the Valkyrie's Voyage begins!
At eight years old, she was a walking headache. At least, thatโs what everyone said about her, and the proof was currently echoing through the tribeโs small neighborhood. A blood-curdling scream pierced the air; even without looking, the villagers already knew the culprit.
The snow crunched beneath her boots as she bolted from the scene of her latest "crime," her laughter ringing through the bustling streets. Just as she rounded a corner, she slammed into someone. The impact was hard enough to send her reeling, but a pair of quick arms caught her before she could hit the ground.
"Sister!" Freyaโs eyes brightened as she recognized the figure, her small arms immediately wrapping around the woman's waist.
"Freya? What are you doing here?" Skuld chuckled at the girlโs ever-vigorous demeanor. Freya didn't answer; she just looked up with a wide, toothy grin.
But the escape was short-lived. Suddenly, Freya was yanked from her sister's embrace. An angry manโthe latest victim of her silly pranksโbegan dragging her away.
A firm hand clamped down on the manโs wrist, stopping him in his tracks. "I believe that whatever my sister did," Skuld said calmly, "it does not justify harming her."
"Huh?! Just because you're our 'best hope' doesn't mean your little sister gets away with whatever she wants!" the man roared, his face flushed with rage.
Skuld bowed her head. "I know that. On her behalf, I sincerely apologize."
"Apologizing doesnโt undo the damage she caused, Skuld!" the man interrupted.
"Neither does hurting a child." Skuldโs voice remained steady. Her sincere demeanor, combined with the growing crowd, finally reached the man. He grumbled and released his grip. Freya immediately scrambled behind her sister's legs.
"Apologize to him, Frey." Skuldโs encouraging smile gave Freya just enough courage to mutter a "sorry" through a shaky voice.
"Next time, don't tolerate her behavior," the man warned, rubbing his aching bones as he turned to walk away.
Freya looked up at Skuld with her usual mischievous grin, but Skuld only sighed and shook her head. The smile vanished instantly, and Freya hung her head in genuine embarrassment.
The usual crunch of snow was the only thing entering her ears, it was another snow storm occured last night just like a regular rainy night in other parts of Land of Dawn. It was another regular cold day, for someone who is not from the Northern Vale but it was pleasantly warm for anyone accustomed to the harsh weather for the land of ice and snow. But none of it mattered, not when she was disappointed in her, someone whom she looked up to.
Freya was only following behind her like a lost puppy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to anger you"
Her own sound of voice was very foreign to her ears, perhaps to Skuld too.
The person in front suddenly stopped dead on her tracks, so did she. Freya had her head down all this time, and had her eyes closed when she turned around to her, she was ready to get yelled at for the first time in her young life. But instead, she felt Skuld's surprisingly soft fingers for someone who is constantly training from day til night- under her chin, lifting her head up, who is now kneeling in front of her. Freya saw a glimmer in her blue iris, a glimmer of hope, the constant reminder that- She, her sister, her tribe's best, Skuldย alwaysย had high hopes for her-ย her, Freya. A very notorious name for her constant trouble and her curious and naughty personality, a complete opposite to her sister.
She doesn't understand why Skuld always views her as someone who could be like her. She's strong, resilient, and smart. Freya knew to herself that she's neither of those, but her sisters words of encouragementย somehowย made her think that maybe she could be like her too.
"Freya, you know what I always say about you..." Her soft voice was making her guilt rage even more
"But I don't understand. Why do you always think of me that way, you're always there for me, I could live happily ever even if you're a Valkyrie. I know it because I know someone is there for me whenever I'm in trouble"
Skuld found her hands and firmly grasped them as if asking for support. "Hey, listen to me okay? I cannot promise you that I'm always there by your side and especially when I become one"
Her natural curiosity picked at her words. "Why not? I mean you're a Valkyrie, you can practically do whatever you want!"
"No, no. It was never like that- in fact you cannot always do whatever you want" A wind of sad emotion swept across Freya's face that led to broke her elder sister's heart. Skuld sighed heavily as her fingers found comfort in rubbing her hands instead, she smiled when she finally found her words. "Of course you're my ever sweet little sister, I will always find ways to be with you okay?" and true enough, Freya cast her ever knowing smile. Skuld pulled her in warm embrace, the struggle to wipe her tears away was evident on her face it wasn't for the fact that her little sister is not looking at her she would've been raining her with questions and comforting words.
She was twelve when Skuld passed the high priest trial and finally became an exalted Valkyrie. Everyone was happy and out there celebrating, just as expected from the kid of the high priest's prophecy, except she was nowhere near to be delighted. Her sister's words were almost four years ago but she felt like none of them were no longer true.
Never did she once doubt Skuld's words but right now, where her only family will be away for god knows how long, sure she would visit from time to time but it's the day where she would never be coming back is what scares her the most with the certain danger that comes with such a glorious title is inevitable. The last thing she wanted to hear was the irony that her soul would be the one to be delivered in Valhalla instead.
"Why the long face, Frey?" the main subject of her thought emerged from the door of her room then sat beside her
"Do you.." her words trailed off her tongue, unsure to continue her questions. They were supposed to be feasting merrily because that's what Northern Valers favorite thing to do and yet...
She almost felt her throat crumbling from the rumbling guilt
As if reading her sister's thoughts, she answered for her. "Yes Freya. I remember it as clear as day". Freya felt her hands on top of hers, just like that warm day. "I will always find ways to be with you" the same exact words, but this time Freya felt hope. She would, she never lied to her words, and just like that day all over again but this time Freya hugged her tightly and warmly.
That night, everyone in the tribe watched the two siblings hugged each other for the last time. The younger one was hesitant to let her older sister go, but this is necessary. They watched her hands hold into nothingness as they watched Skuld descend into the light with other Valkyries including the high priest. The tribespeople seemed to be in a quiet state after her departure, none were the constant pranks on people and they already understood why, and Freya was grateful for their efforts of trying to lift her spirit up despite her former crimes on them.
She was fourteen when she decided she had enough waiting. It's been two years since the last time she saw Skuld. Freya was desperate to see her, to hug her and just to know she was alive and well.
So does came into a desperate solution; to snuck out of her tribe's land and into the Martyr Hall. Packing only necessary things and a few clothes, she sets off a journey to see her sister, and Freya doesn't have any idea where the way to begin with but there's a tiny whisper within the corners of her brain to just let her gut lead the way. She isn't as clever as her sister was but sure enough, Freya actually found the sacred Martyr Hall after few days of travelling.
The said sacred place was heavily discouraged to visit as to avoid disturbing the spirits being guided as well as destracting the Valkyries. The inside was completely different from the outside as it looked more like a fortress but as soon as someone set food within, the impressive head statues of gods and goddesses worshipped by the Northern Vale folks made out of fine stones are displayed in the hallway. Giant pillars made out of marbles carved with Northern Vale symbols stood firm but at the end of the hall was an altar wherein a strange light settled on it that caught Freya's eyes.
Upon approaching the strange light, it turned out to be an object floating at the altar, but something about this odd luster was calling her in, whispering in her ears to come and experience a paradise that lies within. A paradise where her and sister could live happily and dangers no longer exist, nothing but a peaceful Northern Vale.
Her arms unconsciously raised touching the object, her eyes still glued as the whispers continued around her. As soon as her fingertips made close proximity the said relic it immediately flew upward bursting through the grand hall's ceiling breaking the ice seal and releasing wave of energy in the process. As the relic gathers its strength in the sky, Freya was left frozen on the ground, shock is evident on the child's face.
Longing is not enough words to describe Skuld's feelings towards her sister, she's only been gone for two years and yet she feels like she's missing for the most part of her little sister's life. If this is what she feels right now, what more in the following years where she needs to grow up-ย grow up.
Skuld always wonders what her dear sister would be like when she's older, more mature. Would she be more serious? Is she going to take things seriously? Or would she still retain her usual bubbly self? Maybe a bit mischievous but not as bad as she was beforeย orย would she choose the similar path as her? Training day and night to be a worthy warrior and be their tribal leader or maybe even be a Valkyrie, vowing to guide the spirits of fallen warriors and keeping peace within the lands of Northern Vale.
Skuld always believed that Freya was the chosen one. One that's destined to forge their land into a new path. That's something she doesn't understand- perhaps their tribes people too- and yet she still held into this hope, she always sees something in her little sister's windows of her very soul; a small flicker of bravery and courageousness, almost similar to their late fathers, who is also their former tribe leader before getting killed by a band of pirates after trespassing and stealing their stocks and goods for the incoming long and harsh winter. Maybe she just needs a little push to make her see the way Skuld sees her
"Your thoughts are all over the place" a wrinkling hand was placed on her shoulder "Mind giving me your thoughts, Valkyrie?" said the old man as he sat beside the said warrior, whom is also their high priest. The other Valkyries are outside the shrine, preparing everything they need to perform a sacred ritual for the spirits
"It's my sister" Skuld hauled a deep breath she probably held from thinking. "I'm worried about her" she faced the old man, whose attention was only in front of him. "And I missed her a lot too" she said but her voice was low, almost whispering to herself
"Hmmm.." the old priest hummed, while caressing his white long beard that was tied in a braid held together by a gold celtic tie. "I heard a lot about your sister. A headache, I must say" Skuld unknowingly chuckled as soon as the high priest mentioned her mischievousness. "Unlike you, her naughtiness is what keeps her name known around your tribe. Her naturally strong curiosity is what keeps her in constant trouble. It's what makes her shine among her peers, who are either training to be a worthy warrior or studying to be a good trader, it's what also made you love her so dearly" he stopped caressing his beard before finally turning his attention to her "Or am I wrong, Skuld?"
Skuld was surprised at how much the old valkyrian leader knew so much about from just what he heard alone. "Yes" she answered regardless. "It's what made her endearing to me"
The high priest hummed again, his tone this time was almost thinking. "It really takes time to create a warrior, Skuld" the said angel finally turned her attention away after unknowingly having her direction to the high priest this whole time. "I know your strong hopes towards your sister. That it made me believe that maybe you're right, she may finally be the one that could lead this harsh land in peace"
The high priest finally stood up before landing another comforting hand to her shoulder "Give it time for your sister to grow and learn. She'll be like you in no time, perhaps she might even surpass you" soft laughter erupted from Skuld whilst nodding her head
"I should help the others now, if you may" slightly lowering her head as a small sign of respect
"Go on Valkyrie" and so she left, somehow feeling slightly light headed from the small talk with the high priest
She'll learn. Give it time. She hoped once again
The high priest watches as the warrior walks away, somehow a weary look on his face. "Dear gods, please do not let my foreseen future happen. Oh gods, please tell me the future is a lie" he silently prayed.
The Vakyries are in the middle of the sacred ritual when a wave of energy disrupted the ritual. The shockwave was strong enough for the Valkyries to understand the source of the said energy
Not another second was wasted when the group of Valkyries jumped into the scene, they saw a kid that was on the ground too shocked to move a muscle and even if the kid doesn't turn, Skuld already knew who it was.
Commands were already erupting from the High Priest but none of it were seem to pass through Skuld's ears, everything in her surrounding were quiet, eerily quiet for her own liking. Everything around her move but she doesn't know where, and she's too scared to even care. Only when another wave of flashing light and energy would erupted from the relic would finally had her legs to move.
This fic is almost 3 years old now, which means it was locked tf out of my wattpad proven by this revision history:
lmfao yeah. This was technically only the first part, I'm still writing a continuation but I feel like its gonna be stuck up again anytime soon, so I thought why not just post the first part instead of collecting dust in the basement. Also please forgive my terrible grammar, as I said this fic was almost two years old, and within the span of 2 years I never really bothered checking the grammar so ://. This fic was purely made out of love for the gorjus valkyrie wife named Freya from deadass game MLBB. Please enjoy :))
