Nora spots her mother and runs fast to meet her arms. “My yun, I was so worried about you. I thought I lost you”, says the mother and hugs her tight.

(Yun=this is used for young boys and girls. It translates to “young child”. When the person gets older, from 18 till 25, the boy is called yuno, while the girl yuna, that means young man and young woman).

The Noa people start moving closer to Valerie, only to see that she actually defeated their one and only enemy. People are whispering, gape at his dead figure, evaluating, making sure he is actually dead.

“Don’t you believe me?” Valerie adds to the whispers that are going on, but none directed to her. The leader of the clan, an old man holding a cane steps forward. “Please, forgive my people, we’ve been through many misfortunes. No one would doubt you, that’s why we called you here, to the planet of Rinasa”. The old man speaks kindly and Valerie relaxes on the warmth of his voice.

She bows in a sign of respect of the man. “I’m only here to serve you, sir” she answers back. Her voice now is more gentle and accepting of the people around. “Please, I’m not ‘sir’. I’m just an old man trying to take care of his people. Please, follow me, let me offer you something to eat before we seal the deal”.

Valerie is now reminded her Master’s words. “In order to give, you have to get something in return” was his saying, and the motto of the Legion. “I don’t think I have the time. There’s no need for that, don’t you worry about me”, she tries politely to turn down the offer. This is the first time a world doesn’t treat her in contempt and fear.

(World=it is used to refer to one of the 6 regions of the Tirrenia Galaxy).

The old man grabs his chin. “Look my yun-” the man stops. He thinks to himself, 'Is this a child, or older to be called yuna?' Valerie picks up the old man’s concern and she answers the question for him. “I’m only 14. So, that would make me a yun. Please, continue your sentence and don’t bother with formalities”.

Valerie has been mistaken for a yuna in everyplace she has gone. Even though her body resemblance that one of a child, her attitude and abilities would make her look like an adult. By now she isn’t bothered by the comments of how a child can kill without a sign of regret or emotion. But, that is not true for her. She remembers everyone her blades have taken.

The old man though continues without hesitation. “Please, let us treat you. I know that is important to seal the deal, and I’m not trying to avoid that, since this can’t be. But still, a young and brave yun like you, should receive a trophy and our sincere gratitude. Come my child, let us proceed to the town and celebrate with a festival, the long-wanted freedom of the Noa people!” and with that, the people of this place started shouting and screaming, filled with happiness and relief.

Not able to say no, Valerie agreed and followed the people inside the town, Dani. An invitation was sent to the people of Rinasa, so all the kingdoms can cherish this moment of peace. The Hindra were a notorious group across the Emerald Region, and have caused harassment to a lot of solar systems. Now that their reign has been put to an end, since the Legion of the Guardians will keep protecting them.

The town had been decorated with ornaments of orange and green. Many people were arriving to Dani. Before they were hiding, not knowing what to do. They had nothing to offer as a protection, but there’s always a way; by the sacrifice of just one child. Many families would come tonight, and they believed one of these children should have magical powers.

Valerie is walking down the main road of the town, and people congratulate her, crowning her with flowers. She never met such warm people. A lot of kids would go her way to admire her. Nora is shy, clinging to the side of her mother. “Nora, you will make me fall” she says to her daughter. She lowers her body and kisses her forehead. “Come, let me treat your wound. You have been so brave my child”.

The hours pass, Valerie has sat to an inn to eat some good meat. Tomorrow she will leave this place, having chosen a child. That thought alone makes her feel nauseous. She stands up and goes to a room she rented in the inn to clean herself.

The people of the town have left some clothes for her to wear for the festival. It’s a white long dress. Simple, but has beautiful carved flowers from a golden string. The shoes are small and white, exactly her size.

She looks herself at the mirror, and she finally looks her age. She grabs a small bag she had with her and pulls out a purple stone. She wraps her hand around it and pressures it gently. She closes her eyes and when she opens them, she is in a dream-like world, covered in stars.

“You are late”, she hears a voice of a tall figure. It’s Master Odel, the person that trained her, and one of the heads of the Legion. “I’m sorry” she answers back. He comes closer to her. He has long black hair and light blue eyes. “A dress?” he comments and smiles. “I didn’t have a choice. They want me to stay for the festival before the deal. Say the word and I will come”. Odel grabs his chin to think. “No, stay. It isn’t bad for us Guardians to attend some social gatherings. Maybe you can do something you like. That dress looks really good on you”. Valerie blushes to his kind comment.

Odel was always nice and kinder to her than other disciplines. He took an interest to her when she was given to them. For her, he is the fatherly figure she failed to have. She shying away, thinking. “What’s the matter? Something that bothers you?” he asks her and his voice is filled with concern.

She looks at him, wanting to phrase the question. “How will I be sure I pick the right child? What if the parents or the people that take care of it say no?”. This is the first time that she will take as ‘payment’ another child. “I’m pretty sure you know how to feel the aura of a person. The one that is shines brighter, in the one you will choose. As for the parents, the Noa clan knew when they asked for help, that this will be the deal. But you already know all that, so tell me, what’s the real question?”.

Odel can see through her, knowing that something is going on. She is pressing her lips firm together, holding herself from talking. “I see, you don’t wanna tell me. Maybe I’ve been too nice”. She is bulging her eyes and it seems they are getting red. “Okay, okay! I just don’t feel good while doing this! It reminds me of..” she finally spoke up her mind. She knows that by spouting these words, she can get punished.

Odel raises his left eyebrow. “That is all?” he says in apathy, like nothing happened. “You aren’t mad?” she says all confused. “Look Val, I knew you wouldn’t like it, and I know is gonna be painful. But this way you will learn, and tomorrow that you will decide the chosen one, you will also make a decision if you will let your past go or continue suffering”.

He knows her too well. A Guardian should never cling on the past and earthly desires. They are the chosen angels of the God and should do what’s necessary. That means putting everything aside and become a soldier, a weapon. By Valerie is failing at that. She isn’t sure how to let these memories go.

She is staring at him with eyes wide open. She feels nervous but at the same time a part of her feels relief. Odel notices the tension. “Alright, I think you need to attend the festival now. Go, enjoy it while you can. Tomorrow I await your return, my eri”. Valerie turns her head down to the side, as a sign of question, as she didn’t understand the meaning of the last words he spoke.

Their session time ends and she is back to reality. 'Eri?'she thinks as she doesn’t know the meaning of this word. Someone knocks her door and she informs them that she will be out in a minute.

Before moving for the door, she grabs her brooch. She grabs her front hair, leaving only her bangs, and with a tie she puts them back, having the rest of the hair flowing. She then takes the brooch and puts in the center of her hair tie. She tightens her grip and moves out of the room.

She goes down the stairs and she finds herself outside the inn. The road is filled with people and laughter is echoing around. She passes through the masses, trying to get somewhere, not sure where.

She isn’t used to be in these kind of places and she feels lost. She isn’t that tall and she blends in with the people. She feels she needs air and she is hyperventilating. A hand grabs her and pulls her a few steps behind, out of the crowd. She turns her body to look who it is, ready to attack. Nora starts shaking, looking at her icy gaze.

“I’m sorry I suddenly grabbed you. You looked kind of out of your waters there” says Nora frightened. Valerie notices her reaction and backs down. “Thank you. What’s your name?” she says but now she sounds more friendly.

Nora smiles from ear to ear, as she has been eager to talk to her. “My name is Nora! Thank you for saving us!” she says all happy. Valerie is still a bit concerned. 'How did she sneak up on me?' these thoughts pass through her head. She didn’t see her or sensed her, as she should. She has heard of the Noa people and their ability to blend in and sneak into places.

Nora nods to her so they can start walking. “Where are we going?” she asks while looking at the people having fun. “We are going to Ugan, the leader you talked to. He wants you to enjoy the festival from there, and make your decision by having the view of everyone”.

Valerie becomes a bit gloomed by the thought of that. Nora notices and asks, “Can I ask, what are you thinking? Is it about your next quest?!”. Nora’s eyes sparkle in excitement to know more. “Um, sure yes. Hey, how come your name is like the name of your clan?”, Valerie is trying to change the discussion.

“Oh yes, when I was born I was really frail and the doctor said I won’t make it. My parents, and all the people of the town came and prayed for me to Rin. They all gave a portion of their energy to me, and I got to live. In order to thank them, my parents gave me the name Nora, Noa from the people, and ‘r’ the symbol of our Goddess (Rin)!”.

That little story made Valerie’s eyes bloom like a flower. She was really left in wonder of what people will do for the ones they love. “It’s nice to have parents and people love you that much!” she comments. “I’m sure you have people that love you too! Even though you are a Guardian, a lot of people are indebted to you!”.

She never thought it like that, that people would feel that way for her. Valerie then gives her a big smile for her kind words. Nora is left in awe of her beauty, her crystal skin, big golden eyes and hair like stardust.

They finally past through the molasses, finding Ugan on a trestle with some other of people. “Please Guardian, come sit next to us!” he says all excited. Valerie moves slowly and sits next to him. Nora sees her parents and hugs them. “Here you are my eri” says the father.

They both greet Ugan and Valerie, and go to the right side with the other people. Valerie points her head to him and asks, “I’m sorry sir, what eri means?”. Hearing it from Nora’s father, she realises she didn’t hear wrong Master Odel, it’s just a word she doesn’t know.

“Oh, it’s a word that means ‘dear child’”. She gives it a thought and asks again, “Then, what is different from yun?” as in her mind, these two look the same. “See, yun can be used for any youngling by anyone, while eri is something that a parent will use to call his/her child”. Her face still looks quite confused so he continues saying, “It’s a way a parent can express their love to their child, no matter the age of their kid. It is a blessing to be called like that from your parent and it means he or her cherishes you very much”.

Valerie is now looking at the crowd, thinking of these words. Her eyes are bulging and her cheeks are red as wine. She then looks at him again saying, “But, what if the person that says that isn’t the parent?”. Master Odel that said that, isn’t her father, yet he called her that way. “Then that means that the person cherishes the child too much and loves it like it’s his own”.

Valerie has dived deep into her thoughts of what has just happened. 'Did I dream he called me like that?' is the main thought on her mind. She isn’t sure of what to make of this. She is hiding her face behind her hair and smiles. She feels like the whole world was given to her.

When she lost everything and joined the Guardians, she felt alone. But Odel welcomed her with a beautiful smile and guided her through this.

She is now back in the present, seeing a parade taking place. It’s a play where it shows the Hindra and Noa’s slavery. Then it shows how they rebelled against them and got their freedom back, but they were too tired to carry on. Then a girl with a silver wig comes in. It’s Nora, acting like she is Valerie. She swings the swords and takes down Hon Len.

That reminds Valerie of Hon Len and his words while he was dying. Even though she kept a straight face, she wanted to cry. “..and with that, we want to thank our Goddess Rin, for the love and peace she helped us achieve in these dark days!” and with these last words all people start dancing and creating all kinds of food, eating and drinking till their heart is full.

Valerie knows that she has to pick the one. She is scanning through the crowd, looking at kids below the age of 10, as they are easier to train and forget their families. She looks around, squinting her eyes. She opens her eyes wide open, as she finds the one she is been looking for.

Ugan notices her changed expression and says, “You made a decision, didn't you?”.