Metanoia (4 page)

They continued on the petal-and-leaf-covered
road meeting many inhabitants on the way. Every time another
Nythagién spotted them, however, they stared at Gina with such
reverie that she began to feel even more uncomfortable. A certain
woman had even kissed Gina’s hand when she held it out to
shake.

“
How do you like it?”
Fheyrhil asked Gina, studying her from the corner of his
eye.

“
I love it! This is just
like a wonderful utopia!” she exclaimed.

“
Yes, it is. It’s a
wonderful place, isn’t it?” Leyance agreed.

“
Indeed it is. Better than
your daydreams, Regina?” Fheyrhil added. Gina spun around and
looked at him, shocked.

“
How did you know,,,?” she
asked.

“
Ah, my dear child, you
will come to learn that I know a great deal about you.”

“
But how can that
be…?”

“
In time, my dear, in time
you will know,” explained he. “In a few hours, I am holding a
counsel in which I mean for you to attend. That way you can meet a
few more of the council, and I can present you to them.” Gina
nodded and continued to look around. After a few seconds she turned
to Leyance.

“
I don’t understand
something, though…” she started.

“
Yes?”

“
I know you said that we
arrived here through that haze, the gateway, but how did this place
come into being? I mean, do people know about this
place?”

Leyance smiled. “No, no one in your world
knows about this land, besides those who are Nythagiéns themselves
living there, that is. You see, in the beginning of time we all
lived in your world. Back then, there were three groups of people:
those only purely good, those whom were purely evil, and those who
were mixed. Those purely good saw that humans did not appreciate
their gift of this world. They saw others destroying themselves and
each other and couldn’t take it. They always had had a belief that
something else was out there – I’m sure you’ve had the feeling.
Everyone does, everyone knows that there is something more, but few
trust that feeling, few trust themselves and faith alone. These
people did, though, and they found what they knew to be there. They
found this land and moved here to create a perfect world. But, of
course, nothing can be perfect can it? Those humans who were evil
followed them. There resulted a huge battle of good versus evil.
Eventually the good claimed this land, Nythagié, and a few others.
The evil were left to roam and eventually settle in other areas. So
you see, no one in your world is purely good or purely evil,
despite many preconceived notions, for those who possessed the
extremes moved here. One extreme, it has come to be proven, cannot
exist without the other. There are even those who possess both
extremes, however confusing that might sound. Yet, to be purely
good means to be perfect and perfection cannot truly exist. There
will always be flaws, and that’s what makes everything even more
beautiful. Even we are no longer purely good. Evil has affected us
as well, just not as much as it sometimes affected those humans in
your world. The evil beings, however, have never been more purely
evil than they are now. Instead of becoming more mixed, they become
more of their extreme. Their hate began to consume them and, with
no enemies there but each other, they turned to some sort of
self-mutilation. They became creatures, monsters, and the human
side vanished forever. That is why we must be extremely careful and
be ready for battle with very little notice.”

“
Oh,”
Gina whispered. It seemed to her like a very elementary response to
such an advanced explanation but it was all just too much to take
in. Gina felt lost. She loved what she saw and knew she could feel
at ease here, but so many questions encircled her mind.
What am I doing here? How do they know me? Were
those Übels after me? What did they want? Are they the purely evil
creatures Leyance spoke of? What is happening back in my world? Are
those creatures still there? Are my friends alright? How long will
I have to stay here? What will I have to do? These people are good
right? They won’t hurt me? What is going on? And why is Leyance
staring at me?!
She had turned to catch
Leyance looking at her. A million thoughts seemed to be going
through his head as well. She was about to ask what but the woman
whom had earlier kissed Gina’s hand now came up to
them.

“
Excuse me,” she started.
“I was wondering if I could give the lady a token of my joy for her
re…” she glanced at Fheyrhil. “For her visit,” she completed. Gina
wondered what she was about to say before she had caught her
mistake. She didn’t have much time to think however, for Fheyrhil
nodded and the woman produced a crown made of flowers, sparkling in
the light. Gina gasped at the beauty that had been created just by
using simple flowers. The woman stepped forward and lovingly placed
the crown on Gina’s head.

“
Thank you so much. It’s
beautiful!” Gina exclaimed, hoping she had a mirror to look into.
Fheyrhil guessed her thought immediately.

“
Thank you, Esmeralda,” he
said, and then he turned to Gina. “Regina, follow me, let us see
how well you look.” Gina followed him to the water’s front and
gazed in. The crystal clear water smiled back at her in her
likeness. The crown rested on her brown curls making them glow with
the flowers’ gentle radiance.

“
The crown looks like it
was always meant to be there, does it not?” Fheyrhil inquired, but
Gina didn’t answer. The eerie fact was it did.

Gina was beginning to get familiar with
feeling uncomfortable, but the council was by far the worst
experience since her strange arrival. She sat at the long council
table with Fheyrhil separated from her by one empty chair. Silver
plates filled with exotic-looking food sat in front of each place,
but Gina couldn’t eat. She tried to listen to the rest of the many
members who were talking amongst themselves as they emptied their
plates. Besides Fheyrhil, Gina only recognized Elenzel. He was the
blond man who had helped rescue her. Being surrounded by so many
strangers made her feel uncomfortable.

Very frequently Gina would jump at hearing
her name being mentioned in side conversations. Over the course of
the last half an hour, Gina had shifted to a slouching position
while all the others sat with perfect posture. Despite this city’s
magnificence, there was something to be said concerning their
restrictive nature. She had now completely given up eavesdropping
on conversations that might hopefully hold the key to her
attendance in this land, and instead only tried to keep awake. With
her head cradled in her hand, she prayed for something more
exciting to keep her from drifting off into dreamland. Gina had
already taken in too much for one day, and it seemed that she was
the only one who could see the sky darken and the hours pass.

Her flower crown still rested on her head,
and she began to finger it abstractedly as she tried to sort out
all the new information she had received since the attack. But no
matter how hard she tried, she just could not concentrate. The
increasing acceptance of information had caused her brain to simply
shut down. Perhaps it was doing so as a defense mechanism in order
to keep her from going everywhere at once from the intake of too
much. As the cool sense of indifference flowed through her, calming
all the nerves she knew should be screaming out for understanding,
she was aware that before long she would be made to understand. It
seemed that she alone would have to deal with whatever lie ahead.
No one would be able to help her. She knew when that happened, that
she might not be able to take it. Her thoughts were suddenly
interrupted as she felt the warming presence of someone placing
himself in the empty chair next to her.

“
How are you doing? Bored
out of your mind yet?” asked Leyance. She sat up quickly. Gina
tried to smile, but it was a weak one. Leyance laughed quietly at
her expression which told him that his assumption was
correct.

“
I’m surviving, but some
answers to all this would be greatly appreciated,” Gina mumbled,
her head back in her hand. Leyance smiled.

“
I know. I would tell you
myself, but I was given strict orders not to.” He paused. “Do you
know the expression ‘ignorance is bliss’? My advice to you is to
enjoy not knowing while you still can. Things will only get more
complicated.” He started to eat his plate of food and noticed
Gina’s. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“
Uh, what is it?” she
asked, poking the food with her fork.

“
Nothing you’re used to,
I’m sure. We have a special diet here that supports long life. Our
food has all natural ingredients but with a slightly magical flare
to it. Eat it, it’ll still be warm. It doesn’t get cold.” He
continued to dig into his food so Gina followed his example. She
slowly grabbed some food with her fork and brought to her mouth. An
instant warm, delicious sensation slid down her throat. It was by
far the best thing she had ever tasted. Its flavor was beyond
words.

“
It’s delicious!” she
exclaimed.

“
I knew you’d like
it.”

Gina smiled and continued to eat. She’d
forgotten just how hungry she was. Soon her plate was empty along
with the rest, and Fheyrhil took the break to begin. He stood and
addressed the crowd.

“
As you know, we have a
very special guest joining us. It is my pride and privilege to
introduce to you, Regina Cassidy.” He motioned to Gina who sat up
in her chair. “Though, of course, you know her already. She should
find assistance from anyone at anything she requests. She is to be
treated with the utmost respect. Now, however, we will continue on
with business, for I am afraid we have gotten off to a late start.”
He sat down and shifted through his many pieces of parchment lying
in front of him. Yet, as he did so, Elenzel stood up to address
him.

“
With all due respect,” he
began. “Should we not discuss the prophecy? Regina’s prophecy that
is?” Fheyrhil jumped at this mention as did Gina.

“
What prophecy? What does
it say?” she asked, hurriedly.

“
Not now, Elenzel. We will
not yet discuss that,” Fheyrhil stated towards the man still
standing.

“
Why not?” Gina countered.
“Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but you haven’t told me anything. I
deserve to know if there is something written about me.”

“
Regina…”

“
Is that the reason
everyone knows me? Is it because of this prophecy? What does it say
that I am supposed to do?”

“
Regina, it is not the
right time.”

“
Will it ever be? Now is as
good a time as any. You’ve basically kidnapped me to bring me here.
Does it say that I am supposed to be someone? Because I seriously
don’t know any of you so it must be a mistake…”

“
Regina!” Fheyrhil roared.
Gina stopped dead in her sentence. Suddenly she realized what she
had just done. She had crossed the line and had been rude to the
very person who had been so kind to her and appeared to only be
trying to help her. After all, they did save her life.

“
Gina, maybe it’s time for
you to get some sleep,” Leyance coaxed. “After all, you’ve had a
hard day. I’ll escort her to her room, Fheyrhil.” He nodded in
agreement to Leyance’s suggestion.

“
Very well, goodnight,
Regina,” Fheyrhil acknowledged. Gina slowly stood but as she did
so, the rest of the council stood as well, each saying goodnight.
It startled Gina.

“
I’m sorry, Fheyrhil, I
didn’t mean to be rude,” Gina whispered as she passed him. “You
people saved my life, so I should be grateful.”

“
Do not worry about it, my
dear. The stress is just simply getting to you. I knew it would
eventually. Leyance is right, you need sleep. Goodnight, and do not
worry, you did not offend.” Gina nodded and walked out with
Leyance.

When they silently entered her room, Gina
went straight to the bed and sat down against a post. Leyance went
to the window and looked out at the water whose twinkling lights
shone out, floating underneath the small waves. They stayed in
peace for a long while but eventually Leyance broke the
silence.

“
I’m sorry,” he
declared.

“
Why are you
sorry?”

“
For the pain you’re in.
You think I don’t see how much you’re suffering? I wanted you to
come here… as did everyone – more than anything. Yet, maybe it
would have been better if you hadn’t come.” He continued to stare
out the window, perhaps not having enough strength to look Gina in
the eyes.

“
I don’t understand. I
don’t understand anything. Why won’t anyone tell me what’s going
on? I’m so…”

“
Afraid, confused,
worried?” he interrupted, walking up to her. “I would be
too.”

Building up confidence again, Gina spoke.
“You say you’re sorry for the trouble this is causing me, so are
you going to help me?” He looked up at Gina and the beauty his eyes
possessed shocked her.

“
What
can
I
do to help?” he asked quietly and sincerely. He leaned in as he
talked to her, making her slightly move backwards. It was so
obvious to Gina how much he cared and truly wanted to ease the
tension, but those eyes hypnotized her and that scared her. She
looked away as she spoke.