The Recorder of Type-Moon History

The hall was quiet, except for the faint crackling of the eternal flames that licked the walls of the black castle.

Brunhilde blinked slowly, her emerald-green eyes reflecting the soft golden light spilling from her broken shackles. The chains that had bound her for so long had fallen away, crumbling into dust.

She was free.

But what greeted her wasn't the hero of prophecy—the one she had steeled herself to face, with all the tragic inevitability she'd come to accept.

Instead, standing before her was someone she hadn't expected.

"Slude?" Brunhilde's voice, soft yet laced with disbelief, echoed through the crystalline chamber. Her long, light green hair swayed slightly as she sat up, her flawless figure radiant even in the dim light.

"Elder sister," Slude repeated, her tone warm yet trembling. She took a step forward, her red eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "It's me."

Brunhilde froze. The sadness in her eyes wavered as recognition set in.

"Why...?" Her voice cracked, a mix of confusion and emotion. "Why are you here, Slude? How did you—"

Before she could finish, Slude knelt before her, lowering her head as if to honor her elder sister. "I've come to see you. To free you."

Brunhilde looked down at Slude, still processing what was happening. Her memories were fragmented from her long slumber, but the sight of her younger sister—whom she had last seen so long ago, before her fateful betrayal of Odin—brought a flood of emotions rushing back.

"You shouldn't be here," Brunhilde finally said, her voice heavy with worry. "This place... these flames were meant to keep everyone out. And I..." She trailed off, clenching her fists. "I shouldn't be woken."

Slude looked up, her gaze firm despite the tears welling in her eyes. "I couldn't stay away, sister. I had to see you again."

"But why now?" Brunhilde asked, her voice trembling. "After all this time, why would Odin allow this?"

At this, Slude hesitated, her lips parting slightly as she struggled to find the words.

Then, from the entrance of the chamber, a calm, slightly exasperated voice cut through the air.

"Technically, Odin didn't allow it. I kind of forced the issue."

Both sisters turned to see Kevin stepping into the chamber, his black ponytail swaying as he casually made his way toward them. He held his magic sword, Fragarach, loosely at his side, its faint golden glow illuminating the path before him.

"Slude may have gotten us through the flames," Kevin said, flashing a lopsided grin, "but it was my genius idea to actually come here in the first place. So, you're welcome."

Slude let out an audible groan, standing up and glaring at him. "Kevin, could you be serious for once?"

"Serious?" Kevin raised an eyebrow, pointing to the shattered chains around Brunhilde. "I just helped free your sister from eternal imprisonment. If that's not serious, I don't know what is."

Brunhilde stared at him, stunned by his nonchalant attitude. "Who... are you?"

Kevin grinned and stepped closer, bowing slightly in an exaggerated manner. "Kevin. Just Kevin. Traveler, troublemaker, and apparently a magnet for divine drama."

"Kevin is the hero who killed the giants in Jotunheim," Slude added, her tone softening as she turned to her sister. "And the tamer of Fenrir."

Brunhilde's eyes widened at this, her gaze shifting back to Kevin. "You... tamed Fenrir?"

"Well, 'tamed' might be a strong word," Kevin admitted, scratching the back of his head. "Let's just say I convinced him not to eat me. Most of the time."

Slude sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Kevin, please stop making yourself sound ridiculous."

"I'm not trying to!" Kevin shot back. "That's just how things are."

As the two bickered, Brunhilde silently observed them. Her gaze lingered on Slude, who seemed so different from the last time they'd met. The younger sister she remembered had been reserved, obedient—a puppet of Odin's will.

But now, there was a fire in her eyes, a strength that hadn't been there before.

"You've changed," Brunhilde said softly, interrupting their banter.

Slude turned back to her, her expression softening. "I have."

Brunhilde frowned slightly. "Is this... his doing?"

Slude hesitated, then nodded. "Partly, yes." She glanced at Kevin, who had crossed his arms and was watching the exchange quietly. "But it was also you, sister. I wanted to honor your courage, your choice to stand up for what you believed in—even if it cost you everything."

Brunhilde's breath hitched at these words. She looked away, her expression pained. "That 'courage' led me here. It destroyed everything."

"No, it didn't," Slude said firmly, stepping closer. "You stood up for love, for humanity. You showed me that we Valkyries don't have to be pawns. That we can make our own choices."

Brunhilde's hands trembled as she listened. "And what choice have you made, Slude? Why would you risk coming here? You know what fate awaits me—"

"I came here to change that fate," Slude interrupted, her voice resolute. "And I brought someone who can help."

Brunhilde's gaze flickered to Kevin, who gave her a small smile and a thumbs-up.

Kevin stepped forward, his expression turning more serious. "Brunhilde, I don't know everything about your situation, but I do know this: fate isn't as unchangeable as everyone thinks. It's just... really stubborn."

Brunhilde raised an eyebrow. "Stubborn?"

"Yeah," Kevin said with a grin. "But I'm pretty stubborn too. And with Slude here, I think we've got a shot at turning things around."

Slude nodded, her determination unwavering. "Sister, you don't have to face this alone. We're here to help you."

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a flicker of hope sparked in Brunhilde's chest. She looked at Slude, then at Kevin, and finally at the pale golden light that still lingered faintly in the chamber.

"Perhaps..." she whispered, her voice trembling, "perhaps it isn't too late."

As the three of them stood together, the eternal flames outside the castle began to flicker and shift, as if responding to the renewed energy within.

Neil, perched on Kevin's shoulder, fluffed her feathers and chirped, "Well, this is going to be interesting."

Kevin chuckled, glancing at Slude and Brunhilde. "Yeah, no kidding."

Slude reached out and gently took her sister's hand. "We'll face whatever comes next together, sister."

Brunhilde hesitated for a moment, then nodded, a small, tentative smile gracing her lips. "Together."

And so, with hope rekindled and a new path before them, the trio prepared to take their first steps into an uncertain future.

But one thing was certain: they wouldn't be walking it alone.

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