[Caregivers] Prompt 2

Alowyn let whatever was going to happen, happen. She wasn’t afraid of which memory might come to the surface, there were very few that would be painful to watch. So, she assumed that she would see something joyful when her vision began to blur. Though, she wondered if the magic of the cavern would pull from some memory that was shared between her and the two vayrons in her company. 

Garmr and Herja worried what sort of memory would be conjured by the magic in the cavern. They had been alive for so long, stalking various creatures through wars, the memory could be anything. However, they hoped that with Alowyn present it would limit the memories to the ones shared with the young empyrian. 

The three reoseans calmly waited as the cavern shifted to the floating islands of Vitalus. It was easy to tell which of these memories they were about to witness because it was recent. The moment Herja and Garmr met Alowyn. 

“Oh, I like this one,” Alowyn quietly laughed. 

Garmr as always couldn’t fathom why this was a good memory, but Herja had a suspicion Alowyn found joy in this memory because it led her to them and in turn this adventure. Herja assumed, correctly, how Alowyn perceived this unexpected meeting. 

Though no one tried, their present-day voices were silenced as the magic pulled a clearer version of the islands above The Beneath. The three companions waited patiently as the memory wavered into view slowly becoming clearer and clearer until finally Alowyn appeared flying in the skies. 

This past version of Alowyn was smiling brightly as she flew through the clouds and weaved through the islands. She was humming to herself enjoying the feeling of the sun on her back. Alowyn was completely lost in her thoughts when she was suddenly pulled from her daydreaming by a series of screams and shouts. 

From Herja and Garmr’s perspective, they were in the middle of a job hunting down some war criminals. They had located them nearby hiding under new identities. The pair was excited to finally finish this month-long hunt, they both felt it was taking too long to wrap up. So when they found the criminals they didn’t waste any time they immediately jumped into action. 

The screams and shouts Alowyn heard were from the criminals, but she didn’t know that when she swooped down to one of the forest floating islands. She intercepted the fight and tried to de-escalate the situation. 

Herja and Garmr were furious they were being interrupted, they tried to explain to Alowyn that these were criminals, they were dangerous. But, Alowyn wasn’t sure what to believe because the criminals were yelling about their innocence. It wasn’t until one of the criminals grabbed a hold of Alowyn to use as a hostage that Alowyn knew who to believe. Garmr looked like he was about to blow up from the frustration of the unnecessary situation. While Herja was worried the empyrian would be hurt by her unexpected involvement. 

Alowyn laughed the whole time, she knew her strength, but it was clear that Herja and Garmr underestimated her. This was the experience that truly solidified Garmr’s judgment of Alowyn, happy no matter how dire the situation and he found it infuriating. It’s what drove him to constantly test her limits. However, Herja judged the empyrian from a different angle and it was one of admiration. 

“Let me go,” The past version of Alowyn said once the laughter died down. 

“You don’t seem to grasp the situation you're in,” The criminal holding her hostage said. 

“Oh, I understand,” Alowyn chuckled, “I just think it’s silly.”

“Don’t antagonize him!” The memory version of Garmr growled. 

Garmr missed that Alowyn was already using her magic, but Herja caught it. The vines and roots slowly make their way around the criminal. When the roots were in place, they snapped around the criminal immobilizing him as Alowyn slipped out of his grasp with a laugh. 

“See, nothing to worry about,” Alowyn chirped. 

Garmr huffed, exhausted, and lowered his head to the ground as Herja smiled at their new acquaintance. 

“I even tied up the others,” Alowyn said, pointing to the other criminals who had been trying to sneak away. 

“Thank you for the help,” Herja laughed. 

Herja introduced herself and her partner to Alowyn. 

“Sorry for making a mess of your plan,” Alowyn said after she introduced herself. 

“It’s no bother,” Herja insisted, “They’re caught either way.”

“Speak for yourself,” Garmr growled, “That was dangerous and reckless.”

Alowyn smiled and just shrugged, “Thanks for your worry, but I can handle myself better than most!”

Garmr growled again, but did nothing besides deny he was worried about the little empyrian. 

The memory wavered as if it was shifting to another and at this moment the present-day reoseans could find their voices. 

“Aw, that was a good one,” Alowyn’s voice wavered with the distortion magic, “We should watch another one.”

“I’m good without,” Garmr grumbled. 

Herja laughed as they all fell silent again. 

[841]