Vali excels at his fighting lessons, showing both natural skill and diligent practice. He was taught early by his father how to properly maneuver with a cape; his is a deep blue, a favorite color, which also happens to match his startling eyes. Vali's scruffy, short hair presents no obstacle in training, and even educates those who watch him that he learns to fight not for himself, but for all the people of Yggdrasill. He learned from his mother that a gesture as simple as keeping his hair cut short will go very far with the citizens he hopes to defend.

His chosen emblem is that of a wolf, fitting for his character, which is emblazoned on his black metal armor. Vali's breastplate is fashioned much like his father Loki's, cresting over his shoulders in heavy clasps to hold the cape and crisscrossing over his chest. The underarmor sheath that Vali wears is dark silver, which is fitting for his overall palette. Slender and young, the man has grown into an admirable fighter and leader. Like all the members of his family, Vali wears a few threads of purple fabric within his boots as memorial to his fallen brother.

Today he is mastering archery, standing up straight while pulling back a stiff sinew bow. Unlike throwing knives or fighting barehanded, the arrows require a sense of space and speed. In Vali's concentration, he is alone on the field with the target, listening for the angle of the wind, only releasing when it has exhaled a final breath of draft before him. The arrow whizzes through the air, just about to hit his chosen mark, when its path is thrown off course by a competing shot.

"You can beat me at daggers and magic, Lokison, but you will never land an arrow like I can!" Ragfrieda, the daughter of Heimdall, also trains on the field this day. She is particularly skilled with her shots, evident by the ability to knock Vali's arrow off its goal midair, almost embarrassingly good to the other students. The woman smiles coyly at her friend, her golden eyes shining back to him in juxtaposition to the blue atmosphere of New Asgard. She has dark skin like her father: a deep ebony that appears thick and smooth. Ragfrieda always wears her hair in small braids, a different pattern every day, sometimes in long locks that trail down her back and sometimes wrapped atop her head with an ornate scarf. Her armor is golden, shaped mostly by a tight breastplate that is covered with the rest of her mustard yellow outfit.

Vali is slightly annoyed by his failed shot, but smiles at the girl. It is obvious that this is not the first time she has foiled one of his arrows. He continues to smile involuntarily while shaking his head in disapproval.

"My, my... Must you show off so, Rigs?" Ragfreida just scrunches her nose at him in jest. Vali revels in his long-time pet name for her. He grasps another arrow from the quiver he has slung across his back, and takes aim again.

"I wouldn't have to show off if you didn't make it so easy to see your next move, Lokison." Many years have been spent at various trainings and exercises, always ending somewhere with these flirtatious jabs at one another. Vali watches her take aim with two arrows on the bow, arching her forearm away without a guard, releasing with such grace that the tight bowstring makes no sound. Both of her arrows land expertly on the target, no further apart at their rest than they were when she loaded them.

"Well, I might as well give up now, shouldn't I?" Vali teases her right back, though her talent is unmistakable. The compliment makes her smile, just as the high whistle from their instructor calls all the trainees back inside. Today's lesson is over.

Vali retrieves his wayward arrow and Rigs does the same with hers. The few other students who dare take a shot in front of the girl sheepishly run out to grab their own. None of them speak, focusing on finding the arrows. Vali has to keep his mind on the task at hand and tries not to stare at Rigs, who looks even more pretty in the setting sun than usual. He keeps his admiration closely hidden, so much so that the girl has no clue that he regards her so fondly. If Rigs were only aware of his thoughts, she might reciprocate. Her seer skills are not as honed as her father's, so until Vali has the courage to confess, she will remain in the dark.

The two are close friends, nonetheless, and are viewed as inseparable by the other students. Seeing as none of them have had to use their skills in real battle, the time of peace makes training a casual affair. All of the trainees gather in the great hall after the lessons, still staffed with generations of servants to the throne: people who have not yet decided for themselves what to make of the new Yggdrasill, so they revert to their known skills. While some of the people on Asgard do not blink an eye at the treatment of the servant class, especially those of nobility, Vali is all too familiar with his mother's upbringing. The mere sight of the worker bees hustling around the great hall makes him terribly uncomfortable.

Thor comes to join the new warriors, making every attempt to be one of the people, despite his ignorance to the fact that most of his realm cannot attend such feasts. Modi follows closely behind, always in adjacent trail with his father at such occasions. Vali barely remembers the days spent first meeting Modi with his brother, having been so traumatized by his father's fragility, the Ragnarok, and the death of Narvi. They recognize one another in the palace, but they rarely, if ever, speak to one another.

"To the training warriors of Yggdrasill, it is an honor to address you all as the finest generation of soldiers these realms have ever seen, or ever will see. May you continue to grow in your skills, your loyalty, and your compassion!" Thor raises his goblet for a toast, which is echoed by all in the venue, cheering. Modi raises his as well, but is silent. Behind his father's loud gestures, Modi is invisible, as he prefers it.

...

Vali walks with Rigs to the Bifrost, ready to return home until the next training. The precise date has yet to be announced, leaving some uncertainty of time between them, but they do not fret; Vali visits her often in Dagheim, sharing stories and helping one another hone their skills. Vali has been invited to a meeting in the morning with his father, and hopes to hear about a day on the calendar ahead to look forward to. They laugh as they stroll, standing almost too close together, joking with one another about the day.

"Next time we meet, I will not be so easily marked, Rigs. You cannot see my every thought so clearly."

"Not yet, but you are too predictable, Lokison. It will take much to surprise me."

Vali has no answer, and just walks with heavy steps. His smile falls at the thought that she can see into his heart, ruining his secret, and tarnishing their friendship. But her subtle dimples tell him his worry is for naught.

"It may take less than you think, just you wait."

They reach the Bifrost and say a farewell. The two embrace briefly, but are always genuinely sad to see the other leave. Vali leaves first, stepping into the portal backwards so as not to lose sight of Rigs until the journey starts.

As he watches her figure fade behind the light, Vali considers how he might surprise the girl into becoming more than allies. In direct contrast to the evil that stirs behind Asgard's throne, joy and anxiety grow in Vali's heart.