Two stragglers, yet to cross- at the back of the pack. Persevering. Pushing. This is not a situation unfamiliar to one Kajsa 'Val' Sveinsdóttir. All her life, starting with the ill-fated brother who had died in her arms, she has fought to protect those around her... and utterly, completely failed.
Futaki Yanoru, to whom the woman had begun to confide in, was a subject of interest and care, going through their own struggles alongside the strife of the killing grounds. Kajsa had hoped to be there for them. Futaki disappeared from her life anyways, whisked away. If only there was more time.
Cerise and Ryuma - a tragic relationship that she had the unique pleasure of being a 'middleman' for. The latter so far fallen that the mere act of convincing him that there is more to life - that not all is lost - seemed like a herculean task.
Keahilani. He was one of the few who tried to be there for her. If only she reciprocated.
If only she could do more. If only she could do more, right? Hindsight is a bitch, and sometimes, the fear of death and repercussion beats your morals senseless and to the ground. So long, and so often, has she tried to break her social boundaries, and try to be there for others. Time and time again her efforts have failed. Maybe that's what had blinded her to reality - with credit to Cecil's observations, the world never wanted to ignore her. The world, unfortunately, is cruel enough to render it all for naught, and make even the greatest of efforts feel... pointless.
This is no different from all the rest. She now holds a dying man, pushing him forward and to safety, almost as if to spite his condition. Maybe it's worthless. Maybe, she thinks, Changrui is a lost cause.
... but maybe, she thinks, it's all going to be alright. Maybe, this time, she has bullied the world into submission, and it will finally reward her for her efforts.
After all, isn't this collapsing cavern proof enough of that? Isn't it proof that things can get better, as a result of her actions..?
For the first time in years, Kajsa begins to smile.
It happens so fast. In the blink of an eye, a hurtling stone crashes downwards-
-and with gut instinct and a primal, nigh-feral surge of strength, Kajsa throws Changrui forward. The stone bridge cracks and collapses. Soon, there won't be anything for her to stand on.
"There is... a reason, I call you that." An older, leather-bound woman stares down to the girl on her lap, a meek, innocent child, with a calm, loving gaze. "The Valkyrja. The... overseers, of the living and the dead. They choose who dies. They... decide who lives. You were... born with a... unique responsibility on your shoulders, to save and protect both friends and family. Sometimes, hard decisions will need to be made. You may have to... hurt, in order to heal. But. Do not forget. This world needs you. We need you."
The woman leans forward, touching noses with her daughter.
"You are my Valkyrja, Kajsa Sveinsdóttir. Never forget that."
There was never enough time for words, but... Kajsa is fine with that. She would rather her actions speak on her behalf.
Just, don't let it go to waste, alright..?
The wingless angel disappears into the depths, and... she dies with only one regret, and it is that she could not have given her life sooner.
