{"submission_id":"2170293","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"16641","keyword_name":"abandonment","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"21"},{"keyword_id":"1600","keyword_name":"artist","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2233"},{"keyword_id":"21","keyword_name":"dragon","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"98144"},{"keyword_id":"123","keyword_name":"female","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"651489"},{"keyword_id":"4859","keyword_name":"future","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"880"},{"keyword_id":"24825","keyword_name":"kindness","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"87"},{"keyword_id":"21240","keyword_name":"legacy","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"80"},{"keyword_id":"165","keyword_name":"male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"772433"},{"keyword_id":"420","keyword_name":"mouse","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"33923"},{"keyword_id":"533527","keyword_name":"old master","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1"},{"keyword_id":"93777","keyword_name":"parenthood","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"20"},{"keyword_id":"20480","keyword_name":"promise","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"53"},{"keyword_id":"9384","keyword_name":"runaway","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"82"},{"keyword_id":"11563","keyword_name":"shrine maiden","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"39"},{"keyword_id":"20","keyword_name":"sword","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"6662"},{"keyword_id":"268","keyword_name":"tiger","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"28011"},{"keyword_id":"1918","keyword_name":"training","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1637"}],"hidden":"f","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"0","create_datetime":"2020-05-29 23:28:42.760284+02","create_datetime_usertime":"29 May 2020 23:28 CEST","last_file_update_datetime":"2020-05-29 23:14:53.543566+02","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"29 May 2020 23:14 CEST","username":"AldenTapasya","user_id":"707885","user_icon_file_name":"186892_AldenTapasya_phoenix_v2017.png","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/186/186892_AldenTapasya_phoenix_v2017.png","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/186/186892_AldenTapasya_phoenix_v2017.png","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/186/186892_AldenTapasya_phoenix_v2017.png","file_name":"3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3148/3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3148/3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3148/3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","files":[{"file_id":"3148959","file_name":"3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3148/3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3148/3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3148/3148959_AldenTapasya_blade_with_a_heart.doc","mimetype":"application/msword","submission_id":"2170293","user_id":"707885","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":null,"full_size_y":null,"screen_size_x":null,"screen_size_y":null,"preview_size_x":null,"preview_size_y":null,"initial_file_md5":"e97f382af29d2c0eb8375cd9500bf7fc","full_file_md5":"e97f382af29d2c0eb8375cd9500bf7fc","large_file_md5":"","small_file_md5":"","thumbnail_md5":"","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2020-05-29 23:14:53.543566+02","create_datetime_usertime":"29 May 2020 23:14 CEST"}],"pools":[{"pool_id":"65123","name":"Auriga Stories","description":"Stories that take place within Auriga, a world of my design.","count":"4","submission_left_submission_id":"2168604","submission_left_file_name":"3146194_AldenTapasya_stick_together.doc"}],"description":"Here's another short story, featuring Dahlia as she tries to bring a little peace to an old soul.\n\nDahlia, Minerva and Yamato © AldenTapasya, 2016\nDo not edit or repost this content.","description_bbcode_parsed":"Here's another short story, featuring Dahlia as she tries to bring a little peace to an old soul.

Dahlia, Minerva and Yamato © AldenTapasya, 2016
Do not edit or repost this content.","writing":"BLADE WITH A HEART\n\nHappiness is all I want. It's the gift of life, the opportunity to share it, that drives me to do everything I can. Because I know I don't have this life for nothing... if I can protect it and cherish it, then all the suffering in the world is worth it.\n\n``Absolutely not! No way! You can't make me!!'' That's my friend, Minerva. I owe her my life for giving me the opportunity to finally wake up from this one nightmare I was having. It was all too real.\n\n``We raised you all these years and now you're turning your back on us?! You ungrateful child!!'' ... and that's master Yamato, her father. They couldn't be more different on the outside, but deep down I feel like she takes after him. I just wish those two didn't fight so much...\n\n``Why do I need that stupid thing?! Can't you teach your circus tricks to someone else?'' I call him master Yamato for the same reason she wouldn't: being really dedicated to what he does best. \n\n``If not you, then who else? You're the most capable among us, Minerva. Do you seriously believe the maiden can take arms?!'' Oh, that's right! Their home was this spring in the middle of a desert. She was raised by a group of shrine maidens and misters who swore to purge the evils of the world, or something. They're so tiny compared to Minerva, though! It's like mice raising a cat, what's up with that?\n\n``I dunno, didn't YOU try that thing?! If you can, why not them? I'm not your only kid!''\n\n``They already left their homes behind... just like you are.'' Master Yamato didn't like to admit it, but life at the shrine was... modest. He taught them that enduring poverty and starvation was the way of the desert, but his children didn't like that very much. Even though their mom tried to provide... it just wasn't enough.\n\n``Hey, that's their problem! But I'm not them... and I'm not you either!'' Minerva had just about enough, but I couldn't be mad at her... underneath all that anger, there's that friendly girl who saved me. I wanted to see her, but there was just no getting through to her.\n\n``I'm not asking you to be me! I'm asking you to take this and-''\n\n``For the last time, no! I'm not using your stupid sword!!''\n\nMaster Yamato tried to be stern, but life slipped from his eyes at that moment. I'd never seen him like that before. ``... so be it. I hope you find your own path in life...'' He walked away and didn't look at Minerva ever since... but not before he left her one more message. ``Leave this place before sunset. You are no longer welcome here...''\n\n``Wait, what? But I live here! Are you seriously gonna throw me out?!'' Minerva wasn't ready to back up her actions, but I didn't blame her. She just wanted her own life without being forced to do something she was against.\n\nAnd yet, no one was allowed to defy the master. In doing so, she was about to get what she really wanted... just not the way she expected.\n\nWord spread around the shrine in a matter of minutes. The maidens, though still kind in their teachings, tried to hide their sorrow over Minerva's predicament. They knew the already bitter master might not recover from this... but Minerva had every right to choose her life. She didn't want to be like the maidens, even though they raised her as one of their own anyway. As for me... I was still unsure.\n\n``Great... that's just great!! Where am I gonna go now?! I don't even know this region that well!''\n\nI couldn't stay silent forever, but I didn't know what else to say. ``Minerva? Are... are you okay?''\n\nShe glared at me. I could see tears in her eyes, but her voice was as rough as ever. ``Sure I am! I'm just fantastic right now!'' She was frantically packing stuff up in what seemed to be her room. I'd never been there before... and it might as well be the last time I see it. ``... so much for a family that stays together, huh?'' \n\nI tried to help her pack up but she was swiping everything from my hands. Sheets, clothing, pictures, more clothes... a brush? ``Oh, are you an artist?''\n\nShe looked at me. For a brief moment, her anger had disappeared. ``Y-Yeah... why?''\n\nI smiled at her. ``That's nice! Maybe you can show me...?''\n\nBut she quickly frowned and went back to packing her stuff. ``Now's not the time, Dahlia. We're gonna get out of this dump and I'll take you... eh, somewhere...?'' She didn't want to admit that she had no plans to get us through this mess.\n\n``M-Minerva, wait... what if we can talk to the master?''\n\n``Pff, why don't YOU try? No means no, coming from him...'' She sighed after picking up a practice sword hidden under her bed. It seemed like, for a moment, she really was considering the master's lessons. But she threw it back under as she looked for more stuff to take with her. ``Let's just hurry... maybe we can get somewhere safe during the daytime, sound good?''\n\nI couldn't see any other option at first, but that practice sword gave me an idea. I picked it up, sliding underneath the bed to reach it.\n\n``Dahlia, no! Put that back!'' She was angry about seeing me holding it. ``Those swords are dangerous... can you please not...?'' I could see tears again, but she furiously turned away.\n\n``Minerva? Did something happen between you and the master?''\n\n``... go say goodbye to the maidens. We are NOT returning to this dump, okay?!'' \n\nShe was shaking a bit. I didn't know this sword meant so much to her... maybe the master will tell me more? ``... I'm sorry. I'll be back.'' I decided to leave her be for now. She didn't try to stop me, so maybe this was the only way.\n\n``Oh. Dahlia, was it? Welcome...'' One of the maidens tending to the master greeted me. ``The master isn't seeing anyone right now, but if you wish I can relay a message to him.''\n\n``H-Hello. I... uh, I was hoping I could ask him something about this...'' I showed her the practice sword. It had a sheath and everything... was this thing sharp? I couldn't pull it out, but seeing it was enough to catch the maiden's attention.\n\n``O-Oh my... ahem... please, wait here.'' She turned and walked into the master's chamber. No one was allowed to enter without his permission, even though there was no door blocking the way. Just a flight of stairs leading underground... I couldn't help but peek at it while waiting for the maiden to return.\n\n``Sorry to keep you waiting, Dahlia. Follow me.'' Oh wow... am I really gonna see the master's chamber for myself? I felt a bit excited from the thought of what could be hiding down there... but what I saw there wasn't what I expected at all.\n\nIt was a very dark room, lit by candles. The master sat on one end and I was on the other. The maiden bowed her head and left, but the stairs seemed to... disappear?! A wall had formed and I couldn't see them anymore!\n\n``What are you doing with that sword, child?'' The master addressed me. His tone was still lifeless, but... he sounded serious. I couldn't help but feel trapped.\n\n``... I want to know something, master Yamato.'' I tried to approach him, but my feet weren't moving. I couldn't move, even if I tried to! ``I-I found this sword in Minerva's room. Was she going to learn about-''\n\n``Enough. Don't speak that name.'' The candles flared up for a moment. ``She is no disciple of mine. Many tried and failed... it was my hope to find someone worthy of my skills, but... none were deserving.''\n\nI gulped as I thought about that. This was so gloomy... did people die trying? Why is he hiding all this away from the rest of the shrine? Is he an assassin or something?\n\n``My life is fading fast, child... and these skills I possess shall perish with me.''\n\n``B-Because she didn't want to train with you?'' I was afraid to speak up in his presence.\n\n``No... my fate is already sealed. I merely sought to carve a legacy, to pass what I know on to the future.'' Sadness in his voice... maybe he was being sincere about this? I saw how much it bothered Minerva, but now him too?\n\nI showed him the sword. I didn't know if he could see it anyway in the darkness of the room, but maybe he could tell me something about it. ``Did the maidens know about all this?''\n\nHe shook his head. ``They are lovers, not fighters. As are you, Dahlia. You have no business shedding the blood of others.'' Wait a second... what was that?\n\n``Wait, master. I'm not like the maidens! I just got here... I haven't...'' I couldn't remember much of what had happened to me before I woke up at the shrine, thanks to Minerva. Everybody was treating me like a kid, like I was born again... but something about that didn't sit well with me.\n\n``I will relay instructions to the maidens so they can instruct you, should you choose to live with them.'' He sighed. ``Let it be my final act of kindness... before my agony consumes me.''\n\n``N-No, master Yamato. You don't understand!'' I could finally step closer, but he stood up. A menacing aura erupted around the room, blowing the candles out and pushing me against the wall where the stairs were. ``I-I'm not a maiden...!''\n\n``You should be! Do you not see the innocence and purity of your heart? Must you stain your hands with bloody sin?!''\n\nEven so, I was still holding on to the practice sword. ``... m-master, please! It doesn't have to be like this!'' I held on to the sword and felt tempted to draw it out of its sheath, but I still couldn't do it...\n\n``What other road is there for your kind?! Do you take up arms and sunder this wounded world? Do you believe yourself capable of changing it? Answer me, girl!!'' He started to approach me. The air of malice around him was suffocating... \n\n``I-I... I want happiness...! I don't want to... to see you like this! Or her...! Aren't you... a family...?'' It was hard enough to breathe in a locked room, but I was getting dizzy now. And yet, I didn't want to stop myself.\n\n``My family is already dead, girl! You are not my family! Nor is that ungrateful daughter of a-!''\n\n``NO!!'' I yelled at him. ``She wants to be happy too!! You all deserve to be happy...!'' I fell to my knees and coughed. The practice sword fell from my hands with a dry thud, but... it wasn't blown away? That suffocating presence was weakening.\n\n``... happiness, hmm? Tell me... what kind of happiness do you hope for?'' His tone was a bit more lively... maybe he wasn't so angry now? ``If you are not a maiden fighting for peace, but lack the heart to become a warrior... what CAN you do?''\n\nHe made a good point. Every time I tried to help Minerva deal with bandits out to get us, she had to protect me from them. I was fast and I could run, but... if somebody got to me, I was helpless. And yet... I never liked it when Minerva fought back either. She was so messy, clawing people and drawing so much blood... she didn't want me to see that, but there was no way around it.\n\nI also remembered how relieved I was to finally visit Minerva's home, how I thought we would finally be safe from bandits there. And the maidens sure taught me a lot about how to be a pretty lady, as they said. Song and dance, some crafting arts... they were glad to have me around. But Minerva felt like a stranger to all that...\n\nAnd then there's the master himself... while he never smiled, he believed we should make ourselves at home. He had tried to be generous, even if he was blunt about it. And I could tell from the way the maidens looked at him that they respected him for being able to keep them safe all by himself. Sure enough, the bandits chasing us gave up the second we approached the shrine...\n\nI owed it to Minerva to be more helpful to her when we were in danger. I owed it to the maidens for raising such a fine culture that gave us a nice home to turn to in our times of need. And I owed it to the master for fighting to make it all possible, from his teachings that helped Minerva protect us to the discipline of the shrine maidens that allowed them to pursue everything they wanted.\n\nI even owed it to myself too. I didn't want to be helpless anymore... so I picked up the sword before me and stood up. ``I can be better than that! I want to help you all, but I just don't know how... and I want to learn. From you, if you don't mind...''\n\nThe candles lit up again, by themselves? That was weird... but not as weird as seeing the master's candle-lit face in the darkness. ``... do you mean that?''\n\nI nodded. I wasn't going to back down now... not after saying and feeling like this for so long.\n\n``... child, I cannot promise to be gentle. I can only promise to try my best, that these aching old bones of mine will sing once more... if YOU do not mind.'' And there it was. Something I never thought I would see... the master, smiling at me.\n\nI nodded again, but couldn't help but cry a bit. That happiness was all I ever wanted.\n\nI was able to convince the master not to throw Minerva out of the shrine, but she insisted on traveling anyway. And it seemed like she was happier this way, because now she had a reason to come back. And so, time passed...\n\nThe master's lessons were rough on my body, but I tried my best to pull myself together. I was a slow learner, but he held on for as long as he could, keeping himself as healthy as the life in his body would allow. Seeing me swing that sword seemed to be part of that health... he never told me directly, but I could feel his desire to see me grow.\n\nEventually, I was on my own. I had to bid the master goodbye as he departed this world, in company of the maidens who had also taken me in as one of their own. They thanked me for allowing him to die a happy and accomplished man... and while Minerva never saw him again, she could see a bit of him in me whenever I held that sword. \n\nSomeday, I just might become the master myself. But for now, all I can do is try to be me.\n\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"BLADE WITH A HEART

Happiness is all I want. It's the gift of life, the opportunity to share it, that drives me to do everything I can. Because I know I don't have this life for nothing... if I can protect it and cherish it, then all the suffering in the world is worth it.

``Absolutely not! No way! You can't make me!!'' That's my friend, Minerva. I owe her my life for giving me the opportunity to finally wake up from this one nightmare I was having. It was all too real.

``We raised you all these years and now you're turning your back on us?! You ungrateful child!!'' ... and that's master Yamato, her father. They couldn't be more different on the outside, but deep down I feel like she takes after him. I just wish those two didn't fight so much...

``Why do I need that stupid thing?! Can't you teach your circus tricks to someone else?'' I call him master Yamato for the same reason she wouldn't: being really dedicated to what he does best.

``If not you, then who else? You're the most capable among us, Minerva. Do you seriously believe the maiden can take arms?!'' Oh, that's right! Their home was this spring in the middle of a desert. She was raised by a group of shrine maidens and misters who swore to purge the evils of the world, or something. They're so tiny compared to Minerva, though! It's like mice raising a cat, what's up with that?

``I dunno, didn't YOU try that thing?!  If you can, why not them? I'm not your only kid!''

``They already left their homes behind... just like you are.'' Master Yamato didn't like to admit it, but life at the shrine was... modest. He taught them that enduring poverty and starvation was the way of the desert, but his children didn't like that very much. Even though their mom tried to provide... it just wasn't enough.

``Hey, that's their problem! But I'm not them... and I'm not you either!'' Minerva had just about enough, but I couldn't be mad at her... underneath all that anger, there's that friendly girl who saved me. I wanted to see her, but there was just no getting through to her.

``I'm not asking you to be me! I'm asking you to take this and-''

``For the last time, no! I'm not using your stupid sword!!''

Master Yamato tried to be stern, but life slipped from his eyes at that moment. I'd never seen him like that before. ``... so be it. I hope you find your own path in life...'' He walked away and didn't look at Minerva ever since... but not before he left her one more message. ``Leave this place before sunset. You are no longer welcome here...''

``Wait, what? But I live here! Are you seriously gonna throw me out?!'' Minerva wasn't ready to back up her actions, but I didn't blame her. She just wanted her own life without being forced to do something she was against.

And yet, no one was allowed to defy the master. In doing so, she was about to get what she really wanted... just not the way she expected.

Word spread around the shrine in a matter of minutes. The maidens, though still kind in their teachings, tried to hide their sorrow over Minerva's predicament. They knew the already bitter master might not recover from this... but Minerva had every right to choose her life. She didn't want to be like the maidens, even though they raised her as one of their own anyway. As for me... I was still unsure.

``Great... that's just great!! Where am I gonna go now?! I don't even know this region that well!''

I couldn't stay silent forever, but I didn't know what else to say. ``Minerva? Are... are you okay?''

She glared at me. I could see tears in her eyes, but her voice was as rough as ever. ``Sure I am! I'm just fantastic right now!'' She was frantically packing stuff up in what seemed to be her room. I'd never been there before... and it might as well be the last time I see it. ``... so much for a family that stays together, huh?''

I tried to help her pack up but she was swiping everything from my hands. Sheets, clothing, pictures, more clothes... a brush? ``Oh, are you an artist?''

She looked at me. For a brief moment, her anger had disappeared. ``Y-Yeah... why?''

I smiled at her. ``That's nice! Maybe you can show me...?''

But she quickly frowned and went back to packing her stuff. ``Now's not the time, Dahlia. We're gonna get out of this dump and I'll take you... eh, somewhere...?'' She didn't want to admit that she had no plans to get us through this mess.

``M-Minerva, wait... what if we can talk to the master?''

``Pff, why don't YOU try? No means no, coming from him...'' She sighed after picking up a practice sword hidden under her bed. It seemed like, for a moment, she really was considering the master's lessons. But she threw it back under as she looked for more stuff to take with her. ``Let's just hurry... maybe we can get somewhere safe during the daytime, sound good?''

I couldn't see any other option at first, but that practice sword gave me an idea. I picked it up, sliding underneath the bed to reach it.

``Dahlia, no! Put that back!'' She was angry about seeing me holding it. ``Those swords are dangerous... can you please not...?'' I could see tears again, but she furiously turned away.

``Minerva? Did something happen between you and the master?''

``... go say goodbye to the maidens. We are NOT returning to this dump, okay?!''

She was shaking a bit. I didn't know this sword meant so much to her... maybe the master will tell me more? ``... I'm sorry. I'll be back.'' I decided to leave her be for now. She didn't try to stop me, so maybe this was the only way.

``Oh. Dahlia, was it? Welcome...'' One of the maidens tending to the master greeted me. ``The master isn't seeing anyone right now, but if you wish I can relay a message to him.''

``H-Hello. I... uh, I was hoping I could ask him something about this...'' I showed her the practice sword. It had a sheath and everything... was this thing sharp? I couldn't pull it out, but seeing it was enough to catch the maiden's attention.

``O-Oh my... ahem... please, wait here.'' She turned and walked into the master's chamber. No one was allowed to enter without his permission, even though there was no door blocking the way. Just a flight of stairs leading underground... I couldn't help but peek at it while waiting for the maiden to return.

``Sorry to keep you waiting, Dahlia. Follow me.'' Oh wow... am I really gonna see the master's chamber for myself? I felt a bit excited from the thought of what could be hiding down there... but what I saw there wasn't what I expected at all.

It was a very dark room, lit by candles. The master sat on one end and I was on the other. The maiden bowed her head and left, but the stairs seemed to... disappear?! A wall had formed and I couldn't see them anymore!

``What are you doing with that sword, child?'' The master addressed me. His tone was still lifeless, but... he sounded serious. I couldn't help but feel trapped.

``... I want to know something, master Yamato.'' I tried to approach him, but my feet weren't moving. I couldn't move, even if I tried to! ``I-I found this sword in Minerva's room. Was she going to learn about-''

``Enough. Don't speak that name.'' The candles flared up for a moment. ``She is no disciple of mine. Many tried and failed... it was my hope to find someone worthy of my skills, but... none were deserving.''

I gulped as I thought about that. This was so gloomy... did people die trying? Why is he hiding all this away from the rest of the shrine? Is he an assassin or something?

``My life is fading fast, child... and these skills I possess shall perish with me.''

``B-Because she didn't want to train with you?'' I was afraid to speak up in his presence.

``No... my fate is already sealed. I merely sought to carve a legacy, to pass what I know on to the future.'' Sadness in his voice... maybe he was being sincere about this? I saw how much it bothered Minerva, but now him too?

I showed him the sword. I didn't know if he could see it anyway in the darkness of the room, but maybe he could tell me something about it. ``Did the maidens know about all this?''

He shook his head. ``They are lovers, not fighters. As are you, Dahlia. You have no business shedding the blood of others.'' Wait a second... what was that?

``Wait, master. I'm not like the maidens! I just got here... I haven't...'' I couldn't remember much of what had happened to me before I woke up at the shrine, thanks to Minerva. Everybody was treating me like a kid, like I was born again... but something about that didn't sit well with me.

``I will relay instructions to the maidens so they can instruct you, should you choose to live with them.'' He sighed. ``Let it be my final act of kindness... before my agony consumes me.''

``N-No, master Yamato. You don't understand!'' I could finally step closer, but he stood up. A menacing aura erupted around the room, blowing the candles out and pushing me against the wall where the stairs were. ``I-I'm not a maiden...!''

``You should be! Do you not see the innocence and purity of your heart? Must you stain your hands with bloody sin?!''

Even so, I was still holding on to the practice sword. ``... m-master, please! It doesn't have to be like this!'' I held on to the sword and felt tempted to draw it out of its sheath, but I still couldn't do it...

``What other road is there for your kind?! Do you take up arms and sunder this wounded world? Do you believe yourself capable of changing it? Answer me, girl!!'' He started to approach me. The air of malice around him was suffocating...

``I-I... I want happiness...! I don't want to... to see you like this! Or her...! Aren't you... a family...?'' It was hard enough to breathe in a locked room, but I was getting dizzy now. And yet, I didn't want to stop myself.

``My family is already dead, girl! You are not my family! Nor is that ungrateful daughter of a-!''

``NO!!'' I yelled at him. ``She wants to be happy too!! You all deserve to be happy...!'' I fell to my knees and coughed. The practice sword fell from my hands with a dry thud, but... it wasn't blown away? That suffocating presence was weakening.

``... happiness, hmm? Tell me... what kind of happiness do you hope for?'' His tone was a bit more lively... maybe he wasn't so angry now? ``If you are not a maiden fighting for peace, but lack the heart to become a warrior... what CAN you do?''

He made a good point. Every time I tried to help Minerva deal with bandits out to get us, she had to protect me from them. I was fast and I could run, but... if somebody got to me, I was helpless. And yet... I never liked it when Minerva fought back either. She was so messy, clawing people and drawing so much blood... she didn't want me to see that, but there was no way around it.

I also remembered how relieved I was to finally visit Minerva's home, how I thought we would finally be safe from bandits there. And the maidens sure taught me a lot about how to be a pretty lady, as they said. Song and dance, some crafting arts... they were glad to have me around. But Minerva felt like a stranger to all that...

And then there's the master himself... while he never smiled, he believed we should make ourselves at home. He had tried to be generous, even if he was blunt about it. And I could tell from the way the maidens looked at him that they respected him for being able to keep them safe all by himself. Sure enough, the bandits chasing us gave up the second we approached the shrine...

I owed it to Minerva to be more helpful to her when we were in danger. I owed it to the maidens for raising such a fine culture that gave us a nice home to turn to in our times of need. And I owed it to the master for fighting to make it all possible, from his teachings that helped Minerva protect us to the discipline of the shrine maidens that allowed them to pursue everything they wanted.

I even owed it to myself too. I didn't want to be helpless anymore... so I picked up the sword before me and stood up. ``I can be better than that! I want to help you all, but I just don't know how... and I want to learn. From you, if you don't mind...''

The candles lit up again, by themselves? That was weird... but not as weird as seeing the master's candle-lit face in the darkness. ``... do you mean that?''

I nodded. I wasn't going to back down now... not after saying and feeling like this for so long.

``... child, I cannot promise to be gentle. I can only promise to try my best, that these aching old bones of mine will sing once more... if YOU do not mind.'' And there it was. Something I never thought I would see... the master, smiling at me.

I nodded again, but couldn't help but cry a bit. That happiness was all I ever wanted.

I was able to convince the master not to throw Minerva out of the shrine, but she insisted on traveling anyway. And it seemed like she was happier this way, because now she had a reason to come back. And so, time passed...

The master's lessons were rough on my body, but I tried my best to pull myself together. I was a slow learner, but he held on for as long as he could, keeping himself as healthy as the life in his body would allow. Seeing me swing that sword seemed to be part of that health... he never told me directly, but I could feel his desire to see me grow.

Eventually, I was on my own. I had to bid the master goodbye as he departed this world, in company of the maidens who had also taken me in as one of their own. They thanked me for allowing him to die a happy and accomplished man... and while Minerva never saw him again, she could see a bit of him in me whenever I held that sword.

Someday, I just might become the master myself. But for now, all I can do is try to be me.

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