The decision wasn't easy, but after mulling it over, Scar decided to apologize to Arthur Rover tonight. At their last meeting, he'd been particularly insufferable, even for him.
Under the red glow of the Scarlet Moon, Scar stood on the Rover family's training grounds, waiting for Arthur. He was eager to apologize and share his breakthrough with the Blessing. But strangely, his uncle hadn't shown up.
He'd gotten there first, and true to form, he couldn't bring himself to wander the estate or ask about Arthur. Instead, he waited for the legendary warrior for nearly an hour before Julien and Purple appeared.
Their victorious aura, especially Purple's, was infectious enough to pull him from his dullness. He welcomed them with his characteristic smirk and sarcasm.
"Tonight, I'm the shisho. Play nice, and I'll teach you how to absorb the Blessing." He said and mimicked Arthur's usual omnipotent pose.
"Shut the fuck up and go find something useful to do. And if you can't, you can always stand there and fan me." Julien clapped back, already starting his workout.
Scar continued bantering with Julien. Honestly, training wasn't an option without more information about his situation. Overusing the Blessing would make him lose his mind. He just had to wait for Arthur, regardless.
His laughter and mocking gradually died down. Something about Adisa nagged at him. He glanced at Purple, who was absorbed in her practice with a wooden dummy.
"You know where Adisa is, don't you?" His question came out skeptical, though impatience flickered in his eyes.
Purple ignored him, continuing her relentless training. She'd stripped down to her waist, leaving only her black vest on… now drenched in sweat, her light skin slick with perspiration.
Scar's frown deepened. He was tempted to thump the back of her head. She'd been talking just seconds ago, now she was pretending to be too engrossed to answer.
Scar was about to speak again when Purple finally stopped and turned to him. She exhaled slowly, having apparently reached a decision.
"When you were sent to patrol base six, Adisa was with you, right?" She answered Scar's question with a question.
Scar's eyes narrowed in bewilderment. Thinking about it, it didn't make sense. Why was Adisa there, anyway? He was clearly strong enough to have won any duel.
"What do you propose? Clearly, you have something in mind."
Purple smiled. "I like how you're getting to know me little by little… but I'm not so fond of the picture you've built of me."
Scar scoffed. What was her problem?
"Just talk already."
Actually, Scar didn't see her any differently from anyone else. She was a psychopath who acted purely for her own benefit and her family's interests.
"By now, he's probably mastered absorbing the Blessing. He must have been deliberately losing duels, weakening himself enough to make the absorption possible." Purple said.
Scar's frown deepened. He'd thought of that already, but it made no sense. Adisa spent his academy days despising everyone, asserting dominance, Scar included among the hated. Why bother with all this? More critically, how did Isaac fit in? Why kill him?
With a heavy sigh, Scar relaxed on his bench. Julien sat absorbed in meditation, while Purple had already gone back to training.
"And that… what does it have to do with his location? Are you going to tell me or not?" Scar asked, sounding slightly annoyed from thinking too much about the person he wanted to kill, Adisa.
Training, Purple muttered loudly. "He's in peak physical condition, and his Inheritance already reaches god-tier potential. He's probably hiding in a place that's extremely difficult to access.
"On top of that, I'm convinced a Moon Killer stands with them. It's also likely that multiple students have already joined their side."
Scar's scowl deepened, jaw clenched tight, sweat already gathering on his forehead. If Purple spoke the truth, Adisa was in either the First or Eighth District.
Scar had never set foot in either, but Purple's last trip there had left her and countless students bedridden for days, some for weeks. If Adisa could operate freely in that kind of environment…
His fists clenched, veins protruding like ropes trying to break free from his hands. Adisa must be growing stronger by the day, stronger than Scar could comprehend.
Perhaps his hatred blinded him, but despite expecting the worst, he believed it was better to face him now than later. Definitely not after Adisa had unlocked multiple Inheritance states.
Moreover, he knew his limits. He couldn't do this alone. He needed allies.
"I want us to go find him… I need to face him now." He spoke with bitter fury and weary resignation.
Purple stopped mid-swing while Julien jolted out of his meditation. Both turned to stare at Scar, confusion plain on their faces.
"No. Your revenge means nothing to me, and I'm not going to die for it." Purple said, plain and simple.
"You need to be reasonable, Scar. Think this through. Have you asked yourself why the Supreme Council isn't sending anyone after him and Amell? Because stepping into the wrong parts of those two districts is suicide." Julien added, concerned.
Scar heard them out. Honestly, Purple's arrogance aside, he'd expected Julien to be concerned. But he knew hitting Adisa now was better than giving him more time.
He hesitated, wavering for a moment, then spoke again.
"Purple, think this through. If you reconsider, I'll return to the Rover family, and your family's reputation will rise again because of me."
This wasn't what he wanted. But he believed if he managed to buy Purple's support for the meantime, Julien would have no other choice but to come along.
Purple hesitated longer than usual before answering. She looked distinctly unhappy with what she was saying but evidently judged it necessary.
"I already said no, and that's final. I'm not killing myself over your blind revenge. That said, if you still want to go through with this, I can give you some intel… so you can at least keep your promise."
Part of what she said didn't register. She'd lost him the second she insisted she wouldn't help. That told him everything. It was difficult to swallow, but if no one was willing to join him, maybe he was making a mistake. He couldn't just walk to his death, survival was necessary.
Both Adisa and V had failed once to annihilate humanity. Having tasted defeat, they surely understood the stakes now and they'd be prepared, cautious, and determined not to fail again.
V was imprisoned still, but Adisa, Amell, and V's followers were undoubtedly preparing.
Not only would the environment be dangerous, but the enemy's power probably exceeded what Scar, Purple, and Julien could face right now.
As much as it stung, he was weak and he knew it.
'I just need to focus on my strength for the moment. I can savor the vengeance later. With enough strength… enough strength to make it worth every strike.'
Just as that realization settled, a voice called out from the courtyard entrance.
"Behold! The Sun Phoenix is here! Prepare to suffer from excessive training, you're now in the presence of a god-tier trainer."
Arthur said, holding his usual omnipotent pose.
For a moment, Scar's internal struggle disappeared entirely.
Arthur stood there, though something about him had changed.