History: (Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #19 (fb)) - Highfather received a message from the Source, Infinity Man, once Darkseid’s brother Drax, needed a way to enter New Genesis from his home on Adon, and asked Highfather to gather five exceptional children. Highfather approached the parents of Beautiful Dreamer, Big Bear, Serifan, Vykin and Mark Moonrider, and told them their children had a special mission, and would need training beyond that which was given to other youths of New Genesis. He presented the children with mother boxes, and asked the children to return in five years. After that time passed the children returned and lived together, being taught to synchronize their thoughts. After another five years of training Highfather knew they were ready. By assembling their mother boxes into one unit, and speaking the word “Taruu” they switched places with Infinity Man on Adon. Infinity Man promised they were safe, and could return to New Genesis. He dubbed his new charges the Forever People.

(Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #7 (fb, BTS)) - Valkyra was one of the most respected warriors of New Genesis, and her craft was her life. She trained many illustrious warriors in New Genesis’ war against Apokolips, and her most famous student was Orion. She gave birth to a son, Vykin, but as he grew to manhood they grew distant. They had different ideological stances, and he rejected overt violence to win battles. They stopped talking for centuries.

(Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #7) - Orion died, and was resurrected from the Source, but he came back unsure of himself, and at odds with the warrior’s path. The New Gods needed him to defend them against Apokolips, so the Forever People sought out Valkyra to help him. Vykin strongly objected, and was none too pleased to see his mother, but he realized what they did was for the greater good. Valkyra chose to challenge Orion to public combat, hoping a life-or-death situation would get him out of his funk. She dominated the early stages of the battle, but his primal Apokoliptian nature soon resurfaced, and he crushed her. Highfather stopped the battle to inform the New Gods that the Source was in peril, and judgment day loomed.

(Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #11, 12) - During the upheaval caused by the separation of New Genesis and Apokolips, massive firepits formed on the surface of Genesis, wrecking the poles. Valkyra’s retreat was destroyed, and the earthquakes unleashed a weapon of the Old Gods, an energy beast that took on the properties of the warriors it subsumed. The beast caught Valkyra unaware, rare for her, and she was trapped inside it. Orion traveled to the south pole of New Genesis to see if his mentor Valkyra still lived. He was confronted by the energy beast, who made an armored body of the remains of Valkyra’s citadel, but Orion dissipated it with his mother box. Orion was pleased that his teacher was still alive, and they reminisced about old times. Valkyra admitted that as she watched Orion grow up, she fell in love with him. Orion could not resist the rare feeling of love that swelled inside him, and he embraced her and kissed her. They spent the night together, and both of them realized how complete they felt. Lightray arrived at the pole, worried about Orion, but when he realized the glorious situation, that Orion was in love, he assured the couple he’d give them some peace, and that New Genesis could handle itself without Orion for some time.

(Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #17) - Metron revealed to Valkyra that Tigra was manipulating Orion by claiming Darkseid was not his true father. She was orchestrating a last battle between Kalibk and Darkseid, and his knowledge of probability let him see that Orion would most likely die at Kalibak’s hand. Valkyra resolved to save Orion, no matter the cost, and she savored the final days she spent with her lover. Kalibak unveiled his energy device that would destroy the Source Wall and Darkseid, and Orion confronted him. Kalibak began to win the battle, using his energy device to channel Darkseid’s power, but as he presented Orion to the Black Racer, the death of New Gods, Valkyra appeared and sacrificed herself to the Racer.

Comments: Created by John Byrne.

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