“I don’t think it’s right to compare your valuable memories with some building.” She chuckled wryly.

  Asterios shook his head. “Both are our respective histories, hiding secrets of the past. So, will you agree with me?”

  Bryn observed his face for a brief moment before nodding confidently. “Yes, I will. Thank you, Master. Let’s do our best to help each other as much as we can. We can do it together.”

  Suddenly, all the other women came closer and surrounded Asterios and Bryn with a group hug, pushing the two into each other. She smiled a little awkwardly while pressed into him but neither of the two minded their position too much. Instead of fighting against it, they joined the joint efforts and everyone laughed together quietly.

  “Speaking of Bryn’s plan, the part about the thing called Tyr’s Aegis seemed to evoke quite a reaction from the other valkyrjas,” Silvia said after they finally parted. “What is it and why is it so controversial?”

  Bryn cleared her throat and invited everyone to keep following her through the streets.

  “Because just as it was mentioned, Tyr’s Aegis is believed to be just a legend. None of the current generations have seen it with their eyes and the old texts and chronicles don’t talk about its activation ever,” she began explaining. “Tyr’s Aegis was a defensive formation, a powerful force field which was created to protect the Descending Spire and the city constructed around it. Parts of that city later became Odin, the first ARK.”

  “Looks like it didn’t do its job properly,” Miria mused.

  “Maybe it would have if it was activated,” Selene commented.

  “We can’t know that now. At least until we actually find and turn it on,” Bryn replied.

  “Are you sure that it will turn on or even exist?” Asterios asked. “I’m not intending to doubt you but your friends were really roused by the idea.”

  She sighed softly and showed a gentle smile at him. “I don’t blame you, Master. But, I’m confident in this. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have suggested this plan. I have a close friend who is a scholar. We meet now and then. She’s obsessed with Tyr’s Aegis and knows everything that can be found about it. Easy to imagine, it’s one of the main topics between us. Want or not, I remember an incredible number of details and stories after hearing them countless times.”

  “How does it work then if you can share that information with us?” Tina asked.

  “Past the deepest floor of the Descending Spire, there exists one more, hidden level. It’s guarded even stricter, with the entire stage being riddled with the best mechanical and magical traps our precursors could employ. Amongst the plentiful chambers, there is one of an insurmountable size. That’s where the spiritual reactor is located. It can power the mana shield for centuries if not eons,” Bryn answered.

  “Woaaaaahhhh… It must be a super powerful thing then!” Miria’s eyes sparkled from excitement. “I can’t wait to see it!”

  The Valkyrie smiled at her sweetly. “It is. From what I’ve been told, it uses the heart of the World Serpent as its core and fuel. The Allfather Odin had a vision of great calamity befalling the city with the Descending Spire and ordered the construction of an impenetrable spiritual barrier. He saw it activated in the future and caught a glimpse of the most important part, which was the World Serpent’s heart. The God of War Tyr was the one who succeeded in bringing it to him after decades of effort from all the gods, thus receiving the privilege of having the artifact named after him.”

  Asterios frowned deeply and Bryn paused for a moment.

  “But… If your entire race is unfamiliar with the concept of a man… How come you call that Odin an All-Father? Do you even know what father means?” he asked in confusion.

  She froze momentarily with her mouth open agape. Bryn closed it after a moment and blinked a few times, frowning too.

  “I… Don’t know…” she admitted with some visible concern. “I’m just recounting parts of the story about the gods that my friend shared with me. These are extremely ancient chronicles from ages ago. We know that the gods existed in the past and their names sometimes surface in the texts, and were also used for the ARKs. They supposedly disappeared long before the Scourge plagued our world.”

  “It’s alright. It was just a thought,” Asterios comforted her. “Father is a term that in our realms is used to describe a man who has produced offspring with his partner, who usually is a woman, the mother. That’s why I was surprised since that title kind of points out the fact that this Odin could have been a man.”

  Bryn’s eyes widened in shock. “Then… Does that mean… Are you a god, Master?”

  It was Ast’s turn to appear shocked after her unexpected question.

  Grea snickered behind him and smacked his back a few times. “He certainly is a god in bed, that’s for sure.”

  “Professor! We are having a serious conversation here!” Tina berated her with a pout.

  “Well, I don’t think I’m a god, to be honest, but it’s not impossible for powerful entities to be called that by those they rule over,” Asterios answered after a moment of thinking. “I’m pretty sure we are all aware that some beings have powers that defy logic and control the unimaginable. Just look at the True Dragons, or the entity that locked Umbra’s realm. The latter can very well be considered a god, no?”

  “So, instead of becoming a Dragon King, will Master become a Dragon God?” Miria tilted her head cutely.

  Asterios almost choked on empty air after hearing that.

  Selene chuckled with a mischievous smile. “I can see that happening. And we would then become his harem of goddesses.”

  “In any way, do you not have any depictions of those gods? Though, I guess you wouldn’t be that surprised by my appearance if Odin truly was a man.” Asterios swiftly changed the topic.

  “No, we unfortunately don’t. It’s possible that the old ruins contain some but the ARKs were brought up in a haste and focused on survival. There’s a chance that Brage’s archives have something. I planned to make it our next stop anyway since it is on the way to Odin. The scholars should be able to give us more information about the Descending Spire and its structure. I could try to use my connection with my friend to convince them to help. Having the entire military on board would be a huge incentive too. The lore keepers dream about reclaiming the Spire even harder than we do.”

  “That’s what we will do, then.” Asterios nodded. “I apologize for suddenly throwing you into confusion with my words.”

  “It’s okay, Master. This might actually help us. If it’s true that some of the ancient gods were men, then that fact can prove extremely useful in convincing more people to our cause. The majority might be doubtful after centuries of living in ignorance, but at least the scholars might give it a thought,” she replied.

  He chuckled wryly. “Let’s maybe not try to con your entire race into thinking that I’m one, alright?”

  “Just the scholars, then.” She winked at him.

  Everyone laughed together while Asterios already began imagining the entire situation spiraling out of control.

  “I think we can slowly head back to the Council. They should be done with their discussion. I hope you enjoyed our little tour even though I talked mostly about our plans instead of architecture and other things,” Bryn said after they calmed down.

  “I love every part of this flying city,” Silvia replied with a delicate smile. “Perhaps because it’s something unlikely to witness in our realm.”

  “I agree. We could admire the view while talking about our next steps and your world. That’s very enjoyable,” Tina chimed in.

  “Besides, who doesn’t want to hear about more lore behind the unknown-before realm!” Grea threw her arms into the air with a chaotic giggle. “Keep it coming, girl! I personally am just dying to meet all those eggheads from the other ARK, and especially your friend!”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” The corners of Bryn’s lips curled up just a little as she kept looking ahead. “Let us return to the meeting hall and see if my petition has been accepted.”

  Chapter 10

  Beneficial Research

  Bryn led everyone to the central castle without any rush. She picked a more scenic route, the one none of them had seen yet. It was a small park of an irregular but more or less oval shape. Beautiful flower beds decorated the sides of the paths leading through it, with numerous marble plaques placed all around.

  As she explained, the names of prominent figures that had lived on her ARK were engraved in them. The park served both as a relaxing and pleasant garden and a memory lane. As for the golden statue they had stopped by much earlier, it had been erected in honor of the first and only Sky Queen, the valkyrja who had initiated Operation ARK.

  Asterios and the others listened eagerly to Bryn’s short tales as they passed the pretty garden. It didn’t take them long to move past it and pick up the pace a little after the majestic keep entered their sight once more. The sentries let them in without an issue, already used to their presence, and they strode straight to the meeting hall.

  This time, they couldn’t hear any noise through the massive gate so the Councilors must have gotten past the initial, stormy phase of their discussion. Bryn took everyone inside and the valkyrjas standing by the round table in the very middle all turned towards the entrance.

  “It looks to me like the Council has come to a decision,” Bryn said as she and Ast’s group reached the table.

  “We did,” Kara confirmed.

  “Though, it has to be one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever discussed,” Rota added.

  “There are still many unknowns that worry us greatly but we came to the conclusion that you’ve never led our people astray.” Eir smiled warmly at Bryn.

  “Therefore, your petition to host an out-of-season War Games has been accepted with an almost unanimous vote,” the first valkyrja announced.

  Asterios was pretty sure that the only thing standing in the way of it being a fully unanimous decision was Hilda. Out of all the other winged women present in the meeting chamber, she was the sole bearer of a visibly displeased expression. While worry and concern were still present on the faces of others, they weren’t as intense, and faint rays of hope shone through them.

  “Words can’t express my gratitude.” Bryn made a polite bow and everyone on Ast’s side mirrored it.

  “Do you really intend to offer your seat as the main reward?” Kara asked.

  “Yes, I do. Since this will be an out-of-season event just as you said, we need something to incentivize people to participate or at least watch,” Bryn replied confidently.

  “So be it. Does anyone have any objections regarding this aspect?” Kara looked over all of her fellow Councilors but everyone shook their heads. “Very well. I’ll hope that you don’t lose your position, then. The trust you hold towards your representative must be truly great.”

  “I have no doubt that Asterios will not lose to a single opponent. There is no one amongst our best warriors or magicians who can match his strength. And even if there was, you’ve seen yourself how resourceful and capable he is. Don’t forget who we owe the major improvement in our supply situation.” Bryn glanced at Asterios and he responded with a respectful nod.

  “We’ll see about that,” Hilda finally joined in, crossing her arms under her chest. “Sanma and Odryn have been growing at an incredible rate recently. You might have missed that since your attention gets increasingly more divided between our affairs and that thing’s world.”

  Bryn tightened her fist and was going to rebuke the older valkyrja but Asterios stopped her, placing his hand on her shoulder. He had to use the other one to ruffle through Miria’s hair as she had been close to exploding too. Everyone in his group knew just how much she couldn’t stand others insulting her beloved master. But, there was just no point in getting into an argument with some who hadn’t changed their stance even the tiniest bit since the day they had met for the first time.

  “Regarding the details of your plan to cleanse the Descending Spire, we will discuss them after the War Games are over,” Rota said, breaking the tension between the two of her friends. “We shall start the preparations immediately. I think three days is enough time to inform everyone and get the arena ready. We would like to ask you to share the news with Skodul if you don’t mind.”

  “Leave it to me. I was planning to show Asterios and the others the arena anyway.” Bryn nodded. “I don’t mind taking care of the Power Division while you manage the other ones. It should be natural since I requested the War Games to be held right now and the reward involves my person too.”

  A quiet murmur passed through the gathered valkyrjas and no one seemed to be against the idea.

  “That will be all for now, then. We have a lot of work to do. Even if the War Games have been called out of nowhere, that’s no reason to cut any corners. This is a good opportunity to celebrate our improved situation a little bit.” Kara concluded the gathering and everyone started leaving in small cliques.

  Before Asterios and the girls walked out of the chamber too, Kara, Rota, and Eir caught up to them. Bryn showed a soft smile and stopped on the side so that they didn’t block the entrance.

  “Good gods, Bryn. Why is it that whenever anything unprecedented happens it’s always you who initiates it?” Rota sighed, rubbing her forehead.

  “Perhaps someone is having a bad influence on her,” Eir suggested with a tiny smirk.

  “Master is not a bad influence,” Bryn replied firmly.

  “I’m just joking. Don’t take it so seriously. I’m not Hilda.” Eir chuckled. “I can’t deny how much we have received from this person.”

  “You aren’t wrong, though. Everything began from the moment she met that man,” Kara agreed, raising a brow at Bryn.

  A faint blush crept onto Bryn’s cheeks. “I was just lucky to be summoned by such an amazing master, nothing else.”

  “Or it was fate,” Eir suggested and the trio of winged women exchanged knowing looks.

  “Nevertheless, if it was luck, then I hope you haven’t run out of it because you will certainly need a lot considering what you want to do,” Kara said. “I want to believe in it as much as you do. We want to believe in it as much as you do. I hope you can show us a good reason why we should.”

  “Just you wait! Master will tear everyone into shreds!” Miria exclaimed with a lot of enthusiasm.

  “Fufufu~ That certainly would be a sight but I think it wouldn’t be wise to injure our upcoming allies too much. He should just make everyone faint with a snap of his fingers.” Selene hid an impish smile behind her slender hand.

  “Why do I feel like that wouldn’t even surprise me.” Tina sighed while shaking her head.

  “Well, he did almost make me lose consciousness just from looking at me way back then.” Silvia let out a quiet chuckle.

  “You know what would surely make all the women faint? If he suddenly flung his schlo—mwwwhmmm!”

  Grea didn’t get to finish her sentence as Asterios sealed her mouth with his hand. He smiled wryly at the three valkyrjas.

  “I’ll try my best to live up to Bryn’s expectations. We are thankful for this chance. I just hope that my appearance won’t cause too many issues for you,” he said.

  “It’s very likely that the crowd will be confused at first, and you might even get booed, but I’m sure that they will shut up when you show what you are capable of. If your companions aren’t overselling you, that is.” Eir smiled at him.

  “It’s going to be the first time in history that an outsider partakes in the War Games. What’s more, it won’t be just one but six of them. People will be extremely curious to see what’s going to happen after they get past their negative first impressions,” Rota said.

  “That’s what I’m hoping for.” Bryn nodded. “Now, it’s better for us to leave. Thank you for supporting me, Kara, Rota, Eir. I bet you put a lot of effort into convincing others to agree while also fighting against Hilda’s faction.”

  The valkyrjas shared polite nods and Ast’s group continued on their path out of the castle. After they reached the plaza in front of it, Bryn took the lead once more and guided them to the main arena, where the War Games would be taking place, and where Skodul should be found.

  Soon, a massive structure entered their sight. It wasn’t as high as the tallest towers of the castle they had left but its width and overall bulkiness were just unparalleled. Even from the ground, they could tell that it had a shape of a giant circle. Six stories tall, each level was riddled with arches and openings, giving it a specific feeling. It somehow resembled the tiny coliseums Rosewind academy used for exams and other activities but scaled up and much more detailed. A grand and breathtaking battleground for sure.

  They moved to one of the arched openings on the bottom floor and Bryn guided everyone into a smooth tunnel. Asterios was certain that, without having prior experience traversing this structure, one could get fabulously lost inside the multitude of corridors. Countless paths crossed each other and they passed a valkyrja or two as they made it through.

  After about three minutes of walking, they found the exit and stepped into the middle section of the arena. The girls looked around in awe, including Silvia. She had seen her fair share of fighting grounds, including the few in the royal capital, but the structure made by valkyrjas trumped everything. And the fact that it was out of gold, silver, and other metals, made it just so much more impressive.

  Asterios felt like it would take a normal person good minutes to cross the diameter of the circular stage spanning in front of them. Cascading rows of benches and seats surrounded it, with twice as many levels as the structure had stories. Multiple, decorative gates were present on the bottommost wall. Besides the areas for the audience, a sizable box was separated to form a big section for important guests and observers, most likely.

  “It looks like there’s no training today,” Bryn said, glancing around the flat surface. “To not let it just lay to waste, the arena is used almost daily by the troops. Skodul is its supervisor and one of the best instructors. She’s an old Valkyrie, with lots of battle experience, and taught many great warriors.”