Kukulkan
Scathach oozed confidence. It was easy to imagine her in the position of a Queen, ruling above the masses as an exceptional individual. This was despite how she's clad in such a revealing dress. It really hugged her curves, emphasizing the contours and drawing gazes wherever she went.
Her red eyes swept across the room. When she landed on me, I felt an urge to cover up my body with how piercing her gaze was. It was as though any attempts at deception in the face of this Queen would inevitably fail.
"The Warrior-Queen of the Land of Shadow, Scathach," Da Vinci began, "Having transcended humanity, she is a Godslayer, and mentored Cu Chulainn—"
"I can handle my own introduction, Pioneer," Scathach spoke, a regalness in her tone. The woman stepped off Mash's shield, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached Ritsuka. At the same time, she whipped her spear around in a show, spinning it so fast the ends of her long hair were caught in its gust before she halted, holding the spear like a sentinel.
"I am Lancer, True Name: Scathach. I have heard of your wish to save human history and found it genuine. Thus, I, the Witch of Dun Scaith and the Queen of the Land of Shadow, hereby answer your call, Ritsuka Fujimaru." Scathach said.
I vaguely remember Scathach as someone who could only be summoned because the world has ended. Supposedly, Scathach was so talented in fighting that she transcended her mortality, but… she wasn't good enough because she didn't become a god like Heracles. I could easily be mistaken.
"Well met, Scathach, I'm honored you'll join the Chaldean Security Orga—"
Scathach cut Ritsuka off as she leaned forward, invading Ritsuka's space as if she owned it: "I didn't answer Chaldea; I answered your call specifically." Scathach raised her free hand and cupped Ritsuka's chin. "Hm, yes, you really are a warrior with courage. Not a mindless brute or a complete mediocrity."
My fingers twitched.
"Hey," Olga said, bumping into Ritsuka and causing the teen's chin to leave Scathach's hands
Scathach's eyes examined Ritsuka with such intensity that the teen seemed taken aback. She grinned, "Oh, I see."
Then, her gaze went elsewhere: "Hm, you will need more training if you're going to save human history. Who was your trainer before?" Her eyes swept across the summoning room, taking in the other Servants present. They all appear to have calmed down after seeing how Scathach wasn't aggressive.
Being the most boisterous one, Iskander stepped forward and introduced himself: "I am the one who trained my Master. I am Iskander, the King of Conquerors," The giant proclaimed proudly as he placed a hand upon Ritsuka's shoulder.
Unlike in the past, Ritsuka didn't flinch at the hit. "As you can see, he is coming along well enough to befit a member of my signal corps. But you, oh Queen of the Shadow Lands, I will happily make you my second in command if you deign to join me in my Conquest."
Scathach seemed to give the request some thought before eventually shaking her head. "Had any man besides you made me that offer, I'd strike them where they stand. Your prowess lies in the ability to earn the hearts of enemies. A strength that you used to force the known world to kneel…"
Iskander's eyes sparkled. Excitement was evident on his face at the prospect of inviting one such as Scathach to be part of his army.
"But no. Even if you could bend the world to your will, you still lack the ability to kill me. I will only consider those who can kill me." Scathach answered. Her eyes then glanced at me, and I felt disappointment in those eyes. It was as though I wasn't living up to some abstract ideal.
The Queen of the Shadow Lands said nothing and moved on to the remaining: "A middling, a Counter Guardian, a Shield, and the King of Knights. What an interesting bunch. I do hope to cross my spear with your blades, King of Knights. I long to witness the Crystalized Hope of Mankind."
Mash bowed in respect, "Pleased to meet you, Queen Scathach!"
My fingers twitched at being called 'middling'. But I let it go, swallowing the excuse that even historical legends can be wrong sometimes. Although, how is she knowing these Servants' titles? I recall in Zero with Artoria and Lancelot, unless the two Heroic Spirits are familiar with each other in life, there was little risk of being identified by face alone.
Da Vinci muttered in awe, "Your wisdom as a teacher must be beyond profound to be able to decipher a person's title from simply a glance."
Ritsuka seemed to catch on that there was no need for any introduction for the other Servants he had contracted before. "Is that your Wisdom of Dun Scaith skill?"
"Yes, a Skill that represents having surpassed humanity." Scathach explained, "Normally, I shouldn't even have been summoned, but current circumstances changed that."
Surpassed… humanity? I delved into the wealth of information offered by the Divine Authority of Knowledge and realized how great a warrior Scathach was.
She killed gods, a feat that not even Heracles had performed— whether that's because he can't or didn't have the opportunity, I wasn't sure. In a battle of pure skill, I couldn't say who would win over the other. However, if the two were to fight for real, I think Heracles edges out Scathach because of his God Hand.
Archer left the room as I released the Divine Authority.
Scathach then strolled up to Artoria. "Are you busy? I wish to spar right now if possible."
"I would be honored to fight the woman who mentored Cu Chulainn." Artoria's surprise lasted no more than a second before agreeing. The two left for the simulators.
Ritsuka sighed. Olga looked pissed. Zvezdnyy was strangely quiet, with a contemplative look on her face. She tugged at my shorts.
"My Polkovodets, Scathach looks human, but why did she say she surpassed humanity? Does that mean she is no longer human?"
I thought of a way to respond to Zvezdnyy's question. "I guess… technically? I mean, she said that she can't die anymore. It's only due to the Incineration that she's summoned. I would still consider her 'human'."
Zvezdnyy looked ponderous for a moment, but I thought nothing of it, given how I'm more focused on Scathach. She may have the answers I seek. While she may not always be correct, the wisdom of someone so ancient and transcendent should definitely be considered rather than arrogantly discarded.
So I flew over to the simulator. Looking at the display showcasing the battle between Scathach and Artoria, I found myself gazing at a scene of utter destruction.
What must've been a grassy landscape was shredded down to its brown underbelly. Bits of dirt were thrown into the air in great plumes like a giant's stomp. The sound was off, but given how there were waves of distorted air and shaking earth coming from each clash between Scathach and Artoria, only an idiot would think they weren't giving it their all.
In truth, I have very little experience in martial arts. You don't need karate or kung fu when you can crack continents with a punch. Thus, I could do nothing more than admire the scene as if it were from some action film. At the very least, I can tell Scathach has the upper hand, given how she's the one pushing Artoria around.
Scathach threw her spear, nearly nailing Artoria in the chest before a brilliance of gold blinded the monitor. Once it subsided, I noticed Excalibur was revealed, no longer sheathed in the breath of the planet. In front of Artoria was a trench that wasn't there before, presumably carved by the destructive torrent of air generated by the Hammer of the Wind King.
In Scathach's hands were a pair of red spears. Could she generate Gae Bolgs on command?
Artoria raised Excalibur above her head, a scintillating sight of hope, radiating in all directions. Even through the monitor, it stirred the hearts of the nearby technicians. Surrounding the Holiest Sword was a maelstrom of mana, one that Artoria sent crashing down at the foe in front of her.
The arc of the blade slashed the space where Scathach stood, utterly annihilating all in its path. The power of the Holy Sword was undeniable, but not unavoidable.
The monitor zoomed in on the space above the blast of Excalibur. There, Scathach stood atop… signs? It looked like letters, almost glowing letters, hovering in the air like clouds. Scathach stood on those letters as if gravity had reversed.
Runes, the Authority of Knowledge helpfully clarified.
Before Artoria could react, Scathach rocketed down like an asteroid, a blazing streak of red that Saber could not avoid.
Dust once again rose and obscured Scathach's landing. The obscuring dust soon vanished, and a spear tip was right next to Artoria's jugular. The other one… my eyes glanced downward and saw the spear pinning Artoria's sword hand. It pierced the wrist before hitting the dirt.
Scathach was victorious.
With the battle over, the digital space vanished. Soon, the door to the simulator room opened, from which Scathach and Artoria walked out. There were no wounds on Artoria's sword hand, no evidence of strain or effort upon their body, as though they hadn't just fought a hardcore duel to the metaphorical death.
"—Tell me about Sir Ector, the one who trained you."
"Sir Ector was…" Artoria paused, as if picking the right words was a difficult task. "He was a good man. He was tough, but fair. He trained me until I could barely lift my arms anymore. He let me rest. He went hungry in the night just so I could remain full. 'A future king needs to look kingly, to stand above the common man,' he said."
"So like thousands of others," Scathach concluded.
Artoria nodded, not taking that as a possible insult, "He was. Yet unlike many other knights in that era, he never sought out fame. He preferred solitude, but he was never a hermit."
"So he had something that even most Heroic Spirits lacked: contentment. He was not broken. He was truly fulfilled and satisfied with his lot in life." Scathach glanced at the ceiling. "What a rare quality in someone who became a warrior."
I didn't understand what Scathach meant by that. Not wanting to seem rude to someone I wanted to ask questions to, I waited for the two to finish talking.
"As a teacher of heroes, I'm mildly curious as to how I stack up to your students," Artoria asked.
"Of the thousands who sought me out as a teacher, you're certainly extraordinary. But I suppose that's to be expected for the wielder of Excalibur: anyone else would be nowhere close to as successful as you have been."
"But I lost the duel, and I lost Britain." Artoria pointed out, as if wanting judgment.
Scathach waved Artoria out, "Of the swordsmen I've fought, you're certainly up there among the best. And more than that, you have something that most warriors do not: the very opposite of Sir Ector: vigilance. You are not content. Even if being a king is tiring work, you never stop for a break. You became so much of a 'king' that you forgot the 'girl' you left behind. And in turn, you forgot the human heart."
After getting an answer, Artoria looked pensive. Using this moment, Scathach turned to me, "And you, third-rate, who hover in the periphery like a gnat, what is it that you want?" Scathach finally turned to me.
Her hostile words made me feel defensive. What the hell did I do to her that made her instantly hostile?
"Uh, I wanted to ask you some questions. Given how you're alive for thousands of years, I feel as though you'll give me some great wisdom, some angles I might've not considered when dealing with this issue." I said.
"It would be a discourtesy to those who presently live to resolve their issues."
I twitched in annoyance.
"Why are you so hostile to Kukulkan, Scathach?" Artoria asked.
I frowned. Wasn't there something that Scathach wanted? Ah, yes, the desire to die. Scathach will only listen to someone who can kill her.
I just have to do what Artoria couldn't: defeat Scathach in the spar. Then I'll have her attention, and with it, I can ask her for advice.
"I challenge you to a spar, Scathach." I pointed at the woman, "If I win, I get to ask you the questions."
It should be simple. If I managed to overpower motherfucking Heracles, I can definitely defeat some barely-remembered teacher that only appeared in Cu Chulainn's story. Heracles was everywhere in ancient Greece and very present in modern pop culture, and in Fate, the knowledge of a hero corresponds with how strong they are, at least before you get into genuine gods or aliens.
"And if I win, you'll never bother me again," Scathach said.
"Deal!"
I grinned, confident that I had just scored a bullseye. I could get Scathach back for being so rude as well.
The two of us entered the simulator. This was a flat, grassy plain as far as the eye could see, with a tall oak tree a bit away from the center of the plain. The sky above was blue as can be, with fluffy clouds drifting by. It would've been a beautiful day, perfect for a family picnic.
Maybe I should bring Zvezdnyy out here. It's always snowing out in Antarctica, so she could never glimpse the sun.
Scathach brought out only a single red spear. She got into a stance, lowering her body while bringing her spear forward, head down.
Only a single spear? Didn't she fight Artoria with two spears?
I rushed forward, intent on ending this fight in a single strike.
The air surrounding me burned as I prepared a punch, and I threw it right into Scathach's stomach—
"—?"
The punch met air. Scathach was inches away from the side rather than in the path of the fist.
"Predictable. I was hoping to be wrong, but you really are nothing more than a mindless brute."
And with that declaration, Scathach's limbs moved, momentarily a blur even to my eyes as she aimed to pierce me with a Gae Bolg covered in runes.
I let it. Gae Bolg is not some Spear of Destiny, and Scathach is not Heracles. I'll show her how tough my body is and let her be broken upon my—
"—Ah?"
Scathach stabbed the Gae Bolg through my stomach and out the other end. The spear easily pierced through my skin and muscles and imitations of intestines as if they were paper instead of organs that could easily survive the epicenter of a nuclear blast. Surrounding the ruined spear like a coat was a series of glowing signs, letters that meant nothing to me but apparently meant everything to reality.
Primordial Runes. The Authority of Knowledge helpfully provided.
What the fuck are Primordial Runes??
___
AN: So, Primordial Runes are op asf. Anyway, I had so much fun with Primordial Runes, playing around with it in the next chapter as we'll get to see someone who's more versatile than even Kuku herself.
Anyway, your comments give motivation; I require lots of motivation to churn out chapters faster.