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    Valkyrie ? Chapter XXV ? Farewell


    The court was busy as usual, and years passed. But now something was different. A certain clock was ticking down. Seraphina knew exactly which one.


    The Emperor''s steward, Sven, aged yet fully redeemed, approached her, bowing his head down in deep respect. "The Emperor asked for a private audience", he told. Seraphina knew what was to come.


    She entered his private chambers, closing the doors behind her. Slowly approaching him, she knelt down. Along the haunting silence, there were only two souls in this room: She, and him, the Emperor. The rays of the late day''s sun reflected on Seraphina''s armor, making her genuinely look like an angel. Once again. Like on so many other days. Every day was special. But not like this one.


    The Emperor sat quietly on his chair, head down, eyes closed, shaking.


    He had to give her the information; had to give the command. This was it. Ascension awaited. It wasn''t the first time he would have this kind of meeting, and it wouldn''t be the last. And yet again, it was so hard. So incredibly painful, so difficult. His heart was breaking. And likewise his dam was also breaking. The Emperor—this strong person everyone looked up to, the man who led everyone, ruler of an entire Empire, one of the most powerful people in the world … he sat before her, crying like a child.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Seraphina didn''t say anything, and neither did the Emperor. No one could see him in this state, that much was certain to both of them. She was sad to see him like this. But she was also glad that he genuinely loved her so much.


    Despite the protocol, it then was actually Seraphina who broke the silence.


    "My Emperor, I know.", she said. "It is alright."


    "Seraphina… I… I am so very proud of you. I''m sorry.", the Emperor responded in a broken voice.


    "Don''t be.", Seraphina replied. "It has been a honor to have served you on this plane. I will clear out all enemies for you on the other sphere that is to follow. Don''t be afraid. I will await you there, together with my fallen sisters and all our ancestors… we all will await you there once your task in this world is done."


    The Emperor just sat there. Unresponding. It was moments like these that showed oh so well just what kind of a slave the Emperor was to the protocol. When it demanded something, the Emperor was demoted from a figure with almost absolute power to a mere puppet. And certainly, a puppet he was, without any power, in this sacred moment.


    "Know, Seraphina…", the Emperor replied, getting himself together. "You might be my servant, but I view you as an equal; much more even. Thank you. Thank you, for everything."


    Seraphina''s fate was sealed. Her time in armor was over. She proudly donned the death dress, and withdrew in deep prayer and farewells, ready for what was to come. She would have her ascension, and she would proudly face it. There was no greater honor.