Blackbeard; The Legend

A Different Ending

Akahana drank from a steaming mug of hot chocolate, something that she never knew existed, but after taking the tiniest sip, she knew that she couldn't have enough of it, and she continued to gulp it down.

"Hey, don't go drinking all of it beauty," The captain chided lightly as he guzzled down a bottle of beer. "The others need it too."

She wiped her mouth. "Sorry, but it's really good!" She licked her lips. Outside, a blizzard raged on, which caused everyone to hunker down in the mess hall, where warm meals and beverages were provided, as they waited out the icy storm.

The captain chuckled. "True. Made from some of the finest cocoa beans." He leaned back and sighed contentedly. Akahana gazed around the hall, the lanterns illuminating the smiling faces of practically everyone. Ryota was completely devouring a steak as Takahiro watched in both horror and intrigue. Koji pretended that his food was a monster, and played around with it, much to his mother's disapproval.

The captain suddenly sat up, a bright spark in his eyes. "Ye know what this calls for?" He clapped his hands and alerted everyone. "A story!"

"Story?" Koji asked excitedly. Soon enough, everyone in the hall was settled around the captain, eagerly awaiting for the captain tell the tale. He chuckled and motioned woth his hands for everyone to quiet down. They did, and Akahana could faintly hear the cold winds raging on outside.

"Alrighty, alrighty," He sat back down. "Since all of ye want one so badly, I can't refuse. Now listen close," His voice lowered, and if on cue, the lamps grew a bit dimmer, darkening the edges of the hall. "The Svellands have legends and myths of many heroes and villains, some a bit truer than others. But this is a personal favorite of mine. This is the legend of a warrior named Brunhilde." Akahana's ears perked up, and she leaned forward, eager to hear the familiar story of the Valkyrie warrior that had inspired her to travel to the Svellands.

It was many a year ago in the Svellands, where kings and queens waged war against one another, for power, for domain, for glory. They say that the Valkyries, warrior women that were chosen by the ruler god Odin, were often used to settle these wars between men, as they were told which side to support by Odin himself. Even if one side seemed to be more honorous, or that the other side was not inherently evil, it did not matter, as who Odin favors is the one who is in the right.

Yet, one of these battle maidens refused to carry out the task at hand. This disobedient lass was none other than Brunhilde, and she did not support the king whom Odin favored over the other. In anger, Odin casted her into a deep slumber, surrounded by a ring of flames and a ring of shields, and the only way for her to avoid the oblivion of sleep was if she married. Ye see, marrying for a Valkyrie was like being chained; unable to fight, and she would be chained to her husband till death claimed her. But she refused, vowing that she would never marry unless a man with no fear came forth. And she was casted into the black void of rest.

Akahana tilted her eard slightly, for her mother never spoke of the ring of shields, but she listened, eager for what happened next, despite her knowing the story like the back of her paw. The other passengers were also listening attentively, their ears slightly perking higher as they watched every word with anticipation.

But thankfully, her vow would come true. One day, someone came for her. A hero, a warrior, his name was Sigurd. He had been searching for Brunhilde, as she was foretold to help Sigurd in attaining the power of the runes, powerful magic. And as his hawk peered through the tower she was hidden within, he was enraptured by her. And with nothing but determination to save her, he leapt through the flame with no fear, the mad lad! And ye bet that Brunhilde was grateful.

As was foretold, Brunhilde taught him how to access the runes, while imparting prophecies and wisdom. Soon enough, they had to split apart, Sigurd continuing with his journeys, and Brunhilde awaiting his return in her tower, as she couldn't leave the ring of fire unless she married. So she and Sigurd vowed that after his adventures, he'd return and marry her. But fate had some twisted ideas for them.