The Fauna effect

6. hope

The crown is as shiny as I've ever seen it.

It's the first thing I see when the king arrives, surrounded by warriors of course, but it doesn't take away from the fact that his pointed nose looks at us with desdain. I find it funny, this man can make any strong man here crumble, although he's being protected by the same people he ignites fear on.

I wonder what made him so powerful no one raises his voice at him. For over 400 years there has never been wars, revolutions against the kingdom or disrespect, all we hear are trembles as he walks past, as if in one second he can make the whole place go down.

Maybe he can.

"Hello everyone" He moves his arms towards us "How proud I am of you" He pauses for a second and scans the room, his eyes only landing on me for a second before he speaks up "Although I wasn't expecting so little of you"

It's true, this year there had only been 30 warriors, although I've heard from whispers on the way to class that the years before had the double or triple students. It makes it even more intimidating being here.

Because it means that only here lay the strongest of the strongest.

"Class" The teacher calls out. Who for one I'm glad is a woman "Today we're learning basic training!" She announces before groans spread through the room "I know, I know that it's nothing new for you, but we want to see what you can do, what your good and bad skills are" a smirk spreads across her face "Then at the end of class, we will fight".

The whole room applauds and whistles in excitement. 

I knew this was coming. I can't act surprised, I knew sooner or later I'd have to conform to the fact that I'm in an all boys training school while being a girl. The whispers and speakers leave nothing to the imagination of what they might say, I already know everything. "The girl that turned out to be the Eadenth's warrior suddently goes to our school".

As I gazed at the stars yesterday I realized that if I'm a warrior so can be other girls. There's probably a little girl out there that one day will take the test and realize she's a warrior. Would I let myself die on that arena if that meant other generations of girls would too?

No way.

I have to stay strong, I have to bear with everything and fight for all I have.

As a kid I always admired the Eadonth's warriors that came home from fighting, deep down I always knew I could be one of them, and I'm glad I turned the system around, because the easy way out wasn't the easy way to be over, it wasn't even an option.

If standing here and fighting right now can give someone in the world the hope to one day protect everyone, being a girl or boy, then everthing is worth it. 

I have to fight, even if I die trying, even if my last breath is after giving hope so whoever I can.

As a smirk spreads across my face, I decide that it changes with me.

"You have 15 minutes, there's some books on the next room if you want to check out basic tricks and moves, I'll be preparing the fighting ring"

As expected, the boys either start exercizing or making small talk, I don't know what group seems more confident, all I know is that I'm alone as I walk to the next room.

I'm met with exactly 5 books, not much to work with. I obviosly can't go there and fight right on when I don't even know their moves. Everyone works with their strongest parts, that's all I know. So my priority is to read about velocity and legs, those are the one that I have going the best for me. 

Although I feel limited by those two, I know that I'm here to learn and eventually I'll be able to be strong throughout my whole body.

I pick up the first book, which is perfect since it's an introduction to martial arts, it's a little outdated since  some pages are stuck together and there's a lot of dust. There has obviously never been a need to have an introduction book on a college that works with people that are already at an advanced level. But I'm still grateful the teacher gave me this option too.