[ He's quiet for a few seconds, just watching Jack. Finally he nods, gives a small smile, and begins. ]
I had a good life. I enjoyed it, anyway. I was married to a beautiful, upstanding woman, we had what little we wanted, and I was happy. But there comes a time in some lives when you realize you're not strong enough. Some lives, not all. Sometimes life equips you along the way, and gives you challenge enough to shape you into the man — or woman — you need to be. [ He pauses here, rubs the back of his neck. ] Not always, though.
That point came, for me. And for me, I decided the answer was risk. So I found my way to the door of Valhalla, with all the collected wisdom of the sage's guide. I spoke to the guardian Valkyrie, and offered myself to her, just as the legends say you can. They say that when a warrior is strong enough, and has met challenge enough in Rune-Midgard to prove himself worthy — if he offers his life up to the Valkyrie, she'll take it from him, and give him a new life of greater potential. But if she finds him lacking... [ He shrugs. He'd lied about this part to Sofiya — the current conversation wasn't quite fitting for the grimness he remembers. But here, he'll stick to the truth. As promised. ] No one's sure. I think she gives them death without the rebirth.
I was granted rebirth, though. I was returned as an infant to Rune-Midgard and raised in the Church. When it came time to graduate for a second time from an acolyte, I became a high priest, instead of simply a priest. [ He shrugs. ] And that's all, really. I still don't know if I'm strong enough, but I know I'm working for it. It's the only assurance you can really have.
no subject
I had a good life. I enjoyed it, anyway. I was married to a beautiful, upstanding woman, we had what little we wanted, and I was happy. But there comes a time in some lives when you realize you're not strong enough. Some lives, not all. Sometimes life equips you along the way, and gives you challenge enough to shape you into the man — or woman — you need to be. [ He pauses here, rubs the back of his neck. ] Not always, though.
That point came, for me. And for me, I decided the answer was risk. So I found my way to the door of Valhalla, with all the collected wisdom of the sage's guide. I spoke to the guardian Valkyrie, and offered myself to her, just as the legends say you can. They say that when a warrior is strong enough, and has met challenge enough in Rune-Midgard to prove himself worthy — if he offers his life up to the Valkyrie, she'll take it from him, and give him a new life of greater potential. But if she finds him lacking... [ He shrugs. He'd lied about this part to Sofiya — the current conversation wasn't quite fitting for the grimness he remembers. But here, he'll stick to the truth. As promised. ] No one's sure. I think she gives them death without the rebirth.
I was granted rebirth, though. I was returned as an infant to Rune-Midgard and raised in the Church. When it came time to graduate for a second time from an acolyte, I became a high priest, instead of simply a priest. [ He shrugs. ] And that's all, really. I still don't know if I'm strong enough, but I know I'm working for it. It's the only assurance you can really have.