Vagabonds

Chapter 13: The Choosers of the Slain

As Jackson and Maria stood outside the dome, surrounded by the heavily armed men, they couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. They knew that this was going to be the fight of their lives, and that they might not make it out alive. But they were determined to do whatever it took to survive.

Dr. Smith took charge, barking out orders to the small group of survivors who had gathered around them. "Take cover behind the vehicles!" he shouted. "And keep your heads down!"

The group scrambled to take cover, as the men outside started firing their weapons. Jackson and Maria clutched their own weapons tightly, ready to return fire.

As the battle raged on, Jackson couldn't help but think back to the Valkyries. He had always been fascinated by the stories of these legendary warriors, and now, as he fought for his life, those stories seemed more real than ever.

He remembered Dr. Smith's words, about how the Valkyries had fought against the apocalypse. He wondered what their secret was, and how they had managed to survive in a world that had been destroyed.

Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the chaos. "Stop!" it said. "Stop firing!"

Everyone froze, unsure of what was happening. The men outside had stopped firing, and a figure emerged from the smoke and dust. It was a woman, dressed in black leather and carrying a sword.

She walked slowly towards the group, and as she approached, Jackson realized with a shock that she was a Valkyrie.

"Who are you?" Dr. Smith asked, stepping forward.

The woman didn't answer. Instead, she looked at Jackson and Maria, her eyes narrowing in recognition. "You two," she said. "You're different."

Jackson and Maria exchanged a confused glance. "What do you mean?" Jackson asked.

The Valkyrie looked at them for a long moment, as if trying to decide something. Then, she spoke again. "You have the mark of the Valkyries," she said. "I don't know how it's possible, but it's true."

Jackson and Maria looked at each other, stunned. They had no idea what she was talking about.

The Valkyrie seemed to sense their confusion. "Come with me," she said. "I have something to show you."

She led them away from the battle, towards a hidden bunker in the nearby woods. As they walked, she explained more about the Valkyries, and their role in the apocalypse.

"The Valkyries were chosen by the gods to protect humanity from the end of the world," she said. "They were trained in secret, and given powerful weapons and magic to help them in their mission."

Jackson and Maria listened in awe as the Valkyrie spoke. They had never heard anything like this before, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and reverence for these legendary warriors.

When they arrived at the bunker, the Valkyrie showed them a collection of ancient artifacts and weapons, much like the ones they had seen in the secret room in the dome. She explained that these were the weapons of the Valkyries, passed down from generation to generation.

Then, she turned to Jackson and Maria. "You two have been marked by the gods," she said. "You have the potential to become Valkyries yourselves."

Jackson and Maria looked at each other in shock. They had no idea what this meant, or how they could possibly become legendary warriors.

But as they looked into each other's eyes, they knew that they were ready to face whatever came their way, together. They had survived the apocalypse, and now, with the help of the Valkyries, they were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

Maria took Jackson's hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "I never thought I could find love in the midst of all this chaos," she said, looking up at him.

Jackson squeezed her hand. "Neither did I," he replied, gazing back into her eyes. "But I know that we're meant to be together, no matter what the future holds."

As they stood there, lost in each other's gaze, a sudden gust of wind rustled through the trees, bringing with it a faint whisper that echoed through the air.

"Ride, Valkyries, ride!"

Maria and Jackson turned as one to see the six Valkyries mounted on their horses, galloping towards them with a fierce determination in their eyes.

"We have to go," Brynhildr said, drawing her sword. "The enemy is on the move, and we must prepare for battle."

Without a word, Maria and Jackson mounted their own horses and rode alongside the Valkyries, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement.

As they rode, Brynhildr began to explain the ancient lore of the Valkyries. "We are the Choosers of the Slain," she said. "It is our duty to select the bravest warriors from among the fallen and carry them to Valhalla, the great hall of the gods. But in these dark times, we have taken on a new role. We are warriors ourselves, fighting to protect what little is left of humanity."

Maria and Jackson listened in awe as Brynhildr spoke, her words filling them with a sense of purpose and determination. They knew that they were part of something greater than themselves, that they were fighting for a cause that was both noble and just.

As they approached the enemy's camp, Maria and Jackson drew their weapons, ready to fight for their survival. The battle was fierce, but with the help of the Valkyries, they emerged victorious.

As the dust settled, Maria and Jackson stood side by side, their bodies weary but their spirits soaring. They had faced their greatest challenge yet and emerged stronger for it.

"We did it," Maria said, looking up at Jackson with a smile.

"We did," Jackson replied, pulling her close for a kiss. "And we'll keep doing it, as long as we're together."

And with that, they rode off into the horizon, ready for whatever lay ahead, their hearts full of hope and their souls full of love.