Long ago, there was once a maiden born of the kingdom Ash and Sky. Plagued by the Horde, a kingdom of Vampires with no born leader, the maiden took up her sword and became a hero to her people. Merely mortal, she surrendered her life to defending her people from a fate worse than death. Droves of vampire were pushed back from her kingdom, but at a price. She died, drained by dozens seeking to taste her rare flesh. Mere months from being frozen as an immortal.

No one saw the lightning carry her to the halls of Woden and Freya, merciless gods and lovers. With their blessing the maiden lived, but with a blackness in her heart. Her life compared to that of the blessing she carried was unimportant. The goddess viewed her as only a vessel to carry her child. A Valkyrie.

Daughter of Woden and Freya, the only attributes she would carry of her vessel would be those of her race. Forever the child would favor the wilderness, the smell of the forest and the feel of the earth at her feet. She would always favor the caress of the moon and stars, feel the sun warm at her flesh, and delight in the sweetness of food and delicacies. The child would be more like a human than any other Valkyrie before her.

Any adoration the gods would gift their newest child, however, would be unseen, because they slept to conserve themselves. Without prayer and devotion in the modern age, they were all but weak, defenseless humans unless they lay in wait for a new age. They would hope their attentions upon their Valkyrie children would come from their mothers, but this child would see none. The only attentive care would come from a Valkyrie much older and less sane than many others, Phoenix.

Phoenix saw more than perhaps others. As she cradled the small child in her arms, she greeted her as though they had been old friends.

"Oh there you are Katlyanne. I was wondering when you would come to play in the great game of life."

With a warning from Phoenix, the maiden left, leaving the world of the Valkyrie to return to her own.

"Wee Katja will return one day and return for what is rightfully hers among Ash and Sky."

That was the last the maiden saw of her child, and she never looked back. For she could never love a child that was never truly hers.