Lumina — The Captain of the Valkyries

Lumina — The Captain of the Valkyries

My name is Luminalia Arcs Francisque. I was born into this world as the second daughter to Earl Francisque of the dukedom of Blanche with a silver spoon in my mouth. My father belonged to a faction, and when I was nine, I was betrothed to his superior’s—the marquis’s—heir.

I was a docile child, I chose to believe, and when I wasn’t engaging in lessons of etiquette or matters of state, I very much enjoyed reading. Most children became an adult at the age of fifteen, upon their coming-of-age ceremony. That was not so for the aristocracy, however. Our upbringing was to be decided efficiently and at a young age.

And so, with my twelfth birthday, my world was changed when the Goddess Crya bestowed upon me, at my own ceremony, a job: paladin.

Paladins were people with great strength, often accompanied by an affinity for holy or light magic, or perhaps even both. They were superior to warriors, healers, and mages in all respects. Some became paladins after attaining level six in their original class, then participating in a ceremony with a king, emperor, or mystic, but to be born one was rare indeed. It was a fine job. But I did not rejoice. Because I knew the truth. My parents, though they smiled for me, surely wept in their hearts.

The next day, my father informed me that I would depart for the Holy City of the Republic of Saint Shurule when I came of age, where I would join the Church. My betrothal was canceled, and my parents quickly lost interest in me.

Most paladins became knights of their homeland at adulthood, the age of fifteen. But this was a liberty afforded only to men of the nobility or commoners. I was not allowed the privilege of such a choice. It was my punishment, the burden I bore for being blessed with an appanage beyond that of my fiance.

My life quickly changed. Lessons in decorum became combat training. Time I once spent crafting or painting was now spent in the saddle. The stories I loved reading became a collection of grimoires. At fourteen, one year sooner than was customary as the marquis’s patience began to wear thin, I was sent off to the Church and joined the paladins, where finally my very name fell victim to the change and I became “Lumina.”

I held the tales of heroes and mystics, of sages and paladins from my youth, close to my heart. And although I would not call myself a moralist, I was a woman of principle and devoted myself to the service of the people. I wanted to be like the paladins I so often read about, to hold my chin high and live proudly. It didn’t matter that I’d been driven from my home.

The Church proved a difficult reality to endure, however. Men bribed and earned their reputations as money-grubbers well. They vied for power by way of coin. I witnessed the destruction of many lives at their hands. The Church headquarters turned out to be a veritable den of thieves.

I was fear-stricken and cried many times. But paladins stood above healers and templars, so none of these villains held sway over me. I vowed to better myself, and my captain, Lady Catherine, stood with me.

Then, when at last I reached adulthood, a second ceremony was held for me, and Lady Crya blessed me with new sight. Magical affinity, an individual’s very nature, became visible to me. I dubbed this ability “Aura Sight.” It came with no physically distinctive traits, so none would know of it. Mastering this power became my driving force.

At the age of eighteen, Lady Catherine Frena, the Captain of the Guard, summoned me.

“Follow me,” she ordered.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I accompanied her to the pope’s very chambers.

“Catherine, do you truly intend to withdraw from the guard?” Her Holiness asked.

“I do, Your Holiness,” my captain replied. “My inability to lead the knights is the direct cause of the injustices that plague the paladins. Someone must be held accountable or the cycle will continue.”

“The ones at fault have been sent to the labyrinth and dealt with. You are not among them.”

“That won’t be enough to purge the rot from the Church, Your Holiness.”

My breath caught in my throat. I could scarcely believe my ears. Lady Catherine? Withdrawing from the guard? She commanded the paladins, the templars, the entirety of the Church’s knights. The pope had granted her a surname for a reason, an honor bestowed upon a rare few, even among the greatest bishops. Only through immense effort and achievement would one be appointed such a title by Her Holiness. And Lady Catherine was one such person. Words could not describe the shock I felt at hearing her decision.

“To that end, I have a request,” my captain said.

“What is it? You know that I would grant most any wish of yours.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness. What I ask is to split the templars and paladins into eight.”

“Why is that?” the other asked hesitantly.

“If we wish to cleanse the rot, I must step down from center stage. That way, the corrosion can be wiped clean without soiling our own hands.”

“Oh?”

“By splitting the knights into eight branches, we will limit their ability to move in the shadows,” Lady Catherine went on. “We can prevent young talent such as Lumina from becoming victims of abuse by leaders who wield their power of seniority wantonly.”

“And how would you accomplish this?”

“I already have six candidates in mind to captain three templar and three paladin regiments, Your Holiness.”

“Did I mistake you? I thought there would be eight in total.”

“Indeed,” she said, “but would earning the remaining titles not lend more weight to the new leaders?”

“You mean to...” The pope tapered off.

“Yes. I mean to test our knights’ abilities in a combat tournament. And I intend to judge every match and ensure that it is fair and proper. Once the eight regiment captains have been chosen, I will concentrate the rot into two of the units.”

“You would be risking the very existence of the Church.”

“Indeed I would. And I am prepared to lay down my life to see this corruption rooted out.”

Her Holiness paused. “Very well.”

“Lastly, all I ask of you is that Lumina’s regiment, when she wins her title, be made of only women. If at all possible, Your Holiness.”

“I will make it so. Go with my hopes, Catherine.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness.”

Lady Catherine led me from the chamber, the confusion still plain on my face.

“Lady Catherine, I’m not so sure about this,” I said nervously. “I could never win a tournament!”

She chuckled. “That’s nonsense and you know it. All I need from you is your best. The fate of the Church depends on it.”

“But I...”

“I know you, Lumina,” she interrupted. “I know how kind and timid you are. And I know of your special gift. So I’m ordering you: be a captain.”

“How do you know about my sight?” I asked in shock.

“When I first enlisted, I knew someone with the same ability. The ability to see auras, to read magical pulses, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and evade their spells. You two fight alike. I’m also aware that overuse exhausts you terribly.”

“Where are they now?”

“Gone,” she said. “They, along with several other knights, fell to the greedy and corrupt.”

“I’m... I’m sorry,” I said quietly. The Church had disappointed me yet again.

“Lumina.” Lady Catherine brought me back. “Please, help me return the Church to a place of nobility and virtue again. Help me punish the corrupt. It can’t be done without your strength.”

“Please, no more of that!” I insisted. “Okay. I’ll do my best; I promise.”

I was stricken. How dignified she was, even with a lowered head.

One month later, I emerged victorious in the tournament and became captain of the Valkyrie Paladin Regiment. With five women under my command, we traveled the land. A year passed and our unit became eleven. It was then that I spotted a timid yet vibrant, brilliant pulse of magic on the outskirts of Merratoni. The source of it was a young man.

My days as captain of the Valkyries, fourth paladin regiment of the Church of Saint Shurule Headquarters, were busy. Our duties consisted primarily of surveillance and elimination of the Church’s enemies. Meanwhile, Captain Catherine—now under the alias of Cattleya—attended to finances and relations. I’d met with her recently, and she had softened since her time as captain, having become more feminine. I admired the Lady Catherine of the past and strove to emulate her dignified and elegant way of speaking, much to the enjoyment of my regiment as I did not often do so eloquently. I regularly relayed information to her upon returning from deployments, but she was missing a crucial piece, the key to exposing the Church’s corruption.

“Oh, if only someone would conquer this labyrinth already,” she lamented to herself.

There were not many whom Lady Cattleya trusted. Among them was the famously stone-faced Granhart, but there were few others. I presumed her mutterings were caused by the new exorcist healer who would be replacing the current labyrinth exterminator (a matter overseen by Granhart).

“Lady Cattleya, my Valkyries and I can make quick work of this dungeon,” I declared, attempting to lessen her burden.

“Don’t try it, Lumina. You wouldn’t make it. Not even I would.”

“That isn’t like you,” I argued. “You cleared Crya knows how many labyrinths in Grandol. Am I wrong?”

“This one is different. All you’ll find down there are the undead, and nothing but undead,” she countered.

Walking corpses... I couldn’t bring myself to imagine the stench.

“I swear we can do it. I know we can.”

Lady Cattleya shook her head. “It’s been there for over fifty years, and no one’s managed it in that time. The knights of the past who tried weren’t the do-nothings of today, either, and not even they could conquer it. Dark magic is everywhere down there.”

“You can’t mean that some went mad, can you?”

“Records show many casualties caused by their own allies. No one without some resistance to those types of spells or an affinity with light or holy magic is going to make it through.”

“Does such a hero even exist?” I murmured. Then, “I’m sorry, Lady Cattleya, I spoke out of turn.”

“Oh, stop. I hear the new exorcist is coming from Merratoni.”

“Merratoni? I don’t recall seeing anyone there who would suit the job when I last visited. Two years ago, that is.”

“He’s a strange one, I hear,” she said. “He’s never worked at a clinic before and spent all his time there training at an Adventurer’s Guild instead.”

I was stunned. “Someone blessed with power from the Goddess Crya would rather go adventuring than make use of his divine gift? What was the Merratoni branch thinking?”

“That same boy raised his Holy Magic skill to level five in a single year. They’re calling him a prodigy. Of course, some call him a rebel, plus a few other unsavory nicknames.”

He had trained in holy magic at an Adventurer’s Guild? Lady Cattleya grinned, evidently enjoying my befuddlement. But who would... The silver-haired boy.

“Is this healer a young boy, tall, somewhat spindly? With silver hair?”

“I’m not sure. I do know that when he registered with the guild, he couldn’t use a single spell.”

“I...think I know who he is.”

“What’s he like?” she asked.

“His aura was very pure. I sensed trepidation in him but also strength.”

“Goodness, it’s rare for you to speak so highly of someone.”

“I’m only stating the facts,” I said, blushing. Where was this sudden bashfulness coming from?

“I hope he’s a good kid.”

“Do you want me to look into him?”

“Maybe. Granhart’s going to be in charge of him, so I’ll let you know when he arrives.”

“Please do.”

Unfortunately, it would still be some time before his obligations would allow him to reach us.

Half a year came and went.

“You may disperse for lunch.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I was heading for my quarters after a training session. There were no current deployments planned for my unit, but Illumasia had been remilitarizing, so I expected that would soon change.

When I arrived, I saw my crystal glow. These arclink crystals were wonderful little devices that allowed the user to speak to another through magic. I picked it up and a voice echoed in my mind.

“He’s arrived.”

“To whom are you referring?”

“The boy from Merratoni, remember?”

“Ah, that’s right. He’s with Granhart?”

“For now.”

“Understood. I’ll make contact shortly.”

“Thanks, Lumina.”

I hurried off to find the stoic priest.

I soon spotted Granhart with a young man. A strikingly different yet familiar young man. There was still a youthfulness in his eyes, but in contrast to his innocence was a body fit for an adventurer, not far outshone by Granhart’s. Muscles bulged where once only bone had protruded. I breathed a sigh of relief that his aura was unchanged.

“Oh? You are the one I guided to the Healer’s Guild in Merratoni, are you not?” I called out to him. “I believe your name was...Louise?”

He turned around. “It’s been a long time, Miss Lumina. I never got a chance to thank you back then.”

“I did nothing to warrant it. Tell me, Louise, how have you been?”

“I think reintroductions are in order,” he said. “My name is Luciel. And I have to say, I’m impressed that you recognized me. Everyone says I’ve grown quite a bit.”

I had forgotten his name, but he seemed to take no offense so there was no harm done. I invited him to stop by my quarters later.

As the two of us chatted in my room, I felt his story stir something inside of me. I sensed an intense, fearless drive within him, something I had never felt from the swaths of greedy, indolent healers I had seen over the years. The feeling within me was happiness.

I immediately contacted Lady Cattleya.

“The target has left,” I transmitted through the crystal.

“What do you make of him?”

“He was...dull in certain areas, but I don’t think he’s malicious.”

“Will he make it in the labyrinth?” she asked seriously.

“I think so. He’s had experience in close-quarters combat, at the very least.”

“Now, that sounds interesting.”

“That’s not all. He’s apparently skilled enough to be able to use the Purification spell.”

“Then he’s raised his Holy Magic to level seven in just two years.”

“It would seem so. He’s an incredibly hard worker.”

“Noted. I’m sure I’ll see him tomorrow, so I’ll make my own judgments.”

“That would probably be best.”

“Lend him a hand if he ever needs it, okay?”

“I will.”

She went quiet. “Well, that’s strange.”

“What is?”

“Oh, nothing,” she cooed. “Keep up the hard work, Lumina.”

“Thank you, I will.”

The connection ended.

“We paladins can’t let a well-trained healer overtake us,” I muttered. “We mustn’t start slacking now.”

My reunion with Luciel ignited a determined flame in me.

I was waiting in front of the dining hall with my two fellow paladins, Lucy and Queena. Our objective: to meet with the healer Luciel. And no, this was not a romantic rendezvous by any means.

Lady Cattleya had contacted me yesterday with information that, for the first time in decades, the tenth floor of the labyrinth had been conquered. The conqueror was, of course, Luciel. From her tone, however, his method of approach had been lacking in...intelligence. She asked me to assist him in any way I could, so there I stood, waiting for him right around the hour he usually took his meal.

“Lady Lumina, aren’t we going inside?” Lucy asked.

“What are we standing around for?” Queena grumbled.

My companions were unaware of my goal. And just then, I spotted him.

“Luciel!”

Lucy called out to him before I could, making for the perfect disguise. We entered the hall together, “purely by coincidence.”

Lucy and Queena were close in age to Luciel, so the three of them got along well. We all chatted with him over breakfast.

“I hear your progress up to the tenth floor was shockingly effortless,” I commented.

“Yeah, it has been,” he replied. “It’s too embarrassing to go into the details, but after my two years of training at the Adventurer’s Guild, the labyrinth hasn’t been much of an issue.”

“Were these your first battles against monsters?”

“Yes. All I’d done up until now was sparring.”

“It sounds like you’ve been doing well,” Lucy said encouragingly.

“I was really nervous at first, but things got moving quickly,” he recounted. “Purification does a number on them, and I discovered that imbuing my sword and spear with magic makes them cut through the undead like butter.”

“And what are your sword and spear ranks?” I asked.

“They went up yesterday, so they’re both at two now.”

“How are you using them? Are you alternating weapons each day?”

“Huh?” He looked confused. “Why would I do that? I’m using the spear in my left hand and the sword in my right. It keeps my options flexible.”

“I see... Continue.”

“So, it took me about ten days to reach the tenth floor,” he went on. “I fought small groups with my weapons and took out larger groups with Purification. When I heard the main chamber was going to be full of monsters, I didn’t think twice and went on in.”

Luciel continued his story. His prior gathering of information had turned out to be less than accurate (or perhaps he’d been the victim of a tragic miscommunication) and the “large group” he’d been expecting had in fact been a horde of countless undead foes. But he had believed in himself and stood his ground. It was then he had discovered he could not use his magic in that room.

However, Luciel was no ordinary healer. I could envision the battle, how he must have made peace with death as he slew beast after beast. He was a warrior’s paragon, never faltering, even in the face of impossible odds.

“That sounds like quite the struggle indeed,” I remarked. “I assume you healed your wounds with potions instead?”

“Huh, I bet that would have made things a lot easier.”

“Excuse me?”

He laughed. “I’d never taken any damage before that, so I didn’t bother carrying any.”

“Did no one recommend that you bring the appropriate supplies?”

“I was told to, but they were so expensive. So, after I beat all the monsters, a wight showed up out of nowhere.”

“And you equipped your shield then, yes? And surely barrier magic as well.”

“Well, that’s the thing. The whole reason I had it so rough when I was surrounded by monsters was because I hadn’t cast any barriers before going into the boss room,” he explained. “Honestly, if I wasn’t used to nicks and bruises from Merratoni, I probably would’ve given up right then. And if I’d known there would be a wight, or that I wouldn’t be able to use magic, I feel like I would have done a little better.”

I assumed from the context that “boss” referred to the entity residing in the main chamber. “That’s...certainly incredible. You entered the main chamber knowing full well that powerful enemies awaited you, without recovery options or barrier magic.”

“I’m impressed, myself. I never would’ve thought the bow I just bought would end up being what decided it all.”

“Ten floors in ten days is an exceptional pace. You are taking rests in between, yes?”

“Rests? Eh, I don’t need those. I want to progress and the zombies down there make for good training. Oh, but I do make time to practice my magic fundamentals.”

“Out of curiosity, how long have you been studying this sword-and-spear style of yours?” I asked.

“Since the day after I became an exorcist.”

At last, I understood. This boy was severely and critically lacking in basic common sense. All I could do was stare at him, mouth agape. Lucy and Queena shared my reaction.

“Luciel, have you gone mad?”

“Do you have a death wish?” Lucy said scornfully.

“You’re an idiot,” Queena added derisively. “If luck wasn’t on your side, you’d be dead right now.”

“I thought you were no longer an ignoramus, but I see now that you’ve merely traded ignorance for recklessness. I despise those who forsake the gift of life.”

“I beat myself up over it all night already, guys. Please, you’re killing me here,” he whimpered.

I nearly spat out that we weren’t the ones who would get him killed if he didn’t change his way of thinking, but Lucy spoke first.

“So, what are you going to do about it? Keep this up and you won’t last long.”

“You’re right. Honestly, I wish I could just go back to Merratoni and continue my training,” he said with a distant gaze.

“Healers can’t be transferred from Headquarters without a writ ordering the move,” Queena informed him. He wouldn’t be released that easily.

I suddenly remembered Lady Cattleya’s request. Luciel was in need of a hand.

“If it is training you want, I believe we can deliver.”

“Wait, really?”

“Indeed. You may find it rigorous for a healer, but I have no qualms about allowing you to join us. However, do not expect personal instruction.”

“As long as it doesn’t get in the way of my job, I’d be more than happy to.”

His readiness to accept pleased me. We would hold our joint sessions each week on the Day of Fire.

After breakfast, we parted ways and the ladies and I were on our way to the training grounds when Lucy asked, “Are you sure inviting him is a good idea?”

“What I’m certain of is that he will grow,” I said. “He is a healer, far weaker than any paladin. His attributes will be low. What’s more, he’s only level one.”

“Will he even be able to keep up with us?”

“I cannot say. But my reports inform me that he trained for two years without rest. We Valkyries are an elite few and we rank as the strongest because we endeavor to. But the unfortunate truth is that the hard-working are a rare breed within the Church. I intend to test his will, and if he fails then he will be nothing to us. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I informed the rest of the unit of the plan, and the day of our joint training was soon upon us. I struggled to determine whether Luciel’s chivalry, a quality rare in healers, was born from self-absorption or simple ignorance. Regardless, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined such a man existed.

The entire regiment felt much the same. We were monsters in the eyes of many, but here was one who hesitated to strike us. Who treated us as women. Needless to say, the girls’ fondness of him grew. As for me, I was in awe that he would show honest, genuine pause at the idea of fighting us, even being fully aware of the gap between our abilities. But I suppose I didn’t exactly detest it.

Luciel was a powerful healer, that much was certain. Compared to us, however, the difference in physical ability was almost staggering. And there was something to be said for his sword-and-lance style. Nothing good, but it was certainly worthy of...comment. When he held his sword and shield before me properly, though, I found myself impressed. For his technique to be so skilled at only level two, his instructor must have been an extraordinary fighter.

We traded blows, and his swordsmanship was nothing to scoff at, but he was no warrior. Still, I acknowledged the immense effort he had surely put in, despite the wide openings he left that spoke of his inexperience. He created one such opening by swiping his blade too wide, and I used it. But the moment my fist landed, I saw him smile. The damned boy smiled. A moment later, a pale light enveloped him, and he swung his sword backwards. He’d planned it from the start. A healer. He had never ceased his attack, and yet he could cast in the heat of battle. I could only imagine how he must have struggled and labored to reach such a level.

I was moved. Impressed beyond words. Such a display could only be returned in kind.

“Splendid maneuver!” I darted behind him and chopped the back of his neck, robbing him of his consciousness.

“Were you watching, ladies?” I asked the unit. “This is a healer. The class with the lowest attributes of any class, second only to mages. We, however, are blessed with high attributes and easily-enhanced skills.”

We were paladins. A privileged few.

“Unfortunately, many of our peers are content to indulge in this luxury. But not Luciel. He is a man of talent. He conquered the tenth floor of our once-impenetrable labyrinth in a mere eleven days. And as long as the labyrinth exists, Lady Cattleya will never return home to the knights.”

The Church was rotten...to its very core.

“We are going to train him. And we are going to train him well. Is that clear?” I looked at each of the Valkyries. There were no objections. “Good. Now resume your training!”

Luciel’s barrier magic was far beyond the level of a two-year novice. His mere presence in a team of less-experienced Valkyries was enough to see them to victory, surprising everyone and elevating his reputation further.

Only field exercises remained on the agenda when the unexpected happened.

“Gather and saddle your steeds, ladies. We enter the wilderness to slay monsters.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“What?” Luciel’s sudden confusion was never a good omen.

“You have a question, Luciel?”

“Uh, not exactly. I’ve just never ridden a horse before.”

“That is...unexpected.”

I’d completely forgotten that he was village-born. Many villagers may have, at the very least, seen a steed before, but it wouldn’t be strange for him to have never touched or ridden one. On the other hand, most healers, even young ones, were wealthy enough to own horses. And it was honestly far-fetched that a man built like a knight had never once taken to the saddle. All the same, this was clearly a result of my own lack of forethought.

“It is what it is. I will have you practice with the stablehands. Our exercises are liable to be observed by others, you see.”

“I’m sorry. I feel bad about this.”

“It’s nothing. I lacked consideration. You may use the field to practice, and we will return when our exercise is done.”

“Thank you. You all be careful.”

“Ladies,” I called, “make your way there. I will be with you once I’ve seen Luciel to the stables.”

After dropping the healer off, I caught up with my unit. As we trotted along, we spoke of what had led Luciel being sent to Church Headquarters in the first place. Much of the discussion was praise for him. Merratoni healers were especially infamous, and when it came to light that Luciel himself was the dissident who had driven a nail through the greatest contributor to that city’s poor reputation, the ladies went mad with glee.

Luciel continued to join our training, and we continued to welcome him, until heightening tensions with the Illumasian Empire forced our regiment to deploy with the templars.

As we made our departure, something about the procession felt strange. There was none of the usual scattered applause. On the contrary, the entire Holy City seemed to have turned out with united cheers of encouragement for us. Not even Lady Cattleya’s past deployments had garnered such a reaction.

Amid the cries, I made out several words: “zombie,” “masochist,” and “Saint Weirdo.” I searched for Luciel’s aura and spotted him some distance away, having come to see us off. The Valkyries looked unfazed when I told them who was responsible for the ruckus.

Our hearts and minds unburdened and uplifted by the simple surprise of a well-loved healer, we departed for the border with vigor.