Chapter 25: The Seraphim/Landslide (Part 4)

The morning following Aife's exile was cold and rainy, making the overall atmosphere of the village melancholic. The populace was still shaken by how Aife's altercation with Scathach came to blows, and with Aife gone and never to return, it left an air of uncertainty for the future. Aife played a prominent role in the Hunters' guild, helping to deal with monsters when Scathach was distracted elsewhere. With one of the sisters gone, the Guild were forced to rethink their approach towards more expeditions into the forest.

As their leader, Kihli was taking what happened particularly hard as he was trudging through the village in the rain. Aife was not just a colleague; she was a friend to him. Yet after how Aife lashed out at the people and Scathach especially, Kihli was left wondering if he even knew Aife at all. What in Lugh's name could have caused her to snap like she did? How long have her insecurities and frustrations festered for? And why not had Aife reached out for help about any of it?

Yesterday, Aife felt like a completely different person than the brash, but well-meaning girl Kihli knew her to be. And to openly attack Scathach… her own sister, and the person Aife held most dear… It all made no sense. What changed?

If only there was something I could've done…

Yet the lament Kihli was feeling, he was sure it was nothing compared to how Scathach must be feeling now, having secluded herself yet again after last night's events.

Kihli walked through the water-logged path through the center of Dunscaith, and he got his answer…

At the corral… where he and Aife underwent their lessons from Scathach… there she was; sitting on a log and staring blankly where they once sparred together, not bothering to shield herself from the rain. Quietly, Kihli came up beside her and sat down, not knowing if he should say something. He could not bear Scathach tormenting herself like this…

Kihli thought him being there would at least give Scathach comfort, knowing she could not be oblivious to his presence. Cold comfort was indeed comfort nonetheless…

They sat there for a good while, with the sound of rain gently muffling what little activity was going on in the village at this time. Kihli was kept mostly dry by the cloak he was wearing, wondering if he should offer it to Scathach. She did not appear to be cold, whereas without the cloak, Kihli was sure he would shiver.

"I lost her, Kihli…" Scathach at last addressed him, sounding broken. "I drove Aife away…"

"You did what you had to do," Kihli offered. "Aife crossed a line…"

Scathach did not seem to agree.

"Why… Where did I go wrong?" she pleaded, seemingly asking herself that as much as Kihli. "How could Aife turn out so spiteful and envious? After all the training I have instilled in her? Was it not enough?"

Kihli was stunned as Scathach was hell-bent on blaming herself for how Aife turned out.

"I was not there for her… I was too weighed by my own burdens… I pushed you both away…"

Scathach sobbed.

"By the time I realized… it was too late. She was right… I am selfish. I failed her…"

Kihli's heart broke for her. Without even thinking about it, he wrapped his arm around Scathach, gently pulling her towards him and draped his cloak over them both. She hardly noticed, but seemed to appreciate the gesture as Scathach was too distraught to refuse and could not bear telling Kihli off after what she said to him last night.

"You were hurting, Scathach," he whispered to her. "Aife could not have imagined what it is you are going through… not even I until you grew brave enough to share with me."

Scathach continued crying, burying her face against Kihli, who gave an affectionate rub.

"You are far from selfish," he continued. "Making mistakes is part of being human. You still are despite your immortality. You live… and you learn, just as I learned from you to have more faith in myself."

Scathach falls silent, seemingly considering Kihli's words.

"Even godlike beings aren't all-knowing… you are still closer to human than any god can be. It's not your power that makes you extraordinary in my eyes… it's your compassion, your courage, and your humanity…"

She lifted her head, her eyes locked on his, trying to find solace in his words. "Do you really think so?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I know so," Kihli replied firmly, his eyes full of sincerity. "You've been there for so many. Now, it's time to let others be there for you. Don't bear your burdens alone."

Scathach sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "But… with my power… eventually no one can be there for me. You can't either…"

Kihli fell silent for but a moment, but with a deep breath, he adamantly declared.

"Which is why… I want to make sure you can be happy, Scathach. For as long as I can…"

Scathach beamed, lost for words. What she just heard from Kihli was akin to a declaration of love. He was going to be there for her even in her darkest moments, even when he would die one day, his dedication would endure.

She may not have felt deserving of such affection, especially after everything that happened last night with Aife. But hearing Kihli's words… filled Scathach with a warmth she never felt until now.

Or maybe it had always been there…

_

Flashback:

"I take another round!"

"Oh just you wait… I'm gunna get even!"

Scathach and Kihli were sparring together in the corral, both using makeshift swords instead of the spears they were accustomed to. This was no lesson, however, as the two of them had not bothered keeping track of exactly who was winning. No training regimen, no bets, and no critique of technique.

They were sparring… just for the fun of it. Enjoying themselves and each other while acclimating themselves to a new way of combat.

Another bout begins, and after a heated exchange, Kihli surprises Scathach with a parry followed by a leg sweep.

"Got you THAT time!"

"I LET you have that…"

"Sure you did…"

Kihli helps Scathach back on her feet. She was not mad that she lost that round. As far as she was concerned, both of them were improving with each bout. Losing is how you learn, and if Scathach was to try something new like swordplay, she had to get her butt kicked a few times.

With her being as much a novice as Kihli, it made this "lesson" all the more enjoyable.

After a second, they clash again, eventually circling each other in a sword-lock before they both inevitably tripped on their feet, sending both Scathach and Kihli tumbling. They laid their close by each other, gazing up at the sky in puzzlement… until they soon started laughing, amused by the result.

"I sure fumbled that," Scathach let out. "You can have that round…"

"What say… we call it a draw?" Kihli eventually responded, after getting through his laughing fit.

"That would make it… three days in a row?" Scathach quipped.

"Imagine that…" Kihli remarked before laughing again. Scathach did too soon after, being the most carefree and content she had been in a while. She did not care if these "bouts" ended with no victor… it was worth it to be with Kihli, who after they started training privately had a new mindset that allowed him to actually strive and improve.

But this time around, Scathach enjoyed these moments with Kihli… just because it was him and her. Scathach lived for these moments…

Little did the two of them knew, Kihli's mother, Fimir, had come out to watch them "train" from afar, proud of the scene of Scathach and Kihli enjoying themselves together… in their own unique way.

_

Now:

Scathach had no idea how long she sat there leaning into Kihli's comforting embrace, but before long, this moment of solace as it turns out was not meant to last.

"I hate being the one to ruin the moment," Kihli started with a modicum of regret. "But my mother wants to see you... privately..."

"Fimir," Scathach lets out, reality coming back to add to her burdens. "That's why you came?"

"Partially," Kihli said quietly as rain continued pouring on them. "I just came back from home and… she doesn't have much time…"

"I- don't know if…" Scathach starts, but Kihli was there to stop her from feeling anymore down on herself, knowing Scathach felt regret for Fimir's succumbing to illness.

"It would mean a lot to her. Please… you're dealing with one regret, don't add another to it. This might be the last time…"

Scathach looks up at Kihli and eventually nods in agreement. Kihli helps Scathach to her feet and says:

"Come… I'll walk with you…"

After some time, the two of them made it to Fimir's hut. Waiting outside were some of Kihli's fellow hunters, all of them sullen. Scathach could hear from outside Fimir's strained coughing fits. Kihli let go of her and allowed her to proceed inside. Scathach reluctantly enters the hut, where there were some candles lit, and the pale old woman, Fimir, lying in her bed with a wet towel over her forehead. Now inside, Scathach could with her enhanced hearing pick up on Fimir's irregular, faltering heartrate. She slowly walks towards Fimir's laying form and kneels beside her.

Scathach felt a pang of pity for the old widow. She could see Fimir's chest infection had spread to her throat and lungs. It was honestly a miracle that the woman stayed alive this long. Fimir was still awake as she slowly opened her eyes and turned to Scathach.

"My dear girl… Scathach…" Fimir let out, her voice cracked. Scathach's heart ached even more for Kihli's mother. "You came…"

"Yes, Fimir. I'm here…" Scathach replied, keeping her voice low. Fimir forced a smile despite the pain she was in.

"I'm so glad…" she said before seemingly looking past Scathach, looking worried. "Where is Aife?"

Scathach cast her head down regrettably.

"Gone... there is nothing for her here..."

Fimir sighed in disappointment, not having the energy to even question why Scathach's sister could not be here with them. Suddenly, Fimir started coughing. Scathach grabs her hand gently in attempt to comfort her. Once her coughing fit settled, Fimir groaned out sarcastically:

"Oh, sod this pestilence…" Fimir then turned to Scathach again. "I don't suppose... your party tricks can do anything about this?"

Scathach could only give an apologetic look. It was all the affirmation Fimir needed.

"Thought not... knowing you, Scathach, I have no doubt you'd help me if you were able to... oh well..."

Fimir cleared her throat and tilted her head back. Overcome with grief, Scathach said to her:

"Fimir, I am so sorry..."

Thankfully, Fimir did not seem bothered by it. If anything, Scathach could see from the look on her face that Fimir appeared… relieved?

"Don't cry for me, Scathach," Fimir said tenderly to her. "This old widow's time has come. And you know what? I can pass... knowing my boy, and his friends... are going to have a happy life ahead of them. I've done all I could... now I can see my husband, and my first son... we'll wait for Kihli..."

Scathach's gaze dropped when Fimir started coughing again, more painfully this time. She could not bear seeing this kind lady suffer like this. Scathach felt that Fimir deserved better as she continued holding her hand.

She wanted to be with Fimir in her final moments regardless.

"You will be there for him, won't you?" hearing this made Scathach look back up in surprise. Fimir turned to her again with a smile. "My boy has always admired you... and I can see in your eyes... he means the World to you..."

Scathach was stunned. Fimir could sense Scathach's feelings for the young man well before even she realized it.

"Yes... how did you know?"

Fimir giggled, despite it costing a few coughs afterwards…

"Call it an old lady's intuition, but..." Fimir took a deep breath, her breathing suddenly becoming more labored. "I have no doubt if it goes where I believe it will between you... Scathach..."

"Fimir?" Scathach said fearfully as Fimir's heartrate slowed. Despite this, Fimir continued squeezing Scathach's hand same as she was.

"You never let your power change who you are. You taught my boy so much... if you're that great a teacher... I know... that you will be an even better mother..."

Scathach gasped. Fimir had just given her blessings as she no longer had the strength to keep her head up, and Fimir laid flat on her bed and coughed.

"Life is all about… learning what you can… playing where you can… and resting when you can…"

"Please, don't speak!" Scathach pleaded to Fimir, evident that this was giving the old widow only more pain.

Then Fimir's eyelids began to fall… along with her heartrate. Scathach mustered all the resolve she could to not break down in front of Fimir. It was not long now…

"I can picture it..." she said between breaths, yet smiling proudly. "You... Kihli... living in that castle... watching over your people... and your beautiful children... with all the pride in the World."

Fimir's breathing gradually slowed…

"I just wish... I would be there... to see... it..."

The old widow exhaled… never to taste fresh air again. Fimir would never again open her eyes. Scathach was grief-stricken, more than ever as she could hear Fimir's heartbeat… slowing… slowing…

And stop.

Although the moment came, Scathach was in denial.

"Fimir? Fimir..." Scathach called out, her voice shaking. She could feel Fimir's grip on her hand go limp… and cold. "No... Fimir! N-Not yet...!"

Nothing could hold back Scathach's tears at this point… for the old grieving widow who gave Scathach and Aife a home when no one else would. Grief came to Scathach in full force as she collapsed before Fimir's lifeless body and cried.

"Fimir!"

_____

The following day, Fimir was put to rest as the whole village joined Scathach and Kihli in mourning her passing. Kihli had the burden of burning his mother's body on the funeral pyre, then scattering her ashes in the nearby meadow. Scathach could only watch as in her grief for the kind woman who took her and Aife in all those years ago, lament how many days like this she will endure in her limitless existence; how many people she will cherish only to mourn each when their time came…

If the lives of those Scathach would hold dear are so very fleeting, were the bonds worth the inevitable void left at the end of their lives? Lives that would only be footnotes in Scathach's immortal lifespan?

As the procession returned to the village, Scathach caught a glimpse of her mentor, the Shadow, hidden in the trees. Even obscured, Scathach could see him casting his head down in condolence. She was glad that he had time to come… even if it was for the briefest of moments.

When night had fallen, the Hunters' Guild was still alive with activity, as all who were a part of it had celebrated Fimir's passing by holding a banquet for Kihli. It was not the most joyous of celebrations, but it pleased Scathach to know that Kihli was not alone in his grief. He had grown a tight-knit group of like-minded comrades who would be there to support him no matter what.

Kihli would always have shoulders to lean on… unlike Scathach, who would with time have nobody…

Later on, the Guild headquarters gradually became deserted, with those present for Fimir's funeral retiring for the night. The village still needed hunters well-rested and ready to brave the forest for Dunscaith's survival. Life went on…

So, hunters and colleagues left the hall, one by one…

Until it was only Scathach and Kihli left.

The two have barely spoken throughout the day, giving each other space as they mourned until Kihli could not bear being apart from Scathach any longer, knowing she was taking Fimir's death even harder than she was. After seeing off the last guest for the night, Kihli returned inside the Guild, eventually finding Scathach sitting by herself in a corner, silent… somber…

Careful not to disturb her, Kihli went over to Scathach, determined to fulfill his promise that he made to her yesterday. As much as Scathach felt her burdens were her own, nobody could possibly bear them alone…

Scathach had been acutely aware of Kihli's presence; it was impossible not to with her enhanced senses. She had half a mind to try and dissuade Kihli from offering her comfort, feeling that it would be wasted on her. Kihli would pass on, burn his life out same as any other human. Whatever he did would ultimately matter not to an immortal being like Scathach.

She had lost Aife… Fimir… and would eventually lose Kihli… human connection did not matter anymore-

Yet… when Kihli wrapped his arms around her, protectively, Scathach did not resist. Deep down, she anticipated it… needed the comfort only he could give her… the warmth it gave her…

Kihli understood Scathach's burden. He promised to make her happy with what little time he had, regardless of if ended up mattering to someone like her or not…

Even in an hour of sorrow, it was impossible for someone to allow themselves to remain in such a state. Even after telling herself otherwise, Scathach still craved the things any normal person would cherish… feeling of belonging… compassion…

Love…

None of which a person could obtain in loneliness. In grief, Scathach sought comfort, wanting for once to be content and relieved with herself instead of thinking about the death of all things…

With Kihli's vow and gesture… Scathach decided she wanted to happy… no matter how brief it was…

Nothing beautiful lasts…

Scathach slowly turned around, facing Kihli as they locked eyes on each other. Her heart was beating with fervor, managing a weak smile as a tear fell.

A tear of joy…

Scathach was not alone in her pain… Kihli was here… wanting to help relieve her of it.

She obliges… leaning in and kissing him…

Kihli momentarily froze… but soon returns Scathach's affection in full… once started as a kind gesture turned into fiery passion as they embraced, gasping for air as Scathach's arms wrapped around her soon-to-be lover… losing herself as she released all her sorrow and woe to be filled with love and happiness. As they started removing each other's clothes, death became the furthest it has ever been from Scathach's mind in a long while…

_____

The next morning, Scathach laid with Kihli on the makeshift bed in the empty barracks of the Hunters' Guild, sound asleep and resting her bare body against his, having pleasant dreams after their time alone together last night and soon stirring awake. It felt good to follow her heart for once, having sought refuge from her constant lament of death and living a lonely existence thanks to her student, now lover, Kihli. Scathach liked to think that Fimir, wherever her soul was, was smiling down on her as well as her son for finding love and comfort in each other at last. Scathach basked in this moment of respite, feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

And when she at last opened her eyes, she was met with the most caring look she had ever seen as Kihli greeted her.

"Good morning," he whispered, gently stroking her hair.

"Good morning to you too, Kihli," Scathach replied, feeling joy and beaming with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I should be asking you, beautiful…" Kihli remarked, making Scathach's heart flutter. "I for one feel like taking on an Ogre."

"Glad to hear it," Scathach said cheekily. "Surprised you can even fight a hoard after last night. Seemed to me like it was a bit much for you…"

Kihli blushed, recalling how heated and excitable Scathach became as their night of love progressed. The young woman he had known for years was less prudish than she normally presented herself. Her endurance outpaced his… not that he would give Scathach the satisfaction of knowing that.

"You think after years of making me climb a mountain that our little dance last night would do me in?" he humored her. "You don't know me all that well for being my mentor…"

"Oh?" Scathach raised an eyebrow, sensing a challenge coming. "How do you know I was giving my all? Maybe I was holding back…"

"That so?" Kihli asked, turning over to position himself on top of her. "I want to see if you really were…"

Scathach could not suppress a giggle, anticipating the start of another round of lovemaking, wanting to pick up where they left off last night.

"Are you sure you're up for it?" she responds, wrapping her arms around Kihli's back before then clamping her magnificent, toned legs around her lover's hips. "Let me tell you something, stud, I feel energized enough to fight the armies of Lugh…"

Kihli accepts Scathach's invitation in full. Scathach in her excitement can hear both their heartbeats pounding in unison and her restraint hung by a thread as Kihli's hands went to her juicy thighs.

"I think you'll find in this sparring match," Kihli whispered, leaning his head in closer to hers. "I won't lose so easily…"

"Me neither…" Scathach replies before closing the distance and locking her lips with Kihli's. The World around them became a distant memory as they passionately lost themselves in each other again. The experience was ethereal to Scathach, with her lover pleasuring her and filling her with his love more times in the next while than she bothered to count. She was happiest that any woman like herself could be in this moment, indulging in fleshly pleasure with the one person she trusted more than anyone, not just in body, but in spirit.

This moment between her and Kihli was nothing short of magical…

By the time this bout of love concluded, Scathach felt like she found paradise on Earth. She laid exhausted, her voluptuous body sweaty and her hair in disarray… yet she wore the smile of a fulfilled woman as warmth spread from her core to the rest of her body. Her mind worked extra time to bring her back to some semblance of rationality, currently foggy with pleasure. Her lover was in much the same state; Kihli had collapsed beside her and was trying to catch his breath.

"Has anyone… told you…" Kihli managed to say, taking breaths between. "You have… extraordinary thighs…?"

Her mind having just barely caught up to her, Scathach humors Kihli's peculiar compliment.

"Really?" she asked, turning to him while still catching her breath. "I must have a real… crush on you…"

"You sure like making a habit of leg-locking…" Kihli added. "I'm convinced your thighs are the stuff of legends…"

Scathach giggled in delight.

"Heh heh… imagine…" she joked. "Me… becoming legendary for my thighs… guess we can call what we have… A Friendship of the Thighs?"

Now it was Kihli's turn to laugh.

"Fitting for a warrior of land and bed…" he remarked. Scathach turns over and lays against her lover.

"Hey… you were amazing yourself…" she said before whispering. "Thank you, Kihli."

Kihli calms down once he stares into Scathach's eyes.

"For what?"

Scathach smiled, and her crimson eyes glistened with affection and sincerity.

"Just… being there for me… I've really needed it…"

Kihli forgot to breath for but a moment. Scathach could hear his heart flutter as hers had within the last several hours alone together.

"I promised… didn't I?" he replied, gently rubbing Scathach's flushed cheek. "I'd make you happy with all my being…"

Feeling touched by just his words, Scathach pressed her body closer against Kihli's, telling him:

"I thought I would have to become content with being alone, knowing I would outlive all of you here in the village… but the more I seclude myself, the more I cannot bear it. I guess seeking the comfort of others is something humans naturally do, and I'm no exception."

She then rested her head on Kihli's chest, listening to the lulling, comforting sound of his heart beating behind. Scathach loved that sound more than any other. It was a lively sound…

"I'm glad it was you to relieve me of all my woes, Kihli. I love you…" Scathach whispered, closing her eyes in content. Kihli wrapped her arm around her resting form, replying:

"I love you too…"

Scathach beamed, laying in blissful silence for a while. As happy as she currently was, reality would soon creep in, casting doubt if Scathach could have moments like this without Kihli here to be her emotional anchor?

"Still, I wonder…" she was unable to stop herself from letting Kihli hear. "What am I going to do when your time comes?"

Silence hung as Kihli contemplated, turning somber as once again, Scathach's inevitable and immortal fate came to the forefront. Eventually…

"Then you do as you taught me… Live and learn," his answer was honest and resolute. Scathach opened her eyes and gazed up at him. "You'll find someone who will fulfill your needs long after I'm gone. I don't mind who it is as long as they make you as happy as you are now…"

Scathach's eyes widened slightly, thinking she just imagined hearing Kihli say that he would not mind if Scathach sought another man to love after his death. It did not seem fair to him.

"Kihli…" she starts. "I can't imagine that I can love someone as much as I do with you…"

Kihli seemed a bit surprised at himself after what he said, but he stood by it, feeling that Scathach's happiness mattered more. It would not be as if he would be around as long as she will anyways, Kihli figured…

"You have all of eternity to yourself…" he assured her. "I have no doubt you will find that someone you would live for…"

Then he gave Scathach a cheeky smirk.

"That does not mean that… you should rush things. Focus on what you currently have."

Scathach liked the sound of that…

"Namely… you?" she said, inching herself closer to Kihli's face and rubbing her hips against his temptingly. Kihli looked surprised at this…

"Are you not satisfied yet, Scathach?" he asked, knowing this "break" was about to end as Scathach just smiled.

"No…"

Scathach leaned-in to kiss Kihli again, eager to start another round of lovemaking. She never wanted this beautiful moment to end.

But as it was irrefutable, things that are beautiful are not meant to last. And last this moment would not…

The doors of the Hunters' Guild opened suddenly, alerting both Scathach and Kihli. They quickly got up and covered as one frantic hunter came rushing inside.

"Captain! I bring troubling news!"

"Wedge…" Kihli acknowledged, having slipped on part of his battle attire. "What is it?"

"The main hunting party…" the hunter began explaining. "They were supposed to return this morning… but they haven't checked in! All parties are lost to the forest!"

"What?!" Kihli exclaimed. "All of them?"

"Aye!" Wedge affirms as with a quick cast of a rune, Scathach got dressed and battle ready. "And one of the scouts brought back this…"

To everyone's horror, Wedge held up a piece of a cracked mask. Scathach knew immediately where and whom this artifact originated.

"Heralds!"

_____

Moments later, Scathach and Kihli arrived in the forest at the hunters' meet-up position, having gotten there quickly thanks to her wraith form. Fearing the worst, they had weapons drawn; Scathach wielding Gae Bolg and Kihli with his sword and bow, wearing Aife's cloak over his armor. Looking around, there was no one except for the two of them, with no sign of their fellow hunters or of Herald cultists.

"This is the checkpoint," Kihli said aloud. "Hunters are supposed to meet up here in case of a monster outbreak. We had shortcuts so as not to get cut off… for all parties to have been targeted…"

"Means that their disappearance was a coordinated effort," Scathach finished. "It had to be the Heralds."

"But I see no signs of Heralds either…" Kihli observed, looking around the temporary encampment. "It would take a lot of them to round up all the hunters. A large force is hard to keep hidden."

"Well, I don't sense anyone around," Scathach said, growing more anxious despite her resolve to find the missing hunters and unleash her wrath on the Heralds… if this even was their doing. But with her senses not picking up on any sound or movement, Scathach wondered if perhaps their arrival was anticipated. She left baffled on how the Herald army could hide themselves so well.

Just then…

(Screaming)

Scathach gasps… picking up the distant sound of someone in unspeakable pain off in the distance, deeper in the forest. Kihli notices her tensing and asks…

"What is it?"

"One of ours…" Scathach said distressingly. "In trouble… and…"

She scans the tree line, pinning down the source of the sound…

"This way!" she calls out before darting into the forest, and Kihli goes after her, going as quickly as he can manage. Scathach weaves and dashes through the woods like a wraith, stopping at nothing as she heard the person's screams grow louder, until they were within earshot. Scathach emerges out on to a meadow and to her shock, sees the bodies of dead hunters scattered all over, brutally mutilated.

Save for one...

A person strung up on a wooden pole dead center of the carnage. Scathach recognized the young hunter from the village, and he looked to have been tortured; bruised, burnt and maimed. Her blood boiled at the thought of whatever monsters did this to him and moved immediately to free him.

Before she could though, the hunter lifted his head, seeing Scathach approach and yelled:

"RUN! IT'S A TRAP-!"

[BOOM!]

The ground behind the strung-up hunter shattered. Scathach froze in her tracks at the sight of a creature that had just emerged. Standing taller than any human was a metallic, humanoid beast of glass and steel, with an abnormally shaped head with a single eye. It moved swiftly, using one of its massive claws to sweep aside the hunter that was its bait, and cleaved him and the log he was tied to in half.

This creature loomed closer to Scathach; it moved purposefully and with grace, but its mechanical nature made it seem completely unnatural, especially as it made an ear-screeching sound that blared in Scathach's ears, painful nearly to the point of making them bleed.

Scathach had no time to assess this threat as in a stunning burst of speed, the creature flew at her. Scathach dashes and flips out of the way before it could collide with her, grazing the blade of her spear against the beast's metallic skin in hopes of tearing it open. When she lands on her feet, Scathach turns and sees that it barely left a scratch on the creature's shell as it turned around and landed on the other side of the meadow in perfect, inanimate stillness.

Scathach grits her teeth. She should have expected an ambush of some kind, but the way this creature surprised her… Scathach could not sense it. No heart… no breath… it was this threat before her was not a living thing, but a machine…

And her initial attack did not do much against it…

Scathach was kept in a standoff, readying her spear in case the creature at her again. She dared not attack first without assessing what this enemy was capable of. Scathach had never seen this creature before… or had she?

Scanning the eerily still machina before her… Scathach felt as if she had seen something like this before, but where? She racked her brain, and it soon came to her in epiphany:

It was seven years ago… inscribed in stone below the Shadow's fortress… her mentor told the story of Humanity's Gods, fighting a war with the Sovereign and its mechanical minions…

The creature before Scathach looked scarily like-

The Seraphs... from the mural!

Just then, Kihli emerged from the woods and saw what Scathach was fighting against; a being he could not comprehend.

"What in Gods' names?"

The creature turned to Kihli in a snap, its eye turning red as it hummed dangerously. Scathach yells at Kihli in panic.

"Kihli, get back!" her warning came too late as the creature suddenly burst into motion, flying at Kihli with deadly intent. He drew his sword, but Scathach knew Kihli was a goner if she did not act, so she went into wraith form and dashed in front of him to raise her spear and intercept a claw strike.

Kihli was sent knocked back from the resulting shockwave, landing in the nearby bushes as Scathach fought against the Seraph. Despite its size, it was holding its own against Scathach due to her spear glancing harmlessly off its claws, moving so fast that could capitalize on any openings.

What was worse, Scathach found that she was not able to anticipate this creature's attacks as she barely leaped away from a downward claw strike. The Seraph's biology (or lack thereof) made it impossible for Scathach to discern what it was going to do or how she could counter its attacks. Her enhanced senses were useless in this fight.

I can't sense this thing... no sound when it moves. No predictable attack patterns... no facial cues of any kind... How do I beat this thing?

Worse still, every second Scathach was fighting this thing, the Seraph learned her attack patterns. The same attack did not work twice on this creature as Scathach made copies of Gae Bolg to launch at the Seraph, only for it to dodge and weave with inhuman precision. Scathach was caught off guard when the Seraph grabbed her with its massive claw and pinned her to the ground. Unable to free herself despite her strength, Scathach was being crushed in its grip and gasped for air. The Seraph coldly raised its other claw to thrust down and impale her-

"Hyah!"

Kihli emerged from the forest and swung his sword at the Seraph, slicing its claw from its arm. In response, the Seraph batted Kihli away with its damaged arm, not feeling any pain from the initial attack. Kihli lands several feet away, and the Seraph threw Scathach forcefully against a tree before turning its attention to him. Kihli recovered and started firing arrows at the Seraph with his bow. They all bounced harmlessly off the shell of the Seraph as it approached, and Kihli launches his last one, aiming for the creature's eye. This time, the Seraph raised its claw, using its pointy fingers to catch the mid-air and crush it.

Scathach struggles to get up after her crash. Kihli draws his sword as the Seraph telepathically recalled its severed claw and attached it back on its arm, erasing the damage Kihli dealt earlier. Grunting, Kihli then pulled out a dagger, dual wielding it with his sword before rushing at the Seraph. The Seraph glowed and released a shockwave that sent Kihli backwards off his feet. Its eyes then glowed and fired a beam of energy at where Kihli landed. He recovered just in time to roll out of the way, but the impact of the beam made an explosion that sent him flying and landing in a bush several feet away.

"Kihli!" Scathach cried with worry as she willed her body to get up. Her spine was broken and she impatiently waited for it to mend with her fast healing. That thing was going to kill Kihli if she could not get up in time to help him.

Come on! Hurry up!

Little by little, her legs started working, and once she stood up, Scathach immediately went into wraith form and flew at the Seraph just as it went over to the bush Kihli fell in. It brushed the leaves aside but saw that Kihli had vanished, and before it could assess, Scathach in her desperation flew and collided with the Seraph, taking their fight to the dense forest.

As they sped through uncontrollably, Scathach tussled with the Seraph, summoning her spear to jab frantically into its shell as it tried to fend her off, all the while they were sent crashing through trees and foliage. It was only after colliding with a cliff that Scathach sent off her foe, separating them. She tumbles, dazed from the impact and tears through branches of trees until she crash lands on the forest floor. Scathach groans in pain, slowly getting up to her feet, only to hear an ominous sound above her. Turning, she sees the Seraph hovering above, its eyes glowing and about to fire at her…

Scathach quickly wraith dashes, avoiding the ensuring explosion and bolt through the trees with the Seraph in pursuit. The mechanical creature flies after her and continues shooting, keeping up despite Scathach's attempts to shake it. Looking back at it, Scathach sees the Seraph's claws morphing and changing into blades, allowing it to slice through the forest and close in on her…

"That's a neat trick…" Scathach remarks in frustration as she sidestepped to avoid a scorching beam. She had been on the backfoot throughout this entire fight with the Seraph and sought to turn the tables by dashing up a tree. Scathach kicks off and sails in the direction of her oncoming opponent and casts a fire rune. The Seraph spun off, avoiding the fireball that exploded against a nearby tree. Scathach was not deterred, as she uses the cover of the forest to her advantage, casting a spell before dashing around another tree to attack again and repeat. The Seraph was left waiting out Scathach's attacks as it either dodged or forced to tank a hit, trying to lock on to Scathach's movements. Eventually though, the Seraph fired a beam at one such tree and blew it apart, and Scathach was sent spiraling and crashing back down to Earth.

Scathach stirred, shaken by the unexpected move, struggling to get up as the Seraph descended down to the forest floor with its blades brandished. It slowly hovered closer to Scathach…

And she smiled…

"Got you…"

A glow of bright green beneath the Seraph's "feet" made it pause. A rune appeared and glowing strands burst forth to entangle the creature. And then, several runes appeared on nearby trees, launching a barrage of fire, ice, and lightning at the Seraph, engulfing it in mana infused smoke.

Scathach got to her feet, summoning Gae Bolg to help her stay up. Breathing heavily, she reveled in victory. Using that many runes as traps took a toll on Scathach's mana reserves, but she was sure the Seraph could not possibly survive that-

-!

A mechanical screech rang in Scathach's ears, and an eye appeared amongst the smoke. When it cleared, Scathach saw to her disappointment that the Seraph had survived the barrage. Damaged visibly, but still very much functional as it spun its body and used its blades to cut through the strands of Scathach's rune. It was clear that this was no ordinary machination, as for it to survive magical attacks of such intensity meant that it must be magical itself somehow.

"Damn it," Scathach let out, readying her spear despite her growing fatigue. The Seraph was a threat she can not let harm the village. Freed, the Seraph loomed, not attacking, but assessing Scathach seemingly; its eye changing colors and making strange noises that she could not make out, save for-

SH-HA-A-DO-OW...

Scathach recoiled painfully. It was not so much that the Seraph was audibly speaking so much as drilling that word directly into her mind. It appeared that this creature communicates telepathically...

"What the hell are you?" Scathach asked, not expecting any answer, but to her shock made another ear-splitting sound that made Scathach recoil and clench her head in pain. Vision distorting, Scathach saw a glimpse of an immense vessel in the endless night sky; flashes of other Seraphs just like it, lined up in formation…

All bowing to their master… an otherworldly being standing tall over them and wearing a large three-pointed crown-

The vision ended, and before Scathach could make sense of it, the Seraph rushed at her. She raised her spear to deflect a blow from its blades. Her head still aching from the ordeal, Scathach struggled to hold her ground from the Seraph's relentless assault, having seemingly endless energy to fight.

Unlike Scathach, who had exhausted most of her mana. As she dodges a blow that would have taken her head off, she thought frustratingly:

This would be easier if I can go full Void-form… but I don't have souls to use!

The Seraph was maneuvering all around her now, moving so fast among the surrounding trees that Scathach was losing track of it. The Seraph then started shooting at her from all directions, and she was forced to cast a barrier-rune to protect herself. It did not last as soon it started to crack, and when the Seraph rushed at Scathach from the side and swung its bladed arm at her, the barrier broke, sending Scathach crashing backwards. She flips on to her feet, having barely any time to reposition herself as the Seraph flew at her again and Scathach was forced to sidestep.

Not before the Seraph's blade sliced at her leg leaving a gash…

Scathach yells in pain as she collapsed, having her leg rendered useless. The Seraph charged again, and Scathach desperately raised her spear to block, only to be batted away from the impact. Scathach's limp body rolls across the ground before coming to a stop. Scathach struggles to push herself up as the Seraph came over her. Beaten and desperate, Scathach used the last of her mana to fire a lighting rune directly at it. Electricity arced and struck the Seraph, stopping it momentarily, only for it to then charge its eye and fire an energy orb at her. The explosion sent Scathach flying back, and she falls down a cliff where she tumbles out of control, before landing in a ravine.

The impact briefly knocked her out, vision going dark as Scathach succumbed to her injuries. Still, her fast healing refused to sever her ties to life as Scathach stirs, beaten, and broken. Having barely regained consciousness, she sees the Seraph hovering over her… she reaches her hand out to summon Gae Bolg-

She does not get the chance as Scathach found herself lifted by her head; the Seraph having changed its blades back for its signature claws. Writhing in pain, Scathach tried vainly to free herself from the Seraph's hold on her, but she was helpless as the Seraph slowly carried her to a large piece of deadfall that had a very thick, and very sharp branch…

Try as she could to use a spell of some kind, Scathach felt the grip of the Seraph sapping her strength... an unknown force draining her of what mana she had left in her circuits...

There was nothing she could do.

As the Seraph reeled Scathach's frail body back to impale her, her last thoughts were of the village… how she failed to protect them.

And how she failed Kihli…

…

(BLOODSPLATTER)

…

_____

TBC