FATE: The Man with Divine Keys

The Primordial Rune oozed from the black soil like blood, and the power of the true ether permeated the air, quickly imprisoning Cu Chulainn.

Cu Chulainn looked at the letters that seemed to condense all the truths of the world with astonishment.

"Primordial Rune?"

Indeed, these were the symbols that described the secrets of the universe that King Odin had obtained at the cost of his eye—Primordial Rune.

As the Age of Gods was fading, those who could fully master Rune had become increasingly rare. The Queen of the Land of Shadows was one of them. Even compared to the ancient fairies hidden in the secret realms, her mastery of Rune was top-notch.

As Scathach's adopted son, Cu Chulainn wasn't surprised that Arkhan could use Primordial Rune. What puzzled him was why he, who also possessed Primordial Rune, hadn't sensed the fluctuations at all.

These Rune couldn't have been laid down by Arkhan before, or he would have noticed.

"So... being aggressive is your strength, but it's also your weakness. Once a savage hound locks onto its prey, it won't easily let go. But that can also make you overlook changes around you and fall into someone else's trap."

Arkhan pointed to the Rune under Cu Chulainn's feet, wearing a relaxed smile on his face. "Don't make this mistake next time, Se~ni~or~"

"Hmph."

Cu Chulainn snorted and pursed his lips. Being able to silently set Rune while engaged in fierce combat was a strange feat indeed.

Arkhan had never demonstrated his mastery of Rune in front of him, so he had no idea that his friend possessed this hidden skill.

For this escape mission, Arkhan had prepared thoroughly.

"When Mother returns, she'll help you dispel the barrier. Then, you can take the heat for me, my dear senior."

Watching Arkhan head towards the gate, Cu Chulainn rubbed his temples in frustration.

He had thought he could defeat Arkhan and make him give up on leaving the Land of Shadows, but he hadn't anticipated that his own momentary lapse would play right into this guy's hands.

Thinking of his mentor's solemn admonitions and warnings before leaving, even though he was already dead, Cu Chulainn couldn't help but shiver.

He wondered how many more spear holes he'd end up with this time.

As Arkhan looked at the black gate ahead, shrouded in an eerie atmosphere, his eyes sparkled with uncontrollable excitement.

After preparing for so long, finally...

Finally, he could step into the outside world!

Arkhan reached out with trembling hands and gently touched the closed gate.

Behind it lay the blue sky, white clouds, and the sun-drenched world he had been separated from for so long!

The path to freedom was now open, and all he had to do was give it a gentle push...

*Creak—*

Arkhan's face contorted in confusion as he stared at the gate that had opened on its own before he could push it.

'What's going on? Does this gate have an automatic sensor or something?'

Suddenly, a crimson spear was pointed at his neck, and gentle words echoed in his ears.

"Where do you think you're going, my dear son?"

A familiar figure stood behind the gate, flowing purple hair cascading gracefully down her back. She was dressed in a seductive, mature-looking purple tight outfit that accentuated her curves. Her wine-red eyes held a hint of mischievousness as she looked at him.

"Mo-Mother..."

Arkhan involuntarily took a few steps back, his throat rolling up and down unconsciously, and large beads of sweat formed on his forehead. "Aren't you... out hunting?"

"Naughty children trying to run away from home, can't a mother like me take a leisurely stroll outside?" Scathach sighed. "Go back, Arkhan. With me here, you won't be able to leave."

Arkhan fell silent for a moment and then smiled. "I'm sorry, Mother, but I have a reason I must go."

"Why?" Scathach furrowed her brows. She had never described the outside world to her son, so why was he so determined to leave?

Humans often felt fear of the unknown, but Arkhan seemed inexplicably interested in the land he had never set foot in. Could it be that someone had influenced her child in some way, something she didn't know about?

A hint of coldness appeared in her wine-red eyes. If that were the case, she would make sure to catch the rat that had bewitched her child, and they would feel the wrath of the Queen of the Land of Shadows.

Arkhan didn't answer anymore. Instead, he raised his hand and a strange weapon suddenly came into existence. It emitted a black-and-white aura, coalescing into a peculiar form.

It was a massive knight's lance, entirely composed of a mysterious white metal and engraved with sacred patterns.

"That is..."

Scathach's eyes widened slightly. Wisdom of Dun Scaith told her that this weapon she had never seen before was infused with the essence of life!

Why would such a weapon appear in the land of the dead?

And how had her son acquired it?

She tightened her grip on the crimson spear in her hand. Clearly, there were things about her child that she didn't know.

"Please, Mother, let me go... I don't want to fight you." Arkhan, holding a pristine white lance, watched as his once-pale complexion visibly regained its normal color.

"Arkhan, I don't know what those rats whispered in your ear to make you defy me like this." Scathach raised her spear, her wine-red eyes cold as ice, "But remember, I am not just your mother. I am the Queen of the Land of Shadows, the gatekeeper of this realm that separates life and death. It is my duty to guard it."

Arkhan sighed, "But I'm still alive, Mother."

"..."

"Then let me teach you a lesson, my son..." Scathach smiled, "The more beautiful a woman is, the less she listens to reason."

Cu Chulainn, trapped within the Rune, wanted to say something but noticed the icy glare Scathach directed at him. He wisely kept his mouth shut. He didn't want to turn into a sprinkler head.

Scathach turned her gaze back to Arkhan, and a powerful aura erupted from her, like a dragon, causing him to involuntarily step back. The white lance emitted a gentle glow, helping him withstand her pressure and steady his restless heart.

Taking a deep breath, Arkhan's eyes filled with unwavering determination as he tightened his grip on the lance.

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Just as he prepared to take a step forward, a thunderous explosion erupted in his ears.

The three of them instinctively turned toward the source of the explosion.

Beneath the dim and eerie sky, a massive eyeball ascended from the shattered mountains, surrounded by an ominous, tangible black magical energy.

"Balor of the Evil Eye!" Cu Chulainn couldn't help but exclaim, "Wasn't this fellow supposed to be in eternal slumber? How did he wake up all of a sudden?"

Arkhan was the first to snap out of it, his eyes determined as he turned and rushed towards the gate.

Scathach, still dazed by Balor's awakening, couldn't react in time to stop Arkhan.

"Farewell, Mother! I'll think of you often in my dreams!" Arkhan's face lit up with a heartfelt smile. Just as the gates were about to close, he threw something inside. "This is a gift for you, please take good care of it~!"

Scathach instinctively caught the object but realized she lost her chance to stop her child. As she watched the gate close completely, a bitter smile appeared on her face.

She lowered her head and saw what lay quietly in her hand.

A vivid and blossoming lily.