On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Ortlinde, Ninth and youngest sister, ????????, Fjallahöll, World Where The Mountains Touch The Skies

The blinding flash of otherworldly light pierced into Ortlinde’s golden eyes, overwhelming her for a moment, drowning out everything except for the impossibly real presence of Skuld, youngest of the three Norns and she who cuts the threads. All of the Norns were revered and feared, but for Valkyrie, Skuld was special, as when it was time for a brave warrior to fall, and for them to fly forth on the Wings of Space to carry them to Valhalla, to potentially be reborn, it was Skuld who would know the time the thread was cut. Though that was hardly the main reason Ortlinde and her eight older sisters feared Skuld.

True Divinity is veiled only by an equal of greater presence. This light, while potent… is not Divine. Though… it is familiar, yet not… She had felt strange, her Truesoul bonds with Akio throbbing, and suddenly amber letters had scrolled across her vision. She knew about that, after all, it was her gift of the Seeds and a part of herself, a modified, crude Divine Favour, which had blessed him with what he had called an ‘appraisal cheat’. It had evolved, as the Seeds adapted to him, as she and her sisters had always intended.

Not all of the eighteen chosen heroes had been brave enough to accept being fertile, unploughed soil, their potential maximised, and most who had inevitably failed to sprout, but… Rossweisse brags that those who bear her blessings from Frigga, the Great Mother, yet survive and thrive, but… none can match him. And… she still lives as well. Dorte. Her progress is slow yes, in comparison, but she is steady, measured and careful. And may yet surpass what is usual…

Thus, the letters, wisdom filtered through mighty Yggdrasil, whose Fruit they found and stole, while surprising, had not caught her off guard. The same could not be said for her other sisters, who had likewise found the burning letters across their vision. All of them, be it eldest Gerhilde, or young, fierce Waltraute, only just her senior in years, had seen the words, and the… invitation…

The light starting to fade, the whispers scratching at the edge of her consciousness diminishing, unable to penetrate her fierce will and mental fortitude, Ortlinde remembered their shock, and hers was equal, though different.

Do you wish to step upon the Path of the Twisting Of Connection’s Strands, Bond-Weaving Loom, and Misfortune-Severing Blade … this Path has been renamed to Bondweaving… as Adherents, following the first Adherent, Rossweisse, Eternal Brúðr? This Path is fragile, but grows quickly, and as Adherents, you can stabilise this Path, and share the benefits…

The sisters had been shocked, but… eldest Gerhilde and mighty Grimgerde had been there, when Rossweisse had worked her Runic Arts and produced a miracle and given birth to the Path Akio had created to walk down.

And using that knowledge, form a path to power that only you can walk. That was what she had told Akio at their first meeting, so long ago. I had meant his path, not a Path, such as the Lore of Runes, one of the fundamental Paths that made up the hegemony of the World Tree Pantheon itself, and Allfather Odin’s own! Rossweisse herself was surely an Adherent of such a Path… such greed!

While the potential of a Seed to grow in fertile, untilled soil, rich with hope and will, was unlimited, not even she had dared dream Akio would come so far. Yes, he had not taken the world, become Astral Emperor, and stood above her and her sisters, but… instead he had managed to begin something greater, yet not contradictory. Yet… I was frustrated. Eternal Brúðr? She is always ahead of me, yet… I am the one who chose him!

They were all grateful to Rossweisse, of course. She had used Skuld’s stolen shears, and perhaps second only to Ortlinde, who had instigated the whole secret plan, and Gerhilde, the eldest of the nine, who should have put a stop to the plan, or at best, reported the found Fruit, she was the one upon who the most blame would fall. I was endlessly grateful, but even so…

Jealousy was not an emotion the Valkyrie understood well, but it was one she felt keenly. Then… the letters had changed, offering her the role of Eternal Brúðr too, claiming she was as qualified, perhaps more so. With barely a hesitation, she had accepted, for already he was her Verr, and she his, as shocking, as unexpected as that had turned out. She was no weaker, no more prone to oathbreaking or inconstancy than her elder sister!

Then, the letters had spelled out she had gained a new ‘Class’. She understood the concept, after all, it was known that certain particularly brave feats or legendary acts of learning were recognised by Yggdrasil and that one could be fortified by what one had achieved. But Ortlinde, through Akio, now had them codified as these ‘Classes’.

Yet, Eternal Brúðr… She felt a twinge of agony just thinking about it, and also a heat in her chest. Yes, she was clearly a Brúðr, one could hardly have a husband, a Verr, without being a bride, but… to see it accepted in such a manner by Yggdrasil, the very heart of the World Tree Pantheon, was a special kind of Hel.

Though the strength is welcome… She had felt her League and Vessel increase, and had indeed been notified she was more charming, regal and determined. However, the benefits of the Class are… The last light dissipating, her racing thoughts carrying forward over a mere moment, she suddenly had a terrible sense of worry.

Wings of Space… in grave danger… Skuld… it could not be… if so, the Boundary will be torn asunder… and worse, no matter how bold, to disrespect Divine Skuld, of the Norns…

Praying to the Allfather, Great Mother, The One-Handed Hero, any God or Goddess who would listen, she fervently desired to be wrong, the momentary thrill of seeing her sisters all agree to be Adherents, following in Rossweisse’s, and her own, footsteps, vanishing. Her golden eyes narrowed as the light dissipated, and then she heard words, and could see…

“Thank the Gods… oh, is that blasphemous? I really don’t mean to be rude, I have a great deal of respect for most Gods and Goddesses. But seriously, when I saw the Class description for Eternal Brúðr, once I’d finished dying inside of embarrassment, damn, I thought Ver Valkyrju was bad enough… I realised we’d have a big problem if you did anything… precipitous… Divine Skuld. I can call you by name, can’t I?”

What is… that?

Instead of what she feared, seeing Akio, traversing space via the Wings, leaving a ruined Boundary in his wake, there was… a vague form of light, humanoid, with a distinguishable face. It was sculpted from indigo and white light but was clearly recognisable as him.

She glanced over at Rossweisse, who was equally relieved that the disaster she had imagined had not yet come to pass, and she mouthed a few words. “He says it is a… ‘hologram’…”

“I am known as Skuld, she who cuts the thread.” The Goddess regarded the figure of light calmly, her eyes shining silver and gold.

“That’s agreement then.” Akio’s hologram nodded. “But can you put down the shears, please? I saw the stats on those, and they are no joke. Even Hinata’s Mortal Claíomh Solais would be snipped in half if the blades clashed. And if you do attempt to harm Rose or Lin… I’d hate to get blood all over the carpet in here. It’s really rather nice. And I’m rather afraid I can’t stop you.”

“But you would try?” Skuld’s voice was as perfect as only the Divine could be, and Ortlinde feared that Akio would be stolen by it, seduced by her Charm, as most mortals were when they confronted the Divine.

“Me? I’d hate every second of it. I’ve fought battles I had no right winning, and only survived through luck. I’ve fought battles I shouldn’t have won, but thanks to the help of others, or a Skill I’ve honed through hardships and friendships, I’ve triumphed. But there clearly are limits. But much as I’d hate it, leaving everyone behind in sorrow… I’d fight to give them even a second to escape. And while the others would cry…” The head formed of light turned, gazing at her and Rossweisse. “…they also understand. So… if we could talk this out like reasonable adults, that would be greatly appreciated. I’d hate to be a bad husband and make my wives cry.”

There was stunned silence, and the sisters exchanged glances. Even composed Gerhilde and gentle Brunnhilde seemed shocked by this turn of events, and all waited for Divine Skuld’s next words. The sound was then broken by the clacking of shears, the ring of metal on metal. “When a thread threatens the harmony of the tapestry, would you not snip it free, lest it spoil a weave that many have laboured on?”

“That’s a loaded question.” Akio sounded relieved, and Ortlinde watched as he bravely faced Divine Skuld. Perhaps as he is not truly here, he can withstand her Divine presence, her League. Yet… how is he speaking?

“Have you no answer?” The shears clicked again, and now Skuld’s hair was half black and half white, and her eyes one gold and one silver.

“Of course I have an answer. But obviously, people aren’t threads, and life isn’t just a tapestry. Anyway, if you could just hold on a minute, I’m trying to sort something out… why did it have to happen today of all days? Pilgrimage is turning into a mess and my schedule is loaded as it is… oh… I have to thank you all. Thanks to your aid, my Path has stabilised, apparently. It’s… extremely uncomfortable…” His face as he complained was quite charming, but Ortlinde was more surprised to see her older sister Rossweisse with a red face, biting at her lip, gazing at him with incredible fondness. Just what has happened here?

“…but discomfort is nothing. Hell, even Christina is prepared to suffer great agony for what she believes in, cast aside her dignity… for science, I guess? I don’t consider it praiseworthy, but I’m not going to lose to her, am I? But the strength I gained… well, it makes this possible. Though poor Haru is having a very hard time right now.”

“As am I.” Rossweisse spoke up bravely, though her expression wavered as she caught sight of Skuld’s shears as they slid open and closed, as if ready to decide their fate, though by all the laws of the World Tree, and the sworn Compacts with others… it should not be merciful. “Holding you all in my mind is… both a blessing and a curse. And the strength of the Connection… I fear I might disgrace myself…” Her legs twitched, and several of their sisters glanced at her in disapproval, though Siegrune winked and gave a thumbs-up, her fear of Skuld seemingly forgotten in the moment.

“Sorry, yeah… Lovers’ Link was the best one to strengthen, and… as you’re an Adherent, and… First Adherent, the effect is magnified twice. I’ve never seen a Skill with such a high Rank right now. So… hence why I’m able to do this. It’s not just pure energies I can pass through Lovers’ Link now, but elemental ones and others too. Light to make a holographic image, wind to create sound. It’s almost like I’m here in person.”

“Do you fear to stand before me then?” Skuld asked, tilting her head, and Ortlinde noticed the head of Akio’s hologram tilting instinctively, following the bouncing of her twin braids, and Rossweisse’s eyes twitched.

“You sure love your questions, don’t you? Yes, of course I do. You could squash me like a bug, I’m not an idiot. One snip and the damn golden-eyed toad I’m having trouble with would be done, yeah? Let me answer your previous one too. If the thread wasn’t fitting the tapestry, and you absolutely had to remove it, why not unpick it with care, save it? I mean, coloured thread isn’t free, is it? And maybe that thread would look fabulous in its own tapestry, elsewhere. I’m certainly a fan of these colours.” The purple and white head of light winked at them, and Rossweisse flushed a deeper shade of pink, mouth opening wide, a wet sigh leaking out.

“Please, Verr, have mercy on me. Not in front of my sisters…” Rossweisse gasped. “…the sweet sensations are… too overpowering. I regret nothing, but if I had known the Runes could change me so on such a simple working…”

Skuld’s expression shifted, her eyes, now both golden, narrowing slightly. “You should not be here. Your thread is not part of our weaving. It… disrupts harmony… and… breaks agreements…”

“Does it? I beg to differ. And to prove I’m not just talking nonsense, I’ve brought a guest… well, two… maybe three, depending on how you look at it? At least thanks to Rose I used far less of my strength on cleansing the Woe, so I can still do this…”

Light surged again, unlike the hostile light from before, this was gentle, and it resolved into two more nebulous humanoid shapes, one small, one a little shorter than Akio’s. The faces were clear, and while both were undoubtedly beautiful, one was of such magnificence that it was surely not merely human. The beautiful face turned, eyes crimson, and regarded Skuld with disdain.

“I see. I am more beautiful than you. How apt…”

The smaller voice giggled. “You should not-not taunt her, Tan. After all, is it not-not good manners for a guest to be polite? I was quite-quite upset that Akio has had to postpone several of my birthday events, but-but… in exchange, to bring me here… it is a present none-none have ever received before. Not-not even the King and Queen have seen such heights.”

“You are…” Skuld showed surprise for a moment, and that caught Ortlinde off guard, and not just her, though Rossweisse wore a knowing smile, which… somehow, it irritates me. Akio is my Chosen. If she wanted to meddle with him so, she should have carried him Frigga’s blessing. I appreciate her aid, but… I feel hollow inside.

“Taṇhā, the Thirsty, daughter of mighty Divine Māra, from the Six Paths. I must say… even if I am here only in thought, to brazenly enter the close heart of the World Tree, to sit under its shade…” She licked her lips, every motion sultry and seductive, and even as a mere illusion, Ortlinde felt her Charm for a moment. “…I do indeed thirst, yet… I have impeccable manners. I am not here for trouble, merely… as an independent witness.”

“Independent?” Skuld bristled, shears raised menacingly.  “I have heard of you, foolish one, who shut herself away from the world after rejection by one you did not even love. Your presence here is not possible, not welcome. And… the Compacts…”

“Let us, as Akio would say here… not throw stones in glass houses.” The smaller figure snickered nastily in amusement at Goddess Taṇhā’s words, but she was not done, as she turned to regard the nine sisters of the Valkyrie. “I think it is clear who has broken more rules.”

“You would make threats, under the shadow of my eyes?” Divine Skuld was suddenly radiating an oppressive League so potent even Ortlinde and her sisters stumbled. The sound of the speaking holograms distorted, light flickering, and Rossweisse fell to her knees. “You are not my equal, shamed fool!”

“Oh, not in power, perhaps….” Taṇhā’s voice wavered, giving off odd echoes and breaking up as the energies of the palace were disarrayed, the ripples spreading throughout the land of Fjallahöll, in which they rested between battles. “…All have heard of the sisters three, the Norns, who govern the births, lives and deaths of the denizens of the World Tree. Yes, my sisters are such disappointments in comparison. And though your words bite, Skuld, they are true nonetheless. I have spent long wallowing in my own bitterness. But I am no fool, merely too prideful and rather delicate. My body may be seductive, but my heart is of a maiden. And my mind… is keener than yours, it seems.” As she scoffed at Skuld, the atmosphere turned dangerous.

“You believe you would survive it if I snipped your thread here, unclaimed one?” The shears glinted, and Skuld poured in her own strength, and the blades were long as Dragon’s fangs, and as menacing. “Were I to snip Rossweisse’s thread here, your thoughts, mind within… your existence would surely perish, your body simply a pretty, hollow shell.”

“Perhaps.” Taṇhā agreed calmly. “But you make several errors. Your pretty little tapestry is unravelling anyway. I make no criticism, the Six Paths tremble, and chaos brews within… even the Throne shudders, so how could we not?”

“She is not-not unclaimed.” The smaller figure spoke up. It was an effort for her, but the winds swirled, forcing sound to fill the palace. “She simply had the good-good fortune to remain ready for a better-better male.”

“I could say that for myself, young Shaeula.” Taṇhā declared, surprisingly unbothered by such an accusation. “But yes… unlike you, youngest Norn, I am a mature woman, ready for a relationship. I was simply waiting for a man who deserved me. But if you truly are so contemptuous… snap shut your dread shears. Even were I present fully, free of my current shackles, standing under the World Tree I would put up no fight against you. But if you would sacrifice a noble daughter of you Gods to harm me…” She spat, though for a moment nothing happened, and then a sizzling ball of fire appeared, striking the carpet, though rather than leaving a burn, it was prevented by the glow of green wind energies, insulating it.

“…then you truly are the wicked trash that the Ninth Heaven claims of us.” She crossed her nebulous, illusionary arms, and then Akio spoke, his voice strained.

“I appreciate you wanted to make a gesture, Tan, but… the fiery spit was a pain to get right, and I didn’t want to burn the carpet… I’m already split thinly here, and Haru is finding this more stressful than the Woe…”

“Nonsense. I fully support her here-here.” The one called Shaeula scoffed at Divine Skuld. “To be Divine is… to be-be stronger than us, yes? But not-not nobler, better? If so, we have no-no need of Divinity. We would never harm our own, not-not even to triumph against an enemy. That is not-not our Path.”

“But what of judgement? Punishment?” Ortlinde’s eyes were burning as Skuld spoke, the soullight from her shears a radiance that pierced all defences, and made one’s own spirit tremble, the Truesoul fearing the impossible end.

“What of it?” Akio asked. “If those we cherish do something wrong, we seek to understand why. And… if there must be punishment, it has to be fair, proportionate. And we also need to consider any good that comes out of it. And if there’s guilt, it lies with us all, who failed to stop them.”

“There are no rules against those from lower worlds coming higher, are there?” Taṇhā’s voice was dry, triumphant. “How could there be? It is so improbable as to defy belief. But then, what your little children here did was just as unheard of. It does not break the Compacts, not truly. It skirts them, definitely, but… there are any number of treasures on this world that have been left behind. Perhaps too much knowledge was given, yet…” She chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. “Akio was an utter fool when I first met him. He knew so little about so many things. I am more than prepared to vouch for that.”

“And what of you?” Skuld did not lower her shears, nor mask her fury, and around Fjallahöll the winds raged, waves roared and lightning streaked the skies, her power unchecked causing displays of omens that would perhaps be chronicled a thousand years from now. Within her white dress Ortlinde could see images of the shears snapping shut, of a headless Rossweisse, and of Valkyrie kneeling, weeping. Of flames and lightning, of…

“You should not be there. The Six Paths have violated the agreements. Your thread is a thick, discordant one, a brilliant red that ruins the purity of the image…”

“You will not succeed in harming them.” Rossweisse met Skuld’s eyes, though the effort left her pearly orbs full of shining tears, her eyelids trembling, as if she wished to shut Divine Skuld’s radiance out, and she stumbled to her knees. “I will sever my Connection with them first. Only my head will fall.”

“Why?” Skuld asked. “Why would you protect such?”

“Such?” At that, Ortlinde was angry. She took a trembling step forward and helped Rossweisse rise. “Do not be so unfair, Divine Skuld! Are we not all allies, or at worst, no longer seek to hamper each other, until the current threat has passed? Killing them here would achieve nothing but misdirect your anger. Anger that should fall on my shoulders. I was the one… we stole the Fruit. It fell from Yggdrasil and landed in the lake outside. I saw it… and I know I should have turned it over to the Allfather. But…”

“Oh, stop being so self-sacrificing. Did you learn nothing from me?” Rossweisse grumbled. “You chose to be an Adherent on this Path. Our dear Verr’s path. Or did you forget just what that Path is?” Before Ortlinde could speak, her face heating up with anger, her throat tight, Rossweisse shrugged.

“As for your shears… I was the one who stole…”

“Borrowed.” Shaeula interrupted. “It is not-not stealing if you take them for but a short-short time, is it?”

“I fear I did damage it, not being Divine Skuld herself.” Rossweisse admitted.

“Accidents do-do happen.” Shaeula’s hologram shrugged, though the pressure from Divine Skuld meant it was hard to tell, the three images were wavering so erratically.

“As for those we chose…” Gerhilde spoke, though her tone was forced, trying to appear calm. “…we meddled with the Favours we were chosen to deliver, and tried to offer what aid we could, but… most perished.” The other Valkyries nodded sombrely, but Akio spoke comforting words.

“Yes, but… we all knew the risks, didn’t we? I know Lin was very clear with me. And she was right. Starting from nothing does give us the chance to gain everything. But… not alone.” Her turned his head, looking first at Shaeula, then Taṇhā, then Rossweisse, and lastly at Ortlinde herself. “There’s surely no crime there.”

“Our intentions have only been that we see our failures, again and again. We cannot even carry those we lose there to Valhalla!” Ortlinde steeled herself. “So, we took a chance. Yes, the Fruits are precious, and… we were prepared to accept punishment, for a chance at victory. And… look at him, Divine Skuld! Truly look! See how far he has come!”

“I too.” Rossweisse agreed. “Just… just from my brief experiences with him, I have benefited immensely. Lin too. Though not to my extent…” She smiled teasingly, and Ortlinde felt that strange combination of annoyance and burning within her chest that perhaps was envy, or jealousy. “…it was not in vain, I swear it on the Allfather and Great Mother! On my very Truesoul… and… what it is bound to!”

“If you fail to listen, you have no claim to wisdom, little Norn.” Tan insisted. “You called me foolish, but I know how to drink when thirsty, eat when hungry, and grasp when a hand is offered. My own father is likely to be… rather upset… when he finds me not returned. But he is not unreasonable. He will listen. He… should listen?”

Why do you suddenly sound so unsure?

Shaeula was snickering happily, and Akio offered a compromise. “Look, if crimes have been committed, then redress is possible. I… could return what Seeds I can. It would be…”

“A problem!” Ortlinde insisted. “It would damage your spirit, and worse, your Truesoul!”

“I know. But damage can be repaired. I can’t speak for the others who have the Seeds, but… I’d help to persuade them and fix them afterwards. In exchange… you need to go easy on the Valkyries. They made an honest misjudgement.” He bowed low. “As a noble Goddess, surely your mercy and compassion are equally as powerful as your wrath?”

I do not care for this humbling, even in front of Divine Skuld. It should be us… he had no knowledge of our misdeeds, no matter how well intentioned they were…

Opening her mouth, she froze. No, it wasn’t that she was frozen, just that time had seemed to halt. Skuld’s hair was black as night, her eyes silver, and her hand moved, shears thrumming with her soullight raised. Purple glittered, and… Clack. Clack. Twice the mighty blades opened and closed, and the entire world of Fjallahöll trembled…

***

Fuck! I instantly lost control of the light and wind elements I was projecting through the massively boosted Lovers’ Link I had with Rose. As I froze, Skuld had wielded her shears, and momentarily I had lost connection with the upper Astral and Rose. Beside me, Shaeula and Tan, now in full Divine Possession mode, looking sultry and gorgeous with her dark chocolate skin and voluptuous figure, exchanged glances. Fortunately, we were all unharmed, but did that mean that Rose had carried through on her threat and severed our Connection to protect us? Panicked, I was reassured by Tan.

“Fool. Search yourself, Akio. Your Path is yours alone to control.”

Oh, yes. My thoughts racing, I remembered the sequence of strange messages that I received, one after another. Rose had taken on the burden of cleansing the Woe, which she had done in a mere moment, putting us to shame. At that moment, the crystalline coffin had shattered, and the Goblin within, Aine, had started to breathe, though even now, she was still unresponsive. Adherence had gathered around her, and also Wanderer, who had screamed and fainted, and was now being taken care of along with Christina, who had regained consciousness after her own suffering, by the maids. Damn, her eyes were twitching and her words slurred, but she was still trying to be upbeat and pretend it wasn’t affecting her. It would be more convincing if she wasn’t covered in blood and vomit and hadn’t soiled herself in… other… ways.

My other Split Thoughts were less distracted and replayed the memories I needed.

Your Class, Bondweaver, has increased from Level Seven to Level Ten. Your League can not currently increase. Your Path is difficult to sustain at your current strength, as it has advanced more rapidly than expected, and you lack significant Adherence to anchor it, or other measures to stabilise it. You can increase the strength and potency of any Bond or Connection you share with others at the cost of Aether, Adherence, Soullight or some other suitable source of strength, potentially increasing its Rank temporarily.

Your Class, Taker Of Paths Unknown has increased from Level Five to Level Eight. Your Path has advanced rapidly, paved both by yourself and others. One who could have taken your Path has declined, and instead Pledged herself as an Adherent, to be your support. You do not have the Adherence or other methods to designate Adherent Positions on your Path. Rossweisse, Eternal Brúðr, Fourth Sister of the Nine Youngest Valkyrie of Fjallahöll, has claimed the Position of First Adherent. This Position has already been established on all Paths and is vacant. Rossweisse has further poured her Soullight out, and using strength gained from another Path and Position, has tied her Truesoul tightly to your Path and to you. To sunder it would be to break her.

Your First Adherent has stabilised your Path, while she endures, your Path can accept limited Adherents.

Your Class, Taker Of Paths Unknown has increased from Level Eight to Level Ten. Your League cannot increase. Your Vessel is under significant pressure, and your Truesoul is strained. Your Spirit has potential to suffer backlash.

All Bonds and Connections possessed by Adherents will be further strengthened and may increase in Rank. Your First Adherent, Rossweisse, has this effect magnified. Fortune will increase as the Path grows for all who follow it. The growth of Skills, Classes and Attributes, while still mediated by effort and talent, will be bolstered, and this effect is magnified for Adherents. The First Adherent shall gain even greater strength and knowledge.

You have gained eight new Adherents, Gerhilde, First and…

I remembered being dazzled by the names of the Valkyrie sisters. I had expected Lin, sure, and maybe even Siegrune and possibly Grimgerde, but to have all nine…

Connection’s Strands twist around you, thicker than ever, for while one Bond is easily broken, Bonds tied together have unyielding strength. You are the Loom that weaves new Bonds, and weaves Strength and Knowledge into those that exist. Around you, Misfortune, Woe and Curses are all Severed, the Blade of your Will allowing no harm to come to those under your protection.

I get the impression the original Class name was… more proper for a Path, maybe? Though it seems grandiose. I know I’m terrible with naming, and I sometimes call out Chūnibyō move names, but… I can’t bear for my Path to be called such a mouthful…

You have gained a new Adherent, Mori Eri.

I had blinked in shock, and Eri’s voice had echoed in my mind, claiming Rose had helped her do it. That wasn’t the end of it though, as the next shock was…

You have gained a new Adherent, Aine, First Goblin. Through her inherent connections, you have gained a number of secondary Adherents…

Your Class, True Faeduine, has integrated aspects of a High Goblin. You have increased affinity for Light, Darkness, Wind and Spatial Elements. Your Class, True Faeduine, has increased from Level Fourteen to Level Fifteen. Your affinity to Wood Element has increased, and Adherence related to Wood Element and its Composite Elements is easier for you to utilise.

The messages, a torrent of fiery orange letters obscuring my vision like a downpour on a windscreen in the dark, died out. One thing had troubled me though, and I had checked the details of what an Eternal Brúðr was. I had writhed internally in embarrassment, and also guilt, as Rose was someone I barely knew, but owed so much to, and she had dedicated her all to me, not for her own happiness, but the greater good. It seemed Lin had done likewise, and I pledged to myself that I would return them love in equal measure to their nobility and sacrificing natures. I didn’t think that would be too difficult. After all… they are Valkyries, brave, wise, beautiful and kind.

Then, I had a horrifying realisation. Shaeula had panicked, as I suddenly apologised to her, pulling out my phone and calling Shiro and then Arisu-san, asking her to ferry Shiro over to me in the Boundary. But then Shaeula had grabbed my sleeve, insisting she could help, and it was her birthday, so she didn’t want to step aside from trouble. I conceded, and to delay, to prevent Skuld doing something regrettable, forcing me to fly on Wings of Space to my death… I could live with my death. I’d hate it, as it would wound the hearts of those I left behind, but… I’d die for any of my women, if it was needful. Yet… the Boundary would surely shatter, or at best start crumbling away rapidly, after such an event…

Fortunately, Lovers’ Link with Rose had blossomed into something insane, and I could even push it further with my energies. Energies I was receiving in truly ample amounts from her. Lovers’ Link past Rank 10 was giving me an insane boost from a fair percentage of her stats, and more importantly… the restrictions were loosened on what I could send to Rose. With help from Haru, whose Telepathy was a Bond, as was her Throne Bond to me, I was able to use Prominence Dawn to absorb her Blessing Of Sharing Light and fill it with my own light element too. I released it as a blinding nova through a combined connection with Rose and Haru, and momentarily halted the dangerous situation.

Arisu-san had brought Shaeula and Shiro, and Tan quickly understood, unleashed her Divine Possession, and with a great strain on even the enhanced Haru, I took their thoughts and perceptions with me. They weren’t truly present, but… enough of their thoughts were to make the experience seem real, tangible. And things were going well, even if Tan and Skuld were rather antagonistic, until…

No, it’s fine. I was still extremely unpractised at seeing my Path, but… I could feel the stars that shone, some brighter than others, yet… the two brightest still burned, meaning they were still alive. Thank the Gods… Haru, are you all right?

I’ve felt better, but… the connection is reestablished. You should be able to see now… after this…

Have no fear, Haru. I shall bring you with us tonight on our return. You shall have a most relaxing time with us, I assure you! Shaeula promised her a stake in her remaining birthday, and Haru smiled, before all my attention and Split Thoughts was on the situation in the world I now knew was called Fjallahöll.

This is rather troubling. Tan’s tone was languid and frustrated in equal measure. I admit to being far inferior to Skuld, though only in terms of might. The gap between her and me is wide. As for her sisters… while we should be safe, as it is merely our thoughts and senses being relayed, with you as a receiver and transmitter, Akio, and Rossweisse as a tower…

She seems overly pleased at herself for the analogy. And damn it if I don’t find the gap cute, and she damn well knows it. Is she feeling competitive after what’s been happening, or is Shiro giving her advice?

… only you should be at risk, but… with the three of them, each a true Divinity, as well as the eldest, Urðr, surely being an Astral Empress, and having control of an entire world… it would not surprise me if they could strike us down through that connection. After all, have you not shown us the true power that lies in such Bonds?

Indeed, the scene I could see through Rose’s eyes was shocking. Skuld had wielded her shears, but not to snip the threads of my Valkyries, as I had feared, but to slice open space, and as the world shuddered, two more Divine beings had emerged. Urðr was black-haired and golden-eyed, tall, taller than me, certainly, and with a figure men dreamed of, long, elegant legs wrapped within a gauzy, almost transparent black dress that hinted at much but actually revealed little and seemed to glimmer with the stars themselves. Paired with her ample chest, long, slender arms and delicate fingers, with her nails painted black, but again they seemed to shimmer with golden points, she was breathtaking, and I felt my mind wander, until a series of cries brought me back to my senses.

Akio, no! You have us! And everyone else! Don’t give her your heart!

Do not be a fool, Akio! If this princess and all my sisters are not good enough for you, I shall fight her to prove otherwise, and you shall mourn my death!

Resist her allure. Only I shall be the Goddess for you.

Akio, please don’t be like those men I fear. You are more than a slave to a pretty face and a beautiful body!

It is hard to stand before true Divinity. Even I am enraptured. But fear not, my Verr, as a Brúðr, I embody faithfulness.

Eri, Shaeula, Tan, Haru and Rose all sent their thoughts into mine, I forced myself to calm down. Yes, she was objectively perfect, but then… oh. Who knew, there were shades of perfect. I suppose it’s like how infinity should just be infinity, and yet mathematicians can prove that some are bigger than others. I think all my women are beautiful. Even Yukiko, who would argue she’s plain, I think is striking. Shiro and Tsukiko are objectively flawless, well, expect for Shiro’s personality quirks… but then, Tan and the Valkyries are somehow… better than flawless? And the same goes for Skuld, but… her sister outmatches even that!

Almost afraid to look at the second sister, I beheld her, the five women helping keep me grounded.

Verðandi was in red, her gown covered more skin than her oldest sister, and she was around my height. Her hair was a pure platinum white, with red at the tips, and her eyes were silver with an odd, crimson sheen to them too. Her fingernails were also painted, with one hand red as blood, the other a cold silver. As her blood-red dress fluttered, the colour shifted, and now it was blue, and her hair was now no longer white and red, but white and blue, and on one hand her nails changed too. I avoided looking her in her face but I imagined the shift was there was well. Moments later, her dress was green, then gold, ever changing…

You can go. This… was never your battle to fight. Nor could you. Rose was clearly saddened but was trying her best to remain positive. Even should we pay the price, so long as you endure, and… make amends for us, I shall be content. Just as many of those we chose perished, though… on your world, not mine… She managed an impish self-aggrandisement. …we were prepared for the worst. At least, unlike many of our sisters, Lin and I, we were married.

That’s enough of that doom and gloom. Japan’s not a terribly progressive place, so… wives should listen to their husbands. At least in this case. I was joking, of course, but not about just this once.  So let me at least try to deal with it. There’s hope, else Skuld could have killed you all in a moment, yeah?

Unless she seeks to deal with us too? Tan offered, and I hoped that wasn’t the case.

The spatial distortions had settled down, and all the Valkyrie, Rose and Lin included, were kneeling. I projected light and wind again, forming our three silhouettes of light, though the details were far cruder, due to the strain, and Haru was certainly suffering, only her recent acquisition of Split Thoughts keeping her from relinquishing us.

“Sorry about that.” Wind energy replicated my voice well enough. “Your arrival caused a bit of… interference… for a moment there. So, noble Norns, what brings you here?”

Skuld spoke. “Judgement. What else could we seek? Transgressions were made. Punishments must be enacted.”

“Really?” I countered. “Weren’t you enough for that? It’s not like we could stop you. But… all this over a Fruit? I get that a fallen fruit belongs to the tree’s owner, but… once the seeds are taken from a fruit and planted, they no longer do. Even so, I’m willing to negotiate, redress as much harm on their behalf as I can. But some of the Seeds are beyond salvaging. As for your shears…” I shuddered. “They didn’t mean to scratch them. But they still work fine. One day I’ll find a craftsman who can fix them. And… uh… yeah, okay. Lin and Rose. I get they weren’t allowed to marry without permission, but… I’ll take responsibility!”

Rose nodded. “Divine Norns, sisters three, see the strength we have gained! Allow us still to fight for what we believe in, for the World Tree and all the brave within the shade of its towering branches. I shall fight a hundred times harder, and Lin shall do the same! We… cannot Choose the Slain anymore, but… for now our seven sisters shall do it in our stead. Lin and I, the Iðrandi… we would serve our punishment there. A hundred, a thousand, ten thousand years… even unto death… but… we cannot waste our gains!”

Her plea was impassioned, but for the first time, Urðr spoke, and for a moment I once more wavered, her Charm, Majesty and League almost too much to bear, but Tan drew a faint line of her flames across my cheek back down in the Fae Realms, and the pain steadied my mind.

“All threads are spun from nothingness, the past. Yet the past shapes the present, and the present gives way to the future. A sin in the past is a sin that remains.”

Verðandi agreed. “You are not strands of our tapestry. They are. And the pattern does not question the spinners. A sin, a misguided fate, is a discordant, jarring colour.”

“And…” Skuld asked again. “What fate a thread that is wrong for a tapestry? Better to snip it out than allow the harmony to be ruined.”

“Laughable.” I scoffed, annoyed. Tan was continually injuring Shaeula and I, the scent of burning flesh unpleasant. Haru had used her Light to mute her own senses and emotions, and so was also holding on. “You’d throw away their lives for well-intentioned mistakes? Then you deserve to fail. If I was their superiors, I’d be annoyed, sure. They didn’t report, they used resources on their own plans… but it’s hardly embezzlement or theft, when they did it for your goals. At worst, they need some retraining. But maybe you could even learn a thing or two.”

“Do the threads ask the spinner’s permission to exist?”

“Does the tapestry criticise the weaver’s aesthetics?”

“Does the final snipping await the pleasure of the finished pattern?”

The three Norn sisters spoke, and their words were seemingly a condemnation.

“I counter…” I could feel the weight of the World Tree, closer than ever, and it was stimulating my Eyes. I dared not peek at the Goddesses, as with that intense an inspection I’d likely lose my reason and fall for them, seeking their love like a drunk sought cheap alcohol, and with less success. “…a strand, a Connection, spun with the blessing of all, will be stronger and better than any fate you could ask. Sure, a weaver probably has a better sense of beauty than an average person, but… what is beautiful for one isn’t for all, and those who are going to enjoy the tapestry might like different styles, colours… in art, there’s no right or wrong, is there? Lastly… Skuld, you ask a lot of questions, and don’t seem to like my answers. But… sometimes we can choose our own endings.”

The three Norns were silent, only the rhythmic clacking of Skuld’s shears as she opened and closed them over and over again echoing. The Valkyrie sisters were all silent, watching us, and I could feel their resolve, to die if need be, but not in shame, but with dignity. “I’m sorry, but I refuse to choose this pattern, or this ending.” I insisted, and Shaeula’s thoughts whispered to me, suggesting what I had just thought of.

Great minds think alike, Shaeula!

In this case, I feel ‘fools seldom differ’ is the most apt saying. Still, I do not care for these haughty Goddesses. Though… Skuld’s behaviour has been strange.

Yes, I picked up on that too. So…

Tan’s agreement was silent. Rose, able to hear our thoughts, wasn’t sure, but was prepared to leave it all in our hands, as none of them could in good conscience lie to the Norns, and even if they could, their threads would be read effortlessly, their Fates and actions laid bare, motivations unable to be hidden.

“Do you have the right to speak, interloper?” Urðr asked, her black dress like the milky way itself, stars born and dying in front of my eyes, her figure hidden tantalisingly beneath… Ouch, sorry, lost it for a moment there…

“Actually, I do. I am an affected party. My thread, my Fate, if you will, was changed by their deeds, and I have changed theirs. If your patterns are so perfect… then how about this? We have a tradition where I’m from. It’s called… a Trial of Three. And it decides the fate of both parties. There’s three of us, and three of you. It almost seems like Fate itself, no?”

“Indeed-indeed.” I transmitted Shaeula’s words with all the arrogance she could muster. “Surely you Goddesses would not-not fear us? Besides, as the challenged party, you have quite-quite the advantage, as you get to set the terms, to a great extent. There must-must be a chance for us to triumph, but… the advantage is yours. As is proper. For… if you claim-claim these Valkyrie committed three crimes… then we shall strive against you three times.”

“Indeed.” Tan was next to speak. “If it was we daughters of Māra, we would surely not decline this challenge. Perhaps we are arrogant, too sure of ourselves, when we have no history of success. I, who abandoned the world out of my own bitter pride, thirsty for what I thought I could never drink deep from, that of… self-worth and genuine connection. Arati, the fool who turned her hatred on all men, and now seeks only women to fill her empty heart, and the little idiot Rāga, who in her self-destructive passions drowns in pleasure with all and sundry…” She paused, and her thoughts came to me clearly.

It seems while I will certainly enjoy showing my sisters my superiority… I fear that they will be… rather wearying… as a family. I do apologise in advance, as no doubt it will be rather miserable.

Don’t worry about it. Right now, dealing with a couple of crazy sisters-in-law sounds like a pleasant diversion…

“Your words are hardly persuasive…” Verðandi seemingly dismissed us. However, moments later a giant, old-fashioned spinning-wheel-style loom appeared, and she placed her hands upon it. “…but the tapestry is discordant. Skuld, wield the shears if you must, Urðr, spin the new threads, but… as for the pattern…”

Skuld snapped shut her shears, sending more ripples of chaos through the world. “The threads can be cut as we will it. Whether they grow ever more discordant, once the pattern is disrupted, they are removed. It will not hurt to hesitate a moment, sister.”

“What are the conditions of this unwise challenge?” Urðr asked, and now my Ether Healing wasn’t managing to keep up with Tan’s flames, and I felt she was being a little harsh with me, as Shaeula wasn’t scorched nearly so much. “In defence to the service our foolish daughters have rendered… and your foolish insolence and bravery… we shall spin your threads and see what colour they are. But… we are the Norns. Of Past, Present and Future. No fate here within the World Tree is dictated by any but us!”

“It is quite-quite simple.” Shaeula grinned at me, suddenly enthusiastic, despite the perilous situation. “Oh, to face a Trial of Three on my birthday. I did not-not expect this. We simply must win, I shall not-not be a loser upon this special day.” She then addressed the Norns, though her tone was rather more respectful, their Charm starting to affect her, most likely. “We must first set three Trials. We must agree, yet you have-have the upper hand. Then… each side must-must pledge three Prices. These too must be mutually agreed. We can-can hardly compel you to keep your word, we have not-not the strength, but surely such wise, beautiful females as yourselves would not-not cheat us?”

“Trials? Three trials.” The Norns glanced at each other, golden eyes meeting silver tinged with a vivid violet, and silver, just starting to change to golden once more.

“I am Urðr, the Past. The fruit of Yggdrasil is perhaps once in a thousand years. Time has been stolen. I demand an answer to a question regarding the past that satisfies me.”

We exchanged a rapid burst of thoughts. “Can you clarify? That seems… impossible to win, if you can just say you’re not satisfied, or ask about something from the World Tree we’d have no way of knowing.” I asked, and Urðr gestured, a shining strand pulled out from the air in her hand looking like a rainbow, just with many more colours, some impossible, twisted into a rope.

“You trust not my integrity? We have the advantage but must not cheat Fate by sullying it with tricks. I am not mistaken in this, yes?” She glanced at the thread in her hand, and then at Shaeula’s hologram. “I hold your thread. It is not ours, but… it tells me much.”

“Threats?” Shaeula sneered, only for Urðr to laugh, and once more I was put to the flame by Tan, and this time Shaeula joined in, her fires less vicious but rather more liberally applied.

“What need have we of threats? If we wish it, your deaths are but a thought.”

“True.” Shaeula conceded. “I feel-feel your Trial is… tolerable.”

Verðandi was next. Now her dress had changed to a soft peach colour, as had her fingernails and the sheen in her eyes. “The shears, that which should be handled only by Skuld, were stolen. And… I see a shard yet hidden…” Rose grimaced, before taking out the shining silver metal, defeated. “…the present has been disturbed, the pattern untidy. To redress the balance, I demand an answer to a matter troubling me in this moment, and one from me that I cannot satisfy you with. Should both matters of the now be concluded thusly, I concede.”

Difficulty spikes up, I see, but… “And your demand, Skuld?”

“The future has been changed. Two of you…” She glowered at Rose and Lin with her ever-shifting eyes, braids threaded with black hairs amidst the white. “…a Chooser of the Slain cannot Choose selfishness. Many Einherjar shall not be cut in the proper manner. I demand an answer to why these threads should not be snipped free, to restore the purity of the tapestry. Not an answer that merely satisfies me, but one that the Past, Present and Future can accept, and that does not disrupt the spinning, the weaving or the cutting. Now more than ever, order must be preserved, the grand design perfect, as Yggdrasil, the Allfather and Fate demands.”

“All right.” I agreed, after conferring. If it was any sort of combat trial, or test of strength, I would have had more chance taking on Shaeraggo, Ulfuric, Selensha and their entire army all at once, Ixitt and his Mortal Engineers included, with my strength back then, alone and unaided. But wit, wisdom and knowledge… we had a slender chance. And what do we have to lose?

“So-so… the Prices? We demand that none of the Valkyrie be killed. They can-can be punished fairly, but neither Ortlinde, nor-nor Rossweisse can ever be forced to give love to another. Akio does not-not approve of such cuckoldry, and I most-most certainly agree! This Japanese obsession with such… it is not-not pleasing to me.”

“This Price concerns the future. I consent.” Skuld intoned. “The Iðrandi… Repentance is earned through deeds. In exchange… I demand your futures. Three for nine seems unequal, but considering a Divinity, no matter how feeble, with naught but her appearance to cling to, is amongst you… if I cannot be satisfied, when that world is decided, we shall claim you, and you shall serve us.”

Insolent brat. I very much dislike wagering myself, but… “Just as the two Valkyries, neither I nor Shaeula can be separated from Akio, nor forced to give affection to others.”

“Acceptable.” Skuld’s smile was satisfied and also somehow insulting. “A shame. Many would have found you an amusing concubine.”

I believe I hate her! I am tempted to ask for her as a Price and humiliate her, but she would never agree…

Ignoring Tan’s bitter diatribe, I stated our second demand. “I want their punishment cancelled entirely if I prove they were right. If I claim Earth as an Astral Emperor, it means they acted wisely. And I’ll offer my aid commensurately to their transgressions. After that, I’ll remain friendly, so long as we don’t clash. Therefore you’ll have to defer any punishment until either I fail, or the matter pans out. And keep matters to yourself too, and don’t report them to any other Gods or authorities.”

“Unacceptable. You ask for the present, but… demand the future. I can give you but a limited time…”

Okay, not good, but… “How much time?”

“A hundred turnings of your world around its star. No more.” Verðandi countered.

“You mean a hundred Earth years?” I asked, and she nodded regally.

“To claim a world in such a time is a steep trial. As the present passes to the future, struggle. If you fail to satisfy the present, we demand the remains of the Fruit, such as can be recovered. You offered such, so there should be no disagreement.”

I nodded. “Mine, sure. The others… I’ll persuade them within a similarly offered hundred years or retrieve them when… they fail.”

“Acceptable.” The Price was struck.

Urðr then spoke. “The past is already written so Prices have already been spun and paid. Those that Fate favours will know it and have received it already. But… Fate is both kind and cruel. So the losers will suffer, and the winners rejoice.”

“Is that… I don’t quite get it.” I asked, and neither did Shaeula.

“I believe I do.” Tan sighed. “Dealing with such beings of Fate is unpleasant. Essentially, either something in our past has been given by them, or we have given them something, and it will be enhanced, strengthened or otherwise changed depending on the outcome.”

“That’s… time travel?” I asked, puzzled, and Tan shook her head.

“No. The past is inviolate. Not even a powerful Goddess and Astral Empress as Urðr can change it. Though there is much one can do with the past, without needing to turn aside the flow that has already happened, I surmise. Besides, it seems we already agreed, else the winner and the loser would not have done this already. We accept your Prices.”

Shaeula grimaced, but clearly felt the weight of it on her spirit. So did I, my Faeduine nature accepting it. Tan merely frowned, and the Norns were indeed seemingly unaffected. Looks like we’re going to have to trust their honour.

You can. But… Rose’s thoughts were bitter, and Ortlinde finished for her, speaking up.

“You should not have done this. Better we fulfil our pledge than our efforts prove wasted. I… appreciate your efforts. I would be the first to Choose you were you slain, and fly you to Valhalla, but…”

“Yes.” Rose had no need to keep her thoughts silent anymore. “…against the Norns, arbiters of the World Tree Pantheon’s destiny… how can you win?”

Staring them both in the eyes, golden and pearlescent, I shook my head. “Aren’t you two my Brúðr now? How could I not win?”

Eri’s encouragement, as she had been listening anxiously, relaying the events to the others, in my thoughts, Haru’s too, though she was less confident, I clenched my fists. Beside me, Tan and Shaeula did the same, Shaeula even cracking a wicked grin.

“I want-want this treasure they say they have already given us. Seeing as it is-is my birthday, it is surely a gift for me, no? And winning me a present from-from three Goddesses will be a suitable task for you, will it not-not, Akio?”

All I could do was look at her helplessly, before bursting into laughter, my taut nerves unwinding. Ignoring the numerous painful burns which were slowly Healing, I nodded. “All right then. Brains over brawn. Let’s get this started…”