"Hmm... I didn't see that coming. I may have been presumptuous," Scathach mused, her melodic voice soft as she regarded the fallen tree Kevin had sliced through with a single swing.
Her crimson eyes, deep and hypnotic, shifted from the felled tree to the boy standing before her. Slowly, she began to walk toward him, her movements graceful yet commanding, her waist-length dark purple-red hair swaying with each step.
Kevin's instincts screamed at him to retreat, but his reason kept him rooted in place. Taking a step back would show weakness, and against someone like Scathach, he knew weakness could not be afforded. Still, his body betrayed him slightly, stiffening under her intense gaze.
When she finally stopped in front of him, her height emphasized the disparity between them. She leaned forward slightly, a faint smile curving her lips.
"Little warrior," she said, her tone playful yet edged with curiosity. "What are you doing here? Didn't anyone tell you this forest is dangerous?"
Kevin wanted to laugh bitterly. Dangerous? Compared to her, the forest was an adorable playground filled with harmless creatures.
"I'm here to train," Kevin replied, keeping his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. His expression shifted to one of determination as he continued, "I have someone I've decided to follow. He saved me. He's very powerful, and I know he'll become even stronger in the future. I don't want to be left behind."
It was a near-perfect blend of truth and falsehood, crafted with the precision of someone used to talking his way out of tight spots. Kevin didn't know what Scathach wanted from him, but he suspected that playing along was his safest option for now.
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sudden pinch on his cheek.
Kevin blinked, stunned. Of all the things he had expected, this was not one of them.
"Such a cute little face saying such brave words," Scathach remarked, her crimson eyes narrowing with amusement. Her fingers lingered as she added, "You must care about that person a lot, don't you?"
Kevin's brow twitched. Care? Did she think he was...
"No!" Kevin slapped her hand away, frowning as he took a step back. A spark of indignation flashed in his eyes as he exclaimed, "Woman, please mind your behavior!"
"Oh?" Scathach's smile widened, her amusement growing. "And if I don't? Are you planning to fight me?"
Kevin's face darkened. "No," he replied firmly, his voice tinged with exasperation. "I don't fight women."
"Ah, is that so?" Scathach said thoughtfully, tapping her chin with a slender finger. Just as Kevin began to feel a sliver of relief, her next words cut through the air like a dagger. "But what if the woman doesn't give you a choice?"
Before Kevin could react, her scarlet spear sliced through the air with terrifying speed, its point aimed directly at him.
Clang!
Kevin's sword intercepted the spear just in time, deflecting it with a sharp metallic ring. His reflexes took over as he leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the weapon's trajectory.
"Good," Scathach murmured, her eyes lighting up with approval. Her spear had not been at full force, but she was impressed by Kevin's reaction nonetheless.
Kevin, on the other hand, was less impressed. His heart pounded as he realized just how close he had come to serious injury—or worse. But as quickly as the panic had surged, it was replaced by focus. If she wanted a fight, he had no choice but to give her one.
Kevin advanced, his sword slicing through the air in a series of rapid strikes. Scathach blocked each blow effortlessly, her movements fluid and precise.
"Too slow," she commented, parrying another strike with a casual flick of her spear.
Kevin gritted his teeth, refusing to give up. He pressed forward, his strikes growing faster and more aggressive, but no matter what he tried, Scathach remained unyielding.
After a minute of relentless combat, Scathach raised her spear and twisted it deftly, disarming Kevin with a single calculated motion. His sword clattered to the ground, and before he could react, she grabbed his wrist and pinned it behind his back.
"Still holding back?" she asked, her voice teasing as she leaned closer to him.
Kevin glared at her, refusing to answer.
"If I'm not mistaken," Scathach continued, "you still have a trump card you haven't used."
Kevin's lips pressed into a thin line. She was referring to the magic sword, of course. But using it against her would be asking for trouble. That blade, with its unique attributes, was something even Scathach couldn't ignore.
"Smart boy," she said, as if reading his mind. Her grip on his wrist loosened slightly, and she reached out with her free hand to pinch his cheek again.
"Enough with the cheek-pinching!" Kevin thought furiously. His face burned with embarrassment, but he held his tongue.
Scathach's amusement only deepened at his silence. She found his stubbornness endearing, even if he would never admit it.
After a few more moments of teasing, Scathach finally released him, stepping back with a graceful ease that made Kevin's irritation grow.
"Little warrior," she said, her tone suddenly serious. "You're far from ready. How do you plan to protect the person you care about if you can't even defeat me?"
Kevin's fists clenched. Her words hit closer to home than she could have known.
For all his training, for all his progress, Kevin knew he was still leagues behind Cu Chulainn. It was a harsh truth, but one he couldn't ignore.
Scathach tilted her head, studying his expression. "You'll need more than determination to close that gap," she said softly.
Before Kevin could respond, she turned away, her attention shifting to something unseen. She took a step forward, then paused, as if remembering something.
"Hey, wait!" Kevin called after her, unable to resist. "You haven't told me your name!"
Scathach glanced back over her shoulder, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Who am I, little warrior?" she asked, her voice light and teasing. "Don't you already know?"
Kevin's breath caught.
"And," she added, "we'll meet again."
With that, she raised a hand and traced runes in the air. The symbols glowed briefly before her form dissolved into a scattering of light, leaving Kevin alone in the clearing.
A breeze stirred the leaves, and Kevin let out a long, shaky breath.
"Next time?" he muttered to himself. "I'd rather not."
Far away, in the Kingdom of Shadows, Scathach returned to her throne. The quiet stillness of her palace was interrupted by the arrival of a young warrior, his face flushed with urgency.
"Master!" the warrior exclaimed. "Someone is challenging you outside the city! We tried to hold them back, but—"
"I understand," Scathach interrupted, rising to her feet with an air of quiet authority.
Without another word, she disappeared from the throne room. Moments later, the sound of clashing weapons echoed through the air, sharp and fierce, as if the heavens themselves were bearing witness.
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