The Queen of Shadows

Chapter 26: Scathach's Challenge (Part 1)

Present:

(BANG!)

"-!"

(THUD)

"(Groan)"

Gabrielle forced herself on her knees and then back on her feet after being scared awake by Scathach's firework magic and falling off her bed in fright. She hurriedly got dressed, ready to meet her brother, Gudao and the Servants they commanded as Masters. They gathered in the entrance hall of Castle Dunscaith, waiting for their teacher to show up and inform them of what exercise Scathach had in store for them today.

And the atmosphere in the castle was... frosty.

Gabrielle was not the only one still feeling groggy and famished after being abruptly woken up early this morning. Gudao, Mashu and most of the other Servants have still not yet adjusted to the strict rules of their host, Scathach. Gabrielle knew it was for the best, as they came all the way from Chaldea in Antarctica to meet this immortal slayer of monsters in hopes of them all being better prepared to protect human history and fight the being hell-bent on eradicating it... Solomon.

Scathach's tutelage was not torture... it was training. But by this point, having been here for a few days now, Gabrielle could hardly tell the difference.

At least she and Gudao had it simple compared to their Servants, who as strong as they were, needed to seriously improve their teamwork.

So with everyone tired, exhausted, and irritable, the doors of the entrance hall leading outside suddenly swung open. And their stood Scathach, clad in her violet/black bodysuit and looking at everyone.

"All of you here... good," she said sternly. "Awake? Mostly... follow me outside, my students..."

Gabrielle heard a mumbled groan from one of the Servants as they all reluctantly gathered outside on the terrace of Castle Dunscaith. The air was crisp and cool, and there was a thick fog. Scathach stopped before a rope bridge that disappeared into the fog and assumingly led into the enchanted forest beyond. She then turned to the group and instructed:

"Line up in the same teams of two as yesterday. This is a cooperative exercise..."

Gabrielle heard another groan from the group of Servants as before, figuring that it came from the Saber-class Servant that was Mordred, who stood beside an equally reluctant Saber, Arturia Pendragon. They were clearly NOT looking forward to being paired together yet again.

At the same time, the only two Servants in somewhat high spirits came up beside their respective partners. Lancer Cu Chulainn went beside Ruler Jeanne d'Arc, and Rider Astolfo ecstatically grouped up with Archer Emiya, who was already dreading being stuck alone with the talkative, pink-haired paladin. That left Shielder Mashu Kyrielight with Assassin Henry Jekyll, who despite visible awkwardness were otherwise determined to try and work together. Afterwards, Scathach then handed each of the four teams one peculiar-looking glass container, much to their confusion.

"What are we, gardening?" Mordred let out distastefully, only for her remark to be ignored by Scathach, and be met with a displeased look from the partner beside her, Arturia.

"You are all going to be doing MY job today," Scathach begins to explain to everyone present, pacing in front of the lined-up Servants. "I've given you and your partner a vessel for containing soul essence from the monsters attempting to escape this forest. You are to dispatch as many as you can and fill the vessels as much as you can before mid-day."

Scathach then stopped and said explicitly:

"And you and your partner better be back here before then, or your gathered essence won't be counted."