Earthborn: Kovenn

Prolouge

Nevermore was always a quiet little town, placed delicately under the palace. It sat on its own isolated rock, giant chains anchored the palace island to it. It was hot, the rocks were littered with bright, stunning and luminescent nightshade flowers. The one of the only places in the valley with luscious green grass, it's the first time I've ever seen green plants, such a bizarre sight. Touching it was even stranger, it was prickly, but wet and rough, like no plant I've ever dealt with before. That's one of my first ever memories of this place.

The air always smelled of firewood and heat, a strange descriptor i know, but how else to describe the smell of constant burning lava. Such a comforting smell, This is home.

I took a deep breath and approached the gates, iron statues of a three headed dog stared down at me, a few ravens and crows sat perched on the gates, they reached high and stood sturdy. Always felt safe here. This is home.

I placed my hand on the hot metal and slowly pushed it open, Not a single sound, I gripped my bag and slung it over my shoulder.

It's been four years, no contact. I know he's furious at me, I would be too. What kind of son am i? I noticed my pace was slowing down the closer I got to the outskirts, a building anxiety swelled in my chest. I could feel my hands getting sweaty on the palms, the lava was dim and sky darker, it was night now, you dumbass, of course you'd wait until he was asleep, you coward. What's that saying? 'Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?' just a cheap saying to make bad people feel better.

For twenty four years, this man clothed and fed and raised you, and you can't even write a letter to tell him you're ok? Did he change the locks? God, I'm such an idiot.

A gentle breeze rustled the flowers, I stood stiff in front of the house, A gate fencing it in, directly above it was the palace, floating high and proud, it was quiet. The gates rattled in the wind, the house was dark, is he even home? I could see the dark shop in the corner of my eye, he wasn't working. I gripped the bag tighter. I slowly unlocked the gate like I have millions of times before, and slipped my fingers between the bars and flicked the flimsy broken lock, he never fixed it. I always felt so clever until I grew up and realized anyone can do that. He always made it feel special though.

The old rusty gate creaked open, the distant sound of wings fluttering filled the air temporarily, a few ravens floating past before settling back in, I turned my head towards the town, the arched gate framing it, the lava having a soft glow.

This is home. I'm home.

" Window." I muttered and slipped around back, stepping over the chains and old bikes and broken equipment stored on the side of the house, keeping the bag off the walls and avoiding the scrapping of bricks.

The vines still wrapped up the side of the house, he never cut them down, like always I climb up. Memories began to flash back to me, years of sneaking home after missing curfew, sneaking in after a date, or after falling asleep at Saint's. He never got mad, just pretended he couldn't hear me.

I tossed my bag over the white wooden balcony rail and climbed over and slowly pushed the window up. Nothing was touched. I tossed the bag inside and took a breath before climbing in. The light was off, the closet door still open, bed unmade. just how i left it, He hasn't touched it at all. I sighed quietly and dropped down on the bed, rubbing my face.

"You're a horrible son." I muttered, "He didnt raise you this way."

I laid back on the familiar springs and stared at the ceiling. Sucked in a deep breath and let it out but the unease was not subsiding. I'm back home, I should be happy, yet I'm terrified. Will they all hate me? Four years is 48 months, 209 weeks, and 1,461 days of radio silence from a supposed friend and family member and it was all for what? Nothing. I could feel that revelation sinking in, He wasn't there. Is he even still alive? My eyes began to sting with tears, fuck, why do i even care? It's not like I know him. He's a stranger as far as i'm concerned. But that's not true is it? I mean you lied and ran away to find him and it amounted to nothing. You're still in the dark, you're still alone, you're still confused. Was it even worth it?