Side One Hundred And Seventy-Seven – Ortlinde. Valkyrie Of Tyr

    Within the richly decorated room, silken tapestries and beautiful portraits and other works of art on the walls, pristine vases and marble statues arrayed around large couches that were occupied with a trio of inhumanly beautiful women of different builds, hair and eye colours like a rainbow assortment, one of the women jolted upright, her expression tense.

    “Again?” One of the women still sitting down, who now had a number of faint, claw-mark scars trailing down one smooth cheek, past her vivid, orange eyes, ran a hand through her brilliant aqua-blue hair. “You have all the good Fortune, littlest sister. Perhaps the Allfather smiled during your birth.”

    Ortlinde nodded, her brilliant golden eyes going a little vacant, the prismatic silver rainbow of aether forming around her wrist like a halo, matched by the same glow in one of her eyes.

    The third Valkyrie looked up from the book she was reading, flipping the pages idly with one hand, her other arm strapped up and splinted. Ordinary injuries could be healed or recovered from easily enough, Ortlinde knew, but wounds caused by the dreadful creatures that were invading the World Tree Pantheon and the surrounding Territories were no trivial matter to recover from, resisting aether and adherence.

    “It makes sense. She was the one who persuaded us to go with her reckless plan. All is as the Allfather wills it, even our defiance, it seems.” The pearly-eyed and pink-haired Rossweisse shrugged, her book momentarily forgotten, her injury too, judging by her slight wince. “A shame hers seem exceptional. Although...” She puffed out her ample chest proudly, at odds with her small frame.  “...mine are showing their talents. Sometimes the obvious choice is not the best one. For all my study of strategy, I am beginning to learn that lesson.”

    “It’s not fair, Rose.” The blue haired Siegrune pouted. “I picked carefully too, I did. But when I’m handling his Favours, it’s only natural that they are going to have erratic personalities. I wish I was lucky like you were!”

    “Be quiet...” Their youngest sister hissed, Ortlinde trying to concentrate. Rossweisse let out a dry chuckle, before shaking her head, clearly amused.

    “Our littlest sister is a serious as ever. Why else would she carry Tyr’s gifts down to the mortals? Besides, if you want to complain about Favours, those who Tyr’s blessing favours should be reckless and self-sacrificing. Usually they are amongst the first to fall.”

    “Could you please be quiet?” Ortlinde repeated, the chattering of her two sisters distracting her. She forced a smile, the only one able to see the spiritual body of the being in front of her, one of the two she chose to bear both Seeds that were not truly hers to give and Favour that was her responsibility to pass on.

    “Yes, serious as ever.” Rossweisse smiled.

    “Quite unlike me, huh?” Siegrune snickered. “Don’t mind me, I’m just complaining. After all, you only had your arm broken, me, my beautiful face got scarred. What if it can’t be fixed? The Einherjar will weep... huh... no way, that isn’t right...” Her inappropriate jests were driven from her lips, her orange eyes going wide in shock, a faint, weak glow around her wrist shimmering in all the colours of the rainbow.

    There was a single sound in the room, that of a book falling to the floor, as Rossweisse stood in shock, her wounded arm striking the book clumsily and sending it flying.

    Ortlinde turned to see Siegrune’s vision fixed on the second of the Chosen she had passed on her burdens to, and frowned. “You... see him too?”

    “I do, Lin, I do.” Siegrune babbled, giving her an annoying nickname. As the most cheerful, energetic and rascally of the nine sisters, Siegrune was always a handful, and Ortlinde might have thought it a prank, some sort of teasing, except there were slight tears in her eyes, silver drops luminous against the deep orange. “For a moment I thought it was impossible, that he somehow wasn’t dead, but...” She shook her head, tears forgotten, and suddenly she yelped, pushing one hand to her faintly scarred cheek. “Oh no, Lin! He’s quite handsome, and I’m all beaten up. If I’d have known I’d have worn makeup to cover the wounds!”

    Ortlinde let out a long, bitter sigh at her antics, though it was hard for annoyance to overwhelm the feeling of relief and satisfaction that came from seeing one of her charges once again.

    “So, uh... hi there, Ortlinde.” Akio scratched at his own cheek, rather shocked by this situation. “I’m sorry, but... I don’t have time for this. I know there’s heavy time dilation between Earth and here, but... lives are in danger. I have to go back.”

    “So heroic. Definitely one of yours.” Siegrune chuckled. “Where are my manners? I’m Siegrune, Lin’s older sister. And you... you’ve obtained the lingering trace of my Truesoul I left with that poor unfortunate.”

    At her words, Akio clutched his head, eyes narrowing, an expression of pain crossing his features, and Ortlinde gasped in shock and annoyance. “Sister, we cannot speak so carelessly of such matters. It is against the agreements we all made, adherence binds us to not speak of it to those from humble worlds!”

    “Is it?” Siegrune giggled innocently. “Right here and now, we’re simply sitting in our parlour, relaxing and celebrating our survival in another life-and-death war. I can speak of what I want.” She stuck out her tongue, and Ortlinde found it a little endearing, even if annoying. “Besides, even if we don’t speak of it, the fact remains all the Favours are made from soullight, and the damned Ninth Heaven and their Linked Favours make extensive use of Truesoul fragments and soullight to dominate the worlds adrift in the Boundary seas. It’s all hypocrisy, forced on us to minimise lost worlds, but what good does that do us?”

    “Yes, but...” Ortlinde grimaced. “It sounds wrong when you speak so fluently about weighty matters.” She glanced over at Akio, who had a look of realisation and understanding, and was nodding to himself, while muttering “So that’s how it is. The missing, repeated question marks were those...”

    “How rude. I’m not an idiot, Lin! How could you say that in front of our visitor?” Siegrune pouted, though she was still cheery and excited. “I’m as smart as anyone, I just don’t like books like Rose, or boring talks like younger Hilde! Besides...” In fact, her excitement was rising, and honestly, Ortlinde felt it too. She had been delighted when her second Chosen had reached a level where their Truesouls had resonated, but this one, this Akio Moonstone Oshiro, he had exceeded her expectations by far, and now... Seemingly he has managed to claim one of the strands of Truesoul Siegrune left behind...

    “...he’d have a fair chance at making Foringi of an Einherjar battalion of one of the outer Territories. I’m jealous.”

    “I’m sorry.” Akio’s words distracted the two Valkyries. “But again, there’s no time. The situation is a mess...”

    “There is a saying, better sure than swift, but better swift than hasty.” Ortlinde warned. “It seems your circumstances are indeed not ordinary. But... you are here now, so I shall guide you to make the best of it. Your other visits have proved fruitful, the Seeds bearing rewards. This shall be no different.”

    “What youngest sister Lin said!” Siegrune chimed in, laughing. “Neither of mine made much of an impact. No, that’s not right, is it?” Her smile was wicked. “You’re mine, now. I’m much cuter and fun than our straight-laced and boring youngest sister! Let big sister Siegrune take care of you from now on.”

    “Enough.” Ortlinde narrowed her golden eyes, and Siegrune snickered, claiming she was scared. Shaking her head, she brushed aside her crimson locks and assessed Akio. “I suppose now that my loose-lipped sister has said things she should not have, I may as well explain further. And the benefit may see you through your current crisis.”

    “That would be great.” Akio muttered. “I never thought it’d be so annoying only having a single consciousness again. I guess my Silver Connection doesn’t easily support such unfathomable distances... but you certainly do like explaining things, Exposition-san.”

    At that Siegrune choked with laughter, before Ortlinde sighed. “I told you to call me Ortlinde, youngest daughter of the Allfather. Now... the Seeds, to be used properly...”

    “I’ve been thinking about it.” Akio interrupted. “And I have someone very knowledgeable to talk to, even if what she doesn’t say is usually how she guides us, without breaking the rules. I wondered why I was so... woefully unprepared. While most everyone else was armed with their Favour and the ability to thrive, I didn’t even have a functional Chakra network. I should have died a dozen times over. It was a miracle I didn’t.”

    “By the Allfather, Great Mother, the White and Pure, The Thunderer, Trickster and all the Highest.” Siegrune swore, her face expressing her shock. “I know that’s how the Seeds work best, but... you gave nothing?” Her orange eyes sharpened to the point of fierce hunger, and right now she looked like one of Loki’s spawn, ready to devour Ortlinde whole. “And yet here he stands? Even Rose’s pair don’t have his power.”

    Ortlinde’s expression blanked, and she felt the niggling sting of pain, not just from her slightly wounded Truesoul, but also from her heart. It was a pain her sisters felt keenly as their Chosen fell one by one as always, but the guilt was a different beast this time. Turning to Akio, who was watching in impatient silence, Ortlinde bowed in apology, one fist striking her chest in military fashion, signifying that she saw him as a combatant. This time we did not merely choose those to pass Favours on to, plunging them into battle which would likely lead to their deaths, but... we actively tried to hamper them, so that the Seeds could sprout. Because only from virgin, untainted soil can the mightiest of trees grow...

    “I’m not stupid.” Akio said at last, seeing her reluctance to speak. Siegrune chuckled, though her expression was still dark.

    Rossweisse flushed, covering her ample bosom with the book, but with a flushed face and a scowl, she began to trace runes, adherence and aether shimmering as she scrawled the letters in the air. “Ehwaz, Mannaz, Pertra, Hagalaz, As, Thyth...” Her forehead was beading with sweat as the glowing runic letters formed around her...

    “Can you connect me spirit to spirit?” Ortlinde asked. “Ordinarily such would be dangerous, but my foolish elder sister does not lie.” As Siegrune stuck out her tongue, amused, Ortlinde continued. “You do indeed have the strength to be considered a captain of the Einherjar. Your growth is astonishing. Your spirit can withstand mine.”

    “I think you need to hurry... Rose is struggling to hold the runes in place.” Siegrune warned, and Akio looked troubled, before nodding.

    “I suppose it does work. My gratitude towards you is fathomless, Ortlinde. You gave me this chance. Without it, I’d never have saved Shaeula, she’d be dead. Shiro would likely have abandoned herself to Tan, becoming a shadow of herself. Hyacinth ... would still be in the box. Asha would decay away. Daiyu would be a prisoner still, lost and alone. There’d be no salvation for Tsukiko, her spirit would have been devoured. Eri, my sis, my family... I’d still be estranged from them. I’d never have known Kana. Hinata, Motoko and Natsumi would be wasted in a nobility that didn’t understand them.” His voice was solemn. “Not just them. Karen-chan would be broken, possibly suicidal. Tamamo-no-Mae would still be being tortured, and there would be no hope of saving the Cultivators she risked everything to keep alive. Every life I’ve touched, people I’ve saved... Kim Eui and those from Choe-Museon, Eleanor, David, Sir Arthur and those from London...” His words spun a tale of deeds well done, and Ortlinde was impressed. “So I guess I do see you as someone precious to me too, my benefactor. But... don’t regret this, okay?”

    “What is to regret? I stole the Seed, persuaded my sisters, tricked Atropos, wounded our very immortal existences for this... a mere bond means nothing before my duty.” Ortlinde insisted, and for a moment she was confused by the very human look of pity and amusement on his face, before...

    Wait, what is this? Hmm... I feel a presence, a little corner of my being... invaded? No, nothing so harsh...

    “So, you have higher stats than me, huh? A side benefit...” Akio sighed. “Now it’s not just Asha’s Tree which gives me a boost...”

    “Now!” Ortlinde declared, and with a final surge of power, Rossweisse inscribed her final rune, drawing it with her thumb, the array of letters bursting into shining light that somehow was many colours yet transparent and none at once.

    “Eo!” With that, Rossweisse was welcomed into Ortlinde, and suddenly she could experience what she was. “So this is him, huh? I think mine are... oh, this is vexing!” The petite Valkyrie gnawed on her lips, frustrated. “Mine are still in this fight! I picked winners too, but... yes, I see.”

    Akio seemed a bit taken back as her older sister looked him up and down, drawing several more runes of inquiry, Ortlinde reassured him everything would be fine. “Rossweisse knows what she is doing. Rest assured.”

    “I do, I most certainly do!” she agreed, toying with her rose-pink hair. “But... that bond...” She suddenly giggled. “Our youngest is so nai?ve. No matter. In exchange for my aid... no fighting my Chosen. Work together, like good children, all right?”

    “That’s not convincing coming from someone who looks like you, Rose!” Siegrune giggled. “Anyway, do something!”

    “I am, I am! You think I am the child? I am as calm and collected as our older sisters. Now, let me see if I can ... ah.” She glanced down. “Your feet are being tortured by some sort of adherence. It seems reminiscent of Endless Knot work. Geas, I think they called it? Hmm... I am no expert in their unique methods of adherence manipulation, I prefer runes, but...”

    “Yes, my friends are coming under attack where they are staying, and my Boots know that. I need to warm the authorities, or my feet will be destroyed. It bloody well hurts, but so far my body is proving tough enough to get away with pain, but every second it gets harder...” Akio grimaced.

    “Let us see if my seed of an idea can bear some fruit...” Rossweisse made a tasteless pun. “You have a spatial element aptitude. That is rare, for those whose worlds have not shed the Boundary that protects them and isolates them. But it is weak. Not enough for your aims. Ordinarily there would be naught you can do but train and strive, however...”

    “The Seeds...” Ortlinde breathed, and Rossweisse nodded.

    “Even that might not be enough, it can strengthen the spatial element he wields, certainly...” Holding her chin, thinking, she peered at him with her pearly eyes. “But... it so happens... huh... book, I need a book...”

    “Rose is really into this.” Siegrune giggled as her sister turned away, rushing to the shelf and flipping through the books one handed until she found what she was looking for and rushed back.

    “Of course I am. This might be futile, but... there is definitely a chance. The Seeds are special. Our precious World Tree is knowledge, and knowledge shapes the Astral. This runic formula is a bit beyond me, but... Raido, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Othala... uh... no, that one is not right... maybe... by the Great Mother, by the Queen of Love and Desire. Time to toss the bones and gamble! Ur, Ehwaz!” The runes flared into being, and Rossweisse mopped at her sodden brow, as power flooded into Ortlinde and through her into Akio.

    “What... my feet stopped hurting... huh... my boots...” Akio seemed perturbed, and Rossweisse shrugged.

    I note his eyes followed her chest. How scandalous...

    “The boots have an adherence of spatial travel. But they are limited by that function. Instead... the Seed... if it absorbs it... Tiwaz, Raido, As, Nauthis... maybe... Ortlinde, you owe me for this! I can feel my strength depleting!”

    “There is no owing between sisters.” Ortlinde answered seriously, and Rossweisse froze for a moment, before she cracked a smile.

    “You nearly had me there. I am too tense, you are right. Huh.” She took several deep, calming breaths, steeling herself, before drawing more runes. “Sowilo, Feo, Ehwaz... and lastly... Raido again!” The surge of adherence Rossweisse generated was once more absorbed into Akio through Ortlinde, and this time Akio groaned, his connection starting to collapse.

    “I... whoa...” His eye burned orange as the Seed disintegrated, pulling in and amplifying spatial element and the adherence and aether liberated from the shattered boots. Some of the adherence was different, and was also absorbed elsewhere, but as the connection between them, momentary as it was, unable to withstand the vast ocean of the Astral between them, was sundered, the link between their Truesouls fading into the distance, Ortlinde thought he heard some faint words. “I’m grateful. I’ll see you again... one day. Because like it or not, now... we’re connected...”

    “That... was wild!” Siegrune laughed, exultant, before fetching a jug from a side table and pouring Rossweisse a glass of wine, which she gulped down, nearly spilling it with her unsteady hand. “Good job, Rose. I don’t get it, I’m no Runecaster, but... it worked, right?”

    “I believe so. I have no idea what happened to the Geaswork present within the adherence, but the nature of it was rich with spatial energy, and the ability to traverse great distances in a single step. Coupled with the power of the Seed, its nature to imbue learning, knowledge and Skill within a worthy being... I believe we achieved something.” She paused, her pale skin tinged nearly the same shade as her hair. “I am ashamed to say it, but I believe I benefited myself. My grasp on the Runes has improved, and I think my ability to handle adherence strengthened too...”

    “Good job, Rose!” Siegrune praised her again, before sending a sidelong glance at Ortlinde. “Maybe you should take over from Ortlinde, since you were so helpful to him? Hang on, wait, no, I’m going to take him! It’s fate, he’s taken a piece of my Truesoul too!”

    “I think not!” Ortlinde shouted, perturbed. “I passed Tyr’s blessing to him, wove the Seeds with my Truesoul fragment and set him on this path. I was harsh, offering him little guidance, but... cream rises to the top.”

    “I was only teasing. But... I can think my own efforts weren’t in vain.” Siegrune was serious, her orange eyes solemn. “I’m pleased. He’s picked up the scattered wreckage of my failures. When he comes again... maybe I’ll be able to aid him as you have.”

    Ortlinde nodded, but in the back of her mind, seeming so faint as to be perhaps an illusion, a faint sense of his presence lingered, a warm gratitude, and a trickle of hope. Each Seed is harder to absorb than the last. Now he has taken four... to use more, ordinarily I would expect it to take many long years, decades, perhaps even centuries... but... he is full of surprises, and... it is as he said. He is not alone. Now even Siegrune, foolish and flighty though she is, is with him...

    “This quite ruined my mood to read.” Rossweisse declared, finishing her wine and taking a deep breath. “I am quite exhausted. Perhaps we should find sister Helmwige, I would greatly like to listen to some soothing music from her lyre. And she is less likely to lecture us than Brunnhilde and Gerhilde...”

    As Siegrune agreed, Ortlinde nodded as well. Yes, after our fierce battles of late, we could use some more time to recover our equilibrium and poise. And... perhaps this unanticipated good news will cheer my older sisters? With that final thought, Ortlinde began to tidy up the scattered books, an unexpected spring in her tired steps...