Chapter 157: Chapter 226 – Good Intentions, Bad Execution

After the elevated stage reached the ground, everyone stepped off it together and followed Bryn toward one of the exit gates leading out of the arena. A few valkyrjas remained in the audience and a bunch of quieter cheers and applause accompanied Ast’s group as they disappeared in the tunnel.

Skodul took the lead from that point and the battleground’s manager guided them through the confusing pathways and corridors with pure confidence. It didn’t take them long to reach sizable doors to what Asterios assumed was the place where the Council members had spectated the matches of the Power Division.

His guess was proven correct as Skodul and Krev pushed one metal wing each and revealed a rectangular chamber with most of the outer wall facing the arena missing. Even from the back near the entrance, the view outside was already incredible. While the people in the room could comfortably sit by a long table and observe fights, those who served them could enjoy the spectacle from any point in the small hall too.

The arrival of a quite big group introduced some confusion and startled the valkyrjas taking care of the food and drinks, especially when it came to two specific people. Krev and Skodul didn’t seem like common visitors in this area. Though, judging by the faces of the Council members gathered inside, their presence might have been expected to some extent. 

Kara, Rota, Eir, and Hilda were seated on a bench in front of the set-up table, turned to the newcomers now. A few other Council members were either spread around the room or sat by the dining table too. They all stood up slowly as the servants closed the doors behind Ast’s group and their guests arrived closer.

“You’ve made quite a show back there, Bryn,” Hilda scoffed with a faint scowl.

“My apologies. I got swept up in the moment. I didn’t plan to cause almost everyone to leave.” Bryn made a polite bow, though a small smile remained on her soft lips. “I’m pretty sure that most of the people should calm down pretty soon and realize that the War Games aren’t fully finished. We should take a break for today and continue tomorrow. That should give everyone enough time to share the news with their friends and close ones.”

“You say that you were swept up but it sounds to me like you are in full control of everything that’s happening.” Kara smirked at her warmly.

“That just shows how capable of a leader Bryn is,” Asterios joined in with a smile, placing a hand on the Valkyrie’s shoulder. “She doesn’t rest on her laurels but continues to work hard even through unexpected and troublesome matters. There’s certainly a reason why everyone reacted this strongly to her words and it’s definitely not just her eloquence.”

A slight trace of rosiness tinged Bryn’s cheeks as she glanced at him with a gentle smile too. They exchanged nods and she returned her attention to the four women in front of them.

“As Asterios said, I can’t suddenly stop or fall behind. This is not the end but just the very beginning. I need to focus even harder if I truly want our dream to be achieved without unnecessary risk. And for that, I will naturally require your help. We need to set our differences aside and join our efforts under the same goal.”

“It seems that you are going to enforce your plans through any means necessary,” Rota commented with a quiet sigh.

“That’s kind of funny coming from you.” Krev chuckled in the back.

“What?” Rota’s brows rose a little in confusion.

“She is right. I don’t think you should be the one to talk.” Bryn turned her gaze straight to the woman. “Before we actually start working together on this, I think we should make a few things completely clear.”

“I don’t think I follow…” Rota shook her head softly.

“Did you really think that no one would notice such an obvious thing? Did you think everyone would just blame it on bad luck or fate? That people are blind?” Bryn furrowed her brows. “Perhaps once could have been disregarded as such but multiple times? There are bound to be rumors, and they certainly are going to target me as the Power Division’s overseer.”

“What are you talking about, Bryn?” Eir looked between her two friends, clearly sensing the tension between them.

“I did everything in line with all our traditions, code, rules, and regulations from the very start. I didn’t take anyone’s right to be opposed to my ideas or plans. I accepted the risk that things could potentially backfire even though I had complete trust in my master’s prowess. There are things you can’t predict no matter how well you prepare.” Bryn paused for a moment as she stared the other valkyrja down until her own expression turned sad. “And I certainly wouldn’t have expected betrayal.”

The Council members and servants still present in the chamber all looked between themselves in mild shock. Bryn kept looking at Rota without moving her gaze away and the other woman tried to hold it down even as her eyes widened slightly.

“I don’t know—”

“I’m really disappointed in you, Rota,” Bryn interrupted her friend firmly, though they could all see the pain in her expression.

Rota bit on her lower lip and finally escaped with her eyes to the floor. She didn’t say anything, just stood there in silence. Everyone else besides Ast’s companions wondered what they were talking about. Even Hilda seemed to look at the two with some kind of curious compassion.

“Master.” Bryn glanced back at Asterios and he nodded.

A moment later, wisps of black shadow pooled between them and the Council members, catching everyone’s attention. A dark shape rose from it, reaching up to around their chests, and the ominous obstruction slowly receded, revealing a kneeling valkyrja with her hands bound behind her back.

That sight evoked some murmurs and quiet gasps from the spectators. Eir looked at the woman whose face felt utterly blank and then at Bryn.

“What is the meaning of this?” she asked.

“Don’t worry. It’s a lawful detainment. And she is like that due to my master’s summon’s ability,” Bryn replied calmly and stepped closer to the kneeling valkyrja. “Explain yourself.”

“My name is Hruga. I’m a member of the Third Reconnaissance Platoon serving under the Squad Leader Shara,” the woman answered without moving an inch. “I have been ordered by Councilor Rota to seek Krev the Bloodrain and convince the Champion to take part in the War Games by luring her in with the promise of fighting a powerful outsider. To avoid additional suspicion, I requested my civilian friend to pass the message in my stead. We have successfully completed our task and the Champion signed up.”

The whispers grew louder as Rota’s face paled slightly. She still kept her gaze directed to the ground, avoiding eye contact with all the people currently directing their gazes at her.

“Don’t you think that this is a little bit too much for such a minor thing, Bryn?” Kara asked with a hesitant expression. “I get that you might be angry at Rota for bringing Krev in, most likely in hopes that your representative would have lost to her, but even if her methods were questionable, it’s not like we can fault her too much for inviting someone to participate in the event. This forced interrogation feels a bit excessive.”

Bryn didn’t answer and only glanced at Asterios once more. Another pool of shadow began forming next to the kneeling valkyrja and another woman appeared out of it, in the same state as her sister-in-arms. People seemed to realize what was going to happen next.

“Explain yourself,” Bryn requested the same thing from the restrained woman.

“My name is Kadis. I’m an Assistant Auditor in the Citadel. Our department was tasked to prepare contestant entries and draw the pairs for the matches that would take place during the challenges in the Power Division. I have been ordered by Councilor Rota to assure that Krev the Bloodrain would face the Outsider in the first round, and in case she would be bested, everyone from the Outsider’s group would face our strongest warriors in the following battles,” the second woman confessed.

At this point, a plethora of different gazes were directed at Rota. Some of the valkyrjas present in the room showed confusion, contempt, worry, and a clear lack of understanding regarding the reason behind her actions. Hilda didn’t even try to hide her disgust as she looked at her fellow Councilor.

“While I agree with your earlier statement, Kara, I don’t think I can let this interference into our sacred ceremony go just like that,” Bryn said, turning to the other woman. “I’m a member of the Council and such matters I just can’t overlook. What do you think would be the people’s reaction when they learned of this? What about those who signed up for the tournament? Especially those who had their pairings arranged instead of drawn?”

Silence answered her as all the three other members of the Council exchanged gazes. With a serious transgression of such caliber, no one wanted to defend the culprit. It could put a stain on their name or even get them involved in the unfortunate case.

Bryn sighed heavily and turned to Rota once more. “What do you have to say in your defense?”

“I… I’m sorry…” Rota replied quietly without raising her gaze. “You were so adamant on going out there that… I couldn’t think of anything to stop you… I don’t think you are aware of how dangerous this operation is… There are so many unknowns… On both sides…”

“Did you think that I would give up after failing to get the recognition and trust of our warriors?” Bryn asked, slowly walking closer. “I think you are mistaken about something. The army isn’t the core around which my plans are made.”

Rota said nothing. Her body shivered lightly as Bryn’s hand rested on her shoulder.

“I swore to my master that I would lead him to the Spire and I don’t plan on ever going back on my word. I would have gone there with just him and our companions no matter the result of the War Games. The aid of the military was only a secondary objective that could help us, the valkyrjas, secure the Descending Spire after my master is done with his business inside of it. We don’t need to retake it. We can leave right after we are done. Yet, he is willing to lend us his power for a righteous cause, even though he has completely no obligation to do so. You didn’t try to sabotage me. You tried to sabotage our entire race. Our hope.”

A heavy silence filled the chamber, broken only by barely audible sobs coming from the woman in front of Bryn. A few tiny droplets fell to the ground, splashing themselves on Rota’s elegant boots.

“I… I’m so sorry, Bryn… I didn’t… I just wanted to protect you… I don’t want you to get hurt… or die… You’ve always been my best friend so—”

“I know,” Bryn interrupted her with a gentle tone, finally making Rota raise her face, which brightened up just a little bit. “That’s why it hurts so much more.”

Rota’s face fell again and she hung her head low. Bryn tensed her lips and squeezed her friend's shoulder while listening to her quiet sniffles. She took a deep breath and let go.

Turning around, Bryn walked a few steps ahead and stopped. “Let us discuss how we should proceed with the plan tomorrow. Since I have close ties with the offender, I shall abstain from partaking in the matter of their misconduct. I trust that the assigned punishment will be adequate and fair.”

Kara, Eir, and Hilda nodded, though Bryn couldn’t see it. Just as they couldn’t see her trembling lips and multiple streaks of tears running down her face. Asterios showed a gentle, comforting smile as he stepped aside and gestured at her to continue walking. As she passed by him, he and the girls left too, leaving the two bound valkyrjas, Krev, and Skodul behind.

As soon as the doors closed behind them, he slowly extended his arm over Bryn’s waist and rubbed her side reassuringly, pulling the Valkyrie to rest more on him. She didn’t reject his offer and leaned into his shoulder while trying to control her expression and tears.

They walked in silence until Miria broke it in a quiet tone. “She didn’t seem like a valiant warrior…”

“Miria!” Selene berated her friend in a hushed whisper.

“Sorry…” Miria’s ears flopped down as she cast her gaze to the ground.

Bryn took a deep breath and shook her head. “It’s alright. She didn’t say anything wrong. Not all valkyrjas possess the spirit to face all the challenges head-on. Rota is a great mind but she does lack a bit of bravery.”

Nobody said anything else as they continued ahead. It was hard not to spew out empty words that could make their friend even sadder. They didn’t exactly know how she felt at the moment, only recently learning how close the two women were. Out of all of them, Asterios was the closest to experiencing anything seemingly similar.

And that was why after they walked out of the grand coliseum into the streets, the girls shared a nod with Asterios and left the two alone. Bryn glanced behind them as they headed deeper into the city but he squeezed her side a little bit, capturing her attention again.

“Would you like to take a break in some quiet place?” he asked with a caring tone.

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She wiped off some of the tears still hanging in the corners of her eyes and nodded. “I know just the spot.”

As she prepared her wings to take flight, Asterios hastily brought out his own. They soared into the sky almost at the same time. She led him throughout the city, flying close to the sharp roofs of the golden and silver buildings. Bryn slalomed between various towers, spikes, and pillars, taking quick and agile turns. She seemed to use flying as an outlet for her turbulent emotions.

They soon reached the park they had walked through during their brief tour of the flying fortress. Bryn descended close to a small faucet pouring water into a decorative dish. The beautiful, artsy monument was located on the far side of the garden, standing between two apple trees just next to the outer wall.

She looked around, paused at Ast’s face to give him a soft smile, and grabbed the pretty faucet. After giving it a few tugs in various directions, she let go. The front of the sculpture clicked and jerked inside, creating a shape of an archway around its inner edges. She pushed the heavy door and stepped inside.

“Watch your step, please. Water runs down the stairs all the time,” Bryn said, extending a hand to Asterios.

He received her help and joined her in a narrow tunnel leading down at a steep angle. Just as she had said, water quietly poured over the metal steps, creating small waterfalls. They descended for about three minutes before the light of faint, sporadic gems was replaced by the glow of much stronger crystals.

They walked into the open, but they weren’t outside. A round platform greeted them, with four columns connecting it to the same shape at the ceiling. Bright crystal torches were attached to each of them but they couldn’t illuminate all of the chasm spanning past the ledge’s edge.

With his enhanced sight, Asterios could make out shapes of giant cogwheels, pistons, springs, and plenty of other mechanisms. The distant noise of their work echoed throughout the seemingly unending space. He followed Bryn as she neared the edge and sat down with her legs dropping past it. Not wanting to make her wait for long, he joined her and they both peered into the machinery which was clearly connected to the operation of the ARK.

“Every ARK has hidden service passages like these…” she began quietly. “This is a place only I know of besides… my friend… the one scholar from Brage that I mentioned before…”

Asterios gently placed his hand over hers. “You don’t have to force yourself to explain, or talk in general.”

She glanced at him briefly and nodded faintly. They sat like that in relative silence for a few minutes, listening to the calming sounds coming from all around. Asterios kept delicately brushing his fingers over the top of her hand, not wanting to go too far. But, after a while, Bryn scooted closer to him on her own and he tenderly wrapped his arm around her as she leaned into his side.

“I really would have never expected that it would be her…” Bryn whispered, starting to sniffle a little, quickly wiping her tears before they fully formed up.

“There’s no one around so it’s alright.” Asterios moved his hand to her hair and threaded through it gently. “You don’t have to act tough in front of me. I know very well how strong you are. It’s alright to let it out from time to time. It must have been hard to remain impartial and professional back there.”

With a few more withheld sobs, Bryn finally relented and stopped holding herself back. Asterios kept caressing her hair as she cried quietly on his shoulder. It took a few minutes for her to fully let everything out and he was there for her the entire time. As Bryn’s sniffling toned down again, he summoned a delicate handkerchief from his ring and tenderly wiped some remaining tears off her face before she took it from him to finish the job herself.

“Sorry…” Bryn apologized with a weak smile.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Asterios replied softly.

“Then… Thank you…”

“You are welcome.” He smiled back at her. “I’m sure you already know that after observing me for some time but I will always be there for you. No matter what you need, even if it’s just my silent presence. Just say a word. Or don’t.”

Silence fell between them once more. Asterios gazed far into the distance, never stopping his hand from moving. Bryn also peered into the mechanisms, though her eyes skipped to his calm face now and then. She turned her palm over and entwined her fingers with his, squeezing Ast’s hand in return. He looked at her and she smiled gently as their eyes met, before turning her face to the front again.

“I thought it was Hilda from the moment we found out…” she admitted quietly.

“We assume incorrectly from time to time,” he replied softly.

“I seem to have a tendency for that.”

They chuckled faintly together, recalling their first meeting.

“It just shows how important it is for us to know the others better,” Asterios replied.

Bryn sighed softly and turned her face to him. Asterios met her gaze and watched her uncertain expression as they stared at each other from up close.

“Am I a bad person for wanting it to have been Hilda?” she asked anxiously. “I could have just brushed it off like nothing that way for sure.”

“No,” he answered shortly, slightly shaking his head. “We are driven by emotions and bonds, no matter what we say. You can’t hate your friend because you know that even though she was horribly wrong, she wanted the best for you, in her own way. It’s rather natural since I assume Hilda has never shown compassion or affection toward you directly. But now you are hesitant because you aren’t sure anymore, afraid of assuming incorrectly again.”

She searched his eyes for a few seconds before letting out a wry chuckle. “I’m pathetic…”

“No, you aren’t.” Asterios shook his head again. “Why would you think so? Because you are sad? Because I’m here to see it? You held yourself incredibly well the entire time. Someone with such composure can’t be pathetic. You care about others too much for that. Much more than you do about yourself. And don’t tell me that it’s not true. You even worry about your partner having to accept a Valkyrie with a big chest instead of worrying about your own unfortunate predicament, ignoring that you shouldn’t even think like that in the first place. That’s how deep it runs.”

A faint rosy flush tinged Bryn’s cheek as he spoke. She couldn’t really rebuke any of Ast’s words. It was pretty clear that he had sensed some of her concerns through their bond, consciously or not. It was most likely her who had leaked them through while unaware but he hadn’t said anything to avoid making her feel embarrassed.

After a few long seconds of silence, she broke it once more. “Would it be alright… to get a hug?”

Asterios showed a warm smile and nodded softly. “As many as you want.”

She sat up from leaning into his shoulder and he took his arms back. Asterios waited for Bryn to make the first move as she still hesitated a little. When she pushed herself closer, he opened his arms for her but paused for a moment as she slowly climbed up on his lap while still facing forward. Nevertheless, he lovingly hugged her from behind, embracing Bryn gently. She fidgeted slightly, especially her wings, tickling his face and skin constantly.

“I don’t think it was a good idea…” She chuckled awkwardly.

“Turn around,” he whispered and supported her sides so that she didn’t slide off.

Albeit a little reluctant, Bryn obliged and they ended up in front of each other after some changes, with her sitting on his legs. Asterios opened his arms once more but her gaze wandered down over her front.

“My breastplate…” She smiled wryly.

He sighed softly at her unnecessary worries and placed a hand on the metal armor. With a faint red flash, it disappeared into his spatial storage, revealing Bryn’s ample bust hidden behind the quite deceitful piece of equipment. It was naturally still modestly covered by a piece of thin, durable material. The lack of any additional bra underneath it was more than apparent though.

“Now there is no problem.” Asterios smiled, looking straight into Bryn’s eyes.

She blushed heavily and nodded. Warily observing Asterios, she leaned onto his chest and rested her head on his shoulder, putting her forehead against his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and gently stroked her back as she grazed his front with her hand. A soft smile curled the corners of Bryn’s lips up as she gave into the pleasant warmth and closeness. For a moment, it didn’t bother her even if her big breasts were pressing into him heavily. She didn’t even notice when she dozed off.

Opening her eyes while taking a deep breath, Bryn felt a little bit limited. As the slight grogginess receded from her mind, she quickly realized why and sat straight up in a flash, getting all red in an instant.

“I’m so sorry, Master!”

Asterios placed a hand on her lowered head. “I already told you not to apologize.”

“For how long…?” She peeked at him from below.

“About an hour or two,” he replied with a smile.

“That long?!” Bryn’s eyes widened greatly.

A soft chuckle escaped Ast’s lips. “It’s alright. You needed it.”

“But… The others…”

“Would have told you to take it easy for much longer.”

After a few moments of them just looking into each other’s eyes, she sighed heavily and nodded.

“If you are feeling better, we can join them at any time,” Asterios said, brushing a lock of her hair to the side.

“I’m alright now. Thank you, Master.” She smiled warmly with rosy cheeks.

“I’m glad, then.” He smiled back. “The others will definitely be happy to hear that too. Let's go and meet them.”

 

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