The Four Valkyrie Sisters.

Looking back in time - into the history of long past, there is a passage describing the nine Valkyries. They were, what you would call Powerful Angels, or High ranking warriors of Heaven, if you would.

Nowadays, long, long after the great War between Heaven and Hell, many, many eons ago - the great warriors of then, are already long dead.

Be they Archfiend or Valkyrie - even if they had the gift of immortality - everyone would still, eventually, get bored of 'staying alive'.

Of course, the original, mind-bogglingly, very lust-driving, beatiful maidens, called the Valkyries - are also all dead.

Heck, only a few of those who live now, even know that there were such 'exquisite' specimens. And, even that knowledge is horrifyingly fragmented at best.

The most reliable source of information about that era - is still buried deep, deep, deeeep under the Northern Ice caps - inside an Ancient library that nobody even knows, still exists.

Everything is freeze preserved there, so, rest assured, unless they decide to cook the Aiarthe within the next couple generations - whoever discovers that place - will be able to utilize all the great knowledge stored within.

Whether or not someone might be lucky enough to rediscover, much less read them, was not something the Ancients were concerning themselves about, though.

But, if this is indeed the case, who gave the group, the idea to call themselves, Valkyries? Sure, maybe it was just by pure coincidence. Like, how different languages and cultures who never had anything to with each other, actually have the same alphabet, or script.

There's only so much of an improbability for something to occur. Even a bajillion-to-one odds of something occuring would still happen if there is a big enough sample.

But, there was a more likely reason. And, that was, if they were descendants of those exact, same Valkyries.

Yes, that's right. All four members of the 'Valkyrie Sisters' are distant descendants of an actual Valkyrie. The reason there are only four of them instead of the usual nine, or any larger number, is because, only one of them decided to go down to the world, fall in love and 'mate'.

So, biological speaking, they were all indeed sisters. That's one part of the 'name mystery' solved. But they didn't know that, so who cares? They can't exactly trace their family tree back several millenia.

In fact, nobody knows anything about anything that was mentioned just now. So, why even care?

Well, that may be so. But, it is thanks to sharing that blood - the blood, that even though, it was diluted so many times - still carried the immense 'power' and 'uniqueness' of a Valkyrie - that they were able to reach the height called 'Silver-rank', in just three years.

It is also thanks to this, that they were able to coordinate as a team so well. Although their official ranking was 'Silver', with their teamwork and skill, they could easily match low and mid-level 'Golds'.

So, how do they do it? How are they able to coordinate so well, that they can - theoretically - match the Heroes Party in frontal combat?

Well, that is all because of...

'... everyone... stay... at least... five-hundred meters from the blast center...Also, please retrieve Strongman. Flashy Slash can make it, but I fear that with his giant body, he'd be unable to do so." The Valkyrie of the Bow's voice, echoed clearly in the surroundings, even though she didn't open her mouth at all.

Amazingly, even from on the ground, her voice was still clear as daylight. Almost as if distance meant nothing to the soundwaves.

But, even more amazing, was the fact that only three beings in the entire Southern region, could hear her - other than she herself.

Yes, that's right - telepathy. Instant telepathy, one that needed no invocation, keyword or pre-requisite. It was something they could send and recieve, regardless of distance, obstruction, or mental state. Even if they were asleep, or 'broken' - it would still go through.

Not even the most advanced Magi-tech of today could do such a thing and yet, it was as natural as breathing, for the four of them.

'Grarrah.' The Valkyrie of the Scythe's reply, came a second later.

'Uragh.' While the Valkyrie of the Shield replied a few moments after that.

The two, who were also riding, bloodied, white pegasi - appeared from deep within the 'golden sea', rose to the sky and 'galloped' towards the gigantic man in the distance - who seemed to be running in their direction.

'Found him.' is what the next two growls that came over through 'telepathy' seemed to say.

'Riding' at full speed, the two then swooped down to either side of the giant. 'Scythe' and 'Shield' strapped their weapons to the side of their pegasi, and leaned towards 'Strongman', while offering their hands.

"Hruff!" Was the half-grunt, half-growl that Strongman let out as he jumped lightly and grasped the Duralumin Armored, willow tree-like arms that weren't even a fifth of a his own. Normally, the girl's arms would tear apart from the man's sheer weight. But, this was another blessing of their Valkyrie Blood. That they - one way or another - descended from famous Knights and Heroes, also helped.

The two of them, needed to work in unison, because there was no way, that one pegasus - even with their 'subconcious limits' eliminated - could carry the burden.

Like that, the Valkyries rose high into the sky - with Strongman held between them. Soon enough, they reached around the same height as 'Bow' and 'Wand'.

Then, they continued 'galloping' towards the Fortress City.

Of course, even if they were just dots in the sky at this point, they didn't go unnoticed by the Heroes.

"Wha- Valkyries!" Priestess said, shocked as she used her lightning wrapped staff as if it were a longsword - charring several 'dead' with every swing.

"I was wondering where they were!" Sword Saint yelled, as she swung her flame clad sword. "But, it doesn't seem like they're just running away, huh!?"

"..."

"..." Monk and Hero just looked at the scene gravely.

"..." While Summoner, was too tired to even speak.

That they instantly understood how much more treacherous the path forward had become - was yet another proof of their long experience.

But, it was regretful. Truly, truly regretful, that they were unable to locate 'Wand' and 'Bow'. All they had to do, was look up the other way. But, they of course, didn't have the leeway.

And so, it happened. With no chance of being stopped.

"Aur Soleil..." Those two words came from the Valkyrie of the Wand. It was so clear, that it almost seemed as if, she was standing right next to the Heroes.

They failed to react in time.

If the Heroes had understood what the spell meant, they might have decided to flee with all their might. But, it was recited in Spirit - a language that no one alive, truly undersood.

The next instant, a second sun appeared in the sky and the gem returned to it's colorless sheen.

The sun glowed in a bright blue color and emitted a heat that could burn entire lakes instantly off. And, it was headed straight for Heroes.

While it was indeed moving with a speed that was 'slow' for a celestial body, it was still impossible for the Heroes to escape from. On every side, were layers upon layers of 'dead', numbering no less than fifteen thousand.

They could try to break through, but they would be forced to expend all their mana. After that, they really will 'die'.

Then, they will join under the 'Demon Lord's flag. If that happens, then they will never be able to save the Sword Maiden. And, maybe, the entire world would be wrapped up in the same chaos that embroils this Southern Region.

"Tch!" They could not allow such a thing. They couldn't allow themselves to be defeated. Not here, not now.

"Nadia! Mitch! Can you deploy barriers to cancel out that attack!?"

"I- I can!"

"We'll have to make do with just Mana Clad for defenses after this!"

"Alright! Do it!" With the urging, the two mages, grabbed multiple catalysts from their bags. Priestess took out several of the SS-rank Raikou's feathers and grasped tightly the Holy Grail shard she recieved from the pope when she became Bishop, that hung from her neck.

Similarly, Monk took out several earthen beads that were his long-time keepsake and the Golem Core from an S-rank Ancient Black Steel Golem.

"Mother Goddess, I beseech you. Grant us defense, together with the Golden Bird of the West. [Protection]!"

"Spirits of the Earth and Ancient Steel, combine. Become an impregnable defense and keep us safe. [Grand Dome Shield]!

Following thei words, their hopes for a miracle, a large thin screen of trasparent light that crackled sporadically with lightning appeared right above - encompassing the Heroes and keeping the 'dead' away. Thus, letting them take a breather under the light.

The thin film in itself already seemed to be powerful enough - because the mana infused into the shield was worth at least ten times of Pristess' upper limit.

But, having deemed that it was still insufficient - a thick wall, that shone with the lustre of steel and color of night, erupted from above the ground, forming a dome above the thin layer of light completely enclosing them.

For a few short moments, there was no sound, but their breathing and the only sources of light, were their Mana Clad weapos and armor, the thin film of light, and Priestess who was the caster.

Then, all of a sudden - *booooooooooooooom!* they were assailed by the deafening rumbling of an intense explosion happening right overhead - it was so loud, that a normal person's eardrums would explode.

The 'steel' wall seemed to be able to endure the explosion for a second, but it quickly began glowing - melting away - before it was decimated and reduced into shrapnel.

Still, it was enough.

The 'Second Sun' was successfuly neutralized by the 'wall'. While, all of it's aftereffects - like heat and other resulting forces - except sound, were severely weakened to negligible levels by the 'thin film'.

That they were still alive, was truly a 'miracle'. But, in exchange, they had to give up items and catalysts that entire nations would pay millions for. Even worse, was that, these 'items' held great significant value for the two.

As could be implied, by Priestess' quiet sobbing as she carressed the now, empty spot in her necklace.

But, sadly, this was no time for tears.

The explosion just now, had reduced the surroundings to a crater. A crater, a mile in diameter and almost a hundred meters deep. It also toppled all the now burning vegetation, for several kilometers, levelling the area.

This included all of 'them', whose entire bodies were burned in flames so hot, that not even ashes remained.

That was all well and good, but the thin film was weakening. Sooner or later, the soil on which they stood would lose the very thing, that was keeping them at the same elevation from before the explosion, and they will fall to the ground.

After that, they would have to run all the way up the incline of the crater. Then, make a break for the city, while there still weren't any 'things' to block their way.

But, could the two girls; Summoner, who was severely weakened and the physically inept Priestess, keep up with the Hero, Sword Saint and Monk who had trained their bodies to it's limits?

The answer was an obvious no.

"Meria, you carry Svanhilde. Mitch, you with Nadia. I'll be the vanguard. As soon as this rock drops, we run towards the city. Don't stop for anything. Should any of the 'strong ones' come, I want you to leave me behind. Of course, I'll make sure that I catch up. But, when that happens, I want Mitch to carry both Svanhilde and Nadia, while Meria becomes vanguard." The Hero, who was perhaps the most experienced of the group, laid out the plan for the group. It was a perfectly logical and well thought-out plan.

"But!" Sword Saint interjected. While, Priestess said, "I-I can still fight!", with tears in her eyes.

Summoner, on the other hand was fast asleep. She was probably knocked out earlier. Her summoned monsters were also unsummoned and they returned to from whence they came.

If only they still had the Starlight Bicorn or Lava Salamander, this make or break run, would have been much easier.

They could try to wake her up, but what good would that do? She still wouldn't be able to summon anything without replenishing her mana. So, they will have to just let her sleep and, hope that she'll be awake and ready, when the time comes that they really need her.

The Hero, could only ridicule himself, for how much he underestimated how this event would go down.

He ignored the two's protest and turned his sight towards Mitch, who scooped up Nadia by the waist with his large hand. While he gently picked the sleeping, small-bodied Svanhilde and placed her on Meria's shoulders.

By now, the 'film' was already getting dimmer; flickering on and off like a broken lightbulb. It wouldn't be long now.

And, soon enough, it disappeared.

They were now falling towards the ground at around ten meters per second, their velocity would only get higher the longer they continued falling.

Normally, people wouldn't be able to react in time. But the Heroes of Pandora, were by no means, normal.

Just a split-second before the 'rock' hit the earth, they jumped.

By doing this, they avoided taking the damage they would've recieved, had they allowed themselves to plummet towards the ground from such a height.

"Alright! Let's go!"

"Uo!"

"Haa!"

"Iya-!?"

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"Phase two com...plete." Was all that Valkyrie of the Bow said, as she returned her weapon to it's harness on the side of her pegasus.

"Graagh...graaah..." As soon as Bow finished putting away the Enchanted Duralumin Bow, Valkyrie of the Wand called out to her with several growls and a couple gestures using her staff.

"Yes. We should re...turn soon." 'Bow' nodded and she gripped tightly her pegasus' reins, pulling it lightly to the right.

In response, the winged creature began 'trotting' towards the left, where the Fortress City was.

The same also happened with Wand and her Pegasus. That the winged beasts, still understood their rider's intentions - despite them being dead, including themselves - and the Valkyries no longer having fully-decent motor fuctions - was indeed an amazing occurence. It was almost as if, the Pegasi and Valkyrie's promise to forever have the other's back - couldn't be broken, even after death.

"Raaagh-graaaah!" All of a sudden, the loud voice of 'Scythe', reached the two. 'Hurry up! It's almost time!' Is what her intense growls seemed to say.

"Graagh!"

"Hey! Wait... up!" The two, then began racing through the clouds. One was 'jeering' while ghe other, was desperately trying to catch up.

The scene of such a warm-seeming, everyday action, was almost as if, nothing had changed at all.

That was what Valkyrie of the Bow, truly believed.