Unlike my previous flights, this one was slow, and careful. I wasn't in a rush, as the woman I'd tore through body after body to get to was in my arms, snuggled against my chest. I couldn't be more calm than I was right now. Her warmth, and her soft breath against my neck was like the caress of a god, telling me that everything was how it should be. We had been flying for almost an hour now, which should have also given the villagers plenty of time to get back.
"It's going to take me a while to get used to this." Cici said, nuzzling my neck, making me chuckle.
"Hey, that tickles." I said, squeezing her closer, "And what does that mean?"
"You. All big and strong. My protector." She cooed as she kissed my neck.
I rubbed the back of her head affectionately.
"Always your protector. No one will be taking you from me again." I said firmly, and my words made her purr, the vibrations rattling my chest.
"Mmm." She sighed contentedly, "My perfect mate."
I just smiled. She was so damn adorable, but more than that, she was caring, compassionate, and loving. She was mine, and I was hers. Using that thought process, everything seemed right in my life for the first time in... well, ever.
We flew in a comfortable silence as thy village drew near, and once we could see it from pyr vantage point, Cici became both nervous and excited. We didn't take in the full extent of the damage when we were here earlier, so I bet she was wondering who was still alive, and who was not. My anger rose a bit when I thought about it. I'm so glad I killed that fucker.
As we drew near, I could see people bustling throughout the village. People were cleaning up trash, sifting through the wreckage of their homes, rebuilding said homes, and many were taking care of the dead, lining them up in one section of the village while covering their bodies with large tarps. That part was solumn. I even seen my shades helping the people of the village, giving assistance as well as just standing guard around the parameter.
"Huh. Good skill." I thought.
As we neared, I spotted the house that Cici lived in, the one where I was "killed," so to speak, and saw her family doing much the same as everyone else.
Her brother was moving smaller objects, sweeping things out of the house while their father worked on rebuilding, and I surprised at just how good many of these people were at building and foundations. People on Earth sucked at that shit, and usually hired people to do it for them. I would be one one of those people though, but I'm not ashamed to admit it. Hell, now that I could actually move around and do shit without pain coursing through me at every move, I could probably learn pretty easily.
We spotted Cici's mother out front, looking at a burnt patch of dirt with sadness in her eyes.
"That's mom's garden. Or... it was." Cici said.
"If only that's all that got burnt." I muttered, looking at the blackened homes, and patches of dark ash on the ground. Cici just nodded.
I began to descend, and more than a few people noticed us, looking up at us with wonder and a little concern. They probably didn't know it was us just yet. I brought my wings back, slowing fall speed, and landed on the ground in front of Cici's house with a small thud. The sound causes Cici's family, who weren't paying attention, jerk their heads towards us, and the reactions were what you'd expect.
Her mother stood abruptly, tears gathering in her eyes as she beheld her daughter, safe and sound. Her father stopped the lumber in his hands, a look of pure relief on his face, as he joined his wife. Her brother threw the broom he was using the side and just began running, making me smile as I put Cici on her feet.
"BIG SIS!" Hiago cried as he made an impressive leap at Cici, who had to plant her feet as the small boy crashed into her, making her grunt and stumble back.
"Easy there, Hiago! You're gonna break me." Cici both laughed and cried as she held her brother close.
Her parents were next, both coming up to them, and wrapping their arms around them both in the most wholesome group family hug I'd ever seen.
"I'm so glad you're safe!" Warren said, trying and utterly failing to hold in his emotions.
"My sweet girl! Oh, my darling kitten... thank the Framework!" Anya said as she kissed Cici's head and cheeks.
Cici was crying pure tears of joy, of relief, and of the knowledge that her family was safe and sound, giving her all the affection she could ever ask for. The scene brought me to tears too, as I realized what a real family should be like. Supportive, loving, and always in your corner, unlike how mine had been for so long. If only...
"It's all thanks to Eli that this is possible." Cici told them, her tone warm and sure, "He saved me before, and he saved me today. He saved all of us."
Their hug lasted a little while longer, none of them willing to release each other as they basked in their reunion. Warren was the first one to break off, and he walked up to me, studying me intently, but there was respect in the man's eyes, and after only a few seconds, he extended his hand.
"You saved our people. Our family... my daughter. Eli, right? I can't thank you enough." He said, and I smiled as I gripped his hand, and shook it firmly.
"Elias Crosse, but yeah, Eli is what I prefer." I said, then my face became serious, "I couldn't sit by and do nothing. And... they had Cici. That's all the motivation I need." I said, and he gave me a strange look, but not a negative one.
"I see. My daughter means a lot to you, does she? You'll have to tell us about it later." He said, and I nodded.
"Of course."
Her brother was next, coming up to me, and jumping up and down like... well, an excited kid.
"I saw what you did back there! It was so cool! Are you a Framework Hero?" He asked me, and I blinked, then laughed and shook my head.
"No. Nothing like that. Just a guy trying to do the right thing." I said, and he just beamed up at me.
"That's what a hero does! Man, this is so cool!" He said, and then his face became serious, and grateful, "I really love my big sis, and you brought her back to us, and you freed mom, and dad, and everyone else. So, that's why I think you're a hero. Thank you, Mister Eli."
I gotta say, the gratitude, and the weight of his words hit me in the feels harder than I expected them too. A kid, unfiltered and free, thought I was a hero? These smiling faces, this happy family, and the current busy and bustling village made me glad I took the plunge, and entered that portal with Cici. In the end, it was all worth it. I pat the kid on the head, smiling gently.
"Your big sis is someone very special. But, so are all of you. I'm sorry this all happened at all." I said, causing the kid to sniffle a bit.
"You're a nice guy, Mister Eli. Much nicer than the other humans." He said, and that made me pause for a second.
"I... don't think I'm a human anymore. Does it really matter?" I thought, as my race listed on my character page was "Divine Primordial."
It was still a lot to take in, and I really hoped someone here might have some answers for me. Divine was like a God or something, that much I knew, and Primordials were like... the beings before the Gods in most books and anime. At least, that's how it usually went. It could be different here, but either way, I was damn powerful, and I used that power to save people, to save my mate. I couldn't complain, even if it did freak me out a bit.
"Mom, you've met Eli already, but I wanted to introduce him properly, to all of you." I heard Cici say, drawing me away from my thoughts and at her and Anya's approaching forms.
Her mother gave me a look like she was sizing me up as she now stood right in front of me, but her smile became warm and gentle after only a moment.
"Thank you for everything. For saving my family, my people... me." She said, then turned to Cici, "But this sounds like a lot more than just you introducing us to a friend."
Cici, did not even hesitate.
"I am in love with Eli, and have chosen him as my mate." She said, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm not one to blush or anything, but that sure did it. It did make me incredibly happy though.
Her mom didn't react the way I expected her to either. Her dad and brother had wide eyes, but not in a disapproving way. More like a, oh shit I had no idea, sorta way. Her mother just nodded, and smiled, like it made perfect sense. I scratched my cheek.
"I thought it was something like that. The way he spoke about you, the look in his eyes when he was looking for you... how he thought I was you." She said, making me cough, and causing Cici to giggle.
"He told me about that." She laughed the words, but then her face became softer, and her voice gentle, "He's wonderful, mom. He treats me better than anyone I've met."
Anya assessed me carefully, looking me up and down several times, making me little uncomfortable.
"Are you from... the other world?" She asked me, and I nodded, seeing no reason to hide it.
"I see...hmm. Our home is far from complete, but we got places to sit, and I'd like a more private setting. There's a lot more I want to know, and I'd rather not stand the whole time." She said, and I saw no reason not to.
"Yes ma'am." I replied, trying to be as respectful as I could, and that made her smirk.
"You know honey, I think I like him." Anya said to Cici, making Cici blush and smile, before turning to me, "Anya is fine. I don't feel old enough to be a ma'am yet."
"Oh, yes ma- uh, Anya." I said, and that made her laugh.
"Oh my, Cecilia, you sure picked a cute one." She replied, ushering us to follow her.
Cici grabbed my hand, and led me towards tbe entrance, and the whole time, my brow was furrowed.
"I'm cute?"