As they flew, both twins were able to spot other avians as they got closer to Tino and Berwald's flock. "We're going to land on that plateau over there," shouted Tino, pointing at a nearby ledge. Alfred nodded. "Mattie, you hear that? I'll wait until they land before I drop you okay?" he said. His brother nodded.

Berwald landed first, quickly followed by Tino. Alfred dropped Matthew next to Tino before landing, stumbling into a rocky wall as he did so. Tino smiled. "Our nest is over here," he said, starting to walk away. Mattie quickly helped Alfred up and they followed their guides to an alcove carved into the side of rock.

Two avians were sitting among the edges of the alcove. "Lukas! Emil! We have guests!" said Tino. The taller one with the clip in his light blonde hair immediately grabbed a rock while the younger one shot back and pressed himself against the back wall, distancing himself from the forming fight. The older one with large, white with light brown-streaked wings raised his arm, aiming for Matthew.

Berwald quickly stretched a wing in front of the twins. "N't enemies," he said. The man with the rock raised an eyebrow before lowering his arm. "You brought a human and a strange avian to our nest? Please tell me it wasn't Mathias's idea," he said. The other, whose wings was similar to the man with the rock but had black streaks instead, didn't say anything, just shifted closer to his brother.

Berwald lowered his wings while Tino quickly explained. "They were taken off the mountains by hunters when they were young. Berwald and I want to help them find their flock and learn more about avians. The man looked at the two of them, silently.

After a few seconds of staring at the twins, especially Matthew, he spoke. "I'm Lukas. This is my little brother Emil. We'll help you find your old flock, but until then I guess you can stay with us," he said. "Just have to catch Mathias before he tries to brain them," said Emil dryly.

Tino grinned. "Great! Berwald and I are going to go finish hunting. Matthew and Alfred, you two can go ahead and make yourself comfortable." His eyes widen as his grin got wider. "We'll show you how to hunt tomorrow. I'm sure you haven't done it before the way we do!" With that, he left with Berwald silently trailing after him.

Matthew shifted uncomfortably as the other two avians stared at him. Alfred, on the other hand, gave them a big grin. "So there really are more people with wings. I always thought that it was just me," he said. Lukas tilted his head. "Why would you think that? Where were you raised?" he asked, having them sit down at a ring of stones in the middle of the alcove.

"The village in the valley...They found us on the edge of a farm and took us in," said Mattie quietly. "Hmm. I would have thought a flock from another mountain range might have taken you in. No wonder Tino and Berwald want to help you so much. What do you remember of your flock?" asked Emil.

Alfred's face fell. "Another mountain range?" he asked. Lukas nodded. "There's a lot more of us than we care to let anyone know. We tend to keep ourselves secluded to protect ourselves from other flocks and hunters," said Lukas.

"Why would you need to protect yourselves from other flocks?" asked Mattie. "Territory. We may look like humans, but we have a close connection to animals and nature. Because of how important it is to keep strangers out of our territory because of the hunters, flocks often get into fights with each other," explained Lukas.

Matthew looked as deflated as his brother. "So there's a very slim chance we'll find our family then, huh?" he asked. "You can always find a new flock. That's what most avians do," said Emil with a shrug, leaning back on a rock. The twins gave them another confused look.

Emil huffed. "After you hit a certain age, most avians decide for themselves who they want as flock members. We leave the nest and find a new one," he says. Lukas ruffled his brother's hair. "Emil decided to join his big brother's flock," he said. Emi's face flushed and he squirmed out of his brother's reach. "I just didn't feel like trying to make new friends," he said.

Mattie and Alfred stifled a grin for Emil's sake. "We're not sure that's really an option for us," said Mattie hesitantly, feeling guilty at possibly costing his brother a flock due to his winglessness. Alfred brushed a wing gently against his brother, eliciting a small smile.

Norway sighed. "Tino and Berwald have taken a liking to you and I suppose you two aren't too irritating. If you can't find your flock, I suppose we can take you in if you don't want to return to your village," he said.

"R-Really?" asked Mattie. Alfred was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. "That'd be so cool!" he said. Emil sighed. "Great. Now we have two hyper people in our flock. As if Mathias wasn't enough to deal with," he said. "Who's Mathias?" asked Alfred. "An idiot," said Lukas, not elaborating.

"So when can we start looking for our family? Not that we want to rush you or anything!" said Matthew, adding the last part quickly. Lukas paused as he thought it over. "How long ago were you guys found?" he asked. The twins looked at each other. "Fifty years ago..." said Matthew slowly.

Lukas quietly stared at the two of them while Emil silently watched, not finding their ages as odd. "But you two were found together….Hmm. Two fledglings making their way back to the mountain after five years is rare. A human and an avian being brothers, and it's obvious from your looks you're twins, is even rarer," he said.

Matthew shifted uncomfortably and looked down, his face looking cloudy. Alfred quickly jumped in. "Is there any chance that our parents were a bird-guy and a human?" he asked. Lukas shook his head. "I haven't heard of many occurrences of that happening. It is very unlikely," he said.

Emil looked at his brother then at Matthew before his eyes slightly widened. "You think…?" Mattie stood up and rushed out of the alcove with shaking balled up fists. Alfred swore, getting up and chasing after his brother.

Alfred lost his brother for a second but heard someone cry out from near the ledge behind the alcove. Al's eyes widen and he went around the stone wall to find an avian with spiky blond hair and charcoal wings holding his arm to Mattie's throat, pinning him. "How did you get so close to our nest? Did you hurt my flock?" he demanded of a panicking Matthew.

Alfred growled and jumped forward, throwing his wings out and tackling the strange man. The man underneath him started to struggle before blinking. "Wait...You have wings? Why didn't you say so? How'd you hide them so well?" he asked. Matthew cleared his throat, shuffling a little. "That's my brother actually…" he said quietly.

The man's eyes widen. Emil and Lukas came running out, having heard shouting. Lukas sighed. "Mathias, of all times to show up? This is Alfred and his brother Matthew. Alfred, Matthew, this is the idiot we were telling you about," he said. Alfred got up and offered him a hand. "Oh. Sorry dude. Hope I didn't hurt your wings," he said.

Mathias gave him a wide grin. "Don't worry! Sorry I attacked your brother. Are you two looking for a flock to join? If so we're happy to have you!" he said. "It's a long story," huffed Norway, already leading the group back to their little niche in the mountain. As they walked, Alfred and Matthew quickly filled Mathias in.

When they walked into the alcove, they found Tino and Berwald with a basket full of fish. "Oh good Mathias! You met Alfred and Matthew. Have they filled you in on their search for a flock?" asked Tino. Mathias grinned. "Yeah. I told them that I wouldn't mind if they wanted to join ours when all is said and done!" said Mathias happily.

Sorry this chapter is short. I couldn't find a good way to cut it off so I could start the next chapter with some drama. Stick around to find out how the boys were found