The Queen of Shadows

Chapter 23: Change of Tune (Part 2)

(SHRNNT!)

The beast let out a final cry of agony after being struck by Scathach's spear. The creature then fell and crashed lifeless on the forest floor before dissolving into glowing dust. Scathach stood behind the felled remains in pose, glowing with violet energy and her weapon aflame in red. Relaxing her stance, she stood straight and held out her arms. Scathach floated off the ground and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, bright light released from her chest and jetted skyward. All the souls she accumulated from killing the monsters spawned in the forest were freed and disappeared. Scathach's body stopped glowing as did her spear. Touching back down on the ground, Scathach fell to her knees in exhaustion, withdrawal from the power accumulated from slaying many monsters. Panting, she used her spear to help stand up straight.

"All done..."

Indeed, the forest was once again quiet; the creatures trying to escape the forest were eradicated for now. The serenity of the dark forest would not last, as Scathach knew all too well.

They will be back... they always will...

As long as people in any corner of the world die, and their souls too wicked and restless, monsters from the Land of Shadows will continue to try and find foothold in the mortal realm. Forever hungry... forever bloodthirsty...

It was a routine Scathach had become too well accustomed to. Every night, monsters would spawn and try to find their way out of the forest, and she would slay all that tried to. Whenever she killed them all, they would just try again the following night. And the next... and the next... and countless after.

Scathach had to stay vigilant. She left for her hunt immediately after dinner, concerned that these monsters would get bolder now that she was distracted with her students.

They would never get the upper hand on her, however; Scathach's senses were too sharp for that. Centuries of hunting in this forest allow her to know this land like the back of her hand; a second nature to her. Even if they stood their ground to fight her, Scathach was too strong; well by this point as guardian able to deliver a swift, deadly blow to the nastiest of creatures that could manifest here. She hardly had to try to kill these monsters.

It was a mere chore to her.

And like all chores... it was repetitive as it was exhausting...

Not physically. Scathach's power alone allowed her to not really need to eat or sleep to stay in fighting form. Physical exertion without the expenditure of mana cannot tire her out.

Mental exhaustion, however, made going out and doing her duty a struggle...

The challenge of hunting these abominations faded a long time ago. In fact, there was no challenge to derive from anything Scathach tried her hand at. She just grew too good, too perfect. Her duty was a great, yet boring one.

Still, Scathach had to power through it. No one can do what she does... She was the only thing standing between humanity, and the ghastly horrors of the night.

Scathach just wished for a break... for once.

Gathering herself, Scathach stood back up and banished Gae Bolg. She thought about how to get of this growing fatigue in her mind as she made her way back to the fortress. She still needed to do some research on two of her students in particular. Between hunting and upkeeping her stronghold, Scathach still had an obligation to train the Servants of Chaldea to work together and grow stronger; and one that might yield her a worthwhile benefit.

The others are probably worried about me... I did leave dinner abruptly-

Wait, why was she suddenly concerned with the Masters and Servants' thinking about her wellbeing? It was an absurd thought, as these individuals that she had only met days ago were just her students, nothing more than a means to an end. Scathach had only spoken with Mordred a couple hours ago just to soften the rowdy knight a little bit. She and Arturia will never reconcile if Scathach did not want them to-