Midgard was in peril, at least that was what Heimdall kept saying. Ever since the Dark Elves managed to slip past Heimdall's sight, he had stayed even more vigilant than before. It did not take the wisdom of Odin to see that he was overcompensating. And Valkyrie did not like it one bit. How could the warriors of Asgard be ready for a threat if their all-seeing guardsman leapt at the sight of the smallest inconvenience?
Valkyrie was known for her prowess in battle. Not even the lady Sif could match her. While all knew of her mastery of the sword, none knew of her softer wiles. Her long training, and tireless thirst for a good bout did not dull her beauty. Her skin was a deep, dark shade of night and her hair was tied in three parts, one for each of the realms she looked over. Asgard, the realm of the gods, Midgard, the realm of the mortals, and Valhala, the world of the fallen heroes. She was more beautiful than every jewel in the All-Father's treasury. And Thor Odison took notice.
"Heimdal," Valkyrie said as she approached the rainbow bridge, "What news does thou bring of Midgard?"
Heimdall sat with his back hunched against Valkyrie's words, and his eyes towards the infinite realms. "There is...a disturbance on Midgard, my lady."
Valkyrie tried not to roll her eyes, "Aye, as you have always told us."
But Heimdall shook his head, "No...this malice is...difficult to perceive. It changes and shifts like sands caught in a breeze."
Typical Heimdall, always talking in riddles.
"I miss your meaning good Heimdall," Valkyrie said. "Speak plainly."
Heimdall sighed, "I-I am not sure my lady." Heimdall said, his voice taking on an unsteady weariness that none in Asgard had ever heard from him before. "It is as if Midgard," he raised his fingers to his head, as if trying to hold onto the words forming in his mind, "Ever so slightly, is changing before my very eyes."
Was Heimdall losing his mind? In all of the centuries Valkyrie had known him to guard the bridge, never has Heimdall sounded so unsure of his own gaze. "Heimdall," she said as she placed her hand on his shoulder, "Perhaps it is time for you to rest a while."
"No, my lady." Heimdall said. "I may not understand what threat has Midgard at bay, but I know this...it is dangerous and it is slowly changing every aspect of the middle realm." His voice smashed through his mouth like a battering ram, blunt and sure of itself. "Midgard is in peril."
If Heimdall were telling the truth, then this could be a threat the likes of which Asgard had never faced. And if Midgard were to be taken over by this...whatever it was...there may have been a chance that the evil could spread far beyond the reaches of mortal man and into the realm of gods. Asgard, Valhalla, and all the rest of the realms could be in peril greater than even Loke could devise.
But...if it were just another one of Heimdall's alarmist tendencies then it would only further to weaken the realm's trust in their once great guardian. And Valkyrie knew the burden that guardianship was. What would become of Valhalla if she were not trusted? And more so, if the All-Father had lost the confidence of Heimdall, who would be there to watch the rainbow bridge? What would become of Asgard's first line of defense?
No. Such a fate could not befall Asgard, and further still, if there was an evil lurking in the depths of Midgard, Valkyrie would not allow it to harm an innocent.
"Good Heimdall," Valkyrie said, "I shall take the matter upon my shoulders. But do me this courtesy, and tell no other of your visions. I wish to discover the truth for myself."
Valkyrie, the would see justice done.
"Aye," Heimdall said, "As you command my lady."
As Valkyrie walked through the halls of the palace, she kept her gaze steadied and unwavering. She was the leader of the Valkyrior, the guardian of Valhalla, and now the only thing keeping Heimdall's reputation intact, and Asgard's self-assurance well guarded.
This had to be kept quiet. Valkyrie was learning more and more the power secrets had. A small conceleance to keep the warriors from worry. A little flattery to move a campaign along. As much as Valkyrie despised hiding her true intentions, sometimes it was needed for the greater good. What would Asgard do if it could no longer trust Heimdall? Why, it would be like looking down on the Odinson himself, and realizing that with all of his glory and valor he was really only a fraud. And such accusations could only lead to chaos.
Valkyrie slipped into the armory, and marveled at the rows of weaponry at her disposal. Enchanted swords that could sleigh any beast. Armor enhanced through sorcery to hold any blade at bay. Arrows that would never miss their targets.
How could she not marvel? But Valkyrie was a warrior of habit. She reached for a blade, clenched the breastplate around her body, and smiled. Whatever awaited her on Midgard, she would be prepared.
"Valkyrie?" Came a soothed voice from behind. Valkyrie knew that tone. A soft concern hushed over by the strength of a kingdom's future. Thor Odinson.
"Thor," Valkyrie said, "What are you doing here."
Thor smiled, "I had hoped to find a new weapon to spar with. But now, I seem to have found an even greater prize." The Odinson grabbed Valkyrie's hand and gently placed his lips to her wrists. "It is not every day I am blessed with such beauty."
Ah Thor, ever the charmer. Though, Valkyrie could not say she did not enjoy the attention. Ever since they were young Thor had had his eyes on her. But Valkyrie was a warrior, and warriors could not let their hearts be swayed by idle flattery. They could not allow romance to seep into their hearts were a love of glory should stand proudly. No...romance was out of the question.
Which was why…
"Well, if your fortune is so unfavorable good Thor, then perhaps you should savor your luck." Valkyrie reached for Thor's lips, and allowed her mouth to envelope his.
...which was why their love was never spoken of outside of their bed.
Valkyrie knew the usefulness of secrets. What warrior worth her salt did not?
"Are you on your way to a battle?" Thor asked.
"No my love," Valkyrie said. "I'm just readying myself for what may come. After all, a warrior must always be ready for battle."
"Yes, you speak with wisdom my love," Thor said as he ran his fingers through her hair. "I wish I could stay but there is work that must be done and-"
"I understand. The duties of a prince are endless." Just as the duties of a guardian, for Valkyrie too had a duty to uphold, and a mission that needed to be sought through.
"My lady," Heimdall said once Valkyrie had returned to his side. "Have you readied yourself for the coming battle?"
She nodded, clenched her sword to her side. "Aye. I am ready." Even if Heimdall's new mission was just a wild goose chase, she would rather she be the one to uncover it. If all else failed, at least she would spare Heimdall the dishonor of suffering the All-Father's tongue.
"Then…" Heimdall opened the bridge, and a wave of light engulfed the air. Reds battled with purple. Green danced on the tip of white nothingness. "My sight has located the source of the anomaly, my lady," Heimdall's voice boomed, "And my power shall guide you to it…"
And like lighting bolting from the sky and onto the earth, Valkyrie stood on the rough pavement of Midgard. Mortals looked on in distressed. Horseless carriages swerved from the streets, and in the far distance, Valkyrie could hear someone scream.
"So this is the Midgard Thor speaks so highly of?" she asked.
But, regardless of her entrance, all seemed...normal here. What anomaly was Heimdall foreshadowing? What great danger was there to be had here?
And then, Valkyrie turned to see a young woman. A mortal draped in a tight fighting red Tunic, and a strangely shaped badge attached to the chest. Her hair was a light hue, kissed by a chestnut tone. Her skin was almost as dark as Valkyrie's own. The woman's hair straggled in the breeze, and her hands clutched what seemed to be a weapon.
Was she the one causing Heimdall's visions?
"My name," the woman began, "Is Nyota Uhura. Communications officer of Starfleet." Her voice was commanding, but undercutted with a nervous uncertainty. She seemed to exude a strange confidence, but at the same time, her eyes betrayed her true feelings. Valkyrie had seen that look on every Asgardian who picked up arms and marched off to battle. It was fear. She was afraid. "And…" her voice hitched, "I…" She clenched her weapon, her finger tapping against the machine's edges like a drop of water against a mug's bottom. "...I need help."