Ch 26 - Return (2)

Albion ran up the hill with Eve in his arms. It started raining as he placed down Eve, taking deep breaths. Eve kissed Albion again as he walked up to his front door.

*Knock Knock Knock*

When Albion knocked on the door he took steps back, Eve standing just to the side of him and slightly behind. He heard his father's lighter steps walk towards the door. But not open it.

Alekia: Can you please leave? I don't take patients out of clinic hours.

Alekia had a monotone voice. Albion could tell his father was hurt just through the door. Albion missed his father but he held himself together.

Albion: I'm not a patient though. And I'm cold. It's started raining. I'm exhausted. Please let me in Dad.

There was a silence at the door as it slowly opened. His father was at the door and looked down at Albion. His son with his hair down and wet fabric wrapped around him.

Alekia: Are… are you actually here?

Alekia reached out his hand as he slowly touched Albion's cheek. A tear fell from his eyes as his hand slightly shook. Albion didn't know what his father went through but he was in pain. So Albion put on a brave smile.

Albion: I'm home Dad.

Alekia had tears fall from his eyes as he dropped to his knees. Hugging his son as Albion hugged his father. The rain fell on both of them.

Alekia: YOU WERE TOLD NOT TO GO ALONE!

Alekia shouted as he hugged Albion. Alekia holding his son hard as his hand was shaking on the Albion's back.

Albion: I know. I'm sorry.

Alekia: YOU… YOU COULD HAVE DIED! ME AND YOUR MUM THOUGHT YOU DIED!

Alekia was in pain. His only child. His son. He thought he lost his son. They thought he was dead. There were times he saw his son in nightmares. Dying horribly. He needed to let out his pain. But he didn't blame his son whatsoever. He blamed himself, for not being strong enough, and not looking after him properly. Not giving him enough freedom so he felt like he needed to take it. Alekia blamed himself for so many reasons.

Albion: I'm sorry.

But ultimately. He was just happy his son was back. Safe in his arm. Back home.

Alekia: You… your safe. I-I love you Albion. I'm sorry if it was my fault you left.

Albion: No. I should have listened to you. I'm sorry. Is… is mum ok?

There was a quiver and shake in Albion's voice but he tried to calm himself.

Alekia: She's in her room. She uplifted a lot of forest trying to find you. I'm… I'm sorry we couldn't find you!

Albion: It's fine Dad. I had someone that took care of me.

Alekia: Is that why there's a goblin trailing behind you?

Albion was surprised his father was taking this so well. Much better than the adventurers.

Albion: You're reacting much better than the Adventurers Guild did.

Alekia: I know my son has at least basic mana sense to tell if someone's following right behind him. So that means you know them. So is this the one that took care of you while you were gone?

Alekia wiped his eyes as he parted the hug. Looking at Eve.

Eve: N-Nice to meet you Mr Elavore kikiki. I-I'm Eve. Albions girlfriend.

Albion blushed red as he quickly looked at Eve. He wanted Eve to be his girlfriend. Even more. But they hadn't said that yet,

Albion: Wait what?

Eve: You… you claimed me as yours kikiki. I'm either your wife or your girlfriend. But the others at the Adventurers Guild said girlfriend kikiki.

Alekia looked at the two. He was so confused. His son was now going out with a goblin, that was somehow a girl. He questioned what happened in that month when he disappeared. What had brought these two so close?

Alekia: I… I don't know where to start with this. I… I have so many questions. But thank you for taking care of my son.

Eve: I thank you for letting me into your home kikiki.

Alekia: Wait what?

Eve giggled at the same reaction Alekia gave as Albion had. Alekia looked down at Albion as he tried to make the face he did as a baby. But it wasn't as nearly as cute.

Alekia: *Sigh* Your… your mother's going to kill you.

Albion felt fear surge throughout his body as he heard his father's words.

Albion: Please kill me before she does.

Alekia: No. You deserve whatever's coming. Eve, it is very nice to meet you. Come on in. I'm sure Albions already had something planned.

Alekia looked down at Albion as Albion gulped. Eve gave a little giggle.

Albion: I'll… I'll go and find Mum.

Alekia: You should. Eve, I will help you to Albion's room.

Albion walked in with his head hanging down. Walking down the small hall stopping at his parent's room as Alekia and Eve kept walking to Albion's room just down the hall. Albion opened the door and walked into the dark room.

Albion: Mum.

Albion walked over to his mum's bed where she laid. Calling to her gently. He saw her turn over as her glowing red eyes met Albion's eyes. He slightly shook as he looked into her unnatural eyes and felt fear looking into them. Her eyes turned back to their regular colour as she saw Albion.

Souvee: Albion? Sweetie… my… MY BABY!

Souvee jumped out of bed and hugged Albion, tears streaming from her face. Almost creating a flood. But she was killing him. Her hug was too strong. He felt his bones crack and he couldn't breathe.

Albion: M… mum.

He gasped out.

Souvee: HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING SO STUPID SUCH AS GOING ALONE IN THE FOREST?! I… I THOUGHT YOU DIED! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DID TO TRY AND FIND YOU?!

Her chest was soft but her arms were incredibly strong. He was getting crushed between her strong arms and a soft chest.

Albion: D… ying.

Souvee: I DESTROYED THE FOREST! THERE ARE CRATERS WHERE THE FOREST USED TO BE! I FOUGHT ELVES I CAME ACROSS BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY MAY HAVE TAKEN YOU THINKING YOU WERE A CHILD THAT WONDERED TOO FAR OFF! DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS?!

Albions bones were clicking and cracking. But he believed he deserved this until she stopped. Unless he died. He didn't believe that cutting his life short was a proportional punishment.

Albion: S… p… ine.

Souvee: I ACCIDENTALLY DESTROYED THE HOUSE! 5 TIMES! I WAS SO ANGRY AND SAD I WENT BESERK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS! ALBION I… I…

Albion: H… e… l… p

Alekia quickly rushed in as he saw Souvee crying hard. Her hug that was crushing Albion even harder.

Alekia: Honey too hard!

Souvee: What? OH, GODDESS, I'M SO SORRY BABY!

Souvee let go as Albion landed on his feet. His entire body in pain but very slowly regenerating.

Alekia: He not only went out alone. But he brought someone back.

Souvee: ELVES DID ABDUCT HIM?!

Souvee looked at Albion worried.

Alekia: No. He now has a girlfriend. *Sigh* A goblin girlfriend.

Souvee: But goblins don't come as girls? And they have such short lifespans!

Alekia: Exactly.

Albion understood both of his parent's worries. But he had her status window perfectly memorised. She wasn't a normal goblin. Even then he had his Dragon Heart skill. So he wasn't worried.

Albion: She's half elf. That's the variant part of her.

Alekia: Oh…

However, even with that, his mother moved on to a new issue.

Souvee: YOU STILL BROUGHT BACK A GIRLFRIEND! WHAT EXACTLY WERE YOU DOING IN THE FOREST FOR 4 WEEKS!

His mother had the completely wrong idea about Albion and what he was doing in the forest. But when he looked at his father he saw the colour drained from his face. His eyes widened in shock.

Alekia: Oh god! Don't tell me we already have grandkids. I'm not old enough for that!

Albion: YOU'RE OVER 100 YEARS OLD! AND ITS NOT LIKE THAT!

Albion tried to explain and the more he did the more he was grounded. Unable to leave his room for a very very long time.

That was the first ever punishment he had experienced from his parents.