I think that Rydia is a lot like Terra from Final Fantasy VI. They are both magic weilding, strong characters who overcome their fears (Rydia of fire, Terra of her own past) to help everyone. Rydia helps get everyone to Fabul by using her magic to melt the blocks of ice. Terra uses her power for everyone. She truly wants to help, even though helping them causes her own magical power to diminish.
I actually think there is a lot more between these two, as you can see if you read this page.
