Valkyrie, individual designation: Thrud.
That was what the all-father called her. Thrud.
She knew she was no different from every other Valkyrie. All of them were equal, had the same personality, the same principles.
Pride and valour, that was what the all-father Odin put inside her. After all, pride in oneself was required to judge heroes. Valour was required to guide those imposing fighters; and to destroy threats to the nine realms.
Anything else was a pointless. Yet, inside her, there were many pointless things.
She didn't think much. She only learned and shared with her sisters.
They were as one.
Brynhildr, their eldest, raised them. She trained them, played with them, told them stories. But it was her duty of course. Nothing else.
Yet, despite knowing that, Thrud felt warm whenever she was with her.
Feelings were unnecessary. They produced lapses in judgement.
Yet, despite knowing that, Thrud spent every free second in company of her eldest, to get more of that strange warmth.
Valkyries cared for all of their sisters. That's what was programmed into them. None of it was real.
Yet, despite knowing that, Thrud felt something break when Brynhildr abandoned everything for a human.
She asked her sisters why, but none had an answer. So she did the unthinkable.
She cut herself off for a few seconds, and allowed that unpleasant feeling to overwhelm her for. This is why they should not have feelings, no individuality. It hurt.
In that moment, Valkyrie Thrud knew she was broken.
She would protect her sisters from that hurt.
The Castle of Ice stood ahead of them. It was imposing, but nothing new for Ritsuka Fujimaru, who had seen her fair share of terrifying castles and fortresses.
The castle was perfectly shaped. A sculpture rather than a place to live.
That's where Skadi was. That's where the answer to the whereabouts of the Tree of Emptiness where hidden, as well as the Paper Moon, which would allow them to get out of the Lostbelt. Thus, they had no other option than to go face her.
And so, Ritsuka found herself on the ice bridge that lead towards Skadi's castle. Mash stood at the front, shield held up, while Napoleon was not far behind and always ready to assist. Fujimaru herself stood at the very back. Having less than three Servants was always a hassle, because it was up to her to guard the rear.
As usual on the Scandinavian Lostbelt, the day was chilly but counteracted by the giant sun raining heat on everything. The place still smelled like an empty fridge, dry and cold.
About halfway through the bridge, five masked ice giants climbed from under it to stand in their way. Three stood close together at the centre, while two others advanced near the handholds of the bridge.
"Damn," she mouthed as Mash and Napoleon deployed their weapons and engaged the enemy.
"Napoleon!" She shouted. The tall Archer class Servant, standing by her side, turned to her slightly. "Destroy those flankers! Mash, keep the centre ones busy" She ordered him, pointing towards two huge giants that where approaching Mash from the sides.
"Leave it to me!" He shouted as he deployed his canon and began firing it as if it were a machine gun. Soon, the giants fell under his hail of bullets.
"Thanks commander!" Mash said, voice strained. "Ha!" She used her shield and bashed a giant over the head, also destroying it. Two others then took it's place and attacked Mash. The demi Servant was pushed back slightly from the force of the strike. With a deep breath, the Ortinax began to let off steam.
"You okay Mash?" Ritsuka asked.
"Ortinax output stable. Preparing to reengage!" Mash said as the Ortinax made a humming sound.
"Alright Mash, engage the enemy, wait until they strike and get out of the way. Napoleon, take the shot when they are vulnerable." She ordered.
"Oui!" Napoleon shouted as he loaded a bigger than usual round on his weapon.
Mushed used boosters on the Ortinax and charged forward. Of the three remaining giants, one was body slammed and left reeling. The other two attacked, but they were too slow. Mash dodged out of the way.
"Ready!" She shouted as she retreated.
"Let's see if this one's your size!" He said as he aimed his cannon, and fired. An explosion rung out, near blowing Ritsuka's ears away. The ground in front of him shook as a ball of fire shot out at incredibly high speeds towards the targets.
An explosion ensued, and the giants were blown away and disintegrated. In the end, nothing but smoke and ash was left.
"No hostiles, Senpai. Barely a strain on Ortinax." Mash said as she lifted her visor.
"Good. Let's get going then. Any more fights and I fear I'll go deaf," Ritsuka said as she scratched her ear. Luckily there was no bleeding.
"I may be able to do the impossible, but muffling my cannon is one I cannot do, so you'll have to bear with it private," Napoleon said, slightly apologetic. The group began walking across the bridge. Luckily, no more enemies popped out.
"We could ask Da Vinci for ear muffles Senpai. Or maybe she could modify Napoleon's cannon, if he'll allow it," said Mash. The group crossed a threshold that indicated they were halfway to the entrance. Ritsuka looked to her sides and behind every so often.
"Oh don't bother your little inventor, private. I doubt I'd have time to make good use of it," Napoleon said.
"You speak as if you won't stick around," Ritsuka said, slightly worried.
"My purpose is to be here and now," he said.
"But... don't you want to remain with us? We could use your help, especially if Ophelia does end up changing sides." Mash said. Ritsuka frowned, there she was again.
"I doubt Ophelia will turn around Mash," she argued, looking at the ground.
"Senpai…" Mash said, a hint of sadness in her voice. Ritsuka didn't need that.
"Our enemies are only getting more and more determined. It feels like reasoning with them is a waste of time," said Ritsuka.
"Have you lost hope, Mon Sheri?" Asked Napoleon with his big, toothy smile.
"Huh? No! Of course not!" She protested. She was not losing hope. She was just tired, of arguing, of trying to talk sense into psychos, tyrants or people like Kadoc that just spited her.
"Then don't lose hope in others. I became like I am because the people hoped I'd be the hero to answer their wishes. If you hope, and wish, and try to get the best out of others, you may get a powerful ally. If you give up, you'll only end up dying alone. I'm sure your fellow Emiya knows a little about that," Ritsuka thought about it. Yes, Shirou always seemed distant from everyone else. He was polite and friendly, willing to help, fight and sacrifice himself for others. But he rarely spoke about himself in any positive light, or any light at all.
She didn't want to be like that. She hadn't saved humanity by being like that.
"I understand," she said.
"Good! Cause we got company, and thus the time for chat is over!" Napoleon said, looking ahead.
They arrived on a courtyard shaped like a semicircle, the huge gates of the castle a dozen meters ahead of them. In front of them was a familiar face.
"Master! Servant Sigurd detected!" Mash said, stepping near Ritsuka to protect her. Napoleon did no such thing, walking ahead of them instead.
"And we meet again, demonic sword user!" He said, voice booming. Saber did not move.
"You are quite giddy, despite the failure of your plan,"
"What do you mean?" Ritsuka asked. From behind Saber, the Valkyries materialized.
"Confirming presence of two Valkyrie commanders! But… one is missing" Mash said.
"So that's how it is," Ritsuka said, narrowing her eyes.
"Don't be a drag," Saber said to the two Valkyries.
Mash lowered her visor, while Archer readied his canon. Ritsuka activated her Mystic Code. One of it's abilities was Predictive Evasion, which allowed her a little bit of Clairvoyance and to grant her Servants that ability for a few seconds. The second she activated it, all she could see was Mash's imminent death.
"Begin–"
"Watch out!" Ritsuka screamed. Before Mash could even lower her shield, Saber had struck at her with his crimson sword. He was way too fast.
The Servant of the Shield flew back a few meters, before she was able to dig her heels into the ice bridge and held her shield steady. Sigurd did not let up, moving like a flash to attack her.
The two Valkyries moved forward as well, attempting to attack Ritsuka.
"Not so fast!" Napoleon yelled as his cannon rained fire upon the two demigods. Thrud and Ortlinde blocked his shots with their shields. Their charge not stopped in the slightest.
The two lancers switched targets to the Heroic Spirit, attacking him in unison. Napoleon blocked them with his massive cannon, but it was no good against a barrage of attacks coming from multiple directions. The Valkyries moved as fast as fighter jets.
Ritsuka grit her teeth, she had no choice but to use another ability of her mystic code, Phantasmal Reinforcement. It was almost like a Mana Burst, but it formed a protective aura around the target while enhancing their physical and magical attacks. More effective on spirits.
"Let's get back to Mash, Napoleon!" Ritsuka ordered, running towards him.
"Got it!" He yelled. Narrowing his eyes, he grabbed his cannon by the nose and spun it like a club. The Valkyries retreated slightly, intent on going back into the offensive. Napoleon responded by firing into the sky. Soon enough, the shot split into multiple, and fell down like meteors. The Valkyries had little choice but to block them in place.
Napoleon grinned, and reunited with Ritsuka. The girl could smell the gunpowder in the air now. And the sounds were those of a war zone.
"Let's go!" He said, putting an arm around her waist, lifting her up, and then firing his cannon into the ground. They both got propelled way back, over Mash and Sigurd, and back towards the side of the bridge connecting to the mainland.
Ritsuka saw her then, Mash holding her ground against Sigurd. The Servant of the Sword kept pounding at her shield with wild abandon, crimson slashes always forcing it out of the way with loud scratching and electric sounds before Mash brought it back into position. He was less a knight and more a monster. An opening was sure to occur soon.
"Help her," she ordered. Napoleon nodded, preparing to fire. "Mash! Get out of there!" Mash nodded, arms shaking.
Napoleon fired, a cannonball enveloped in flames flew at Sigurd and hit him head on. The Saber Servant was barely moved by that. Then, Mash took a few steps back and grabbed her shield. It shifted a little, and from it's south prong a small cannon emerged.
"Bunker Bolt, reload!" She said. The weapon moved a little, it's inner mechanisms crunching against each other. Sigurd was fast, but the momentary distraction of the cannon fire and resulting smoke was enough. "Fire!"
A bright red ball of energy shot forwards, and Sigurd was struck on the chest. Even so, the Servant remained standing. Mash retreated back to her companions.
The two Valkyries were at Sigurd's side not a second after.
Both sides ended like they started, with Mash a little worse for wear. The air had shifted. Ritsuka recognized the smell of something burning.
"H-He's strong!" Mash said, the Ortinax letting out steam. The hissing sound was almost like a breath of relief.
"But not invincible," Ritsuka said, watching the small burn marks on Sigurd, his crimson eyes staring at them in fury.
"A crack in the shell…" Napoleon muttered.
"We'll rectify that error," Ortlinde said, stepping up.
"Agreed. Your destruction is inevitable. Surrender," Thrud said.
"Hmph. Standing up for me now?" Sigurd asked. Even with his mouth cover, Ritsuka could imagine he had wicked smile.
"Once we have disposed of these invaders, Hildr will realize her mistake and come back," Thrud stated.
Ritsuka held her breath. One of the Valkyries had turned. But that meant…
"What are you doing?" Asked a voice. Everything fell silent, except for the sound of leather boots against a hard surface. Once Sigurd turned, Ritsuka could clearly see the person behind him.
Ophelia Phamrsolone. And her dreadful Mystic Eye.
"Ophelia…" Mash whispered. The woman said nothing. Then she closed her eye for a moment and then began walking forwards. She didn't look any of her allies in the eye as she advanced past Sigurd and the Valkyries before stopping a few meters ahead of them.
She looked only at Mash.
"We know you want to release Sinmara. You planned to distract us. Too bad Ortlinde and Thrud were a step ahead of you. I truly underestimated them," Ophelia said.
"Damn," Ritsuka said, grimacing. She then shook her head. "Well, why isn't Skadi here?"
"Our Queen told us to stay back. In the meantime, we will deal with you, since you are clearly not worthy of her time," Thrud said, reading her spear. Ortlinde did the same.
"Good to come by, Master. Release my third limiter, and let's be done with this," Sigurd said. He seemed almost delighted. Ophelia didn't even turn to him.
"Shut up, Saber," she spat out.
"My dear Ophelia! Are you reconsidering? I pray you have, for I've come once again!" Archer claimed. Her eye turned in Napoleon's direction for a second, glaring, before going back to Mash.
"I'm surprised by your behaviour, Archer. You still haven't given up."
"Well, I–"
"It's still very displeasing. My answer will not change. Now… Mash," Mash stood straight, lifting her visor. Ritsuka could see her half closed eyes.
"Yes?"
"Why did you come back? I gave you one chance…"
"I have to fight, Ophelia. That is why."
"You've seen Saber's power, and yet you still came to fight? Can't you see I'm trying to save you?" Ophelia kept her voice even, but even Ritsuka could see the strain she was under.
"I…" Mash hesitated. Ritsuka knew how much this troubled her. So she did her best, without interfering. She took her hand. Mash looked at her with her purple eyes, and gave an inkling of a smile before turning back to her ex teammate. "...I cannot turn back. I'm sorry but… you can't save me and be a Crypter. That's how it is," Ritsuka grimaced, as did Ophelia. It was a harsh reality, one she hated deeply.
"You'll die for nothing, there is no future for humanity." She said.
"You're wrong Ophelia. You're not my enemy, you can still come with us."
"Come with you? What are you saying?" Ophelia asked.
"You said you wanted to hear stories about my travels. I can still tell you. We can still be friends and share a future." Mash said. Ritsuka could see Ophelia tense. The area was silent except for the wind, the distant sound of giant footsteps, and the words being exchanged.
"We could have had that, but it's too late now," Ophelia said. Mash stepped forward.
"It's not! We are fighting, we are alive, we are moving forward! I don't care what you did, we can still build a new future, together!" Mash said, nearly shouting. Ritsuka had not seen her so worked up since Camelot. Ophelia was even more bewildered, staring at Mash in shock.
"Very cute, hybrid. But some things are inevitable. You two were destined to be enemies and that's all there is. Just deal with it," Sigurd said.
"Very twisted coming from you," Napoleon said. His voice was low and growling. Ritsuka had never seen him that spiteful.
"Hmm. I'm not really sure what you're talking about, and I don't care."
When Ophelia recovered, all she did was close her eye shut before taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry, Mash, but no one can save me. This is all I can do." At this, Ritsuka stepped up.
"With 'this' you mean Wodime? The Alien God?" She asked. Ophelia looked at her with a piercing gaze.
"No. You would never understand, Master of Chaldea. Someone who has bonds so easily coming to them can never hope to. Figures it's easy for you to destroy worlds. Now," Ritsuka froze, both at her words, and at the sight of Ophelia's now uncovered mystic eye. That veiny, red thing that she could hear pulsing in her head was an awful sight. "Let's finish this. Saber, I'll release your third limiter, and force your final ascension," she said, lifting her hand where her command seals were.
A red glow emanated, and Saber was engulfed in a crimson light. For a moment, all Ritsuka could hear was crackling, and an overpowering aroma of sulphur filled her nostrils as snow was thrown about.
When everything was over, Sigurd stood unmasked. He now wore a cape, and his armour was padded with metal plates and spikes. He had a white, beautiful face, almost like a sculpture. White hair and eyes adorned by glasses that were odd on someone so a distant age. Looking at him, Ritsuka imagined someone calmed, noble and collected. However, right now, he looked wicked, wearing a fanged smile that seemed unnatural to his face, and crimson eyes that glowed like those of a demon.
"Master! Detecting a massive energy coming from Sigurd!" Mash said.
"Indeed," said Da Vinci from their intercom. "The amount of magical energy skyrocketed without his limiter. And there seems to be something else on his Spirit Origin, an additional power. Be extremely careful."
"His sword has changed too. And he has a real nasty smile. But I'll admit, those glasses look nice," Napoleon said, back to his jovial self
"Hmm. They are supposed to represent the wisdom of the gods. Not like I care. To me, all there is is gutting you. So let's get on with it," Said Sigurd, readying his sword, which had become emerald in colour, as well as other glowing knives around him.
"Thrud, Ortlinde. Assist him." Ophelia ordered.
"Roger that." Said the Valkyries, lifting up from the floor.
"Enemies are engaging!" Mash said.
"Focus on Sigurd, we need–!"
Then, something came down. In the space behind Ophelia, a meteor crashed and destroyed the bridge.
Ritsuka and Ophelia nearly tumbled to the ground, while the rest of the Servants merely shielded themselves from the smoke.
"What the…?" Ritsuka tried to speak, but a loud sound from her communicator interrupted her.
"Guys? We're seeing a huge spike of magical energy. It's massive! And the temperature is rising substantially! What is going on down there?!" She heard Meuniere ask, but could not see his projection.
"I'll get back to you on that," she said before closing the line.
Soon, the smoke cleared. Ophelia, Sigurd and the two Valkyries had turned their backs to them like nothing.
On the cracked ice bridge stood a lone woman. Her skin was wrinkled and brown, her hair the colour of ash, and the smell of something burning filled her nostrils.
"Is that…?" Mash began, before being interrupted.
"SKADI!" Screamed the woman. It reverberated through the entire area, and Ritsuka had to cover her ears. "Bring him back! You hear me?!"
After her scream, the entire area went silent. A few seconds later, Thrud turned to Ortlinde.
"Prepare to subdue Sinmara. Call upon the envoys," she stated calmly.
"Very well," then Thrud turned to the Crypter.
"Lady Ophelia, stay behind us," Thrud said, shoving the woman behind them. She then looked at Saber, who stared at Sinmara with an empty expression.
"Saber?"
"Well now, she's got much more spunk since we met," he said, wicked smile returning.
"What are you saying? You know her?" Ophelia asked.
"There's no way she knows him. They lived in different times, different stories," Mash stated in a low voice.
Ritsuka said nothing, observing the woman intently. She would seem almost normal, except her red and black robe gave away she was not of the age. She was also very tall and muscled, if a bit lean.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Napoleon said, before looking up. "Brace yourselves."
From the top of the castle, a large stake of ice flew towards Sinmara. However, she only lifted one finger, and it evaporated into nothing.
Skadi emerged from her lair, flying high up before lowering a few meters away from her opponent. Ritsuka felt the air shift, the pressure increase.
"Skadi…" Sinmara hissed. The queen's expression did not change from her slightly displeased one.
"Sister… oh…" she said, closing her eyes, as if bearing some pain.
"Don't call me that. You lost that right," replied Sinmara.
"By saving you?" Skadi asked, eyes narrowed.
"You put masks on my brethren, only allowing them to wander around like mindless puppets," Sinmara said, pointing a finger in Skadi's direction.
"So that's why they seem docile," Mash whispered.
"I had to. They would have wiped the humans out," Skadi stated.
"They were just trying to survive. But you never were one of us after all. You simply slept with the gods," as she said that, Ritsuka felt the area grow hotter.
"I loved all of you."
"That's the problem. You love us all, but in the end, you end up loving nobody. Give me back Surtr, my beloved, and I may forgive you,"
"He strayed from his path, and you allowed him. I love you like I would my own blood Sinmara. Don't force me to kill you,"
"If you won't release him, then I will. I love him more than whatever it is you feel for me. I'll give up anything. Even this world. Now," she said, before extending her right hand. It was engulfed in fire, before the flames all converged into a single point in her hand and a sword of lava formed. "I will kill you."
Ritsuka could feel the killing intent from far away.
"That's–!" Mash said.
"Her noble phantasm. Laevalin. A sword made with the concept of ending the Age of the Gods. She's not the owner, so it's not at full power," Da Vinci said over the intercom.
"It certainly feels like full power," Napoleon said. There was no joy in his voice.
"You will try," said Skadi, grimacing. Ritsuka had never seen her expression so pained before. "And you will fail."
With a scream, Sinmara jumped forwards, thrusting the sword towards Skadi. The queen erected a wall of ice, but it soon it gave out, and she was launched like a cannonball towards the castle, breaking through the walls with great force. Sinmara followed with her inhuman strength.
"Looks like it's going down!" Napoleon said, readying his cannon.
"Let's help Sinmara." Ritsuka announced. Mash nodded, readying her shield.
"Got it! Initiating pursuit!" She said, beginning her advance.
"You will not!" Ophelia said, as her eye began to shine red. "Phenomena. Shufen Auß–!"
However, as she was about to activate her mystic eye, the sky shone brighter. Ophelia turned around, but Thrud was faster, and she blocked an incoming arrow. No, it was more like a bolt of energy, or a missile, that exploded in blue flames.
Ritsuka turned to the sky. She saw a figure in the distance, and behind her, two additional dots.
"Are those…?"
"Visual confirmation, it's–!" Before Mash could say anything else, the figure shot forwards like a comet, engulfed in a sparkling flame.
"Sigurd!" The scream pierced her ears, and the comet impacted it's target. Indeed, it was Brynhildr, who was holding her spear using her whole body to try and thrust it inside Sigurd. Unfortunately, he merely blocked it with his emerald sword, but not before being pushed towards the edge of the bridge. Not even by digging his boots and uprooting the ice could he stand his ground.
With a scream, Sigurd managed to push Brynhildr off him and towards Ritsuka's group.
"Cover her Napoleon!" Ritsuka ordered as Sigurd began to advance upon the Valkyrie.
"Got it!" He said as he shot towards the Saber class Servant, who was once again forced to block various explosion, giving Ritsuka enough time to run towards Brynhildr.
"You okay?" she asked, using her mystic code's healing function. The Valkyrie didn't turn her gaze away from Sigurd.
"Now that I've found him… my dear Sigurd… my fate… no mere injury will stop me." She said, standing up. Ritsuka could feel an incredible amount of magical energy around her. It made the hairs at the back of her hair rise up.
"Wow. Okay," she said, getting behind Mash, who had advanced towards her position.
"Hmph. So it's you," she heard Sigurd say, who stood opposite of them. His wicked smile was gone.
"Sigurd," Brynhildr said, almost as if breathing that name. "I'm finally here."
"I never expected you to come back. I had thought they locked you up good," he said, as if seeing Brynhildr did nothing for him.
"You speak like you don't know me," Brynhildr stated, expression pained.
"I don't care who you are honestly. However, you are a Valkyrie. I'll enjoy breaking you, and then making you beg for mercy as you crawl on the ground, Daughter of Odin."
"I don't know what's wrong with you, my Sigurd. But I'll accomplish what I set out to do! I'll kill you with all the grief in my heart!" She declared. In that moment, Thrud and Ortlinde stepped up.
"Sister," Thrud said, frowning.
"We'll take you down as well," Ortlinde said.
"Ahh," Brynhildr lamented. "You can't. You know this. Please stop. The only person I need to kill is Sigurd," she said. Thrud's frown deepened.
"So you'll fight alongside me? How quaint," said Sigurd.
"This is one of hell of a family reunion. I guess no matter where you are, it's inevitable to cause pain to those you love," Napoleon added.
"Where is the other human, Sister?" Thrud asked suddenly. Brynhildr said nothing. Then, Thrud's eyes widened slightly, and she turned to the sky. "I see."
Before Fujimaru could even blink, Thrud shot up towards the sky.
"Sister!" Ortlinde said. It was too late, Thrud was gone.
"Why? Why did the Valkyrie commander leave the battlefield?" Mash asked.
"Emiya," Brynhildr whispered.
"Shirou?" Ritsuka asked. She looked to the sky again. So one of those dots was Shirou. But that left the question, who was the other one?
"Yes."
"Let's focus on the now, Private!" Napoleon said, readying his cannon. Mash nodded, raising her shield.
From the side of Sigurd, Ophelia stepped up.
"Mash. Master of Chaldea," she said, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but Wodime's dream must come true. Saber! Destroy them," She ordered, pain visible in her eyes. Sigurd readied his sword, while Ortlinde got into a battle position.
"I'll provide assistance. Enhancing performance beyond safe limits!" She screamed as her eyes began shinning brightly and energy crackled around her.
"Ortlinde, don't…!" Ophelia began to say.
"It's alright," Ortlinde answered. However, her shaking body provided all the proof that was needed. She was breaking down under the strain of her power. "I'll accomplish my objective no matter what. Beginning combat!"
Sigurd and Ortlinde charged forward, while Mash stood her ground. Napoleon fired his cannon, and Brynhildr engaged Sigurd.
The battle had begun. Having so many Servants fighting at full power strained her. It was most evident on her left hand, where her command seals where. It didn't take long to feel it cramp and go numb.
Still, she didn't take her eyes off Ophelia, who seemed to command her Servants with silent signals and assisting with minor spirits she summoned.
Ritsuka thought of Shirou for a second. She hoped he was alright.
His shot had been blocked. Saber had grown significantly more powerful. Soon he'd have to begin using Noble Phantasms. He had fifteen fine ones at best. He had to make them count.
"Elder Sister has engaged the enemy," Hildr said. Shirou nodded as he nocked another projected arrow into his black bow. Well, not his. Like a great deal of his arsenal, it was borrowed from his future self.
They had followed Sinmara through the skies, but the Jotün woman was significantly faster than them. Only Brynhildr could keep up. And even then, she was slowed by carrying Shirou himself. When the Valkyrie spotted Sigurd, he was immediately dropped on the spot, only saved by Hildr casting a levitation rune.
"I'll provide support from here, then," Shirou said. He saw from afar, thanks to his hawkeye, how Brynhildr and the others engaged Sigurd and Ortlinde. However, something was amiss.
"Emiya!" He turned to Hildr for a split second, who rushed towards him, shield raised.
A blur of blonde hair struck him, carrying him through the air at insane speeds. He blocked a spear of light with his bow, which held strong thanks to it's excellent make.
Shirou met Thrud's ruby eyes. They were filled with rage. He had never seen her like that.
She lodged the spear out of his bow and kicked him down towards the ground. His fall was only cushioned by his placing his Divine Iron shield towards the ground.
He broke through the ice sheet covering the lake, and fell into the icy water.
He felt numb. It was cold. It was so cold it hurt. His limbs could barely move. But they could move, and so he swam up towards the whole in the ice sheet.
He emerged, gasping for air and heat with his lower half still submerged, only to find a spear of light pointing at his face.
He stared at Thrud's angry, unblinking eyes. He could tell from her gaze. She hated him.
The person that had saved his life once, was about to end it.
An incredible sadness took over him. But even so, he was fine with it. He'd rather have his life ended by a lover than by someone else.
However, it was not to be. A pink blur came and kicked Thrud away. The blonde Valkyrie slid through the ice sheet, managing to hold her ground a few meters away from them.
Hildr had come to his rescue.
"Steel yourself, human," said Hildr. Shirou understood, and quickly got out of the water.
"Thanks Hildr," he muttered. He was cold, but he could fight. His Mystic Code still gave him some manner of protection.
Hildr simply hummed in acknowledgment. That was a start.
Ahead of them, Thrud grit her teeth. Another show of emotion Shirou had never seen her make before. However, now she only stared at Hildr.
Then, Thrud seemed to explode, her contained anger no longer able to be held.
"TRAITOR!"
Both Hildr and Shirou stared at her in shock for a few moments. Thrud did nothing else, simply staring at them with a frown and pursed lips.
"Sister…"
"Thrud…"
"How could you do this?" Thrud asked. "You were supposed to be the same as us! A Valkyrie following orders! We were fine like that!"
Hildr said nothing for a moment, looking at the ground with a sad gaze.
"Were we?" She asked, staring her sister head on. "I was not."
"We didn't have to think, we didn't have to suffer. You did the same thing as sister Brynhildr! You abandoned us for a human!"
"I didn't abandon you!" Hildr screamed back.
"Yes you did! Now pay the price!" Thrud shot forwards, crashing into Hildr, her charge only stopped by the divine iron shield of the pink haired Valkyrie.
Shirou realised then that Thrud was not going to stop.
So he traced his twin swords. He had to stop this.
Hildr moved the spear away, and moved to strike with her own. However, Thrud was faster, and smashed her shield against Hildr's face. The pink haired Valkyrie recoiled back, and it seemed Thrud was poised for a decisive strike.
So Shirou stepped in. He slashed at Thrud, or attempted to. He didn't want to hurt her, and so made it easy for Thrud to dodge and step back.
Once she retreated, he positioned himself between her and Hildr, pointing Yang sword Bakuya towards Thrud.
"Why you…! What do you gain from this?!" Thrud asked.
"I don't want to see you two hurt each other," he said.
"How hypocritical. You led Hildr down this path." Thrud replied.
"She chose out of her own volition," he replied. Then he lowered his sword. "I… listen… I know it hurts…"
"How would you know? You claim to love and understand us, but all you did is tear us apart. That does not make sense," she said. Shirou grit his teeth.
Yes, from the very beginning, this was a foolish endeavour. He should never have talked to the Valkyries in the first place. Even if he managed to save them, they would die anyway. He was only setting himself up for pain yet could not let go of that feeling of longing, the void the Valkyries he had summoned left in his heart could not be filled by anyone else. There was no one like them in the world.
"I know that you love your sisters, and Brynhildr more than anything." Thrud's eyes widened.
"How do you…?"
"It's true," said Hildr, stepping up. "I know you love us. You always take care of us, despite how cold you act. Despite always trying to hide it, you are the most aware of your emotions, aren't you? Sister Brynhildr leaving, that must have hurt a lot. Not that I would now. But… losing every single one of my sisters except you two, it was an unimaginable pain."
"I know. I felt it as well. You and Ortlinde are everything I have left. But feelings and emotions, they make you selfish. It was because of love that sister Brynhildr left us, and because of that I was made aware of these awful sensations that resided in my chest. I don't want that to happen to you!" Thrud said. Her voice was cracking. "That's why I have this awful feeling whenever I look at him! He is just like Sigurd!"
Shirou pursed his lips. He was just like Sigurd, someone the Valkyrie sisters disliked immensely. That comparison hurt.
"I may be like Sigurd. I am a selfish hypocrite, wishing only to be a hero and save others to soften my guilt," Shirou said, looking at her straight in the eye. "But I'd never abandon you. That's the one thing I'de never do."
"You're lying…"
"I'm not! Love makes us do foolish things, but also makes us push beyond our limits. It's what made your sister go beyond being a Valkyrie, and actually become a hero. That same kind of love is what keeps me going, what keep me fighting for a better future, the impossible dream of seeing you again in Valhalla."
Thrud said nothing for a moment. She was stunned at his declaration. Hildr remained silent as well.
He had bared his heart out to Thrud. He felt embarrassed, but also relieved.
"I just don't want to lose anything else… I don't want to keep feeling that pain..." Thrud said. Shirou's chest tightened. He knew that feeling very well.
"I…"
An explosion shook the entire area. The three of them were forced to look back towards the bridge.
"Sister…" Thrud whispered. "She's fighting Sigurd…" Shirou sensed something was amiss. He knew it since looking at his crimson eyes and wicked smile.
"Hildr! Take me to her!" He said. Hildr looked at him with confusion before nodding.
Like Brynhildr, she picked him up by grabbing him by the waist. "Don't think too much of this, human."
"Why would I care about that?" Shirou asked. Then he looked back at Thrud, as did Hildr.
"What are you going to do sister?" Hildr asked. Thrud looked at the ground, as if unsure about what to do.
"I…" Without saying anything, Thrud flew away.
"Sister!" Hildr shouted, extending her hand.
"Let her go, we need to help the others," Shirou said. Hildr looked back and forth, before steeling he resolve.
"Roger,"
With that, they flew towards the bridge. It was covered in smoke, however, Shirou could spot Mash and Ritsuka standing at the edge. He and Hildr landed at their side. Something akin to sulphur filled his nostrils, and the steps of giants seemed to be getting louder and faster.
"Mash, Fujimaru!" He said as Hildr dropped him. Master and Servant turned towards him with a smile.
"Emiya Senpai! You're okay! And you brought the Valkyrie commander on our side!" Mash said, clearly overjoyed. Of course it had to be because their chances of victory increased.
"We're still deliberating on that, what happened?" Hildr asked. Ritsuka and Mash then turned towards Brynhildr, who was impaling Sigurd through the chest. Or so it looked like.
"What the…?" Ritsuka whispered.
Sigurd was not being stabbed at all. He had stopped the spear with one hand.
"M-My spear… how can this–?" Brynhildr said, before an emerald blade pierced her through the chest. Seeing her blood splatter, made Shirou's ears ring.
"Sister!" Hildr screamed.
"You see, child of Odin," Sigurd said, his eyes now turning a bright orange, pupils gone completely. "I'm not Sigurd."
A/N: Another cliffhanger. Part 9 will come shortly, once I'm done with exams.
How was Shirou's talk with Thrud? I'm not sure how good of a job I did, so please tell me in the reviews. And as always, any tips to improve and criticism are welcome
As you all know, next up comes the battle with Surtr, and maybe a short Skadi vs Sinmara.
That is all for now, chiao!