Anya's words rang out like a gong, and I swear that when she finished her sentence, you could have heard a pin drop. I didn't realize she could be sound loud, but it was effective in getting people to quiet down. Still, despite this, all I could do was marvel at the beauty of the woman before me. Not just any woman, but my woman.
"A few days ago, our city was attacked!" Anya shouted, and I was honestly a bit surprised at her public speaking voice, loud and full of commanding authority, "Our loved ones were taken from us, slaughtered like the animals they thought we were, and the rest of us enslaved to who knows what end. Please... remember our fallen."
The last part was said so softly, and with such sadness, yet it was heard by all in attendance. Everyone stayed silent as they had been, and yet somehow, the silence seemed even quieter than before. There was sniffling, crying, and loud sobs that tore away a piece of me. At least I knew that I still had my humanity, despite not being a human myself. Which really made you think. Was compassion and understanding really a part of being human, or were the concepts themselves the sign of a good heart? After a few minutes, Anya began again.
"I, like many of you, had given up hope. The only one to escape successfully... was my daughter, Cecilia, and despite that, she came back, to find out if any hope still existed, and yet this time... she was not alone." Anya said, giving the both of us an approving smile.
We had agreed the night before there was no point in keeping all of our secrets from her people, mainly because I didn't want to. These people respected me, and they believed in me, and for me to hide where I came from just felt... wrong. Some of them knew about my world, or at least heard rumors of it being true. Today, those rumors would be put to rest... they would know the truth. There were a few things we'd keep close, but this... they deserve to know this much.
"My daughter escaped to the world known as Earth, through the portal that is hidden in this village." Anya began, and quiet and excited murmuring started up from her declaration, but her loud clearing of her throat silenced them, "Yes. The rumors are true, and the other world does indeed exist. Our village has been safeguarding it in secret for many years, passed down between between many different families, mine being the current one."
People listened to Anya intently as if she were a leader, and part of me began to wonder if she actually was. I had read enough books and watched enough anime to recognize that I hadn't seen or even heard of a single person who I would consider to be the village leader, or chief, or whatever the hell they would be called. Anya continued.
"It was this world that my daughter found herself in, scared and alone. But... she found hope, she found acceptance, and she found love in a single man." She said, turning and giving me the most genuine smile I'd ever seen, and it moved me so much that I had to take a sharp intake of breath.
Excited shouts erupted from the crowd gathered, many cheering my name, and many cheering Cici for delivering their, "Savior." I didn't know how to feel about that, but... it didn't feel bad. It felt good. I had done something good, even if my methods were a bit... violent. Anya continued.
"This man was our hero, Elias, the man who tore through an entire city to liberate us, to save us from our fates, to save my daughter. He came to this world, with the hopes of curing a sickness that ailed him, and to try and help our people because it was the right thing to do... and because he wanted my daughter to be able to see everyone again." She said, her eyes filling with tears as her emotions sang with the words she said.
Again, we did agree that it would be best to keep some specifics to ourselves, like just how powerful I truly was, or the fact that my origins seemingly started in this world. I did not disagree with that part at least. They knew I was powerful, and it was best just to keep it at that. The fact that I was apparently some descendant of an ancient God or something didn't need to be passed around.
"And I'd say he succeeded! They took my daughter from him, but they did not expect him to be one that would shake their city, a man who bends people around him to get what he. A man with the power to tear apart nations." She said, and at this point, I thought she might overdoing it just a bit, but she was filled with so much conviction that I didn't have the heart to interrupt.
"However..." She said, her voice filling with a gentleness that reminded me of how my own mother used to speak to me, and it made my eyes sting just a bit, "He is also a man filled with compassion. One who cares about the suffering of others. A man who carries out justice. A man who protects those he cares about. And this man, this wonderful and caring man, chose to give his heart to Cecilia, just as she has done for him. They formed an unbreakable bond, both in his world, and this one, and it gives me great pride to lead this ceremony for you both."
Anya grabbed Warren's hand, and walked to the front of the aisle, standing on a small raised platform just in front of Cici and myself. They both looked at us, proud smiles on their faces, and happy tears falling down their faces.
"In our customs, and yours as well," Warren said, his voice full of emotion, "People usually say their vows to one another. Cici, would you like to go first?"
Cici nodded firmly, her own face streaked with tears as we turned to face each other. She grabbed my hands, and looked at me with such love and desire that I thought my heart was going to erupt.
"Eli..." She said, wiping at her eyes before schooling herself, and focusing on me again with determination burning bright in her beautiful green orbs, "When we first met, I was scared. I thought I had escaped one bad situation and put right into another. I was so scared, and yet..." She said, her voice cracking as her emotions got the better of her, yet she pushed through, continung to speak through her tears.
"You were so kind to me. So gentle, and so considerate. You took me in to your home, and offered me one without a second thought. You thought I was just a cat... but it still mattered to me." She said, a half cry, half chuckle escaping her lips, "The time I spent with you in your world were some of the best I can remember. You made me forget the pain and the suffering for a time, but when I thought I would lose you too... I couldn't take it. I couldn't lose you...I..."
Her tears flowed like rivers as she began to sob, and I gently pulled her into my chest, gently stroking her hair as she got it out. Hell, I was becoming a mess too. I can't remember the last time I teared up this much, but at least it wasn't out of sadness. The reliefI felt of us being together, and the happiness in her tone told me that much. Soft sniffles could be heard from the crowd, and even louder ones could be heard from her parents, especially Anya. They were so alike.
"Take your time, kitten. It's okay." I said gently, running my hand delicately through her hair until she was ready to continue. After another minute or two, she was able to compose herself.
"I'm sorry..." She said, wiping at her eyes as she gave me a grateful smile, one filled with so much gratitude that it almost broke me again. She pressed on.
''I told you my story, and you agreed to come here, as there was a chance that it would save you. And it did that... and so much more." She said, and she leaned up, and in front of the whole crowd, began to nuzzle my chin affectionately, and I heard little "oos" and "awes" spill out from those around us.
She backed away from me, and her face soured as her tears started up again.
"Then I saw what they did... and what they took from us, and then... I thought they took you away from me... I thought you were gone forever, and I lost the will to go on... my heart felt like it had stopped." She said, her body trembling as she relived that scenario, but then she gave me a teary eyed smirk, "But I should have known better. You're far too stubborn to just give in like that, and before I knew it, you were smashing down the whole city to save me..."
I have never felt so grateful for someone in my entire life. Not my mother, especially not my father, and not my friends. This woman in front of me... she was all I needed in my life to be happy. The fact that there were even more good people in my life now was... almost overwhelming.
"When you smashed down the doors to that... asshole's room, and I saw you... it was like my heart began to beat once more. I felt hope again, and in that moment, and even now, my already strong feelings soared to new levels, and I can this for certain. Elias, my darling, I love you... so so much. More than simple words can describe. And I want to show you just how much I love you now, tomorrow, the day after, and... for the rest of my life. Forever."
I broke at that moment, my tears falling like small streams as I brought my forehead to hers, and basked in her presence, in her warmth. Words I never thought I'd hear, never thought I needed to hear, spoken from the heart, by the one who held mine. I wasn't the only one, the sounds of sniffs and sobs echoing around me. I heard some people talking about my show of emotion, stating that despite my strength, despite my looks, I felt things just like they did. I'm glad to know that they didn't see me as a monster, and while I didn't want many people to see me this way... I guess it couldn't be helped.
I stayed that way with Cici for a while, both of our love for one another clear for everyone to see. After a moment, I heard Anya clear her throat, and in a thick voice, she spoke.
"Well... that was... lovely." She said, clearing her throat again and wiping at her eyes as she looked at me, "Elias, is there anything you would like to say?"
"Y-yes. Of course." I said, clearing my own throat, and looking down at the cat eared angel standing before me.
I cupped her cheeks, and smiled at her. She smiled back, placing her hands over mine as she stared back at me, her affection a physical presence around us that silenced any lingering voices. Her eyes shined with her devotion to me, and the tears she tried to hold back.
"Cici, my sweet, beautiful kitten..." I began, her lips beginning to tremble as I spoke, "You know everything there is to know about me. So, you knew how I had given up. How I felt like I had nothing left. How I resigned myself to to my fate... but then, by a strange and wonderful twist of fate, I met you. I thought you were just an abandoned cat or something at first, but that didn't change what I felt like I had to do. I knew what it was like to be scared, to feel helpless, to be alone... and I couldn't just do nothing. And from that single action, my life was changed forever."
Cici's tears fell like running streams, and I gently wiped them away with my thumbs, and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead. She responded by rubbing her nose against my chin again. My heart fluttered, and it only added to the words that started to spill out of me once again.
"The time I spent with you was something I'll never forget, but then you surprised me one day by suddenly turning into the gorgeous woman now standing before me." I said, causing light laughter from the crowd, and a small giggle to escape her lips.
"I didn't feel like it was real, and not just because I'd never seen an actual cat girl before. I... didn't think someone could love me so genuinely like you do... but I've never been happier to have been proven wrong. The way you feel in my arms, the way you kiss me, the kindness of your soul... it's the greatest feeling I've ever felt. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." I said, wiping at her eyes again, then chuckled as she wiped at mine.
"You bringing me to this world was the 2nd best thing that has ever happened to me. I feel like I am finally free, able to live a normal life without constant pain, or the fear of dying at any moment. The power I have gained here is more than I could've ever asked for, because everything I've ever wanted was given to me... with you."
Cici hiccuped a sob as I spoke those words, and I gently rubbed her cheeks, intent on finishing what I needed her to hear.
"Tragedy struck, and you were taken from me not long after we arrived, but... I was not the same man I used to be. No longer weak, no longer helpless, I was able to do something about it. About everything. No cost is too great to keep you safe, and I will always do everything in my power to keep you safe, but that now extends to all of the wonderful people I have met."
I looked at the crowd around us. I met as many eyes as I could, immense gratitude filling my own. Her brother gave me a thumbs up from where he was seated, his eyes red from emotion, and I gave him one right back. Good to know he wouldn't be kicking my ass any time soon.
Then, I turned to Anya, and Warren, their faces marred with the streaks of constantly flowing tears, but the smiles they wore told me everything I needed to know.
"Thank you both for accepting me, and treating me like family. You both are what parents should be, and what many should strive to be like. So, thank you both..."
They nodded at me, seemingly unwilling to add their voices as it was clear I had yet to wrap up. Still, a saw a look of affection in both of their eyes that my parents used to give me. The love of a son, and it really tugged at my emotions. Schooling myself, I turned back to my stunning bride to be.
"That day, when I found you again, and you were safe and sound back in my arms again... that's when it hit me. When it really sunk in. I need you in my life, Cici. Life without you feels dark, and hollow, because the light you bring to my life is almost blinding. I love you Cici... with all of my heart... I love you, my sweet kitten."
Cici's eyes began to pour buckets of tears, and then she apparently just decided to say damn the traditions because the speed at which she claimed my lips was impressive. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she kissed me with such passion and raw need, that I was afraid she'd start trying to fuck me right here on this stage. And I kissed her back with equal passion, and I felt like I could actually feel my heart pouring into her. We made out for what seemed like several minutes before Anya cleared her throat.
"That was... so beautiful... I have no words." She said, wiping at her eyes.
"I haven't seen devotion like that since... well... us." Warren said, giving me an approving nod.
Anya wiped away her tears one last time, and spoke with booming authority.
"It gives me great pride, and honor, to give my daughter away to you, with the knowledge that you will love, support, and protect her until your last breath. Elias Crosse, do you accept my dear Cecilia as your wife?" She asked me, but there was no hesitation.
"With everything I am, I accept."
A fresh stream of tears fell from Cici's eyes.
"Cecilia, my dearest daughter, will you accept the role of being the wife to Elias Crosse. Will you support, provide, and love him just as he will love you?" Anya asked, and again, Cici answered in a flash.
"Forever. I will stay by his side, always." She said, my heart skipping a beat, and my eyes shedding fresh tears as well.
"Then, by the power of the Framework, I pronounce you both man and wife... I would say kiss the... oh." She said, stopping when we both just, well, starting making out again. It was maybe a bit more intimate than it needed to be in front of everyone, but I couldn't hold back when it came to her.
I saw and heard a Framework notification, but I ignored it, and pushed it away. I would have no distractions today, not when it came to this. Not when I had this gorgeous fuzzy eared Goddess in my arms. We kissed for well over a minute before Cici finally released my lips, smiling brightly at me, her eyes still shining with happy tears. Then, she leaned up to my ear, and whispered in a voice that instantly had blood flowing from my brain to my penis.
"I've waited too long, my darling husband. I need you so bad right now it hurts. Please, take me away Eli, and make it official. Truly claim me as yours." She husked.
Well... goddamn, if that didn't do it for me. I quickly turned to look at her parents, and her dad actually winked at me, while her mother made a shooing motion.
"It seems my daughter can't contain herself any longer. Honestly dear, when you whisper you need to talk in a volume where others can't hear you." Anya said, my... wife's cheeks turning pink. God... that felt nice to say. Anya continued with, "But this is the final step for you both, so go. Now."
She didn't have to tell me twice. I picked Cici up like the princess she was, and practically sprinted towards our home, laughing following in our wake. My emotions were high, my heart was full, and my cock was becoming painfully hard. This has been the greatest day of my life... and it was only going to get better.