Chapter Twenty Two. *

"..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 Emet claw..it belongs to my little brother."

- he placed the thing next to his sleeping head. " A blessed one by, Ehlite himself."

I kept squeezing Zephyr hand throughout his story.

I couldn't quite imagine it..he touched Emet and tossed him up 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 screaming a different upbringing the normal. - she kept her eyes at his sleeping face. " Not to mention, I said it before...I believe his memories are selectively taken from him. Just enough to forget who is he..and apparently his power."

Then some fifty people surrounded us all went so quiet I could hear the sounds of insects outside.

" You know ...I don't care who taken want 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 year to have killed a divine beast. "

I looked at my beloved face as the surroundings whispered prayers behind me or reaffirmed Alexander 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 just our family left.

Lucian 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 unbelievable. An actual Blessed. I never saw such courage." - he seemed to recall what has happened. "..Running head on ..no fear. None."

His eyes were shining reflecting the light. 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 was glued to him since we came inside.

" I know he did..we own 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 I barely heard it. His eyes were still closed, but he was awake. He squeezed my hand softly.

" ZEPHYR! Hey.."

" Not so lound my love.khmm..can someone get me some water." - his voice was silent but, it was there.

" ME!"

Lucian ran out like a wind. Granny sighed and went to table two feet away and brought some water over in a cup.

I took it from her.

" Slowly ..easy..stupid idiot.." - I held his head up my eyesight blurred.

" Don't cry..I kept my promise. I returned."

I couldn't stop my kisses or my tears.

He was here..alive..I layed him down and rested my head on his chest and let 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 bite his neck hard.

" Sis..controller yourself..."

Eleanor words brought me back. I almost lost myself there. I couldn't help it. When I saw him on that stretch I thought...

What was the actual point going on without him?

Then he came back..he was alive. He 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 surged through me. I knew if grabbed him I can disappear.. once my finger touched his fur. " - he used his hands to demonstrate somewhat clumsy how it happened. " I was flying..I saw everything all the lands..an enormous body of water and Emet falling beneath me..."

No one interrupt him, so 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 towards the ceiling and dropped his hand down.

" ..and darkness. The rest you know better than me."

We digested all he said. It was lot.

" For now you should rest.. all we do know, that Emet is no more."

" Tomorrow we go up and bring down the carcass brother. Proof of 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 extended his hand.

Alexander laughed loudly and reach out took he hand. Just then Lucian arrived with a bucket what must've been filled with water.

" I went to the well..here.." - he didn't even notice he spilled half it coming it.

After Eli telling Lucian all he missed, everyone was caught up. Granny word hit me...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 done great son."

" Thanks Vistellia..tomorrow. "

Granny stood and went to sleep presumably.

" I'm leaving too..What a blessed day my boy. Sleep well."

Mother left with Eli and Lucian saying their goodbyes as well. Lucian bowed then awkwardly ran out.

Zephyr watching this looked at Alexander with accusing eyes.

" I'll talk to him...tomorrow. " - he looked back understanding him.

Soon after Demelza pulled away Alexander and we were finally alone.

With a long sigh he sat up with his back against the wall and invited me in his embrace. I took my rightful place and let myself go. Feeling his breathing on my neck slowed down my heart.

" You're quite my love."

" I'm just glad.."

He put his arm around my waist and kissed me gently.

" Your ability..what is that mean for us?"

He looked at me like I'm idiot. More or less the same look he give 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 his hands and then back to me. " You and our lifes are the only things that real to me."

I had to ask, so that pressure in my chest can turn into a bad memory along with him on that stretch.

" ..for second. Tonight for second, I thought I lost everything gained. Lost you.." - he struggles to press the words through.

It was the second time in saw him tear up. It broke my heart. I kissed his tears away...it 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, if I close my eyes he disappears.