Scenario:Skuld - A Chain of Jealousy

A Chain of Jealousy

Skuld handles all of the crew's jobs perfectly, from delivering cargo to exterminating monsters. Despite knowing that Skuld's diligence is rooted in her rivalry with Grimnir, the crew decides not to touch on the topic. When Skuld hears news of a war between two nations nearby, she heads to the battlefield immediately, determined to carry out her role as a Valkyrie.

---

Skuld: That will be all for the cargo. Thank you very much for choosing our crew's services!

Skuld: Not so fast!

Skuld: Neither monster nor bandit shall lay a finger on those under our protection!

Skuld: We will always perform our duties with speed, efficiency, and genuine care! We look forward to serving you again!

(Captain) and company are astonished by the exceptional reviews from their clients praising Skuld's performance.

Vyrn: Skuld's reputation is incredible. The way she works is on a whole other level.

Lyria: She mentioned collapsing from working too much in Valhalla though... Is she going to be okay?

Skuld: No need to worry.

Skuld: The requests carry not nearly the pressure of acting in Lord Odin's place, and demand little more than physical labor.

Skuld: In fact, I hope to take on even more requests so everyone will know that Skuld is in your crew!

Skuld: Hehe. I shan't lose to the likes of him.

Vyrn: Skuld's definitely thinkin' about Grimnir, huh?

Lyria: Yes... But I have a feeling we shouldn't say that in front of her.

Skuld: So, Captain! What is my next mission?

Vyrn: Hey, you just got back from your last one! Go take a break or somethin'.

Lyria: That's right! Leave the monster extermination task to us...

Skuld: No, please! As the newcomer, allow me!

Vyrn: All right, all right! Calm down!

Eventually, the crew manage to convince Skuld to let them take on the job together.

Monster Hoard: Groooar!

Skuld: O soul, resound to the ends of Valhalla!

Skuld: Eine Milliarde Blitze!

Monster: Graaah!

Skuld: Tch. One got away!

Vyrn: Go get it, (Captain)!

(Captain): ...!

Vyrn: Whew... Is that all of 'em?

Lyria: I didn't expect there to be so many monsters at once.

Skuld: Though it pains me to admit, the fight would have been far more difficult on my own. I appreciate your help.

Lyria: Our help? Not at all! This was a job for our crew, after all. We're in this together!

Skuld: Hehe. Together, hm? I suppose so.

Skuld: (But if a job like this slows me down... I won't ever be in the same league as him!)

Lyria: ...

Vyrn: She's gotta be comparin' herself to Grimnir again.

Lyria: Ahaha...

Just then, the crew hears angry cries, and a fiery blaze rises up in the distance.

Lyria: What's happening!

From high up in the skies, Skuld spots hundreds of soldiers coming from the west descending on forces amassed to the east.

Skuld: This is no military exercise... Are they declaring war?

Vyrn: Come to think of it, the old gramps who made the request mentioned somethin' about another small nation to the west that they're not on good terms with.

Lyria: We need to let the villagers know! It might get dangerous around here!

Skuld: (My duty is to strengthen ties with (Captain)'s crew... But when it comes to matters of war...)

Vyrn: Hey, Skuld! Could you fly over and tell the villagers to evacuate?

Skuld: ...

Vyrn: Hey! Are you listenin'?

Skuld: Apologies, but I must prioritize my duty as a Valkyrie for now!

And with that, Skuld leaves (Captain) and the others behind and soars straight for the battlefield.

A Chain of Jealousy: Scene 2

A new Valkyrie by the name of Hlokk appears and tells Skuld not to steal her achievements. Skuld learns that the war had been triggered by Hlokk herself. She realizes she had failed to tell the new Valkyrie that intentionally creating sparks for war is prohibited. Although Skuld tries to take responsibility for the situation by stepping between the two forces, the soldiers refuse to listen. Suddenly, Proto Bahamut reveals itself on the battlefield.

---

Clashing Soldiers: Hraaah!

Hovering above the battlefield, Skuld can't help but marvel at the will of the warriors below.

Skuld: What fierce soldiers!

Skuld: Should they fall in battle with their ambitions unfulfilled, their souls shall ascend to Valhalla...

???: Ugh! Seeeriously? I can't believe you'd just steal people's work like that!

Skuld turns around to see a girl with a hat, floating in the air listlessly.

Skuld: Hlokk!

Hlokk: "Hlokk!"
Come on. Shouldn't you be apologizing first?

This is Hlokk, a Valkyrie who wields a gun and a lasso as her weapons.

Skuld: Apologize for what?

Hlokk: Excuse me? What kind of attitude is that? You just came to steal my achievements!

Skuld: Hold on. What achievements are you referring to?

Hlokk: I can't believe this. You came here to gather the souls of these fierce soldiers, didn't you?

Skuld: Listen, Hlokk. We were named Valkyries by Lord Odin himself.

Skuld: And as Valkyries, we are to lead the souls of soldiers to Valhalla, all for the sake of Odin.

Skuld: In other words, it is our collective duty. There is no notion of individual achievement.

Hlokk: You can say that so casually 'cause you've got the title of captain.

Hlokk: Me though? I'm still a newbie. I need results to show so Lord Odin will praise me personally too!

Hlokk: Besides, this whole area is my hunting ground, so you can't just barge in like this!

Skuld: What are you being so competitive for, Hlokk? As fellow Valkyries, we are in this together!

Hlokk: Because you're being so...

Hlokk looks as if she wants to say something, but decides not to at the last moment.

Hlokk: (She didn't just take the title of captain... She got to be the stand-in supervisor for Valhalla too.)

Hlokk: (Why does Lord Odin care so much about Skuld anyway! Is she his favorite?)

Hlokk: Uuugh, I hate it!

Skuld: (Sigh... It seems a lecture will be in order later.)

As she watches Hlokk stamp her feet in frustration, Skuld realizes something off about their conversation.

Skuld: Wait. You mentioned this area being your hunting ground?

Hlokk: Of course. I'm the one who triggered the war in the first place!

Skuld: You did what!

Hlokk: There's an ore mine in the forest over there that both the east and west are saying is theirs.

Hlokk: I messed up the mine's entrance a little and made it look like the western country's fault. That's when the east got angry!

Hlokk: I mean, they've always been fighting like cats and dogs. Everyone was just waiting for a spark to get the war started!

Skuld: This is not a laughing matter!

Skuld: After Lord Odin lost to Grimnir and the others in battle...

Skuld: He made the decision to release his dominion over the soldiers of Valhalla.

Skuld: Those of us who serve him now do so of our own will, and he lends his ear to our voices.

Skuld: It is not a relationship of control, but of mutual trust and cooperation... A bond we learned to form between primal beast and skydweller.

Grimnir: War only leads to tragedy. Let's atone for our sins and make a fresh start—together with the skydwellers.

Grimnir: The Astrals are gone. We no longer have a duty to simply obey as mindless weapons.

Grimnir: We can change. After all, you admitted yourself that I already have.

Skuld: That is how Lord Odin made his decision to yield to the victorious Grimnir.

Skuld: The souls we lead to Valhalla cannot be from war we stirred ourselves.

Skuld: It must be a war between skydwellers who are fighting for their own sense of justice!

Skuld: Otherwise they cannot become soldiers for Valhalla, able to stand up to the likes of Gimle!

Hlokk: ...?

Skuld: Furthermore, Lord Odin himself told us we need to follow the words of Grimnir and the others. We must not sow the seeds of war!

Skuld: Do you not realize that making a hunting ground for yourself is an act of defiance against Lord Odin?

Hlokk: Okay, listen. I get that you're all mad about something here...

Hlokk: But, what? Nobody ever told me we can't have our own hunting ground!

Skuld: Wha! Impossible... Did you not receive my letter?

Hlokk: What letter?

Skuld: Wait...

Skuld: Whew... Could I ask you to deliver these letters to every Valkyrie in the skydom?

Valhalla Soldier: Yes, ma'am! I will ensure they reach their destinations.

Skuld: I addressed the letters personally, and distinctly remember writing out one to everyone...

Skuld: Except Hlokk!

Skuld: (Saying I was tired after the fight against Grimnir would be nothing but a sad excuse...)

Skuld: (This is a mistake that I have to own up to as captain of the Valkyries!)

Skuld: Hlokk, forgive me! I forgot to send a letter to you, our newcomer!

Hlokk: Say whaaa! Are you being serious right now?

As the two are arguing, the battle below them intensifies, threatening to bring certain death if things are left alone.

Hlokk: Then what do we do? I'm gonna get scolded big-time by Lord Odin!

Skuld: Hmm...

Hlokk: This isn't even my fault! You're the one who was being mean by not telling me!

Skuld: That was not my intention!

Skuld: But... I will take responsibility for this.

Making up her mind, Skuld dives headfirst into the battlefield, placing herself between the eastern and western forces.

Skuld: Put down your weapons! This battle serves no cause—it is nothing but a dispute caused by misunderstanding!

Clashing Soldiers: Hraaah!

Skuld: Please... Listen to me! Don't throw away your lives like this!

But no matter how many times she calls out to the soldiers, they pay her no heed.

Skuld: (Nothing can be done if they refuse to even listen...)

Hlokk: Skuld, it's dangerous down there! Come back!

Eastern Commander: Bwahaha! Victory's mine!

Western Commander: Damn you!

Skuld: Please... Please!

Skuld: Listen to what I have to saaay!

Skuld lifts her head, shouting into the sky. Just then...

???: Groooar!

Skuld: ...!

Hlokk: Eeeek!

Without warning, a magnificent dragon manifests in the midst of the battlefield.

A Chain of Jealousy: Scene 3

Lyria had summoned Proto Bahamut in order to stop the warfare. Finally gaining the soldiers' attention, Skuld tries to persuade them once more and resolves the conflict. When she shows her exasperation at Hlokk's jealousy, (Captain) and company tell Skuld that she, too, exhibits the same jealousy in regards to Grimnir—an embarrassing fact that the Valkyrie can only accept.

---

Everyone on the battlefield stands still, dumbfounded by the sudden appearance of Proto Bahamut.

Eastern Commander: I-is that... a primal beast?

Hlokk: Oh my gosh, this is bad! We gotta run, Skuld!

Skuld: Fear not. The primal beast was summoned by the girl in blue.

Skuld points at the forest, where (Captain) and company can be seen running toward the battlefield.

Lyria: Please, stop the battle!

Eastern Commander: Is that backup from the west?

Western Commander: What do you mean! You called for them to come, didn't you!

Skuld: (Now that the primal beast has caught their attention, maybe they will hear what I have to say.)

Skuld: Everyone! You may be confused by the situation at hand, but please, listen to me!

Clashing Soldiers: ...

As Skuld's voice rings out across the field, the soldiers cease their movements.

Hlokk: These two countries have been at each other's throats since forever! There's nothing we can do to stop their fight!

Vyrn: Psst, Skuld... Who's the whiner?

Skuld: A Valkyrie like myself. She is involved with all of this... or rather, is the cause of it.

Vyrn: Haha... It's just as that gramps told us earlier.

Skuld: You have already assembled the entire picture, it seems. I would expect nothing less from you, (Captain).

The soldiers watch, vigilant, as Skuld walks toward them.

Skuld: O fierce soldiers who embrace the battlefield!

Skuld: As a Valkyrie, I come bearing a message in place of Odin, ferocious wielder of the spear and God of War!

Skuld: If you wish to put your lives on the line to fight your battles...

Skuld: Then after your deaths, I shall lead your souls to Valhalla!

Skuld: However, that time has not yet come. You must put down your weapons!

Skuld: The catalyst for this battle was the destruction of the ore mine's entrance, was it not?

Skuld: The fault lies, in fact, with my colleague, Hlokk! She is the one who destroyed the entrance.

Both Commanders: Whaaat!

Hlokk: You don't have to glare at me like that...

Skuld: With that said, the cause of her actions was due to a mistake in my management!

Skuld: I understand this is not something one can simply apologize for... Still, I hope you can forgive us.

Skuld: I am truly sorry!

Western Commander: Even if what you say is true, we would've had to fight it out between us sooner or later!

Western Commander: We hardly need a good reason anymore!

Eastern Commander: Heh, that's what we wanted to hear!

Both commanders move to raise their swords, fully intent to order their respective forces into battle. However...

Skuld unleashes an arrow that separates into two, sending both of their swords flying.

Both Commanders: Wha!

Skuld: Listen to me. If you fail to do so, my next attempt to stop this war will be to take the heads of you two.

Both Commanders: Rrg...

Seeing that neither side is willing to test her threat, Skuld takes the opportunity to present them with a question.

Skuld: You said you have no need for a good reason... but are you certain about that?

Skuld: Is there any worth in risking your lives for a fight that was brought on by an artificial cause, created by an unrelated party?

Skuld: Answer me, O fierce soldiers!

Skuld's earnest question rings across the battlefield, a note that works to soothe the rage within the soldiers' hearts.

Eastern Commander: Hm... Is it true that the two of you are responsible for what caused this war?

Eastern Commander: Or is this all just a scheme by the west to attack us from behind once we lower our weapons?

Western Commander: Don't be ridiculous! We fight fair and square. Why would we ever do something so underhanded!

Western Commander: Besides, who's to say that you're not putting on an act, trying to make us let our guards down?

As the commanders glare at each other, Skuld puts herself between them.

Skuld: This is neither part of a scheme nor an act. As I said before, only Hlokk and I are responsible for this!

Skuld: Hlokk! You need to apologize too. No one will trust us unless we show them our sincerity.

Hlokk: Whaaat? If an apology from me could end this, there wouldn't have been a war this big in the first place...

Skuld: Hlokk! You are simply unbelievable!

Lyria: Um, Gramps! Do you think you could let everyone know what you told us earlier?

Eastern Elder: Hm...

Noticing the elderly man next to him, the eastern commander immediately bows his head respectfully.

Eastern Commander: I didn't realize an elder like yourself was with us...

Eastern Elder: I saw with my own eyes... the young lady in the hat destroying the mine's entrance with her gun!

Hlokk: Boom boom boom boom!

Hlokk: Whew... That feels good!

Eastern Elder: Wha...

Hlokk: Huh?

Hlokk: Er... It's not what you think. It wasn't me, okay?

Elder's Voice: Wait a minute. Get back here!

Hlokk: Aha... Ahaha...

Eastern Commander: Urgh... So you're saying we acted solely on our preconceptions, neglecting to verify what had happened.

Eastern Elder: I am to blame for not reporting what I saw sooner. My apologies.

Western Commander: No, we're equally guilty of jumping straight into battle without examining the facts. We're really sorry.

Skuld: Phew... What a relief that no one had to die in a meaningless fight.

Eastern Commander: You're right, Skuld. I can hardly imagine how pathetic I would have felt dying on this particular hill.

Skuld: Now, how do you know my name?

Eastern Commander: Ah, right. You can't tell with this helmet on me.

Eastern Commander: Thank you for helping with the cargo the other day. My parents back home were very happy you were there to assist.

Skuld: Oh, you're the one who made the request from before! Likewise, thank you for the opportunity!

Western Commander: I hear the merchants in our country have been able to make their way across the mountains because of your excellent work.

Skuld: We will always perform our duties with speed, efficiency, and genuine care! We look forward to serving you again!

Western Commander: Bwahaha! I believe we've requested a number of different tasks since.

Western Commander: Everyone in our country trusts you and your quality of work, you see.

Hlokk: Hrmph...

Western Commander: I thought about simply accepting your apology in the beginning and moving on... but our rivalry with the east is long-standing.

Western Commander: Naturally, withdrawing was difficult... and we ended up choosing to settle the dispute once and for all through war.

Eastern Commander: We're the same. We were caught between listening to you, Skuld, and pulling back... or using this chance to put an end to our conflict.

Eastern Commander: But your words really struck a chord with us, and the elder's explanation came at the perfect time.

Lyria: Amazing! All of your hard work helped everyone to relax and listen!

Skuld: No praise is needed... I only put everything into my work as I should.

Meanwhile, Hlokk grows increasingly irritated as everyone showers Skuld with praise.

Hlokk: Hah! You all let my little prank blow up into an all-out war. Isn't it proof that you're not very good at managing your countries?

Skuld: Hlokk... Another thoughtless word, and I will forcefully seal your lips for you.

Hlokk: Eek!

Sensing an abnormally strong murderous intent from Skuld, Hlokk shrinks back.

Skuld: Now, you too. Give everyone a sincere apology.

Hlokk: Ergh...

Hlokk: I'm really sorry, everyone! I won't play any more stupid pranks like this, I promise! Pinky swear!

Hlokk: Forgive me, pwease?

Skuld: Hlokk!

Eastern Commander: It's all right, Skuld. Luckily we got off with only a few injuries this time.

Eastern Commander: This is a chance for us to review our crisis management as a state. It could be a good thing in that sense.

Western Commander: It was shameful of us to behave like that, all because of a young lass—but it's certainly served as a lesson for us.

And with that, both sides decide to put the incident behind them and withdraw from the battlefield.

Lyria: I didn't know there were other Valkyries besides you, Skuld!

Skuld: Yes, and we are not the only ones.

Skuld: A few others are spread out across the skies, gathering the souls of the fiercest soldiers.

Skuld: Hlokk has only recently taken up the role, and I failed in my duty to properly communicate with her...

Vyrn: Hey, it's all good. You stopped the war in time, anyway!

Hlokk: Well gee, do-it-all Skuld saves the day again. And made friends with this crew now too.

Skuld: What exactly do you mean by that?

Hlokk: Hmph! I'm never gonna lose to you, Skuld!

Skuld: W-wait!

Lyria: Ahaha... There she goes.

Skuld: As Valkyries, we have all pledged allegiance to Lord Odin and are obliged to serve justice to all.

Skuld: It is foolish to compete between ourselves...

Skuld: I am sorry you had to see that. I will be sure to give her some proper guidance next time.

Despite Skuld's troubled expression, however, (Captain) can't help but let out a chuckle.

Skuld: Hm? Did I say something funny?

Vyrn: Ah... I wasn't gonna point it out, but since (Captain)'s laughin' and all, I guess it's okay.

Vyrn: It's true that Hlokk is feelin' competitive and sees you as her rival...

Vyrn: But you've been doin' the same thing with Grimnir, ya know!

Skuld: What? With... G-Grimnir? I-I have no idea what you might be talking about!

Lyria: Sorry, it's actually been obvious ever since you first started traveling with us...

Skuld: N-no way...

The Valkyrie clutches her head and drops to a crouch, shocked by the fact that the crew had seen through her motives.

Upon realizing she has effectively pulled a "do as I say, not as I do," the waves of embarrassment grow ever stronger.