Disclaimer: This is considered canon and valid for all future and forthcoming chapters. I do NOT own Valkyrie Profile (as much as I wish I did) that honor belongs to Tri Ace and Square Enix.

A/N: What would happen if Alicia refused to abandon Dipan? If Lezard came but never ascended to Asgard and overthrew Odin? What would happen to Odin gained victory over Dipan, completely quashed the remnants of Silmeria's rebellion, and lived to reign as a supreme tyrant? These are all things that went through my mind as I crafted this story so it is not incorrect to say that this is an alternate ending to Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria. I will outline the pairings that WILL be seen in this fic:

Brahms and Silmeria (!)

Rufus and Alicia (!)

Lezard and Lenneth (?)

"We're not taking her with us?"

"Give them until nightfall. They can lick their wounds in the meantime."

"Come! Alicia, we must go….NOW."

Silmeria's clear decisive tone ran within her consciousness, piercing the veil of her sorrow but beneath it, to her own surprise, was resistance and anger.

-Father…-

Living for vengeance seemed like such a petty thing to live for but she could not bring herself to peace. Her father, Barbarossa, he had been guilty but he'd been a good man. She could feel it. Those last moments between them, between father and daughter, had been one in which understanding was forged. The only sin he'd committed he shared with Silmeria: to learn that which was forbidden and to act upon it in rebellion. Even now she knew Silmeria's words, her actions were to spare her from sharing the fate of her Father and Mother but she couldn't stand down.

-I am Princess Alicia of Dipan-

She had been born into a privileged status and with that privilege came responsibility to the people. A responsibility her father had tried and failed to uphold and one she had neglected. Dallas, before disappearing, had cleared the air of any remnant misunderstandings. Her father had done it for her and for Dipan. Her father had been a man torn between his love and honor; his love for her and his obligation, his duties as king. Although she knew his soul would for centuries be as restless as the souls within the Guardian Beast in the Royal Underground Path Alicia couldn't only wish peace upon her father. She might not be able to bring down the gods but she'd protect the people, her father's only legacy would not result in disgrace.

"If you don't flee you'll become a martyr to your people, you will executed with him if you fruitlessly resist! Our stand, our actions; they must count but they cannot do so here and now is not the time."

"Silmeria, I value you, more than you can know but this is my home and even if I must give up my life, this is my destiny. I will protect Dipan whether I am ready or not because I must. That is what I feel inside my heart, whether it is right or wrong…it is the tenet which shall guide me. I will not be alone, I have you and Dylan and Rufus."

"All the more reason not to waste their lives and yours here!"

Silmeria's words cut to the quick making the princess unsure if her actions were truly made in folly but the people already thought her dead, how much longer before she'd be forgotten in entirety? No, she'd succeed her father and make sure the people saw her father and the gods for what they were.

The only question she had to ask herself was what the right path to take was. The only thing she was sure of was protecting the citizens without further antagonizing the gods. However, with Silmeria within her she didn't know if it was truly possible.

-We shall have to take everything one day at a time starting with Hrist's assault.-

Alicia turned to Rufus and Dylan who both surveyed her, waiting for her response, "Alright, here is what we're going to do…"

As a goddess and Valkyrie she didn't need the time, the delay yet she had returned to Valhalla. If she'd been absolute she would've made Silmeria answer to Odin. Just more evidence of the fact she had to guard her to the soft sensibilities of mortals. It hadn't been for Silmeria that she had pulled back but rather to give Alicia, the princess and human host of Silmeria, time to steel herself for a fate that was fast approaching. The fact that she knew the very reason meant she should be on guard against it, to prevent such weaknesses, if she had been truly loyal to Odin she would've never allowed her time as Leone to soften her. She was a loyal agent of the divines and delaying their judgment was a poor choice on her part, an ill wrought decision that undermined her loyalty to Lord Odin. Further failure on her part was unacceptable in the eyes of Lord Odin, Lady Freya, and most importantly herself. Therefore Alicia would not survive their next encounter and Silmeria, she would return!

Hrist had left Arngrim to ready the preparations for their return to Midgard. In the meantime she'd been summoned by Lord Odin. Save for her amber eyes the mute grandeur of Valhalla's inner passages were abandoned and unappreciated. Her hollow steps echoed through the empty hallways as she swiftly made her way to the throne room. In response to her approach the arched doors opened. In the distance she saw Freya quietly speaking with Lord Odin. Immediately the eldest Valkyrie stayed her steps, standing upright where she was so as not to disrupt or overhear their conversation.

"Approach, Hrist!" Freya turned her head into her direction, her voice rising over the distance as their hushed tones came to an end. No further speaking took place in the time she crossed the expanse until she once again came to a standstill, preparing to kneel before Odin, "Stop, remain standing! Why did you return?"

The curt tone of the second rank goddess thrust her on the defensive, making her only able to offer speechless silence as she tried to rationalize her lapse of good judgment. It was a silence she felt the need to hastily break, as if to justify herself. In hindsight, even though it did her not good in this instance, Hrist knew she shouldn't have left Dipan without Silmeria but she had.

Odin was seated with a single reliable hand resting on Gungnir's hilt and the other propping up his chin, "Failures will not be tolerated."

Odin's words had saved her from having to explain her irrational behavior but from Freya's words she knew that they had reason to doubt her. A doubt she could not afford to feed, Odin's tone made it known and clear that he'd not accept a repeat of Silmeria's defiance.

There wouldn't be.

Her amber eyes hardened, her vocalized response mirroring it, "There will be none. The Einherjar are rested after our last assault. I am ready to move out."

"That is good for it is necessary that Dipan not be allowed to recover. Even now they stir, rallying them behind an individual, readying themselves for a fight. You shall be our answer."

"The mages?" she said scornfully, easily placing them in that role. It was like those undead fiends to grasp and lust for the power of a fallen kingdom of fools.

The response Odin delivered as he flicked his gaze upon her was more than she expected, "Silmeria."

They were only promised until nightfall and Alicia tried not to waste her time, Silmeria had to give her that much. She might not be a strong personality but she knew how to use those around her, how to use her web of support to great advantage. If they were victorious this evening it would be the beginning of a long campaign but if successful the end result would be worth it for she was sure that Alicia would one day be a great Queen. The young princess had the benefit of her great ancestors the Warrior Princess Celes, who advised her on the nature of defending the castle, and Queen Phyress who helped her secure her legitimacy as heiress.

Since defending Dipan was a greater goal to her than securing the throne from other members of the nobility she prioritized her actions accordingly. Alicia and Celes had questioned the surviving soldiers extensively on how the Valkyrie Hrist had succeeded in her first attack so they could defend effectively against the second. She also solidified the base of their support, using Phyress' political prowess to aid her in convincing the nobility to support her hastily made resistance. Even if the nobility wouldn't acknowledge her legitimacy they were all too eager to rally behind the individual defending their sorry hides.

The only thing Silmeria and Alicia agreed not to touch on was the subject of what would happen if they lost. It was something that didn't elude the young princess since the latter confessed, to Dylan, that she worried about the impact on the people. Dylan had been a steadfast companion to both her and Alicia but Silmeria couldn't, even on the eve of such an attack, confide the nature of whom he safeguarded. Though the knowledge was a double-edged sword at this point in time it was unnecessary to confide information of that nature to her human host, it would be more of a detriment to Alicia if she consorted with the undead. Better that she be as naïve as the gods and believe that Brahms, Lord of the Undead, was dead. The Valkyrie wondered just how much longer would that be, like the rest of her Einherjar, she knew his soul miraculously through Dylan survived transmigration because of his dormant state but one day she was sure he would awaken and that concerned the Valkyrie. The nature of her relationship was difficult, forbidden and never should've been but despite all odds he had become her greatest ally, a strong bastion she could rely on and an unexpected friend to the end. The conflict within was this; her silence was what protected him however it could also harm Alicia. Inaction on her part would have to end soon and in the very least Alicia would have to truly open her eyes to the reality of the future she chose and the role she was stepping into.

The sun had not quite set yet but Alicia could not get the feeling of unease to depart, Hrist had said 'until nighfall' did that mean dark? When did the goddess consider the time enough and attack? They had been given time to prepare but was it enough.

"You've done all you can, that is the best you can do, don't worry about it," as usual Rufus made sense.

"Oh…I know but," she paused, "What will happen if despite everything we've done, that everything goes wrong?"

"It won't."

"I can't accept that Rufus. In one's days time I've taken a big step, bigger than any I've taken in my life and the consequences that could result from my actions won't affect me alone," she folded her fingers and nervously tapped them, it was a habit she took to when timid and nervous, "I…I have a favor to ask of you. I have made the people ready themselves for the worse case, if it comes to that. Will you and Dylan, will you lead them out of here? Away from Dipan? Away from the wrath of the gods?"

Rufus gazed at her and from one look of her intense eyes he knew he couldn't say no. Silmeria's intensity was purely from her surety, she knew what was fair and she could inspire others to follow her solely based on the position or her cause. Alicia's intensity was motivated by her sincerity, even if failure could be an option she was the type you'd follow because your time would not be wasted or your life lost in vain. Long ago he had followed this unprepared Princess because he had been promised to be compensated by Silmeria but now he followed solely because of Alicia, because of who she was and who'd she become in the future, reward be damned.

"Alright but I don't think we'll need to worry about this. That damn Valkyrie won't know what hit her after what you've done all day."

"Right!"

"Your Majesty, Alicia," Lezard surveyed her, "You should be within, you are compromised when you stand on the outer wall like this."

Alicia flushed, "Oh yes."

Much had changed in a day's time, more than she had thought possible for the likes of mere mortals. She was a woman of her word and she did not push for the attack until, as promised, nightfall. Even though she was a goddess she was not inclined to be foolish or idle the day away. Thus she released her Einherjar to blend in amongst the populace. There were many foolish rumors however when the fact was gleaned from the fiction there was also much to learn. Many of them said that the long dead Princess of Dipan had returned to lead them to victory, traversing the boundaries of the death and time, to assume the mantle of Warrior Queen and save them all. The Princess HAD returned although she had never been dead to begin with, not YET and it was to be debated whether her actions would save them indeed.

Silmeria…you desperate fool…

That she would use such a broken girl in such a fruitless, defiant stand. Silmeria's need to resist the tides of her own fate would be the doom her and Alicia both.

"It is time."

"Are you ready? We will only have one chance at this. If Hrist is defeated than we will be on a better footing however the victory will be temporary at best. Odin will send Hrist again or possibly Lenneth."

-"Lenneth?"-

"My other sister, another goddess, another Valkyrie. Do not allow yourself to be distracted, keep your mind on the fight. She comes!"

The sudden urgency in Silmeria's tone snapped her into readiness. Her first instinct was to reach for the hilt of her sword but she heard an overhead crash accompanied by blinding light. Her mortal eyes were slow to adjust but she knew it was Hrist. Before her vision had recovered she felt her hand tighten on the hilt of her blade drawing it out of the sheath enough to parry a blow that was coming at her side from behind. Hrist was there pushing all her strength against the blade trying to break her guard but Silmeria held fast to it.

-"Thank you Silmeria. I will take things from here."-

She pushed off Hrist and spun, her blade spinning around her in an arc that protected her while angling towards Hrist's midriff. The latter jumped back, partially disappearing only to gaze at her as if in confusion, as if realizing just who was there.

-That is right! Alicia, not Silmeria!-

The goddess' shock was short lived and she charged, rushing for the human princess. When it came to a contest of strength the goddess would win, Silmeria had always stayed her hand because of that fact – to protect her. However Lezard had alluded to her that the gods were not as mighty as one might think and that mortals could use objects and their very surroundings to even the odds if they were resourceful enough. Alicia rapidly lunged up the stairway so she could use the height to her advantage to gain speed while always being sure to keep Hrist in her peripheral vision, being sure to notice her closing the distance between them. The goddess' blade was extended in an upward thrust, to impale but moments before her blade could land Alicia used her blade to cut her belt. The action freed her of the weight at her side, allowing her to grab her metallic sheath so she could use it to block Hrist's all-or-nothing stab. Again her blade swiped, dancing around her in a deadly arc for the goddess from behind. The blow hit, sweeping right though Hrist's midriff from behind, it did not rend her apart but from how the goddess hunched over in mute shock she was obviously astonished.

Perhaps it was shock from her success or, more likely, regret. It was not easy to see Hrist suffer for either herself or Silmeria. Leone had been like a sister to the Princess of Dipan. Even Silmeria stayed her hand, Alicia realizing that Hrist's time as Leone was the first time the youngest Valkyrie had been able to get to know her sister through the pretense of their forced fighting. The dual acts of the Dragon Orb's theft and her father's execution had been the bitterest form of betrayal. The deception had been harsh to both of them, even harder for her to forgive since she hadn't known. After all the 'accursed' Valkyrie had done to her and to Dipan she should have hated Hrist but she couldn't. Nothing could change what had happened and what the human girl had felt for the Valkyrie even if it had all been a disguise, a lie to the eldest goddess of fate.

Even though they could've likely fit in a suitable finish, both the youngest Valkyrie and her human host waited for Hrist Valkyrie to rise. To finish the fight in any other fashion was dishonorable, something low she couldn't bring herself to do. Behind her she heard the shuffle of many feet and her attention shifted, her hand tightening one more on her blade to see the forms of Dylan, Lezard, and Rufus.

"Behind you!" Dylan barked as she heard the scrape of the sword against stone, the desperate counterattack resulting in sparks that ignited against the red carpet.

Lezard eyed the flames and threw out his hand, without hesitation his spell absorbed the budding flame allowing it to feed the flames of his own magic, "Fire Storm!"

Alicia recovered, panting slightly from the scare but she extended her blade in challenge while the others fell into place behind her. The careful planning on her part, it had all worked out in the end. She and everyone else had done their part. She had lasted against the goddess, Silmeria's Einherjar had defended against Hrist's, and the others – Rufus, Dylan, Lezard, they were all here and together she knew they would be able to defeat Hrist.

"It is over Hrist! Withdraw from Dipan! The citizens are innocent; there is no honor, no reason to torment those who are already on their knees!"

"Silence, mortal! Your arrogance is unmatched, making demands of the gods!"

"Then you leave US no choice," Silmeria's voice overlapped her own, the younger goddess' strength channeling through the human princess she charged towards Hrist.

The Valkyrie, she couldn't believe it, she could barely dare to believe that such a simple stratagem unwound her own. It was astounding enough in itself that Alicia, without Silmeria, could possibly inflict such blows upon her – a goddess of the sixth rank – a Valkyrie! The use of Dipan's soldiers with that of Silmeria's Einherjar had been able to hold off the likes of her own, so easily, or at least enough that those three could come to her aid. She couldn't let them finish her, she could not allow Silmeria and a HUMAN to wrest victory from her. Despite the wound she obtained her grip tightened on the hilt of her sword and she charged for Silmeria but the clash, the conflict between them never came.

As their blades where about to cross, a massive gale washed through the palace shattering all the stained glass windows and throwing everyone off their feet save for the mortal Princess. Trapped and suspended Silmeria could flee nowhere nor could any rise in time to prevent the lance that rained down with the authority of the heavens itself impaling its shaft mercilessly right through the mortal girl, cutting her down with an absurd and pathetic ease. The tremor continue to grow, pulsing through the ground until spherical runes surrounded the Princess. Even she could see the slackening of the princess' muscle, had it not been for the Sovereign's Rite freezing her in her stance the princess would have fallen, unable to support the weight of her dying body. Hrist could only stare, transfixed as Odin reclaimed Silmeria.

Silmeria inevitably fought but it was in vain and only resulted in allowing Alicia's body to crumple to its knees. The crown, the Princess' diadem, fell to the floor and she couldn't help but see its symbolism for what it was. With the death of Princess Alicia Dipan would fall into ruin, never to recover. Odin had, according to his will, denied her the hard won victory in spite of all her efforts. Before she could tear her eyes away she saw the human rip the spear out of her torso leaving the bloody arbalest on the cold stone. However her arms almost desperately supported the human as she turned to face Alicia. In that one moment, without the circlet and the radiant golden strands framing her face she saw not Alicia but her sister, Silmeria.

Despite her weakness Silmeria's eyes were intense, demanding her attention; she could not turn away from their depths. It was to her great surprise that Silmeria managed to make her plea to Hrist overheard over the rushing maelstrom of divine magic but it was heard, was delivered but not for the likes of herself.

Save…Spare…Alicia…

Gratitude, gratitude was what had stayed his hand so long, gratitude to the warrior Dylan for safeguarding his unworthy hide and to Silmeria, so that her actions to protect him had not been in vain. It was time for all that to come to an end for a long time Dylan had unconsciously drawn upon his gifts, drawn him out of his sleep, bringing him closer to Silmeria. The Sovereign's Rite, its repulsive and all too familiar aura, was an altogether effective lure. He could not stand by and allow Odin to retrieve Silmeria, to toy with her soul, bending to his demented whims. Not after all they had seen and discovered. Silmeria's dissent, her defiance was the only truth he knew, if Odin snuffed it out how much longer before the truth would it take for the truth to be discovered again? And acted on? How much longer would the mortals and undead of Midgard be oppressed to the whims of their beloved and benevolent 'gods'?

And Silmeria…

He couldn't allow her to be taken from him. His emotions, his feelings for her, they had always been known but never acted upon. He had always respected her enough not to jeopardize her cause, her crusade against Odin's wrongs. However it didn't change the facts. He loved her and whether she accepted him or not he would not let her go. Not without a fight and not to the likes of the All Father Odin!

Sleep…Brother.

He pushed and Dylan gave way, their souls were never meant to exist side by side. Brahms could only finish what Dylan had started: their joint evolution as one entity, one individual. His soul had always been the stronger and thus it would be the dominant one, slipping into place over Dylan's like the shadow of an eclipse slipping over the moon except the fact it was permanent. Life, Dylan and Silmeria, they had given him a second chance at life. He would be a fool to live it in regret, without Silmeria.

For a moment he could only stand there as his crimson eyes adjusted to light and the dark of the room. He was undead and Dylan, he had not, thus it would take time for him, for his body to grow accustomed to the changes Brahms unholy soul wrought on his form. He flexed his claws and as he approached the magic circle he saw already Silmera's soul was drawn out. A mortal girl lay dying at the feet of the foul Valkyrie – the one they called Hrist. Silmeria rolled her eyes to see him as he laid his claws on the barrier of the magic, testing it. The first time he had fought this magic he had underestimated and nearly lost, to be said the only thing his interference had bought was to make the Rite malfunction. He would not be so ignorant, not this time, but he intended to duplicate the feat.

However the dark Valkyrie, she didn't give him the time, her gaze fixed on him as she charged, blade in hand. Behind him he heard magic and saw an arrow impale the Valkyrie right in the throat. For a mortal it would've been a grave enough wound to choke the breath of life out. For the likes of a goddess and Valkyrie it would be a minor inconvenience but it was enough to allow him to shatter the barrier. He reached for Silmeria but she slipped right through his fingers as he gave an unholy howl of rage. Only then he noticed the reason he'd been able to shatter the magic was because it was complete. Odin had succeeded.

The moment the foul magic had been shattered Rufus had fallen to the ground, cradling Alicia in his arms. Why had she deserved the likes of this? To be struck down in such a way? He felt her in his arms and realized that she was still somewhat warm, still BARELY alive. He cradled her close only to feel him dragged to his feet, by his clothing and forced out of the room, forced into a hasty retreat by someone probably Dylan if what came out of him could be CALLED that. Alicia shivered and he realized he was getting covered in her blood. She likely hadn't realized that in pulling out the spear she'd bleed to death, she had likely only wanted relief from the pain. He was barely aware of how long or where they were going only aware the other surrounded him, protecting him as he held her close.

Don't die…don't leave me alone…don't die!

In the aftermath of all that had happened her first impulse was to pursue the undead but even she realized the folly of that. She was in no shape, no prime to take down the likes of that one. However…

She bent down, her hands coming to rest on the diadem worn by Alicia. The dark battle maiden rose, her black wings extending from her back, only pausing to recall her Einherjar before she rose, ascending into the overcast of the sky.

"Rufus?"

"Alicia."

"I wished to be separated all my life but now that I am it's so lonely, so cold now that she is gone…Please remember your promise."

"What kind of person am I to lead your people away from their destroyed homes and lives?"

"Because I chose you for it, I believe you can do it and I hope, I hope you find your peace," he felt Alicia place her hand on his cheek and tilting her head weakly to his as if trying her best to embrace him, a warm smile on her lips.

"Don't go, don't leave!"

Rufus carried her, held her, trying to rush her to the Underground Path, to the healers amongst the refugees but before they got there she drew a last faint breath, the last bit of warmth slipping from her weak body.

For those who died a noble death their weapons usually acted as the medium, their weapons held their remnant thoughts, that which a Valkyrie used to materialize them, to restore to them life. For the likes of Alicia though the blade, although hers, was not that medium. She had been born a princess and died like a true queen; her crown was undoubtedly the object that contained the ability to manifest her soul.

She looked down on the half elf, keeping herself hidden so as not to alert him. Silmeria's wish would be granted, Alicia would be spared. She watched as the luminous soul rose high and she gathered it within. As she departed a single unnoticed pitch black feather fell upon the body.

Although Rufus was aware the others were with him he scooped up her frail body, carrying it away. He had to place her to rest, the rest accorded to one who was so innocent, so beautiful. She hadn't deserved this and his bitterness extended to every last person who had touched her, who had caused her pain. Alicia hadn't chosen it had been accorded to her, unjustly by the gods. He had always though his existence the worse of the ills they could prescribe to him but he would NEVER forgive them for the likes of this. He continued to carry her, looking for the perfect place to bring her for her eternal rest. He finally decided on a secluded glade where the moonlight cast a perfect glow on its center. This was the place, where the sun and moon would pay homage to her every day and every night. He placed his bow down and improvised some crude tools. He didn't even notice that the others followed him. The mage shifting huge quantities of dirt, helping him fashion a hollow in the ground. Finally he went to retrieve Alicia and before he placed her down he saw a clawed hand reach for a black feather, pulling the foul memento from her dead body, "Her soul…after her death it had to go somewhere, we can act on that and she can be recovered."

"What good will that be?"

"Sir Rufus, I know such things are beyond your knowledge but it is possible to create a vessel, to animate a vessel to act an anchor for an individual's soul, a soul that has already departed. He is right; this does not have to be the end for her…not yet."

"She can be recovered, so can Silmeria."

"I don't care about the likes of Silmeria!" he couldn't bit back his bitter tone; Silmeria had been the cause of all Alicia's pain and hardship in the end.

"Hmph, very well have it your way but you'll have a lot easier time of it with allies. You don't have to like us, only to stand us."

As much as he didn't want to admit it the words had a grain of truth that was hard to swallow but he stomached it nevertheless, "What do you have in mind?"

The ruler of the Aesir surveyed his hard won prize, for such a long time her defiance had been the undoing of his will. She had been an ever constant thorn in his side. As a father he was firm but occasionally fair. However after what she had done, intentionally repeating one series of transgressions one after another even he was not of limitless patience. He would not sacrifice the stability of the gods reign to save one rebellious daughter. No, she would not be forgiven, would not be pardoned. He would make an example of her, make others learn from her mistakes.

It had occurred to him keep her frozen throughout time, isolated, a prize to be looked upon by others for her failures. Such a fate seemed soft since she'd be oblivious to it, and none of her former allies on Midgard would learn a thing. His hand stroked over the fabric of her soul, feeling the pulsating warmth – her divinity. His gray eyes hardened, cold as stone, as his fingers peeled, stripping it away. Finally he knew the nature of the punishment he should dispense on his rebellious Valkyrie and this, this was only the beginning.