The Void Wolf

After Ira had finished creating something that didn’t belong in the Mortal Realm, he rushed to give it to Avery. He crept into their bedroom and saw Raveria sleeping soundly while Avery sat up next to her polishing her sword. She glanced toward Ira and then went back to carrying out sword maintenance.

“Avery,” Ira whispered while gesturing for her to come toward him.

Avery put her sword down and stood up before approaching Ira.

“I know I kinda did my own thing with Raveria but I got you something.” Ira waved his hand and produced a sword resting in a black scabbard.

“Ira, I already have a weapon so there is no need to…” Avery found herself speechless as she touched the hilt. The sword practically radiated with power, a power that was far stronger than her own weapon. She pulled the sword slightly out its scabbard and looked at the flat of the blade. It seemed to absorb most of the light that hit it but somehow was still able to reflect her appearance. She was about to fully evaluate the sword but everything in the room began floating.

“Woah, wait, don’t unsheathe it.” Ira put the sword back into the scabbard while making sure Raveria didn’t wake up.

“Ira...what is that?” Avery asked with clear shock.

“It’s a sword.” Ira laughed quietly. “I know you’re attached to the one you have now so you can use it as a decoration.”

“A decoration? Ira, no, you can’t– Ira that sword can’t be kept as a decoration and I can’t accept it. It would be better if you gave it to Raveria when she’s of age. If not, you should just keep it with you.” Avery seemed uncharacteristically flustered.

“Uh…Ok.” Ira looked unsure of what to do as he stored the sword away. It could be said that he missed the mark with his gift and it affected him.

“Ira,” Avery called out to him while placing a hand on his cheek. “What happened with Raveria has already passed and nothing can be done to change it. I was angry for a moment, there was no need for you to do this.”

Ira smiled and spoke up, “You should’ve said that before I got you the armor.”

“Armor?” Avery questioned.

Ira waved his hand and a black pendant appeared in his grasp. “Here, let me.”

Avery lifted her raven-colored hair to let him fasten the necklace. As soon as it was tied she felt a sensation similar to the Paradox Sword emitting from it. She put some mana into the necklace to facilitate the transformation and it did as commanded. A set of black armor appeared and took shape in an instant. A sun pattern appeared on the chest plate. The gauntlets took on a sharp talon-like shape at the fingertips. The boots had two wings on the ankles but not much else. The helm also appeared as if it was pretty standard. Underneath the armor a layer of absorbent material that functioned as chainmail appeared, the only difference was that it brought no discomfort. All in all, the armor seemed to function the same way the formless armor did so Avery looked to Ira for an explanation.

“Come with me.” Ira grabbed her hand and led her outside into the garden. Once they arrived, Ira let go of her hand and took a step back.

“Alright, I’m going to hit you,” Ira said while taking up a stance.

“What?” Avery furrowed her brows in confusion.

“Trust me,” Ira added as he pulled his fist back.

Avery wanted to ask him a few questions but she just went along with it. After all, she trusted Ira with her life and there was no way he would harm her.

The air around them became heavier as he lined up his strike. Veins appeared on his arm as he gathered all the strength he could muster which was enough to level a castle. Avery looked at him calmly and began to assume that he was trying to prove that armor was strong.

To be sure no damage spread to his surroundings, Ira reinforced the space around the two of them. Finally, he sent his fist out and hit Avery’s chest plate with a thundering roar. A ripple spread across the surface but Avery didn’t feel even the slightest movement.

“What–” Avery checked the armor and found it completely intact.

“Now try to hit me,” Ira interrupted her.

Avery nodded and then threw a punch toward his chest. Ira raised his hand to catch it and another loud shock resounded and Ira was stumbled back a few feet. A few of fingers had broken but he shook his hand and they returned to normal.

“So...The chest plate can absorb an attack and the gauntlets let you send out the energy absorbed. You need to give it a little time in between absorbing an attack and sending it back out.” Ira explained. “Oh yeah, the boots make you faster, not as fast as Ravi or me, but fast. The helmet...doesn’t really do much but give better vision.”

“It’s amazing, Ira.” Avery changed the armor back into the black pendant while smiling.

“Hey,” Ira’s smile grew brighter. “You want to go try it out?”

“Of course,” Avery answered with a grin. “But first, don’t you think it’s been a while?” She looked at Ira meaningfully.

Since Raveria always slept in the bed with them, they spent very little time together in private.

“I know where to find an empty room,” Ira replied.

“Lead the way,” Avery laughed warmly.

Her clear silver eyes and smile was all the encouragement Ira needed and without another word he grabbed her hand and teleported away. Soon after, the entire fortress slightly trembled for an entire hour. If it wasn’t reinforced with magic then there would be way more damage.

…

Ira and Avery lay on a blanket together in some unfurnished room inside the Valkyrie Fortress. Their breathing was heavy but it slowly settled and the two took in the silence. Avery rubbed the black pendant around her neck and then spoke up.

“This isn’t just a gift is it?” She asked.

Ira’s expression turned a little serious as he looked at her, “Raveria still can’t remember the nightmare she had but I could feel it...It was a sense of loss as well as fear. So, it could only be one or even both of us who caused it.”

“Well, whatever she dreamt of won’t come to pass while you’re around,” Avery said with a smile.

It wasn’t a faint grin but an even rarer smile which stunned Ira. It wasn’t that Avery had certain moments of happiness, but while growing up she maintained a stoic expression for years without change. So it was natural for her, as it was for all Valkyries of the Thynne family, to have a resting expression of cold indifference. With that being so, her words had nearly gone completely unnoticed by Ira. He reflexively pulled Avery close to him and held her tightly while laughing.

“I love you. I love Raveria. I love it all...Let’s have another child.” Ira pecked at Avery with kisses while rolling around. Avery laughed and tried to separate herself from him but he wouldn’t let go.

“As much as I want to continue, Raveria won't be pleased if she wakes up without one of us present.” Avery reminded him.

“I’ll know when she’s up.” The bloodline connection between the two of them was so deep that he could feel her emotional state. If she woke up the first thing she would do is search for Ira and he would be able to tell.

“Then I’ll leave everything up to you.”

Avery climbed atop Ira while kissing him and they fell into a rhythm.

…

A few hours later.

Raveria opened her eyes and sat up before yawning and rubbing her eyes. She looked around and found that the bed was empty which confused her.

“...Dad?” Raveria said in a whisper.

Not even five seconds later, Ira and Avery appeared in the room with her. Due to Raveria’s long nap, they had more than enough time to enjoy themselves and even bathe together. Judging by their wet hair it was likely they were in the middle of a bath right when she woke up.

“Dad.” Raveria grew energetic.

“Hey, Ria.” Ira hugged her. “You want to go somewhere with us?”

“Hmm? Where?” Raveria asked.

“Same place at last time. We’re all gonna go kill a few dragons.”

“Ok!” Raveria easily agreed. She jumped off of the bed and rushed to put her sandals on as if Ira would leave without her.

“Slow down and put them on right,” Ira said.

“I’m ready!” Raveria said happily.

Ira looked at Avery who nodded and then he manipulated the space around them before they vanished from sight.