Post by Sorrows on Jun 28, 2007 19:01:48 GMT -8
"The world of men has grown insolent and arrogant," came a voice that boomed throughout the guilded hall, shaking the very stone around it. "They forget themselves, invading upon the forests of Yggdrasil with their cities of sin and corruption, making pacts with forsaken souls in feeble attempt to contend with the Immortals, and daring to try and acquire the Orbs of Fate to remove my hand from the world.." The fortitude of stone and those who listened quivered with the voice's fury.
"What would my Lord have us do?" The armor-clad woman knelt at the foot of the throne's approaching staircase, eyes downcast, her long, golden hair flowing down each side of her face, being held back by a headband she still adorned. One hand clenched in a fist and placed upon the floor in respect, the other held her ornate plumed helm beneath her arm. A long, elegant sword and sheath rest along her hip, thrust back at angle as she knelt.
"My Lord.." came another woman's voice, this one from next to the throne, with more familiarity than the kneeling woman. "It would not do well to show weakness to the other Dieties. If they suspect My Lord is having trouble with his own creations..."
"Enough!!" It was all the kneeling woman could do to keep from flinching. Her constitution alone allowed her to not perspire under the immense mental strain caused from this extended audience. "I would not so easily condemn my own work. But I cannot let them think I sit by idly while they defy my will. They must be brought under iron fist and reminded of where the power of this world lies." The kneeling woman took the following silence to be an unspoken acquisance from the other woman.
When the booming voice returned again, there was no question it was directed at herself. "Remind them, Hrsyl. Make them cry my name each night they tremble awake and every breath they curse their last. Go, leav Asgard and bring this world of men to heel~ Break them, my Spear Maiden!"
The Valkyrie Hrsyl stood, keeping her gaze downcast in reverance and part fear. "Yes, My Lord Odin. So shall it be." Turning curtly, daring not stay a moment longer lest her constitution falter in her stride, she took her leave of Odin's hall, her helm held fast under her arm. No one dared to appear hostile in the presence of Odin.
Once the bang of overly large, ornate doors announced the leave of the Maiden, the third voice came again for Odin's ear, a strong sense of humor and mock musing in its tone. "Do you truly trust Hrsyl to this task? She has always had a weak heart for the world of men."
"She would not dare to falter me. If her weakness becomes a hinderance, then the halls will have one less Immortal to hold. Do you care so little for your sister?" The last held its own mocking, hidden beneath the sheer power of sound.
"Battle holds no regard for the difference in blood. Crimson is crimson, whether a mortal's or a sister's. If her resolve should ever waver, I will be the one to fell her myself..."
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Absent strides carried Hrsyl unnoticed. Her consciousness lost in deep thought. Her orders were both clear and unspecific. Odin no doubt relished in the joke that the cruelty that mankind had to face would have to be of her own making.
A familiar scent and sound brought her out of her musing. She had reached the feasting halls, where laughter and booming boasting echoed throughout the enormous room. Men and Women of every size and making filled the hall to the brim, each and every one armed to the teeth; each and every one wearing more than their share of battle scars left unhealed for bragging right.
She sighed, in spite of herself. She gathered together her resolve and cast aside her reservations and doubts. Here, amongst these halls, to have either meant immense dishonor. And, amongst these halls, Honor was Respect, and Respect was Power.
Stalking up to the side of the table that wound around the outside of the entire hall, she pushed aside two large, feasting warriors as though they were but children. With a sweep of one of her arms, plate and food when flying, splattering and shattering as they crashed upon the floor. None of it would be heard over the immense din of the hall. Jumping onto the table in one deft motion, Hrsyl adorned her helmet and drew her blade. The metal shing as she pulled it free from its scabbard echoed through the hall. A sound most recognized under these roofs. A sound that silenced all others as every eye turned to the Valkyrie who now stood with her sword extended upward.
The sudden silence was powerful and unnerving, not to mention the anxious gazes of hundreds of battle-hardened warriors. Hrsyl showed none of it, her eyes sweeping across the scars and ruined faces more ice than emotion. Her voice was powerful, a commanding tone she dared not speak to Odin. The feasting hall carried it to every corner, for every waiting ear.
"Immortals, Einherjar, Warriors all and alike~ We travel to Midgard!!" A booming 'UNN~ UNN~' followed, fists holding weapons thrust in the air in cadence with each sound, as thought one voice shook the stonework. The returned silence was as sudden and absolute as before.
"Only a few hands will leave Valhalla with me. Who here craves battle?!" Another 'UNN~' followed, the raised weaponry falling as the silence once again took over. At this point, a warrior could stand, raising their weapon high and proclaiming their right to battle. This was a ritual of honor and respect. Only warriors with much reverance could proclaim first, and only after an extended silence could a lesser warrior make his claim.
][ Useful Info--
Einherjar: A warrior spirit who's valor earned them the right to live in the halls of Valhalla. To fight and feast under Odin until the day of Ragnarok.
Valkyrie: An immortal woman who's sole purpose is to be the Sword and Shield of Odin, ferrying warrior's souls to Valhalla and commanding the armies of Asgard in Odin's name.
Odin: A lesser Deity who came to power when he created Midgard and the race of men.
Asgard: The world of the immortals, where Einherjar, Valkyrie, and Odin dwell.
Midgard: The world of mortals, where men, elves and other life dwell.
Yggdrasil: The Tree of Life, guarded by the elves deep within the Forbidden Forest.][
][ This thread is kind of out on the limb right now, as far as story and characters go. Choose a character now to join Hrsyl if you are going to participate, but know that it is not the only choice of character you can have. You may take up a mortal or elven character once they reach Midgard, in which case you should not get too attached to the character you take now, because we will neatly kill them off when the need arises. ][