigation of the scene we have deduced something else as well..." He paused and looked to the men at his sides nervously. "We believe it was in fact the man before us who also committed this murder."

Yasuo's eyes opened wide in shock. How could this be possible? Not only was he blamed for the death but they think it was he who committed the crime? "It was not me! I admit to abandoning my post but I would never-"

The elder raised his hand again and spoke up. "Yasuo, you have given us no choice. The council has spoken. You are sentenced to die by the sword... tomorrow at mid-day." Yasuo's face grew hot and he gritted his teeth in rage as his eyes filled with tears.

"You have no proof it was me!" he shouted angrily, trying to contain himself.

Again the elder looked to his piers. "In fact we do," the one to the furthest right said, tension in his voice. "The killer used a wind technique and you Yasuo are the only master capable of doing it."

The elder on the left looked sadly on Yasuo ,"I am disappointed- Yasuo. Your excitation will take place tomorrow. Go home and make your arrangements. You have little time."

"Elders, you know I wouldn't! Listen to me!"

"No Yasuo, you have betrayed our city, you have fallen to darkness, and you have brought us one step closer to falling to Noxus. You will leave. Now!" The elder on the right shook as his furious words echoed off the walls of the stone chamber.

"As you wish..." Yasuo left in a hurry and went home where he gathered his sword and dashed to pack a bag with travel supplies. He was willing this morning to accept anything, even death- but no more. If Yasuo were to die, he would not do so labeled a murderer.

"Yasuo, where are you going?" Yone stood at the doorway.

"Yone, brother. They accuse me of the killing. They say I am guilty. I have to prove my innocence! They'll kill me tomorrow if I fail." Yone said nothing but looked in terror at Yasuo.

"M-Murder? But why?"

"That matters little to them how or why. The truth is that I was fighting against the Noxian Darius at the time of the killing." Yone shook his head in confusion and shock.

"Brother, listen to my words. This is not the time to run. Make your case. They cannot kill a man with no proof."

"They will have none when I find the true assassin." Yasuo said nothing more and walked out the door. He made it a few steps before drawing back. "I'm sorry I have to go Yone."

Yone nodded, "I do not understand why you have to go Yasuo, but if your heart says you must, I know you have no choice." Yasuo hugged his brother tightly. "Just remember little brother, you will always have me." Yasuo strained a smile.

"Alright."

"And remember, your wind can protect you as much as it can hurt others."

"I know Yone," Yasuo said letting go and turning away. "But to be honest, I am starting to think being to only master of the wind is a curse, not a blessing."

"I am sure you will find a path that leads to reason Yasuo. Have faith." Yasuo nodded and touched his brother's shoulder one last time before starting to run, the wind pushing at his back.