text: I was doing a prompt from , however, the prompt got locked out, and I really wanted to share my story and receive feedback. So any feedback is appreciated however please be gentle I suck at taking harsh criticism ;-; The prompt was: The Dark Lord, sick of pointless war, secretly escapes to the countryside and falls in love with a nice widow in an unremarkable village. A year or two later, having never managed to find the Dark Lord, the young hero returns home only to find he has a new stepfather all of a sudden. (Posted by: Potential Smell). Link is here; Anyways, here is the story. I tried to go for a bitter/hopeful ending. Hope I did well. Coming Home Smelling the chalky, grassy, country air, Gerald’s feet made heavy steps through the village which he remembered as his origins. It had been a long time since he had last been here, his last memories in the village were of him receiving a scroll to become part of the kingdom’s army and get drafted into war after training camp. It was gruesome. Frostbite still coated his tongue in memory of how he was forced to fight in the winter as a regular knight before he saved his comrades from freezing to death after their commander died by using fire magic he had learned in secret to kindle them. Afterward, he was promoted to General, and then eventually started commanding troops to go against the Dark Lord’s magical army and then faced the man himself. He remembered the elegant look of the man that had a small glimmer of malice in his eyes. He remembered the ring of black fire that scorched his skin. He had critically wounded the man who then sent in reinforcement as he vanished. A few months after the duel the war had suddenly halted. He received news of the Dark Lord suddenly vanishing and his troops were in disarray. What remained of his army and allies eventually were hunted out and executed. Reconstruction took a year and in that time he was tasked to hunt down the Dark Lord and bring back his head. However, it had been a year since he started wandering the lands, searching for any clues or signs. There were none. After seeing him come back in horrible conditions due to traveling in harsh climates the King dismissed him and revoked his role as ‘General’ and he was reduced back to what he was before; a countryside boy. He stared at the once rickety old door in front of him now had become polished with new wood. Once dirtied windows were now crystal clear and the decaying walls were built anew. He wasn’t sure if he was at the right house but he glanced towards his left and saw the pomegranate tree that grew up with him towering high. He knew it was the right one. Reluctantly he raised a fist at the door. Knock, knock, knock. The clanking of chains unraveling rang out and a creak sounded as he saw a face he had once remembered so young and vibrant turn old peer at him and morphed into shock. Tears welling up she reached a hand to touch his tattered red scarf gently, “Gerald?” And the waterworks began as he pulled her into a tenacious embrace, “I’m home. I’m so sorry I never wrote back to you ten years ago.” Sobs erupted from the woman as he softly patted her hair from his changed height. Minutes later once she had calmed down the two sat at a rounded wooden table and she gave him a bowl of stew. He felt a shiver go down his spine as he saw the new polished and upgraded room with the kitchen branching off. His mother sat down across from him and looked at him with sullen eyes. “You were only thirteen when they took you away from me.” She bemoaned, “I couldn’t stop them. You were the only man in our family. But I should’ve tried harder.” “You did your best. You couldn’t go against the order. It’s not your fault.” He said, a grim look covering his face. He couldn’t smile in front of her as he reminisced over his experiences in war. The people he had seen, the children that died before their parents, or orphans that were made. It all tore at his heart. He snapped back into the present, “How have you been surviving since then? Why is the house so nice?” he had more questions on how she was but a series of knocks interrupted him. His mother jumped up excitedly and practically bounced towards the door despite her aged body, and opened it up widely as she hugged the man who stood at the door. Mortification took over as Gerald realized who the man was, though older he still remembers. Contrary to when he used to wear an elegant mage’s robe he now wore a farmer’s tunic, pants, and boots. His once coal-like hair had turned into a pepper gray and his smooth skin had hints of wrinkles. His once somber ocean eyes now looked like the sky and held a jovial expression instead of the sadistic smirk usually on his face. However, one thing remained the same. Though faded, a white-pinkish scar traced down his left eye in a perfectly clean line. It’s as if a painter stroke a brush. Remembering she was being watched, Gerald’s mother let go of the man and sheepishly smiled, “Well, the answer to your question is here Gerald. This is your new father. His name is Aaron. I met him three years ago in late fall. He had come to the village wandering and lost so I picked him up and as he stayed as a guest well...we fell in love.” A goofy smile formed on her mouth. The so-called ‘Aaron’ had an unreadable expression. Gerald’s mind spiraled as the gears were turning and everything was clicking in. The time of disappearance had checked out, but the scar was his clear confirmation. He quickly jumped up and unsheathed his sword as he pulled his mother away from the man and behind him and pointed the sword at his neck, “Mother this man isn’t to be trusted! He’s the dark lord that plagued our country for years.” His mother blinked then laughed, “I know all that. He told me of all his sins.” “Then you must kno-“ “If the god Ivor forgave mankind for discovering magic, why can’t you forgive him?” “He hurt so many people. So many lives were ruined by the war created by him!” He gritted his teeth as memories raced through his mind. Aaron’s face changed to something he thought he would never see on that monster’s face. Remorse. “I did do that. And I regret it. It was such a waste of time in the end and it only brought bitterness and despair towards everyone.” Aaron spoke finally, he had a softer tone compared to his crazed one last the two had dueled. “I wanted to bring hell onto the kingdom for destroying my greatest work, the invention I never got to complete. But I soon understood the path to revenge was a lonely one. So I got sick and tired of it. And then I left. I wandered for weeks trying to repair any damage I did before I met your mother and fell in love with her. She told me about you, I knew about you. I even sent one of my old familiars to look after you and update her.” He put his hand gently on the sword, once smooth hands were filled with calluses, “I can’t undo the damage I did entirely. I’m tired though of wandering and found a home in your mother. I understand if you can’t love me or forgive me. But please let me be with your mother.” Gerald frantically looked between his mother and Aaron, he saw his mother’s pleading face and his mind flashed back to the day he was dragged away by soldiers; he was kicking and screaming as his mother was sobbing on the ground before collapsing of exhaustion. Luckily the neighbors rushed towards her once the way was clear from the soldiers however he remembered the nights his mother cried over the death of his father. Though he had no memories of him, he knew his mother was lonely. He swallowed a lump in his throat and returned his sword to his side. Gerald glared at Aaron, “I hate you. However, I care for my mother’s happiness more. And I am tired of being away from home and for the sake of the peace of the country, I won’t report you. But you mustn’t hurt my mother understood?” He held a look of reluctance and contempt, as he gave the man a warning look. Aaron held out a hand as he nodded, “I am thankful for your understanding.” The two men shook hands and Gerald’s mother clapped her hands. “Well now that it’s settled what are your plans?” She looked at Gerald with fear that he’d vanish. Gerald gave a bitter smile, “Heal from war.” And then glanced at his new stepfather, “And get to know ‘Aaron’ rather than the Dark Lord.” Aaron gave a surprised look then beamed, “Well come my boy! You must be starving. Dolores did you cook the stew?” Dolores nodded, “Yes! Come Gerald, your food must be getting cold. I’ll get you a new bowl!” The two of them ushered Gerald back to the table and as he hesitantly went to sit at the table he questioned if what he was doing was the right choice. He dismissed the thought as the steam of stew reached his nose and he was reminded of why he wanted to come back. He wanted to come home.