The sky stretched wide and endless, painted in soft morning hues as Kalanie, Cecilia, Araya, Ai, and Malayna soared in formation. The wind whispered past their wings, the cool air biting but invigorating. Their flight was steady—silent, but focused. The mission weighed on all of them.
"We're getting close. Stay focused," Araya called, her voice cutting cleanly through the wind with its usual commanding sharpness.
Kalanie adjusted her posture midair, the ethereal shimmer of her energy wings flickering faintly in response. She kept her eyes forward, though her mind swirled. She didn't even notice when Cecilia drifted closer beside her, offering a gentle smile.
"Your flying has really improved," Cecilia said warmly.
"I'm so proud of you."
Kalanie gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah."
"You're never this quiet," Cecilia noted, her smile fading as she studied her.
"What's wrong?"
Kalanie hesitated, then let out a slow breath.
"Honestly… I'm a little nervous. I've heard a lot about Pria."
"Like what?" Cecilia asked, her tone calm and inviting.
"Pria The Zehirah Valkyrie," Kalanie replied.
"Wasn't she the strongest ELO Valkyrie? Could easily match up with Araya?"
"Yes, that's true," Cecilia confirmed. Her tone sobered, eyes briefly flicking toward Araya ahead.
"And now that she's Zehirah… she's much stronger."
"It scares me, you know," Kalanie admitted, her voice cracking just slightly with tension.
"Yeah, I get it," Cecilia said softly, glancing at her with quiet reassurance.
"But you have to learn to have faith.
We have two Velari and four ELO Valkyries.
And we have you with us."
Kalanie frowned. "But I'm—"
"A lot stronger than you think," Cecilia cut in firmly.
"You are no longer that helpless girl in Partera.
How are you going to see Indra thinking like that?"
Kalanie's cheeks flushed. She glanced away, embarrassed.
"You know about that?"
"Of course I do," Cecilia grinned, clearly enjoying herself.
"I know all your little secrets."
Before Kalanie could respond, Ai's voice cut in from the front—flat and blunt as ever.
The stoic Valkyrie flew ahead of the group, her short white-blonde curls catching the wind as sunlight gleamed off her gold-plated armor. Her deep violet eyes held a cold focus, her presence unreadable, but undeniably strong. Ai didn't waste words—and she never missed a target.
"I hate to break up this moment, but we're here."
Cecilia turned toward her, laughing aloud.
"Ai, baby, you don't have to eavesdrop!
We can be friends too! I wanna know your deepest, darkest secrets!"
"I would rather die," Ai replied dryly, shooting ahead with a burst of speed.
"Why you gotta be so mean? Come on, let a Valky love you!" Cecilia called after her, pouting dramatically.
Even Araya and Malayna chuckled quietly, the tension lifting ever so slightly in the face of familiar banter.
Kalanie smiled to herself. Even in the middle of something serious, that Valkyrie spirit—their unity—never faded.
The team began their descent toward a rocky clearing nestled within the hills. The stone ground below glowed faintly under the rising sun, and standing there—waiting—were two familiar figures.
Valorie and Parka.
Their landing was clean and quiet, boots touching down in a soft chorus.
"Madam Valorie. Madam Parka. It's great to see you again," Araya greeted, offering a respectful nod.
"It's nice to see you too. All of you," Val replied, her golden hair catching the light like fire spun into silk.
"Yes, it's been so long," Parka added, her sharp eyes scanning the group with calm interest.
Her gaze landed on Malayna.
Malayna stood confidently, her long silvery-blue hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her armor was dark with soft blue accents woven into the design—sleek, simple, and practical. She had a calm, steady presence, and her bright eyes gave off the feeling that she was always quietly observing everything around her.
"Malayna, you're an ELO now?"
"Yes ma'am," Malayna said proudly.
"The Water Valkyrie."
Parka smiled, the expression rare and genuine.
"Look at you moving up."
Then her attention shifted again—this time to Kalanie.
"I see we have a new Valkyrie."
Cecilia nudged Kalanie gently.
"Introduce yourself."
Kalanie stepped forward, nerves blooming across her expression as she gave a slight bow.
"Oh, umm… My name is Kalanie. It's an honor to meet you," she said quickly.
Parka smirked, tilting her head.
"Oh, she's cute."
"I know, right?!" Cecilia chimed in immediately, grabbing Kalanie by the shoulders and giving her a playful shake.
"If only she can stop being so nervous all the time!"
Kalanie flushed even deeper, ducking her head as Val chuckled kindly.
"Hehe. Well, it's nice to meet you too, Kalanie," Val said with a soft smile.
The warmth in the air lingered for a moment longer—until Araya's expression darkened.
"So… what's the word on Pria?" she asked.
Val's smile faded.
"We found out she works with Sinso a lot."
"With Sinso? Why?" Araya asked, her frown immediate.
Val shrugged slightly. "I don't know why. Maybe they were ordered to… but they split up for the moment.
I can feel her—she's heading this direction."
"How long?" Araya asked.
"Thirty minutes. Maybe more," Val answered thoughtfully.
"She's kind of wandering."
"She probably knows you and I are here," Parka added.
"She slowed down after we got here, but she's still coming."
"Conserving her energy," Val muttered, her golden eyes narrowing.
"Sounds like she's looking for a fight."
"Well, that makes two of us," Araya said sharply.
"If she changes course, we'll go to her."
"I like the way you think," Val replied with a grin.
Then—
A sudden voice cut through the wind above them.
"So do I!" a woman called out.
From the shadows, a blur tore through the clearing—a streak of crimson and black moving like a lightning bolt.
A figure emerged mid-motion, sword already drawn—its blade wreathed in roaring fire. Without a word, she swung the weapon in a deadly arc, aiming straight for Val.
The flame roared toward her—
—but Val didn't flinch.
She caught the blazing blade effortlessly with one hand, her expression calm and unmoved. Heat licked up her arm, sparks dancing against her armor—but her eyes never blinked.
Parka moved in an instant.
Her blade tore through the air with brutal speed, aimed straight for the attacker's neck—but the woman twisted away with supernatural grace, her body flickering just out of reach.
Then Araya stepped forward.
Her eyes flared with power as the wind surged around her, condensing into a massive, swirling fist of elemental force.
With a sharp motion, she launched it.
The strike roared across the battlefield, screaming with divine velocity—
and hit its target dead-on.
But there was no impact.
The woman's body erupted into flame—disintegrating like dry paper in fire. Only embers remained, floating upward into the cold morning air.
Across the clearing, fire cracked through the air as a figure stepped forward—slow, deliberate, unstoppable.
Her crimson hair cascaded like wildfire, spilling past her shoulders in unruly waves that shimmered with embers. Midnight-black armor wrapped around her like living flame, layered in jagged edges and cruel spikes. Every piece looked forged in violence—battle-worn, scorched, and sharpened to kill.
Twin black horns curved up from her head like a crown, framing a face that was calm and wickedly amused. Her lips curled into a smirk—not out of arrogance, but certainty.
In her right hand, she held a massive greatsword, its dark metal glowing faintly from within. It pulsed with heat, quiet but hungry, as if barely holding back the storm.
She stood tall. Unbothered. Eyes gleaming violet in the firelight.
It was her.
Pria.