Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Though he was tempted to stay inside much longer, Vahn knew it would be easier for them both if he left sooner. They had already drawn the attention of the challengers who had gathered on the near-side of the gorge so, after embracing for several minutes, Vahn ultimately released his hold on the Memory Fragment. This action broke through the last vestiges of his defense, tears flowing freely as he smiled and forced himself to say, "I pray for your happiness...I'm not sure how long it will take for me to forgive you for this but, no matter what, I will do my best to protect the legacy you left behind..."With what could only be described as a bitter and pained smile on her face, Scáthach nodded her head in understanding. This action caused a single tear to escape her left eye, tracing the curve of her face before collecting as the point of her chin. She made no effort to wipe it away so, before they parted ways for the last time, Vahn reached out, liberating the single droplet and freezing it using his Source Energy. Though it wasn't a 'real' tear, he could even manifest objects within the Virtual World so, with his Source Energy to sustain it, Scáthach's tear had been immortalized for perpetuity...If her were being honest with himself, there was a lot Vahn wanted to say but, knowing the person he wanted to speak to was no longer with him, he ultimately turned away. This caused the knot in his throat to become even more painful, but, as this was the path she had chosen, he decided to respect his Shishou's decision. He would probably never agree with her choice, but, in the grand scheme of things, it was hers to make.With Vahn turning away from her, Scáthach learned what it meant to have your heart broken as, in a vain attempt to have him stay just a moment longer, she reached out her hand only for his body to vanish into thin air. As a result, she moved through the location he had been standing moments prior and, nearly tripping over despite her usually perfect balance. Part of her couldn't believe he had just left so suddenly as, at least once, she wanted them to be together as lovers...Feeling an indescribable bitterness well up inside her, Scáthach fell to her knees, and, to deter the group nearing her position, she created a pitch-black barrier to obscure her figure and the sound emanating from within. She couldn't even remember the last time she had experienced such pain as, due to her nature as a Memory Fragment, she no longer possessed her troublesome Innates, including her [Wisdom of the Haunted Ground]. Though this had been part of her intentions from the start, as she wanted to live her life without their influence, Scáthach, for the first time in a very long time, experienced true regret...---Though injuries didn't translate between a spiritual simulation and the real world, Vahn wasn't surprised to find his real body had been shedding tears. Even the calming caress from the young woman whose lap he had borrowed was within his expectations so, for several minutes, he just lay there without saying a word.Now that he had left the orb, an extremely powerful seal prevented access so, unless he went to great lengths to break it, there was no way for him to meet with the memory fragment belonging to his Shishou. Thus, with the flow of time inside matching the central time axis, it would likely be years before they were able to meet again. By then, she would have undoubtedly changed more than he could imagine, but, as he too was bound to change, Vahn repressed his urge to forcibly unseal the memories of the young woman showing concern for him...Fortunately, as Arcueid had been comforting him throughout the inexplicably painful parting, it didn't take too long for Vahn to regain his composure. Despite this, he continued to lay on the younger Scáthach's lap, organizing his thoughts and, though it wasn't exactly fair to them, shifting his negative emotions toward his enemies.Had Musashi not cut off Scáthach's arm, Vahn wouldn't have been so easily convinced to summon five additional versions of her. If she had never learned about her Lily versions separation from the Land of Shadows, the chances of her putting this plan into motion were negligible, at best. Thus, without a 'simple' solution, there was a chance that several years would pass, time enough for him to potentially change Scáthach's mind on the matter.Now, Vahn had learned a hard lesson about what it meant to respect the intentions and desires of those around him. He had once convinced himself that, if the people he cared about chose to die of natural causes, he would not interfere. He had even gone so far as to decide that, unless they put in the effort to obtain it, he wouldn't grant anyone immortality. These were both sensible and relatively simple promises to make but, now that he experienced the bitterness that accompanied the reality he pursued, Vahn realized he had been childishly optimistic.In more ways that one, Vahn had become a very selfish person but, as he only ever wanted the people around him to be happy, he never considered this a bad thing. While this wasn't exactly wrong, it had done nothing to actually prepare him for the loss he was doomed to experience, so, in the future, Vahn realized he would need to be more resolute and decisive. Though he would never stop dedicating himself to the things he believed in, the final lesson bestowed to him by his Shishou was not one he would soon forget...---After organizing his thoughts, Vahn surprised Scáthach by suddenly rising to a seated position without notice. Then, before she could make any inquiries, he turned to her and said, "From now on, I am your Master in both name and purpose. I have been entrusted with the task of training you to the best of my ability so, if you choose to follow me, I will dedicate myself to guiding you in all matters, both martial and domestic. Tell me, Scáthach, will you accept me as your teacher...?"Though she was overwhelmed by a sudden bout of confusion, Scáthach wasted not time before bending the knee, her right hand covering her heart as she bowed her head and answered, "It would be my honor. I will not waste this chance you have given me, Master. With your guidance, I will aim to become one of the strongest in the world, second only to yourself..."Hearing Scáthach's affirmation, Vahn nodded his head approvingly before saying, "Listen carefully, as I am about to impart to you your first lesson..."Not expecting to begin so soon, Scáthach was momentarily caught off guard but, in spite of this, she managed a resolute, "Ha!" before raising her head and paying close attention to her Master's next words.Seeing how obedient Scáthach was, Vahn felt a host of incongruous emotions but, borrowing a page out of his Shishou's book, he kept a mask of abject calm as he stated, "My only desire is that you learn what happiness means to you and, so long as it doesn't infringe upon the happiness of others; I would encourage you to do everything in your power to obtain i. It is only when people have something they want to protect that they are able to obtain true power so, in order to avoid straying onto the path of corruption, find things worth cherishing. These things will become heavy burdens along your path but, without them, the only fate awaiting you at the end of your path is loneliness..."Though what Scáthach had done wasn't something he could easily forgive, Vahn knew she wasn't wholly to blame. If he hadn't changed his mind many years ago, forcing her to acquiesce to a life he had chosen, none of this would have happened. He was reaping the harvest of his own greed and, while he didn't regret the choice he had made, that didn't stop him from feeling bitter about it. Now, his only way forward was to move on and, though it wouldn't be easy, he would take care of Scáthach's legacy so that when her two halves became a singular whole, she would be able to see that there were other paths available to her.Hearing her Master's words, Scáthach committed them to memory while mentally carving them into her heart. She already knew the importance of using her power to protect and, though she had a feeling of incongruity while thinking about it, plenty of things worth cherishing came to mind, first a foremost being her Master. Thus, with a resolute look on her face, Scáthach took a deep breath before answering, "I have received your wisdom, Master. I swear, I will not let you down." in a solemn tone.Resisting the urge to educate her on the many ways her counterpart had let him down, Vahn just nodded in response to his eager pupil. Then, after telling her to pay attention to her lessons and ordering her to continue protecting the children, Vahn alighted to Avalon. In the future, he would train her alongside the others but, for the time being, Vahn had a strong desire to retreat into the Inner Sanctum. He still needed to explain the situation to the others but, afterward, he intended to hole himself up in the Menagerie until he was calm enough to interact with his children without causing them to worry...---Unaware of the mental anguish his mortal enemy was going through, the shaggy-haired man, Archimedes, was tirelessly typing away on a terminal within his laboratory, this one located so deep beneath the earth's Surface that it was possible to cultivate and rear various mythical plants and animals.After collecting information about Vahn, Archimedes had determined that he had a fixation on Spirits and other creatures so, rather than rely on golems and automatons, his next strategy was to infiltrate Avalon using artificially created Fae. The island was rumored to be a haven for all Spirits so, while humans may have trouble invading, it seemed relatively simple to send in a few Fae to infiltrate. He already had some success probing the waters around the island so, in the hopes of obtaining actual information about Avalon, he didn't mind investing the time required to nurture a few Spirits...While Archimedes was busy analyzing the data on his monitor, the woman Vahn and Co correctly presumed to be Musashi was busy performing routine maintenance on her cherished katanas. At the same time, the white-haired girl that served as the template for the entity known as Betty was sitting nearby with a large picturebook on her lap. She was accompanied by a haggard-looking man with deep-set eyes and a long face but, as if his presence didn't disturb her in the slightest, she happily read the contents of the book while he stared, unblinkingly, at the pages...After reaching the end of the picture book, Betty? snapped it shut and, with a smile on her face, turned to the man and asked, "Did you like it? This one was called Little Red Riding Hood."In response to her question, the gaunt man dutifully nodded his head and, though it didn't suit his face in the slightest, a crooked grin spread across his lips as he said, "I liked the part where the Huntsman cut open the wolf's stomach..."Though Betty? smiled in response to the man's words, Musashi spontaneously stopped polishing her katana to remark, "You're a real weirdo, you know that? You might not be so haunted by your thoughts if you stopped focusing on the morbid parts of every children's story you read. I mean, seriously, are you trying to infect Alice with your creepiness?"Hearing Musashi's words, the gaunt-faced man hung his head in shame but, in an effort to defend him, Alice jumped to her feet, shouting, "Mu-chan, don't be mean to Love-chan! He hasn't done anything wrong...!"With a little girl screaming in her face, Musashi raised both hands in a gesture of surrender before picking up her katana and saying, "You're right, Alice. I was wrong. Will you please forgive me?"Though she continued to puff out her cheeks for several seconds, Alice ultimately nodded her head after Musashi brought her hands together in a pleading gesture. Before she let her off, however, she stated matter-of-factly, "You have to apologize to Love-chan, not me. If he doesn't forgive you...I...I won't forgive you either!"Fortunately, even without Musashi's insistence, Lovecraft immediately chimed in, saying in a deep and brooding tone, "Alice, Musashi was only saying what was on her mind. You needn't go out of your way to defend me. I am well aware of my peculiarities and do not begrudge others for how they view me. Come, let Musashi go about her business. I hid away a slice of cake earlier so why don't we head to the kitchen to eat it...?"Hearing Lovecraft's response, Musashi gave him an appreciative smile and a thumbs up but, despite the temptation of cake, Alice wasn't appeased. She didn't like how everyone else was mean to Lovecraft just because he was different so, rather than let Musashi off the hook, she held up her oversized picture book, showing that the title had changed from 'Little Red Riding Hood' to 'Hansel and Gretel'. Then, before Musashi could 'escape' to go patrol, she stated in a firm tone that didn't leave room for argument, "Read for us. If you read for us, I will forgive you."Seeing no way out, beyond forcing her way through, Musashi ultimately ended up releasing a profound sigh before accepting the picture book from Alice's hands. It was her fault for saying something insensitive but, as Lovecraft was just too strange, she couldn't help herself. Since she didn't want to upset Alice too much, Musashi decided to just acquiesce to her demands as, while patrolling was important, it was also incredibly boring.While doing her best to ignore the palpable chill radiating from Lovecraft's body, Musashi took a seat on the nearby lounge, allowing Alice to sit in her lap while the gaunt-faced Lovecraft lingered over them like a ghost. This gave her a strong urge to refuse Alice's request but, as she didn't like being called a coward, Musashi opened the book to the first page, reading, "This all happened a long time ago, in your grandmother's time, or in her grandfather's..." in an exasperated tone.(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Two selfish people','The clash between ideals and reality is rarely without its fair share of victims...','Life goes on, whether you like it or not')(A/N: I left a comment if you'd like some insight into why Vahn seems to be acting like a prick.)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

In preparation for the upcoming 'Imperial Gala', Vahn was meeting with Solon and a disgruntled Zelretch as they discussed implementing the Virtual World and assigning Companions as part of the standard curriculum. Since he would effectively be taking over the Mage's Association after the gala, it was necessary to implement rapid changes to emphasize this fact to the faculty and student body.With this in mind, Da Vinci had already prepared a localized Nexus specifically for use within the Clock Tower. As for the matter of Companions, there were several factories that could produce several thousand of the adorable creatures daily so, with the 'Purge' being a recent event, it wouldn't be that difficult to issue them throughout the entirety of the Mage's Association.As Solon had mellowed out considerably after becoming Vahn's Subordinate, much to Zelretch's chagrin, there was virtually no resistance against the idea of implementing the updated system. It had already become a hot topic amongst members of the student body and, while they wouldn't openly admit it, many of the faculty members were also eager to delve into the Virtual World. The rumor it could emulate advanced Thaumaturgical processes with a negligible margin of error was too tempting to pass up as, using it, they could effectively test their theories without wasting any actual resources.The only person proactively against the idea, for various reasons, was Zelretch as, with his ability to freely traverse between parallel worlds, he had already seen several versions of the same tech. In almost every instance, Virtual Reality was either the result or the direct contributor to societal collapse, as, with a virtual environment to meet all of their needs, people quickly lost motivation to live normal lives. He had even seen instances of virtual cults give rise to Cyber Daemons and Artificial Deities, entities that could influence the Virtual World and reality in equal measure.Vahn assured him that their system was different than the ones he had experienced but, as many of those very systems started off with similar intentions, he was skeptical. After all, once the global population had been placated by the system, making it impossible for them to function without it, it could be used to manipulate them with considerable ease.When this was pointed out, Vahn could only shake his head as, while Zelretch's words struck at the truth of the matter, the system designed by Da Vinci was far more comprehensive than what most people could rationalize. The Empire also took a 'hands-off' approach to governance while also proactively encouraging people to engage in the real world. There were always people who sought real thrills so, if they promoted a system that elevated a person's status based on real-world accomplishments, people would quickly compete for a better ranking.With a system that focused more on a person's merits than concepts like hereditary wealth and given status, future generations would be demonstrably more capable than their modern-day counterparts. There was even a system designed to track a person's Parameters, Skills, and other metrics so that they could distinguish themselves in a society that seamlessly blended the virtual world with the real world. Since there were people who would literally spend thousands of hours speed-running the same game for nothing more than recognition within a small community, Vahn had little doubt that the system designed by Da Vinci would be a success.Since it was all but impossible to change Vahn's mind after he had already drawn a conclusion, Zelretch ultimately gave up with a defeated sigh. He had started looking a lot older these days and, though his red-eyes still blazed with fervor and borderline madness, everyone that closely associated with him could see that he was beginning to lose his edge. Though he wasn't down and out just yet, it felt like each passing day made him less relevant as, with Vahn forcibly seizing control of the present, most tangential timelines were influenced by the echoes of his choices.Fortunately, while it became increasingly tiring to try and reason with Vahn, the latter never failed to provide delicious tea and a plethora of otherworldly delicacies. Zelretch could still remember the first time he had been treated to 'Dragon Steak', the most delicious and mana-rich foodstuff he had ever had the privilege to sample. Thus, while he would sometimes have the urge to just go 'all-out' against the immovable Emperor, he managed to restrain it...This time, while discussing the upcoming Imperial Gala and the implementation of the Virtual World, Vahn had prepared baked apples. These had been grown selectively by the Dryads that now called Avalon their home and, as a result, they were even more delicious than the already legendary apples that had been present prior to their arrival. A single slice, while not enough to fill a person's stomach, provided them with enough nourishment for three days as, due to how the human body processed ingested magical energy, a single apple could effectively provide upwards of 60,000kcal.Since they were all 'monsters' who had effectively infinite Magical Power, Vahn, Zelretch, and Solon were able to freely engorge themselves on the lightly baked, cinnamon covered, apple slices. This, combined with their choice between a mellow and fragrant tea, turned an otherwise tense conversation into a relatively pleasant experience. Even Zelretch found it hard to stay mad while, at the side, Solon absentmindedly nibbled on the slices with absolutely no consideration for appearances.Compared to the past, when they covered their body in various Artifacts, the current Solon could generally be found wearing nothing but a white robe, their usual medallion, and a total of three rings. This was a stark contrast to the dozens of Artifacts they previously wore but, after gaining a set of Magic Circuits, most had become redundant. They already knew how to activate complex Spells after thousands of years of research so, while the Artifacts could still be used to enhance their capabilities, they had been making a concerted effort to improve using the Quest Board.Ultimately, the main reasons behind Zelretch's annoyance with the changes to Solon were the fact he also wanted access to the Quest Board but, much like Aoko and Arcueid, the Familia Crest had absolutely no effect on him. As a Tier 5 entity, Vahn was unable to give his Blessing to the elderly Magus and, as his pride wouldn't allow him to become subordinate to another, Zelretch had no choice but to listen to Solon drone on and on about their progress, all while he was forced to sit on the sidelines...---After confirming the plans to implement the Virtual World and distribute Companions, Vahn shifted the topic, asking, "Will the two of you attend the gala? I won't force you but, considering what it represents, your presence would be welcome. I have already confirmed Director Atlasia's participation so it would be problematic if you elected not to attend, Solon."Though even the thought of attending a social gathering made them feel nauseous, Solon didn't hesitate to nod their head, lazily muttering, "I will attend..."Seeing his long-time companion instantly acquiesce, Zelretch couldn't help but release a sigh as he reclined his head back, staring up at the sky as he answered, "I will also attend. Even if I'm not a direct affiliate of the Empire, I would like to consider us more than acquaintances. This will be an important event so, while I will likely not attend future gatherings, I can make an exception on this occasion."Hearing Solon and Zelretch agree to attend, Vahn issued a relieved sigh within his mind as, with their participation, things became a lot easier. He knew that, despite their willingness to join the Empire, the vast majority of Magus families still disagreed with his methods. They merely joined with the intent of preserving their family and legacy so, by having a greater number of powerful and influential figures appear in support of the Empire, most dissidents would think twice about plotting against them.Since their straightforward response had saved him a lot of time in trying to convince them, Vahn gave an approving nod before saying, "Soon enough, I will invite both of you to visit Avalon on holiday. I, too, would like to think we have made considerable progress toward becoming friends so, to officiate things, inviting you into my home should suffice. I'm aware it is something you have been interested in for quite some time, so, when the opportunity presents, I hope you accept my invitation."Though Solon was admittedly interesting in touring Avalon, a place where thousands of Spirits now dwelled, it was Zelretch whom Vahn had directed his comment toward. The latter had been skulking around Avalon every now and then so, with the promise of a future invitation, his tired eyes regained some of their lost vigor as he offered a toothy grin and answered, "It would be a great honor to tour your home, even for a short period of time. I look forward to the opportunity and pray it comes even a single day sooner."As he had already made preparations for Zelretch's arrival, Vahn could actually invite the man at any time. The only reason he hadn't was due to the Empire's relatively shaky internal affairs as, after the fiasco involving Scáthach, things had become more than a little awkward. She had left an impact on a number of people so, learning the infamous Purple Monster had lost her life, many within the Inner Sanctum couldn't quite believe it. They, much like Vahn, didn't really know how to treat the Lily version of her while Ciel, having spontaneously lost her mentor, now apprenticed directly under Vahn.It would take some time for the reality that the original Scáthach was no longer with them but, in the meantime, Vahn had started using the time he once used to train with his Shishou in order to mentor quite a number of people. He now taught a class consisting of Fenrir, Gareth, Mordred, Sakura, Mash, Astrid, Zoë, Ciel, and, of course, Scáthach.Though he still hadn't fully accepted everything that happened, Vahn had been taking small steps forward with each passing day. It was at moments like this that his expansive support group came in handy as, without their constant care and guidance, Vahn would have holed himself up for days on end, basically throwing a tantrum. Instead, he had dozens of people pushing him forward, the principal offenders being those like Fenrir, Artoria, and, for completely different reasons, each of his children...Vahn always wanted to set a proper example for his children so, rather than let them see him at his lowest, he forced himself to bounce back after explaining the situation to them. Though they had never known Scáthach in the same way as everyone else, Vahn knew they would feel begin to feel doubts if they were left out of the loop. He liked to be open and honest with them so, while it wasn't easy, Vahn had talked with each of his children, explaining the situation so that they might understand why everyone was behaving differently than before...The hardest part of being a parent was taking into consideration how your children interpreted your behavior when you were experiencing things they might not understand. You constantly had to remind yourself that, even though you were hurting, your responsibility as a parent superseded everything else. If you took the time to wallow in self-pity, ignoring the people who relied on you more than anyone else, the negativity would only spread without end. It was easier to be honest with them as, while they may not understand exactly why you are hurting, they would still be able to empathize with you.The feeling of inclusion was a powerful factor when it came to raising your children as, if they felt involved, even in matters completely unrelated to them, they learned the importance of sharing their own troubles. Bottling things up was never healthy and, while it was important for everyone to have their secrets, keeping them at the expense of the people you loved was rarely the correct choice...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'If there is a leaderboard, someone would do their best to get to the top of it...','Zelretch is hella jaded','No matter how uncertain you feel, you should never compromise the feeling of certainty your child has toward you. You are their rock. While you may be shaken and tossed about by the tumultuous seas of life, you are the anchor that keeps them from being swept away in the same current...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

When Vahn next opened his eyes, he found himself in the recognizable landscape of the Isle of Skye but, unlike the physical location he had visited earlier, it was several times larger. In a way, it seemed to be a combination of the Isle of Skye's features, overlapped with the Land of Shadows. He could even see Scáthach's castle in the distance, standing majestic and tall beyond a vast gorge that was set with a titled platform, low on the sides and high in the center.To Vahn's surprise, Scáthach wasn't the first person he encountered with the orb but, lined up on the near-side of the gorge, several men and a few women awaited their chance to cross. Amongst them, he was instantly able to make out the appearance of a much younger Cú Chulainn, now appearing to be around 15-16 years old. While some eagerly fought for their chance to take on the obstacles, he sat patiently at the side, idly conversing with another young man with handsome features, fair skin, and hazelnut brown hair.As soon as he saw the people gathered, Vahn realized that Scáthach's orb was no simple artifact. She seemed to have stolen Da Vinci's idea of making a version of the orb that others could interact with, complete with simulated people. If this was the case, it meant he not only had the chance to witness Scáthach's past but, depending on the orb's complexity, he could even influence how events played out, much like when he entered a Record...Though it was tempting to engage with the youthful warriors lined up along the gorge, Vahn's goal lay at the castle further beyond. There, standing atop the castle's curtain walls, two women, the first being Scáthach and, based on hair color, someone Vahn could only assume to be her daughter. The thing that made this hard to believe was, despite Scáthach's fierce and noble appearance, wearing her usual bodysuit, the young woman at her side appeared delicate and frail, a stark contrast to her mother.The moment he set eyes upon the duo, Scáthach's ruby-reds locked onto him in spite of the several kilometers that separated them. He could see momentary confusion visible in her eyes but, moments later, this look changed to one of recognition as she leaped down from the walls. She didn't teleport around like the Scáthach he had come to know but, with familiar phantom-like movements, she was able to leap across the vast gorge in an instant, bypassing the stunned challengers and sending one nearly careening to their death in the monster-infested waters below.Seeing the disregard Scáthach showed to her challengers, Vahn released a small sigh but, knowing they weren't real, he did his best to ignore them. Instead, he focused on the woman who appeared before him, her cold expression the same as the one he had come to rely on over the last few years. Though there were some palpable differences between the real one, he could sense that the version standing before him was a Memory Fragment so, while it wasn't the same as 'his' Shishou, he could at least obtain closer by learning about her motives...Understanding why Vahn had come, Scáthach offered a rare and apologetic smile as she muttered, "You seem dissatisfied...I suppose our fight didn't play out the way you expected? Tell me, did you do something ridiculous that brought it to a swift end? If not, I can't imagine why you would appear as upset as you are..."Hearing Scáthach's words, Vahn couldn't help but wince slightly, earning a seemingly amused 'Oho...' from the purple-clad beauty as she began to eye him up. Then, without waiting for his response, she added, "I'm glad. If you hadn't gone all out, my plan probably wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it had. For that, you have my gratitude...Vahn."Though he was about to complain and lambast her for the duress she had put him through, Vahn found himself at a loss for words when Scáthach called him by name. She only ever referred to him by his official titles or as her Master before so, while he had much to say, the words all got stuck in his throat due to the sincerity present in Scáthach's expression and tone. He could even feel a sour feeling in his nose while, inside his chest, his heart felt like it had been gripped by her delicate yet firm hands...Seeing Vahn's reaction, Scáthach's smile increased marginally as she asked, "Do you want to hit me? It might make you feel better in the present but, later on, I'm certain you will come to regret it...you always were a soft man. Once, I had thought this was your greatest weakness but, now that we are here, in this dream-like place, I have come to understand it is, perhaps, your strength. You proved to be the most reliable man I have ever known and, while you have innumerable flaws, that turned out to be a good thing...didn't it? Without flaws, it is impossible to improve...without improvement, you become something...inhuman..."Hearing Scáthach's guiding words, Vahn inhaled audibly through his nose, doing his best to keep calm as he asked, "So, there really was a lesson behind what you did...? Tell me, Shishou, what am I supposed to have learned from this? That the people closest to me may betray me? That I need to be able to accept that, along the course of my eternal life, there will come times when those I want to protect will willfully choose death!?"In the face of Vahn's outburst, Scáthach remained perfectly calm, her smile dealing critical damage to both his heart and mind. It was only when he started taking deep breaths, a vain attempt to keep his cool, that she shook her head and answered, "I'm afraid there is no great lesson this time...just like all of my teachings, it has always been up to you to interpret them. I'm certain you will learn much from this setback and, in the future, you will become even stronger for it. If you were incapable of moving on from this, I wouldn't have had the resolve to go through with this..."Of all the things he wanted to hear from her, the last thing Vahn needed was for Scáthach to state there was no greater meaning behind her decision. She was merely being selfish and, while she was well within her right, the fact she had chosen his hand to be the executor would weigh heavily on his mind for years to come. After all, he had always been aware of the fact that, at some point in time, it would become necessary for him to strike down his own allies or even his loved ones. He just never expected that moment to come so soon, not under these circumstances...Showing a rare bout of emotion, Scáthach released a slightly exasperated sigh before closing the gap between them, forcefully pulling Vahn's face into her chest. This caused him to tense up but, due to her mastery over Petting Laws, it didn't take long for him to calm down, his chest heaving up and down as he drowned in her calming aroma.After more than a full minute of silence between them, Scáthach, with her fingers gently combing through Vahn's hair, said, "I know the main reason you came here...you wanted to know my reasons for doing what I did. Without knowing why I went back on my word, the only way you would be able to move forward is through the help of others. You were always the type that needed to rationalize why people took certain actions so...will you listen to my story...?"Without turning his face up to meet Scáthach's gaze, Vahn just lazily nodded his head in approval as, if he couldn't obtain at least a little closure, he wouldn't know how to interact with the young woman lending her lap to him back in the real world. Though he would never mistreat her, the fact she had wronged him in such a way would make it borderline impossible for Vahn to open his heart to her. It was a painful thing, the feeling of betrayal, so he would do whatever it took to mitigate the feeling, even a little...With Vahn agreeing to hear her out, Scáthach's smile softened slightly as she pressed his face even more firmly against her chest, hugging him close. Then, in a soft and guiding tone, she explained, "I wanted to be free...not just from my duties as the Queen of the Land of Shadows but, more so than anything else, I wanted to be free from myself. Though I never regretted my actions in life, I slowly became jealous after seeing how you treated other women. The day you denied my Friendship of the Thighs, I felt a strange sense of loss and, from that moment onward, I began thinking a lot about the type of woman I am.."As if finding her own thoughts troublesome, Scáthach released a heavy sigh, one wrought with the sound of fatigue and regret. This caused Vahn to tense up as, with how things were going, he feared she might say something along the lines of not being 'worthy' of him. If that was the reason behind her decision to effectively commit suicide, he would never tolerate it. He simply wouldn't be able to accept that was the case as, if that were true, it would mean he was one of the primary reasons she had decided to move forward with her scheme...With her understanding of Vahn, Scáthach knew better than to set off any major bombshells around him so, in the hopes of calming him down, she added, "I decided that I wanted to live a life free from the burdens of my past. As I was, there was no way I would be able to mingle with the other women in your life. After all, there were times when I even wanted to kill some of them in secret, freeing you from their burdens and giving you even greater motivation to improve..."Hearing Scáthach's words, Vahn became statuesque and, for a brief moment, he nearly pulled away from her in disgust. This, however, would just be proving her point and, having already decided to 'accept' the type of woman she was, Vahn forced himself to continue listening...Having expected a more dramatic response from Vahn, Scáthach breathed a sigh of relief, her hold on him tightening even more as she explained, "Time and again, you have proven that my judgment was flawed. You constantly shattered my expectations and, though I had sincerely desired to teach you all I knew, I quickly came to realize that this way of thinking was wrong. The Twelve Challenges I put you through were the best proof of this as, compared to the progress you made while trying to master your body, the strength you obtained in the pursuit of your goal far outstripped my ability to teach..."Though she knew her teaching methods weren't inherently wrong, Scáthach had learned, not just from Vahn, but from everyone around him, that her methods were antiquated. His influence on the world and people around him completely shattered her expectations as, before she knew it, even she had been drawn in by his pace. At some point in the past, he had stopped being her student and, in many ways, became the person teaching her various important truths about the world...In order to make Vahn understand her choice, Scáthach rested her head atop his, holding him as close as possible in the hopes of conveying her emotions. She had long since forgotten how to put them into words so, with no better way to express herself, she did so through skinship while softly whispering, "For longer than you might think, I have wanted our roles to reverse. I no longer want to be your teacher...no, this time, I want to become your student. I want to learn how to connect with the people around me. I want to learn how to experience and share happiness with others. I want to learn what it means to be a capable mother, not someone who treats their children as tools only to toss them away when they serve their purpose..."Toward the end of her words, Scáthach grabbed the sides of Vahn's head, forcing him to look up at her, hoping he could see the pain, anguish, and hope visible within her eyes. Then, though she had long forgotten how to cry, an almost imperceptible layer of moisture built up across the surface of her eyes as she added, "I want to learn how to love and be loved...I want to live a happy life where I am able to work alongside others and help them move forward. I don't want to be the only one that is isolated from everyone else...I want to be able to accept and tolerate others..."With nascent tears beginning to well up in her eyes, confusing even Scáthach herself, Vahn could only stare blankly as she fretfully caressed his cheeks with her thumbs. He could see the complex emotions visible within her eyes, flickering like tiny flames within a once majestic bonfire. He knew this was the light of hope, not for overcoming one's past, but severing the past and forging a new way forward. It wasn't the 'correct' path but, when people had lost themselves, they didn't always know how to find their way forward without help. The previous Scáthach would not have been able to accept this aid without viewing things through the filter she had developed over thousands of years so, in the hopes of finding the way forward, she decided to lose herself completely...Vahn had a lot he wanted to say to her but, as she wasn't yet finished speaking, he listened in awed silence as she explained, "Don't worry...I haven't wasted these three years we were together. I knew you wouldn't be able to accept the path I have chosen easily so I took a few precautions. Since you were curious about how a Memory Fragment could influence a person, I merely sealed away most of my memories while reversing my conscious and subconscious minds. The woman you see outside is my inner self, the person I had always wanted to be but could never allow myself to be. She will be able to learn how to see the world in a different way than I ever could but, given enough time, we two will become one. This place is meant to aid that purpose...I have set it up so that I will repeat the entirety of my past, this time changing my decisions to reflect the person I wish to become, not the Queen I had been forced to be. When the time comes, I wish to meet with the version of myself that had observed you and, if she so chooses, everything I have become will be passed on to her..."Hearing Scáthach's explanation, Vahn, once again, found himself at a loss for words. It was obvious she had remembered his stories about Eva and, though it was essentially an excuse, she went out of her way to serve as a test subject for one of the things that had most concerned him. After all, when he finally reunited with Eva, Vahn knew it wouldn't be easy for him to simply hand over her Memory Fragment, fusing the two into one. It didn't seem fair to the young girl he intended to save so, in the end, it would always be her decision to make. Now, long before his reunion with the golden-haired Vampire Princess, Scáthach had taken it upon herself to show him what kind of effects a Memory Fragment could have on the 'original'...Feeling the sourness in his nose reach a critical level, Vahn couldn't stop himself from frowning as tears began to build in his eyes. This was only made worse by the fact that Scáthach herself seemed to be on the verge of crying, something he hadn't even considered possible in the past. He knew, in more ways than one, this would be their final parting as, even if she fused with the Lily version of herself in the future, the woman he had come to know would cease to exist. It was a heartbreaking realization but, as this was the path she had chosen, for both their sakes, Vahn held back his tears and, instead, embraced her tightly...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Turn back the clock...','Absolution never comes without a heavy toll','A Shishou to the very end...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1404: Reluctant Resolution