Sunkissed Scars

Astria slowly awoke from her sleep. This was the first time in many years she was allowed to sleep on something so soft and yet, it hardly felt comfortable. Astria tossed her blanket off and rose up. She turned to sit on the edge of her bed for just a moment, staring ahead at nothing. She breathed in, feeling her lungs take in the cool air and watched as that same wispy air disappeared in front of her after breathing it out. She sat there for another minute before deciding to step down. Once her feet touched the cool, polished, wooden floor, Astria walked over to grab her long fur coat. She traced her fingers along its soft furs before pulling it in tight, feeling its alleviating warmth across her mostly bare body. Astria then wrapped the large coat around herself and headed towards the door. She placed her hand on the door, laying her forehead against it as well. She closed her eyes and took a breath. By the time the air left her lungs, Astria opened her eyes and pushed open the door, taking a step out into the chilled night.

Kyrieheim was every bit how she fantasized. Grand spires of beautifully cut marble, slate, shale, and many other minerals jutted high into the sky. All of which were populated around massive houses which homed those who chose to serve the Valkyrie and their businesses. Textures, spices, and weapons Astria had never seen before could be found there. For a warrior culture, Astria was taken aback by how indulgent, and somewhat, lavish her sisters lived. But considering how often they are expected to quell disputes and wage wars for the gods, it would only be reasonable for them to enjoy the wonders of life before their timely deaths. To Astria, however, this meant nothing.

Her only goal now was to leave and find Roma. But to do that, she needed to break her Valkyrie oath. Because if she tried to leave without breaking it, she would not only be hunted down by the other Valkyrie but would also never rid herself of the call of Kyrieheim. Which, according to Sigrid, was the call for every Valkyrie to return to Kyrieheim. The call was originally created to bolster a Valkyrie's resolve. To swell them with thoughts and feelings of returning home, which in turn strengthened their tenacity and comradery. However, Astria now sees that it is also used to suppress dissidence. So, for now, Astria resigned herself to their service. All she had to do was survive long enough to find an answer but given her life, that was second nature to her.

Astria continued walking down through the grand halls until she reached the one of many arches that let out into the outside world. Astria walked over and leaned against the base of the arch. She gazed out ahead at the starry night sky that blanketed over the over vibrant, misty, forest that rested below. She was content to stand there and watch over the calm landscape as she had done for the past three nights. But something caught Astria's ear and when she turned to look down the corridor, her heart immediately sank. The figure strolled up to her and with an uneasy smile said, "Hey, Astria."

Astria could only look at Kindra. For the past three days, except for the night, Astria stayed within her room. All of the Valkyrie were given private baths within their rooms and with their own servant bells to request anything they needed from food to books, to sometimes even pleasure, it was entirely possible to stay within your room. Except of course for required trainings and quests. Astria took the opportunity immediately, locking herself in her room until she was to appear at the Trial's End Festival within four days. Until then she barely ate or did much of anything. Just sat in bed until the night came. How Kindra managed to find her, Astria had no idea, but she sorely wished she had not.

"What do you want?" Astria said, turning to look back out the archway.

"I came to see how you were doing," Kindra said, moving her hand to hold her arm. "Sigrid had said you hadn't left your room since we arrived, so I wanted to see if you were okay."

"Then why did Sigrid not come see me herself?" Astria retorted.

"I don't know," Kindra shook her head. "I assume she was busy."

"Too busy to check in on her "daughters" that have survived through hel?"

"That's not fair," Kindra retorted herself, squeezing her arm and narrowing her eyes. "You know how important she is to Kyrieheim and the other Valkyrie."

"I am important too!" Astria snapped, pushing off the arch and turning towards Kindra. Her eyes began to water as she continued to boil over.

"I lost my family, I lost Selda, you betrayed me, and now the closest thing to a second mother I had won't even take five minutes to see me!"

"Astria…" Kindra said, letting go of her arm to try and embrace her. But Astria pulled back and said,

"I know why you did it. You know how much I resent the Norsemen for enslaving my family and murdering my parents. You know that all I ever dreamed of was returning home and yet… why was that your only option? Why couldn't you have just helped me achieve my goal?"

"Astria… you know I want to but…"

"You don't want to lose everything, like I have," Astria clenched her fist, allowing the tears to flow down. "That's why as mad as I am, I understand. And I understand that I can't ask you to help me. To also become a divine fugitive just so I can see some land my parents talked about in bedtime stories when I was young. I know all this but… fuck it still hurts."

"I'm sorry," was all Kindra could muster before turning away, trying her best to hide her own tears. "May fortune bring you grace. I know it will, and I know you'll reach whatever goal you've set for yourself. And I wish… I could be there when you do."

Kindra walked away. And as much as Astria wanted to follow after her and give her that hug, she could not. She had to let her go. Because dragging Kindra down was something Astria could never allow herself to live with. She turned towards the arch just as the first rays of dawn began peaking over the horizon. Astria slept longer than she had meant, missing much of the night. However, instead of scurrying away and hiding within her room again, Astria decided to stay and watch the dawn rise. Hoping that this was where her path led.