Chapter 9
"Kylie, I'm serious." Rune cautioned, "This isn't a decision you should make lightly."
I needed that bow, was the only thought running through my head at the moment. "Yes, I hear you. I'm willing to take on whatever responsibilities that come with the bow because it will choose me. It was made for me." Leaping to my feet, I all but tackled her in an attempt to wrench the bow from her hands. She shoved me back down on the bed and my claws curled in anger. "Give it to me!"
Her face changed from impassive to intrigued as the bow began to glow in her hands. "It does recognize you as its new owner."
Bryn came waltzing into the room, scowling at Rune when she saw the bow gripped in her hand. "You can't be serious, Rune. The child is in no way, shape or form ready for this type of responsibility."
"That's what I thought, too. I only meant it as incentive for her to explore the Valkyrie side of herself, but watch." She came closer to me and the bow beamed brightly once again. I dove for it, being slammed back down on the bed by Rune.
"It never even reacted to Svava like that. It took her months to get the bow to recognize her and look at the girl." Bryn sounded off, genuinely surprised by the effect I was having on the bow and it on me. "This is Freyja's doing, give it to her. There isn't anything or anyone that will get in the way of Freyja's plan, even one as idiotic as this one." She left the room, singing Queen's “Another One Bites The Dust”.
"Kylie, like Bryn said, this bow never reacted this way to your mother and I never had a clue that it would to you, so prepare yourself." As she tossed the bow in my general direction, I snatched it from the air.
Electricity stronger than lightning surrounded me as my entire body shook and my hand that was gripping the bow began to feel as though it was on fire. Screeching, I attempted to let go of the bow, but couldn't. It was burning itself into my palm. A few seconds later, I no longer had a hand, it had melded with the bow. In a state of complete panic, I tried to yank the bow away with my other hand and it too began to meld with the bow.
Screaming louder, I turned to Rune for help when I suddenly realized I was no longer in my mother's room at Valhalla. I was on a rocky ridge. The pain subsided and I examined my hands that had now returned and were perfectly fine; no signs of burns, or any other injury at all for that matter. The bow was also in perfect condition. Tossing it over my shoulder, I began to explore my new surroundings. The sky was overcast and brownish gray in color, black birds flew out in the distance and lighting was striking all around me. I had no idea where this was, but it wasn't a planet I'd ever been to.
"Hello, child." A soft, echoing voice in the distance startled me. Turing around in circles, I searched for the source.
"Hello, who's there?" I called out, unable to track the direction from which the voice had come.
"I'm here, child." When I stopped searching, a woman appeared right in front of me. She was exquisite with her strawberry-blonde hair and crystal-blue eyes. Around her neck she wore a stunning necklace made of amber and rubies. Taking my eyes off the necklace proved to be more difficult than I expected. She lifted my chin, offering me her help with the task, and I was grateful. "I see you've acquired my bow."
"Your bow?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yes, I lent it to your mother and now I've lent it to you." She reached out, touching my face with her extremely soft hand. She seemed to be examining the mark on my face. Smiling, she dropped her arm. "Yes, this is an extremely good pairing."
"Are you…?"
"The Goddess, Freyja? Yes, child. I am your grandmother and extremely proud to see that there is more to you than was originally thought. You are a great beauty and a Valkyrie through and through. Walk with me." When we turned and began walking across the rocking ground, every step she took flowers sprouted up, blooming large blossoms, mesmerizing me. "I'm sure you have many questions, and when you return, Sigrun will answer them. It is best that we spend our time together here in other ways."
"Sigrun?"
She rolled her eyes. This simple gesture looking awkward coming from someone of her stature. "Rune, I forget she likes to go by that ridiculous name." I nodded my understanding. "Svava was a brilliant archer and so full of promise. We had such high hopes for her. I think you will exceed all those hopes with ease." I didn't utter a single word. As she continued, something about her made me want to take in every tiny speck of wisdom or instruction she deemed appropriate for me. This behavior was completely unlike me.
"A great war is approaching. It is imperative to our cause that we take out as many of the key players as possible before we engage in this war. The disaster that happened to the place where you grew up is a prime example of what these cretins are willing to do in order to dethrone me. I won't have it!" Lightning stuck hard around us.
Sucking in a breath as I closed my eyes, I now understood how to draw this energy into my body. I couldn't imagine never understanding this. All I needed to do was open up to it, invite it in and, boo-yah, pure euphoria. When I opened my eyes, she was staring oddly at me.
Flushing, I began to apologize, opening my mouth to speak, when she waved her hand, evoking silence. "You are different than the others. I'm curious to see how this all plays out." Thunder roared, interrupting us. "Ah, he bellows. Time to return you to Valhalla, my sweet." She leaned in, taking my face in her hands, then she blew right in my face, causing me to lose my breath seconds before I commenced passing out.