Another Stupid Isekai

I didn't want to, but there was something in Martin, and this something would make you go insane over a thing he told you, and you knew it was true. That led me to, later during the day, leave for the world where my family was building their own city.

Well, it was already there, but more like a small town, with just a couple of buildings and some short walls surrounding it.

It wasn't as late there, as it was back around Arc. I obviously brought them supplies, just as an excuse, then lured my wife away with another excuse of having some quality time. She had a room in a house where she was living with Leonal and Carmelita.

We sat on her bed while kissing, because she actually thought my excuse was true, so I had to peel myself off of her. It was hard because not only I wanted to avoid the conversation we were supposed to have, but also the fact that the situation we found ourselves in was quite nice, and I didn't want to end it, but there was no other choice.

- What? - she asked me immediately. - Did something happen?

I sighed heavily.

- Yes. In fact, something did happen - then I sighed again.

- Is it serious? - she asked, more and more worried.

- Kinda... Just don't freak out, ok? - I told her.

- How am I supposed not to freak out, while you are being so dramatic?

- Ok. I won't be dramatic - I put a fake smile on, making her relax a bit. - I went to Aaraam'soturi.

Her eyes went wide.

- What?! - she shouted. - Why?!

- I told you not to freak out. I'm back safe and sound. It went well. Much better than I anticipated. Ixa handled most of them, so I had only to get rid of what was left - I told her.

This time it was she who sighed heavily.

I told her about Aaraam'soturi on purpose, to check the field before dropping a bomb, and also to get her into a mood for dealing with bad news.

- You shouldn't be so reckless - she scolded me.

- I had to go. The Great One noticed the alien army we were so afraid of. They are close, and we are right now preparing to fight them - I explained.

She got speechless, her jaw dropped, but nothing came out of her mouth. She couldn't find the words.

- We have a plan - I assured her. - A good plan, and on top of that I'm much, much, much stronger than I was before. Everybody is. We are still collecting crystals from Aaraam'soturi. We will be fine.

- We will be fine?! - she yelled.

- Yes, because I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here with the kids - I told her, trying to stay calm.

- Peter! What the hell?! You say something like that to me, and you are asking me not to freak out?! - she jumped back on her feet, then started walking around, very, very nervous.

She didn't know what to do with herself, or how to respond.

- If I tell the kids, they will want to go, but I would rather they stayed safe. Here, with you. I'm gonna take care of the rest. As I said, we are well prepared - I assured her.

- You don't know that! You can't know that! There is a countless army out there. You've never seen it, nor interacted with it. You have no idea what you're dealing with - she told me after finally stopping.

I noticed tears in her eyes.

- Hope saw it. We even have a map. Trust me. Have I ever let you down? Have I ever allowed our family to suffer? No. I will protect you, and the kids. I will win this. I just need to know you are safe because otherwise, I won't be able to do what I need to do. I'll be constantly worried about you guys... Please...

My words clearly worked, because she threw herself on me, hugging me tightly.

- I trust you - she said to my ear with a trembling voice. - Just promise me that you will return.

- I promise. I will return - I lied.

I wouldn't know if my return was possible, but she didn't need to know that.

We stayed like that for a moment. Me sitting on the bed, with arms wrapped around her, and her sitting on my lap, hugging me.

Eventually, she calmed down and was in a state presentable to the rest of the family, but we decided to wait even longer. Tihana was simply too keen on things like that. She would notice if something was off, and I didn't really want to deal with her.

After around an hour, we left the room, joining the kids, and playing our roles. A bit later I left them, returning to Arc.

Despite the situation, despite the fact that a terrible war was right around the corner, I was so damn calm, that it infuriated me to a point. I wasn't confident, because I couldn't be, but there was no fear in my mind at all.

I decided to stick with others, mainly to kill some time before we would get more information from The Great One, so I ended up in wastelands, where my friends set up a camp, just right on the side of the pile of soil I dig up for them.

They had a little fire, supported by Hatta's magic, and were just talking while enjoying some beers. Knowing my friends, it was probably Nil who brought that. Even Ki'rai seemed calm, which was not like her. Usually, she would be crazily excited about the upcoming fight. I guess she matured too.

They greeted me happily. I sat among them, exchanging looks of acknowledgment with Martin, who even smiled at me. Frankly speaking, I was thankful that he made me do it. It took a weight off my heart I didn't even recognize was there.

Maybe I wasn't scared of my own life anymore, but my family was an entirely different beast.