Chapter 10: Veil of Valkyria

Asher steadied himself against the library shelf, the mask's hum fading, his head still ringing from its sudden flare. Kaira hovered close, her blue eyes wide with worry, hands fidgeting as she struggled to stand. "A-Ash…er… y-you… o-okay?" she slurred, voice thick and halting, her healed legs wobbling under her slight frame.

"I'm fine," he said, voice taut, mask's runes dimming. He glanced at the book sprawled on the floor—Legends of the Holy Sword. "My mask reacted—first time since the repository. It's this… the Holy Sword." His eyes narrowed, ambition sparking. "It could shatter my limits—strength, everything. But the cave's sealed—nobles or A-rank only."

Kaira's brow creased, voice trembling. "W-What… d-do w-we… d-do?"

"Level up," he said, resolute. "Fast. Guild missions—let's move."

They left the library, Eldrida's streets thick with coal smoke and clamor—hawkers shouting, forges ringing. Asher's mask caught a faint shuffle trailing them—deliberate, expected. They're biting, he thought, hand near his chipped sword, Kaira limping beside him. Every move since entering Eldrida—defying whispers in the restaurant, clashing with Mara, saving Kaira—had been calculated to draw rebel eyes. He'd heard of Valkyria in the foothills, a shadow group fighting the queen's rot. Olivia's inn, quiet despite its ten rooms, had sealed his hunch—a hub for dissent.

The adventurer guild's timber hall loomed, doors creaking as they entered. Women swarmed the mission board, voices a dull roar. Asher scanned the F-rank list, choosing a Rare Herb Gathering—plants deep in the foothills, tougher than before. He slid it to Allen, whose pen froze mid-scratch, eyes flicking nervously to the mask.

"Ryn," Allen said, voice low, fingers twitching. "Heard… rumors. Masked figure, blood in the alleys. You're stirring things." He cleared his throat, logging the mission. "Rare herbs—fifty points, one silver coin. With your last quest, eighty points total. One week to finish." He slid the coin over, avoiding Asher's gaze.

Asher pocketed it, unmoved. "Thanks." Allen's fear was useful—guild gossip spread fast, exactly what he'd banked on.

He turned to Kaira. "Head to the inn. Stay put—I'll be back."

"N-No!" she stammered, clutching his sleeve, eyes wide. "I-I c-can't… l-leave y-you a-alone…"

He softened, just enough to ease her. "I'm alright. Go." She hesitated, then limped off, head low, trust in her eyes.

Asher veered into a shadowed alley, the shuffle louder—multiple steps, right on schedule. He spun, mask amplifying their breaths, feigning wariness. Five women emerged, cloaks dark, blades glinting. Their leader, lean with sharp eyes, stepped forward, status flickering: Strength: 30, Agility: 40, Mana: 10.

"Who are you?" he demanded, hand on his sword, playing the part. "Why tail me?"

"I'm Kaito," she said, voice steady. "Our leader wants you. Come."

He nodded, hiding a flicker of triumph. Hook's in. "Lead on."

They wove through backstreets to a shuttered restaurant, empty save for one figure in the dim. Her scarred lip caught the lamplight—Olivia. Asher paused, masking his anticipation as her eyes locked onto his, calculating and fierce. He'd picked her inn for a reason—her clipped words, the empty rooms, the air of secrets had screamed rebellion from the moment he'd arrived.

"Ryn," she said, voice low, gesturing to a chair. "Sit. We're Valkyria—women crushed by the queen's tyranny. We carve out her rot." She tapped her scar, eyes searching his mask.

Asher leaned against the wall, projecting doubt. "You've got my attention. Why me?"

"You're a spark," she said, stepping closer. "Mara's hunting you—queen's orders. You stood up for that girl, Kaira, against half a tavern's venom. But tell me…" Her gaze sharpened, testing. "Why risk her safety for a fight you barely know?"

Asher's grip tightened on his sword, a flicker of Kaira's bruised face in his mind—real anger, but controlled. "Kaira's suffered enough under this system. Nobles discard kids like her, guilds bow to coin. I'm not here to play their game—I break it. If that aligns with you, talk.

"Olivia's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Good answer. But trust's earned. The queen's grip—nobles, relics, guards—it's a web. We cut one thread at a time. You in?"

He crossed his arms, letting silence hang, as if weighing her words—though he'd already decided in the foothills. Valkyria's my ladder to the cave. "What's the cost?" he asked, voice hard.

"Your eyes," she said. "Your blade. Kaira stays safe, but you… you'll bleed for this."

"Done," he said, voice steady, pausing for effect. "But we move slow—no reckless strikes. And Kaira's out of it. She trusts you—she'd follow me into a fire if she knew."

Olivia nodded, a glint of respect in her eyes. "Fair. She'd try to save you both—get you killed."

"My role?" he pressed, steering her to his plan.

"Guild missions," she said, voice dropping to a whisper. "Take ones near the capital—scout routes, not just herbs. First step: map Mara's patrol tonight—her squad's camped a mile east, near the old mill. Note their numbers, shifts. Then watch for Queen's Guard patterns; whispers of the Starheart relic—it's her leash on the nobles. Lila, a healer, will find you with next steps. Can you handle it?"

He nodded, locking it in. "I can."

"Enough for now," Olivia said, standing. "Valkyria will reach you. Guard Kaira… and yourself." Her voice trailed him, low and fierce. "Until the queen falls."

Asher left, the door creaking shut, plunging him into the dim corridor. He reached the inn, where Olivia sat at her desk—undercover, ledger open, scowl seamless, as if no rebellion stirred beneath. He climbed to Room 5, Kaira waiting, eyes bright with worry.

"R-Ryn… w-what h-happened?" she asked, voice halting, hands twisting

He slid the mask off, sitting beside her, face softening to ease her fear. "Kaira… people fight corruption, don't they? A rotten queen—like Eldrida's—breeds enemies who name themselves, strike from shadows." He paused, choosing words to shield her. "Yesterday, defending you… it wasn't just for you. It marked me—someone rebels would watch. This inn—ten rooms, half-empty, same faces circling. I saw it from the start, nudged it along."

Her eyes widened, voice quaking. "D-Do y-you… w-want t-to k-kill… th-the q-queen?"

He met her gaze, unflinching. "I do. But it's bigger. I need Tenria's kingdoms—Starfall, Whitewood, Krag, Aethel, Eldrida—united. Tenebrous's demons… I can't face them alone. If the queen's fall heals this land, I'll deliver her head—for you, for Ava."

She swallowed, tears brimming, but nodded, trust unwavering. He pulled her close, her warmth easing the weight of his gambit—Valkyria, the Sword, a rebellion he'd orchestrated before he'd ever crossed Olivia's threshold.