The royal hall of Astria was vast, its towering pillars etched with the history of a kingdom forged in war and bloodshed. The air was thick with a foreboding tension, and the shadows cast by flickering torches danced like wraiths against the stone walls.
Modred, Fenrick, Xeraniel, Dante, and Arthur stood at attention, the remnants of the brutal tournament still fresh in their minds. Their injuries had barely healed, the bandages hidden beneath their cloaks a reminder of the battles they had endured.
Before them, seated upon the Burning Throne, was King Aldric Ignis Astria. His fiery orange eyes burned with a ferocity that seemed to light the very air aflame. Though his hair had long turned silver with age, his body was still a pillar of strength, the sleeveless robe revealing muscles honed through decades of war.
The king's gaze swept over the warriors, settling on Modred, lingering there like a vulture over fresh prey.
"Today," his voice echoed, cold and thunderous, "I call you here not as warriors, but as executioners. A new unit will be born—the Valkary."
The name hung heavy in the air, unfamiliar but laced with a dark promise.
---
The king stood, his shadow stretching like the maw of some ancient beast.
"Your mission is simple," he declared, his tone dripping with malice. "You will eradicate every threat that stands against Astria. You will conquer those who dare resist our might. Begin with the kingdom to our east. Burn it to the ground , kill everything that moves if you must. Let their screams announce the dawn of Astria's true dominance."
Fenrick's golden eyes flickered, his fists tightening beneath his cloak.
Xeraniel smirked, a flicker of excitement breaking through his usual calm.
Arthur remained stoic, his expression unreadable.
But it was Dante who stepped forward, his amber eyes glowing with fervor. "We shall carry out your will, my King. Your enemies will be dust beneath our feet."
The king's lips curled into a bloodthirsty grin. "Excellent."
He paused, letting the weight of his next words press down on them like a guillotine.
"Modred," he announced, his voice a blade slicing through the silence. "You will lead the Valkary as Captain."
Stunned silence.
Fenrick's eyes widened, Xeraniel's smirk faltered, and even Dante's fervor dimmed.
Modred… Captain?
The man who fought like a demon, who showed no mercy, who spoke in cold, detached tones—he would lead them?
---
Modred stepped forward, his crimson eyes locking with the king's. The weight of command settled on his shoulders, but he showed no sign of hesitation.
Instead, he smirked—a dark, malevolent expression that sent a chill down the spines of those present.
"I accept," he stated, his voice low and tainted with a hint of sinister pleasure.
His demeanor was eerily calm, much like a predator surveying its next meal. The aura he emanated swelled, casting a shadow over the hall that seemed to swallow the light.
The king's grin widened. "Good. As Captain of the Valkary, you are the spearhead of Astria's wrath. Ensure our enemies know that mercy is but a myth."
Modred simply nodded, his eyes burning brighter, the demonic marks on his skin pulsing faintly beneath his cloak.
---
The king clapped his hands, and servants entered the hall carrying dark garments. Uniforms.
They were more intimidating than the other squads, the fabric was darker than the void—completely black, absorbing the light around them. The insignia of a winged skull emblazoned on the back in deep crimson.
The Valkary had been born.
As they donned their new uniforms, the weight of their mission became palpable.
This was no longer just about protecting Astria.
It was about eradicating its enemies.
Modred adjusted his cloak, the black fabric draping over his shoulders like the wings of a reaper.
Fenrick flexed his fingers, feeling the new power the uniform seemed to grant him.
Xeraniel admired his reflection, the black attire accentuating his ghostly demeanor.
Dante merely smiled, fueled by a dark, consuming fervor.
Arthur remained silent, his stoic gaze unwavering.
King Aldric stepped forward, his eyes burning like twin suns.
"Go forth, Valkary. Bring ruin to those who defy Astria. Let the world know that we do not just fight. We conquer."
His final words were laced with a bloodlust so intense that the very air seemed to vibrate.
"And when the world lies in ashes, it will be Astria that rises from the smoke."
The warriors knelt, their heads bowed in acceptance.
But as Modred rose, his eyes glowed a fierce crimson, a promise of the destruction that would soon follow.
The Valkary turned, marching out of the throne room—their black cloaks billowing like the wings of dark angels descending upon a cursed world.
And as they stepped into the night, the first chapter of their bloody saga began.