Valkyrie Rising

by GR Griffin

  "I have not fed." She announced, but her voice was more shaky than proud in the moment. Her hunger was flaring, Silmeria thinking she could smell the power charged blood that flowed in her sister's veins. It made her lust for it, made Silmeria want to step closer to Hrist, pull her sister into her embrace and feed at long last. It was a horrifying thought, Silmeria's expression distorting.

  "Not yet you haven't." Arngrim growled. Hrist's eyes flickered, the woman speaking harshly.

  "Arngrim be silent!"

  He didn't like that command, but he obeyed it. And all the while he stared at Silmeria, trusting the einherjar in the hall to guard his back from danger. Just as he tried to guard Hrist from Silmeria.

  "He's right." Silmeria said miserably. "I may not have fed, but soon I will have no choice." She bit her lip, and tried to avoid staring at Hrist's neck. Somehow Silmeria managed to maintain eye contact with her sister, her hands clenching into helpless fists. "The urge to feed grows stronger every night....the blood calls to me....your blood calls to me." She admitted with some shame.

  Hrist did not take offense, softening enough to allow the smallest of smiles. "Worry no more sister. It is why I have come here. I will put an end to your hunger." But a hard expression was in her eyes, Hrist would not take any pleasure out of killing Silmeria.

  The right thing would have been to demand Hrist end it now, but Silmeria found herself delaying. As though she wanted to cling to one more second of life, even as that second put them all at risk to her unnatural hungers. "Where is Lenneth? Where is our sister?" Hrist's dark eyes flickered, a depth of emotion flashing by to fast for Silmeria to grasp the meaning of it. "Hrist?"

  "Lenneth is not here."

  "Not here?!" Silmeria gasped. "Then....?" The worst thought had come to her, Silmeria wondering if Lenneth had died during the attempt to invade the island.

  "Lenneth was disgraced by Brahms." Hrist explained, unable to maintain her dispassionate tone of voice. "Odin did not take kindly to her failure..."

  Some of her hunger was forgotten, fear for Lenneth taking over. "What happened to Lenneth?" She demanded.

  "She was retired." Hrist told her, Silmeria's frowning in response. "Placed under the enchanted sleep, and given away to some undeserving man."

  "No." breathed out Silmeria. She knew that to Lenneth, Odin had given her a fate worse than death. Bad enough that Lenneth be given away, but to force her to undergo an enchantment that would make her forever devoted, forever enslaved by love? It was cruel, it was unthinkable. "He goes too far..." Silmeria said out loud. "Her failure was undeserving of so grand a punishment..."

  "It was not just you our sister lost to the vampires that day." Hrist reminded her. "There were others..."

  "We were outnumbered!" Silmeria exclaimed. "Overwhelmed. There was nothing Lenneth could do....." Nothing but survive the massacre. And yet Odin did not seem to care that a valued Valkyrie had been returned to him. Instead he chose to focus on the negatives, on a thing that had been out of Lenneth's control from the moment they had left Valhalla.

  "It is not up to us to decide what Lenneth could and could not do." Hrist retorted. "Odin has made his judgement....Lenneth is Valkyrie no more. I cannot save her. But I can save you."

  "Yes. Of course." Silmeria bowed her head. But she didn't think it fair what had happened to Lenneth.

  The sound of a sword being drawn out of it's leather scabbard drew Silmeria's head back up. Hrist had her sword in hand, the blade clean and shining. "I will make it quick, painless." Hrist told her. "You will not feel a thing."

  The words were stuck in Silmeria's throat, her chest hurting something awful. And yet she found herself dropping to her knees, her eyes intent on Hrist's sword. She tried not to tense, but alarms were going off in her head, voices screaming in protest at the wrongness of this situation.

  Hrist was showing no such hesitation, gazing down at Silmeria with dark, unfathomable emotion. "I will pray for you sister. Pray that your soul finally finds peace." The sword was lifting, Silmeria transfixed by the blade. But memories were playing in her mind, Silmeria seeing herself as a little girl. Barely anything more than a child, and playing with her sisters' swords. Another flash, and then she was older, fourteen and running away from home. Foolishly eager to join her sisters on the battlefield. They should have returned her home immediately. Hrist and Lenneth would actually argue over what to do with the young Silmeria. But she hadn't gone home, actually being accepted at that young age into the ranks of Valkyrie.

  What seemed like a thousand battles flashed through her mind, with little difference between them. One fight after another melding seamlessly, until she had met HIM. The Vampire King. He had toyed with her when he should have been her death. That encounter would change both their lives, set them on a new course of destiny that brought them to meet again and again.

  Silmeria saw that strange night on the back roads of Idavoll. Replayed the moment when Brahms had kissed her. It would have been a good memory to die on, but others came. And with them regrets, Silmeria mourning that she had never experienced true laughter. There was so many things she had never gotten to experience. So many things that would be forever denied her once she was dead by Hrist's sword. Silmeria mourned the fact she had never taken the time to smell flowers, or savor the beauty of a sunlit day. But more than that, Silmeria wished she had connected closely with someone who wasn't just another member of her family.

  Now Silmeria wished she had taken the time to grow into adult hood, to stay among her family's city and experience life the way other girls her age would have. There could have been time amidst the training, to stop and play. To dance. To laugh. Even to fall in love.

  The tears she would not shed were burning her eyes, Hrist's sword swinging towards her neck. And with that whoosh of air, the tight feeling in Silmeria's chest burst. Damn it, she wanted to live! Even if she was a vampire. Even if she was some kind of freakish abomination.

  The realization came almost too late, Silmeria falling backwards onto the floor. But not before she sustained a cut on her neck, one that bled heavily. Silmeria lay on her back for one brief second, feeling laughter bubble out of her. Arngrim was cursing, and Hrist seemed frozen by the sound. She must have thought Silmeria had snapped, and indeed the laughter bordered on hysterical.

  Rolling from side to side, Silmeria continued to laugh, hugging herself now. She was alive, and she would try to make the most of it. Even if she could never return to Asgard. She would simply find a new way to live. Silmeria wasn't all accepting of the vampire lifestyle in this instant. There was much she still had to work out for herself. But the important thing was she wanted the chance to try.

  "Silmeria!" Hrist had recovered, angry. "Get a hold of yourself!"

  Silmeria heard the swing of Hrist's sword, the Valkyrie trying again to kill her sister. Silmeria immediately rolled out of the way, hearing the sword hit against the stones of the floor. The blade did not shatter, Hrist turning to track Silmeria's movements. Silmeria did a back kick, lurching upright before turning to look at her sister. Her laughter had died down, Silmeria trying not to smile. And all because she knew Hrist would not be pleased with what she had decided.

  Hrist's eyes were glittering dangerously, the Valkyrie studying Silmeria. The blonde did not have to feign being contrite in the moment, offering an apology. "I am sorry sister. But I won't be dying this day."

  "What are you saying?!" Hrist demanded.

  "I won't be dying this day, or any other." Silmeria continued. "I have decided to live...live as best I can."

  "You've truly taken leave of your senses!" Hrist snapped. "As if Odin, as if any of us would allow you to endanger your soul in this manner!"

  "I have only one life to live. Do not begrudge me the desire to experience all I can with it."

  "Madness!" shouted Hrist. "You speak unforgivable words Silmeria!"

  "Is it unforgivable to want to live?!"

  "YES!" screamed Hrist, lunging forward. Her sw
ord would slash open the front of Silmeria's dress, the girl reacting too slow in the moment. But her skin remained whole, Silmeria unscarred save for the cut on her neck. Hrist would scowl, expression twisted into something ugly as she continue to swing and slash at Silmeria. The blonde was on the move, constantly leaping out of reach of her sister's sword. That served only to infuriate the dark haired Valkyrie, Hrist letting out a vicious curse. "Damn you, Silmeria, be still!"

  "No sister." Silmeria told her, side stepping a thrust meant to spear into her heart. "I will not go meekly to my death." But she wasn't prepared to fight Hrist either, Silmeria left with no choice but to maneuver out of her sister's reach.

  "You make this far more difficult than it has to be!" An exasperated Hrist exclaimed.

  "I am sorry sister, but I will not, cannot just lay down and die!"

  "You're already dead!" Hrist was vicious, snapping angrily as she swung her blade toward Silmeria's neck. "You're just a corpse animated by some unholy force." That gave Silmeria's a moment's hesitation, the girl throwing her arms up in time to protect her neck. But not her skin, her flesh splitting, blood dripping down her arms. Something inside her snarled, enraged that she would allow such an injury. Silmeria fought to control the beast inside her, the girl not wanting to turn on her own sister in violence.

  "I don't know what continues to give me life, it's true." Silmeria said. "But I have not changed. Not inside where it counts. I am still the person that I was, still the sister that loves you and Lenneth."

  "Lies!" screamed Hrist. Silmeria heard movement from behind her, and she did a sideways roll to avoid Arngrim's blade. "You are a monster." Continued Hrist, the Valkyrie working with her einherjar in an attempt to corner and trap Silmeria. "You have no concept of love, of family, of connections." Silmeria remembered how Brahms had told her being a vampire hadn't changed who she was, hadn't distorted the love she felt for her sisters. She also remembered how she had insisted it was only because she still retained her soul, that Silmeria was capable of that love. Such thoughts made her hesitate, another cut appearing on her arm. If it had been Arngim's large blade, that arm would have been severed for sure.

  "I still feel. I still love!" insisted Silmeria, ducking to the right. She was ready to make a run for the open doorway, but Arngrim anticipated her intent. The large warrior took up position in front of the doorway, muscles seeming to ripple as his hands gripped his heavy blade.

  "You know only lusts." Hrist sneered. "The blood calls to you, even now. It will be the end of you, damn you and steal away your soul! And you would let it, all because you are too craven and cowardly to accept what must be done!"

  "It's true the blood calls to me!" Silmeria agreed, back hitting a wall as she avoid Hrist's next two thrusts. "But it won't rule me! I can, will master it!"

  "And what of the people who will die while you struggle for a control that will never come to you?!" demanded Hrist.

  "I need not drink anyone to death!" Silmeria protested. "Brahms...He told me we can take just what we need, and it need not result in death."

  "Brahms?!" scoffed Hrist. "You would believe his lies?! Are you that desperate to cling to life, to believe you can be different?!"

  "I know I can be!" screamed Silmeria.

  "You can't!" Hrist screamed back. "Now be silent and die!"

  "I won't!" Silmeria cried, ducking under Hrist's blade. The Valkyrie had anticipated that, her leg lifting up in a high kick that caught Silmeria in the face. She was staggered, falling against the wall, feeling blood on her lips. Her shaking hands touched her torn lip, and then Silmeria's eyes narrowed, the first real rage she had felt since Hrist's arrival, washing over her.

  "I will not stand here and go meekly to my death!" Silmeria screamed, and this time when she avoided Hrist's blade, she took care to slash her claws over the front of Hrist's armor.

  "If it's a fight you want, then you shall have it!" Hrist was grim. eyes narrowed into a glare as she tightened her hold on her sword. Silmeria still had the wall to her back, limiting her choice in movements. She needed to get clear of it, needed the space to dance and weave around her sister.

  "I don't want to fight you!" Silmeria exclaimed. "I just want the chance that was denied to me! The chance for life...."

  "That chance was stolen from you the minute the vampire made you into one of his own kind!" Hrist reminded her. "There is no going back!"

  "You're right. I can only move forward now!" Silmeria snapped, and reached out with the preternatural speed of a vampire. She heard Hrist gasp, the Valkyries wrist being held by Silmeria. The blonde would squeeze down, but Hrist was stubborn, refusing to drop her sword. Instead she would use her left hand, slapping it across Silmeria's face. Silmeria would snarl, revealing the full length of her fangs in warning. "I don't want to hurt you!" But she knew her sister could make no such claims.

  "Hrist!" It was Arngrim, his face concerned.

  "Arngim, don't come any closer!" Hrist shouted, never taking her eyes off of Silmeria. She slapped her younger sister once and then a third time, trying to render her senseless in the moment. It hurt, but Silmeria didn't let go of Hrist's wrist, still working to squeeze her into releasing her sword. She had a feeling Hrist would not drop it until her bones broke, but Silmeria didn't want to go that far.

  "Hrist, stop it!" pleaded Silmeria.

  "I won't stop until you're dead." Hrist told her, and her hand moved to the leg slit in her skirt. She'd palm a dagger from a sheathe she had strapped to her thigh, Hrist moving to stab it into Silmeria. The blonde felt the first pinprick of the dagger piercing her flesh. She immediately let go of Hrist's wrist, shoving the Valkyrie away from her. The dagger hadn't gone in deep, Silmeria relieved she had halted her sister's attempt to gut her.

  Hrist staggered back a few steps, attempting to remain upright from the violent shove Silmeria had given her. By the time she recovered, Silmeria had moved away from the wall, going to stand near the center of the bedroom. Hrist spun in place, her sword lifting to point at her sister. "There is no room for mercy. You either fight me with sincere effort, or you WILL die."

  "I don't want either of us to die!" Silmeria exclaimed. Hrist still had the dagger, and now she heft it, throwing it at Silmeria. She would duck it, hearing the thud as it embedded itself into the headboard of the bed. By the time Silmeria straightened, Hrist was in front of her, bringing down her sword with the attempt to cleave her sister in half.

  Silmeria's shriek turned into a snarl, the girl grabbing both of Hrist's arms. It stopped the sword an inch from Silmeria's head, the two sisters struggling against each other. Their eyes met, both flashing with emotion though Hrist was far angrier than Silmeria. The blonde would let out an exasperated sigh, and then bring up her knee, ramming it into the armor over Hrist's stomach.

  Breath was forcefully expelled from Hrist, the armor plating denting inwards. Silmeria would repeat the maneuver, seeing how the armor began to splinter in response to her strength. It would break apart under a continued assault, Silmeria bringing her knee up a third time. Hrist did not let go of the sword, instead using her leg to sweep out Silmeria's footing.

  Silmeria fell, pulling Hrist down with her. The sword came perilously close to striking Silmeria's face, the tip sparking against the stone floor. Silmeria swung her arm, punching her sister right in the face. Hrist let out a grunt of pain, rolling off her. She took the sword with her, both women lurching up right. Hrist had her free hand to her face, checking to see if anything had been broken or dislocated from Silmeria's punch.

  "Please..." Silmeria tried again, wanting to reason with her sister. "We don't..."

  "Enough!" snarled Hrist, doing a diagonal slash in Silmeria's direction. But it was a half hearted feint, meant more to silence Silmeria than to do any real damage. Silmeria would jump backwards to avoid it, Hrist following with a more determined thrust. The two would dance about the room, furniture being damaged or knocked over as Hrist worked to try and end Silmeria's life.

&nbs
p; It was difficult to avoid the attacks, especially in such a confined space like the bedroom. Silmeria wanted to run out into the hall, but Arngrim blocked the way. She'd continue to just barely evade Hrist's attacks, and then new screams would come from the hall. Hrist barely reacted to the screams, but Arngrim flinched.

  "Shit." He said, turning to face the door now. "That was Maribelle." Another scream. "And Joviar!" More screams would come, too many for them to keep track of. The tide was turning in the hallway, something---someone killing the einherjar. And still Hrist continued to attack, Silmeria constantly having to defend herself. She'd leap back and up, finding herself clinging to the corner where ceiling met the top of wall. It kept her just out of reach of Hrist's sword, the two sisters' locking eyes.

  "Sister...please...." Silmeria tried one last time to get through to Hrist.

  "Don't call me that. Not after what you've become!" Hrist snapped, looking as though she might throw her sword at Silmeria. But before she could follow up on that attempt, the air seemed to shimmer between them. Not even seconds later, the vampire King himself stood between Hirst and Silmeria. His back was to the blonde, she could not see the expression of rage on his face. But she could sense the intensity of his emotions, the anger rolling off him.

  Hrist let out a curse, and leapt back just in time to avoid the fist Brahms aimed at her face. Silmeria allowed herself to drop down to the floor behind him, her voice hoarse with emotion. "Don't kill her! Don't kill my sister!"

  Brahms gave no sign of understanding. He was growling, at times snarling as he stalked forward towards Hrist. All his attention seemed to be for the Valkyrie, leaving Silmeria to truly fear for Hrist's life.

  "There's no reasoning with a monster!" Hrist shouted to her. Silmeria feared that at this point, there really was no chance of getting through to Brahms. But then he spoke, his voice a gravel like rumble.

  "Not as big a monster as a woman who would kill her own sister."