Dawn broke over the horizon and a shining aurora of the morning took the skies of Valhalla. Looking up the sea of stars could still be seen; even in daylight, they sparkled like jewels. With a full night's rest, despite the rowdiness of a drunk prince, Shyael took a walk through the golden fields.

As she walked, Shyael observed her fellow warriors as they trained for whatever fight may come. Stopping, she took interest in a Valkyrie taking on a swarm with a claymore to her backside.

That was Norma the Vigorous, one of the headstrong of Valkyries and Shyaels best friend. She was headstrong, fast and kind. She was one to be fierce on the battlefield but most gentle with a child in her arms. Her symbolic bird was the red-tailed hawk, a most fitting choice in Shyael's opinion.

Every Valkyrie had a bird, a symbolic messenger that passes through the realms. These winged creatures brought aid to the Valkyries when needed, but also serve as spiritual power, a totem so to speak. Reaching the ends of the field she took in the great waterfall flowing over the edge of their realm. Much like Asgard, their souls could be lost in astral grounds if one should take a leap.

A solid white barn owl flew down to her, perching on the post beside her. A soft welcoming screech came from its beak. Shyael smiled and brushed her fingers down the silk feathers of the owl's back.

"Hello, Spectra, my love. How are winds these days?"

The owl replied by crawling up on her shoulders and burying her face into Shy's hair. The white barn owl was her spirit animal, though often mocked for being chosen by such bird, Shyael loved the animal more than most people. Unlike most birds of prey, the barn owl was the smartest and most productive.

With it, she has the best intuition and wisdom. Spectra was named after her ghost-like appearances and spiritual energy. Because of this, Shyaels wings matched that of Spectra's. Solid white with tips of tan spotting her shoulders.

Receiving enough attention from her master, Spectra flew away and vanished into the light of the diamond sky. Shyael took the notion to check on her beloved sister before her work began. She had no word of her since the night before, Shyael worried that she may have hate for her.

Passing the archery range, she found her sister instructing warriors and installing new skills to their aid. Her sister had wings of cream; they were small but full of potential. Her spirit bird was the Swan. It's radiant beauty, curiosity and innocence fit her sister - perhaps a little too well.

"You are worried." A voice spoke behind her.

Viera, dressed in black with trims of deep violet, approached her side. Her Raven perched at her shoulders as she caressed the bird's feathery chest. She was the Valkyrie Assassin and master of witchcraft and poisons. This expressed well in her witch-like appearance, but Viera was as caring as Tira.

The only difference is Viera would not hesitate to end another life under any circumstances. Viera followed her own code, one which Shyael did not quite understand.

"Perhaps I was too harsh." Shyael frowned. "I lecture her far too much."

"You are her older sister; you only want what best for her. If she becomes half the Valkyrie that you are then you have not failed."

"I do hope you are right."

Shyael knew she was probably just overreacting on the actions of her sister, but she couldn't shake this weary feeling that something bad was coming. Something that can't be avoided. These feelings were usually spot on with time and beyond the most brutal outcome.

When night had come across the plane, training was done. A feast had been endured and now it was time to rest among the stars. Quietly, Shyael made her way through the dark halls of the white fortress. Other Valkyries moved along the halls like ghosts fading in and out of existence.

She was still not ready for sleep, instead, her feet took her far into the East Wing to her sister's room. Tira was sitting in the window seat gazing at the sea of stars. Upon seeing Shyael enter the room, Tira jumped up and threw her arms around her neck. Embracing her with that same sweet smile.

"So, you do not hate me?" Shyael smiled back.

"We always have our fits, but we are still sisters." Tira smiled brightly "What is there to hate?"

Shyael walked around the room, studying it. Her sister always did keep her chamber interesting. Collecting odds and ends of battle and often swiping priceless trinkets from Odin's palace.

"You seem distracted as of late," Shyael noted. "Has the last battle worn on your mind?"

"Distracted? Me? You must be mistaking." Tira moved uneasily around the room.

Realizing the book of poems was resting open on her desk, Tira slipped over and blocked her sisters view by standing in front of it. A huge mistake on her part. Shyael turned a heel just as she did so.

"What are you hiding?" Shyael's words echoed into Tira's mind.

"Nothing." Tira smiled

The smile quickly faded as Shyael approached her sister with haste. When their faces were just inches away from each other she reached around her sister and picked up the book. Instantly knowing it was not one of a Valkyrie, she slammed it shut and glared at her sister.

"This! Where did you get it?"

"What? You're not going to scorn me in your mind?" Tira barked sarcastically. Shyael was not one to yell in front of others yet she had no problem burning her sister for every little mistake.

"Tira!" Shyael burst

"I found it at the banquet."

"You stole it?" Shyael proclaimed

"Not exactly." Tira winced not wanting to mention her encounter with Loki. With one touch Shyael could easily scan her memories, then what would she do? "I was going to return it soon I swear."

Like an overwhelmed parent, Shyael exhaled and rubbed her brow. "Tira we have been over this. These books are not meant for our eyes! They will consume us, fill our heads with pointless dreams."

"No, they don't!" Tira argued back, her soul burned as her sister crushed the things she loved "Why can't you see what I see? Why are you afraid of things different from you?"

"I am not afraid."

"Then what is it?" Tira shouted.

"You know nothing of the world Tira."

"Oh, and you do?"

Shyael was far from ready to deal with such a conversation. It was too late in the evening for headaches like this. "You will return this book at first light and will speak of its contents no more"

Turning, she took her leave before her younger sister could have a chance to make this already bad night much worse.

Tira stood there awkwardly and bit her lip. She had a special ability when it came to getting on her sister's nerve and often disappointed her.

Hours passed before the young sister took up the courage and searched for her sister. Shyael never held grudges but could be flaming for days. Tira hoped an apology would lighten the mood before the next palace meeting, she didn't like the idea of being locked in her room while others went in her stead.

Entering the west wing, she passed her sister's main corridors into the fountain chamber. A dark yet holy room the flowed with the secret waters of the realm. It is these very waters that allow Valkyries to taste Heimdall's power and glance into the universe and even influence outcomes without leaving the farplane. With such a gift also means severe danger and should not be taken lightly.

There in the center of the room, Shyael rested on the stone seal surrounding the silent pools of water. Just beyond her reach was the fountain itself, a wall of water stretching into the dark abyss. If one stepped through, they could destroy their mind and be lost to the void if not given the strength. As guardian of the west wing fountain, Shyael often took refuge here when her mind was troubled. She found the dark atmosphere and faint crystal light most soothing.

"I thought I would find you here," Tira spoke as she took soft steps towards her sister.

"Why do you invade me this way?" Shyael twirled her finger slightly in the water. "Leave me alone."

"You're my only sister, that means you'll never be alone."

Shyael swiped the water with her hand and images of Midgard appeared in the water's reflection. "One of the most interesting yet forsaken realms. For decades I have studied its people, countless wars and unnecessary deaths happen all because these people desire unreachable things."

"Is this how you lecture me now?"

"I'm trying to show you such an outcome if one falls, since my words do not seem to reach you."

"I have heard this story before." Tira groaned as she flopped down next to her sister. "The balance will be thrown, we will fall from Grace. Bad things will happen."

"You mock me, but do you truly know what it means to fall from Grace Tira?" Shyael spoke more sternly "It is not about losing our wings or our powers, we will lose who we are. There is no place in their world for people like us. We would fade... we would die."

Guilty, Tira lowered her head and gazed upon the dark water, daring herself not to touch it.

"I cannot allow you to fade," Shyael added. "Your loss will mean mine as well."

Tira released a long sigh. "I suppose I understand."

Shyael continued to trace her fingers across the water's surface, studying events of Midgard that seemed to be leading to yet another war. Their overly crowded streets congested with people thirsting for the next biggest gossip. Soldiers were arriving, ready to take up arms.

There was a young man, quite small for the average male, getting jumped in an alley by someone three times his size. She sighed and folded her arms in disbelief. Curious, Tira turned and glanced down at the water.

"You've watched this one many times before, he is an odd one. I wonder if it's fear or courage that drives him to these things."

"Stubbornness is more fitting." Shyael tilted her head. Over and over as he got punched and every time he climbed back to his feet. "Resistant as well."

"Why not aid him?" Tira suggested

Shyael blinked at her sister then laughed "Aid him? My dear sister, I make warriors and that mouse has more dents than a Viking's shield."

"But he has a strong heart."

"No," Shyael corrected. "He has a hard head and should quit while his bones are still intact."

Tira pulled the book of poems from her satchel and held it in her lap. "Sometimes we expose ourselves to pain just so we know how to feel."

"Return it," Shyael spoke without even gazing at the book, "and we will not speak of this again."

Tira smiled and held the book close to her chest. Not taking her sisters act of mercy lightly, she got to her feet and cradled the book. "I will return it... before the red sun rises."

"And you will come back empty-handed, no one shall lay eyes on you."

"You have my word." Tira had to stop herself from skipping out of the fountain hall. Discreetly she rushed to her room and closed the door, before returning the book she decided to rewrite some of the poems for herself.

In silence once more, Shyael focused on the events that formed such a weak human. Finding himself in military halls gazing at artifacts at war. She could see his pain, the desire in his eyes to join his friend on the battlefield.

Tira was correct, his heart was a strong one, but his frail body would never allow the intensity of combat. Her curiosity about his ambition fascinated her, but she admired his will more than anything. What would he do if given the opportunity? If, for once, he was not denied.

It was against the rules to manipulate one's fate and meddle in affairs that are not their own, but if this man wanted war than he shall have it. Opening her mind, she listened to the many conversations around his area. The sounds, music, and overall noise was troublesome. How could one live in such racket?

Her search was short as her focus was brought to a man no more than a few feet away from the weakling. He was an alchemist of sorts, looking for a specimen for this warrior's project. Unaware of what that project may involve, Shyael took this as a positive sign. A soft light emerged from her fingertips as she activated the waters sensory. Leaning down to the pool until her lips almost touched the surface.

"Look up," she whispered.

The man pulled from his crowded daze and subconsciously raised his gaze. Doing so, he was able to catch the ending conversation of the weakling's desperation of war to a friend. Once alone the man approached him. Shyael's heart fluttered as she watched what had just been put into motion. She had twisted his fate and now there was no going back.

Who knows, maybe he would find what he was looking for...

And maybe by doing so, she would mend the bond with her most beloved sister.

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Author's note.

Another chapter up! Hope you enjoyed this one and the small yet very important glimpse of a certain Marvel character ;)