Diamondlot

Doubt

Although she was still in a coma, deep within her subconscious, Reina awoke, floating in a room of light. There was no solid ground or path and even if there was, the place looked like it went on forever. Feeling overwhelmed, she curled up attempting to concentrate and remember what had happened.

Slowly her thoughts were coming back to her. She began to remember the battle on the Barren Wasteland. The negative thoughts began to compound as she continued to ruminate. She felt as if everything that had happened was her fault. If she didn’t set out to find help for her kingdom, then they would have never found Jawad. And if they didn’t find the Mangolor, they wouldn’t have gone to search for the great wizard. She concluded that the return of Dragkonis happened because of her.

As tears began to stream down her face, a figure appeared before her. The person was in a black robe and cowl, meaning Reina couldn’t see the face and wasn’t sure of the being’s intentions. The mysterious person began to speak, “Get up!” and after hearing the voice, Reina’s expression completely changed.

She recognized the voice as the same one that called to her when Nadya and Jiyah fought against Cole. Realizing that this person helped her save her friends before, she asked for the identity of the cryptic character so she could show her gratitude.

The man removed the hood, revealing his face to her. He looked no older than thirty years of age but somehow, Reina had the feeling he was much older than he had seemed. She didn’t recognize the face of the man but she still thanked him and asked for his name. “Rice,” was what he preferred to be called.

The man asked, “So what troubles you?” Reina tried to put words togethers but she kept stumbling and cutting out as she spoke, “I wanted to save my kingdom but Dragkonis is back now, and my friends are in trouble and I can’t, I mean, I feel so, so…” As she continued to struggle to find the necessary word, Rice adds in, “Powerless?” Reina jumped as he spoke the exact word she was looking for. She wondered how he knew what she was going to say that.

Rice continued, “Do you really think you are powerless?” Reina stood confused, “Yes, i mean no, I mean I don’t know anymore!” She fell to her knees and covered her head with her arms. Rice gave her a moment before speaking again.

Rice: Think back to when you first started your journey, you were alone and you weren’t very strong, but look how far you have come.

Reina: But I’m still not strong… I can barely hold a weapon let alone run without tripping on my face.

Rice: Strength comes in many different forms. It's true that you aren’t much of a fighter but there was no way your companions would have banded together without your guidance.

Reina: What do you mean?

Rice: Aboard your ship right now are fighters of all kinds: pirate, mages, martial artist, sword woman, mercenaries, royal guards, a jester, a veterinarian, a former giant, and a ogre. Almost no one could have brought this colourful group of people together. You even played a huge part in saving some of their lives.

Reina: But I couldn’t save everyone… (thinking of Leyyah)

Rice: Nothing is perfect and you can’t expect to control every outcome. Everyone is free to make their own choices, the choice they believe is the best.

Reina: Do you really think I can stop Dragkonis?

Rice: I can not say, only you can decide that.

Her mind began to clear as the negative thoughts began to dissipate from her head. She looked at the palm of her hand and then clutched it into a fist signaling a new found determination. She thanked Rice again for all his help. Rice returns a smile and begins to turn his back and fade away.

“Wait!” Reina shouted. Rice’s body was slowly disappearing but he acknowledged her call. “Who are you?” Reina asked. Rice gave a smile before he was about to disappear, “You already know…” and he vanished into thin air.