The End of the Trial

So focused was she on her destination, Astria did not even notice the vast shift in environment. For a second, her mind slipped away to her surroundings, allowing her to now fully bask in the utter awe that grasped her. For across the vast horizon lied not snow but soft, emerald, grass dotted with beautiful flowers of ivory, azure, violet, and vermillion. All of which touched gracefully by the vibrant warm sun that sat within the cloudless, deep blue sky. And every which way Astria turned, she found no hints of the cold world she left behind. As if she truly walked into another realm. She knelt down to pick a dandelion and once she blew gently upon it, Astria knew that where she was, was real. So, she crumpled to her knees for just a moment. Taking in deep the fresh, crisp, air as she watched the white seeds of the dandelion flutter away along the soft breeze. If this were a test to see if a warrior's resolve would break and that they would abandon their aspirations for the promise of peace, Astria would have gladly failed. However, the shards that jutted outward from her fractured spirit denied her any rest, giving way to an irritating restlessness that gnawed at her skin to move. And so, she picked up her rejuvenated husk and carried on forward.

Within this place of plenty, time seemed to have stopped as well. The only things that told of its ever-present majesty were the soft breezes that gently swept Astria's hair, the slight brush of grass that gave way to Astria's steps, the sudden bursts within her heart as she spied Kindra and the others in the distance… and the sudden numbness that draped across her as the Queen of the Valkyrie strode gracefully towards her. Both warriors trekked forward without hesitation or fear. And once they were only a few meters away, both stood stalwart in the face of each other. Nothing was said as their meeting was already clear. Both carried with them the responsibility of their respective duties and as such, both were predestined to be opposed. And so, the Valkyrie queen materialized her golden spear, aiming the tip directly at Astria. Who in return simply took a deep breath, stood tall, and held her arm whilst staring her down. Time again seemed to stop. This time, however, it was only broken by great action. Not that of the two combatants, but by the valiant heroine that dared leave behind her own sister. Now, however, Kindra stood in between the two combatants, back facing Astria. Sword raised, facing the Valkyrie Queen. But however noble, this day was meant to end in tragedy. And if not for the divine intervention of a raven perching itself on Astria's shoulder, it would have. With the sign clear, Sigrun de-materialized her spear and without a word, walked back to the gathering with Astria and Kindra tailing behind just as silent.

*

She knew she should not, but Sigrid was besides herself. After Sigrun returned to their ritual spot, clear of aggression, Sigrid rushed over to embrace her two daughters. She shed no tears but that did not stop her from allowing her daughters to as soon as she held them. For Sigrid knew that underneath all the pain, the dirt, the courage, the resolve, and the strength; that her candidates, the ones she took in, to train and raise for all those years, were still just girls. Women in mind and body, but still just girls, nonetheless.

"I am so proud of you both." Sigrid whispered warmly, squeezing them tight one last time before letting go and herding them towards the ring. The raven she had previously spied upon Astria had by now flown away. Whatever divine machinations have called upon her made Sigrid warry, but for now she will be thankful. Thankful that she did not have to witness the death of her daughter firsthand.

"Greetings to you all, candidates, and well done making it thus far," Sigrun spoke proudly and respectfully, even towards Astria whom she was ready to cut down only moments ago. Even Sigrid was often still taken aback by the sharp turns in her war mother's nature.

"While your trial is nearly at an end, your tests are far from over. But those are matters of the future. For now, do as I do," Sigrun said before taking a draugar's liver, crushing it in her hand, and then packed the rotten meat into a goat's horn. Everybody else followed her demonstration exactly, except of course Astria.

"Draugar are warriors of ages past, their livers serve to dispel weakness. And only the goat's formidable horn, for which it uses to defend itself and its kin, may house such ingredients," Sigrun then unscrewed the cork off a clear bottle containing what smelled like ice giant's blood.

"The blood of ice giant's is very powerful. It's smell alone has been known to drive away any adversary. However, if one were to stay the course and tastes it potent nectar, then you will find yourself their rival." Sigrun spoke as she emptied the small bottle of blood into the horn. Astria's sisters did their best to follow with whatever blood they were able to collect into their own sheep skin flasks. And although Astria did not see directly, her faced still scrounged into bewilderment and slight fear as smoke arose from all their flasks.

"Fret not, for although a poisonous concoction this may be, it is tempered by our Valkyrie blood." Sigrun said as she materialized a floating dagger before her. She then slid her free hand across the dagger's edge and once enough blood poured, she clenched her fist over hazardous potion. This was the only instruction that the others could not follow and as such, Sigrun walked around blessed each of their horns herself. And when she soon found herself in front of Astria, she simply passed her the flask she used for demonstration without so much as a word or an expression on her stern yet soft face. Sigrid could feel her chest lighten at the gesture. She new her war mother was staunch when it came to their brutal laws, but she always found some solace in knowing that none of it was contemptuous. Sigrid even dared to assume that her war mother felt just as she did but was a master at hiding it.

"The blood of a Valkyrie is shed between sisters. From now on you are as one. You fight as one, you live as one, you die as one. And for any sister that betrays this bond, their sisters will sever them as well in both spirit and body. Now then, drink and cross the barrier unto the path that leads to Kyrieheim."

Without hesitation, all of her children did as they were told. And upon finishing the elixir, most found themselves a bit dizzy but even that was short lived. It was obvious they did not know what to expect but it was also very obvious that they did not expect to feel… nothing. Sigrid watched as their faces scrunched in confusion and in Vinga's case, disappointment. Wondering if the thing had worked, or if anything at all was supposed to happen. That maybe this was just some formal ritual that they had to undertake. Even Sigrid for a moment again, felt another weight lift off her chest. However, the feeling came too soon. For when Hilde fell to her knees, coughing and choking on gallons of blood, Sigrid knew that the trial would claim one more. Astria and Kindra watched horrified, and they looked ready to assist her, but Sigrid gave them a sharp look and slightly shook her head. Even Vinga, who remained stoned faced, was ready to show her own mercy. Quick as the wind, she swept her battle axe high; ready to bring it down on her companion's neck.

"No." Sigrun commanded.

For all Vinga's pride and loyalty towards her superiors, Sigrid noticed just the hint of rebellion in her figure. The flex of the muscle ready to still swing, the tight determination that sprawled across her face, but most importantly of all and the trait that no one else noticed, the compassion that swam in her eyes. Raising and training her for so long, even Sigrid had to admit that without a doubt, Vinga was the one candidate of her time that she considered perfect. Vastly intelligent, terribly commanding, awe-inspiring leadership, ferocious tenacity, and stalwart in their ways. These are the most common traits that the Valkyrie looked for and none other as a candidate excelled at these except her. Even Kindra, who everybody determined was her equal, in truth fell far short. And Astria, even farther. And given their nature Vinga was easily destined to be a scourge of war and a hero for the ages. But, what truly set her apart, and even worthy of the path towards becoming war mother, was not only her great compassion, but her command over it. For which she displayed effortlessly by returning her axe to her hip and shifting the tone in both her face and eyes to something more akin to immense pride and respect. Fortunately, none of them had to watch long as Hilde's suffering soon after came to an end. Her pained and defiant coughs ceased along with the rest of her body that soon, to the shock of the rest of her children, faded away in rays of golden glitter.

"Her body has been transported to Kyrieheim along with the rest of your sisters who failed the trial. There we will commence a ceremonial pyre for your, and other candidate groups', deceased. And once the dead are honored," Sigrun materialized her golden spear and held it with both hands clenched to her chest. Sigrid did the same with her own spear, holding hers with a vicious tightness.

"You will be honored as well, my war daughters and the Valkyrie's newest sisters."

With that, Sigrid's youngest sisters rejoiced in tears with Astria and Kindra both raising their fists high as they shouted their triumph to the great winds. Even Vinga, who merely folded her arms and looked towards the sky, could not help the tears that flowed down her face. And neither could Sigrid.