1 Time to Leave

"Is this really okay?" 

"Ahh, come on, don't put on that troubled look. Just like the rise and fall of the sun, the world's most fundamental law is the balance between light and dark, prosperity and downfall... don't you think so too~?"

"I'm just... never mind, I understand."

===

"Failure."

"...Iyahaha~ who would have thought that even a great mage like me could make mistakes? Oh well, the nature of the world is never that simple after all~"

"...What should we do with this child?"

"What should we do? You saw it, right? No breath, no heartbeat, blood frozen in the veins like stone, it's unquestionably death. He no longer belongs here."

===

In the icy, silent world, where not a glimmer of light could be seen and time seemed to have stopped, eerie amaryllis flowers stretched as far as the eye could see, covering the vast, boundless black earth.

A mature woman in a tight-fitting purple outfit, her enigmatic wine-red eyes like the amaryllis, gazed at the cradle before her. More accurately, it was the peacefully sleeping baby inside that cradle. Rare doubt crept into her wise eyes.

"Why is a living child appearing in the land of the dead?"

She bent down, as if handling the world's most precious diamond, and gently touched the baby's cheek.

"Umu... though I don't know how this happened, but..."

A faint smile appeared on her exquisite, fairy-like face as if the frozen glacier had melted, revealing a warm tenderness.

"From today onwards, you are my child. My name is Scathach, and you shall be called Arkhan."

"I will teach you, until you become a powerful warrior, until..."

"You can kill me."

===

Sixteen years later.

A black-haired teenager lay amidst the sea of amaryllis, his hands behind his head, legs crossed casually, chewing on grass as he gazed at the dim, somber sky.

Due to the absence of the sun's rays, his skin appeared unnaturally pale, but his eyes, in contrast, displayed a deep blackness reminiscent of the sky and finely crafted gemstones.

Undoubtedly, this was a black-haired and black-eyed teenager.

It was quite rare.

Whether among the Celts or the Britons, individuals with one of these traits were not uncommon, but possessing both traits, even for the Queen of the Land of Shadows with her Wisdom of Dun Scaith, he was the only one she had ever seen.

"Still as boring as ever. I thought I could find some entertainment."

It was obvious.

This was the Land of Shadows, the land of the dead. Death was a serious matter no matter where you were.

So...

"It's time to leave."

He pushed himself up, brushed off the dirt, and picked a single amaryllis before heading toward the exit of the Land of Shadows.

*Shoo!*

A red spear was thrust into the ground in front of him, its lingering magical energy akin to flowing light, a clear warning.

"Hahh..."

He halted then sighed. He cocked his head and looked at the young man with blue hair approaching from a distance.

"Where do you think you're going, Arkhan?" The young man casually retrieved the red spear, slung it over his shoulder, and flashed an arrogant smile, "It seems you haven't finished today's training yet."

"Ahh, Cu Chulainn..." Arkhan's face showed a hint of frustration.

The Cu Chulainn before him was not the real, or rather, the living Child of Light; he had long perished in the war with Connacht, felled by the weight of his own Geis.

Yet, after that, Scathach had summoned him back to the Land of Shadows.

Though he was a demigod, he could not break free from the shackles of the dead and leave this Land of Shadows.

"Shouldn't you still be asleep?" 

"The true hound, even in a slumber, can respond swiftly to their surroundings. Although I may appear like this, don't underestimate me or you will regret it, young man." Cu Chulainn said with a smile.

Arkhan sighed.

This was a rare opportunity. Scathach was away capturing wandering ghosts, and the guard dog was resting. The exit from the Land of Shadows was like an unsuspecting girl undressing, about to open up to him.

But he had underestimated Cu Chulainn's vigilance and was discovered the moment he got close.

Even though he was a ghost, this Cu Chulainn, also known as the Hound of Culann, was no less formidable than he had been in life. Under Scathach's tutelage, he had improved even further, displaying potential beyond his previous limits.

Arkhan gazed past Cu Chulainn to the exit of the Land of Shadows.

"Go back, Arkhan. Although you chose a good time, I'm sorry, but this path won't take you anywhere."

Cu Chulainn's face twisted into a wicked smile.

Trapped in the Land of Shadows, Cu Chulainn had lost the chance to return to the world of living. So, training Scathach's adopted son became one of his few pastimes. Arkhan's rapid progress never failed to surprise him, and it was only during those moments that the warrior's blood would boil in his cold veins, bringing warmth to his otherwise lifeless body.

Even without Scathach's orders, he wouldn't let Arkhan leave.

"You really have to stand in my way, Cu Chulainn..." Arkhan sighed.

"Isn't that obvious?" Cu Chulainn spun his spear gracefully, his seemingly slender frame radiating the presence of a mountain.

"I see..." A crimson spear materialized in Arkhan's hand, and he charged forward like an arrow released from its bowstring. "But I'm sorry; I have my reasons for doing this."

*Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!*

Their spears crafted from the bones of sea creatures known as Curruid, erupted in sparks of metal as the two of them engaged in a whirlwind battle. Their spear techniques were executed effortlessly, as if as natural as breathing.

This was true, unparalleled martial arts.

"That's it! Arkhan, you've never disappointed me! I like you more and more!" Fiery flames burned hotter in Cu Chulainn's crimson eyes. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were someone who could bring surprises."

"Dude, that was disgusting. I'm not quite prepared for confessions of love from a guy." Arkhan smiled, but his movements never faltered as he aimed directly for Cu Chulainn's heart.

"I can't even imagine what it would be like without you. There would be no joy left in this land of the dead." Cu Chulainn blocked Arkhan's attack and created some distance between them, a joyful smile on his face. "So, from now on, I won't hold back."

Like a long-suppressed volcano erupting, Cu Chulainn's aura surged, carrying crimson magical energy into the sky, slicing through the surrounding air like a cleaver.

But unexpectedly, Arkhan retracted his spear.

Cu Chulainn's momentum faltered slightly, and he furrowed his brow. "What do you mean by this? Are you giving up?"

"Of course not." Arkhan smiled and snapped his fingers lightly. "It's just that this battle no longer needs to continue. So let's end this."

"What do you—" 

A green light erupted from beneath Arkhan's feet, completely enveloping Cu Chulainn's body.