Ah My Goddess Fan Fiction ❯ Valkyrie's Knight ❯ Prolouge I ( Prologue )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer - Oh My Goddess! And all its characters belong with all originality to Kosuke Fujishima and the US publisher Dark Horse Manga that allowed me the opportunity to think up this fiction that hopes to live up to the ideals that the series was based upon. I don’t make a lot of moolla anyway. Also much of the other terms and revisions I did in kind, came from either online sites like Wikipedia, or my own warped mind, so bear with both please.

The last thing he saw was a flare off of fading vision, and the gorgeous being that he just said his last words to. His living feeling then fell away, is this what cold was?

....and why was he still…………….

--------------------

Everything was bright here. Did he remember when he opened his eyes? Something felt off, but looking around in this white haze that was clearing off, as he thought he saw two beings looking over some kind of devices, things that floated? Wait a....

A strange shimmer was felt going up and down his body. Strange beeping sounds he never head before kept echoing all around him. Apparently hearing was going in stride with sight, as sharpening edges started seeing more details of various colors from the strangest of artifices that lined all the walls. The light seemed to be as bright as sunlight on a summer Montana day, but it came from the walls and ceiling.... The floor.... the very air in fact.

Then a glowing green-blue line zipped down across his face, not too fast. A humming sound came with it.

Confusion came to his mind, he felt thinking come to the fore. In fact he realized this as if thinking wasn’t capable beforehand. What the heck is going....?

The sounds most strange to him.... (must be a him he thought....) ....grew clear as crystal. Everything did…

“His mind is near eighty percent to active stage.”

“Acknowledged...”

He tried to crane his neck to the voices, both female as much as sonnets go, but found he couldn’t move anything.

“Nervous system still inactive below the thirty percentile.”

“He’ll live with that for another few minutes.”

A hasteful, growing into a mania, sense of entrapment started to overcome him. Confusion didn’t help one iota, and now that last edgy voice made it all worse. Bad enough he couldn’t fully understand anything at all, pinned down and all. He felt it was necessary to find an anchor to control his emotions with, and for some reason he remembered his old drill instructor in Fort Knox. As stable a rock as he had seen of anyone, aside from that oriental Sensei he knew of.

....or he thought he did.

“Soldier, when you find everything around you going to hell on the battlefield, you are never to allow your mind to freeze up. It can kill you, and your comrades before you can even think of the word ‘sorry’. Keep that muddle head in control and you just might be able to be a man in this man’s army. You might also survive what those krauts have coming to ya also.

Don’t give any enemy the satisfaction. Get that mind and head on straight.”

"(Did that old coot make any sense?)" Whatever it was supposed to be, he remembered that much and in fact a lot of his life, one that ‘wasn’t’ in the here and now. Still, he ‘got his head on straight indeed’, and dumped that useless panic like a lead weight. He did remember he could do that much, after all that fighting and all.

It seemed to impress whoever was around him.

“So much for needing a sedative image.” ....the edgy sounding one quipped, the other person only making an impressed murmur. He just sighed and wondered how much longer of whatever this all was, was going to take?

“About an hour your time.” ...this makes him cock an eye. "(Did they just....?)" ....the voice responding again.... "That would be an aye, your mind was read as per an open tome. Rebooting your bodily from its disassembled state takes time you know, more work than would be worth all of this. If not for that Wish you made."

"(Okay.)" ....he thought, he had no idea what.... wait. That being that appeared before him, what was she? "(That blast....)" That thought simply rung his ears and head, it must have hit him harder than he thought. What a moment, where was David and the others? Wasn’t Joseph just behind him? They were retreating from that trench line and....

....and then she appeared....

He couldn’t properly remember much of what happened in fact. That blast, then that... wait, wasn’t there a grenade first? Man he couldn’t remember, it was all so jumbled. Again it proved to be responded to with....

“Don’t worry, everything will be answered when you reach the Almighty One.”

"(Say what? Who?)"

--------------------

“: You did die, assured this much you are, of your prior mortal form. :”

The nameless soul was stunned, standing before the Avatar form of 'the' apparent Lord of Creation. “You mean that....” ....in a nice and meek voice.

Behind him the two beings that had apparently, er....  rebooted him, listened with amazement as Almighty One responded.... “: Yes. You did. :” ....and then why and how. And then with explanation, one that was simply impossible to believe. Looking at the floating effidice of some kind that spoke to him, more than just from some weird object, but rather a representation of a power that wasn’t able to be ignored, the confused mortal found the explanation very much real.

And the Wish also just as real. At the end of it all, he asked.... “Why me?” ....as any real mortal should with any sense at all. (Was he mortal? Goddesses for questions.)

A blunt answer, “: The System informed it was due time, and the act was justified in such a moment. The Wish however was a surprise, although not unexpected. The administrators took their time researching your case from your previous life. I only allowed the uplink because ‘of’ your act. I have my own concerns of auspice over this all. :” …the fathomless being replied, trailing off for its own reasons. Only the Almighty One could see what would be come of this.

This mortal sure didn’t. On this the Almighty One made his commandment, this the two medical goddesses took as Yggdrasil code speak in equal effect.

--------------------

Everything seemed to happen fast, whisked away to another area, another chamber within this fathomless realm. Where the mortal finally ended up surprised him. Not even an initial tour, other than passing by a rather healthy throng of celestial beings looking at this obvious underdeveloped mortal. The whispers he heard didn’t help matters, but they dropped quickly as a chamber is reached.

When the hatch opens, the mortal sees and blinks... “This looks like that same place I came from. Uhm.... wait, what is that thing?” ....this as they approach a strange body length shaped device. The one of the goddess just quips back as if it was nothing special. (Hardly.) “It’s a special medical chamber, what of it?”

The mortal backed up a couple of steps. “What does this have to... eh... HEY!”

One of the two just yank tosses the bloke into the chamber rather briskly. “Stop whining, it’ll help you prepare.” ...the goddess says with a gleeful chuckle meant for mad scientists.

The mortal’s mind draws ill as the hatch closes shut. The screams aren't much better.

A fear of tenth-dimensional translation needles was cultivated that day.

--------------------

“Valkyries?” ....a nameless mortal quips, still rubbing at his sores.

“Yes, they are our combat division that protects Intracel and all its operations. They also operate as an offensive arm to ward off demonic attacks from Nidhog, or Demon Central as you would understand such. Their standards are nigh impossible to approach, so don’t expect any warm greetings, though you may be used to such anyway.”

The mortal sighs, remembering his memories of said military like upbringing and afterward actual the same, before seeing real combat. As he rubbed his hiney further from all that probing and goddesses knows what else they really did, the mortal surmised it couldn’t all be worse than ‘that’ enhancement session had been. The mortal just snickered... “The sarge made sure I didn’t see much of enamored feelings, that was for sure. If these… val... Valkyries, yeah... are anything like that…” ...the mortal trailed off. Everything was so jumbled and statically to him anyway, more knocks and ill feelings to his melon would probably feel numb in comparison to all the mind numbingness he was experiencing already.

He looked over at the strange being he was with, seemed like an stereotypical angel, blond of mane and all. He looked away with a blush when he was glanced at in turn, and got a giggle as they entered a large complex of structures. This 'Heaven' to him, was more structurally unorthodox than even Billings was. It sure wasn’t New York either, or anything else he remembered.

The area however had a slightly more military feel to it all, the rounded and natural symmetry of the area was more angular and militaristic. Sight of this, along with the stiffer winds here, and the obvious sound of clamoring metal in more than one direction, told enough at the very least. It also made him hesitate, something else in the aura of this area that made him feel reserved.

His escort saw a physical manifestation of this hesitation and considered before commenting... “Second thoughts?”

“More than.” ....the mortal openly professed. He didn’t step further back, considering what to make of his next step forward. A motion to his left, away from the open air hallway they were within, caught the mortal’s attention however, as he saw two of these celestial beings flying along in white jumpsuits, their blue trim and staff arms very keen to his eye, even at their speed. He was shocked by the sight and stuttered out... “Are.... a... those...?”

One of them, a long raven maned one glanced at the two, before zipping off into the distance. The area proved to be far larger than the mortal eye conceived. However panorama wasn’t the point of the moment as the mortal realized how small he was. And indeed how beautiful more than just the scenery was here.

“Is he going to be like that all the time?”

The mortal spun his head a bit too hard at the new voice and about wrenched his neck doing it, holding it as he saw two ‘more’ of these jump suited beings. A long emerald maned one, and another a mix of red and orange. The escort goddess comments... “I presume you have been briefed.” ...and straight to the point, the red head announced. “If the Almighty One commands it, despite my reservations, so be it to refuse otherwise.”

After regaining feelings in his neck, the mortal gulped and looked a ‘bit’ pensive as he heard the voice that struck discord at him, ala the emerald maned one. “Forgive if we disapprove nonetheless.” ...said as she looked over this mortal in scalding detail. The mortal didn’t care for that and threw back his facade of pensiveness for a more stern demeanor to match.

The goddess escort however informed… “I expect the War Section to disapprove in its entirety. However you will find this one a decent surprise once training progresses. Enhancements are progressing as we speak, and his character already is without yield.”

The redhead stabbed back calmly… “We shalt test such in replete measure.”

“Good.”

The three didn’t expect that, in fact he didn’t expect that either. He just didn’t care for tones that bordered on ills he hated of his own entire previous life. Speaking out always did get him into trouble, more than anything else did. What this got in turn was from the redhead... “Good.”

The mortal didn’t expect that, his fidgeting finger on his left chin (with the right hand for some reason,) told of his pensiveness once more.

--------------------

Indeed he expected to get a rough greeting. Upon first entering one of the large training chambers, where he saw many dozens of these same garbed beings, all of them in the middle of some free for all combat training session from heck, he wondered if he’d survive leaving this chamber at all.

With a snap of a finger from the redheaded one, they literally fell into formation at the floor of the chamber. It was quite startling to see. At this, the apparent commander of this Valkyrie troop informed once the formation was settled down. “I presume you all have heard. Need I say much more?”

Apparently with how swiftly the large lot of these goddesses (...the apparent term that began to fixate in the mortal’s mind,) looked at him, word traveled very fast here. One of the fore standing Valkyries asked... “So we are to train him?” ...one of short spiky gray hair.

The emerald haired one teardropped in responding... “Aye.”

The mortal just smiled and waved a hand like a dope. “Well, I did make a Wish, not that I meant to.... eh? WHOA!!”

The next moment was hardly what he expected from a troop of war trained celestial powers, when he was suddenly mobbed by a great lot of them, glommed and goddess knows what else, in what was hardly a most serene or terse of moments. For a moment he just feels the lot of them get mushy all around him, as he realizes this. “What IS this!? A harem manga?!”

The two commanders just groan and shake their heads variously as suddenly the mortal is heaved unto a large set of Valkyrie shoulders and literally marched off. One of them yells... “Let’s get him to his room.” …another... “I get to give him a tour!” ...and so on… “Wait till he sees the baths.”

After carrying him off, the two commanders just snicker and look back at the escort. “We’ll get started first light.” ...ala fire mane.

“Of course.” ...ala greenery mane.

The redhead Valkyrie however noticed off to the left as a single other of the order start walking off with her battle axe. The steel blue-silver haired goddess gave a glance back dryly before tapping off with her foot and hovering off. The training commander just sighed. “Isn’t she ever going to change?”

The emerald one looked around but saw no one... “Who?” ...and her equal number growled.

The escort just smirked... “Phosus and Demesus, what a pair.”

--------------------

Time was indeed a different specimen in this realm, as the mortal soon realized. Not only did it move in a filament far different than what was of norm of the old world, (Earth what have you,) but the scale of the training that the mortal soon was literally heavily subjected to, was in of its own self, time absorbing. The mortal found that his apparent method of death, an entirely noble and sacrificing act to be sure, for the sake of others even more so, on top of the Wish he made when the time came, gained a rather illicit following from the normally intense bunch of combat troops.

All the mortal knew was, however, that it was simply a Wish made with literally nothing else in mind at that moment. Not like he had much time left anyway when he made it. Apparently dying kind of rushes things. He wondered if all his old buddies were okay. So many things.

And so many of them! Apparently the Valkyrie Combat Division had thousands, maybe millions of them, to help command Heaven’s defenses. Maybe it seemed like that kind of number, for the first few ‘days’ alone in this new existence, as the mortal was indoctrinated in the Valkyrie style. There were many types of training facilities to hone all the skills that both a goddess, and a Valkyrie needs. The nominal training sessions of normal celestial life was augmented with the tough standards the professional warriors.

The first week of this was rather much even for an enhanced body and mind, for the mortal. The goddesses might have gained immediate respect for the mortal, but they also didn’t hold back. The boy got pounded good in that first short time, enough to make him reconsider that Wish. He was mentally unprepared for a second ‘worse’ boot camp, one that would last forever, and with apparently an Ivy league college on steroids atop of it. The bruises started running deep.

That is however why the time began to blur, because the more the damage set in, the more determined the mortal became to live up to a growing self presumed expectation that the Wish supposedly came with. The thinly veiled presumptions about his mortality in of itself, depending on which god or goddess he passed by at the time, wasn’t that for the egotistically challenged. If not for the ‘how’ of death, the ‘presumptions’ would more than likely have exacerbated greatly.

Now how do you live an afterlife under the guise of a new life, when all those around you lived a wholly different scale of life that should be in fact impossible to exist in? It was impressed early on the realm of Yggdrasil was in fact a different dimensional plane of space. Far more than simple three dimensions and all, and not simply a reality the mortal was ‘adjusted’ to, or the realm itself done the same for that matter. It was in fact the power and wisdom of the Almighty, given what It could do, and more over, whatever It’s great plans were.

Since the Wish was so simple and explicit all the same, it met a criteria that had been bothering the situation Heaven faced against its Dark counterpart for quite some time. This the mortal learned all the same as well.

--------------------

“Goddesses can’t kill each other then?”

Might as well be a four dimensional version of a college style instruction center, one where attendees were in attendance upon seating that floated all about the instructional auditorium, but the essence was the same as hundreds of low level trainees of all levels of the System took their classes with great intent. (Most of them anyway.) The current instruction of inter System relations between Heaven and Hell progressed into the late of day, the mortal realized from the last vein of instruction to then put in simple terms of a query. The instructor, a God of the Lower Council this day, took the question plainly.

“Indeed mortal. Though the word ‘can’t’ is too generalized, compared to the truth. Why this is so I cannot tell you due to internal System reasons.” The mortal only nodded, knowing an important secret when he heard one. One of the trainees above-behind him just leaned over and whispered... “Too bad, something new you can’t access in so limited a manner.”

The mortal just sighs at this treatment again, as the instructor suddenly comments out off his very impeccable hearing. “I assure you all, none of you here in this room knows any better, especially you Troubadour.” ...hence the laughing the Tree Plum spirit endures from the great lot. It still didn’t make the mortal feel any better, he felt this initial sting and then ‘defenses’ a bit too many times by now. However as the laughter dies down, the mortal wonders.

…and this is accented by the instructor with... “Since this discussion is about such a problem that can’t be discussed, it should be noted that there are other ways members of either side can die, and a number of them already have. All of you know full well the situation both celestial factions has with the three dimensional plane.” ...this the mortal knew well as Earth and other similar worlds, a great many in fact as he learned over time. He felt a number of eyes in fact lay upon him in reflex.

The instructor continued... “The situation may have settled down as of late, but we are keeping an eye on the tensions on the third dimensional plane. Some activities not disclosed are in fact being conducted to avert a tragic situation down there, but the Demons however know too well what is at stake for their interests as well. Why this is so concerns the instruction at hand however. And also comes of a warning we learned from a recent action, one concerning a trap the Demons used using an unexpected element. One we hadn’t seen in many eons in fact.”

A wave of a hand and some translucent screen appears above / amid the instructed class. In it is a shock to all eyes, even the lay back ones, to see the remains of a Goddess First Class. One rather brutalized to keep the term… civilized. The reality is too gruesome otherwise.

When the class recovers amid a swirl of voices all around, the instructor informs with direct intent. “This poor soul, was found quite terminated, after contact with a mortal that somehow gained access to a demon, or vice versa, which of we are not certain of as yet. The point of it is this, it was not the demon that killed this soul. The death was by a mortal hand. Again we are not certain of how yet. This should readily show what 'can' happen to one of us, if we are not careful at times.”

For the one mortal that was present in the class, and quite possibly every other that had providence to exist in this realm under similar circumstances in Intracel, the sight ‘had’ to be impossible to comprehend. An immortal actually dead? But if he heard the instructor right, it was possible somehow, and this was apparently proof of this. He hoped the gazes that floated over him as this all was occurring, wasn’t utterly fearful ones now. Or worse…

The instructor continued in vein... “While we do not know cause in detail yet, we do know that it is imperative to instill the fact that we are not all infallible, or even invulnerable. We are who we each are, and we are here to ensure that Heaven gives all that it is aspired to, whatever form that may take. For all that our Counterpart however represents, exists too, as does the dangers of who we all are, and ‘can’ possibly experience. Train your minds to remember what we strive for, and protect, and also what prices there are if we are not diligent in our duties.

If one can be as so as shown, do not fail in supposing there is less of each the rest of us if we fall ill to presumption. If you learn nothing else here, know what it is you cherish and protect. Even if it is with your lives.” …this last part leveled almost dead at the mortal.

That mortal knew terminally well what ‘that’ meant. So much so, it became an ironclad part of what was to come for him.

--------------------

It seemed a late day here, the light lain fit for a coming sunset, when in fact, it was another Plane coming to the fore around Intracel, where the golden light of evening was concerned. As the mortal left once more on his lonesome, he left this time with something new burning in his well mortal soul.

Before that class of note, each day beforehand were of thoughts of why he wasn’t approached much, unless it was a Valkyrie informing him of coming training, or a similar number trying to be personally enamored for his own sake, without much real intent other than to cheer the bloke up. This time the inner thoughts came out on his facade, and it seemed to add to the rumor of the class that day.

What they saw next however was the said mortal stop, and clench his fist to the point of bleeding. Seeing blood in this celestial realm was just as rare as the author. Something seemed to have changed by this sight alone. "I'll be darned if that will happen while I'm around." ...he spoke, if uncertain how he could make that actually occur. He then quickly realized where he could go and ask of it. The prior sound alone made a few goddesses around blink reflexively at him, as he dwelt.

When he started off again, he passed by a small group of Valkyries, one of which was a same steel blue-silver haired number for once, as one of them commented. “Did something just happen?”

“I hope so. Might make for more of a challenge in sessions.” ...a white haired Valkyrie remarked. An inquisitive murmur came across the lot of them just then.

--------------------

The same instructor walked down the hallway, too mentally occluded to bother flying off yet.

"Making 'me' teach him. Of all the nerve." ...this before he stopped, thought of an Iota that would be under Protected Algorithm if spoken out loud, and then sighed. "How? Just..." ...before the Lower Council God looked up, and reflexively saw where Almighty's palace node was, at the apex of a pearlescent tower.

"I 'hope' you know what you are doing, My Lord."

The Judicator finally flew off for Brightwater.

--------------------

Whatever was happening to the ears of the goddesses actually risking a good scolding, it was enough to press their ears in on the chamber door of the Almighty One. Even if the distance involved behind the door was infinite, the Third Class Secretarial Section interns were curious enough.

For good reason, as the mortal met once more with the Almighty One, this time at the mortal’s request. It was as gleaming the same as when the mortal first arrived, so as to the sight of said mortal. The Almighty One floated around in his chosen state, an avatar, a communication device, whatever It was.

The mortal still treated It the same, with total respect, and with determination of question. He didn’t dally on the point either.

“: Ask as you may. :” …as if It didn’t see this question coming.

“How literally can I take that Wish I made?”

“: With little avail to the nay, so as to your power to ascribe. Is that not why you are here? :”

The mortal cocked an eye in this singular meeting, wondering. “Should I digress my suspicions, one of many of fact, to this matter at hand Almighty?”

A slight chuckle, making the glowing effidice shimmer in the same reverberation. In kind... “: Your intuition is founded. Allow your instructors to inform you why, with the time you are now to have spent in this endeavor. Do not allow your dream to be impeded in any way. :”

The mortal however replied back with else to say. “It tis no dream, it is a service to prevent what I heard yesterday in that chamber. I will not allow a being of this realm to fall to another mortal. The conduct of such to me, is.... distasteful.”

In this, the Almighty was satisfied to such was good. However the mighty Lord did have a question of Its own. “: Have you not chosen your name yet? Even the council grows curious of this development. :”

The mortal simply blinked and rubbed his scalp. He hadn’t actually (quite actually,) considered such a thing. “Actually...” ...he started and stopped in the same syllable, considering in a sudden whim, and then answering, believing he is clever in so doing. “...not yet.”

Did the effidice raise an eyebrow?

--------------------

-Down the increasing flow of time's make.-

Demesus waved away the small group of Valkyries and brushed her emerald hair in a groaning fit. It had been the third time this past celestial week that there had been complaints. This time Phosus was present, though only entering from a side chamber, after the complaint by three representatives of the morning training cadre had their due. (One of the complaints 'tried' to be impressed sounding however.)

“He’s progressing fast.” ...the rubicon fire hair Phosus quipped, Demesus however just shrugged. “A bit too fast, almost ‘too’ focused, maybe a bit rough at that.”

Demesus however got a strange sounding chuckle from her equal number. “Amusing is it?” ...and responded to in a level tone. “He’s made it already to the middle ranks of the order here. At this rate, though with receding results eventually. Still, it is remarkable that our troops are getting so embellished upon in such short order.”

“Still just mortal.” ...retorted in turn. Phosus however puts to consideration. “Still, there are ways to ensure he learns how fast he can go. Ways to remind him readily.”

Demesus smirks considering almost the same upon seeing Phosus’s smile, a rather fang laden one at that.

--------------------

“That’s six times now. Doesn’t he know better?” ...a blond short crop Valkyrie winced, as the mortal was pasted for the said numbered time, looking more and more beat up as the training session progressed. A slight shock when in the middle of the latest session this passing day, the mortal was stopped in sparring against a stronger opponent, by an open challenge by Phosus herself.

Few could stand up against one of the Commanders of the Valkyries, and it was being demonstrated as the mortal was put down time and again despite the best he could manage. The six times so far had shown that there was more to combat than pure skill and determination, though the latter was what was driving the five previous attempts. The first couple of times came with a bunch of inside bets for meal ration privileges, and slight jeers of the ‘got what was coming to ya’ variety, from the already bested goddesses of the troop. It however was soon turned into something else by the fourth time.

The mortal wasn’t quite seeing it yet, but was getting a feel for the type of combat the Valkyrie commander was supposedly using. Phosus noticed this that the mortal seemed to be learning fast, and changed into a separate combat style despite using the same Axe and all, when the fifth try came.

When the seventh try came despite yelps of giving up and such normal cries in such a situation from the throng, the mortal tried to surprise Phosus and switched his own style that complimented the second style the commander was using. The Valkyrie was impressed within the first few seconds of what was the possible potential here. About five more seconds of this, the mortal was back on his kiester rather hard this time. Again skill not a match yet for the speed the goddess commanded. As his own Axe weapon landed with a clang nearby in the rather silent chamber.

Phosus commended where she could for ego’s sake. “Impressive that you seem to manage to learn so fast, even lasting longer each time. For a ‘mortal’ that is.” ...she put the last to ensure the stress of defeat matched the rare open praise the Commander gave of anyone. Something of this echoed in the light murmurs in the warrior gallery as the mortal picked himself up once more, head slunk down in a deep frown.

Then the wrong word hits the air from nearby. “Finally?” ...one of the gallery quips, this as Phosus looks harshly at the source, because she knew what would happen next. With a sharp shiver, he stomped over twice to pick up his weapon, and held it offensively with a low tone of... “...not... quitting...” ...before charging up in a hard leap to meet Phosus’s already in place combat stance.

By the look she saw in the mortal’s infuriated eyes, she had to stifle this all in one harsh stroke.

As they reparried again for the eighth time, the clang of this exchange made several of the Valkyries hold their ears from the reverberation. Two more strokes of this managed to exchange cross length staff wise, and garner the first impressed glances from the higher echelons of the warrior order, including one certain steel blue-silver maned one’s version.

The exchange lasted two more parries as the mortal felt just how strong the Commander was with her blows, just before a slide shove threw him back into a free fall for a moment, before Phosus spun her weapon incredibly fast, and slammed him with a vicious overhand slash, cutting him decently across the hands, and sending him careening down.

Phosus felt enough was done, but then saw where she just hit him towards. “Oh dear.” ...she put with a tone of a most surprised. What for was when a split moment later, he crashed into one of the Valkyries below, shocking the ones nearest. When he recovers senses, he hears a bevy of jittered gasps, as he also feels something soft in his hand, cheeks, over his entire front actually. Warm and soft and… ut oh.

He looks up with what is left of his sight, into the mixed shocked/angry/embarrassed of the same Valkyrie he had noting for some time now. Strange tryst of fate the mortal felt as he tried… “Um... ah... um... apologies?”

The Valkyrie just responded by simply decking him, and then promptly jumping up to fly off quickly in an enraged huff. With the mortal out cold, this time for sure, one of the more ‘serene’ Valkyries commented. “Nice to see Lind hasn’t lost her touch.”

Phosus saw all this from above and winced as much as anyone when the mortal got creamed. She just commented to herself bluntly, as Demesus floated up. “Well, that’s one way to calm him down.”

--------------------

-A mere week after...-

More than his pride was on display as he stood in Phosus’s chambers, as she conducted a review report that was somewhat tailored to what was understandable to the mortal, given his old life versions, while still similar to the versions Valkyries normally received.

Somewhere within the bruises and healing patches all over his face and neck, he was still sweating as anyone usually does in one way or another during a formal review. It had been about a celestial year now since he started his focused training, and had gotten very far in such a time. However he had hit a literal brick wall of sorts with the highest creme of the training cadres. He admittedly was frustrated, knowing that he couldn’t hope to self supposedly commit to his lofty ideals if he couldn’t match the skill and power of the high Commanders and First Classes among the warrior order. (All based on medical enhancements that simply hadn't evolved for him yet)

He already had no such presumptions of anything less of the Demons versions, after this first said year conducting all this training though, things were beginning growing blurred.

Phosus began her report with a cough of her throat. “Overall your progression has met agreeable results as per our standards. If you were in any other Section of Heaven, you’d easily surpass their compliment of expectations. However given the nature of objective that you are here for, it is surmised you are not looking for any other approval than ours of the Valkyrie order." ...the mortal kept an uneasy looking focus, as the report continued.

Phosus as such in stern tone... "For a mortal and all inherit limitations despite genetic enhancement, you have reached the seventy-fifth percentile of the combat levels, and essentially have reached acceptable capability for what would normally be advanced phase training by the cadres. Your academic scores also meet that for a Second Class goddess, and would easily be a candidate for any other support division the Valkyries oversee that relies on protection of Heaven, outside the main combat arms sections. In that, you would graduate for the next level of training. Congratulations in so that much.”

The mortal however didn’t fidget much to the relaxed, as Phosus and Demesus looked on, the latter noting in the far waiting chamber, more than a few heads were ‘tilted’ amongst the other trainees waiting for their reviews. The mortal was in his own tunnel vision universe in hearing this review, Demesus also noticed.

Phosus however continued, sensing the mortal was expecting the next words. Ones not mean for the ease of an ego. The Commander long since knew the young pup had one. “However a distressing combination of lack of foresight, and a hint of obsessiveness in combat training sessions, seems to indicate that your drive to exceed standards makes you rather... erratic, in your judgments. While you show compassion, and judgment thereof in sessions, you also demonstrate a tendency to be blinded of your surroundings. And while also you may think in tactical ways on the foot’s notice of mind, you don’t realize when a battle is lost, and are getting more injuries than the normal trainee should receive.

At the very least you should be considering your bodily well being in battle, to last longer in battles of longer term merits. Moreover, you should think smarter, not harder, if that was one of the sayings of your mortal world, I deduct correctly." ...this the mortal's face was contorted in hearing.

Phosus didn't restrict her lashings there. "Lastly, you treat your opponents here too harshly with the failings stressed upon, leaving both you and partners in the infirmary more often than what the healers are willing to deal with. You are trying too hard, but not in a smart way.” ...Phosus halts with an exasperated sigh. The mortal gulps in his own version, but still feels the burn of his inferiority at hand compared to the types he surrounded by, and still echoes an old reverberation of trying to exceed to match what is so easy to everyone else.

Phosus stops and rubs her forehead, and then barks out. “Need I summarize what this means mortal?! If you can think, why ‘aren’t’ you doing more of such!? If you’re looking for acceptance, or acknowledgment along these terms, well, this is the wrong section of heaven for that.” ...this making the mortal wince more and more.

“‘We’ focus on preparing our domain for battles that should not hopefully come, not beat each other like Demons that don’t have a clue afterwards. At the very least, do you have any clue what you want to do from here on out? In fact what ‘are’ you supposed to do here from here on out anyway?!”

Demesus was taken aback by the rather irreverent tone Phosus directed at the mortal. Phosus continued as he winced even further under a sudden and blaring truth. “What am I supposed to do with you? I like you, I admire your spirit, but it doesn’t make you one of us. Not a Valkyrie, not a Goddess, not even a Bug for eternities sakes.

You’re here yes for a Wish, but what the heck more are you going to do with it?! I didn’t bring you in to put you somewhere. I don’t know ‘what’ to do with you in fact! I beat you senseless in training to get the idea through to you that you can’t match up to us, and for ‘what’!? Have you ‘any’ idea what you want to do from here?” ...this making more than a few heads look uncomfortable, within the room, and external.

A stunned and brief moment, and the mortal quickly blurts out... “I... I don’t... I...”

Phosus was about ready to scream back out at him, but stopped herself, realizing how agitated she suddenly was. She also realized a hint of the same discriminatory veil much of the rest of Heaven had for mortals overall, was creeping in. She admitted sat some deep level, she plain hated having the mortal here amongst her true Valkyries. She wondered in some deep whisper, if this was some test of joke by the Almighty upon her, her kind, or just simply a whim to make a fool of him as well. All kinds of things unsaid thoughts.

“I didn’t even hear myself.”

Phosus looked up suddenly, time lapsed enough apparently for more than basic thoughts to progress here, this demonstrated as the mortal spoke suddenly. “Maybe this Wish crud was a bad idea. Even if I was dying, I thought I could make a difference. I mean... I was ‘dying’.

Maybe I was just... just prolonging the inevitable.” ...he sighed in dejection, looking at nothing more than within himself. “And then I come here, and all I can think of, is to be accepted and respected. I still don’t know what I ‘am’ doing here. I thought I did, but now...”

He stopped, remembering the other times in his life he had this kind of moment, and not just on one occasion in his old life either. If there was anything of his old life he did  seem to learn, it was that no one at all in any way of shape or capacity was there to actually give him a true choice of what to do. Every last thing he did, from working on that farm after his family died in that fire, to his attempt to go to college that failed, to the entry in the army when War came. No one helped much to give him a real steerage in his course of life. He felt himself weak to have ended up going in somehow the same straight line everyone else seemed to do, when the circumstances were hefty enough. Small stuff never drove his course, it always seemed to be the events that changed his world around him in ways, that drove his choices.

And here he was again, the same curse following him in another place that he thought was what he was supposed to do. Since he was here, he thought, he would learn from the best. He never considered what he was doing was the right thing at all. The more he considered this, he also realized he hadn’t much of an identity to draw from it all as well. He plopped it all down on a supposed goal of.. “White jumpsuit.”

“Pardon?” Demesus commented. Phosus listened and found coming... “I wanted to be a knight. I always wanted to be one. The world I lived in didn’t need one. But when I was dying, it was all that was in my mind. Even when I was teased for writing fancy stories about them, reading all those books about the Round Table and the Way of Bushido, because I didn’t think like the others where I lived, it was still what I wanted always to be.”

Phosus began to get drawn in as the mortal kept speaking. “Not sure where it all started, but I think it was after I started realizing when and how my family died. That homestead fire that winter night, I think, and I was some weak baby in another home with a sitter for... for some reason. I was told my parents were busy with problems at the time, cholera I think it was at the time where I loved. I think my sisters died from it.

No... I don’t know. I just knew that once I realized why I was an orphan in a world I wasn’t wanted in, all I could think of, was to be someone that could protect others. I don't know why I ended up thinking that way, I just... did.  And the more I self taught myself such things about chivalry and knight stuff, I wanted so badly to be one. I think it was that reason I went into the army when I did. The world was at war, and I thought I could help protect the innocent if I could just participate and serve my country.

Maybe it was that reason I... I threw...” ...he stuttered off in voice, as his tears welled up. It was strange but the two goddesses were welling up as much tears as he was, when he finally managed to continue in a fit of determined rage. “Maybe that was why I protected them how I did. Maybe that was why I got that Wish. Maybe this was my chance to become something I couldn’t be in my normal life.

And yet I failed. I thought if I wore that white jumpsuit I would be meeting that standard I felt. But now, I really don’t know at all. I want to be a knight, but how can I be, when I don’t know how to really do it in the first place!” ...he finished the last with bleeding clenched fists again, drops of blood seeping out along in the same manner as drops of tears. “I’m just doing the same damn thing all over again! I haven’t learned a damn thing at all!”

“You’re wrong.”

The mortal froze and looked up through his fully blurred vision, feeling his inner child whelping within, as he listened with enhanced ears. Phosus realized herself now in that moment too, and spoke of such as... “You ‘have’ learned so much. You aren’t the first mortal to succeed when the chance came to learn our ways. Numbers other have failed, but you are not one of them. I believe what the fault here is, is that you are focusing in the wrong department. Well, not exactly the wrong department, but you would be better served to what you are looking for, by a slightly different instructional style. Ones that are more determined than we are ourselves prepared for. Hard to quantify, but...”

The mortal felt ashamed, but he wiped his eyes clear with a sleeve like some child, as he listened with a slight hint of hope creeping in. Phosus angled her head at Demesus, and then looked up. “Understand at least one thing first. You are indeed mortal, and you have tried too hard to impress us of what you can do, upon our standards. You need to act more calmly and serenely on the field of combat, and also not blind yourself by anything assumed in a battle, or anywhere else for that matter.

I think you can one start of clearing things, if you find an identity. Starting with a name for Almighty sakes. That much will give us something to call you. I mean a year without a name to cal you is annoying. Moreover, you need to find your own path. You are not a Valkyrie, and are not meant to be I suspect. I know of your wording of the wish. Valkyries are not knights, not in the sense you are seeking.”

The mortal looked down and nodded. “I thought of that, when I asked Lord Almighty. I thought I could take the word of ‘knight’ literally. I guess I didn’t realize that for truth at the time. I just remembered that image of that fallen goddess that was shown, and ‘knew’ that same reflection from the war I died in.

I... I had seen that very image for real all too much. I just thought I could protect everyone from the same things I had already seen.” ...he stopped and considered... “...the last time I heard that kind of shock in a crowd, was when everyone learned about how the Lusitania went down.” ...he then waved a hand about iffy like, with a shrug... “...and then came that Mexico crud, but anywho. I know what shock sounds like. I don’t think everyone here has to be subjected to such ever again. If I am here for a reason, that is the one I choose.”

Demesus held a hand under her chin and replied... “Well, you can’t save us all, but maybe you should still go with that mindset anyway.”

The mortal just nodded... “Aye... that I...” ...and he notices Phosus bring up some kind of information screen on a hovering monitor, after using a hand sized harp like control unit to do it. She then takes a moment to locate, and then cross reference this data to acknowledge it. She then smiles. “I think we can accommodate something that meets all of our needs. If you don’t mind a bit of a change in your lifestyle and everything. Nevermind more of a challenge than you could ever to hope to prepare for.”

The mortal simply nods, this time more than just following along with something either. Phosus sees this and then turns to the report she had on her desk. “Very well then, I recommend you for special training within the War Section. Your nominal Valkyrie training is henceforth concluded. Congratulations Squire of Heaven.”

Demesus looked over with a strange look, but then saw a look of relief on her equal number’s face. She then looked over and saw a much different version of a relieved look on the mortal’s face. Of his part, it was like a wall of some kind snapped in twain. Everything was completely different from that moment forth.

--------------------

The medical goddesses alone, when they head of the change in the mortal's training regimen, cringed. It didn't take long for the news to spread.

A midnight-blue haired goddess for one, just reached for her celestial version of Alka-Seltzer. "I do believe husband was right." ...but then smirked, as she leaned back in her lavish Seat of the Medical Section, bottle in hand. "Maybe this 'is' for the best."

Thinking on the 'repair' work to come however, made her reach for a nearby glass.

--------------------

The mortal walked through the chamber arch into the reception area, where he broke his rather broad smile with eyesight of the Valkyries waiting their turn for their own evaluations. As he hesitated for a moment, the receptionist Goddess Third Class informed... “Oh, I guess you’ll be leaving the troop apparently.” ...she said towards the mortal, who turned his head likewise. She continued with a giggle... “It seems your appointment to specialized training will take place starting tomorrow.”

The mortal just smiled nervously. “Well, at least it’ll be a quick start.”

“He’s moving out?” ... “Oh dear, wonder where to?” ... “At least the sores will go down now.” ...all this also keenly heard by his enhanced hearing. Meanwhile the silver tressed receptionist added... “You will report to Sector Gamma One-Two-Four, hmm, not that far actually.

There you will meet...”

She stopped with a heavy gulp, with sweat drops forming all of a sudden. The mortal cocked his eye as he saw this. “Pardon moi?”

In a seat not too far away, again Lind waits, but curious as to her look towards the mortal as the receptionist informs… “The Milord of the War Section itself will...” ...this sending gasps through the chamber, as the mortal looks around in confusion. At this, Lind looks down and away, hiding something...

--------------------

“You are ready for the next phase of training Second Class.”

Lind nodded with her usual rigid demeanor. This as Phosus continued. “You are to begin First Class training. You have met all requirements academically and martially, and as such you will therefore begin your new phase tomorrow under the Cadre Commanders. Also as part, you will also soon begin your angel ceremony.”

“I understand. I am ready.” Lind snapped crisply back. Demesus however shook her emerald hair and remarked. “No you are not. Trust me from experience in such. You may think so, but there is nothing to prepare you for when you face your true self in the ceremony. However there is time, as you will choose when you are ready for the ceremony, so there is no rush. I would advise during your next phase, to take time to talk to other members that already have done the ceremony. While not a true requirement of First Class training, you still would be well advised to take all heed of such opportunity.”

Lind however flinched inwardly inside, since she was never the outgoing type for such anyway. She hoped more someone would come to her. She had her doubts after all these years within the combat order, especially with how little time she spent with others. Phosus saw this on Lind’s facade and thought to herself. Here’s another one... before continuing.

“I can be one of whom you can talk to before that time comes. At least I know how to handle that kind of advice.” ...this Lind looked up and felt a shimmer of hope for such understanding, this while Demesus felt tones of something else still encrusted on those words. Lind nodded. “I’ll find time to do just that.” ...and Phosus nodded. Demesus then barked. “Begin you will tomorrow morning. And try to not be so strict on yourself.” ...this Lind nodded, but didn’t ‘really’ listen unto.

As the Second Class Valkyrie departed, Phosus sighed rather vocally. “Is it me or is she acting a bit like someone else we know?” ...this Demesus dryly blunted back... “It’s a good thing that mortal is finally leaving. Out of sight and all that.”

Phosus tilted her head. “Nay, sight maybe, but not for long. And certainly not mind or especially hearing come tomorrow.” ...this Demesus gulped, knowing better what that meant again. Phosus however just changed her mood back on a switch and barked out... “Next report please!”

Demesus snapped herself back into mode as the next trainee, a Third Class Valkyrie, stood all jittery at the far chamber arch. Phosus just groaned a touch under her breath.

--------------------

-early the next celestial day-

"You?! You willingly asked to do this?!!"

A towering effidice that represented the apex of the War Section, looked back, as they looked out over the green fields of training, on this ever fine day upon Heaven. The angelbirds flew about in scattered packs, about an area that was dedicated to the one thing that Heaven hoped never to encounter. The said war Master just nodded. "We both know what is coming."

The Judicator snapped once more to a hazard. "He shouldn't even 'be' here, Lord Thor! It is presumptuous that we should believe that..." ...this that turns to a hazard, such to the glare of... "That is enough Councilor-Judicator Frode!"

The Judicator just flinches, forcing the air of tension to deflate some. Lord Thor just imparts. "You will accept this, despite your consternations. Even if I have to Hammer such into you." ...said with a good twist of his War Hammer before the War God, the grinding of the metal upon the heavenly stone beneath, enough of a 'vocal' tone to impose the message. Frode didn't feel the ilk of wanting to be imposed further as such.

Thor just looks out, sensing the soon in coming approach of the mortal. One he had been waiting for, for a long time. Of this thought, the War God makes mention of. "Besides, I would think 'you' of all beings would want this situation, to come to pass."

The Judicator quickly was out of sight on that one, rather than make a spectacle not befitting his station. Thor just shook his head. Thoughts then turned unto. "So, how do I make this pup squeal. So many choices."

The manic chuckle made a trio of high powered goddesses nearby, just shudder for the mortal's unknowing life.

--------------------

The rowdy kinda bunch of Valkyrie goddesses that had gathered at the training cadre grounds to see off the mortal kinda made him sad, and freaked out at the same time. This as the mortal carried his ungodly large sack of personal belongings upon his slung over back. As he walked away from the waving throng, he sighed a bit of relief, as he walked beside the floating First Class goddess escort of deep blue hair, who was apparently an aide of this War Master or something, whatever this being was. (Rather it was a strange tryst of a meeting, from the Medical Section, of motherly mode. But since it was not asked of at the time...)

As they passed by some tall circle-sphere stacked buildings of some kind, the white glint of ‘morning’ here reflecting off of them unto them both and the walkway of white below, he asked this escort. “So... uh... ho... how long have you been under this… um... well...”

The blue haired goddess snickered... “At least a few of your decades before you came here. I found my calling as a Servant of the War Master’s Office. I have seen much that makes me glad to protect the System in the manner I have so chosen. And it isn’t just blind pride either, my good mortal.” ....she put, sensing his mind as an open tome, a problem the mortal kept experiencing often as it was, as he thought of the response she was initially giving. He just blushed and replied back... “Sorry, I keep sensing a stereotype of living life in Heaven, but shouldn’t be doing so. Everything feels more rigid here than is comfortable, you know?”

The goddess smiled and quipped back. “It’s a small price for living in a realm that governs an actual alignment and all. At least the weather is usually nice, depending on Kami-sama’s mood.” The mortal blinks, and realizes... “But the weather is always good. I’ve never seen a rainy day here yet.”

The goddess escort however gulps and chuckles a bit, as they happen to round over a walkway ledge that enters an adjunct section of the combat Sector, near the Valkyrie training centers. This into sight of a few rather large and much more war castle like structures, these though still maintaining the look of all the rest of the heavenly structures. They all were set around a large set of tiered grassy fields that look rather battle worn. All of said such that stretches for what seems kilometers around.

One other of weather note here, it’s a dusk gray pall of overcast. The mortal shivers as he sees this, remembering this kind of overcast isn’t the type over the mountain valleys in Montana where he grew up, but rather the kind over the fields of war when moment was calm, that the mortal remembered too keenly. It was in fact in feeling on pure first impression of sight, a deeply eerily one. As if this wasn’t enough, the wind was very quiet here, very much here was still.

Before the mortal could sink in his second thoughts, the escort coughed. “Um, we can’t have the Master waiting.” The mortal just squeamishly said... “You know, I think I was better off being beaten to a pulp by the Valkyries daily, maybe I should... yaaaaaaiii, my arm is still attached you know!”

“Aww come on, it’ll be fun for ya. Lord Thor goes easy the first hour after all.”

That didn’t make him feel any better!

--------------------

He looked up at the tall, monolithic god he was suddenly meeting for the first time. The robes and belongings of decoration flowed around the being and his enormous hammer, as did the large beard and flowing locks. As the escort greeted for each in turn, the mortal was sweating buckets, but managing some semblance of baseline emotion.

“Mortal Squire of the System, His Master of the War Council, Lord Thor of the Almighty Will.”

As the two exchanged their first glance, the Higher Council Seat God smirked at this new trainee. As the goddess finished, the god started. “: So this be what my Commanders sent me? Yet another phasic attempt I see. :” ...he put in a strangely boyous chuckle. The escort goddess just giggled nervously, as she recognized a bad joke, even if not even anyone else could. The mortal sure didn’t, he just was fixated on the god before him, at least for one that answered a question he had about ever seeing a Seated God of the Council in person.

He just rubbed his head as the ‘laugh’ weaned off, as he put in his own kind. “So... uh, you’re Thor?”

“: Aye indeed, thy mortal. :”

“Does it hurt?”

A silent moment with a gust of wind flowing between them all, passes. The next moment, a loud clang is heard as the mortal feels the long reach of Thor’s heavy hammer on his melon.

“: That joke is as old as I am. And not just on your old world either, so you know. :”

“Sorry... -cough- …couldn’t resist. -wince- So I know.”

--------------------

And as such Lady Ishara was justified.

An hour after getting his spine realigned, the mortal meets with Thor again, and this time with more apparent assistants. As he quickly discovered, it had been another apparent edict by the Almighty to select the Master of all of Heaven’s Hosts to train him as per dictates of his knightly ambitions. Three First Class goddesses that served directly as the War Section Generals would help begin the real phase of the mortal’s training.

As it turned out over the next untold numbers of years to come, they each would have a great hand in shaping what would become the answer to the mortal’s growing thoughts.

Why all the sudden interest for my Wish?

--------------------

-Day One - Armory-

The mortal’s eyes boggled like crazy as he entered the intended chamber from upon a floating platform, down from an above ‘ceiling’, that 'had' been the floor for the sparring chamber. Thor and the goddess Generals Rend, Hirund and Mist gave casual looks around, as they drop into the weapons chamber.

“Uh... this kinda is overkill, tis this not?”

The god just shrugs. “: It’s a small collection. :”

This as the chamber is literally a monolithic weapons cache. Rows and stacks upon the millions stretch up from a deep unseen floor, and off in every direction for untold reaches and leagues. Pretty much all of the weapons are all kinds of staff and blade weapons, a ton of blunt types as well, and others totally unrecognizable to the eye. All of them seemed to be mainly melee however, maybe a bow here and there, but nothing obviously projectile type other than what is meant for a medieval battlefield. However the mortal can’t see much detail, so who knows what is truly here.

Thor explains simply... “: Welcome to one of our arms caches. All of the weapons you see, and many more caches not seen, are in the possibility that Heaven is invaded by the Demons, simple as that. There are other caches used in our external operations to keep the Demons in check from time to time. Most of these weapons here, are meant for the Petitioner portion of the War Section.

It’s the way it all is between both sides. Something has to be existent to protect the System and all it supports. It’s a reality that is usually not shown to the main System populace at large, but the Valkyries alone more than realize from their daily training. I presume much as such has come across to you as well young Squire. :”

The mortal nods. “Fear that I have, yes.”

“:As such, this cache has been reassigned as your personal weapons training apparatus. From now on, until you reach sufficient level to become a Knight, you will train with each weapon you see here, one per day, others that become favorites and so, until proficiency is reached in the ability to fight with any weapon at any circumstance, at any time. Even if it’s a toothpick out of a Bug’s mouth, which we have here somewhere in fact. :”

The mortal just made wheezing sounds as he heard this, in his initial reaction, before putting into stuttered words. “B… but... but that could take years!” ...before stopping and thinking. 'Wait, that was obvious.' ...dryly.

Thor just replied bluntly. “: Like you have anywhere else to go? Worry not, to accelerate concerns of others, as well as your own. This as special training time retarding chambers have been prepared to ‘speed’ things along. Also of inclusion, you will...

--------------------

-Einherjar Fields-

...learn the tactics of large scale, both by participation, and through doctrine by the minds of my Generals here. Also...

--------------------

-Titan’s Academy-

...you will learn how to combat magical creatures and enhanced armies that exist in other realms outside of Heaven. As you will learn histories to deal with them, and also cultures to infiltrate better with if required. It also will tell you all facets of how an enemy may think besides in the vein of mere numbers and formations...

--------------------

-Goddess University-

...you will still also conduct normal studies equivalent to a First Class Goddess, understanding the entire System, so as to help participate in activities, in so much to justify being amongst them, as well as to understand your role in Heaven.

--------------------

-Goddess Mall-

...you also will have time to learn social interactivity with your subject entities, where chance can tell you how to treat others of this realm, and understand all the biases better, verses the mundane watered down you have experienced so far. With this, you will learn the reality of your choice and why you fight for them.

--------------------

-Celestial Infirmary-

And finally, you will also learn anatomy of all creatures, both of Heaven, as well as Demonic and magical otherwise. This so you can triage and treat on the battlefield with little notice, and aid the health of our forces in battle, as well as other militaries that exist beyond the System.

--------------------

-Thor’s Chamber-

All of this, plus whatever else comes to mind to you and us each at appropriate times, will become your training, from this point forth, until the day you die in whatever fashion you choose. Since you are still mortal in the end, a day of a hundred years at present, you will find your remaining life in focus of this service you have called for. :”

The mortal was just mind numb, as Mist chuckled most of the three at his visual condition, whence Thor finished. “: And on top of such, your time as my direct Squire will be spent as such for each day of week of eternity, to this training standard. Add to this, we will spar, and you will participate in the daily battles of Einherjar, both of to which you will survive each day, but not progress past my ire, until you defeat myself in combat, and demonstrate your true self in the chaos of battle.

I assure you, both of which I attest to, will give no quarter. Such a challenge for an honorable knight, but only when such is reasonable satisfied unto my whim. :”

Thor finally stopped, as the mortal felt his brain totally deep fried. Thor saw this and commented... “: Understand your expectations have you? :”

The mortal blinked, and slowly started to shake his head. “Um... actually... : No. : / No.”

Thor sighs. “Mortal muddle minds. So be it.”

--------------------

-Day One - Armory-

The mortal’s eyes boggled like crazy (again) as he entered the intended chamber from upon a floating platform, down from an above ‘ceiling’, that had been the floor for the sparring chamber. Thor and the goddess generals Rend, Hirund and Mist (again) gave casual looks around, as they drop into the weapons chamber.

“Uh... this kinda is REALLY overkill, tis this not?”

The god just shrugs. “: It’s still a small collection. :” (Hirund: Small for 'you' Master.)

This as the chamber is literally a monolithic weapons cache, rows and stacks upon the millions stretch up from a deep unseen floor, and off in every direction for untold reaches and leagues. Pretty much all of the weapons are all kinds of staff and blade weapons, a ton of blunt types as well, and others totally unrecognizable to the eye. All of them seemed to be mainly melee however, maybe a bow here and there, but nothing obviously projectile type other than what is meant for a medieval battlefield. However the mortal can’t see much detail, so who knows what is truly here.

Thor explains simply... “: Welcome again to one of our arms caches. All of the weapons you see, and many more caches not seen, are in the possibility that Heaven is invaded by the Demons, simple as that. Need more said not there. There are other caches used in our external operations to keep the Demons in check from time to time.

It’s the way it all is between both sides. Aye it's an annoying prospect. Something has to be existent to protect the System and all it supports. It’s a reality that is usually not shown to the main System populace at large, but the Valkyries more than realize from their daily training. I presume much as such still has come across to you as well young Squire. This hath better so this time. :”

The mortal nods. “Fear that I still, yes. More than fear of fear.” (Mist: "He'll do well.")

“: As such, this cache has been reassigned as your personal weapons training apparatus. From now on, until you reach sufficient level to become a Knight, you will train with each weapon you see here, one per day, others that become favorites and so, until proficiency is reached in the ability to fight with any weapon at any circumstance, at any time. Even if it’s a toothpick out of a Bug’s mouth, which we have here somewhere in fact. :” ...the mortal made an ick sound this time too. "Oh, and be sure to take CARE said implements in said time with them! Don't break your toys all too readily!"

The mortal just made wheezing (And now shaking,) sounds as he heard this, in his initial reaction, before putting into stuttered words. “B… but... but that could take years!” ...before stopping and thinking. Wait, that was obvious. ...dryly. (This time with a whack to his own noggin.)

Thor just replied tersely. “: Like you have anywhere else to go? Worry not, to accelerate concerns of others, as well as your own, special training time retarding chambers have been prepared to ‘speed’ things along. Also you will…

(Rend asks Mist... “Trade ya a scythe this time for a lance.”

Mist: “I traded the scythe for a Cat-o-nine-tails, for tonight.”)

--------------------

-Einherjar Fields-

...learn the tactics of large scale, both by participation, and through doctrine by the minds of my Generals here. Also...

(Hirund: “The stains are clearing off again.”

Rend: "Not for long. -weird giggle.- )

--------------------

-Titan’s Academy-

...you will by all gum, learn how to combat magical creatures and enhanced armies that exist in other realms outside of Heaven. And you WILL, you will, learn histories to deal with them, and also cultures to infiltrate better with if required. It also will tell you all facets of how an enemy may think besides in the vein of mere numbers and formations...

...oh, and I forgot to mention your learning of actual magic here.

Ala mortal... "Swell."

(Mist: “GET THAT BUG AWAY FROM ME!!”)

--------------------

-Goddess University-

And to be sure, by blimey, you will still also conduct normal studies equivalent to a First Class Goddess, understanding the entire System, so as to help participate in activities, in so much to justify being amongst them, as well as to understand your role in Heaven. Oh, and you’ll get updates from the mortal realms you will serve as well, in case such is also needed.

(Rend: “Ohh! There’s my future hubby Adonis!

Mist: “In your dreams sister.”)

--------------------

-Goddess Mall (‘yes’ you’re reading right by now...)-

...you also will have time to learn social interactivity with your subject entities, where chance can tell you how to treat others of this realm, and understand all the biases better, verses the mundane watered down you have experienced so far. With this, you will learn the reality of your choice and why you fight for them.

Who knows, you may meet someone someday here, lil pup.

Mortal: "Who tha heck would that be?"

(Hirund: “I’ll take six orders of Odin’s Chocolate please!”)

--------------------

-Celestial Infirmary-

And finally, you will also learn anatomy of all creatures, both of Heaven, as well as Demonic and magical otherwise. This so you can triage and treat on the battlefield with little notice, and aid the health of our forces in battle, as well as other militaries that exist beyond the System. Those that we ally with anyway...

(Mist: “Jeeze Hir, can’t you moderate your sweets? -upchuck sounds nearby- )

--------------------

-Thor’s Chamber (finally)-

All of this, plus whatever else comes to mind to you and us each at appropriate times, will become your training, from this point forth, until the day you die in whatever fashion you choose. Since you are still mortal in the end, a day of a hundred years at present, you will find your remaining life in focus of this service you have called for. Of course that is presuming you seek such a path. I would expect better of you.

You and I have much to work on beyond this, lil pup. :”

The mortal was just mind numb, as Mist laughed most of the three at his visual condition, whence Thor finished. “: And on top of such, your time as my direct Squire will be spent as such for each day of week of eternity, to this training standard. Add to this, we will spar, and you will participate in the daily battles of Elysium, both of to which you will survive each day, but not progress past my ire, until you defeat myself in combat, and demonstrate your true self in the chaos of battle.

I assure you, both of which I attest to give no quarter. Such a challenge for an honorable knight, but only when such is reasonable satisfied unto my whim. :”

Thor finally stopped, as the mortal felt his brain totally deep fried. (Again.)

Thor saw this and commented... “: Understand your expectations have you? NOW!? :”

The mortal blinked, and slowly started to shake his head.

“Um… actually…

: No. : / Maybe.”

Thor sighs ragged, though snickering this time. “Mortal muddle minds, truly. So be it. We'll shalt fix thus.”

By now the three goddess generals were in a laughing fit, the mortal just held his head and groaned. “Uh boy.”

Just then, Thor hefts his hammer over his shoulder and decides on a different tactic. “: I suppose then the best course before I head off to check on my duties, is to beat the information into you. Come to the sparring chamber. :”

The mortal sees this as Thor starts off, and stammers... “Wha.... you mean now?!”

Thor gets the point across. “: AYE I MEANT NOW! TO YOUR HONOR AT THAT!!! :”

The mortal just scampers like an anime Gan-chan rat, past Thor, and towards where he thinks is the sparring chamber. Then he zips the other way down the indicated hallway, bumping something metallic along the way in a loud crash. Thor then yells at him. ": OTHER WAY PUP!! :" ...hence more crashing and more scampering.

Thor just snickers yet. “: Shows promise this one. :” ...while the three generals just have dry ‘reserved’ facades pasted on in kind.

Hirund: "I feel sorry for our new pup."

--------------------

-Almighty’s Chambers-

The Goddess First Class gulped a bit, as she heard the news, in tow with a certain Second Class goddess trainee of the prime administration sections, this as Peorth looks on, while the current Head Administrator Gaea receives the report of yet another unexpected death of a Goddess on a Wish mission.

“But... but how are they doing it? How come another one My Lord?”

“: We are closing in on that fact. A trail has developed due to intelligence from the Valkyries that I sent to trail leads after the incident. One certainty so far, is that it is likely the work of the same mortal that killed the other two Goddesses. I have managed to allay Hild’s grievances for now, but I grow suspicious of her motives as well, at current. Nonetheless, this may force us to arrest the Wish System until further notice, unless the culprit is tracked down, or the cause discovered to counteract. :”

Peorth next to Gaea however gasped. “But... no Wishes granted? Messire! Won’t that cause a system backlash of some kind?”

Gaea leveled this with her own words. “The System mainly keeps the dimensional realms stable, the Wish adjunct governance does not immediately impact operations. Not to the short term anyway. It’d take hundreds of years of evolution before something cropped up beyond Bug level.”

The Almighty however inserts with a heavy tone. “: Still, to shut down the Wish apparatus would cause other effects we cannot anticipate. Before we are to find how unfortunate such may become, we must end this threat before it all continues. :”

Gaea simply asks in looking back. “How?”

Peorth was there at the time, and what she heard was impossible to believe. Only her new classification of access allowed her to even be here. And what was heard, would end up determining the fate of so much more than just mere Wishes.

For elsewhere, a foreign player was in on this coming act, as this chess game would begin many paths to bear.

To the wary of Heaven and Hell alike.

(End Prologue I)
Converting /tmp/phpr2sj1p to /dev/stdout