* * *
Before she knew what had hit her, Catty lunged in and wrapped her arms around Aly, making her drop to her knees.
“Truly, this one be such a sore loser, yes?” Catty said, her body trembling as she rubbed Aly’s back. “You did not lose, Mastra, unless we all did.”
Aly’s pupil dilation stopped. She leaned back, and tilted her head.
“What?”
“For months we were to fight alongside one another, and the moment we were the only ones left, we all tossed the well-being of others aside,” Catty said. “The tribe, Aly. This was to access how we value others, how we value the tribe. There be nothing beyond this.”
Aly’s blinked her bright gray eyes. “Yet, truly, after all we have toiled through, this be the final lesson.” She slouched forward. “Pache. By Truth’s Grace, how lame shall this be!”
Catty thumped Aly on the nose. “You only grow angry since I figured it out prior to you. I always knew I was the smarter between us.”
Glani helped Requai get up, and Aly raised a brow. The two locked eyes with her and didn’t say a thing.
“Why do you lot stare at me so cautiously?” Aly rubbed the side of her head, as if she was searching for a clue. “And just a moment. I feel as if I missed something, yes? I recall falling into Catty’s arms, and suddenly she is to be giving me a silly lecture.”
“Aly…” Requai covered her eyes and shook her head. “I… Oh what be the use? No worries, you crazed thing. You simply be––”
She covered her mouth. Aly scratched her head as the other Little One started to stutter.
“My blow to your head must have caused you to black out for a quick instant,” Catty said to the unknowing Sungstra. “Truly, you best mind your defense, Alytchai.”
“Truly, I suppose so.” Aly eyed the ground, ashamed. “Apologies.”
“As am I,” Catty said, frowning.
Aly was about to ask her friend what she meant, but Catty helped her up before she could say anything else. The two hobbled behind Requai and Glani as they sauntered back toward Kutenbrya. This, by all means, was going to be the worst part. With adrenaline settling down, the trip home was going to be one of aches and pains all over. Home. They could already see the salt bath they’d be soaking in for the next couple of days...or maybe weeks.
“What shall you tell Teacher then, Mastra?” Glani asked Catty. “Surely you bested us all, in the end.”
“Nay, Aly and I shall share the credit together. Surely, that be the best way to handle it, yes?”
Aly bit her lip so she wouldn’t cry. Besides, crying would probably make her sides and head hurt even more. In all her years, she imagined going home the triumphant loner championing over all. And it was only now that she knew the truth. There really was no individual. Why be the best in the tribe if one couldn’t share the pride of being so with others? No, this was how it should have been from the very beginning.
“Alytchai and Cattalice of the Kutenbriun Tribe. Selfless Combatants: Servants of the Whole.” That was what people would say about the two of them, just as it should’ve been. Aly smiled at Catty, and Catty smiled back. At least they figured out their worth before it was too late.
And then Aly and Catty both got shot in the chests.
Evaluations of the Tribe - Prossia Book 0 : A Coming of Age Space Opera Page 34