Beyond Death's Door

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the role-playing game, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth -- I leave that honor up to tri-Ace and Square Enix. However, I can and DO claim to own this story, its inspired ideas FROM said series, as well as my original character, Sitara Vandom.

Note: You will forgive me when I write this chapter blurbie as though you've all read "Requiem for a Dream." I mean, I kinda-sorta-not-really am writing "Tears of Redemption" like that, too, but yeah. Just bare with me, okay? LoL Oh, and sorry if the whole "franchise" of this (Sitara and my story) seems to be getting out of hand. I'm honestly not doing it on purpose, it's just the story came to me and for now, I'm interested enough to give it a shot. But if it bugs you, by all means, don't read it. It's cool.

This chapter was created/written in January 2007.

Chapter One

Sixteen year old and recently deceased Sitara Vandom suddenly found herself surrounded by complete darkness, unaware of what was happening. The last thing she could clearly remember was the constant thought and yearning to be free.

Everything else was curiously a blur.

But, free from what, and why? she thought with great confusion, her molasses-brown eyes searching around the darkness in vain.

". . . Do you mean to say that you have absolutely no recollection of your most recent of vile transgressions?"

Sitara let out a sharp gasp of surprise upon hearing a sudden, seemingly disembodied husky voice of a female resonating throughout the pitch black area.

"Wha --! W-who . . . Who's there? Show yourself!" she called out in intermingled fear and aggression, raising her arms in front of her in protection.

Suddenly, a brilliant, bright flash of white light filtered into the darkened surroundings and instantly blinded the lone young redhead in the process.

"You dare to strike a superior-like tone with one who is supremely, as well as eternally your superior? How crass," said the same, unknown powerful voice, that now sounded closer as well as slightly annoyed.

Hesitating a moment, Sitara slowly opened her brown eyes in order to gaze upon her new visitor. Blinking furiously and allowing her pupils to properly adjust to the continuation of pure light steadily illuminate around her, Sitara suddenly found herself within the presence of . . . an angel?

". . . Are you an angel?" she inquired verbally, as she studied the tall, lithe young woman.

Fluttery, large dove-like wings spread themselves elegantly behind her for a moment before vanishing into a burst of hundreds of blue and white sparkles, while shimmering and noble blue colored battle armor adorned her visibly toned and muscular body.

Despite the generally impressive nature of this woman, what honestly captivated Sitara the most was the other female's silver-blue hair that was slightly obscured by the exalted, feathered blue helmet resting upon her head. It was, in Sitara's opinion, the most flattering feature upon this mysterious gentlewoman (despite every other unique decoration upon her), the way her hair cascaded all the way down to her buttocks within an exquisite French braid.

If this woman truly was an angel, her attire was the most bizarre for such a celestial being to wear.

"I am no angel, girl -- such beings tend to merciful by nature, regardless of the amount of sins laid heavily upon their charges," began the taller woman with exuding confidence, her vastly intimidating blue-silver eyes practically boring a hole straight into Sitara's head. "I, on the other hand, am of far greater status and rank. You will find me to be quite strict upon your judgment."

"'Judgment?' For what? And if you're not an angel, who are you, and what do you want from me?" quizzed Sitara, moving to back away.

That was when she at last realized that she was not standing, but inexplicably floating within the previously darkened space. Moreover, as she looked down to ponder how she was able to do such a thing, the crimson haired beauty also realized that she was completely naked, with nothing but her shoulder length tresses to act as a slight covering for some of her back and even lesser parts of her top front.

What is going on? Why am I naked? Why am I floating? I don't under --

Suddenly, Sitara felt a sharp pang within her heart as an abrupt feeling of great loss washed over her. She immediately placed both hands swiftly over her left breast and hunched over, at the same time that the formerly stoic woman before her curiously mimicked her actions.

What is the meaning of this? Why do I suddenly feel as though I have lost something of great importance? the other woman wondered silently, her eyes slightly widened in affect. However, as quickly as the feeling had come for both women, it had passed just as swift.

The taller, battle-armor clad woman immediately regained her composure before Sitara could capture the act, and peered at the still recovering girl with the same unmoving expression as before.

"Enough of this. I am one of the three Goddesses who governs the fate of mortals after death: I am known as Valkyrie," said the maiden firmly to Sitara, whose red eyebrows raised in alarm upon hearing this.

"Valkyrie? Goddess? . . . D-death? You mean that I'm . . . I'm dead?" Sitara trailed off into a whisper, her red head tilting to the side slightly in a daze.

It was then that she realized that, the entire time that both of her hands were rested firmly upon her chest that not once did she ever feel her usual heartbeat . . .

". . . I am dead . . . aren't I?" softly murmured Sitara, slowly lowering her hands away from her chest before focusing her brown eyes questioningly upon the apparent Goddess named Valkyrie.

At this, Valkyrie merely nodded, pausing a moment before responding.

"Yes. And as I have already stated, I am here to deliver upon you your judgment."

Sitara lightly frowned in confusion at this.

"'Judgment?' Do you mean, deciding what . . . what happens to me?"

"Indeed. It is my duty to deliver the souls of those fallen in battle to the great halls of my Lord, Odin, within the land of Valhalla," explained Valkyrie, resting her left hand upon the hilt of the great sword that rested at her side. "However, those who are found unworthy of such an honor are to be sent to Nifelheim, where its ruler, Queen Hel, will delegate the proper punishment to the defilers."

Sitara instantly felt nervous after listening to the rest of the armor-suited woman's explanation. She didn't know why, but she had the strongest feeling of dread . . .

"S-so . . . In which category do I fall into . . . Valkyrie, was it?" she asked within a tone that sounded a bit cocky, although it was not her intention.

Clearly, the tone was not appreciated, for Valkyrie unexpectedly drew her sword from her golden colored sheath, pointed it directly at Sitara as the very tip gently grazed her smooth neck, and said boldly,

"Such insubordination! A soul such as yours has been granted eternal reservation for one place, and one place only!"

Her "astral body" immensely rigid, Sitara's breathing grew supremely heavy as she eyeballed the glistening sword lightly pressed against her neck, before looking upon the irascible Valkyrie with pleading eyes.

"P-please! I-I don't --! Why i-is my soul considered to be apparently 'unworthy' o-of your . . . Valhalla?"

"Silence! You will find your stay within Nifelheim to be most suitable for a being such as yourself, as well as the transgressions you have committed!" delivered Valkyrie boldly, before the bright light that continued to surround her the entire duration of her presence grew stronger and seemingly swallowed her up as she vanished from sight.

At the same time, Sitara, once again shrouded within utter darkness, screamed at the top of her lungs as she felt herself ceasing to float and instead being abruptly pulled down into the unknown . . .

-- End of Chapter One

(A.N. Yay. Another chapter. It was more funner than writing the prologue teaser that didn't like me. LoL Yes, I just said "more funner." LoL Anyway, methinks I captured Kitty-Lenneth's character pretty well. And yes, I said "Kitty-Lenneth." She's just so adorable, her face, and period. LoL ANYWAY! I'll bet all you Sitara fans are happy to see her again, yeah? Since she has yet to debut in the sequel story of "Tears of Redemption" -- she will in that, no worries. Anyway, please review or whatever . . . yeah. LoL)