Never Fall

Prologue

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful world.

Bird sang as they fly along the fresh wind being blown.

Yes, bird.

An animal that should be killing humans, fly freely in the sky right below the dazzling city. One of the race that is considered dangerous, was once a peaceful animal that even human take care of.

That is, thousand of years ago.

However, now they are considered dangerous because when they saw even a single human race. They will dive down to it and wouldn't even hesitate to attack it.

A dangerous and unpredicted race.

What was it like to live in such a world where peace is given and life is guaranteed?

That is the question I always ask. A question, everyone find difficult to answer.

I read a book of it, about the birds.

Since my father was once a renown biologist granted by the king himself, he was given a privilege to write books according to his research.

And I certainly admire my father for that.

However, he died right before I could even turn 10.

It was quick. My father suddenly died.

Even my mother find it odd. But we didn't dive deeper to the mystery since it might cause us trouble.

After that, my mother vanished. I was left behind.

She just run off somewhere.

Somewhere far.

Why did she leave me?

I don't know.

I just know that I need to take care of myself. I need to live a life my father told me.

[Become an adventurer, my child. With that, you will truly see the wanders lie behind our ruined world.]

I was skeptical at that time, I'm nothing but a naive little child that still depends on their parents. I didn't even know what he's talking about.

However, now I know.

My father. Sometimes whenever I remember him, I find him scary as if he can see the future, but most of the times, he's too gentle that I keep remembering his warm hugs.

Truly, I'm very fond of my memories.

But now that I'm growing up, alone. I need to move and keep forward.

I will grant the sole wish my father hope.

Regain the beauty of our world.

And so, I head outside from my home at the middle of the forest. Just southwest from the capital of my lovely kingdom.

Lotus.

Named after a flower that the first king love.

It is said to have a sweet fragrance with a pinkish petal. It symbolizes the human as a whole.

A beautiful thing that, despite the ruined, apocalyptic world, managed to survive.

It can't be found anywhere here. But I have heard that inside the capital, you will see the true beauty of such flower.

I can't wait.

As I thought so, I made wry smile.

And as I do so, I look back at the wooden house.

A shabby, yet full of memory. The small library of my father, and my home for eternity.

I smile again and look down as I remember how my father named his house the first time we came here.

Bird s**t!

Truly, a remarkable one.

I look up again to see the shabby house my father once complimented as a bird s**t.

Father, mother left a week ago. I don't know why, but I think she won't come back.

I will be going to the capital to become an adventurer just like you want me to. You said it will be hard so please, if you're there, pray for me.

I don't know when I'll be back, but I'm sure, I'll bring lots of discovery!

And after that, I turn my body away from the house and took off towards the direction of the capital that my father once drawn.

A lotus shaped city, covered with designs that let the people feel the freedom they have in this ruined world.

I expect it!