Warriors

"I want to be a warrior," she said proudly and confidently, looking him in the eye.

"Very well then..." he nodded. He left her in the large, dark hall for a moment and left. When he returned, he held a huge sword in his hand. She was surprised that he carried the weapon as if it weighed nothing.

"Fight," he said, handing it to her. Her arms buckled under its weight. She clumsily swung it a few times. She could barely hold it. She barely resisted the urge to throw it to the ground.

She looked at the Master expectantly.

"Fight," he repeated.

"I can't.

" "You wanted to be a warrior.

" "You're my Master. You should teach me that

, shouldn't you?" "I've already taught you everything I can. The rest is up to you.

" "You never taught me how to wield a sword.

" "To know how to use it, you must understand its power."

Her gaze urged the Master to speak.

"The sword is substantial and commands respect." Its appearance alone can intimidate an opponent and earn their respect for you...

"But it's so heavy and unwieldy..." she sighed, balancing the weapon with both hands.

"For one who can carry it properly, it's as light as a feather.

" "So teach me how to do it.

" "I've already told you. It's up to you.

" "I don't understand. I can't. It's beyond me. "

The sword clattered dully as it fell to the floor.

"Good," the Master said. "That was your choice.

" "Teach me to wield another weapon. I wouldn't have succeeded with that one."

He left without a word, and when she saw it again, he was hidden behind a gray, inconspicuous shield.

"What is this?" she asked as he handed it to her.

"Your weapon.

" "It's not a weapon. How am I supposed to fight with this?

" "Fighting isn't just about attacking. A shield can save your life and also protect others.

" "Should I stand behind and cover the defenseless while others fight for real?

" "Your role would be just as important as the others'."

"I would never go down in history. No, I don't want a shield."

The metal clanged softly as it hit the floor. The Master's gaze fell upon the abandoned object. He picked it up respectfully and disappeared through the door once more.

"Here," he said, handing her a powerful bow and a quiver full of arrows. She examined them carefully. The objects gleamed with the red of real rubies.

"It's beautiful..." she whispered.

"Yes, it's stunning. It can be a wonderful tool, leading directly to the intended target, if you know how to use it..."

Curiously, she began to draw back the string, placing the bow to her shoulder. She barely listened to the Master's words. She glanced at the quiver, tightly filled with arrows, only the sharp tips visible. She reached for the first one.

"However, careless warriors are in for an unpleasant disappointment... "

A trickle of blood flowed from her finger.

"It's very easy to cut yourself when drawing an arrow from a quiver. You have to be extremely careful and prepared for pain. On the other hand, a bow can bring you the most spectacular success. It's incredibly accurate, and the arrowheads are made of unimaginably sharp rubies.

" "But it's dangerous...

" "You have to take the risk.

" "In this case, the risk is too great. I'd have to endure pain almost every time I reach for an arrow.

" "In combat, we often have to overcome pain. I taught you that.

" "Yes, but I try to avoid it whenever possible. I don't want a bow," she said, placing the weapon back in his hands. He looked at her sadly. Before she knew it, the objects had disappeared into the depths of the other rooms, and the Master was standing before her again. She looked into his eyes expectantly.

"What now?" she finally asked. "Won't you give me another weapon?"

"You already have it." "He explained with a quiet smile. She looked around the room, disoriented.

"Where?

" "Don't look far. Close your eyes.

" "How will I find anything then?

" "Shh... Close your eyes."

She obeyed. She stood still for a moment until she felt something on her right hip that hadn't been there before. She opened her eyes and saw a hunting knife with a carefully serrated blade. It lay in a sheath attached to a belt around her waist.

"But when...? How could I have missed it?" she asked, swinging the weapon deftly.

"You'll understand later," he replied with a smile.

She smiled back. Fighting against the air, she practiced cuts and dodges, inflicting wounds and parrying blows. No one had ever taught her the steps, yet all her movements worked perfectly together.

"It's brilliant! I can do this! See? Finally, something that suits me! I want it!

" "A knife is a wonderful weapon, bringing great satisfaction to its owner. It's small and handy." It's a hidden support, always there in moments of danger, but...

"But? Is there a but?"

"There's always a but; nothing is without its flaws."

"So what's the but?"

"A knife requires the most attention of all weapons. Neglected, it quickly rusts, ceases to lead to success, until finally, unnoticed, as imperceptibly as it appeared... it disappears.

" "What? What kind of weapon is this that suddenly abandons a warrior?

" "It doesn't abandon him without reason, but yes, you're right, it leaves him defenseless and alone."

She stopped swinging the knife.

"I can't fight with it; it's not reliable. I have to be sure of my weapon; victory depends on it, it's my only hope. Give me something reliable."

"There is no such thing. Everything depends on the warrior and how he uses what he has been given.

" "You were supposed to teach me, and you're not helping at all!

" "I'm letting you learn on your own.

" "I want you to guide me.

" "No. I've never made that exception for anyone.

" "Fine. Then let me learn to be a warrior.

" "I only give the warriors weapons; they do the rest themselves.

" "How can they acquire the necessary skills without help?

" "The weapons they receive are already within them. This one here is only its outward reflection.

" "I don't understand.

" "It's simple. The sword is chosen by those who live by honor. The shield is for those who care nothing for laurels but want to help others. The bow guides fighters with the power of love. The knife, on the other hand, can only be given to those who place their faith in true friendship.

" "None of these weapons were for me, though. What else is left?

" "I have only one thing left," he said, taking a coin from his pocket and tossing it at her feet. She bent down and picked it up quickly. The coin shimmered in shades of gold and silver, revealing a different currency and denomination with each ray of light.

"What is it?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Money. It's neither large nor heavy. You can achieve anything with it. It won't hurt you or require care. It gives you endless possibilities...

" "Why didn't you show it to me right away? It's perfect! I don't understand why everyone doesn't choose it...

" "I told you it's only a reflection of what you have within you; what you've chosen from my earlier teachings and accepted into your heart.

" "I want it! It will be my weapon," she whispered, not taking her eyes off the coin.

"Very well. So be it," he said, and her feet moved of their own accord toward the exit.

"Wait," she shouted from across the room, stopping just outside the door. "Tell me, who else has made the same choice as me?

" "Many warriors. All those who lacked the strength to bear a sword. Those who underestimated the power of a shield." Those who were frightened by ruby ​​tips, and those who, unsure of their own constancy, feared the knife's inconstancy.

"So who?

" "Those who preferred to take the safest route, who preferred not to risk anything, even at the cost of forgetting some of my teachings."

She continued to look at him expectantly, her eyes uncertain.

"Cowards," he said finally, and disappeared behind a door.