Valkyrie Profile:
Lenneth Novelization AU:
Disclaimer: I do not own Valkyrie Profile or any other tri-Ace properties. Please support the official release.
Chapter One:
The Valkyrie
"How I have missed this place," the silver-haired woman said.
She knew the path to the Hall of Valhalla so well she could walk it with her eyes closed and her senses muted. She did neither of those things, of course. In fact, she wouldn't. She would be robbed of the view she knew she had not seen in quite some time, even if it only seemed like a moment to her reckoning. It looked the same ever, as though she'd just been there the day before. The upper realm of the gods remained ever unchanging, just as she and the other Aesir gods were also ageless.
And it remained that way because of the efforts of Odin's court, which the silvermaned woman was a part of. She was the Valkyrie Lenneth, in fact. Chooser of the Heroic Slain and loyal servant of the All-Father of all creation, Odin.
She glanced down at the Nibelungen Ring upon her finger once more, feeling its smooth silver surface and the little notch in its gold lettering. It was supposed to protect its wearer from evil. Lenneth again had wonder why an immortal goddess such as herself had awakened wearing it. She turned her attention back to open field among the clouds. It was flanked by the cliff to her left, and vine-conquered fortress walls to her right. Around her, flower petals flitted about on the wind, resembling little white feathers. In the distance, she could hear voices. She could not see them from where she was, nor hear what they said, but she knew the distinct voices of her peers anywhere.
"There seems to be some commotion. They're rather lively today," Lenneth observed.
The Hall of Valhalla, palace of Lord Odin, was dead ahead now. Large and towering, like the ruler who sat on the throne within. Lenneth approached a short stone bridge, the last obstacle separating her from the main gate beyond. She could already make out the stone statues which stood on either side as they crossed. Twenty-foot carved representations of robed women bearing shields and lances pointed upwards. There were four of them, with two set at each end of the bridge. They always reminded her of guards saluting those who passed by them whenever she entered.
As she set foot on the bridge, she could hear the strum of a lute coming from somewhere on the other side of the protective wall. Then a voice rang out in song to accompany it.
"The time has come for our Twilight,
Our Twilight when the prophecies come true,
A sweet sorrow comes to us this night,
Do we accept with bliss or with rue?
When the blazing fire burns bright…"
"That sounds like Ragnarök," Lenneth thought. "Why would Bragi sing such a troubling tune?"
She decided she needed to make haste and quickly passed through the main gate into the castle yard. Once she was inside, she saw a bustle of activity all around. Asgardian foot soldiers and einherjar were led by their commanders either in their drills or were preparing to leave. She could see the familiar tall red-headed figure of Thor, adorned in his bronze-colored plate armor, horned helmet, and red cape. He wore his trusty Járnglófi, the iron gauntlets which allowed his wield Mjolnir were firmly in place on his hands and forearms. His trusty hammer hung from megingjörð, a belt which augmented his already overwhelming strength.
Lenneth watched him direct his men, which were loading up winged carriages with supplies. Elsewhere, she recognized the stern, scarred face of Tyre. His long reddish-brown hair hung down to the base of his neck. He was barking commands at the troops he was running through swords drills. From this, Lenneth knew the Aesir were gearing up for a major war.
Thor noticed her and raised a hand in greeting, and she returned the gesture, a silent welcome between old compatriots. There was no time for pleasantries, though, and Thor seemed to share the sentiment, showing no offense as she stayed her course for the palace. In the corner of her eye, she could actually see him mounting the Chariot of Thunder as his men finished loading the carriages.
Her swift pace brought her to the front steps. As she was about to ascend, she looked up and paused. Standing in front of the great double doors was a very familiar, if diminutive figure.
"Welcome to Valhalla!" a youthful feminine voice chirped to Lenneth.
Lenneth smiled at the one who greeted her as she climbed the steps.
"Hello, Frei," she answered.
She was then enveloped in a tight hug when the younger-looking woman all but tackled her. Lenneth grunted as she nearly lost balance, but righted herself, managing to stop just short of tumbling back down the steps. She returned her friend's embrace.
"It's good to see you, Lenneth!" Frei said. "I've been waiting for you. Big Sister Freya said you would be returning soon."
Lenneth chuckled, and then broke off the hug while still holding Frei's hands with her own. She stepped back, getting a good look at the young goddess. Frei eternally held the appearance of a girl in her early teens. She had brown eyes and long dark blonde hair that was also tied back in a braid, but much shorter and more tightly bound than Lenneth's. The Valkyrie's hair hung all the way down to the base of her back. Frei was garbed in her usual short brown dress, brown woolen cap with a decorative solid gold band and and matching knee-length boots and elbow-length gloves.
"Same as always," Lenneth commented. "Always so energetic."
Then the silvermane smirked.
"Perhaps a little too energetic. Never forget you are a goddess, too, and there's a certain poise you need to carry."
That got a pout from Frei, who sharply released her grip on Lenneth's hand, and rested her hands on her hips.
"Humph!" Frei snorted indignantly. "Scolded by Lenneth, too, now? You're just as bad as Freya."
"Come now," Lenneth replied glibly. "No one is as stern about etiquette as Freya."
Frei tried to resist, but a single amused snort erupted from behind a poorly restrained smile. Lenneth smiled again, and then looked past the other goddess, towards the door behind her. Remembering her duty, she knew this reunion had to be short. Lenneth looked at Frei again.
"I must apologize, Frei, but Lord Odin has called for me. He awaits my arrival even as we speak," she explained.
"Actually," Frei replied. "He's still finishing up with Loki at the war room, but…"
Frei turned around and grabbed the stone rings hanging from the front double doors. With a mighty pull, she yanked them open a crack with ease despite her small size. Then she grabbed the inside corners of the doors and shoved them all the way open. She looked over her shoulder at Lenneth.
"But you can wait in the foyer. The entire pantheon is here today. Everyone will be wanting to see you, and I recall seeing Eir, Hlin, Idunn, and some of the other goddesses there, too. Follow me," Frei finished sweetly.
"Everyone has come?" Lenneth asked as they entered the great hall of Valhalla.
She was about to ask why, but then she remembered Bragi's song out of the castle yard. She hesitated to speak and simply followed Frei across the red carpet that stretched from door to door of each and every room. Whenever there were multiple passages, another carpet was stretched out with its end meeting the sides of the one they walked upon. No visitor to the great hall would ever need to set foot onto the hard marble piles beneath the soft path of crimson.
Lenneth found the nerve to voice her inquiry.
"Is Ragnarök finally upon us?"
Frei slowed to a stop ahead of her, and Lenneth stayed in pace. She watched as Frei's head bowed for a moment. Then the goddess turned to face her again. She looked troubled.
"I'm afraid so," Frei said.
Lenneth could not stifle the gasp which escaped her. She held a fist to her chest as a chill passed down her spine and then through her whole being. Three little words had shaken the battle goddess.
"Ragnarök," Lenneth mumbled. "The end of the world we know."
She knew the prophecy. The twilight of the gods, when their enemies closed in all around them, and the world burned in a great inferno. There would be few survivors left to rebuild and begin a new cycle afterwards.
"We've always known it was coming, but to have finally close at hand…" Lenneth's thoughts were dark and troubled.
It felt like her world was crumbling already, even though all looked the same as it always had at the moment.
"It's so odd, though," Frei went on.
"What is?" Lenneth asked.
"I just think it's a little odd that Lord Odin had Hrist go back to sleep with it so near," Frei explained.
Staring at Lenneth in front of her, Frei realized the implication of her words and raised both hands defensively.
"Not that I'm unhappy to see you!" she added hastily. "I guess Odin has his reasons to entrust this final era to you."
"Lord Odin always has a purpose for his actions," Lenneth said firmly. "If he has sent my older sister to sleep once more, he had good reason to. I will serve to my last breath if that is where my duty takes me."
Frei giggled.
"No need to get so dramatic, Lenneth. I guess it all means Odin trusts you a lot," she said.
Frei began leading the way again.
"Anyway, we're almost there. Let's go say 'Hi' to everybody."
Frei skipped ahead, trotting the final stretch to the end of the hall before reaching the parlor. She waited for Lenneth to catch up before swinging the door open and stepping inside.
"Greetings, gods and goddesses," Frei welcomed as she entered the parlor. "Presenting the return of an absentee friend of ours'."
"Is it Lenneth?" a familiar feminine voice asked excitedly from within.
"Guess!" Frei playfully replied.
Then she stepped aside, allowing Lenneth to enter. She smiled upon seeing so many familiar faces of friends and acquaintances in the vast foyer, which was as large as the palace ballroom and its dining hall. And the room was absolutely full of all those in Lord Odin's service. Whether just standing around discussing matters among themselves or seated at the many tables, everyone she had ever known was present in the Hall of Valhalla that day.
With her hands folded in her lap, Lenneth gave a little bow for her peers in the pantheon.
"Yes, 'tis me," she said. "Hello, everyone."
Immediately, several of the goddesses approached to greet her, some with more hurry and enthusiasm than others. It actually took all Lenneth's self-control not to retreat a step of two as the throng of goddesses crowded around her. Her manners won out and she offered another pleasant smile for them.
"I will go announce your arrival to Lord Odin," Frei said, and left.
Lenneth felt abandoned being left alone to contend with the assault of greetings and questions she was receiving. However, she simply nodded and then turned back to the pantheon.
"It's so good to see you all again," Lenneth greeted. "How have you all been?"
"Lenneth, by the Fates', it's simply been too long," said a goddess with brown hair and eyes.
She took both of Lenneth's hands in her own. She was garbed in a violet silk gown of many layers.
"Hlin," Lenneth utter fondly. "I am sure your protective blessing kept me well while I was gone."
"It certainly did, but even I cannot defy when Fate decides your human lives end," Hlin replied. "So, how was the human world?"
"Well, thank you. But has it been so long?" Lenneth asked, contemplatively. "It seems like no time has passed for me."
Another of the goddesses snorted, getting Lenneth's attention.
"Something bothers thee, Idunn?" Lenneth asked.
"Nearly twenty years may be short of us," the blonde goddess commented. "But it certainly isn't nothing."
Idunn looked at Lenneth fondly and put a hand on the Valkyrie's shoulder lovingly. Her dress was the same shade of green as a flower's stem, and her shawl was lilac. Her played with one of the twin blonde braids that hung over her shoulders absently.
"'Especially when one of us has been gone for all of them," Idunn added.
Lenneth laughed softly.
"You act as though this isn't always the case," she said. "Was Hrist not here in my place the entire time?"
Hlin sniffed unhappily at that.
"Ugh, but Hrist is such a killjoy, dearie," she moaned. "I wish Odin would have the two of you awake at the same time. You'd see what we mean."
"Agreed," Idunn commented. "Shortly before she went back to her slumber the other day, I actually tried to strike up conversation with her. I might as well have been speaking to the marble slabs under our feet for all she cared about the work I'm putting into this Spring's blooming!"
"That's right," Lenneth thought. "If Ragnarök nears, this may be the last time she gets to bring the world spring to life with green and all the colors of her precious flowers."
Lenneth had to stifle such thoughts of dread concerning the incoming the end of days. It was difficult, since it was in the forefront of her mind. She remembered the flowers in the spot she'd awakened in and latched onto that.
"When I awakened in the field near Baldur's old keep, I saw your Dancing Lilies in full bloom," Lenneth said. "Have your flowers bloomed so all across the Nine Realms yet?"
Idunn smiled.
"Indeed, they have," she replied. "At least in most of them. You won't be seeing much in the ways of cheer down on Midgard these days, though."
Lenneth's head tilted to the side curiously.
"Is something the matter with Midgard?" she asked.
"Yes," Idunn replied, firmly. "Very much so, and I've had little luck in finding out why, or even getting assistance. Hrist certainly could not be bothered to aid my attempts at investigation, either. Worse, all I get from Lord Odin and Lady Freya is a rehearsed 'Worry not, the matter is in hand,' answer, and then nothing ever gets done about it."
Lenneth opened her mouth to reprimand Idunn for speaking of their master and lady so, but Hlin interjected first.
"Honestly, dear Lenneth, if you and Hrist were allowed to meet, you just might get something out of her that we cannot on grounds of being her sister."
"Now, now, you two. You know 'tis against Divine Law for more than one Valkyrie to be awake at once," a third goddess spoke up.
"That I am well aware of, Sága," Hlin replied.
"Then perhaps we should have less talk of rousing The Black Valkyrie again when Lenneth has only just come back," Sága said.
She was a black-haired woman with eyes that always shined. She wore a midnight blue sleeveless dress with small crystals incrusted in it that reflected light. It looked like she was wearing a dress made of the night sky. Her shining eyes foresaw things to come, and in this moment, they were squarely on Lenneth.
"You have a hard road ahead of you," Sága said to the Battle Maiden. She took Lenneth by the arm and walked her aside a few paces. "In the time you slept, the world has sunk further out of balance. When you are deployed, you will face greater perils when you have ever seen before, and perhaps some you know too well."
Apprehension seized Lenneth's heart.
"Greater perils?" Lenneth asked.
"Yes," Sága replied.
She shut her eyes, and concentrated.
"I wish I could tell you more, but with the Nine Realms out of balance, 'tis difficult to get a clear look with my second sight," Sága explained. "However, I can see the legions of the Undead, even Brahms himself, in your future."
"Tch," Lenneth scoffed at Brahms's name. "The Lord of the Undead will come to face me, himself?"
"I do know who will approach who, but I see the two of you engaged in battle," Sága answered.
She opened her eyes opened and looked at Lenneth.
"A cloud of doom is hanging over you is as clear as day to these eyes," Sága said darkly. "Take care and be strong, Lenneth."
Lenneth felt her chest tighten again.
"That is the second time since I've entered this room mere moments ago I've been told the Nine Realms are off-balance," the Valkyrie said. "In what way have they become imbalanced?"
"Midgard is dying," Idunn stated bluntly.
"The demonic forces and the Undead walk the Nine Realms in greater numbers than ever before," Hlin added. "Somehow, fewer and fewer souls are making their way to Niflheim or the rebirth cycle."
"Spatial anomalies tear at the fabric of reality," Sága said.
Lenneth stared at the three in astonishment.
"But… how?" she asked.
Sága fixed her under a firm gaze.
"We hope you can uncover that," she said. "With Yggdrasil falling ill, Ragnarök may be worse than any of us have ever imagined."
"So, Midgard is somehow the center of this chaos," Lenneth said.
"Indeed," Sága explained. "I apologize that my vision is of less help than I would like."
"What have Lord Odin and Lady Freya done about this?" Lenneth asked.
"A big bunch of nothing," was Idunn's irate answer. "As I said, they claim the situation is handled even as the corruption worsens."
"That cannot be so. I am sure they…" Lenneth started to say.
She was then grabbed by the shoulders, startling her train of thought into derailment.
"But enough of that," Hlin chided. "Let us not be troubled during this short time of reunion."
"Yes, apologies," Sága muttered.
Hlin ignored the annoyed look she received from Lenneth for surprising her. She led the battle-maiden away by the hand over to other members of the pantheon who'd been waiting for a chance to speak to her.
"There will time enough for this dire news yet," Hlin thought. "Let the cheer last even for just a moment longer."
"You are certain of this?"
"Beyond any doubt, husband."
The All-Father sat back in his throne, scratching his chin thoughtfully. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular man, but the loose-fitting gray robes and red cape that made up his formal attire hid the physique well. Paired with gray, slicked back hair and clean-shaven, well-chiseled features, he carried a distinguished air about him. The only imperfection upon the All-Father's face was his trademark eyepatch, placed over his missing left eye. The loss of half his physical sight was a trade to gain greater vision, knowledge, and power long ago.
He looked to the other two occupants in the room. One of which was his wife, the goddess of love and fertility, Freya. She hovered in the air by his side, as always. She was another dark blonde. Her hair hung loose past her shoulders. She wore a tight short dress similar to Frei's, but green instead of brown, as well as her own green woolen cap with a solid cold band, green heeled boots, and elbow-length gloves. She wore her prized golden torc around her neck, studded with seven precious stones fiery red.
The third occupant was a wiry man with a dark complexion, dark eyes, and short black hair. Short deer antlers poked up from his hair just above the sides of his forehead on either side. He wore mostly black, except for the short red cape attached to his shoulder pads. His dark eyes still had their mischievous gleam even then, for who would Loki be without his sly nature even in dark times?
"If true, then these are unprecedented times," Loki said.
"Indeed," Odin replied. "To think they are so desperate that they would band together. This can complicate things quickly."
"How do you propose we handle this?" Freya asked.
"For starters, we need more chosen souls. The sooner we can get Lenneth down on Midgard for more recruits, the better," Odin answered. Then he turned to Loki. "Are you certain you cannot dissuade your mother into breaking off this new alliance, Loki?"
"I highly doubt it, Brother," Loki responded. "I would need a way back into my homeland to even try that. You must understand just how desperate my kin back in Jötunheim are. Hence why they've sealed off their branch of Yggdrasil, even to me. She did not make the decision to throw in with Surt and Njord lightly, I assure you."
"Oh?" Freya asked snidely, crossing her arms. "You are only basing this on previous familiarity?"
Loki's expression remained unchanged.
"Yes. I know my own mother, dear Freya," he answered plainly.
"I should think so. It would be unfortunate if the king's sworn blood brother wasn't as true to his shared oath as we thought," the goddess stated.
"If you are in any way suggesting I have been to Jötunheim since they sealed it off to outsiders, I can assure you I have not," Loki promised.
"It cannot be completely sealed, since Jötunn troops still fight on the front lines in attempt to break past Heimdall to this day," Freya argued. "Are we to really believe the Trickster does not know his own people's magic enough to bypass it?"
Then a small half-grin crossed the Trickster's features.
"And what of you, dear Freya? You were awful quick to learn your father is also partaking in this little alliance of our enemies," he said. "You somehow knew even before my agents did. Interesting…"
Freya's features contorted in anger, and she was about to do something rash when Odin spoke up again.
"Enough of this bickering!" the supreme deity ordered.
Freya and Loki turned to him and bowed.
"Apologies, Brother," Loki said.
"Yes, I suppose I did get a bit caught up in the moment…" Freya muttered.
"In any event…" Odin began.
He stood, making himself appear even more imposing.
"We need to increase reconnaissance concerning the comings and goings of our enemies. Now, send someone to see if Lenneth has arrived yet. We need her on Midgard immediately."
"I concur," Freya said.
She turned to summon a messenger but stopped when she saw someone approaching through the corridor just beyond throne room.
"Frei?" she asked.
"Sister!" Frei called in excitement.
She practically skipped into the throne room
"This is a private meeting, Frei," Odin sternly told her. "This had better be important."
"Oh, it is, milord!" Frei's cheer was daunted only little by this. "I just stopped by to see if you were finished up yet. Lenneth's waiting in the foyer with everyone else."
A hint of a relieved sigh was visible in the corner of Freya's mouth.
"Fetch her at once," Odin ordered.
Lenneth felt a little disoriented trying to keep up with everyone as the gossip and other chitchat raged around her.
"So, you never answered my question, Lenneth," Hlin said.
"Oh?" the Battle Maiden asked, turning to the other goddess. "Forgive me, what was the question?
"No worries," Hlin said, smiling. "How was your latest human life?"
Lenneth started to speak, but then stopped. While trying to recall it, she suddenly realized there was only a blank spot in her memory where the last decade and a half should be. Her last memory was…
"Strange…" she murmured to herself.
She couldn't even remember ending her previous era and being sent back into her slumber, to live reincarnated as a human while Hrist's era began. Her last memory was…
"Damn, I wasn't ready to die. I can't just leave Wyl to fend for himself. Wait… whoa! The Valkyrie? I, wow! I never in a million years would have thought Valhalla'd have use for someone like me. Hello, Lady Valkyrie! My name's Ancel! I guess I'm at your service, Milady."
Yes, she'd chosen the soul of a young warrior named Ancel to become an einherjar. She had done so because of the strange dark energy that surged through his body at the time of his death. She'd wanted to investigate the cause of it.
"And then," Lenneth mused. "What came next? Did I solve that matter?"
"Something wrong?" Hlin asked.
"No… not wrong, but…" Lenneth attempted to speak, but found herself short on words.
"I should at least remember my own previous era, right?" she thought.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked to Hlin, who offered a sympathetic look.
"Ah, still a bit cloudy, right?" Hlin said caringly. "I don't know why Odin insists on this process of switching you poor things out and making you go through this every time. If your memories are still too jumbled for you remember anything clearly, I won't ask about it again."
"…Thank you," Lenneth replied.
Hlin leaned in and whispered.
"I'll get you some punch. Wait here."
She walked away, leaving Lenneth to listen to the idle conversations around her while she waited for her beverage.
"This is probably complete poppycock, but is your husband really taking on a fourth wife?"
Lenneth turned around with a brow lifted, knowing they had to be talking about Loki.
Another blonde goddess with gleaming green eyes laughed in amusement at the question.
"Sigyn," Lenneth thought, recognizing her.
"Oh, no. As if we would let him," Sigyn said with another chuckle. "He can barely satisfy us all as is."
She and the god who'd asked her then laughed together. Lenneth suppressed an eyeroll and turned away. She looked around, ever mindful of her surroundings, and searching for conversation more stimulating than rumors concerning marital statuses within the house of Laufeyson.
As her eyes wondered, Lenneth noticed a few outliers who remained apart from the various clusters of gods. They were seated at either in chairs arranged in half circles or on the sofas. Then she noticed a few of them still had their eye on her. Lofn and ... Urd? Lenneth was shocked to see one of the Norns present in Asgard.
Despite her surprise, her eyes still trailed over to Lofn. She was a love goddess who arranged marriages and was the matron of forbidden loves. She gave Lenneth a single fixed look before turning away.
"What was that about?" Lenneth pondered.
Then there was Urd, the youthful-looking Norn of Fate and Prophecy. She appeared even more a child than Frei. She was a much lighter blonde than Freya or Frei, and wore a short, ornate green dress, like theirs'. She was trying not to stare, but her eyes kept turning back to Lenneth whenever she thought Battle Maiden wasn't looking.
"Oh, ho ho! I'd never seen him so tense before or sense," Idunn said. "You'd think he'd never seen a dragon before."
"Hear you go, Lenneth," Hlin said, returning with a pair of drinks.
She gave one of the Valkyrie and took from the goblet she got for herself.
"Thank you," Lenneth hummed.
She took a sip, looking again to Urd. Once again, the goddess of fate had been staring right at Lenneth, and then averted her gaze as soon as the Valkyrie's eyes found their way to her again.
"Are you quite alright, dear?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, quite," Lenneth replied. "Apologies, but I supposed I'm just surprised to see one of the Norns here."
Hlin followed her gaze over to Urd.
"Oh, Urd? We don't know how she'd been doing it, but she's been letting herself in lately. Been driving poor Heimdall up a wall. She seems to be waiting for someone," the goddess explained.
She glanced at Lenneth
"It might even be you," she said.
"Yes," Lenneth answered. "I do think Urd wishes to have a word. Excuse me."
"Oh, no worries!" Hlin assured her.
Lenneth took her leave of the crowd and began to approach the youthful seer. The little goddess stiffened in her seat, immediately becoming uneasy as the Valkyrie approached her.
"Hello, Urd," Lenneth said amiably.
"Welcome back, Lenneth," Urd awkwardly answered.
"I noticed you looking my way. Did you need something?"
Urd visibly winced and then vigorously shook her head.
"No, uh… I just… hadn't, seen for you for a while," the childlike goddess stammered.
Lenneth could not decide if she was scared of something, or just shy. Either way, this behavior warranted more prodding.
"Mind if I join you?" Lenneth asked.
Urd gulped, fidgeting on the loveseat she occupied. In the end, she gave a very slight nod, giving the Valkyrie invitation. Lenneth took the cushion next to her, smoothing out the backside of her dress as she lowered herself onto the soft cushion. She crossed her legs and held the goblet in her lap with both hands. At first, she just looked around the room, again observing the hubbub. Urd sat in a much more childlike manner, with her arms to her hands and her legs absently making small, slow kicks. Then as Lenneth looked toward her again, Urd very deliberately looked away.
"Curious," Lenneth said to her.
"What is?" Urd asked nervously.
"You came to Asgard uninvited and seem to have something to say to me, and yet you cannot make yourself say it," Lenneth said.
She leaned forward to get a better look at Urd's still turned-away face. The Seeress still wouldn't meet her gaze, evidently preferring to stare at the wall.
"If you have foreseen something important, I would have you tell me no matter how dire," Lenneth told her. "Sága has also told me danger lies in my immediate future."
Urd finally turned her head around to meet Lenneth's gaze head on. She chewed her lip, remaining silent.
"Urd?"
The Seeress sighed as she caved in. She opened her mouth, but still hesitated.
"How should I say this?" Urd asked herself aloud.
"Plainly," Lenneth answered.
Urd made an almost whimpering sound with her throat. She sucked in a few more breaths before she finally spoke:
"Nothing is as it seems, Lenneth Valkyrie. And it never was. Soon, your very beliefs will be challenged."
Then she leaned in closer to Lenneth, then, to whisper.
"A limb that is severed dries up and dies. And when sickness is allowed to germinate in one branch, it will spread and infect the whole plant."
Lenneth knew right away that had something to do with what the other goddesses told her. Before she could ask more, the foyer door swung open again. All eyes turned as Nanna and her son, Forseti, entered. They were accompanied by one of the guards, a blonde female Aesir dressed knee-length tunic with a chain-mail beneath it. She wore brown boots and carried a appear.
"Presenting Lady Nanna, goddess of joy and devotional love," the guard said. "And the widow of Baldur."
Nanna and Forseti both visibly winced at that part but said nothing.
"Presenting, Forseti, god of justice and reconciliation! Son of Baldur and Nanna!"
The guard stepped aside, and mother and son stepped forward. They both bowed politely to their peers in the pantheon as they entered. In an instant, many of the other Aesir approached them and were chatting them up as quickly as they had flocked to Lenneth.
The Valkyrie observed the idle chatter for a moment before turning her attention back to Urd.
"Hlin and some others spoke of Yggdrasil having a sickness, do you know any…?"
When she turned, she found the other cushion of the loveseat empty. Lenneth's eyes darted around, but Urd was nowhere in sight.
"Now why has she done that?" she wondered.
She leaned forward in her seat, neck swiveling all around the room, but the goddess of fate was just nowhere to be seen.
"Lenneth? Are you looking for something?"
The battle-maiden turned toward whoever had addressed her. It was Nanna.
"Oh, Lady Nanna," she greeted.
Lenneth stood and curtsied for the elder god.
"How are you this evening?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm fine," Nanna answered pleasantly. Her head tilted to the head. "But you did not answer my question. Are you looking for something? Perhaps I can assist."
"Yes," Lenneth replied.
She glanced around once more.
"I was speaking to Urd, but she's run off somewhere. I don't suppose you saw where she went to."
Nanna shook her head.
"Alas, I did not. Was it something important?"
"Yes, but she did not deem it worth her time to explain herself," Lenneth muttered.
Nanna's lip turned up in a crooked grin.
"She rarely does," she said. "The Norns have always been eccentric. It's no surprise she just dropped something ominous in your lap and then ran off before you could sort out what to make of it."
Both goddesses shared an undestated laugh together.
"Indeed, she did," Lenneth said.
"What was it about?" Nanna asked.
Lenneth paused, unsure of how to proceed.
"She spoke of the challenges I will face in era as reigning Valkyrie leading up to Ragnarök," she explained. "A few things with… troubling implications were said, but she vanished before I could ask for clarification. I suppose I am intended to figure them out for myself."
"Yes, they do that often," Nanna replied, and then sighed. "Their prophecies can be very vague. It wouldn't hurt them to be more precise, especially when there's a life on the line."
Lenneth knew exactly who she was talking about and resisted the urge to say anything on the topic of Baldur. Nanna was likely being reminded of her dearly departed husband enough with all the talk of Ragnarök, which his death signaled the early stages of.
"I have often suspected they sometimes see less than they admit. Certainly not the whole line of proceedings," Nanna huffed.
Lenneth took another sip of the punch, listening as the other goddess spoke.
"I wish she'd admit it, though," Nanna said frostily. "But I suppose the Norns are as prideful as the other gods, vexing as it is. None of us like to admit to our shortcomings, since we are the gods."
"Indeed," Lenneth replied, plainly.
Nanna's expression turned angry, making the Valkyrie regret speaking too much even more.
"Then again," Nanna said bitterly. "Who could have ever predicted that no account hooligan, Rufus Half-Elven, and his damnable mistletoe arrows. How he of all people guessed my husband's one weakness is a worrying mystery."
The widow of Baldur crossed her arms as she glowered down at the carpet.
"I only wish I had gotten to the chance to give him a piece of my mind before he and his Undead witch were slain at the top of Yggdrasil," a growl crept into Nanna's voice.
Nanna calmed herself down.
"Well, what's done is done. Praise be to Odin for acting quickly. Had that ruffian managed to attain the wisdom of the gods atop Yggdrasil, who knows what might have happened," she said.
"Praise be to Odin," Lenneth echoed.
Lenneth had heard this tale many times but had not been present for the events that transpired. Centuries earlier, during one of Hrist's reigns as the Valkyrie, a half-elf named Rufus led a rebellion against the gods alongside the cursed Princess of Dipan. Somehow, the duo had managed to climb Yggdrasil in an attempt to turn Rufus into a god that could challenge Odin. However, The All-Father had sensed their intrusion and was waiting for them when they arrived. Their deaths had been a cause for celebration in Asgard, as Baldur's killer had to be brought to justice.
"I've often been curious about those events," Lenneth thought. "To think they would carry their rebellion so far, though. What could have driven them?"
She inwardly sighed. She wished she had not been asleep at the time, but it was her turn to live as a human girl while Hrist reigned as Valkyrie.
"I wonder if she will feel the same way when she awakens to take my place after Ragnarök?" she asked herself.
"But enough about Urd's dark tidings," Nanna said. "I have missed you."
"Thank you," Lenneth said graciously.
"I mean it. You're much more courteous company than your sister."
Lenneth allowed the shadow of a smile to form.
"So, I have been informed. Is she really that bad?" Lenneth asked.
Nanna's lopsided grin returned.
"'I have no time for such frivolities. Odin wills me to venture down to Midgard to kill Lord Brahms'. 'I am on a mission from Lord Odin. I have no time for idle chatter'." Nanna mimicked her.
She laughed somewhat resignedly.
"'Duty this. Duty that.' I swear that's all she thinks about," Nanna complained.
"I think I understand," Lenneth replied, "But serving Odin is the essence of our being."
"Oh, do not start, please," Nanna protested. "I hear enough of that from her."
A giggle escaped Lenneth.
"Very well," she relented.
The doors of the foyer opened again, and Frei bounced back into the room. She looked around briefly, but then spotted Lenneth chatting with Nanna. She waved to the Valkyrie and motioned for her to approach.
"They're ready for you," Frei said.
Lenneth nodded.
"Well, Nanna, Lord Odin is ready to see me. I must be going. It's been a pleasure, as always."
"The pleasure has been mine. Take care, Lenneth," Nanna replied warmly.
Both goddesses curtsied to each other before parting ways.
"Was that Nanna?" Frei asked.
"Yes, we were catching up."
"Oh, glad to see you actually talked to everyone," Frei said cheerfully. "You're too quiet sometimes."
The youthful goddess spun on her heels and headed back out into the hallway with Lenneth behind her. The Valkyrie paused in the doorway. After one more glance at where Urd had been, Lenneth followed after Frei. Even as she was led through the halls by her old friend, Urd's words remained with her.
"Nothing is as it seems, Lenneth. And it never was. A limb that is severed dries up and dies."
"One of the limbs of Yggdrasil? Midgard, then," Lenneth considered. "Just as importantly, why was she so afraid of being frank with her revelations? But…"
Her eyes raised as she continued pondering.
"Nothing as is a seems, and never was? Hmm…"
"Ulp!" Lenneth grunted when she bumped into Frei, who'd suddenly stopped. The childish goddess jerked forward, having been caught off guard. She looked at Lenneth with an amused expression. Lenneth backed away, blushing and uttering a barely audible apology. Frei chuckled and waggled a finger at the death goddess.
"Now you better not be caught daydreaming in Odin's presence," Frei said.
Then she gestured to the door just a pace behind her.
"Because we've arrived."
Another pair of large double doors were right in front of them, covered in intricate designs showcasing the pantheon and their various heroic deeds over the centuries. Frei snapped her fingers and the doors swung slowly open in an almost dramatic way. Inside was a short corridor leading into the throne room. At the other end, was the throne occupied by the lord of all creation, Odin. At his sides were his queen, Freya, and his blood brother and chief advisor, Loki. They all turned to face her when they heard the doors open.
Frei stepped aside to let Lenneth past. Without another word, the Valkyrie entered. The doors swung shut behind her. When Lenneth at last stood at the base of the throne steps, she bent the knee, bowing before Odin with her head lowered as well.
"Lord Odin. I have come as you have commanded. I am ready to serve. To bring the souls of the heroic slain, and any other task you request of me," she said.
At this, Freya smiled.
"Stand, Lenneth," she said nicely. "There is no need for you to bow like a dweller of Midgard."
Lenneth obediently climbed to her feet.
"Yes, Milady, I… Oh!" Lenneth was cut off as she was enveloped in another hug.
Freya held her close.
"We meet again, Lenneth," she said, fondly.
Lenneth wrapped her arms around Freya in return, smiling warmly at her Matron goddess.
"Yes, it's been fifteen years, apparently. It has been long enough," she answered.
Her eyes focused on Loki, then.
"Loki," she greeted.
The Trickster gave a deep bow in response. Freya ended the embrace on Lenneth and stepped aside to allow their reunion.
"Milady Valkyrie," Loki said.
He stepped towards Lenneth, and with a flick of his wrist produced a lilac flower.
"Always a pleasure," he said, smiling.
Lenneth accepted the violet flower from him.
"Thank you."
Beside her, Freya rolled her eyes, and crossed her arms with a huff. Lenneth either didn't see or ignored it.
"Lenneth Valkyrie."
The greetings ceased and all eyes went to Odin, who had spoken up. Freya hovered back to his side while Loki backed away from Lenneth, letting her have center stage as she was addressed by their king. He looked on her with a gaze that demanded authority.
"The highest of the goddesses of fate," he said. "I have called you here for a reason."
"Ragnarök?" Lenneth asked.
Odin nodded with a rumbling hum.
"Good, so the chatter of the other gods was not so idle today," he said, gruffly.
He leaned forward on his throne.
"Right to it, then," he said. "Yes, the head of Mimir has foretold that the great battle approaches, the last battle, when our enemies march on Asgard and all creation burns in our final struggle. In these dark times, our enemies have formed an alliance against us. The Vanir, the Jötunns, and the Fire Giants to be precise."
A droplet of sweat rolled down the side of Lenneth's face. She knew the Aesir were strong enough to fend off any one of those kingdoms, but all three.
"Even the Vanir?" she blurted before she could stop herself.
Lenneth clamped her mouth shut, knowing she'd spoken out of term. Odin gave no indication whether or not it bothered him.
"Yes, even my father," Freya's tone was nearly a growl. "He would march his forces on us against his own daughters."
"Sad considering ol' Njord was the one who arranged your marriage to Brother Odin," Loki said.
Odin spoke up before another argument between his wife and his blood brother could begin.
"This alliance will embolden them to go on the offensive. They will do so shortly."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"Thankfully, it is only the three. Our other enemies still stand alone."
"What of Hel of Niflheim? Laufey may approach her on the grounds that they are family," Lenneth suggested.
"Thankfully, that is not the case," Odin answered. "Laufey apparently does not trust her granddaughter, and there has been news of a recent battle with Hel's demon army in Jotunheim."
Freya cast a hard gaze on Loki as Odin spoke.
"I'm certain of course we can trust the generation between Laufey and Hel to remain ever loyal," she spoke with heavy sarcasm.
Loki shrugged uncaringly.
"I detect a subtle hint My Queen doesn't entirely trust me," he said with a chuckle.
"They are your mother and daughter," Freya said.
"They made their beds, and I made mine," Loki retorted.
He turned to Lenneth again with more to say.
"Brahms, Lord of the Undead, has also refused alliances," he told her.
"Brahms," Lenneth said. "I'm surprised he's passed on such an opportunity."
"Yes," Loki answered thoughtfully. "He must have his reasons, though. Likely the same reasons for why he's been so oddly quiet since his defeat in Dipan. His legions of Undead remain as active as ever, so 'it is not as though he's sitting out the war altogether."
"All the same, our enemies are many," Freya said.
"We fear no quarrel," Odin replied. "Although our enemies grow bolder, war is not won on strong wills alone."
He fixed his remaining eye on Lenneth.
"It's won with soldiers," he finished.
He raised a hand, motioning toward his wife.
"Freya, if you would?" Odin said.
Freya floated over to Lenneth, who knelt down again as the love goddess hovered before her. Freya outstretched her arms, holding out her palms to Valkyrie, beginning to chant. As she did, her hands began to glow a pale gold:
"O Chooser of the Slain, Battle Maiden Lenneth,
I hereby release your wings so you may fly forth,
Through the heavens and earth above to caverns deep,
So you may soar high to sort the strong from the weak,
I send thee to Midgard to choose brave noble souls,
You will know them by their passing moments and battle howls,
Come forth, Lenneth Valkyrie!"
From within, Lenneth felt a surge of power awaken, and breathed in almost pleasurably as it flowed to the surface, freed from its sealed confinement. Then her body and clothes began to glow. Though it was too bright to make anything out, her garb visibly changed shape beneath the gleam and when it had faded, the loose formal dress was replaced with stiff plate armor colored cobalt blue. A long white skirt covered her legs with slits on both sides of the knees for movement. And upon her head, was an open headed helmet, also cobalt in color. Four white plumes stuck out backwards on either side. A two-grip long sword hung from her belt.
"Rise, Valkyrie," Odin ordered.
Lenneth rose to her feet, standing at attention.
"Now go forth, and gather to us mighty warriors, your chosen slain who will turn the tide of this coming war in our favor," Odin added. "To secure our position so we may weather the storm of Ragnarök, and rule forevermore in the new age that is upon us."
Odin leaned forward, practically looming at this point.
"All our hopes now rest in you, Lenneth," he said, gravely.
"I will depart immediately," she replied. "Has my usual entourage of einherjar reported in yet?"
"Sadly, they will not be accompanying you this time," Freya explained.
Lenneth tilted her head in confusion.
"Pardon, but may I ask why?" she asked.
"At the moment, we need every available einherjar here in Valhalla or on the frontlines," Loki answered. "But that does not mean you will be going alone. That'd be too cruel since you've just awakened. Your powers aren't even fully acclimatized in your newly awakened state yet."
Lenneth furrowed her brow.
"So, who will be joining me?"
"Why," Freya answered cheerily. "Loki and I will. We will tag along and assist if we must until you've chosen your first einherjar in this era. Besides, there are a few things you will need to be informed of concerning Midgard."
"Very well," Lenneth said, nodding. Then her eyes widened. "Wait, Lord Odin."
"Hmm?"
Lenneth held up her hand, showing off the Nibelungen Ring.
"If I may ask, why have I been gifted with this?"
"Oh, that," the All-Father replied. "The Nibelungen Ring will protect you from Dark magic and curses. In these chaotic times, you will require as much protection as possible."
"Very well, thank you, Lord Odin," Lenneth said, with another bow. "I will treasure this eternally."
"Now, then, let us depart," Freya said.
The three of them turned transparent before completely fading from sight, leaving Odin behind. The supreme deity let out a single, tense sigh as his hands closed tighter around the arms of his throne. They were so close. They couldn't afford to lose now.
Lenneth and her temporary companions rematerialized on a mountain summit overlooking the landscape of the Crell Monferaigne region of Midgard. The mountain stretched into the horizon on either side. Below them were the fog-laden lands below. Grasslands and evergreen trees were the most common sights peppered all along the countryside, interrupted only by patches of civilization appearing small enough to be inhabitable only by insects from that distance.
Lenneth looked around, and stretched out with her sixth sense, catching a feel for the aura of the realm. On the surface, it looked drearier and darker than ever before, and atmosphere felt stale. Somehow, this world was not being renewed as it should be, which lined up with what the other goddesses had said earlier.
"Midgard has changed," Lenneth said, pensively.
"Yes," Freya answered. "The middle realm where souls wander about locked in cages of flesh. Change and decay are two constants in this world."
"Yes, but never this bad…" Lenneth answered.
Loki chuckled, shrugging.
"We weren't this close to Ragnarök before," he explained.
Lenneth looked toward him, wanting more of a clarification. He sighed and carried on.
"Midgard is the most vulnerable of the Nine Realms, the most unstable, which is why you see the presence of nearly all the denizens of the other eight realms intrude here in some capacity. Demons, the Undead, dark elves, dwarves, giants, even gods."
He motioned around casually as he spoke.
"Always had been the easiest realm to force your way into," Loki shrugged. "Always will be, at least as long as it's here."
"Will it not be around for much longer?" Lenneth asked.
"Nay," Freya answered. "This realm will disappear in the fires of Ragnarök."
Lenneths' eyes widened. Something didn't sit right about that in her stomach. Loki took this opportunity to take over again:
"It's to be expected. It has always required the most powerful of the nine Sacred Treasures to maintain its stability. Without the Dragon Orb serving as its pillar, it'd be too taxing for Yggdrasil to sustain it, and it'd rot and fall away. It's eventual deterioration in the End Times is not surprising."
Urd's words rang in her mind again:
"A limb that is severed dries up and dies. Yet when sickness is allowed to germinate in one branch, it will spread and infect the whole plant."
"You are not concerned the sickness infesting Midgard will spread cross the Nine Realms?" Lenneth asked.
Freya chuckled.
"Ah, I see Hlin, Idunn, and Sága have had words with you," she sounded amused.
"Between a goddess of protection, a goddess of nature, and a goddess of prophecy, I must assume their concerns are justified," Lenneth said.
Freya waved her off.
"The matter is being handled," she dismissed.
There was a faint air of dubiousness about Lenneth when Freya said that. She recognized the dismission of the problem Idunn had spoken of. Additionally, something didn't sound quite right about their explanation, but Lenneth elected not to argue with them.
"…Very well," Lenneth hesitantly relented.
"Shall we go, then?" Freya asked.
"Yes," Lenneth replied, and turned her eyes to the lands before them again. "A bit more height. Yes, that would help me better hear one who is about to become one of my chosen."
Then, Lenneth left the ground, floating into the air alongside Freya. She shot higher into the sky with speed to put even the birds to shame. She was followed closely by both her companions. She stopped just below the clouds and hovered with her skirts and braid fluttering in the breeze. She looked over her shoulder at Loki and wondered if he had ever witnessed her or her sister, Hrist, work before. After all, detecting strong, noble souls about to shed their mortal coils was something only the two of them could do.
"Hold on a moment," Freya said.
Lenneth turned, listening intently.
"If you sense a dark presence instead of a chosen slain, keep searching until you do detect one," Freya instructed. "You can deal with any threats you sense after you have at least two einherjar with you."
Lenneth nodded.
"Of course, Freya."
She faced forward again, closing her eyes. She held both hands up with her palms forward, and emptied her thoughts of all distractions as she stretched out with her feelings. She consciousness intertwined with the invisible threads of fate that governed all. Voices from all around Midgard filled her senses like she was standing in a crowd. She could hear their hopes, their sorrow, and their anger. Most of them were mere mumbles, but together they created a discordant chorus. She focused harder, looking for the ones whose time had time. There! The calls of two souls pierced through the noise like a pulse, and their emotions flowed into her mind. It was a fever pitch of torment and desperation. To a Valkyrie like Lenneth, it was like a lighthouse in the night, guiding her to them.
"Ah, there they are," she thought.
As she continued to focus, the echoes of their thoughts came in clear now, as if they were speaking to her directly. A girl's voice range out first:
"Father… Arngrim… it hurts! Please, help me! Save me!"
Her cries were followed by the screams of several others. The sounds of the ripping and tearing of flesh filled her ears.
"It, ah! It's a monster!" someone cried out.
The screams died and were replaced with something else.
"You think it foolish, brother, because you are content with what you already have," said the soft voice of a young man.
"No, that's not it!" shouted another man with a much deeper, gruffer voice.
There was a pause before the same gruff voice spoke up again:
"What a weak little king."
"What a rude person! Ten-thousand deaths is not enough for you!" the girl's voice from before spoke, but this time haughty and in-control as opposed to the anguish Lenneth heard the first time.
Lenneth slowly opened her eyes.
"A sheltered girl and a world wary man," she whispered.
"You found someone?" Freya asked.
"Yes. Two, in fact," Lenneth replied. "It looks like they're both from the Southwestern human kingdom, Artolia."
"Then let us find these warriors worthy of becoming Brother Odin's einherjar," Loki said.
"Well, let us be off," Lenneth answered.
She turned herself Southwest and followed the spring of fate only she could feel to the source of the souls calling to her. As she flew through the heavens, her hand unconsciously closed around the hilt of her sword. From the sounds of that massacre in her meditation, she knew she was heading right into a fight of her own. The feel of the steel in her fingers comforted her. Whatever lied ahead, it was her duty to overcome it, and that thought alone was enough to give her strength.
