Chapter 5

Ga’Min stood atop a hill with one of the Teaching Mothers. A small battle ensued in the meadow below.

“We are winning,” Ga’Min said as a matter of factly.

The Teaching Mother nodded. “We are, but the tide can turn if the enemy does not know it is losing.”

Ga’Min watched the battle in silence for a few moments. “I could end it now, before more die. On both sides. Too many have died already.”

“Do not worry about the other side,” the Teaching Mother said. “That can only lead to weakness.”

“How will I know when to go down?”

“You will feel it.”

“I feel it now.”

“No. You will truly feel it.”

Ga’Min let out a sigh and continued watching the battle.

One figure in particular caught her eye. She is unsure why the figure stood out to her; she could not tell if it was a man or a woman, but she could not tear her eyes from the figure.

It crouched behind a rock, its sword clean of blood. Its head darted from side to side, watching in horror at the surrounding battle.

Finally, one of the enemies found the figure. The figure backed up, dropping its sword, but the enemy still swung his sword. Crimson erupted from the figure as it fell to the ground.

Ga’Min pulled her gloves from her belt, standing erect. The Teaching Mother nodded.

Without a word, Ga’Min ran from the hilltop into the meadow towards the man who had killed the figure she had been watching. The man twirled to face her, eyes growing wide when comprehension hit his face. Ga’Min rose an arm, flicked her wrist, and a shot of electricity hit the man between the eyes, charring his face instantly.

Yells erupted from the battlefield as the enemy saw her, charging her. Ga’Min bought both of her arms up, moving her fingers, bolts of electricity flying from them rapidly, falling enemy after enemy after enemy, missing her people. Only minutes after she had descended the hillside, she was surrounded by the charred bodies of her enemy as she dropped her arms to her side to survey the battlefield.

The battle had ended. What enemy was not dead was fleeing or surrendered. She was met with the thankful glances of her battle mates as they gathered up their prisoners and surveyed their dead.

She watched as the Teaching Mother gracefully descended the hill, standing before Ga’Min.

“You have done well.”

“I have killed so many,” Ga’Min said quietly.

“Think not of their deaths, for they would have you dead.”

Ga’Min sighed, thinking to herself ‘But for what’.

“After every battle,” the Teaching Mother said, stepping closer. “There is a reward. Sometimes it is given by another warrior.” She took another step closer and smiled. “Sometimes it is given by a grateful citizen.” She stepped closer and dropped to her knees, looking up at Ga’Min. “Sometimes it is given by her who teaches.”