Ch 8: Queen VS Queen
Horatius
"So tell me a bit about yourselves. I mean, if we're going to be fighting together against some conceptual monster of God it'd be nice to have some details beyond your names and surface level observations. That way we can properly mourn each other if we happen to die heroically."
Dulio, Tobio and Vali all stare at me in confusion as I collapse to the surface of the Vimana currently tearing it's way across the sky, still providing a smooth ride despite the fact that we're easily pushing mach velocities.
Their stares are no doubt because I look like I'm tweaking on speed or something along those lines. I'd been watching the scenery below blur by for the past hour...and my Origin had started screaming like a lunatic at me, almost to the point where it had become unbearable.
So many things to see!
Numerous mountains as tall as the most massive peaks back home, snow-capped and with large, winged creatures circling around their spires.
Fathomless lakes with shadowed, bethnic forms swimming beneath their deceptively placid surfaces.
Endless forests with trees that surpassed skyscrapers, mammals and insects of completely bizarre proportions winding through the shaded canopies.
And then there are the truly bizarre formations...crystalline landmasses floating through the air, unsupported. Canyons and crevasses that make the Yarlung Tsangpo look like a crack in the asphalt by comparison. Lands filled with nothing but bio luminescent plants and animals, shining like a roadmap of life from far above.
I'd had to turn away and settle for making notes in a little journal I carry around, just for situations like this one.
"Well there's not a whole lot to tell...I mean, I could delve into my entire history but I feel like I can summarize myself with just a few words."
I chuckle at Tobio's comment, easily replying, "And I appreciate that. Gods only know some people can't resist spouting their entire life stories, thinking that does a good job of explaining who they are."
Dulio, Vali and Tobio all settle into a more comfortable sitting position-
-and I have to resist the urge to glare at Altera as they do so.
Namely because she's calmly seated with a content expression, Lilith nestled into her lap with her eyes half-closed.
"Why are you treating that little monster in disguise like she's some sort of puppy?"
Calm, crimson eyes meet my own.
"She is soft and quiet."
…
I'm 2000 years too old to be feeling jealous, which makes it all the more aggravating that I am jealous. What the Hell? It took me decades to convince Altera she was well within her rights to ask for physical intimacy and then this little slice of Armageddon just goes ahead and accomplishes that within hours.
"Are you aware of what a Sacred Gear is, Horatius-san?"
"Yup. I'm gonna go ahead and assume your doggy there has something to do with it?"
The young man smiles as his wolf-looking pet dozes on his lap, lightly petting it before answering, "Indeed. Jin here is an Avatar-type Sacred Gear, a Longinus at that."
I raise an eyebrow at his admission.
"A Longinus, huh?"
"Indeed. Both Vali-kun and Dulio-san also wield Longinus Gears, hence why we were sent with you, I imagine."
"I take it this ties into your past?"
A slightly melancholy smile graces his lips.
"It does. Several years ago Sae was abducted by a group that attempted to implant Sacred Gears into people who were otherwise not born with them. I was unaware of the Supernatural at the time and had to take something of a crash course, since I desired to save her."
He good-naturedly nudges Vali in the ribs.
"I met this battle junkie during that time, along with a few others. I managed to rescue Sae and awaken Jin as my partner, but..."
He bashfully scratches the back of his head.
"It just felt...wrong, to go back to a normal life after I learned of these events in the world. I signed on to the Grigori and eventually Sae did as well. We've been helping them ever since."
I smile at his tale, remarking, "Ah. So you're one of those rare, genuinely decent people."
"That's kind of you to say, Horatius-san, but I don't-"
"Kid, I've been alive for a long time. I'd like to think I'm a good judge of character."
He seems to finally accept my words-albeit sheepishly-as I glance at Dulio, who merely chuckles.
"My tale is a far less exciting one. I was an orphan until a Church took me in. From there it was discovered that a Longinus resided within my soul and, well...I felt it was only fair to repay the world back the same kindness it offered me, a nobody orphan."
I accept that explanation with nod, turning to Vali who neutrally states, "I wish to fight the strongest in the world and one day be accounted as the most powerful of them all."
I raise an eyebrow as he noticeably glances at the three Heroic Spirits but Tobio quickly interjects with, "Vali, you're dishonesty knows no bounds. Just admit that you only want that power so that you can protect the family you desperately want. There's no shame in admitting that. You were this way even when we first met."
The silver-haired youth scowls at his friend's words, annoyedly replying, "No one asked you, Tobio."
"And no one requested that I remain silent, so there."
I can't help but snort at their byplay, amused at the obvious familiarity they share.
"And what about you, Horatius? If you've been alive as long as you profess to have been, surely you have all manner of exciting tales to tell?"
"I think I can say, without any undue arrogance, that I have no shortage of tales to tell. I guess I can start with-"
Both Altera and I's heads snap to the front of the Vimana we're riding on, a surge of mana cluing me in to the fact that a certain pair of Queens might have just decided to settle their differences the old-fashioned way.
I glance towards my riding companions.
"You all might want to prepare for freefall."
Scáthach
"We need to talk, O great and wise ruler. Have you come to a decision yet? I pray that it's a good one~!"
I don't bother trying to hide the open threat in my pleasant tone.
Arrogance drips off the still youthful Queen's frame as she lounges in her throne, crimson eyes boring into mine with a scowl.
"Do you have some lifelong grievance with me, Witch of Dun Scaith? Because if so I would advise you to forget it. Those that named me as their enemy have not long survived in this world, a fate that will befall you should you continue to pester me so."
"Oh? Is that so? Well to answer your question, Gilgamesh, I do have a grievance with you. One that I've brought to your attention many times. Is it lifelong? No, but it is one that I am more than willing to take your life over."
Mana gathers in the air, ruby markings on the Queen's body flaring to life as her usually regal demeanor devolves into one of fury and bloodlust.
"You would dare threaten me?!"
"Oh my, have I touched a nerve? Well whether this comes as a surprise to you or not, Queen of Uruk, when I told you I valued my current existence more than I did any potential aid or grand design you may have created, I meant it."
Golden light suffuses the air around me, several Gates of Babylon casting the Queen's shaking frame into shadow.
"I believe your tone could use an improvement, Witch."
A Gae Bolg solidly smacks into my waiting palm, a feral grin pulling at my lips as the thrill of an imminent fight heats my blood.
"And no doubt you're going to be the one to do it? In that reduced, frail little body of yours?"
Predictably a shimmering portal flickers to life above the Queen's hand, depositing a flask into her waiting grasp that she swiftly uncorks and drinks, tossing aside the empty container that scatters into motes of gold as her body regains it's former state, accelerated growth highlighted by a soft white glow.
"You are such a predictable soul."
"Spare me your pathetic banter, Lord of the Dead."
All trace of cheer leaves my voice.
"Only if you would spare me your excessive ego. You seem to be under the misguided assumption that just because you say we should aid you, that we should be subservient to you, that we will. Your assumption is false."
I let my teeth show.
"You were merely summoned on a whim, Gilgamesh. And on a whim you can be dismissed. Do not assume that I will suffer your presence if it destroys the peace and existence I have earned. Horatius will always value my presence over yours, the presence of a companion that listens, that he can talk to. A forgotten, arrogantsovereign who only demands and extorts can be discarded at will."
My words strike true, the Queen's countenance shifting into one of unmitigated fury as she roars, "You have NO right to belittle my rule! I sacrificed everything to fulfill a destiny that no other could have shouldered, a fate that I could not ignore, lest my people remain enslaved to the whims of uncaring Gods! Can you possibly even conceive of the burden of my knowledge, Scáthach?! To know, even as a child, that it would be your destiny to fight and rule, with no alternatives lest innocent men and women suffer for it?!"
I can only scoff at her words.
"You speak as if you are the only Hero to have been immortalized on the Throne, to have suffered great burdens and been struck with inexorable tragedy...I name that as arrogance."
My faithful spear begins to emit bloody light, shuddering at the prospect of spilling blood.
"I was hailed as a teacher of heroes, in my time. Allow me to impart you a valuable lesson...a lesson of your own hubris."
Horatius
"You know, you would think after having so many years of experience with it falling from the sky wouldn't bother me so much."
Altera calmly rotates to face me as her pale hair whips around wildly across her face, tone calm as she replies, "It would seem Scáthach and the Queen of Heroes have begun to battle, Master."
"Really? I couldn't tell."
My sarcasm goes unheeded as I scowl at Lilith, the girl still securely held in Altera's grasp as we plummet to the ground, seeming just as calm as the King of Combat.
The Vimana we'd been riding on had been ripped in half without warning, the two Heroic Spirits initial clash being more than powerful enough to damage it's flight capabilities and send us overboard.
...I guess it was a bit too much to hope that they would find a different way to solve their differences.
Hell, even on the way down I can make out a veritable storm of golden light and twirling red as the duo continue their battle throughout our approach to terminal velocity.
"Beg your pardon, Horatius."
A pair of hands lightly grab under my arms and arrest my momentum, a glance backward revealing Dulio with ten snow-white wings sprouting from his back as he offers a pleasant smile.
"I appreciate the lift. Set us down a ways away from the two hotheads, we'll have to let this one play out on it's own."
He wordlessly follows my suggestion, Vali swooping down on a pair of metallic appendages vaguely reminiscent of a Dragon's as he picks up Altera and Lilith, Tobio riding downwards on a pair of floating swords, of all things.
...This fight is going to turn ugly, or my name isn't Horatius.
We arrive at a 'safe' distance of around a kilometer away, the distant sounds of clashing metal and kinetic cracks reaching our ears even from this far away, the gathered group staring at me with clear expressions of, 'well, now what'?
"Stay clear of their battle, let them fight things out and just make sure nothing flies this way and kills us by accident. Altera? Keep a close watch on them."
She wordlessly nods at my unspoken command to make sure nothing too lethal is busted out...as willing as I am to let those two work their differences out the hard way, actually killing each other is crossing a line.
Locking a sigh behind my teeth I drop into a lotus position, letting my eyes half-close and regulating my breath, gradually opening my circuits and bringing forth the nigh unlimited power that Irappu offers.
If those two want to duke it out so badly, I might as well let them do so to their utmost level.
"Frozen Domain."
The temperature around me cools, gradually approaching freezing as the three younger males next to me wince and put some distance between us.
This time I'll be able to do this properly. If I can meditate and cool my body as I long ago learned to, with no distractions, I can properly supply the Spirits with the fathomless ocean of energy that I have access to, despite my mediocre circuits.
Magic Circuits can actually be opened quite a bit, providing a rush of power that, theoretically, can power magecraft far beyond what would be considered 'normal'. The problem is that in between the heat generated from such an action-as well as the associated pain-the practitioner will almost certainly either die or pass out before being able to fully accomplish such a feat.
But if you're like me-old enough to make most Apostle's seem like Spring Chickens-you have time to practice, to experiment and to find just the right balance between cooling my body and making sure it doesn't spontaneously combust.
…
Side effects may include my skin looking like some kind of glowstick disaster zone, my ten overlaid circuits blazing with enough light to illuminate a sports stadium.
Falling into a hypnotic rhythm I turn my attention outward, following the flow of mana I'm providing and reading it's movements, allowing me to subconsciously follow the battle raging between two of the most powerful Heroic Spirits in existence.
Because if I was trying to ascertain events with just my normal, non-reinforced eyes it would be a lost cause.
There's something...different about Heroic Spirits, a trick that their ascension affords them.
When the adrenaline kicks in, when their battlelust reigns supreme...they think faster than almost any other creature alive on the planet, a supernatural cognition that turns them into the legendary forces of destruction spoken of throughout Human history.
Magi, Enforcers, Apostles, Executors...all of these disparate factions of the Moonlit world have discovered-and routinely practice-various methods that afford them enhanced reflexes, faster movement and greater strength, enough so that they could potentially engage your average Heroic Spirit on equal ground.
That's a polite fiction.
All of the power in the world can't match the application of it, which is where Heroic Spirits-and by extension Servants-utterly trounce most other forces.
I'm probably the only Human-aside from a few statistical outliers-that's managed to attain the sheer cognitive speed the higher class Heroic Spirits employ, only by means of directly reinforcing my brain and eyes...and even then following the movements and rapid flicker of thoughts that pass for mental processing among Altera and Scáthach is damn near impossible.
Case in point Scáthach darts forward, two Gae Bolgs accelerated at breakneck speeds towards Gilgamesh courtesy of a Vind rune, the maroon-haired woman close behind.
Gates of Babylon spring to life behind the Queen of Heroes, a variety of weapons spilling forth as they intercept the thrown spears and manage to knock away one of them, the other continuing unabated.
In response a golden tower shield with hieroglyphic inscriptions on it's surface falls into her grasp, the accelerated Gae Bolg meeting the aegis head on-
-and falling to the ground with almost lazy grace, all semblance of momentum and lethality gone from the crimson spear in the blink of an eye.
Momentum canceling, or perhaps some other form of kinetic manipulation, is afforded by that shield.
Evidently agreeing with my snap analysis Scáthach recreates another Gae Bolg in her hands, closing the distance between the two Heroic Spirits with a single, graceful bound.
The Queen of Heroes ducks behind her shield, a Gate of Babylon disgorging a riding saber like weapon into her free hand as Scáthach makes a lighting swift jab of her spear-
-and redirects it's momentum at the last second through a harsh rotation of her wrist and an artful application of another Vind rune, the barbed weapon lodging itself behind the shield rather than into it.
Before Gilgamesh can either force her back or strike with the saber Scáthach's bodysuit lights up with tightly interwoven runes, the skeins of energy turning what would merely seem an artful and provocative bit of clothing into a suit of armor equal to any piece of legendary equipment.
It also gives her one Hell of a punch, as evidenced by her open palm slamming into the haft of her spear and knocking the Queen of Heroes away from her shield with a rush of displaced air and echoing CRACK of said spear being snapped in two.
Not that the Queen of Uruk lets that slow her down, a mechanical crossbow appearing in her hand that unleashes a deluge of lightning at the Lord of Spirits, Scáthach ducking to the ground and avoiding most of the barrage while her shoulder pauldrons absorb or deflect the rest of it, shining with excess energy and runework.
The onslaught of lightning projectiles ceases-the odd looking weapon smoking and wavering with released heat-as Gilgamesh casts it aside, Scáthach charging forward once again with a Gae Bolg manifested and at the ready.
Yet again a Gate of Babylon disgorges a forgotten relic, this particular piece resembling a guillotine made of burnished silver. An expert twist of the Queen of Hero's wrist locks the barbed spear within it's clutches, redirecting the strike downwards-
-and with a pull of some kind of trigger the guillotine snaps shut, breaking the crimson weapon clean in half, the saber held in her free hand slashing forward with pinpoint accuracy, odd tremors around the blade suggesting that some kind of supernatural force is present.
Sure enough a thin cut is opened on Scáthach's cheek, despite the saber's swing being well short of it's target. Rather than disengage the Queen of the Dead dances straight into the opposite woman's grasp, an open palm slapping aside a return sweep of the blade-
-and with a textbook Hane Goshi hip toss Scáthach grabs Gilgamesh's outstretched arm and brutally slams her opponent into the ground, the force of impact cratering the dirt and stone beneath them.
Victorious grin on her lips the Lord of Spirits places a palm of Gilgamesh's armored breast, shouting, "Jörð!" and causing the Earth around them to shift and mold itself to the stunned Queen of Hero's armored body, effectively immobilizing her with the verbal application of a single rune.
Yet another Gae Bolg flashes to life in her waiting palm, Scáthach now openly smirking as she angles the weapon to cut into the gaps in Gilgamesh's armor-
-and with a flash of golden and white light the air shrieks, solid Earth turned to ice as a Mystic Code in the shape of a blooming flower flash freezes the area around the two battling Spirits, allowing Gilgamesh to brutally force her way out of her prison with a resounding CRACK of shattering ice, the Gae Bolg piercing through the ground where her neck was a bare moment ago.
Scáthach makes to pursue but a deluge of mundane weapons forces her to briefly pause and bat away the stream of blades as the Queen of Heroes leaps to her feet, anger clearly visible in her body language despite the helm and armor concealing her features.
Not that Scáthach gives her a chance to regain her bearings, several spears shattering the golden portals as they launch towards them, the crimson-haired Queen's original weapon glowing a bloody red as she inscribes several runes upon it's surface with blisteringly fast motions.
Vind, Fýri and Stakra inscriptions flare to life and even through my trance I warn, "Better duck and cover."
If there are replies I don't hear them as Scáthach thrusts the spear forward-
-and the horizon detonates into a blinding flare of light.
Wind, fire and the concept of 'pushing and staggering' combined into one physical movement. As Scáthach likes to say, true mastery of runes is using simple formulas to achieve the most lethal of effects.
A small scale thermobaric explosion races towards the Queen of Heroes at breakneck-literally-speeds, the Golden Hero only having time to manifest a shield of golden petals that more than passingly reminds me of something Emiya can create…
And all Hell breaks loose as the ground beneath me jumps, air ripping at my skin and lungs as I frantically try to keep my temperature steady despite the excess heat bleeding everywhere from the chaotic detonation.
...I'd say we're quickly arriving at the point of things getting completely out of hand.
And then the humidity-of all things-around me shifts, forcing me to once more adjust Frozen Domain's effects so I don't accidentally incinerate myself.
Odd, what would have caused…
Oh.
A blurry glance upwards reveals a veritable lake of water floating overhead, shifting and undulating with languid motions as I redirect my attention to where Gilgamesh had been standing before the explosion took place.
Ash and smoke gradually clears to reveal a molten landscape and golden shield that's cracked in more places than I can count...but nonetheless did it's job, the Queen of Heroes standing untouched amidst the destruction as the barrier shatters into motes of light, the armored woman raising a gargantuan weapon high above her head, hieroglyphic inscriptions dotting it's pristine blade.
A weapon I recognize-through old texts and recordings-as the Axe of fucking Marduk.
An imperious gesture with the oversized blade causes the miniature ocean overhead to clench-
-and then an arm the size of a bloody skyscraper rockets towards Scáthach, countless smaller limbs trailing behind as the landscape darkens, the natural light of the realm being blotted out by condensed water.
And through it all Scáthach merely smirks.
The arm nearly closes upon where she confidently stands-
-and with a blur of movement she leaps past the crushing fingers that would have turned an ocean liner into paste, alighting upon the water and proceeding to run up the length of it, slowly working her way towards where Gilgamesh still stands.
Dozens of writhing lions, soldiers and dragons form from the limitless body of liquid far overhead, throwing themselves against the possessed woman who, with unmatched dexterity, either avoids them of outright destroys the constructs.
Yet another gargantuan limb tries to slap Scáthach into oblivion, the Lord of Spirits now sufficiently close that she doesn't have as much room to maneuver, several dozen Gates of Babylon flaring to life in an attempt to overwhelm her with attacks from all directions, the golden glows reflected in the shifting light like some kind of demented art display-
"Soaring Spear of Piercing Death!"
-and even more Prana is drawn from my well of energy as a single Gae Bolg flies directly upwards, coming to a halt right in the midst of the converging attacks where it detonates in a dazzling display of lethality, arcs of bloody light flying in every direction.
Gates of Babylon struck by the scintillating darts are shattered into nothingness while the water itself loses cohesiveness and strength, falling to the ground below like so much discarded rainfall.
And in the midst of the deluge Scáthach blitzes forward, closing the gap between her and her opponent with a feral smile-
-that's immediately turned into a scowl as golden chains snap forward from yet more portals, entwining her arms and legs three links apiece, yanking her appendages as wide as they can go without actually levering them from their sockets, no doubt to compensate for the massive increase in strength her bodysuit and runes provide.
It seems Enkidu works just as well against Godslayers as it does full-blooded divinity.
Gilgamesh relaxes for the briefest of moments, the divine axe in her grasp lowering slightly...and Scáthach grins manically as a plan no doubt forms in the span of a second.
Her fingers rapidly trace lines over the chains binding her wrists, two runes of Gangr and Skarpa buzzing to life-
-and with a sharp rattle the divine chains quickly reverse direction and shoot back into their portals with nary a pause.
Clever.
'The act of going' and 'to erase or remove'...liberally interpreted-which Scáthach is a master of-that combo could be thought of as, 'the act of moving to erasure or removal'.
Applied to Enkidu's binding properties, it merely caused the chains to rewind their previous motions as opposed to trying to brute force some kind of solution.
It certainly seems to confound the Queen of Heroes, her frame twitching slightly as if she can't quite decide which action to take-
-and the decision is made for her as Scáthach dashes forward, spear in hand as both Queens of old launch killing blows at the other…
And both skid to a stop nearly twenty meters apart, Gilgamesh sporting a freely bleeding wound on her thigh where Scáthach's spear found flesh, the Queen of the Dead also decorated with a shallow but long slash across her waist where Marduk's favored weapon struck home.
Both women spin to face the other, eager grins once more turning to fearsome scowls-
-and my senses go haywire as bloodlust seems to pour off of them, my circuits supplying more energy than ever as Scáthach crouches, holding her spear in a very familiar fashion as jagged arcs of energy leap off of it's length, signifying the activation of it's Noble Phantasm.
Gilgamesh responds in kind as she rips Ea free from a Gate of Babylon, the spiral sword rapidly gathering streamers of black and red energy as both warriors no doubt ready finishing blows.
"Should we, umm...stop this?"
Funny that Ikuse should mention that.
Because I wholeheartedly agree.
Altera is already gone, sprinting forward with an unmatchable burst of speed in Gilgamesh's direction while I make my own move. My circuits are already flooded with energy so it's with a simple application of Knip that I'm at Scáthach's side, smoothly grabbing her wrist and twisting it 180 degrees before sweeping her feet out from underneath her and jamming my knee into the small of her back, simultaneously cutting the flow of Irappu's power and depriving the Heroic Spirits of any further energy, my body no longer glowing like some sort of bioluminscient ocean dweller.
A glance upwards reveals Altera with her own implacable grip locking the Queen of Hero's arm behind her back, Ea no longer rotating as the Photon Saber rests at her neck, the slightest twitch capable of removing her head from her shoulders.
...I guess it was a good thing they were so intent on killing each other, otherwise they probably would have seen us coming.
"What the Hell are you doing?"
I return my gaze to Scáthach, the crimson-haired woman glaring up at me as I let some of my aggravation show before tightly replying, "Putting an end to this farce. Not only do you two reshape a fair portion of the surroundings but then you go ahead and bust out the causality and reality warping Phantasms?"
I scowl upward as the lake begins to fall downward, the Axe of Marduk no longer keeping it suspended-
-and it abruptly ceases it's descent, Dulio calmly raising a single hand skyward as ten white Angel wings sprout from his back, obviously controlling the thing with his Sacred Gear.
I offer a quick nod in his direction that he returns before I go back to scowling at the two warrior queens. With the influx of mana cut off Gilgamesh gradually reverts to her prior teenaged form, whatever trinket or Noble Phantasm she was using to reverse the effects of the Elixir obviously wearing thin...not that it stops the two from obviously trying to murder each other with their gazes alone.
"It must be nice, being able to forget what we're here for, willing to go to incredible lengths to kill the other despite the consequences such an action might bring about. Never mind the all too likely scenario in which the both of you died. Be honest with me, what the Hell is you're problem with each other?"
To my growing annoyance Gilgamesh just spits on the ground-somehow managing to look incredibly dignified while doing so-while Scáthach violently scowls.
"Don't expect me to be so forgiving and amicable to one who would place her own desires over all of ours combined, who would see us dead because of her pride."
And my patience abruptly wears thin, sighing as I tug on Scáthach's arm as I put some space between the two.
I don't doubt that she's humoring me by letting me do so, but whatever.
A good dozen or so meters away and I turn an annoyed glare in the crimson-haired woman's direction, only for her to cross her arms and petulantly look away, unapologetic in the slightest.
It seems to be a universal fact that the older and more powerful you are, the more petty and childish you become. Look no further than Kischur and myself for proof…
"Scáth...is it really that bad? Adapting and changing to accept a new member of our team?"
A frustrated kick of her boot sends a spray of dirt halfway to the horizon, voice an irritated growl as she replies, "She is just so...frustrating! I had no difficulties fitting in with you and Altera, it was the easiest thing in the world. The oh so mighty Queen of Heroes? What seemed like an excellent beginning to a new companion in our lives now has me wishing I had throttled her within an inch of her existance earlier."
That admission causes me to genuinely chuckle.
"Scáth, that's how the vast majority of relationships go. It's a rare bond indeed that fits so perfectly as ours did. Not everyone suffers from all encompassing loneliness and knows all too well what that feels like. And it's a damn certainty that not everyone is going to treat you as the unbeatable teacher of some of the greatest heroes to walk the Earth, or appreciate your sacrifice."
A small, wistful smile tugs at my lips.
"Most friendships or romances are built upon the foundation of a thousand tiny grievances. Forgetting to buy groceries, leaving your shoes where someone will trip on them, forgetting to pay a bill, eating the other person's dinner...not sharing the same beliefs on certain subjects."
Millennia of memories return to me unbidden, my connection to Irappu and it's perfect recording abilities not allowing me to forget.
"Most of the time, people are just so different that it can take years before they truly begin to understand one another."
A memory of teal, braided hair that shimmered like waves.
Soft, perfect skin that was as comforting and warm as the sun.
Horns of the purest jade and turquoise, polished to a level that could display one's own reflection in them.
A brilliant, coiling tail that was cool to the touch but could caress with all the gentleness of a cloud.
Pink, exotic eyes that held both exhaustion and sadness...but a spark of happiness regardless of life's trials.
I have to violently shake my head to rid myself of that particular line of thought, never in the mood to relieve those times.
Instead I can focus on all of my other relationships, the ones over the many years I've been alive. The monogamous, polygamous, polyandrous...all the way from the Americas to the furthest reaches of Asia.
And every single one of them was doomed to heartache as I either outlived my partners or my inescapable desire to wander forced me to leave...divorce in it's many forms and definitions inevitably following.
I notice Scáthach staring at me with a furrowed brow of concern, quietly sighing before wryly stating, "And sometimes, even when people do perfectly understand one another...the differences are just too great."
Realizing that I'm going off on a tangent of reminiscence yet again I quickly smile and state, "But sometimes the best of friendships are based off of initial dislike. Hell, the second time we met in person Kischur-after he realized what me and Irappu were capable of-had it in his mind over the years of communication that I was some kind of threat that needed to be destroyed."
Scáthach's brow furrows as she angrily states, "You never made mention of that! Nor did I ever see it in your memories! What was that deranged Vampire thinking?!"
I can only shrug.
"Well I never bothered mentioning it because it's all in the past, you probably never saw it in my memories because there's a lot of material in there and you don't have access to Irappu's categorical abilities...and Kischur was probably just doing his job, regardless of how he personally felt about things."
Scáthach huffs but nonetheless asks, "So how are you even still alive? Even if he is a bit of a clown I would never question the old Apostle's skills..."
I have to resist the urge to smile as her eyes dart to and fro, no doubt trying to find the particular memory on her own.
"I caught him by surprise, naturally. Gradiated a stick of lit dynamite right in his face, Knip'd in front of him, kicked him in the balls and then turned him into a Black Key pincushion."
Scáthach's eyebrow raises in amusement.
"And that put an end to things?"
"Sorta. I basically had to talk his ears off that I wasn't a threat, gave him a wet willy to end all wet willys and then we became legitimately good friends afterwards."
Heh, not that I would count on getting that lucky again. If he had come at me with the same level of preparation he went after Crimson Moon with I would have been dust within seconds.
I'm a lucky old man.
To my utter lack of surprise Scáthach once more becomes sullen, wryly asking, "So why are you regaling me with this tale? Why not our resident Queen of Egos?"
"Because, Scáth...I'd hoped that you would be the more mature and self-aware of the two of you."
I hide my wince as my words obviously hit hard, blood red eyes widening in open shock.
"Think. Upon first summoning her the first thing you and Altera did was profess interest in working with her. You fought together splendidly when we made the jump to this world and then were nothing if not friendly when she claimed that she desired to guard her kingdom alongside us."
I let some of my legitimate disappointment color my tone.
"And then we rescued Miss Valerie, Gilgamesh acting as she always had, performing actions that were as natural as breathing. And then she's caught off guard, almost killed on the spot if it weren't for our intervention less than a week after her summoning."
I shake my head.
"You don't think that event alone would have been something of a wake up call? A memento mori sort of revelation? Imagine if you, the Godslaying Queen herself, had been the one to be brought low by an ambush and subsequently rescued by people you barely met more than a few days ago. You don't think that would sting?"
I allow her only a moment to think on that before continuing with, "And what is her reward for almost perishing whilst nursing a bruised ego? For someone she had no doubt thought of as a partner and ally to suddenly threaten her with violent death if she doesn't immediately change the way she's always operated."
Scáthach gazes off into the distance.
"Have you considered that maybe, just maybe, the invincible and unbeatable Queen of Heroes is even more bewildered and frustrated than you are? She can't force you to obey, you're both equally stubborn and you both were considered some of the most powerful Queens of your time. Would you entertain the idea that she doesn't really know how to deal with this?"
The Lord of Spirits now looks thoroughly miserable as the depth of her actions hits home, prompting me to quietly sigh as I gently run a thumb over her shoulder, a comforting smile on my face.
"We're all Human, Scáth. Altera figured that out pretty quick-Hell, she was the one to clue me in to what was happening-and it's your turn to extend the olive branch."
I silently gather her into a hug, the woman huffing out a gargantuan sigh.
"...To think that I, the teacher of heroes, still have such basic lessons to learn...what an unpleasant feeling."
A legitimate laugh escapes me as I playfully reply, "Get used to it. 2000 years and change of existence hasn't made me immune to learning new things on a near daily basis. Life has a way of making you feel like a fool no matter how many candles you get to put on the cake."
"What a comforting thought."
Tilting her chin up as I smirk I cheekily remark, "Hey, if anyone can figure out how to solve things...it would be Scáthach, the teacher of heroes, right?"
Flawless lips tilt upwards in a small smile.
"Flatterer."
"As if it's ever a bad thing to impart compliments to such a lovely woman like yourself."
"You're not helping your case."
I merely shrug and offer, "Shall we face the music?"
A roll of her eyes and we return to where Altera and Gilgamesh are still waiting, the tan-skinned woman giving me a nearly imperceptible tilt of her head that I return in confirmation, relaying that we don't have to go knocking anyone out. Yet.
A rather awkward moment passes as the two Heroic Spirits stare each other down, looking for all the world like mismatched siblings-
-until Scáthach breaks the ice with a slight sagging of her shoulders as she begins with, "I suppose I may have been acting rather...bipolar, recently."
The diminutive Heroic Queen arches an immaculate and blonde eyebrow, drolly asking, "Oh, you were? I couldn't tell, it was such a subtle-OW!"
I have to do a triple-take as Altera just twisted the young woman's ear with an unyielding hand, normally placid features turned downwards in a frown as she chides, "Listen."
Gilgamesh gapes like a fish out of water and I don't rightly blame her.
That was an unexpected turn of events.
"Let's jump to the heart of the matter. I'm willing to put up with your shortsightedness and arrogance as long as you don't mind putting up with me occasionally acting like a Bitch."
The golden-haired teen mutters something that sounds vaguely like 'occasionally?' before Altera gives her a significant glance, silencing any complaint.
The threat of ear twists are real.
"Well as uneven a division of labor as that sounds...I suppose compromise would be an acceptable outcome of our disagreements."
"Indeed. Me having to make significant concessions to account for your inflated sense of self-importance is unfortunate, but I will just have to make do."
Oh Hell.
Thankfully for my sanity Gilgamesh just takes her rebuttal in stride, proudly puffing out her chest and announcing, "As the superior Queen, it would be remiss not to do as all great rulers have done and adopt new styles of leadership as the situation demands. That is what a true Queen would do, after all. Recognize what is broken and subsequently fix it."
A ferocious smile reveals pearly white teeth.
"Such as your attitude, dearest Scáthach."
The sound of knuckles cracking as the Lord of Spirits grinds her teeth echoes across the landscape as Altera and I share a look of mutual suffering.
Baby steps, Horatius...we'll get there eventually.
Hah! Remember that time when I said I'd try not to have almost 2.5 months of waiting between chapters?
(blows raspberry)
Goes to show how that turned out. So I'm not gonna promise anything other than I AM going to be continuing this story, it ain't dying anytime soon. It will just be slow. Like a snail riddled with Elmer's Glue.
ak95: Come on now, give me SOME credit XD
I did some basic research when working on the translation and cited sources state, and I quote, 'The Tamil script is an abugida script that is used by Tamils and Tamil speakers in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and elsewhere to write the Tamil language, as well as to write the liturgical language Sanskrit, using consonants and diacritics not represented in the Tamil alphabet.'
Feel free to correct me otherwise, but it seems pretty safe to assume that Tamil was used to write out Sanskrit ideas and recordings, so they're kinda-sorta-maybe-language is hard-the same thing.
PhoenixBlaze123: The relationship between Horatius and the Heroic Spirits will have a label (if you really want one) put to it in later chapters, but Tiamat is absolutely an old flame, I guess you would call it