Paulo Coelho The Valkyries Novels & Stories

Alice answered after a while. "So you weren't with Alastair then ... " Nick and I have known Alice for a long time. There are only a few Valkyries in this world, maybe around fourteen, maybe less. No one knows for sure. Valkyrie is the goddess of war who lived for hundreds of years, they were born from human parents or Volder. No one knows how someone could be chosen and born into this world as a Valkyrie. Many of us wanted the power of the Valkyries and hunted them down, but of course nothing worked. In the first place, the chances of encountering a Valkyrie were extremely slim ... perhaps seven billion versus fourteen? Second, nothing can beat them. Valkyrie is nicknamed the goddess of war

The pressure on my throat vanished, and I dropped to the ground, coughing violently, air burning my lungs. Through my tears, I saw Iris. I was scared she wouldn't show up. I was scared it was my last moment. But there she was! She positioned herself between us now, eyes shimmering like dual moons, her aura enveloping me like a tide of tranquility. Her wings spread out behind her in brilliant defiance, and the earth shook under her bare feet “Ah… sister,” Valkyrie drawled, unfazed. “I always thought you were the wise one. But imagine… choosing a weakling to carry the pendant’s legacy.”

But they were losing. A woman at the center of the battlefield screamed, her voice shaking the heavens. She raised one elongated claw, eyes glowing with raw, ancient power— And then— A shadow fell over everything. A monstrous figure loomed at the edge of the war, its form shifting and twisting like living smoke. It raised a clawed hand— And the Valkyries were swallowed whole. The last thing I saw before everything turned black was a pair of glowing eyes, staring straight into my soul. A voice, low and ominous, whispered in my ear.

"Elara of Blood Moon! By decree of the High Council, you are to be purged and sealed beneath this valley. Lay down your power, or face obliteration." I stepped into view, the golden light still threading through my skin. "I warned you once," I said quietly. "You can’t cage what was born before gods." Valenor’s sword flared white. "Then die as one." The soldiers charged. And the valley screamed. The air itself turned into a weapon—my weapon. The ground split open beneath their feet, swallowing the front line in molten light. I raised my hand, and the runes they had drawn reversed—turning on their masters, burning the sigils into their armor. Their howls were brief, swallowed by the roar of po

Completing her job, the bald eagle whistled and soared away, disappearing in its flight. It was Zuzu. She's a guardian animal who lived to protect Valen alongside his second guardian, a huge white Transvaal lion. They are not shifters but spiritual embodiments of powers. It had to do with a prophecy of a great war to come. One so big that he'll need these guardians to overcome. Therefore, his eagle saw my danger and came to my rescue. Damn. Was that what my visions were about? Those voices and that vortex, who was attempting to abduct me?

Valeria jokes. I lean forward and begin to read the completed text on the tablet, and I feel the colour drain from my face. I read the words over and over again hoping that I’ve just made a translation error, but no matter how many times I analyse it, the translation remains the same. “Izzy? What’s wrong?” Valeria asks in concern, holding my arm. I reach up and squeeze her hand trying to keep myself calm. “What does it say?” She asks. I take a deep breath and prepare myself to read the words aloud. “When God and human become one, worlds shall open, and Azadou shall rise…” I say hauntingly.

He patted his chest proudly. Bast laughed. Sobering as he explained. “She claims to be a valkyrie. I’ll be researching what that is.” *** “I’d thought that’s what she looked like.” Chavias looked impressed then his expression turned to a frown. “Best assure she eats.” Bast looked at him askance. “I believe a valkyrie must regularly eat to maintain its energy, if I recall correct.” “How in Ardae would you know that?” “My friends-and enemies are far reaching. I’ve learned much over the centuries.”

The spike of the chants grew louder and I couldn’t bring myself to look at what they were doing. My body screamed at me just lay down and sleep, to get some rest but I knew that wasn’t an other and it would never be an option until I had gotten the book and find a way to save Valerie. I tried closing my eyes, but everytime I did so, I saw their faces. Valerie being treated like a pet and them acting like she was worthless- nothing more than a tool for them to use as they wanted. The oracle girl, clutching her mother’s hand.

"I picked it, since it's a place a lot like Valhalla." "The place where the Valkyries ferry the souls of the dead?" She returned my smile with one of her own. "And while the don't technically fly on their own wings, they do come down on creatures that would give them that benefit." "Precisely." I told her. "This place, it houses planes that fly. So, in theory, it sort of fits in with what they do—raining down from the heavens above when souls are lost, and in a state of transition from one life cycle to the next." I paused, keeping my speed at a high rate but still under control. "And this is what Phase I does. It starts ending one life cycle to begin the next."