Letter from afar

Dear Paquito:

It's me, Jolie. It's been several months now, I trust all is still well with you? We are all fine.

I've been wanting to send you a letter ever since you departed, but never knew what I should write. Besides, who knows if such a letter would even reach you? Despite all that though, I still want to write to you. To commemorate the good times we've spent together, and to give myself a sense of motivation.

Just yesterday a group of bandits tried to steal the winter supplies I was sending off. Given that I'm female and was dispatching such a large shipment alone, they thought I'd put up little resistance. They never imagined I would be able to knock them sprawling all on my own. And so, I safely sent the supplies back to the village.

You know, it reminded me of the first time we met. I remember that I'd headed out alone then, too, and been apprehended by a bunch of bandits. But back then I wasn't strong enough to defend myself. You saved me that day, and escorted me back home.

I've never mentioned this to you before but I grew up hearing stories about heroes. Yet while I yearned for those heroes I read of in books, I also found myself hesitating to believe they actually existed. I'd often even think to myself: if there's all these great heroes out there, saving our world, then why is it still such a sorry sight?

When you appeared, I felt like all my hero fantasies had became a reality right at that moment. That's why I pulled at you so fervently, insisting you come to stay in my village. I longed to know what the life of a hero was truly like, what kind of experiences and trials made you so strong. And maybe, just maybe, I could become a hero too... And that's why I had you stay, on the pretense of thanking you for saving me.

Haha... That was pretty sly of me, huh? But it's a good thing I went through with it, because in the three short months you spent here, you changed my whole life.

I had never expected that great heroes like yourself aren't all that different from us normal folk. Just braver, more hardworking, more responsible. It seems like there's always a solution to any hardship, as long as you're around. Your existence alone gives hope and strength to us common people.

I want to become like you, too. I really must thank you for this chance you've given me, for the myriad fighting skills you've taught me in these three short months. I know I'm a little clumsy in that department; I pale in comparison to you whether in terms of strength or reactions. But I think that something we're equal in is our perseverance. While you were still here in the village you'd often praise my efforts in my training. Even now you've left, I'm not letting a single day go to waste. You must believe in me, and give me a little time: I'll improve beyond anything you can imagine.

Perhaps when that day comes, I'll be able to join you on your journey.

How's things on your side? Defeated many evil villains? Do you sometimes think back to us, the people you've saved in the past? I innocently pleaded for you not to leave, to live here with us. But I knew, too, that I couldn't just make a hero like you stay here in our little village. It was just a wild wish of mine, that's all.

I think I finally understand what you said when you left. You said, it's not that you don't long for a peaceful life, it's just that you choose to fight so that you can protect others' hopes for one of their own.

But please, do take good care of yourself. You must live on if you're to achieve your dream. Right?

I hope this letter of mine reaches you. And I hope that the dawn of the beautiful day you wish for breaks sometime soon!

-Jolie

Destiny