Scathach sat under the shade of the sprawling tree, her crimson eyes fixed on Kevin. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, dappling her dark purple-red hair with patches of light.
Kevin hesitated, his black eyes cautiously studying her expression, trying to gauge her mood. He couldn't quite discern whether she was annoyed, amused, or indifferent to his direct use of her name. But her face, as ever, betrayed nothing.
With a slight wave, Scathach gestured for Kevin to approach. Her lips curved into a faint smile, but Kevin's wariness remained. After a moment's hesitation, he walked toward her and sat down beside her under the tree.
The moment he settled, her hand darted out, pinching his cheek again.
Kevin groaned inwardly. This was becoming a pattern he hadn't signed up for. However, he didn't protest. Complaining to her wouldn't get me anywhere, and it might only encourage her.
His silence seemed to amuse Scathach even more. She tilted her head, her tone light but probing as she asked, "Little warrior, what were you waiting for me to do?"
Kevin sighed internally. "My name is Kevin," he muttered, hoping she'd drop the teasing nickname.
"Little Kevin, then," she replied smoothly, the corners of her mouth quirking up further.
Kevin gave up. "Just call me whatever makes you happy," he said with a resigned tone. Though outwardly calm, inwardly, he was complaining. Where is the cold, majestic Queen of the Shadow Kingdom? This playful act feels completely out of character!
But as much as it surprised him, Kevin realized that this behavior might not be an act at all. This wasn't Scathach the Queen; it was a mere projection, a clone she had created using rune magic. The real Scathach remained seated on her throne in the dark, unyielding Kingdom of Shadows.
Here, she was simply Scathach, a curious woman taking an interest in a peculiar boy.
"You want me to be your master," she stated flatly, as if reading his thoughts.
Kevin nodded, meeting her gaze. "Yes."
Scathach raised an eyebrow but wasn't entirely surprised. "Why?"
Kevin hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I want to catch up to Cu Chulainn," he said.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You want to be a hero, then?"
"No," Kevin answered firmly, shaking his head. "I want to be someone who can stand beside him, who can help him when he needs it." He paused, then added, "But with my current ability... I can't."
Scathach regarded him for a long moment. "You've thought this through," she said, finally breaking the silence. "But what you seek is no small task. Your goal may be noble, but your talent is..." She trailed off, leaving the words unspoken.
Kevin didn't flinch. He already knew what she thought of his abilities.
Scathach stretched out her hand, drawing runes in the air. The faint smell of something sweet filled the air as an almost imperceptible breeze rippled through the clearing.
"When I was young," she began, her tone softening, "I wandered far and wide to hone myself. In the north, I met an old man."
Kevin's eyes flickered with curiosity. He had a suspicion about who this old man might be.
"He taught me rune magic," Scathach continued. "When I mastered it, he asked me to stay. He said I would become stronger than I could imagine and hoped I would help him... to fight against fate itself."
"And?" Kevin prompted.
"I refused," Scathach said simply, a faint smile gracing her lips. "I had my own path to follow. Even if the idea of changing fate intrigued me, I knew it wasn't my battle."
Kevin's suspicion deepened. The old man she's describing... it has to be Odin, doesn't it?
Before he could dwell on the thought, Scathach turned to him, her expression turning serious.
"You said you want to stand beside Cu Chulainn," she said, her tone sharp. "You know what kind of future awaits him, don't you?"
Kevin nodded slowly.
"And yet," she pressed, her crimson eyes boring into his, "you still think you can keep up with him? Do you realize what you're asking of yourself?"
Kevin didn't falter. "Yes."
Scathach leaned back, observing him with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Among my many disciples, you're the weakest," she said bluntly.
Kevin's expression remained neutral, though inwardly, her words stung. He had expected as much.
"The chances of you catching up to Cu Chulainn are slim to none," she continued. "If you persist, it will cost you everything. You may even lose your life. Knowing this, do you still want me as your master?"
Her voice carried a weight that made Kevin feel as though the world itself was pressing down on him. But his resolve didn't waver.
"Yes," he said firmly, his black eyes meeting hers.
For a moment, there was silence between them. Then Scathach sighed, reaching out to ruffle Kevin's hair.
"I thought you were more rational than this," she said with a soft chuckle. "But... I like that determination of yours."
Kevin blinked, taken aback by the unexpected praise.
Her hand moved from his head to his chin, tilting it upward so their eyes met. "Tell me, Kevin," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "What do you think your future will be?"
Kevin swallowed hard, unsure how to answer. Her gaze was piercing, yet there was a warmth to it that he hadn't expected.
After a long pause, he replied, "I don't know. But I'll keep moving forward."
Scathach smiled, letting go of his chin. "Good answer," she said. "But you'll have to prove it to me."
Kevin straightened, understanding what she meant. He quickly stood, bowing deeply before her. "Thank you, Master," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Her smile widened slightly, a mix of satisfaction and mischief. "Don't thank me yet," she said. "You might regret it soon enough."
Kevin knew her warning wasn't empty. The path he'd chosen would be grueling, possibly unbearable. But for the first time in a long while, he felt something close to hope.
Scathach leaned back against the tree, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Let's see what you're capable of, Little Kevin," she murmured.
In the Shadow Kingdom, the real Scathach sat upon her throne, her eyes closed as her clone's memories returned to her. A faint smile played on her lips.
Interesting... He might not have Cu Chulainn's talent, but there's something about him.
Her thoughts were interrupted as one of her disciples entered the hall. "Master," the young warrior said breathlessly, "there's a challenger at the gate."
Scathach opened her eyes, her smile vanishing as her expression turned cold and regal once more. "Prepare the arena," she commanded.
"Yes, Master!"
As the disciple hurried off, Scathach stood, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. For now, let's see if this 'Little Kevin' can surprise me.
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