Dawn of the Valkyries

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. But tonight was different. The soft hues of purple did not shine upon me tonight.

Ice cold wind whipped at my face as I stood on the ledge of the clock tower, pulling strands of golden hair from my braid. My skin paled in the silver shades of the setting moon as the cool bite of the mountain wind pierced through my leathers, sending chills through my bones. The clock tower is highest point of the House of Crimson, death would come swift, at least I could take some comfort in that.

I exhaled attempting to release the tightness in my chest as I gazed out, taking in the place I called home one last time. The vast forests below in autumn bloom dappled with shades of ambers and crimson, the sheer jagged mountains that surrounded the House and the beautiful endless sky dotted with the final stars before the dawn. The fortress which I was raised in, stood alone in the landscape. Solitary and inescapable. Sometimes I wondered if these towering walls were built to keep us in rather than to keep others out.

This morning a heavy mist had settled over the courtyard below, a small mercy from the elements. Even though I knew what awaited me at the bottom, I didn’t have a choice in the matter. This is the end for me, but I’ll be damned if it is the end for my sisters.

My shaking fingers grasped the silver locket that hung around my neck, holding it tight in my grip as I swayed on the edge of utter oblivion. This is the key to changing the world. I only hoped Amari was smart enough to follow the clues I had left for her.

We don’t know each other very well, but what I do know is that she has a sharp mind and a curiosity that the other girls do not possess. We were all taught from a young age never

to question our superiors, follow the rules with discipline, fight harder than you have ever fought before, and most importantly never let anyone see you cry. After all Valkyries must never show weakness. But these years Amari was never able to smother her curiosity and intrigue. It made her dangerous, but it also makes her one of the most key pieces on the chess board.

A part of myself felt pity for the her, dragging her into this chaos and mess. But it is better to know the truth about what you are, than continue to live a lie.

Something wet hit my cheek. A single heavy tear rolled towards my chin. Shock and surprise coursed within my veins as a sharp and breathy laugh escaped my lips. This tear was not born of sorrow, but from a kernel so deep inside me that had finally cracked. Because I realised that this moment here, on the edge, the precipice of no return, was the freest I had felt in my entire life. Finally, my shackles had been lifted and the blindfold removed from my eyes. I knew what must be done. I knew the risk. And although I have no choice, I will go out on my terms.

I won’t let them win, and this is my final stand. A choice they didn’t see coming. Because with or without me, there is no stopping the rise of a new dawn.

This is only the beginning. The spark that ignites the flame.

With one final inhale and I gazed out towards those snow capped mountains, and just as the soft light of dawn touched those peaks.

I stepped off the edge.