It was peaceful in the Emiya residence once again. They had rescued Rin, who Archer had taken to Illyasviel. However, the King of Heroes and Shinji had appeared, and taken Illya's mansion. Archer, being the bastard he was, took his chance and tried to kill Shirou and the Valkyries while allying with the blonde Servant. They barely made it out, and still didn't know why he needed the Einzbern Master.

After that, Tohsaka said Shirou had to take it easy. And with his multiple injuries, he was forced to. Didn't stop him from making something for his Servants.

He found the girls in the patio, observing the morning sunlight, sitting side by side. The only difference between them was their hair colour, and the state of their capes.

"Hey you three," he greeted, balancing a tray with tea and cookies on his one good arm. The other was in a makeshift cast. "Thought you could use breakfast."

Three pairs of ruby eyes turned to him at the same time. It was endearing in a way, and made his heart skip a beat. They were beauty incarnate.

"Master," Thrud greeted with the shadow of a smile.

"Join us!" Hildr said, moving herself and Ortlinde aside to make space for him. She was practically beaming at him.

He did as told. "Excuse me," as he sat down and put the tray on his lap, Thrud was the first to grab a cookie. That surprised him.

"Tea?" He asked them.

"Oh, yes please! Being warm is not something we often get." Hildr said.

"Hildr!" Thrud said with a stern voice and a half eaten cookie on her hands. "You're abusing his hospitality." Normally, Hildr would back off. However, today she seemed different.

"I am not! Besides, you took a cookie first." Hildr said with a teasing smile. Thrud looked away, blushing.

"I-I needed mana r-replenishment, that's all. More than you two." She stammered. Shirou smiled at this. The all business girl he had met the first night they were summoned was still there, but now she had more of a heart. In fact, she always had one. But now it was more often brought to light.

"No you don't. We all did the same amount of work. Don't you agree, Ortlinde?" Hildr asked the Valkyrie at her side.

The black haired girl nodded without much emotion, hiding herself under her hood. She seemed to be getting left out.

"Y-Yes sister," she said in a low voice. She reminded him of Sakura.

"See? What do you have to say now, Thrud?" Hildr asked with crossed arms and a cocky smile.

The eldest Valkyrie simply looked away with a pout as she munched on another cookie. It was time to play arbiter.

"Now, now. All three of you should eat, that's why I made this. Now come on, dig in." He said with a smile, serving tea. Hildr and Thrud smiled as they grabbed their own teacups. Ortlinde did not, and that got Shirou worried. Usually, the sisters did everything together. So he set the tray aside and grabbed the teacup that would belong to Ortlinde.

"Ortlinde, here," He said, offering his teacup to the Valkyrie. Ortlinde looked at it with a blush, before grabbing it in silence. Shirou knew her silence was usual, but she seemed to be thinking of her every action in detail, as if pondering wether it was right or not. "Are you alright?" He asked without a second thought.

Ortlinde looked at him, sideways. "Yes Master." That answer did not convince him, so he scooted over at her side, past Hildr, and placed the back of his hand upon her forehead.

"M-Master?" She asked. Shirou tuned her out, focusing on the temperature. Her forehead was at room temperature, perhaps a little colder.

"I'm seeing if you are okay," he said absent-mindedly.

"Master," Ortlinde said, removing his hand with her own and fixing him with a hard stare. "If I had a malfunction, you would be the first to know." Shirou raised an eyebrow.

"Really now?" Shirou asked. He was used to people not telling him their problems. He did not pry, unless they were visibly unwell. In that case, he would break down walls to help them. And if he knew anything about the Valkyrie sisters, was how reserved they were about some things, and how blunt they were otherwise.

"Yes, Master. We Valkyries must perform our functions at a hundred percent capacity," Thrud said. "If we cannot do so, then we are not true Valkyries. Thus, any malfunction must be reported so it is fixed."

Shirou eyed the blonde Valkyrie, before his attention was caught back by Ortlinde.

"I may be a newer model. Thus, I cannot allow myself to malfunction. I must remain a true Valkyrie, for I know nothing else." Shirou looked at her determined gaze, before it softened. "Do you not… report your malfunctions? Your injuries? Do you not want to be the best hero you can be?"

That question made a brief flash of the Fuyuki Fire run through his mind. No, no one knew of the nightmares that plagued his mind. They didn't need to. It was pointless. Why make other people lose sleep over his issues? That made no sense to him. No one knew, thus no one was concerned, thus no one was having their mental state altered by worry, and thus everything was fine in the world.

"No, I do not." He answered.

"Why not?" Hildr asked, leaning her head on his shoulder. Ortlinde saw her, pouted, and then placed her own on his other shoulder.

"Agreed. We wish to know." She said. Shirou looked at Thrud for help, but she only eyed him intently.

"I…" He decided to reply with what came to heart. "I doesn't matter, really. My… 'malfunctions' are my own, and I should deal with them. My job is to help people, not make them help me. It's pointless, and arrogant." He said.

"But… what if those malfunctions prevent you from saving someone?" Ortlinde asked.

Shirou did not have an answer to that. However,

"I don't know. But I do know this," he said, looking Ortlinde in the eye. "You are a perfectly fine Valkyrie. It doesn't matter if you malfunction, as long as you wish to see your mission through, you are a Valkyrie. At least in my eyes." He said with a smile. Ortlinde blushed.

"Heard that Ortlinde?!" Hildr asked, leaning over her shoulder. "You are a Valkyrie as much as us! Maybe even more so! You try the hardest after all!"

"T-thank you sister," Ortlinde whispered, fidgeting.

"You too are a fine Valkyrie too, Hildr." Shirou said. Now Hildr blushed, head wings flailing widely. "Well. I know I'm great. But hearing it from someone else, it hits different." she said with a bright smile

He then turned to Thrud. "You as well,"

The blonde Valkyrie looked away, cheeks tinted rose but mouth pursed. "Thanks. I already knew that, but I still appreciate the gesture."

He knew it would go to their heads. They were a little arrogant after all, so sure of their path and their purpose, but they were not aware of their ego, not really. Or so it seemed. Shirou wished to have that same certainty. And he had it, but lately, a red archer plagued his mind with hard to answer questions.

In the end, he put those thoughts in the back of his head, and began enjoying breakfast with the Valkyries.

Shirou Emiya climbed with Hildr and Brynhildr the mountain in the middle of the ice forest. Inside of it, was Sinmara, according to both Valkyries.

Unfortunately, he could not fly like the two Valkyries, and thus was forced to climb. It wasn't hard, travelling the world often required one to be deft in the art of climbing, but it was still annoying. He knew his Swan Mystic Code could grant flight, but he had never been able to unlock that function. Not even Rin nor Lord El Meloi II could. It was as if that one aspect of the Mystic Code only worked with the approppiate user.

He reached the top after gruelling minutes of chill winds and slippery handholds. Truly, the mountain was like a spire, but on the top there was a small ledge. He climbed atop it, and saw a large part of the Scandinavian Lostbelts. Flaming mountains, snow white fields, icy blue forests. It was still surreal.

"Try to keep up, human," Hildr said, looking at him over her shoulder for a split second before facing forwards again. Shirou sighed. He had lived this situation before, although not in the same way.

"It's Emiya," he replied.

"Please repeat," Hildr said, not even facing him.

"My name, it's Emiya Shirou." He said. "It could be useful, since over half our team is humans." Going to her side, he noticed Hildr glaring at him.

"This is the place," Brynhildr said, interrupting them. Shirou and Hildr looked at her, and them at what she had in front.

A door, one of the biggest Shirou had seen. Over five meters tall, shaped vaguely like an isosceles triangle, made of blue stone and it's surface littered with engravings he recognized as runes, all of them depicting the concepts of 'cold' and 'seal'. On top of that, there were chains all around it.

To Shirou, It could not be more obvious. If this was Skadi's attempt at hiding something, then she was as uncreative as they went. Or maybe she simply didn't bother.

"Yes. Sinmara awaits behind that door, on a pitfall." Shirou raised an eyebrow at Hildr's explanation.

"A pitfall?" He asked.

"Yes. Only a Valkyrie or a god can survive it. Can you carry the human, sister?" Hildr asked. Brynhildr looked embarrassed for a moment, before nodding.

"Wait!" He said, holding up his hands. The concept of being carried downwards, and then again to ascend, was humiliating, and a burden on Brynhildr. He could not allow that. "There must be another way."

"There is none," Hildr stated.

"But-"

"It's okay, Emiya. I don't mind." Brynhildr said. "Now, I'll unlock it. I still have most of my Father's authority over runes." She said, and she laid a palm on the door.

Soon, all the runes glowed and then faded, while invisible forces broke the chains apart. The snapping sounds were deafening, and Shirou worried enemies would hear them even up in the spire. Finally, once the door was unlocked, the double doors pushed open. A huge blast of wind shot outwards, and Shirou felt a literal chill run up his spine.

The strong wind soon died down, and ahead waited a pitch black cave.

Brynhildr, who had not moved an inch from her position, turned to them.

"Follow me closely." She said a she stepped into the dark and traced with her finger in the air. A line of gold light began forming in a triangle, then another opposite of that one, their points touching. "Dagaz!" With that chant, a ball of light formed above her head and iluminated her surroundings.

Without a word, Hildr followed. Shirou looked back towards a building in the distance, Skadi's castle. He hoped Ritsuka, Mash and Napoleon would hold on. Then he turned and followed the Valkyries into the dark.

As the trio walked through the cave, the light of day growing dim behind them, Shirou eased his pace to match Hildr. It was not the Hildr he knew, but he still wanted to talk to her. It was selfish, but also, something in him felt the need to do it.

"Hildr," he said, calling her attention. A slight turn of her head gave him that info. "Will Sinmara attack us?" He asked.

Hildr closed her eyes, as if making calculations in her mind. "She will if she sees me. So it's better for sister to speak to her."

He wondered what would force Sinmara into being an enemy of Skadi, outside being a fire giant.

"Why did you lock her up?" He asked.

"Why, you ask. She was an enemy, Surtr's consort. Thus, she abandoned her husband Mimir and followed the Surtr. Even when he strayed off his path, even after his defeat, she still fought for him. In the end, her power was no match for Skadi's, and not wanting to kill her due to their relation, she locked her up for eternity." Hildr explained.

"Their relation?" Shirou asked.

"Skadi is part giant. That is why those poor masked creatures outside still live. Skadi cannot bear to kill her kind." Brynhildr said.

"And at the same time, she jeopardizes the human lives she tries to save. In the end, both races are at a disadvantage." For some reason, something in Shirou made him blurt out his next phrase.

"She's trying to save everyone, but she can't. That is-" Exactly what Shirou Emiya from before the Grail War would do. Was this… what Archer felt when he saw him? A deep frustration bubbling inside of him?

Skadi was a goddess, far separated from human understanding. Convincing her to stop would not work. But at least, Shirou knew he had to put an end to this dying dream. In order to help everyone in the Lostbelt, so save them from the terrible fate that awaited them.

In the end, Skadi was eternal, and so was her realm.

"It is incredibly regretful," Brynhildr said.

"Regretful, huh," Hildr mused, putting one finger on her chin and looking at the ceiling, as if something curious came to her. Shirou's heart skipped a beat. That was exactly the Hildr he knew, it made him smile. She seemed to take notice, and in an instant she was back to her frowning, emotionless self.

"What are you smiling about? I haven't yet registered that expression on your face." She said, eyes narrowed slightly. Shirou looked forwards, still wearing his smile. If Hildr still wanted to play the emotionless Valkyire, she was doing it fantastically. So much so, no one could be fooled by it. Or so he thought.

"It's nothing, really," he replied, keeping his thoughts to himself.

"So you say, while still having that smile plastered on your face." She said.

"So, what you are saying is, you're curious." He said. At this, Hildr's mouth hung open, before she returned to her stern self.

"That's very good, Hildr. I'm proud of you." Brynhildr said from ahead.

"I–"

"Hold," with that, Bryhildr lifted her arms to her sides and stopped her companions from advancing forward.

Ahead of them, was a gaping hole, pitch black. Shirou could not see the end. Throwing himself into that did not appeal to him, but if it was to make sure it was safe for the Valkyries, then he would do it.

Then he noticed something else. The air was cold and stilted where they stood, like standing on a freezer. However, once he leaned forwards a little, he felt an air current hit him in the face. His body reacted with a shudder at the warm and pleasant air.

"It's… hot." He commented. "So she really is a giant made of fire?" He asked.

"What did you think she was?" Brynhildr asked.

"Something a little less… literal," he replied.

"She actually is of average height. Now, let's go. I'll stay at the back to keep things from escalating." She said. Shirou knew she was disappointed. Deep in her heart, Hildr always itched for a fight.

"Very well," Brynhildr said, walking away and behind Shirou. He felt her chin touch the top of his head and rest there, while her arms wrapped around his midriff, and he felt something else pressed against him. Something warm. He missed that closeness. If he closed his eyes, he was sure he would not be able to distinguish Brynhildr's embrace from the Valkyries, except for the fact that she her incredibly warm, while the rest of her body was cold as ice. "Are you ready?"

"N-Now wait a second…!" he said in protest. He really didn't want to inconvenience her. Carrying him could put her in danger.

"Calm down, Emiya." She said in her soothing voice as she lifted him up, and both began levitating. At the side, Hildr did the same. Then, all three of them flew over the whole. "Now, don't be scared." That sure helped him not be scared. Or so he thought as they suddenly dive-bombed down the hole and into the darkness.

Ophelia paced around her room. In front of her, were the two Valkyrie sisters, standing with her gazes forward, unmoving.

"Heh. They are nicer now than before," commented her knight, nowhere to be seen due to being in spirit form.

"Silence, Saber." She snapped at him, then turned to the sisters. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," answered Ortlinde.

"Hildr's malfunction has caused her to switch allegiance. We could not stop her." Said Thrud, following behind her sister in perfect rhythm.

"Damnit," Ophelia said, gritting her teeth. "He did this? What did he tell her? What did he offer?"

Thrud grimaced for a second before recovering her emotionless composure, yet it wasn't her who spoke, but Ortlinde.

"He… didn't offer anything. He only told her to be happy, and professed his love. It was she herself who made the choice," Ortlinde said, tone somber. She looked down, then fixed Ophelia with a gaze of steel. "Query. He said he loved her, but did not join her. What is he trying to do?"

Ophelia froze. She… did not have an answer.

She wanted to please, she wanted to be able to give all her to love to Kirschtaria, to give him strength to accomplish his ideal. She had never received love, not from her parents at least and not from the other members of Team A. She thought that, maybe, just maybe, by giving all her love, someone would love her back.

Yet, despite Skadi's apparent love, despite Kirschtaria's trust in her, despite Saber's loyalty, she felt alone. She felt weak. Shirou Emiya, who only professed love and remained in a path opposed to it, had gotten a Valkyrie on his side.

She remembered once what Pepe told her.

"Love is give and take, hun. Lovers keep each other afloat, give each other strength, and acknowledge what they are given. Indeed, if you give up everything for the one you love, then that is not love at all. You're just becoming a hollow shell."

Ophelia had betrayed humanity, because she wanted to live, because she wanted to be a pillar of strength for Wodime. Yet, he… did not seem to think anything of her. He trusted her, she knew that much. But when would results come?

She thought back to Shirou Emiya, and then to the one other person who had been friendly to her.

Mash Kyrielight. The once quiet girl had grown into a powerful warrior, and she had treated Ophelia not as her enemy, but as a familiar face. Despite being on opposing sides, Mash held no hatred. Seeing her so alone during her days in Chaldea, Ophelia thought about becoming her friend, sharing stories over tea, but that day never came, cause she was afraid of giving her everything and getting nothing.

That was why she offered Mash to join her. Yet, still with no hatred in her heart, Mash rejected her, swearing her duty to Proper Human History. She also attempted to have Ophelia herself rejoin Chaldea. Yet, both women never insisted further. They each kept to their path.

Was this what Emiya meant? About keeping each other on the right path?

"Lady Ophelia. The query remains unanswered." Thrud said, snapping her out of her stupor.

"Forgive me. I…" Her lips pursed. "… I do not know. But the fact remains Hildr betrayed Lady Skadi. Be ready to take her down." She tried to be stern. It was hard to tell what the Valkyries were thinking.

"Understood," said both girls.

"Then, please leave." Ophelia said, turning towards a single window in her bedroom made of ice.

"Acknowledged," said Thrud.

"We'll remain on standby," said Ortlinde.

With that, both girls exited, closing the door with an echoing bang.

Ophelia looked at the icy landscape, alive and beautiful at first glance, but lifeless in the end.

It was a sad, unmoving world.

Saber materialized at her side. He never left her alone.

"They are coming," he commented, looking outside as well.

Intrigued, Ophelia focused her mystic eye. Indeed, in the distance, a black vehicle was moving towards the castle.

This was it, when Mash and Ophelia's fates would collide.

"Ready yourself, Saber."

Ritsuka Fujimaru still hadn't gotten used to the shadow border. The way it shook and turned with enough force to push her always made her nauseous. It was humiliating, after overcoming the Singularities, the temple of time and the pseudo singularities, she should be better, but she wasn't.

Of course, maybe it also had to do with the fact that she never liked rollercoasters.

Mash, as always, was at her side, with her grave expression and pursed mouth.

"Hang on, Senpai. We're nearly there," she said after noticing Ritsuka's gaze. An armoured hand landed on top of hers, and the Master smiled with tinted cheeks.

"Actually..." said Da Vinci over the intercom. The vehicle then came into a full stop, nearly sending the group flying forward. "…we're here! I put the Shadow Border a good distance away, just to be safe. It's walking all the way from now on!"

Ritsuka and Mash unbuckled from their seats and stood up, heading towards the hatch.

"You could have warned us," Ritsuka murmured.

"I'd rather keep the surprises," was Da Vinci's answer.

"Great. Guess I'll just ask 'are we there yet?' every minute from now on." Ritsuka said.

"Now, now. Only one child is allowed here, and that is me. Now go on." With that, the intercom cut off. Ritsuka sighed, and at that moment, Goredolf stepped in front of both girls.

"Director?"

"You two, these are your orders," He said, looking up at them, since he was much shorter than either girl. In fact, Ritsuka was pretty much a head taller than him. "Go into the castle, defeat that dreadful Crypter, and stop Skadi. It will be your duty, Miss Kyrielight, to protect Fujimaru at all costs. Understood?"

Ritsuka raised an eyebrow, while Mash smiled.

"Will do, Director. Thanks for your support," Mash said. However, Ritsuka only stepped forwards, enough that Goredolf was forced to look up at her with trepidation. She looked down with a glare.

"I think we'll manage even without orders. But thanks for the vote of confidence," she said. He short man paled.

"y-yes. O-of course. Just moral support!" he said, recovering his composure and stepping away. "In that case, begin the operation!" He said, trying to keep his commanding appearance. Rolling her eyes, Ritsuka stepped into the snow.

They were on a snow covered hill overlooking the ice castle and the lake beneath.

"Did you really need to scare the Director, Senpai?" Mash asked.

"He knows what I'm capable of. What you are capable of. One thing is to be in front of history's greatest heroes. Those can judge me. But Goredolf? No thanks," she said.

"I-I see. He's trying, though. Really trying to step into his role." Ritsuka sighed. Mash was right, she was letting her insecurities get the better of her.

"I know," then, Mash looked down, eyes squinted. Ritsuka knew something troubled her. "Something wrong?"

"Ophelia," Mash replied.

"What about her?" Ritsuka asked, mood soured. She did not like how the Crypter attempted at every chance she got to convince Mash to betray her friends and stay with her. She did not care for her reasons. Ritsuka had lost enough people already.

"I hope we can still reason with her," Mash said, looking at Ritsuka with a gaze of steel.

"Mash…" She began.

"I have to do this Senpai. You didn't give up on me, nor in any of the multitude of dangerous Servants you summoned. Please… allow me this one chance," Ritsuka was taken aback by how… strong Mash looked at that moment.

"I… Alright," Ritsuka said, even if her face remained strained. Even so, Mash smiled.

"Thank you,"

Then, a loud thud was heard behind them.

"All right!" Said the Heroic Spirit Napoleon, slamming the back of his gigantic canon into the ground. "We are all ready. Worry not, we'll hold the line until our second team returns with Sinmara and Brynhildr. Worry not… I'll cover your!" He smoked a cigarette, which Ritsuka didn't even know where it came from, since Da Vinci was very against smoking, and then threw it away.

"Thanks Archer! We'll be counting on you!" Ritsuka said, giving the tall man a thumbs up. "Now… let's do this."

With that, they began their advance on the ice castle.

When she wanted to be, Ritsuka Fujimaru could be very scary. Not because of her experience of course, Goredolf himself was far more experienced. It was her damn tallness. Yes! That was it! She had been blessed by the god of heights! And the rest of the crew were still very much against him. He'd win them over, but for now, he was still quite alone.

Except for Emiya. He was his sole reliable ally in this whole situation. Always willing to help and hear him out. Maybe he would offer him a permanent employment at the end of the Lostbelt sitaution.

"Any word from Emiya?" He asked Meuniere.

"Not a sign. He began falling rapidly inside a mountain, then disappeared." He said. Goredolf paled, feeling a disgusting sensation on his stomach.

"W-what? He fell? Is he dead?" He asked, shaking his crew member.

"Stop that!" Said Meuniere, flailing his arms around. "He's fine! His vital signs are perfectly fine. And actually, he's in a rather warm place.

Goredolf sighed in relief. He was not alone just yet.

It was dark. He could not see a thing, but he could smell sulphur, and feel a strong current of air that only got hotter and hotter as they descended. He spent minutes falling down the hole, and for a moment, he entertained the idea that maybe there was nobody to catch his fall.

Of course, Brynhildr's strong grip on his waist reminded him that he was, in fact, not alone.

Luckily, the darkness did not last another minute. Soon, orange streaks appeared in the walls, and the wind became unbearably hot.

Before he could think any more, Brynhildr stopped her descent swiftly. He felt his entire body move forwards before he settled.

At their side, Hildr landed, her halo of light active behind her.

The elder Valkyrie let him on the ground gently. He was fine, he had dropped once or twice on parachute on his travels. It was not exactly the same, but it helped.

"Up ahead lies Sinmara." Hildr said, beginning to walk forwards.

Shirou Emiya looked around. Gone was the frigid air and dark blue stone. It was all replaced by a fiery cave that smelled of smog. In fact, breathing the very air made him cough a little. It was as if inside a volcano. He could see trails of what he assumed was lava run down the walls and land on small puddles, or burst fort from a hole in the ground.

"Can you continue, Emiya?" Brynhildr asked him.

"I'm fine," he said while scratching his nose. "I should be sorry, for making you carry me."

Brynhildr then did something strange. She smiled at him.

"It's quite alright. One time I carried Sigurd just like that. Even if his face was stoic, I could tell he was amazed." She said. For the first time, he could gear genuine happiness in her voice, without a single hint of sorrow. "Let's keep going."

He nodded and followed behind the Valkyrie.

The trio walked through the cave in a straight line, and a few meters in, Shirou began to sweat profusely, and felt his face begin to heat up. It was like an oven, complete opposite of the icy wonderland outside.

They encountered a small gap in the cave, giving away to a lava lake. It was easily traversed thanks to a bridge of light created by runes.

"How are you two holding up?" He asked his companions once they had crossed the lava lake.

"Temperature is manageable," Hildr said from up ahead.

"I'm quite alright myself, even if it is starting to become somewhat unbearable," Brynhildr said, walking at his side.

"And here I thought you were all cold and sad," he replied dryly. Then, the elder Valkyrie laughed. Shirou blushed, it was a beautiful laugh. Had he ever managed to make the Valkyrie sisters laugh?

Every memory from them was recorded in his mind and rooted deep. And… he hadn't ever made them laugh. Smile, yes, but never laugh. He felt his mood getting soured, and thus decided to push those feelings away. It was not the time.

"I used to be worse." Brynhildr said, just in time to prevent any more thoughts from appearing.

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Yes. I was born a machine like my sisters after all, even if I was the first," Shirou said nothing, and Brynhildr fell silent for a second, her usual frown returning.

Then, she turned her violet eyes to his own. "Emiya,"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. Your words helped my sister find the strength to chose her own path." Said the elder Valkyrie.

Shirou pursed his lips. Yes, he was happy that Hildr had turned over, however…

"Is that truly alright? She turned her back on everything, it may cause her pain. And I'm absolutely happy with that." He said.

"It's only natural. You love her beyond words, so much it hurts at times, right?" Shirou had never truly tried to describe his love for the Valkyries. But at times, it was much like his dream. A potent blaze in his chest, sometimes it hurt him, but he welcomed the heat anyways.

"Right. But–"

"–if I had known what pain it would bring me to love Sigurd, my feelings still would not have changed. I know I'm fated to kill my beloved. Even so, I will never stop loving him no matter what, because these precious memories are worth a thousand stabs. Causing pain to loved ones is inevitable, no matter how much we try. Wether it's our mistakes, our differences, or our inevitable parting." Brynhildr said in her usual somber tone.

Shirou looked away. For some reason, that didn't sound right. "You do live up to the legend," he admitted. Brynhildr blushed, and then looked forwards.

The eldest Valkyrie stopped dead in her tracks, and so did Shirou.

"There she is," as she said that, Shirou looked ahead. The cave gave opening to a large chamber. Hildr stood at the side of the entrance, observing the prisoner within.

On the middle of the otherwise unremarkable room, there was a large disk, at least ten meters in radius. Then another half of that, and on top of that one, was a woman.

Or what seemed to be one.

Her skin was dark brown, although it almost looked like the wrinkled, charred one the other Musphels had. Her hair was black, and her face was lean and somewhat lacking in fat, to the point he could call her gaunt.

Her arms were held high by white chains made out of permafrost ice, while her legs were bound to the floor, letting her rest on her knees. Her head looked downwards to the floor. Her eyes were yellow, sclera and pupils a bright orange colour.

It was like looking at something charred, but still smouldering.

"Is that–"

"Sinmara," Brynhildr announced, voice reverberating through the chamber.

The fiery giantess remained still, and then her head twitched. A few seconds later, it was lifted, and looked directly at them.

"Daughter of Odin… You are… dead," said the woman. Her voice was normal, if a little raspy. How long had it been since she spoke?

"I am not from this era. I'm a heroic spirit from Proper human history," Brynhildr stated, holding her spear on a tight grip.

Sinmara said nothing, but Shirou could feel the room grow hotter still, making it even harder to breathe.

"Proper human history. I see… how pitiful… this world was pruned wasn't it," she stated. She looked Brynhildr straight in the eye, eyes shining, as if attempting to set the Valkyrie ablaze.

"Indeed," Brynhildr replied.

"It's all his fault," Sinmara said. Brynhildr pursed her lips and said nothing. Neither did Hildr, who stayed behind, almost out of sight.

"Whose? Who did this to you?" Shirou asked. Sinmara looked like she was in a lot of pain.

"The Skadi and Odin's of course, foolish human." Sinmara replied, rage in her voice.

"Odin?"

"Yes. He stopped what should come to pass. Ragnarök is not yet complete," she replied. She tugged slightly at her restraints.

"I thought Ragnarök occurred here, but the gods survived. Is that not what happened?" Shirou said, turning back to Hildr. The Valkyrie looked away.

"No," Said Sinmara, voice booming. "Surtr, my beloved, was locked up like a rat, simply for choosing not to die. Even after I married Mimir, and kept Laevalinn in my care, all so my beloved could achieve his destiny, his purpose, his happiness. And when we wanted more, he was taken away," said the woman, who seemed at the verge of breaking down. Or perhaps she was already broken.

"Where was he taken?" Shirou asked. He needed to help this woman, maybe after defeating Skadi. Sinmara looked at him. Her face scrunched up with sadness and some manner of surprise.

"You've already seen it. That big ball of fire on the sky."

"The sun?!" Shirou asked. So that's what that thing was. He knew it was no regular sun, but it was also a prison? Or was it Surtr himself?

"Yes. Made by the gods, maintained by Skadi," Shirou turned back to Hildr.

"Did you know?" He asked her. Hildr looked at him, a grave expression on her features.

"Yes." Was her singular reply.

Shirou was surprised. But now was not the time to worry about giant suns.

It seemed Brynhildr thought the same.

"Sinmara. We'll liberate you. Can you stand up to Skadi, a goddess?" At this, Sinmara smiled, a little too wickedly.

"I don't care if I can. Surtr left some of his power to me, his authority, his domain over Musphelheim. Worst case, I'll die and return to him." She said before the lava and fire and embers in the room seemed to pulse with life. "Now release me!"

In a swift motion, Brynhildr cut the restraints, which crumbled to the ground and melted into vapour. Sinmara's arm fell to her side.

Shirou rushed to help her, until he burned himself when he got within a few steps of her and extended his hand. He hissed, grabbing it. It was like an aura of fire was around her.

Then, Sinmara stood up, seized the three tensed individuals in the room, and then catapulted through the roof like a missile. The entire mountain shook.

"Oh my…" Was Brynhildr's lament.

"After her! Engage maximum speed!" Hildr said, going ahead of them the way which they came from.

Shirou decided to ignore his injury and follow. However, he was stopped by the elder Valkyrie.

"Hold on," she said. He turned around, and he found his burned hand held within her icy grasp. Then, she looked at it, brought it near her mouth, and after she mouthed something, a green light engulfed his damaged limb. Shirou felt soothed. "There," said Brynhildr with a smile. However, the moment she said that, she shook, and her lance moved on her own, pointed in his direction.

"B-Bryn?" he asked, stepping away from her. His eye of the mind warned him of something.

"S-Sorry," Brynhildr said as she seemed to suppress whatever took over her. Once again, she became the epitome of elegance and containment. "We better go." She said, going the way Hildr had.

With some suspicion, Shirou did the same.

A/N: So Lostbelt 4 released, and thus my interest in Fate was renewed. I loved Lostbelt 4, loved Pepe, and everything else. Only thing I didn't like were the bullshit bosses in the last Section, and how Nezha was treated.

Anyways, I've been itching to get back to Valkyrie Flavor. I've got a bunch of ideas, some related to the Lostbelt, others to one shots.

As always, any thoughts and criticism is welcome.

Next chapter, everyone throws down at Skadi's castle. That is all, Chiao!