The change in her younger sister set a new spark in Shyael and found herself visiting the fountain chamber for more uplifting reasons. She continued to watch over her small soldier. At first out of mere curiosity but now she was drawn to him in the most mysterious ways. She forever waited for that moment when he would reach his limit and break.

Instead, he won her over when he risked his own life to jump on a grenade without hesitation to save those who cared little for his life. It was in that moment that his fate was decided by her, whatever this human hoped to achieve he would greatly do so through her. She would become his valor.

Shyael was interrupted by the chamber doors behind her. Quickly she swiped and cleared all images of Midgard. Her time in the chamber wasn't unusual and should raise no question, still, she calmly rose to her feet and turned to leave. Jote came into view and blocked her path. Jote was the highest rank Valkyrie, The queens right hand. She was the judge and executioner of the laws they must follow.

The two were not on equal terms by any means.

"Do you require something from me Jote?" Shyael spoke emotionless to her higher rank. If ever given the chance to knock her off her pedestal Shyael would gladly do it for free.

"I do actually. You sister."

"She has been upholding a more than accepting attitude as of late," Shyael added, "What would you possibly want with her?"

"Really?" Jote smiled. Her fiery red locks lay past her shoulders and her wicked smiled brought out her sharp jawline. Jote was like a carved goddess in stone.

"She was not found at the training fields today, her absences are becoming inexcusable." Jote's fiery red hair laid past her shoulders, each in a perfect set like she was a sculpted goddess. But her eyes were dark and was nothing remotely compared to the Justice she stood for.

"If it is a crime to wonder on one's own then I too am guilty."

"Yes." Jote looked around Shyael suspiciously "What business do you have with the fountain realm?"

"What business is it of yours Jote? Last I recall they have a placing in each wing and The West Wing fountain belongs to me."

"Indeed and they are only to be used under Odin's command," Jote said frustrated "As for your sister-"

"You will leave my sister in my charge." Shyael finished

Scorned and irritated Jote spun on her heel and stomped away.

Once gone Shyael released the breath she had been holding for the last minute. It was exhausting, puffing her chest and standing straighter around Jote. Like a Red Robin declaring dominance. Jote she could handle, however, her sisters vanishing acts were beginning to become all too noticeable among the Farplane.

Not causing distress among the others, Shyael searched the farplane for her sister. Finally spotting her in the grand hallway that lead to the entrance and the portal to Heimdall.

Lifting the tips of her dress from the ground Shyael paced herself down the stairs to meet her.

"Where have you gone?" Shyael scorned "I've been searching the nine realms for you!"

"I've been right here."

Shyael raised an eyebrow "You are a horrible liar."

Tira's eyes widened for the first time around her sister, she never could get anything past the war Valkyrie. "Shy-"

"Where?" Shyael said more forcefully

"I returned the book."

"This long?" she questioned, "I said at first sunrise weeks ago!"

" I didn't want to draw suspicion."

"Stalling draws suspicion." Shyael scorned once more. "Whatever reason drew you there you are not to go near it again."

"But sister I just-"

"Whatever business you have in Asgard I forbid it!"

Tira took a breath, she looked like she was almost about to cry but she held back her tears strongly. "Why must you be so cruel?"

"I'm trying to keep you alive! Odin does not take rebellion lightly."

"So you would easily break me if it meant keeping me tamed and chained to a wall."

"If it goes against the laws, then yes."

"That's all you care about is Asgard absurd laws!"

"Tira," Shyael warned with a growl.

"You have no love in your heart!" Tira burst, "No compassion, I am a prisoner here!"

With that, she stormed down the hall and disappeared deeper into the Farplane. Shyael rubbed her brow, with each passing day her headache grew. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her sister, but her words were a light lashing compared to what events would take place if she were caught by the King of Asgard. Odin was a kind man, yes, but he was also string and strict. It is what makes him such a great ruler that he is, to go against him would be most awful.

After a long sigh Shyael waved a hand over her face, her crystal mask appeared. She then opened the double doors into the gateway room, there she entered the portal and that brought her down to the Gatekeeper of Asgard. He kept his expression gentle but stern as the gatekeeper held strongly onto his sword. With awkward ease, Shyael approached him. When she reached the bottom of his steps he gave her a bow, she returned his greeting with her own.

"What brings you here on the fine evening milady?"

"Heimdall, I'm here concerning my sister. do you have information on the whereabouts of Tira."

"I see many things but not all." he sighed deeply "She has been passing in and out of Asgard many times but once within the privacy of the fortress I am blind."

Shyael felt a squeeze in her heart. "Many times she has gone forth."

Heimdall nodded in agreement, "For several moons."

Shyael gasped. Has it truly been that long? She felt like she had just been punched in the stomach. Taking a deep breath she began to pace back and forth, deciding how to handle this situation discreetly. "Who else knows of this?"

"No one," Heimdall spoke, "It is not the gatekeepers place to meddle in other affairs, especially a Valkyries."

Shyael bowed once more, "Thank you Heimdall. Please tell no one, I shall take care of this matter immediately."

"As you wish."

Shyael took her leave and returned through the gateway and back to the great hall of Valhalla. Looking upon its hall of white stone, Shyael felt relaxed. The ceiling was laced with beautiful golden shields worn from the past Gods...Every time she gazed upon them nearly overwhelmed her. When she gazed down Jote stood several feet across the room. Her Fuchsia gown nearly touching the floor, her arms were at her side when Shyael spotted her, her face ever so grim.

"Odin has requested your presence at once."

What could Odin possibly want at such a late hour? Had she been wrong? Did Heimdall speak to him before she did or had Jote found out about her sister? Jote's spirit animal was the Harpy Eagle, after all, one of the largest, fiercest birds of prey.

With it she had the power of Hallucikinesis, the ability to cast any illusion, changing her appearances and her surroundings. Their powers, personal and Valkyrie given alike only worked on mortals, it had no effect on each other. Therefore, if Jote had tried to hide behind her power Shyael or Tira could easily detect her.

She followed behind Jote in silence and watched as she drew a glyph on the stone with her fingers. It glowed under her touch and a portal opened in the circular doorway behind it. Together the stepped through the portal and appeared in another part of Odin's palace.

Shyael held her stubborn silence until they reached the throne room. There he sat on his throne, taking to his feet as they entered the room. They wore no mask in the presence of their king, but they did have them magically set in the crest of their headbands in case they were ever needed. Shyael took her bow and paid her respects to the king, while silently waiting for what would come next.

"Shyael," Odin began, "Jote informs me that you have been keeping secrets from the rest of the guild and from me."

Shyael swallowed hard but her face remained firm. Had her sisters action finally cost them both a great deal of agony? Was there nothing she could do to fix this. Many thoughts ran through her mind but she was good at keeping them hidden. Especially in front of Jote who had become such a spiteful Valkyrie.

"You have my apologies, your majesty." Shyael began, "If I have wronged you so terribly I accept any form of punishment."

"Apologizes are not inquired but I would like to be informed of such acts before unchangeable events were to take place, then I would be the one taking action."

"My Lord please, I can explain."

Odin threw up his hand and silenced her. He turned to his side and casually place his hands behind his back. "I do not take custom into letting Valkyries assist soldiers in their battles, especially those from other realms."

Shyael blinked a few times, confusion set in. "Assisting soldiers sir?"

Odin turned back around to face her "Yes. You have taken a mortal recruit under your wing, A Midgardian, have you not?"

Relief dropped over her like soft sheer, her shoulders relaxed slightly. She surely thought she was in for it due to her young sister's whereabouts. But it was in fact about the newly found soldier she had been watching through the fountain.

"Yes, sir," she spoke standing more proudly.

"Interesting to see you support someone with such low ability to do...well anything," Jote smiled with spite. "Has our weapons specialist lowered her standards of war."

Shyael shot a glare at the Harpy Valkyrie but continued to face the king. "I have not altered any change by any means, I simply placed an opportunity in front of him. I left him at his own free will. I was simply curious...that is all"

"Curiosity can be a dangerous infatuation," Odin added. There was silence, Shyael watched as the king paced in front of the girls until his mind was made up. "Well then, I will demand an update from your small project by the end of the week. However, next time request my blessing before alternating events of the war.

Jote's smile quickly faded as she stepped forward. "You will not stop this? She has gone behind your back."

"It is not a crime to assist warriors through battle, the thrill of a fight is a Valkyries nature after all." Odin smiled, "It is as you said Jote, interesting that she has chosen one with such low exceptions. I too am quite curious as to why you have chosen such an individual."

Shyael was quite pleased with Odin's answer but more importantly, Jote's look of sheer disgust. Still, Shyael would have to far more careful in the future if she wanted to avoid these awkward encounters.

"You shall continue with your little soldier experiment on one condition, you must take my orders first before proceeding with your own."

"Yes, your Majesty." Shyael bowed happily

Jote was still unpleasant as always "Your Majesty I insist-"

"That is all." Odin turned away.

Both Valkyries dared not linger, they took there leave and headed back to the Farplane.

Apart from her scorning with Jote, the Justice Valkyrie made sure to give them quite the work load in preparing the warriors for the final battle. Seasons may change in Valhalla, but time itself was unlimited. One thing Shyael did notice was her sister's performance in training the men, it not only greatly improved but she seemed happier. A smile began to form from her lips as she stood there watching her sister on the field.

"My my....almost got a smile out of you." Norma said approaching her friend "I only see you smile when you've triumph at war....or fallen men."

"Now, the fall of men is not the only thing that brings me joy."

"Oh?" Norma grinned "Shyael, Vector of the Heavens no longer wishes to belittle men?"

"Firstly, I have no need to belittle men when I'm already above them. Secondly, I have taken in my own warrior to turn into a hero."

"A hero?" Norma raised an eyebrow "Oh do tell dear friend and point him out on the field, which is he?"

"He is not of this realm," Shyael spoke proudly.

"Odin has allowed you to take from another realm?"

"And scorned Jote in the process when she tried to shut me down."

"So that explains this workload on our shoulders this morning, it was your fault."

Shyael smiled wider "You know you enjoy the extra push, especially when its fueled by Jote's failing frustration."

"Guilty." Norma smiled "And let's hope your warrior succeed so that I can enjoy more of Jotes failures."

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Author's Note.

Another chapter, another day! What do you think of the story thus far and what do you think will happen next?

The gif is of the beautiful Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, the cast for Shyael.