Snow White with the Red Hair: The Valkyrie

Another Perspective

After Shirayuki had awoken, the Castanic had been locked up in the dungeon. Her fate was still to be decided.

The redhead was filled in on everything she missed, including the parts where the valkyrie made the antidote for her. It touched her heart, in a way. She saw it the way Obi had seen it. She owed them nothing, yet she still saved Shirayuki's life.

She was grateful.

Late at night, the redheaded girl snuck into the dungeon where they were holding the Castanic. From within her cell, she could see nothing. It was all darkness except for the small shimmer of moonlight coming from the barred window above. She was starting to believe that no one was there, and then...

"You are either exceedingly brave or idiotically naïve."

She stepped a tiny bit into the light, but there was still a shadow casting itself over her. She was merely a darkened silhouette. The only thing Shirayuki knew was where she was standing.

"For it is unwise to venture to such a place alone."

Shirayuki's breath was almost taken when she saw the horns sticking out of her head, but she put on a fearless face.

"You saved my life."

"It was within the terms."

"But you didn't have to."

"Yes I did. It was only fair."

"You owed us nothing."

"Enough!" The Castanic lunged forward; her hands slamming against and gripping the metal bars. This caused the redhead to take a large step away; her back slamming into the cell across from hers. "I only did what I did because I need you alive and well for my mistress so that when you are flawless again, I may take you and she shall be pleased! Everything I do is for my mistress and my mistress only! No one else, understand?" The stress she was putting on the metal bars almost made them give out. That is, until she calmed down and released them. What was left were large indents from her inhuman grip. "Do not mistake my act of selfishness for kindness." She turned her back on her and melted back into the shadows.

Her breaths were short and heavy. The redheaded girl could see that the Castanic wanted her to fear her. But because of that, she stepped forward again, reaching out and running her fingers across the metal she dented.

"You push me away. Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"I'm trying to show you kindness. I'm trying to say thank you. But it seems that whenever someone is kind to you, you try to make them show hatred towards you. I want to know why."

There was a moment of silence.

"Is it..." Shirayuki gazed down at the cold stone floor beneath her before looking back into the darkness of her cell. "Is it because no one has ever shown you kindness before?" There was an uncomfortable shifting in the pitch black shadows. Her guess was spot on. "Is it because you aren't sure how to respond to it?" Another uncomfortable shifting, but still more silence. "It's okay. I wouldn't blame you. Obi told me about how your mistress treats you. You may believe it's right for discipline, but if she truly loved you, she wouldn't do that to you in the first place."

"There is... nothing I can do."

"But you're so strong. You have so much power." She referred to the dented bars. "You could've escaped if you truly wanted to."

"I cannot go back to my mistress empty handed. I also cannot leave until that mark on your neck has healed."

"So you just plan on sitting and waiting?"

"That is exactly what I plan to do."

"But then you're not out there living. Don't you yearn for freedom?"

"It does not matter what I yearn for. What I yearn is of no one's concern."

"It's my concern. I came here because I wanted to thank you. But I also came here because I don't think you should just be stuck sitting here. Please..." There was a jangling of keys as Shirayuki pulled the ones to the dungeon from the pocket on her dress. Quickly, she unlocked her cell, offering a hand out to her. "Let me show you true kindness. And if I can't change your heart or mind, then you can do whatever you originally planned to do. But I won't let you stay in this cell."

She was standing there for a bit of time. She was afraid that she might've pulled some magic trick and disappeared. But then, out of the darkness, a hand reached out and grabbed hers rather... gently. Then soon after her hand came the rest of her body. She could finally see her face and crimson irises that glowed like a red star.

"You are determined. So much so, that it may end up being your downfall."

A smile tugged at the corner of Shirayuki's mouth.

"Well today, it's not."

They ventured outside where the valkyrie could completely take in the moonlight and night zephyrs.

"Do you have a name?" The herbalist asked suddenly.

"No. Mistress has not given me a name. I am only referred to as 'girl.'"

"Well that's not right. You deserve a name."

"I do not know what I could possibly be called."

When the redhead glanced over at the girl, she could see a... glow about her. She appeared illuminated under the silvery light. As though she were a light herself. It was enchanting.

"Akari..." She whispered.

"Hm?"

"What about Akari? It means light."

"That makes no sense. I am the book definition of darkness."

"You're wrong. From where I'm standing, you're the brightest thing here. A light in the darkness."

The girl raised an eyebrow. She wasn't sure what the small herbalist saw from her perspective. But then... she took a moment to gaze into the shimmering emeralds that were her eyes. She could see her own reflection in them. And from there, she saw the glow that Shirayuki saw. It outlined her entire body, making her appear as some ethereal otherworldly being. She was a light.

"Akari..." She tried the name out herself and took a moment to ponder it. She found herself shrugging right after, removing the lock she had on her eyes. "If it is what you believe is suitable, then I shall call it mine."

"So let me ask you again... do you have a name?"

She stared at the girl again; this time with bewilderment in her crimson eyes. Why did she suddenly want to become her friend? Perhaps it was for her own benefit. Perhaps she thought it would change her mind about taking her. Although... she spoke of something the valkyrie hadn't quite experienced before. Kindness. Growing up, she hadn't known what the word kindness meant. She thought she knew when her mistress forced her to take young girls and swap their souls. Her mistress called it mercy. Mercy to the cruel world that lied beyond her mystical dwelling. When she beat her, she called it mercy for it was far more honorable than failure. That was her version of mercy. That was her version of kindness. It was different from what Shirayuki had offered her. She offered her a smile and a hand to reach out for. A sanctuary within her touch. It was different and she wasn't quite sure how to feel about it.

If anything, Shirayuki was the true light of the night.

But instead, she had given her a name that meant light. Odd as it was, she wanted to call it hers with pride...

And she hoped others would call it with the same pride.

"Yes. It is Akari."

"Well I think that's a beautiful name." She grinned.

"Of course you would think so. You picked it out for me."

"The point was you pretended I didn't give it to you."

"I do not pretend."

"Ugh. Never mind then."