On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“Very well.” Urðr spoke her agreement, before her golden eyes narrowed slightly. “Your lack of strength may hamper the fairness of this contest.”

I felt it then, the immense, almost unreal pressure of her League, making even Nurarihyon seem like a nobody, and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. My dwindling stocks of light and wind element were unable to keep our holograms active, and they were blown away like dust in a hurricane. It wasn’t just me, Haru staggered, almost falling, the backlash of her Telepathy being subjected to such a force was surely enough to stun her, and she didn’t have the advantage of a lofty League such as mine.

Beside me, Shaeula was also discomforted, blinking slowly, and Tan shook. I raised one eyebrow weakly, querying her, and she shrugged. “Do not mistake me. While I am far from standing against Urðr’s League, I am not so weak as to crumble before it. Unfortunately… the princess is not sturdy enough to endure such…”

Shiro’s tired voice then echoed from Tan’s mouth. “I’m not sturdy, true, I’m voluptuous. I was also listening. Shit, this one’s a real mess. I did like your ‘aren’t you two my Brúðr now? How could I not win’ line. That was the sort of confidence that makes me love you, Aki. But… also makes me damn jealous. All of us, really. And before you say anything, Tan, who was it who worried about whether her father and sisters would take to Aki?”

“I think-think something is happening…” Shaeula, who had supported Haru, as I was loathe to touch her for obvious reasons, felt a strange change, and Haru’s eyes snapped open, not their usual light brown shade, but shimmering with violet energy. Is that… spatial element, soullight too?

Moments later, energy flooded into us through Haru’s Telepathy, and I felt a tugging on Lovers’ Link. Drawn upwards again, soon a perfect illusionary form of me was standing before the Norns and the Valkyries again, Tan beside me, hair and eyes now shimmering with thirsty crimson flames, or at least the ghosts of them, and Shaeula on my other side, glancing around eagerly. They weren’t our bodies, neither Spiritual nor Material, but seemed constructed of mixed energies, founded on soullight, and our senses, shared through Haru and Rose, were now fully synchronised. It was as if we were truly there, despite remaining far below.

Her soullight is so intense. Her Truesoul must be impossibly strong. Huh… Since I wasn’t having to maintain a number of Split Thoughts to run my mimicry of us, I separated out most of them to try something a little bit… speculative. Haru was also feeling a strange pressure, so we exchanged some quick mental communication, and after a long sigh, she signalled her agreement by inclining her head.

Shaeula was excitedly inspecting the richly decorated sitting room within the palace, the arched windows, twice as tall as me, offering a breathtaking view out over the mountaintops, clouds drifting by, a colossal, impossible shadow in the distance. “Yes-yes… your efforts and Haru’s are praiseworthy, but it is not-not quite as vivid as this experience. A fitting birthday present for me, but not-not the last, I hope?”

“Your focus should be on other matters.” Tan declared, and Shaeula shrugged guiltily.

“I am not-not as used to such spectacle as you, Tan. You can hardly expect me to not-not be curious. But you are most-most certainly correct. My apologies.”

Before we could address the Norns, and begin the Trial of Three, Gerhilde spoke up. I recognised her from our previous meeting, and she swept her raven-black hair back with a casual gesture, before kneeling. “Oh Divine Urðr, Verðandi and Skuld. While we, who have broken the laws handed down by the Allfather, have no right to ask this of you, much less upset what seems to be a sacred trial under their traditions…”

Shaeula nodded proudly at that, and Gerhilde continued. “…we ask humbly you delay it a brief turning of the hourglass. As they bravely resolve to face you for our…” She paused then, exchanging glances with her sisters, before she stood, abandoning her obeisance. “…it would be cowardice to call them mistakes. For they bravely declare they can prove our actions were not false. Our… overreaching, perhaps. Yes, a better word.”

I couldn’t help but admire her. As the eldest of the nine, she was acting as an older sister should, taking responsibility for her younger siblings, and I greatly approved. That being said… she’s a sister too, and also my Adherent. That means I have two reasons to take responsibility for protecting her, not even counting all the aid they’ve offered me. It might be hubris, saying my will outweighs that of these Goddesses… but despite their power, they clearly have emotions, just like we do. Tan’s the same. Us mortals writ larger, every aspect and emotion magnified.

“We would… like to share our blessings with them before their battle, mighty Norns. While you govern the Past, Present and Future of us all… only the Past is immutable. Our Present, and our Futures, remain unwritten, and I know my sisters would like to wish them well, offer some last advice. It is presumptuous, but…”

“I see no harm in it.” Skuld clicked shut her shears. “These brief moments are but the blinking of an eye to the endless future.”

“The present where we collide is inevitably approaching. Urðr, what say you? I shall allow this moment to become the past.” Her dress was now a stunning golden, as was the light in her eyes. Her fingernails tapping against her great loom were painted with gleaming metal, and…

“Enough.” Tan kicked me in the shin, which actually hurt for once, and our illusionary forms that Urðr had made copied the action, though there was no impact there, obviously. “I shall not enjoy burning you further to focus your mind. I will not let you walk away from me for these interlopers. You are not the Buddha. You do not get to leave me.”

Rose and Siegrune, as well as a couple of Valkyrie I wasn’t greatly familiar with, chuckled at that, as did Shaeula, who snickered nastily and started calling her clingy, but Tan merely tossed her head, arms still folded firmly, appearing unbothered, but there was a hint of another colour in her chocolate cheeks.

“The past is inevitable.” Urðr’s golden eyes were mysterious, and her dress shimmered as though it contained galaxies within. I glanced down, and noticed her feet were in rather elegant shoes, with long heels, and she would have been perfectly at home at a noble’s party in Japan. Except everyone, man and woman alike, would have their hearts stolen.

“Though we cannot tarry indefinitely. I have sealed this place, to prevent inquisitive visitors. The world trembles. Fjallahöll is home to many of your elder sisters. The fates decreed Sigrún absent this day, away to battle with the eldest of your sisters, so our intrusion here has not stirred her interest, and on her own world, even we would not come unbidden. Time is finite, but… the Past shall be written as it must be. But be swift, as the Present is a thread that must be woven, and… the Future, when this thread must be cut, shall be soon.”

“I thank you for your mercy.” She saluted by crossing her arms, fists clenched, and at her gesture, the tension broke a little, the Valkyrie all crowding around our images, introducing themselves.

“This is crazy. This Trial of Three sounds like a test of Fate. You’re going to battle the Goddesses who control Fate and Fortune? On their home ground? We Valkyrie gather the brave, take them to Valhalla for a second chance. I’d fly down for you all in a heartbeat!” Siegrune declared, her shorter blue hair and brilliant orange eyes, coupled with her energetic mood and playfulness, reminded me a little of my sister, though they didn’t look much alike.

“If they need a Valkyrie, Run, I think it should be me or Lin.” Rossweisse chuckled, though her face was near as pale as her eyes now, and through our connected thoughts I could feel her worry clearly. “Though as these two are women, perhaps we could allow you to take them onwards.”

Shaeula snorted at that, rolling her eyes, and Lin was next to speak, looking at Tan with an expression of guilt. “Goddess Taṇhā… I had no intention of dragging you into our troubles. I fear it might cause friction between our Pantheons should you fail here. Despite your… actions… below, which I understand, if can hardly condone… it could be seen as an act of war against your Divine father and the Six Paths. I can not understand your decision here.”

“Yes, I do not care for wagering myself. It is incredibly displeasing.” Tan declared to Lin, arms still folded, giving her a brusque, imperious air. “Worse, should we fail to triumph, not only will I not receive the gift I was promised….” At her crimson-eyed glare, I shrugged apologetically. Yeah, that’s true. No Eye for you, Tan, I’m afraid, but compared to the worst part of the Price…

“…but I will have to labour as a slave for these foreign Goddesses. Most upsetting…”

“Then why?” Lin repeated, unable to understand. Beside her, Rose shook her head.

“You know why, littlest sister. You know why.”

“I do, but…” Lin seemed almost fragile and frail, utterly unlike the bold Valkyrie I knew she must be.

“I am rather unhappy you would disregard my will.” Tan frowned coldly. “Do you think I am less decisive than you, Valkyrie? Yes, I do not approve of this at all, risking my freedom for the pair of you, aggravating an already fraught relationship between our Pantheons… but I am Taṇhā, the Thirst! Though the Buddha walked on by, it was he who should regret it, not I, any longer! I have chosen, and… does not believing in someone mean you trust them to win, even against insurmountable odds? That is what I believe. Besides…” She glanced at the patiently waiting Norns. “…there is an undercurrent here. One I have yet to fathom, but…” She then turned her gaze to me, and I nodded, signalling my agreement. There’s definitely a number of oddities which defy explanation, if it’s just a matter of coming here to punish Lin and Rose. But… it’s all speculation until I can start confirming them…

“Well-well said!” Shaeula approved. “There was little-little to no hope of us overcoming my idiot brother Shaeraggo in our first-first Trial. Yet we did so. Of course, I am quite-quite aware lightning, they say, does not-not strike twice. Unless…” She grinned, amber eyes flashing with amusement. “…one controls the lightning!”

“If so…” Lin began, but Grimgerde, resting on the shaft of her massive war maul, snorted loudly.

“Enough tedious pity. It does not become us, nor should we downplay the bravery of heroes, whether we think it misplaced or not.” As it to emphasise her point, she lifted her maul and twirled it effortlessly, as though the massive, barrel-sized head of strange metal was merely a light plastic children’s toy. “We are supposed to be offering our blessings, prayers and support, not wailing like already beaten children.”

“Our angry sister is quite correct.” Gerhilde agreed. “I am ashamed. In that case…” With her long flow of black hair and crimson eyes, sharp, noble features and an air of leadership, she cut an imposing, impressive figure. Despite that, she bowed to us each in turn, giving us the crossed-arm salute. “…the fortunes of war go with you. And I would not speak of defeat, for it is an ill omen…”

“Then don’t…” a sly-looking, green haired Valkyrie, Waltraute, drawled, and seemed amused as Gerhilde was embarrassed.

“I fear I must. Time… time is not on our side. But should you lose, and we face our punishment… I will plead to Divine Urðr to allow me to throw myself on Sigrún’s mercy, and request that your debts be lightened by the weight of our repentance.” Several others nodded and cried out their support, but Rose and Lin were silent. “I… chose to become an Adherent of your Path. We all chose. Because… it is what we hoped for. A strong warrior to emerge. Now…” She took a deep breath, composing herself. “…may you triumph if your cause is just. Your Path is fragile, but… as an eldest sister, I can appreciate it and what it represents. May the Allfather watch over you and judge you kindly.”

She stepped aside, and next up was a gentle, motherly presence, with a bountiful figure and long flaxen hair which was truly like spun gold, and silver eyes that shone with wisdom and compassion. Brunnhilde.

“I fear you are indeed unwise…” She narrowed her eyes, and I realised we were in for a lecture. “…just because we gave gifts, does not shackle you to return them, at the cost of your own peril. We gave freely, for the cause was noble, even if we were going against what we must follow. Not all ends justify the means, and some means can never be justified, no matter what end is sought. Yet… I do not believe our actions are unforgivable. Honestly… your presence here, and willingness to fight for us… does fill my heart with joy, that when I abandoned my misgivings and listened to our dear Ortlinde, something worthy has come of it. Though… you are still a small sapling, and facing the shears… I fear for you all. So… accept my prayers for your victory. May Freyja’s wisdom come to you all… especially in this trial.”

“I’ll certainly take the wisdom, everyone knows I could use it. But… I have a principle. If someone tries to cause harm to me or mine, I’ll prevent it, and pay them back. But… I’ll also repay goodwill twice over. Because the world needs more good people, doing good deeds. Now more than ever. So, yes, your gifts weren’t shackles to us, but doing what is right is.”

After smiling at my counterargument, she nodded politely at Shaeula and Tan, before stepping back, the next Valkyrie approaching us. “I am Helmwige, remember?” Her expression was kind, and her grey eyes were smiling. Her purple hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she had a lyre slung over one shoulder. “May Bragi sing songs of your battle here one day. Though whether the song is of victory, or defeat… please, look after my surviving hero. And do not cross blades with her needlessly.”

“I’ve met her. Don’t worry, I’m not about to treat people as disposable, I’d rather friends than enemies.” I addressed the others. “That goes for you all. I’ll ally with those who aren’t abusing their powers.”

“That is all I can ask. Be lucky.” She stepped back, and Rossweisse was next, seeming a bit at a loss for what to say.

All of a sudden, I feel oddly embarrassed. Her thoughts echoed within my mind, her Rank of Lovers’ Link more than sufficient for that. With her skin flushed as softly pink as her long hair, her pearly white eyes glimmered. But… clutching her hands to her ample chest, she looked up at me, being rather short for a Valkyrie. …if I cannot be brave, I am not Valkyrie. Nor a brúðr. Your Brúðr. I know why I pledged to you at the time, but now… those reasons seem insufficient, different. Perhaps I was careless, using the Runic Arts to make my Bond with you deeper, and I have bewitched myself, like those the Trickster toys with, but… if so, I am fondly bound by my own hubris. Now…

Taking a breath, she spoke out loud. “Mine still live. They are kind, and worthy of the Favour of the Great Mother. As are you. May Frigga watch over your hearth and home. You two as well.” She gave her blessing to Tan and Shaeula. “I wish I could be the one to tend the hearth, yet… we are far away. So all I can do is…” She traced a simple Rune, lacking power, but containing a feeling of comfort and passion. “Sowulo! May you know success in all your endeavours, and remain healthy, until we meet again!”

“No, that is not-not correct.” Shaeula snickered, a wicked smirk on her face, and I knew she was about to tease her. “This-this is how you wish your male fortune and happiness!” Back in the Fae Realms, she seized me, pulling me down, and her lips met mine. Her tongue squirmed passionately into my mouth, and I reciprocated, and our created bodies above replicated the actions. Rose blinked, flush deepening, and several of the more ribald Valkyries, such as Siegrune, chuckled and called out bawdy suggestions, while the Norns watched on silently, giving no indications of their thoughts. After she was satisfied, a long minute later, we separated, a faint bridge of saliva linking our lips and tongues for a moment, before she wiped her face delicately.

“That-that is truly a good luck charm!” she giggled, and Tan looked away, up towards the ceiling, while Rose was frozen.

“But… I can’t do that. Your bodies here are mental constructs… not real…” As if to prove a point, she poked at my arm, and her hand passed through, my body of light rippling before becoming whole again. “It will be a hundred years before…”

“Hardly. You do not-not know Akio like we do.” She nodded to Tan, who was studiously pretending to ignore this. “A hundred… bah!” Shaeula taunted the Norns boldly. “Nobody here knows Akio well-well enough. To come claim-claim your lips, you two who have accepted him, and all-all of your body and heart and spirit… he will-will advance like a Demon, smashing asunder all obstacles. As he has done to claim-claim me, and Tan here. Expect us far-far sooner.” She winked, and Rose froze, before tossing back her head, laughing uproariously.

“You are bold, Shaeula. I very much think we shall be good friends. And sisters.” With that, Rose leaned in and gently kissed the forehead of my image. Siegrune whistled cheekily, and Rose flushed, but she then stepped backwards, touching her lips softly, face burning.

Damn, it’s a real shame neither of us felt anything. But… your emotions were conveyed, Rose. Silence and embarrassment were my only answer from her thoughts.

Grimgerde stomped forwards, yellow hair trailing behind her. She was a big woman, and muscular, yet beautiful in a handsome, slightly masculine manner. Her violet eyes narrowed, and she looked down on me, overtopping my height by a head. “It’s a great shame we cannot spar. I would have liked to test your strength. But… I understand you are fearful. You are a fool if the thought of challenging Divine Urðr and her sisters does not make you dread. But… those who know no fear are not brave, merely idiots. So… break through your fear, and in the name of Divine Thor, the Thunderer, may you push forward until you triumph. After all…” She raised her wrist, and I knew what she meant, so I replicated the gesture, which pleased her.

With her blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes, the Valkyrie Schwertliete stepped up next. Unlike the others though, who were either nervous or supportive, she seemed ill-tempered, and it sparked annoyance in Tan.

“Wy do you glower so, Valkyrie?” Tan asked frostily, and she shrugged.

“Why wouldn’t I? This mess… it was always coming. But to think our fates rest on you…”

“Do not be rude to those who would do good for our sakes, sister!” Lin jumped forwards. “It is unbecoming…”

“Oh, be silent.” Schwertliete argued back. “By Njord, this is a mess.” She ran a hand through her blonde hair, disarraying it, and she did indeed look rather windswept and wave-tossed, “I too have one who survives. See that he does not perish. But for that… oh, how frustrated I am. My fate left at the hands of another. Still, many a ship sinks in stormy seas, even ones well steered. Don’t lose!”

Turning around, she stomped off, leaving Tan to call after her. “Insolent. When you see our victory, you shall kneel and beg my forgiveness!”

Her only response was to wave a hand in acceptance, and Tan curled her lips, annoyed. Next up was the one who had called herself Waltraute. She was more sexy than beautiful, with brilliant green hair and eyes, and a decent chest. Her armour was cut rather seductively as well, showing off more skin, her thighs and cleavage visible. A whip was coiled at her waist, long and vicious-looking, and seeing my glance, she chuckled.

“I am not one for inspiring others. So, instead, let me offer a warning. Lose, and should I survive, when you come to serve our Divine Norns, I will not be the only one working under the lash!” She grinned, uncoiling her whip and striking the air, sending a shocking crack resounding through the room. As quickly as she struck, her whip was coiled again, and she winked. “Of course, win, and I will have to apologise for my attitude, when you finally make it here. Far faster than a hundred turnings…?” She glanced at Shaeula, who smirked.

“I like you, yes-yes I do.” Shaeula nodded her head. “You know well how-how to make an impression, and to offer… incentives. Yes. Far-far fewer years than one hundred.”

“For each then, one lash. But a hundred if you fail.” Waltraute countered.

This is… quite… the bargain. I knew what they were taking about, and bit down on a sigh. We need to win first, everything else is meaningless.

Siegrune was up next, and she chuckled, her orange eyes bright. As she watched Waltraute strolling calmly away, despite her wager with Shaeula, she grinned. “Alta sure does know how to make an impression. I daresay she’s one of the Valkyrie a certain group of brave warriors are most eager to see coming for them to take them to Valhalla… oh, and by the way, call me Run. After all, we’re good friends, aren’t we?” She winked cheerfully. “Anyway… I’d give you my blessing, but I’m not sure you want the Trickster’s. Loki loves chaos. In fact… if anyone’s watching us here secretly, with Sigrún absent, it’d be him. So instead… this Trial of Three seems like something he’d very much enjoy. How about this…”

She leaned in close. “When you reach here, and you’re not too busy with Lin and Rose…” She made sure the two Valkyrie in question could hear that, enjoying their reactions, Lin’s eyes flickering, Rose’s skin darkening once again, her embarrassment plain, but then she lowered her voice to a barest whisper. “I’m not Rose, I don’t know Runes, but I picked up a trick or two from Loki. Three challenges of my own, and…”

She outlined her plan to me, and made it clear if I didn’t accept, she’d play an even greater trick on me, so I nodded slowly. Cheerful, she reached out a hand, clasping my wrist, and I hers. We shook, and she then turned to Shaeula, whispering in her ear. Shaeula cackled and nodded and repeated the handshake. Tan was next, and she merely sniffed, tilting her face up to look down her nose at Siegrune… no, Run, I guess… who only laughed and held a whispered conversation. Once that was done, she stepped away, waving at Lin.

“Littlest sister last, and it’s apt, considering he’s your champion. And your Verr.”

“Are you ever serious?” Lin grumbled, quite unlike her usual stoic demeanour. Sweeping back her long crimson hair, which was a similar shade to Tan’s, though metallic, while Tan’s was more reminiscent of blood, or perhaps a crimson wine, she narrowed her golden eyes, before addressing Tan first. “I apologise for my earlier insolence. To dismiss your will was… unworthy of me, and of the One-Handed Hero I serve. I… thank you for coming to our aid, as underserved as it is. Though I know you do not act for our sake…”

“Indeed I do not.” Tan agreed. “Though so long as we triumph, it is of no concern. Just as I cannot claim him for the Six Paths, he will not be yours. Not even were you sisters to give him your body and heart.” Tan’s lips curled at that. “He is easily led astray by beautiful, needy women, but we shall not allow any more foolishness. However… neither will he neglect you and yours in your hour of need. Such would be an abrogation of his Path.”

“Will you follow?” Lin was curious, and Tan’s smile twisted further, into an almost demonic grin.

“You would ask me, a Goddess, to tread upon a mortal’s… or as close to mortal compared to me as makes little difference… Path?” She paused to let that sink in, before she let out a regal chuckle, her burning crimson eyes now focussed on the Norns. “It is rather too fragile to sustain me as an Adherent at this moment, I am sure. But certainly… in a hundred turnings of the world…” she mocked. “…I shall take my place. And then I shall be sure to address these slights. So do not step off the Path before I get there, little Valkyrie.”

Lin nodded, before turning to Shaeula. “And you…”

“Me? I am quite-quite sure you have no need to probe me. I can-can call you Lin, yes? Nicknames can be quite-quite cute. As are you…”

“Cute? Me? Surely you jest…” Lin denied it, and Shaeula giggled, raising an eyebrow meaningfully.

“The reticent ones, such as Eleanor, are always most-most amusing.” She then turned her head, winking at Rose. “Though I do-do like the bold ones as well.” Returning her attention to Lin, she waved a hand. “You are indeed cute to me. It is the gap-gap that makes it so. And Akio, he is most-most grateful. As am I. Without your aid, none-none of this could have happened. I would be dead, and Akio would-would be living a petty and meaningless life.”

“Ouch. That hurts my feelings… but, you’re not wrong. I was existing, not living.”

“So have no-no fear. I have no desire to see a worthy female, who I am indeed-indeed indebted to, suffer. And Akio would not-not have it, nor stand for it, be your accusers Gods or no. My only-only regret is…”

“Yes?” Lin asked, troubled.

“It is my birthday. If this takes too-too long, some of my plans will be quite-quite ruined!”

“I… see.” Lin was surprised. “I suppose it was foolish of me to worry.”

“Yes. Though it is-is appreciated. Eri will be most-most delighted you are easy to get along with. She does worry with each new addition. Now-now… Akio is the one you really wish to offer your well-wishes and-and prayers for victory to, yes? And time-time is wasting…”

“I thank you both.” She nodded at Tan and Shaeula’s images, each giving a different response, Shaeula’s cheery, Tan’s stoic, before she addressed me. “I am not one for open displays of emotion. I am not… my forward elder sister.”

“I am afraid if you don’t seize chances when you can, littlest sister Lin, opportunity will pass you by. Though you have an advantage.” Rose winked at me. “After all, you were the one that made all this possible.”

“I am. And I still feel the guilt.” Lin admitted. “Moreso now my actions have put my sisters in jeopardy. I always knew it could be so, but… Rose, we… will be punished gravely.”

“Only if they lose.” Rose countered. “And I am not going to lose to our foreign guest…” she smiled cheekily at Tan. “…in terms of faith.”

“Even so, I dragged others into danger, and…”

“I wish I could hug you now. That’s what you need.” I cut Lin off. “To feel that I’m here, that I’m real. And Tan is right, Shaeula too. A hundred years? I’ll not keep you waiting that long, Lin. After all, I dread being too slow, and finding out you or one of your sisters has died. Oh, you too, Rose, of course.” I cut off her words, as I knew she was going to complain I had left her out.

“Feel our Bonds, we are Connected. Not just in how you chose me, but… we chose to be together, to face the future together. Verr to Brúðr, right? And…” I turned to the Norns. “…I’m grateful you let them have this time. And I hope your eyes can see what I see. They meant no harm, far from it. If I led the Valkyries, I’d commend their willingness to risk themselves… but not to sacrifice. That’s not our Path.”

I concentrated, and the air around my illusionary form rippled. The Path wasn’t a tangible thing, not yet at least, but… it still had an existence that could be felt and touched, to an extent. Behind me, I had the illusion that stars were glimmering, and my mind reached out and touched Lin, and our bonds strengthened, Lovers’ Link spiking. Yes, it wasn’t as powerful as Rose’s, but it was enough.

“I see.” Lin closed her eyes, her expression finally calming, returning to the beautiful, noble one I remembered. “So that is how you see me.”

“Yeah. I couldn’t think of you any other way, could I?”

“You are willing to risk this, not through obligation, but…”

“Yeah.” I reached out, my finger breaking apart as I poked her forehead, and I then laid my fake lips against the spot I had prodded. Unsatisfying, just like with Rose, but… it’s the thought that counts. “That’s my pledge. And I’ll come to collect that and more in person, soon enough. So… a smile and your blessing? A smile is worth more, honestly.”

I heard Shaeula snickering that I was ‘far-far too smooth’ nowadays, but I ignored that, as Lin smiled radiantly, the most brilliant smile I had ever seen from her. She returned the false kiss on my own fake forehead, before her arm blazed with brilliant flame, and I felt Foehn drawn from my body below. She then condensed it into four fine lines and dragged her fingers down her cheek. I cried out, but her golden eyes, and the resolution within, stopped me.

With four livid burns on her face, she raised her hand high. “These marks are my resolve. I shall bear the pain and the scars until the day you come to wipe them away. And…” She gave me the crossed arms salute, before slamming her fists into her chest. “…a matching scar lies on my heart. The guilt I feel for dragging you into this can only be washed away by victory. We… we are Valkyrie! The Choosers of the Slain, the Heralds of Victory! My hand reaches out, not to guide you to Valhalla, but… to welcome you home after you return in glory… still alive, still undefeated!”

“To Victory!” The others raised their hands, letting out a great cry, and Rose chuckled.

“In the end, Lin took the best part. I can see I am not as far ahead as I thought…”

“We apologise, Divine Urðr, Divine Verðandi, Divine Skuld. And are grateful that you accepted our selfishness.” At Lin’s calm, refined words, Skuld’s shears clacked, Verðandi’s loom rattled, and I was sure I could see a myriad of prismatic strings appearing and disappearing around Urðr.

“It is of no moment.” Urðr spoke then. “We are not without compassion. Now…” She lifted her hands, and suddenly Shaeula, Tan and I were moved to before them, and a shimmering, transparent dome of energy separated us from the watching Valkyries. Six chairs appeared, three impressive thrones for the Norns, one black, one gold and one half black and half white. Our seats were less impressive, but still comfortable.

As we all took our chairs, Urðr spoke, her voice as melodious as the most perfect of singers, calm yet powerful. “The Past is the foundation of everything. So… let us begin this Trial you have so boldly chosen. Now I shall speak, and ask, of the Past. Speak no falsehoods, and show me the will that has moved these, our children, to rebel so…”

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. Back in the Lower Astral, I clutched Shaeula’s hand, and surprisingly enough Tan’s, and… both were warm. Technically, Tan’s is rather scalding, but she’d probably be offended if I said so. But… it’s a heat that warms both my skin and my heart. All right then… one of us will have to answer this, and answer it well…

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