She's like a force carved out of myth, a Valkyrie walking through this graveyard of a galaxy, eyes set on battles no one else dares touch. She's out there, fearless, fierce, like she's above the carnage or maybe born from it. I could tell her a thousand times that it's all pointless, that there's no honor waiting on the other side, no glory in bleeding out for a world that doesn't give a damn. But she's not listening. She's seen the abyss, seen it stare back, and still, she marches into it like she has something to prove.

And who am I to stop her? She's got that death grip on some purpose that defies reason. It's in her eyes, in that damned unbreakable resolve. A piece of her believes in things I buried long ago-like she's bound by some damned oath I can't understand, one that keeps her from seeing that this universe eats up heroes and spits out their bones. But maybe that's the point for her. Maybe she knows, and still, she charges forward like nothing can pull her back.

It should drive me mad, that blind courage. But I can't help but watch. I've seen too many fall trying to make sense of this galaxy, but she... she's the one I won't stand in the way of. Let her fight. Let her keep tearing through whatever fate has in store for her, because I know she'd burn me alive just to reach that next battle.

She's a Valkyrie. A bringer of death, a storm on the edge of the void, and I'm not going to be the one to clip her wings. Maybe one day she'll learn there's no saving, no glory, only blood and silence at the end. But until then? Until then, she flies, and I won't be the one to stop her.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Athria stepped out of the jacuzzi, droplets of water trailing down her skin as she wrapped herself in a towel, feeling both refreshed and restless. Waiting around wasn't something she wanted to do right now; she preferred being in the action, on her feet. Especially in these situations. The hours Martin had been gone gnawed at her patience, and now she just felt caged.

She crossed into the bedroom, rummaging through the bag for fresh clothes. She found her pants, slipping them on quickly before grabbing Martin's hoodie, a comfortable, oversized fit that still smelled faintly of him. Just as she started to pull it over her head, a sudden, heavy thud sounded against the front door.

Her head snapped up, instincts kicking in as she grabbed Martin's spare pistol from her bag and gripped it with both hands, aiming toward the door. Another powerful slam against the metal, louder this time, echoed through the apartment, making the floor tremble. The door was beginning to warp, bending inward under the force.

The door groaned again as it began to bend inward; she saw the unmistakable outline of an Asari. The door, now nearly folding in half, shattered open like a piece of cheap metal as Spectre Nira stormed into the apartment, her expression a blend of barely restrained fury and disgust. Her eyes swept the room, zeroing in on Athria like a predator locked on prey.

"Well, well," Nira sneered, crossing the threshold with a swagger, "so this is where Martin's little bitch is hiding." Athria squared her stance, keeping the gun steady in her grip as she glared back. "Big talk from someone who's had their ass handed to them by that 'little bitch's' boyfriend," she retorted, voice dripping with disdain.

NIra's expression twisted, and her fists glowed with biotic energy. "I don't care what gutter you two crawled out of together. The only thing sadder than a human in this business is an Asari dumb enough to bed one."

"Someone sounds jealous," Athria shot back. "Did a human turn you down? It sounds like you need a therapist."

Nira's snarl was immediate, and with a burst of biotic energy, she charged at Athria in a flash. Athria braced herself, diving to the side as Nira's charge sent a shockwave through the room, shattering a nearby table into splinters. The impact left a gouge in the wall, but Athria barely had a moment to register it before Nira turned, a ruthless grin on her face. Athria tossed the pistol aside, realizing it would probably be useless.

"Where's Martin?" Nira's voice was cold as ice, though her words came out in an angry hiss. "Come on, tell me where your little human trash is hiding. Or are you too busy playing house to even know?" Athria pulled herself to her feet, summoning a biotic barrier around her. "Why?" she taunted back. "Afraid he's gonna put you on your ass again?"

Nira let out a guttural growl, throwing her hand forward as she unleashed a flurry of biotic slams, forcing Athria to dodge, throwing herself behind the couch as energy blasts pounded the walls. The apartment shook with each hit, dust and debris falling from the ceiling. Athria focused, narrowing her energy to charge a shockwave that she thrust forward, aiming straight for Nira. The blast hit the Asari square in the chest, but Nira absorbed the impact with a wicked grin.

"Cute trick. But I'm a Spectre," Nira sneered, her voice laced with venom. "I was trained to wipe the floor with Commandos like you before I even made rank."

Athria scoffed, "Spectre or not, you're just another asshole with a superiority complex." She threw another biotic push, forcing Nira back a few steps, enough to buy her a second to recalibrate.

"Please," Nira spat, stepping forward, biotic energy swirling around her like a storm. "I've faced Krogan with more backbone than you." She tilted her head mockingly, her lip curling with disdain. "Or is this what you do? Hook up with pathetic humans and hope they'll protect you?"

Athria let out a dry laugh, using her biotic energy to hover just above the ground before hurtling herself forward in a deadly charge, slamming into Nira with all her strength. The two collided, sending a ripple of power through the apartment as they crashed against a wall, knocking over a shelf and sending trinkets and books scattering.

"If anyone here has abandonment issues, it's you," Athria sneered as she backed away. "Did Martin's rejection sting that bad?"

Nira's face twisted as she lunged, sending out a surge of biotic power that knocked Athria back, pinning her momentarily against the wall. "You're out of your league," she growled, advancing with her hands glowing, ready to send another wave of energy. "Sleeping with a human… disgraceful. I'd sooner die than stoop that low."

Athria focused, pulling her energy together before sending a powerful biotic throw at Nira, breaking her hold and sending the Spectre stumbling back. "Funny, coming from someone who can't stop talking about him," she shot back. "Obsessing over a man who beat you once… makes me wonder what your real issue is."

A low snarl escaped Nira's lips, and she charged again, fist-first, her biotic field crackling with barely controlled energy. Athria met her with her own biotic shield, and the two Asari collided once more, the impact sending shockwaves through the apartment. They grappled, each struggling to overpower the other, until Nira managed to twist Athria's arm, pressing her into the wall again.

"Tell me where he is!" Nira demanded, her face inches from Athria's, spitting her words like poison. "Or do you really want to die for that piece of human trash?"

Athria clenched her jaw, forcing herself to hold Nira's gaze without flinching. "Even if I did know," she sneered, "you'd be the last person I'd ever tell."

In a rage, Nira raised her hand, preparing to blast Athria with a biotic punch, but Athria reacted quickly, ducking down and sweeping her leg out in a swift kick that knocked Nira off balance. The Spectre stumbled, and Athria seized the opportunity, unleashing a biotic warp that enveloped Nira, cracking her barrier as she staggered back, snarling with pain.

"You're all talk," Athria said, circling her, the energy swirling around her fingertips. "Martin might be human, but at least he knows who he is. You? You're just a bitch who probably doesn't know who her father is."

Nira let out a roar, her biotic energy flaring as she prepared for another charge, but Athria held her ground. "Come on," Athria taunted. "You're a one-trick Varren; try it!"

Nira's eyes flared, and she lunged again, fists crackling with energy. They met once more, a fierce, brutal clash of biotics and sheer will. But this time, Athria was ready. She ducked low, swinging around and catching Nira in the side with a powerful biotic strike that sent the Spectre crashing into the nearby wall, cracking it on impact.

Breathing heavily, Athria lowered her stance, watching as Nira slowly pushed herself back to her feet, a fierce hatred burning in her eyes. They stood across from each other, both battered and bloodied, but Athria held her ground, her eyes locked on the other Asari with a steady, unyielding gaze.

"You can keep coming at me all you want," Athria said, her voice calm, steady. "But I'm not giving you anything. Not now. Not ever."

Nira sneered, wiping the blood from her lip. "Fine. If you want to die for him… I'll happily oblige."

Nira's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer as she straightened herself, brushing off the dust from her armor as if Athria's hits were nothing more than an annoyance. "You think you're tough, don't you? Playing commando, slumming it with a human. Honestly, Kyrsan, I expected better from a so-called Asari."

Athria didn't respond, her breaths coming quickly as she kept her stance defensive, eyes flicking over Nira's every move. Her body was tense, her muscles aching from the impact of their clashes. She could feel the bruises blooming under her skin, but she pushed the pain down. She couldn't let her guard slip, not with Nira looming in front of her, anger radiating off her in waves.

"Nothing to say?" Nira sneered, stalking closer. "Guess you're finally realizing what a joke you are." With a sudden thrust, she sent a concentrated blast of biotic energy directly at Athria's chest, slamming her back against the wall with such force that the impact rattled the framed pictures, sending a few crashing to the floor.

Athria struggled to push herself up, but Nira was on her in an instant, her hand blazing as she reached down and grabbed Athria by the collar of Martin's hoodie, yanking her up forcefully.

"Look at you," Nira spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "Traded everything, your command, your honor, your species' pride, for what? A fling with a pyjack? Do you think he's going to protect you? Do you think he even cares?"

Athria gritted her teeth, trying to wrench herself free, but Nira's grip tightened, her face inches away, her eyes cold and full of hatred. "Pathetic," Nira hissed. "Just another lovesick Asari clinging to a human like they're worth something. You make me sick."

She didn't give Athria a chance to respond. Her fist, crackling, connected with Athria's stomach, knocking the wind out of her and sending her stumbling backward. Athria clutched her middle, her vision blurring as pain radiated through her body. But before she could recover, Nira was on her again, landing another vicious punch to her side that sent her sprawling across the floor, skidding against the hard surface.

Athria gasped, pushing herself onto her knees, every movement a struggle as her body screamed. She'd barely caught her breath when Nira's boot connected with her shoulder, forcing her back down with brutal force. Athria's hand tightened around the pistol she'd grabbed, but Nira was faster, stomping down on her wrist and forcing her to release it.

"See? This is what you get," Nira sneered, looking down at her with unmasked contempt. "Nothing. You're nothing without him. And he's nothing without you." She leaned down, "Tell me, does he know how desperate you are? I've read your file, Kyrsan; you're pathetic."

Athria gritted her teeth, saying nothing, her focus entirely on keeping herself upright, on staving off the pain long enough to think, to find an opening. But Nira wasn't giving her a moment's rest. She grabbed Athria's arm, twisting it behind her back with a savage pull, forcing a gasp from Athria as she felt the strain in her shoulder, the threat of it dislocating looming with each agonizing pull.

"You're quiet now," Nira said, her tone mocking. "A failed soldier, clinging to whatever scraps of loyalty you think you can get. Tell me, does he even know you're nothing more than his lapdog? Nevermind, I'm pretty sure that's where you face has been,"

Athria's jaw tightened, the words biting, but she forced herself to remain silent. She wasn't going to give Nira the satisfaction. Not when her survival depended on staying focused. She could feel her energy flickering, fading with every hit, every cruel twist of Nira's grip, but she kept her mind centered, waiting for any opportunity to shift the momentum. Anything.

Nira, sensing her resistance, let out a low laugh. "Oh, don't tell me you're waiting for him to come to the rescue. He's not coming. You're all alone. And frankly, you deserve it." She pressed down harder, her biotic field amplifying the weight of her boot on Athria's back, pinning her in place.

"Where is he, huh?" Nira continued, her voice growing louder, her tone harsher. "Where's your oh-so-glorious human fuck-boy now?"

Athria didn't respond, her focus slipping inward as she tried to muster her remaining strength. Nira let out another cruel laugh, crouching down so she was eye level with Athria, her expression twisted in an ugly sneer.

"See, this is what you get when you betray your people. You thought he could protect you? He can't even protect himself." Nira's voice dropped to a whisper, her words a hiss of venom. "And when I'm done with you, he's next."

That final threat hit its mark. Athria's eyes flickered with a renewed fire, and despite the pain, despite the overwhelming force pressing down on her, she managed to grit out, "Over… my dead body."

Nira laughed, a cold, chilling sound. "Oh, don't worry. That's the plan."

Nira's relentless assault continued, her words slicing as sharply as her fists. "When he's done with you, Athria, you'll be nothing but a forgotten mess. He'll move on, he's just like the rest of them, using you up, and when he's gone, you'll be left here. Pathetic, and alone." Athria let out a a hard push aimed at Nira's Legs, forcing her to tip and fall to the floor, both women pushed themself to their feet.

With a surge, Athria pivoted and lunged forward, shifting the fight into close-quarters where biotics would be limited. Her fist connected with Nira's side, causing the other Asari to stumble back. Nira, caught off guard for a split second, sneered, her face twisting as she retaliated. Athria ducked under Nira's incoming swing and drove an elbow into her ribs, doubling Nira over momentarily.

But Nira quickly recovered, and with a growl, she grabbed Athria and forced her backward, slamming her into the wall. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and Nira's smirk returned, triumphant. "Is that all you've got? Pathetic. You're just a fool waiting to be left behind, Kyrsan." Nira leaned in close, her sneer widening as she whispered, "When he realizes you're just another liability, he'll leave without a second thought."

A flash of anger ignited in Athria's chest, stronger than the pain coursing through her. She couldn't—wouldn't—let Nira's words undermine her. Gritting her teeth, Athria stretched her arm out, focusing her biotic pull on Martin's pistol lying a few feet away on the floor. With a flick of her fingers, the pistol flew into her hand, and in one swift motion, she brought it up, firing off a shot directly next to Nira's ear.

The gunshot reverberated through the room, the deafening sound throwing Nira off balance as she instinctively jerked back, disoriented by the piercing noise so close. Her grip on Athria faltered, her focus wavering as she shoved Nira back as she pressed a hand to her ringing ear.

Without hesitating, Athria took a few steps back, charging up her energy in her leg. She moved forward in one powerful stride and delivered a brutal spin kick to Nira's head, the force of the impact sending the Spectre flying across the room. Nira's body hit the ground with a thud, her limbs sprawling out in a twisted mess, her head lolling as she lay there, finally silent and still.

Breathing heavily, Athria approached Nira's prone form, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins. She looked down at the defeated Spectre, her gaze cold. "Guess that's all the Spectre training amounts to a self-righteous, bitter fool. You can think whatever you want about Martin, but don't assume for a second you know anything about me."

She watched as Nira remained motionless on the floor, the rush of victory mingling with exhaustion. Athria straightened herself, brushing off the dust and remnants of the fight. "I think it's about time you learned that loyalty isn't something you get to judge."

With one last, disdainful look, she turned away, leaving Nira sprawled out as she gathered their things.