Seems like my role is over now

"Wow, Lionel! We haven't seen each other for so long!" Rosa says surprised, and runs to Lionel and grabs his hands.

Reunions are truly wonderful. I'm happy for them both that they're seeing each other again. But I would be happier if my world weren't falling apart right now. I've made it this far; I've gotten used to everyone. But my job is probably over now.

"Yes, it has been a long time! Weren't you with Cecil at the border?" Lionel asks.

"Yes, but the war is over now. And I am no longer needed."

"And Cecil, how is he doing?"

"Cecil still has some things to do. Conduct negotiations, direct the withdrawal of troops, and so on. However, it hits him hard that he can't do anything for his sister all the time." Rosa answers.

"He is as dutiful as ever. But he doesn't have to worry. We are close to saving her," Lionel says seriously.

"Nice to hear. By the way, is Caspian also here?"

"Yes, but we lost him in the crowd. He will also be happy to see you again!"

"I want to talk to you about so much," Rosa says, excited.

Then she looks at me and speaks again.

"Who is this woman?"

"That is Aria, the healer of our team. Until now she has helped us so much. Right, Aria?" Lionel says to me.

But I am so deep in thoughts that I did not react at first.

"Ah, yes! I am Aria. Nice to meet you," I say.

"I am glad that you found a replacement. I would really like to talk to you more, but I have something to do. Are you tomorrow in the city too?" Rosa asks.

"Yes, we will spend another night in the Drowning Cat inn. But we will leave tomorrow evening!" Lionel says.

"Good. Then let's meet tomorrow. See you!" She says while running away, smiling and waving.

"Ok..." Lionel says as she is nearly out of sight.

"Aria...!" Lionel starts to say.

"Let's head back and find the others." I say and walk down the bridge before he could finish his sentence.

Lionel follows me.

"Aria, are you fine?" Lionel asks.

Not really. But I can't explain it to him.

"Here you are!" Knox shouts and walks, waving with Sisli on his shoulder, to us.

Caspian is also with them.

"I will go back to the inn," I say to them.

"Did you mess up?" Caspian whispers to Lionel.

"What? No. I didn't do anything!" Lionel shouts irritated to Caspian.

"Being yourself can be enough of a reason..." Caspian says, slightly joking and condescending.

I walk past the others and walk back to the inn.

"Your name was Aria, wasn't it? Where are your friends?" Iris asks me, who serves some guests as I enter the inn.

"They will come soon. I am sleepy, so I came back first!" I say and go upstairs.

I enter my room. I look at the teddy that Lionel gave me, but then I lay it down on the bedside table. I start to pack my bag. I should prepare to leave. Just in case.

It knocks on the door. Fast, I throw my bag under the bed.

"Is everything fine?" Sisli asks who enters the room.

"Yes. I am just a bit sleepy," I say.

"Really? you can talk to me about everything!" She says.

"What would you think, if another healer did my job instead? I mean, I am a witch. I don't fit in this job anyway..."

"What are you talking about? You are a great healer. Why would someone exchange you?"

"It was never intended for me to become the healer. And once the mission is completed, I'll disappear anyway. After all, I can't hide my true identity forever."

"I don't know why you would think like that. But you are here because you are meant to be here. Everything has its meaning. So stop thinking like that."

"I will think about it," I say, as I don't want to deepen the conversation.

How can everything be meant to be when the story should be another? But why am I here anyway? Everything is so complicated. I lie down in my bed, close my eyes, and start to sleep.

I find myself in the dark forest again. Slowly, the fog rises around me again. I stand in a clearing. The fog thickens before me. Lionel, Knox, Caspian, and Rosa appear in front of me. The original cast.

They stand before me with their weapons drawn.

"What are you doing here?" I shout.

But they don't respond and just start to attack me.

I dodge one attack after the other. As I don't want to hit them. They are not real, but it would feel wrong in any way.

"Stop it!" I shout. But it is useless.

I fall down. Lionel stands in front of me and swings his sword.

"Nooo...!" I shout.

But then all of them crumble to dust. What happens here? Then a dark figure appears in front of me. I jump to my feet.

"Do you understand now? You can't change who you are!" the figure says with a dark voice.

"Who are you?" I ask.

The dark figure disappears in dark smog and appears next to me.

"You forgot about me? The mage who made you the way you are. You should stop pretending that you have a choice and accept your role! I make the decisions for you, don't forget that." He says, holding something shining in his hand.

He clenches his hand into a fist and smothers the glowing object in his hand. I feel a sharp stabbing pain in my chest, and my breath catches. Shocked, I wake up and look around me.

I have a really bad feeling. If this wasn't just a dream, then it's going to be harder for me to defeat the magician of the north than I thought. I absolutely have to resist his power. When did everything go wrong...?

"Aria, you're awake too. Come on, let's have breakfast!" Sisli says, smiling.

"Yeah...of course," I say hesitantly.

We get ready and head downstairs. It's bustling again. Probably because today is the last day of the festival, everyone is particularly cheerful.

"There are the Others!" Sisli says while pointing at the others who are already sitting at a table.

And they are not alone. Rosa is also sitting at the table. I really don't need such surprises in the morning. Then let's get it over with. We go over to the others.

"Good morning? Who are you?" Sisli asks, irritated.

"Hello, little one, I am Rosa, the priestess and an old friend of Lionel and Caspian. Nice to meet you!"

"Little one? I am Sisli!" she says tough.

"Oh sorry, I know. They told me everything about you," she says, smiling.

Sisli lifts her right eyebrow and just looks at her.

"Hello, Aria. It is nice to see you again!"

"It is nice to see you too!" I say, smiling.

I don't feel like smiling right now, but I should present myself well.

"You know each other?" Sisli asks, irritated.

"We met yesterday for the first time," I say to Sisli.

"Come on, sit down, you two." Rosa says, smiling.

I forgot that she is the always happy and I will do anything for the common good type.
That's the reason why she was such a good match for Lionel in the novel. Although he has also changed.

"What will you do now that the war on the border is over?" Caspian asks.

"I am not sure... Let's talk about something else. Why don't we hang out together today?"

"Sure, Rosa!" Caspian says, smiling.

After breakfast and listening to how Rosa and Caspian reminisce about old times, we go out, and everyone follows the charismatic Rosa, who happily walks to the marketplace.

"What are they doing there?" Sisli asks.

In the marketplace is some kind of stage built up. The curtains are closed, and people are gathering around the stage.

"One part of the festival is the traditional performance of a play," Knox answers Sisli.

"Which play?" I ask, interested.

"The play is named "The Holy Knight" and is performed every year at the festival, I was told," Caspians say.

"Yeah, it is a story about a selfless hero who fights against an evil witch who has cursed the land. I saw the play a few years ago. A truly captivating story. Isn't that great?" says Rosa.

A hero who fights against an evil witch... What else? A truly fitting story...