A/N: Alright, alright...I have a serious question to ask...

It's been only (exactly) five months since I've uploaded this story...AND HOW THE HAILSTORM DID I GET 1,500 VIEWS!? Do you all seriously like this story this much!?

All yelling aside, I want to thank you all so, so much! Actually, let me rephrase that...Jamanke vun! I feel so flattered right now...

Chapter 5

First Lesson

"Hush now children, it's time for bed,

No need to cry, rest your head

Let fear run and dreams shall come,

Rest now children, the daylight is done."

When Zan finished her lullaby, both of her cousins, now toddlers, were fast asleep. For Zan, however, the day was not yet at its curtains. Careful not to wake the twins, she backed out of the room and quietly shut the door behind her. She then headed outside to meet her aunt; it was time for her first lesson on becoming a warrior.

Upon arriving outside, Zan saw Aunt Orchid with a bow in floating hand, stretched to it a leafed arrow aimed at a plank of wood. She stood statue-still for a moment before releasing the string in her right hand, sending the arrow flying and rooting itself into the plank. To Zan, it was astonishing from start to finish, and she giggled with amusement.

Orchid turned around to notice her niece watching her. "Marvelous, is it not, darling? All it takes is a bit of skill!"

"And then I'll be as good as you, Auntie?" said Zan. "I'd love to gain such skill!"

Her aunt laughed a bit. "Why, of course, Zanny! As long as you put in the time and effort, you'll have no trouble learning to become a warrior!"

"I can't wait, Auntie!" Zan exclaimed. "Where do I begin?"

"Well, before showing you the basics, I'd say we should know about our enemies, don't you agree?" Orchid suggested, setting down her bow. "How about we start there?"

Zan nodded eagerly, and Aunt Orchid sat on the ground beside her, gazing at the sky as the sun slowly started to set beneath the horizon and twilight settled in. "It all starts many centuries ago, when a great beast awoke from a long slumber…" her aunt began. "Holding a grudge against existence, this beast created a wicked warlock emperor known as Nightmare, who fantasizes to conquer the entire universe for the great beast."

"What is the 'Great Beast,' Auntie?" Zan inquired.

"I am disappointed to say that its name is only spoken of by the mages of nobility, so I do not know myself." told Aunt Orchid. "But there were, and still are, many who will not bow to Nightmare's rule. Knowing that he is very powerful, they fight him and his endless supply of minions, sparking wars across the galaxy. These rebels, known as Galaxy Warriors, have been mighty, although not all make it out alive.

We Galaxy Mages were once part of the Galaxy Warrior tribe, along with the Galaxy Soldiers and Star Warriors. However, those filthy Galaxy Wizards became jealous of us over the centuries, and even started to invade our space. Since then, we left battles against Nightmare to the Galaxy Soldiers, and promise to return once the wizards are defeated."

"And we've been feuding ever since…" Zan figured a conclusion. "…and that's why Mum is no more…"

Orchid, nervous of her niece bursting into tears, ran her hand through Zan's long blonde hair. "I'm afraid your father too, dear." she added. "He went to fight them before your birth and never returned." She then realized that Zan was starting to tear up a bit, and held both of her hands, making eye contact with her. "And that, Zan, is why we mages need you to join us. If you manage to become a warrior, I guarantee that even the landia herself will be very proud."

Zan only stared at her in astonishment. Never had she heard her aunt be this serious. Yet to her, she was right…her parents were gone because of this opposing race; she needed revenge on them. "You're right, Aunt Orchid." she responded. "I know I can get back at them one day!"

"That's the spirit, Zan Partizanne!" Orchid insisted. "Now, shall we learn the basics?"

Now evening, Zan was tired of trying to properly thrust a spear, but she wasn't giving up until she got it right. The spear wasn't anything fancy; just a long stick with a stone head that her aunt made earlier that day. Quick to figure out how to hold it, Zan's next task was to learn jab enemies in close combat. If only she wasn't having such trouble fully stabbing it into the wood plank…

"Are you sure you want to keep doing this, Zanny?" Aunt Orchid called to her. "We can always try tomorrow night."

"I want to get it right! I know I can!" Zan pushed on. After a few more fails, she grew even more exhausted. And then…she finally gave one last try, and the spear stayed in its wooden victim. Feeling so much excitement, she ran over to her aunt. "Auntie, Auntie, I got it, I got it!" she cheered.

"Quiet, Zan!" Aunt Orchid shushed her. "You'll wake up the whole village!"

Zan then remembered that it was night. "Oh yes…sorry!" she whispered. "But I finally got it!"

Aunt Orchid then floated over to the wooden plank and checked it and the spear. She then floated back over to Zan. "Very well done, darling! At this point, it should be easy for you to learn the threads! But for now, the best thing is to get ready for bed. Yes, even the best warriors need to rest."

Zan then headed back inside and changed into her nightdress, climbing into bed afterward. Within the following minutes, her aunt entered the room and stood beside her bed. "I'm very proud of you Zan." her aunt spoke softly. "Not giving up on learning no matter what…you remind me so much of your great-grandfather."

"Torbekari the Great?"

"Yes, Zan. As long as I've known him, he refused to give up on anything, and always encouraged me and your father to do the same. If he had the chance to watch you tonight, I know he'd be very proud of you."

"Then I'll continue to make him proud!" said Zan. "After a good rest, of course."

Orchid drew the covers over Zan to comfort her. "Sleep well Zan; and you will make him proud." she whispered. She then blew out Zan's bedside candle and quietly shut the door as Zan fell asleep proudly.

Over the next moons, Zan continued training with her aunt on a near-nightly basis. She soon learned how to throw a spear and even slash it in a sword-like fashion. She learned that she could also use sorcery, if she had the rare magic in her blood. Only time would be able to figure that out. But even then, Zan felt very confident that she was soon to become a member of the Galaxy Mage Army, and possibly even impress Landia Dory herself. She had high hopes to teach these skills to the next generation of mages, and her younger cousins. Of course, she couldn't teach them everything, as they were likely destined to other weapon types, although she could offer some tips and tricks. Zan was perfectly sure that she would one day defeat those Galaxy Wizards…

…But very little did she know that one day, she would need her tricks for a menacing essence of darkness, rising below ground…

A/N: Just to clear things up a bit, the term "Landia" stated in this chapter does not refer to the dragon from the games; I depict that, in the Jamba language, the word means ruler.

Also, I will be working on this story while finishing my other two, just not as often. Jambuhbye!