On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Leaning back on her golden throne, Verðandi cut a powerful figure. Her dress changed again, now a rich, deep vermillion, and the tips of her white, flowing hair were also a ruddy, brilliant colour, as was the glint in her eyes and the nails on one of her perfect hands. Though strangely, I no longer felt the incredible allure of her, which threatened to steal my reason. Down below, Tan had stopped burning me, giving my battered form time to regenerate, and I noticed that my Resilience and Determination had again risen.

“How… impious and boorish.” Verðandi spoke, her tone a little flat, but I still detected a faint trace of amusement, if it wasn’t my imagination, of course. “You stand before a Goddess, a Goddess who is to satisfy your curiosity, and your attention is elsewhere?” She glanced at the silent Urðr and the watching Skuld. “Is that not unusual, sisters?”

Urðr remained silent, but Skuld, her hair now entirely white, and her eyes golden, tilted her head in seeming puzzlement, which made me hold in a chuckle, as seeing a Goddess express such emotions was strange, although, as I cast my attention sideways to Tan, I realised there was no reason to be surprised, considering her attitudes.

“This whole situation is deeply unusual, elder sister.” Skuld said at last. “These threads have come loose, and must be weaved back into their proper place, else…” She opened and shut her shears, and Shaeula was rolling her eyes at the theatrics, entirely unintimidated. “…they should be snipped neatly, to tidy the mess.”

“Wait-wait your turn.” Shaeula scoffed. “I will show you the great-great folly you speak of and correct the error of your ways soon-soon enough.”

Skuld blinked, her eyes shading to silver at the top, like grains of sand slowly falling, filling up her eyes, and her hair was starting to darken, black strands amidst the white like charcoal on snow. “I am in error?”

“Peace, sister.” Verðandi held up her hand, crimson nails gleaming. “There is no need for arguments.” She cast her gaze out over the Valkyrie, inspecting each in turn, and Rose and Lin were the most discomforted. “I merely find this whole situation… strange. But then… many come seeking the wisdom of the Norns, upon far Urðarbrunnr, though knowledge is as sharp as your shears, Skuld, and cuts as viciously.” She let out a faint humming noise, as if thinking. “You chose not to secure your victory here. Do you not think that arrogant, disregarding the mercy of a Goddess?”

“Mercy?” I shrugged. “I do think you three could definitely have set a far harder Trial and still had us accept it. You have the Valkyrie held hostage, and I’ll never abandon them, nor any who earnestly seek my protection or offer me aid. Conversely… even though we are opponents in this Trial, should you lose and do as you pledged, then I’ll owe the three of you. I’m not sure what I can do for three such lofty beings, but…” I remembered the frozen Present. “…sometimes the perspective of the weak can offer insights, for with strength, subtlety is often lost.”

“With strength, subtlety is lost…” Verðandi repeated my words, even as her dress changed. Again, it was diaphanous, nearly transparent, hinting at her surely stunning body beneath the now violet cloth, and I felt my attention drawn by her, my heart racing, only for my willpower to assert itself. Damn, if the Norns are this Charming… if I ever meet a true Goddess of Beauty, like Aphrodite or Kisshōten, I shudder to think how difficult it’ll be to resist…

“…yes. It is true, and… apt to my answer here. When one’s will can shape reality, one tends to forget to understand why. And when one’s will is a mighty hammer, akin to the Thunderer’s great Mjölnir, every problem starts to seem like a nail to be hammered down.” She narrowed her pale eyes, violet light shining. “So, you would know what in this Present you can do to reach your true potential, to seize your destiny…” Before her, the great spinning-wheel loom began to turn, weaving my shining prismatic strand within. “…curious. Interesting.” Her gaze fell upon the group of Valkyrie once more. “Young Rossweisse, youngest Ortlinde… you have picked a uniquely thorny path. I am hardly one to comment upon such, matters of the heart are beyond we sisters of Fate, yet we have seen many threads born, woven and be snipped in our long existence. And a tapestry that does not contain many colours is not a pleasing one. Valkyrie’s loves are usually either blazing and fiery, the stuff Skalds sing of, mighty sagas… else they are bitter and fraught with sorrow and are sung about for… other… reasons by the same Skalds.”

“I made my choice, Divine Verðandi.” Rose didn’t flinch, though her smile was rueful. “And… I am aware of… competition. But…” She stretched, pleased as I couldn’t help but check out her bountiful chest, which was significant for a woman of her stature. “…I have faith in myself. I have no wish to be a woman hoarding love like a jealous Dvergr hoards precious metals and jewels. But I shall have my fair share. And in return…” She glanced at Lin, who nodded, fiery locks tumbling artfully over her shoulders. If Rose was an incredible beauty that leaned on the cute side, Lin was such a beauty with cold elegance and nobility.

“I never intended it. But… in the moment it seemed right, and by Sigrún, greatest of the Valkyrie, I shall honour my commitments. I too… understand well.” She glanced at Shaeula and Tan who were still holding my hands. Huh, perhaps I’m drawing strength from their closeness, which is why I can resist Verðandi’s Charm? “I too am not… combative… in regard to… to…” Her face faintly tinged pink, she struggled for words, until Run moved and pounded her on the back enthusiastically.

“Littlest sister Lin is embarrassed. It’s fine, he gets it.” She winked at the three Norns cheekily, though the effort was making her sweat, silvery droplets sliding down her cheeks and nose, and once more, despite them not looking much alike, this cyan-haired, orange-eyed tomboy reminded me of my sister. “We are Valkyrie. It takes a great deal of bravery and honour to shake our hearts. But you did it. Coming here for them, for us… facing down the Goddesses of Fate… it matters.” The other Valkyrie nodded, and Verðandi drummed her nails restlessly on the armrest of her magnificent throne.

“I see.” She glanced at Skuld then. “Once a thread has been woven, it is set. The Past is the Past. And it shall not be unpicked from the weaving.”

“Though it can be cut short.” Skuld intoned.

“In this case… the Future is yet to be determined.” Verðandi fixed her gaze on me now. “I have woven your thread, to see your Past and Present. And there are many threads connected to you, but here… a handful are particularly pertinent…”

More shining threads were pulled, from Shaeula, two from Tan, I expected one was Shiro’s, and another was drawn from me, and with my keen sense of Bonds, I recognised it was Eri’s, perhaps as because of Lovers’ Link at Rank 11, she was always with me. She was querying what was happening, and I silently reassured her. The wheel on Verðandi’s loom turned, but there were actually seven threads woven together, and Lin and Rose flinched, their faces pale.

“More threads I could pull…” The remaining seven Valkyrie sisters were wary, but Verdandi merely shook her head, silver strands now tipped with gold, even as her dress changed to a regal, majestic gown of gold and ruby. “…yet were I to begin that effort, I would be speaking for far too long. Time… time is a commodity that seems endless, but all lack, yes?”

I nodded at that. “Yeah. Shaeula’s birthday is ticking away minute by minute. I don’t want to waste a second of it.”

“Amusing. I speak of the pressing weight of danger, yet you speak of… friendship perhaps, companionship? Love? It is quite the interesting answer. Then I shall be brief, though… the tapestry is by inherent nature complicated and hard to illuminate. You…” Her now golden gaze fell on me, and I was silent, the weight of her Charm and Majesty oppressive, even if I suspected now she was leashing it intentionally.

“…your Vessel is too small to hold all you are. That leads to… pressure. Your Truesoul adapts, but your Spirit is fragile. To say nothing of transient, Material flesh. You may feel that the surest way to proceed is to gather the power of adherence and ignite a Divine Spark. Indeed, that would free you from your limitations, at least for a while. But… I do not suggest you do that at this Present moment.”

Tan paused, narrowing her eyes, and she seemed deep in thought at that. I was going to ask why, but Verðandi forestalled me. “I can see you are not unfamiliar with the power of belief, of worship, of fervent faith. But it is not as the tides of aether that fill the Astral, no matter how similar they may seem. It is not a Path to step on carelessly, that of Divinity. For adherence is mighty, yes, and can create great miracles and acts that shake the multiverse. But… it is not our power alone. To be Divine is to answer to the wishes inherent within the prayers. A pure adherence, akin to how you wish to be, to behave, must be cultivated, else… a muddy mess will ultimately halt your growth. Strength now may appeal, but… in this moment, it might perhaps not be a mistake, but in this Present… I advise you to hold.”

I nodded. “But… what about the strain?”

“In this Present, I believe you simply must endure. If you wish to climb to Astral Emperor of your world, prove that our errant Valkyrie here were indeed not wrong, merely reckless in tossing the bones for their gambles, you can do no less, yes? Instead…” She spun in silence for a long, uncomfortable moment, only the sound of Skuld’s shears… does she ever stop playing with them? …filling the palace. “…your Path. Focus on that, and also your foundations. You displayed an… interesting… grasp on many Skills and much knowledge, both Material and Spiritual. While it is said a tusenkunstner, an artist of a thousand talents, can never surpass a master at any of them… who can say? You seem to have a gift for… synergy. Perhaps it is an offshoot of your Path, or perhaps that is why your Path exists…”

“What of his Favour?” Tan spoke up then. “I can smell it, trapped within the Seeds. Could he not liberate it and gain strength that way, without much risk?”

“Perhaps.” Verðandi allowed. “The One-Handed Hero, Tyr, his gift lies dormant. It could surely be awakened with the proper… sacrifice… but that would require either an insult to his Path, or… suitable motivation. Instead, let me speak as of the Present, as was my Trial. Refrain. For an adherence based on sacrifice and loss is indeed powerful, too powerful to discard, but… I suspect that youngest Ortlinde and young Rossweisse have no wish to have their Verr give up a hand or an eye to carry such strength. Constructive interference, you explained. Light can pile upon light infinitely…”

“No.” I shook my head. “Eventually you reach a point where the energy in one spot becomes too intense, and it collapses into a black hole. Nothing is infinite.”

“That is not relevant.” Verðandi clicked her tongue, matched by another clacking of Skuld’s shears, as if she agreed with her. “My point is… for the Present, control power, do not allow power to control you. Those of us who are truly Divine…” Her gaze seemed to be mocking Tan, who curled her lip. “…sometimes regret the birth of our abilities. After all, is not yours founded on pathetic futility, Taṇhā?”

“It is rather vexing when you speak of it, but… it is true. But I am prepared to shed that shackle, even if the binding gives me strength. There is… another… tie which binds, which I shall soon sever… stop smirking at me, you insolent wretch!” Tan’s phantom flames intensified, and her hand in mine was now nearly searing my skin, and without my high stats it would have been unbearable.

Verðandi was smiling, a faintly knowing grin, which seemed to incense Tan. “You are no better than I in that regard!” Tan spat bitterly. “Besides, while it is… certainly wasteful to change the nature of one’s adherence, and carries certain costs… I believe this one shall in time suit me better. And even if not… I am no less proud than your Valkyrie. My word is given and…” She mumbled something even I couldn’t hear, despite my proximity and high stats, but it seemed that the Norns could.

“How simply… unexpected. But… having woven your thread, I see it all. Your Past, and the Present. Your thirst is painful, yet… you are constantly offered water to quench it. But what you need now is fire.”

“I agree, his Foehn is most delectable, but… I shall not drink from him. I cannot!” Tan insisted angrily, and Verðandi merely raised one pale white eyebrow, her eyes shining golden, though they were starting to shift to a brilliant sky blue, as was her dress.

“I am to satisfy him by answering his question. I would not suggest something so foolish. Why, I would most certainly lose then, and my dear younger sister Skuld would never get her answer. Just as Ortlinde has gained access to this… Foehn, you call it … how interesting…” She blinked for a moment, thrown off, begore she continued. “…so too can you, without destruction. And may my advice satisfy you too, youngest Valkyrie.”

Ortlinde stood to attention proudly, awaiting her words.

“I suggest… you try feeding these flames, which hunger just as our foreign visitor here thirsts. There are… many dangers that beset the border worlds of this Pantheon, and feeding some to the flames might prove… edifying. For you all.”

Ortlinde crossed her arms, clenching her fists and bowed, giving Verðandi her salute. “I shall follow your will…”

“Advice.” she corrected gently, and Ortlinde stumbled.

“…advice then, Divine Verðandi. Though I am loathe to draw upon strength that he might need…”

“If you need it, use it. I’d rather that than see you get hurt or die.” I insisted, and she smiled faintly at me, giving me a hesitant nod. I ignored the smirk from Run beside her, while I listened to Verðandi’s suggestions.

“As for you…” she pressed Tan. “…he is ingenious. He shall work out a way to feed you the flames without disadvantaging himself. Though… the mortal you are inhabiting should be strengthened too. She is far, far too fragile for… the mess you are.” She shook her head. “Eldest Urðr, you saw the Past that created this abomination. What say you?”

Her golden eyes fixed on us. “A hasty, foolish work. Though it would never have succeeded, unless Taṇhā was so inclined. Connections of the Physical and Spiritual… yes, they hold, but… it goes deeper. You are far less selfish than the tales of you would suggest.”

“Hardly.” Tan shifted, obviously embarrassed, and her hand clamped on mine almost uncomfortably. “I am greedy, and I take what I wish. But… I felt a kindred spirit in the princess, and I was unwilling to let her perish. I was also loathe to return to my father and idiotic sisters in disgrace, having failed. Do not mistake me!” she insisted, and I rolled my eyes at Shaeula, who snickered cheekily. Yeah, looks like Tan’s taken the tsundere spot at the moment…

“Regardless of the why… the how is what the Past records. And your link is fundamental. Even separated, each of you will contain specks of the other. That can be used. Though proceed cautiously.” Urðr insisted. “You are an amateur, unaware of what you did and how. Though your flames are certainly unique, as are his. Combine them and you shall surely reach new heights.”

“I would hope you shall not consider this a failure, that eldest Urðr answered in part for me?” Verðandi asked, and I shook my head.

“No, it’s in the spirit of the Trial, I think. Besides, how ungrateful do you think me to turn on someone who is helping me when they don’t have cause to?”

“And what-what of me?” Shaeula asked, a wicked grin on her face. “I too-too need to grow stronger. I have my royal dignity to uphold, do I not-not? Besides… I shall not-not be left behind. Everyone else is working hard-hard. I can do no-no less!”

“You? How… curious. You already have the answer.” Verðandi mused, after examining the threads.

“I do not-not know about you, Akio…” Shaeula shot me a wry look. “But I am not-not satisfied!”

“You should be.” Verðandi countered. “For the seeds are sown, the wind blows, and ripples on water speak to both the Past and Future.”

“Riddles?” Shaeula scoffed. “Very well-well. I shall take you at-at your word, for Akio’s sake if naught else.”

“I am most grateful.” Verðandi was definitely playing with Shaeula, judging by the gleam in her blue eyes. “And that leaves but two. Rossweisse, you need not for me to speak on your future, but… I shall nonetheless, as the Trial dictates. As First Adherent, you hold great power on this Path. Make it your own and help the Path to grow. Pave it outwards, and… consider well your future. One can walk many Paths, but… in the end, only one will carry you furthest.”

“I understand. Your wisdom fills me with awe, Divine Verðandi.” Rose gave the same salute as Lin did. “Though you speak of nothing I wasn’t already resolved to do!”

“Lastly then…” Verðandi ignored her words. “…we have the strangest thread… not here, but a Connection so deep, she is where you are. Fascinating.”

I can hear her. Not through you, but… in my own mind. Eri was amazed. You are always getting into trouble. And today, of all days!

Don’t I know it! Fortunately, time’s flowing faster here, so… we can still manage to make today work!

You’d better! I won’t miss the viewing party at Shaeula’s mansion tonight, I really want to see the culmination of the migration of the Fae Realms, when it finally moves. Shaeula says the moment is unforgettable, even more so than the lightshow now. But before that I have a prior engagement with Hinata and a few others…

“I would speak?” Verðandi declared, and Eri was embarrassed.

Sorry. Go ahead. I’m a little confused by everything happening here, but… I’m listening.

“Very well. You… are a rather unique being. Somehow you have fallen in the cracks between Material and Spiritual. You also have power gifted by another Divinity. An old one indeed. Such Favours as we bring are to be tied to mortals, ordinarily. I have no desire nor need to disclose the reasons for this, as the Trial does not insist on that.” At my nod, she continued, though I had my own suspicions based on what I’d seen and hints from Tan.

“For you… a Gift given is all very well, but what is gifted is not truly yours. Find a way… to become what the Gift embodies, and then, just as with the one who stands at the centre of all this…” Her gleaming blue eyes met my grey ones. “…your Present should be to master your power, not allow it to master you.”

I see. Thank you. I do wonder… the how and the why of why we are suitable for Favours makes me worry a little. But… master it, not let it master me… thank you. That hint is enough.

With Eri seemingly happy and deep in thought, Verðandi raised her arms, and her full Majesty was unleashed. It was as if she was surrounded by a deep blue halo, reflecting off her throne in a myriad of sparkling lights, her white and blue hair blown backwards as if by an invisible breeze, framing her face perfectly. “Very well then. Have I satisfied your curiosity?”

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s been helpful. And I’m not sure you had to go so far, so I have no complaints, and a few ideas.”

“Then it stands one-one to one.” Shaeula was excited. “I did not-not wish our first Trial of Three to reach the final round, for I did-did fear that you would not-not be able to defeat my idiotic brother. I was most-most happy to be proven wrong, and… despite the fear, it was-was exciting, yes?”

As I laughed in rueful remembrance, Tan’s lips curled into a pout. “I have heard of this. The princess and I are rather disappointed we did not get to see such heroics. I daresay he was quite dashing… so the princess says.” Tan hurried to clarify, ignoring Shaeula’s knowing snickers. “This hardly has the sense of martial valour, but… it is no less a thrilling tale. Facing three Goddesses of Fate is a story that shall be forged into myths as ages pass. Myths.” she repeated, her lips twitching.

“Perhaps.” Shaeula agreed. “What does-does matter is that a Trial should proceed to the end. I see-see that now. So…” She sneered at Skuld, with her hair half black and half white, her eyes a mixture of silver and gold. “…little one, ask me again your very-very foolish question.”

“Little? She calls me little, sisters?” Skuld asked, seeming almost offended. Yes, she seemed young, and her twin braids only accentuated that, it being a hairstyle favoured by girls in Japan, more than women, but with her stunning, unearthly beauty and charm she certainly seemed older, and stood a little taller, than Shaeula.

“I do not-not mean in size, nor age…” Shaeula was enjoying riling up her opponent. Truly, she had little fear nowadays, which made me worry. I need to keep an eye on her, in case she lets her old arrogance return in a different way. “…for yes, I am quite-quite sure you are far older than I. But… in character. Understanding. Your question was quite-quite frankly… insulting. So ask again, so we can-can be done with this. I am missing out on my birthday as we speak! Oh, and stop toying with those damn-damn shears. It does not-not intimidate us, you have no-no right to snip our threads!”

The Valkyrie looked equal parts horrified and awed at Shaeula’s insult, though Run was hiding laughter behind one hand, rather poorly, as all of us could see and hear it. Skuld seemed taken aback as well, shears freezing open mid snip. Slowly she lowered her hand, eyes now all silver glaring into Shaeula’s. “Do you think I could not? Elder sister Verðandi has weaved you on her loom. But I am here to ask, yes? So listen well. I demand an answer to why these chaotic and miscoloured threads should not be snipped free, to restore the purity of the tapestry. The spinning, the weaving or the cutting, none must be disarrayed. Order must be preserved, the grand design perfect, as Yggdrasil, the Allfather and Fate demands.”

“Simplicity itself!” Shaeula didn’t release my hand she was holding, but her free hand was placed on her hips, accentuating her arrogance. “I am a princess, you see-see! I of course know much-much about art. There are many-many tapestries in my father’s halls. I am sure you must-must be aware that all of them are different. Some-some depict animals, others Fae, or landscapes. In the mortal world, there are even more-more styles of artistic endeavour. Ones we Fae have not-not even considered.”

“Are you trying to claim a woven tapestry of lives and fates, of Past, Present and Future, is mere art?” Skuld seemed displeased.

“I am making a point-point. Again with the questions. It seems all you do is ask them. Curious.” Shaeula’s lips curled into a cheeky smirk. She turned to me then. “Since the first Goddess spoke during the second’s Trial, I do-do trust you will not-not object if Akio helps me just-just a little? A Goddess is surely not-not less generous that us, yes?”

Skuld’s head twitched, and her braids swung. If this was a manga, I imagined her braids would be sticking up like the tails of an angry cat. She narrowed her ever-shifting eyes, and merely nodded slowly, so Shaeula turned to me.

“I remember talk-talk of ‘fractals’ before. How the large and the small are linked, in an ever-ever repeating patten.”

“That’s right. There’s a lot of natural fractals, snowflakes, trees, seashells… there are a few scientists who suggest the universe itself is fractal. Oh… I get it. You’re suggesting that the tapestry itself might have fractal-like properties.”

Shaeula nodded proudly. “Yes.” She eyed Skuld proudly. “I am not-not clever and learned, not-not like Arisu. But I do enjoy discovering more-more about the new world I find myself in. That does not-not mean the ways of the Fae are wrong, far-far from it, but… equally, they are not-not flawless. A combination is best. Now… you say your threads are miscoloured, such-such a foolish term. But surely, that very much-much depends on the scale you are looking at. Your tapestry… it surely does not-not exist to manage the life and doings of every single being within these vast realms. It would be quite-quite impossible, even for the Gods.”

“Yeah. You’d have to be Laplace’s Demon for that to work.” I interjected, and Skuld’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Are you calling us, the noble Norns, Goddesses of Fate, filthy Demons?” she asked, and I shook my head.

“It’s a thought experiment. If a mysterious, extremely intelligent being knew the exact position and momentum of every single particle within the universe, then not only could it perfectly predict the future, but also reconstruct the past too. Seems a bit like what you three do. Of course, that’s impossible. For a number of reasons.” I didn’t have any free hands to list them off, so made do with words. “Firstly, Heisenberg’s Uncertainly Principle proves that you can’t know the exact position and momentum of any particle at the same time. There’s also the fact that we think the quantum works in probabilities, rather than discrete behaviors.” Honestly that’s all I know about it. I don’t remember why. Arisu-san could certainly explain it though. But it’s one of these trivia facts most people know, even if like me they don’t understand it fully. Although… If I read the underlying ideas my stats would certainly enable me to understand the mathematics simply enough.

“Even disregarding those problems… the processing power required to calculate everything would be impossible to constrain. Even information has limits in how dense it can be packed before it collapses into a black hole. It would need to be outside the universe it was observing, and then… observing a thing is changing a thing. No, in terms of Material Laws, it’s simply impossible. Though…” I grimaced. “I’m trying to work out if it would be possible via other methods. Though when I consider it… I think I’ve got a decent amount of processing power now. My mental Statistics are incredible, and I can create Split Thoughts, multiplying that… but even if I had a hundred times the Intellect and Alacrity, and could create dozens more Split Thoughts… there’s no way I could keep all the population of Japan in my mind at once, let alone Earth, or the wider universe. And this Pantheon is huge, right? Though perhaps with some… assistive devices…” I glanced at Verðandi’s loom. “…and unique Skills, as well as perhaps adherence… who knows? But I have my suspicions…”

“Which I share.” Shaeula agreed, waving her free hand. “We know-know you are powerful, but not-not all-powerful. Your tapestry… I dare-dare say you can indeed examine any threads you wish, likely many, many thousands, tens of thousands, perhaps millions at once. But-but… are there not teeming trillions, more-more, woven within? So… the pattern of your weaving is to be-be observed at scale. A few discordant threads, when you zoom-zoom out… will still vanish into the pattern of the tapestry. Even should-should the colours bleed, on larger scales… it is all-all the same, I would think.”

“Small changes can create great disasters. A raven flaps its wings, and a storm rocks the other side of a world.” Skuld insisted. “And the threads here are not mere birds, but powerful, nobler Valkyrie. And the Fruit itself was a thread. Can you not see the dangers?”

“I see-see you are deliberately being obtuse. Or downplaying your strengths, perhaps-perhaps.” Shaeula shrugged. “If such small deviations can ruin your weaving, you are not-not good craftswomen, none of you.” Shaeula’s smile was now wickedly mocking. “Our tapestry may not-not be as bold or as colourful as yours…” She turned her amber gaze on me, her smile now bright and triumphant. “…but-but none of us feared the weaving of it. Tsukiko’s thread was to be cut-cut untimely, and indeed it was. But we did not-not falter. We mourned, and we acted. And her thread is now weaved once-once more. Are we better than you, the so-called Goddesses of Past, Present and Future?”

Yeah, Shaeula’s got great talents at being annoyingly arrogant, holdovers from her misspent youth, no doubt, but… she’s not wrong here.

“I understand you want-want your weaving to be perfect, and that is quite praiseworthy, but… art is not-not sterile. A happy accident, an unplanned deviation, may often create something you did not-not expect, yet is greater than you envisaged. Your end-end goal is the safety and prosperity of this realm, no? Then you have not-not lost anything, you have merely gained the opportunity to see-see our shining colours woven in the future. Though do not-not seek to manipulate us. We only care-care for those Akio has chosen and those who support us. Though if they ask-ask for aid for those they cherish, we shall answer.” After her long speech, she took a breath, before grinning mockingly. “So, Goddess, is your resolve, your-your talent, lesser than ours, or shall you show us just how-how a true master of her craft wields her shears?”

“Of course I shall!” For once Skuld wasn’t asking a question, and her tone was aggrieved. “I guide all to their proper end!”

Shaeula released my hand and brought her palms together with a satisfied clap. “It is settled then. I am quite-quite glad you are not-not merely a hypocrite, or all-all talk. I believe we win then? Although…” She stared at the three Goddesses coldly. “This was all-all a farce, was it not-not?”

“Not the entirety of it.” Urðr declared, as Skuld’s bad mood vanished instantly, a faint, knowing smile on her lips, and Verðandi leaned back on her own throne, amused, her dress now once more a regal white. “I am curious, when did you notice?”

“We noticed from the start.” Tan scoffed. “Do not think us fools, just because we have not your vaunted powers. This was far too trivial a task. Besides… were you to punish the Valkyrie, nothing we could do would stop you. Therefore, this is just mummery, a farce.”

“You are mistaken.” Urðr’s gaze swept over the silent Valkyrie. “We can turn a blind eye to much, let it fall obscured within the tapestry. But by Sigrún’s own Laws, Rossweisse and Ortlinde have not been given permission to relinquish their status as Choosers of the Slain and marry. That we cannot ignore… fortunately…”

As the Valkyrie in question began to sweat, others, such as Run and green-haired Waltraute enjoying their discomfort, Skuld spoke. “It is unlikely, by the weavings of the potential futures, that Sigrún shall return here shortly. When battle calls and great strength is needed, she is there. We will not go to the front to seek her out, we have our own endeavours.”

“It seems you have delayed your punishments.” Verðandi smiled softly. “In this Present, there is naught to fear. Though, in the Presents yet to come…” Her beautiful lips were glistening, and back in the Fae realms my almost recovered body was torched by both Tan and Shaeula, the pair gleefully tormenting me for my own good and to soothe their irritation. I blinked, biting my lip, steeling myself, as it seemed the Charm of the three Goddesses was increasing now.

“…you had best prepare yourselves, and your excuses.” Verðandi finished knowingly.

“We would rather prepare… compensation, and results.” Lin insisted. “Even so, mighty Sigrún may still be unmoved by our pleas. But…” She shook her head. “…if our Verr begs for clemency, likely we will be spared any fate crueller than the Repentant. Divine Sigrún is harsh, but she loves her younger sisters so, even those few of us who stray.”

“Damn right I’ll beg.” I promised. “And apologise. And offer results.” I glanced at the sparkling threads woven into the loom. “I’m curious. Just how powerful is your knowledge?”

“You wrong us, comparing us to a mere Demon.” Urðr laughed. “Your thread is faint but was pulled by me the moment you accepted youngest Valkyrie Ortlinde’s aid. Once you were dragged here before, that thread grew brighter. Still ephemeral, distant, but… you underestimate the majesty of controlling a world, of being an Astral Empress. We sisters can indeed, by working together, enhance our strengths and knowledge not threefold, but ninefold. And Urðarbrunnr reflects all wisdom clearly, for it is the wellspring of our strengths. None but we noticed your presence here. Even Divine Tyr would not feel the weak strand of his Truesoul at this distance, especially not when it is… mixed… with the scent of imperious Yggdrasil.”

“In the Present, we see all within the Nine Realms that dwell in the shade of Yggdrasil. Though you are not mistaken. It is impossible for all things to occupy us. But… threads disarrayed, shining brightly… they we can see.”

“And problems must be… made orderly again.” Skuld waved her shears, though didn’t open and close them this time, perhaps remembering the gentle mockery of earlier. “But… the tapestry grows frayed at the edges, the colours darkening. And while no weaving is complete without dark colours, just as without despair and fear, there can be no glory and bravery… this is not the darkness of such, but of… complete dissolution. Of absence and ruin. From without…”

“Our knowledge extends only to those threads I have pulled, Verðandi spins, and Skuld snips. Though those who trespass, we can often find their threads, see how they affect the weaving. Even those who leave our realms, and venture far… their threads grow dim, but they are still ours. Yet these… they have no threads to pull and ruin the purity of the tapestry. And the future grows dark.”

“The Valkyrie must and shall be punished.” Urðr declared, and they accepted it with stoic grace. “But… it shall be deferred, as agreed. Just as the Allfather sometimes disguises himself to test the worthy, this shall be a test of their worthiness, and yours. Make haste. Knowledge given is knowledge treasured. Yggdrasil is knowledge itself.”

“Besides…” Skuld spoke up. “We would not be the cause of the destruction of your world. We are not that petty tyrant, who would destroy what he cannot have. And were I to sever their threads…” Her knowing, slightly teasing look, so at odds with her past behaviour surprised me. “…I may not be a Valkyrie, but it would dismay me to sever the thread of a worthy warrior untimely. And the aftermath would sunder the shell that incubates your fragile world.”

“I dare say you wish to say your farewells, for I doubt you shall return here soon.” Verðandi waved her hand tipped with bright green nails. “Keeping this world closed will draw attention, and though we keep our word, there are those who are impulsive. I am loathe to involve Forseti and ask for mediation.”

“He is so very trying. Always so talkative…” Skuld complained, sheathing her shears in her belt. At that, Rose came forwards, expression rather guilty, the shard of silver metal in her hands.

“I… shall return this. I didn’t steal it, but…”

Skuld took the metal shard from her and grimaced. “Reckless. And insulting, that you think we sisters were unaware of your appropriation. But…” Skuld’s eyes suddenly swirled with both silver and gold, glowing brilliantly. “…your Truesoul is wounded. You have not the wisdom nor the strength to create your own Divine Favours. No, this was… somewhat different. No wonder…” She toyed with the broken piece of metal. “It is a thread I could cut, but… severing such a Connection would be too cruel. But you must be cautious, young Rossweisse. Your scarred Truesoul is leaking soullight, and while we know such wounds can heal in time… your League is insufficient for it to heal quickly.” She then muttered in a small, irritated voice. “They owe me for this… Ivaldi’s sons are greedy and surly…”

I must have looked concerned, as Rose waved a hand. She poked at my fake form a little regretfully. “Don’t worry. I may be reckless, but… no more so than you. Challenging the Norns for us… it’s a shame you aren’t here, isn’t that right, Lin?” She winked at her youngest sister.  “We could have enjoyed the brúð-nótt with all our sisters wishing us well, and even the Goddesses of Fate in attendance. Wouldn’t we be blessed?”

Seeing Lin pause, her expression one of shock, amused me. She turned her head as though her neck was rusty, slowly gazing between me and Rose, before she shook her head, crimson hair falling over her face, covering her, though I could still see her golden eyes through her bangs. “I think… that would be rather hasty. I am unprepared, and… what would Divine Sigrún say…”

“Probably best to enjoy ourselves and have the bridal night before she finds out… if we are going to receive punishment, we should make sure we deserve it!” Rose replied without shame. Lin ignored her, to finally address me.

“I should thank you. You came for us, fearing we were in danger. Though…” Her golden eyes, partially veiled by crimson, were stern. “Never neglect your own concerns. Your own world. Much as it warmed our hearts you were prepared for this end…  if you fail to realise your potential, after the aid you have been given… I fear I would be disappointed. And… I do not want that.”

“Yes, our Verr must not be a failure, a coward or lazy.” Rose chuckled. “Our littlest sister is most certainly adorable. I like to think I am rather so myself.” I nodded, and she flushed prettily. “Well then… sisters, say your farewells. Though I suspect when we meet again will be sooner than even Divine Skuld of the Future thinks…”

One by one the remaining Valkyrie wished us well, while Rose and Lin began to talk with Shaeula and Tan, and a barrier of wind was raised by Lin so I couldn’t hear their words. I could have lipread, but that seemed churlish, so…

From powerful Gerhilde, motherly Brunnhilde, calm Helmwige, mighty Grimgerde, through to tempestuous Schwertliete, cheeky Siegrune… Run… and sly Waltraute, I received their gratitude and advice. When that was done, it seemed the conversation between the others had finished, and Urðr raised a hand.

“This is a matter of… troubling… secrecy. The Compacts… while not addressing this nigh-unprecedented situation, will prove troublesome, so… we officially concede this Trial of Three you speak of.” Shaeula blinked then, as aether and adherence surged around her. I felt it too, seeping into me, not unlike when we won the first Trial, though my knowledge of adherence then was non-existent, so I surely missed much. “And…. Skuld… your shears…”

“This is a great deal of trouble.” Skuld was grumbling again, acting surprisingly like the younger girl she appeared. Opening her blades, she raised one hand, her hair darkening to black in an instant. “May the threads of knowledge be severed. None shall connect their presence to here!” Brilliant violet light exploded around us, and I felt my consciousness waver for a moment, all my thoughts now concentrated back in the Fae Realms, and judging by Shaeula and Tan’s equally dazed and confused expressions they too had been booted back.

I’ll miss you, but… to my good fortune, this bond is sweet. Rose’s thoughts echoed in my mind. She’s very jealous. As I am sure are many others…

Yeah, it’s getting crowded in my mind for sure…

Don’t worry, everything is in hand here. At least for now. But hurry, Lin and I very much wish you to come claim us before Sigrún returns. If you can impress her enough that she understands we had no choice but to make you ours, we might just get away lightly punished!

No pressure then. But… I’ll do my best.

“So, welcome back. I was kind of shut out of everything when that Goddess waved her hand…” Haru greeted us, and then her expression changed, to one of fake, teasing annoyance. “I knew it. You forgot all about me, surely ogling those Goddesses and those Valkyrie. I’m so hurt…” She clutched her chest theatrically. “…if I wasn’t already dead I’d have perished from grief. And speaking of things you’ve forgotten…” She pointed to a small, green-skinned figure who was wrapped in a fluffy blanket, bare feet dangling out the bottom, her hands clutching a mug of some hot, sweet-smelling drink. Small horns jutted through her long silver hair, and her eyes were large, not unpleasantly so, but a little bigger than expected, and they shone with a rich, emerald glint, darker than the pale greenish hue of her skin.

Aine. She’s… awake…

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