The next afternoon, Kevin slowly woke up from his drunken stupor. As he groggily opened his eyes, he found himself staring at a ceiling that felt both unfamiliar and oddly comforting. For a moment, confusion clouded his thoughts, but the realization soon dawned on him.
"This is... home," Kevin muttered, rubbing his temples to dispel the fog in his head. He sat up, scanning the room and confirming his suspicions. This was indeed the Kingdom of Ulster.
"Bruel and Cu Chulainn, those bastards!" Kevin growled, his tone filled with equal parts irritation and exhaustion. "I told them I can't handle my liquor, but they just kept pouring! Agh, my head..."
As he nursed his headache, his gaze fell upon a familiar sight: the little bird perched silently on a chair near his bed.
"When did you get here?" Kevin asked, his voice laced with surprise.
The bird said nothing but pushed a small magical fruit toward him with its beak. Then, as if its mission was complete, it fluttered to the window and soared away into the sky.
Kevin blinked, perplexed by the bird's behavior. "Was it... looking at me with sympathy?" he wondered aloud. Shaking his head, he brushed off the thought and slipped the fruit into the storage bag hanging at his side.
Dragging himself out of bed, Kevin made his way into the hall. It was empty, save for the faint echoes of servants bustling about in other parts of the castle.
"Guess Cu Chulainn's already gone," Kevin mused. "That demigod constitution of his—lucky jerk probably woke up hours ago, good as new."
Stepping outside, Kevin wandered through the streets of Ulster. The changes were striking. The once-familiar faces had been replaced by strangers, and even the buildings seemed to bear the marks of time.
As he walked, whispers followed him. People recognized him from the previous day's grand welcome, their expressions a mix of admiration, awe, and reverence.
Kevin quickened his pace, uncomfortable under their watchful gazes.
Eventually, he arrived at the castle where preparations for the upcoming banquet were in full swing. After a brief inquiry with a servant, Kevin learned that Cu Chulainn and Connor were at the Red Branch Knights' training grounds.
When Kevin reached the encampment, he found a crowd gathered around a sparring match. At the center were Cu Chulainn and Connor, locked in a fierce but friendly duel.
The spectators cheered as the two warriors exchanged blows, their weapons clashing in a dazzling display of skill.
Kevin watched for a moment but chose not to linger. "If I stay here, they'll rope me into this, and I'll never hear the end of it," he muttered, slipping away unnoticed.
Wandering aimlessly, Kevin eventually found himself at the stables where the divine horses gifted by his father were kept.
Stroking the steed's mane, Kevin smiled. "You've been waiting patiently, haven't you?" he murmured.
In a sudden burst of inspiration, he mounted the horse and rode toward the woods.
Arriving at a familiar clearing, Kevin dismounted and gazed at the dense forest ahead. Memories flooded his mind—years spent training and fighting under Scathach's strict guidance.
He raised his hand, tracing a rune in the air. The forest parted, revealing a hidden path. Leading his horse, Kevin ventured forward until he reached a small wooden house nestled among the trees.
He paused, staring at the quiet cabin. "Master," he called hesitantly. "Are you here?"
No response.
Kevin stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the familiar interior. The silence was heavy, almost oppressive. Sitting down, he let his mind wander, searching for something—anything—to hold on to.
But as the minutes ticked by, his frustration grew. "Why did I even come back here?" he muttered, rising to his feet. "This place is nothing but bad memories. Fights, training, more fights... The Shadow Kingdom was better!"
Shaking his head, Kevin turned to leave.
"Since you're already here," a familiar voice interrupted, "why not stay a while?"
Kevin froze. Slowly, he turned to see Scathach leaning casually against a tree, her long, dark purple hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her lips curved into a faint smile, and her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Master..." Kevin's voice trailed off, his mind racing.
For a fleeting moment, panic gripped him. Had she overheard his... less-than-pure thoughts?
Thank the gods I didn't say anything aloud! Kevin thought, relief washing over him.
"I thought you'd take a few more days before coming here," Scathach said, pushing herself off the tree. "Or perhaps I'd have to come to Ulster City to find you."
Kevin blinked. "Wait—you were planning to come to Ulster?"
"Of course," Scathach replied matter-of-factly, pulling a thin veil from her sleeve and draping it over her face.
The transformation was instantaneous. The veil seemed to dull her radiant presence, making her appear ordinary, almost forgettable.
"I can't always rely on Lug's messenger to keep me informed," she explained. "And text messages are... insufficient."
Kevin stared at her, his jaw slack. "You've been keeping tabs on me?"
Scathach tilted her head, her gaze soft but unwavering. "From now on," she said, her voice steady, "I'll accompany you in this world."
For a moment, Kevin was speechless. The idea of Scathach—a legendary warrior and his unyielding master—leaving her domain to stay by his side was almost too much to comprehend.
"But... how?" he managed to ask.
"As long as the sun shines, I can remain here," Scathach explained. "Your father is the God of Light and the Sun, after all."
Realization dawned on Kevin. Lug's influence extended beyond mere blessings—it allowed Scathach to exist outside her Shadow Kingdom during the day.
"Master..." Kevin began, his voice barely above a whisper.
Scathach raised a hand, cutting him off. "Don't make a fuss. I've already decided. Now, show me what you've learned since leaving the Shadow Kingdom. We've wasted enough time."
Kevin's lips twitched into a smile. "You're as demanding as ever."
"And you're as stubborn as ever," Scathach retorted, her tone light.
Kevin laughed, a genuine sound that echoed through the clearing.
"Alright, Master," he said, drawing his sword. "If you're going to follow me, then let's make the most of it."
Scathach's eyes gleamed behind her veil. "Show me what you've got, my foolish apprentice."
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