AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Thank you for all the support this series has gotten here and on Tv Tropes. I took a break from writing for the holidays but am back now for more of this series. Right now, we have the battle between Scathach and Salem, which was a blast to create. For this series, I went a certain way with Salem's power beyond the Black Void here, so I hope you like it. As well, the ending of this chapter is one that I think will surprise a few people on who shows up. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
Chapter 58 – The Land of Shadows
Salem watched as Scathach clashed weapons with Arturia Alter. The blackened Excalibur grinded against the crimson lance with sparks fading into the void. The shadow lancer managed to kick her opponent away, but Arturia Alter skidded on her heels before coming to a stop. The Grimm tyrant then pointed her sword backward before the blade pulsated with a black aura. Scathach reposed her lance, but Salem then appeared before Arturia Alter, stopping the Grimm Tyrant's attack. Scathach had a look of confusion as the Queen of Grimm smiled at her.
You seem different than the others. How is it that your aura and semblance have not been rendered useless in my void?
Salem inquired as Scathach scowled, "Those terms hold no meaning to me." She said before reposing her lance, "It seems you are limiting yourself to the possibilities of the world."
Hehe, I see. I overheard that conversation but assumed you were toying with him.
Salem said before looking back to Arturia Alter.
Stand back until I give the order.
The Queen of Grimm declare before the aura around the blackened Excalibur faded, followed by Arturia Alter bowing. Salem then looked back to Scathach.
If I recall, you also have a type of immortality. Or at least, claim to have one.
Salem spoke before clasping her palms together, her body radiating a black aura.
Allow me to give you the death you seek.
Suddenly, hundreds of red eyes glared at Scathach through the black void. The shadow lancer focused her gaze, seeing each one as a Grimm creature. She then looked back to Salem, who raised her left hand. The shadow lancer scowled before reaching near her neck, pulling up a bit of her attire to cover the lower half of her face.
The Queen of Grimm snapped her fingers, causing a roar of all Grimm to rush in. Scathach focused on her first target, a Creeper with lunged at her with an open maw. She thrusted her lance into its mouth, the spearhead erupting out of the back of the skull. The shadow lancer then swung the Grimm corpse into the crowd. She then saw a Grimm Ursa attempt to slash at her. Scathach ducked the swipe, then chopped off the monster's arm with her weapon. As it recoiled in pain, a Grimm Boartusker rolled towards its target at high speed. However, Scathach's lance impaled its forehead, stopping its momentum. The shadow lance then noticed the Ursa rush her again. She let go of her lance before leaping over the monster to evade the second slash. Scathach then kicked the Grimm Ursa in the back of the head, causing it to fall and squire itself on the other end of the crimson lance.
Salem smirked as Scathach landed, then looked back to the lance. Five Beowolves surrounded the Grimm corpses and the weapon. They flared their fangs, but the shadow lancer still rushed in. The pack tried to bite down on her, but she evaded all attacks while making it back to her weapon. Just as her left hand was about to grasp the weapon, Scathach jumped back to dodge the stinger of a Deathstalker that tried to impale her. She scowled at the massive scorpion Grimm as it raised its stinger again. Suddenly, Scathach spawned a second crimson lance, chopping off the stinger before stomping onto the Deathstalker's head. The force of the impact cracked the skull as it recoiled in agony. The shadow lancer dashed past the monster before retrieving her first lance before jumping over the Deathstalker, thrusting both weapons into its skull deeper than the stinger was. As the Deathstalker went limp, the five Beowolves all pounced on her. However, faster than the normal eye could see, a flurry of red slashes encompassed their bodies before their limbs were ripped from their torsos.
Scathach's eyes were closed, but her face remained emotionless. She then opened her eyes to witness a Grimm Goliath's trunk about to slam over her. A massive shockwave rang through the void, pushing back multiple Grimm. However, the shadow lancer ran up the trunk, her lances scraping up the monster's flesh. The Goliath scream as it raised its trunk to shack her off, but Scathach was the one to jump first. She tossed both lances, each impaling into the Goliath's eyes. Suddenly, the lances started to glow a bright red before exploding, the force obliterating the face of the Grimm Goliath before it toppled over onto more creatures below.
Without a weapon in the air, she saw a Grimm Nevermore fly towards her with an open beck. While seemingly catching its prey, the Nevermore could not close its beak. Salem looked up to see Scathach having the third lance that embedded into the top and bottom of the creature's beck. The shadow lancer maneuvered to the top of the Nevermore, then stomped her right foot on the top of the beak, causing the lance to erupt out. Scathach revived her lance before stabbing the Nevermore between the eyes. As the dead Grimm began to descend, Scathach leaped to Grimm Griffin, stabbing it between the wings before leaping onto another flying creature.
Salem looked up as she saw countless Grimm bodies raining down. However, her eyes focused on a Grimm Dragon roaring as it charged Scathach from above. The shadow lancer tossed her weapon towards the creature, but the Grimm Dragon evaded as it opened its maw. Scathach then leaped toward the monster, evading its bite. She started to catch up to her lance, then closed her eyes. Scathach then leaned back while kicking the bottom over her lance downward with the top of her right foot. Suddenly, the lance rocketed downward with a crimson aura, but as it gleamed, the weapon split into countless lances. The Grimm Dragon could only look back in shock before its body was shredded by the onslaught. The hundreds of other Grimm could not evade as they too meet with the same end. Only Salem watched on as some of the lances headed towards her body, but with the wave of her right hand, Arturia Alter slashed the lances with her blade.
Dead silence filled the void as to all the Grimm she had called had been killed. Scathach eventually landed with a shockwave that pushed aside the disintegrating corpses. She picked up one lance before the others disappeared in a red flash, then pointed it at Salem, "Is that all?"
My, aren't you presumptuous.
Salem said before smirking.
Tell me, what is your name?
"I am Scathach, Queen of the Land of Shadow and the Lord of Spirits." The shadow lancer responded, "I have killed every form of Grimm on the planet. Every monster known to existence. Even those who claimed to be as powerful as a god." She said before pointing her lance at Salem, "For that, I possess the skill of God-Slayer."
Is that so?
Salem spoke with a smile, then turned to Arturia Alter. Scathach watched as the Grimm Tyrant knelt before offering the blackened Excalibur to the Queen of Grimm. The shadow lancer reposed her lance as Salem took the blade. As Salem looked at the blade, slashed the air once, causing the weapons to form to change into that of a black staff. However, the front end of the staff resembled a double-edged ax blade.
Now then, shall we?
Salem asked Scathach with the shadow lancer remaining silent. The Queen of Grimm responded in kind before swinging her staff again. This time, a shockwave of horizontal crimson energy erupted from the weapon. Scathach jumped to dodge the attack, but in midair, she saw a crimson vortex appear overheard. Salem had her other arm raised, which was radiated the same red aura. Suddenly, a pillar of crimson energy erupted from the vortex, colliding with Scathach body to send her back down into the void.
Salem lowered her arm as she looked at the cloud of smoke. Suddenly, Scathach emerged and rushed the Queen of Grimm with a flurry of slashes. The crimson lance and blacken staff clashed as Salem backed up with each swing, but her expression showed a smile.
It has been a while since I have had a real match. The last time was-
Suddenly, an image appeared in Salem's mind. She recalled her weapon clashing with that of lance made of yellow light, glaring into the lion's head helmet of the knight she faces. The Queen of Grimm's body recoiled from the memory. Scathach's eyes focused as she saw an opening, going for a stab to the heart. Salem recovered and parried the lance, but Scathach reposed and went for a second swing. This time, Salem jumped back to evade, but not before her right forearm was cut by the lance. She looked down at her injury, watching as Grimm essence began to cover the wound. However, the injury did not heal as the black blood still poured.
What?
Salem exclaimed before glaring at Scathach.
What did you do to me!?
"There are lances that can bypass the protections of aura and even magic. As well as lances that inflict wounds that never heal." Scathach said before reposing her weapon, "My lances do both." She said with Salem gritting her teeth, then smiling.
I see, I will have to be more careful.
Scathach rushed in as Salem reached her other hand to grab Scathach. The shadow lancer jumped back to evade but still felt her body glow in a red aura. Scathach gasped for aura as orbs of red energy left her body, flowing into Salem. The shadow lance fell to one knee as Salem held her staff with both hands. The staff begins to change shape, forming into that of a black lance similar in shape to Scathach's.
It is a shame we had to meet now of all times. I could have used this skill to kill a couple of Gods myself.
"What!?" Scathach said before spawning five crimson lances, launching them at Salem. The Queen of Grimm responded in kind, creating five more lances to collide with Scathach's, "Tsk." Scathach scoffed before rushing in with her lance, "Copying me will not lead to victory."
I do not copy abilities.
Salem responded, before jumping back, then adjusted the grip of her black lance.
As I use them better than my opponent ever can.
The Queen of Grimm said before tossing her lance in the black void. The attack did not come near Scathach, but the shadow lance felt an uneasy tremor. Suddenly, the spearhead of the lance emerged from the floor of the void between Scathach's feet. Scathach barely had time to jump back, but as black lance vanished into the void, it reappeared to her right. She parried it with her lance, but then saw Salem launch six more lances into the void. They swarmed the shadow lances as she tried to parry and dodge but then felt one cut across her right cheek. As it drew blood, her eyes widened at the realization of what these weapons could do.
The End of All Things. That is what I call my semblance. If I can absorb one's abilities, I can perform them at twice the capability of the true owners.
Salem spoke before standing on the floor of the void with another lance. Scathach readied for the attack from below, seeing the spearhead emerge. However, its size was now that of the car as it lunged at the shadow lance with the same velocity. She tried to block the massive spearhead, but as she struggled against its force, a sharp pain was felt in her back. There, all the other lances Salem hand lances had embedded in her back, a few nearing the spine. Scathach gritted her teeth before pushing off the massive lance, then landed on the floor of the black void before falling to one knee. She lowered her mask before coughing blood. Salem watched with a smile as she watched the massive lance vanish in the void, then watched it reappear to her left in its original size.
Tell me, is this the closest you have ever felt to death?
Salem asked as Scathach glared at her, "I have searched for someone who would be able to kill me." The shadow lancers said before standing up, "But I will not fall by your hands." She said before reposing with both lances, "The only immortal to die here, will be you!"
Oh, so you wish to continue. How do you propose to kill me?
"You may have my abilities at twice the power," Scathach responded, her body then sparking with bolts of crimson lightning, "But you will not survive this!" She said before her body erupted in lighting, causing the black lances in her back to disintegrate.
A Noble Phantasm? That is your last move? How predictable of those from that part of the world of Remnant.
Salem responded before spawning a second lance herself, her body then radiating a black and red aura.
I can simply use the same move as you, but mine will win in the end.
"We shall see!" Scathach responded, "The spear is me, and I am the spear," She chanted before dashing towards Salem, to which the Queen of Grimm responded in kind. The two thrusted their lances towards their opponent, each pulsating with the power from the impact. As the spearheads grinded against one another, the crimson lance began to chip away. Salem smiled as Scathach gritted her teeth.
It's over, you will die by my-
Suddenly, a voice spoke in the Queen of Grimm's mind, "Salem, this is bad, Vitch is here and Iri has been shot?"
Cinder!? What are you-?
Salem spoke, her focus breaking for a second. At that moment, Scathach saw the opening. Her lance grazed past Salem's before piercing into just above the heart.
GAH!
Salem coughed blood before glaring at Scathach, then thrusting her lance into the shadow lancer's right shoulder. As she was about to thrust the second lance, Scathach's first lance glowed a bright red. Suddenly, Salem's body rocketed upwards, carried by a red lightning blast.
AAAHHH-!
Salem screamed until her body came to a sudden stop. The lightning changes into a purple and crimson mist, paralyzing her body in place. The Queen of Grimm looked down to witness Scathach holding the second lance like a javelin. The red electrizing sparking off the weapon ripping through the darkness of the void, "Gáe Bolg," Scathach declared as she tightened her lefthanded grip on the weapon, "Alternative!" The shadow lancer then tossed her weapon at unparalleled speed, watching it rocket towards its target with absolute precision. Salem's Grimm eyes widened in horror before impact.
AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
The scream of the Queen of Grimm was almost overshadowed by the thunder strike of the weapon. An explosion of crimson lightning rang through the void. After a few seconds, silence ran through the area as Scathach fell to one knee, panting in pain as she held her right shoulder. She looked over to witness something crashing into the floor of the black void, "It's…over…" Scathach spoke as she waited for the dust to settle. Hoping to see the mangled body of Salem inside. However, as the smoke fade, the shadow lancer's eyes widen.
Shielding the Queen of Grimm with her body, the Grimm Tyrant stood. Her armor shattered as black blood leaked from her head. At her abdomen was the scorching wound of where the lance had empaled, forcing the Grimm Tyrant to fall to one knee.
"Damnit!" Scathach said as she gritted her teeth, then saw Salem behind Arturia Alter. Her mind then flashed to moments before the impact, seeing the Grimm Tyrant leap into the air to shield the Queen of Grimm.
I…I did not give that command.
Salem spoke to Arturia Alter, slight worry in her voice.
Why did you-?
She said before Arturia Alter looked back at her, causing Salem to gasp. The Grimm Tyrant looked back with half-open eyes and a slight smile. Suddenly, Salem's mind flashed to someone with a similar face, and a similar smile towards her.
No. No! NO!
Salem held her head in pain as more images of this person filled her mind. Moments of her smiling, laughing, having a look of confidence on her face. The Queen of Grimm recalled a moment when this person stood before the setting sun. Suddenly, the lion knight offered her hand to the Queen of Grimm.
Why? Who are you? What am I remembering!?
More images flashed in Salem's mind of this person. Suddenly, one image remained in her mind. It was of her and the lion knight looking into a long mirror. Both smiled at the reflection with the lion knight hugging the Queen of Grimm from behind, her hands atop of Salem's, whose hands rest on her stomach.
…No…Oh no…I remember her…Altria.
Salem spoke as her mind went black, the image fading as she looked down. As she did so, black tears ran from her face into the void below. Arturia Alter fully turned around, hugging the Queen of Grimm while closing her eyes.
"What's going on?" Scathach commented before coughing blood, then focused her gaze, "I can't let this moment go to waste." She said before standing up, "If that attack did not kill you, this one will!" The shadow lancer said before spawning another lance, then stabbing the floor of the void with it. Salem and Arturia Alter looked back to see stone doors the size of a mountain descended from above, "The Land of Shadows, a place that even Grimm fear." Scathach said as a chilling wind was felt as the doors opened. "The Portal to a realm brimming with death, Gate of Skye!" The shadow lancer declared said before a swirling black portal emerged from the Gate's, acting as a vacuum to all with the area. Arturia Alter held onto Salem as the two were starting to get pulled in. Scathach focused vision on them, "This is your end! I will send you to Hell," the shadow lancer said before reposing her weapon, "Even if I have to drag you there myself!" she said before dashing towards the two, followed by them to gasp in horror.
However, it was not towards their opponent. Rather it was to what emerged from the Gate of Skye. Scathach felt something behind her but could not turn her head quick enough. Suddenly, something squired her back, resulting in multiple lances erupting from her chest. She vomited blood before her body was lifted in the air. In turning towards her attacker, the shadow lancer's eyes trembled. A monstrous human one that had what resembled a centipede's body as his tail. He was covered in a blackish-blue animalistic armor with red lining adorning his exposed chest and face. While he wore a hood, enough of his face was seen to make out a sneer as he looked at shadow lancer, "Did you miss me, Master?"
"Setanta's… Alter…" Scathach spoke in a weakened voice, "How… did you-"
"Survive?" The monstrous alter finished the sentence, "You always underestimate me and my battle continuation. Also, I prefer to be called Cu Alter." He said before seeing the Gate of Skye start to close, "You locked me in there for a year. So," Cu Alter spoke before chucking Scathach, "How about you see what that feels like!" The shadow lancer's body was flung through the air, her vision blurry before her eyes closed, her body enveloped by the darkness behind the gate as the doors closed, "Hahahaha HAHAHAHAHA!" Cu Alter laughed before looking around the area, then turning to Salem and Arturia Alter, "You must have been her opponents. I commend you for pushing her to the brink and using the Gate of Skye." Cu Alter said as both looked at him with a scowl, "As a thank you, I will give you a warning." He said as Salem and Arturia Alter gasped, "Stand back." Cu Alter spoke before his body erupted with hundreds of lances emerging. Each ripped through the black void. Salem and Arturia Alter tried to evade, but the Queen of Grimm saw a light shine from above.
Oh no!
Salem gasped as Cu Alter saw it as well, "And there is my exit." He said before leaping towards the light, "Ready or not, here I come!"
AN: There you go, Cu Alter is back in action. In Fates Collide, he was sent into the gate, but I never said he died there. Before that, we had Scathach showing her powers to kill Grimm, then goes head-to-head with Salem. I really liked making her power like this. If it sounds familiar, it is based on Medaka's abnormality from Medaka Box, (One of my favorite series that is impossible for me to get now). Salem would have met her end if not for Arturia Alter, who has reminded her more of Altria and what they once had together. More of that will be reveled in due time. Now, Cu Alter is out of the Gate and about to break out of the Black Void. We have two more chapters left of this season, and they will only get crazier. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.
