//Present Day//
"(Groan)…"
Mordred struggled to get back on her feet after having just been kicked with the force of a truck and crashed into a tree. She winced in pain as she lifted herself up; her helmet and parts of her armor cracked and broken, her vision blurry as it slowly came back into focus. She eventually had to tear off what was left of her helmet to help ease the mother of all migraines that she was feeling. Mordred rubs her hand against her forehead, hoping to relieve the jack-hammering.
"Did anyone get the number off that rhino?"
Mordred wobbled as she walked out of the bushes, using her sword to steady herself. She then comes to a scene of pure carnage; her fellow servants beaten, battered, or incapacitated. Mordred was left awestruck at the sight.
-What the hell just happened? What did I miss?-
Her heart wrenched at the sight of Astolfo and Jekyll among the injured. If it weren't for her Battle Continuation skill, she'd be in just as bad a shape as them. Her blood boiled at the thought of whatever had done this to them. Mordred then turned to see someone clad in blue lying injured in a crater, and her eyes widen.
-Father?!-
Not since Camlann had Mordred ever seen her king so broken and defeated. She felt numb at the sight of Arturia reeling in pain, not even sure if that was what she even supposed to be feeling. Even for all the pent up anger Mordred had against her, it was devastating for her as a knight to see her king fall to a foreign enemy.
Mordred's now renewed anger gave way to fury as she turns to said enemy who was currently confronting Gudao and Gabrielle; The woman clad in black and holding a red spear. Mordred ignites her sword with red electricity as she musters the strength to face this foe again. She was determined to not let this enemy get the better of her twice.
"Hey bitch!"
Scathach turns attentively as Mordred charges at her with blinding speed. She turns to wraith-form and evades Mordred's strike, only for the Saber to dash at her again for a follow-up attack. The rush of air caused the masters to shield their eyes. Scathach continues to evade Mordred as their inhumanly-fast dance of death travels into the forest; every swing of Mordred's sword releasing red energy yet failing to land on her opponent, adding to her frustration.
-Damn it! She's so slippery! Why can't I hit her?!-
Clarent would cleave a tree and discharge electricity wherever it failed to hit Scathach. Mordred then decided to change tactics instead of continuing to chase her. She pours mana into her legs and launches herself in the air for an overhead strike. The impact created a red explosion that disintegrated the surrounding vegetation. When the dust settled, Mordred found her opponent to be nowhere in sight. Her instincts were still flaring, which meant her opponent was still alive and breathing.
"Coward!" She shouts angrily. "Quit running and fight me!"
Mordred gasped when she heard an almost amused voice behind her.
"As you wish…"
The Saber quickly turned and swung Clarent. The sword clashed with Scathach's spear, creating sparks that lit up the darkness of the forest with each block and parry. Despite Mordred's tremendous strength, the spear-woman held her ground, meeting the Saber blow-for-blow. Mordred grit her teeth and packed even more energy behind her attacks, hoping to break her opponent's guard. The Saber packed all the mana she could into one mighty swing of her sword, sending Clarent crashing against Scathach's crimson spear, and generating a pressure wave of air. Now caught in a deadlock, Mordred stood stunned and angry as Scathach pushed back against her sword, her expression remaining calm and composed.
-No way! I should've sent her flying with that blow! Just what IS she?!-
"You're pretty strong…" Scathach calmly remarked as she began to overpower Mordred and push her back; the Saber's feet dragging against the forest floor, much to her shock. "It's been a while since I had someone like you to fight…"
Scathach broke the draw and launched Mordred several feet away. The Saber lands on her feet, and raises her blade just in time as Scathach flies towards her and goes on the offensive. Mordred blocks and counterattacks as Scathach strikes and parries, using her wraith-form to dash and attack Mordred from different angles, keeping her on her toes. The Saber was now becoming furious and starts swinging her sword more wildly, throwing caution and form to the wind. Her opponent was undeterred…
"But there's raw emotion behind your moves…" Scathach said as she parries a random swing from Clarent. Mordred deflects a counterattack that scrapes her shoulder plate and takes a piece off. She stood there stunned as Scathach "politely" waits for her to recover. "You're conflicted… full of anger that you don't know what to do with."
"Shut up!" Mordred retaliates, charging at her again. Never in her life had she ever felt so vulnerable during a fight. Just what the hell did this woman know about her?!
-How dare she! First she toys with me and now she has the gall to mock me! I'll make her regret that tenfold!-
Mordred swings, but Scathach casually sidesteps each sent her way, not even bothering to raise her spear in defense. Mordred's attacks slow with each swing and she starts panting in exhaustion, mana strain kicking in. She was in trouble, and knew her opponent could sense it.
"And that anger makes you predictable…"
Mordred grunts in fury and turns to charge at her again, continuing despite her low energy. That proved to be foolish as she was now too slow to block a casual punch to her stomach. The impact shattered her breastplate and sent Mordred off her feet. She landed on the ground with a thud, as Scathach calmly walked over to her.
"Like I knew you couldn't keep up that assault for long…"
Mordred struggled to get up as Scathach stopped and stood beside her. She was already in pain by the time her opponent threw a kick into her side, sending Mordred crashing into a nearby tree. She crumpled to the ground, but was caught by an invisible force before she hit the floor and was sent flying back towards Scathach, who held up her hand and showing a glowing rune. Scathach raised a foot to kick-slam Mordred down on the forest floor and pin her down by her chest. Mordred was now bleeding from her lips and bruised all over; the weight of Scathach pressing her foot on her feeling about the same as if a train was pinning her down instead. She had no strength left and was in so much pain, but her spirit as a knight refused to let her simply give up. Mordred tried desperately to force Scathach's leg off of her herself, but to no avail.
"Still fighting are we?" Scathach says with a hint of admiration. "You've got spirit child."
She readies her spear, reeling back to drive it into Mordred's throat. Seeing it through her blurred vision, Mordred struggled harder to free herself despite it being a futile effort.
-No!- She thought. -I can't die yet! Chaldea needs me! I still have to prove myself to- to… father…-
"But now is time to accept your fate…" Scathach says without remorse and thrusts her spear down-
(CLANG!)
A red blur passes between them and glances across the blade of Scathach's spear, causing her to miss Mordred's neck by a mere inch. Scathach turns to see where the foreign object landed and froze when she saw it to be a spear just like her own. Both she and Mordred look the other way to see Cu Chulainn coming towards them. The Lancer was looking dead ahead at the woman in black.
"Teacher…"
Scathach's eyes widen as if she was seeing a ghost. She straightens up as she whispers in a quivering voice.
"Sétanta?"
Mordred stares at them dumbfounded before ranting at the Lancer.
"Hey mutt! Where the hell have you been?!"
"Sorry Saber… I got a bit tied up…" Cu Chulainn told her just as Gudao and the others came into view.
"Saber! Lancer! Are you guys okay-?"
Gudao stopped when he observed the scene before him. Cu was still battered from the wolf attack while Scathach had a pretty beat-up Mordred under her heel. Gabrielle and Mashu came into view, both supporting a conscious Arturia by the arms, followed by Jeanne holding up Astolfo, and Emiya with Jekyll. Scathach looked at all of them in bewilderment and then back to Mordred and Cu.
The masters became tense as Scathach narrowed her eyes at them and asked in a dangerously low voice.
"What is this?"
The Lancer saw her confusion and quickly clarified for her:
"I was hoping that you wouldn't beat them up too badly Teacher. I know you never miss a thing in this place…" He then gestured to Mordred. "Could you please get off her? My masters will explain everything."
Scathach looked down at the Saber beneath her, eventually letting her go and retrieved her spear. Mordred grunted in pain as she got up with great difficulty. Everyone watched as the Shadow then picked up Lancer's spear and looked it over. The masters stood silent as Scathach took quick glances between them and Cu Chulainn, wondering if she thought this was all some kind of elaborate ruse.
"What's going on? No one alive could have ever found their way in here…"
"Forgive our intrusion Scathach, but Lancer here showed us this place," Gudao explained with a bow of respect. "We're from Chaldea, and we've come seeking your guidance. Cu Chulainn has spoken very highly of you as his former mentor…"
Scathach raises an eyebrow skeptically at the young master, then inspects Cu's spear. Gudao really hoped that the warrior-queen whom they have travelled so far to meet would allow for a proper audience. Gudao could tell that she wasn't fully convinced of their intentions as she continued to inspect Gae Bolg.
"It carries a foreign magical signature," Scathach said to herself. "But the structure and design is unmistakable…"
"You're the one who told me that it never has to be re-sharpened Teacher…" Cu said, hoping to clear up any lingering doubt in the warrior-queen's mind. Gudao, Gabrielle, and Mashu held their breaths as she mulled over the Lancer's words. Scathach then smiled and tossed Cu back his spear, much to everyone's relief.
"Cu Chulainn…" She said tenderly as she began walking towards the Lancer. His expression softened as Scathach came closer, with her spear dissolving in a wisp of black mist. "It really IS you…"
Mordred joined the others as they all watched the reunion of a teacher and her student. Everybody thought they were in for a tender moment as Scathach came right up to Cu and then-
(WHACK!)
Everyone recoiled in surprise as Scathach sent a right hook across the Lancer's face. He doubled over and held his cheek in pain as Scathach stood over him; her expression turning to something much less pleased.
"What the hell?!" Cu retorted in shock as Scathach berated him sternly.
"Just what were you thinking leading foreigners into my lands?! Did you forget how much effort I put into keeping this place a secret?! You might as well have brought all of Ulster with you!"
Emiya chuckled under his breath at the sight of Cu being spoken down to by his mentor, not at all feeling sympathy for him unlike everyone else.
"Hey, I'm sorry alright?!"
"You're "sorry"?! Leading your friends here to my doorstep… You've got some nerve showing your face here Sétanta…"
Mashu and the masters stood speechless at the sight of the Hound of Ulster quivering under the intimidating aura of the warrior-queen, and were feeling existential dread as she at last leaves the Lancer to his misery and looks over her shoulder towards the group.
"And YOU two haven't answered me…" Both Gudao and Gabrielle gulped nervously as Scathach diverts her attention solely on them; suspicion evident in her voice. "Tell me why you are all here, and it better be good…"
Gabrielle gave Gudao an elbow jab, telling him that he should be the one who tells her. Gudao gave his sister a look as if to say: "why ME?!" before stepping forward to explain themselves to the supposed "God-Slayer". Gudao had to pick his words carefully; otherwise this could turn into a bloodbath.
But where would he even begin?
---
Meanwhile, Romani Archaman was working in Chaldea's operations room, monitoring the masters' position for the past couple hours while they've been traveling up Scotland to Castle Dunscaith. Their signals have gone dark minutes ago, and so far he hasn't heard back from them. He thought worriedly:
I hope the others are okay…
(bzzzt)
Roman's phone vibrated on the still busted projection-table and picked it up, thinking that it might be either Gudao or Gabrielle. His expression faltered when he saw who was actually calling.
Margaery Fairborough…
Roman anxiously picked up his phone and answered.
"Hello?"
"DR. ARCHAMAN! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
Fairborough's voice came blasting loudly through the phone's speakers, causing Roman to recoil in surprise and other workers nearby to stop and overhear. Roman tries to remain composed as he replied.
"Margaery… to what do I owe the-"
"SAVE THE FORMALITY! WAS THIS YOUR IDEA?!"
Fairborough's voice rang in Roman's ears as Da Vinci walks up with a cup of coffee and asks him excitedly:
"Oh! Is that the representative? Did they use the translocator on her?"
"Sounds like it…" Roman tells the Caster while covering the phone for Fairborough not to hear. He then brings it back to his ear to continue, trying to sound concerned. "I'm sorry, Margaery? What happened?"
"YOUR PRECIOUS BRATS FOR MASTERS JUST DITCHED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! THEY TELEPORTED ME INTO A BOG!"
Da Vinci was giggling deviously as she took a seat nearby while still listening.
"She sounds soooo mad! I love it!"
Ignoring her, Roman asks Fairborough over the phone, feigning surprise.
"A bog? Really?"
"YES! REALLY! I AM SOAKING WET, I HAVE TO TRUDGE ALL THE WAY BACK TO DUNSCAITH, AND THESE DAMN FROGS WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! LIKE SERIOUSLY… GO AWAY YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING- EWWW! IT JUST KISSED ME!"
Da Vinci was relishing in Fairborough's misery as she leaned back in her chair, clutching her abdomen while laughing hysterically.
"Margaery, calm down." Roman said while trying to keep a straight face. Heaven forbid HE were to start laughing too; that would really make him look guilty. "I can assure you that I did not-"
"HOGWASH! YOUR BRATS HAVE JUST COMMITTED AN OFFENSE AGAINST THE MAGE'S ASSOCIATION! YOU AND YOUR MASTERS CONSPIRED TO WITHHOLD A GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERY FROM THE MAGUS COMMUNITY! JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET BACK TO THE CLOCK TOWER! I'LL HAVE YOU AND YOUR PRECIOUS ORGANIZATION IMPLICATED, THEN THE HIGH COUNCIL WILL SHUT YOU ALL DOWN!"
Roman's heart sank at what Fairborough just said, but his nervousness did not go unnoticed by Da Vinci.
"I made the device to destroy itself after activation." She said to Roman after managing to collect herself. "I would love to see her try and prove her case…"
The Caster's assurance prompted Roman to continue speaking with the enraged Mage's Association representative.
"Ms. Fairborough, don't be ridiculous. Chaldea operates solely to preserve the continuing existence of humanity. My masters would never do anything to compromise that goal or the generosity of the Mage's Association."
"OH REALLY?! AND YOUR MASTERS' LITTLE STUNT WAS JUST A MERE PRANK?! I WON'T STAND FOR THIS HUMILIATION ARCHAMAN! IF YOU WANT ME TO EVEN BE THE LEAST BIT MERCIFUL WITH YOU, I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU COME CLEAN RIGHT NOW!"
"Uhhh…" Roman was thinking of what on earth to say, until Da Vinci quickly pressed a few buttons on a console and manually setting off a blaring alarm. She raised an eyebrow at Roman, who got the message and spoke quickly. "Oh look at that! There's an emergency in the facility! All hands on deck! Gotta go, bye!"
"WHY YOU MOTHERF-!"
(Beep!)
Roman cut the line before Fairborough could finish. Da Vinci quickly disengaged the alarm, and Roman looked around the quiet room at all the workers who were looking at him.
"False alarm everyone…" Roman said to them. "Back to your stations."
Everyone went back to work as Roman drew a heavy sigh while Da Vinci happily sipped on her coffee. He hoped the masters would eventually come through; otherwise Chaldea will have to answer to the Clock Tower. Roman looked at the carefree Caster, thinking he might need another massage to relieve the stress from Fairborough going-off on him.
He could go for some of her coffee too…
---
(Grunt) "-I don't believe this!"
Fairborough hung up her phone in frustration as she clumsily walked up a hill, barefoot and holding her heels in her other hand. She was still soaked as her clothes were dripping and her hair plastered against her head. She cursed at her misfortune of having been tricked by Chaldea. That lousy doctor was in no way innocent in all of this; he was covering for those brats he called masters, even though she couldn't prove it. Did they really think they could withhold such a discovery and keep it to themselves? She'll show them how big a mistake it was to cross a member of the Association's High Council, and one way or another she'll get Chaldea to spill all of its secrets.
Fairborough made it to the top of the hill as Castle Dunscaith came back into view. Before she went further to find the others, something in the back of her head compelled her to make another call…
---
"So that's how we found you…"
Gudao just finished explaining their story to Scathach while Gabrielle was busy patching everyone up, using some healing magic to help the servants recover from their encounter with the Shadow. Cu Chulainn was still nursing his bruised cheek from where Scathach "disciplined" him, while the other servants were watching her and Gudao's conversation with interest. The Shadow had been listening intently as the master told her about the threat of Solomon and the events leading up to them all arriving to this haunted forest. Judging by how mildly interested Scathach looked; Gudao hoped his explanation was enough for her. The group was in no condition to fight her again, and he didn't think it would go down any better than the first time. The master anxiously waited for her response.
"Quite the story…" Scathach remarked. "Sounds unbelievable…"
Gudao sweated nervously as she scrutinized him, narrowing her eyes at the master. He held his breath as Scathach at last averted her gaze and says lightheartedly:
"But it's probably true…"
Gudao let out a sigh a relief, yet part of him marveled at how easily she accepted his story. He couldn't help but ask her:
"That's it? You believe me just like that?"
"You were pretty nervous…" Scathach told him, understanding his surprise. "But your heartrate calmed down as you told me everything. I could tell you were being honest the whole time."
Gudao unconsciously put a hand over his chest in astonishment. He found it a bit unnerving that Scathach could tell if he was being truthful from just his heartbeat. It seemed that the Shadow had enhanced senses beyond even that of a servant, and he wondered where all that strength of hers came from.
"But there's one thing I want to know more about," Scathach suddenly told the male master, also earning the attention of Gabrielle as she was tending to Arturia. "I know for a fact that Sétanta is supposed to be dead. How is he alive right now? And why do he and your friends share the same foreign mana signature?"
"Oh, they're servants," Gabrielle explained as she finished healing Arturia, who was sitting down and wearing her newly repaired armor. "Heroic Spirits given form through mana and supplied by us, their Masters."
"How fascinating…" Scathach said aloud, as Gudao finished explaining.
"We summon them from the Throne of Heroes; a sort of archive by the Will of Humanity for humans who distinguish themselves in mythology or history. They manifest with enhanced abilities tied to their legend."
Gabrielle started patching up Mordred, who was feeling noticeably more frustrated than relieved. She glared at the Shadow as she glanced between her and the other servants. Mordred could tell she was silently evaluating them, probably in a poor light after how she absolutely wrecked everybody.
-I bet she thinks less of us… we hardly put up a real fight.-
Mordred's pride was still wounded after her one-on-one with the warrior-queen. From just a short exchange of blades, the Shadow just seemed to read the rowdy-Saber like a book. It rubbed Mordred the wrong way to no end, and it made The Knight of Treachery more than willing to have another go at fighting her.
The word "defeat" was NOT in her vocabulary…
Arturia on the other hand was eyeing the Shadow with a mix of caution and respect. It wasn't often that the King of Knights found herself outmatched so easily. She would compare her fight with Scathach to the first time she fought Gilgamesh during the Fourth Holy Grail War. Despite her not being a servant like the King of Heroes was at the time, it was basically no contest, and that both fascinated and scared her. The blue Saber's instincts were even still flaring in Scathach's presence, like at any moment she could kill them all in the blink of an eye.
Arturia looked around to her allies as Scathach returned to conversing with the masters. Just about everyone was wary of the Shadow as she was, and they were all paying utmost attention to her. Only Astolfo looked noticeably less anxious in her presence than the others, which was understandable as the Rider was more trusting than most. Emiya was tense like Arturia was, and seemed ready to summon his blades should the worst occur. Jekyll seemed to be evaluating Scathach as she had previously done to everybody, except he seemed to be at a bit of a loss. Jeanne and Mashu seemed the most worried about the masters being this close to the warrior queen, no doubt because their fateful encounter was still fresh in their minds, as was everyone's.
-She could've destroyed us all back there… Arturia thought to herself. If she was protecting this place, then why didn't she finish us off?-
"I made sure that no one alive would know that I exist," Scathach said to the masters, putting a hand on her hip as she looked down at them. "I was wondering how two mages like you knew so much about me, but since I've seen Sétanta again it now makes perfect sense."
"Excuse me, Scathach?" Mashu asked her nervously, getting her attention. "I just have a quick question."
"Yes?" Scathach replied openly, allowing the Shielder to become more comfortable speaking to her.
"I thought Lancer's name was Cu Chulainn… why do you keep calling him "Sétanta"?"
Gudao and Gabrielle look back at the warrior queen, equally curious. Scathach looks at all three of them and chuckles lightly.
"Did he never tell you?" She asks them rhetorically before answering. "Sétanta is the name he was born with. He earned the name Cu Chulainn after killing a guard hound in self-defense, or so he told me..."
"He's failed to mention that…" Gabrielle remarked as she finished healing Mordred. "It sounds like a cute name…"
Hearing all of this, Cu groans in annoyance.
"Please don't start calling me that masters…"
Mashu and Gabrielle both let out a giggle. Scathach even cracks a brief smile before returning her attention back to Gudao.
"That aside, has my former student said anything else about me?"
"Only that you've trained other warriors like him," Guado tells her. "That is why we've sought you out in the first place. Lancer has spoken highly of you, and he believes you can prepare us for the next time we fight Solomon and help save humanity."
"Oh does he?" Scathach asks skeptically. Cu was watching the look on her face with concern as Gabrielle replies:
"Yes. The King of Mages nearly killed us the first time, and with your help we can stop him. You can teach us how to hone our magecraft and train us to get stronger. We would be forever grateful if you helped us."
Gabrielle finishes with a bow of respect, yet Scathach seemed to look reluctant to take their request. Cu catches a glint in his mentor's crimson red eyes, and remained hopeful that she would take the masters and servants as students.
"I know we're asking for a lot, but please consider…" Mashu asks the Shadow humbly. Scathach fell silent as she takes a brief glance at Cu and then visibly ponders to herself. Everyone looked wordlessly as they waited to hear what her response would be. After a few moments, the Shadow turns to face the masters once again.
"I am honored that you all hold me in high regard, and I believe you all to be honest and sincere about why you've come seeking me." She told them earnestly, bringing the masters and Cu's hopes up; at least until her expression turned somber…
"But I'm afraid I can't help you."
Her statement was met with great dismay from the masters and Mashu, while the other servants looked on in shock.
"WHAT?!"
"Why?!"
Unsurprised by their response, Scathach stated bluntly:
"My sole responsibility is to safeguarding this forest. Nothing beyond this realm is any of my concern…"
Cu listened to his former mentor, disappointed by the swift turn of events. If he was honest with himself, the Lancer should have seen this coming.
-Teacher…-
"Hold on!" Gudao insists. "We need you! You can't just-!"
"I'm sorry… I really am," Scathach cuts him off, expressing her sympathy. Then her voice turns serious. "But you are all still trespassing on my lands. I'm willing to overlook this offence if you all leave now."
"But what about-?!" Gabrielle asks before she too gets interrupted.
"Enough. Go east until you reach the veil, walk through and you'll return to the mortal realm, and do not enter again…"
"Wait!" Mashu calls to the Shadow as she turns to leave. "We've traveled all this way to meet you! Humanity is in peril and you're our last h-!"
The Shielder was stunned into silence as Scathach looked back at her with a cold, hostile glare. Arturia's instincts flared up in alarm and she stood ready to intervene in case the Shadow decided to attack.
"If you're still here by first light, I will kill all of you," Scathach warned them. "Leave or die. Be gone, and I wish you luck…"
Everyone watched silently as Scathach turned back and walked away, disappearing into the woods. Gudao, Gabrielle, and Mashu stared into the forest where she left them, lost for words. Despair set in as the full realization of what just happened settled in their minds.
Their last hope has failed them…
Letting out a sigh, Cu stood up and broke the grim atmosphere.
"Masters… I'm sorry…"
Gudao didn't respond, and the Lancer wondered if he had even heard him. The Master just curled his hands into fists and just cast his head down. Not helping matters, Mordred uttered bluntly:
"Well… it looks like we came here for nothing…"
Arturia walked up behind her masters, sharing in their sorrow. The Saber spoke to them in a quiet voice.
"Masters, we should go as soon as we-"
"No." Gudao said defiantly for all to hear. "We're not leaving."
His statement shocked everyone, knowing the fate awaiting them if they didn't leave the forest.
"But Senpai-!" Mashu starts before Gudao cuts her off.
"We came here for her help and we aren't going back to Chaldea without it!"
"You heard her master," Emiya told him. "She'll kill us if we stay. Not to sound like a coward, but even I don't have a death wish…"
"I'm afraid Shirou may be right Master," said Arturia. "That was no empty threat. Scathach overpowered each of us, and I get the feeling that it wasn't the full extent of her strength."
"Gudao, don't be stupid," Gabrielle tires to reason with her brother. "I know you're frustrated. I am too, but you're not thinking straight. We tried, but it's over…"
"No Gabby," Gudao said before at last turning to face his sister. "I'd rather take my chances here than go back to Chaldea in certainty of defeat. You know we have no other options, and we're too close to turn back now."
"But master, this is suicide!" Jeanne pleaded before adding: "And you know it…"
"No joke!" Astolfo said, siding with the Ruler. "That's what I would call crazy."
"I gotta agree with Birdbrain…" Mordred calmly stated. As much that she wouldn't mind another bout with the Shadow, she wasn't about to risk her masters' lives on it. "He's actually making sense for once…"
Gudao looked at all the servants, seeing the expressions on their faces; each silently pleading with him to not throw away his life. Cu merely observed, waiting to see what the master will do next. Mashu was the most visibly distraught of all, and it pained Gudao greatly to go against her wishes. With a sigh, Gudao addressed everyone.
"Guys, let's be honest…" he started." The way we are now, we aren't ready for Solomon. The next time we fight him will be our last, and he'll destroy us all. I'm sorry, but that's the harsh truth."
Everyone looked at each other, the reality of recent days dawning on them. Gudao could tell they were slowly coming to that realization as well.
"If we go back now, we'll inevitably lose everything," the master continued. "I believed Lancer when he said Scathach could help us win, and I still do. I want her to know that…"
Gabrielle contemplated out loud after hearing her brother.
"So damned if we do, damned if we don't…"
"Exactly," Guado affirmed for her. He then turns to Cu Chulainn.
"Lancer… I must call on your aid again…"
"I'm way ahead of you master," Cu said, standing to full height. "Let me talk to her."
"You tried that already," Emiya said bluntly. "Look what it got you…"
Cu glared at him before Gabrielle said sternly to the red-clad servant.
"That's enough Archer…" The master then turned to the blue Lancer. "Do you still think this can work Lancer?"
"Honestly lass…. I don't know," Cu told them somberly. "You are both right about one thing; an army unprepared is doomed to fail. I dragged us all here because I believed what you just said about us and our enemy to be true. Let me try one more time…"
"And what if you can't make Scathach reconsider?" Jekyll asked him. "What then?"
"Well doctor, that's up to the masters," Cu told him. "And I think we all know the answer."
The servants remained quiet, knowing exactly what Cu meant. No matter what, they could never convince their masters from taking a chance on still earning Scathach's tutelage, even if it meant the possibility of death. So whether they liked it or not, they would respect their masters' decision.
"We trust you Lancer," Guado said to him. "You've got us this far… Go."
Cu left the group and went in the direction Scathach disappeared to in the forest, leaving the masters alone with the other servants. Gabrielle walked up beside Gudao, staring into the dark woods where Cu went as her brother was.
"Just so you know Gu-dork," she said without looking away, nervousness laced in her voice. "If he can't pull through…"
"I know Gabby," Gudao said to her, feeling rather anxious himself. It wasn't as though this was their first life-or-death situation, but it didn't make the experience of being in one any easier on them. Taking a deep breath first, Gudao turns to his sister. "Promise me… whatever happens…"
"I'm not going anywhere," Gabrielle turns to and assures her brother. "Neither are Mashu or the others."
They look back at their servants, all of them standing ready nearby with Mashu in front, holding her shield.
"We'll stay with you Senpai," she said confidently. "We'll protect you both as best we can. All of us…"
Gudao and Gabrielle almost felt like crying joyously at the sight. They couldn't be any more proud of their rag-tag group of servants, following them even into what could very well be certain death. Despite their humane flaws, the masters would never trade their team for any other. The masters turned to each other and then back at the forest before them, holding hands and waiting for what on earth will happen next.
May fortune favor the foolish…
---
Cu Chulainn wandered into the dark forest, knowing in the back of his mind just where he needed to be looking. His teacher knew these woods like the back of her hand, and it wouldn't be long until Scathach found him. He didn't even try to keep hidden; there was no use doing so in her domain. The Lancer kept walking for a while, feeling for Scathach's presence. The shadows of this forest made it seem like she could be nowhere and yet everywhere at once. Cu eventually stopped when he came at a small clearing, still hidden beneath the forest canopy. He looked around at every dark corner; all of them seeming to stare back at him.
"I know you're still here…" He called out into the darkness. There was a lengthy pause before Cu felt a familiar blade against the back of his neck, making him freeze. Yet, he didn't need to fear anything from the wielder. Scathach had appeared behind him, manifesting silently like the night.
"And you know me too well it seems…" he heard her voice; so stern and familiar. It was something Cu never realized he missed. "I should've had you blindfolded when you left, Sétanta."
Cu smirked at her authoritative tone.
"As I recall, Teacher…" He said before slowly turning to face her at last. "It was you who told me to leave."
Now that he was away from everyone else, Cu could fully take in the sight of his former mentor; her impressive physique, her attire as dark as the shadows she commands, and those piercing red eyes that seemingly stared into his soul. Scathach was exactly as Cu remembered her.
"Are you sure you recall correctly?" She asked skeptically as she held the Lancer at spear-point; taking in his form. "I would think your memory to be hazy after two-thousand years…"
"Servants remember everything that's happened in their past lives," Cu told her, sensing an underlying message in her tone that he couldn't quite make out. He didn't know if Scathach was glad or disappointed to see him after all this time, and so unexpectedly too. Even after the way she scolded him in front of everyone, Cu knew she secretly desired a more private interaction with him. He just remembered how frustratingly hard to read Scathach could be.
She always liked it that way…
"You clearly haven't changed," Cu added with a hint of bitterness. Scathach dissipated her spear and crossed her arms. The impact of their last meeting was not lost on her, but she wasn't about to waste time opening old wounds. Her former student's presence here had already done plenty of that already.
"Neither have you I see…" she countered. "It was foolish of you to bring your masters here. You know my stance about protecting this forest. That applies from outside too…"
"Still using that excuse?" Cu shot at her. "That's exactly what you told me when you kicked me out. Even after two-thousand years, I thought you were better than that Teacher…"
Scathach felt a ripple of anger surge through her, which she quickly stamped down. Staying composed in his presence was always a challenge, and one that tested her patience in a way she did NOT enjoy. She knew after seeing him again that it would be a matter of time before their last time with each other was brought forth.
"And I thought we were past calling each other by title, Cu Chulainn…" Scathach countered again before questioning him with scrutiny. "Is that what this is about? Despite you being older than when we last met, you still act childishly… I do not need to justify myself again to you. That was a mistake…"
Her response made Cu spat in frustration. This wasn't the reunion he imagined this would be. He should be helping the masters earn Scathach's favor, but confronting his teacher like this is making him wonder why he brought them in the first place. He was now agitated at her reminding him of the past.
The Shadow was never one to give away her true intentions… unless it was for her own sake. Cu knew that side of her painfully well.
"Was it?" the Lancer argued. "The way I remember it, you seemed completely content with yourself right after we-"
"Enough," Scathach stopped him before he could finish. "You got what you came for... You took my spear to help you fight for Ulster. All was well and ended well…"
Her last statement was delivered with finality as she turned away from the annoyed Lancer.
-Same old, same old…- he thought with frustration. There was just no winning with her.
"It didn't for me… or you for that matter…" Cu said to her, stopping her from walking away. "Admit it Scathach… you were afraid… of us…"
The warrior queen casted her head down ever so slightly. She sighs deeply as his words sunk in.
-He still does not understand…- Scathach thought sadly. -If only he wasn't so naïve…-
She was initially shocked to see Cu again, not knowing how to feel as her memories of him came to the front of her mind. It was quickly replaced by anger as it became evident that he broke her trust and brought strangers to her realm. That anger was nowhere to be found now that the warrior queen was alone with him, painfully reminded of their last time together, centuries ago. She thought they have both moved on. He even had a lover waiting for him in Ulster…
What happened then was never meant to be… Not for something like her…
Silence hung between the two of them before she eventually broke it, back to the real matter at hand.
"Why did you come back?" Scathach asked Cu in a demanding voice, doing her hardest to keep her resolve firm. She turned back to face him with a pleading expression. "And why did you tell your masters about me?"
Conflicted, Cu thought about it before answering, while not wanting to upset her further.
"Maybe I thought you were lonely…" He said quietly, knowing Scathach can hear him just fine. "You've been kept in the dark for too long. Getting to train a pair of young mages and some other heroic spirits might be refreshing for you."
His calm response was met with a regretful sigh from the warrior queen.
"Sétanta…" Scathach eventually said, giving him a sorrowful look. Cu looked attentively at the mention of his birth name. She was the only person Cu never minded calling him that. He could tell she was sorry for what she was about to tell him. "You were my last student… I don't do that anymore…"
She looked away shamefully after saying that. Cu could tell that's what she thought when she first declined the masters' offer. He decided to change tactics.
"You could've killed them all earlier…" Cu pointed out, putting a hand on his hip and smirking at her. "If I hadn't known better, I would say you were curious of my comrades."
Scathach looked at him skeptically. She could tell by his tone that he was calling her out and challenging her again. What did he know?
She narrows her gaze at him as Cu continued to press her.
"You were sizing them up… seeing them as a challenge. I thought you wouldn't pass that up… It would be unlike you to simply give up on what you want most…"
His words had lit a fire inside her. Something she never felt in a while. Her mood shifting, she sees her former student shrugging and dismissing her newfound attentiveness.
"But if that's the case… I understand. I get that after two thousand years, it would be too much for an old hag like y-"
(WHAM!)
Scathach suddenly ran into Cu in a blur and forcibly pinned him against a tree, giving him a cold glare of murder. The Lancer merely smirked at her reaction, despite the obvious pain he was in. Calling her anything "old" always set her off.
"Playing with fire" doesn't begin to describe the predicament he was in now…
"There's the Teacher I know…"
That remark made Scathach soften her glare, ever so slightly. She was borderline furious at Cu as she questioned him in a threateningly low voice.
"Have you told them?"
"No," he swiftly responded, keeping calm as best he could. A lesser man would be trembling in fear of the Shadow right now.
Scathach narrows her gaze at him again, not convinced. Her student knew of her methods more than she would like to admit. She was now suspecting the Lancer of revealing her more precious secrets to the masters.
Including one that was kept between the two of them, and NO ONE else.
"I trusted you to keep this place a secret, and you violate it by leading your comrades here," Scathach says as she inches her face closer to his, not breaking eye contact. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
His teacher's intimidation tactics do little to faze the Lancer. Cu answers confidently:
"A servant's core acts like a human heart. I think you would be able to tell…"
Scathach looks him over, no doubt listening in on the Lancer's heart since she started interrogating him. They silently stay that way for a while until she relaxes her grip and lets Cu go. After breathing a slight sigh of relief, he notices the atmosphere of the forest turn brighter.
"It's almost dawn, and my friends are still here…" He pointed out to her, neither looking away from the other. "Your threat won't scare them off. We've faced worse…"
Scathach's glare softens as she listens to her former student talk highly of his allies. Her anger at him now completely gone, she asks him softly:
"They mean a lot to you, don't they?"
Cu doesn't hesitate when he answers her.
"I'd give my life for them…" he says with a serious expression before adding: "Many times over."
Scathach nodded slowly to herself, mulling over his words. She breaks away from him, giving the Lancer some space. Cu then notices his teacher form a subtle smile on her face.
"Your masters are just as stubborn as you…" The Shadow said, nostalgia evident in her voice. Cu's expression doesn't change as Scathach then summons her spear and says solemnly:
"Pity…"
---
Gudao, Gabrielle and the others were still anxiously waiting for Cu Chulainn to return as dawn slowly emerged in the forest. Sunlight was now peeking through the trees, accentuating the shadows they casted. Mashu came up behind Gudao and said to him:
"Senpai… it's almost light…"
Having heard the Shielder, Gudao looks down on his command seals. He has heard no response from the Lancer since he left, and the master was now beginning to think he had failed. Time was running out, and Scathach could make good on her threat at any moment. Gudao was now having second thoughts about staying.
"This is our last chance to back out Gudao," Gabrielle said to him quietly. "It's your call…"
Gudao looked at Gabrielle, and the female master could see the conflict behind his eyes. The other servants looked on, wondering what he was to going to decide on. Gudao looked at his command seals again. Still no response…
-Lancer's seal would've faded if he was dead. What's happening?-
He wondered if this was all a futile effort, and no matter what, they would never earn Scathach's help. There was no point throwing their lives away on such a sad certainty. He saw what the Shadow was capable of and he believed her when she said she would kill everyone, including the servants.
Gudao knew they stood no chance against her…
But what other choice did he have? Return to Chaldea empty-handed and be at the mercy of Solomon? He might as well give up on saving humanity in that case. Besides, Lancer was still alive… fighting for them. Gudao listened to him, having faith that the Lancer was helping the team by bringing them here to learn from the Shadow: his mentor. What kind of master would he be if he had no faith in his servants?
…In his friends?
Gudao looked down at his feet. He was standing in a shadow cast by a nearby tree, and sunlight was slowly creeping up to his shoes. The master knew there was no turning back once the light touched him.
-It's now or never…-
With the weight of the world on his shoulders, Gudao took a deep breath and made his decision…
-!
He chose faith…
(SHRNT!)
Everyone gasped as the master took a step outside the shadow, and almost instantly; Gae Bolg came flying out of nowhere and embedded itself in the ground, not one inch away from Gudao's foot. The master stood frozen and shocked as he saw a familiar dark figure emerge from the woods. Everyone tensed as Scathach came towards them; her expression unreadable.
-Lancer is not with her,- Gudao thought nervously. -This is bad…-
"I told you to leave or die," The Shadow said plainly, now glaring at him. "And you refused…"
The servants readied themselves for a fight. Gabrielle stayed near her brother as Scathach stared them down. They were dreading the worst as the Shadow walked toward them and- smiling? She didn't even bother to grab her spear as she at last came up to them.
Gudao and Gabrielle could tell something was off. Their confusion was even further raised when Scathach started chuckling; something not unnoticed by everyone else.
What was so funny?
"You were right Sétanta," Scathach called out behind her. "Most would've fled after a threat like that. Consider me impressed…"
Everybody was dumbfounded at that statement. Arturia was wielding her sword expecting a fight, yet she no longer sensed any hostile intent from the warrior queen. The servants were visibly confused like she was, and didn't let their guard down; at least not until a familiar face appeared from behind Scathach. The masters both exclaim in surprise:
"Lancer!"
Sure enough, Cu Chulainn came up to them and smiling.
"You've got real guts masters! You had me worried for a while, but you did it!"
The masters stared at him, stunned. Neither them of the other servants had any clue what he was talking about. Mordred blurts out:
"Can someone please explain what the hell just happened?"
"Scathach doesn't take just anyone Saber," Cu tells her. "The people she takes as students need to prove themselves first."
Upon hearing that, Arturia thought about everything that had happened since their encounter with the Shadow, and then everything fell into place…
"So this was a test," She says in revelation, for everyone to hear.
"The point of this was to weed-out the weaklings," Emiya adds.
"Precisely," Scathach affirms, crossing her arms. She turns to the masters and explains with a stern look, "The ones who runaway at first opportunity are the ones that never learn; they let fear govern their actions. I have no tolerance for students who are weak-willed."
Scathach's expression softens as she continued.
"But all of you clearly came here determined to receive my guidance, and your resolve proves your commitment. I know now you are of great character and would be mentally prepared for my teachings. As Sétanta would tell you, I tend to be very thorough."
Gudao and Gabrielle stare at her in growing surprise, realizing what she said really meant. Mashu walked up as asked the Shadow:
"So in other words?"
"Teacher deems you worthy," Cu tells them. "She'll help us."
Upon finally hearing that, the trio became ecstatic. Gudao for one was beyond overjoyed.
"That- That's great!"
"What a relief…" Mashu let out. She was glad none of this came to bloodshed; more so now that things were starting to look up for Chaldea.
"So does that mean you were never going to kill us?" Gabrielle asked Scathach cautiously, to which she replied amusingly:
"Actually, I was planning on skewering all of you with my spear if you decided to leave…"
"What?!" Gabrielle exclaimed in shock, only to earn a small giggle from the warrior queen.
"I was only joking…" She assures the female master. "I would've just used a memory rune on all of you."
When what Scathach said sunk in, Gabrielle quickly calmed herself down before saying awkwardly:
"Errr… thanks, I guess. You know- for not killing us…"
"You're welcome…" Scathach tells her before Gabrielle notices she started looking a bit unsure of herself, like there was something she wanted to say. "Gabrielle, was it?"
"That's me," the master said as Scathach tells her:
"I hope you and your brother know what you're in for," she said before gesturing to the others. "Your servants too… if my former student considers them comrades…"
"How about we hear from them?" Gabrielle asks cheerily before she starts leading Scathach towards the other servants. Proper introductions were in order. "You didn't get to meet them for yourself-"
"Oooh! Me first!" Gabrielle jumped in surprise as a familiar pink-haired Rider rushed up to them and started excitedly shaking the hand of a bewildered Scathach. "It's nice to meet you Scathach! I am Astolfo! The Twelfth paladin of Charlemagne!"
Scathach blinked in surprise before replying awkwardly:
"Uhm, nice to meet you too…"
Mordred, who was watching from afar, could only roll her eyes at Astolfo's antics.
"Way to make us look like chumps, Birdbrain…" she said as she crossed her arms in a huff. Jeanne, Mashu and Jekyll came up to the Shadow in apology and amusement.
"Please forgive Rider…" said the Ruler. "He can't contain himself when meeting someone new and interesting."
Scathach nods at her in understanding.
"I see. I can completely under-" She then stops when she realized what the Ruler just revealed. "Wait… did you just say "he"?"
"He gets that a lot…" Jekyll remarks, making Jeanne, Gabrielle, and Mashu laugh as Scathach just looked at the Rider in renewed bewilderment, but he didn't mind. Arturia and Emiya eventually join to introduce themselves, with Mordred eventually doing the same, albeit reluctantly. Cu looked on as his mentor met formally with the other servants. Despite their verbal spar earlier, the Lancer was secretly glad that she was interacting with his comrades, outside of fighting them.
I can't believe she went this long all by herself, he thought. It's a miracle that she didn't-
"Lancer?"
Snapped out of his thoughts, Cu turned to talk to Gudao.
"Yes master?"
Gudao cast his head down shamefully.
"I just want to apologize…"
"For what?" the Lancer asked, not knowing what his master could be apologizing for.
"I didn't trust you enough to save this mission," Gudao confessed. "There was a moment when I thought you failed to convince Scathach of our worth. I'm sorry I doubted you…"
Cu looked at him, gratified by his master's honesty. He then did something that surprised Gudao; he put a hand on his shoulder and assured him.
"I didn't have to convince her of anything master," the Lancer revealed. "She planned this as soon as she found you and Gabby. I knew she would try something like this, like I knew you would pass it regardless."
Gudao was lost for words. Not only had Cu kept this a secret, but had unwavering faith in the young master to prove himself worthy to the Shadow. Gudao felt like laughing because he felt so good right now.
Far better than he had been these past weeks…
"You know Lancer…" he starts saying, humoring the servant. "A little heads-up would've helped…"
"That would've defeated the purpose Gudao," Cu explains. "She just needed to see the masters that guided us through those singularities. The ones that stood firm when the going got tough and kept on fighting with us. If I spilled that little secret, Scathach would've known you weren't taking her test seriously, and probably would've straight up killed you all."
Gudao chuckled awkwardly at that. He turned to see the rest of the servants introducing themselves to Scathach, who was now their mentor for the coming days. It was going to be tough to learn from her, but Gudao was optimistic that he, Gabrielle, Mashu and the others would be up for the challenge.
"Your teacher…" He said without looking away from the Shadow. "I look forward to finding out what she can do to help us. She seems like a very remarkable person…"
Cu turned to where Gudao was looking. He could see Scathach now shaking hands with Arturia.
"You have no idea… master," the Lancer said, knowing the coming days were going to be one hell of a roller-coaster ride…
---
///Meanwhile…///
Margaery Fairborough finally arrived back at Castle Dunscaith, still wet and irritated by just how badly today has gone for her. She was not going to let Chaldea get away with what they did to her; not if she could find them and report them back to the Mage's Association. The representative was so going to enjoy the sentence her superiors will put on those Chaldean brats.
But there was a problem:
Where is everybody?
The drivers were gone, along with the cars they all arrived in. The masters and servants weren't here either. She figured they must have gone into the fort's ravine and she carefully treads the path down.
They went this way alright… there's a lot of footprints. Hmph! They think they're being sneaky… just who do they think they're fooling?
They stumbled on something… she just knew it. Fairborough came to the side of the cliff where the footprints seemingly stopped, going into the cliff-face.
"What the-? "
…!
Before she could investigate further, Fairborough was suddenly gagged with a damp cloth and restrained from behind. Her screams were muffled as she struggled to free herself from her attacker. She was growing weaker and weaker by the cloth covering her mouth, laced with some kind of sedative. Her body eventually failed her as the representative stopped struggling and went limp in her attacker's arms. Assassin let Fairborough's unconscious body fall gently to the ground. Zenith then appeared behind her, and the servant bowed to him before he looked over Fairborough's motionless form.
"So this is the magus higher-up that was with the Chaldeans," he remarked. Zenith left her body, following the footprints into the cliff left by Chaldea, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Let's see what she was on to…"