Warrior Nun: The aftermath

Chapter 4

Beatrice has been training non-stop the whole day. They couldn't even get her out of the training room for lunch. Several times Camila, Yasmine and Mother Superior were with her and tried to encourage her to take a break. Without success. The feeling of ever-increasing weakness in her muscles from the exertion was the only thing that kept Beatrice from collapsing at the moment. Everything that had always supported her was lost. The years after being more or less cast out by her parents, she found a new home in God and her sisters. Shannon, Mary and Lilith were gone. Lilith was alive, but was no longer the same. Her faith and connection to the Lord had almost completely disappeared. How could she be a nun without faith? Then there was Ava. In the last few months they had become closer and learned a lot about each other. Beatrice had feelings for Ava since their first meal together in the monastery, but Bea had really learned to love her during the time in the Alps. In retrospect, her great love, which she had also lost. She kept repeating Ava's name while punching and kicking the punching bag.

"Beatrice?" Camila entered the room and looked at her with a worried expression. "I really think you should stop this day."

Maybe she was right. For a moment she dropped her raised fists and stared at the young nun.

"Don't punish yourself for something you couldn't have done better."

"Punish? Camila believe me, that's not enough for a punishment."

"You shouldn't waste any thought on what might be, but go ahead and honor your time with Ava."

"How? I don't need to try to tell you anything else. I loved her and I love her. And what did I do to show her? I didn't return the three words expressing my love and pushed her through the portal. It's not about me, it's about her. What does Ava have to think, or worse, feel? She told me and I pushed her away from me." Beatrice started beating the leather bag again. This time without technology and only aimed at anger.

Camila pushed her away and held her by both shoulders. "You showed her your love Beatrice! You let her go and saved her life knowing it would destroy yours. To sacrifice everything for the person you love and let them go when you have to, that's love!"

How could a much younger and inexperienced nun like Camila teach her anything? But she was right, even if it didn't feel like it.

"Surely Ava wouldn't have wanted you to exhaust yourself and torment yourself. Please stop at least for today and come to eat something." Camila hugged her gently.

"Okay." There was so much to process, but in what was still a chaotic time, there wasn't much left to really think about it all. Beatrice shouldn't focus on what she lost, but what she gained. If Shannon haven't died, Ava would never have entered her life, and without her sacrifice, Adriel would still be wreaking havoc on the world.

Freshly showered and changed, Beatrice followed the others onto the terrace of the property. Several candles on the wall provided an extraordinary atmosphere. Two pictures stood on a small table in the middle of everyone. One showed a Michael as a child and the other Ava. Beatrice had no idea when it was done, but she looked stunning as always. Mother Superior slowly stepped into the middle and it became devoutly quiet.

"Tonight we commemorate not only Ava and Michael, but also everyone else who lost their lives fighting Adriel. Ava played the biggest role in it. It was her who saved us. With a second chance to live, she changed and saved the lives of many others for the better. As the last warrior nun, she deserves our utmost respect. Michael has supported us in many situations in battle and also gave his life for it. That's why we pause and remember all those who longer with us."

Everyone was holding each other's hands and standing with their heads bowed. Beatrice never stopped looking at the small framed photo, which had an extraordinary effect in the flickering of the candles. She will grant Ava's wish and live her life, but only after making sure her sacrifice was not in vain.