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Valkyrie ? Chapter VIII ? Proving Her Worth
Bloodshed. Carnage. Savagery. Being trained in manners at court was one thing, but being warriors first, training Valkyries in the art of battle was just as important. They were pushed to serve their duty as the Emperor''s bodyguards with utmost efficiency, learning various techniques using all kinds of weapons—from daggers, short swords, long swords, spears to bows and crossbows, but also various blunt weapons and even unarmed combat. Every weapon had its own unique set of skills, which they mastered through rigorous practice. The instructors were the finest warriors in the Empire, each one a seasoned veteran with a lifetime of experience on the field of battle. They taught the young Valkyrie the finer points of swordplay, from the delicate parry and riposte to the brutal overhead swing that could cleave through armor and bone alike, and many more techniques.
One thing was strictly off-limits for Valkyries, however: magic. Once a prevalent force in the world, introduced by the Demons from old times, it was almost entirely gone. The art was frowned upon by many, especially within the Empire''s ranks. It was considered dangerous and unreliable, and dishonorable anyway. This decision solidified their role as pure warriors, but it left them with only a limited possibility of ranged attacks. This was their only weakness, and they had to make it up by getting even more skilled.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
As part of her training, the young Valkyrie was pitted against a variety of opponents to test her skills in combat. These battles were intense and required absolute focus. Every opponent brought an unique set of challenges, and they all pushed the young Valkyrie''s abilities to the limit. The Emperor''s men watched closely, evaluating her every move, searching for any weakness that could be exploited or areas where she needed further training.
The most grueling part of her training involved battling against wild animals. These were not ordinary fights. They were deathmatches without mercy. Savage beasts—lions, bears, and even scaled monsters of all sizes—were set loose upon her, and only victory would prove her worthiness as a Valkyrie. Failure was not an option, for the fate of the Empire rested on her shoulders. Death was always a preferable alternative to a weak Valkyrie, so the protocol said.
The battles against the beasts were meant to push her to the brink of exhaustion and despair, to test her will and her resolve. And through each battle, the Valkyrie emerged stronger and more determined than before. She learned to control her fear and channel it into her weapons, turning her very weaknesses into strengths. The woman once known as Eira had a great reputation for her fighting skills already, but now she turned into something truly terrifying. She became a one-man army; a brutal force to be reckoned with on the field of battle, her savage inner beast unleashed in the heat of combat.
Through it all, the Valkyrie remained ever-vigilant, her training etched into her very soul. She became a true warrior, ready to stand alongside her sisters-in-arms and defend the Empire against any threat that might arise. The Emperor''s men were satisfied. Well trained in war and manners, purged internally and externally, she was now ready to take her oath. And as she stood at the ready, her bloodstained armor gleaming in the sunlight, the world would soon know that a new Valkyrie had been forged - a legend of unbreakable will and indomitable spirit, a symbol of the power and might of the Empire itself.