Across The Realms

Chapter 1

Throughout Kairo's childhood, his father would tell him stories of his occupation back when he was still in his prime. Telling him tales of how he used to hunt golems, centaurs, trolls, werewolves and many other mythical creatures you would only hear of in bedtime stories. Thus, creating an aspiring father figure that the young boy would look up to. Kairo would listen closely to every word his father would preach, believing it to be true, though lacking any form of evidence to back it up with. Naturally, Kairo grew to admire his father, vowing to someday grow up to be just like him.

However, going through his teen years, he could see how impractical his father's stories sounded as it started to go on loop, the wonderful image of father-son banter became days filled with arguments and nights of relentless cold shoulders. By the age of 20, Kairo could no longer entertain his father's delusional stories and decided to study abroad as a means of escape from his father, even if it were for just a few years.

Kairo was now 23 and had not been in contact with his father since before moving away to study abroad. Enjoying his freedom away from the lack of sanity that his father would normally impose onto him on a daily basis, Kairo returned to his dorm on campus. Upon his return, he realised an envelope laying neatly on his bed. Grabbing the envelope, Kairo popped his head out the door frame and cocked his head from the left to the right sides of the dormitory corridor, with no one in sight as to who placed it there.

With not much to go on, Kairo sat down on his bed and tore the envelope open.

Unfolding the letter inside, it read "Son, I hope that college has been treating you well. I do understand that we have not been on speaking terms, but after these few years on my own, I think it is about time we sat down to have a chat and hopefully reconcile."

Thankfully, it was summer break. Clearly, there was no better opportunity than now to return home.

Daydreaming, Kairo looked out the car window of his ride, with the bittersweet taste of regret and anxiousness beginning to weigh on his shoulders.

"17 Camber Street. That would be 31 dollars, sir." The cab driver informed Kairo as he halted the car

Leaving the cab, he placed 35 dollars in the driver's hand and muttered "Here, keep the change."

After alighting, gripping tightly to the sling of his duffel bag and clenching his other fist, he stood in front of his childhood home. Picket white fences, curved stone slabbed walkway leading to the front porch of your everyday suburban home. Walking up to the front door, he paused in his movements before knocking on the door, took a step back and off the doormat. Lifted it by the corner, pulling out a key.

"Dad, you live alone for god sakes. This is just asking for trouble." Kairo complained as he unlocked the door with the key, creaking it open

Tossing his duffel bag on the ground, Kairo needed not second guess his father's whereabouts and headed straight for the basement. Walking down the stairs, Kairo crouches slightly while holding onto the wall for support. It was so dark down there, with only a dim light protruding from below. As he got down to the basement, his father was just as he had predicted, asleep at his work desk.

Gently shaking his father by the shoulders, he whispered "Hey dad, it's already noon. If you're still tired, head up to your bed or your body is gonna ache."

"I'm so tired that I'm hearing my son's voice." As Kairo's father lifted his face of the tabletop with his eyes half open, he commented with a chuckle at the end

As his father rubbed his eyelids, sensing someone standing at his side, he turned his head and saw his son.

His eyelids widened as tears filled his eyes as he tilted his head upwards he questioned "Son?"

With a gentle smirk and teary squinted eyes on his face, Kairo responded "Yup. It's me, dad. I'm home."