queen?

After Kaiser and his companions arrived back at their home Kaiser went to his office followed by Grayfia while Albedo and Yasaka went their own ways for the time being.

"Grayfia, I would like for you to become my queen." said Kaiser to the maid who was currently standing behind his chair as he read through some reports.

"I'm honored to receive such an offer master and I deeply apologize but I must refuse." said Grayfia.

"Why is that?" asked Kaiser with surprise clear on his face.

When he got the Evil Pieces and Ajuka explained how they work he instantly thought that the queen piece would be a perfect fit for Grayfia, but she refused which took him by surprise.

"It's due to my personal preferences master but I wish to recommend someone whom I believe would be a perfect fit for your queen piece." said Grayfia.

"Go ahead." said Kaiser.

"Her name is Scáthach. She has an infamous reputation in the supernatural community due to her bloodthirsty nature. She has slain thousands upon thousands including all races, even gods. She resides in a place called Land of Shadows. She is a traditional warrior woman, who believes in a hierarchy dictated by strength. I think she could be a great ally because not only is she a great fighter, but a great teacher as well. She has trained multiple famous people. She is also proficient in runecraft which is a very rare profession." said Grayfia.

"You said she is a warrior and believes in the strength-based hierarchy, right? That means I need to defeat her in order to have her become my queen piece. Did I get that right?" asked Kaiser.

"More like killing her but otherwise yes." replied Grayfia.

"How do you know about her?" asked Kaiser.

"Part of my maid training was to learn of all such important figures." replied Grayfia.

"Can you take us to this Land of Shadows or do we need to find this place by ourselves somehow?" asked Kaiser.

"It is fairly easy to get there. The location of the border that separates the Land of Shadows from the human world is known but many avoid it due to not only the owner of that place but because there are also countless ghost-like beings residing there who aren't welcoming towards intruders." replied Grayfia.

"Alright then, let's go to this Land of Shadows." said Kaiser and he stood up.

Before teleporting Kaiser asked Albedo and Yasaka if they wanted to come along, but both of them refused the offer and Grayfia teleported the two of them to the border of the Land of Shadows.

"We just need to go forward master and we will pass through the barrier." said Grayfia.

Kaiser did as she said and started walking forward and after approximately 15 steps he felt his surroundings shift.

He looked around and only saw an endless desert-like environment.

As soon as they entered they were surrounded by ghosts.

"Grayfia, can these beings be reasoned with or do we just go through them by force?" asked Kaiser.

"To the extent of my knowledge, they only rely on their instincts. The reason why we haven't been attacked yet is possibly due to their instincts warning them about you master." said Grayfia.

"Where is the accommodation of Scáthach? This place is quite big and would take quite a bit of time to explore all of it." said Kaiser.

"If you release your power master I believe she will come to us. She loves to fight strong people and will very likely challenge you master." said Grayfia.

"Alright then." said Kaiser.

Kaiser covered Grayfia in a protective aura so she wouldn't be affected and released the full extent of his aura.

His eyes take on a void-purple glow, a manifestation of the raw energy coursing through his being.

With a deep breath, Kaiser releases the [Power of Annihilation], and the landscape is forever altered. The sheer force of his aura causes the ground to convulse violently as if the very earth itself is buckling under the weight of his malevolent energy. In an instant, enormous amounts of the ground implode on itself, creating deep, gaping chasms that snake through the sandy dunes.

Waves of annihilation energy ripple outward from Kaiser's position, cascading like a relentless tide, showing no sign of subsiding. The waves ripple through the desert with an unstoppable force, leaving nothing untouched in their path. Whole sections of the land vanish, replaced by vast craters that seem to devour all in their wake.

As the aura expands, the skies above darken, clouds swirling in turmoil as if even nature itself recoils from the unleashed power. The horizon trembles, mirroring the turmoil within Kaiser's soul as he harnesses the immense force of annihilation.

From the distant shores, the sight of this destructive spectacle would strike fear into the hearts of any who witness it. The waves generated by Kaiser's aura could consume an entire island if it were to be unleashed near one. The vast desert, once desolate yet stable, now bears the scars of annihilation as if an otherworldly force had laid its wrath upon it.

The destruction continues unabated as if Kaiser's aura has taken a life of its own, relentless and unyielding. His power knows no bounds, and the desert becomes a twisted landscape of chaos, with sands swirling and debris flying in the violent winds created by the unleashed energy.

For those who dare approach, they would be met with an oppressive and overwhelming force, as if the very fabric of reality itself is fraying under the pressure of annihilation. The ground beneath their feet would feel unstable as if it might give way to the abyss at any moment.

Amidst the devastation, Kaiser Vesperion remains the epitome of control, his imposing figure seemingly unaffected by the cataclysmic display he has conjured.

"Cease your power show." said a female voice.

Kaiser turned towards the voice and saw two women.

"Are you Scáthach?" asked Kaiser.

"It is indeed I." replied one of the women with violet hair.

Scáthach is a tall, mature, and elegant woman with long, flowing violet hair. Her piercing amethyst eyes exude wisdom, and her fair, radiant skin adds to her otherworldly beauty. She wears a form-fitting dark purple bodysuit with silver pads adorning her shoulders. Her most iconic accessory is the legendary spear, Gae Bolg, glowing with ethereal light and deadly magic. Overall, she exudes a captivating aura of grace and power.

After receiving his answer Kaiser nodded and ignored the other woman standing slightly behind Scáthach. The same couldn't be said about Grayfia because she was observing the woman with great focus.

"Perfect, I wish to challenge you to a 1 on 1 duel." said Kaiser.

This seemed to surprise the woman behind Scáthach, but the woman Kaiser was addressing only narrowed her eyes at Kaiser.

"I shall accept, are there any conditions you wish to add to our duel?" asked Scáthach.

"Yes, if you were to lose to me, I wish for you to become my queen." said Kaiser.

"So you want me to marry you?" asked Scáthach.

Grayfia replied before Kaiser could and explained the small misunderstanding Scáthach had and she also described briefly the workings of the Evil Pieces to avoid any further confusion.

"You need to kill me in order for this to work am I correct?" asked Scáthach.

"Yes." replied Kaiser.

"Then I wish to add as my condition since this will be a fight to the death that if you were to lose I wish for you to become the new warden of the Land of Shadows." said Scáthach.

"What does a warden do around here?" asked Kaiser.

"Guard the realm, maintaining order, guiding souls and preserving knowledge." said Scáthach.

"I accept your condition." said Kaiser.

"I also accept the condition you set." said Scáthach.

"Is there somewhere my maid could reside during our fight? I'm afraid during a fight of this level I would have trouble protecting her and fighting at the same time." said Kaiser.

Scáthach nodded and gestured towards the other woman who nodded and went to stand beside Grayfia. A teleportation circle lit up below them and they disappeared.

"Do not worry, they are at my castle. They will also be able to observe out fight while staying safe but let's stop wasting time with talking and fight." said Scáthach and readied her spear.

"As you wish." said Kaiser as he got ready as well and released his black wings.

Scáthach wielded her deadly spear, Gáe Bolg, with unparalleled grace and precision. With a swift lunge, she aimed to pierce Kaiser's heart with its cursed strike. However, Kaiser, with his uncanny reflexes, managed to evade the fatal blow, countering with a powerful punch. The two engaged in blistering hand-to-hand combat, their movements fluid and powerful.

Kaiser's black lightning crackled around him as he summoned the dark tendrils of <Annihilator's Grasp>, attempting to wrap them around Scáthach. But she expertly dodged, dancing out of the way with her extraordinary agility.

Scáthach conjured her own magical prowess, sending forth a barrage of Gáe Bolg throws, each strike seeking to find its mark. Kaiser utilized his <Void Nova>, creating a powerful localized explosion to counter the deadly throws, dispelling them in mid-air.

As the magical clashes continued, Scáthach's mastery of her spear became evident. She struck with incredible speed and accuracy, keeping Kaiser on the defensive. However, he proved to be no pushover, blocking and dodging with his own skills and instinct.

Now, it was time for the ultimate clash of weapons. Kaiser wielded his <Annihilation Blade>, infused with its destructive energy and black lightning crackling around it while the blade was covered in purple flames, and Scáthach wielded Gáe Bolg, the cursed spear known for its ability to pierce the heart with an unavoidable strike.

Their swords and spears clashed fiercely, each attack resonating with tremendous power. The impact of their blows sent shockwaves through the desolate landscape, causing shadows to dance in the dim light.

Despite his accelerated regeneration, Kaiser started to feel the toll of the battle as cuts and bruises adorned his body. However, he remained determined, drawing upon his inner strength and resolve to face Scáthach's formidable abilities.

As the fight reached its climax, both combatants found themselves at their limits. Kaiser saw an opening and unleashed his <Oblivion Blast>, a concentrated beam of annihilation energy. Scáthach, recognizing the danger, tried to evade, but she was caught in the periphery of the blast, suffering the impact.

When the dust settled, a bloody and battered Kaiser emerged from the dissipating energy. Scáthach stood a short distance away, also visibly wounded from the powerful attack.

The relentless battle continued as Kaiser and Scáthach pressed on, their determination undeterred despite their injuries. Kaiser's once sleek and dark wings were now tattered and scorched, struggling to keep him aloft. Scáthach's movements were slightly staggered, yet she refused to yield, knowing that victory or defeat lay within the next few strikes.

With renewed vigor, Scáthach conjured her famed technique, the "Gate of Skye," allowing her to transcend distances instantaneously. She appeared before Kaiser, her spear Gáe Bolg charged with deadly intent. Before he could react, Scáthach unleashed a rapid barrage of strikes, forcing Kaiser to parry each one with great effort. The clash of their weapons created a blinding flurry of sparks that illuminated the Land of Shadows for a fleeting moment.

Summoning all his might, Kaiser countered with an <Annihilation Pulse>, sending a pulsating wave of annihilation energy towards Scáthach. She responded by invoking her own Noble Phantasm, the <Gáe Bolg Alternative: Soaring Spear of Piercing Death>, which allowed her to pierce through any defense. The two immense forces collided in an explosive display of power, the shockwave tearing through the surroundings, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Both combatants were thrown backwards by the impact, and as they regained their footing, they exchanged a brief yet meaningful glance. The respect they held for each other's strength became evident, even amidst the fierce battle. Pushing forward, Scáthach made one last attempt to land a decisive blow. She charged in with breathtaking speed, her spear aimed at Kaiser's heart.

In a desperate move, Kaiser called upon his <Annihilator's Grasp>, attempting to ensnare Scáthach and immobilize her. However, she expertly anticipated the attack, using her <Wisdom of Dun Scaith> to evade the tendrils. The spear pierced through Kaiser's side, causing him to stagger and gasp in pain. Despite his accelerated regeneration, the wound was severe, and his movements became labored.

Seizing the opportunity, Scáthach readied herself for a final strike, but Kaiser's resolve remained unshaken. He summoned the last of his strength and unleashed an overwhelming <Eradication Wave>, pouring all his annihilation energy into the attack.

Scáthach, unable to avoid the blast entirely, was engulfed by the destructive force. The wave dissipated, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. As the debris settled, Kaiser, battered and bloody, stood with difficult movements. Scáthach was seen on her knees, her spear dropped, and her body showing the toll of the battle. Her breathing and heart had stopped, and she was no longer among the living.

With great effort, Kaiser approached Scáthach, clutching his <Annihilation Blade>. Placing his hand over his chest, the Queen piece appeared in his hand and he thrust it towards Scáthach's chest, and the piece disappeared into her chest.

Scáthach's eyes slightly opened as the Queen piece's power surged through her being bringing her back to life as a devil. After a few seconds, her wounds began healing and wings similar to Kaiser's black wings protruded from her back. She grabbed her spear and used it as a cane to stand up and face Kaiser who in the meantime had unsummoned his <Annihilation Blade>.

Suddenly a teleportation circle appeared next to them and Grayfia with the unknown woman appeared again. Grayfia instantly went to Kaiser's side if by chance he were to require any form of assistance.

"Is everything alright master?" asked Grayfia.

"Yeah I'm fine just a little tired." replied Kaiser with a smile on his face.

"And who are you?" asked Kaiser towards the woman who was just standing awkwardly in the same place she appeared at.

"I'm Scarlett Delacroix, a disciple of Scáthach" replied the woman.

She had white hair and wine-red eyes. She wore black round sunglasses with a trenchcoat hanging over her shoulders and under that she had a skin-tight bodysuit and boots with high heels. She had gloves on both of her hands and on her left hand she had a crystal. On her left side, she had two swords strapped to her side.

"What's gonna happen with her?" Kaiser asked Scáthach.

"She can decide the path she wishes to walk for herself." replied Scáthach.