Chapter Thirty-Eight – Self Reflection

“Listen to me, you will never be happy.” Gina tells the young man, “The great one doesn’t know everything.”

“I don’t know what to think.” The young man answers.

Gina thinks for a moment. Then she grabs the hand of the great one and they both disappear. They reappear in a small dimly lit hut. An older great one is trying to light a fire. Back when he had his magic, he could use that to light the fire but that was a long time ago. The great one looks at the older version of himself, who is still unaware that he has guests.

“Go on” Gina coaxes the young version, “He cold. You can help him.”

“Why can’t he help himself.” The younger great one asks.

“He lost the ability to use magic a long time ago.” Gina says, “Have some compassion.”

The younger great one looks at his older self-struggle. He waits for several more minutes. The older version is so wrapped up in trying to start a fire that he is completely oblivious to the fact he is not alone. The younger great one makes a gesture with his hands and the fire lights.

This event startles the older version. He turns around and is faced with himself and a woman he doesn’t recognize.

“Who are you?” The older version asks.

“I’m you” The younger version declares.

“You can perform magic?” The older version asks.

“Yes.” The younger version replies.

“How is this possible?” The older version continues.

“How did you lose your magic?” The younger version asks.

“My apprentice and I didn’t see eye to eye, and he took my magic from me.” The older version answers.

“How did he do that?” The younger version inquires.

“I don’t know but you must not train him.” The older version warns.

“Why?” The younger version asks.

“Because he starts a war that will consume the entire world.” The older man answers.

“This woman wants to take your apprentices magic away.” The younger man offers.

“Let her do it!” The older man says, “Don’t oppose her. She is the one from the dream that stops the war.” The old man sits down in a chair near the fire to warm himself. Gina grabs the younger man’s hands and they disappear again.

They appear on the plain where Mark had his battle. The field is strewn with dead bodies. The great one is repulsed by the sight.

“This is where a great battle took place. Your apprentice is responsible for all these lives lost.” Gina explains.

“I failed.” The great one said, “This apprentice that I take on, I fail him.”

“He is happy the way he is now, he is part of a community that cares about him. You take him away from all that. If you allow me to take his ability to use magic away. This war never happens, and he lives a happy life.” Gina explains.

“I want to see him, the way he is now.” The great one requests. Gina takes his hand, and they disappear again. They reappear in a chamber in her own castle. The leader, who used to be the great one’s apprentice, the sleeping.

“Time to wake up” the great one says, as he finishes speaking, the leader awakens. He sees his old master and the girl.

“What kind of trick is this?” The leader asks Gina.

“I wanted your old master to see what has become of you.” Gina answers.

“You are the woman from my dreams. The one who opposes me.” The leader acknowledges, “Why bring him here?”

“Because he has not decided to train you yet.” Gina answers, “Before he does, I wanted him to see what happens to you.” Gina grabs the hand of the leader and the great one’s hand and they all disappear. They reappear in front of the young man.

“This is what you become if you don’t let me take away your magic.” Gina declares.

“What?!” the leader says, “You can’t take away my magic, I won’t let you.”

“Go ahead,” Gina tells the young man,” Ask him what he’s done.”

“What is she talking about?” The young man asks the leader.

“The dreams” The leader says,” The dreams where you see an army sweeping over the world, that is your army. You hear the people of the world calling out for help and you use this army to free them. When the whole world is under our control. There will be peace, and everyone will be happier. This woman is the one who you see in the dream who takes it all away.”

“I don’t know what happens because I always wake up before the dream ends.” The young man claims.

“When you should all see the end of the dream.” Gina declares. She touches all three of them and they all fall asleep.

They all had a dream.

They all saw the wonders of the kingdoms of the world. As these kingdom’s glory passed before them, their glory was swallowed up by a large army that swept over the earth. The army destroyed everything in its path. A madman led this army. The young man saw for the first time, that the madman was himself. As the army was approaching victory, a woman appeared to oppose him. A great sorceress. The two engaged in battle. As the dust settled, the woman who opposed him was bound in chains and cast down.