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And So It Goes	By : Rezalda Category: +S through Z > Valkyrie Profile Views: 1321 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Valkyrie Profile series. I am not making any money from this story.

Chapter List
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Lenneth was used to mortals desiring her, but as long as they didn't try to do anything about it, she let it be. She knew that some gods occasionally descended to Midgard to engage in liaison with humans, but there was no reason for her to do so. Her time in Midgard was short, and there was far too much to do. A valkyrie had little time for such shenanigans.
Even so, she could not help but notice that Fauxnel, too, was very beautiful, in a way that was almost feminine. Although he was tall, he was also very slender and pale, resulting in an almost delicate look. His golden curls were so soft-looking that she longed to touch them. His lips were just a little more full than those of the average man, which only added to his charm.
However, he was also proud and bad-tempered. He was only ever humbled when he thought of his sins; otherwise, he was haughty and pretentious. He did not take criticism well, especially from those he deemed his equals. His character might not improve enough before her time as a valkyrie ended.
Yes, Lenneth knew the time she had to train her einherjar was not limitless. Freya had told her as much when her duty began. For reasons that were a mystery to Lenneth, only one valkyrie was allowed to exist in Midgard at one time.
And that was not the only mystery. More and more lately, Lenneth had begun to wonder about the other valkyries, her sisters, Hrist and Silmeria. Why did she know their names, but have no memories of interacting with either one? Why could she not picture them in her mind, but get the feeling that somehow, she would know them if she saw them? And if there were only three of them, then certainly she must have served Odin before; however, she had no memory of that, either.
She also found her heart softening as she heard and saw the plight of mortal man, suffering in their weakness and ignorance. Their lot was far less fortunate than that of the other races, even the undead, who at least lacked the ability to comprehend their own miserable states. They prayed aloud to the gods, not knowing that the gods had little interest in improving their lives. Odin had given them life--that was enough, as far as he was concerned.
It scared her, this questioning of her own master. What would he do if he found out that she was beginning to doubt his authority?
However, at the moment, Lenneth had more pressing concerns. At the last contact, Freya had told Lenneth that their forces needed archers, and that she must send them one before their next contact. The only archer Lenneth had right now was Valmur, and he was nowhere near ready to go to Asgard. Furthermore, Fauxnel's presence had only agitated him. Maybe recruiting him was a mistake, after all.
Grateful that her einherjar could not hear her thoughts, Lenneth remateralized their bodies for battle.
"Ah," Rosea sighed as she looked around at the trees and brooks. "It's been a long time since I've seen a forest. Lately all we've been doing is fighting in gloomy caves. Too bad we have to spend all our time fighting."
Fauxnel looked around as well. "Where are Sir Thyodor and Sir Cennair?"
Lenneth smiled. "They have gone to Asgard."
"Oh..." Fauxnel sighed. "I wish I had been able to say goodbye. I...I never got to apologize."
"Well, if that's the case," Lieselotte said, "you'd better apologize to the rest of us. You know, so you don't have any regrets when we go."
"I suppose so." Fauxnel cleared his throat. "I am sorry, everyone."
"No, no, not like that," she insisted. "Each of us. One at a time. You won't really feel satisfied until you do, right?"
"Don't decide that for me," Fauxnel admonished her. Then, he sighed again. "But I suppose you are right. Liese...Lieselotte, I am sorry. I'm sorry I blamed Sir Cennair's death on you and Rosea. I'm sorry I drove a wedge into your friendship. I'm sorry for all the pain and anger I doubtless caused you. I'm sorry I caused you to commit murder, and I'm sorry you died because of me."
Lieselotte nodded. "Apology accepted. I forgive you, so you'd better be grateful. And you'd better not repeat that exact same apology to Rosea."
"But I have the exact same reason to apologize to Rosea."
"Consider yourself lucky, then, that the hardest thing you have to do is make up another apology," Lieselotte said. She was clearly enjoying this.
Fauxnel turned to Rosea. "Rosea...I'm sorry I let you and Lieselotte shoulder the blame for my crimes. I'm sorry I brought shame to you before the entire royal court. I'm sorry I ruined a beautiful friendship and tainted your innocent feelings for Lieselotte. I'm sorry that you dirtied your hands because of me, and died for my sins."
Rosea had turned red when Fauxnel spoke of her "innocent feelings." Now she could not even look him in the eye as she whispered, "I forgive you."
Fauxnel cleared his throat. "Thank you...Rosea. And Lieselotte."
"You can call me 'Liese' again," she muttered. "I mean, you've already been calling me that. It sounds weird to have you suddenly calling me 'Lieselotte' just because you're feeling guilty."
Lenneth could tell that Fauxnel was reluctant to even face Nicolas or Valmur. "Go on, Fauxnel," she said quietly. "If it will make you feel better."
"Sir Nicolas..." Fauxnel hesitated, then looked straight at Nicolas with a determined look on his face. "I am sorry I had you killed. I brought great sorrow to your family. And I'm sorry I killed your brother, depriving your parents of not only one, but two sons, and your sister of both her brothers."
Nicolas remained silent for a time before answering, "I hear and accept your apology, Fauxnel. But I can't forgive you. Not yet."
Fauxnel hung his head. "I understand." He turned to Valmur. "Lord Val--"
"I don't want to hear it," Valmur interrupted him, refusing to look at him. "You don't deserve to be forgiven so easily. You're only apologizing for yourself, anyway. How can I trust that you're sincere? You lied to me the whole time we were alive. If you had only killed me, maybe I could forgive you. But you hurt someone I love dearly, and then lied about even that. I'll never forgive you for it. I don't even want to hear that you're sorry, because I don't believe you. You're only sorry that you got caught."
His words stung, but Fauxnel knew he was right--to an extent, at least. It was true that Fauxnel wanted his guilt to be alleviated. And it was certainly true that he did not deserve that forgiveness, and that Valmur had no reason to trust him.
"Very well," he said. "I will spare you."
Valmur still refused to look him in the eye. He looked more sad than angry, but he said nothing.
"Let's go," Lenneth said, "and stay close by. There are some very powerful enemies in this forest. Lieselotte, your fire magic will be an asset here. And Rosea, your healing magic will as well."
"You got it, Valkyrie," said Lieselotte.
"Yes, Lady Valkyrie," said Rosea.
"As for the rest of you," Lenneth continued, "this does not mean that I will allow you to sit back and let the women do all the work. Every last one of you will need fight with full power if we are to stand a chance against the Mandragoras."
Rosa shuddered. "Mandragoras? You would really have us fight something so dangerous?"
"Yes," Lenneth answered. "If we all work together, they will not be too much for us, even in groups. In Asgard, you may encounter even stronger monsters. It is important that you have experience with as many different kinds as possible."
A second death was not a posibility most einherjar wished to acknowledge. They were always aware of it, of course, but an einherjar sent to Asgard unprepared would almost certainly die. And without Lenneth there to re-materialize their bodies, their chances to be honored as gods would be forever lost.
Of course, some einherjer were just fine with that, but the risk of lapsing into bitterness and hatred in one's next life was high when one died as an einherjar.
"There are other beasts in this forest as well," Lenneth explained, "so be sure to keep your guards up. Fauxnel, stay close to Ancel so he can protect you from being ambushed. He is a highly capable warrior. You may trust him with your life."
Ancel winked at Fauxnel. "I don't fight too well underwater, but now you'll see what I can really do with a blade. In the meantime, you can use those disabling spells to help me out."
"All right," Fauxnel agreed. "Leave that to me."
Lenneth assigned Nicolas to guard Lieselotte, and Valmur to guard Rosea. They passed the first mile without incident, fighting off a few low-grade slime molds, but before long a strange buzzing sound began to fill the forest.
Valmur frowned. "Lady Valkyrie..."
"Yes, I hear it, too," Lenneth interrupted him. "There are probably some beetles nearby."
Fauxnel sighed with what looked like relief. "If it's just beetles, I can handle them."
But the buzzing was growing louder, and it did not sound like any beetles Lenneth had ever encountered. It was more concentrated, as if it were coming from...
"There!" Valmur shouted, firing an arrow at a spot directly above them.
Fauxnel screamed.
An enormous swarm of bees had caught up to them and was now on the attack against the entire group. Lenneth immediately began firing orders.
"Mages, cast spells against them. If I recall correctly, fire works best, but anything other than poison will do. Fauxnel, what on earth are you--"
Much to her disgust, Fauxnel was attempting to put as much distance as possible between himself and the rest of the group.
"Bees!" he cried. "Bees are the one creature I cannot fight! Forgive me, Lady Valkyrie, but I must pass on this one!"
"Oh, that's right." Lieselotte grinned as she fired a spell at the most concentrated part of the swarm. "Fauxnel's afraid of bees."
"This is unacceptable!" Lenneth fumed. "Fauxnel, you will never get to Valhalla if you flee because of some foolish mortal phobia! You have endured far worse than a few stings, have you not?"
"Fear doesn't always listen to logic," Rosea said sadly as she skewered a few of their foes with a Sacred Javelin spell.
"I can't concentrate long enough to perform a spell!" Fauxnel whined as he looked frantically for...well, whatever he hoped would save him.
Lenneth sighed. She was about to order him back into his spiritual form when Nicolas spoke up.
"So you really haven't changed, have you, Fauxnel? You're still just a coward who only looks after himself. How will you ever be forgiven if you don't start thinking about others for a change?"
Fauxnel recoiled as though he had been stung. "I...I didn't..." He turned pleading eyes to Valmur, who looked away, then to Lenneth.
She nodded. "He's right. The reason you committed those crimes--deceit and murder--was because you were afraid, was it not? Before you can truly change, you must overcome your own fear."
"But..." Fauxnel began. Then, he shook his head. He took a deep breath and began to chant.
"No mercy for the damned. Thou hast no escape from the grasp of catastrophe! Meteor Swarm!"
The spell easily obliterated the majority of the bees, and an Ifrit Caress from Lieselotte took care of the rest of them. Fauxnel fell to his hands and knees.
"That...That was..." he gasped.
Nicolas smirked. "The scariest day of your life? Come on, Fauxnel."
Lenneth couldn't help smiling. "You did well."
"Th-thank you...Lady Valkyrie..." He got shakily to his feet. "Nicolas...Thank you."
"Hmph." That was the only response Fauxnel got out of Nicolas.
"'Hmph' is right," Lieselotte scoffed. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I guess. He cries like a baby and almost runs away, and he gets the credit for taking care of those bugs? No fair!"
"You did well, too, Lieselotte," Lenneth assured her. "So did you, Rosea. Fauxnel, get up. You cannot rest yet; there may be more bees ahead."
"Yes, my lady." Fauxnel stood up and smiled feebly at her. "I think I can handle them now."
***
After the forest had been cleansed, Lenneth returned all but Valmur to sleep within herself.
"I will be frank," she said to Valmur. "Freya has informed me that Lord Odin wishes you to be sent to Valhalla now. However, as you are now, you may not be ready to fight alongside the gods."
Valmur nodded slowly. "I know. I have not forgiven Fauxnel yet."
"It is not that you have not forgiven him, Valmur. It is that your soul continues to burn with anger and hatred. If you die, it is almost certain that bitterness will continue to gall your spirit in your next life."
He looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "What would you have me do, then?"
"I cannot disobey an order from Lord Odin. You will have to go to Valhalla and make the best of it. Nicolas will go with you. I know that both of you are a great deal stronger than you were when I first recruited you. Look to each other, support each other, and stay sharp. I am only telling you to be careful. No matter how angry you are, do not give yourself up for dead. To do so would be a disservice to yourself, to Nicolas, and to all those who loved you."
For a moment, Valmur looked at her as though he were about to cry. Then, his face changed into an expression of determination. "Yes. I understand. I will not let you down, my lady."
"Good." Lenneth summoned Nicolas to her side. "Nicolas, you and Valmur are to go to Valhalla. Valmur will catch you up on everything I have told him."
"Valhalla?" Nicolas repeated, surprised. "Are we ready for that?"
"That will be for you to decide," she answered. "Your greatest strength lies in your love for each other. Do not forget that."
Nicolas nodded, looking serious for once. "And Liese...Lieselotte. Will she be sent to Valhalla?"
"Eventually, I intend to transfer everyone," Lenneth assured him. "So stay alive. If you do, you will see her again."
Nicolas grinned. "Thanks, Valkyrie." He turned to Valmur. "I'm ready if you are."
"Yes, I am," Valmur said, and smiled for the first time since his death.
"Good." Lenneth closed her eyes and opened up a portal to Valhalla. "It has been a pleasure fighting with both of you. I hope we meet again."
"Thank you, Lady Valkyrie," Valmur said, and the brothers vanished.
Her spiritual concentration revealed that Skoll, son of the beast Fenrir, was up to something in Augustine's Cave, a bitterly cold cavern where an order of monks had once lived. It had been abandoned for over one thousand years, and the temperatures were said to rival those of Niflheim.
She descended to Midgard once again, hoping that she would not have to do battle with Skoll.
As soon as her einherjar were materialized, Fauxnel asked, "Where is Lord Valmur?"
"Nicolas is gone, too," Lieselotte said sadly. "So you sent them away, Valkyrie?"
"You will see them again," Lenneth assured them.
But, just as Lenneth had expected, Fauxnel was not satisfied. "And Lord Valmur was ready, right? You would not have let him go to Valhalla otherwise, right?"
Lenneth said nothing. There was no use in lying to him.
"Lady Valkyrie! Please say something!"
"...He has Nicolas with him," she finally said. "And he is not a reckless man. I do not expect he will die."
Fauxnel's eyes narrowed. "In other words, he was not ready. I thought you said he needed to work through his feelings before going to Valhalla? Isn't he going to die if he's not ready? Or be scorned by the gods?"
"That is a possibility," Lenneth admitted. "But Lord Odin needed an archer, and--"
Fauxnel turned away with disgust. "So I guess in the end, we are just pawns for fighting. Valmur deserved more than that, did he not? If this is how you treat the most worthy of einherjar--"
"Watch your tongue, mortal," she interrupted, even as she felt a pain stab through her soul. "It is because of Lord Odin's mercy that sinners such as yourself are given a second chance at life. Valmur understood the risk of going to Valhalla, and went willingly. I did not force him."
Fauxnel's expression softened, but he continued to stare at the ground. "But...even so..."
"Fauxnel," Lieselotte interrupted. "You understand, don't you? If Valkyrie had disobeyed, what good would it have done? Odin is much more powerful than any other god. How would refusing to make Valmur into einherjar have helped him any? Valkyrie did what she had to do. You should know better than anybody that sometimes you have to choose between the wrong thing and the even more wrong thing."
Fauxnel looked so sad and lost that Lenneth almost wanted to reach out and comfort him. Such a gesture would not be appropriate for a valkyrie, however. "Fauxnel...Even if Valmur dies, he will be reborn again. While it is true that his anger may carry over into his next life, that does not mean his life will consist of nothing but suffering. There is always hope. That, too, is something you should know."
"I...I know," Fauxnel murmured. "But that is not why I'm upset."
"I know," Lenneth said. "But there is nothing to be done now. You must not let this set you back."
Ancel smiled sadly. "Fauxnel, I resented Wyl for a long time after I died. If I had spoken to him back then, I think I would have said the same things that Valmur said to you. It hurt so much to think that someone I loved could betray me in such a way. But eventually, I realized that I would continue to hurt until I forgave him. I'm sure that Valmur will realize the same thing. Maybe sooner than you think. So don't give up. Keep fighting the good fight so that you can see him again. And when you're both gods, you'll wonder why you ever worried about a little thing like death!"
"Liese and I forgave you, and even each other," Rosea added. "Do you know how angry we were when we killed each other? Easily twice as angry--maybe three times as angry--as Valmur was with you. Because we didn't just hate each other, we envied each other. Just be thankful you don't have that burden to carry."
Fauxnel looked around at everyone. "Thank you. All of you. I will do my best." He bowed. "Forgive me, Lady Valkyrie. I spoke too hastily."
"You are forgiven," Lenneth said. "Now, there is no time left to lose. There may be a big battle up ahead. Ancel, you are the only physical fighter left, besides myself. I want you to bring up the rear. Rosea, try to conserve your energy so you can cast healing spells; I think we will need a lot of them. Lieselotte and Fauxnel should concentrate on offensive spells, but do not attack together. While one of you attacks, the other should rest so at least one of you will always be available to use magic. It will get harder with fewer einherjar, but I know you are all strong enough to make up for the loss. I should warn you that somewhere in this cavern there is a ferocious beast called Skoll. He is one of the sons of the great wolf Fenrir."
Lieselotte grinned. "Well, my fire spells will take care of him."
"Do not underestimate one of the great beasts," Lenneth warned her. "It is foretold that he will one day devour the sun."
Rosea looked uncomfortable. "Is that really true?" she asked.
"Nothing the head of Mimir predicts is certain," she answered. "But it is certainly possible. I do not expect that we can slay him. Although he spends most of his time chasing the sun, he sometimes descends to Midgard looking for a fight. The best we can hope for is to satisfy him in combat."
***
The more Fauxnel heard from the Valkyrie, the more intrigued he became. And ever since he had spoken to Cennair about her ability to read thoughts, the matter of just how much she could read had been on his mind. Now that he was resting and there were fewer einherjar around to distract the Valkyrie, he decided that it was a good opportunity to ask her.
"So do you hear all of our thoughts, or just the really strong ones?"
"The only thoughts I hear," she said, "are those of mortals near death. And even then, it is only when I concentrate. Of course, when all of you are in me, I cannot help sensing what you feel, but I only hear thoughts that are directed toward me."
"Do other gods read human thoughts?" he asked.
"I do not know. I suppose Lord Odin can. But the gods do not concern themselves with human affairs anywhere near as much as humans seem to think. As long as they do not grow too powerful, and offer their services as einherjar when it is asked of them, Lord Odin has no reason to interfere."
"Too powerful," Fauxnel repeated thoughtfully. "Like when the royal magi of Dipan attempted to remove the spirit of a valkyrie from the human host?"
"Did they?" The valkyrie seemed uninterested in the story. "Yes, I suppose that would be an action deserving of divine retribution."
"It happened long ago. It is believed to be tied to the disappearance of the Princess of Dipan. I believe there was a half-elf involved, too. And some undead. But you know, in those kinds of incidents, the boundaries between races are blurred. Gods become human. Humans become undead. Elves become gods. Who's to say what really happened?"
"The gods are more concerned with the actions of the undead," she told him. "By fighting the undead as training, einherjar can keep their population in check. Although most undead are no more intelligent than beasts, they can upset order in great numbers."
"So who is the leader of the undead--Brahms, the vampire whom they call 'Lord of the Undead,' or Hel?"
"Hel is the queen of Niflheim, and she has a role to play, which is the governing of the undead and the punishment of the unrighteous. Brahms is only an ancient being who continues to oppose Odin. I do not know his story, but I do know that he has no right to call himself the lord of anything, let alone an entire race."
"Were all undead human once?" he asked.
"That I do not know," she replied. "It is possible that other animals can somehow become undead. I cannot imagine that any elf or god would wish to become an undead, even if they could."
"But humans will?"
"Yes, some humans are drawn to the power and long life of the undead." Her expression turned bitter. "However, they do not realize that once they become demons to the core, they no longer have any control over their own body, mind, or soul. They lose the ability to think for themselves, and are driven by pure bloodlust. They cannot even appreciate the power or longevity they have been given."
For a few moments, they walked in silence. Then, Fauxnel asked, "Lady Valkyrie...What will happen if I turn out to be unfit as an einherjar? If I never make it to Asgard?"
The valkyrie frowned. "Why do you ask? You are doing well. There is no cause for concern now."
"I don't know," he sighed. "I suppose...just in case."
She thought about it. "I suppose in that case, you would remain with me and fight at my side until I go back to sleep."
"Back to sleep?" he repeated.
"The divine sleep. Only one valkyrie may exist in Midgard at the same time. Thus, when one of us is active, the others are asleep."
"And what happens to einherjar who are still in you?"
"I suppose they are reborn."
"You suppose?"
"I have never had an einherjar within me when I went to sleep," she explained. "I would not recruit a soul who was incapable of being sent to Valhalla. You may rest assured that I saw the potential of a hero in you. I am certain that you will make a fine warrior in Asgard."
"Lady Valkyrie..." Fauxnel felt his face burn. Even now, he found it hard to believe that he was worthy of such honor. But what she said...
"No, that can't be true," he insisted. "Because you said so yourself--Odin sometimes requests evil souls, if they're powerful enough."
The valkyrie paused as she worked out Fauxnel's words. "Well...that is not the case with you. Unfortunately, you are not so powerful that if you were truly an evil soul, you would have been chosen by me. And I have never actually recruited an evil soul myself. Hrist, on the other hand..."
"Hrist? Another valkyrie?" he asked.
"Yes. She is the oldest of the valkyries."
"How many valkyries are there?"
"There are three."
"Three?" That still didn't seem like enough to handle the thousands of souls who died each day.
"Yes, and that is enough as far as questions for you to ask of me. Now it is my turn to ask you questions. First of all, what is it that made you decide to come with me?"
"You mean, as an einherjar?" he asked.
"I do."
"Lord Valmur's forgiveness," he answered. "I wanted to be forgiven by Valmur. That's what I wanted. Nothing else."
"Only Valmur's? Not Nicolas's?"
"No, I..." Fauxnel frowned. "I never thought about it. But I suppose you are correct. It makes no difference to me whether I am forgiven by Nicolas or not, unless Nicolas forgiving me would cause Lord Valmur to forgive me."
The valkyrie smiled at him. "He must mean a lot to you."
"He does." To Fauxnel's surprise, his voice came out choked, as though he were about to cry. "I...I refused to face that fact. I thought I didn't have the luxury to make friends. I knew that if I became close to him, it would prove advantageous to my cause. But as I got to know him, I began to genuinely care for him. Even so..."
"You killed him," she said, not bothering to mince words. "Why?"
"I..." Tears had formed in Fauxnel's eyes, and he was trying desperately not to let them fall. "I was frustrated. "He refused to take a stand, even after Nicolas died."
"And why did you kill Nicolas?"
"For the same reason. He wouldn't get involved in war, because it had nothing to do with him or his family. So I had his brother killed, hoping that it would spur him into action.
"The princes of Artolia were engaged in a succession struggle that was bound to result in civil war. I thought Lord Valmur's insistence on staying out of it was naive at best and selfish at worst. If we went to war to stop both of them from fighting, then maybe...Well, in the end, that's what happened, and civil war was averted."
"Do you think you did the right thing?" the valkyrie asked him.
He shook his head. "Not in killing Lord Valmur, no. As I said, Wylfred offered his services as the son of an einherjar. He fought under the margrave's banner to put a stop to both the princes' advances. I believe I could have enlisted his services and left House Haughn out of the struggle. But even if I couldn't, it does not justify what I did." He sighed. "But my motives were not entirely unselfish. I wanted my own house to be restored to its noble ranking. And...if I'm going to be completely honest, I wanted House Haughn to feel the same pain I had experienced when they betrayed me. Betrayed my house," he corrected himself.
"Did you feel any remorse after killing Nicolas?"
"Yes. I did not know anything could hurt so much. It was different from when I killed Cennair--which was an accident--and when Rosea and Liese died--that may have been my fault, but it was not by my hand or even by my orders. But with Nicolas, it was different. I uniquivocally ordered his death."
"Then why did you kill again? Didn't your remorse make you reluctant to kill again?"
He shook his head. "No, it was much easier. I couldn't bear to look at Lord Valmur anymore. He was devastated by the loss of his brother. And now I already had blood on my hands. I had this mad idea that if my goals were not realized, he would have died in vain. And I was willing to do anything to achieve those goals. It wasn't until afterward that my sorrow and horror at what I'd done increased a hundredfold. I spent the rest of my life trying to atone, wishing I could somehow bring Lord Valmur back to life by sacrificing my own."
"Yes, that is a common wish for the remorseful," the valkyrie agreed. "But it is the easy way out. Your decision to stay alive was the right one. Even if you died before you accomplished anything, I recognized your attempt. That is why I chose you."
"Hey, your turn to do the fighting," Lieselotte shouted as she ran over. "Just as I thought, most of the monsters down here are weak to fire. But I believe in you, Fauxnel," she finished bluntly.
Fauxnel rolled his eyes. "Thanks. I'll have you know, young lady, that even if I don't know any fire spells, I'm more than capable of dealing with monsters. I haven't gone soft since you last saw me."
Lieselotte threw up her hands and looked at the valkyrie in exasperation. "I try to compliment him, and he thinks I'm being sarcastic. He was like that when we were alive, too. You can't win with him, Valkyrie."
"Whatever," Fauxnel said. "Just remember that all you know about casting spells, you learned from Sir Cennair and myself. You wouldn't be here now if it weren't for us."
Lieselotte stuck out her tongue. "You can say that again. I'd probably be alive and married to a nice, handsome, rich guy. Like Nicolas."
Fauxnel felt a small twinge of guilt, but he knew that Lieselotte had meant no harm by the barb. Instead, he gave her a teasing grin. "No man would marry you, silly girl. It would take a saint to put up with your obnoxiousness."
Lieselotte frowned and pretended to be angry. "Get out of here, you frilly phony, or I'll turn you into roast chicken."
***
"Well, that was cute," Ancel said when Fauxnel joined him and Rosea. "What were the two of you talking about?
"Oh, I was just wondering...Wait, what do you mean, 'cute'?" Fauxnel demanded.
Ancel looked surprised. "I mean, you and Valkyrie. You looked like a couple of lovebirds. You mean to tell me that you weren't confessing your love?"
"My--No!" Fauxnel couldn't believe what he was hearing. "That's ridiculous! What on earth made you think that?"
Rosea giggled. "Ancel is a romantic. He's always talking about this girl he had back home."
Ancel blushed. "Hey, now, this conversation isn't about me."
Rosea ignored him. "But it is true, Fauxnel. Lady Valkyrie looked like she really enjoyed speaking with you. Liese, of course, was dying to know what you were talking about. She and Ancel convinced you were attempting to court her."
Fauxnel chuckled. "That's ridiculous, Rosea. How would I court a goddess?"
"That's what makes it so romantic," Ancel pointed out. "There's always something moving about a man romancing a lady so far out of his league. Like a knight and his lady. I've heard that most knights never even make love to the lady whose name they invoke in battle. It's a hopelessly pure relationship."
"I suppose that is the best I can hope for," Fauxnel agreed.
Now it was Rosea's turn to blush. "Fauxnel, do you mean to say you are actually in love with Lady Valkyrie?"
"Well...I do find her rather attractive," he admitted. "But I also find her quite fascinating. And this form--what exactly is 'divinely materialized' energy? I would love to study it in a laboratory back home, if I were still alive. What are its abilities? Its limitations? We can feel how cold it is, but we're not uncomfortable in any way. Yet when we're hit, we feel pain, and after fighting for a long time, we feel fatigue. And I still don't know why gods need humans to fight for them."
"I don't think any of us do," Rosea said. "But I've wondered that, as well. And why are the gods constantly at war with one another? Does this mean that they are no better than humans, only more powerful?" Her expression saddened. "All my life I have revered gods who may be just as capable of evil as us mortals."
Ancel patted her on the shoulder. "Well, there's no sense in fretting over what's past. You didn't know any better. And really, was your life that terrible? Didn't you have plenty of happy times, as well?"
"Yes," Rosea agreed. "That is true. And I was able to make amends with those I hurt, so I am content." Suddenly, she covered her mouth and looked apologetic. "Oh...I'm sorry, Fauxnel."
"It's all right," he assured her. "I am happy for you. Besides, you didn't hurt nearly as many people as I did. I'm glad that I was able to be forgiven by most of them."
Ancel's eyes narrowed. "Think fast. Here comes a monster."
Fauxnel and Rosea spun around, but it was just a bream giant. Fauxnel easily blew it away with a Poison Blow spell.
"There were some ice elementals earlier," Rosea said. "Liese took care of them easily, but we'll probably have to work together if we're going to defeat them without her."
Fauxnel sighed. "I know, I know. I wish more of these enemies were susceptible to poison, but it's apparently one of the less useful elements against the undead. So is dark magic. I'm afraid I'm nowhere near as versatile as Liese."
Sure enough, another ice elemental appeared. Because it blended in with the freezing mist, it was almost on top of them when they noticed it.
"Sir Ancel, strike at it while Rosea and I get ready to cast some great magic," Fauxnel ordered him.
"Right! Leave it to me!" Ancel rushed at the amorphous creature. "Over here, thing!" he shouted as he swung his blade in various directions. "I'm not afraid!"
"Hearken the angel's summons. The truth path shall guide you; find peace in annihilation! Phantom Destruction!"
"In the abyss, the trident of Hel dances! Dripping crimson truth lights the one true path! Maleficent Harm!"
"Sonic Burst!" Ancel cried, releasing his own special attack.
The elemental faded, and the mist that had comprised its body dispersed.
"Are you hurt, Ancel?" Rosea asked.
He shook his head. "Nah, but thanks for asking. Hey, has anyone else noticed it's getting colder in here?"
Rosea nodded gravely. "It must mean that we are getting close to Skoll."
Fauxnel frowned. "Maybe we should join Lady Valkyrie and Lieselotte."
Ancel grinned. "You just want to be close to her, right?"
"Of course not," he said, making a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I am merely concerned that if we are separated, it will be easier for him to attack."
"I agree with Fauxnel," Rosea said. "It is a good idea if we stay closer together."
***
"Aw, come on, Valkyrie," Lieselotte whined. "You can tell me. I won't tell anyone. Not even when I'm in Asgard."
"There is nothing to tell," Lenneth said wearily. The girl had been asking her to confess her "love" for Fauxnel the whole time they were in front. "Gods do not fall in love with humans."
"I don't believe that," she insisted. "Not for a minute. I mean, really, what's the difference? You look and act and feel different things, just like humans. I've seen you angry enough times. Sometimes at humans. If you can get angry at humans, why can't you fall in love with them?" A knowing smile appeared on her lips. "And I happen to know Fauxnel is really popular with women. Not me, of course, he's like a brother to me. But he's very cute, don't you think?"
"I don't really understand what you mean," Lenneth said. "The concept of cuteness is lost on us gods. It seems that anything small and vulnerable is called 'cute' by humans. Fauxnel is not small..." But he was vulnerable.
Lieselotte shrugged. "I don't mean that kind of cute. I mean, good-looking. Handsome."
"Even if gods could love humans, I do not have the luxury of falling in love," Lenneth explained. "I already have someone I am bound to serve, and that is Lord Odin. It is the same with all valkyries."
"Love isn't being bound to someone, Valkyrie. It means you just want to be with them. That's all."
Lenneth felt a twinge of pain in her chest. At least, "pain" was the best word she could think of for it. It didn't hurt in a physical sense, but...
"Valkyrie!" Ancel shouted from behind them. "I think we're close to the boss."
Lenneth stopped and looked over her shoulder. "The boss?"
"Um...I mean, the strongest guy. The big monster. The wolf." Ancel rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"It's getting colder, right?" Rosea said. "Maybe that means he's nearby."
Lenneth frowned. "I cannot say I have noticed any change in temperature. But perhaps you humans are more sensitive to heat and cold. Lieselotte, what do you think?"
"I think Rosea is right," Lieselotte agreed. "There's definitely more of a chill than before. Although I guess it can't be that cold, because I can't see my breath yet."
"That's because you're not breathing," Lenneth reminded her.
"Come to think of it," Fauxnel said thoughtfully, "she's right. I haven't breathed since..." He paused. "I don't remember."
"Your heart is not beating, either," Lenneth said. "It is my energy that is keeping you alive, although once you are in Asgard, you will no longer need to rely on it."
As she spoke, the temperature dropped well below freezing, and a vicious wind began to blow from deeper within the cave.
She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. "He comes."
Out of the mist stepped Skoll, son of Fenrir. His fur was jagged like icicles, and his teeth were the size of daggers. Even his breath was freezing.
"Greetings, Battle-Maiden," he growled--although he probably for it to sound pleasant. "What brings you here?"
"I think you know," Lenneth replied. She knew better than to be afraid, but she could sense the fear felt by her einherjar. "Everywhere you go, you bring the stench of the undead with you. As one who serves Lord Odin, it is my duty to cleanse Midgard of evil."
"What am I to do?" Skoll asked, feigning innocence. "They come on their own. The icy air I carry with me must remind them of their home world."
"And what is it you seek in coming to Midgard?"
Skoll gave her a grin that showed all his teeth. "Even the great beast Skoll grows weary with chasing the sun day after day. I merely came here to rest awhile...and to dine, if the opportunity should arise."
"By 'dine,' you mean on human souls," she accused him.
"Naturally--the bland flesh of the undead does not appeal to me, nor does the resignation of Midgardian beasts. Humans provide the perfect combination of fresh blood and a defiant spirit. A meal is most satsifying when one has to work for it." His gazed shifted from one human to the other, as though he were selecting which hors d'oevre to try first. "Each of your fine soldiers seems to have a good deal of fight in him."
Lenneth sighed in exasperation. "I suppose it would be pointless to tell you to stand down and go back to where you came from. But I must warn you, these einherjar are well-trained. And there is no blood in them for you to enjoy."
Skoll ran his tongue over his teeth. "What a pity. It seems that I will have to satisfy my hunger through a fight. But be warned--blood or not, if I win, I will feast upon their holy flesh."
"You will do no such thing," she said firmly. "Not as long as I draw breath." She drew her sword and led her einherjar into battle.
Although Lenneth could not remember when or where, she knew she had fought Skoll before, and she knew he had difficulty maneuvering in confined spaces. Both she and Ancel were good at dodging, and could use this weakness to their advantage. She turned to him, and they dashed in opposite directions.
Predictably, Skoll went for what he assumed to be the easy target. But Ancel was ready for him, and easily parried what would have been a crushing blow from his paw. Lenneth took this opportunity to strike at him from behind.
"I warned you this would be tough," she taunted him.
"That's just what I want," Skoll snarled, lunging at her.
"Fire Storm!"
"Sacred Javelin!"
"Dark Savior!"
The three magi blasted the beast with spells, and Lieselotte began to chant.
"I invoke the rights of fiery Muspelheim and give thy soul up to the inferno's embrace! Ifrit Caress!"
In an instant, Skoll was surrounded by flames. He howled in pain and fury. "Damn you, Battle-Maiden! You never said you had a fire mage with you!"
"Why should I warn you?" she demanded. "You make a big show of fighting fair, but I have fought you enough times to know that is only a front. It would not have been long before you pulled one of your tricks. If you want to fight a worthy opponent in battle, try coming prepared next time."
Skoll let out a frustrated howl before scampering back into the innermost depths of the cave.
Ancel's jaw dropped. "What just happened? Is he turning tail already?"
Lenneth returned her sword to its sheath. "Skoll is not a good fighter, I am afraid. He has the strength to wreak great havoc all over Midgard, but lacks ambition and intellect to carry it out. However, when he is bored, he can still do a good deal of damage, and had I not stopped him, he might have managed to devour a soul or two. In contrast, his brother, Hati, has common sense but is weak."
Lieselotte frowned. "Well, that sucked. I was hoping to play with him a little more."
Rosea shook her head. "It's easy to say when you have a spell that can melt his ice. But I, for one, am glad he is gone."
"Lady Valkyrie, is there anything left for us to do here?" Fauxnel asked.
"Only get rid of the remaining undead," she answered. "I trust we may make quick work of them."
***
The next to go to Asgard were Rosea and Lieselotte.
Lately, the valkyrie had been looking more and more tired. Fauxnel wondered if she ever slept in between gathering her einherjar and training them.
"Ancel," she said, "you could go any time. But I would like you to stay with us until Fauxnel is ready to go to Asgard."
"That's fine," Ancel agreed.
"So where are we going next?" Fauxnel asked.
The valkyrie had a troubled look on her face. "The greatest concentration of undead is in the Dragoncastle Caverns. However..." She looked uncomfortable. "I am unsure whether or not we should proceed. Those caverns reflect the soul of he who visits them."
"So what's the problem?" Ancel asked, but Fauxnel remained silent. Of course, Ancel had nothing to worry about.
"Many humans are unaware of what exactly lies within the darkest chambers of their souls," Fauxnel said quietly. "And many who are would rather die than see it."
"Oh..." A light seemed to come on in Ancel's mind. "You mean like grudges, jealousy, stuff like that?"
Fauxnel nodded, and his thoughts turned inward. Of course, he knew that there was still a part of him that refused to accept that he did anything wrong. It was the part of him that had killed men rather than give up his ambitions, and the part that would do so again if the necessity arose. As far as he knew, he would never let that part take control of him again. But what would the cavern show him? Would it convince him to sin anew?
"Fauxnel?" The valkyrie seemed concerned. "We do not have to go there. If you feel that you would end up weaker than before you entered, say so now."
Fauxnel took a deep breath. "The truth is, I do not know. There is no denying that I am still, compared to your other einherjar, a weak soul." But then, he looked into her eyes, seeing the color of cold iron and the unwavering watchfulness with which she gazed back at him. "But...If you are with me, Lady Valkyrie, I know I can face my demons and come out stronger than ever before."
She lowered her head in a slow nod, then turned to Ancel. "What about you?"
"I can do it," Ancel asserted. "I'm sure of it. Let's go in there and kick out all the bad guys!"
"Then no more need be said," the valkyrie announced, and the three of them descended to Midgard, to the Isle of the Yamato.
***
At first, the Dragoncastle Caverns appeared no different from any other cave system. The monsters were persistent, but hardly too strong for the valkyrie and her well-trained einherjar. Few words were exchanged among the three of them, and progress was swift as they slashed and blasted their way into the deepest tunnels of the caverns.
After a while, however, the mist within began to grow thick, and it became more and more difficult to see where the enemies were coming from.
"Can't you do something, Valkyrie?" Ancel asked, plainly irritated at his compromised vision.
"Stay strong, both of you," she commanded as she put her sword through a wailing banshee. "When the mist clears, the darkness in your souls will be revealed to you. But if you can bear the sight of it, then no adversity in Asgard will be too much for you."
It was a tempting prediction, but Fauxnel would much rather take his chances with whatever Asgard might have to throw at him. "What if we're not strong enough?"
"Humans who cannot withstand the sight of their own souls will merge with the image projected and become demons. But I am here to prevent that from happening. In any case, you will not be fit to go to Asgard. I will have to free your soul and return you to be reborn in the world of mortals."
This surprised him. "Didn't you say that if I were not fit to go to Asgard, I would stay with you until you...What was it? Went to sleep?"
"Yes, if my time as a valkyrie ended while I was still training you. However, should you fall into despair after seeing your soul, no amount of training would make you fit for Valhalla."
Ancel dealt the finishing blow to a current fish he had been fighting and turned to her, surprised. "Why did you consent to take us here, then, if the stakes are so high?"
The valkyrie smiled at both of them. "Because I have faith in your strength."
"Even mine?" Fauxnel asked, baffled.
"Yes, even yours. Do you really think I would have chosen you if I did not see your inner strength? Choosing heroes among the slain is the very task for which I was created. I do not take that task lightly."
His face grew hot. "Th...Thank you."
No sooner had he said this than he heard something say his name. It came from behind him, and as he turned around, he felt a sensation like a needle piercing his heart. He looked down and saw a twig protruding from his chest. No, more than just a twig--a branch that stretched out before him, growing thicker and thicker until it became the arm of a monster that resembled him in a grotesque, contorted way.
"Hello, my other self," it greeted him, hissing like a snake.
Fauxnel's mirror image had the scaly skin of a reptile and a forked tongue. Its eyes were mere slits in its head, and its hair was stringy, like moss. Its heart was a pulsating knot of wood with spidery spokes that stretched in all directions. Its feet were rooted to the ground, as though it had been waiting for centuries.
Immediately, Fauxnel began to chant, but the mirror image cut him off. "Don't bother. You cannot defeat me such parlor tricks as that. How can you strike me when I already know what you will do? I am you, after all."
Fauxnel shuddered. The thing was right. Every movement he made was mimicked by the creature. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that even if he hit it, he would be wounded in the exact same way.
"So, you figured it out, did you?" The creature's cackling laughter made Fauxnel sick to his stomach. "Yes, there is no way you can destroy me without destroying yourself. Not even the Battle-Maiden can prevent that from happening. And what then will become of all your petty hopes?"
The Battle-Maiden. Yes, that's it. She can help me. Fauxnel looked around, but the goddess was nowhere to be seen. In fact, the entire landscape had disappeared, leaving only darkness--yet somehow, he could see himself and the creature. "What is it you want?" he demanded.
The creature laughed again. "Why, the same thing as you, of course. The only thing worth desiring. Power. After all, what is life but a neverending quest for power? Without it, you are nothing. You knew this, and so you gave up your life and your name and rid yourself of your conscience.
"No, that's wrong!" Fauxnel insisted. "I did it for my family. For my country. I fought for honor and peace." But even as he said these words, he knew how weak they sounded. Hadn't he decided, back when he was alive, not to lie to himself anymore? Yet here he was, lying to his own soul like he had lied to everyone else.
"You wanted revenge," it continued gleefully. "You longed to see House Haughn crumble just as your house once did. You wanted Valmur to know the pain you had once felt. That's why you killed his brother first, so he could feel that same pain of loss."
"No! No!" There it was--the most painful truth, that hateful feeling he had tried to suppress all this time. That tiny, barely-felt thorn in his heart that he had refused to acknowledge.
Yes, it was true. After hearing that Nicolas was dead, Fauxnel had felt triumphant. It had been a fleeting sensation, immediately flooded by fear and self-loathing, but for the smallest fraction of an instant, it had been felt very strongly.
"Please...stop..." begged Fauxnel, his knees buckling beneath him. "What am I to do? What is it you would have me do?"
"Accept there is nothing you can do," it said. "Your soul is already too tainted. You knew it all along, did you know? One such as you could never become a hero. You were the last soul to be gathered by the valkyrie. She was exhausted, and needed one more fighter. Anyone would do. Still, you hoped you could be one of the chosen. It was like a dream, to be one of the favored souls of such a beautiful goddess.
"But there is no time left. And truly, in your heart of hearts, you do not want to go to Asgard as a warrior of the gods. You want the oblivion of death--and that is something I can grant you. Not just death, but obliteration. Not even your soul will be left of you. You will lapse into nothingness. Isn't that what you wanted all along, since the day you lost everything? Wasn't that your wish, even as you tried to bring about the redemption of your house?"
The pain in his heart had softened to a dull ache. As Fauxnel stared at his reflection, it did not seem so fearsome anymore. Its smiled looked almost warm and inviting.
"Is...Is this the end for me, then?" he asked. It surprised him how weak and resigned his voice sounded. "I can finally disappear? Forever?"
"Not quite. That wretched valkyrie will not allow it. But if you agree to become one with me, there will be nothing she can do. She cannot bend the will of one who chooses to die. That is the ultimate power--the power to end ones own life."
This was almost too good to be true. But its words made sense. Hadn't she left the decision to become an einherjar up to him? Couldn't he change his mind now? It was just as the creature said--there was no time left. By refusing to resist his other self, Fauxnel could avoid all the trouble that would come with his inevitable death in Asgard, and his subsequent reincarnation. He felt himself beginning to relax, to let go of that futile struggle to defy his own soul. Indeed, why had he struggled for so long?
The creature chuckled as it pulled Fauxnel towards itself. "A foolish goddess, indeed, to believe that one such as you had the strength of soul to oppose me."
It was then that he heard something, felt something embracing him, pulling him back, speaking in his ear--or was it in his heart?
If you are with me, Lady Valkyrie, I know I can face my demons and come out stronger than ever before.
They were his own words, played back in his mind. And then, he remembered what she had said to him.
Because I have faith in your strength.
"That's right," Fauxnel said aloud. "She believed in me. And I told her that I would face the darkness in my own soul, and triumph over it." Slowly, he got to his feet. "I won't let myself die so easily. That would be no different than killing. And I swore I would not kill again!" He looked his reflection straight in the eye. "You have no power over me. The only one who possesses my soul is the Lady Valkyrie!"
And as he spoke these words, he knew that he loved her. It was more than just desire: he was helplessly in love. He was grateful to her, for Wylfred had saved his soul, but she had strengthened it. She made him feel stronger than he ever had as a human.
"Lady Valkyrie," he cried out, "lend me your power!"
A brilliant light shone before him, and he knew even before it faded that she was with him. And much to his astonishment, the creature before him had faded, and his own normal reflection stood in its place.
Wings spread, the valkyrie floated down from the sky, landing gracefully between them.
***
"Ancel, this is it," Lenneth said to him. "Are you prepared?"
Ancel nodded, beaming. "Yeah, I'm really excited. I'll finally get to see everyone again!"
"Go, then. I expect great things of you."
Ancel faded from view, and now the only one left was Fauxnel.
"So I guess this is goodbye," he said, smiling sadly. "Unless, of course, there is more that you want from me." His face fell. "To be honest, I would rather stay with you."
"What about Valmur?"
"Well..." He sighed. "Of course, I want to be forgiven by Valmur. But now I have...more complicated feelings."
Lenneth reached out and touched his face. "Perhaps I can help with that. I would not want you to go to Valhalla with anything on your mind."
"Then..." He paused, as though unsure whether or not to continue.
"Say it," she whispered.
"Would you let me...hold you? Just once?" His face turned bright red and he shook his head, flustered. "No, I don't mean...go to bed with you, or anything, just...Like, like this..." He held out his arms and then gave him self an awkward hug. "It's been a long time...since a woman...Oh, I don't know..." He shook his head again. "I don't even know what I'm saying."
"I don't see why not." She moved closer to him so that he could put his arms around her. Then, she turned around in his arms so he could hold her from behind. "It's strange...Even though I've never been held like this, it feels familiar, somehow."
"Never? How long have you been alive?"
She sighed. "I don't know."
"How can you not know? Do you lose count after a few thousand years?" He ran his hands along her armor as he spoke.
"No, it's...Well, it's a long story."
"Why don't we check in at an inn somewhere?" he suggested. "We can sit, have something to eat or drink, and you can tell your story."
She chuckled. "Have you forgotten you are dead? You do not need to eat or drink."
"Does that mean I can't?" he asked. "I would love to indulge in a bite to eat, maybe with some wine."
Lenneth thought about it. "But humans need money to buy food, don't they? I have no money, and I doubt you do, either."
"Well...All right, then we'll skip the meal." His words were affectionate, teasing. Was he trying to seduce her?
She pulled away from his embrace and turned around to face him. "Have you forgotten to whom you are speaking? Love cannot--"
"...exist between humans and gods, I know," he finished. "Perhaps gods cannot fall in love with humans. I suppose that would be akin to a human falling in love with a donkey. But why can't a donkey fall in love with a human?"
She shook her head, laughing. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
He coughed, and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "What I mean to say is that it is not so strange an idea for a lesser being to fall in love with a greater."
She felt another twinge of pain in her breast. "I suppose that is possible. All right, I will take you somewhere we can sit and talk for a while. But we cannot stay too long. Sooner or later, I must send you to Valhalla and then report to Freya." She took his hands in her own and teleported the two of them to a deserted house on the outskirts of Lassen.
Fauxnel looked around, bewildered. "How did you even know this was here?"
"I--" she began, and then stopped. How had she known? She had not been to Lassen recently, and when she had, was only in the main city.
He seemed to sense that the question was making her uncomfortable. "Forgive me. I will not ask any more questions."
"No, that's all right..." She sat down on the bed, and he sat next to her. "The truth is, Fauxnel, there is a lot that I do not remember. I know that I have selected souls to fight as einherjar for thousands of years. I have memories of previous incarnations, but they are vague. I recognize enemies I have fought in the past, and the fact that I have two sisters. My memories should all be ones of battle, but..."
"But?" he gently pressed.
"I remember other things," she continued. "Things that don't line up with my duties as a Battle-Maiden. Things relating to human life, like cooking, mixing medicine, working in the fields." She stopped, afraid to go any further.
"Do you think that maybe you were once human?" he asked. "And Odin placed some sort of seal on your memories?"
"If he did, then it would only be so that they do not interfere with my duty."
Yes, that had to be it. After all, Odin was her creator. He wanted what was best for her. Didn't he?
She stared at Fauxnel, who seemed lost in his own thoughts. His eyebrows were drawn, as though he were pondering some deeply concerning matter.
"Fauxnel," she said softly. When he turned to look at her, she kissed him.
Without batting an eyelash, he kissed her back eagerly, hotly, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "My lady..." he murmured against her lips. "You are far too generous."
"My name is Lenneth," she told him.
"Lenneth..." he sighed, trying it out. "Are you really all right with this?"
"Yes. Gods have sex, too, even with humans. It is only love that cannot exist between them."
They spoke little after that. Their time together was running out, and each word wasted precious seconds. Lenneth removed her armor and lay back on the bed as he took off his clothes. Then, he lowered himself onto her body and kissed her on the mouth again before moving his lips down her neck.
"If only we had more time," he whispered, "I would taste every inch of you like the delicacy you are. But..." He moved quickly, trailing his lips down her belly before diving between her legs.
Lenneth gasped and arched her back as she felt Fauxnel's lips wrap themselves around her clitoris. His long fingers entered her body, searching the inside of her for any sensitive spots. The tip of his tongue flicked against her clit and he moaned in appreciation, letting her know he enjoyed her taste.
After a few minutes, he pulled away and asked, "Will you lie on your stomach? Would you let me lick you in the back?"
"Is that what humans typically do?" she asked, surprised that he wanted to do such a thing.
"No," he admitted. "But I have personally always enjoyed it. There are so many nerve endings back here that most women don't know about. I would never do it without your permission, of course..."
"Go ahead," she agreed, turning over. "But keep using your fingers on the front."
By now, the fingers he had inside her had found her most sensitive spot, and the fingers on his other hand began to rub her clitoris. It already felt unreal, but when she felt his tongue against her bottom, she let out an uncharacteristic cry of delight.
Encouraged by her moans, Fauxnel slowly began to move his tongue along her rim, teasing her, making her hole twitch and ache with anticipation. She spread her legs further apart to help him gain access.
"Ooh, yes," she gasped. "F...Fauxnel..." She squealed again as he felt just the tip of his tongue ease its way into her crevice.
"Mmmm..." he moaned with his face between her cheeks. "You taste absolutely divine. Better than any other woman I've been with."
His words aroused her even more. Now he was sliding his tongue in and out of her, as deep as he could before pulling back, then plunging in again. It was a sensation she never would have imagined could feel so good. She felt something big building up within her, gathing in the pit of her belly. "D...Don't stop...!" she begged, and she felt his hands tightly grip her cheeks as he continued to tongue-fuck her with all his might. "Yes...oh, gods, yes..." She gripped the sheets as the pleasure exploded into a shuddering orgasm, and she felt her juices squirt out of her pussy, soaking the mattress.
"Mmm...ahhh," Fauxnel gasped as he pulled his face away. "I will...never forget this moment...Even if I died during my first battle in Asgard, I would be happy."
Lenneth lay there, panting, a sated smile on her face. "What about you?" she asked.
"You don't need to use your mouth, if that's what you're wondering," he answered. "Or you can if you want to...Or you don't have to do anything. I'm happy just knowing that I gave you pleasure."
"Don't be ridiculous," she said, pulling herself up. "I will gladly take you into my body." She climbed into his lap and gripped his erection in both hands. "I want to look at your face while I'm riding you."
"That's just fine by me." Fauxnel wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her tenderly as she mounted him. His eyes remained open, and they looked into hers with an intensity that brought a thrill to her entire body.
"Lie back and relax," she whispered as their lips parted. "I want to see you pinned helplessly beneath me."
He did as he was told. "As long as I get to see you on your back later."
She kissed him again, this time pushing him down beneath her, gripping his wrists. She then lowered herself onto him, taking great care not to envelop him too quickly. As she began to rock her hips, she nibbled along the edge of his ear, drawing adorable whimpers from him.
"Your ears are sensitive?" she asked.
"Don't...Don't tell anybody," he gasped. "But yes. I am at your mercy once you start playing with my ears."
She continued to suck, lick, kiss, and bite his ear as she increased the speed of her bounces, delighting in the cries that escaped him. After several minutes of this sweet torture, she decided he'd had enough and rolled over, pulling him on top of her.
"Go ahead," she urged him. "I'm ready for you now."
"All right," he agreed. "Then I won't hold back."
He entered lifted her legs so that they were over his shoulders and entered her again. This time, he was the one controlling the depth of the penetration, and she felt him in a much bigger way than before. He was absolutely ruthless, leaning forward so their bodies were almost touching, even as he forced her into a stretch that would have been painful for any other woman.
And yet, he was not cruel. He continued to kiss her and caress her breasts, even stopping for a moment to ask if she was all right. But once she assured him that she was, his thrusts became even more powerful, and it was clear that he would not last much longer.
"It's all right," she breathed in his ear. "Finish, quickly."
She felt him splash the inside of her body with his seed, and she climaxed a second time. When he was finished, he withdrew and collapsed next to her.
***
Fauxnel had never imagined that making love to a goddess could feel so...well, divine. When he opened his eyes, he expected to find himself back in his own bed, in his own room at his own home. But no, she still lay next to him, a curious look on her face.
"What were you thinking just now?" she asked.
That surprised him. "You don't know?"
"No. I told you, I cannot read minds like that."
"I was just thinking that this must be a dream," he said truthfully. "I can't imagine what I did to deserve this."
She frowned, as though the question disturbed her. "You think I would do this as a favor to you?"
"Well, no," he said quickly. "It's just...something people say when something really good happens to them. It isn't meant to be taken literally. We say it because there's this idea humans have that if we're good, then good things will happen to us, and if we're bad, then bad things will happen. But I'm sure you can see that life is a lot more complicated."
"Indeed it is," she agreed. "If things were that simple, good men would not die on the battlefield, and there would be no reason for me to exist." She laughed then, a short, mirthless sound. "If you think about it, my work depends upon the suffering of humans."
"You could say that about a lot of people," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. "And gods, as well."
She gave him a knowing smile. "That's a rather blasphemous statment. Don't say anything like that in Asgard."
"So what happens to you after you send me to Asgard?" he asked. "You said your time here is almost over. Does that mean you're going to go back to sleep?"
She nodded. "I can only exist in this form for so long. It's exhausting, training you humans. And I suppose there are other reasons I must go to sleep as well."
"What reasons are those?" he asked, curious.
She shook her head. "Who knows?" But he knew she just didn't want to tell him.
"Well," he said, sitting up, "I guess I'm ready to go. It's been nice knowing you, Lady Valkyrie. Lenneth."
They redressed in silence. Finally, when they were finished, a pair of brilliantly white wings sprouted from Lenneth's back.
"Go now," she said. "You will arrive at the gates of Valhalla. Train hard, and do not let your heart stray from its path."
"I will," he promised. Much to his dismay, he felt his eyes brimming with tears. "Perhaps...one day I will earn Valmur's forgiveness."
"Perhaps you will," Lenneth agreed.
A tube of light formed around Fauxnel, separating the two of them. The tears in his eyes spilled over. "Thank you." He was unsure whether or not she could hear him, but it didn't matter--surely she understood. "Thank you so much for everything."
He closed his eyes so that he could preserve her image within his mind without having to watch her fade. Everything would be all right. He was sure of it.
The Battle-Maiden, Lenneth Valkyrie, had freed his soul.
END
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