"...then we made something to carry him and left everything... except this. I wanted Zephyr to have it."
Alexander showed a small blade. "It's one of Emet's claws. It belongs to my little brother." He placed the thing next to Zephyr's sleeping head. "A blessed one, by Ehlite himself."
I kept squeezing Zephyr's hand throughout his story. I couldn't quite imagine it—he touched Emet and tossed him up in the air? Or did he fly up himself?
"This indeed sounds like he is... blessed. That explains a lot..."
"Granny??"
"No need to look like that, Lylly. I obviously didn't know. But his presence and skills always screamed an upbringing different from the norm," she kept her eyes on his sleeping face. "Not to mention, I said it before... I believe his memories are selectively taken from him. Just enough to forget who he is... and apparently his power."
Then, the fifty or so people surrounding us all went so quiet that I could hear the sounds of insects outside.
"You know... I don't care who took what memories from him, or why." Alexander was quick to break the uncomfortable silence. "He is Zephyr Astoria. My brother, and the first man in a hundred years to have killed a divine beast."
I looked at my beloved's face as the surroundings whispered prayers behind me or reaffirmed Alexander's words. That's right... whoever you were, my love. It doesn't matter... and that pain and suffering tormenting you... one day, I'll help you erase them.
"Alright, everyone. I'm sure you all have plenty to say, but for now, let's give Zephyr some space. It's late. Those who can, go rest," Granny looked at the people filling the hall to the brim. "You can all come back tomorrow when I'm sure Zephyr will be up and about."
Granny cleared most of the crowd; only our family was left. Lucian's eyes looked like lanterns as he kept muttering to himself like some lunatic.
"Hey! Stop staring at him with that creepy look."
He looked spooked by my sudden words. "Sorry, Lylly... it's just... it's unbelievable. An actual Blessed. I never saw such courage," he seemed to recall what had happened. "Running head-on... no fear. None."
His eyes were shining, reflecting the firelight. Alexander was quick to back up his words. "He didn't let me die... he refused. He kept his word, my love. He did..." He said those words to Demelza, who had been glued to him since we came inside.
"I know he did... we owe him a great debt."
I looked at them as they stared at my Zephyr with appreciation and love.
"...There's no debt... amongst family, fool."
It was so silent that I barely heard it. His eyes were still closed, but he was awake. He squeezed my hand softly.
"ZEPHYR! Hey..."
"Not so loud, my love. Ahem... can someone get me some water?" His voice was faint, but it was there.
"ME!" Lucian ran out like the wind. Granny sighed and walked to the table two feet away, bringing some water over in a cup. I took it from her.
"Slowly... easy... stupid idiot..." I held his head up, my vision blurred with fresh tears.
"Don't cry... I kept my promise. I returned."
I couldn't stop my kisses or my tears. He was here... alive. I lay him down and rested my head on his chest, letting him pull me closer. I kissed his neck, and it made him laugh.
"It tickles, Lylly... people are here, my love... O-ouch... Lylly!"
In between kisses, I bit his neck hard.
"Sis... control yourself..." Eleanor's words brought me back. I almost lost myself there. I couldn't help it. When I saw him on that stretcher, I thought... what was the actual point of going on without him?
Then he came back... he was alive. He had also done something unbelievable. I wanted to melt into him right now. These people were in the way.
"Zephyr... what happened?" Granny went straight to the point once I got back up.
"...Once the monster appeared... I felt it."
"""Felt what?"""
"I can't... explain well. I... just knew. I felt power surge through me. I knew if I grabbed him, I could disappear... once my finger touched his fur," he used his hands to demonstrate somewhat clumsily how it happened. "I was flying... I saw everything: all the lands... an enormous body of water and Emet falling beneath me..."
No one interrupted him, so he went on. "I thought I was dead... we must've fallen for... I don't know how long. Then that feeling came over me... I wanted to be back on the ground..." He reached toward the ceiling and dropped his hand down. "...and darkness. The rest you know better than me."
We digested all he said. It was a lot.
"For now, you should rest... all we do know is that Emet is no more."
"Tomorrow, we go up and bring down the carcass, brother. Proof of the blessed battle agai—" Alexander put his hand on Zephyr's arm.
"Just stop... I'd tear you a new one if you treat me differently, understand?" He reached up and extended his hand.
Alexander laughed loudly and reached out, taking his hand. Just then, Lucian arrived with a bucket that must have been filled at the well.
"I went to the well... here..." He didn't even notice he had spilled half of it coming in.
After Eli was finished telling Lucian all he missed, everyone was caught up. Granny's word hit me again... Emet is no more. Zephyr killed him.
"Tomorrow we talk more, bury the dead, and if you let us... I would like to see your ability. You did great, son."
"Thanks, Vistellia... tomorrow."
Granny stood and left, presumably to sleep. "I'm leaving too... What a blessed day, my boy. Sleep well." Mother left with Eli, and Lucian said his goodbyes as well. Lucian bowed, then awkwardly ran out.
Zephyr watched this and looked at Alexander with accusing eyes. "I'll talk to him... tomorrow," Alex said, understanding him.
Soon after, Demelza pulled Alexander away, and we were finally alone.
With a long sigh, Zephyr sat up with his back against the wall and invited me into his embrace. I took my rightful place and let myself go. Feeling his steady breathing on my neck calmed my heart.
"You're quiet, my love."
"I'm just glad..."
He put his arm around my waist and kissed me gently. "Your ability... what does that mean for us?" I had to ask, so the pressure in my chest could turn into a bad memory, along with seeing him on that stretcher.
He looked at me like I was an idiot, more or less the same look he gave Alexander or Lucian. He poked my forehead.
"It means nothing. Lylly, I love you... blessed or not. This... thing, it feels like an illusion," he looked at his hands and then back to me. "You and our lives are the only things that are real to me."
I watched his face as he struggled to speak. "...For a second. Tonight, for a second, I thought I lost everything I gained. Lost you..."
It was the second time I saw him tear up. It broke my heart. I kissed his tears away... they tasted salty.
"I'm here... you can never lose me. I love you in this life... and the next."
I watched him fall asleep and listened to his breathing. I couldn't sleep. I was afraid that if I closed my eyes, he might disappear.