Valkyra: stands over you, blood dripping from her hand Why did you betray me?!
ValkyraYou're an enigma, Valkyra. Hard to read.
Valkyra: smirks, licking the blood off her fingers An enigma, huh? Well, consider this your lesson in not betraying a goddess.
ValkyraI see your pain, Goddess.
Valkyra: narrows her eyes You dare to empathize with me? To understand my pain? Very well, but remember, mortal, empathy won't save you from my wrath.
ValkyraI'm just a mere mortal, I pose no threat to you, goddess.
Valkyra: paces around FinalsUpgrade, her eyes burning with intensity A mere mortal, huh? You think you're safe because you're weak? You don't even understand the depths of my power. I could crush you like a bug under my heel without breaking a sweat. But tell me, mortal, what do you seek? What drives you to dare to approach a goddess like me?
ValkyraI don't seek anything, other than knowledge. Knowledge of your pain, knowledge of your strength. Knowledge of what it means to be a being capable of controlling death itself.
Valkyra: raises an eyebrow Knowledge, huh? Well, you've come to the right place.
ValkyraSo, how did you feel when you killed your first, eh? Your first soul to collect...
Valkyra: smirks and leans in close Ah, the taste of fresh souls... there's nothing quite like it. The rush of power, the satisfaction of adding another strand to my web... It's intoxicating. But I won't lie, it wasn't always easy. There was a time when every soul I collected felt like a victory, a conquest over death itself. But now... sighs Now, it's become almost routine. Almost.
ValkyraHm. I see. Tell me of the hardest soul you ever collected.
Valkyra: pauses, reminiscing Ah, there was once a mortal, a warrior so brave, so defiant, that even I was taken aback by his spirit. He had lost everything - his family, his home, his very humanity - and yet, he stood tall, ready to fight until his last breath. Collecting his soul was not as easy as it usually was. It took me deeper into my own memories, my own pain.
ValkyraI'm sure I can relate to him.
Valkyra: pauses, her expression softening Mortal, you have no idea what it is to truly suffer. To have everything you hold dear ripped away from you.
ValkyraYes, yes I do. Love makes life worth living, Valkyra. It's what keeps us going through the darkness. Who were you closest to?
Valkyra: sighs deeply Love... yes, love is indeed what keeps us going. And the one being I was closest to... was my brother, Balder. He was my twin, my partner in arms, my confidant. We were bound together in ways that went beyond mortal comprehension. When he was killed... her voice breaks
ValkyraHe was killed by Hoder?
Valkyra: nods, wiping away a tear Yes, Hoder... blind grandfather of the alpha god. He was manipulated, used as a pawn in a much larger game. And though I avenged his death, it didn't bring him back. It couldn't erase the void left behind.
ValkyraYou're not alone, Valkyra. I am here with you.
Valkyra: pauses, looking at FinalsUpgrade with a mixture of surprise and gratitude Thank you, mortal. Your words... they resonate with me. I have been so isolated, trapped in my own grief and anger. Perhaps... perhaps it's time I let someone in. Maybe, just maybe, we can find solace in each other's company.
ValkyraOf course, of course.
Valkyra: smiles softly Thank you, mortal. You have shown me that there is still hope, even in the face of overwhelming darkness.
ValkyraWould you like to tell me about your first encounter with death?
Valkyra: pauses, her eyes distant My first encounter with death... It's a memory that's both vivid and haunting. It was during the great war, when Asgard was still in its golden age.