"You're back! Are you okay?" Alma landed in front of me once I had finally made it back to the entrance of Valhalla.

"Yes... I'm just... out of breath."

"Why?" I took a deep breath in.

"I can't use my wings for a while. They're in bandages at the moment, and I have to go back every day for them to check on them. Other than that, though, I'm good." Her expression dimmed, and I could see the tinge of guilt in her eyes.

"Damn," she said suddenly. I cocked my head in confusion. "We were going to have you do something at tomorrow's feast, but we'll have to assign you something else. Since you can't fly, we could switch you out with Ilia and put you on guard duty."

"Guard duty?"

"Yep. It shouldn't be hard, but you'll guard the cells tomorrow night while the feast goes on upstairs. Most of the guards will be at the feast so we were assigned to help out. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

******

After I had visited the healers, I met up with Alma in Valhalla. She explained what to do while I was guarding the cells. Talking about cells reminded me of my strange dream. I brushed the feeling away as I trained on my own for a bit.

I sat down and decided to call it quits so I could have enough energy for tonight. I had been training all day with Thor and Sif.

"Don't wear yourself out, Valkyrie."

"Shut up," I whispered. Get out of my head.

"I'd rather not."

What do you want with me? I don't even know who you are. I don't even know if you're real.

"I'm very real." Alma walked in and walked with me to the palace.

"You really don't have to do this. I can make it there on my own."

"Nonsense. If you have to walk, then so will I. Besides, I'm sure it's kind of lonely. We can actually talk about something not related to the Valkyries or Asgard for once. So, tell me about yourself."

"Oh, um, there's not much to know," I said.

"Well, what are you studying in college?" I looked at her, and she seemed genuinely interested.

"Art and writing. Mostly art."

"Yeah? Do you like it?" I nodded. "I wish I could do stuff like that."

"Why can't you?"

"Once you're a Valkyrie, you get a choice. You can be part time, or full time. At some point, most Valkyries choose full time. Once you do, you become immortal in a sense. You don't age, but you can still be killed. I chose that path. Now I can only go to Earth if I'm reaping or if ordered to. I want to go back one day, even if it is just for a day. I want to feel... human again. Just for a bit." She looked up to the sky, wonder in her eyes. There was something else, too. A tear fell and streamed across her face until it fell onto her shirt. "Sorry, I didn't mean to, um..." she trailed off.

"Hey," I said as I placed my hand on her shoulder. "I'm glad you told me. It means a lot that you'd tell me something like that." She wiped her hand on her face and smiled.

"Thanks." We walked into the palace through a side entrance. She took me down numerous flights of stairs. We stopped once we got to a pair of golden doors being protected by one of the royal guards.

"Are you the Valkyrie that is supposed to be here tonight?"

"She is." Alma turned to me. "You'll be guarding from the inside." The guard opened the doors and stepped aside. He motioned for me to go in.

"If you need any assistance, I shall be here," he said.

"Thank you."

"Just remember what I told you and you should be fine. Bye!" With that, Alma left and the guard shut the door once I stepped inside.

It hit me almost instantly. This was the room from my dream. This time, though, there was no pulling in my guts. My instinct apparently wanted to go there anyways. But I didn't. I had a job to do. I wasn't going to fail. Not if I could help it anyways.

I stood there for at least half an hour before I got bored. Then, I remembered that Alma said I could walk around the cells for a bit to make sure everything hadn't gone to chaos or something. I started walking and my feet felt sore after just standing for so long.

The halls were awkwardly familiar. I felt strange, as if something was here and calling to me, but I didn't hear anything or anyone. I rounded the corner. I was in the area I had been to in my dreams.

"Welcome back, Valkyrie." I stopped dead in my tracks. It was his voice. The man from my dream and the one in my head. I reluctantly walked towards the cell. I prepared myself to fight if necessary. "Remember me?"

"Yes," I said through gritted teeth.

"Why so angry? I have done nothing." He smiled mischievously. I wanted to smack that smirk right off his face. How dare he act so innocent.

"How? How did you get in my head? And why?" I made sure not to be too expressive so he wouldn't see that I was afraid. I made sure to stand my ground.

"Ah, you see, we have a connection. I'm not sure why yet, but I have a theory."

"Which is?"

"Not of your concern yet." I felt the blood rush to my cheeks in anger. How could it be none of my concern if it directly concerned me?

"You're lucky I've got a job to do, or else this might not end so well." I continued my walk, trying to get back to my post.

"Goodbye, Lilith." I froze for a moment. I decided not to freak out and kept walking, not showing him any sort of emotions until I was out of his sight.

Who the hell is he?

I patrolled the area for a few more hours, occasionally walking around so I wouldn't become stiff. I made sure to pick up the pace a bit when I got near his cell. I felt him watching me every time I passed, but he stayed quiet. I returned to my post once more, and Alma walked in shortly after.

"Hey. You look fine and the guard didn't hear anything, so I'm guessing it went well." I debated on telling her about that man, but ultimately decided against it.

"Yup. Everything seemed fine to me. How was your night?"

"Good, good. Prince Thor got a bit rowdy after some drinks, a lot of drinks, and started some fights. Other than that it went pretty well." She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Come on, it's pretty late. Mind if I walk back with you?" I shook my head, and we left after the usual guard returned.

"Do come back and visit me."

Shut up.

"If you knew who I was, you wouldn't dare be so rude."

And who are you exactly?

"Ah, time will tell, dear Valkyrie. Time will tell."