3 in one day has got to be a record right?

Anyway, Thumbs up for Zelpha and The Valkyries!!! No? ok fine ;-;

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Sun Tzu walked straight to the door that had a large crowd clustered around it outside. The crowd consisted of mainly of nobles, but also in attendance were court wizards, wise-men, generals and various wealthy members of society. The group was similar to the group of retainers that would follow the king around and kiss his ass all day, but this group had a different purpose entirely.

Behind this door was one of two known descended Stratovians . An existence akin to a god, just glimpsing one was known to bring about great prestige and meeting face to face with one would be a tale to tell that would never get old. Not to mention her input on any problem would most surely be worth an entire country. Such was the prestige of the Stratovian minds, even a half unlocked one such as her

Of course, standing in between these people seeking to meet a god first hand and the god herself, were four warriors. Right now, their faces were covered, leaving only an imposing mask above their golden black armor.

The Valkyries were one of the easiest ways to tell which "Stratovian" was a real one and which was a fake. They were almost as feared as the name of the creators.

Each one was a master of combat, gifted with weapons and abilities far beyond any mortal warrior. These demi-gods were known as Valkyries, and they were the personal guards which Stratovians took upon breaking their first few mental limiters and regaining their knowledge of their origins. (If you have forgotten, descended Stratovians lose all memories of themselves being a Stratovian when they leave the city. Only upon breaking the first few limiters will their memories return.)

The number of Valkyries per Stratovian varies widely throughout history, varying from as few as two to as many as twenty, but they all posses the same regeneration abilities and immunities as Stratovians. Also remaining consistent are their godlike combat abilities and their armor, which is said to have been forged on the city itself.

There have been tales about entire legions facing a Valkyrie and being obliterated, or how a Valkyrie can single handedly slay a dragon. What is for sure however, is that no mortal could ever kill one for, assuming a person could even break through their armor, all wounds inflicted heal in a matter of seconds, even severed limbs regenerate completely after a few hours. They were also immune to all poison and temperature. Their armor allows them to stand inside of fire breath and walk away with nary a burn, or walk out into frozen tundra with no shelter or insulation and still survive. Some have even told stories of them flying in the sky like archangels with wings made of metal.

In the face of their weapons all armor, all walls, all armies, all resistance becomes futile, as they can shoot invisible lightning from their hands, creating the characteristic thunderclap but without even a lightning bolt to be found. Only the sound and the destruction remain after the characteristic whine that their weapons make upon charging. Mortals simply must watch as a gaping hole appears in their wall and everything after it is obliterated, leaving a furrowed nightmare in its wake.

Spoiler :

He shook his head, clearing away his dark thoughts. He walked up to the door, pushing his way through the crowd which was talking quietly amongst themselves. They dared not yell or talk loudly for if they were to anger a Valkyrie or even worse her , their lives were forfeit. The Valkyrie that was standing imposingly in between the crowd and the door moved to the side upon seeing him. He passed through with only a moments hesitation.

??? : "Why hello there Sun Tzu , to what do I owe this visit?"

She had picked up his language on the twelfth day he was here, and every time she met him now she only talked in it. She could write and read in that language, so all of her speech and notes and messages were in it simply to keep the meddling people outside or in the kingdom from snooping around in her business.

On a couch in the middle of the room was a woman, no girl would be more appropriate. She appeared to be about sixteen but her real age was unknown, Tzu guessed it was around four hundred judging by the colors of the Valkyries outside.

She was splayed out without a care in the world, a deity amidst peons. She had the power to set the world on fire, but instead she chose to sit on a couch and mess with him, guiding his actions subtly from the shadows.

She wasn't wearing much, just a light summer dress which hardly covered up her almost mature body. Her slightly small breasts stood out among the light fabric, partially covered by her long hair, silver in color. (Think Siera from noblesse I guess? but with less... apathy and a little more cleavage...)

Tzu : "Hello again Zelpha, you had something to tell me right?"

He took a seat on the opposite side of the table from her, but only after she motioned for him to sit. No matter how familiar with her he was, he would never even pretend as if he was even on the same level as one of her Valkyries. He was below her, and every action he took in her presence was carefully and meticulously calculated.

She put on a fake pouty face, and snapped her fingers. A moment later a Valkyrie came in. This one was different from the ones outside, its armor was in a 'retracted' state, revealing a feminine face, rather beautiful to look at. She was carrying a plate that had various sweets and some tea on it.

The odd thought passed through his head that these beings which could so easily destroy an army; that instilled terror among mortals everywhere, that flew through the skies like they owned them; these supreme beings who could decide his fate on a whim were nothing but maids to Stratovians. He quickly put this aside as "rude" and set his whole focus on the matter ahead.

The Valkyrie then quietly retreated to the corner of the room, awaiting her orders.

Zelpha : "Are you sure you wish to rush me? Wouldn't you rather relax or something?" She stood up from her spot, grabbed the two cups of tea, handed one to him and started drinking the other herself. She also sat right next to him. A moment later she snuggled up against him and then emphasized the word "relax".

Tzu : "Please Zelpha... not today"

Zelpha : "Oh..." She put on a fake pouty face for a moment or two, before scooting over and sitting on his lap...

Zelpha : "But you are such a smart, intelligent man. I can't help my instincts..." She panted a bit at that last word.

It was all a lie, but had he not known better he would have believed her. She was in complete control over her body and actions. She just enjoyed messing with him specifically...

Tzu : "Please stop joking, it wouldn't work..." He said, lightly pushing her hips off of his knee.

Zelpha revealed a pouting face again. She sighed a small sign and moved her hips off of his knee herself, taking his hint.

Zelpha : "Oh I know, but I want you as my man..."She seemed depressed at that last moment, as if discarding the notion altogether...

Tzu : "We BOTH know that that is not true."

Zelpha looked a bit regretful at the mostly true statement.

Zelpha : "Oh, you are not fun at all.." *cough*A moment later she cleared her thought, an arbitrary action as Stratovians have no need for such a thing. It merely signaled the true start of their conversation. She continued a moment later, this time seriously

Zelpha : "As you know, your enemies have summoned heroes... I am not sure yet if they are from your planet or not but I do know that they have an average stat of about twenty five at level one"

She paused for a moment, letting him ask any questions or make a comment.

Tzu : "Like me?"

Zelpha : "Yes, like you but... there are more of them then just one" She looked a bit regretful at the last few words.

Tzu : "How many?"

Zelpha paused for a moment. Tzu took a drink of his tea for the first time trying to wet his mouth for the discussion to come.

Zelpha : "Thirty..."

He started choking on the tea due to his shock. Zelpha merely waited out his coughing fit.

Tzu : "THIRTY?!?! What about their abilities? How did they summon that many with one summon?"

Zelpha : "I dunno," She gave an innocent shrug, befitting her appearance as a teenager

"But whatever they did it worked, because, while most of them are just "normal" heroes there was one of note. A swordsman, who's skills were impeccable but unfortunately she could not seem to control her body well. She possesses strength which will eventually be on par with the Valkyries, a massive stat of fifty four at level one. She had a plethora of skills pertaining to various sword skills, but from what my spy tells me she looks like the headstrong type. She should be easy enough to manipulate. Beware her potential though."

Tzu nodded earnestly. To have the potential to reach the strength of a Valkyrie was unthinkable. He would certainly have to take care of this early.

He bowed and then started to walk out.

Zelpha beckoned to him with one final question.

Zelpha : "Are you done with that appearance yet? Its boorish to look at, perhaps you want your true form back?"

Tzu shook his head reluctantly, he still needed this face, this form. He had spent a long time building up his reputation as a trust worthy person and a good adviser. It was not yet time to discard it nor reveal his true identity.

Zelpha seemed saddened by this answer and gave a small sigh.

Zelpha : "Well when you do just come to me, I can change you back whenever you want..."

He nodded and then walked out of the room into the crowd again.

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Spoiler :

As I have stated before Stratovians have a natural genetic immunity to all poisons, and their bodies have a special self replicating synthetic bacteria strand which fixes their bodies. It is what allows them to live so long and it renders them nigh on impossible to kill through flesh wounds, as the wounds would just regenerate before any substantial damage was done.

The only way to kill a Stratovian is to completely obliterate more then 70% of their body or to decapitate them, as their head is the only thing which does not regrow from scratch.

Of course, that is the only way to truly kill them(lol thats funny!!) as the AVERAGE lifespan of a Stratovian [i]body [i/] is around 850 years or so. Like I said before, their bodies will last naturally until at LEAST 700 years. As their body is dying however, they possess the option to become incorporated into the Stratovian Forum, its an interlinked mainframe between all Stratovian cities, serving as a "backup hard-drive" in case (lol at the contingency plans) something were to happen to the current Stratovians. The "saved" ones would then teach the next generation about their origins and about their purpose in existence.

Anyway.. Long chapter, keep on keeping on...

Getting into Valkyries in the next spoiler maybe?

Lurkers Beware!!! For I desire comments!!!