◈ Awakening

The valkyries were established under the protection and grace of Elion.
Although their history isn't old, they've always stood out in any conflict they've taken part of.
Their story begins with the legend of Enslar, the first valkyrie. Stories of her heroics on the battlefield were speckled with mentions of a Calpheonian knight with radiant red hair who wielded an almost oversized lancia and large shield in a graceful way. The lancia was at least as big as her torso, yet she held it as though it was a tiny dagger.

Even more impressive was her ability to master new techniques. She was able to channel some kind of sacred power to rapidly learn new things. The Elionian Church claimed that these powers were bestowed upon Enslar by Elion, took her battlefield nickname, compiled a treatise on the figure of the Valkyrie, and established the Holy College of Calpheon where Enslar would reside as its commander to train a new generation of valkyries. This rapid turn of events would have taken most off-guard, yet Enslar accepted her new responsibilities with the grace and integrity that is now associated with a valkyrie.

Enslar's reputation flourished. She was a renowned warrior on the field, and took the time to help set up training for others to follow in her footsteps. Many saw her as a shining beacon of Calpheon's military might, and with Enslar leading the charge Calpheon would prosper like never before. And this would have been the case, if not for internal strife that very few on the outside ever saw.

Her role as commander of the Holy College was more of a figurehead role. The Elionian Church implemented a strict recruitment policy. The girls who joined the college were mostly there due to the money their parents spent on their behalf. It became a prestigious academic college, with the combat aspects almost coming second fiddle to study. While the girls were given extensive combat training, their teachers were cruel and many dropped out or were banished from the college. Enslar was powerless to change these procedures, yet she maintained her integrity and trained with a more common shield and sword with the trainees.

The day came where the number of valkyries was enough to put a battalion on the battlefield. It took time, but slowly but surely more of the girls graduated. Enslar became their leader, and they all followed her orders to the tee. As a sign of respect, it became an unwritten rule that a valkyrie would dye their hair to match Enslar's glorious red, a sign that Enslar herself was flattered by.

Their first mission was to head to Calpheon Shrine in the southwest and completely seal Kzarka, who had appeared in the shrine in an incomplete form. Enslar knew her warriors were ready, yet such a challenge would test the limits of their strength. They would need to be on top of their game in order to maintain composure on the field. As they set up their camp, she sat with her sisters-in-arms and asked them to meditate with her. To become attuned with Elion's will and to complete this dangerous task.

After an hour of meditation and a hearty meal, Enslar returned to her tent to find a message from High Priest Bacho Ladericcio secretly delivered to her. She didn't know how the letter got there, yet the message shocked her.

"All chaos shall exalt Elion. Present your valkyries to Kzarka, and offer their pure blood as a sacrifice to manifest the deity."

As a soldier, Enslar knew that she had to follow orders from the Church. It tore her apart and that night she didn't sleep at all. Disobeying an order could mean her end, yet following this order would mean the end of her sisters. When the sun rose over the mountains and filled Treant Forest with warm light, she readied her lancia and shield. This sight inspired the other valkyries, as they all took up arms and marched in formation to the Calpheon Shrine.

Each step brought Enslar closer to a choice, yet she maintained her composure on the outside. As they reached the inner sanctum, the Lord of Corruption greeted them. This split second decided the future of the valkyries, and of Enslar in particular. She raised her lancia, still second guessing her decisions until it was fully in the air, and then she charged. Together with her sisters they fought off the corruption. They cut back the corruption, piece by piece. Together they stood, Elion's soldiers, together and fighting a fight like no other. The fight lasted hours, the blessing of Elion providing all the energy they needed to continue. It was not until Enslar's own lancia pierced the heart of Kzarka and they cleansed the area that the fight was done. Kzarka was sealed again. It was then that Enslar, before fading away, delivered her last words.

"Justice in your head, Elion in your heart, and the scales of your ideology at the tip of the lancia."