Lind The wind lightly blew and the sun glowed above me. I stood over my latest kill, a Jotun, a disgusting beast summoned by a mad demon. Blood poured from its wounds as it lay for dead, on the ground. Its fangs and eyes were stained black, a sign that it was truly dead. With minimal effort I pulled my now bloody axe from its stomach and flicked all the blood off it with one swipe. The last beast was finally down, and the demon who summoned them had been apprehended. Walking away from the scene to allow the trainees to perform clean duties I noticed blood on my shoes. The strong red contrasted greatly against my immaculate white, how odd, I never get dirty in a fight. Then again it seemed in this particular fight something overtook me, perhaps sadness or some kind of foreign emotion? Usually all it took was one precise strike from my axe, but this time I hacked away mindlessly. Curse emotions, how dare they affect my performance. From a distance I saw Senya flying towards me at full speed. She stopped hastily; her hair draped over her face as she tried to catch her breath. "What do you think you were doing!" She managed to yell out. "Fulfilling the mission objective." "Yes but you used 60 of your power! This mission only required 0.2 of your power! What were you thinking?" She looked down at me with a large frown. "We have humans in the area!" She was right, there were humans in the area. I could have endangered them or worse, what kind of out of control monster am I? I had even caused a large crater to form in the ground, I had done too much. "I apologise. I don't know what came over me." I do really. The moment I voluntarily kissed Peorth something in my mind snapped. I was no longer me. "Lind." She swallowed "you've been doing this for the past few days. I think I have to report t you" she said sadly, I know she didn't really want to, but she respects her duty even more than me. "It's ok. To release excessive powers in an unnecessary situation especially in a prohibited area with life forms calls for a report made by the superior. In the meantime I shall await the council's decision." With that I flew off into the portal to heaven. I knew the outcome; I was probably going to receive a demotion or suspension until further notice. It stings for my perfect record to be tarnished just because of a few moments carelessness. ---------- In my office I sat for once with my legs on the desk and leant into my chair. Who would have thought that I could be affected so much because of what happened with Peorth. I mean here I am with my feat up, my paper work messy and a pot of cup noodle in my hands, something is definitely wrong with me. I sighed out deeply and ran my hand through my hair. My actions for the past few days have been inexcusable. I endangered many lives and could have potentially killed many humans. I must sort this problem of mine out so I can return to normal and perform efficiently and correctly during missions. Damn it how can one person, one action affect me so much? Ever since I kissed Peorth and she left the room I started acting this way. What is this feeling? Sadness? Regret? Did that kiss really affect her so much that she's now avoiding me? I thought she would understand that I was only doing it out of duty; what else was I to do let her stand there until she kissed any random person? No, even if she couldn't control herself I would rather she kiss me then any random person, better a friend than a stranger. Despite Peorth claiming that she is the goddess of love, in reality she's shy when it comes to signs of intimacy; I can understand if she feels weird to be with me. She doesn't like it when people show love for her when they don't really mean it. Then something in my mind clicked, I figured out why I had been acting so strange. I'm fearful that Peorth hates me because she thinks I simply kissed her without emotion. Of course, I did it out of duty, but I'm not void of emotion, I have to say I enjoyed kissing her. Of all the people in my life only she can evoke such a reaction from me, perhaps this is what people mean by the vulnerability of love. That's right, I love her, sometimes in my trained mind I forget about my own feelings. "I love Peorth" I whispered to myself, and immediately a wide smile appeared on my face and I chuckled lightly. It wasn't that hard to say after all, perhaps I could actually tell her. I slammed my pot noodles down forcefully when I realised the solution to my problem. I'm going to tell her! Yes! Once I tell her my feelings she'll know I really meant to kiss her. Then everything will return to normal, and I shall be my usual stoic, powerful self. "ACHOO!" sneezed someone. I immediately leapt out of my chair and resumed a defensive position. Someone sneezed rather loudly and it was coming from behind the curtains in the back of the room. Despite the curtains being already drawn, the gathered cloth was still enough to hide a person. Slowly I made my way towards the curtain and created a ball of energy in my palm. I grabbed the cloth and pulled back quickly, but no one was there. I could have sworn I heard someone sneeze. Someone knocked on the door and opened. It seemed my verdict had been decided upon. In walked senya looking strict as ever, she was dressed in her Valkyrie uniform which was odd as she usually always wore her battle uniform, I suppose its because she had to see the council. "Hello Senya." I said and sat back down in my seat. "Lind." She said and sat down opposite me and crossed her legs neatly. "The council has decided. You displayed and used excessive amounts of power when dispatching a group of Jotuns today. Humans where in the area and could have seen something or could have been hurt, as well as this three trainees were also on this mission. That is not the sort of behaviour we should display to them." She said and pushed her glasses up. "I apologise for my actions. The verdict?" "The council has decided to restrict your powers. You are forbidden to use any form of magic for one month. Thus because of your limited abilities you will be placed on missions as an assistant, not as the leader." No powers, and I have to do Mist's bidding for a month, great. Lets just say when I get these rights to use magic back, I'm going hunting. "It will be difficult, but I shall adjust." "Lind its only a month...." Senya stopped abruptly because suddenly the rooms emergency lights turned on and the siren was on. We both looked out of the window to see the rest of heavens emergency lights turn on, red flashed everywhere. A state of emergency now? What has happened? We ran out into the hall and out of the building quickly rushing to the entrance of the Valkyrie sector. In the main building all screens had changed to the operations room where Urd was stating the crisis. Senya as the currentHead of the Valkyrie sectorquickly rushed to respond. "There is a state of emergency in heaven! Many higher level demons and beasts from confinement have escaped into sectors 1 & 5 of heaven." Said Urd calmly, despite the shocked and worried faces the other operations goddesses had. "What happened to Elen's team? They were on duty how could they let the demons escape!" Shouted a shocked Senya. "One of Elen's team was scratched by a Jotun claw; under its influence she released The Lord of terror from confinement. He has possessed The baron and is using his powers to release everyone else." "Damn! I'm going to need several first class goddesses to catch him." "Elen's team are back on track and are intercepting a group near sector 2." Urd was tapped on the shoulder by a worried Chronos who whispered something in her ear. "Correction. Regions 1,2,5 and 9 have now been infected. They seem to be making their way to Kami-sama. The situation is now urgent and must be dealt with immediatly. You know what to do." Said Urd and quickly the screen disconnected. Senya grabbed a mike from the main desk and shouted into it "I want Lawfer's, Lydia's and Youso's team to protect the operations room and Kami-sama's room!" They nodded and quickly flew off with weapons in hand, the tales of their uniform spinning in the wind. "I want 5 teams in each infiltrated area! Chase them down! Lind's, Mist's and my team to sector 9. Call upon any first class when you see them! DISPATCH!" Shouted Senya, she really is a good leader. In formation with a captain leading the other 3 members of their team we all flew off to our area. I summoned my battle axe and everyone else followed. I knew what Senya was planning; she wanted to chase The Baron down herself. Of all the demons and creatures that ever wanted to destroy Kami or the earth, he was the closest to achieving his dream. A demon created from the shadows, he possesses immense amounts of power and isn't governed by the demon council. He became Heavens problems the moment he tried to overthrow the Daimakaicho but failed. Of all the demons The lord of terror could possess, he certainly picked a good one. We were definitely in for a tough fight. I grinned slightly, this is rather exciting. ---------- Myself, Mist and Senya had arrived in sector 9 of heaven, a usually loud shopping area with many gods and goddesses was now empty and quiet. Stalls and buildings now were empty, and the destruction and damage created a path for us to follow. There were crushed buildings and scattered pieces of wood and bricks everywhere. I hope that no one was hurt, the gods in this area are especially weak with little powers, but they should have evacuated already. Following the wreckage we eventually ended up in a giant square surrounded by buildings and greenery. The sirens were still on, but even through that the horrid sound of a foul beast breathing in deeply could be heard. Our three teams went into a triangle formation to intercept the beasts. In the centre of the square was a pack of 20 Fenrir like monsters; a trademark of The Baron. They snarled at each other and they fought with each other. My team hid behind a large statue of a human walking his dog. The inscription read We are not higher beings, We are equals. Inspiring words from Kami. As a proud Valkyrie, I promise no harm will befall him or anyone! I looked at Senya who was hidden by another set of statues and she signalled me an attack formation. "Team Lind." they looked up at me straight away "Slice and dice." How I hate these formation names that we come up with, its so embarrassing to say them. Mist jumped at them first with her team following behind her, they leapt into the enemy's pack causing havoc. The beasts were thrown back and focused on Mist's team. Senya leapt forward and landed on the back of a monster completely impaling it with her lance. Not wanting to be left out of the fun I sent my team forward. The three of them, Lance, Alveir and Est came at a beast from three different sides and stabbed it with their swords. I leapt into the air and aimed carefully then with full force threw my axe at the beast. The earth trembled slightly and when the dust cleared all that was left of the monster was a black feather. I knew it. These beasts were not real; Heaven does not confine such a large pack so they must have been created. "Senya! Mist! They're only summonings!" I yelled at my other two captains. Their eyes widened in fascination and they both grinned a menacing smile. "Forget formations attack at will! Let's kill these puppies!" Shouted Mist and she spun and slashed at an attacking beast. This is training now, but when is the real monster going to show. I can feel it, someone is watching my every move and I don't like it one bit. It didn't take long for all the beasts to be dispatched. Senya had gotten word from Urd, who appeared in the reflection of a water fountain, that all demons had been captured and beasts disposed of. But the Lord of terror, in The Baron's body was still free. "What about operations and Kami-sama?" I heard Senya say. "We're all fine. Besides I'm a bit bored up here I might join you once we locate our missing baron." "I want a first class not an admin worker like you." Senya wasn't being rude; she was just being Senya, boss of everything. "Hmph. I sent you a first class goddess already, their locator says they're in sector 8 and travelling fast, so don't worry. Auntie Urd here has your back. Now if you're nice I might come myself and help you out." In response, Senya simply splashed the water and Urd's image disappeared. Our proud and confidant leader flicked her hair back and held her lance beside her and yelled out our orders "Team Lind wait for the first class. My team and Mist's will disperse and search the area. He couldn't have gotten far everywhere else is quarantined off." "HAI!" everyone shouted back. I watched as everyone flew off, whilst I waited. I usually was never one to wait up for back up, but I suppose Senya was taking into account the fact that I couldn't use magic. We waited, and waited. Still no first class. Where are they? "Lind look!" Shouted Lance as he pointed up using his sword. I looked up "Peorth?" I leapt into the air immediately with my axe held tightly in my hands. She was being chased by a giant black dragon, too large to be anything natural. It was the Lord of terror. Its great wide jaws opened and it created a giant fire ball infused with dark magic. She turned around quickly and summoned a barrier. Its not enough! Her shield will break! Curses, Peoth this isn't a summoning he's the real thing. The moment the dragon lauched its fireball I spun with full force and stabbed its stomach, hard. In pain the dragon's aim was off and the fireball was lauched off course. "Lind." Gasped Peorth. "This is the real thing. The Baron!" I shouted back. Even distressed she's still so beautiful. "Agh!" I grunted as the dragon hit me with its large spiked tail. My team caught me in mid air, but my axe was still stuck in the belly of the beast. "The three of you go find the other teams now. Peorth and I will stall it." Despite being Valkyries my team was still all second class, right now Peorth is the greater asset. With no magic that meant no angel, and with no angel that meant no Golden eye. I'm going to need all the help I can get to stall him. They flew off not before I took one of their swords. A weapon is a weapon, as long as I can inflict damage it will do. As Peorth flew to my side the dragon morphed into a giant dark cloud. The cloud spread out into the shape of a man and eventually a solid form appeared. His hair was long and black and his giant cape hid his figure, he was literally a shadow. I had never seen The Baron before, not even in pictures, he was just that conspicuous. He was so secretive that most people in heaven think he's a myth, if not for Senya's constant bragging about capturing him all those years ago I never would have thought he was real. I was astonished when his face appeared, such strong chiselled features, and such dark eyes, he looks like my old sensei. "Lind first class goddess requesting access to demon threat 0 confinement...That's what you said isn't is Lind? HAHAHA I'm more than Threat 0 to you now with my new body!" He bellowed out proudly, I forgot this isn't The Baron, this it The lord of terror. "Lord of Terror! Return to confinement immediately without protest or face divine punishment!" "HAHAHAH! Me return to confinement? I don't think so little Lind. You shall be my first victim in this takeover of heaven nehhh" he yelled and did a victory pose. I hit my forehead, this is my enemy? "Lind-san allow me the use of that weapon" said Peorth. My forehead wrinkled in confusion, but I passed her the weapon. I suppose I don't really need it if this buffoon is my opponent. "Lord of Terror, there is no way you can win. You are in heavens domain with a vast number of gods and goddesses willing to defeat you in the name of Kami-sama. I shall give you until the count of five to admit defeat. 1!...2!...3!...4!..." I gasped deeply as I felt something impale me. I looked down at my stomach; I had been stabbed with a sword, my sword. Blood, my own blood dirtied my uniform, this is new I thought wryly. Pain radiated from my stomach and it caused my entire body to ache and as I tried to move. Quickly the sword was pulled out causing me to gasp out again and blood spurted out. I staggered backwards and held my hands over the area trying desperately to apply pressure. Glancing up with wide eyes I saw Peorth smiling with the bloody sword in hand. "5! Little Lind! HAH!" The lord of terror yelled, but my focus wasn't on him anymore. Peorth, you wouldn't really do this. Please tell me you didn't do this! "Peorth..." I barely managed to whisper before I fell from the skies. My hair, arms, and legs went limp and rose upwards as I destroyed clouds on the way down. With little energy and little sky left to fall through, I knew I had to do something, anything. "My angel, Cool Mint, come forth."
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