The day flew by before we even knew it, and now we stood in front of Cici's parents and her brother in her home. We had both dressed in clothing that I had requested, and I was surprised at how closely they resembled Earth clothes.
I had on a simple black t-shirt, black pants that felt almost like jeans, and a pair of boots that were sturdy, and reminded me of work boots from Earth, minus the steel toes. Cici though... she looked goddamn gorgeous. She wore a frilly green blouse with just a hint of cleavage showing, a matching skirt that cut off mid thigh, showing off a generous amount of her smooth and creamy skin, and a pair of simple black sandals with a strap through her big toe. I wasn't a feet guy by any means, but she had some adorable feet with her cute little toes. Her generous chest, round ass, and alluring figure worked much better than it should have on her small stature, and I actually had to struggle not to get an erection just by looking at her.
"Do you know how long you'll be gone?" Anya asked as she hugged Cici.
"No... could be a day, could be longer. I guess it depends on how things go." I said, before reassuringly adding, "I'm gonna leave a bunch of my army here. They should stay active, although I'm not sure to what extent I'll be able to interact with them yet." I said, delving deeping into that power.
I could feel each and every one of my soldiers I have active currently, and I could even use them to interact with others if I wished. I could control control them to some extent, give them orders from afar, and even receive and give messages through them. It truly was a useful ability, and with them here, I didn't need to worry about the village as much. Anya shook her head at me.
"I'm not worried about that, I'm just gonna miss my girl. And you, Eli. My new son." She said, the last part of her sentence filling my eyes with moisture.
"I'll... miss you all too." I replied, holding back my emotions as best as I could.
Anya smiled as she opened one of her arms, and beckoned me closer. I stepped into the embrace, wrapping her and Cici in my large arms.
"You two better come back in one piece." She told, and we both just nodded.
There wasn't anything she had to worry about. Earth was a normal world, a world where no one could touch us. I wasn't sure exactly how leaving Nagalise would affect me or my powers, but something told me I'd be just fine. Cici was able to do some things on Earth, she just couldn't regain her mana. Since mine was limitless... I think we'll manage. And I'll be by Cici's side the entire time.
"You said you want to bring your mother back here?" Warren asked us, stepping up to us as Anya finally released us.
I nodded.
"I want to make sure she stays safe. And I can't do that with her over there. This place, this village and everyone here," I said, looking down at Cici who smiled at me, and I smiled right back, "I feel more at home here than I have anywhere else. Here, with Cici, and all of you... that is my home."
Anya smiled, and kissed my cheek. That made me turn red for once, even though there was nothing romantic about the gesture. My mom used to do that to me all of the time.
"And we're glad to have you here with us. You treat my Cecilia very well, and we love you for that." Anya said, before she released me and Cici, and Warren stepped up to me.
He clapped me on the shoulder.
"You're like our own now, Eli. Just, keep my baby safe, yeah?" He said, and I grinned as we clasped forearms.
"With my life." I said, and he chuckled.
"You mean, theirs. I don't think anyone can take you down." He said, making me laugh as well.
We parted, and he walked over to Cici to give her his love before we left. Before I knew it, a tiny cat kid was hugging my leg, and I couldn't help but smile as I pat him on the head.
"Hey there, bud. You gonna miss us?" I asked, and he nodded as he looked up to me.
"Just take care of my sister. And take care of yourself. It's like I have a big brother now, and I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone again..." He said, his words causing a lump to form in my throat.
I got to a knee and pulled Hiago into a hug.
"You know I will. Anyone touches a hair on your sister's head, and they won't have theirs anymore." I said, clearing my throat before adding, "I always wanted a little brother, you know. I'll do my best to be a good role model. Just... don't try all of the stuff I do."
He hugged me tighter, and then laugh.
"I don't like hurting people, or fighting. I'll leave that to you. That's what big brothers are for, right?" He asked, making me laugh.
"Yeah. Don't dirty your hands. Leave that to me." I told me, rubbing his head.
Cici said her goodbyes to her brother as well before we were off. Even many of the villagers waved us off and wished us luck on our travels, despite many of them not knowing where we were even going. Only a few people knew about the portal to another world, and those people were mainly myself, Cici, and her family. Our walk through the forest was serene and peaceful, and it wasn't long before we soon arrived at the illusory entrance to the portal chamber. Just looked like an ordinary rock.
Cici put her hand upon the rock, and seemingly read and accepted a prompt before the rock faded away into nothingness. We entered, and she closed the entrance behind us, the rock reappearing.
"Makes sense." I muttered as we kept doing down, until we arrived at the portal once again.
It looked just the same as last time, and I half expected to get a Framework box in my vision, but strangely enough, all was quiet. Not that I minded that much. All I needed to know is where it led, and well... it was time to go back to Earth. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it as much as some might, but I need to help my mom. I was gone too long, and I needed to help her.
"Are you ready kitten?" I asked, and Cici smiled as she squeezed my hand.
"Hold on." She said, and I looked at her confused, and then my eyes widened slightly as I saw her ears and tail recede into her body, and her pupils slowly rounded out until they looked normal. All I could do was blink.
"Can't change my hair color, but I figured I'd better look as normal as possible before going back." She said, and that made me pause, and then I kissed her head for being so smart.
[Abyssal Manipulation]
I used changed the color of my eyes back to the dull brown they had been before, and I decided to just go with a jet black for my hair color, but I didn't change anything else. I wanted people to see who I was now, and for them, especially my father, that I wasn't sickly anymore, and that they couldn't walk all over me anymore. I hoped to hell I didn't see anyone else while I was there, namely Keith or Rachel, but life wasn't always that generous.
"I'm ready now too." I said, and Cici looked at me with a bright smile.
"You're still handsome, although I miss the eyes." She said, hugging my arm to her generous chest, and I grinned.
"And you're still beautiful... but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss your fluffiness." I said, and she giggled as she walked forward arm in arm, through the portal back to Earth.