Chapter 3: Going to Tarvernia? - Illyanna's Perspective
As we sauntered back towards our home, I couldn't contain my excitement anymore. Bolting towards my brother Max, I threw my arms around him tightly, tears of joy trickling down my face.
"Max, I can't thank you enough!" I managed to get out between choked sobs, my chest filled to bursting with joy at how he had convinced our parents to make time for us. The memory of our playtime still glowed brightly in my heart.
In response, Max knelt down, meeting me at my eye level. He returned my hug, his steady heartbeat a comforting presence against my ear. "Illyanna," he murmured, his voice warm, "I promise, I'll be there for you, for all of us. I will become a hero who brings our family closer, no matter what."
Drawing back, Max held out his fist to me, a silent invitation hanging in the air between us. With a wide, beaming smile, I bumped my small fist against his. Our shared laughter echoed around us, a joyful chorus resonating with our renewed bond.
From a distance, I noticed Matterinna watching us, a peaceful smile on her face. Her worries for our family seemed to have faded away with Max's transformation, replaced with hopeful relief.
Night eventually draped its dark veil over our home, prompting Matterinna to set the table for our dinner. Her cooking, as always, was nothing short of a feast, delighting our taste buds.
Before we could dive into the feast, Matterinna began the usual pre-meal prayers. To my surprise, Max hesitated, asking for guidance since he didn't seem to know the prayers.
Delighted at his interest, Matterinna eagerly guided him through the prayers. I watched them from the sidelines, marveling at the changes in Max. His determination for self-improvement was like a beacon, casting a new, positive light on him.
Following our meal, we gathered in the living room, our nightly ritual of storytime awaiting us. At my request, Matterinna summoned a book seemingly out of thin air. Max's surprised expression drew my attention.
"Max, why are you surprised?" I asked, perplexed. "You've seen her do that countless times before."
He responded in a soft, almost awestruck voice, "I've never seen magic before." His hand quickly shot up to cover his mouth, as if he'd said something he wasn't supposed to. His cheeks were tinged with a hint of red.
In the ensuing confusion, Matterinna finally stepped in, suggesting that Max must've hit his head pretty hard to forget something so basic. Max laughed awkwardly, agreeing with her and then, nervously suggested visiting Agnes the next day.
Max's next question threw us off balance once again. "Who's Agnes?" The words hung heavily in the air. Hurriedly, I explained that Agnes was the blue-haired, messy-looking girl with the captivating dark blue eyes – a young yet skilled druid.
Matterinna picked up the thread, praising Agnes's potent healing abilities despite her tender age of 10. Max seemed awestruck, nodding with an impressed look on his face.
Spurred by this conversation, I asked Matterinna to narrate a story about Agnes for our bedtime story. As we nestled onto the couch, Matterinna began to weave the tale of the young druid.
In the Enchanted Forest of Alice, Agnes lived alone, her druidic existence more fate than choice. A solitary figure, her family was the sprawling forest, the flitting fauna, and the whispering flora, all of whom she could commune with freely. Her potent healing abilities were well-known, and anyone in dire need could seek her out, provided their intentions were pure. Those with ill will, however, met an unknown, ominous fate.
As the tale drew to a close, Matterinna looked up to find Max and me fast asleep, our dreams undoubtedly filled with images of magical forests and a brave young druid named Agnes.
Upon awakening, I found myself nestled in the familiarity of our shared bedroom. From the day of my birth, Max and I had been constant companions, our bond growing within these four walls.
As the morning light infiltrated the room, the birds' merry chirping served as a melodic prelude to the new day. The sunlight, sneaking past the curtains, painted the room in a soft, golden glow.
Stretching luxuriously, I yawned and lazily slid out of my bed. Glancing over at Max's bed, my brow furrowed. Max was still sleeping, an unusual sight indeed.
Ordinarily, he would be up and about before the sun had barely risen, heading for Tarvernia without a word to anyone. Even Matterinna, the early riser that she was, could hardly ever catch a glimpse of him leaving.
A wave of curiosity swept over me as I ambled over to Max's bed, intending to rouse him. Gently shaking him, I called out, "Max, wake up!"
After a few grumbling protests, Max began to stir, mumbling something about comic books, anime, and homework in his drowsy state. Puzzled, I brushed it off as one of those cryptic 'adult things.'
Finally, Max's eyes fluttered open, surprise apparent in his groggy gaze as he registered my presence. "You're really late today, Max," I pointed out. "Isn't the guild expecting you?"
"I don't have any jobs today," he mumbled, but his voice wavered unconvincingly. I knew my brother too well to not sense that something was off.
Then, an idea sparked within him like a lantern in the dark. "How about we go to Tarvernia together?" His proposition illuminated my face instantly, but I was quick to remind him of the need to get Matterinna's permission first.
Agreeing to my suggestion, his excitement was tangible, a palpable energy radiating from him. It was infectious, and I couldn't help but share his anticipation, for I'd never been to Tarvernia either.
Steeling ourselves for the request, we approached Matterinna, our greetings intermingling with the morning air. Her warm smile greeted us in return, setting the stage for our new adventure.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone