Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith.
Six hours have passed since James defeated Scathach. And for the entirety of the six hours, James has been unconscious. Scathach, on the other hand, with her wounds healed, revived as a devil only a few minutes after James fell unconscious.
After the battle ended, Shuna was the first to rush forward, with the others following her. Then, she immediately began tending to James' injuries. While Shuna was healing James, Scathach woke up and instructed them to move him to his bedroom. Apparently, the runes Scathach carved into each bedroom would assist in the healing process.
"I still can't believe it." Cu Chulainn said, still in disbelief six hours after the battle between James and Scathach.
"You've said that already." Dante said in annoyance. "Let's try saying something new."
"Anyway, what will happen to the Land of Shadows now that Master Scathach is leaving?" Sona asked with curiosity in her tone.
"I'm not sure, but I'm sure Master will inform the Celtic pantheon before she leaves." Cu Chulainn said. "I'm pretty sure that she only agreed to guard this place until she died."
"And, since she was killed by James, her contract should have ended, right?" Moka asked.
"Right." Cu Chulainn replied. "I don't think they'll like it very much, though."
"Of course, they won't." Sona said. "For as long as Master Scathach has been here, they haven't had to worry about this place at all."
"And now they'll have to manage this place themselves." Mizore said, picking up where Sona left off.
At that moment, Shuna entered the common room where everyone usually met up when they had the time to do so. Looking exhausted, Shuna walked to an empty chair and flopped down tiredly.
"Shuna, are you alright?" Moka asked, bringing her a glass of water.
"I'm fine, just a little tired." Shuna said with a weak smile as she accepted the water from Moka.
"So, how is James?" Sona asked nervously.
"Don't worry, Sona." Shuna replied with a smile. "James should wake up in the morning."
"Then I guess that means he's fine." Sona said, sighing in relief shortly afterward.
Like Sona, Mizore, Moka, and Flora also sighed in relief.
"I don't know what you were worried about." Dante said with his feet propped up on a table. "There's no way Scathach would have killed him, right?"
"You're wrong, Son of Sparda." Scathach said, scaring everyone in the room. "I had every intention of killing James earlier."
When Scathach's voice was heard, everyone quickly turned their heads toward the entrance of the room. There, they found Scathach dressed in a new battle suit. However, she was not carrying her spear as she usually did. As everyone stared at her in disbelief because of her declaration about killing James, Scathach made her way into the room and took a seat near Cu Chulainn.
"Are you serious about trying to kill James?" Dante asked. "Why would you have to go so far?"
"Because it would be disrespectful not to." Scathach said with a slight smile. "To give anything less than your all against such a fine warrior would be a sign of great disrespect."
Everyone was dazzled by the brightness of that smile, even if it was a small one. Few people have been lucky enough to see Scathach smile from the heart over the last millennium.
"Now, do any of you know what the plans for us will be after leaving the Land of Shadows?" Scathach asked, pulling everyone out of their stupor.
"Tomorrow is the day before the Meeting of Young Devils in the Underworld." Sona said while adjusting her glasses to hide her embarrassment. "We'll all be heading straight to the Underworld. Some of us will be making the final adjustments to our formal attire. While some of us will be resting. Either way, there will not be much to do tomorrow."
"What is this Meeting of Young Devils?" Scathach asked curiously.
"It's a meeting specifically for the young devils who have reached the age of maturity and have the strength, both personal and with their peerage, to participate in the [Rating Games]." Sona replied.
"I see." Scathach said.
"So, Master, how does it feel to be a devil, now?" Cu Chulainn asked, once there was a lull in the conversation.
Taking a moment to think about it, Scathach answered in a simple manner.
"Not very different." Scathach said without elaborating any further.
However, no one was surprised. Scathach's body was as strong, if not stronger, than most supernatural species thanks to her long life and intensive training. However, no matter how strong her body was before, there should still be some differences. Her body was only human before her reincarnation, after all.
"What about your wings?" Cu Chulainn asked. "How long do you think it will take to learn how to fly?"
"It shouldn't take long." Scathach said without a change in her expression. "I have created flight runes that seem to work in the same fashion as these wings."
As Scathach finished speaking, she stood and released her wings. Then, she slowly floated off the ground by about a foot (approx. 30 cm). Then, she lowered herself gently back to the floor and took her seat once again. Needless to say, most of the reincarnated devils were surprised. Since none of them had wings before, flying was a slow process to get used to. But seeing how easily Scathach got used to it made them feel how unfair life was.
After that little display, Scathach joined the young devils in conversation for about an hour.
"I would suggest you all get some rest."Scathach said, bringing the conversation to an end. "Even though there was no training today or yesterday, I am certain that your bodies are more exhausted than you realize."
Realizing that Scathach was more likely right, the youngsters decided to call it a night early.
"Shuna." Scathach said, stopping Shuna before she left the room.
"Yes, Master Scathach." Shuna said as she turned toward Scathach.
"You can leave James' care to me, tonight." Scathach said. "You, more than anyone, need the rest. You have already spent hours taking care of James' injuries."
"But..." Shuna said hesitantly.
"Are you saying that this Scathach is incapable of taking care of her own disciple?" Scathach asked with an eyebrow raised.
"No, no, no!" Shuna said while waving her hands in front of her. "That's not what I meant at all."
"I am aware." Scathach said with a smile. "I was merely pulling your leg."
Realizing that Scathach was only messing with her, Shuna did not know what to say.
"Either way, I was serious about you needing rest." Scathach said gently. "So, let me take care of James tonight."
Knowing that arguing with Scathach would get her nowhere, Shuna simply nodded her head. Then, she left the room and retired to her own bedroom for the evening.
"I suppose I should ready myself, as well." Scathach said as she stood from the chair she was sitting on. "Although James and Setanta have told me many stories about the outtside world over the last few years, it would be a lie to say that I am not curious in the least."
As Scathach spoke to herself, she made her way to her throne room, out of habit. Then, when she realized where she was, she looked around and realized how much time she had spent in this room. The next thing she realized was that there was nothing that would let anyone know that it was she who had lived here for so long.
"I wonder if anyone will even remember who the owner of this castle was a hundred years after I leave." Scathach said quietly before turning around and leaving the throne room.
After leaving the throne room, she made her way toward her own bedroom. Although there was not much in the way of artwork hanging on the walls of Dun Scaith's corridors, every time she passed one, it would vanish as if it were never there in the first place.
"There is no reason to decorate for the next occupant." Scathach said as she walked.
Eventually, she reached her own bedroom. When she did, she realized that there was not much here to signify that it was her that lived here, either. However, there were several things in the room that she truly cherished. For example, hanging over her bed was a portrait of her family from centuries ago. Then, there were all the spears she had made for herself over the years. And lastly, there were the remains of the sea monster all those spears were made of.
After several hours, Scathach finished organizing everything that she wished to take with her. She did realize one thing while going through her belongings, though.
"I don't think I have any clothes that would be appropriate to wear at a formal gathering." Scathach said as she looked through all the clothes in her wardrobe.
Instead of packing the old clothes, Scathach snapped her fingers. When she did, a rune lit up at the bottom of the wardrobe. Then, all the clothes hanging in it were set ablaze. After that, Scathach wrote several runic sentences designed for storage onto a few pieces of jewelry. Then, she stored all her possessions into a necklace and two rings. After wearing those three pieces of jewelry, Scathach left her bedroom.
"I suppose James should awaken in a few more hours." Scathach said after closing her bedroom door behind her. "Being there when he awakens might be nice."
With her next destination decided, Scathach made her way to James' bedroom. After a few minutes, she arrived outside James' bedroom door. Wasting no time on hesitation, Scathach pushed open the door and stepped inside. After entering, the first thing she saw was James sleeping peacefully in the bed.
"He almost looks innocent when he is asleep." Scathach said with a smile.
Then, she made her way to the side of the bed. Instead of sitting in one of the chairs in the room, Scathach climbed into the bed with James. Then, she softly lifted his head from his pillow. After that, she replaced the pillow with her own thighs. Then, she gently laid James' head on her thighs.
"I have trained many great warriors over these many long years." Scathach said while running her hands through James' braided hair. "Ireland's greatest hero was once my disciple as well."
As she spoke, a gentle smile found its way onto Scathach's face while she looked at the sleeping James.
"But you, James Alaverus, are the disciple I am most proud of." Scathach said as she smiled gently. "There is only one lesson I have left to teach you. However, I doubt those girls of yours would agree."
After saying that, Scathach could not help but let a small giggle slip through her lips.
"They probably wouldn't mind so much if you became one of their sisters." James said quietly.
"Oh, you are awake already?" Scathach said with surprise in her tone. "I expected you to sleep until dawn, at least."
"And if you hadn't moved my head, I probably would have." James said with his eyes still closed. "Since you're here, though, I guess that means the reincarnation worked."
"Indeed." Scathach said with a nod as she continued to run her fingers through James' hair. "Your proposal was interesting, though. Taking girls so much younger than myself as my sisters."
"Are you against it?" James asked groggily.
"Not necessarily." Scathach replied. "But I think I will need more time to get to know them. On top of that, there should be several I have yet to meet."
"There are." James said, nodding his head minutely. "There are three... Rias... Akeno... an Yasaka..."
By the time James had finished speaking, he had once again fallen asleep. The whole time, Scathach's gentle smile never left her face. Unfortunately, James was too tired to open his eyes.
"You need not worry, James Alaverus." Scathach said softly. "Even if I do not become your woman, this Scathach will be by your side for the rest of her life. As the one who granted my most cherished wish, I owe you that much."
Then, until he woke up again, Scathach allowed James to use her thighs as a pillow.