Hello again everyone! It's been a while since my last update, hasn't it? Let me start off by saying that that a lot has happened since then. I've got a new job that gave me crazy hours for my first two weeks, then I got a new laptop, and this chapter was a real grind to write; in fact, the LONGEST chapter yet in the story. Hope it's worth the wait, and from this point on, I will TRY not to make chapters this freaking long EVER again. Next time, I'll make them in two parts if a chapter's length exceeds well over ten thousand words. I'll continue with updates to my profile and some other stuff AFTER the chapter.

So for now, NO MORE WAITING. Stay healthy and safe, feel free to leave a review, and LET'S get into it...

Chapter 15: Darkness Blossoms

Over 2 millennia ago…

Aife was sitting idly on the steps leading up to the stone fortress. It was getting dark, and her sister had not yet returned. The young girl was getting worried that something might have happened to her, and there was no way Aife would know otherwise, being unable to pass the barrier like Scathach did and travel up to the fortress above. She had been waiting for her all morning and for several hours since, and even as day gave way to night, Aife still saw no sign of her.

(Step... step... step...)

Aife was alerted to the sound of footsteps approaching. Quickly grabbing her spear, she ran in front of the barrier and saw Scathach walking down.

"Sister..." Aife calls out, feeling relieved to see her. Yet something quickly became obvious to her that Scathach looked... distracted. She had her head cast down and barely acknowledged Aife as she passed through the veil and joined her. Aife puts a hand on her sister's shoulder and asks worriedly:

"What happened? Scathach, did you meet The Shadow?"

Scathach still looked like she was lost in thought, and it took her a moment to answer her, eventually looking at Aife with her crimson-red eyes.

"I have, Aife..."

"And?"

"He..." Scathach hesitates, internally still processing her fateful encounter with him. Aife looks on in sheer confusion as her mind reeled as to what The Shadow had done to her sister. Scathach takes a deep breath before finishing.

"He showed me things... Incredible things..."

Her answer made Aife even more worried. What had The Shadow done to her?

"Scathach... you're not making any sense," Aife tells her. "Did you ask him to help you? Will he make you better?"

"I... I'm sorry Aife," she said sadly, feeling bad for troubling her sister like this. Aife could tell her sister just was not ready to give her the details of what happened in that fortress. "But this isn't the best time. I promise I'll explain more back at the village. Let's not stay here."

Part 1: Endure

So here they were... After trekking back to the village and rejoining their hosts, Fimir and her son Kihli, Scathach shared in chilling detail of her fateful encounter with the man called "The Shadow." They all sat outside around the fire eating some of Fimir's stew. The young girl opted to continue wearing her cloak which covered her head with a hood, still wary of the other villagers' hostility to her after yesterday. Scathach had just finished telling Aife what The Shadow had revealed to her.

"You're immortal?" Aife asked in awe.

"Yes," Scathach affirms. "He even stabbed me in the stomach to prove it."

"He did?" Fimir was appalled. "Cruel bastard! Doing that to a child..."

"Did it hurt?" Kihli asks reluctantly. Since the sisters' return, he had been gradually becoming less shy around them. Scathach indulges him, rubbing her stomach remembering the excruciating pain vividly.

"It did... very much," she then looks between Aife and Fimir, a smile slowly forming on her face. "And that's not all he showed me..."

They all looked on as Scathach extended her bare arm out of her cloak. She concentrates as her arm lights-up with violet-glowing patterns travelling down to her hand. Aife's jaw drops while Fimir lets out quietly:

"What in Lugh's name?!"

Scathach grunts as she strains to maintain the flow of mana along her arm. Aife stares agape and in amazement of what she was seeing from her sister.

"This... is... incredible..."

It didn't last, as Scathach eventually released her breath and relaxed, making her circuits disappear from her arm. Everyone was stunned as Scathach told them between deep breaths.

"That's all I can manage..."

"How in Gods' names did you do that?" Fimir asks her.

"He said that I was a mage," Scathach explained. "Someone who can use magic."

"Magic?" Kihli asked in wonder.

"Yes," she nodded. "What I just did was just letting enough mana flow through my circuits, and this is nothing compared to what he could do."

"And what about that wraith thing you did yesterday?" Aife asked, eager to learn more. "Can you do it?"

"I... haven't figured that out yet," Scathach revealed, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. "That thing with my arm was all he showed me. I can't perform anything specific quite yet."

"Shame about that, lass," Fimir remarked. "Would've loved to see more of what the Shadow could've given you. You gave this new widow a real show..."

"About that..." Scathach starts hesitantly. "I may have... asked him to teach me more."

"You did?" Aife asked in disbelief. "But wait... what happened to you wanting him to fix you?"

Scathach briefly froze, remembering why she even went to see The Shadow in the first place.

"That was my plan," she admits. "But after he showed me what this really was, I just don't see this as a curse anymore. In fact, it could help us..."

"Help us?" Aife repeats, not understanding what her sister meant. Yet, the more she thought about it, she eventually came to a revelation. "Wait... You're not thinking of-"

Scathach nods slowly as Aife shared the same thoughts that she has.

"I am," she confirms Aife's suspicions as she continued. "Whatever The Shadow can do, I can do also. If I learn everything I can from him, I can grow powerful enough to take back our village from those barbarians."

Everyone stared at Scathach dumbfounded. Aife, for one, was absolutely shocked.

"Y-you-," she stammers. "You can't be serious!"

Her reaction was not at all what Scathach expected, and she was even further dismayed when Kihli starting laughing under his breath. Fimir even remarked:

"I thought you had guts going up that mountain lass, but now I think you're just plain mental..."

Scathach was taken back at that and tried to argue.

"But-!"

"Fimir is right," Aife interrupted her, her tone matching the seriousness evident on her face. "Scathach, I would like nothing but to get back at those bastards myself, but let's be honest here. What you're suggesting is completely insane! What in Lugh's name are you going to do against armies of those invaders by yourself?! You won't fare much better with me there either! We're hopelessly outmatched!"

"No, just listen Aife..." Scathach knew of the absurdity behind her words, but she tried giving her sister and hosts some context; the time that The Shadow showed her the full extent of his power was burnt permanently in her mind. "I've seen his power and skills first-hand. I'm sure this man is capable of routing an entire army. Given time and guidance, I can do the same thing! I can wield the same power that he has! The barbarians won't stand a chance..."

Aife, who had been listening to her sister, was still unconvinced that Scathach's idea was a wise one. Yet seeing the look on her sister's face as she insisted on it made Aife aware of the impact that the Shadow must have had on her earlier. Aife takes a deep breath and exhales before calmly reasoning with her:

"Say you can... what makes you think he will even take time to teach you? I mean, he just ditched us here after that thing attacked us. He seemed best left alone..."

After hearing her sister, Scathach stared into the flames of the campfire as she thought about how best to answer her. She recalled how after she asked for The Shadow to guide her, she was met with initial reluctance.

Flashback

"Teach me," Scathach asked, practically begging after The Shadow's display of power. "Teach me... EVERYTHING..."

The Shadow was slightly surprised by her reaction. Scathach could see him stand up slightly and put a hand on his hip as the weight of her words sunk in.

"Well, I was NOT expecting that..." he murmurs to himself before leaning down to glare at her in question. The Shadow's tone turns serious as their red-eyes stay fixated on each other. "After everything I just showed you, including how insignificant you are compared to me... just where do you get off asking me THAT?"

Stunned at his response, Scathach quickly bowed her head down in respect. She knew that she had no right asking him this, but in the moment, she was too far gone to care...

"I want to learn... your power is incredible! God-like! I want to do what you can! Please teach me!"

She kept her head down, and could practically feel The Shadow looking down at her in disgust. What he said next cemented that feeling...

"You don't know what you're saying," he said accusingly in a low voice. Scathach looks up at him in a pleading expression as he crosses his arms again. "Besides, you don't strike me as someone worth my time, and you've been nothing but a disrespectful little brat. Why should I do as you wish?"

Scathach went down on her hands and knees before The Shadow and bowed her head once again. She was determined to do everything in her power to earn his favor.

"I was wrong to doubt you! You've humbled me, shown me a door to something great when I thought I was cursed! Teach me, and I will do anything you say! I promise to be the best student I can, and I'll devote myself to your tutelage!"

The Shadow was silent as Scathach continued pleadling with him, desperation becoming more evident in her voice. She was afraid of further rejection.

"Please..." her voice was shaking, and Scathach was on the verge of tears. "I've lost so much that I've cared about... I don't want to lose anymore..."

She dared not look up to him, but can hear his footsteps as The Shadow came closer. He had not said a word, and Scathach wondered if her words resonated with him in any way. It stays quiet between them for what felt like an eternity.

"And what if I refuse?" his hushed words nearly make her heart stop. "I can throw you out the front doors right now and never let you back in."

This was a scare tactic; she was absolutely sure of it. Scathach choked back her tears and said with all her resolve:

"Then I'll just stay outside until you agree... I don't care if I starve in the day, or if I freeze during the night... I'll wait as long as it takes to get you to say yes. You won't get rid of me easy..."

She stayed bowing as she was met with silence. Seconds flew by, and Scathach's mind was in turmoil; fearing failure as The Shadow had not responded to her. Whether he was surveying her or mocking her, the young girl did not know. Scathach stayed planted where she was, refusing to give up on the realm of possibility through her new state of being that she woke up with hardly one day ago. This man showed her a whole new world; a boundary she so desperately wanted- no... NEEDED to cross.

There was no alternative for her. Scathach had to move forward with this, no matter what. She knelt there, hoping beyond hope that her words had reached The Shadow, because if not-

Scathach nearly gasped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She slowly looked up to gaze at the ancient man's weathered face; still skeptical, but with an acceptance that Scathach had not seen from him until now. Her eyes never left his as The Shadow spoke to her in a surprisingly soft tone; still skeptic, but not so gruff as he usually was.

"If you're really serious then, return after dawn tomorrow. We'll see what you're made of... and if you're even worth my time..."

Flashback end

She knew in that moment that she had succeeded. The Shadow was given her a chance however small it may be. Scathach was determined to not make him regret doing so, and even more to prove herself whatever trial that The Shadow will use to test her resolve.

Scathach looks back Aife with firm conviction. If she was to ever try and to take their village back, then she could not let this fleeting opportunity be squandered by any doubt or weakness.

"I'm positive that he will," she at last answers her sister. "I'm going back to the fortress at daybreak to convince him of my worth. Then we'll see about honing my new... abilities. I can do this, Aife..."

Aife narrows her eyes at her sister. Scathach wondered if Aife was actually willing to believe her. To her, Aife seemed conflicted, Scathach could not blame her for being skeptical. This was an unknown and potentially dangerous realm that she was about to dive head-first into.

There could be no going back...

"Scathach," Aife eventually said, almost sighing at the gravity of all that her sister shared with her. An almost assuring smile slowly forms on her face. "I sometimes wonder why I even try arguing with you. If you really believe there is a chance that we can get our lives back from the barbarians, then I can't tell you otherwise. I just trust that you know what you're doing by getting yourself tied-up with The Shadow."

Scathach gives her a curt smile of determination, now having Aife's support behind her. While she could still tell that Aife was understandably apprehensive towards all regarding The Shadow, Scathach was glad that her sister respected her decision to go down the path of a mage. Her newfound optimism was short-lived as Aife then added in a serious tone:

"You better be right about this."

Now forewarned, Scathach expression turns more somber as she locks eyes with her sister. She stares back into the fire before replying to Aife.

"I sure hope so..."

The rest of supper continued on without any more words exchanged. Everyone eventually turned in for the night as Scathach offered to stay awake longer and cleanup after them. After, she merely continued to sit by the slowly waning campfire, consuming what little tinder was left to embers. As she watched the flames die, Scathach took a long glance up to the mountainous backdrop of the village. Her enhanced vision allowed her to see the fortress above, looming on the peak with torches and braziers lit up, making it stand out in the night and blacked-out cliffs. She nearly lost track of time as she stared up at the stronghold where a whole new world was opened-up to her not a half-day ago.

There was just something about that fortress and its powerful occupant that called out to her... beckoned her in... Scathach could not describe the feeling she got as she continued surveying it. All she knew was that her new life was slowly becoming intertwined with this forest, and the powers that are coursing through it... and through her...

Some could call it destiny... Others would call it fate...

Scathach woke up bright and early the following morning. She got dressed in her cloak and slung her red spear over her shoulder. She exits Fimir's hut, noticing some people out and about in the village already, and it was not long until some stole distasteful glances at Scathach as she walked by. No doubt that most of the villagers were still afraid of her after she changed to shadow right in front of everybody two days ago and injured a drunkard. She still was not used to all the negative attention, and she hoped one day once she gained a grasp of her powers that she will show everyone that she was not to be feared.

While trying to avoid the glares of all the adult villagers, Scathach took a moment to survey the settlement. Most of the huts look like they have been built and thrown-together in a hurry. There were no obvious water sources and no space to grow any crops, and Scathach doubted if the soil here was even suited to that at all. She remembered what Fimir had said about this village, and how everyone here were survivors of raids carried out by the unknown invaders, and felt pity despite their poor reception of her.

These people must have taken as much scraps as they could carry to build this place... those barbarians really left them all with essentially nothing...

And from the looks of the famished and impoverished people here, it was clear to Scathach that they were struggling to even survive, trying to make do with whatever they found here. It would not be long at all until resources became too scarce to sustain everybody, and with the surrounding forest being infested with hordes of monsters and undead, there was nowhere else for these people to go. Scathach was not sure how long everyone will last-

(THUD)

Scathach was distracted by the state of the village that she failed to notice a rock flying and hitting her on the side of her head. She gasped and collapsed on one knee, and felt blood trickling down from her temple where she was struck. She puts a hand over it as it starts to heal and turns to the sound of young boys yelling at her.

"Witch!"

The group of four boys began throwing more rocks at her. They all hurt on contact, prompting Scathach to try and shield herself from the volley. None of the villagers bothered to intervene as she quickly pulled her hood over her head and got up to run away.

"Run off you hag!"

Those words stung worse than any of the rocks hitting her. Scathach ran clear of the village, her head cast down as she pressed on towards the fortress. Once she was clear, she backed herself against a tree and began to cry. It hurt her deeply to be harassed like that, even more so that no one stood up for her and just allowed all of that to happen. She wanted to curse those boys for doing this to her, yet Scathach knew that her disposition with all the villagers was poor already. Until she got a handle on her powers, she unfortunately had to take the abuse for the time being.

That would prove difficult in the coming days...

Scathach climbed the stairs up to The Shadow's fortress. Passing under the archway, she kept climbing as the stairs got narrower as she neared the top to the front gates. The events from the village earlier still lingered in her head and ate away at her conscience. Scathach did not dwell on it for long however, as with each step she took, she could feel something happening beneath her feet. She couldn't explain what it was, but she somehow became more aware of it as she went on. It made her gradually slow her pace until she stopped, now having a gut feeling that something was wrong.

This feeling... it's like when The Shadow showed me his power... wait... magecraft?

(RUMBLE)

Scathach gasped when the entire staircase shook, and to her shock, the steps ahead of her broke off from the cliff in sections and floated in mid-air. She was nearly thrown off her balance when the section of she stood on broke off as well and floated far out in open air. Scathach fell on one knee to stop herself from falling over. She looked at the path ahead of her which had turned into a precarious gauntlet.

What in Lugh's name?!

She did not much time to think about the sheer absurdity of the challenge ahead of her. Scathach was stuck on a floating piece of stairs with no way to turn back. Carefully standing back up, she sees the broken path before her and saw the terrace of the fortress not far ahead. She had no choice but to push forward.

But it was a long way down into the mist below if she were to miss a single jump...

Working up her nerve, Scathach reels back and leaps to a floating island in front. She lands and gasps when her foot almost slips off. Breathing heavily, she regains her footing and sets her sights on another platform. Scathach jumps up and grabs the ledge, straining to pull herself up. She then swings her leg up and pulls the rest of her body on to the broken piece of stairs.

"(Pant)... Okay... (Pant)… making progress..."

Looking ahead, Scathach sees a few smaller islands, moving in sequence. If she was going to pass here, Scathach knew that she had to do this in one-shot. She waited for her moment to go just as the platforms aligned. Seizing her chance, Scathach leaps from island to island, only barely pausing to keep her balance. She jumps and grabs the last, larger island above her and pulls herself up to the top. Heart racing, Scathach takes a moment to breathe as she looks ahead and sees the terrace of the fortress in-front of her...

Just a giant leap across the chasm...

Scathach hesitated when she realized just how long it was. Being an immortal did nothing to take away from the fact that a fall from this height would be fatal and gruesome to an average person, and Scathach did not want to find out the hard way if she would indeed survive the fall should she miss. She shivered just thinking about it...

Her destination seemed so close, and yet so far. Scathach did not know if she could even make this jump, but the doors to the fortress were right there before her. If she turned back now, how could she ever hope to earn The Shadow's favor?

How badly does she want his power?

Scathach gathers all the courage she had and takes a couple steps back, ready to make the long jump across.

I can do this... I can DO this...

When she at last decided to go, Scathach did not hesitate. She sprinted forward and jumped with all her might.

…!

Time slowed as Scathach sailed through open space. For a moment, she was weightless... and then gravity kicked in... It looked like she would fall before she reached the ledge, but she threw her arms up as she closed in. Scathach's hand opened wide as she grabbed a jutting rock of the cliff-face and grabbed it.

"Argh!"

Her arm strained as she hung from the cliff just below the ledge. She threw her other arm up to grab with her other hand. With great effort, Scathach pulled herself up until she could look over the ledge and see the massive doors of the fortress beyond the terrace.

Words could not express the sheer feeling of joy and accomplishment Scathach felt right now.

Yes! I've made it-!

(CRUMBLE)

Scathach gasped and screamed in terror as the ledge gave way and she found herself falling backwards. Her spear slipped off her shoulders as she plummeted. She frantically grabbed it as she fell, orienting herself and holding her weapon horizontally as she fell into a narrow slot in the cliff. The spear was wedged between, gradually slowing her down with an agonizing scraping noise until its wielder came to a dead stop. Dangling from her spear, Scathach held on for dear-life as it flexed under her weight, her arms aching in protest. Hyperventilating and her heart hammering in her chest, she looked for a nearby ledge to plant her feet on, and swung on her spear to reach it. Now hugging against the cliff, Scathach wrenched her spear free and tied it back over her shoulder, taking a moment to collect herself before attempting to climb back up.

Celebrated a bit too early...

Grabbing ledge after ledge, Scathach climbed back up the cliff, willing her near-exhausted body onward with each height gained. She persevered as she neared the top, not bothering to look down back at the chasm where she almost fell. At last, she crested over the peak, on to the polished stone of the terrace. Putting all her effort into one last pull, Scathach heaved herself on to flat ground, practically rolling on to back and spreading her limbs before passing out in exhaustion.

Terra firma...

Scathach stirred and slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry as she could slowly make out her surroundings. She was staring up at the stone ceiling of a dimly lit room that slowly came into focus. Scathach became aware that she was lying on her back against a fur mat, and someone was applying a cold, wet cloth to her forehead. She shot up in alert, only for said someone to quickly calm her down.

"Easy," a familiar gruff voice instructed her. Scathach looks to her left and sees The Shadow dipping the cloth in a bucket of water. She looked around at the room they were in and realized that they were in the fortress.

"What happened?" She asked, gradually calming down.

"I found on you at the front door," he told her. "I gotta say, I didn't think you'd make it. Heck... I was expecting you to turn back and not even try."

"Huh?" Scathach looks at him, and suddenly remembered the stairs breaking apart. The Shadow just gave her a smug smile, affirming her suspicions.

"You bastard!" Scathach said accusingly. He merely chuckled at her outburst, further stoking her anger. "Why did you do that to me?!"

"I told you that I wanted to see what you were made of didn't I?" The Shadow stated, as unapologetic as ever. "Don't act all surprised."

"Was that some kind of sick joke?! You made me climb up a mountain!"

"Yes I did..." he affirmed. "And you know what? You weren't kidding..."

"About what?" Scathach asked, still fuming from the revelation that he broke the stairs to the fortress on purpose. She doubted anything he said now would make her feel any better.

That was until...

"That I won't get rid of you easy. You're quite the tenacious brat you know... Consider me impressed..."

Scathach stares at him, some of her anger fading as he said those words with such sincerity. He was actually impressed with her. Still, Scathach had some lingering bitterness towards him as she just had to ask:

"But did you really have to break the way up here?" Her eyes narrowed at him. "What was the point?"

"The point... was I got to see how committed you are. If the thought of falling into what most consider certain death didn't scare you, then I believe you when you said you were dedicated. Now I know you weren't just saying that."

Scathach was feeling elated when the door suddenly opened and revealed one of those creepy, cloaked characters that Scathach met yesterday. It was carrying a tray of food, along with a change of clothes. It set them down beside her before turning to The Shadow.

"Thanks..."

The cloaked figure bowed and exited the room, leaving the two of them alone. Scathach stared at the direction it went as it closed the door behind it.

"That's a Revenant, in-case you were wondering," The Shadow said as if reading her mind. "There's nothing to fear from them."

Scathach turns to him and asks with hesitancy:

"Are they... dead?"

"Yes... but their bodies are re-animated, retaining the skills and memories they had while living, yet are just shells of who they used to be..."

Scathach's head tilts down, wondering how exactly they came to be, and how much of this place she has yet to understand. The Shadow snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Don't dwell on them too much. Here," he pushes the tray a little closer to her. "Eat up and put this on. Meet me at the main chamber afterwards."

Scathach watched as The Shadow got on to his feet and left the room. She quickly glanced at the garments that the Revenant brought and asked him before he made it through the door:

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Well, you don't want be training in those, do you?"

Scathach perks up when she heard the word: training, and her face lit up when she realized that he was going to teach her everything he knows. She tries hard to stamp down her excitement as she answers.

"No... of course not!"

"Good. This is more practical anyway, and it should fit you. Don't take too long..."

With that, The Shadow left her alone, and Scathach sifted through the change of clothes that the Revenant brought her. Among the pile were two stockings, arm-length gloves, and a sleeve-less body suit, all a dark purple/black color. To her perplexity, it did not feel or look like any conventional clothes she had seen, and it seemed... minimalistic. The material was a finely woven silk that felt unbelievably smooth in her fingers. The central part of the outfit weighed as light as a feather as Scathach held it up in-front of her. It was almost see-through, save more thicker sections for what she hoped would cover her more... sensitive areas. It was a unique design, yet Scathach had to question just how such a light outfit was practical at all.

"This must be some kind of a joke to him..."

Scathach went through a pair of doors that led her into a familiar room; the one where she had met The Shadow previously, and she found him waiting near a rack full of weapons. With her spear in hand, Scathach walks to the center of the chamber, walking uncomfortably given the unique nature of her attire.

This outfit was difficult for her to get used to. It was more revealing and form-fitting than anything she ever wore, and with how thin and airy it was, the outfit felt like it was hardly even there on her petit body. The Shadow came up to her and crossed his arms as he inspected her. Scathach blushed in embarrassment as she thought of running him through with her spear if he looked at her with even a hint of vulgarity.

"The Revenants did a good job," The Shadow remarked rather calmly. "Now you look like you're ready to get your hands dirty..."

"Shut up," Scathach huffed, turning away. She adjusted the hem of her outfit where her thigh was exposed, noting how the main part of her attire was hugging her in all the... questionable places, save for the skirt hanging over her backside. "I look absurd..."

"Relax," The Shadow dismissed her uncomfortable tone. "The outfit is light and frees-up your movement. It's the best kind of attire for combat training."

"Shouldn't I be wearing armor or something?"

Scathach's skepticism was cut short as she was met with a staff not 2 inches away from her face as a response.

"Not getting hit IS your armor..." Her teacher stated bluntly, eventually lowering his training weapon. "Besides, when you heal fast, armor just weighs you down."

Scathach stared as his words sunk in. She supposed when he puts it like that, it does make sense for armor to be pointless when you're immortal. She watched as The Shadow then took a stance a few feet away.

"Now, let's see how good you are with that thing..." he says as he gestures to her makeshift spear. "Are you ready?"

Scathach spent half-the day learning pole-fighting techniques from The Shadow, including the stances and footwork involved, and how to transition from one move-set to the next. With him acting as an analog for an opponent, she was able to go through all the motions at a reasonable pace and finding the entire process fascinating. Despite being familiar with her weapon for the past several days in the forest, Scathach became aware that there was more nuance to actually using it for fighting than hunting with it than she thought. Anyone can pick up a spear and use it, but actually mastering it as a fighting style was almost an art. A dance of nature's two absolutes: life and death.

After a while of instruction, The Shadow decided later to finish their lesson with a spar, just when Scathach felt she was getting the hang of proper spear-usage. She was going into this spar feeling pretty good about herself, until she realized that The Shadow was NOT giving her free strikes this time. Round after round, he would get the better of her and land a hit that she could not anticipate or react to fast enough. She found herself struggling to hold-off his attacks and counter back with some of her own; all the while keeping herself aware of her form and footing.

This might as well be an actual fight.

A few blocked strikes later, The Shadow surprised Scathach with a quick parry and poke to her stomach. She staggers back and rubs her aching abdomen. The Shadow waits impatiently for her to recover.

"Again."

Scathach was out of breath for the whole hour that they have been going at this so far. Despite never winning a round yet, she was not about to give up.

"(Pant) Alright..."

They both take their stances, and this time Scathach starts offensively. They trade hits and blocks against each other's weapons until she steps forward to thrust her spear into the Shadow's leg, only for him to quickly sidestep and whack Scathach on her shoulder blade. She groans in pain and falls on one knee.

"You overstepped and left your back exposed," The Shadow scolded. "Try again."

Scathach winces as she tries to stand up.

"How long are we doing this for?"

"Until you land a hit. You know how to hunt, but you don't know how to fight..."

That jab irritated her, and Scathach was getting frustrated at not having gone anywhere with him since their sparring began. She begrudgingly took her stance again and attacked. Another myriad of trading blows later, and Scathach got blind-sighted by a strike to her side. The force of the hit caused her to fall over. She hears The Shadow's voice hanging over her.

"Try again."

Scathach looks up at his impassive face with growing anger, panting in exhaustion.

"Tch! You're too fast! I can't hit you!"

"You definitely won't with that attitude," he shot back. "Push down your frustration and focus. Try again!"

She seethed as she got back on her feet. It seemed like no matter what she did, this man just stood like a wall, denying her any advantage and countering her with more force and finesse than she could ever throw at him. Scathach was mad at him for impeding her, as well as at her herself for not improving enough to score a hit against him.

This is hopeless! I'll be here all night at this rate. Just what the hell is he trying to do?

After taking their stances, this time The Shadow starts on the attack. Scathach steps backwards trying to block every blow, but after several moves in, her will to keep fighting against an impossible foe was starting to wane. Her counters get gradually slower until he trips her with his staff, making Scathach fall and land on her back with a thud.

"You sacrificed your footing. Big mistake. Is this all you have?"

Scathach grunts as she pushes herself up. She has just about enough of his taunting and pointless attempts to make her fight. Deciding to end this quickly, she grabbed her spear and charged at him with a yell, throwing caution to the wind. She swings her spear at him in blind anger, but the Shadow was not startled at all. He dropped his staff and sidestepped Scathach's furious jab, grabbing the shaft of her spear and pulling it out her hands. He then strikes her across the face with a free backhand, knocking her down to the floor. She laid there motionless as the Shadow casually tosses Scathach's spear to the ground.

"So undisciplined..." he sighs in annoyance before ordering: "Get up."

Scathach did not respond. The Shadow steps closer to her still form and nudges her leg with his foot. When she didn't react, The Shadow frustratingly realized that she was out cold.

"Damn..."

The Shadow helped Scathach sit back up after she had eventually regained consciousness. She sat there clutching her throbbing cheek where he had hit her; whatever mark he had made has long faded by now.

"How are you feeling?" The Shadow asks casually. Scathach for one was both discouraged at her lack of prowess and angry at him for leaving her in this state. All that tension was evident in her voice.

"Awful..."

"Suck it up, child," he said while patting her on the shoulder. "Did I ever say that your training will be easy? If you want what I have, things are only going to get worse from here."

Scathach dusts herself off while still feeling a palpable amount of spite towards her mentor. It was clear that his brand of "teaching" was not what she had in mind.

"How can I if I'm already sparring with you after barely a day of training? You know I can't do anything to you!"

"I wasn't expecting you to beat me," he tells her, unfazed by her tirade. "This is motivation for you to practice and improve. You learn nothing if you never experience defeat. If you want my power so badly then you have to put the work in."

"Right..." Scathach spat under her breath. She was about to look away when her attention was pulled back by the Shadow suddenly grabbing her arm.

"Listen lass..." The Shadow's voice drops low and serious. Scathach was forced to stare into his eyes as she winces under his grip. "I'm nobody's babysitter. I don't coddle, and I don't give handouts. You asked for this, and part of it is putting up with me whether you like it or not. So whenever you feel like quitting, just remember that I expect an apology."

Scathach's anger dissipated as she was quivering under his strict gaze.

"For what?"

"Wasting my time," he tells her. "I'm far from the best teacher, but I'm the only one you've got. You don't like what I'm giving, you ungrateful brat? Then you can leave... and not ever bother me again. Are we clear?"

Stunned, Scathach eventually manages to nod.

"Good," The Shadow finished. He released his hold and Scathach saw his face fall. She hears him let out a sigh as if he was disappointed with himself, and Scathach starts feeling ashamed of the disrespect she gave him earlier. Silence hung between them until...

"I tell you what..." he eventually said, looking back up at her with a less serious expression. "I haven't had anyone to talk to for a while, and my social skills aren't exactly the greatest."

"You've got that right..." she remarked, trying to lighten the mood. The Shadow merely narrowed his eyes in response and said:

"If you don't like me, then that's alright with me," the side of his mouth then curled upwards. "In fact, you can use that as motivation to train."

"How?" Scathach asks in confusion.

"You must find me infuriating, and you no doubt want to put me in my place like you tried to earlier..."

Scathach manages a smile.

"Hard to argue with that... Where did you learn to be such a bastard?"

The Shadow was slightly taken back, but did not stay that way as he said with a devious smile:

"By the time I finish telling you THAT, you might start growing some white-hair-"

He didn't react when Scathach slapped him on the arm before he could finish. The girl looks at him with a surprised and angry expression.

"Don't do that!"

"Oh what's wrong?" He teased. "You're afraid of appearing like an old-?"

"Stop it!" She slaps him again even harder. She looks away so her mentor can't see the ever-growing embarrassment on her face. "I can't get that image out of my head now."

"Don't like it, huh lass?" He asks as he casually rubs the spot where she hit him. To Scathach's surprise, he did not seem at all mad at her. "If you want me to stop, you'll have to make me. That is... you're not feeling up for it..."

"Of course I am!" Scathach quickly insisted, glaring at her teacher.

"Then I take that you're not going to let me get away with-?"

"Gods no!"

"That's what I thought..." The Shadow's smug expression then softens. "NOW how are you feeling?"

Scathach's glaring face morphs to one of surprise. She realized that all of the Shadow's teasing had made her forget all about their rough training session earlier and the frustration she was feeling. As much as hated to admit to him...

"Better..." She eventually said, now feeling more invigorated. "Let's go again..."

She reaches for her spear, but he stops her.

"Not tonight. I have to go hunting..."

Scathach looks on in surprise as the Shadow got up on his feet and helped her up.

"Huh? What about-?"

"You don't need me to get you toughen-up. I can only guide you, but actually growing from my teachings is all on you. You have to want it badly enough and push yourself to improve. Practice on your own time, and tomorrow we'll try something else. Right now, I have other matters."

Now feeling some of her excitement drain, Scathach reluctantly grabbed her spear and tied it on her back. After their little talk, she was feeling a little disappointed that they could not continue sparring. She started walking out of the room when a curious thought crossed her mind.

"Shadow..." she turns and asks him as he puts his staff away, retrieving his signature red swords. "What's so special about this forest?"

"Everything that spawns here wants to kill, and I make sure that nothing ever leaves," he emphasized by scrapping his blades against one another. He then glances over his shoulder at Scathach. "If you want to know more, you'll have to impress me..."

With that, Scathach took her leave and left The Shadow by himself. Her thoughts lingered on him and their first training session together as she walked through the empty stone halls of the fortress. Going into this, she thought of the all-powerful Shadow as a ruthless man, and quite insufferable at times as well. He would throw challenges her without warning and push her even when she felt that she could not continue. Scathach was under the impression that the man was an absolute scoundrel through-and-through. He had no social graces, had very little patience, and was almost unreasonably demanding. She thought there could not be anything more to this man.

Yet their conversation just moments ago was making her re-examine her assessment of him.

Despite The Shadow being so strict, Scathach saw a part of him that she did not think he had. There was a moment when despite his harsh treatment of her, he lifted her spirits to the point where she would not be too hard on herself or be discouraged from continuing. It was a very human quality from someone too powerful to be considered such.

Perhaps there is more to him than he lets on.

It certainly was food for thought. Who was he before? Did he have people he cared about? What makes him act the way he does? Scathach decided that if she wanted to know about her teacher and his abilities, she will have to put up with his antics in the coming days.

It better be worth it, because Lugh knows he is going to test my patience...

Part 2: Adapt

Scathach made her way back to the village as the sun was setting. She made her way down the steps, which (thankfully) were repaired like nothing happened, and settled back in with Aife and Fimir. Upon her return, they were quick to ask about her about her first day training with The Shadow, as well as the unusual garments that Scathach came back wearing. As she was discussing it with them around the fire, Scathach could not help but feel that so far that things with The Shadow did not go exactly how she had hoped. She turned in to bed later that night, only to be quite restless; her thoughts and trepidations preventing her from succumbing to sleep.

In all honesty, Scathach really did not know what to expect. Apart from a surprise traversal challenge and a basic fighting practice, she walked away dissatisfied and was left wanting more. Perhaps it was just that The Shadow had been hard on her during their spar that left her feeling this way. Scathach's pride was bruised, but she mentally assured herself that these "lessons" with him will get better over time.

But how much time did she have before those invaders burn down and desecrate every village on the Isle? When will she be able to take the fight to them? With the skill gap so massive, she wondered if she will ever reach The Shadow's level. The thought of ascending that ladder with him teaching her seemed grueling. Then she remembered his words:

Growing from my teachings is all on YOU... You have to want it badly enough to put the work in... Impress me...

If she was going to get better, then she will have to push herself to do so. Only she herself knows what she wants... and only she can work to get it...

Scathach will have to step-up to meet her teacher's demands.

I can't wait around then. There is work to do...

Sitting up, Scathach grabs her spear and quietly makes her way out of the hut, careful not to wake her sister, Fimir, or Kihli. She heads outside to a clear, flat area just a stone-toss away and looks around before doing anything else. It was the dead of night; insects were chirping, the village was empty as everybody was sleeping, and the only light came from the moon and countless stars in the night-sky. Satisfied with the privacy, Scathach then goes into a stance and practices fighting moves with her spear. She pays attention to every aspect of her style, remembering The Shadow's words on keeping footing, streamlining her form with each attack, and never losing her balance. Scathach thrusts, twirls, jabs, and swings at the open air around her. She scrutinizes herself and puts effort in to refining her sloppy form, and going faster and smoother with each move transition into the next, giving all her attacks the singular purpose of bettering herself.

Days ago, Scathach was a weak and scared little girl. Her and Aife's time surviving in that forest has given her the drive to be more than she is and never go back. She felt each attack and spin of her spear take her further from the helpless person she was, and closer towards her goal. Her self-training continues throughout the night, barely takes breaks between before stubbornly continuing. Slowly but surely, Scathach will forge herself anew, and that goal was not going to wait for her to come get it.

At the same time back in the hut, Aife stirs in her sleep, overhearing the sounds of Scathach training with her spear. Aife opens her eyes and peers through the door to outside, seeing her sister swiping at the space around her. She watches Scathach from afar, noting the look of sheer determination on her face as she attacks the empty air with poise and purpose. Watching her, Aife cannot help but admire just how much her sister had grown since their time in the forest and seeing her drive to become powerful enough to take back the home they had both lost. Aife was slowly feeling the fire that was burning in her sister's soul right now, and desired to know if one day she will train alongside Scathach and grow as strong as she is.

Part of her even wondered if she could attain the same power as her sister...

Morning began to break as Scathach makes her way back to the fortress, cloaked and with her spear slung over her back with Revenant-made outfit underneath. She managed to get a couple hours rest before retiring after her practice last night, and she trekked through the village and back to The Shadow, determined to let today be worse than the last. The crowd of villagers warily parted for her as she walks through, still distrusting of her, but Scathach could hardly care at the moment. Part of her wondered what she will be learning this time as the familiar mountain came into view-

(THUD)

Scathach felt a rock hit the side of her head, but unlike yesterday, she did not fall down. Instead, she hardly recoiled and cast her head down in annoyance, knowing what was coming next.

"Witch! Take your curses elsewhere!"

"Away with your filth you demon!"

She did not even bother to turn to the same group of boys as one of them through another rock at her, hitting Scathach in the shoulder. The words stung even more than ever as she bitterly tried to ignore them and press on. She was not going to give those boys the satisfaction of seeing her hurt or angry.

Her face was passive, but inside she was seething. She could only take this harassment for so long until she has had enough...

Scathach later arrives back at the fortress, entering and finding The Shadow nowhere to be found. She retraces her steps to back to the room where they've sparred together, only to find that room to be empty too; no sign of her teacher nor any Revenants. She then tries looking for him elsewhere in the fortress; the seemingly endless hallways and chambers quickly making her lose her bearings and getting lost in the process.

I always forget how big this place is... why would anyone need such a big home all to themselves?

Scathach wanders on through the dimly lit corridors, eventually hearing a commotion up ahead in one of the rooms. She quickens her pace and turns into the chamber where the noise was coming from. Before her was The Shadow and some of his Revenants moving a bunch of objects around inside of what appeared to some kind of archive. There were shelves upon shelves stacked with rolls of written parchment, a table with vials of strangely colored liquids and assorted gemstones, thick-stone candelabras lit aflame and illuminating the stone walls lined with odd symbols; like the ones Scathach saw outside the day she first met her mentor. Yet the real eye-catcher was the ominous ritual circle being etched into the floor by The Shadow himself. When he was finished, he finally acknowledged the visibly confused Scathach who merely stood in the doorway.

"Leave your stick," The Shadow said bluntly. "You won't need it."

Scathach complies and sets her spear against the wall. Her mentor motions her to step into the circle as the Revenants calmly leave the room. Scathach then stands in front of the Shadow, wondering what he has planned this time.

Hopefully no more climbing...

"Sit."

Scathach follows his order as the both sit down in the circle across from each other. Her nervousness grows as the room turns silent with only the crackling flare of the torches, and the sound of The Shadow's heartbeat reaching Scathach's ears through her enhanced hearing.

"I want you to become more familiar with your new self before we return you to physical training," He begins, scrutinizing Scathach's childish form before adding: "Which let's be honest could use a bit more honing."

Scathach huffs as he continued.

"But for now, let's explore something else. Namely what exactly the Netherlyst did to you..."

"Go on," Scathach says cautiously.

"How are you with your circuits?"

"I'm trying to get mana flowing through them like you said. I can keep it for a bit longer each time..."

"Let's see."

On that, Scathach holds out her arms in front of her and focused hard, making her magic circuits glow and flicker feebly. She strains and tries holding for as long as she can until the pain became too much and she stops. The lines on her arm fade as Scathach doubles over out-of-breath.

"Not quite enough," The Shadow remarks. "Here..."

He grabs Scathach's arms and rubs them as if to relieve lingering pain. While Scathach appreciated the gesture, she was feeling a little disappointed in herself.

"How do you do it so easily?"

"Patience. Magic circuits are not much different from muscles," The Shadow tells her. "The only way to make them stronger is to keep stimulating them. Channeling mana should be effortless to a mage."

He made it sound like he was accusing her of not practicing enough, and that stung at Scathach's pride as she looks away in shame. The Shadows sees her reaction and adds:

"Don't feel too down," he says, backpedaling ever so slightly from his gruff tone. This prompts Scathach to look back at him. "You're only getting your feet wet for now. After you get acquainted with everything you are as One with the Void is when real training begins..."

The Shadow rubs more forcefully, making the fatigue in her arms fade. Feeling more comfortable, Scathach breaks the prolonged silence.

"What exactly is mana anyway?"

"Mana is a fundamental force that has existed since the beginning of ALL things. It is quite literally the breath of the world itself given form in nature."

Hearing all of this made Scathach intrigued as he continued.

"Because of that, it is the means of which events in nature; subtle or otherwise, is dictated. Every storm, every flood, wind, quake, and every other worldly interaction is made possible by it; Hence why it is used as the basis of all magic among those who can tap into it."

"And these are mages?" Scathach adds rhetorically.

"Wizards, Witches, Druids, Warlocks, whatever you want to call them... but yes. Mage or Magus is the "catch-all" term. There..." The Shadow finished rubbing, and all the fatigue in Scathach's arm was gone. "Keep doing that as often as you can. Now stand up..."

Scathach follows his instruction and stands up with him, wondering what they were going to explore next.

"So what now?" she eagerly asks. In response, The Shadow takes a casual step to his left near a candelabra with a grin as his circuits light up.

"This..."

The moment his foot enters the shadow cast by the candelabra, his whole body turns to black mist before Scathach's eyes. Her face morphs into one of surprise and amazement as The Shadow's wraith-form starts dashing to various areas of the room in the blink of an eye. He then appears back in front of her, appearing back to normal.

"How did you do that?" Scathach asks him.

"Stand in a big enough shadow, and focus," he told her while guiding her near the candelabra. "Do you remember how you did it in the village when that drunkard grabbed you? What were you feeling?"

Scathach takes a cautious step towards the casted shadow, recollecting the first time she went into wraith-form.

"I remember feeling trapped, and I wanted so desperately to get away..."

"Then feel that," The Shadow instructs. Scathach's feet were now firmly planted in cast darkness, momentarily pausing to let what she was about to do sink in. Taking a deep-breath, she lets her circuits come to life with the feeling of wanting to escape. Before she knew it, she felt the cast shadow literally crawl up her legs and spread quickly to the rest of her body. Her vision immediately changed just like before as her form turned to black mist. Scathach gasps and notices her voice become echoed.

And unlike before, she was not at all frightened.

This is happening... I'm really doing it! It's amazing!

Before she got carried away, The Shadow suddenly spoke up.

"Now, try and keep up..."

The shadowy form of Scathach looks back at him in confusion.

"Huh?"

That was when The Shadow went into wraith-form again and dashed right past her, practically flying towards the door. Scathach stares in amazement as his form crawls under the door in an instant.

I suppose that I have to catch him...

Scathach willed her legs forward, moving and gliding so quickly that she would swear that she was flying instead of running. Getting under the door was seemingly effortless as her mist body just conformed into any shape she needed, and she appeared on the other side absolutely amazed at herself.

This felt like a dream... something that was impossible to her days ago...

She sees the black, ghostly form of the Shadow out of the corner of her eye dash away, and she immediately goes after him. They dart through the hallways of the fortress, at one point passing Revenants who barely even acknowledged them as they glided past at great speed. They made it to the large Atrium with an elevated ceiling, and through her new vision, Scathach sees her mentor gliding up a wall.

He can go up walls?!

With hardly any time to think about how, Scathach mimics the same move and follows the Shadow up the same wall. Her mist-body just seemed to effortlessly carry her up the polished stone, and it didn't take long for Scathach to feel secure in the fact that she would not crash or fall off.

At least until the Shadow then flew off the wall and across the room to a balcony.

AND he can fly?!

Scathach barely had time to process as she paused at the top of the wall and briefly surveyed the gap to where the Shadow disappeared. If she was to follow, she was going to have to clear it, or otherwise fall.

However, with what she was experiencing right now, it was no reason to stop...

"Here goes nothing...!"

Gathering the courage, Scathach leaps off and to her shock and awe just glided over the gap as if she was weightless. The feeling of flying was exhilarating as she miraculously reached the ledge and continued gliding through the hallway, too excited to notice a glowing rune on the floor...

That she happened to fly right over...

…!

In a flash of light, Scathach gasped and felt gravity kick-in as she found herself crashing and rolling against the floor; her mist-body receding and returning to normal. She eventually slides to a stop, groaning from the pain of hitting the stone floor. The Shadow then materialized in front of her.

"You weren't paying attention," he said while standing over her with arms crossed. "Easy to get carried away while enjoying yourself, isn't it?"

Scathach was rubbing the back of her head as she sat up. She was irritated at her teacher for stopping her just as she was getting used to her wraith-form, yet her foremost thought was how he managed to do so.

"What in Gods' names was that?" she asks, looking up at the Shadow.

"A Negation rune. Spells in language that could be projected or planted as traps like that one. Different characters have different effects. Once we open up your circuits more, I'll let you dabble in those."

The Shadow did not bother to help her up as he turned to slowly walk away.

"Come. We need to toughen you up..."

Scathach sighed as she struggled to get back on her feet. If it was not clear to her by now, her mentor was not going to coddle her for the remainder of her training.

He's definitely not going to make this easy for me...

After her experience going into wraith-form, Scathach was taken to undergo several exercises of physical conditioning. Her first of such was balancing herself on a series of tall wooden poles inside one of the castle's many chambers. Once she was situated, Scathach spoke down to her mentor who was watching her from below.

"I thought you were gunna train me," Scathach told The Shadow skeptically, so far not having a problem staying balanced on the center of the stilts. "I don't see what's so difficult about this..."

"Balance is easy when nothing's trying to throw you off your footing," The Shadow pointed out. "That's what those things above you are for..."

"What?"

Scathach looks up and sees a bunch of heavy metal weights and tumblers hooked up to chains assorted above her head, noting how some of them appeared to have spikes. Her eyes widen.

What is this?! Some kind of torture device?!

She heard The Shadow throw a switch, and before she knew it, the weights began falling and swinging at her randomly. Panicking, Scathach weaves between the tumblers trying to knock her off, forced to find her footing on a new wooden stilt every time she moved; not helped by the fact that she had to divide her attention between dodging and seeing where to place her feet lest she was to fall down below. She yelped as she barely scrapes by a spiked weight, almost slipping off her new perch.

"You're doing great," The Shadow said absently, almost enjoying the sight of his student struggling. "Don't look down..."

Scathach was hardly listening; too focused on staying balanced and avoiding getting bulldozed by the massive swinging weights.

This is insane! Is this a sick game to him?!

Scathach turns and pivots to avoid an incoming tumbler, only for it clip her shoulder and knock her sideways. She screams as she falls between the stilts and freefalls down to the chasm below.

(SPLASH!)

Thankfully, there was a pool of water to break her fall. The Shadow stood by the edge until Scathach resurfaced, gasping for breath.

"You lasted only ten seconds," he told her bluntly. "Not impressed..."

Scathach swam up to the water's edge and began pulling herself up, all while looking up at The Shadow with bitter frustration.

"You call this training?!" She yells, her wet outfit now pinching her in an uncomfortable place. "What am I supposed to take away from this?!"

"Coordination," The Shadow said, ignoring her angry tone. "Get back up and try again..."

Scathach huffed as she pulled herself fully out of the water, only for the Shadow to add:

"And don't be mad just yet. Wait until I make you do this blindfolded..."

"(grunt)…"

"Next test: Strength..."

The next day, The Shadow took Scathach on the roof of the fortress for another bout of outrageous physical conditioning. He had her carry a massive tray over her head while he kept adding weight in the form of stone blocks. At first, Scathach was surprised at how much she could lift for her size, deducing that it was due to her rebirth as a mage of the Void.

But she soon learned even that benefit had limits...

Scathach was straining and huffing under her breath as the Shadow kept adding more weight. She could feel her muscles stretching and her knees beginning to buckle as she struggled to hold back all of that weight from crushing her.

"You holding-up alright?"

Scathach, who was almost on one knee at this point, responds to the Shadow's condescending question with an angered:

"Do I look like I'm doing alright?!"

"Now that you say it, you seem to be at your limit, which means I can start doing this..."

Scathach stared agape as The Shadow suddenly fired a mild lightning spell at her feet.

"Oww!" Scathach recoiled as felt the spell sting her. Her brief lapse in concentration made the load on her upper body more strenuous to hold. "What are you doing?!"

"Keep that weight up, and don't let it fall on you..."

"HUH!?"

Scathach's outrage was answered with a volley of more spells. She braced herself as some spells she tried to shield herself from but nonetheless hit her. Scathach trembles as the stinging effect from all those spells was taking a toll on her already straining body.

It hurts... I can't- let it- drop!

As much as Scathach willed it, in the back of her mind she knew she was losing the battle. Sure enough, The Shadow then casted a rune that made the floor Scathach was standing on ripple like waves on a beach, which at last threw her off her feet and the several tons of stone that she carried over her shoulders.

(CRASH!)

When the dust cleared, broken blocks were spread everywhere, leaving Scathach half-buried and mangled beneath the mess. She groaned in pain as her enhanced healing kicked-in, filling the air with the sound of flesh and bone setting and mending together. Being a "gentleman", The Shadow pulled most of the debris off of her, revealing a battered and dizzy Scathach, who starts to stir.

"You alright lass?" He snaps his fingers in front of her, getting her attention. Scathach holds her hand up to head to ease a headache as The Shadow holds up two fingers with one hand. "How many am I holding up?"

The dazed Scathach stares and concentrates hard for a few seconds, then answered unsurely:

"Seven?"

Stumped, The Shadow then sighed and rolled his eyes with slight disappointment:

"Oh, you're fine..."

"Must you go so fast?!"

"Quit complaining and keep climbing. I'll wait at the top, IF you ever get there at the rate you're going..."

Scathach groans as she grabs a protruding rock and pulls herself up as the Shadow was way up ahead of her on the edge of a mountain, clearly having an easier time than she was...

I HATE climbing!

"Come on, lass... I climb double this height every morning before breakfast..."

His comment fails to alleviate Scathach's bitterness for making her do this. It was the middle of a new day since they started this new nightmare scenario that The Shadow cooked up, and to the girl's chagrin, it happened to be the one thing she didn't want to do since being taken under the Shadow's wing. Scathach was only just over halfway up while her mentor was near the top of cliff, just comfortably taking his time while she struggled. Her muscles strained and ached in protest as she pulled herself up each and every foot of elevation. Scathach was starting to get really sick of The Shadow's antics and his outrageous attempts to whip her into shape. What was going to all these extremes supposed to accomplish, besides making her have a rough time?

If it weren't for The Shadow's promise of sharing his knowledge and power with her, Scathach would've thought NONE of this experience was worth it.

Maybe Fimir was right and I AM just plain mental. I suppose that I'm also a glutton for punishment it seems...

Pushing on, Scathach finally made it up to the top of the cliff, after what felt like an eternity. The Shadow was patiently waiting for while doing some stretches. Scathach crests over in one last pull and collapses on the snow-laden ground trying to catch her breath. As cold as it was up here, that was the furthest from her mind as Scathach was exhausted and aching all over her body.

"What took you so long?" The Shadow remarked.

"Shut up..." Scathach said absently while out-of-breath, wanting just to give her body a rest. She tilts her head to the side and could see the peak of the mountain up a way from where they've stopped. She had to admit, it was quite serene up here away from the forest below. "Why did you bring me up here anyway?"

"I thought this summit would be a good place to get some speed in those legs of yours. It's harder to run in snow than it is in plain dirt."

"That's it?" Scathach found herself asking. A casual run down a mountain seemed like nothing compared to the climb up. Maybe he was at last giving her a break?

No. Knowing him, that CAN'T be all there is to it...

"More or less... In fact, I think I gave you enough time to catch your breath. Let's start right now..."

Scathach sat up as he starting forming a rune in his hand and his arm channeling fire.

"What are you doing?" She asked with suspicion.

"Providing you with motivation," The Shadow stated as-matter-of-fact. Scathach's eyes widened as he fired his spell far towards the snowy peak of the mountain. Scathach watched as the fireball traveled and exploded on impact. She looks back the Shadow and sees that he started running.

"What the-?!" Before she could finish, the Shadow casually called out over his shoulder as he got further away:

"Better start running!"

Dumfounded, Scathach quickly thought to herself:

Did he just-?

(RUMBLE)

Scathach's blood ran cold as soon as she heard it. She turned back at the peak of the mountain and saw a huge wall of snow crashing its way down towards her.

And her question was answered...

"Bastard!"

Panicking, Scathach darts up and runs frantically down in the Shadow's direction in desperation to outrun the avalanche. Her heart races and her lungs burned in the cold air as Scathach runs for her life, the deep snow making it difficult to move quickly. She dared not look back at the torrent rushing closer behind her, growing louder and louder. Scathach looks around frantically for a place where she can avoid getting swept off her feet, and she settles on the tree-line at the base of the mountain.

It's not far! I can make it!

Scathach yells and wills her body to move faster. She wasn't about to let herself be at the mercy of this cold, hellish barrage.

I CAN MAKE IT!

...

Meanwhile, The Shadow was waiting at the base of the mountain by the tree-line, on top of a ridge and out of the way of the incoming avalanche. Part of him was wondering if maybe doing this to his pupil might have been taking things a bit too far, but quickly dismissed it.

No. She needs to learn just how unforgiving the world's forces can be. It will motivate her to become stronger. She's a tenacious little brat... I'm sure she will be alright...

"waaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

The Shadow's eyes darted to the sound of screaming combined with the thunderous sound of crashing snow. He sees Scathach caught in the avalanche, being tossed around like a rag-doll as the avalanche carried her well past where the Shadow had been standing.

Or maybe not...

It didn't take long for The Shadow to fish Scathach out of the aftermath of the avalanche. He found her shivering violently and decided to take her back to the fortress to recover. She hardly said a word since coming back from the mountain, but she no doubt had nothing nice to say since the stunt he had pulled on her. Scathach was thankful that the Shadow had to go hunting that night, as she had almost had it with being his guinea pig to mess around with.

These training exercises were getting her nowhere... and she begrudgingly realized that he was only going to give her more in the coming days.

Between those, the Shadow was still training her to improve her expertise in using her spear. While the fights got more brutal and Scathach still failing to hit him, each round lasted slightly longer than the last. These were grating tests of discipline as well, yet despite her frustration, Scathach could sort of tell that she was improving with each bout, but it will still be a long while before she could hope to match him.

On the magic side of things, Scathach was still practicing on conditioning her circuits, trying to keep them active for as long as she could. Meanwhile, The Shadow had given her a role of parchment depicting strange symbols for her to merely memorize. Every night back at Fimir's hut she would spend between honing her spearman-ship and channeling mana while meditating. Her shadow-form was a real delight to use, even if not for the priceless response she got from Aife and Fimir the first time she showed them.

The one thing that still irked her was the fact that most of the village was still wary of her despite not making a scene since the day she woke up. Her new outfit made her stand out, which she tried mitigating by wearing her cloak over it. She also couldn't help but notice that everyone was struggling to sustain themselves in the rushed, run-down settlement. With all these villagers living in the middle of a forest full of monsters, hunts were less than fruitful, water was scarce, and resources were hard to acquire. Scathach had no reason to care for people whom were not welcoming of her, but could not help but feel some sympathy for those merely trying to survive.

So one day before returning to meet her mentor, Scathach decided to stay back for a bit and help around Fimir's hut. With Aife staying back helping while she underwent training, it was the least Scathach could do for her gracious host. Some gatherers rolled a wagon into the village and began handing out what little food they could acquire, and she joined Fimir in carrying some baskets-full back to the hut.

"It's a shame that they had no meat on that cart," Fimir eventually said. "I guess the hunters couldn't risk venturing too far in fear of those creatures..."

"They're right to be afraid," Scathach said sadly. "Me and Aife had a brush with countless of those things. They're the stuff of nightmares."

"I sure hope those barbarians are having nightmares of those...", Fimir's voice stained from the weight she was carrying. "Gods know they deserve them..."

"Here," Scathach offers after seeing Fimir struggle to lift two baskets filled with potatoes and assorted vegetables. "Allow me."

"Thank you, lass," Fimir put down the baskets and stretched her back. "I'm afraid this widow isn't as young as she used to be..."

"I can carry both. Move over," Scathach said as Fimir reluctantly moves aside.

"You sure about that lass?" the widow asks as the young girl reaches down to grab the baskets. "I mean those two are very heavy for a-"

Fimir stops as she sees Scathach stacks the two baskets full of food and effortlessly lifts them up over her shoulder.

"Never mind," she remarks as they start walking back. "I suppose it's easy to forget that you're not an ordinary child..."

"I sometimes feel that way too," Scathach humors her. Every day since she has started learning under The Shadow has her often surprised at what she was able to do. It affirmed that maybe her encounter with the Netherlyst was not so awful after all.

"By the way, I hope The Shadow isn't working you too hard all things considering," Fimir tells her. "You know it pains me to see you come back like you've just fought off a bear every night..."

"It hasn't been easy, and his ways of training me are quite... creative to put lightly," Scathach said, trying not to seem as if The Shadow was torturing her. She didn't want to picture Fimir's reaction to the fact that The Shadow tried making her outrun an avalanche.

She was still questioning if those tests were in any way beneficial to her...

"No kiddin'," Fimir lets out. "I've got to say, you and your sister are tough little youngsters. Where did you say you were from?"

"Me and Aife came from south of the Isle. The barbarians had us boarded on to boats and carried us across the loch and into cages pulled by horses. We managed to escape and found ourselves here..."

Scathach's face turns somber at the recollection. Not wanting to elaborate further, she asks Fimir:

"Where did you and Kihli come from?"

"We came further north from the edge of the sea; a town called Alba. It was a nice place until the invaders came and raided it, forced the populace to flee here into the forest. We were wary of this place, but no one dared ventured in until the invaders came. Makes me wonder what those charlatans are up to now..."

"Nothing good I'm sure. Some of them tried going into the forest after us, and I have no reason to believe that they won't try again-"

Scathach stops as they came back up to Fimir's hut, only to see half of it broken in shambles. They both put their baskets down and rush towards the remains of Fimir's home to see Aife and Kihli among the wreckage.

"I can't believe it! Those brats!"

Kihli was solemnly silent as Aife was fuming. Scathach and Fimir soon joined them, shocked at what happened in their absence.

"Kihli!" Fimir cried out worriedly. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, mother," Kihli tells her as Fimir hugs him protectively. Meanwhile, Scathach was stunned at the devastation and asks Aife:

"What in Lugh's name happened?"

"Me and Kihli just came back from getting water, and some boys were wrecking the hut!" Aife explains to her sister, trying to bite back her anger. "I managed to chase them off, but now there's almost nothing left!"

"Boys?" Scathach asks her with suspicion. It didn't take her very long to realize exactly who Aife was talking about, and when she did, the shame on her face was plain for Aife to see. "Oh no..."

"What is it?" Aife asks worriedly as Scathach turns away.

"This is my fault..." Scathach revealed. "It's because of me that those boys attacked this place. They knew I lived here, and wanted to harass me like they've been doing for days already..."

Aife was stunned at her sister as Fimir questioned her:

"Is that true lass?"

"Yes..." Scathach looks at her with growing guilt, and was the verge of tears. "Fimir... I'm so sorry-"

"No need to apologize," Fimir stops her. "This was nothing you did. Just remember that..."

Scathach wipes away a tear that escaped her eye. The widow continued hugging Kihli protectively while Aife walked up behind her sister and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Scathach could see that none of them blame her for what happened, and therefore she should not be blaming herself either. Despite her lingering guilt, she admitted to herself that Fimir was right. She was not at fault here...

Deep down, Scathach knew who really was...

She walked over the wreckage and retrieved her spear, anger and resolve were gradually replacing her shame and guilt. Her circuits glowed and pulsed in response, reminding Scathach of her newfound power; one she considered using on the perpetrators should she get a chance.

It's one thing to attack me, it's another to hurt my friends... they just crossed a line.

Scathach silently vowed to herself that the next time she saw those boys will be her last. For now, The Shadow was expecting her...

Part 3: Clarity

The Shadow sends a volley of swings and jabs at Scathach with his staff, making her stagger back as she frantically tries blocking each one. After a successful parry, Scathach then retaliates with a series of strikes with her spear. The Shadow calm and composed, merely blocked each one almost effortlessly. This round felt like it was going on for minutes now, and Scathach was slowly getting frustrated; not at all helped by the fact that today's earlier events weighing on her mind.

Little did Scathach notice; The Shadow was reading her face throughout their spar, and he got the suspicion that something was wrong with his student...

Every thrust, every deflection... every attempt to strike her opponent was fueled by her anger towards the group of boys who harassed her and destroyed Fimir's home. She found herself imagining that she was attacking them instead, and every failed attempt to land a hit made familiar jeers and taunts echo in Scathach's mind.

"Witch!"

"Hag!"

The words stung harder than they ever did until now. They were soon joined by the rest of the villagers from the fateful day she revealed herself. Scathach seethed at the memory:

"Demon!"

"Monster!"

She was now attacking furiously, throwing form and technique to the wind as she put more speed and strength behind her blows. Her circuits light-up, empowering her and she began driving The Shadow back. Scathach was no longer looking at him, but rather the whole village who had been against her since her arrival. The words... the insults... they just kept coming no matter how hard she fought.

"Stop it... Stop it! STOP IT!"

She starts yelling with each strike, no longer able to contain herself. The Shadow sidesteps an overhead strike, and his circuits light up in response. He grabs the hilt of Scathach's spear with a free-hand and forcibly wrenches it out of her grasp. He then pins her down to the floor with his staff after tossing away her spear.

"That's enough!"

Scathach tries wrenching herself free from the weight pressed on her, reason becoming lost on her as she screams:

"LET ME GO!"

"No! You need to calm yourself!"

"THEY WON'T STOP!" Scathach was thrashing about, not caring if she was injuring herself. "I HAVE TO MAKE THEM STOP!"

"Lass! Look at me!" The Shadow put a hand on her face as he raised his voice. Scathach stiffens while breathing heavily, her magic circuits still glowing. She eventually met her teacher's face and feebly made half-attempts to break free that gradually faltered; her grunts becoming mere pleading whimpers as The Shadow keeps her pinned.

"Look at me..."

His voice drops down to normal as Scathach stopped resisting. Breathing heavily, she eases her push against The Shadows staff. After silence hangs between them briefly, she began to breakdown. Tears escape her eyes as her circuits finally dim down.

"There..."

The Shadow eventually releases her, standing up to full height as Scathach laid on the floor sobbing.

"You lost control..." The Shadow said slowly. Scathach rolled to her side and curled herself up as she continued to cry.

"They all hate me so much..." She said to nobody in particular, but her teacher was listening. The Shadow looked down at her with a modicum of pity as her voice sounded frail and broken. "Why do they despise me so?"

"People fear most what they don't understand..." The Shadow replied, prompting Scathach to look at him. He then knelt down beside her, gently put his staff down. "Why do you think I don't go down there?"

His ill attempt at humor does little to make Scathach feel better. She holds her hand in front of her as she continued, some anger returning with the belief that her newfound powers will make right with might.

"They all had to drag Aife, Fimir, and Kihli into this..." She said in a low voice as she closes her hand into a fist. "I should've taught them a lesson when I had the chance..."

"And what would that have accomplished?" The Shadow asks her seriously. "If you bite back, then you become everything that they say you are. Is that what you really want?"

"If makes them stop hurting those close to me, then yes..."

"And before you know it, they and your own sister will see you as a monster," his response catches Scathach's attention again. "One's will is not to be exercised through wrath or intimidation like despot kings and warlords. That is NOT what we are. Our powers may make us extraordinary, but without discipline, without insight, it can be abused and twist us until we no longer recognize ourselves. So I ask you again lass... is this what you want?"

Scathach's eyes widened after the Shadow's speech. After mulling over his words, she relented and cast her head down shamefully.

"No."

She couldn't see, but The Shadow's head nodded. Scathach was internally scolding herself for even thinking about lashing out against the other villagers. The Shadow's words rang true, and had she not listened, Scathach would have done something that she'd regret. She couldn't stand at the thought of Aife, Fimir and Kihli looking at her different from the person she is.

Yet, what could she do instead? The incident at Fimir's hut would embolden other villagers into harassing her, and Scathach could not simply sit back and let it happen. Just what would it take to show everyone that she was not someone to fear?

The Shadow suddenly spoke said and sat down on the floor across from Scathach.

"Since we can't continue sparring with the way you're feeling now, we'll do something else," he told her before instructing: "Sit up."

Scathach obeyed and copied him as he continued.

"How are your circuits? If you've been stimulating them every day like I said, they should be plenty open by now..."

Scathach lets out an exasperated sigh.

"I still can't leave them on for very long..."

"And why is that?" The Shadow asks. His tone betrayed the fact that he knew something Scathach did not.

"I'm not gathering enough mana?" Scathach cautiously asks, only to be met with a curt response.

"No. It's got nothing to do with what's around you. There's plenty of mana going through this forest for you not to struggle."

Scathach sighs again, now believing the problem was how she was physically. She was too ashamed of herself from earlier to try and fight the bitter truth of her skills.

"Fine. My circuits aren't developed enough and my body is too weak to condition them. Is that what you want me to say?"

"Wrong again," he said with a smirk. Scathach was now feeling confused as to what he was now getting at. "The reason you are still feeling resistance is because your head is not in the right place."

"Huh?"

"Magic circuits are not a weapon that is merely crafted for somebody to use. They are directly a part of you. If your thoughts and feelings are in turmoil, they will not answer the way you want."

Scathach was perplexed. She stared at the Shadow as he demonstrated by forming a fire rune in his hand.

"See how simple this is? My circuits don't even have to glow for that to happen. I'm not casting because I'm knowledgeable OR powerful. Sometimes, all it takes is clarity."

"Clarity..." She repeated, not knowing what that meant.

"Show me your hands..."

Scathach complies and holds her hands out in front of her, for which the Shadow place his below hers. Her gaze is fixated on her mentor as their eyes never leave each other's.

"The reason you lost control is that you let all your woes, insecurities and fears overwhelm you. What I want you to do is let go..."

"Let go of what?"

"Everything" The Shadow's voice was low and commanding, making Scathach listen more intently than ever. "You are still constrained by the notion that you are a mortal at the mercy of the world around you, letting it decide for you what to do and avoid. To use magic is to let you influence the world. You can't hope to bend nature if you succumb and let it influence you."

"But-" She wanted to question, but The Shadow gripped her hands tighter making her stop.

"The times I was training you and making your exercises harder was all to snap you out of that mindset. You were clearing that chasm on our first day thinking you were all vulnerable. You feared falling to your death when you really had nothing to fear. It's an illusion to convince yourself that you are still a part of the world. "

Scathach was stunned by this revelation. The more she thought about it, the more The Shadow's words made sense to her. All while he was making her training so absurdly difficult was him trying to get her think beyond how she perceived the natural order of the world. Thinking back to when she climbed the broken steps, she remembered the fear of falling despite being immortal. How could she have been so afraid and careful when she didn't need to be?

It boiled down to simple natural instinct: the ingrained idea of life fighting to survive.

"They are all just obstacles," The Shadow continued. "The villagers rallying against you are no different. When you block out the noise, look beyond what you see, and push past pain and difficulty, then you will find that all that make you doubt, question, falter, are simply that: Obstacles."

Scathach was amazed. It seemed to her that the Shadow's words had never resonated with her as strong with her than before. As a hunter, Scathach was instilled with the idea that all life was in competition to survive, and she like all was not above the reality that everyday could be her last if she did not take mind of her surroundings and respect those that she killed or could kill her. Her and Aife's time in the forest solidified that belief.

Was the illusion of mortality what is holding her back this whole time? This being who was acting as her mentor had just blown how she thought of things wide open.

"Listen carefully... all those thoughts you have... whatever you find yourself dwelling on most... cast it out of your head and focus. When you elevate yourself beyond the physical world... let your mind, body, and soul open... only then can you bend the world itself. That is clarity..."

Scathach was speechless as she at last understood his words. She should never have let the words of the villagers get to her, and she should never have let the antics of those boys aggravate her. It was all just noise, and an illusion stopping her from seeing what she couldn't before.

She was a being with a will of her own, being tied down from all that was trying to hinder her capabilities. Scathach just had push past all of that to see the truth:

Magic was an exercise of one's will on the world. She was not riding the current... she was in control...

"You see it now?" The Shadow asked, seeing the look of wonder on her face. "Focus your circuits... Do not succumb to what you think you know, and embrace that which you do not. Can you do that?"

Scathach nods and readies herself with newfound determination. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Let go of what's in your mind," The Shadow instructs, and Scathach lets his words sink in. "Only when your mind is clear can you take everything in. Accept the Void, and it will accept you..."

The room then fell silent as Scathach ignored all that was around her and delved inwards to the dark recesses of her mind. She found herself in a vast, dark empty void and immediately recalled the sights and sounds of the villagers rejecting her.

Witch! Demon! Monster!

Scathach's face faltered only briefly when the hurtful words formed in her mind. She pushes them down, making them sound dim and distant. For words are only just words...

Witch... Demon... … Monster... … … …- (Silence)

And just like that, the nonexistent noise was gone, and the villagers faded from view. She herself standing before the broken stairs up to the fortress, the chasm where she feared falling to her death.

No.

The fall would never kill her. It was no obstacle to her anymore... just as the Shadow's trickery were merely tests of resolve.

A chasm is just a chasm... No matter how big, it can be crossed...

She took a step, and she walked over an invisible bridge that kept her from falling. The scene changed, and she found herself in the forest before a horde of Draugr. They rushed at her with their rustic weapons drawn, but Scathach kept walking until she was within 3 feet of them.

Even the most bloodthirsty creatures are still merely creatures: unable to think beyond their instinct for survival.

Scathach kept walking, and suddenly the Draugr quiver in fear and backed away from her. They parted as she walked past, all meeting her crimson red eyes and the power beneath. They could tell she was no ordinary human. She was One of the Void; a being they can't hurt and can only stay clear of. The Draugr were all but mere prey in her presence. A complete reversal of when they predated on her and her sister. They faded to dust as Scathach found herself in front of a familiar stone gate: the one she saw when the Shadow demonstrated his power. She stepped closer and looked up at the immense doorway. This was the precipice... the point of no return...

When she opened this door, the world as she knows it will completely change. Was she ready for it?

Scathach slowly ran her hand up the gate, feeling the smooth, polished stone. She stopped and began to push. When it didn't move, she then used both hands...

And it started to budge...

A violet light came poking through between the doors as Scathach pushed. She put all her effort into making this door open, wanting whatever was stored inside. Scathach pushed even harder and felt a great energy surging inside her. Her newfound clarity was driving her forward, letting herself open to this new level of power. Her voice strains as she forced the gates apart, until finally she put all her strength into one, mighty heave.

The gates flew open and engulfed Scathach in bright violet light that flooded her vision and made everything go white. Back in reality, she opened her eyes and looked down at herself; her circuits were glowing all over her body much brighter than they ever did before, and her hair was blowing in a nonexistent wind. She looked down at herself with her now glowing eyes, taking in the rush of mana and energy coursing through her now with absolutely no resistance. She was too engrossed in her newfound power that she didn't even notice the Shadow's satisfied smirk at the result of his instruction.

Scathach did not have to read his face to understand what just happened. It was all clear to her...

The Void accepted her... their connection was complete...

"How does it feel?" The Shadow asks.

"Like I can fly..." Scathach answers with fervor. She could not believe how empowering she felt now that she could almost effortlessly channel mana, and all it really took was for her to let go; sever the chains of mortality and doubt tying her down. There was nothing holding her back now, and Scathach would now only look forward.

She looked back at her mentor, whom she could tell from the look on his face that he already had a plan of testing her.

And she had a feeling that involved actual magecraft, which only made her eager with anticipation.

"Then let's spread your wings..."

Scathach spent the next several hours hands-on with the fundamentals on Runecraft provided by the Shadow's tutelage. Having memorized most of the runes, she found that by projecting them with channeled mana yielded a different effect depending on the shape of the rune. Runes can be combined to enhance the delivery and potency of the central rune in a chain; as the Shadow cautions, stacking more runes with speed up mana consumption and can lead to exhaustion. He then showed her that runes don't have to exclusively be projected, but can be drawn on to objects as a trap or enchantment, then all it would take to activate was a quick charge of mana. Projecting runes purely on memory took time, especially when you drew more at once, but Scathach found that writing down frequently used ones beforehand was a versatile way of bypassing that limitation.

The following days saw Scathach becoming more experimental with the power of the Runes; ranging from elemental effects like fire, ice, lightning, to more manipulative ones such as Arrangement (the ability to reshape inanimate objects), Kinetic (move, summon, or banish marked objects) and Reinforcement (making objects physically and structurally stronger or weaker). The Shadow even demonstrated that his tattoos were not just for show, but had Reinforcement runes etched on to himself should he himself needed a boost in strength, and had Kinetic runes to summon his red blades to his hands instantly as well banish them if he needed both hands to cast. Scathach tried this on her own spear, and to her amazement, it came before her whenever she summoned it, making the weapon seem even more a part of herself.

The Shadow's "physical" training sessions were as brutal as usual, and each iteration forced Scathach to push herself harder to overcome them. When it all seemed too much for her, Scathach would remember what the Shadow said about her needing to ignore her plights and focus on what she had to do. The Shadow's challenges were merely obstacles to be overcome, and feats are only impossible until they are done. With that belief cemented in her head since the awakening of her circuits, Scathach would pick herself up and meet his challenges harder than she did before. Seeing past the absurdity of the Shadow's attempts to make her exercises difficult, Scathach started to feel herself becoming stronger and faster than before.

She could balance herself no matter how hard the Shadow tried to knock her down...

She could lift a boulder no matter how hard the Shadow tried to make her drop it...

She could outrun an avalanche no matter how hard the Shadow tried to slow her down...

It all escalated to the point where The Shadow indirectly forced her to use her newly tested rune magic to enhance herself to overcome them; something the Shadow had foreseen and actively encouraged. It wasn't long until Scathach integrated her wraith-form and rune magic seamlessly into her spear-fighting, and her spars with The Shadow were turning into long, drawn out fights, nearly fighting the ancient warrior-mage to a stand-still, even when he still ended up winning. Determined to one day best him, Scathach continued training and conditioning herself at the village with single-minded focus, driven to one day be powerful enough to reclaim her lost home.

And for a moment, Scathach felt that all her work and dedication was starting to pay off.

"Focus," The Shadow said as he sent a strike of his staff towards Scathach. After she blocked it with her spear, he then sent a series of repeated strikes in response. Scathach staggers back but uses her wraith form to quickly reposition behind her opponent. The Shadow quickly turns and deflects an attack from Scathach's spear and sent one of his own down to her legs, sweeping her off her feet. Scathach lands with a thud and tries to get up.

"I just can't ever block that one..."

"That's because you're not focused," He tells her while waiting for to get back on her feet. "Learn to listen..."

Listen?

Scathach ponders as she takes her stance. Why would he tell her to listen during a fight? The Shadow starts and sends a barrage of strikes in Scathach's direction. As Scathach swiftly deflects each one after another, she decided to take his advice to heart. Time slowed their dance of death as Scathach used her enhanced senses and listened in on The Shadow's heartbeat, which was thundering resoundingly this whole time.

No. That can't be it...

She parries away a thrust, and spins to capitalize on an opening. The Shadow moves to block, and Scathach hears something different:

Muscles tensing... bones and cartilage moving in tandem...

It was an eerie thing to hear, but Scathach felt that she was on to something as her strike gets blocked and The Shadow begins to counter. Listening further, Scathach tries to deduce her opponent's next move... determine where he planned on striking her.

She narrowed down how he was going to move by listening to which muscles were tensing just before he made it. Sure enough, the sound of the The Shadow's waist muscles extending, followed by his legs told Scathach that he was going to spin for his next strike. She raises her spear as he spins to attack her in her upper body, only for her to hear his waist and knees bend, and his elbows pivot as his staff meets Scathach's spear and glances off.

The attack was just a set-up! He's going low!

She hears the muscles in The Shadow's arms flex as he re-positions his staff during his feigning spin. Scathach decisively pivots her spear as sure enough, the Shadow goes low to sweep her legs again.

Scathach was ready for it this time...

She extends her spear down to intercept and stops the Shadow's staff from hitting her right leg. It all happened in seconds, and once his staff made contact with Scathach's spear, the fight pauses as he remarks with an impressed tone:

"Now you're getting it..."

Scathach gave him a confident smirk. It didn't take her long to figure out that what he just told her moments ago was how he was always seemed untouchable during their spars. He could hear which muscles were in use in each combat maneuver, letting him know what his opponent was going to do before they even make it. If it were not for that hint he gave, Scathach was not sure if she ever could have blocked that leg-sweep that he always surprised her with. Even with perfect fighting form, she'd been telegraphing her moves to him without realizing that she could be doing what he was.

With this secret discovered, her mentor was no longer a step-ahead of her.

Time to end this...

Wasting no time, the fight resumed with Scathach on the offensive. They continued trading blows, with neither seeming to get the upper-hand on the other. Deciding to get crafty, Scathach deliberately staggers back as The Shadow forcefully deflects her spear, only to take that break to cast an Ice Rune to freeze the floor by his feet as he steps forward to press an attack. His foot slips and he falls on one knee with a grunt. Scathach takes the opportunity to go into wraith-form and appear behind him and strike a decisive blow. The Shadow quickly spins to do a block a full-on rear-attack. Scathach however anticipated that move and swiftly changes direction. The Shadow's gaze darts as she swings her spear to cut against his head and he ducks his head in quick response...

But not quick enough to prevent Scathach's spear from slicing off a few strands of his long hair...

Scathach stops in pose as she looked at her opponent who froze and was holding the side of his face. She smirks in victory as The Shadow revealed the cut strands of his mane that were in his hand. He was speechless as he stared at them and then to Scathach.

"Is that a hit?" Scathach asks hopefully, The Shadow's expression unreadable as he continued to stare at her. A moment of silence passes until a smile forms on his face.

"Debatable," He remarked admirably before adding," But I'll allow it..."

Scathach breathed a sigh of relief and stood up straight. The Shadow gets up and walks past her sits down a stone step nearby, putting down his staff.

"Not bad lass," he complimented her as she soon took a seat next to him. "Don't feel too confident though. I let you use whatever you liked. Next time, I won't be limiting myself."

"If you say so" Scathach said, taking a stretch before drinking some water. "For now, I'll be celebrating my victory tonight."

"You should. You deserve it..."

His soft words hung in the air for a few seconds. Scathach was touched by what he said, and it seemed for a second that he was actually... proud of her. The Shadow must have realized this too and quickly corrected himself.

"I mean... After all your training, it helps to take a break once in a while..."

Scathach was briefly surprised before attempting to humor him.

"THAT might be the first thing you have said to me that is genuinely helpful..."

She giggles until she sees his mentor almost sulking, and her cheery expression falters. The Shadow had his head cast down as he stoically just stared at the floor, reflecting. Scathach felt the need to say something.

"Shadow?"

He doesn't respond. Then he suddenly spoke...

"You know lass," he starts off, uncertain of himself. "It's been a while since I genuinely had anyone to talk to. Let's just say my duty here doesn't allow for petty relationships. If it seemed like I was ever harsh on you, then I feel that I have to assure you... it's nothing personal."

Scathach was stunned. This moment, The Shadow seemed more vulnerable than she ever thought he'd ever be. She thought about his words, and how he seemed almost apologetic to her. There was a time in the past few weeks that she would have relished in this due to his questionable treatment of her, but since he showed her clarity, coupled with the fact that she was learning magic and finally landing a hit on him, Scathach just couldn't bring herself to do so.

It was all to make her stronger and believe in herself…

"I don't mind," she said before later admitting; "Alright, maybe I did at first. But after what you told me about not tying myself by what others say about me, I could tell you were actually trying to help me. In fact I- I..."

Scathach hesitates, casting her head trying to hide a blush. She says quickly:

"I want to thank you..."

The Shadow's head perks up and looks at her skeptically.

"For what?"

His question was met with Scathach openly confessing:

"Taking me in... Training me... Helping me cope with what I am now... It gave me something else to focus on..."

It wasn't a lie. Her commitment to improving herself helped her cope with the pain of losing her parents and village. She could only imagine the toll it was taking on her sister Aife, who stayed back to repay Fimir and Kihli for their hospitality. She'd bet that The Shadow would just scoff at her answer...

"I'm surprised..."

His response was completely unexpected and caught Scathach by surprise, and she sees the genuine look on his face.

"Why?"

"All this time, I thought you were a disrespectful, arrogant brat that would break under pressure if stressed enough."

His remark struck a nerve in Scathach before he then said light-heartedly:

"I guess instead of scaring you off, my training just seemed to push you on and toughen up. You are one brave little girl..."

Scathach's irritation faded upon hearing that, and she smiles slightly from that compliment. It seemed that the Shadow had preconceptions of her that she had just shattered in these last few days, and it stroked her pride to know that she managed to change his opinion of her for the better. Yet, this revelation left a burning question in her mind.

"Why DID you take me on?" Scathach asked, desperately needing to know. "You didn't have anything to gain by training me."

The Shadow looked away and looked deep in thought. He eventually tells her:

"I guess I thought there was a chance you could give me what I don't have. From what I saw from you just now, I might still be right."

"What would that be?" Scathach asks, unsure of what he could be referring to. The Shadow then gives a her this, with a most sincere look anyone like him could possibly have..

"Some semblance of what you call normal..."

Scathach was stunned. The word "normal" could mean all lot of things. Could it be that the Shadow wanted a life like Scathach had before everything changed? Did he secretly crave the mundane act of interaction between him and another person? Was sharing an experience with someone something he treasures despite his disposition as a god-like being tied to a duty he vaguely spoke of?

Was "normal" something that he had, and then lost or taken?

Just like herself?

Scathach's heart ached at the implications. She found herself sympathizing with her mentor in a way she could never have just a short time ago. Despite the way he treated her, the young girl turned powerful mage felt great empathy for him.

"Is that what you had before... all of this?" The question escaped Scathach's lips; her voice all but a whisper. The Shadow slowly nods.

"Aye. I had a wife... children... friends..."

"What happened to them?"

The Shadow took a deep breath and looked away, his eyes narrowing as he told Scathach:

"Nothing... Absolutely nothing..."

The answer confused her, yet from the way he said that, it was almost shameful to him. If nothing happened, then why was he so full of sorrow? Before she could ask anymore, The Shadow quickly stood up.

"I have to go hunting," he said, ending the conversation. Scathach just stared as he put his staff away and summoned his red blades before turning to her. "Go back to the village. Keep up the hard work..."

She could tell that he wasn't in the mood to talk anymore and decided to leave him be.

"I will," She tells him confidently. "I can take anything you throw at me!"

"That's what I like to hear..." He smiles at her before turning to leave. What she suddenly said to him next made him pause.

"Your crazy tests can't stop me. We're immortal after all. Like you said: pain is just an obstacle..."

Scathach cheerily grabs her spear before taking her leave. He stood still until she left the chamber, leaving the Shadow alone with his thoughts. His student so far had surprised him in ways he couldn't imagine and was amazed at how quickly she was progressing with her newfound power. He also felt a certain caring feeling for her, one akin to a parent wanting their child to grow and be protected. It was a feeling he had never felt in a while, and at this point in his life, any positive human interaction was a real boon to him.

But such feelings made the pain of knowing what this brave, determined girl did not left him conflicted inside. The man secretly knew what this girl's fate was to be, and try as she might, the sad reality of what she really is will dawn on her while at the same time ruin everything she knows.

When she came to him, after her life had changed forever, The Shadow felt it was his obligation to the gods that he prepare this innocent child for what would become an inevitability in her new life.

A lasting life...

Poor girl... she has no idea what awaits her...

Later...

Coming back from the fortress, Scathach walked into the village wearing her usual cloak; hood over her head with her spear slung on her back. She appeared to be minding her own business as villagers around her either glared or tried to ignore her. It was very cold and started snowing, but it didn't bother Scathach as much as it did the other villagers, no doubt because of the nature of her powers. She continued walking towards Fimir's hut.

Then with her enhanced hearing, she heard them...

The group of boys were peering from behind a nearby hut, ready to throw rocks at her. They came out as the eldest of them reeled back to toss a particularly big stone at the unsuspecting witch.

Little did they know, Scathach was expecting them...

The elder boy let loose and threw his rock at her. It sailed through the air towards the witch, until to their surprise, Scathach had caught it in midair before it struck her head. The boys stared as she turned to calmly inspect the offending rock in her hand. One smaller-statured boy snapped out of his stupor and reeled back to throw another rock, but just as he raised it, Scathach casually flicked the stone in her hand at said boy with blazing speed. With perfect aim, the rock was knocked cleanly out of the boy's hand making him freeze in shock. Nearby villagers stopped to look at the scene, as the boys all looked back at Scathach in fright, and could tell she was glaring at them under her hood. The boys quivered in fear as she began to slowly approach them, frozen in their tracks.

"You are all quite troublesome... And very reckless..."

Her voice was eerily calm. Scathach at last stopped right in front of the group, and gazed at each of them with her crimson red eyes. She could hear all their hearts racing, but she stayed passive.

"Did no one ever teach you to pick your battles wisely? Even on a hunt, an animal as at its most dangerous when provoked. Could wound you even when wounded first..."

The boys were scared stiff, but that did not deter Scathach from giving them a piece of her mind. She needed to put an end to this once and for all... the RIGHT way...

"You should know that nothing good will come from you bothering me..." She told them sternly, staying composed despite her internal animosity towards these disrespectful kids. "Why not go home, and be with your parents?"

"W- we lost our parents..." One of the boys worked up the nerve to tell her, his tone becoming accusatory. This mildly surprised Scathach as some of the other boys started chiming in.

"Those invaders took everything from us..."

"We don't want some witch come and take everything again when we we're just trying to survive!"

"You'll bring misfortune on us like they did!"

"You should leave!"

Scathach's face stayed passive, yet she understood their words even if they were meant to hurt her. So this was how the entire village saw her... an entity who wanted to take everything these survivors took claim on despite just being scraps. With the power she accidently demonstrated on that day, everyone here feared she could take what she wanted. It wasn't like anybody could stop her if she did...

These young troublemakers were in the same boat as she, Aife, Fimir and Kihli. The last thing Scathach wanted was to make what some semblance of life here more difficult for everybody. Yet, she could not allow them to make her and her friends' time here difficult as well. She briefly looked over her shoulder to the growing crowd of people gathering behind her, and could see in the back that Aife and Fimir were watching her.

Scathach decided to make a statement...

"You are not the only ones who have lost everything," she tells them, aware that there were other villagers listening. "My sister and I came here to regain what was stolen from us just as you all are. But that doesn't mean that I want to take what little you have."

She grabbed a rock out of a stunned boy's grasp and made it glow in her hands. The villagers gasped in amazement.

"As you can see, I very well can if I wanted..."

The stone turned to dust in her hand, and Scathach poured it on to the ground beneath her feet. She was demonstrating her strength as much she was showing her restraint.

"But I won't," she said resolutely. Thanks to The Shadow's teaching of discipline and clarity, Scathach no longer cared what the whole village thought negatively about her. "I'm just here surviving just like ALL of you. Like it or not... you are stuck with me."

Scathach looked back at the boys, who were rendered speechless as was everybody else. She removed her hood and gazed upon them with her red eyes.

Anyone who looked on them now could see that there was no fear behind them anymore.

"Don't ever bother my sister or my friends again. Leave us alone, and I'll extend you the same courtesy."

She then relaxes her expression and calmly asks them with a smirk.

"Do we understand each other?"

The boys all nodded in unison, unwilling to antagonize her further.

"Good..."

Scathach turned and walked towards the stunned crowd who parted as she approached. She was breathing deeply trying to calm down after her speech. As she made her way back to Aife and Fimir, she caught sight of a very young boy beside her next to his mother and noticed that he was dressed rather lightly, had red cheeks and was shivering. When she stopped to look at him, the boy hid partially behind his mother. Scathach slowly came closer and knelt to meet him at eye-level.

"Are you cold, child?" she asks with a softened face of concern. The boy nods at her, still hiding. Scathach's heart broke for the boy, thinking that his family didn't have enough to keep him warm on a cold day like this. It further solidified how devastated these survivors were after losing their homes and possessions to the barbarians.

Pushing her sorrow down, Scathach puts down her spear and sheds her cloak, leaving her in her battle-attire. She offers the garment to the boy with a smile.

"Here. It's yours now..."

The child stared at the offering conflicted. Scathach was worried that the boy's mother was going to protest to her son accepting anything from a supposed witch, but that worry was soon evaporated when the boy slowly took the cloak out of her hands. The mother made no effort to stop him and let him wear the garment. Scathach's smile returned when the boy bundled himself up and stopped shivering. Satisfied, she stood up and continued towards Aife and Fimir, not waiting to see if she would get gratitude. Scathach was not expecting to receive it anyway as the villagers parted before her and stayed silent. She never kept that cloak to keep her warm in the first place, and it was fitting that she gave it away now of all times. Scathach didn't need the cloak anymore.

She was done hiding...

(A/N) Closing Chapter theme: "I Am" by Hands Like Houses (written by Erik Ron)

Welcome to the end of what I would deem to be (at least...) the end of the FIRST quarter of my story. By now, most of the pieces are in place for the story going forward, but that's NOT to say I don't have more surprises in store... feel free to guess where the story is heading...

Some other stuff: I recommend you watch OtakuDaiKun's "Lessons on Magecraft: Runes" on his YouTube channel if you want more background on how Runecraft works in the Fate universe, as my depiction may not be completely accurate (Not that I'm going for "accuracy" in the first place anyway. That's Fiction for ya). Better you learn it from a resident Type-Moon expert.

EDIT (SEP 30, 2021): Arturia's and Mordred's playlists are updated AND I've added playlists for the other servants in the story, each with 30 songs. Their links will be on my profile page, along with one that is currently hidden for another character... for now...

Final note; I've taken a break this past week and will resume writing after this weekend. Hopefully, it will not take as long as this last chapter.

Until next time. 7empest out...