<div>


    Valkyrie ? Chapter XV ? Revolution


    The stage must have been set a long time ago. The rebels, apparently skilled in rapid assaults, managed to form an army surrounding the Union Palace in no time at all. They came from everywhere: the outlying forests, from over the horizon, the sea, even from within its own walls. It was a large-scale plot, the likes of which the Empire had never seen before.


    The rebels'' goal was clear, but it also revealed their weakness: to swiftly capture the Union Palace and kill the Emperor and his lineage as quickly as possible before Imperial reinforcements could arrive. It was a risky gamble on their part, and with no time to lose, the Emperor''s men, in response, sent hasty requests for help in all directions.


    What a humiliation it was! The Emperor had to call for help. Had to play for time. Trapped within his own walls! The imperial family was taken to a safe place within the underground of the palace, and the Valkyries stood ready to defend them to the last drop of blood. But first the rebels would have to get past the soldiers. That, however, was more or less guaranteed to happen. The rebels outnumbered the soldiers 4:1, and worse, almost all gates were down. Whatever spy network infested the walls of the Union Palace, it had done a remarkable job. First clashes already ended in the rebels'' victory.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    General Kyrill himself was leading one of the imperial armies. Seraphina had rarely seen him in the last few years, but she had never forgotten him. When she caught sight of him, already hurt and retreating from the first onslaught, she quickly approached him.


    "Eir...—Seraphina...!" he said, out of breath. "This doesn''t look good. They''re almost in the courtyard!", he continued, glancing at her in despair. "The real battle will be fought in the narrow corridors of the underground. You have a tactical advantage there. You know what to do...!"


    Seraphina stared at him, but remained silent. Kyrill had something more to say. She knew it.


    "I''ll stall them off! But I think... I think this will be my last stand," he said in a pained voice, accepting his fate. "Seraphina... It was an honor to have known you."


    Seraphina leaned closer, taking off her gauntlet and gripping Kyrill''s hand tightly.


    "No Seraphina, your vow!", Kyrill shouted out in surprise.


    "And likewise honored so am I, General Kyrill. May we meet again in the hereafter, or in a better world.", she said, giving him a small satchel containing a medallion with the crest of Kasthra—a memory of her past life she secretly kept with her.


    Kyrill lowered his head. It was a farewell. Forever. At least from this sphere. In this magical, yet sad moment, human nature won out over all indoctrination and urgency, albeit only for the flicker of a second. A love that could not be. Separated by protocol, oath, indoctrination, and war. Farewell, fair Kyrill. You are a true soldier to the bitter end.