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34.52% A Nascent Kaleidoscope. / Chapter 203: Chapter 194

Chapter 203: Chapter 194

It was a little amusing to see her tryto grasp the tale I wove. The description of concepts so utterly foreign to her that she needed very in depth explanations. It helped that I had both Scáthach and Raikou here with me to give credence. Not that I thought she would doubt me or call me a liar, but having someone else confirm something so outlandish, it helped her compartmentalize everything.

The small lull, these few moments of silence seemed to stretch on for a long while as Yasaka looked lost in thought.

"I'm not quite sure how to react." Yasaka finally spoke.

"Meridia said something similar." I chuckled.

"Yes, this Meridia too. I had thought her just a lesser goddess I did not happen to know, but I'm guessing that's incorrect." She looked at me expectantly.

"Oh yes. Frankly, I would have the confidence to go into the Dimensional Gap and slap the Great Red with her at my side."

Yasaka opened her mouth and closed it again slowly. "That is another conversation for later." She seemed to push that aside for now. "And dare I ask about Artoria? I'm assuming…." She glanced at Raikou and I could guess her thought process.

"She's also not from this version of Earth, but anything else I would like to have her reveal." I replied.

"And Jinn?" Yasaka asked again.

"Not much changed. She's from a world called Remnant, but again, it's her tale to tell."

Yasaka nodded in understanding. "Scáthach….." She muttered looking at my Teacher.

The God-slayer smiled happily as Yasaka turned her attention onto her. "I'm surprised that such concepts are not widely known. Even during my era, the concept of Parallel Worlds was not something untouchable. Perhaps it was more ambiguous in understanding, but still known regardless."

"I've only heard of the idea from human sciences and their theories." Yasaka shook her head. "If it is known, then it's kept at the highest level of secrecy among the more powerful."

"I doubt it's a completely unknown idea." I interjected. "It's how scrying the future works, or other variations of such. Looking at many possibilities along other World-Lines."

Yasaka tilted her head, slowly adopting a look of contemplation. "That makes sense now that I have more context." She let out a sigh. "But I believe such things are beyond my pay grade." She then turned her attention to my other companion. "And Minamoto-no-Raikou." Yasaka was….stiff when addressing her. "Are you uncomfortable with me?"

Raikou blinked for a moment. "Am I uncomfortable with you?" She didn't seem to understand.

"The…..version of you from this world." She appeared to be careful with her phrasing. "It was a little bit before my time, but my mother told me some stories on how she used to clash with him." Yasaka pursed her lips. "He left a scar on her that never healed. She told me he was a very arrogant and headstrong man, unwilling to compromise with my kind on nearly any issue. He despised Youkai for reasons I do not know."

Raikou bit her lip. "I have no problems with Youkai. I have known many in my life."

I reached over and squeezed her hand, earning a small smile from my Servant. I knew she had a hard life and reminiscing about certain things made her depressed.

"Okay." Yasaka said simply.

"You are accepting my words as fact?" Raikou seemed surprised. Her 'nature' was being questioned, and that was perhaps her more sore spot.

"I trust Wilhelm." She replied. "I have no doubt in my mind he would not bring someone around my Daughter that he thought they would harm her. By association I can assume you are not the same person as my Mother described in her stories."

Raikou usually hated being addressed by other people, like they were so insignificant in her eyes that they didn't matter. From what I could tell, it wasn't some sort of superior complex she had, but a genuine uncaringness for anyone else.

And here she was looking ….happy.

Now that I think about it, she was happy too when Jeanne dismissed her concerns over her Oni side. I guess she also had her own hang ups about her origin.

"I have another question." Yasaka decided to speak up again. "Your Grandfather –"

"Yes, that was my home world." I replied, knowing what she was going to ask.

Yasaka let out a little cute laugh. "You were so worried you took my Kunou to an entirely different world?"

"I panicked." I huffed. "I knew my Grandfather would take good care of her.

"That's adorable." Scáthach went to pinch my cheek with a little laugh as I took the abuse. "My little student, all grown up."

"Oh my, I didn't even think to ask. You were the one who trained him?" Yasaka inquired.

"Yes, he sought me out in the Land of Shadows and asked me to take him as my student." Scáthach had a gentle smile on her face as she reminisced. "What wonderful days those were. It was quite fun to thoroughly beat some sense into him." She slipped into a slight smirk as she eyed me. "But he grew into a good man."

"Oh Master, you're blushing." Raikou pointed out with a mischievous smile. Something I didn't think she was capable of in this state. Though I guess it was her focusing on me more so than the others.

I groaned, letting my head fall to the table. "I knew letting you all meet would be a bad idea."

"I believe this is the perfect moment for some stories when he was under my tutelage." Scáthach had that tone in her voice, the one that I remembered when she wanted to mess with me. "I recall the first time I had him on the ground, my foot on his chest. Can you guess what his words were?"

"Neaaahhhh!" let out a sound I didn't know I could make as I tried to silence her

She just laughed, holding me back.

***

There was a good while of them talking, basically 'around' me, but I didn't fault them for that. They were…..getting to know one another for lack of a better term. Raikou was still sort of outside the conversation, merely paying attention when I was involved. And I'm really hoping Gramps is done with the 'issue' soon.

And I'll definitely have to properly thank him when it's done.

Yeah, and some of my more embarrassing stories being told by Scáthach to Yasaka, who of course will never let me live them down.

Oh well.

I wouldn't mind the teasing if it meant they bonded over it.

But I will find Scáthach's weakness and exploit it ruthlessly.

Unfortunately, I did have a matter to bring up, disrupting their idle chatting. "I forgot about a semi-important matter before." I interjected. "And this isn't an attempt to shift the subject."

'I don't believe you, but continue." Yasaka replied without missing a beat.

"So, Scáthach and Raikou aren't the only ones here." Probably should have led with this….but I was distracted.

Yasaka blinked. "A more thorough explanation, please."

"Ah, well." I scratched my cheek. "Mordred is here, checking out the area. As are Achilles, and Atalanta....and Jack the Ripper."

"Wilhelm." Yasaka's tone turned dry. "Did you say you just released a serial killer unto my city. One whom I am even aware of as a –technically— reclusive Fox Spirit that lives on the complete opposite side of the world and doesn't interact much with human society outside of my immediate vicinity."

"Um…..spot me here, sweetie?" I turned to Scáthach.

She gently reached her hand up and pattedmy cheek. "Dig yourself out of your own hole, 'sweetie'." She repeated with a little sarcasm in her tone.

"Raikou?"

"I wished to remove the conglomeration of specters at our first meeting, Master."

"Want to try again?" Yasaka raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." I sighed. "Alright, so it's more like – A big group of ghosts all pushed together into a vessel that could be called Jack the Ripper, but not actually Jack the Ripper because their identity was never known. So more like the 'idea' behind their legend, if that makes sense."

Yasaka looked thoughtful. "I can understand the gist of what you're saying. But I follow up with, why did you bring them to my city?"

"Um, its' actually a little girl that wants to live quietly with their mom?" I offered.

"...I hesitantly accept this explanation for now." Yasaka sighed. "But, perhaps I'm not the best person to host such a…..creature."

"Well, if you don't' want them around, I can find somewhere else to set them up. They just wanted a quiet place to live without disrupting normal humans."

"No, no." She waived off my response. "I meant; I believe there is someone better." She clarified. "You are aware I rule only over of Japan's Youkai, yes?" She asked, though it was more rhetorical, so she continued. "Well, I guess there are technically some autonomous clans still up and about, but more or less, I rule over half of Japan's Youkai. And on the other end there's that old man who deals with many more….aggressive Youkai, Ghosts, and demons. Honestly, I think he just likes taking in the trouble makers. It's probably why most Oni clans tend to migrate towards his territory."

"Oni." Raikou perked up, now paying rapt attention.

Yasaka paused. "Yes, though they don't get up to much trouble like in the past. That old man keeps everything…..contained these days."

Well, it's obvious Yasaka caught on to Raikou's…..situation, even if she probably didn't know the details.

"Nurarihyon, huh?" I rubbed my chin.

"Nurarihyon!?" Raikou's eyes shot open.

"Do you know him?" Yasaka asked in confusion. "I did not think he was….that old? I remember he was around during my Mother's later years, but I hadn't heard anything before that."

Raikou shook her head. "I had several run ins with that….man." She huffed. "And he doesn't have an age. His ability to go undetected isn't constrained to living beings. He was able to slip out of the perception of the Time-Line if he wished. Such there is no point of speaking about age when he could be unperceivable to the passing of the years as well."

Well, isn't that a frightening thought. Sounds more like a True Ancestor than a mere Youkai.

Yasaka blinked at that. "That sounds very different than the one I am used to. As strong as he is, I don't believe he's capable of a feat like that. Honestly, I don't think most Gods are capable of messing around with Time unless it lays within their domain."

"Yes, Wilhelm informed us that the deities of this world are…weaker than the ones we're used to." Scáthach spoke up. "If I had to guess, I would say their natures are different enough that they are not allowed certain permissions to the world's underlining concepts as custodians."

"That was my initial thought. The trade off being their sustainability away from the World's control." I nodded along.

"I'm lost, but I fear I don't want to know." Yasaka commented. "Going back on topic, these people you have running around my territory?"

"Oh, yeah. Well, my House is connected to several different Worlds, and they seemed like a bunch that wouldn't mind getting their hands dirty – minus Jack the Ripper – so….if you have some monsters or strays that need killed…?"

Yasaka seemed surprised. "Actually…that would be helpful. There had been an influx of Stray Devils, roaming Youkai and other unsavory elements popping up after what happened before."

"So, in the immediate time frame, I just wanted to set them up with homes somewhere. I have the money to pay and everything, but I felt it appropriate to wait for your blessing due to their…..status and strength."

"I appreciate the thought." Yasaka smiled. "And while their identities could be potentially politically hazardous, I do believe their presence may outweigh any negatives." She reassured me. "I have some properties here or there that are unoccupied. I'll have someone fetch the documents for them."

"Thank you." I replied with sincerity.

"Oh, think nothing of it." Her tails swayed happily. "I can do something this easy for the father of my daughter without a second thought." She grinned watching both Scáthach's and Raikou's reactions. The mischievous fox. "Speaking of our Daughter."

As if right on que, the door opened and a little kitsune walked in. I turned to look, and she appeared just as surprised to see me as I was her.

"Daddy!" She shouted, rocketing towards me.

I was already out of my seat, sweeping her up in my arms. "My little fox." I hugged her tight.

"Always going straight for daddy." Yasaka giggled, still seated.

Kunou finally pulled away, but still tugged on my shirt as she pulled me towards Yasaka. "Mooom! Why didn't you tell me dad was back." She whined.

"I just found out earlier, sweetie." She lightly poked her daughter on the nose. "And behave, we have guests."

Kunou blinked, looking around as her eyes landed on my companions. She looked a little sheepish as she tucked her head down a little. "Hi, I'm Kunou." She said quietly.

Scáthach stood up, walking the few steps over before lowering herself down to Kunou's eye level. "Hello, little one." My teacher was astonishingly gentle as she introduced herself to my daughter. Now that I think about it, I had never seen her interact with children before, so this was entirely new ground I was treading.

"A-are you another one of my Aunties?" She hesitantly asked, seemingly accepting the idea quite easily.

Scáthach eyed me for a moment before looking back down at Kunou. "Yes. Yes I am." She smiled warmly towards her new niece. "And I look forward to spending more time with you."

"How did you meet dad?" Kunou asked.

"Your father came to me for training a few years ago." She smiled wistfully. "And for reasons I still don't understand, he wanted to take an old witch like me as his women."

"Auntie, you aren't old." Kunou puffed up. "You're still so pretty, like mom."

"Fufu." Scáthach gently patted her head. "You are just adorable. You may call me Scáthach – or Auntie if you prefer." She stated with obvious amusement in her voice.

"Should I be taking that as a compliment, or should you?" Yasaka mused, wrapping up Kunou from behind.

Raikou slowly stood up from her seat and also came over, which earned Kunou's attention as she escaped from her mom's grasp.

Raikou didn't speak, opting to bite her lip like she didn't know what to say.

{Need help?} I asked through the mental link.

{Master has a daughter....I don't know what to do. Am I supposed to introduce myself? Is it okay for me to hug her? Do I have her call me grandmother?} Her thoughts were a little frantic.

I decided to help her out. "Kunou." I grabbed her attention. "I'd like to introduce you to Raikou." I gestured towards my Servant who was awkwardly shifting in the spot she was standing. "My mom."

The look on Raikou's face when I said that I honestly thought she was going to start crying.

Even when she assumed the 'role' of my 'mother' upon her summoning, I never really…. acknowledge it. It felt weird to say, but it was simple words for me, and even in her madness, it seemed like a big thing for her.

So why not?

I have no idea what's going to happen once we 'fixed' her for lack of a better word, but in this moment, I can't say I've ever seen her happier since we've met.

Raikou basically swept up little Kunou into her bosom. "Such a cute girl." Raikou cooed. "My granddaughter is so sweet!"

Well, that was easy enough for her to accept the relationship. I have no idea what mental gymnastics she went through when she was having trouble even speaking to Kunou a moment before.

I shared a look with Yasaka, just shrugging with a 'what can I do' expression.

"Any interest in training the young las?" Scáthach asked. "I admit, her natural physique does pique my interest."

Raikou harumphed. "My sweet granddaughter doesn't need lessons from such a brute. If she wishes to learn to fight, I can teach her my clan's techniques."

"Brute?" Scáthach scowled. "Perhaps we should settle with this a spar."

"How surprising that you wish to resort to violence." Raikou's sarcastic tone was obvious to all that could hear.

Funnily enough, it seemed like this didn't even faze Kunou who was watching them with unrestrained interest.

I turned towards Yasaka who looked at me and let out a sigh with a smile on her face. I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics.

My smile only grew when I felt a fluffy appendage wrap around my waist.

***

Raikou and Scáthach meet the little fox. Sorry for the late chapter, i took a nap and accidently set my alarm to AM instead of PM.

If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my pat.reon.com/astoryforone


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Chapter 204: Chapter 195

"You know, I'm almost jealous." I admitted, leaning my head on Raikou's shoulder. I also had a furry tail in my lap as I gently ran my hand through the softness.

"Of which one?" Yasaka asked with a little chuckle.

"Yes." I said with a cheeky little smile.

"Keep your feet facing forward." Scáthach knelt next to Kunou, raising her arm up as she held a 'spear ' aloft. Though, it was more a wooden stick given the lack of a spear head. "Good, now adjust your grip like this." She helped Kunou move her hands to the correct spot.

"Well done." Scáthach stood up, looking very proud.

Cute teacher is cute.

I of course took several pictures when she wasn't looking.

"Mom, look!" Kunou called out, thrusting the 'spear' under Scáthach's directions.

I wonder how Cu would react if he saw her acting like this. Funnily enough, I could easily guess this was Scáthach 'playing' with Kunou. I doubted she has much experience with children, so this was probably how she defaulted when interacting with others.

"Mommy is watching." Yasaka waved to her daughter who had a bright smile on her face.

"Where was this gentle teacher when I was training? If I did something wrong, it was followed up with me getting my ass beat." I chuckled.

"For good reason." Scáthach huffed, clearly in hearing range.

"Your sadism isn't a good reason." I deadpanned.

Her head snapped to me. "It seems you are in need of remedial lessons."

Normally those words would have filled me with dread, but looking at her, I couldn't help but smile. "I missed you."

Scáthach blinked and deflated, like all the wind had been let out of her sails. If I didn't know any better, I think she pouted briefly. She kind of fumbled a response, just huffing and turning back to Kunou.

Hmm.

Curious.

I didn't dwell on it, instead bringing up the fluffy tail and pushing my face into it. I didn't want to this to end, but I knew I was pushing it time-wise.

Zelretch had asked me to come back after settling the other's issues.

"So….should we tell Kunou?" I looked up at Yasaka.

Yasaka didn't show any discomfort as I played with her tail. Perhaps she even enjoyed it if her expression was anything to go by. "If you wish to, I would not object." She said calmly. "But maybe we should wait a little bit."

It's a valid train of thought. Don't want to give her an existential crisis or anything. Maybe best to wait until she's a little bit older?

"I'll trust your judgement." I replied without a second thought. Gods know I have no idea what I'm doing half the time. I shifted in my spot, sitting up and doing a little stretch.

"Is it that time already?" Yasaka eyed me.

"Am I that easy to read?" I frowned, still holding her tail.

"You have this look whenever you have to leave." She gave a soft smile. "It's very cute."

I ducked my head to avoid her eyes as her teasing tends to get an unconscious reaction out of me. I don't know how, but she could easily get me flustered, even when I had other women literally throwing their naked bodies at me.

"Gramps wanted to talk to me about something after the others were taken care of. It seemed like something pretty important so I don't want him to wait too long." I quickly explained.

"Mmm, I still haven't forgotten about your promise." She waived her tail in my face.

"I haven't forgotten either." I gave her a smile. "Let me see what's wrong. I can deal with anything he needs me to and be back relatively quick. Then….I don't think I'll be going anywhere for awhile."

"I'll hold you to that." Her tail slowly moved back behind her. "I would also like to ask something of you."

"Sure, you need something?"

"Need? No, but I would very much want it." The corners of her lips tugged upwards. "There will be a festival in a couple weeks, I would like know if you wanted to accompany me."

I blinked in surprise. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"I suppose I am." She grinned. "I did say I would be pursuing you, did I not?"

"I would love to." I felt my heartbeat pick up.

She smiled gracefully, before turning towards our daughter. "Kunou, sweetie. It's time to wrap it up. Daddy and your Aunties have some errands to run."

Kunou's ears drooped. "But mooom." She whined.

"Sweetie, what have I told you about doing that?" She lightly chided her daughter. "Daddy will be back soon, he has to help Grandfather out."

It was….oddly attractive seeing Yasaka in 'mom mode'.

I stood up, giving a little pat on Raikou's shoulder. She had been….silent but otherwise didn't have any other reactions after a bit.

"I'll be back soon." I walked up, wrapping my daughter into a hug. "I doubt it'll take long, and I'll be here for a long while afterwards." I reassured her.

"Un." She buried herself into my chest, her tails waiving happily.

"I'll go make sure the others are settled and get out of your hair." I looked up at Yasaka.

"I can handle that." She waived my off. "They just require somewhere to stay and some kind of identification, correct?"

"Yeah, I didn't want them to be cooped up in Kyoto and most of them aren't Japanese."

"It won't be too difficult. I can send some of my people to handle that." She walked up, cupping my cheek. "Go help your Grandfather with whatever he needs. I can deal with this in your place."

"Are you sure? I don't want to just push all thing onto your plate."

"I am more than capable of alleviating some of your burdens. If I couldn't flex my power for something so simple, what is the point of my leadership?" She let out a laugh.

"I won't say no to the extra help then." I mulled it over. "Be careful, most of them are wound up tight. I would suggest not sneaking about."

"Good, I'll tell my people not to cause problems. But I will require payment." She didn't even give me time to answer before grabbing me by the collar and pulled me into a kiss.

"Eww, gross." Kunou made gagging noises as Yasaka claimed my lips.

"Well, I need to stake my claim, hmm?" She eyed both Raikou and Scáthach.

"Oh, I feel like we'll get along well." Scáthach didn't look at all put off, adopting a humorous smile.

Yes, I'm sure.

I walked towards Raikou, holding my hand out to her, which she happily accepted and stood up.

"We'll be back in a couple days at the most." I said one last time towards Yasaka and Kunou. At the very least, I could time our return to match those specifics without causing any issues.

"Lady Yasaka." Scáthach was polite in her words. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Oh, none of that." She waived her hand dismissively. "Just call me Yasaka."

Scáthach smiled. "Then call me Scáthach." She said, walking up beside me.

Yasaka give one last nod towards Raikou who returned it with a strained smile.

With a flick of my hand, a Portal to Gramp's home opened up.

***

"That was interesting." Scáthach commented, walking back into the familiar room.

Raikou pursed her lips. "She was not….unbearable." Which was odd considering Raikou barely acknowledged anyone else unless I sort of guided her.

"Wonderful, you're back." Zelretch stepped not the room almost immediately. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to get started immediately."

I looked at the others then back to him. "Yeah, let's get this taken care of."

I reached out to Raikou, taking her hand. "Raikou ,do you trust me?"

"Of course, Master." She smiled brightly. "Your Servant will do whatever you ask."

"We're going to do a little something to modify your Saint Graph." I began to explain. "To….remove your Mad Enhancement."

Raikou tilted her head cutely, as if not seeing the problem. "If that is your desire."

I glanced at Scáthach and it looked like she put all the pieces together.

"Good." Zelretch clapped his hands. "I have everything prepared and even did a little trick so the Grail wouldn't know that the war is over for what we're about to do." He ushered us back into the Room from which Scáthach had been initially summoned.

"Altering a Servant's Saint Graph is not an easy thing." Scáthach spoke up.

"Yes, it's like doing brain surgery with a Crayon." Zelretch agreed. "Even with the Grail…..there are many variables I'm having to take into account."

"What is the plan exactly?" I asked.

"We're going to summon her Saber self into her Berserker body." Zelretch explained.

"That is one of the option I'd thought up. Is it not simpler to just remove a part of her Saint Graph?" I questioned.

"Ironically, it's harder to just remove that specific ability. I devised a small work around that should solve everything in one quick motion." Gramps began. "But for this to succeed, you need to dissolve the current contract with her."

I looked down at my hand, the last Command Seal I possessed that represented our contract. The oath she gave to me and I gave to her upon summoning. I glanced up at Raikou who continued to look unconcerned, opting to give me a gentle smile.

I wanted her to be happy and not be under duress by this curse. "Raikou…" I focused on the seal in my hand. "By the power of this Command Seal." I took a deep breath. "Take a nap."

"Master?" She looked at me with confusion as the waves of Magical Energy washed over her. Her eyelids became heavy and she slowly closed them, her body swaying.

I quickly caught her before she fell, gently laying her on the ground.

"Good choice, it will be easier if she is asleep." Zelretch nodded in approval.

"I understand now." Scáthach inspected my Servant. "I was confused as to why she was…..acting in such a manner. A Mad Enhancement, but she is not lost in the traditional rage that other Berserkers show."

"Yeah." I said quietly. "She seems to be unable to form meaningful bond with other people. Treating them as if they're insects or otherwise irrelevant unless I give them my attention. She was decently good at hiding it, but she did not like me being close to anyone else."

I wasn't oblivious to the signs, but at the same time, I was literally unable to do anything about it. Mad Enhancement was intertwined with her existence. I could no more tell her to 'stop' than I could tell the sun to dim its light.

"Let's hurry, you don't want her to disappear." Zelretch broke me from my thoughts.

"I assume I need to do the summoning again?"

"Indeed, but without the Berserker chant added."

I nodded, holding my hand forward. "The path that connected us is still open, so it should be easier." I said quietly, flaring my Magic Circuits.

"Let Silver and Steel be to the Essence."

"Let stone and the Archduke of Contracts be the Foundation."

"Let Red be the color I pay tribute to."

"Let Rise a Wall Against the Wind that Shall Fall."

"Let the four Cardinal Gates Close."

"Let the Three-Forked Road from the Crown Reaching unto the Kingdom Rotate."

"I Hereby Declare!"

"Your Body Shall service under me, but my Fate shall be in thy Sword."

"Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail!"

"If you Accept this will and Reason, then Answer!"

"Here is my oath."

"I shall obtain All the Virtues of Heaven."

"I Shall Hold Dominion Over all the Evils of Hell."

"From the Seventh Heaven, Attended by the Three Great Words of Power, Arrive from the ring of Restraint, O'Keeper of the Holy Balance!"

There was less…..environmental effect this time around. I wasn't summoning an entire Servant and creating their Ether-based body, but more so summoning another portion of a Servant into an already existing body

A stream of light slammed into Raikou's unconscious form, her body spasmed slightly as her existence became 'more'.

Zelretch had his hand on the Grail, a look on concentration on his face as he worked his magic.

"It's done." He declared, stepping back with a sigh. "The summoning opened up her Saint Graph, so I was able to snip her Mad Enhancement from it before everything solidified."

It looked simple on the surface, but I knew how difficult it was to truly do such a process in that meagre time frame. I would admit that I would have trouble doing it perfectl, yet he accomplished it without any fuss.

Just what I would expect from my former self.

Zelretch let out a breath. "When you have a moment, I'll be waiting in my office for a chat." He said simply, walking out of the room.

I reached out, and gently scooped up Raikou in my arms. Scáthach was silent as she followed behind me. I walked through Zelretch's home, finding my own room and laying her onto my bed. "Let's hope there are no more issues." I brushed my hand against her head, moving her bangs out of her face.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. "You tend to overthink many things." Scáthach put her chin on my shoulder. "Even during my teachings, you would worry over the smallest details." I felt her breath tickling my ear. "It's not hard to guess that your Grandfather is quite skilled at any endeavor he partakes in. If he was unconcerned, you can take that as confidence that there will be no issues."

"I know." I said quietly, still looking over Raikou's sleeping form. "I just….worry when it involves people I care about."

She let out a small giggle. "Still that same sweet boy I met all those years ago." She ran a hand through my hair before I felt her lips land on my cheek. "Should you make your grandfather wait?"

"No, it seemed important." I shook my head. I reached out, taking her hand in mine before turning around. Those red eyes of hers, they were just as beautiful as the first time I saw them.

My free hand reached up, brushing against her cheek. "I finally got you back, but I feel like I keep having things pop up that take my attention away."

"This Scáthach is not going anywhere." She whispered, her fingers interlocking with mine. "Take care of your business. I will watch over your Servant, so you need not worry."

"Thank you." I mumbled.

"Hmph." She squeezed my hand. "I won't be out done by that fox." At that she basically mirrored Yasaka's actions, pulling me down and placing her lips to mine.

Just as quickly as she kissed me, she pulled back. "Now, depart. Lest this witch decides to take more from you." She teased, giving me a go head to leave.

"Well, I wouldn't say no." I flashed her a cheeky smile.

"Fufu, my student has become confident. Have you gained some experience in my absence, hmm? Are you no longer that blushing virgin that couldn't even handle seeing me naked? I will make sure to thoroughly test you, you best be prepared."

Again, I couldn't help but smile, being on the receiving end of her sharp tongue. One more time before I left, I quickly wrapped my arms around her. "I'm glad you're back." I said softly.

"Foolish boy." She huffed, but leaned in unexpectantly. "I am also glad to be here."

***

"Hey Gramps." I walked into his office after a knock. Looking over the room, my eyes landing on the bottle of scotch that was open on his desk. "…..going to be one of those talks, huh?"

He smiled bitterly, pouring two glasses. "This is more for me than for you." He was…..unsarcastically melancholic.

I took the seat infront, reaching out for the glass, I brought it up to my nose. "Good scent, well-aged." I gave it a light twirl before taking a sip. There was the pleasant burning sensation as the liquid ran down my throat.

"I would like to ask you if you're okay." Zelretch started off.

I let out a sigh. "Despite everything, having Scáthach back is a huge relief."

He nodded, taking his own little drink. "Did something happen during the war?"

"Just got taunt a lesson or two by Greece's greatest teacher." I snorted, remembering how he led me around by the nose. "But….what really kicked me in the balls was Caster of Red's noble Phantasm."

"A caster, hmm? Which caster could give you such trouble?"

"Shakespeare." I could feel a little bit of venom in my voice.

"Now that's surprising. Not a tradition Magus then, so he probably had some quirk that made him difficult to deal with."

"His Noble Phantasm, it wasn't something I could fight off. It…I want to say it targeted my Heart. It didn't allow any kind of outside interference, and I couldn't even hear Ddraig while it was active. I couldn't use my Magic because a Mental world overlayed ontop of me." I shook my head.

"I can see how such an opponent would be difficult for you to deal with." Zelretch nodded along.

"He dredged up a lot of things I thought I was over, or pushed down. Granted, I think many of them were small things that his Noble Phantasm seemed to magnify." I bit my lip. "It summoned a mental projection of my Father."

"I did not think you were particularly hung up on that bit."

"I'm not, or at least I don't think I am?" I questioned. "I can't deny that I have some resentment I've hung onto. I think it's understandable in my situation, but I haven't really given it much thought in awhile. Honestly, he seems so irrelevant to me. But seeing him 'face to face', it made me angry enough that I think Shakespeare's Noble Phantasm was able to worm its way into my heart and really twist the proverbial knife."

"So you think it was all hot air?"

"No." I shook my head. "I feel like there were things I had to confront about myself. While I don't think they were as…..blown up as his noble Phantasm made them to be, they were still things I needed to acknowledge."

Yeah, his Noble Phantasm wasn't merely 'saying mean things'. There was an actual component that attacked my psyche, my heart and mind. If I had to guess, it made me slightly irrational in my responses. Where I would have opted to not engage and just ignore him while figuring out my situation, I chose to start arguing and saying things I would usually keep to myself.

"I'm good though." I fingered the rim of my glass. "I accept that I'm not perfect, that I still have things I need to work through. I have my faults, and I don't deny them."

"That's a mature way to handle it." Zelretch seemed to give his approval. "And if we're sharing, I do have my own confession to make." He held up his glass, watching it briefly before down it all in one gulp. "It's unlikely that you remember, but I had many paramours myself in my younger years."

I blinked at his sudden words. "Yeah, I remember nothing of that. Now that I think about it, I don't recall you – me – ever having even a simple girlfriend, much less a lover."

"Well, that's to be expected." He hummed. "If you were to pass your memories on, would you want your intimate moments to be included?"

"That's a fair point." I accepted. "Go on." I gestured for him to continue.

"Most of those I knew are long gone." He sighed, and the age really showed on his face. "I was foolish in my younger years. I thought I knew best, that I had to cut off all else to pursue my role, to uphold my existence. Maybe I would have never considered this if you hadn't come into my life." A small smile formed on his face. "If possible, I would like you to bring a letter to a woman I used to know. She was someone I cared for deeply that I had wronged. She deserved better than what I left her with."

"She's still around?" I questioned. Immortality or extending lifespans isn't something too difficult to achieve. But for most people, it was out of their grasp.

"She discovered her own way to obtain eternal youth." He chuckled. "That old witch. Most people think she's a mere century or two old, but she's actually well over a thousand." He reminisced with a gentle smile on his face. "Lucretia Zola." The name rolled off his tongue with a surprising amount of warmth.

"So you want me to just drop off the letter?"

"I would appreciate it immensely. And perhaps if she doesn't kick you out immediately, ask her how she's been doing?" Zelretch muttered. "I'll of course give you payment for doing this, I think – "

"Old man." I interrupted him. "You don't have to pay me for something like this. You've helped me so much, I would be more than happy to help you in return."

"Thank you, Wilhelm." The look in his eyes really conveyed how much this meant to him. "Now, let me tell you about this world she lives in."

I listened aptly as he regaled me with the strange world she resided in.

***

So, Raikou getting settled and next Arc is shaping up. If you haven't seen me spoil it or haven't guessed based on clues, it's Campione. It won't be long, like less than 15 chapters, then we're on to DxD for awhile.

If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my pat.reon.com/astoryforone


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