From the moment I, Gerhardus, could walk, I was thrust into rigorous training. Combat, strategy, survival—the tribe's warriors were my brothers and sisters, bound to me by a fate that seemed inescapable. But this relentless training took its toll, claiming the lives of many of my peers, leaving a trail of ghosts in my memory.


As the years passed, my prowess in battle grew. I became the most elite warrior within the tribe. Respected, feared, unwavering in my loyalty to the elders. Yet, a heavy burden weighed on my heart—the burden of watching so many friends fall, their lives consumed by the endless cycle of warfare.


I had a little sister, Aneke, and a little brother, Vosloo. They, too, were forced into this brutal existence, the innocence slowly draining from their eyes. I could not stand by any longer.


One fateful night, under the cover of a relentless storm, I made the choice that would haunt me forever. I could not watch more of my family, or anyone else's, meet their end. With a heart heavy with resolve, I gathered Aneke and Vosloo, and we slipped away into the darkness.


Our journey into the unknown was fraught with danger and challenges. I relied on the knowledge from my training and the rare kindness of strangers to keep us safe. Along the way, I taught Aneke and Vosloo about compassion, cooperation, the beauty of life beyond the battlefield—a world I myself was only beginning to understand.


We built a community with others who shared our weary hearts, a place where skills were used for protection, not destruction. Over the years, we carved out a new life, one of peace and love. Yet, despite the peace we found, the path of war was etched into my heart.


In the end, I knew I couldn't escape my past. To protect Aneke and Vosloo, to ensure they could live in peace, I left them behind. There was a war only I could stop, a war that lived within me. And so, I walked away, knowing that some battles are fought alone.