By: Bryan Ricardo Marini Quintana
After mourning for Mankind, the Valkyrie perceives the Aesir gods with fuming fury, despising the wickedness of their labor. She defies Odin’s cruel command by choosing to endow the race of men with a sip from the Mead of Poetry. Decisively, she breaks into the Hall of Valhalla, striding amidst her drowsed masters to claim their unworthy gifts. First, she snatches Heimdall’s booming horn, Gjallarhorn, leaving Asgard vulnerable without warning of the foreseeable demise. She will blast upon it to echo across Midgard, mustering her sister Shield-maidens to rebel against the spell of the All-Father and regain their names. Then, she claims Thor’s mighty belt, Megingjord, robbing the god of thunder of his strength to lift his hefty hammer. She will buckle up to bolster her mettle, rousing all her valor to lead every Valkyrie in their last flight to free Mankind. Next, she clutches Odin’s corrupting ring, slithering from his rotten index finger Draupnir to deny him legions of servants who’ll answer his summons. She will wear it to free the race of men from the false promises of wielding great power, rallying them to overthrow the self-proclaimed King of Kings. Lastly, she grips Loki’s magical drink, seizing the Mead of Poetry from the god of mischief to stop his vile consumption and ill counsel. She will taste it to be imbued with the skill to sing and awaken Mankind, bestowing them with instruments to compose a melody.
Promptly, the Nameless Shield-maiden fleets from the Gallery of Gallantry, blaring Gjallarhorn with her left hand as Valkyries gather to propel the doom of their lords. On her hips, she straps Megingjord, doubling her potency to withstand the All-Father’s tempest while soaring through the kingdoms of men. She wields Draupnir with her right hand on her index finger, breaking Odin’s mastery over his dead warriors. However, she clutches the ring until it crushes into pale powder, destroying any temptation to wield such perverting power. Thereafter, she takes a sip from the magical drink as a beating harmony pumps into her veins, rekindling her soul to compose poetry. Suddenly, the Valkyrie remembers her identity, uttering the name of Brunhild, the Battle-maiden who disobeyed Odin and was cursed to eternal slumber as his Sleeping-maiden. Now, Brunhild is reborn to bear the urgent task of gifting Mankind the Mead of Poetry, soaring across Midgard and singing unto them a lost melody.
Thence, she strides forth to defend the kingdoms of men under the mantle of her tattered wings, standing in defiance of the All-Father as a watchful guardian who shields civilization from the wicked devices of false gods. Brunhild pierces the fog that blots out the sun’s rays, giving way to an inkling of light. Swiftly, her feathers regain color, shimmering akin to incandescent white gems that bloom under the fire’s golden touch. The warmth from her crystal wings reflects on every corner of Midgard, melting away the icy caps that shroud Mankind. She then beholds the kingdoms of men in dismay as they’re consumed by a thunderstorm of spears and shields that smash from one side to the other, giving shape to a ferocious sea. They hurl sticks and stones at a column of barren soil, crumbling the foundation upon which everyone stands. For a flickering flash, she yearns to smite them with Odin’s furious retribution but chooses to reignite their spirits with the tenderness of a mother by composing poetry. Onward, Brunhild reminds Mankind they’re bold warriors, stout builders, and wise sages who endeavored, labored, and crafted civilization. She calls upon the kings of men who erected nations, quelling the emperors who mustered legions. Thus, Brunhild rides through Midgard to sing her melody, for she’s the pillar of every man, a mother who gives birth, a wife who provides love, a teacher who educates, a warrior who protects, and a poet who composes to clothe her lost children with an identity.
Canto I
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Battle-maiden of Odin
Bound to his whim and will
Chooser of the Slain
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Helm-maiden of Wotan
Armed with spear and shield
Winged Cavalrywoman
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Shield-maiden of the One-Eyed god
Break away from thy bondage
And scorn his cruel command
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Corpse-maiden of the Raven god
Swim against the surging tide
And spread those soaking wings that bound thou to Asgard
Canto II
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Descend from the Gallery of Gallantry
Cast aside thy spear and shield
To be endowed with lyre and melody
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Renounce the rule of Asgard within the Hall of Valhalla
And reach the Realm of Midgard
To awaken the Children of Ask and Embla
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Following in the footsteps of Prometheus
Gift back to Mankind wisdom and knowledge
Akin to stealing the Secret Flame from Zeus
Walkyrie Walkyrie Walkyrie
Thou are burdened with a solemn duty
To rekindle the soul of Mankind with the skill to compose
By seizing from the All-Father the Mead of Poetry
Canto III
Walkyrie Walkyrie Gondul
I bid thee Awake Awake Awake
Upon the blow of mine horn of doom
Take flight and reclaim thy name
Walkyrie Gondul Gondul
Gulp a sip from the Mead of Poetry
Awake Awake Awake Corpse-maiden
And guide gullible Men away from their delusional vanity
Gondul Gondul Gondul
I gift thee back righteous Identity
Arise Sister Shield-maiden
And be reborn to reclaim thy Destiny
Canto IV
Walkyrie Walkyrie Sigrun
I bid thee Awake Awake Awake
Upon the blow of mine horn of doom
Take flight and reclaim thy name
Walkyrie Sigrun Sigrun
Long have thou meandered meaninglessly
Be armed with the grace and glamour of thy song
Galloping amidst the darkening sky to spread the Mead of Poetry
Sigrun Sigrun Sigrun
Free the Race of Men from Odin’s Tyranny
They’ve slumbered under his rule by worshipping false idols
Sing unto them a honeyed and thundering lullaby
Canto V
Walkyrie Walkyrie Brunhild
I bid thee Awake Awake Awake
Upon the blow of mine horn of doom
Take flight and reclaim thy name
Walkyrie Brunhild Brunhild
A Civilization sculpted by Wise and Knowledgeable Men
Is usurped by a false god who builds legions not nations
Becoming corrupted by Imprudent and Ignorant Men
Brunhild Brunhild Brunhild
The Children of Adam don’t ponder being
Ever since they lost the skill to compose poetry
The Children of Eve don’t irradiate meaning
Canto VI
I bid thee Sing now, Sing, Child of Adam!
For the shadow of doom looms over thou!
Rebel against the spell of the All-Father!
Beckoning forthwith the twilight of the gods!
I bid thee Sing now, Sing, Child of Eve!
Forsake thine armaments and bear thine instruments!
By answering the blow from mine horn to compose a melody!
Let the Hall of Valhalla crumble upon the booming beat of the drums!
The Western Voyager 