Zella Kahindoh or The Shade/Shadow

Warning: graphic mentions/descriptions of death and gore, as well as mentions of rape and abuse.

Is she a goddess? A monster? Or perhaps, simply a girl?

— Exerpt from A Study of Current and Historical People of Interest

Her true identity unknown to the world, Zella Kahindoh was a vigilante killer from Jasrindar, Imbowge, in the late 1700s. She was infamous for rarely being seen and leaving her victims dead in graphic ways, often with a note written in their own hand confessing some sort of moral crime.

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History

Zella first appeared in the city of Kasin in the year 1785, making a name for herself and terrifying the inhabitants by assassinating the Assistant Governor. Over the next several months, she hit routinely, killing her targets with cold precision and leaving notes that gave her name. She was seen by none until July of 1786 when a patrolman saw a black figure dart up a building and disappear into the darkness. Her victim was found with his fingers severed and face scarred, dead for less than ten minutes.

I—I saw her. I did. She was—she was there.

— The patrolman's witness

After the July Incident, Zella was absent for another three months. The city had just begun to relax, and then Lord Corinth Lastey was found dead in his room on October 16th with a note signed by the killer. The deaths started up again, this time far more vicious and bloody. Zella also seemed to be less careful, allowing guards and patrolmen to catch glimpses of her as she escaped.

by Lilliana Casper

Kasin was not the only city touched by this woman. Selith, Vormil, and Sachar all had important figures killed. Mostly men, but women were not immune. However, men were attacked more frequently and killed in harsher ways.
Eventually, the attacks came to an end in October of 1787 when Lord Kastai was discovered with his head severed and a note informing the world that "He is the last". After Lord Kastai's death, Zella vanished and was never seen again. She left behind her a fearful country and a legacy that

may never be forgotten.

Mystery

Zella's true identity has never been discovered, nor have her motivations or methods. From glimpses of her, investigators believe she was about 5 feet 4 inches tall with dark skin and long black hair. Her age

has been estimated at around 20 to 25 years of age during her last year of operation.
Over the years, multiple theories have emerged as to who this mysterious woman might be. Although law enforcement at the time was able to draw conclusions about her physical description, none could understand how or why she was so good at killing. Nor did they have any ideas as to her mental or emotional state. As time passed, people began to speculate. Her ability to avoid the guards led some to believe she may have been an Agilitor, but others believed she was a Teleporter.

A painting of Zella's likely appearance by Lilliana Casper using Artbreeder

The most common theory, however, is that Zella was a Dark Wielder, able to manipulate shadows and darkness. Because of this, she soon earned another alias, The Shade. Her second alias became the protagonist of many legends and stories told in the dark, especially during October, the month she made her final kill and disappeared.

The Shade smiled at her work and disappeared into the darkness, her victim and her message the only sign that she had ever been there.

— The ending of a story about The Shade

But even more of a mystery than her identity is her motivations. This is the question many have pondered for so long. What could make a girl kill so many people in such brutal ways? Why would she leave notes about crimes her targets allegedly committed? Some believe that Zella had been hurt at some point by someone whose crime was not considered awful enough for them to be arrested. Motivated by this bitterness, she took matters into her own hands and started hunting down and murdering anyone who violated her moral values. This theory has been accepted by many, especially young women, although even her supporters are unsure that she was truly good.
To this day, the public has no idea as to who Zella Kahindoh really was. None ever dared to present named theories, only giving insights into her character and appearance, things that could fit many. As years passed, the idea of naming suspects became harder to support and was eventually considered laughable to propose. Investigators have finally given up on trying to find her, and Zella Kahindoh has become one of the most infamous undiscovered killers in the entire world.

Pronunciation
zeh-luh ka-heen-doh

Age

Unknown, believed to be about 20 to 25

Hair

Long, dark brown or black

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Dark brown

Height

About 5'5"

Kills

Below is a list of Zella Kahindoh's most famous kills. The full list has sixty-eight victims.

• Jacquard Homme, Assistant Governor of Kasin. His throat was slit and his back sliced perfectly down the spine. The note that was left read simply, "For his daughter. Zella Kahindoh."
• Makin Habin, Director of the Kasin Museum of Gifted Figures. His eyes were ripped out and his throat cut to the bone.
• Shaham Arstas, Head of House Arstas. He was found less than thirty minutes after his death and had multiple stab wounds.
• Janeila P., Madam of the Gray Dove pleasure house. The first female victim of Zella. She was found in her office by a client, her hands burned and her body bruised. Her girls claimed to have heard nothing, but one admitted years later that she had heard Janeila yelling but had not gone to check on her.
• Kerin Smith. A visitor to Kasin and the victim of the July Incident.
• Lord Corinth Lastey, Head of House Lastey. He was found in his own room with a window open. He had been strangled to death, his fingers and hands severed.
• Parric Solace, a factory worker. His body was hardly touched, but Zella's note was written on his chest in blood.
• Grahif Lowvis, Head of House Lowvis. His chest was sliced open and his heart was removed.
• Maliyah Kestova, leader of a charity group. Zella declared that Kestova was guilty of abusing the children in her care.
• Sahar Monnce, owner of Monnce Factories. He was declared guilty of lying, cheating, and abusing his family.
• Lord Aber Kastai, Head of House Kastai. Zella's final victim, Kastai was discovered with his eyes torn out, his hands severed, his lungs removed, and evidence of a vicious beating before death.

The Notes

Zella's notes are famous for their calm, clinical messages and for the way she perfectly copied her victim's handwriting for the notes.

Did you think I was gone? I am back now. Take warning. Learn from this one.
His crimes are simple. Ask his wife if she ever wanted three children, if she wanted to marry him. Ask his brother how many servants fell prey to his lingering glances and roaming hands. Ask his daughter what happened to her handmaidens.
Womanizer. Rapist. Murderer. He deserved to die. Be ready for what is next. I have no mercy.

— The Lord Corinth note

He is the last.

— The Lord Kastai note