Part 2: Prologue (2)

(Alongside fallen demons I lie, a lifeless corpse clutching a bloodless blade.)

(Slain before my life had even begun, before my heart could ever know peace.)

The screen flashes for a moment.





I bow before your eminent grace and mercy, Lady Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie...

Initiate flashback!



Have you nothing more to say!? You tell me my husband - my Thyodor - has died, and you do nothing, save hang your head in silence?

...

Gods have mercy...



Spare me those eyes, lad.



The plume of the valkyrie, plucked from where your father lay.

It is a sign. The Battle Maiden takes him in her keeping.

He has been made einherjar, minion of the gods. For those of our creed, there is no higher honour.

To what god! Let the death goddess bestow her honor on some other!

Sir Thyodor was of courage unparalleled. His loss shall be deeply mourned.

I leave the plume to you, lad. When your tears dry, I pray you find the path your father trod.

The screen fades, then appears again at some future point in time.



I know you're famished, Elsie dear. Mama will find work soon, to be sure. Can you stay strong for Mama until then?

I'll try...

You stay strong as well, Wyl.

Screen fades out, then back in again.

Elsie!? ELSIE!? No, no... NO! This cannot be happening!



Forgive me, my little one. I should've been by your side. So scared and alone, my poor Elsie.

Why has it come to this? If only my Thyodor was still here...

Why did you steal him away from us?

Curse you, Battle Maiden!



It was YOU who killed my daughter! YOU who sent us to this fate.

Wyl, my son, you are all I have left. I will not let her take you! You're never to set foot near battle!

Screen fades out and in.



...

I'd hoped you'd at least call on me before you left. No need for farewells, though-

I'm coming with you.

Once you're hauling your own weight in coin, you'll forget this fool's talk of slaying the Valkyrie.

Flashback ends.



I will not let it end like this.

The gods bear witness, I curse you to my dying breath, Valkyrie!

The fires of passion burn brightest before the black of death. Such blind rage you bear the Chooser of the Slain...

Who speaks?

Were I the Valkyrie?

Then show yourself! If you know the hatred in my heart, face me and suffer it!

A warrior who knows only how to die? Niflheim's frost shall cool your anger all the same.

I spit on you! Until my father's bane is borne to the pyre, this fire shall burn!

Indeed your soul is consumed by flames of vengeance. Your zeal is genuine. This could prove amusing.

Will you avenge yourself as a mortal?

How is that possible?

If you would fain sacrifice all else to have your revenge...

I shall grant you power.

Who- who are you?

A ha ha ha... It is of no consequence. Well? What say you?

Let it be done.

Then go forth, my chosen one, until you lay the Battle Maiden's broken wings at my feet.

The covenant is forged.

Screen fades...



An...Ancel? Is that you?

Wyl! Praise the gods, you're alive! You stood at Death's door in my stead.

And now you have died as well?

Hah! Look around you! We're still among the living, brother!

But the vision... I could swear it were true...

Behold the glory of faith! The heavens answer my prayers!

I somehow doubt it was the gods' doing.

What would you know of it! Had only you heard my plea, how I threw myself at their mercy, you'd have no doubts.

And though joyed you're alive, old friend, I must say I dread owing my life to a braggart of your likes.

Don't you know it.

To the garrison then, to collect our due.

Aye.

Don't expect to see Wylfred's smiling face that often. Ancel walks off, but Wylfred trails back.



...It was true.

A ha ha ha ha ha....

The covenant...

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