The Lost Story

Chapter 1- Renata

Run! Faster! Faster! Run faster, please, legs, I must run faster. My chest burned, tears and sweat ran down my face. “Get her!” something roared in the darkness, causing me to push myself harder. “Renata! Renata, a voice that sounded familiar, called to me. “Renata, follow me.” Looking around as I continued to run, I didn’t see anyone. “Renata,” it called out to me again. “Where are you?” I called back, but I saw nothing but the darkness that was chasing me. “Don’t look back! Keep your eyes on me,” the familiar voice called out again. “Where are you? Who are you?” I screamed out, not knowing where to run. “She is mine!” something in the darkness screamed. It’s going to get me! It’s going to get me! Faster! Please feet! Please move faster! “Renata, keep your eyes on me,” the voice called out once again. “Where are you? Please!” I cried out, tears rushing down my face as I could feel the darkness nipping at the back of my heels. Then I saw it, a light. A boy covered in light began to run toward me. “Renata!” he screamed. I couldn’t see his face, but the voice. The voice... I know that voice. My feet faltered for a second in relief at seeing the light. “She is mine!” a roar came from the darkness that sent fear to my inner man. I couldn’t move. My feet, my heart, I.. I can't move. Don’t look back. Don’t look. I repeat as I felt my body turning without my control to whatever was in the darkness. No! No! Feet go to the voice! Go to the light! I screamed at my non-responsive body. “Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!” the darkness continued to scream and chat around me. “Renata!” the familiar voice called out to me as the darkness began to suffocate me. No, the light. I need to get to the light. I need to get to the voice. The light… the voice… I need to get to the voice. I need to return to the voice.

“Renata! Earth to Renata!” jumping up at the sound of a familiar voice. What was that? I looked around at my surroundings, trying to calm my racing heart. “Renata! What’s wrong?” Isami's voice hit my ears. Looking into her face, I saw her purple eyes staring at me with concern. “Huh, what?” I asked, not knowing how to respond to her question. “You’re crying and sweating; what's going on?” she says, wiping my tears. I didn’t even know I was crying. “I… I might have fallen asleep,” I said, still trying to process my surroundings. “I see that. What I'm asking you is, are you okay?” she asked, rubbing my arm. “Yes, I... I guess it was just a bad dream. Honestly, I don’t even remember much. I just felt like I was being chased,” I signed, falling onto my back. “Well, it could be the nerves. Maybe you're just nervous about the ceremony,” she says, smiling down at me. Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. “Yes, possibly,” I said, gazing at the black sky. Not a star in sight, just darkness staring back at me. “Soo, about that ceremony. Your father and mother have demanded that you be ready in the next 30 minutes, or…” she trailed off. “How long ago was that demand made?” I asked, already standing up. “You have 15 minutes left, so...” “What do you mean?” They are going to kill me.” I jumped to my feet, rushing to the latter. “Well, I have been trying to wake you for the past 10 minutes,” she said, laughing as I ran full speed to get ready.

“You look beautiful, my daughter,” my father says, opening the door for me as I rush to the car. “She would look even more beautiful if she were on time.” My mother called out as I slid to the far side of the carriage. “My apologies, mother. I just needed a moment, before I knew it I was trapped in this strange dream and...” I began to say before she silenced me with a lift of her hand. “No excuses. Your behavior requires correction. You are the Reina; you must start acting accordingly,” she says, scolding me. “My daughter has all of her life to fulfill her duties as Reina; she is only young once in life. A little rest and free time will not hurt anyone, let her enjoy her time,” my father says, embracing me. “That’s why you are my favorite,” I whispered, causing him to chuckle. “I heard that,” came my mother's a voice as I watched her head pop into the car. “So, are you ready, Natia?” she says, taking my mother's hand before kissing her on the cheek. I watched as my mother melted into Mother Via's arms. Whatever spell she puts on that woman always seems to calm her down, and at this moment, I welcome it. “As ready as I will ever be,” I replied as Isami closed the door to the carriage. “So, what were you saying about a dream?” my father whispered to me. “Well, it was a very odd. I can’t really remember much, but I felt I was in danger. I remember running, and someone calling me. It was really strange.” I say, trying to dig through my memories. “Hmm, that is interesting,” he says, glancing at my mother. “Have you taken your tonic today?” Mother Via asks, looking between my parents. “Yes, I have,” I replied, rolling my eyes. I have been taking that disgusting thing every day for as long as I can remember; why would she even question me? “Well, we will see if we can increase the dosage,” Via says. I nodded, rolling my eyes. This would be the third time this year they have increased my dosage; it gets worse each time. I signed, closing my eyes as the carriage finally began to move. “Renata, don’t think I am done with you,” Mother says, trying to destroy the little peace I was trying to have. I nodded as she went on and on about how I needed to become the greatest Reina. At some point in her speech, I just let my mind drift, disregarding the conversation. It was the same conversation since I was first chosen for the position of Reina.

It was nine years ago today that I was chosen as Reina. I try not to dwell on that day; it would likely be the highlight of most people's lives. As for me, it was the day I found myself trapped in a role that I never wanted. I was selected in my fourth year as a potential candidate for either the Aela or La Yarham role. Being so young, I was not informed much about my candidacy at the time. At that time, all I knew was that the roles of Aela or even La Yarham were highly sought after, and my mother ensured I would be selected, no matter the cost. I remember Mother and Via being excited and celebrating the announcement of my candidacy. Like the young fool I was, I fed into their excitement. I had the desire to make them both proud. Day in and day out, Mother and Via consistently tried to drill into me what they believed would make me the perfect candidate for either role. When the trials finally came, let’s say I despised the idea of taking either Aela or La Yarham.