and if dreams can come true...
au starter for @atypicalsenerio
THANKFULLY, THERE'S STILL A LIGHT WITHIN THIS HAZE. Sharena can sense it. Yes, somewhere in this endless, labyrinthine forest, with its ever-looking, ever-hungry eyes, and its thick shadow— there is a spark of innocence. A flower bud growing amongst thorns. That spark is who she's looking for— that spark is who she needs to protect.
Her wings zip through the fog, cutting through the shadows in streaks of soft light. She slashes through the illusion with her magic— or, well, the flower-shaped lance that held her magic— and lets the darkness fade out into wisps. Dreams were supposed to be bright; vivid, wonderful, and bringing nothing but joy. But this one seemed to be some awful nightmare instead. The fear in the air is thick enough to make even her shiver. No doubt the child dreaming of this felt a horrible anguish. As an ljosalfar, she can't let that stand!
"Shoo! Shoo! No more nightmares; this isn't the place for you!" she cries as she rips through the scenery. The dark forest landscape tears like parchment, each rupture revealing a sun-bright radiance beneath.
It takes a while for her to clear everything out, but once she does, the sunlit flower fields of Ljosalfheimr greet her. This is what the dream should have been in the first place— a sea of sunrise-hued petals amidst a rainbow-filled sky. This is what that child deserves to see!
She huffs, drained from the work. This nightmare was far worse than the others. Sharena feels her heart break as she purges the last of it. This dreaming child is rather young. They must be, if she could still visit them. How could it be that someone that age could go through such terrible things in their sleep? Could this mean that the waking world was far crueler to them?
She'd rather not think about it. She has no power in the realm of the conscious— the most she can do is protect this child as they sleep, and hope that it would be enough.
Sharena sighs. Then, strapping her lance to her back, she begins flying around, searching for that sliver of persisting innocence. Then, she sees it— a young boy with long, black hair, standing amidst the flowers. Sharena flutters down towards him, careful to maintain her distance. She knows how sensitive children can be, especially after a nightmare.
"Hello?” she says softly, floating a pace away from him, “The nightmare's all gone. You’re free to run and play now. Don’t worry; you're safe with me!"