<div>


    Valkyrie ? Chapter VII ? Indoctrination


    Chasms. Hymns. Murmurs. The new Valkyrie knelt in the middle of the temple. Her eyes deeply focused, hypnotized, absent. She was in a different world, one of deep focus and commitment.


    The last few days did much. She had spent the first of them in bed, recovering from the ritual of purification. She felt like a different person—distant, detached, and somewhat alien to herself. The ritual had left an indelible mark on both her body and her psyche, leaving her hollowed, broken.


    The Emperor''s men wasted no time. This was exactly the state they wanted her to be in. It was one of emptiness, where she was ready to be indoctrinated as required. They told her countless stories about the Empire''s glory, and about the heroes and legends that walked the halls of the Union Palace, whose deeds echoed through the ages, and especially about the many glorious deeds and sacrifices of the Emperor himself. Each story was carefully crafted to instill a sense of awe and reverence for the Empire, making it clear that she was part of something much bigger than herself.


    In addition to these tales of grandeur, the Valkyrie was also introduced to the Empire''s most closely guarded secrets. She learned about the political machinations that lay beneath the surface of everyday life, the alliances and rivalries that shaped the world, and the dark arts practiced by the Emperor''s most trusted advisors. It was a glimpse into a world that few were ever privy to; a world that held untold power and influence.


    The days passed slowly as the Valkyrie underwent her transformation. Her armor and parade uniform both stood ready for her, emitting unreal beauty when the sun reflected on them, symbols of her new identity as a warrior in the service of the Empire. The parade uniform was a military white dress with golden epaulettes, a blue skirt, white gloves, and black boots. It was a stunning piece of clothing, but she was informed that she would only wear it on rare occasions. Most of her time would be spent wearing her armor, a heavy and imposing piece of equipment that felt like it pressed down upon her very being from just looking at it.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Putting on the armor for the first time therefore felt powerful, and just as cumbersome as imagined. She felt her body being dragged down, the weight of the armor pulling heavy on her, just like her oath and her duty. She had to embrace it. There was no way around it. She needs to wear it. She has to endure. And she has to be proud doing so. She was. She truly was. So the Emperor''s men told her, and so she told herself.


    Next, she was taught the intricacies of body language and royal behavior according to protocol. As a Valkyrie and the Emperor''s bodyguard, the image she had to emit was not just crucial; it was sacred. It had to be perfect—an embodiment of honor and dignity that reflected the image of the Empire. The tiniest detail, the slightest movement, even the way her hair flowed, and especially how her eyes met another''s—all were regulated by a strict code of etiquette, spanning generations.


    In addition to these protocols, the Valkyries were trained in subtle, secret forms of communication. They learned to read each other''s movements and expressions with unparalleled precision, silently discerning danger or intrigue from the slightest shift in posture or change in tone. This silent language was a testament to their bond as sisters-in-arms, forged through shared experiences and dedication to their duty. It was a language that few outside the Valkyrie Order could comprehend, and it served as both a tool of secret communication and a further symbol of their unwavering loyalty to the Emperor.


    The training was rigorous, demanding not only utmost discipline but also a very acute awareness of the world around them. The Valkyries were taught to be ever-vigilant, their senses attuned to the slightest hint of treachery or danger. They are masters of deception and subterfuge, able to blend seamlessly into the background when necessary and strike with lightning speed when duty called. It was a life of constant attentiveness and service, one in which personal desires and emotions were secondary to their sworn duty.


    Indeed, these last days changed her; they had stripped her of her old life and identity and replaced them with a new purpose, a new role, and a whole new perception of how things are. Yet there was always something of her former self that remained—a faint echo of Eira in the depths of her being. And the Emperor''s men knew this, which is why they pushed her indoctrination ever further, to turn her into the perfect vessel for her eternal role as a Valkyrie. And so they went on, relentless in their pursuit of absolute loyalty and devotion.