Hardships

Nala

Catra's POV:

Hako and Gustus showed us the entirety of Tendūji. It was an unbelievably beautiful village. My heart dropped to my stomach when I saw the insufferable damage that Kade had caused to the northern parts of Tendūji. The people were as angelic as I imagined. It was only a couple of seconds before the village people surrounded Adora and I asking questions about me being alive still, her being She-Ra, and there was a little girl that caught my attention, who was looking at me from under a cherry blossom tree. She looks to be about 5 or 6 years old. I excused myself from the crowd and made my way towards the girl. Adora by my side.

"Hello little one, I noticed you were looking quite interested over here. Is there something you want to ask me?", I ask gently trying to not scare the girl. The girl only looked at me, before her head dropped. "C-Catra? a-are you going to h-help d-defeat the evil lord?", The girl asked quietly. shyly. I smiled and crouched down, my eyes meeting hers. "Yes little one, I am. I will take over the throne in place of my brothers and establish peace over the cities and kingdoms of Taron", I say with a confident smile as I put a hand on her shoulder.

"But what ha-happens if you fail? W-What if the evil L-Lord Kade k-kills you li-like he did t-to my poppa". The girl asks shakily, tears welling up in her eyes. I felt my heart ache for the girl and I put a hand on her other shoulder and said, "I won't fail kiddo, I cant. I will defeat my brother. I will avenge your father. I will avenge all of those who have fallen due to Kade's hands. I promise". The girl nods and jumps into my arms, taking me by surprise and almost knocking me off my feet.

"Th-Thank you!", The girl cries gripping onto my shoulder. I smile and close my eyes rubbing her back soothingly. I pull back from the girl and ask softly, "What is your name sweetie?". The girl smiles and says, "Nala". I smile and put my index finger on her chest where her heart would be, "Nala, is a beautiful name little one. May I tell you something that someone very important said to me?". Nala eyes sparkled and she nodded excitedly.

I smile and say, "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.  There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you. The true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. From beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light. You may feel  hopeless at times but you are the only one that can give yourself hope. That is the true meaning of inner- strength. You must never give into despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road, and you surrender to your lowest instincts. Destiny is an intriguing thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny". Nala blinks at me in awe and I chuckle messing her hair up gently.

"Wh-Who told you that Catra?", Nala asks as I stand up the girl latching onto my side. I quirk a brow and look up at Adora only to see that she was as much awe as the girl was. "Y-Yeah who told you that babe?", Adora asks astonished with my words. I snicker and reach up, collecting two beautiful cherry blossoms and looking at the sky above me. "My father", I say softly.

I heard a gasp and looked down at Nala who had wide eyes. "Y-Your father? T-The old Lord?". I nod and she tilts her head confusedly and asks, "B-But how did he tell you that? Isnt he dead?". I chuckle and say, "Yes he is, but he is wasnt truly gone kiddo". Nala looked confused at this point and I smile and get on my knee, taking her hands in mine and saying, "Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death. Even those who are gone, are with us as we go on. Your journey has only begun Nala". I stop and look at the cherry blossom in my hand before continuing, " Due to their short bloom time, cherry blossoms are a metaphor for life itself: beautiful yet fleeting. You'll realize once you get older that your time in this world is limited yet precious".