The Arks - Chapter 385
“Hateful Aconitum,” finished the Valkyrie.
The small bulbs instantly bloomed into Wolf’s Bane. It was all around the Valkyrie and they looked like they were trying to grab her. With her wings coming out, she took to the skies and watched from above at the beautiful ring of flowers she made.
Rina was mesmerized as she tried to touch the Wolf’s Bane but was halted by the Valkyrie’s authoritative voice.
“Don’t touch those. The flowers will sting you.”
The little girl retracted her hand and stepped away from the ring of poisonous flowers. Another moment later, the flowers vanished, and the Valkyrie came back down.
“That is what I will be teaching you. To use your powers to the fullest. The more you learn, the more you can master your abilities. And you’ll get strong enough to defend yourself,” promised the Valkyrie, smiling.
“Your emotions can be used both against and with you. I am here to teach you how to channel your feelings into your powers. The Element I have created specifically uses your negative feelings. The more negative you are, the more powerful you become.”
“So, what do you say? Instead of crying here and there, wouldn’t it be better you use it as a power? To defend yourself or do wonderous things?” asked the Valkyrie, extending out an open palm to the young girl.
Rina’s eyes and hair were still black but the moment she accepted the Valkyrie’s hand, they changed drastically. Her eyes began to get clouded by a shade of violet and her hair changed into a sea of pink. For the first time, Rina felt so free as she flew around with her wings.
She longer had to hide the fact that she wasn’t human.
That’s where it had all began. A bond with her mentor and savior blossomed the trained together. There were times that the Valkyrie was called back to report to Valokia but she would always come back. Until that fateful day. Where Valokia had its last night.
“Where are you going?” asked Rina, with sleepy eyes.
She yawned a few times before going into the Valkyrie’s room. They had made themselves a log cabin at the same area they had touched down years ago. Thinking that it was going to be another trip, Rina had fallen asleep earlier. But she woke up because she felt something amiss.
“I told you before you slept. I’m heading back to my home planet. I’ve been summoned by the Empress, I do not wish to defy her orders,” explained the Valkyrie, looking at Rina.
“Yea, you told me… But I think something is wrong. I don’t think you’ll come back as fast as you always do. I don’t know why, but I just have a feeling about it. A nasty feeling,” answered Rina, tugging on the Valkyrie’s sleeve.
The Valkyrie looked shocked that Rina would say such things. She wasn’t a child anymore, but she was sure acting like one right now. But as the Valkyrie wanted to give a good tongue-lashing at the girl, her heart softened at the terror and worry of the girl’s eyes.
The Valkyrie froze and sighed. She knew that this summoning was to deal with a major ongoing issue. It was related to her mission but with this sudden callback, she wasn’t sure what would happen next. Rina was right, she won’t come back so soon.
“I’m leaving my spear behind. You’re old enough to wield my spear so you can use it to defend yourself while I’m gone. Like how we always do, right?” asked the Valkyrie, pointing to the spear leaning against the bed.
“But what if you don’t come back?” asked Rina, blurting out her fears.
The Valkyrie was stunned.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to disrespect you!” said Rina, shocked that she would say such things. ‘
The Valkyrie merely chuckled and ruffled the young girl’s hair. She then tilted her head to the side and fumbled with the top of her hair. After a second she placed something on Rina’s head. Scared, Rina braced for impact for asking the Valkyrie to defy orders from the Empress.
But she felt no whack or impact from the woman. As she opened her eyes, the Valkyrie held up a metal plate to show Rina her reflection. Rina was shocked and tried to pull it out. The Valkyrie quickly stopped her.
“Don’t worry, it suits you. You don’t have to pluck it out now, you can take it off when you sleep. You can have it, I don’t mind. A prize for being my best student,” said the Valkyrie, beaming with happiness and pride.
“I can’t take this! Didn’t you say that it was your daughter’s? How could I take something so precious from you?” asked Rina, aghast that her mentor would do such a thing.