Chapter 4
Erik smiled as he chipped a mustache on the carving of a Goddess on a stone pillar. Other pillars stood beside this one, forming a loose circle around a central platform, forming a shrine.
He'd found the shrine in his travels during the past dozen centuries. He visited it many times, mostly because it reminded him of where he once came from, but also to see what time had done to it. This area of Sweden had changed very little. The really big cities remained further south, though they paled in comparison to Neo-Tokyo and Neo-London.
He stood back a moment and looked at his work. He didn't get why people drew moustaches on paintings, statues, and such. Mostly, he supposed, they did it because they found it funny. He did it because he wanted to attract the attention of a certain person. This shrine was dedicated to Freya, a Goddess and a Valkyrie. He hoped that his defacement would attract the attention of the person he sought.
"ERIK!" came a female voice.
Apparently it had gotten her attention.
Erik stepped out from behind the pillar. Standing upon the platform in full armor was Mist. She even had her helmet on.
"You get all dressed up for me?" Erik asked.
Mist pulled out her sword and pointed it at him.
"You will pay dearly for defacing this shrine!" she growled.
"What do I care of shrines?" Erik asked, "Why do you even care? There used to be thousands of shrines all over. Now most are gone."
Mist growled and leaped off the platform. She started towards Erik.
"In a moment you won't have to worry about me." Mist replied. She then swung her sword at Erik's neck.
Erik ducked and pulled out his own sword. He lunged at Mist who easily deflected his blade. Soon the sounds of their swords crashing together echoed throughout the area. The fight went both ways. Sometimes, Mist had the edge, other times Erik did. Then Erik slipped.
Mist plunged her blade downward right into Erik's chest. Erik stared at her wide eyed. Mist then removed her sword.
"Never underestimate a Valkyrie." Mist said. She turned and started to walk away when she heard a laugh. Whirling around, she was shocked to see Erik back on his feet. He ripped his shirt open just in time for Mist to see his chest wound heal. He smirked at her surprised face.
"Never underestimate a mortal." He sneered back. He charged at Mist.
Mist blocked the thrust and then sliced a deep cut in his arm. As with the chest wound, his arm healed quickly.
"Haven't you figured it out wench?" Erik said, "I can't be killed. You on the other hand……"
Erik and Mist continued to battle around the shrine. Sparks spat as their blades slammed into each other, as well as off the stone monuments themselves. For several long minutes the two fought. The Erik kicked out, catching Mist in her knee, just behind the knee guard.
Mist let out a cry of pain as her leg gave out and she fell towards the ground. She'd barely even hit the ground when Erik plunged his sword downward. Mist screamed as the blade cut through her armored breastplate and into the side of her chest. Erik twisted the blade, eliciting more cries of pain from Mist.
"I've been waiting centuries to do this." Erik said, "You cost me all the power I had when you vanished."
"I…..was….." Mist said between grimaces," ordered……."
"I don't care." Erik replied, "With you dead, I expect to feel much better."
"One……..question…….."
Erik stopped twisting the blade and looked down at Mist.
"What is your question?" he asked.
Mist's eyes flared white.
"Can you regrow body parts?" she asked. She then swung her blade with all her might into Erik's crotch.
Erik collapsed to his knees screaming in a pitch no man should ever hit. Mist pulled the sword from her chest and rose to her feet. She held her left arm tightly against her wound, trying to stop the blood. Already her armor was stained red. In her right hand, Mist held her sword. With a cry, she swung her sword at Erik's neck. His head sailed off several feet, streaming blood behind it.
Mist breathed heavily, staring at the headless body. It continued to spray blood from the neck wound as well as twitch about.
"Stay down." Mist muttered before spots began to form before her eyes.
The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her was a sandy blond hair girl walking towards her.
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1986
Mist stared through the window. On the other side two goddesses, one an eighteen year old platinum blonde, the other an eleven year old light brown, were looking into the crib of an infant, only weeks old. Faint traces of black hair could be seen on the child's head.
"They grow up so quickly." A female voice said.
Mist turned to see Verdandi walking towards her. The Norn had mellowed over the years, but the most drastic changes had occurred when her sisters Urd and Skuld had left to join the other Gods would had, for lack of a better word, 'retired'. Since her sisters had gone, Verdandi was much easier to get along with then anytime previously. Mist even found herself wanting to be around the Norn.
"I wouldn't know." Mist replied, "I never had any children."
"Probably never had the time." Verdandi said with a slight smirk, "Defending Heaven and all."
Mist only glared at Verdandi. The Norn sighed as she looked at the three young goddesses.
"It's hard to believe they are replacing my sisters and I." Verdandi said.
"You do not have to go." Mist said, staring at the Goddesses. The Norn glanced over at the Valkyrie.
"Why Mist," she said with a smile, "are you going to miss me?"
"I was just stating a fact." Mist replied, "Thor is staying."
"Thor acts like a college student." Verdandi stated, "You know he actually got one of those hats that hold beer cans and have a straw that runs to your mouth?"
Mist's eyes widened. "Where did he get that?"
"Don't know. Haven't wanted to ask."
"Now you must stay. If anything to help get Thor sober."
Verdandi chuckled. "Sorry, he's your problem. Besides," she added with a sigh, "There should really only be three Norns." She nodded to the three goddesses. "They are your future."
Mist looked back at the Goddesses.
"So young." She murmured.
"Take care of them Mist." Verdandi said softly, "I'm placing them in your protection. Take care of them, and eventually, they will take care of you."
Mist raised an eyebrow.
"Are you telling me my future?"
Verdandi just smiled, "Only time will tell."
"I thought you were time."
"In a way."
"Are you going to say good bye to them?"
Verdandi looked in the window.
"No." she answered, "It would be too hard."
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2574
Mist awoke with a gasp and sat up.
A quick glance showed that she was in the one place in heaven she hated to be in.
The Infirmary.
A sudden flare of pain in her chest reminded her of just why she was there.
"Oh good! You're awake."
Mist turned her head to see Belldandy standing in the doorway. Hovering just behind her was Cayla. Belldandy left Cayla by the door and moved to the chair besides Mist's bed.
"How do you feel?" Belldandy asked.
"Like I got run through with a sword." Mist replied, "How did I get here?"
Belldandy looked down at her hands.
"I…….bent a few rules." The Goddess said, "A Reaper was nearby to take Erik's soul."
Mist's eyes widened. "He's in Heaven?"
"No." Belldandy replied, her eyes still on her hands, "He's……..well…….Mana has him."
"Oh." Mist sighed, "So how is the council reacting?"
"The council doesn't know."
Mist's eyes widened.
"What? But the Reaper! Mana!"
"The Reaper is Sayoko's friend George." Belldandy said, "She's very discreet. And you know Mana won't help Saturn in anyway."
Mist could only stare at Belldandy.
"You should be able to return to duty in a week. The Council's investigation of you will be done then." Belldandy said, standing up. "You'll be able to resume your Commander duties at that time."
"But the Council……" Mist began.
"The Valkyrie no longer answer to the Council." Belldandy replied, "They answer to the Norse representatives alone, and Kami-sama. As such, Thor and I can place whomever we wish in charge." Belldandy smiled. "Thor was right though, Saturn's reaction to this was rather amusing."
"Why?" Mist asked, "Why are you willing to risk the wraith of Saturn for me?"
"Many reasons." Belldandy replied, "One is because I am not afraid of Saturn, but foremost, you've always been there for my sisters and I, as well as my daughter."
"It's my job." Mist said.
"No." Belldandy said, "You and I both know that's not why." She sighed. "Mother told me something the last time I saw her. I was upset because I saw her few times as it was, and I felt this would be the last. She told me not to worry, that you would take care of Myself, Urd, and Skuld. And that someday, we could return the favor."
Mist's face showed no emotion when she looked at the Goddess.
"She told me the same as well." The Valkyrie said softly.
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A week later.
Mist walked down the hallway toward her office in the Norse wing of the Yggdrasil building, reading several notes Belldandy and Thor had given her. Her old office had been taken over by the head Centurion of the Legion. She really had no desire to try and take it back after it had been tainted by the Roman scum.
Speaking of scum, Thor had told her exactly what Saturn's reaction had been when he found out that the Valkyries were not only back and defending the Norse wing and section of Heaven, but that Mist was leading them. It had put a rather large smile on her face.
Mist rounded the corner and entered the outer office when she was forced to stop. Blocking her way was most, if not all of the Valkyries standing in rows. In the front row stood Blitz.
"Salute!" Blitz called out. Every Valkyrie saluted. Blitz turned to face Mist.
"Commander Mist!" she said, "I return control of the best fighting force in heaven to you!"
Mist smiled, "I assume their training hasn't lagged any?"
"No ma'am!" Blitz replied, "We could take on a whole Demon army and still have room for dessert!"
Mist chuckled, "Alright Blitz, dismiss them, then see me in my office."
"Yes Ma'am!"
Mist entered her office and stopped.
The entire office had been done up to look like Freya's old office. That office had been destroyed hundreds of years ago by the Rogue Demon army. Memories flooded back to Mist of the times she been with Freya.
"It was my idea." Blitz's voice came from behind Mist. "That other office was too…….modern."
"I like it." Mist said. She then frowned. "Except for that large pile of paperwork on the desk."
"Sorry." Blitz apologized, "I tried to do it, but it was so damn confusing."
Mist flipped through the papers.
"These are Heaven defensive reports." She said.
"Yeah, they started to pile up before the …….losers took over Heaven's defense."
"Right." Mist smirked, "We'll just send them over to the Legion's office. Let them deal with it."
Blitz smiled, "We've missed you Mist."
Mist sat down behind her desk.
"Right." Mist said, "Back to work."
"Yes Ma'am." Blitz turned and started out the door.
"Blitz?" Blitz turned back towards Mist.
Mist smiled, "I missed you too."
Blitz returned the smile and nodded, then left the office.
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"There are now TWO forces guarding Heaven!" Draco shouted.
"So?" Loki replied.
"TWO FORCES!" Draco repeated.
"I can count."
"WHY AREN'T YOU UPSET!" Draco shouted, "THIS RUINS OUR PLANS!"
"No." Loki replied, "And I will tell you why. The Valkyries are no longer able to protect all of Heaven. They have been reduced to the Norse Sector alone. The Legion, a new force, defends Heaven."
"Why aren't you worried?" Draco asked, confused.
"The Legion is inexperienced." Loki said, "A new force, with new territory to defend………They'll never know what hit them."