A/N: Edited on 31/10/2021 due to some glaring errors I'm really embarrassed about. Sorry for leaving them in! It won't happen again.
The Shadow Border crew sat in silence around the Paper Moon console.
"So… a deal..." Goredolf said, breaking the ice.
"Indeed. And they captured Koyanskaya nonetheless. It's impressive, really," Holmes stated, looking around the room.
"All we need to do is… allow them to analyse the Shadow Border…" Mash stated, twiddling her thumbs.
"It's dangerous. Far too dangerous…" Goredolf stated. "They could get our secrets, discover Zero Sailing."
"Trading our secrets for an antidote. We'd be exposing ourselves, but also be closer to saving Mash's Master. I'd say it's a viable option where most would win," Sigurd stated, standing tall besides Ophelia, using his sword for balance.
Ortlinde frowned. She had been given control by Hildr, so she could recuperate from the battle. "Their warriors seemed most honourable. I doubt they'd cross blades with us anywhere but the battlefield."
She remembered their Lancer well. She moved spectacularly fast, with not a hint of fear and willing to die for her people. A true hero, worthy of Valhalla.
"We'd also avoid fighting that… thing," Shirou stated, massaging his neck. Ortlinde couldn't look at him, since every time she did, Hildr's memory and prediction of his head being lopped off came back and made her chest feel cold.
Which was, in itself, something strange. She would be glad that such a fine fighter would die and be able to be taken to Valhalla. But something in her mind rejected that notion.
Ortlinde, concentrate. Thrúd's voice whispered in her mind, and she refocused on the conversation.
"Yeah, that thing was certainly terrifying," Goredolf stated, shaking for a moment, as if suffering from a sudden cold. "Just this once, I'd like for you to consider the less reckless option, please."
"I agree that this seems like the course to take," Ophelia stated. "We can get the antidote and save Fujimaru."
"And then we can come back with her and cut this Lostbelt tree," Mash said, smiling slightly. Ortlinde noticed that Ophelia's gaze hardened at that.
"Besides, we still need some time to figure out this Emperor. He isn't just immortal, but doesn't even have a real body! He's… what was it he said?" Ophelia asked, looking around the room, hugging herself.
"A Holy Vessel. But from what I can decipher, he probably used Prince Nezha's body as well as Sage Arts to achieve it. And if Qin Shi Huang really did achieve immortality, then his empire never collapsed, and he was probably able to maintain peace and dominate neighbouring nations," Da Vinci stated, tapping her staff on the ground as she paced around the room.
"And thus, he achieved total domain over the earth, achieving not only a completely unified nation, but also eliminating all notion of war and conflict," Ortlinde's heart skipped a beat at Holmes' analysis.
A world without war, without strife, without warriors. No wonder none of them except that boy even had the potential to be fighters. They had never once known the very concept.
While everyone else agreed, Shirou seemed conflicted.
"Haven't you seen how they treat the people?" Shirou said, voice somewhat hoarse.
Mash turned to him in a flash. "Emiya, think of senpai!"
"So we should ignore everyone else?" Shirou asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I… I… If it means saving Senpai… saving the world… then…" Mash said, struggling to get her words out.
"Alright, enough. We will allow them to analyse the Border, and then we'll get the antidote for Fujimaru. And thats' it! Alright?!" Goredolf asked. Ortlinde noted that his valour had increased, maybe due to his fatal condition.
Although, he seemed more concerned about their Master's life, rather than his own.
"Alright. I'll give the Emperor the go ahead. Everyone please wait outside while they work," Da Vinci said, motioning towards the exit hatch. Everyone nodded, leaving their positions and heading outside the vehicle. However, Shirou went up to Da Vinci instead of following the others.
Curious, Ortlinde stopped to see what was transpiring.
"Is Spartacus alright?" Shirou asked, massaging the spot where his Command Seals where.
"Yes. We grafted his missing shoulder back into his body. His Spiritual Core will do the rest," Da Vinci stated. Shirou let out a breath of relief.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad," he stated with a small smile. However, Da Vinci turned around with a pout.
"Yes, it's good. Sadly, no amount of grafting will put your head back on your shoulders. So please avoid any more dangerous situations," she stated. Shirou's smile faded, replaced by a scratching on the back of his head.
"Y-yes. Of course," he said. Shirou then looked her away, and their eyes met. He smiled at her, as if happy she was still alive.
Ortlinde turned and left.
Living and dying in battle, that's what warriors did. Valkyries were no different.
They did not need saving.
An hour passed since then. The Valkyries had time to spare as the Chaldea crew waited for the emperor to finish his analysis. So they floated around the village, making sure the inhabitants were safe. To Ortlinde, all of them seemed content.
"Miss Valkyrie!" A voice called out to her. Turning around, she saw the-boy-with-no-name approach her, beaming. However, upon seeing her face, he stopped in his tracks. "Oh, sorry. I thought you were Miss Valkyrie. You are very similar."
He looked her over. Ortlinde smiled involuntarily at his reaction. He still didn't understand that they were all the same. She suppressed her amusement, and set out to ensure his physical well-being.
"Those two were my sisters, human. I am Ortlinde, the third and youngest," she said with a small nod as she looked him over. The boy turned his head around as she floated around him.
"Oh! I wanted to talk to the one with pink hair. I watched her fight, she was incredible!" he said, eyes glinting. However, Ortlinde frowned. Their primary directive was to protect the villagers, and they had escorted the boy to safety.
"Were you not at home?" She asked him, serious. At this, the boy began looking at the ground, sheepish.
"I… no. I got scared, because of the… things that fell out of the sky. You said you fought to protect others so… I guess I wanted to be protected by you," some embarrassment was felt through her thoughts, coming from Hildr.
"I see. My sister is flattered, human, but you should not come to us for protection. You should learn to stand on your own, you'll need it if you wish to protect yourself, and others," she stated. The boy raised his head to stare at her.
"But… how can I? It's scary, a-and I have never fought," he said, hands interlocked. Ortlinde sighed
Leave him. He is not warrior material. Thrúd said.
No, wait! He is! He's eager, he would be the first new warrior of this world! Hildr said, the sound loud despite her ears not suffering damage.
But… what could we teach him? Ortlinde asked.
We have no time for combat techniques.
Oh! Oh! How about a rune?
A Rune?! Have you malfunctioned?!
No, no! Listen… just one. Not like he has access to further knowledge. A simple force rune to repel threats.
Hmmm. That is…
And maybe… just maybe… we could hep him further after that. It's what we're meant to do, no? I'm sure father would approve.
Ortlinde felt a sting in her chest at the mention of her father.
What do you say Ortlinde? Can you do it?
Yes. I'll get on it.
She left her thoughts. Barely a moment had passed. The boy still stared at her.
She sighed. "Human, how about I teach you a rune?"
The boy raised an eyebrow, stepping back. "Rune?"
"Yes. A symbol that can embody a concept," she explained. However, this made him even more confused.
"S-symbol?" He asked. Ortlinde's brows raised.
"A letter, a drawing, a way to represent something that is in your mind. Do you not know what that is?" The boy shook his head. He did not know how to write, or draw, or make runes. No, worse than that, he had no knowledge of the very concept of it.
"No…" Ortlinde sighed. Why weren't things that easy.
"Very well. We'll teach you then," with that, Ortlinde weaved a small piece of cloth in which to write.
"Runes represent various things, you more than that, you can also string them together to create phrases, which would be like speaking but in a written form. Of course, that's not their only use. They can realise mysteries when inscribed, along with a little bit of magical energy from the world itself. So, by using runes in these ways…"
The boy stared at her while she drew runes with her finger and explained their purpose, as well as some history. None of them were magical, since she figured that would be too advanced. Even so, he absorbed every bit of knowledge as if starved.
She found it… satisfying. To have such an eager soul that wanted to learn how to fight. It was a different feeling from the warriors she used to search for and bring to Valhalla, who were fully realised, already holding ideals and ties. It was like seeing an end result with no involvement outside some interference.
Of course, they trained with them in Valhalla, but that was like tempering a weapon compared to creating one from scratch.
Or so the legendary Dwarf smith Sindri would say.
"Child!" Their attention was called by a female voice. Ortlinde instantly turned, the piece of cloth dissipating into particles.
The one who to them was the enemy Lancer, who apparently wasn't a Lancer at all, but a real, flesh and blood human being enchanced by the Emperor.
"Yes, general Qin Liangyu!" said the boy, standing at attention. Just then, the woman pulled out a small flask from behind her.
"I'm told this is your first benefaction. Congratulations!" The Lancer gave out a warm smile, and the boy took the bottle, cheeks red.
"Yes! Thank you general. I… I have to go celebrate with the others!" the boy said, skipping away as if he had achieved a lifelong dream.
"You do that! Today is a special day!" Qin Liangyu said.
"Heard that Miss Valkyrie?! I'm of age now!" The boy shouted at her from the distance, turning around and back again in a single jump.
"Congratulations!" She said with a grin. Thus, the boy disappeared into the village, leaving the two women on their own.
She's not a Servant then…
She's extremely strong! We should as her if she wants to come to Valhalla.
M-maybe later. Once we get to know her.
"Sorry for my rudeness!" She said suddenly, bowing strongly. "I am Qin Liangyu, general of the Qin Empire, and your humble host. Allow me to apologise for your mistreatment," she said, slightly embarrassed. She went from dignified to a bumbling mess in less than a second, or so Thrúd thought.
Ortlinde agreed, partially.
"It's no issue. We did enjoy fighting you and Saber. You are both fantastic warriors," she said.
"Thank you. Saber is excellent, but I'm afraid his Master is less so. Not even I know how long she will remain neutral in this," Qin Lianguy stated, then she smiled again. "What is your name, fellow warrior?"
"I'm a Valkyrie. My individual designation is Ortlinde, although since we three share thoughts and feelings, I'd prefer to be called Valkyrie," she said, almost robotically.
Well done, Ortlinde, She heard Thrúd whisper.
"Since you requested it, I'll call you Valkyrie! So, Valkyrie, are you enjoying your stay in our lands? I hope you are finding them peaceful," Qin Liangyu said. Peace, that word made Ortlinde feel strange.
"It's placid. You should be proud, although it forces us to be idle more than we'd like," she stated. At this, Lianguy's smile disappeared.
"Idle?"
"Yes. We are warrior maidens that escort the souls of warriors to Valhalla, so that they may fight at the End of the World. But it's so peaceful here, that we hardly have any warriors to seek or escort. Well… at least until you showed up, that is. You are a fine fighter indeed," Ortlinde stated, smiling. However, Qin Liangyu did not return that smile.
"So not even your dead have rest from fighting? That sounds like… a terrible world to live in," She mused.
"They live great lives and are honoured in the afterlife by fighting for the All-father," Ortlinde countered. She felt heat in her chest, as if something were sparking.
"I see no point in that. Warriors are only good in wars. Without a war, a warrior will seek it, and destroy the peace they so much tried to obtain. That's why there are no warriors here, we are at peace after hundreds of years of suffering. And those warriors that remain are frozen forever on Mount Li, honoured for their service," Qin Liangyu stated, her gaze piercing Ortlinde's own.
A small sound escaped her throat. "So… when the world doesn't need you anymore, you are frozen forever?" She asked, voice somewhat shaky.
"Indeed. It's strange when you wake up hundreds of years. But if the world doesn't need me anymore, I'm okay with that. And isn't it better? What will you do when the world doesn't need you?" Qin Liangyu asked. Out of respect for her purpose, her father and her sister, she opened her mouth to answer.
Yet, nothing came out of it. She had no answer to that.
"I… well… my purpose is to seek heroes, and d-dictate the outcomes of b-battles. That's what I'm meant to do…" Ortlinde said, reverting to her base programming. However, this only elicited a look of pity from Qin Liangyu.
"Poor thing," that slightly condescending tone that had no such intent behind it felt like a stab in the chest. "So you were made for warfare. No wonder this world were your existence is meaningless bothers you," then, she smiled. She smiled. The flame in Ortlinde's chest burst in full force, yet she said nothing. "As a fellow warrior for life, I'm here if you want to talk," Ortlinde said nothing in return, and an awkward silence set in.
"Well then, I must get going. Is that okay?" Qin asked.
"Y-yes…" Ortlinde answered. With that, Qin Liangyu turned around.
However, as she began to turn around, she sent Ortlinde one last look over her shoulder. "You know, you are lucky. You know no other life than the one you were made for. You've lost nothing. I think that is enough cause to rejoice."
With that, she was gone.
Ortlinde stood still, the sun of the afternoon hitting her over the had.
Had she really lost nothing?
She had lost their eldest, Brynhildr.
And then their commander, Sigrún.
And then…
Memories of fire, of Ragnarök popped up on her mind.
Countless deaths, countless gods fallen, including their beloved father.
A world of flames, molten iron and charred flesh.
All of that happened when gods, humans and Valkyries alike tried to avoid their purpose.
Thus… all Valkyries swore…
Never again.
Never again!
N-never again…
Dusk was upon them. The sky was painted red. The Emperor's troops had been kind enough to set up a camp for Chaldea, as well as a separate one for themselves, while the Shadow Border was analysed.
Even so, Shirou had trouble sleeping. Lying on a simple foldable bed, he replayed that fight in his head, over and over again.
He charged in recklessly against a stronger, monstrous foe. All because he had let fear overtake his mind. Fear of Hildr dying, again.
He got up, shaking those thoughts off.
Some kind of celebration was happening in the village. His help wasn't needed there, nor in the camp. He was left with dreadful free time.
He went outside his tent, and found Ophelia near a campfire, along with Mash. They seemed to be cooking marshmallows on a stick.
He approached.
"… and Senpai told me that you burn them like… this…" Mash's expression went from happy to sad, as her voice trailed off. Noticing this, Ophelia turned to look at Shirou for a second, but said nothing as she diverted her attention back at the campfire.
"Hey. You two doing okay?" Shirou asked, taking a seat beside Ophelia.
"We are in perfect health, luckily," Mash stated. Shirou nodded at this, and Ophelia still did not say anything.
"So where is Saber?" Shirou asked to break the ice.
"Patrolling. I don't think Akuta will leave us alone. She did not seem particularly happy about us making a deal with Qin Shi Huang," Ophelia stated, getting her marshmallow out of her stick and taking a small bite.
Ophelia left things there, apparently not keen on talking to him.
Shirou frowned. This was not the time for this sort of thing. "Is something the matter?" He asked.
Ophelia turned to him, glaring. "You almost killed yourself."
Upon hearing that statement, Shirou felt his cheeks flush and his chest constrict. "Oh. That."
"What were you thinking?" Ophelia asked harshly.
"I've seen you do some reckless stuff Emiya, but nothing that reckless," Mash added. Shirou did not look away, despite a bit of embarrassment.
"I'd have done the same if it were you," Shirou said, remembering that time he jumped in front of Berserker to attempt to save Thrúd from harm.
"What are you trying to say?" Mash asked with a raised eyebrow. Shirou raised his hands in defence.
"Nothing! Nothing. What I'm saying is that… it's just what I do," he said, but that did not seem to calm Ophelia.
"You are not a meat shield, Shirou," how Shirou wished he was. At least others would not worry about his safety.
"I know. After my own Grail War ended I swore to not die until I was a hero worthy of Valhalla. I thought I had gotten over those habits, but…" something got caught up in his throat as the image of the Hildr from the Lostbelt popped up in his mind. He remembered clearly how her smiling face turned to ash in a matter of seconds, and then scattered to the wind.
"…but?" Ophelia asked, bringing him back to reality. Shirou shook his head, trying to put on a smile.
"Never mind. I guess old habits die hard," both Mash and Ophelia looked at him funny.
"It was the Valkyries, no?" Ophelia asked. Shirou felt his confidence break.
"Y-yeah. You saw right through me," he admitted.
"They are capable, Emiya-san," Mash commented.
"I know, I know. But I can't help it," he said. Where the Valkyries really the ones that should not be there? Or was it him?
"Well, we'll soon have the antidote. We can strategise better once Senpai is cured," Mash said with a smile. Ophelia and Shirou looked at her as if she had made a jab at their expense.
"We'll get through this Lostelt, Mash. With or without Fujimaru," Ophelia said out of the blue, fully turning to the shielder.
"I… I know!" Mash said, wavering a little. Ophelia relented at this.
"Good. Good," Ophelia said, trying to look dignified. "Just… wanted you to know that."
"Yes. But about Beryl? What do we do about him?" Mash asked. Ophelia sighed at this.
"Beryl… Honestly I…" Ophelia opened and closed her mouth for a moment, as if her answer would decide her fate. "… I have to face them."
Both Shirou and Mash's eyes widened.
"Them?" Mash asked.
"Yes, him and Akuta. I need to… prove that I'm one of you. That I will restore the earth,"
"But… you already are doing it!" Mash protested.
"I merely spoke words. I need to… I need to take action. This time, I won't be paralysed," Ophelia stated, hand raised to her heart. Shirou, however, frowned.
"You don't need to prove anything. You don't need to get hurt trying," he stated, somewhat bitterly. Ophelia turned to the fire, eye strained.
"Maybe I do. Maybe it's what I owe, to the people I betrayed, and to the team that I abandoned," Ophelia stated, not talking to anyone in particular. At this, Mash went and grabbed one of her hands at an impressive speed.
"Alright," she said, making Ophelia turn to her. Mash held a gaze of steel. "But I'll be at your side. I won't let you do it alone. You've had enough of that."
Ophelia looked at her with her mouth open, and then her features relaxed. "I… I see. Yes, I would like that."
Shirou didn't. He didn't like the image of dragging people into his issues. Still, Ophelia was Ophelia, and he would be there for her nonetheless. After how much trouble they went through to save her, after the Lostbelt Thrúd sacrificed herself to get him to her…
Static interrupted his thoughts, the image of Thrúd being swallowed by flames etched in his mind.
… he couldn't let Ophelia die.
"Okay. Well, you two get some good rest, alright? It's been… a rough day," he stated, getting up. Mash and Ophelia turned to him and nodded. Before they could do anythign else, Shirou was walking away, back to them.
He needed some air. Some alone time.
Ortlinde stared at the moon. Night had fallen. The distant sounds of a party could be heard across the valley.
It seemed the humans from the Lostbelt were having a celebration.
She thought back to Qin Liangyu's words as she looked at the scenery before her. Quiet nights, happy humans, wind blowing over the grass. Yes, it was peaceful. It was a world where no warriors were needed.
Where she wasn't needed.
Hildr and Thrúd were oddly quiet.
She felt a presence a few meters behind her.
She looked back towards the general direction of the camp that had been set up. Shirou Emiya stood there, his gaze surprised and body twisted as if he were about to turn around.
"Emiya," she said, calling out to him. He seemed to avert his gaze.
"H-hey Ortlinde. Sorry, didn't mean to bother you," he said. She turned to him fully, floating over to be closer.
"I was j-just musing. Nothing else. It's a welcome distraction," she stated.
"Oh. I'm glad," Shirou said. He turned to stare at the moon. "What were you thinking about?"
Now Ortlinde looked away. Did she feel comfortable speaking about that? No, she didn't need to other him.
"Just… about the peace that can be felt here," she stated, turning to the moon as well. "There is not much to do."
"Indeed. It's weird, isn't it? A world without conflict. At least, it was until we came in," he said, grimacing.
"K-Koyanskaya would have brought those demonic beasts here regardless," Ortlinde said. Shirou sighed, lowering his head.
"Right–"
"–and without our presence the villagers would have been killed or injured," she added, raising her finger to emphasize her point. Shirou turned to her, and smiled. Her heart skipped a beat.
Why did such a simple stating of facts make him smile like that?
"You are right, of course. But I can't help feeling guilty," he said. Ortlinde raised her eyebrow. "
"How so?" She asked.
"Well… it did feel good to save them. Help them," he said, his smile turning melancholic.
"Why?" She asked without thinking, something she should never do as a proper Valkyrie.
Shirou's gaze went sideways for a moment, and he crossed his arms. "It's… it's just my way of life."
"So fulfilling your purpose makes you happy?" Ortlinde asked. He looked into her eyes. His gaze seemed haunted for a moment. Memories of her summoning, so distant and yet so close, resurfaced.
"It didn't use to. I just wanted… salvation… I guess. To make my life worth something. But after the war, I learned that maybe..." he turned back to the moon for a second. "… it was not only for salvation. I did find that dream beautiful in it's own way. And even if I never accomplished it…"
He closed his eyes, turning back to her with a smile.
"… I would see you in Valhalla as long as I followed it, right?" Shirou asked. Ortlinde's heart skipped a beat, enough to make her cheeks feel hot.
"R-right. W-Well… there is no guarantee that we would be the ones to find and judge you. But I'm sure that… you'd become a hero," she stated. However, at her words, Shirou's eyes became strained.
His gaze lingered, but even if he looked at her, it was almost like he was looking at someone else. His expression slowly became more strained, and his eyes almost turned glassy.
"E-emiya?" she asked backing off a little.
"A hero huh…" he said, turning quickly to face away from her.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, some curiosity taking over. She bent over a little, trying to get a look at his face.
He turned to her upon noticing.
"Ortlinde… I'm sorry," he said. Ortlinde recoiled at his sudden words.
"W-what? Why?" She asked, no memory of her coming up that would warrant such a response. Maybe when he wished them to remain out of the fight… but he seemed very adamant about his stance on it earlier on.
Was there something else she missed?
Shirou opened his mouth to answer a few times, closing it soon after.
"I–"
Heavy footsteps sounded on the grass. Both of them turned to see a white flash under the moonlight. Qin Liangyu ran past them. She seemed agitated.
"Lady Lianguy?" Ortlinde asked, calling out she stopped for a second, looking back at them.
"I must leave. Forgive my interruption," she said. Something felt wrong, an air of conflict surrounded her.
"What for?" Ortlinde asked. Qin looked at the ground for a second, before hardening her gaze.
"One of our villages is being wiped out. I must root out the cause before it's too late," she said.
"Huh? More demonic beasts?" Shirou asked. Qin Liangyu shook her head.
"No. It's two individuals, and something else, according to the emperor," she stated. Shirou clicked his tongue.
In a second his mind seemed to be made up.
"It's Beryl. I'll go with you," Ortlinde's eyes widened. That man and his fiendish Servant. She forced them to bend their knee. It was unforgivable. Ortlinde needed to resist her, in any way possible.
"Me as well. As a proud warrior of Valhalla, I must face his Servant again!" She stated, spear materializing.
Qin Liangyu smiled for a second.
"Then let's go. We are running out of time," she said, before turning around and running towards the east at inhuman speed.
Shirou and Ortlinde looked at each other. "Should we call our allies?" She asked him. She didn't wish to. She needed to prove her worth, alone.
Shirou looked away, grimacing. "We better not. It's safer that way."
Ortlinde didn't argue. And so, they set out after Qin Liangyu.
A/N: And that's it! Next up, round two against Beryl. Qin Liangyu is my second favourite Lancer, so I kind of want to make her justice. That is all for now.
On another note, this story broke 200 reviews, and 150k views, which makes me so happy! I want to thank all of you, readers, for keeping up with this story and loving the Valks and Shirou. I'm so glad so many are interested in these warrior maidens, or at least in their interactions with Shirou.
I'll see you next chapter. Chiao!