Chapter 3: Of Dreams And Valkyries

"...Where… on earth…?" Shido muttered, as he found himself in a place he had never seen before. Last he remembered, he had been laying down in bed after returning home with Kotori, certainly not in the middle of some renaissance fair surrounded by a bunch of people who were clearly far too into their act. And yet, here he was, in exactly that situation.

"Did you hear about the execution?" Shido heard a voice to his right say. His eyes widened as he spun in the direction of the voice, to see one particular couple walking side by side.

"Bits and pieces." Replied a man, standing next to the woman Shido had first heard. "Why?"

"Supposedly, they've caught the traitor paladin!" The woman said. "****** *******!" Shido did a double take as the woman spoke a supposed name out aloud… yet, all he heard was garbled noise, not unlike that of white static. "She's been sentenced to public execution in the square. Want to go watch~?"

"... I… Would rather not…" The man replied. The woman looked disappointed, and Shido heard her trying to convince the man as they walked away.

Execution… isn't that kind of… extreme for a renaissance fair? And yet, having heard those two strangers conversation… Shido was no longer certain that this was some kind of event. No, it was better to say that he knew very well at that point that things were very wrong. After a moment of deliberation, Shido looked for the closest nearby person who he could question, spotting a more or less friendly looking old man standing by the side of the road. "Um, sir?" Shido asked as he approached him.

"Mm?" The man replied with a grunt, a smile underneath his bushy white moustache.

"Sorry for bothering you, but I'm… new in town." Shido explained. "I heard something was going on in the town square. Could I ask where that is?'

"Hmm… Wanting to see the execution, are you?"

"Y-yeah." Shido averted his eyes, having struggled to say so. He couldn't quite guess why he was so suddenly so interested in said execution, but… the best way to explain it was that something in his gut was telling him to go there. "And if it wouldn't bother you too much, could I ask a few questions about it?"

"I s'pose."

"Thank you! First, who exactly is it? What did she do?"

"...Mm… That would 'ave to be… ****** *******." That same garbled noise from before filled Shido's ears as the man said what Shido assumed to be there name. The man didn't seem to notice Shido's confusion as he continued. "'Eard she's a traitor to the church. What a shame. Lass like that used to be adored 'round these parts. Folks seem mighty upset about the 'hole thing." The man shook his head, his smile replaced with an almost melancholic frown. "Any other questions, kiddo?"

"...No, that's all for now." Shido bowed his head in thanks, hiding the frown on his own face as best he could. The man nodded, and proceeded to give Shido the directions to the town square. Shido thanked him once more before sprinting off in that direction, the bad feeling in his gut growing stronger as he quickly approached the town square. He could hear the sounds of visceral cheers and angry shouts alike growing louder with each step he took. Finally, he arrived at the town square where a massive horde of people were gathered, all of their attention focused on the gallows in the center of the town square.

From his angle, Shido could see men draped in black robes which he took to be the executioners… yet no sign of who they were charged with executing. Try as he might, Shido simply couldn't get a good look at the supposed criminal. With a grimace, Shido made up his mind to get closer. He started forcing his way through the crowd, moving people out of his way as he went in hopes of getting a better view. Fate was against him, however, as with each step he took, it became harder to advance, and harder still to even get a glance of the full gallows. Still, he pressed on, undaunted by such odds.

"Let ****** go, you bastards!" Shido heard a voice cry out. Dozens more joined together with it, all expressing their discontent with the execution, many of them repeating that same unintelligible name. "She's a hero! She never did anything to deserve this!"

"She's your greatest paladin, and this is how you treat her!?"

"Master ****** would never commit such a crime! How dare you accuse her!?"

It was clear as day to Shido that whatever was happening was wrong. But…

What do I even do in this situation? Spoke a quiet voice in the back of his mind.

"Silence!" An angry voice roared over the crowd. The dissenting voices quieted down as the man continued to speak. "The overseer has spoken. Any who question his judgement are heretics and traitors! Cease your cries now, lest you join this traitor in the gallows!"

...Over...seer? The bad feeling in his gut grew to almost crippling amounts, as Shido placed a hand over his stomach to try and quell it... to little effect. He had just heard of another with that title, hadn't he? It wasn't like it was all that common. Was this… could this be… Shido grit his teeth and made one final effort to break through the crowd.

"Commence the execution." Spoke a different voice, calm and powerful in comparison to the anger fueled shouting of the man before. Shido's eyes widened, but he couldn't move any faster through the crowd of bodies that blocked his path. He had no idea what he planned on doing once he got there, but… he imagined it would be something pretty damn stupid. A bitter grin grew on his face.

Just the way I like it. He pressed forward, nearing the exit of the crowd. Almost there… almost there!

A scream sounded out over the crowd, and all hell broke loose. "Run! Run for your lives!"

"Demons… Demons are attacking!"

Inhumane, horrific roars filled the square as Shido turned to see a horde of monsters charging into the plaza from seemingly nowhere. Beasts that he thought he would only ever see in story books, a scene that he thought he would only ever see in nightmares, now began to play out before him as the massive creatures smashed through even the biggest buildings of the square and began tearing into the crowd. Effortlessly, they slaughtered civilians by the dozens be they manwoman or child, countless bodies being turned into gore in a matter of moments. Shido's froze at the sight, his limbs failing him as he witnessed the terrific scene first hand.

One beast took notice of him. Though it had no eyes, the horrific beast turned to face him. It charged forward without delay, and yet Shido found that he could no longer move, no matter how he urged or cried for his limbs to obey him. Come on, Shido! After everything you've been through, this isn't what's going to kill you! Move… move…! The monster leapt for him, it's cavernous maw filled with countless disfigured teeth, and more than capable of swallowing him whole in a singular bite.

Am I… about to die…?

Someone pushed him. He hardly had a moment to realize as he flew through the air. It was like time had slowed down. Slowly, he turned to look at who had saved him.

Hair, white as snow. A friendly, satisfied smile. Gone, in a single bite. All that remained was red.

Shido shot up from his bed, beads of cold sweat running down his face as his chest heaved with terror and fright. He covered his face with his hands, his heart pounding like an awful drum in his head. His body was still filled with adrenaline from his nightmare as he tried to recall that face, that name.

Who… what… why…? Shido couldn't focus for even a moment, no matter how hard he tried to gather his thoughts. The face that he had hardly seen. The girl he had hardly known. The one who so selflessly saved his life when he could not move to save it himself. He grit his teeth. It was only a nightmare. It was only a nightmare! And yet, Shido felt disgusted with himself.

She had been the one in the gallows. The paladin, as the old man called her. Though he had no proof of it, he was certain of that fact. But why did he see her? Who was she? What did any of that mean?

...Was that Schicksal?

All these questions and more ran through Shido's mind at breakneck speeds, and Shido had an answer to none of them. So lost in his thoughts was Shido that he failed to notice the faintest of ticklish sensations upon his back. Rather than dwelling on what he couldn't answer, Shido decided to get up and clear his head. He was safe, in his home, in his bed. No matter what all that was, it didn't matter in the here and now.

"Ugh… Boy…? What's up with you…?"

"...Huh?" Shido turned to see the face of none other than Nia Honjou lying beside him, the young man having somehow missed the mangaka when he first woke up. Additionally, said mangaka was dressed in nothing more than black lingerie… and smelling faintly of alcohol. Shido's cheek flushed as he turned away from Nia as the woman sat up.

"...Oh, good morning, by the way." Nia said with a yawn. "...Hey, boy… you don't look so good. Have a nightmare? Need big sis Nia here to give you sweet love and comfort~?" Nia spoke, leaning forward and taking Shido's arm in a hug.

"...N-Nia, why are you in my bed…?" Shido asked.

"I got too drunk to drive last night, but your couch wasn't all that comfy. Next to you, however…" Nia gave a sly grin before leaping forward and tackling Shido down against the bed.

"Nia!?"

"Hehe… what's the matter, little boy~?" Nia ran a finger down Shido's chest, eyeing the young man hungrily as she crawled over him. "Don't you worry… I'll make the bad dreams go away all at once." The mangaka closed her eyes and slowly moved her face closer to Shido's. The young man in question felt his body growing hotter as she grew closer, and the adrenaline that had just flushed out of his system returned just as quickly as he had left as his body reacted to Nia's stimulation.

"Ok, stop." A spray of water suddenly splashed Nia in the face, earning a shocked cry from the mangaka as Kotori stepped forward from out of nowhere. "There's a time and place for that, you damn cougar!" The red-head exclaimed, continuing to mercilessly spray Nia's face to the mangaka's discontent.

"Come on-agh!-Imouto, things were just getting good!"

"Don't care, get off. And get changed, you streaker."

"I'm not even naked yet!?"

"Hurry up, or I'll turn up the pressure and have Maria take over for me!"

"You slave driver…" Nia complained, before finally doing as she was told, picking up her discarded clothing from the floor, changing, and leaving the room, leaving Kotori with Shido alone.

"Thank you, Ko-" His words were cut off as the red-head sprayed him too. "Why!?"

"You're more than capable of getting her to stop yourself, you horn dog." Kotori replied. "Now get yourself dressed." Kotori turned and made her way out the door, but not before Shido shot up and called out to her.

"Wait… can we talk?"

"After you make breakfast."

"Wait, I'm serious-" But by the time he started speaking, Kotori was already out the door, letting it close shut behind her. With a frustrated sigh, Shido stood and got himself dressed as commanded.

A few days had passed since his meeting with Schicksal's overseer. After learning what it was that Schicksal wanted from him, Otto had told Shido that three days from then-in other words, now-a Schicksal representative would arrive to take him to a Schicksal facility where he would undergo a month-long evaluation in the care of the squad known as The Immortal Blades. What that entailed exactly, Shido couldn't say for certain.

A few minutes later, Shido heard a cry of exasperation come from the living room as he made his way downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, there he saw Kaguya and Yuzuru at the TV as usual, with Yoshino, Natsumi, and Tohka watching the screen. Just as Shido looked to see what they were playing, a familiar defeat message appeared on the screen as Yuzuru dropped her controller. Kotori and Nia were sitting at the table, the former idly watching the tv as well whilst the latter was looking over what looked like a manuscript of sorts.

That game, again? Shido thought as he walked up behind the couch.

"Disbelief: Yuzuru… lost?"

"See!? I told you they're freaking crazy!"

Ah. The revenge match. Shido grinned. "Careful, you two. We just got the TV back."

"...Greeting: Good morning, Shido."

"Oh, Shido. Kuku, allow me to welcome you to the material world."

"Right, right." Shido replied, patting both Yuzuru and Kaguya on the head with a sheepish grin.

"Good morning, Shido-san."

"Good morning, Shido!"

"Morning, Shido…"

"Good morning, Shido~kun!"

The four voices of Tohka, Yoshino, Natsumi, and Yoshinon all greeted him in sync. "Good morning." Shido replied back as he made his way towards the kitchen. Noticing his arrival, Kotori hopped up from the table and followed behind him, earning a strange look from the young man as they walked.

"You wanted to talk, right?" Kotori said, noticing his glance. "Let's talk while you make breakfast. Nia mentioned it had you pretty spooked."

"...Thank you." Kotori nodded. "Mind helping me, while you're in here?" Shido opened the fridge as he said that, pulling out a carton of eggs and some bacon. "Grab some potatoes from the pantry and start peeling them." Kotori nodded again and did as she was told, whilst Shido started up the stove.

"So? What was this nightmare about that's got you so spooked, Nii-chan?" Kotori asked, as she began peeling the potatoes. Shido glanced at the girl, taking note of the crude manner in which she was peeling the skin. He grinned, earning a flustered glare from Kotori. "D-don't laugh! You normally do all this yourself, of course I'm not gonna be good at it!"

"Sorry, sorry." Shido replied with a chuckle. His expression took on a more solemn look as his mind returned to his memories of the nightmare. "... I had a dream."

"...So I've heard."

"...But… I don't know… how much of it was a dream."

"What do you mean?"

"It's hard to explain… nothing about it made sense. I was in a place I'd never been, in a time I didn't live, talking to people I'd never met."

"...Go on." Shido nodded, and began to explain everything he saw in his dream. The strange medieval town, the execution, and the monsters that attacked. "I can definitely see how that'd spook you." Kotori commented, as Shido finished recounting how the monsters had massacred so many so quickly.

"I think… they were Honkai beasts. Like the ones Rita and Otto mentioned." Shido said, after a moment. "The timing is weird, but… it adds up, don't you think?"

"Maybe. That creepy bastard did say- ow!?"

"Kotori?" Shido looked over at his sister to see her tenderly massaging her thumb. "You alright?"

"Y-yeah…" Her words sounded uncertain, earning a strange look from Shido as he stepped closer to take a look at the injured digit. "I thought I cut myself, but... I guess I just nipped my finger or something." The way she looked at her finger told Shido that she wasn't fully convinced, yet he decided not to pester her about it. Instead...

"Angle the peeler away from yourself, including your hands." Shido took a potato and the peeler, showing Kotori what he meant by peeling it himself at rapid speeds. Kotori watched with a shocked expression as he accomplished a perfect peeling in seconds. "See?"

"...How did you…" Kotori muttered, before shaking her head. "Ugh, nevermind. What was I saying?"

"'Creepy bastard.'" Shido air quoted as he said that, earning a half grin from his little sister.

"Right." Kotori took a deep breath as she recollected her thoughts. "He did say they-Schicksal, I mean-were established around that time period. Maybe it's just your minds way of visualizing it?"

"Maybe, but… There's still one more thing." Shido's thoughts flickered to the smiling face of the paladin who had saved him. "...A girl."

"... Heh." Shido's face flushed as Kotori grinned at him. "What, weren't satisfied with the harem you already have, playboy?"

"That's not what I meant, and you know it!"

"Sure, sure." Kotori rolled her eyes playfully to Shido's chagrin. "Well, go on, tell me about your dream girl, mister."

"Ugh… She was the one being executed." Kotori's expression turned serious as Shido began again. "She was a famous paladin, from what I gathered. But I couldn't get her name. Rather, any time I tried, or any time anyone in the dream said it, all that came out was garbled noise. Right before I woke up, she…" Shido paused, his gut tightening at the memory. Real or not, the emotions that scene had left him with still stuck with him even now. Kotori looked at Shido, her eyes soft as she saw his face pale. "I was about to be eaten by a Honkai beast. No matter how hard I tried to move, I just couldn't. She saved my life by giving hers. There was nothing I could do… Even now, I feel sick thinking about it."

"...That's… I can see why you're upset." Kotori's voice was quiet.

"...Don't start feeling pity for me." Shido ruffled a hand through the girl's hair with a smile. "In the end, it was still a dream. I doubt it would have ended any other way. But… thanks for letting me talk. I feel better now."

"Of course. Oh, and… here's the last potato." Kotori set said potato down on the cutting board, it's shape almost geometric just like the others she had peeled. It was an amusing sight to the young man, to see his one perfectly peeled potato surrounded by the dozens of mishapen ones. "I said don't laugh!"

"Sorry, sorry." Shido chuckled once more. Kotori harrumphed at his laughter, her cheeks a light shade of red as she turned and marched out of the kitchen.

"You don't need my help for the rest, right?"

"Nope. You're free from penal duty, my adorable little sister."

"Hehe… I'm looking forward to the meal, then, my adorable big brother~!" Her voice became more cutesy before she skipped away from the kitchen and rejoined the others in the living room. The young man grinned before turning back to his work. Before long, he finished cooking up a lovely meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns.

"Breakfast is done, everyone!" Shido called out. "Come and get your plates!" The various spirits in the living room cheered excitedly, before dropping whatever they were doing to take their seats at the table. Shido passed out their meals like a waiter, placing dishes and silverware before each and every one of them in a ritual he had practiced almost daily now. He watched with a satisfied smile as each of them dug into the meal without hesitation.

"Shido! It's delicious as always!" Exclaimed Tohka from right beside him. Yoshino nodded enthusiastically beside her, her mouth too filled with food to share her own thoughts.

"Indeed. Truly, thou art a master of the culinary arts, a gourmet chef blessed by the very gods themselves!"

"I-isn't that a bit much, Kaguya…?" Shido replied to the dramatic Yamai.

"Denial: No, Shido, even Yuzuru agrees with Kaguya's words, Shido."

"It's good." Agreed Natsumi. "Though, I guess it doesn't mean much coming from me-" Natsumi bit her tongue, stopping herself just before she finished speaking. "...Y-yeah. It's really good." Shido smiled and ran a hand through her hair, earning a flustered gasp from Natsumi as her cheeks flushed red.

"Ah, what a nice meal after a hangover." Exclaimed Nia, leaning back into her chair like a slob. "So nice and refreshing~ Ten points for you, my dear boy!"

"Fix that posture of yours, cougar." Kotori called out, poking the mangaka in the side as she spoke. "It's unsightly."

"Imouto!?" Nia's expression turned to one of shocked pain, earning an eye roll from Kotori. With a pout, the mangaka fixed her posture as commanded, though she clearly wasn't happy about it. Shido could only watch the exchange with a sheepish grin.

"Shido, is something wrong?" Tohka asked from beside him. Shido turned to her to see a concerned expression on her face. "Why aren't you eating?"

"Ah, no reason." Shido replied. "I just wanted to make sure you all were fed first. Don't worry, I made sure to set some aside for myself." Her concern was washed away as Shido stepped into the kitchen and fixed up his own plate. "Is there enough for you, Tohka?"

"Umu! Great job as always, Shido~!" Tohka smiled brightly, and Shido couldn't help but be drawn in by her overwhelming positive energy. A nostalgic smile grew on his lips as he looked at her smile, a movement that didn't go unnoticed by Tohka. "Shido?"

"Hmm? Ah, sorry." Shido shook away that nostalgia and joined the others at the table, taking it slow as he placed the first bite of food into his mouth.

"Shame we couldn't get everyone here." Commented Nia. "...It'll be a while before we get to do this again, after all. Ugh… how sad…" Nia put on a show of crocodile tears, dramatically wiping away non existent tears. "Our boy is growing up… getting his first job, heading off to college… I'm starting to feel old!"

"Please stop doing whatever that is." Kotori replied coldly. "You're making me lose my appetite." Kaguya, Natsumi, and Yuzuru each nodded in agreement.

"Oh, come on!" Nia exclaimed, her crocodile tears replaced in an instant as the others laughed at her suffering. The excitement died down a few moments later, replaced by a heavy silence. Not even the sound of silverware clinking against dishes could be heard, as those at the table-even Tohka-suddenly lost their appetites.

"...It'll only be for a month." Shido spoke up, breaking the silence.

"...Still…" Tohka muttered. "We were apart for so long… and now you'll be leaving?"

"It's not like he's never coming back." Kotori told her, yet her tone betrayed her own anxiety. Her words only did so much to comfort the night-haired spirit. "Although… we're gonna have to depend on Maria to cook for us more often."

"Suggestion: We could cook." Yuzuru motioned to her and Kaguya. "Explanation: Yuzuru and Kaguya have been training our culinary skills recently. Addition: We would not mind teaching anyone else who wants to learn."

"...But I want to eat Shido's cooking…" Tohka muttered. Shido felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He had known it would be hard to leave... but this certainly wasn't helping.

"...I'll call every night." Said Shido. "I can do at least that much."

"You'd better, Shido-kun~ Otherwise, Yoshino might not be able to go to sleep 'till you're back!" Exclaimed Yoshinon.

"Y-Yoshinon…!"

"I-I could… help with that…" Said Natsumi, but her words trailed off as her face shifted through three shades of crimson in a single moment. Shido chuckled at her words, alongside a few others at the table, but the mirth only lasted a few moments.

"...Hey, Shido. Do you have all your things ready?" Kotori asked. "They'll be getting here any moment now, right?"

"Mm. I packed last night."

"...You'll call every night?" Asked Tohka.

"Of course." Shido replied.

"Really?"

"Really, really."

"Really, really, really?"

"Really, really, really, really." Tohka smiled as Shido patted her head.

"Good! I'll be really mad if you miss even one!"

"Of course…" Shido replied with a bitter grin.

"Alright! That's enough of this depressing mood!" Nia shot to her feet, slamming the table with her palms with a wild look in her eyes. "Let's leave our boy with good memories before he goes, rather than all this mopey sadness stuff!"

"You say that like I'm about to go and die…" Nonetheless, Shido shook away the melancholy that was hanging over his head, and those gathered soon followed Nia's example. Chatting merrily, laughing happily, Shido and the present members of his family spent their time together well as they awaited Schicksal's arrival.

"It shouldn't be much longer before we arrive." Spoke Rita, sitting across from Shido and Origami with her scythe laying across her lap. Shido took a deep breath, his stomach fluttering with butterflies as he looked out the window. To his right, he felt Origami place a comforting hand on his own. She was Ratatsokr's caveat to the deal with Schicksal; for the first week of his evaluation, Origami would be accompanying him as a bodyguard and agent to decide whether or not Shicksal could be trusted, both in regards to general security and trust worthiness, and with Shido's wellbeing. Of course, Tohka had thrown a fit when she heard that Origami would be going alone, but... considering that she was essentially the only one with any combat abilities now, there wasn't really any other choice.

"Shido. Are you ready?" She asked. Shido could only give her a nervous grin in response.

"No need to worry, Itsuka-sama, Tobiichi-sama. For today, all we shall be covering is your introductions to the Immortal Blades, your living quarters, and the basics of what life will be like for the next month while you are with us."

"...So basically, orientation, right?'

"Of sorts." Shido gave Rita a strange look. "You will see. First and foremost, Durandal-sama wishes to speak with you herself for a more proper introduction."

Durandal… So Otto wasn't kidding that I'd be working with her. If Shido was nervous before, learning that piece of knowledge certainly didn't help.

"Durandal?" Origami asked.

"Schicksal's strongest valkyrie. No need for worry; I promise you, she is nothing like the 'Strongest' you are familiar with, Tobiichi-sama." Origami's eyes widened. She made to say something when Shido placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head. Though she seemed confused by his actions, Origami held back her words as he requested. "Now, it shouldn't be much longer before we arrive. Fufu, I seem to be asking this a lot recently, but do you two have any questions?"

"...Personally, I'm all questioned out." Shido replied with a laugh. In truth, that was a lie. He had debated bringing up his dream with the maid herself, to see if she perhaps knew anything, but… in the case she didn't, he decided against it. That, and he couldn't say he fully trusted her yet. Origami didn't know about the dream either, though that was simply due to a matter of having not told her.

"Why Siberia?" Origami asked. "From what I'd heard, Schicksal was primarily located in Europe?"

"In truth, Schicksal's influence spans throughout the Euro-Asian continent." Rita replied. "It would not be entirely wrong to say that we control the continent, in fact." Origami raised an eyebrow at that. "As for why Siberia, it is simply that the base we Immortal Blades are currently stationed at is located here. It is the location of an event known as a Honkai Eruption; currently, we are monitoring the area to make sure that any remnants of Honkai are dealt with. Anything else?"

"...For now, no." Origami's replied. Rita nodded, and the rest of the journey to the Schicksal base continued without incident.

The base itself was closer to a bunker than anything, a hidden refuge in the middle of the snowy land, with not a sight of civilization anywhere within miles. Shido found himself pulling his jacket a bit tighter as Origami clung to his arm, the bite of the cold air far stronger than even the coldest winters back in his hometown. They followed behind Rita as she led them through the bunker's entrance, metallic doors thick as tree trunks, and big enough to encompass a full diesel truck passing through. As the doors rumbled open at the maid-valkyrie's command, a blast of much needed warm air escaped through the doorway and washed over the trio.

Inside, it was like a different world, at least in regards to the temperature. Shido could have sworn he felt ice on his body actually melt as he stepped inside the bunker, the door closing behind him and his companions as they made their way inside. He was impressed that Rita didn't seem to mind the cold weather; even Origami seemed to be struggling with it, though she hid it well as always. Shido chalked it up to simply being a valkyrie thing as they followed Rita through the bunker.

It was surprisingly empty inside. "Some of our members are out on patrol." Rita had explained when he asked. "The rest are likely in the cafeteria, at the moment. It is lunch time, after all."

Fair enough, I guess. Shido thought. He hadn't really thought about the idea of valkyries eating, but they were human just like anyone else. Oddly enough, it was a comforting visual.

"You two shall be accompanying me and Durandal-sama for lunch today. The days after that, we'll be having you join the rest of the Immortal Blades in the cafeteria. I hope this won't prove to be an issue?"

"Will I be allowed to cook food myself?"

"Of course. Normally, we have set schedules for who cooks on what nights, but I am certain that the others would not mind you volunteering." Rita paused. "Although, it is quite a few mouths to feed on one's own. Are you up to the task?"

"Mm. Let's just say I'm used to it." Shido glanced at Origami as he said this, the white-haired girl nodding to confirm his words.

"I see. I'm certain the girls will appreciate having an experienced cook, then." Rita led them to a specific door, where, on the other side, they could hear loud yet muffled thuds coming through. "In here. Durandal is in the middle of training, but she notified me that we are fine to interrupt her." As if to reinforce her words, Rita stepped inside first, motioning for the pair to follow after her. The two followed after her, just in time to see a full sized punching bag ripped in two and soaring through the air at high speed. Both halves of the torn bag crashed into the wall opposite from where the bag had flown, each half of the destroyed tool leaving a crater as the sand inside spilled out across the floor. With a blank expression, Shido slowly turned in the direction from which the bag had flown in from.

There stood the woman he knew as Durandal, standing on the opposite side of the room and dressed in a simple tank top and shorts, not even sweating despite the incredible show of strength. Behind her was a huge pile of extra punching bag, all ready to be switched onto the hook at any moment. Durandal smiled as she saw the three of them enter the room, her posture relaxing as she turned to face them.

"I'm glad to see you've arrived safe and sound." Durandal offered her hand out to the pair of newcomers, shaking their hands one after another with that same powerful grip Shido had experienced back on Schicksal HQ. It seemed Origami had taken notice of it as well, Shido noticed, as her normally monotone expression cracked for just a moment… But only a moment. "I take it there were no issues on the way here?"

"The ride was smooth, Durandal-sama." Rita replied. Durandal gave her another nod and looked back to Origami.

"My name is-"

"Durandal." Origami spoke, cutting off the blonde.

"So you've heard of me. Good. I take it you are Origami Tobiichi, then?"

"Mm."

"A pleasure to meet you. Though our time together will be short, I hope we here at Schicksal can live up to your expectations."

"...Likewise." Durandal turned to Shido.

"And so we meet again, Shido. Ah, you don't mind if I call you Shido, right?"

"It's a bit informal, but I don't mind." Shido replied, taking another glance at the destroyed punching bag. Noticing his glance, Durandal loosed a quiet chuckle.

"Did I frighten you? My apologies."

"No, no, not at all! It just… caught me off guard." Shido grinned. He had gotten the impression from their first meeting, but she was surprisingly easy to talk to despite her title as Strongest Valkyrie. A far cry from Ellen, that's for certain… I wouldn't be surprised if she was popular in Schicksal. "Would it surprise you if I said I'm used to living around people strong enough to do that?"

"...A bit, but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." Durandal looked him up and down. "Someone who could earn the personal attention of the overseer would have to be quite extraordinary."

"Is that so…?"

"Indeed. In fact…" Durandal smiled, a small glint shining in her eye. From his right, Shido heard a quiet sigh come from Rita. "Shido. Would you mind a spar?"

"...What?" Spoke Shido and Origami at the same time.

"U-um… Ms. Durandal… I don't really have any actual combat training."

"Though his mental fortitude is incredible, Shido can't fight on his own." Added Origami. "Not anymore, anyway."

"Is that so?" Durandal replied. "Anymore, you say? Then that means he does have combat experience, if not training." Durandal smiled comfortingly. "I was informed that you were meant to take a support role, of course. However, Shido, wouldn't you prefer to know how to handle yourself in the case things went south?"

"..." She had a point there. "But… how does sparring with you here have anything to do with that?"

"A couple of things. Firstly, it will let me get a grasp of your experience, your style, and your overall personality. Secondly, I intend to at least begin having you trained while you're in my service. If nothing else, then just the basics." Durandal smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry; I know how to pull my punches. I'll make sure you'll still be able to function tomorrow." She winked as she said this, and Shido found himself not entirely willing to believe her words. And yet…

"...Screw it. Yeah, I'll take you up on that."

"Shido?" Origami spoke. Shido answered her concerned call with a bitter grin, which did little to alleviate her worries. However, Shido was already stepping forward to face off against Durandal. Though she wasn't happy about it, Origami respected Shido's wish and stepped back to give him and the blonde valkyrie room. Rita did the same, standing back beside Origami with a watchful eye towards the two in the center of the room.

"Admirable. I find myself liking you already, Shido." Durandal complimented, backing off to give a bit of distance between herself and the nervous looking young man. They stood about six feet apart, each keeping their eyes on the other as Durandal took up a stance reminiscent of a professional boxer. Shido took note of it, and attempted to mimic it in his own sloppy manner. "Rita. If you would start us off."

"Of course, Durandal-sama. On the count of three." Shido swallowed nervously, trying to let his body relax. "One." He inhaled. "Two." And exhaled. "Three."

His body moved before he saw her. Only as he was falling backwards to evade the blow did he realize that it had been due to pure muscle memory that he hadn't been knocked unconscious by her punch. The blonde valkyrie having closed the distance faster than Shido could blink. It was all he could do to try and not stumble and fall flat on his ass, but Durandal was already a step ahead of him as she kicked out his legs. Her hand shot forward and grabbed his collar as he fell, her other fist already shooting towards his face. Shido could only close his eyes as he awaited the inevitable blow… only to realize it never came. After a moment of hesitation, he opened on eye to see the valkyrie's fist hovering hardly an inch away from his face.

Another moment, and she flicked him directly on his forehead. Shido flinched at the sharp sensation before being pulled to his feet by Durandal. He hadn't even lasted five seconds. He didn't know whether to feel ashamed or unsurprised. What did surprise him, however, was the satisfied smile upon Durandal's face.

"You weren't lying about combat experience." This earned a strange look from the young man. "You'd be surprised how many valkyries do. I'm impressed, Shido. You have potential, even without a stigmata."

"...H-huh?" Shido's expression blanked. I-Impressed? Stigmata? "But… I-"

"Let me explain before you start degrading yourself." Durandal cut him off, holding her hand up for him to wait. Shido glanced to the side to see Rita standing there with an amused smile. "Many valkyries fail to react in time to that strike; more often than not, they're out cold before they've even realized what happened. You, on the other hand, not only managed to notice my attack, but even managed to dodge it… albeit, in the clumsiest possible manner you could have. But that's fine. We'll make a proper warrior out of you yet, Shido."

"Oh… um… t-thank you?" Shido replied in an uncertain manner. A moment of silence passed. "...What's… a Stigmata?" Durandal's eyes widened, before shooting a look at Rita.

"Rita, have you not told them?"

"My apologies. It has never come up in conversation."

"...Very well. That, however, is a question for later. For now, Shido, Origami… let's get you introduced to Babylon II. ...After I get changed, that is."

Durandal stepped away and left through a door with a sign titled locker room above it, followed closely behind by Rita, leaving Shido and Origami on their lonesome. Shido still felt a sense of bewilderment as Origami quickly approached him.

"Shido, you're head. Does it hurt?" She asked.

"...A little bit. Just a stinging feeling, nothing bad."

"Lower your head."

"Huh?"

"Lower your head." Confused, Shido did as she requested. Without a word, Origami placed a kiss upon the spot Durandal had flicked. Shido flushed as she pulled away, the white haired girl licking her lips as she met Shido's gaze. "Better?"

"...U-um… yeah." Shido looked away, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red in response to her look. The following smile told Shido that Origami had enjoyed his reaction.

In time, Durandal and Rita returned, and so began the first week of Shido's evaluation. "Oh, before I forget, Shido." Durandal turned to the young man. "There is another undergoing evaluation with us… albeit, for different reasons."

"Right." Shido nodded. "I guess I'll be working with them, since you brought it up?"

"Indeed. Her name is Ana Schariac. I hope you three can get along."