I don't think that Shin Malphur requires the Last Word to continue his work. I think any hand cannon would do. I think it would be a great time to reintroduce Shin and the Shadows of Yor. The Darkness is on our doorstep, some guardians are using stasis and being corrupted, we have the Osteo Striga (a new weapon of sorrow). This is Shin Malphur's jam. Maybe we could introduce another weapon of light like Lumina to contrast Osteo Striga. For all we know Shin is in the Tower keeping an eye on things. We have no clue what he looks like, so we would have no clue. Another option, is to have Shin take Crow under his wing like Jaren Ward did with him, to teach him what it truly is to be a hunter. Let's face it, Crow needs mentors. Edit: All I know is that Shin belongs in the story now more than he did during the Last Word and Lumina quest lines. There are few who know more about darkness and walking the razors edge than Shin Malphur and the Shadows of Yor. They devoted themselves wholly to studying it. I don't think we should trust Elsie, Eris and the Drifter when it comes to stasis. Though they might have good intentions they come off as misguided. I think Shin and the Shadows of Yor could help balance them out, with the knowledge they've accumulated studying how to avoid Thorns corrupting power.