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    Valkyrie ? Chapter II ? Departure


    The tales were true. General Kyrill found her. There she was. Eira. A young huntress with fierce blue eyes, matching the Empire''s colors perfectly. Just to look into them was enough to pierce a man, to melt away his armor and his soul; to fall down subdued before her. Yet, these wonderful eyes themselves were melting away when General Kyrill entered her home. Inside herself, Eira immediately knew what it meant.


    Having lost her parents early, Eira lived together with her brother Eren, humble and kind yet fierce in spirit, like her. Among them was also Wulfgar, a scruffy man and a friend and important business partner to Eren, always having a beer around him. All of them eyed Kyrill with great wonder. A General. In their home. Sent by the Emperor himself. Yes, truthfully, it could only mean one thing.


    "Eira...", General Kyrill began to speak after a short introduction. "The Emperor has heard about you. Indeed, your beauty and reputation precedes you. He invites you to his court, offering you to become a Valkyrie".


    "A Valkyrie!?", Eren responded in surprise on behalf of his sister, yet full well knowing who they are. The Valkyries are known and admired all over the land. Their reputation is unmatched, terrifying, absolute. They are the elite of the elite. The grand of the grand. Perfection, nothing less. They are the pillars of the Empire. If they fall, the Empire falls.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Pah!", Wulfgar said with a challenging voice. "These Valkyries. They are slaves to the Emperor! They have no rights of their own! They serve, they fight, and they serve again. And for what?! To end up an indoctrinated little dog at the feet of the Emperor, and at the rope at age 40!? Eira, make up if you want that!"


    Eren frowned. He urged Wulfgar to shut up. Yet his words were already spilled out, and they spoke the truth.


    General Kyrill remained calm. "Yes, the life of a Valkyrie demands great sacrifice. Your personal freedom is one such thing. A life such great can only be lived by giving it all. If you depart with me, you will depart from here forever."


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    A sense of heaviness hung in the air. The Emperor''s ''offer'' was not really an offer. Such a position cannot be denied. How could she? It is an unspoken law not to refuse the Emperor, especially not something so honorable like that. If she accepts, Eira will depart, living a life in servitude forever. But the Emperor, in all his grace, will reward this by ennobling her former family, and do great investments into her village. Should she, on the other hand, refuse, then not only her name but also the one of her family and her entire village will be smeared in shame forever.


    Eren exchanged sad glances with Eira. Her way was clear. Her eyes, filled with love and grief, told it all. Goodbye, dear sister. Know that I will always love you. Let''s prepare for your departure.