The earlier confidence disappeared from Alister’s eyes. He doubled his efforts, desperately searching his memory for any shred of information that might hold the key.
“Perhaps… a thought?”
Terra’s deep voice echoed, a touch of disappointment in her tone.
“Wrong again lad. You have one final attempt.”
Alister squeezed his eyes shut, picturing the riddle again. “Always coming, but never arriving… always present, but never here…” He needed to think outside the box. What could possibly fit all these seemingly contradictory descriptions?
Suddenly, something clicked. His eyes snapped open, a grin spreading across his face.
“The future.”
“It’s always coming, but it never truly arrives. It’s always present, a possibility hanging in the air, but it’s not here yet. And of course, it’s always moving forward, constantly becoming the present, but never truly traveling anywhere.”
Terra’s blue eyes gleamed with respect.
“Indeed, lad,” she said, a touch of warmth in her voice.
“The future. An apt answer. You are not only only strong but also sharp-minded.”
“Now, for the last one.”
“Also the most important.”
“I am always needed, but never in haste.
I am always a virtue, but never a waste.
I am always calm, but never rushed.
And without me, ideas, and the future, could all be for naught, for with me, a ruler shall find what is sought. What am I?”
Alister stroked his chin, thinking deeply.
The riddle hung in the air, a puzzle for Alister to untangle. It spoke of a quality needed to navigate both the potential of ideas and the uncertainties of the future. He furrowed his brow, a thoughtful expression on his face.
‘Something needed, but never in haste, meaning its existence is important but should never be rushed; a virtue that can never be wasted, no matter the scenario. Without it, ideas and the future might not come to fruition.’
‘Careful planning always allows for plans to be properly executed. Terra’s inclusion of a ruler must signify it is something every ruler must possess.’
‘This means one cannot be seen as a ruler without it. It is not a crown, for not all rulers wear crowns, nor is it a weapon or equipment.
‘Like ideas and the future, it must be something non-physical, and it is something one can possess, meaning it is a state of mind or mental quality.’
Ideas, the future – both required careful handling and planning. Decisions made under pressure could lead to wasted resources and poorly executed plans. But what quality allowed a leader to navigate the unknown with a steady hand?
He looked into Terra’s deep blue eyes, a smile spreading across his face.
“Patience.” Alister said softly.
“Patience is what you seek. A ruler, acting under pressure, might rush an idea into a flawed reality, or make decisions based on fear of an uncertain future. Patience allows a leader to nurture ideas, to plan for the future without being consumed by its unknowns. It allows them to seize the right opportunity, not the first one.”
A satisfied look could be seen in Terra’s eyes.
“Indeed, lad.”
“Patience, like a gardener tending his crop, is a quality any true ruler must possess. You have not only answered my riddles correctly, but you have also demonstrated the wisdom to lead. You are worthy to be my master.”
“If I may be so bold, Young lord. Could you give your name?” Terra asked, her tone calm and measured as she spoke.
“It’s Alister.” Alister said with a smile.
Terra smiled at his words, “Alister, truly a wonderful name fitting of a wise ruler.”
Terra slowly bowed her head as her voice echoed once more, “Terra pays her respects to the successor.”
—
Alister’s vision suddenly snapped back open, the desert moonlight piercing his eyelids. He found himself lying on the sand, feeling exhausted. The first thing he saw was the massive form of Cinder looming above, her red eyes filled with concern.
“My lord.”
“You collapsed. I thought perhaps the battle had taken more out of you than you realized.” The colossal drake slowly pulled back, giving Alister some space to recover. His mind was still
fuzzy, the remnants of the mind realm clinging to him like cobwebs.
“Ah, Cinder,” he mumbled, blinking away the lingering effects of the summoning.
“Don’t worry, it seems I just pushed myself a little too hard.”
He hadn’t even noticed his physical body succumbing to exhaustion while he was back in the mind realm.
‘It seems performing summoning leaves me unconscious as my conscious mind enters the mind realm.’
‘I didn’t really take notice because it first happened in the comfort of the hospital.’
‘This means I’m vulnerable whenever I perform a summoning. I should never attempt it in the heat of battle. Or maybe next time, I’ll have a dragon keep watch like Cinder did.’
“I apologize for making you worry.”
He said, forcing a weak smile.
“It seems I was performing another summoning.”
Cinder’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Another summoning?”
“Another dragon?”
Alister shook his head, feeling exhausted.
“No time to explain now, Cinder. I need to rest. Please, return.”
“Understood, my lord,” she replied, bowing her massive head respectfully.
Her body shimmered, slowly dissolving into shards of tiny red light before vanishing
completely.
Left alone, Alister called out to the system.
“Alright system, I’ve completed the quest. Take me home already.”
The system suddenly materialized with a message.
[Gate Opening].
A shimmering yellow rift tore through the fabric of reality just a few paces away.
With a sigh, Alister pushed himself to his feet, his body screaming in pain.
“Man, I am beat,” Alister said, stretching his arms and then whirling them.
“Looks like all that food burned out completely tonight. Guess I’ll just have to whip up something else when I get back.”
He walked towards the rift, the thought of a warm bed and a proper meal filling his mind. As
he stepped through the portal, the harsh desert landscape disappeared around him, replaced by the familiar sight of his cozy apartment.