"Come forward, Albedo, Scáthach,"
I thought, mentally summoning the two figures who had been my constant companions, my unwavering protectors, and the embodiments of strength in different ways.
As soon as I spoke the words, Albedo was there, materializing beside me with an air of dominance that demanded attention. Her presence was imposing, radiating confidence and authority.
Every step she took was deliberate, and her eyes—piercing crimson—locked onto Amai Mask with the cold precision of someone who had seen countless battles and faced insurmountable odds.
Albedo was tall, with long, flowing black hair that shimmered like ink in the light. Her porcelain skin, sharp features, and regal bearing made her seem almost otherworldly.
There was an undeniable grace in the way she moved, but beneath that elegance was a fire, a fury that would consume anyone who dared threaten me.
She wasn't here just to stand beside me. She was here because she believed in me, and that belief was unwavering.
I could feel her gaze bore into Amai Mask, silently assessing him, measuring him, and in some way, judging him.
The way she looked at him, it was clear she was weighing how much threat he posed to me—and how much she was willing to tolerate.
Amai Mask, caught off guard by her sudden arrival, froze for a moment. His usually composed demeanor wavered, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
He had expected a simple conversation, not this sudden arrival of two powerful figures.
Before the tension could escalate, Scáthach appeared on my other side. The contrast between her and Albedo was immediate.
Where Albedo's presence was a thunderclap, Scáthach's was the quiet before a storm.
Scáthach was of average height but exuded an aura of lethal calm. Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her eyes—red as wine—were sharp, observant, but never overbearing.
There was a stillness to her, a controlled power that made you aware she was always in control, even when she wasn't the one speaking.
Albedo's fire and Scáthach's ice—together, they formed the perfect counterbalance to each other, and they were both here for one reason: loyalty to me.
The room grew heavier as both women stood beside me, their gazes directed at Amai Mask. I could feel the change in the air—tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Child Emperor, who had been calm and composed up until now, looked visibly rattled.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he surveyed the three of us, his mind struggling to keep up with the sudden escalation of the situation.
"Albedo," I said softly, my voice cutting through the tense silence, "Scáthach, let's keep this civil."
Albedo's gaze flickered briefly to me before she addressed Amai Mask with a voice that carried both disdain and disbelief.
"Mere mortals think they can challenge my master?" Her tone was low but dangerous, each word spoken with contempt, and it was clear that her anger wasn't just for show.
"Do you understand the position you're in, Amai Mask? You stand before someone whose power far exceeds anything you could ever comprehend."
Scáthach, ever the calm one, raised an eyebrow at her companion's outburst but didn't interrupt. Instead, she stepped forward slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Albedo," Scáthach said quietly, her voice smooth like velvet,
"Let us not forget our purpose here." She turned to Amai Mask, her eyes narrowing. "But if you persist in this folly, you will regret it."
Amai Mask, still trying to recover from the sudden shift in the room's atmosphere, scoffed at them.
"I'm not afraid of you, or your... master," he said, his pride swelling. "You're just a couple of overpowered women trying to make a point."
I could see where this was headed. Amai Mask was testing us—trying to see just how much he could push before something snapped.
But he had underestimated the calm and deadly resolve of Scáthach and the fiery, relentless loyalty of Albedo.
Albedo's lips curled into a smile, one that was equal parts seductive and dangerous.
"Push? You think you're in a position to make demands?"
Her voice was quiet now, but it held a menace that was almost tangible.
"I suggest you tread carefully. We don't tolerate disrespect toward my master. You've crossed a line, Amai Mask."
The air in the room grew heavy, suffocating almost, as if it were waiting for something to break.
Amai Mask stood a little straighter, his confidence faltering just a bit, but he wasn't backing down.
Child Emperor, unable to take the tension any longer, shifted uncomfortably.
"Can we just all calm down?"
he said, his voice shaky but trying to maintain control. "This isn't helping anyone. We need to work together, not fight each other. Heroes shouldn't be at odds like this."
Albedo turned to Child Emperor, her gaze sharp.
"You're right," she said coolly, "But Amai Mask needs to understand that his arrogance is not something we tolerate. He speaks as though he is untouchable, but he forgets his place."
Scáthach, ever the mediator in her own way, nodded slowly.
"We may be powerful, but that does not mean we should act without reason. Amai Mask must know his boundaries, but we must also respect the bigger picture."
She looked back at Amai Mask. "If you're wise, you'll know when to stop pushing."
Amai Mask gritted his teeth but didn't reply. I could see the anger bubbling just beneath the surface, but he was slowly realizing that both Albedo and Scáthach were not mere S-Class heroes. They were far beyond that.
I took a step forward, placing myself between my two companions and Amai Mask, cutting through the rising tension.
"Enough," I said, my voice low but firm. "We all know that Albedo and Scáthach are not just powerful—they are SSS-Rank. Beyond even the S-Class. That should be enough of an answer for you, Amai Mask."
The room went dead silent. Child Emperor's eyes widened in disbelief. Amai Mask blinked, the realization sinking in.
SSS-Rank was a level above the most elite heroes, a rank so rare that it was practically mythical. The weight of my words seemed to press down on the entire room, and for the first time, I saw true hesitation in Amai Mask's eyes.
"SSS-Rank?" Amai Mask muttered, a mix of awe and disbelief in his voice. "That... that's impossible."
I could see the gears turning in his mind, his pride clashing with the reality of the situation. His stance had softened just a little, but the fire in his eyes still hadn't fully gone out.
"Even so," he said, though his voice lacked its usual certainty,
"You can't just expect me to fall in line. I don't take orders from anyone."
Albedo's eyes flashed with irritation.
"You will fall in line if you know what's good for you," she said, her voice carrying the weight of her anger once more. "You speak of strength, but you have no idea what true power is."
Scáthach, however, just watched him, her eyes calculating.
"Strength without wisdom is meaningless," she said softly. "You may have the power, Amai Mask, but you lack the understanding of how to wield it properly."
Amai Mask clenched his fists, his pride hurt, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps heavy but determined.
Child Emperor sighed. "Are you okay?" he asked, glancing over at me as the door clicked shut behind Amai Mask. "That was... intense."
I nodded, letting the tension slowly leave my body. "We'll be fine," I said, turning to look at Albedo and Scáthach. "They'll come around. Eventually."
Albedo's expression softened just a little as she stepped closer to me, her usual fiery anger receding for now. "I will always stand by you, Master," she said, her voice a mix of admiration and loyalty.
Scáthach, always more reserved, gave a small nod. "As will I. No one threatens you without consequence."
I smiled, feeling the unshakable loyalty from both of them. "Thank you, both of you. I couldn't ask for better allies."
The room fell quiet for a moment, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Instead, it felt like the calm after a storm, the kind that made you aware of just how powerful the people around you were—and how important it was to keep them on your side.
Child Emperor, still standing off to the side, finally spoke up, his curiosity piqued.
"So... what exactly are you two? I mean, I've seen power before, but this... this was different."
Albedo turned to him, her gaze almost playful now.
"We are who we are," she said, her tone light but with an edge of mystery. "As for our power, well... that's something you'll understand when you've walked the same path we have."
Scáthach simply smiled, her red wine eyes glimmering with a knowing look. "Perhaps, one day. For now, the important thing is that we're here to stay."