First Ally

We made it to Fhae's cabin and walked inside. She took off her cloak and hung it on the rack. I noticed her build which was rather slim and graceful. I came to the conclusion that mostly every woman in this world was insanely beautiful.

"Welcome to my home when I'm not at HQ. It isn't much, but beggars can't be choosers." Fhae said and looked back at me. "Are you hungry?"

"Ahh not really. I lost my appetite a while ago. All I'm worried about is getting to HQ so I can see my daughter again." I said.

Fhae smiled and walked to the kitchen. "C'mon, at least eat something. You'll need the energy."

I followed her to the kitchen and she sat me down at the table nearby. I watched as she prepared to cook dinner for the two of us.

"I have a question...well a few questions." I said.

"Ask away." Fhae said as she prepared to make dinner. She put on her apron and looked at me.

"Well first I wanna ask what those creatures were." I said.

Fhae leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "Those are called Shadows. They are speculated to be dead Valkyries Organization X used to combat us. I don't want to believe it, but when we get into the more dangerous Shadows like the Imperial Shadow, the Regalia Shadow, and the Royal Shadows it becomes more clear that they used to be Valkyries."

I nodded and looked down at the table. "I also want to ask what happened to this world? Why do you all hate men?"

Fhae smiled and turned around to start cooking. "I specifically don't hate men. We still need them so we can keep our society running. Men are commonly seen working normal jobs with women who can't become Valkyries, but Yuri tells me since old times men have abused us women which then started the first wave of Valkyries."

"Alright and what actually is a Valkyrie?" I asked.

"There are three types of Valkyries: Aesir Class, Vanir Class, and finally the Jotunn Class Valkyrie. Each one plays a specific role individually, but all three play a role in the battlefield. Every Valkyrie gains the power of a God or Goddess via their Souls which are manifested into Weapons. I am the Aesir Class along with most Valkyries in Exithia with the exception of a few who are Vanir Class." Fhae answered.

I nodded as I tried to grasp the true concept of a Valkyrie. "I'm guessing you all are connected to Norse Mythology? I didn't know there was also similar Mythology in Isoria as it was on Earth.."

"So you do come from another Dimension entirely huh? Well yeah, we are relative to your Dimension except our versions of the Gods and Goddesses are vastly stronger, but unlike your Gods and Goddesses who played a direct role in shaping Earth, our deities chose certain humans to ascend to Demigods to balance our universe. Only rarely have the Gods and Goddesses intervened to help us." Fhae explained.

"There's a lot that goes into it, but for the basics, Aesir focuses on War, Nobility, and Power. These Valkyries are like Yuri, Komine, and Grace who all share these traits. Vanir is Health, Fertility, and Wisdom, sometimes Death. These Valkyries are like me and Cornelia as they are more focused on Healing and Magic instead of Physical Strength and Prowess. Finally...Jotunn is Destruction, Untamed Power, Primal Power. They are the most dangerous and possibly the most powerful Valkyries, but they are corrupted until tamed." Fhae continued.

"If Jotunn are so dangerous, why are they amongst your line up?" I asked.

"Yuri trusts them. They are misunderstood. Komine used to be an untamed Jotunn Class but once Yuri had defeated her she became an Aesir. Komine can tap into her Jotunn Powers but since she can control them she receives their boosts while retaining her Aesir Form." Fhae answered.

"If I am to become a Valkyrie, which class will I be?" I asked.

"Most likely Aesir, but it's hard to say for sure because you'll literally be the first male Valkyrie. But it all depends on who chooses you for you to receive your Class." Fhae answered.

I nodded and watched Fhae cook. "I'm glad you actually answered me...I was expecting to walk this world alone.."

Fhae smiled and continued to cook. "I'm not gonna leave you to your own devices. I'm not heartless like Yuri or wicked like Grace. I believe in the benefit of the doubt because I believe not all men are bad. There are a select few who has common sense. Like you."

I smiled a bit and watched her turn off the stove as she had finished cooking. She fixed out plates brought them to the table for us to eat. She sat with me and we continued to talk to each other. She even shared her information with me.

{Fhae's Stats}

[Rank: A]

[Strength: S+]

[Defense: A]

[Stamina: S+]

[Intelligence: X]

[Speed: A]

[Perks: None]

[Valkyrie Ability: Freyr]

"Freyr huh. So when you're chosen are you given all powers and abilities of the Gods' or Goddesses'?" I asked.

"No, unfortunately. But it is for good reason. It is so one doesn't misuse their power. We were given limitations on how long we can stay in our Valkyrie Form and what powers we obtain. For me, I've been given two weapons Freyr's Wand and Sword and the abilities I've obtained is Sacred Energy, Plant Manipulation, and Fertility Manipulation. Since I am also an Elf I've been blessed with Pleasure Inducement and Sexual Inducement." Fhae smiled at me.

"I see. May I see your abilities?" I said then noticed her reach over the table and caress my cheek.

I blushed as I watched her. She smiled as she noticed her abilities take effect on me. Just a simple touch was enough to make me aroused. She was showing off her mastered Pleasure and Sexual Inducement.

"O-Okay, I wasn't talking about that...but I don't mind it." I said and blushed even more.

Fhae sat back and smiled. "I know, but I just wanted to show what you can look forward to being the only man in our organization. Between us, the Valkyries have been wanting to find that one good man who can please us.."

"I can imagine...but—" I said then paused and thought about what Atalia said. I closed my eyes then shook my head. "You know, maybe it can work...but I'll need more time before I make that decision in being the one you all want to use."

Fhae smiled and stood up. "Well you only have six days to make your choice. I plan on making sure you make it back to HQ. Now go rest. I can handle the cleaning."

I watched her collect the dishes and walk to the sink to clean them. I stood up and walked over to her and helped her clean. "I'll feel guilty if I have you do all the work."

{Bond with Fhae increased!}

Fhae looked at me and smiled then stood closer to me. I smiled back at her then helped her clean the kitchen. After we finished cleaning, we went to bed for the night.

——————

The next day arrived and we both had gotten ready for the day and went out to make our way to HQ again. We walked aside one another and I felt great as I had officially made my first friend in Isoria.

We made it into Sakanami within a few hours and I looked at my minimap. We had made great progress since Fhae knew the ins and outs of the forest and knew how to get back to the city quickly.

"Hey, let's explore around for a bit. There are a couple of stores I want to go to before we head back to HQ." Fhae said.

I nodded and began to follow her. "Got nothing better to do so why not."

Yuri watched us from her monitor and crossed her arms. "They made it back pretty fast, but like I said. I'm not making shit easy for him. Valkyrie Grace! Are you in position?"

Grace watched us from a building with her binoculars and pressed her earpiece. "Yeah."

"Good, make sure to show him how us Valkyries get down in Exithia!" Yuri said in Grace's earpiece. She pressed a button in her control pad.

Fhae was about to enter a store then noticed a digital wall blocked her. She placed her hand on the wall and looked back. I looked back as well then noticed a shine and pushed Fhae out the way of a bullet. Fhae looked around for the sniper then heard another gun fire then summoned her wand and a plant barrier blocked the bullet for me.

{Rank S Enemy is nearby! Proceed with caution!}

Grace took aim once again and took a deep breath as she steadied her aim. "Heimdall.."

She fired a bullet and the bullet curved and went straight through my leg. I groaned then fell onto one knee. Fhae looked at me surprised then looked up at the building then surrounded herself with energy then propelled herself toward Grace. Grace noticed and lowered her sniper then ran off to change locations.

Fhae landed in the building then spotted Grace. "Grace!"

Grace stopped running and looked back at Fhae then grunted and dodged multiple magic bolts then groaned as one hit her and blasted her through a wall. Fhae dashed after her and summoned her sword then slashed at Grace. Grace summoned her gunblade then blocked the attack and grunted.

"So you're the one behind this attack?!" Fhae bellowed.

Grace smirked and pushed Fhae back. "We're merely testing him so get out of the way!" Grace yelled and fired a barrage of magic bullets at Fhae.

Fhae deflected most of the bullets then dashed toward Grace and kicked her away then two vines emerged from her back then wrapped around Grace. Fhae bellowed as she swung Grace around then flung her across the room. Grace crashed into a wall and grunted.

Grace opened her eyes and dodged a beam of Sacred Energy then smirked and ran toward the open window and jumped out then took aim at me. Fhae ran toward the window and jumped out as well then a vine smacked Grace, making her miss her shot. I looked up and noticed Grace falling to the ground.

I stood up slowly and ran toward Grace and caught her. Grace seemed surprised and held onto me. She grunted then got out of my arms then kicked me away. I groaned and crashed into a digital wall. She fired a bullet at me and it struck my stomach, making me groan in pain. I fell onto my knees and held my stomach.

"Stop this now!" Fhae bellowed and came down with a large orb of plant energy then threw it toward Grace.

Grace sensed it and used her gunblade to slice the orb in half then an explosion happened. "Why do you want to save him anyway?! There's no guarantee that he'll even survive out there! He's useless to us! We're merely toying with him! I'm planning to eliminate him anyway!"

I coughed blood and slowly stood up. I grunted and felt something in me boiling. My anger began to take control of my body. "I can't...let you do that..."

Grace looked at me and aimed her gunblade at me. Fhae landed on the ground and ran toward Grace. Grace fired a bullet at me and smirked. My eyes began to shine slightly and whatever Cornelia injected me with began to activate. My body moved on its own and made me dodge the bullet. Grace and Fhae looked surprised and looked at me.

I summoned my axe and remembered what Cornelia whispered in my ear. Strong emotions awaken the power of a Valkyrie. Anger, Desperation, Hopelessness, Despair. Those awaken the power of a Valkyrie and I knew I was getting pissed off because it's been two days since I've been here and already I've been getting treated like I was less than human by Grace and Yuri.

"No more...No longer will I play by your rules! I will make it back to HQ...and I will get my daughter back!" I yelled then my aura surged then I ran toward Grace, dragging the blade of my axe against the ground.

I slashed at her and she blocked the attack then grunted as I began to overpower her. She slid back then noticed me throw my axe at her. She ducked under the axe and looked surprised.

"Commander! What did Cornelia give him?! He's getting stronger by the second!" Grace yelled.

"I don't know! I'm getting crazy readings as well!" Yuri said in her earpiece.

I dashed toward Grace and dodged more of her bullets then struck her stomach with a powerful blow. She groaned and coughed then I kicked her away. She rolled backwards and recovered onto her feet. I got into my martial arts stance.

"So he knows martial arts. This will make for a fun battle then! Bring it on, Dante!" Grace bellowed and dashed toward me.

She jumped up and went for a spinning kick, but I dodged her kick then grabbed her leg and pulled her back down. I palmed her stomach, staggering her then grabbed her hair and bellowed as I tossed her aside. Grace crashed into the digital wall and groaned.

Grace got up and ran toward me and avoided my right hook then kneed my stomach. I grunted and groaned as Grace launched me away with a spinning kick. I rolled on the ground then got up and summoned my shield blocking the bullets she fired at me.

{Defense Level UP: C}

"He just leveled up!" Grace said in shock.

"What is going on..? What did Cornelia give him?!" Yuri yelled.

I stood up and looked at Grace then popped my neck. I ran toward her and threw my shield at her, but she used her gunblade to block it then groaned when she was hit with a few magic arrows. I fired one last one then an explosion happened. Fhae watched in awe and felt my power grow bit by bit as well.

Grace bellowed and her aura surged, blowing away the smoke. "I won't lose to male scum like you! Heimdall!"

Grace bellowed and summoned her true weapon, a golden railgun. She aimed it at me and had a wicked smirk on her face. "Die, you piece of shit!"

Grace began to charge up for one last powerful attack. She pulled the handle on the side of her railgun then fired a massive beam of energy at me. I summoned my shield and tried to protect myself from the beam and groaned as I began to be pushed backwards. I grunted and tried to stand my ground. Grace bellowed and made her attack even stronger. I grunted and noticed my shield cracking. It wasn't going to hold off any longer.

I dove out the way and looked back then noticed the beam hit a parked car then caused a massive explosion. I watched the destruction and looked back at Grace and noticed her wicked smile. "What the hell is up with her..?"

Grace noticed I had dodged the attack. "You won't dodge a second time!"

I didn't have my shield anymore as it was destroyed. I noticed a message from Cornelia pop up.

{Cornelia: I gave you something special, it's highly unstable but I gave you the power of Tyr. That's why you're able to survive against Grace. I can tell you that as you are you can't win, but you can escape! So get out of there!}

I noticed Grace was finished charging up then grunted and dove out of the way of the beam and noticed she was immobilized. I ran off and Fhae followed. She grabbed my hand then formed a rose around us then it dispersed into rose pedals allowing us to get away.

"They got away!" Grace said.

"Leave them be. I don't know what Fhae is up to, but this has gotten interesting. Come back to HQ for now." Yuri said.

"Roger." Grace said and warped away.