Chapter 12: Shadows of the Land of Shadows

The journey back to Orario was uneventful, yet Maki couldn't shake the lingering weight of her encounter in the fracture. The King of Heroes' mocking voice still echoed in her mind, and the memory of his overwhelming power gnawed at her pride.

Scathach walked beside her in silence, her crimson eyes scanning the horizon. Though she didn't say it aloud, Maki could sense her mentor's concern.

"You think he's going to show up again, don't you?" Maki asked, breaking the silence.

Scathach glanced at her. "Gilgamesh does not act without purpose. If he appeared in the fracture, it means his presence is tied to the singularities. His goals may align with ours… or they may not."

"Fantastic," Maki muttered. "Another mystery to add to the pile."

When they arrived in Orario, the city was abuzz with rumours of the fracture and the strange events that had transpired. Adventurers whispered about unnatural monsters appearing in the lower floors of the Dungeon, while gods debated the implications of the singularities.

In the quiet of their quarters, Scathach outlined their next steps.

"The singularities are spreading," she explained, her tone measured. "If we are to confront their source, you must grow stronger. You have potential, Maki, but raw strength alone will not suffice."

Maki leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "So, what's the plan? More training?"

Scathach's lips curved into a faint smile. "Not just training. We will venture into the Land of Shadows."

Maki raised an eyebrow. "The Land of Shadows? That doesn't sound like a place you'd find in Orario."

"You are correct," Scathach said. "It is a realm beyond this one, where I once ruled as Queen. Time flows differently there, and the trials you face will push you to your limits. But if you succeed, you will emerge far stronger."

"Sounds fun," Maki said with a smirk. "When do we leave?"

The preparation for their journey took only a day. Scathach opened a portal in the center of their training grounds, its swirling violet energy casting an eerie glow over the area.

As Maki stepped through, she felt a strange pull, as though the very fabric of reality was twisting around her. When the sensation subsided, she found herself standing on a desolate plain beneath a blood-red sky. Jagged peaks loomed in the distance, and a chilling wind howled through the air.

"Welcome to the Land of Shadows," Scathach said, her voice carrying a note of nostalgia.

Maki took a deep breath, adjusting to the oppressive atmosphere. "Okay. I'll bite. What's the first trial?"

Scathach gestured to a stone path that wound its way through the barren landscape. "Follow the path to the temple at the peak of that mountain. Along the way, you will face phantoms—manifestations of your own fears and doubts."

Maki raised her spear. "Sounds simple enough."

Scathach's smile widened slightly. "Do not underestimate them. The phantoms are relentless and feed on weakness. Prove yourself, and the temple will grant you a fragment of its power."

Maki's trek up the mountain began uneventfully, but it wasn't long before the phantoms appeared. Shadowy figures emerged from the ground, their shapes shifting and distorting like liquid.

At first, they were easy to dispatch. A swift thrust of her spear sent them dissipating into mist. But as she climbed higher, the phantoms grew more formidable, taking on forms that struck at her psyche.

One phantom took the shape of her sister, Mai, her expression filled with contempt.

"You'll never be strong enough," the phantom said, its voice a perfect replica of Mai's.

Maki clenched her teeth, lunging at the figure with her spear. It dissolved on contact, but the words lingered, striking a chord she thought she had buried long ago.

As she continued, the phantoms shifted again, this time becoming the golden-armored figure she had faced in the fracture.

"You dare challenge a king?" the phantom mocked, its voice eerily similar to Gilgamesh's. "You are nothing but a mongrel playing at power."

"Shut up!" Maki growled, her spear glowing as she slashed through the illusion.

Each step up the mountain was a battle, not just against the phantoms, but against her own doubts and insecurities. By the time she reached the temple, she was exhausted, her body bruised and battered.

The temple at the mountain's peak was a simple structure of black stone, its entrance guarded by a pair of ancient statues. As Maki stepped inside, she felt a surge of energy, as though the air itself was alive.

At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, upon which rested a small, glowing shard. Its light was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the harshness of the Land of Shadows.

"This is the fragment?" Maki asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

Scathach, who had appeared silently behind her, nodded. "Yes. It contains a portion of the temple's power, attuned to those who prove themselves worthy."

Maki reached out, her hand hovering over the shard. "What happens if I take it?"

"You will gain strength," Scathach said. "But it will test your resolve. If you are unworthy, the power will destroy you."

Maki smirked. "Sounds like my kind of gamble."

She grabbed the shard, and a blinding light engulfed her. For a moment, she felt as though her entire being was being torn apart, every fibre of her soul laid bare.

Memories flooded her mind—her childhood, her struggles with Mai, her battles in the Dungeon, and her encounter with Gilgamesh. Each memory was a test, forcing her to confront her fears and failures.

When the light faded, Maki stood taller, her spear glowing with a new intensity. Her body felt stronger, her mind sharper.

"How do you feel?" Scathach asked, her tone unreadable.

Maki twirled her spear, a confident grin on her face. "Ready for whatever comes next."

As they exited the temple, the sky above the Land of Shadows began to darken further. A low rumble echoed through the air, and Scathach's expression turned serious.

"It seems we are not alone," she said, her spear materializing in her hand.

From the shadows emerged a massive figure, its body cloaked in darkness. Red eyes glowed from within the void, and a deep, guttural growl sent shivers down Maki's spine.

"Another phantom?" Maki asked, raising her spear.

"No," Scathach replied. "This is something far worse. A shadow beast—a guardian of the Land of Shadows."

The beast lunged, its claws tearing through the air. Maki and Scathach moved in unison, their spears flashing as they met the creature's onslaught.

The battle was fierce, the beast's raw power testing Maki's newfound strength. But as the fight wore on, Maki felt the shard's energy flowing through her, enhancing her speed and precision.

With a final, coordinated strike, she and Scathach brought the beast down, its body dissolving into mist.

"You fought well," Scathach said, her voice tinged with approval.

Maki smirked, breathing heavily. "Told you I'm ready."

Scathach's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she turned back toward the portal. "Then let us return. The singularities will not wait for us to be prepared."

As they stepped through the portal, Maki felt a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges ahead were daunting, but she was ready to face them head-on—with Scathach by her side.