“I know I’m of royal blood,” unease threads through my voice. “I’ve known for a moment now, but I never wanted this. Well, not like this, at least.” I once dreamed of protecting Kallahan. But by Alek’s side, the true heir of this northernkingdom and me at the head of his army, as is a valkyrie’s rightful place—on the battlefield.
In my childhood dreams, I was not alone. I was surrounded by family and friends, not by their phantoms. So much has changed since I was that young princess. I don’t need to remember everything for my body to know, for my instincts to ache for what I once had, what I now crave. If I could go back to that blissful ignorance, I’d snap my fingers and take it in a heartbeat. I shift uneasily, my fingers digging into my arms, bruising the skin as I hold on tight. Trying to ground myself, to make sense of it all. The weight of responsibilities pressing down, a suffocating chain. The crown was never meant for me.
And suddenly?—
It’s.
Hard.
To.
Breathe.
“I didn’t ask for this… For any of it.” The words escape me in a ragged breath.
“The world does not ask, it takes. You can allow it to crush you, or you can rise, fight, and carry the certainty that you have done all within your power to make it. In the end, only you hold control over your actions.” Kazuki’s voice is devoid of pity, embodying the unyielding truth of a Sensei, and that’s exactly what I needed.
It cuts through the chaos in my mind, seizing the storm that threatens to consume me. My eyes darken, and for a fleeting moment, the fire I’ve long kept dormant flickers back to life. Gnawing at the edges of my control, hungry to break free.
“Whoever started this betrayed Elgar and stole everything from my people… Everything from me. They deserve to pay.” The weight of my words settles into the silence, and with it, the tension leaves my body.
I’m done pretending. Kvirr shoved this fate down my throat, and I’m ready to fight back. I’ll make them pay, for Elgar, for Kallahan, for the valkyries, and for me. Kazuki meets my eyes, hesitation lingering at the edge of his stance. But I’m not here for his noble intentions. Vengeance has never tasted this good.
“Let’s start.”
The cave smellslike damp stone and sweat. Water drips from stalactites, keeping a slow, steady rhythm. The faded carvings of strong warriors watch me, as if they know I’m fumbling through this, muscle memories not exactly cooperating with my grown-up body. The ground is slick, pools of water catching the faint, ghostly glow from the cave walls.
My body is screaming after hours of brutal training, but quitting isn’t an option. Perspiration stings my eyes, mixing with the thick, moist air. The katana in my hands feels foreign and heavy, an awkward part of me I haven’t figured out yet. The blade hums with power, teasing me with little shocks at my fingertips. I’m not just learning to fight; I’m trying to be the stupid sword.
Kazuki stands dead center, calm as a rock. No move wasted, every step, every gesture sharp and exact. He is the master.
And me?
I’m just a rookie, trying to keep up without falling flat on my face, which is fucking hard.
“Focus.” His voice cuts through the silence like a knife.
I swallow hard, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The sword is starting to feel heavier than it should be. My legs tremble slightly, and I’m so not fucking ready for this. Kazukicloses the gap in a blink. His katana comes down hard, aiming for my shoulder. I swing to block, but I’m slow, too slow. His blade drives me back, and my feet slide on the slick floor. Water splashes around me, but I catch myself right before I faceplant.
“Again,” Kazuki snaps, no patience.
I straighten up, my chest heaving. He moves faster; each strike is a challenge, daring me to keep up. I throw everything I’ve got into blocking and parrying, but it’s not enough. Cold water laps at my ankles as if the cave itself is telling me to get my act together.
“You’re still thinking,” Kazuki snaps, a slap to the face. “You’re not here to think. You’re here tobecomethe sword. Let it flow. Stop trying to control it.”
Teeth clenched, arms shaking with exhaustion, I don’t want to admit he’s right, but I am thinking, I’m not just fighting with the sword. I’m fighting myself. Every time I try to plan my next move, I lose the rhythm.
How the hell do you stop your brain from working?
Kazuki comes at me again, katana slicing down hard. This time, I don’t hesitate. I shut my eyes and let my senses take over. Losing myself in the moment, really feeling the sword in my hands, its weight, how it moveswithme. My feet slide in the water, but I hold my balance, pivoting with a grace I didn’t know I had. The clang of steel rings out through the temple, a sound almost sacred. I feel the power behind the blow. No longer awkward, my katana is slowly becoming an extension of me.
“Better,” Kazuki’s voice carries a hint of approval. “But it’s not good enough. You’re still fighting the blade.” I stand there, water and sweat dripping from my brow. Wiping it away, I push my braid back, searching for any coolness.
The valkyries, the warriors whose legacy this temple holds, fought with more than muscle. They fought with purpose. Theyknewwho they were and what it meant, and that’s what I’vebeen missing. I’m not just here to fight. I’m here to take back what was stolen from me, from my family, from my people.
It’s time I stop lying to myself.
“I’ll do what I have to do.” The words slip out, steady, sure. Kazuki meets my gaze with quiet understanding, slowly nodding. I can see it now. I’m not just a girl holding a sword, I’m a warrior.
