There was an air of curiosity over the grassy meadow just outside Vilnore whereLenneth had ordered the Einherjar to gather. All they knew was that Valkyrie was bringing a new Einherjar to meet them, as was the custom when a newcomer joined their ranks. They talked amongst themselves, speculating what the newest warrior would be. A Swordsman? Mage? A man or woman? Finally, Lenneth and Walker materialized into the field, instantly ending the speculation. The female Einherjar gasped at the Goth's handsome face, pasty white skin and rock-hard body.
"Oh my goodness, he's gorgeous," Nanami whispered.
"Eh, I've seen better," Mystina snorted disinterestedly.
"Come on Misty, you're blushing as much of any of us. ," Nanami said.
Walker looked over his comrades with growing horror. He couldn't believe it. This was what he'd signed up for?
"Lenneth-Sama? May I speak with you? Alone?" he hissed to her. The Goddess nodded and told the Einherjar they would return shortly. They walked some distance away, out of the the Einherjar's earshot.
"Is something wrong?" she asked with a hint of concern in her voice. New souls that she had recruited would often look to her as a mother figure, seeking her advice and support as they adapted to their new lives as weapons of the gods.
"You never said I'd be fighting with a bunch of retards and woman watching my back! How could you overlook this?" Walker screeched indignantly. Lenneth's eyes opened wide at this complaint.
"You object to fighting alongside women? Have you failed to notice that I myself am one?" There was no anger in her voice, only surprise at such a concept.
"I make an exception for you on account of you being a Goddess, Lenneth-Sama. However, In my experience, they are too stupid to be of any use on the battlefield and are fit only for menial chores and childbearing."
"I must disagree with you. My female Einherjar have proven themselves to be more than adequate on the field of battle. I'm sorry that you object to the idea of fighting alongside women but that is simply how it is going to be." Walker's response to this was to snort in disgust. "Now, if you have nothing else to discuss I suggest you get acquainted with the other Einherjar."
Walker was thus forced to exchange names and introductions with the other Einherjar. At times he could barely restrain himself from launching into a detailed criticism of their fashion sense, weaponry, lack of physical beauty and the lamentable state of their personal hygiene , His mood did brighten when he found his old friend Arngrim amongst their ranks, and the two spent some time together catching up on old times and swapping stories. Following the introductions, Valkyrie made an announcement.
"Suo, Aelia, Yumei, and I shall be embarking on a journey to the Cave of Oblivion. The rest of you are to train your skills until our return." Valkyrie then nodded to Mystina, who summoned three dragon lords to serve as training dummies. Walker, who was at least a thousand times more powerful than the other Einherjar, saw no reason to participate and told Lenneth as such. Kashell, who had been a real pain in the ass ever since Walker met him, began jumping up and down while shrieking in his distinctive-high pitched voice.
"Make him do it, Valkyrie! Make him! Make him! Make him!" Lenneth shot a pained look at Walker, revealing that she had suffered through his tantrums before.
"Humor him, would you?"
Walker reluctantly accepted. Valkyrie gathered her chosen warriors and flew off into the distance, leaving the rest of them to train. Walker watched and with amusement as the sword-bearing Einherjar dashed forward and uselessly hacked away at the dragon lord's huge broadsword in a feeble attempt to crush its guard. At last it was Walker's turn. Summoning his magical power, the goth moved his arms in complex pattern and shouted "hana yori dango!"
An deafaning explosion explosion roared across the valley. Seconds later, a shockwave that would later circle the globe three time knocked the Einherjar to the ground. A smoky mushroom cloud slowly drifted towards the sky that eventually reached Valhalla itself, causing a minor panic. After half an hour, when the dust and smoke finally dissipated, they saw that the three dragon lords had been vaporized. Not only that, but the lush green valley they were in had been devestated by Walker's explosion, transforming it into a scorched wasteland of smoke and fire that could have been mistaken for Muspelheim itself.
"What the hell did you do that for, you idiot?" Kashell shrieked.
"Calm down, Kashell. I'm sure it was an accident."
"Mind your own business, Mystina!" Kashell snapped. No sooner had the words left his mouth that he found himself in Walker's headlock, his arm around the blue-haired heavy merc/adventurer's neck like a vise of iron.
"That's no way to speak to a lady, freak! Even if she has no place on the field of battle!" the goth warrior hissed as Kashell squirmed helplessly.
"Janus, help!" But the disgraced ex-knight, who was Walker's best friend now, responded by flipping Kashell the bird. "Arngrim, Jayle, Grey, somebody help me!"
"Sorry Kashell, but you've had this coming for a while," Arngrim smiled. "It'll do you good to have your ego taken down a notch."
"Apologize to her!" Walker ordered, tightening his grip for good effect.
"Mystina, I'm sorry," Kashell whimpered, practically in tears. Walker released his captive. No sooner had he turned his back when Kashell perfidiously launched a treasonous attack on the the charismatic Sword Mage. Walker was well aware of this betrayal by his elite vampire powers. The goth used his magic powers to teleport behind Kashell just as he struck. Walker kicked him in the small of his back to send his down onto the soil. Kashell turned around to find the point of Walker's sword at his throat.
"Not today, gaijin. But keep it up and I won't be so merciful. Behave yourself." At these words the rest of the Einherjar burst into applause, happy to see their proudest member humiliated.
"What is going on here?" Everyone turned to and saw that Valkyrie's party had returned.The Goddess had her arms crossed and was staring at Walker and Kashell with a stern gaze, like that of a mother grown weary of her two sons' arguing over a toy.
"Oh, me and Kashell having were a fencing match to improve our skills. Training, just like you said, Lenneth-Sama. Right, Kashell?" Walker stressed, lightly kicking Kashell's shin with his foot to get the point across.
"Yeah. Fencing."
In the next exciting chapter, Walker accompanies Lenneth on a Journey to Brahms' castle, where the Lord of the Undead reveals some shocking revelations! Plus: Surt sends a certain dragon to kill walker- who could it be? Hint: Think Asgard Hill! Will Kashell behave himself? Some Walker/Nanami too! R/R!